the sword is a warrior's soul...

[conquererofseas]

The Spanish Empire was just wearing his tight trousers and his knee high boots today, his bare chest glistened with sweat as he was fencing against a invisible opponent with fierce fury. He missed the seas, missed his old life and really needed a distraction. The light weight of his épée within his right hand was a welcome feeling and his green

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[rebel_privateer]

[ The Confederate certainly needed a distraction. With times in his own world difficult to say the least and England missing, he often didn't know what to do with himself.

He's feeling better than he has in quite a while today, out taking a walk when he sees Spain. There's a sense of familiarity, as if he had met him before, but doesn't approach, instead watching from a distance. ]

[conquererofseas]

Antonio was much too concentrated on his movements with the épée to realize that someone was watching him in his training. A wicked grin emerged on his lips while he was still fighting his invisible opponent with fast strikes and cagey feints.
The Spanish Empire continued his exercise for another while, savouring the nostalgia he felt with his sword in his hand. Eventually the Spaniard paused in his movements and bowed to his invisible opponent, taking a deep breath as he had seemingly finished.
It was then that he realized that someone had been watching him and with a slight frown on his face he turned to look at the other. His emerald eyes surveyed the blonde with an sceptic look. He knew him!
"The Confederates, if I remember correctly?", Antonio asked a wide grin still present on his lips as he bowed his head in a polite greeting.

[rebel_privateer]

It isn't until Spain notices him that Aaron steps closer. He seems weaker now, haggard, as if it's a wonder he can walk steadily at all. But his smile seems genuine enough, returning the gesture politely.

"I am, yes. It's been a while, Spain."

[conquererofseas]

The Spanish Empire grinned at the other and took the wet towel he had brought with him to wipe off some of the sweat from his bare chest. The scars from the day England had drowned and burnt his precious Armada were still visible on the tanned skin of the Spaniard.
"It's been a while, indeed. How are you? How's England?", Antonio asked cheerfully, but hesitated right away a frown upon his face. Aaron looked exhausted, haggard. A concerned look became evident in his emerald eyes. "What happened?", he asked, his voice now more serious and with a hint of worry.

[rebel_privateer]

Aaron glances off a bit, before turning his gaze back to Spain, smile a bit more forced. "Just what's happenin' in tha world I'm from. HQ has sent England back ta his own world as well."

"It...ain't been tha easiest time."

[conquererofseas]

The worry and concern is still evident in his emerald eyes and Antonio tilted his head slightly to the side, approaching the weak looking Confederates carefully. The young man really looked like a shadow of his own self.
"Mierda.", the Spanish Empire cursed as Aaron told him what had actually happened. "I can imagine that. Headquarters sent my husband... ex-husband with me just to take him back into our own world shortly afterwards. This sucks.", Antonio said and gently patted the blonde's shoulder. "So... is that why you seem so... haggard?", he dared to ask then, feeling like he had to help the Confederates - after all he knew all to well how the other just felt like, even though his Roderich hadn't loved him back at all and it was probably easier to let go for him though.

[rebel_privateer]

Aaron seems mildly surprised when Spain touches his shoulder, but he doesn't seem to really mind it. After all, the question soon distracts him from it.

"It is a good part of it..."

He bites his lip, as if unsure how much he should say. But then, while they hadn't known each other very much, Spain had never given Aaron reason to believe he'd do anything against him. Even if he did, Aaron still had strength to defend himself with.

"In my world...I lost a war fer independence, and my government was dissolved. My people are under martial law and land seperated into military districts. Everythang is such a mess..."

[conquererofseas]

Antonio is a bit too oblivious of how Aaron is surprised by his touch, the concern for the other overweighting in his thoughts. The Spaniard tilted his head slightly to the side, study the other's face and listening to his words. He couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Sounds like it. Sounds like a huge mess.", the Spanish Empire replied, his hand squeezing the Confederate's shoulders gently, reassuringly. He didn't really knew what he could actually do to help the other but Aaron seemed so fragile and lost right now... "I didn't knew we could feel the effects of what happens at home in here.", he mentioned absently. "Is there anything I could help you with?", the Spaniard offered instead. He liked the boy somehow and he didn't see why he shouldn't be nice to him, offering help or anything the like.

[rebel_privateer]

It's when Spain squeezes his shoulders that Aaron actually reacts, one hand coming and just resting over Spain's hand as if finding some form of comfort in the contact.

"Some do 'n some don', but then that's just how HQ is, ain't it?"

Aaron seems to think a moment, before seeming almost...timid. "Would ya mind company?" Without England, the only company he's had is one or two different versions of himself.

[conquererofseas]

His emerald eyes linger upon the haggard frame and exhausted expression on Aaron's face and he smiles gently as the blonde's hand is coming up just to rest upon his own, knowing it might be some sort of contact, some sort of comfort the other would need right now.
"Yeah... Headquarters can be rather... malicious.", the Spanish Empire agreed and with another gentle smile he nodded at the Confederate's next question "Of course I'd keep you some company, amigo.", he replied with a calm voice. He had sought wine and other's company as well after his now ex-husband had left this place. "How about some vino?", Antonio offered then, putting his sword into it's sheath and pulling his chemise over his head so he'd look appropriate for being someone's company.

[rebel_privateer]

The timidity fades away again as Aaron gives Spain a more genuine smile, nodding minutely at the offer. "I can't say I see why not."

However much Aaron often felt like he needed a drink, it wasn't often he indulged himself, both because he didn't feel particularly inclined to be drinking alone nor did he feel as if he had the energy to go looking for it.

[conquererofseas]

The Spanish Empire felt indeed rather relieved as he saw that smile emerging on Aaron's lips and replied with a wide grin himself. Maybe the Confederates just needed some company and someone to talk to to feel at least a little better. "Well I know a lovely little wine cellar not far from here.", Antonio answered, gesturing towards the door of this room. "I'm sure you'll like it."

[rebel_privateer]

"Lead tha way then, if ya will." Company atleast served to distract Aaron from his problems, something that he sorely needed, especially with his habit of focusing on it.

[conquererofseas]

Antonio nodded slightly at the other's words and gave him an gentle smile before he wrapped one arm around the blonde's shoulders in an amicable half-embrace whilst walking down the hallways of the headquarters. "A Francis once showed it to me - weird one he was. A vampire or something like that. Didn't knew they existed. But... well in this place everything seems to exist, sí!?", the Spanish Empire chatted nonchalantly.
It took them two turns to the right and one to the left before descended the stairs down to the little wine cellar. "We're lucky this part here is not like the rest of headquarter's basements...", the Spaniard muttered with a shudder and proceeded to look around the cozy wine cellar. It looked like one of an medieval monastery but had some tables and chairs scattered around the room as well. Antonio liked it. It reminded him of his home somehow.

[rebel_privateer]

Aaron lets himself walk a little closer to Antonio when the arm wraps around his shoulders, but he didn't seem to mind it. He was always a very tactile person, and he doubted Antonio would harm him.

He listens quietly, giving a little hum to show he was. "Yes...those basements ain't very pleasant. Have ya been down in one of tha...other ones?" He noticed the shudder and is curious, though he won't press him should Spain chose to not answer.

[conquererofseas]

Antonio was currently looking over all the different bottles of fine wine and he recognized even some of an exquisite rum he much-valued as he heard the other's question. Again the Spanish Empire couldn't help but shudder ever so slightly. He finally took one of the bottles and sat down at one of the tables, gesturing Aaron to join him as he filled the glasses he had taken from one of the shelves as well