I did it! I finally did it! Man, it takes me almost three months but in the end I was able to complete it! Sorry for the delay but a lot of things had happened to me in the last weeks… By the way, let's proceed with the usual thanks:

A big grazie mille goes to: Fezzes64, TheDeadOne28, Forever South and to that anonymous guest. Really guys, thank you very much!

Of course I want to thank whoever is reading my story without reviewing as well! So thanks!

Chapter six: phone calls

I can't believe it, I must be dreaming… last night I was so downhearted and now I am feeling as I could explode due to the happiness at any moment. I'm having breakfast with Holy Rome! Holy Rome! I've missed him so much and now he is right next to me, drinking a cappuccino… Ve, ve! Ahah, he has a bit of milky foam on his upper lip! Should I tell him? No, no, he is so funny! Yum, this pancake is really good! Spain and fratello did a great job in making it. I can't believe that fratello actually asked for help and made me breakfast! I love him so much!

"Ve~! Ve~!" exclaimed happily Veneziano, unable to contain his joy. "I'm so happy Holy Rome!" he added while bouncing up and down on the chair, his legs swung frantically.

The blond one smiled at the young Italian. "I'm glad you are happy my dear Italy. That makes me happy too!" he stated. Then he smeared some strawberry jam on a slice of toasted bread and observed it in contemplation. "It's strange" he said before giving the first bite. "No, not the toast. The toast is just perfect" added the boy after having swallowed the piece of bread he was chewing, noticing the perplexed stare of his childhood friend. "It's strange to be here again, I mean. To be able to feel the world, a world that have changed so much from the last time I was around but yet is still the same" he declared and then gave another bite. "It's like if I have gained a second chance, an opportunity to fix or to complete the things I had left pending".

Italy patiently waited for Holy Rome to swallow the bite again and then stood up and came closer to him, an indecipherable look on his face. He picked up a neat napkin from the counter and gently cleaned the other's mouth. "Sorry but I couldn't take you seriously with that milky foam on your upper lip" he admitted. Then he radiantly added, with a bright smile, "You were so funny!".

The man's eyes were mesmerized on the Italian's lips. They were so close.

###

Spain gently laid Romano on the bed and then proceeded to undress him, knowing too well the boy wouldn't sleep properly unless he was naked. His every move was mechanical though, since his mind was busy in processing what his ears had heard just few minutes before.

Did I really heard Veneziano call that blond man Holy Rome? They are very similar, indeed. He could be him… But how is it possible? If I recall correctly he had left us centuries ago…

The sleeping brunette was now bare chested. He folded the shirt and placed it on the bed, next to him. Then he brought his right hand under his chin and paused for a moment.

What if he had never gone away and simply had hidden himself till now?

That thought hit him for a moment but it was soon sent away with a wave of the hand.

No, it doesn't make any sense… Why did he have to hide himself? And moreover from what? He was one of the strongest!

He shook his head and then resumed to undress his young friend, who was snoring peacefully.

Maybe I simply didn't heard well. I'm tired and it may be that my ears had fooled me.

Some minutes later Romano was completely naked and his clothes were folded and safe in the wardrobe.

I should ask Veneziano.

Spain switched on the air-conditioner and, before leaving the room, he gently kissed the Italian on the forehead and wished him sweet dreams.

###

His lips were moving. Italy was saying something but Holy Rome couldn't hear a single word. He was too intent in watching them forming vowels and consonants. They were so catching. He especially liked how the boy's tongue came out of the mouth and laid its tip on the front teeth to let him pronounce the letter L. He started to sweat. Then, suddenly, they turned away and so did Italy. He left the kitchen leaving a perplexed and flushed blond behind.

###

Spain slowly descended the staircase, his mind still full of doubts and thoughts. When he entered in the kitchen he found the mysterious blond man alone. He was washing the pan Romano had used to make pancakes. Since he hadn't shown any sign he has noticed his arrival, the Spaniard cleared his throat.

He is not Veneziano but I think it will be the same…

The man turned to see who was the source of the noise. When he saw it was Spain he was a little disappointed.

"Oh Spain, it's you. I haven't noticed you were here, sorry" he said while drying the pan with a neat cloth.

"It's nothing, don't worry. Where is Veneziano?" asked the brunette looking around. "I thought he was with you" he added. The other reddened at his words.

"Well, he was but then he left. I don't know where he is at the moment…" he admitted. Then he hung the pan at his right place on the wall unit.

Spain sat down and filled a glass with some orange juice. "That boy isn't able to stay in the same spot for more than five minutes. I'm sure he will come back soon" he said before taking a large gulp. Then he dried his mouth with the back of his left hand. "Ah, it was very refreshing!" he exclaimed happily. The other came closer to the counter and grabbed the two dirty mugs that were on it, intending to wash them. "By the way rubio, who are you?"

###

"I'm almost done!" announced a voice from the kitchen.

Mon Dieu! Why did I come here in the first place?

France was sitting on the comfortable green sofa in England's living room, waiting for this one to emerge from the kitchen. Unfortunately for him, since the British had always declared himself a gentleman and since a gentleman isn't allowed to not provide hospitality towards his guests, he had offered to prepare brunch. The blond sighed theatrically.

I have to go away before he forces me to eat those scones of him!

His sight fell on the low table in front of the sofa. On it there were an opened bottle of wine and two large glasses. They were both half full.

If only I had some sleeping pills…

"What are you thinking about?" asked England sticking his head from the kitchen, surprised that France had been quiet for a long time. Around him hovered a cloud of black smoke.

"Nothing in particular, just to drug you and then to take advantage of your harmless body" he replied with nonchalance, his eyes still glued on the glasses.

"YOU PERVERTED FROG! Just try to lay a finger on me and I swear on the Queen's head that I'll kick your sorry and ugly ass until one of my polished shoes comes out from your mouth. YOU BASTARD!" shouted the gentleman before vanishing in the kitchen again. The Frenchman grinned enthusiastic.

"I would love to see you trying to do it, eyebrows".

Few seconds later, England finally left the stoves and entered in the living room bringing with him a tray full of burned scones. He vigorously leaned it on the low table, making some of them fall on the neat piece of furniture. "Of course you'd love it. Now shut up and eat, freak".

Like hell! They look like coal. Maybe they actually are coal. France, hurry up and find a suitable excuse to go out of here!

"Mon ami, is that the way to treat a guest? Where has your manners gone? I'm appalled!" he said sighing. "Mon Dieu, I'm so appalled that I completely lost my appetite. What a pity! I think I will go back home" announced the French getting up from the sofa. A pair of hands stopped him and pushed him down.

"Where do you think you are going? I've spent the last thirty minutes cooking for you. I would be very disappointed if you leave my house without even having eaten a single one of my scones" said threateningly the host, towering above his blond friend. "Now, why don't you behave like a good guest and" he turned to pick one of his home-made specialty "eat this for me?".

Merde! Think France, think something!

"Have I ever told you about my food intolerance?"

"You don't have any food intolerance, jerk!"

"How can you be so sure? Maybe I got one last week. Don't you know that they could be latent for years before manifesting themselves?" he improvised. England came closer and clutched France's face with his left hand. He couldn't move his head anymore.

"Let's make things clear. You won't leave until you eat this scone!" he announced bringing the burned ball of food nearer and nearer the other's mouth and, when he saw this one was going to say something, he quickly added "I don't care if you get diarrhea. You can die due to it as well".

MERDE! Help! S'il vous plaît, someone help me!

The ringtone of a cellphone interrupted the British. "Damn! Even your ringtone is annoying!" he said before freeing the blond from his hand-grip.

Thank you, whoever you are. You saved my taste buds.

France sighed deeply, he was very relieved. "On the contrary, I find it very nice" he replied few moments later, while searching for the ringing phone in the pockets of his blue trousers. "Oh, there you are!" he exclaimed when he found it. On the screen there was a large picture of Italy. He was hugging a grey cat. The French accepted the call and pressed the mobile next to his right ear.

"Bonjour Italy! How are you?" he asked happily.

"I'm fine, thanks fratellone! Ve~! Guess what? I've got a big surprise for you!" Italy announced cheerfully. "But, in order to receive it, you have to go to Austria's house" he added then.

"Really? Do you have a surprise for me?" asked excited the blond. England muttered something under his breath and then rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I do!" answered firmly the young Italian. "Ve~! I'll be waiting for you at Austria's house for lunch, at noon. Be there on time! You know how much he hates latecomers! Do you think he will make us pasta? I hope so! Pasta is so good! Ve~! Ve~! Ve~! And-"

"Calm down Italy, it's hard to understand what you are saying if you speak so fast!" said France interrupting the little brunette. Next to him, the English boy put the scone he had taken before on top of the others and then sat down on the sofa. "Why do I have to go to Austria's house?"

"To receive the surprise!"

"No, I mean… Never mind. I'll be there for lunch" he stated surrendering to his friend's candor. It was nearly impossible to have a normal conversation with Veneziano and so he preferred to not ask him for further information. Besides, what was important to him at that moment was to leave as soon it was possible. An happy yell came from the phone.

"Great! See you soon, ciao!"

###

"Austria speaking. Could I ask who's calling?"

"Ciao Austria! It's me, Italy!" replied Veneziano while shaking his free arm. "I called you to tell you that I've just invited France to your house for lunch. I was planning to come too. And I am bringing a friend with me. Is it alright with you?" he asked innocently.

"What?!" exclaimed angrily the classy man. Then, he sighed deeply trying to recompose himself. "Italy, how many times have I told you to not do such silly things? You aren't allowed to invite random people and yourself without asking the landlord for permission first!" he rebuked the Italian. "What would have happened if I had commitments? Did you think, even for a moment, that I may not been at home?"

"I-I know but it is really important and I haven't got much time left!" he implored. "I've already told France to come to you. I promised him a surprise!"

"That's your problem, not mine" said coldly the Austrian. "Next time think twice before acting. Goodbye Italy".

He was going to hang up when Italy spoke again. "B-but! Pretty please Austria? Can we come to your house? I have got a surprise for you and big sister Hungary too! Please, don't tell me you are busy!" he begged again. Veneziano had expected him to behave like that but he had hoped he would have been able to persuade his rich friend.

"I am not busy today but for a matter of principle I can't allow you to - "

"Take off that broom from your ass, Austria!". A feminine voice interrupted the man in the middle of his sentence. "Italy can come here every time he wants to and he can bring whomever he pleases!"

"HUNGARY!" exclaimed happily Italy, recognizing the owner instantly. "Ve~! I'm so pleased to hear your voice, Hungary! How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine, thank you very much! How about you? It has been ages since the last time I met you!" she stated. "Exactly the last week, Austria and I were discussing about how much we miss you. I guess you have become even more charming and handsome than before, if that's possible!"

"Please Hungary, refrain yourself from telling lies: we have never had that kind of discussion and you know it" said the stern man. "And, moreover, let me say that I find very rude to eavesdrop a private conversation and to interrupt it".

"I missed you too, Hungary! Ve~! I can't wait to see you!" admitted openly Veneziano, ignoring completely the other man. From the receiver came a loud and manly sigh.

"Alright, it's decided then. You and your friends are officially invited at Austria's house for lunch at noon. Don't be late!" she announced.

"Yay! Thank you sorellona!"

"See you soon my little Italy!"

They both hung down at the same moment and Austria was left alone, with the receiver still pressed on his right ear. "Young people today don't know what the respect is…" he said before hanging down too.

###

The blond seemed very surprised of the question. He leaned the mugs on the counter and looked at Spain. "Pardon?" he asked.

The Spaniard remained silent for a while. "You remind me of someone" he stated standing up from the chair. Then he slowly came closer to the other and put an hand on his shoulder. "He has blond hairs too". He lowered himself. "And even light-blue eyes as yours" he added before grabbing the two dirty mugs and going to the basin to wash them. "Not to mention he always wears a black coat and a black hat just like you".

"In that case it may be that I am that someone, don't you think?" he affirmed turning himself to watch the brunette, who had just turned open the faucet. "His name was perhaps Holy Roman Empire?" he inquired. Spain stopped. "Because if his name is Holy Roman Empire, I am indeed that someone I remind you".

Finally some other counties had come in the picture but when will Germany come too? And what would happen then? Stay tuned!

Translations:

Grazie mille: thank you very much

Fratello/fratellone: brother/big brother

Sorellona: big sister

Ciao: hello

Rubio: blond

Mon Dieu: My God

Mon Ami: my friend

Merde: shit

S'il vous plait: please

Bonjour: good morning