Lovino wondered if things would be different now.
There was plenty of reason for things to change, but just as many reasons for things to stay the same.
He didn't remember moving to the couch last night, but that's where he woke up, held tightly against Gilbert's chest as the ex-nation slept. Lovino decided he looked younger in his sleep, more peaceful. The Italian sat up slowly, wincing at a dull pain in his lower back, and studied the sleeping man's features.
Gilbert's hair reminded Lovino of snow, pure white falling softly against high cheekbones and fluttering eyelids. Lovino wondered what he was dreaming about.
The fire had died down at some point during the night, leaving the room cool and dark in the early morning. Gilbert's skin was cold, and Lovino wondered if it was a trick of the light making it so pale. Slowly, so as not to wake him, Lovino traced a hand down his chest. He remembered doing this before, when they weren't together, and feeling guilty for wanting to. Now the feeling of cool skin underneath his fingers was reassuring rather than forbidden, reminding him that Gilbert was still here.
A hand came up to catch Lovino's wrist, red eyes blinking open.
"Guten Morgen," Gilbert said, rolling his shoulders. His eyes squeezed shut as he yawned.
"Morning," Lovino said, resting his head back down on Gilbert's chest, grunting slightly as pain flared at the base of his spine.
"Sore?" Gilbert smirked, laughing through his nose.
"Shut up," Lovino growled, cheeks turning red.
Gilbert kissed the top of Lovino's head, rubbing at the tension between his shoulder blades. Lovino relaxed against him, the solidness of his chest and rhythmic motion of his hand comforting.
"So cute!" Gilbert said, voice shooting up a couple octaves as he tightened his arms around Lovino. The Italian let out a surprised yell that ended up muffled by the Prussian's chest, pushing himself back slightly.
"Idiot," he said, scowling.
"You know you can't resist me," Gilbert said, laughing.
"I wouldn't say that…" Lovino said, but he still wrapped his arms around Gilbert.
It was familiar, and the warmth was finally seeping back into the room. Winter was gone, spring sweeping in, bringing new beginnings. And Lovino decided that nothing had changed, even though everything had.