A/N First off, huge apologies for the delay! I've started my job again after not working for 3 months over christmas and everything is manic at the moment, so I've been very lazy when it comes to writing. We open a new building in just over a week and things should settle down after that (who am I kidding, it'll take waaaay longer than that!) but I'm looking forward to it. I promise to try not to leave it three weeks between updates again though! If I'm being lazy, please please nag me for it through reviews or PM and I will get myself in gear as soon as possible. You guys are so amazing for reading this and I really shouldn't be such a bad author.

So, as you've all waited quite long enough, I give you the next installment!

Chapter 14: In which food is a wonderful source of reconciliation. Attempted arson, slightly less so.

FYI: I don't know if this particularly merits a warning or not, but this chapter does contain slight romance. Only implied, but you may want to skip the last bit if that's not your cup of tea. For those who love ships as much as I do, though, read on!

Chapter 14

With the three of them gone, the conversation turned back to the plan.

"So, what did you have in mind to do next?" Yao asked.

Vlad shrugged expressively. "Up to you," he replied. "Everyone else is down at the docks. We should probably go and meet them, or someone go at least to say we've found you. We really only came here for food, so you were a bonus," he grinned.

"Is the old man here?" a voice asked slyly. Vlad looked over to Leon, who had a suspiciously innocent face, dark eyes wide.

"Uh, who?" Vlad asked, confused.

"He means Arthur," Yao cut in, his mouth twisting a little. He turned to his youngest brother.

"Go, but if he catches you I have no idea what you're doing," he said. His eyes gleamed with faint laughter.

"Got it. Yong-Soo, you're with me. Peter, breathe a word of this and you're dead." The siblings all nodded, turning with wide smiles.

"What are you doing?" Raivis asked cluelessly, staring at them confusedly.

Leon turned and winked at him. "Can't say or you'd tell," he quipped. He walked round to the back of the stall and retrieved a bunch of what looked like sticks, bound in bright paper, slipping them into the wide sleeves of his tunic.

"Oh, okay," the little Latvian replied, somewhat crestfallen. Peter ran over to him, giggling, and whispered something in his ear. Raivis' eyes went wide in astonishment.

"FIRECR-mmph!" he was cut off by the blond boy hurriedly placing a hand over the older teen's mouth.

"Shush! No telling or jerk Arthur will know!" he warned.

Raivis looked confused again. "But mr Vlad just said he's at the harbour," he said, taking Peter's hand away from his mouth. "He can't hear us from here."

Peter shook his head. "We can't be too careful!"

Raivis looked at him sideways, then shook his head. "I really don't understand you," he lamented.

"That's ok!" Peter said brightly.

"Oy, brat, come if you're coming," Leon called.

Peter waved a hand jauntily at Raivis, speeding off to catch up to his adoptive brother. "Wait for me, jerk Leon!" he called.

The teenager reluctantly stopped to let the boy catch up. He ruffled the blond's hair in a gentle headlock, making Peter cry out angrily, Yong-Soo laughing loudly. The group disappeared around the corner, bickering with familial lightness.

They met Kiku, Lovino and Feliciano as they made their way back. The smaller man took one look at his brother and gave him a reproachful look.

"Leon-kun, are you doing what I suspect you are about to?" he asked mildly.

"Depends," his brother replied. "Like what?" he asked cheekily.

Kiku did not look amused. "Like you know what," he said sternly. "You have a lot to be grateful for to Arthur-san, please do not play such childish tricks on him. Or anyone else for that matter."

"Lighten up, bro!" Yong-Soo clapped his brother on the shoulder, making Kiku lose his step. He glared up at the taller nation, annoyed.

"Uh-oh, he's mad!" the Korean crowed. "Leon, run!"

The teen took him at his word, taking off at a dead pace before suddenly slowing. he turned and ran back towards the others, passing them at a run. At his brother's confused look, he yelled out, "forgot something!"

The others could only stare on in confusion. Leon reappeared a minute or two later with a wide, round hat, which he placed on his head with the brim tilted low to hide his face.

"Right. Let's go," he stated. "Remember, you guys are the distraction."

Yong-Soo saluted him mockingly. "Yessir, little bro! Wait, what am I supposed to do?"

Leon looked up from under the hat. "I don't know! Distract them! Talk about the economy, or your music, or games, wait not games, this is a medieval world. Anything. Peter, help him out."

"Roger!" the small boy grabbed Yong-Soo's hand and started tugging him forwards. The two looked almost comical with the huge height difference.

"So, what are they going to do?" A voice asked.

Kiku turned to Feliciano with a faintly exasperated look. "Leon-kun and Arthur-san have a…disagreement," he explained. "They are quite close, actually, but Leon is in a rebellious stage. He has always had a love of firecrackers, and now he has the habit of trying to annoy Arthur-san by setting them off. You have probably seen him do so in meetings. It is most impolite, but the boy will not listen. And Yao only encourages him," he said, frowning.

"Oh. Hey, that sounds like fun!" Feliciano said.

Lovino rolled his eyes. "No it doesn't, idiot," he said. "In case your thick skull doesn't remember, we came here in a ship. A wooden ship."

Feliciano looked puzzled for a moment. "OH! That wouldn't be very good, I suppose," he concluded.

"No shit, dumbass. The whole place could go up in flames if that kid isn't careful."

"There is no need to worry, Lovino-kun," Kiku interjected. Lovino turned to him with an incredulous look.

"How the hell not?" he asked.

Kiku smiled imperceptibly. "Because Yao will have got to them first. He does not like Arthur-san much either, but he has some sense. He would not let the chance of a fire happen here, or anywhere for that matter. There is no danger."

He tilted his head to the side slightly, thinking. "Well, apart from to Leon-kun when Arthur-san catches him," he mused, his voice ever so slightly amused.

Lovino felt his lips twist almost in a smile. "You can be a bastard when you want to, can't you?" he said, almost admiring.

Kiku raised an eyebrow at him, smiling. "I would prefer if Leon-kun did not play pranks," he said. "But, occasionally, it is not entirely a bad thing."

Feliciano looked between his brother and best friend, his expression happily confused.

"Lovi, Kiku, we need to take the food to everyone!" he reminded them.

"Ah, yes. Forgive me, Feli-kun." Kiku motioned for Feliciano to start walking again.

"Yeah, I'm coming, bastard. Go on, run back to the macho potato. For such a potato loving macho bastard the stupid bastard sure loves his sweets, huh?" Lovino said.

Feliciano pouted at him. "That's mean, Lovi. Luddy makes the best cakes!" he trilled.

Lovino did not look convinced. He made a shooing gesture with his hands. Feliciano pouted again, but turned around dutifully and began walking.

They reached the others a few minutes later. On their arrival, they saw that Leon's plan had obviously failed, or been foiled. He was standing a short distance away from the rest of the group, his bored expression showing that he was trying to tune out Arthur's tirade.

"-if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, boy! It is not only stupid, irresponsible, and highly unnecessary, but incredibly dangerous! This is a harbour, in case you didn't realise that. That means wood. Do you realise you could have set this whole place on fire!" Arthur's face was red with anger, his voice sharp and cutting.

"Yeah, yeah," Leon muttered. He looked rather disappointed, but resigned.

"Don't you talk back to me like that, young man!" the Englishman warned.

Wisely, Kiku stepped forward to break them up.

"Arthur-san, I believe Leon-kun has learned his lesson. He will not be so irresponsible in future." He glared at his brother, or as much as he ever came to anger.

Leon waved a hand, shrugging. "Yeah, whatever. Sorry, old man," he apologised, sounding anything but contrite.

Arthur looked ready to pop a vein in his forehead. "I've had just about enough of your antics," he fumed.

Kiku placed a hand on the other's arm placatingly. "The others are on their way," he said. "Yao will take the boy to task," he assured.

"Why do you always take his side?" Leon whined.

Kiku shot him a glance, one thin brow arched challengingly. Surprisingly, the teen backed down, muttering under his breath. Yong-Soo laughed again, using his height advantage to ruffle Leon's silky hair. The teen whirled around to the taller and tried to hit him, but the other stepped back hurriedly.

"I swear to god, Yong-Soo, if you don't shut up I'll-"

"What?" the older nation taunted. "Aww, the little colony is all upset."

Leon's eyes went flat with anger. "Too far," he hissed, too quiet for anyone else to hear. He whirled around again and stalked off. Yong-Soo looked around sheepishly.

"Was that too far?" he asked mildly.

Kiku and Arthur exchanged a glance. "I'll talk to him," Arthur sighed, stepping forward.

"Arthur-san, wait." Kiku motioned to where Leon was pacing forward. Arthur followed his gaze to where Leon had stopped suddenly, his body turned to the side almost shyly.

"Ah." He exchanged another glance with Kiku, this time more knowing.

Kiku smiled back. "It may be best to leave them to it," he advised.

Arthur simply nodded, rather glad. "Right. On to other matters, then. I take it the rest of you are around, near presumably?"

Kiku nodded. "Yes. There is a market a few streets away. They should not be long," he asserted.

"May I ask if you have a particular plan?" he asked politely.

Arthur looked back to him. "Not particularly," he said. "Now that you lot are here, that's pretty much everyone. Unless you know of anyone else we're missing. I have a list if you want to see."

Kiku nodded. "That would be helpful, thank you," he agreed.

"Right. It's in my cabin. Come on." He led Kiku back to where the rest of the group was.

"Kiku! Are you all done yelling? I guess the fireworks or whatever they were didn't' work? The ship isn't on fire, so I guess it's all ok!" Feliciano chattered. Kiku merely stared at his ally, waiting for him to finish. Ludwig reached out effortlessly and yanked him back, nodding to Kiku.

"Good to see you," he stated.

Kiku bowed slightly. "It has been a while, Ludwig-san," he replied. "Did you have a pleasant journey here?" he asked politely.

Ludwig's face was stoic as usual. "As can be, I suppose," he answered. "Who else is with you?"

Kiku repeated what he had told Arthur. Ludwig nodded again, satisfied.

Barely a few minutes had passed before Yao, Ivan and the others joined them. The former strode towards Arthur angrily, his expression furious.

"What did you do to Leon?" he accused, eyes flashing.

Arthur sighed, peeved. "Look to your left," he suggested.

Yao did so, finding Yong-Soo looking uncharacteristically apologetic.

"Ai-yah, what did you do?" he asked.

Yong-Soo looked down, abashed. "So I may have, sort of, like, teased him a bit?" he confessed.

Yao tilted his head up to stare at his brother accusingly. "And?" he pressed.

Yong-Soo gulped. "Uh, I kind of went a bit too far," he admitted. "But I didn't mean to!"

Arthur sighed. "Lets just say he alluded to a rather touchy subject," he concluded.

Yao shot a despairing glance to the other. "You never learn," he chided. "I'll go and talk to him."

"Don't," Arthur cautioned. "He won't want to talk to either of us for the moment. Besides, he'll be alright."

"Oh?" Yao looked at him questioningly.

"He's with Emil," Arthur explained.

"Oh is he now?" Yao eyes' flashed challengingly. He strode over to the rest of the group.

"Can you not control your brother?" he accused.

Lukas merely flashed the other a cool glance. "Do I look like I approve of it?" he asked sharply.

"Lighten up, Norge. Ice and the kid are the same age, or they look it at least. Let them cool off some steam together. You worry too much. Think of we did at that age!" Matthias cut in, his tone light.

Both men glared at him. "That is not the point," they shot, in unison.

Matthias held his hands up cajolingly. "Ok, ok," he backed down. "I'll go find them."

He walked off, muttering under his breath. Lukas and Yao watched him go, then turned to each other.

"We need to keep an eye on them," Yao stated.

Lukas raised an eyebrow, appraising. "I think we need to talk," he agreed.

They exchanged sly smirks. Arthur sighed, raising a hand to his brow exasperatedly. "Thank god I never had this problem with the boys," he muttered.

The two in question were currently as far away from the group as they dared to get. Emil had taken one look at Leon and hurried forward, ignoring Lukas' warning call. Leon had grabbed his hand and taken off at a run, taking them both deep into the market. They had deliberately taken a route away from the market to avoid Yao and the others, not wanting to see anyone else.

Leon didn't stop until they were a good distance away. Pulling Emil into a narrow alley, he finally stopped, his breath coming harsh and fast from the exertion. Emil wasn't faring much better, panting as he fought to reclaim his breath, leaning against the wall and gulping air.

He knew better than to speak, allowing them both to settle down. Eventually, Leon's breaths evened out, or as much as possible. He turned away, his face shadowed by the narrow walls.

"Do you want to tell me?" Emil asked gently. He didn't press, knowing that they both valued silence rather than meaningless chatter. It was part of the reason they got on so well.

Leon was silent for a while. One hand raised to his eyes, and if Emil saw him wipe away a tear, he didn't comment.

"I was arguing with Yong-Soo," he said eventually. Emil didn't reply, letting the other teen continue at his own pace.

"He called me a colony," Leon whispered. "He knows I hate that."

Ah. Emil understood immediately. He understood better than most what it was like to spend the long years of their lives under rule, their existence reduced to that of a vassal.

"I know," he said, simply.

Leon turned to him, sharply, his tanned face red. "No you don't!" he argued. "You're independent. You don't know what it's like, being shuttled back and forth like some mortal kid. Oh, it's Wednesday, guess I'm British. Wait till Saturday and I'll be Chinese! I don't get any say for myself. I just get shoved back and forth like a toy. And then the old man yelled at me again. He doesn't care about me. Nor does Yao. They pretend to. But they only care about what I can do for them. I have one of the best economies in the world, you know. I know I'm not nearly as old as you, but why can't they see I can manage perfectly well on my own. Why won't let me be me?" his voice trailed off, hitching.

Emil simply stepped forward. He normally hated displays of emotion, but now he drew his thin arms around the other. Leon stiffened for a moment, then leant in, hugging him back fiercely. He buried his head in Emil's shoulder, clutching the fabric of his shirt tightly.

"I do know," Emil said, quietly. "I've been alive for over a thousand years, but I've only been independent since 1917. I may not have been fought over, like you, but I know what it's like. I saw it with my brother. It's horrible, knowing you don't have any say in the land you represent. It makes you question why you even exist, if you're even needed if you have nothing to call your own. I was lucky. Dan is an idiot, but he has always taken care of me, and my sisters. Yao and Arthur both care for you. they just have different ways of showing it. And we all argue with our families sometimes. It's just what we do. But at the end of the day, you don't mind it so much, do you? It's their way of showing they care. And-and so do I." He whispered the last part, blushing furiously.

He felt Leon move against his shoulder. "Why are you so perfect," he mumbled into the fabric.

Emil didn't answer. Leon raised his head, all trace of tears gone. Instead, his face was sly, smirking.

"Say that last part again," he ordered.

Emil pushed him away, lifting his hands to his face. "No," he said, embarrassed.

Leon caught his hands, lifting them away so he could see the other's face. Emil blushed even deeper, trying to turn his face away.

"I~Ice," he sang softly. Emil turned his head away further, craning his neck. He twisted his wrists in the other's grasp, making Leon let go. He raised his hands to his face again, shutting him out.

Leon took the opportunity. His fingers reached out to Emil's sides.

The teen couldn't help but gasp. "S-stop it," he managed to gasp out, his voice hitching.

"Nope." Leon continued his assault, reaching around the other's thin waist. Emil tried to contain his laughter, but failed, dissolving into soft giggles. As payback, he reached his arms to Leon's neck and found the spot below his ears where he knew the other was most sensitive.

Leon's reaction was immediate. He drew back suddenly, his face shocked, then morphed into laughter.

"That was cruel," he laughed.

"You started it," Emil quipped back.

Leon grinned at him. He lowered his hands to the jut of Emil's slender hips, resting loosely around him. He let his head fall forward again until their foreheads were touching.

"Thank you," he breathed.

Emil hesitated for a moment, then reached his arms up to hug him back. They stood like that for a long moment, simply enjoying the feel of the other's body.

"you're welcome," he said quietly.

They stood like that for a minute or two longer, before Leon drew back suddenly. At Emil's querying look, he smiled sheepishly.

"We really ought to get back. Knowing out brothers, they'll have sent out a search party already," he joked.

Emil groaned. "Don't even go there," he moaned.

Laughing, Leon grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the alley. They walked back to the main street, spotting Matthias almost immediately.

The Dane stood with his hands on his hips, looking puzzled. The two teens shot each other a sly glance, both thinking the same thing. As one, they stepped forward, careful to stay to the man's back.

"Were you looking for us, dan?" Emil asked sweetly.

Matthias whirled round, clutching his chest. Seeing the two, he rolled his eyes, feigning anger.

"Jeez, Ice, don't do that to me!" he chastised. His gaze dropped to their still-joined hands, one eyebrow raised. The two let go immediately, taking a step away from each other. Matthias didn't say a word, simply looking between the two knowingly.

"Come on, then, you two," was all he said. "You're lucky your brother loves me," he told Emil. "Yours, not so much," he said to Leon. "Try not to do anything to make them kill me, ok? If they ask, I found you talking. I don't wanna know what you were doing." He winked at them, making Emil blush deeply.

"W-we weren't-" he stammered out.

"Oh, shush, Icey," Matthias said teasingly. "I don't care what you do. Heck, me and Norge were doing far worse at your age. Don't ever tell him I said that, though. He'd strangle me for real." He shuddered slightly at the thought.

"I don't want to hear it," Emil stated firmly. Scarred with the mental image of that, Emil shook his head roughly, walking forward determinedly.

"Hey, Icey, wait up!" Matthias called. Emil ignored him, stopping only for Leon to catch up to him. The two walked forward together, leaving the Dane to pace after them, shaking his head good-naturedly.

They look cute together, he thought. Striding forward, he clapped a hand on either of their shoulders, making them jump.

"Break it up, kids!" he said jauntily. The two blushed, each turning their heads away hurriedly. Matthias simply laughed.

"It's late," he commented. "What say we all have a nice, happy family dinner? Get to know each other, know what I mean?" he looked between the two, his face crafty.

The teens exchanged a confused look. Seeing Matthias' open expression, however, they smiled slowly.

"That would be lovely," Leon said. "What do you think, Emil?"

The teen smiled back, tentatively. "I would like that too," he said.

"Brilliant! Now let's get back to them all, then," Matthias ordered. He strode forward, whistling jauntily. Emil and Leon exchanged a wry glance.

Well, at least one of them is on our side, huh?

Leon grinned at him, making Emil smile.

Now if only they could get their brothers to back down.

A/N Gaaaaaaaah. HongIce is just too damn cute, dammit! I swear, these two will be the death of me. That and every other ship in this fandom, of which there are too many to count.

I hope I managed to capture their personalities well enough. Leon is a little OOC in that he talks more, but then there isn't really a whole lot to go on canon-wise. Emil's line is taken from his hetaween panel (I think 2013, but I may be wrong). He actually says it to Romano, who is less than amused. But they made wonderful pirates, didn't they? If you haven't read it, please do. It's hilarious. There is also an unaired episode of it that you can find from links on youtube. Just search 'Hetalia hetaween episode' or something like that and one of the videos has a link to the full thing. If I remember rightly, I think it was on Vimeo, if you have that as well. I highly recommend searching it out, anyway.

Anyway, I digress. Slightly. Ah, the good ol' protective older brother trope, huh? Poor boys. Hopefully Den will be able to talk some sense into them. Or at least deter threats of physical violence towards their little bro's boyfriend. Time will tell.

Well, that's about it for this time. See you next time, and thank you very much for reading!

Up next: The dreaded family dinner. Please try to keep diplomatic incidents to a minimum.