Guernica

South Italy knocked to the Spain's door. When he was waiting for the other nation to open and greet him with this goofy smile, he thought that this jackass had to be really excited because of visit. Antonio always loved to see his little Romano, especially after the unification of Italy. And when Romano was thinking about it deeper, he also liked this visits. There was always such nice atmosphere in his former caretaker's house. After all, it was the place, when Romano spent most of his life, so every corner was full of warm memories. Antonio always was making some pizza or churros. No matter what was happening in the world, Spain was always cheerful and full of hope. That was making South Italy full of hope as well.

However, the fate didn't let them lately see each other very often. Since the beginning of Spanish Civil War, Spain hadn't much time for Italy's visits. That's why Romano, being annoyed because of not seeing Antonio so long, finally decided this beautiful April afternoon to pay him unexpected visit. That's why he was now standing at the older nation's door and waiting for him to open.

Of course, tomato bastard isn't hurry up, was Romano's thought, when the longing began to be more and more annoying. He was going to knock harder and yell at Antonio, but door had been opened and South Italy finally saw Spain. Older man smiled happily, seeing youngster before him, opened the door further and with cheerful scream: "Romano, long time no see!", hugged his guest. Romano harshly pulled him away, but Antonio knew him too well to feel sad about it.

That was the moment, when South Italy could see for the first time from such long time of departure his face. And Italian couldn't resist the impression that Spain's tanned skin was a bit pale, his forehead – sweated and his hair – messed. But Romano only loosed his shoulders and let his caretaker lead him inside, to the living room. Next, Antonio made him sit at the table. But he himself hadn't sat, yet. He only smiled to Italian and leaned his hand on the board.

"Are you hungry, Romano? I think, I have some churros from yesterday. Or maybe you would prefer fresh tomato?"

"Whatever, bastard, just hurry up." Romano growled.

"Impatient as always." Spain giggled.

South Italy's eyes were fallowing Spanish as he quickly went to the kitchen. At first sight everything was normal, but there was moment – slightly a few seconds – when Spain's hand leaned on the door frame. Romano rose his eyebrow with light surprise, but he ignored this weird behavior of his host. After few minutes of waiting for Antonio, he started to tap his fingers on the table. What this tomato bastard was thinking – making him waiting for so long for a meal?

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Spain was taking out from the cupboard the can with churros and tossing it on the plate. He was very excited that Romano came to him in such hard time like this. Even if he couldn't expected any comfort words from Italian, his company was already cheering him up. Truth to be told, he was thinking that he will be all alone in his own house, with aching and tired body, when suddenly he heard the knocking to the door. And when he opened them, he saw angry as always South Italy. So Antonio decided to enjoy this visit fully. And this pain and tiredness won't disturb him in spending time with his cute Romano.

Antonio smoothly, almost dancing, took the plate with churros and came into the room, smiling to Romano.

"Finally, bastard! I'm starving!" He screamed, but it made Spain smile even wider and he even giggle.

He walked with this happy-go-lucky grin on face in Romano's direction, holding the plate with both hands. But when he was in the midway to table, he suddenly felt in his left shoulder pain so strong that Spain screamed, putting his hand on the aching place, and almost immediately fell on his knees. Like on slow motion churros landed on the floor, right before him. Romano's eyes widened with shock.

"SPAIN!" He screamed, stood up from the table and quickly ran to Antonio, who was still kneeling on the floor and covering his shoulder with hand.

South Italy stoop right beside his caretaker. That was the moment, when Romano saw it – red stain right on the Antonio's shoulder; the stain that with every second was becoming bigger and bigger on Spaniard's shirt. In the first moment Romano felt slight wave of panic. What he supposed to do? What had happened just now, anyway? Meanwhile Antonio started to take quick, harsh breaths, until he finally collapsed right into Romano's arms.

"He-hey, bastard! Don't die on me!" Italian screamed with panic, shaking the older nation.

Spain lifted his head to look at South Italy. Right now, Italy could see his eyes. Those green, always cheerful eyes now seemed to be completely washed from this cheeriness. They were shallow and lifeless. Antonio looked down and removed his hand from wounded place to only stare on his own blood on the palm, until his face frowned in the grimace of pain and he put his hand back on the shoulder. Another wave of pain and Spaniard yelled, making Romano worry even more.

"Damn it!" He cursed. "Spain, Spain! What happened?!"

"I… I think… Guernica…" Antonio started, breathing slightly, but he cut, screaming from pain.

"Guernica? This… this small town? What's with it?"

"I… I feel… It seems that… that it had been…" He clenched his hand on the shoulder. His voice and head started to shaking. "That it's still bombarded… They're supporting Republican and… I know… I know it's… it's bad thing… but… but there are innocent people…"

Romano's eyes snapped open. He gritted his teeth.

"Oh, Romano…" Spain started to cry, burring his head in other man's chest. He was still inhaling the air with much effort. "I… I can't stand it, anymore. My people are divided and… and fight with each other… hurt each other… kill each other… My body is… on its limit… I'm so exhausted, Romano."

He rested his head on younger nation's chest. Italy didn't pulled him away, he just wrapped his arms around his caretaker, didn't minding that Antonio's blood started to soaking through Romano's shirt. Soon Spain felt another wave of pain, but he only bit his lip.

"Damn civil war…" Was the only words that escaped from Romano's mouth.

He just realized that Antonio was suffering horrible things. War was always bad for the nation, but war within your own body could drive you to insanity and despair. Romano felt the wave of guilt, when he thought that he was, in some twisted way, the reason of Antonio's bad condition. After all, Romano, Feliciano and that potato bastard were sending to Spanish fascists guns and supporting them. But the worst thing was that he – South Italy – couldn't make this pain stop. Even without their stubborn bosses, there was no chance to make Spanish stop the fight. It was war for the power. And it could be stopped only, when one of the fractions – Republicans or fascists – gain the power or make the peace pact with other group. He also couldn't help much with bombarding of Guernica right now. So only thing, he could do, was holding Spain in tight embrace.

Suddenly he heard Antonio's giggle, but this giggle sounded really sad. Like laugh through tears. Romano looked down at his caretaker.

"I'm sorry, Romano." Spain said. "I guess, this churros can't be eaten right now."

"Idiot, someone is bombarding Guernica and you worry about food?! Come on." He said, standing up and picking Antonio up. "We have to take care of your wound."

Spain's house was as big as Romano remembered, but he knew exactly, where was Antonio's bedroom. He led older man with arm wrapped around him and hand on the waist. Spain was wobbling, probably from the loss of blood and luck of energy. When they finally got into Antonio's room, Romano sat the Spaniard on the bed and left the room to soon return with first aid kit. He quickly marched to Spain, put the box beside the man, and started to unbuttoning his shirt. Antonio let him, observing the floor with absent look. His body was full of fresh and old scars. He didn't say or do anything, while his step little brother was fixing his wound and, after that, he put him into bed and covered with sheet.

"Rest for awhile, Spain." He said. "Don't worry. I will stay here with you."

"I should find you some shirt for exchange." Antonio sat, but Romano gently pulled him back to lying position, and said:

"Imagine it's tomato juice."

Smile appeared on Antonio's face and he laughed. But sudden wave of pain made this beautiful smile fade away. Spain hissed and once again started to breath harshly. South Italy put his hand on Spain's forehead. It was sweated and hot. Italian bit his lip and took other man's hand tightly. He was so totally helpless. He could only sit here and watch as Antonio suffer.

"If… if I would die…" Spain started, smiling tiredly. Italy widened his eyes. "If civil war would destroy me, it's… it's good that… that I could see you, before it will happen."

"Idiot, you won't die. Don't even dare to say it!"

"I'm not… strong enough, Romano. My body… won't be resisting in eternity."

"Bullshit! Do you remember how many times you were in condition like this?! And you always was your happy-go-lucky self! No matter, how hard you had fallen; no matter, what had been done to you, you survived this and smiled this goofy, cheerful smile of yours!"

"Romano, are you… crying?"

South Italy really was crying, but he just continued:

"When everything around you was falling apart, when it seemed that there was no hope, you were still smiling! This smile was your strength! And mine as well!"

"Romano…"

There was a silence between them for a moment. Spain looked at South Italy. His eyes was still shallow, but there was something in them. Something strong. Something like… determination.

"Romano," He started. His voice was so quiet that Romano barely heard it. "cheer me up, please."

South Italy frowned his eyebrows and thought for a moment. He never was good in making someone smile. Well, not intentionally, because there were moments when he accidently do or say something that made Spain laugh. Now he had to only remember one of this things, but it was hard. His memory didn't want to cooperate. His mind was empty. Damn it, Romano! Think, think, think. Why he had to be useless even in something so simple?

Suddenly Spain, just like that, started to laugh. Surprised Italy looked at him.

"You look just like tomato." Antonio giggled.

"You called me tomato. You're returning to health, bastard."

Spain was still giggling. Suddenly he hissed with pain, but then his eyes blinked with surprise and after few seconds he smiled to Italy.

"The pain stopped." Antonio said, grinning even wider. "The bombarding of Guernica is over."

He started to laugh with relief. Romano couldn't help, but laugh with him. Spain sat in the bed and wrapped his arms around South Italy, who immediately returned the hug. However, they both knew that it wasn't the end of Spain's suffering. The Spanish Civil War wasn't over, besides Antonio still had to deal with the loss of his people in Guernica. Damn Hitler, Mussolini and Franco. In times like this Romano regretted that he and Feliciano were fascists.

"Thank you for being here." Antonio whispered, waking Romano up from his grim thoughts. "Without you I wouldn't survive this nightmare."

"You welcome, tomato bastard." Romano broke the hug. "Hey, do you want something to eat? I will go to kitchen and find something. Just wait for it."

I know that Guernica is technically the part of Basque Country, but the idea of Antonio in pain was too temptating to refuse it and make an OC of Basque Country.

It can be two-shot, if you will show me some interest in it.

Also I have weird urge to write something with Badass Trio (Bad Touch Trio, Bad Friends Trio... well, you know about who I'm talking).