#rarepairweek2023

[ifindus]

Culture - for the second day of @hetalia-rarepairweek ✨

I have recently been told about the British superstition of magpies and how of saluting magpies will ward off bad luck. The saluting is to show respect to the bird often connected with bad omens so that nothing bad will happen to you 🍂

[belhelgalar]

Day 1: Royal | Cottage

Scotland/Belarus

;З

@hetalia-rarepairweek

[yeoldehetalian]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Hetalia Rarepair Week 2023 Day 5: Historical - America and Lithuania 1992 was a historic year for Olympic basketball for both Lithuania and America!

I've been wanting to try out make some shrinky dink standees recently so this was the perfect excuse :)

More info and images below:

1992?! Historical? Hopefully that counts. Anyway, in 1992 two things happened in the world of Olympic basketball:

Lithuania's story is way more compelling so we will go with America's first. 1992 was the first year that NBA players were sent to the Olympics, rather than more amateur players. This team was called the "Dream Team" and given how stacked they were they did go on to win the gold! By the way, at the previous Olympics in '88, the Americans were beaten by the USSR team which included several Lithuanian players...

As for Lithuania, this would be the first time that Lithuanian basketball players would be able to represent their own nation in Olympic basketball instead of playing under USSR, which was a huge thing! There were economic troubles at the time and it wasn't certain the nation would be able to send a team due to the cost of doing so, but they rallied the nation and other organizations/entities and came up with the funds. They went on to win the bronze, pretty impressive! You can find lots of articles and such about this online, or check out "The Other Dream Team" documentary/movie, etc. I think the NBA even put out a Lithuania-focused mini-doc recently.

But wait, there's more. One of the "entities" that helped fund the Lithuanian team was...the Grateful Dead. Yes, an American band gave them $$$. Yeah, we've reached the even more AmeLiet-ish part of the story. Apparently Jerry Garcia appreciated the Lithuanians' struggle for Freedom and Liberty. Also a New York(I think?) sports artist created a skeleton slam-dunking tie-dyed t-shirt that was like...the Grateful Dead meets Lithuanian flag meets basketball, ha ha. These shirts were sold at the Olympics and beyond to raise funds, and you can still buy them today. The shirts were popular at the Olympics and really helped bring even more attention to the Lithuanian team, especially when they wore them while accepting their medals! Check out some pics online, it is AMAZING.

As for the standees, they are wearing their nations' '92 Olympic uniforms. Their numbers are just their independence holiday dates. They are made with the "ruff n' ready" shrinky dink plastic and Prismacolor colored pencils. They were pretty easy to make and I love them. I hope to make them some basketball-court looking stands, but that will be a bit more complicated. Someday...

[drksanctuary]

NICOBASTER: Crush

@them-awesome-rarepairs

Nico: *concentrating on solving a puzzle*

Alabaster: *noticing how concentrated he is and finding it very attractive*

Nico: *notices Al looking at him* what?

Alabaster: NOTHING!! >////>!!!

Alabaster simpington u.u

[the-engdyssey]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Day 2 & 5: Culture and History

Sharing this disgustingly late after getting my degree and moving. But here is a work for Rare Pair Week from 2023. I was very inspired by Victorian Era wedding photos, so here is a drawing of Arthur and Elizabeth at their wedding in 1887. I’ve been wanting to draw Arthur and Lizzy in Victorian Era clothing for years, and I’ve finally done it! Arthur’s hair refuses to be slicked back, I’m proud of how Lizzy’s hair turned out, but her hair would be in an updo as a married woman in that period of time. I tried with the details of her dress.

As for the Culture portion of this piece: Lizzy is holding a very distinct bunch of flowers called a Tussie-Mussie. They were small bouquets of flowers given to women of all ages by gentleman callers. They had decorative vases which could be pinned onto their dresses. (Apparently they’re quite collectible nowadays). Queen Victoria popularized these courtship gifts that have medieval roots and have given ways to the larger bouquets we see today. During the 1800s, they went hand in hand with floriography.

While they’re very poorly drawn, the flowers Lizzy is holding in the Tussie-Mussie that Arthur gave her are; a red rose for love and appreciation, larkspur for strong bonds of love, lily of the valley for happiness and sweetness, and marigold for comfort and protection. These are all qualities that Arthur think Lizzy possesses, and what he promises to always give her throughout their marriage.

[koolkat9]

Rare Pair Week 2023 - Day 1

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Prompt: Royal || Cottage

Rating: T

Pairing: CuCan

Word Count: 908

Read on AO3

Just You and Me

“You didn’t have to bring all those sweaters and pants,” Matthew tisked. More playful than judgmental, but still a bit nagging.

Carlos rolled his eyes. “Like I trust you when it comes to judging the temperature.”

“Hey!” He nudged Carlos’s hip. “Believe me. In the summer it may not be super hot here, but it’s just the perfect temperature. Especially with the sun. And we’re supposed to have a sunny week ahead of us.”

“You forget I like my heat.”

“Okay, okay. But please tell me you brought some shorts. It can get hot sometimes.”

“Your weather is unreliable in many ways, of course I did.”

“We can at least agree on that,” Matthew chuckled, wrapping an arm around Carlos’s waist. He kissed his cheek before guiding Carlos out to the porch.

The sun glistened off the peaceful waters just down the hill. Across the way, trees sat atop jagged cliffs across the way, shutting out the outside world.

“It’s no golden sand beach but–”

“It’s beautiful,” Carlos murmured in awe.

A faint blush crept across Matthew’s cheeks. He looked off to the side awkwardly. “I…uh…Thank you…” He coughed awkwardly before continuing: “Let’s get our swimsuits on and head down to the lake to cool off.”

Carlos smirked, pulling Matthew closer by his belt loops, nose brushing Matthew’s. “You definitely look like you need to cool off.”

Matthew leaned forward and kissed him. “You’re such a tease,” he muttered against Carlos’s lips.

After a few minutes of making out, then a few more minutes to get their swimsuits and sunscreen on before making a run for the water. Matthew dived right into the water, splashing Carlos with his waves.

Carlos stepped back, shivering at the impact. “Pinga!”

“S-Sorry…” Matthew grinned sheepishly. “Come on, just stick your feet in. The shallow water should be warmer.”

Carlos grumbled slightly, but how could he say no when Matthew looked at him with those big eyes and soft smile? He waddled into the water. Matthew was right, it wasn’t so bad though as he ventured deeper, it got cooler so he didn’t go any farther than where the water reached his knees.

Matthew pouted slightly and came closer. Then, his eyes brightened. “Wait! I have an idea.” He clambered out of the water and over to the nearby shed. Spending a good fifteen minutes or so in there, Matthew emerged with an inflatable tube. “Here. Lounging in one of these is probably the best way to spend the day on the lake.”

“Okay…” Carlos agreed warily.

With Matthew holding the tube so it didn’t float away, Carlos took a seat in it. He shivered again as the water hit his butt, but after a few minutes, he got used to it, leaning back and enjoying the sun on his face.

They spent the rest of the afternoon like that. Carlos relaxed on the tube, and Matthew either guided him around the little bay that was near their cottage or lounged in the water as they chatted. At some point, Matthew had started fishing. Carlos assumed it was for dinner. It was peaceful. Domestic even.

As Carlos suspected, They had fish that night. Nothing beat freshly caught fish, especially with Matthew so expertly seasoning it and pairing it with the perfect sides.

---

Matthew peeked out the window as they finished up dinner. “Perfect timing,” he whispered under his breath.

Carlos squinted. What was his lover planning now?

He was led back down to the lake, and Matthew pushed a canoe into the water.

“Up for a canoe ride before we turn in for the night?” Matthew asked. His eyes shone in the golden evening, almost like an excited child.

Matthew rarely asked for things, and it was even rarer to get that light of excitement ignited like that. And yet, Carlos was starting to see it more and more since they started dating. “Okay. But I never rode one of these things, so you’re going to be doing most of the work.”

Matthew grinned. “No problem. Hop in!”

Matthew took them down the river. Or was it just a thin lake? It didn’t really matter in the end. They arrived at a clearing where the water opened up into a wider body, giving a clear view of the setting sun.

Splotches of yellow, red, purple, and orange ran across the sky, framed by the shadowy figures of trees.

“Up here is one of the best places to watch the sunset,” Matthew mused, looking up at the sky. “The trees and water…I don’t know…enhance it I guess?”

“I get it. It’s very beautiful. And the trees add to the sky.”

They sat there in silence until the sun disappeared behind the trees. The crickets and cicadas set the background music for the peaceful scene. It was as if only the two of them and the sky existed. But it was over far too soon.

Matthew leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be too down babe, we can always come back tomorrow. Perhaps I’ll take you to the waterfall instead.”

Right. They had two weeks for all the sunsets and canoeing. Carlos smiled widely. “I’d like that.”

Unfortunately the next day it was rainy and cold. No lounging at the lake, no canoe ride, and no sunset. But cuddling up on the porch with Matthew, watching the rain fall was just as cozy. After all, they were together, Carlos couldn’t ask for more.

Translation:

Pinga = According to the website I found (https://www.baconismagic.ca/cuba/cuban-slang-cuban-spanish/) said direct translation it means dick but is often used similarly to fuck/shit. Feel free to correct me if there is a more accurate cuban term for fuck/shit since I don’t know how reliable the website is lol.

[unhonestlymirror]

Day 2: Culture | Comfort

More like hurt-comfort to Liet. XD Ukraine's face becomes dead serious when she's struggling to hold back laughter

@hetalia-rarepairweek

[tulipandplum]

Hetalia RarePair Week 2023

Day 2 Culture | Comfort

@hetalia-rarepairweek

[nethwan]

Hetalia RarePair Week 2023

Day 5 Historical | Meeting the family

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Taiwan was very nervous when she met Netherlands' siblings. She thought they were the perfect family... Until they wanted to show her his pictures. Oh well, anyways she thinks he always looks great. Love is blind...

[ifindus]

Free - for the last day of @hetalia-rarepairweek

[belhelgalar]

Day 2: Culture | Comfort

Scotland/Belarus :"D

;3

@hetalia-rarepairweek

[yeoldehetalian]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Hetalia Rarepair Week 2023

Day 2: Culture | Comfort - America and Lithuania

What could be more comforting than exchanging warm winter wear items with your love?

I tried to pick items that also have a bit of culture to them: America gave Lithuania a raccoonskin cap, and Lithuania gifted a pair of beaded knit wrist-warmers.

Does this take place during the Lithuania's outsourcing strips or another time? You be the judge!

[orbitinghetalia]

Day 2 prompt comfort for @hetalia-rarepairweek 2023

[fioredistella]

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Mythical creatures / Lithuania/belarus

The day after rainfall was one of Belarus's favourite times to wander the woods. The grass was fresh and verdant and the forest was filled with the wonderful smell of fresh earth and living plants. However most wonderful of all was the treat of finding mushrooms. It was one of her few unmitigated delights. By now she has gathered a fair amount on her basket, and whenever she saw a new group poking out of the dark earth she quickly bent down, her long pallad fingers rooting in the black earth as it dug the mushrooms out, dirt caking underneath her fingernails. 

As she picked the final fungus she sensed a presence behind her. Belarus stiffened and then rapidly turned around. 

It was Lithuania, his brown hair shining slightly in the lowering sunlight peeking through the trees. He smiled slightly, "I don't know there were any rusalka here." He spoke in a light teasing tone, one that was filled with affection, but that also had a sense of hesitancy to it. 

Belarus scoffed, "Do you have a death wish? Or is this a specific request for me to drown you?

He laughed sheepishly, "It's just a joke, well kind of. I haven't seen very many, but you do look as beautiful as one Natasha. You always do." He paused and then added, still smiling, "I'll just come back anyways. You know that." 

This time she tutted, then stood up and attempted to walk away, but Lithuania followed after. "Are you busy or going somewhere?" 

"I finished gathering mushrooms here, so why the hell should I stay? And thinking about it, that's so fucking unoriginal, comparing me to a rusalka." She understood why though, she just didn't want to agree with him. 

"Well, how about to a laume?" He still followed after her. 

"The ones that look partly like birds with huge tits or the ones that look like beautiful women?" 

He stopped for a moment, stammered, "The second one of course!" and then continued following her. 

"You'd love to see me naked again wouldn't you, you fucking pervert," but she was mildly gratified and flattered. 

Lithuania blushed, "They can wear pretty clothing too, like you always do."

She was even more flattered at that, but showed nothing. 

"I don't bring luck to others, or to myself."

Lithuania frowned, "Everyone alive is unfortunate sometimes. Some more than others, it's just how life is." He paused and then said, "I wish I could bring you luck."

She scoffed again, "Don't fucking bother." However she agreed with his statement on life at least. 

They were both quiet now and the trees thickened. Suddenly Belarus stopped, causing Lithuania to almost run into her. 

"Natasha?"

She glared at him and put her finger to her lips, then  gripped his hand so tightly it almost hurt. He was quite surprised and pleased with this, so much so that he almost didn't notice when she progressed slightly and then stopped once more. 

"Shut up and look."

He looked over her shoulder at a clearing in front of them that was boarded by the trees they were hidden in.

It was a large clearing with a vast field, and in the middle of that field was a large lake. The water was flat and still in the growing darkness, and on the side of the lake nearest to them there was a group of three feminine figures. 

Their hair was long and blonde, almost silvery and shining in the dim light, and their skin so pallad that if they had been closer it would have been possible to see slight blue veins in their arms and hands. They were thin, their hands almost seeming like bony claws, and they were draped in loose white dresses that showed the outline of their bodies though the thin wet fabric. 

They were lovely, Lithuania thought, but Belarus was lovelier. She did look similar though. 

"Don't make a damn sound. They don't mind me, but we both know they"ll try to drown you and it'd be too much of a fucking pain to wait for you to come back to life after I manage to get your stupid big tree body back." 

"What should we do?"

"Do? Nothing, we respect their space and wait for them to leave. Then we pass by without touching the water." 

He nodded, seeing no reason to object. After all, this would mean spending more time with Belarus, which was delightful, and he was still holding her hand too.

They sat there, the two of them, and waited. The hours passed by, but they were both unsure how much of them did. In the meantime they soaked in the forest, listening to the birds and hearing trees rustle as animals went about their way and they quietly spent a rare moment enjoying one another's presence. It was almost like childhood, they both thought. It made Belarus a little sad, but she said nothing about this. 

The voices of the rusalka finally ceased, and the spell was over. They knew it was time to leave. The two of them finally stood up and left with Belarus leading the way. They passed the now silent lake and went forward into the woods, staying in silence as well. 

Finally they exited and Belarus said, "It's late and I'm done here." She began to walk away 

Lithuania stayed where he was as he watched after her, but he said, "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow? It was nice, being with you, I missed it. We haven't recently." His voice was sad, almost yearning. 

Belarus glanced at him. At first she wanted to deny him, but then said, "Maybe. Who the hell knows," and walked away with her mushrooms. 

As she left Lithuania smiled softly and sighed, knowing her ways. 

Notes: Rusalka are feminine creatures in Slavic folklore that are associated with water and are usually malicious. They are usually seen as the unclean spirits of dead women and would lure men and drown them. They are always beautiful and have loose long blonde, black, or green hair. In Belarus they were also linked to forests and fields.

The laume are spirits associated with either the woods or the sky in Lithuanian and Latvian folklore that could either appear with animalistic features, with the parts of horses, goats, dogs, bears, or birds, or later on, as beautiful women. They could offer protection, but also be dangerous when angered. 

[koolkat9]

Rare Pair Week 2023 - Day 2

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Prompt: Culture || Comfort

Rating: T

Pairing: Nyo Canada x Ukraine

Word Count: 711

Read on AO3

Comfort in Warmth

When God was designing female nations, he had made a grave mistake. Periods for regular human women were already filled with flaws, but at least they had an excuse to be there. Nations were infertile, so why did God think it was a good idea to give them periods?

Madeline was constantly asking herself that whenever her time of the month rolled around. Curse her good work ethic, she could skip work otherwise like Amelia always did. At least she had a long weekend thanks to the holiday on Monday. But that still didn’t boost any energy or soothe the pain in her abdomen.

She dragged herself through the door and was enwrapped in the warm scent of something cooking.

Madeline blinked slowly, her tired brain trying to catch up to what could be the source of the smell. She wandered into the dining room, though having enough of a mind to approach cautiously.

The table was filled with various dishes: borsch, varenyky, chicken kiev, and a few other sides. Kateryna stood at the head, laying out two plates and sets of silverware. When her eyes met Madeline's, a warm smile crossed her lips.

Before she could even get a greeting out, Madeline barreled towards her, throwing her arms around her and almost knocking her over. She buried her face in Kateryna's chest and just stayed there for a moment, basking in the coziness that always radiated off her lover.

Kateryna chuckled. “Rough day?”

“Yeah…” Madeline whined, “My uterus is plotting to kill me.”

“Ah…Then I chose a good week to plan this surprise.”

Madeline nodded, burying her nose even more into Kateryna’s chest.

“You should go change into something more comfortable, then eat something, and we can cuddle after,” Kateryna suggested, voice delicate like lace, washing out all the tension in Madeline’s body.

Madeline let out another whine when she was gently pushed away.

“It’ll make you feel better, dear.”

“I know…”

Minutes later, Madeline clambered down the stairs. Kateryna had already prepared their plates and poured the drinks. Madeline sighed dreamily. Cramps be damned, at least she had won the girlfriend lottery.

Dinner was spent catching up with each other. What events these past few weeks brought, how Kateryna’s flight was, how miserable Madeline’s work day had been. But once the food was finished, they moved to the living room for a movie night.

Under a fleece blanket, the two cuddled up and put on a cheesy romance; Madeline’s guilty pleasure.

“You’re too good for me,” Madeline mumbled, curling up at Kateryna’s side.

“Nonsense. Why can’t anyone in your family accept affection without thinking you need to do something in return.”

“I just…W-Well you…”

“You’re so funny,” Kateryna giggled, leaning in a hair’s breadth away. Madeline froze, breath hitching. “And so cute too.”

Madeline licked her lips, eyelids drooping slightly. She leaned forward, brushing her lips against Kateryna’s. Kateryna pressed back, hand finding its way to Madeline’s thigh, squeezing it slightly. Madeline gasped, lips parting slightly. Kateryna slipped her tongue reclaiming every inch of what was hers.

Hands gripped clothes. Bodies pressed down on each other, tangling in the blanket. Heartbeats jumped into their throats as if trying to meet the other.

But it was all short-lived by another round of gut-stabbing. Madeline let out a pained groan and pulled away.

Kateryna smiled sympathetically, hand traveling from Madeline’s thigh to her stomach, rubbing it slightly. “I’ll get the heating pad,” Kateryna murmured, kissing her lover’s temple.

“I’m sorry.”

“No apologies,” Kateryna reprimanded already at the drawer where the heat pad was stored. She pushed Madeline lightly to lay down, plugged in the pad, and draped it across her lower stomach.

“Thank you…”

“You’re welcome.”

Kateryna went to sit in the armchair, but Madeline grabbed her. “Please…Let me lay on your lap.”

Kateryna tilted her head, eyes wide. Another smile slowly spread across her lips. “Okay.”

Kateryna slipped in beside her, and Madeline rested her head on her thighs. She sighed in contentment, already feeling a lot better.

Hand combing through her hair, Madeline settled in for the night. There was still a dull pain, but in her lover’s lap, movie droning on in the back, it felt distant, replaced by an all-encompassing warmth. Maybe she wouldn’t die this week.

[fantasy-and-fairfolk-hetalia]

Familial Ties

September 28 Prompt: Historical | Meeting the family

Pairing: Wales/Nyo Romano (Howell Bowen/Chiara Vargas)

@hetalia-rarepairweek

Howell looked at Chiara and smiled. The blond advisor comes from a family of entertainers, yet he's the only one that broke away from that to do something else. Now he's advisor to the royal family here in his home kingdom of Mavalon. Chiara, on the other hand, is a former pirate. She'd given that up when she had Howell's twins, Ciel and Sebastian. Howell and Chiara had gotten married not long after the boys were born. Green eyes of Chiara look up at her husband.

"Do you have any siblings?" She asked out of the blue after a moment of them staring at each other. Surprising how she never gotten to know his family or why they weren't at the wedding. Though, to be fair, they did kind of elope together, so that could be why. "Ah, yeah," Howell said. "I have quite a few siblings. And some cousins." "Sounds like you got a big family," Chiara said with a smirk. "Yeah, and my twin sister is coming to town," Howell said. "Then we have to see her," Chiara said.

What Chiara hadn't been expecting when she saw Howell's twin sister was to see a woman with the whole entertainer getup. As soon as the blonde woman spotted Howell, she rushed to him and hugged him. Howell smiled a bit and hugged her. Soon after, he introduced Chiara as his wife. As she learned, the blonde woman's name is Anwen and she's the younger of the twins. Green eyes of both Howell and Chiara look down when both felt hands tugging their outfits to see their children wanting attention. The two boys, both blond with green eyes, were picked up and held in their parents' arms.

"Why didn't you tell us of your family sooner?" Anwen asked. "Because," Howell said as he rocked the boy he's holding. "This is new to both of us. We wanted to wait for the right moment to tell both our families. Isn't that right, Ciel?" Ciel looked up at his dad and cooed, reaching up to try grabbing at Howell's hat.