[ That's a fair question, enough so that France shrugs it off with a slight smile. France, who is very creative as far as idle erotic daydreams probably wouldn't have even gone this far. It's not even important, really...
What is important is how the other man is so slow to open up, but he offers just enough. France shakes his head and shifts to take a seat on the coffee table, a hand patting the German's knee affectionately. ]
That's one of the more sensible things I've heard you say, Germany. Well, as far as not changing the bond you two share. I've always thought you were quite sweet to him.
[ The insecurity, however, will not do. ]
You're a good man! I understand that you're not comfortable expressing yourself openly but that doesn't lessen your value as a partner. [ France's hand lingers for a moment longer before he pulls back to grab the edge of the coffee table instead. ] Personally, I'd love to have someone as loyal as you are, even if it's just in friendship. So, don't be so hard on yourself.
[ What are labels between nations? It's a difficult, messy thing. ]
[ He needed to think over that one for a moment, brow knitting slightly before he shook his head. ]
No, not more than I would be with anyone else! He's just as frustrating as the rest of you...
[ He knew that was a lie, but he was trying. ]
He's the one that stuck around when he didn't need to, I gave him the opportunity to run away or fight me or whatever it was that he should have been doing and here we are...
[ There was the ruffle of his hair again. ]
...stubborn little...
[ The click of his tongue as he let out a frustrated grunt. ]
How do I make this better, that's what I need to know. I called him an idiot and told him not to say stupid things, how is that being loyal? And how is that supposed to make anything I say or do of any value?
[ In other words, he actually felt bad. He really wasn't sure how he was supposed to reconcile this. He didn't want things to change, but as it stood now he couldn't even bring himself to look him in the eye and speak to him directly. ]
[ There is a flicker of impatience in how he huffs at Germany's denial and backhanded criticism of the nations en masse -- though, he's just as likely to share it. The thing that saves Germany from being scolded on his evaluation of their Italian counterpart is that he knows it isn't coming from a bad place. It may be confusion and a healthy amount of frustration -- sure, but not it's not bad.
He waits until the end, groaning in sympathy (is it sympathy? probably) at the conclusion of their 'romantic' evening. Honestly, he'd heard snippets of their fight even before he'd pressed his ear against the wall in morbid curiosity (eavesdropping was even worse than voyeurism, let's be real) that night. ]
Germany, I've been your partner now for decades and through the years I have watched you truly flourish and grow into a truly admirable nation. You have always had a very level head on your shoulders.
[ The blond leans forward, resting on a knee to look at him, but not before a hand flicks toward Germany's rather ruffled appearance. Not so level-headed right now. ]
My main criticism in regard to how we differ -- and where those frustrations you experience lay -- is that there has always been a disconnect between your brilliant mind and your heart. We may not be human but we certainly feel. I hinted on this at the festival, along with pursuing him. Perhaps I was wrong in even putting it out there that there needed to be intent behind your relationship. My only saving grace is that it was vague enough that you didn't catch on.
Honestly, I cannot fault you for being confused or overwhelmed by the timing. [ A shrug punctuates a very genuine sentiment and he leans back, taking a moment to think. ] Apologize for reacting so brashly, for one!
Ill-timed or not, he's always worn his heart on his sleeve. [ It's part of the reason why they balance each other out but you'd think by now the pair would have rubbed off on one another. Well, as far as demeanor. He sighs. ] If it's difficult to do it face to face, perhaps you should script it out. Use what you are good at to supplement the areas where you are weaker.
[ That was an idea, wasn't it? Writing him a letter? Somehow that seemed like it was something that he could do, but what would he even say... ]
Right, an apology letter, that makes sen--
[ Wait, wait just a second. Had he just...? There was that colour to his face again, this time not out of anger or frustration but absolute mortification. ]
H-HE WAS THE ONE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT?!
[ There it was again, people assuming that they were that way, that there was something there that he absolutely didn't see. It's was because he was blind, but that was far beyond his grasp right now. If even France thought something like that was going on between them, it was no wonder that other people made the same assumption. ]
[ If even France? This bastard is top at guessing who tops. Please. That goes without saying that anyone that has known Italy and Germany long enough would get some weird, repressed not!couple vibes from them.
But damn, don't yell in caps, bold, and italics, Germany. You might pop a vein. He shushes him quickly, waving his arms around to try and cease the panic before it escalates into meltdown territory. ]
Of course, he was! I mean, I'm not trying to make things weird! [ Clearly, the two of them don't need that help to be successful ] Calm down. We've had enough yelling on this floor lately.
[ France, everyone. Half good advice. Half SHUT UP OH MY GOD. ]
Listen, it's not the end of the world. Write the apology letter. Don't overthink it. Take it from someone that has a decent understanding of relationships barring my own; you two were fine! You are a little slow to accept emotions into your heart but you treat him better than you think. Trust me.
[ Enough yelling? He could have yelled more but he didn't, flopping back against the couch again as he reached up to put his fingers back into his hair again. Yeah, there was no fixing this hair without a shower, not at this point.
Had everyone already heard what had happened and everyone was just too polite to say anything? Or too embarrassed to address it? ]
What if he won't accept it...? We both...we both said a lot of things and I'm not sure how much of it he meant...
[ He had panicked and been scared, but Italy had been angry. ]
[ Hedging bets on embarrassment rather than politeness. This entire apartment building is cursed.
Germany's question makes him stare dumbly for a moment before that impressive blond brow furrows and he allows himself a bit of compassion for his friend. Even if he loved Italy like a brother, France could imagine him being angry as something that only happened when too much had already transgressed to make it right.
But, timing. He takes a drink from his now cold coffee and shrugs politely, but there's a glimmer of understanding. He gets the concern. ]
I think that the best way to find out what was genuine and what was influenced by Sanguis is to be open about it. He's not going to be able to accept an apology if it's never given, Germany, and I know that he's very forgiving. Patient, even.
[ Ahem. ]
He's willingly spent time with me since we were tiny after all! How miserable. [ This is all said for Germany's mental well-being. We all know France thinks that his attention is the best thing since wine and bread. ]
[ And despite all of his inner turmoil, somehow that did manage to put the man at ease. It was stupid, but it made him laugh, unsettling as it started it didn't take long for it to turn into something more genuine. ]
How miserable, indeed...!
[ God, why was that so funny to him right now? Maybe it was because he could really see, right at this moment, how helpful France could be. They worked together, but never in a million years did he think that he would be going to him for something like this. Not work related, not even remotely, but it allowed some truth to leak out as his laughter died down. ]
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no subject
What is important is how the other man is so slow to open up, but he offers just enough. France shakes his head and shifts to take a seat on the coffee table, a hand patting the German's knee affectionately. ]
That's one of the more sensible things I've heard you say, Germany. Well, as far as not changing the bond you two share. I've always thought you were quite sweet to him.
[ The insecurity, however, will not do. ]
You're a good man! I understand that you're not comfortable expressing yourself openly but that doesn't lessen your value as a partner. [ France's hand lingers for a moment longer before he pulls back to grab the edge of the coffee table instead. ] Personally, I'd love to have someone as loyal as you are, even if it's just in friendship. So, don't be so hard on yourself.
[ What are labels between nations? It's a difficult, messy thing. ]
no subject
[ He needed to think over that one for a moment, brow knitting slightly before he shook his head. ]
No, not more than I would be with anyone else! He's just as frustrating as the rest of you...
[ He knew that was a lie, but he was trying. ]
He's the one that stuck around when he didn't need to, I gave him the opportunity to run away or fight me or whatever it was that he should have been doing and here we are...
[ There was the ruffle of his hair again. ]
...stubborn little...
[ The click of his tongue as he let out a frustrated grunt. ]
How do I make this better, that's what I need to know. I called him an idiot and told him not to say stupid things, how is that being loyal? And how is that supposed to make anything I say or do of any value?
[ In other words, he actually felt bad. He really wasn't sure how he was supposed to reconcile this. He didn't want things to change, but as it stood now he couldn't even bring himself to look him in the eye and speak to him directly. ]
no subject
He waits until the end, groaning in sympathy (is it sympathy? probably) at the conclusion of their 'romantic' evening. Honestly, he'd heard snippets of their fight even before he'd pressed his ear against the wall in morbid curiosity (eavesdropping was even worse than voyeurism, let's be real) that night. ]
Germany, I've been your partner now for decades and through the years I have watched you truly flourish and grow into a truly admirable nation. You have always had a very level head on your shoulders.
[ The blond leans forward, resting on a knee to look at him, but not before a hand flicks toward Germany's rather ruffled appearance. Not so level-headed right now. ]
My main criticism in regard to how we differ -- and where those frustrations you experience lay -- is that there has always been a disconnect between your brilliant mind and your heart. We may not be human but we certainly feel. I hinted on this at the festival, along with pursuing him. Perhaps I was wrong in even putting it out there that there needed to be intent behind your relationship. My only saving grace is that it was vague enough that you didn't catch on.
Honestly, I cannot fault you for being confused or overwhelmed by the timing. [ A shrug punctuates a very genuine sentiment and he leans back, taking a moment to think. ] Apologize for reacting so brashly, for one!
Ill-timed or not, he's always worn his heart on his sleeve. [ It's part of the reason why they balance each other out but you'd think by now the pair would have rubbed off on one another. Well, as far as demeanor. He sighs. ] If it's difficult to do it face to face, perhaps you should script it out. Use what you are good at to supplement the areas where you are weaker.
no subject
Right, an apology letter, that makes sen--
[ Wait, wait just a second. Had he just...? There was that colour to his face again, this time not out of anger or frustration but absolute mortification. ]
H-HE WAS THE ONE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT?!
[ There it was again, people assuming that they were that way, that there was something there that he absolutely didn't see. It's was because he was blind, but that was far beyond his grasp right now. If even France thought something like that was going on between them, it was no wonder that other people made the same assumption. ]
no subject
But damn, don't yell in caps, bold, and italics, Germany. You might pop a vein. He shushes him quickly, waving his arms around to try and cease the panic before it escalates into meltdown territory. ]
Of course, he was! I mean, I'm not trying to make things weird! [ Clearly, the two of them don't need that help to be successful ] Calm down. We've had enough yelling on this floor lately.
[ France, everyone. Half good advice. Half SHUT UP OH MY GOD. ]
Listen, it's not the end of the world. Write the apology letter. Don't overthink it. Take it from someone that has a decent understanding of relationships barring my own; you two were fine! You are a little slow to accept emotions into your heart but you treat him better than you think. Trust me.
no subject
Had everyone already heard what had happened and everyone was just too polite to say anything? Or too embarrassed to address it? ]
What if he won't accept it...? We both...we both said a lot of things and I'm not sure how much of it he meant...
[ He had panicked and been scared, but Italy had been angry. ]
no subject
Germany's question makes him stare dumbly for a moment before that impressive blond brow furrows and he allows himself a bit of compassion for his friend. Even if he loved Italy like a brother, France could imagine him being angry as something that only happened when too much had already transgressed to make it right.
But, timing. He takes a drink from his now cold coffee and shrugs politely, but there's a glimmer of understanding. He gets the concern. ]
I think that the best way to find out what was genuine and what was influenced by Sanguis is to be open about it. He's not going to be able to accept an apology if it's never given, Germany, and I know that he's very forgiving. Patient, even.
[ Ahem. ]
He's willingly spent time with me since we were tiny after all! How miserable. [ This is all said for Germany's mental well-being. We all know France thinks that his attention is the best thing since wine and bread. ]
no subject
How miserable, indeed...!
[ God, why was that so funny to him right now? Maybe it was because he could really see, right at this moment, how helpful France could be. They worked together, but never in a million years did he think that he would be going to him for something like this. Not work related, not even remotely, but it allowed some truth to leak out as his laughter died down. ]
...you do have your moments, though.