Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia

Summary: Mathias is always smiling. He is viewed as a cheerful person. Which is why it surprised Ludwig when he found the Danish boy crying at the stairs...

Warnings: Sadness, mention of death, possibly OOCness

Finally, my first Hetalia fanfic! :3

It was an idea I had yesterday. I have written it a little bit yesterday and finished it today. This is AU and the nations are normal humans in this story.

Well, on with the story! I hope you will enjoy it.

His name is Mathias.

Many people would think of him as an idiotic and cheerful fool. Ludwig was no exception.

He watched as Mathias stared out the window, deep in his thoughts with a smile on his face. He is always smiling, always happy. Sometimes Ludwig wondered if the other boy have any other emotions besides joy.

The teacher informed his students that the class have started and the students started their works. All except Mathias. He didn't seem to get the message as he kept looking out the window. The teacher noticed that and walked towards Mathias. He cleared his throat, making the Dane look up at him. The teacher gave him a disapproving look. "Mathias, if you want to pass this test, you'll have to stop looking out the window and instead concentrate on your work." He told him strictly with an eerily calm voice.

Mathias blushed lightly when he realized his mistake. "Oops, sorry." He apologized, giving the teacher a sheepish smile. Ludwig, who saw what happened, rolled his eyes before he went back to his own test. Mathias grabbed his pencil and began to answer the questions, humming quietly to himself. Before he could go further with his test, the door to the classroom opened. The students stopped what they were doing, then all of them, including the teacher, turned their attentions to the door.

It was the secretary. They all wondered what she was doing here. They all guessed she must have an important message. Her eyes fixated on Mathias, who stared at her in curiosity.

"Mathias, please follow me to the principle's office. He have an important message to tell you." The secretary told him monotonously. The Dane nodded and got off his chair, then he walked to the secretary. When he did that, she turned to the rest of the class. "Just continue your business." She told them before she and Mathias left, then she closed the door.

After they left, the students exchanged confounded looks at each other. They all wondered what's going on. When the teacher told them to continue their tests, they looked away from each other and did as they were told. As for Ludwig, he can't help but wonder what kind of message the principle wanted to tell Mathias. But he decided not to think more of it.

"Damn, where is he?" Ludwig asked himself, trying to look after Mathias. He saw no signs of the blonde male so far. He got worried when he hadn't seen him by the lunch time or the other classes. His worry grew when the school ended and he still hadn't seen him.

The German was ready to leave, assuming Mathias must have been sent home early for some reason, when he heard some quiet noise. Since most of the students left the school, it was easier to hear the noise. It sounded like someone is crying. He looked around, trying to see who it could be. He heard the sobs again and decided to follow the noise, hoping he can find the source to it.

As he approached one side of the building, he could hear the sobs are getting louder. He's getting close to the source. He stopped when he reached a corner, apparently the place where the sobs came from. Listening carefully, Ludwig could also hear some sniffles. He peeked slowly from the corner where he stood. That was when he got surprised.

Just like Ludwig suspected, there's a person crying on the stairs. But it was the person themselves that surprised the German. It was Mathias. He sobbed quietly, his hands covering his face. Admittedly, it was a surprising sight for Ludwig. He have never seen him crying before. Ludwig felt sorry for the other boy. What could have happened that would turn a usually cheerful boy into a sobbing mess? Ludwig knew that he can't just stand and watch. He walked away from his hiding spot, silently approaching the crying boy.

Mathias got surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked quickly up from his hands to see Ludwig. Tears are still running down his face, and his eyes are red and puffy. "Oh...hi Ludwig..." He greeted him quietly. He didn't expect to see him or anyone else at this moment. He looked away from the other boy.

Ludwig was taken aback by the Dane's quiet voice. He found it very worrying. He was so used to see Mathias as a loud, happy boy. This isn't right, this just isn't right...

"Mathias, what's the matter?" Ludwig gathered enough courage to ask him. He sat next to him. Mathias looked at him again. He sniffled and wiped his tears away. He took a deep breath. "The principle...he told me that my parents called and...I was being told that my grandma..." He hesitated. He feared that if he say the dreaded word, he would break down again.

Ludwig laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me."

Mathias shook his head. "No, it's okay." He insisted. "You have to know." He took another deep breath before he continued. "My grandma...she passed away today... She died in the hospital, she had been there since yesterday." He explained, then he cried again.

Ludwig remembered the times Mathias told him about his grandmother. From what he have heard, she was a nice old lady and they have a close relationship with each other. He knew it will be hard for the Dane after this day. After all, he and his grandma were very close. Losing someone you cared about is never easy...

"This isn't fair!" Mathias suddenly screamed, surprising Ludwig in the process. "She was the sweetest person you'll ever met! Why did she have to go? Life is just unfair!"

Ludwig stared at him in shock, his blue eyes widen. He have never seen him so upset before. It was another thing he didn't expect from him. Noticing the look on the other boy's face and realizing he must have scared him, Mathias felt guilty. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you. It's just...I miss her so much." He apologized. He rested his head on Ludwig's shoulder and closed his eyes. "Undskyld." He apologized again, this time in his own language.

"You don't have to apologize." Ludwig assured him. "You have a reason to be upset. You lost someone you really cared about." The two boys sat in silence. Mathias have calmed down and he was no longer crying, but he is still sad. "Mathias." The German started slowly. The other male opened his eyes and glanced at him. "I don't know what to say except...I'm truly sorry for your loss. I know this isn't easy for you...but...I suppose it's how the life goes. But at least, she got in a better place and we can be thankful for it."

Mathias gave him a small nod. "Yes, it's true. She did had a long life, it was just her time to go." He agreed quietly. Then, for the first time since he received the news, he smiled at him. It was small and weak, but it was there. "At least she passed away peacefully without pain. And do you wanna know something?" His smile widened a little bit. He lifted his head from Ludwig's shoulder, then they gazed at each other. "My parents said that before she died, my grandma told them that I was her last thought."

Ludwig gave him a small smile in return. "You must be really special to her."

"Yeah."

It was nice to see him smile again. Ludwig would lie if he said he wasn't happy to see it again. Honestly, after what happened today, he thought a smile suited Mathias much better.

"You know, my friends have always said that you're very bossy – and I admit you can be a pain in the butt sometimes." Ludwig frowned at this statement. "But I know that you're nice too. After all, you were there for me when I needed it."

"Um...thanks." Ludwig blushed a bit, uncertain what to say. Mathias just laughed a bit as he playfully ruffled his hair. Suddenly, they heard a voice shouting. "West! West, where are you? Please don't tell me that you left before I arrived! It wouldn't be awesome of you!" The two boys recognized the voice. It was Ludwig's older brother.

"That's my brother. I better go before he gets impatient." Ludwig told the other boy. He got surprised when Mathias hugged him, blushing lightly. While hugs isn't new for him, he isn't used to it. When the hug was through, Ludwig got off the stairs and waved goodbye to the other. But before he left, Mathias shouted after him. "Ludwig, wait!" The said boy stopped and looked curiously at him. Mathias smiled at him. "Thank you."

Translation:

Undskyld - I'm sorry (Danish)

I want to say that Mathias' situation in this story is kinda based on my own personal experience.

My grandma passed away last week (or maybe two weeks ago. I can't exactly remember). She died on the hospital. She died of old age. Unlike Mathias in this story, I wasn't informed of her death when I was in school. It took place at our house. I was informed about it by my mom after she and my dad visited my grandma at the hospital.

My big brother was the first to know, but they all agreed with waiting to tell me until our parents got back. They believed it's for the best if I heard it in person by my own parents.

Naturally, I was sad when I learned about it, but I didn't cry like Mathias did (although I was close to it). But my mom told me that my grandma passed away without any pain, and I was her last thought before she died. She will be dearly missed by us and her children, but now she's in a better place.