This Author does not lay claim to characters or ideas contained herein. This is not for profit or other material benefit. Rated M.
Australians reading this story, forgive the American that doesn't know a f***ing thing about the slang terms. :) I have met some Australians and the general consensus is that you are a laid back lot, who can take a joke.
My favorite kind of people!
Also, is that thing about calling women 'A Shelia' real? Or is that just something they do in movies?
I own nothing, please enjoy.
OoOoOo
The brunette nation paused and glanced behind him for the third time this meeting. His green eyes glanced and caught the gaze of a well known female nation.
Hm.
He turned back toward the front, watching France as he presented something to do with a proposal about lowering levies and taxes on imports for those willing to participate in a new program that was an extension of good will. For those that wished to participate.
Yes, Australia cared about that. He really did, who would not? It did effect his nation after all, as most things in the world did. However, that did not explain what was going on today. And, had actually been going on for a while now.
He furrowed his brows as he thought over what it was that would cause the change in her demeanor. Had he offended her somehow? It wasn't impossible to do with America, in fact you could do it rather easily if you knew what buttons to push.
But, no, the last time he and America had gone out together for a drink, she'd been really happy the whole night. The exuberant nation had chatted with him all night, and she'd been slightly flushed the whole time. American beer was not as strong as other alcoholic beverages that were being served at the bar. So, he had concluded she was truly a light weight.
Australia glanced over his shoulder, again, and America smiled at him brightly.
Huh.
So she wasn't pissed then. That was good. That only left him wondering as to why she kept looking at him.
Through the meeting, she went from her usual coloring to a fine cherry red when he gave her a quick smile and waved at her after the fifth incident. America tapped her pencil on the desk repeatedly, and she must have done something to catch England's Attention, because he flowered at her heavily. Then the island nation glanced between Australia and America.
Similar green eyes narrowed at him with a threatening look, and England said something to America. The two started whispering back and forth for a minute or two. Then England snatched her pencil from her hand, and snapped it in two.
He pointed at Australia and back at her.
America blushed after that.
Must have been something funny. Then again, England could be a stick in the mud upon occasion. Australia shrugged it off. Until the very end of the meeting.
When America loitered around his end of the meeting room, and her hand clutched her briefcase until it was blanched because she was holding it so tightly. Her gaze wandered to his, and she smiled at him quite a bit.
Australia grinned in amusement. He knew she was waiting for him. She brushed off another country politely after a bit of small talk. She had no other business, but she did not leave. Finally, she wandered over toward him, glancing around with a nonchalant expression on her face.
"Hey," she said neutrally.
"Hello America," Australia drawled out with his green eyes taking in her appearance. She tilted her head and her cheeks stained red a bit.
What was going on with her? Was she not feeling well?
"So...uh... hey, I was thinking, that uh... m-maybe you'd like to go to the Symphony, sometime." She paused and looked a little awkward, as she cleared her throat. "You know, like uh, next week?"
Australia's green eyes widened. Was she nervous? He had never really had a problem with America, so she shouldn't be. They'd gone out drinking just last month.
"The Symphony?"
Her blue eyes widened behind Texas, as she swallowed.
"Y-yeah. You know. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra?"
"My Orchestra?" He asked, as he raised a brow. He didn't see why she wanted to go to his Symphony. As far as Australia knew, she wasn't even on official business in his country next week. He'd have to check that.
She was slowly turning a fiery shade of crimson.
"Uh. Yeah. I just thought, you know, its world famous and all. Maybe we could go together next week?"
He looked thoughtful.
"Well, I suppose so. I mean, I'd have to check my schedule."
"Oh. " She replied, glancing over his shoulder and then down. "I mean, if you're busy... I... I understand."
He hadn't said that, he just needed to check his schedule.
"What time is it?"
"At 6:30, you know. Um. P.M."
The Star-Spangled nation shifted and glanced at him. Her bright blue eyes looked at him directly.
"I'd really like it if you would come."
He smiled congenially, and nodded.
"I-" Australia began.
"But," she interrupted, with her suitcase trembling. "I mean, you don't have to come. If you don't want to. I'd just like you there. But... I'm no-not trying to pressure you or anything. "
He watched her in confusion.
"But, I got these tickets," America explained rapidly, nearly rushing all the words together, "and I thought maybe we could go. You know, I'm sure you've been dozens of times but I-"
Australia blinked at her as America drew in a deep breath. He was surprised she only needed it now. He'd have needed one over a minute ago. His green eyes noticed that her face was slowly growing redder. Was... was America blushing?
What the bloody hell?
Was she sick?
He took a slight step back, and her blue eyes widened behind Texas.
"I mean... if you don't want to go, it's fine." America repeated, sounding less enthusiastic than before.
He was about to answer, to say he'd go with her. She'd bought the tickets after all, and it was in his country. Not a huge amount of traveling was involved for him.
"You know what?" The female nation said abruptly, "this was a silly idea. I'm sure you're busy. I clearly shouldn't assume you'd want to... never mind. I-I'll see ya around. Okay?"
Her face was bright red, and she avoided looking at him. She took a few steps back, nodding her head for a moment. Australia reached for her, trying to see what the matter was, but America was too quick and was half-way across the room.
"Some other time? Yeah, cool. See ya dude."
The 'down under' nation could only stare in disbelief. What was that about? He hadn't even gotten the chance to reply.
"Am-" he started, but she had already cleared the doorway. "-er...ica."
He blinked, and gave a quiet laugh. What was with her? Though, internally he was concerned. She was not acting like herself. America usually was happy to go with the flow, roll witht he punches, and have a grand time.
This was... different.
The shuffling of papers drew his attention toward New Zealand, who sat innocently at his spot. Australia wandered over toward him. Maybe he should ask if anyone else had noticed it.
"Is it just me, or has America been acting... strange?" Australia questioned of New Zealand who was sitting in his chair, still organizing the notes of the meeting.
"What do you mean?" The smaller nation questioned, without looking up.
Australia scratched his head, and grinned a little, slightly amused that he was the only one that seemed to watch the Star-Spangled nation enough to see the glaring change in behavior. Then again, he was more observant than the average nation. His green eyes wandered to the door where America had all but speed-walked through. She must have needed the thunderbox.
He walked like that when he needed one too.
"Well," he said after a moment, still confused as to why she had been rambling so much, "she seems a little skittish lately."
That caused New Zealand to look up, a bit of concern flashed across his kind eyes.
"What?"
The taller nation cleared his throat, and placed a hand to his chin in concentration.
"She seems flustered about something. Always glancing down and back up. She keeps staring at me during the meetings, but lately she has been more discreet. Then America invites me to go to the next event of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, but before I can get a bleedin' word in edgewise, she decides I don't want to go and runs out the door."
Australia paused as a thought occurred to him.
"You don't think, that she thinks, that I'm plotting something do you? Nah. Maybe she's sick."
The smaller nation, his neighbor for as long as Australia could remember, blinked and shook his head. His face showed his deep exasperation.
"You're a dammed idiot." New Zealand said dryly.
"Shut it, you bloody Kiwi!" Australia joked good-naturedly, though internally he was curious as to why New Zealand was calling him names.
The taller nation turned toward New Zealand, a bit more, with a questioning look.
"What'cha mean by that?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Australia grinned brightly.
"If it was, I wouldn't be asking, now would I?"
New Zealand sighed heavily, as he folded his hands over the papers. He leveled a chastising gaze at Australia.
"I'm going to say this slowly, so it has time to sink in. America doesn't distrust you, nor is she sick. She. Fancies. You."
The larger nation stilled, an expression of disbelief and a bit of surprise were intermixed in the way his mouth dropped open.
"What?"
New Zealand stared at him.
"Which part didn't you get? Because it is a rather simple concept."
"America's infatuated with me? Nah! You're being full of shit." Australia chuckled. He reached over to shove New Zealand in the shoulder with a brotherly sort of affection.
The smaller nation stood, and gathered the papers in his hands.
"No, I'm not." He replied confidently. "It's pretty obvious."
That was his parting gift to a confused Australia, who blinked and flicked his gaze upward to think about what New Zealand said. No. That couldn't be.
No.
Just because she was blushing...
And, stuttering...
And...
She'd asked him out on a fuckin' date. Hadn't she? His green eyes widened. Holy shit! America wanted to go out!
"Oi!" Australia called loudly as he watched a pair of nations pass by the door. His shout caught their attention and they looked at him.
"Either of you seen America?"
Malta furrowed his brow in confusion- glancing at Cyprus, who shrugged-, but pointed behind him, which meant America was somewhere near the coffee machine. Excellent. Australia nodded his head.
"Thanks." He said quickly before hurrying out of the room. He nearly knocked Malta over, but gave a hurried apology as he continued down the hall. Calling for America.
Cyprus looked at New Zealand .
"What was that about?"
The gentle nation smirked with amusement, he strode forward and clapped Cyprus on the back.
"Nothing," he replied with a knowing smile. "Nothing that concerns anyone but them."
As the trio walked out, New Zealand glanced behind, he caught a glimpse. Enough to see down the hall and into the area where they kept drinks and snacks. The glimpse was enough to see a very flustered looking America with a grinning Australia.
Yes. They would be alright.