Thanks to all who bothered reading, reviewing, favoriting and following~! . Though only one person has bothered to review and one person has bothered following it, I'm happy that you want an update! I also want to continue this story, regardless of the feedback I get, so here goes the long awaited chapter 2! :D

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Hetalia.

Chapter 2: More Browsing…

After giving what he thought was a sufficient amount for the Russian Cookbook, Ivan decided that he was going to take a look at all the books that he could while the store was open. He had noticed the time that the store opened and closed and was satisfied to know that he'd get a good long day of reading in.

He forgot one important factor though…

"…Of course every book is in French…At least all the ones I'm finding…Guess I have no choice but to ask the librarian for help." Ivan sighed as his train of thought came to a stop.

Leaving the aisle of books he was currently in, he carefully made his way over to the cashier, where he'd left the cookbook after telling Maddie that he wanted to look some more, only to see that she wasn't there. And it's not that, 'She's not there because she's invisible'. It's that she had moved over to the display window in order to put her snowflakes up as decoration.

"Ah, there she is. …I wonder if she needs help?" Ivan thought.

Just as he was about to call out to get her attention, Maddie tripped over a small stack of books that Kuma had put there earlier in order to open up a footpath for customers.

With a small 'EEP!', Maddie was bracing for impact and as she was about to smack right into the floor-!

"Huh…? Didn't I fall just now? Then how come there's no pain?"

Opening her eyes, Maddie looked down and saw that a big, calloused hand was holding her around her midsection. Looking up to see who the hand was connected to, she almost squeaked again when she saw that it was none other than her very first customer of the day.

"T-thank goodness…Ah! T-t-thank you v-v-very m-much, sir!" she thanked Ivan.

"It's good that you are not hurt, little one. Good thing I am quick-footed, da?" Ivan joked lightly.

"I-I'm sorry for c-causing a pro-problem," Maddie lowered her head a bit in shame and embarrassment.

Putting her back on her feet, Ivan waved it off with an actual small smile. Seeing that, Maddie felt a bit better and gave a small smile of her own in return. Remembering his forgotten objective, he asked Maddie, "Do you have any more Russian books? Or English? I cannot speak the French language, da."

"O-oh, sure, we have plenty of English books! I don't know if we have any other Russian books, but you never know! It could be hidden away, waiting for the right owner!" Maddie spoke with a firmer voice, since she was talking about books which are her forte.

Glad that she was giving him the information he had requested, Ivan was about to list off some books that he'd be glad to have in his possession to read when another thought entered his mind.

Suddenly, he asked, "What is your name, little one?"

"…Eh?EEEEEEEHHHHH?! W-WHAT THE MAPLE IS GOING ON?! Wait, wait- calm down Madeline Williams! It's n-not l-l-l-like he's asking you out on a date cause he obviously isn't! So why am I so nervous?! ..Oh, that's right…the only people who actually know my name are those in my family…so four people at most, huh? I guess him asking my name is the equivalent of me being asked out on a date since I'm not used to having to introduce myself to people. Heh heh, that's kinda sad…" Maddie's mind exploded.

"Oh, I guess I should introduce myself first. I am Ivan Braginsky and I've actually moved not far from here recently. It's a nice change of scenery for me from home," Ivan said as he thought Maddie was hesitant to give her name. "Maybe she just isn't used to strangers…"

"A-ah, my name is Madeline Williams. Feel free to call me Maddie, or Miss Williams, or whatever you're more comfortable with, Mr. Braginsky!"

"Hehe!" Ivan chuckled. "Please, just call me Ivan. I doubt I'm much older than you are, so it feels weird to be called Mister. And I'll just call you Maddie- it's easier to pronounce than Madeline, da?"

Feeling her nervousness ebb away a bit, Maddie was able to produce a small smile on her small face.

"Thank goodness he's friendly! …Does this mean I just made my very first human friend?! Yay! What a great way to start the weekend!" Maddie couldn't help but feel an overwhelming at being noticed and being asked for her name.

"Ah, well, I guess I'll lead you to the English books we have in stock! Please follow me, Mr- I mean, Ivan," Maddie stumbled over the new name she was going to have to put to memory. She couldn't help but feel giddy as the name rolled off her tongue.

"Y-You know, your name is also r-really easy to pronounce, Ivan," Maddie commented as they made their way to the section Ivan assumed was the English section.

"Yes, I guess it is. It's a common name in Russia, so maybe that's why?" Ivan added with a thoughtful expression.

"Maybe," Maddie responded.

After that, they enjoyed silent companionship, only talking a bit in order for Maddie to describe the book that Ivan was currently holding in greater detail than the summary on the back of it.

"…and this book has some common French cuisine that a famous Japanese chef created. Some unknown author translated it into English later on, and I've tried some of the recipes. They are extremely delicious! Even better when my papa makes them! Ah, if you're looking for some other cuisine, then over here there are even some Polish recipes! And then some Hispanic…I think there's even one Indian recipe book. Ah, my papa goes travelling a lot so he's gathered some of these on his own in order to sell them. He says that it's always good to have variety!" Maddie couldn't help but smile as she thought of her father whenever he comes home with some weird dish in hand, saying he made it at the neighbor's house as a surprise for her.

Ivan only stared as the once stuttering nervous-wreck talked without stopping once for a breather. He was about to ask her what she recommended to a novice cook when all of a sudden the front door opened, making the little bell go 'ding-a-ling'.

Not five seconds later a flash of blonde had appeared right next to Maddie and suddenly she was scooped up with a little 'Eh?!' escaping her mouth.

"Oh, ma petite Madeline douce! Je suis de retour dans le beau pays de France; votre grand-mère se demandait comment vous étiez. Vous devez venir avec moi la prochaine fois! Je ne prendrai pas non pour une réponse~!" (Oh, my sweet little Madeline! I am back from the lovely country of France; your grandmother was wondering how you were. You must come with me next time! I won't take no for an answer~!) a strange man with a little beard fuzz said as he snuggled up to the small librarian.

"Papa! You're back!" Maddie exclaimed in what could only be an overjoyed voice as she hugged the man.


Well, I finally managed to get a chapter out! I'm happy I was able to update this! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review!