Romano woke up from his nap with a start. He heard the front door slam shut. Finally Tomato-Bastard was home! Romano bounced off the tall sofa to go see Spain, when he heard Spain's door click shut. Romano grabbed his wooden stool to reach the doorknob ad tried the door.
Locked
He pressed his ear against the mahogany door. He heard within, the bed creak as weight settled on it and a sad, raspy sigh. He leaned in farther but the stool slipped out from under him and his head slammed against the door with a large thud.
"Romano?" the hoarse voice of the Spaniard drifted under the closed door, "I'm sorry, Mi Querido, but I can not see you right now. Go outside and play."
"Why not, you stupid bastard? I don't want to play." Romano said defiantly. 'What's wrong with him. He sounds sick' Romano thought worriedly.
"Because I can't go outside righ-" Spain tried to finish but ended up in a coughing fit.
"What's wrong with you? Spain! Are you sick?" Romano shouted at the door and the Spaniard on the other side, slamming his tiny fists against the ancient wood.
"No Romano! I can't let you in!" Spain said in the most authorial voice he could muster. Romano got an idea. The skeleton key! He dashed down the stairs to his quarters. Romano opened the last drawer on the left side. He pulled up the false bottom, grasped the metal handle, and scrambled back up the stairs to Spain's door.
Quickly he readjusted his stool and stuck the smooth key in the doorknob. The unused tumblers stayed put for a couple turns then after a few tries finally moved, highly rusted. Romano yanked the door open and launched off within. He saw Spain laying on the queen bed with a layer of sweat and dirt covering his every inch.
"Spain? You're burning up." Romano said testing Spain's forehead.
"No I don't want you to get it too." Spain said shaking his would he do if his precious Romano.
"Get what?" Romano said quietly, "What's wrong Spain?"
Spain turned from the child, "I don't think I going to be for much longer." Spain said sadly.
"Are you leaving on your ship again? You better be! You can't die! I won't allow it." Romano whispered, tears flooding his emerald eyes. No! I won't let this happen! There must be something to cure him.
"Is there a cure? How can I help you!" Romano yelled, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks, staining his white apron.
"Cure? I think there might be one for influenza, but it probably costs a lot. I wouldn't be able to afford it Mi Querido." Spain said.
"Bastard! WE can afford it!" Romano said angrily, "You'd rather die thank ask me for help! Who would take care of me if you die? Did you think pf that? I need you Spain, So you better not die."
"You and your Fratello would do that for me?" Spain said in disbelief, turning back to his little Romano, "Thank you so much Mi Querido!" Spain wiped the rest of the tears on Romano's cheeks away.
"You better get well again, else." Romano threatened but rubbed his cheek on Spain's hand comfortingly.
Spain smiled at his little novio país de la pasión