A few days later, Italy came home, just as promised. He found Romano sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of cold coffee. He was staring at the contents of the cup, emotionless.

The whole time Italy had been away, Romano had been thinking. What's more, he had been thinking about Spain. He thought deeply about it, and he lost himself. He realized his feelings for Spain, but he couldn't admit them to himself. He thought something must be wrong with himself, and he wasn't even sure if he really was himself anymore.

"Ciao Romano." Italy cheerfully said, entering the kitchen. Romano didn't even grunt in acknowledgement. "Romano?" He tapped his older brother's shoulder, still not getting a reaction. "Are you ok?"

When Romano showed no reaction a third time, Italy started to worry more. He pulled out his cell phone and called Spain, leaving the room. He felt confident that if anyone could help his brother, it was Spain.

"Hola." the Spaniard said after the second ring.

"Something's wrong with Fratello. Do you know why?"

"What's wrong with Lovi~?" Spain sounded a bit worried.

"He's not doing anything. Veh, he didn't even yell at me when I tapped him. I'm worried about him.

"What is he doing now?"

"He's sitting at the table, staring at coffee."

"How long has he been doing that?"

"I don't know." Italy looked over at Romano. "Hey Romano?" No response. "Romano?" He sighed and went back to his conversation with Spain. "He won't answer me."

"You wanna meet somewhere?"

"I'll be over in a few minutes. Should I bring Romano?"

"If he wants to come, I suppose you can."

"~Veh, ok! I'll see you in a bit then."

"Adiós until then." Italy hung up his phone and put it back in his pocket as he went back to the kitchen.

"Hey Romano, I'm going over to Spain's. You wanna come?" he carefully asked his brother.

Romano was silent again, but as Italy was leaving, he quietly murmured, "Don't talk to me about that tomato bastard." Even though it was barely as loud as a whisper, it seemed every word was filled with hatred.

"O-ok. I-I won't." Italy was both scared and happy when Romano spoke again. He left the house and ran down to Spain's house. He knocked loudly on the door until Spain answered it.

"Ah, that was fast Italy." Spain said as he moved to the side to let Italy into his home. He led him to his kitchen and both sat at the table. "So, what's wrong with Lovi~?"

"Well, one day he came home really mad. He drank all night. He always had a bottle of wine with him. He got drunk every day. He yelled and cursed more until I took all the wine away and brought it to Doitsu's a few days ago. And when I came home, he was quiet, and I was afraid he would yell more than he ever has before. But when he spoke, it was calm, but filled with hate. Veh, it scared me."

"When did this start?"

Italy thought for a moment, trying to remember. "Uh….oh! The last time he went to see you."

"The last time he saw me…"

"Yeah."

'The last time Lovi~ came to visit, he hadn't let on the best of terms with me.' Spain thought to himself. 'I thought he would like the attention. Of course, he never did tell if he liked me that way or not… He still likes me though, he has to!'

"So will you?" Italy was saying.

"I'm sorry. Will I what?"

"Help Romano."

"Of course I will. You may want to stay somewhere else for a while, in case things get nasty."

"Veh~! OK Spain."

"Ok, I'll see you later Italy." He pat Italy's head before grabbing some ripe tomatoes for Romano and walking over to their house.