So… they found out how the other one felt, Russia behaved unpredictably… I know he was checking on China and Liet back in Chapter 2, and that it seems kind of sudden, but… I had to get her out of that motel somehow! And I couldn't have made Russia or France burn the building- her garments would've been destroyed, along with the reminder of the culprit. Plus, it's not like France to burn a building…

6

She awoke to a tap running, then something being laid on the oven- some time later, the scent of tea reached her nose. She stretched, yawning, and wasn't keen on leaving the warm bed just yet. She slept surprisingly well, maybe because she was so much exhausted- which wouldn't be s surprise, judging by…
Her good mood just flew away as her memories of the last night returned. The sweetness of the discovery about England's feelings was not enough to make her forget the problems- Russia was probably still here, in London, the next meeting drew closer with every hour, and of course there was the question of them: what should they do.

It took the smell of something burning for her to return to reality- she jumped out of the bed, quickly dressed and ran towards the source of the smell (and long swearing in a small voice), since she didn't fully remember where the kitchen was. Maybe she can still save the breakfast…
Her hasty and rapid greeting was ruined by the fact that England wasn't the only one in the kitchen. She thought she heard her chin collide with the floor. Small little… creatures were floating… no, flying, they had wings… in the air, clad in all the colors she knew- and some even in colors she didn't think of yet. She followed some with her eyes, mouth agape, when…
'She sees us!' one of them cried, causing half of them to flee into hiding and half of them to gather around her curiously. A couple of them flew around her, as if wanting to see her properly, then whispered among each other.
'What do you mean… oh, hello.' England turned towards her.
'Er… England… when did they arrive?' She truly wanted to ask what they were, but she reckoned they would be hurt by that. So much for talking privately to him…
'They were always here, of course- they even accompany me to the meetings. But… most people don't see them.' He answered, frowning in thought. 'Can it be… that it's because you stayed here for the night?'
'Wha… no way. Don't tell me you didn't have any guests…'
'Oh yes, I did, but only America, and he seemed to notice them only on Halloween. That reminds me… did you get any ideas?' England asked as he put two cups of steaming tea and some slightly burnt cookies on the table, then sat down and took a sip of his.
Hungary nodded, glancing at the fairies, which seemed to understand- they flew away, some giggling, some rolling their eyes and smirking, claiming: "Let's leave the little couple alone, shall we?" (Thus making them both blush.)
'So… I thought if America is in love with Russia, we should help them… or rather, Russia to realize.' she said matter-of-factly. Arthur, however, didn't seem to take it this easily: he began to cough, slamming the cup down. After he managed to regain his composure and clean most of the mess up, he retorted with a "Are you kidding me, or suicidal, or what?!" look on his face.
'You want to play matchmaker?! It's just a joke, isn't it? You can't be seriously considering going to Russia and telling him that, there's no telling what he'd do!'
'Yes. It isn't. And of course I'm not going to tell him just like that! I don't know, how, I don't know, when, but we'll have to get Russia a partner; I'd stick to America if I were you- neither China nor Lithuania are too keen on being close to him, and Belarus is capable of making her big brother cry. Plus… America can keep him in control better than they could, save Belarus maybe.'
England sighed, resting his head in one of his hands. There really didn't seem to be any other way out…
'All right, you win. I admit I don't see any alternative, either. But how did you get this idea in the first place? Tell me it doesn't have anything to do with the stuff you talk about with Japan…'
Hungary blushed again. 'N-no, it doesn't! It was only that making him fall in love with someone else would be way easier than getting his mint off of me. Having a person who'd be glad if his feelings were returned makes it even more so.'
England arched an eyebrow.
'The way you say it, it seems almost fair and unselfish…'
'You know what they say about love and fairness.'
'Yes, that one is as old as we are.' he admitted, though still keeping his serious face. 'Since you already said you have to make further plans, I suggest we drop this topic.'
'Agreed.'
'Next problem to solve?'
'It would be Francis, but we can't do much about him, can we? The way I know him and his revenges, even a thousand elephants couldn't deter or stop him, and since there's no finding out what he's up to, there's no way we could get properly prepared.'
'Too true. So, skip that as well. Anything else?'
'Only us.' she said, hoping her voice didn't quaver and her face didn't get as red as a traffic light. Neither of them met the other's eyes, preferring to look at the tablecloth- and a really fine one at that.
'Y-you said, I think, that you got… used to it. You didn't… couldn't have… really mean it, right?' Elizaveta spoke at last. 'I mean… nobody possibly gets used to that kind of thing…'
'Self-delusion can make miracles…' he answered bitterly. 'I made myself believe I didn't have a chance, or even if you would return my feelings, something or someone would still separate us.'
She wanted to tell him how foolish he was, or how it all didn't matter anymore- or in fact, anything to comfort him. Yet, she couldn't find it in her to open her mouth when she had practically the same thoughts running laps in her head just a couple of days ago.
'We are hopeless, aren't we.' she muttered. Finally, their gaze met.
'W-well… I guess… But I don't care.' The blush was weaker, the self-irony and pain vanished from his face. There was a glint in his eyes that told has come to terms with his feelings, and he was much more confident. It kind of reminded her of the concert, and she gave him a smile.
'That's the Arthur Kirkland I know.' She said, taking his hand that lay on the table. It felt warm, dry, and quite soft for the several things he has been in during his long life. It seemed as if something came across his mind, but he shoved it away; his expression remained practically the same as he stretched his free arm to touch Elizaveta's hair, gently releasing the strands from behind her ears, first the right and then the left. When he withdrew his hand, she thought she saw something red… She could only take a finger, but that was enough for him to stop, and for both of them to realize something. Between the little fingers of their right hands, there was a thin, red thread.
'High time it showed up, really…' England rolled his eyes. Hungary frowned, making him add: 'It's not like we don't know we're connected already.' She chuckled at that- yes, she had to give him that one. Glancing down on their hands (and thus, on England's wristwatch) again, however, made her realize what time is was- or rather, that she won't be able to linger here for good, as she secretly hoped to. He seemed to notice the change of her expression, for his own saddened as well.
'When will you have to leave?' he asked, sighing.
'Early afternoon, I think.'
She turned away, just as he did. She found it likely that Arthur Kirkland would rather drink himself into oblivion than ever saying two little words: don't go. Not aloud, at least- he cried them with his whole demeanor, the way he sat, the not too well hidden look in his eyes…
But she couldn't promise him all the time he or even she wanted to spend together. They were nations of far countries; consequently, meeting can't be as smooth or often as they hoped to. All right, the distance between them seems relatively small compared to, for example, America's, Canada's or Russia's size… but it still seemed suddenly too much.
Why? Why did it have to be so difficult from one day to another? She nearly wished she wasn't a nation, but a mere human, so that she could move to London and be at least physically close. The next moment, however, she discharged this silly idea- for of course her mortality would break both of their hearts.

He suddenly sprang up and grabbed her hand, determination on his face.
'Come on, we're going on a little sight-seeing. It's been a while since the last time I personally escorted you, hasn't it?' he asked, now with a warm smile. She was surprised, but glad to accept, so they quickly set out.
It seemed as if even the sky would want to give them every chance: it was clearer than usually (as England remarked) as the two of them covered many famous spots of the city. Not too famous ones- Every nation has been to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey at least twice. All right, they did return to her favorites (Westminster, London Eye, Tower Bridge), but soon enough, they found themselves at Wembley, perhaps the most famous stadium in the whole United Kingdom, and a stadium name Hungary will certainly remember. Although they built a new one on the same spot in 2007, memories take control and they can clearly see the old "Home of English Football". The brunette's face became suddenly more nostalgic than it was.
'Don't say a thing, I know. That match in 1953, am I right?' he said, half-teasingly.
'Of course! How could I not remember it? Even your media called it "The Match of the Century".
'Well, my team WAS undefeated for 90 years in a row until then… if we don't count the British Islands.'
Generally speaking, they had as good a time as they could… but they had to return to England's house so that Hungary could pack her things. Arthur of course gave her a lift to Heathrow, and stayed with her until it was time to check in.
'Thanks for the great fun.' she smiled.
'Any time.' he answered. He looked her in the eye, took her chin between two of his fingers then kissed her.

AN
Aaand… cut! I know, you must be royal mad at me right now, but… I've never written something like that before… O.O Geez, what am I going to do from now on?
As for that match: It must be boring for an outsider, that whenever football is mentioned to a Hungarian, it somehow ends up at the Gold Team- the famous Hungarian national team from the fifties. They played against England in 53, already with a couple of noted victories behind them- the English media did call it the Match of the Century. In Hungary, we mostly refer to it as 6:3; that was the score. All right, officially it's England-Hungary- 3:6, since it was in Wembley. What England says about his team is true- they were undefeated, if you don't count Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (who beat them 2:0 in 1949, but in Liverpool, not in Wembley). Let it be noted, that when the English came to Hungary, the score was 7:1, which is the largest point difference the English national team has ever lost with. Unfortunately, those golden days are all long gone for the Hungarian football… so now we pride ourselves in our water polo boys and kayak-canoe! xd
The 'original' Wembley was built in the mind 20ies. In 2007, a new was built on the same spot.
The red thread/string of fate… is basically where my title came from^^
Hungary sees fairies, because in one strip, France is shown seeing them, too (which is a proof you don't have to be born that way to be able to see them), though not believing they are real, so they vanish for him, I guess. Hungary is a different case, I guess.