Chapter 12: An Italian New Year

Once they arrived in Italy, Germany stretched out his sore muscles that had to deal with the long flight as Italy and Fern-Lui were waiting for their bags.

"You're gonna love it here! There are museums, theatres, wonderful restaurants, and so much historical sites!"

"Mamma raved about it all the time, and Vati talks highly about it as well. So I'm really excited to see Italy!"

Germany sighed, knowing that he now has two hyper fueled persons to catch up and look after. He didn't even want to think about the driving, which he knew that, if he wanted to survive the driving craze, he would have to trust the Italian with driving them from the airport to his house.

0o0o0o0

But then it turns out that Romano was in the area, much to the dismay of the German, and the older Italian would've given the German nation a scare of his life, but since he liked the girl he only drove at his normal speed, which the girl was trying to ease her father's tense form, so he was satisfied with that until they reached to Italy's house. He would've stayed, but he had to get to Spain's place to help prepare for the tomato harvest later on, with a parting of 'get back to work, lazy bastard of a brother!' and left leaving behind tire tracks at the drive way, much to the annoyance of the German.

"Alright then!" Italy said. "Let's see what we get to do first!" He unlocked the door and both the German and the girl met with the interior that's obvious that it hasn't been used in a long while.

"Clean." Both said, slightly taken aback of the lack of care in the house.

"Ve?" Italy ticked, confused.

"I don't wanna die from breathing in all that dust…" She whined as Germany took his jacket off and entered the house and headed straight to the kitchen to grab the two brooms and handed the second one to Italy.

"Fern-Lui, you can just play for a while. Let Italy and I handle this…"

"Okay…" She said as she found a yard, took out the ball that Romano got her on Christmas, and created a game for herself as she heard the German lecture the Italian, which resulted in the said nation to start crying and spout apologies, before being still once more. She hummed a random tune before spotting a familiar cat and smiled. "Gino!" She called out, which the cat happily came up to her. "How did you get here?" She giggled as she petted the very happily Italian cat.

She enjoyed the happy cat's company when she heard another mewl and looked up to see Lutz and mentioned him over. "Come join us Lutz! It's more fun when you join!" She said happily as the dark grey, almost black cat with startling blue eyes seemed hesitant of that offer. She realized this and gently set Gino to the side, got up and went up to the dark colored cat with the nicely adorned ribbon that had the colors of the German flag, and normally wouldn't be on a male cat. She picked the cat up and just held the solid color cat, which the cat seemed confused with the gentle and simple gesture of being held so dearly as the girl started to pet his back, which he couldn't help but purr.

Gino wanting some attention too, jumped up to her shoulder, making her giggle, and nuzzled her cheek.

"I don't know how you two got here from Vati Deutschland's place, but I'm happy to see you two." She said as a crash was heard from inside the house, followed by the loud concerned voice of the German and the crying tone of the Italian. "Sounds like it's gonna be awhile before I can walk in." She said as she looked around. "What to do to pass the time?" She said when she started to feel tired. "Oh… siesta is coming up." She said as she found a tree to rest up against and closed her eyes. Gino curled up on her lap and was immediately asleep.

The dark cat sighed and shook his head before looking around, keeping a look out.

0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, Germany and Italy got the second floor done and Germany opted to do the laundry as he more or less ordered Italy to clean the kitchen and, once it passed his inspection, can cook dinner. And, after an hour delay due to Italy's siesta and finding out that the said nation did not own a dryer, the German headed out with a basket of wet clothes, clothing line, and wooden clips used to keep the clothes on the line.

It was there that he saw that the girl and two cats were asleep as he put the line up and started to put the clothes onto the line. That's where he figured why Italy doesn't own a dryer as the clothes were drying and straightening themselves nicely and decided not to lecture the other about it. He headed back inside to see how the Italian was doing, and gave the other permission to start cooking as he continued to clean the other parts of the house.

When dinner was ready, the house was finally clean and Fern-Lui and the cats entered the house while Germany brought in the bags to their rooms.

"Here you go." Italy said as he gave the two cat's their share of the meal, which was spaghetti, and they enjoyed it together.

"Ve~ It's good to eat together…" Italy sighed as he smiled at the two, making the German blush and the girl giggled.

"Well… I wasn't really that happy to find out that you haven't cleaned your house, again…" Germany pointed out. "But at least it wasn't piled in trash…"

"Huh?" The girl said as she looked at Italy. "What does Vati Ducthland mean?"

"Oh, well… I have a trash situation in my home…"

"Oh…"

"And while I was cleaning I found some paperwork you were supposed to do…" Germany pointedly said as he eyed the Italian. "I keep telling you to come back to your house to look over your share of the work or I'm going to have to ban you from coming to my house."

"Nooo~" Italy whined as he jumped from his seat and latched himself to the German. "I'll do my work! I will! Don't leave me all alone!"

"I didn't say I would leave you alone! I said that you would no longer come freely to my house if you continue to let Romano do your work! And he has enough to attitude towards me as it is…"

"So Germany won't leave me?"

He sighed. "I won't leave you…"

"Yay!" He cheered as he nuzzled against the other, making the other blush so that it was the same color as a ripe tomato.

Seeing this made the girl giggle as she finished her dinner and excused herself to take a bath.

0o0o0o0

While she was in the tub, Gino managed to get himself in, despite the door being closed for privacy, got on top of the edge of the tub, which he slipped and fell into the water. "Oh!" She said as she picked up the soaked cat and got out of the tub. "Well, I had to get out anyway." She said as she got a towel to wrap around herself and a small hand towel to dry off the cat. "How did you even get in here, Gino? You a ninja kitty or something?" She giggled as the cat seemed to be back to his cheerful self.

"Fern-Lui? Is everything okay?" Germany asked from behind the door.

"Ja! Just Gino taking a fall into the tub!"

"Gino? How did he get in?"

"No idea…"

"Well, that explains why Lutz was looking around the house. You two okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine!" She said as she put on her pajamas and opened the door. "Okay Gino, you heard Vati Deutschland, Lutz is worried about you so you better find him."

Gino mewled and went to look for the other cat.

Germany shook his head. "Italy and his cat have a way of entering even when every entry is closed and locked…" He said as the girl giggled. "Either way, it's time for bed for you."

"Okay." She said as she followed the man to her room, where she was tucked in and she asked for a story.

"What would you like to hear?" He asked as the girl shrugged.

"I don't know."

Germany sat at the edge of the bed and thought of a bedtime story that he liked. "Well… I know the Kuchen Fairy."

"Kuchen Fairy?" She asked as the man blushed lightly.

"Ja…" He said as he breathed deeply to keep the blush down as Gino and Lutz appeared and Gino got onto the bed.

"Come on up, Lutz!" She said as she patted a spot.

Lutz looked up at his owner, who nodded, and jumped onto the bed but he felt a bit out of place until Gino jumped on top of him.

This made the girl giggle as she looked at Germany and smiled, waiting patiently for the story.

Germany cleared his throat, causing the two cats to settle, and started to tell his story.

"Well… Long ago there was a fairy who likes to make cakes, so he was often called a Kuchen Fairy due to that. One day, when his brother was being a huge annoyance to him, he went out to find something to create a new recipe he's been working on, only to run into a human.

Normally he knew what to do when he encounters a human, but what he found was a whimpering, crying mess of a human who pleaded for him not to hurt the human, thinking he was a spirit of the forest, which he was, technically…" He looked to see that the girl was interested and continued.

"He told the whimpering human that he wasn't going to hurt or eat him, which the human immediately cheered up and started talking rapidly about different things that the fairy wasn't familiar with. So after a long time of listening to nothing but ramble, he told the other to be quiet and offered to help the human out of the forest, seeing that he was lost to begin with, and the other cheered happily of the thought of getting out of the forest.

When he did, the human thanked him and promised to return and went his way. At first the fairy thought nothing about it and hoped the human wouldn't spout about meeting a fairy in the forest. Time went by and he went looking out for something to use as a recipe once again, and he met the human once again as well, but this time he wasn't lost, but he was actually looking for him and invited him to a picnic of all things…

He would've refused if it wasn't for a fact that he saw a large picnic basket that looked heavy for the wimpy human and knew that the human expected a positive response when they meet up again. He reluctantly agreed, which the human became ecstatic, and ended up enjoying the picnic.

Time passed and the fairy started to like the human every time he came around, but he wouldn't let it show and expected something out of the ordinary from the human, so that he wouldn't be caught off guard, which happens anyway.

But one day the human didn't come back to the forest and the Kuchen Fairy figured that, for once the human was busy with something and went about his day. A month went by and he started to worry, so he ventured out of the forest, knowing full well of the risks involved, and looked for his only human friend.

When he did find him, he was surrounded by other humans, demanding and threatening him to tell them about his whereabouts. The human's brother was among them, telling him to just tell them about the Kuchen Fairy so they can go back home in peace. The human tried to convince the brother that the fairy should be left alone, but the brothers were loud and the other humans heard all that they needed to know and one of the humans ordered a house arrest for the two.

He went back to the forest to warn everyone, but the leader decided it was time to go to war with the humans and left the fairy at a loss of what to do. He had to lead an army to attack the humans, but he knew that if he gone through with it, he may end up meeting and no doubt hurt his friend."

He took a breather and continued.

"He went through with it and made it his goal that he will meet his friend, and deal with him himself. Once he was face to face with his human friend… he made sure that he would be mistaken for someone dead…"

A memory flashed as he saw Italy, bloodied and bruised. "I'm sorry… I'm not great with stories."

"Keep going, that can't be the end." She said, making the other look up to see her smile a little. "You said that the fairy made it look like he was dead, so there's a possibility of his friend being alive after the fight, right?"

He was taken aback of how the girl took to his failed story so far, but he complied with the girl's wishes and continued with his story.

"The fight went for a long time, but eventually it stopped entirely and both sides declared a cease fire. The Kuchen Fairy was glad that the fighting was over, but on the other hand hoped he didn't have to live to see it, because he felt so guilty for what he had to do to his friend. He didn't even know if the human was still alive after he left him.

For what seemed like an eternity, they had bumped into each other in the forest. He had thought about what he would say if this were to happen, but at that moment everything flew out of his mind, leaving him stunned, guilty, and wanting to just disappear. But he knew he had to face him sooner or later and started to tell him everything that he had felt since that day. After he let everything out, he felt that the weight was getting heavier and not lighter when the other didn't say anything. He was going to leave when the human stopped him and he saw that the other didn't look like he blamed him or seemed angry with him. This only made him feel guilty as the other smiled a small, honest smile before hugging the other.

The Kuchen Fairy didn't believe he should be forgiven so easily like that, but in another perspective, he hasn't lost his friend and continued to look at it that way for as long as it goes."

"That's a bit of a sad story…"

"I'm sorry…"

"I like it though, it seems real…" She said as she yawned. "But I wished the fairy would forgive himself though."

Germany smiled as he tucked her in. "Me too." He said as he kissed her on the forehead. "But I guess as long as he has his friend, he'll learn to overcome that."

She nodded. "I know he will." She said as Gino curled up next to her. "Gute Nacht Vati Deutschland."

"Gute Nacht Fern-Lui." He said as he shut the light off and headed to the shared room with Italy, because he knew the other would sneak into the guest room if he used that.

0o0o0o0

"Where were you?" Italy asked sleepily.

"I was telling her a bedtime story."

"Oh, that's so nice of you."

He nodded as he went to his side of the bed and turned off the light, but he didn't sleep right away. "Hey… Italy…"

"Hm? Something wrong Germany?"

"I was… thinking about that time… when you left for the Allies…" He said as he stared at the ceiling. "I… remember that time when I came to your house…" He took a deep breath as he remembered seeing blood. Italy's blood. "I… I did apologize, but I know that that alone isn't enough and yet you…" He was cut off with the Italian's hand lightly pressed his lips to stop talking.

"I know you didn't mean to do that, Germany. You couldn't go against your boss. None of us could with our own bosses." He said as he moved his hand from the German's lips to petting his hair. "I forgave you on that day after you left me like that. I didn't tell anyone, because I know they wouldn't listen or believe me, even Romano…" He said as he kissed the other's cheek. "I know you feel awful about that. And we made a promise, remember?" He held out his pinky. "Even though it was official broken because of my boss and Romano and I had to join the Allies, the friendship between you and me hasn't. Otherwise we wouldn't be here at this moment."

Germany was shocked to hear all this, but he felt the guilt lifted a little as he wrapped his pinky with the others and smiled a bit of this small simple gesture.

"Let's make another promise." Italy said happily.

"Another promise?"

"Yeah, but not as nations, but as ourselves."

Germany blinked as Italy smiled.

"I promise to continue to be there for you and let you know just how important you are if you start doubting yourself, just like a few seconds ago. And you will do the same when I get that way, which you do all the time anyway."

Germany managed a smile and nodded. "Promise." He said as Italy hummed in content and curled up on his chest.

"See you and Fern-Lui in the morning." Italy said as he snuggled up to the other.

"Ja… Sweet dreams." He said as he closed his eyes and easily fell asleep.

0o0o0o0

The next morning, they found themselves in a busy square as the Italian seemed energized as the German seemed calm and collected while the girl was experiencing a form of culture shock.

"Fern-Lui! Welcome to Rome!" Italy announced as they stood at the center of the Piazza Navona, a circular square surrounded by pillars, and statues of Ancient Romans above them. "There's a lot you can do in Rome, so we can't get through everything today." He said as the girl was gapping at the sight of it all.

Germany knew how she felt, and he had been here more than enough times, but it never got old to him. Italy was just too amazing of a place to get bored of, much like its personification.

"Okay! Let me tell you about this place!" Italy started, looking focused and excited about telling the girl about the area.

Fern-Lui knows about it already, but she loved to hear it from her adoptive mother all the same. It's not every day that you are being taught a history lesson by a person who is the living representation of the country.

"Here there are three famous fountains. The fountain we're coming up now is called the Fountain of the Four Rivers!"

The trio made it up to the grand fountain and saw the four grand nude statues and animals surrounding the obelisk.

"Do you know what the four men represent?"

"The Nile, the Ganges, Danube, and the Rio de la Plata. The four rivers known at that time."

"Sì, sì!" Italy said as he pointed to the top of the obelisk. "And what animal is at the top?"

"The Dove, which symbolizes peace and the Holy Spirit, which honors the one who asked Bernini to construct it."

"Ve~ You really do know your history."

"Mi mamma is not only a cook and artist, she's also an art historian. So I learned all about the art history from the dawn of man to modernism."

"Ve~! She sounds like an impressive woman!"

She laughed. "You would love her. You could be siblings for all I know for how much you're alike."

Italy laughed along with her as they headed to the next fountain. "And this is the Neptune Fountain!"

The fountain consisted of eight different sea related statues and Neptune in the center.

And they headed to the final fountain, the Moor Fountain, where they saw the four titan statues and Italy mentioned that the statues there are actually substitutes and the real copies are moved to another area.

"Now! We get something to eat!" Italy said happily, and Germany agreed. And of course Italy knew the best restaurant in the area and headed there for pizza. And after lunch, Germany saw the time and saw that they have to find a place for the two to take their siesta soon as they headed to a stadium, which was a large, oval shape arena that was larger than the famed Coliseum, and it was on one of the seats that the two took their siesta, leaving the German to read a small book he'd been carrying around in case this happened.

When siesta was over for the two, they headed back to Italy's house and there was a cooking lesson there for the girl while the German worked on some paperwork he brought with him before being called to dinner.

0o0o0o0

The next day they walked to the galleries and spent most of the day doing that. The German was never tired of looking at the galleries as Italy explained to the girl what each painting represented, who painted it, and what historical reference it meant during the period it was painted. Some of it bothered the German, but the girl was taking it in with much interest before she became tired and they stopped for something to eat, took a siesta, and continued until it got dark.

Soon New Years Eve came and Italy rented a gondola and went through the many canals the city offered in Vienna, earning awes from the girl and the German smiling as he took interest as well, even though he had done this dozens of times with Italy already. This sight made the Italian happy as he told them everything that came across before they stopped for something to eat, walked around to shop a bit, then back onto the gondola to head out to outskirts of the city, their dinner packed and ready as they waited for the countdown.

The city was lit and there were a few other gondolas out as well as Italy greeted everyone. And soon everyone was counting down and fireworks exploded in the dark sky, welcoming the New Year.

In the end, after Italy returned the gondola, the girl was asleep in Germany's arms and both men headed back to Italy's house and headed to bed, all three sharing.

0o0o0o0

The New Year's Day was, as Italy proclaimed, the day to grant wishes at the Trevi Fountain. And, as Germany expected, it was crowded when they arrived there, but that didn't deter the Italian in the least as he dragged the two to the edge of the fountain, gave them a coin, taught them the Italian way to make a wish before throwing the coin in the fountain. All three did it in the same time and headed out to sightsee a bit more before Italy saw a poster announcing a party going on and begged Germany to come back in the evening to go.

"But Italy… It's a dressed up kind of event. And I don't have anything for something like that." Germany admitted, not really prepared for something like this, which he should've known after visiting Italy so many times.

"No problem! I know a place that can get you fitted and you will have something to wear before night falls!"

"I really don't want to trouble you."

"No trouble at all! Come on!"

"W-Wait…" He started to say, but it was one of the moments that Italy gained the strength to drag the other, with the girl giggling besides them.

Soon they found the place and the man there had the tape measure out and went around the German, who looked uncomfortable with the man going around him. When that was done, Italy talked to the man in rapid Italian as Germany and the girl waited for them to finish whatever what they discussed and headed to the mask shop and found a mask for all of them.

"A blue mask?" Germany asked as he saw the beautifully crafted eye mask on the girl, bringing out more of her already blue eyes.

She nodded. "I'm planning on wearing the dress that France got me for Christmas."

"Ah." He said as he saw his own mask, which was white with black, ivy-like design. He looked to see Italy, who did their masks with permission of the owner, was working on his own mask.

"Finished!" Italy announced as his mask was similar to Germany's, only with gold instead of black. "Let's head back to see if your outfit is done!" He said as he paid the owner and dragged Germany out of the mask shop, the girl easily following them and they found that the fitter was putting the finishing touches on a very regal black tux with a cape.

Germany tried it on as the tailor made sure that it fit the German comfortably before asking them to give him an hour and the outfit will be theirs.

"You look great, Germany." Italy said, whispering the nation's name as they decided to wander around the shopping place for an hour.

Germany blushed as he cleared his throat. "Thank you, Italy." He said, also whispering the nation's name.

"HEY!"

The trio looked to where the voice came from and saw Turkey walking up to them, TRNC walking besides him.

"Oh hey!" Italy said as he waved to them. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, just sightseeing." Turkey said. "A buddy of mine said that you guys would be here for the New Year's thing."

While the 'adults' talked, Fern-Lui was happy to see TRNC, who blushed. "Hello, how have you been?" She asked.

"Well…" He said as he looked at the ground.

She tilted her head to the side as she went up to the other and bent so that she can get a clear view of the boy's face. "It's rude to look away to someone who is talking to you. Makes them feel that you don't want to talk to them."

The boy looked back at the girl, blushing a bit darker than before, and bit his lip.

She simply smiled as she took out the mask Italy made for her. "What do you think?" She asked as she put it up to her face. "Mi mamma made it for me for the party thing we're going to tonight."

TRNC looked at the beautifully crafted mask, which was a blue with gold and silver ivy designs, bringing out her eyes that he couldn't help but stare. It was only when she took the mask down and saw her face without the mask was he able to find his voice. "It's nice…" He said.

She blinked with a bit of a confused look, but she smiled as she placed the mask in its safety case. "How was your New Years?"

"It was… okay…" He said looking at her eyes once again.

"Have you been in Italy long? We were just killing time while the clothing man finishes up Vati's outfit for the party."

"N-No… we were only here a couple hours now…"

"Oh? What have you seen?"

"N-Nothing much… Mostly the shops here…" He said as Turkey laughed.

"So, all I have to do is wear something fancy and wear a mask, right?"

"Sì. It's a lot of fun!" Italy said.

"I'll take your word for it." Turkey said as he looked down at TRNC. "What do you think? Do you want to experience a masquerade?"

"Masquerade?"

"It's a party where people dress up and wear masks." Turkey explained. "There's a lot of dancing involved."

The boy nodded, making the man laugh and pat his back.

"Well now! Since we're going as well, Fern-Lui now has a dance partner."

TRNC blushed more on that note as he was going to say something, but looked at the girl as she smiled happily.

"I'm so glad you'll be able to come! It's going to be so much fun!" She said.

"The tailor is probably done by now." Germany said, making Italy seemed excited.

"You know where to go, ve?"

"Of course! The posters around here are helpful enough!" Turkey said as they parted ways for now.

"I'll see you later!" She said as she waved at the two, who in turned waved back, the boy shyly doing so. She smiled and started to skip, excited about the upcoming party.

0o0o0o0

Evening fell and the trio made it to the arranged party. Germany wore the mask that Italy made back in the shop as well as the black tux and cape that Italy asked the tailor to fit him with. Italy wore his mask and a light navy Renaissance outfit that came with a hat. Fern-Lui wore the blue dress that France got her, which has a silver-white veil that wrapped around the top, in a slip knot at her right hip, and trailed down.

Germany held onto the girl as they looked for any sign of Turkey and TRNC.

"There they are." Italy said as he spotted them just entering the party. Germany put the girl down as she went up to the boy de facto state, who simply found a mask and didn't change his appearance, while Turkey put some effort in wearing something different.

"Wow, you guys look fancy." Turkey said as he looked at them. "Isn't that the dress that your French uncle got you?" He said, being careful with the names as well.

"Yes it is." She said as she spinned in place.

"And your hair is down."

"Vati is keeping my clips safe." She said as she pointed out her hair clips on the cuffs on Germany's sleeves. "I think it completes the outfit a bit more."

Turkey laughed as he nodded. "I agree." He said as he looked at the boy. "Isn't there something you would like to ask the little lady?"

TRNC blushed as he looked at the girl, who tilted her head slightly, and cleared his throat. "I… Would you… like to… dance?" He said shyly as he held out his hand, eyes keeping on the girl.

Fern-Lui smiled as she accepted the hand. "I would love to." She said with a playful smile, making the boy nearly loose balance when he tried to walk.

Once the two were out on the dance floor, Turkey couldn't help but chuckle. "I believe the little guy has taken a fancy to your little girl."

"Ve~ I knew it!" Italy said with a smile.

"Huh? What?" Germany said as he looked back at the two children dancing, the boy messing up a lot of steps, but the girl didn't mind as she helped him how to dance correctly.

Italy giggled and latched himself onto the German's arm. "I just noticed earlier that he seemed flustered when the two of them were talking. It's absolutely adorable."

"I agree." Turkey said with a sigh. "And I'm a bit concern about that."

"Why's that?" The two nations asked in unison.

"You know how it is." He said as he softly added. "She's a mortal and he's not."

"I see…" Germany said as he looked back at the two, the boy now being better and leading, as well as smiling and looking like he was enjoying himself.

"Oh right…" Italy said. "I keep forgetting that Fern-Lui is mortal."

"I know… I believe most of us keep forgetting that fact, but what can we do about it?" He said as he grabbed a glass of wine. "She's just one amazing kid."

"Ve~ I know! She surprises me every day!" Italy said as they talked about the kids before Turkey finished his glass and looked at the two.

"So… you two feel like a married couple?" He asked, causing Germany to nearly choke on the liquid, which panicked the Italian, which brought attention to the few people that happened to be around.

Once Germany composed himself and Italy calmed down, the German cleared his throat, which stung from nearly choking on a really good glass of wine, and looked at the Turkish nation. "Why would you ask that question?"

Turkey blinked before he tried not to laugh, but failed. "Y-You serious? Oh man! I should've known!"

"Known what!"

"Ve! You're scary now!"

"Well, isn't it obvious?" Turkey said as he grabbed another glass. "Hell, everyone was wondering if you two are doing anything now that you're parents and all."

"D-Don't assume something like that!" Germany said blushing. "I swear… you're worse than Bruder!"

"Ve~ What are you two talking about?"

Germany groaned as he told Italy to forget it, that it wasn't important.

Turkey felt a bit bad for the German, but he looked at Italy and noticed something in the amber eyes that seemed to tell a different story. But he wasn't a match maker so he just left it at that.

0o0o0o0

On the dance floor, the two kids paused in their dance to watch the three larger nations talking.

"I wonder what they're talking about?" She asked.

"Something that we shouldn't get involved." TRNC said as they went back to dancing. "So… Fern-Lui…"

"Hm?"

"Uh… How… how do you like this world?"

She smiled. "I love it here. Everything is so different from home."

"Have you… ever thought about going back?" He asked, and noticed that they were dancing slower now.

"I do miss my real family back home. But things over there aren't looking good even before I came here." She said as she looked to the ground. "To be honest, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back home."

The boy embraced her, not wanting to see her sad, and blushed at what he did, but he felt her return the embrace, he let it be and just continued to slow dance with the girl until the music stopped and they were facing each other once more.

"Sorry… for suddenly hugging you like that." He said with a blush.

She shook her head. "I needed it. Thank you."

He blushed as he held her hand. "If… you need another hug… don't hesitate to."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well… None of us know what you're going through really… And you don't have to say anything, but let us help you in a way." He looked down at their joined hands to try to hide the rising blush. "I can tell you're strong for holding whatever you have on your shoulders, but don't forget that we're now involved in your life now. For as long as you're here. What I'm saying is that we're here for you..."

She was a bit taken aback by what the boy had to say and smiled a little as she blinked away the tears that threatened to come down. "TRNC" She whispered, making the boy look up and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."

He blinked a he shifted their hands, trying to find words to say. "You're welcome…" He managed to say and felt embarrassed that he didn't find any other meaningful words to say.

She smiled as she blushed a bit as well and led them to the refreshments. "Let's get something to eat. I'm getting a little hungry."

"Uh, yeah… me too…" He said, again feeling embarrassed, but he looked at their joined hands and felt his heart beat against his chest.

0o0o0o0

"Let's dance!" Italy said as another song came up and dragging the German to the dance floor.

"W-Wait a sec!" He said, but it was fruitless as he was dragged to the floor and Italy led the first dance. He let the other do so, since he saw the two children were with Turkey and enjoying the snacks that were available. But when he turned his attention to the Italian, he felt hypnotized by the golden-hazel eyes that the golden ivy seemed to enhance. He took over the lead and danced the rest of the night before the announcement that the party was at its end and he came back to his senses.

"Ve~ You're a great dance partner." Italy said happily. "We should dance more often."

Germany blushed as they went up to Turkey, who was holding two very asleep children, and took the girl.

"Well, that was fun while it lasted." Turkey said quietly. "I think the little guy here loves Italy now." He chuckled.

"Ve~ I'm glad he enjoyed himself." Italy said as he looked at the girl and moved a bang away from her face. "I bet she enjoyed it too, ve."

Germany nodded, seeing the content smile on the girl's face, which in turn made him smile.

Turkey saw the touching sight of the three and shook his head. 'Definitely like a married couple with a loving child in the mix.' He thought as he looked at the boy in his arms, removed the mask, and saw that the boy too has a content smile on his face. 'Looks like it can't be helped…' He sighed with a grin on his face as he looked at the two nations. "Well… we better head back to our hotel."

"Okay." Italy said as he waved. "Don't hesitate to come by my house."

"I know, I know." He said as he started to walk down the mostly quiet street.

0o0o0o0

The trio headed back to Italy's house, where Italy changed the girl to her pajamas, sang a lullaby to her, and joined Germany in bed.

"You still awake Germany?"

Germany made a sound to let the other know that he was awake and listening.

"I've been wondering what Turkey said earlier."

Germany opened his eyes and looked at the Italian. "About what?"

"About Fern-Lui being mortal…" He said as he held the pillow. "Which means she will grow up while we stay the same."

Germany turned to face the other fully. "I know…" He said. "If her parents don't come back for her, we will face that reality."

Italy sighed. "First the thought of her returning to her world made me sad, but now the thought of her growing old and die one day is just sadder."

Germany wiped away a rebel tear that managed to come out from the Italian's knowing and looked at the other in the eye. "Italy, I know the reality is sad and I don't like it anymore than you do. But at least we will be there for her, verses her being alone."

Italy blinked and nodded. "You're right." He said with a smile. "I don't think I can survive on my own without knowing I have someone who cares and loves me." He giggled. "Fern-Lui is lucky to be found by us, huh?"

Germany smiled a bit as he patted on the top of the other's head. "Or are we lucky to have her?"

Italy laughed as he snuggled closer to Germany. "You know what to say to make me feel better."

"I don't know about that…" He said, but he heard the other snore and sighed. 'Why do I bother?' He thought as he wrapped an arm around the Italian and closed his eyes to let sleep take over.

0o0o0o0

In a hotel somewhere in Rome, Turkey was looking over some paperwork, finding that he couldn't sleep, when TRNC was roused from his.

"Hey, you know it's late, right?" He said as he placed his white mask aside.

TRNC looked around the room before looking at the man. "Where are we? And where did Fern-Lui go?"

Turkey chuckled as he explained where they were and that Fern-Lui is safe at home with Italy and Germany.

TRNC sighed and laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Turkey…"

"Yes?"

"Have you ever felt nervous and embarrassed around someone before, but you like it at the same time."

Turkey went over to sit beside the boy, hat absent to sleep. "Do you feel that way when you were with her?"

He nodded.

Turkey smiled a small smile as he patted the boy's head. "That feeling is called liking a person. You like her for reasons that are only yours to understand."

TRNC blushed as he shook his head. "But that's crazy! We're completely different!"

"I know…" He said as he fatherly held the boy. "But you can deny all you want, and if you continue to feel that way, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

"But… she's mortal… And I'm…"

Turkey petted the boy's head. "Feelings like that are like a double edged sword, there's a good and a bad. You feel good when you know you found something you like, but at the same time it's painful because there's something that's in the way."

TRNC sighed. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

"Well… this is your first time liking someone. And there are not a lot of female micro-nations for you to like, other than Wy."

"But I don't like her like that at all."

Turkey chuckled as he tucked the boy in. "Would you like to see her tomorrow? We might run into them again."

TRNC blushed. "I didn't really say goodbye to her at the party…"

"Would you want to say that though? Goodbye is a hard word to say."

TRNC then took the blankets over his head. "Ask me again in the morning!"

Turkey laughed as he patted the lump on the bed. "Alright then. I'll see you in the morning." He said as he got off the bed and returned to work, a small sad smile on his face. 'He's already falling for her.' He thought.

TRNC doesn't get a lot of love yet, but I thought it would be adorable to have a love intrest between my OC and him (and sticking by it). So, he'll have more roles to play here.