Author's note: I don't even know how to start apologizing to you all for my long absence. Yes I am still alive and yes it was a writer's block, a major one at that. I've already planned this story to the end when I started posting the first few chapters. It is the details that keeps popping up and threaten to mess up the whole story so I need to pay more attention to the whole picture. I have re-editing the first eight chapters to have more insight and details about what was really going on (grammar and style as well). At some point, I even thought about changing the perspective from reader-insert style to OC style. But someone had added my story to reader insert community and I'm just glad to be categorized so I'm discarding the idea of OC. Like always, Thank you for faving, following, REVIEWING, and bashing me. Every interactions count as a push to help me keep going with this story. Suggestions (any kind) are always welcome. I want to know what you think, how you want to see the story goes, what make you tick or fluff. Because these are some of the source which help me gather ideas too. I already had the next five chapters planned, so update will be consistent.

Disclaimer: Axis Power Hetalia IS NOT mine!

BUDDY GAME: EXPLAINED!

For those of you who already know how the game progress, well, just skip this part and enjoy the fic.

The buddy game is usually introduced to new students, classmates, floormates, ppl in the same circle. It was designed to help those new comers to adapt to their new environment and change of life style. There are 'takers' who are randomly assigned their partners(called 'buddies'). The takers are the ones taking care of their respective buddies (giving them treats or snacks, helping them in every imaginable ways with their homework or assignment, basically anything that would be count as helpful) WITHOUT REVEALING THE IDENTITIES OF THE TAKERS. So in other words, the new comers 'buddies' each get a secret admirer assigned especially for them. At the end of the game, the takers are revealed and the buddies get a chance to thank them in return (be creative here). The game in this story will be based on these rules. Tho I might adjust here and there to suite my liking.


It was only yesterday when Francis and Antonio bursted into Gilbert's room and bumped him into his bed, asking him to join them on a ski trip.

"Come on, Gil. We know you haven't been to any trip since Christmas break last year. Why not join us on the slop?" Antonio's eyes brimmed with hope. Gilbert tried to throw the duo away from him but he was on his stomach with two fully grown males sitting on his back, causing him to lose every advantage in, probably, every angle.

"Have you ever thought I might have some other plan going on?" Gilbert's eyes widen as one of his mates teasingly pinch his nipples. "Hey! Stop!" he blushed slightly but not without showing strong frustration in his tone.

"Give us your word and you'll have your ticket. We won't take it any other way" Francis' purring gave Gilbert goose bumps. The silver blond eyed the French sharply before he gave in. "FINE!"

And they all ended up in front of the bus station the morning after. Despite it snowed heavily, the buses were still running as usual. Gilbert glanced at the other two beside him as they led another bus passed by. "Why are we not getting on?" he asked through his chattering teeth.

Antonio only beamed while Francis pried his eyes further behind Gilbert's shoulder. "I think they're here" The Spaniard raised his hand and started waving until his head began to nod along. Gilbert turned to look behind his shoulder.

A comfortable looking van appeared just behind him. Its red door swung open to the pedestrian walkway where the trio stood. Gilbert frowned slightly when he saw a familiar face poked out from behind the door.

"Bruder?" the figure from the red van directed his stare to Gilbert. The latter gaped back in response "I thought you said you were helping our old man with his term papers"

Ludwig shrugged "Changing plan. Dad is going somewhere in Eastern Europe. He said it's a school business." Gilbert's jaw still hung open. "And the car?" the older blonde frowned.

"I borrowed it from grandfather!" Another jolly face popped up by the window on the driver side. Gilbert could feel his other two friends jumped in unison when they realized who was driving the car up until the moment it stopped a few minutes ago. "Feliciano!" they cried.

"Why did you let him drive? It's dangerous with roads like these" Gilbert kicked the snow on the ground to emphasize his point. Some dirty looking bits flew towards Ludwig's trousers, resulting in the latter grunting at Gilbert.

"Because he won't let me, that is" Ludwig pouted. The younger blond hated it when his brother acted as if he had scolded him. "Let me talk to him then. It is going be challenging driving up the hill with snow all over the place" Ludwig shrugged at his bother's word as if to say 'try it yourself'.

Ludwig eyed Feliciano who had moved to sit in the back with Antonio and Francis. Three of them looking excited as Francis pulled his signature cookies from his backpack. The blond glanced back to his brother who now sat at the driver seat, expressionless, steering wheel in his hands.

"Where is your other friend? The one with weird hair cut. I couldn't get his name right every time I try pronouncing it" Gilbert tried his best to be specific.

"It's Kiku. Apparently he came down with a serious cold. I heard that he got this one back with him from Japan when he was visiting his grandparents' shrine for New Year's Eve."

"Woah, that's quite too long for a normal cold. You sure it is not 'that' kind of cold? The kind 'we' all used to get once in a while?" Gilbert nodded towards Francis who carefully handed him some macaroons. Ludwig was the one grabbing them instead.

"Can't say for sure" the younger blond put a lavender color cookie in his brother's mouth. He proceeded to gulp down another cookie that resembled a tiramisu cake. The look of utter happiness filled his face. Only Gilbert who sat with him in the front was able to witness such rare occurrence.

After a mild chaos (a result of high sugar intake) in the back seat died down, Ludwig sneaked a glance to check on the sleeping passengers. He turned back to the driver who seemed to pay full attention to the icy road before them.

"Bruder, about the other day…" Ludwig paused to see if his brother reacted to his blurt.

"…"

"I still don't know what's going on in my head. But I just want to say…" he glanced at the silver blonde who still had his eyes stuck to the driving lane.

"…"

"I'm sorry for snapping at you"

"Don't mention it" the corners of Gilbert's lips curled upward slightly "I'm glad to see you're back to your usual self today. And that's all I would ever wish for" His eyes softened down for a moment before it turned back to a hard stare as he was still mindful of the road. Ludwig finally let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He suspected the reason behind his tensing up was because he didn't feel comfortable with the position he was in with his brother. After all, it was not everyday that he was the one who had to apologize to his older sibling (usually it was the other way around)

"Oh, I heard from one of the student committees that you're joining the buddy game this year?" the younger blond finally found some other topic to ease the tension. However, Gilbert didn't show much interest.

"Yeah, I am. It's more out of gratitude though. Since if I didn't butt in, she'll probably get threaten every single day by her secret stalker instead of a secret taker like the game suppose to be"

"But still, it's rare for you to feel compassion for someone you barely know" Ludwig raised his brow. He sounded teasing but his tone was serious. Gilbert was certain he was the only person who would ever catch a mild sense of humor from his younger brother.

"You're talking like you know who I'm taking in. Did you look up from the name list? That was sneaky, West" Gilbert sneered at his counterpart. His mischievous grin started to crawl back on his face.

"Hey, I did not! It is just the way you talk about your 'buddy' that hints you might know the person on a more personal level" Ludwig huffed at the accusation.

Gilbert smirked at that 'Sharp as always' he mused to himself as he glanced back at his brother "Well, we did meet a few times. But nothing more than acquaintances"

"Hmm, if you say so…" Ludwig decided to give up his little pursue. They were arriving at the parking lot outside of the hotel they would be staying for the weekend. Gilbert pulled to a stop on one of the closest lots so they wouldn't have much trouble carrying their stuff down to the entrance. Ludwig spun out of his seat and walked to the trunk to get his bag and his snowboard (and readied his other arm to carry Feliciano's as well), leaving Gilbert to take care of the rude awakening of the other three.

"Alright, I'll come back for the rest" he smiled to himself, feeling a bit relieved that everything hadn't gone out of plan so far. He failed to notice an approaching figure behind as he was about to move out from the spot.

"I'll help" an equally cheerful tone as Feliciano chimed in. But Ludwig was in for an even more surprised since it was not his friend's voice that he was hearing.

The last girl on earth whom he wanted to see was standing beside him, hovering into the trunk of the van. The new student was hooking her fingers to the handle of the more lighter looking bags and slid them passed her wrist to rest them on her forearm. She lifted the bags while looking at the bewildered golden blond German, smiling at him innocently like she already forgot the embarrassment from their last encounter.

"Belle and Lily are already inside, talking to the staff. It seems like someone made a mistake, reserving only one room for our group" she grin sheepishly.

Ludwig felt his eyes were threatened to come out of their sockets. The probability of the one responsible for the mistake was most likely someone in the group since it was Feliciano who made a reservation. But at this rate, they might not be able to check in at all and that disappoint him greatly.

"No, I mentioned the cabin and not the room" Ludwig heard Feliciano's whine as he and you entered the hotel. The two of you came to stop next to Gilbert who had his hands rested lazily on his waist, an annoying frown was apparent between his brows.

"Give them here" he eyed the bags in your hands. You obediently handed them over. Your gaze followed his hands as he placed the bags at one corner next to the entrance. Ludwig walked over to Feliciano and started asking him for more details before he decided to take care of the matter himself.

"Always reliable" Gilbert muttered with a faint smile. You were not sure if he only wanted to keep that statement private but since you heard him you decided that you wanted to carry on the conversation.

"Maybe you want to be more like him?"

Gilbert narrowed his eyes as he looked at you "Be more like him? I think you're getting off track there little miss. He is who he is now because he modeled after ME" Gilbert looked at the golden blond who was now fishing an email from Feliciano's inbox to show to the receptionist.

"What do you mean?"

"Aw, I'm surprised a gossip guru like you didn't know that he is my younger brother" Gilbert snorted at the face you were making. It really was a surprise to you, although it wasn't a big surprise given their almost similar faces. Their personalities were night and day different.

"I'm surprise he grow up to be such an earnest person while having a big brother like you" you realized your tease was a bit over the line but your mouth had already ran loose.

"Oh? Talking like you know us already?" a tick was formed on Gilbert's forehead. His right eye twitched slightly as he panned his face in your direction.

"Sorry, that was too far of a tease. I know you're not bad yourself. Or else you wouldn't help me when I were in a pinch in the cafeteria the other day" you forced a smile, hoping he would let your rudeness slide just once.

Gilbert was taken back a bit. He blankly stared at you for a moment before broke out a grin that you knew he had finally let down his guard. Ludwig also came back to the group with a set of keys in his hand, apparently just won the argument and secured everyone a place to stay warm and sleep for the weekend.

"Thank you, for helping me back then" you whispered to Gilbert as everyone swung their own bags on their shoulders. Belle had walked in together with Antonio and Francis. The three had Ludwig and Feliciano led the way while Lily stayed back, waiting for both of you, eyeing Gilbert and you with unreadable expression.

"Alright, I don't know you can say 'thank you' properly like some educated people do but you've finally proved me wrong" Gilbert chuckled light-heartedly while patting his hand on your head as you pouted and huffed along side him.