Author's Notes and Disclaimer:

Well, here's another entry into the AU RDNA-verse. This one in particular takes place 10-15 years after (most of) The Personal Records of a Doctor, during and after an alternate war in Britain. shifting in perspective and time period between Matthew/Canada and Francesca/New Austria (an alternate history Mexico, in case you're wondering) and showing the effects this all had on their peoples (and sanity). As a warning of sorts, there are hints to Canada/Ukraine and possibly America/Russia. Also, this story does get more graphic and darker than the previous stories, though I don't want to call this a Dark Fic just yet. Hopefully.

Just to put this out of the way. I do not own Axis Powers Hetalia, whose rights belong to Hidekaz Himaruya. All else referenced belong to their respective owners.

Of Loss and Madness: A RDNA-verse Tale

Montreal, British Dominion of Canada. 7 May 1949

Not many people took the old Dual Crowns route. Once, it had symbolized the friendship between the British and Habsburg Empires. These days, some thought of simply cutting off the connection at the last American station. Those who had tickets by then were mainly on official business. One in particular was delivered to an out of the way flat in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. But at the moment, it was being waved frantically in front of its recipient by his twin brother.

"You're really going there, Mattie? Look, I know you've got the envoy excuse. But seriously?"

The host, one Matthew Williams, let out a quiet sigh. "It's fine, Alfred. How many times do I have to say it? There's nothing special."

"Bringing your bosses and a bunch of officers over ain't that simple, you know. Just call in sick or something." His brother's eyes narrowed. "You haven't been Kraut-side in three years. And it's not like New Vienna's the safest place in the world."

"Heh. It's not like they'll notice me." He gave a soft, knowing chuckle. "But let's face it: we both know the real reason. Our peoples do. So do the others." Please don't play dumb with me.

"Yeah," Alfred retorted. "The fifth anniversary of V-B Day's coming up. Don't think I've forgotten everything about the Liberation."

Matthew knew him too well to not even bother. No point anyway. In any case, neither of them, nor the rest of their kind, could remove those events from their memories. They were there, fighting and freeing the British Isles against the Reds. The Canadian himself still bore the scars of his soldiers and wisps of ravaged English countryside. None of them took any real pleasure in the worse parts of it. Except her. His thoughts quickly snapped back.

"Neither did me, brother. It's not that my leaders are dying to make the trip. Trust me: I'mnot so keen with this either."

"Nothing's stopping you, really," the embodiment grunted. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I've got your back. Just in case something goes wrong there. I'm the hero, after all!"

"Don't you have some Russians to look after?"

"Fine. I have to get going anyway." The twin gave a slight, though forced smile. "Just tell Francesca I said 'Hi.'"

Sure that the American's footsteps were no longer heard, the Nation made his way to the kitchen. As was his routine, he took out some food for his pet bear cub. There was more than enough time later, after all, for packing bags. Yet he couldn't put his mind fully at ease. Then again, it hasn't been for a while.

"Mon Dieu. What should I do now, Katya?"