His eyes slowly opened and beheld his love, once again sleeping in the chair beside his bed. He giggled. The German's mouth was slightly agape, his hair was slightly coming out of his gelled style and hanging in his face; it was beautiful and worth waking up to see. His arm, the cause of his waking, was tugging on the tubes, making it hurt. Luckily, he would be leaving the hospital today.
Germany, however, did not wake from his slumber, and instead continued his curious recurring dream. He'd had the dream periodically for as long as he could remember.
A small boy clad in black stood before Germany, appraising the man with shrewd blue eyes which were cold as ice and hard as crystal. The boy always said one thing. "Take care of her," the boy demanded, before fading into the morning sun. "Wait!" Germany cried, as he always did, but when he went to grab the boy's shirt, it faded in his hand. "Who?" Germany asked himself. "Who am I supposed to protect?"
Opening his eyes, he saw Italy's smiling face looking down at his. Germany blinked twice, trying to process the dream. Why did he keep having it? Did it mean something? What was his mind trying to tell him? And, most importantly, who was that boy?
"Morning~!" He smiled. "Doitsu is so cute when he sleeps..." he stated before adjusting his arching left arm with the assortment of IVs and smiling back at his love.
Germany sat up, ignoring Italy's statement so he wouldn't have to blush so early in the morning. "You're finally getting out today, if your tests come back good," Germany said more to himself than to Italy, still distracted by his dream.
"Ve~, I'm so happy about that." He glanced back at the beeping machines. "I don't like being here anymore...I finally don't have nightmares anymore and the nurses keep waking me up," he whined. "I don't like being waken up and poked with needles." He looked back to Germany for an agreement.
Germany gave Italy a small smile, squeezing his lover's hand gently in assurance. "I can't wait to have you back home. It's so empty without you making a mess in my kitchen... I never thought I'd miss that."
"Ve~! I can't wait to make pasta! This food isn't good at all!" He grimaced, remembering Lovino's reaction the day before when they had brought the food in. The door opened and his nurse entered.
The nurse, a young Asian woman with long, brown hair flashed Italy a big smile. "Hello again, Mr. Vargas. How are you feeling today?" She gave Ludwig a nod, which he returned as he scooted his chair out of the nurse's way. She wrapped a blood pressure gauge around Italy's upper arm and checked his blood pressure.
"Ve~! I'm good." He watched her and once she finished, like a little kid, he jumped right to it. "Is it good? Can i go? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?" He pleaded. The nurse blinked at him and smiled.
The nurse chuckled as Germany gently reprimanded, "Italy, they still have to do a few more tests. Be patient."
"Mhfff..." He whimpered before his bottom lip formed a pout. He wanted to go home. This wasn't fun at all.
The nurse smiled as she checked his pulse and the glands under his jaw. She nodded. "Everything seems ok. I'll send in the doctor; he's going to listen to your lungs, make sure nothing's wrong there. If he clears you, you're free to go." She patted Italy's head, seeming charmed by his pouting expression.
She left the room then, and Germany sat down on the bed next to Italy. "You should try to act more like an adult sometimes," Ludwig reminded him, only half-meaning it.
Italy turned the pout on him. "But Doitsuuuuuu, this isn't fun at aaaaallllll! I hate hospitals and I want to go hooooooome. It's not faaaair." He sighed miserably. It wasn't even his fault he ended up here. Why did that have to happen to him of all people? It's not like he was an enemy...he just wanted to enjoy life. He hated wars...he just wanted to be with his love.
Germany felt himself smiling despite the annoyance he should have been feeling. He raised the hand he was holding to his lips, gently caressing Italy's knuckles with his lips. He then took the hand and placed the palm on his own cheek, relishing in the feeling of his lover's soft, warm hand against his skin. "Italy..." he murmured, staring deep into the boy's eyes, "I'm just glad you're okay."
Italy smiled and swept his thumb over Germany's soft lips before leaning in. "Ti amo~" he whispered before kissing those delicious Germany lips with his own. He deeply inhaled his scent and felt the rush that pulsed through his body. Only Germany could make him feel this way.
Germany relished in the small kiss, placing a hand in Italy's messy hair. He pulled away and gave him a small smile. "Ich liebe dich, Feliciano."
He hummed in contentment and leaned onto his chest, snuggling into the strong muscles that lay beneath. "Sei il mio eroe." He murmured, closing his tired eyes.
"Italy, don't fall asleep. The doctor will be in here any minute. Then we can go home." Germany rubbed Italy's back soothingly as he reminded him.
He tiredly murmured something that wasn't entirely understandable before groaning and glaring down at his IV-filled arm. "They hurt, Doitsu. I think I keep pulling on them."
"You shouldn't do that." The doctor then walked in and gave Italy a smile as Germany moved to the chair.
"How are you feeling, Mr. Vargas?" the doctor asked as he put his stethoscope in his ears.
"Ve...bene." He smiled up at Germany as the doctor listened to his breathing.
"No difficulty breathing? Pain in your chest?" The doctor asked while listening to Italy's chest with his stethoscope.
"Um..." He thought for a moment. "No...I don't think so."
The doctor listened for another moment, then stood up and removed the stethoscope from his ears. "Well, everything sounds good. Mr. Vargas, you're free to go!"
"Ve~!" His eyes lit up. "Hear that, Doitsu? I can go home~!" As the doctor left, he handed Italy's file to the nurse, who was waiting outside. She flipped through and looked up at Germany. "Mr. Beilschmidt? I have some medications that I'm going to be giving you for Mr. Vargas after I remove the IVs." She smiled.
"Thank you," Germany said, taking the papers from her. "Italy, I brought you clothes from home. You can change into them after the nurse takes out the IVs." The nurse went in and removed Italy's IVs one by one.
He nodded and grimaced as the needles were plucked from his tender arm. Once disconnected, he jumped up, gathered his clothes and started changing. "Ve~!" The nurse approached the German and handed him two pill bottles.
"The white ones are for any pain or discomfort. They're kinda large and should be taken with food. The green ones are in case of infection in his lung. They might make him...shaky or jittery. So it's best if he takes them in the morning."
"Understood," Germany said, nodding. He then turned to Italy. "Italy! Wait until we leave the room to change!" But at this point, Italy was already half-dressed, so there was really no point to scolding him. Instead, he wheeled Italy out on the ceremonial wheelchair, and at the front entrance helped him stand up. He walked with him out to the parking lot, where his new Volkswagen was parked. This really was a good idea on Hitler's part, Germany decided. Germany held open the passenger door for his lover, giving him a small smile as the Italian entered the car.
Italy happily plopped onto the seat and let out a large yawn. Why did hospitals make him so sleepy? He watched Germany walk around the car and open his own door before he sat down and put the key in the ignition. Italy watched with wide glossy eyes before yawning again. "Doitsu? Can I sleepy now?" He slurred as the painkillers the doctors gave him last minute started taking effect.
Germany smiled as he put the car into the correct gear. "Yes, Italy, you can sleep." He knew the painkillers Italy had taken made him drowsy, so he simply made his way home as his lover slept in the seat beside him. He wanted more than anything to watch Italy sleep, to see the peace and calm take over his sick and battered body, to make sure the boy would be okay. But he focused on the road, driving gently home so as to not shake Italy awake. When he arrived at his house, he pulled up in the driveway and parked the car. He caressed Italy's cheek once with his right palm before getting out of the car, going around the front to open Italy's door and pick him up. He carried his lover inside bride-style, and laid him down gently on his bed before climbing in next to him. Knowing Italy could not hear him, he murmured, "I've missed you, Liebling. And it makes me so happy that you're back where you belong: in our bed, in my arms." He kissed Italy's forehead, abandoning all plans for the day and drifting off into a light, peaceful sleep.
A slight shudder crept the Italian's spine. He couldn't remember what he dreamed about, which was probably a good thing since it made him feel slightly sick...or was it the meds doing that? He didn't know. He looked to his left and saw Germany...his Ludwig, sleeping peacefully beside him. His Ludwig. It felt so good to say. So natural. He snuggled into his love's sleeping form and giggled when he felt the German cuddle slightly back. His breathing remained steady, so he wasn't awake. Dio, he was so cute. A slight grumble from his stomach ruined the moment though. He sighed and slipped from the sleeping Germany's strong grasp. A chill ran up his spine again from the lack of warmth. Despite his protesting heart that wanted to climb back into bed, he followed his hungry Italian stomach down to the kitchen.
Germany awoke with empty arms, and shot up in his bed. Where had Italy gone? He momentarily panicked before realizing his house smelled like pasta. He grinned widely, only because no one was around to see it, and relished in one of his favorite scents. Pasta meant Italy was around, and well enough to cook. "Things are back to normal," he sighed to himself. It made sense that Italy would be hungry after days eating hospital food. At this thought, Germany's stomach growled. Speaking of which... Germany stood up, stretched a bit, and followed his nose to Italy. Once in the kitchen, he hugged Feliciano from behind. "It's nice to see you back in the kitchen," Germany whispered in his ear.
Italy squeaked in surprise before he realized that it was just Germany. He took deep breath, which still sounded slightly strained, to calm his heart. "Ve, Doitsu, you scared me." He then snuggled his back into Germany and smiled up at him, giggling. "I'm happy to be back in the kitchen...pasta smells so good~!" He deeply inhaled the smell of the pasta like it was his life support.
Germany couldn't resist the innocent face before him, so he leaned down to place a short kiss on Italy's lips. He pulled back after a few seconds, smiling. "You don't know how much I've missed having you in my house."
"About as much as I've wanted to be out of the hospital?" he asked innocently.
Germany laughed softly. "Yes, about that much." He kissed Italy again, this time on the cheek, still holding him around the waist. "Ich liebe dich, Italien."
Italy giggled. "Ich liebe dich auch, Deutschland." He replied, his Italian accent making the words sound very strange to their ears. It only made Italy giggle even more. German was a rougher language, where Italian was almost like one was singing every word. As strange as it sounded coming out of his mouth, Italy didn't care. He loved Germany. So, the least he could do was speak his language.
Germany's smile grew at the butchered German, and he turned his gaze to the food. "What are you making tonight?"
The Italian then turned his attention to the food. "Well, pasta, silly~!" He giggled as Germany just stared at him. "It's penne rigate pasta with brown butter and grated Parmesan and cherry tomatoes~!"
"Mmm," Germany hummed, nipping at Italy's neck. "Sounds delicious."
Italy shuddered. "Doitsu..." he practically moaned. He felt the German's breath on his neck and it was making him feel weak in his knees. He leaned into his love and brought his arms up and around his head, wrapping them around Germany's neck. This moment was perfect and Italy never wanted it to end.
Germany melted into the touch, whirling Italy around to face him. He kissed him deeply, occasionally nibbling his bottom lip, and held Italy's body close to his. Germany's arms locked around the small of Italy's back, as if challenging Italy to try to escape. However, Germany knew Italy wouldn't try.
On the contrary, Italy leaned further into touch, wrapping his arms fully around Germany's neck. His right leg popped up slightly and his knee rubbed up against Germany's left leg. He tried to make the kiss last as long as it could before he released, gasping for air.
Remembering Italy's weak lungs, Germany loosened his grip on Italy. "Oh, sorry!" he breathed, panting a bit. After he and Italy caught their breath, he asked, "Are you ok?"
He coughed slightly in response before nodding and resting his head on Germany's shoulder. His hands moved lower to a more comfortable position as Italy simply breathed. His lung felt...stiff. It hurt when he breathed too deeply, so he just relaxed his body, melting into the German. He calmly breathed in his scent of leather, earth and cologne.
Germany rubbed Italy's back soothingly, nuzzling his nose into his lover's auburn hair. "Then we better take it easy until your lungs heal. We don't want you going back to the hospital."
He nodded into Germany's shoulder. If it wasn't for his lung...everything would be perfect. No...his lung was fine...it was Britain...and France...and America and Russia and the war in general. Italy didn't even understand fully what the fight was even about. "Ludwig...why?"
Ludwig's face contorted in confusion. "Why what, Liebling?"
"Why are we fighting, Ludwig? Why is Britain trying to kill us? Why can't we just stop...everything and stay in this moment. Here? I don't understand..." He wiped his eyes and stared at the wetness. He hadn't realized that he started crying.
It was such a simple question. And direct, innocent. So why was it so hard to answer? Why, looking into Italy's eyes, and enjoying a moment of peace in the midst of a terrible war, could he not answer the question? Germany shook his head, taking Italy's cheeks into his palms. "The world... is so much bigger than you and I. This war was never my decision but... I have to do as mein Führer wishes. That is my duty, as a nation, as a citizen. If I could end all the fighting, the anger, the hate... please believe me, I would. But we nations do not represent those in power. We represent the unrepresented. The people." Germany kissed Italy's forehead and pulled him close. "We have this moment of peace, and there will be many more. But war will never stop, Liebling. It is in our nature to fight one another."
"But why? Why do we have to fight? Why can't we all just be happy?" It was simple to Italy. If everyone was happy, then there would be no death, no war, no fighting. Everyone could be with the people they loved. Italy would be able to visit big brother France without the fear of being killed or taken prisoner. He could visit Toni without Lovi yelling at him to not get Spain involved. And he could be with Ludwig everyday...making him pasta and sharing moments of true passion without having to deal with pain like his lung caused him. "Why can't we just tell our leaders that war won't solve anything and live happily?"
Germany let out a cynical laugh. "Because some humans are only happy when they make others miserable. Our leaders included." Germany looked Italy in the eye once more. "To be honest, I'm glad you don't understand. I'm glad you don't know what a horrible place this world really is." More than anything, Germany was glad Italy could not hear the screams at night, the haunted and tortured souls whose lives were lost for a reason unknown to Germany. He was glad Italy would never know the agony Germany suffered, the pains he felt for an unexplained reason. Germany wished to know what was happening to his people that he was not told about, but at the same time was much too afraid to ask.
Italy remained quiet. He didn't know what to say to that. Everyone always said he was an idiot. Germany never liked hearing those words directed at Italy before, but...was he saying that he preferred Italy to be dense when it came to this subject then? It still didn't make sense. War was pointless and never got anyone anywhere. All it brought was loss. Maybe Italy didn't really want to know after all. If Germany thought it best he not know...then maybe he should just forget about it. One question did still go left unanswered though... "Doitsu...what is the war about this time? Is it because...of the last one? Is it big brother's fault?"
Germany sighed. "Since you ask, I will tell you the truth. Yes, my leaders are still very mad at France for the humiliation and poverty of the Treaty of Versailles. We were forced to apologize for a war that was never our fault in the first place. But... I think there's something more. I keep seeing propaganda, posters and pamphlets about the terrors of the Jew... and I cannot bring myself to believe in it. They are my people too. And I have this nagging feeling... That there's something I'm not being told."
Italy blinked and cocked his head to the side. "He's not telling you something? Do you think it's on purpose? Maybe fratello has been right all along then! What if he's lying to everybody? What if he's just power hungry and he wants to kill everybody? What if he's using you? And me...what if he decides that I'm not needed?"
"Shh, shh," Germany shushed him. "That won't happen, Italy. I know you hate it when we fight, but I'm afraid there's not much we can do about it." He ran his hand through Italy's hair. "I don't know what's going on, but I'll figure it out."
He took one last shattering breath and nodded into his shoulder again. Everything's going to be fine...Germany knows what he's doing... The phone rang, making Italy jump again.
Germany released his love. "I'd better answer it." He strode over to the phone, answering it. "Hallo?"
"You...put my damn brother on. I know you have him, so don't try to use that fucking potato in your head to try to lie to me."
Germany sighed, face palming before turning to Italy and extending the phone. "It's for you."
Italy glanced at it before taking it. "Ciao?"
"Why the fuck didn't you call when you got out of the fucking hospital?" He brother yelled in Italian.
"Oh..." Oops. Truly, Italy didn't think once to call Lovino. He was so excited to leave that he forgot to call. "I'm sorry." He replied in their native tongue. "I was so excited I guess I forgot..."
"Don't you give me that lame ass excuse! I know damn well you were just happy to be with the potato bastard!"
"No...well...I was happy to leave and they gave me something that made me sleepy. I fell asleep in the car and only woke up a little bit ago. Ve~ I was going to call-"
"YOU FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR WITH THE DAMN POTATO! WHAT IF HE RAPED YOU IN YOUR SLEEP! HUH?"
Italy blinked at glanced at Germany as his face flushed. He thanked God Germany didn't understand Italian that well to keep up...especially since Lovi was so loud that he was sure Ludwig heard.
"Lovi...Germany wouldn't do that."
"How the fuck do you know? That's it! I'm coming to get you!"
"Fratello! I'm fine with Germany. I love him and he loves me. He wouldn't have sex with me without my consent-"
"WHAT!"
"Lovi...you don't have to worry...everything is fine."
"I don't believe you for a fucking second! That potato bastard is...GERMAN!"
Italy blinked again. Sometimes he really didn't understand his brother. "Besides...I'm not even well enough for that..." he waited but there was no sound but heavy breathing.
"If that bastard touches you...I will come right over and shoot his ass."
"Lovi..."
"Lovi~!" Italy paused. There was a new voice on Lovino's end. "Mio tomate~!"
"Wh-what are you doing here, tomato bastard! I th-thought I told you-" Italy could hear Romano say to Antonio.
"I came to see you~!"
"Y-you stupid bastard! I thought I told you to stay away from me until this fucking war was over?"
"But I couldn't wait that long~!"
"S-stop! Get the fuck out! I swear I will-" click. Italy stayed frozen with the disconnected phone still pressed to his ear.
Germany just looked at Italy, who looked shocked and a bit confused. "What did your brother want?"
"Uh..." He shrugged and handed the phone back to Germany. "He wanted to know why I didn't call him...yesterday? When I was allowed to leave the hospital. He asked if I was... happy... here... which I am." He hoped he didn't sound as awkward as he felt. Again...thank God Germany didn't know Italian that well. "Then Spain showed up and the phone disconnected," he hastily finished.
"Spain? You said Romano had been avoiding him because of..." Germany couldn't finish the sentence due to the wave of guilt that swept over him. Romano couldn't see Spain because of the war. Which meant Italy couldn't either. And then there was France... Exactly how was Italy feeling, Germany wondered. This war was tearing his family apart, just like all the wars had. Germany bit his lip, closing his eyes and turning away from Italy. "You should go see your brother," Germany told him.
Italy was taken aback. "Huh?" He blinked in innocence. "But I want to stay with my Doitsu."
Germany stayed silent for a minute. "I'll be here. Always. Romano is family. And right now, you should be with him. If you really don't want to leave, then he can stay here. I just don't want you two apart, not every everything that's happened."
Italy stared at him, shocked. Germany just offered to let Lovino stay in his house. "But... you and fratello... don't get along." Did Germany really want him to leave then? "I... I guess I can go... for a short visit." he hung his head low. "I don't want fratello and Germany to fight...and Germany has work to do. Work more important than Italy."
Germany turned to look Italy in the eye. "Nothing is more important than you, understand? And it's whatever you want to do. I can get him a hotel nearby if that's what you'd want."
"Fratello wouldn't be very happy if he had to come out here. I should probably...let him come pick me up." He offered a slight smile. "It would only be for a little while. Then I would get to be with my Doitsu again~!"
"Whatever you want, Liebling." Germany held back his guilt and gave Italy a strained smile. "You should go be with your brother. And hopefully, your boss won't try anything stupid this time."
Italy slightly shuddered. He never wanted to be on a battlefield again. "Ve... ok." He walked up to Germany and gave him a light peck on the lips. He then wrapped his arms around him in a strong hug, making sure to take in his scent one last time before he left for Italy.
Germany wrapped his arms around Italy, pulling him close. "How long do you plan to be there?"
"I don't know. Fratello does want me to come home...he just has a strange way of showing it. I'm sure my boss wants to see me anyway..." He sighed at that. He didn't really want to have anything to do with that man anymore. Especially after Germany said that some humans just like seeing other people suffer. A deep feeling in Italy's gut said that his boss was one of those people.
Translations plz:
Sei il mio eroe. You are my hero.
Bene. Good.
A/N: We wrote this almost a year ago… I am a horrible authoress for keeping you guys waiting. I should also mention now that I'm attending Purdue in the fall for Pre-Pharmacy, so if you guys thought I was busy before….
Anyway! I'm back for now, with only 4 more days of high school (yay~) and Rev and I will be writing and posting as much as we can this summer~ Happy reading~