Author: MercurialLily
Fandom: Hetalia
Title: Gilbert and Elizabeta's Infinite Playlist
Rating: T
Pairing: Eventual PruHun (it's starting to show, guys!)

Thanks for the kind reviews! As always, please enjoy!

"My mom's really nice. She'll make sure you feel right at home. And she makes really good food." Elizabeta and Gilbert were standing in front of the school, waiting for Elizabeta's mother to come and pick them up. Naturally, Elizabeta was describing her family life.

Gilbert stayed quiet while she spoke. He was amazed that she was so happy at home. He couldn't remember the last time he and his family had been happy.

"We don't have a guest room, so you'll have to stay in the living room," Elizabeta went on. "You shouldn't mind too much, though. Our couch is really comfy."

Offering a small smile, Gilbert said, "That's good. And I can't wait to meet your mother."

"She'll be happy to meet you, too," Elizabeta replied. Then she pointed and said, "That's her car. Don't worry, I already texted her. She knows you're coming home with us."

Ms. Héderváry's car pulled up to the curb a minute later. Elizabeta opened the front passenger door and jumped in. She looked at Gilbert. "You sit in the back." Then she closed her door.

Gilbert hesitantly opened the back door to the car and got in. He didn't say a word when the car pulled away from the school.

"So Mom, this is Gilbert," Elizabeta said. "He's the one I was telling you about." She turned in her seat to look at Gilbert. "Say hi."

"Uh, hi, Ms. Héderváry," Gilbert said slowly. "I've heard a lot about you."

"All good stuff, I imagine?" Ms. Héderváry laughed.

"Um, yeah. Elizabeta told me that you're really nice."

With a smile, Ms. Héderváry said, "I hope she's right about that. When she texted me and asked if you could stay with us, I couldn't refuse. I'm glad that she was considerate enough to offer you a place to stay for the time being."

"You raised me right, Mom." Elizabeta beamed. "By the way, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Either chicken paprikash or goulash. Whatever you'd like."

"Ooh, chicken paprikash. You make the best," Elizabeta gushed. "It's so good. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!"

"I'll start making it when we get home," Ms. Héderváry said. "You're not allergic to anything, are you, Gilbert?"

Gilbert shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"Have you ever had chicken paprikash before?"

"No. I've heard of it, though. What is it?" Gilbert asked.

"It's stew with chicken and paprika," Ms. Héderváry explained. "It's an old dish from Hungary. The recipe's been in our family for years."

"It's amazing," Elizabeta added.

"It sounds good," Gilbert said softly. "I can't wait to try it."

Before long, the car pulled into the driveway of the Héderváry house. Elizabeta got out of the car and waited for Gilbert, who thanked Ms. Héderváry and got out of the car as well. Elizabeta took Gilbert's hand and led him inside to show him around. Ms. Héderváry followed shortly after.

"So this is our house!" Elizabeta said. "Kitchen's there, living room's there, and the bathroom's down the hall to the left." She happily dragged Gilbert upstairs. "My room's here. My mom's is over there. Our other bathroom's in between our two rooms. I know you probably won't be coming up here too often, but I still want you to know what it's like. Any -"

Elizabeta stopped talking when Gilbert suddenly hugged her. "Thank you so much," he said. "If it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd be doing."

"I just didn't want you to be alone," Elizabeta replied. "Even if you didn't agree to stay here, I knew that at least I tried."

"You're the only one who's ever made an effort. From the moment I first met you, I knew you were different from everyone else. In a good way. You don't have the same attitude like the other kids do. You're kinder, more considerate... Sure, I thought you were really annoying at first, but now I see that you're actually really nice." Gilbert looked down. "That's my way of saying thank you."

Elizabeta smiled. "Thank you for letting me into your life. After all you've been through, you need someone who will listen and give you advice," she said. "When I was small, I hated seeing people who were upset, and I told myself that one day I would help someone. And here I am helping you."

"You're a good person, Elizabeta. Possibly one of the best people I've ever known. Your mother's also a good person, the way she's taking in some depressed loser kid she'd never met."

"Don't call yourself that," Elizabeta sighed. "You're a good person, too. Trust me. Just like everyone else, you're worth something." She gently touched Gilbert's cheek, smiling warmly. "Do you believe me?"

Gilbert nodded. "Yeah, I believe you."

"Good," Elizabeta said. "Now come on, dinner will be ready soon." Once again taking Gilbert's hand, she led him downstairs and into the dining room. "You sit down, I'll set the table and help my mom bring the food out."

"I can help," Gilbert offered. "I don't want to seem lazy."

"You're our guest. Sit." Elizabeta left him alone and went into the kitchen.

After standing awkwardly for a minute or so, Gilbert sat in the closest chair and waited. Soon Elizabeta came out with two plates of food and cutlery. She set one plate in front of Gilbert and took her place beside him. A few minutes later, Ms. Héderváry entered the room and sat across from Elizabeta. She laughed slightly when she saw the way Gilbert was staring at the food before him. "Go ahead, Gilbert," she said.

There was a slight pause, and then Gilbert began shoving food into his mouth as though his life depended on it. Both Elizabeta and her mother watched him curiously for a few seconds before exchanging a glance of mild confusion. They both knew what the other was thinking: When was the last time he ate something?

Before long, Gilbert had finished his entire meal and leaned back in his chair. He didn't seem to notice the strange looks he was getting and said, "That was really good."

"I'm...glad you liked it," Ms. Héderváry said. "Would you like some more?"

Gilbert nodded quickly. "Yes, please."

Elizabeta passed her plate to Gilbert. "Here," she said. "I'm full."

"Thanks." Within a minute, the plate was empty.

"Were you that hungry, Gilbert?" Ms. Héderváry asked.

"Yeah... I haven't had anything to eat for a couple days, I think," Gilbert said.

"Why not?"

Gilbert shrugged. "There's never a lot of food at my place," he explained. "And when there is, I'm not really supposed to eat it."

Ms. Héderváry's expression changed as she inquired, "Why aren't you supposed to eat it?"

"It's my stepmother's rule. She hates me. She always tells me that I'm nothing but a waste of space, a piece of shit. According to her, only people who are worth something are allowed to eat. So I always have to sneak food when she's not around."

"That's terrible," Ms. Héderváry said.

"I'm used to it," Gilbert replied. "But thank you very much for making this wonderful food."

"You're welcome. Would you like anything else?"

"No, thanks." Gilbert stood up. "May I be excused? I'm kind of tired."

Ms. Héderváry nodded. "Of course."

With an awkward smile and a nod, Gilbert quickly left the room. Once he was out of earshot, Ms. Héderváry looked at Elizabeta and whispered, "You never told me what he's been through."

"I wasn't going to say anything in front of him!" Elizabeta hissed. "He's been through hell. His mom killed herself when he was nine and his father blamed him. Plus his stepmom's a huge bitch and he has no friends because he's albino. I'm literally the only kid at that whole school who's ever talked to him." She sighed. "Now do you understand? He's just a poor lonely kid who needs a friend."

"And that's why you offered him a place to stay."

"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I had a long day at school and I'm going to my room." Elizabeta jumped to her feet and left the dining room, hurrying up the stairs.

. . . .

Gilbert couldn't sleep. The unfamiliar living room was dark and scary to him. On top of that, the only clothes he had was his uniform that he'd been wearing for two days straight. I really need more clothes. He was so grateful that Elizabeta had offered to let him stay with her. She had literally saved his life. I was going to end everything tonight. I had everything planned out. And then...she was kind enough to find me, to listen to me, to take me in... She cares. She really does care.

He sat up and looked around. It had to be sometime past midnight. He decided that, because he was also pretty lonely, he would go upstairs and find Elizabeta. Maybe she was having trouble sleeping too and would want to talk to him. Yes, that was a brilliant idea.

Getting up from the couch, Gilbert felt his way to the stairs, trying not to trip over anything and break his face. He finally found the stairs and scampered up to the second floor, trying to remember which room was Elizabeta's. He decided it was the one that had a sign reading "Elizabeta" in fancy letters on the door. The door was open slightly, so he approached it and quietly entered the room.

Elizabeta was sleeping, her gentle breathing the only sound in the room. Gilbert walked over to her bed and stared at her. He felt a bit creepy watching her sleep, but he was lonely. She would understand.

Or maybe not. Elizabeta's eyes fluttered open. When she noticed Gilbert standing over her, she let out a shriek and jumped up. "Wh-what the hell are you doing?"

"I was lonely... I thought maybe you were awake and we could talk," Gilbert said. He wasn't sure whether or not he should mention that her nightgown was falling off her shoulder.

Elizabeta seemed to notice what her nightgown was doing and quickly adjusted it. "I didn't say you could come into my room," she exclaimed. "Go back downstairs."

"But I'm lonely." Gilbert tried to put on his best pouty face. "Let me sleep here tonight. Please?"

Elizabeta glared. Then she said, "Fine. But you're sleeping on the floor. And you're not allowed to touch me."

"Why would I touch -" Gilbert was cut off by Elizabeta throwing a pillow at his face. "What's this for?"

"So you're at least a little comfortable. Good night." With that, Elizabeta turned onto her other side and fell silent.

Gilbert grinned to himself. She does care. Sort of. With that thought in mind, he lay down on the floor and put the pillow under his head. He fell asleep in a matter of minutes.

A/N: At the time I posted this chapter, this story had 523 views. Guys, that makes me feel so happy. I never expected that. I want to hug you all!

Chicken paprikash (Hungarian: paprikás csirke) is a very popular Hungarian dish. My aunt was born in Hungary and makes this all the time; it's delicious! It's a stew made with paprika and often served with nokedli, which are boiled egg noodles similar to spätzle. If you ever get the chance, you have to try it. It's so worth it.