At last, I got around to the last chapter of this story. FYI There has not been another earthquake recently in the Alpago Valley nor has there been any land contamination to my knowledge. That's just in this story!

Enjoy!

I don't own Hetalia!

See the light

The Alpago Valley, Italy …...

At eight seventeen in the morning, the Italian countryside shook with the tremors that rumbled through the ground, waking those Italians not already awake and filling those awake with apprehension in the nearby City of Belluno. Fortunately, other than shaking a few slates loose that did not even fall off the roofs, there was very little damage and no injuries. Out in the country, under the ground, a fissure collapsed in on itself, sealing off a stream of contamination that had slowly been seeping into the ground since the earthquake in 1873. When the fissure was sealed, the ground began to be washed by the sweet Italian rain, cleaning the earth of the contaminant.

Italy, of course, slept through the tremors.

Two months later …...

Italy had crawled into his bed again. It always amazed Germany how Italy could do that without waking him although he was not surprised Italy could find the bed despite his blindness. Italy knew Germany's house just as well as his own. As he looked down at Italy's face, it creased up into a smile and Germany idly wondered if Italy could see in his dreams because, if he could, he was obviously seeing something nice.

Germany pulled the duvet off himself and put his feet on the floor, stood up and went to the window. He threw back the curtains and morning sunlight steamed through, falling on Italy's face. As Germany stared out of his window at the view, he did not see Italy's eyelids screw up against the light.

A month later …..

Italy had been feeling odd for the past four weeks. He was imaging that he could see something but he was sure it was all in his head. Sometimes the black in his vision was not …. as black. Like there was light shining on his eyelids from a distance but he convinced himself that it was wishful thinking.

Germany was getting better at letting Italy do things for himself although, every now and then, his urge to help Italy with things came through but Italy was patient with Germany, knowing that Germany was fighting his nature to take charge when he saw a problem but he was getting better.

The World Meeting was being held in Italy and Germany and Italy began to make their way to the conference building, making their way through the streets.

"Vee~," Italy said, detecting the wall beside him and following it. Germany had long since stopped being irritated by the sound, knowing that it was echolocation and essential for Italy's day to day life.

With the exception of Romano, Spain and Prussia, no one else knew about Italy's impediment and that was the way Italy wanted it. The other nations would either try to guide around every little thing or ….. see him as a target!

The meeting was as chaotic as ever. Part of France invaded part of Britain's territory (France's hand on Britain's butt) and he was hit by another piece of British territory (Britain's fist) and they disappeared in a blur of flying punches. America stood beside a mountain of hamburgers, talking about genetically engineered superheroes saving the world from global warming and getting moaned at by all the other countries except Japan who read the mood and refrained from speaking. Switzerland looked ready to shoot everyone while China tried to defuse the fight between France and Britain with snacks but there were no takers. Russia sat on Canada again and Romano was cursing out Spain whose hands were getting too close to his curl.

Italy idly ran his pen round the paper he had felt under his fingers before scribbling on it as he practically felt Germany's stress levels rise in relation to the chaos and braced himself for the explosion as Germany reached breaking point.

"SHUT UP!" he bellowed and took a few deep breaths to calm down. "Just for once, can we behave in a mature manner and actually achieve something for a change." Britain and France stopped in mid-punch, glared at each other and sat back down. Spain stopped trying to play with Romano's curl and Romano sat in a grumpy silence and glared at the Potato Bastard.

Outside, the sun came from behind the clouds and shone through the window, its light falling on Italy's face and he turned toward it. As Germany began to discussing economics, Italy stood up and moved toward the window.

"Italy?" Germany said, questioningly. Italy just kept moved toward the window, saying Vee~ to guide him there. When he reached the window, he stood there for a while, feeling the warmth of the sun coming through the window, unaware that the whole room was looking at him. Then he slowly opened his eyes.

The no-so-black became a grey that darkened when a cloud passed over the sun and then lightened again when it re-emerged. Italy's heartbeat sped up as he realised he was not imagining it this time. He could see something, slight it was true but it was something!

Germany left his place and joined Italy at the window, staring at the silent Italian as he realised that Italy's eyes were open and he was looking out of the window. He looked transfixed!

"Italy?" he said, quietly.

"Germany," Italy whispered. "I can see light!"

Germany was stunned. Italy was seeing something! After more than a century, could it really be?

"Meeting adjured!" he called out without taking his eyes off Italy. "We'll start again tomorrow!" Everyone stared at Germany like he had two heads. He had never cut a meeting short before! Was something wrong with Italy?

"Is something amiss, Germany?" Britain asked. "Is Italy all right? Can I help?"

"Nein," Germany replied. "Everything's fine, Britain. There's just something we need to sort out but thank you for offering."

"Well," France said. "If you're sure, mon ami!" Everyone began to drifted out but not without a concerned look in Italy's direction who resolutely stared out of the window, seeking the sunlight. Soon, the only people left in the room were Italy, Germany, Spain, Romano, Prussia. And Japan!

Japan was concerned about Italy because he knew something had to be wrong for Germany to stop the meeting and he would not be so impolite as to abandon his friends in their time of need. But he was so quiet, they did not realise he had remained behind.

"Italy!" Germany ordered. "Look toward me!" Italy turned his head toward Germany's voice and Germany stared at Italy's eyes with Romano, Spain and Prussia crowding in.

"Italy," Germany whispered in awe. "Your cataracts are gone!" The cloudy whites in the centre of Italy's eyes had given way to clear, pure black in the middle of Italy's beautiful amber orbs. Romano looked ready to cry and Spain hugged him with joy.

"This is awesome!" Prussia exclaimed. Tears came to Italy's eyes as he began to cry with joy.

"And I can see light now!" he smiled through his tears. "Could I be getting my sight back?"

"Italy is blind!" Japan was suddenly shocked into speaking at the revelation. Everyone turned to look at the Asian nation who looked the same as he did when Italy gave him a ride in his self-driving car. "But you gave me a ride home in your car! How did you do that without seeing the road?" Japan was as white as a sheet as he realised he had been in a car driven by a blind man. Italy turned toward Japan's voice.

"I was testing a self-driving car," he told Japan. "I wanted a passenger's opinion!"

"It needs reprogramming!" Japan said without hesitation and Italy gave a little laugh as he remembered Japan's reaction to the car journey. "Why did you and Germany not tell me, Italy? I thought I was your ally?" Italy looked ashamed.

"Germany only found out recently," Italy replied, not wanting any hard feelings between his two friends. "And I didn't want to be a burden to anyone!" Japan walked over to his Italian friend.

"Ah Italy!" he sighed. "What are we going to do with you?"

"I'm making a doctor's appointment for you, idiota," Romano said. "We need to find out what's happening with your eyes."

"Ja, I agree!" Germany replied. "But this is encouraging!" Romano was already on his phone, making an appointment with a doctor who was aware of their Nation status.

"Esto es un milagro! (This is a miracle!)" Spain exclaimed. Romano ended his call.

"Tomorrow at one o'clock!" he announced. "The doctor can't wait to see you, fratello! He can't wait to see someone who might be getting their sight back after more than a century of blindness." Romano was feeling guarded but optimistic. For over a hundred years, there had not been so much as a glimmer of hope and now ….

"I'm praying for you, fratello!" he whispered.

Germany postponed the meeting for the following day, making everybody wonder what was wrong. It had to be something to do with Italy! Was the Italian nation ill? Germany would not delay a World Meeting for no reason. Spain, Romano, Prussia and Japan seemed to be the only ones not speculating, three of them reassuring everyone that Italy was 'just fine' with Romano saying," Mind your own business, bastards!"

Germany wanted to be there with Italy when he saw the doctor, even if it meant putting up with Italy's bad-tempered brother who had Spain trailing along with him. The doctor examined Italy's eyes and arranged immediate testing at the hospital. The hospital optometrist took pictures of the back of Italy's eyes and tested their sensitivity to light and to see if Italy could detect movement. A number of medical test were done and after a few hours ( because things are speeded up for nations), his doctor had the results.

"Have you ever seen another doctor about your condition, Mr Vargas?" he asked, perusing the medical papers in front of him.

"No," Italy replied. "My bosses never knew so I couldn't go to the approved doctor and I was afraid that if anyone knew about my problem, I would be vulnerable. You don't have to tell anyone, do you?" The doctor smiled.

"Don't be alarmed, Mr Vargas," he replied. "Patient confidentiality expressly prohibits me from discussing any of my cases without the patient's express permission so your secret's safe unless you choose to reveal it. So you never had any professional help, learning to live with your loss of sight?" Italy shook his head.

"Fratello helped me to get around and met with our bosses in my place when it first happened," he said. "A few years later he helped me to learn Braille which had just become wide spread and bought me the books so I could read again. I met a man who studied bats and he taught me echolocation so I could move around and not hit anything. Everything stays in the same place in my home so I know where to go."

"When did you first go blind?"

"1873," Italy replied. "It was just after the Alpago Earthquake of that year." The doctor made a note in Italy's medical file.

"And have you ever had a guide dog?" the doctor asked.

"I like cats better," Italy admitted. "My friend Ger …. Ludwig likes dogs though." The doctor made notes in Italy's medical files. So he never had a guide dog and never been professionally trained to cope with his blindness and yet he did. The doctor had to admit that he was impressed with the young man in front of him although it was a little odd, calling a man who was about 1000 years old, young.

"Without medical records to compare with," the doctor said. "I can't tell whether or not your eyesight has made some recovery but I'm hopeful that is the case. You were worried that you were imaging it?" Italy nodded.

"Well, I can tell you that the optometrist believes that's not the case," the doctor replied. "You remember when he told you that he was shining a light in your eyes and you said you couldn't see it?"

"Si!" Italy replied.

"He wasn't shining it in your eyes," the doctor admitted. "Had you said you could see it, you would have been imagining it. That indicates that you're certainly seeing something." Italy beamed a hopeful smile.

"Nations are affected by conditions and events in their countries, are they not?" the doctor asked. "Do you think the earthquake was the reason for your blindness?"

"I think so," Italy replied. "But I'm not sure!"

"When did you begin to notice a difference in your eyesight?"

"About a month ago," Italy said. "But I thought it was wishful thinking! I had cataracts so I didn't open my eyes until yesterday and I could see the difference better. Is that important?"

"Well," the doctor examined the medical results. "According to the result, there's no evidence of actual damage to the eyes but I read about a tremor that hit the Alpago region of the country about three months ago. Could be the first earthquake unleashed some kind of contaminant and the tremors stopped it! Two months for the land to recover enough for you to notice the difference? I recommend that the government do tests on the land. In the meantime, I'll monitor your eyesight and any recover you make. So I'll see you a month and we can see if there's any improvement."

"Grazie! Arrivederci, doctor!" Italy said and used his Vee~ echo to leave the doctor's office.

Germany, Spain and Romano were sat in the waiting room and looked up when Italy came out. Romano stood up and went immediately to his brother, followed by Germany and Spain.

"What did the medical bastard say?" he asked.

"He thinks our boss should do tests on the Alpago region," Italy replied. "He thinks my blindness could have been caused by some contamination, released by the earthquake in 1873. There was another one, three months ago and he thinks it might have blocked the contaminant and the land's been cleansing itself which is why I can see light. He wants me to came back in a month to see if there's any improvement." Italy reached out and managed to wrapped his arms around all three of them and cried.

"I might see again," he wept for joy.

In asking their boss to do land tests on the Alpago region, Italy and Romano had to reveal Italy's condition. He was not pleased.

"You've been blind for over a hundred and forty years!" he fumed. "You should have told me this when I came to office. How have I never noticed?" Italy wrung his hands.

"None of our bosses ever knew," he replied, apologetically. "And I was afraid if some of the other countries found out, they might try their luck. I didn't want our people at risk." Italy's boss sighed.

"And the doctor thinks it's something to do with the Alpago region?" he asked.

"That's was the medical bastard said," Romano replied. The boss winced, still not used Romano's mouth. "If my fratello's blindness is caused by contamination of the land, we can speed up the recovery. That'll help my fratello and the land. And the people." Italy's boss nodded.

"Very well!" he agreed. "I'll have the tests performed. Any more secrets I should know?"

"Well, fratello sometimes likes to ….." Romano clapped his hand over Italy's mouth.

"He doesn't mean about that, idiota!" he snapped and turned to their boss. "No! No more secrets, Boss Bastard."

"Very well," the boss replied. "I'll make the arrangements!"

The World Meeting finally went ahead but many countries were pondering the turn of events. France, America, Canada and England were staring at Italy and Germany as they sat together, not an unusual event but Germany and Italy's recent behaviour was attracting attention. One of the most recent behavioural differences was that Italy now opened his eyes.

Having regained the ability to see light and, to a limited extent, movement, Italy wanted to see as much of it as he could and so now everyone could see his eyes. England wondered why he had kept those beautiful amber eyes of his closed but they looked a little strange. Like they were looking right through you and if someone spoke to him, his head turned toward them but his eyes did not flicker left or right. Italy reminded England of the Home Secretary of a former boss but he had been …... England's eyes widened in shock. It was not possible!

Was it?

For once, England did not rise to France's baiting and ignored America's most annoying moments as he was too busy observing Italy. Sometimes he seemed perfectly normal, if a bit giddy but then other times ….

He had to sure!

Germany called a break after France went into a mournful lament about Angleterre ignoring him while America ducked out to the nearest McDonalds as Russia got out of his chair and subsequently off Canada.

England had to wait until Italy was on his own but Germany was always hovering around and then help came in the unexpected form of Prussia who, after annoying Hungary, was being chased around the conference room with a frying pan. Germany thought his older brother probably deserved what Hungary wanted to do to him but that he better sort it out. As he went to pull Prussia's chestnuts out of the fire (or frying pan), England approached Italy as he stood by the window again.

Italy knew England was close to him by the smell of tea and burnt scones and tried to control his trembling at being alone with the British nation. He had to remind himself that they had not been at war for decades but Italy still remembered the terror of not being able to see his enemy and it left a residual fear.

"Italy!" Despite knowing he was there, Italy still jumped at the sound of the Brit's voice.

"ARRAGH!" he shrieked then calmed down a little. "Oh, Mr England! What can I do for you?" England sighed. He knew he had scared Italy during WWII but he wished the Italian nation did not fear him now but if what he suspected was true, he knew where that fear stemmed from.

"We have a new, up and coming artist in Britain," England replied, holding up a piece of paper. "Being the birthplace of Renaissance, I wanted your opinion! This is a picture of his latest work." Italy tried not to panic and decided to try and bluff his way out of it. He held out his hand, England placed the paper in it and Italy brought it up to his face and pretended to study what was on it.

"Interesting perception and use of colour," Italy commented. "But I would have to see the real painting before I could give you a proper opinion." England's face became one of shock.

So he was right!

"Italy," he said. "That's my economy report!" Italy looked trapped.

"How long have you been blind, Italy?" England asked, gently. Italy looked ready to cry!

"How did you know?" he whispered.

"I had a boss who had a blind Home Secretary," England replied. "You have the same look in your eyes. I merely suspected. That test proved it." Italy closed his eyes and squeezed them shut and England realised he was trying to hide his blindness again.

"Don't, Italy," he ordered, softly. "Were you blind during the war?" Italy opened his eyes and nodded. England put his hand over his mouth, part in mortification that he treated a blind man the way he had and part in astonishment at how Italy had managed to function so well while hiding his infirmity. How had anyone thought that this man was useless?

"Italy!" Germany came up to them after calming down Hungary and giving Prussia a lecture. He saw England stood talking to Italy intently and Italy looked upset so he went to help his friend. "Are you all right?"

"Mr England knows!" Italy replied. Germany's eyes flickered to England and then back to Italy.

"Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere private," he suggested. "There's an office nearby." England went to take Italy's arm to guide him but he was stopped by Germany who shook his head. Was Germany that mad at him?

"Vee~," Italy said and began to walk toward the door. England watched, amazed, as Italy walked around the room without collided with anything or anyone and realised that Germany had not stopped him helping Italy because he was angry with him. He had stopped him because Italy did not need any help.

Italy had studied the conference room buildings over the years with the help of his fratello so he knew them as well as his own home and knew where to go. The three of them went into the office and shut the door.

"England," Germany began. "Only Romano, Spain, Prussia, Japan and I know about Italy and we would rather this not become common knowledge."

"Why?" England asked. "I can understand wanting to keep this a secret during the war but the war's been over for seventy years. Italy doesn't have an enemy in the world and everyone would want to help him with this!"

"Please, Mr England!" Italy begged. "Everyone will think I'm helpless and need someone with me all the time. Besides, it might not be necessary much longer!" England was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Italy seems to have recovered some of his vision," Germany revealed. "We think Italy's loss of vision is related to an earthquake in Alpago in 1873. There was another tremor three months ago and Italy can see light, darkness and some movement. His boss is going to do tests on the land to see if there's a connection."

"1873!" the revelation hit England like a ton of bricks. "He's been blind for a hundred and forty-two years! That's astonishing! I never realised for an instant!"

"How did you realise now?"

"The look in Italy's eyes," England replied. "I've been around blind people before and when Italy started keeping his eyes open, he reminded me of them so I tested him. I was shocked when he couldn't see what was on the paper!"

"Please, Mr England!" Italy begged again. "Please don't tell anyone!" England could not resist the pleading tone in Italy's voice. He sighed and nodded before realising that Italy could not see that head motion.

"Of course, I won't," he promised. Italy relaxed at England's words and realised that he had never really got to know England since the war. Enemy England was scary but Friendly England seemed really nice. Maybe he should hang out with England more often.

"Please, keep me inform of any developments," England said. "I want to help in any way I can. Right now, I think we better get back to the meeting before they come looking for us!" Germany nodded.

"That would be a good idea!"

The geological tests came in and there was signs of contamination in the ground and the scientists discovered a fissure full of the contaminant that had collapsed in on itself, probably during the last tremor. This contaminant, if it got into human eyes, could cause blindness so it became obvious why Italy had gone blind when this stuff had seeped into the ground but now the fissure was sealed, the contaminant was slowly leaving the ground which explained why Italy was slowly regaining his sight.

The first thing Italy's boss ordered was the fissure to be permanently sealed and then for the land to be treated to help its recovery. Italy's boss was just surprised that none of the ordinary humans living in the infected area were suffering adverse effects but he also ordered medical screening, just in case.

Italy and Romano were ecstatic when they got the results of the tests and Italy's doctor agreed that it seemed likely that the more contamination was removed, the more Italy's sight should recover.

"If I'm right about the connection between you and your land," the doctor said. "If I treat your eyes, it should help your land recover while its being treated which, in turn, will help your eyes recover faster. It's not a guarantee, you understand, but it might be worth trying." Italy face lit up.

"One thing though," the doctor added. "Once the treatment's applied, your eyes will have to be covered for about a month. Your eyes will be extremely photo-sensitive so seeing any light could undo what's already healed." Italy's mood dropped and the doctor knew what was going through Italy's mind. Having recovered even a little sight after so much blindness, Italy would be reluctant to let it go, even for a little while!

"Can I think about it, doctor?" Italy asked. The doctor smiled.

"Of course," he replied. "Take a few days to decide." Italy thanked him and left the doctor's office. Romano, Spain and Germany were waiting outside when Italy came out.

"What did the doctor say, Italy?" Germany asked, noting Italy's apprehensive face and thought there had been bad news.

"He thinks the ground decontamination will help my sight recover," Italy replied. "And he wants me to have treatment to help them recover faster." Romano did not know why his fratello looked a little down.

"Then why do you look so unhappy, idiota?" he asked. "This is great news! You should be all giddy and excited!" Italy wrung his hands.

"He said if I have the treatment, my eyes were have to be covered over for a month," Italy replied. "I'll have to go back into darkness again!" Spain gave Italy a hug.

"Ah, mi pequeño amigo! (my little friend!)," Spain said. "I understand! You don't want to give up the sight you already have." Germany put his hand on Italy's shoulder.

"But Italy!" he told his friend. "It will be worth that month if, at the end of it, your vision is restored. You've managed without your sight for a hundred and forty years! What's another month if it means you'll leave the blindness behind at the end of it!"

"For once, I agree with the Potato Bastard," Romano replied. "You have to do this, fratello! Soil decontamination could take a long time. Anything that speeds things up, you got to try unless you're an idiota!"

"The doctor's letting me think about it for a few days," Italy said. Romano threw his hands in the air.

"What's to think about!" he exclaimed. "You should jus..."

"They're his eyes!" Germany interrupted. "Italy must make the decision in his own time. I'm sure he'll make the right one." Romano look like he was going to argue with the Potato Bastard but was dragged away by Spain before he could start ranting. Germany put his other hand on Italy's other shoulder and pulled him round so he was facing Germany.

"Whatever you decide," Germany promised. "We'll be right there for you!"

Italy hugged Germany.

Italy decided to get the treatment and Germany told the good news to England who had another way to help but he needed permission from Italy to tell Norway and Romania about his infirmity.

"The three of us can use magic to help purify the land," England said. "The land could be cleansed more quickly and Italy's sight restored sooner." Germany was not sure. England's magic was ropey at best but it worked better when working with Norway and Romania.

"Will they help?" Germany asked.

"I think Norway will and I see no reason why Romania wouldn't," England replied. "Neither of them have any issues with Italy and it's a real reason, not the usual idiocy. Yes, I think they'll help!"

Germany talked to Italy and, after some deliberation, Italy said Si!

Norway and Romania felt a new level of respect for Italy when England explained the situation he was in and had been for nearly one and a half centuries. They agreed to help and were sworn to secrecy about Italy's blindness. Besides, if this went well, soon it would not be an issue.

England, Norway and Romania departed for the Alpago Valley to begin their magical treatment of the land with the permission of Italy's boss after Italy spoke to him. Italy's boss did not really believe in magic but if personifications existed, what did he know?

Italy stayed out of sight of the other nations, other than Romano, Spain, Germany, Prussia and Japan who visited often. After all, he did not want to explain why his eyes were bandaged. He had spent the last two weeks in absolute darkness and, although he was used to getting around without seeing, he missed the light and limited movement he had been able to see and, recently, he had been constantly seized by a terrifying fear.

Germany came home after shopping for bratwurst for himself and Prussia and pasta for Italy to find said nation curled up on his sofa with wet patches on his bandages where his tears soaked in. Germany quickly put his groceries down and went to Italy's side.

"What's wrong, Italy?" Italy gave a little sob.

"I'm scared, Germany!" he admitted and put his head against Germany's chest. Germany awkwardly put his arm around the distraught nation's shoulders.

"Why?" he asked.

"I'm scared that when the doctor takes the bandages off," Italy wailed. "I won't be able to see, not even light!" Germany began to realise just what a leap of faith Italy had taken, agreeing to this. It was not an irrational fear, either. Despite Germany's belief that this would be successful, nothing was ever certain and it was Italy who had to live with the possibility so Germany could not reprimand Italy for such a reasonable fear.

He wrapped his other arm around the weeping country and held Italy tight as Italy burrowed into his chest.

"You have to have hope, Italy," he said, gently. "Your boss has been sending updates and the contamination levels are dropping quickly with the treatment and the Magic Trio's spells. Stay strong and think positive! You're good at positive!" Italy gave a watery chuckle.

"Just another two weeks, Italy," Germany encouraged. "And every nation who knows will be there when the bandages are removed. You're not alone, Italy!"

"Stay strong!"

Two weeks later …..

The doctor had come to Italy's house to remove the bandages from Italy's eyes, not seeing any reason to do this in a hospital. It would either work or it would not.

This was it!

Italy sat in the centre of the room which was in subdued light while England, Norway and Romania sat in one corner. Spain, Prussia and Japan sat in another while Germany and Romano stood nearby as the doctor carefully unwound the bandage from around Italy's head. The anticipation and apprehension was thick in the air as everyone was waiting for the bandages to come off, Norway was not showing it in his face but he was holding his body stiff, a clear indication that he was emotionally invested.

The last of the bandage fell away, leaving two cotton pads covering Italy's eyes. The doctor slowly peeled them away, leaving Italy's eyes completely uncovered. His eyes slowly opened and seemed unfocused and Italy blinked a couple of times while everybody waited for him to say something. He moved his head around the room as if trying to take in everything but he stopped back in the centre with Germany in front of him.

Tears sprang into his eyes and everyone sighed, sadly.

It had not worked!

When the bandages fell away and the doctor removed the pads, the darkness did not seem to lighten up and Italy was almost despondent at the thought that it had not worked. Then he opened his eyes. There was light but it was dim and there was something in front of him that was moving. He could see colour but everything was out of focus. He blinked and everything slowly came into focus as he looked around.

His eyesight was not completely 20/20 but he could see enough to recognise the dark haired man in the corner with the green eyes beside the white-haired man with red eyes. Spain and Prussia were stood beside a black-haired man with brown eyes that he had never seen before his loss of vision but, going by Romano's description, had to be Japan. He also recognised England, Norway and Romania either from before his blindness or from description but they all had expectant looks on their faces. Well, everybody except Norway!

His gaze fell on Romano who was waiting as expectantly as the others and then his eyes flickered to Germany as he saw him for the first time.

His breath caught in his throat as he took in the blonde hair and blue eyes. He was grown and muscular but Italy's eyes filled with tears at how much Germany looked like him! Everyone sighed as if something sad had happened.

"You look like Holy Rome!" Italy gasped.

Everyone's heads came up at Italy's exclamation as he continued to stare at Germany's face. Romano turned his brother to make him look at him.

"Fratello?" he said, tentatively. With tears steamed down his face, Italy got out of his chair and hugged Romano.

"I can see again, Romano!" he cried with happiness. "I can really see again!" Romano not only let Italy hug him, he returned it and all the other countries gathered around them to give their best wishes to Italy who, after leaving Romano's hug, turned and hugged Germany.

"This is awesome!" Prussia exclaimed. "This calls for awesome beer!" And he disappeared into the kitchen to get the beer from the fridge.

"Yokatta ne, Italy! (I am happy for you, Italy!)" Japan said with a smile which became somewhat strained when Italy broke loose from Germany and impulsively hugged Japan but, under the circumstances, Japan allowed it.

"Congratulations, Italy," England smiled at the ecstatic nation and found himself being hugged by the nation that had once been afraid of him. He hugged Italy back with a happy grin that Italy no longer seemed to fear him.

"Thank you!" Italy replied and looked at Norway and Romania. "Thank you all. For all your help in getting my sight back." Was that a smile from Norway? Must have imagined it!

"Makes a change from dealing with Denmark and Sweden when they're squabbling," Norway replied.

"It's was nice to do something really worthwhile," Romania agreed.

"This has made my little tomate very happy," Spain said, watching Romano's grin, which promptly vanished at Spain's words. "And it's all wonderful for Italy. I've just witnessed a miracle."

The doctor had stood back with smile as everybody milled about, congratulating Italy on his restored sight but now he had to finish his job by assessing the extent of Italy's vision and managed to extract the Italian nation longer enough to do his tests.

Germany stayed by his side the whole time.

Italy still needed glasses and the doctor did not recommend contact lenses as he wanted Italy to apply eye drops to help the treatment but, as the land recovered, the need for glasses would eventually fall away and Italy would regain full vision.

Italy finally revealed his secret to the other nations who were stunned that they had never worked it out and how Italy had managed without his vision for so long. America actually made a good suggestion that Italy should teach his Vee~ echo to other visual-impaired people and Italy took the suggestion to heart. Soon, there were people everywhere saying Vee~ and soon Italy's artwork began gracing the walls of the Italian museums once again.

Italy spent more time with Germany, marvelling at the resemblance to Holy Roman Empire. The eyes, the hair, sometimes there was even a look that was so Holy Rome that Italy began thinking the impossible. It could not be.

Could it?

"Germany!" Germany turned to Italy as they stood in the training yard.

"Ja, Italy," Germany replied. Italy could not believe he was going to ask this.

"Are you Holy Rome?"

And Germany smiled.

Yay! Italy can see! I didn't have the heart to leave Italy blind so I wanted to give him his sight back and, as Italy didn't meet Germany until after he went blind, he wouldn't know Germany resembled Holy Rome so the question is ….. is he? XP

Hasta la Pasta!

BTW The Home Secretary England was thinking about is David Blunkett who has been blind from birth so England would be familiar with the visual-impaired. And I had him help Italy so Italy would get over his fear of England.