WARNING: Has light parental punishment and some mild language but it's Romano so everyone can expect that.
Antarctica shook her head, getting her mouth washed out was almost as bad as a spanking. But then remembered what happened earlier. Romano sighed, he did not want to go through that again either. Disciplining a child was almost as bad as getting the punishment himself at times.
"I'a am not going to'a ask you again Antarctica open your mouth'a. This wouldn't be'a happening if you would'a have listened."
She glared up at him, giving some signs of being stubborn, and crossed her arms. "I don't want to! Soap tastes nasty!" she complained, her voice rising a octave to reach a whiny pitch.
"So you have'a had your mouth washed'a out before?" he questioned. She nodded rapidly and swung her feet in an attempt to show her defiance. Lovino shook his head, he understood since he had his fair shares of getting his mouth washed out, but that was not an excuse. No child should use words like the ones she spoke and especially not with her attitude.
"Well'a that doesn't matter. Open'a your mouth or do I'a need to get that'a spoon back out?" he threatened. She squirmed (she still felt the sting) but finally opened her mouth though it took much willpower. He popped it in before she could protest or change her mind. She first gagged on it and attempted to spit it out but he forced her mouth shut. After a good while he was going to take it out when Italy came back in the room.
He smiled. "Everything'a alright? I heard you-" he swallowed hard and his smile wavered, "I'a heard you uh..." Romano patted his little brother's back.
"Don't worry'a Fratello," he looked at Ann, "I'm going to'a take the soap out'a okay? Don't bite'a my finger off please?" She nodded, anything to get the soap out of her mouth. Feliciano just realized Antarctica had soap in her mouth and he raised an eyebrow.
"Why-?" he started cut Lovino cut him off.
"She'a said some very not'a appropriate words," he explained as he took the soap out. She immediately started to gag and do everything to get the taste out of her mouth.
"It tastes like garlic and tomatoes from being in your hand for too long!" she spat. Romano's eyes narrowed.
"What'a did I tell you about'a cheeky comments?" Her eyes widened and she shifted on the counter.
"I-I didn't mean for it to be cheeky!" she stuttered, "There's nothing bad about tasting like garlic and tomatoes. It's just because you were raised by Spain and you're Italian!" Lovino blinked, not sure if he should take that as an insult or not. Italy must have sensed the rising tension because he cut in.
"Don't be'a so uptight fratello!" he lifted Ann off the counter, "You'a know children. They don't mean'a some things they say'a. It just slips before'a they realize it's somewhat rude'a!" Romano huffed, slightly upset that is little brother was supporting her. But then he remembered the tears. He looked down at the girl and sighed, he couldn't stay mad at her. It was like staying mad at Feliciano.
"Fine! But'a think before you speak'a!" he added before he walked off. Italy smiled at her and led her to the table.
"Ready to'a eat?" he asked. She nodded and started to eat (salad first). She was almost done when, DING! Being the easily startled Italian he was, Feliciano jumped about three feet in the air and fell on his rump.
"I'll get'a it!" Lovino yelled. There was the sound of the door unlocking, it creaking open, then it slamming shut. Feliciano told Ann to stay where she was and went to the living room. Romano was blocking the door and his expression was a mix of surprise and pure irritation.
"What's wrong'a?" Italy questioned.
"What's wrong'a?!" Lovino's voice went shrill, "Spain is outside our'a door! That's what's wrong'a!" Feliciano blinked and was about to say something when there was another knock.
"Come on Roma!" a Spanish voice whined, "Open up!"
"Who's here?" Italy spun around and there Antarctica was standing in the hall.
"I told'a you to stay in the'a kitchen!" he scolded as he walked over and picked her up. She glanced over his shoulder.
"Why is Romano blocking the door?" she asked. Lovino glanced at the little girl.
"There'a is a very bad'a man outside the door'a and I'm making sure'a he doesn't get in'a," he explained. There was another series of knocks.
"Aw come on Roma you know I'm not a bad guy!" Antonio argued.
"DON'T CALL'A ME THAT!" Romano roared, "WHAT THE'A HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE'A?!" Ann giggled. He glared at her and crossed his arms. "What's so'a funny?"
She covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her smile. "He called you Roma," she snickered, "And you just said a bad word after you punished me for cussing."
Lovino's face turned as red as a tomato. He was technically being a hypocrite. How could he punish her for doing something when he did it all the time? He could do it when she wasn't around, just not when she was watching. "Why won't you let him in?"
Romano finally gave up and opened the door grumbling. Spain practically flew in and hug attacked his little brother. "Roma! I knew you would eventually let me in!" he squealed. He would have probably continued but then he saw Annabelle. His eyes widened and he released the mild tempered Italian. "Now who might this Señorita be?" he asked.
She looked down at her swinging feet shyly. "You know me," she whispered, "I'm Antarctica." He snapped his fingers.
"Of course! How could I forget?" he snatched her from Italy, "As pretty as a frosted flower." She laughed at the nick name France had given her. Feliciano for once frowned, he didn't appreciate the girl being taken away from him.
"Uh Spain I'a had her first-" he tried to say but Antonio wasn't listening.
"Wait," he placed her on his hip, "Why do you two have Ann? You didn't kidnap her did you?!" Lovino shook his head vigorously at the accusation.
"No you idiota!" he snapped accidentally going Italian, "We are'a babysitting! America and England went'a to a meeting for the'a day and she needed'a someone to watch her'a!" Spain blinked as he processed the information. He looked at the little girl.
"Is that true?" She nodded.
"Yeah! Romano is a big meanie!" she added. Lovino tensed up. She was saying what?!
"Oh?" Antonio glanced at the Italian, "What did my little hermano do to you?" She pretended to rub her eyes and sniffed pitifully like a kicked kitten.
"Mean Mr. Romano he," she sniffled, "he hit me. And I wasn't doing anything! I was just copying the words he was using all the time and he got mad at me. He yelled and said I was an imp, a puttana, and a monello." Lovino's jaw dropped, how did she know such horrible words in Italian? But on a different manner, how DARE she lie about him!
After raising Romano Spain had learn a good deal of Italian insults so his eyes about popped out of his skull. Italy looked more like he was going to pass out. "My Roma said that to you?" Antonio asked.
She nodded sincerely and for a second Lovino believed her as well. But then he remembered what the little brat accused him of and his fist tightened.
"How dare you'a charge me of that'a!" he stomped towards her and got in her face, "I punished you'a because you were being'a cheeky and a smart'a mouth! Not to mention the'a nasty language you were'a using! And I didn't-a say one of those'a words to you! Where'a did you learn how'a to curse in Italian?" She stuck out her tongue.
"Liar! You hit me with that spoon for no reason!"
"You used a spoon on her?!" Spain shrieked his expression appalled and he held the girl closer to his chest. Romano felt like getting the spoon back out and beating some respect in that girl.
"Yes but'a only because she continued to'a cuss and snap snide comments at'a me! And that girl is'a a façade! She first acts'a all innocent then she'a strikes! You make me leave she'll be cussing, ignoring every command, and flipping you off!" he argued. Antonio put her on the ground an looked from Romano to Italy to Ann.
"Well since you two are having trouble," he grinned, "I'll help!" The Italians exchanged glances.
"I'a don't think that would be'a a good idea-" Feliciano started but the Spaniard cut him off.
"You need my big brother experience and let's face it," he grabbed the two, "You haven't had your full dose of 'Spain' time today! We'll have so much fun!" Antarctica giggle and that's when Italy finally realized what a demone the child was.
~TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY GERMAN BEER~
It was about 4 o'clock and already it was getting hard for Italy to keep his smile. Spain had been a complete nuisance, almost as bad as Annabelle.
Once she realized that Antonio would back her up no matter what she turned from a brat to a little monster. If she knocked a bowl off the shelf then she was start bawling saying that it was an accident and now everyone hated her now. Spain would blame either Feliciano or Lovino for not putting it up higher.
Romano was ready to grab the girl and give her a tanning but it would be impossible with Antonio around. He acted like the girl as an angel that was Jesus' sister or something. Lovino finally had a chance to talk with his little brother while Spain was playing Mexican Trains with the devil child.
"We'a have to do something about'a this!" Romano hissed, "The stupid'a Spaniard is spoiling the'a girl rotten!" Feliciano nodded and ran his
fingers through his hair, a sign of stress.
"What will'a we do?" Italy wailed, "Nothing we say'a is going to convince him'a that Antarctica would hurt'a a fly!" Lovino stroked is chin, then grinned.
"We'a won't have to say'a anything," he put a hand on his little brother's shoulder, "We can'a let her talk her way'a into her grave." Feliciano first seemed confused but then realized what he meant. He smiled.
"Fratello you're a genius'a! We just have to'a aggravate her then'a she'll go boom!" he clapped his hands like a little kid who was going to get candy (or pasta). Romano sighed.
"I'a was really proud when'a used a word like'a 'aggravate' but you ruined'a the whole thing when you'a said 'boom'." Together, they devised a brilliant plan that would show Antonio the real Antarctica.
~TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY AMERICA'S HAMBURGERS~
Spain and Ann were watching TV when Italy skipped in and changed the channel. She immediately popped up. "Hey!" she yelled, "We were watching that!"
"It's okay chica," Antonio pulled her down, "It is his TV and we can just do something else!" She first glared at Feliciano, but then remembered that Spain was watching. Instead she smiled sweetly.
"Okay Toni!" He held her hand and walked her away. But when Antonio wasn't looking she turned around and stuck her middle finger high in the air at Italy. The Italian about fell over and by the time he recovered, they were gone. Romano came out and sighed in disappointment.
"Okay fratello, time'a for plan B."
Plan B was a much more dangerous operation. When Ann was about to have a snack, Lovino volunteered to make it for her. That made her face drop, but she tried not to show it. Especially when he brought her tomatoes which were vegetables. She swallowed hard but glanced at Antonio watching her and smiled instead.
"Oh! Tomatoes! My favorite!" she picked one up, "Thank you Mr. Romano!"
Spain's face had burst into a Cheshire cat grin, glad that Lovino had even gotten her the snack in the first place.
"Great! You're finally opening up Roma!" he said happily as he slapped Romano on the back. The Italian glowered at his big brother.
"I'a told you not to'a call me that!" he hissed. Antonio crossed his arms and transformed into a somewhat disciplined guardian that could actually be a parent.
"Watch your tone with me Lovino," he snapped, "I have dealt with your behavior before and I know how to fix it real quick!" Romano blinked, surprised that he managed to aggravate the Spaniard so quickly.
"S-sorry," he stuttered, "What's got'a you all worked up'a?" Spain deflated and sighed.
"I'm sorry Ro- I mean Romano," he ran his fingers through his messy brown hair, "I just thought we would had some fun together, just like old times. But you refuse to let me in. I don't even remember the last time you smiled." Lovino instantly went on a full blown guilt trip. Antonio was just trying to be a good big brother.
"When I saw Antarctica," he whispered, "I thought it would be a second chance for me. Maybe if I was more involved then you would be happier. I was trying to make sure I could do one child right." Romano wasn't so sure about exposing Ann now. It would break his brother's heart. But if he didn't, she would eventually slip in the future causing more pain. What was he supposed to do?
"Mr. Spain!" They both turned. Annabelle was getting off the chair and she looked ashamed. She fiddled with the hem of her dress.
"I lied about the words Mr. Romano said to me," she mumbled refusing to meet their gaze, "I just wanted to get your attention. I didn't mean to get anyone in trouble. Please forgive me."
Spain looked hurt but understanding. Lovino recognized the face from the many times he had gotten in trouble. He walked over to the little girl and got down on one knee. "Does that mean you were also lying when you said that you didn't do the things he said?" he asked.
She shook her head slowly and wrung her hands. "N-no," she rocked on her heels, "I would never."
That pissed Romano off more than anything. "How'a could you say that'a?!" he roared, "You know you'a did the things I'a mentioned!"
The guilt disappeared almost instantly off of her face and was replaced with anger. "Back off you asshole!" she snapped forgetting that Spain was right in front of her, "or should I say it in your language, STRONZO!"
"Cállate los dos!" Antonio yelled. Both of them jumped as he stood up. It was very rare to have him start speaking Spanish. You usually had to aggravate him to a dangerous degree. "Estoy harto de este comportamiento estúpido! Estás actuando como dos niños de tres años! Ley de su edad maldita!" (I'm sick of your stupid behavior! You're acting like two three-year-olds! Act your fucking age!).
Ann blinked and looked at Lovino for help on translation but he was to shocked to say anything. Even though he refused to learn Spanish when he was young he picked up a few words along the way. Spain seemed to realize he had basically just ranted in Spanish and his face turned red.
"Uh, sorry," he cleared his throat, "What I mean is that you two need to stop jabbing at each other! And you," he turned to the little girl, "You just proved that you DID do those things! I do not appreciate being lied to."
She crossed her arms. "It wasn't a lie!" she retorted, "I just didn't give you all the details!" His eyes narrowed as Italy walked in. He always managed to come into the room when the tension was at it's highest peak.
"I'a heard yelling," he looked at the scene, "What'a happened?" Romano mouthed, 'our plan'a worked' and Feliciano's face lit up. "Oh, I'm sorry'a if I've interrupted something'a-" Antonio completely ignored the Italian.
"You know what?" he pointed outside, "Go get a switch!" Lovino about fell over. This was not part of the plan at all! Sure he wanted the girl to learn her lesson but now that way! He had plenty of experience with a stupid switch to know that Spain meant business.
-FLAHBACK BROUGHT TO YOU BY ENGLAND'S SCONES-
Romano was in the tomato field hiding. Why? Because he got caught throwing his big brother's turtles out the window. Antonio was obviously furious that Lovino had thrown his dearest pets out the window and judging by the very still motion of some of them murdered a few. He had yelled at his little brother for a bit then ordered him to go get a switch.
Now Romano was hiding in the tomato fields from a very angry Spaniard. But he was hearing yelling. "Lovino Vargas! Come here right this instance! LOVINO!"
Romano shrunk down and noticed a very juicy looking tomato. His stomach growled. God it looked good. One tomato wouldn't hurt. He needed to keep up his strength if he had to break into a run. He grabbed in gingerly then ever so carefully detached it from the vine.
"AHA!" The next thing he knew someone had grabbed him and was picking him off the ground. "I can hear the sound of a tomato being picked from a mile away!" Spain said in triumph, "What did I tell you to do?"
"You'a told me to take'a a siesta," Lovino replied still struggling. Antonio blinked, his anger melting into confusion.
"What? I didn't tell you to take a siesta!" he argued but Romano nodded.
"Yes you'a did! After I picked some tomatoes!" he added so he wouldn't get in trouble for not obeying. Spain frowned, not sure if he should believe the Italian.
"Wait!" he glared at his underling, "I told you to go get a switch! You need to be punished for killing my turtles! Now that you lied to me on top of that-"
"I'A DON'T CARE!" Lovino yelled and bit Antonio's hand. Spain yelped and immediately let go of Romano. He sprinted away.
"LOVINO VARGAS!" Antonio roared, "YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT THIS INSTANCE!" But Romano preferred to sit down thank you very much so he continued to run. He knew that if he kept going he would eventually get to Austria's place and his idiot fratello Italy would hide him. He hit the woods.
It was kind of scary with all the trees glowering down at him full of switches. And being in his position, they all looked like angry Spaniards. He was fine until someone grabbed him.
"You little beast!" Spain hissed as he dragged the little boy over to a tree, "I'm going to give you a switching you'll never forget!" He plucked one of the thin branches of the tree and took off the extra twigs sticking out of it. It was bad enough that Lovino was going to get punished but watching the making if the instrument that would be used made his stomach churn.
Finally satisfied, Antonio flipped Romano over his knee and pulled down the boy's pants. The next thing Lovino knew, CRACK! He howled and squirmed to get out of his big brother's grasp. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! This was how it seemed to always end up, no matter how hard the Italian tried...
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
Romano didn't want Ann to go through the same pain he did. "Wait!" he grabbed Spain's arm, "Don't you'a think that's a little'a harsh?"
The Spaniard met his gaze evenly. "Says the guy who spanked her with a spoon," he retorted.
Lovino flinched, but knew his brother was right. Italy (who was still oblivious) raised an eyebrow. "What'a? And what do you mean she needs to go get a switch?"
Antarctica shrugged, "okay." With that she walked into the hall. Romano was confused, why would she go down the hall to get a switch? Then, they heard a loud bang and she came back. In her hand was a light switch. Judging by all the wires hanging out of it, the object seemed like it was yanked out of the wall. Antonio's eyes widened.
"Annabelle! What is that?! WHERE did you get that?!" he shrieked. She blinked innocently.
"From Mr. Romano's room. You said to get a switch and I got a switch. You weren't very specific," she added. That made Spain do a face palm.
"You know what?" he walked to the door, "I'll get it myself." Lovino snatched the light switch from the little girl as the Spaniard left.
"Do you'a know how much trouble'a you're in?" he hissed, "First you'a curse, then you start'a being cheeky, and to'a top it all off you'a pissed him off and'a pulled the light switch out'a of the wall!" She crossed her arms.
"Like I care? He's just and idiot Spanish dweeb! Like he can do anything to me-"
"The 'Spanish dweeb' has ears you know." She spun around and indeed Antonio stood in the doorway switch in hand. His face said it all, doom.