Shoutout to Loofah and Inno for the karaoke idea in this one!

Also - last week, I got a rather nasty review from a flamer (which hopefully has been or will be taken down). Even after I realized the person was a troll, it still made me feel kinda sick and worried.
But not even six hours after, I got two anon reviews reassuring me that the guy was going around flaming Hetalia stories, and the second anon said that this story updating makes them look forward to Mondays. Those reviews made my day, so thank you very much, anons, I love you and I'm glad you like the story (hearts)

Dinner was over before I knew it. We gathered outside in front of the restaurant.

"Man, that was great," Al sighed. "Karaoke time, yeah?"

"Hell yeah, this is gonna be awesome," Gil said, pumping his fist in the air. "This is probably your best idea ever."

"One of the best," Al corrected.

"No, it's the best. You really haven't had any other good ideas."

"I'd say going out with me was a good idea," Mei said.

Gil paused. "Uh . . . hm. Well, that's your business, but point taken."

"Yeah, take that, you don't argue with my girlfriend!" Al exclaimed.

Mei glanced at him. "If I'm wrong, I'd rather be argued with."

"You're never wrong."

She rolled her eyes.

"Can we get going already?" Artie said. "I'm freezing here—Ludwig, how do you stand this cold without your sweater?"

"My love keeps him warm," I announced, hugging him.

"Oh my god," Lovi muttered.

"Lovi, are you cold?" Toni asked. "Maybe my love can warm you up!"

"I'm fine! Get away!"

We got inside and ordered drinks. Al ran up to the front to sign us up, but came back pretty quick.

"So, uh, bad news," he announced. "They only let ten people up at a time, and the dude by the clipboard said even that was pushing it. So we can skip doing this or two of us can stay behind."

"I'll stay behind," Lovi said. "I don't really like being up on stage . . ."

"No one does, but it can be pretty fun when you're singing," Al said cheerfully. "But okay, your choice, I guess. So, uh . . . one more person, I guess?"

"I can stay, too," Toni offered. "Lovi, I'll keep you company!"

Lovi shook his head. "No, you go. You were talking all evening about doing this. I know you're looking forward to it."

"Then I'll do it," Artie offered. "I don't think I'm a very good singer."

Francis frowned at him. "I think you're good. I liked singing that song with you on the magic carpet."

Gil choked on his drink. "Was that an innuendo?!"

Artie glared at him. "It was not! Get your mind out of the gutter!"

"Ignoring . . . that for a minute," Matt said. "Francis, don't make him go if he doesn't want to."

"Fine," Francis muttered. "You two stay here and guard the table."

"We'll sing together later," Artie promised.

Toni turned to Lovi. "Lovi, you and me can—"

"Nah."

"Okay, then we can put on a record and—"

"Nah."

"I'll go sign everyone up," Al said, jumping up and running to the clipboard again. He came back soon. "We're up in like twenty minutes!"

The guy by the clipboard called out, "Next up . . . 'A bunch of losers, except for me and Mei.'"

"Wow, thanks," Francis said sarcastically as we all stood.

"I speak only the truth," Al declared.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun," I said, holding Ludwig's hand.

We all got up on stage. I realized the lights were a little bit dimmer than last year.

"Do you think I should have worn a dress for this?" I whispered to Ludwig as the guy gave everyone microphones.

"I'd love to see you in one, but it's too cold for that," he whispered back.

"I'll wear one another time!"

"HEY!" Al yelled to everyone not on the stage. "How we all doing tonight?! Good?! Shoutout to my boys Lovino and Artie! Yeah, you guys over there! Hang in there!"

I squinted to see our table. Lovi had his head down and Artie was making a face.

"Al, stop it before Arthur disowns you as family," Francis whispered.

"What? Okay, whatever. START THE MUSIC!"

The music finally started and everyone got ready.

"This hit, that ice cold (. . .) White gold . . ."

We all knew the lyrics pretty well, though the words on the TV screen helped. Kiku seemed to be concentrating on them.

"I'm too hot! (Hot damn!) Make a dragon wanna retire, man!"

Al was probably the loudest of us all, but once Matt nudged him, he quieted down, just a little bit.

"Girls, hit your hallelujah (Woo!), girls, hit your hallelujah (Woo!)"

Gil started dancing in time to the music while he sang. It was actually pretty funny.

"Saturday night, and we in the spot—don't believe me, just watch!"

We were all out of breath by the time the song finished.

"Golly, that was fun!" Al exclaimed. He was the only one who wasn't winded.

"Yeah," Francis said, giving a thumbs-up.

We got back to the table and sat down with Lovi and Artie.

"You guys had fun," Artie remarked.

"It was . . . really fun," Mei agreed, smiling. Her voice had been kinda covered up by Al's. I wonder if he'd done it on purpose.

Toni hugged Lovi. "Join us next time!"

"Don't tell me what to do," Lovi muttered, though he didn't pull away.

"See y'all at school," Al said cheerfully as he and Matt got into their car. "Love you, Mei!"

"Love you, too," she called.

As the car drove away, Gil turned to Mei. "Isn't he smothering?"

She shrugged. "I think it's sweet, but . . . he does back off right away if I tell him I need space."

"Oh, that's good," Gil said. "Otherwise I'd punch him. I ain't letting anyone mess with my little sister."

"Oh, my god," she said, smiling.

"What?"

"Nothing . . ."

"We're gonna get going," Toni said cheerfully. "Guys, thanks so much! Lovi, come on!"

"Yeah," Lovi said. "G'night, thanks."

They went off to where their bikes were. We watched them ride off.

"I kinda worry about them sometimes," Francis admitted. "Riding back to their place in the dark . . ."

"They can take care of themselves, I'm sure," Artie said. "It's not the first time they've done this."

"Yeah, they'll be fine," I agreed. "I'm just glad they have shelter to go back to!"

Ludwig glanced at me. "What was it like . . . ? When he ran away from home?"

I looked down. "He . . . I was really worried about him, and I cried a lot at first. I didn't know where he was for years, and Eliza was super-worried too . . . I was so happy when I found out he was okay, and he was safe and all."

"I can imagine how you feel," Gil said. "I mean, Luddie probably wouldn't run away from home, but man would I worry about him if he did. Luddie, I know you can take care of yourself, probably, but still. A big brother's got to look out for his little brother, you know."

"You're the one who needs looking after, you delinquent," Ludwig said sternly.

Gil grinned. "Nah, I'm good."

"Are you?" Mei said quietly.

"Hey," Artie said as a car rolled up. "Francis, let's go."

"I'm getting a ride back," Francis explained. "See you guys at school."

We said bye to them as they went off.

"I guess . . . we should get going, too," Herc said to Kiku. "We'll use my phone flashlight . . ."

"You guys walked?" I said.

"Yes," Kiku said. "Our houses aren't far. We'll see you at school—goodnight!"

They set off down the street.

"Oh, Eliza's here," I said happily as our car came down the street past Herc and Kiku. "Bye, guys! See you later!"

Ludwig kissed me goodnight and, as I got into the car, I heard Gil said, "Fuck, I should've kissed Mattie goodnight."

Mei said something to him as I shut the door.

The song they sang was Uptown Funk! I couldn't include many lines due to copyright. If y'all think even what I put might violate the copyright rules of this site, please let me know ASAP and I'll adjust it.