"Wait, what?" Peter's voice rang out in confusion and panic. Unknowingly on instinct, he had leaned backwards, refusing to believe what his ears had heard. "Night guard? Me?!"

"The three night guards said that it was the most important position in the museum," Romeo said. "I think they just said that because they probably stole candy from the snack shack, but that's not the point." He clasped his hands together and shot Peter a hopeful look. "You said you wanted a job, and frankly, that's the only job that is available at the moment. The museum really can't be hiring more people, but we absolutely do need a night guard. You seem like a good kid, and since no one has wanted a job at the museum for two months, I'm willing to hire you on the spot." Smirking and raising his eyebrows, Romeo shrugged. "So. Are you up for it?"

"I…" Peter paused uncertainly and pondered it over. In reality, it wouldn't be that hard of a career. He didn't have to interact with any people, and there was a low chance that there would be a robbery during the summer. Then there was the fact that his mom wouldn't let up until he found a job. Coupled with the facts that it was an effortless occupation, and Charlotte would most likely still be there when he arrived, it was a simple decision. "I'm up for it!"

"That's fantastico!" Romeo exclaimed, standing up and sliding over his desk. He wandered over to a grey locker on the left side of the room and opened it, revealing several folded gunmetal uniforms. "What size do you wear?"

"Oh no. No. No you did not!" Charlotte's flabbergasted voice rang out as Romeo and Peter walked back into the lobby. "You hired him. I can't believe you Romeo!" she called out as the two neared her desk.

"Charlotte, we've already gone over this," Romeo calmly replied as he leaned upon the counter. He looked over to Peter, who was awkwardly standing a couple feet away from a pair, holding his new uniform and resume. "Charlotte and I can give you a tour tomorrow, Peter, since its already so late. Also, you can start work tomorrow. I bet you're tired and it won't hurt for me to keep watch one more night."

"Oh good Lord. I swear Romeo, all you do is sleep on the couch. It's a miracle that there hasn't been a robbery yet."

"Hey! At least I actually am doing it and am helping out the museum. When they asked you a couple days ago you lied and said you had to go home and feed your rabbit!"

"I wasn't lying! I DO have a rabbit! And its about time that I leave to go and feed her!" Charlotte announced as she stood up and gathered her red purse and history book. "I guess I'll see you two loons tomorrow," she said over her shoulder as she walked towards the door.

"B-Bye Charlotte!" Peter called out. She slammed the door in response.

"Ah, that's Char for you," came Romeo's voice over to his right. "She's a bit strange and can be a handful when you first meet her, but she sure grows on you!" He looked down at his watch and sighed. "You should be heading home. It's late and I'm sure your parents are wondering where you are."

"Oh, just my mom," Peter quickly responded, not exactly knowing why he just told this stranger he met half an hour ago a piece of personal information. For some strange, unknown reason, he felt that the man was of a trustable sort.

"I see," Romeo returned just as quickly. "Still, you should be heading home. It's almost sundown and your mom must be expecting you."

Peter nodded and fished his keys from his pocket, holding his other belongings with his other hand. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Romeo."

"I guess you will!" he walked alongside him until Peter reached the door. "Arrivederci!" he called as Peter exited the building, waving in a benevolent manner.

Peter waved back, keys still in hand, and strolled down the steps of the building. The sun had begun to set, and the marble columns cast long, thin shadows from where Peter stood. The teenagers from before had already left, and the street was much more crowded than it was earlier. The honking of cars and the frequent yelling of a taxi driver filled the air and Peter took a deep breath, a grin plastered on his face. As he crossed the street and entered his car, he threw his uniform and resume onto the passenger seat and laughed lightly, not exactly knowing what just happened.

"Hello? I'm home!" Peter announced his arrival as he opened the door to his apartment, using his foot to shut the door, as his hands were full. The smell of chicken Parmesan wafted through the air and he practically made a beeline for the dining room table, where his mother already sat.

"Hi hon!" she replied in response, and rested her chin upon her hand. "Come and sit down so I can begin eating!"

"Hi Mom!" Peter greeted with equaled eagerness. Eyes twinkling, he sat down and grinned widely. "So…"

"So what?" she returned, her mouth full of chicken.

"So…I got a job."

Her head popped up and she gasped. "Oh, Peter that's great! What is it?"

"It's a job…" Peter rearranged his things so he could hold up his new uniform, "At the Hetalia Museum."

"Mhm." She nodded as she cut up her chicken. "What exactly will you be doing there?"

"I um…scored the position as their new night watchman."

That certainly resulted in a bewildered reaction from his mother. "Say what? I thought you loved your sleep! Are you sure you'll be able to stay up all night?"

"Mom, don't get me wrong; I love sleep. I think sleep is one of the best things ever. In fact, if there was another day of the week, all I would do is sleep-"

"-You were saying?" she interrupted, getting back to the task at hand and taking a bite of pasta.

"I'll be able to stay awake all night. I'll just bring a few lattes if I get a bit drowsy," Peter replied as he began his dinner.

She nodded and took a sip of water. "So, is there any reason why you wanted to work there? You originally wanted to work at a fast food place so that you could get free food, correct? Why did you change your mind and decide to work at a museum?"

Peter felt his face grow warm and he vacated his eyes to his plate. "Oh, she just really caught my eye. The museum I mean," he added quickly.

She hummed in response and smirked in his direction. "I see." Thankfully she didn't press the matter, and that part of the conversation was ended.

"Wow mom. Another awesome meal, as usual. Thank you!" Peter exclaimed after finishing the leftover crumbs on his plate. "You'll have to teach me how to make food as great as yours one day."

His mother laughed and stood up. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, love." Reaching for her dirty dishes on the table, she jerked her head in the direction of the kitchen sink. "Help me with the dishes?"

Peter nodded and gathered his own plate and silverware. "Sure." In silence they worked together, his mother washing the dishes and Peter drying them off and putting them away. After finishing, Peter turned to head to his room, only to be stopped by a damp hand on his forearm.

"Peter, I…"

Peter turned around in confusion, noticing that his mother's usual peppy tone was gone. He immediately turned around to see her staring at him, raw emotion blatant in her expression. She smiled in almost a sad way, and sighed. "When did you grow taller than me, Peter?" Chuckling, she wiped her hands on her jeans and cradled his cheek in a gentle way, the way only a mother could. "When did my little boy grow up?" Tears pricked at her eyes, and she blinked hard. "I just want you to know…" she took a shaky breath and continued, "that I am so, so proud of you."

Astonished, Peter smiled softly down at her, secretly overcome with emotion. His mother hardly ever showed a side like this, at least not to himself. Not really knowing how to respond, he uttered, "Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome, honey." They stood in silence for a while, until Peter reached down and hugged her. "I guess I just realized that you graduated high school, and now you've got a job…" She laughed lightly and shrugged. "It seems like only yesterday that I dropped you off at high school…I remember later that day you begged me to take you out driving."

Peter laughed along. "I remember that. That first day of school was awful, but when you took me out driving, it made my day a whole lot better."

Silence befell them again, and they stood there, hugging each other.

"I love you mom."

"I love you too."

"This is so exciting!"

"Mom, I've got to go!"

"Aw, your shift doesn't start for at least another two hours! Lemme get a picture of you in your uniform!"

"I need to get there early so that I can get a tour of the museum!" Peter had just opened the front door of their apartment, and was currently standing in the doorway. "Can't you get a picture of me later?"

"No! I need to get it of you now!" She quickly snapped a picture of him. "There!"

"Wait, I wasn't looking! Take another one!" He exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"I thought you weren't interested in having your picture taken."

"Well, I know you're going to post it on Facebook and tag me in it, so I need to look…acceptable," he reasoned, scratching the back of his neck.

She nodded and once again held up her phone. "Well, you're right about that. Say cheese!" she exclaimed.

Posing, Peter winked and threw a thumbs up at the camera. "Cheese!"

"Aw, perfect! Now get out of here! Go!" She all but pushed him out of the apartment. "Text me when you get there!"

"I will!" he called as he bounded down the hall. "Bye!"

The drive down to the museum seemed shorter than usual, and before he knew it, Peter was once again standing in front of the grand stairs leading up to its entrance. Jogging up the stairs, he opened the door and was met with the same, familiar blast of cool air that he had received yesterday and noticed a few people lingering in the lobby. Giving a mock salute to the America statue, he passed by it and was on his way to the help desk until something caught his eye. Another statue stood a little further back and to the left of America, and was strangely somewhat transparent. It caught Peter's eye, and he decided that he could spare a few minutes of his time looking at the amazingly human-like work.

To Peter's puzzlement, the statue looked quite similar to the America one. They shared the same wheat hair, but instead of shorter, straight hair like America, this one had slightly wavy hair, and also sported a pair of goggles on his head, with a long curl protruded from beneath them. Round glasses framed his amethyst eyes, and a small, shy smile played upon his thin lips. He was clad in a tan, heavy winter coat with brown pants. While his posture seemed relaxed, his gloved right hand was gently laid upon the head of an enormous polar bear, which curved around behind him, as if to protect the figure. Peter looked down at the name plate to see what country the sculpture was based off.

Canada.

Oh, so this was the statue that Romeo had been talking about yesterday. Peter nodded to himself, took one last glance at it, and made his way to the currently open help desk. The same history book from yesterday hid the person's face who sat behind it, but Peter didn't have to guess twice who it was. "Hey Char," he greeted in what he hoped was a suave tone.

Setting the history book down, Char glared up at him through half-lidded eyes. "Oh. It's you," she said as a way of greeting. Today, she wore rolled up Khaki shorts and a soft pink cardigan which partly hid a cut-off white tank top, which bared her stomach. Peter felt his face heat up and he immediately tore his gaze back up to her face, eyes settling on the red ascot which was tied around her neck. "Ah, so how was your day?" he asked, trying to make conversation.

"Fine." she answered, looking back down to her book.

Well so much for that idea.

Thankfully he was saved by Romeo. "Ah, Ciao, Ciao Peter!" the man called out as he walked briskly to the help desk. "You look so chic in that uniform!" he added.

"I highly doubt that," Peter heard Char mutter from below him.

He smiled awkwardly in response as Romeo reached the two of them. Clapping his hands together, Romeo glanced to Peter, with an electrifying expression upon his face. "So, are you ready for a tour?!"

"This is the diorama room!" Romeo called out as they entered into the first room. Both sides of the lengthy hallway were showcased a different setting, both of them looking extremely different. Romeo turned to the left side of the room and threw his arms out in a grand way. "This is modern day England!"

The little city before him had to have been created with extremely intricate design and patience. Numerous buildings were placed all around the scene, with Big Ben, the London Eye, and Blenheim Palace as famous landmarks which England was known for. Countless figurines were placed around the city.

Peter looked at Romeo, puzzled. "But where's the statue that represents England?" he asked.

"Ah!" Romeo nodded and joined Peter. "We don't really know for sure…but personally, I think its this guy at the front!" Surely enough, a tiny, figure was placed at the very front of the diorama. From what he could see, the man had messy, sandy hair, wore a green military uniform, and had thick, prominent eyebrows. He stood straight and tall and saluted to the viewer, just like the America statue, but wore a stern expression.

Romeo turned around and gestured to the other side of the room. "And this is modern day Paris!" Turning his head, Peter looked behind him to see another diorama, which wasn't that different from the other. He instantly spotted the infamous Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe through the innumerable buildings and miniatures, and nodded. "Is this supposed to be France?" he asked as he pointed to a figure, who wore a long, deep blue coat and crimson pants, which made quite a fashion statement. His fair, shoulder-length hair seemed to glisten under the bright lights and he held a bright rose in his right hand. Like the supposed England figure, he stood a little further away from the other figurines, and right at the front.

"I believe so!" Romeo called out as he skipped into the next room. "Hurry up! There's much more to explore!"

*Cringes because of crappy ending*

Pardon the really late update; my family has been dealing with health problems and I haven't had a lot of time to work on this. Have no fear, however! I've sorted out all of the kinks and I should be updating relatively soon from here on out.

Comments/reviews would be lovely! Thank you so much for reading!