Falso Bella Notte

“Hello?? Germany! Germany, where are you?”

Italy set a hand on the side of the tree as he looked around his usually illuminated flower field. Something wasn’t right this time, everything was all dark. Was it night time? It wasn’t ever night time whenever he came over here. Not to mention, Germany was nowhere in sight. Usually when he came there, he was always right there! Where did he go??

“Germany!” He called out one more time, frowning as he began to find his friend seemed impossible at this point. He sighed and slid down the side of the tree, curling up his legs a bit as he sat down. This was all just too strange…

“When the moons hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore~”

Italy sat up as a familiar voice rang out in the dark of the night, looking around curiously. No way, that possibly couldn’t be? But he couldn’t see a blasted—

His eyes widened, fireflies seeming to glow into life all around him, lighting up the field around him and giving an almost serene feel to it all. “Ah~” He exclaimed happily, looking at all the tiny insects float about. He stood up to his feet as a few began to circle him, making him chuckle before noticing they all left him in a single line. “Uwah, come back!” he said, almost skipping off after them, curious of what they had to show him.

He paused at the edge of the water where they stopped; looking around to see what was so special to be seen. So far, nothing really, he couldn’t see much farther than where the fireflies lit up.

“When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amore~”

There it was again! But where exactly was that—

Italy’s mouth dropped as the moon itself seemed to spotlight a gondola pulling up to the side of the island where he stood, but the driver of the gondola was what really surprised him the most. “Germany! There you are!”

Germany tipped his hat at the Italian, a warm smile on his face as he made sure to park the boat. “Why, hello there, Italy. Tonight’s such a beautiful night, how about we take a nice stroll through the waters?”

Italy grinned wide at seeing the other, not helping but giggling wildly by finally finding his friend but in traditional gondola driver clothing. Germany’s suave smile fell a bit at the laughing, looking down at himself as he figured the cause of the laughing.

“Ahah, it’s too much, isn’t it?” Germany nervously chuckled himself, lightly tugging on his striped shirt that seemed to hug his large fit body just right. “If you want, I can go change if it’s too distracting, friend.”

“No, no!! I like it!” Italy quickly said, chuckling just a bit more before he carefully stepped inside of the gondola, placing a seat next to where the German was standing. “Aaah~ This is so wonderful! It really is a nice night out!” He jumped lightly on his feet in excitement as the other pushed out to set the gondola in motion.  “Is there any place you had in mind?”

“Mm, that is up to you, Italy.” Germany said with a grin, pushing out the gondola towards the vast lake that surrounded the field, the moon brightening its light to guide them along and show them all that the water had to offer. Once in a while, they would pass by smaller islands with flowers and such on them, most times each of them having some fireflies hanging about.

Italy leaned back a bit as he took in the sights, only the sound of the water rustling being heard. It truly was a breathtaking sight, and all thanks to Germany. He closed his eyes momentarily, taking in the entire atmosphere.

Germany paused in his rowing however, seeing the other close his eyes. He furrowed his brows worriedly, reaching down to tap his shoulder, “Italy?” he called out, but the other didn’t respond. He did it again, a bit harder this time, “Italy? Are you all right?”

“Oh, this is the night, it’s a beautiful night,” Italy began to sing outright, this making the blonde jump out of surprise, but he withdrew back to standing up at seeing what he was doing, “and we call it Bella Notte.”

Germany chuckled, seeing Italy opening his eyes once more. How fitting of a song. He looked towards the sky as he continuing to row, beginning to see some stars shine existence against the vast plain of black in the sky. “Look at the skies, they’ve got stars in their eyes, on this bella notte.”

Italy looked up at the mention, his eyes widening and his grin growing at the sight becoming even better than when he looked last. He looked over his shoulder to Germany, giving him a sweet smile as the other had started to sing with him. He was very good at singing; he wished he heard it more often.

“Side by side with your loved one, you’ll find enchantment here,” Germany continued to sing, giving Italy a smile back before he gave one more push of his oar. He looked back up to the sky, Italy following in suite, and blinked in seeing suddenly stars streaking across the sky. “The night will weave it’s magic spell, when the one you love is near.”

Italy bit his lip, bouncing lightly in his seat as everything just came together so perfectly. Everyone was just perfect! He didn’t know how it would possibly get any better! He cleared his throat quietly, beginning to sing out in time with Germany this time,

“Oh, this is the night, and the heavens are right—“

“On this lovely bella notte.~”

Both of the nations paused, looking at each other curiously as they realized none of them were the ones who had finished the song on the last line. Italy perked a brow, finding the voice familiar but he wasn’t even sure how it was possible. He looked down to the edge of the boat, suddenly yelping at the site.

Germany looked over at the yelp, smiling at seeing a certain nation leaning against the side of the boat, arms crossed with head resting on them on the trailing of the boat. “Ah, hello Japan!”

“Konbonwa.” Japan greeted with a soft smile and a nod.

Italy blinked at this, but excitedly waving as it clicked that it was Japan! But, something wasn’t right here. “Hm? Japan, what’s that on your ears?”

Japan tilted his head curiously, the red fins gently moving at the mention of them. He reached up and softly touched them before he nodded, “those are my ears. I suppose human and mermaid ears do look quite different from each other.”

“Mermaid?? Really?” Italy leaned forward at this new piece of information, watching intently as the island nation slipped back into the water. After a moment, he sprung himself into the air, the moonlight illuminating from his red scales that stretched from his hips down to where his feet would be, but instead was an elegant tail. While a contained splash, Japan went back into the water, and pulled back up to the railing of the boat. “Whooa! You really are one!!”

Japan chuckled softly at the others enthusiasm at seeing his new body before looking up to Germany, “Germany-kun, Italy-kun, there is a party not too far from here. I was curious if you wanted to go to it.”

Italy’s eyes brightened at a mention of a party, once more bouncing in his seat as he looked up to Germany, “Germany! Germany! Can we go? Pretty please!!”

The blonde laughed this before he nodded, “of course we can! This should be fun! Lead the way, Japan.”

With a simple nod, Japan slipped off the boat and swam forward; pausing at times to make sure Germany could keep up and row over towards him.

It didn’t take more than ten or fifteen minutes before another larger island came to view, lights set up all around it and music wafting in the air near it. It didn’t take them long to move the boat to the edge so they could hop off. Italy was the first to jump off, looking around to the different nations that were gathered.

“Whoa! Look look! Austria’s here, with Prussia! And hey that’s Canada and America too! Oooh they’re looking like they’re having so much fun!” Italy said, bouncing up and down before turning back to the boat, not even batting an eyelash as Germany stepped out of the boat in his normal attire of a black tank top and green pants.

“Yes, and if I remember right, they’re waiting for more people to join, but we can still have fun with them!” Germany said grinning from ear to ear at seeing who exactly had gathered so far. He stepped forward to go join the group, but he paused as Italy walked back to the water side, “hm?”

“Are you going to come with us, Japan?" Italy asked, smiling as he looked to the merman who was neck deep in the water.

Japan frowned a little at this, glancing to the side, “Mm, I’m not human. I can’t possibly attend this.”

“Nonsense, you’re just as human as the rest of us.”

Italy blinked and looked back behind his shoulder, straightening up with a wider grin on his face, “Greece! I didn’t know you were here!”

The Greek man gave an almost tired smile at him before reaching down a hand to the Japanese nation, kneeling down on one knee so he could reach out further, “come on now, there’s no need to be by yourself. Everything will be all right.”

Japan stayed quiet for a little while before he reached a hand out and took Greece’s, and as the other pulled him out of the water, from when he was in the water, red robes draped over his slender body and he stepped out back onto land with his now human legs. Italy quietly cheered behind them before he went over and linked arms with Germany.

“Okay! Let’s go!! Ve~”

Without much delay, the two pairs went into the main party area, Canada waving from his spot where he seemed to be dancing with America, and Italy waved back excitedly, yelling a quick, “hi!!” before looking over to see Prussia and Austria talking to each other, punch cups in their hand.

Greece and Japan soon departed to look at the snack table themselves, and Italy easily dragged Germany over to the other members of the Germanic family.

“Hi Austria! Hi Prussia!”

“Kesese! Look who decided to join!” Prussia said, grinning back at the two of them. Germany nodded in both of their directions, watching the two of them silently. Austria nodded back to Germany, and seemed to be just as quiet and observing.

“I haven’t seen you guys in so long! Are you two having fun?” Italy asked, the other two having a stare down seeming to go right over his head.

“Yea! Austria and me were just talking about some comparisons of some of Chopin’s works! It’s really awesome! Probably more awesome than me!” Prussia said, laughing it up while Italy laughed along with him.

Austria remained silent for a few more moments before looking to Prussia, “hey, my cups just about empty, Prussia could you go refill it?”

“Oh, oh! Can I have some too?” Italy asked, looking into the punch cups curiously of what was once inside them.

“Oh no no, I can do it. It’s what best friends do!” Germany quickly volunteered, giving a small wave of ‘be right back’ before heading off to find the punch table.

Once he was gone, Austria’s smile fell a little, stepping up closer to Italy. “So, are you having fun? With Germany?”

“Hm? Oh yea!! It’s been so much fun! We went on a gondola ride, and we sang some stuff together, and then Japan found us!! Now a party! Yaay!” Italy cheered outright at the adventure he had shared with his friend since he had arrived, seeming to just be over the moon about all of it. His cheering paused however, as Austria turned more towards him; he noticed a golden butterfly with violet spots on the lower parts of its wings being on Austria’s shoulder. “ooh! Look at that!~”

Austria however seemed unfazed by its presence as if he knew it was there for a long while. “Mm, yes everything is so fun. It’s a shame this is all a dream.”

“…Huh?” Italy blinked in confusion about that. A dream? Was he dreaming right now?

“Austria.”

Italy jumped lightly at the German’s voice seeming to appear out of nowhere behind him, looking over to see Germany staring down hard at the Austrian, almost as if he said something he was wasn’t supposed to. He looked down as a cup was almost shoved into his hand, “… Germany?”

“Austria, may I have a word with you?”

Austria narrowed his eyes at the German at the request, the butterfly on his shoulder fluttering his wings almost as accepting a challenge. With a simple nod, Germany seized his wrist and dragged him far to the side.

Italy frowned at this, not able to hear their harsh whispers very well, but able to hear an occasional line or two, mostly of Germany whispering angrily, ‘what do you think you’re doing!?’ He sighed, hoping he didn’t somehow ruin the party or anything. His ears perked however, hearing something on the side away from them all.

_…taly...

“Hm?” He hummed, tilting his head, walking forward as he heard it again. Taking a drink from his punch, he kept his ears open as he walked towards the outer part of the party. He knew that voice, but how was it coming from around there?

_…Ital….

There! It was coming from the water! Italy carefully went over to the side of the island to look down in to the water. Of course, he saw nothing but his reflection. What on earth was calling him over? He squinted his eyes a bit and looked closer, but suddenly recoiled as his reflection bled black into the water, a booming German voice screaming in his head.

ITALY!!

Meanwhile, Germany huffed as he sent Austria away, looking around to see where his best friend went to. He smiled in relief as he just saw the Italian standing near the water. Poor dear, probably felt uncomfortable with him yelling at Austria. He went over, an apologetic smile at the ready as he set a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, Italy I—“

He froze, the sudden limp body of Italy moving forward at the simple touch. “Italy?!” he exclaimed, reaching over to try to grab him to pull him back, but his attempt to grab him only turned him around to fall onto his back into the water, his dead eyes staring upwards to the sky. As his body hit the water, it slowly sunk into its depths, black consuming the water around it and soon infecting the entire lake.

He stepped back, raising his hands to his mouth in pure horror of the situation. He stepped near the line of the blackened water. “Italy?! Italy!!” He almost screamed in panic, not even thinking twice before jumping into the shadow laced water.

He fell through water for only a few moments before he landed on solid ground, darkness surrounding all around him. An oval doorway hung in front of him however, and he quickly raced over to it to look inside, changing his form into Italy’s to make sure if the other was to look inside he would just see himself.

He could see it. He could see it clearly.

In the real world, he could see it. Germany was standing above Italy’s bed, crossing his arms and shouting at the poor Italian, while the other just struggled to get his shoes tied in such a hurry and almost seemed like he was crying of apology over and over.

“Leave him alone!! Stop that!!” He yelled, banging his fists on the seemingly glass doorway in front of him. Of course, just like every time, he was never noticed. “Let him sleep! He was doing nothing wrong! Stop punishing him!”

After a while of ignored yelling and banging, almost to the point of just clawing on the door, The German just got the Italian to rush out of bed, the former shaking his head out of disappointment before making the both of them leave. He dropped his arms at this, being left alone once again.

Friend… I’m sorry you live in such a horrible place… you deserve so so much better than that… come back to me friend… come back and be happy with me forever. That’s what best friends do, right?~