I do not own Hetalia.

Yet another fluffy chapter, this time with Austria, Hungary, and little Italy. I just like to imagine the three of them as a family. Sorry, no Holy Rome in this story (I couldn't figure out how to include him). Italy is supposed to be about the equivalent to a five or six year old in this chapter.

Warning: Fluff. Lots of it.

Pairings: AusHun and minor implied ex-PruHun.

Enjoy!

Bedtime had finally arrived. The two fatigued nations retired to their combined bedroom. It had been a difficult day for the both of them due to several meetings with other nations, and unnecessary annoyances by the uninvited and inebriated country that Elizaveta was almost embarrassed to call her exboyfriend. In short, both were in need of rest.

Elizaveta slid beneath the covers and rested her pounding head against the soft pillow. She personally put Italy to bed every night (an hour before it was her time to retire), so that was one less worry on her mind.

Roderich turned onto his side and planted a chaste kiss on his lover's forehead. Hungary smiled at the country she had fallen for. He gave her a half smile in return. Hungary snuggled herself into Austria's warm embrace. Despite the fact that she often teased him about how she was the stronger and manlier one in the relationship, she could not deny how safe and comfortable she felt in his arms.

Not five minutes passed and Roderich had already dozed off and Elizaveta was nearing the state between sleep and alert. Just as she was about to pass through that threshold of slumber an unsettling sound stirred her back into reality.

Hungary turned her head towards the door with her eyes open wide. She silenced her breathing and leaned her ear closer to the direction of the noise. The sound was almost blamed on a figment of dreamland when she heard it again. It sounded like soft sobbing.

The female nation pushed herself from Roderich's hold, rousing him in the process. Before he could ask her what caused her to leave the comfort of their bed, she was already standing directly behind the door. Her palm rested against the wooden surface. Hungary gasped upon realizing that the sound originated from Italy's bedroom. She heaved the door open and ran out leaving Austria sitting up with a confused expression on his face.

The brunette barged into Italy's room not bothering to announce her presence. If anyone had dared to lay a hand on her precious baby, she would ensure the unwelcomed visitor would never walk again. Hungary's eyes surveyed the area for any intruder.

The child nation stared up with a start at the sight of his bedroom door opening. The dim light from the hallway crept into the shadows that previously housed Italy. He visibly calmed upon resting eyes on the kind face belonging to the person in the mansion he loved the most.

"Miss Hungary," said the sweet voice, sounding somewhat shaken.

He watched as she checked the room just incase someone had hidden upon her entrance. After checking every possible hiding spot she declared Italy's room to be safe. The Hungarian turned to face the sniffling child.

"Hey there, sweetie," Elizaveta said sitting down at the foot of his bed. "What are you doing up so late?"

Feliciano wiped away recent tears. "I heard scary sounds and saw a ghost walking in my room," he confessed. He looked up at her with those adorable wide eyes then added, "I tried to close my eyes real tight," Italy displayed the action for the other country. He opened his eyes again then said, "But I know it's still in here."

Hungary gave the boy a large smile. "Rest assured, Italy, no one is in your room." She ruffled his hair with a giggle. "You just had a nightmare, or an afterdream, or your imagination was just playing tricks on you."

"Why?" Italy asked.

"'Cause that's what happens when you're scared," she replied. A new set of tears threatened to fall over Feliciano's chubby cheeks. Hungary held out her arms and said in a kind voice, "Come here."

Italy tossed the sheets from his body and curled up in her outstretched arms. Hungary was quick to wrap her strong arms around Italy's tiny frame. She kissed him on top of his head then ran her fingers through his hair. Italy snuggled close to her chest, simply enjoying the soothing feeling.

"I love you, Miss Hungary," Italy said with a hum.

"I love you too, dear," she said, still massaging his scalp.

"You make me not scared," he said. Italy looked up at her and asked, "Can you stay with me, please?"

Hungary stood, keeping her arms wrapped around the boy.

"I've got a better idea, you can come sleep in my bed," she said, leaning Italy's head against her neck.

No doubt Austria would come looking for her soon and it would be easier to get him to go along with her if he did not have to leave the warmth of his bed. She could already imagine his response to such a ludicrous notion and would probably have something to say about her spoiling the child.

Back in his room, Austria looked up to see the familiar shadow of the woman he held a strong affection for stepping closer to the door. He smiled at her return. The smile, however, faded upon seeing a lump that he quickly concluded to be the smaller nation in her grasp.

"Hungary, just what do you think you're doing?" Austria asked, his eyes on Italy.

"Don't you start," Hungary replied.

Austria shook his head. "Why is that child out of her bed and in my room?"

"Have a heart, Mr. Austria," Hungary said, sitting down on her side of the bed, her arms still protectively around Feliciano. "Italy was scared so I thought—"

"No!" Roderich retorted before she could finish her thought. "That is out of the question." He pointed a finger towards the door. "Now you put Italy back in her bed where she belongs."

Feliciano winced at Austria's harsh tone. Sure he was used to hearing it while being scolded on a daily basis, but at bedtime when he was exhausted, the tone was near unbearable. Italy's tiny fingers clamped onto the fabric of Hungary's nightgown and trembled with a slight whimper.

Elizaveta glared at her lover. "I'm surprised at you, Roderich," she said, not bothering to hide the disappointment in her voice. Hungary's words shocked him as the two never referred to each other by their human names in front of Italy.

"Please, Hungary, it's late," Roderich pleaded, not having the energy for an argument.

Elizaveta snuggled the whimpering child closer to her then said, "Either Italy sleeps in here tonight, or I will sleep in Italy's room."

Roderich sighed. He could tell from the woman's tone that she had every intention of fulfilling her threat. He had to admit it was cute seeing Elizaveta cuddling such a tiny nation in her arms.

"Fine," the Austrian said in an exhausted tone. A wide smile erupted over Elizaveta's face. Italy released a cheerful squeal and Hungary tightened her hold on him. As she bounced into the bed, Roderich held up a finger and added, "But only for tonight. You both hear me."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Austria," Hungary said. She then planted a kiss on his cheek. Austria merely rolled his eyes before laying back down on his pillow.

Hungary pulled the comforter over herself and Italy. Feliciano closed his eyes and snuggled close to the warmth that was his big sister. The Hungarian could not help but giggle at the adorable sight before her. She gently brushed a few of his bangs from his face only for them to fall right back into place.

Roderich pat a sleeping Italy on the head then reached over to place his arm around Hungary. Elizaveta scooted herself and the slumbering child closer to Austria. In no time the three of them were fast asleep, appearing to any prying eye as a happy family.

Yay for cuteness. They are so much like an adorable family. :)

Thank you for reading. The next chapter will include a fluffy moment between Germany and Italy. It will probably be a bit romantic, but not too much so.

Until next time!