Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, the personification of Spain, had a problem. Very very recently, he had been given guardianship of Lovino Vargas, the personification of South Italy. Now Romano, as Lovino was called, was a very small boy of maybe three or four in human years, but Antonio himself was still very young, only sixteen. He didn't know how to be a Papa! However, he was trying very very hard. Lovino could be a real handful though. Antonio thought it couldn't possibly get any harder to raise to the stubborn toddler- until one night the child appeared in his doorway in the dead of night, pillow clutched to him, tear stains on his face.
"S-Spagna?" He sniffled, his face red and a little was instantly alert sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Si nino?" He asked in concern. The little boy never came like this! "I don't... feel so..." With that, poor little Lovino was sick on the floor, weak terrified sobs rocking his small frame.
Well Antonio was absolutely terrified. He had no idea how to look after a sick baby, but he had to try! He jumped out of bed, avoiding the mess and scooping the boy into his arms, rocking him gently as he grabbed a blanket before carrying him down the hall. "Shhh... shhh nino... it's ok..." He whispered soothingly stroking the boys auburn hair. The Spaniard quickly warmed the water and poured it into the cast iron tub, stripping the little boy off before setting him in the water. Still Lovino sobbed. Antonio crouched gently, using a rag to carefully wipe the little boys face, cradling the soft cheeks in his hands. "Shhh... shhh Lovi..." He cooed. "I'm here... it's ok... you're going to be ok." He swore.
When the little nation was all cleaned up, Antonio wrapped him in the blanket and carried him back to his room. Carefully setting Lovino on the bed, he kissed his forehead carefully. "Can you be my big brave boy and wait while I clean up?" He asked softly. Lovino whimpered, but gave no real protest.
It was as Antonio was cleaning that he hard the most shocking sound in the world... the one sound that could instantly melt his heart. From the child on the bed came a tiny, whimpered, "Pa... pa... pa..." Antonio once more picked him up, pulling back the covers. The moment the child was set back down and Antonio was laying beside him, the toddler curled into him, clinging on for everything he was worth. "Papa... mio Papa..." He whimpered. "Shhh... I know mi hijo..." Antonio whispered rubbing the childs tummy soothingly. Slowly, softly he began to sing until the child had fallen asleep. Once more, he leaned down to kiss the tiny head nuzzled into his chest. "Te amo... mi hijo..." He whispered, before falling asleep.
