A/N: Another short chapter, but hey. I progressed after 7 months! My muse is really fighting this story, but I will fight back. I have been working on this story for 6 years and I'm not about to stop because of a stubborn muse. Here's the plan. I have either 18 or 19 chapters planned out (I may even have 20. It depends on what I'm doing in certain chapters.) but I'm having trouble plotting out more. I'm going to post all the chapters I have, but once I do this story will go on another hiatus. The last one lasted a long time and this one might too, but I need some time to properly think about where I want this story to go. While working on this story, I have been kinda plotting out 'Once Upon A December' and 'Not All It's Cut Out To Be' in my head. Once this is on hiatus, I may start posting one of those two while I plan out future chapters (though, I will need some time before I post anything). Until then, enjoy this chapter and the rest I post! I will post a poll to see which story I will post once we go on hiatus and it will be up for two weeks. Be sure to check out the descriptions for each story on my profile.

His breath came out in heavy pants as the sound of the second explosion erupted. He could feel the force of it wash over him as he used his body to shield the only thing that mattered. The world around him exploded into a thousand screams before becoming instantly silent a few seconds later. He slowly sat up, looking around the smoky darkness as a low ringing came to his ears. The air still irritated his throat, but he couldn't help but sigh in relief before looking down at the man he protected from the blast.

"Italy." He moved to cradle the Italian in his arms.

He did it. He got to his old friend before the second explosion took him. He was so happy; he couldn't help but crack a smile as he brushed Italy's hair to the side. The Italian didn't react. Emotionless amber eyes stared back and his hand froze. He could feel his body become rigid and it felt like he couldn't breathe.

"I-Italy?"

The brunet didn't even blink. Despite the slight rise and fall of his chest, Italy looked dead and he didn't know why. He felt his blood run cold and his body began to shake. He couldn't have been too late, right? Just a moment ago, Italy was calling out his name. There had to be a reason why his friend wasn't responding.

"Italy!" He called out, shaking the man in his arms.

Italy's body stayed limp, his head lolling to the side with little effort. Panic was quick to set in. He called out the Italian's name louder and louder, shaking him even harder than before. The brunet didn't respond, his body acting almost as if it was just a simple rag doll.

"Italy, please!" He cried, his voice ringing throughout the darkness, "Please! Say something. Anything!" He cupped his friend's cheek and turned his head as if seeing his distressed face would get the Italian to respond. "Please…" He whispered, feeling something trickle down his cheek.

With that same dead look, Italy spoke as clear as day, "Germany?"

Italy peered around the busy square, almost turning around in full circles as he searched for Germany. He pulled out his phone, looking at the address the blond had sent him the day before. There was no mistake that they were supposed to meet here. So where could the German be? Italy sighed as he put his phone away and looked that the shops and restaurants in the square. Germany never did specify where they were going to eat. The Italian just assumed they'd meet up and then choose a place at random.

After looking around once again, the brunet's eyes spotted the German's figure in front of a café. Happy to have finally found him, Italy went over to him. Germany seemed to have already ordered some coffee for himself when he took a seat across from the blond. A spare menu was sitting there and the Italian began to look through it.

"Sorry for making you wait! Did you order anything else yet?" Silence. Italy peered over the menu, wondering if Germany heard him. "Er… Germany?"

Still no response. Germany was just staring down into his coffee with a distant look in his eyes. He did look a bit tired too, but Italy assumed the blond was daydreaming. That happened to him too, though some of those daydreams were actually dreams… Getting out of his seat, Italy walked to the German's side and waved a hand in front of his face with no reaction.

"Germany?" Italy called out with the same results.

He then decided to shake his arm lightly. Germany jumped in response and turned to look at the Italian when the brunet started laughing.

"S-Sorry." The blond said, rubbing his eyes.

"Don't worry about it. Must have been an interesting daydream!" Germany only hummed in response, though it didn't sound too happy. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just had a lot of work and stayed up late to finish it."

The blond suppressed a yawn while Italy went back to the menu, oblivious to the German's lie. He didn't want to tell his best friend about his reoccurring dream, or the fact that it had a new installment. Poor Germany woke up in the middle of the night after seeing how unresponsive the Italian was and couldn't fall back asleep. He attempted to finish up his work to take his mind off the dream, but he couldn't shake the bad feeling it gave him.

"Maybe you should take a siesta after lunch!" Italy said, giving Germany a warm smile, "That's usually the best time to take one." Germany chuckled, looking over at the brunet with amusement before drinking his coffee. The Italian simply tilted his head in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"It's nothing. You just reminded me of something."

"Tell me!" Italy leaned forward, eyes shining with childlike curiosity.

"Well, it was common for you to try to convince me to take nap after lunch."

"Really?"

Germany nodded, recounting the many times the Italian would try to get him to sleep whether it be on his own or together when Italy wanted to get out of something. He had to pause a few times when their waiter came along to take the brunet's order and when their food was delivered. Italy's attention never faltered, looking surprised yet amused with each story told.

"You then had me lay down beside you and, despite you saying you were going to stay awake, you fell asleep." Germany watched as his friend put down his drink, trying to not spit it out with his contained laughter, "It may have been a failed attempt, but you at least had me taking a break which must have been your intention."

"S-Sounds like something I would do." He admitted after swallowing his drink.

The blond joined in the laughter with a chuckle and then it became quiet between the two friends. Italy went back to finishing off his sandwich while Germany stared into his coffee cup. He trailed his index finger along the rim, unsure of how to continue. Sure they were in a comfortable silence but as the two finished their lunch, the German noticed that the other would glance at him before looking to the sky or the busy square. He really wasn't used to this.

"S-Sorry." Germany finally voiced, gaining Italy's attention, "I'm… not much of a conversationalist."

The Italian gave him an understanding smile, "It's okay. I'm going to guess that I was the talkative one when we hung out?" From the blond's slow nod, Italy's smile became sad. "Sorry."

Germany shook his head, "Don't be. It's going to take some time to get back into the swing of things. I'm just going to have to be more vocal whenever we hang out for the time being." The brunet gave him a appreciative smile. "You know; you can always call me if you need help with anything right? No matter how small it may be, I'll be there to help in any way I can."

"Mhmh. I know. I'll be sure to call as soon as Romano is out of ear shot."

The two laughed, and Germany couldn't help but imagine the eldest Italian glaring at two of them and saying anything to prove that he didn't care. Once their laughter subsided, the blond was about to say something when he suddenly closed his mouth shut. Italy took notice, watching the German look to the café next to them as he started drinking his coffee once again. He was about to ask what was wrong when he heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, there you two are!" France came up to their table, giving the Italian a friendly smile. Germany's attention stayed on the café when the Frenchman's gaze drifted between the two friends. "I have been trying to call you." He continued, giving his attention fully to Italy though his voice lost its previous cheerfulness.

The brunet looked rather surprised and went to grab his phone from his pocket. "Oh, sorry. I forgot to raise the volume of my phone…" As Italy messed with his phone, Germany managed to wave down their waiter and asked for the check. "Why were you looking for us?"

"Romano was trying to call you before, but you never picked up. I came to visit and he asked me to come get you since he was working on some paper work."

"Oh, well, can you give me some more time? Germany was just about to-"

"Don't worry about it." Germany piped up, taking the check from the waiter and paying it in full, "You shouldn't keep Romano waiting. It must be important if he's calling you back so early."

"Mmm. I suppose… Can I call you later?"

The blond shook his head, getting out of his seat. "I have some things to finish up. I'll be sure to call and we can schedule a training date."

"Alright. See you later, Germany."

The German waved in response and Italy noted how fast he left after stiffly walking around France. Glancing back at said Frenchman, the Italian saw the blond glance to where Germany went. He looked sad, but why? France sighed after a moment and motioned for Italy to follow. He did and he promised himself he'd figure out why those two were acting so weird around each other.