A Miracle
Summary: Side story to ArixaBell's "Second Chance". A look through Hungary's eyes as she deals with the death of Austria after the war and then meets him as Roderich later. Double-shot: contains some PruxHun and AusxHun.
Hello all! So, I just finished reading this AMAZING Hetalia fanfic by ArixaBell. It's called "Second Chance", and it's freakin' awesome. I couldn't stop reading it until I finally finished it. Anyway, I was inspired to write this little side story thing for it. It's mostly in Hungary's POV, and it's what I think she felt/went through when 1) Austria died and 2) she reunited with him as Roderich. It's double shot, so the first chapter will be during the war and just a little after it. It will contain some AustriaxHungary and PrussiaxHungary. The next chapter will be what happened during "Second Chance," and it'll have mostly AustriaxHungary. I hope y'all like it! :D
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HETALIA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS!
MIDDLE OF WORLD WAR III; AUSTRIA:
The sounds of war were raging far away outside of Austria's mansion. His country was under attack. Damn war...
"Austria!"
The brunet nation turned around to face his ex-wife running towards him with wide green eyes. "Hungary..." he said softly. "How did you get in my house?"
"I used your spare key," she answered. She looked at him, a frown forming on her face when she realized he was wearing his military uniform. "Austria, you...you can't go out there and fight!"
Austria closed his violet eyes, his expression emotionless. "I have to. I have to fight for my country, my life. I have to fight to protect my people. They're dying out there."
Hungary's lip started to quiver, hearing her love say those words. Austria wasn't very strong in fights and wars, that was her specialty. He couldn't do this on his own. "Then...then I'm going to fight with you!"
He opened his eyes and looked at her then. He gave her the faintest smile. "Hungary, dear, I can't let you do that."
"Yes, you can! I'm fighting alongside you! You can't stop me."
"I don't want you to."
"Wh-what?" Hungary blinked and looked up at the Austrian, her eyes shimmering just a little. How could he even say that to her? Sure, they weren't married any more, but they still liked each other, right? "Why not?" she demanded.
"Because while I'm fighting here, you should be in your own country, protecting your own people. You certainly can't do that while you're helping me," Austria explained. "I wouldn't want you to risk your life and country to protect me. I'll be fine on my own this time."
Hungary stared at Austria with a sad look on her face before she turned her gaze to the ground. "But you know you can't fight well," she mumbled, some loose strands of hair falling into her face.
He chuckled just a little. "I know that." He gently took her chin in his hand and tilted her head up so she was looking at him. Austria frowned, seeing the tears in her eyes and running down her face. "Hey, don't worry." He used his thumb to carefully wipe away some of the tears. "It'll be fine. I'll only be on my own for a little while. Prussia promised he'd give me some back up and he'll be here soon."
Of course. In the beginning of World War III, Austria had formed a (temporary) alliance with Prussia. It had been Hungary's idea. She knew Prussia was strong enough to defend Austria if he was under attack and Hungary was incapable of helping. She smiled a little to herself, remembering how she had to threaten Prussia to agree. She had the albino crying...oh, that was fun.
But still, this was Austria. The man she still loved more than the entire universe. The man who was her universe. Even if Prussia was coming to support him, Hungary wouldn't mind fighting to defend her lover. Even if it meant that her country could easily be destroyed and kill her. She didn't care, as long as she was with him.
"Can't I fight for just a little bit?" Hungary asked, her expression pleading. "Just until Prussia comes?"
"No, you can't," Austria replied.
"Please?"
"No."
"Come on! Why?"
"Because I said I wanted you to take care of yourself this time."
"I don't care! Just let me help you! Just for a little while! Please!" Hungary couldn't keep it together any more. More tears were streaming down her face and she was starting to cry. "Please, Austria," she begged, her voice only a whisper. "Please. I don't want to leave you." She lowered her head again, her crying turning into sobs. She felt her face grow warm as arms wrapped around her protectively.
"I know," he murmured, pressing his face gently into her hair and planting a light kiss on the top of her head. "But you have to. I promise I'll be here when you get back. Okay, love?"
Hungary sniffled and closed her eyes, resting her head against Austria's chest. A few more tears ran down her cheeks and she gave a slight nod. "A-all right," she mumbled, hugging Austria around the waist.
The two of them stayed that way for a while, and Hungary wished it could've lasted forever. But she needed to part ways with her ex-husband so they released each other and stared into each other's eyes. Austria had his hand on her cheek and he was gently stroking it with his thumb. He ran a hand through her long wavy brown hair and gave her a sad smile. She could've sworn there were tears in those violet eyes hidden behind glasses.
"Good luck, Hungary, dear," he said, pulling her in for one more quick hug. "I know you'll be fine. Please don't worry about me."
Hungary nodded, her heart twisting in knots. She really didn't want to leave him like this. "I-I'll try not to," she replied, looking up at him. "You fight hard and beat those bastards, all right?"
Austria's small smile grew and he chuckled. "Of course." There was a long silence then and Austria turned to go, walking away.
Hungary watched his retreating back before she called out his name and ran after him. As he turned around, she grabbed hold of the front of his jacket and pulled him close, pressing her lips against his. She could feel him stiffen in surprise, but then he gave in, and returned the gesture. It wasn't anything too passionate, just a simple kiss lasting a little more than a few seconds. But it was enough for Hungary as she stepped back, blushing furiously. "Austria, I...I still love you! You're not allowed to die out there, okay?"
Austria was also blushing quite a bit. But he smiled. Not one of the weak ones he was giving before, but his usual kind, warm, and loving smile. "I love you, too, dear. I'll see you soon, I promise."
"Y-yeah. See you soon." The two nations then turned and went their separate ways to face their own battles.
Hungary had finally managed to defeat the enemy in her country. It was a long, hard battle, but she had done it. Sadly, she had not done it coming out with just a few scratches and bruises, but those wounds that would've possibly killed any human were healing already. Her uniform was dirty, torn, and stained with blood (both hers and others').
How long had that fight lasted? Days? Weeks? Months? Hungary wasn't sure, she had lost track of time. It had to have been a while, though. She missed Austria terribly, and her heart ached at the thought of him. She had been praying all the time while she was fighting that he was okay and still alive.
The female nation looked around her home where she stood, glad that it wasn't anything too terrible. Everything could be rebuilt. However, some of her people had been killed in the battle. She was sad, but she was grateful that they were of great assistance. She was proud of her soldiers.
They deserve a memorial for their service, she thought to herself. I'll care of that after I make sure Austria is all right. She walked over to one of the military Hummer vehicles nearby that had somehow survived the fight and climbed in the driver's seat. She started the car and started driving the long trip to her neighboring country.
"Oh!" Hungary gasped, her eyes widening as she stepped out of the car. She had arrived in Austria finally after hours and the result of the battle was...horrifying.
Everything was either burnt to the ground or still burning. The ground was covered in ash and blackened corpses. Austria used to be such a beautiful country...
Wait, where was Austria?
"Austria!" Hungary called, beginning to walk among the debris and scorched ground. "Austria!" There was no answer and she picked up her pace. "Austria! Austria! Au-!" She paused, noticing a figure clad in a familiar military uniform lying on the ground, unmoving. From where she stood, she could just make out the wavy brown hair with that one stubborn strand that stood up...
"Austria!" she screamed, sprinting over to him and falling to her knees beside him. He looked...awful. His face was filthy and there was a deep gash in his forehead. Dried blood caked the left side of his face and most of his uniform. Most of his body was covered in burns and she could see that his leg was obviously broken. His sparkling violet eyes were shut, and his glasses, which had snapped in half, were on the ground a few feet away from him. He also wasn't breathing.
"Austria, no," she whispered, unable to speak any louder. She had started trembling, tears already pooling in her emerald eyes and spilling over. "Austria..." She carefully lifted her beloved's body into her arms, cradling his head against her chest as she began sobbing heavily. She pressed her face into his blood-stained hair, not caring that she was soaking it with her tears. "Y-you stupid aristocrat!" she sobbed, holding him close to her. "W-why didn't you let me st-stay? I could've protected you, y-you moron! You'd still be al-alive!" She then carefully laid Austria back on the ground, staring at him for a few moments, hoping some miracle would occur and his eyes would flash open, he'd sit up and start gasping for air, perfectly healed...
But it never happened. This was real life, not some movie or book where everything was a happy ending. Reality never did turn out like those. Movies and literature lied.
The Hungarian balled her hands into fists and pressed them against her shut eyes, trying to breathe. It was so hard...it felt like her chest was tightening and suffocating her. She couldn't breathe. She needed to breathe. She needed to wake up from this horrible nightmare...So she threw back her head and let out an anguished cry that no one-even if there was someone in this barren land-could hear. When she was finished screaming to the dark and stormy sky, she collapsed on her side, sobbing and shaking. She curled up into a tight ball, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around herself.
She couldn't believe it. Austria couldn't die. No. It wasn't real. It couldn't be real. It had to be a dream. A long, horrible nightmare that she couldn't wake up from, but she desperately wanted to. She had to wake the hell up.
It had started to rain. Of course, she scoffed mentally. It always rained on the dramatic and tragic scenes after a battle. How ironic. Hungary's mind had started going fuzzy, and she was starting lose her consciousness.
"Hungary? Hungary!"
That was strange. Was someone there? Somewhere in her mind, she was vaguely aware of strong arms lifting her from the ground and carrying her off.
"Nn, Austr'a...dun leave...lemme stay...an' figh' with you..." Hungary mumbled in her sleep. She was tossing and turning in...in a bed? She woke with a start, sitting up and snapping her eyes open. With wide green eyes, she took in her current surroundings. It was a small bedroom with dim lighting and no windows. It was almost like living in someone's basement...
Hungary's head snapped in the direction of the sound of someone snoring quite loudly. It was Prussia. He was sitting in a chair, his head leaning against the back of the chair and his eyes were closed. She couldn't help but give the tiniest little smile at the somewhat amusing sight. She gave a low chuckle and tossed one of the pillows at the albino's head, startling him.
"Gah! Who dares to throw things at the awesome Prussia while he is sl-oh! Hungary! You're awake!"
"Y-yeah," Hungary replied. She blinked at him and then looked down at her hands. "How...how did I get here?"
"The awesome me carried you, duh! You were, like, passed out or something out there and I tried to wake you up, but you didn't respond. You were still breathing and stuff, so I knew you were alive, so I carried you back here to the 'Cave of Awesomeness' for you to get some rest."
"You carried me?" she repeated, a little surprised. That was...nice of him. "Um, th-thank you."
"No problem!" Prussia replied, grinning.
Strange though, she didn't remember passing out. She probably was in shock from seeing...seeing...Oh god...No...
Hungary's throat started to close up and her chest tightened again. Fresh tears stung her eyes and she involuntarily let out a small whimper.
Prussia blinked his red eyes and tilted his head. He suddenly looked concerned. "Hey..." he said softly, going over to the side of the bed and looking at her. "I'm sorry. I know it doesn't help much and it won't do anything, but really, I am. I-" He yelped and jumped back, narrowly avoiding a punch from Hungary. "Hey! What the hell?"
"Bastard!" Hungary snarled, her green eyes filled with malice and tears. "How could you?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Prussia asked, appearing genuinely confused. Had she finally lost it?
"You weren't there to help him!" the Hungarian yelled, tears flowing down her face. "You didn't support him! You made an alliance with him!"
"Hungary..."
"You failed him!"
"Hungary, please, listen..."
"I-it's your fault he's dead! You let him die, didn't you? You-"
"Hungary, shut the fuck up!"
Startled by the sudden increase in his volume, Hungary stopped and stared at the silver-haired albino, who had moved back to the side of the bed. "You killed him," she whispered, choking back a sob.
Prussia honestly looked like a knife was stabbed through his heart when she said that. He swallowed and closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head. "No," he murmured. "No, I didn't. I swear, I didn't. I was there to fight with him, I supported him. I kept him safe throughout the fight, except for the few minor scratches and bruises. But...his country was being destroyed and so were his people. He wouldn't allow that..."
There was fire everywhere. Bombs were being dropped on everything. People were dying...His people.
Not if he could help it...
He sliced through another enemy soldier with his blood-covered sword, spinning around just in time to see Prussia kill the soldier ready to shot through the back of his head. Austria blinked and nodded once. "Thanks."
The Prussian grinned that obnoxious smile of his. "Anytime." The two of them continued to fight together, bringing down any opponent that stood in their way-of course Prussia being the better fighter was able to do most of that work.
It still didn't help that Austria's country was being destroyed with his citizens. He had to save whatever survivors there were. He had to do something. Nodding to himself, the Austrian made up his mind. He put a hand on Prussia's shoulder after he had just taken down one more soldier.
"Prussia, I need you to do me a favor," Austria said.
Prussia blinked and cocked his head. "Right now? Can't it wait? We're kinda in the middle of a fight here..."
"Exactly. I need you to evacuate the remaining Austrians. Now."
"Wait, what? Are you insane?"
Austria sighed and turned his head to the side. He gave a small shrug. "Perhaps. But it's the only way. You take the survivors, and I'll stay here until you get back. Take them across the border into Germany. They'll be safe there for sure. Okay?"
"Why can't you do it yourself? I'll stay and fight."
"Prussia, you're not a real nation anymore," Austria replied, ignoring the annoyed glare he received. "No offense. If you fight and get killed in here, you may not come back because you don't have any land that belongs to Prussia any more-"
"Not true. I live in Germany's basement. That's Prussian land!"
"I don't think that counts..."
"I say it does! I'm awesome, so therefore whatever the awesome me declares is official!"
"Okay, whatever," Austria sighed. "Anyways, because you don't have any land belonging to the nation of Prussia any more, I fear that you may be killed in this battle. Your non-existent country can't be destroyed because it doesn't exist. If you were to die, well, I'd never forgive myself."
Prussia blinked his red eyes and stared at the man he'd hated for so long. "Seriously?" he asked softly. He received a nod as an answer. "I thought you hated me."
"Not entirely true. You're like a highly annoying older brother to me."
Prussia gave him a smirk. "Damn right then!" he laughed. "And you're the wussy younger brother with no backbone that I have to fight for?"
"That's rude. But yes, I suppose so," Austria replied, smiling in return. He winced as Prussia clapped him on the back, snickering.
"All righty then! You ain't half bad, Austria. I guess I'll do what you asked me to."
Austria nodded. "Thank you. They're all in the camp, taking cover. Please, keep them safe."
"I will," Prussia promised. "And you keep yourself alive."
"I will..."
"Needless to say, he didn't hold on to his end of the deal," Prussia grumbled bitterly. "Damn aristocrat jerk." He reached up to wipe his eyes quickly, hoping Hungary didn't notice he was crying. That would not be awesome at all.
Hungary, however, was avoiding eye contact with the Prussian. "Oh...I'm sorry for what I said," she mumbled, sniffling.
"It's fine," Prussia sighed, handing her a box of tissues from off of the desk. "You were upset."
"I said some bad things to you..."
"No, seriously, it's okay. Your words cannot harm the awesome me!" Prussia forced himself to grin to hide his sadness. He wasn't upset over Hungary's words. He was upset about Austria. He loved to abuse the aristocrat nation, it was fun, but the first time they had ever really gotten along...and now he was dead. It was just...not awesome. Not awesome at all.
Hungary let out a slightly amused snort. "That's good, I guess," she said in a quiet tone. She blinked when she felt a hand cover hers.
"Look, it'll be okay," Prussia told her, his red eyes staring into her green ones. "I promise. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it'll be okay someday. We can get through it together, all right?"
Hungary blinked and felt heat rise up into her cheeks. Her heart was starting to beat just a touch faster than normal. When did Prussia get this sensitive? It was just so unlike the loud, obnoxious, egotistic albino Prussian. She forced herself to smile. "Thanks, Prussia. I appreciate it." She leaned forward just a little and gave him a small little peck on the cheek to show her gratitude. "Honestly, I can't get through this alone."
"That's what we have each other for, right? For healing?"
She nodded. "Right. Healing." She didn't know why, but she found herself blushing just a little. She had never, in all her life, known Prussia to be so...kind. It was strange to her.
Prussia put a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Why don't you get some rest? You've had a hard day, I'm sure."
Hungary nodded. "Yes. Thank you," she murmured, lying back down on the bed. It wasn't long before she closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.
Sunlight flooding in through the window was what woke the sleeping Hungarian. With an aggravated groan, Hungary rolled onto her other side as her green eyes fluttered open, meeting a pair of red ones right beside her. She smiled. "'Morning."
Prussia gave her a sleepy grin in return. "Morning," he replied, pulling one arm from under the covers to reach over and brush away a loose strand of brown hair from her face. "Sleep well?"
"Mhm." Hungary gave a nod, stretching out her legs under the sheets and yawning. "You?" She felt Prussia's strong arms wrap around her and she leaned into him.
"Of course." He gave her a little peck on the lips. "I slept awesomely."
The Hungarian gave a little chuckle and ruffled the albino's white hair. "I figured. Do you want some breakfast?"
"Yes, please."
"Okay," she replied, smiling. "Can I get up now?"
Prussia gave a sigh. "If you must," he grumbled, letting Hungary go.
Hungary crawled out of bed, wearing only a silk nightgown. She went over to the vanity in her room and ran a brush through her long brown hair. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a tee shirt and slipped them on. "Breakfast'll be ready in about half an hour, okay?" she said to the still half-asleep Prussian in her bed.
"'Kay."
"Good." Hungary flashed him a small smile before going down the stairs into her kitchen.
World War III had been over for quite some time now. Ten years? Hungary couldn't really remember, it had seemed so long ago. And she preferred not to remember it because of all the pain it brought back. It was when she had lost...him. Austria. It even hurt to say or think of his name.
But she was with Prussia now. After the death of Austria, the two of them had found comfort in each other and then their relationship as friends had blossomed into romance only a few years ago. It just happened one day and they were both happy...
She was happy, wasn't she?
As Hungary started preparing to make the two of them breakfast, these doubtful thoughts popped into her head once more. They had started coming once she and Prussia began dating, but she always tried her best to ignore them. They constantly reminded her that Prussia was not the man she truly wanted. Yes, she loved Prussia, but she was in love with Austria. There was definitely a difference between the two feelings.
No. She shook her head in an attempt to throw the intruding thoughts out of her head. She was very happy with Prussia. And Prussia was happy with her. That was all that mattered. It was a miracle that they had each other.
...She was right, wasn't she?
Gah, okay, failure ending on this chapter. -_-"" Sorry. Anyways, next chapter will be the last one and will be up here as soon as possible, I promise. ^^"
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