APH: Holiday Switch (2/3)
Title: Holiday Switch (Part Two)
Author: grosse_averse
Rating: PG-13 for some suggestiveness?
Characters: Germany, North Italy, America, France, and England are all eventually in this as well!
Notes: For the Secret Santa exchange over at prussiaxcanada. The prompt was Christmas together. How do Prussia and Canada celebrate Christmas? I’m so sorry I didn’t get both parts up before the deadline D: I promise I’ll have the third part up super super super super soon! I’m sorry! Merry Christmas to everyone!
Part One
December 14th
Gilbert decided there was nothing cuter than seeing Matthew’s face light up as their small group approached the Gendarmenmarkt, a large square in Berlin with two cathedrals and a concert house. Currently, it was the site of the WeihnachtsZauber, an annual Christmas market. Rows of tents nearly obscured their view of the concert hall, and strings of fairy lights cast a soft glow on their faces. People moved up and down the rows, excited chatter and laughter almost drowning out the strains of Christmas music that seemed to be everywhere this month. Matthew took a moment to survey the place, while Gilbert took a moment to survey Matthew, hair aglow in the light, eyes dark as the daylight faded. Christmas markets were always fun to peruse at night, and as Matthew turned his head to take everything in, Gilbert took a moment to feel proud.
“Told you.” he said to the younger nation once Matthew was sufficiently focused. “You’ve never been to a market like this one, huh?”
“N-no, this is incredible!” Matthew breathed, reverently, hand reaching up to clutch softly at the tail of Gilbert’s scarf. “Gil, it’s so big!”
Gilbert resisted the urge to crow that’s what she said!, and instead reached up to cup his palm around the hand on his scarf.
“Yeah,” he said proudly. “It is, isn’t it?”
They wound their way through the rows of tents, stopping where there was a gap so Matthew could briefly admire the concert hall. Little stalls sold food and drink for shoppers - there was spiced wine, and Lebkuchen. Gilbert bought one for Matthew, a little gingerbread man with liederhosen and an icing smile, and Matthew’s nostrils flared adorably when he bit into it.
“This is - wow!” Matthew exclaimed. “The gingerbread back home isn’t like this!”
“I know.” Gilbert replied, leaning forward with his thumb at the ready to wipe off some gingerbread crumbs that gathered in the corner of Matthew’s mouth. “Compared to this it’s pretty lame, actually.”
Matthew flushed.
“Well, you don’t have to make fun of it,” he grumbled fondly, offering his gingerbread man to Gilbert. The ex-nation obligingly took a bite.
“‘M not!” he insisted with a lop-sided grin. “Honestly, liebling.”
Matthew raised his eyebrows in the way he always did when he didn’t believe Gilbert.
“Matthew! Matthew! Come with me!” Feliciano was waving him over from the other row of stalls, and Gilbert snickered.
“Oh good, you get stuck with Hyper McChristmas Pants.” he intoned, sneaking a kiss along the shell of Matthew’s ear. “See you soon.”
“Gilberttt...” Matthew drew the last syllable out, but Gilbert merely patted his cheek and danced off to latch onto his brother, who was examining a stall that offered paintings of daily Berlin life.
Feliciano linked their arms together as he pulled them down the row of stalls, face flushed with cold and excitement.
“Ve~ it’s so good to have you here, Matthew!” he exclaimed, grinning at him. “Usually I’m stuck with Germany and his brother but they don’t understand how to be subtle. You know? Sometimes they haven’t even bought their Christmas presents yet, so I pretend to have to do something so they can scramble~!”
Sure enough, when Matthew turned his head he saw that the Germanic brothers had their heads together, deep in discussion. Matthew started laughing and Feliciano joined him.
“Have you bought Gilbert’s present yet?” Feliciano asked as they made a turn and found themselves facing a stall full of knitted scarves. Matthew nodded with a smile.
“I had a bit of trouble deciding what to get him,” he admitted. “But I found a book about 17th century military tactics. It’s one of those glossy books with full colour pictures. I thought he’d like it.”
Feliciano’s smile was soft in the fairy lights.
“He’ll like that.” he assured the Canadian. “But I was wondering, Matthew, if you were planning on getting him anything...special.”
“Special?” Matthew repeated, wrinkling his nose. “Uhm? No. Not really.”
“Oh!” Feliciano looked momentarily disappointed, before seizing Matthew’s elbow. “Then, Matthew, we have to find the perfect present to get Gilbert! One that will tell him exactly what you feel about him!”
“Wait, can’t I just get him the book - ?!” Matthew exclaimed as he was tugged rapidly through the market by a very excitable Italian.
--
“I have no fucking idea.” Gilbert declared, standing in front of the stall with his hands shoved in his pockets. The stall owner looked offended. Ludwig just looked tired.
“Well, what does he like?” the big blonde man asked hesitantly. After spending so much time around Feliciano, Ludwig had developed an awkward sort of idea about how to approach gift buying. “Any books you know that he reads, anything he’s mentioned in passing...?”
“I have no fucking idea.” the ex-nation repeated with a scowl. “I don’t even know - this is stupid!”
Rolling his eyes, Ludwig took off after his brother as he strode angrily through the stalls. “Bruder, wait!” he called. “I’m sure he’ll like whatever you get him.”
“That’s just it, West.” Gilbert said, slowing. “We’ve been together for...for a long time, but I have no idea what he likes! I mean, the best idea I can think of is maple syrup but who wants to get that for Christmas?”
Ludwig hesitated. “I hear he likes maple syrup?” he offered. “So maybe he...would?”
Gilbert glowered. “Quit while you’re ahead, West.” he grumbled. Ludwig gave up.
--
“What are you thinking of getting Ludwig?” Matthew asked Feliciano as he watched the bouncy Italian lean over the table.
“Germany wears an Iron Cross,” Feliciano explained, eyes still fixed on the array of jewelry that lay displayed to the public on a blue table cloth. “And he wears it on this awful ratty leather cord. I thought I’d get him a nice chain to put it on.”
Matthew smiled as Feliciano ran fingers over the selection of decorative chains, a gentle but merchant-like look in his eyes.
“That’s sweet, Feliciano.” he told the Italian, who actually blushed.
“Aw~ thanks Matthew!” he chirped. “But what do you think of my idea for Gilbert?”
Matthew looked at the object in question with a timid smile on his face. “I - it just might work.” he agreed. “But are you sure - ? Gilbert doesn’t seem the type to like this sort of thing...”
“If it comes from you,” Feliciano interrupted. “He would be glad to get it.” When Matthew looked back, Feliciano was smiling at him, as if he knew a secret. “Trust me.” the Italian said. “Don’t you know? My people know all about love. I’m never wrong about love! Or pasta, either. I’m not so good at fighting or, or marching. But that’s why I have Germany! See? We work together, just like you and Gilbert work together. That’s why I think it’ll be nice!”
Matthew stared. It was easy to forget that Feliciano wasn’t just an airhead, that he had good ideas among the ridiculous things he often said - as if on cue, Feliciano turned to the stall owner and asked the price of that chain - the shiny one! Feeling a rush of gratefulness towards the little Italian, Matthew bit his lip, and picked up the object.
“Gil, you’d better like it.” he muttered. “And if you don’t, you’d better not laugh at me.”
--
When Feliciano and Matthew met up with Ludwig and Gilbert, Matthew was amused to see that neither of the two men were holding any packages - both Matthew and Feliciano, on the other hand, had a shopping bag each in their hands, plus some more Lebkuchen.
“Been busy, huh?” Gilbert asked with interest, dropping a kiss on Matthew’s cheek as he tried to peek into the bag. Matthew held it closed.
“Very.” he said airily. “Have you been busy as well, Gilbert?”
Gilbert smirked. “You know I save the getting busy for nighttime.” he teased, grabbing Matthew’s hip and pulling him in close. Matthew laughed.
“Ah, you save the bad puns for nighttime, too.” he reminded him, stifling a noise when Gilbert’s hand slid up under his shirt. With a wicked grin, Gilbert stilled his hand, resting it against the warm flesh of Matthew’s belly. Shoppers milled around them, unaware, and Matthew bit his lip.
“Gilbert...”
“You gonna let me have a peek at that present, Matt?” Gilbert asked, letting his thumb brush the blonde’s belly button.
“It’s not Christmas time yet.” Matthew replied resolutely, even as Gilbert’s hand inched higher.
“Oh, yeah?” Gilbert echoed innocently, grin widening. “Not even a li-itle peek?”
“Gilbert.” Matthew’s voice didn’t even waver. Damn.
“So not awesome.” Gilbert grumbled, leaning forward to kiss Matthew’s lips, faintly tasting of gingerbread.
“Mmm, didn’t anyone teach you patience?” Matthew asked against his lips. “Just wait. Christmas will come soon enough.”
“You know, you wouldn’t even have to buy me a present.” Gilbert remarked innocently as they set off after Ludwig and Feliciano, who had gone ahead to give them space. “You could just not wear any clothes until New Years. That would be a good present.”
Matthew tried very hard not to turn red. “Gilbert, jeez.” he muttered. “Don’t say that in public.”
“Why not?” Gilbert demanded. “Aw, c’mon Mattie, you know I’m just kidding. Here.” he reached out and took the Canadian’s hand, entwining their fingers. “Did you like the market, liebling?”
Matthew reluctantly nodded, feeling himself relax, pads of his fingers pressing into Gilbert’s skin. “It was amazing.” he murmured. “Thank you for taking me.”
“...Was it awesome?”
Matthew gave a fondly frustrated sigh. “Yes, Gilbert.” he affirmed. “It was, in fact, awesomely awesome.”
Gilbert chuckled. “And that’s why I love you, kid!” he crowed, and swung their conjoined hands wildly, apparently unaware of what he’d just said. He left Matthew gaping, open mouthed, at the words.
Suddenly the lights of the market seemed too bright.
--
to be continued
--
( onto Part Three!)
Author: grosse_averse
Rating: PG-13 for some suggestiveness?
Characters: Germany, North Italy, America, France, and England are all eventually in this as well!
Notes: For the Secret Santa exchange over at prussiaxcanada. The prompt was Christmas together. How do Prussia and Canada celebrate Christmas? I’m so sorry I didn’t get both parts up before the deadline D: I promise I’ll have the third part up super super super super soon! I’m sorry! Merry Christmas to everyone!
Part One
December 14th
Gilbert decided there was nothing cuter than seeing Matthew’s face light up as their small group approached the Gendarmenmarkt, a large square in Berlin with two cathedrals and a concert house. Currently, it was the site of the WeihnachtsZauber, an annual Christmas market. Rows of tents nearly obscured their view of the concert hall, and strings of fairy lights cast a soft glow on their faces. People moved up and down the rows, excited chatter and laughter almost drowning out the strains of Christmas music that seemed to be everywhere this month. Matthew took a moment to survey the place, while Gilbert took a moment to survey Matthew, hair aglow in the light, eyes dark as the daylight faded. Christmas markets were always fun to peruse at night, and as Matthew turned his head to take everything in, Gilbert took a moment to feel proud.
“Told you.” he said to the younger nation once Matthew was sufficiently focused. “You’ve never been to a market like this one, huh?”
“N-no, this is incredible!” Matthew breathed, reverently, hand reaching up to clutch softly at the tail of Gilbert’s scarf. “Gil, it’s so big!”
Gilbert resisted the urge to crow that’s what she said!, and instead reached up to cup his palm around the hand on his scarf.
“Yeah,” he said proudly. “It is, isn’t it?”
They wound their way through the rows of tents, stopping where there was a gap so Matthew could briefly admire the concert hall. Little stalls sold food and drink for shoppers - there was spiced wine, and Lebkuchen. Gilbert bought one for Matthew, a little gingerbread man with liederhosen and an icing smile, and Matthew’s nostrils flared adorably when he bit into it.
“This is - wow!” Matthew exclaimed. “The gingerbread back home isn’t like this!”
“I know.” Gilbert replied, leaning forward with his thumb at the ready to wipe off some gingerbread crumbs that gathered in the corner of Matthew’s mouth. “Compared to this it’s pretty lame, actually.”
Matthew flushed.
“Well, you don’t have to make fun of it,” he grumbled fondly, offering his gingerbread man to Gilbert. The ex-nation obligingly took a bite.
“‘M not!” he insisted with a lop-sided grin. “Honestly, liebling.”
Matthew raised his eyebrows in the way he always did when he didn’t believe Gilbert.
“Matthew! Matthew! Come with me!” Feliciano was waving him over from the other row of stalls, and Gilbert snickered.
“Oh good, you get stuck with Hyper McChristmas Pants.” he intoned, sneaking a kiss along the shell of Matthew’s ear. “See you soon.”
“Gilberttt...” Matthew drew the last syllable out, but Gilbert merely patted his cheek and danced off to latch onto his brother, who was examining a stall that offered paintings of daily Berlin life.
Feliciano linked their arms together as he pulled them down the row of stalls, face flushed with cold and excitement.
“Ve~ it’s so good to have you here, Matthew!” he exclaimed, grinning at him. “Usually I’m stuck with Germany and his brother but they don’t understand how to be subtle. You know? Sometimes they haven’t even bought their Christmas presents yet, so I pretend to have to do something so they can scramble~!”
Sure enough, when Matthew turned his head he saw that the Germanic brothers had their heads together, deep in discussion. Matthew started laughing and Feliciano joined him.
“Have you bought Gilbert’s present yet?” Feliciano asked as they made a turn and found themselves facing a stall full of knitted scarves. Matthew nodded with a smile.
“I had a bit of trouble deciding what to get him,” he admitted. “But I found a book about 17th century military tactics. It’s one of those glossy books with full colour pictures. I thought he’d like it.”
Feliciano’s smile was soft in the fairy lights.
“He’ll like that.” he assured the Canadian. “But I was wondering, Matthew, if you were planning on getting him anything...special.”
“Special?” Matthew repeated, wrinkling his nose. “Uhm? No. Not really.”
“Oh!” Feliciano looked momentarily disappointed, before seizing Matthew’s elbow. “Then, Matthew, we have to find the perfect present to get Gilbert! One that will tell him exactly what you feel about him!”
“Wait, can’t I just get him the book - ?!” Matthew exclaimed as he was tugged rapidly through the market by a very excitable Italian.
--
“I have no fucking idea.” Gilbert declared, standing in front of the stall with his hands shoved in his pockets. The stall owner looked offended. Ludwig just looked tired.
“Well, what does he like?” the big blonde man asked hesitantly. After spending so much time around Feliciano, Ludwig had developed an awkward sort of idea about how to approach gift buying. “Any books you know that he reads, anything he’s mentioned in passing...?”
“I have no fucking idea.” the ex-nation repeated with a scowl. “I don’t even know - this is stupid!”
Rolling his eyes, Ludwig took off after his brother as he strode angrily through the stalls. “Bruder, wait!” he called. “I’m sure he’ll like whatever you get him.”
“That’s just it, West.” Gilbert said, slowing. “We’ve been together for...for a long time, but I have no idea what he likes! I mean, the best idea I can think of is maple syrup but who wants to get that for Christmas?”
Ludwig hesitated. “I hear he likes maple syrup?” he offered. “So maybe he...would?”
Gilbert glowered. “Quit while you’re ahead, West.” he grumbled. Ludwig gave up.
--
“What are you thinking of getting Ludwig?” Matthew asked Feliciano as he watched the bouncy Italian lean over the table.
“Germany wears an Iron Cross,” Feliciano explained, eyes still fixed on the array of jewelry that lay displayed to the public on a blue table cloth. “And he wears it on this awful ratty leather cord. I thought I’d get him a nice chain to put it on.”
Matthew smiled as Feliciano ran fingers over the selection of decorative chains, a gentle but merchant-like look in his eyes.
“That’s sweet, Feliciano.” he told the Italian, who actually blushed.
“Aw~ thanks Matthew!” he chirped. “But what do you think of my idea for Gilbert?”
Matthew looked at the object in question with a timid smile on his face. “I - it just might work.” he agreed. “But are you sure - ? Gilbert doesn’t seem the type to like this sort of thing...”
“If it comes from you,” Feliciano interrupted. “He would be glad to get it.” When Matthew looked back, Feliciano was smiling at him, as if he knew a secret. “Trust me.” the Italian said. “Don’t you know? My people know all about love. I’m never wrong about love! Or pasta, either. I’m not so good at fighting or, or marching. But that’s why I have Germany! See? We work together, just like you and Gilbert work together. That’s why I think it’ll be nice!”
Matthew stared. It was easy to forget that Feliciano wasn’t just an airhead, that he had good ideas among the ridiculous things he often said - as if on cue, Feliciano turned to the stall owner and asked the price of that chain - the shiny one! Feeling a rush of gratefulness towards the little Italian, Matthew bit his lip, and picked up the object.
“Gil, you’d better like it.” he muttered. “And if you don’t, you’d better not laugh at me.”
--
When Feliciano and Matthew met up with Ludwig and Gilbert, Matthew was amused to see that neither of the two men were holding any packages - both Matthew and Feliciano, on the other hand, had a shopping bag each in their hands, plus some more Lebkuchen.
“Been busy, huh?” Gilbert asked with interest, dropping a kiss on Matthew’s cheek as he tried to peek into the bag. Matthew held it closed.
“Very.” he said airily. “Have you been busy as well, Gilbert?”
Gilbert smirked. “You know I save the getting busy for nighttime.” he teased, grabbing Matthew’s hip and pulling him in close. Matthew laughed.
“Ah, you save the bad puns for nighttime, too.” he reminded him, stifling a noise when Gilbert’s hand slid up under his shirt. With a wicked grin, Gilbert stilled his hand, resting it against the warm flesh of Matthew’s belly. Shoppers milled around them, unaware, and Matthew bit his lip.
“Gilbert...”
“You gonna let me have a peek at that present, Matt?” Gilbert asked, letting his thumb brush the blonde’s belly button.
“It’s not Christmas time yet.” Matthew replied resolutely, even as Gilbert’s hand inched higher.
“Oh, yeah?” Gilbert echoed innocently, grin widening. “Not even a li-itle peek?”
“Gilbert.” Matthew’s voice didn’t even waver. Damn.
“So not awesome.” Gilbert grumbled, leaning forward to kiss Matthew’s lips, faintly tasting of gingerbread.
“Mmm, didn’t anyone teach you patience?” Matthew asked against his lips. “Just wait. Christmas will come soon enough.”
“You know, you wouldn’t even have to buy me a present.” Gilbert remarked innocently as they set off after Ludwig and Feliciano, who had gone ahead to give them space. “You could just not wear any clothes until New Years. That would be a good present.”
Matthew tried very hard not to turn red. “Gilbert, jeez.” he muttered. “Don’t say that in public.”
“Why not?” Gilbert demanded. “Aw, c’mon Mattie, you know I’m just kidding. Here.” he reached out and took the Canadian’s hand, entwining their fingers. “Did you like the market, liebling?”
Matthew reluctantly nodded, feeling himself relax, pads of his fingers pressing into Gilbert’s skin. “It was amazing.” he murmured. “Thank you for taking me.”
“...Was it awesome?”
Matthew gave a fondly frustrated sigh. “Yes, Gilbert.” he affirmed. “It was, in fact, awesomely awesome.”
Gilbert chuckled. “And that’s why I love you, kid!” he crowed, and swung their conjoined hands wildly, apparently unaware of what he’d just said. He left Matthew gaping, open mouthed, at the words.
Suddenly the lights of the market seemed too bright.
--
to be continued
--
( onto Part Three!)