Inspired by 'Le Dormeur du Val' by Arthur Rimbaud
I do not own the Hetalia franchise or Arthur Rimbaud's work and sadly never will.
The young man lay still in the gully of green where a beautiful river sang songs of past glories and victories with its enchanting endless rhythm of stones hitting each other.
The sun shone brightly in the spring afternoon, illuminating every corner of darkness that came, leaving the man untouched and peaceful.
He was a blond with magnificent hair that spread on the moist grass where he rested. A small untrimmed chin beard was, apart from his eyebrows, the only facial hair he had.
He was dressed in a flashy blue soldier's uniform, fashionable yet remained serious despite the evident relaxed expression of the man.
His boots were in the water and stayed firmly in place even with the slight current the river had.
The gladiolas were dancing at his feet, seemingly desperate at grasping his attention and waking the young man from his slumber.
But nothing could wake him up and in an instant the wind grew sharp and merciless, carrying the sound of battle, horror and the evil laugh of a Prussian.
The sun was now completely blocked out by numerous clouds and the river, previously gentle and sweet, now was unforgiving and cold.
The man was paler than his was beforehand, but nonetheless stayed asleep and although he was obviously pained, he kept a slight smile and remained undisturbed.
The sun, in a useless attempt to wake the man, literally pushed the clouds away, giving the young man a final ray of sunshine before disappearing in the clouds once more.
The man stirred but did not move or get up. Instead he opens his mouth ever so slightly.
"Alsace…" he wheezed in pain "Lorraine…"
Slowly he puts his hand on his chest before going unconscious and limp. He has two red holes on his right side.
This small one-shot is about the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. If no one got it, the two red holes do signify France's right provinces, Alsace-Lorraine, which were lost after the war. I do sincerely recommend reading Arthur Rimbaud's 'Le Dormeur du Val'. (If you're English, then check the translation, it's just as good.