AUTHOR!ANON. This fic...I cannot write coherently. I just stumbled across this, kind of by accident, and I HAD to comment.
First off...I love it. This is, quite honestly, one of the best fills I have ever read on the kink meme, and probably the best Spamano fic I've ever read, seriously. It's exactly how I see their relatinship, I kid you not. I personally think you've taken the prompt in exactly the right direction; how you've taken the time to explore Romano's insecurities, and his relationships with Spain and his brother, and that whole experience with the Netherlands - it's so much more satisfying to read something so multi-layered and well-planned than the usual "Romano is homophobic and a dick because of his religion" thing. It's so refreshing to see it done this way!
With the whole thing about people being upset over the way Romano hasn't been "punished" for his behaviour - well, I honestly think it's a little childish for people to think that in fiction, every character will get his "just desserts." It's complicated, but in some ways, Romano is a victim too, and I absolutely love that you've recognised that.
How you've written him - it's perfect, absolutely how I see him but have never quite been able to get down on paper. He's a very sad guy, I think, deep down; really insecure, and something about the way you wrote the parts where he was comparing himself to his brother, and thinking about how Spain was going to get rid of him really got to me. Personally, I've had a lot of similar emotional problems in the past, and I hate it when people write stuff like this as matters that can easily be solved with hug therapy; but how realistic this whole thing is...it actually made me tear up, and I've pretty much never cried at fanfic before. I love this fic that much!
That little side-plot with France and Canada fascinates me too. I hope there'll be more of that, I have the feeling that they aren't giving in to their feelings for one another as much as they deserve to; I hope you continue this, I can't wait to see more of them, and the USUK pairing, and of course Germany and Veneziano.
I shall end my ramble here! The only thing I have left to say is that I think you're doing a magnificent job with this; you're a fantastic writer, and you're handling the delicate subject matter so sensitively. It really would be a shame not to continue this.
*praise praise praise, we are not worthy etc*
First off...I love it. This is, quite honestly, one of the best fills I have ever read on the kink meme, and probably the best Spamano fic I've ever read, seriously. It's exactly how I see their relatinship, I kid you not. I personally think you've taken the prompt in exactly the right direction; how you've taken the time to explore Romano's insecurities, and his relationships with Spain and his brother, and that whole experience with the Netherlands - it's so much more satisfying to read something so multi-layered and well-planned than the usual "Romano is homophobic and a dick because of his religion" thing. It's so refreshing to see it done this way!
With the whole thing about people being upset over the way Romano hasn't been "punished" for his behaviour - well, I honestly think it's a little childish for people to think that in fiction, every character will get his "just desserts." It's complicated, but in some ways, Romano is a victim too, and I absolutely love that you've recognised that.
How you've written him - it's perfect, absolutely how I see him but have never quite been able to get down on paper. He's a very sad guy, I think, deep down; really insecure, and something about the way you wrote the parts where he was comparing himself to his brother, and thinking about how Spain was going to get rid of him really got to me. Personally, I've had a lot of similar emotional problems in the past, and I hate it when people write stuff like this as matters that can easily be solved with hug therapy; but how realistic this whole thing is...it actually made me tear up, and I've pretty much never cried at fanfic before. I love this fic that much!
That little side-plot with France and Canada fascinates me too. I hope there'll be more of that, I have the feeling that they aren't giving in to their feelings for one another as much as they deserve to; I hope you continue this, I can't wait to see more of them, and the USUK pairing, and of course Germany and Veneziano.
I shall end my ramble here! The only thing I have left to say is that I think you're doing a magnificent job with this; you're a fantastic writer, and you're handling the delicate subject matter so sensitively. It really would be a shame not to continue this.