AmericaxReader- My Hero

You were running your evening shift at the most popular café in town.

You were lucky to get a job here, and the advantage you had above all the other pretty girls who applied here was that you actually did work. You didn't consider yourself to be gorgeous at all, but you weren't ugly either. It was a fact that you were simply just 'plain', but the idea of it didn't bother you the least. What did bother you, though, was the fact that you always felt under-appreciated for what you did, and the only possible reason for that was because you weren't pretty. Maybe if you were, people would acknowledge your presence, and notice you more. You thought that applying for a job would get you more out going, and so far you've come to know many different people at the café. Working here was the best idea you've ever had.

The thing that made this café so popular was that it had an open mic-night every Friday, and the café was always packed with people having a great time, despite the bad singing happening on stage. You got to feel the exciting atmosphere since your shifts were on Friday nights, and sometimes you would go up and sing yourself. You weren't the best, but you enjoyed it, and everybody's praise motivated you to keep singing.

The clock had just struck 5 when you walked into the café for your shift, and you were warmly greeted by your best Italian friend.

"Vee~! You made it! Are you going to be singing again?" Your friend, Feliciano, asked excited.

"I'll see, if I'm not busy attending the tables," You replied, smiling at his presence. Feli always brightened your day, and you'd always think it's the fact that he radiates his own happiness from within, not needing to rely on others for a good time.

"Ve~! You sing-a so good, bella!" He chirped before leaving to take more orders. You only sang on the rare occasion where the place wasn't packed with people, and you had the time to sing a quick song, before hurrying to waiter more tables. Lately, you haven't had that chance.

As you took orders from customers and hurried to the kitchen to place them, you noticed more and more people flood in through the front door, filling in most of the seats. You yelled for Feli in the back to help you set out more tables, before people were left standing. The rate of people walking in increased, and you had to pile all the chairs into one, and carry them out at the same time to match the pace of arriving customers.

As you were walking out of the storage room with the stacked chairs, you lost balance, and gave out a little shriek as you tripped backwards. Luckily, someone caught you from behind.

"Whoa, be more careful there, frau!" A German accent spoke from behind you. You regained your balance and set the chairs down, realizing the person hadn't let go of your waist. None-the-less, you quickly said a thanks.

"Oh geez, thanks so much man! It would have been pretty nasty if I slipped," you said with relief turning around, slightly forcing him to let go of your waist, but you regret it quickly and gasped at what you saw.

Your eyes locked with the man's beautiful ocean-blue eyes. He had the cutest cow-lick in his blond hair, and his smile seemed to be contagious, since you had caught it and were wearing it yourself. His accent wasn't German after all.

"No problem, man! I saved you, so I truly am the hero! Are you liking the view?" He said, stifling a laugh. You realized you were staring into his eyes, and glanced away, replying with a giggle. You didn't get embarrassed easily, since you were so easy going.

To his left, you saw a man with icy-white hair and the deepest red eyes you've ever seen. He was holding a devilish grin, as he watched you.

"What is a beautiful frau like you working here for? It's dangerous to carry chairs stacked that high," He pointed out, eyeing the chairs.

You rolled your eyes at his compliments, but blushed a bit. You were a big sucker for compliments. "It's my job," you replied blandly, stretching your aching arms.

You extended your hand to your saviour. "Hi, I'm (__f/n__) (__l/n__)." He reached out to grab it, giving it a firm shake. "I'm Alfred F. Jones, but you may call me the hero!" He said, out bursting his enthusiasm for everyone to hear. You could already tell you liked the guy, since he wasn't shy and he reminded you of yourself.

You then turn to his friend, and extended your hand for a shake. Instead of giving it a firm shake, he gently grabbed your hand, and kissed it softly, making you blush furiously at his action. "I'm Gilbert Beilschmidt, and the awesome me is at your service! Keseseses~" He boasted. Alfred rolled his eyes, and shook his head in disbelief. You could almost feel yourself drowning in both their egos. It was really cute, but honestly Gilbert wasn't your type. Alfred was different though. His way of speech sounded just like yours and his eyes were the first thing that really caught your attention.

Tucking your (___h/c___) hair behind your ear. You turn around to pick up the chairs again, but a hand stops you.

"This isn't a pretty lady's job; it's the job of a hero! Here, let me help you!" Alfred said, running up from behind you, and picking up the chairs. You turn around to Gilbert who simply winked at you, and went into the storage room to pick up a table. Feli spotted you, but simply just observed the situation from afar.

"N-No, it's okay! You guys are really sweet, honestly! But you guys can just take a seat, and I'll be there soon to attend you-"

"-Nonsense, frau! I did say we're at your service! And you're gonna need as much help as you can get!" He stated, pointing to the door, where people were piling in by the 10s. You let out a light sigh, and nodded to them both in acknowledgment of thanks.

<HEY GUYS, I'M A TIME-SKIP CALLED STEVE, AND I JUST WASTED 5 SECONDS OF YOUR LIFE>

After the tables and chairs were set up, you quickly seated Alfred and Gilbert, as more of the workers showed up to help attend the tables. You quickly put on your little apron and rushed to Alfred's table. You could feel your face flushed from racing around the cafe, as you blew a little wisp of hair out of your face.

"What can I get ya for, my Hero and Awesomeness?" You recited to them. They both responded back with a smile, and you returned it with a statement they can't argue with.

"It's all on the house, you guys. Thanks a lot for your help." You said genuinely. They blinked a couple times at you, and grinned up to their ears. "Really? Thanks (__f/n__)! You really are the best!" Alfred stated.

You waved off that compliment with your hand, "Oh please, stop, you're too sweet~" You started.

You took their orders, and returned to the kitchen where Feli was holding the happiest smile known to man. You noted it and questioned his reasons.

"Ve~! You really like those guys, don't you? Especially that blonde? Ve~, I'm-a so happy for you!" He went off again into the other direction, leaving you standing there, blushing like crazy and unaware that Alfred could hear you guys.

<TIME-SKIP STEVE SKIPS TIME>

By 9 o clock, the café was in full swing. Friends got together, and sang songs with each other, while the audience encouraged them. You watched as two 16 year old teenagers left the stage after singing 'TGIF' by Katy Perry, and a 2 year old girl walked up with her dad. They did a duet and the crowd was in awe of overwhelming cuteness. The audience cheered them on the entire time, making you smile. You were obviously over-pleased by peoples' cooperation with others.

You passed Alfred and Gilbert's table every 15 minutes, giving them a two-finger salute to acknowledge the fact that you still knew they were there. You also noted that when you were at a distance, you could see Alfred taking glances at you from the corner of your eyes, making you smile. You decided to finally stop by his table.

"How's everything going? Need anything?" You asked with your trademark smile. Alfred took a quick glance down at his menu to decide, but Gilbert gave you his full attention. "I don't know frau, would you like to suggest something?" He said in a flirty tone, making Alfred peer up from his menu, glaring at the albino. You gave it a little thought. "Hmm, well…. I would highly suggest-"

"Vee~! (__f/n__)!" You hear across the room. You turn around, to see the Italian running towards you. "Please, please, please! Please sing a song tonight! I haven't heard you in a long time!" Your face automatically became flushed. "Sing? Uhh, I don't really know Feli, it's been awhile..." You started, but were quickly cut off by other people.

"Hey, I remember you! You were really good when I last heard you, like 2 months ago? I think?"

"That was her? Dear god, you were amazing! Have you considered going professional?"

"Your name is (__f/n__), right? Your performances are so legit compared to the amateurs! I wanna hear your voice again!"

"Uhhh…I-I..." Was all you managed to say. You were overwhelmed at the fact that strangers you didn't know still remembered you, and the thought of that made you generally happy. But still, it had been awhile since you last sang. You knew Alfred was listening behind you.

"C'mon (__f/n__)! You must really be good if they're making requests!" He said, full of excitement. You looked into his eyes. How could you say no to that? You let out a sigh, and turned to Feli.

"Fine, I'll do it," You muttered slightly upset, but mostly nervous.

"Ve~! I'll bring the guitar from the back!" He said skipping away.

"Wait! Feli! I-I don't know any songs on the guitar!" You started, but trailed off. He was already gone. You did know songs on the guitar, but not very many. You started to get very nervous, and your palms started to sweat. Alfred noted your anxiety, and tried to calm you down.

"You have to have more faith in yourself, (__f/n__)! When I first saw you, I saw pure confidence striding through the café. Where did all that go?" You blushed. Did he really think of you like that? He did make a valid point, though. If you wanted to be appreciated, you needed to do something worth being for. What was I doing being nervous now? "Thanks Alfred, I-"

All of a sudden you could hear Feli's voice in the mic.

"Okay guys! So the next singer has remained dormant for awhile, but due to the popular demand, here-a she is! Everybody, please give a warm welcome to (__f/n__) (__l/n__)!"

You confusingly left Alfred when he gave you a little push forward as encouragement. There were loud cheers as you started to make your way to the stage, hearing a couple of 'good lucks' along the way. You sat on the tall stool in the middle of the stage, as Feli placed the guitar in your lap, whispering a 'have fun' before he got off stage. The spotlight on you made it impossible to see the crowd.

You looked out into the invisible audience, and decided to make yourself more comfortable with them.

"So hey guys, I'm (__f/n__) and I have no idea what I'm doing right now." You heard a couple of laughs from the crowd. "Haha yeah, so just bare with me here." You honestly didn't know what to sing. You gave a glance around the room when an idea popped into your head. "Uhmm, the song I'll be singing is called My Hero by Paramore, originally by the Foo Fighters, and it's dedicated to..." You paused as you looked out to Alfred.

"..My Hero," You finished, getting a couple of cheers from the crowd, and an 'I LOVE YOU' from a stranger.

You started playing the guitar, and soon singing the lyrics.

Too alarming now to talk about
Take your pictures down and shake it out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, racing around

You started the chorus, and the cheers grew.

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

Don't the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

By now, people had their lighters and phones out, waving them in the air, including Alfred and Gilbert. You continued to sing.

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

You nailed the little guitar solo at this part, and smiled wide at the audience.

Kudos my hero leaving all the best
You know my hero, the one that's on

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

You began to search the audience for Alfred, and made eye contact with him while singing the last couple lines of the song.

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

You finished the song with a guitar riff, and got a standing ovation along with whistles and many different cheers. You felt your face go red, as you ran off stage. You were about to run home, when you felt a hand on your shoulder.

"You were amazing out there! I never knew you were that good!" Alfred exclaimed full of surprise. He wrapped you in a tight hug so you couldn't run away, slightly resting his head on yours. "…..Am I really your Hero, (__f/n__)?" He asks softly in your hair. Your face got even redder as you watched Feli pull a camera out of no where, and take pictures. Out of embarrassment, you buried your face into Alfred's shirt and let your tears spill over. You drowned out the sounds of the cheers and let it echo in the back of your mind. The feeling of being appreciated and loved overwhelmed you, and you never knew it could make you so happy.

Suddenly Alfred got stiff, and brought you to arms length, still holding your shoulders. "W-Whoa, don't cry! (__f/n__) please don't cry! You were absolutely great! And…and…" He trailed off when he noted you started crying more.

<TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY STEVE>

You were sitting in the park with Alfred, watching the stars above. It was about 11:30 PM, and the café closed after everyone left. You confessed everything to Alfred, starting from the beginning, all the way to the reason for staining his shirt with tears. As you finished, you let out a sigh.

"You didn't interrupt me once. So I'm guessing you agree with me, right? My life is just pathetic." You stated with a monotone voice, keeping your gaze fixed up to the sky.

He glanced at you, and continued to look at you, until you turned his way and made eye contact.

"(__f/n__), your self worth is more than you'll ever think it'll be. You don't think you deserve anything because you're not pretty? Well I think you're drop-dead gorgeous, pretty and beautiful," His face grew more and more red with each word. "And the way you speak is so unique! A-And the kindness in your heart is overwhelming! And you deserve everything the world has to offer, and it hurts me to see someone like you not realize it. (__f/n__), if you think no one cares about you, you're wrong. I care for you. A lot. And I'll always be here for you when you need me. Always. I-I want……"

He pauses for a moment, hesitating his words.

"…To be your Hero." He finished, face all red.

You gasped, letting tears form in your eyes. Did he just confess? "No one… has ever said that to me.." You were still gazing into each others eyes, and slowly you both leaned forward, letting your lips meet in a gentle kiss. Your heart starts to melt, but you quickly pull away.

"I-I'm sorry!" You stuttered, "I don't deserve this-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," He playfully threatened, pulling you into another kiss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And that's how you spent the rest of the night in the park, unaware of two shadows spying on you from afar.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ve~! Our plan worked!"

"Keseseses, I knew we could get (__f/n__) and America together! My awesomeness has the power to mend love."

They both sighed and continued to observe from the bushes, recording everything.