Thanks to ScandinavianTrash for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

PortAus: From Disaster Comes a Relationship

"Why exactly are we going?" Roderich huffed.

He had just returned home after spending two weeks abroad, and immediately his roommate, Gilbert, insisted on taking him to a play. An amateur play. And the only reason why Gilbert was insisting on going was because his friend Antonio's brother was an actor in the play.

And of course, Gilbert had to drag their mutual friend, Elizabeta, into it, so now he was going to the play. And he made it very clear that he was not happy about going.

He was still scowling when they arrived. Everyone was still waiting to go inside, and the actors were still mingling with the audience. Gilbert's face lit up and he dragged Roderich and Elizabeta to where Roderich could see Antonio was standing, speaking to someone that clearly resembled him. His brother.

Antonio saw them and beamed.

"Gilbert, you made it," Antonio said. "Hola Lizzie, Roderich. You haven't met Miguel yet, have you?"

Roderich looked over towards Miguel, who flashed them a smile in greeting, but the smile quickly turned nervous. Roderich realised that he was still glaring and coughed in embarrassment.

"Don't mind Specs," Gilbert said. "He's still a little grouchy because he didn't want to come."

Roderich glared at Gilbert, and he noticed that Miguel seemed a little hurt by the comment.

"How long before this is supposed to begin?" Roderich asked.

Miguel checked his watch.

"The show starts in twenty minutes," he said. "I guess I should probably go now. It was nice to meet all of you."

Miguel made a hasty retreat, and Elizabeta poked him in the ribs.

"Did you have to be so rude?" she asked.

Roderich ignored her, waiting for the show to begin so that he could get it over with.

…

It wasn't that bad, actually. Even though it was an amateur production, the actors were all good, and Roderich ended up enjoying it.

He was especially mesmerised by Miguel's performance. He could perhaps pursue a career in the performing arts.

He heard Gilbert snicker next to him, and he turned to see what the albino found so funny.

"You're totally crushing on Miguel, aren't you?" Gilbert whispered.

"Don't be absurd," Roderich said, though to his mortification, his cheeks heated up just a tiny bit.

"Whatever you say. And just so you know, he bats for your team, but has no one to play ball with."

Roderich blushed at Gilbert's crude words, and despite himself, he did see Miguel in a new way.

…

Afterwards the cast and crew provided snacks and refreshments to the guests. Roderich had just gotten a glass of juice when he saw Gilbert and Elizabeta, conversing with Antonio and Miguel. Since Roderich knew no one else there, he decided to go over to them.

Just as he reached them Roderich tripped, spilling his orange juice.

…All over Miguel.

Roderich's eyes widened and he gasped in horror, his free hand making its way to his mouth.

"I am so sorry," he said. "That was completely unintentional."

Miguel gave a strained smile.

"It's okay," he said. "It was just an accident, after all. Good thing it didn't happen before the performance, right?"

Roderich opened his mouth, though words failed him.

"Anyway, I should probably get this washed off, before it becomes sticky," Miguel said, excusing himself as he left them.

Gilbert snickered.

"And now we know why you're still single," Gilbert said, which earned him a whack from Elizabeta.

Roderich sighed.

"Can we go home now, please?"

…

A week had passed since the play. Miguel was busy doing some chores around the house, since he couldn't really expect too much from Antonio.

He thought back on the night of the play. It was nice to meet Antonio's friends, though he had the feeling that Roderich disliked him. The juice incident might have been an accident. On the other hand, it might not have been. But what did he do to earn the other's dislike?

He took a break when his phone rang, and he quickly moved to answer it.

"Ola?" he greeted.

"Hallo, Miguel? It's Roderich. I don't know if you remember me…"

"How can I forget?" he asked, wondering why Roderich was calling.

"Right… Sorry about that. Actually, I should apologise if I came off as rude. I had just returned after a few weeks abroad, and…"

"I see. Don't worry about it. And… Don't worry about the juice."

"Yes, about that… Allow me to make it up to you. Would it be alright if I took you out tomorrow?"

Miguel blinked in surprise. Was he being… asked out on a date?

"Alright," Miguel said.

"Good," Roderich said. "Will it be alright if I pick you up at your home?"

"Sure…"

Miguel gave the address, and once the call was done he sat there in confusion. It would seem that he had a date.

…

The next day Miguel ran to the door when he heard a knock. He had sent Antonio out on errands to prevent the other from interfering. Antonio seemed a little too willing, though.

He opened the door to reveal Roderich, who was a dark shade of red. And the reason why became clear: Roderich was holding a chocolate cake in the shape of a heart.

"It was Elizabeta's idea," Roderich explained.

Miguel chuckled, before taking the cake from Roderich.

"Why don't you come in?" he asked.

This is pretty much how my parents met and started dating. My mom was in a play with my dad's aunt, and my dad was forced to go. He had just returned from diensplig (required military service during Apartheid) for the weekend, and he was the one that had to drive everyone to another city. And my dad has this scary angry-looking face when he's not grouchy. My mom said she had the feeling that he didn't like her very much. Afterwards, my dad almost spilled orange soda on her. He called a few days later to ask her out on a date, and arrived with a heart-shaped chocolate cake, courtesy of my aunt. To make the parallel even more interesting, my mom's Portuguese, while my dad's ancestors are definitely Germanic (Dutch, but that was generations ago).