Disclaimer : I don't own Hetalia nor Prussia and Austria.
As December is coming to an end, I thought I might as well post two one-shot I wrote for PruAus Advent Calendar 2016 (hosted on tumblr) before it's too late.
Here, treat yourself with some PruAus fluff to end the year.
Title inspired by Lonely this Christmas, a Mud's song!
This Christmas Would Be Lonely Without You
Crisp air, but no snow -not yet, Roderich hoped. It didn't keep him from feeling the Christmas mood, anyway. How could he possibly avoid it? Lights had been set all over Vienna a few weeks ago, houses had been decorated and Christmas trees had popped up everywhere. The famous and usual Christmas markets were back. Roderich definitely couldn't avoid all the Christmas vibes thrown at him. Not that he minded anyway.
He loved wandering in the city as the night was falling, and his favourite place was Freyung, which hosted a nice Christmas market every year. He had an afternoon off and spent it there, walking up and down the alleys, listening to the music that played starting from five o'clock, observing strangers and trying to figure out what their stories were. He wasn't particularly good at it, but it passed the time and he enjoyed it, watching without being seen. Free. Alone. Just him, the music and bypassers.
He was in front of a stand, enjoying a hot cocoa that smelled like gingerbread and cinnamon when a man trying to avoid a collision with another customer suddenly stepped aside and bumped into Roderich, a hot and very liquid hot cocoa escaping that man's hand and splashing all over Roderich's favourite trenchcoat. The clumsy man stayed up on his feet, holding onto Roderich to remain standing, while the guy who had caused all of this didn't see what happened.
To be honest, Roderich had not either. It had happened so fast he didn't realize. He was there sipping his cocoa in a crisp and dark afternoon. Then next thing he knew, a red woollen beanie was scratching his neck and firm hands were wrapped around his shoulders because a stranger had just lost his balance and-
« Scheisse ! »
Roderich had to admit the stranger had a point there. « Scheisse » indeed. Because he had ruined his trenchcoat with an everlasting hot cocoa smudge on it.
« I'm so sorry, Sir ! » the beanie-boy apologized.
The man took a few steps back from Roderich who had frozen, while staring blankly at the spot on his coat.
« I didn't want to- I- I'm so- Jeez, if only people watched where they're heading to... Did I burn you ? »
« No. » Roderich finally answered. « You sure burnt my coat, though. »
If Roderich's intentions were to put the stranger at ease, it didn't work. It was not as if that man was guilty, though. Right? The only thing he wanted was saving his cocoa from a collision, and had ended up ruining his and Roderich's drinks in yet another collision.
Roderich tried to stay calm even if he knew, deep down, that the situation was hopeless. Chocolate never forgives. His coat was wasted for ever. He gently took off his trenchcoat and started to clean it with some tissues while the stranger stared. When Roderich started to shiver, only wearing his scarf on a shirt, he felt the urge to say something.
« Don't you want to... I don't know, go somewhere and wash it ? With water ? »
« It won't work anyway... » Roderich mumbled.
« You can't stay like that ! Put it on, I don't want you to catch a cold on top of that ! You're shaking ! »
« I'm not- »
« It's freaking minus 10 degrees ! ... Sir. »
« I can't put that on. »
« You should though. »
« It's dirty. »
« It's warm. »
« I can't wear it ! »
The stranger sighed and grabbed Roderich's wrist, coaxing him into following him through the market.
« Wait- What are you doing?! » the brunette protested.
« Gotta find something to keep you warm, Specs. I would feel responsible for you getting sick. »
« Let me go ! »
« No. I made a terrible mistake and I have to fix it. » the guy returned blatantly. « If only you'd just let me... »
Roderich opened wide eyes and for the first time since their, uh, let's say, brutal meeting, he offered some attention to the man. They were walking, the unlucky Austrian trying his best to keep up the pace, and he could only see the side of his face, but -damn- it was some gorgeous sight. Not that Roderich realised, not at all, his entire mind was busy with thoughts of his coat, his hot cocoa, a perfect afternoon ruined and a stranger about to abduct him. Of course.
In the red hat, a pale face with silvery hair. The eyes, quickly scanning through the stalls, were red and almost mad. Maybe because of their colour, quite unusual. Roderich had never seen more surprising and fascinating eyes before. The man was taller than him, but not that much. His hold was strong, but something in his way of moving told Roderich he could be gentle and delicate -at times.
« There. »
They stopped in front of a stall and Roderich had to restrain a sarcastic comment.
« Christmas sweaters. Really ? »
« That could do until you get home safely. »
« That's ugly and ridiculous, and you're- »
« Buying one for you and forcing you to wear it. »
« Insane. »
« Shut it. Which one do you want, Specs ? »
« Is it a way to talk to people you just met ? »
The man backed off from the moose sweater he was admiring and faced Roderich with a bright smile.
« Well, right. Let me introduce you to my awesome self who's going to solve all your problems. I'm Gilbert Beilschmidt, at your service. »
And finally Roderich gave up and smiled back, because the dramatic way the man had used to introduce himself was, all in all, funny.
« Roderich Edelstein. »
« So, Roddy. Which one do you want ? »
The brunette rolled his eyes but took a look at all the ugl- colourful and original sweaters that the stall displayed.
« You really want to buy me one of these... Things ? »
« Yes. I bet you don't have any. »
« Correct. »
« It's an essential outfit, though. »
« I don't see why. »
« Because there's an international day for it and you definitely want to be a part of it. Now stop talking. Look ! This one has Rudolph on it. »
« It's called a reindeer, you ignorant. »
« So rude. Let's try the one with the Santa, then. »
« I'm not a kid ! »
« Who cares ? We are all children for Christmas. This one then. »
He showed Roderich a red sweater with little trees on it and Roderich frowned.
« Nah. Let's see... Oh, look ! This is the perfect one ! » Gilbert exclaimed triumphantly.
It was dark blue with a snowman and snowflakes on it. But the snowman was smiling with a warm cup of hot cocoa in his fingers made of branches. Roderich smiled at the sight.
« It is quite accurate I guess... » he let out.
« Yay ! Try it on, Roderich ! Please ! »
The brunette rolled his eyes once again, for good measure, but put the sweater on anyway. He was tired of fighting, and clearly, it could have been worse : Gilbert could have forced him to wear that trully ugly Rudolph or whatever.
« It's looking good, Specs ! »
« Stop calling me that. »
« Alright, Roddy. »
Cold stare. Gilbert didn't seem to care. He flashed him a smile and found the stall owner to pay the sweater. Roderich looked in a mirror and thought the sweater was cute, indeed. Not his style, but... Hell, the guy was right. We are all children when it comes to Christmas. And Roderich... Kind of liked it, to be honest.
Gilbert got back to him, still wearing his heartwarming smile.
« You really bought me this ? »
« Yes. 'T was the least I could do. Sorry about your trenchcoat. But at least you can go home safely now. »
Roderich smirked.
« You just bought me my first ever Christmas sweater and you think you'll get rid of me this easily ? Oh please. »
« I don't know, aren't you mad at me or something ? »
« It wasn't exactly your fault... The true evil man in this story hasn't even stopped and apologized. Let me at least offer a hot cocoa to return the favour. »
« Really ? You like having troubles, don't you ? That's nice, but... Never on a first date. » Gilbert said with a wink.
Roderich stayed numb for a second before he realised.
« That's easy, then. Tomorrow evening at seven. Same stall as we met. »
He could feel his face burning. He wasn't good at flirting, but Gilbert's smile grew even bigger.
« But please, don't, uh... Throw hot chocolate at me this time. »
« I promise. » Gilbert said.
And before leaving, he quickly pecked his cheek. Roderich was as red as the Christmas sweaters surrounding him. But surprisingly happy, too.
He shrugged. Maybe it was just the Christmas mood affecting him. Or maybe it was something else. He couldn't wait to find out, tomorrow evening.