SOOOOOOO! Be wary of the headcanons up head! LOTS of headcanons! Let me clarify this now, Liechtenstein [to me (and my bestie)] is Austria and Hungary's child. There, please no trying to convince me otherwise… I'll think it rather rude anyways. This story honestly was thought of just because I guess I started to become a little depressed before graduation [I'm not depressed anymore of course] and also this one picture set that is just GORGEOUS! It shows Austria and Hungary throughout the ages, so yea… I am basing the events off of that.

Last Bedtime Story

Austria smiled, bitterly. It would seem that he was forever destined to be on the losing team. By now, it should have been an occurrence he should be used to. This was it though. This was the Great War, the war to end all wars and he lost. Even worse, the cause was on his turf. How shameful he felt, causing a war that he lost miserably. What's worse, the blame wasn't even placed on him but another… his youngest brother.

Utterly shameful.

Britain and France, he knew they hated him and Germany but to go to these lengths… it was too cruel. They really knew which spot to hit to make the punishment hurt, he wondered if they thought it was just or simply their wounded pride and egos that brought upon this punishment. "Vati, are you still awake?" The small voice behind the door to his study called out.

Slowly, he stood from his piano bench and walked briskly over to the door – opening it to see Liechtenstein standing before him. "Yes, oddly enough." He bent down to one knee to be eye level with her. "Better question, why are you awake?"

"Well… I couldn't sleep so I went to yours and Mutti's room and she was packing." Austria's muscles tensed at hearing packing. It was inevitable. "Vati, why is Mutti packing? Are we going on a trip?"

He couldn't. He honestly couldn't. Austria just did not have the heart to tell her that her parents were no longer married and this country manor that she called home no longer was. "Yes. Yes Liech, Mutti is going on a trip. And so are you!" Austria picked her up into his arms as she yelped in excitement.

"Really? ! Where Vati? I want to know!" She bounced and screamed with so much energy.

"Sshh! It's a surprise! And besides, we wouldn't want to be so loud. Be wary of the time Liech."

"Sorry… have you packed then?"

Austria bit his lower lip and started walking, adjusting her in his arms so she had arms and legs wrapped around him as he carried her down the manor. "It's a trip only for you and Mutti. I unfortunately, have too much work to catch up on. Now come, I shall read you a story and put you to bed where you belong. Especially at this late hour."

"Can I sleep in your room tonight?"

"Of course you can. I'm sure Mutti wouldn't mind."

"Vati, can you afford this trip?" Austria chuckled and held her tighter as they reached his and Hungary's room.

"What a silly question Liechtenstein! Don't say such things." He mumbled the last part as he reached the door and opened it, finding Hungary flipping through a few photo albums with a tissue in each hand. "Look who I found wandering the halls! It would seem we have our very own prowler."

Hungary looked up and smiled at an attempt to hide the tear-stained tissues, not expecting Austria to come in – especially with such energy. "Well then, a punishment is in order." She said jokingly.

Liechtenstein hugged Austria tighter, not wanting to receive any punishment. Austria merely laughed softly. "You sure? Oh, but she's a rather adorable-looking prowler. And that's rare these days."

Hungary stood up, placing her hands on her hips with a mock scowl across her lips. "Yes, true but if you are lenient now then she shall never learn! I promise, it shall be a most horrid punishment." With that, Hungary took hold of Liechtenstein around her waist and placed her on the bed, tickling her sides. The room filled with the girl's high-pitched laughter as she squirmed to get out of her mother's grip.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA – VATI! MAKE HER – HAHAHAHAHA – STOP!"

"I'm sorry darling, but I would get the skillet which is a far worse punishment."

In another minute, Hungary stopped and engulfed the small girl in her arms. "You are simply adorable Liech, where did you get it from?" Hungary eyed Austria and leaned closer to the girl's face. "Certainly not from that stuffy Austrian, oh the horror!" Liechtenstein giggled though Austria narrowed his eyes and joined them on the bed, caressing the young girl's cheek.

"And certainly not from the vicious, blood-thirsty Hungarian holding you captive." Again, the small girl giggled and leaned back into Hungary's arms.

Perhaps it was a good idea to keep the young girl in denial about what was happening. She didn't need to know, didn't need to have her entire world shatter around her. Not yet at least. "Vati, you promised me a story before bed."

Austria chuckled lowly and removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "That's right, I did. Well what would you like? Do you wish for a dashing love story or an adventure or perhaps a tragedy? What does my little Liech want? Name a title and I shall recite it."

Hungary smirked slightly at Austria's words. He had boasted repeatedly to the small girl that he could memorize any book after one read and could recite it back to her word for word. Many times, Liechtenstein would try to stump him somehow but had failed each time. Neither her nor Hungary were sure if he was merely making up the words or if he really knew the story. But he always told the stories so beautifully; it didn't matter after a while. "Um… I want a love story."

"Of course you would Liech." Austria muttered knowingly. "Anything specific or would you rather I decide?"

Liechtenstein thought carefully about what she wanted; Austria had told her numerous tales of love from the most tragic to the happiest of all – even those he despised. She grinned a large grin, one Austria knew too well. He wasn't about to enjoy whatever her choice was. "I want… to hear yours and Mutti's." An air of uncomfortable, awkward silence flooded the room until Hungary abruptly laughed as Austria stared dumbfounded at the girl.

"Oh my, I don't think poor Austria heard you correctly. Darling, you want to hear what exactly?"

"I want to hear how you two met and fell in love. Please, I've never known and I've always wondered." She begged to both Hungary and Austria. They always found it difficult to refuse her requests, especially when the large, pleading, puppy-dog eyes came into play. What a manipulative little child they sired – but of course it was just a harmless request.

Austria sighed in defeat – there was no way he could deny her. "Very well. But I should warn you, it's not… very, well… romantic."

Liechtenstein shook her head. "I think you're just being modest. I bet you two met when you were children in a large garden. And you saved Mutti from grand danger and promised to always protect her and you swore your undying love for each other then and there by a fountain with a huge statue of Aphrodite in the center of it."

…If only it was that romantic, at least it would be in my favor. Austria thought bitterly.

It was too much for Hungary who released Liechtenstein from her arms and fell back on the bed, her laughs filling the room. Austria would've laughed too if he didn't feel embarrassed by Hungary's reaction. "What? ! Oh God! Liechtenstein, where did you get that idea from? !"

"I don't -"

Austria cleared his throat, rather loudly over Hungary's laughter and Liechtenstein couldn't help but notice the obvious reddening of her father's cheeks. "If you want me to tell the story, I'd prefer there be no laughter – Hungary." He attempted to glare at her but the embarrassment on his face and the total humor on hers prevented the glare from having any effect. However, she decided to humor him and quieted down.

"The first time Hungary and I met… indeed, we were children and it was in a garden of sorts." Liechtenstein's face lit up with glee, excited to see that her prediction was going according to what she thought.

Hungary smiled softly and took hold of Austria's hand, stroking the skin with her thumb lovingly. He continued with the story. "And um… there was a danger of some kind." The child tried to keep her voice in check from squealing loudly. "And a promise was definitely made."

I KNEW IT!

"Austria, stop teasing and tell the story already!"

"Hungary, I said no interruption."

She raised a brow. "No, you said 'no laughing'. I am not laughing, I am merely trying to get the story moving further since you're just stalling because it embar-"

"Well then no interruptions!" He cut through her mocking tone. Austria shifted a bit against one of the bedposts before continuing on. "Long ago, back in the middle ages – I don't remember precisely which year, Prussia-"

"Prussia?" Liechtenstein interrupted. "I thought this was between-" Hungary elbowed the girl who looked upward to her mother and saw a finger pressed to her lips.

Austria made a poignant smile at the interruption. "Yes, if it hadn't been for him, I never would've met Hungary… Anyways, Prussia was a bit of a rogue and used to cause loads of trouble among the other countries until one day, he picked a fight with the wrong one…"

Mutti = Mama
Vati = Papa

And that is a good place to stop! In the next chapter, I will tell the story. In fact, the whole story is formatted between present and past events. So like, you'll see it more shown next chapter anyways. Gosh, I can't write Hungary… she's so hard to write… Alright, tell me what you guys think! Review please!