Germany was carrying a mirror around as he set up the table. He practiced sitting across from where Italy would sit. He looked into the mirror.

'alright… not bad.'

He then gazed down at the candles that sat in the middle. It's what would make a truly romantic atmosphere. Well according to his research anyway. He took out his lighter and lit each little candle. He took a deep breath, staring into the hypnotic little flame that danced almost teasingly at him.

He stood and flicked the lights off before settling back down again. He shakily lifted up the hand mirror. His palms growing sweaty he looked into it. His lips were twitching. He grunted in frustration. He had to do this… for Italy. He bared his teeth in a grin, trying to mimic a particularly happy smile. But when he looked into the mirror, he looked into a hellish pit and the pit stared back. He dropped the mirror. No wonder Italy thought he was scary when he did that.

He picked the mirror up again sadly; gazing into it as he rest his head in is left hand.

He had smiled before unintentionally without scaring Italy, what was he doing wrong?

He sighed. Maybe his smile was just too scary. Maybe he could try something else?

He thought of America, with his dazzling teeth and over zealousness. Even if it was annoying, it was a pretty famous smile. He opened his mouth wide like America did before biting into a big hamburger. He did a perfect impression. But has he looked at himself he thought he looked like he was constantly about to eat something. He tried closing his mouth and winking. America always did that sort of thing when he was trying to act all heroic. This only made Germany shake a little bit, a little terrified by how well he just pulled that off. He looked like a cocky superhero. That defiantly wouldn't work.

England was the next person who came to mind. Did that guy ever smile? He thought. The only time he had seen him smile made him look terrifying, so if he had a nice smile he had yet to witness it.

Russia was out of the question.

He could try Italy himself perhaps?

He looked back at the mirror. How… did Italy smile that nicely so easily?

He tried a few times, thinking of how flowery his personality was, but also how he could smile when he was in the mood for more… adult things.

Every time he ended up smiling more like Romano when he had a new secret weapon. He grumbled, frustrated and threw the mirror in the trashcan.

"How the hell am I supposed to smile and not scare him!"

"Maybe your trying to hard…"

"Really you think- AHhhaaaheeeyyy!" Germany leapt out of his seat, his shriek sounding a little too much like his brother's for his liking.

Italy was leaning against the doorway waving at him. "Awww! Germany were you practicing that hard for me?"

"I um…" Germany stuttered

Italy walked over and pecked Germany on the cheek.

"You smile just fine on your own when you're happy." He giggled. "And Germany always looks really cute."

Germany blinked. "C-Cute? Are you feeling alright?"

Italy looked up at him hurt. "D-Do you not trust me?"

Germany's eyes grew wide with panic. "N-No! Of course I…"

Italy laughed and put a finger over Germany's lips stopping him. "Then you have no need to worry about it!"

Germany sighed with an "I should of known" look with a shake of the head. He then moved around Italy and pulled out a chair for him.

"Would you sit with me this evening."

Italy stared at him for a moment, blushing slightly. "Germany…. You looked so princely just now." He moved forward and sat down.

Germany grumbled stubbornly, but unconsciously smiled as he sat down across from Italy. "If I'm a prince, what does that make you?"

Italy raised his arm up happily. "Your knight in shining armor!"

Germany shook his head. "Of course."

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Germany's smile yes, but as he gazed at Italy, the flames reflected in his eyes causing the icy blue to shimmer like diamonds. He gazed into Italy's honey-glazed brown eyes that seemed to be lit on fire. It was true, in Italy's mind; Germany looked the best when he could be honest with himself, no matter what lighting they were in.

Do blue eyes even work like that? Probably not.

Anyway, I think I'm going to cut off the challenge here, I feel bad for not updating enough. But there are several other fics I would like to work on.

Especially want to think more about my USUK fic as well as perhaps a few one shots with other pairings.

Thank you guys for reading this, and I'm sorry I couldn't put more into it!