[ He shook his head, finally sitting up straight so that he could look the other nation in the eye. This was difficult enough, perhaps eye contact would make it worse, but if felt like the thing to do. ]

I'm not talking about the emotions being out of convenience, I'm talking about...

[ Hnnn, how was he supposed to put this without giving details? ]

...I'm talking about what happened before he said it.

[ Germany, that's not an answer and he full well knew it, a very long pause as he closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath before murmuring what France was trying to find out in the first place. ]

...I love you.

[ His face was on fire again, the blond reaching up to tug on the collar of his sweater again. This was ridiculous. ]