Antarctica took a tentative step back, surprised that it took the Spaniard such short amount of time to get the switch.
"How... what... why... who-" she stuttered her face turning red at a rapid pace.
"And that would leave where wouldn't it?" Spain snapped. He walked towards the girl. She instantly saw the danger to her health so she darted over to Italy and latched onto his leg. Feliciano picked up the little girl and hugged her close to his chest. Sure she had made fun of him but that didn't mean he was going to hand her off to Antonio.
"Listen'a Spain," he started, "You can't be to'a hard on her-"
"STAY OUT OF THIS FELICIANO!" Spain roared. Italy backed up, terrified. "Give her to me!" the Spaniard ordered. The poor Italian bit his lip, distraught that he was defeated so easily, but it was either the girl or him. Finally he handed her over. She struggled but Spain had a tight grip.
"Can you both leave?" he asked, "I want to do this alone." Feliciano nodded but Romano was hesitant.
"Remember Spain," he whispered and looked up, "You'a were that age too. So'a was I. Remember how it'a affected our relationship."
With that, he followed his brother. That surprised Antonio. What was the Italian's deal? Usually he was all gloomy and cursing like a sailor, but now he was acting... nice. It was beyond weird. Maybe he was growing attached to the small child.
Spain shook it off though and set the girl down. To his surprise she didn't start running. She just stood there, waiting. He crossed his arms and his eyes narrowed, "What? Aren't you going to try to get away?"
She shook her head. "I know I deserve to be punished," she whispered, "I'm not going to run from what I can't avoid." That hit him in the gut. She really did look sorry, but she did before she blew up at Romano as well. Could he trust her? Maybe just a time-out...
No! A voice shouted in his mind, she has to learn her lesson. Romano never did and look how he has ended up! This was a disturbing battle, him versus himself. Finally, he knew he needed to stick to the plan. He just nodded and pulled out a chair.
"Well then let's get this over with." She bit her lip and took a step back, but then remembered all of the horrible things she did. She took a deep breath and climbed onto his lap. He flipped up her dress and pulled down her underwear. Her bottom was still pink from earlier and Spain couldn't help but smile. Romano knew how to discipline.
He placed his hand on her back signaling that he was ready. She cringed, but nothing could have prepared her for the first stroke. CRACK! She yelped and started to struggle but he had her in a lock. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! It was already leaving clearly visible marks and it didn't take her long to start crying. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
"I'm sorry Mr. Spain!" she wailed, "J-just- OW! Just stop! Please!" He ignored her though. She needed to learn her lesson. He wasn't going to scar her, just get his point across. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! She continued to try to reason with him but she eventually gave up and just sobbed. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
He set aside the switch. But he wasn't done to her disappointment. SMACK!
She yelped as his hand made contact with her already sore bottom. SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! "Mr. Spain!" she cried, "I've- OW! Learned my lesson! Please!"
He made a few last smacks before finally pulling up her underwear and picking her up off his lap. She buried her face into his shirt and immediately he felt his shirt getting soaked with tears. He felt guilty, but he knew it had to be done. After she calmed down he started to ask questions.
"Why were you punished?" he asked. She sniffed and wipe her nose on her sleeve.
"Because I lied and... I cursed...and I was rude... and I tore the light switch off the wall," she stuttered. He smoothed down her hair, pulling out a tissue with his other hand to wipe her runny nose.
"And why did you do it?" She looked away but he grabbed her chin. "Antarctica I want you to look me in the eye. Why did you do those things?" he repeated. She squirmed under his piercing green eyes, they reminded her of England's.
"Because I was tired of everyone looking at me and thinking I'm some perfect angel," she whispered, "I couldn't stand them always assuming that I couldn't harm a fly. I wanted to make myself a reputation, an identity that I created."
This was a slap across the face for the Spaniard. She was just trying to be an individual, and he was one of those people who judged her by her appearance.
"Maybe if you told England and America all this then they would try to understand better," he suggested. She first seemed to accept the idea, but then froze.
"Y-you won't tell them about what I did right?" she whimpered, "Please don't! England will use the slipper on me!" Antonio sighed.
"I'll be gone by then, but I will tell Romano to tell them." She curled up into a ball, beyond upset. After she accepted the fact, Spain carried her to the living room where Romano and Italy were watching a movie. He handed the girl to Lovino and explained before leaving.
As he walked to his car, he saw a very recognizable car pull into the drive way. He sent a quick prayer to God telling him to watch over the poor girl's soul and drove away
ROMANO'S POV-
Barely a minute passed before the door bell rang. Antarctica jumped up and hid behind the couch. As Romano went to get the door Italy grabbed the girl and picked her up.
Sure enough the American and Englishman were both on his porch. America grinned and did a mock salute. "What's up dude?"
This time Lovino did not blow up at the country but glanced at England. As if reading his mind, Arthur sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She acted up didn't she? How much will the damage cost?"
The Italian simply handed hm the light switch. It took the Brit about three seconds to process before clenching his fist so tight he almost broke it. "ANNABELLE ELIZABETH KIRKLAND!" he roared stepping inside.
She buried her face into Feliciano's chest. "WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING?!" he yelled.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, "It was an accident-"
"An accident?" Alfred came inside and even he looked angry, "How is pulling a freaking light switch off the wall an accident?!" She simply shrugged but everyone could plainly see that she was terrified. England sighed and managed an apologetic smile.
"I am very sorry Romano, Italy. I had no idea she would do something like this. I'll pay for the damage-" he started but Lovino cut him off.
"It's okay'a" he crossed his arms, "It's not as bad'a as it looks. I'a can fix it." Arthur seemed relieved by that but his expression hardened as he faced his little sister.
"You owe Romano and Italy an apology young lady. Not to mention me and America for lying that you wouldn't cause any trouble. And I know for certain I can promise them that you will be punished properly!" he snapped. Her eyes widened at the threat of a third punishment. She glanced at Alfred as if he would handle it all.
Instead he glared at her through icy blue eye that made her surprised his glasses haven't froze yet. "I can make that promise as well," he hissed.
Her head hung, four punishments in one day. Lovino felt his heart ache for the poor girl. "There'a is no need for that'a," he said quickly, "Me and Italy have'a taken care of the problem'a already."
England turned red when he realized what Romano was saying. "Well... um... I understand that but I believe that being her guardian means that I need to do my part on discipline."
"But Spain did'a too!" Italy argued. America raised his hand.
"Dude, I might be an 'American idiot' but I'm pretty sure you only mentioned one thing she did. What was the second thing?" he asked. Arthur tapped his foot. Feliciano sighed and glanced at Romano for help. But Romano knew he had to tell them what really happened.
"She'a kind of has a dirty'a mouth, a problem with'a telling the truth, and'a a real difficulty with'a authority," he answered simply. England's eye twitched and lost his composure.
"ANNABELLE! So help me when we get home-" he started as he snatched her from Italy. Alfred touched his shoulder.
"Let's deal with it when we get home okay?" he suggested. The Englishman took a deep breath and nodded before facing the two Italians.
"I am deeply sorry," he apologized, "I understand if you don't want to watch her again." Romano looked at his little brother and smiled slightly.
"You'a know what? We would'a be glad to watch her'a again anytime." America's eyes practically popped out of his head.
"Y-you're serious?" he stuttered, "Even though she cussed, and was rude, and broke your house, and who knows what else you aren't telling us?" Lovino nodded.
"She reminds me of someone I knew long ago," he explained. England gave them the money for watching her and apologized for the fifteenth time before leaving. They could both hear the scolding until the car drove away.
"Fratello?" Romano turned around, "What?"
Italy smiled. "I'a know who she reminds'a you of, yourself."
Lovino scowled, turning back to his old self. "Me? Are you'a stupido?!" he scoffed, "Now let's clean'a this place up." Feliciano just giggled as his big brother started to pick up the light switch.
"Whatever you'a say Roma." With that he sprinted out of the room.
"ITALY!" Lovino roared but didn't chase after him. He just smiled to himself, he couldn't wait until he would see Antarctica again. He just hoped Spain was nowhere insight.
-THE END