I don't own Hetalia ©
The Northern part of Italy watched as crowds gathered around the building that he was in. Feliciano Vargas was dressed in pure white with a red sash that came across his chest. The personified nation watched as more and more people continue to gather. It was probably around the middle ages where young Feliciano was going to hear the name of his new pope.
The young nation walked out of his chambers and saw many bishops and cardinals crowding around the new pope. Feliciano took a deep breath, hoping that his new Catholic ruler would like him very much, despite him being clumsy all the time. Young master Italy took his snow white hat and placed on his head. He then took his necklace that had a solid gold piece of the cross. He placed it over his neck and began to walk toward the crowd of men.
"V-Ve!" Feliciano squeaked out as he tried to squeeze through the tall men, "Ex-Excuse me!"
One cardinal saw his nation and smiled. He grabbed the young man's arm and pulled Feliciano all the way up to the front. The cardinal was an old man with silver gray hair. He smiled warmly at the nation and introduced his new pope.
"Young master Feliciano!" The Cardinal exclaimed, "This is Pope John VIII. He was the brightest student ever in Athens!"
Feliciano grinned and shook Pope John's hand, "Ve~! Glad to me you, sir! I hope that we will be able to work well and stuff!"
The Pope smiled slightly and nodded, "Yes, indeed."
The young Italian man froze slightly. Feliciano must admit that he wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, but the way the pope spoke to him. It wasn't like the others who's voice was rough and masculine. No...It wasn't. His new pope seemed...So..different. The nation couldn't place his finger on it.
Feliciano hesitantly released his hand from the pope's. The young nation shook his head, trying to get his skeptical idea out of his brain. He smiled brightly and took the pope's hand. He looked back at the man and saw he was blushing. This made the Italian cock a brow, how odd that a man would blush at his touch.
"Let me show you to your room that you shall be staying in!" Feliciano exclaimed cheerfully, "I'm sure you will love it!"
"Ah..." The man mumbled, "Of course. Thank you North Italy."
Both men walked away from the holy men and were continuing their way toward the pope's chambers. Feliciano smiled as he walked. Though each time they would have to stop, because the young Italian beamed with happiness every time they would pass a painting that he made. The pope simply nodded and said nothing.
Feliciano wanted to question the man though. Pope John was totally different. The two made it to the pope's room and the nation opened it for his ruler. The man nodded in thanks and stepped inside. The young Italian man watched as Pope John gracefully walk towards his bed. He watched as the man's fingers lightly touch the cloth on the feathered bed. The man's mouth slowly formed into a smile. He looked up at Feliciano and said thank you.
Feliciano grinned sheepishly and replied, "Ve~! No need for thanks! This is your home now!"
Pope John walked back toward the nation and embraced the young man. Feliciano laughed and hugged his ruler back. Though something happened that shocked the man himself. The young nation looked at his leader and gave him a kiss on the lips. It horrified him.
Both the pope and nation were dumbstruck. Feliciano blushed terribly and began to step back, but he accidentally tripped on his own two feet. The young man didn't want to see his leader's reaction. He was too embarrassed to look up. Feliciano then felt tears forming in his eyes.
"Northern Italy..?" The Pope said in the most gentlest voice.
"V-Ve..." The country managed to squeak out.
The Pope neared the nation, but Feliciano began to inch away. He scrambled up and began to run off despite the calls from the man behind him. The young Italian felt tears running down his cheeks as he ran back to his room. Feliciano jumped on his bed and curled up.
'W-What have I done...?' Feliciano thought, 'He'll tell that other guy the Vatican about what happened and Vatican will kick my butt!'
The Italian wiped his tears and sat up. He looked at the ceiling and soon closed his eyes. Feliciano smiled as he remembered when their lips touched. So soft like a woman's. He sighed dreamily, but snapped back to reality when he remembered his last lips twitched into a smile as he clutch onto his white attire.
"Soft like a woman's..." He whispered.
Though he frowned. He got up and muttered to himself, "Like..A woman."
Feliciano made his way back to his pope's room. He gingerly opened the door, trying not to get Pope John's attention. Young Feliciano opened his eyes for once as he saw what the door revealed. A young woman with beautifully long dark hair. She carefully removed the white robes and was soon about to undress. Though the white clothes showed her wonderfully sculpted shoulders that were tan as the sands by the ocean. The Italian felt heat upon his olive colored skin.
He quickly closed the door, before the female pope could even advance further. Feliciano ran off and turned the corner. He leaned against the stone walls and felt his heart racing. Breathing increased and the blush on his face would not leave. Feliciano ran his dainty hand through his light hair as he realized he discovered something that would change history.
"A woman..." He barely whispered, "A woman as a pope."
Feliciano was terrible at keeping secrets. He needed to tell people immediately about what he found, but his heart told him not too. His heart told him to leave it be. It told him that he lusted to know her even more. To learn why she even began pope. To learn why she even dared to step over the line between men and women. He smiled though as he realized he found the right person to tell his secret.
"Ve..." Feliciano murmured as he knocked on the door.
The door opened and revealed Feliciano's friend whom he likes to be called as an older brother. The blond Frenchman smiled flirtatiously and welcomed the young man in his humble home. The Italian smiled, almost forgetting why he was here, though he remembered as he heard Francis mumbling that a young woman will be coming soon.
"VE!"
Francis turned around and cocked a brow, "Eh? What is it Feli?"
"I-I have something to tell you, Francis!" Feliciano exclaimed, "It's important, ve~"
The blonde man smiled and leaned against Feliciano, "You're here for love making, am I right?"
Felicinao's brows furrowed and said in confusion, "What? No... Sorry, Francis. Something else."
"I see." The older man said, "Alright. What is is Feli?"
Francis saw how nervous the man was. He chuckled and patted his friend's shoulder, "Tell big brother France what is wrong."
"M-My..." Feliciano began, "My new Pope..."
"Pope John?" Francis exclaimed, "Nice man. What about him?"
"Is a woman!"
Francis stared at Feliciano for a split second before hanging on the Italian for dear life. The Frenchman was laughing his brains out. Young Feliciano stared at his big brother, asking what was so funny. Francis suddenly stopped laughing, sensing that this indeed was a serious matter. The long haired blond frowned and cupped the young Italian's face.
"Feliciano." He began, "This is a serious matter. If Vatican finds out about this, he will surly kill this young maiden. You must warn her immediately before she even gets hurt."
"Ve..?"
"Go now! Understand me?" Francis exclaimed as he shoved Feliciano out of his home, "GO!"
Feliciano was very scared. He looked back at Francis and saw a stern look. The Italian gulped and nodded. He began to run back home. He ran and ran and finally made it. He walked toward the gardens sensing that his Pope was sitting on a stone bench.
The Pope lifted her head and saw her nation. She smiled and opened her arms at Feliciano, being oblivious to her country's seriousness. Though Feliciano grabbed the Pope's hand. He lead the pope toward her chambers and quickly shut the door. The Pope was very confused by Feliciano's actions.
"What is it Northern Italy?" The voice sounded so fake in Feliciano's ears now that he found out the true gender.
The young man neared his ruler and removed the hat. Then the jewelery and staff were put to the side. That just left the snow white garb. Feliciano has never been this serious in his life time on this earth. His eyes were now opened and the popess saw how those honey colored eyes were pleading at her. Has her nation discovered her darkest secret?
"Please..." He whispered, grasping onto her hands, "Don't make me strip you in the most unholiness way."
Feliciano watched as the ruler looked away, "Was it that obvious?"
The Italian's eyes widened as he heard the real voice. The sweet sound of an old melody. It was such a wonderful voice. How could a young maiden like her hide a voice that was created by God?
He smiled, "Everyone is too dense, your highness."
She smiled back, "I thought you were dense as well, Feliciano."
The said man couldn't help but grin when she finally said his name for the first time. Feliciano laughed lightly and replied, "I can easily tell the difference between man and woman."
"Since you found out about my true sex." She began, "I would like you to call me Pope Joan in private."
Feliciano tilted his head, "Pope Joan?"
The Popess giggled at how cute he looked. She stroked his hair and replied, "It is the feminine form of John."
"Ahh!" Feliciano said, "Beautiful ve~!"
Pope Joan smiled and gave Feliciano a small peck on the cheek, "For a man who seems moronic. You seem quite bright in the most randomest times."
Time passed and Feliciano managed to keep Pope Joan's secret safe. Though one day they had to travel and Feliciano had to bring along his older brother of the Southern half of Italy. Lovino had a blank face as he walked a long his younger brother. He ignored the conversation that the Pope and Feliciano were having.
Feliciano smiled and asked, "Ve! Ve! I have been meaning to ask Pope John. How did you ever become pope?"
The female thought for a moment and said, "Well...I was born in Mainz somewhere in Germany. I wore a sexless garb and somehow managed to end up in Athens where I was claimed to be very bright."
"It's true too!" Feliciano commented in.
Pope Joan chuckled and continued, "I was very superior toward the other men. I was even respected from Pope Leo IV. I never met a man who was equal to me as well."
"Ooooh!" The Italian said in awe.
"Yeah.." She murmured and randomly patted her belly. She continued to do this for a bit as she continued, "I then became a curial secretary. Then I got boosted up to a Cardinal and now here I am as a Pope."
Feliciano smiled, "Amazing~! Oh! By the way, Pope John. Why are you rubbing your belly, ve~?"
Pope Joan grinned and replied, "A gift from God."
The Northern Italian's mouth opened and soon turned into a grin. He was about to congratulate the young maiden in disguise, but something happened. The Pope screamed in pain and clutch onto her stomach. Lovino was very alarmed by the sudden shrieking. He was about to yell at his Northern half for screaming, but he was shocked to find that it was the pope who was giving off that noise.
"WH-WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?" Lovino shouted.
Many men surrounded the Pope, who was still on the horse. Feliciano was still in shock as he witnessed childbirth. Several hours of trying to get the child out of the baby passed and any men turned their attention toward the Pope. They glared coldly at their leader as they found out that Pope John was a woman in disguise!
"YOU!" A man shouted, "YOU ARE SENT BY THE DEVIL! HOW DARE YOU TAKE POSITION OF A HOLY MAN!"
"NO!" Feliciano shouted.
The young man was about to go up to them and help Pope Joan and her newly born son, but Feliciano couldn't move because he felt someone binding him. The nation turned and saw Lovino with a stern look. Even more serious then ever.
"L-LOVINO!" Feliciano shouted, "WE HAVE TO HELP HER!"
"No." His older brother replied calmly, "She has sinned."
Feliciano felt tears running down, "IT ISN'T HER FAULT!"
The Southern half looked down at his brother and said, "You're right. It's not."
"Ve..."
Lovino shoved Feliciano and exclaimed loudly toward the men, "THIS WOMAN WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE DEVIL! WE MUST PUNISH HER FOR HER EVIL DEEDS."
The men cheered loudly. Feliciano got up and was about to run toward his Popess, but Lovino stopped his brother by tripping him. The young Italian felt tears dripping down onto the dirt ground, almost enough tears to create mud. The grimy ground soaked his white robes, but he didn't care. He needed to go protect his ruler. Female or not it didn't matter. Though Feliciano froze in place. His brother's stance and glare frightened him. He couldn't move at all.
The poor man stared up in horror as Lovino said out loud, "BY PUNISHMENT OF THE ROMAN JUSTICE. YOU SHALL BE BOUND BY YOUR FEET TO A HORSE AND SHALL BE STONED."
Young Feliciano heard more cheers. He shook his head rapidly and got up. Feliciano ran toward Pope Joan, who was clutching onto her child. The baby's cries were heard as the men surrounded the two. Though it was noisy, Feliciano could hear the prayers that Pope Joan was whispering. Asking God to protect her and her son.
"NO! STOP IT! PLEASE!" Feliciano cried as he tried to squeeze through the men, "GOD WOULD BE DISPLEASE! I BEG YOU STO-"
The Northern Italian didn't finish his sentence. Feliciano felt something hard and rigid hitting his head. The young man fell to the ground unconscious. The person who was responsible of such crime was his older brother. Lovino gritted his teeth as he dropped the rock. He couldn't let his little brother do such a foolish thing.
The older brother watched as the men tied the woman's feet to her horse. Lovino tsk'd as he picked his brother up and flung him over his shoulder. He couldn't bare to watch such a horrible sight. As Lovino walked away, with brother on his shoulder, he heard the men shouting as the horse yelped.
Young Feliciano may have been unconscious at the time, but he heard screams. He heard a woman screaming his name and a baby's cry. Soon a horse galloping was heard in the man's ears. Feliciano flinched as he heard the blood hurtling screams of the woman. Though he frowned slightly, he couldn't hear the baby's cry any more.
The young Italian soon formed tears in his eyes. He didn't know what was going on. Everything was dark in his mind, the only thing he had to depend on was sound, but it wasn't even comforting. Everything he was hearing right now sounded violent. His skin shivered as he can no longer hear the woman. It was truly silent now.
A few days passed since then and Feliciano was still knocked out, though one morning he woke up. The man instantly sat up and observed his surroundings. He didn't know what was going on. He quickly got up as he heard cheers from the outside. Young Feliciano raised a brow as he saw people crowding the building. Suddenly a knock was heard by the door way. Feliciano turned around and saw his brother, Lovino looking at him with a scowl.
"Get your ass out of here." He said, "They're going to say the new pope today."
"What..?" Feliciano asked, "I thought we already crowned a new one years ago!"
Lovino twitched and replied, "No fratello. You must be dreaming."
The young Italian frowned, "A-are you sure..? I mean..I remember having Pope Jo-"
"NEVER MIND!" Lovino suddenly shouted, making Feliciano jump.
The Southern half sighed and grabbed his brother and lead him out of the room, "Come on. Let's meet our new Pope."
"Ve.." Feliciano mumbled. As he walked along with his older brother he saw the chambers of the pope he thought that was a woman. His eyes wondered as the men threw out things. Though they soon widened. As the men threw away the clothes that were in the closet, the men were throwing away women clothing. Feliciano's heart pounded as he continued to look, but it soon grew smaller and smaller as he walked away.
Feliciano then brought his hands toward his lips. Everything was soon coming back to him. Pope Joan who dressed as a man. The same pope who he discovered the true gender. The same pope that he had shared a small kiss with. He smiled as he remembered the kiss. Though he began to frown as he remembered what had happened when she gave birth. He can only remember the screams of the pope and the baby.
Lovino turned to Feliciano with a scowl as he exclaimed, "H-Hey! What the hell? Why are you crying, Feliciano? Stop it, damnit!"
Feliciano hiccuped as he wiped his tears, "La amo così tanto Dio. Perché è morta?"
His older brother's eyes widened as he heard what he said. Lovino narrowed his eyes and looked away, "Mi dispiace, fratello."
La amo così tanto Dio. Perché è morta?= I love her so much God. Why did she die?
Fratello=brother
Mi dispiace=I'm sorry
A/N; I remember watching in the History Channel that there was this one show that talked about a possibilty of a female pope. As i did research I found out that it was merely a legend. It started somehow by someone saying that there might be a woman pope, but that someone was using that as an idiom or something else, i dont know. I made Romano hit Italy because i wanted him to wake up being clueless as usual but remembering parts of Pope Joan. Romano convinces Italy that it never happened, but after they pass the pope's room, Italy saw the women's clothing. He knew that it was real and soon spread the story of Pope Joan and since Italy spread the story it continued and soon became a legend which now people are very skepitcal with.
The end c: Lol
Note that the story based with Italy is a legend and is probably not true. Look up Pope Joan if you want to learn more