Previously: Long time ago, Slovakia (Eva) used to have a big crush on Lithuania. Convinced Liet doesn't feel the same way, she left Russia's house to live with Czechia (Hynek by human name). Years later, she meets equally shy Canada.

Brussels, 2002

"Don't worry, I understand. Tomorrow it is, then. Please, be careful. Bye bye."

Canada tried to sound cheerful, but as soon as he hung up, the sadness took over him. He was supposed to see his crush that evening and looked forward to it. Now she called that there had been some issues with her flight and she would only be getting to the hotel somewhere around midnight. They agreed to see each other the next day.

I've waited for months, I can take a few more hours, he tried to convince himself. It didn't help.

In the beginning, he wasn't sure of his feelings. Wasn't it just biology, physics and chemistry? Matthew longed for more. Yet the idea of more also scared him somewhat. Everything changed one special day earlier that year. The day he saw her win the World Hockey Championship, playing in such a fierce and graceful way, kicking Russia's butt. As she raised the legendary cup over her head, a look of pure bliss on that pretty face, she took his breath away. From then on, there was no doubt anymore.

Eva Kučerová was a nice name. Eva Williams sounded even better.

He had his dinner, watched TV, tried to read, even did some work. Still, he couldn't get Eva out of his head. He wanted to see her - the real her, not just a picture -, laugh with her, hold her hand, hear her accent. Waiting for another twenty-four hours seemed too much to handle.

The phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hello, this is room 402."

"Hi, dude, what's up? Ready for your date?" his brother's voice roared.

"Actually, she-" Matthew started.

"Don't tell me she ditched you already!" Al laughed.

"Well, no, she just put off till tomorrow."

"That's okay, then."

"I guess, yes... Thought, actually, no... I miss her too much," Canada admitted and sighed, ready for some kind of stupid comment.

"I see," his brother replied.

"You do?" A sparkle of hope appeared in Matt's voice.

"Of course, man. Just rub one out and you'll feel better."

Matthew facepalmed. "You really don't get this, do you?!"

"Here you go, Miss, room 401. Please, enjoy your stay. Good night!"

Once the door closed, Eva collapsed on the bed, exhausted.

Low cost. But what a price to pay, she thought before dozing off.

Matthew went for a stroll and managed to forget about his misery for a while. Now that he had got back to his cold and empty room, he started to feel lonely again.

He took off his clothes and stepped into the shower. Feeling the warm water all over his body, he couldn't help wishing the girl was there with him.

Maybe his brother's idea wasn't so stupid after all…

Just a little bit, he thought, his hand slowly sliding down. It's not as if anybody will get hurt... He imagined that it was her taking care of him and soon, the pleasure became unbearable.

"Nnnnnnnh! Eva!" he cried out as he reached his climax, the well-toned body trembling with sweet shivers.

Slovakia woke up with a start. She would have sworn she had heard someone call her name.

What a strange dream, she mused, getting undressed and aiming for the shower, wishing her crush was there to join her.

Two days later

If only I could read her mind, thought Matthew.

When she accepted to meet him again, his heart filled with pure joy and his existence didn't seem like such a waste anymore. That must mean she wants me in her life, too!

Now he wasn't so sure. Even though they were supposed to meet the day before, she turned up late, announcing she only had a half an hour. He was just starting to warm up when she finished her drink and left.

It's been months since we last met and she couldn't even allow me one evening?! He was a busy country, too. How much work did he had to put off to stay in Europe, waiting for her? What was she thinking? Was she playing with him? Or seeing him out of pity? She'd probably never been truly interested in the first place.

I need a drink, he decided.

As he entered the hotel bar, he noticed a familiar silhouette. It was the man Eva had greeted the day before, except that his hair was now disheveled, his face flustered and he was halfway down a bottle of vodka.

Slovakia had explained to Canada that many countries were there to participate on a certain event in EU. But wasn't that guy a European country, too? What would he be doing there, getting drunk, then? Did she made it all up to get out of a commitment?

He needed to know.

"I'm sorry," he said as he tapped the other country's shoulder. The fellow looked up, his face blank. "It's... It's none of my concern, but shouldn't you be in EU headquarters right now?"

"I guess I should." The man shrugged and took a swig. He looked so down in the dumps that Canada started to feel compassionate.

"Mind if I join you?" He gestured at the chair next to him. All he got as a reply was another shrug. He sat down.

"Why aren't you at work, if you don't mind me asking?"

His companion said nothing, having yet another gulp of vodka. He looked away so that his face wouldn't be seen.

"It's Slovakia's presentation today. I can't bear to look at her for such a long period of time. I always end up feeling miserable, hoping, like an idiot, for something that will never come to be."

"That makes two of us," muttered the blond, eyes downcast. The other country glanced at him, obviously fighting with himself not to look too scornful.

"Except that you actually stand a chance."

"Huh?" Those words surprised Matt. "What makes you think that?"

"I saw you two yesterday. I saw the way she looked at you." The way she'll never look at me, he added in silence.

"You must be making a mistake," countered the Canadian. "I don't think she is interested. She disappeared half an hour later, saying she was busy."

"Of course she is." The man rolled his eyes, sighing. "Didn't she tell you about today's meeting?"

"Well, she mentioned something about getting into a club... Anyway, it seemed like no big deal," concluded Canada.

"A 'club'… 'No big deal'…," whispered the European fellow as he facepalmed. "You really have no idea, do you?" He looked at him in disbelief. "We are small countries, we depend on bigger and more powerful ones to get somewhere. We must try to fit in if we want to survive and flourish. Being a part of European Union is of utmost importance. Our future depends on it."

"Oh," was all that Matthew could say.

"And we've all been preparing for this for years. Consider yourself privileged if she allowed you whole thirty minutes the evening before D-day."

They both remained silent for a while.

"I... I had no idea…"

"I know what you might think, but she wouldn't try to hurt you," the man went on. "Eva is a fine woman, the kind that will let you have the last slice and never mention it, even though it was her favourite pie. And trust me, she likes you back. So tell her how you feel."

The blond's cheeks turned pink as he looked aside, then back at Eva's colleague.

"You're right," he admitted. "I'll try to tell her tonight."

"Tell her now." The other country reached into his pocket, retrieving an access badge, then handing it to the boy. "Take it from me, a few hours' difference can change everything."

"T-thank you," gasped Canada, astounded by such kindness. "How can I-"

The man gestured for him to stop talking.

"Just disappear from my life now. And make the girl happy." He took his almost empty bottle and left without giving the Canadian a single look.

-END OF CHAPTER 1-