Birthday Update Fest – Number 1

Austria:

The cloth directly above Austria's head jiggled as Italy bounced up and down. Groaning quietly, the brunette brought his hand to his face, trying to ignore the throbbing in his head – brought on from perhaps the ninth cooking show Italy and Germany had watched – and the slight twitch of his fingers. Four and a half hours. Far too long.

Prussia hadn't moved the entire time, hadn't made a single noise. Was so used to having to hide that he could go into statue mode for however long we wanted. But Austria could see the smoldering, angry light in his red eyes. This was taking away time from his plan.

As another show started a pillow was thrown onto the ground. Squinting, Austria could just make out the words "Pasta" and "yum" before a brunette head fell on top of it. The musical nation blinked and glanced quickly at the way Prussia's eyes suddenly narrowed. From this vantage Italy would be able to see under the couch. And Austria had no doubts that it would not be good if he did.

"This is my favorite show." Italy's voice sounded so happy. It echoed and bounced around the room, allowing each word to be sharp and annunciated from under the couch.

Everything was quiet for a while as a woman with a thick Italian accent talked about linguini as if it was the noodles of heaven above. Then it cut to commercial.

And Italy stretched and turned toward the couch, presumably to talk to Germany.

And his big eyes stretched ever so wider as he caught sight of the underside of the furniture.

"G-germany?"

"Yes Italy?"

The small man swallowed hard. "Why is Austria with a dead man under your couch?"

In an instant Germany was on the floor as well, peering underneath with his ice blue eyes surprised. "East, you couldn't have found a better hiding place?"

Austria felt a tug on his arm and allowed himself to be pulled back out into the room. As they moved he could hear Prussia say something that sounded quite like, "I didn't have enough time and there is only one door in the room! Damn it West, I may be awesome but I'm not Superman! I had to work with what I had!"

Bracing up against Prussia as he got to his feet, Austria looked longingly at the piano, trying to make it obvious enough that his brothers would see. No such luck.

If he was going to be in a coma for four years, they better let him play first.

"Germany, why is Austria handcuffed?" Italy sounded so confused, and actually close to tears. Austria wanted to go and hug the younger country, tell him that everything is fine. But he couldn't let Italy see something like that. Couldn't let the younger one know that Austria actually did care about him, kind of like he would a younger brother or a son.

The four of them, Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Holy Roman Empire had been a family of sorts. And far more functional than him and his brothers.

Plus he was handcuffed and wouldn't be hugging anyone at the moment.

Prussia step forward and slapped his hand hard on Italy's temple, watching the small brunette crumple unconscious. "When he wakes up, it was all a dream." The albino's face showed that he wasn't particularly happy about what he had done, but that he felt it was necessary.

Both Germany and Austria cried out, but unlike the standing brunette, Germany could move. He fell to his knees and stroked his friend's hair slightly. "East." His voice was dangerous. "Do whatever you want fast before I call up America and tell him that whatever he wants to do, I won't stop him. Italy wasn't doing anything wrong."

"It's better like this," Prussia said simply before turning on his heel and pulling Austria out of the room. The last thing Austria saw before he went into the hall was the furious look on Germany's face as he stared after Prussia.

And when he thought about his younger brother's words… Austria realized that Germany had no real idea as to what was going on.

America:

The rescue party was composed of America, Canada, Switzerland, and England. Hungary had wanted to come, but she had been outvoted. Mostly because America knew that he could trust her with Austria's house.

Spain had wanted to come as well, his face strangely serious for once. But then he had gotten a call from Romano and quickly made his exit. He had looked happy and America wondered if "where the hell are you, you bastard?" was code for something else.

So it was France, Hungary, and Lichtenstein staying at Austria's house and the other four off to Germany again.

England had refused to say anything more about the box and the rather one-sided conversation he had with Russia. Not even when America had asked with his famous puppy dog eyes could the Brit be moved. He would not say more than "Russia wasn't the only spy in World War Two."

The small group was in a circle trying to strategize as they went through their weapons. Switzerland had his handgun, and Canada had one similar but with slightly less gadgets. America knew that England had his pocketknife and a good deal of other sharp objects hidden in his boots, as well as a small gun in its holster that he wasn't going to use.

But when it came to the American himself, things were more difficult. The first item he mentioned was his Swiss Army Knife, but one look from Switzerland made him drop that train of thought. The next thing…

"Hey, I think I saw something out back! You know, I'm quite adept at wielding a chain saw!"

"NO!" Canada's voice echoed around the room, startling the rest of the men there. "No, no chain saw." His face was pale.

In the end America had to settle with one of Switzerland's extra guns, and though he did know how to shoot he found it quite an uninteresting weapon. The whole deal would be much more fun with a chain saw.

America didn't have much time to mope, however, as it was quickly back to talking strategy.

Russia:

No bags, just straight through customs. Though the first class passengers' customs line. Russia flashed a smile at the lady and requested a special person, the one designated for helping nations when they came into another country. She looked confused and Russia could just imagine her thinking, "what, am I not good enough?" but she did not complain, instead just nodding and getting the proper person.

And then Russia was through and on his way to Germany's house, tapping his coat lightly where the item rested. The cab he had caught was driven by a man obviously distressed at the thought of driving this intimidating Russian over fifty miles through the woods. Russia just smiled and closed his violet eyes. People were so predictable sometimes. Even this German was wary of him.

It really hadn't taken that much thought to know who to give the item to. Why give it to someone who could not take advantage of it? If he merely gave rules as to how it would be used, then surely everything would turn out all right…

But brash decisions would be made despite his cautioning. Perhaps this could be a lesson to everyone. A lesson to listen to Russia.

Now that was a comforting thought.

Russia let himself look like he was dozing off, but he stayed alert to his surroundings. He had spied for too long not to keep his wits about him.

That was a mistake that England had made. And it seemed so long ago…

Now was not the time to dwell on the past. Now was the time to look towards the future and analyze it. There were three possible outcomes of this day. And only one was particularly desirable.

Russia would just have to push the pawns towards that one as much as he possibly could.