6 Months Before Our Story Takes Place

Snow was falling gently outside, covering the ground in a blanket of white. Inside however, was warm and bright, with sparkling decorations and Austria's music floating from the piano

Switzerland scowled form a corner near the snack table, Liechtenstein at his side. She was sweet, staying with him when she could have been talking with others. Switzerland hated events like these, with all the noise and people, still he knew it was good for Liechtenstein to get out every now and then. She shouldn't be standing here, doing nothing. "Liechtenstein," he began and she gazed up at him expectantly. "Go talk to someone,"

"But brother," she said, clearly confused "Are you sure you don't want me to stay here with you?"

"Nah, now go!"

"Thank you brother," she grinned, practically glowing. Her brother hardly ever allowed such freedom.

"Yeah, just don't talk to France or America or England or Prussia or Italy…"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine" And looking down at her Switzerland was convinced she would be.

Liechtenstein was sipping her drink contentedly when a confused looking man wandered over. He couldn't have been much older than here yet he was a good deal taller, with medium brown hair and large eyes. He gazed at her and asked sleepily "Have you seen Mr. Germany? I've been looking all over and-" He stopped, the way one might stop if they realized they were talking to a famous movie star. "Oh, you are Switzerland's little sister, no?" Liechtenstein nodded. "Oh, you are so pretty! He never mentioned that before!" Switzerland had not allowed Liechtenstein to go to any world summit meetings and had instead stood in her place. It was no wonder she didn't recognize this man. Liechtenstein looked at the ground, blushing furiously and whispered "Thank you Mr…"

"Italy!" Liechtenstein realized he was one of the men her brother had told her not to talk to but he did not seem all that bad. In fact, she rather liked him. "How come you never go out?" Italy asked, pulling her back into the conversation "Does Mr. Switzerland threaten you with the gun too? He is very scary!"

"No, big brother is very kind. He just wants to protect me. He actually worries quite a lot." Italy looked at her sideways, as if seeing her for the first time. "You want to dance, Miss Liechtenstein?" Liechtenstein nodded shyly and smiled up at him. Italy had had lovers and romances before and had seen dozens of girls (and a few boys) smile at him but this one's smile was different. It didn't just brush off him, it made his heart rise and pound at a quickened beat. That had never happened before.

Switzerland seemed to have loosened up too, with the assistance of a few beers and didn't notice his beloved sister dancing with the young man. He didn't notice her giggling at his jokes and talking for hours as the night progressed. He didn't notice the adoration in the boy's eyes or the sweet smiles she flashed him. Until he did. He ran across the room to Liechtenstein who said innocently "Hello brother! How are you?"

"Fine," he said gruffly. "We should be going. It's getting late." That statement was true, it was nearing midnight but honestly Switzerland just wanted to get his sister away from that man. Liechtenstein looked a little shocked at her brother's sudden actions but, then again it was late and this was Switzerland. "Goodbye Mr. Italy!" she called as she trailed behind her brother.

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Italy met up with Germany and Japan after the party and they chatted about the evening, all in high spirits. Or rater, Italy talked and the other too listened. "Oh, and I met the prettiest girl!" he continued. Germany didn't pay much attention to this remark- Italy had an infamous love of women until he continued "It was Switzerland's sister, Liechtenstein. I do hope I can see her again," The alarms in Germany's head went off. "Italy!" he interrupted. "You have to be very careful. If Switzerland catches you with his sister he will probably shoot you." Italy appeared quite spooked and Germany figured that would be the end of it.

A week after the party, however, Italy got a note in the mail. It was really a simple letter, Liechtenstein thanking him for a nice evening but it made Italy's heart beat as fast as that snowy night when he first met her. He wrote her a letter back. And she returned the favor. Italy kept all of her letters in a grease-stained pizza box in his room and on rainy afternoons-or any time he wasn't busy he would lay them all out on his bed and imagining her writing them, licking them closed, pressing the stamp on… Although his days were busy and exciting, bursting at the seams with adventure his happiest times were the quiet moments when he received another one of her never told anybody about these notes. He liked having a secret.

One foggy morning there was a soft knocking on his door. Italy found Liechtenstein, slightly damp from the fog, holding a basket. He thought he was dreaming for a moment. Liechtenstein, here on his front stoop! But when she spoke, he knew it was the real thing. "Mr. Italy," she said, staring at him with her deep, green, kind eyes "I was in the garden and these flowers reminded me of you" She offered the basket, which was loaded with colorful wildflowers. "Oh, you must come in!" he said gleefully, grinning ear to ear. "I have lots of snacks and I was just making some tea"

"Big brother will worry. I really shouldn't be out wandering around on a day like this. Perhaps some other time." Liechtenstein whispered, fading into the fog, leaving a very confused yet happy Italy standing alone. It was that great possibility, that perhaps that powered Italy through his particularly miserable days. The great maybe of seeing her again. He kept the flowers until they wilted in their vase and Germany made him throw them out.

Italy had to return Liechtenstein's basket. Or at least that was his excuse when he visited her one Tuesday afternoon. That time of day, was by some great twist of fate was when Switzerland was out. He sat on her couch as she told his stories about her brother, gesticulating wildly when she got particularly excited. He didn't pay attention to the actual words but instead listened to her voice, her gentle tone. He in turn told her about Germany and Japan, Romano and France and delighted in her childlike fascination in this world she had been forbidden to explore. "Maybe sometime I can show you." He offered. "I can take you to Germany and Spain and Iceland and…" Liechtenstein giggled at his ridiculous chattering. "I would like that very much Mr. Italy" she said. Italy wanted to stay for so much longer but Liechtenstein told him her brother would be returning soon and he remembered Germany's warning. He stood on the front step and said his goodbyes. Liechtenstein smiled and nodded but instead of saying goodbye she instead wrapped him in a warm hug. "I'd like to visit Italy first." She whispered. He promised to take her there.

By now Liechtenstein was well aware of her feelings for Italy although she wasn't quite sure how to manage them. She knew Switzerland didn't approve of him and she didn't want to disappoint him. But Italy was just so unlike anyone else she had ever met. He was kind and made her laugh.

He began to visit her often, when Switzerland was out. Usually they ran through her gardens, a gift from her older brother. He loved seeing the warm red glow the wind gave her cheeks, the way her hair messed up as she ran. Today though, they were lying in a bed of grass, behind a large tree so they couldn't be spotted by others. The sky was a rather ominous grey but they had still ventured out. Italy told a joke and she fell into laughter. Then, as if Mother Nature was angry at their happiness it began to pour. "Oh no!" Italy cried, "We must get you inside!"

"No, come on!" Liechtenstein dragged him out from the safety of the tree. She held his hand in a tight grip and stared up at the heavens. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he thought he heard her murmur but he couldn't be sure over the noise. Then he noticed she was crying. It wasn't the tears that gave it away, it was impossible to tell the difference in the downpour. Rather, it was the way her body shook, how her hand not gripping his balled up. The sudden mood change confused Italy, Liechtenstein was very calm usually. He didn't ask questions, but just wrapped her in his arms and plopped down in a puddle, letting rain soak them both, feeling the groundwater seeping into his pants."Italy..." she coughed. "I can't disappoint big brother. He would not approve of how I'm acting lately." She looked up at him with large, worried eyes and he kissed her.

Liechtenstein had not expected the kiss but it delighted her greatly. Rain always made her think of the horrible days before she had big brother and now, the way she felt she was betraying him by sneaking out. She supposed showing Italy this side of her was her way of revealing her deepest self to him and he accepted it. He didn't talk which was unusual but somehow he knew just what to do. She wondered again, for the thousandth time why her brother had told her to keep away from him. As she was buried in his chest she slipped out something totally unexpected: "I love you."She instantly regretted it. He would probably hate her and leave her out in this muck. Liechtenstein felt Italy's grip on her tighten. Oh, God what had she done. He would probably reject her. She couldn't bear to be without him. She held her breath, waiting for his words of anger and shock. Yet he said "I love you too" and she knew everything would be okay.

I hope that wasn't too clichéd for you! I actually wrote this several weeks ago, around chapter 4, when I was having writer's block. Anyways, I should (hopefully) continue the story soon! I'm going to try to make my chapters longer.