Belgica
Pairing: Russia/Belgium
What better way to spend such a lovely day in the sun than with a foreign visitor?
~o~
Emma was glad that the meeting was finally over. Not only because it always gave extra work being the hosting country, but because it was a nice and warm day and she wanted to catch some rays of sun outside on a cafe terrace somewhere. The lively chattering of Brussels called to her, a nice pint of beer waiting to wet her throat.
There was a skip in her step as she exited the building, high heels clacking pleasantly against the pavement. Slowed down. Stopped. It appeared one of her guests had not left for their hotel yet.
The tall Russian known as Ivan was standing just outside the conference building, looking left and right at the cars passing by, a hint of both amusement and curiosity in his violet eyes. His large coat was draped over one arm, it being far too hot for such warm clothing. His free hand was restlessly pawing at his ever-present scarf, as if debating whether or not it was all right to expose more skin on such a lovely day. Emma regarded him for a moment before deciding that it was far too nice a day not to take this opportunity when it presented itself on a silver platter.
"Hello, stranger," she said in a chipper voice, sliding in to stand beside him. The other jumped slightly, but quickly covered it up by turning towards her with one of his signature smiles.
"Ah, Emma! Privet, privet! The weather is nice today, is it not?"
"It certainly is," the Belgian agreed readily, nodding her head. She had to peer up at her companion to be able to look him in the eye, but that was fine. She wasn't easily intimidated by someone's size. "Aren't you going back to your hotel?"
For once, the other didn't seem to have an answer at the ready, pale cheeks dusted with pink, making Emma pause. Certainly she had seen the other blush before… Like the one time where his heart had fallen out! Still, for whatever reason, he seemed far more shy today.
"I was thinking about making a walk before returning," Ivan admitted, making Emma straighten her back. "And-"
"You'd like a guide?" she enthusiastically interrupted him, biting her inner cheek when his eyes widened in surprise. Perhaps she had only jumped to conclusions, perhaps he wanted to be left alone and was only humouring her. But Emma knew that today was far too beautiful to spend by yourself, and if the personification of Russia was going to tour her capital, who better to guide him than Emma?
At last, his face thawed into a warm smile, one unlike he'd ever shown, and Emma could feel her heart start up a happy tango.
"Da. I would like that."
~o~
"Why is the little boy peeing?"
"Because, Ivan! It's Manneken Pis, one of Brussels' main tourist attractions!"
Ivan scrunched his brow, leaning over the small fence separating them from the tiny statue; a fountain shaped like a boy who was indeed, urinating. "Your tourists are weird if they want to see little boy pee."
Emma snorted, ignoring several heads turned her way; some in interest, others in a sort of kinship, the one every Belgian felt when they were in their country's presence.
"Well, the Atomium is basically just a huge statue of balls, so get used to it my friend."
Ivan laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You are joking!"
"Nee nee, I mean it! We have statues of balls and piss! Welcome to la Belgique, my beautiful België! Oh, but you haven't seen anything before you've tasted our beer!"
Guiding the other away from the small tourist attraction, they wandered small cobblestone streets and followed the locals to shimmering channels along which bartenders had placed tables and chairs for their customers to enjoy the summer in all its glory.
"You truly are a strange land," Ivan chuckled, Emma whirling around and leaning up to teasingly pinch his nose. He swatted her hands away, not at all offended, in fact, having a sense of mirth in his fond gaze. Ivan didn't have that good of a relationship with most countries. It must feel good for him to simply relax with someone who didn't distrust him or cower away in his presence. Emma would gladly provide him. She liked it when everyone felt at ease.
"Strange can be a compliment too, you know," she said with a cheerful giggle, watching as a teenage boy began playing football (but not what silly America called football, the other kind) with a child who was waiting for his parents to come pick him up after school. Further down the street, an old man was walking his dog, and behind him a couple of young lovers were strolling along hand in hand. She loved her people, her culture, even if they sometimes couldn't get along. But then again, didn't all countries have their own problems? Nobody was perfect, after all.
A soft gasp make her look up, after which she immediately slapped her hands over her mouth to suppress a giggle. A stray butterfly had chosen to land on the very tip of Ivan's nose, and the man was currently frozen to the spot and cross-eyed as he tried to keep his attention to the tiny fluttering insect.
Emma carefully brought up a finger and plucked the butterfly right from his nose, softly blowing on it until it flew away. When she looked back up, Ivan was regarding her with that same warm smile, eyes hooded and expression more than contented. In an impulsive movement Emma leant up, and kissed the very spot where the butterfly had just settled.
Not even waiting for a reaction, she pulled away and turned around, cheeks rosy. "Come on, slowpoke. We still have lots of places to visit before the day is over!" Not even waiting for him, she continued on her way, bouncing on the warm stones beneath.
Her heart skipped another beat when the other's heavy footsteps caught up to her, and she felt a hand brush along her own.
