Switzerland walked through the garden angrily, stomping over the flowers in his path. He wasn't angry at Liechtenstein, he could never be mad at her. He was just confused with her. He had always figured, at the back of his mind that someday she would find someone but he had never actually pictured it happening. She was so pretty and delicate he knew all the boys would be scrambling to get her. No, it wasn't Liechtenstein he was mad at. It was Italy. He was mad at Italy for taking Liechtenstein.
Switzerland realized he had reached Liechtenstein's favorite bench in the garden. It was made of oak and sagged miserably from all the use it had received, yet he didn't have the heart to throw it out. Switzerland lowered himself onto the seat, and it creaked beneath his weight. He remembered meeting her out here and finding her picking flowers for him or sewing in the noonday sun. She would look up when the thump of his footsteps reached his ears and smile like he was perfect and amazing, like he was the best person in the entire universe. That smile was greater than any other gift she could give him. And today, when she looked at Italy that way he didn't feel so special anymore.
Dammit, Italy of all people. His sister could choose any person in the world and she chose him. The silly, dazed, idiotic Italy. This wasn't a problem that could be solved by bullets. Besides, as he had gathered, shooting Italy would devastate Liechtenstein.
His sister couldn't have married Italy on impulse, that wasn't like her. No, they must have met before. But when? Switzerland tried to think of a time when Liechtenstein would have been exposed to Italy. Then it hit him. The holiday party a few months ago. He remembered yelling at England and then looking over to see her chatting with the Italian. He had whisked her away immediately and she seemed unfazed…but she could have been hiding it.
The garden was growing darker now, the rose bushes shedding eerie shadows across the grass. Switzerland wasn't sure of the time but he knew dinner would be ready soon. He would have to swallow his pride and go to dinner. There was no way around it.
As he approached the house he could see Liechtenstein's shadow scurrying around the table, setting it for dinner. As he reached to turn the doorknob he could hear voices chatting. He stepped in and Liechtenstein rushed toward him and enveloped him in a hug, which was a bit unlike her. Switzerland felt a sudden guilt for making her worry. "Brother you made it! We were so worried! I thought you wouldn't come!" Switzerland smiled down at her.
"Of course I came. You're my sister and I'm your brother. It's what we do."
"Oh and Italy invited his family." Liechtenstein continued "You'll want to meet them!" Switzerland already knew them. Romano, Italy's brother and Rome, his grandfathers. This would be a long night.