It was the third time this week it had happened.

"Deus meus," Rome growled in frustration as he looked round the room for his sword. He'd just had it a minute ago... how could he lose it in such a short time? He sighed heavily as he ran his fingers through his curly hair and tried to think. Where was I the last time I had it? Let's see... it wasn't... no, that couldn't... He heaved another sigh and turned once more, eyes scanning his surroundings for any sign of the missing weapon. Getting old is terrible, he thought.

"Oi, Romulus," Germania called as he looked through the open door, "ready to go?" Rome felt a little embarrassed. He didn't want Germania to know that he'd lost his sword again. So he turned to the blond man looking expectantly at him and smiled.

"One moment, and I will be," he replied pleasantly. His voice came out overly cheerful and Germania frowned.

"Something wrong?" He inquired, casting an appraising glance at Rome.

"No, nothing," Rome replied, laughing. "I just need a few minutes..." "Romulus, what?" Germania asked, looking intently at him.

"I told you Aldrich, it's nothing, I..." Rome could tell that his guard and good friend was not buying it. His shoulders sagged and he admitted in a small voice, "I can't find my sword."

Germania said nothing for a moment. Rome sighed and looked at the ground. He's going to make some comment about me being forgetful, Rome thought... he looked up to see Germania's eyes twinkling and the corners of his mouth twitching.

"What?" Rome exclaimed a little testily. Germania still said nothing, but he pointed to Rome's belt, from which was hanging... Rome's sword. The sword that he had been frantically looking for all this time.

Rome sheepishly looked at the ground. "It's not funny, Aldrich," he growled, more because he was embarrassed than angry.

Germania just smiled... Rome sighed. He started to leave the house when he realized that he had forgotten his shield and his sandals. "One moment," he said, irritation in his tone.

Germania looked back at his friend and blinked. Is he all right? He watched as Rome began frantically searching for something in his house. He noticed his shield and sandals sitting by the door and wondered if he dared point them out... then decided against it as he didn't want to insult him. But the longer Rome searched, the more frustrated he grew, so Germania stepped in.

"Romulus?" Rome looked up to see Germania holding his sandals and shield. He shook his head and, not looking Germania in the eye, snatched the shield and sandals from him. He sat down to put the sandals on and Germania's voice broke the silence. "Everyone forgets things..."

"It's been happening a lot lately, Aldrich," Rome said quietly. "I'm getting old, and forgetful." Then he voiced what he had been thinking, "Getting old is terrible." Germania said nothing, just waved his hand, and the two men left the house together. They had only proceeded a short distance when Germania stopped dead with an odd expression on his face. "Everything all right, Aldrich?" Rome asked, concerned.

"Um... where's my sword?" Germania replied. Rome blinked.

"You had it when you came for me, I think," Rome told him. The two men turned around and headed back in the direction from which they had just come. They had only gotten a few paces when Rome suddenly exclaimed, "Aldrich."

"What is it?" Germania replied, a little alarmed.

"In your left hand," Rome answered. Germania looked at his left hand... in which he was carrying his sword. Then he remembered shifting it to that hand when he'd picked up Rome's shield and sandals...

When he looked up again, he saw Rome trying to suppress a smile. The two men stared at each other for a minute, then burst into roaring laughter.
After a few minutes they composed themselves. "You're right, Romulus," Germania told him. "Getting old is terrible." Rome grinned in reply, slung an arm about his friend's shoulders and the two headed out together again.

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That's right! More bro-tastic adventures from our favorite ancient pair. I really love these guys.

This was based on something my mom did one time. She walked around the house looking for her glasses when they were sitting on top of her head. She thought it was funny... (I love you, Mom)

Next up will be America and Canada.