Chapter Text
*In Spain’s capital, many years ago.
Chibi!Romano: (Sniffles in his bedroom, missing his brother. He's just moved in with Spain, and has been living with the bastard for the past two or three weeks.)
Spain: (Smiling like the little bastard he is, he comes in with a little box for little Romano~. Hearing the other sniffling, he comes in, looking like he cares.) Romano? Why are you crying, hijo?
Chibi!Romano: I don't want to be in this stupid country, jerk!
Spain: That's too bad, Roma . . . I enjoy having you around. You're rather lindo when you aren't crying. (He sits with the young colony.)
Chibi!Romano: That's because you're a weird jerk-bastard! (Rubs at his eyes stubbornly. He spies the small box in Spain's hands.) What's that?
Spain: (Gentle smile.) Something for you~.
Chibi!Romano: (Narrowed gaze.) Bastard, either hand it to me or tell me what it is!
Spain: (Just grins.) Close your eyes and I'll give it to you~!
Chibi!Romano: (Crosses his arms before uncrossing them again and closing his eyes with a snooty sniff.) Just this one time , bastard.
Spain: Of course~. (He smiles, taking out the bracelet and clipping it around the young colony's wrist.) There! Now you may look.
Chibi!Romano: (Opens his eyes, turning his wrist over and over to look at the bracelet.) What the hell is this for, bastard? It's kind of girly.
Sp: (Chuckles.) It's my claim to you as a colony, Romano~. I think it looks nice on you!
Chibi!Romano: C-C-CHE?!?!?!? WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!? (Tugs at it.) I don't want to be claimed by you! Why can't it be a sexy lady?! Like Belgium?!
Spain: Hmpf. Belgium can't claim you because I've rule her . (Pulls Romano's tiny hands away from it.) Don't tug at it, Romano. You're my colony and that's final. Understood?
Chibi!Romano: WHY THE FUCK ISN'T IT COMING OFF?!
Spain: Because only I can take it off. Stop trying, Romano. You'll just hurt yourself.
Chibi!Romano: (Pouts massively.) Why the hell do I need this thing anyways . . .
Spain: (Gently pets through the colony's hair.) Because you need to have a claim, lest another -- most likely meaner -- nation sweep off with you.
Chibi!Romano: Does it have to be a girly bracelet?
Spain: It's not girly, Roma.
Chibi!Romano: Tch. Fine. Then does it need to be a fucking bracelet?
Spain: (Patience pretty much snapping.) Would you prefer a collar?
Chibi!Romano: . . . -- (Confused at the seriousness in Spain's voice.) -- What?
Spain: (Sighs.) Most nations put collars on their colonies, but only some put them on young colonies, such as yourself. Instead, they put bracelets on the younger ones, like you have.
Chibi!Romano: Why? It seems confusing. (Mutters.) Especially for you, jerk.
Spain: (Ignores the quiet jab.) Collars seem extreme for someone as young as yourself. You're still so young. . .
Chibi!Romano: . . . Weirdo. So this is supposed to help protect me? Or some crap like that?
Spain: Si. It makes it obvious that you are under my protection and that other nations should leave you alone. Now the other nations will stop fighting over you~!
Chibi!Romano: (Skeptical, flat look.)
Spain: Really , Roma! No one is going to bother you anymore without having to deal with me, first!
Chibi!Romano: . . . Grazie. Tomato-bastard.
Spain: (Smiles.) De nada, Romano~.