After working the entire day, Germany allowed himself a light meal before getting ready for bed. Italy must have gotten bored and left, seeing as how Germany had far too much work to amuse him. Prussia was no doubt out at another party, doing whatever he did when he was out all night. Seriously, his older brother went to bed by the time Germany woke up. They really were polar opposites.

His cell phone buzzed and he saw from caller id that it was Italy who was calling. He set down his fork so that he could answer without having food in his mouth.

"Hallo, Italy."

"Ciao, Germany! What are you doing? Are you done with work? Are you?" asked the Italian nation hopefully, causing Germany to arch an eyebrow. Was Italy hoping to play with him now that he was finished? Germany rubbed his eyes and glanced at the clock: fifteen to ten. It was way too late to be out doing something now.

"Yes. But Italy-" the phone hanged up before Germany could say anything more. A second later, there was a knock at the door. Germany begrudgingly answered, not surprised to see Italy rushing into the room. The Italian nation literally jumped onto the couch and plopped face first onto the cushions.

Germany stared at the other country for a second, his face flushing as he saw Italy appear with a smile. Italy looked quite adorable when he was getting comfy in his home. His little friend was so much like a loyal god that was always happy to see him. It made Germany's heart swell in joy to know that he had someone like that in his life.

Of course, he would never admit that to anyone.

Italy got up and walked over to him. The brunette pulled something out of his pocket.

"Look what I got!"

He flashed the tickets in front of Germany's face. The Germany country sighed out loud when he saw what got Italy all excited. A carnival. Great, and it was tomorrow too. There was no way he was going to leave all his work just to entertain his friend that had the mentality of a three year old.

"Come with me, Germany? Please."

"Nein."

The blunt decline immediately wiped the smile from Italy's face.

"What? Why?"

"You know vhy. I have to vork."

"But you worked all day today! So you should play all day tomorrow."

"That's not how it vorks for people who actually have things to do with their life," Germany scolded. He sometimes wished Italy had his work ethic. As a nation, your work should never be done. Even the lazier countries like Greece, America or Spain worked harder than Italy did.

Italy pouted and looked away with sad eyes.

"You won't try my gelato, now you won't go to the carnival with me? Do you hate me now?"

Dumbstruck, Germany held out his arms toward his miserable ally.

"No, of course not. But I have too much to do here. You saw all that papervork."

"It can wait."

Germany shook his head at the suggestion. Work could never wait and he was determined to let Italy know this. However, he could clearly see by how sad Italy looked that he was fighting a losing battle. All Italy needed now was a tragic story about how his puppy died and Germany would feel enough pity to feed Italy's entire country.

"Italy, I really need to finish this papervork first. Then I can play vith you."

"But the carnival is going to be done tomorrow. And they're hosting a gelato stand there too," Italy cried.

Oh, for goodness sakes. He was still on that? Germany's eyes tightened in his usual fury.

"I don't like sweets. I told you!"

Tears poured out by the bucket full from Italy's eyes, bursting out as spontaneously as a silly cartoon character. The wailing from his friend caused Germany's enraged expression to falter.

"I won't force Germany to eat gelato. But I really want to go to the carnival."

Feeling slightly guilty at his false accusation, Germany tried to appease Italy.

"Then go vith Japan. Or your brother."

"But I want to go with you, Germany. Please, can we play? If you do, I'll leave you alone for the rest of the week."

That proposal was tempting, considering it was just what Germany needed to finish those files. With Italy out of the way, he might even get them done sooner than he first thought.

And besides, he couldn't stand to see Italy look so sad anymore.

"Alright. I'll go vith you."

"Yay!" the tears dried up in an instant. Italy engulfed Germany in a big hug, missing the huge blush on the blonde's face, "Thank you, Germany. You won't regret it."

Later that night, when he heard his friend softly snoring, Italy tiptoed out of the room to make a call. It answered on the fourth ring.

"Hello. I got him to agree."

"Well done, Italy," Japan praised, "Everything will be ready. You remember the route?"

"No," Italy said with a smile. He heard a sigh on the other line.

"Alright," Japan continued, "I'll give you a map with the coordinates. Make sure you stick to them and make sure Germany's with you. Otherwise, this won't work. Can you do that?"

"Of course, Japan. Thank you so much for helping me. I know you'll get him to try gelato."

"Well. I will try, at least. I got a few other countries to cooperate too. France-san seemed ecstatic about the idea and I think he got Spain and Prussia to go along with it. He somehow even got England-san."

"That's because England likes Big Brother France, ve."

"Really? That's hot…I mean. That's very interesting. Almost as…'interesting' as your relationship with Germany."

Italy was confused by what the country on the other line meant.

"My relationship with Germany?"

Japan coughed. Was he getting a cold? Thought Italy.

"Yes, your relationship with him. You're very…close. So, you'll spend the night there?"

"Yes. Though Germany hogs the blankets."

"You actually sleep together?!"

"Yep," Italy said, oblivious to Japan going crazy, "You could join us too."

"No, thank you. I much prefer to watch," Japan's voice flustered as he realized what he just said, "Uh…I got to go now. Ja, matte."

He hung up, leaving a confused Italy to listen to the dial tone.