Scout leaned against the wall and studied Romano. (Who was not very happy with me, by the way.)
"'Sup, Voldemort?" she greeted nonchalantly. I nudged her and Italy went back to his pasta like we were invisible.
"Who's this one?" Romano growled.
"Scout Harris," I introduced. "She was my best friend until she just disappeared one day." I turned to her. "How did that happen, anyway?"
"Wanted adventure," she shrugged. "Had every intention on comin' back but got lost."
"We're not keeping her," Romano snapped.
"You act like she's a stray cat," I groaned.
"Meow," Scout mewed sweetly. "Is that how you Italians spell it? Like m-i-a-u?"
Italy raised an eyebrow. "Something like that."
"I was just wondering if she could spend a few hours with us," I pouted. "It's Christmas. A good Catholic like you should know it's about giving and being nice and stuff."
"Yep," Scout agreed, nodding her head. "Right true."
"You'll let her stay, vero?" I asked. (Still practicing my Italian.)
Romano did a face-palm but sighed in defeat. "Fine! For a few hours! Not overnight, not when it is night."
"S'okay," Scout said. "I've got a nice place at Prussia's."
"Great!" I clapped my hands. "I got you a gift, Scout!"
Scout grinned cutely and followed me upstairs to my room. But before I could pick up her present wrapped in a pretty blue bow, she tapped my shoulder.
"Wasn't that guy's arm broken?" Scout asked. "The cheese guy."
I stood up and gave her a confused What the heck is wrong with you? look.
"Who's 'the cheese guy?'" I asked slowly.
"Romano," she answered. "Prussia told me their names, if I remember them right. And it reminds me of Romano cheese…" She gazed at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I miss that kind of cheese."
"Um, don't call him that," I giggled. "I don't think he'd want you here."
"True," Scout muttered. "Now, gimme."
I smirked and handed her the present. She ripped off the red paper encasing it and held up the outfit I got for her.
"Oooh!" She stared at the green cloth in awe. "It's my favorite color!"
"Mm-hm," I nodded. "So now you'll have something appropriate to wear when you go out."
"Thanks!" She gave me a tight bear hug that had me gasping for breath. "I'm gonna put it on. I'll show you downstairs. No go!"
She pushed me out and I chuckled, sliding down the banister and my pumps touching down on the ground. I liked the rush of it. Short, but nice.
"What was that?"
I looked to my side. "What was what?"
"What you just did," Italy clarified.
"I was just sliding down the railing," I shrugged. "I don't suppose you've ever done it as a child."
Italy winced and looked away.
"C'mon, I'll show you." I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the top of the stairs. "Y'see, you sit on the side like this, and kick off."
My hair flew out behind me as I slid down and landed on the floor. I turned back to Italy. "Now you try it."
He slouched and looked around for a person of authority, and when he saw there wasn't one, he righted himself and slid down, and-
"Ow!" I fell over and he landed on top of me. "Nice landing, man."
"S-Sorry…" He blushed as I heard footsteps.
"Well!" Scout chuckled from the top of the stairs in her new green dress and tights. "Since the younger one's taken, does that mean I get Romano?"
Italy and I exchanged looks and finally realized what this looked like.
"Sorry!" He jumped to his feet and helped me up.
"Not bad for your first time," I laughed. I laughed harder when his face flushed a few more thousand shades of red.
"I didn't mean it…" he whimpered.
"Its fine," Scout reassured him, jumping down the steps two at a time. "Y'know, you two would make a right cute couple."
Italy stared at me hopefully, but still took a step away.
"N…No, we wouldn't," I stuttered, waving my hands in the "Whoa, Nelly!" sign. "It's not like that, really."
"Oh," Scout grunted. "Well, if you want Romano-"
"Scout," I snapped. "Please."
She pouted but trudged into the kitchen. A moment later, she popped her head out.
"I want something!" she demanded. "I'm hungry!"
Italy got over his embarrassment and smiled. "I'll make you something."
Scout grinned as Italy walked over to her. "Make me…uh…something Italian!"
"That's what I was planning to do…"
"Hey, Mister, where's that phone of yours?" I heard Scout ask. "Gotta call Prussia."
"It's over there," Italy told her. She went off to another room and I secretively followed her. I had a bad feeling. She dialed a number and put her hand on her hip as it rang.
"Hey, Prussia," she greeted. "Yeah, I'm over at the Italy bros for a few hours. Huh? Um, sure. If you really want to. Um, yeah, if they can come. Go right ahead. See ya."
She slammed the phone down, not out of anger but just because. I grinned to myself and slipped away before she could notice. This was perfect.
Just. Perfect.
*Holy Rome: Get out!
Germany: -.-' What did I do?
Holy Rome: EXIST!
Eh he… *nervous laugh* Holy Rome-chan is one of those people who can tell off Germany and still get away with it. And thanks to JCScannell for the comment! I love ones like that! And thanks to all of you for putting up with my weird spelling errors…
Romano: 'Cheese Guy?' Really?
Scout: Yep!
Romano: …
Davanti: I think she's cute.
Romano: Wha- DAVANTI YOU AREN'T EVEN IN THIS STORY!
Davide: Yeah, you're confusing all the new readers.
Romano: THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO!
Cosimos: I'm just here because I'm awesome like that.
Prussia: -_-*