Hetalia does not belong to me. Neither do any of the countries mentioned. Get back to me after 'World Domination Phase 3' is complete.
* Quick note: a section written in italics represents inner dialogue or a memory. Underlined italics are meant to convey writing.
Tired of Waiting
Northern Italy knew that he should be paying attention to Germany lecturing at the front of the conference room, and honestly, he was. More or less. He may have been tuning out the words but he still watched as Germany puffed out his chest and tapped the stack of papers in front of him.
Boring. This meeting was boring.
His brother ignored him and refused to pass notes behind Japan. The seat on his other side was vacant because Germany was currently presenting. Japan was sitting next to him, between the brothers, but he was staring intently at the speaker and actually jotting notes from time to time.
Another glance at Germany confirmed that he was still droning on and on and on. He shifted his attention across the conference table to the nation everyone was gossiping about.
Canada met his gaze steadily and raised one of his hands in greeting before letting it drop again to resume worrying the edge of the scrap in front of him. It degraded into a staring contest that allowed Northern Italy to wonder at the interesting shade of his eyes.
Canada was the first to blink; his honey lashes hiding the lavender from view before opening wide again. He beamed at him and raised his hands again; this time in the sign of defeat. Northern Italy grinned back with a smile just as wide and dusted his shoulders in solemn pageantry. Canada choked on a laugh before ducking his head when Germany clucked his tongue in their direction.
Once Germany had returned to his presentation, Northern Italy scribbled something on his blank sheet of paper and folded it twice before tossing it to the other nation. Canada unfolded it carefully, his fingers dancing along the creases.
He liked Canada's hands. They were beautiful and made for creating masterpieces.
I'm bored! The note was blunt and Canada smiled wryly before adding his own contribution. Instead of just folding the paper along the existing pleats, he smoothed it out and started again. Canada held it up when he was done and it was folded in the shape of an origami throwing star. He tossed it with a flick of the wrist and it sped towards Northern Italy much faster than he had anticipated.
Before it could hit him, Japan reached over and plucked it out of the air in a single smooth movement. He seemed just as shocked as Northern Italy was.
"I must apologize," mumbled Japan in embarrassment. "My hand seems to have moved on its own." Japan passed the origami note to him and bowed his head respectfully. Canada whistled softly in admiration. Japan blushed and righted himself in his seat, scribbling furiously to catch up on what he had missed.
Northern Italy was a little surprised and more than a little impressed but he unwrapped the note as if nothing had out of the ordinary had happened. Japan would only be more embarrassed if he called attention to it.
Are you less bored now?
Northern Italy chuckled lightly and scrawled another note. He folded the message the length of the creases and back into origami before flicking it at his partner in crime. His aim was not as accurate but Canada still managed to catch it before it could smack America in the forehead. America was about to ask a question but Canada pressed a finger to his lips and hummed a shushing noise. America nodded at the gesture and gave him a sheepish 'thumbs up' sign. Canada pinched his cheek in affection before reading the note.
How did you know Kiku would catch it?
The memorandum was passed back again.
Well... He either would have caught it or it would have hit you square in the nose. You would no longer be bored in either situation. Nursing a paper cut, perhaps, but not bored.
Northern Italy tucked the note inside his suit jacket when Germany circled the conference table; distributing important documents as he went. Canada turned his attention back towards the lecture but Northern Italy continued to ignore the presentation in favour of watching Canada flicker his palms over his notes, never quite touching the ink.
There were several reasons for Northern Italy to like Canada, or rather, for Feliciano to like Matthew. One was that Matthew had never treated Feliciano as if he were a simpleton or a coward. He treated him as an equal and with respect. Matthew was willing to join in his games and dalliances without shame.
Most of all, Feliciano adored how Matthew used his hands to create rather than demolish. He used his hands to create when he painted, when he made music, and when he was cooking. Even when he was folding slips of paper into something more meaningful.
"Italy? Are you alright?"
Northern Italy twisted around and brushed his floured hands on his apron. He knew that the other nation was here to check on him because he had just been scolded harshly and rather publicly in the corridor. He prayed that the tears had dried.
"Yes. I'm fine. It was my fault. I was just... I'm just a nuisance, y'know? I always am…" Northern Italy turned back to the flour mixture on the counter in front of him. There were cracked eggs in a well in the centre and the flour kept them from oozing onto the counter. There were other small piles of ingredients laid out: colourful and dramatic against the wooden countertop. He grabbed a fork and whisked the eggs a little more severely than necessary. He then folded the eggs into the rest of the ingredients until combined and smooth.
While he was distracted with the mixture, Canada stepped over to kitchen sink to wash his hands and toss an apron over his head. He tied a loose bow in the back with deft fingers. He joined Northern Italy at the kitchen island and held out a hand for a ball of the dough. Northern Italy glanced up at him through the fringe of his hair and bashfully passed some of the mixture to the other nation.
The two of them continued to knead in silence for a couple of minutes until he began to speak.
"I don't think you're a nuisance," Canada said quietly as he moved towards the pasta machine and pressed the dough through with a crank of the handle. He fed the mixture through and Northern Italy watched as he flicked the flattened dough out through the other side and laid it upon the counter with delicate precision. He had done this before.
"And I don't think that it's your fault. I think that everyone is just a little stressed out and that your friends acted without thinking. I can guarantee that they already regret what they've said."
Northern Italy took his turn at the machine and repeated the process while Canada began slicing the flattened dough for ravioli.
"But what if they meant it?" He asked as he stretched for the shredded cheese. Canada reached for the pile of spices at the same time and their hands knocked clumsily together.
Canada grasped his hand and kissed the back of it with gentle kiss as if he were a gentleman. Perhaps he was.
"Then they are fools who cannot appreciate what's in front of them," he shrugged his shoulders and let go of his hand. He reached again for the spices. "But wait and see. In a little while, they will realize what they said and come tripping in here to apologize."
The two continued to wrap cheese and spices with squares of pasta in companionable silence. Northern Italy simmered a simple sauce and poured it over the pasta before tucking the whole dish into the oven.
He felt much calmer now than when he had stormed into the kitchen.
It was when he was pulling the finished meal from the oven that his friends stumbled into the kitchen in a panic to apologize. Northern Italy dished out the pasta and passed it around; accepting their apologies with grace and revelling in the attention.
He found himself beaming as everyone chattered; eating the meal and humming sounds of pleasure. His smile slipped a little when he saw that Canada had slipped from the kitchen without notice.
Almost.
Canada had written in the flour with his finger: 'TOLD YOU SO' in bold capital letters.
Northern Italy lurched back to the present when Germany smacked his head with the side of his folder. He looked up to find him frowning slightly as he continued to lecture. His lips were moving to form words that Northern Italy continued to ignore. He grinned at him and made a light purring noise. Germany sighed and carried on circling the conference table.
Northern Italy glanced back at Canada in time to watch him fold another piece of paper into the shape of a frog and tap it as if it were hopping. Northern Italy had been unsure before now whether or not to interfere but he decided then and there to join the skirmish in earnest. He thought of Prussia as a brother but it seemed too cruel if he refused to share Canada with the rest of the nations.
He scrawled another question on their sheet and tossed it to Canada, who snatched it out of the air without averting his attention from the origami frog in front of him. He unfolded the message and quirked an eyebrow at Northern Italy before writing an answer and throwing it back.
Are you going out on a date with Prussia?
Yes. Dinner and a movie later tonight. Does this have anything to do with the odd looks I've been getting all morning?
Northern Italy pitched the note back.
No. Just curious. What are you talking about? What odd looks?
When in doubt, it was always best to play dumb. Canada seemed anxious to ask another question but he was unable to when Germany announced a break and the nations began shifting and stretching their legs.
Germany had just announced a break and Canada reached his hands over his head to stretch. His low groan of pleasure changed into an annoyed gasp when Prussia used the opportunity to poke his side.
"When did you get here?" He growled as he swatted the other man away from his ticklish stomach.
"Ah, but I've been here all morning," Prussia replied with a smirk.
"No, I meant right here, as in 'standing on the same tile'."
Prussia took the hint and stepped back.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk around the building," he said, ignoring the glares of the other nations.
Canada nodded and shifted towards the entrance, expecting Prussia to follow him. The remaining nations watched them leave. Once in the corridor, Canada sidled up beside him and touched his arm to get his attention. His gaze flickered around the corners and from shadow to shadow in suspicion.
"I have the feeling that everyone is watching me," he whispered anxiously.
"That's probably because everyone is," Prussia laughed.
"What? Why?"
"… No reason."
"Hey! Hey! Germaaany!"
Germany turned back from watching the Canada leave the conference room with his brother and looked down at Northern Italy as he flitted around.
"Yes, Feliciano, what is it?" Germany huffed and patted him awkwardly on the head, as if unsure of how to show affection.
"Germany! Guess what? Guess what?" Northern Italy bounced up and down on his heels before leaning in and whispering: "The fox is in the hen house."
"…What?" Germany blinked.
"The eagle has landed."
Germany continued to blink in confusion so Northern Italy rubbed his arm in soothing circles as if he were a lost cause and translated.
"Your brother asked Canada out to dinner and Canada said 'yes'."
Comprehension dawned on his face with a slight 'oh' sound. Germany glanced fervently around for eavesdroppers but found none.
"Excellent work, Feliciano. Can you keep this just between us for now? We'll decide how to share this information over the break. This could lead to more chaos than usual if everyone starts acting on their own. Just… Keep quiet in the meantime, understood?"
"Yessir," Italy shouted, saluting him with a languid air, and Germany fought the urge to press his palm against his face in frustration.
Quiet… What had he expected?
Germany dragged Northern Italy behind him and into the corridor in the direction Japan had last been seen.
South Korea crept out from under the conference table and stifled a giggle into his long sleeves. He had heard the whole exchange. He bounded over to China and wrapped his arms around the other man; clutching the front of his shirt. China screeched and twirled in his grip.
"What are you doing? Again!"
Korea was reluctant to release his hold, but he did; pouting and twisting his fingers together.
"Your breasts do belong to me, but this is more important than that. You'll never guess what I just overheard!" South Korea grinned and held himself in grandeur.
"What?"
"You have to guess!" He complained with a whine.
"Im Yong Soo! I do not have time for your games, so please; just tell me what you've heard." China brushed a wayward strand of hair from his face and jostled the other nation in annoyance. South Korea lit up as he remembered the original reason he was so excited.
"I overheard Italy tell Germany that Canada said he was going out on a date with Prussia!" He said the mouthful in one breath as quick as possible. He also managed to shout it as loud as he could.
Silence echoed throughout the conference room as the other countries stopped shuffling documents and chattering to instead gawk at South Korea.
"…What? It's true! I just heard it!"
The surprised silence was broken when Denmark slammed his hands on the tabletop and launched himself out of his seat.
"Hell no!" He shouted as he stomped out of the conference room and stormed down the corridor in rage. The remaining nations snapped out of their reverie as the echo of Denmark's boots faded into the distance.
Prussia and Canada meandered through the courtyard and the groomed garden. Canada would name flowers and Prussia would pretend to care. When Canada finally caught on that Prussia could not care less about different species of lilies, he stopped in the shade of a large oak tree. He leaned against the rough bark and listened to the wind rustle through the leaves. He closed his eyes with a hum of appreciation.
That was an invitation if Prussia had ever seen one.
Prussia waited for the few minutes that his limited patience would allow before leaning in close and tracing the curve of his cheek with his finger. Canada opened his eyes halfway and considered the nation.
"What are you doing?"
"I was going to wake the princess with a kiss, but lo and behold, you're awake!" Prussia smirked and twinkled with mischief as he continued to slide nearer to the blonde.
"I never kiss on the first date."
"Bullshit."
"Maybe, but I will not be kissing you on the first date."
"Well," Prussia laughed, "it's not our first date until 6:00 tonight."
"Then I should not be kissing you at all. It would be indecent," murmured Canada in a hushed tone but he made no effort to push Prussia off of him.
Prussia was pressing forward to close the distance when Canada was tugged from his grasp all of a sudden and a great resounding 'thwack' rang through the air. He glanced up to find the shining metal of a blade wedged in the truck of the tree and not quite two inches over his head. When the axe was wrenched from the trunk, splinters rained down on Prussia. He twisted to see Denmark standing there with Canada tucked behind him and scowled.
Prussia raised his arms towards the clouds in irritation.
"Seriously? Seriously? Not awesome!"
Author's Notes:
Origami is the art of folding paper into shapes. It can be quite simple or complicated. The throwing stars or shuriken mentioned here are actually quite easy to make and it was the preferred method of passing notes between my friends and I throughout high school.
A pasta machine is fairly simple crank operated machine used to flatten the dough used for making pasta. It often comes with attachments to cut the dough into noodles but in this case, the flattened dough was cut afterward to wrap ravioli.
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