With a sigh, Prussia took the hourglass standing on the Austria's desk. He watched the light glisten in the glass and on the sand inside. He observed the carvings on the dark wood framing the glass. Tentatively, he turned the glass over, so the sand started to flow down. How easily time could pass …
"Is there a reason why you're here?" Austria's sharp voice broke the silence between them. He glanced at Prussia over the silver rim of his spectacles. A plaster still adhered to his cheek but most of the other bandages Prussia had noticed the last time they had met had vanished. Good, so at least one of them was already healing.
"I wanted to see you," Prussia said, his eyes fixed on Austria's. He tried to take in as much as possible. He never knew when he might need that memory in the years to come.
Austria shook his head. "I can see that but why?"
With a deep sigh, Prussia put the hourglass back on the table, with the fuller side down so the sand could run back. "You know, later today, I'll have this meeting with … Amerika, England and …" He took a deep breath. "Russia."
Austria nodded. "I do know. But why are you acting so weird today. They won't kill you, right?" Was it wishful thinking or could he hear heartfelt worry in the Austrian's voice?
Prussia looked down, shook his head. He couldn't tell him, he just couldn't. He knew what would be made official on that meeting. He knew that he was about to leave for Russia soon. And he had no idea when – if ever – he would return.
"They won't kill you, will they?" Austria repeated his question, louder this time, more demanding. There was more worry in his voice now, too. "They didn't harm me at all, so why should they harm you?"
Prussia could think of various reasons, separating him from his brother was one of the top reasons. He had done so much harm. Perhaps it was time for someone to stop him. To punish him for his sins.
"They won't," he said instead of voicing his real opinion. "I'm too awesome for being harmed or killed. So don't worry." He gave Austria a half-hearted grin. "I'll be back before you even miss me."
Austria snorted. "I'll take you upon that," he threatened. He still didn't look happy about Prussia leaving.
"Okay, Specs," Prussia announced as he got up. He took the hourglass and turned it. "I'll be back before all the sand has run though. I promise." Then he left without looking at Austria again. He didn't dare to. Otherwise, he would have seen the tears in his eyes. He didn't want to lie to him like this. But he didn't want to see him cry. He wanted to keep the stern, snobby Austria he liked so much in mind.
For the next half an hour, Austria kept staring at the hourglass. He wanted to belief Prussia in this matter but everything told him against. He knew that Prussia wouldn't come back to him. Not this soon. But still, he waited.
And waited.
Only little sand was left inside the top half of the hourglass. Not even a minute. By this time, Austria had given up all hope.
"Liar," he whispered. But there was a smile on his lips. He knew why Prussia had done this.
So he took the hourglass and placed it on the shelf, in a horizontal position.
That way, Prussia could take all time in the world to come back.
A/N: This was originally posted on my livejournal account as part of the Table Challenge from Hetachallenge there. Personally, I'm really pleased with this one and it's definitely one of my favourites.