Well, this is my first Hetalia fanfic, and practically my first attempt to write anything longer than a comment or e-mail in a foreign language. So, don't be too harsh on me if the characters seem OOC, I get confused with the usage of more complex tenses or if I speak too much from my own country's historical point of view (i. e. Hungary's). Constructive criticism and ideas, on the other hand, are welcome. Italics mean thoughts, all caps or bold stands for shouting.

Disclaimer: If I owned Hetalia… I'd have a difficult job not having WWIII in my 12 sqare-meter-big room xdxd it would be awesome, though, meeting them…

Pairing: EnglandXHungary, with a past UsXUk and RussiaXAmerica (because I just couldn't resist), AusXHun and probably… (Dare I write it?) One-sided RussiaXHun (on Russia's side). What? Think about it: the awesome used-to-be-pirate and the potty-mouthed, un-ladylike fujoshi tomboy, they DO fit, even if there's nothing special about the diplomatic relations… now. There is a historical basis to this pairing, even if only little. I'll tell about that later.

1

If anything, a nation's life was always complicated and tiresome, sometimes painful as well. Once a new boss was inaugurated, they usually (it was different in monarchies) had to find a way to fill him/her in, without causing lasting mental damage. It wasn't always easy, convincing a newbie- some tried to take them to an asylum, or even kicked them out of the study. Even if said human believed them, the problems only began, for of course, there's no knowing what kind of a boss this one will make. Not to mention that despite the close contact, nations were only rarely asked for advice or to voice their opinions- their simply were expected to keep their calm and accept, no matter how dangerous or idiotic an idea they were told of.
This could go on and on, what with the difficult diplomacy, economical treaties and wars. As if sensing every single opinion of your citizens, every single death of a soldier, every bombing wouldn't be confusing and torturing enough! As it seemed, their bosses were oblivious of the fact that even the younger nations were by far older than any human could hope for, thus having far more experience in every sense of the word. They've all seen and felt everything twice or three times at least, and they could tell a stupid or bad order if they saw one- even if they were too weak to defy it.
Why were they too weak? Because nations simply didn't oppose their bosses, but (as Germany would say) clang on to their pride and went on (and if someone, he and Russia were experts in the field of crazy bosses), or with Austria's words: "Blessed are the ones that can forget, what cannot be changed anymore."

That on mind, it's no wonder Hungary hardly saw her altogether cheery surroundings (the sky a radiant blue, the flowers blooming, people chatting merrily) while getting home from her Parliament on a fairly warm and positively dry, early autumn afternoon. It was about an hour away by car, with the usual rush-hour of the great cities, and she was more than happy when she finally reached her destination, a middle-sized detached house. The neighbours- none of whom knew of Hungary's actual identity- assumed she grew up in the countryside, since her little flower-garden, porch and trees were neat and well arranged. As much of a tomboy she could be at times, and as much as she still enjoyed shooting (photographs, bows or guns, it didn't matter) and riding beyond everything, Elizaveta (or to Feliks and her citizens, Erzsi) felt the need of having a proper-looking garden and a place she can calmly sit at, and even be proud of. Oh yes, she could never forget the scene Turkey and Holland made when accidentally they complimented her tulips in unison, claiming it was their flower…
All right, she had to admit: she got to like gardening so much after she saw the tulips and especially roses at Turkey's "weekend house" in Budapest. Sadiq seemed to love flowers, as well as bath-houses, which seemed strange if you considered his fight-liking and sometimes violent nature- and Hungary knew Bulgaria thought the same. However, they both ended up being fascinated by gardening- Hungary preferring tulips and geraniums (among other ones), Bulgaria specializing in roses and gaining great reputation with them.

But that's not important now. Hungary went into the house, hung her jacket on a peg, then made some meal- and just when she was about to begin it, her cell phone rang. Judging by the ringtone being "Land der Berge, Land am Strome", it was her ex-husband and neighbor, Austria. Frowning, she wondered a bit, why would Roderich call (since they talked only the day before), but she answered quickly nonetheless.
'Hallo, Roderich. 'she greeted him in German.
'Hallo, Elisabeth. 'said nation suppressed a sigh: Roderich was the only one who called him Elisabeth, and this name reminded her of empress Sissi, whom she was quite in friendly terms with- Greece, Italy and Russia stuck to Eli, Eliza or Elizaveta, Feliks preferring Erzsi, Turkey stubbornly keeping Tulip and the rest of the nations using her country name, as was always done with distant acquaintances.
'About that meeting in London…'
'What meeting?' she asked back, getting an ominous feeling that she forgot something essential.
'The UN-Meeting tomorrow at 9… and before you ask it, according to Greenwich-time.'
Hungary was fairly sure that Roderich heard her palm colliding with her forehead then muttering some "well-chosen" swearwords in Hungarian. How the hell could she have forgotten that, when Germany told them the date and place of the next meeting at least a hundred times before they left Berlin! Thank Heavens she didn't have a project to make for this session.
'So, what about this meeting?' she finally asked, trying to calm her voice. It wasn't Austria's fault she forgot it, after all…
'I'm terribly sorry, but I just can't go. You see, I was already packed this afternoon when my boss called and he made me swear I'd talk to him tomorrow at 10.'
Hungary sighed, knowing there was no such thing as a boss-defying nation, especially not the tradition-liking Austria. Great, now he'll be on his own, in Vienna. If he was preoccupied with his thoughts, Roderich Edelstein could get lost in a wardrobe, for crying out loud! Every time they went shopping, Elizaveta made extra sure she connected their fingers with a ribbon or a yarn.
'Ok, I'll tell the others. But you could've simply called England…'
'No, I couldn't have. I'm quite certain he's shouting at America or France on the phone at the moment, or he just hung up on them, and I didn't want to deal with him when he's angry or drunk. Italy and Prussia are sure to keep Germany occupied, before you ask, and you know how he's always nervous about deadlines, plans and agendas.'
'I thought you'd understand him, you're quite stubborn with traditions as well… 'Hungary chimed in, trying to sound normal. Nearly a century passed since they divorced- it was a weird thing, since the Monarchy practically didn't exist by the time the treaties had made the thing legal-, and they were strictly separated for decades, but Austria still seemed as if he could read her thoughts, giving Hungary weird feelings and a knot in the stomach.
'That's different. I might be conservative, and they say at my place, they wouldn't realize the apocalypse for twenty years, but did you ever see me working hard for months as he does, or adapting a strict, military-like lifestyle as Prussia used to before he was dissolved? Never.'
'Well, I would be more than worried if you did.' Elizaveta admitted with a giggle. 'Anything else you wanted to say? Because I should begin to pack quickly.'
'No, nothing. Thanks for telling them, and have a safe trip. Bye.'

Hungary said "Bye" as well, then tried to keep her composure and not panic. She failed epically, because as soon as she put the cell phone back into her pocket, she raced up to her room, got her suitcase, and threw some unchecked garments into it. Then she grabbed some things from the bathroom, an extra shoe, her passport, a map and other papers, and put them down on a table to fetch a handbag for the papers, purse, some tissues and the cell phone. The rest went into the suitcase as well, along with an umbrella, which she didn't forget.

Elizaveta stopped, panting, and thought about what else she'd need. The plane ticket was a lost case; those are sold out weeks beforehand. Should she check her usual hideouts to see if she was thoughtful enough to get one?

Some minutes later, she sat on the floor, legs crossed, with a drawer before her, and looked through its contents. Divorce papers… maps… an old photo album… wait, what was that? She pulled a light blue envelope out from under a package of candles, and she nearly had a heart attack- it was a plane ticket from Budapest to London Heathrow for that afternoon, with a stick note about the address. After she could rest assured that this envelope was safely hid in her handbag, she tidied up the mess she made. She didn't worry about her clothes: the pants and blouse she wore that day for work would do just fine. Suitcase locked, handbag in safety, she locked her house and began to run towards the next taxi station. There she fortunately found a free car, and ordered the driver to take her to the airport.

When she arrived, she had about one and a half hour until departure, but she saw it best to check already in- she preferred waiting in the departure lounge. That reminded her, she forgot something… what was she to do during the about two hours of the flight?

AN

Well, that's the beginning. Even I have only vague ideas as to what will happen. I know I must have failures, and it's not beta-d, so feel free to correct me… and I'd really like a beta. As for character portrayals, I hope I could get everyone IC, thought I'd have some things to add.

1, In my interpretation, Austria is someone who would rather the things never changed, and who likes his calm and usual lifestyle- but would be ready to fight if it was endangered or turned upside down. The "hobbies first" and the getting lost things are things Himaruya mentions as well. As for the not noticing the apocalypse bit, I heard a writer (I don' know the name; the friend of mine I heard that quote from didn't say it) once wrote when the world had to end, he wanted to be in Austria, for they would realize it only about 20 years later. What I wrote about the divorce is true: the Czech, the Croats, the Slovaks and the Hungarians claimed indepencence in 1918-19, and the treaties were in 1919-20. Oh, and in case you wonder: Land am Berge, Land am Strome is the national anthem of Austria. That bit with "blessed are..." is an actual Austrian saying.

2, Now that I think about it, Turkey must have a special soft spot for flowers. They made excellent jobs with their rose gardens (creating new species and such as well) when they had the time. Budapest has a hill calles "Rose Hill", since there's the grave of a famous Turk, Gül Baba (it means Uncle/Father Rose), who is said to have been especially skilled at gardening. I read several fics with Turkey where Turkey calls Hungary Tulip, so I stuck to it. And I'm sure Turkey and Holland argue about whose flower the tulip is… xd

3, Oh yes, Bulgaria and his roses and rose oil are famous. Them being geographically close and sharing some point of history (losers of both world wars, Ottoman empire), I figured he and Hungary would make more than acquaintances, less than friends.

4, According to her profile, geraniums and tulips are Hungary's national flowers. I was surprised to find that out (she's my nation-tan, after all), but it figures; those flowers appear really often in folklore, and almost every rural flower garden has geraniums. Sissi was really popular in Hungary (and in my opinion, they were alike in character); maybe the improving of Franz Joseph's reception could be thanks to that.

That's all now, folks! I hope you enjoyed it, reviews, ideas and constructive criticism are welcome, as long as you are polite. One last thing: I couldn't resist but put in a "quote" (it's not in quotation marks, mind you!) from a character song.