Holy crap guys I'm alive! I am soooooooooooo sorry I haven't updated in God knows how long. I've just been kinda not motivated but I slapped myself around and realized I need to get myself into gear and write! Plus, there's no way in hell I'm giving up on a fic revolving around one of my OTP's.
Also, I mentioned how I'd put the character people voted for the most on my poll in this story. Well. There was a clear favorite and so I decided to put him (yes it's a male country) in this chapter to start things off! But I couldn't just add him without anyone else so, there's a surprise character in there as well. So without further ado, the next chapter!
Seasons are changing and waves are crahshing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you, I'll be the one
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven.
- "Your Guardian Angel" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Chapter 3
Needless to say, Gilbert was rather disappointed when he learned of the new residents of the old mansion, but didn't bother to mention to Elizabeta that he'd run off when she got pulled inside since he assumed that she was a goner.
She'd gotten her revenge through a whack with her frying pan and she hoped that had taught him a lesson about breaking and entering. Perhaps it had worked, but that didn't keep him from leaving her alone like he said he would.
Elizabeta managed to elude him by going to Mr. Austria's house to work, which Gilbert avoided since he didn't want to be known as the one who'd tried to break into the house with Lizzie.
At first she didn't think she'd be able to enjoy her new career considering that she was basically the housekeeper of her own home as well. However, taking care of her little shack was nothing compared to handling the mansion she was now in charge of.
For one, Mr. Edelstein didn't do anything at all to help. He would sit in his office and do paperwork for god knows what or tune his piano now and again. She rarely heard him play, so she assumed he wasn't too good.
More than that, Feliciano was barely capable of handling many chores besides sweeping and dusting since he couldn't reach very high. He was also too young to carry anything heavy, so that was yet another chore given to Elizabeta.
So much for this being easy, she thought. This backbreaking labor was going to kill her at this rate.
At a train station not too far from where Elizabeta was dealing with her new dilemma, an Englishman of hardly twenty-three years of age was stepping off an overcrowded train that had arrived from Berlin.
It had been a long and rather unpleasant trip, so the man was rather pleased to get off the damn thing.
The cold winter air bit at his cheeks, turning them red despite his attempts to look away and avoid the wind. He pulled his hat down more, hoping that it would at least shield his eyes.
"Bloody snow," he hissed as he clutched his one enormous suitcase stuffed with his amenities for the trip.
He hadn't wanted to come here – if anything he wanted to stay in England for his whole life – but his family had recommended he travel if he planned on pursuing his business career, and Austria seemed like a decent place to start out in.
The man attempted to make his way through the crowd, but the amount of swarming bodies forced him into pushing and shoving. Despite his apologies, this ticked off a larger man who felt the need to shove the Brit to the ground in protest.
"We're all trying to get somewhere, what makes you so special?" he spat.
The Brit groaned from the sudden impact with the ground and shook his head to reorient himself. That fall had knocked his hat clean off, causing him to swear under his breath. It had been a gift from his mother and it was the only thing he had brought of her here.
To his surprise, when he looked up someone was kneeling in front of him, the hat he'd lost residing in the other's hand.
"You okay, fancy pants?" a voice asked.
The Brit scowled at the man holding his hat. He had dirty blonde hair with one horribly unruly piece sticking up in the front, bright blue eyes behind his spectacles and a horribly amused smirk on his face.
"I'm fine!" the other snapped as he snatched the hat out of his hand, "Bloody wanker!"
His swearing amused the boy, who seemed much younger, causing his smile to widen.
"You must be an Englishman, huh?" he asked, "Always picking on us Americans."
That only made the Brit more irritated. A damn Yankee. Just what he needed.
The American offered his hand to help him up, but the Brit just glared at it and got up on his own.
"You gotta be more careful," the younger man continued, "Europe's kind of a bastard. Guess you wouldn't know bein' on your island and all."
Now the Brit was furious.
"Who are you to speak to me in such a manner?" he demanded.
"Alfred F. Jones!" the other answered cheerfully, "Born and raised in the good state of Maine! And you, Mr. Top Hat?"
"Arthur Kirkland, though I don't know why I'd provide you my name. Besides, what would you know about Europe?"
"Been here for a year, left my home when I turned eighteen. Wanted to explore!"
"Charming," Arthur grumbled.
"Well it's clear you need some help, so allow me to provide it."
"I beg your pardon, but I never asked for help! I'm fine on my own."
"Really? Ya know you just got pick-pocketed?"
Arthur blinked and quickly stuffed his hands in his pockets, realizing that his wallet had disappeared. He searched around frantically before Alfred raised his hand up and showed him the wallet. Arthur's face reddened as he tore the wallet from Alfred's hand.
"Give that back, bloody git!" he snarled.
"See?" Alfred sighed, "You need me. Come on, I need someone to stay with for a bit – my last partner ditched me in France. And you obviously need someone with the smarts to get you around."
"I do not!"
Alfred frowned and lifted his hand up, revealing the wallet again.
Arthur felt in his pockets and immediately glared at the boy.
"Stop doing that!" he snapped.
The American smirked and tossed the wallet back, looking rather pleased with himself in the Brit's opinion.
"You won't last a week without me," Alfred sighed, "So why not just let me help ya? Not gonna hurt anyone is it?"
He offered his dirty hand to the other, his horribly cheery grin never ceasing to fade. Arthur stared at him a moment, contemplating. It was clear he probably wasn't the best suited person to stay in Europe. But he didn't need a bloody American's help, even if the lad did seem quite honest about his suggestion. In the end, the Brit gave him the easiest answer possible.
"Sod off."
It had hardly been a few weeks when Elizabeta found herself lingering at Mr. Austria's house past work hours, busying herself with something she managed to pass off as work while Roderich would busy himself on the piano.
Elizabeta had discovered that not only could Roderich play the piano, but he played it better than probably anyone who had ever lived on this godforsaken planet.
She would stay almost hours later than necessary, just to hear those beautiful notes float through her ears, some beautiful romantic scene formulating in her mind that the song would fit just perfectly.
And now, on a cold December night, she mindlessly swept at the same patch of floor, fantasizing as his sweet music rang throughout the house. It sounded like something that would be played at a ball, with well-dressed man twirling women in gorgeous gowns all night, as if it was a fairytale.
Hardly realizing what she was doing, Elizabeta lifted up the broom and began dancing around with it as if it was the King of England, guiding her gracefully around his ballroom. She hummed along to the tune softly in hopes of being able to somehow remember it through her own interpretation.
Meanwhile, Roderich carried on with his own dance as his fingers slid over the piano's keys, hitting each note perfectly. It didn't matter what song it was to him; as long as he played it well, it sounded like heaven.
Somewhere in the middle of the song, Elizabeta had managed to dance her way into the master's music room, her eyes closed as she imagined the handsome man who was enchanting her. Roderich looked over and startled slightly, but slowly smiled and relaxed.
The girl had often stayed behind to listen to him play, but this was the first time he'd ever seen anyone so enraptured with his music. He felt rather flattered to be honest.
He allowed himself to close the song subtly and quietly, so that Elizabeta would hardly notice and continue her dancing. She was humming the tune, he noted, almost perfectly. Roderich rose from his bench and went over to her, gently tapping her on the shoulder.
Elizabeta made a rather embarrassing squeaky sound, jumping and whirling around to see Mr. Edelstein standing there, smiling at her. Her words caught in her throat as she tried to think of an explanation – this was so humiliating!
"Do you mind if I cut in?" he asked as he gave a teasing glance to the broom Elizabeta had been occupied with.
"U-um…"
The broom slipped out of her hands from her nervousness, falling to the floor with a thud.
"I'll take that as a yes," Roderich said through a slight laugh.
At that, he stepped in front of Elizabeta and wrapped one arm around her waist and used the other to place her own hand on his shoulder. The woman gulped nervously as their other hands locked, their fingers lacing together.
"You've danced before, right?" he asked, "You seemed pretty decent with that broom."
Her face reddened as he gave her that teasing look again.
"Not really," she admitted, "I did with Vash one time because he wanted to teach me manners… it didn't work out too well."
"The dancing or the manners? Because you seem to have a knack for the first."
Elizabeta hadn't even realized that he'd started leading her around the room slightly, not even needing music to stay in time. With the realization, she suddenly faltered and managed to step directly on his foot.
"Mr. Edelstein, I'm sorry!" she gasped, "I was about to warn you, I stepped on Vash's feet quite a lot… he couldn't walk for a few days afterwards…"
Roderich, despite wincing at the initial pain, had collected himself and carried on dancing.
"It's quite alright," he assured, "Though I do worry about my feet now."
"I really am sorry about that…"
She trailed off as she was suddenly being twirled, gracefully being pulled back in and pressed against him to be carried around the floor.
"You on the other hand seem rather skilled," Elizabeta commented once she managed to regain some of her confidence.
"We aristocrats need to know these things," he replied dismissively, "It's what makes us so stuffy."
She giggled lightly, earning a smile from him yet again.
"If it's any consolation," she said, "I don't think you're stuffy."
At that, Roderich brought them to a stop, letting her go and bowing politely.
"The song ended," he explained at the sight of her confused look, "Though I'd love to do this again sometime."
He reached out and took her hand, placing a soft kiss on the back of it. Elizabeta blushed madly and curtsied, trying her best not to somehow trip over her own skirts.
"So would I," she breathed, "But now, I… I should go home. Until tomorrow, Mr. Edelstein!"
She frantically rushed to the front door, still in the process of putting her coat on as she went outside.
Roderich smiled slightly to himself and went over to close the piano over its keys.
"Indeed. Until tomorrow, Ms. Héderváry."
Oh the cuteness! How I love this pairing :D
So, to my compete and utter surprise, the nation who was leading my poll was England of all the choices. Seriously people? Where is your American pride? (considering most of you are American that is) And since England was the leader, I just had to put America in there since it only makes sense (in my mind at least) I know they seem kind of randomly thrown in there, but everything will come together in time, I promise. And just because America's there does not mean this is going to become USUK (though I shamelessly adore that pairing)
So tell me what you think. I hope none of you hate me for disappearing for so long! I love you all and really appreciate the alerts and favorites and reviews! Thank you so much! See ya later~
