Hey people who follow this story, here's an update! Luckily it hasn't been as long as the last time it took for me to update and it's so funny how I can never seem to update when on vacation…oh well, back in college now and not off to good start. -_-
But here you go and enjoy!
Do not own Hetalia.
R&R!
Chapter 12: France Finds a Picture
I got up feeling very groggy, not that I'm surprised, but remembering the events that took place last night brought a smile to my face. Groaning, I was able to force myself up and out of bed and get through my morning routine, dressing myself in something that could follow under business casual, though I did put my cowboy hat also—Alfred had insisted that I always bring it to the meetings saying it was my signature item like his bomber jacket or Canada's polar bear—and made my way out. While walking through the hallway I came across a door that as I started to pass heard a loud thud and then muffed voices that was obviously shouting. I paused and wondered if I should do something when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Quickly I turned to see Italy smiling at me.
"Ve, don't worry! It's only my brother Romano and Spain. Romano has quite a temper, you see?!" he said, seeming to me a little too happy to be talking about his brother fighting.
There was another crash inside the room and I bit my lip. "Are they always like this?"
Italy nodded quickly and took my hand in his before pulling me along with him down the hall. "Don't worry. Big brother and Spain will show up in time for the meeting. Ve, you'll see!"
Apparently I was going to go to the meeting with Italy since he never let go of my hand till he was able to usher me into his car where upon seeing Kiku I let myself relax a little and we rode in the back and a chauffeur took us to the meeting building. Italy didn't once stop talking and once we arrived he steered Kiku and I out of the car and the three of us walked into the meeting room together. Upon entering I noticed that we still had about twenty minutes before the meeting actually started and was not at all surprised to see Germany already there looking through papers with the stern expression he always seems to carry. Italy quickly left me and Kiku to go to him and Kiku nodded to me before going to speak with Greece, who was nodding off in his chair.
I saw Ivan sitting further into the room, his chair mostly faced away from the door, giving me the impression that he hadn't noticed that I was there yet. My lips twitching into a smirk, I made my way towards him, trying to be quite as possible. When I was all about a yard from him, I suddenly saw a dark quick blur heading my way and the flash of metal.
I quickly ducked, feeling the whoosh of air above me and jumped back. The dark blur—which I could make out as a dress—came at me again and the metal flashed again from the side, vaguely I was able to hear the alarmed voices around me as I blocked with my arm and shot my other arm out towards the person's—lace dress…female—chest, adrenaline coursing through me. My hand got block and the women jumped back before quickly darting back in. I was able to grab one hand and spun so that I was suddenly behind her and twisted her arm. She dropped the metal item from that hand, which I was able to see as a knife, but then turned towards me with the other knife in her hand. Keeping my grip on her other hand I was able to grab her wrist, the knife's blade stopping a couple itches from my neck. I was able to meet two furious blue eyes for a second before kicking her in the stomach—sure glad I didn't wear heels or a skirt, letting my grip loosen on her wrists she lost balance and fell a few yards away.
"What the heck is going on?!" I drawled, my accent getting heavy since 'Texas—veteran' was appearing, my heart pumping from the rush of adrenaline I got.
The women, who now that she stopped attacking me, looked more like a something out of a Lolita fashion magazine, not that I minded Lolita, they are very beautiful designs. She had long, straight platinum blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She was wearing a dark purple dress that reached her knees, a white hair ribbon a white waist apron, and black shoes with black stockings. The other countries were crowded around us, though there was a bigger gap around her then me, all talking and gossiping around. The women began to stand up, the room instantly became silent, and I stiffened to see what she was going to do.
Thankfully she didn't attack, however, she did retrieve the knife she dropped and sheathed it all the while glaring at me. I felt a presence near me and turned enough to see that it was Alfred, who was currently looking like he was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Ah, yeah, um Madison." Alfred said his voice shaking from his internal effort.
"What?" I asked slightly getting annoyed with him.
"That's, um, well she's, she is—"
"I am Russia's younger sister Belarus." The women said, finally speaking.
I sighed in part relief and confusion. "Well then it's nice to know you're not just some random assassin or something, though the fact that you tried to attack me at all is kind of worrying."
Belarus nodded and glance off to the side, I did the same and saw Ivan standing off to the side in the front of the crowd standing next to a woman who had short blonde hair that was kept back with a headband, teal eyes, and wore a long-sleeved white blouse and blue overalls, holding onto Ivan's arm. She also looked like she was about to have a panic attack.
Ah, she must be Ukraine then.
"I had to test you." Belarus continued gaining my attention. "I had to see if you were worthy to stay in the presence of my big brother."
"…Okay?" I said still a little put out by the whole thing. Didn't Ivan get to have a say in that or is he a part of this too? Hmm…something to ask him later. "So, ah, did I pass then?"
Belarus continued to glare at me but she nodded.
"I shall not try to kill you again for six months." She replied simply before making her way out of the room, the other countries hurrying to get out of her way.
I looked after her in disbelief and when she was out of the room I turned to Ivan. "Six months!?"
Ivan hummed and patted Ukraine's hand on his arm before detangling himself from her and making his way to me. He paused in front of me with a grin on his face.
"Da, but do not worry, that means she likes you a lot." He said sweetly.
I spluttered. "Th-that's her liking?! What the heck she like if she were to hate me?!"
"Ты мило, когда вы застигнуты врасплох." Ivan whispered, leaning forward to where he was just a few inches away, violet eyes gleaming. (You're cute when you are taken by surprise.)
Before I could reply, he closed the gap between us in a chaste kiss. It only lasted a few seconds but it felt like winter's touch, cold but sending a sharp tingle through my body.
It was very, very nice.
Someone cleared their throat and I jumped a little, coming back to full reality…
Which included more than a dozen nations all staring at Ivan and I in all types of expressions and emotions displayed.
I felt my cheeks flush and turned towards Germany who had been the one to make the noise. He just raised an eyebrow at me and gestured towards the large table.
"I believe when can get the meeting started now."
After Germany spoke everyone was able to stop staring and move towards their assigned seat though I was able to catch some glances being thrown at me and Ivan. Everyone sat down and the meeting was actually able to begin once the last of the countries filed into the room, I noticed unfamiliar faces around the room which wasn't all that surprising since the Europe continent itself consisted around 50 countries and I most certainly didn't meet them all in the last meeting.
As each country speaking for the day came up one by one I saw the unknown ones present themselves. A couple of them stood out more, like Finland, who seemed to be a very cheerful person but not to the hyper extent that Italy displays. Also I could have sworn that when he had finished and sat back down in his spot the intimidating looking nation who sat next to him had called him his 'wife.' Looking at the name card I saw that it was Sweden…I'll have to ask Alfred about that later, or maybe Kiku or Elizabeta would be better.
Once lunch was announced everyone began standing up before continuing to do different things. I was just able to catch Alfred dragging a flustered Arthur out of the room and couldn't keep the smirk from my lips. Well, apparently I shall not be receiving an invite to join them for the break. My eyes drifted back to Ivan, who was still sitting in his chair, stretching his very long arms above his head before bringing them back down to rest on the arm rests. He turned to me then with an ungloved hand out for me, a raise eyebrow and a spark in his eyes.
"Готовый, моя звезда?" he asked expectedly making it sound more like a statement then a question. (Ready, my star?)
I raised my own eyebrow but took his hand, letting him pull me up as he stood. "Однажды, скажете вы мне, почему ты меня называешь." (One day, you will tell me why you call me that.)
Ivan let out a chuckle and led me towards the door of the room.
"Ах, но моя звезда в тот день, конечно, не сегодня." He replied simply before giving me a quick but sweet peck on the lips and leading me out. (Ah, but my star, that day is certainly not today.)
Once lunch was over and majority were walking in and settling in, this time Arthur being seen as the one who was dragging Alfred back into the room, the meeting was able to continue as is. There were a few arguments here and there but only a few punches were thrown overall so it was considered a good meeting. It was also my first time having to speak and it was a little nerve wracking to be standing in front of beings I never knew existed and some who were hundreds, heck, thousands of years old but I have spoken in front of crowds before so I was able to get by it. Luckily no one interrupted me or attempted too, which I was really grateful for, but I probably shouldn't get use to that considering how they are with each other.
When the meeting was finally over we were dismissed and everyone began standing, talking with their neighbor, and/or packing their things. After a sweet kiss on the cheek from Ivan, he told me he'll contact me later then left, a grin displayed on both our lips. I was in no hurry to leave since I didn't have any plans for the evening and took my time packing my things. Kiku had come over and invited me to another "meeting" which I of course agreed to. Alfred was still talking with Arthur as I stood up to leave and when I was about to head towards the door I heard my name being called out.
I turned to see France coming towards me before stopping a few paces away with a, what I would think, apologetic but eager smile.
"I hope I am not causing you to be late to any event by delaying you?" France asked.
"No, not at all," I replied curious as to what France would want.
"Bon." He said. "I was looking through some photos the other night and came across a couple that I thought you might be interested in."
He then held out what was to be the photos towards me and seriously interested now I take it from him and glanced at it, my breath catching in my throat.
Both were taken during the meeting when Texas had gone to seek France's help with the war. In the first had France's president and prime minister standing next to a formally military dressed France, all three men had smiles on their faces. The president was shaking a young woman's hand who was in army formal wear also holding a pleased smile on her face. The woman looked to be in her early twenties, rectangle glasses framed around almost black eyes, light brown skin, and dark straight hair wrapped up in a bun.
I quickly went to the next photo and it was as if my throat had swelled up leaving my breathless and unable to make a sound. The second also contained the woman but this time she was surrounded by over twenty men and women in varies ages, all wearing dress army uniforms not holding back huge grins and toothy smiles as they held each other in a huge horizontal group hug.
"Th-that's…" I whispered, barely able to choke it out. My hand was trembling even though I was clenching the photos tightly, fingers white from pressure.
"Oui. Que vous et votre entreprise est à partir de quand vous êtes arrivé à mon pays." Frances said softly. (Yes. That's you and your company from when you came to my country.)
I didn't realize I was crying till I blinked and two tears streamed down my face and my vision suddenly blurred. France didn't say anything as I try to get myself together, for which I was thankful considering I was pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to speak in those moments. After forcing myself to take several deep breaths and loosen my grip in the photos so they weren't scrunched so tightly, I was able to straighten up, wiping away my now wet stained cheeks and meet France's gentle eyes.
"Merci." I said, voice hoarse.
France nodded and gave me a small sad smile. "Soyez le bienvenu, fleur." (Your welcome, flower)
Having to grin at the name, I nodded to him before making my way out of the room.
The photos held to my chest the whole way back to the hotel.
Yeah that was a suddenly shift in mood but hope you liked it. R&R!