Facades [Hetalia AU]

t w o

The sound of the soles of the brown leather shoes could be heard as a magnificent modern Roman-style house came into view. I smirked enjoying my younger brother's taste. It still had Grandpa Rome's signature style with his wealth, riches and glory but it maintains a modern and contemporary look. It was a perfect balance of the Grandpa's legacy with the modern creating a stunning view filled with comfort and warmth. I shouldn't be surprised. After all, he's one of the best designers having to learn directly from Leonardo Da Vinci when the renaissance period flourishes and colors Italy we know today.

Arriving at the front step, I quickly examined the entrance of the house. It uses a blood identification system. Veneziano is always paranoid, of course. I took my iron stiletto knife with my signature marked on it. I made a small cut on my index finger and let the red blood drop on the glass layer. In an instant, the big glass door opened.

"I didn't think that will work," I said nonchalantly as I stepped in the house. In the foyer, stood my little brother wearing his sophisticated-looking suit as he twirled his stiletto knife around flawlessly.

"Ciao Romano~," he grinned as his, not normally open, intelligent eyes spotted me entering his house, "Long time no see, Fratello." He walked elegantly towards me still holding his knife.

"Ciao," I replied back remembering the last time we saw each other. It was when we lead the missions. "Have you assassinated senor Giovanni?" I asked staring. His serious olive green eyes stared back.

"Ah, of course," he replied back easily throwing the knife to the painting of a certain French bastard in the wall, "That mission is easier than taking candy from a child. After all, Giovanni is a coward and a traitor to the mafia name."

"How about signora Aurora?" he asked about the trouble-making but almost successful brunette who had been trying to stop the mafia's influence on her family.

I took a seat on the red velvet chair before explaining, "Well, it was quite hard since she has a lot of guards. Nevertheless, I was still able to poison one of her food that leads to her death. I left no leads either. The police are baffled, as always."

"Excellent Fratello. The mafia is unstoppable after all," He smirked mischievously as he sat next to me.

Suddenly, the phone rang, disturbing the silence, forcing Veneziano to check on his sleek black phone. After confirming that it was his call he picked it up.

"Hello," he replied making sure to keep up his cheerful facade. Suddenly he turned back serious before telling me that it was America calling.

After a few minutes, Veneziano ended the call and turned to his brother. His face was serious and unreadable. "America's calling for dinner," he replied seriously.

I understood why he was so serious. America is the only one who can beat him when it comes to fighting. Veneziano is one of the best fighters in the world but America's skill matched him and would beat him fair and square. Fratello openly admitted that he admired America's impeccable fighting skills. America was young compared to other nations but he soon ascends as the world's superpower, gaining the world's attention. The weak, vulnerable colony somehow managed to defeat one of the world's greatest superpower at that time. He managed to find flaws in Great Britain's plans and managed to twist the weakness to benefit to its plans. Now, he controls the world's economy and would manipulate it to his liking. He's also serving as our mentor, perfecting our skills and techniques so one day, we would be undefeatable.