America

was all Italy could think about the last few days. But ever since Germany had been with him Italy had managed to forget, if only for a little while. Italy was beyond grateful for his best friend, he couldn't imagine how he would have managed without him.

"Good morning Germany!" Italy sang as the Germanic nation slowly made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen where Italy was cooking breakfast. "How did you sleep?"

Germany just shrugged, rubbing one of his eyes blearily as he sat down. "Alright I suppose. I'm just a little tired."

"Coffee?"

"Ja, Please."

Italy smiled and complied, reaching up and grabbing Germany a cup. Today, he had been careful about covering up his bruises with make-up. Italy hated the way it felt on his arms, but if it made Germany and everyone else more comfortable (like he thought it would) he would do it. The Italian nation noted that Germany's icy eyes wandered to his arms. He frowned when his eyes fell on the natural colored skin.

Feliciano's face burned as Ludwig continued to watch him. The silence rapidly became awkward as Germany's eyes followed Italy's figure until he finally stopped at the table, staring shamelessly at the Italian. "Thank you. Are you ok?"

"U-uh yes." Italy stuttered, rubbing his wrist lightly with his finger. "I just don't like showing my wounds. I think it's awkward."

"You covered them up?" He stated, his still bleary eyes blinked rapidly, surprise registering within their depths. "Why?"

Italy shift uncomfortably before he turned back to the eggs he had been cooking, remaining silent for as long as he dared. "I-I don't feel comfortable showing bruises or wounds in front of people. So I covered them up." Italy felt himself begin to shake, hoping Germany wouldn't be mad.

But the German stayed silent, he was staring out the window with a far away expression masking his face. Italy winced at the new found silence but did nothing to stifle it.

Finally Italy placed a plate of eggs in front of his German friend, a small smile gracing his face. "G-Germany?"

The blond looked up from his food, his eyes following Italy as he sat down beside him, leaning forward with hopeful excitement in his warm eyes. "Yes Italy?"

"It's really nice out, can we go for a picnic? Please, please!" Feliciano begged reaching forward and grabbing Germany's hand, his eyes pleading. "I'll make the food! It'll be fun!"

Germany just blinked, his gaze falling on their entwined fingers for a moment before he met Italy's excited eyes again. "Um, sure. That sounds alright." Germany said slowly. Italy squealed happily and threw his arms around Germany's shoulders.

"Yay! Oh! I'll make pasta, and pizza and Germany loves potatoes, right Germany? This is going to be super fun!"

...

Germany sighed heavily as he sat in the living room pretending to be reading as his thoughts swam through his head.

Him and Italy have spent the last few days watching movies, walks in parks, cooking, and painting (even though Germany was terrible at it). It felt like old times, minus the need for training, the formal work, meetings and everything in between. It was just two friends and even if he he wouldn't ever admit it to anyone these thoughts put a serene smile on Germany's face.

Italy saw Germany smiling he went to sit next Ludwig on the couch. "Luddy what are you smiling about?" The Italian cocked his head to the side while he gazed up at the German nation.

Germany gave a low chuckle, "Nothing, Feli." Images of him holding Italy in a sun-bathed field while Italy sat in his lap, sketched the landscape absent mindedly kept entering the Germanic nation's head. Italy would lean against Germany's chest and tilt his head back, planting a kiss on his cheek and Germany would run his fingers through Feliciano's soft, auburn hair.

The fantasy shattered when Italy called. "Ok! I'm almost finished making the food. Is there anything else you want me to bring?"

"Just don't forget to bring some sunscreen." Germany said sternly. Italy nodded and headed back to the kitchen. Ludwig glanced back out the window, his fantasies returning to his mind. The blond wondered if that's what it would be like to date Italy. If he would spend his days with the Italian nation adoring him the way Italy had done America.

The thought of the brunette staying with America set Germany's blood aflame. The younger nation would never appreciate Feli the way he did. That idiot would fill his Italy with his stupid ideals, and when (if) he got back, he would probably prevent Germany from seeing Italy. Things would never be the way Germany wanted while Italy stayed with America. He throughly resented Alfred for that.

Germany's eyes narrowed as a picture of America forcefully grabbing Italy's fragile wrists entered his mind. He saw the blond nation pinning Italy to the wall and screaming at him for something that wasn't his fault, for something that had never even happened. How could Italy still want to be with that jerk? His skin crawled at the idea of America back in Feli's life. He was going to ruin everything.

"All done!" Italy's voice wafted into the living room, a wicker basket and blanket in his arms. "Come on, there's a field about a mile back. There's even a path there and everything!" The Italian bounded into the room, placed the load in his arms on the ground and wrapped his arms around Germany's large bicep. "C'mon follow me!"

Germany blinked calmly as Italy tugged excitedly on his arm. He smiled at the impatient look on the brunette's face. "Did you forget anything?"

Italy shook his head rapidly. "No, no! I got the sunscreen, blanket, food-"

"Did you remember an umbrella?" He asked, his tone patient.

"But it's sunny out!" Italy whined. "Why do we need an umbrella?"

"It might rain. You never know." Germany teased. Italy huffed and Germany let the older country tug him to his feet.

"Please! C'mon Luddy!" Italy begged, removing his arms from around the German's arm to take his hands in his own. Just as Germany was about to return Italy's grip on his small, thin fingers, Italy gasped. "Oh! I did forget something!"

Germany rolled his eyes good-naturedly as Italy zoomed out of the room. Germany walked over to the abandoned basket and blanket, tucking the blanket underneath his arm and placed the handle on his forearm just as Italy re-entered the room. Germany looked up and saw Italy had a sketchpad, some pencils and a sharpener. "Sorry, it's been awhile since I've had the chance to draw. We've been painting but I really do love drawing."

Germany just nodded and shifted the basket onto his other arm, offering it for Italy to take. The little country beamed and hugged his biceps, pressing his face into Germany's well muscled arm. Germany smiled, a familiar tingling feeling in his stomach. It was something only Feliciano could initiate in him.

Ludwig let Feliciano lead him out the back door and out the gate. Germany looked around as they walked down an almost nonexistent path. It really was beautiful, the grass was long and lush, and there were wildflowers growing all about with the occasional small tree shading the area. "This is lovely."

Italy hummed his ascent as he looked about the place, his hair shimmering in the bright sunlight. "I love it out here."

"You sure this isn't private property?" Germany asked, causing Italy to chuckle.

"Trust me, ok?" He said softly, looking Germany in the eyes. "I know what I'm doing."

"Of course." Germany dipped his head towards Italy a moment. "It's beautiful out here." He repeated.

Italy smiled. "It really is. During the spring time a lot of these trees bloom. It never lasts long, but I love it." Italy gushed.

Germany and Italy chatted on happily until they finally arrived at a huge oak tree. It's limbs extended far out and it's bushy leaves providing enough shade for the two of them to sit beneath it with their blankets. "Is this where we're eating?"

Italy nodded happily and pulled Germany underneath the tree. The blond was grateful to be out of the heat of the day. He burned easily and found he was already starting to sweat slightly in the heat.

It ended up being a lot like his little daydream earlier. Italy was pressed up against him, both of them sitting on a red blanket. He was sketching the scenery about them, a concentrated look in his brown eyes. The difference was Italy wasn't sitting in his lap but sat close beside him. And Italy made no move to kiss him, nor did Germany allow himself to be tempted to stroke his shimmering auburn hair.

"Hey Germany?" Italy quipped, his concentration still on is drawing.

"Hm?" He grunted, leaning heavily against the steady oak trunk.

"I missed you."

Germany's mouth twitched up into a small smile. Usually a rare occurrence but today it seemed to be happening a lot. "Ja, I missed you too."

"I'm sorry for leaving the Axis…" The brunette went on, his soft pencil strokes halting as his head drooped. "I didn't want to but…"

"It's alright." Germany grunted. His smile fading at the mention of Italy's leave. If it hadn't happened, maybe Italy would never have gotten with America. But he knew full well why it really had been Italy's only option at that point. He didn't resent that action in particular at least. "It's my fault really. I shouldn't have…"

Feliciano shook his head vigorously, his head finally lifting to stare into the blond's icy blue eyes. "Don't say that! It wasn't your fault."

Germany took a deep breath and decided to cut this little conversation short. "Would you like to have lunch now? It's getting to be about that time."

Italy's expression brighten, he put his sketchbook carefully down next to him and bounded over to the basket.

Germany glanced down at the momentarily abandoned book. It was a very underdeveloped picture of the scenery about them, he could easily identify everything on the paper laid out like a map. It was a rather endearing quality of Italy's.

"What are you doing Germany?"

The blond jumped a little as Italy rested his chin on his shoulder, gazing bright eyed down at his sketchpad.

"Urm, j-just looking." He mumbled. "Sorry."

Italy hummed happily and exclaimed happily. "That's ok Germany! How does it look so far?"

"Very nice Italy." Germany felt his face heat up as Italy's breath brushed passed his pale cheek. His body was very warm…

"Grazie! Germany doesn't usually give me compliments!" Italy flung his arms around Germany's neck from behind, giving him a brief squeeze before retreating back towards the basket and leaving the blond flustered. "Would you like bow ties or angel hair?"

"Hmm?" He hummed distractedly, gazing down at the soft pencil marks Italy left on the paper, still admiring the small details within the piece.

"With your pasta silly! I made bow ties and angel hair."

Germany frowned in concentration, he wasn't quite sure… "Urm, whatever you're having I suppose."

"Ok!" He was relieved Italy seemed fairly satisfied with that answer as he slowly began loading two plates up with food, the smell made his mouth water as he watched the small nation flitter about the food with practiced ease.

"Italy…" The younger nation looked up with bright brown eyes. "Do you come out here often?"

The brunette nodded happily, handing him a heavily ladened plate and fork. "Oh si, I come out here and play football with my fratello. Oh!" He squeaked, jumping a little. "I forgot a football! I'm so sorry Germany…"

"Nein, it's alright Italy." Germany assured. "It doesn't matter."

"Um, Germany?"

"Ja?"

"You don't have to call me that." The little brunette smiled softly up at him. Germany frowned, confused. "It seems too formal, we're friends. Call me Feli."

"Urm, sure, Feli." Germany let another small smile slip, and gazed down at his food.

"Yay!" Germany felt Italy's slim arms wrap around his shoulder from the side. Germany turned just as Italy planted a lingering kiss on the side of his mouth. "Thank you Luddy!"

He felt his face heat and his stomach flutter uncontrollably at the contact. He clenched his fists, trying desperately to keep himself under control as Italy pulled away and dug into his bow ties.

The blond rolled his eyes as Italy dribbled sauce over his chin. He waited until the little country had wolfed down the rest of his food before he spoke up casually. "Feli, clean up your face. You have sauce on your chin." He pointed at the corresponding area on his own chin.

"What? Where?" He blindly wiped at his chin and completely missed.

Germany rolled his icy blue eyes and leaned forward. "Here, let me." He grabbed a napkin from the basket and pulled Italy forward by the waist. Italy squeaked as he slowly wiped the red sauce from his chin. Italy squirmed as he licked the napkin and scrubbed his face completely clean like he would a little kid.

"Mmm." Italy whined, rubbed at his chin vigorously. "Grazie." He mumbled. Sounding a little indignant. He was pouting adorably and crossed his arms over his chest. It made Germany chuckle.

"What are you grumbling about? You have to look respectable in public." He claimed, though he let another small smile slip. Feliciano just huffed and shot him a coy smile.

"Grazie Germany." The Italian put his plate down and crawled over Germany's lap and back towards his sketchbook. Ludwig smiled softly as Italy grabbed his sketchbook, settling down with his stomach pressing against Germany's legs.

He remained silent as Feliciano began sketching the landscape once more.

(An):

I'm SORRY it's so short! I know I know but it was either this or I had to make it excruciatingly long. Granted the next chapter might be just that, I haven't decided how I'm going to break these last few chapters up yet but I'll get it sorted by next week.

Yay for Germany Italy fluff! I suck at fluff so I hope this was ok.

Thank you for all the reads and reviews! I love you all!