España's Princesa

Chapter 1

Just wanted to say all I did was fix a few things so now instead of Spain they live in NYC and I fixed some of the translations. I also apologize in advance for any translation mistakes. I'm not very fluent in any language except English. If you know Spanish, French or Italian and I made a mistake I'm sorry, I'm not trying to I just don't know. Feel free to correct me and I'll go back and fix things. I'm using Google translate and we all know how reliable that is XD. That is all. ^u^

I'd like to thank SofiaLight for helping with translating! Thanks dear!

Antonio had a lot on his mind lately. He had been too busy recently with his classes and work to spend any time with Lovino. Lovino had called him up the other day crying, though he'd never admit it, and said he felt like Antonio was ignoring him. As cute as Antonio thought that was he still felt terrible. He needed something to help their relationship. He had asked every friend he could. Francis and Gilbert both suggested sex, which was instantly out seeing they weren't married. Antonio had morals. Feliciano had suggested getting a pet, which didn't sound all that bad. He even brought it up to Lovi one day but the Italian was adamant on his dislike of things with fur. As Antonio walked through one of the more run-down parts of New York City, he continued to try and think of something.

At one point Antonio thought about just proposing but that wouldn't do much good. And planning a wedding would just stress the two out more. Antonio decided to do a bit of shopping while he was in the little town. He had heard there was a farmer's market somewhere and he was in the mood for some homemade burritos for dinner. He soon stumbled upon the small market and began his shopping. He had all the things he needed for tortillas at home but everything else he'd get here. He came across a nice stand run by a little old lady that sold all kinds of beans.

"Hola señora, ¿cómo estás? (Hello ma'am, how are you?)" He greets with his sweetest smile.

"Hola joven. Estoy bien, cómo estás? (Hello young man. I'm fine, how are you?)" She greets back, the corner of her eyes crinkling as she smiles back.

"Estoy muy bien, gracias. (I'm very good, thank you.)" Once paying for the beans he bids the nice lady good day and moves to the next stall.

Once he gets all the ingredients he needs, and a bit extra to make churros later, he starts heading for home. Just as he passes the last vendor he hears someone shout out 'thief'. Antonio turns just in time to see a big man holding up a frail little girl. He kneels down and lays her across his knee, reeling his hand back, prepared to strike her.

"Stop!" Antonio intervenes, not wanting to see the now sobbing girl get beat. "Please señor (sir), she didn't mean it." The large man looked up to Antonio, keeping his grip on the girl so she didn't get away.

"Es su hija? She's yours?" The man asked.

Antonio was close enough now to take in the girl's dirty and ragged appearance. She wasn't small, as in short, she was just too thin. She looked up to Antonio with a blank face though her big hazel eyes begged him to help her. Antonio nearly cried at seeing the awful and neglected child, but swallowed his tears to answer the man.

"Sí." He said as honest sounding as he could.

The man stared at Antonio for what seemed forever before releasing the girl. She immediately ran up to Antonio and clutched at his pants for dear life. He noticed she was shaking slightly as he picked her up. He balanced her on his hip while holding her with one arm. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

"Gracias, I'm sorry for any trouble she caused you." Antonio added a polite bow before heading off.

"I'd like my apple back." The man said curtly, making Antonio stop in his tracks.

"I'll pay for it." He said as he set his sack of ingredients down and dug out enough money to pay for the apple, plus a little extra.

The man counted the money before letting them leave. "Keep that mocosa (brat) of yours on a leash next time!" Antonio simply ignored him as he picked his sack back up and walked away.

Once they were far enough away Antonio slipped into an alley and set the girl down. As soon as her bare feet hit the ground she made a break for it but Antonio grabbed her arm at the last second.

"Oh no you don't. You have some explaining to do señorita (young lady). What's your name? Cómo te llamas?" The girl just stared at him blankly. "Why'd you steal that man's apple? ¿por qué le has robado una manzana a ese señor?" Antonio tried asking her in both English and Spanish, she didn't respond to either.

Suddenly the sound of her stomach growling interrupted Antonio's interrogation. He sighed but smiled at the girl and handed her the apple. She bit into the juicy fruit instantly, eating the thing in mere seconds. She looked back up at Antonio as if to say thank you, juice from the fruit dripping down her chin. Antonio chuckled before wiping her clean with the end of his shirt.

"Do you have any parents? ¿Tienes a algún familiar cerca?" The girl looked up at him with sad, and almost scared, eyes and shook her head no. Antonio's heart nearly shattered then and there.

"Would you like to come to my house? ¿Quieres venir a mi casa?" The girl stared at him a while, as if unsure. "I'm making some burritos; you can try one if you like. Estoy haciendo unos burritos, puede probar uno si quieres." At this the girl shook her head vigorously, the thought of more food too pleasing to deny.

As they walk Antonio decides to ask her if she understands English or Spanish better. "Can you understand my Spanish? ¿Entiendes el español?" The girl shakes her head. "So you prefer English?" This time she gives a small nod, making her wavy onyx locks bounce slightly.

Antonio soon reaches his home and sets the girl down to fish out his keys. The girl, however, had no plans on releasing the Spaniard's neck anytime soon. Antonio simply chuckled and let her hang from his neck while he unlocked the door. Once inside he set his groceries in the kitchen and took the small monkey around his neck to the bathroom. He then pried her off and set her on the countertop and began to run a bath. While he waited for the tub to fill up he took out a washcloth, poured some soap on it and began scrubbing the girl's face. She scrunched her nose and scowled but didn't fight back. Antonio couldn't help but think how cute she looked with her nose all scrunched up.

Once the water was to Antonio's liking he turned the water off, poured in some soap for bubbles and turned back to the girl. She was no longer on the counter and Antonio began to panic immediately. Just then there was a small splash that came from the tub. Upon turning around Antonio found said girl sitting in the water, her ragged clothes abandoned on the floor. With her continuous blank expression she splashed in the water and played with the bubbles. Antonio chuckled at the scene, his heart swelling with a feeling he's never felt before. He couldn't quite give it a name but it felt strangely good.

While the girl played around Antonio sat on the toilet lid as a makeshift chair. After a while he leaned forward and started washing the girl's long wavy locks. She didn't say anything or make any sound but by the scrunched up nose and slight scowl Antonio could tell she didn't really like it. Once her hair was clean he let her play a bit more while he grabbed a towel. When he came back she had already pulled the drain and was sitting patiently in the receding water for her towel. Antonio was slightly impressed with how good she was but was a bit put off by her silent blank stare. Wrapped in a nice thick towel the girl is lifted into Antonio's arms and carried to his room.

He sets her on the edge of his bed and opens his closet and pulls out a large old chest. He looks back to the girl with a big smile when she stares at him with curious eyes. "I have a niece about your size who stays over sometimes. She leaves a lot of it here sometimes so I should be able to find you something cute. Aha!" As if on cue, Toni pulls out a simple but still kinda frilly white sundress, with a rose-like design at the ends, and holds it up. "What do you think niñita? Do you like it?"

The girl looks at the dress a while before nodding, and Antonio could have sworn he saw a ghost of a smile. While he dresses the girl he tries to get her to talk to him, or at all.

"So, do you have a name?" She shakes her head. "What's your favorite color?" A shrug.

Antonio asks a few more simple questions but only gets nods or shakes. He steps back to look at the girl and smiles at how adorable she looks in his niece's old clothes. Antonio then decides to brush the girl's knotted hair so he went to find an old brush. While he looked through the chest again he felt something tap his back and then a small, almost inaudible, voice whisper,

"Cute?"

Antonio swung around in surprise and came face to face with a slightly frightened little girl. "D-Did you just… talk?" She nods slightly before pointing to herself and repeating the question again, a tad louder this time. Antonio was a bit confused. "Are you asking me if you look cute?" She nodded again. "Well, yes, of course you look cute. Adorable even." He pats the top of her head lightly in silent affection.

She gestures for Antonio to come closer and, of course, he obliges. He kneels lower so they are eye level. The girl rests one hand on his knee and, standing on tiptoes, pats the top of his head with the other. Antonio smiles and picks the girl up with one arm and hoists her onto his shoulder.

"How about we brush out that pretty hair of yours? What do you say niñita?" The girl nods and the two are back in the bathroom. Antonio digs out his niece's brush and sets the girl on the counter, her back to him.

Once washed her hair was no longer black with dirt but now a dark brown. Since her hair was wet it was a bit easier to brush but he would still have to cut a bit off the ends. She also had a curl that just stuck up randomly from the top of her head. Antonio tried to brush it down but even while wet it wouldn't budge. Her ends were damaged beyond repair, unfortunately. Antonio thought about just cutting it himself before he remembered what happened last time he tried cutting hair himself. 'Poor Lovi…' He thought solemnly. He ultimately decides to take her to a professional.

As they walked hand-in-hand through town Antonio suddenly remembered he hadn't told the girl his name. "My name is Antonio by the way. You can call me Toni if it's easier." The girl looked up at him and nodded, that being the only indication she had understood him.

"Papa Toni." There was that quiet shy little voice of hers again. Antonio looked down at the girl to see her pointing at him with her free hand.

Antonio never wanted to smile so much in his life. He had no idea why but seeing this little hand intertwined with his own made his heart flutter. The thought of the girl calling him papa made him want to puke and fly all at once. The thought of her growing up scared him. Then Antonio realized what he was feeling. He was feeling that fatherly love he'd heard so much about from T.V. and stuff. If Lovi were here he'd make fun of the Spaniard for being so soft. Speaking of the fiery Italian… Antonio pulled out his phone and picked out Lovino's name in the contacts. Antonio then bailed at the last second and decided to text Gilbert instead. 'He might be at Mattie's so hopefully he's not too busy.'

I need to tell you something. Come to my place in about half an hour. Antonio typed out then pressed send.

Spaniard and child take a seat in the waiting area of the barber shop and Antonio is handed a colorful child's book when his phone vibrates.

Gimme an hour and you got a deal. Wait, you're not drunk again are you cause I'm a bit 'busy' to be draggin your drunk ass home. Antonio smiled lightly at the text back.

No, I'm perfectly sober. I've got a bit of a… surprise. Before sending the text Antonio takes a quick picture of the girl in his lap and attaches it to the message.

While he reads the story book to the girl Antonio feels his phone vibrate several times. He ignores it knowing he's caught Gilbert's short attention. After reading the dreaded child's book for what felt to be the thousandth time the girl is finally called back. A short plump lady sits her in a chair, popping her gum noisily in her mouth.

"And what we doin for you sweetheart?" She asks the girl though the question is obviously meant for Antonio.

"Just the ends. Their pretty bad." He watches as the lady examines the ends and visibly cringes. "Just the ends and maybe that cowlick." Antonio says as he makes the small curl bounce lightly.

The girl then makes a small shriek-like noise and covers her curl protectively. "No no no no no no." She chants while shaking her head vigorously.

"Okay okay niñita, we won't cut your curl." The girl looks up at Antonio with tears in the corner of her round eyes. The sight nearly breaks Antonio's heart.

The lady finishes quickly and the pair are soon on their way home. The girl had been handed a cherry lollipop for being so well-behaved and was happily licking away as they walked. Antonio was stopped several times by young girls to compliment him on how adorable his daughter was. They would pinch her cheeks and comment on how cute she looked in the old-fashioned dress. Some would then ask why he was a single father. Antonio didn't know what to say to that. First, she wasn't his daughter. And second, he wasn't single, he had a boyfriend.

Once Antonio managed to shoo off yet another young lady the two finally made it home to find a panting Gilbert leaning forward, hands on his knees, standing in front of the apartment building Toni lived in.

"Amigo?"

"Antonio! Vhat ze hell vas up with zat text!? Vhy'd you send me a pic of a little girl?! Are you into child porn!?" Antonio's mouth hung open.

"No! Of course not! It was a picture of her!" Antonio gestured to the girl hiding behind him with lollipop in hand.

"Who ze hell is zat?"

"I found her. She was in the market stealing food and was an absolute mess so I brought her home cleaned her up and fed her." Antonio then knelt down and rested the girl on his knee so she was now facing Gilbert. "Niñita, this is my friend, Gilbert. Can you say hello?" The girl gave a small wave before ducking into Antonio's broad chest to hide from Gilbert.

"Hey zere little girl." Gilbert tried, not much of a kid fan, he would definitely say she was one of the cutest ankle biters he's ever seen, regardless.

Said girl peeked out from Antonio's chest for a split second but went back to hiding once realizing Gilbert's eyes were on her. There was something about Gilbert that she did not like. He wasn't mean but his eyes. They were a scary color that just didn't sit well with the girl. She tried to bury herself in Antonio's chest but was already as far as she could get. She gripped at his shirt tightly and was clambering to get as close to the man as possible.

"Papa Toni! Papa Toni!" She cried in her little voice as she continued to try and become one with Antonio's chest.

"I don't think she likes me." Gilbert said with a nervous laugh.

Antonio felt his stomach drop. 'What if she doesn't like Lovi? Am I going to have to choose between the man I love and this girl who has stolen my heart? He couldn't possibly do that.' During his internal panic Antonio failed to notice the pair of hazel orbs staring worriedly at him until there was a small hand patting his head.

"Papa Toni okay?" She asked her head cocked slightly to the side.

Toni knew Gilbert would never let him live down that nickname, but, Antonio was surprisingly okay with that. She had given it to him and that made it special.

"Sí, sí, papá Antonio is fine niñita."

What was he talking about? He was acting like she was a stray puppy he wanted to keep. She had to belong to someone, right? Someone somewhere was most likely worried sick looking for this shy little girl. Looking all over thinking the worst. Crying themselves to sleep after another day of not finding her. 'Dios mio(My God), what have I done?' At this point Toni was having a panic attack. He knew it was the right thing to help her find her family but he also really wanted to keep her.

Wait, if she had family why was she on the streets stealing food looking like she just went dumpster-diving? Toni looked at the girl's arms and saw how skinny they were, even for a young child. She was pale and almost sickly looking, obviously due to malnourishment. He smiled sadly at the girl when he noticed the worry in her large hazel eyes. He ruffled her hair before standing and sweeping her up in his muscular arms.

"Gil, why don't you come inside? I have something I want to ask you." Toni's longtime friend looks at him with concern, not buying his 'I'm okay' act for a second but follows him regardless.

Once inside Toni sets the girl down and tells her to look in the closet for some toys. Reluctantly she scurries off. Toni waits till she is far enough away to not see or hear their conversation. He falls back into the couch, Gilbert plopping down beside him, and draws his hands down his face as if exasperated.

"Vhat's ze matter, Toni? You look like you're going to have a panic attack."

"I don't know what to do mi amigo! I-I don't know what to do with her. I want to keep her but someone's got to be worried sick about her! I just don't know what to do…" Toni leans forward and sighs into his hands.

"I don't see vhat ze big deal is. If you vant to keep her zen keep her." The albino man shrugged as if this was no big deal.

"B-But what about her family? And I have to work tomorrow and then class at night. She'd be alone all day long and even if I find a babysitter or something what about Lovi? What if he doesn't love her like I do?"

Gil sighs and does the last thing either of them ever expected. "I'll take her for a vhile and if no one comes for her I'll bring her back."

Toni looks up in surprise. "A-Are you serious? Are you sure Matthew will be okay with this?"

"Ja, he loves ze ankle biters. She got a name?"

Toni paused. 'Does she?' He had asked her before but she hadn't answered.

"Niñita, can you come here a moment?"

When Toni's calls go unanswered he gets up and finds said girl passed out on his floor. She had apparently been in the middle of reading a plant book Toni had gotten from the library. The picture on the page was of a red rose. There was also a piece of paper on the floor and red crayon in the girl's hand. She had been in the middle of drawing a picture of said flower when she fell asleep. Toni gently picked the girl up and set her in his bed. Little did he know that Gil was standing in the doorway watching his friend curiously.

Gilbert had never seen the Spaniard so… so… he didn't know what to call it. It was just strange the way Toni's features softened at the sight of the girl. The way he leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead after tucking her in. The way every movement was gentle and soft. On any normal day Gil would be laughing his ass off while taking pictures. But, something about watching Toni act like a father made Gil feel something he didn't quite understand. Jealousy? No, he was too awesome to be jealous of this housewife. But if not Jealousy then what?

After Toni was finally done staring at the girl he and Gil went back to the living room. "But are you really sure you can watch her a whole week? Don't you have classes or something?"

"Nah, I'm on break, but I do have work. Mattie can watch her while I work though." Gil waved it off as if it were so simple.

"Gilbert, this is a tiny human being that is completely dependent on others to care for it. It's not a freaking puppy that you just ignore when you want to!" Toni didn't know why he was getting so upset about this but at the same time he did.

"I know I know! I'm sorry. Just trying to make it less stressful for you but vhatever."

Toni sighed again and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. He hadn't been sleeping well what with classes all day then working all night, and a relationship on top. Now he wanted to take in, not a stray puppy, but a living breathing human child! What was he thinking…? At least he didn't have a roommate to worry about but he did have other things. How was he supposed to provide for not only himself but now a child? He would have to but her clothes, toys, extra food and anything else she would need over the years. All this was suddenly weighing itself down on the poor Spaniard and he was about to have another panic attack. He was brought back when his friend suddenly slapped him on the back, hard.

"Snap out of it Toni! Your gonna pass out and I'm not dragging your fat ass to ze hospital if you do!"

"Lo siento… (I'm sorry…) it's just… If I do decide to keep her how can I? Like I said I have work and classes. Not to mention all the stuff I'm gonna have to buy her if she does stay. I just don't think I can Gil. As much as I want to I just can't…"

"Wow, you're really depressing you know zat? Look, I'll take care of her for a vhile and let you decide vhat you vanna do zen."

Toni stared down the hall towards the sleeping girl before nodding. "Deal. Gracias mi amigo, gracias! I'll bring her over tonight after dinner. Is that okay?"

"Ja, fine with me. You gonna tell Lovi?"

"Not until I decide what I want to do."

"Sounds good. Text me vhen you're on your way."

"Okay, see ya." With that Gil left and Toni was left alone.

Not wanting to just sit and let his thoughts wander off he decides to start making those burritos he promised. Going off to the kitchen to start he failed to notice the little head peeking around the corner, tears brimming in her eyes.