A/N:
Lucille = Monaco
Je ne sais pas = I don’t know (French)
Mon dieu = My God (French)
Jeg elsker deg storebror = I love you big brother (Norwegian)
Marcello = Seborga
Lovino = Romano
Chapter number two! Hope you guys enjoy it :) I’m hoping I can update this every other Thursday, but no promises. I’m extremely sorry if any translations are incorrect, Google Translate is my only resource. If you have any corrections, please let me know so I can fix it. Tagging grimdarkandravenous, and if anyone else wants to be tagged just let me know! And its all under the cut :3
Michelle flopped down on her newly reassembled bed, and sighed happily. Yesterday was a good day! She made a new friend, and Grandpa brought takeout for dinner. Michelle picked up her phone and dialed her best friend since birth, Lucille.
“Hey girl! How’s the new house?” A voice responded through the phone.
“Hey Lucy! It’s nice and roomy, and the neighbors seem nice. This boy named Emil visited me, he brought these delicious pastries and seemed super awkward, but it was cute.” Michelle recalled the silver haired boy, and chuckled at the thought of how nervous he seemed.
“Oooh. What’s he like, is he cute?"
"He’s pretty cute yeah. He has short silver hair and purple eyes which I thought was weird, but they’re super pretty. He’s in our grade, and I’m going to the same school as him in the fall. I hope we can be friends, he seems like a nice guy. He’s kinda quiet and reserved, I doubt he has a lot of friends."
"He sounds nice, I approve of him."
"What do you mean by that? Oh mon dieu, Lucy I don’t want to date him or anything!” Michelle blushed profusely.
She could hear Lucille’s smirk through the phone. “That’s what you’re saying now, next thing you know you’ll be drooling all over him."
"I don’t know what you’re talking about! The most we’ll be is friends probably, I don’t think he’s my type."
"Michelle you don’t even have a type. What, are your signs not compatible or something?"
”Je ne sais pas, I didn’t ask. I’ll figure it out next time I see him.“
"Whatever you say, hun. You two are gonna be inseparable by the time school starts, just watch."
"Lucy, you’re weird."
August 17
Kæri stóri bróðir,
It’s been a couple days since I visited Michelle (that’s the girl who moved in next door). She’s really sweet, and fond of pastries apparently. I might try talking to her again before school, but I don’t know. You would give me some terrible advice and I’d just frown and blush, but we’d laugh about it. All I have for advice is Mathias and Tino; I don’t even want to bother with Berwald. I’ll figure something out I guess.
I still miss you, I don’t think I’ll ever stop, missing you that is. It’ll be 50 years later and I’d miss you as much as the day it happened, writing a letter every day as usual. Sorry I never did call you big brother, it’s kind of stupid to apologize now, but I’m trying.
Jeg elsker deg storebror. I remember you taught me that. It was fun when you tried teaching me Norwegian, I absolutely sucked. I couldn’t pronounce anything right and you would always get upset, but we’d laugh at my failure together. That’s kind of pathetic, actually. But honestly, I couldn’t care less. I just wish we could do it again.
I wish you were alive, I always do. It’s frustrating, not having someone to fight over my licorice with or complain to. Tino just lets me have it, Mathias can’t be bothered to listen, and Ber is… well, Ber. It’s definitely not the same without you.
Wow, this letter was extra long today, I hope you’re happy. I bet there’s lots of licorice and mackerel up there. If you ever get the chance, write me back and tell me what it’s like, I just might visit.
With love,
Emil
P.S. I blame you for my sarcasm.
Emil let out a shaky sigh, and sniffled. He really missed Lukas, and he was told writing would help. It wasn’t helping, it felt like it was getting worse. He’d get nostalgic and start crying, and Tino would bring him his dinner that would be untouched as he lay in bed, wrapped in his blankets. Today felt like one of those days, until he heard a knock at his door.
"Emil, someone’s here for you.” He recognized the voice to be Tino’s, and he put the notebook away and walked to open the door.
“Hi! Remember me?” Michelle smiled brightly.
“I’ll leave you two alone. Have fun, and let me know if you need anything.” Tino said as he walked off.
Emil let Michelle into his room, and the two sat down on his bed. “Your family seems nice, the tall one is kind of scary though.” Michelle commented, looking around the room. “Your room is so clean! Mine is always a mess, I don’t know how it ends up that way, but it does. Grandpa tends to yell at me if it gets too out of control, and I end up spending all day cleaning, for it to get messy again. Am I rambling? Sorry, I do it when I’m nervous."
Emil was brought to attention, and he shook his head. "No, you’re fine. So uh, how’s your grandfather?"
"Oh! he’s fine. we’ve been unpacking all day, we’re almost done I think. The house is starting to look good!” Michelle beamed, kicking her legs against the bed.
The two sat in silence before Emil stood up. “Let’s go play a game. Do you like video games?"
Michelle blinked. "I love video games! I play all sorts of games with Grandpa, and he always gets so upset when he loses."
"Well, do you like FIFA?"
"Of course I like FIFA! It’s like my favourite game.” Michelle shot up, and Emil grabbed her hand and led her downstairs. Halfway there, he realized he was still holding her hand. A light blush sprouted on his cheeks, but decided against letting it go. It was warm and rough but soft at the same time, and wasn’t cold and clammy like his. Her fingernails were painted blue, and it complimented her melanin-rich skin. Emil wanted to hold her hand forever, but they got downstairs and made their way to the living room.
“Hey guys! How ya doin’?” Mathias greeted them enthusiastically.
“Hey Mathias.” Emil mumbled as he set up the game.
“Hello Mathias! We’re playing FIFA, and Emil is about to get beaten."
"Hey! I didn’t think you were one to trash talk!"
Michelle just giggled, and took a remote. "Just don’t be surprised when you’re losing!”
Emil groaned, or rather screamed, and placed his face in his hands, running his fingers through damp silver hair. Michelle and Mathias were caught in a fit of laughter, and Tino couldn’t help but chuckle. Emil had lost for the tenth time, and whatever was left of his ego and dignity had evaporated.
“What did you expect?” Michelle teased, and Emil could only respond with a groan, which caused Michelle to giggle.
“You got yer ass beat bro!” Mathias laughed loudly, and ignored the daggers Emil was shooting at him with his eyes.
“You wanna play again?” Michelle smiled sweetly, and noticed Emil looked upset. Her smile slowly faded. “Emil? You okay? Sorry for crushing you. If you want, I’ll let you win."
"I don’t want your pity, I’m fine.” Emil grumbled, lifting his head. “Let’s play one more."
"Okay, whatever you say!” Michelle wiped her hands on her shorts and picked up her controller.
They played four more games, Michelle winning all but one, before she had to go home. Emil was upset she had to leave, they were having so much fun. She’ll just have to come over again tomorrow.
“Well, I’ll see you later! It was fun playing with you, you’re not that bad, actually.” Michelle called out before she opened the door to her house.
“Bye Michelle, you better not have been going easy on me when I beat you!” Emil called back from his front door, watching as she stepped inside her house giggling. He closed the door with a smile.
“Emil, you sucked ass, but that was fun to watch!” Mathias said with a laugh, and Emil sighed.
“Shut up Mathias, I doubt you could do any better.” Emil shot back, heading back upstairs to his room.
Picking up his phone from on his bed, Emil saw Leon had called him. He called him back, and the phone was answered on the second ring.
“Hey, where were you?” Leon asked.
“Hi. I was playing FIFA with Michelle."
"Oh. How’d it go?"
"I’d rather not talk about it."
"You got destroyed didn’t you."
"Yeah. I won one game of fourteen."
Leon winced, though Emil couldn’t see it, he knew what he did. "Wow, you really got beat."
"Okay, no need to restate the facts Leon, it still hurts.”
Leon chuckled, and a pink blush creeped onto Emil’s face. “She’s a pretty good soccer player, she was always picked first when we played it in gym."
"I bet you were picked last.” Emil quipped, a smirk on his face.
“Second to last, actually.” Leon corrected. “This weird kid named Marcello always got picked last. He was kind of gross, talking to the girls, which was taboo in second grade. He would constantly say if anyone messed with him he would get his older brother Lovino who was in high school to beat us up, but nobody cared. His only friend was a pink inner tube."
"He does sound weird.” Emil smiled, recalling all the fun he had with Michelle.
“You like her don’t you."
"What? No!” Emil retorted. “Just because she’s a girl and we had fun doesn’t mean I like her, jeez Leon."
"You don’t have to lie to me man."
"I’m not lying, she’s just a friend. That’s the end of it."
"Friends can turn into a lot more you know, don’t–"
Emil hung up the phone before Leon could finish his sentence.
Kæri stóri bróðir = dear big brother (Icelandic)
Emil = Iceland
Michelle = Seychelles
Lukas = Norway
Mathias = Denmark
Tino = Finland
Berwald = Sweden
Leon = Hong Kong
The man living with Michelle is Cuba btw
Soo here is the first chapter of my fic! I know grimdarkandravenous wanted me to tag them, so here you go! If anyone else wants to be tagged, just let me know. It’s under the cut because it is LONG.
August 14
Kæri stóri bróðir,
Some new girl moved in next door in that house we used to hang out in. She’s really pretty, with dark skin and long brown hair that she holds with two bows, and I think she’s in my grade. There’s some other guy with her, he has dreads and looks like he could be her grandfather. I don’t know anything about the two yet, but knowing Mathias he’ll be talking up a storm before they’re even done moving in. I’ll let you know if I figure anything out.
I miss you, a lot. I always say that in these don’t I? But it’s true, I really miss you, and the others can surely agree. I think Mathias misses you the most though, he always loved you. But we’re managing, as always. Hope you’re doing okay.
With Love,
Emil
Emil closed his notebook and stretched with a groan. He stood up from his desk and made his way downstairs to the kitchen where the rest of his family was sitting and chatting.
"Hey Em! How ya doing?“ An enthusiastic Dane by the name of Mathias waved at Emil, a beer in his hand despite it being noon.
Emil sighed. "Fine, I guess.” he opened up the fridge and pulled out a bottle of soda. “Have you guys met the new neighbors?"
"I did. They seem nice!” a new voice piped up, one belonging to Tino, a sweet Finnish man, who was standing next to a tall and scary looking Swede named Berwald. “The young girl’s name is Michelle, and she’s about your age Emil. She’s going to be in the same grade as you in the fall."
"She’s a pretty lady, huh Em?” Mathias quipped, a smirk on his face. “Don’t ya get too attached, she’s gonna break yer heart."
"Mathias!” Tino glared at the laughing Dane, and Emil’s pale face sported a bright shade of pink. “Don’t listen to him Emil, he’s just being silly. She seems like a sweet young lady, right Ber?"
The Swede hummed in agreement, and Emil hung his head in embarrassment.
"Whatever you say guys, I’m going back upstairs.” Emil grumbled as he walked back up to his room, drink in hand. He decided to call his friend Leon, he was the only sensible person Emil could talk to.
Flopping down on his bed, Emil dialed Leon’s number on his phone. It was a couple rings before he answered, and Emil sipped his soda in the meantime.
“Hey.” A calm voice finally answered.
“Hi.” Emil greeted with a sigh.
“What’s up? Something like happen or something?” Leon’s voice held a bit of concern.
“Some new people moved in next door, this girl and her grandfather I’m guessing. Tino said she’s gonna be in our grade this year.” Emil took a sip of of his soda, shifting on his bed so his back was against the wall.
“What does she look like?"
"Uh, dark skin, long brown hair tied back in two bows, big brown eyes."
"Oh, I think know her. Her name’s Michelle Bonnefoy, I knew her back in like Elementary school before she moved away in like fourth grade. Her mom died after she was born and her dad abandoned her, so her grandfather takes care of her now. She’s a pretty nice girl, always like smiling and stuff. Everyone thought she was too happy and kind of annoying though, so she didn’t have too many friends."
Emil just hummed, drinking in the information Leon was telling him. It kind of sounded like what happened with Emil and his brother, Lukas. Their parents left them both, so they had to stay with their friend Berwald, who was living with his boyfriend Tino. Mathias, Lukas’ childhood friend, somehow managed to move in with them too, and the five were like family. But then Lukas died in a car accident two years ago, and it hasn’t been the same since.
"You should talk to her, she’s actually kind of cool, but she’s a bit clueless and sort of a klutz.” Leon broke Emil’s train of thought.
“W-what makes you think I want to talk to her?” Emil stuttered, the pink tint returning to his features. “She’ll find friends easy, from what you’ve said about her. I’ll be forgotten about when school starts."
"Emil don’t be like that, you never know man, you could be into her. Besides, you’re a loner, you could use a friend.” Leon said flatly, and Emil groaned.
“You don’t have to be so mean about it!” Emil whined, and Leon laughed.
“I’m just being honest, man. But seriously, talk to her, you might like her or something."
"Yeah, yeah.” Emil grumbled, taking the final sip of his soda. “Anyway, what’s up with you?"
He couldn’t believe he was doing this.
He had gotten Mathias to help him bake some Danish pastries, which he was more than happy to assist with. But he fact that he had made it to the house next door was mind boggling.
With a sweaty hand, Emil knocked on the bright red door, and wiped his palms on his jeans for the tenth time. Why was he wearing jeans in August? Would Michelle think he was weird for it? People wear jeans during the summer, right? Emil shook his head to clear the irrelevant thoughts.
Eventually the door opened to a frazzled girl with bright blue hair ribbons and a glowing smile. "Oh! Hello!"
"Um, h-hi.” Emil stammered nervously. “I’m Emil, I live next door. It’s nice to meet you."
"Hi Emil! I’m Michelle, it’s nice to meet you too! Come on in, are those pastries?” She pointed to the basket in Emil’s clammy hands.
“Y-yeah, my uncle helped me bake them, they’re still warm.” Emil smiled as Michelle led him through the house. There were boxes everywhere, but a few things were set up. Emil saw a couch and a table along with some paintings. “I see you’re still unloading everything."
"Yeah, it’s been a lot of work, and Grandpa had to do lots of papers to get me enrolled in the school. We’re both in the same grade right?"
"I think so, yeah.” Emil placed the basket down on the kitchen counter and watched Michelle lift the paper towel on top in wonder. She gasped and grabbed a flaky treat, taking a bite. Her eyes widened and she looked at Emil, which drew a laugh out of the Icelandic boy.
She swallowed quickly and her chocolate skin seemed to glow. “This is amazing! You’re a super awesome baker!"
"It was my uncle who did most of the work, he’s the baker.” Emil rubbed his arm nervously, a blush creeping on his face. “So, where did you move here from?"
"Come and sit, and I’ll tell you all about it!” Michelle picked up the basket of pastries and led Emil over to a worn out turquoise couch. “I was born on the tiny island of Seychelles in Africa, and then moved to England for some of Elementary school and France for the rest. Then I moved to Cuba where Grandpa started taking care of me, and then Jamaica, and some other little islands, and finally here!"
"Wow, that’s a lot of places,” Emil grabbed a pastry and took a bite, sweet jelly filling his mouth. Mathias and he did a pretty good job!
“Yep! I’ve seen so many awesome islands and places, Grandpa loved to move around the place, so we were never somewhere for long. But I think we’re gonna be here for a while.”
The two chatted for a while, and the sun was starting to go down before the they even knew it. Knowing he had a curfew and Tino would be furious if he broke it, Emil had to say his farewells.
“Oh jeez I didn’t realize how late it was.” Emil looked at the clock on his phone. 8:45 PM. He really needed to go.
“Oh! The sun’s setting.” Michelle commented, and stood up to let Emil out.
“You can have the rest of the pastries, we made them for you.” Emil said as Michelle was reaching for them. His comment brought a big smile to her face, and something seemed to flip in Emil’s stomach.
“Well, it was super nice meeting you Emil, Hopefully we can hang out again sometime?"
"Uh, sure, I guess, if you wanna.” Emil turned around in the threshold of the door. “And yeah, it was nice meeting you. But I gotta go, so see ya.”
“Bye!” Michelle waved as Emil walked away and stepped into his own house to be greeted by an eager Finn, an even more eager Dane, and Leon?
"I had to come over so you could tell me everything.“ Leon said when he saw Emil’s expression.
"So tell us what happened!” Mathias blurted out, and Tino and Leon nodded vigorously in agreement.
Emil sighed. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you, but no comments until I’m done.”
