Hetalia: Past Paintings

Italy dabbed his paintbrush into the light green paint that sat on his palette and began to stroke the canvas with his brush. Every few seconds, he'd stop painting to examine the scenery beyond the easel: a rather animated game of football involving Austria, Prussia, Hungary and Germany. The only reason Italy himself wasn't playing was because of his broken and bandaged leg, which had been the result of a particularly dangerous training session with Germany.

Italy looked up from his canvas to see Germany looking over his shoulder at his painting. The others were passed out on the soccer field, relaxing after the game, except Austria who was trying to nurse the wounds to his shins that Prussia had inflicted on him.

"You're quite good," said Germany in a surprised tone. "But I've never seen you paint before."

Italy smiled cheerfully. "I haven't painted in a while," he replied. "But I'm glad you like it, Germany! I don't paint much since I lost a friend of mine."

Germany adopted a puzzled expression and drew closer to the painting.

"Your painting reminds me of something else.... that I've forgotten..." Germany muttered. His hand stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Italy resumed painting, and almost accidentally destroyed the canvas when Germany's shout of triumph startled him.

"I just remembered!" announced Germany. "I once saw paintings similar to this, but they were painted by a young country who worked as a maid at the house I lived in where I was younger."

Germany was happy that he had managed to remember. Italy, on the other hand, was hard in thought.

"I haven't thought about her in many centuries," continued Germany. "I wonder, where she is now?"

"Germany?" Italy asked with a confused expression.

"Yes?"

"What house did you live in with the maid?" Italy asked curiously.

"It was when I was living with Austria," clarified Germany after giving the question some thought.

"Do you remember her name?" he asked again.

"No..." replied Germany frowning. "Wait... no, I do! Her name was...."

Germany suddenly realised and a look of horror registered on his face.

"Her name was.... I-Italy... Her name was Italy."

Italy burst into smiles, as he put down his paintbrush and paints. "Germany!" Italy said delightedly. "You are Holy Rome?"

Germany nodded numbly and was almost tackled by the hug he received from Italy.

"Oh, Holy Rome!" Italy exclaimed. "I thought you'd died!"

Germany endured the next few minutes of Italy's squealing, and by this time, the others had come over to discover what was happening. Hungary and Austria were both feeling ecstatic about reuniting with Holy Rome, but Prussia wasn't as mature and was cackling in the background at the idea that Germany had fallen in love with his best friend.