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Italy was nervous for the game at three. If he won he would make it to the world cup! All he had to do was not overthink that if he did lose, it would be his third time missing the world cup.
He shook his head. No, he wasn’t going to think of that. Be positive!
“Italy? Italy focus!” Someone nearby yelled, startling him.
“Ve~?”
“You were spacing out again. What is on your mind dude?” America asked. Oh yeah. He was at the world meeting. He had forgotten about it honestly.
“Nothing, ve~.” He said, hoping his smile didn’t show how nervous he was.
“Hamburger bastard quit questioning my fratello. If he has something on his mind, it’s not your problem!”
“Romano, calm down.” Prussia said, setting a hand on the Italian’s arm.
“Don’t touch me, bastard.”
“Back to the point, what’s on your mind Italy?”
Italy wasn’t sure what to say. He knew that all of the others were already in the world cup (other than Russia… but those were for war related reasons) while he and Romano were needing to play in the qualifiers.
Italy smiled at him, “Just what kind of pasta I’ll eat for dinner, ve~.”
“Makes sense,” America said before they continued to continue their meeting.
Italy zoned back out. His mind was now thinking of game plans. Bosnia had a good team. And the game against Wales the week before was still in his mind.
Italy looked at his brother, who was scowling at America. Italy decided it was a good idea to zone back in just to figure out what it was about.
“...When you all visit America for the world cup, we have to do some fun things. You all can’t visit my wonderful country and not have some fun.”
Italy’s cheerful and carefree smile immediately turned into a scowl. When did they start talking about this?
“We still have to train and be prepared for the games, you bloody git.”
France laughed, “At least you made it. Your brother Wales didn’t. Same with Northern Ireland. What a pity, I would’ve loved to see some sibling competition on the field.”
Both of the Italians’ scowls deepened at the words.
“Who do you think is going to win? Sweden or Poland?” Russia asked, with his maniac grin still in place.
“I hope it’s Sweden,” Prussia said, “Poland hates my guts.”
America turned to Romano, “So, how’s it been going with you? You are in the world cup, right?”
Romano rolled his eyes and muttered Italian insults at him.
Germany looked at his watch, “Well, time’s up. Meeting adjourned.”
Everyone filed out, except for Italy (he was banging his head on the table), Romano (he was scribbling plans down in a notebook), Prussia (he was trying to see exactly what Romano was writing), and Germany (he was trying to get Italy to stop banging his head on the table).
“Okay, vhat is vrong?” Germany said when he finally got Italy to stop banging his head.
“What is wrong?” Everything is wrong!” Romano yelled and slid the notebook to his brother.
Italy sighed, “I don’t know fratello. Are you sure that they can do that?”
“Who and what?” Prussia asked.
Romano glared at him, “Our football team, dumb potato bastard. They play in three hours and we don’t know what to do!”
The German brothers were quiet for a moment while their brains tried to figure out why they played today.
Germany got it first, “You aren’t in the tournament yet?”
“No!” Italy uncharacteristically yelled. “We aren’t! And we've been stressed because if we don’t win then we won’t make it to it for the third time in a row!”
Prussia sighed, “Vell, no matter what happens, ve’ll be there.”
“What?” the two Italians asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yes,” Germany added. “Ve vill be there to watch and support you no matter vhat. Alright?”
Italy smiled and hugged him, “Grazie Germany!”
Prussia opened his arms for a hug and smirked at Romano, “Vhat about me?”
Romano glared at him, “No.” Then after a second he leaned into Prussia, “Grazie.”
Italy then stood up, “Romano! Let’s go and get our smoothies!” Then he ran out to the car.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming fratello.” Once he was about to leave the meeting room he turned and glared at the Germans, “You coming? I bet fratello would pay for German bastard numero uno. Not sure about my potato bastard.” Romano then walked off, letting Prussia and Germany run to catch up.
***
Italy’s nerves were back. They were so bad he could hardly tie his cleats. Romano sighed and helped him.
“It’s okay Fratello, we will destroy them.”
Italy nodded his competitive glint coming to his eyes, “We better. You ready?”
Romano laughed and helped pull his brother into a standing position, “Ready to beat some bastards?”
“Are you?” Italy shot back as they then began to game plan with their team.
***
Germany and Prussia were seated near the center of the Italian side of the stadium. “They better vin.”
Prussia laughed, “I want them to rub it in America’s face that they got in.”
“America is already in,” Germany said.
“That’s only because he is hosting it.”
Germany sighed, “Let’s focus. The match is starting.”
***
The first goal happened and Germany and Prussia were cheering the loudest. Prussia was even jumping in excitement.
“Romano is going to be so happy,” Prussia said.
“Italy also, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this serious.”
Prussia chuckled, “If they win, wanna help me treat them to ice cream or gelato or whatever they want?”
Germany nodded at him, “I don’t see any harm in doing so.”
Prussia smirked at him, “If they win, we should also head to the bar. I need a good beer.”
Germany fondly shook his head and paid attention to the game.
***
Thirty three minutes in and Prussia says something to Germany, “This is an even matchup.”
“It is. Though Italy has a good goalie. How tall do you think he is?”
“Over six feet, easy.”
“That’s something we’ll have to ask about once the game is over.”
Prussia nodded, “Yeah, if they win they go against Canada, right?”
Germany nodded, “Pretty sure.”
***
“VHAT!” Germany yelled, standing up with the others.
“Brudder, that vas a valid red card.”
“Doesn’t mean it should be there.”
“Yeah, but still. That was a bad move on his part.”
“If Romano heard you he wouldn’t be happy.”
“Oh, I know. That’s vhy I’m not telling him.”
Germany rolled his eyes, “Then I’m going to tell him.”
“Please don’t! He’d kill me!”
“Not my problem.”
“But I’m your brudder.”
“Still not my problem.”
***
Prussia and Germany stood up clapping.
“That was a good half.” Prussia said.
“Minus the fact that there vas a red card, yes it was.”
“Why are you so bitter about it? It happens to the most awesome of us.”
“If that is your way of saying that you vill get a red card in the world cup, I’m kicking you off of the team.”
“Don’t do that!”
Germany mock glared at his brother, “Ve’ll see.”
***
“They better vin. Come on Italy, I believe in you.” Germany was saying under his breath.
Prussia handed him a water bottle, “Drink. I know it’s not awesome beer, but it’s something.”
Germany nodded and gratefully took the water, quickly swallowing it.
The crowd then stood to cheer on the amazing goal that was saved on their end.
“That was awesome!” Prussia yelled before whispering to his brother, “not more awesome than me of course.”
***
“BOOOOOOOOO!!!!” Prussia screamed when Bosnia got a goal. Germany stood up and joined him and the other Italians. Prussia then pointed at someone on the field, “That’s not Romano.”
“Is that… Italy?”
Prussia nods, “Oh boy, you are so fucked. He’s gonna kill someone tonight if they don’t win.”
***
“Pressure!” Prussia yelled.
“They need better positioning but that would also help.”
“Did I ask you?”
“Nein.”
“Then vhy did you answer?”
“I couldn’t help it, sorry.”
***
“That should be a penalty!”
“West, they’re checking the footage now.”
“It better be a penalty if it’s not, I svear I von’t hold Romano back.”
Prussia chuckled and then gasped when he heard it was only a foul. It wasn’t as bad as Germany’s reaction though.
“WHAT! ROMANO HOW ARE YOU ACCEPTING ALL OF THIS? THAT WAS CLEARLY A PENALTY!”
Prussia pulled his brother down to his seat, “West. Shut up.”
Germany rolled his eyes, “Shut it.”
“What did I say?”
“Focus on the game dimvit.”
***
“My heart rate has gone up so fast for this game it isn’t funny, West.”
“Mine also.”
Then they all cheered at the amazing save the goalkeeper had.
***
“THAT’S AN INJURY! DON'T CONTINUE THERE IS AN INJURY ON THE FIELD!”
“Prussia, they don’t care about that. I bet Francis paid that ref to favor Bosnia.”
Prussia chuckled, “Wouldn’t put it against him. He’s probably still mad that they won the 2006 one.”
Germany glared at him, “We had to lose for Italy to win, remember?”
“I guess…”
“You guess?”
“In your words, ‘focus on the game’.”
***
It was the penalty shootout and the Germans were on the edge of their seats.
“”Vhat if they don’t vin?”
“They have to. It would be misserable othervise.”
Germany cringed and Prussia almost felt his heart completely stop when the ball went in. Then Prussia started to bang his head on his knee and Germany’s heart accelerated when the Italian team missed. Prussia held onto Germany’s arm for dear life and Germany dug his head into Prussia’s neck after the second penalty went in. They both got their hopes up when the second one went in. Then they both ended up cringing when Bosnia’s team made another one. Then Germany yelled something when Italy’s bounced off of the bar.
“All they have to do is miss these next two and Italy makes the rest. Then they’re tied.” Prussia muttered, mostly to himself.
Of course with their luck, it didn’t happen. Bosnia’s team just had to make it. Germany began to bang his head on the chair in front of him and Prussia groaned, slouching in his chair.
***
Italy wasn’t crying. He was just letting his eyes sweat. Yeah, that’s it. His eyes were sweating. He totally didn’t work for this moment so much that he had run late into the nights and early in the morning. He totally didn’t give himself a strict diet so he would be able to be quick on his feet. He totally didn’t spend all of his free time thinking of ways he would get in the world cup. Totally.
Italy had his head on the ground. He couldn’t believe that he was such a bad nation and lost. This had to be his fault somehow, and he was ready to accept that.
Romano on the other hand wasn’t like himself. He may have gotten a few fouls for shoving, shirt grabbing, kicking calf’s really hard, the works. But none of them ended up with Bosnia SCORING! One of them even led to their own goal.
He flopped on the ground, not wanting to stand up. What was the point? He trained, he tried, he even tolerated America and England at the world meeting so his mood wouldn’t be ruined. But NONE OF IT HELPED. All he wanted right now was to be held by Prussia and eat gelato.
When he finally got himself together, he got up and helped Italy to his feet. Italy ferociously wiped the tears from his face and gave a weak smile to his brother.
“Come on fratello. Let’s see if we can get those potato bastards to buy us some gelato.”
Italy chuckled, “Gelato? You and your sweet tooth fratello.”
Romano smiled at him, “Let’s get going then.”
***
Italy still had a few tears running down his face when they met up with the two Germans. Germany quickly hugged Italy, not caring that the younger quickly fell apart into the hug. Prussia hugged Romano and, surprisingly, Romano didn’t push away. All he did was numbly stand there.
“Is there anything you guys vould like us to do?”
There were some incoherent words from Romano.
“Vhat vas that, love?”
“I said,” Romano lifted his head to glare at the German, “gelato and hugs. Maybe watch a movie or something also.”
Germany chuckled and released Italy from his hug, grabbing the bag from the other, “That sounds good to you?”
Italy nodded and got in the back seat of the car, pulling Romano with him. Prussia got in the passenger seat while Germany got in the driver’s seat.
After a little bit, they eventually got to the shop and got their gelato. Then they went to the Italian’s place. Romano quickly went inside and began to shower while Italy sat at a barstool eating his gelato.
“Did you see any of the other nations there?”
Germany shook his head, “Nein, I’m sorry Italy. I know you were excited.”
Italy nodded and took another bite of gelato and put his head on the counter, “Big brother France told me that he would watch them.”
Prussia glared at nothing, “I’m going to make him pay for that. I don’t care if I lose a drinking buddy or not. No one goes and breaks their promise to my brudder’s Italian and gets avay vith it.”
“That isn’t necessary. He probably got the times wrong. He’ll apologize at the next world meeting. I believe in him.”
Germany sighed, “You believe in everyone, Italy.”
“Well, everyone needs someone to cheer for them.”
Germany shook his head and grabbed a glass of milk. Prussia smiled at the Italian though, “Vell, if he doesn’t apologize, I’m throving some of my avesome hands at him”
Italy nodded and continued to eat his gelato. Once Romano came back from the shower Italy got up and sluggishly walked to his bedroom.
Romano grabbed his gelato from the fridge and plopped down in front of the fridge.
“My little tomahto. You happy with your ice cream?”
“It’s called gelato bastard. And yes, you potato loving jerks got me the right kind.”
Prussia laughed, “My apologies, it’s gelato, happy?”
Romano nodded, “Si. Now, what do you want?”
“I just wanted to know how you were. Is that bad?
Romano glared at him and ate the last bite of his gelato slightly frowning at it. “Of course that’s bad. You shouldn’t need to know anything!”
“But Romano~ I looovvvee yoouu~” Prussia said, booping his nose.
Romano turned a little red but sleepily glared, “Shut up.” Prussia laughed.
Romano sleepily shook his head as his eyelids drooped. He even tried to hide a yawn behind a glare.
Italy then walked out of the bathroom and sleepily smiled at Germany, “Germany! Ve~ I’m sleepy. We should all watch a movie.”
Romano sleepily stood up and walked to the couch, flopping down on it. Italy quickly followed and sat next to his older brother, head on the other’s shoulder.
Prussia laughed, “Vell, looks like our decision has already been made, let’s go brudder.” Prussia patted Germany on the back before cuddling up with Romano, and then started to pick a movie. Germany sighed and sat next to Italy, accepting the clinginess of the younger man.
Prussia eventually found a movie and turned it on, but he mainly focused on messing with Romano’s hair. Germany on the other hand was focused on smoothing out Italy’s sleeve.
Soon the unmistakable snoring from the two Italians were heard and the sleep talk of a German.
Germany sighed as he glanced at his brother. Prussia was sleeptalking (more like incoherent mumbles) on top of Romano’s head. Germany smiled and took a picture. Beautiful blackmail material.
Germany then shut off the television and went to sleep right there.
***
Somehow, no matter how much Prussia and Germany tried to steer the meeting away from it, they ended up talking about the world cup.
“Dudes, I can’t believe that Sweden beat Poland. It’s crazy.”
“I do find it interesting that I will have to go against him,” Japan calmly said.
“Turns out Switzerland's going against Bosnia,” France said, “pity, I would’ve preferred it to be Wales.”
Romano’s eye twitched. Italy’s grip on his pants tightened. Prussia’s glare darkened. Germany’s grip on his pen tightened.
England rolled his eyes, “Why do you want to see me go against Wales?”
“It would be fun. Sibling rivalry. Always my favorite.”
Prussia’s eye twitched and Germany had to put a hand on his shoulder to make sure that he wouldn’t leap across the table.
Russia looked at the Germans, “How are you two feeling about the tournament? You are normally more talkative.”
Germany talked so Prussia wouldn’t end up in an angry rant. “Ve don’t see it necessary right now. It isn’t happening for a couple of months, vhy does it matter?”
America smiled, “It matters because that’s what everyone’s talking about right now.”
“Oui, mon ami. Everyone is now betting on who is going to win. I hear that everyone thinks Spain is going to win.”
“Should be us,” Romano muttered to Prussia.
“Romano-san, may you repeat that? I did not quite understand you.”
Romano only huffed and slouched in his chair.
Prussia glared at them all, but tried to keep his voice on the happier side, “France, vhat did you do on the 31st?”
“Ah, I relaxed at home. I had a glass of fresh wine and began to make my meeting plans for June. I had to structure them around my games.”
That only made the fire in Prussia’s eyes grow. “Vhen vere those due?” he asked, eerily calm.
“Not until mid May, why? Do you need me to change some things?”
Prussia slammed his clenched fists on the table, “YOU LIED TO YOUR BRUDDERER! You told him that you vere going to make it and you didn’t. You said you vould vatch them play!”
France looked very disturbed, “Watch who?”
Italy forced his eyes shut and Romano hugged him, telling Germany through his eyes to do something.
“That,” Prussia’s voice almost broke, “is vorse. You don’t even know vhat happened. Come on Romano. Let’s go. I’ll buy you some more of that gelato you like on the vay home.”
Spain grabbed Prussia’s arm, “No. What happened?”
“Let me go! You stupid Spaniard!”
“No. Prussia, what happened?”
This time, Germany stood up and began to yell, “Vhat happened vas that the Italians had a football match and none of you showed up. Italy believed in every single one of you and you throw it all away. Let’s go, ve have better places to be.” Germany grabbed both of the Italian’s arms and dragged them out of the meeting room. Well almost Italy managed to slip out and he stared France in the eyes.
“I believed that you would come France. I truly did. Don’t expect any support or cheer from me, you… you alcoholic bastard.” Italy’s voice broke on the last word, but his intense eye contact with France never left.
The shock from Italy cursing made Spain lose his grip on Prussia, who quickly ripped his arm away and followed Italy outside of the building towards the others.
France was the first to speak and his voice sounded broken, “Mon dieu, what have I done?”