Hello, everyone!

Sorry that this took so long to post - school has been pretty hectic.

Well, Chapter one is now up and running.

Oh, a few side notes in case you guys have any questions:

I mention Seborga in this for like a second, and since he doesn't have a "confirmed" name by Himaruya I named him Luciano. Just like most of the fandom, I have my own head-cannon names for unnamed characters, but I will inform you who they are once they're mentioned. Also I am all for Seborga being a teenager, so he's seventeen here.

Also, please pardon any mistakes I make when it comes to using other languages besides English. I am not native in French, German, Prussian, or Italian, but I know my ways around Spanish. If there is something wrong, please don't get offended by it - I'm just going off of my translator.

Anywho, I hope you all enjoy! ~

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Hetalia or any of the characters associated with it - I only own this story.

Chapter 1: Eine unerwartete Überraschung?

Gil shot up from his bed, gasping for air. His heartbeat rattled in his chest, and sweat slithered down his face. He tried to control his breathing as he looked around his bedroom.

Light peeked through the curtains that hung before the windows. Through the crack, he could see two birds perched on a tree. One of them hoped in place as it started to sing to the other.

He sighed, and ran his trembling fingers through his hair.

It was a dream. A silly dream.

He slid out of bed, and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. Then he walked over to his bathroom and splashed his face with cold water. He reached for the towel that hung against the wall, and burring his face in its softness. He sighed, and replaced the towel. He reached for his toothbrush, and rummaged around a few drawers until he found his tube of toothpaste.

He squirt more paste than intended onto the brush, but shrugged. Once his teeth felt minty fresh, he left the bathroom and approached his bedroom door. Images from his nightmare flashed behind his eyes. He shook his head, and opened the door. Once in the hallway, he was greeted by more sunshine pouring onto the walls around him.

He glanced down at his leg, and laughed.

What wonderful tricks the mind can play.

He walked to the staircase and peered over the rail. His eyes landed on Ludwig who was opening a few of the windows.

A wave of relief washed over Gil. He rushed down the stairs and approached his little brother.

"Guten Morgen, little bro."

Ludwig turned around, "you're up early."

"Well, yeah. My awesome beauty sleep is complete."

"Of course it is," Lud shook his head, "there's breakfast in the kitchen if you want some."

"It's like you can read my mind, West," Gil replied as he turned toward the kitchen.

The sweet aroma of pancakes filled his nostrils as he walked. His mouth watered, and his stomach cried out.

"Bro," he yelled over his shoulder, "you spoil me."

"They aren't all for you," Lud called back.

Gil entered the kitchen, and gabbed a plate from the cabinet. He pulled out some silverware, and walked over to the mountain of pancakes on the counter. He plopped a few steamy pancakes onto his plate, and made his way to the dining area. Once he reached the room, he was greeted by Feliciano and Roderich.

"Well," he said out loud as he smiled, "I guess this is what Lud meant."

"Buongiorno!" Feliciano called out.

"Guten Morgen, Fel. Rod. What are you guys doing here?"

Roderich placed his coffee mug onto the table, "Why are you always so nosy?"

"Why are you always so prissy?" Gil replied as he took a seat.

"You're so immature."

Gil rolled his eyes, then turned over to Fel, "I can already assume why you're here."

The Italian's face flushed, "…w-what do you mean?"

Gil chuckled, "Just ignore me."

"Gilbert," Roderich cut in, "we all know how difficult that is."

Gil smirked, "did you miss the awesome me that much you had to see me?"

"As if," Roderich protested, "Ludwig invited us."

"You could have said that earlier, young master."

"Would you please stop calling me that?"

"Not until you admit how awesome I am."

"I'd rather sniff cat vomit."

Ludwig entered the room, "Can't the two of you at least pretend to get along?"

"But we do," Gil said as he stuffed his mouth with a slice of pancake, "We're totes BFF's."

Roderich looked at Gil in disgust, "can't you be more civilized for once in your life?"

Gil continued to fill his face, "these are delicious."

"Aren't they?" Feliciano agreed as he took a bite out of his own, "Lud, you make the best pancakes ever!"

"I wouldn't say that," Lud responded as he sat next to his brother, "but I'm glad you enjoy them."

A vibrate from Gil's pocket ceased his eating. He pulled out his cell phone, and noticed his screen blinking – It was 8:15. He almost forgot out meeting his friends at 8:30.

Gil shoved his phone back into his pocket, and scarfed down the last of his pancakes. He stood up and placed his dish in the sink.

"What's your hurry?" Lud questioned, "I thought you were off today."

Gil grinned, "I am, but I almost forgot I'm meeting up with my baes today."

"Didn't you just see them the other day?" Lud said as he raised his eyebrow.

"I did, but we promised to see each other again today. I won't be too long. Auf Wiedersehen!"

Feli was the only one to wave as Gil slipped out of the room. He could hear his brother's protests behind him. It wasn't a bad thing to see his friends – it was better than staying home and being bored out of his mind.

He grabbed his keys that hung on the wall, and stepped outside. A slight breeze slid across his face as he approached his car in the driveway. He sat inside and started the car. As he tugged at his seat belt, he pulled out his cellphone and sent a text:

Recipients: Francypants, Churro

I'm on my way, mein lieben! ~

Once the message sent, he backed out of the driveway. He rolled down the windows, and turned up his radio. He inhaled the cool breeze and smiled. He loved his days off. He could do whatever he felt like, and this day was no different.

After a few minutes he reached Downtown. He made a few turns and Francis' café came into sight. Sitting at a small metal table by the large window of the café were two blond men, and one brunet. The blonds were laughing, while the brunet was turning red in the face.

"I didn't know Arthur was joining us," Gil said to himself.

Usually Arthur's too busy with school.

Gil parked his car in the front row, and stepped out into the warm sunlight.

"Giiiilll," Antonio called to him, "tell these pendejos to stop laughing at me!"

Gil walked over to the group and sat down, "why are they harassing you now, Tonio?"

Francis wiped tears from his eyes, "you missed what he said."

"Calmarse, Frankie!" Antonio whined, "It wasn't that funny!"

"What did he say?" Gil's curiosity getting the better of him.

"He," Arthur started as he held his sides, "he asked for a drink!"

"It wasn't funny!" Antonio groaned as he covered his face with his hands.

Gil raised an eyebrow as Arthur and Francis continued to roar in laughter - Antonio became redder with each passing second.

"You guys are messed up," Antonio said as he looked over to Gil, "they think it's so funny 'cos our waitress asked what drinks we wanted. Pero instead of una 'Co-ca,' I asked for una 'Ca-ca' . . ."

Arthur and Francis' laughter amplified.

Gil snorted, but concealed it with a cough, "They do sound similar."

Antonio groaned as he pressed his forehead against the table top.

After a few moments, their waitress came out with a tray full of drinks. Her long brown hair swayed with her every step. When her emerald green eyes met Gil's, his heart skipped a beat.

"Took you long enough, Beilschmidt," Elizábeta said as she placed the drinks on the table.

Gil straightened himself up, "The party don't start 'till I walk in."

She laughed as she placed a drink before him, "Since you took forever I poured something special for you."

"Doesn't look like beer, woman," he said as he scanned the dark liquid in the glass.

Lizzie held the tray against her chest, "Your liver must look terrible considering how much you drink."

"I don't drink that much," he sniffed the cup, then looked up at her, "root beer?"

She smirked, "I'll be right back to take your order."

She went back inside the café and Francis sighed, "This place has gotten much livelier with her here. She has to be one of my favorite employees."

"Hey," Gil protested, "what about me?"

Francis chuckled, "Ah, Mon ami, don't be jaloux."

"It's not her, Frankie," Antonio said, "It's her novio he's jealous of."

Gil shot a glance at his friend, "You got imprinted by the table."

Antonio rubbed his head, "Ah man! First the caca, and now this?"

"Gil," Arthur said after he took a sip of his tea, "be polite."

"I am being polite," Gil folded his arms over his chest, "I'm not jealous of anyone. Besides, what's there to be jealous about? She's annoying, and she can't stand me."

"If you change your ways," Antonio said, "Maybe she'll change her mind?"

Arthur kicked Antonio's leg, "Is she not with a man?"

"I'm not changing for anyone," Gil said, his blood starting to boil.

Even if he wanted to there was nothing he could do to get Lizzie's attention. They had known each other since they were kids, but there had never been a sign that she was interested. The one person she seemed to have eyes for was Roderich, and she got what she wanted.

Gil never could wrap his head around that, though. Those two were complete opposites. Roderich was so "pretty" and "proper." Though she was pretty too Lizzie was fearless, and strong, and radiant, and smart. She and Rod didn't sound right.

Gil shifted in his seat.

The café door opened, and Lizzie walked to them with her notepad in hand, "Sorry about that. What can I get for you?"

Each one ordered a sandwich entrée. Francis mentioned that it wouldn't be "too complex" like most of their customers' orders.

Lizzie left with another smile, and Gil sank in his chair. He contemplated whether or not leaving would be a good idea. He traced his fingers against the side of his wet beverage. He started to draw smiley faces with the droplets when a hand rested on his shoulder. He looked over, and his eyes met Arthur's.

"Is something the matter?" Arthur asked.

Gil shrugged, "I'm fine. . ."

"That doesn't sound convincing."

Gil wasn't about to pour his feelings out, so he shrugged again, ". . . I'm just thing about this weird dream I had."

"A dream?" Arthur furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yeah, it was totes crazy. I think I died."

"Eww," Antonio intruded, "El día de Los Muertos a Gil. Dreams like that are gross."

"It was crazy, though," Gil said, "I was crippled and I fell down a flight of stairs, and a chandelier fell on top of me. It felt like I was really there."

"Mon ami," Francis said, "It was just a dream—"

"No," Arthur kicked Francis' knee, "I had a strange dream, as well. Not only that, I clearly remember a conversation I had with you, frog, about Gilbert being hurt."

Francis chuckled, and Gil forced a laugh.

That had to be a coincidence.

He took a bite out of his sandwich, then looked around. As he stared across the street, the sight of a familiar curl made his eyes light up.

"Tonio," Gil smirked, "ten o'clock."

"Ten?" Antonio looked up at him, "I thought it was only eight?"

Gil grabbed his friend's arm and pointed across the way, "Look who I found."

"Lovi!" Antonio shouted after a few seconds, a huge smile spread on his face.

Gil could see Lovino glance over to their direction, an annoyed look forming on the Italian's face. Gil felt bad for a moment, but couldn't help but laugh.

Making people angry was his specialty.

Lovino, accompanied by his younger brother Luciano, approached the group.

"What you doing here?" Antonio asked, his smile widening.

"Sure as hell am not here for you," Lovi said as he made eye contact with Gil, "Hey."

"Hello, mein liebe," Gil grinned, "you're just in time. Food's here."

A small smile formed at the corner of the Italian's mouth, "Grazie, but we've got somewhere to be."

Gil frowned, "Fine, I guess you're too good for us—"

"It's not like that," Lov shook his head, "Feli wanted to meet us so we can have some 'fratello time,' or some crap like that."

"Surprised to see you actually go along with that," Arthur mumbled, sipping his tea.

Lov shot a glance, "don't pretend you know me."

"I know you," Antonio chimed in.

"No, you don't either."

Gil leaned back in his chair, "Might as well take off then, Lov. Don't want to be late."

Lovino looked down at the watch on his wrist, "You've got a point. Ciao."

The two Italian's left, Antonio calling out to them.

"Tonio," Gil said, "leave the kid alone."

"I am," Antonio sat back down, "he knows I mean no harm."

"Must not know you that well," Arthur snickered.

"Amigo, don't be like that. What if he hears you?"

"So you don't deny it?"

"Toni," Gil said, "you see the guy almost every day. What more do you want?"

"If I told you," Antonio hung his head, "you'd laugh."

Gil tilted his head as Francis sighed, "Mon ami, what if he does not feel the same way?"

Antonio rested his chin on his hand, "I know, Frankie. Pero, I can't help it."

"Wait," Arthur intruded, "you can't possibly mean—"

"Shush," the Spaniard's face reddened, "the walls can hear you!"

"Antonio," Arthur crossed his arms over his chest, "there is not a thing about him that is pleasant. He is rude. His temper is atrocious. He's sluggish, and to put it frank, he's toying with you."

"Arturo," Antonio shook his head, "Lov is a good guy. He's just different."

"You cannot possibly be that gullible," Arthur pressed his fingertips to the bridge of his nose.

"Mon amor," Francis sighed, "Antoni might have a point. He spends much more time with Lovino than we do. Maybe he does know him a little better, non?"

"Whose bloody side are you on, frog?" Arthur crossed his arms once more.

The door to the café opened and Lizzie approached the group, "how is everything?"

"C'est magnifique," Francis smiled, "not that I expecting any less, of course."

"Is here anything else I can do for you?" She asked.

Antonio puckered his lips, "un beso sería bueno."

Lizzie forced a laugh as Gil slammed his foot against Antonio's leg.

"We're good, Liz," Gil said over Antonio's shriek, "mind getting us the check?"

Lizzie nodded as she went back inside.

Once the door closed, Gil looked at Antonio who was rubbing his leg.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Rubbing my leg," Antonio pouted, "first Arturo, now you?"

"Don't do that," Gil sighed.

"Just 'coz you don't, doesn't mean I can't."

Gil smashed his fists against the table top as he started to stand up.

Francis forced him back down, "Both of you behave. Now."

"Antonio!" Arthur yelled, "Did we not talk about this?"

"I'm kidding," Antonio groaned, "why you gotta be so serious, guys?—"

"Is everything okay?" Lizzie's voice made all of them jump.

"We're fine, Liz," Gil said with a quick smile, "we're just messing around."

Lizzie placed the check on the table, "you boys shouldn't horse play all the time. You could get hurt."

Gil leaned in his seat, "is the princess worried about us?"

Her face reddened, "don't be silly. I just don't want to clean up after you."

"Sure," Gil said as he pulled out his wallet, "guys, food's on me."

His friends all protested, but he still got his way. Though one time or another they all made him want to pull out his hair, they were still friends – his only friends. The argument they had was nothing more than a game. Antonio would never stoop that low on purpose, and Gil knew that. It was foolish to act out in front of them.

Lizzie picked up the check, and walked back inside. Gil looked over to Antonio who was slurping up the last of his soda. Antonio looked up and smiled, and Gil couldn't help but return a one back.

Gil stood from his chair, "It's still early, bros. What should we do for rest of the day?"

Arthur checked his watch, "rest of the day, right. No, I'm not wasting more time with you lot."

"Why not?" Gil whined.

"Unlike you buffoons, I do have a schedule to follow."

"What's more important than hanging with your bros?"

"Do you honestly want a list?"

"If it's an awesome list," Gil rubbed his nose, "then, ja."

Arthur glanced at Gil's hand, "You don't plan on touching someone with that hand, do you?"

A grin formed on Gil's face, "want to find out?"

"Gil," Antonio said with a yawn, "you should know that Arthur has O.C.D."

Arthur shot him a look, "Can that tiny brain of yours even comprehend what that means?"

"Si," Antonio smiled, "it means, 'Oh crap, diseases!'"

Arthur pulled at his hair, while the rest of the group howled in laughter.

"Come on, bro," Gil said, holding his side, "You've got to admit that was funny."

"For children, maybe," Arthur stood from his seat.

"Bro," Gil half-smiled, "do you really have somewhere to go?"

"Did you think I was bloody lying to you, you git?"

"Not really," Gil rubbed the back of his head.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "I do have somewhere to be, Gilbert—"

"Can we come?" Antonio cut in.

"Most certainly not. I've wasted enough of my valuable time with you."

"Aww," Antonio groaned, "por que?"

"Since when do I have to justify anything to you?"

"Arthur," Gil said, "If you have to leave, by all means, go. We don't want to keep you waiting."

A moment of silence passed before Arthur spoke again, "Antonio, why can't you act more like Gil?"

Antonio wrinkled his nose and furrowed his brows, "Porque, soy Antonio. Not Gil."

Arthur looked down at his wristwatch, "If I say any longer, I'll have lost both more brain cells and I'll be late."

"Late for what?" Antonio questioned.

"Ton," Gil sighed, "Leave him alone."

Arthur turned towards his car, "Catch you later."

They all said 'bye', including Antonio, and Gil pulled out his cell phone.

10:24

It was still early, but he hadn't really thought of any plans for the rest of the day. Staying at the café was out of the question. He bothered Lizzie enough. But what else was there to do? Francis didn't have the entire day off – he worked in a few hours. And Antonio? Probably going to take his usual "siesta" around noon. But that left the rest of the day for . . . what?

Gil slipped his phone back in his pocket and looked at Francis.

"Hey, Frankie," he said as his friend looked up, "where did Arthur run off to?"

"Did he not tell you?" Francis tilted his head.

Antonio leaned against Gil, "Arturo never tells us anything."

Francis laughed, "Arthur is going to the airport—"

"He leaving without us?" Gil asked as he rested his arm on Antonio's shoulder.

"Non, he is picking someone up there."

Gil and Antonio exchanged looks.

"Who's he picking up," Antonio asked.

Francis stood, "Come by here tonight, and you'll see."

Gil snickered "Gonna be like that, huh, Frank?"

"Oui, Arthur made me swear not to say a word. He would rather show than tell."

Gil shook his head, "just like Arthur to be 'flashy.' Doesn't he know we're impatient?"

Francis shrugged, "I do not think he cares."

Antonio moaned, "Waiting sucks! What's the point of waiting, anyways?"

Gil sighed, "Must be someone important."

"Maybe it's his new lover?" Antonio chuckled.

Francis objected, "Not funny, Antoni!"

Antonio smiled, "Kidding, Frankie. Well, I think I should head out. I have some paper work that I've been ignoring, anyways. And I need to take mi siesta before I see this impotante persona."

After exchanging their farewells, Gil stepped into his car. The idea of Arthur keeping this a secret was making Gil anxious.

Who was so important Arthur wouldn't mention it sooner?

Gil started to drive back to his house, his mind still yelling in his ears.