Reading Nation's Diaries

Romano Denies Everything

Sorry for the wait on this chapter. I am also posting a room list which will remain as the last chapter in the fic. Enjoy the chapter.

After a brief intermission for lunch, the nations decided to continue reading the diary. No one wanted to dwell on anything said that morning- there would be plenty of opportunities for forcing people into unwanted conversations later.

There wasn't much of a discussion about who would be reading as Russia had picked up the book and asked for permission to read; no one wanted to deny him a chance to read if he really wanted to.

"It is time to begin, da? The first one is a statement. 'Romano trusts Spain more than anyone else. Even though they've been through some rough patches, Romano knows that Spain will always protect him when he needs it. He's grateful for this, and it's been a very long time since he's insulted Spain and meant it.'"

Spain turned to look at Romano, a wide grin spread across his features. The personification of Southern Italy spluttered a string of not so polite words as Spain dragged him into a tight, rib-cracking hug.

Romano shoved Spain off him, muttering something about never trusting tomato bastards but the elder nation was not deterred and immediately reattached himself to the angry Italian.

Russia ignored the arguing nations as he read the next diary entry, "'Romano is extremely ticklish.'"

There were a few seconds of silence before Romano began loudly informing everyone that he was, in fact, not ticklish. It was too bad that no one believed him.

"Ve~ Fratello! Why didn't you tell me?"

Northern Italy and Spain joined forces in trying to find the grumpy nation's ticklish spots. It took only a few minutes to drag out a small, quickly choked laugh from the man and a total of ten to have Romano unable to contain his laughter. It was a beautiful sound that everyone close to the tickle-victim would forever ingrain into their memories.

When it reached the point that the tickling became less fun for the victim, Italy and Spain backed off. It wasn't fair to continue the assault of Romano if he wasn't liking it and no one wanted to cause any unnecessary upset.

When Romano had caught his breath, Russia read the first diary entry of the session "'Dear diary, Spain finally came home today. He had a serious injury again. Maybe it was because of that recent war he was in against Britain. I hope he gets well soon~ Romano'"

A sombre silence settled in the room. Spain looked at Romano for a moment, discovering that the Italian man's face was turned away from him and the bit of cheek he could see was painted red. The Spaniard's eyes moved to England, who was also refusing to look at him.

"I don't blame you, mi Amigo," he said. Upon noticing that England still had his head angled down, he continued, "We all have fights and sometimes we get hurt. It is no one's fault. It doesn't matter how or when- wars will still happen. It is human nature. But that doesn't mean that us nations can't be friends, as people. Does it?"

There were several mutterings of agreement throughout the room. The idea sounded nice but too simple. If they could find a way to be friends, even if it was only as people (not as nations), it would allow nations to help each other and make their long lives a bit more enjoyable.

The new silence was calm, comfortable, and lasted for several minutes. Romano smiled to himself as no one questioned the thoughts that he wrote in that diary entry.

Russia read aloud the next statement at Germany's instruction (he didn't have to do as the German said but, after reading the statement quietly to himself, he knew that the next entry in the book needed to be shared). So, he spoke, "The next one is a statement, da? 'Romano knows it probably won't happen but he would love it if one person, just one would call him 'Italy' even just once.'"

Romano didn't speak this time. How did the ancients even know that? He never told anyone and he never wrote it down; if the surprised looks on the faces of all the nations present was anything to go by, he wasn't obvious in this want either. He could try to refute the statement, however, the shock of one of his most private secrets being written down and read aloud made him freeze. He thoroughly hated the book. Why couldn't they have been forced to sit and read the Bible together or something? He was perfectly fine with dealing with theological debates, just not this.

He shouted something to Russia as a reflex. He couldn't actually remember what he said but it caused Russia to read the next passage after telling the room that it would be the last one.

"'Dear diary, I don't know where people get the idea that Spain is a morning person. If either of us is the morning person, it's me. Don't look at me like that it's true! I haven't dealt with stupidity yet when I first wake up so I'm in the best mood I am all day. Spain on the other hand... well there's a reason 'The sun never sets on the Spanish Empire,' It's afraid to! When it comes back up, the bastard's out for blood. Just saying.~ Romano'"

There was a small noise when the book was placed on the table and everyone looked towards Spain. Southern Italy smiled as everyone's mildly shocked faces. Apparently, there wasn't a single person in the room who had even considered that Spain could be anything other than smiles and happiness.

It didn't take long for the room to erupt into chaos, again. It was strange, Southern Italy thought, that, this time, the chaos was fun and comfortable and instead of the usual anger there was a teasing atmosphere. Perhaps, Spain's earlier speech had already taken root and the nations were trying to get past their differences. It would definitely a good idea but it would take time for the nations to get to know each other and move past previous hurts but, if it could be done, it would make for a better future for the nations.

Some nations were already good at forgiving other nations for things that their countries did but bad at forgiving themselves. Others were bad at forgiving altogether. Others still were so bad at holding grudges that they forgave all mistakes instantly.

Southern Italy hoped that the world could move past all of the hate- he was lonely and hoped that he could find more people who would be friends with him. That would be nice and he was sure that there were other nations who felt the same. Some nations were lucky enough to have good relationships despite all of the politics involved, however, these relationships were usually only between family.

Of course, even if all the nations present could learn to forgive and move on there was only a fraction of the nations that had been dragged into the horrid book reading. It was a start, though.

The time before evening meal was hectic and the period after was a whirlwind of activity. Some genius, Romano didn't know who, decided that having a games night was a great idea and everyone immediately agreed.

The games were only packed away when some of the younger nations fell asleep. Romano was shattered when he finally manage to make it to his bed and fell asleep almost immediately after his head hit the pillow.