Memories of Old

Chapter 6: A Brother's Oath

The next memory opened up to show the two boys in the village once more. Lovino was watching Liana again, but she seemed to be 14 now instead of 13.

"A year has passed since the last memory." I said, shivering slightly. I remembered this one clearly. This was the start of the mafia, in a way. It was the event that jumpstarted the events that would lead to the birth of its first and most basic unbreakable rule—Famiglia Before All.

Romano also paled greatly as he recognized this memory. "Ve~ Just so you guys know, Vino's going to do something incredibly stupid here and in the next memory or two. Do not blame him or get mad at him. He's already beaten himself up enough over it, and he doesn't need any help with that. Remember; this happened over two thousand years ago. I may hold a grudge like no tomorrow, but I've long since forgiven him."

"Wait, you hold grudges?!" England asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Felice can hold a grudge that makes the rivalry between you and France, or even Russia and America look like child's play. His shit list is one of the hardest to get on—you have to do something beyond devastating to get on it—but it's even harder to get off. I was on it for 150 years, and I'm his brother. Even as a child, he could hold a grudge. It took him 80 years to forgive and forget about Marks and his gang. That was long after they died, too." Romano explained. Some of the nations blanched.

"I'll just tell you now; two people are on my shit list right now." I chirped happily, enjoying seeing them pale even further. "One of you likely knows who you are, and if you don't it'll surely come up in the memories later. The other...? It's whoever cast this spell. I'm fairly sure it wasn't you, England, so you're safe for now."

England let out a breath of relief. He'd seen me angry before. It was during 9/11. I was livid at what happened to America. England happened to be in the vicinity, and saw me mad. He'd steered clear of me for a few decades after that. I swear he actually pissed himself! He looked like we do when presented with his cooking. Ha!

"Oh! There she is! I'm going to tell her!" Lovino said. "I'm going to tell her! Tomorrow!" He continued.

"Roma..." Feliciano sighed, before giving his twin a sad smile, and pushing him gently in the direction of the girl. "Tell her now, or you'll regret it forever. We're going to have to move in a few months again, you know. You'll likely never see her again." Lovino looked back at his brother in surprise.

"I thought you were against this?" He asked suspiciously, not taking his eyes off Liana.

"I am. But if it makes you happy, even for a short while, then I'll support you in whatever you do." Feliciano said, that sad smile still on his face.

"Grazie." Lovino said, before speeding off towards his crush with a determined look on his face.

"And I'll be here to pick up the pieces when you break." Feliciano whispered to himself, staring off after his brother.

"Hey! Freak!" A familiar voice called. Marks and his group swaggered up to Feliciano. They looked 16 now, and some of them had alcohol in their hands. The nations stiffened. With Lovino distracted by the girl, there was nobody to protect Feliciano.

Feliciano seemed to realize this, too, for he started shaking like a leaf. "H-hey Marks... I heard about your engagement to Liana... Congratulations..." Feliciano stuttered.

"I couldn't bring myself to tell Romano... I tried to bring it up multiple times, but he wouldn't listen. So I finally decided to let her tell him herself." I explained.