An entire day had passed since Germany had heard from Italy and he was beginning to wonder what had happened. His mind kept trying to mull over everything but was seemingly getting nowhere so he tried to keep himself busy rather than dwell on it. He had cleaned his entire house, going twice over the kitchen trying to pry every last tomato seed from the crevices between the tiles. Paperwork demanded his attention that his boss had sent a large stack over and the rest of his time was spent trying to avoid Austria so that he didn't have to wait on the other. All in all, it had been a full day.

But with the setting of the sun he couldn't find any more distractions to keep himself from thinking everything over. He was looking at possibly a third restless night of very little sleep as he moved through his house to switch off the lights. Living room and kitchen set, he began to walk down the hallway towards his bedroom when he found himself paused at the door of his office and it took him a moment to realize why.

Perhaps it was the soldier training that gave him the feeling that there was another presence nearby. Austria should have already been in bed by this time of night, and Germany held his position for a minute straining his ears to for sounds. It was while he was still that he heard the gentle, and near quiet sounds of someone else breathing. That automatically ruled Prussia out as there wasn't his brother's style to remain quiet for so long. This left only one other possibility: an intruder, and one that was currently hiding inside Germany's office.

He stiffened as he approached the door as quietly as he could manage and put his palm flat against the wood. A second to brace himself for whatever lay beyond and he pushed it forward letting the squeak of the hinges shatter the silence.

The light from the hallway spilled into the dark room and despite the minimal illumination of the space, there was no sudden flurry of movement that would come from someone's panic at being caught. Instead it remained eerily quiet as Germany filled the doorway with his imposing figure. Seconds passed before he heard the sound of his desk chair moving and the lamp that was sitting on his desk flickered to life with a clicking sound. The yellowish light illuminated his unannounced visitor and Germany groaned when he recognized the face.

There was always one person who seemed to find ways into his house without ever being caught.

"Ciao, Germany." Italy smiled as he sat back in the chair and brought his feet up to rest on top of the desk."Miss me?"

Germany rubbed a hand over his face, not sure whether to feel relieved, angry, or concerned. No matter how many locks he used or how well he trained his dogs, Italy was the only person he knew of that could bypass every security system to his house just to be nearer to blonde. How he always managed this feat would forever be a mystery, but now that Italy was no longer acting like himself, it crossed his mind if he should hold more concern for his safety. "Italy," he started slowly, fixing a stern glare on the smiling Italian nation, "Why are you here?"

Italy's face held the same smile while they looked at each other carefully without moving and then dissolved into a pout. "Germany, you are so mean! Is that really how you want to welcome me?"

When Germany didn't respond to the brunette's complaint he frowned. "Fine, straight to business then." He sighed as he turned his head away, staring at the wall instead. "I delivered your little message to France." His lips twisted into a strange little grin. "I would say it was conveyed quite clearly."

"Oh… Good." Germany said, taken slightly aback that Italy had managed to complete the mission. "Report to me what happened."

Italy's fuchsia eyes slid over to find Germany. "You really want to know everything?"

"Just stick to the important facts." The blonde informed him.

Italy shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course. I went and paid a visit to big brother France first thing this morning. I've only just come back from his place; ended up spending the entire day playing with him and nearly lost track of the time." Italy closed his eyes as he envisioned the day's events as they had unfolded. "He was rather kind inviting me in so friendly, but he stopped smiling shortly after he shut the front door and had closed me into his house along with him." He paused in his retelling to open his eyes again and look at the unmoving German nation. "Would you like to know more?"

"No, that's fine." Germany told him and Italy shrugged again.

"I see. Well, I should be leaving." Italy decided, pulling his boots from the desk and rising to his feet. "Until tomorrow, Germany."

"Wait a minute." Italy paused and raised a questioning eyebrow. "You are going home?"

Italy's eyes flickered to the side and returned to Germany's face. "That is what I just said."

Germany blinked. "You are not going to beg that I let you stay here? And are you going to stay home and not end up joining me later on in the night after I've already gone to sleep?"

Italy stared and then chuckled. "Oh, Germany, do you wish for me to stay?"

"What? No! Tha-that's not what I…" Germany stuttered.

Italy chuckled again, sidling up to the taller nation and tilting his head back to look up at him. "I will stay, but it will only be if given permission to." He reached out a finger and slid it down the German's broad chest in one long slow motion. "I want you to request me to join you in your bed." He withdrew his hand watching in amusement as the blonde was completely frozen. "Anyway, I was leaving. Buonanotte, Germany. You know my number if you become lonely."

Footsteps lightly made their way down the hall and the front door opened and closed before Germany breathed again, wondering what had just happened.

AN: Thanks again to everyone who is reading this! Next chapter will be up in a week.

Just as side not that can be ignored if you wish, the reason why this story is being updated so quickly is because I keep forwarding chapters to a friend first who then bugs me looking for what happens next. The continual prodding keeps me working on this story mostly so then for all of you to enjoy some regular updates.

However, I feel a need to confess that at times I find it annoying and will often turn to this person and tell them to back off or I will kill off Sealand (who is one of their favorite characters). I was musing with them this week and decided that although I'll keep this story to its historical and geographical inaccuracies (like Italy driving Japan home after a meeting...), I think it's most likely taking place sometime around 1941-ish. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything, but I'm kinda doubting that they will figure out my bluff (Sealand wasn't built until '43...). I'm a terrible person either way for lying or threatening to kill off children...

Until next week!