I don't even own the violin described in this chapter... I don't even play the violin... Or any string instrument... I honestly couldn't afford Lukas' gorgeous violin. So, needless to say, I don't own Hetalia.

It took a while, but Matthias eventually worked up the courage to confess his love to the icy Norwegian. In fact, it took him a full two-and-a-half terms of friendship with his crush to finally tell him.

He was triggered and pushed into doing it when, for the near to first time in his life, he had walked into the Music department of the academy.

.:.

Around two-and-a-half terms later (than the last chapter, anyway)

Lukas retrieved his slightly worn violin case from the main Music classroom, where students kept their own instruments. For the past week now he had been rehearsing during his free periods. If he couldn't ski during school hours, he might as well do something constructive, after all.

Pushing open the door to his usual practice room, he stopped suddenly as he realised that the piano inside was being played, and exceptionally well, too.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."

The figure seated at the grand piano glanced up, revealing chocolate-brown hair, violet-blue eyes covered by sleek silver glasses. He stopped playing mid-trill to stand up and greet Lukas with a bow of the head.

"Mr. Bondevik."

"Lukas," the Norwegian said quickly. If there was one thing he didn't miss about Norway, it was the formalities everyone used with him.

"Lukas, then. What brings you here? If you don't mind my asking, that is," the Austrian said politely.

Lukas gestured to his violin case and replied, "I was just going to get a bit of practice in my free period. But if you're using this room, I'll leave... Sorry."

Roderich held up an elegant hand to stop him. "No, please. Don't. You play the violin?"

Lukas nodded.

"Play."

"Play what?"

"Anything. Whatever you please. Your favourite piece, perhaps. Improvise, if you will."

A strange request, in Lukas' mind, but then again everything had been strange once they moved to Denmark. Even Emil was acting differently.

The Norwegian set his case on a large guitar amp in the corner of the practice room and took out a beautiful violin and elegant bow that shone against the blue, velvety padding of the case.

Soon, the relatively small practice room was filled with the sound of energetic violin music. Lukas' eyes closed as he focused completely on his improvisation, nearly forgetting Roderich's presence. His long, slim fingers almost caressed his instrument, moving quickly yet carefully and producing a pure, unadulterated sound.

He barely blinked when the Austrian sat back down at the piano to provide a harmonised accompaniment completely by ear. The two played like that for around ten minutes, until they simultaneously sensed that the piece had reached its climax, and would be best finished grandly rather than trailing off.

"That was... Spectacular. You could be a professional musician if you wished," Roderich told the Norwegian.

"Thank you. Back in Norway I was in a band with some of my friends- not classical, but punk. We all had other commitments, though."

Roderich nodded, comprehending. "I can imagine with your skiing, you wouldn't have much time to spare... You're really talented."

Lukas blushed faintly. "Thank you. You yourself are pretty amazing in our Music lessons, I've noticed."

Roderich nodded his thanks. "We ought to practice together again some time."

The platinum blonde nodded in agreement. "We should."

That was the beginning of a routine double practice each day, the two having similar timetables.

.:.

About a week later

Lukas shrugged off his coat and threw it over the same old guitar amp he had put his violin case on so many times before, and exactly same way he had done each school day since he had improvised with Roderich. The Austrian was truly talented; together, they sounded nothing short of spectacular.

As usual, the two dug out some sheet music and played a violin and piano duet. As usual, the two became lost in their music. As usual, the world outside the practice room was dead to them.

However, not quite as usual, the two were not alone in the maze of music rooms.

.:.

Matthias sighed. Once again, Gil had dragged him off to some part of the school that the Dane forgot even existed. And apparently, so had everyone else. By the sounds of things (or rather, lack thereof- it was eerily silent), he and Gilbert were the only two around. Wait- were those footsteps? Probably just a teacher. They were really quiet, in contrast to those of the majority of the school.

What was Gilbert even doing, anyway?

When the aforementioned (and self-proclaimed) Prussian reappeared with a small, black case in one hand, Matthias raised an eyebrow.

"What the fuck is that, Gil?"

"My awesome flute, idiot. Duh," Gilbert said, as if it were obvious. Which, to Matthias' unmusical eye, it was not.

The Dane furrowed his brow. "And since when did you play an instrument?"

"Ages, man. This thing's my baby. I just don't bring it to school often. Reputation, dude. Gotta keep up my awesome street cred."

"Gilbert, my man. That was shot to pieces ages ago. Face it, mate - you don't have any street cred," Matthias laughed. "But why have you got your flute with you?"

"I felt like spending my free period playing, and I wanted your opinion. I wanna serenade mein awesome Birdie."

Matthias nearly fangirled (yes, fangirled - if you're going to do something girly, at least do it right) at that. "That's so sweet, Gil! But why're you asking me? I'm tone deaf!"

Gilbert faked a look of shock. "Did Sir Matthias just admit to not being the epitome of greatness?"

Said Dane raised an eyebrow cockily. "Is my modesty too much for the likes of you to handle?"

"Nah, mate- it's just a nice break," Gil snickered.

Matthias scowled but stopped as he heard voices. "Hey, Gil, d'you hear that?"

"Hear what? The voices? Yes, Matthias. Believe it or not, there are other people in the school. They speak. Is that too hard a concept for you to grasp?" Gilbert asked, tone mocking.

"Hey! I'm not an idiot! It's just that this place is like a ghost town. I thought we were the only ones here."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "It's probably Roderich. Not sure who with, but Roddy basically lives here."

"Roddy? Your ex?"

"Ja, duh. How many other piano-playing Roderichs are there in the school?"

When Matthias appeared to think about this, the Prussian hit him lightly over the head.

"Ow. That hurt."

"You deserved it. Yep, that's definitely Roderich, I can hear him playing the piano. Not sure who his companion on the violin is, though. Whoever they are, they're pretty awesome."

"I wanna know now. Hey, Giiil! Let's go spy on them!" Matthias exclaimed.

Gil sighed. "You are like a child, Matt. Just like a child. The only person that West will admit the awesome me is more mature than, and that's saying something. Okay, let's go and spy on Specs and his friend. Whatever floats your boat, kid."

Matthias grinned childishly. "Thanks, dad."

Gilbert just rolled his eyes. "Firstly, you're only a month younger than me. Secondly, ew. Thirdly, that would make Birdie your mother." When he got to the last part, he snickered.

"I'll tell him that the next time I see him," Matthias smirked. "But come onnn, Gil- I wanna know who the violin person is. It sounds pretty~!"

Gilbert twitched. "Violinist, Matt. Not 'violin person'."

"Wooow~ Roderich really rubbed off on you, didn't he?"

"Nein, I've always said it right, and it's unawesome to get it wrong," Gil replied hastily, his tone defensive.

"Whatever you say. Come on, let's go already!"

"Okay, okay. Be quiet, though. No doubt Roddy will throw us out if he sees we're listening in to his practice." With that, Gilbert motioned for Matthias to follow him and the two snuck into the room next to the one inhabited by the musicians.

Pressing an ear against the wall, Matthias whispered to Gilbert. "This is great and all, but I still can't see who the violin p- violinist, right- who they are."

"One sec..." The Dane looked over to his friend, who was fiddling with an air vent. "Got it!"

The aforementioned air vent was now adjusted so that one could see between the slats if they so wished. Matthias gave Gilbert a questioning look. "What are you, some sort of spy?"

Gilbert snickered quietly. "Schieße, you caught the awesome me. I'm going to have to kill you now."

For a moment, Matthias' eyes widened. At Gilbert's patronising look, he relaxed and chuckled nervously. "Haha, nearly got me there."

"I worry about you sometimes, mate... Just hurry up, take a look already and tell me who it is. The awesome me is getting bored. I wanna go play my flute."

Matthias snickered a little at how un-manly Gilbert was being. He'd never let the Prussian live it down. Curiosity taking over, he peered through the air vent and nearly fainted.

He nearly yelled his biggest secret out to the world right there and then.

He fell further into the warm, enticing arms of love than he had ever even dreamed of.

For the unknown, energetic, passionate violinist that was beginning to make him rethink his music tastes was none other than the eternally icy Lukas Bondevik.

A/N

Oh, my god. Double digits.

I'm not even going to comment on the awfulness of this chapter. And look, the gorgeous violin exists in two universes~ Isn't it a talented instrument? Or you're just too lazy to think another up... Shh, Lukas. And say hi to your fans. ...good evening. I suppose that will suffice. May I go back to playing my violin now? Yes, yes. Au revoir! *blows kiss* ...you're strange. You only just noticed that. No, I only just commented on it. Touché. Anyway. Moving onwards.

Only one thing to be translated here, I believe:

Schieße: Shit (in German)

So... Buenos noches (depending on where in the world you are XD) and please review/etc, because they not only maple to me, but also Coke Zero! And I really do live on and for that! Yep, there's a reason as to why I'm always hyper at home, yet like a zombie at school!

HAPPY FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH! (Yes, that's something to celebrate. My school bus didn't turn up today, and I walked into waaay more things than usual. Which is a lot. Coincidence or not?)

Long author's note is long. (No shit.) I'll shut up now.