#iceest

(Couldn’t decide on Ice’s eye color again, so here’s the sketch but with purple eyes):

And here’s Liet with slightly different hair:

*Note: Just because I don’t want to add the little dots/spaces after I type a country name (so it won’t end up in the regular country tag), I will be using human names only here, even though this isn’t a human AU. 

LatLiech:

“Raivis, what’s wrong?” Lili put her hand on the shorter boy’s shoulder, gently squeezing it.

“What if he doesn’t approve? Or doesn’t like me?” Raivis’s voice was almost too quiet to be heard, but Lili caught what he muttered. 

Lili’s eyes softened. After being friends for years, and secretly dating for half a year (at Raivis’s request; Lili didn’t mind if their relationship status was public or not), both decided it was time to let Basch--as well as Toris and Eduard--know about their feelings for each other.

First up was Basch, and while the young man was certainly prickly around most people, Lili didn’t understand why Raivis was so nervous. Her brother was protective, yes, but not a monster.

“Of course he’ll like you!” Lili smiled. “You’re kind and soft, and a perfect gentleman. Basch is old-fashioned, that’s for sure, but so are you.” She gently wiped Raivis’s eyes. “And honestly,” she pat her boyfriend on the back. “He’ll just be glad you’re not Roderich.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though he’s clearly too old for me; I never got why Basch had it in his head that I had a crush on him!”

At this, Raivis laughed. But the frown appeared again shortly after. “Even if Basch is okay with me, there’s still Ivan. You know he still follows me around half the time, no matter how many times I tell him to leave me alone. I doubt Basch wants you in the middle of that. And if something goes wrong, if you get hurt because of me, he’d never forgive me! I’d never forgive myself! This was a bad idea!”

Lili pulled Raivis into a tight hug, rubbing his back. They stood silently in this position for awhile, until the silence got too much.

“Well,” a smirk so unlike her appeared on her face. “If tall, large, and creepy decides to pull anything, you know Basch is an excellent marksman. And if he shot at Feliciano for running through his yard with no pants, you know he wouldn’t even hesitate pulling the trigger if Ivan hurts me. Or you.”

“Lili? Who’s that with you?” Basch poked his head out of the back door, curious.

“Well, he saw us. Too late to change your mind.” Lili smiled, gesturing for Raivis. “Come on, let’s go!” She grabbed his hand, pulling her closer to the house. “And by the way, I found a copy of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in Basch’s office the other day. If small talk gets too awkward, just talk about books. You have more in common with him than you think.”

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IceEst (or is it EstIce, idk what the ship name is for these two) [this one is more one-sided on Emil’s part]:

“Do you ever feel alone, even in a room full of people?” 

Emil wasn’t sure why this slipped out, especially not to Eduard of all people. It was break time at one of the monthly Nordic-Baltic Eight meetings, and, like always, he felt out of place. Perhaps it was the weather, or some potential volcanic activity brewing back home, but Emil felt moodier than usual today. Like someone scrubbed his skin raw, leaving it vulnerable. He was irritated with Lukas for being his usual overprotective self. He was irritated with Tino and Berwald for being so nice to him; it felt patronizing. And of course, he was irritated with Mathias for his booming voice and tone-deaf singing. Toris and Raivis were all right, but he just didn’t feel like talking with either of them at the moment; their gentle eyes would stare into his soul too much. They’d know right away that he felt awful today, and they’d probably smother him with kindness. He didn’t need that at the moment. Eduard, with his aloof-but-still-friendly disposition was the only personality he didn’t feel like clashing with. 

He turned away before Eduard could respond, willing his ears not to blush. Ever since his not-birthday party months before, Emil felt awkward around the tall blond. Especially since, after Eduard had, for whatever reason, winked at him, the Icelander began to notice that he was, well, cute, to him. Aesthetically attractive, even. And the more he began to pay attention to Eduard at NB8 and world meetings, he found his personality appealing as well.

Stop it, he chastised himself. Don’t think of him that way. Not Tino’s best friend. This is stupid. You’re being weird.

His inner monologue was shattered by Eduard’s smooth voice. “I feel that way all the time.”

Emil turned around, and before he realized what his body was doing, he wrapped his arms around Eduard, hiding his face in his shoulder. 

After he felt Eduard freeze up, he immediately pulled away. “I am so sorry. Not sure what came over me.”

Eduard tilted his head, his teal eyes meeting Emil’s. “We both don’t like physical affection much. But you’re not feeling well today; I noticed as soon as you walked into the room.”

“It was that obvious?” Emil wrinkled his nose. 

“Not to the others. But to me, it was. But then again, I always notice you.”

“What?” Emil knew for sure that he was blushing now.

“You’re an island who feels out of place with the rest of your family. While not to the extent that you feel loneliness, I do relate. Raivis is like family, and Toris is a good friend, but sometimes I feel out of place, too. My language is more similar to Tino’s than Raivis’s or Toris’s, so there are some linguistic jokes between them I just don’t get.”

Eduard smiled at Emil, who looked down. He didn’t want the Estonian to look into his eyes. Because he knew that Eduard might realize just how far his feelings for him went. 

He didn’t see until after the fact that Eduard hugged him again.

“I am not much into hugs,” Eduard stated, though he smiled again at Emil. “But I do occasionally embrace those I consider close. And you certainly look like you need one.”

Iceland finally allowed himself to smile, but only because his face hid in Eduard’s shoulder, again, which meant no one could see it. 

Though the two, still not much for physical contact, pulled away quickly. They both gave each other a knowing look before joining the others for the second half of the meeting. 

-

AmeLiet (sorry, this one’s only a few sentences; I love this ship, but I was tired as I drafted this, and wasn’t sure what to write. Though the art for this one is probably my favorite):

Alfred smiled as he watched Toris tug his shoes on. The brunet finally was able to spend a long weekend with him, and they weren’t about to waste time staying indoors, especially not since the spring weather was warm today. 

“You look lovely,” Alfred blurted out. Though he and Toris had been dating for awhile, both were still awkward with their compliments. Alfred supposed it was just another thing they had in common.

Toris smiled, and Alfred pulled him closer, resting his arms on his waist. Toris, in return, rested one hand on the blond’s face.

Alfred couldn’t resist; he leaned forward and rested his forehead against his boyfriend’s before softly kissing his lips.

More extras (aka messed with Liet’s hair in the AmeLiet one):

In case anyone wants the IceEst one with Ice having purple eyes:

Also a version with Ed’s color scheme from Seasons 1-4:

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The LatLiech one with Liech’s Season 1-4 eye color:

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And finally, the AmeLiet one with Liet’s Season 1-4 eye color (unpopular opinion: blue-eyed Liet is pretty!)

"I don’t want to pry..."

Basch only meant to leave the conference center's cafeteria to find the drinking fountain. (There was no way in hell he'd pay for an overpriced water bottle, and he cursed Alfred for choosing a hotel that didn't even provide complimentary lunch.) But after he turned down one of the hallways, he saw what looked to be a person curled up against one of the stairwells.

Curious, Basch tilted his head and walked closer, and soon he recognized who it was.

"Raivis?"

The boy's head snapped up, his eyes widening.

Though his brain told him not to, Basch sat down next to the short Nation. He didn't know Raivis very well, but Lili was friends with him, and had only positive things to say about him, so for that alone, he got involved. "Why are you sitting over here? Didn't you want lunch?"

"I...I didn't want to pay for it."

At this, Basch chuckled a little bit, nodding his head in agreement. Though the smile slipped off his face as Raivis continued.

"Plus, it's not like I could eat, anyway. There's too much going on, today. I got too stressed, and my stomach hurts, and--"

Basch cut him off, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. He didn't miss the way Raivis flinched a little at his touch, though he said nothing; he would ask Lili about it later. "I don’t want to pry, but.. I want you to know I also want to listen, if you want someone to talk to."

Bach almost kicked himself; he didn't do this, he didn't talk about feelings. But he knew Raivis went through terrible things. Things so awful he saw other, more powerful Nations averting their eyes when he walked by them at meetings, clearly guilty that they couldn't, or just didn't want to, do anything to stop it from happening. Basch didn't know any details, but he knew enough. And he wasn't stupid; he easily put two and two together.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Raivis lunged forward and embraced him, tightly wrapping his thin around around him.

-

"You're right, I don't understand yet" (This one is set post-TWL)

"Did Toris send you over here?"

Eduard looked less than pleased to see Feliks standing at his doorstep, holding a tin of kołaczki.

"No; I figured I'd pay you a visit, that's all." Without waiting for a response, Feliks entered Eduard's house, kicking his shoes off as soon as he got inside, revealing pink and green checkered socks. He plopped down on the couch, placing the tin of sweets on the coffee table in front of him before yanking the lid off, popping one of the peach preserves-filled ones into his mouth.

"I outdid myself this time!" Feliks exclaimed, speaking with his mouth full. "These are totally delicious!"

"Seriously, Feliks?" Now Eduard actually looked irritated. "You barge into my house, make yourself at home on my couch, and then get powdered sugar everywhere? I ask again, why are you here?"

After finishing the cookie, Feliks wiped his mouth. "I'm here because you need help, Eduard. You won't talk to Toris, and I doubt you talked to Raivis. Which is understandable; he's dealing with a shit-ton, too. But damn it, Ed, you were kidnapped by a group of batshit scientists and experimented on again and again! Toris told me about the scar on your chest and torso; you were fucking vivisected? I know that would've messed me up. And I'd want to shout that to the world."

"You don't understand!" Eduard finally shouted, though he sat on the couch next to Feliks, bowing his head.

"You’re right, I don’t understand, yet. Will you help me?"

The look Eduard gave Feliks broke the shorter Nation's heart; it was so hollow, with barely any light left in his eyes.

"Give me some time," Eduard finally said. "I'm not an open book like you are. But thank you for asking. Maybe...maybe someday I'll tell you more." As he spoke, some brightness returned to his eyes, though tears pricked the corners of them.

Feliks nodded. He didn't expect Eduard to spill his guts right here and now. But the 'maybe' was more than he hoped for.

Smiling, Feliks reached into the tin and grabbed one of the strawberry jam-filled cookies, pressing it to Eduard's mouth.

Snorting a little, Eduard grabbed the sweet, swatting Feliks' hand away.

(Kołaczki are delicious, by the way, XD)

-

"Count your breaths"

Eiríkur was at his limit. This particular conference wasn't just fellow Nations; humans were also involved, too. It didn't happen very often, only two to three times a year, but he didn't like it. While he recognized that not all humans were bad, and he definitely had a soft spot for his citizens, being surrounded by a bunch of them stressed him out. He felt like he was being scrutinized and studied under a microscope, especially since his silver hair was strange, even by Nation standards, and the more he caught the humans' eyes, the more uncomfortable he became.

He was snapped back to reality when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Whirling around, he saw that it was only Eduard.

"Count your breaths with me, okay?" The bespectacled boy's voice was soft; Eiríkur had to strain his ears to hear it.

"What?" Eiríkur narrowed his eyes.

"You look like you're about to have an anxiety attack," Eduard pointed out. "This works for Raivis, so I figured you could try it, too." He squeezed Eiríkur's shoulder gently. "Ready? One, two, three, four…"

In time with Eduard's voice, Eiríkur counted his breaths, first only in his mind, but by 'four', he began saying them aloud. And much to his surprise, he found himself relaxing, losing some of the tenseness in his shoulders.

"It worked!"

"I figured it might."

Eduard rubbed Eiríkur's shoulder before he let go, and the silver-haired boy found himself disappointed, oddly missing his touch.

"Can you sit with me for the next set of speeches?" Eiríkur blurted out, his mouth working faster than his brain. He blushed as he said the next part. "Your presence helps, for some reason."

Eiríkur figured Eduard was caught off-guard, too; he never saw the taller boy blush before, yet there was now a dusting of pink across his nose and cheeks.

"Certainly," Eduard finally said, sounding almost tongue-tied. "But isn't Mathias sitting here? He'll want me to move when he gets back"

"He can find a new seat," Eiríkur said, wrinkling his nose. "Just point him to your old one."

At this, Eduard sat down, and the two laughed, now ready to deal with the second half of the meeting. Together.

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