"Buona nottte, Germany!" Italy called cheerfully from the door frame, wiggling his fingers at his retreating guest. "Travel back safely and call if you get lonely!" He laughed as he watched the German trip at the last statement, throw him a wary glance over his shoulder and then hurry away in direction of safety. With a hum he shut the front door of his home and the smile he wore instantly faded with the click of the lock. "Fratellone!"

The house stayed strangely still and Italy's eyes narrowed. Fine, if that's how Romano wanted to play things then he could as well. His brother couldn't stay hidden forever.

Padding quietly on light feet, Italy began to search each room, looking under furniture and inside cupboards. After making sure that the lower half of his house was empty and all of the doors were locked, he began his quiet assent up the stairs to search the bedrooms. Rather than start with the ones closest, Italy continued down the narrow hallway to stop before the door that led to his brother's room. This was the most probable place his brother would hide and as he tried the door he found it to be locked. A small grin crept up his face with the definitive proof to his theory.

He pulled his keys from his pocket and let them jingle against each other as he took his time searching for the right one and putting it into the keyhole on Romano's door. The bolt slid back into place with a satisfying clunk and he let the door open in one long slow motion which only seemed to amplify the protesting of the hinges. The dimly lit bedroom remained still as Italy's fuchsia eyes roamed the area taking note of every possible hiding space.

Stepping inside and closing the door behind him, Italy turned the lock again while keeping his eyes trained on everything. "Romano~" he sang, his smile growing wider and showing a few more teeth, "Where could you possibly be hiding?"

Nothing moved to his call, and so Italy began to silently slink forward to check beneath his brother's bed first only to find it empty. "You've been avoiding me all day!" Italy whined, creeping towards the closed curtains and checking behind them. "That's very mean of you." He scolded and letting his eyes rest on the closet on the other side of the room. Not a sound was made as he traversed the room and stood before the door. Not a very imaginative hiding spot for his older brother as with a wicked grin he flung the door open to meet the shocked and terrified hazel eyes of Romano. "Found you~!"

Romano back peddled in a desperate attempt to escape by scurrying across the floor of his narrow closet but soon found himself pressed against the wall and glared up at his younger brother. "Vaffanculo!" he spat out as he tried to push himself further way.

"What language." Italy tsked as he lowered himself to a crouch so he was about eye level. "But I've suppose you've always been this way. However that look on your face isn't one you've used for me at all. Tell me," Italy pressed forward tilting his head to the side, "Have I frightened you?"

"Of course you have." Romano snarled back, tensing as he tried to search for another exit.

Italy held his smile for a moment more before letting it drop to a serious expression. "Good."

In one swift movement Italy lunged forward and managed to get his fingers wrapped around his brother's neck before the other could react. They struggled for a few minutes, neither one have the clear upper hand in brute strength, until Veneciano had successfully pinned Romano to the floor.

"What did you think you were doing," Italy snarled while tightening his hold on his brother's throat, "going behind my back to Germany? What possible motive could you have had?!"

Romano struggled to pry the fingers off though their grip never loosened. "Was trying to get you and Germany together."

Veneciano rolled his eyes. "I can tell when you are lying." He hissed between his teeth, "What was your real motive?"

Romano gasped as the air was beginning to be cut off and flailed his legs trying to kick the younger Italian off of him. "Thought he… could… help you…"

"Help me?" Italy sneered, his eyes cold as he looked down at his brother. "I don't need any help." He squeezed tighter waiting until the color changed around Romano's lips before releasing him and sitting back. Romano gasped and coughed, letting his head fall back and his eyes roll in a daze from the sudden rush of oxygen and blood to his head and ceasing his fight to escape for the time being. Italy gave him about half a minute to recover then pulled him up by the front of his shirt. "Let's get one thing clear," Italy started, bringing his face dangerously close to the still wheezing Romano's, "You are never to interact or speak with Germany without my permission. He is mine. Do you understand?"

Romano fervently nodded which made the small tears gathering in the corners of his eyes quiver and threaten to spill over. "Good." Italy dropped him roughly and stood up to leave. "You can clean up the kitchen since dinner was your idea. I'm going to bed."

Romano waited until the door to his room closed before he let out the choked sob that mixed with the curse. "Cazzo…"

AN: So many apologies for what I've done to the Italians! Forgive me!