Germany needs time to sort his head around the whole issue of separating his past from his present. Hopefully, he could do it in time to save Feliciano…

/=+=/

He wandered the city street that he was in, looking at the number of people that surrounded him. He was surprised at just how many humans populated this town, how they were unaware of the threat that was now threatening to engulf the land…possibly the world. All because of what was inside him.

"Ludwig."

He didn't have to turn his head to see Kiku suddenly appear in an alleyway next to him (possibly not to alarm any of the humans) and began to walk alongside him. Kiku stayed quiet as Ludwig continued to think about what he was going to do with the situation. What would Holy Rome do to him, if they were right and he was after his land…?

"Are you worried about Feliciano?"

"…I have to be, Kiku…you know how much of an idiot he is." He answered. "Besides…"

"Besides…?" Kiku tilted his head.

"Um…n-nothing." Ludwig answered. "We should…head back to the building…"

"Of course…allow me."

Kiku got Ludwig's hand and took him deep into the alley. Suddenly, Ludwig found himself standing in front of the building…and a shocked voice. He turned his head and saw (to his delight) that it was just the guy he was looking for. Kiku took that as a sign to help him to his feet.

"Are you all right?"

"Ve~~~I heard that you all had abilities, but I didn't know that you had the cool one, Japan!"

"Teleportation…I know." Kiku answered. "It seems that I can bring people with me whenever I move."

"That's so cool!" He chirped. "Can you try it with me one day?"

"I'll see to it…but I'm needed somewhere." Kiku turned to Ludwig and grinned. "Maybe later."

Instantly, he teleported away before the German had a change to argue. It was then that he realized that Feliciano was alone again, this time Holy Roman Empire nowhere in sight. As the German turned his head, he saw that his eyelids were twitching and that they were slowly opening again, revealing his golden-hazel eyes.

"Doitsu…" He smiled, his eyes smiling with his lips.

"I-Italy…" Germany blinked, his eyes all the more intimidating. "You should…open your eyes more. You look more serious with open eyes…"

"No…I don't want to." He answered, shaking his head. "Quando apro gli occhi, è solo così che posso vedere Doitsu."

Ludwig's face immediately went red, and he had to raise his hand so that he could hide his cheeks. Part of him was really grateful that he took lessons in the Italian language. Then again, would he really want to hear that? Yes. Wait, did he just think that about him? Well…he is Holy Roman Empire, so…

Wait, WHAT?

"Um…I'm…flattered by that statement?" He blinked, wondering if he would offend Italy with the comeback.

"Ve~~~I trust you with my life, Doitsu! This is the least I can do!" Italy answered.

The least he can do, huh? Well then, I wonder what's the most he's willing to do to you-

NO. NO, Germany. Stop thinking like France. You're scaring yourself.

"Of course…" He smiled. "Um…where's Holy Roman Empire? I thought he'd be clinging onto you by now."

"Ve~~~~~he disappeared…I thought that he'd be here, so I decided to come over…then I heard that…you were here too…"

Feliciano's gaze went downward, a blush going across his face. It was then that Germany realized that he was probably thinking about what happened back in his house…the incident…the hugging…the…the…uh…wait, would that even count, since he…uh…well…

Congratulations. Now you're unable to think clearly. Come on, be a country!

"Um…about…what happened last time…" Ludwig brought up.

"D-Doitsu…I…" Feliciano shivered. "I'm…so confused."

"Feli-"

"Holy Rome…I've been waiting for him for so long, and now that he's here, I…" Feliciano closed his eyes. "I don't know who I care about anymore…"

"…Italy…about Holy Roman Empire…"

"He's changed…ever since I last saw him." He looked up. "I don't know how much, but…he's accepted who I am now…why can't I accept him?"

Feliciano started to cry, tears going down his cheeks as Ludwig started to shiver from the sound. He never wanted to see Italy cry…he never wanted to see his Italy cry…and all of this was because of something related to him…he was the one who caused this…sure, Arthur had his blame, but-

Screw this! Instantly, he threw his arms on the shaking country and squeezed him tightly. Feliciano was alarmed by this, but then didn't bother to resist him. He closed his eyes and openly wept on his chest, Germany only holding his head and accepting the sound of a breaking heart.

"Italy…I…we all have a feeling that Holy Rome is going to try retaking his land." He stated, trying to sound serious. "There's a chance that…he might use you to do just that…"

"A-are you saying that Holy Rome…is evil?" Feliciano sounded startled.

"No…trying to reclaim your separated land is normal for a country to do…I've done it before, a long time ago.…" Germany answered. "But…"

"W-wait! Isn't Doitsu a part of Holy Roman's Empire?" Feliciano separated a little bit from Ludwig, still staying in his arms. "I-If Holy Rome retakes his land, Doitsu would-"

"Don't worry. I'm a German. We'll fight to protect our country." He stated, rubbing the Italian's hair.

"But I don't want to lose Doitsu!" Feliciano sobbed as he grabbed his uniform. "I don't…I don't want to lose anyone else…"

"I know that…I know…"

Germany looked down as Feliciano's eyes started to sparkle in the setting sunlight. He suddenly remembered the first time he hugged him, back when he was Chibitalia. He couldn't remember what it was all about, but the warmth coming from his body…it stuck on his mind for days…Ludwig lifted a hand and stroked his hair.

"Feliciano…"

The Italian closed his eyes, and leaned in yet again toward the German's lips. Ludwig found himself moving in toward him as well, desperate to kiss him before someone broke it. Sure enough, he found contact. They stood there for a few minutes, a strange taste of pizza in Ludwig's mouth, before slowly pulling away from each other.

"D-Doitsu…" He muttered. "I…r-really?"

"Yes, really." Ludwig responded, his face stern. "I'm not lying."

With those words, he suddenly remembered back when he went to war and was forced to leave Italy behind. This exact incident happened. Feliciano asked the exact same question, and he had responded with the exact same answer. He began to wonder if he was smart enough to add two and two and together and realize Ludwig's true identity. That thought made him scared, though he tried his best not to let it translate onto his. Instead, he felt Feliciano's grip on him grow tighter.

"Thank goodness..." He was crying. "Thank God..."

Ludwig held Feliciano tight to his body, finding himself unable to let him go. He couldn't really blame himself for not wanting too: he had let him go too many times and he was not going to do it again. His lips grazed Feliciano's forehead, and he could hear a small gasp of surprise from the Italian before he felt him snuggle closer.

"We're going to make sure that we don't lose anyone else…even if it is Holy Roman Empire." Ludwig whispered, a hand holding his head. "Don't worry."

"I know you'll do, Doitsu...that's why..." He heard Feliciano chuckle. "I'll do something too…just for you."

Germany was surprised to see Italy slowly parting away from the hug. Instantly, he closed his eyes, his cheesy smile plastering itself back on his face. Germany couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

"I'll have a talk with Holy Rome! He doesn't have to be a country to be alive! Just look at your brother!" He answered. "Then he'll leave everyone alone…even Doitsu!"

"And…what if he doesn't listen to reason?"

"…he'll listen." Feliciano turned around. "I just know it."

Feliciano quickly walked away, leaving Ludwig behind to wonder just what that kiss was all about. He turned his head around and saw Wang Yao running toward him, his gaze stuck on Feliciano's fleeting presence. He turned back toward Ludwig, who was in a bit of a daze.

"Is that Feliciano, aru?"

"Yeah…he's going to see if he can force logic on Holy Roman Empire." He answered.

"Is that wise, aru?"

"I really hope so." He turned to China. "How are the others?"

"We're just testing our powers, away from the human eyes, aru." He answered. "In fact, we actually tested Feliciano's."

"And?"

"Actually…we should let Seyel tell you, aru."

/=+=/

Oh yeah! More translations for those who are curious! Again, this is from Google Translate, so blame them.

[Quando apro gli occhi, è solo così che posso vedere Doitsu.] ITALIAN– When I open my eyes, it's only so that I can see Doitsu.

Rapid fire updates for the uniquely curious! Hope you guys are enjoying this, cause I sure am!