Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Nedmano: Little Gift

Lovino stared at the screen of his phone for the eighth time before looking out the window again. His last few texts had gone unanswered, and Lars was running late. Lars was never late. Especially for a date. Especially if the date was a special occasion, such as the anniversary of when they started dating. Lovino looked back at the chat, scrolling up to the last message that Lars had sent.

I'm running a bit late. See you soon.

Lovino tapped his foot. That had been an hour ago, and Lars hadn't responded to any of the texts since then. The last two texts were completely ignored.

He was just glad that they hadn't agreed to meet at a restaurant. He could only imagine the humiliation if every patron and waiter saw how his boyfriend stood him up. He was also glad that his grandfather and brothers weren't around, or they would have been the audience instead. He should have known that this day would come. After all, there was no reason for Lars to want to be with someone like him.

Lovino perked up when he heard a car, and when he looked outside, he saw that it was indeed Lars's car. He ran over towards the front door and yanked it open, glad that there weren't any tears in his eyes.

"What took you so long?" Lovino demanded. "I was beginning to think the worst!"

"Sorry!" Lars said. "It took longer than expected."

"…What took longer than expected?"

Lars smirked, before he opened the door to the backseat. He removed what appeared to be a carrier, and Lovino's breath hitched.

"What the…?" he whispered.

"I went to the shelter," Lars explained as he opened the carrier. Lovino watched as he removed a small grey puppy. "It's an Italian greyhound. You said you've always wanted one, right?"

"S-si," Lovino said, as Lars handed over the puppy to him. He chuckled when it started to lick his face. "Is this why it took you so long?"

"Well, I had to get all the paperwork done, and I needed to make sure I had enough food and toys for him…" Lars said. "I didn't realise taking care of a puppy would be so expensive. Anyway, happy anniversary."

Lovino snorted.

"This is unfair, you bastard," Lovino said. "All I got you is a watch and a wallet. And I made dinner. It doesn't compare to this little guy, though."

Lars smiled, before he kissed Lovino on the cheek.

"As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter," he said. "So, what are you going to name him?"

"…I'll think about it," Lovino said.

My sister and her husband got an Italian greyhound this week. They named him Jerry, from Tom and Jerry, because he looks like a mouse. Her husband has always wanted an Italian greyhound. And a few weeks ago, they got a basset/beagle mix they named Bagel. The two pups were born four days apart, and they're two months old. My sister apparently misses her sleep.