Title: Hetalia's Christmas Tree

A Christmas Tree Fit for a Monster

Riiiiiiiing...riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing...riiii-!

"Hello?"

"Uh, yes! Hello, uh...Iceland?"

"Yeah?"

"Oh, good, it is you! Sorry, I...uh..."

"Who is this?"

"What? Oh! It's, uh, Lithuania."

"Oh, hello, did you need something?"

Lithuania sat in his living room, fidgeting nervously with the frayed hem on his faded jeans as he shakily held the cell phone to his ear. Did he need something from Iceland? Well, that depended on what Iceland's definition of "need" was. Lithuania cleared his throat and tried to speak more understandably. How did one say "to need" in Icelandic?

"I...wanted to know if you wanted to come over to my house for Christmas."

He heard Iceland start to say something but stop. The little Nordic was quiet for a moment before saying, "Sorry, Lithuania, I'm going to Sweden's for Christmas. The other Nordics and I are planning something special for Sealand this year, and we already decided that we're going to be at Sweden's house to present it."

Lithuania suddenly hated himself for calling. Of course Iceland would be at another Nordic's house for Christmas. He always went somewhere in Northern Europe for that holiday. Finland was Santa after all! And Sealand was Finland and Sweden's son, so of course the Nordics would be gathering there. Even if none of that was true though, Iceland would obviously still have plans. Norway was his older brother after all, and Norway and Denmark were together, so they'd be spending some time together. And even if they weren't plotting something for Sealand, Denmark would still insist on seeing Sweden and, therefore, Finland and Sealand.

He hated himself for even thinking to call at all. He should have known better. Lithuania kept mentally shouting this at himself, suddenly mortified that he was having this conversation with Iceland.

Wait, what conversation? Lithuania hadn't replied!

"AWKWARD SILENCE!" the Baltic suddenly shouted, laughing nervously. The unexpected verbal explosion startled the Nordic on the other end, who accidentally let out a few swears in Icelandic through his surprise. Iceland then grasped the phone and tried to breathe evenly.

"Please don't startle me like that," he nearly begged. "It could set off one of the volcanoes. When Eyjafjallajökull erupted, I was on edge for weeks."

Lithuania felt a horrible sense of shame grow in his chest. "I'm sorry...Wait, what was that thing you said?"

"The what?"

"The volcano."

"Eyjafjallajökull."

"Is that-?"

"YES, that is how you pronounce the name of that volcano!"

Lithuania gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry..."

He heard Iceland let out an irritated groan, picturing the Nordic rubbing his temple with his free hand. He suddenly felt like crawling under a rock and dying, especially when Iceland began to speak again. "Look, I have plans for Christmas, okay, Lithuania? I'm very sorry that I can't come see you, as it's been way too long since we've spent any time together. However, my brother and the other Nordics called me first, so I have to see them. That's it."

Lithuania could hear the annoyance in his voice, and the Baltic's head dropped. "I understand," he replied glumly. "I'm sorry to bother you, Iceland. I'll leave you alone. Gle...Gled...?"

"Gledileg Jol?" Iceland sighed. "I appreciate the effort, Lithuania, but you could just say 'Merry Christmas'."

"...I'm sorry. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas. Good-bye."

Lithuania heard Iceland hang up the phone on the other end and brought his cell phone away from his ear to see that the call had ended. The little screen flashed a few times before innocently returning to the main menu, as if nothing was wrong.

But Lithuania knew better. He had insulted Iceland, and nothing could change it. In less than two minutes, he had managed to startle the poor boy (which could lead to a volcanic eruption, Lithuania noted with great shame), reminded him of that other volcano eruption (He wasn't even going to bother trying to pronounce it.), questioned his holiday plans, and mispronounced a basic phrase in his language. That had to be a record somewhere.

"Nice, Lithuania," the Baltic said to himself, leaning over and banging his head against the carpeted floor. "That was so cool. You and Iceland are best friends forever, totally." He smacked his head against the carpet a few more times before finally resting it there. Sighing, he let the rest of his body flop to the floor and squeezed his eyes shut. "You suck at this relationship thing, Lithuania," he continued to himself. "No wonder every single one you've had has ended in disaster. ...Good God, I sound like a woman from one of America's Real Housewives reality shows." He lifted his head up so his chin supported the weight against the carpet. "Now what? Estonia and Latvia are both busy on Christmas Day and have their own preparations to make for their countries. This is so pathetic."

It suddenly set in on just how pathetic it all was. Here Lithuania was, all alone in his house in Vilnius, with no one with which to spend the holidays. Hell, he didn't even have a plan for the holidays! He had figured that his plans would be based on who was available, and he had been rejected for every suggestion!

Not surprisingly, he had called Estonia and Latvia first, seeing as they were his closest neighbors and best friends. But the two of them had their own independent plans with their countries, with their leaders! When Lithuania tried contacting his leaders, both his president and prime minister, he discovered that the two of them were busy themselves and couldn't really spend much time thinking about the holiday. After all, Lithuania had been hit especially hard by the global recession. His status wasn't as horrible as Greece's, but it was still really bad, so his government had vowed to do whatever it took to get the country back on track. In the back of his mind, he prayed that he would still be able to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in the coming year.

All the financial issues were why he had to politely decline America's invitation to his annual Christmas party. It wasn't that Lithuania didn't want to go. On the contrary, despite the thought of eating a cake that appeared to be radioactive, he would have loved to go. He and America were good friends, but he felt horrible about spending the money to go to Washington D.C. just for a Christmas party. If he could go to discuss economic ideas with America (because everyone knew that America's economy wasn't all that awesome either), he would go, but, knowing America, that would never happen. So that was a no.

He had called Belarus.

And had hung up when he had heard a strange, almost paranormal sound along with the unmistakable, ominous squishing of a knife cutting red meat on the other end.

Ukraine hadn't answered her phone, probably too scared that it was someone trying to collect her debt.

And Russia...yeah, Lithuania hadn't called him. He wasn't that desperate.

So what did that leave him with? "I am spending Christmas alone this year," he announced to his home, sitting up and ignoring the little bits of lint sticking to his forehead and chin. He sighed heavily and started to stand when he heard a knock on his door. Sighing again, this time rather lightly, he headed towards the front of his house and opened the door. He gasped.

"...Poland."

"Like, hey, Liet," the blond laughed, his breath visible in the cold, nighttime air. His cheeks were round and pink, glowing like a Christmas light. When he spoke again, his eyes lit shone with the same brilliance. "Can I come in? I'm totes freezing my ass off out here."

"Oh!" Lithuania gasped, suddenly realizing just how cold it was outside. "Yes, of course! Come in. Let me take your coat." He moved out of the way and welcomed Poland into the warmth of his home. Nodding appreciatively, Poland removed his heavy coat and handed it to the Baltic, who hung it up in his closet. He noted that he kept his pink scarf on with a smile.

Poland looked back to Lithuania and giggled. "What were you doing before I showed up?" he asked, smirking lightly.

This left the brunet confused. "Uh...nothing in particular. Why?"

Poland giggled again. "You, like, have carpet lint all over your face."

Lithuania's cheeks lit up bright red, and he violently rubbed his forehead and chin to rid them of the dust. Poland couldn't help but smile at the actions. "Your face is so totally funny right now," he kept giggling. "Please don't tell me you were making out with the carpet, Liet."

"I was not!" the Baltic protested, his cheeks still bright red. He rubbed his hands over his face one more time and said, "I had a rough day."

Poland stopped giggling and placed his hands on his hips, frowning. "Well, that's totes not good," he commented, shrugging his shoulders a bit. "How about we both have something hot to drink, and you can tell me all about it?"

Lithuania looked up in surprise, the red fading from his cheeks a bit. "Really? You'll listen?" he asked in slight disbelief. Poland had never really been known for listening to people all that well. This was a first.

"Um, alright," the brunet agreed. "What can I make you? Tea? Hot chocolate?"

"Do you have coffee?" Poland asked as he moved towards the lit fireplace. "I didn't sleep all that well last night."

"Just instant."

"It'll totally do."

Lithuania nodded and headed into his kitchen to prepare the hot drink. He made two cups quickly and called, "Do you want milk or cream?"

"Milk!" Poland called back, rubbing his hands together, warming them up. "Thanks, Liet!"

Lithuania flinched as he heard the nickname. Poland hadn't called him that since their last conversation under communist rule. Oh man, that had been one hell of a phone call. Lithuania still awoke from a disturbed sleep in the middle of the night, thinking about everything that had happened to him since his first relationship with Poland had ended horribly. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if his history and life would be different if he and Poland hadn't broken up their union. Maybe they would have defeated Sweden? Maybe they would have been able to prevent the partition of Poland (one of them at the very least)? Maybe they would have been able to fight off Germany and Prussia and save some of their populations from the Nazis? Maybe so many of their people wouldn't have boarded those ships to America? Maybe Lithuania wouldn't have had to go with Russia and be under Soviet Union control? Maybe they could have avoided communist rule altogether? Maybe their economies would not be, for lack of a better term, in the toilet? These thoughts buzzed about in Lithuania's mind until a sneeze from Poland brought him back to reality.

"Ugh, I think I might be totes getting a cold," the blond sighed, sitting in front of the fire. Lithuania brought the two mugs of coffee into his living room, passing one of them to Poland. "Thanks, Liet," he said just as he brought the hot liquid to his lips. "This is just what I needed."

"Poland?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm really sorry."

Poland looked up from his coffee, not amused. "Stop talking about all that shit that happened between us, would you?" he nearly begged. "At least during this season."

Lithuania shook his head. "But I can't help but think that-!"

"Then stop thinking!" the blond insisted. "You don't have to constantly think, Liet, really. I will totally not think any less of you if let things go once in a while."

Let things go. It was a new concept to Lithuania, who had a hard time forgetting even the tiniest of slip-ups. It was part of his personality, but that also came from many years living under Russia. If things weren't perfect for him, things weren't good for anyone. Therefore, Lithuania always felt a need to make things as perfect as possible for all people. The idea of letting something go was not in him.

Poland suddenly smiled. "I totally know what you're thinking," he said, breaking the silence. "And you're wrong. I don't think anything would have changed for either of us if we had stayed together in our union. Looking back on it, you totally had balls to challenge me, and it was probably for the better."

"But, Poland..."

"Liet," the blond continued, cutting him off, "let's just be friends now."

Lithuania had no idea of where this rational side of Poland was coming from. They had known each other for hundreds of years, and yet Lithuania had never once seen the blond so put-together, so logical about anything. It was a welcomed sight, and Lithuania figured that there was no better time for it to show.

He nodded. "Yes, I think that will work." He sat down next to his friend in front of the fireplace and sipped his coffee.

"We both, like, totally suck at relationships, but we should at least be able to suck at them together."

"Heh...I like that."

"Want to spend Christmas with me?"

Lithuania jerked his head towards the blond and was about to say something when he heard his cell phone make a buzzing noise. He picked it up from the floor and opened it, only to see a text message from Iceland.

"Srry i was so mean. bad day 2day. :( i'll come c u sumtime after x-mas. -ice"

Lithuania smiled and closed his cell. "Yes."

"Hmm?" Poland sipped more of his coffee. "What was that about?"

"Nothing," the Baltic replied, still smiling. "Nothing at all."

"So...do you wanna spend Christmas with me or not?"

Lithuania looked over at his friend and grinned. "You came all the way here just to ask that, didn't you?"

Poland blushed a light shade of pink that looked red from the glow of the fire. He looked down at his coffee and wrinkled his nose. "Maybe."

Lithuania's smile softened. "Sure. I'll come spend Christmas with you."

"Nu-uh," the blond said back, sipping his coffee again. "Your place. You totally need to save money."

"That's coming from you?"

"You need to save money so you can buy me a fabulous present."

There was the usual Poland. Lithuania smiled widely again and gazed into the fire before them, sipping his coffee. They sat in a comfortable silence, letting the heat from the fire warm them and keep their coffee hot. At one point, Poland rested his head against Lithuania's shoulder and murmured, "I didn't sleep well last night because I was busy traveling here."

Lithuania laughed. "I knew it."

Poland smirked. "Monster."

"You are."

"Like, we both are."

Strange agreement.

But it worked for them.

END