"Romano! Get back here!" Spain called, racing after the tiny nation. He was running out of the large bathroom, wearing only bloomers and socks. He turned to stick out his tongue at the dark-haired man.
"Screw off you dumb tomato bastard!" He screeched, turning to speed off once more.
"Quit being such a child, you need to bathe!"
"I don't wanna!"
He raced through the sunny kitchen, and out into the large garden, disappearing through the tomato stalks they'd spent all summer carefully tending to. Once he decided he was far enough from the Spaniard, he slumped down, and sighed.
"You're not hiding from Antonio, are you?" A bright voice suddenly asked from behind him. He turned to face the slim blonde woman who was peering curiously at him.
"He's just an idiot. But you, bella signora…"
"Close. My name is Belle." She corrected with a wink.
"Oh, Belgium." Spain said in surprise, pushing his way through the stalks to where they stood. "When did you get here?"
"Just a little while ago. I wanted to see for myself just how adorable little Romano is. I can see what Francis meant." She scooped him up happily. "He's just too cute!" she cheered, planting a multitude of kisses on the little one's face, making him blush a dark red and squirm.
"Hey, what happened to you always wanting kisses from beautiful women?" Spain teased, poking Romano's face cheerfully.
"Stop that damnit!" He cried, struggling to break free from Belgium's iron grip. "Let go!"
Pouting, the blonde released him, and he sped away a few paces, and then turned to stare suspiciously at her.
"Looks like he's a handful."
Spain grinned, and picked up the kid again, despite loud protests. "He's more like four handfuls. I don't know how I've even gotten this far."
Belgium thought that over with an odd smile, and then decided. "How about I give you a hand with him then?" She offered with a cheerful smile.
"R-really?" The only other nation who'd ever offered to help out was France, and there was no way he'd ever let that guy anywhere near his precious Romano.
"Yeah, why not? You've got a lot of work to do, and I'd love to spend time with him. I can teach him Spanish, take care of him, the works!"
Spain looked at the little nation who was scowling up at him. "Well. An extra pair of hands would make things easier…if you've got the time to spare."
"Oh I always have time. I could start right now, if you want." She glanced at Romano and smirked. "Bath time?"
The taller nation laughed, and handed him over. "Bath time." He confirmed.
Belgium snapped a mock salute, and laughed. "I'll get right on it."
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Spain watched from the doorway as the blonde sat on the narrow edge of the white bathtub, and scrubbed the Italian's dark hair gently. He was staring at a wall, frowning darkly, and refusing to even look up at the two.
"Now how about you tell me what you know in Spanish, and we'll work from there." Belgium prodded.
He didn't answer.
"How about…hello? Do you know how to say that?"
"Hola. Any idiot knows that." He muttered.
"Alright then, what about seasons? Can you name them?"
There was a long pause until he shook his head, spraying bits of soap all around the room.
"I know you can, so either you tell me, or we'll sit there until you turn into a little, adorable prune, okay?"
His frown darkened, until he gave in. "Invierno, primavera, verano, el otoño." He muttered.
"There we go!" She turned to Spain, and smiled, maybe just a little too happily. "See? He does learn, he just doesn't like you."
Spain hung his head in (half) mock hurt. "I know."
After watching the two for a little while, he turned and left the room to head to his study. He figured Belle would be fine with Romano. She certainly was patient enough to deal with him. That couldn't always be said for himself.
Belgium pulled Romano from the tub, wrapping him in a fluffy white towel. "Why are you helping the bastard?" The boy asked curiously.
"We have to help each other out with things like this, don't we?"
"No one else helps."
"Well…" The blonde reached for the clean clothes Spain had laid out earlier, and started dressing the Italian. "I have my reasons." She replied with a smile.
He didn't catch the faint pink blush dusted across her face as she spoke.
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Thanks for reading~!
I've recently fallen in love with this family, so I had to write one myself. Hope you like it! Personally I'm a bit annoyed that it's shorter than I'd like. The chapters will get longer after this.
Review to let me know if it's good or not.