Once in Italy they were ambushed by…well, Italy. Japan had warned her he was an incredible tour guide and she was not disappointed. He had managed to keep her in awe the entire couple days as he showed her around and she was completely enthralled by the buildings he took her too. Germany was still keeping his distance, but she wasn't bothered by it anymore. At least, not that she would admit.
Germany himself felt entirely drained. He had beaten himself up to the point that he was practically sweating pessimism. He felt drawn to the rules, as he always had, but now there was that tiny voice of doubt in the back of his head. He had never doubted the rules before…he lived by them. That was his personality. He knew the others thought he was way too serious and weak to the rules that governed him, but he'd never considered they might actually be right.
He let his eyes trail to Belle as she spoke with Italy. He still couldn't believe how wonderfully her voice flowed into a natural accent when she switched languages. It was enchanting, and once again he had to practically snap at himself mentally and look away. How was he going to survive a week alone with her in Germany?
Belle suddenly switched subjects away from the aged, crumbly ruins of an old structure they were investigating.
"Italy, when we get back to the hotel would it be alright for me to borrow a phone? I won't be able to pay my bill this month if I make any more international calls."
Late that night Belle settled herself in front of a vanity with the phone Italy let her borrow. She dialed home, slightly homesick and eager to tell her family she would be home at the end of the coming week.
On the third ring a familiar and slightly unwelcomed voice picked up.
"Hey~"
"Valencia?! What are you doing home?"
"Aww, you don't sound excited at all to hear from your big sister…"
"I'm happy, just a bit surprised. I thought you were still in California?"
"Eh, my acting career never took off. I had to come back to work at the restaurant before I piled on any more debt."
"I'm sorry Vee…"
"Don't worry your pretty little head Babybel, we have more important matters to discuss!"
Her eyebrow twitched at her nickname. Ever since that stupid cheese brand got popular her sister thought it was a hilarious new nickname and called her by it often. Besides that, what could be more important than the fact her sister just wasted three years of her life chasing an impossible dream and was finally home? It made her worried, but her voice was so…bubbly…
"Important matters?"
"Yes! Have you met any cute foreign boys yet?"
The image of Germany sitting shirtless in that chair popped unbidden into her mind, causing her to stammer more than she should have.
"W-W-What?!"
"Oooooh you did!"
"No I didn't!"
"Yes you did, listen to how nervous you sound!"
"I-I'm not a bed warmer like you! I didn't come here to meet guys…"
"But you did~"
"Can I talk to mom or dad now please?"
"Nobody is home right now. Come on, what's his name? Is he cute? Is he British? Oh I hope he's British, they are so hot."
"…I'm going to hang up on you…"
"Please? Don't make me come out there and steal him out from under your nos-"
There was a click as Belle silenced her mid-sentence. She sat the phone on the table and flopped into bed with an irritated sigh. She loved her sister, but sometimes she was unbearable. She glanced at the flower vase on her nightstand and began removing the vibrant flowers from it, winding it together as she tried to channel her migraine into something to make it stop.