Chapter 11 – Explanation behind The Second Playlist:

(Francis' POV)

After Alfred and Arthur had kissed, and confessed their love for each other, I strolled over to where the mastermind of this evening stood. Or should I say mistressmind?

- Well done, ma Cherie.

- Why, Francis, I have no idea what you're talking about. Elizaveta coolly replied with a smirk.

- No? I raised an elegant eyebrow. You had absolutely nothing to do with Arthur being here, or that rather nice-fitting costume he's wearing? Not to mention, the playlist?

- I might have had something to do with that. Then she grinned. All right, I had everything to do with that. With a little help.

- Merveilleux. But explain, to what purpose did the songs play?

- What makes you think they had any purpose at all? After I stared at her for a little while, she relented. The first song was just that, a song. And to make people, especially Alfred and Arthur, thinking that there was nothing fishy going on. The second song, the one that played when Arthur walked in, French Perfume, was to set the mood.

- Which is why Feliks twirled Alfred around?

- Yes, when I told him why I needed Arthur to be here, he was most eager to help. And the effect that song had to Arthur's entrance was quite bewitching, wouldn't you say? The third to fifth songs was because Chern… one of my associates told me it would get people complaining if I didn't have more normal songs. So, those were boyband songs, well two of them were. One was British, the other American, as a nod to their nationalities. And to give them less to argue about. This part she grumbled out. The third song was from a Canadian band, I really like their song When We Stand Together, so I had to choose that one. Plus, it fitted with my purpose of this party. The rest was setting the mood, but by then, Arthur and Alfred was too wrapped up in each other to notice. And the rest, as they say, is history.

- The next time you need help with hooking people up, give me a call. I'll gladly help spreading l'Amour.

- Well, now that you mention it, her eyes took on a gleam that scared the approaching Antonio and made him back away, I do have someone in my sights.

- Oh? Whom?

- Those two. She pointed towards two people standing by the punch table. One was talking animatedly, while the other nodded with his face blank. They reminded me a little about how Alfred and Arthur used to be around each other, hopefully they would change. I recognized them immediately after; they were Mathias Køhler and Lukas Bondevik.

- Well, that is doable. Anyone else?

- I suppose there are some straight couples I can think of, after Sadıq and Herakles are matched.

- Really? You think they're ready for such an intervention? Because obviously, I'd also seen the way they would look at each other, and understood that their competitions were more than just about who was best.

- They will be ready by the end of the year, she said confidently. They're friendly towards each other, and have just started to get an inkling of a hint about their feelings for the other.

- I see. What about the straight couples you were talking about?

- Well, Lily and Feliks, obviously, Michelle and Basch, and Irina and Roderich.

I had been nodding to each of the couples she mentioned (even the one concerning Basch, whose name mysteriously enough is pronounced Vash), but when she mentioned the last couple I was shocked, to say the least.

- Irina and Roderich?!

- Shh! Not so loud! Only Irina is, or realizes that she is, in love. They're perfect for each other, but Roderich doesn't realize it yet. So, they should wait until we've fixed the others. Naturally, if I find some more yaoi couples, I'm going to prioritize them. But for now, the list stands.

She misunderstood. I was more shocked that she herself wasn't interested in Roderich, than her suggesting Irina with him. But I was also pleasantly surprised and hopeful. It gave me hope that it would be easier to match her and Gilbert than I'd originally thought.

- Hey, Liz. Speaking of the devil, there he was.

- Hey, Gil. We match. She was referring to their costumes. They were both wearing Shakespearean costumes that gives extra points in English and Drama.

- Yes, we're wearing costumes from the same play. Hm, they were matching even better than I thought. Do you want any punch?

- Yes, I do. Do you guys want some punch too? She asked Antonio, whom had appeared again, and me.

- Si. Antonio replied before I could say anything. And could you give me a hint when you see Emma not being surrounded by her brothers? Poor Antonio, he really should give sweet Emma up. I'd dated her for a brief period last year, and although she was not my type, she was not Antonio's type either.

- Sure, come on Gil. Let's get those drinks.

- Poor Gilberto. Antonio sighed. He's hopelessly in love with a girl whom he doesn't stand a chance with.

- Oh, he's got a better chance than even I, the master of l'Amour, thought.

- Oh? There was a look on his face, a look that wasn't often there, but it showed that he was capable of great thinking. What do you know that I don't?

- Not much. Just that she's not interested in Roderich, and actually wishes for him to be in a relationship. Though I don't think she realizes that he has a crush on her.

- And if she did? Antonio asked quietly.

- No, no, no, no, no! I cried out empathically.

- Wow, that bad?

- No, it's not that! It's Gilbert and Liz, now. Look, he's making that expression he always wears when he's telling a dirty joke.

Antonio's eyes widened in horror, and he quickly faced the direction Liz and Gilbert was in.

(Antonio's POV)

When I saw that mi amigo Francis was right, I was convinced that every chance Gilberto ever had had on Liz, was going to be blown away by his telling his dirty joke. Then she laughed. She laughed so loud that she drowned out the music, and so hard that she doubled over. Francis and I breathed out in relief, and disbelief.

- At least they've the same taste in jokes. I turned around to find that Francis was wearing a serious expression.

- I believe we've our work cut out for us. We need a proper plan for this.

(Elizaveta's POV)

I'm normally not romantic when it comes to me. But, the fact that Gil was dressed as Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing while I was dressed as Beatrice from the same play, was fate. And meant that I should go ahead with my plan for him.

Later, as I was waiting for Gilbert, whom had gone to get a History book (he was going to help me, since he's a genius in History), I saw Francis and Antonio put several of the decorations into Francis' costume. That explained why Francis was wearing a decent-looking costume, I thought as I took a picture of them (my costume had secret pockets for phone and camera).

-Sorry guys, I whispered, but even if you help me with my matchmaking, Gilbert is more important, and this will help me get him.

Author's notes:

Don't you think that what Gilbert and Elizaveta is dressed as, fit them perfectly. I do!

I don't own Hetalia