So very sorry for the very late update.

Fluffiness in this chapter. I'm not really good at making fluff TwT. Implied HRExChibitalia here.

And it's really late, but everytime I write Romano glares, or looks at, or sees, or the kinds, it means that he looks in the direction of the person or thing, not literally seeing.

I do not own Hetalia

"Fratello?"

"What?" It's almost 10 in the night and they are having dinner. Both are silent, very rare for them, but neither made the move to break it until now.

"Did you have a fight with Antonio?" Feliciano twirls the carbonara on his plate with his fork, for a rare moment doesn't seem to be interested in his meal. "You've been going to your work alone again these 2 days and you didn't want to answer when I asked." He puts down his fork. "Antonio came to see me this morning."

Romano is still silent, chewing his food, seems not to care. But Feliciano knows all too well that he does.

"He said you told him not to see you anymore," Feliciano looks at him, scrunching his eyebrows together in concern. "He said he'd been thinking what he could have done to you that make you ask him such thing. But he couldn't find anything so he asked me."

Romano still doesn't say a word. Feliciano reaches across the table and touches his hand. "Fratello, can't you tell me why?"

"I'm just fed up of him," Romano replies curtly, voice uncharacteristically dull, lacking the emotions. "So I told him not to see me anymore." He rises from his seat and takes his empty dishes to the sink.

"You're lying…" Feliciano mutters, low and almost unheard. Romano hears it though, but he decides to let it slip. Turning on the tap, he says. "You seem to be troubled yourself."

"Ve…" Feliciano finishes his meal silently and hands the remaining dishes to his brother.

"Is that about the potato bastard? I thought you've got it settled."

"No, I haven't." Feliciano sinks into his wheelchair, watching his brother washing with sad eyes. "I think Ludwig hates me now."

Romano turns off the tap and turns around to face him. "What makes you think like that?"

"He avoids me."

"You do the same shit to him."

Feliciano raises his eyebrow. "How did you know?"

"Elizabeta told me when you were at the back chatting with Boss. She was fucking worried about you." Romano scowls. "You asked me that time, so I thought you don't think about it anymore. Why now?"

"You don't see Ludwig, fratello." Feliciano's lower lip trembles. "He… he doesn't enjoy being in the diner anymore. And I really want him to be happy, but after that confession I only make him sad."

Romano sighs. "It's not your damn fault."

"How can you be so sure?" Like his brother, Feliciano too is stubborn. And he decides to be in wrong time.

"I just am," Romano turns around and continues washing the dishes. Silence falls after that, only the sound of water from the tap is heard.

"Fratello, why don't you tell me to go talk to him, like Elizabeta did?"

Romano places the washed dishes into the drying rack. "I don't have the right to." When I too do the same.

-colorful wall-

As soon as Gilbert enters the diner that afternoon, Elizabeta snatches his arm, hissing, "We need to talk, now."

"You agree?" Gilbert's usual grin appears on his face, only wider and emanates enthusiasm. "You finally agree to go out with the awesome me!"

"Not that!" Elizabeta snaps with low voice. "Feliciano went to do grocery and he'll take at least half an hour for that, so we have to talk." She pushes him down onto one of the stools at the counter and goes behind the counter herself, facing him.

Gilbert's grin fades a little as Elizabeta scowls at him and crosses her arms on her chest. "What is it?"

"I want a direct and honest answer," The Hungarian says, voice low and tone serious. "You joking around, and I'll smack your head with the pot, not the frying pan. I guarantee it's much more painful."

"Woah, chill out!" Gilbert raises his hands in defense. "What have the awesome me done wrong?"

"Just answer me," Elizabeta reaches below the counter and pulls out a silver pot, glinting in the light. For Gilbert, it seems as lethal as the nuclear weapon can be.

"Okay, ma'am."

"Does your brother like Feliciano or not?"

Gilbert blinks once, then twice, then three times. Gilbird chirps from his head. "Excuse the awesome me?"

"Does your brother, Ludwig Beilschmidt," Eizabeta repeats with a forced patience. "Like Feliciano Vargas or not?"

"Why do you ask me?" Gilbert raises his eyebrow. "You should ask the person instead. But now that you mentioned it," He scratches his chin. "He does seem to be kinda out these past few days." He looks at her questioningly. "Did something happen?"

Elizabeta sighs, lowering her shining pot a little. "Feliciano confessed that he likes him."

"Dude! Really?" Gilbert jumps from his seat and leans to the counter. "West didn't tell me anything! So, how was it?"

"You can see that yourself." Elizabeta frowns at him. "You too said that he's been kind of out."

"Does that mean he said no?" Gilbert falters a little, his eyebrows raised in a puzzled look. "I think he likes Feli, to be honest. West never acts the way he does around Feli with other people."

"I agree with you on that," Elizabeta sighs. "He didn't say no. Actually, he didn't give an answer. And he's been avoiding Feliciano. In turn, Feli too avoids him. That kid is afraid that he might have hurt your brother."

"No way!" Gilbert swings his hand. "The awesome me assure you that my little West will never be hurt by Feli, of all people. He has soft spots for him, you know."

Elizabeta's lips curved into a small smile and she nods. "I can see that." But her smile falters a moment later. "I think both of them are just too afraid to talk to each other. They need to make their feelings understood."

"You said it!" Gilbert grins. But as Elizabeta opens her mouth to reply, the door swings open and Antonio comes in. He is a mess of troubled green eyes and furrowed brows.

"Yo, Toni!" Gilbert waves at him from the counter. Upon the sight of them, the Spaniard approaches. "What's with the long face?" Gilbert claps his back, grinning.

"Hola, Gil, Eliza." Antonio gives them a troubled smile. "Is Feliciano here?"

Elizabeta shakes her head. "He's out to do grocery. Do you need anything?" Antonio sighs and drops himself onto the stool next to Gilbert, running his hand through his curly hair. Both the albino and the Hungarian exchange confused looks.

"Toni, what's the deal?" Gilbert swings his arm over his friend's shoulder. "You look like shit." And Antonio tells them what happened. After he finishes, Elizabeta frowns deeply in concern. "That's…"

"I don't know why he's like that all of a sudden," Antonio slumps down at the counter. "I racked my brain for good 2 days, looking for something that I've done that might upset him, but nothing came."

"So you asked Feliciano?" Elizabeta pulls out two coffee cups from beneath the counter and fills them with warm coffee from the glass jug. She puts one in front of Gilbert and the other before Antonio. The Spanish man nods.

"My treat," Elizabeta says, gesturing to the coffee she's served and smiling a little. "Drink, and we'll figure something out. Those brothers are really something." She smiles fondly to herself.

"I take this as one step to you saying yes," Gilbert grins as he lifts the cup to his lips. "Kesesese…" Elizabeta scowls at him but instead of the upcoming frying pan, she just sighs and replies, "Whatever."

Gilbert's eyes widen from the brim of his cup and he manages to mumble, "For real?"

Elizabeta's face turns slightly pink on that but she gives the Prussian a glare and says, "We'll talk about that later. Not now." Gilbert puts down his cup and grins. Elizabeta pulls out her frying pan but the low chuckle from Antonio stops her. The Spaniard sips his coffee, watching them from the brim of his cup, his face lit up with a small smile. "You two are as energetic as ever."

Elizabeta opens her mouth to argue but the small bell above the door dings and Roderich enters, a book on his hand like usual. When his eyes catch the sight of the trio, he raises an eyebrow. Gilbert leaves his seat and in a moment he's dragging the protesting Austrian to the counter as well.

"What is it, Gilbert?" Roderich asks, fixing his glasses and looking clearly irritated. Gilbert ignores him and pats the stool on his right, the one that isn't occupied by Antonio. "Just sit down, specs. We might need your wise advice." He says mockingly.

Roderich glares at him, but chooses to sit down. Elizabeta pours another cup of coffee for him, inwardly glad that the diner is somehow almost empty so they have plenty of room to talk. She glances at the clock. 15 minutes have passed, that means they'll only have another 15 minutes at the least. She explains the situation as short but as understandable as possible. After she finishes, the bespectacled man raises his eyebrow, glancing around to the other two.

"For me, it is quite clear that both problems just need one thing to get them solved," He says, looking at them with the isn't-that-obvious look. "Your brother and Feliciano," He raises a brow at Gilbert. "And Antonio and Romano. They need to talk."

"That's what the awesome me thinks too!" Gilbert gulps down the rest of his coffee and slams his fist on the counter, earning a death glare from Elizabeta. "Then let Toni and West meet up with Feli and Mr. Brother."

Elizabeta gives him a good smack on the head (she's been holding that urge for quite some time) and says, "The problem is, how?"

Roderich puts down his cup at the saucer and looks up to meet her gaze. "You know them better than all of us here. I personally think that you will know the best way."

Elizabeta places her folded arms on the counter, eyes closed and seemingly to be thinking. No one dare to interrupt her. After a good long minute, her head snaps up again and she exclaims, "I know! I know of something that might work, and might success!"

"What is it?" Antonio leans in, seems curious and desperate at the same time.

"I'll have to talk to Bss first," She says. "So you guys just wait for it. I'll give you the call."

"Why are you being all secrety?" Gilbert pouts, disappointed. Elizabeta gives him a smack again, this time on his arm.

"Is that even a word? I can't tell you all yet because I need Boss' permission."

Roderich finishes his coffee and rises from his seat as the door is opened again, this time by Vash. "Please excuse myself. And thank you for the coffee," he smiles politely to the Hungarian. "Please just add that to my tab."

"It's my treat, don't worry," Elizabeta smiles back to him. Roderich frowns. "I can't accept that."

"It's okay, really." Elizabeta grabs his arm. "In return, just tell me something." Her eyes are blazing and her mischievous smile plays on her lips. Roderich finds himself sweating a little. Antonio just looks at the scene with a puzzled look, the same goes for Gilbert.

Well, Roderich didn't know what he's gotten himself into.

-colorful wall-

Romano never expects it when he turns out at his brother's workplace to pick him up like usual one evening, that he almost goes deaf (he certainly doesn't want that, thank you. Blind and deaf is not one of his list of things he wants to be) from the loud "SURPRISE!" coming from many sources of voices in front of him. Judging by Feliciano's confused "ve?" that kid doesn't know what's happening either.

"What the…" He frowns when he feels something is showering his hair. Something small, many things. Confetti?

"Happy birthday, Feli, Romano!" Elizabeta kisses Feliciano's cheek and gives Romano a warm hug, smiling brightly. "Are you two surprised?"

"Ve, yeah!" Feliciano looks around wide-eyed with surprise, his hair's full of party confetti. "E-everyone, why?"

"Because it's your birthday, duh!" Gilbert grins from his spot, looking as if it's his birthday that they're celebrating. "Eliza told us that today's the awesome day! March 17th, nice!"

"So we planned a surprise party for both of you." Boss laughs, for once isn't occupying the spot behind the counter. He pulls both of them into a bone-crushing hug, tickling their faces with his beard. "My boys are twenty three now! You've grown so much in these past three years!" He laughs into their ears.

Romano's face turns warm and Feliciano wraps his arms around Boss' back, returning his hug with a wide smile. "Ve~, thank you, Boss."

Boss pulls away and ushers both of them to the small group of people who are gathering there, their friends. "Come now, enjoy! Today's your day!" He pats them on the back, a little too hard that he almost sends Romano tumbling forward into Feliciano, earning a stream of curses and everyone's laughter.

"Thank you, everyone!" Feliciano beams, smiling a bright smile that makes everyone smile with him. "Ve, fratello, everyone's here!"

There are Matthew, their soft-spoken Canadian neighborhood and Romano's friend, who seems to be getting along quite nicely with Francis; Kiku, Feliciano's Japanese friend from the bookshop; Antonio's friend Bella who shakes their hands and gives them each a kiss on their cheek (which turns Romano into a deep shade of red and Feliciano into flirting-with-pretty-girls mode) and her brother Ned, who's in a glaring competition with Boss ("No smoking in here, sir. No, I don't care if you're not smoking cigarette. Any kind of smoking is not allowed in here."); Lily and a reluctant-looking Vash along with Roderich, who's eyeing Elizabeta warily; Gilbert and Elizabeta; Antonio who seems to try not to attract attention (a. k. a try to be a chair, which fails epically) as best as he can; and Feliciano notices as a cold lump falls inside his stomach, an awkward looking Ludwig.

Matthew approaches to wish them happy birthday, smiling softly to Feliciano and clasps Romano's hands gently in his, with Francis trailing close behind him. As soon as they walk away, Kiku too comes to do the same, bowing lightly and handing Feliciano a box, saying that it's a present for both of them. It reveals to be kitten plushies, covered in soft and warm fur. One is cream-colored with brown spots, the other is a bit darker in color. It takes no time for Feliciano to fall in love with his.

After Lily, Vash, and Roderich have wished them happy birthday, Elizabeta approaches, clasping her hands. "Well, it's time for the party! We cooked a feast, so eat as much as you want, okay? Like Boss said, today's your day." She smiles and cocks her head to the direction of the party's center, where two tables have been assembled together and are covered with many kind of food.

"Yo, Feli, Mr. Brother, happy birthday!" Gilbert joins them, slinging one arm around Elizabeta's shoulders. The Hungarian shoots him a glare and elbows him on the ribs.

"For God's sake, Gilbert, can't you wait for this?" She hisses. Gilbert grins to her. "The awesome me can't wait! Not after you've finally said yes!"

"So you two are dating now?" Feliciano looks at both back and forth expectantly, eyes shining. "That's great, ve!"

"Kind of," Elizabeta murmurs, still glaring at Gilbert. The albino seems to be too happy to be disturbed by that and he nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! She finally falls to the awesomeness of me! I'm so awesome!" Elizabeta smacks him with her frying pan this time.

"Have fun, okay?" She smiles at them for the last time before she's off, dragging the still grinning Gilbert on his arm.

"Fratello, everyone's here for us," Feliciano says softly, golden eyes flickering with nostalgia. "Isn't it great?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Romano nods lightly, his expression softening. Feliciano reaches back and finds his hand, putting his own on it. They stay like that in comfortable silence for a while, before the younger Italian says, "Ve, come on, fratello!" and leads his brother to the table, where everyone is chatting and getting to know each other.

-colorful wall-

As the night sky darkens and more stars come out to accompany the elegant moon shining above, one by one their friends excuse themselves. Lily, Vash, and Roderich leave first, followed by Kiku who's picked up by his older brother. Matthew leave not long after, wishing them happy birthday once more before exiting through the door with Francis' arm around his shoulders.

"That pervert frog better not do anything to him," Romano grumbles, glaring at the door. Feliciano chuckles. "They seem to get along well, fratello. Matthew seems to like Francis, ve."

"That frog out of all people?" Romano makes a gagging noise. Feliciano giggles on the sight of his brother's attitude. "Ve, Francis isn't that bad."

Romano is about to retort his brother's words with something that clearly states Francis is not not-that-bad when he feels Feliciano tenses. The reason is made clear when Ludwig approaches, looking nervous. "May I, ah, have a time with you?" He addresses Feliciano, but his gaze goes to Romano.

Feliciano swallows and Romano gives the German a glare. A good ten seconds pass in uneasy silence between them, before Romano scoffs, "You better not make my idiot little brother cry again, potato bastard." and he pushes Feliciano's wheelchair lightly forward, towards him.

Ludwig looks at him wide-eyed, but regain his composure after a moment and nods to the older Italian with a silent thank you. Despite being unable to see that, Romano cocks his head to the direction of where he supposes to be the door.

Ludwig moves toward Feliciano's wheelchair, pausing when his hands reach for the handle. Feliciano looks back at him and gives him a small smile, and Ludwig feels his body relaxes and he wraps his hands around the handle, wheeling the smaller man out into the open night air.

Heavy silence falls between them as soon as they get outside, with only the sounds from the street to fill the gap. Feliciano seems to shrink on his wheelchair, avoiding eye-contact with Ludwig and fidgeting with his thumbs. Ludwig seems as awkward, but he makes a resolute cough and speaks with a steady voice.

"I believe that I must apologize first."

Feliciano hesitantly looks up at him, his unsure golden eyes wide. "Ve?"

"It was very rude of me to treat you this way after your, ehm, confession." The German looks genuinely apologetic. "I'm sorry, Feliciano."

"I-It's okay," Feliciano forces a chuckle. "Ve, it's me who have to be sorry. I made Ludwig unhappy, ve."

"No, you didn't." Feliciano blinks, looking at him with a confused 've?'. "I was just confused about my own feelings and what to do." Ludwig turns a bit red. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"B-but then why did you look sad, Ludwig?" Feliciano spins around to face him, looking at him with concern.

The taller man shakes his head. "I'm not sad. I told you, I was just confused. And I did very stupid thing, trying to avoid you because I was unsure myself."

"So, is Ludwig alright now?" Feliciano is still looking at him, his expression turns hopeful. Ludwig lets a small smile escape his lips and nods.

"Yes. And…" It takes whole ten seconds for Ludwig to finally stops being nervous and swallows. "I like you too."

Realization slowly dawns into the Italian's face and before Ludwig realizes what happens, Feliciano has thrown himself into the German's arm, locking him in a hug. Ludwig is forced to bend down to the Italian's height, but he returns the hug although awkwardly.

"Ludwig likes me too? Really?" He asks into the German's ears, voice filled with pure joy. Ludwig feels himself smiling too, and he nods.

Feliciano lets out a very happy "ve~!" and hugs him tighter, letting him wrap his arms around the smaller figure and hold him there protectively.

-colorful wall-

Romano sighs. He doesn't like the German but as long as his brother is happy, he's fine with it. But now he's lost in this diner. Surely there are some changes made in the room to hold this party, so navigating around will be a bit dangerous. Unsure, he trails his hand around, trying to find the nearest object. But a strong and warm hand takes his arm, stopping him and carefully guiding him through the room.

Romano tenses. He knows this hand. He feels himself being guided carefully out into the night air through the backdoor, judging by the creaking of the door. "Antonio, what the fuck?"

"Sorry," The Spanish man smiles sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "It's just… I don't know how to talk to you without you running away from me."

Romano scoffs and looks away. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Romano, please tell me what I have done wrong," Antonio's voice is soft, yet serious. The request holds so much inside and Romano has to restrain himself from looking at the man before him. Not literally looking of course.

Instead of answering, the Italian chooses to stay silent, stubbornly avoiding Antonio's gaze and keeping the scowl on his face. But Antonio isn't going to back down just yet. This is the one and only chance he has to talk to Romano and set things right, he's aware of that. He's not going to waste it. "Did I do something that have angered you? Or hurt you in any way?"

Romano bites his lower lip. He doesn't understand why Antonio sounds like he's done something terrible, why he's so stubborn in knowing (he didn't dare to think that Antonio's stubborn in getting their relationship back. He doesn't want to be some kind of big-headed jerk). He's afraid to answer because then Antonio will press further, but he's also afraid not to because he doesn't want to hear the hurt tone in the Spanish man's voice. I'm really selfish aren't I?

"If I did, then I'll apologize, and if you don't want to see me anymore, it's alright. But just…" Antonio lets out a desperate sigh. "Please just tell me what I've done wrong."

"You haven't done anything wrong," Romano mutters, cursing himself for how weak he is to that voice.

The weight in his chest is suddenly lifted just by that simple answer, and Antonio looks at the Italian wide-eyed, new wave of hope washes through him. "Then, why?"

He can't step back now. Romano casts his gaze down. "I'm just being a jerk."

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to." He trails his hand around, hoping to find the wall that will guide him back into the diner, but Antonio's hand catches his arm, stopping him.

"But what if I want to?" Antonio counters softly. Romano brushes his hand away half-heartedly and replies, "I don't care."

"Do you want me to leave and not see you anymore, Romano?"

Romano swallows hard, hand freezes mid-air. No "Yes."

"You don't mean it."

"How can you tell, bastard?" Antonio sounds so sure, he suspects the Spanish man might be able to read minds. "You don't know me."

"I don't," Antonio agrees. "But I know when you really mean what you say and when you don't." He let a small smile slips past his lips as Romano flushes pink on the statement.

"Bastard…" For the first time in those long years, Romano curses his blindness. If only he can see, he can get away. But it seems that God decides on something different today. It never takes him this long just to find the wall. He sighs in defeat, letting his hand lingers in the air a little longer before dropping it to his side.

"Why do you care so much anyway? Is it for your damn newspaper?" He huffs, crossing his arms on his chest. He lets the question out casually, but he can't deny that deep inside, he desperately wants to know the answer. Most people are chased away by his brash nature, only few that can actually put up with him, even befriend him. Matthew is one of those few. He never really expects Antonio to be one, especially after he knew that the man started following him everywhere because he wants something from him.

Antonio's green eyes widen. "How do you know about that?"

"I overheard you and Boss talking that day." He smirks almost wistfully. "I should've known it when you agreed to walk me."

"It's not that," Antonio replies, shaking his head. "It's true that I wanted to write about you and your brother, but it's no longer about that."

"Then what is it now?" Romano snaps, glaring daggers at him.

"It's because…" Antonio runs a hand through his hair and smiles sheepishly. "I think I like you."

Blink. "The fuck?"

"Yeah," The sheepish grin fades from the Spanish man's face, replaced by a serious expression. "I like you, Romano."

The Italian can only stare at him wide-eyed, mouth hangs slightly open. Antonio chuckles softly at the sight. "But please don't think I like you as friends or acquaintances. It's… more than just that."

"You can't be serious…" Romano mutters, face a furious shade of red. "You can't be fucking serious."

"But I am." Antonio smiles to him. "I am serious, Romano."

"No, no…" Romano shakes his head furiously, taking a step back. "You cannot like me."

"Why-"

"Because I can't be more attached to you than I already am!" Romano shoves him on the chest when he tries to step closer. His lower lip trembles. He grits his teeth and manages to speak steadily. "You've gotten too close. You said you want to make me happy, don't want to see me troubled, and all that. But you only make me more dependent on you that way." He bites his lower lip. "And when you leave, I'll be left unable to do anything on my own."

"Romano…"

"Nothing lasts forever," The Italian replies firmly, clenching his fists on his sides. "You'll leave one day."

Antonio is silenced. This is where he has to make a very careful decision. If he can't convince Romano, then he'll be forced to leave him, for good. And he certainly doesn't want that.

"Romano, please listen to me just this once." He speaks slowly, carefully. "Can you?"

Romano lets out a heavy sigh but doesn't say anything. Antonio takes that as a cue. "I indeed can't promise you that I will never leave you or nothing's going to happen," He pauses, waiting. Romano's expression remains unchanged.

"But I can and will promise you that I will not leave you for someone else. If you can't believe me, I'll promise you that for five years at the least. Then when we've reached the fifth year, I'll renew the promise."

Silence falls between them, stretching and gnawing in their insides. Antonio counts his breath, waiting. Then Romano speaks, his voice's low and unsure.

"Why do I have to believe you and risk myself?"

"Because I like you, and I want to make you happy." Antonio says genuinely. "Other than that, I don't know."

A long silence passes before Romano finally says, "You're an idiot." A sign of a smile passes on his face. "That's not an answer you say to convince someone."

Antonio chuckles lightly, relieved to see the smile again. "I'm just being honest."

"You really can't be helped. Liking a blind and good-for-nothing guy like me, but…" Romano turns a bit red. "I think I also can't be helped for liking an idiot bastard like you."

Antonio's smile can rival the sun. His face lit up literally and he reaches the smaller figure, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him into a hug. Romano turns ten shades redder, but he buries his face in Antonio's chest, his half-hearted curses are muffled by the fabric of his coat.

"So that means we're dating now?" Antonio asks, green eyes shining with happiness. "I can start walking you again?"

"Yeah, yeah, idiot." Romano punches his chest half-heartedly. Antonio notices a small smile on his face and the Spanish man laughs cheerfully into his hair.

"Then I'll promise you. I promise that for five years onward, I will not leave you for someone else, for anything. When we've reached the fifth year, I'll renew the promise."

"What am I getting myself into?" Romano grunts, but his figure slowly relaxes and he chuckles into Antonio's chest, letting the Spanish man kiss the top of his head and hold him tighter.

-colorful wall-

"So our awesome plan succeeded, eh?" Gilbert leans back on his seat in the diner, seems to be proud of himself. "Looks like West managed to say how he feels to Feli. And Antonio's so cheerful it's like he's literally shining. It's a good thing Romano can't see or he'll be blinded by the Tonio-sun."

"It seems so, " Elizabeta nods, her green eyes glint happily and a smile stretches on her lips. She's sitting on the seat in front of Gilbert on the table in the diner, sipping her tea. She's asked Boss for a day off today, and Feliciano is more than willing to fill in her place, even though that means him wheeling around the diner in full speed in busy hours. Elizabeta doesn't want to trouble people around her, but a promise is a promise. And Gilbert has been an over-enthusiastic jerk over the few days after the party.

The albino grins to her across the table, his crimson eyes stay on her face. "So how about it, Eliza? Dinner in Saturday with me?"

Elizabeta frowns. "Did I promise that too?"

"I asked you to go out with the awesome me, and you said yes," Gilbert's grin grows wider. "So no use playing dumb now. Going out means dinner, lunch, date, and all that. Kesesese…."

Elizabeta rolls her eyes but doesn't reply. She doesn't want to waste her energy to retort for every single one of Gilbert's comments.

"So how about it, Eliza? I'm awesomely serious about the dinner."

She gazes around the diner, peacefully quiet in the early morning, sunlight streaming through the window and irises stand silently in their vases. Feliciano is behind the counter, having a one-sided chat with Ludwig. On the table next to the window, Francis is talking to Matthew, and judging by the blushing on the Canadian's side, the 'talk' can be categorized as 'flirting'. Vash and Roderich are on their usual table right by the window, having their breakfast in peaceful silence. And finally, her gaze falls to the enthusiastic looking man before her, silver hair and crimson eyes and a hopeful face.

This isn't so bad, she thinks, lifting her cup to her lips once again. "Fine."

-colorful wall-

Feliciano wipes the last glass dry, humming cheerfully to himself. The closed sign has been hung on the diner's glass door and he's doing some last cleaning for the day. Ludwig is still there, sitting at his usual seat by the window. Boss doesn't mind. He says that now Ludwig has a special right to come and stay anytime as long as Feliciano is around.

"It's not like you have other reasons for coming if Feli's not here," Boss has said, looking at him with a knowing grin.

A ring of Feliciano's cellphone breaks through the silence. The Italian fishes his pocket for the tiny thing and pulls it out, putting it on his ear. "Ve~, fratello?"

He nods lightly as the conversation goes on the other side. "Okay. I'll be fine waiting. Have you told Antonio? Ve~, no need to yell, fratello," He pouts. "Be careful, okay? See you." He ends the call and puts the cellphone back into his pocket.

Ludwig lifts his head from the book he's reading. "Is everything okay?"

Feliciano nods, smiling. "Ve~, yes. Fratello will be a little late today. He says the restaurant is really busy because someone is throwing a family reunion there."

"I see…" Ludwig closes his book, eyeing the Italian with a questioning gaze when Feliciano wheels out from behind the counter and approaches him with a wide smile. "What is it, Feliciano?"

"What about we have a walk, Ludwig?" He asks, looking at him with hopeful eyes. "There's a shore near here just at the end of the street. Me and fratello sometimes go there for a walk."

Ludwig raises an eyebrow. "It's nine in the evening, Feliciano."

"It won't be long," Feliciano promises, looking at him hopefully. "Please, please, Ludwig?"

The German sighs lightly, but he smiles nonetheless. "Fine. Just for several minutes. And put your coat on. It's cold today."

"Ve~ okay!" Feliciano beams happily, giving him a short hug before disappearing into the backroom. He returns a moment later wearing his coat. "I've told Boss. He said okay. So let's go, Ludwig!"

Ludwig rises from his seat and puts his coat on as well. He takes them out in the night air, watching as their breath form mist before them. It really is cold today. "Are you sure, Feliciano?"

"Yep." Feliciano nods, his curl bouncing. Ludwig bends before him and makes sure his coat is properly buttoned and he's warm enough before moving back and starting to push the wheelchair forward.

"Thank you, Ludwig." Feliciano chirps happily. "The shore is over there, take the turn there and go down the street. Not far."

A small smile escapes the blonde's lips and pulls the collar of his coat a bit higher before continuing. Feliciano is right. Going down the street, he can smell the salty air and the sound of the waves fills his ears.

The ocean is dark blue in the night, almost like it's reflecting the clear sky above. The moon is full and silver, illuminating the shore gently. Waves roaring as Ludwig pushes the wheelchair into the sand, frowning when he feels the wheels restrain. "Feliciano, can your wheelchair keep going on the sand?"

Feliciano shakes his head, turning to look at him. His golden eyes twinkle. "Fratello always carries me on his back here." He spins around, stretching his hands out. "Ve~, carry me, Ludwig."

"Really, you…" The German frowns half-heartedly, before it turns into a chuckle at the sight of the Italian staring at him wide-eyed, hoping. He crouches down and Feliciano happily wraps his arms around his neck. He lifts the smaller man almost with ease, balancing him slightly on his back before start walking.

"Ve~, it's full moon today." Feliciano says, turning his head sideways to look at the circle of silver above. "It's so pretty."

"It is," Ludwig agrees. "You're not cold aren't you? Are you okay being in this position? I sometimes carry my brother home from the bar but he's always too drunk to notice."

"I'm okay, I'm not cold," Feliciano assures him, tightening his arms a bit. "And Ludwig's back is so warm, ve~."

Ludwig turns red on his ears, but he manages to speak without stuttering. "That's good."

A comfortable silence fills the air for a minute before Feliciano speaks again. "I have a story to tell you, Ludwig, ve~. It's a story from long ago, when I was still a child."

Ludwig hums in response, a sign that he's listening. "Until we were five years old, me and fratello used to live with grandpa. We lived in grandpa's house in a small village, far enough from big and crowded cities but not far enough from neighboring town. I used to play in the meadow with neighboring children. Fratello can't get along really fine with them so he didn't play with us often.

When I was four, I met a boy. He said he was from the city and he was spending his holiday with his grandfather. It appears that his grandfather was grandpa's friend. The boy had blond hair and blue eyes, just like you, Ludwig."

Feliciano smiles nostalgically to himself, his golden eyes twinkle warmly. "Before long, we became friends. He asked me to teach him to draw. We played in the meadow, chasing butterflies and looking for bunnies until sunset. It was really fun. He was a shy boy. He often blushed when I gave him something or held his hand." He chuckles, his breath tickles Ludwig's spine, but the German keeps a steady grip.

"Then it was time for him to go back. He said his holiday would be over in a few days. That last day, we played from when the sun rose until the night when stars had started to appear. And the next day, before his parents came to pick him up, he went to my house and gave me flowers. Really pretty flowers. He said he woke up early to pick them up." The memory is from so long ago, Feliciano is a bit surprised that he still remembers it pretty well.

"Then what happened?" Ludwig asks, blowing a mist out of his nose.

"I never met him again," Feliciano says, his heart swells with a bittersweet emotion. "I didn't know his real name, but his grandfather used to call him…"

"Reich," Ludwig finishes. "It's German for empire."

"Yes," Feliciano blinks, lifting his head from Ludwig's hair in surprise. "How did you know, Ludwig?"

"Because…" Ludwig turns his head slightly so their eyes meet. He pauses, hesitating. A soft blush creeps into his face. "Because the boy is me. My grandfather liked to call me that when I was little."

"What?" Feliciano breathes out, staring at him wide-eyed in awe. "That boy was you, Ludwig?"

The German nods, returning his gaze forward as the blush creeps higher into his neck. Feliciano beams in pure joy and presses himself closer to the German's back.

"Ludwig is Reich! I'm finally able to meet you!" He nuzzles his face into Ludwig's blonde hair and the German chuckles, his expression softening.

"Yes, it's me. I've never thought that the boy was you."

"Me neither!" Feliciano laughs into his hair. "I'm so happy, ve!"

Ludwig doesn't say anything, but just a glance at his smile and how he tightens his grips on him gently, Feliciano knows that he feels the same.

-colorful wall-

"Feliciano's out with the potato bastard?" Romano groans angrily.

Boss nods, suppressing a chuckle. "I'm sure he'll be back soon. He said he was just going to the shore down the street."

Romano huffs and throws himself onto the nearest chair. Antonio chuckles and sits down beside him.

"I swear if that potato do something to him…"

"Romano, they'll be fine," Antonio says, smiling to the fuming boy. Romano isn't really angry, he can tell. "Ludwig will never do anything to harm Feli in any way. You know that."

"But he's still a potato," Romano scowls stubbornly. Antonio laughs at the adorable expression and pulls the Italian into a hug, nuzzling his face into his dark hair.

"Oi, bastard! What the fuck?"

"It's because you're so cute, Roma!" Antonio laughs cheerfully, ignoring the stream of curses from under his face.

"Being young sure is great!" Boss laughs from behind the counter. "I'll be in the back in case you need something. Take your time, youngsters!" He disappears through the door, laughing at the curses Romano throws at him.

After finally freeing himself from Antonio's grip, Romano leans back on his seat and taps his fingers against the table, scowling. "They better not be long."

"Making another adorable expression," Antonio coos, chuckling when Romano turns a shade of red and glares at him as hard as he can. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Damn right," Romano rolls his eyes and huffs, blowing a strand of hair from his face. "Aren't you going to go home, bastard? I'll be fine."

"It's okay. I've finished my part for the deadline and I don't really have anything to do. I'll wait with you."

"If you say so…" Romano trails off, unsure. Antonio can still see the uneasiness of the thought of depending on someone beside his brother in his unseeing eyes. He scoots his chair closer and wraps his arm around the Italian's figure. "Romano, it's okay, really."

Romano stays still for a moment before finally relaxes and leans into his touch, allowing himself to be pulled closer. They stay like that for several minutes, feeling no need to say anything.

Then Romano straightens himself and Antonio reluctantly lets go. The Italian is still for a moment, seemingly to be thinking. Then he lifts his hands and put them on Antonio's face.

"R-Roma?" Antonio's eyes widen, surprised. "What are you-"

"Just shut up," Romano growls, his face turns red and redder in seconds. "Let me 'see' you."

And then Antonio understands. A small smile tugs his lips as he watches Romano's face twists into concentration the moment he feels the Spanish man's skin under his fingers. He lets them linger on the cheekbones for a moment before carefully move them down onto his cheeks. Antonio feels his face turn warm, but he stays silent as Romano's hands move.

Slowly, the Italian's expression softens and a small smile plays on his lips as he traces Antonio's nose, eyes, jaws, and ears. He flushes a bit when his fingers trace his lips, but he moves them upward just as quick. He moves his hands to Antonio's hair, and the smile comes back, a bit wider.

"Messy hair," He says, and Antonio chuckles sheepishly.

"Yeah, messy hair."

"An idiot face." His smile turns into a smirk, feeling the pout that forms on Antonio's face. "Just like its owner." He moves his hands back to his face, gently tracing around once again as if trying to memorize. But he lingers on Antonio's eyes longer, tracing them with his thumbs.

"What color are your eyes?" He asks curiously.

Antonio opens his mouth to reply, but then a thought comes to his mind and he relents. Instead, he smiles and says,

"You have to see it yourself."

Romano frowns, pulling his hands back to cross them on his chest. "What do you mean?"

Antonio chuckles lightly on his expression. "You have to see it yourself, with your own eyes, on the day when you can see again."

"You don't know that," Romano pouts.

"But I have faith." Antonio counters, smiling when Romano's face turns into a scowl.

"Whatever, you bastard."

Antonio laughs and pulls him into a hug once again, before he finally bends his head down and kisses him softly on the lips.

-colorful wall-

"Ve~, fratello, Marcello called earlier today," Feliciano says through a mouthful of spaghetti. "He asked if he can come this Wednesday. I said yes."

"It's been a goddamn year since the last time we saw him," The older Italian replies, scowling into his meal as he tries to jab a tomato that's been rolling around in his plate.

Feliciano chuckles. He knows that just like him, his brother is fond of their younger cousin. "Yeah. He said there's someone who wants to see us. He didn't mention who though."

"Someone?" Romano raises his eyebrow, suspicion creeps into his face. "Why didn't he tell you who?"

"Ve~, I don't know…" Feliciano chews his food slowly, scrunching his eyebrows as he thinks. "He sounded nervous, now that I think about it."

"Suspicious." Romano spits, trying to glare at his plate.

"Sorry, fratello, I didn't ask you first. Because I thought you too would want to see Marcello again. I didn't think too much about the person he mentioned."

"It's fucking suspicious, but no use thinking about that now." Romano huffs, rising from his seat. "My turn to do the washing today. Hand me the plates when you've finished."

Feliciano nods, twirling the spaghetti on his fork before he speaks again. "I'm happy that you told Antonio you like him and let him be your boyfriend." He giggles when his brother turns bright red, turning around and glowering at him. "I was worried that you might reject him again."

"It's because he sounded so damn honest," Romano grumbles, rubbing the soap onto the dish furiously, his face is still red. "He didn't make promises like 'I'll be with you forever' or shits like that."

"Don't you want him to promise you that, fratello?" Feliciano tilts his head, looking at his brother curiously. "Ve~, I would want to."

"I'm not you," Romano grunts. "I don't want a sappy and sound-like-a-lie promise like that. Don't tell me that potato does that to you."

"He doesn't," Feliciano giggles. "But he actually did, when we were kids."

Romano almost drops the plate he's washing. "He fucking did?"

"Yep." The younger Italian nods innocently. "He's actually Reich, so yes, he did." He forgot to tell Ludwig that the German indeed promised to be with him forever before he returned to the city as a boy. But judging by the furious blush at Ludwig's face when they reminisced about their childhood on the way back from the shore, he might remember.

Feliciano smiles happily to himself, watching as Romano throws the soapy sponge across the room to him only to miss, making the soapy thing land on the dirty dishes on the table.

-colorful wall-

"Are you waiting for someone today, Feliciano?" Boss asks, eyeing the Italian with a suppressed smile. Feliciano has been a bit more high spirited than usual today. Even Ludwig seems to be a bit stunned of his more-than-usual-enthusiasm when he comes for his meal.

"Ve~, Boss, how did you know?" Feliciano smiles to him, pausing from his over-enthusiastic cleaning. "My cousin is coming today!"

"I see," Boss nods, humming knowingly. "No wonder you're in such a high spirit today. But it's closing time already. Isn't he late?"

"He said he'll come when my work's done." Feliciano puts the glass he was wiping back into the rack. "Ve~, Ludwig, you finished? How is it?"

"It was good, as always." Ludwig gives him a small smile, which turns a bit wider when Feliciano wheels to him with a happy smile on his face.

"Come and have dinner with me next time, Ludwig. I'll make you lots of delicious food, ve!"

Ludwig just can't resist that smiling face. He has to practice to one day. "I'm alright with it."

"Yaaayy!" Feliciano throws his arms around his waist and hugs him. Ludwig awkwardly pats his back in return.

They are interrupted by the small ding of the bell above the door. A young man steps into the diner, his green eyes dart around the room until they rest on Feliciano, and his face lit up into a bright smile. "Feli!"

"Marcello!" Feliciano wheels to him excitedly and pulls him into a hug. "It's been so long!"

"It's his cousin?" Boss watches them from behind the counter with an amused smile. "He looks just like them." Ludwig silently agrees.

Marcello has a round face and light brown hair with a similar curl with Feliciano's and Romano's bouncing on the side. He has a wide and happy smile, similar to Feliciano's, and his green eyes twinkle with a lighthearted glint. He indeed has a vague resemblance to the twins. "It is. How are you, Feli? Roma isn't here yet?"

"We're fine. Fratello will be here soon." Feliciano releases him and looks up at him, smiling widely. "How about you? And who's the person you said wants to meet us?"

Marcello shifts uneasily, suddenly looking nervous. "Ah, it's…" He gazes to the door before returning to look at Feliciano.

Feliciano raises an eyebrow. He doesn't understand why his cousin looks so nervous. Who is that person anyway? And why does Marcello look apologetic?

"S-sorry, Feli. She came and asked me about both of you, and I know that Romano doesn't want to see her, but I couldn't just say no." He drops his face. "I'm sorry…"

Understanding comes dawning on his mind at the same time when the door swings open once again. Feliciano goes still, his eyes glued to the figure who's just entered. Ludwig looks at him with concern before shifting his haze to the new person.

It is a beautiful woman, and on the first sight of her, Ludwig is instantly reminded of Feliciano and Romano. Her long dark hair falls to her shoulder, a bit wavy on the edge. Long fingers grip the strap of her handbag tightly. Her hazel golden eyes fall on Feliciano, and she goes tense, her whole gesture screaming nervousness and concern, and also anxiety.

The whole room is silent, even Boss stops from his chore, seeming confused. Marcello takes a step back silently.

"Feliciano?" The woman's voice is soft and clear, and shaking. Warmth nestle on her features when the word slips past her lips.

Feliciano just stares at her, eyes wide and mouth closed, unable to say anything. Then the door is opened yet again, a stream of low curses indicating who's entering.

The woman turns around, anxiety returns fully on her face when she faces the drenched-wet-from-head-to-toes Romano, with Antonio trailing behind him.

"Stupid rain that started falling so fucking suddenly," He mutters, wiping a drop from his eyes. Antonio is about to retort but he notices the woman looking at them nervously, the tense silence in the diner, and Feliciano's expression, so he closes his mouth, staying silent.

"Fratello," Feliciano manages to croak, swallowing hard.

Romano seems to notice the tension as well because his face slowly turns into a worried scowl. "Feli? What's wrong?"

"Romano?"

At the sound of the voice, Romano's eyes widen slightly, his expression unreadable.

"Mom?"

One more chapter to go, guys.

I'm one of the HRE = Germany believers, so I apologize for the readers who are not.I can't seem to find HRE's human name (or maybe it's because I never read HRExChibitalia fics), so I took Reich from Holy Roman Empire's German name, Heiliges Römisches Reich. (It's lame, I know TwT).

Antonio's promise is inspired from a Spain/chibi!Romano doujinshi called Custom by Pondeco.

And lastly, thank you so very much for all of you who read, review, fave, watch, and every kind things that you've done to me. I am a happy writer :)