"Thanks for taking me home, Germany!" said Italy.

"You're welcome," Germany said. "Bye Italy."

As Germany went to leave, Italy hugged him.

"Thanks for always watching out for me," he said.

Just as Germany went to put his arms around Italy, a loud voice rang out.

"Why are you hugging that potato-sucking bastard?"

Italy and Germany turned to see Romano and Spain walking towards them.

"Big brother!" Italy cried out, hugging him.

"Stop touching me!" said Romano agitated. "You were just hugging that bastard!"

"Romanooo," Italy said, stepping back. "That's rude."

"Ha ha, when is he not?" Spain said putting his arm over Romano.

"Get off me, stupid!" Romano said, shrugging Spain off.

"Ha, ha," Spain smiled. "So Ita-chan, where's my hug?" he said opening his arms wide.

Italy gave him a hug. "It's good to see you big brother Spain," he said.

"Yes it has been awhile," said Spain. "So Germany," he said looking over at him. "Where's my hug?" he asked with a goofy smile.

"Huh?" Germany stared at Spain.

"Just kidding," Spain said. "Romano and I were just grocery shopping. Do you want to join us?"

"Yes!" Italy answered.

"What about you, Germany? Will you join us?" asked Spain.

"Ah, no I've got to head home. Maybe next time."

"Oh, okay then. See you."

"Bye"

When Germany got home, he put his things away and went straight to Prussia's room.

"*KNOCK KNOCK* Are you there Nii-san?" he asked, knocking on the door. "I'm coming in."

Entering the room, he found Prussia sitting on the bed holding onto one of his stuffed pandas.

"H-hello, West," said Prussia trying to avoid eye contact.

"Nii-san…" Germany stood in front of him. "Explain yourself. Why did you do that?"

"Do what? Go home early? You see I ha-"

"Nii-san!" Germany gave Prussia a stern look.

"There's no avoiding it, huh?" Prussia said.

"No there isn't."

"Okay. You know how Italy was wearing that robe?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Well, when I saw him wearing it so…provocatively, I-I just lost control of myself."

Germany just stared at him.

"That's your excuse?" Germany said, angrily. "Do you know how upset Italy was? You think that saying you 'Just lost control' is enough?"

Prussia looked shocked at Germany's outburst. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't apologize to me," said Germany. "Apologize to Italy."

"Yes."

Germany went to leave and saw the empty lunchbox container on a table.

He picked it up and sighed. "You've done stupid things before," he said. "But this has got to be the stupidest."

Germany's words hit a nerve with Prussia and he became annoyed.

"What do you know?" he asked. "I do care about Italy. Yes maybe I did take it to far, but it's because I like him that I did it!"

"What?" Germany said. "You realize it'll never happen, right? Italy likes girls."

"So? Hungary told me that Italy's first love was another boy! That means I still have a chance!"

Germany was dumbfounded. Prussia was right. Italy's first love was another boy. He had told him that information himself. AS he thought about it, Germany realized that maybe Prussia really did have a chance with Italy. He felt irritated by that.

"That doesn't matter," he said turning away from Prussia. "He was just a child then."

Prussia stood up. "Why are you being like this West? Italy won't always be with you, unless you change. You'll only ever be his friend." he said.

"What do you mean by that?" Germany asked.

"I mean, that you're acting like you don't want Italy to be with anyone but you. You're acting jealous!"

Germany was taken aback by Prussia's words. "I am not acting like that at all!" he said. "I-I don't think of Italy like that, h-he's just my friend."

"Then why can't you accept that the fact that I want to pursue a relationship with him?" asked Prussia stepping closer to him.

"B-because," said Germany. "I don't want you to hurt Italy."

"That's a lie," Prussia said. "Admit it West. You have feelings for Italia-chan."

"Nii-san, what are you saying?" Germany took a step back. "Felling for Italy? We're just friends!"

He couldn't believe what his brother was saying. Italy was no more than a friend to him, wasn't he? Sure maybe Germany had gotten slightly confused that one time, but that was it, wasn't it?

"Really?" Prussia looked him in the eyes. "He sleeps with you almost every night. You never get any ideas? About doing things with him? As more than friends?"

Germany blushed a slight pink. Doing things with Italy? Sure the Italian man did constantly sleep in his bed, usually nude, but how could Germany get 'ideas'? Unlike his brother, he didn't have sexual inclinations towards other men, and Italy was definitely another man. Thinking about it gave him a headache. He began to remember what he had read in the last chapter of that book. His blush became even deeper.

"O-of course not!" he said, turning his face away. "Italy's a g-guy!"

"Why should that matter? You can still do things. Don't you wonder what it feels like? To kiss him? To touch him? To-"

"Stop it bruder!" Germany yelled at Prussia. His head was pounding and his vision had become blurry. He held onto a table for support.

"I-Italy and I aren't-I mean we can't," he began to stumble over his words. "He's my friend, my male friend. S-so bruder p-please…" Germany felt himself losing hold on reality. His knees buckled underneath him.

"Ah!" Prussia grabbed Germany before he hit the ground. "West are you okay?"

"I-I need to lay down…" mumbled Germany, trying to stand.

"S-sure," said Prussia, helping his younger brother to the bed.

As Germany laid on the bed he rubbed his temples, in an attempt to ease his throbbing head.

"G-Gilbert can..." Germany took a deep breath. "…You get me some painkillers?"

"Yeah, I-I'll be right back.

Prussia ran to the bathroom. The only time Germany called him by his name was when it was really important. He frantically searched for the small bottle of pills, and finally finding it, grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen and returned to the room.

When he went into the room, he found that Germany had fallen asleep. Prussia was glad, hoping that when he awoke, he would feel better.

Placing the water and pills on the night table, he sat down next to his brother, careful not to wake him.

"I'm sorry, West," he said, looking at Germany's sleeping face.

Prussia really was sorry. Everything he'd done was for his younger brother. The real reason he 'attacked' Italy was because he knew Germany had been pretending to be asleep. Sure maybe he thought Italy was cute, but (opposite of what he told Germany) he didn't actually want to pursue a relationship with him. He only wanted his younger brother to realize his own feelings for the small Italian man. He had watched as Germany let Italy close to his heart, watched as he smiled and laughed around him. Prussia wanted for his Germany to be happy, and Italy made him happy.

He hadn't meant to upset Germany, but when he said that what he did was stupid, he got angry. How could his awesome plan be stupid?

Prussia reached out and brushed Germany's loose bangs out of his face.

"Sleep well, my precious little brother," he said, kissing him on the forehead and leaving the room.

.