Netherlands x Reader

Chapter 4

Aunt Janice was more than fine with it, you reflected. "Look at you, Y/N!" She said. "Less than twenty-four hours in a new city, and making friends already!"

It was freezing out, and your thin jacket and faded jeans weren't exactly suited for it.

"We're pretty far away from the equator, right?" You asked, a desperate attempt at small talk.

"Yeah." Abel responded.

"Doesn't that mean it should be warm?"

"No. The farther you get the colder it is." He responded, awkwardly.

"Oh." You said. clearly talking about the weather wasn't going to work. You opened your mouth to try and spark another conversation, before changing your mind

"Play it cool." You thought to yourself.

You then immediately tripped on an uneven slab of pavement. Before you could fall, someone grabbed your arm.

"Why, Y/N," Abel said, pulling you up. "Did you just fall for me?"

"No," You could tell you were blushing. "I mean, technically I did,"

He looked at you, both amused and quizzical, as you both started walking again..

"It was because of the pavement." You told him.

"Of course." He said, much too agreeably. Deciding telling someone to go fuck himself on the first date may not be wise, you decided to change the subject.

"So," You said. "Do you know much about the exhibit we're going to see?"

"Not really," Abel admitted. "Where it is is about the extent of my knowledge. I'm not really that into the arts."

Well, this date is going well, you thought

"Boo. Without the arts, what would make us different from cattle?"

"First of all, a cattle can't balance a checkbook."

"You don't know that. I'm sure they could if they had opposable thumbs."

"Which leads directly to my next point."

You went back and forth like that for a while. It was a stupid conversation, admittedly, but it became clear that despite his gruff exterior, Abel was a bit of a nerd. This was starting to be fun again.

-

The gallery was a vast, single floor expanse, with bleach-white walls and a red tile floor. The only other people there were various groups of old and men, dressed in khaki pants and button-downs ranging from striped to floral. 

The exhibit wasn't all that interesting either, you thought.

"It's very... pretty?" Abel said weakly.

He wasn't wrong. It was definitely pretty, but tree silhouettes and close-ups of flowers weren't all that captivating.

The two of you walked around the gallery in silence for a while, before you turned around to ask the time.

He wasn't there.

"Abel?" You called. No response. After searching for a bit, you gathered up the courage to approach one of the elderly gallery-goers; this one's button-down was plain white, with a huge bald eagle embroidered on the back in great detail. 

"Excuse me?" You asked him, trying not to stare at the shirt, and he half-turned around. "I'm looking for someone, Have you seen him? He's tall, and has blonde hair?"

"I think I may 'ave." The man replied. He had one of those heart tattoos, but with the word "America" written on it. "I'll take ya to 'im"

The man led you through the gallery, attempting to tell you a story in which he killed an enraged panther with his bare hands and a collapsable umbrella. Fortunately, it didn't take long to find Abel, who looked panicked.

"Oh," He said. "Y/N, there you are."

The patriotic old man wished you a good day, and turned to leave, giving them both a good look at the eagle. Abel had an interesting expression on his face.

-

"Sorry." Abel said. The two of you were standing outside of your aunt's,

"For what?" You asked.

"This date was a bit of a failure," He said. "I'm never trusting Matthias again."

"It wasn't that bad."

"You tripped, the exhibit was a mess, and we got separated."

"I'm sure it could be worse. Besides," You said. "We got to meet George Washington."

"His shirt was pretty funny." Abel admitted.

"You're smiling." You pointed out.

"I am not."

"Yes, you are! See, it wasn't a total failure."

"We could do better," He said. "What do you say, a do-over? Something more conventional?"

"Sounds fun," You said. "How about this Friday?"

"See you then, Y/N." He said, handing you a piece of paper and walking off.

-

Chapter by ☆Isabel☆