Kiku coughed harshly. It was just one of those days: his cancer was acting up again. He silently cursed Alfred and his damned atomic bombs as he fidgeted under his comforter. He had been hit with radiation a few months before and it was difficult for him to see his people suffering just as much as he was.

"Kiku! Kiku!" A cheery voice called as his bedroom door slid open.

"Good morning, Feliciano-tan." Kiku rasped. He smiled gently as the Italian bounded inside. "And to you, Ludwig-san." The Asian nation pushed himself into a sitting position.

"You're doing alright today?" The blonde sat by his ally.

Kiku coughed again before answering. "No, actually. I'm having a rather awful day today… Huh?" This last because he was suddenly enveloped in Feliciano's warm arms.

"Don't worry, Kiku! We're here to take care of you!" The Italian giggled as he rubbed cheeks with the Asian nation.

"U-um, Feliciano-tan…!"

Ludwig sighed and shot a look at the Italian. "Only for a few days, though." He paused, eyes searching Kiku's face as Feliciano released him. "Alfred's going to be stopping by soon. I figured you might want a buffer."

Kiku frowned and bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you. That's greatly appreciated… Where did Feliciano-tan go…?"

"Look! I made you something to eat!" The Italian produced a heavenly-smelling plate of fettuccini alfredo.

"Ah, thank you, Feliciano-tan…" Kiku coughed again. "but I'm not very hungry. It was very nice of you to think of me, though."

"No, Kiku! You need to eat or you won't get better!" Feliciano pushed the plate closer. "Please?"

The Asian nation looked to the blonde for help, but Ludwig put his hands up in a sign that said he wasn't going to get involved in this. "V-Very well. Thank you, Feliciano-tan."

Kiku picked up the chopsticks, which he was surprised Feliciano had remembered to grab instead of the traditional fork, and slowly began to eat the pasta. After a few bites, he placed the chopsticks on the edge of the plate and pushed it back to the disheartened Italian.

"My apologies, Feliciano-tan. I'm just feeling very tired… If you don't mind…" Kiku lay back down, one arm resting on top of the blanket. "I think I'm just going to--"

"HEY! KIKU! YOU HOME!?" A voice rang, followed by quick, heavy footsteps. The steps grew louder with every footfall and once again, Kiku's door slid open with a bang. The Asian nation pushed himself up again.

"There you are, Kiku!" Alfred reached forward and ruffled Kiku's hair. "How're ya doing?" A goofy grin stretched across his face.

"I'm fine… thank you." Kiku smiled, anger in his eyes but not on his face.

"Look Kiku," Alfred began, sitting next to Ludwig with a nod to the other blonde. "I told them not to do it, but does my boss ever listen to me?" He gave the sickly nation a sad smile. "Some hero I am, huh?"

"I understand, Alfred-kun; your boss just wanted the second World War to be over." Kiku smiled understandingly. "My own boss and his military were just being stubborn."

Alfred laughed. "An unconditional surrender was asking a little much, wasn't it?" The American nation hopped to his feet. "Well, Kiku, if ya need anything, be sure to ask me. I'll try to give you some help…" He ruffled the Asian nation's hair again. "Feel better!"

He turned to Ludwig, extending a hand. "No hard feelings?" Ludwig huffed, but took the offered hand in a tense hand shake.

Alfred then ruffled Feliciano's hair. "I'll come by your house soon for some pasta, alright?"

Feliciano giggled. "Sì~!"

"Alright, I'm goin' over to Arthur's place if ya need anything!" Alfred slid the door open and stepped out.

"Ah, is he expecting you?" Feliciano titled his head to the side.

Alfred paused, looking back with a sly grin. "Nope! But he's not expecting Françis either!" The American nation winked and gave a heroic two-fingered salute before closing the door behind him.

"What do you think he's doing with Arthur and big brother Françis?" The Italian's look was comprised of pure innocence.

Kiku and Ludwig exchanged a glance.

"Who knows?" Ludwig grumbled. "Now go back to sleep, Kiku. We'll take care of things around here."

"You two really don't have to do this… We're no longer fighting in a war… You have no need to keep an eye on me." Kiku lay down once again, snuggling under his comforter.

"Don't be silly, Kiku!" Feliciano sang. "You're our friend! Of course we'll keep our eye on you! You'd do the same for us, right?" He kissed Kiku's forehead, earning a great blush. "When you wake up, we'll have more pasta!" He picked up the forgotten dish and skipped off to the kitchen.

Ludwig glanced around awkwardly, not actually very good with this sort of thing. "Um, well… G-Goodnight…" He adjusted Kiku's covers slightly before following Feliciano into the kitchen, leaving the mysterious nation behind to wonder when, exactly, Ludwig and Feliciano were finally going to come out as a couple as he fell asleep.