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XxXGermanyXxX
Italy had been staring at his friend's hands for hours now and Ludwig was getting irritated.
Hours…HOURS… could his hands be that interesting to the Italian man?!
Finally after hour four Germany had had enough turning in his office chair he glared at Italy.
"Why?" He asked startling the Italian startling him from his thoughts.
"Ve~ why what?" Italy asked confused by Germany's sudden question.
"Why are you staring at my hands, what could possibly be that interesting about them?"
"Oh! Well I was just wondering why Germany always wears gloves even when working inside." Italy said not noticing the way his friend blushed and shifted his hands nervously.
In truth it was a habit that had never died, not so long ago he had worn them only to hide a forbidden truth from the one person he had feared most in this world, now he did it without thinking. Waking up each morning and putting his gloves on before leaving his room for the day.
"It's just a habit Italy, nothing more than that." He didn't know why he hid the real reason from his longtime friend, though he had been asked many times in the past he knew he had no reason to hide why the habit started to Italy. Germany's fingers absently rubbed the small silver band wrapped around his ring finger on the left hand, hidden under tight black gloves.
XxXPrussiaXxX
The bad touch trio was having their usual get-together at France's home drinking and reminiscing when suddenly out of the blue a question popped into Spain's mind. Turning to the other two members of the trio he asked.
"Hey Gilbo why do you wear gloves all the time… I hardly ever see you without them why is that?" The question startled Gilbert and he stopped in the middle of downing a shot of rum. (he refused to drink vodka)
"Well…" He trailed off blushing slightly; this caused the other two to become instantly suspicious.
"Ohonhon why do your wear them so often?" France asked his mind already in the gutter.
"It's nothing just an old habit that hasn't gone to the grave." He said trying to avoid the question.
"Non there must have been a reason before, what was it?" France pressed.
"Si you must have a good reason, what is it?"
"I did it to protect someone…" He could never hide anything from his friends for long sometimes he hated that fact.
"Protect someone… what do your hands have to do with that?" Spain asked confused, none noticed the spark of understanding flash in France's eyes or the way he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Now Spain enough of this let us drink and remember about… simpler times… sexier times~" France cut in saving Prussia from having to answer the question.
Prussia stared sown at his hands. His hand rubbing absently at the small silver band wrapped around his ring finger on his left hand hidden under tight black gloves. To protect that one person he loved most from the one man they both feared at the time, now just like Germany he donned his gloves out of habit every morning and took his ring off every night before falling asleep in Ludwig's arms. He didn't know why he didn't tell Spain or France.
XxXGermancetIsSexyXxX
As they climbed into bed later that night unknown to them both; the same thought ran through their minds.
"Maybe I'll stop wearing the gloves one day."
Before they took off their rings and set them side by side. One emblazoned with an eagle and one with the German flag.
"And maybe I'll wear it to bed."
Neither understood why the habit was still around…
Maybe it was because old habits die hard… especially ones you form to protect the ones you love.
Or maybe they weren't ready to tell the world their secret.
Only time will tell.