Oh, Chick-a-dees, each review made me feel more and more guilty for not updating in so long. A million trillion apologies, my dear reviewers. It's funny how much less free time you have once you become a full-fledged adult with *gag* responsibilities. But enough griping from me, a monumental shout out to my reviewers (or should I say saints for continuing to support this story even with its irregular updates): Hidaniscute20, idontknow826, missingwings, Guest who wonders about Renge's plans, tokyoghoul234, Kaylin Loves Mysteries, Rose, TaileaLightwordHerondale, Guest who ships Tamaki and France, Bri-merican, gropolicious,

Danny Joey Ketail (I actually didn't even know it was a thing. My fingers just ran rampant),

L'Angleterre (As you should be),

Jinx13GXA (I neither confirm or deny),

divergentlover523 (I'm not planning on them revealing their country status, but I may let one host in on the secret),

world. wide. weeb (You aren't the only one to fight for their waifus...or...um...husbandus?),

Parallel Parabox (one: love your name, and two: it had to happen...maybe...okay, probably not, but it was fun to write), and

MeddlinMegs (Welcome to the Dark Side, we have great ships)

As well as all who favorited or followed. Here's the update you've been waiting over 3 months for (One again, I'm sorry). Enjoy~

Disclaimer: Shake it off, I-I shake it off (all those ridiculous notions that I have rights to Hetalia)

Germany and Mori sat on the sidelines, watching their more adorable halves converse in a seemingly friendly manner. They didn't talk much themselves, but the atmosphere between the two wasn't stifled or awkward. It was a companionable silence with no need for pointless chatter.

The stoic nation glanced sideways at the nearly as stoic teen beside him. While his face seemed to be a blank page, Germany could make out a slight upturn of the other's lips in a barely-there smile. So far they only appeared when in proximity of the short blond, and it made the country curious as to the manner of there relationship.

"So how did the two of you meet?" the robust blond finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Mitsukini and I are cousins," Mori answered, knowing exactly who the other was referring to.

"Oh? So, you grew up together?"

"Yes, though our families have always been close. Before being bonded by marriage, my family had served his family for generations."

Germany hummed lowly at that, intrigued by the tale of sustained loyalty and camaraderie, however, before he could ask more about the other's history, Mori asked a question of his own.

"How did you meet?"

Once again clarification was not needed, though the nation took minute to figure out how to tell that particular story. "I...found him," he said vaguely. In a box, was added mentally.

"You...found him." Mori repeated, deadpan and causing Germany to let out a sharp bark of laughter at the unexpected snark from the teen.

"Yeah, I was out and there he was." Hiding in a box of tomatoes.

"And that's it?" The dark-haired teen turned fully towards his country counterpart, giving him his full attention. "You became friends like that?"

"Oh no, I couldn't stand him." The blond nation laughed again as he thought back to those times. "He was loud and annoyingly optimistic, a bit of a pansy and gave up too easily, always experimenting and don't get me started on his obsession with pasta." He wasn't even going to mention the I-want-to-make-a-pasta-shaped-like-your-anatomy phone message that the Italian had left on his answering machine.

"But..." Mori prompted. Though the other had only listed the Italian's bad points, he could hear the fond undertones of each word.

"But he grows on you," Germany shrugged nonchalantly. By pretending to be a box of tomatoes fairy.

It was the Ouran host's turn to hum, which caused the robust nation to raise an eyebrow in question.

"What?" The words were said not unkindly.

"You love him."

"He grows on you," the blond nation repeated firmly. No, he was definitely not blushing.

The teen only hummed again, this time with an over-exaggerated tone of disbelief, and the stern country pointedly looked away, scanning the room for other members of the host club and missing the other's barely-there smirk.

Hungary was no where to be seen and that was only slightly concerning. France was flirting with multiple women which really wasn't that different from normal (much to England's dismay). Switzerland seemed to be talking business with the host club's VP, and Canada and America were laughing loudly with their partners. Germany was scrutinizing the unnerving closeness of Canada and his Ouran counterpart when twin high-pitched voices broke his intense concentration.

"Takashi!"

"Luddy!"

Both males turned to see their friends waving them over from where they were sitting and conversing. With a sigh, Germany made his way over, the teen right behind him and sat next to their respective Boy Lolita who both wore an expression that could only be described as relief. It soon became apparent that their previous conversation had hit a snag, and it seemed like it was up to their self-appointed protectors to fill in the conversation.

"What have you two been up to?" Mori was the first to speak.

"Nothing much. Feliciano was requested and he made pasta," Honey answered.

"And then Honey was requested and he ate cake," Italy continued.

Once it was clear that there were no more words to be said, Germany spoke up as well. "Have you two talked about what you like to do?"

"I like cake."

"I like pasta."

This was going no where. The stoic nation nearly face-palmed, but was saved by Mori's deep voice.

"Mitsukini is Japan's martial arts champion," the teenage host threw in, much to his cousin's dismay if the glare the blond threw him was any indication.

"Really?" Both countries said in surprise, and then turned to look the 148 cm male, who just nodded and smiled widely (pink flowers that seemed to appear out of nowhere swirling around his face).

"That's cool," Italy said. "I'm no good with fighting," he admitted with a small laugh.

Germany couldn't help but let out a snort. "You can say that again. Italy's the champion of surrender, particularly in the White Flag Waving form," he told the Ouan hosts.

A look of hurt flashed across the brown-haired country's face before it was quickly replaced by embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm hopeless," he laughed a bit too forcefully, and ducked his head for a moment only to raise it up again sharply. "But maybe you can help me."

"What?" Both Germany and Honey said in near unison.

"You could teach me to fight," the Italian said, excitement and eagerness clear in his voice. "Well, if you want that is," he blushed, genuinely embarrassed for volunteering the other male's time, but wanting the blond to agree as well.

The Ouran's Boy Lolita looked away from the large imploring eyes that was almost as effective as his own and over at his cousin who gave him a look that clearly said to go for it. After giving an internal sigh, the short blond smiled at his country counterpart.

"Sure, I'd love to!"

"Magnifico!" Italy exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air. "Thank you! Can we start now?"

Honey blinked a few times. "Now?"

"Yes, now." Italy jumped up and grabbed the other's hand. "Time is short. We must start now!"

And with that, the happy-go-lucky nation dragged his partner off and away to start training, unknowingly bringing the attention of many females towards them as they ran past hand-in-hand. Back at the sofa, Mori and Germany watched them go with fond eyes. There was a comfortable silence once more between them, and though the blue-eyed country was loathed to break it, he wanted to address something that weighed on his mind.

"Why are you the only one who calls him Mitsukini, and he's the only one to call you Takashi." Never let anyone say that Germany didn't pay attention. "Is it a personal preference thing or...?" He trailed off, letting the other fill in the blank.

"It's more like a respect thing," the dark-haired teen finally spoke after a few moments of consideration. Truly, he never really thought about why he chose to call Honey by his given name instead of his family name. After being together for so long it just felt right. Natural.

"I see," Germany hummed, glancing sideways at the other. "You love him."

Mori sent the other barely-there smirk. "He grows on you."

*References to Hetalia ep 2, Ouran HSHC ep 18 and a Todd Haberkorn blurb at a panel

Before you guys get angry, Germany's not purposefully being a mean dummkopf, that issue will be addressed later on in the story.

Coming Up: 3's a Crowd, but 4's a Party