A/N: This is a 2P!Hetalia AU and the pairing is N. Italy x Canada. Yes it's crack, but it's awesome and addicting. Say what? I didn't use the names "Feliciano" and "Matthew"? Nah, I didn't. So their names are "Nicola" for Italy and "Samuel" for Canada. You kinda need to know their names since it's AU and they aren't countries in this story. Alright, enough of me babbling. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - I'll Find Someone

Nicola sighed.

He stood next to the throne that his father, the king of Florenshire, was seated in, and scanned the ballroom. A young woman approached him with all the grace she could amount to—her heels clicking against the marble floor and her dress shuffling around her feet. She curtsied before Nicola, mumbling "Your Highness" shyly. Nicola was unamused with her attempt of acting like a lady. In fact, he wasn't interested in any of the girls at the masquerade. They were haughty and ostentatious, feigning innocence and daintiness. It irritated him. He simply smiled boredly at the girl, waiting for her to take the hint that he didn't care to court her. She left his view, embarrassed that he showed no concern for her.

"Nicola, my son, why are you here beside me? Why are you not down on the ballroom floor finding your bride?" the king asked Nicola.

"Because, Father! These girls are uninteresting and pitiful!" Nicola answered. All that those women cared about was the prince's inheritance and royal status, he thought. They didn't want to love him or get to know him—they wanted to be a fairy-tale princess.

"You won't even give them a chance? You haven't courted a single lady tonight, Nicola; let alone even talk to one of them," said his father in a stern, yet reserved tone.

"I know, Father, I know…" he replied, "In due time. I'll find someone tonight; that's a promise."

Samuel stepped through the castle doors. He smirked wickedly as he saw that many of the palace guards were paying attention to the guests on the ball floor. That meant that the palace treasury was probably lightly guarded. The hardest part of his mission would be sneaking past them on the way to the staircase, and it would be a cinch from there.

"Piece of cake," Sam thought aloud. Tonight was a good night to be a thief, he noted in his mind. He practically drooled on his uniform foreseeing all the gold he'd be stuffing in his pockets.

Samuel Williams was a criminal, and an infamous one at that. That night at the ball, however, he disguised himself as a prince to fit in. It wasn't difficult to get in, though, since everyone including himself was wearing a mask. He kept up the façade of being a prince well—bowing to other guests and speaking politely when offered a hors d'oeuvre. That kind of mannerism wasn't Samuel's forte, but he managed well enough with dedication to his goal. As the thief slithered his way over to the staircase, the king arose from his throne.

"Fantastic," mumbled Samuel sarcastically. He was so few paces away from the staircase, and now someone had to stall him at the worst of times.

The king cleared his throat, receiving the immediate attention of the ball attendants, "I'm glad you were all able to attend this wonderful event arranged for my son! He's growing now, and it's about time he finds a lucky bride, don't you think?" He gave a hearty laugh. "I hope you're all enjoying yourselves. Now let's take some time away from our conversations and join the synchronized waltz!" he nodded to the orchestra and they began to play as the king seated himself. He turned his attention to his wife, the queen, and Nicola sauntered down to the ball floor with a sigh. The prince took the hand of an overly decorated young lady.

"Shit," Sam murmured under his breath, "I have to hurry upstairs but…" he peered around the room and saw some guards eyeing him, "if I don't join this damned dance it'll look suspicious." The criminal sighed, regained composure, and became dance partners with a gentle-looking woman.

Nicola was uncomfortable. Samuel was as well, but at least he hid it well. All of Nicola's dancing partners felt the irritation radiating from his bored stare. Partners switched about every twenty seconds as the waltz progressed, but to Nicola every one of the girls seemed no better than the last. Someone must've made a mistake at one point, because—

"Eh?" Samuel turned around, as he'd just bumped his back into someone. He and Nicola turned to face each other.

"What the—!" Samuel began to exclaim.

"Are you a fool?!" Nicola grabbed Samuel's hand and shoulder, "Dance, you idiot! You'll ruin the sequence!" He intimidated Samuel to move.

"Are you insane? We're both men!" Sam protested. Nicola blushed, but it wasn't visible due to his mask.

"Who cares?! No matter what you can't upset the flow of the waltz, now move!" yelled the prince slightly above a whisper.

"You snobby little brat, ordering me around. You're quite rude for a royal," smirked the villain.

Nicola was astonished at the stranger's tone, and suddenly it was time to rotate partners again. Samuel waved the prince goodbye with a cocky smile.

"Adieu~!"

"Oh no you don't," Nicola snatched his hand and pulled him back. Samuel stumbled up to Nicola, who told the girl who was supposed to be his new partner to move along.

"What's your problem?!" Sam snapped.

"You can't get rid of me that easily. Now shut your mouth and put your hand on my waist or I'll have your head," ordered the prince, replacing the hand that was not linked with the thief's on his shoulder. Samuel complied fearfully.

"Now you listen to me," Nicola continued annoyed, although, something about this stranger's boldness intrigued him, "You can't just come to my ball, at my palace, and disrespect me. Who are you to act that way? Have you any idea who I am?"

"Of course, Prince Nicola," Samuel smiled charmingly, "everybody knows who you are."

Nicola waved the next girl along as he continued to waltz with Samuel. He returned the smile to him.

"Indeed they do, but who are you, sir? I've never seen you before, not that I get out much…."

"I…" Samuel paused. He had to come up with something. "I'm a prince as well," he lied.

"Of what kingdom do you hail?" the prince asked as he and the incognito outlaw swayed together. He could feel the flow of the music in him and began to hum to the song. Samuel admired Nicola's voice, low and smooth like liquid pouring over him. The thief closed his eyes and nearly lost himself in the vibrations, but the prince cleared his voice in gaining Sam's attention.

"It's, uh, Reginashire," he answered hastily. Samuel immediately regretted his answer, since that was truthfully where he lived most of the time. He scolded himself for telling someone any truths about him, but he shrugged it off since Nicola didn't seem like too much of a threat.

"Oh, is that so? I believe that's close to this kingdom, but I've never been." He sighed, "I never escape these palace walls. I'm so coddled! I'm jealous that you, a prince just the same as I am, have the freedom to travel."

"That's ridiculous. You should be able to go where you please! You're a prince for God's sake!"

"Watch your language, Prince— oh, that's right. I didn't receive your name," Nicola smiled, waiting for the other prince's reply, when suddenly Samuel had stepped on his foot.

"Ow! M-mind your footing!" Nicola stuttered angrily, "My goodness, for a prince you certainly are a lousy dancer! Didn't you have lessons?"

The thief shrugged, "I was never one to mind the rules. I prefer a life of action and fun, not studying and minding my manners and prancing around like a fool in fancy clothes," he grinned smugly.

"Are you calling me a fool?" Nicola raised an eyebrow. This arrogant man was really continuing to irritate him further, but something about Samuel's cockiness was burning a certain curiosity in Nicola. He'd never felt so interested in someone before, and was eager to dig deeper into this curious new feeling.

The orchestra had stopped playing. Samuel and Nicola bowed to one another methodically.

"Well, it seems the waltz is over. I should be going now," said Samuel.

"Oh must you? Can't you stay a while longer and talk with me?" Nicola pleaded. He hadn't intended to sound as desperate as he did.

Samuel scoffed, "You were just barking at me moments ago! Why do you all of the sudden want to have a chat?"

"Well even if you are rude, I respect and admire your stubborn attitude. It reminds me of myself, and it makes you different from the rest of the attendants here," he smiled.

"I'm happy for you that you find me neat, but honestly I have to go." Samuel wanted to get to the treasury and leave in a hurry, but as he looked about he noticed a few guards giving him strange glances. He realized they were onto him already. He had to get out of there fast, but he didn't want to abandon his plan of stealing the gold after he'd come so far. He looked back to the prince's hopeful face, and it was Nicola's interest in Samuel that allowed the thief to spark a new idea.

"So soon, Prince?" Nicola went on.

"Yes, I apologize for rudely leaving so early but I have somewhere to be."

"Well at least tell me your name so I don't forget to meet with you again!"

This kid was seriously determined.

"Alright, alright! It's Samuel. That good enough Prince Nicola?"

"Yes, thank you," the prince thought for a moment, "But you see, I'm not really permitted to leave the castle whenever I please, so I don't know when I will get an opportunity to see you again," Nicola frowned.

This would puncture a hole in Samuel's new plan.

"Hm…how about I come here to see you? Tomorrow?" suggested the felon.

"Oh that would be just lovely! Would you?"

"Yes, of course, I just don't understand why you're so excited about it," Samuel chuckled.

"I don't really have friends, and it gets quite lonely I shamefully admit…. I'd love to get to know you Prince Samuel. You seem like a very admirable man," smiled the young prince.

"Okay I get it, don't flatter me Prince, this isn't a romance novel," he laughed again. Nicola chuckled lightly as well.

"Yes, well, I'll see you tomorrow then, Prince Samuel."

"Right, I'll be here," Sam gave a nod, bowed again, and walked off. He hurried to the doors, and the suspicioned guards followed slowly. After Samuel was a safe distance from the palace doors he ran off, and the guards rushed after. Samuel reached his horse and rode into the woods. The guards didn't invoke a chase and decided it was best to keep watch at the castle.

Nicola sighed at Samuel's departure. He walked back to his father's side at the throne.

"Well son, did you meet someone during the waltz?"

The prince smiled in thought, "Yes father, I believe I did meet someone."

A/N: Wow I honestly didn't think anyone would read this 1) because it's crack and 2) because I use different names for the characters. If you read this, I applaud you and I thank you and please continue reading and REVIEW dear God review so I know what you're thinkingggggg but be nice okay? I mean, I like criticism, but make it constructive not RUDE. Alright thanks again c: