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Germany rubbed the bridge of her nose and sighed.

Prussia fidgeted in front of her, glancing up at her every so often.

"What East?" she finally asked.

Prussia licked his upper lip in thought. "I think you should talk to Italy."

"I am not talking to him until I am no longer angry at him." she said.

"And when is that?" he asked.

"That part I do not know."

Prussia sighed and took her hands in his. The familiar hands that were covered in scars and callous and the hidden strength underneath the skin were comforting and familiar.

"Sister." he said gently. "You still love him."

"So what?"

"I might not be the best in this department." he said. "But I do know at least this. You need to talk to him."

Germany stared at their entwined hands before she gently pulled away.

"Okay." she whispered.

This was a somewhat familiar scene for her. Italy sitting across her at her table. A glass of wine next to him and a bottle of beer next to her. What wasn't a familiar scene was that both their hands were on top of the table folded and both of them were silent. Italy silent. That alone was something out of the ordinary.

Italy glanced at her. "You make a very pretty girl, you know?" he said softly.

Germany snorted. "Don't try to buy into my good graces again with compliments."

Italy bowed his head. "Sorry. I just wanted to say that."

Germany pushed back a lock of hair behind her ear. Long hair was more troublesome than she thought it would be.

"I'm…I'm sorry about the misunderstanding." he said.

"Then why did you act like that." she asked.

"Like what?" he asked confused.

"All those signals that you were sending me." she said. Her hands were starting to shake slightly and she pressed them harder on the tabletop.

"I didn't send you signals."

"You did." she said. "The hugging. The kissing. Bursting into the shower when you knew I was there. Crawling into my bed naked with me. Telling me that you actually loved me. Those are signals."

Italy shook his head. "That's just the way that I usually act."

"You usually flirt and act like that sending all those out to everyone?" she asked.

Italy nodded.

Germany slammed her hands on the table. "I asked everyone about those signs that you were sending me." she screamed. "Everyone! And all of them said the same thing! That you loved me!"

"I didn't…" he tried to say.

"I don't know anything about emotions or feelings." she continued. "Ever since I was born there has been war, war, and more war. That's all I know! How to fight and how to survive. Feelings and emotions, I ask someone else!

Italy jumped up and hugged her. "Please calm down."

Germany pushed him away and held him at arm's length. "Do not touch me."

Both of them stared at one another in silence.

"You said your first love was a boy." Germany finally said. "Who do you like? Boys or girls?"

Italy hesitated for a moment before he shrugged. "I don't know. I think I love both boys and girls."

Germany walked past him and to her desk in the living room. Italy obediently followed her. She opened one of her drawers and pulled out a small box and threw it at Italy.

Italy caught it in his hands and opened it. His eyes widened at the sight of the tomato ring nestled neatly in the velvet lining.

"I proposed to you." she said. "Remember? What happened there? Why didn't you tell me?"

Italy slowly closed the box and held it in his hands tightly. "It was so sudden, I didn't expect it."

He glanced up at her. "And shouldn't I ask you what happened to you? You're the one who blacked out all of a sudden."

Germany thought for a moment about that flash of a little girl receiving flowers. She shook her head. "Nothing happened." She sighed and sat down on her couch and covered her face with her hands.

"I want to know the truth." she said, not looking at Italy. "What are your feelings towards me?"

"Before I tell you." Italy said quietly. "I want to know your feelings to me."

"I don't propose to just anyone Italy." she said. She looked him straight in the eye. "I love you. That much I know."

Italy sighed and slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry Germany, but I don't love you. You're my best friend, that's it."

Germany nodded. "I know. I know."

Italy looked up at her. "I'm sorry."

Germany shook her head. "Don't be. I'm just a silly girl with a crush."

Italy started towards her. "Germany."

"Keep the ring." she said not looking at him. "It's meant to be yours anyway."

"West. You're starting to scare me." Prussia said.

Germany spared her brother a glance before going back to the piece of paper in her hand. "How so?"

"Well the way that you are acting really."

"I don't detect a way that I am behaving differently." she said.

Prussia nodded. "Exactly. You're behaving the same way."

"You want me to act differently?" she asked not looking at him.

"At least something."

"Sorry to disappoint you East however I have no desire to change anything about myself." she said.

Prussia hid a book behind his back. "I know what this is. You are blocking your feelings and not allowing yourself to officially come to terms with your emotions."

"…you've been reading those psychology books again haven't you?"

Prussia shook his head before he quickly turned and threw a book into the hallway. "Don't be ridiculous, of course not."

Germany rubbed the bridge of her nose as she stood up. "I appreciate the concern, however it is not necessary."

"Do you want me to set you up with someone?" he asked.

Germany shook her head. "I don't need to date East; I just need to get my head cleared slightly."

She glanced at her brother over her shoulder. "Want to go get a drink? My treat."

Prussia grinned. "How could I say no to that?" he asked rhetorically as he bounced off his seat.

Germany shook her head in amusement as she walked out to the hallway and picked up the book labeled 'Psychology for Dummies' on it.

"This is a really uncomfortable change of places." Prussia said. He carefully readjusted Germanys arm across his shoulders. "Really uncomfortable. I actually think I prefer when you are in my shoes and I'm in yours."

Germany clutched to him tightly. "I'm not drunk brother."

Prussia nodded. "Whatever you say West. Never saw you drink so much in one sitting."

"I told you I'm not drunk." she repeated.

"I didn't say you were." Prussia said patiently. "Although speaking of which I don't think I saw you get drunk since we were unified again."

Germany sighed and stared at the stars. "I hate him you know." she said suddenly.

Prussia looked at her. "Who?"

"Italy. The bastard."

"You have to get over that West. Move on."

Germany didn't say anything for a moment. "Let's go to the park. I don't want to go home yet."

Prussia nodded. "It is a nice night."

They walked in silence to the park. When Prussia moved them towards a bench Germany shook her head. "Not the bench, on the grass."

Prussia complied and the both of them sat on the grass. Germany sighed and lay back on the grass looking at the stars.

"I remember when those buildings weren't there." she motioned to the buildings a few feet away. "It was a field full of grass and trees."

"The air was a lot cleaner too." Prussia said. "There was also a sense of religion in the towns."

Germany sighed. "I think I'm starting to become sober, my head is no longer pounding."

"You didn't really drink enough to stay drunk for a long time."

"Only because you stopped me."

"Because we have a meeting with our boss tomorrow." Prussia retorted.

They fell into silence once more. Germany wiggled in the grass until she reached her brother. She pushed their bodies together and put her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"I can't believe that I still do this." she mumbled.

Prussia glanced at her. "Do what?"

"Cling to you like I did as a child."

Prussia laughed softly. "I'm your older brother, you're allowed to do that."

Germany didn't say anything as she buried her face into the curve of his neck. She slowly inhaled the familiar and comforting scent of her brother. The forests and the open skies, beer and blood, and a scent that was just pure Prussia.

Prussia trailed his hand down her arm until he reached her hand. He took hers in his tightly.

"I'm always here for you sister." he said softly.

Germany hid a smile as she closed her eyes.

"I know."

Germany glanced at the dress still hanging on the back of her door. She sighed as she simply looked at it.

The first dress she had ever bought and desired to wear. Most likely the first and last, the dress was very pretty but her suits were more comfortable.

She picked up the dress and carried it to her closet. With her left hand she opened the closet and pushed back from of her clothes. Her suits were to the right of the closet and she carefully placed the dress next to them.

The masquerade had been fun but it had come to an end. Everything does.

Including her own masquerade she suddenly realized.

She had attended her own masquerade practically her entire life. Ever since Bismarck had put that idea into her head of pretending to be a boy. She had masqueraded in a world of men as one of them. She had worn the suits and the binds. She had cut her hair short each time and played to the game completely with years of experience.

But as every party, as with every masquerade, it must all come to an end.

As did hers.

Her secret was out now to the other nations. Perhaps in time she would show to her bosses and her people. The nations knew not to underestimate her and there would be no discrimination now with them.

Germany glanced at the dress once more. Her hand slid down the material and she smiled.

She closed the door behind her and continued forward towards her office.

Her masquerade was officially over.

This story is over.

Unfortunately that is correct and this is the last chapter. Like Germany had said, the masquerade is over.

I will however mostly likely write a sequel. If I get inspiration. Shall I put a sign here that has the words 'hint, hint' on it that this is where you guys come in and offer me ideas?

Also I feel like I rushed this chapter a little. What do you think?

Anyway I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

Questions? Comments? Leave them in a review.

Until next time.

This is Phoenix-Fire Power over and out.