London, 2002

"Great, that was the last topic to cover. Thank you very much, Alfred."

Slovakia beamed. The whole thing was going way quicker than she hoped.

When her boss asked her to prepare that report about Slovak minorities worldwide, it sounded like an endless and pointless bunch of paperwork. However, and to her own astonishment, it proved to be a unique opportunity to meet many interesting countries and learn about their way of life.

"No problem. I'll send you the materials by email first thing tomorrow. Should there be anything else, just let me know," the American offered.

Eva opened her agenda. There was one more country to see.

"Well, actually, I am supposed to be meeting Mr... Canada?! Oh, yes, that's it. Unless I'm mistaken, it's your brother. Maybe you can point me to the right direction."

"Yeah, sure," he replied, searching the conference room for his younger brother. He didn't seem to be there, though.

"Just tell me what he looks like and I'll do the rest," she suggested.

"Actually he looks like me, just less cool," Al mumbled, still trying to spot the only unhated country in the world.

Okay then, thought Eva as she looked around. What would America be like if he were... well, calmer and nicer?

Her sight fell upon a blond-haired fellow sitting on the other side of the room, slowly stirring his coffee.

"The guy over there?"

"Yeah, that's Matt for sure." Alfred nodded, surprised he hadn't noticed earlier.

"Great, see you around then."

One more to go and then I'll have a long bath and a big lunch. And a drink. Or two.

"Excuse me, sir, are you Mr. Canada?"

The young man raised his head. A pair of purple eyes plunged into hers and for a moment the world became a century younger.

Vienna, 1902

"I can't go, not without you. Don't ask me for that!" Hungary turned away.

"This is a diplomatic event of utmost importance," Austria whispered, coughing heartily. "Someone needs to represent our house and as you can see, I am not fit to leave now." He blew his nose and had a sip of the herbal tea she had made for him.

"But... France would be there. What if he wants to... socialize with me or something?!" She shuddered.

"Hungary, please, I'm counting on you," her love insisted before getting caught up in another fit of cough.

"I guess it can't be helped then," she growled.

"And make sure you take Slovakia with you. You will be needing a maid."

Not that Mr. Austria didn't like the little country, but somehow he just wasn't that eager to stay alone with no one but her in the house. His head still throbbed sometimes when the weather was bad.*

London, 1902

(A/N: A song that goes nicely with this part: Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D Major)

Slovakia beamed. This is so exciting!

Not only she was spending the weekend with Miss Hungary, she also got to wear one of her dresses, a pretty hairdo and best of all, travel to the world-famous city of London. All the important countries were there that day, waiting for the outdoor show to open the festivities. She heard that weather at Mr. England's place was cold and rainy, so she was even more amazed by that lovely sunny day.

The sun... It suddenly got a lot stronger, blinding her. She blinked, looking to the direction where it was coming from. Her heart almost skipped a beat.

There was a boy with fair hair and eyes the same shade of purple as the sky gets between sunset and nightfall. He was wearing dark blue trousers with a red stripe and a red tunic with golden buttons. At that very moment, he was using one of them to reflect the sun into her eyes and catch her attention. Having succeeded, he smiled from ear to ear.

An angel, thought Slovakia, smiling timidly back.

Eva didn't remember much of the show. She felt the boy's gaze on her back, far too shy to look at him again. Finally, she took her courage and quickly glanced in his direction. Those mesmerizing lilac eyes made her face go pink. She doubted that was an acceptable behavior for a young lady and hoped nobody noticed the unexpected complicity.

As a matter of fact, someone did, but said nothing, just smiled to himself.

"Oh, there you are, Mademoiselle Hongrie, as lovely as ever." Francis grinned as he spotted his new victim. "How about a drink and a little chat?"

"Do we have to?" whimpered Hungary, her teeth grinding against her will.

"Matthieu, be a nice boy and ask the young lady here for a dance."

Slovakia, who was busy contemplating the magnificent decor of the palace they were in, didn't speak their language. Still, somehow she understood she was concerned. She turned around to face them.

Miss Hungary was talking to a blond man wearing a fancy-looking blue cape and red trousers, his hair tied down with a ribbon.

Next to him was the boy she had seen earlier. Eva blushed again, wishing she could just run away. Unfortunately, that would be most disrespectful.

"The boy here would like to dance with you," Hungary explained. As if to support her words, he stepped forward, bowed slightly and offered her his hand.

She looked at her superior for instructions, but the latter only shrugged and smiled.

"It's up to you."

Slovakia stepped forward and accepted the boy's hand.

I'm with an angel and this must be heaven, she thought as they swayed to the soothing sound of violin.

"You're pretty. What's your name?" asked the blond, but Eva didn't understand a word. She shook her head and smiled.

"Oh." He nodded. "Parlez-vous français?" he tried.

Eva laughed at that funny-sounding language and shook her head again.

Maybe he speaks Hungarian, she mused.

"Beszél magyarul?" she ventured. This time it was him who shook his head.

"Sprechen Sie deutch?" The confused look on his face was a clear no.

"Viete po slovensky?" Nothing. Well, that would have surprised me anyway.

They continued to dance, exchanging timid looks and sweet smiles here and there. Little do words matter when you are fifteen and someone just took your breath away for the first time.

As the song ended, the boy took her hand and guided her to an enormous table heavy with all kinds of fine food. He grabbed something tiny and they hid underneath the cloth.

-END OF CHAPTER 1-

*This is a reference to my very first fanfic. It wasn't my best work so it's no longer on the web. Anyway, in the story, Austria confuses Slovakia with Hungary and makes a move, which results in him getting hit with a meat hammer.

Translations:

Mademoiselle Hongrie = In French, "Miss Hungary"
I'm pretty sure you can figure out the rest :)