Ȧ Un Autre Comme Moi

Hail and Highwater

The next day, Liechtenstein and Switzerland went to the final meeting separately. Switzy still had his panties in a Boy Scout knot, while Liechtenstein thought it was a good idea to set herself apart for once.

Liechtenstein was sat next to Canada, less cheerful without her brother's company and worry set into her face because he hadn't arrived yet. After seeing her friend's expression of concern, she smiled broadly.

"Guete Morge."

"Bonjour, Lilli."

"Parlez-vous francais?"

"Oui. It's my second national language."

"Big Brother taught me some. It's a beautiful language," she commented quietly. Who knows how France might react if he heard that out of Lilli?

"Merci, I know. It's the language of rrrrrromance." He held the rolled "R" and gesticulated dramatically. Liechtenstein giggled flirtatiously.

I think I'm enjoying this flirting thing already, she thought.

"Oh, mon petit Canada, my Mathieu, growing up so fast." France leaned into Matthew's ear. "Have you made love to her yet?" He waggled his eyebrows. Canada's face and ears turned beet red.

"FRANCE!," Canada shouted in shock.

"What?" Liechtenstein's face was shrouded in concern.

"Uh, nothing, just Francey-pants being an idiot."

"Hey! That hurts my feelings. Where is the love for your papa Francois? "

"You're not my papa," he reminded his father for the thousandth time.

"Oh!" He clutched his heart dramatically. "Your words are like knives in my soul!" Canada was about to retort, but England came along and gripped France by the arm.

"Come on, frog, we have to help America with the projector system." He turned and patted Canada on the shoulder. "You can thank me later, kid."

"Have fun with your girl, mon ami!"

"Don't get shot!"

They left both targeted, young nations with faces colored a shy pink.

"Desolè, about that," Canada apologized, head angles downward.

"It is okay." She was embarrassed, of course, but also a little flattered that the man who raised Matthew considered him a candidate for his girlfriend.

"So, when you asked me to visit you yesterday..." he paused to look up at her. Her body language screamed anticipation. "Did you really mean it?"

"Ja! Oui! Of course! I mean, It's a beautiful place and," she suddenly found her knees very interesting, "I was hoping we could get to know each other better."

"I would really enjoy that. Maybe at some point I'll take you up to my place and have you taste some real maple syrup." Matthew loved how comfortable he felt with her. He could ask her to stay in his country without stuttering, being too quiet to hear, or forgotten about halfway through his sentence!

Lilli was so happy, she giggled when she nodded.

"Oh, my country is so beautiful this time of year! We should go to Vaduz first. The castle where the royal family lives overlooks the city. Then we could go to this town where they have the best ski resort and the most delicious hot chocolate! I have a very small land, you know, so-"

"Alright, wankers, let's get started," Britain announced with a loud clap. America, who usually obnoxiously kicks these things off, was standing with his arms crossed and an pouty face at his side.

Lilli sat up straight in her chair and folded her hands on the table, just like her big brother taught her to. She expected to see him there across the table, maybe glaring at her flirting, but punctual. Surprisingly, his usual seat was empty and he was nowhere to be found.

Switzerland finally arrived halfway through the meeting. He made an obvious attempt to be stealthy about it, but failed miserably, accidentally kicking everything in a two-foot radius. Even in the darkened room you could see his red, obviously irritated face.

"Ah, Mr. Switzerland, glad you could join us," England said as if he were a condescending schoolteacher, not even looking up from his PowerPoint.

"I'll get my gun, you Arschloch," he grumbled in Swiss German.

"Hm?" The Englishman raised a bushy eyebrow.

"Nothing," Switzerland replied, uncharacteristically plopping down next to Austria. When he rolled his eyes to glare at his sister and her friend, she herself was glaring firmly at the table, Canada looking at her with concern.

"So, as I was saying..." Switzy grumbled something about his peace prize and Austria smirked. The final meeting dragged on. Liechtenstein never averted her gaze from nothing and Switzerland never averted his from Liechtenstein. Canada took turns between those three and the presentation..

Once the nations grew as restless as school children the final hour before summer vacation, they began to notice the tension in the air. Even Italy whispered (or at least attempted to whisper) to Germany, "Why does scary Mister Switzerland look so angry?"

"Scary Mister Switzerland" then brought his fist down - hard - onto the black surface.

"I AM NOT ANGRY!"

The world (at least the portion in the room) fell silent. Liechtenstein jumped, eyes wide in surprise and unmoving. In her shock, her hand had leapt out to snatch Canada's. Italy slunk into Germany's arm and the latter was presently stroking the whimpering former's hair. Austria placed a hand on his neighbor's shoulder, but it was immediately slapped away. Everyone but Spain (he was gawking at Romano's "adorable" expression) just stared in surprise.

"I was almost done anyway. I'll wrap this up, then let's just go." Britain calmly, quickly, and rather awkwardly concluded with his point. No one but he spoke until they were dismissed. Again, Canada and Liechtenstein were the first to leave. This time, hand in hand.

(A/N) Hey guys! Just a quick A/N to let you know that I'm trying to use Swiss or High Alemannic German instead of standard German since that's what they speak in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, respectively. If you know this, please correct me!

ASDFGHJKL; A CHAPTER OVER A THOUSAND WORDS SAY WHAAAAAT

(Sorry way too proud of myself)

Chapter title comes from: watch?v=ok01g7INfeE

Danke! -El

Alternate line:

"You speak French?"

"Oui, I was raised by France, you know."

"That's worrisome."