So, finally got this chapter up! Been a lot in school lately and have gotten sick more often than not. I'm sorry for the long wait and hopefully the next one won't take so long, seeing that it will be the last chapter of this fanfic.

Also, as some of you have noticed, and pointed out, my texts aren't completely free from errors. English isn't my native language and I'm doing my best but if I read through the text three times I won't find the grammar errors a fourth time just because you say "There are errors".

Therefore I'm looking for someone to help me with this, a Beta reader. I have no idea how it works on this site, really, all I know is that I want someone that can help me with my grammar, to tell me what mistakes I made so I learn from them and don't have to do them over and over.

(With that said, don't comment on errors in reviews, tell me directly instead, that's much more appreciated! By the way, if you are interested I hope you are willing to read through my other fanfics as well to correct them and not just my Hetalia ones. As you know by now, I'm not writing chapters both high and low so it will most likely not be a too straining job.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or the nations.

Chapter 6 - Lesson 6: No!

"Okay, don't disappoint me now." Gilbert gave the smaller nation a serious glance as they both stepped out of the elevator. They were on their way to the building next to the hotel, the one where they'd had the meeting the other day. Many nations enjoyed talking business and while half probably were sleeping away a pulsating headache from yesterday's alcohol some brave souls were up trying to make a difference for their country men.

"I'll try not to," came the answer from Matthew as he hugged Kumajirou a little closer and followed the albino out of the hotel.

The man from yesterday was once again stranding there, guitar in hand and a worn out hat on his head. At least he wasn't singing any horrible songs today. Instead he was half dancing around, singing something Matt believed was in Russian. He wasn't very familiar with the language though so he couldn't say for sure but the little he had heard from all the criminals in American movies and from Ivan himself, it sounded very much like Russian to him.

The man looked over at the nations, recognizing the blonde one from before and so he gave Matthew a friendly smile before concentrating once again on what he was doing. The Canadian was a bit surprised over the fact that he was recognized but he smiled back at the musician before walking the last metres to the building. Maybe these lessons really were paying off.

"Yao Wang..Hm, Wang Yao, or however you say those Japanese names," Gil started before he heard a small snicker from Matthew.

"You mean Chinese, right?" The blonde got a huff back and the red eyed male crossed his arms over his toned chest.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. The Chinese mentioned something about an assembly room where we could gather. We as in all the nations that is. It's so we won't take up the whole building." The albino opened the door and was about to walk inside but hesitated a second and he then gestured for Matthew to go in first.

"Thank you," the blonde male said with a smile before he stepped inside, getting a better grip around Kumajirou who had started to slide down his stomach and he then headed towards the elevators.

Gil just nodded slightly before he glanced over at his shoulders where his small, yellow bird was sitting. Gilbird stared at him, almost looking amused, if you asked the albino that is, and the nation just huffed once more and followed Matthew, not paying more attention to the ball of feathers for now.

The way to the room wasn't long but once again they had to go through the seemingly endless hallways. If it wasn't for Gilbert knowing the way they would certainly have gotten lost by now.

The big room where the nations could meet was well lit, even though it was in the middle of the day and it was far up to the ceiling that was painted as a summer sky, clouds scattered against a light blue background, detailed birds flying over their heads and the teasing beams of a sun being seen but the sun itself was hidden behind a bigger cloud.

The rest of the room was pretty boring in comparison, light wooden walls with big windows here and there with a view over the skyscrapers of the city. The floor was in the same kind of wood and here and there groups of couches were placed together with armchairs and low, glass tables where people could place papers and drinks on, or well glasses full of water at least. The alcohol here wasn't free like it had been at the party plus most nations had probably gotten enough booze for the rest of the month.

Some of the nations were walking around aimlessly, others had made themselves comfortable in the couches or armchairs but everyone was looking for someone that could benefit their countries. Be it something as simple as trading, exporting and importing different kinds of things that could help a nation or maybe something a bit heavier, like a partner that would step in and protect the smaller nation in case someone decided to take over their lands. Those were good to have to say the least.

"Mattie!" The loud voice made the blonde nation flinch and all of a sudden his brother stood beside him, now having an arm around the quieter nation. "Just the little stuck-up I wanted to talk to. I need you to do a favour for me."

"Little stuck-up? That's your way of buttering me up?" Matthew raised an eyebrow before he shook his head a bit. "What kind of favour are you after this time?" He could feel the ruby eyes burn into his back but he decided to try and ignore it for now. He needed to hear what the favour was before he knew if he could just turn it down or not.

"You see, I got this huge problem and I can only turn to you. It's time for you to help your hero, Mattie." This really did sound important and Matthew looked at Alfred with an almost worried expression while Gil only rolled his eyes.

"A terrible thing has happened. There is this new type of soda from a company I really love, they make awesome things. Like, oh, remember those French fries with milkshake flavour? Yeah, that's their doing." Oh, Matthew remembered those, alright. It had not been the flavour sensation Alfred seemed to think they were. "Either way, the company decided to try this soda in Canada first, I mean, why!? It won't be released until three months later in America, if it sells well enough in Canada. So there is a chance that I won't even be able to get to taste it! You have to do me this favour Mattie." Alfred turned so he stood in front of the other, grabbing his shoulders and squeezing them with a serious look on his face. "Will you buy that soda and send it to me as soon as it is released? Can you do this favour for your hero?"

"A..soda?" the Canadian asked, almost a bit shocked. When thinking about it though he shouldn't be, it was his brother after all, hardly surprising that the crisis was about some sugar bomb. "I guess it won't be a problem." He felt an elbow in his side, causing him to cough but Gilbert had been too late with his reaction since Matthew already had said yes.

"Awesome! Thanks bro, I'll pay you back sometime." Then he was gone, leaving a coughing blonde and a frustrated albino behind him.

"Didn't I tell you to say no?" Gil looked over at Matthew that turned his gaze towards the floor instead, acting a bit as an ashamed puppy as he bit his lower lip softly.

"I know... I just.. It isn't very straining after all, just buying him the soda and send it to him. I couldn't really say no and act like a douche. And why did you elbow me?" He sighed a bit and sought comfort by hugging the polar bear close to his chest, fingers stroking the furry stomach as he tried to think of more excuses even though he knew he shouldn't. Alfred could probably find other ways to get that soda but it had been simpler to ask his brother than to go onto a computer and look for it.

"It doesn't matter if it isn't a straining thing to do, he's still using you because he are too lazy to look for other solutions. You were the first, best one to go to." The question about his elbow went ignored. For a moment it was silence between them, Matthew not knowing what to say and Gilbert just being annoyed but soon the albino sighed and scratched the back of his head as he tried to think of a next move. "Fine, done is done. But you must promise me now to not give after for everyone, okay? If they have been lazy or are lazy it's not your duty to fix things for them."

The blonde nodded slightly and hugged the bear a bit more against his chest as he looked around in the room. He wasn't even meant to be there, he couldn't go and make deals on his own without his boss, the one actually running the country, agreeing with it. Still, Gilbert said he needed to be here, waiting for people to ask him things just so he could say no. A peculiar situation to put it mildly but he knew he needed this, even if he always defended himself when doing the mistake over and over.

"Mon chéri, there you are." Matt had only been able to walk over to the little table with plastic cups and water before he had heard the familiar voice and he turned his violet blue eyes upwards, only to have his sight covered by golden locks and his nose clogged by cologne. "I was worried about you after yesterday! You acted...bizarre." The Frenchman soon pulled away and tipped his head a bit to the side, looking down at the shorter male who still seemed a bit surprised by the sudden hug. "Mon chéri? Are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. I'm fine, papa." Matthew managed to smile as he took a small step back from the older nation, feeling quite awkward after his advances the day before. He didn't want Francis to get any strange ideas since it all had been one of Gil's lessons. "About yesterday I...got a bit drunk and..yeah, I apologize for worrying you." He smiled up towards the other, only to be pulled into another tight hug, the Canadian having to twist his body so Kumajirou wouldn't be completely squeezed between the nations.

"It's fine, I'm just glad you are okay now." He smiled widely before he slowly and slightly reluctantly let go of the other, seeming to think about something. "Oh, there was one more thing." Matthew already knew where this was going and he quickly glanced back at Gil who was standing not far away, talking to his brother about something. It was quite the relief since he wouldn't have to stand having those judging, ruby red eyes almost drilling through his back.

"What is it?" he soon asked as he slowly turned his gaze back to the French, mustering a smile as he was fully prepared to say no this time. At least if it was something useless like the things Alfred asked of him.

"You see... The meeting we had in Vienna. I kind of, forgot to take notes. I had a headache and I hadn't been able to help myself but look at your angelic face." A smooth hand soon stroke over Matt's pale cheek and the younger nation glanced to the side as he corrected his glasses. At least Francis knew how to butter people up unlike his brother.

"I have the notes still. I can send them to you if you'd like." Gilbert would disagree, yes, but this wasn't something worthless like sending Alfred a soda or French fries. It was actual notes of important matters and so he couldn't just say no. Besides, Francis did speak to him more often than other nations and so he would use this as well as an excuse when Gil would protest, because he surely would.

"Ah, merci! What would I do without you?" He pulled the smaller male into another cologne smelling hug, hands stroking dangerously low over his back for a moment but soon they disappear together with the pressure of the French's chest against Matthew's shoulder, the blonde once more having had to turn his body to spare Kumajirou the feeling of being mashed. "You have to visit me sometime soon, it's a shame that we only meet like this." Once more the hand stroke over his cheek before the long haired male pulled away, not even waiting for a reply from the Canadian. "Au revoir."

Matthew just looked after him for a second before he took what he came to the table for, a plastic cup with some refreshing water since his mouth still was a bit dry and he moved closer to the brothers still talking. Ludwig didn't seem very pleased, why he couldn't tell since they were speaking in German.

Soon enough Gilbert just said something to end the conversation, sounding quite sarcastic due to his tone but still Matt couldn't understand. Ludwig gave up and walked away, out of the room while the white haired male moved over to his small companion and he crossed the arms over his chest with a demonstrative sigh.

"Hoffnungslos," he muttered before he looked down at Matthew with a studying glance, noticing quite quickly that the blonde seemed rather guilty about something and he raised an eyebrow as his ruby eyes grew stern. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Eh..." Matthew had hoped that by avoiding glances and look like nothing the other wouldn't notice but obviously he wasn't very good at hiding things. "Well... Francis asked me to send some notes from the meeting in Austria. He had a headache and.."

"Matthew." The voice was surprisingly calm but still it caused the blond to shiver since it had a seriousness to it that he'd never heard the other use before. "Anyone who knows that French knows he probably was busy staring at someone. Too busy to take notes and since you always do, you were easy to ask. I'm not planning on forcing you to just ignore his request now when you have said yes to it..but I'm serious when I say that you need to start saying no or you'll fail this lesson miserably." He leaned down to end up eye to eye with the other and once again that seriousness in the Prussian's voice and facial expression sent shivers down Matthew's back. "If you fail, there will be consequences." That leaved Matt gulping, what exactly was the other planning? No, he didn't want to find out.

"O-okay, I will say no, I promise." He couldn't relax though when the other kept on staring into his eyes but as soon as Gilbert went back to his normal height the blonde felt his shoulders sink with quite a few centimetres and he buried his mouth in the soft fur of Kumajirou. That had been scarier than he'd like to admit.

"Good. Now I need to fix some things here but you are done for now. Go back to the hotel and I'll meet you in my room later." He patted the smaller nation on the shoulder before he walked out of the room, probably to follow Ludwig or perhaps it was something else. Matthew cared little as he happily got out of the room and headed towards the elevator.

He managed to find his way this time, without asking for help, and he now waited for the elevator to move down tot he bottom floor where he got out. He took a couple of steps away from the doors that shut silently behind him before his phone vibrated in his pocket, giving away a quiet tone.

He pulled out the small device, soon looking down at the screen and frowning when he noticed Gilbert's name.

'While you're on your way to the hotel room, grab me some candy from the store and those cookies they have here in America. I don't know what they are called but they have small bits of fruits and chocolate in them. I think you can find them a few blocks away. Also, don't reply to this, I don't need my phone interrupting me for the moment.'

Matthew stared at the screen for a bit before he sighed and put it away, not really being in the mood to walk a few, probably more than a few, blocks away to get cookies but since it was for Gilbert he just accepted his fate and walked out of the big complex and headed down the street.

oOoOo

Gilbert was still waiting, an hour had already gone since he'd made it back to his room but the little Canadian was no where to be found. He'd knocked on his door, no answer, he had texted but no reply there either. The albino actually started to get worried about his student and the man was now sitting on his bed, petting the small, yellow bird slowly as he stared with ruby eyes on the screen of his phone. In case it would call or if Matthew would send him a text.

Soon the phone lit up and Gilbird had one second to fly away before the Prussian was over the phone, staring at the screen and soon finding to his disappointment that it simply was a message from his brother, not even just to him but to all nations that the next meeting was planned and that it would be held in Tokyo.

Gilbert sighed and threw the phone away, onto a pillow though to not break it and he sighed as he looked down on his knees. The bird was not overly amused and had decided to make himself comfortable on the windowsill while looking out over the skyscrapers.

After another ten minutes a knocking echoed through the room, Gilbert almost flying up from the bed as he moved over to the door and opened it, to his relief seeing the blonde out there, bear in his arms and a bag in his left hand.

"For god sake Birdie, where have you been!?" He stepped aside to let the smaller male inside and he closed the door after that. The white haired male turned, only to meet an actual glare from the smaller male.

"I wandered those few blocks to get your cookies. And I got lost and almost robbed." He put the bag down and soon dropped onto the bed after that, letting go of Kumajirou so the polar bear could move and so the fur ball did, making himself comfortable on top of the pillows, all of them.

"Ah, Birdie. You weren't suppose to actually do that." Gilbert put a hand over his face, shaking his head a bit as he tried to calm down. He was stressed, frustrated and relieved at the same time and it was a strange mixture of feelings inside of him. "I told you to not be such a push over, I sent you that so you could come back to me and say no. I figured it might be easier to start with saying no to me since I was the one that ordered you to start with it." The albino massaged his temples a bit before he looked down at Matthew who was staring down on his knees. Once again they shared only silence, none of them knowing the best response to this matter.

"It was you who asked... That's why I didn't say no. I guess I should have but..I couldn't." Matthew sighed and soon unzipped the red hoodie he was wearing, putting it away onto the bed.

"Well, you do remember what I said about failing, right?" Gilbert moved over to the other, one hand suddenly touching the blonde's side and Matthew flinched as it moved down towards his hip. He wasn't able to utter a word though until his wallet had been snatched from his pocket, the older nation simply turning his back against Matt and starting to go through it.

"Hey, what are you doing!?" Matt quickly got up on his feet and tried to reach around the other to get to his wallet but the other blocked him efficaciously with his back, soon finding what he was looking for.

"Ah, here it is." He smiled and soon threw the wallet on the bed, having the keycard to Matthew's room in his hand. "So, next person that asks you something..that person will get a no. Unless he or she is dying but otherwise, no. Do you understand? No notes, no sodas, no teas. Just a big, fat no, in their face. When you do this, you'll get your keycard back. If you don't succeed, you will just have to leave all that stuff in the hotel room and go without it. Might be a bit tricky considering you have..5 hours to go."

Matthew nodded slowly, looking at his keycard before he sat down on the bed with a sigh. What if he didn't find anyone that wanted something out of him? Well, that probably wouldn't happen. In worst case scenario he could just call his brother and Alfred would surely ask for something.

"Okay. I guess I'll just...go out now and try to find someone then." He sat on the bed for a little longer though, hesitating and thinking about the situation but soon enough he got up and walked towards the door. Gilbert just nodded and wandered after him, both of them deciding that Kumajirou and Gilbird would be fine without them for a little while since both seemed to be asleep.

"I'll make sure you get this done right. Next person you have to say no to, or else you won't get your keycard back." Matthew nodded once more, swallowing slightly as he with slow steps started to walk towards the elevator. Hopefully it would be someone nice that came up to him. Though perhaps not, he wouldn't want to say no to someone nice. What a burden.

With Gilbert always behind him Matt moved towards the elevator. If he was going to look for someone that wanted to ask him something he might as well explore the whole hotel.

The little trip took them all around the hotel; to the little restaurant, the wending machine with bottled water and different kinds of soda, they even managed to find a basement that only had one door and that was the one to the stairs leading up. The young blonde couldn't say that the hotel was overly interesting or nice in any way but at least the cockroaches either were non-existent or they hid very well so that was positive, in some way.

"Clock is ticking," Gilbert said quietly into the Canadian's ear, making Matthew flinch slightly since he hadn't noticed the other being so close to him. He didn't answer with anything else but a huff though, being in the elevator now and so he pressed a random button without checking which floor it would take them to.

The doors opened for them after a short trip up and Matthew stepped out and turned to the right, almost walking right into a broad chest that he hadn't noticed at all. He managed to stop in the middle of a step, staring into the muscular upper body that belonged to no one else than Ivan Braginsky.

"Ah, comrade Matvey," the man said, looking down at the blonde that had gone two times paler than usual. "I could need your assistance, if you don't mind." It wasn't even a question, the male in front of him was very clear that he expected the help he wanted, whether Matthew wanted it or not.

The blonde nation swallowed slightly and sent a glance towards Gil, almost begging him with his eyes to let this one slide but the albino just shook his head, fingering on something in his pocket that obviously was the price Mattie was after.

"E-eh... I-I'm sorry Ivan, I am a bit...b-busy for the moment. Perhaps you could ask Gilbert instead? Or someone...e-else." In less than a second the calm eyes of the Russian turned stern and he put his big hand onto Matthew's shoulder, almost causing the blonde's knees to give way for the weight. Despite the stern eyes Ivan managed to smile, though it was far from a genuine one. The so called smile was much colder and almost seemed to promise pain if the bigger male didn't get what he wanted.

"But you are here now, comrade Matvey..." The hand squeezed down on Mattie's shoulder, causing him to almost whimper as he tried to decide if his belongings really were worth this. He could go home without them, right? Perhaps ask the hotel to send his stuff or he could steal back the keycard from Gilbert. Anything would be better than getting crushed by Ivan and thrown out a window.

"I-I'm sorry...r-really. But I can't help you. M-my flight is going soon, Alfred wanted me for something... I need to pack and get my stuff fixed... I-I wish I could help you, I r-really do but I can't. Please don't kill me..."

Gilbert almost felt sorry for Matthew, though at the same time he was a bit grumpy that the blonde had tried to get Ivan to ask him instead. No one wanted to stand up against the Russian, especially not when he got pissed and it seemed like that could be the case now.

Surprisingly enough the bigger male let out a small sigh and nodded, grip loosening before the hand was removed completely from the smaller nation's shoulder.

"Very well, go pack then." Ivan then turned to Gilbert instead, not looking half as friendly as he had for a start with the Canadian. "You, I still need some assistance."

The albino flinched slightly, looking quite surprised when he was the one that suddenly had to help the Russian and he soon turned a small glare towards Matthew, showing he was not pleased.

"Thank you, Ivan, I'll see you at the next meeting." The blonde smiled with a small nod before turning to Gilbert and stretching out his hand. "I need my keycard, thank you." Gil muttered quietly but took it out of the pocket and gave it to Matthew, the Canadian having done what he was asked after all.

With the price in his hand Matthew turned to the elevator again with a calm expression, waiting until the door had closed around him before he had to lean against the mirror walls when his legs didn't want to stop shaking. That was one of the most terrifying moments in a long time but he also couldn't help but smile victoriously as Gilbert's plan almost had backfired.

"He won't be very happy when we meet again," he murmured for himself, letting out a small laughter from both amusement and relief as the doors opened once more and he walked out of the elevator, heading towards his room.

oOoOo

Matthew managed to pack all the stuff, against all odds actually getting the new clothes into his bag and even if it had ended with him sitting on the bag to get the zipper to work it had still closed which was an achievement.

Soon enough it knocked on the door, the nation looked through his glasses towards it and guessing who was on the other side, most likely muttering for himself. The thought made the blonde smile slightly as he got off the bag and walked over to the door, deciding to tease the other a little. It felt natural somehow, that he could just joke around with the other.

"Hm..who is it?" he said in an awfully slow pace, leaning his head against the door but quickly having to move away when the knocking turned into a banging.

"Just open the freaking door!" The blonde looked a little surprised but laughed and open up for the grumpy Prussian, stepping aside to let Gilbert in. He had Kumajirou in his arms and the yellow bird on his shoulder, handing the polar bear over to Matthew who happily took his friend and gave him a hug.

"So, what did comrade Ivan want?" he asked with a small smile, looking over at Gilbert who just huffed and closed the door behind him before walking over to the bed to make himself comfortable. "Nothing too straining I hope."

"He wanted me to explain something for him that had been said during the meeting. Apparently he had gotten distracted and missed out on something. It could have been worse but still, I don't see why I had to do it."

"You could have just said no, you know." The glare from Gilbert made Matthew laugh again before walking over to sit on the bed beside him with Kumajirou in his lap, the white fur ball soon lying down and making himself comfortable. "Cheer up a bit, I finished your lesson. Even if I will fear getting kidnapped and murdered in the near future it feels rather good now. Perhaps no one but I will notice my changes in the end but I am happy about them."

"People will notice them. Perhaps not right away but if they actually talk to you they will see a spark in your eyes, something that wasn't there before." The white haired male seemed to have calmed down a bit as he now looked over at the younger nation, carefully lifting his pale hand to stroke some strands of hair away from Matthew's face. "First when I offered you my help, I didn't believe it all would end like this. I had my own goals in front of me but now I'm mostly glad I could help." Gilbert soon realized what he had said and he coughed quietly before removing his hand, turning to his shoulder instead to pat Gilbird on the soft, little head. "Either way, I believe I have one more lesson in store for you before you have to go home."

"One more? It's just..three and a half hour left until my plane takes off. I need to go to the airport in about two hours to make sure everything goes as it should." Matthew looked a bit confused but soon decided to just keep quiet since he saw that Gilbert obviously was thinking about something while he tried to find words for what he wanted to say.

"Well, it's not a very long lesson," he said with a shrug before he turned so he faced the blonde, the ruby eyes roaming over the smaller male before he smiled a bit. "Lesson 7...you are awesome." Once again the confusion came back to the Canadian as he heard the so called lesson and he noticed how Gilbert rubbed the back of his head a bit before the slightly insecure expression turned into his usual, confident smirk. "Not as awesome as me, of course but...you are doing quite the good job and perhaps one day, you will get almost as good as me. At least it's a worthy goal to work for."

The blonde kept quiet for a while and just looked at that confident expression of the other but he could still see how it hadn't quite made it to those red eyes. They were soft, looking at him in a way that made his stomach heat up a bit together with his cheeks and he soon leaned in against the other male, planting a soft kiss on those pale lips in front of him.

Now it was Gilbert's turn to look surprised, not having expected such a forward move from the small Canadian but he didn't mind, far from it even and he leaned into the kiss himself, letting their lips lock properly as his hands moved over to Matthew's sides. Soon the blonde nation pulled away, cheeks slightly pink but with a smile on his lips as he looked up at the albino.

"It is indeed a worthy goal to work for and I will do my best to be almost as good as you in the future." And with that their lips locked once more, the sensation spreading heat through his whole body this time and his hands were soon placed over Gilbert's own ones, squeezing them softly as he got lost in the moment, everything forgotten except for the man in front of him.

Dictionary:

Mon chéri - My darling

Papa - Dad (used very lightly)

Merci - Thank you

Au revoir - Goodbye

Hoffnungslos - Hopeless

(As usual, I'm just using internet lexicons and they are not always grammatically correct or..even slightly correct at all, so if someone that actually speaks French and German sees any errors, point it out and I'll correct it!)