I don't know about any of you, but I think Romano and Holy Roman Empire could never be good friends. And that certainly isn't a spoiler, by the way. But don't you just think they'd be out for each other's blood, what with HRE looking and acting almost exactly like Germany and Romano being so "cruel" to Italy?

Also, I apologize for this chapter being a bit shorter than normal, but so as not to make it too long, I'm splitting it up into two chapters. More Fratello action next chapter!

Chapter 12-

"And you, Feliciano, are my brother."

Feliciano went pale- He had better not pass out on me!- and took a step back, slowly shaking his head. He cast a pleading look down at Roma, only to make new tears spring to his eyes. "Y-You can't be him!" he burst at last, rubbing at his eyes. "M-my brother, he lives far away!"

"We came in for the funeral," Lovino explained helplessly. "Aria- no, Mom- said that Roma had wanted Dad and I to come. So… so we did. I'm sorry if you didn't want me to come, and as soon as I find my idiot of a father, we'll leave, so-"

Taking him by complete surprise, Feliciano rammed into him, sobbing into his shirt. "Fratello!" he cried, squeezing him tight. "You're my fratello! N-Nonno told me all about you! I-I thought I'd never get to see you! Mamma said you and Dad didn't like us, so I was scared to call you, but I can't believe you'd come to say goodbye to Grandpa Roma! You're Lovino!"

"L-let me go!" Lovino burst, prying the crying ten-year-old off of him. "O-of course we came! I… I wanted to see you too," he admitted, seeming to pacify Feliciano. "I mean, the last time I saw you, you were in a diaper."

Feliciano laughed, wrapping his skinny arms around him in another crushing hug. "You wanted to see me too!"

"Geez, Feli, let me go! Can't you save all this crying crap until we're out of the funeral home?"

His brother jumped away in an instant, turning to Roma. "I-I'm sorry, Grandpa, I should've been more respectful! Come on, Lovino, you can come sit with me and Mamma!"

"Mamma? N-no, I have to find my dad- uh, our dad- and-"

Feliciano skidded to a halt, nearly making Lovino stumble over top of him. "M-Marco," he stuttered, chocolate eyes growing wide. The man before him was tall with jet-black hair and fierce dark eyes that narrowed down at him. Upon seeing Lovino, his arm being slowly crushed in the ten-year-old's surprising grasp, Marco's features softened. "Um, this is Lovino," Feliciano quietly introduced. "Fratello, this is Marco, Mamma's fiance. He's really nice! You guys can talk after the funeral, okay?"

"Aria's on the end with your uncles," Marco explained, nodding back to the front pew teeming over with aunts. "Go ahead and sit down. I think it's about to start."

Feli offered a tiny smile at that. "Hopefully they'll be nice for Grandpa Roma."

Leading him over to a row of very unfamiliar faces, Feliciano cheerfully popped up in front of two brunette men, both glaring at each other like their very existence was insufferable. A third man, who seemed to totally zone out the others' death glares, sat quietly. Those, Lovino deduced, were his uncles.

"Eísai anypóforos," the man in the middle growled, green eyes narrowed behind his curly locks.

"M-Mr. Karpusi?"

Herakles Karpusi suddenly looked away from his nemesis, cocking his head at Lovino. "Lovino?" he sleepily asked in surprise.

Lovino blinked. "Wait a minute, no way. Mr. Karpusi? You're my uncle?"

"You two know each other?" Feliciano excitedly burst. "That's so cool! Wait a minute, you don't go to-"

"Yeah. The famous Heta High School, he… heck," he corrected, seeing as how they were in church and he was before both his brother and his World History teacher, "on earth. Mr. Karpusi is our World History teacher."

If it were even possible, Feliciano seemed to get more excited, now rocking on the back of heels. "Ooh, this is so cool! It's almost like this book I read one time, where everyone knew everyone somehow and by the end of the book they're all really good friends and everyone gets a happy ending! Well, except for these two guys who die falling off of Niagara Falls and the girl who gets in a tragic accident involving a dog and a rocket launcher, but I don't really count them anyway."

All four of them took a simultaneous blink at the hyper little boy. Sadiq sighed and stretched back in his seat, "accidentally" elbowing Herakles. "Ya got a mouth like your mother, Feli. And what kind of weird stuff are you reading, kid?"

That was exactly what Lovino wanted to know. The kid seemed to get weirder and weirder by the second. But he was still Feliciano, his brother- and Lovino was friends with Alfred, so he wasn't so bad. Lovino decided to blame it all on Aria and that weird Marco dude who looked creepy.

Feliciano, completely forgetting about going back to Aria took a seat next to Herakles, giving a wide grin and ecstatic wave to the quiet brother- a man named "Uncle Gupta". Lovino nervously nodded in greeting before being dragged beside Feliciano. "I never knew you were a teacher!" the boy started. "Somehow I thought you'd be a cat doctor or something. Do you know any long-lost brothers of mine, Uncle Sadiq?"

"I think Hera there is an old cat lady, and I kinda doubt that, considering he's your only brother. Unless Antonio got hitched. Did he?"

"Dad's been single for ten years, and I don't blame the ladies. He's an idiot."

"That's not nice! But that means he's like me! A lot people say I'm kind of stupid too, but I know they're kidding. Well, I hope they're kidding. Oh, well. I'm not friends with them anyway."

But he didn't seem to care at all, resuming his former conversation.

While Feliciano and Herakles commenced reminiscing about Herakles's cats and their cute escapades, Lovino turned around to scan the faces for Antonio.

His father was in the very back of the chapel, sitting in the last pew. They locked eyes and Antonio gave him a thumbs up. Lovino scowled at him in return, wishing he wasn't in public and could properly yell at him not to be an idiot. Breaking Lovino away from his thoughts, Feliciano tugged on his sleeve. "You know, I just noticed, but you seem a lot like my friend Heilrich. He's quiet and likes to scowl too! He's kind of mean until you get to know him, though. Like, when we were in Kindergarten, he thought I was girl and said I was funny for dressing like a boy. Heilrich and his parents would have come too, but his Grandpa died just a few days ago too. They say he was Nonno's best friend. Hey, who's your best friend?"

"Do you ever shut up?" Lovino wondered, feeling a migraine coming on.

Feliciano obediently shut his mouth, but his smile remained plastered on his face. Beside the brothers, Sadiq and Herakles started another round of glaring. "Why do they hate each other?"

"Uncle Hera and Uncle Sadiq?" Who else would I be talking about, idiot? "Sadiq's kind of mean to Uncle Hera because Grandpa Roma married Herakles's mom, Damaris, after Sadiq's mom died when he was little. That, and he likes to be a bully, I think. Uncle Gupta doesn't really care either way." Feliciano's voice suddenly dropped lower. "He usually breaks up their fights, but I guess he's too sad about Nonno today. Uncle Gupta moved in beside him when he first got sick to take care of him. He's always been sure to look out for any of us when stuff happens. He's really nice!"

And thus Feliciano burst into another completely off-topic conversation that no one really listened to.

Yep, that's a migraine, Lovino decided, slumping in his seat.

But Feliciano, at some point in his story, had taken hold of his arm again. Noticing Lovino look at the contact in confusion, Feliciano smiled. "I'm really glad I got to meet you," he explained. "And I'm sorry if I'm annoying. I'll shut up if you want. Um… you don't mind me sitting with you, do you?"

In his sudden burst of politeness, Feliciano cast a glance across Lovino to where Marco had just sat down. "…I don't mind," Lovino said, getting a bad feeling once again from Marco. Something just wasn't right about him, he knew. And it seemed Feliciano knew that too, because he had gone into silence, his grip on his arm tightening the tiniest bit.

"Lovino?"

The brothers' heads snapped up. Aria, wearing a black dress that matched her dark hair, gasped and ran over to him, seeming to ignore the fact that she was wearing five-inch heels. "Lovino! Il mio bambino!" Before Lovino could prepare himself, he was met with a smothering hug. "Lovino, I've missed you so much! You're so handsome!" Aria drew back momentarily to dab at her eyes and ask Feli if her mascara was running. When he faithfully answered no, she squealed again and entered round two of the hug-fest. "I'm so glad you came! Where's Antonio?"

Lovino slightly narrowed his eyes. Her voice dropped to a dreaded tone when she mentioned his father. "In the back," he replied with the same tone. "Probably dying to join the crowd."

"I bet he is," she muttered under her breath. But she plastered a smile on her face and gave him one final internal-organ-crushing hug before sitting next to Marco. "You'll have to come by the house afterwards, Lovino. Nonno left you something before…."

Her eyes clouded and filled with tears. When her gaze dropped to the floor, Feliciano sprang up. "It's okay, Mamma!" he chirped anxiously, combing through her hair mechanically, like dealing with her breakdowns was a normal occurrence at the Vargas home. "He's in heaven, remember? It's alright- shh, don't cry, don't cry…."

Despite what he had just said, Feliciano ran his arm across his eyes. Mother and son crushed each other in a hug.

Lovino was really starting to feel like an intruder. What was he even doing here? They never should have come. Things were going to be just like when he was four- Look at my son, Lovino! Can you believe how handsome he is? Looks just like Roma did! My wonderful son, come home at last!

Feli is worth it, Lovino steely reminded himself, dispelling the annoying thought out of his mind. Feli is always worth it.

But how was he even sure of that, seeing as how he knew nothing about his brother? That wasn't entirely true, of course- he knew Feliciano was a kid too hyped up on sugar, completely weird, and probably a spoiled brat. It was very likely he was a spoiled brat.

"Hey, Fratello, are you listening to me?"

Lovino blinked and turned back to Feliciano, who had glued himself back to his side. "What?"

He smiled brightly. "I asked if you wanted to stay the night with me and go to church with us tomorrow!"

"Uh…."

"Alright! We can sleep together and- ooh! Dad has to come to! He's here, right? Right?"

"Feli, shush. It's starting."

Once again, Feliciano's eyes went wide, like he was suddenly put on the spot. He nervously look away from Marco and to the floor. "…."

The funeral was nothing but an unending flood of tears. Lovino could hardly hear the preacher over everyone's sobbing. Feliciano had already soaked his clothes beyond measure, but Lovino put up with it. He wasn't sure how he did it, but at least no one was maimed.

That was always a good thing.

After a good three hours of endless tears and wails, things seemed to settle down for the end of the funeral. Family crowded outside to talk further, as if they hadn't gotten enough of each other yet. Herakles and Sadiq parted as soon as humanly possible, Herakles only pausing a moment to tell Lovino he'd see him on Monday. Gupta was on his way quickly as well, apologizing to everyone for his hasty leave because of his antique business. Feliciano waved largely at him as the three departed, his arm never leaving its iron grip around Lovino's arm. The thousands of aunts that had confused Lovino for his brother also left- without too much hassle, since Lovino was sure to hide from their annoying high-pitched squeals and fingers grabbing at every cheek they could find. Feliciano, however, took everything in good stride, promising each of them he'd see them soon, and thanking them for coming.

Lovino felt the hours stretch on as more and more family piled over to them and out the door, making their way slow with conversation and laughter at Roma's old antics. Lovino was sure he had heard Roma's entire life story by the time they could finally move from their spot at the front of the chapel. He had no idea how Herakles, Sadiq, and Gupta had left so fast- maybe had respect for being Roma's only sons out of a flood of whiny daughters? Or maybe Sadiq and Herakles' nagging each other parted a way for them, which Gupta took advantage of.

However they did it, Lovino really wanted to learn their secret.

It took yet another hour (or what felt like an hour) to finally reach the back of the chapel. Lovino nearly melted with relief when he saw Antonio stretching up in his seat, trying to pinpoint his face out of all the rest. He jumped up, a goofy grin wide on his face, when he finally caught sight of him. "Over here!" he called unnecessarily.

Lovino's relief disappeared in an instant when Aria and Feliciano stiffened.

Wonderful.

"Come on," Lovino blandly said, looking down at Feliciano and his deer-stuck-in-headlights look. "I know he's a complete idiot, but he's not going to eat you or anything. Unless you taste like tomato."

Feliciano cracked a smile at that. "A-all right," he said, nearly yanking Lovino's arm out of the socket to weave through people.

He sure didn't look it, but the boy had quite the grip.

Right before they finally reached Antonio, a black mass materialized in front of the brothers. Bright blue, angry eyes narrowed out at Lovino through strands of pale blonde hair. The boy was intimidating- even if he did only reach up to Lovino's chest. But Feliciano was completely unfazed by the boy's dark glare. He whooped in glee and tackled the boy in a crushing hug.

Slowly but surely, Lovino began to regain feeling in his arm.

"Heilrich!" Feliciano burst, bubbling over with ecstatic happiness. "I didn't think you'd be able to come!"

Heilrich finally stopped glaring at Lovino to turn and nervously smile at Feliciano. "We were a little late, but I promised we'd make it, didn't I? Who is he?" he asked, turning the glare back on.

Lovino certainly wasn't afraid. No, he got a shiver from the cold. Those idiots needed to shut the door….

Feliciano squealed again, latching back onto Lovino's arm. "He's my brother! Can you believe it, Heilrich? He's Lovino!"

"Wh-what?"

Suddenly, realization smacked Lovino in the face. The kid… was the spitting image of….

Lovino threw a finger at the boy, making him blink in surprise. "YOU! WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE THAT STUPID POTATO LOVING JERK LUDWIG BEILSCHMIT?"

"Y-you know mein vetter?"

Feliciano quickly wrapped his arms around Lovino in an attempt to hold him back from tackling the Ludwig-clone. "No, Fratello! No killing people you just met!"

"HE'S LUDWIG'S CLONE!"

"Hug therapyyyyyy!"

"G-get away from me, you weirdo!"

"What is going on here?"

The three boys paused their hugging, attempted-strangling, and glaring long enough to see a dark haired man walk into view. Feliciano completely forgot about holding back his brother to slam into Roderich Edelstein with a hug. "Uncle Roddy!" he burst.

Roderich easily peeled the boy off, sighing out a "I am not your uncle, but it is nice to see you as well, Feliciano."

Lovino pursed his lips at the intrusion, peeved about not being able to mutilate Ludwig's evil cousin/clone. Roderich's no-nonsense expression didn't waver in the least. "Who might you be, young man?"

"Who are you, Prissy Pants?" he shot back, blood boiling at having been called on with so much disdain.

Roderich's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me, young man?"

Feliciano groaned and resumed his hugging. "Come on, Fratello, let the hug therapy work!"

"WOULD YOU GET OFF OF ME?"

Roderich blinked. Heilrich grimly nodded. "Yes, Vati, there are two of them now."

But his father paid no mind, staring at Lovino in sheer shock. In a hushed whisper, the pianist asked, "Lovino? L-Lovino, Antonio's son? Wh-what are you doing here?"

"For my grandpa's funeral, what else?" Lovino said with the roll of his eyes. Who cares if he was acting rude- it practically nighttime outside. He was fed up with crying, annoying Italians and seeing his archenemy's freaking twin had crossed the line. His patience had flown out the window, off into the wild blue yonder, somewhere far, far away.

Roderich shook his head incredulously. He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses before sticking his hand out. "I doubt you remember me, but I'm Roderich Edelstein."

Lovino slightly narrowed his eyes in thought as he tried to recall his snooty face into memory. However, he only shrugged, shaking his hand after a moment of hesitation. Neither apologized for their former behavior. Feliciano positively beamed at the exchange. "Yes!" he cheered, punching a skinny arm up in the air. "I knew my hug therapy would work!"

"Would you shut up about your stupid hug therapy?"

Heilrich darkened his glare. "Don't talk to Feliciano like that!"

"YOU SHUT UP TOO, PIPSQUEAK!"

Heilrich looked equally ready to jump Lovino, but Roderich's hand on his shoulder prevented him from doing so. In order to quell the brewing fight, Roderich asked, "Where is Antonio? I take it you came with him?"

Lovino pointed his thumb back behind. "He's by the door with Aria and- wait a minute, what?" The auburn-haired boy's jaw dropped. No, his eyes were not deceiving him. There stood his idiot of a father, talking to Aria and completely ignoring Marco's dangerous scowl. "That idiot!"

Ignoring Feliciano and the Edelsteins, Lovino stalked over to his father, positively beaming at his ex-wife and her fiance. "…really grown up, hasn't he!" Antonio was saying, completely chipper, like the past ten years hadn't happened. "He sat with you guys, didn't he? I- Hola, Lovino!"

Aria visibly relaxed when she saw that Lovino had come alone. Seeing her so chipper to keep her son in the dark just a little longer didn't help his growing irritation a bit. He bit back the barbed comment in his mouth and addressed his father with a nod. "Let's hurry and go. I'm starving."

"No, Fratello, I told you, you have to spend the night with me!" Feliciano's voice chirped a few feet away. Lovino couldn't see him for the taller people in front of him, but he just knew Feliciano was about to tackle into him again. So when the bright Italian suddenly came into view, Lovino jumped away, making him slam into Antonio. Both stumbled in surprise, stunned to see a completely new person before them. Feliciano jumped back and started a rapid apology, but quickly fell silent.

Lovino saw Aria stiffen, but she didn't say a word.

Antonio was at a loss for words. For the first that entire night, the same could be said for Feliciano. No one seemed willing to prod their introductions, so Lovino ever so nicely said, "That's our dad, Antonio. Dad, meet Feliciano. You'll wish you never met after he opens his mouth."

Those three simple sentences started another tear-fest. However, contrary to everything he had seen thus far, Feliciano wasn't the first to start crying. Antonio pushed a smile on his face, pulling Feliciano close. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. Not even rambling Spanish, as Antonio was prone to do in situations like this.

But there really had never been a situation like this before, had there? Roderich, Heilrich, and lovely brunette woman Lovino assumed to be Mrs. Edelstein silently arrived at the scene, a weary smile on Roderich's face. The rest of the funeral home, even though Lovino could practically see their curious stares bore into his back, thankfully let them be, milling about their way as before. The only variation was that their stories of Roma had instantly switched over into gossip about the father and son.

Aria, of course, was the person to break them apart. "It's getting late, and you need to get in bed for church tomorrow, Feli."

Lovino caught his tired frown, but when he turned to Aria and Marco, he donned a smile. "Okay," he sniffled, wiping at his eyes.

Déjà vu washed over Lovino when Antonio looked up at Aria with well-masked annoyance. "How about we go out to eat someplace first?" he asked, not bothering to be suave in wiping his own tears.

Feliciano's face lit up when he turned to Aria, slightly bouncing in anticipation. Aria looked down at him, to Antonio and Lovino, then back to Feliciano. "…I suppose. But you're paying, Antonio."

More déjà vu when Antonio merely smiled. "Sure! How about we get some ice cream, kids?"

"Yes! I love gelato!"

And that was where Lovino's night began spiraling downward.

Translations:

Italian-

Fratello- Brother

Nonno- Grandpa

Mamma- Mom

Il mio bambino- My baby!

Gelato- ice cream

Greek-

Eísai anypóforos- You're insufferable.

German-

Mein vetter- my cousin

Spanish-

Hola- hello