Friday

Luxembourg walked down the path to Britain's front door. It was a sunny and breezy Friday afternoon, and she was visiting for their weekly tea date. She walked up to the front door and knocked. A minute later her long time friend answered the door.

"Hello, Victorica, it's good to see you," Britain greeted her as she hugged him. The young woman was on her tip toes a bit because of her and the taller nation's height difference. "It's good to see you too, Arthur," she greeted in return. "I hope you don't mind me bringing some pastries for tea today," asked Luxembourg as she held up her basket of baked goods. Britain's eye twitched as he saw some French pastries, but knew not to think too much of it since she was neighbors with the Frenchmen.

"No problem at all," he forced out with a strained smile. Luxembourg sighed as he let her walk through the doorway. "They are not completely French. I do like to modify the recipes a little."

He led her outside to their favorite spot for tea: right on the patio next to the garden. Luxembourg placed the basket on top of the cast iron patio table as she sat down in the matching cushioned seats. "I'll be right back with the tea," Britain said as he excused himself. He went through the doors into the kitchen.

The petite nation closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh scent of trees and flowers. She enjoyed being in Britain's backyard. It had a beautiful flower garden with a variety of flowers with, of course, red roses. Low dark green hedges surrounded the patio to create a natural border with only a meter long break to function as a walkway. Through the trees placed around the garden Luxembourg could hear the sound of blowing wind, the occasional twitter of a bird, and… yelling?

She turned her head around towards the patio doors just in time to see a young, blue clad boy burst through the doors.

"Peter, get back here!" yelled Britain as he followed through the open doors. Before he reached the boy, Peter ran behind Luxembourg's chair. "Leave me alone you British jerk! I didn't do anything!"

"What's going on, Arthur?" asked Luxembourg, confused at the situation.

Britain calmed down a bit at hearing her. "Oh, I'm sorry, Victorica, this is—"

"I can introduce myself!" interrupted the boy, miffed. He turned to face Luxembourg with a smile. "Hello, I'm Peter Kirkland, the representative of the Principality of Sealand!" The young woman chuckled at how energetic he was. Then it hit her. "Wait, Kirkland, so then you're…" She turned to Britain, who in turn looked away flustered. He was put on the spot for an explanation. "Yes, he's my brother," he explained as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It was just recently that he moved in with me. Actually it was just last Sunday." Luxembourg could only blink at him.

"So what's your name Miss?" asked Sealand, diverting the attention back to him.

Luxembourg turned to him. "Oh, so sorry, Peter," she apologized as she stood up. "I didn't introduce myself. I am Victorica Duprelle the representative of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg." She studied the young boy more closely now. She could see some resemblance between Britain and Sealand, with the most obvious being their slightly similar eyebrows.

"Alright, you've met Victorica, so why don't you go back to your room where you were quietly before," demanded Britain. The boy shook his head. "I don't want to go back to my room, I want to talk some more with Miss Victorica," Sealand shot back as he grabbed onto Luxembourg's hand. The young woman had to admit that the boy was adorable.

"Why not let him join us, Arthur," she suggested. "I would like to get to know him a little better as well." Britain hesitated. He couldn't really send his little brother back inside now that Luxembourg expressed wanting Sealand to stay. "Well, alright, but you better not start with your antics, Peter," Britain gave in.

Luxembourg and Sealand spent a few minutes just talking, drinking tea, and eating pastries. Mean while, Britain sipped his tea and stared at them feeling left out.

"Miss Victorica, why are you here?" asked Sealand as he bit into a random pastry he had taken from the basket on the table. "Oh, well I always visit your brother every Friday afternoon for tea," she explained. She took a sip of her tea at the same time Britain did. Sealand tilted his head and glanced at them both. "So then are you two a couple?" he asked innocently.

Luxembourg choked on her tea as Britain spit it out. "What? No!" they cried out in unison.

"I have been good friends with your brother for a long time," she explained. "I come every week to catch up since we're both always busy during the week."

Sealand turned back to his pastry. "Oh, sorry," he apologized, taking another bite. "He's never told me about you at all, so…" The young boy let his sentence drag, hinting that he left the rest to his imagination.

"He doesn't tell you anything?" asked Luxembourg. "Don't the two of spend time together?"

"I'm still right here, Victorica," mumbled Britain, wiping his mouth. The woman turned to him, embarrassed. "Oh, yes of course, I'm sorry, Arthur." She laughed nervously.

"He never spends time with me," Sealand answered quietly. Britain flinched. "He's always busy and tells me to leave him alone to do his work." Luxembourg turned to look at her friend. "You never have time to spend with him?"

"It's just that, when I do have free time he… he…" Britain couldn't find the word he was looking for. "Is annoying and irritating," Sealand finished for him, looking away.

"What? That's not it!" started Britain.

"Well that's what you always say!" Sealand threw back.

Luxembourg stared as the two brothers argued. It was too much to think two brothers had a relationship like this. "That's enough from both of you!" she cut in. "You two shouldn't behave like this. Arthur you should spend time with Peter."

"Well it's just that… when I try to…" he spilled out. She sighed. "Well if it is so hard for you two to plan some quality time together, how about I help," she suggested. Sealand looked up at her happily. "That would be fun!" he cheered. "Can we do it this weekend?" Luxembourg smiled at how happy he was. "I don't see why not."

Britain frowned. "This weekend? But I have to—" he stopped at seeing Luxembourg's expression. "I think you will agree, Arthur. After all, you do still owe me after that problem with Francis when he—"

"I get it! You don't have to explain it. Especially not in front of Peter," interrupted a blushing Britain, whispering the last part as he looked away.

Luxembourg smiled. "Well then I guess we're going to have a fun weekend."

"Yeah!" cheered Sealand.

"Oh, joy," murmured Britain.