A/N at bottom. This story takes place one day after the previous chapter.

Spring, 1615

"So..." Ludwig muttered.

"So..." Matthieu repeated.

"I want to go home," Romano grumbled. The three nations, after being begged by their older brothers, were all having lunch together. Unfortunately, only having have met yesterday, they had nothing to say to each other.

The German cleared his throat.

"Erm, what did you guys bring for lunch?"

"A tomato," replied Romano.

"Is that all?" The Canadian questioned.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Snapped Romano. Matthieu jumped to his defense.

"No- not at all. I guess I just didnt realize-"

"Well, you should have," sourly replied Romano.

"Well, in Matthieu's defense, it's kind of odd to eat a single raw tomato for lunch," piped up Ludwig.

"Shut up!" Romano glared at the German for several seconds before returning to his lunch.

"Weird," muttered Ludwig under his breath. However, it wasn't quiet enough for Romano not to hear.

"You know what!? Screw you bastard! I'm just here so my brother will stop bothering me, but I don't even care anymore. I'm out of here!" And with that, the Italian turned around and began to run away.

"Do we go after him?" Matthieu whispered to Ludwig.

"And don't even think about following me!" Romano screamed before disappearing into the distance.

"So, what do you think is up with that Romano guy?" Ludwig spoke, breaking the silence that hung ever since the Italian ran away.

"What do you mean?" Matthieu replied.

"Why's he so upset? We didn't even do anything! And besides, he never looks happy."

"I dunno. Maybe he's just in a bad mood."

"Well whatever it is, I hope he stops soon. I don't know how much longer I can deal with thi- wait, what is that?" Ludwig squinted into the distance.

Matthieu looked as well. "What is it? I don't see anyth-"

"HELP!" Screamed a distant voice.

"Wait, what was that?" Ludwig questioned.

"MATTHIEU! LUDWIG! ITS ATTACKING ME!" The voice yelled again.

"Is that... Romano?" Matthieu asked.

"HURRY UP YOU JERKS!"

"Romano! Where are you! Come on Ludwig, we have to help him!"

"Ugh, fine. Romano! Were coming! Stay still!" And with that, the duo ran to save the Italian.

"What. The. Hell." Ludwig gasped at the sight before him. Romano sat at the top of a tree, cowering in fear. At the base of a tree sat a small white bear, growling at Romano.

"Kuma!" Matthieu ran up to the bear. "There you are!"

"You know this beast!?" Romano yelled from his spot on a branch.

"Kuma, why are you attacking Romano? That's not very nice! Now say you're sorry!"

"But he came after me first!" whined the bear.

"It talks!?" Ludwig spoke.

"You bet! Now Kuma, apologize!"

"Fine. I'm sorry I came after you."

"See!" Matthieu smiled. "You can come down now!"

"Fine, give me a minute," grumbled Romano.

A few minutes passed, and somehow, Romano was still in the tree.

"You know what guys? I think I want to stay up here for a while."

"You what!?" Ludwig shouted up at Romano.

"It's actually pretty nice up here!" The terrified expression on the Italians face, however, said otherwise.

"Romano, are you alright?" Matthieu asked, voice full of concern.

"Of course I am! Just go away! I'll be right there!"

"Are you... Stuck?" Matthieu asked as Ludwig began to laugh.

"What? No way! Stop laughing! I'll be right there, just leave!"

"Do you want me to get your brother!?" Ludwig shouted.

"NO- I mean, um, I'll be fine! Maybe I can just- shit!" Romano tried, and failed, to climb down.

"You know what? I think he needs to jump," Matthieu spoke up.

"What!?" Yelled the Italian.

"Yeah," said Ludwig. "I'm pretty sure I can catch you!"

"There's no way in hell I'm jumping!"

"Fine," Matthieu began. "I'll just go get Antonio and he can help!"

"Don't! I'm begging you! Fine, fine. I'll jump. But Ludwig, if you don't catch me, I swear to God-"

"I swear I'll catch you! Just jump!" Ludwig spoke while preparing to catch Romano as he got in position to jump.

"Ready?" Matthieu cheered. "1-2-3!" And with that, the Italian leapt from the tree, screaming all the way down. Ludwig lunged to catch him, but the impact of Romano's body sent them toppling to the ground. Matthieu ran over to the duo.

"Are you guys OK?" Matthieu asked, voice full of worry.

"We never speak of this again," Romano grumbled from the ground.

"Oh, there you guys are! We have been looking all over for you!" The trio turned around to find their older brothers running towards them. Francis, the one who spoke, was leading his friends as they approached Matthieu, Ludwig, and Romano, two of whom were still on the floor.

"Wait, why are you guys on the ground?" Cheerfully noted Antonio. Romano and Ludwig sprang to their feet.

"Oh, we were just playing around!" Chirped Matthieu, Romano and Ludwig nodding in agreement.

"Well, we have to go home now. Come on Ludwig, I'm starving!" Gilbert spoke, taking his brother by the hand.

"We need to go to Romano." Antonio said, beginning to walk away.

"Wait!" Romano spoke up. Turning around to Ludwig and Matthieu, he said: "You guys might not be too bad. We should be friends. Deal?"

"Deal!" Matthieu and Ludwig replied in unison before leaving with their elder brothers.

And just like that, despite a rocky beginning, their friendship had started.

Here's your next chapter! As always, thanks for reading and feel free to review! Criticism is much appreciated. The next chapter goes up next Friday!