I woke up groggy the next day for the meeting. I hadn't had that much to drink the night before, but I also didn't get that much sleep. I couldn't help but just replay my interaction with Germany over and over in my head. It all started as a little crush, but I felt that it was starting to blossom into something much larger for myself.

Get ahold of yourself, (Y/N). You sound stupid.

I showed up to the meeting, where it seemed that I wasn't the only one that was tired. Everyone looked more like Greece than their usual over excitable selves. America was half asleep, England had bags under his eyes, and France didn't even bother to show up. Even Italy seemed out of it.

"(Y/N)~" he yawned. "Did you get home okay last night? I asked Prussia about it, and he just grumbled."

Last night replayed in my head again. I couldn't help but focus on how the late-night lights glowed around Germany's frame. How serious he looked when saving me from Prussia- how softly he spoke to me when he left...

"(Y/N)~" Italy called, shaking me lightly. "You must be tired too..."

Japan soon approached us, looking no different than he did any other day.

"Hi Japan," I greeted.

He gave me a small bow in response.

I stared at him for a second. He wasn't yawning, his eyes weren't swollen, and he didn't even have dark circles.

"Japan, aren't you tired?" I asked.

"I don't get tired," he simply responded before taking his spot.

Italy and I did the same. It was so unsettling quiet in the room. Although, I had only been to one meeting, I knew that this was not the norms for these countries. Spain wasn't harassing South Italy, and the Alias had also been so quiet.

Germany soon appeared to start the meeting. He began by talking about the usual things such as global warming and foreign affairs, but it didn't take long for him to realize that it was a waste of time.

"This is exactly why I didn't want to host a ball. Look at all off you, just absolutely pathetic. Meeting adjourned until tomorrow," Germany grumbled.

No one moved; most were already asleep.

Germany looked irritated and slammed his hand on the table and yelled, "I said go home!"

Many stirred from their spots and got up to leave. But I had to admit that I wasn't ready to leave, and as I gathered my stuff, I say Germany shuffling though papers.

Now's your chance, (Y/N).

I shyly walked over to him, but he was too focused on his papers to notice.

"Um, Germany..." I shyly said.

He looked up, shocked to see me. "Oh, (Y/N), you can go home, you know."

I was being stupid, and I knew that it would be better to just go home. Germany is a professional guy, and there was no way a tiny country like me would even catch his attention.

"(Y/N)...are you okay?" he asked.

I need to stop spacing off so much.

I gave him a small smile. "My apologies. I actually wanted to see if I could help you."

He looked shocked. I figured it was safe to assume that he doesn't get a lot of help around here.

"That's would be very appreciated, (Y/N). You don't have to—"

"I inisit," I interrupted; the only confidence in my voice coming from my damaged brain function from lack of sleep. "I figured that I am a new country, snd I want to do whatever I can to help."

He gave me a small nod with soft eyes. "We'll, if you insist...Here, sort these files out by country."

It seemed simple enough, and it wasn't hard. It was all just busy work, and I could imagine why Germany is always so busy. With work like this, it is probably never-ending. We both worked in silence, but it was peaceful. Germany wasn't the most gregarious, but I think it made him happy to not be alone. After a few hours, my lack of sleep was really starting to get to me, and it became rather apparent.

I was shaken awake as Germany called my name, "(Y/N), wake up."

I could've sworn I was dreaming, hearing his voice, but unfortunately, I wasn't. I had passed out onto the pile of papers...how embarrassing.

"(Y/N), I think you should go back to your suite. You had a long night last night. Get some rest," he said.

I was still pretty out of it, and it took a moment for Germany's words to register, but once they did, I knew he was right.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, still embarrassed.

"There is no reason to apologize. You offered your time to help, but you should go get some sleep," he suggested. "Can you make it to your room alright?"

My mind thought to last night. Although the idea of another man forcing themselves on me is a thing that could happen, we were in the hotel in the early evening- so I should have been fine.

I looked to his stack of papers. I would hate to waste more of his time.

"Y-yes, goodnight," I replied.

He gave me a small nod and went back to his work.

Although not many words were exchanged, I felt that I had grown closer to him, but I was probably being foolish again. I just wish I wasn't...