Japan raised a brow at his German host. "How long did you say he has been like this?"

Germany simply shook his head as they watched the Prussian scurry along the floor, mumbling incoherently to himself. "Nearly a week."

Japan nodded quietly and went back to observing the albino again. Prussia opened up a drawer and started pulling things out of it, examining each in turn and shaking his head muttering, "Not sharp enough…"

"I don't think he's slept in nearly that long…" Germany continued, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Japan subtly raised a brow. "Any reason why?"

"Says we are not safe from the Italian threat and needs to stand guard at night." Japan gave Germany an incredulous look to which the other responded, "He says he is building a catapult."

"It's mein awesome death launcher. Get it right!" Prussia cut in, shaking a fist full of spoons at the pair in the doorway. "And it is going to stop the invasion."

"There cannot be an invasion if I am welcomed in." Italy commented, rounding the corner into view with a smirk.

Prussia leapt to his feet and hissed like a feral cat. "He's here! West, quick! Grab him! I'll get the device!"

The trio watched in silence as the albino, clad in his long white cloak and several bandages still wrapped around his head and arms, tore out of the kitchen, stumbling a bit and shouting curses as he seemed to forget what it was he was doing once he had left. Italy was the first to react with a pleased grin. "I couldn't have come up with a better form of entertainment if I tried."

"Shall we continue to business?" Japan questioned, and Germany nodded leading the way to his office. "I have kept an eye on the latest developments with the Allies. The new nation may be cause for concern."

Italy chuckled lightly as the blonde held the door open for them to enter. "How bad can he be?"

Japan sat down in one of the available seats and gave a serious look to the brunette. "From first impressions, he appears to be as strong as America."

The blonde stiffened as he pulled up his chair. "That is worrying…"

The Italian rolled his eyes. "Hardly. We will deal with him just the same as the others."

"Did you have a suggestion for how to do that?" Germany questioned, raising a brow.

"Well," Italy shrugged, standing up and sidling up to the desk, "it will be difficult to figure out a plan without knowing more."

"And how do we find out more?"Germany responded stiffly, attempting to ignore the way the brunette was positioning himself in front of him.

"Do you have an idea?" Japan added quietly from behind them.

"You could say that." The brunette responded, loosing focus and reaching out a finger to stroke along the blonde's chin.

The German flushed and grabbed Italy's wrist pulling it away from his face. "Just say it already." He ground out behind clenched teeth.

Italy pouted. "You are mean," he whined as he temporarily withdrew his hand and leaned forward with a smirk to whisper, "I will have to punish you later for that."

"Idea. Now." The German hardly managed to get out, the words crackling a bit with force he was using to keep himself under control.

"We need more information. And the best way to get it would be to go directly to the source." Italy sat back against the desk and folded his arms, fixing his eyes onto the other's. "Send someone to meet with the Allies."

"We cannot do that!" Germany protested, rubbing his head with his hand. "My boss will never approve."

"Who says your boss has to know?" Italy continued to smirk. "After all, aren't there other things you are keeping hidden from him already?"

Germany's cheeks were flushed bright red and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I still don't think…"

Italy sighed and moved forward to straddle the German's legs, balancing himself on the blonde's lap and wrapping his arms around the other's neck. "Germany, what am I going to do with you?" he said softly, running his hands through the blonde's hair. "You would be completely lost without me."

"Not now…" Germany hissed back, trying to lift the brunette off of him.

"Shhh…" hushed the Italian, placing a finger at his lips and then letting it trail down his chest. "I will tell you what to do. Send someone you can trust to give you accurate information but will be able to hold their own should they encounter any problems with the Allies."

"Who…" The blonde shifted uncomfortably beneath his Italian captor, "Who would I send?"

"West! I found it!" The albino shouted as he kicked open the door and marched into the room to stand beside a flustered looking Japan. Crimson eyes narrowed at the scene before him and more specifically fixed on the intruder attacking his brother. "I know what you are up to."

"Do you?" Italy returned, "Do tell. What am I up to?"

"You are hoping to use sex to persuade West into doing your bidding, but," the Prussia laughed looking triumphant, "mein bruder would never fall for something like that!"

Italy blinked and then his lips crept up into an amused smile. "Oh? He is that virtuous? Let's test that, shall we?"

Germany's day was going pretty badly. To start with, Prussia wasn't exactly quiet on his night watching duties and lately with the sleep deprivation starting to take over he was calling false alarms to every shadow that moved. Both he and Austria were trying to find a way to tie and gag the albino and stuff him in a closet so they could get a full night's sleep without be awoken for invasion drills.

The second was when he did finally manage to awake, he found there wasn't enough coffee in the kitchen this morning. Although he and Austria could agree on the Prussia debate, there was no coming between the Austrian and the last cup of coffee. The blonde had backed away as calmly as he could and forfeited the liquid energy beneath the steely eyed glare that he had received when Austria shuffled into the kitchen and discovered their predicament.

Lastly, a large mountain of paperwork had arrived that morning to add on top of his already large stack. It looked endless and meant he would likely need to sort through things for the next week. As it was, Germany was not having the best of days.

To make matters worse, now he was being accosted by Italy who without warning attached to his mouth like a parasite. Memories of the night they shared no more than a week ago flitted into his head and made him blush at each tantalizing image but also that this display was being observed by an audience, one that included family and friends.

Italy pulled away with a gasp and a grin, turning lidded eyes back to look at Prussia's shocked face. "What do you think now?"

Prussia stared for a long while. Then, without at word, turned and walked back out of the office and disappeared down the hall. Italy's eyes flickered next to Japan, who looked a bit out of sorts and gave a weak "Don't mind me…" to the unasked question.

Italy twisted back around to face his thoroughly embarrassed blonde. "You know, Prussia might be a good candidate for this secret mission." The brunette frowned for a moment while considering the possibilities, "You may want to make sure he gets at least one night's full rest, but…" The Italian tapped his chin in thought, "I could see it working."

Germany wasn't entirely convinced but the Italian stopped him once again. "And just think, we will have an entire night all to ourselves~"

AN:(I have deleted my lengthy story of woe to save on space. Thank you to everyone who has responded with advice and encouragement. It meant so much.)