It had been six months since Lovi had left to go live in –and with- Spain. There was not much of a difference in Feli's daily activities but one thing that Feli had noticed was that the house was certainly quieter and cleaner without Lovi's constant ranting and knocking things over.

Still, he missed his older brother and even though they hadn't been able to be around each other for very long, he enjoyed the time he was able to spend with him.

Feli stopped mercilessly scrubbing the floor to take a few deep breaths. Since Lovi was gone, there was no one that Feli could talk to about his day. Ms. Hungary wasn't so bad…but she wasn't his family. For six months worth of bad days and many bad dreams, Feli had learned to adjust his frustrations by taking deep breaths in between chores.

As well as painting a lot.

He was nearly finished sweeping the veranda by the time the afternoon began to segue into the evening. He took the handkerchief wrapped around his head and wiped some sweat from his forehead. The summer days seemed to last forever here but it was much colder than his homeland.

He missed it so much. He missed his grandfather. He missed his brother.

Sighing, he picked up the dustpan and carried it and the broom inside before the sunset. He wasn't interested in watching a sunset that compared little to the ones he was so used to.

And Feli refused to let himself become adjusted to the new one.

Lovi yawned as he lounged lazily on the large armchair in the sitting room of Spain's luxurious mansion. He found the setting and atmosphere much more relaxing here than in Austria. In fact, Lovi was so relaxed and content that he hardly remembered the bland landscape at all.

Still, Spain did not hold a candle to his Roma, Napoli, Capri…anywhere in his own home!

Well, at least Spain had tomatoes.

Spain also had a tomato garden on his land. Lovi was quite pleased with that though he would never admit it. On the days where Lovi decided not to lounge around all day, he would be there in the garden either picking ripe tomatoes or watering the vines.

It certainly stayed quiet for the most part. Despite his fading memory of his brief time in Austria, the memories with his little brother had not gone away. He wasn't sure if he appreciated the memories or not. Sitting alone in the little garden reminded him too much of being alone in the capital when his grandfather took Feli and left.

Those memories were more than vivid.

He had known of Feli's existence for as long as Feli had been alive. He remembered the day when his grandfather introduced a newly born Feli to him shortly after he had returned home from one of his visits in the north of the land. Lovi remembered being excited at first. Having a little brother seemed fun. His grandfather didn't look too pleased but reminded Lovi that he was fortunate to have a blood relative nation. Even if they were not fully related. Lovi always helped to take care of his little brother when his grandfather was away. He was finally starting to feel like he was something, no…someone in the grand scheme of things.

Then the most poignant memory of all was when Rome took Feli, his little brother away and stayed away himself.

Leaving him alone with faux leaders and horrible bosses and only sparing one or two visits every two years. Not even a messenger to send for word on how he was doing. And whenever Rome did visit he only sang praises about his little brother.

Lovi resented it. He was part of Rome's family, too…but all he was a name. It wouldn't be until many centuries later that Lovi realized that he was more upset at being robbed of his brotherly duty to Feli than the notion that his grandfather abandoned him in the capital.

When Rome faded out of existence, Lovi hated himself for crying and being sad about it. He tried to tell himself that it was because there was no way he could protect himself but the reality was that he really missed his grandfather.

After all, before Feli came into the world he had had some pleasant and fun memories with the older nation. He wondered why they couldn't share those memories as a family.

As much as he tried, he could never resent his grandfather.

His tears turned into worry for Feli. What would happen to him now that Rome was gone? He knew that his own government was in turmoil as leaders scrambled to save a nation that was already dead. Nations that were their enemies or territories now reclaimed their lands and swarmed in.

It was terrifying. Lovi was only a child. A naïve, scared child. These people, these humans and nations, were mean and cold. The ones that he trusted only disappointed him and the ones that didn't did nothing at all.

He watched the capital become a wasteland. He cried as the once proud monuments and buildings became ruins. Citizens even destroyed part of the Coliseum to make houses and complexes near the area.

By the time he was taken by Austria, he couldn't remember what Rome looked like anymore.

When he was brought to Austria's home, he was led into an intricate room that had a plethora of books. He was directed to sit down in a large armchair facing a desk. At this desk, sat a clean and pale gentleman with glasses and neat hair. As Lovi rounded the chair to sit, he saw Feli sitting in the chair opposite to him.

He saw Feli's eyes light up, "Oh! You're my big brother?"

So he remembered nothing of him. Why did it hurt worse than everything else he had recently gone through? Lovi glared and scoffed at him, "That's impossible…you're too stupid to be related to me…" It was an empty insult but one that he noticed still hurt his brother's feelings. He was full of too much pride to apologize, so he turned away.

Feli reached out to him, "But-"

The man at the desk interrupted, "You two can become reacquainted at another time," he said in a distinct tone and strange accent, "My name is Roderich Edelstein, however, you may call me Mr. Austria."

Lovi scowled again. He was in Germanic territory. Wonderful.

He didn't listen too much as Austria explained why he was taking care of the two brothers. He grew bored after Austria's introduction. Lovi figured this would be his life from now on. Passed down to different nations until he became nothing just like his grandfather.

Well, he'd have to rise to his grandfather's level before that would happen. That seemed about as likely as potatoes becoming his favorite food over tomatoes.

Lovi sighed, this was his, no, their life now. Survival was all that mattered.

He was secretly relieved that he would be able to take care of his little brother again.

But of course, he would never admit that.

By the time the sun had set on the Spanish horizon, he had picked three baskets worth of tomatoes and told Spain the only reason his sleeves were wet was because a stupid squirrel had nearly pushed him into a fountain.

Not because he was crying.