Warnings: Language, probably not very well written, being a topic I'm rather rusty on, but anyway, no one dies so that's always good.

VERY IMPORTANT: There is vital news at the end of this chapter that I encourage all readers to go through. It's nothing bad, I promise, but it'll be beneficial to me and perhaps yourselves if you do so.

Chapter 26- One Step at a Time

It was late Christmas morning, too soon for lunch, and the gifts had all been unwrapped, which left with Scotland being booted out of the house and into the fresh snow outside to supervise. Of course, Christmas was supposed to be family time, and it was, truly. Wales and Ireland and he all went to England's house for the occasion. They even got Sealand to come out from the clutches of Sweden and Finland. Although, Scotland should've known better than take for granted the passive agreement of Sealand coming over, as he took a snowball to the head, coating his fiery hair with flecks of white.

At least Finland should've been nice enough to warn him that Sealand was bringing Wy and Kugelmugel with him. The three little rascals, after drinking one mug too many of hot chocolate with marshmallows had gone terrorizing through the house, to which England demanded for the devils to be let loose outside to cool their heads. Apparently being the oldest meant that Scotland was also the most responsible, and therefore was stuck with babysitting three wound-up sugar-high monsters in the nearby park, since hell would pay if they dared to step foot into England's back garden.

"I didn't drink enough for this," Scotland growled under his breath as he brushed the flakes of snow out of his hair before they melted down his collar. The micronations- those cretins- giggled somewhere behind him before one shrieked as another nailed them with another snowball. Really, trying to do something nice for the family for once ended up backfiring. Sweden and Finland must be really enjoying themselves with the house devoid of little ears. Well, Happy Christmas to them, the bastards.

Scotland cleared his hair of snowflakes and leaned back against the bench he took residence to while the younger terrors tore the park apart. No one else was around, do to being Christmas and all, and even if it wasn't, Scotland bet that taking one look at those three and the Muggles would've just turned right around and headed back home. So it was very strange to see a gray splotch in the corner of his vision just outside the park that looked suspiciously human-shaped, strange enough that Scotland tilted his head just slightly more so in that direction to see the blob more clearly without notifying to the person that he was staring at them.

It was Vatican.

Scotland had to blink to make sure he saw correctly. There, standing at the entrance to the park, his face contorted in an inner struggle, was the charcoal haired Italian. In truth, Scotland had been expecting the man to show up at some point, especially after Italy himself came knocking at his door with the most serious face he had ever seen on the pasta-loving guy. Italy had explained a few things to Scotland, most of which translated to "If you hurt him, I will kill you slowly and painfully and no one will even find a toenail of you".

That conversation had made the redhead to change his contact on his phone of the Italian from "The Nice Italian" to "Mobster Assassin", which went nicely below South Italy's contact of "Mob Boss". Fucking hell, Italians can be creepy and scary as shit when they wanted to.

Still, the conversation did get lighter, once Scotland had sworn up and down that he wasn't planning on hurting Vatican in any way, shape, or form, and no, he didn't drug the man to have a good shag, but yes, he wouldn't mind doing it again in a better situation, which surprised even himself, or so it boiled down to. It was strange, really, he had never met Vatican prior to that summer, yet he was so intriguing that Scotland was actually willing to hunker down and wait for the man to come to him to talk things over. Italy did say that it would be best to let the man come to him, so he wouldn't feel pressured or something. Although, why the man would pick Christmas of all days, even months after the occurrence, to talk to him about this was lost on Scotland. Didn't he have, like, Church or something? Or didn't Italy invite him over? No, wait, America always has that Christmas Party that's off the walls to which England came back early from only slightly tipsy, meaning that everyone else was piss drunk and no one would find their way home. So Italy went there, and left Vatican behind to have Christmas by himself? Was there even a point for the shy man to even celebrate Christmas outside of the Church services since he really had no friends or family apart from one Italian who still wasn't even technically family? Why was he getting so worked up and worried over this?

Scotland never felt like this after his one-night stands. So why was he fretting so much over this one lonely little guy who just sucked in a breath and stepped so hesitantly into the park that it was like he was trying to walk on ice so thin that even breathing would cause it to fracture? It was both adorable and heartbreaking, and Scotland didn't know whether or not to berate himself for the sudden urge to go over and both hug him and pinch his cheeks and ruffle his hair like one of those annoying aunts.

Instead he mentally punched himself for letting his softer feelings get in the way and turned his head more fully in Vatican's direction.

Vatican, the poor guy, just halted like a deer caught in the headlights when Scotland set his gaze on him, frozen in place and the look of uncertainty displaying so vividly across his pale face that Scotland couldn't help but let out a sigh before sliding over and patting the now vacant part of the bench. "Sit down and stay awhile. Do mind the snowballs and the little tyrants, though."

Vatican jerked out of his stance and shuffled over, gingerly sitting down on the bench. He folded his hands in his lap (why wasn't he wearing gloves or a hat? And that jacket must be too thin for this weather) and fidgeted where he was, his eyes glued to his exposed fingers (they were so bony- hasn't he been eating properly? Shit, he's feeling again).

"I'm sorry!" was the first words that blurted out of the smaller man's mouth, so quickly spoken that Scotland could only say the intelligent thing.

"What?"

"I'm sorry," Vatican repeated, softer now, curling and uncurling his fingers from around themselves. "For that night, for not speaking to you sooner, for hiding away, for taking your clothes, for having Italy do the dirty work, for being useless in all of this and I can't hold my liquor well and I didn't want this to happen again and I-"

He had gone into a nervous tangent while continuing to fidget with his hands, which had gotten slightly annoying and worrying because now it looked like he was almost clawing at the back of his hands now. Scotland couldn't take it anymore, and successfully ended both the fidgeting and the rambling by reaching over and placing a larger hand over the Italian's own pair.

"You're freezing." It was true. To Scotland, this weather was cool, but to Vatican it must be like the fucking arctic. Vatican stilled, his body tense as he finally made eye contact with the fiery haired man with wide, charcoal colored eyes, not understanding and startled by Scotland's brush off of the wave of apologies and instead putting more concern into the smaller man's health, as if no one has bothered to notice before.

Shaking his head, Scotland removed his hand from Vatican's to pull off his thicker outer coat, taking Vatican by surprise when the heavy material was suddenly dropped over his head and shoulders. "Hasn't Italy ever told you to dress for the weather? You're going to freeze your ass off out here in the clothes you're wearing, m'dear."

Very slowly, the Italian reached up, pulling the coat closer to his body to retain the warmth it contained. "Y-you're not angry...?"

"Why should I be? Sure we were both shitfaced, but you're kind of cute and I really wouldn't mind a second go but we know jack-shit about each other other than what we've heard from the grapevine."

The little Italian's cheeks dusted pink- or he was just starting to feel the cold, Scotland couldn't tell. "I'm not much of a dating man, and it would kind of working backwards here and all, but if you want to, I suppose we can see if something comes out of this." A sly smirk crossed the Scot's lips. "After all, I did hear from a little bird that someone likes my hair and slept with my shirt for twenty-two hours straight because it smelled good."

The cheeks darkened and spread to the tips of his ears- yup, that was embarrassment that time. Vatican squirmed where he sat, burying his head down into the jacket so from the nose down was hidden under fabric. It was adorable, really, Scotland couldn't berate himself for thinking that. But seeing Vatican's eyes soften, a faint glint of hope that he knew he was trying to squash was just too much not to pass up. They might not get to that level they had that night in Eli's Turn Around, but for some reason, Scotland couldn't bring himself to care much for that, and was content in taking one step at a time to perhaps become close friends with this strange man that sat beside him.

"So, you think you're up to dealing with me?" Scotland asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vatican, out of all surprise, slowly nodded. "Y-yeah, I'd...I'd like that..."

They sat in silence for a bit, Vatican less fidgety and Scotland trying to work his head around the fact that- fuck- he just asked the man to practically give this little thing between them a shot and the socially awkward Italian agreed! Actually fucking agreed! Bloody hell, the world must be ending somewhere, but Scotland couldn't get himself to give a flying fuck. England'll be in a right fit when he finds out, but the twat can suck up and deal, and he'll never hear the end of it from Wales or Ireland. After all, it was well known both within and outside the family that Scotland did not do dating or the likes, and this was so out of his league that his family was going to pitching all their throws straight at him just to make him flinch. But Scotland had found himself in a steely resolve that he wasn't going to back down from this agreement, even if he didn't have the threat of a painful death coming from Vatican's not-so brother.

"W-what...are we? Friends? Dating?" Vatican broke the silence, sounding so hesitant, so quiet...like he was going to get yelled at for doing so. Italy didn't tell Scotland much, but what he got from the gist of the very short and vague G-rated version of hints and gestures was that Vatican was going to need a lot of work. It was going to be fragile business, and, quite frankly, Scotland felt like a giant trying to hold a glass ornament. Yet if he could get that very intelligent, kind man out of his shell of fear and shyness, even a little bit, it would be a success in Scotland's books.

"How about friends with benefits?"

The unknowing, curious look that he received made Scotland break into a grin. The man was so innocent and out of touch with current lingo that he had no idea what that even meant.

"You're too adorable, love," Scotland mused, risking everything as he leaned over and placed a kiss on the tip of Vatican's exposed nose.

If Vatican's face was blushed then, it was certainly was now, especially when the collective 'Eew's sounded from right in front of them.

It seemed their little chat had gathered an audience of three micronations, all of whom witnessed Scotland's lapse in serious composure.

"What's 'ya all 'eww'ing for?" Scotland growled, pushing all soft and squishy feeling aside and sending the trio a sharp glare.

They just giggled and danced away when Scotland kicked up some snow at them, conglomerating back up again a few feet away.

"Wait 'til England finds out!" Sealand called. "He wouldn't believe you actually did that!" Kugelmugel bobbed his head in agreement.

"I think it's cute," Wy put in her two cents, placing her hands on her hips. "So when are you two going to get married?"

"Alright you little twits, enough of your shenanigans and crawl back to the hole you came from," Scotland scowled, waving his hands in a shooing motion towards the entrance of the park. "Back home you get, and make sure you trail snow all over the house and drive England up a wall!"

He would never admit that he had been embarrassed by Wy's words, nope, not ever. It didn't stop him from inviting Vatican over for lunch and walked back beside him though, sneaking his larger hand around the Italian's smaller one- to keep them warm, naturally. He hadn't been swatted yet, and judging from the half hidden, dazed little smile on Vatican face as he every so often reached up with his free hand to touch his nose as if trying to get himself to believe the fact of what just happened, his little baby steps weren't so big that he would trip on them yet.

Oddly enough, just holding his hand seemed satisfying to Scotland, and he still wasn't quite sure why, but he couldn't bring himself to care, especially the spluttering choking noise that England emitted when he walked in the door with Vatican at his side and Ireland actually dropping the bottle he had been holding onto the floor while Wales just stared in open shock. Yes, it was worth it, even if he didn't understand it.

Notes:

SCOTLAND AND VATICAN ARE FINALLY IN A RELATIONSHIP-ISH THING. *blows whistle loudly*

Anyway, I'm actually not that great at... fluff? Is that what it's called? I really don't know the whole fanfic lingo even though I read and write it. Even when Roleplaying around on the interwebs, I don't really do romantic stuff, since everyone else does it so well and I'm too used to playing the cold hearted/crazy/loner evil/neutral evil people that when I get stuck into writing something very light and lovely I flounder around like a fish on land.

Sealand, Wy, and Kugelmugel have a small cameo, being devils of children. Scotland really got screwed over by Sweden and Finland, the poor bastard.

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS:

This is regarding my wingfic schoolfic sort of Hetalia story. It's turning out to be the biggest fucking project I have ever done, and the reason why I'm saying this is important news is because I NEED HELP.

I have a current list of countries and their bird-wing species ON MY PROFILE, along with notes of what should be on the list and what needs to be added.

AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 42 COUNTRIES AND I'M STILL ADDING.

Yeah, you read that right. There's a boatload of countries and I'm not even done yet.

How am I going to make this work:

This story, which I have titled Feather Dance, although that's the first name that popped into my head and I don't have the time to think of a better one, is going to be... a character study? A something?

Anyway, the story's going to be in chapters made of character drawn out of a hat. Yes, I'm going to put names/numbers onto chips or paper, stick them in a container, and draw between 2 and 5 pieces and write a chapter based on the characters I had selected at random. This is because 1- there's way too many characters, 2- I want to use all of them, 3- I want to have characters that typically don't interact at all anywhere be forced to appear together, 4- it'll force me to write with characters that I actually know little about or don't really care for, 5- it'll be so strange and so different that I'm totally going to do it just to drive myself up a wall.

So, with that in mind, Feather Dance will also rely heavily on reader input. At the end of every chapter I will put down the next chapter's characters picks, and you, the readers, will put in your two cents in what goes into the chapter, such as the plot, the location, how the characters interact with one another (are they friends? enemies?) and I will work with the ideas that I feel will suit the best.

HOWEVER- I'm thinking of letting in a little drawing for the reviewers. Every so often, maybe every few chapters, I will let one of the readers/reviewers pick out a two characters of their choice, the topic of the chapter, and I will be forced to write a chapter with a pairing. This will let readers/whatever get their favorite pairings that may or not be expressed through the random character selection. I am unsure of how to work this part out, either by the readers picking a number and the one who gets closest/correct gets to choose, but I'm open for suggestions.

WHAT DO I NEED HELP ON?

Well, I have a lot that I need help on. Some of it's explained in my profile, but I will explain here too.

I need help on:

-Adding more countries, because I'm sure I forgot someone.

-The new countries' bird species. There are requirements, though, which are mentioned on my profile. Basically the bird needs to live near in or approximately near the country, but it does not have to specifically suit the country's personality or anything.

-COUNTRIES HUMAN NAMES. This is actually the biggest piece of help I need. I can do the canon names and such, but I have no idea which fan-made names for all the other countries that are the most used or recognized. Therefore, I really, really REALLY need help getting all their human names on the list. IF THE COUNTRY DOESN'T HAVE A NAME, well, want to make one?

AS OF RIGHT NOW, CHAPTER 1 IS PRACTICALLY TWO THIRDS DONE. Yeah, I know, I'm not even done planning everything and I've already written the first chapter? Well, it's because the very first chapter just wraps everything in, describes the current world situation and the reasons of the school and stuff. Some characters are briefly mentioned via appearance, but I think only one name will actually appear, and he's not going to be part of the drawing, as explained in my profile, again.

The second chapter will rely heavily on how much of this list we can put together, as it will be the student's dorm partners. YES, THEIR ROOMMATES ARE GOING TO BE RANDOMLY SELECTED. This will be so nothing will be expected and everything will be weird.

So, in the end, I will take all the help I can get, because I really need it. Please? I'll crawl on my knees and give you cookies if I have to. And thanks ahead of time for those who do help! :3

(This chapter was posted on June 21, 2014)

Next Chapter: Order in the Court