Naturally, being nations and all, they were split evenly on sending out troops to defend the Italian capitol. Most of the European countries, Japan, America, China, and what's-his-face – America's twin, voted for it. The rest of the Asian nations, Cuba, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and Australia voted against it. Switzerland and his sister didn't vote, being neutral and all. No one knew why they even showed up.

So, they were at a never-ending stalemate. Germany and, of course, Spain, were ferverently arguing to defend the Italians. "We can't have two countries wiped off the map because you're too arrogant and self-centered to send in a few troops!" Germany snapped, eyes blazing.

"Oh, come on, let's just try to have a semblance of truth in this meeting," Russia snapped back, "it's really only one country, da? Besides, we can afford to lose the Southern one; he's useless!"

"Yeah, mate," Australia agrees. ((Sorry, I had to)) "besides, we can just rebuild Rome and everything's cool." Except for the fact that Roma will be dead! Spain mentally screams

Russia's amethyst eyes are glinting dangerously, but that doesn't stop Spain from feeling a strong urge to punch him for calling Romano (his Romano!) useless.

"No matter how useless you think he is now, you'll change your mind if you let him die." He says, voice trembling with barely controlled rage. In the meantime, Italy had managed to pull himself up from sobbing uncontrollably in the corner and looks at Russia. "You…" he says, voice also trembling, but for an entirely different reason.

"You are talking about my brother as if he is some stupid cow, not a human being! You can't go around saying 'oh, no one will give a damn if he dies, because he's useless!" Italy sobs, and Germany blocks his attempt of lunging at Russia, which was a fight he couldn't win. He pulls the sobbing brunette into his arms, whispering softly to him.

"Per favore, Dio, fa Roma bene!" he wails. It breaks Spain's heart, Italy begging to make his twin okay, almost as much as Romano's blank, fever-glazed eyes staring at him did.

Hungary raises her head, her eyes betraying the fact that she is very, very worried about the Italies. "Shall we vote again?" Nods all around.

"Those for the sending of international troops ((This means, like NATO and UN troops; that's why they have to vote)) to defend Rome from it's imminent destruction, raise your hands"

Four new hands are raised. Liechtenstein's and Ukraine's are trembling slightly, thinking their siblings will punish them for switching sides, although Switzerland looks fairly happy that his sister is thinking for herself now. (We're ignoring Russia and Belarus, who are glaring death rays at Ukraine- poor girl!) Taiwan and Hong Kong raise their hands rather proudly.

Hungary looks satisfied. "Alright, those in favor of no international action for Rome, therefore killing at least one nation; possibly two, and mentally damaging… a few others." She looks pointedly at Spain, who turns and blushes. (Though she's more than likely correct.) Russia raises his hand, muttering darkly about being biased. Belarus, Cuba, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand follow suit.

It isn't enough, and Belarus knows it. She growls in annoyance and opens her gloved palms, pulling out several throwing knives and flicking them at the trembling Latvia. He shrieks as two pierce the extra fabric on his sleeves and pin him to the wall. "LATVIA!"

Estonia screams, freeing the struggling nation.

However, Italy Spain, and Germany see none of this, as they were out the doors as soon as the decision was reached, rushing to Spain's house to make sure a certain country on the brink of death survived the meeting.

.-.-.-.-.-TOWT.-.-.-.-.-.-

Epilogue

3 Months Later

At first, Romano refused to be helped by anyone, which was quite admirable, really, considering what he'd been through. However, Spain convinced him to let the aids into Rome. He, Italy, and Germany all sent in workers to help restore the land, population, and general infrastructure of S. Italy. Again, the irritable Italian wasn't very happy with this arrangement- "Potato bastard helping me? It's probably just to get closer to that dumbass brother of mine!"- to witch Spain pecked him on the cheek and said, "He helped you in Rome, and he'll help you now. And help is help, even if it is just to get closer to Ita-chan." That shut him up.

So, slowly but surely, Roma was recovering. He was now awake more often than he was out cold- unlike in the first month or so, when all he did was sleep, like he was in a coma that came and went. And about a month ago, he started to eat tomatoes again, much to Spain's delight. (Yes, to hell with all other foods. Tomatoes are the only things that matter.)

But today was one of the bad days- when Romano realized he wasn't going to be on his feet anytime soon, when the remainder of the now-disbanded mafia would randomly come together to bomb somewhere else. So, today, they both sat in a thoughtful silence.

That was, until Romano broke the fragile nothingness with a quivering voice. "Why are you so good to me, Spagna?" Spain looked up, green eyes softening. "I mean, I'm a total ass to you al the time an still, every day, you take care of me and cheer me up. But I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you."

Spain didn't answer for while, thinking. Then, sighing, he decided on the truth. "First off, don't say things like that. You deserve anything I can give you. And…" he took a breath "It's because I love you. Te quiero tanto, Romano. Te amo… so much, so much…"

Romano froze, stunned. Then, finally, something. "Damn you, Spain. Damn you and your stupid green eyes in which I would really like to drown in, damn your smile, and general niceness. Damn it all! Do you think I wanted to fall in love with you? No! But… ti amo troppo. And I thought you were too stupid to figure it out… so I said nothing. But mio Dio, I really want to kiss those tomato-loving lips of yours right now!"

He blushed, looking down and biting his lips, quite obviously mortified. But Spain just smiled. "Do it, then. Kiss me!"

And for once in his life Romano obeyed.

Daaw. Does anyone else feel this ending I out of place? I sure as hell do. :D It stems from my compete inability to keep a story angsty. But I'm working on it, don't worry! Also, I'm working on my habit of not finishing stories before posting new ones. This will only be my second second chapter, lol.

As an added note, my spacebar is shit. And so are most of the keys. But I guess that's to be expected from a computer that s literally as old as I am! D: You have to put in an Internet DISC or it to be able to connect- ugh. So I have to use a USB to transfer all my stories to a computer with WiFi. I've already lost one thumb drive.

And two things before I go-! I don't own the characters in this story, or Hetalia. Hidekaz Himaruya does, foos. AND… Seborga is SO a Spamano lovechild!

~Max-chan, a girl with a guy's name. (On Hatena and FF at least! :D)