Part 2: Konijn van Olland
Characters: Netherlands and France.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the mentioned characters. They belong to Hidekaz Himaruya.
Netherlands' green eyes were pasted onto the painting when a loud knocking disrupted his moment of admiration. His eyes slowly shifted to the door and he wondered if Belgium had returned. He shook his head as he walked down the stairs. Belgium had an own set of keys so there would be no need for her to knock unless she had forgotten them.
He had reached the door and opened it to find an unexpected male pressing orange roses in his face. Netherlands wanted to abruptly push the bouquet away but was immediately taken in by the smoothening scent of the flowers. He closed his eyes and felt the sweet aroma fill his nose.
"Aha~. I knew you'd like them, mon ami!"
The voice broke through the smoothening aroma and Netherlands grabbed the wrist of the smiling Frenchman. He carefully removed the flowers from the other male's grip and held them close to his chest. Francis ran his fingers through his hair and opened his mouth to speak but was met with a door slamming in his face. Netherlands had turned and casually closed to door after he had gotten inside. Francis was left outside of the mansion, dumbfounded and slightly hurt.
"Oi, oi, oi, oi, OI! Pays-Bas! Lemme in! How rude! Gimme the flowers back!"
Francis hammered his fist on the large wooden door as he continued to call out to the flower-stealing thief. The door was opened again, but only Netherlands could be seen. The bouquet of orange roses were not in his hands. Francis eyed him up and down, wondering where the other had left them in such a short amount of time.
"What did you come here for, France?"
"Ah gee! Call me Francis already~!"
"State your purpose."
"Tch, no need to get all agitated."
Francis crossed his arms over his chest and it was then Netherlands first noticed the black suit he was wearing. A light blue tie hung neatly from his neck and matched the bow in his blonde hair. It was one of the few times Netherlands saw Francis dressed so formally. Then realization hit him.
"If you're here for Belgium, then you're too late. Spain escorted her already."
Francis smiled widely and placed his hand on the broad chest of the male in front of him. His free hand reached into the pocket of his jacket and he revealed a similar orange rose as the bouquet. He brought it to his nose and gently inhaled its scent. His eyes looked up at the staring Dutchman.
"Oh, but I'm not here for Belgium, mon ami. I'm here for y-"
Netherlands took Francis' arm and twisted him around, putting pressure on the limb as he glared down upon the blonde. Francis whimpered and dropped the rose in order to try and get away from Netherlands' grip of pain. The rose fell onto the ground and lay lifeless between fumbling feet. The Dutchman had noticed the empty hands of the Frenchman and pushed the other away. He leant down on one knee and picked up the fallen rose. It looked so fragile and so sad. A beautiful rose like this should never have to experience being thrown away.
Francis held his agonizing arm and turned to look at the kneeled man. The angry expression on his face withered as he stared at Netherlands' pose. He rubbed his arm and found it suddenly awkward to speak. After a few seconds of silence, Francis nervously spoke, though mostly to himself.
"Gee, how rude.. First my flowers get stolen and a door is slammed into my face. Then I get cut off whilst speaking.. I can't recall you being so rude compared to the time I ruled here."
Green eyes looked up and met blue ones. The silence returned and the kneeling man straightened his posture. The rose was clutched in his hand, his palm slightly stinging from the thorns. A rose with thorns, yes. That would probably be the best way to describe Francis. Interesting upon sight and approach, but painful once you get to close and get your finger pierced by the thorn.
The tight grip upon the rose eased and Netherlands twirled the rose in between his fingers. Maybe the Frenchman wasn't too bad. Especially compared to that annoying cheerful Spaniard. It actually hadn't been that stressful when Francis ruled over his country. Or was it because it was only for a period of eighteen years? Netherlands smiled and it caught Francis off guard.
"W-Why are you smiling..? What's so funny?"
"Hmm.. 'Konijn van Olland'", Netherlands mumbled and a chuckle followed.
Francis frowned shortly and sought for a reference to this mysterious sentence and chuckle. A certain name popped up into his mind and he laughed softly. Of course, Lodewijk Napoleon Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. How could Francis have forgotten the man of his own country which was well liked by the Netherlands during the French occupants.
Netherlands had been a Republic until France appointed Lodewijk Napoleon Bonaparte (Louis Bonaparte) to rule over what he called "Koninkrijk Holland" from 1806 until 1810. The patriotic side of Netherlands had trouble to find peace with the sudden monarch which his country had become. Not only that but his country had become a so called "sister-republic" of the French Empire.
However, Louis Bonaparte was different than Netherlands had expected him to be. He had closely watched as Louis argued with his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte, about new rules which he had to enroll. The French governor was different from all the others who had tried to take control of the Dutchman. Louis attempted to learn the Dutch language and tried hard to be a responsible, independent ruler of Holland. Ever since the governor set foot in the country, Netherlands knew Louis Bonaparte was not suited for the role he had been given. The French man had smiled at him and introduced himself as the "Konijn van 'Olland" ("Rabbit of 'Olland"), rather than "Koning van Holland" ("King of Holland"). As stoic as Netherlands was, even he had to turn and laugh at the man's words. Just for a moment he actually felt less restless about the French occupation knowing that this man was going to give the orders in his land.
It was during that time that Netherlands and Francis were often found together; Francis sipping his Cabernet Sauvignon wine and Netherlands drinking his Heineken beer. The time they shared together like this was short, because soon Netherlands discovered that his bond with France was one-sided. Netherlands had agreed to pay the other nation for a French army of occupation of 25,000 till the Napoleonic Wars would end. France's only purpose was draining as many resources (food, money and soldiers) as possible for the benefit of himself. He would even negotiate with England, promising him Dutch colonies just to get the tea-slurping man of his back.
In the end Netherlands was relieved when Francis had finally decided to leave him alone. It was best to keep him on a distance so the Dutchman could forget the hurtful lies that laid beneath their bond. However, once you get pierced by a thorn, you will never forget the pain it causes. And so, even though Francis had been a far better companion to Netherlands than Antonio, he kept him on a distance as he was afraid to get pierced again.
Netherlands sighed deeply and looked from the rose to the Frenchman. He saw Francis holding the arm where Netherlands had put pressure on. Guilt slowly swept into his body and made him feel quite uncomfortable. Frantic green eyes looked for a place to rest upon. They settled on the vase with the orange roses Francis had brought. Netherlands had many vases in his mansion and most were filled with water. Foreign people knew he favoured flowers over chocolate, in comparison to Belgium, and so he had always a vase filled with water near to gratefully receive the gifts.
He should be grateful yet he had snatched the roses from Francis' grip and even hurt him after he had offered him another rose.
"Het spijt me."
"Hah? What are you talking about?"
"About hurting you.. I'm sorry. And thanks.. for the flowers."
Netherlands turned to Francis and gave him a small apologizing smile. Francis blinked his eyes before a big smile spread upon his face. The pain in his arm was forgotten and he waved his hand at the guilty Dutchman.
"Aha~. No need to apologize, mon ami! I guess you are indeed what they call the 'tsundere' type of guy, hmhm! Yes, most definitely the 'tsundere' type. Even the look you're giving me now compared to that innocent and sincere look you had just a moment ago; trés bien! But you know, you look so cute when smelling flowers. I bet a lot of girls would fall for you, oh, or even guys! I don't even know which you prefer. Do you like a femme or a homme? Maybe both? Aha~ That really wouldn't surprise me, you know~"
Netherlands felt agitation slowly making his hands itchy as the blonde continued to ramble about his personality. That's it, it was time for Francis to go. Netherlands has had too much of him for one night. He took Francis by the shoulders and turned him around. Francis stopped talking and looked over his shoulder.
"Good night, Francis."
"Oh! You called me Francis! Aha~ I'm so touched by y- GAH!"
Netherlands looked pleased as Francis rolled down the stairs which led to the front door. He stopped at the end with a small thud and started to complain immediately. All Netherlands did was turn and hold the rose up high as he walked back into the mansion, closing the door softly. Francis was left on the ground with his black suit covered in small dots of loose mud.
"AH! How rude! Pays-Bas, you meanie! Come back out here, I'm not done with you, la merde!"
Netherlands leaned against the front door and sighed upon hearing Francis' call. He decided not to pay attention any longer and strolled towards the vase with orange roses. He carried it tightly against his chest but without breaking it. These would look lovely on his dinner table.
Note:
- "Pays-Bas" means "Netherlands" in French.
- "Mon ami" means "My friend" in French.
- "Het spijt me" means "I'm sorry" in Dutch.
- "Très bien" means "Very good" in French.
- "Femme" means "Female" in French.
- "Homme" means "Male" in French.
- "La merde" means something like "Shit" in French, lol
- Lodewijk Napoleon Bonaparte is the Dutch name for Louis Bonaparte.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. Its origin lies in Médoc, in the Bordeaux region of France.
- Heineken is beer made by a Dutch brewing company. Most Heineken is sold in its originated country, but it is currently sold In 170 countries.
- Tsundere is a Japanese character development process which describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time.
A/N: Yes, this is part 2. And yes, it's Francis who knocked upon Netherlands' door. Why? Hm, I guess we'll never know? Or will there be a third part to explain it all? Who knows~
Um, I described Francis as a rose: "Interesting upon sight and approach, but painful once you get to close and get your finger pierced by the thorn." harhar aint that deep? I bet Francis would be pleased, about the first part at least.
And I had to take advantage of Netherlands' tsundere personality. At first I was like "meh, he aint that type at all", but I guess he simply is, lol.
I don't really know what this has to do with the separation between Netherlands and Belgium, but yeah. Just to show the bond between Netherlands and France, I suppose, since France shortly annexed Netherlands in 1810 until... ah, I forgot. No wait, 1813, it just popped back into my head.
So tell me, how did I do describing Netherlands' and Francis' personality? Fail? lol Damn I've never written such a long comment before o.0 I shall be quiet now *eats cookie*
