A/N: Gah, this took about a week to do! I had a plan but I changed it drastically while writing. Anyhow I hope you like this.

17. Winter of recovery

December, about six months since the kidnapping

Boring. Tedious. Tiring. Annoying. Frustrating. There were many adjectives to describe the meeting they were in. At least in Romano's opinion. America was boasting, England and France fighting, Russia scaring the Baltics who were shivering, Belarus creeping the crap out of everyone else, Italy bugging Germany and the said nation ready to snap at any moment. The Southern Italy brother took a deep breath and tried to ignore everything and everyone around him, even Spain who was supposed to be in charge of the meeting since they were in his capital this time.

A knock on the door interrupted the meeting. Everyone's gaze turned towards the large double door which opened a fraction. A dark-haired head peeked in and grinned. Miguel.

"What is it now orange bastard?" Romano growled. Miguel had acquired his own nick-name/personal insult after getting a job on an orange plantation near Spain's house.

"Delivery to Signor Vargas." The young man smiled, waving a brown envelope. He still hadn't dropped the 'Signor' whenever he addressed Romano and the nation had a feeling that he was doing it on purpose to annoy him.

"That can wait." By the way… what was Miguel doing here? He did know about the nations now after working so closely with Spain the last summer and autumn but…

"Lovi, don't be mean to Miguel." Spain pouted next to the Italian and pinched his cheeks.

"Stop calling me that, tomato bastard! And stop pinching me!" Romano slapped the fingers away only to be hugged. Thus he started abusing the other Mediterranean nation by words and slaps(the normal occurrence).

"Sorry to interrupt your banter but I think this is quite important. At least more important than your lovers' quarrel." Miguel mock-sighed as he walked closer to the long table to which all the nations were assembled around.

"How so?" England inquired. "Not that I'd find their fight important."

"It's from Luciano Cantorini."

"What?" Romano got free from one Spaniard's arms and jumped on his feet. He strode to the other Spaniard and snatched the envelope from him. Miguel merely rolled his eyes.

"Who is this Cantorini dude?" America asked while Romano fished a CD and a letter from the envelope. On the CD was a note:

"Watch alone or with others. I don't care; it's going to be in Youtube within a week anyways. Read the letter on your own though, you tomato face."

Romano chuckled at the nick-name he had gotten from the boy. Normally he would've exploded if someone had called him that but for some reason Luciano seemed to be an exception to the rule.

"Nothing to see here." The Italian snapped and slowly the meeting slid into its normal tracks. Only exception was Miguel who decided to hang around.

"What did he write?" The young man asked as they were sitting a bit apart from everyone else with Spain and Italy.

"Tells how the things are right now…"

Ciao, Lovino!

It has been quite a long time. I thought about writing this letter all that time but I wasn't sure how to start this. Then Elsa – who made that video btw – advised me to just write about ordinary things. What's going on and stuff like that. Said that those're things you'd be interested in after the 'traumatic experience Felicia and you/me had to go through'… Her words, not mine.

Feli and I are doing fine I guess. Adjusting is what we've been doing this autumn. Felicia is doing better than me though since she still can't remember much. Mother and father put her on Italian lessons. I in the other hand… I've never been a fan of physical contact and after that… month there it has been even harder. But my friends have been brilliant. Especially Elsa and Akseli(whom we call Axis sometimes). We are at their place at the moment and Elsa is babysitting us three. She is only two years older than us!

School-wise I'm doing fine too. Akseli and I started our second year of studying German. We both picked it for different reasons. I didn't want to take Swedish since on 7th grade I have to take it anyways and Akseli was simply interested in it. It's nice though to have conversations that Felicia and Elsa don't understand. Although on those times Elsa counters by talking Swedish to us. We all hate it. Well, pretty many in our school hates studying Swedish or that's what Elsa says.

I enclosed some photo's with this letter. There's a photo of us three at Elsa and Akseli's and of the turtle me and Feli got when the school started. Something about animals being therapeutic… I don't know about that but I like taking care of Toni. And yes, I named him after your 'tomato bastard' just to spite you.

I guess this is all I have to say now. I hope this letter with reach you. Watch the video now; it's quite funny actually.

Luciano Cantorini

"Ve~, let's watch the video now." Italy clapped his hands together excitedly.

"No, after meeting is better. And maybe some other people want to watch it with us." Romano stated, folding the letter back to its envelope and taking a look on the photos that he hadn't noticed before.

"Aww, do you have a soft spot for Luci?" Miguel smiled.

"What? No, I don't!"

"I think you do. You were really nice to him back then and it wasn't for pity. You saw yourself in him."

"I did not."

"Yes, you did."

"Shut up, orange bastard!"

"Lovi, be nice to Miguel."

An hour later a small group was assembled in the living room of Spain's house. This group consisted of the Italies, Spain, Miguel, Germany and Prussia, Hungary and Austria, and Finland.

"I'm glad you invited me too." Finland smiled as he took a seat between Hungary and Germany on the sofa. Austria and Miguel occupied armchairs while Italy sat on Germany's lap. Prussia, Spain and Romano in the other hand had taken the floor between the sofa and television. For some reason they had chosen their places first and the rest had just sat down on the furniture.

"Of course, they're your citizens too." Italy smiled while Romano put the CD in the DVD player.

"Okay, this is starting."

(Nations' comments are inside these… things. And on Italics.)

A mint green text on black background appeared on the screen.

"Just so bored Elsa's Christmas stuff. All sorts of fun and miscellaneous things. Guest starts: Axis, Luci and Feli. The video is not entirely in English."

The view changed of one in a room. Kids room at that. Luciano was at a desk and writing on a letter. After a few seconds he put a pen aside and put the letter in an envelope with a few photographs. Then he turned to look at the camera.

"Ciao, I'm Luciano. I'm Elsa's friend and today guest-starring on her video. My sister Felicia is also here as is Elsa's younger brother Akseli whom we call Axis. Some of you might already know us from previous videos but those who don't… Me and Feli are half-Finnish and half-Italian. I guess that's about it for introduction…"

"Luci…" A girl with reddish brown hair appeared by the door. Felicia. "We need the camera now."

"Alright. That's Felicia, my younger twin."

"Hi everyone." Felicia stepped in the room and waved to the camera. She was wearing a white turtle neck and green skinny jeans. A couple of annotations appeared on the screen.

Am I the only one who thinks that Feli looks like a walking Italian flag? –Elsa

No, I think so too. –Akseli

Me too. –Luciano

Hey! –Felicia

("Same here." Prussia chuckled, earning a glare from Romano.)

The camera shook slightly as it was taken from its place and Luciano disappeared from the picture. Felicia took the stand the camera had been standing on previously and headed out of the room.

"So if someone doesn't know, Elsa has promised to give a cooking recipe. She is making green pesto." Luciano's voice explained. "And this camera is needed since she is also showing how to make it."

"Elsa's green pesto is really great! But is doesn't beat dad's cooking." Felicia added, looking over her shoulder.

"Felicia, eyes forward!"

"Wha-." Luciano's hand grabbed the girl by the collar of her shirt and stopped her. Camera pointed downwards at the turtle that was walking across the hall. "Oh, Toni the Turtle!"

"Yes, and you already almost stepped on him."

("Not Toni the Turtle!" Spain and Miguel chorused in horror. Prussia snickered while Romano sighed. Why he had to be with morons?)

"I did not."

"Yes, you did."

The screen went blank for a second before going black and a purple text appeared on it.

"The twins argued for five minutes about all sorts of stupid so I took the opportunity to steal the camera from them. –Elsa"

The scene was from a kitchen. A girl with light brown hair was adjusting the camera to the right angle. Finally she came to the view properly. Elsa smiled to the viewers and waved. (Italy waved back at her.)

("Hey, I remember her! She was in Salou when her brüder almost drowned. You saved him Toni, do you remember?" Prussia exclaimed.)

("Sí. I remember." Spain smiled. "She told us about keeping a video blog, didn't she?")

"Hello, Elsa here at last. Sorry about the twins, I'll cut their fight away when editing this. But now… I'm making lunch for us four – my brother is here too you see – and giving you the recipe for my brilliant Green pesto which goes well with pretty many things, mainly with pasta though."

("Pastaaaa!")

("Shut up!")

"So, let's start… First we take one deciliter of almond chips in the machine. I don't know what this is in English since it's not exactly a mixer but it's really old." Elsa gestured the white kitchen machine in front of her as she poured the almonds in. "Then we'll crush them quickly. Sorry about the noise."

The noise was horrible but lasted on five seconds.

"Then you'll add parsley and basil. About one bush of basil and three deciliters of parsley I guess. Approx. Our basil is fresh but the parsley is from the freezer where is has been since summer. And the basil had to be carried inside my winter coat so it wouldn't die." Elsa laughed.

("Is it really that cold there?" Miguel asked.)

("Yes. Vegetables can easily wither even during a shortest distances." Finland answered with a smile.)

"When everything is in, put the lid on and mix them. Be careful with the parsley, it might get stuck in the blades so you have to pull it away. Do not put your fingers in! Use a knife or something."

Horrible noise filled the speakers again. Like Elsa said, parsley got stuck in the blades and she had to use a knife to pull it away.

"Next we use olive oil. One and half deciliters. Pour it in while the machine is running. You can use it less if it fits your taste better like that. Of course you can use other oils too like rapeseed oil. That plant…" Elsa pointed side where a picture of a plant with yellow flowers appeared. "Just for the information for you, State people." She grinned as the machine was running. But as the oil was poured in the noise subsided.

"Now is the time for the second last ingredient. Parmesan cheese! I absolutely love this thing." The girl smiled happily and shoved the bag of grated Parmesan cheese. "Maybe because I love salty things… Anyways because we are putting this into our pesto, we don't need any salt. But pepper we will use later. Now, one deciliter of this awesome cheese that you pour straight in. Aaaand mix!"

The video paused for a second. When it continued all the stuff on the table was cleaned away.

"I put the pesto into the fridge so the flavors can settle. Now I'm going to boil spaghetti. Meanwhile you can have fun with the twins." And as on cue Felicia appeared to the kitchen.

"We're going to go and bug Akseli now." The half-Italian smiled and took the camera. "See you soon Elsa."

"See ya."

Felicia went to the living room where Akseli was reading some comics on a comfy-looking armchair with ear-buds in his ears presumably playing music.

"Akselii… Where's Luci?"

No answer.

"Axis, Axis, Akselii…" The camera went closer. Luciano appeared to the room through another doorway.

"Can't you see he's reading and can't hear you?" The older twin asked.

"Yeah…"

"Let me…" Luciano strode to the other boy and took his comic book from him, causing Akseli to look up.

"Hey, warfreak, food's almost ready. We're supposed to fill the tape meanwhile." Luciano told the other boy in German while translation appeared in the bottom of the screen.

("Why he had to start studying that potato language…?" Romano muttered.)

Akseli blinked slowly before taking the ear-buds off.

"Alright, what do you suggest then?"

"Just something to annoy Felicia."

"Hey, don't speak German!" Felicia shouted behind the camera.

"Why not? It's fun." Luciano grinned, switching into Italian.

"And you don't understand us." Akseli continued while staying in German.

"And because you don't understand us, you make funny reactions."

"Let's go already, alright? I'm hungry." Akseli made a move to exit the room.

"Yeah. Sorella can think in peace what an earth was this all about." Luciano smirked and took the camera from the girl. "Let's go and see where Toni is. He should be somewhere here."

"They just have to annoy each other. Well, I'll annoy them back. –Elsa"

Toni the Turtle munching salad appeared on the screen. Camera zoomed out to show Luciano lying on his stomach on the floor and giving the turtle more salad. Akseli moved to sit on the other side of the picture.

"Why do you mess up with your sister that much?" He asked.

"Because it's fun." Came the simple reply from Luciano.

"Okay…" A short silence fell.

"Why are we sitting here?"

"I dunno."

"Oh, c'mon. Surely you have something more interesting to do. –Elsa"

"Nope. –Luciano"

"You guys are so boring. –Elsa"

"Food is done!"

The three pre-teens ran to the kitchen. Elsa was pouring water out of the kettle.

"I hope you're done annoying Felicia because if you aren't…"

"Ei ruotsia!(No Swedish!)" The three yelled, making Elsa laugh. (Finland also snickered.)

"Khs-s-s-ssss…" The girl let out a hiss-like laugh that she tried to hide behind her hand. Felicia's face brightened.

"Prussia-laugh!" The half-Italian girl pointed Elsa in triumph. "You did it again!"

"I did not!"

"Yes, you did! You can't deny it. We even got it on tape!"

"I really want to cut this part away… –Elsa"

"It proves nothing!"

"Oh really?" Akseli chuckled.

"Yeah, really. Now wash your hands and sit down before…"

"You use the awesome frying pan of doom?" The boy raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"No!"

"The what?" Felicia turned towards the sandy-blonde boy.

"That." He pointed a giant frying pan on the counter.

"That is a wok pan." Elsa protested, taking it with her both hands.

"It has only one handle so it's a frying pan." Akseli smirked.

"Oh my god! Elsa is a Pr-mmph!" Luciano cut Felicia off by covering her mouth.

"Just sod off already, idiota." He sighed, shooing the other two out of the kitchen.

"We'll get our revenge…" Elsa muttered while weighing the wok pan in her hands.

(Prussia casted a worried glance on Hungary and sincerely hoped she wouldn't get any ideas… She looked terrifyingly thoughtful.)

"We?"

"Well, I will. You'll film it."

"Okay…" The boy shrugged.

"Cutting some more cause I bet you'ren't interested in what we were talking about whilst eating. And I'm not on the mood to translate everything. –Elsa"

("She wrote "you'ren't"? Really?" Prussia chuckled.)

("I bet England would get a heart attack from that one." Finland smiled.)

The scene changed into one where Elsa was putting dishes into a dishwasher while Akseli wiped the table with a damp rag and Felicia put the remainder of the food into fridge.

"Luciano, would you take the camera?" Elsa requested as she shut the lid of the white ware machine.

"Okay…" The half-Italian boy took the device a top of the microwave oven and aimed it again at the remaining three in the kitchen. "And now?"

"Now, I'll give a snow wash to Akseli." The oldest teen grinned.

"Was(What?)?" Akseli's head snapped towards his sister.

"JA!" Elsa grinned and seized the boy around his waist. Since their height difference was almost nonexistent(not quite though) she couldn't left him up and hoist on her shoulder like some others would've. Instead she started dragging the poor boy towards the front door. And thanks the wool socks Akseli wore, he couldn't stop her otherwise than trying to wriggle free. Felicia and Luciano followed them, laughing the whole time. (The people in the living room laughed too.)

They got to the front door which Felicia opened. Once there, Elsa tossed Akseli to the nearest pile of snow.

"Gaah, why are you doing this?" The blonde boy shouted.

"Because I can! I'm older than you and awesomer than you and I'm enjoying every moment I'm still taller than you." Elsa laughed as she sat on the boy's stomach and pushed a handful of snow down his shirt.

"Gryaaaah!" Everyone else laughed.

("Hey, Finnland, how cold is it there?" Germany asked suddenly.)

("Hm? I think… It would be something like -10°…" The Nordic nation guessed. Everyone shuddered in unision.)

("You are crazy…" Miguel muttered.)

"Hey, your turn Felicia!" Luciano remarked suddenly.

"Eh?" But she was already pushed next to Akseli.

"Hiiiiii, kylmääää(cold)!" She shrieked when Elsa showed snow on her face. The older girl clambered off the two quickly though and settled next to Luciano. The camera zoomed on her face that was flushed from the cold weather and was sporting a happy and triumphant grin.

"Revenge!" She yelled, sticking her hands in the air.

"Luci, help us!" Felicia shouted back to them. She had sunk into the snow so deep that she could barely move. Same thing with Akseli except he was even deeper since Elsa had sat on him thus adding the weight. The snow didn't carry them that well at all.

"Nope, this is much funnier."

"Luciano… we are friends, right? Help me." Akseli tried.

"Nope. Well, maybe for now. But the moment you start dating Feli, you are on my black list."

"What? I don't even like her like that!" Akseli spluttered.

"We are just friends." Felicia chimed in.

"For now." Elsa and Luciano said unison before starting to laugh again.

"Votevs(Whatever), let's so inside Luciano. Let those two cuddle in the snow." Elsa took the camera from Luciano and aimed it at him. The boy was grinning brightly, pure joy in his eyes.

"Yeah, you two…" Luciano pointed Akseli and Felicia who were trying to get out of the snow bank. "…when you come inside, don't wet the floors."

The video ended.

"It seems they both are fine." Romano stated while smiling softly. He took the CD and put it back to its case.

"I'm happy for them too. I was so worried." Miguel added.

"Ve~, I want to test the pesto recipe." Italy stated with a smile and got off Germany's lap.

"I'm glad that Felicia and Luciano have so good friends." Finland was smiling too. Prussia in the other hand was casting vary glances on Hungary who was thinking something really hard.

"Elizaveta what is it?" Austria asked finally.

"I want that wok pan…"

No need to say that Prussia bolted out of the room.

A/N: As you can see tha video wasn't exactly Luciano-centric but hey, it's for Elsa's vlog. I needed something light-hearted after previous chapter.

Please review or Romano the Mafioso comes after you. ;)