Looking back, Arthur should've known that the text from Detective Héderváry didn't have anything to do with the case. It was a Saturday, and all it presented was a city address and a: be there!

But, in his own foolishness he supposed it was an investigation of some sort and left.

To be frank, it was quite the surprise to open the door to the very fancy apartment and see a bunch of female eyes fall on him.

Detective Héderváry and another woman stood up simultaneously and rushed over to him.

"Arthur, you came!" Detective Héderváry's smile was brief but held thanks.

"I did," He answered, pausing. "Um, what, exactly, am I doing here?"

The other woman stepped forward. She had a pretty round face and friendly green eyes. "Hello, I'm Belle," She indicated at the room. "This is my apartment."

Arthur looked around. Not only was it large, but it was in the city and very fancily furnished. "This is very nice," He told her, nodding at the main room.

"Oh, thanks. I'm a journalist," Belle nodded at him as if that explained everything, Arthur didn't pry further.

Detective Héderváry bit at her thumbnail, eyeing Arthur. "This is a party Belle's hosting for me," Her tone was explanatory, if not a little bored. "You won't be the only male for long."

Arthur thought of Alfred, and his notion that Detective Héderváry was somewhat of a best friend. He guessed that inviting him here had only proved his point. Arthur sighed, turning to Belle again. "What's the party for?"

"To celebrate Roderich and Liza, of course." She smiled, and Arthur knew if she had a glass she would be raising it towards Detective Héderváry. "I'm hosting it as a loyal bridesmaid,"

"Is Roderich coming?" Arthur asked.

Belle adjusted a bow in her hair. "No, this is more something for Liza."

Arthur looked between the two woman. "This is not a bachelorette party."

Belle burst into a hearty laugh. "No, no. We're too modern for that. This is more like a brunch, there's only a few male strippers."

Arthur's must've looked suddenly panicked, because Detective Héderváry shook her head at her friend. "She's kidding, she's kidding." Her voice almost had a sigh in it, as if she was as annoyed as Arthur was about the fact this could even be thought of as a "bachelorette party".

Right at that moment someone burst through Belle's door. "I'm here, everyone." Came a casual voice from behind Arthur, he turned to find Lovino Vargas standing with his arms crossed over his chest. The apartment went quiet, and Lovino was suddenly surrounded with woman hugging him in excitement. Belle stayed next to Arthur with Detective Héderváry, an amused smile on her face. When Lovino had some room to walk, he scrambled towards them, smiling with raised eyebrows.

"Belle, you are looking lovely, as always," Lovino was hugged tightly by Belle, then kissed on each cheek, he smiled at her in a slight manner that was almost flirtatious. Arthur was surprised at the typically grumpy man's charisma, he wondered why Lovino hadn't acted like this with Detective Héderváry.

"How is Antonio?" Belle asked, clutching one of Lovino's hands in both of her own, everything between them seemed so old-fashioned. Actually, everything about Belle seemed so old-fashioned. Her short hair was curled and looked fancier than it was, and the dress she was wearing reminded Arthur of a stereotypical fifties housewife, it was a mint green dress with a white collar and white roses printed on it. Belle was also wearing pearls, pearl earrings, pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, and her simple heels were a dark green color.

Lovino looked taken aback by her question, and Arthur barely noticed his smile falter. "He's doing well,"

Belle nodded gratefully. "It's been so long," Lovino nodded in agreement.

Detective Héderváry leaned towards Arthur. "Belle and Toni used to date," She whispered. "Our little Italian is in denial about it." Lovino looked over as if he knew he was being discussed, Belle and him stepped towards the two Detectives.

"Roderich hasn't backed out yet?" Lovino raised an eyebrow at Detective Héderváry and Belle giggled, clapping a hand over her mouth to refrain from making a scene.

Héderváry seemed to eye Lovino with weariness for a moment. "No. What about Antonio?"

Belle looked curious at Detective Héderváry's suddenly defensive tone, but Arthur's partner soon smiled fondly and mockingly at Lovino, who looked suddenly shy.

"Who wants drinks? Liza?" Belle asked, and she practically dragged her away from Lovino and Arthur.

Lovino shook his head, looking at the ground.

"How are you?" Arthur said.

"Now that I'm here?" Lovino sent him a glare that showed his sentiments. "Feeling like a prop,"

"Prop?" Arthur repeated, wishing he had a drink or something to bother his hands.

"I'm their gay friend, if you will," Lovino rolled his eyes. "Even though I'm not even comple- whatever. By the looks of it you're here for the same reason,"

Arthur raised his eyebrows, not replying. Lovino looked over him and continued. "Yep, you absolutely are."

Arthur felt suddenly out of place. Lovino was known here, as much of a "prop" he was. Arthur knew about two people at this party, only one of them at all well. He found himself wishing Alfred was in this situation with him, as he could've handled it exceptionally if anyone.

Belle and Detective Héderváry returned, two other women trailing behind them, one of which Arthur recognized from work. Lili, the officer with a tiny frame and voice. The other was a dark skinned woman with pigtails and a pretty smile.

"What's up?" Detective Héderváry said casually, holding a glass of champagne out to Arthur while Belle handed one to Lovino who immediately drank a large portion of it.

"We were just discussing if we're being used for our apparent sexualities," Arthur said wryly, taking a sip of champagne, which was surprisingly good quality.

Lovino coughed from where he was standing, and Detective Héderváry raised her eyebrows at him. "Huh, that's interesting."

Belle was biting her lip, deciding it was the right moment to butt in. "Um, Arthur, this is Lili and Sara, they're bridesmaids."

"Hello," Arthur greeted, out of the corner of his eye he saw Lovino acknowledge the girls with a nod.

"Arthur works with Liza," Belle said in a desperate attempt to save the moment. "You might know him, Lili."

Lili nodded. "I do," She paused. "Aren't you a Detective with her?"

Both Arthur and Detective Héderváry nodded.

"That sounds fun!" Sara said, smiling in a falsely interested way.

"They're working on a case together," Lili explained, looking at Arthur's partner for clarification.

"How is that going?" Belle asked, back to her sociable attitude, proud she had started up a conversation.

"Oh, we're..." Arthur trailed off, finishing his glass of champagne and looking at Detective Héderváry with a puzzled expression. She also looked uncertain.

"How is it going?" Detective Héderváry laughed lightly, though there was an edge to it that Arthur barely picked up.

Arthur didn't know if it was the awkward environment or the glass of champagne that drove him to speak, but he smirked and said "It's actually going pretty fucking terribly, if you ask me."

Detective Héderváry's eyes widened at the blunt answer, and she pursed her lips, looking away from the group. Arthur could tell she was slightly displeased.

Lovino ran a hand through his hair, sighing. No one said anything.

After a few moments of silence, Sara was the one to speak up. "So, other than Liz, how's everyone faring on the dating spectrum?" The subject change was strange and not the best, but it did it's job and changed the mood.

Belle laughed breathily. "Work is my one true love, dear," No one replied to this so she continued. "Work and food, waffles, preferably."

This brought forth scattered laughter, Lovino was watching Belle with a certain hesitance.

Sara smiled. "I'm hoping to find a cute groomsman," She nudged Detective Héderváry, who had finished her champagne and was now standing with her arms crossed, not quite listening to the group.

"Oh?" Arthur's partner said, blinking to get out of her daze. "Well, I can't make promises on their attractiveness, they're mainly Roderich's friends."

"Well, Roderich's friends can't be that bad looking," Sara wiggled her eyebrows at Detective Héderváry, who let out a small giggle.

"Speaking of which," Lili announced. "Vash was wondering if he could come to the wedding,"

Detective Héderváry knit her eyebrows, opened her mouth, then closed it, then repeated this process about three more times before speaking. "You- You're brother...wants to come to our wedding?" She sounded absolutely confused.

Lili appeared bashful. "Well, yeah. As much as he hates Roderich...Well, he likes events like this, and with me being a bridesmaid and all-"

"Of course he can come," Detective Héderváry said, and there was a thoughtful pause as if she was checking something off a mental list. "You shouldn't have even asked...Actually, thanks for asking, who knows the drama that would've happened if he showed up unannounced."

"What about you, Arthur. You have a man in your life?" Belle's tone was amiable, but Arthur couldn't help but send her an annoyed glare, the way she said it bugged him, like he was different. She simply smiled in return.

Arthur was immediately taken aback, to the kiss that was amazingly enough still fresh in his mind. "Well, I-it's..."

Detective Héderváry must've noticed him struggling, so she interrupted him. "He's actually bringing someone to the wedding," Arthur's partner reached over and squeezed his shoulder, clearly her annoyance about the case forgotten. "Though what that means for Kirkland, I'm not sure of."

Belle, thankfully, was satisfied with this answer and nodded in understanding. "I look forward to meeting him,"

Arthur smiled, but he was certain everyone knew it was false. Belle was as kind as she could be, but Arthur couldn't help that he felt slightly off about her.

Sara suddenly clapped her hands together, causing Arthur to jump ever so slightly. "Lovino?" She asked, her smile wicked. The man stiffened next to Arthur.

"Nope," Lovino hissed, his charm from speaking to the women earlier gone. "This is a stupid question and if you make me answer it I'm leaving and moving back to Italy,"

Most of the group smiled at this, since it was entirely typical and expected he wouldn't answer among the women, but Belle was watching Lovino with curiosity. It was clear she wanted to know about his "romantic life", but surprisingly she didn't make a remark.

Instead, she turned to Detective Héderváry and exclaimed "Liz! I'm so excited for you!" She suddenly pulled the other into a hug and Arthur's partner returned it hesitantly. "Also, god bless you, you're bridesmaid dresses aren't awful. I can wear it again!"

The girls laughed in understanding at that, and Arthur and Lovino glanced at each other in mutual alienation.

Detective Héderváry was released by Belle, smiling shyly. Arthur released she was feeling as out of place as he was.

She had said it herself a while ago, weddings weren't her kind of thing. Now it was more apparent than ever. Belle seemed far more enthusiastic than Arthur had ever seen his partner about this event. In fact, her enthusiasm might've been psyching out Arthur's partner more.

He felt a pang of sympathy while realizing just how nervous Detective Héderváry was.

"So, I have cheese, crackers, and Pinot Noir. Any interest?" Belle addressed the entire apartment, walking over to the granite island in her large kitchen. A few people followed her, including Sara and Lili, leaving Arthur with Lovino and Detective Héderváry.

After a few silent moments passed, Lovino sighed. "I'm sorry about your guys' case," It was clear this comment had more weight than it appeared, and Arthur could tell Lovino felt he was at least partially responsible for the standstill they were at.

Detective Héderváry shook her head. "I don't want to think about that now, let's at least get the wedding over with first,"

"It snuck up on you," Lovino remarked wryly.

"I suppose the event is catching up with you?" Arthur broke in.

Detective Héderváry nodded. "It's looming, you know I have problems with stuff like this," She affirmed, laughing slightly. Arthur abruptly realized he wasn't here as a prop because of something stupid like his sexuality, he was here as emotional support for the stress of this wedding. So was Lovino.

Damn. Alfred was right. His colleague was his fucking best friend.

Detective Héderváry looked towards Belle, who was pouring wine for herself.

"Belle, you don't have any beer, do you?" Detective Héderváry called out to her bridesmaid. Belle put down the wine bottle, shooting Arthur's partner a shocked expression.

Arthur saw Lovino clench his jaw to keep from smiling.

"U-um. I think I might? Let me go check, I don't drink it much." Belle conceded, walking towards the door to another room, her heels clicking all of the way.

Detective Héderváry grabbed both Arthur and Lovino by the collars of their shirts, putting an arm around both their shoulders. "Let's go to a wedding, boys," Her voice was soft and slightly shaky, but her grin was wide as she released the men.

In that moment, it was almost as if she belonged more with the two of them then the bridesmaids with wedding fever.

Woo. I posted.

I'm sorry it's taken so long. Whoops. Where does time even go?

Okay, so I know I've been saying this forever but this is the final chapter that sets up shit going down. The wedding is next! That shouldn't take too long, as I'm excited to write that chapter. (It's going to be two parts! Two. Fucking. Parts. YAY!)

This chapter drained me, honestly I just wasn't feeling it. I'm still not.

But hey! I got nominated for the Hetalia Fanfiction Awards! Which is totally unexpected and awesome! So yeah, that's pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone who nominated and may vote for me in the future, it means so much to me and is what really fuels this story.

Review/Follow/Favorite

Sorry for the shitty chapter. Just remember, better ones are to come ;).

We have some other characters showing up soon!

Also in case you didn't know Belle is Belgium, Sara is Seychelles, and Lili is Liechtenstein.