Memories of Old

Chapter 4: Chinks in the Armor

The scene changed again, only this time, it was snowing outside.

"Felice! Bundle up! Don't want you catching cold, out there. Your brother might be fine, but we don't want you getting sick!" Mom said, handing out a coat to a 7-year-old Feliciano. Romano and I paled at this memory.

"Getting sick? What is that about?" Germany asked, confused.

I flinched, grabbing onto Romano a little tighter. He sighed. "Honestly, if they didn't reject you when they found out we aren't full nations, they won't reject you because of this. I'll tell them mine, too, okay?" He asked me, placing his hand gently on my head, as I hesitantly nodded.

"Tell us what, aru?" China asked, suspicious.

"About the weakness... the chink in the armor..." I muttered.

"We both have one fatal flaw in our nation hood... in our immortality." Romano stated, making many of the nations blanch.

"A flaw? In your immortality?!" America gasped, unable to comprehend it.

"Si. It's the only way around our immortality. I'm weak against poisons and venoms. If I'm poisoned badly enough, or bitten by something with strong enough venom, I will die. And I won't come back." Romano said heavily, causing many nations to gasp. The concept of permanent death is foreign to most nations, at least, in regards to another nation.

"Mine is illness. I can get sick, like a human. And I can die from sickness, like a human. When I was little, before I fully connected with my nation, I was a very sickly child. My immune system was pathetically low. After connecting with my nation, it went up to an average Italian's immune system strength. Just know that I, like my brother, have this one weakness." I said, still clinging to Romano with a vice-like grip.

"Itary-kun... We will never use this against you." Japan said as the other nations nodded their agreement. My eyes went wide, traveling from nation to nation.

"You... don't hate me?" I asked, surprised.

"Why would we hate you?" Prussia asked, appearing offended.

"I... I'm not like you... I'm not a full nation... I can die like a human... I can get sick like a human, and become frail and weak... well, weaker."

"Aiyaa! Is that what you're worried about, aru?! If you get sick, come to me or Japan, aru! We'll fix you right up!" China said as Japan nodded his head with a soft smile.

"Ja! Und next time you get sick, tell me." Germany stressed, "I'll cancel training until you're better." He was already planning to read up on all the medical books he could get his hands on.

"Yeah, dude! And I may not be good with sick stuff, but the doctors in my country are, like, totally awesome! We have state-of-the-art tech here, yo! Come to me, and I'll patch you right up!" America proclaimed.

"Right. Ignore him, and come to my place. A nice cup of tea always calms the body." England said.

"Non! Don't listen to him!" France shouted, "He'll feed you his crap! Come to moi! I'll treat you to wine and a five-star dinner~"

"I will keep General Winter away while you are sick, Дa?" Russia said, smiling.

"I'll make you maple syrup and fresh pancake—"

"ZE AWESOME ME WILL MAKE YOU AWESOMELY BETTER BY BEING IN MY AWESOME PRESENCE! I AM AWESOME!" Prussia cut Canada off.

I smiled, "Grazie..." I was so relieved. They still like me... They don't hate me... I was so terrified that they would reject me when they found out...