"This pwace is so pwetty, Wome!" Albion yelled happily, excitement finally setting in. All the strange sights and smells were so different to what he was used to. It was brighter and cheerier; people all around laughed and chatted to each other as they walked to Rome's house. Albion took a huge inhale through his nose to smell the variety of scents that fill the air. It smelt much better than Scotland's or Ireland's cooking. His stomach growled.
Rome laughed haughtily, obviously pleased now that he was home, "Don't worry, kid. We're almost home; I'll cook you up some nice pasta."
Albion ducked his head down, hiding the blush that covered his cheeks. "Fank you."
They walked down a few more streets, the boy wanted to keep looking at the colourful market stands but the women kept on looking at him with adoration in their eyes. The blush flared up on his face again, not used to this kind of attention, he gripped onto Germania's wrist and looked at the floor, hiding behind him again.
Soon they reached a beautifully decorated building; Albion fell behind as he stopped to take in the sight, the gorgeous cloudless, blue sky contrasting the lush, green grass surrounding the building. The young boy was speechless and frozen in place, he couldn't even remember why he was so nervous coming here anymore.
He was jolted into life when screams of joy echoed in his ears. A stampede of kids launched themselves at Rome and Germania; Albion tilted his head at the sight. Everyone was laughing with grins on their faces (besides from Germania but Albion swore he could see the slightest upturn to his lips). Was this what a family was supposed to be like? He angrily blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over, ashamed of himself for being so weak.
"They seem nice, huh England?" Bunny squeaked from his place on the boy's shoulder. He scratched his ear and frowned when he received no answer from his friend. Bunny's green ears shot straight up when he saw glistening tears in England's eyes, in a panic his little wings fluttered quickly as he flew all around the boy trying to find what's wrong.
"N-nothing, I'll tell you later…" Albion whispered, trying to stay oblivious to the family. "Ve~ Grandpa Rome, who is that?" A small, auburn haired boy with a curl similar to Rome's pointed at Albion.
So much for not being noticed, Albion thought. He blushed again as many eyes stared at him, he stepped back unsure whether to run or not.
"Ah! This is," Rome carefully stepped over the two boys clutching at his legs, moving over to the new addition, "England." He pushed Albion encouragingly closer to the group of young nations. They looked at him with curious glances. Albion, startled at the sudden introduction to new people, peered up at Germania through the bangs of his hair. Thankfully, he gave a short nod and a flicker of a smile; giving Albion the boost of bravery he needed.
"H-hi, n-nice to meet you." He offered first, remembering his manners.
"Keseses~ Congratulations, you've had the privilege to meet the awesome Prussia!" Albion flinched back at the loudness of the tall albino, but he gave a small smile anyway. Hopefully he wasn't always like that.
The next boy, somewhat short shorter than Prussia, actually took his hand when greeting him, "It's a pleasure, mon ami." He flicked his shoulder length, blonde hair out of his eye with a grin. Albion ripped his hand away from the kiss the Frenchman was going to place, France chuckled, "No need to be embarrassed Angleterre." Again, Albion took a step back from the older boy, eyes wide with fright.
Another blonde boy with blue eyes looked him over before introducing himself as Holy Rome, then went back to looking over at the small brown haired boy who pointed him out. He and another similar looking boy with brown hair, stood next to Rome silently, until the one scowling finally spoke, "I'm Romano and this is my fratello, Italy."
Albion smiled when Italy cheerily waved.
"Well, why don't you stay out here and get to know each other while I make some lunch." Rome suggested, and at the nods of agreement, he and Germania left for the house.
Albion looked over at Bunny nervously; the little creature gave a reassuring smile, "Don't worry England, they don't seem too bad, and I'll be here for you!"
"Well okay…" Albion muttered, unsure if he'll get along with any of these nations. He snapped back into focus when an arm wrapped around his shoulders.
"So, Angleterre, tell us about your home." France said, leading him over to a grassy area and sat down.
"U-um… Well…" Albion stuttered, not knowing where to start.
Italy raced over, joint at the hands with Romano and Holy Rome and sat down in front of the blondes. "Is it sunny? Are there lots of people? What do you do for fun?" The others came over forming a circle.
"Uh, it can get sunny sometimes, but I wains mostly…" He scowled as Prussia and France burst out laughing at his pronunciation. He knew he didn't say words right, but what really made him upset was that even Italy and Romano could speak properly, and they were younger than him. Italy frowned, "Stop being mean to him!" Italy scolded in his high pitched voice.
"Keses~ didn't anyone teach you to talk?"
"Y-yes!" Albion looked down and played with the hem of his cloak, "My bwother's… But they stopped once they coul' un'erstan' me. I twied to teach myself by weading books out lou-d but Scotland tol' me to stop 'cause I was being too loud an' annoying." He stopped and blushed when he realised what he said, "U-uh b-but t-they..." He stuttered again, trying desperately to find something to say so his brothers didn't seem bad. Once he saw the looks on the boys' faces, he gave up.
"Eh, ve can help you later, if you vant." Prussia proposed.
"Sure, t-thank you."
"You 'ave brothers?" France changed the subject.
Albion nodded, "I haf three. Scotland, Ireland and Wales. I'm the youngest . We uh…" He paused, trying to remember Italy's earlier questions, "live in a big house suwwounded by twees. I didn' get to see any people 'cause Mama said it was too dangewous. I usually stayed in my woom – r-room- but sometimes I sneak out to see the fae-" He squeaked when Bunny pulled his hair. "F-frogs!" He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head.
The group shred confused looks, then France beamed, "Where I come from, we eat frogs."
Albion looked horrified and disgusted, "that's gwoss, why?"
"There 'as to be a reason?"
The young blonde didn't answer, but he still looked a bit green at the notion.
Italy suddenly stood up and ran towards the house shouting 'pastaaa!' excitedly. Albion watched as Germania come out and stumble, carefully manoeuvring around the Italian. He sighed with a smile and called over the rest of the group for lunch.
"Uh, does he always do tha'?" Albion asked.
"You got a problem with my fratello?" Romano bellowed.
Albion flinched back at the loud noise and the blue glare from Holy Rome. "N-no! It was jus' a question." He defended himself; he didn't who he was more frightened of.
Prussia took England arm and pulled him away from the two boys, "Calm down, you two! Vou should be nicer to the guest. To answer vour question England, yes he does. Vou'll get used to it." Prussia grinned, ignoring the 'there's nothing wrong with him!' that Romano shouted at them.
"They are rather protective of Italy," France joined, "and Holy Rome 'likes' the little Italian, if you get my meaning." He winked at Albion.
Said nation didn't know, but he didn't want to find out, France kinda freaked him out.
"France!" Prussia laughed, "You can't say zhat to him, look at him, you zhink he is old enough to understand?"
"Well, let me explain…"
"Germania von't be happy if he's asking strange questions at zhe dinner table."
"Uh what?" Albion looked up at the older nations.
"Oh, I'll explain when you're older," France smiled and pinched Albion's cheek. The boy scowled and pulled away.
As soon as they entered the house, wonderful, delicious scents bombarded Albion's nose. He froze at the sheer potency of it, he didn't know food could smell so good.
"Come on England, you are hungry, ja?" Prussia asked when Albion stopped walking, resulting in the albino almost tugging Albion over.
He nodded wildly, quickly catching up with the Prussian.
Bunny flew over to the table circling around the plates, taking big sniffs, "Wow England, this place is great!"
Holy Rome and Romano glared at each other as they fought for the seats next to Italy, in the end Romano grinned happily in victory as he sat down next to brother while Holy Rome begrudgingly took the one opposite Italy. France took the seat next to the upset blonde, striking up a conversation to cheer him up but instead Holy Rome blushed and elbowed him. Prussia sat in the empty space next to his friend, smirking at Holy Rome's embarrassment.
Albion had some trouble getting into his seat at the end of the table, but finally managed on his own, wanting to sit next to the only person who wasn't creepy or had anger issues. Even if he was a bit narcissistic, at least he was kind. Italy was okay too, if only he wasn't so… out of it. He looked over at the young Italian, who was staring into space, smiling dreamily. Albion shivered and looked away focusing on the food in front of him.
It smelled even better up close, the pasta – that's what Rome called it, right? – looked beautiful and so appetising. He felt rather bad that his brother's weren't here to eat it, as he took a bite he promised he'd ask Rome to teach him how to cook it. Maybe his brother's would accept it as his apology.
Albion knew the way he was shovelling the food into his mouth was rude (his Mama told him to always to be polite) but it tasted better than anything he's ever imagined. Prussia laughed and placed his hand on Albion's arm, halting the movement.
"It's not going anyvhere, England."
"I know! But it's good."
"Prussia's right, you'll make yourself unvell." Germania said who was sat in the chair next to him.
"And ve don't want you to turn into Italy." Prussia lowered his voice, gesturing to the head of the table, where Rome was filing Italy's plate full of seconds.
Albion nodded in agreement, smiling slightly at the happy faces, and eating again but much slower and enjoying each mouthful.