Day 1: The Plan

(AN: Thanks for the support, all! Thanks to Hello My Name is Randomness, Kreszentenia ,Striped-Jeans ,Stormjade, Discet and cloudsandsilversfor their wonderful reviews! Also thanks to 47kaw2, Audrey0, DaughterofDemeter123, JerichosPhantom, Striped-Jeans, Syphira, and Sympliciti for adding this story to their favorites. All those who added me to their alerts, thanks too!

All right, enjoy the next chappie!)

Switzerland was shaking as he left the office and walked back to the house.

Marriage. Getting rid of Lichtenstein. Marriage. Getting rid of Lichtenstein. These were his only two options.

"This is some crazy, terrible dream," he muttered to himself, but deep in his heart he knew that this was reality. Crap. Suddenly he began to foster a hate for his boss almost as deep as his hate for Austria.

How could anybody do something like this in seven days?-! He'd have to court Lili and propose to her in a week? He needed a year, at least, to do something like that. That is...

If Lili wanted to stay with him.

Of course she did! She was always saying how much she loved him...although that was only as a sister, but she said it a lot. Surely she wanted to stay with him.

But would she marry him?

And then there was the question of whether he himself loved her in that way. He hadn't loved her at first, but after a year or so, he loved her as much as a person could; though as a sibling. Could he love her like that?

He continued to ponder this as he opened the door and walked into the house. As he hung up his coat, he hoped he hadn't waked her, and continued to think. It didn't matter, right? It didn't matter if he loved her as a wife, he loved her enough that he had to protect her from the surrounding Euro trash, especially Prussia. Or what if Austria wanted her back? He shuddered at the thought. Even the benevolence of Ms. Hungary could not make him comfortable with the thought of Lili living in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"Good morning, Switzy," said Lili, who had suddenly appeared from nowhere.

"Ah!" Vash cried out, surprised. He hadn't noticed her at all.

Well, he hadn't waked her; she was already fully dressed, so she must have been waiting for him. She would do that. Silly girl.

She appeared worried. "Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry."

He shook his head and composed himself. "Ah...Ah...no. No, you didn't do anything, I was just startled, that's all."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Switzy," she said, looking at the floor.

"Don't be," he said, trying to smile. "Happy birthday, Lichtenstein."

"Thank you," she said, embracing him for a hug. Thank goodness she'd stopped calling him, "bruder," at least.

He sighed and tried to enjoy the hug. He'd always enjoyed her hugs, especially as of late; she was so petite, and it felt nice to hug little Lichtenstein.

"Hug..." he thought. He suddenly remembered being forced to Austria's house once because his boss had business with Hungary. Hungary in turn, had had to wait for Austria to come home to ask his advice. He'd been sitting on her couch, drinking tea, when he heard him come through the door. She'd come up to hug him...and their conversation...

"I'm home, Elizaveta."

"Hello sweetheart. How was work?"

He closed his eyes for a second.

"I'm home, Lili."

"Hello, sweetheart, how was work?"

"Eh!" he muttered and closed his eyes very tightly. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Lichtenstein felt him stiffen and cringe. What had she done?

"Big bruder!" she blurted out of force of habit.

"Damn it," they both thought, annoyed at the name. She hadn't meant to say that.

"Are you okay? What did I do?" she asked, getting more and more concerned.

"Huh? Oh, nothing! I'm...I just have a lot on my mind, that's all...heh...heh..."

She looked almost sad. "Are you sure? If something's wrong, you can tell me...I'll listen, you know that."

He took a sharp breath. Tell her everything...

True, Lili was always very considerate of when he had a problem at work, and she was a great listener.

Maybe he could just explain the whole thing to her and she'd be okay with it. He hesitated, then remembered Lili was a romantic at heart. She always cried during those stupid romance movies. He wanted her to marry her true love...and he didn't know if that was him or not. Maybe she was growing up and it was time to let her go. Was he even okay with her marrying someone else? Did what he think even matter? Gah, he'd explain it to her later! At dinner...or something...maybe tomorrow, since today was her birthday.

"Damn it, I only have seven days to do this!" he thought with annoyance. "If I wait, I'll waste a whole day!"

He decided that he would think about it tonight and plan his strategy if he was going to try and win her; but most likely he'd just tell her everything and see what happened.

"Switzy?" asked Lili. He'd been lost in thought for nearly thirty seconds now.

"Hm? Oh...I'll tell you everything later, I promise," he said. That was true. He'd tell Lili the truth in the end, even if it meant losing her hand in marriage, he'd tell her his boss had ordered him to marry her; it would be deceptive otherwise. When he would tell her? He wasn't sure yet. But before the wedding.

"You're getting ahead of yourself, Vash," thought Switzerland, closing his eyes again.

"You have no idea if she even likes you."

"Let's just...let's just enjoy your birthday for today, okay? I'll talk about it later."

He put on one of his failure smiles, and his 'sister,' noticed.

"O-okay," said Lichtenstein, quite unsure of herself.

"Come on. What would you like for breakfast?" he asked.

"I already made you breakfast, Switzy."

He sighed. That girl was so considerate of him that she woke up early to wait for him when he left and had even cooked him breakfast. On her birthday.

"Silly girl."

She knew when he said that that it was his term of affection for her. She hoped that he would soon adopt a new term for her than "silly girl," though.

The previous night she'd decided it was time; she was going to see if Vash could feel anything for her besides her being his 'sister.'

She realized that she said, "I love you so much..." (normally with a "big bruder," trailing it) to Switzerland all the time. But she also realized that though he normally smiled or just shook his head at the gesture, he never said, "I love you too." Even as a brother.

It had really hurt to think about, but she realized that maybe Switzerland didn't love her at all.

She knew he cared about her; but she also remembered Vash telling her stories about his time with Mr. Austria, and how he had cared for him once but grown to hate him.

She had officially decided, as a young woman, that if Switzerland didn't love her...

It was time to go. All girls leave the house someday, right? He'd taught her how to do paperwork; she could do it, she could manage her country...probably. She'd be fine. He'd taught her everything she needed to know. Now she was even capable of shooting a gun, in case Prussia got a little too close. Or France. Or any of them.

She'd planned it out very carefully; she couldn't bear to say goodbye to her brother...no. He wasn't her brother anymore. She couldn't bear to say goodbye to...to...the one she loved. She couldn't do it. So she had a notebook of paper ready for writing a note. If she found that he didn't love her, she would simply explain in her neat handwriting that she believed it was time for her to go into her own affairs, so that she'd stop being a burden on him, and that she was so grateful for what he'd done for her, and...that she loved him. Yes, she would confess. She'd tell him she loved him, and that she couldn't stand living in the same house with him knowing that he didn't love her; and that she would heal her broken heart and look for love elsewhere, as an independent country, though she would always be in love with him, the one who saved her life and had done so much for her.

She tried not to think about it, because it made her want to cry. How could she leave big brother? After all this time? But she had to. She had to find true love and she had to stop being a burden on him, if he didn't feel the way she did.

Her suitcase was packed.

Her finances were tidy in case she needed quick departure.

Lili sighed.

"There's no need to be so worried," she thought. "I don't know if Switzy...if Vash...loves me yet. It could take me a year, or even two to find out!"

At this pleasant thought she took his hand in hers and leaned on his shoulder. This action was common for her, so she didn't expect him to react extraordinarily.

"I love you, Switzy," she said contently. That was normal for her too.

To her surprise he stopped and was rigid. She felt like crying all of a sudden; why was he acting so strange lately?-! She noticed that he had been acting weird every time she showed signs of affection, even sisterly affection.

Getting stiff when she touched him. Choking when she said something about how she loved him. Turning red like he was embarrassed when she gave him gifts. And worst of all...being awkward around her and avoiding her even.

It was for these reasons that she had decided to find out the truth...and possibly leave. She didn't want to be a burden on Vash.

Discouraged by the tense feeling in his body, she nearly let go of his arm when suddenly he relaxed a little and returned her grip on his hand.

His next statement shocked her.

"I love you too, Lichtenstein."

She almost tripped. He loved her? He loved her! Could he really mean it?

She stopped and gasped a little too noticeably.

Her 'brother' turned to face her when she did so. She saw that his face was entirely pink again and that he sort of looked like he wanted to die. That wasn't good...was he faking it or something?

"What's the matter, Lichtenstein?" he said in a raspy tone, very stiff. She noticed that his hand was clammy and starting to sweat.

"Do...do you really mean that?" she asked softly.

"Mean what?" he asked, putting on a smile so fake it was creepy. He reminded her of Belarus.

"That you love me. You're not just saying that?" she asked. Her voice came out a little bold and she instantly regretted her words. She was always so timid and never challenged anything he said; but she was just so anxious to know the answer to that question that it came out rather forceful.

Switzerland looked even more anxious at first, then seemed to be confused when he saw her worried expression.

He paused for a moment then said quietly,

"Lili, what is this? You never knew that? Of course I love you."

Switzerland was genuinely surprised. He didn't know if he loved her that way, but he'd loved her as family for a very long time. He was surprised she didn't realize that.

Then he thought of all the times he appeared cold...he never showed affection towards her like she did to him, and he realized that this was the first time he'd ever said he loved her back.

"I'm not a burden on you? Like Mr. Austria?-!" she blurted before she could think. Suddenly she was crying and she hugged Vash tightly. "You aren't annoyed by me, you want me to stay here, you really do love me?-! I...I can leave if you don't want me here!" she cried out all at once, amazed at her lack of control. It gushed out of her with a burst of tears; and she clutched the other nation tightly with vehement sobs.

Now Vash was completely shocked.

"This is a good thing," he tried to think. "Apparently she cares if I love her or not," he thought, gritting his teeth. "But what if it's her normal sisterly love? Then that means she really needs me and kicking her out will be harder!"

But what was all this business about her leaving? Was he really that unclear about how much he cared for her?

"Lili, don't lower yourself to Austria's level! Of course I love you, what kind of question is that? You think after all we've been through that I still couldn't love you? What made you even think of such a thing?"

His tone was scolding but inside he was actually rather sad. He'd done a lot for her...how could she think he didn't love her?

Lili sniffled. "You never say you love me. You give up so much for me...your boss hates me...I...I was worried you might think I'm annoying and want me to go," she confessed. Her tone was soft now and mellow, her tears silent.

Switzerland felt very guilty all of a sudden. This was all his fault, for being so stern and serious all the time. He'd forgotten children need love when they are being raised; she couldn't have been more then nine when he first saw her. He had raised Lichtenstein and never even told her he loved her.

"Lili..." he said, clutching her tiny body and bringing her close to him again.

She was still sad and unsure, but he embraced her warmly this time, not stiffly. It had been ages since he'd given her a not-awkward hug. Then he took her off guard.

He kissed her on the cheek.

And not a quick peck either. A good, five second kiss.

She felt like her legs had turned to jelly and her arms could barely hold themselves up.

A kiss. Never in all their years had Switzy given her a kiss.

He whispered in her ear, with a particular sadness that she couldn't detect, "I want you to stay in this house as long as you are happy. And when the day comes for you to leave...if you ever want to leave, that is...I will be very, very sad."

He was very sad already. He wasn't lying. He wanted Lili to stay with him as long as she could, but if she didn't love him in that sort of way...she'd have to go very prematurely.

But Lichtenstein did not even notice. Her heart was through the roof, her joy radiating, beaming through her face like the sun.

"Oh...oh thank you, Switzy! Thank you!" she said sweetly. She felt like dancing suddenly.

She wanted to run upstairs and shred that notebook; she wanted to tear up the suitcase and spread her clothes all over the floor. He loved her! He wanted her to stay! She still didn't know if he loved her the way she did, but there was only one way to find out, right? It didn't matter. He loved her. He wanted her to stay.

She silently thought that she never wanted to wash the cheek he kissed ever again. She took his hand and walked him into the kitchen, humming as she served breakfast. He had a small, but genuine smile on his face now.

"You know you really didn't have to, Lili," he said.

She just smiled and laughed. "I love making you breakfast. It makes you happy!"

If he's happy, then I am happy, she thought cheerfully.

He realized that he had actually just said he loved her and given her a kiss: and it had all come naturally. Did that mean he loved her? He couldn't tell. That could still be brotherly love, right? It was a whole different affair than kissing her lips...

He looked with guilt at her lips for a moment. He felt like a naughty, curious, schoolboy...Small and pink...so nice...

"Ehp!" he said painfully, closing his eyes and balling his fists. His small smile vanished.

"Why do you keep having stupid thoughts like this?-!" he cringed, wanting to face-palm himself. "I'm nervous. Maybe that means I'm in love? How the hell am I supposed to understand this stuff, I'm a cheap banker who loves chocolate and saving money!" he grumbled inwardly.

Chocolate.

That reminded him...

"Lili, would you like your birthday gift?"

He remembered that bastard Austria's surprisingly good advice. Suddenly Roderich's words, which hadn't been extraordinary last night, had a biting edge.

"The girl obviously loves you a great deal," he had said. Awkward now... "...so make her something You."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Vash had muttered.

"It means make her chocolate. It's you, and it's very good, and it's very expensive. And if you have any left over, give it to me."

"Never in your life!"

Austria was right though. He'd stopped making chocolate for a while; but Swiss chocolates were the best in all the world. He'd forgotten how much Lili loved them.

"The best things don't come from a store. They have love put into them," Austria had said in a tone mocking his wife. She said that a lot.

"Sentimental idiot," said Vash.

"You're welcome."

So that night he'd gone home and made Lichtenstein a box of his famous truffles.

Lichtenstein put down his breakfast, her eyes lit in excitement.

"Oh, yes! If you don't mind..."

She always cherished his gifts.

He smiled fondly again and handed her the wrapped box. She opened it with care and gave a squeal of delight.

"Oh! Swiss chocolates!"

Her face radiated pure joy. Vash smiled very contently now; he remembered that this was why he had come to love her. The girl absolutely adored him and was so appreciative of everything he did. He loved buying her trinkets and treats, then watching her face light up at each gift. It didn't matter that it costed him money, despite his utter stinginess.

"Made them myself," he said proudly.

"You did? For me? Oh thank you, Switzy!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and muttered, "Your the best b-"

Suddenly she caught herself. She'd almost said he was the best big brother ever. "Not today!" she thought defiantly. "Things are going to change!"

She couldn't think of an appropriate word to replace it though, so she stumbled, "b-man ever."

Switzerland's eyes shot open. Best man? Like he was her boyfriend? He felt the blood rushing to his face. Or worse...like the best man at a wedding? Suddenly he pictured little Lili in a bridal dress...all the nations there to watch...

"AH!" he yelped, jumping up suddenly. Him and his stupid imagination! And worse, him and his stupid reactions to his stupid imagination!

This time jumping up in repulsion at his thoughts had very negative effects. Lili, who was embracing him at the time, was wedged into the table, and he bumped into her...and her chest.

?

She had breasts?

He'd never really paid attention before...crap. Before his imagination could go anywhere else (thankfully) she yelped.

Vash put a hand to his mouth.

"Lichtenstein, I'm sorry! When you leaned over, the, uh...chair leaned back and I was worried it would fall over backwards. That's why I jumped up...heh..." he coughed. This compulsive lying had to stop.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" he asked quickly. Her smile returned.

"No! Thank you for the gift..." she swallowed. He was so close, so near...she put her arms around his neck again and hugged him. It was now or never; the very brave experiment.

"...thank you for the gift...Vash."

His heart rate was already elevated so high he was worried about a heart attack by this point.

Did-did she just call him Vash?

"Control!" he thought instantly, and said "You're welcome," as fast as he could, then let her go before he could react in a bad way.

His cheeks were entirely red at this point. Lili took careful note of this; maybe that meant something? He was being so sweet...nothing could deflate her mood at the moment.

He sat in a sort of dumb stupor while she got milk from the fridge.

Vash.

Vash.

Vash.

Like...like she was his wife. Suddenly something else occurred to him. Even if she stayed with him, and they got married...things would change between them.

They'd have to have one room...all her clothes would be in his closet.

Suddenly the worst of all thoughts fell on his head.

Bed.

Lili in bed...

He choked on his pancake and nearly suffocated to death.

How could he do that?-! He could never violate her, that was so wrong, how could he even sleep in the same room with her, never mind the same bed, in a week and be okay with it?-!

It's not like he could just say, "Let's get married but have separate bedrooms."

That would make her think he didn't love her. Oh hell...this was hell!

Lili, however, who was on cloud nine, finally brought him his drink, but didn't quite yet put in on the table. She stalled a moment and said, "I made you eggs the way you like them."

He tried to resume a sense of normalcy, but it wasn't happening. He was too worked up to calm down now.

He simply said, "Thanks. You're always so good to me."

Lichtenstein beamed. Then she watched him cut his meal and decided that it was now or never.

She thought silently, "I'm going to kick butt once in my lifetime."

It was a very unusual thought for the innocent little Lichtenstein, but love makes us all go crazy.

She carefully put the milk down on the far side of his plate, leaning considerably, which made their faces level. Then, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she kissed him on the cheek. Just a peck, very quickly; she tried to make it casual. Then she continued humming hurriedly and rushed about the kitchen.

He froze. Was she TRYING to make him die of choking?-!

Her lips...so soft...

Then Switzerland's brain short circuited, and he wasn't capable of thought any longer for the next hour.

The shock of all these events combined had simply been too great.

And Lichtenstein could not have been happier.

(Thus ends part one of day one. I'm gonna make a part two cause otherwise this chappie would've been wayyyy too long. Hope y'all like it. Is it cheesy? It is too OOC? Please tell me! And most importantly...REVIEW! Thanks.)