For those who are wondering, 'vous n'en savez rien' is French for 'you don't know a thing'.
Willem van der Meer – The name I liked best for the Netherlands. Its English equivalent would be 'William from the Lake', or so the Internet told me.
Disclaimer: Don't own. Simple as that.
A/N: Netherlands x Canada…. Yeah, needless to say, I absolutely love this pairing! Just FYI, this takes places during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics (though it's not the main plot or anything). I'm still rather new to Hetalia… so I feel like I really missed out on 2010, and so that's why I chose to post this! Because the Winter Olympics are always such a pleasure to watch, let alone write about. So, 'better late than never', yeah? At least, I hope so…
Here goes!
Vous n'en savez rien (You Don't Know a Thing)
DAY 3
"Hell yeah, bro! Good job on winnin' gold. Seriously though, you sure showed us who's boss!"
"Gold is very good color on you, Matvey. I am glad."
"Hey maple-bastard… that wasn't half bad."
"That was bonzer, mate! That bloke of yours sped like a rat down a drainpipe on those moguls. Good on ya!"
"I agree. That was incredible, Canada-san."
"Your people are very talented, aru. Well done."
"Yes, well done indeed, my boy! You've grown to become a wonderful young nation. Absolutely brilliant, lad. Sensational."
"Oh mon petit Mathieu adoré! Papa est si fier de toi! Et en plus, c'était un Québécois! Comme tu as grandi, mon cher fils!"
"Even I have to admit your guy did pretty awesome out there, Birdie. I can't wait to see your hockey teams play. And they better deliver! I bet some good cash on them."
The shower of compliments continued to pour over the Canadian, some from nations he had hardly ever spoken to before, others from his closest friends and allies.
…Yet, the one nation one would expect to see right at the North American's side and doing the most cheering could be seen leaning on the wall at the far end of the room, a lit pipe between his silent lips.
"Hey dipshit, how 'bout you get out of that little corner you're in and haul your pot-addicted ass over here. Out of all of us, you should be the one complimenting him the most," Alfred snarled, openly glaring at the personification of the Netherlands over the rim of his glasses. "Some boyfriend you are," he then growled under his breath.
This entire situation was nothing new, for Alfred was not the only one wondering why, of all people, Matthew appreciated the Dutchman as much as he did. For the last few decades or so, whether in meetings or in public, the Canadian had often been seen by the older European's side. It was strange, to say the least, because despite the facts that Willem rarely spoke to Matthew when in each other's presence, that he barely payed the Canadian any attention to begin with, and that he never even looked happy when with Matthew, the two were apparently still going strong. Whenever someone asked, the Canadian always shrugged and walked away, whispering something along the lines of 'no one could ever love me more than he does'. It was obvious to everyone that Canada must have somehow confused the definition of 'romance' with that of something else.
Feeling a cool hand land on his shoulder, the American turned to meet the prettiest pair of violet eyes, his brother's eyes.
Canada.
"Don't worry about it, Al. That's just the way he is. Leave him be," were said nation's words. He then smiled. "But thank you for always having my back. I appreciate it."
Face now a flamingo pink, America faked a cough, and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. It's just my duty as a hero, 's all."
Prussia then stepped forth, a frown on his usually mirthful face. "Your brother's right though, Birdie. That jackass over there should be here celebrating your newest accomplishment. I mean, this is a huge deal for you. This is the first gold medal you've ever won on home soil and he's over there practically ignoring you. I'll never understand what you see in him." The German-speaker shook his head, internally livid – and a little green with envy. After all, Matthew could have been his. It could have been Gilbert that the Canadian was dating, yet the latter had, by some ironic twist of fate, ended up with that damn greedy, perverted, drug-addicted Dutchman.
And that was something many nations (especially those closest to Matthew: mainly America, Prussia, France and England, amongst others) did not – could not – accept.
"I agree, Mathieu. Surely, Pays-Bas is… how do you say… not worth your while? Just look at him, he has not smiled once since the news of Alexandre Bilodeau winning gold made the headlines. Honnêtement, that in itself ne présage rien de bon." France, ever graceful, flipped his bangs to the side. His lips then (not-so-gracefully) curled in disdain at the sight of the Dutch nation. "Perhaps there is someone out there much better suited for my sweet petit garçon, oui?" he purred, cupping his former colony's cheek.
"Guys, really. There's no need fo–" Matthew attempted, before being interrupted by England.
"As much as I despise saying this, the frog makes sense." Arthur paused to slap the Frenchman's hand away from the Canadian's face, before resuming, "We older nations… well besides America of course–"
"Shut it, limey!"
"–have been around Willem long enough to know that he's not right for you." At an eye roll from the Canadian, Arthur pressed, "Trust me. He'll just use you for the fun of it, and leave. And the last thing I want is to see you with a broken heart." He then patted Matthew's head, affection lacing his every word. "No son of mine should have to go through that. Ever. And so help me if it ever does come to that, I'll have the culprit hanged by their toes."
Every single nation present suddenly whipped their heads around when deep, rumbling chuckles reached their ears from the back of the room.
The Netherlands had left his previous spot against the wall and was now leisurely making his way towards the door, his previous chuckling dying out as he moved. When the room grew quiet, he sent a lingering, almost lazy glance to the Canadian out of the corner of his eye. He pointedly ignored his fellow personifications and spoke solely to Matthew, exhaling a puff of smoke on the same occasion. "I'll be in our room, if you need me."
As the Dutchman's footfalls diminuendoed down the hall, the assembled nations turned to Canada.
Expectance, apprehension, disapproval, loathing, shock…
Matthew saw a mix and match of these things flash through their eyes, to which he answered with a dismissive shrug of shoulders, "You all just don't understand."
He then politely excused himself, and promptly left the room.
End of the First Chapter – Fin du Premier Chapitre
Translations:
The word 'bonzer' (also spelled 'bonza') means brilliant/excellent in Australian/NZ English. I spent a half hour researching what I'd make Australia say, because I honestly have limited knowledge concerning Australian slang… Though I did learn a number of new words! Bonza!
"Oh mon petit Mathieu adoré! Papa est si fier de toi! Et en plus, c'était un Québécois! Comme tu as grandi, mon cher fils!" – French for "Oh my adored little Matthew! Daddy is so proud of you! And it was a Quebecer too! How you have grown, my dear son!"
Pays-Bas – French for "Netherlands"
Honnêtement – French for "Honestly"
Ne présage rien de bon – French for 'does not bode well'
petit garçon, oui? – French for 'little boy, yes?'
Extra info:
In case you haven't already figured it out, here's the order of the people speaking at the beginning: America, Russia, South Italy, Australia, Japan, China, England, France, Prussia. I originally didn't have Australia speaking (since I was scared of making some type of mistake, what with Australian English being different…) but the guy that won second place to Alexandre Bilodeau was Dale Begg-Smith, an ex-patriate Canadian competing for Australia (he was actually born in Vancouver). So… it gave me a good reason to add in Australia, even though I did have to watch a ton of YouTube videos on Aussie slang… All I could say is I hope I nailed it. If the Australian is wrong, please don't be shy to tell me.
With love from Canada,
~SHnM