Is it True or Forced Love?

by I.heart.good.fiction

"Get married or it's over." Switzerland can hardly comprehend the order from his boss. He's always loved Lili, but does he love her THAT way? Well if he doesn't, or she doesn't, Vash will be forced to evict her. He has 7 days to marry or get rid of her.

4. Confessions

(*Ahem* This chapter is 18,000 words long. I ** you not, it is that long. EIGHTEEN FREAKING THOUSAND WORDS. So get a snack and settle down; and DON'T BLAST ME FOR THE LONG AN CAUSE I GAVE YOU A FREAKING 18,000 WORD CHAPTER!

This is what happens when I can't update for a week...

Oh, also please, if you skip the next section of the AN in Italics, please read the bolded AN.

---

I used to PM people individually and thank them for reviews, alerts, and favorites, but I am so overwhelmed with the success of this story that I can't do that anymore...

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This story has been my big break. I've never gotten such overwhelming positive feedback. So *drumroll please* I present the first ever Reviewer Award Ceremony!

AMAZING AWARD OF YOU ARE AWESOME- A rare award given to the people who have Reviewed, Favorited, and Alerted my story!

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---

I added waayyyy more to this chapter, so those of you who I already mailed the chapter to, this chapter has three new scenes added. The beginning is the same, but don't be fooled...I added a ton more to this because people said the proposal was too rushed.

WARNING: I have not read the manga yet (working on it) and have seen very little of Prussia, so if he is OOC, I apologize. I did my best. Oh, and Austria is terribly OOC in this, apologies.

---

Day 3: The Confessions

"Any further and we'll be in the red."

"I know."

"What of the girl?"

A crooked smile formed on the nation's lips.

"She is as good as ours. You would not believe what I just discovered."

The boss appeared confused. "What?"

"Apparently the Swiss boss is tired of supporting the girl for nothing. He told Zwingli to get rid of her by the end of the week."

The boss sighed in relief.

"Then we're set. We just have to wait a week, then seize her..."

"Oh, I'll seize her vital regions," laughed the country. "But there is a twist."

"Oh."

"Apparently there's a loophole; if Zwingli gets her to be engaged to him by the end of the week, he can keep her."

"But he won't! She's like his sister, right?"

He shook his head.

"I thought so too, but I did a little spying just to check...and unfortunately, they were fooling around in her room."

"Ugh..."

"Yeah, I know. So it's simple; we just have to 'kidnap' the girl."

"Kidnap?"

"It'd be easier than invading. Swiss may be rusty, but he is still very strong. We'll try to make her leave by her own free will first."

"You think he'd even put up a fight? He's been neutral in every war for as long as I remember."

Prussia laughed. "If it's Lili I'm after, he'll fight with all he's got."

"So what do we do once we have her?"

Gilbert leaned back in his chair with an easy smile.

"Easy. I "marry" the girl, force her to sign the contract anyway...and then there is nothing Zwingli can do, even if he gets her back. It takes two weeks to annul a marriage contract. Then, with Lili's money, I will throw the most fantastic wedding ever seen, and Zwingli will have to come with all the other nations." He chuckled. "I'll probably divorce her quick once I have the money, though. I hate marrying for power."

Vash wasn't going to have as much time as he thought.

---

Thunder boomed and lightning flashed very near to the house. Switzerland was a light sleeper, always ready to spring up and attack anyone who might attempt to assassinate him in the night. The Swiss man needed little sleep as it was.

He lay in bed that night, awaiting the end of the storm, when he heard a scream. Dashing out of the room, he bolted toward's Liechtenstein's door and silently cursed himself for not setting up high tech security devices around it...what if someone tried to harm her? Prussia or France or anyone else...they could come into her room with little difficulty...

He burst in through the door, and found the girl scrunched up in fear under the covers, gripping them tightly with her tiny white hands. Yesterday had marked her first year living with him in the house; she was barely ten at the moment.

"Liechtenstein, what's the matter?" asked the teenager, realizing the thunder had probably scared her.

"I...I had a terrible dream. And the thunder is scary...I'm sorry to wake you up. You can go back to sleep."

He shook his head. "I was already awake, don't worry."

He sat beside her on the bed. "What happened, can you tell me?"

She shook her head, though one hand was clutching his, trembling. "It's fine...please, you can go. I didn't mean to disturb you."

He sighed in disbelief. His heart was just beginning to melt with her constant consideration and selflessness, but he still was a little harsh at times with her. There was still a fair amount of fear and skepticism within him.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes," she whispered, and he could barely hear her above the pouring rain. He didn't believe her for an instant as he left her bed. Walking slowly, he shut his eyes tight and debated heavily with himself...

"I'm going soft," he thought. He remembered Austria's face, and was torn. Leaning heavily against a wall, he gnashed his teeth and clenched his fist.

"I can't...I can't...eh..."

He couldn't let his emotions betray him again.

"Bruder?"

He turned to face her, now at the doorframe. She was still hiding under the covers, but her green eyes peered out from under the blanket; they were full of fear and admiration.

Liechtenstein, the girl who had spent nearly all her time trying to win his admiration, and never once complained, griped, or cried, now was shriveled in fear; for the night was the same as the night she had been alone. Looking at the floor as he passed through the doorframe, she let out a tiny whimper.

And with that one whimper she broke his heart.

He sighed and returned to the bedside, and silently, without a word, he lifted her gently out of the bed, holding her to his chest.

He could feel wet tears against his cheek, and shook his head. What a gift she was; he knew in that moment, he could trust her, he could believe in her. She was his only hope.

It was dark as he took her to his bedroom; she rarely ever went in there. He laid her on the bed and did not feel the slightest bit awkward as he climbed in beside her.

The storm was still strong, though its power was diminishing, and he looked at her face, illuminated by lighting. There was a small smile on her lips, and that ever present look of admiration in her eyes.

"Bruder?"

"Yes, Liechtenstein?"

"Thank you. So much...I was so afraid..."

He patted her head, though he didn't smile. He hadn't smiled in years, and was not to smile for years.

"Don't worry about it." He took a deep breath as he whispered softly, "If the bear or monster or whatever was in your dream comes back, I'll shoot it, okay?"

His rifle was still next to his bed.

She quivered, and shook her head slightly.

"That wasn't it..."

"Oh?"

"I dreamed...I dreamed that I couldn't find you. That I looked everywhere and I couldn't find you."

He didn't know what to say to that; he just opened his mouth, and then closed it.

"She thinks so much of me...and I barely understand how to act around her..."

Still rough around the edges, he simply muttered,

"Well I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave this place."

He'd shut himself in and was never going out.

Slowly, Switzerland, though still lost in a muse, turned his back to her, and tried to fall asleep.

She nervously fretted, not wanting to disturb him, but finally closed her eyes tightly and squeaked, "Bruder?"

He sighed. "Yes, Liechtenstein?" He still was edgy about warming up to her, though he was slowly accepting it.

Suddenly her arms were wrapped around him tightly, and his eyes widened.

"I love you!" she cried, burying her small head in his back and shuddering.

He lay there, stunned, for nearly a minute, as she clutched him as if her life depended on it.

He could hear the words play over and over again in his head.

I love you.

No one had ever said that to him before.

"Liechtenstein?"

"Bruder?"

He turned to face her, and returned her hug.

"Thank you."

---

Vash hadn't seen a thunderstorm like that ever again.

Until tonight.

He looked at the rain pouring against the window with nostalgia, remembering the night Lili first told him she loved him.

He fingered the cross on his arm, where so long Alessandra had made her mark on him.

"Hmm."

Switzerland hadn't slept much since his boss' new command. He was always thinking, always remembering, always regretting.

There was the sound of faint footsteps, and even in the rain he could hear them. Vash didn't even turn to face her.

"Lili?"

"Can I sleep with you?"

Somehow it didn't sound the same now that she was fifteen...

"Aren't you getting a little old for this?"

"..."

Sigh. "Come on."

She climbed in beside him, and he felt his face flush wildly; thank God it was dark. His back was turned to her and he was afraid to move.

He shut his eyes tightly when her hand stole its way to his waist, and she wrapped her arms around him.

Now, with her head level to his, her legs reached past his kneecaps. Lili had grown up.

Now I'm definitely not going to get any sleep.

This was quite odd, really...Liechtenstein hadn't slept with him since she was a little girl. Something felt very wrong here...

"Do you like that, brother?"

He could feel cold sweat starting to pour down his forehead.

"Wh-what?" he stuttered. Her voice sounded so...mischievous!

"Mm, I bet you like that..." she whispered, silently laughing.

Vash was really starting to panic now. "What the hell is wrong with her?-!"

"Brother, we haven't played any games in a long time..."

She's gone mad! She's demented!

"Would you like to play a game with me?"

"I knew I shouldn't have let her hang out with Belarus!"

Suddenly her hands were reaching for his shirt buttons.

"Uwahh!" he moaned, terrible awkward noises coming from his throat...

"Li-Lili! What're you do-"

"Don't you want to play? C'mon, it'll be fun!"

"Augh! Lili, no, I can't possibly violate...violate you..." he stumbled, petrified at the feel of cold hands on his chest.

"AWWAHHHHHHH..."

---

"...HHHHHHHH!"

"Vash, Vash! Wake up, stop it!"

Vash's eyes burst open.

He was still breathing heavy and wanted to throw up.

Switzerland turned away from Lili and covered his face with his gloved hands, wishing desperately for a paper bag. It was difficult not to hyperventilate.

"DREAMS now?-! And I thought Holy Rome was bad..."

He looked at the ceiling angrily.

"I swear it isn't like that! I don't want to do anything like that to Liechtenstein, stop sending me these kinds of visions, God!"

"Switzy?"

Her face was innocent yet again...he feared that he would never be able to see her in the same way.

"Oh...Brother...I mean, Vash...?"

"Huh...Yeah, Yes?"

"You look very...red."

Switzerland had been blushing a lot lately but this was beyond the usual.

"Um..."

He'd been taking a nap. The previous long, sleepless nights had taken their toll on him, and he'd apologized but needed a break. Lili had quietly been working around the house, sewing and mending, seeing as the maids were no longer there.

"You were thrashing around and mumbling...something about playing a game?"

"EHP! I mean, uhm..."

She saw sheer terror in his eyes, something she'd never seen in Switzerland before. Then they turned to a look of anger.

He was so angry right now; at everything.

"I have to go!"

"What?-!"

"I mean...I need to take a walk. I'll be back soon, alright?"

"Won't you please tell me what's wrong?"

"NO!"

She shrunk back, the blouse she had been fixing held up against her mouth.

Switzerland frowned.

"I can't do anything right, now can I?" he thought begrudgingly, trying to control his temper.

"Rrr...Eh...Sorry, it's just..."

"Why don't you trust me, Vash?" she whimpered, but then shook her head vigorously. "Oh! Forgive me...of course your plans are far above my head...you don't want me bothering you-"

"Lili..." he interrupted painfully. "It's not that...it's...I don't want to worry you. And..."

He looked at his gloves and played with the stitching in irritation.

"... I'm dealing with a lot of...new feelings...I don't understand...Oh, forget it!" After that he could say nothing. He donned his cap and coat, grabbed his rifle, and was out the door.

---

Vash hated leaving Lili alone in the house, but as far as he knew, nobody but the servants realized the house was empty.

Unfortunately, he had a bit of a hot chocolate habit, which he hadn't told anybody about yet; it was starting to take over his life and he was considering seeing a therapist about his addiction. Until then, he needed to travel to the market and buy Swiss Miss, and until the servants returned to milk the cow, he needed to buy milk.

Hot chocolate would soothe his wracked nerves. He didn't like being mean like this to Lili, but he didn't know how else to deal with his feelings a lot of the time.

By the time he had reached town, he had calmed down considerably, and for the time being, he was thinking of other things.

He traveled alertly through the street, fingers tightly clutching his sidearm. Anywhere else in the world this might have been strange, but in Switzerland everyone was always on guard.

His eyes scanned the crowd with distrust; anywhere an intruder could be lurking.

He was right.

Though he was hiding in the shadows, Switzerland picked up on Gilbert's gray head of hair immediately and let out a battle cry, raising his rifle.

The Swiss people analyzed the situation with alarm; when they realized their mascot nation was attacking an intruder, they immediately joined him and began to close in on Gilbert.

But when Vash rounded the corner, he was gone.

"After him!" he cried. "Find him!"

The townspeople were quickly backed by law enforcement, but there was no sign of Prussia. Switzerland growled, annoyed that he'd missed the fool the first time he shot. He commanded the police to find Gilbert, and was off.

Quickly he rushed home, pondering what to do next and wishing he'd had time to get hot chocolate. Suddenly he remembered Lili...Lili was home alone!

He bolted down the path to his house, brushing people and animals aside.

"My God, what if he's already there, and she's all by herself...Stupid chocolate habit! What was I thinking leaving her alone-"

He burst through the door and was met with a very hot liquid splattering in his face and a scream.

Switzerland yelped and clutched his face, trying to soothe his burning skin and open his eyes; that scream had been Lili's, he had to see if she was hurt!

A bit of the liquid dribbled into his mouth and he realized...it was chocolate?

He opened his eyes painfully and noted Liechtenstein, empty mug in hand, on the floor, her uniform utterly soaked and her hair in a tussle.

"Oh! Switzy, I'm so sorry this hot chocolate was supposed to be for you...you were so upset and I know it soothes your nerves... it's ruined now! How stupid of me to stand behind the door..."

His eyes were just wide with shock.

"Are you burned? Wait...we had hot chocolate the whole time?-!" he exclaimed.

She shook her head. "I'm fine, I'm just so sorry it's ruined...and I'm sorry my uniform won't match yours..."

He threw his hands up in disbelief at the girl. "Does she always think of everyone but herself?"

"Will you ever stop being so silly and think for a change?-!" Vash scolded.

"I really am sorry it's messed up-"

"Not the damn chocolate, Lili, you could have been burned! Take better care of yourself, for C-" he faltered, "...for crying out loud!"

He never swore in front of Lili, who now looked very ashamed.

Switzerland sighed and cursed himself. Why did he always wind up making her feel bad?

Vash joined her on the floor and dabbed at the mess with a kerchief. By the time he was done the rag was completely soaked; he started to feel sticky, because he'd been drenched in the liquid as well.

Lili looked up at him with her green pools of glass, and felt her heart skip a beat with nervousness. "I've been awful bold these past few days...But he hasn't seemed to have minded very much. I wonder if that means anything...I know he's not really angry, but I hate to make him worry."

"V-Vash?" she whispered timidly.

"Yes?"

"You...You have some on your face."

"Oh...well the cloth is soaked, I'll have to get another-"

"Wait! I mean, eh, I can get it, it's only a little tiny streak running down your left cheek..."

He saw that she looked petrified and wondered why, but nodded silently. "Go ahead," he said, skepticism surfacing. He observed her actions carefully...

And suddenly she was on his lap, drawing closer.

"Ehhh..." He became very flustered at her advance, for he had not been anticipating her bold move.

His imagination didn't even have time to flare up before she placed both hands on either side of his head, and closed the distance between them.

Switzerland shut his eyes tight and could almost feel the steam rising off of him, his face totally red with embarrassment.

"My God, she's going to kiss me!"

All the realizations of what this meant did not have time to dawn on him; but he knew enough to wrap his arms around her and further speed her approach.

"This is it," he thought in a daze, preparing for the feel of her soft lips...He could already feel the press of her breasts against his chest, which made him nearly hyperventilate.

"Ow!" she cried, and he jumped back. "Brother, you smacked me into your cheek!"

Epic Fail.

"Ooh! Oops, sorry..."

She was still entwined in his arms, and Lili felt herself go red; but it was too late to back out now.

Liechtenstein couldn't help but wonder why he'd slammed her into him like that, but decided to proceed...quickly.

Cautiously, she extended her tongue and quickly licked off the streak of hot chocolate.

Switzerland's eyes sort of glazed over at this. He gave her that new fiery look she was beginning to understand, a look he'd never really sported until recently. Lili gave a subtle gasp, realizing the depth of his gaze.

"Lil..." he whispered, placing a hand behind her back and pressing her close.

"Eh?"

"You have some on your face too."

"Oh..." she said softly, as he put a hand on her chin, turning her face so that she was forced to look into his eyes. Her lips quivered, and she trembled with fear, but his face was full of confidence as he smiled. She shut her eyes in embarrassment, but he knew he had full control over her.

He licked a dribble that ran down her mouth, and felt her seize up with tension; but as he finished and looked her eyes, she succumbed to his touch and went limp.

"Vash..."

Her kiss was so soft, so delicate...He embraced her tightly, pushing further, taking her to the floor when...

"Um...Switzy?" Lili interrupted. He'd been staring into space with a sort of creepy smile, mumbling.

"AAAGGGGGHHHHHH!" Vash screamed and clutched both sides of his head.

Lili yelped and jumped off his lap.

He put a hand over his mouth to keep from hyperventilating. "It gets worse each time!" he thought with a moan. "This has got to stop..."

"Vash! What's the matter, what did I do?-!"

He shook his head. "You did nothing, I just...I feel sick, I need to go!" he rose awkwardly and hurried off to his room. He tried to to brush her off as badly as before.

"But...wait!" she cried, grabbing his arm as he passed, but he shoved her away and ran.

"Oh..." she mumbled in disappointment, then sat in a heap. This was all her fault! She shouldn't have sat by the door so stupidly waiting for him to come...and she should have just got a napkin. Licking his face and sitting on his lap must have really creeped him out.

I feel sick...

Liechtenstein sniffled as she fetched some more paper towels to clean up the mess.

I feel sick...

A tear mingled with the chocolate. "I made him sick."

Vash ran to his room and slammed the door behind him, breathing heavy. He spread his arms across the back of the door, as if to keep it from opening, then sunk to his knees and covered his mouth.

"This is bad...this is bad, bad, bad! Why do I keep imagining dirty things?-! Why do I keep pushing her away?"

He closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to regain control. His bed was only a few feet away, but suddenly he seemed to be at a loss for strength. Sighing, he lowered himself to the floor and rest his head on the carpet. Weariness consumed him; he felt sometimes as if all the odds were against him.

People don't seem to understand the hardship that Switzerland suffered. His life had never been easy; having no one to raise him, he'd formulated his own ideas about how the world worked. Always, there was a sense of bitter regret in him. In truth, Liechtenstein had only occupied a very short amount of time in his life; she was like a breath of fresh air, a relief from a long period of his suffering.

Rain was always prevalent in Vash's life, it seemed, whenever there was a struggle. He faced the girl with a look of stoicism, though inwardly he pitied her immensely. She so closely resembled him that when he looked up, it was if he stared into a distorted kind of mirror.

"You are better fit for the job anyways," she sighed, and fell to her knees. The crowd roared, their thumbs all pointed downwards, and the boss gave the final nod.

Vash brandished his sword, but knelt down to meet her eyes. "Mother loved you most."

She turned away. "It doesn't matter now, does it?"

The crowd booed and the boss frowned. The final signature was to finish off your opponent; those who refused were not granted the rite.

"Just do it, Vash. I hope...I hope you find what you're looking for."

He refused to cry, for fear of them thinking him weak, but it was difficult.

"I lost mother already...how can I lose you?"

"They say we don't really die. Perhaps it is true. Now do it, before you are looked down upon."

Vash's tiny fingers clutched the rapier with resolve as he stood, a boy barely three and a half feet tall.

"Remember me, Vash." She pointed to the bloody mark she'd made upon his arm; it was in the shape of a red cross, and it was the only damage she'd been able to do him, though she herself was battered and bruised. He looked at the scar and muttered, "I will."

They stared in each other's eyes for the last time, and in that moment, Vash Zwingli took on the role of Switzerland.

"Goodbye, Alessandra."

"Goodbye, Vash."

He took her wrists gingerly in his hand, and she closed her eyes tightly. With a final gasp, he sliced the rapier across and watched her cry in pain, though her scream was lost in the roar of approval from the crowd.

Vash sighed as he rolled up his sleeve and stared at the mark. The scar had faded a lot since then, and was barely there anymore.

"You must define your flag, Zwingli. What colors do you want?" Vash stared at the place where Alessandra had cut him, now a white scar, that had once been blood red, and remembered her voice, far away...

"Remember me, Vash."

He nodded slowly and said... "Make it red. With a white cross in the center."

The sun had risen over Switzerland, and Vash remembered his role, the role he had fought for in the arena with Alessandra, and emerged victorious. He wondered how she was now, chained in the vault; surely she'd come to regret her decision.

"What is this," he murmured. "Why am I thinking of her again?" She had consumed his thoughts until Liechtenstein came, and had been the only real source of emotional worry for him...

The week before had been a tough one at work. The economy took careful balancing to keep in check, and he'd risen from virtually dirt to become one of the most successful in the world. Always, there was the stoic Switzerland, who befriended no one, gun at his side, looking over the Alps with a sneer.

Yes, no one understood the incredible amount of stress the Vash underwent. He always took it like a soldier and never complained; perhaps this was why no one understood him. Lili was his only relief, and with the thought of losing her, suddenly he felt as if he couldn't bear it.

He'd never spoken of Alessandra to anyone; most of the countries never spoke of their counterparts. It was a dark side of all of their lives they preferred to keep quiet. Most of the men, being stronger than the women, had been victorious over their female identities; but a few of the stronger girls had made it. Switzerland had often wondered how the dainty little Liechtenstein had ever had the courage to send a little boy to his death.

Switzerland tightly grasped the cross around his neck, trying to regain the control he'd so carefully built and was slowly losing.

"Darth Vash," he thought with regret. "He can't come out or I'll lose Lili for sure."

The thunderstorm of emotion that he always kept chained up inside was building, tired of being restrained; this rarely happened, but when it did, he often disappeared into the Alps for a few days to let it out. But now he had little time left to court Liechtenstein; he needed to stay with her and control himself.

Vash took a deep breath, and was analytical again, for the sake of calming himself. He formulated a plan, and heard a soft knock on his bedroom door.

"V-Vash? Are...are you okay?" Lili whimpered softly from outside the room.

He paused a moment, then murmured, "Come in, Liechtenstein."

She timidly opened the door, and found Vash at the window, staring into space. Softly she padded up to him, hands clutched in front of her, and whispered, "I'm so sorry..."

He did not turn to face her, but she noted that he looked very distressed.

"I'm so sorry I ruined your uniform-"

"I don't give a damn about the uniform, Lili!"

She shrank back, very afraid. "I'm sorry..." she blurted, so unhappy that he was unhappy.

He said nothing to her for a long while, then muttered, "What was his name?"

"Huh? Whose name?"

"Your counterpart, what was his name?"

Lili gasped, and wondered why that was bothering him. "Switzy, you know it's forbidden-" she whispered, but he cut her off.

"Who cares? What're they going to do to us? My boss is gone anyway. Tell me, what was his name?"

She looked at the floor and sighed. "I don't like to think about him...it makes me very sad...I couldn't kill him, he made it look like..." here she swallowed and shook her head. "His...his name was Ralph."

Vash looked in her eyes, though her gaze was fixed on the floor.

"Sweet Lili," he said softly. She didn't know how to say or feel; right now she was utterly confused and saddened by her brother's strange mood.

He sighed as he shut the blinds and said, "Pack your bags, Liechtenstein. We're going on a trip."

"Oh?" she asked, taken back a little by the sudden announcement. "Where are we going?"

"To my cabin in the Alps. I saw Prussia in the market today, but he got away when I attacked. It's not safe for you here while he's around, I want us to take a vacation until then."

Lili couldn't help but smile.

"Does...does that mean we get to visit my favorite place?"

He nodded in affirmation. "We can stop at the lake where we picnicked on the way back."

She clapped her hands in joy. "I'll set about fixing your uniform..." she said, but he shook his head in refusal.

"I've got plenty, don't worry. And I want you...I want you..." here he blushed, embarrassed at the request. He'd been debating whether or not to ask this or not, but he decided to do so. "I want you to wear the dresses I bought you."

Lili was puzzled. "But...how will I climb the mountain in a dress?" she asked.

He lifted a hand. "Don't worry about it, you'll see when we get there."

He'd never climbed a mountain whilst carrying another person in his arms, but Lili was light and there was a first time for everything.

"Oh...okay...I'll get packing. What should I prepare your bag with?"

He almost laughed, and was glad he could shake off his dark feelings for now.

"Lili, you're my friend, not my servant. I'll pack my own bag, just worry about yourself for once."

Liechtenstein stared at him in seemingly earnest innocence.

"Am I really?" she asked softly.

"Really what?"

"Your friend." The answer to that was so important to her.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and Switzerland did his best not show how he felt.

"Lili..."

How could she know? How could she know that her tiny little figure, clothed in a dress with a teacup in her hand, with little sense to her and not even a hint of a military, had saved him? How could she know that her compassion and never ending love for him had saved him from the prison of his memories, from his indifferent, neutral attitude towards the world, and ultimately, from himself?

Lili was his only hope, and his only weakness.

He reached out and touched her bow, then ran his fingers down the strand of hair, till he was holding the end of it in his hand.

"...you're much, much more than that to me."

She stood speechless in response, and saw a strange vulnerability in his eyes that he'd never shown before. She was unable to comprehend the sadness, and the gratitude within them.

"Thank you," he thought silently, then added with a firm nod, "I won't lose you."

"Run along now. Pack your things," he said, releasing her hair, his face returning to its neutral frown. She nodded quickly. "Yes, thank you!" and scampered off.

He watched her disappear through the doorframe and couldn't help but think that no matter how much time he had left with her, he was grateful for every second of it.

---

(This next section is my personal diss towards obnoxious American culture...though I am American and proud of it)

"Oh, crap," muttered Vash. Lili frowned at the sign though inwardly she was rejoicing.

They made a pretty picture, standing there in historic Switzerland. She was clad in a fur traveling dress, with a hat and scarf to accompany it. Vash, in his military uniform as always, held his arm out for her, which she grasped with a gloved hand.

"There's a roadblock?" he moaned, annoyed that he didn't know what was going on in his own country. It was his job to keep tabs on everything; a job that most of the other mascot countries ignored.

"Just a one week vacation, and everything falls apart," he grumbled.

"We'll just have to reroute down this street, it still leads to the mountain, right?" Liechtenstein asked.

Switzerland sighed. "Yes, but unfortunately, it leads through the tourist district..."

"And?"

"And it's swamped by Americans."

Switzerland could not stand Americans, but let them in for touristry only because they brought him a good deal of money.

"I remember boss mentioning Mr. America is going to visit this sector at some point...but I don't remember when."

He shook his head and hoped that it wasn't now; the last thing he needed was America's obnoxiousness hindering their journey.

They traveled down the street, and Lili resisted her urge to go into the little curio shops to buy souvenirs; Vash just took her hand and led her through the maze as quickly as possible. Finally they approached a huge building that wedged the end of the street, and it appeared as if there was no way around it.

"This is the worst part," Vash muttered.

"Isn't this a shopping mall?" Lili asked.

"Exactly."

Not only was this a shopping mall, this was a big ass American sized shopping mall.

Instantly as they opened the doors, there was the sound of insanity. People were everywhere, gambling at slots, eating ice cream and pizza, buying way too many designer clothes, and just being facetious in general.

"Come on," he murmured, rushing through Macy's and doing his best not to veer his eyes from the ground when they passed through the lingerie section. (He failed at times) Somehow he managed to get stuck in front of Victoria's Secret as there was a crowd gathered in front of it.

"You know, I've never met America's counterpart. Have you? Is she as bad as him?" asked Vash, trying not to look at the "bombshell," advertisements in the window.

Epic Fail...again.

They had taken America's counterpart out of the vault after the death of Susan B. Anthony, and she had equal responsibilities. Americans were strangely into equality.

"No. I hear she's really nice though, and not quite as self centered," replied Lili. "Her name is Rachel."

"Interesting."

They rushed through the main avenues of the mall until they heard a, "Hey, wait up!"

Vash turned around to see a woman rushing towards him in a pair of very tall Stilettos. She had on huge sunglasses, despite the fact that they were indoors, and was making waves.

All around her sat people; people on benches, people ordering food, people with shopping bags...and every single man stopped what he was doing and stared.

Lili noted their reactions; most were teenage boys, who got a sort of far away look and started smiling stupidly.

She looked at Vash quickly with worry; was he too taken by her spell?

Indeed not. He did raise an eyebrow at the figure, however. She was quite tall, with a very slim waist and a good set of knockers. Her hair flowed down her back and her walk was saucy and sweet.

"Nice to meet you, America said you'd show up."

Lili blushed as she realized who it was and hoped Vash wouldn't be taken by her beauty.

"Oh...uh, hi," he said.

"Hello, Ms. Fox," said Liechtenstein.

Vash turned to Lili. "You know each other?"

Lili blinked. "Don't you recognize her? We've seen some of her movies..."

The woman laughed and said, "Maybe I should take off my glasses."

Even Vash was taken back a little by her face. Her eyes were lusty with life, and she licked her lip a little seductively. Every other man was drooling at this point; but Switzerland only thought her beautiful. Appearances didn't mean much to him.

"Are you one of America's friends? He's quite rude not introducing me to you..."

"Don't you remember Transformers, Switzy?" whispered Lili.

He'd tried not to. A senseless work of CGI that had no real depth to it...Suddenly he remembered. The independent woman at the beginning who wound up being a bimbo at the end...yes, this was her.

"Yo! Zwingli! What's up, man?" cried an obnoxious voice.

"Here we go," Vash muttered under his breath.

"I was beginning to think you'd never show up!" said America loudly, clapping Vash on the back.

"You like him, Megan?" asked America with a wink. She smiled and put the end of her sunglasses into her mouth.

"Mm. I like."

Lili paled at this and Switzerland stepped back. "She is a fox!"

He had to admit she was very pleasing to look at; but for him, the better looking the woman, the craftier. He didn't trust any woman except for Liechtenstein.

"Woah! Lil sis grew up!" exclaimed America, taking her hand and twirling her around. Lili was flustered by this, and Switzerland bared his teeth. But before he could do anything Megan put a hand on his cheek.

"I've heard great things about you, boy."

"Oh...ah, have you?"

"Mmm."

She smiled and put a hand on his waist. Lili drew her eyebrows in a line, but could not escape from America. "You'll look awesome at the rave! Save me a dance!" Alfred exclaimed.

"Rave? What?" she murmured absent mindedly, paying attention to her brother.

Vash was now uncomfortably close to Megan. The teenage boys glared at him with unspoken evil.

"I hear you're kick ass with a rifle, and with a woman's heart..." she whispered.

America laughed and slapped him on the back. "Save it for later, you two! It's time for the rave, I brought all my friends!"

"Rave?" asked Liechtenstein.

"Friends?" groaned Switzerland.

"Those clothes are a no go, though. We're going to have to fix that. Guys!"

Suddenly there were hands all over the two, splitting them apart.

"Let's fix you up, sweetie!" cried a woman in patriotic clothing, who carted Lili away.

"Hey!" yelled Vash, cocking his rifle. America lashed out with a kick.

"Nuh Uh, naughty Zwingli! No firearms in the mall!"

"You give me that back right now or I swear..." Switzerland growled.

"No way Jose."

"Bend over or I'll beat you with my peace prize!"

He was seized by a dozen hands and dragged backwards.

"Hey, America!" he yelled.

"Yes?-!" replied two voices, one belonging to Alfred and the other belonging to the strange woman in patriotic clothing...

"That must be Rachel," Switzerland noted.

"There is no way we can go to a rave, let us go-"

"Aww, cmon man, don't be ridiculous, even Swiss people party!"

"But-"

It was too late.

An hour later Vash found himself clad in American Jean shorts and a punk T shirt, a baseball cap backwards on his head. They'd had to bound and gag him to put it on though...

"How degrading..." he thought miserably. "How can I be in alert form like this?"

He desperately was searching for something, anything he could use as a weapon...but the majority of the crowd was female, and he hated hurting women unless it was absolutely necessary, though he distrusted them all (except or Lili).

Vash was attracting quite a bit of attention, though.

"Wowzas!" said a voice next to him, and he turned to see its owner. The girl was blonde with long, curly hair. She looked as if she hadn't showered in months, had blue lipstick on, and was covered in glitter.

"Um.." he muttered.

"Nice to meet ya. Who are you?" winked the girl.

Switzerland realized that without his normal clothes and uniform, people couldn't recognize him.

Suddenly a plan formulated in his head and he knew what he had to do...if only he could find Lili.

"Yo! Dude, looks like you already met her!"

Switzerland groaned as America introduced the girl with blue lipstick.

"Meet my homie, Ke$ha."

"Pleased to meet you," she said, while chomping on bubblegum.

"I'm going to kill you, Alfred."

"Oooh, whatawe have here?" said another voice.

This woman was actually quite beautiful but she had an annoying voice; she was wearing a candy cane dress with very conspicuous cupcakes on her chest.

Vash couldn't help but stare at them.

"Uhhhhmmmmmm..."

"Heh, they always talk to the chest. I'm Katy, nice to meet you! ...Switzerland, right? Boy, you are a cutie..."

He snapped out of his muse.

"Heh...You're an American girl, right?"

"Nuh uh, honey pie," she said, winking and playfully poking him. "I'm a California Gurl!"

He stood staring at her for a moment.

"Isn't...California...in America?"

She paused for a moment and appeared to be in deep thought.

"I dunno. I was never really good at spelling or geography...but I do know I'm a California Gurl!"

"I've got to find Lili! These American girls are crazy..."

"American girls..." he murmured, and Katy corrected him. "California gurls, boy."

"Sweet niblits! What do we have here?"

He groaned. The newest girl looked at him from top to bottom.

"Boy, do you know how to Party in the USA?-!"

"Um..."

"Let's smoke a bong together!"

"AUGH!"

Loud obnoxious music was playing, with ridiculously emphasized beats. Finally he spotted Lili and was horrified to find that America had her. He managed to hear the tail end of their conversation.

"Wanna dance, little Lily?"

"Um...Okay. How do you dance here, what are the steps?"

America laughed. "If you want to dance American style...there aren't any!"

"But...then how...?"

She didn't have time to really respond when America put both hands on her hips and pulled her close to his, then began to rock her slowly.

Switzerland's jaw nearly fell off and he was paralyzed for a moment.

America was laughing loudly. "This is how we dance out here!"

True, Lili noted, that's how everyone around her was, 'dancing.'

There was also a cluster of people packed into a circle, seemingly amused with something in the middle.

"What's in there?" she whispered, starting to get used to America's rhythm.

"You don't want to go in there, not yet anyway! Haha!" he exclaimed, running his hands up and down her body.

Lili admitted that the dancing was fun, but she felt very uncomfortable with America so close to her and could feel her face flush with humiliation...You had to be really close with your dance partner for this not to be awkward.

All in a flash Alfred was ripped from her body and was smarting on the floor.

"Oww...Dude, chill!" he whined, but there was no mercy in Vash's stare.

"You do that again and I'll kill you. If I had a gun right now I would kill you."

America put his hands up in protest. "Aww, man, okay, okay!"

"He's got one hot little sister," thought Alfred begrudgingly.

"Look we need to go, seriously," he growled, protectively shielding Lili with his body. She was in a cocktail dress, and at the feel of her legs, he blushed. He'd never seen her bare legs before, never mind felt them...

"Party pooper," said America good naturedly, and stuck out his tongue.

"See ya! Come back for slots later."

"Yeah. No."

Blushing profusely, Switzerland dragged Lili out of the dance club and grabbed their packs. They raced through the remainder of the mall and burst out the back door, which had a trail behind it.

Lili noted the crickets chirping, and breathed in the fresh Alpine air.

"That was...weird," she admitted. Switzerland shook his head.

"Americans."

He ripped the cap off his head and threw it on the ground.

"The good news is that he gave me an idea."

"Oh?"

"People will recognize us in our normal clothes...We should stay disguised until we reach the cabin."

Walking in silence, the calm of the country began to have an effect on them. No longer surrounded by heinous noise,Vash took a deep breath and relaxed; he could not stand those types polluting his precious Alps.

They followed the path through the still summer twilight, noting the gold sheen that glinted off the landscape, until they found the main trail up the mountain.

"Where's the gate?" asked Lili curiously. She'd been there before, by the way of the main road; normally they had to pass a gate, which had a message board on it for hikers with advisories posted.

"We took a shortcut into the park," said Vash.

"Oh... Shouldn't we check the board for warnings at the gate?"

Vash considered this anxiously; the light was fading quickly, and he didn't want to spend the night in town. They had just gotten to the sweet country air that he loved...One more day in the city and he could break.

You only had to walk for about twenty minutes down the main trail and then veer off the path for a short climb to get to the cabin; if they went back now, they'd never make it in time.

"We'll be fine. I've been up here hundreds of times and there's never been an advisory."

"Okay..." she said uncertainly, and followed him. He took her hand and ran as quickly as he could down the trail.

"Vash!" she called.

"Yes?"

"How am I going to climb the last part with a dress?" she asked. He smiled nervously and stopped for a moment.

"I...I'll carry you."

She blinked. "Won't that be hard on you? The supply backpack is almost fifty pounds already...can you carry me and the pack?"

His smile changed to one of slyness.

"You doubt me, Lili?"

The T shirt he wore was thin, but cut off short; she noted the bulge in both of his arms. Switzerland never stopped working outside, or training vigorously.

"What am I thinking, of course he can carry me," she thought, and said, "Oh...If it's not too much trouble."

"It isn't," he said quickly, then turned around and kept running. She blushed as she remembered his request; he'd wanted her to wear dresses, which meant that he'd wanted to carry her...he'd had this specifically in mind.

"Ohhh..."

The sun had nearly set as they reached the base of peak; over the top, on the other side, in a secluded valley, was a cabin especially made for Vash.

There was a large cave at the base of the mountain, but one could climb around it to reach the top.

"Come on, Lili."

He opened his arms for her to climb on, and she bit her lip in nervousness. They were like pythons, his arms! She'd just never noticed before...So muscular.

She wondered for a short second what he must look like without his shirt if his arms were so strong.

"MEEP!" she muttered, ashamed at herself; her face became like a tomato. "What a bad thought! Why am I like this? How embarrassing..."

But slowly, carefully, she approached her "sibling." He wrapped one arm around her upper body, and stooped down to the ground. His other arm reached around the base of her knees, and then he stood. She almost cried out as she was lifted off the ground, one arm locked under her knees, the other under her back. Vash could only look in her eyes for a moment; the last of the light fading as it reflected in them. Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her arms up and wrapped them around his neck.

And he held her there, in the still country twilight, both of them speechless, the smell of sweet Alpine air enveloping them in the near dark.

Then there came a low, rumbling sound that got louder, and louder, and eventually became earsplitting.

"My God!" Switzerland yelled, and suddenly he was dashing for the cave as fast as he could.

"Brother?-!" cried Lili, more afraid now than she ever had been in her whole life.

She looked over his shoulder as he sprinted, and saw the creator of the noise. It seemed like a rushing river at first; then she realized, it was a river of snow.

There was a full scale avalanche coming towards them.

"Damn, why didn't I listen to you and check the message board!" screamed Vash. There had to have been an advisory posted there...

He reached the cave seconds before the snow roared by, sweeping trees, rocks, and everything else in its path down the mountain.

Vash could feel the rush of snow on his heels as he dashed inside of the cave. The light was completely blocked by the oncoming snow, and he could not find his way; stumbling, he tripped and was hurled towards the floor. Knowing that there may have been stalagmites on the ground that could hurt Lili, he turned his body in mid air so that he would take the fall.

His back slammed against the stone floor; his spine seized up at the shock, and the wind was knocked out of him. Thankfully there were no stalagmites to impale him; it wasn't a limestone cave.

There was total darkness in the cave, and nothing could be heard but their heavy breathing and the rumbling of snow past the cave mouth.

It seemed to last forever, but finally the avalanche subsided and there was no more noise.

Lili was shivering, both from fear and from the cold.

"Oh, God...Vash I'm scared, I'm scared!"

He was silent for a moment, gasping, as he was still in a lot of pain. But being Switzerland, it did not take him long to be practical.

"We...need to keep warm..." he wheezed, and Lili shut her eyes tightly, although it was already pitch black.

"Vash, are you hurt? You sound hurt!" she cried, trembling wildly with terror.

"Be calm, Lili. Panic is our worst enemy. Just be calm."

She took a few deep breaths.

"Okay...But are you hurt?" she persisted timidly. Vash smiled a little in the dark. "Just worry about yourself. I'm fine," he said through his teeth; he tried to hide the short raspiness of his breath from her.

"I don't want to light a fire," he chattered. "If the cave is closed off, we'll use up all our oxygen."

Lili gasped. "Vash...if the cave is closed off, then...this is bad! Did you tell anyone that we left?"

Vash bit his lip, because she was right. "I told my boss," he lied, not wanting to frighten her further.

Nobody knew they were out there.

Switzerland was inwardly cursing himself. He was always the cautious one, the one who was prepared in any situation...this never happened to him!

"Moron!" he thought. "You should have checked the advisory board! You should have told someone where you were going!"

Lili sniffled and he held her tight. "This is all my fault, Lili, I'm so sorry."

She shook her head. "You just wanted to get to the cabin before night...it was dangerous to be out in the dark. You couldn't know that this one time there would be an advisory," she reasoned, her body still trembling.

"She never blames me, no matter what I do."

Vash gripped her tightly and cursed himself repeatedly.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine. I have heat packets with me that we can use. I'll get the flashlight and look for a way out in a minute."

Lili was glad that he could stay so calm under such a situation.

"At least you were smart enough to bring emergency supplies," she encouraged, though she was very afraid in truth.

He rummaged in the pack for the heat packets, and activated them. He pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Her chattering was driving him crazy. "Stupid America," he cursed. "You must be freezing in that sort of dress." She agreed and rummaged in her pack for her old fur dress. No one could see in the dark, but she blushed a little as she murmured,

"Vash, I'm going to change over here...okay?"

"Oh! Oh...alright."

He buried his head in the pack, as if he had to disguise his burning cheeks, and felt for the flashlight. He heard the sound of unzipping and the dress falling to the floor; she quickly rustled and donned the new dress.

"I found the flashlight!" he called, and rushed to approach her, but then faltered.

"Ohh...are you...wearing? Um.."

She quickly interrupted. "Yes! I'm dressed, I mean..."

He laughed nervously and she did the same. The flashlight blinked on and he looked around; but before he could search the cave, he cried out. Lili looked puzzled.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Lili, your lips!"

She felt herself flushing.

"My...my lips?"

Switzerland realized her awkwardness and stumbled as he said, "They're...they're bleeding."

She raised a hand to her lips and blood stained her fingers.

"Oh! Oh... I'll be fine...must have split them on something...just check for a way out."

They were sealed in from the front; she watched with bated breath as he searched the room from front to back.

There was nothing but a minuscule hole to crawl through at the back of the cave.

Lili cried out and put a hand over her mouth.

"Vash! We're going to die in here!"

He turned to face her and tried to appear brave, though he was extremely aggravated with himself.

"Listen to me, we are not going to die!"

"Don't you see? There's no way that hole leads anywhere, and your boss isn't expecting you for three days!" she cried.

"He isn't expecting me at all," Vash thought, his heart sinking.

"We can explore through that hole, it has to lead to somewhere. But we must wait for day, so that we can see light streaming through an exit."

"If there is an exit," she said miserably.

"Lili...that attitude is not going to help you."

She sniffled and nodded, but she knew it now. They were going to die here.

"Well if I have to die..." she thought with sadness, "At least he will be with me."

Liechtenstein clutched her knees and watched Switzerland set about making a shelter, and realized what all of this meant.

She remembered lying there in the rain, the day he found her, and wishing that she could remain a country for a little longer. And she had; all thanks to him.

"I owe my life to him," she thought, "even if we are to die now...he helped me stay a country a little while longer."

Her eyes traced his body as he rummaged through his pack, pored over every angle of his face; and she knew at that moment, he was everything she ever hoped for.

"I have to tell him."

Her heart pounded terribly and she was very afraid of his response; but she had to say something, now, before it was over. He had to know before she died.

"Vash?"

Her voice was soft, and echoed off the walls of the cave. Switzerland stopped what he was doing and turned to face her. Lili's tone and the strange look in her eyes was something he'd never experienced before; perhaps it was the dim lighting of the flashlight that made her seem eerie, but he had a feeling within himself that something was different about her.

"Yes?"

"Turn the light off."

"Aren't you afraid of the dark?"

She winced. The only things she feared were utter darkness, and thunder; because of the scars it had left on her during the depression.

"Please...there's something I have to tell you. Just...turn it off."

He wondered what it was she had to say, and shrugged.

"Okay..." he flicked the light off, and she was silent for a moment.

"What is it you need to tell me?"

His voice was clear, and it was straightforward; even now, when they were doomed to die, or so Lili thought, he was consistent.

"He has to know how I feel...Or I won't be able to rest in peace."

"Vash..." she tried, her voice breaking. Her knees knocked together and she shut her eyes tightly.

"What if he's repulsed? What if he dies unhappy because I freaked him out?"

Doubts began to creep in from everywhere, and she couldn't bring herself to speak.

"Lili, what's the matter? Just tell me what you have to say."

She shook her head. "I can't..." she whispered, too afraid of rejection to confess.

"Lili..."

He scooted beside her and sat down, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"What is this? You can tell me anything, you know I'll listen. You're so tense, relax..." he was genuinely concerned for her.

She trembled and still couldn't speak.

"Come on, now...If you're afraid of death, I promise, I'll protect you-" he tried.

"No."

"No?"

"That's not it."

"Then what is it, just tell me...please?"

She sighed and spit it out all at once.

"Vash...I love you!"

She waited in terror for his response, and almost cried in anguish when he sighed.

A sigh? He's upset!

However, before she could do anything, he said, "I know. You tell me all the time. Honestly, I think you should hate me right now for getting you into this mess..."

"No!" she cried. He was startled by her strange behavior, but furled his eyebrows.

Suddenly his heart was doing a marathon in his chest...she didn't mean...she didn't mean...

"Not like that!" she sobbed, tears of anxiety now running down her chest.

"I...I..." she tried, but his stoic stance had her paralyzed. He wasn't reacting? What could that mean?-!

"It's too late to back out now, just hurry up and say it!"

""Yousavedmefromdeath andIameternallygrateful andI'vebeeninlovewith yousinceIwasyoung!" she slurred as quickly as possible, then broke down into tears. Vash was utterly stunned at this outburst.

All this time...if I'd confessed, she would have accepted me. But she had to be the man and say something first...

He felt like smacking himself for his cowardice, but at the same time, felt far away. What a wonderful thing it was to know...

Liechtenstein loves me.

He felt a warm sort of heat spreading all over his body.

"It's just..." she moaned in a final attempt. "You do so much for me...I couldn't help but fall in love with you. I...I'm sorry. You must hate me-"

She was slammed against his body as he embraced her tightly. Time seemed to stop as he held her in his arms; could it be? A hope gently made itself known in her breast.

He just embraced her, saying nothing for a long time. Vash was trying to gather himself, and think of the perfect thing to say.

Words could not well describe the gratitude he felt for Lili; he'd saved her from many things, his indifference, his hate, and ultimately, from himself. He'd been writing his confession as one writes a speech.

I can't just add lib it...

He whispered a, "Liechtenstein?" in her ear.

She just trembled with anticipation and could say nothing.

"I...I..." he tried.

There was a long silence. A very, very long silence; he said nothing for nearly a minute, and Lili thought she would die of anxiety.

Finally he opened his mouth to speak, and she braced herself for his answer.

"...I hear something."

She opened her eyes. "...? What is it?"

He let go of her and left her on the floor; she could hear the sound of his boots taking steps on the cold stone.

How can he leave me hanging like this?

"Do you hear that, Lili?"

"No..."

"Listen carefully. What do you hear?"

They paused for a long while, and gradually Liechtenstein came to hear it as well; a soft, gurgling sound, far, far away.

"Is that..." she began, and Vash finished.

"It's running water. Lili, there's a way out."

Seemingly at once, her heart elevated and plummeted; the good news was that she would live...the bad news was that now he knew how she felt. And she didn't know if was happy about it or not.

Switzerland flicked on the flashlight and disappeared down the small crevice at the back of the cave. He'd tied a piece of string to a rock, as to not get lost, and was gone for nearly five minutes.

Lili just sat, no longer petrified, but exhausted, on the cave floor.

"I did it," she thought listlessly. And he'd run off...there was no way he liked her. What a stupid idea, she should have waited till they were on death's doorstep to confess.

"Oh...What have I done?"

Finally she heard the sound of him climbing back through the hole.

"Come on, pack up camp," he said. "There's a way out, it leads to a spot above the river bank."

"Okay."

She silently began to pack, and he noted the near dead tired look on her face. He wanted to wait until they were in the comfort of a building with lighting and heat to tell her how he felt; he needed time to plan what exactly to say.

He felt Darth Vash surfacing, but kept him suppressed. He couldn't ruin this moment.

As an attempt to cheer her a little, he said, "I told you we wouldn't die..."

She smiled quickly, but there was no warmth to it.

I may as well be dead if he doesn't love me...I wouldn't be able to live with him anymore, and I'd be so lonely...

He noted her reaction with disappointment, and when she got to the hole, he commanded her to climb on his shoulders, and took the pack in his arms.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Can you hang on okay?"

She gave a small sound of confirmation, and he began to travel carefully through the maze of caverns. Lili held the flashlight and illuminated his way.

When they reached the opening, Liechtenstein could smell the scent of clean Alpine air, and was relieved. The hole was above their heads, and required them to climb up and get out.

"Lili, I'm going to hoist you through the hole, okay? Let me throw the pack up there first."

"Okay."

There was a soft thud as the supply bag landed on the snow above them; Lili was freezing as he pushed her through the opening, and she grasped the cold bank of the river with chattering teeth.

Although Vash could barely see at all now, since she was holding the flashlight, he was uncomfortably conscious of Lili's skirts as she dangled above him.

He turned away in shame.

"You pervert!" he thought, flustered. "Don't look at things like that!"

"Vash, I need a boost!" she called.

"Oh! Um...one second."

He thought he could not be any redder as he looked up, wincing.

"Where to grab...where to grab?"

"Vash?"

"Hold on, I've got you! heh..."

He wound up wrapping his hands around her ankles and pushing her up. She tumbled out of the hole and was soon lying on the bank.

"Thanks!"

"No problem..."

Even in the dark, it wasn't difficult for him to climb up to the top of the opening, and pop his head out into the open. In the moonlight he could see her waiting for him, arms outstretched to assist. He lifted one hand and waved her off.

"I don't need help," he said, and she stood back.

He was dangling above the cave by his arms, but this was trivial to Switzerland. He could do almost fifty pull ups in a minute; there was no real strain on his body as he suspended himself above the cavern.

He waited a moment, then decided to make a bold move before hoisting himself up.

"Lili?"

"Yes?" she shivered.

"I'll have to hurry, she's going to freeze if I don't."

"C- come crouch here...by me."

She did so, and he had to again avert his eyes from her skirts.

"Lean down, I...I want to tell you something."

She was very puzzled by this, but decided to go for it.

What is he going to say? she thought in dreadful anticipation.

"Your lips are still bleeding, aren't they?" he asked, and was glad she couldn't see his face, which was wrenched in agony.

"Oh..yes, they are." What an odd question...

"Fine then," he finished, and raised one arm towards her.

He's so strong...he can hold himself up like this with one arm! she thought distractedly.

He placed a hand on her cheek and she felt herself gasp as he planted a small kiss behind her ear.

She stood, paralyzed, unable to respond to this.

"Lili?" he whispered.

"Y-yes?" she could scarcely reply.

"You should move now. I don't want to knock you over."

"Oh! Ah, okay..."

And he tumbled out on the bank.

Lili just sat in awe out of him as he quickly stood and assessed the situation. Even in a ridiculous American T-shirt, he stood in alert form, eyes rapidly scanning the valley, and the moonlight highlighted his blonde locks.

Eyebrows always drawn in a line, Lili felt that he would never change; he would always be standing with a rifle, proudly upright on the Alps, with a skeptical stare and a fire in his eyes that was timeless.

There was an unspoken feeling of content between the two as Switzerland formed a plan and raised an arm to point.

"You see the village down there?"

"Yes," she replied.

"It'd be safer to find an inn down there than risk going up to the cabin...if we hurry, we can make it in less than an hour."

She shivered, knee deep in snow, but agreed.

"I want you to hold my hand," he said, taking control as he always did in his many crises. "But you should walk; I know it'll be hard in a dress, but you need to keep moving to stay warm. I'll catch you if you stumble."

For those next forty five minutes, Lili had no capability to think. The cold was so harsh, the snow so frigid, numbing her senses and her thoughts. The only source of warmth came from his hand, which had a firm, comforting grip on her. Often she slid and he would catch her, time and time again.

Vash's brain, however, was whirling with activity. He had never been good with words, but he wanted to be now.

"It's sort of cruel..." he realized. "She must be petrified right now because I didn't respond to her confession..."

But Lili had been able to reason, with a surge of hope accompanied by a wild blush, the meaning of Vash's question.

"Your lips are still bleeding, aren't they?" and then a kiss.

"If my lips hadn't been hurt..." she thought, face scarlet as a beet, "Then he might have kissed me there. That means...doesn't that mean he loves me?"

But there was no way to tell, and she had to stay focused on hiking or she would slip.

Finally they arrived in town, and Vash checked in at the nearest motel.

They made quite a scene in the lobby; at first, the only thing they had been able to do was clutch each other tightly, desperately trying to warm their freezing bodies; the porter suggested with timidity that they stand near the hearth and they readily complied.

By the time they were warm enough, there was a soggy puddle around the two from where the ice and snow clinging to them had melted.

Had Switzerland not told the attendants that they were mascot nations, they probably would have been kicked out.

The whole check in, elevator ride, and entrance to their room was done in silence.

It was a suite with one bed and a fold up mattress from the couch; Lili stored her things, changed into a new, dry dress, and then said, "I'll take the folding mattress. Your back must be hurt, so you should sleep well..."

"No. You take the bed, I'll be out shortly," he said, taking a uniform from his bag and preparing to enter the bathroom and change.

"But Vash, you're sore, just take the bed..."

He mustered up all the courage he had, and turned to face her. His failure smile, which was extremely creepy at the moment, was plastered on his face.

"I didn't say," he began, trying desperately to keep his voice from cracking, "...that I wasn't going to take it. Now go lie down!"

With that he dashed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.

Lili dropped the bag in her hands and stood there stunned.

"I didn't say that I wasn't going to take it..."

She had to keep herself from hyperventilating.

"Oh God...That can only mean..." she shook her head in terror and confusion. Not knowing what else to do, she climbed under the covers, shaking all the way.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, she heard the lock unclick. She shut her eyes as she heard his footsteps softly come towards her, closer and closer...and then pass her.

She opened one eye cautiously. He was buttoning his uniform on, staring out the window. He gazed at the moon, which lit up the little Swiss village, and took several deep breaths before speaking.

"I've had a difficult life, Lili."

She said nothing, but thought to herself that he was right.

"I learned very young the true nature of people. The death of mother...the loss of Alessandra...I'd nearly given up on people when Roderich came."

She listened in silence, wondering what he was leading up to.

"When he went...everything went. I had no belief in people anymore. They were stupid, selfish creatures, who cared for nothing but themselves."

He sounded angry and flustered, just as he always did when he was embarrased.

"So I shut myself up in these Alps and just became hostile towards everything."

She was fascinated as he gripped the curtains in painful remembrance.

"I was feeling rather strange when I was walking in the rain that day. In truth, I was scavenging for extra food...and then I saw you, sitting there."

He shook his head.

"I don't know what I was thinking...I could barely feed myself, honestly, and my boss told me to destroy you from the start. I'd never cared about anything, really...except for Roderich. And he'd destroyed my last hope. So I don't really know why I took you in."

She clutched the sheets in her tiny palms, smarting at his words.

"I just felt I couldn't leave you there, I guess. But to be honest...at first, I hated you."

Lili felt as if an anvil had fallen on her head.

He...hates...me...

"I felt like you were going to betray me at every turn, that you'd spurn the man who took you in. But slowly...over time..."

He swallowed painfully as the memories returned. "You won me over. You were so...compassionate, so understanding, so loving towards me...unconditionally."

He turned to face her as she lay in bed, eyes timid, seemingly childlike.

"Her eyes are no different since the day we met," he thought. They were always clinging to his words, like a frightened child to its mother. She lived for what he said, believed what he told her, listened to his every command.

"If you hadn't come, I don't know what I would have been."

He sat on the bedside, hands folded in his lap, gaze fixated on the floor.

"Probably bitter. Alone. Always hating, always regretting..." he trailed, warming up to what was to come.

He paused for a moment, and sighed. For some reason, nervousness did not rise up in him now. He felt at peace; Lili loved him, and he was completing his vow. It seemed that in this moment, there was only the two of them; the rest of the outside world could not matter, and the moon seemed to smile upon them as it sent beams of light through the window.

"I love you, Lili."

There was a beautiful sort of silence between them for a moment.

She lay motionless as he turned to meet her gaze. He held it there, his eyes never leaving hers, as he laid down gently upon the sheets, coming to rest beside her.

"It took me a long time to realize what you mean to me..." he whispered, pausing a moment to take her hand, "...but now..." Her eyes were like glass.

"...I don't ever want to lose you."

Lili closed her eyes and breathed in the air; she wanted to capture this moment for the rest of her life. It was so perfect, like a dream, and she resisted the urge to pinch herself.

If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.

He took her in his arms gently, and swayed from side to side, so glad that he finally could hold her like this.

I've been waiting for so long...

There was a tiny sliver of fear in him; he'd tell her the truth, that his boss had commanded him to marry her, but within due time. He would enjoy the moment for now; he loved Lili, and she loved him. Nothing could be better than this.

He filled her senses, the look in his eyes, the sound of his breathing; the feel of his body, pressed against hers, his touch on her arm, and the feel of his fingers gently running through her hair...

He felt her lip with his thumb and she winced.

"I really wish..." he began, but closed his mouth. He simply placed a kiss on her forehead and rocked her gently, back and forth, like a small child, humming faintly until she was fast asleep.

When he was sure she was out, he quietly rose and smiled at her. The stars twinkled faintly, and the light through the window illuminated her tiny face. She was breathing softly, gently snoring, and he filled with pride.

She's mine now.

...

Switzerland sighed as he drank his tea, and Hungary lent a sympathetic ear.

"Well," she muttered, not knowing where to begin, "that was quite a story."

He looked down in embarrassment.

Despite the unexpected confessions yesterday, and the quiet reflection they'd shared at her favorite place, the lake where they'd taken their first picnic, Switzerland was beside himself in guilt.

As Lili had embraced him in the night, she'd whispered in his ear, "I love you Switzy."

He had said the same. But then she followed with,

"I don't know why you do. But that is why love you."

He had stepped back, puzzled.

"What do you mean?" he had asked.

"I mean you love me for no reason. You kept me for no reason. You spend a lot of money protecting me, and yet you still love me; you aren't after me because I'm rich, like the other countries..." she said softly.

Vash's heart had nearly stopped.

"You loved me when I had no money. And you love me even though you aren't forced too. That's why I am so grateful, Vash."

Well that ruined his sleep. They'd returned to his house at daybreak at the news that Gilbert had been captured, but still exhausted from their journey, Lili had plopped on the couch, still wrapped in his arms, and fallen fast asleep. He, however, possessed by a new fear, hadn't slept a wink. Having no means of escape from his guilty conscience, he somehow found himself on Hungary's couch. Lili had seemed worried at his sudden departure, but there was nothing else he could do. He hadn't really thought about it much, but the only reason the boss wanted him to marry Lili was to get his hands on her money. Though Vash couldn't care less about the cash, he did realize that it was the point of the marriage, and now he could barely face Liechtenstein.

"You have to tell her the truth," said Hungary. "There's no getting around it."

"I know," he said sheepishly. "But what if she hates me for it?"

"Zwingli," she said. "Look me in the eye and tell me honestly; do you really love Lili?"

He nearly spit out his tea. "W-wh...what kind of a question is that?-! Of course I love her! Heh...heh..."

Hungary did not look convinced. "If this had never happened, do you think you'd ever want to marry Ms. Liechtenstein?"

He looked down at his knees. "I've asked myself that question. And quite honestly...I don't think I would have ever riled up the courage to ask. But yes. I would have fallen in love with her eventually."

Hungary paused, then gave a sigh.

"You're not going to want to hear what I have to say, Zwingli."

"Say it."

She shook her head.

"Okay...but I warned you. Maybe...maybe you need to let her go."

He looked at her like she was crazy. "What?-!"

"If you really love her you should give her the time she needs. You can still marry her, but...wait, till after the week is up and she's gone. So that she'll never think you married her for her money and there can be no suspicion."

He shook his head.

"If I let her go...Prussia might attack her. And..." he put his head in his hands. "I can barely approach her now, when she lives in my house with me. How am I supposed to court her when we're apart?"

He looked as if he was in terrible pain.

"I don't want to spend my whole life a loner, Hungary. I can be neutral and indifferent to the whole rest of the world...but not to her. And I'm losing her."

He ran his fingers through his hair, and Hungary was very sad for him. She pat a hand on his shoulder.

"I guess you really do love her, then. I think if you tell her the truth, she'll understand. I have never known a person who could be so unconditional towards anyone."

He still appeared forlorn.

"How can I tell her, Hungary? How can I bring myself to say it? She'll hate me."

"I doubt it. And she'd hate you even more if she finds out the truth from someone besides you."

He clasped his hands and sighed. "I suppose you're right."

"Okay. Now go home and spend time with her, alright? Confess, tell her the truth; but the longer you procrastinate, the harder it will be, okay? So don't wait too long!"

He tried to smile and rose. "Thank you, Elizaveta."

"No problem Zwingli."

She remembered something just as he reached the door.

"Oh, Zwingli!"

"Yes?"

"Can I see the ring?"

He sighed. "What is it with women and diamonds?"

...

---

Liechtenstein was troubled beyond belief as she waited for Vash. Why had he left so suddenly like that?

"I'm so sad, Amoperu," she said to her new dog. He whined a little and sat on her lap.

"Vash doesn't trust me with whatever is bothering him."

She hugged the small mammal tightly and tried not to cry.

"I know it's killing him inside, and he won't tell me! I feel so useless...He gives me so much and I can't even help him when he's troubled. He says he loves me, but...I don't know."

The dog licked her cheek sympathetically. Suddenly the empty house appeared to be torturing her with its silence, and she couldn't stand it any longer.

She retrieved a piece of notebook paper and wrote in her neat cursive, "Went out for a short walk. I'll be back soon."

"Come on, Amoperu," she said, and tugged the dog on its leash. She stopped at the door.

"Oh, this collar must hurt your neck! Here, I'll carry you, poor thing."

She put the leash in her pocket and carried the fluffy bundle down the road to the market.

"There are people there, so if something happens, I'll be in public and there will be people to help."

Switzerland's teachings of safety were prominent in her mind. His "Civilian Self Defense," manual was some serious stuff.

She took in the sights and smells of the place, blending in with the background. The Swiss people were selling chocolate and mountain gear; nothing unusual. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw who it was.

"Oh! Mr. Prussia!"

Gilbert smiled crookedly. "Hello, Lili."

"I...I have a gun!" she fumbled, and Amoperu hopped to the ground. He growled at Prussia as menacingly as a white fluffy dog the size of a teacup could.

"Cute dog," muttered Gilbert, though his upper lip curled in disgust at the creature.

"P-Please, Vash told me I shouldn't talk to you."

"Vash, is he now? Hah! The man's more of a bastard than I thought, breaking your poor heart like this."

"Huh? What're you talking about?-!"

Gilbert put one arm over her shoulder, and she cringed at his touch.

"Oh, he didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?-! St-Stay away, I'll scream!"

"He didn't tell you what's going on at work?" he said.

Lili froze. "You...you know what's bothering him?"

"Well of course. I can't believe he hid the truth from you."

"Switzy never lies to me," she said softly, afraid and confused.

Gilbert sighed. "I wish that were true. But unfortunately, it seems that Zwingli's boss has gotten tired of sustaining you."

"What?-!"

"Apparently you cost too much to maintain."

"Oh! Oh...Oh I knew I was a burden on him, I should pack my bags and go so I'm not any more trouble-"

"Not so fast. The boss had a command for Switzerland."

"What?"

"He said that Zwingli has to marry you as quickly as possible so that they can use your treasury."

Liechtenstein could barely comprehend what he had just said.

The flowers...the puppy...the dates they'd had...the awkwardness...it couldn't be possible, could it? The week off work...could Vash...

Suddenly she shook her head and was ashamed of herself. How could she doubt him?-! She even started to hate herself. How could she doubt her beloved Vash, the man who'd given up everything for her, who'd taken her in and given her a home when he had no food for himself?-! The man who claimed he loved her... How dare she doubt him...He'd never use her like that!

She screamed and aimed the gun directly at Gilbert's foot. There was no hesitation as she fired.

Prussia screamed in agony as he clenched his foot, and it took all his strength to keep from screaming, "WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR, YOU LITTLE B****?-!"

She was going to pay for that.

"Vash would NEVER marry me for my money, and you're a very, VERY bad man, Mr. Prussia!"

She could barely contain her rage, and Amoperu yipped in Gilbert's face.

"Come on, Amoperu."

They hurried along the path to home.

The boss stepped out from behind a plant.

"Well that went well."

"Shut up!" muttered Gilbert through clenched teeth. "She's gonna pay for that, little bitch. And when Zwingli proposes she'll figure it out. If it doesn't work out we'll just have to kidnap her, but I'd rather have her sign the contract by her own will."

"Make her feel betrayed by him?"

"Exactly. Now get me an ambulance you moron."

"Right away, sir."

(The following is an experiment of mine. I'm not sure if you'll like it or not; I think this is the best way to keep the story moving along, but if you absolutely HATE the way I wrote the following passage and wanted it to be cuter and less rushed, review and I'll consider dashing it.

IDK. We'll see.)

Lili was still fuming as she walked through the door. She came in to see Switzerland busily donning his coat with a gun slung over his shoulder; her note was crumpled in his hand. Upon seeing her he dropped the rifle to the ground with a clang.

"Lili!" he embraced her as tightly as he could, catching her completely off guard.

"V-Vash?"

"Don't ever do that to me again! I just got word that Gilbert escaped, I was scared to death...Oh, Lili, don't do that!" He tucked her note in her gloved hand.

She was taken aback at his passion, and Amoperu yelped. He'd been in her arms and was now sandwiched between Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

"Oops. Sorry, puppy," said Vash apologetically. He looked very flustered now; but he was just so relieved. Lili sighed.

"Don't worry, I already took care of him."

"WHAT?"

She raised her tiny silver pistol which he'd taught her how to use with care.

"You ran into Prussia?-!" Switzerland exclaimed, unable to believe it. Why had she been so stupid and gone out without him?

"Yes-"

"Did he hurt you?" Vash interrupted, almost growling. He gripped her shoulders firmly and spoke menacingly.

"Did he even lay a finger on you?-! I swear to God, I'd he even touched you-" here be picked up his gun, "-if he did, I'll go out and finish him once and for all!"

"Switzy!" Lili blurted. "It's okay, don't go declare war on him! You haven't done that in centuries! Besides, he's probably out of Switzerland by now..."

He shook his head. "Doesn't matter, I'd still kill him. What happened, did he do anything to you?-!"

She'd never seen him so passionately angry. And here he was, saying he'd declare war on another country? When that country wasn't on his soil? She felt like she was facing a whole other person...

"No, I shot him in the foot because he was slandering you."

"Lili, I'm so disappointed in you!"

She looked confused. She'd thought he'd be happy she'd defended herself...

"...You should have shot him in the heart and killed him!"

He put the gun down again and embraced her tightly.

"You gave me a heart attack." The next statement gushed out of him unexpectedly. "I'll never let you out of my sight again!"

Her eyes shot open. "Vash...?" He was being so protective of her, so worried about her...she pondered what he would have done if she had packed her bags and left that one day. He'd told her he cared, but there was always a doubt in her mind...a doubt that he might think of her as a burden and want her to leave. But now, his eyes were lit with a kind of light she'd never seen before.

She said in a voice barely above a whisper, "You...you really care that much?"

"What kind of a dumb question is that? Of course! What did he do?-!"

"P-please...he only put his arm on my shoulder-"

"WHAT?"

What was this? Why was he growing so angry? Lili was very worried. The only emotions Switzy ever showed were embarrassment and slight anger or irritation; once in a while he would be a little bit happy; but this...who was this new man standing in front of her, ranting with a look that was beyond anger?

Vash almost felt like bursting into a rage of emotion-filled insanity. He was so worried, so in love, so angry, so passionate.

Yes, passionate was the word.

He'd completely lost all control over his temper and his composure.

All his life he'd tried to be a loner; he'd learned that all the nations of the earth were squabbling idiots who couldn't be trusted. Austria had proven his care could go to waste, that even the ones you loved could betray you. So he'd hated everyone and everything, trusting only money, the one constant in his life. Until she came. He was losing Lili now, losing the person who'd changed his perspective on the world, shown that humanity wasn't hopeless; that there was good and love and beauty in some people. He was no longer neutral about everything, no longer indifferent.

He found his thunderstorm of emotion unleashing and pushing him to the brink; the stress of all of this was too much.

And with that, Darth Vash was unleashed. He felt as if a red film covered his eyes, rage and love flying out at random.

"Oh, what the hell!" he thought, all common sense thrown away. All the scheduling, the planning, the dinners, the opera house, the mountain climbs, the picnics...it was all gone in an instant.

Vash Zwingli was in a passionate rage. He'd only been that way twice before.

And when he's like that, there's no stopping him.

He started screaming at Lili at the top of his lungs; he hazily thought Austria...but pushed the notion away almost at the same time it began.

"How can you not see?-! How can you be so blind to how much I care?-!" he said, eyes nearly red. Lili stood in paralyzed shock. She'd never seen him so emotional in all their years of living together.

"I love you, Lili Stein! Don't you see that?"

"Yes-"

"No, you don't! I love you more than anything else! In fact, I DON'T love anything at all, I've only loved money and look where that left me! You are the ONLY thing in my life that I love!" he yelled, gripping her hand with a deathly clamp.

"Vash-"

She was starting to cry, but was unbelievably shocked to find that he was crying as well.

She'd never seen Switzy cry. She didn't know he was capable of producing tears.

"I love you and you are so blind to it!" he sobbed, his leather gloves leaving an imprint in her skin.

She could barely manage to choke, "V-Vash?" with her heart racing a million miles per hour.

"I LOVE YOU LIECHTENSTEIN...and..."

Suddenly he was on his knees...time slowed in that moment for Liechtenstien.

He was falling, legs wobbly and crooked, head bent in woe, one hand gripping hers, the other fumbling in his pocket. It yanked roughly on something within its seams and the fabric ripped as he produced a tiny box, and flipped it open with his thumb.

She remembered it for the rest of her life; the glint of a diamond, the iron grip on her hand, and his passionate scream which betrayed his true personality; an entity that rarely showed itself in the stoic face of Switzerland.

"I WANT YOU TO BE MY WIFE!"

.

..

...

...

Liechtenstein - 0_0

...

...

...

...

...

.

And, reality check. D8

"OH, SHIT."

Switzerland almost grabbed the gun and shot himself.

Austria called this side of him "Darth Vash," the very secluded side of himself that came out in a fury of emotion when he was extremely stressed. That side of him had no common sense.

"What have I done?" he wanted to scream.

He backed against the door, humiliated, and covered his face with his hands.

"Oh..." he whispered, voice faltering. "Oh, God...Lili I'm sorry..."

He turned away in shame.

That was supposed to be special, something nice I planned for her...I ruined it!

Instead he'd screamed at her and was nearly passed out on the floor, with the puppy scratching at her leg and the ring box thrust out in front of her, his kneel very crooked. He was sitting in a dusty foyer with his coat on; no flowers, no nothing.

He'd killed it.

"Y-Yes."

He was snapped out of his misery.

"Huh?"

"Ye-Yes!" She was crying in sheer joy. "Oh...Oh Vash, I never thought...You said you loved me, but I never thought you cared that much! I...I would love to be your wife."

Wh-what?

"I fell in love with you years ago but I never realized...Oh, Vash, I'm so happy!"

She embraced him with all her might, Amoperu barking happily.

He was shocked at what he had heard, and couldn't believe this was actually happening...it was becoming reality so fast.

Slowly he came to realize that he'd done it.

Lili was going to marry him.

Marry him.

Marry him.

...Absorb...

A strange feeling of happiness began to consume him, a wonderful emotion he rarely got to experience.

"You're right; I should have shot Prussia for what he said...He realized you loved me and tried to use it to turn me against you! He was so wrong! Oh, Vash I'm so happy!" she gushed.

Alarm Bell.

"Wait-What did he say?"

"Never mind what that awful man said. We're getting married, I'm so happy!"

"But-"

"Wait!" she said, pausing a moment. "I just realized something."

"Say, Lili, want to get off the floor?" he said sheepishly. This was uncomfortable. She laughed and agreed. They quickly moved to the couch, hand in hand.

"I just realized," she continued quickly, "that I've never kissed you before."

He turned a deep shade of red, but managed to mutter, "Um..th...eh...uh...sigh."

Okay, he managed to say nothing. His eyes were like that of a nervous schoolboy with his first love.

Then he realized...she was his first love. And he hers, as far as he knew. They were indeed living an otherworldly fairytale; he would now be marrying the Austrian Princess. She smiled nervously as his fingers reached out, cautiously seeking her hand. Shaking, he took the ring from the box. Noticing it was hard to grip, he put it back in the box and removed his gloves; then, delicately, he took her hand, which was still clutching the note she'd written. She released her grip on the paper.

He removed her white outing glove from one hand; indeed, her hand was a beautiful, pale white, flawless as the paper itself.

He then picked up the token again, and slowly slid it onto her ring finger, which trembled with anticipation.

As gracefully as he could (not very) took her in his arms, closed his eyes, and felt for those cherry red lips.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, and pushed him away. He was startled.

"I...I'm sorry but...I want us to wait. Until the altar. Our first kiss will seal us in marriage...I think that'd be cute, don't you? Besides, my lip is still split..."

He barely comprehended her words. "Now would be nice..." he thought, romance lost on his head, but then remembered that awful vision he'd had yesterday morning when Lili was in bed...and that dream...he shuddered.

"Easy Vash. Be chivalrous."

He tried to recenter himself, not wanting to be lewd in his thoughts towards the precious Liechtenstein.

"Lili...I hate to ruin the moment, but...what did Prussia say?"

Her smile faded.

"What he said should never be repeated, it was awful!"

"Still," he persisted, "What did he say? For security reasons, Lili. I won't have him hurting you."

She sighed.

"He was terrible. He said that you...that you wanted to marry me because your boss made you so that you could use my money. The idea!"

Everything stopped.

Switzerland's heart, which should have been soaring, dropped to the pit of his stomach.

"Oh no." This was bad. "How did he find out, that sneaky bas-"

"Can you believe anybody could say such a thing?" she demanded, her petite form scrunched up in anger.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heart was so loud he wouldn't have been surprised if she could hear it.

He remembered Hungary's words...

"..the longer you procrastinate, the harder it will be...You have to tell her the truth, there's no getting around it."

"No, what a jerk! I would never do that, how could he say that?-!" said Switzerland.

"Oh, man." Epic failure number three.

He felt sick as Liechtenstein embraced her new fiancée, and realized that Elizaveta was going to kill him.

...

...

Roderich hummed as he walked towards the door. He was composing a new song for Hungary, since he didn't really say much to her.

I WILL NOW DEMONSTRATE MY ANGER AND UTTER DISGUST WITH YOU BY PLAYING THE PIANO. (Anyone remember that?)

Yes, Roderich conveyed all emotion via piano. And he did love Hungary, so he took extra care with the song. I will now demonstrate my love for you by playing the piano...

He slowly opened the door, whistling the tune to himself, and was tackled by an overjoyed Liechtenstein.

"IT'S WONDERFUL!"

The wind went out of him and you could almost see the question mark forming over his head. Lili furled her eyebrows as she felt the fabric...soft, but there was a stitch on her cheek. Was that a patch? She looked up and saw a confused look through a pair of glasses.

"Oh!" exclaimed Lili, pushing herself away.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Austria!" she said quickly, bowing profusely, her face as red as a tomato. "It's just...usually Mrs. Austro-Hungary answers the door..."

He waved a hand. "It's all right. I assume from the uBer flow of emotion that Switzy said something nice to you?"

Lili was slightly taken aback.

Switzy?

Apart from herself, Liechtenstein had never heard anyone call Vash, "Switzy." Usually it was, "Mr. Switzerland," or sometimes "Zwingli, " but never "Switzy."

"That's right," she remembered. "He lived with Vash too, a long time ago."

He spoke of Austria with pain, regret, and anger, so it had never really dawned on Lili that they could have ever been close.

"Y-yes," she said hesitatingly. Still flustered, she managed to smile, "It's wonderful, Mr. Austria. We're...We're going to be married."

Austria nearly choked.

"I can't believe it! That bastard actually got her to marry him!"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Probably for the money," he thought.

But then he remembered Vash holding Lili's hand at the market; the worried look on his face when he couldn't find a gift for her...Austria smiled. So even Vash had succumbed to his own warning.

"I don't like what you're doing with Hungary!" he'd shouted, face scrunched up in annoyance as always.

Roderich sighed. "I can't help myself, Switzy."

"Don't call me that. And I don't know what to do with you! You're constantly being awkward, not thinking straight, bring stressed over nothing...and more so than usual!"

Austria shrugged. "Someday when you fall in love, you'll understand."

Switzerland turned around with a vicious look.

"I'll never fall in love, you hear me? And I'll never take a wife, not unless I gain something political by it! And even then...I like being alone."

Roderich nodded. "I can see that."

Austria smiled. "It happens to the best of us, Zwingli."

"Is that so?" he said. "Well, I'm very happy for you. One moment, please."

He leaned inside of the house.

"Elizaveta! You have a visitor!" he called, and patted Liechtenstein on the head.

"Have fun. I must go now."

"Okay!" said a beaming Lili. "Thanks a lot, Mr. Austria!"

He nodded and headed to a storage shed outside in the yard.

"Where did I put it...here it is." He retrieved the white flag Italy had given him with "I surrender, Austria," written on it.

He then returned to the front of the house and saw Hungary embracing little Lili, crying tears of joy for her friend.

"Elizaveta would cry over a marriage."

Lili saw him and waved; he smiled, raised a hand, then walked down to the street. As soon as he was out of their sight, his smile dissolved and he shook his head.

"She has no idea."

...

---

Nekotalia playfully pawed a stringy line emerging from the ground. It was a yellow line, and it looked awfully appetizing...

"Pasta?" he mewed cautiously, and chomped on the wire.

"MRRRRRRRERRR!" he screamed, electricity sparkling all over his body, making his fur stand up.

Soon NekoGermany had arrived.

"Nekotalia! Tell me you didn't bite that telephone wire!"

The other cat merely nodded in agony. NekoGermany sighed.

"Then we must get out of here, quickly! You've ruined Master Switzerland's telephone, he'll shoot us if he finds out."

"VEHHHHH!" Nekotalia whined. "All I wanted was pasta..."

And with that, they scampered off.

...

---

(Sorry about horribly OOC Austria!)

Switzerland debated heavily on whether or not to pull the trigger. Austria had arrived, waving a white flag over his head with one hand and raising the other hand equally.

"Don't ever come back or I'll shoot you like everyone else."

His fingers twitched indecisively.

"Sigh..." He lowered the gun.

Austria ascended the porch steps. "I come in peace."

"What do you want?" Switzerland muttered.

"To congratulate you on your marriage."

Vash turned away. "Seriously, why did you come?" Switzerland's heart was in the pit of his stomach. He should have been rejoicing that Lili loved him and was really going to be his wife; but instead, he was living in agonized fear that she would find out, find out the truth and hate him for it.

"I knew there was some compassion in that stingy head of yours. That you had some heart."

Switzerland was taken aback. He slowly turned to face the other nation.

"What...?"

He tried not to think back to their time together, but it had never really gone away entirely from his mind. Always, there was the imprint Roderich had left on Vash. Sometimes he'd find old clothes he had patched, or an old recipe he'd created...always, there was some memory of him.

And now he was standing in what had once been his home, back for the first time in years.

Austria pushed his glasses higher up on his nose.

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"What?" asked Vash defensively.

"Don't play innocent. Hungary told me everything."

"Elizavetaaaa..." Switzerland whined. Austria couldn't help but bristle a little. He remembered that Hungary told him once, a long time ago, that Vash was her first love. He was so stoic, so regal, so..."cool." It felt weird to hear his former friend call her by name.

"Well, she is my wife you know. You can't blame her."

Switzerland sighed and sat on the staircase step.

"What am I going to do, Austria?" he put his head in his hands.

Roderich was surprised by this.

"I can't tell her the truth, not now."

"Why? Elizaveta said you were going to, and that you'd accepted the fact."

Vash shook his head and frowned. "It's all Prussia's fault."

Austria raised an eyebrow.

"Gilbert? What does he have to do with this?"

Switzerland sighed. "He told Lili what my boss said...and after I proposed to her, she started calling him a bad person for 'slandering' me, and saying that I was too good to do such a thing as marry her because I had to."

"Ouch."

Vash buried his head in his hands again. "I can't tell her, she'll never marry me if I do."

Austria couldn't help but snicker. "Says the man who would never fall in love."

"Get off my property."

"Relax." Austria took a seat beside the troubled nation. "How did you even manage to propose? Did Darth Vash come out to play?"

Switzerland glared at him. "How did you know that? Did Lili tell you?"

Roderich shook his head. "I know you better than you think."

Switzerland sighed. "I just can't. I can't bear to think of the look on her face..."

Roderich folded his arms and leaned back, closing his eyes. "Since when do you run away from trouble?"

Vash sighed and looked at the floor. "My whole life. Eternally Neutral."

Austria shook his head. "That's not running away, that's keeping your ground and refusing to leave. That's different; you don't run away, it's not your nature."

He had an icy stare as he looked out the window.

"And when you don't like something...or someone...you tell them to leave. At gunpoint."

Vash could find nothing to say to his former housemate.

"Why do you run away, Switzerland?"

It was nearly a full minute before Vash could think of an appropriate answer. "I don't trust anyone, you know that, yes?"

"Of course."

"I thought...that people weren't reliable, that the only thing in their nature was to quibble over power...so I secluded myself. Became bitter, I guess. And then she came...I don't know why I helped her, it's bothered me ever since, but then slowly, over time...she grew on me. I realized there is good in some people...I don't know, I just can't bear...eh..." Vash shook his head and gave up trying to explain his feelings. He'd never been good at that.

Roderich closed his eyes and nodded in silent recognition. He knew it; as far as political power went, whether political power mattered or not, Lili was Vash's only weakness.

Austria put a hand on his shoulder again. But this time Switzerland wasn't repulsed by it. He began to speak very formally, and his voice sounded far away; Vash had never heard Roderich speak like that before.

"You must tell her or there will be dishonesty in your marriage. Sometimes...sometimes we have to say horrible things to our wives. And no matter the pain, we must obey the bosses-"

"What're you talking about?-!" exclaimed Switzerland. "You've never known what this was like! You've never seen hardship like I have!"

That damn aristocrat hadn't been to hell and back like Vash, who was always working, always scraping for money, food, security...

Austria closed his eyes. "Perhaps not...but...Elizaveta..." he swallowed painfully, and Vash noticed. Austria showed a look of sadness. That was uncommon for Roderich; he was normally so... sarcastic, so cynical. Nothing really upset him too much. Switzerland softened slightly and said, "What is it?"

Austria shook his head.

"My boss. He said..."

Vash's eyes widened. "He didn't tell you to divorce her, did he? There were rumors, but..."

Roderich sighed and said silently, "I am to marry Spain."

Vash's eye twitched. "Thaaaat sucks."

Austria nodded. "And...the Austro-Hungarian empire must be split."

Vash suddenly remembered all the years with Austria...him being beaten by Hungary...their shock when they found she was a woman...the first flower, hug, kiss, the news of their marriage...he'd sat awkwardly at the back of the chapel, while all the other nations watched their vows being said.

"Does...she know?"

Austria shook his head yet again. "No. I have to tell her very soon."

Vash was at a loss for meaningful words. He automatically replied. "I...I'm sorry."

Austria looked at him thoughtfully. "Be thankful that your boss commanded you to marry the one you love. I...I will miss Elizaveta terribly."

He took his glasses off and began to clean them with the fabric of his shirt.

"I love her very much; but our time together is short. I hope you realize how much you have."

He breathed on the lenses and continued to wipe.

"Just tell her, Zwingli. The sooner, the better."

He placed the frames back on his face, and rose.

"I wish you well in your marriage...Switzy."

Vash looked at the floor.

"I'll tell her when she gets home."

Austria smiled and closed his eyes. "Don't worry. The girl adores you; it will take more than that to shake her. "

He took his flag and opened the door, leaving Switzerland on the stairs. "Goodbye...Friend."

"Roderich?"

Austria paused. "Yes?"

"Will you be the best man at our wedding?"

.

---

..

Roderich returned to an open gate. He saw Lili descending his porch and saying goodbye to Mrs. Austro-Hungary, and smiling at him as he passed her on the walk to his home.

He then heard her shriek and turned around sharply.

It was Gilbert.

"Stay away from me, you fiend!" she shouted, and Gilbert backed away.

"You stay away from me, crazy bit-eh, woman!"

She ran down the street and bolted towards the safety of her fiancée's house.

Roderich joined his wife on the porch and laced his fingers through hers. She gave him a questioning look. Despite the fact that they were married, he almost never showed any sign of affection towards her, and it was kind of annoying.

"Is everything alright, Mr. Austria?" she asked.

He looked terribly sad, and gripped her hand tightly. "We'll talk after Gilbert is gone."

"Oh...Alright," she said, slightly confused.

Gilbert hobbled up the steps with his crutch, still mumbling. "Crazy, psychotic little..."

Austria frowned. "What do you want, Prussia?"

"Hmph. I just wanted to chat." He'd heard rumors that Hungary was divorcing her husband and wanted to know if that was true... Prussia swallowed. He was to marry Liechtenstein, but if Hungary was finally separating from that Austrian bastard, then maybe...

"Why was she so happy anyway?" he muttered, scratching behind his ear. Hungary smiled, though she was a bit worried. "They're going to be married."

Prussia's eyes shot open, wide.

"Who?-!"

"Who do you think? Vash and Lili," she said.

He shook his head, then smiled mischievously. Suddenly Austria put the pieces together and raised a hand to his mouth.

"Poor thing, I know he didn't tell her..."said Hungary.

"Tell her what?" asked Prussia, a crooked smile appearing on his face.

"Elizaveta," Roderich whispered, but she didn't seem to hear.

"Just between us, Gilbert, Switzerland's boss told him he had to marry her or evict her, and he loves the girl too much to let her go. Isn't that remarkable?"

Gilbert laughed. "I never would have guessed."

Austria tapped her and muttered, "Hungary!"

He had gotten her attention, and she was confused. "Roderich...?"

It was too late.

Prussia was already running out as fast as he could on crutches, and Austria ran after. "Stop him!" he cried. "Somebody stop him!" The aristocrat gave up very quickly. Prussia would surely kick his butt even crippled, and Hungary couldn't find her frying pan quickly enough.

"This is not good," said Roderich, panting.

"What's the matter, Mr. Austria?"

"I understand now. Prussia was trying to split them apart so that he can have Liechtenstein for himself."

"Gilbert?" Hungary exclaimed in disbelief. "But...he wouldn't!"

"There's no time to explain. Switzerland has to tell Lili before Gilbert does or it's over."

Elizaveta gasped as she realized what that would mean.

"I have to find my frying pan!" she cried, and Roderich rushed for the phone.

He waited a few moments and was shocked.

Line disconnected?

"Come on, Elizaveta!"

"I'm coming!"

They rushed as quickly as the could to Vash's home.

...

---

(Yeaahhh Austria was HORRENDOUSLY OOC in this, I apologize. And like I said, I haven't read or seen much about Prussia so I don't know if he's OOC or not. Also: I realize that the proposal was like WOAH WHERE DID THAT COME FROM...The truth is I have bigger plans for this story. It's going go beyond the altar, and by that I mean there is going to be some serious conflict. The romance is not the ENTIRE plot, though it is a large part of it. I predict about 4-5 more chapters for this story...of course most of my chapters are reaaaallly long. Here is a new summary for the rest of the story;

Prussia causes trouble for our couple, causing them to be split for a short amount of time. When they are finally reunited, an outside force calls an attack on Earth, a planet that they deem is conglomeration of squabbling nations. Noting Switzerland's indifference to the others and neutrality towards stupid conflict, they respect him and spare his life. Will Lili convince Swiss to save the other nations? And if she does, can the two of them together restore the earth...especially when Lili announces something that will change their lives forever?

OH: AND TO ALL YOU PEOPLES YOU READ THIS, THANK YOU! I really appreciate the support!

But you know what you could do to make me uBerhappy? A nice reward for 18,000 words of labor?

A review!

If you are too lazy to type out your own, just copy and paste one of these standard reviews below:

1. This story is so cute and fluffy it is amazing I love you.

2. YOU FREAKING SUCK STUPID CLIFFHANGER!

3. Extremely OOC what is wrong with you.

4 ...Wait, this is a heterosexual story? In Hetalia? *mumbles to self*

5. INCEST!

6. That took me over an hour to read...

FUN CONTEST QUESTION:

Which is a better theme song for these two? Thanks to Catsdon'tcry for telling me option #2, I think it fits perfectly...if you haven't heard these songs, youtube em' and tell me which you think is a better theme song:

Maroon 5: She Will Be Loved

(ya know...I don't mind spending every day...out on your corner in the pouring rain...look for the girl with a broken smile...Ask her if she wants to stay a while...And she will be loved.

I thought that fit...)

Kagamine Rin:I like you I love you

It's in Japanese so it may be more appropriate...but the lyrics to this SO fit *don't worry there are subs*

Vote and I'll announce the results next chapter.

Well that burned me out. Don't expect an update in under five days, though if I'm in a really strange mood, I may...

REVIEW!

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