Work Text:
“Ve.. Germany! Germany! W-waiiit!”
Italy cried, huffing and puffing as he ran uphill, chasing after Germany while carrying nothing but his pajamas and a basket full of wines and cheeses.
“I said I was sorry! Please don’t abandon me here, it’s scary and I think I heard a wolf! I’m too cute to die!”
Italy whined and sniffled, as Germany continued his march uphill through the dense forest somewhere in Bavaria. Germany was beyond furious. When he said a serious camping trip, he didn’t mean a lighthearted picnic in the middle of nowhere! But of course, that air headed Italian still didn’t get the message, for instead of bringing oh I don’t know, survival gear? He brought all of his wine and cheese.
He ignored the persistent Italian fly buzzing around him, whining about something or other, like he always did, and he had long since tuned him out, focusing on watching his footsteps and keeping an eye out for any apex predators that could be wandering the thicket.
Italy whimpered, for the thing he hated most in the world, other than running out of pasta and being cold was being ignored or shut out by one of his dearest friends. He quickly looked up as Germany finally spun around to look at him, his heavy tactical rucksack swinging behind him and nearly taking out a tree branch with it.
“Italy!” Germany barked, his voice loud and stern as he glared down at the brunet. “You are unbelievable! I specifically told you to bring the essential gear one needs to survive in the woods! Not for a stroll in a vineyard!”
Italy pouted, gazing up at the man before him, and he slumped, looking like a kicked puppy. “But.. but!..”
“No buts! There is no excuse! You could die of hypothermia in those damn pajamas you’re wearing, dummkopf!!”
“I’m sorry Germany..”
Germany faltered at Italy’s sincere apology, but he quickly composed himself, grumbled something in German and turned back towards the path, Italy scrambled to keep up.
While the two of them continued their ascent up the mountain, Italy decided to distract himself by observing the beautiful nature surrounding them, and he couldn’t help but be in awe at the enormous pine trees that bordered the path.
Eventually, they made it to a clearing, where Germany finally stopped and began to set up their tent, while Italy was ordered to stay put, and he sat on a log while using his nail to scrape strips of Parmesan from one of his cheese wheels he brought.
Germany had just finished setting up the tent, and was now checking his gear. He grabbed his barometer, when he realized that the atmospheric conditions were showing signs of heavy rain. On cue, Germany felt a drop of rain land right on his nose, and before he knew it, the sky had rapidly filled with dark grey clouds.
“Italy! Bring your things and get over here now!”
Before Italy could even process the command, it began pouring. Freezing fast rain soaked the earth and the Italian along with it. Italy whimpered and tried shielding his precious wine as he stumbled towards the tent, when all of a sudden lightning boomed loudly in the clouds above them, causing Italy to cry out in fear, drop his basket, and run towards the tent.
“VE!! Eeek!” Italy cried, as he jumped into the tent and onto Germany, knocking them both to the ground as he clung to the larger man, terrified as lightning crackled above them.
Inside the tent, the only sounds they could hear were the rain violently pattering onto the roof of the tent, the frequent booms of thunder, and Italy’s quiet whimpers and shudders against Germany’s chest.
Germany was stunned to silence, literally, as the wind was knocked out of him from the impact of Italy pouncing on him. Germany groaned and shifted to accommodate Italy’s body weight, before grunting and tilting his head to look at the brunet.
“Damnit, Italy, g-get off of me, you’re soaking wet!”
Germany braced his elbows on the tent floor and was about to shove Italy off of him, when he realized that Italy wasn’t only shaking from the fear of the thunder, but also from the freezing cold rain he had just been soaked in, and his pajamas did little to nothing to help him battle the sudden drop in his body temperature.
Germany immediately took action, his instincts kicking in as his annoyance turned into slight fear and protectiveness. He knew that leaving the Italian in those freezing cold clothes would lead him to his certain hypothermic death.
“Italy! Scheiße! Your freezing! Sit up so you can change into something else!”
Italy whimpered uselessly, and shakily sat up, looking absolutely miserable. Something in Germany tensed at the sight of the cheery man looking so defeated.
Germany reached into his rucksack and took out a large emergency sweater he always kept stashed in there, and unfolded it. It was easily 3 or 4 sizes too big for the smaller man, but it would keep him warm nonetheless.
“Unbutton your shirt,” Germany chided, his voice losing the irritated tone, shifting to a much gentler voice he used only when Italy got hurt, or was upset.
Italy tried to unbutton his pajamas, but to no avail, for his fingers were already numbed, and his hands were too shaky. Tears formed in his eyes, as he sniffled.
“I-I can’t.. G-Germany..”
Italy whined, his teeth clattering. Germany sighed and quickly pulled Italy closer and unbuttoned his shirt for him, pulling it off of him, and he tossed the shirt to the other side of the tent. Quickly grabbing the large sweater, he put it on Italy, and pulled off his pajama pants too, because they were also considerably damp.
Getting a good look at the Italian before him, Germany noticed how big the sweater was on his small frame, the sweater engulfing him, reaching down to his thighs, and the sleeves completely concealing his arms and hands. Germany’s heart fluttered slightly at the sight, because he would often be the one wearing it.
“Come here, Italien,” Germany croaked out, his throat suddenly tighter as Italy waddled over to him in the large sweater.
Italy sat down next to him, and Germany noticed how Italy was rubbing his legs, presumably from the ache of the hike they took to get here, and he noticed how Italy still looked cold..
“..Grazie captain..” Italy mumbled, leaning on Germany as he shivered slightly, and Germany remembered he had a sleeping bag, but only one, since Germany made the error to assume Italy would have enough sense to pack his own.
Germany quickly reached for his rucksack, and pulled out his sleeping bag, quickly spreading it out in front of him, and he turned to slowly lift Italy up, placing his shivering frame into the sleeping bag, and he zipped it up around him. Italy made a content sound, and Germany sighed in relief.
But he noticed that Italy’s teeth were still chattering, and he knew that it would take a while for Italy to warm up on his own, even with the extra layers, so Germany decided to get into the large sleeping bag with him. He took a breath and hesitated, before grunting out.
“..Want me to get in there with you?”
“..Ve.. Yes please!” Italy exclaimed, wriggling around inside the nylon bag.
Germany turned away for a moment, covering his face with his palm to conceal the redness spreading on his cheeks at what he was about to do.
‘I’m just being a Good Samaritan, nothing more nothing less.’ Germany thought bashfully, before unzipping the sleeping bag and shifting himself to join Italy inside. Zipping it up after himself, he let himself slump into the bag before Italy turned to cling to him, his body still uncomfortably cold.
“Captain.. I’m sorry for ruining the trip..” Italy mumbled, shifting his cold feet inside the bag.
“Shush, it’s not ruined, this is just a.. temporary setback. You haven’t ruined anything, Veneziano.”
Italy wondered if Germany could feel his face warming as he hid himself in his arms. Germany looked down at him and felt his face soften, and he carefully spooned his subordinate. Italy leaned into the embrace, and closed his eyes.
“..You mean it?”
“I don’t lie, Italy.”
Italy giggled at that, and Germany found himself smiling. Thank goodness Italy couldn’t see him from this angle, because he would never hear the end of his teasing otherwise.
For a while, the two of them stayed like that, and eventually Italy turned to face Germany, and his face was red from how warm he was now. Germany looked at Italy, and he huffed and looked away. Italy cheekily grinned, his usual self poking through as he reached up to prod at his face.
“Stop that,”
Germany grunted, as Italy poked his cheek. He caught Italy’s hand midair, grabbing his wrist, and Italy stopped giggling, brought his hand back, and rubbed his face on Germany’s hand. Germany immediately flushed, but strangely didn’t pull his hand back.
“Germany..” Italy said, softly. Germany watched his every move like a hawk, how Italy closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek, forehead and nose against his wrist, even going so far as pressing light pecks on his knuckles.
As the rain kept pouring outside, Germany stifled an embarrassing noise that was trying to escape his throat, and he slowly leaned in, Italy didn’t notice until he felt Germany’s lips meet his cheek, leaving a light peck. Italy gasped quietly and Germany pulled away slowly.
However, Germany was completely caught off guard when he suddenly felt Italy lurch forward, wrap his arms around Germany’s neck, and kiss him carefully on the lips. Germany tensed at first, but slowly melted into the kiss, opening his mouth just enough to let his tongue rub across the brunet’s lower lip.
They soon pulled away for air, and only then Germany noticed that he had his hands around Italy’s middle, and he was holding him tight, mirroring the hold Italy had on his neck. Both of them looked absolutely flushed. Italy was the one to make a move first, moving to bury his face in Germany’s neck, and Germany happily accepted the action, pulling him closer and he wondered if Italy could hear his thundering heart.
They didn’t need words to express how they felt, and they laid there in comfortable silence. It was only disrupted when Italy’s stomach growled, and he whined. Germany pulled back to look at him, and Italy sniffled.
Germany faltered at the sight of Italy looking down again.
“What’s wrong, Italien?”
Italy didn’t respond for a second, and his stomach growled again.
“I left my wine and cheese outside..”
Italy whimpered, and Germany sighed. He really couldn’t catch a break with this man around, but he loved him nonetheless.
“I’ll get it once the rain stops, schatzi.”