Two Nights Later

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Germany clapped Romano on the back, both of them breathing hard. Romano looked up at Germany a mad grin on his face and blood on his knife. He jogged towards the chateau blood boiling in his veins. Germany caught up and held Romano back as a pair of guardsmen walked by. Germany didn't want a repeat of the incident with the watch shift behind them.

"We're here for Italy, nothing more." Germany hissed in Romano's ear. "I don't care how volatile you are. We're in and out. That's the plan." Romano looked at Germany defiantly. Doing so he realized that Germany wasn't looking at him; his had his eyes ahead on the chateau, on Italy.

"Okay," Romano gave in not sure to be dejected or not. "The side door than?"

"Once this next shift passes." Germany confirmed even as the guardsmen strolled by oblivious. When gone, Germany led Romano to the side door. To Germany's shock standing in the open passageway was Italy. Italy looked up at Germany, torn between crying and squealing. Germany looked past Italy and spoke to someone standing behind him in the shadows.

"Thank you," He said courteously. He waited a moment to see if they had something to say before turning to Romano. "Let's get moving. We snuck in; let's see if we can sneak out Romano." Germany didn't have any words for Italy. Rather, he held out his hand; Italy hesitated before taking it. The way back was the same, but they were slower. Romano walked ahead of that annoyed that Germany had set a slower pace and even though it was noticeably so Italy lagged. Romano wondered if Germany noticed that Italy was being hesitant and his normally open readably face was closed.

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Germany had them halt once the chateau was a distant blur in the night. Both he and Romano where pleased with their endeavor. They pushed and joked with each other; any strife from before the fight in the map room gone. Italy sat in the grass and watched. He didn't know what to make it. He was happy that they weren't fighting, but Germany hadn't cared that he was falling behind. Italy pouted sad thoughts creeping up on him; when Italy ran he wasn't sure that Romano's words were to and now he was.

.

Germany froze realizing that something was wrong. He turned around expecting to find Italy a little way behind struggling on the steep hill, but there was no one.

"Germany, who was the person behind Italy in the hall?" Romano asked over his shoulder. "Germany," He turned around questioningly when Germany didn't reply. "Germany!" Romano called surprised to Germany at the edge of the hill. Germany didn't reply, instead, he began running down the hill. Romano ran after him and caught wind of him calling Italy's name. Germany sounded and looked worried as he searched the area. Romano said nothing as he joined in on the search. Germany began looking in the forested area while Romano went to the other side. The grass continued in a flat stretch that ended in an overhang. At the edge of the field outlined by the skyline was a small figure.

"Germany!" Romano called

"Italy," Germany whispered seeing the same as Romano.

"Are argument included you." Romano said suddenly "I was saying that you didn't care and he disagreed,"

"And I completely ignored him." Germany added his voice soft

"Not entirely true; you slowed down the pace. Also before you didn't waver on the decision to rescue him," Romano consoled

"But he doesn't know that." Germany said as he headed towards Italy leaving Romano. "In his eyes you're right" Germany took a deep breath "I don't care."

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Italy sat hugging his knees to his chest. He felt horribly sad, but the tears wouldn't fall giving him relief. Italy barely registered it as Germany sat beside him. He did notice as Germany put an arm around his shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Germany asked softly making a sob rise in Italy's throat. Though he tried he couldn't stifle it; hide it from Germany.

"Italy," Germany asked his voice pitched "What's wrong; are you hurt?" Italy couldn't reply. The raw emotion in Germany's voice shook him when he was trying to forget it.

"Did France do something to you?" Germany asked searching Italy's face. Italy replied by shaking his head

"Did you hurt something on the way back?" Another shake of his head. Germany didn't know what to do or make of Italy. Germany had no clue of what was wrong; he only knew that Italy was hurting.

"Italy," Germany pleaded holding Italy by the shoulders "I need you to tell me. I can't help unless I know." The wall Italy was building crumbled around as the truth showed. He had started to believe a lie that he doubted to begin with and that tore Italy. It made him jerk as the pain exploded over whelming him. Italy shook as the tears fell. The horrible pain and sadness that he felt raged like a fire, burning everything. He wrestled with it grateful for the tears that flowed soothing the raging flames. As the burns cooled and the pain came to a deep throbbing Italy came to realize what was happening outside of him. There was a hand against the back of his head; another clutching his shoulder. Comfortable warmth spread through him, radiating from the arm across his back and the being that held him close. The shirt he rested his head on was soaked. A soft gentle murmuring made it to Italy. Though he couldn't recognize them, the kind words further soothed his pain. The violent shaking relaxed to a quivering. Still the tears fell. Words caught in his throat by sobs came forth. They tumbled out rapidly and many were incoherent.

"And then Romano came and you two were fighting. I couldn't choose a side, only I wanted to choose your side and Romano said such mean things about you. I told him they weren't true because you cared I loved you. Only it was too hard so I ran and I was so happy you came to rescue me, only you didn't care. You and Romano weren't fighting, but joking and you seemed closer than we were. I though Romano was right, that you didn't care and it hurt and I," another sob broke the continuous trail of words and when Italy began again he was cut off.

"Italy," Germany said gently. He held Italy away from him and wiped Italy's tears. Italy looked away up at Germany new tears threatening to fall. "Everything's okay. I'm right here; I care about you and want to protect you. What's between me and Romano doesn't compare to what's between us. You're more than a brother to me." he explained this carefully and Italy could tell it was true. The heavy load on his heart lifted and the throbbing eased. It was replaced with a smile that grew to a grin. This time Italy cried in relief the joy not leaving him. Germany drew Italy close again. He rested his head on Italy's as he let him cry. Even Germany felt surer and relaxed as he accepted what he had fought.

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Romano watched this unfold from a distance. He wasn't sure he agreed with Italy, but he wanted his brother to be happy and Germany was one of the better choices. As he turned from them and headed towards his home it occurred to him; Japan already knew.