This fic is dedicated to RedKingOfCake, because I said so.

"Fuck." Prussia muttered, shoving a small mountain of untouched paperwork aside. "Fuck. Where is that card? I set it down right here, in a totally awesome manner, and now it's nowhere to be found! Gilbird!" he barked at the small yellow ball of fluff, "search harder! This card is affirmation of Mattie's love for me and I'm not letting it go just like that!"

Meanwhile, Canada paused at the top of the stairs. He was trying very hard not to laugh. Prussia could be so adorable! And while it was a shame that the card had gone missing, it didn't really matter.

"Did Hungary give this to you?" Switzerland asked after an uncomfortable silence.

"Yes." Austria replied tersely. The card had been lazily set on the piano, and it looked like it hadn't been touched since. "I don't know why she bothers. I never get anything for her."

Though it went unsaid, they both knew that this was because Austria was a bit on the cheap side.

Just like Switzerland.

"If you're still looking for something to give to Liechtenstein, you're free to take it." said the brunet, a bit stiffly.

"Thanks..." Switzerland replied, knowing this would be the closest he would ever get to a Valentine from Austria. "Hey, wait a minute! Are you saying I won't buy a Valentine myself because I'm cheap?"

Liechtenstein was a bit upset. She could not, for the life of her, find the card that her big brother had given her! And it was such a sweet card, too!

Naturally, she didn't notice the purple hair bow snagged on a bush nearby.

"Broootheerrr... I've got a Valentine's day card for you!"

Belarus's plan was foolproof. Give Russia the card, Russia realizes his undying love for her, get married and all will be well. And if that didn't work, she had some chloroform with her, too.

Russia jumped in his seat.

"Oh... hi, Belarus." he said, trying to smile, but shaking with fear. "A card? How nice!"

She shoved it into his arms.

"Did Ukraine get you a card? I bet she didn't. She isn't worthy of your love. I, however-"

"Da, da. I got you something, too! It's in my car, I'll go get it."

For a few crucial minutes, Belarus believed him. And then she heard the sounds of a car starting up and driving away.

"Next year I'll get him."

"Mister Russia, what's that?"

"A card from Belarus."

Lithuania looked at it.

"It's pretty nice... no bloodstains or anything..."

"You can have it, then." Russia said with an eerie smile, shoving the card into Lithuania's hand. With that, the larger nation turned on his heel and left the room.

Lithuania inspected the card. Was it really from Belarus? It was far too simple, sweet and subtle. Still, it had been in Belarus's presence and that was enough for Lithuania.

"So you stole it? You actually stole it?"

"It's not like that! I... I just... I just saw it there and didn't know it belonged to anyone!" Latvia insisted. "A-a-and then, when I found out that it was Lithuania's, it was too late for me to put it back! And I can't just return it to him, because then he'll know I took it!"

"Give it to me!" Sealand said. "So, you know, you won't get caught with it or anything! And then I'll sneak it back into Lithuania's paperwork or something! What could go wrong?"

"I f'nd th's in P'ter's backpack..."

Finland looked up.

"Is that a Valentine's card? How sweet!" he exclaimed. "Who's it for? Or from?"

"Doesn't say..." Sweden replied, handing his "wife" the card. Finland looked it over.

"That's weird... it's not like anything he would make..."

"Th't's what I w's thinking."

"Let's ask him about it later." Finland said, pocketing the card.

"Did Sweden give that to you?"

"This?" Finland held up the card. "No. He always gives his gift right on Valentine's day. This is a mysterious, unaddressed card Sweden found in Sealand's backpack."

"He was going through Sealand's backpack?" asked Norway. "You two are so nosy..."

"It was due for a cleaning!" Finland insisted.

"Whatever you say." Norway replied, rolling his eyes. "If you want, I could examine the card for any traces of dark magic..."

"Really? Thanks!"

"What's up with you?" asked Iceland. He had wandered into the dining room to find Denmark staring intently at a white Valentine's day card on the table.

"I found this on Norge's desk when I was looking for him to ask if he had seen my ax anywhere." Denmark replied, still staring at it. "Was he planning to give this to someone? Who, then? Or had he received it from a secret admirer? WHO? Would it be someone Norge would choose over me? Or is it FOR someone Norge has ALREADY chosen over me?"

"It's giving you a lot of grief, hmm?"

"Unbelievable grief. But then, what if it's meant for me? Have I ruined the surprise? WHAT DO I DO, ICE?"

The silver-haired boy sighed, and held out his hand.

"Give it to me, and I'll ask Norway about it without seeming like I ever spoke to you."

"You'd do that, for me?"

"Yeah..." Iceland said, crossing his fingers behind his back.

"Thanks, Ice!"

February fourteenth.

Singles Awareness day.

Hearts and Hooves day.

Valentine's day.

The meeting room was decked with hearts and streamers, courtesy of Poland and France. Some countries were arguing, some were making awkward eye contact and others were confessing their undying love for their Valentines.

Hong Kong was sulking.

He had not noticed the card was missing until five minutes before he was supposed to set out to go to the meeting. If he had noticed earlier, he could have made a new card, but now he had no chance of ever replicating that damn piece of paper that he had poured his heart into.

All he had now was paperwork and a ballpoint pen. Certainly not the materials he needed to make another card.

Naturally, the first thing he had done when he found the card missing was to confront Korea, who claimed he saw China throw it away. When he checked the wastebasket, though, Hong Kong could find neither hide nor hair of the elusive Valentine.

He watched bitterly as a blushing Britain gave a bouquet of peonies to China, whose face went scarlet. He watched Norway give Denmark a kiss on the cheek after checking to see if anyone was looking. He watched Prussia present Canada with a giant bottle of maple syrup. He watched Spain pull Romano onto his lap. He made a point of not watching France, as the blond nation was wearing little more than a rose.

America was strangely subdued, and everyone could see that Germany's attempts at order were failing epically. No one cared, though. It was Valentine's day and no one gave a damn about the world meeting.

By this point, Hong Kong was sure that someone else had probably claimed Iceland as their Valentine. It made him sick to think about it. Iceland was too adorable for his own good.

"Hong Kong?"

The brunet looked up, and amber eyes met blue.

"Hey Iceland." Hong Kong said, trying to maintain his usual poker face.

Iceland managed what looked like a shy smile.

It was painfully endearing.

"I know you think Valentine's day is a load of hooplah, and frankly, I agree with you, but... here." blushing, Iceland handed Hong Kong a piece of paper.

A very familiar piece of paper.

Hong Kong stared at it.

"Wh... where did you get this?"

Iceland averted his eyes.

"I... it was giving Denmark some grief, so I relieved him of it."

"And where did Denmark get it?"

"Nicked it from Norway." Iceland said, looking confused and suspicious at the bombardment of questions.

"And where did-"

"I don't know!" Iceland exclaimed, thoroughly exasperated with Hong Kong's shenanigans. "If this is how you're going to react when someone gives you a Valentine, then I don't see why I even bother!"

"Sorry!" Hong Kong said quickly, realizing that he was ignoring this beautiful moment in favor in tracking down a paper's path. "I... really, thank you. Sorry I don't, like, have anything for you..."

"That's alright. No more than I expected." Iceland said, expression blank. He turned to head back to his seat. "Happy Valentine's day, I guess."

Dammit, I'm royally screwing this up, aren't I. Do something quick, or he'll hate you forever.

"Iceland..."

All Hong Kong could think to do was get up and grab the northern European nation's hand.

"What?" asked Iceland, irritation dripping heavily from that single syllable.

"That card... I made it. I wanted to, like, give it to you." Hong Kong said. "I have no idea how it ended up with your brother. I guess I forgot to sign it or something."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can be kinda forgetful sometimes."

"No, I mean... did you really make it for me?"

Hong Kong nodded, suddenly aware that he was still holding Iceland's hand.

"Be my Valentine?" Hong Kong asked. It was the first thing that came to mind.

Iceland blinked, and then smiled softly and nodded.

Hong Kong could not help but do a fist pump of victory.

Valentine's day isn't that bad...