Okay, Author's note! AN IMPORTANT ONE!! This is the second to last chapter. AKA, The next one is the end of Turning the World Upside Down. The last chapter may come out tomorrow, depending on how late we leave for New Jersey for vacation. If it's not out tomorrow, expect it Wednesday or Thursday! I apologize for later in this chapter, where America takes the good lord's name in vain. I do not condone that kind of behavior. Also, I don't own Hetalia.

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Turning the World Upside Down

Chapter 15: Victory

And so, weeks passed. Every day, Austria left a pink carnation for Hungary in her locker, and she would blush and smile and tuck it into her hair. She never really did get used to being treated like a lady. Then she would wear it until the end of the day and put it in a vase just before she went to bed. The two were as close-knit as Japan and Seychelles, and as a result, Austria and Japan became pretty close friends, as Seychelles and Hungary would always find each other and gossip, leaving the guys with nobody else to talk to but each other. America hadn't stopped or even really let up on his insane rule-breaking, but England had become much more lenient. Plus, their make-out sessions had become more frequent- they were almost a daily occurrence now. Germany had begun to smile more often, especially when in Italy's presence. The two were even prone to public affection in the form of hand-holding and chaste, affectionate kisses. Spain and Romano really hadn't changed. Spain would flirt with Lovino, who would turn bright red and beat on the upperclassman with either his fists or Hungary's frying pan. Finally, it was a week before Christmas break and Austria was standing at his podium again, giving his weekly announcements.

"And, finally, there will be a Christmas Eve ball on the 23rd, by request of... several dozen people in the suggestion box." Hungary grinned evilly and slapped high-fives with Seychelles and Amy. Amy had become friends with Hungary when, after being rejected by Finland, she began to take pictures of him and Sweden and had given a few prints to Hungary. The three girls had rallied the entire female population of the school to stuff the suggestion box full of requests for a Christmas dance, and it looked like it had paid off. Of course, Austria seeing Hungary's neat handwriting on one of them had probably helped as well.

"There will be music and food and other...dancelike...things. And as I really don't know what should be there, the Student Council has decided to appoint Miss Elizabeta Hedervary to be head of the preparations for this event."

"YES!" squealed Hungary, leaping up and throwing both hands in the air. All the girls cheered and Austria smiled at her despite himself. She really was adorable.

"Elizabeta, please sit down," he said gently. She sat down again sheepishly and the students began to gossip.

"He called her Elizabeta!"

"I know! It's so INTIMATE!"

"APOCALYPSE! APOCALYPSE! WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND PRUSSIAS-"

"Why do all of the weekly announcements end like this?" snapped Austria, heat flooding into his face. He turned on his heel and stalked off the stage. Hungary squealed girlishly as she jumped up and down with Seychelles and Amy, all three of them holding hands. Now all she had to do was make sure she and Austria went together and things would be perfect.

--

As it turns out, Hungary didn't have to really do anything. Austria had already been planning to take her to the dance since he saw her loopy handwriting (in pink gel pen) in the suggestion box. She found him in her art class, looking a little embarrassed, next to Kiku who was smirking slightly.

"Ah, Hungary!" he said, a smile breaking out across his face.

"You know, you CAN call me Elizabeta. You did at the assembly today."

"Oh, right." He blushed for a second, then regained his confidence again. He took her hand and lightly brushed a kiss against the back of it. "Elizabeta, would you be interested in accompanying me to the Christmas ball at the end of the week?" Elizabeta blushed a light pink, nodding frantically up and down. The words, for once in her life, had died in her throat. Austria looked up at her with a lopsided grin. He looked so adorable that Hungary couldn't resist grabbing him by his collar and kissing him firmly on the mouth. She pulled away a second later, panting heavily. Austria was blushing and panting as well. "Was that a yes?" he asked between breaths.

"What do you think?" she responded. "You're smart, figure it out!"

Japan smiled serenely. "Ah, young love." He put his arm around Seychelles, who giggled and replied with one remark.

"That was kinda hot."

--

Romano hated dances. Dances were stupid. They were just excuses to stand up and make a fool of yourself in front of other people. He may not have liked going to dances, but he was sure starting to get pissed off at all the girls eyeing HIS Antonio, clearly looking for to opportunity to ask him to go with them. The latest one walked up to Spain, fingering her slightly-too-short skirt.

"Hey Spain," she began.

"Yes?" he asked obliviously. Lovino glared at her ferociously from behind the other boy's back and she backed off fearfully.

"N-nothing!" she squeaked, running off almost in tears. Not that Lovino really cared.

"What's with everyone today?" Spain asked curiously. Romano simply shrugged. Another girl walked up to him.

"Spain," she said, winking. 'Damn flirts,' thought the Italian with a scowl. She ignored Lovino's glare and Romano felt a stab of panic. She wasn't scared. That meant...

"You know the dance at the end of the week?" she continued confidently.

"Will you go with me?" blurted Lovino. Spain turned to look at him in surprise.

"What?"

"You. Me. Dance. Go. Together," he said, looking down at his feet and turning a tomato-red. A huge grin spread onto Spain's face and he pulled Romano in a hug.

"Yes, of course!" he said in pure delight. Lovino looked over his shoulder to smirk at the girl gaping in rage. "Sucks for you," he mouthed. Victory was his.

--

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No!"

"Pretty please with pasta on top?"

"I said NO, Italy!"

"But why noooooot?" whined Feliciano, staring at Germany with his huge puppy eyes.

"Feliciano, I can't dance. I'd rather not go to some stupid Christmas ball to make a fool of myself." A small, cute pout formed on his lips and Germany looked away. "Not going to work."

"Please?" begged Feliciano, tears pricking the corner of his eyes. "It'll be fun!" Germany shook his head forcefully and Feliciano made an irritated face, then tried a different tactic. "Germany, I really want this. I want to go with you more than anything," Feliciano said quietly, leaning forward and pinning Germany against the wall with both hands. His eyes were bright brown, round and persuasive. Germany shivered slightly. Feliciano had never looked more serious. "But if you won't go, I'll still go. Maybe I'll ask France to go with me."

"You are NOT asking that pervert to go with you. If it's either with me or France... I'll go," Germany said reluctantly.

Italy's serious face melted into a triumphant one. "Awesome!"

Germany groaned. Italy had just played him like a fiddle. But as the younger nation hopped up to place a feather-light kiss on his mouth, he found he didn't mind as much as he should have.

--

America was facing the same problem with the dance as Italy had been a few minutes ago. America had tried all the same methods Italy had- begging, whining, and threatening to go with France. However, England was a harder nut to crack.

"Please, please, pleeeeeease?" He tried again, but England just rolled his lime green eyes. Then it hit him. He was AMERICA, God damn it! He couldn't convince England to do anything this boringly normal way. He had to do it in an AWESOME way! So he proceeded to pull England to him and kiss him. Hard. With some tongue involved.

"What are you doing, you bloody git?" yelled England, pulling back. America just smirked.

"You're going with me."

"What makes you think that?"

"This does," he said confidently, then leaned over and lightly bit one of England's ears. Arthur squeaked loudly, blushing bright red.

"What the hell are you DOING?"

"Crushing your will so you'll go to the dance with me," he replied with a smirk, before kissing England on the corner of his mouth- not on his lips, but close. England whimpered and America smirked. He knew what Arthur wanted, but there was something else that had to happen first.

"Dance, Iggy?" Alfred said quietly.

"Hmm?" England mumbled, dazed. His eyes were half-lidded and his face flushed. He looked so, so incredibly hot, and if he didn't agree soon, Alfred might end up jumping him.

"Will you go to the dance with me, England?" he repeated patiently.

"Mmm... Okay." England said, looking up at him with clouded eyes. America grinned.

"Perfect," he said, leaning down and kissing England again. Just another victory for the awesomeness that was America.