Promise
Chapter 2 – Italy
-Earlier that day-
England was sitting on a chair in his back garden, sipping his warm Earl Grey tea and enjoying the warm sunshine.
His garden was a mixture of colors, bright and dark, leaves and flowers, blooming and wilting. His garden was his pride and joy. Every seed was planted with care. Every day he watered them diligently. He made sure each and every plant had enough water and sunlight. He knew every plants name and needs, which temperature they preferred, which environment it was used to. Contrary to common belief, England was a very caring and concerned parent and he tried his best to raise every of his charges right.
America was just a…um…special case.
He was admiring the blooming daisies, their little yellow faces turned up to the sky, delicate white petals spread, when someone knocked on the door.
Sighing, England got up from his chair, put down his tea onto the table and walked back into his house. The knocking on the door became more frantic. Reaching the door, England opened it, expecting a frantic neighbor, passerby asking for directions or the mailman. What he didn't expect was an almost-in-tears frantic Italy at his door.
England, being the perfect gentlemen, asked "Italy? What do you wa-oof!"
Italy was knocking onto the door rapidly, so when England opened the door, he couldn't stop his hand in time and his hand went straight into England's stomach. Knocking the Brit backwards and onto the floor.
Of course, Italy, being the perfect crybaby he was, instead of doing anything helpful, liking helping England up or apologizing, immediately burst into tears. Making the situation worse for England, who was still seeing stars from hitting his head on the floor. Who knew Italy had such strength? He noticed there was a dent on the door from Italy's knocking. Guess Germany's training had paid off after all.
Wincing in pain, England got up and immediately ushered Italy into the house before anyone came out to see why a teenager was bawling in front of his house. After seating Italy, who was still sobbing, at the table in the back garden. England hurried to the kitchen and came out with a cup of chamomile tea for Italy to calm him down.
Placing the cup of tea in front of the sobbing nation, England sat down opposite Italy.
"Italy," England asked kindly, "what happened?"
"E-england, c…can I ask you s-something?" stammered Italy
"Of course."
"E-England, do...d-do you have a spell that can let me talk to a d-dead nation? A nation I l-loved d-died and I want to talk to him. He...he is the HRE, the Holy Roman Empire."
England blinked, surprised "You believe in magic?"
"O-of course," Italy said, starting to calm down "Grandpa Rome and fratello used to tell me bedtime stories when I couldn't sleep. They were usually about magic, like the sacred tomato fairy who lives inside a tomato box. I tried to catch one once, b-but failed."
"Ah." England murmured, understanding. These days, most people didn't believe in magic anymore, so it was still a shock to know that some nations other than him, Norway and Romania believed in magic.
"England?"
"Yes?"
"Did you grow these plants?" Italy asked "They're beautiful."
"Thanks. Here, drink it." England said pushing the tea to Italy "It's chamomile, I grew it myself. Calms people down."
"Grazie." Murmured Italy, taking a sip of the tea. His golden-brown eyes widened. The tea was wonderful.
It tasted like nature, light, airy and palatable, complete with hints of apple and floral sweetness. If earth and nature had a taste, thought Italy, it would taste like this.
"Do you like it?" asked England looking nervous. America had laughed and said ice tea was better. France had teased him about it. And China had all but thrown it at him. Maybe there really was something wrong with his tea.
"Grazie!" Italy said "It's wonderful!"
"T-thanks," murmured England, surprised "Now, what did you want to ask me again?"
"Today is the day Holy Roman Empire left. He promised me he would never forget me and would come back one day. I waited centuries for him, b-but he…he never c-came back."
"You want me to summon him?" asked England
"Sí..." murmured Italy, looking nervous and unsure, as if waiting for the ultimate rejection that would follow. Seeing the normally cheery nation so gloomy, England felt a twinge of sorrow in his heart.
"Alright."
"R-really?" Italy looked at England surprised, "You really would?"
"Yes." Answered England "Wait here. I'll go see what I can do."