He knew this would happen eventually.

If history had taught him anything, it was that no country had ever stayed parted forever, with both parts still being considered one in the same.

He knew that, and yet he was still shocked.

He just wasn't quite ready yet.

Chapter 1- Life isn't fair

Romano blinked and pursed his lips together. Surely he had heard his doctor incorrectly. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Coughing in order to conceal his shock, he gathered the courage to speak.

"I'm sorry, say again, please?" He managed to croak out. His doctor nodded, and checked something off on her clipboard. Since living countries would be something of an oddity to normal people, the countries each had their own special doctor to look after them, who knew the odds and ends of being a living country. Romano had just been visiting for a routine checkup. Instead he got a nasty surprise.

"I'm sorry to say, Italy Romano, that you are essentially ceasing to exist. Your portion of the country united with your brother's part, and therefore, only the existence of one Italy is necessary. Since your brother is the more well-known part, generally speaking, he will remain in existence while you... fade away. I'm very sorry, I have no control over the matter. I would simply like to say that it has been an honor being your doctor, and I wish you luck with whatever may happen to your conscience." She smiled sadly and rested a hand on Romano's shoulder. He was too stunned to protest. Fade away? Him? But... there were so many things he had wanted to do. It just wasn't fair. Not fair. Not fair at all.

"Not fair..." He muttered, starting to get angry. Recognizing his trademark signs of anger, his doctor scooted her chair back and held her clipboard up to protect her head. "This... this isn't fair!" He screamed, throwing her stethoscope across the room. "Why is this happening? What have I ever done to deserve this?! Why me?!" He felt his shoulders stiffen and realized that his hot tears were streaming down his face and dripping silently onto the floor. Glancing at his doctor, realizing that this was neither the time nor place for a childish tantrum, he sighed heavily and sat back down in the chair, a heavy weight settling in his heart. As his doctor scooted back over to try to calm him down, he felt the pressure overwhelm him. He just couldn't believe it. So, he decided it didn't matter anymore, he was essentially dying anyway.

He let himself burst into tears.

Ten minutes later, he wandered out of his doctor's office, depressed. How would he tell Feli? How would Feli react? Who else would he have to tell? What would Antonio do? The thought of Antonio caused him to freeze in his tracks, if only for a moment. The truth was, he had always liked Antonio and hoped they had something, but he was almost sure that he didn't swing that way, so he'd kept his emotions to himself. Oftentimes they'd gotten him into trouble, usually ending with him yelling out a loud 'Chigi' and running out the door. The problem, he realized as he pushed through the front doors of his doctor's office, was that Spain was always so happy-go-lucky. It was often hard to tell how he actually felt about a matter. He remembered how, as a child, he would abuse and curse at Spain nearly nonstop, yet that perky grin of his never once left his face. Walking along a lonely stretch of road, he wondered why. Why did he smile and take his constant abuse? He knew he liked Feli better-everyone did, it was no secret. So why didn't he just give him over to Francis or something?

I know he offered to take me. He thought, kicking a rock into a pond and watching it sink, just like his hopes and dreams. I remember, Spain went over to Austria's house and complained that I wasn't listening to him at all. The second he said he might not be able to handle me, Francis piped up with 'Then give him to me! Give him to me! Give him to me right now~!' But for some dumb reason, he said no and kept me. And what did that get him? Nothing worth his time, that's for sure. Feeling tears start to well up behind his eyes, he slumped down next to the pond and watched them slowly drip down his nose, causing ripples on the water's surface every time they made contact. The ripples would be like the news. They would spread until they'd disrupted everything around him. Leaning his head back to let the sun shine on his face, he wondered what kind of funeral service his friends might arrange, if any at all. And what of his belongings? He never made a will, and he had no living relatives aside from Feli and their half-brother, Seborga. He guessed most of it would probably go to Feli, with Antonio keeping maybe one or two trinkets to remind himself of the brat he raised and watched die. Briefly, he wondered if he should write a personalized goodbye letter to each of them, but then decided he should probably do it in person. Sighing, he leaned back onto the grass and closed his eyes. What a bleak world this was.

Then, his eyes flew open.

No. I won't just sit here and feel sorry for myself. I don't have much time. She said I'd stop existing in about a week. So, I'm going to do anything I ever wanted to do, and to hell with the consequences. Feeling newly empowered, he stood up and wiped his tears away. He splashed some cold water on his face, hoping it would provide an excuse to his red eyes, and forced a neutral expression onto his face. Then, he took a deep breath and practiced talking.

"Hey, Feli. Oh, this? I tripped and got some dirt in my eye, so I used some pond water to rinse it out. I'm fine now."

"No, I don't need to go to the doctor, Antonio. I washed it out of my eye already."

"Yes, I'm sure Feli."

"Yeah, thanks Antonio. I think a dry shirt would help a lot."

Nodding to his reflection, he turned towards the house that was sitting peacefully in the distance. He knew that both Antonio and Feli would be there, waiting to hear about his doctor's visit. He also knew that, in order to preserve their nerves, he would have to lie to them about it. As he dragged his feet along the path towards the house, an odd couplet sprang into his mind.

Can you have a war if nobody dies?
Can you have depression if nobody cries?

Though he had no idea what it meant, it felt oddly fitting. He mentally tucked it away, and rested his hand on the cold, solid doorknob. This is it. He thought, taking a deep breath. No going back now, time to face the music.

Mentally bracing himself, he turned the doorknob and stepped into the house.

=End of Chapter One=

Alright. So, I wrote this because it just randomly popped into my head the other day, for about the millionth time, 'How is Lovi still alive? For that matter, what about Prussia? Why does no one know these things?!' So, I finally decided to stop annoying myself and write something. This is my take on the aftermath of the unification of the Italian peninsula. I hope you like it. If you enjoy what you read, leave me a review. I write better if I feel encouraged.

((Cover Image is by Sugardrop on Zerochan .net under the title "Italy Brothers". Go to Zerochan and put this in after the url: 846002))