Chapter 8
Okay, I know I said these would focus on world war two and what happened afterwards but...I couldn't help it! This one just shot right out and demanded to be written! So, ya, know that you know, enjoy and review! This is not meant to have any pairings by the way, though it kinda sounds that way later on...
Hungary stood in the doorway, frying pan down by her side. The piece of music floating out of the Austria's piano was ad but beautiful.
His fingers floated over the keys, his eyes closed. He looked a little sad, down-cast, but at peace. It was handsome look on his face.
When he opened his eyes to look down at the keys, Hungary could see his eyes were soft. It was unusual for his face to show so much emotion, even while playing when he showed his emotion the most.
Slowly Hungary backed out of the doorway, wondering why Austria seemed so...emotional today.
Then she saw the calendar in the kitchen.
November 11.
How could she have forgotten that date? The day Austria stopped having to live with Germany. Thank goodness for that. She and Italy had been very excited about that fact...the rest...not so much.
She still couldn't believe Austria had just agreed to go live with Germany, no fighting back, no conditions. She and Italy had been the only ones to fight it all the way.
There was one main reason for their fighting it. Both felt they were going to lose their friends. Hungary would lose Austria to Germany and Italy would lose Germany to Austria. Together the four were friends in a way, but it was split up in different sects of friends within the larger group. It was like that in most country's groups of friends.
Turned out, the way they fought about things, that could never happen.
They fought like husband and wife.
Hungary wasn't sure whether to throw up or fangirl at that thought. Maybe both.
"Hungary?"
She hadn't even noticed Austria as he stepped into the kitchen, now she whirled around to face him. "Mr. Austria!"
"I'm going for a walk later." He stood in that straight, chin up way he did. "You may join me if you like."
Hungary nodded and turned back to the breakfast. "I would enjoy that."
Austria smiled at her back. "I'd hoped you'd say that." He left the room as quickly as he had come.
*MAGICAL TIME LEAP. I love these things*
Austria let his hands drift over the piano, doing whatever they wanted. He was waiting for Hungary to finish the dishes so they could leave.
He soon found himself playing Taps. Appropriate for the day no doubt. While the other songs he'd played so far had lyrics with meaning or songs that had history behind them, this short song touched him just as much. It was the song for lights out in the military. Today it meant something more.
It meant a moment of silence. A moment of silence for those who had gone to sleep, whose lights were out forever.
Silence wasn't something found often in Austria's home. There was always the sound of the piano, or the clanking of pots and pans. Or that leaky faucet he kept putting off fixing.
"Mr. Austria?"
Austria looked up, his hands still wandering the keys of the piano. Hungary was standing in the doorway, smiling gently. "Are you ready?"
Austria nodded and grabbed his coat, pulling it on as they stepped outside.
There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, just as Austria had suspected, thus the reason for grabbing his coat.
He led her away from the fenced yard and out to a large field. This field was a place that held memories for him. Memories of battle and of long past friendships.
It was the place Switzerland had first found him, lying face down on the ground.
*FLASHBACK*
Austria let out a thin groan as he was rolled onto his back. Couldn't people just leave him alone? For a nation made for fighting, he didn't do a very good job.
"Are you alright?" Piercing green eyes stared straight into his and Austria struggled to focus on the rest of whoever it was without his glasses.
"I asked you a question." His glasses were settled on his nose and Austria now clearly saw the young Swiss boy who had been speaking. "Answer me or I will leave you here."
Austria coughed and gasped out. "What does it look like?"
The boys scowl lessened a bit. "Who are you?"
"Austria." He could feel the presence of this young boy as a fellow nation.
"Switzerland." Switzerland pursed his lips. "I can't believe I'm doing this." In was smooth motion, the blond boy heaved Austria onto his back.
Austria let out a yelp in pain but soon found himself feeling drowsy, his head resting on the back of the other boy, one eye closed as his rescuer carried him back home. It became a normal occurrence after that chance meeting. Austria would go into battle, and lose. And then Switzerland would haul his butt back home and nurse him back to help.
They were friends in a way, and then one day everything changed.
*END FLASHBACK*
Austria stood out in field, in the same spot Switzerland had first found him, Hungary coming to stand beside him.
She'd recognized this place immediately; she knew Austria's history well. But she hadn't said anything; she knew it was important to Austria.
He checked is watch and closed his eyes. 11 O'clock. Memories surrounded him, just as he knew they would.
Hungary watched the brunette aristocrat for a moment, then let her own memories surface. Her first meeting with Prussia, and her first meeting with Lithuania when Prussia had attacked him, the Baltic nation had had a rebellious streak back then. Kicking Prussia's ass when he seized Austria's vital regions.
While Hungary's memories focused on Prussia, Lithuania and Austria the most, Austria's focused on a young blonde man he wished he'd stayed in touch with more than a curt greeting at World meetings.
He waited and, once he opened his eyes, realized he'd been silent for over five minutes.
When Hungary strained her ears she could hear him.
"Felt dawn, saw sunset glow." He paused and added even quieter. "Together."
Hungary finished for him. "Loved and were loved." It didn't matter by who, even the aristocratic nation had been loved, as family, as a friend.
