Before leaving the room, everyone searches through the cabinets in hopes for something new. Something to help. Or just something unusual. Japan finds the former: a wooden box hiding behind a curtain. There is nothing unusual about the box, it plain in everything but where it was placed. It is around the size of a music box, or maybe a jewellery box. Japan allows you to carry it, you giving a complimentary shake of the box to hear something moving around. You scrunch your nose up, but you know it wouldn't open, so you stuff it in your bag. Nothing else of interest could be found, so they all leave for the third floor. Everyone is conversing, but it soon falls quiet, so you perk up, speaking with a smile.

"If you guys get bored, I have some books that you can read." You tell them, patting your bag for emphasis.

"Arigatō, (F/n)-chan." Japan thanks, inclining his head. The boys begin to chat among themselves again as they walk into the fireplace room, leaving you to listen. You feel so out of place but understand. You are a random person, and they know nothing about you. They have no real reason to socialise with you. You shouldn't expect otherwise. The German brothers and Japan sit down on the bench as Italy lingers by the fireplace, rolling from his heels to toe. They have forgotten something, and it is gnawing on the back of Italy's mind.

Something to do with notes. Is it the piano? No, that's only when they arrived... oh!

"Japan, didn't you say there is a first aid kit on this floor?" He asks, fiddling with his hands.

"Oh yeah, Japan mentioned that earlier." You look to Japan, catching Italy's trail of thought.

"Hai. Who would like to go get it with me?" Japan asks, looking around. Italy begins to shuffle foot to foot, waving his hand.

"I'll do it! I'll do it with (F/n)!" Italy yaps, grabbing your arm. The pep could easily overlook the anxiety nipping at him.

"Sure, I'll go with you." You smile as you drop your bag to the floor. Germany stands up from his seat, a stern look on his face.

"I'll go with you," Germany speaks. You shake your head at him.

"Don't worry. We'll be fine." You smile. "You've done a lot today, wouldn't want you overexerting yourself." You turn to Italy. "Come on, let's go exploring." You usher Italy out the door with you. You stuff your hands into your pockets. The keys feel cold, taking your warmth as you fiddle with the metal methodically. Japan had decided to give them to you earlier.

"So, Italy..." You begin awkwardly, opening a door for him in the upper hallway.

"Yes?" He smiles, stepping through the door. You begin to go through draws, not meeting eyes with Italy.

"Does it--err," you stammer. You take some papers, shuffling them into a neat pile before putting them back in the drawer, placing them gently down. You don't know what to ask. And the stuff you want to say would be too damning for the happy mood he was trying to keep. "I mean Germany... have I done something wrong?" You ask hesitantly, your leg rhythmically taping on the floor, your knee bouncing. The noises of papers shuffling stop, making you freeze too. You chuckle nervously before your breath catches at his expression. His face is slack, except the skin bunching around his eyes, a piercing stare of complete confusion. He is caught off guard. He wasn't expecting that at all.

"Oh, no! I mean sí!" Italy panics, jumping around as he faces towards you. "Germany does like you. He just takes time to warm up. You understand, sí?" He nods, throwing his hands around. You let out a sigh, placing a hand on your chest.

"I understand." You give a shaky laugh. "I thought I did something wrong. But I did kind of cut him off. Doesn't that knock some off peoples' ego?" You frown, squinting. "Or agitate? Now he has a reason not to like me. Are you sure he likes me, or will at some point?" You begin messing with things in the draw again, fingers itching to do something.

"I'm sure you'll be great friends with Germany! Prussia and Japan too! They're all really nice!" Italy nods. You smile at him, letting out a hum in agreement. You both leave the room and search through the other ones, making small conversations as you go. Both of you then stand before the only locked door on the floor. You put your hand in your pocket, removing all the keys. Taking out the one you require, you put the rest back and open the door. It is the same as the rest, one bed, lots of shelves and cabinets.

"The first aid kit must be in here. Let's check the draws." You smile as you start from the left side, Italy going to the right. Quickly discovering the first aid kit, you look down at the papers in the draw. "Do you think we'll need paper, for the fire, I mean?" You ask Italy. He hums in thought, tilting his head from side to side, weighing his choices.

"There are some logs, so I think we'll be fine." Italy nods to himself, more for his own sake than yours. You close the drawer with a soft click and turn to walk out the door, but not before stopping. Something wraps around your finger. Looking down to your hand you spot a long white piece of string caught on you. You shake it off and watch as it falls to the floor slowly. You dry-wash your hand, rubbing them furiously against each other. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a piece of hair. Or maybe it's a cobweb. You shiver at the thought of spiders before turning your back to it.

"I think we have everything we need. Do you want to go back now?" You inquire.

"There's nothing else I can think of." Italy looks heavenward, then he whispers. "Is there?"

"Well, you've been in the library this whole time, so you wouldn't really know." You watch Italy for a reaction out the corner of your eye. It is mean to provoke him, bait him even, but he needs to open up.

"Sí, we best get back to Germany and the others." Italy swallows down the lump in his throat and spins on his heel. He approaches the door, placing his hand on the handle, but stops. He hears your voice softly calling out his name. He feels your touch on his upper arm, burning his skin. He sucks in a breath, his body shaking. The Italian looks over his shoulder - he looks into your eyes. They look so genuine, scorching into his soul. They look like they know, he can't have you knowing.

"You know you can tell me... stuff, don't you?" Italy could feel your soft gaze looking over his, reading every inch of his expression. It feels like an open wound.

"What, what do you mean, (F/n)?" Italy stammers. You look at his face. The way his brown eyes squint, his adorable tan nose, how his curl manages to defy gravity yet seem so normal, plush round cheeks and a feminine chin. All these features that the art of him just couldn't capture. You tighten your grip on his arm, and he turns to face you properly. He places his hand atop yours, apprehension on his face.

"I want to behave, you know," you stack your hand on Italy's," normally around you." Your eyes dart, not able to look straight into his eyes. "What's been bothering you? I know this place is weird, but you've got your friends. They're here for you." Italy shakes his head, staring at the floor. "If you're not going to tell me, at least tell someone." You look away, your throat swelling up. The atmosphere had inflated, it sticky and full of sensitivity.

"I'm sorry, (F/n), but I can't say anything yet." He looks up at you through his eyelashes, hand squeezing yours softly.

"I understand. I won't pressure you." You nod in understanding, smiling. "Just... just make sure you don't do anything stupid." You quirk a brow at him, waiting for a response. He nods quickly. "Even though you haven't told me anything, I'm still going to worry." You give a small chuckle before looking elsewhere. "And if I've noticed it, I'm sure your friends will."

"Sí, sí. Just don't-"

"-tell the others? I know." Then you point a finger towards him, the heat fading, your nose scrunching. "And I should really stop cutting people off. I'd hate that if it were me." You laugh through your nose. Italy chuckles and pats your arm.

"It's fine. It's fine. You're funny, and I'm sure the others will like you." Italy grins.

"And why do I feel like the new kid being dropped off at school?" Your lip turns into a firm line, a soft humming leaving you. Italy giggles. "Oh, we best get back to the guys. They're probably worried about us." Italy hooks arms with you silently as he leads you out the room. You both walk out, stepping in-toe.

Italy's head swarms with disturbing thoughts, plaguing him. He worries; worries for you. The Italian can't have you hurt, not after the kindness and strength you have shown. You don't deserve to go through this. He glowers down at the floor and scowls, then looks over to your face. A faint smile twitches on your lips. (E/c) eyes run over the walls and floorboards, taking in each little detail. You look so fascinated, intrigued, and full of wonder. If only you knew what you were in for. Your gaze flickers from staring at the wooden boards below your feet to stare into Italy's eyes. He sucks in a breath as you direct a soft smile towards him.

"I know this is hard, but you look so much nicer when you smile." You tilt your head before panic settles in. "Not that you're bad looking or anything. You are really good looking, cute, like, totally adorable!" You squeak, eyes darting. You release a slow breath, trying to calm down the redness on your face. "Aesthetically pleasing. So, even if you're not smiling, you still look good, but when you smile you look so much nicer and brighter, and it's just that I should really stop talking because..." You release a nervous laugh and look away from him, finding the dry paper walls fascinating, as the nervous giggles turn into a weak wheeze. Italy laughs loudly, squeezing your arm as you send him a shy smile, cheeks alight.

"You seem happier now, (F/n)." Italy comments. You blink at him, slowing down your pace as you approach the fireplace room.

"I guess I am. That's strange, isn't it?" You look up at him, pursing your lips. "Being happier in a monster-infested mansion?" You stop outside the door to the safe room and look back at Italy. "I guess it's because I finally have a friend." Opening the door and stepping inside, the duo is met with worry. Germany and Japan stand when the two enter, as Prussia stares down at the wooden bench in boredom.

"I'm hungry." Prussia complains, his chin on the table and lanky arms stretching out. You supress a laugh; he looks very much like a cat with his back arched. 

"Sorry Bruder, I don't think we have any more food." Germany consoles his Albino sibling. Prussia opens his mouth to speak, but you raise your hand.

"We do." You inform Germany, walking over to your open bag and hastily take out the box of pasta Italy gave you earlier.

"But how will we eat it, (F/n)-chan?" Japan asks. You clasp your hands together, gaining everyone's attention as your eyes light up with an idea.

"There's a kitchen, correct? It would surely have enough plates for five." You think aloud. "And if there's a saucepan, we can use it to heat up the pasta above the fireplace. Then we can have it warm." You explain. Each nation stares at you. "I mean... We don't have to." You mutter, looking down at the floor. Brushing a strand of hair behind your ear, you can feel the awkwardness resonating through your bones.

"Ve, that's a grande idea, (F/n)!" Italy praises as he grabs your hands to hold in his, his eyes sparkling. You freeze in place, your voice coming out weak as you thank him.

"The awesome me and Kinder can go get it!" Prussia grins, jabbing a thumb towards himself.

"I want to go with (F/n)!" Italy pouts, holding your wrist tightly. You become nervous and stare between the two. Germany rises from his chair, and Japan follows suit.

"We'll all go." Germany finalises. "It will be more efficient to go together in case of an attack."

"I agree with Germany," Japan says.

"Ve, let's all go together." Italy agrees. You let out a sigh of relief, happy that there's no big squabble. The group makes a journey downstairs and enters the kitchen. Each person looks around, searching for a saucepan, plates and utensils.

"I'll get the plates." You say, walking over to the cupboards.

"I'll help." Italy follows you. You nod, thankful, and start removing plates. One by one, you pass them to Italy.

"I've found the saucepan!" Prussia announces, laughing. "You are the loser, West, I found it before you." He waves the item mockingly. "Praise me!"

"I wasn't playing a game with you, Bruder." Germany sighs as he closes a cupboard.

"We have all five plates!" Italy turns to face everyone, plates in hand. Japan closes a draw with knives and forks in hand. Germany closes a cupboard door loudly.

"Bruder, I've got your lid." Germany gives a mocking smile, shaking the object. Prussia cocks a brow, giving a teasing sneer.

"I thought this wasn't a game," He mocks.

"Let's go back to the room." Germany rolls his eyes then grumbles. "This place still gives me the chills." Everyone follows him as you walk around the counter, only to hear something crunch beneath your feet. It feels like gravel. You look down to see tiny pieces of white ceramic on the floor. You lift your foot to see that it is in a small pile, but your foot has disturbed it, spreading it out from its neat collection.

"(F/n)-chan?" Japan calls as he waits by the door, watching you.

"Kinder, what are you doing?" Prussia questions as he pops his head past the door.

"There's ceramic shards here... Tiny pieces." You mutter. They all hover around the entrance, knitting their brows at you. You look up at them, then to Japan.

"(F/n)-chan?" Japan looks at you in confusion, not sure where you are going with this.

"Did anyone, perhaps, pick up a broken plate?" You ask, eyeing Japan. Everyone still looks lost.

"No, (F/n)-chan." Japan denies, blinking. Italy perks up.

"Oh, oh!" He turns to Japan, eyes wide. "When we came in, there was a crash. That's what it was! A plate!" He jumps from foot to foot, the words spoken like a blur to the others. You nod.

"So, you didn't see a broken plate?" You ask Japan.

"No, I haven't." Japan shakes his head.

"But it's only you guys here, right? And I don't think The Thing can tidy up after itself. So, who could have cleared it up...?" An eerie silence falls over the room.