NATALIA COULDN'T believe that she was doing this. It was pathetic. He didn't deserve second chances. Someone so perfect shouldn't make mistakes in the first place; especially not such a big one. It was unacceptable, inexcusable, and unforgivable. Yet her she was… forgiving him. But it wasn't a date. Possibly not ever, definitely not now. But maybe a date wouldn't be outrageous. After Emil ran away and returned, Lukas seemed to have realized the mistakes he's made. On the other hand he'd probably never admit to changing because he's an asshole. She hated him so much!

Or really, not at all.

"Miss? Are you alone today?" A tanned waiter smiled down at Natalia.

She blinked up at him in confusion. What did he mean by today? Oh, right, "I've seen you before."

He smiled, "Si, you were with another woman then. Your sister, perhaps? Are you meeting her again?"

Natalia nodded, "Yes… and no. I'm meeting someone else."

The waiter chuckled, "Ah! A lucky man?"

She scowled at the door to the cafe, "Depends on how I feel when I see him."

He laughed, "I hope you don't feel too bad." The happy man left. Natalia tensed and looked away when a familiar one stepped through the door.

"Making friends?" Lukas's pale lips hinted a smile, and his deep eyes were cheerful.

Natalia couldn't think of anything to stay, but managed to sputter a, "Shut up."

Lukas fought his smile away, "Sorry. I'm in no position to tease, am I?"

"No!" A deep frown set on Natalia's face, and she glared out the window, "I'm not afraid to leave."

"I don't doubt it." He tilted his head to get a better look at her eyes, "Thank you for coming though."

Natalia tinted pink, embarrassed by the softness in his voice, "How's Mathias and all of them?"

"Fine… If you want you can come to dinner tonight. Tino started demanding we have one every Sunday. He's going to start making us go to church next." Lukas shook his head, "I get that he's trying to make things better, but honestly I could do with less family sometimes."

She giggled, "I'd hate to see the trouble your family would cause in a church."

Lukas smiled, "How're your siblings?"

Natalia nibbled the skin on her lip in hesitation first, "Alright. Kateryna is out of work, but she's hopeful for a better one. Ivan came to visit finally. It was nice."

"I'm glad you go to see him."

"I told him about you." She took a sip from her coffee, "He doesn't like you."

Lukas laughed, "I'd think not!"

Natalia smirked, "I'm not even sure if I like you."

"I am. I like you a lot." They stared at each other, trying—unsuccessfully—to read each of their emotions. Natalia shook her head in frustration and averted her gaze to the white table cloth. Lukas smiled, and continued to admire her.

"Dinner would be nice."

"Yes, it will be." His smile grew.

"What should I bring?"

"Your pretty face."

Natalia gave him an exasperated look, Lukas winked. She scoffed, "Flattery doesn't suit you!"

"What about the truth?"

"Apparently not!" The woman spat fiercely, then drew back, "Sorry…"

"It's fine." Lukas snagged her coffee mug and took a drink for himself, "Get it out." Natalia took the mug from him and held it protectively, a disgruntled pout on her face. Lukas reached again and tried to tug it from her hold, "I'll let you have some of mine when the waiter comes around."

"I told him I wasn't happy to see you, and I think he likes me. So he probably won't."

"Does he seem like that type of person? Really? I bet the man throws sprinkles on people." Lukas let his hand rest on Natalia's side of the table.

She picked it up and put it on the other end.

Lukas slid it slowly back towards her, smiling in amusement.

Natalia shook her hair back and lifted her chin, "I'll tell him you're harassing me."

"Would you really?"

She didn't answer.

Lukas left his hand.

Natalia tried to ignore it, "I don't have a car at the moment."

"What happened?"

"It's getting fixed."

Lukas inched his hand forward, "I could have fixed it for you."

"You'd probably just get someone else to do it!"

"Of course not, I'm perfectly capable. I might need Berwald's help, though…"

Natalia shook her head, "Well, it's too late now! There's no point in talking about it."

"Yes, there is." Lukas slid his hand forward again, tips of his fingers brushing the woman's arm, "We may not be 'together', but you can still count on me. I'm still your friend."

Natalia looked at him, then at the fingers touching her arm. She pulled it away, and Lukas straightened up letting the hand rest on the table top. She shrugged, "I'll ask you for help next time."

"Good." Lukas smiled at her. Natalia struggled not to smile back. She couldn't, and her cheeks lifted. He saw, no matter her efforts to hide it. "Say, you don't completely hate this, do you?"

Natalia hesitated, "No, I suppose not."

"We should do it again."

"I'm already coming to the stupid dinner of yours!" She retorted.

"Yeah, I guess you are. When should I pick you up?"

"The smallest amount of time before it starts." Natalia smirked.

"My thoughts exactly." He took a drink from her coffee, she let him.

A/N: It has been a long time coming but it's finally done! My interest in Hetalia really dropped off and I lost all motivation for this story, but I had a pretty good idea how to write it. Things got sketchy and definitely OOC in there but I tried my best for the AU. I really wanted an open ending, but if that's not your thing than I'm sorry. I really have no idea how to feel about this story, and every time I read it I just want to delete it all. Sorry if it's the same for you! Yet, it's still my first story and has a special place in my heart. Alright, I'm sure you've stopped reading by now. Bye!

-entotre