Hetalia: The Sapphire Kingdom

Short: France.2

  My jaw dropped in amazement. I ran to the edge, looking out across the world below me. The sun was just now sinking, turning the sky a gorgeous dusky pink. In just moments, the color began to fade into a dusky blue-violet. Little white stars peeked out of the sky as the streets below illuminated with yellow lights.

"I never imagined Parris would be so..."

"Amazing?" he asked, standing beside me. A wind enveloped us, dancing through his golden strands of hair.

"Yes," I answered, my gaze lost in harmony of the painted sunset and the bustling city below. "You know, when I first met you, I didn't exactly expect to experience anything like this..."

"Well, the most beautiful and deep of feelings do come from unexpected events," he gave me a sly smile.

"What are you talking about?" I chuckled in confusion.

"Oh, nothing..."

It was as if he was trying to say something to me, but I couldn't decipher the message. I'm not the type of person who can automatically assume things like that. I looked into his eyes, searching for a clue, but found nothing short of amusement.

We stayed there for a while, watching the red sun sink below the horizon, lost in our own worlds.

I eventually turned to him as the last twilight was fading. I was surprised to see that his expression had changed from blissful to somewhat sad.

"France...?" I asked softly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he appeared to wipe his other cheek. "I was just... thinking." I stayed silent, wondering if he would continue in his explanation. "Jeanne..."

"Ah," I looked down, recalling the story. "I understand how you feel... I lost someone, too."

"Then," he nodded. "You must know, how at times, those emotions can outbreak suddenly," he sighed. "But... I have come to realize something over the years, something that helped me survive. We must not dwell on our regrets, but remember that our time with them was beautiful, and... I'm glad they were a part of my life.

A tear actually made its way down my cheek. I looked at France. His eyes seemed a bit watery.

"Thank you, France..." I whispered softly. "For... saying that..."

I found myself hugging him.

"Mademoiselle," he told me, pulling me away and dabbing my wet face with a cloth. "We shouldn't spoil this night with tears. There is still something else I must show you."

We made our way back down the tower, down to the streets. He began pulling me along the walkway like an excited child.

"Where are you taking me now?" I asked with a laugh, nearly having to run to keep up with him.

"Another magical place," he replied.

We arrived at what appeared to be an outdoor dancing area.

"What are we doing?" I chuckled as he held out his hand.

"It's a sort of friend initiation tradition I started," he explained. "I do this to everyone—men, women, anyone who wishes to be my friend. I'm not trying to make a romantic partner out of you. I could never betray—well, you know." He gave me that sly smile gain. He obviously knew something I didn't, which bothered me, but there were other things to focus on at the moment.

I just laughed and took his hand, trying to imagine France with his other friends like this. It was surprisingly easy.

I was never much of a dancer, but I wasn't bad at it. France, on the other hand, appeared to be a master. Our feet moved easily in unison across the floor in a sort of gliding motion. We were fairly well in step with the music, and I thankfully wasn't making a fool out of myself.

I began to think about what he said, about finding... love in unexpected places. Was he trying to tell me that I had experienced it...? No, I pushed the thought out of my mind. I began blushing, but I quickly covered it with a smile and some laughter.

"What is it?" he asked me.

"Nothing," I explained quickly. "I was just imagining you dancing with Prussia like this..."

OOOOOOOOOO