A/N: Told you I'd get it up the same day! And you doubted me! On with the show!
Surprise!
Germany sat at his desk, working on all the various papers he had to do. His boss had been giving him a decent bit more work than usual, and it was getting rather tiresome.
He heard the fire crackle a little louder and turned around to see Italy putting another log on it. Germany smiled a little at the Italian, watching him adjust the fire with the poker for a bit. Italy noticed, though, and turned around, smiling warmly at him. "Ve~ I thought you might get cold."
"Danke, Italy." Italy nodded, going over and closing the window as the beginnings of the storm had started coming down.
"Are you a going to be down a here working all night again, Doitsu?"
Germany sighed, nodding and turning back to his work. "I'm afraid so."
The disappointment that flashed over Italy's face vanished as an idea struck him. "I know! I'll make a you pasta!" He ran off to the kitchen before the other could even argue that he wasn't hungry.
Germany sighed, staring back down at his work, hoping it'd spontaneously combust right on his desk. He'd be fine buying a new desk if it'd get rid of this damned paper work. Alas, as he stared, the only thing he accomplished was wasting valuable time. Sighing through his nose, Ludwig went back to the work he so despised.
That lasted for all of 4 minutes. Right up until he heard the Italian in his kitchen singing. Then, his mind wandered to the kitchen. What type of pasta Italy was cooking, how he looked as he probably danced around the kitchen, and how big the mess was going to be that he would have to clean up later. Standing, Ludwig went over and leaned on the doorpost to the kitchen, watching Italy –oblivious to his presence- dance around, sing, and cook. The mess wasn't too bad yet.
Watching the stray curl bounce up and down as Italy danced, Germany waltzed into another world, being drawn out of it only when Italy finally noticed him and spoke. "Ve~ I thought a you had work to do, Germany."
The Aryan blinked, looking from the curl to Italy's –now open- beautiful eyes. "Vhat? Ja, I vas just taking a break."
"Oh…" Italy smiled, closing his eyes again as he began making the sauce. It was a white sauce, so they must be eating alfredo tonight. The Italian was so at peace, not bothered at all by the German's presence. Germany smiled, looking out the window. He couldn't see more than a foot, probably, due to all the rain and darkness. He sighed, glancing at the Italian. He'd be sharing his bed tonight, no doubt about that. Germany already decided he wasn't staying up all night doing that silly paper work and he knew Italy didn't have plans to travel home in this weather. Besides, Germany wouldn't allow it even if he did. He was too accident prone.
"Ve~ Done!" Italy chimed, handing Germany a plate of pasta and distracting him from his thoughts.
"Uh, danke, Italy."
"Bitte!" Italy smiled at his attempt at the German language. He'd told Germany about a week ago that he'd wanted to be able to say a few things in German, since Germany did it so often. So, Germany had taught him 'please', 'thank you', and 'you're welcome' first. Of course, the Italian had asked how to say 'I love you' next, which Germany taught him after some hesitancy.
Granted, Italy's pronunciation sucked. Germany still appreciated the effort, though. Besides, Italy only spoke the few words he knew when Germany spoke first. Otherwise, he still let his Italian slip out in place.
Italy took the apron off, hanging it back up and going out to sit at the table and eat. Germany followed, taking the seat across the table from him and beginning to eat. With the fire going and Italy sitting across from him, everything felt right. Even Italy's out of place hair felt in place in the setting.
Germany smiled, contently, beginning to eat his pasta. Ten minutes into their meal, Italy jumped, letting out a cute startled yelp as a quiet knock came from the front door. Sighing at the interrupted meal, the blond nation stood up and went to the door.
He opened it, shielding his eyes from the incoming rain and looking about. "Hello?"
"H-hello?" He looked around again before realizing that he had to look down to see where the voice was coming from. There was a small girl, standing on his doorstep soaking wet and holding a teddy bear. She had black hair, a white, torn up dress, and was shivering. "C-c-c-can I c-c-come in?"
"Ja. Come in." Germany stepped aside as the small girl walked in, stopping once she was 5 feet in so she didn't track water through the house. Germany shut the door. "Italy, go get some towels."
"Right away!" Italy ran off down a hall, and Germany sighed at his directionless boyfriend.
"Italy! Towels are up the other hall in the bathroom!"
"Got it!" Italy came running back, going up the other hall to fetch towels.
Germany glanced down at the soaked girl. "Vhat's your name?"
"St-t-trunella…"
The German perked an eyebrow. "Strunella?" She nodded as Italy came back with a stack of three towels. "Here." Germany took one of them, wrapping it around her. "Lets get you dried off, Strunella." She smiled, her pale blue eyes looking up into Germany's icy ones.
"Thank you." The German nation nodded, taking another towel and beginning to dry her hair.
"Here. Why don't you let us dry your bear-" The girl shook her head, clutching to her bear tighter. "Uh… vhy not?"
"Sheerluck doesn't need to be dried."
"Sheerluck? Is that his name?" Italy smiled sitting on the ground in front of her. He was better with this kind of thing than Germany, anyway. She nodded and Italy opened his eyes. "That's a great name."
"Thanks. I named him Sheerluck because I lose him so much, and always manage to find him."
"That's great. Can we a just take him to get dried off?"
"He doesn't need to be dried."
"Does he like being wet?" The girl shrugged. "Do you a like being wet?" She shook her head, and then glanced down at her bear. "I promise I wont hurt the bear." Italy held up his pinky, still smiling. "Pinky promise!" The girl looked at him hesitantly for a second before holding out her pale pinky and hooking it with Italy's much tanner pinky. Then, she handed him her bear. "Your bear is safe with me! I promise!" She smiled slightly, using both her hands to hold the towel around herself now.
Italy stood up off the ground as Germany watched him walk away, slightly amazed at how easy it was for Italy.
Ludwig finished drying the girl off to the best of his abilities and told her to go sit by the fire. She complied, sitting and warming up as Italy came back in. "I've got her bear drying." He smiled as Germany glanced at him.
"Zer gut."
Italy stood in silence, watching her for a bit before going over and sitting next to her. "So how old are you, Strunella?"
"Eight."
"Eight? What are you doing out a here in a storm? Do you a live near here?" She shook her head, looking back into the fire. "Is your family visiting?" Again, she shook her head. "Do you know how to contact your family, Strunella?" Once more, she shook her head, remaining silent.
Germany sighed, sitting on the couch behind them. "Do you know vhere your family is?" She shook her head as Germany sat back on the couch.
"Do you a want some pasta?" She looked over at Italy, smiling and nodding as Italy stood up, going to the kitchen to get her some of the pasta he and Germany hadn't eaten. He came back and handed her the plate, sitting next to her again. She ate and the three of them sat in silence, the two in front watching the fire and the one in back watching the Italian. When Strunella had finished, Italy looked back down at her. "Do you need a some place to stay? I'm certain you could stay here the night." He looked back at Germany for permission, and the nation nodded in approval. "I could show you to a spare room!" Italy cast his attention back to the girl, who had laid her head on his shoulder and was half asleep.
She nodded, through her sleepy haze. "I'd like a place to stay…" Italy smiled, getting her to stand up and showing her off to a room.
Germany gazed off into the fire again, almost missing Italy's re-entrance to the room. He did notice when Italy sat down next to him, glancing into the fire as well. "She doesn't seem that bad."
Germany nodded. "Ve need to find vhere she lives." Italy nodded, jumping at the crackle of thunder and grasping onto Germany, whose cheeks turned a slight pink color as he put his arms around the Italian. "You need to go to bed too, Italy."
"Ve~ but you'll be down here working!" Italy protested before Germany hugged him a little tighter.
"Nein. I'm going to bed too." Italy smiled, leaning up and kissing Germany, which served only to give the German's cheeks less of a pink color and more of a red color.
"Ich Liebe Dich, Germany." Italy spoke into Germany's lips before kissing him one more time.
"T-Ti amo, Feliciano." Alright. So, the Italian had taught him some of his own language as well. Germany kissed Italy back, picking him up bridal style and taking him upstairs so the two of them could get some sleep.
A/N: Reviews are always appreciated. If you find you like this, put it on alert because there's going to be a ton of chapters. I already have the entire story outlined, and I think you'll enjoy it! Anyway, review! I'll give you an Oreo Cookie if you do! We could have a party!