The dirt under my shoes crunched with each heavy step I took. The sun was out, making it even harder to run quickly. I longed for a drink but knew that it was no use—after all, I had to do what Germany said, and at the time, that was to train. It was a regular day, training for battles. Japan was running a bit faster than me as always, but I was trying my best to keep up.

"Faster!" Germany yelled in an enviable strong voice, running a bit behind me only to remind me to hurry.

I tried to propel my legs to go faster at his command, but I found myself pathetically tripping over my own two feet. I tumbled forward, landing on my right knee and tried to catch myself with my hands.

"Ow…" I mumbled as I started to pick myself up. My hair was a little frizzed up and my uniform crinkled. I pulled up my pant leg to reveal a scrape before pushing it back down.

"Italy, what you doing?" Germany shouted in my direction as I eyed Japan whom was now a few feet ahead of me.

"I tripped!" I said cheerfully, beaming a smile, trying to ignore the burning sensations in my wrist and knee.

Germany only shook his head at me as he made his way over. "Honestly…" he said under his breath as he helped me get up.

His large hand gripped my wrist as he hoisted me up. "I'm sorry, Germany~" I said as I tried to keep our hands connected longer. Much to my distaste, he pulled his arm back as I got my balance back.

"Italy, you're bleeding," Germany said concerned as he knelt by my knee. My pant leg had gotten a little red from the blood soaking through. Germany was already trying to peel back the fabric.

"No, I'm okay!" I said as a blush crept up on my cheeks, starting to run again, a bit slower. (If that was even possible.)

"It'll get infected, Italy," Germany stated strongly as he grabbed my wrist again.

I felt tingles go up my body at the simplest touch from him. I quickly took my hand from his as the blush on my cheeks deepened. Germany pulled his hand back, glancing at it and wiggling his fingers a bit. Part of his palm was a scarlet from my injury.

"Is your wrist bleeding too?" Germany asked as he noted his hand was a bit red after grabbing me. "Japan! Training is ending a bit early today due to injuries!"

Japan nodded respectfully as he slowed his pace and started walking towards the changing room. My eyes followed him as I was still talking to Germany.

"Germany, I'm fine…" I said quietly. As much as I hated training, I knew how it was important to Germany. I also felt a little embarrassed my clumsiness is the sole reason we stopped. It's one thing for me to stop training on my own because I'm just lazy, but for me to stop others too is just wrong…

"No, you're not. You're bleeding in two places, now come with me," he huffed, dragging me towards the first aid kit.

I'd stopped my protests and let him take out the medicine and bandage my scrape. He opened the wooden door and set me down on a small stool, getting the kit and searching for the things that would help my scratch. Geeze had I really hit the ground that hard? I winced as the cold disinfectant made my wound sting.

"Sorry, did that hurt?" Germany spoke with worry and his rough hands moved with such gentleness I had never seen before. It caressed my skin and made my heart melt as I imagined him touching me in a way for a different reason than an injury.

"Not that much…" I mumbled, averting my eyes from his.

"You're being awfully quiet," Germany said, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why not?" I said, feigning cheerfulness with a grin.

Germany grunted in acknowledgment and continued to wrap my knee. For once I was glad his voice had silenced.

"Well, that's it," he said in contempt as he stepped back.

I stood up cautiously, still feeling a sting in my knee, but it was feeling a bit better. "Thank you Germany!" I said with a large smile and ran to hug him.

Such an innocently perceived action that had so much desire hiding in the shadows of it. To my surprise, I felt my shoulders tighten as Germany gave me a quick hug back. My chest felt constricted and I started to move away, feigning elation once again. I skipped away, biting my lip once my back was turned on him.

Doitsu… Why do you make this so hard on me..?

Grrr this was so short I'm sorry~ Maybe the next one will be longer. Thanks for reading!