aphnichepairweek

[aphnichepairweek]

🩷 Thank you all who participated in APHNichePairWeek2025!!! :D it was really wonderful sharing this time with you all, and I'm so happy about the wonderful fic and art that everyone made!!!

💛 The collection for 2025 will remain open!

🩵 Thank you, and I'll see you next year!

[aphnichepairweek]

Changes

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 7, 'Fame'!

America is visiting Japan in the middle of summer. The heat isn't the only thing Alfred is struggling with, though, as he has trouble accepting some of the changes that have happened since he last visited…

(Ameripan, Hetalia, rated T, one shot, slice of life, one chapter)

I couldn't think of who to write about for the last day that I hadn't already (a self imposed challenge I made myself stick to), so as a thank you to @aphnichepairweek for putting this week together I decided to write an Ameripan fic (since they mentioned in a post that they liked them)! :)

Honestly this was just an excuse for me to prattle on about Japanese culture and some of the cool buildings/trends/things I've learned about over the years. lol But there's LOTS of things Japan is famous for, so I feel like I actually didn't touch on anything at all... :,) But I felt like America would freak out over some of his fave things he enjoys when he visits Japan being changed, and of course these changes are nothing new to Kiku. Japan is just... like that. Very traditional yet always changing at the same time.

But this week was fun to write for! It motivated me to actually write for characters I don't usually write or do anything for, so it was a very nice break from my current WIPs! I'll have to try to participate in more of these types of events in the future! :)

[aphnichepairweek]

Planting Poppy Seeds

Having ousted the previous pro-Byzantine Doge in 804, Doge Obelerio agreed to recognize Frankish sovereignty over the inheritance of Rome in exchange for protection against Venice's Byzantine overlord. Now, a year later, the Doge goes to the court in Aachen to pay homage and take a Frankish bride.

Caught in the tension, Venice meets the self proclaimed Empire.

For @aphnichepairweek

[aphnichepairweek]

(Too Much) Brotherly Love

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 6, using the prompt 'Space'!

Belgium is waiting for Spain to arrive for their date. But when her brothers show up unannounced instead, what is she supposed to do?!

(SpaBel, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hetalia, rated G on ao3 and K+ on ff.net, one shot, humor, family, siblings, secretly dating, one chapter)

I know the 'space' prompt was probably meant to be interpreted as like, stars and planets space, but for the life of me I couldn't think of anything for that kind of space (or the other prompt 'minerals'), so I played a bit loosey goosey with the prompt and interpreted it as 'give me some space!'. Hope that's okay!

I just think Belgium and Spain are very cute together, especially when they were shown caring for young Romano in the series. I see both of them as being very affectionate and romantic with each other, but Belgium might be a little more hesitant and self conscious to be that way with other people around, especially her brothers. And her brothers! They're brothers to the fullest! lol They care a lot about her but can be a bit oblivious to her feelings and wants, I think. Everyone knows how Netherlands is, but I don't know all that much about Luxembourg, and he hasn't shown up all that much in the series. So I wrote him as a good, hardworking boy as Belgium's noted, but added a tad of mischief to his character. He is the youngest after all! lol

[aphnichepairweek]

and for the final day of @aphnichepairweek, we have turkuzbek in their historical outfits! I was busy the whole week so this sketch will have to do (crying noises)

[aphnichepairweek]

(Party) Animals

Stickerless versions below the cut

[aphnichepairweek]

Where The Buffalo Roam

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 5, using the prompt 'Animals'!

Belarus and America are going on a camping trip together when the sight of something grabs Alfred's attention and makes him pull over, much to Natalya's bewilderment.

(AmeBela, Hetalia, rated T, one shot, humor, feels, emotional hurt/comfort, one chapter)

I randomly found out not too long ago that the national animal of Belarus was the bison, so I already had the idea for this fic saved in my noggin for whenever I got around to writing it. lol So when I saw there was an 'animals' prompt, I knew it was time to write it!

AmeBela just cuts me deep when I think about them. America's cheerful and loud and energetic, while she's gloomy and for the most part calmer and collected (apart from a mean temper). Pretty different personalities that often clash, and that probably annoys Belarus. But emotionally, they both don't let other people get close to them, and they don't open up to people. Not really. They bottle their true feelings up and try not to think about some of the awful stuff them and their countries have done in the past. 'Conceal, don't feel', you know? In other words... They both need SO much therapy. lol

[aphnichepairweek]

Ripples And Ribbons

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 4, using the prompt 'Islands' (but also can apply to Day 3's prompt 'Oceans')!

Bela's warned Moni before not to interact with the humans that visit their mermaid cove. But does she listen? No! Of course not! Her girlfriend is just too damn tempted by the humans and their pretty gifts…

(BelaSey, France, Lithuania, Hetalia, rated T, one shot, fantasy, mermaids, protective girlfriend, one chapter)

I honestly don't know if BelaSey has a niche in the fandom or not... I started shipping them yearssss ago after Seychelles was introduced, when I started writing my long fic WIP and started to really adore her and Bela's interactions together in it! And while I don't find much fan content for them nowadays I do remember seeing some fan art for them back then and reading a few fics for them. They're another pairing that I wish had more love! Icy Belarus and sunny Seychelles... Miss Murder and Miss Sunshine... They're niche to me, anyway, and I love their dynamic together! (Plus this gave me the perfect excuse to write a one shot for the Mermay art I did for them! :D)

[aphnichepairweek]

"... There's something I want to try. I don't know if it'll work, but will you help me?" "If there is anything this decrepit old man can do, I would be happy to."

@aphnichepairweek Day 4: Islands | Magic! Once I realized these prompts perfectly fit England and Japan fighting together in HetaOni, I just had to do something with it ✨️✨️

[aphnichepairweek]

Ice Ice Birdie

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 3, using the prompt 'Birds' (but also can apply to Day 5's prompt 'Weather')!

When Gilbird stubbornly urges Hungary to wake up and Prussia isn't in bed with her, she hurries to see what the little bird is worked up about.

(PruHun, Hetalia, rated T, one shot, hurt/comfort, angst, domestic PruHun, one chapter)

PruHun is my bread and butter, my sweet jam, the blue and raspberry to my candy!! I adore them, I love them, they are the OTP, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!! So of course I had to write a prompt for them for this week. lol

I wrote a fic some time ago where Prussia was taking care of Hungary after she came home bruised from a bar fight, so I figured this time I would write a fic where she takes care of him and Gilbird is VERY IMPORTANT and A HERO.

But seriously, I'm so glad I could write something for PruHun because for me they're peak nostalgia for my earlier Hetalia days. I watched season 4 and that was it. I was done for. They had my heart. And still do. lol You know you love an OTP when you start writing and drawing and looking for fan content of them on the daily. But you have it BAD for the OTP when you buy a T-shirt saying you love them... You put stickers of them on your car... You make them in video games... You have over 60 doujins of them... I'll stop there! (But I'll never stop loving them! <3)

[aphnichepairweek]

Just Like Me, They Long To Be

Fandom: Hetalia (personified) Pairing: Ivan x Kiku (RusPan/PanRus) Content Length: Short (~1200 words)

“Do my ears deceive me, or is my little birdie singing?” Ivan peeked around the corner at his boyfriend, who was lost in his own world as he washed dishes.

“Ahh!” Kiku jumped, dropping dishes into the sink at Ivan’s unexpected presence. When did the door open? Was it nighttime already? Why was Ivan suddenly interrupting his usual dish-scrubbing time?

Ivan chuckled at Kiku’s startled reaction and walked over to make sure nothing had broken—neither the plates nor the delicate skin of his partner.

“Ivan,” Kiku said, a hint of anger in his eyes and a flush across his cheeks. “You’re back early. I didn’t expect you until dinnertime.”

“Mm. Half-day,” he smiled back and placed a kiss on Kiku’s forehead to ease his worries.

“Why?”

“Oh? You’re not happy to see me! I should go back to work then and tell them they’ve made a mistake.” The larger man turned to walk away, but Kiku instinctively grabbed his arm, making sure he wouldn’t stray far.

“That’s unnecessary, Vanya. You’re already home…”

Vanya? He can’t remember the last time he called him by that name. He’s probably pouting right now, Ivan thought. A cheeky grin returned to his face as he looked over his shoulder at Kiku and confirmed his theory. It was almost too easy.

“You don’t want me to go… Is that right?”

Kiku let go of his hand and nodded.

“Well, lucky for you, I don’t want to let you go either.” Ivan turned around and lifted Kiku, sitting him down on the kitchen counter and placing his arms on both sides of him, making sure he couldn’t run away. Startled by the sudden move, Kiku stared at Ivan with wide eyes, his cheeks not showing any sign of losing their vibrant hue.

“W-What are you doing?” Kiku asked, feeling his own breath bounce off Ivan’s face and back at him.

“Waiting for my little birdie to sing again,” Ivan said, tilting his head, locks of hair charmingly flopping to frame his round cheeks.

“I wasn’t singing.”

“You’re being modest, Kiku,” Ivan continued to grin.

Kiku looked past his eyes and at his fluffy hair, hoping he wouldn’t pester him to sing. Not that he had been singing in the first place. Now that Kiku looked at him more closely, it had been a while since Ivan cut his hair. It was getting longer, making it harder to see his cute face. Kiku’s gentle hands combed through Ivan’s hair, testing the weight of his silky strands. It was like raking his fingers through fine sand. If they had been in the sunlight, Kiku might have even thought it would glimmer like fine sand.

Ivan leaned his face into Kiku’s hand, planting soft kisses on it and holding his palm close.

“My little birdie won’t sing for me…” Ivan said quietly to himself.

“Ivan, I don’t like doing it when people around me can hear it.”

Ivan raised his eyebrows, then looked over one shoulder at the empty dining room, then over the other at the dishes in the sink, then back at Kiku. “There’s no one else around.”

Kiku paused for a moment to look into Ivan’s puppy eyes. There he goes again, Kiku thought, making it harder to say no. But even if he couldn’t say it, Kiku slowly and hesitantly shook his head.

Ivan sighed with slight dramatics and straightened up, releasing Kiku from his temporary cage.

“Alright. If you say no, you say no. What can I do?” Ivan shrugged and turned to walk away from the kitchen.

Kiku watched Ivan walk off, a newfound guilt blooming in his chest. Why was this such a big deal to Ivan? It wasn’t something massive to fixate on, but it must have been interesting to him. Perhaps… No, he couldn’t have possibly sounded good. The water was running, his hearing was jumbled… and… Kiku couldn’t come up with a good enough excuse.

Well, if that’s what he wanted, here goes nothing.

Kiku tightly closed his eyes and softly spoke some words until a melody slowly formed, decorating the air with a velvety tune, just loud enough for Ivan to hear. When Ivan realized Kiku was trying to tell him something, he stopped in his tracks, listened to his song, and smiled widely. He put a hand to his chest to calm his heart, which beat louder than the gentle stream of words.

Ah, so that’s why he called me that, Ivan thought. He ventured off to his room and quietly gave Kiku the space to perform his song.

“Just like me, they long to be… so… close…” Kiku sighed, “…to you,” his final words trailing softly into spoken word. As he finished, he sat on the kitchen counter and waited to see if Ivan was coming back—or if he had actually left the house again. Kiku’s eyes scanned the entryways to the room and found it quiet once again. No pants swishing with every step, no chuckling from directly around the corner, not even a lingering whiff of his cologne on the hand Ivan had kissed.

Oh.

Perhaps… I shouldn’t have pushed him away like that, Kiku thought. He looked down sadly at the floor, climbed off the countertop—making sure he wouldn’t slip on the wet floor—and returned to washing dishes. It’s not like they were going to wash themselves.

After several minutes of washing and drying, Kiku decided to go looking for Ivan. Maybe he had hurt his feelings by telling him no. Either way, Kiku should apologize. He should have been more open with Ivan.

“Ivan…?” Kiku called out softly as he searched for his partner.

“Yes, my little songbird?” Ivan replied from the living room. Oh, there he was.

“Did you…?” Mm. No. He shouldn’t ask that again. He’ll probably ask me to do it again. “I didn’t mean to make you upset. I’m sorry.”

“You made me upset?? You couldn’t possibly!”

“I thought I did…”

“I was just intrigued by your hidden talent, that’s all,” Ivan chuckled and hugged Kiku, thinking he needed the comfort more than he did.

“It’s not all that great, honestly,” the smaller of the two mumbled.

“Kiku, do you know why birds sing?”

He looked up at Ivan, listening carefully to what he was about to say.

“They use songs as a way to express themselves. Some birds sing because they’re happy, some sing because there’s danger around the corner.”

“Mm, I see,” Kiku said.

“So then… why did my little songbird sing today?”

“Mostly out of boredom.”

“Oh,” Ivan blinked and contemplated his response. It was probably really quiet at home when he wasn’t there. And lonely. …It was no wonder Kiku felt the way he did.

“I’m glad you’re home earlier, Vanya.” Kiku slipped his arms around the playful giant and rested his head on his chest. Ivan’s body softened as he heard Kiku’s words, feeling his own uneasiness about his worried partner slowly dissipate.

“You’ve decided to give me a nickname,” Ivan smiled.

“That’s the song my heart wants to sing.”

[aphnichepairweek]

In Your Night

Hetalia | G | USJP No warnings.

Written for APH Niche Pair Week Day 1 (late, shh) using the prompt Storms/Earth.

Here @ Ao3.

America waits in the rain for his friend to return from work, and revels in the feeling of being surrounded by Japan.

Because there he was home, and here he was a guest, and there was that awareness of being separate from this place in a way that was strangely fascinating. Here, when he breathed the humid summer air, when he smelled the freshness of the damp earth, when he heard the rolling thunder out over the sea and the drops of the heavy rain against his umbrella, it was all Japan, and he’d been welcomed in to feel it all.

[aphnichepairweek]

Unwelcome Concern

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 2, using the prompt 'Family'!

Switzerland is disgruntled when Austria visits Liechtenstein yet again for tea. What's his deal?!

(Hetalia, rated G on ao3 and rated K+ on ff.net, one shot, family, drama, worry, protective siblings, slight implied swissaus, one chapter)

I was trying to write a SwissAus fic, but honestly the prompt 'family' screamed at me to write about Switzerland and Liechtenstein, so I tried my best to go for a family drama scene with the implied crushes on the backburner. I just feel like neither of the men would willingly outright flirt with each other or be willing to show they care about each other (at least not to the other's face). They're both too proud. lol And Switzy is just kind of a blockhead anyway when it comes to that stuff. It would probably take him forever to identify any feelings he has for Austria, and even when he did, he'd just go into instant denial. lol But Liechtenstein of course is a sweetheart who just wants what's best for her brother. And Austria is the sass master, as usual. :)

[aphnichepairweek]

Sweet Shack

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 2, using the prompt 'Harvest'!

Ukraine is excited for Canada to teach her how maple syrup is made! But when Kumajirou leaves the couple to the task, Katyusha becomes excited for an entirely different reason…

(CanUkr, Hetalia, rated Explicit on ao3 and rated M on ff.net [removed smut], one shot, romance, humor, smut, vaginal sex, one chapter)

Listen. I LOVE CanUkr. SO much. They're both shy and a little awkward and sometimes suffer from low self esteem. I just want to hug them both and pat their heads and tell them how wonderful they both are. And I love thinking of Kumajirou as their little polar bear child. lol Their relationship (to me) is overall just very wholesome and filled with lots of love! (But also if pushed to their breaking points, even if they have trouble standing up for themselves sometimes, they would not hesitate to use blackmail or a hockey stick to protect each other!)

I honestly forget how I started shipping these two, whether it was fan art or a tumblr post, idk. But I think it used to be somewhat well known back in the day? Maybe because of the potential dynamics of AmeBela and CanUkr being brothers dating sisters? Either way, it's a fun ship that needs more love! <3

[aphnichepairweek]

The Sleepover

Fandom: Hetalia (personified) Pairing: Arthur x Kat (EngUkr/UkrEng) Content Length: Short (~1100 words) Note: Italicized words are French words written in English for optimal reading.

Kat’s eyes flew open as she heard the sound of a whimpering child calling out for his parent in the dead of night. Without hesitation, she hurried from the bedroom to see what was happening.

“Papaaa~,” Mattie sniffled and continued to cry in search of his father.

“Mattie buns, sweetheart. What’s the matter? Are you okay?” Kat knelt beside the sad child who had been wandering the halls with his blanket in tow. She rubbed his shoulders to try to comfort him as he hiccuped and whimpered.

“Papa!!!” he cried again, louder this time.

Kat scooped him up and gently rocked him, attempting to comfort him as best she could.

“It's alright, baby. I'm here with you. It's all going to be alright. Shhh.”

Arthur’s sleepy voice emerged from their bedroom doorway. “What's going on..?”

“I don't know yet. He keeps calling for Francis, so he’s probably missing him.”

“Makes sense,” Arthur grumbled.

“Don't worry, I got this taken care of,” Kat said, shooing him back to bed.

Arthur glanced at Mattie, whose crying had suddenly softened as Kat rhythmically patted his back and his thumb found its way to his mouth. Mattie knew he was a big boy now, but sucking his thumb still helped calm him down. And if that kept him calm for the night, the adults didn’t mind.

“You are quite loud this time of night, Matthew. Are you aware of the time? Boys your age should not be awake at this hour. It hinders their growth and well-being.” Mattie listened to Arthur monologue, sighing heavily as tears continued to stream down his cheeks like ants in a line.

“You know what? I think the glow-in-the-dark stars must’ve scared him,” Kat said aloud, grasping for an explanation as her mind raced.

“I don't think it was that, love.”

“Maybe the bed’s just uncomfortable for him...”

Arthur eyed Kat, monitoring her panicked state, then looked back at Matthew.

“He might’ve just had a nightmare. I don’t think there’s anything wrong about the guest room.”

“I don’t know…”

“Well, if you will need my help, just call me.”

“We’ll be fine, Arthur. Go get some sleep.”

“If you say so, I’ll get some shut eye,” Arthur said, returning back to bed.

“Okay, honey.”

Kat slowly walked over to the guest room where they had set up the bed for Mattie. She laid him down, then curled up beside him, pulling the blanket over them both and patting his back softly. Once settled, Mattie began to sniffle again.

“You must've gotten scared waking up alone like that,” she said gently.

“Papa…” Matthew’s voice cracked softly.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart. I won't do that again. I won’t leave you like that.”

Mattie looked at her. He didn’t understand everything she said, but her kindness was clear. She gave him snacks earlier in the day, spoke a little French like Papa did, and never raised her voice. She wasn’t Papa, but maybe he could find comfort in her presence. The sadness still lingered as he wished for a more familiar face.

“Kata…?”

“Yes, baby? What is it?”

“Will Papa come back…?”

“Papa…? Yes, he will come back tomorrow. You have to sleep, sleep, then Papa will come in the morning for pancakes. Okay? The morning.”

Kat brushed his golden locks away from his face to better see him and he nodded, not understanding her words, but understanding that his dad would come back for him. Maybe not now, but soon.

He sniffled, wiped his nose with his arm, and curled up tightly, inching closer to Kat to fall asleep to the comforting, steady thump of her heartbeat.

Kat hummed softly and continued patting his gentle little back until his breathing slowed and evened out.

“Phew…” she sighed quietly in relief. The sound of the floor creaking in the hallway let her know that Arthur was on his way to her. Seemed like no one was able to sleep well tonight.

“Love, are you asleep?” He whispered into the room. She lifted her head to look towards the door, inviting him closer. He walked up to her and found Mattie sleeping soundly, his blanket tucked around him.

“Looks like he's calmed down.”

“Yeah, a little bit. I'm going to spend the night with him to make sure he’s got someone by his side.”

“That's fine, love. I just wanted to check on you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. His brow furrowed. “Are you crying?”

Kat’s lip quivered. “He must’ve been so afraid, Arthur,” she whispered, her voice tight with guilt.

“I suppose we should've left the light on in the corridor for him.”

“I should've stayed with him. I should’ve known it would be this hard on him.”

“Katherine, love, you can't possibly be by his side all the time. He is a growing boy. These are things he’ll need to learn to handle sooner or later.”

“But it's his first night away from his father.”

“He will understand soon.”

“Arthur… he's just a child.”

Arthur exhaled, seeing that his perspective on the matter wasn’t going to change Kat’s mind and starting an argument wouldn’t help. The best thing he could do now was let her do what she needed to feel better and support her however she needed it.

“Would you like me to stay with you too?”

“Oh, no. That’s alright. I'm just going to keep you up all night.”

“You’re going to do that either way,” he said. “I’d rather be with you.”

“Me too.” Kat shifted to make some room for Arthur. He slipped under the blanket, making sure Matthew stayed covered and undisturbed.

“Thank you,” Kat said softly.

“No need to thank me. We are having a sleepover after all, right?”

Kat gave a soft laugh, eyes still misty. She looked at Arthur, then at the boy curled between them, thumb tucked in his mouth, cheeks still damp but peaceful in sleep.

“I guess…” she murmured, brushing a hand gently over Mattie’s hair, “…we all just need someone by our side.”

“Of course we do, love. Silly things like glowing stars and comfortable beds don’t matter when you’re missing someone special.”

Kat smiled, giving Arthur’s hand a loving squeeze before falling into a sweet slumber, surrounded by her favorite people.

[aphnichepairweek]

Storm Watch

New fic posted to ao3 and ff.net! Written for APH Niche Pair Week 2025 Day 1, using the prompt 'Storms'!

Lithuania confronts Poland about his new fear of storms.

(LietPol, Hetalia, rated T, one shot, humor, romance, one chapter)

I really wanted to try writing for some of my fave ships that I just never write or draw anything for with this week, so I'm glad I finally got to do something for LietPol! I just really like their interactions and general vibe as a pair, and Lithuania always strikes me as the straight-laced guy that can be a little silly if he's close enough to someone. And I think Poland brings that out in him, at least when he's not stressing Lithuania out. lol And on the other hand, Poland's social anxiety makes it hard for him to open up to people, so if he's stressed (in this case, about a nightmare) he probably tends to bottle his worries up until someone corners him demanding to know what's wrong and he caves to the pressure. Lithuania is a smart tactician, so he can usually figure out how to handle Poland in those instances. They balance each other out nicely, I think!

[aphnichepairweek]

i want to participate in this event but i'm so dead lately...

do it for me