As an extra precaution, Italy had received a copy of the room key card and this was what he used to quietly open the door at the hotel around the corner from where the meeting was being held. As he slipped inside, he needed a moment to adjust his eyes to the dimly lit room and wrinkled his nose at the stale air that met him. From where he stood he could see the bed and could make out the lump buried beneath the blankets and he shook his head at the sight. Of course Germany would be here.

He wasn't exactly quiet in crossing the room, but the nation in bed didn't stir at the sounds. Once in front of the windows he grabbed the curtains and dragged them to once side, smirking a little at the scream that came from behind him.

"Buogiorno amore mio!" he called cheerfully over his shoulder to the recoiling blonde. "Are you awake?"

There was groaning that he shook his head to and opened the window, smiling at the rush of fresh air that hit his face. "How has your day been?"

Gruff grumblings continued to spill out from within the bed and the Italian nation spun and easily joined the slowly moving mound. Italy lay on his side, propping his head up on a hand and prodding the blankets with his finger. "Did you forget about the meeting today?"

Germany worked his way out to face his husband, blinking slowly and stifling a yawn. "I didn't forget."

Italy clicked his tongue and ran a finger down his nose. "Did you forget that you are supposed to attend those meetings?"

"But how would I have been able to surprise you with something if I turned up?" Germany reached out and wrapped his arms around him, pulling the smaller against his broad frame and closing his eyes once again.

The brunette shook his head. "A surprise would be if you actually turned up on time for once."

"I got you something." The German murmured tauntingly and causing the other's ears to prick.

"You did?" Italy grinned, eyes already scanning the little room for any sign of a gift. "Where?"

Germany rolled away, reaching around until he could open the little table beside his bed and extracted the gift wrapped in paper and ribbon. Italy eagerly snatched the box out of the other's hand, sitting up slightly to tear it open under the gaze of the other. The wrapping fell away easily and he lifted the lid to reveal the pistol inside.

"It's a new model." Germany informed him as he leaned closer, working the tie and shirt collar loose enough to kiss his neck. The brunette had pulled out the weapon and turned it over several times in his hands, testing out the weight and pointing it at an invisible target on the ceiling. "Do you like it?"

"What's the occasion?" Italy inquired, looking at the blonde next to him out of the corner of his eye.

"Our anniversary is coming up."

"That is not for another 3 months."

Germany seemed entirely unfazed by this information. "I wanted to make sure I did not forget."

Italy rolled his eyes and turned just enough to kiss his husband. "Couldn't you say you saw it and thought of me?"

"I do that with all of my gifts." The German returned with a wide smile, earning himself another kiss for the statement.

Italy sighed and relaxed against him, letting the stress of the earlier world meeting disappear as the nation beside him ran his fingers through his hair and gave his shoulders a light squeeze. Out of everything that had happened, the good and bad years filled with shifting economic and political standings, this had been the best decision they had ever made. It had been within a small chapel and only between the two of them, just as it still was as they kept the others out of what they did together.

"This is perfect…" he murmured quietly beneath the touches of the other. "I couldn't wish for anything else."

Pop.

Italy didn't stop to question who or even how the other person had found their way into their room. His reaction was entirely instinctual as he flung the pocket knife at the figure crouching on the dresser inside their hotel room. There was a dull thud as it embedded in the wall behind him having just missed his head.

The newcomer tsked. "That wasn't very nice…"

"England…" Italy hissed dangerously. "Next time that goes straight through you."

"There won't be a next time." The blonde shook his head sadly.

"Good, now get out." He demanded.

"Afraid I cannot do that either." Italy opened his mouth to comment only to be cut off. "I have a job to do."

The couple on the bed watched as the nation stretched and sat comfortably cross legged on dresser top. His leathery wings expanded and closed to rest at his back, their clawed points stopping near his shoulders. He wore a dark suit, a far cry from his usual bright attire, and rams horns peeked out from between the locks of strawberry blonde hair.

Italy took all of that in and spoke slowly. "What do you want?"

"It's terrible, really." The demon lamented, "He gets to grant wishes while I…" The blonde sniffed and looked at them. "I take them away."

"I don't understand…" Germany began.

"You are so happy and made a wish." The other explained, "And I am here to take away the thing that caused that happiness."

"We won't let you." Italy hissed, sitting up and reaching for something else to arm himself with.

"You can't stop it. And I was having so much out here." His piercing blue eyes glanced to room mirror where his reflection was watching intently. "I doubt you'll let me out after all this."

"No way in hell." Only he could hear.

The demon shrugged and turned back to the couple getting ready to attack. "Sorry."

Italy sat up feeling somewhat confused as to where he was. He could feel the grass beneath him and studied it carefully as he tried to remember. He must have fallen asleep outside.

His clothes felt damp and he shivered in the cold. It was dark, but he could see the lights of his house, beckoning him back inside to find warmth and his comfortable bed. He was slow to get to his feet, rubbing his hands along his arms to keep from shivering.

As he made his way back, he tried to recall how he ended up in his garden in the first place. The last thing he remembered was going out there after the disastrous day of training he had had. Germany was cross when he messed everything up and he needed some time alone when he got home.

Yet something about that did not feel entirely right. He stopped in front of a mirror, feeling worse once he saw that his amber coloured eyes were red and puffy. It had felt like it had been much longer since the events he was remembering. That was strange, but he assumed he must have been dreaming and tricked himself into thinking more time had passed.

He hoped it had been a good dream as he crawled into his bed in an effort to get more sleep. Soon after closing his eyes he completely forgot about the odd feeling he had minutes before.

AN: I considered doing something more, but I think this story has gone on long enough (how do I even still have followers?). There'll be one last chapter next week.