Ch 1: When I think about you
The strains of the piano floated filtered through the large estate. It was a sound often heard in Austria's home that was enjoyed by most of the servants including Italy. The playing was lovely but Elizaveta took no pleasure in it. The only thing the music did was remind her of that stuffy, cold aristocrat who ruled over her lands. She screwed up her face in disgust as she carried a tea tray into the music room.
The door was open a crack and she had to use her boot to open it to admit her. As she did the music grew louder and her grip on the tray grew so tight that it was a wonder that it didn't break.
He didn't notice her presence until she was there at his side. She was capable of being graceful when she wanted to, but because it was for him, she set the tea service down so that the china made a noticeable clinking noise that disturbed the pure musical notes.
He ceased playing immediately and sat up a little straighter as she stood beside him.
"Will there be anything else Herr Edlestein?" she stated curtly.
He stared straight ahead with his hands poised above the keyboard. There was a spark in those violet eyes which might have alarmed her if she had seen it, but he spoke evenly making her none the wiser.
"In the future I vill take my tea served with more efficiency und less backtalk," he said coldly.
She rolled her eyes and moved to fix his tea as he reached for the plated torte. Their fingers brushed and they both jerked back instantly. She cleared her throat and continued to make his tea as her face burned.
When she had stirred in the two sugars shakily, she turned on her heel and left the room.
"Damn him,"she thought angrily as she resumed her duties.
It took several minutes for her fluttering pulse to quiet. How was it that he could he get her so riled up by uttering a few terse words to her?
When she had first come to live with him he had been a tolerable master. He was distant, strict, and preoccupied most of the time but he had been fair, treated her well and most importantly she had felt safe. He had defended her against Sadiq and after that her fate was sealed.
They had been through a lot together in the short time since their childhoods. Somehow she knew their destinies would be intertwined in the centuries to come. But, that didn't mean she would just accept the way he treated her.
Roderich sighed dramatically and sipped his tea. He remembered all too well the times when Miss Hedervary used to beat the crap out of him. Ah yes, fond memories those. He had been so small then and she had been small as well, but so strong already. Who could have guessed that she would end up living in his home?
She did her job well, despite her attitude. The floors sparkled, the furniture was polished and the windows were crystal clear. Whenever she made tea it was presented beautifully on the tray, and she knew the proper way to make a pot of tea which was a rarity in and of itself.
He didn't hold much of a grudge for the way she kicked the shit out of him during their childhood. Roderich treated her as he did in order to keep the boundaries between master and servant clearly defined. He did it because he was afraid of what he might do if those lines became blurred.
His face was still burning from the brief contact with her nimble fingers. If touching her fingertips evoked this kind of response, he wondered what would happen if he just took her in his arms and tasted her?
He shook his head and put that thought immediately out of his head. It would do him no good to think such things. Although it was becoming harder not to think those kinds of things these days.
"Perhaps the stress of vork is causing it," he murmured lifting the tea to his mouth.
The rest of the day went like clockwork and Elizaveta continued with her regular duties. She was in the parlor polishing furniture, making the wood gleam. As she got into a rhythm she polished every piece methodically and quickly so that she could move on to her other choirs.
"Hey servant vhy don't you come service me?" a voice cackled.
Her head jerked up and she found Gilbert poking his head in through a window with a leer on his face.
"Oh it's you," she said rolling her eyes. "What's the matter did you get bored when you couldn't find any more vulnerable lands to seize?"
"Maybe I should try to take you avay from that stuffed shirt pansy," Gilbert said smirking at her. "Just say the vord and I'll run in, penetrate his defenses and take you for myself."
"We both know you won't do that," she said as he looked her over.
"I could for a fee," he said nonchalantly.
"Your price is too steep," she laughed. She couldn't help herself, the banter put her in a good mood.
"I'm sure you could find some vay to pay me back," he told her meaningfully.
She looked up at that and locked eyes with him for an intense moment before she shook her head and he chuckled.
"I'll give you time to think about it since I'm so awesome," he said arrogantly, disappearing before pushing his head back in. "You look good on your knees."
She laughed and threw her rag at him before he took off leaving her to finish up before lunchtime.
"I thought I'd stop by in case you vere missing having this awesomeness around," Gilbert smirked as he lounged against the window ledge in Austria's office.
"Vell there was no need, because I doubt I would grow to miss you no matter how long your absence," Roderich replied crisply, not bothering to look up from his paperwork.
"Vell I wouldn't vant to deprive our libeling Elizaveta of my presence," Gilbert said coolly, watching Roderich stiffen slightly.
"Gilbert, don't go around bothering my servants," Roderich sighed after a moment.
"What if they vant me…around?" Prussia remarked suggestively.
"I don't care vat they want. They live in my house and serve me," Roderich said in a slightly strained voice.
"So you just vant her all to yourself is zat it?"
Roderich finally looked up at the obnoxious country looking flushed and irritated.
"Vat on earth are you talking about?" he exclaimed.
Gilbert shook his head and jumped down from the window.
"Maybe you'll understand ven you grow up von day!"
Roderich grimaced and pinched the bridge of his nose. Sometimes he understood all too well.
Alright, first chappie. I hope you all enjoyed it. Yes this is going to be a long chapter story with plenty of smut but hopefully with some character as well. Thanks to all the people who reviewed Homeland and made me think I could write a half decent Austria/Hungary fic. Til next time.