Feliciano grinned from the couch as he watched Yao eagerly rip open his Christmas presents. The two were at France's house for the Christmas break. However, they weren't the only ones. Russia and Canada were in the kitchen, keeping an eye on England as the Brit 'cooked'. They couldn't exactly stop the nation, but at least the two could warn everyone. Japan was playing on the Wii with Prussia and Germany, the younger of the two brothers very confused as to what to do. No one was sure where the host himself was, though Feliciano assumed that he was somewhere on one of the floors above.

There were several reasons why Yao and the Italian decided to come over to France's mansion.

The first was that it had gotten really quiet without Alfred around. He was usually the source of their entertainment. It was truly a shame that the three's first Christmas together would be without him. The second reason was because of their American friend's warning. He was going to begin Operation: Drop that very evening and the two needed an alibi so that they wouldn't be blamed as accomplices. The thing is, is that OP: D required stealth. Feliciano wanted to prove that he could do it. Both Yao and Alfred encouraged him to try as hard as he could, so he would make them proud.

"Feli," Yao called, shaking the Angry Birds plush doll he got, "Look aru!" Feliciano laughed, moving from the couch to sit down on the floor beside his friend.

"Vehehe, it's really cute," he cooed, poking the giant beak. Yao grinned widely, hugging the toy to his chest.

Feliciano knew that Alfred had planned to give Yao his Christmas gift (the plush doll) and his birthday gift (Op: D) at the same time. Yao knew this as well however, he hadn't been expecting a gift for the holidays. The Italian was glad to prove his friend wrong.

"Look what I found~!" Everyone in the living room looked up as France sashayed in, a fluffy blue scarf around his neck. As the French man began strutting around the room, the nations began to laugh. Feliciano and Yao both cracked strained smiles.

The two felt slightly guilty for what they were about to do. But it had to be done.

As the French nation started jabbering on about how the scarf's style was out of season (yet it was clear he loved it since he still had it), Feliciano took a look at the grandfather clock beside the fireplace.

11:30 pm

Still half an hour to go. Feliciano turned back to Yao. The Chinese man's eyes had taken on a glazed over expression, staring at France blankly, muscles tensing. The Italian quickly pulled up his friend from the floor, the Angry Birds plushy falling down. He hurried out of the room, taking his friend with him. He led Yao up the stairs and into the first door he could find with a lock.

He sat the Chinese nation on the bed and quickly reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. Pulling out a syringe, Feliciano rolled up the sleeve and turned Yao's wrist so that his hand was upright. He closed his eyes, averting them from the scars and pushed the tip slowly into the nation's skin.

Once he had given his friend the opium, Feliciano watched as Yao's muscles relaxed and the glazed look disappeared.

"Xiè xiè Feli," the Chinese man sighed, rubbing his arm where the needle was injected.

"This really needs to stop," he replied, hand falling onto Yao's shoulder. The nation looked down at his lap and folded his hands.

"We can get you help Yao," Feliciano continued, sitting on the bed beside the older nation. He grabbed his friend's other shoulder and turned so that they were looking at each other directly.

"I-I don't know if you can…." The Italian brought a hand and lifted Yao's chin. Feliciano's near lilac eyes met Yao's reddish brown eyes. Before, the two's eyes were a golden honey brown (Feli's) and a chocolate brown (Yao's). Alfred's eyes had also changed; sky blue to a piercing red. The three had started noticing the changes several weeks after Alfred walked out of the meeting. They found it strange, yet no matter what they tried, it would go away. So, Feliciano and Yao had taken to wearing coloured contacts to hide the change. They both considered Alfred lucky.

Today though, the two decided to just screw the lenses and left for France's house without them. When asked, they said that they were testing out some exotic coloured contacts that China had begun producing. The others didn't question it.

"We won't know until we try," Feliciano replied. His free hand grabbed onto both of Yao's and squeezed lightly.

"I…. I-I... I-"

The two were interrupted by the sound of a pain-filled cry. They rushed down the stairs towards the noise. All the other nations hurried into the kitchen and they followed.

England was kneeling on the floor, clutching his chest. Russia and Canada helped him to a chair and the Brit slumped down onto it. Feliciano looked at the clock.

12:00 am

Behind everyone, none could see the Italian's triumphant smirk. None could hear Yao's crazed, yet half-concealed giggle.

Finally, their plans could be started.