Chapter 7

A/N: Hey guys! It's been a while—at least, to me it feels that way—since I've updated. So here it is, chapter seven!

As the young Italian entered the city, he was amazed at how much it changed. After living with Holy Rome, Roderich and Elizaveta, he spent most of his days in the mansion tending to his chores and such. Even though he wanted so much to see his grandfather's home, where he was born and raised alongside Lovino, he wasn't allowed to leave the mansion. The evening breeze was soft against the Italian's skin as he rushed through the Roman streets with a woven basket filled loaves of bread, cheese and his older brother's favorite food in the entire world: tomatoes, in his hands. Feliciano held the basket close to his chest, the steam of the fresh bread keeping him warm. He knew that he was probably going to be in trouble for what he was doing, this being the third day of him sneaking food here and there. But he had to. It was his duty as a brother, to his brother. Of course, even though it was something he had to do, Feliciano would be lying if he said that he wasn't scared. After all, Roderich wouldn't hesitate scolding him and locking him in solitary confinement for the rest of the night.

Night fell quickly, and Feliciano knew that if he intended to get back home—late or not—he had to do this quick. As he quickened his pace, he saw his destination ahead of him, the Coliseum. It was already aged by the wind as time passed on and on. This saddened Feliciano and his brother, as it was one of the few remainders they had of their life with their grandfather. If it disappeared completely...the young Italian shook his head. He didn't even want to consider what would happen. Instead, he continued on his way to the Coliseum.

Long, long ago, when their grandfather passed away, Lovino knew that the other nations were going to come after them and pick up the pieces of the shattered, once-great empire their grandfather built. The day after he died, Lovino and Feliciano both promised—much to the older Italian's persistence—that if either were either of them were in trouble that they seek solace in the Coliseum. It was the only place that seemed to soothe both brothers, whenever they were sad, angry or lonely. It was a place for both of them to be.

Oh, no, Feliciano thought as he walked on. The bread's getting colder...He knew there was no more time to waste. He picked up his pace, speeding through the streets until he finally reached the entrance of the Coliseum.

The darkness of the night blanketed the structure, making it hard for Feliciano to see beyond the entrance. He peered his head into the entrance, the moon casting his shadow from behind, making his shadow mix and linger with the darkness. He took a few hesitant steps before inhaling slowly, trying to calm his nerves.

"Fratello!" he called out into the darkness, hoping for an immediate reply. It's not that he was inpatient, but standing in the dead of night at the entrance of an otherwise abandoned structure...who wouldn't be scared? "Fratello, it's me, Feliciano! Are you there?"

"Yeah! I'm in the arena!" Lovino shouted, his strong voice echoing its way to his brother.

Feliciano merely nodded, not that the other Italian could see him. With a cowardly gulp, the young Italian walked further into the darkness. The further he ventured in, the closer the moonlight from the arena became. What was it like, Feliciano wondered, to be living in such darkness? There was no warmth, no strength, no defense, nothing. Everything was unknown.

"Stop where you are!"

The young Italian flinched at his brother's orders. Where was his brother? It was too dark for Feliciano to tell. He looked around, the darkness continuing. Didn't his brother feel lonely in this place? Wasn't he glad that someone knew where he was, and wanted to keep him company? With wavering hands, Feliciano tried his best to keep the contents of the basket from spilling onto the cold ground.

"I-I brought you some food," he said quietly, gripping the rim of the basket. "A-And I'm planning on coming back tomorrow to bring you some clothes..."

"Just leave the basket where you are," Lovino said sharply, not even bothering to show his face to Feliciano.

Not knowing what else to do, Feliciano set the basket down at his feet and slowly backed away. Was this what his brother really wanted?

"You know," the younger said nervously, "you're welcome in Holy Rome's house. I can hide you in the—"

"—no! I'm not going anywhere!" Lovino cut in. "I'm not going back to that bastard's house, and there's no way in hell I'm living with that pampered pianist and that brat!"

"But it's not safe to stay here!" Feliciano reasoned, tears filling his eyes. "What if the Turks try to take you away again? I-I don't want to lose my brother that way!" By now, the young Italian's tears left the comfort of his lashes and streamed down his face, looking for comfort as they fell to the ground.

"...Feliciano," Lovino breathed, much to the younger Italian's surprise. It was rare for the older to address the younger by his name, and as foreign as it was, it made Feliciano happy, but at the same time, sad. "What is it?" Feliciano asked.

"I-I was thinking..." Lovino continued, still hidden in the darkness, "that maybe it was time that we become independent from Antonio and Roderich. We don't need them."

"Yes we do!" Feliciano replied immediately, leaving Lovino stunned. "Fratello, I know it's bad now, but we're still...grandpa wouldn't let us take care of the land by ourselves! We're too young!"

Is he serious?

Lovino let out a scoff. "You just want protection, you idiot! We can't depend on those bastards forever!"

"I'm not saying that it'll be forever!" Feliciano argued.

"J-Just go! Get out of here!" Lovino snapped. "Go back home!" What was his brother thinking? Why would he want to stay with someone else and live according to their rules?

Feliciano stomped his foot down. Who knew that he and Lovino could share the same traits? "This place is my home just as much as it is yours!"

"N-No it's not! As a nation...you're Veneziano!" the older spat. "You're Venice. Me...I'm...I'm Romano! I'm the only one out of the two of us that should be allowed here!"

Why was Lovino being so hard headed, when he was the one that suggested that both of them go there if they were ever in trouble? And didn't he just say that they should become independent? So then why is he trying to claim his territory and push Feliciano away?

"Fratello...I only want to help..." the younger one murmured.

"Well maybe I don't need your help! I can do everything on my own!" Lovino shouted, his angered echoes overwhelming Feliciano.

"O-Okay then," Feliciano said, surrendering a fight he knew that he couldn't win. "Please, eat some of the food." As he began to walk back towards the light, leaving his brother, Feliciano could have sworn that he heard footsteps following behind him. When he turned around, he heard shifting, as if someone was eating...

Feliciano smiled softly to himself and stared back into the darkness. "Good night, Lovino," he said before turning back around to go home. "Sweet dreams. I'll be praying for you."

As the young Italian left the Coliseum, he realized that he didn't care if the Austrian would yell at him that night. He didn't care as long as he knew his brother was eating and that he was safe for the time being.

A/N: Hey guys~ I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time! Please review! :3