A/N This story is what happens when you listen to 'Wicked' too many times and then images start playing in your head. Particularly a certain song called 'Popular'. Which in-fact inspired this little fic, it has also burned the image of Romano dancing and singing this little ditty to America, all the while who is not only confused but is also enjoying the show. So...yeah...Expect some lines from the song popping up here and there. And don't worry I'm still working on "7th Time's the Charm" But I might be taking a break from writing to get some stuff out of the way, like college and all that fun stuff, but enjoy this little distraction while you wait.

Hetalia is owned by Hidekaz Himaruya, if I did own Hetalia, it would probably be more fucked up than it already is.

Chapter 1: So Let's Start! Because You've Got A Long Way To Go

Romano walked along the sidewalk looking at his watch, what a day for his car to break down. Not only was he going to have to pay for all the repairs but he was going to be late for the world meeting and worst of all, he was going to ruin his new shoes. He just got them yesterday and they were most definitely not made for walking. Well, at least this far. He only had one more block to go anyway, he could do it. He turned a corner to try and cross the road but the light went from green to red, allowing the cars to go by but the pedestrians stayed put.

"Fuck." Romano said out loud. He leaned against the pole, put his case down and lifted his foot off the ground. He could already feel the blisters beginning to hurt the balls of his feet. 'Damn car, damn meetings, damn shoes,' he thought to himself, looking out into the light ahead that was still red. He sighed; this was just a bad day for him.

"Hey! You're Romano right?" A voice asked him. Romano glanced to see a tall blonde with glasses. He smiled at him holding a hamburger in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Romano rolled his eyes, of all people to meet, why did it have to be America?

Romano mumbled a hello to him, hoping that if he ignored him he would just leave him alone. America just shrugged and turned away from him, opening the burger from his wrapper and began eating it. Romano cringed at the sight of America eating that thing he dares to call food. His eyes began to wander a little, more specifically to what America threw on and called an outfit.

Romano just examined his clothing. Never in his life had he seen someone with absolutely no sense in fashion of any kind. Didn't England teach him anything? Wasn't he also raised by France? Shouldn't he have done something? Regardless he just stared at America's oddly-coloured tie, his wrinkled dress shirt, and his obviously unfitting suit. He debated whether or not to say anything.

He didn't know America too well, how would he react if he just up and told him he looked horrible? People don't tend to like it when you just go up and say 'you look like you got dressed in the dark.' On the other hand he couldn't let America just walk around looking like that. It would disgust him that he was heading to the same meeting as him or even standing next to someone who had no idea what he was wearing.

He continued to watch as America chomped on disgusting hamburger, some of the grease dripped from his lip and on to the suit. America wiped the grease from his mouth and took a quick glance at Romano; he smiled at him before looking back at the light, waiting for it to turn green. Romano sighed and shook his head. America was a lost cause, what was he thinking? Trying to help America would be like trying to put a dress on a bear or something more dangerous, which would be so stupid to even try. Hell he thought himself to be a moron for even thinking it.

'Isn't that damn light ever going to change? Ah fuck it, there aren't any cars.'

Romano thought to himself before stepping onto the road to cross, even though the light was still red, with no cars for miles, he thought he could make it. Besides, as long as he got away from America and got to the meeting faster, the faster he could leave it and go home. He didn't care for America calling him nor did he notice the red car heading his way. He did however hear a honking noise; he turned to the sound and realized the car coming closer to him. He just stood there frozen to the spot. He wanted to run so badly but his legs were like lead, melded to the ground, he could feel his body tremble and the world slow down as the car didn't stop.

Every fiber of his being was telling him to move but didn't have the strength in him to do so, waiting for the car to hit him. He saw flashes from his life. He saw his idiot brother running up to hug him, that bastard Spain trying to teach him Spanish, Belgium's smiling face, for some reason he saw Germany for a split second and Grandpa Rome waving goodbye before going off to war again. He braced himself for the impact of the car, instead he felt another body push and collide with his, arms wrapped around him shielding him as they hit the ground. Romano's head was throbbing; he could feel the other body holding him, his face against the body. He didn't care to look at the face but let himself cling to the body for dear life.

"OH MY GOD!"

"Did you see that?"

"Is he alright?"

"Did you see that guy just jump out and save him!" Romano could hear a mixture of people screaming and shouting, but the heavy breathing of the man who saved him and his own heart racing rang in his ears the most. He felt weak and knew he didn't have the strength to get up. He let his savior pick him up slightly, but he still didn't look to see the face of the man who saved him. He did feel however, eternally grateful.

"Oh God! Is he okay? I'm so sorry!" A man yelled.

"He's fine, just in shock." Romano's savior said (who sounded oddly familiar). "Man, he's lucky I got him out of the way, I wonder what he was thinking walking out like that without looking and with a red light!" Romano was lifted off the ground in bridal style, by instinct, he let his arms wrap around the neck of his savior, who continued to talk to the other man.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Oh God, your bleeding!" the other man said.

"Oh, it's nothing, just a scrape, I'll be fine." Romano was carried away by his savior, not once did he move. Replaying the image of the car heading his way, almost hitting him. He couldn't believe it, how could he have been so stupid to do something like that? He should have waited; he should have stomached America and stayed put. Instead of trying to be in a hurry. Then again, he couldn't believe that someone had risked their own life to rescue him. He could kiss the man who saved him...No that was just the adrenaline from almost getting killed talking.

Romano was put down on a bench to sit and rest. He watched the ground to try and get his thoughts straight. A hand placed itself on his shoulder and a familiar voice tried to talk to him.

"Romano. Can you hear me?" The voice asked. Romano's vision cleared and looked up to the face of America. He looked concerned; the left side of his head was bleeding, and his hair a mess. "Romano? Is everything alright?" America asked again. Romano's throat was dry and he could barely breathe. America saved him? America. How? Why?

"Y-You...s-s-saved me?" Romano managed to stutter out. America smiled when he realized Romano was going to be okay. Well, as far as he knew. Romano was internally trying to comprehend that he was just saved by America, one of the most selfish, conceited, and just all around jerkiest nations in the entire world.

"Of course I did! That's what heroes do! They save people!" America answered with confidence, giving him a heroic smile. "But man that was dumb of you to do. I mean, no offense Romano, but three-year-olds know red means stop, or is that not how it works back at your place?" Romano said nothing. He just couldn't get past the fact that America saved him. He knew America liked to call himself the hero, but like everyone else he just thought it was his ego talking.

America wiped some of the blood from his own head and laughed. "Well, at least you're okay." Romano looked at him when he said that. Finally taking notice that America was more banged up then him. His head was bleeding, his sleeve was torn off, and looked like he had some bruising. However he kept smiling like he didn't know how badly he was hurt.

"Look at yourself bastard! You're bleeding! We have to get you to a hospital!" Romano yelled at him, only to get another laugh in response.

"I'm fine Romano, just a scrape. Nothing a shower and bandage can't fix." America said, making Romano blush.

"Bullshit! Just look at yourself! Your crappy suit is torn, you're leaking from your head, and you call that a scrape?" Romano yelled at him. How could one person be so dense to their own injuries? America laughed once again and took out a Kleenex from his pocket and held it to his head so the blood would stop.

"See! I'm okay." America smiled.

"But your suit...and your head...You can't go..."

"Romano!" America said sternly, putting a free hand on his shoulder again. America leaned down to meet him at eye level. He looked at him with a serious look, like what he was about to say was the most important thing in the world. "I'm going to live; you don't need to worry about me." America smiled and released Romano's shoulder. He stood up straight before speaking again. "It's a little flattering that you're worried about me though." Romano blushed again and looked away from him.

'Idiot'

Romano said internally.

"Oh shit! Where's my...Oh right! Romano, stay here for a moment while I go back and get my papers, left them back at the stop light." With that, America turned away from him and ran back to get the things he had forgotten. Romano watched him run the other direction with thoughts filled with ways he had to thank America. Never in his life had he been so glad to be saved, especially by someone like America. Yes Spain had come to his rescue before, but that was Spain, he always acted like his overprotective and perverted brother, but America barely knew him and almost killed himself saving him, so it was different. He had to thank him somehow.

He couldn't just say 'Hey thanks for saving my life! Now let me just go on my merry way, never to speak to you again.' He had to do something for America, but what could he do? Maybe he could take him out to dinner! No, too cliché. Maybe he could help America with something. Yeah, that didn't seem like a bad idea. He could buy him something; he could do something for him. Or maybe he could make him something. Then again what would America want? What could America possibly need that he didn't already have? What could he do for America?

"Got 'em! Alright, let's get going!" America announced with both his and Romano's briefcases in one arm. "Man I'm lucky I did, the police were there and they sto..." Romano stopped listening to him and focused all his attention to America's suit. That was it. That's how he would thank him. America had the worst sense of fashion he had ever seen. Well, not THE worst, but bad enough for him to fix. America could stand a new suit, some new shoes, maybe he could show him how to fix his hair. He could take him out and buy all types of new clothes for him, because if anyone needs a makeover, it was America.

"...So I told the officer that you were fine and that I'm not going to sue the guy, considering it was all an accident, so he said that...Romano? Are you listening?" America asked him, tapping his head.

"Huh? What?" Romano said, snapping out of his musings.

"Never mind. Let's get going, we're late as it is and now I'll never hear the end of it from England." America gave Romano his briefcase, put his own under his arm, so he could grab his hand and drag him along for another block. All the while Romano tried talking to America about how to thank him. He couldn't find the voice because of how forceful he was, yeah, that had to change. Maybe he could teach America to be less pushy, a lot more aware of his surroundings, to read the GODDAMN atmosphere, and…oh he had his work cut out for him, but first he needed America to be okay with it.

"Here we are!" America announced, still holding Romano's hand. They both pushed through the double doors and walked their way to the meeting room. America ignored the staff giving him weird looks, but Romano didn't. It was less about holding hands with another man, but more about how America looked. America held the Kleenex to his head to keep the blood from flowing anymore, he didn't bother to fix his tie, his sleeve from his suit was about to come off, and yeah, holding his hand like a lost child didn't help either, but that was the least of his worries.

Though the Italian nation found himself amazed how America could ignore all the stares and whisper of the staff as they walked down the halls hand in hand. America just walked down the halls like nothing was wrong, like he was completely fine. Romano on the other hand found himself shielding his face in embarrassment.

'America must be very brave or really stupid.'

Romano couldn't help but think. Not that it mattered as they were now about to enter the world meeting at least 20 minutes late. America let go of Romano's hand to open the doors with a smile on his face.

"I'm here! Sorry we're late, but Romano here almost got himself killed, so I had to jump in and rescue him like the hero I am. So no worries!" America announced as he entered the room, Romano meanwhile stood there, blushing and frozen in fear as almost 300 pairs of eyes looked at them. They all jumped at the very sight of America.

"Oh My God! What happened to you!"

"Did Romano beat you up or something?"

"What happened to you head?"

"America are you alright?"

England, France, and a few other nations ran to go check on America, while Spain and Veneziano went to go hug Romano.

"Roma! Are you alright? Did that jackass America hurt you?" Spain asked him trying to hug Romano but was kept at a distance by him.

"No you idiot. I'm fine." Romano answered him. He looked over to see America fighting with England about his injuries, while France was yelling at him about his torn suit. Romano felt arms wrapping around him tightly and crying into his shoulders. "Veneziano..." he sighed.

AMERICA SAID THAT YOU ALMOST GOT KILLED AND I GOT SCARED! OH THANK GOD YOUR ALRIGHT." His brother cried. Because he tried comforting him, this allowed Spain to hug him as well. Romano was less than pleased by the sudden attention. He glanced over to see that the other nations had gotten America to sit down on a chair while China cleaned his wounds, with America looking both bored and defeated; he gave Romano a quick smile before returning to his previous look.

"Oh my little Roma! I'm just so happy you're okay, I don't know what I would do if you got hurt." Spain cooed.

"Me either! Thank goodness you're alright." Veneziano also added while trying to give his brother a kiss on the cheek.

"Enough! I can't breathe you idiots!" Romano yelled at them. Both of the nations backed away from him, afraid that he would start hitting them. Romano took a few breaths before fixing his hair and straightening his tie. "As you can see I'm perfectly okay, now can we please get on with this…?"

"Sorry, Romano, but I think we might have to call it a day, with America like this I don't think that we can continue. Who knows how much blood he's lost." England said sipping his tea to calm his nerves. Romano exhaled frustrated.

"England, I told you I'm fine." America tried to get up, only for China to push him back down so he could finish the bandaging on his head. "A tiny bit of blood loss isn't going to kill me"

"Yes, but you need that blood to think and lord knows you don't do enough of that." England snarked, earning a few muffled snickers. England blushed then smiled triumphantly at his joke.

"Ha ha." America deadpanned while China finished bandaging on America's head. He patted China on the back as a thank you and went to talk to England.

"Look, if it makes you feel better, why don't I step down for today and let Germany take over the meeting." America said maturely, making everyone in the room wonder if America was suffering from a head injury.

"What? Don't give me that look, isn't that how all these meeting always go. I start, someone says my plan is stupid, then you say something, then France says something, you two get mad and start attacking each other, meanwhile everyone else starts fighting then Germany shuts everyone up and he takes over." America smiled while England looked at him dumbfounded. "I just thought we would skip to that part, so I can get a break and we get this thing over as painless as possible." America stood there, looking like a dog waiting to be told he was a good boy. The room fell silent and everyone looked at America with the same dumbfounded face that was being worn on England's, who had almost dropped his tea on the floor.

"O-Okay America, i-if you really feel that way, but wo-wouldn't you feel better to just go home and rest." England suggested, but America ignored his request, walked to the table to sit between Canada and Japan. He looked to Germany and motioned him to take center stage. Germany coughed before taking his things up to where America was suppose to be and began his speech. While England grunted and went to his own seat.

Romano took his seat next to his brother, who just was so happy that Romano was okay. But Romano had other things on his mind, like how to approach America about his thanks to him. He could wait until after the meeting and wait 'til everyone was gone. Which is what he decided to do, it'd be easier to do that way.

And so the meeting went on, with Germany at the lead and a fight between France and England broke out not an hour later (with America yelling 'Told you!') and the meeting ended for the day until the next day at the same time. Everyone began to pick up their things and leave, but America went to the nearest mirror to check on his bandage that China put on his head. Romano on the other hand waited for everyone to leave before approaching America, who was too busy wondering if it will leave a cool scar on his head. Hw took on last look around and saw no-one else but America and himself, now was his chance.

"Hey America, can I talk to you for a second?" Romano asked him. America didn't look away from the mirror but gave Romano a mumbled yes to know he was listening. "Listen, I never thanked you for...you know..." Romano held his head low and blushed, trying to find the right words to say to him.

"I'm listening." America said, his full attention to his bandaging.

"For...um...Saving my life. So thanks bastard." Romano spouted. America just nodded his head in response.

"No prob, like I said, it's what heroes do."

"But listen, I want to do something for you. Yo-you know to show my...appreciation...for saving my life." Romano's face became redder, somewhat thinking that America would not go for it.

"Like a present? Cool! Never got a present for being an awesome hero before!" America turned his attention from the mirror to Romano, once he heard he was getting an award.

"Yeah, I guess like a present."

"Awesome! So what am I getting?" America bounced slightly in anticipation to hear his reward.

"Well America, I've noticed recently your not exactly the nicest dressed person in the world." Romano put it bluntly, causing America to stop bouncing and just tilt his head to the side.

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean just look at yourself, you're definitely in need of a new suit that's for sure. Your shoes are fine but a new pair wouldn't kill you, and also..."

"Again, what are you talking about?" America asked again.

"I'm talking about giving you a complete makeover!" Romano finally said, America blinked a few times, still not sure what to think. Romano sighed and slapped his hand to his face.

"I'm going to get you a new suit and while we're at it we're going to get you a new haircut, new shoes. You know, a whole new look!"

"Oh! Now I know what you're going for." America smiled as he finally put two and two together. "You're buying me some new clothes right?"

"Something like that." Romano admitted, surprised it took America awhile to figure out what he was going for. "I'm thinking sometime before the meeting we can go out to one of your malls and look for some stuff, then you can make your big entrance and that will be my present for you." Romano stood there, crossing his arms and standing proudly. While America just continued to be confused.

"So, you want me to wake up early just so you can spruce me up for the meeting tomorrow, new clothes and everything, and that's going to be my big reward?" Romano nodded to everything America said, but took notice to the disbelief in his voice. He waited a few seconds before America rubbed his hands together. "Okay then, I could stand some new stuff. Guess it's not the weirdest reward ever."

"So you'll do it then?" Romano perked at America's response, from the sounds of it, he was all for it.

"Yep"

"Fantastic!" Romano almost hugged America for agreeing to it, but instead pulled America out of the meeting room and started talking a mile a minute about all the things they had to do. "First off we need to look what you have for wardrobe, second we need to see if we can do anything about your hair, third we definitely need to talk about your personality, fourth..." America could barely pick up anything Romano said, being pulled along back to his place. Every once in a while Romano would stop to get directions from America, so they could get to where he was staying, which actually wasn't that far from the hotels where most of the other nations were staying, including Romano.

Romano continued to talk and walk as they approached the nice looking apartments where America stayed. America had barely gotten two words in before Romano stopped at the front desk.

"...And then I was thinking that maybe after, if I have enough time, that we could talk about some good..."

"Romano!" America said, shutting him up. "I appreciate what your doing, but I didn't understand a single word you had said." Romano sighed and looked up at America. Hair needed fixing, posture as well, some new glasses maybe, and a whole lot more needed to be done on America that probably couldn't be completed in one day, he probably would need a week or so to complete America's makeover. He knew on thing for sure, America had a long way to go.

A/N You have no idea how many time I've rewritten the "Meeting room" scene, first time everyone leaves, the next time they focus all their attention on America's injuries etc. etc. I've even tried to rewrite the "Romano almost gets runover" scene, but when Coffee-Flavored Fate looked it over, he said that it was fine the way it was, so thanks to him for that!

Also I'm curious why I didn't add a scene with the police checking on Romano and America, but I guess America, being America, showed them who he was and they let him go on his merry way, you know, he bribed them :D *shot* but seriously it would of dragged, but I can imagine they just took his word for it and tried to get America medical attention only for him to just get his stuff and go, like a boss *shot again*, hope you guys liked it cause there is more to come!

Read and Review...or not your choice.