Belarus was barely startled by the feel of two, strong, familiar arms wrapping her up in a friendly embrace.

She smiled faintly against America's chest.

No one else had ever been this excited to see her before than again she hadn't known America back then.

Years of friendship with the blond caused a certain fondness to rise up in Natalya's chest for the American male.

Alfred let go of herl a smile still adorned his face, and Belarus was surprised by the sudden warmth that lit up her face in response to the smile.

Alfred pouted, "I never see you anymore."

Natalya rolled her eyes in response to that.

"I am here, aren't I?" Was Belarus's sarcastic retort.

America smiled at Natalya's comment, and reponded with, "Yes, you are, and I'm glad that you're here with me."

Natalya did not understand why her heart took off at hearing that admittance; he had said so before.

She smiled the slightest of smiles back at him, and spoke, "You've said that before."

"I know, Bel. You are one of my closest friends." America added on.

Belarus's heart stuttered at that.

It bloomed in warmth, but also twisted in pain inside her chest.

Her lips twitched between a smile and a frown.

"What about Japan?" Natalya asked.

"He is an awesome dude, but I feel different around you, Bel." Alfred smiled another easy smile, but this time Natalya's heart took off like a rocket when she saw it.

She pushed those thoughts away, and prepared herself for a long day with Alfred.

She hadn't really expected herself to feel nervous when her American friend insisted that they eat at McDonald's before heading back to his house to play videogames.

It felt strange to feel this mixture of shyness and nervousness around Alfred.

Natalya didn't even realize why she had felt that way until she was back in her native country of Belarus.

She certainly did not like the idea of falling for Alfred, but she couldn't deny her heart.