Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.
Also, a quick note:
The following drabble will be LitBel (Lithuania x Belarus), which I know isn't an extremely popular pairing. If you don't like the pairing, you don't have to read this one, as this work is an anthology of random short writing practice. The same will apply to all other work published in this collection: if it involves a pairing, character, or event(s) you don't feel comfortable/happy reading about, please don't read it.
On the other hand, if you'd like to request any pairing, character, or prompt of me, that would be fine - I like random prompts anyhow. For that, you can PM or review to get the message through.
Written because I need a break from sad stuff. Seriously.
Drabble Prompt: Paperman Modern AU (LitBel)
Summary: She's made him wait long enough; it's only right that she waits for him for once.
Title: A Snapshot of Life in the City
It's 5:00, and the heat is turned off. Her breath forms chilly mist on the frozen window pane.
He promised he'd be home by 5:30, at the latest. Natalya frowns at the clock, wills it to speed up to match her wishes. She fiddles with her sash absentmindedly, wipes away the fogged up glass again.
Technically this place isn't his home yet - she's too resistant to change, and he's willing to wait - but she thinks she's ready to trust him now. To make that leap of faith.
Now, if only he were here for her to tell him...
She checks her watch, then the microwave clock, then the giant digitized one on the LED screen situated just across the street. All three display different times, but they all say he's late.
She smooths her dress determinedly. Her nose is leaving little condensed outlines on the glass, and she wipes at it quickly. If she isn't careful she'll smudge her makeup. And she wants to look good for Toris, as a silent apology for making him wait so faithfully for so long.
Her phone buzzes in her pocket. For a moment she hesitates; if it's him calling to cancel, she might say something she'll regret. She's come this close to destroying their relationship before - she's so undeservedly lucky that he's patient enough to always stay faithful.
She picks up.
"Are you looking out the window right now?" His voice, soft and soothing, in such stark contrast to the cacophony of the city, has never ceased to amaze her. Nevertheless she rolls her eyes before answering, because why wouldn't she be looking for him? He's five minutes late.
"I'm right outside."
She scans the street, eyes narrowed.
And then she sees him.
Still in his work clothes, a little rumpled from sitting at his desk all day, holding in one hand a bouquet of her favorite flax flowers and a posterboard in the other, bearing a Sharpie-marker message:
"Join me for dinner?"
She can see him blushing from four stories up.
And she doesn't hesitate before scribbling out a huge 'yes' in the misted glass.
It doesn't matter that it's backwards to him.
He always understands her in the end.
Character Notes: I know these two may seem out of character; this is why:
I feel like the two of them together would start to balance each other out: Natalya would become happier because she knows she loves and is loved by a good man, and thus would be a little less frightening (and a bit more cheerful), and Toris would start to be more assertive and more confident in himself (although he's always going to be a bashful sweetheart) because Natalya rubs off on him. Part of the reason I love this pairing.
I also feel that, since both of them are kind of amateurs at love (I imagine this as Toris's first real relationship, and Natalya as having had a horrible breakup before this relationship), they'd both first worry a lot about what their partner thinks and be overly worried that they'll leave each other (because they really do love each other a lot). And then they'd start to trust each other more, and relax a little bit around each other. I think that's the stage they're at right now.
(These author's notes are so long. I'm going to shut up now.)