Memories of Old

Chapter 20: Introductions

Chapter 20: Introductions

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN WE'RE LOST?!" Lovino's voice greeted the nations as the next memory faded in.

"Uh, well... You see, I don't normally come to this area of my country, I only came to find you two, and—"

"How the hell does a nation get lost in their own damn country?!" Lovino continued to rant. "You're hopeless!"

"He got lost?" Germany gawked. How could one of the greatest empires ever to have lived, have gotten lost in his own country?

"Yeah... sounds like him, all right." China deadpanned. "He'll be hungry soon, too."

The four were wondering around some desolate area that didn't have any towns. By the looks of it, they'd been wandering around for a few days. Their clothing was dirty, and they looked rather hungry.

"Ah~ I miss his food." Rome said with a dreamy look in his eye. "And his tea."

"Aiyaa! That's what you miss?! You stupid, hardheaded, idiotic..." China trailed off into semi-profane mutters. But internally, he cried.

"You knew him?!" America asked, surprised. "I mean, I knew you were old, but—"

"You don't want to finish that sentence, aru." China glared at the American.

"Yes. I knew him rather well. We were... friends."

Romano twitched a bit, sensing that there was more to it than that, but he let it be. After all, it wasn't our business what they were. It was China's to tell, not ours.

"Miss who, you creepy bastard? Anyways, you got us lost out here, you damn idiot!" Lovino twitched, glaring at Rome. "Are you really even a nation? You seem too incompetent."

Rome stumbled and fell at that. "Come on, that's not fair! Everyone makes mistakes! I just got a little lost, that's all. You'll do it one day, too!" He huffed and crossed his arms.

"Are you sure you aren't the child?" Feliciano asked, a drop of sweat rolling down the back of his head. Even Asher gave Rome a sidelong glance.

"E-even the dog?" Rome fell into a mild despair.

The nations couldn't help but laugh at the scene. It was too funny! Watching these two chibi-nations speaking to the Great Roman Empire like he was the kid was just too much for them to take.

Honestly, Romano and I couldn't help but chuckle, too. We were such little asses back then.

The scene blurred to nightfall, where the four reluctantly made camp. Tired out by their long trek and their suddenly shorter legs and smaller lungs, the twins fell asleep rather quickly and deeply, with Asher keeping watch over them.

Rome looked at Asher, who huffed. "So... are you their pet?"

"I'm nobody's fucking pet!" Asher growled, and while Rome was unable to understand his words, his meaning remained clear.

"O-okay... their... erm... protector?" He tried again.

"Huh... so you aren't entirely stupid." Asher snorted and rested his head on his paws, ears still perked up to catch any little sound.

The memory became dim and muffled, showing that at least one twin was somewhat awake.

"Ah... they're so cute. It makes me happy to have such adorable grandsons." Rome's voice sounded far away, but they could still hear him. "Romano and Veneziano, huh? 'Mano seems like the physically stronger of the two. He's probably older. If he wants to, I'll teach him war. Vene, on the other hand, seems more gentle. I'd hate to see such a trusting child turn cold... maybe I can train him in politics and art? Yes... And together... they can learn to rule. Perhaps one day..." His voice faded away as Feliciano finally fell asleep.