Authors Note: Anything with this * means that there is a note, explanation, or translation about it at the end of the chapter. I meant to do translations at the end of the first chapter, but forgot, so if there are any question, just ask me!

Ch.2

'Oh God, shoot me now, I want out of this, so please show mercy just this once!' I thought. Why was this happening to me? The waitress just wouldn't give up on trying to keep my attention on her. I was starting to get desperate for a distraction for the waitress, or a reason to ignore her. Then it happened. God finally answered my prayers. I had myself a distraction, but there was just one small problem. It was coming from the wrong person!

"Um, excuse me, Miss, but we are ready to order."

'That bastard! Why could he not just keep quiet and let Feliciano or Japan handle this!'

"Oh! Of course! What would you like, sir?" She asked.

I stopped listening, and instead chose to glare in his direction. How dare he involve himself in my problems like that! All of a sudden, I noticed that he was looking at me. I intensified my glare, before realizing he wasn't the only one looking at me.

"Errr, are you going to order your food, Romano-san*?" Oh, so they had all been waiting for my order.

"Um, I think I'll just have any pasta with tomato sauce, some garlic bread, and some *Barbaresco wine, please." God, how embarrassing! After about 15 minutes, our food arrived. Feliciano had gotten Penne pasta with white Alfredo sauce and garlic bread. Japan had gotten tomato and basil *Bruschetta. Germany, being the potato sucking freak that he is, decided to go with *potato Gnocchi. Bastard. Why did they even have potato recipes in Italy? Probably a result of Feliciano being around *Kraut so much. Huh. Whatever.

We all sat and enjoyed our food, talking to each other as we ate. I learned that Feliciano had to go to a meeting with Greece soon, and that potato muncher wasn't going to go with him. Japan also had a meeting, and would be traveling to Turkey to discuss trading. Germany would be staying at home until the other two came back from their separate trips. They would be arriving just a couple of days apart from each other if everything went alright. And me? I would be home alone. Then Feliciano popped a question on me, one that I wasn't quite sure how to answer.

"*Fratello, what will you do while I am gone? I can't call you or visit you until I have left Greece's house. Who will you talk to?" He said.

"I can survive without you for a little while, you know. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine", I growled. Feliciano just acted as if I had not even spoken, and just went on. All of a sudden, he made a suggestion that made me want to save him the trouble of packing and buying a plane ticket for his trip to Greece, and just punt him there with my boot.

"Hey, I know! Why don't you go stay with Ludwig! I'm sure you will be fine if you stay with him! He will take great care of you!" He exclaimed. Sometimes I wondered if he dropped his brains somewhere along the way here to have suggested such an incredulous idea.

"Absolutely not! Why would I want to stay with that bastard! I would rather chop my balls off, black out in a sewer, and die than stay with him!", I shouted. For some reason, my eyes went to the bastard, and I noticed he had a funny look on his face. He looked almost hurt. Strange. For some reason, I didn't get any satisfaction from it.

"But I'm sure he wouldn't mind. In fact, we talked about it on our way to get you for lunch! He said it was fine with him. Please, Fratello? I don't want you to get lonely while I'm gone." I was about to answer when Kraut breath himself spoke to me. So much for him not speaking to me today. Dammit. As I made eye-contact with him, I felt strange. Almost guilty for what I said. Almost. What was with me? Why did I feel like this all of a sudden? Was something wrong with me?

"I really wouldn't mind if you came to stay at my house for a little while, Romano. You are more than welcome to come over."

In the end, after much arguing, mostly between me and my little brother, it was decided I would stay at *patata bastardo's house while Feliciano was gone. What most people didn't know was that I probably wouldn't be able to survive while my Fratello was gone. He came over so often to stay with me, I had grown accustomed to it. I needed someone there with me while he was gone. It was why I had finally agreed to go live with HIM for a while. So it was decided. Feliciano would be leaving for Greece's house in two days, and the bastardo would come and get me after saying goodbye to Feliciano.

The two days had passed by very quickly. I had packed everything I would be needing for my stay. Now there was nothing to do but wait for Germany to call me to let me know he was almost to my house. I decided to bring my bags and suitcase into the living room with me while I waited. After another minute of waiting, he finally called.

"Romano, I'm turning down your street right now. Are you ready to go?" He questioned.

"Of course, bastard. I will be right out."

"Okay, see you in a second. Bye."

"Yeah, whatever, bye." I hung up the phone and took my stuff to the door. After a moment, there was a knock, and I let Germany into the house. He looked amazed at how much stuff I had with me.

"Would you like for me to get any of your stuff for you?" Judging by the look he suddenly got on his face, he realized he probably should not have asked that, so he was surprised at my answer.

"Yeah, sure. Here, carry this, and be careful with my stuff, Kraut", I commanded as I handed him my two duffel bags. They were actually rather heavy, but he managed them quite well. We headed out to his car, and loaded everything into the trunk. Getting into the car, I noticed Germany looked almost nervous. Who could blame him? He was bringing home someone who could, and usually did, put a sailor to shame with his mouth and colorful vocabulary. I got into his car, and buckled up. The ride was rather uncomfortable, and quiet. It was actually a little awkward. It took us several hours to get to his house, despite how fast we were driving. Luckily, I had brought snacks and drinks with me for the ride, thanks to Germany warning me about how long it would take to get to his place. I sat there, quietly munching on little Italian snacks, and occasionally taking sips of my drinks.

After a while, I noticed slightly familiar things around us. Then it finally hit me. We were finally past German borders, and were almost to his house. The reason things looked familiar was because I often saw pictures of Feliciano while he was here. After another five minutes, we pulled to Germany's house. Getting out, I was shocked to find that it was actually different from what I had figured it to be. Instead of being small and bland, it was actually quite large, and beautiful. All of a sudden, Germany's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Would you like me to get your bags again?" He questioned me, looking like he was thinking about something.

"Yeah, sure. Is the door unlocked?"

"Yes, Japan isn't leaving until tomorrow, so he stayed here while I went to go pick you up. He should be in the kitchen right about now, cooking dinner. It's about 6:00. Are you hungry?" I thought about what he said, and realized that despite having eaten on the way up here, I had developed a little hunger.

"Yes. Do you have any idea what he is making?"

"Yes, he is preparing *miso soup, with *sukiyaki, *yakitori, *rice, and *sushi, but I don't know what kind it is though. He refused to tell me, which is rather unnerving, considering some of the things Japanese people cook with, and eat on an almost daily basis." He looked rather nervous now. Was this what had been bothering him when he was at my house? I looked at him with a face that said I hadn't the slightest idea what any of that stuff was except the rice, of course, but even that one was questionable, thanks to Germany's last comment.

"Should I be afraid of what I'm about to be eating?" I asked him.

"Oh, I wouldn't be too afraid of Japan's cooking, since it isn't anything like English 'cooking'. It won't kill you, or even come close, for that matter, and it will not mutate you, either. It just comes with a few surprises sometimes, is all. I'm sure you will enjoy it. And it doesn't have potatoes or *bratwurst in it either. But it doesn't have tomatoes either, although we do have some tomatoes in the kitchen."

"Oh, okay, then. So you were able to drag yourself away from your potatoes and bratwurst intake so I could have Japanese food? I'm truly honored!" When I saw Germany's face, I wanted to burst out laughing. It was better than the time Feliciano introduced us, and I told him to suck my balls, and called him a damn potato eater.

"Very well, then. Let's go inside, shall we?" At this, I was surprised. I kind of expected a comeback of some sort, but he said nothing else.

"Yeah, sure, let's go."

As soon as we entered the house, I smelled dinner cooking. I had to admit, it smelled pretty damn good! Once again, my thoughts were interrupted by the Kraut breath.

"Would you like for me to show you your room right now? You will need to go there right before dinner, anyways", He asked.

"Yeah. So why will I need to go there before dinner?" Judging by the look now on his face, either he was a little embarrassed, or afraid, probably of my reaction.

"Well, you see, Romano, when Japan cooks Japanese food, he prefers that we wear a Japanese kimono, use chopsticks, and use the words *Itadakimasu, and *Gochisousamadeshita before and after we eat. I will explain these once we get to your room", He spoke. He led me through the entry-way, then the living-room, and then down a small hall-way. At the end of it was a gray-white door.

"This is my room." He led me down the hall to a door on our left. It had a medium-light-blue door. "This is Feliciano's room." Again, he led me down the hall to another door, this one on our right. "This is the bathroom for people who are not actually staying at my house. There are bathrooms in each bedroom, including the guest-rooms." We stopped at a beige colored door to our left. "This is Japan's bedroom." Finally, we reached the final door, this one a very attractive shade of golden brown. "And this shall be your room."

We entered the room, and I let out a gasp, only audible to me. The room's walls were red. The curtains were a medium shade of green. The bed's comforter was red with green twining into it. The decoration pillows were the opposite. Green with red blended into it perfectly, just like the comforter. The floor was golden brown hard-wood, and went well with the rest of the room. There was a cherry-wood dresser, and a matching bed-side-table. On top of the table was a green lamp with a red shade on top of it. Upon further inspection of the room, I noticed there were two other doors besides the one we came in through. There was a basket, which I assumed was a clothes-hamper. There was also a desk with a few small shelves on one side, and a small lamp on the other, probably for when doing papers or something. Beside the desk, at the end with the lamp, was a waste bin. There was some sort of Cabinet, which, upon further inspection, had a T.V set, stereo, game consoles, and a DVD player. He sure wasn't trying to spoil his guests, now, was he? Nope, not one bit.

"The door right there in the corner is your closet, and the one to the right of your bed is the bathroom. It has three parts to it. Let me show you. You can just leave your stuff here." With that said, he led me into my bathroom.

"This first part, obviously, is where you can use the restroom and wash your hands and face if you would like. This little closet here has toilet paper, face rags, and soaps for your hands and face." He led me through a door to another little room. "This next part is where you can undress for your bath or shower. This basket right here is where you can leave your dirty laundry after you undress. Japan or I will retrieve your clothes to be washed, so you do not have to worry about it." He then led me to the third part. This time, my gasp was more than audible. I felt as if Japan was able to hear it all the way in the kitchen, it was so loud.

This was no bathroom. It was fit for royalty! It was huge! There was a large marble bath, with fancy golden colored knobs and a large faucet. It was big enough for two people! There was also another bath, but this one had little spouts, clearly for a whirlpool bath. This one was a little smaller than the bathtub. It had several knobs for adjusting the whirlpool. There was also a large shower. It had sliding doors, with frosted glass for privacy, or maybe decoration, and golden railing. Both of the baths and the shower came equipped with different soaps, shampoos, conditioners, oils, rags, scrubbers, and other things to wash with. They also had their own separate towel racks.

I couldn't help but to gawk at the whole thing. How was I supposed to use all of this? I almost wanted to shove Germany out of the room right then, just so I could give each of them a try, but instead I just stood there, amazed at what I was seeing.

"I see you like it? You can get a bath after dinner, if you want. You can try them all out then. But for now, I think it should wait. Now come on." We headed out of the bathroom, and back into my bedroom. Just as we entered my room, Japan came in.

"*Sumimasen. Dinner is ready now. Come down when you are ready." As soon as he was finished, Japan bowed, and exited the room.

"Oh! I almost forgot something! Wait here." Ludwig left me in my room, and headed down the hall. It looked like it was in the direction of his room. After a few moments, he returned with a small folded up piece of clothing. It had a very pretty pattern on it, and as I looked at it, Germany unfolded it for me, and held it out. I realized that it was a kimono, with two parts, both meant to be kept closed, and that the pattern of the outer coat was dark blue with silver blended into it, and that the inner coat was golden. Over-all, it was incredibly beautiful. I loved it.

"This is your kimono, okay? The chopsticks are going to be at your place at the table. I will teach you how to use them in a second. But first of all, you need to learn what the Japanese words mean. *Itadakimasu is always used before meals, and is basically like giving thanks for the food. And *Gochisousama Deshita is used after meals. It means that you have finished your meal, and that you are thankful. It is also always used", Germany explained. Romano noticed that Germany was now blushing.

"Okay, so how do I put my kimono on? I've never worn one before", I asked. All of a sudden, Germany was blushing immensely. What was wrong with him? This question was answered immediately.

"….I'm sorry, but you are going to be embarrassed by my answer, okay?" What was going on?

"Okay, just tell me. Let's just get it over with, alright?" I was getting worried, and I think he noticed.

"….You are going to have to strip down out of your clothes. For first-time-wearers, it is impossible to get it on by yourself. I will assist you in putting it on. Then I must put my own kimono on." All this was said with his blush increasing. I now realized just why he had been blushing so much. He was about to see me almost naked, and I had no choice. But it wasn't just the fact that I would be mostly naked that bothered me and scared me. I was gay, and I was about to be seen by another guy, even if it was a guy I hated. It was actually humiliating, not just embarrassing. Germany took notice of this, and immediately began apologizing.

"I'm so sorry. It's just that it's a house rule that when one of us cooks, we use the same etiquette as if we were in the country of the host. For Italy, we use Italian words and etiquette, for Japan, we use Japanese words and etiquette, and for me, we use German words and etiquette. It was something we decided after we all became close, like family. I wish it didn't have to be this way for you, but Japan requested it." Germany looked immensely embarrassed and maybe even a little ashamed now. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. He was having to watch me undress, and then he was going to have to dress me. Damn, he was tough.

"Okay, so should I start undressing, then?" God, I was so embarrassed. Germany nodded his head, so I started slowly taking off each article of clothing until I was down to my underwear. Thank god I only wore boxers. Goodness knows how bad this would be if I had worn briefs.

"Okay, now keep still so I can put the kimono on you." I nodded my head, and Germany picked up the kimono. Keeping the parts together, he carefully slipped first one sleeve, then the other, onto my body. After that, he folded the front right side over the left, and asked me to hold it exactly how he had it. He had put the sash for my kimono over his shoulder when he first started dressing me, and he now took it off, and started to put it on. Almost immediately, I noticed that it was going to be tied in the back. I asked him why, and he explained.

"In Japan, when they put the sash on the kimono, it usually ties in the back, like this one does. It's part of the reason why I have to do it for you. It is actually very difficult to do at first, especially for yourself, because you can't really see what you're doing." Now I understood. Finally, it was tied around me. It was a little tight around my waist, thanks to the sash, but Germany assured me it would feel better soon, and that I would get used to it. With my kimono on, Germany said he had to get his on now. I nodded, and suddenly became surprised. Germany was undressing in front of me!

"Hey, what the hell are you doing!" I was completely shocked already, but his response made me even more so, and maybe even a little mad.

"I'm getting my kimono on. I brought it with me, because I saw no point in getting you ready, then having to go back to my room, when it would be much quicker if we both just got ready in here.

"Oh, well fine, then." After saying that, I walked over to the other side of my bed, and leaned against the bed post. While he undressed, I couldn't help but sneak a few looks at his body. I had to admit, he looked good. But what was this feeling in my chest? Maybe I really was getting sick.

'Should I tell Ludwig?...No, he would just start to worry about me.'

Finally, he finished dressing. Again, I had to admit that he looked very good. His kimono was dark green with a little light-blue blended into it, and the under-coat was the same shade of light blue. I also noticed that his sash was light blue with dark green blended into it. Mine was gold and dark blue mixed together. I was about to ask if we should go down to dinner when Germany handed me weird sock-like things. He told me to put them on, and I complied. He also put some on, and then did something I had never seen him do. He reached up with his hands and unslicked his hair, letting it fall into his face. Trying not to stare, I finally asked him if we should head to dinner.

"Yes, I suppose we should head to dinner now." And with that, we left for the kitchen

Author's Notes: Okay, so about all the *s by the words. Here are the translations, explanations, and notes, and where they are located.

1st paragraph= Romano-san - -san is a suffix used in Japan. It is formal. Japan doesn't know Romano extremely well, so he uses this after Romano's name,

Barbaresco Wine- An Italian wine. I found the name on the internet while looking for a kind of wine for Romano to drink.

Bruschetta- Some Italian dish, same case as Romano's wine: Random choice.

Potato Gnocchi- I figured it would be funny if I used a pasta that had potatoes in it. I think the noodles have potatoes in them or something, so yeah.

Kraut- German for herb, it is used as a rude name for Germany from Romano, with love JK

2nd paragraph= Fratello- Italian for brother.

Patata Bastardo- Italian for potato bastard, but I'm sure you guessed that one yourself

Paragraph where Germany sais what Japan is cooking= Miso-Soup- A soup made from fermented bean paste (whatever THAT is). I have had it, and it's kind of thin, and salty, but I loved it!

Sukiyaki- Japanese hot-pot. Consists of meat, usually thin-sliced beef, vegetables, and other ingredients, with soy sauce, and is usually dipped in beaten raw eggs before eaten.

Yakitori-Several bite-size pieces of chicken skewered on bamboo and grilled. Can be used with non-fowl ingredients.

Rice- A common staple food in Japan, eaten with most meals.

Sushi- Rice and raw fish wrapped in seaweed, occasionally other ingredients are used in it.

Also, if you caught the Lonely Islands reference while they were talking in the café, when Lovino responds to Feliciano's idea of him staying with Germany, then let me know. I shall shower you with so much praise, you'll die.