Oh geez, it's been a while since I've updated, huh? Sorry about that. Have this chapter! I don't own Hetalia.

Lovino sighed, staring out at the beautiful landscape of the Fortis section of Procul. His brother, Feliciano, sat beside him, singing a little song. "Mawaru mawaru te o totto, mawaru chikyuu rondo~!"

"Will you stop that?" Lovino asked grumpily. "It's annoying me."

"Sorry, fratello!" Feliciano chirped. "It's a nice day, isn't it?"

"Too bad we're stuck guarding this stupid temple!" Lovino grumbled.

"I think it's noble!" Feliciano declared. "We're the protectors of the Fortis temple from the legend!"

Lovino snorted. "Don't tell me you believe that crap. More like the elders from our village got tired of us and exiled us."

Feliciano sniffed. "Don't say that, fratello. Please?"

"Whatever," Lovino exhaled, thoroughly fed up with his situation.

Suddenly, Feliciano sat up, shading his eyes. "Hey, isn't that Dorato?"

Sure enough, Lovino's quail, named Dorato, was approaching. Feliciano jumped up and down, waving his arms. Lovino pulled him down, scowling. "Stop that, idiota," he ordered.

"Aww," Feliciano pouted. "But he has a note."

Inspecting his bird, Lovino realized that he was indeed clutching a piece of paper in his talons. Dorato cooed in greeting as Lovino took the paper from him.

"Read it out loud!" Feliciano begged.

"Fine. Dear Lovi," he began, curling his lip at the nickname.

"How are you doing? Guard duty must be so exciting! I'm a little jealous! Anyway, I thought you might want a little taste of home, so I sent your quail with my letter and Feli's lemur with some tomatoes for you two. Buon appetito!

P.S. I miss you and Feli! When will you be home?

Love, Boss (Big Brother) Antonio."

"Yay!" Feliciano clapped his hands childishly. "Big brother Antonio sent us tomatoes!"

"Yay," Lovino echoed quietly, half-mockingly.

"Look! There's Silky!" Feli shrieked joyfully. His lemur was dashing towards them with a really big basket held by his tail. He chattered happily as he dropped the basket and leapt onto Feliciano's lap.

Lovino opened the basket. Several luscious, bright red tomatoes rested inside, with a note on top. The writing was unmistakably Antonio's handwriting, only saying "Enjoy~! -Toni".

"Hey, fratello, what's that?"

Lovino looked up, and saw what his brother was gesturing to. There were silhouettes coming towards them; no doubt travellers.

"Are they from the legend? Are they finally here?!" Feli cried happily, getting even more excited, if that was possible.

"Shut up before you hyperventilate!" Lovin shouted at Feli. "There is no truth to the legend! It's probably just some homeless people looking for shelter!"

Feliciano stood up, hands on his hips. "Lovino Vargas!" he said sternly.

Lovino raised an eyebrow. He didn't get this reaction out of Feli often.

His brother's voice rose with every word. "You know as well as I that the legend is real! We are the special protectors of the Fortis temple and we will aid those travellers because they are the heroes of the legend!"

"Well, thank the Goddesses for that," said an unknown voice. "I'm so tired..."

Feli shrieked and hid behind Lovino as the five mysterious people climbed the final steps up to the entrance.

It was a strange group. There was a boy with messy golden-blond hair and very vibrant green eyes, wrapped in a black cloak and looking tired and upset. Next to him was a girl with long, light brown hair, holding a frying pan as one might hold a deadly weapon, as well as a sword, which was a deadly weapon. A boy with silvery hair and crimson eyes was next to a boy with slicked-back blond hair and piercing blue eyes. The last member was a boy with long, yellow hair and sapphire-blue eyes. They all had friendly smiles (with the exception of the one in the cloak).

"Hey, no need to be scared," comforted the tall boy, focusing his ice-blue eyes on Feli.

"V-ve..." Feliciano exhaled, trembling from his strict gaze.

"Idiota," Lovino hissed again. "Didn't you say these were the heroes? Why don't you do your duty, huh?"

"R-right!" Feli stuttered. "Um, welcome, travellers... T-this is the...the..." He promptly fainted.

Lovino turned his back on his brother as he keeled over, leaving the tall boy to catch him. He faced the remaining strangers with anger smouldering in his eyes. "You heard my stupid fratello. If you are the so-called heroes from the stupid legend, then you can go on inside. Goddesses know that it could use some excitement. Hmph. You can vai all'inferno, all of you."

The boy in the cloak stepped forward, facing Lovino. "That was completely uncalled for. What's your problem? I must say that I pity your brother for having someone like you to keep him company."

Lovino smirked. A challenge, huh? He bared his teeth. "So you speak Italian?" He switched to his first language. "My brother and I were basically banished here, thanks to your 'legend'. It's done nothing but bring us bad fortune. If the Goddesses are real, prove it!"

The cloaked boy scowled. "The Goddesses themselves spoke to us and told us to come here. I guess we shouldn't expect help, though, if useless idiots like you are the only protectors left."

Lovino raised his fist threateningly. "I could deck you for that."

"I'd like to see you try!"

As the verbal battle was raging, the rest of the group were looking back and forth between Arthur and the mean boy with the funny curl like it was a tennis match.

"What is it they are speaking?" Francis asked, shaking his head. "I do not know, but some of the words sound similar to French."

"I think the jerk said it was Italian or something?" Lizzie said absently.

"Kesesese! This is hilarious!" Gilbert doubled over with laughter as the shouting match grew more intense.

Ludwig gently set down the other boy. He was very similar looking to the other, so Ludwig supposed they were twins. Their personalities couldn't be more different, though, he mused.

As a mediator, Ludwig was starting to get annoyed at the constant verbal abuse he was sure was going on between Arthur and the guard. He stood up, growing more irked with every second. Finally, he snapped. "SHUT UP!"

Arthur whirled towards Ludwig. "Cos'รจ!? I mean, what is it?"

The guard pointed to Ludwig threateningly. "If you get in the way of this, I'll-"

They were cut off by a soft "Ve..." The second guard was waking up.

"Fratello? What happened?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

His brother was at his side in a second. "These no good-"

"Hey," Ludwig interrupted. "I think it's our turn to have a say."

"Then go ahead and say it, bastard," the guard spat.

"Fratello, please don't be mean! We have to do our job, and that includes treating the heroes to a nice dinner!" the second guard chirped, fully recovered, it seemed. He turned to the five and smiled brightly. "My name is Feliciano Vargas, but you can call me Feli! This is my brother Lovino Vargas, but don't call him Lovi because he hates that. We are honoured to have the Great Mother's champions at the Fortis temple!"

Lovino did not look honoured in the slightest.

Arthur shook Feliciano's hand with some hesitance. "My name's Arthur. I'm, uh, the leader, I guess."

"Nice to meet you!" Feli shook his hand energetically.

Lizzie enveloped Feli in a hug. "Aw, you're so cute, Feli~!" she cooed. "My name is Elizabeta, but you can call me Lizzie!"

Feli hugged her right back. "Ve!" he said happily.

Francis swooped over and joined the hug. "You can call me big brother Francis~," he whispered.

"Uh, fratellone Francis, you're holding us really tight," Feli whimpered.

Lovino shoved the Docte away from his brother. "Get the hell away from my brother, pervert!" he snarled. Of course, everyone is focusing on Feliciano. Everyone loves my damn brother the most.

Gilbert struck an (awesome) pose. "I am the awesome Gilbert! Don't forget it! Kesesesese!"

Ludwig sighed. "I'm sorry for my brother. I am Ludwig, nice to meet you."

Feli shook Ludwig's hand after managing to get away from Francis. As he did, he looked up into Ludwig's eyes again, and was struck with a feeling of...something. Feliciano didn't know what it was, but he felt like he had seen those eyes before...

"Are you going to spend all day staring into each others eyes, or are you going to do your freaking job?" Lovino shouted at his brother.

Feli jumped back from Ludwig, hurriedly breaking eye contact. "Right! I'll make the meal! Can I borrow your basket, fratello?"

Lovino handed over Antonio's basket reluctantly. Then he settled for glaring at the travellers as his brother rummaged through it.

"Tomatoes and pizza! Hey, there's pasta!"

"Use your brain!" Lovino scoffed. "Where would you get a pot to boil pasta here?"

"I brought my favourite pasta pot!" Feli replied. "We can finally use it now!"

Lovino facepalmed.

"There's wine, too!" Feli exclaimed, lifting a few bottles out, ignoring the fact that everyone present was underage and that Antonio had probably put the wine in there by accident. "Follow me, champions!" he said, gathering the stuff up and leading them into the entrance room of the temple.

The five trudged after the excitable guard, Arthur hanging behind a little. Unfortunately for him, Lovino was bringing up the rear, and the two had definitely not gotten off to a good start, so he avoided him.

A large stone table was placed in the corner of the room, so Feliciano set up there. "Can someone get a fire going in that fireplace over there?" he asked, still organizing the things in the basket.

Gilbert eagerly ran to it, but Ludwig restrained him before he got too close. "I know we're in a stone building, but I'm sure you'll still find a way to burn it down," he growled through clenched teeth.

While that was happening, Arthur calmly walked over to the fireplace and cast a fire spell in it. In no time, a cheery fire was burning in the space.

Feliciano pulled out a large metal pot from a hidden alcove. "Oh pasta, I've missed you so!"

He filled the pot with water collected from the roof and placed it above the fire, letting it boil. As he was waiting, he set up seven places at the table.

"Here, let me help," Lizzie said, taking some of the tomatoes and washing them in the rainwater.

"Grazie, Lizzie!" Feli exclaimed.

Lizzie didn't understand, but she guessed that he had said thank you, so she smiled and said, "You're welcome, Feli!"

Once the water had boiled, Feliciano put the pasta in and stirred it with a large ladle. Lovino arranged the tomatoes in a bowl in the centre of the table, and Lizzie put out the pizza. When the pasta was done, Feli spooned it into seven individual bowls and put one at each spot.

Finally, the whole meal was done. After Feliciano set aside a small portion for for Dorato and Silky, he took his seat. Gilbert bounded over to the table and immediately chose the spot next to Feli. Arthur didn't want to sit next to anyone, so he sat at the head of the table. Lovino sat next to Lizzie with a lot of grumbling, but she was the only one he could stand being near without feeling like bashing their head in. Unfortunately, Francis sat next to him right after he sat down, so it was too late to change spots. Ludwig took the last seat, on Feli's other side.

"Buon appetito, everyone!" Feli cried blissfully, and attacked his pasta.

This was the first real meal the five travellers had had in weeks, so they ate heartily. Even Arthur, who was used to rationing, dug in with gusto.

"This pasta is so good, Feli!" Lizzie complimented, twirling her fork in the noodles.

"I love making pasta. It's my favourite food!" Feli smiled.

Lovino had only taken a bright red tomato and was taking small bites from it, eyeing Francis beside him warily. His pasta and pizza remained untouched.

"Fratello, what's wrong? Aren't you hungry?" asked Feli worriedly.

Lovino gazed at his brother coldly. "Mind your own damn business."

"Hey, that was uncalled for," Gilbert frowned.

"Don't tell me what to do," Lovino growled.

"He reminds me of Arthur," Francis chuckled.

"I AM NOTHING LIKE HIM!" Lovino and Arthur shouted in perfect sync.

Everyone else had a good laugh at their expense while the two flushed red and turned away.

"S-shut up!" Lovino said angrily.

Arthur pulled up his hood and ignored everyone else for the rest of the meal.

Lovino finally ate his other food, and Feli and Lizzie cleared the plates. Everyone sat down in front of the fireplace, enjoying the warmth. Francis set out the wine bottles.

"I know we are underage," he smirked, "but who's here to tell us non?"

Gilbert looked excited. He rummaged in his bag and pulled out several cans.

"What are those?" Ludwig asked suspiciously.

"Just some beer," Gilbert said casually.

"Where did you get that?" Ludwig yelled. "You shouldn't drink! You're only sixteen! How many times do I have to tell you that? Have you had any?"

"I haven't," Gilbert said truthfully. "Mathias- remember him?- slipped me some as payment for telling them that address. I've been holding on to it ever since."

Ludwig sighed. "No one here is even allowed to drink that."

"Hey everyone!" Gilbert shouted. "West has issued a challenge! Who can drink this?" He held up the beer can in all its rebellious glory.

Arthur swiped it. "Ha. I could drink a thousand of these."

Gilbert laughed and took a glass of wine, sipping it. "We'll see about that, Artie. Hey, this is some good quality stuff! Where'd you get it, Feli?"

"Our big brother Antonio sent it to us. He lives in a nearby village with us, but the elders there told us we were picked for guard duty, so we had to leave him," Feliciano explained.

"If you're going to tell them your life story, at least get it right," Lovino said, swirling his wine around his cup moodily. "Antonio isn't even related to us. He just takes care of us because we have no one else to do it."

Lovino seemed to be getting more talkative with the wine. Gilbert took this as an opportunity to learn more about this caretaker of theirs.

"So, this Antonio is older than you?" he asked.

Lovino drained his glass and refilled it. He hicupped. "'S only sixteen," he muttered. "Only a year older. Don't know how he got custody of us. Or where he got this damn wine."

"What's he like?" Francis asked, joining their conversation.

"He's a bastard, just like you two," Lovino mumbled. "Thinks he can do whatever he wants."

"He's really nice!" Feli chimed in. "He grows tomatoes in our backyard!"

Francis smiled knowingly. "Ah, I see."

"Can we meet him?" Gilbert asked excitedly.

"Aren't you doing something really important?" Lovino scoffed. "Why would you -hic- want to come to our village, idiots?" He paused. "Heh. Village idiots."

Feliciano took Lovino's glass away from him. "I don't think you should have anymore, fratello."

Lovino scowled at Feli, but before he could do anything, a commotion arose from the others' location.

"Gilbert! This is your fault, so come help me with this!" Ludwig shouted, holding down a struggling Arthur, who was spewing several colourful curses.

"What's wrong with him, West?" Gilbert snickered.

"I think he's had too much beer and wine," Lizzie supplied, holding her frying pan in one hand and her sword in the other.

"What the hell are you doing with those?" Lovino screamed at her. "You're going to kill someone!"

Arthur managed to free himself from Ludwig's grasp and laughed maniacally. "You'll never conquer King Arthur!" he declared, and whipped off his cloak with a flourish.

Francis stifled a laugh. "Oh, my. It seems he does not have very much tolerance for alcohol."

Arthur started to take off his shirt too, but Ludwig grabbed his arms. "Stop this at once!" the Fortis commanded.

"No!" Arthur shouted. "It is my destiny to become the ruler of the frogs!"

Gilbert burst out laughing, and Feli joined Ludwig in holding down Arthur. While he did that, Lovino stole his wine back and downed the whole glass, finishing Feli's abandoned glass as well.

"I'll be friendsh with all te faeries!" Arthur slurred, blundering towards his tome.

"Don't let him get it!" cried Lizzie. "Lovino, grab it!"

Lovino stumbled, holding his stomach. "I'm not feeling so good," he groaned.

In the chaos, Gilbert managed to sneak over to Arthur's tome and grab it at the same time the Omnes did. They played a short tug-of-war with it. As they did this, Lizzie swung her frying pan, trying to hit Arthur, but she hit Gilbert by accident.

He staggered back, holding his head. "Are you crazy, Lizzie? Why did you hit the awesome me instead of him?"

"Oops," she said, not sounding sorry in the slightest.

Arthur held up his tome victoriously, swaying a little.

Silky, Feli's animal friend, made a flying leap and tried to grab it, but Arthur ducked, and the lemur crashed into Dorato, who was just sitting on the ground because he felt like it.

Arthur opened the book to a random page and started reading the words. "Decli-"

"STOP!" Ludwig shouted desperately.

Arthur stopped reading and frowned at Ludwig. "No! I have to read the spell or he won't come back!"

"Who won't come back?" Francis asked in spite of the situation.

"A-Alfred. He said-" Arthur lurched to the side, losing his balance. "He said he'd come back, but he didn't!" His gaze suddenly became filled with murderous rage. "It was you, wasn't it? You killed him!"

Francis backed up. "Arthur, be reasonable! I would never hurt someone you love!"

"You'll pay for this!" Arthur shouted. "You'll pay for ruining my life! DIE!" He started reading a spell that everyone could see had a very gruesome picture next to it. "Mori-"

Gilbert panicked and tackled Arthur. His head hit the floor, his eyes rolled up, and he stopped moving.

"Oops. I think I killed him," Gilbert said, straight-faced.

Feli started panicking. "He's dead?! But we just met him! I don't want him to be dead already!"

Ludwig shot a glare at his brother. "Arthur is just knocked out, Feliciano," he said calmly. "He's not dead. I'd be more concerned with the way he almost killed Francis."

"I'm sure it was just the ravings of a drunk person," Francis said hastily, his expression saying don't talk about it right now.

Feli breathed a sigh of relief, but right after, Lovino collapsed onto the person standing near him, which turned out to be Gilbert.

"Warming up to my awesomeness?" Gilbert smirked.

Lovino tried to push him away, but fell to the floor with a groan, and passed out next to Arthur.

"Fratello, why did you drink so much wine?" Feli shrieked at his brother's limp body.

Ludwig put his hand on his shoulder. "You'll have to lecture him when he wakes up," he said. "He's not in any condition to listen right now."

Lizzie surveyed the mess. "Well, that was a disaster," she commented. "Still, the food was good. Thanks for making it, Feli."

Feliciano was freaking out to much to hear her. "What do we do? What do we do?" he shrieked.

"Calm down, Feliciano!" Ludwig ordered.

Feli was breathing really fast.

"Oh, no, he's not going to-" Gilbert started.

Feli fainted.

"...faint too," Gilbert sighed.

"Is there a room to put them in until they wake up?" Lizzie asked.

"Why don't you ask them?" Gilbert said sarcastically, gesturing to the unconscious guards.

Francis reappeared from the left corridor, where he had gone to search when Lovino passed out. "There are several beds in a room over here," he said.

"Who gets to carry them?" Gilbert said unenthusiastically.

Ludwig hoisted up Feliciano.

"Oh, yeah, take the lightest one," Gilbert grumbled, trying to pick up Lovino without success. Lizzie came to help him, and they managed to tote him down the hall.

Francis grimaced, because he knew how heavy Arthur was when he was sleeping. He struggled to pick him up, and eventually supported him down the hall to the others. He put him in a random bed in the room, then collapsed onto another, empty one. The others had also found beds.

"It's a little strange being able to go to sleep without having to assign a watch," Lizzie whispered.

"I know!" Gilbert laughed. "We're never this safe at night!"

"Good night," Ludwig said, probably trying to shut Gilbert up.

"Good night," everyone chorused.