"Here's a story about Rome..." He began, his voice low and unwavering, he talked and talked, gesturing with his hands out in front of him, as if painting a picture for the boy to see, the Coliseum, The Palace, the army that conquered all that land. He talked about when Rome reached Greece, Gaul and the fall of Carthage, he'd stop and explain things, shooting his one hand one way, pointing his other in the complete opposite direction, he talked about Dacia, how he found her beauty, and everything she was, about Egypt, how strange and unusual she was, while he talked his eyes seemed to close, as if re-living what he was saying, eventually reaching when Rome split up, the civil wars, Germania and Persia, until finally, the collapse of The Roman Empire, how the people fled, how the buildings burned, everything told with his words and his hands, a smile never leaving his face. He looked down, looking at the child with a happy look on his face, a tear shedding from his eyelid as he blinked. "Sleep now Lovino..." The Roman bent his head, sweeping some of the boys' hair from his forehead, kissing him there lightly, making sure he was tucked in before turning away.
"You as well, Feliciano…" He tucked the blankets around the younger Italian's figure more snuggly, kissing his cheek gently, as that was all that poked out from the pillow. "Ti amo~"
He then circled the room, bending down to Little Frances' bed, chuckling and tucking a strand of the boys' hair behind his hair. "Francis…" He kissed the top of his head, making sure the little one was comfortable.
Finally Rome stood and was walking to the door, when he heard some stir. It was Little Spain, Antonio.
He was standing, his little arms crossed over his small chest, his dark emerald eyes watching the tall Roman closely. "Abuelo…?" He asked softly, blinking up at him.
"Antonio, you should be sleeping…" Rome looked down at him with a soft smile, placing both hands on both of the boys shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Si?"
"I won't sleep…" The young Spaniard looked up at him, sticking his chin out stubbornly. "Why won't you sleep hmm?" The man bent down to his size, his dark eyes looking into the others deeply.
"I won't sleep, because I know when I do, you'll leave us…." He sniffled lightly, wiping his nose with the back of his hand, looking away slightly, not wanting to cry.
"You know I have to go…" Rome stood, a set look upon his face, leading Antonio to his bed, scooping down and setting him down on it gently. "Please sleep, okay?" He began tucking him in, humming softly as he did.
"I will…" The Spaniard snuggled close to the blankets, still not closing his eyes. "Promise you'll come back…please?" He sniffled again, letting a small tear ebb down his cheek, his breath breaking slightly.
"I promise, but for now, sleep" He bent down, kissing his forehead lightly, standing and walking to the doorway, now wiping his own small tears away. "Ti amo, Antonio" Then he stepped through the doorway, turning to face him once more. "Take care of them the best you can…especially Lovi…" Then Rome was gone, vanishing into the air, returning to heaven once more.
"I'll try Grandpa…goodnight" The Spaniard closed his little eyes, letting his tear ebb down his cheek and onto his pillow, knowing there was going to be no "goodnight Antonio" back, he snuggled into the blankets and closed his little eyes, listening to all the others sleep.
"I love you too…"