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July 10 1707
Naples, Southern Italy

You chose the button "1707" and closed your eyes as you felt your body dissipating and reappear elsewhere. You opened your eyes and glanced around. You had arrived in a busy street market and apparently, it was rush hour. People were hurrying around and it took every reflex in your body just to dodge them in time. You finally broke through and began wandering around, admiring the architecture of the old city. You became so enamored by its beauty that you didn't watch where you were going. All of a sudden, you clashed with someone else resulting in your shirt being covered in something red. You glanced down to realize it was.. a tomato?
"Ugh! What the hell, ragazza? You made me smash my tomato all over my clothes!"
You heard a heavy Italian voice erupted from in front of you. Glancing up, you noticed an extremely handsome man with an odd curl protruding from the right side of his head. He had the most beautiful jade tinted, hazel eyes you'd ever seen in your life. Easily enough, you were lost instantly in them. His foul mouth soon knocked you out of his spell that his eyes had placed on you.
"Hello? Idiota, are you even listening to me?"
You glared at him. "Yes, I am listening, but you know you got tomato on me too! Look, I'm sorry for bumping into you, but you don't have to be rude." You attempted to storm off from the enchanting looking man, but he quickly caught your arm. His orbs met yours as he sighed deeply.
"It's my fault too, bella. I'm sorry as well," he let go of your arm and rested his hand on his head. "Can I at least help you get cleaned up? The beach is nearby and we can wash it off."
"That sounds wonderful," you said extending your hand. "I'm (f/n) and you are?"
"Romano. Now are you coming or not?" he spat.
Your lips curved into a smile as you took his arm. He looked at you in surprise. "Well, what are we waiting for?" you teased.
He shook his head disapprovingly. "Idiota.." he mumbled under his breath.

"Oh, Romano the water feels amazing!" you exclaimed as you pranced around the shallow part of the water. It was the purest shade of blue and the cool, crispness of it provided comfort in the hot Italian sun.
"You know you look like an idiota right now, ragazza? Good thing no one else is here to witness your stupidity.." he stated from his spot on the beach. You scowled at him. In the very short fifteen minutes you had known the man, he had managed to irritate you in every way possible with his sharp remarks and sarcastic comments. "Man," you thought. "Does this guy even have a heart?"
A devious thought sprouted in your mind and you ran towards Romano. As you yanked him up he yelled, "What the hell, ragazza?"
but didn't seem to fight back too much. You dragged him unwillingly into the water and proceeded to splash him with the water. Unexpectedly, he splashed you back, a smirk appearing on his face. You obviously were winning and he knew it. Romano then tackled you full on, knocking you both into the water. It caught you off guard and you inhaled a large gulp of the water. You came up sputtering and coughing while Romano gazed at you. His expression was a victorious one, but his eyes flashed concern. He leaned down close to you.
"Bella, are you alright?"
You gazed at his blazing green eyes and flashed him a devilish smile before grabbing his collar and flinging him face first in the water with all you might. Unluckily for you, he grabbed you arm and dragged you backwards into the water. He was the first one to stand up and he quickly put up
his arms. "Alright," he laughed. "I surrender, ragazza. You win."
You sprung up and yelled. "Victory is mine!" as Romano pushed you and you landed on your butt in the water. He cocked his head, smirked and took off running towards the beach. You followed quickly after him. As you reached the sand, a small breeze enveloped you, sending chills throughout your body.
"Ragazza," You glanced at him.
"Let's call a truce and dry off in the sun," he pointed to some large stone steps a few yards away.
You nodded in agreement and trailed after him.

"So, ragazza. I never asked. You don't look Italian so why are you here? Just passing through or something?"
You turned your head towards him as you basked in the glorious heat of the sun. "Something like that," you replied.
Just as you closed your eyes to relax, brash voices resounded near you. You glanced towards the voice to see that two soldiers had appeared.
"You know you two are not allowed to be there," one said in a deep Austrian voice.
"This is damn public property, you bastards!" Romano growled. "I'll sit anywhere I damn well-" He was cut off by your hand over his mouth.
"We'll move," you replied sweetly. You took Romano's arm, not removing your hand until you had gotten far enough away from the soldiers.
"What was that, Romano? We could have gotten in trouble!" you whispered harshly to him.
"Idiota ragazza! You don't just give into whatever they want, they need to go back to their damn country and leave mine alone!"
You stopped and hung your head. "I'm sorry, Romano.. I didn't know you felt like that."
His green trimmed eyes sparked with remorse, and he reached his hand out to you. You looked to him and he quickly turned his head in
embarrassment, his cheeks flushing pink. He turned his back towards you and began heading down the cobblestone road. "You look like an
idiota," he called. "Let's go."

As you strolled beside Romano, you could feel the tension building in the air. You decided to break the ice.
"Romano? Why do you hate them so much?"
He stopped mid-step and stared at the ground. His hands clentched into fists and he began to shake.
"Because, ragazza. They think they can just step in and run the country because their army is more powerful than mine. First, it was the tomato bastard, Spain. Now, the music loving bastard, Austria, thinks my land is his," Romano looked up at you, sadness forming in his blazing eyes.
"I just want Italy to be together and not sold piece by piece to the highest bidder! I want to be free as my own country!" he snapped.
You smiled slightly. "He does have a heart.." you thought.
"Bella? What's happening to you?" he asked puzzled.
You glanced down and noticed that you were slowly fading. Sighing deeply you said, "Romano, I have to go."
You reached up on your tiptoes to a very confused Romano and lightly kissed his cheek. He looked at you, wide eyed and mouth agape.
"I hope you find your freedom," you whispered as you vanished before his eyes.
Romano put his hand on his cheek and breathed to no one in particular. "What.. the hell just happened?"