The second chapter is here, and longer than the first. I hope to post the next on at Sunday, so stay tuned!

Disclaimer: Look in first chapter

Warnings: Look in first chapter

I will not say anymore - I will allow you to read and create an opinion instead. Remember, this was a plot from an RP - I wrote it down to make it make sense, but Malentia on Deviant Art needs credit as well for her role as Liechtenstein.

She had walked aimlessly through the dark for a while, not truly knowing if she was dreaming or not. It hadn't even taken the skies fifteen minutes to grow overcast, and the rain began pouring down upon her. Yet she had waited an hour to call, not wanting to seek out her brother's 'enemy' and not wanting to meet with the Prussian at the moment.

But a while had passed and she had given in to the need of living somewhere. Once more she experienced to be homeless, without anyone to care for her, between two places and not knowing where she would end. She had lived with Germany and Prussia once, Austria and Hungary since, but for the time she had been sure Vash's house would be her safe place for the rest of her life. She didn't want to believe him gone, but she wasn't going to lie to herself, either.

She knew her… Bruder. He was stubborn. He had made a decision. He wouldn't back down.

After thirty minutes of getting herself and her clothes drenched, having walked all the way to Bern, she had picked up her mobile and called Hungary. As she thought the woman was by Austria on a visit 'for old time's sake', and she knew the thing with not going for the enemy was lost.

Telling it the fastest way, "I was kicked out and… I need a place to stay," Hungary had said that she was welcome, though her voice had been strained with anger towards the Swiss, and asked if she needed to be picked up somewhere.

To that she said no. That she would find her way on her own. And now, a few hours later, she was still getting soaked by rain and feebly knocked the door to Austria's house.

Immediately the door was opened and she was helped inside by a worried Hungary. Without even being asked she was sent into a shower and when she got out a new dress was set for her. It didn't feel good to just go around getting new clothes and a shower when she was certain Vash was back home and suffering, but when she was through and done she selfishly decided it felt nice.

The sound of the piano had told her where Austria was, and it was first when she was taking on an old dress she figured Austria kept for emergencies – the size of it proved it wasn't because he had some Polish hobbies – that the piano grew silent and the house seemed oddly quiet.

She moved to the living room, hearing voices from within, and met Austria sitting orderly in the sofa with a cup of coffee in his hand and Hungary sitting not that orderly over the armrest of said sofa. No matter how many years passed she was still the little boy who beat the ass out of the Austrian March and Duchy, and the way she slouched told that her habits had only changed as far as strangers. Not that this was a surprise for either of the two others present.

Hungary did straighten, though, when Liechtenstein arrived, and she gave a smile that was worried, sad, happy and angry. A weird combination and it only seemed even weirder to Liechtenstein when she thought of her current situation. "How are you feeling, dear?" the Hungarian asked, standing up and moving gracefully over to hug the girl.

"Better… The bath helped me warm again."

"That's good," the voice of the Austrian spoke behind the two of them and the Hungarian let go of the smaller girl so they both could look at him. "I'm told you travelled outside in that awful weather for a long time. Not very appropriate of V-m-Switzerland at all, nor much like him. Would you like something to eat now? Some cake, perhaps?" He gestured for a tray upon the table in front of him upon which a very delicious chocolate cake sat.

Since the one-sided argument with Vash the Liechtensteiner hadn't thought a moment of eating, not feeling hungry, but now the sight of such a delicacy made her mouth water. She managed a nod, forgetting to think further over the small slip of the Austrian's tongue even though she was most interested. "I would love to, Mr. Austria." A smile moved over the man's face.

"I see you have not lost your manners. Come sit down. It does no good to stand there. Just feel at home here." He gestured for the place beside him on the sofa and both women got over, Hungary slicing up the cake and cutting three pieces, giving one to each and sitting down in the chair on the other side of the table. Austria dug in right away, but still kept a decent pace, and the violet eyes were set calmly on the younger nation. "We were just discussing the reason for your presence."

On the other side a sigh sounded and Hungary shook her head. "What he means to say is 'what the hell has happened and why the damn did Mr. Grumpy throw you out when he usually refuses to have you out of sight?'" the woman elaborated, not packing it in at all. Looking nearly distressed the Austrian let his spoon down on the plate and took a hand to his forehead.

"Lizzie, you know what I think about that form of language," he said, and Lily had to cover her mouth to hide her smile. It didn't escape his attention, of course, and he raised an eyebrow, finally forcing a giggle out of the younger's mouth. "You cannot honestly say you find that form of foul language amusing. There is absolutely no reason to smile – it's crude and uncouth."

"You are aware that you had England as an ally once, right?" Hungary said with an overly sweet smile, looking quite amused.

"I will tell you that his speech is well mannered in my presence. Unfortunately he has a bit trouble handling pressure, and in all honestly I cannot blame him. Both America and France can be quite a handful, and the youth treats his language awfully." His eyes moved over to Liechtenstein again, looking at her questioningly. "And now that we speak of awful treatment of languages, we can go back to talking about Switzerland." He took a new bite of the cake. "No offense intended towards his way of speaking our shared language, of course."

He kept silent, waiting for the answer to the question Hungary had felt the need to elaborate, and though his eyes were in no way hostile and not nearly as sharp as the green ones she was used to she squirmed under the weight. "It's just… I have… been seeing someone." The both of them gave her a look of surprise, but Hungary's was far more pronounced. "And I knew he would be angry, so I didn't dare tell him. But it's not very… kind to keep it a secret, so I felt forced to tell him… And he did get angry…"

"And so he kicked you out?" The Hungarian's voice was filled with absolute horror and disbelief, as though she couldn't understand a word. After a nod came from the girl the horror slowly changed to anger, but the disbelief didn't change. "He has no right. No right. It is already bad enough he tries to control who you see – hell, he shouldn't even have any right to question that!"

The younger's green eyes turned away, feeling bad for her Br-eh, Switzerland. He just did what he could to protect her, she knew that. She knew he had been through many things, many wars and fights and slights, when he was younger. That was the reason he treated her like he did. She knew he didn't want her to experience the same things, and she knew interaction with other nations was the trigger. That contact with other nations was the dangerous thing.

At least she knew that was most of the reason.

"Who was it?" Austria slowly asked then, not looking in the least angry. The shock had settled as well, making him look normal, if not mildly interested. For a moment Lily was confused, still too caught up in Hungary's outburst to remember what had caused it. "This person you are seeing. Who of us is as lucky as to have caught your interest?"

"I-I…" Her face reddened and she looked away. "I don't know if he caught my interest… I'm not even really sure if… it's love. Things go so fast when he is there, and everything seems a little brighter, but I'm not sure…" They were both watching her, anger still evident on Elizaveta's face as she spoke. "B-but… It's Prussia…"

"Prussia?" Austria asked with a surprised, raised eyebrow, leaning forward to slice another piece of the cake. She hadn't even noticed he had finished. She had barely eaten any of her own. Hungary looked shocked, though, much like Br- … Switzerland. Much like Switzerland had. "I see," the Austrian further stated, taking a bite of the new piece into his mouth. He seemed to be thinking.

"St-still…" The moment of shock was over and Hungary finally recovered. She shook her head, a stubborn look on her face. "It is your choice, not ours. Not his. He is already controlling you too much, he can't expect you not to rebel!" At this the Liechtensteiner opened her mouth to argue that she wasn't rebelling, but she was cut off before the words passed her lips. "I agree with him that I'd certainly prefer another person, but it is no excuse to throw you out. I'll talk to him – he has no right!"

Austria kept silent, still eating his cake absentmindedly and looking into the distance with slightly narrowed eyes. It wasn't possible to say what he was thinking, but neither of the females noticed the difference in his actions.

"I-I don't think it's that bad…" Lily said, trying to protect the Swiss, and Hungary caught this, then the tears in the girl's eyes. Of course… the girl was sad. She knew the girl had to be sad, but her own opinion of the man got in the way. And while she usually simply held a dislike towards the small, blond man she now thought she had a very valid reason to hate him.

This she had to hide, though, and she gave a smile, reaching over and stroking her hair just as the first tear fell. This was about the girl, after all. She was the one they had to help – they were not supposed to assault Switzerland for finally letting her out of his too tight grasp. "It will be okay, honey," she promised. Liechtenstein doubted the world would ever be okay without her Br- Switzerland… "You won't be alone." She knew that… she knew she would have people around her… but Switzerland wouldn't. "We'll take care of you, I promise." Suddenly, with a very heavy, shattered heart, she wondered if anyone had ever taken care of the incarnation of Switzerland…

Part of her was certain the answer was no.

More tears fell and once more the woman moved forward to hug her, crouching down in front of her. "Shh, we'll figure something out. I promise. There are people who love you and will take care of you," but none for Switzerland, "and they all will make sure you won't be hurt anymore," could you even be more hurt? Still Liechtenstein managed to nod. "Good. Please eat your cake, dear. You must be tired. A lot has happened to you today…"

The woman let her go, dried her eyes and sent her a smile. Now that she said it Liechtenstein realized that yes, she was actually tired. Not only hungry, but also tired. She moved her spoon down and took another bite of the heavenly cake while Hungary went back to her seat, not eating her piece but settling to look at the girl.

This was the moment Austria finally moved again, having watched them for a while, and the move he made was reaching for another piece of cake. He still seemed caught in thoughts… or maybe it was memories? Maybe he was thinking back rather than forward?

To the move Hungary responded, grabbing for the tray before he got it and pulling it out of his reach. Looking utterly displeased the man sat back, crossing both arms and legs in response to the move, and the smallest smile moved to Liechtenstein's face again. "I think I will get us rid of this," the Hungarian announced, standing up and taking the tray with her to the kitchen.

She left her own piece, though, and Roderich leaned over across the table and took that one instead, his face plain while doing so. As though it was in no way childish or wrong. Finally the younger nation could not hold it in anymore and she laughed, making the man look at her while he leaned back and raised an eyebrow. In truth she had just caught the two in the usual acts between a husband and a wife that knew each other a bit too well, their behavior unchanged by the fact that they were – forcedly – divorced.

The laughter got Hungary back into the room, wanting to know what was so funny – and seeing Roderich with a new piece of cake she deadpanned. "That was my piece."

"I'm aware," the Austrian answered while taking a new bite.

"I might have eaten it."

"No you wouldn't."

"Truth, but that doesn't stop you from growing fat."

"As long as I play music I won't get fat, thank you very much."

"Music has nothing to do with that."

"Indeed it does."

"How?"

"It takes a lot of energy."

"Nonsense."

"It is not."

"And you thought two pieces weren't enough for you?"

"What are you implying?"

"That you eat too much cake."

"Indeed I don't."

Once more Lily sat and covered her smile with her hand. Through it all Austria was simply eating more of 'his' cake, as though they weren't arguing at all and it wasn't the object of their argument. With a sigh and a roll of her eyes Hungary moved into the kitchen again, and Liechtenstein was in no doubt that she was shaking her head in there. She caught herself thinking what would have happened if someone took Vash' cake.

She found that even with Austria, usually calm and collected, as the other contestant the argument wouldn't be that quiet. Especially since it was a chocolate cake with chocolate she had recognized to be from Switzerland.

At some point she had finished her cake – and felt quite full at the fat chocolate cream, making her shocked that Austria really was able to eat that much – and Austria had the same. He gave her a pleasant, polite smile that would have been a success if it wasn't for the chocolate lingering in the corner of his mouth. This he seemed to notice and lifted a handkerchief to rid himself of the evidence of his gluttony, and then he gave her another smile.

"Let's get you to bed."

She nodded, stood and followed him down the hall. His home had a lot of likeness with her Bruder's. Everything was quite old, and unlike Switzerland's absolutely every part of it was old fashioned. They didn't buy new things often, that was for certain, but the TV she had seen in the living room had been at least fifteen years younger than Vash'. She couldn't imagine it to be used much, though, but it had to have been changed a few times. Not to mention that the things Austria bought had some form of style when they were bought and were made sure they fit the already present furniture.

That was too much of a task for Vash to do, and he most often just bought the cheapest no matter color or shape.

It made her hurt to think of him. What was he even doing now? Was he sleeping? Had he taken in the food? … He had to have. It was food, he wouldn't waste it. It was money. And he would have to eat. She shouldn't worry for him. Br-… Switzerland. Switzerland would be fine. Alone, but fine.

They stopped outside a door and Austria opened it, letting her come in first. Within there was a queen-sized bed with posts and hangings. Old as well, but the sheets seemed new and well replaced – once more better than the worn, thin ones they had back home.

…

… Back home…

Her gaze fell and she bit her lips just as Austria was about to tell her something when he saw the look on her face. The smallest crease moved over his eyebrows, a sign of worry, and before the tears began falling he took a hand under her chin and lifted it. "Come on. No tears. They do not fit your beautiful face." Hungary would have let her cry and comfort her, but Austria wasn't good at that. Rather stop it before the damage was done.

The girl gave a nod, and when he smiled she smiled back, actually feeling a tiny bit better. She knew he was trying to be kind in his own, old-fashioned, you-feel-awkward-in-his-company way, and she liked him for that. Her… her father, even though it felt odd to think of him like that, with how she felt about Switzerland. On the other hand… they were both quite noble countries. And Switzerland wasn't that in the least.

"Good, thank you," he continued when he felt certain she would not start crying, letting go of her chin now that he knew she wouldn't be hanging her head. "In the closet I have some old night gowns – see if something fits. We have already started washing your clothes. All of them were filled with dirt and I do believe I can imagine why. I will make sure you can have one of your own dresses tomorrow."

He moved around for the door, then stopped for a moment, a frown on his face. And then he turned back, looking at her with a slightly saddened face. "If nothing changes… you may live here. I will do what I can to make this situation as easy for you as possible. I am aware how much this will hurt."

He bowed his head slightly with closed eyes. Then he left the room, letting her go to bed on her own.

She found it surprisingly easy to sleep during the night. When she thought of just how much her mind had tumbled and just how sad and shattered her heart was, she was neither haunted by dreams nor had lain awake till late at night.

A part of her felt selfish for being able to do that. It was true the day before had been long, especially because Prussia had been in the house when Br-m-Switzerland had come home from work too early. And then everything else had happened. The reaction she had gotten… it was worse than she thought it could be. Worse than she had thought him able to react. And yet it wasn't possible for her to hate him. She was in no doubt, though, that he hated her.

He had to. The way he had done everything, and the way he had thrown her out, how he had looked at her with empty eyes… He had to hate her.

Tears moved into her eyes and she dried them in the sleeve of her borrowed night gown, knowing they wanted her to be happy. She had escaped his 'cruel grasp', after all. It was clear that was how Hungary felt about this, Liechtenstein saw it in her face. If there was one thing the young nation didn't want them to, it was for them to think Switzerland cruel. He wasn't.

He was the kindest person she had ever met. He had done everything for her for so many years.

Even though he had now hurt her endlessly she would never think him cruel. She was at fault, anyway. She hurt him first. She failed his trust.

Looking over the room she had been given in the light of the rising sun she was once more reminded of Vash by the age of everything. Neither seemed to be throwing money everywhere even though both had to have a lot. She knew Vash had, even though she was richer, and Austria was a decent country as well. The very few times she had been with Prussia home, rather than Prussia coming to her – which had been more or less never, as they hadn't wanted Switzerland to come home without her being present – she had seen Germany's house. Everything was new, the technology advanced, the house had been lived in by its owner for less than seventy years.

None of these things could be said for the houses of Switzerland and Austria.

It wasn't good to think of him. If there was one thing Lily was absolutely sure of, it was that the Swiss would never come for her. The man was too stubborn, and he had looked too hurt to ever forgive her. If she should find a way to live on, she had to let him go…

New tears formed and she sniffed, going for the door and opening it. Just outside laid a new dress for her, one of her own, and in a faint memory she remembered how she dragged her Bruder around town after he promised her he would go shopping for clothes with her – of course with a certain amount of money as a limit, but already when he said yes to her about shopping he had done more for her pure money-wise than she had ever seen him do for others.

Once more she was back thinking about him, and she shook her head slightly to get away the thoughts. She didn't try to fight the tears, though. She might as well cry – she still loved Br-… she still loved him. Over anything. Even if Prussia might be getting a spot in her heart there was no way he could ever mean more to her than Br-… Switzerland.

She wondered if he knew… she thought he did. A part of her said he couldn't know. If he had known he wouldn't have thrown her out, it claimed. But even if she went home and claimed she loved him more than she ever could love anyone and that he would always be the best sibling one could think of he would not take her back. He had no reason to believe her.

Home… She had had many homes during her life. Prussia, Germany, Austria… At least she knew they all liked her and loved her and cared for her – it was in their eyes, a warmth so deep despite their cool exterior. But when she moved to Switzerland's home, even more faltered and old-looking then because of the deep depression even the countries who had no part of the Great War had suffered, and when she had slept over for even just a single night… she realized it was first now she had a home.

Now the home was gone, disappeared, away. Thanks to her. Now she had to live in the false ones she had grown up with. While they loved her she felt more like a trinket or a priced possession in their grasps that a real human being. But of all of those she had been with only one wouldn't keep small, expensive things for only the purpose of watching them, and that had been the ever practical, extremely frugal Switzerland.

Not that he had used her or forced her to work or anything of the sort. He had just… been him, cold, hard and sharp, and let her be her… Not just the little princess to sit in a corner or smile at everyone who should come by or be forever happy. He would fix it when she was unmannered, of course, but that was only rarely and simply because many manners kept your clothes and things clean and made sure you didn't have to replace them and do the dreaded task of using money.

She had always loved the outside and the nature. It was first with him that she got to do more than watch it. He had taught her to live it, shown her the different footprints of different animals, helped her know which plants could be used to spice up the food and pick them up, sat with her in the garden and dug into the earth so they could make some crops of their own instead of buying them.

She had enjoyed it. No; she had loved it. And with him she had grown from the perfect little princess to a real person of her own. If she could, she would get a house so she shouldn't be a burden. First, though… she wanted everything to settle. At the moment she felt so hurt, and she wanted that to get better before she tried… experimenting with life.

For while she had been the most free in Switzerland's presence that was also the point where she had been most caught. It would be experimenting. While Vash enjoyed the forest and the fresh air he seemed to think his antisocial tendencies should be hers as well – at least a little bit. She was very sure it was to protect her, for she knew other people could be dangerous, but while he seemed to be able to breathe more freely without other people she was a person and had social needs.

Like everyone. Often she wondered if he had them as well. If he, somewhere inside, wanted to be with other people. If he, deep within, got the same feeling of loneliness as she had during certain points of the isolation he had put her through at some points with his overprotective control.

Oh. A smile came upon her tear streaked face. It was nearly five minutes since she had thought of him as Bruder. It was an improvement.

A hard one, yes. But… it was an improvement.

Breakfast was set in the fine, great dining room when she entered, and Hungary sat in her seat, buttering her bread with jam. While the room had an old, quite majestic feeling to it, like every other room in this giant house, the food upon the table could have been in any other. It felt kind of anticlimactic, but Lily guessed it was what you could expect.

Austria was frugal as well, so he would want something cheap, and he was too lazy to make or plant things on his own, so unlike at ho-… unlike what you could find at Switzerland's house, where the jam was homemade and stored in clay pots with colored markings to extinguish strawberry, blueberry and raspberry and the cheese usually came from the goats, everything here was bought.

Either Hungary couldn't see her signs of tears, or she ignored it, but no matter what the brunette woman smiled at her as she arrived. "I hope you slept well, dear." From the tone of her voice it was clear the woman hadn't expected her to and another pang of guilt for actually managing to sleep through the night without trouble stabbed her heart.

She would not let it show, though. It was better for her not to. Instead she sat and reached for rolls and cut it open before reaching for the butter. "J-ja. Ja, I did." She looked up into the other's pair of green eyes, noting they were a few shades lighter than Bruder's, and then looked back down to finish buttering the bread. "What about you?" she politely asked.

Then she realized she had called him Bruder again and had to take a deep breath to keep away tears.

She didn't look up to see if Hungary had seen, and she didn't have to. That moment the door opened again and an ominous mood spread into the room.

Looking to the side she found an Austria that more than anything looked like the most annoyed zombie the world had ever seen. He looked more dead than alive at the moment, his usually neat hair was a mess with the stubborn curl sticking even further away from the rest, and the scowl upon his face was deadly. He even dragged his feet as he walked, as though it was too much to lift them. Liechtenstein wisely chose not to talk to him.

The Hungarian sat unbothered, though, and simply lifted a cup of coffee up and to the side. It was followed with a nod in the Liechtensteiner's direction, along with one of her warm smiles. "Igen (yes). The beds in this house are far softer than back home." Then the brunette woman's green eyes moved over to Austria just as the man reached out and grabbed the coffee cup she held out to him while resting her elbow upon the table. "Did you sleep well, Roderich?"

The only answer she got was a wordless grumble and a sour look before the aristocrat had turned around and moved out the door from which he came, holding the coffee in his hand and looking dead tired. Hungary simply sat by the table, a big smile on her face. She seemed amused.

It was different for Liechtenstein, though, and the look she sent the door was filled with worry for the sour looking man. "Isn't he going to eat?"

"No. Not yet, at least. He isn't good at mornings." She gave a snicker, sounding like a mixture of an old-witch-cackle and the amused giggle of a little girl. It sounded so odd Liechtenstein could not help but stare at her confusedly. The woman didn't seem to care. "When he wakes up he usually go first for the coffee, then for the-" As if wanting to answer her question for her the sound of the piano reached them. "Yeah, that."

Still the younger nation looked confused and surprised. "So he won't be eating breakfast?"

Once more an amused sound escaped Hungary. "Not before an hour or so has passed. He needs to wake up first and apparently only music helps with that." It seemed she knew what the other was about to say and shrugged. "No. He forgets the coffee. Sets it on the corner of the piano, sits down and starts playing. When he is done it is cold and he comes to me to complain."

Now it was Liechtenstein's turn to be amused and the smallest laugh came past her lips. It was good she had come here, she decided now. The other option had been Germany's house where Prussia lived, and on top of the fact that it would feel weird and uncomfortable to talk with him right now the mood there was far tenser.

That was the result of a very neat Germany… And a not so neat Prussia… and some severely lacking humor… mixed with one so bad you would choke if you smelled it…

The tale wasn't finished, though, as Hungary continued with her smile. "And if I tell him when he comes to get it that he won't drink it anyway he sulks even more and actually begins to italk/i before he had been awake for an hour." It sounded like it really was a rare feat, and once more Liechtenstein chuckled, truly feeling like she was accepted. Though she knew there was a place where she would feel… safe as well.

"Often I even have to get him from the piano room to make him even remember to eat." It was as though the whole mood changed with those words. Like a balloon deflated or a cloud passed by the sun and left the world a little gloomier. "Sometimes I worry about him. He isn't very good at taking care of himself… He uses at least five hours a day by the piano, and often he priorities work over food, so I have to come with some for him… I always feel bad when I have to leave…"

Lily's eyes fell, moving to her food. The bun was buttered, and at some point she had put cheese over it as well. She didn't remember when. In her heart a sinking feeling began settling, dragging down the beating organ into an abyss of heavy, cold, black water.

"When I'm gone I wonder if he takes care of himself… if he remembers to eat this day, if he has changed his clothes, if he remembered to go for groceries… I'm not really sure he is able to survive on his own. I know we aren't married anymore and I don't have the responsibility to take care of him, but when he acts like he does and forgets what he does… it's hard to trust him to survive on his own…" The look on Hungary's expression was sad, her usual cheery face dark.

"I know what you mean." The Hungarian blinked, her distant eyes once more focusing on the girl… and what she saw were downcast eyes filled with tears. The delicate fingers fiddled with the food.

Liechtenstein wasn't hungry anymore.

"Br-… Swit-… Vash. He… he is always the last to go to bed, and yet he is so often already gone when I wake up, already gone for work. He always leaves food on the table for me along with a note saying that there is lunch in the fridge, already made, but the few times I'm up before him or I get out of bed just as he leaves I see him stressing to finish everything up for me and neglect himself…"

Hungary sat in silence, listening to the small voice of the young girl. Quite soon her heart began bleeding, not liking to see tears in those sparkling, green eyes. "When I ask him to take some food he says he will buy it on the way to work, but I know he lies. It costs too much compared to eating at home… He uses his morning making sure I have food for the day rather than eating it himself…

"It was the same when I first came to his house… The food was so scarce he didn't have enough to get satiated himself, but he still gave me everything, claiming he had eaten earlier. And he always works, always… the reason he goes to bed late is because he sits by the computer late into the night to finish up everything. He never takes vacations… the only time he is free are the two Sundays every month he leaves for himself… but those he always uses on me and the garden…

"I try to remind him to take care of himself, but he never… he always waves it off, telling me not to worry and take care of myself… but I don't even have anything to take care of, for he has already done that. I still live with him… lived with him… but I couldn't get him to…"

"Lily…" The voice was for a moment timid and shaking. Then the hard woman had regained her composure and she sighed. "It's his choice, not yours, and it's his responsibility." Those last words were far too close to what Switzerland usually spoke and her gaze fell even more. "I would never use my time worrying about Switzerland. He has survived alone for hundreds of years, and the way he lives his life is his own choice. He is responsible for himself – it's not your job."

Lily responded with a shake of her head. "It's not your job to take care of Austria, either, and still you worry about him and take responsibility for him."

To this the Hungarian had to keep back a snort. "Austria has never, in his life, been all alone to take care of himself. There has always been someone to look out for him, and even your br-… Even Switzerland has been among those. The case is different for Switzerland, though. He is strong and he survives – not to mention that he is a loner. A hermit. He finds a way alone."

None of those words seemed to help the young one and now the older nation stood, moving forward and embracing the girl. "Look, you have nothing to worry about. I have known Switzerland for a long time. For over 600 years. Most of that time he has been alone, and he is still alive, isn't he?"

You don't know Vash at all.

Those were the words Liechtenstein wanted to say, but she kept silent. Then she nodded, knowing the Hungarian meant all the best but was caught in the opinion all of the nations more or less held for her Bru-… Switzerland. A slight contempt, a lacking understanding, the thought that he was odd. Vash was an outsider when looking at the countries – it had taken her less than a day with him to know.

But instead of uttering those words she simply gave a nod, answering the rhetorical question. "He is." For he was. Alive, that is. He had survived whatever life had thrown at him, but Liechtenstein was too young to know exactly what those things might be. She was left in the dark, for before she was with Br- him, in her other 'homes', she had never cared to think of him, and afterwards the Swiss had refused to tell.

There were so many things he had never told.

She forced up a smile, trying to look like she was comforted. In truth she wasn't, but Hungary, the hardest, strongest woman Lily knew, did her best to be soft and understanding. "I guess he… he will be alright." She had to believe that. If she couldn't she was going to die.

"I… I will go see Austria. He plays so beautifully." Hungary nodded and let her go. At least they could agree on that statement.

It was as if the whole of Austria's giant house was made for the sole purpose to spread the sound of his music as far and wide as it could. If you didn't know exactly where the piano room was you would find yourself looking into nearly every one of the far too many rooms, certain it was this or that door, only to realize that it was just another lounge or guest bedroom or spare living room or even a bathroom…

For a moment as Liechtenstein passed the many doors to her destination she wondered just why there were so many rooms in this house at least ten times the size of the one she had grown accustomed to. Then she remembered the amount of subjects there had been in the house during the time of the Austrian Empire or Austria-Hungary. Then she pitied Austria for still living there.

The door to the actual music room opened and she found the Austrian sitting there, playing, the cup of coffee sitting upon the top of the piano without having been touched. He was playing a piece and for a moment she just stood there, listening as it slowly fell into a silent, comforting pace.

After a few more changes of the pace and a wandering over the different tones and keys the piece finally finished. She was totally captivated at this point and felt like she was waking up from a dream. While she was absolutely certain he hadn't noticed her, too caught up in his music, the moment the piano grew quiet he looked up at her and gave her a smile.

"Please come over here and sit down."

The former, deadly mood was gone and she didn't hesitate for a second to follow orders, sitting on the stool beside him. He started a new piece and her eyes looked intently as he moved the long, slender fingers over the white and black buttons, listening to each sound they formed. She wanted more than anything to learn to play, just as she had learned to dance in this very house.

Before he had seen her as too much of a child to go near his precious instruments, but it might be he would allow her now that she was older. Her gaze moved to him, and as if he knew what she was thinking he stopped and turned to her, his violet eyes looking calmly into hers. "Would y-"

A loud bang stopped him as the glass door leading out to the garden was slammed open. It was a miracle it didn't shatter upon impact with the wall beside it. "AWESOME has arrived!" a loud voice suddenly stopped them and immediately the Austrian's face turned from calm and collected to severe annoyance. Both of them turned to see a certain albino.

As usually when Prussia made some of his stupid antics the girl covered her mouth, trying to hide her giggle. She knew Austria would be displeased if he noticed her amusement. Luckily he didn't and simply strained himself to look calm and collected. With the amount of anger he felt it was obviously very hard and Liechtenstein could nearly see the steam flowing from his hair.

"What did I tell you about treating my house like that? I would like you to respect my things. And my time. And my wishes. Wishes not to see you or be surprised by your sudden presence when you decide to enter my house with loud noises and iwithout my permission/i."

All it did to Prussia was making him laugh, his little, yellow bird chirping as though it was laughing with him. "Well, why should zhe Awesome Me care for your petty, little house? You prissy, little piano was being noizy zo I decided to save zhe whole of zhe world from listening to such faggoty soun- Oi, Lily! Vhat zhe hell are you doing here?"

The red eyes were wide in surprise, the patronizing look of superiority disappearing like mist in the morning. The bird on his shoulder mimicked his expression, but then it chirped happily and flew forward and into her arms, the usually very reserved and temperamental bird reflecting just how much its owner liked the girl. Lily had let her hand fall and opened her mouth to answer.

She didn't get to. At least not immediately. "I have a feeling your mere existence has caused too much trouble here for you to simply be told. Especially after your choice of entrance."

Now Prussia crossed his arms and the bird in Liechtenstein's arms gave the man an angry scowl not too far from the one Austria had worn earlier this morning. "Oi, Specs, you are totally not awesome enough to make zhat decision." He looked scowling and didn't even flinch in fear when Hungary entered the room with her frying pan in hand, attracted by the distinct noise of Prussia.

"What the hell are you doing here?" the woman sneered, causing Prussia to sneer back.

"I came here to annoy Fagstria." It was said plainly and without the slightest hint of regret. He enjoyed it, so why the hell should he regret it? Hungary tightened her grip on the handle of her dear pan. "Now I wanna know why zhe hell zhe little lily is caught within this ugly, dusty, old house."

"It will inform you that my house is neither dusty nor ugly, and my music is certainly and not in any way 'faggoty'."

"Get out of this house right now, Gil, or I'll cut off your dick and make it my own."

"Lizzie, dear, please watch your language."

"Hell yeah! Zhat it zo unawesome! I know zhey're awesome but you keep away from my vital regions!"

"My language is perfectly fine, dear, I just had to get a point across."

"I think you managed that."

"Kesesesese, no way she didn't! 'Sides, I ain't leaving before zhe little lily tells me vhat she's doing here!"

"I already said you should leave my house. Your simple ability to breathe has caused the little lady enough problems as it is-"

"Please!" At this point Lily had understood she would never get to speak if she didn't break them apart. And so she did, speaking loud enough to make all of them look at her with surprise – which took different forms on the different faces, ranging from Prussia's obvious gaping to Austria's blinking and raised eyebrows. "He can hear. Of course he can…"

"There is no of course in his situation, honey," Hungary voiced, making Prussia get out of his stupid expression to glower at her. Gilbird, who still sat in Liechtenstein's arms chirped angry as well, once more reflecting the mood of its owner, flying from her hands to sit upon his shoulder and glower with him. As though that would emphasize the point. Really – it didn't.

It was quite obvious Prussia was enraged by her claim, though, and he had already opened his mouth to yell at the brunette female when Lily spoke again. "Gilbert." The red eyes turned to her again, the smallest softening coming into them. It was just a glimpse, a slight moment's change, and then it was gone. "I'm here because… because… Br-… Vash…" Tears came into her eyes again, her voice shivering. With an angry movement she dried them away in the sleeve of her dress.

"He threw me out."

Once more Prussia was gaping like a fish. Vash? Throwing out Lily? That had to be the biggest joke ever, and yet the small nation sat crying as she said it. "Vhy?" he finally managed asking.

"I-I… I told him…"

Prussia was still blinking as if he didn't believe what he had heard. He did manage to speak, though, even if his voice was incredibly quiet… "Thought we agreed not to tell him…" The smaller female gave a nod, once more having to dry away her falling tears. Both Roderich and Elizaveta were staring at the man they had known for hundreds of years like he was alien, the way he acted not fitting with the man they knew. What the hell was wrong with him?

Then a smirk, slightly crooked, spread over his face again. "Guess ya really fucked everything up, zhen." There was a scream of pure frustration and anger, and with the very same emotion behind it the screamer sent a frying pan into the man's temple, making him stagger. Hungary looked absolutely and fully furious with him. "Vhat zhe hell was zhat for?!"

The woman lifted her pan again, swinging it like a sword, and her eyes burned with fury. "Show the girl some consideration, you prick!" she screamed, having to regain her balance when the Prussian jumped out of the way. Both of them staggered before Prussia found his footing and lifted his hand, sending his fist at her and missing her face by less than an inch.

"I was simply saying, bitch!" he yelled, still looking slightly disoriented after the pan hit his head – and honestly, who could blame him? That had been one hell of a furious hit from a woman who was much stronger than she looked – and she already looked strong.

"I'll make you my bitch!" The pan was swung again, Gilbert ducked, and then he kicked her shin, making her curse harshly enough to make Austria grimace. And that was the woman he had been married to! As they continued fighting the aristocrat continued sitting on the stool, kicks and hits and pans flying through the air along with new insults. Those two were so troublesome…

The man looked to the side to see how Liechtenstein was doing and found her finally, truly crying her heart out. His brows creased ever so slightly, worry shining within the violet orbs. Then he stood, ignoring the 'two idiots' and their shouting and yelling and violence, and guided her out of the room. "You two!" he shouted over his shoulder to the fighters, making both of them stop for a moment due to the anger in his voice. They looked nearly frightened. "If I find any of my instruments broken I will kill you!"

Then he turned back to Liechtenstein, hearing the two start again, and stroked the blond hair clumsily with his soft, slender fingers. "Come. I have yet to get some breakfast, and I hope you don't mind joining me."

She didn't answer. It was too much trouble for her shattered heart to answer.

And then Prussia arrived - another role that Malentia had. Be nice to him - he is an idiot, but a lovable one. And I hope you enjoyed Austria and Hungary's relationship, for their 'argument' caused me great amusement.

I'm sorry that Switzerland had no part in this, but he will come - later. Much later. Be patient and wait. For now he is just... not present. Unfortunately I have nothing more sensible to say, so I will leave it here. Then there is only one thing to say:

Enjoy in joy ^^