Ok: I don't own Hetalia, I don't own anything except 2 cats and 2 dogs. This is an old story I started back in December and now I plan on finishing it. Hope you enjoy.
Belgium took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She played with the crystal stem of her wine glass. France had asked her and other countries to a Christmas party he held early in December. His home was beautifully decorated in reds, greens, and golds. The crystal glasses filled with sweet wine were passed out freely amongst everyone, while beer ran from the taps. A live jazz band playing Christmas songs, snow was falling heavily outside. It was a magical moment for everyone but her.
Belgium sat at the table near the fire place. She continued to fiddle with the wine glass. Bel couldn't help herself, she felt so out of place. Especially since Italy ran up to her, hugging her like he'd known her forever. It startled her, she had let out a loud squeal. Germany had to separate them and explain to Italy she wasn't her predecessor, she was the new Kingdom of Belgium.
Bel could see it broke Italy's heart as he continued to apologize to her and Germany for causing a scene. Italy really seemed to had cared and missed her a lot. Well... all the nations did. Today, she would have given anything to be her predecessor so she didn't have to see Italy cry before regaining his composure. No one would look at her or even talk to her, as if they were blaming her for the whole mess.
Belgium sunk further into her chair, setting her head on the table. She propped her head up on her chin and stared at her glass that was almost empty. Bel groaned out of frustration. She didn't like being alone, but of course who does, she thought to herself. Belgium scanned the room with her dark emerald green eyes as she pushed a blond curl behind her ear. Bel didn't understand why France had asked her to come any ways, it's not like she knew anyone. She sighed as she rose herself to finish her glass.
A set of greenish blue eyes glanced her way. She smiled softly and waved before the person quickly looked back down at the stein in front of them. Belgium sighed and gulped down the rest of her wine. She set the frail glass down gingerly as she was done feeling rejected in public; she'd rather go and feel lonely in the safety of home, than in front of the eyes of others.
Belgium pushed her self way from the table and looked up seeing a set of greenish blue eyes down on her. "Are you leav'n?" His voice rolled off his tongue as if he felt like he was intruding. Belgium panicked and quickly thought of something before she made a fool of herself. "Ahh... Oh, no mon ami! I was just getting another glass of wine", as she quickly pointed to her empty glass. The tall, light blond haired man set down a full glass of wine. She smiled happily up at him. "Merci, mon cher." Bel patted the table and gestured he take a seat across from her. "Tack."
Belgium couldn't help but stare for a moment. He was tall, dressed in a black button up shirt, black slacks and a navy blue tie. The tall man adjusted his silver watch before sitting and gazing at her. Who was he, she wondered. Why would he come over and sit with her. All she could think of doing while sitting there was smile politely.
He was very handsome she thought. Bel's smile became softer. Sweden choked on his beer he was drinking at the time. Berwald was expecting her to flee or scream in fear. Instead she asked him to sit with her, and then she made that smile. "Um, are you ok?" Her voice sounded concerned yet soft. Why was she worried, he asked himself. "No, 'm fine. Wr'ng pipe." His cheeks turned the color of pink but the dim lights concealed it.
"My name is Belgium, but everyone calls me Bel. What's your's mon cher?" She offered a soft hand across the table as her dark green eyes lit up. Berwald almost choked on his beer again. He took her hand slowly but firmly. Bel thought his hand was really warm and rough. "Sverige, Swed'n 'n Engl'sh. But you cun call m' Berwald if you like." Bel smiled and chuckled.
Berwald thought she didn't seem drunk, maybe she wasn't all upstairs. No one ever welcomes him and is this friendly. He shook it off, Tino was gone, helping other nations and he was lonely. She was the first person who actually smiled at him and offered her hand to shake. He'd at least stay for a bit.
Belgium continued to smile. She was so excited to have someone talk to her; it was difficult to contain her excitement. "Berwald... I like the name mon ami. So what do you and your people do for Christmas?" Belgium took a sip of her sweet wine, as she looked at him with piercing green eyes. His voice was caught for a moment as he held his breath. The dim light had concealed his blush. His expression never changed though, it was hard to tell what he was thinking or even if he liked her company.
Sweden's mind scrambled to answer her question as she glanced down shyly at her glass. "Th're's St. Lucia's day on th' 13th of Dec'mber. 't consists of th' eld'st girl dress'n up 'n white and hand'n her par'nts Lucia buns with c'ffee or mull'd wine." He blinked as she listened intently. "Wha' do you do fer Christm's?" She smiled.
"Beer festival, Christmas shop festival, this year we're having a gingerbread house bake off and a Chocolate Festival. There is something usually going on, so the festivities last all month." She sighed. "You probably don't want to hear about it all, your's sound much more meaning full." He shook his head. "Nej, I luv' to he'r ab'ut 't."
"Really?" Her voice perked up. Berwald couldn't help but give a slight smile that terrified most people. Belgium didn't seem to mind as she chuckled. "Well we pass out candies and children run about getting chocolate from the shops and you can try to win at games and various contests to win stuff. Some people dress up, some people like to drink. Some of the markets offer beer tasting, while others offer samples of really good food and other's sweets. The streets smell so good..." Belgium closed her eyes and took in a deep breath as she was thinking of home.
Belgium peaked Berwald's curiosity. His people were a happy people but if it as she says it is, then he would have to see it for himself and satisfy his one secret sin, his love of sweets; he may even indulge a little. "You know, if you're bored you should stop by and see it! I don't live far." He shook his head. "Nej! I c'uldn't!" Bel bit her lower lip. "It's ok, if you're busy mon ami. I understand."
Bel tried to make light of her embarrassment. For some reason, her smile wasn't as pretty any more Sweden thought. "Nej, 't's not that. I don't w'nt to 'ntrude." At that moment Bel felt like he didn't really want to know her, he was just giving the poor girl some sympathy, by saying hi.
Bel still smiled despite the situation she thought herself was in. Sweden noticed her eyes weren't smiling any more. "Intrude on what mon ami? My chocolate making? My hops brewing? I'm always home, no one ever comes to visit, moi." Sweden blinked. How could he be such a dumb ass, Berwald thought to himself. He really did want to come over, but he panicked. No one ever invites him over, no one is ever this nice... She was new and maybe saw him... differently? He was asking himself that same question over and over again in his mind. Berwald hoped it was true, but then he just blew it.
An awkward silence fell onto the table. Berwald clenched his jaw, he really wanted to recover and see if he could come over. He didn't know how to ask or how to even begin. "I'm s'rry. I didn't me'n that I didn't wan' to com' ov'r.., I do. It's no one ev'r asks me to com' over to vis't, exc'pt Norge and D'nmark."
Her piercing dark green eyes blinked at him. Her face lit up with curiosity. "Why not, mon ami? You seem very nice." Berwald's eyes grew wide a little. His glasses slid down his nose a little, Sweden pushed them back up. "I.. I.. I d'n't know." He glanced back down to his stein that he had placed in front of him. His mind tried to wrap around what she had just said.
Bel could tell he was the shy type, maybe that could be the reasoning for his reaction earlier. She chuckled. "Is everything ok?" "Ja, jus' no one h's ever sa'd an'thing lik' th't 'bout me b'fore." Bel blinked in surprise. "Really?" She couldn't believe him but she did notice everyone, including the staff, was avoiding looking at him, much like they did to her. "I'm sorry, mon cher." He nodded.