Listen to "Forbidden Friendship" from the movie How To Train Your Dragon. That is the song that made this little story come to life.

A New Hope

Lightning struck the sky with a thunder clap resounding after it. The rain was falling atop the makeshift, metal roof of my alley-way home, creating a clinking sound. It was cold and awful and frightening.

My brother, Lovino, had left this morning to search for food and a better shelter if possible. He hasn't yet returned, but I pray for his safety. If only Nonno hadn't died. We would be living peacefully in our house, with a warm fire, and a heaping plate full of delicious pasta. And we would be happy.

My stomach growled at the prospect of food. I had to will it away since I had none and most likely would not get any for a little longer. Fratello and I ate the last pieces of fruit and stale bread yesterday evening. I took a cup that was stowed away one of the corners of the shelter that we called home. I stretched my arm out to fill it with the water that was falling and once it was almost full I drank it all. I do this multiple times until my shrunken stomach feels full, but still rumbles a little bit because of not having food fill it instead.

The rhythmical pitter-patter of the raindrops was lulling me to sleep, eyes trying to remain open. Within minutes I lost the battle of staying awake. Maybe tomorrow fratello would return. Maybe things will get better.

Days had passed since I last saw fratello. I cried and cried, wishing for his return.

Since he hadn't come back, it was vital to get some food. I scrounged around the town, looking for any dropped change. I tried begging to some of the villagers, getting bits of food or currency from them. I probably looked like vagabond, but I did not care. I had to stay alive incase fratello comes back.

There was enough saved up to buy a small loaf of bread and a couple fruit. I put the items in the small sack that I carried around. In it held a change of clothes, a blanket, a little bowl, and pocket knife. They were the only things that I managed to take when we had to leave our old home.

Where Nonno, fratello, and I lived before was torn down after Nonno died. We were told to leave quickly or else we would be crushed under the falling debris when they tear it down. I grabbed the things I could that would be useful in my room, and ran to Nonno's old one to grab the pocket knife he left on the bedside table. Fratello did the same thing, and we ran from the house. We did not look back. It hurt too much to see all our memories there go to ruin.

We ended up running to another town for some reason. Fratello said it was so we could make a new start, build up again. I gave him a small smile and nodded, hoping for the best.

That was four weeks ago. Since then, we lived amongst the poor and the homeless.

I never gave up hope though. As long as I am living I will not give up on anything. That's what Nonno taught us.

Putting on a tough face, I marched towards the stream that ran near the town. I dipped a dirt-encrusted hand into the chilly, unalloyed water. The particles slowly flowed away, leaving clean skin in its wake. I dropped the sack and began to take off my worn shoes, dipping my bare feet in the water. I had not cleaned myself in a while, and I was beginning to get annoyed from it. I want to get rid of this trouble, even if it is only a small one compared to the others.

I took out the spare set of clothes in my bag to clean. I sniffed the fabric- it was disgusting. Soaking the cloth, I began scrubbing away at the grime. The original color was starting to return, a bright white. I laid everything in the sun to dry and took off the clothes I was wearing to clean them as well. Once done, they were put aside next to the others.

I dipped my whole body in the stream this time, body shivering a bit from the onslaught of the water. I scratched at my light brown hair, minding the curl that stuck out, to getting the dirt and things out of it.

The streams was average depth- I could touch the bottom but swim in it with ease. I gotten used to the cool water now, and began doing such. Swim. It was relaxing, but I wish Nonno and fratello were with me; they would have liked it too. Tears start falling a bit down my face, the salty droplets mixing in with the stream.

About to slip into my sorrows, I heard a snap of a fallen branch behind me. I turned around suddenly in the water, keep low. I saw something scamper behind one of the tree trunks, hiding from my view.

I quickly got out of the water and put on my clothes. It was a little damp but it didn't matter. I took out the Nonno's knife, running towards the tree. "Y-you! Don't think you can hide!" My voice shook with nervousness. Usually it's fratello yelling at people, not me. Fratello was the brave one, not me. I always stood behind him.

"Okay, I understand. I did not mean to look." They came out from their hiding place, hands up. It was a boy slightly taller than me with golden blond hair and striking blue eyes. I have never seen such a person before. My mouth dropped in awe.

The knife almost fell out of my hand, but I made a tighter grip on it. My mouth shut and I brought up the knife, pointing it towards the boy. He jumped in surprise, not noticing it before. My voice still shook. "W-who are you?"

"People call me Roma. I'm sorry that I startled you. Usually no one is down here… Might I ask for your name?"

"I'm Feliciano…" I feel my cheeks burn slightly from embarrassment. He seems nice. He did apologize after all. "Sorry I y-yelled at you…"

Roma smiled slightly, walking towards me a little. "It's okay, you had the right to. So, what are you doing out here?"

"I came to wash my clothes and wash off a bit." I looked to the stream, checking to see if I got everything that I left out. Roma looked in the same direction, wondering what I was viewing.

"Well anyway, to make it up to you, would you like to eat dinner with me and my family? Would you mind?" He asked. My head turned to face him. Dinner sounded wonderful right now. Though instead of replying, my stomach growled as an answer. I blushed a bit more.

"Ha ha! I take that as a yes! Come on, my home is close to here." He grabbed my hand and we ran a little ways farther out of town. It was already dusk, a faint orange glow across the skyline.

We continued on for a few more minutes until we reached the front door of a beautiful house. It was very large, looming over me like a giant. Roma opened the door, yelling in, "Roderich! Elizabeta! I'm home, and I brought a guest!"

As I looked about the room, footsteps were heard coming down one of the hallways. A stiff fellow stepped into the entry way. A white gloved hand pushed up his glasses, causing a glare from the light above to reflect off the lenses. His lips were turned into a frown. "Who is this young child, Roma?" The man's voice had an aristocratic tone. Truly of the rich and polished this man is.

"I have brought him here as an apology for startling him down by the river. It was rude of me, and I believe that dinner will suffice for my wrong-doing." Roma replied. He talked the same way this man did and it did not sound right for him. Roma seems about my age as well… Nonno always said that kids should act like kids and have fun so it bothered me a bit.

"Hm, alright then. He can stay for dinner. I'll have to alert the cook to prepare another meal." The man walked off, his purple velvet tailcoat flowing behind him as he went. I didn't think people wore those things anymore, but apparently they did.

Roma spoke, snapping my gaze from the noble gentleman. "That man was Roderich. He and his wife Elizabeta take care of me ever since my Opa died and my bruder couldn't take care of me. My bruder Gilbert is good friends with them, too. Childhood friends if I recall…"

He took my hand and guided me to the living room, I believe. It was very large and spacious. Not like Nonno's where all the furniture was close together and nice and cozy. Us three used to sit by the fire place during cold nights. Nonno would tell me and fratello stories of old or of his past. They were always funny or interesting, depending on what fancied Nonno at the moment.

There were paintings or old pictures hung up on the wall. One was of Roderich when he seemed to be younger. I had the urge to draw on it for some reason- it looked all serious and I wanted to change it. Then looking across the wall, there was a beautiful painting of Roderich and a lady with light, coffee colored hair above the grand fireplace. Her eyes were a shining green and pink flower sat in her hair. A smile was graced upon her lips and her hands were held in her lap. She was absolutely gorgeous. Smaller pictures, photographs, were either on the wall or sitting on side tables. The object of focus was the lady, Roma, Roderich and the lady, or all three of the people.

Roma pointed to the painting that sat overhead the fireplace. "That woman with Roderich in the painting is Elizabeta. She is the greatest and most wonderful person I have ever met. She treats me just like a mother would a child."

I never knew my mother. Nonno never said much about her and Lovino did not remember her. It doesn't bother me, really. As long as I had Nonno and fratello, I was happy.

But that's gone now. Nonno is gone and Lovino hasn't returned.

I feel the tears trying to breakthrough and I try to hold them back. My efforts go in vain as they droplets trickle down onto the carpeted floor. Roma turns around and stands there in shock.

I just miss them so much. Why did God have to take them away from me?

My knees cave in on me and I fall unceremoniously to the ground. I feel so defeated…

Arms slowly wrap around me as I continue crying. Roma embraced me as I continued to cry, the tears soaking his black shirt. My hands clutched the fabric as if it were a lifeline. I didn't want to let go. I have not felt this warmth in a while, and I miss it.

My crying slows and I sniffle, nose clogged up. I use the hem of my shirt sleeve to dry my face a little more. Roma finally lets go and stands. A smile creeps to face and he sticks out his hand. I look on in wonderment.

"Feliciano, whatever troubles you I will try to sooth it away. I will lend you my shoulder to cry on if the moment arises. I will help you if you wish for the assistance. You are my friend now, you know. And friends support each other."

I look on in his eyes. They were sparkling like pure ocean water in the sunlight. My head turns down for an instant, letting everything digest. A friend…

I lift my head up and take his hand. No one has ever done something like this for me. I start to cry again but his other hand reaches out to wipe the tears. "Don't cry now."

Standing up, I hug him. "Thank you, Roma. You have no idea how much this means to me…"

I can feel him start to blush and I see his face turning a rosy pink. He stutters out, "Y-you're welcome F-Feliciano." I smile at him, laughing at his bashfulness. I had found a new ray of hope and I was truly grateful for it.

That was day that I met Roma. Who knew that I would end up falling in love with the boy years later, becoming a forbidden love in my mind. And I wonder if he ever knew that without him, I probably would have never lived on, giving up on everything despite Nonno's advice.

I just wonder where he is. I miss him…

Thank you very much for reading. I plan on uploading another chapter to go along with this. It probably won't be very long, but it may answers some things. I want to introduce Ludwig (who I believe was Holy Roman Empire, at say the reincarnation of him). And if Feliciano seems out of character, I am sorry. (Turkey did say that he was a tough little cookie when he was younger!) The setting of this is pretty much it's own thing. I wasn't focusing on that.

And is there a human name for HRE? I tried to find one but my search bared no fruit... So Roma is his name, or nickname!

This is also not edited or anything. I don't have the time today and I really want to get this uploaded because it makes me happy to see people reading my stories. I'm grateful that you decided to read this, actually! So, thank you again.

Please review, I want to know what you think!