[Fic Fill] Mint Julep for Two

[merubear.livejournal.com]

TITLE: Mint Julep for Two
AUTHOR/ARTIST: merubear
RECIPIENT: khittyhawk
CHARACTERS/PAIRINGS: America/Lithuania, Poland
RATING: PG-13
NOTES: Okay so this is my first time writing historical, and 1920s at that, so please forgive any inaccuracies? I'm such a dork, orz. Millions of thanks to sonofon for kicking my butt with this. <3
SUMMARY: In which Lithuania experiences bar-hopping, America talks about elephants and Poland is the worst best friend ever.

"Oh my god."

Lithuania tenses up as he looks at his friend. "What?"

"You're like, totally checking him out!" Poland's eyes can only be described as shining.

Lithuania's eyes go up, down, to the side, and then back at Poland. "Ch-checking who out?"

Poland just snorts and flips his hair. "Oh please, you like, totally know who I'm talking about."

Lithuania goes red, and he lowers the brim of his hat over his eyes. "I can't say I understand--"

"Oh my god, this is like, the saddest thing ever. My little Liet is like, all grown up!" Poland interrupts dramatically as he takes another sip from his drink. "But like... seriously? Why him?"

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about!" Lithuania stammers, blushing pathetically. "Poland, please just leave me alone."

Poland just laughs. "Whatever, you should like, totally see the look on your face right now." Lithuania watches in horror as Poland stands up lithely, his vest brushing against the table. "Okay, so I like need to go make pee-pee now so be right back."

Lithuania rolls his eyes and focuses on his still full glass of gin. He watches the light dance over the liquid in the fancy glass, wondering how anyone could ban something as pretty as alcohol. Snapping out of his daze, he looks up around the small speakeasy bar and finds his eyes drawn back to a little table in the corner where the superpower sits.

America doesn't seem to notice anything yet, something Lithuania is all too thankful of. Feeling a little guilty that he's taking advantage of the nation's thick headed-ness, he ducks his head back down.

It is surprising to see that the American is alone. It's a Friday night, and the streets are buzzing with activity and the speakeasies are in full swing. But then again, Lithuania would rather be reading a nice book in his own house instead of staring at his crush in a dimly lit bar.

He sighs and rubs his forefingers together, agitated. He's supposed to be satisfied with just this, just watching America from afar, but somehow seeing that small loneliness on the other nation's face across the room, Lithuania feels like walking up to America himself. Maybe even share a drink or have a chat.

Lithuania shakes his head, flushing. No, that is absolutely ridiculous. It's just a small crush, nothing for him to get excited about. His eyes fall back at his glass and he has to do a double-take.

...Is that the bill stuck under his drink? When did that happen? Why did he get the bill?

Lithuania groans and slumps down into his seat. Poland was such a bastard sometimes. "Should've known," he mutters to himself, "he never did like to pay the bill."

Tracing a finger on the rim of the glass he hasn't picked up yet, Lithuania looks back to America's table. He seems to have finished his drink, whatever it is. It's too dark for him to tell. All Lithuania wants is to run his fingers through that blond hair, stare at those sapphire blue eyes under the stars, whisper sweet nothings in that ear...

Stop it, you fool. Lithuania busies himself with getting out his wallet. He isn't supposed to think things like that. He isn't supposed to want people like America--it's too far from his reach, too much out of his zone. If love is a game, then he isn't going to play.

Fingering the bill, he runs his eyes over it and stops. When had Poland ordered a Planter's Punch? He vaguely remembers Poland telling him that he doesn't even like rum.

Staring in confusion at the bill, he's about to complain when he sees a pretty young waitress walk around the bar carrying a few drinks on her tray, including a Planter's Punch.

Had Poland ordered the drink for him? Lithuania's brows furrow as the waitress draws closer, handing out the drinks. Then, just as he's about to write it off as Poland's apology, the waitress veers to the right with the mysterious drink, walking in another direction.

Lithuania feels his heart sink as she heads right for America. No. No no no no. Oh no no no no I'm going to kill you Poland you bastard.

Lowering the brim of his hat even more, Lithuania watches in absolute terror as the waitress sets the drink down on the surprised American's table. Then, to his absolute terror, he watches in utter silence as the waitress then points right at him with a smile.

America shoots him the brightest grin he's ever seen and Lithuania feels his brain break. This is not happening. Not happening. Poland wouldn't have done this to him. America isn't smiling like the biggest idiot in the universe. America isn't Oh God No he's starting to wave...

Lithuania watches in frozen shock as America waves with both hands crazily at him, saying something that's probably "Thank you".

The Lithuanian only shrugs and laughs nervously, wishing he could become invisible, like that one kid who always came to the meetings with a bear. Maybe if he wishes really, really hard and tries to make himself as small as he can...

What is America doing? Oh no. Oh no no no. "Oh please tell me that he's not asking me to go over to him." Lithuania whispers frantically to himself, a strained smile pasted thick on his face. "Oh my god he's beckoning me with those soft hands and oh my god no no no."

Against his own will, Lithuania feels himself stand up stiffly, his arms glued to his side in what looks like an impression of a penguin that really, really needs to go to the bathroom. Grabbing the bill, he shakily smiles at America, who by now is grinning so hard Lithuania's surprised sunshine isn't exuding from his teeth.

Okay. It'll be simple. Just walk on up there, say it was Poland's fault, and leave. You can do this. It'll be like a game. Escape the American in as least minutes as possible without seeming like a total jerk. You can do this. One foot in front of the other. Step. Step. Step.

Halfway to the table, Lithuania's mind frazzles and he wishes the floor would just open up and swallow him whole. His already stiff movements slowed down, and damn he didn't think it would take this long to walk across a stupid bar.

He's going to think you're a freak. A shy, frazzled freak. What if he asks you to stay with him? He hangs out with a bunch of oddballs already. Oh shit what if he asks for you to sit down? Will you do it? Oh shit you are so screwed. Poland is going to be such a dead man after this.

"Ahaha, hey buddy!" America is staring at him with those beautiful blue eyes and Lithuania has to steady himself by putting one hand on the table in front of him. "I totally didn't see you there, thanks for the drink!"

Lithuania smiles weakly, his legs wobbling. What is he supposed to say? All he can do is stand awkwardly in front of America's table, trying to hide the butterflies in his stomach that threaten to push out all of his dinner.

"Hey... are you okay?" America raises an eyebrow worriedly at Lithuania before getting up himself and pushing Lithuania down into a chair. The Lithuanian is slightly horrified at the fact that he slides into the chair like nothing, his muscles totally giving out.

Oh God I think I'm going to faint. "I'm fine," Lithuania manages to choke out.

America gives him a sceptical glance, "You look kind of pale, man. Are you sick or something?"

Lithuania laughs nervously. "I guess I'm just a little cold."

America grins, "Hey yeah, it is winter, after all! I just can't wait for it to snow!" his blue eyes shine in the darkness, making Lithuania feel uncomfortable and happy at the same time.

Russia's looking forward to the snow too. Lithuania grips his knees under the table to bite back the words. Russia and America aren't really talking at the moment, and he certainly isn't going to do ruin America's happy mood. "Snow, huh? I think I prefer fall to winter." He smiles slightly.

"Fall?" America takes a drink of the Planter's Punch, makes a face, and then puts it back down. Lithuania doesn't know whether to laugh or feel hurt. "I guess fall's pretty awesome as well, but I like summer. Beaches, swimsuits, swimming, it's all really cool!" With an embarrassed face, America carefully pushes the glass far enough away from him so that it now crosses onto Lithuania's side of the table. Lithuania kicks himself under the table so as not to burst out laughing.

"Swimsuits? I... I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be seen dead in a swimsuit of yours, America." Lithuania shudders as he recalls some of the advertising he sees of the swimsuits these days. He much prefers the models of the older times--nothing but skin. Lithuania's mind is then instantly filled with thoughts of a naked America. Grabbing hold of the glass, he holds it in front of his face to block out the immense shade of red infiltrating his cheeks.

"N-not that I'm criticizing you or anything! I think that your... fashion taste is really interesting," he corrects himself hastily, taking a sip of the drink. Eugh, God, what the hell was in that drink? He moves his tongue around in his mouth, hoping to wash some of it off with saliva. Gingerly putting the glass down, he grimaces while trying to mask his disgust. Rum is definitely something he'll stay away from in the future.

Seeing Lithuania's reaction, America guffaws loudly. Lithuania continuously becomes redder as heads begin to turn their way, and his body seems to stiffen up to the point where he can't move anymore. This is definitely the most embarrassing five minutes of his life.

"It's Poland's fault," he blurts out, still blushing. "H-he left a few minutes ago and he thought it would be funny to send you a drink on me."

America blinks, then laughs again. "Hey, isn't he the guy that brought kittens to the last meeting? Like, the one with all the pink lace and... stuff."

Lithuania nods, his mouth curving into a smile at the memory of England's face being attacked by a furball. "Yes, that was him."

"Like, ask him out."

Lithuania whips around in his seat, half-angry and half-surprised that Poland hadn't run away. To his surprise, he sees no one there. Paling, he does a double-take. Is he finally going mad? Turning back around slowly, he sees America playing with the cuff links on his striped suits. Biting his lip, Lithuania writes it off as a temporary hallucination of madness.

That is, until he sees Poland at the table next to his, sitting at an angle that is positioned so that only Lithuania can see him.

Poland waves with a wink.

Lithuania feels his heart drop down seven levels of Hell.

America frowns. "Ew, I think I got some Mint Julep on my suit."

"Mint Julep?" Lithuania asks, trying his best to ignore his best friend's flailing in the corner of his eye.

America's eyes widen. "...You don't know what Mint Julep is? Everyone knows what a Mint Julep is! It's like, the most awesome drink in the world!" he then proceeds to explain in detail what the most awesome part of Mint Juleps is, and Lithuania would really have liked to pay attention but Poland is moving to the seat right behind him and he's having a small panic attack.

"Like, Jesus Christ Liet, stop being so stiff. No wonder you haven't gotten laid in a century."

Lithuania jumps at the sudden whisper, trying not to turn his head. Poland has somehow managed to acquire a Cloche hat, successfully masking a good part of his face. He sits directly behind Lithuania, wearing a smirk so big it's making the bartender slightly disturbed.

"I hate you." Lithuania whispers back. America pauses in his starry-eyed explanation to stare quizzically at him. Lithuania coughs into his fist and laughs nervously.

"Anyways, so I was saying like, 'Well you have big eyebrows', and he was all like..."

Lithuania gives a swift kick backwards, earning an annoyed grumble out of Poland. "What the hell have you done?" he hisses, trying to keep his facial expression.

"I'm like, just totally helping you out! Poland's voice sounds much too happy for Lithuania's liking.

"...but he was all 'Noo' and I was all 'Yeeees' and then he flipped a table and was like..."

"You do realize that you are ruining my entire life?"

"...and then he took out these things that looked like little mints and threw them at me! Can you believe that? So I was all 'Oh no you didn't' and..."

"Oh my god, I like, totally wish I could see your face right now.

"...then there was an elephant! And it was all like, 'Wooo I'm an elephant!' and we were all 'Woah it's an elephant!' and that was the end of it."

Realizing that he finished, Lithuania hurriedly smiles at America. "That sounds like a lot of fun."

America beams, "Oh yeah, it totally was." Lithuania can only keep smiling cluelessly.

"Oh hey! Do you want to play a game?" America's smile seems to be getting bigger every minute.

"A-a game?" Lithuania falters, and he swears he can hear Poland cackling lightly in the background.

"Yeah, it's super fun! It's like, really awesome and stuff. Prussia taught me once, but I don't play it often because I usually end up in funny places like the zoo or on a willow tree when I wake up!" America's eyes glitter like a three-year old.

Lithuania opens his mouth to reply but shut it close immediately after he receives a swift kick to his ankles. "I-I don't know," he smiles painfully, "I'm not very good at games."

"So?" America grins, "That's okay, it's your first time! I remember when I first played it, I ended up puking all over France!"

"Ah. Ha ha ha." laughs Lithuania nervously for what seems like the millionth time. "That... that doesn't sound like a very fun game, America."

America pouts as Poland kicks him again. "No, I swear it's super fun! It's like, we're secret agents, and then we have to go to all the speakeasies we can and drink something from every single one to save the world!" he nods vigorously as Poland happily continues to kick Lithuania.

"A-ah." Lithuania nods weakly, mourning his injuries. "I'm sorry, but--"

"Please?" America pouts again and gives Lithuania the biggest, bluest puppy dog eyes he's ever seen. "It'll be really, really fun!"

Lithuania tears his gaze away from those eyes and reaches down subtly to rub his ankles. "I... Alright."

America beams.

"Oooh, someone's getting lucky tonight!"

"Shut up, Poland.

---

The first one they go to is called Jack Delaney's. Lithuania is trying to block out all of the thoughts in his mind as he stares up at the big sign. He tries to ignore how his shoulder is about five centimetres from America's. He tries to ignore Poland, who is standing quite suspiciously down the road, half-hidden by a lamp post. He tries to ignore that it is really cold outside and America seems to be totally unaware of it, though to his credit his jacket is far warmer than Lithuania's.

There's a small knock that comes from inside, making Lithuania jump. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Poland advance into hearing range. Confusedly, Lithuania looks up at America, who seems perfectly at ease.

"I'd like to speak to Miss Hepburn, please." America smiles, a glint in his eyes. Lithuania is still utterly lost. Aren't they supposed to be bar-hopping? To save the world, or something like that?

Suddenly, the door opens to show a smiling young fellow. America winks at him jovially and then marches right in, leaving Lithuania no choice but to thank the young lad (for whatever reason, he doesn't know) and hurry right after the blond.

"What was that?" he asks as they walk into the speakeasy. He notices that it isn't all that different from the past one, just new faces and new music.

"It's a password," America seems a little surprised that Lithuania doesn't know. "Speakeasies are very elite, you know. Cool, huh? I know every password to every speakeasy." He winks.

"A-ah." Lithuania averts his gaze while blushing, remembering briefly about something Poland had said before they had entered the speakeasy before. Speaking of which... he tosses a casual glance over his shoulder and is slightly depressed to see that Poland is waving again.

"Hey, turn that frown upside down!" America drags Lithuania up to the bar, grinning. "We're here to save the world, remember?"

"Wait, you never did explain to me how bar-hopping encouraged saving the world." Lithuania raises an eyebrow at America's last sentence. Is this another part of the nation's 'hero fantasy'?

America looks puzzled for all of two seconds before his normal sunny disposition comes back. "Don't talk, just drink!" he pats Lithuania on the back roughly and smiles at the bartender, "Two Mint Juleps, please!"

Lithuania watches in awe as the bartender gets to work, politely ignoring America's chatter to watch the skilled hands of the expert. It's when America is talking about elephants again that the Mint Juleps are finally done, and Lithuania is afraid that America's enthusiasm is contagious because he's never been so excited for a drink in his life.

"Cheers, Lithuania!" America is drinking the cocktail before Lithuania can even respond.

"...Cheers, America." Lithuania smiles shyly before taking a small sip.

Oh. Oh.

He could get used to this.

"The lucky number is seventeen!"

Wink, grin, nudge, laugh.

"Is Miss Catherine available for tea?"

More laughing, more grinning, lots of winking.

"Oh, Edward, you shouldn't have!"

America is saying something stupid and Lithuania's hair is all mussed up. Where is his hat?

"Panties? What panties?"

If Lithuania were still sober, he would begin doubting the passwords' sanity by now. Nevertheless, America keeps on laughing. He tries to ignore that Poland by now has shed most of his clothing.

"THAT'S NOT HOW THEY DO IT BACK HOME~!"

"Hey, you look familiar..." America stares questioningly at the woman.

"America, that's a poster." Lithuania laughs, dragging the half-drunken man into the bar.

"I knew it!" cries America as the boy holding the door sighs.

"My dear Stephanie... that is not how it's done."

"Pssst. Psssssst."

There's something heavy hitting him and Lithuania can't be bothered to open his eyelids.

"PSSSSST." Poland slams his fist onto his friend's back, successfully waking him up a little.

"...What?" Lithuania blearily looks up from his catnap at the bar of something-or-other. He can't really remember anymore. When did Poland get a fedora?

"So like, where's butthead?" Poland's eyes are slightly unfocussed. Or maybe that's Lithuania's fault because he's started to shake around like a leaf in a hurricane. Oh God. Oh my god what am I doing I'm at a bar with America and this is our fifth... sixth... I don't even know anymore oh you stupid, stupid fool.

Lithuania hurriedly chugs the rest of his alcohol down to keep calm. It's a good feeling. "He's..." he struggles to remember, "at the bathroom. Yes. Bathroom. Peeing."

"Okay, like, perfect." Poland's words are slightly slurred as he pulls Lithuania up to whisper into his ear. "So like, here's what you're gonna do..."

Lithuania's eyes continually widen as Poland progresses, and at the end of it he's gone dead pale. "No. No I won't. It will be bad and I will--"

"Oh, shut it." Poland forces his own glass to Lithuania's mouth and makes him drink it all. Smirking when Lithuania's done, he waves and prances off, leaving Lithuania blinking happily.

"Yo!" America slumps into the seat next to Lithuania's happily. "So I was totally going for a pee, right? And then there was this guy who was all like..."

Lithuania hasn't drunken enough to be hallucinating, but he swears to god that America is glowing. Maybe it's the alcohol, but he's never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. It was now or never, and he'd really prefer it to be now.

"so then I caught up to him and said--"

"Let's play another game." Lithuania butts in, smiling.

"...Another game?" America looks like a lost little puppy.

"Y-yeah. 's little like your game but a lot more fun. Come on." Lithuania stumbles out of his chair and subsequently a hand comes from behind him and pushes him right on to America. Lithuania doesn't have the brain to yell at Poland, but oh shit he's awfully close to America and--

"Hi." America mumbles, smiling goofily.

"Hi." Lithuania laughs.

"Is this the game?" America looks confused. "'Cause it's sort of weird."

Lithuania goes red and stands back up again, gripping the bar to keep steady. "No. No no no. Come with me to play the ah, real game America."

America whoops and they have to support each other for a few seconds as America throws a bunch of bills on the table. Then, like one very rusty old machine, they slowly stagger their way to the exit.

"Where're we goin'?" whines America as he tries to make his feet work.

"Soon," promises Lithuania, who didn't hear the original question and doesn't really care at the moment. He veers off course to go to a specially marked Authorized Personnel Only door, where a woman is standing there with a deep frown.

"Look, kids. This is authorized personnel only, which means that you two jenkins--"

"In my pants." Lithuania blurts out, maybe a little louder than he'd meant to.

"OHO!" cackles America.

The woman looks at him, sighs, and opens the door. "I hate my job."

It takes the two twenty minutes to get up the three-metre long staircase.

"I'VE FOUND ATLANTIS!" cries America as he flings himself against the last door, falling with a thunk on the roof of The Dizzy Club. Lithuania follows soon after, tripping over America's feet and falling face-down a few centimetres away from the other.

"Damn the Polish." he groans. Oh, this is going to burn in the morning.

"Woah! Hey! Buddy, look!"

Lithuania tries not to cry as he shuffles onto his back, cringing. America seems to be delighted that they are so close to each other. Lithuania wishes he had another drink in his hands.

"Look! It's like, the stars man! All the stars in the city!"

Lithuania looks up at where America's finger is pointing and blinks. A million stars wink back at him, shimmering in the cold air of the night. "Wow." he breaths, entranced.

"Yeah." murmurs America. "Awesome."

They lie there, staring up at the stars in silence for an eternity, until Lithuania's beginning to feel the headache and the sun's starting to push the darkness away.

"America?" he whispers, having shuffled even closer for warmth earlier.

"Mm?" America sounds half-asleep.

"Would you like to... you know... play this game another time? Again? With me?" It's the ultimate moment of his life. Lithuania feels his heart about to burst as he keeps staring straight up into the sky. He bites his lip.

"Okay."

Lithuania blinks. "What?"

"Yeah, sure. Okay." America grins at him. "This was really fun, y'know? Stars and stuff. Although we might be late for the meeting today." he frowns, "Because I am not getting up until I sleep off this headache."

Lithuania bursts out laughing, clutching his gut. This... this was America. This was the America that he's always wanted, the one he's always loved. He laughed again.

"Y'know..." America interrupts him, grinning goofily. "You should laugh more. It's really pretty."

"Pretty?" Lithuania wonders briefly if the red on his cheeks match the colour of the sky.

America hums in agreement. "Like the sunrise now, except differently. Pretty."

Lithuania laughs again softly, putting his arms over his eyes. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when... yeah."

"Yeah." America sounds a little sleepy himself. "Good morning, Lithuania."

"Good morning, America."

Maybe... Lithuania thinks just as he's about to drift asleep, maybe this was one game he could afford to lose.