Author's Note: ... I can't write Italy... *sigh*

Italy sat on a log, watching his brother playing with a small axe that Spain made him in his spare time. The summer sun was beating down, but the brothers were protected by a large oak tree that cast the area in shadow. Italy jusmped up to chase a beautiful butterfly when Romano whirled around and saw his brother prancing around.

He smiled micheviously and rose his axe.

"Hiya! Take that, French scum!" Romano said, lunging forward with his toy battleaxe. Italy stumbled back, surprised to see the wooden tool in his face.

"You're supposed to fight back!" Romano said, grabbing a small blunt dagger and giving it to his brother. Then, he swung again.

"Hey! That's not nice!" Italy exclaimed, tears in his eyes as he dropped the dagger and pulled out a white hankerchief to wave. "I missed you, and now you're attacking me!"

Romano glared at his brother. "It's supposed to be fun, you bastard!" Italy's eyes widened at the curse. He was never allowed to use vulgar language at Austria's house!

"You're not supposed to swear! It's rude, and offensive and- um... mean!" Romano scoffed at his younger sibling before throwing his toy to the ground. "You're no fun, Italy! Watching Spain make battleaxes is more fun that hanging out with you! I'm glad we don't live together!"

Italy burst into tears and Romano panicked, not intending on making his brother cry. "I didn't mean it! I'm sorry, you ba- I mean, brother! Don't cry!" Then, waving his arms in that silly Italian way, he cried "That Holy Roman Empire guy is going to kill me!" He crouched in front of his brother, poking Italy's nose to get his attention. "Sorry! Please don't cry!" Romano swallowed a lump in his throat and leaned forward to hug Italy. "There, there... don't cry... I didn't mean it..."

Eventually, Italy stopped crying and asked "Do you love me, Romano?"

"Of course I love you, Italy. You're my little brother." Romano replied, smiling slightly when his brother pulled him closer. "I'll always protect you."

Author's Note: ... Now I feel like I suck at writing Romano as well. *sigh* Well, this is the best you'll get. Here, have a bonus scene!

~Bonus Scene, HRE's POV~

I leaned around the old oak tree to watch the siblings. I have heard about South Italy through Italia, but I have never actually met him.

I tensed when Romano faced Italia with his battleaxe in swing. I only relaxed when the irritable boy pulled his swing short and gave Italia the dagger. 'I really hope she doesn't stab herself with it...' (AN: HRE thinks Italy is a girl... and calls Italy Italia due to him being Chibitalia, I guess. Does that make sense? No it doesn't, but I don't care.)

I was about to leave when I heard Romano yell at Italia. I grabbed my sword, but Romano was already proving himself to be a good brother by trying to soothe her.

I watched their loving hug, and sighed. 'Why can't I be the one comforting Italia?' I thought sadly. Then, I turned and walked back to the house.