Thanks to Lithuanian Longtail for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
MexIre: New Relationships
Mexico groaned as she left the meeting room. They were supposed to have a lunch break for the next hour, but an hour wouldn't be enough time for her to recharge. It didn't help that she'd been arguing with Spain, America, Central America and South America. Yes, she pretty much argued with everyone she could argue with.
As she rounded the corner, she found herself on the floor after a wall of flesh hit her. At first she thought it was America, and she was about to chastise him for his carelessness, except the sight of ginger hair stopped her.
"Oh, sorry about that," the other apologised. "I forgot my wallet in the meeting room."
"It's fine," she sighed. "You're Ireland, right?"
The other nodded happily.
"And you're Mexico," he said. "And I can tell that something's got you down. You've got a few wrinkles between your eyebrows."
Her hand automatically made its way to her forehead and she sighed before standing.
"It's nothing to worry about," she said. "Well, I'll be on my way then."
"Wait," Ireland said as he gently captured her arm. "If something's bothering you, you should talk about it, or find some other way to get it out of your system."
She wrenched her arm free, glaring at him darkly.
"I'm fine," she insisted. "And this is none of your concern."
He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head.
"Why don't you join me for lunch?" he asked. "I know a place that serves Irish coffee. Just let me grab my wallet and I'll treat you."
The idea of free lunch was tempting, but…
"Why Irish coffee?" she asked.
"Because it's alcoholic," he said while smirking. "Ideal for a bad day."
She grinned before accepting his invitation. Some alcohol sounded like something she needed right now.
…
"So, what's got you so down?" Ireland asked.
She took a sip of the coffee, indeed tasting whiskey. She should have thought of this sooner.
"I guess it's just the stress of it all," she sighed. "Everyone's pointing the finger at me when the problem is obviously their own fault, or someone completely different. Honestly, I feel like I'm surrounded by idiots."
"I'll toast to that," he said, raising his coffee mug. "Honestly, the better the world's education becomes, it's like everyone is growing dumber. Almost as though they're too scared to learn. Or think."
She couldn't help it. Laughter bubbled out of her mouth. Ireland looked surprised for a moment before he smiled.
"You have an adorable laugh," Ireland said.
She blushed at the statement, but took it all in stride. She knew that it wasn't often that she laughed, especially in the way she just did. Still, this was the first time someone had said that any quality of hers was 'adorable'.
…
They started making a habit of it, going together on lunch breaks and getting dinner in the evenings. Mexico, at first, thought nothing of it, glad that she was making a friend. And then the day came that Ireland couldn't attend a meeting.
Well, at least England was very polite when she asked about it. He told her that Ireland was suffering the effects of a measle outbreak in his country, and had to be isolated in his house until it passed.
It was a bit depressing, but there was no help for this.
She sat back down, feeling dejected. Guatemala noticed this and turned her attention directly to her.
"What's wrong?" Guatemala asked.
"Nothing is wrong, exactly," Mexico sighed. "Just a bit disappointed. Found out that Ireland isn't at the meeting today."
"Oh, I see. Um… If you don't mind me asking… Are the two of you a couple?"
Mexico wanted to deny it. She wanted to say that they were just friends. However, the words refused to leave her mouth. She enjoyed Ireland's company, and knowing that she was going to be deprived of it put a damper on her mood.
Was… Was she falling for him?
Guatemala watched her intently before her expression turned awkward.
"You… didn't think about it, did you?" she asked. "Oops."
Mexico was a bit preoccupied during the meeting, trying to understand whether or not it was friendship or something else she felt towards Ireland.
…
They managed to get together again for the next meeting, and as usual, they were at a coffee shop during lunch. However, Mexico couldn't help but think about the thoughts that occurred to her since the last meeting.
"So, what's on your mind?" Ireland asked.
Already he could tell if there was something that nagged at her mind. She had to appreciate something like that.
"I… I want to know what the two of us are," she said. "Are we friends or… something else?"
Ireland stared at her for a moment.
"Would… would you like to be?" he asked. "Something else, I mean?"
"Maybe," she admitted. "I wouldn't exactly be… opposed to it."
Ireland smiled.
"I wouldn't be opposed to it either," he said.