Ciao, amigos! Here is chapter two, and I think I just realized this: this fic will take long! Considering the fact that I am a new author, I might take too long to update. So please, bear with me, friends! Also, I think I made Netherlands pedo-ish? If you think so, that's fine; I think so too. But actually, he was supposed to seem fascinated. Not fascinated like "wow, what beauty!", but it's actually "what the fuck is wrong with this boy?". Eh.. too harsh? Sorry, Juan!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. If I did, Liechtenstein x Belarus will be canon, just because.
Juan's P.O.V.
"We're going out today!" Spain cheerily said.
"Don't we go out everyday?" Romano mumbled.
"Haha! No, today's different." Spain smiled.
"You mean.. outside the walls?" I said. Spain nodded. "But didn't you say it's not safe outside of Intramuros?" I added.
"Well, I think you need to acquaint with your own people. As their country's personification, you'll need close ties with them!" He said.
"B-but I'm not ready!" I stuttered.
"Yeah, don't you think he's too young?" Romano questioned.
"Nonsense! He's certainly grown up, don't you think?" Spain said.
I stared down at myself; he was right. When I first came, I only reached Spain's waist. But now, I reached Romano's shoulders. At first sight, people would see me as a boy around 11. Still, my hands were always covered in wounds and bruises. I gulped, and so did Romano. Spain smiled satisfactorily.
"Let's go!" Spain shouted. The next thing I knew, I was being dragged around by Romano, who was being dragged around by Spain. His house was near the exit of Intramuros, which made it easy to just run out.
I looked around the place, and winced. These are my people? These.. untouchables? I refused to believe that, and decided to play along.
"Well, you might seem surprised. But still, go; mingle, inform, anything!" Spain said loudly. Well maybe, a little too loud? As soon as he said that, everyone looked in our direction. Spain smiled, and began calling out. People began coming, and soon, there was an entire flock of people surrounding us. Spain nudged me, and looked at me expectantly. I shivered.
"I'm.. I'm Juan Carlos Dela Cruz, the personification of Philippines! It's nice to meet all of you!" I blurted out. I looked at Spain, and he smiled. I felt proud of myself.
I wandered around, slightly mad because Spain left with a reluctant Romano, saying he wanted me to familiarize myself with well.. myself. I noticed that only the grown men were working. Women and their children stayed indoors; I decided to make friends with a few kids. I explored for a little bit, then entered a barn. In there, three kids who all looked younger than me were playing. I approached them, and they greeted me.
"Big bro, wanna join us? What's your name?" the youngest asked.
"Ah, I'm Juan. Sorry, I'll be leaving soon, so I can't play." I replied.
"Oh, that's fine! We can just play together next time. I'm Alejandro, by the way." the boy said, followed by a toothy grin. Well, not so toothy, since most of them are missing. He looked ragged.
"And I'm Miguel! Nice to meet you, Juan. Alejandro is my brother!" the other boy cheerily said, then he gave me a sticky handshake with his left hand. Also ragged, like his brother.
"Nice to meet you, Alejandro and Juan! Oh, and you are?" I ask the last boy, who was disturbingly quiet.
"Jose." he says. Unlike the others, he looked much cleaner and well-groomed. He probably lives in Intramuros too?
"Yep, he's Jose! His house must be very convenient, since it's just behind the church!" Miguel says. Okay, he does live in Intramuros. As soon as Miguel said that, Jose groaned uncomfortably.
"Didn't you say you'll be leaving soon? The sky is getting dark." Jose quickly adds.
"Ah, you're right! Nice to meet you guys! See you tomorrow!" I rushed outside, and headed back home. There, Romano was at the front door, waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he led me inside, holding my hand tightly.
"Oh, thank goodness, you're alright! Did anything happen?" Romano asks, like a worried mother.
"Not much, but I made new friends!" Romano went pale.
"You did..?" Romano literally whispered.
"Yeah, why? Lost a bet with mister hubby-wubby?" I teasingly say. Romano blushed.
"Shut up, brat!" he said, flushed. I began laughing very hard.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, I won't tell Spain." I promised.
"Good." Romano sighed in relief.
I woke up, still feeling really tired. Then I remembered, I made friends. And that I promised that I'll play today.
That thought alone made me move, bathe, dress up, eat, and leave. I always feel like a bad person whenever I break my promises.
"Be careful!" Romano waved me goodbye.
"I will!" I hurriedly said, then I lost balance and tripped. After regaining my balance, I continued my way. Then I ran into a pole.
"Goddamit, kid." Romano mumbled, as he entered the house.
I reached the barn, and knocked, in a secretive way. For some reason, it felt right.
"Password?" I heard a familiar voice say.
"Huh..? Password? What password?" I whisper.
"Oh, wait, it's you! Come in." he says. The door was unbolted, then opened slightly. I entered, and bolted the door.
"Remember, the password is freedom!" Miguel says. I nodded.
In the barn were the same three from yesterday. I could just smell the contented smiles they're making.
"I didn't expect you to come back." Jose said, breaking the silence.
"Oh, but here I am..! Haha.." I said in a hushed tone. Well, sort of.
"Miguel, you and your friends should play elsewhere! I need to work in there!" I heard a woman shout. She tried opening the barn door, only to find it bolted. "Why did you lock the door?" she added.
"Hold on..!" Miguel says. He unbolted the door, and led us out.
"You boys can play in the garden, okay? Ah, you're Juan Carlos Dela Cruz, the personification boy!" she pointed at me.
"Um, that's me!" I said.
"Wow, aren't you a cute little boy?" she said, pinching my cheek.
"Ah, ah, that hurts, that hurts." I mumbled.
"Mom, don't you have work to do?" Alejandro says. She just smiled, and then left after giving my cheek a final pinch. She winked at me. I rubbed my cheek, trying to make the pain subside.
"Mom used to say that she's a killer for cuties." Alejandro said as we walked.
"Uh.. good to know?" I said.
"Whew, that was fun!" Miguel said.
"Miguel, Alejandro, it's dinner time!" we heard their mom say.
"Ah, I have to go back! Bye, guys!" I waved, then ran home.
"Bye!" Miguel said, waving back.
When I entered Spain's home, I hit my head on Romano's chest and fell on my butt. He seemed like he was about to go out.
"Oh, you're here. Time to eat." we walked to the dining room, hand in hand.
As we ate, I recalled the events excitedly. Spain and Romano would occasionally smile and nod.
I wish everything stayed like this, where everyone is happy.
And that is chapter two! What do you think? Leave a review, yeah? Adios!