There was one thing Romano understood about pain, and that was illness. He had known it since he was a young child, so many years ago. It may have been slightly different than what (Y/N) was feeling, but he had a good idea how she was. South Italy sat on the end of her bed, watching as she slept on. Her face was stained red with a feverish flush. The only reason why he lingered - he didn't want to see her ill and lonely. Of course, he didn't want to see her ill in general. He felt bitter at how she was taking shallow breaths, of how occasionally she cough viciously. She looked like she was on the verge of death.

      Romano remained, even after noticing she was probably asleep. He couldn't help but think of how pretty (Y/N) was normally. He did like her awfully a lot. He liked her so much, he had been feeling guilty for flirting with other girls recently. Especially now. She was in so much pain, because he had forgotten about her. He was supposed to have met her at the theatre to watch a movie with his brother. One thing led to another, Romano and Italy had completely forgotten about the prior engagement, and had instead made dinner at home.

     He couldn't help but think of how stupid she was - standing out in the snow waiting for them. Even now, it continued to snow. It hadn't stopped since she got home, already looking sick. That was just last night. She had collapsed halfway up the stairs, only to be caught by Prussia before she could get hurt. Thus, started the staring contest. For the first few hours of her illness, (Y/N) laid in bed, reading a manga (one that Japan had handed her). Romano had sat in the corner of her room, napping. Italy remained too, only he was painting and drawing on the end of the bed.

     The younger Italian even went as far as showing his artwork to her. After an hour, Italy had decided to go to bed, leaving Romano in the corner of the room asleep, and her reading still. However, that's when (Y/N) got really bad. Her fever had drastically climbed, and she he had even fainted at her weakness. Romano had woken up at that time, just to see her eyes close. He always knew she had a more immune system, but he never figured it to be this bad. That's when he had sat on the edge of her bed. Even now, she was still asleep.

     After another moment at simply gazing at (Y/N)'s red face, he decided he should leave. Romano stood to his feet, feeling stupid for staying for so long. Just as he was about to turn, a pale hand grabbed onto his sleeve, returning his attention to her face. Her (e/c) orbs gazed up at him, silently begging him to stay. Romano could feel his face burn slightly as he sat right back down, allowing her to smile gently at him. He placed his palm on her forehead, feeling how warm she was. She was extremely hot, even now - a few hours later.

     His anger got the better of him, "Stupid, you're so stupid," he deadpanned, "You were out there for three hours waiting, why didn't you just come home? Or even call? I swear, you're worse than Feliciano."

     She attempted to speak up, but her voice was lost with her illness. Instead, (Y/N) sank deeper into her covers. She was embarrassed. The reason she hadn't left was such a simple one. Same with why she hadn't called, too.

     Romano wasn't done yet, "Amore, you can rely on people other than your brother, you know?" he said, face flushing, "Everyone in this house is here for you. We're you're friends, no? Fottuto idiota."

     He spared (Y/N) a look, noticing that there were many tears in her eyes. She looked the opposite way, not wanting to let Romano see her like this. She usually didn't cry, but this was a special case. She wasn't feeling well at all, yet he was shouting at her. (Y/N) had only done this to prove her point for Spain. With all her might, she mustered up enough strength to force several words out of her mouth.

     "I-I was proving a point," she muttered, "And it has been proved."

     Romano pouted at her, "A chi (to who)?" he snapped, "A chi?? Tell me, Maledizione!"

     She crossed her arms, pointing at the doorway. Romano looked over his shoulder. A snow-covered Spain stood there, staring in at both of them. He waved and smiled at Romano, whom quickly chucked (Y/N)'s manga his way. Spain ducked, dodging the book. Romano stood up to his feet.

      "Chigi! What did you bet, heh?" Romano demanded, "Tell me, Toni!"

     Spain sighed, "I told her that you would definitely come to the theatre to meet up," he said, "Without being reminded. She said that you needed to be reminded, or else you wouldn't show up. It just proves that I was wrong."

      Romano turned back to her, "That's not all of it, is it??" he hissed, "You're both not telling me something! Chigi!"

     Romano's hazel eyes looked as if they were on fire with anger. (Y/N) leaned forward, wrapping her warm arms around Romano's to keep him from throwing any other things. She had seen Italy do it before - 'hug therapy' he called it. Romano's face went bright red as he squirmed around in her arms. Spain quickly shut the door, locking it from the outside. Romano called after him, for him to come back. Of course, the Spaniard did no such thing.

     "R-Romano," she rasped, "Please calm down, and I'll explain!"

      The Italian took a deep breath, sinking down on the bed again. He, then, turned to look at (Y/N). She was still flushed with illness, only she looked slightly better - perhaps it was the excitement. Or the fact that the sun was finally rising - or even better yet the snow had completely stopped. He waited as patiently as he could muster with this amount of anger in his brain.

     "Toni bet that if you showed up...that you liked me too," she whispered, "And I said you didn't like me, and you wouldn't show up. And you didn't show up, so it proved my point."

     Romano's face went bright red again, "W-what are you saying?" he snapped, "A-are you just fooling around with me? Or did you really think that?"

      (Y/N) pulled her arms away, sinking back into bed, "A-ah," she sighed, "W-well, I've really...really liked you for a long time...and its just...I don't..."

     The Italian was suddenly in her space, pinning the sick nation to her headboard. Romano's lips had found themselves unto her's, ignoring the factor that she was sick. All he wanted was for (Y/N) to know that he liked her too. Of course, he was still furious at her, but at the same time, he was flustered by the fact that she was even kissing him back. Romano hesitated as his lips moved away from hers, and to the edge of her jaw.

     It would have gone farther too, if it weren't for the door opening. Japan was standing in the doorway, holding a tray of breakfast. He took one look at Romano on top of (Y/N). He placed the tray on the dresser beside the door before closing it once again. Both of their faces were bright red - from being caught. They could hear Japan repeating what he had seen to the others, and how two sets of feet were soon walking toward the door. Once again, the door opened - but this time not before Romano had got off the bed and was staring angrily out the window.

     Spain was the one that opened the door, "Lovi, I see!" he chuckled, "So, why didn't you show up, then?"

     Romano gritted his teeth, "Go away, you bastard," he sneered, "I don't want to talk to you."

     Italy was the other one in the door, "Vee~ Romano, why didn't you tell me?" he said, "And what if you get sick now?"

      In the end, Italy had been right. Romano had gotten sick as well. Now, both South Italy and (y/c/n) were sick. What else could go wrong?