After a rather long hiatus on FF . net, I've decided to start cross-posting my fics from DeviantArt. What better way then than a series of interconnected one-shots featuring Austria and Hungary all set on the same day in different eras? But while this is very much AusHun-centric, expect Prussia to be a very prominent presence as well as things in general to not be like a fairy tale (at least not much).

At best, this is bound to become bittersweet especially since while historical, this eventually leads up to the 1983: Doomsday Stories AU or Doomsday-verse. So also expect to see some foreshadowing with events later on in the timeline as well as mentions of the Sopron OC from Doomsday. As an added warning related to the above, this does get mature at points so be warned.

And just to be safe, this is not meant to be an ideological, political or propaganda piece at all. This is a work of fiction that happens to have some historical context and inspiration. Also, I neither own Axis Powers Hetalia. All rights belong to their respective owners.

So without further ado, enjoy!

Matrimony and Compromise

Or, a Story from the Days of Empire, told through the Nations' Eyes

Somewhere in Buda Castle. 8 June 1867.

There were certain topics that Elizaveta Héderváry never really gave much thought on. Marriage was one of them. True, she was no stranger to the idea of bonding. Neither was she oblivious to what it usually meant, whether for mortals or her kind. This time however, it had practically become the most important word of the day. With me as the lucky bride, the personification of Hungary thought with more than a hint of anxiety as she quietly made her way around the spacious hall. Still, she kept looking away from the bespectacled, elegantly dressed man walking alongside her. Not that she'd admit of being shy right there and then. Though to think I actually agreed to this.

Smirking despite herself, she took a moment to glance at the surroundings. Amidst the warm glow of gaslight and elegant chandeliers, she could see the raised thrones where Ferenc József and his dear Sissi continued receiving a seemingly endless line of well-wishing dignitaries: a host of nobles, officers, churchmen and gentry, many of whom to the Nation's welcome surprise were of her people. Here and there, she could even see France, Switzerland, England and a few others of her kind amongst the crowd. All while an orchestra from the adjourning ballroom filled the air with music. Straight from Vienna, too. At least her new husband spared no expense when it came to entertainment, even if it seemed too German, French or even Russian for her tastes. Still, she would be foolish to ignore the bullet holes and cracks just barely covered up by the grandeur.

"Is something the matter, Ungarn?" The Magyar turned to find Roderich Edelstein speaking to her in German, his white officer's uniform still impeccable despite the heat earlier during the day. There was concern in his voice, although neither his face nor gestures showed it. "If the atmosphere is too stifling, then I am willing to escort you outside."

"Nem, thank you Auztria," she replied in her native tongue, adding a soft if forced chuckle. "It's just that today has been rather tiring. I'm probably more concerned about Gilbert showing up. He's never one for subtlety, after all."

Her new husband scoffed ever so slightly at the Prussian's name, with a faint twitch from his eyebrow which she normally found cute. "That albino buffoon? He would be lucky to even cross our frontiers without having his precious pickelhaube shot off."

So says the one who lost to him, Elizaveta snarked silently as they approached the ballroom. Even now she could still see the barely hidden bruises that were only beginning to fade away. Truth be told however, the warrior and former nomad still felt torn over the whole affair. On the one hand, she really did care for Roderich. Long before they exchanged their vows, there was no denying how he treated her as both an equal and close friend. Yet she still felt the wounds he and his soldiers inflicted back during her people's revolt nearly 20 years before in which even her newly crowned Apostolic Majesty played a role against her. And while Empress Sissi helped in trying to reconcile them, the Hungarian wasn't quite certain if she could ever be comfortable around that aristocrat again.

Not even the pomp and circumstance of their "wedding" in Matthias Church earlier that day really distracted her from that fact, let alone how it had all been arranged. Most of the fine details relating to the Ausgleich had been fiercely worked out in the preceding months, making their ceremony as well as her new monarchs' coronation something of a frivolous formality. Just what am I to you?

Hungary found herself snapping back upon hearing a familiar-sounding tune starting to be played. It brought a smile to her face. Rhapsody, was it? While the Nation personally preferred lively folk songs and dances, like many she was an admirer of the composer who for all the German pretenses would always be known by his birth name. Liszt Ferencz.

"Bitte…Liebchen." the Austrian offered, awkwardly to her surprise as he lent his hand. "It is the least I could do with the entertainment."

A cautious though still assuring nod was all she needed to give before taking hers into his. Before long, she found herself being swept along with the music. Elizaveta had long since taken a liking to waltzes, but it still surprised her just how strong and lively, if not sensual her husband was right then beneath that stoic facade. She nonetheless had the presense of mind not to step on her own rather constraining gown as they danced along. Admittedly, the Nation preferred simpler dresses or even her military uniforms to the ornate frills, layers and fabrics she donned. But while it was wonderful how much the garments reminded her of Sissi's, the Nation couldn't wait to get out of the thing. Although that was a thought she'd rather reserve for another time. Neither did it really distract from the mesmerizing sight in front of her.

"Is something the matter?" she heard him ask again as the piece reached its climax. "You need not pretend otherwise. Rest assured that your concerns are safe with me."

"It's nothing, really! Though that's strange, coming from someone like you."

It was then that she noticed a more visible lapse in Roderich's face. A frail, sombre smile lined his mouth while behind that Nation's spectacles, his eyes seemed to have a more than a hint of anxiety if not fear. Of what exactly, she could only guess. Though maybe I do know.

"Elizaveta, I hope you have the heart to forgive me," he whispered, almost as if reading her thoughts; this was not what she expected. "What your…rebellious malcontents fostered could have been avoided. But I don't pretend to be blameless for not supporting your drive for greater, better things than this…than me. Neither do I wish to put you down or enslave your people. You – our Empire deserves more. And I swea-"

The Magyar cut him off with a deep yet tender kiss, bringing their lips and bodies close together. Blushing, the Magyar tried her best to keep her eyes meeting his as they parted. "Hope that answers your concerns, Roddi," she replied with a half-formed smile, the music in the background drowning amidst the applause of an unsuspecting crowd. "I really do believe you, Roderich. Just that after all that's happened – it may take time before we could really, truly trust each other again. But I'm sure we could make this work. We're husband and wife after all."

There was silence for a moment that seemed to stretch forever. She could see a faint blush appear in Austria's cheeks as he tried finding the right words to say. Somehow, as the couple gazed into each other's eyes, it no longer seemed to matter what the others around them thought. Not the Habsburgs, dignitaries, officials or even Prussia stood. Nations after all had a rather different frame in seeing the world that the phrase "Until death do us part" meant little. But in the end, there was no shame being with a person she would like to grow old with, even if that was not guaranteed to last. Though I'm sure we can make it through.

"I'm…so glad." The aristocrat laid a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Ich liebe dich."

She managed a light, playful smirk as she held on to his arms. "Ahogy én szeretlek." The Hungarian took a moment to glance at the diamond ring on her finger, engraved with her coat of arms and surrounded by an inscription both of them had put to heart during the ceremony. Indivisibiliter ac Inseparabiliter. At least the thought counts.

"If you prefer," Austria added as he slid into a more composed, though warm tone. "We could arrange for another opportunity to have our matrimonial vows. Although if you so wish, we could make time for a more…private evening. The night, as you may say, is still young."

"I'll look forward to that, Szerelmem," she answered back with a wink. "Whatever happens, here's to the Empire!"

"To our Empire, dear. To us."

Whatever happens…

As for some reference:

The Ausgleich, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 was the series of reforms that formally made the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary a reality. Depending on the sources, it's normally dated to either March 30 (the beginning), May 29 (the formal ratification) or June 8 (the final declaration and coronation). I guess headcanon and Hetalia make use of the June 8 in particular as Austria and Hungary's "Wedding Day," explaining why that date means so much to the Nation.

Franz Joseph I (1830-1916; aka Ferenc József in Hungary) and Elisabeth (1837-98; aka Sissi) were the Emperor and Empress of the Habsburg/Austrian Empire respectively. The Kaiser and Kaiserin's formal Coronation as the Apostolic King and Queen of Hungary on the 8th of June, 1867 also served as the formal rise of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy. Sissi herself played a considerable role in connecting with the Magyars, seeing herself as more attached to Hungary than to the halls of Vienna.

Liszt Ferencz is the Hungarian name for Franz Liszt (1811-96), one of the leading composers and pianists in 19th Century Europe, as well as one of Hungary's most famous musical figures. He was also responsible in part for composing the pieces used during the real life Coronation ceremonies in 1867.

The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was a roughly seven-week long conflict over Silesia as well as the fate of what is now Germany. It resulted in a very triumphant Prussian victory and partly contributed to the Compromise.

The Hungarian Revolt of 1848 marked a very low point in Austro-Hungarian relations as rebels and nationalists rose up in a bloodied struggle against the Austrian Habsburgs, which soon came to be a war for independence. While it is still celebrated in Hungary to this day, the defeat and subsequent effort by both Austrians and Hungarians to come to terms with that would help in shaping the Ausgleich.

The allusions to the Hungarian Revolt of 1848 are also a nod of sorts to Marj's What She Never Knew, showing the events from Austria's perspective.

Indivisibiliter ac Inseparabiliter was one of the old mottoes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was meant to signify the strong bonds and unity of the Dual Monarchy. In English it means "Indivisibly and Inseparably."

...also, Elizaveta/Hungary's outfit is heavily inspired by Empress Sissi's gowns as well as her elegant dresses from Hetalia.

Some of the information was also based from the book The Habsburgs: Embodying Empireby Andrew Wheatcroft.

Bitte - "Please" (German)
Liebchen - "My Love" (German)
Ich liebe dich - "I love you" (German)
Nem - "No" (Hungarian)
Ahogy én szeretlek - "As I love you" (Hungarian)
Szerelmem - "My Love" (Hungarian)