Here begins another rewrite. This one will most likely be vastly different from the other, so I will probably change the title, I just don't know what to yet.
It was July 3, 2010.
This date had two meanings to Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, the personification of Spain. The first meaning was it was the five year anniversary of his nation declaring it legal for same gendered couples to marry. The second, it was the anniversary of when he had began to date his boyfriend, Lovino Vargas, the personification of South Italy. He couldn't remember how long ago it was that they had gotten together, but he did know that he loved the other with every single beat of his heart and all the breath in his body. Now, he wanted to take it further.
He was going to propose.
Antonio had decided to ask Lovino to marry him the day it became legal in his country. The only thing that had stopped him at the time was not having money to pay for a wedding, or even an engagement ring. He had spent the last five years saving up money, and, with a ring in his pocket, enough money to have the wedding and honeymoon the Italian deserved, he was ready to propose.
The two were sitting together in Antonio's backyard, relaxing together on the patio. They were watching the sun set, eating dinner together in the peaceful quiet of the Spanish countryside. It had been a beautiful day from start to finish: both had woken early to eat breakfast together, then they'd showered, dressed, and spent most of the day in the nearby town.
They spent a few hours in the park, then went to the theater. It was the last day Kick-Ass would be playing, and as it was on it's fourth week, they had the theater to themselves. The couple ended up talking through most of the movie, occasionally laughing at some parts, and enjoying the impossible fight scenes. After this, they went to lunch, did some shopping, then returned home.
Finally, Antonio knew it was time. With the light casting a soft, orange tone over their surroundings, he turned in his seat to look at the man beside him.
"Lovino, I... have some things I want to tell you," he said, getting the Italian's attention. He stood up and moved to be in front of Lovino standing a few feet away.
"We've been together a long time. Longer than I can remember, in all honesty. Through thick and thin, during wars and recessions, struggle and prosperity... Your support through all of it has kept me going. Even before we started dating, you were there for me. I just appreciate all you've done for me so much, Lovi." He went down onto his knee, pulling the ring box from his pocket, opening it and showing the silver, diamond studded engagement ring. "Will you marry me?"
Lovino was utterly speechless. He looked between Antonio and the ring, his eyes filling with tears. He nodded, and his voice finally broke through, "Yes. Yes, I'll marry you."
Antonio smiled brilliantly, taking the ring and slipping it onto Lovino's finger carefully. He began to cry as well, overcome with joy. He scooped the other man up into his arms, kissing him with a deep passion, the Italian returning with a kiss of his own.
He sat down, holding Lovino on his lap, the pair smiling and laughing through their tears.
"I'm sorry I made you wait so long," Antonio murmured in his ear, kissing the side of Lovino's face softly. "I just wanted to make sure it would be absolutely perfect first. You deserve so much, and I want to be able to give it all to you."
Lovino wiped his eyes with his sleeve, clearing away his tears before responding. "You're so dumb, Toni. As long as I'm with you, I have everything I could ever want. You loving me is all I want, and I have that. I don't need anything else."
The Spaniard chuckled lightly. "You do have my love; all of it. I will never love anyone else as much as I love you. You are my entire world, and I want you to know that. I promise, I'll be with you forever, no matter what happens."
"You better be," Lovino said, settling back against Antonio's chest. "As much as you say you need me and I help support you, it's the same the other way, you know. I need you, too."
Antonio nodded, wrapping his arms around the Italian. "I won't let anything come in between us, ever. Our bosses, the other nations, or anyone else. I'll never stop loving you, Lovino, even when I'm long dead and the world has forgotten me."
Blushing lightly, Lovino turned around and kissed the other. "Don't say silly things like that." When Antonio just smiled at him, he sighed and relented, saying, "It's the same for me to you. You will always have my love, no matter what."
With this, the couple stood up and went inside and to bed, putting an end to their perfect day.
