GerIta—"What I Like Best. . .(About You)" 1

Feliciano hummed absent-mindedly to himself as he waited patiently for Kiku and his boyfriend to reappear. After all, that's what they are, even if hardly anyone knows about it. He stifled a yawn. Although I suspect France-oniichan might have a sneaking suspicion about them. . .but that's to be expected, isn't it? Was it really that time of day already? Well, I did go to bed late last night. . . Before he knew it, he spiraled slowly down into a comfortable siesta.

Next thing he knew, Italy was lured to consciousness by the mouth-watering, unmistakable aroma of. . .pasta? He leisurely cracked open one eye, and was greeted by the sight of an apron-clad Kiku tending something in the kitchen. Ve~ It must be the pasta I brought over. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, Kiku was setting out plates for four, assisted by Greece. Four? Confused, the Italian man tilted his head to the left, wondering, "who's the fourth pers —"

— when he was unexpectedly cuffed lightly on the head. "I see you're finally awake, then," observed an unmistakably deep voice from above, slight amusement flavoring his comment. "How was your siesta?"

Feliciano immediately brightened, and turned to give the German an enthusiastic hug. "Hi, Ludi!" Italy beamed. "When did you get here? Was I really sleeping that long? I thought you went out to hang with Gil-niichan for a while~!"

Ludwig held up his hands, flustered at the sudden rush of questions. "Slow down a little, Feli, OK?" his voice said, but his eyes said, "I'm happy to see you too." A smile tugged at the corners of Germany's normally stoic mouth as he thought, He's cute right after he wakes up, isn't he? I can't grin like an idiot like I want to, though; he'd ask me why if I did. "I haven't been here that long, actually," he explained as the four settled down to eat. "I got here a little while ago."

"I called Ludwig-san to tell him that you fell asleep over here." Japan added as Ludwig started to eat his pasta. "I wasn't sure how long you'd be asleep this time. . .ah, thank you, Heracles-san." (This last bit was directed toward the Greek, who'd passed Kiku another serving of pasta.) Kiku resumed his explanation: "Fortunately, you woke up just in time for lunch."

"You've only been napping for about an hour, maybe less. We didn't want to disturb you." Heracles spoke up. "In my opinion, one can never have too many naps," he drawled, one hand stroking one of the omnipresent cats that seemed to follow him everywhere.

"Heracles-san, if you slept all the time, you'd never get anything done." Kiku scolded, although both Germany and Italy noticed that the comment lacked bite.

"True," the Grecian smiled. "If I slept all the time, then I couldn't eat pasta with you, could I?" Kiku blushed lightly, and shook his head slightly. Their gentle bickering faded into background noise as Ludwig turned towards Feliciano, both their servings of pasta long gone.

Feli slipped an arm around Ludwig's, face turned upwards to softly remark, "They're cute together, aren't they?"

Germany nodded, and said softly, "Yeah. I guess you were right." I wonder how long they've been a couple?

Italy smiled, satisfied that his Ludi was in agreement and that he'd remembered their conversation. It shouldn't surprise me anymore. Ludi always remembers what I say. . .oh! That reminds me. "Ve~ Ludi, was it OK for you to come back early? You don't get as many chances to see Gil-niichan as you used to, right?"

Italy had an interesting habit of bouncing ever so slightly when he was eager to hear someone's answer, causing his errant curl to bob. Hmm. Ludwig shrugged, realizing that Italy was right in one aspect. "I guess I've just been wanting to spend more time with you." It was on the tip of Germany's tongue, but to actually say it was a different story. . . "It's OK— I think he was gonna have to ditch me anyway. I'm pretty sure Canada called him just as I was leaving, so they were probably gonna go out together." He shrugged, and blushed. "If he's gonna hang out with Matthew, then he shouldn't mind if I ditch him first and do the same with you, right?"

Feliciano smiled. He liked it when his Ludi had that expression on his face—it reminded him all over again that the blond was his and not someone else's. Ludi is mine, and he loves me. Quickly, before Germany could react, he quickly stretched upwards so he could peck the taller man on a flushed cheek. Too bad I'm not a little taller, though~. "Ve~ I dunno, when they started going out, I was afraid that it might not work, though~ But it seems to be going pretty well for him and Mattie, so that's good~!" Feli laughed at this admission.

On the other side of the table, Kiku let out a mental sigh. Heracles-san really is incorrigible. . .I can't believe he really said that in front of Feliciano-kun — well, never mind Feliciano-kun, not after what happened earlier this morning, but Ludwig-san? Slightly pink, Japan glanced over at the Greek, now sleeping softly with cats curled on his stomach and around his head.

Distracted, he hadn't really been listening to Germany and Italy's quiet conversation across the table; after all, it would have been rude to eavesdrop on what seemed to be a private conversation among lovers. Especially when said couple are both good friends of mine. Kiku noticed something: They're not talking quietly anymore. . .what did Feliciano-kun just say? Something about a "Mattie"? It perked his curiosity. "You wouldn't be speaking about Matthew-san, would you?"

"Yeah, we are!" Feli cheerfully said. "We were just talking about the fact that him and Gil-niichan are going out~ Ow!" Germany had cuffed him on the head again. Tilting his head upward to face the German, Feli whined, "Ludi~ what was that for?"

"Feli, you shouldn't talk about them behind their backs." Ludwig sighed. "It's like gossip, you know?"

"Oh. I'm sorry, Ludi~ ve~ you're not mad are you?" Feliciano impulsively hugged the other.

"So they finally became a couple, is that so?" Kiku cut in, and smiled. "I was beginning to think that they might never make it."

"Eh~? You knew about them already, Kiku?"

"No, I'm good friends with Matthew-san," Kiku explained. "I was aware that Matthew-san harbored feelings toward Gilbert-san, but not that Gilbert-san returned them as well."

"Oh, I didn't know you and Mattie were friends, too!" Feli frowned. "I could have enlisted you for the team!"

"Team? What team would you be referring to—" Japan was suddenly interrupted by a low grumbling.

"Feli, did you eat breakfast today?" That was Germany.

"Ve~ As a matter of fact, I didn't, come to think of it. I was really excited to come visit Kiku cause I haven't in a while and —"

"All right, all right." Ludwig sighed. "I get it." You should take better care of yourself, Feliciano. He nodded at Japan. "If it's all right with you, I'll head out and go pick up some more food."

"I'll come with you." Nobody had noticed Heracles waking up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "There's some stuff I'd like to get too."

"OK! I can explain to Kiku while you guys are shopping~" Italy cheerfully said, tugging on Japan's arm. Kiku merely nodded as the two taller nations left, and thought, I must remember to go grocery shopping later. . .

"Anyway, like I was saying, I should've recruited you for the team!" Feliciano laughed, and tugged on Kiku's sleeve to sit closer.

Nonplussed, Kiku frowned. "Feliciano-kun, I still don't understand. What team?"

"The 'Let's Get Gil-niichan and Mattie Together!' team, of course!" Italy declared proudly. "Al and I came up with the name, but Arthur said it sounded overly something. I don't remember what he called it though. It might've been 'hopeful'. . ."

"Was it only the three of you?"

"No." Feli pondered the question, counting people off on his fingers. "There was me, Al, Arthur, Fran-niichan, Tonio-niichan, and Elisaveta."

"Elisaveta-san? Really. . ." Japan raised an eyebrow. Well, if she pairs Gilbert-san off with someone else, maybe he might not have time to bother her and Roderich-san. And maybe then. . . "Well. Perhaps she won't have to throw a frying pan at Gilbert-san at world meetings anymore."

"Ve~ I think she said something like that. . .but she still might do it anyway." Feliciano shrugged.

"So. . .how'd you get them together?" Kiku leaned in, a mischievous smile lurking at the corners of his mouth. "Set them up on a blind date?"

"Something like that. . ." Feli laughed, and leaned in closer as well.

Meanwhile, the other nations were making their way to the supermarket, each occupied with their own thoughts:

Germany thought, I can't believe that Feli's still hungry even after eating all of that pasta. He, as well as the other two, had watched Feliciano devour most of the pasta he'd brought over. He sighed, and was hit by the urge to plant palm to face. Even after all this time, he still manages to surprise me. Ah well. He could muse about the Italian later; right now, he had to get food.

Greece thought, I wonder what I should get? Last time I tried the strawberry Pocky, I got distracted and then the cats got it. Hmm. . .but the original's pretty good too. I'll just get both, he concluded, with some extra for everyone else. He took a look at Ludwig. — I wonder if he's tried it yet? — but was distracted by a sudden sigh from the blond.

"Something wrong?" Ludwig wasn't expecting Heracles to say anything. We haven't really spoken much. After all, at the annual world meetings, the nation could most often be found sitting next to Spain with a cat or two, or sleeping. Maybe that's just a cover for something else, though. . .

Ludwig shook his head. The last World War was over a long time ago. He seems OK. Besides, Japan's no fool. "No matter what Feli eats or how much he eats of it, I've never been able to figure out where it all goes. Plus, I can't believe that he skipped breakfast."

Heracles laughed. "To his stomach, where else? It seems to me that he just has a good metabolism." I haven't really gotten the chance to speak to Germany face to face. Usually, I see Feliciano, not Germany. But I think it's nice that they've remained friends even after the war. He changed the subject to avoid any awkwardness. "That's easily remedied. Do you know what you're going to get at the market?"

Now that I think about it. . . The German shrugged, and admitted, "No, not really." He paused for a bit, and diplomatically asked, "Do you have any suggestions?"

". . .Yeah. Do you know what Pocky is?"

". . .Pocky?" That sounds familiar. . . "I've heard of it." I think I've seen Feli eating some with Japan a couple of times. They asked me if I wanted to try some, but. . . "I haven't tried it myself, though."

"I see." So he hasn't tried it, after all. Greece smiled slowly. "There's a first time for everything, I guess. Personally, I think it's pretty good. . . .and it looks like we're here." This last statement was accentuated with a tilt of the head.

They went inside, and for a couple of seconds stood awkwardly. Germany broke the silence first, and delicately said: "Meet back by the registers in, say, ten, fifteen minutes?"

Heracles nodded, and set off in search of Pocky — but not before grabbing a basket. As he was scanning the aisles to see where the Pocky was, he caught sight of a familiar glass bottle. He smiled, and grabbed several of them before meandering back to his Pocky quest.

Ludwig, on the other hand, was having some difficulty trying to decide what to get. I guess I'll just go up and down the aisles to see if there's anything interesting. He passed the produce section, the bakery section, and the meat section. Still nothing. Then came the frozen food section.

. . .And inspiration strikes! Germany really did face-palm this time. Of course — why didn't I come up with this before! The perfect thing for summer, is, of course. . . As he leaned over to choose one that Italy would like, a gentle smile was tugging at his mouth. . . .Actually, a variety might work better. Maybe Feli would like this one more. . .

A couple of minutes later, the blond hurried to pay for his purchases, a smile still gracing his face as he did so. Greece, who'd already paid for his food, was waiting near the front of the store. He observed the happy expression on Ludwig's face and wondered, Why does he look so happy? But, seeing that the German had paid for his food and was already heading out the door, he shrugged the question off and followed.

In his hurry to get back to Feliciano, Ludwig had almost forgotten about Greece. Glancing back, he noticed that the Greek was easily catching up in pace, so he didn't say anything.

". . .Get anything good?" Heracles asked as soon as he caught up. He sure is in a hurry, isn't he?

Still in a rush, Ludwig nodded, and said softly, ". . .Yeah. I think Feli will like it. . ."

Greece smiled. So that's why he was so happy earlier. He laughed quietly as he thought to himself, After all, what could be better than making the person you love smile?

TO BE CONTINUED! (Please bear with me, as my muse is a very spastic individual.)