AN: Hey, everyone! My first update in a while (and my first non-video-game-centric update)! (Skip ahead if you don't want historical context—let me know if it is too historical to enjoy.) So, in 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed, which was a dual monarchy between Austria and Hungary. They worked separately for quite a bit, but were allied with much more closeness than others. There were lots of hiccups—for example, Hungarians didn't speak Austrian and vice versa—but in the end it proved profitable until they were defeated in 1918. The war I refer to in here is the Seven Weeks War. Also, all non-English is Google Translate and as such I apologize for inaccuracy :P Also, I haven't read much Hetalia, just the web comic—I'm pretty sure I've researched enough to know the canon and read enough fics to know the voices, but let me know if anything is wrong. Anyway, enough with that—enjoy the story!

Chapter One: Beginnings

Austria

Austria stared at his sheets of music, taking one of his lulls in work to work on his latest composition. It had been a little while—with his defeat in the war against Germany and Prussia and the loss of some of his land, recovering had taken time. And then…there was the matter of the woman that shared his household now. Hungary. Ever since his emperor, Franz Josef II, had decided that he and Hungary should cooperate, they'd been forced into closer proximity. One thing led to another, and before Austria knew it, there was a wedding ring, a ceremony, and a new resident in his household, which had been empty for centuries now. Yes, Hungary was no stranger; they had raised Holy Rome and Italia together, after all. But she'd never been as close as she was now. Before she was a maid. Now she was a wife. And Austria didn't quite know how he felt about it.

A wrong note burst from the piano, nearly making Austria jump. His thoughts were wandering too far from the piano and too close to Hungary. He gave himself an internal reprimand as he continued to play, his fingers dancing across the keys as he played over the first few pages again, making sure they were free of errors. The melody rang strong, a gentle scale making the bass clef line seem to shimmer beneath. Finally…after so long, it seemed nearly perfect. It was beautiful, and finally Austria was absorbed in the music.

"Gyönyörű…" It was almost too quiet to hear, quiet enough to ease Austria out of his reverie rather than jerking him from it. Yet his focus was gone, and he slowly turned as his fingers stilled. Hungary stood in the doorway of his conservatory, her blond hair back in its customary ponytail as her green eyes shimmered. At Austria's inquisitive glance, she blushed. "Beautiful," she translated. "That piece…is it yours?" Austria nodded.

"It is. Was there…anything you needed, Miss Hungary?" An odd feeling rose in Austria's chest. He realized he was staring and quickly averted his eyes, adjusting his glasses to hide the sudden change in his gaze. Such leering was ungentlemanly…and odd. This had never happened before—why, now that Hungary had a ring on her finger, was he having strange, unprecedented feelings?

"No…I didn't mean to interrupt, I just…was hoping to talk to you."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean…you're my husband now." Hungary's blush deepened until her cheeks were rosy. She was never this subdued—was the marriage changing her too? "I haven't really…been around for ages and I thought there might be things that you'd want to know. And you…you've been through wars, changes…things are different now." Austria solemnly nodded, turning around on his piano bench to face his wife.

"All right. Please have a seat," he offered, gesturing to a nearby chair. Hungary obliged, brushing her skirt beneath her. "What information would you like?"

"Well…how have you been?" Austria blinked, surprised.

"Fine?"

"Was that an answer or a question?" Hungary teased, smiling. "I mean it. You were just in a war with Germany and Prussia, after all. And then there was all this. Are you all right?"

"Losses are hardly something I can't handle," Austria replied. "There is no need to worry yourself over my well-being." In truth, the loss of some of his provinces was something he was still recovering from; though he was never fit at his best, Austria now found himself becoming sore and exhausted more easily, weaker in general. Hungary raised an eyebrow, staring at Austria as if to divine his truthfulness.

"You know, you don't have to act invincible," she reprimanded.

"Miss Hungary, I do not act." But even as he finished his sentence, pain shot through his back and his muscles tensed. He tried his hardest to hide his ensuing grimace from Hungary, but even the minutest change of his facial features was enough to make Hungary's eyes glow with concern.

"Are you sure?" she asked, standing up to share the piano bench with Austria. Austria's heart stuttered in his chest slightly; was this a new aftereffect of war? But no, it didn't seem to be harming him…it only spread warmth through his body and gave him a feeling of…giddiness.

"I…" Austria began, only to find that his thoughts were most certainly not occupied with his speech. Hungary shook her head and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Let me know if you need anything, please." She stood and left the room, leaving Austria stunned. He numbly lifted his hand as if to trace where her lips had touched, but let it fall. Normally his brain would have been flooded with reprimands of how improper that situation was, but for once, he didn't care.