A picnic sounded like just the thing to spend the day doing. Relaxing and sitting close together, sharing a simple meal and enjoying some sunshine seemed exactly what he needed to get to know this version of Italy better. Although he would have never been able to come up with idea himself, Germany's book had been more than helpful with suggesting date ideas and this one had held some particular appeal.

Prussia had helped to prepare the food, happily bouncing around the kitchen in a frilly apron of Hungary's and a simple vest courtesy of Romano. Austria supplied a large blanket for him to use and then endured the cuddling albino while the German carried everything out the door to set up before meeting Italy. They wished him luck before disappearing back within the stucture, likely planning on dedicating their day to classical works as opposed to helping out around the house. He should have left a note for Prussia…

Still, the day appeared clear and warm, the breeze light, and only small wispy clouds darted across the sky. It seemed the perfect combination and could not foresee any way this could possibly go wrong. It made the muscular German smile to himself as he strode along the path, arms laden with gear, towards his planned picnicking area: a small field not far from where they usually met to train, surrounded with lush green trees and occasionally dotted with flowers depending on the season. He figured it to be ideal, even if he wasn't completely sure if it was, and hoped nothing would go wrong with his date.

Date. Just the thought made him stumble slightly and frown. Why was he getting nervous now? It wasn't as though this was very different from what they usually did together. No, he decided as he shook his head. This would be just like all those other times, minus the cute laughter, the tears or the insistence to make all the food.

Germany sighed as he tried to set aside all his fears and worries while approaching the field he had planned to use. He quickly set to work spreading out the blanket in a quiet sunny spot and unpacked the dishes and silverware on top of it. The containers of food came next and when everything seemed perfect, he stepped back to admire his work. Everything seemed romantic enough, at least all the things suggested to bring along were now present and ready for use. Now to go and meet the person that all of this was for.

Italy was waiting just beyond the trees when Germany arrived and glared impatiently at the blonde. "You are late."

The German winced at the implication, but tried not to let it hinder him. "Entschuldigung, I didn't mean to be."

The brunette huffed but seemed to move on. "So what sort of training did you want to do today?"

Germany straightened and nodded towards his waiting meal. "It is this way." The blonde easily lead the way back to where he had left everything and as soon as it came into view the brunette halted. "What is this?"

At this point, the German's resolve began to crumple. He blushed terribly and tried to keep eye contact, but it was soon deemed a pointless battle. "I wanted to do something for you." He chanced a glance up to see Italy's reaction, before swiftly looking away again. "Do you like it?" he added softly.

"Did Romano put you up to this?"

"Was?"

"Or Japan?" Italy continued on, eyes suspiciously scanning their surroundings for any signs of spectators.

"Nein, they didn't-"

"And I do not trust Prussia as well. Probably works for Hungary…"

"This was something I wanted to do without their help!" Germany attempted to get them back to where he wanted them to be. "I decided to do this. They didn't ask me to!" Italy blinked as the blonde attempted to calm down and breathe again before adding, "I want to spend time with you."

Italy regarded the serious tone in his favorite nation and grinned wickedly. "You like spending time with me?" to which the German nodded and he chuckled. "Then, I think we shouldn't let this picnic go to waste."

Germany smiled at that and both took their seats on the quilt and he began to serve them both something to eat. Finally he was getting exactly what he wanted: a quiet normal day with Italy. No one around to intrude, nothing to interrupt. Just quiet and normal.

"So," Italy started once they both had a sandwich and some fruit, that same mischievous glint sparking in his eyes, "aren't you worried about missing a day of training? What with your plans to focus on removing one of the Allies?"

"One day will not matter much." Germany responded biting down into his food and internally praising Prussia's cooking skills. In all honestly though, he doubted Italy really needed much training anymore. It was more a formality these days, something that was normally scheduled and as routine kept it up as before. The instructive sessions were gone however, now replaced with bouts of fighting spars, a significant portion of which the brunette won normally using tactics Germany was not comfortable with. He supposed in the end they helped to improve him as well, but once the other had found out he stopped if he heard so much as a whimper he had never been able to gain the upper hand again.

"Who do you think it will be?" Italy mused, lying back and watching the sky. "France is out but the others will not be as easy." He pursed his lips as he continued to think. "China? He seems a fairly good target unless that abomination of the north tries to help. Japan won't mind."

"We will meet with Japan next week to discuss." Germany told him but was sure that was the direction they would take. The only real issue would be distracting Russia long enough to eliminate China completely. America and England were far too busy trying to recover France and being led around by Canada so if the campaign was quick enough, it wouldn't involve any of them.

"Hey," Italy muttered gaining the blonde's attention again, "No one's around, right?" His lips curled as he glanced around just to double check. "Meaning we have some alone time where we will not be interrupted?"

"But, lunch…?" The German tried to argue once he realized the other's intent as Italy set his plate aside and pulled himself closer.

"Will still be here when we finish," the brunette smirked situating over Germany's chest and making himself comfortable. "Besides, how many chances will we have this opportunity? To bear all beneath an afternoon sun and make you scream in everything that I will do to you?"

Germany opened his mouth to retort but was silenced as it was covered over by Italy's. Although secluded, it still didn't sit well with him to be out in the open where someone could witness their antics. He blushed deeply and considered what someone would say if they saw while unconsciously moving his hands to rub at Italy's sides. He couldn't think of anything more embarrassing than being caught in the act and it distracted him as the Italian quickly moved things along and started tugging at his shirt, but not enough to distract him from hearing the slight rustle in the nearby forest.

The blonde sat up quickly, effectively dislodging Italy from his mouth and making the brunette began to sulk in his lap. Blue eyes widened in complete disbelief as a figure appeared out of the shadows and slowly approached and Italy turned his head to see as well, sniffing at the distraction in boredom. "Great, a girl."

Said girl stepped further out of the shadows, her eyes narrowed into tiny slits and drilling into Germany's. There was nothing but cold hard hate in her gaze as she continued forward, shoulders hunched, hands clenched into tight fists at her sides and the skirt of her dark dress catching in the light breeze along with her long ash blonde hair.

She stopped only a few meters from where the couple were picnicking and glared at them both, but kept most of it directed in Germany's direction. The German nation tensed and took a slow breath in, wondering why she was even here in the first place. "…Belarus…?"

She grimaced at his use of her name and pulled a small knife out to grip at her thigh. "What did you do to старший брат?"

AN:

Entschuldigung: Sorry

Was?: What?

старший брат: Big brother (or had you figured that one out?)

Happy Valentines day...