Rejection

"So what the hell are you doing here?" Hungary crossed her arms and impatiently tapped her foot at the entrance of her doorway.

"What?" Italy whined. "B-but, Hungary, you invited me over for tea and snacks and to talk and, and… " Italy started to sniffle.

Hungary smiled warmly and shook her head. "I know why you're here, dear," she said pleasantly while patting his head, making him lose that newly formed frown. She then glared daggers at the person behind Italy. "I was talking about him."

Prussia smiled at Hungary, teeth clenched hard, and walked up to her. "Yeah, Italy invited me along, but don't worry," he stepped around her and into her home, "I brought my own refreshments," he said, pulling out a can of beer from his pocket.

Hungary gripped her fists tight. "Well I guess it would be rude," she motioned her head towards Prussia, "to not have you since you came all the way over here."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too!" He smirked.

Ignoring his last comment, and counting to ten, Hungary turned her attention back to Italy. "Why don't you come on it?"

"Okay!" Italy beamed before bouncing in.

"Don't run."

"Okay!"

Hungary shut the door and gestured for Prussia to follow. There in the common room Italy sat, patiently waiting to eat the sweets laid out before him, and Prussia and Hungary joined him. Tea was poured, Hungary even made a cup for Prussia, and Italy drove into the sweets.

"Some spread you got here, Hungary. What?" Prussia raised his eyebrows at the heart shaped theme of the platter. "You thinking about confessing to Italy here," he grinned, "and that's why you didn't want me around?"

"No!" Hungary whipped her head fast at him.

After she didn't state the reason for the heart shapes, "Then what?" he asked again. "Did you invite your ex, and he 'got lost'," Prussia laughed.

"Hey…" Italy glanced nervously at the both of them.

"Hmpf!" Hungary sat back in her chair, eyes shut, and finished her cup in one gulp. "Wrong both times."

"Tsk." Prussia rolled his eyes and pulled the tab on his beer. "Fine! I'm too awesome to care anyway." Laying back in his seat, he kicked up his feet. "Keep your secrets!"

And Hungary did. "So Italy, how have you've been? Your tourism going okay?"

"Hmm, I kind of wish it wasn't. Venice is still sinking." Italy swished his tea around in the cup. "I can't help but wonder if it'll become the next Atlantis, all underwater and stuff. Then again people would know where Venice used to be. Unless people forgot about it…Oh, that'd be terrible! I don't want people to forget about my city. Oh, but then again maybe I should plan ahead and think about making Venice into a water park."

"That's a horrible idea," Hungary and Prussia said in unison.

Italy laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Hungary smiled and tapped an envelop laying on a small table next to her . "Don't worry, Italy. People won't forget you. Even if you believe they forgot about you." And she gazed, eyelids half closed, at the envelop while her fingers slowly rubbed it.

While Italy didn't notice, Prussia certainly did. "What's that?"

A small gasp escaped Hungary's lips, and she folded her hands in her lap. "Nothing."

Prussia smirked and sat his beer down. "Yes it is! Let me see!"

"Mind your own business," Hungary said with furrowed brows.

"Ooooh! It's really something if you don't want me to see it! Is it something naughty?"

"Prussia. Please drop it." Hungary warned him as he, like a cat about to pounce on his prey, slowly moved towards the edge of his seat.

"Lemme see it."

"No."

"C'mon!" Almost…

"I said…"

Prussia leap over the serving table, knocking over tea and desserts, and at that letter "You left an opening!"

Italy and Hungary screamed; Italy because he had no idea what was going on, and Hungary because that letter was not Prussia's!

"Don't you dare!" She tackled him, causing the letter to fall from his hands and onto the ground.

"Argh! Let me go, you crazy girl!"

"I'll show you crazy!" And they continued to wrestle and roll on the floor.

"Waaah! Stop fighting, you two! You're scaring me." However, Italy's plea fell on deaf ears. Actually one ear was being pulled on. That and Hungary's hair. Hungary, herself, was trying to stretch Prussia's mouth as far as she could.

"That letter is for Italy!"

"Vichh, aff ne ah ran feal ur tits!"

"It's for me?" Italy quietly asked and made his way over to the letter.

"You let go first!" Hungary screamed and pinned him down harder; not realizing how her soft breasts were pressing against him.

Prussia, feeling the blood rushing to his head (and before it could go anywhere else), let go of Hungary's ear and hair with a scream. "Ahhh! Dar! Mow gat aff!"

Free of his grip, she finally pushed herself off him, earning another wince from Prussia, and dusted her dress off. "Honestly, Prussia, you need to stop taking things that aren't yours and…" Hungary caught a glimpse of Italy out of the corner of her eye: He was holding the letter in his trembling hands, memorized by it. "Oh Italy…" she said softly and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up, shocked at being pulled back into reality, and stared wide eyed, pleading, at Hungary.

"I found it while going through Austria's things," she answered his unspoken question. "It's been lost for all these years. Still," she smiled, "it found its owner though." She glanced down at Italy's name on the letter, right above the wax seal of the Holy Roman Empire.

Italy smiled, tears now falling from his eyes, and nodded. Him and Hungary sat down as Prussia stared at the letter.

"What the hell did he write…?" he muttered.

"I don't know, but I'm so happy!" Italy declared, holding the still sealed letter above his head. "Oh, this is so wonderful! I don't have any keepsakes of him, but now I have a letter! His letter!" He hugged the beloved item gently to his body. "So happy," he mused.

Hungary giggled. "Don't keep us waiting, Italy. Open it. Open it," she gently encouraged.

Italy giggled too, took a deep breath, and, while still keeping the wax in one piece, broke the seal. "Here we go…" he said almost breathlessly and started reading Holy Roman Empire's letter to him.

Hungary held her hands to face, eager for a peek at the letter and Italy's response.

While Italy read the letter, Prussia pulled Hungary's chair back up and sat down in it. "So um…you two were close, huh?"

Hungary smiled but kept her eyes on Italy. "You didn't know? They were in love."

"What?" Prussia whined and looked at Italy. "He didn't say anything about…" Prussia stopped as the Italy's face became filled with distress, his happy smile gone, and his breathing becoming erratic.

"What? W-what is this?" He began to reread the letter desperately.

"Italy," Hungary's own voice filled with worry, "what's wrong, dear?"

"T-This letter he wrote to me." His lip started to quiver and more tears formed as he reread it a third time. "No…" Tears fell and dripped off his chin. "Why?"

"Italy, what is it?" Hungary placed her hands on his shoulders while Italy's fell and dropped into his lap with the letter.

"Holy Roman Empire…" Italy began, "he broke up with me."

"What?"

Italy's tears kept pouring. "H-he said he's never c-c-coming back."

"Oh, oh, oh, Italy," Hungary found her own vision starting to blur, "maybe he wrote it before he, before he…"

"No! The date!" Italy held up the letter and pushed it into Hungary's hand. "It was written in the 1700's!" he sobbed.

"Oh Italy…" She set the letter aside and held him tight.

While Italy cried on her shoulder, Prussia picked up the letter to read what his stupid little brother wrote to get Italy so upset:

Dearest Italy.

You are truly the most beautiful person on this planet. Nothing can ever be as lovely or as innocence as you. An incompetent fool like me doesn't deserve someone like you. Please forgive me. Also, please forget that promise, if you haven't already, we made years ago. The weak and pathetic coward that I am will never be able to fulfill such a simple promise. I am sorry. I truly am.

Goodbye, Forever,

Holy Roman Empire

"Idiot…" Prussia mumbled as he stroked Italy's hair. "Stupid stupid stupid idiot."

"It's not fair." Italy hiccupped. "I finally hear from him and it's this?" he sobbed.

"I'm so sorry, Italy." Hungary murmured into his hair. "I thought it was a happy letter, and we would be crying tears of joy right now."

"Yeah, great going, Hungary!" Prussia interjected. "You should've checked the damn thing first!"

Hungary groaned and glared at Prussia. Her own tears forcing him to turn away, ashamed, and she continued comforting Italy. "There, there," she gently rocked him, "it'll be okay."

"No, it's not okay," Italy cried. "It's not okay." He looked up at Hungary. "I loved him."

"I know, Italy."

Italy shook his head. "Then why did he do this to me?"

With a soft sweep of her hand, Hungary brushed away the bangs in his eyes. "Sometimes love is complicated," her hand trailed down his cheek, wiping away the tears there, "and people aren't sure what they want."

Italy glanced down at the letter. "He sure didn't want me."

"Oh, Italy, don't say..."

"But it's true isn't it? He never came to visit me. Not once."

"Italy, look me in eye. Now listen, you know he went through a difficult time, and he…"

"But that's not why he never came!" Hungary gasped at the sudden outburst. "It wasn't because he couldn't: It was because he gave up on me."

She wasn't about to give up though. "We don't know if that's the case. We may never know."

"Because he's gone," Italy said plainly and gave a bitter laugh. Dislodging himself from Hungary's grasp, he sank back in his seat and continued. "He wrote me out of his life before his was written out." He covered his flushed face with his palm. "I can't believe I spent all those years waiting for him, all those dreams about us reuniting!" He slammed his fists on furniture. "It's not fair! I don't deserve to have my heart broken like this! How could he do this me? That, that…" Italy clenched his fist and started to shake.

"I'm glad he's dead!"

And instantly Italy froze. The color drained from his once red face and his eyes open in horror.

"I didn't mean that," he whispered.

"Oh Italy dear, I kn…"

"I didn't mean it." New tears formed.

"I know you didn't…"

"I didn't mean it!" he screamed, terrified at his words.

"Italy, calm down! I know you didn't mean it. You're just upset, angry."

"I s-shouldn't had said that even in anger," he continued to cry, and Hungary tried to pull him into another hug. "No." He got up and stumbled away.

"Italy…"

"No. I really shouldn't have s-said that," he stuttered, holding his hands to his chest. "Even, even if he doesn't love," he stopped at that word and turned his head, wincing at the pain that word now had, "even if he felt that way, it doesn't matter." He took a few deep breaths. "I just wish he was alive. I wish he was alive, so he could enjoy life." He bit down on his bottom lip, his tearful eyes looking away. "Even if we're not in love." And Italy cried again. How could this day end up so horrible?

Italy then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up expecting to see Hungary.

"Hey…umm… yeah, Italy." Prussia said, not even looking directly at Italy. "Ya see, umm." He took his hand off Italy's shoulder to rub the back on his neck. "If ya, if ya really do feel that way about, ya know, him and all that. Well ya see, uhhh, err. Damn it!" Prussia shook his head and walked towards the center of the room. "Look," he announced, "if you really did mean all that then, then. Ah hells."

"Prussia," Hungary said, "what are you…"

"Shut it, woman! This is hard enough as is!" he yelled at her and ignored her response. He finally looked Italy in the eye, those sad confused hurt eyes, and finally spoke up. "He's alive."

Shock, disbelief, more confusion, and question, so many many rapid questions, blasted Prussia as Hungary and Italy ran up to him.

"What the hell! Get off me! I said he's alive didn't I?" The questions didn't stop. "Shut up!" he screamed and the two stopped their bombardment. "He's alive alright, but he doesn't remember anything!" He threw his arms up in the air. "It's like he's got amnesia or something."

"Prussia," Hungary started, "I cannot believe you never told anyone this before. Look at what Italy here had to go through."

"Oh, like the mental torment you put him through today by showing him that break up letter? How the hell was I suppose to know he had a thing with Italy? Shit, I didn't even think he had friends back then."

"Prussia…" Prussia looked at Italy. "Where is he? Is, is he alright?"

Prussia gave a small sigh and a small smile. "Yeah, he's alright. Not as cool as me, but he's doing pretty good for himself." Italy smiled at that. "So, ya wanna go see him?" Italy's face lit up. "Well good, because you already know where he lives."

"Huh?"

"Italy, Holy Roman Empire, well…"

Meanwhile, on this lovely day, Germany was out in his yard watching the dogs roll around, chasing each other, barking at the squirrels, and every other thing a dog does when outside.

He sat back on the patio and enjoyed his iced drink. Such a quiet, peaceful day, he thought as Aster brought him a stick. "Fetch," Germany said as he threw it. Aster took off, grabbed it, and brought it back. Germany scratched behind the dog's ear. "Good boy. You listen so good. Why can't Italians be as obedient as you?" He smiled and threw the stick once more. Blackie got to the stick before Aster and now the two started having a tug of war. Their match didn't last long though. The gate slammed open. The dogs began to bark but then stop, and wagged their tails, once they saw who it was. Italy stood there panting heavily.

"Italy, are you okay?" Germany asked. Italy nodded his head, not taking his eyes off Germany, and continued panting. "I thought you and Prussia went to Hungary's." Again Italy nodded and panted. "Did something happened?" Like Prussia pissing Hungary off? Italy repeated his gestures and also smiled at Germany with a hopeful look in his eyes. He continued just staring at Germany. "Ahh…well," it was beginning to weird Germany out, "if everything's okay why don't you join me then?" Italy smiled even brighter. After shutting the gate, he jogged over, the doggies running with him (he almost tripped over one of them) and sat happily next to Germany. He stayed there, glaring in awe at Germany, creeping him out.

"Uh, so, um, you said something happened." Germany asked, and Italy nodded his head. "Don't tell me: My brother was annoying Hungary?"

Italy smiled and giggled a little even though the tears started welling up again. "Something else…" He started to choke on his tears.

Germany looked over, concern, but he was used to Italy crying. "Right, right," he said as he wrapped an arm around Italy's shoulder. "Just tell me what hap…" And before he could finish his sentence, Italy gripped Germany and hugged him tight; bawling his eyes out. "Ah! Italy! Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm just," Italy blubbered, "I'm just so happy you're alive!'

"Uhhh…"

Italy sniffled, wiped his face, and then cupped Germany's. He nuzzled their noses and forehead together. "So happy."

Now Germany was really confused. "Is there any particular reason why I shouldn't be alive?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

Italy sniffled and laughed. "Prussia said you used to be Holy Roman Empire."

"I…ummm…what?"

"Oh, I guess you wouldn't remember. He also said you have amnesia."

Germany started grumbling, and he could feel a vein in his forehead popping. "I swear I need to get that key to his diary storage vault…"

"Germany?" Germany turned his attention back to Italy. "Did you know Holy Roman and I were friends? We friends, and I thought he had died…"

Suddenly Germany began to understand Italy's distress. "Oh…"

Italy smiled brightly at him. "But he's been my best friend Germany all this time!"

"Well…not all this time if the Empire was dissolved in…"

"Hey hey, Germany," Italy cheered. "We've known each other since we were infants and look at how we're still friends!"

Germany couldn't help but smile. "Really?" he asked softly.

"Yes!" It made Germany happy. So much he had to look away and blush. Italy just chuckled and snuggled against his neck.

They spent the rest of the day talking about their past, parts Germany could remember and parts he couldn't (Italy never once brought up their relationship), and when evening came, Italy asked to spend the night. Germany said yes, surprised that Italy even asked, and prepared for their slumber. The dogs were put up, teeth were brushed, Germany got a voice mail from Hungary saying she invited Prussia over as a guest to give them their privacy (Germany groaned at that last comment of hers), and soon the two were in bed fast asleep.

Until Italy woke up in the middle of the night. He propped himself on his elbows and stared at the sleeping German in the moonlight. "You awake?" he asked, and the German snored in replied. Italy smiled and gently touched the man's cheek. He sighed. "Why'd you have to go and dump me, Holy Roman Empire? You really broke my heart, you big meanie," he pouted and moved his hand up to fiddle with the man's hair. "I would have given you so many hugs and kisses too." He sighed once again. "But I forgive you and for the record: I still wanted you even when you were at your lowest. I wish we could have reconciled." Italy frowned.

Then he smiled. "Hey Germany," he said to the sleeping form. "I'll tell you when you're awake, but I wanna tell you now: Even if you're at your lowest, I'll still be your friend. I'll always be your friend." He leaned over and kissed Germany's cheek. "I mean it," he said and laid back down to go to sleep. "Oh." He sat up again. "Umm…" He pressed his forefingers together, a cute little smile on his face, and blushed. "I won't tell you this when you're awake, but even though I still love Holy Roman, I wouldn't mind getting together with you. Because I think I could fall in love with you." Italy quietly laughed and moved over to cuddle with Germany. "Yeah," he softly said with his head rested on Germany, "I could."

There in the warmth of his friend's arm, happy and content, he was finally able to go back to sleep.