Italy wakes up screaming and kicking and sobbing, entangling himself in a mess of pillows and blankets. He doesn't stop until he hears Germany's voice and remembers that this time, they did, in fact, survive the ordeal and escape together.

America yells another country's name as he jolts awake; either Canada's or England's, depending on what he has just seen in his dreams. He squeezes a pillow so tight it almost bursts, as if he's trying to suffocate the lingering nightmares.

England feels arounds in the dark, panicking as he searches for the lightswitch, refusing to calm down until his room is flooded with brightness. He's never been afraid of the dark before, and it's unnerving how quickly this new phobia has crept up on him, as if it were a poison.

France opens the window and leans out into the night, drinking in the moonlight as if he's never seen it before. It seems strange how peaceful the outside world is compared to the turmoil his subconcious has forced him to relive.

Russia forces himself to stay awake, pacing around, pinching himself, wondering when the torture will end.

China splashes water on his face and stares at his weary reflection, cursing and telling himself to get a grip, that he needs to stop dwelling on the past.

Canada cries softly into Kumajiro's fur as he leans huddled against the wall. The bear stays silent, as if understanding that now is not the time to be asking questions.

Japan makes tea in an effort to calm himself down, but he can't stop the adrenaline running through his system, or his hands from trembling.

Romano and Spain laugh weakly at each other in an attempt to hide their own fear, but it's hard to make fun of someone when you're suffering through the exact same thing as them.

Prussia calls Austria, hoping that Austria's annoyance at being woken up will be amusing enough to distract him from the images that still flit through his mind. Though he is as arrogant and snarky as ever, his voice still quavers as he teases Austria about "needing his beauty sleep".

Germany wakes with a start, sweating and shaking, his heart beating like it's about to spontaneously combust. He loathes how vulnerable the nightmares make him feel, and how he has, in a way, become dependent on Italy of all people. He simply can't sleep unless he knows that Italy is next to him, still breathing. Still alive.

A/N: A short drabble-thingy to tide you over while I'm working on Mateship. I'm kind of obsessed with HetaOni at the moment, and I keep having all these story ideas about what happens after the countries escape from the mansion, and how it's impacting on their lives. Also I like writing angst.