Worldwide Secrets

Chapter 9 - Not Feliciano

(A/N 1; PLEASE comment! They always make me smile! I want to know what parts you liked, what headcanons you never thought of before, diary suggestions! Comment on something you thought was funny or sad! Just please comment as they're my lifeblood!)

Lithuania picks up the book and begins to read.

"Dear Diary,
Italy's really cute.
- Matthew"

Canada, as well as both Italy brothers, turns red. He hides his face in his polar bear's fur so as to not look at them.

"Dear Diary,
Everyone seems to think that I like Spain, but they're wrong! Spain is like my annoying older brother or dad or uncle! If there's anyone that I'm in love with, it's Canada.

He's so nice and he treats me like I'm my own person, not an extension of my brother! We used to be friends, us and the Holy Roman Empire since all of our caretakers were friends. But we grew apart after HRE died and Canada was given to England.

Maybe if things had stayed the same...
• Lovino"

The Italian becomes red with rage and embarrassment. Canada looks up at him, opening his mouth to say something.

"Shut up!" Romano yells, angry tears in his eyes. "It doesn't matter, you like my fratellino better than me anyway!" He jumps from his seat and speed-walks into the hallway.

Canada is frozen with shock before he too starts to tear up after processing Italy Romano's words. He stands from his seat with a cry and runs after the Italian.

The door to the Italian personifications' room is open, and Canada approaches it carefully.

"Lovino?" He announces his presence quietly as he enters. The Canadian stares at his friend who is sitting on one of the three beds, crying.

"What do you want?" Lovino asks harshly, not noticing the Canadian's own tears.

"Why did you think that my entry was about Veneziano?" Canada asks, sitting on the bed next to Lovino.

"You wrote 'Italy', everyone knows that Feliciano is Italy and I'm Romano," the southern personification says bitterly.

"You've always been Italy to me," Canada confesses shyly, looking up to meet South Italy's eyes.

"Really?" He asks uncertainly.

"I didn't even meet your brother until the First World War, remember? You were the only Italy I knew." Silence follows Canada's reminder.

"I'm sorry," Romano mutters.

"What for?" Canada asks, genuinely confused.

"Making a scene," the Italian admits.

"Can I hug you?" Canada requests, and Romano nods. The two friends stand and embrace tightly.

"Still think I'm pretty?" Romano asks in the other's ear.

"Always," Canada admits as they pull apart.

"Well in that case," South Italy presses a quick kiss to Canada's cheek. "I always thought you were kinda cute too." The Canadian blushes, hugging himself.

"Do you want to try this?" Canada asks, reaching for one fo Romano's hands. "Us?"

Romano gives a small smile, squeezing the hand in his. "I would love to."

The two return side-by-side, but showing no signs of a developing relationship. They return to their original seats and Lithuania continues to read.

"Dear Diary,
Once upon a time, there were three, no four. There were four happy boys. Matthew, Lovino, Feliciano, and Otto.

Mattie lived with his father-figure Francis, Otto with his older brother Gilbert, and Lovino and Feliciano with their papas Antonio and Roderich. Otto later lived with Roderich as well.

Then, there was war.

Antonio and Roderich were separated and later had to fight each other. Antonio took Lovino and Roderich kept Feliciano.

Antonio, Gilbert, and Francis formed a friendship during this war. This is when Lovino, Adel, and Matthew met. They quickly became friends.

Then, Otto met and fell in love with Feliciano. Later, he had to leave for war. He promised to return to his love and his friends.

The last person Otto saw was his brother. Otto died on the battlefield at the hands of his friend Matthew's father figure and his brother's friend: Francis.

Soon after, Matthew was sent to live with Francis's previous lover, Arthur. Matthew was reunited with his 'brother' Alfred, but wouldn't see Lovino again for several, several years.

Eventually, things changed. Lovino become bitter. Matthew become shy. Feliciano learned to move forward.

I have seen this all from my place above. I am not quite bound by the rules of nation-death, but I am no longer a nation in any sense. I am a lost soul waiting to be rediscovered.
• Otto"

Tears. Hungary, Spain, Italy Veneziano, Austria, Prussia, Canada, and Italy Romano all had tears in their eyes or on their cheeks.

"Mattie?" Northeast asks his grieving brother. "Who was Otto?"

"Otto was the Holy Roman Empire," Canada informs, blinking the tears from his eyes.

"Oh," the region says softly. He wraps an arm around Canada's shoulder in support.

Veneziano left his seat, finding comfort in hugging Austria, a move that surprised the Germanic nation, but one that he welcomed. Austria wraps his arms around the crying Italian, rubbing his back. Spain and Romano are in the same situation, with Romano crying into the Spaniard's jacket. Prussia and Hungary are in the same position as one another, head in hands trying to keep their tears at bay.

Out of respect, the rest of the nations lower their heads silently, waiting for those grieving to finish.

As the Italy Brothers return to their seats, the book is passed to Estonia.

(A/N 2: We'll get back to Otto/HRE later.)