Heyo~ remember us? Did you have a nice Christmas? I hope so. Sorry about the late update! EliteKessu and I were trying to shorten this chapter as much as we could but we couldn't get it lower than 4,500 OTL It's some summer for your winter!... Unless you live in like Australia... so... more summer for you guys..?

Anyway, take breaks if you need to!

Enjoy~

To the Beaches of Spain!

Then there it was, in the shadows, a pale-faced creature crept slowly up to the lone girl. It lifted its decaying finger and pointed right at her. Suddenly—

Maki gasped as her phone went off. She marked her page and answered it.

"Hey~, what's up?" It was Jackie.

"Was just about to finish reading a book. What about you?" She leaned against the headboard of her bed. It's been a while since she's heard from her friend.

"Sitting on Dan's back." There were some sounds of struggle in the background.

Maki wriggled her toes under the blanket. "Sounds great."

"I know right?"

"I SAID I WAS SORRY!" The brunette held the phone away from her ear.

"Nope." Jackie brought her phone back to her face. "Anyway, did you get the call from Antonio yet?"

Maki thought back. As far as she could remember, all she's done was read and write. "Uhh… what call?"

"Oh, looks like you haven't gotten it yet. Maybe Ivan did."

Maki tilted her head. "Did something happen?"

"Well, Antonio is inviting people to his beaches just for some beach fun."

All her attention absorbed itself into that single statement. "That sounds like fun." She concealed a smile. "I'll go ask Ivan."

"Alright."

Maki bounded off the bed, set the phone on the desk, and scurried into the hall. "Ivan?"

"Da?" It sounded like it came from his office.

She made her way to the doorway and peeked in. Some last minute nerves swelled up in her since she wasn't used to asking these kinds of things. "Are you busy..?"

The Russian looked up from a document he was marking. "Just some paperwork." He set the sheet on a nearby pile. "Do you need something, comrade? "

"Uh…" She fidgeted with the doorknob. "I was wondering if you've gotten a call from Antonio recently."

He was a bit lost. "Hmm, not that I am aware off—" His phone started ringing. "Oh, that might be him. One second, comrade." He answered it.

Maki excused herself and stood in the hall, in case it was some important diplomatic call or something instead. She traced the details of the carpet with her toes.

"See you then, comrade." Just as Ivan set the phone down, Maki wandered back into the room. "That was Antonio. How did you know?"

She laughed her usual timid laugh. "Jackie asked me about it earlier."

"Ah," the Russian smiled, "but yes, would you like to go to the beaches of Spain?"

She looked down and nodded shyly. He chuckled in response. She didn't need to hold back. The girl faced him again, with a slight blush across her face. "Would you like to go too?"

He beamed, "Da," and then glanced down at his little stack of documents, "but I would like to finish my paperwork first."

She understood. "I'll let you get back to work then." She bowed her head and hurried back to her room. She picked up her phone, glad that Jackie was still on the line. "Hello?"

The girl only heard ruckus and other miscellaneous noises coming from the other side. She thought that maybe it was the wrong time and should call back later.

"God, Dan, you're…" There was a slight pause. "Oh, hi Maki."

She was close to ending the call. "…Am I interrupting something?"

"Dan was being stupid again but he's being punished by Lukas now."

"Oh, okay." Usual business then.

"Anyway, you talked to Ivan about the beaches?"

Maki sat on the edge of her bed. "Yeah, I think we're going after he finishes his paperwork." She glimpsed at the time. It seemed like a lot though.

"Cool. I'm already packed and we're going to the airport in a couple of hours. I wanted to make sure that you were heading over there too."

Well that was fast. "That's good. I guess I'll start packing too."

"Yay! Hopefully we will meet up at Antonio's house then."

Maki smiled. "Yep. Are all the Nordics coming too?"

"Yep. Well, Lukas and Emil are going to come a bit later because they are expecting Peter."

"Hmm, okay." She was about to ask something else but then realized the call had ended. She shrugged. It wasn't drastically important anyway.

"Comrade~!"

Maki went to the railings by the stairs. "Yes?"

Ivan looked up at her. He was carrying his tray of finished tea. "Are you ready to start packing?"

"Y-yes, I'm ready to start packing."

He noticed the suppressed excitement in her eyes. He smiled at her. It wasn't common that she would get really excited. The last time was when they went to the film festival and that was two weeks ago. But it has been nothing but paperwork since then, so it was nice to get some fun.

"When will we be leaving?" she asked.

"In about an hour or so." He had booked a flight before he left his office. "That was the soonest I could get."

The girl believed that it was fantastic as it was since she had expected for him to finish his work a bit later. "Okay, I'll be ready by then." She disappeared into her room to pack for the trip.

Ivan giggled and soon joined her in the preparation.

-After the plane ride-

Maki stretched upwards as she and Ivan filed out of the plane and walked toward the waiting area. "I wonder if everyone is here already."

A head turned toward her and blinked.

The Japanese girl glanced back. "Oh hi, is everyone here yet?"

The Korean girl pointed at the crowd behind her and indeed there were Berwald, Tino, and Dan. Then she started laughing. "What perfect timing."

Maki laughed too. "Yeah, seriously."

Jackie hugged her. "Yay!" She hasn't seen her for three weeks, too long. She then hugged Ivan. "Hi~!"

-A moment of chit chat later-

"Anyway," Jackie grabbed up her carry-on bag. "Let's find our bags and go."

The group made their way to the baggage claim. The airport wasn't terribly packed but at the same time there were still a lot of people. Then again it was the summertime and who wouldn't want to pay a visit to Europe's beaches, especially Spain's.

The Korean girl turned to Tino. "Hey Uncle Finny, when do you think Uncle Norge and Uncle Icey will come?"

Ivan tilted his head while Maki looked at the two. "They're your uncles now?"

"Nicknames, hello," she retorted.

The Finn laughed casually. "We got used to it by now."

"I'm still the uncle," complained Dan, "I should be the big brother!

The taller girl frowned at him. "Oppa is big brother."

Maki glanced back at the Dane. "And no one else can take that title."

"In any case," Tino looked at Jackie, "we might see them tomorrow."

"Hopefully," she replied.

Maki looked out ahead of her to find the sign for the baggage claim. It was interesting seeing Spanish words this time along with English and, what she's been informed, Catalan. "Where are we supposed to meet Antonio?"

Berwald checked his messages on his phone. "Outs'd th' air'po't."

Ivan squinted ahead at the exit as the glare from the sun was a little blinding. "I think I see him and his grumpy comrade."

"CHIGI!"

"Yep, that's Lovino alright." Jackie scoffed. She's sure anyone would recognize that trademark outburst.

Antonio caught a glimpse of the colorful group through the crowd. He waved his arms so that they could see him. He was glad that the girls could make it too.

-Baggage claim and drive later-

"We're here~!" The Spaniard drove into the parking lot of a hotel with a car packed with Jackie, Maki, Berwald, and Tino. He had Lovino drive Dan and the luggage in his own car since there was no more space.

Maki had a sneak peek of the beach as they drove past it. She turned to her friend. "It's so nice here." It was much better than the one they'd last been to.

Jackie bumped her head against the glass of the window. It was warm to the touch thanks to the fact that she was sitting on the side where the rays were hitting for the first half an hour of the ride. "If it was cloudy, it would be better." At least it was hitting nightfall now.

"But we are in the country of Sun and Passion." Antonio grinned as he looked back at her.

"I know," sighed Jackie. She couldn't stand the heat and the packed car didn't help.

Tino smiled. "I can't wait to go out there, right Berwald?" He looked up at him.

The Swede nodded. "Yeah, seems fun."

Jackie has had enough of sitting and got out of the car. "Yay! I can stretch." She reached for the sky.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

She jumped from the sudden outburst while Maki hurried out to see if something was wrong, "What, what?"

The Korean, unamused, turned to Alfred.

He laughed heartily. "I scared you!"

A swift hand came in and yanked at the American's ear. Arthur scowled at him. "Apologize!"

"Now now," Antonio broke in between them, "we are here to have fun~. So let's get to our rooms."

Tino glanced at his watch, which read 19:15 [7:15pm]. "Good idea." Everyone filed into the hotel and received their keys.

"Hey! Hurry up!" Lovino was holding up some bags from his car. The Finn and Dan went to retrieve them.

Antonio was about to go help too but then remembered something. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention," he turned back to Maki, "you and your friend has to share a room with Alfred."

Jackie decided to come over upon hearing her name. "Why?"

"Aw come on," Alfred put his arms around the girls' shoulders, "What's wrong with rooming with the hero? It's gonna' be awesome."

The Spaniard shrugged. "Lo siento senoritas, but there was some technical issues and it can't be changed."

"Aww, that's too bad." Ivan set down Maki's bag he got from the car. "I'll see you at the beach then, comrade."

The girl nodded. "Okay then."

"See y' tom'rr'w." Berwald stood waiting for the elevator.

"Good night." Tino waved at everyone.

"'Night mom! 'Night Mother Russia!" shouted Jackie.

"What?!" Arthur stopped after walking down the stairs. He wasn't sure if he was hearing things or not.

"'Night Uncle Finny, Uncle Dan, Uncle Artie!" she continued.

Ivan chuckled softly. "Good night, comrade."

Berwald nodded at her. "'Night."

Jackie grinned at their responses and looked up at Alfred. "Come on dad, let's go."

"I'm a dad?" He was dumbfounded for a second and then burst into laughter. "Then that totally makes Uncle Iggy an old man!"

"Totally the point," she agreed.

"Oi!" the Brit shouted at them.

Alfred continued laughing as he made his way to the room.

Jackie looked down at Maki. "You okay? Excited?"

She smiled in response. "Can't wait for tomorrow."

The older one poked the other's side. "Yeah, I know. You love the beach; or anything beautiful in nature now that I think about it."

"What's the room number again?!" The American shouted from somewhere within the building.

Jackie froze in place since she didn't know either.

"Uhh…" Maki turned to Antonio.

He laughed. "Room 58."

"Do you have a spare key too, just in case?" she asked.

"Front desk, senorita." He pointed down the lobby.

"Gracias." Maki retrieved the key from the receptionist and returned to where Jackie was. "Let's go find Mr. Hero."

"You think he would be easy to spot in a place like this?" Jackie frowned. Then she stopped. "Wait, when did he disappear in the first place?"

"I don't know…" Maki sighed.

-After a long search…-

Alfred automatically threw himself onto one of the beds as soon as the door got unlocked. The two girls wearily dragged themselves in after him.

Jackie stared at him. "Really…"

Maki closed the door behind her and put the key on the table. "You're welcome…" They found him on the fifth floor, of all places. More technical issues happened when they found the elevator to be broken. So, of course, they were both tired.

The Korean set their bags in the corner. "I hope you have a swimsuit."

This time her friend froze in place. She had completely forgotten about it.

Jackie flopped onto the second bed. "I forgot that we're not in our world so we don't have all of our stuff." She raised a finger. "I don't have one either."

Maki sighed. She had some money for one suit but definitely not enough for two.

"Anyway," Jackie yawned as she decided to sort out the problem later, "I am going to sleep for tomorrow."

Maki nodded. "I will too after getting settled."

"Okay, 'night." She tucked into the blanket on one side of the bed. Since Alfred showed no signs of making room, she made sure to leave space for Maki.

The younger girl washed up and changed to her pajamas. She still wondered what they were to do without a swimsuit. There was always the shorts and tee shirt, or tank top, option. She yawned. It wasn't the time to think about it. They had searched endless floors for Alfred. It didn't occur to them that they could have called him instead until the very end.

Maki turned out the lights, crawled onto her side of the bed, and fell asleep just as automatically as the American did.

…

But not fast enough.

Alfred was snoring up a storm.

"Dad…" Jackie rolled over. "Shut up…"

"I had a feeling…" Maki placed a pillow over her head.

"We'll get him back in the morning." Jackie poked her friend's side. "Let's get your phone and play quiet music."

The other girl felt around the bedside table for her phone. She quickly made a playlist of sleep-suitable songs and let that drone them back to sleep. Though, it wasn't enough.

-The next morning-

"Wow…" Maki gasped at the blue, blue, blue scenery. The sky was clear and the water was clear. Toward the horizon, the water turned to a deeper blue. There were scatters of people down the beach and seagulls here and there, and a gentle breeze blew through her short hair. The sand was clean and soft between her toes. She pulled up the camera app and took some pictures. She spotted Alfred and Feliciano playing in the water and took a picture of that too.

"Hello~!" Antonio jogged toward her. He had on a straw summer hat and a pair of sunglasses along with red swimming trunks.

Maki smiled widely. "Your beach is very beautiful."

He got to where she was standing. "Gracias. Where is Jackie?"

She glanced at the hotel. "She'll join us later." It was 10:30 when Alfred and Francis abruptly woke them up but that was still too early for Jackie; especially after a long night.

"Alright." He took her by the wrist. "There are a lot of people down by the beach already. Let's head down."

Ivan saw the two come up to the meeting spot. "Ah, comrade." He waved from under his giant Russian-themed umbrella. Maki waved back at him. He did not recall that she owned a swimsuit. "Francis?"

She blushed and nodded. She was thankful for her t-shirt because it revealed too much skin for her taste. It was a white and teal bikini top with a light green skirt cover-up.

An arm went over her shoulders and she flinched upon contact. Gilbert smirked as he eyed her. "She's wearing a shirt over her swimsuit. I bet she'll look nicer without it."

Maki blushed even more. "Uh… hello…" She wished Jackie was here because she just broke her promise of not having the BTT touch her.

"Bruder! How many times do I have to say to not harass Maki?" Ludwig came up to the two.

The Prussian held his hands up in defense. "I wasn't doing anything!"

"Ve~!" Feliciano came running from the water and hugged her. "You look so pretty!"

"T-thank you," replied Maki. She didn't see what the big deal was especially because she was wearing the shirt. Then again, wouldn't Feliciano give compliments to all girls?

"Give the girl some room." Eyes turned to the voice and it was Arthur walking toward them, in his red and white swimming trunks and white button top.

"Hey Artie!" Alfred shouted from the water.

"Yes, hello." He sighed and turned his attention back to the crowd. "Now, give the girl some space."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. His fun always had to be ruined. "Whatever, Eyebrows." He went to bug his brother, who went off to read in the shade.

The Brit looked around. "Is Jacklin not with you?"

Maki felt like she could breathe again. She shook her head. "It's a little early for her right now."

"But it's almost noon!" he exclaimed.

She just shrugged. "Little early." She went off to set her things down by Ivan.

Arthur sighed. "Bloody Americans are so lazy."

"Heads up!"

A beach ball slammed into the Brit's head. Even though it's just an air-filled ball, the force seemed to match that of a volleyball. He turned and scowled at Alfred. "YOU BLOODY GIT!" He grabbed the beach ball. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"

The American jogged up to him. "I gave you a warning dude." The other did not hear and started chasing after him. Alfred clearly ran faster though. "DUDE, I SAID SORRY!"

"NO YOU DID NOT!"

Ivan giggled at the sight. "Those two are always so lively."

A sweatdrop ran down Maki's head. "Yep." And many of the fangirls in her world would not mind though.

"Ah, Maki-chan."

The said girl turned to find Kiku, Yao, and Yong Soo walking toward her. She smiled. "Konnichiwa."

"'Morning, daze!" The Korean jogged ahead of the two Asian nations.

"Good morning," Maki greeted him.

He looked around for someone was missing. "Still sleeping, daze?"

"You guessed right."

He smiled. "She always did that to me, daze." He recalled how she was always sleeping in when she was staying with him. He didn't mind though. It gave him time to plan what he could do for her for the day. Although he doesn't want to remember what happened when he did try to wake her up one faithful morning. A slight chill went down the Korean's spine.

Maki laughed a little. "I had a feeling." A force almost knocked her over and she was locked in a tight embrace.

"So cute, aru!" Yao found it irresistible. With the white flower clip in her hair and skirt cover-up, she was adorable. And he appreciated her decision to keep herself covered.

"Of course, I had hand-picked the outfit and—" Francis stopped, with an absolutely disappointed look on his face. "NUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Maki, still stuck in Yao's grasps, waved at the Frenchman.

He tugged at her sleeve. "Why would you wear such a plain-looking shirt for an excellent outfit like this?"

She cast her gaze toward the water. "I usually do…"

He wasn't satisfied with that response. "But, but, it's such a beautiful outfit! How could you just wear a plain shirt over it?!"

"Because I can…" she muttered.

Pang.

"Leave the poor girl alone." Elizabeta lifted her frying pan from Francis' head. Her yellow pastel summer dress fluttered in the gentle breeze.

The Frenchman held his head in pain. He knew what Gilbert had to go through now. "Bonjour to you too, mademoiselle…"

She smirked at him. "Jackie sent me in case any perverts try to molest Maki."

"How considerate of her," commented Ivan. He was watching all the commotion as he sipped some kvass; pretty much a Russian cola.

She tied her hair back. "Yeah, well I happened to bump into her when she was going to get something to eat."

"Which means she'll be joining us soon, yes?" Francis beamed.

"Yeah." She waved her frying pan threateningly at him.

"How fabulous will she look in her swimsuit, I cannot wait." He grinned.

Jackie scoffed and dumped her vanilla ice cream on his bare back. He shrieked and jumped from his spot. The girl smiled darkly at him. "Don't sound too excited about seeing me in a swimsuit, you pervert."

"Ah, comrade." Ivan waved at her.

She smiled sweetly at him. "Hi, Mother Russia."

"Dude! What is up with those tattoos?" Alfred stared at Jackie many markings. There was a large butterfly on her upper back, another butterfly on her right shoulder, a sun around her belly button, and some intricate designs down her left forearm and the side of her right thigh.

Jackie shrugged. "Back during my gang and juvenile days, but whatever."

"Glad you can finally join us~." Antonio was completely unfazed by the whole situation. He thought it was pretty cool.

"Thanks, but don't expect me to stay happy for too long. Me and heat do not go together." Jackie moved her long hair away from her neck. She was wearing a cerulean blue top with ruffles and a dark blue flower on a strap. She also wore a longer light blue skirt.

Yong Soo nodded. "You look great, daze~."

"Thanks, I guess." Jackie shrugged. "But either way…" she glimpsed at Maki and tapped her shoulder, "You're it!" She ran off.

The tagged girl stared blankly as her friend ran off. "What… Wait!" She ran after her as soon as her brain caught up to what just happened.

Jackie laughed as she made her way down the sand. It felt nice between her toes so running wasn't a problem.

"I wanna play, I wanna play!" Feliciano raised his hand. Maki tapped his back as she ran past him.

"Youth, they're so energetic." Yao watched the two girls run by. Feliciano tapped his shoulder and ran away. He stood, stunned. "Why me, aru?!"

"Because we are playing a game, duh!" Jackie shouted from about ten feet away.

Yao huffed and knowing that he could not run far he strode over and tapped Kiku's head.

"E-eh?" The Japanese man looked at him. He just grinned and scurried off. Kiku sighed and lightly touched Alfred's arm and moved out of his reach.

"Huh?" The American looked one way while Arthur smacked him in the head from the other direction. It was payback for the beach ball.

"Ouch!" exclaimed Jackie. In the background she heard Ivan giggle.

"Wait, I'm it?" Alfred was completely unfazed by the hit.

"Yep." Jackie hinted at Kiku.

Alfred tapped Arthur's shoulder. "You're it!" He ran off and Arthur ended up chasing after him again.

Maki and Jackie watched everyone run around tagging each other. The smaller of the two laughed lightly. "I have a feeling that it's going to spread to everyone first before we get out turn again…"

Jackie grinned. "Exactly. It's awesome to see everybody having fun."

"Good point." Maki walked toward the water. Jackie followed close behind. The Japanese girl reached for a shell but it was broken so she returned it to the water. "When was the last time we went to the beach?"

Jackie dug her toe in the sand. "Hmm… maybe before we went to school last year?"

"In other words, forever ago." Maki saw a little yacht in the horizon.

"Yep." Her friend smiled and splashed water at the other.

"Hey!" She splashed back.

Jackie giggled. "Water gun attack!" She splashed again.

"More like waterbending." Maki returned the favor.

"Hey~!" The taller girl wiped her face.

The other giggled. Before she could do more, Alfred tapped her on the head. "You're it!"

-A long game of tag later-

"I cannot swim to save my life." Jackie carefully followed her little friend out in the water.

Maki sweatdropped. She decided that she wanted to go out for a swim and Jackie insisted on trailing along. "Just don't follow me too far."

They ventured out until Jackie couldn't touch her feet onto the ground anymore.

Maki waded out a little further. "It feels really nice."

"Just be careful!" Jackie shouted.

"You too," Maki responded.

"What are you talking about?" Jackie shouted from on top of a tall rock.

The Japanese girl wondered how in the world she got up there so fast. "J-just don't fall off…" The other girl grinned in response.

Underwater, Maki saw some shells amid the rocks. "I'll be right back!" She took a deep breath and dove in.

-Back on the beach-

Arthur was reclining on a beach chair. He lifted his sunglasses and squinted out. He knew the girls went out for a swim but someone was missing. Jackie was on the rock but… "Where is Maki?!"

Alfred sat up from his sunbath. "The hero's on it!" He ran toward the water.

Jackie saw a streak of water heading toward her. She gasped. "Hey! No!"

Maki resurfaced and took a grateful gasp of air. She held up a small conch shell. "I got it!"

"…Oh." Arthur settled back in his chair.

Alfred stopped midway. "Oh~!"

Jackie was glad that the misunderstanding was gone. She walked back to where she was sitting but accidentally slipped on some wet algae. She lost her balance and fell off the edge.

Maki dropped her shell. "Jackie!"

Her friend managed to grab the edge of the rock. Alfred climbed onto the rock and reached for her. Before she could, another pair of hands grabbed her arms and pulled her up.

"Whoo, thanks." She sat cross-legged and sighed in relief.

Maki followed the latter gesture. She was sure her heart stopped for a split second.

"That was eventful!" The Korean exclaimed.

Alfred turned to the Swede, who had stolen his hero job. "When did you get out here?"

"J'st now."

"Dude, you're so fast!" The American stood up and pointed at the beach. "We should race!"

He shook his head. "N't now, Ja'ki's shiv'rin'."

"I am?" She held up her hands and indeed she was.

"Fine, later then." Alfred was just glad his citizen was safe. "Anyway…" He took a couple of steps from the edge. "Cannonball!" He leaped off the rock and plunged into the water.

Jackie laughed. "Oh dad, you're funny."

Berwald sat next to her. "Are y' ok?"

"I didn't know I was shivering." She clasped her hands together.

Maki noticed Jackie looking in her direction. She waved and her older friend waved back.

She was glad Jackie was safe. It was amazing by how fast Berwald came.

She turned over and decided to float about on her back for a while.

The sunshine and water were nice after all.

Though, she wished Alfred would stop leaving huge waves behind him.

…

-Hetalia-

Hey Hey, Ita-chan, do you want churros?

Hey Hey Mama, Hey Hey Mama,

I could never forget the taste of the paella I ate a long time ago!

Draw a circle, there's the earth

Draw a circle, there's the earth

Draw a circle, there's the earth

I'm Spain!

Ah, a wondrous world

That can be seen with a single stroke of a brush

The Kingdom of Passion !

Spain!