Bel still had a cold towel in her hand. She placed it without hesitation on Sweden's lip. He blinked in shock at her. "Your lip is bleeding mon ami." She gently pushed him to a seat as he sat down. The young nation was now close to him and fretting over him. "You don't h've to do th't." She just continued to smile softly. "Oui, I do! You wouldn't have gotten hurt if I had kept my mouth shut!" A chuckle escaped the large nation. "He w'uld h've dun it an'ways."
Sweden had to admit, the cold towel felt good. She smelled good too, he thought. Berwald could smell nutmeg amongst pumpkin. "You smell n'ce", Sweden said with his greenish blue eyes following her soft ivory face. She snickered. "Merci, mon ami." Bel's piercing green eyes shined through her golden bangs of hair, that fell gently in front. Her smile was breath taking. He hesitantly pushed some hair out of her eyes. Sweden cleared his throat as she blushed and straightened up quickly.
"Um, it's getting late. I'm going to go, I don't want to miss my people's Chocolate Festival." Berwald stood up quickly, making Bel step back a step. "H're, l't m' w'lk you out." Belgium nodded. He was surprised when she reached for her phone to call for a cab. Sweden, to stop her from dialing, put a large, calloused hand on her velvety, small, delicate hand. "L't me dr've you home." Bel waved her hand dismissively. "I couldn't! You already have done so much!"
Berwald still insisted. She couldn't tell him no the second time. Bel thanked him again. Sweden had to admit it made him happy to see that she didn't continue to argue with him. He really didn't like the party anyways and he did want to see her home, her people. It could help him figure her out a little. Berwald was genuinely curious about this Chocolate Festival she was talking about.
It took them a little over three hours to reach Brussels. They pulled up to her house. It was an actual cottage out side of Brussels. It was white with pale yellow trimming and a green roof. It was very small compared to his home. He parked in front. She didn't have neighbors but the glow from the city lit everything up fairly well. Bel didn't need a porch light.
"Merci, again. If you want, I mean if you're not busy, you can come to the Festival with me." He blinked. "W'uldn't ever'one be 'n bed by now." She shook her head with a broad smile. "Come! It'll be fun!" Bel laughed with a grin. Berwald offered a slight smile in reply as he didn't hesitate to get out of the car. Belgium grabbed his hand quickly when she reached him and pulled him with her.
Sweden awkwardly followed. He forced himself not to stiffen. They made their way into town. Berwald was shocked to see so many people come up to him, handing him various chocolates. They were all smiling and saying hello. He looked around and saw they were trading chocolates with each other.
Sweden thought it was neat to see so many faces in the streets. Bel was handed a small, paper cup of hot chocolate, the brunette woman in front of the store, handed him one too. "Cheers!" Berwald laughed and made a small smile. "Skål!" The pleasant environment warmed his heart.
The sweet, hot liquid tasted good as it slid down his throat. Sweden tried not to smile so broadly. He didn't want to scare the crowd. Children ran by and one of them ran into him. A little girl with in a pink fluffy coat with matching hat and gloves tried to stand herself back up after bouncing on her butt.
Berwald took no time squatting down and picking her up. He placed her back on her feet. Belgium was surprised the large man could be so gentle, as he dusted snow off her. Big blue eyes behind dark brown locks of hair, smiled brighter than her own grin. "Sorry, meneer en dank u." Berwald blinked. He really didn't understand what she said. He stood back up slowly. Hoping not to frighten the little girl.
"She says, sorry sir, and thank you." He chuckled. Sweden was a very shocked to see a child smile at him like that and be so polite. "Det är okej." The little one didn't ask for any sort of translation, she just dug in her pockets and stuffed a gold wrapped piece of candy in his gloved hand before running off with the others. He stood there amazed at what just happened.
Berwald felt a tug on his sleeve of his black, wool over coat. "Come on, I wanted to show you the lights." The streets smelled like peppermint and chocolate, with the hint of coffee. Everything smelled so good. Lights danced around like stars and the music was grand. Snow fell gingerly on everything. Laughter and cheers echoed the streets. A large smile crept on his face. Belgium was pulling him every where she could. She had to show him everything. Even the street that was lined with nothing but cookies and cakes. A man dressed as a gingerbread man, even danced for them.
Sweden was arm and arm with Belgium after a little while. Berwald was having such a good time. He was making a mental note to take Peter with him next time. His spirits were lifted as children ran up to him and exchanged chocolates. Then occasional snowball flew his way, they didn't mind that he threw one back, the kids would squeal and run off laughing.
Sweden realized, the reason why Belgium was so accepting of him. Her people accepted everyone. They were happy and caring. An elderly couple walked up. They stopped to talk to Bel and exchange heart shaped chocolates. She blushed so red, Sweden thought she could be a Christmas ornament herself.
They spoke dutch, Sweden didn't understand what was being said but her reaction was priceless. She stuttered and stammered over her words towards the end. Bel even started talking with her hands. The elder looking gentleman shook his hand and patted his shoulder. The couple walked off, sharing a laugh.
Belgium covered her red face with her hands. "Wha' was th't ab'ut?" He was trying to stifle his laughter while watching her. "I can't believe this. No... no no no..." "Out with 't", he teased. She shook her head, no. "Ja..." Belgium sighed. "She wondered how long have we been together and when we were going to get married... She said we looked cute together and it was heart warming to see a young couple enjoying themselves on this magical night. Then she said I'd make a beautiful blushing bride..."
Bel whimpered out of embarrassment. "I can't believe that just happened. I'm so... sorry." Berwald laughed out loud. His sides begun to hurt from him laughing so hard. Her face turned a dark shade of red. "It's not funny, mon cher." He couldn't stop laughing. "Ja.. 't is."
Sweden pulled her into his large coat. She wrapped her arms around him and hid her face in his chest. He wrapped his coat and arms around her. All one could see was some blond hair and ankles with white shoes, tucked away in a large black, wool coat. He was so warm she thought as she held him tightly. It had been forever since someone had held him so tenderly. He sighed, sneaking a kiss to the top of her head.
Guilt took over Berwald's thoughts. He can't do this. Not to Finland at least, the man he loved with all his heart, but Bel was so welcoming, he thought. Bel responded to every touch and smile of his. The woman even reached out for him, instead of recoiling back and avoided looking him in the eye. She was completely different than what he was used to. He wondered if the prior Belgium was the same.
"Oh! I noticed you like beer. If you want, we can go to the Hundred and One Shop. It's on my way home, mon ami." Sweden blinked as her she propped her chin on his chest to look up at him. "Uh.. S're." Bel chuckled and pulled at his hand. Berwald felt his feet and legs move to follow her, though his heart was tugging at him. He didn't want to get the girl's hopes up if she liked him, but he didn't want to miss the chance to make a friend either.
"Why do th'y call 't da Hundr'd 'n One Shop?" Berwald was trying to make some conversation. His mind was trying to wrap around the guilt he was feeling in side his chest. Sweden was trying to figure out why he was feeling guilty in the first place.
He loved Tino and to imply he was feeling guilty because he was hanging out with her, would mean he was starting to like her. Sweden groaned softly. There was no way he could like her, NOT like that! His thoughts kept swirling inside his head.
"So, what flavor do you want to try first, mon cher?" Sweden realized, she had been talking this entire time, and he didn't hear a word. " 'm sorry.. Ple'se repe't th't last part 'gain." He was a little embarrassed to have had to ask again. She turned her head and smiled brightly again. Every time she smiled at him like that, his knees felt strangely weak.
"What flavor do you want to try first?" Bel had turned around and faced him, while walking backwards. Belgium still had a hold of his hand and pulling him along; he squeezed his hand tighter around hers. It felt good to hold someone-else's hand and have them so relaxed around him.
"I recommend trying their black berry flavor first, mon ami. It's my favorite." Sweden wasn't paying attention at first then when he saw the tiny shop with a very large building behind it. The word bier written on the side next to the number 101, he knew what she was talking about. He smiled.
" 'm 'mpr'ssed." Bel giggled and pulled him inside the nice warm, wooden shop. It was cozy and small. A few people still mingled there. He ordered the black berry first. Berwald paid for the first round of drinks. Sweden noticed, she can handle her own when it came to drinking. He had relaxed again, smiling and laughing. The heat from the drinks crawled up to his cheeks. She was red nosed herself and having a good time, over small talk.
Sweden went to pay for the tab, but the bartender informed him that the lady had already taken care of it. He wasn't happy. "You d'dn't h've to do th't", Berwald said frowning. "Do what, mon ami?" He shook his head. "Pay fer da dr'nks." "Oh, well let's see, first you sat with me and gave me some company at the party."
Bel started counting down on her fingers. "Then you took a punch because of my big mouth; I still feel bad about that. Oh... Let us not forget, mon cher, that you drove me home, you walked with me through the festival, and not to mention you paid for the first drinks. So.. oui! I did!"
Berwald couldn't help but smile again. Norway was right, she is nice. Sweden and her made their way out of the shop. Berwald had offered his arm. They were both stumbling a little. The alcohol had started to really take effect. This way, if she held his arm, she wouldn't fall so easily. Bel took it without hesitation.
"You know, mon ami? You should smile more often. It looks good on you." Sweden couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or her comment that made his cheeks go red. He offered a sheepish smile in return. He was feeling tipsy but it wasn't the alcohol that had him smiling all the way back to her place.