Oh my, this took so much longer to write than what I had planned. I was just so unhappy with the first version of this that I scrapped it and started over. DX But it is finally finished and I hope you like it Emika-The-Failure!

The topic was a modernAU with a dance theme.

Just FYI, I cannot dance to save my life, so if I explained something wrong about the Waltz please tell me. :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Rated: T (just cause I'm paranoid)

Translations are at the end. Enjoy!

"Ouch! Watch the feet! I just got my pedicure done yesterday!"

"Well, I'm sorry you have such big feet!"

A well-aimed slap connected with the back of the Prussian's head. The dainty hand returned immediately to resting on his shoulder.

"What was that for?"

Elizaveta Hedervary – soon to be Edelstein three days from then- glared at her oldest friend. It was a glare that would send poor Feliciano Vargas running in fear and Ludwig hurrying (in his own stoic and manly way) to get out of punch throwing distance.

"You really don't want me to answer that."

"Pfft… Whatever." Gilbert muttered, clearly used to the threats and glares, "Can we move on, Lehrerin(1)?"

The young woman resisted the urge to slap him again. Instead she blew a puff of air out through her nose, a calming technique her fiancé taught her a long time ago. "Okay," she said, reaching over with her right hand to touch the screen of her IPod touch. It immediately reset the song and John Strauss II's The Blue Danube Waltz floated from the dock's speakers for the fourth time.

"So, get back into the starting position… Good. Now, step forward with your left foot when I say. Only step when there is a down beat to the music," Elizaveta explained slowly, almost like she was talking to a child, "Then the right foot steps sideways to the right. Then bring the left foot next to your right. Step back with the right foot. Step back sideways with the left foot and then bring your right foot next to your left. That's back to the starting position. Then turn to the left, counterclockwise, one-fourth of a turn and repeat the steps. Got it now?"

Gilbert looked very unsure of himself, something that Elizaveta had not seen in a very long time. He nodded slowly at first, but then moved his head more surely.

"Ja. Let's do it."

"Alright, ready? And… Step-2-3, 1-2-3."

As the Hungarian counted out loud, Gilbert stared straight over the top of her head. He concentrated on just keeping his feet moving in the right direction at the correct time. He knew that one slip of his concentration would send the both of them into a tailspin… again.

"Now turn."

Immediately, Gilbert turned to the left and returned to the starting position. He started the steps again before Elizaveta could start speaking. She gaped up at him in amazement. He finally got a set of steps correct and moved on to the next with more grace than she thought he had in one elbow. The gaping went unnoticed though as the Prussian continued to dance to the count in his head. He did not even notice that she had stopped speaking.

'1-2-3,1-2-3…'

The bride-to-be in his arms suddenly stepped away while Gilbert was right in the middle of step two. He stumbled forward to follow her in the movement.

"Huh?" He gasped in surprise, shaking his head to clear his mind, "Why'd you stop?"

Elizaveta was yanking her Ipod off of the dock, stopping the music instantly.

"The door!" She hissed, pointing at it, "Matthew is home!"

"Birdie?"

As if on cue, the door to the apartment opened, letting in the chilly fall air, and a bundled up Canadian trampled inside. Each of his arms held a large grocery bag. Gilbert went to his small lover, surprising the younger when both bags were lifted out of his arms suddenly. Without the burdens, Matthew was able to toe out of his boots, kicking them onto the carpet by the door, and pull his beanie hat off of his head.

"Thank you, Gil," he said quietly, smiling brightly.

"No problem, Birdie," Gilbert leaned down and kissed him briefly on the lips, "So how was the day out?"

"Well, you know Alfred, we couldn't leave the store without his videogame and the supermarket was packed," the Canadian hung light jacket on the coat rack, "I guess people think the threat of snow next week means the apocalypse has come."

"Well, they're wrong. Everyone knows the end of the world is at the end of this year! Haven't they read the Himalayan calendar?"

"You mean the Mayan calendar, right?"

"Uh… Ja?"

"Have you even read the calendar?"

The silence that followed was the only confirmation Matthew needed. He laughed lightly, pecking the older man on the lips again as he moved past him to go towards the kitchen. As he reached the doorway, a blur of brown hair almost ran him over while it moved toward the apartment door.

"Hi Matthew! Can't really talk right now, I'm having a major bridesmaid dress malfunction emergency at the moment. Have to go to the tailor's now. I'll see you both on Friday! Bye!" The door opened and was slammed shut before either man could comprehend what had happened.

Matthew turned to look at Gilbert in confusion. "Was that Elizaveta?" He asked, blinking owlishly.

"Ja."

"What was she doing here? I thought she still had a lot of stuff to do for her wedding."

They had finally made it to the kitchen. Gilbert set the brown bags on the counter and began emptying them out while Matthew put everything away. He had to think up a lie and quickly. If Matthew knew he was getting dancing lessons from Elizaveta of all people, the younger man would be so disappointed, especially hurt after Gilbert had told him that he knew how to dance to the waltz.

"She- uh," the Prussian faltered for a moment, "She had to vent on somebody because she's really stressed out about her wedding. So she came to me."

"Really?"

"Ja. Apparently, I'm a wonderful punching bag," Gilbert handed over the last item, a bag of lettuce, then moved to throw away the bags.

Matthew hummed in response, but otherwise accepted the lie. He threw the bag of lettuce in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator, completely missing the wild victory dance the Prussian did behind his back. When he straightened, a pair of strong arms snuck around his waist, almost startling him. Gilbert planted light kisses along the side of his Birdie's neck, feeling smug satisfaction when he felt the pleasurable shudder rip through the smaller man. He placed the final kiss behind the Canadian's right ear before taking the lobe between his lips to nibble gently on.

Matthew tried to repress the soft moan that threatened to escape his lips. He had no idea how Gilbert could make him a puddle of goo so fast without barely even touching him! It was infuriating sometimes, but Matthew had to admit the albino had talent.

Gilbert released the ear lobe from his mouth, moving to kiss along Matthew's jaw line as he turned the Canadian around to face him. His lips hovered over Matthew's, just barely touching them. Their breaths mingled and warmed each other's mouths.

"So, Birdie," the Prussian muttered, pressing the Canadian against the cold fridge door, "Where were we this morning before you were so rudely taken away from me?"

"I-I dunno. I can't remember," Matthew wrapped his arms around Gilbert's neck, trying to kiss him even though the other rejected it, "Can you r-remind me?"

The albino chuckled huskily then proceeded to kiss the Canadian senseless.

[-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-]

Friday came too fast for Gilbert. He found himself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, a full on pout gracing his lips, while struggling to tie his bow tie. The wedding invitation specifically requested that all male guests are to wear traditional black tuxedos.

Tuxedos ended up landing very high on Gilbert's list of 'Things I Hate A Lot'.

"The fox chases the rabbit around the tree…"

The piece of cloth was just not working with him. The damn thing was being too stubborn! He, the awesome Gilbert, was not doing anything wrong. In frustration, he tore the offending piece of cloth from around his neck and all but stomped out of the room.

"Mattie, I'm going without a bowtie!" he announced as he tramped into the living room loudly.

"Huh? What?" Matthew looked up from tying his dress shoes, "But you have to wear the bow tie. It completes the look.

"Well, I would wear the verdammte (2) thing if I could only get it on," the Prussian replied hotly, throwing the horrid piece of cloth onto the coffee table, then grabbed his own dress shoes out of the closet.

He heard the soft sigh of his small lover and could imagine the rolling violet eyes also as he tied his shoes quickly. Whether he wore the bow tie or not was of no concern to him. Roderich could live one night with the imperfection.

"Here. I'll do it."

The Canadian nudged against Gilbert's shoulder in a silent order to stand straight, which Gilbert did without question, but still had a small pout on his lips. Within a few moments, Matthew was finished and stepped back to send an appreciative eye over the albino. He ran his hands over the other's jacket to smooth out any lingering wrinkles.

"There," he confirmed quietly, a small blush tinting his cheeks, "You look great now."

A very unmanly yelp escaped him when Gilbert suddenly grabbed him around the waist and brought them very close together. His blush deepened and the Prussian did not fail to notice it. "But you're looking so much better," he growled into the younger's ear.

Matthew laughed and tried to push Gilbert away. "We are not doing that," he replied, "We have to leave now or we'll be late."

"We can be fashionably late."

"Clever, but no."

Sighing heavily in obvious mock anger, Gilbert reluctantly let the other go so they could finally leave. He grabbed the car keys from the bowl by the door as they left the apartment. "Fine. We'll leave now since it'll make you happy. I just want you to know that I am not a happy man now," the Prussian muttered as they got into the car.

Snorting lightly, Matthew replied, "Oh please, you'll be more than happy when we get there and you find the alcohol."

"Damn straight, Birdie. I'm not gonna pass up the chance to get completely smashed on free alcohol."

"And I am taking the keys as soon as we get there."

[-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-]

The wedding was beautiful, Gilbert had to admit. It was held on the grounds of Roderich's mansion, surrounded by the well groomed garden which was in full bloom of Autumn colors. Elizaveta wore a gorgeous, custom designed ball gown styled dress. It fit her perfectly to say the least and everyone had to admire her as she was walked down the aisle by Feliciano, who went to cry into an embarrassed Ludwig's shoulder as soon as he had handed her off to her fiancé.

After the surprisingly short ceremony, the guests were moved into the Edelstein mansion's ballroom for the reception. Roderich certainly spared no expense in the after party either. Strategically placed speakers had classical music pouring constantly out of them. Gilbert had heard from the bride that Roderich wanted to have a real orchestra provide the music for the night, but could not because there was not enough room. The poor DJ looked to be bored out of his mind as he sat idly behind his half hidden table in a corner of the room. He was discreetly taking sips out of a flute of champagne.

Gilbert also had his nose buried into his third flute of champagne as he was trying to work up enough courage to ask Matthew to dance. He felt like banging his head against the nearest wall for acting like an awkward middle schooler. Alfred was already out on the dance floor with his British partner and was having a grand old time despite the fact that he danced like a drunken monkey and was very insecure about it anyway.

'It's alright, Gilbert. Pull yourself together! Why would Birdie say no to your awesome self?'

After downing the fourth flute that held his courage, the Prussian squared his shoulders and went in search of his Canadian. He found his small lover standing silently with Elizaveta, Roderich, Ludwig and Feliciano as they talked. Matthew brightened visibly when he caught sight of Gilbert coming towards him.

"Mattie," Gilbert grabbed his elbow and began gently tugging him towards the dance floor, "Let's dance."

"Uh okay."

The song currently playing ended and a new one immediately started.

Luckily for Gilbert, it was a waltz.

Elizaveta's instructions played over in his head like a tape recording. He placed his hands and feet correctly, as did Matthew who automatically assumed the female's role. Gilbert counted the beats of the song in his head, but was horrified to find that he could not keep up with the song. It was way too fast for a novice like him to dance to.

The Prussian bit his lip, something he did as a nervous habit. If he backed out of the dance now, Mattie would know something was up and would find out about the lessons. He would be so disappointed and would probably leave the reception in embarrassment. And he would be too humiliated to go out anywhere with Gilbert. And he would most likely end up leaving Gilbert to move back in with his elder brother, Francis Bonnefoy. And he would –

"Umm Gilbert? Everyone has started dancing." Matthew's voice cut through his mind's tirade like a sharp knife.

"J-Ja! I'm just getting ready!" the Prussian laughed nervously, "Let's go!"

That statement alone gave him enough courage to lead Matthew into the fray, barely missing the flailing limbs of Alfred. Arthur snapped something at his American lover, but whatever it was did not reach the Canadian or the Prussian. Gilbert, despite having a brave face on the outside, was barely hanging on to his sanity on the inside. His mind was running at a million miles a minute.

All of Elizaveta's instructions just disappeared from his memory.

He could not remember what foot went where or when to turn his body - in what direction again?

'Heilige Scheiße (3). I am so screwed.'

"Ouch!"

"Oh! S-sorry, Liebe (4)!"

"Ce n'est pas grave. Je dois avoir fait une erreur. (5)"

"Nein, das war ich. Ich glaube, ich habe einige Probleme mit der Musik heute. (6)"

An awkward silence quickly followed as Gilbert lead the dance much like how Alfred was a few feet away. Every few steps, Gilbert would accidentally smash his feet on top of the Canadian's. He winced at every hiss of pain the smaller man would make and would apologize. Despite the troubles, Matthew glanced up at the Prussian, his inner love sap hoping the eye contact would initiate a sudden and very romantic and totally unexpected dip by Gilbert. However, much to his inner love sap's dismay, Gilbert was glaring down at his feet.

"Gilb- Ow!"

"Oh God! I am so sorry, Mattie!" Gilbert stopped moving and actually stepped away from the Canadian, "I-I don't know what's gotten in to-to me tonight! I'm usually a much better dancer than this!"

"Gilbert…"

"I-uh- I don't…"

Red eyes met violet for a fraction of a second and then the Prussian was gone, disappearing quickly into the crowd. Matthew was left staring after where he thought Gilbert vanished to. Had he done something wrong? With a hurt expression, Matthew immediately went after the albino, pushing his way through the multi-cultured crowd.

"Matthieu!"

Francis emerged at his right suddenly. The Canadian did not miss the worried look on his brother's face.

"Oui, mon frère? (7)"

"I just saw Gilbert leave," Francis replied quickly, "Ce qui s'est passé? (8)"

Matthew sighed, the emotional turmoil he was feeling at the moment was apparent in the action. The Frenchmen set his hands on the younger's quivering shoulders to try to provide some sort of comfort.

"Ce qui s'est passé?" he asked again quietly.

"Je-Je ne sais pas. (9) We were just dancing. Gilbert accidentally stepped on my feet a couple of times," Matthew explained, "Then he just… started apologizing and ran away. Did I do something wrong?"

"Non non non! You did nothing of the sort! Gilbert, he just could not…" Francis trailed off uncomfortably. He had heard through the grape vine of his oldest friend's dancing troubles and did not know how to tell his younger brother, no matter how innocent and frightened he looked at the moment.

"He couldn't what?"

"Uh! Nothing, cher frère! (10)" The older Frenchman scrambled for a suitable answer, "I believe I saw Gilbert leave the mansion. Maybe he went back to the car?"

"Okay. I'll see you later then. Give our best to Roderich and Elizaveta please."

"Oui! Oui! I will do so." Francis began turning his brother towards the door, "Now go find Gilbert. I think he can explain everything much better than I."

[-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-][-]

Gilbert groaned as his forehead connected with the driver's door window of his car. He knocked his face against the cool glass a few times while muttering under his breath, "Such an idiot. You're such an idiot, Gil."

When his face was numb from the self-inflicted punishment, he set his elbows on the roof of the car and hid his face in his hands. His mind was still racing. He could not believe he left his small lover in the dust like that. His usual bravery had flown right out the window just because he could not handle doing a simple dance. And he had run like a coward because of that. Another groan fell from his lips after his mind brought up an image of the hurt look Matthew must have had when he turned and ran with his tail between his legs.

"You are such an idiot; a complete and utter idiot." Frustrated, he shook his head.

"No you're not."

Gasping wildly, Gilbert whirled around to find his Canadian just standing there. The younger man looked a bit hurt, but more confused than anything. He was fiddling with the hem of his tuxedo jacket; something that Gilbert knew meant he was nervous since Matthew did the same thing to his red hoodies.

They stood there for what seemed like an eternity just simply staring at each other. Nothing more, nothing less.

Then Gilbert finally broke and looked down at the gravel driveway in embarrassment.

He did not dare move when he heard Matthew walk towards him, choosing to continue to stare at the ground even when the younger's dress shoes entered his vision. The shameful blush already staining his cheeks only grew deeper. A soft hand pressed against his right cheek, the pad of the thumb gently rubbing against the high cheek bone. Gilbert instinctively leaned into the warm touch.

"Gilbert? Please look at me."

Red eyes slowly raised to meet the violet ones again. Night had fallen nearly two hours before, but the moon was out and shining brightly. The silver light cast a glow over everything and everyone. Gilbert could not help but think of how positively gorgeous his Matthew was in the moonlight. His usually vibrant violet eyes had turned almost black in the night and a halo was caught in his wavy hair. The Prussian resisted the urge to hug the other man, figuring it would not be a good idea considering the circumstances.

"Gil, what happened in there?" Matthew asked shyly, "Did… Did I do something wrong?"

Gilbert's heart jumped straight into his throat and he could not swallow it for his mouth had suddenly gone dry. Matthew thought he had done something wrong? Where in God's green earth had he gotten that conclusion? There was nothing in this world that Matthew could do that was wrong. He was so perfect, way too good for Gilbert in the Prussian's opinion, and he was who Gilbert looked up to everyday.

These were the words the Prussian wanted to cry out in a heat of fiery passion. He wanted to scream them to the high heavens. However, with his heart still blocking his throat, he could only open and close his mouth like a fish out of water.

A pained look came to Matthew's face then. He stepped away from Gilbert, who immediately missed the other's warmth.

"Oh. I see," was all he could get out in a hoarse whisper then he turned away to head back to the mansion.

The Prussian instantly reached out and grabbed the smaller man, turning him around to draw him into a tight hug. "N-no! Don't go!" Gilbert pleaded, burying his face in the maple scented hair.

Still confused, Matthew could only wrap his arms around the taller's shoulders. He had learned very quickly at the beginning of their relationship that if something was eating at Gilbert, one had to be patient and wait for the stubborn man to open up on his own. Any push for an answer would have the albino scurrying back into silence like a frightened rabbit. But patience had always been a virtue for the Canadian. If the end result was Gilbert feeling comfortable enough to speak, then Matthew would wait forever for it.

The next bout of silence did not last as long as the first. Nor was it as awkward. Finally, Matthew felt the albino take in a deep breath and then move back a bit so they could properly look at each other. Gilbert opened his mouth as if to speak, but then snapped it shut just as quickly. His brow furrowed in frustration as he brought up a shaky hand to rest against Matthew's face.

"You-" He started slowly, "You didn't do anything wrong, Liebe. It was my entire fault the night was ruined."

Any chance that Matthew had to answer was interrupted when a calloused finger pressed gently against his lips to silence him.

Gilbert swallowed hard, as if to banish his nervousness to his stomach, and continued, "I ran away because I was embarrassed that I couldn't do the dance. I know how to do slower waltzes, but I've only known how to do that since a couple days ago. That day Elizaveta was at our apartment? Well, she was giving me dancing lessons."

Realization hit the Canadian like a ton of bricks. Now he knew why Gilbert had been acting so odd the past few days and he could have laughed. Did Gilbert really think he would care if he could not dance? He asked this question aloud when the Prussian removed his finger from his lips.

"Well, I wanted tonight to be special. I didn't want you to have to sit on the sidelines and be bored the entire time."

This time Matthew did laugh and Gilbert felt his heart jump at the wonderful noise.

"Je n'aurais pas pris en charge si nous avons dansé comme un couple à leur école de danse de haut. Tant que je peux être avec vous, Gilbert, je suis heureux. (11)" Matthew said and brought his arms higher up around his lover's neck.

Gilbert blushed at his own stupidity, but smiled widely nonetheless and squeezed the smaller man's waist gently. "Then that's what we'll do since we didn't get to finish our dance," he replied, starting to sway back and forth to a tune only he heard in his mind.

His smile grew impossibly wider when Matthew laughed again, probably at how ridiculous they looked at the moment. The Canadian craned his neck and placed his lips against Gilbert's in a gentle kiss, which the taller man returned just as eagerly. After sharing a few more kisses in the romantic moonlight (Matthew found it wonderfully cliché), he pulled away and rest his head against Gilbert's chest.

"Je t'aime, Gilbert."

"Ich liebe dich, Mattie."

Translations done on Google Translate cause I'm too lazy to actually do the work. ;)

(1) German - Teacher (Thanks to JynxTaybourn for the correction!)

(2) German - Damn

(3) German - Holy shit

(4) German - Love (a pet name)

(5) French - It's alright. I must have made a mistake.

(6) German - No it was me. I guess I'm having some trouble with the music today.

(7) French - Yes, brother? (Literally: Yes, my brother?)

(8) French - What happened?

(9) French - I-I don't know.

(10) French - Dear brother!

(11) French - I wouldn't have cared if we danced like a couple at their high school dance. As long as I get to be with you, Gilbert, I am happy.