Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
AusBel: A Little Extra Help
Switzerland packed up his briefcase. He wanted to get back to his hotel room as soon as possible, where he wouldn't have to deal with the stupidity of his fellow nations until the next day. Why did they even have these meetings? Was there a way to measure any actual progress made?
"Oh, Switzerland. I'm glad I caught you."
Switzerland gritted his teeth and turned his glare on Austria. He was never intimidated. Switzerland needed more height.
"What do you want?" Switzerland snapped.
"A favour," Austria said. "And I plan to compensate you. How does me paying for every one of your meals for the rest of the conference sound?"
Switzerland paused. There were still three days left. Three days, three meals per day, plus dinner that night…
"Okay, what's the meaning of this bribe?" Switzerland asked. "What 'favour' do you want me to do?"
"I need your help picking out chocolates for Belgium," Austria said.
Switzerland stared at Austria. Almost all of the other nations had left a long time ago, and they had as much privacy as they could have, all things considered. But the few nations still there turned around when Switzerland started laughing like a lunatic.
Austria, for his part, just waited patiently for Switzerland to calm down. He was gasping for air and wiping tears from his eyes when he noticed that Austria wasn't laughing along. That caused him to sober up quickly.
"You were serious?" Switzerland asked.
"Why would I have joked about something like that?" Austria asked back.
"You're telling me that you're prepared to pay for ten meals… for chocolates?"
Austria blushed, and Switzerland groaned.
"First off, what is Netherlands going to say when he finds out you're planning on getting chocolates for his sister?" Switzerland asked.
"He's the one who suggested it," Austria said. "He says she's not as picky about chocolate as she is with waffles, but to still be careful not to buy anything too cheap or… low quality."
"And how does Hungary feel about this?"
"Honestly, I think she would have preferred if I gave the chocolates to you or Netherlands. But she was very encouraging when I expressed my interest in Belgium. She suggested that you might have a better idea regarding what kinds of chocolate Belgium might like."
Switzerland blushed. He knew very well that Hungary's preference had absolutely nothing to do with bad blood between Hungary and Belgium, since as far as he knew there was none. Switzerland hated the fact that Hungary had decided that he would be a good target for something like that. But, if Austria really insisted…
"You better hold your end of the bargain," Switzerland said. "Food isn't cheap, you know."
"I'm aware," Austria said. "Thank you."
…
The next day, during the first recess (actually, just a few minutes to allow Germany to calm down a bit), Austria approached Belgium. She was chatting with her brothers, and though Austria felt guilty for interrupting, he really wanted to deliver the chocolates as soon as possible. And especially before lunch.
"Miss Belgium?" Austria said.
"Yes?" Belgium responded, turning around to face him.
"I got you these." Austria removed the box of chocolates from behind his back and handed it to her. "I was also hoping that you would accompany me for lunch."
Belgium smiled her catlike smile at him.
"Sure," she chirped. "I'll be happy to join you."
Austria nodded and walked away. He hoped that he didn't come across as rude. It was too late to back up now.
…
"He's a bit stiff, isn't he?" Luxembourg asked.
"Be nice," Belgium said as she opened the box of chocolates.
"You don't seem too surprised," Netherlands observed.
"Oh, Hungary warned me," Belgium said as she popped a chocolate in her mouth. "And she also told me that Austria asked you for help. Apparently, he's not so good with expressing his emotions to someone he likes, and needed help."
"If he went to Lars, then he must have been desperate," Luxembourg said.
"You're looking for trouble, aren't you?" Netherlands asked.
Belgium giggled as she popped another chocolate into her mouth. She wouldn't mind going out with Austria. And now she had something to look forward to.
