"Germany," began Italy as the taxi came to a halt. "We get out of the car now." The two unbuckled their seat belts and stepped out of the vehicle. Germany looked around while Italy paid the driver. "Grazzi! Ciao!" called Italy as the taxi drove away.

"This isn't where you live is it?" asked Germany. They were on the coast of Italy somewhere he assumed. "No, but we're getting close." Italy replied. Italy grabbed Germany's hand and walked forwards. Italy pulled Germany onto a dock and helped him into a boat. "Italy, where are we going?" asked Germany as Italy started the boats engine and untied the boat from the dock. As they pulled out Italy began to speak.

"Vee, do you remember what I said my Catholic name was?" Germany nodded, "Ja. It was Mark...right? What does that have to do with anything?" Italy laughed, "Who is the patron saint of what place?" Italy said, trying to get Germany to figure out their destination on his own. "Ummm..Italy, sorry. You know I'm not that religious, I don't know all those things." "Veee, Germany. I said it today though...didn't you pay attention?" said Italy, slightly depressed sounding. "Of course I paid attention! It was a lot to absorb so a few details slipped my mind I guess..." "It's alright Germany. He is the patron saint of Venice, Italy."

"So we're going to Venice?" asked Germany. "Veee, bingo Germany!" It was night time shortly after they began their boat ride. The stars were shining and reflecting off the water like a mirror. And the moon. The moon was beautiful. Soon, Italy began to do something that would stay in Germany's mind forever. Italy was singing. But this was different than how he always sang. Germany didn't know how to describe it...aside from breathtaking.

The sound of the water crashing around the boat. The hum of the engine. The rustling of the wind. These were all Italy's instruments in this song.

Sometimes the world is a valley of heartaches and tears
And in the hustle and bustle, no sunshine appears
But you and I have our love always there to remind us
There is a way we can leave all the shadows behind us
Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Let's fly way up to the clouds, away from the maddening crowds
We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind
Just like birds of a feather a rainbow together we'll find
Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
No wonder my happy heart sings
Your love has given me wings
Your love has given me wings

(Italy sang in Italian..for the sake of the readers though, I have the english Lyrics :)

"That was wonderful, Italy." said Germany. Unlike all the other times Italy sang, he sang tenor this time. A beautiful tenor. There was one problem; thought Germany. He didn't understand Italian.

"Ummm. Italy, what were you singing about?" Asked Germany shyly. "Vee. It's a song called Volare. It's about love, and how when it's a bad day, all you want to do is take the person you love and run away." he explained happily. "To me, Venice is where I go away to get away from everything."
"Then..why are you bringing me here?" Germany was confused, and Italy could tell. Still focusing on driving the boat, Italy explained. "This is my favorite place in the world Germany. And you are my closest, most dearest friend. I love you and Venice and I want to share her with you." Germany still didn't understand what Italy was talking about...but he didn't want to pester.

Finally, they docked in Venice. Italy turned off the engine, tied the boat up and helped Germany out of the boat.
"So this is where you live?" "Vee...not quite. I do live in Venice, but not this part. Now we take a gondola." Germany had never ridden in a gondola before, so he found this to be exciting, though he did his best not to show it.
"Really. Well then, lead the way, Italy." Italy reached into his boat and pulled out a lantern. Turning it on he led Germany to a row of Gondola's. They stopped in front of a gondola that had the name Bella Gioia II. Germany recognized the name, and knew it was Italy's boat. He had named it after his daughter. Italy stepped into the gondola first, then reached a hand out to help Germany in. Taking it, Germany got into the boat and sat down. Then, proceeded the gondola ride.

Venice was very lively at night, thought Germany. People were in gondola's and people were walking on the roads. People shouting to each other from either sides of the water ways.

"FELICIANO! FELI!" called a girl. Germany looked around and saw that it was a girl on a bridge.
"Ciao, Alina. Come stai?" replied Italy to the young woman. She ran off the bridge and onto the walkways next to the canals.
"Sto bene. Chi e il tuo amico? (I'm well. Who is your friend?)" She said, walking along with the gondola.
"Sono contento. Questo e il mio amico Ludwig. (I'm glad. This is my friend Ludwig.)" At the sound of his name, Germany perked up.
"Vee. Ludwig, this is my neighbor's daughter Alina." he said. "Oh. C..Ciao." Germany said the Alina.
" Vuoi un passaggio a casa? (do you want a ride home?)" Alina's eyes opened wide and sparkled brightly. "Si! Si! Grazie!" Italy pulled the gondola to the walk way and Alina hoped inside and sat next to Ludwig.
"Volete guidare? (you want to drive?)" Alina nodded happily and took the ore from Italy. Trading places, Alina began to row and Italy sat next to his German friend.

"Vee, Germany." said Italy. "Alina is the great grand daughter of my old house nurse, so I know her and her family very well. We've all been friends for Generations." Italy began telling another story, and Germany listened closely.
"A long time ago I became blind, this I already said...and I said it was glaucoma...that was a lie. I know England said not to lie...but I couldn't tell the truth to everyone...I became blind my government lost track of what it needed to do. They lost track of our goal. Italy became more and more in debt and the government didn't do a thing. Soon, as my people became weak and hopeless, so did I. My immune system was shut down and finally I became blind. When this happened, I stayed at home all day. I would sometimes go out, but I always had with me. My boss hired people for me because he thought I would commit suicide by jumping into the water and drowning. He thought I had given up on life because the country was failing. So he hired me Bice. A young lady to look after me. She lived in my house with me. She cooked and cleaned and took me out to where I wanted and needed to go. She soon became my best friend. Bice was the great grand mother of Alina here. This was long after Gioai died, so I had no one to look after me, having Bice with me brought faith back into my life. About forty years later, I began to see again. Slowly, it took a long time. It started with being able to see the light. Then shadows. Now I'm able to see colors clearly and shapes. I manage to get around...but it is one of the main reasons I am such a clutz..and why my uniform is always crooked..and why I can't tie my shoes...I just can't see them clearly. I've become familiar with things though, so it's become easier to do things. I couldn't cook pasta by myself, and I couldn't paint by myself. So instead Bice described all the scenes that happened, and I painted what I thought it looked like in my mind."
"Do you still have the paintings?" asked Germany.
"Vee. Si! Would you like to see them? When we're inside?"
"Ja. That would be nice." the boat stopped and Italy stood up. " Un suggerimento per il conducente. ( a tip to the driver)" said Italy, handing Alina some coins. She smiled and when we got off the boat, she parked the gondola. Italy grabbed Germany's hand again and walked him to a small door.
"This is my home." Italy said with a loving smile. The house wasn't that big. It was painted a dull yellow/gold color and had many windows. Italy opened the door and led Germany inside. The first thing he saw was paintings. Cluttering almost every portion of wall were paintings of everything. Italy led Germany to the living room and sat him down on a small lounge chair.
"I'll go make some tea." Said Italy, walking to the kitchen which was down the hall from the living room. Germany looked around the living room. On the walls were paintings of people. But these pictures weren't in frames. They were painted on the wall. At the top said "Mia Famiglia." Ludwig knew that Famiglia meant family. So he assumed this was some sort of Family tree. There were over 100 people drawn on the wall. They weren't drawn big, and there was enough room on the wall for at least 500 more to be drawn. Under each person was a name: Anna, Miguel, Angela, Cielo, Cosma, Enzo, Edda," He kept reading the names, but he wasn't able to finish by the time Italy was back with drinks.

"Veee. Ludwig! Do you like my family tree?" asked Italy, a smile growing on his face again.
"Ja. Did you draw them all?"
"Si. Each time someone is born I add their name. Then when they reach eighteen I add their picture."
"Why don't have some of them have pictures with their names?"
"Oh..." Italy's face lost its smile. "Well, Nicola's older brother for instance...he died when he was ten. And then Italo up here," Italy pointed to a name near the top. "He died when he was six. Then Isa, Mimi and Nevio all died. Isa was nearly 18..and she was pregnant with twins...she was married to this man here, Renato. Isa died giving birth three months early, and Nevio and Mimi died a day later. Renato commited suicide a week later." Italy had begun to cry. Sobbing he still showed his family tree off.
"And then up there, right at the top, is me! I'm standing right next to my lovely 'wife', and next to her is Gioia, and her husband and kids, and on and on and on. All the way down to my youngest grand kid. Nicola. You met most of them when we dropped off Nicola at his home in Naples." Germany nodded, remembering meeting other Grandchildren of Italy's.

"Oh, here is your tea." he said, handing it to Germany.
"Your home is really beautiful, Italy." said Germany, still in awe of everything. Italy let out a chuckle.
"Vee. Wait till you see the rest of it!" When they were done drinking their tea, Italy led Germany around the first floor of his home.

"You see over here, I have my kitchen. I've got a huuuuge supply of pasta here. And over here is a bathroom, and then a closet. And over here is the dining room. I only use it when I've got guests over. I haven't had any recently, so it's a little dusty," The dining room was littered with paintings of nature. Hills and forests and the sky. There was an old table planted right in the middle. There were ten chairs, but only one of them looked used.
"Then over here is my lounge room...where I take my breaks." The room was cluttered with pillows and blankets on the floor and soft looking chairs and couches. It was an organized mess. Also, there were Italy's instruments. He wasn't joking when he said he played over thirty. There was at least fifty, not including the Piano that was in the corner of the room. Italy led Germany out of the room and into the hallway where the stair case was. He led Germany upwards and to the second floor. Even the walls in the hall were covered with pictures. Not just paintings, but also photos. There were some pictures of Italy with Romano, and some with Spain. Once on the second story of the house, Germany was showed around the large open floor. It wasn't a collection of rooms like the bottom floor was, it was one open room.
"This is my ball room. I used to hold party's a lot...and reunions. There would be dancing and singing and music and games. But again...I haven't had many guests of late...vee. It's so dusty...I need to clean soon." Germany was then led up one more flight of stairs.
"The top floor is my floor. I have my room here and my bathroom and my study. I'll show you the library first." Italy led Germany around a corner and through a door. The room wasn't too large, and it was filled from floor to ceiling with books and paper. In the corner of the room was a small desk covered in papers and pencils.
"This is where I study. When I first got this house, I wanted to learn more, so I bought books and studied in here for hours. I learned fluent greek over there," he said, pointing tho a corner chair. "I learned Spanish there," pointed to a rug on the floor. "I learned English over there," pointed to a chair next too a window, "and I'm currently studying German over there." Said Italy, pointing to his desk. Germany blushed. He didn't know that Italy was studying German.
"Someday, I hope to be able to talk to you in your language!" Italy said happily.

"Germany was then led out of the study and into the bathroom. Germany was very surprised at the size of the bathroom. It was more like a bedroom. Looking around he realized, it wasn't just a bathroom, but a doctors office almost.
"When I get sick a lot, the doctors come to me, because they don't want me to hurt myself visiting them." Italy reached up and opened a cupboard to reveal dozens of medications.
"I have my asthma medication, here. And I've got anxiety medication here. Stomach meds here and headache medicine here...there's more than that...but they don't matter that much." Italy went to the sink and bent down. He opened the cabinet underneath the sink and pulled out a toothbrush, still in its case.
"Vee. Germany can have this while he stays here." He put it down on the sink's counter and led Germany out of the room.
"Now Germany, I'm going to show you something only my brother and family have seen. Are you ready?" Germany gave a quick 'ja' and nodded his head. Italy then opened the door to his room and they stepped inside.

Germany was nearly brought to tears from the sight. It wasn't that he was sad. No...it was how happy he was. The walls were cluttered with photographs Italy had taken of all of his friends. But the majority of the pictures were of Germany. Then, on the ceiling, was a mural. It was breathtaking.
"Italy...what is the mural of." Germany asked, pointing at the ceiling.
"Vee. Well a long time ago, I became very depressed. This was before I adopted my daughter. I was very sad about Holy Rome, and I thought everyone had abandoned me. So one day, I came home and just started painting. I painted what I thought happiness looked like, so I could look up from my bed and see happiness. And I captured it. I captured heaven with my paint brush, Germany. I stayed up seven days and seven nights to finish it. By the time I was done, my hands were dyed with paint and my clothing was stained beyond repair. Would you like to see my closet, Germany?" "Ja, sure." Germany said, sounding uninterested, but inside he was eager to see.

Italy opened the doors to a walk in closet. There was a lot of clothing hanging up, and shoes on the ground, and hats on the wall.
"Here are all of my uniforms," Italy walked to one side of the closet. Hanging up were many uniforms like Italy just said. One by one he showed Germany what they were.
"These are my military uniforms from all the wars I've been in, at least as a soldier. Then here is my flight uniform for when I fly my planes. Here is my gondola uniform. Here are my priest uniforms, and my chief uniforms, my nurse uniforms, my-" Germany cut him off.
"Nurse?"
"Si. I was a nurse for a while. I would just help out at hospitals during epidemics. Seeing as I couldn't die from diseases, I was the perfect nurse!"
"Ah. Ja. That makes sense...I guess." Italy just smiled.
"And over here are my suits and good clothing! Armani, Versaci, Prada, Gucci..." Italy went on and on listing his expensive clothing. He said that he even designed some of them himself. Germany nodded as he learned more and more about the Italian. His closet didn't just have clothing, it also had boxes, but Italy didn't show Germany what was inside.

"Umm. Hey, Italy. You said earlier that your daughters room was here...may I see it?" Germany asked, being as polite as he could.
"Vee, I'd love to...it might take a while to get in though, so give me a minute." The two walked out of the closet and back into Italy's room. Italy walked right up to the wall and took out a pocket knife from his pocket. Flicking it open, he felt the wall and stabbed it with the knife. He slid the knife down the wall, cutting into wallpaper. After he had done a full rectangle, the wallpaper fell down to reveal a door. Then, he walked to his bed's night stand and opened a drawer, pulling out a key. Italy then unlocked the door and opened it. Italy walked inside first and Germany followed right behind. The room was dusty and the furniture was covered in white sheets. The walls were covered with paintings and the floor was littered with paintings that had not yet been hung up. One painting was the most beautiful of all though. A family portrait . Italy stood next to another man, and there was a woman in a chair in front of them holding a baby.

"Italy, would you tell me about this picture please?"
"Veee, Si. This was a month after Gioia and her husband had her first baby, my first grandchild. They named him Felicaiano after me. So I called him Piccolo, meaning small." Italy began to tear up again from the memories. It was obvious he hadn't been in the room for a long time and it was paining him to be there, so Germany decided to change the subject.
"So, you also said your childhood possessions were here as well, may I see them?" Germany was genuinely interested to see Italy's childhood belongings.
"Vee? Alright, if you want." Italy stepped to the closet and opened the doors. This closet was not a walk in closet like his own, but it was still pretty big. Italy leaned inwards and pushed several boxes away, and lifted some off others. Finally, he brought out a box marked "Chibitalia." Italy opened it up and pulled out the first thing on top. A little dress.
"This was what Hungary made me wear while I lived with Austria. And this was my old bandanna. and this was old paint set, and this here was..." Italy continued bringing all sorts of things out from the box. Finally, near the bottom he pulled out one last article. A hat.
"This wasn't mine. This belonged to Holy Rome. It was the only thing left that they could find of his. Inside his had was a piece of paper with a message, but I have never been able to read it...it's not in a language I know..I think it might be German, or an old form of it..."
"Would you like me to try to read it?" Italy looked up and eagerly nodded his head, his curl bouncing up and down with it. Italy handed Germany the piece of paper and opened it up.
"This looks like mien hand writing when I was little. Funny. Um der Finder dies. Sag Italia dass es mir gut bin und erst l..., yes. This is German... I think you'll like it."
"Tell me! Tell me!" Italy looked as if he was a kid on Christmas.
"All right, calm down. It says "To who ever finds this. Tell Italia that I am fine and I will l..."
"Will what, Germany?" Italy was shaking with happiness. "What will he do!"
"I don't know, Italy. It gets cut off...like he wasn't able to finish his message." Suddenly, Italy fell over. Tears running from his eyes and shaking; he had passed out from exhaustion.

/

Italy awoke an hour later to find himself in his bed. Underneath the covers and in his pajamas. Looking frantically around the room the Italian began to call for Germany. He jumped out of his bed and out from underneath the blankets and searched for Germany. Running down the stairs he finally found Germany sitting in his lounge room playing the Cello. Italy remembered Prussia telling everyone that he was good at it. Italy stood silently behind a wall and watched his friend play a sweet song. As the Italian had mentioned earlier, he was a clutz, so when he tried to get a better look at Germany, he ended up falling over, disrupting Germany's playing.

"Are you feeling better? You just passed out, out of nowhere!" Germany said, putting the cello down and running to help his friend up.
"Vee, Si. I'm alright. Thank you. Ludwig...that was very beautiful." Germany blushed, red covering his whole face.
"You called me Ludwig..." Germany said, embarrassed. Italy only ever called him Germany or Doitsu and sometimes Captain and Sir..but never by his human name.
"Sorry! Should I have not! Said Italy, panicking a bit.
"No! No...it was...It's just...umm.." Germany began to stutter and blush more. Italy leaned closer and closer to Germany trying to get the answer.
"It was...I liked it. I liked it a lot." admitted the German, looking down at his feet. Italy tackled him into a hug and squeezed Germany tight.
"Veeee! Well I like saying it! You call me Feliciano" Germany slowly hugged Italy back.
"Alright...Feliciano." The Italian let out a small squeal of happiness and kissed Germany on his cheek. Then letting out a huge yawn, he asked if Ludwig wanted to go to bed.
"Ja..I'm getting tiered as well. But..I don't have any pajamas..."
"Vee, don't worry about it, I have a pair for you in my dresser!" said Italy, walking up the stairs to his room.
"Why do you have pajamas for me?" Germany asked, he was very confused.
"I went out and bought clothing for friends and family, so in case they ever came over and didn't bring their stuff, they'd be fine." Italy thought back to his tour around Feli's house. He had spares of everything. More food than he could ever eat. Several guest rooms. And now he had went out of his way to make sure his company had clothing. Feliciano was really the man who kept giving, isn't he; thought Germany.

The two walked up stairs and Feliciano gave Ludwig his pair of pajamas. After he got dressed, he turned to Italy.
"Which guest room would you like me to use?" asked Germany. Italy looked confused.
"Vee? You stay in my room, Ludwig. You sleep with me!" he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Blushing, but not complaining, he went into the bed with Feliciano.

"Vee, Ludwig?"
"Ja? What is it?"
"Prussia said you could sing as well...would you sing me a lullaby? I'm having trouble getting to sleep..." Italy said sleepily.
"Umm..." he looked at Italy, he had his puppy-dog face. "fine." sighed Germany.

Schla-fe, mein Prinz-chen, schlaf ein.
Lass Schäf-chen und Vögel-chen sein
M'ria ein Wiegenlied singt.
Joseph zu beten beginnt
Engel mit heiligen Schein
Gucken zum Fenster herein
Schla-fe beim silbernen Schein.
Schla-fe, mein Prinz-chen, schlaf ein.
Schlaf ein, schlaf ein. Schlaf ein, schlaf ein.

English:

(Go to sleep, little prince, go to sleep.
Let shepherds watch over the sheep
Maria her sweet watch will keep,
Joseph will keep the stall neat
Angels with silvery glow
Shine on the baby below
Sleep in the heavenly glow
Go to sleep, little prince, go to sleep
Go to sleep— go to sleep.)

"Veee..Ludwig...that was pretty. You sing even better than I imagined..." said Italy drifting off into sleep."
"You imagine me singing?" Germany asked, teasingly. But there was no answer. Italy had finally gotten to sleep. He snuggled up to Ludwig and rested his head on ludwig's chest.
"Feliciano?" Ludwig said, checking to make sure he was asleep. The Italian breathed slowly in and out with a small smile on his face. Ludwig pet his head and let out a chuckle when his hand brushed the Italian's curl. Okay...that was a really cute face... thought Germany. Confident that Italy was asleep, Ludwig leaned down to the Italian's face.
"Schla-fe mein liebe. (sleep my love)" Germany leaned down and gently kissed the Italian's lips. Ludwig didn't notice, but Italy smiled.

GAH! hope you liked it! This took me hours to write. *wipes sweat off forehead* trying to write this is so complicated! I seriously have no real idea where this story's going...okay I kinda do..but I'm just going with the flow for now. Please review, tell me what you liked, disliked. blah blah blah...If you want another chapter, let me know. and if you have certain things you want to happen, let me know and i'll see if i can write it! ;D thank you very much for reading!