Chapter 3
Making Progress
He stood in front of his mirror with a determined expression in his face. Romano had picked out some clothes for himself and was striving hard to look good in his new-found body. Of course, to his growing anger, it wasn't entirely working. After all, he didn't own anything that was remotely feminine and he didn't own a bra so anything tight or even slightly form-fitting was out of the question.
Romano snarled at his reflection, curvy, soft, pink lips curling in disgust, "I'm gonna need to go shopping after I have that talk with England..."
Deciding that he looked passable in a loose, black, dress-shirt and stone-washed, denim jeans, Romano examined his hair. Frowning for a moment, he pulled the luscious locks into a ponytail only snort in displeasure and let it drop back down a second later.
"It's better open like this," he murmured to himself, as he set his lengthy hair in front of his shoulders, "Hopefully, this way, people will be too busy noticing my hair to notice my... my chest..."
Romano let a shudder pass through him, still uncomfortable with what had happened. But there was no point in wasting any time. The sooner he made that bastard turn him back to his proper body, the sooner everything would go back to normal. Maybe, if he was threatening enough, England would turn him back right there and he wouldn't even bother having to shop for clothes. With that glimmer of hope, Romano gave himself one last look-over in his mirror. Satisfied with his appearance at last, Romano set off to give England a piece of his mind... and whatever else he could get his hands on and throw with enough destructive force.
Spain collapsed onto his couch the second he got home, letting out a sigh of relief. Today had been an exceptionally long day. He'd been late to the meeting because of the pests he had to take care of in his tomato garden. Remembering the meeting about an hour later, he had rushed all the way there only to be told by a janitor that everyone had already left. Frustrated, Spain had decided to just get an overview of what happened at the meeting from France. Or maybe Germany since Prussia wouldn't be there... Or better yet... Romano! Brightening at the thought, Spain had practically skipped all the way to Romano's place... only to have the spring in his step brutally amputated. He definitely had not expected to see what he had when he got there. It went without saying that he had been shocked and bitterly disappointed.
Spain knew that people thought he was oblivious and really dense involving things around him. Most of the time, he even laughingly agreed with them. After all, it was usually pretty true to facts. But when it came to his feelings, Spain knew he was quick to realize and understand. He didn't deny anything. He knew he was in love with Romano. He'd been in love with him for quite some time. Spain was very vocal about it too so he felt sure that Romano had at least some inkling of the truth behind his undying affection. That's why it had hurt him so much to see that girl there in his room.
Spain sighed and looked sideways at the bag he'd brought home with him, "Speaking of Lovina..."
After the encounter, Spain had kept true to his word and asked Belgium politely if he could borrow some of her clothes. Belgium had raised an eyebrow at his odd request but had asked no questions and had happily given him several of her older outfits. With a hug and a few laughs, he had departed and tiredly made his way home, musing on the strange turnout of his day.
"I guess it's true that you never know what to expect in life..." he muttered quietly to himself.
Getting up and stretching his limbs, Spain casually grabbed the bag into his hands. He eyed the clothes over and smiled to himself.
At least Lovina seems like a great girl! ... well... "great" might be kind of putting it nicely, Spain admitted to himself. She was pretty angry when she spoke with him, though he could understand why in a situation like that. Actually... she kinda of reminded him of Romano himself!
The way Lovina swore and turned red... Spain grinned and shook his head. Romano's definitely met his match in that girl.
"Come to think of it, Romano's probably home by now... and, I did promise to bring the clothes over to her..." In a decidedly better mood, Spain grasped the bag firmly and headed back outside.
"Open the door you bastard!" Romano pounded on England's front door, "I'm fucking serious! Open up right now!"
Romano waited a moment, only to be greeted by silence. Gritting his teeth, Romano started kicking at the door savagely and repeatedly pressing the doorbell. And, of course, what kind of siege would he be making without a little yelling? In any case, Romano was not going to leave without getting some answers.
"OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL FUCKING BREAK IT DOWN!"
Almost instantly, Romano was rewarded with the inviting sound of rushing footsteps and a door unlocking. The violently aggravated face he made eye contact with, however, was much less than welcome. Romano felt his instincts kick in and almost turned to flee. But, digging his nails into his palms, he held his ground.
"What the hell do you want, you whore?" England snarled, eying him with contempt.
"What did you just call me?" Romano felt his urge to run dissipate, rage bubbling up instead. Indignantly, he grabbed England by the shoulders, "You know what? I don't even care."
Yes. Romano would stay calm. He wouldn't run away. He would convince England to help him and change him back. He would remain absolutely, utterly, undeniably, calm. Romano took a deep breath.
"Just fix this." There was a pause. Both nations were silent, Romano doing his utmost to remain tranquil. Then England spoke.
"Excuse me?"
Romano lost it, "FUCK YOU, YOU BASTARD! FIX THIS."
England stared at him blankly, the perfect picture of innocence, "Uhh, sorry, but... fix what?"
"ME YOU ASSHOLE! FIX WHAT YOU DID TO ME!"
"Fix you? What the hell do you mean? I don't even know who you are! I just came out here to check out who was swearing like a drunkard on my porch!"
"YOU STUPID FREAKIN' PIRATE BASTARD-! IT'S ME YOU ASSHOLE!"
"P-pirate bastard?" England peered skillfully into his face, "Wait... oh my... Romano is that you?"
"YES, GOD DAMMIT!"
For yet another moment, there was nothing but silence. Romano glowered at England, a vice-like grip still on his shoulders. England just watched him. Eyes looking him over and trying to understand the exact effects of what had happened. There was a thoughtful expression on his face and Romano felt his patience wear thin as the man continue to examine him. Another pause. And then...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" England roared with laughter, tears almost instantly gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Surprised by the sudden outburst, Romano unhanded him and stepped back a few feet. England continued to laugh, falling to the floor and clutching his stomach. Romano stood still in shock. This was not the reaction he had been expecting. Maybe a little gloating and a few snide comments but outright laughter? Romano felt his face flush in embarrassment. To make matters worse, the blond haired man seemed no where near done making light of his torment.
"Oh god! Hahahaha! This is absolutely brilliant! Just brilliant!" With a grin, England wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up, "Hehehe! Ahem, please, why don't you follow me inside ma'am?"
The word leaked acid into Romano's veins and he shot his most fiery glare England's way. Unfortunately for him, the nation was not fazed in the slightest, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I entirely forgot my manners! ... Ladies first."
Romano felt his eye twitch but refrained from saying anything. Settling for another glare, Romano flipped his hair defiantly (WAIT. Why did I do that?) and sauntered in through the door, England still laughing behind him. Romano was frustrated. He wanted to yell, scream and swear at the bastard for making fun of his... condition. But if he did do something, chances were high that England would just kick him out and he'd be stuck like this. Stuck, in the body of a girl... FOREVER. A chill ran down Romano's spine. No, it was in his best interest to be as calm as possible. He winced. Not that it had worked when I tried to stay calm two minutes ago.
"So," England grinned at Romano as they sat down in his living room, "What do you want?"
Romano plastered a smile on his face, "Oh, I just wanted your help, if you'd be so kind."
"Sorry, I'm not feeling particularly kind today."
"Maybe all you need is a little encouragement." Romano felt like his face was going to break from the excessive stretching of his mouth. How did Veneciano do it? This smiling and being nice business was harder than it looked.
"Encouragement?" England lowered his gaze suggestively, "Well, if you're that eager to try out that new body of yours Romano... I'm sure I could find the time."
It took all of Romano's self-control to not jump across the room and pummel England right then and there. It also took all his self-control to not take the alternative route and run away screaming like a gir... well... Instead, he clenched his hands into fists in his lap and giggled, "Oh, England! You're so funny!"
England smiled triumphantly, "I am, aren't I?"
"Yes," Romano cooed, resisting the urge to vomit, "And I'm sure that somewhere in the tiny, black heart of yours, there must be at least some salvages of decency that are telling you to help me."
"Hmm," England put a finger to his lips and feigned thinking for a moment, "Nope, sorry."
Romano ground his teeth and clenched his fists tighter, "Please?"
England smirked, "Actually... Tell you what, I'll help you..."
From the way he spoke his words and got up out of his seat, Romano felt something horrible coming.
"... if you kiss me."
Romano's jaw dropped, hit the floor, and dug straight through to the other side of the planet, "WHAT?"
England's smiled stretched further, "You heard me."
"B-but you don't even like me! Why would you want me to-?"
"But that's not why I want you to kiss me," England scoffed, "I just enjoy making you feel horrible. And this way, my revenge will be all the sweeter."
England leaned his body in toward Romano's, "So have you made your decision?"
"Not on your life you bastard!" All pretenses dropped, Romano jumped up from where he sat, his hair bouncing and his did so.
Suavely moving closer, England softly placed his fingers through Romano's gentle curls, laughing lowly as Romano shuddered at his touch, "Well that's just too bad." England snaked his hand down Romano's back, leaning his face in nearer, "Because I won't help you any other way."
"You bastard." Romano practically spat at him, horrified at the blush that involuntarily spread across his cheeks as England's chest pressed up against his.
"I must say," England chuckled and then whispered, blowing into his ear, "I am enjoying this much more than I could have ever imagined."
Romano was frozen in place. Merda. His eyes frantically scanned the room for anything that could help him. England was continuing to make him feel uncomfortable and Romano felt entirely helpless. His quick scan had amounted to nothing. Nothing. There was nothing in this room that could help him. Romano inwardly groaned with annoyance. The only even slightly notable things in this room were a fireplace, a side-table and a stupid flag-
-FLAG! Yes! That gave him an idea!
Romano raised his eyes to meet England's seductively and placed a hand on his chest. He smiled as England narrowed his gaze, wary at the sudden compliance Romano was presenting him with, "What?"
Still smiling prettily, Romano laid his head on England's shoulder and sighed, "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about flags..."
England's voice was guarded, "Flags?"
"Mmmhmm," Romano wanted to gag. His voice sounded too sickly sweet and England was far too close, "America's flag has the same colours as yours, right?"
At the mention of his former charge, England immediately stiffened, "Yeah, so? What are you getting at?"
"Nothing much. Just... well, thinking about the flags made me think of America... and thinking about America made me laugh..." Romano's eyes gleamed wickedly, "... because I can just imagine what his reaction will be when I tell him about this."
England immediately backed away from Romano, "T-tell him? W-what exactly will you tell him?"
"Just about how your hands were all over me. And how overjoyed you were about it."
Romano watched as England turned a pleasing shade of dark red, "You wouldn't! If you did, you'd also be taking a stab at your own pride!"
"See, the one thing good about you putting me in a girl's body?" Romano snarled, tired of acting kind and compliant, "Is that you've pretty much squashed my pride with it. So now, I have nothing to lose."
"Bloody hell..."
Romano smirked, "Ready to help me now?"
"You bastard."
"Hey," Romano grinned with malice, "That's my line."
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I love England! :3 He's so much fun! And I can totally see him trying to make any victim of his revenge feel as uncomfortable as possible! Aaah England! 333
I just want to thank everyone who reviewed! 3 You guys made me feel great and made this chapter just that much easier to write. Hahaha, a little motivation goes a long way I guess! Oh and, thank you Alyksa for telling me about that mistake in the last chapter. ^^; It should be all fixed now!
The next chapter will be out soon! ^^
THANKS FOR READING~! Please review~! :3 *passes out tomato-shaped cookies*
