An hour ticked by, and then another, each second being even more painfully long than the last. Germany kept looking up at the clock, barely even noticing how the time went as every time he glanced up, it still practically looked unchanged. Every so often, he would push his seat back as if trying to get up to go try again, but one look from Romano and he sat back down. It wasn't yet time to go back into Italy's room.

None of them flinched as the clock rang about three times, it being the only sound echoing through the house at this point. Romano tilted his head very lightly, as if trying to keep an ear out for any other noises. Nothing. He nodded his head once towards the German, leaning back in his seat as he let the blonde get out of his seat to head to the back of the house. It was time.

Germany walked very quietly towards the hallway to Italy's room, making sure not to make any loud noises to alert or startle the Italian. He breathed deeply before opening the door, peering in to try to survey the situation. From the candlelight and what light poured in from the hallway, Italy was back to resting back down on his bed, his cheeks dry from any tears and it was hard to tell if he had fallen asleep or not.

Cautiously, Germany slid in through the small opening of the door and closed it behind him. He sat back down in the chair still pushed up next to the bed. He sighed, resting his clenched hands on his knees.

"… I'm sorry."

"… Mm."

Germany's brows furrowed lightly, recognizing the tone Italy gave him as something of not really believing in his apology.

"What more do you want me to say? I've said I'm sorry a thousand times over."

"You can't bring back my organs a thousand times over."

The blond leaned back in his chair very slightly, the retort throwing him a little off guard. With another deep breath, he tried to remain calm; more negative energy wasn't going to solve this. He glanced over the immobile Italian for a small while before reaching out, placing a hand gently on the others resting on his chest. At the action, the Italian opened his eyes a little.

"I know you're angry at me, Italy, you have every right to be. I regret that night with every fiber of my being. I have no excuse of letting myself be talked into Japan's idea; I should have never betrayed you like that. But I did, I had a moment of weakness." Germany started, trying to keep eye contact with Italy as he talked. Once in a while, Italy would try to glance away, but would be brought right back to Germany's gaze as the blonde would gently squeeze his hand, getting his attention again. "But, it's in the past. You're alive again. You're in a rough patch right now, but so many of us are as well. You'll be better. It will take time and healing, but Romano's here for you. And Japan is getting out of the rehab center very soon, you'll both be fine."

He paused, breaking his own eye contact for a moment as something came to him. His ears perked slightly, feeling Italy gently squeeze his hand for once, looking back to see the Italian's worried face. He sighed, pushing up a small smile, trying the hide the small waver and crack in his voice, "… I don't know if we will win this war, I do not know what will become of me. But you will be in good hands, Italy." Italy stared at the German for a while in silence, his eyes beginning to slowly shine with a thin layer of tears.

Silence settled over the both of them for a while, both of them fairly certain they were both on the edge of crying. Germany swallowed a hard lump in his throat before he jumped in a little bit of a surprise, seeing Italy's hand fully take his own to try to be a source of support.

"Germany?"

"Yes?"

"… Will we be able to do that promise you said on that night?"

Germany blinked; tilting his head back for a second to make sure no tears came out before tilting it to the side in confusion. The promise for fun? They all ready did that didn't they? Though, Japan was never involved in that like he said they were. He softly smiled for real, changing their hands so he could gently grasp Italy's pinky with his own.

"Yes. I promise you, Italy, that you, Japan and I will be able to go and have fun someday when this is all behind us. We will build sandcastles, go on fruit hunts, and play games…"

"Can we have a picnic?"

"Sure, we can bring whatever we want."

The both of them softly chuckled at the thought of it before Germany began to stand up, though not yet breaking his and Italy's link. "I need to get going, Italy. Stay here and rest well, okay? Listen to your brother and be good."

Italy nodded, not being able to help a small quiver in his chin. Very slowly, their hands slipped apart and Germany made his way towards the door.

"W-wait, Germany."

Germany paused, letting go of the doorknob for a moment to look back at the dimly lighted Italian. To his surprise, Italy was now sitting up and had a big grin on his face, though he couldn't ignore the bittersweet sadness glistening in his eyes as well.

"I forgive you. Both you and Japan, I forgive both of you." He raised his hand almost weakly; giving him a small wave as he quietly sniffled. "I'll see you soon, Germany. Ciao."

Germany smiled a bit more, waving his other hand to him as well before pulling the door open. "See you soon, Italy. Auf wierdersehen." With that, he left the room and closed the door behind him, pausing to gently wipe at his eyes before walking back out to the front door. As he walked though, he paused as he went by the kitchen, still seeing Romano sitting in his place at the table, head rest on folded arms. He opened his mouth to say something, but soon closed it and turned back to leave.

"I forgive you too."

He paused, looking back at Romano in almost surprise of the apology. He quietly sighed before giving a nod, even though the Italian wasn't looking at him.

"Thank you. You're forgiven as well. Take good care of Italy."

After seeing an assuring nod, Germany went out of the house and closed the door. He glanced up at the sky, seeing that the clouds that clogged up the sky earlier were dispersing and letting the sun shine down without interruption. He closed his eyes to take in the warm sunlight for a moment before beginning to head down the road, knowing that he needed to visit Japan at the center before heading home, after all, he was going to be released within the week.

It was going to be a long while before things could truly go back to normal, but it truly was a start. All of them had been given their second chance, and plan to live it out to the fullest.

August 12th [Present Day]

"Ve, come on you guys! We're almost there!"

"Hai, hai, we're coming. These old bones don't move as well as they used to."

"Speak for yourself."

Italy jumped on the balls of his feet in excitement as he waited for his friends to join him, able to see the coastline through the trees. They were almost there! So so close! Right when he determined that they were close enough, he took off into a full sprint to the beach, looking around the never-ending line of sand and water all around them.

"We made it! Aah, look look Germany! It's so pretty out here!" Without so much of a second thought, Italy casted off his shirt and shorts to be left in his bathing suit, not wasting a moment before diving into the cool water of the ocean.

On the side, Japan popped open a large umbrella to set into the sand, putting out a large picnic blanket for them all top sit on while Germany set down the heavy basket of food and drinks with a huff. Germany peeled off his hat and rubbed his forehead clear of sweat before putting it back down.

"It was quite nice of China to give us access to this private beach in particular. Usually he'd make people pay top dollar for some time here." Germany noted, Japan nodding in agreement with him as he opened up the picnic basket. Germany sat down on the blanket and took off his shoes, casting them aside as he just sighed in content, resting his feet in the warm sand.

"Can we have lunch now? Can we? Can we?"

The two of them looked up to see that just as fast as Italy had left them, he was back, dripping wet and grinning like an idiot as he sat back down on the blanket. Japan scooched the basket away in hopes it wouldn't get salty and wet from the Italian before giving a nod and taking out the dishes they made one by one onto the blanket.

"Though Italy," Germany started, taking out a towel from their bag and throwing it to Italy to at least try to dry off a little, "after we do eat, you can't go swimming for an hour."

"Awwwh! But Germany it's so nice out there! A whole hour of not swimming is just cruel!"

"If you do, you'll get stomach cramps." Germany stated, crossing his arms as he seemed set on the matter, not even budging as Italy started to tug on his arms a little almost in a pleading motion.

"Everyone," Japan stated loudly, making Italy quiet his blubbering for a moment to pay attention, "We can very easily go on a walk or make sandcastles in the meantime. It will be all right."

At even the mention of the other activities, Italy instantly lightened up, nodding in agreement before opening up a soda on the side, taking out one of the sandwiches Japan had made and vigorously biting into it. "Then what are we waiting for, ve! Let's chow chow chow!"

"Tch, if you do that you're still going to get stomach cramps!"

Japan laughed softly as Germany grabbed Italy's wrist, making the other panic for a moment before happily deciding to slow down and enjoy his lunch. With him settled, Japan and Germany started as well, their sounds of laughter and slight argument being replaced with quiet munching of food and the sound of the waves.

After Italy finished his sandwich, he looked over to the coastline and to the ocean, glancing to the clear sky and the sparkling water.

So many years ago, the three of them were trapped there. They were fine for a while, but then they had ran out food and became desperate. While it was in the past, Italy still thought about it once or twice. But it was never more than just a fleeting thought.

"Italy-kun? Would you like another sandwich?"

"Oh, yes please!"

While the mistakes of their past would always be their largest regret, they had each other, and with their years of friendship ahead of them, all of them were very content.

The End.