Salut! This is the beginning of what will eventually be a collection of historically accurate short stories. For me, Hetalia has always been more interesting from a historical standpoint, so here's my shot at capturing some different bits of history featuring all our boys (and girls). Each one will have it's own chapter, and they will probably get longer. I'll do my best to be as accurate as possible. If you have any events you want me to try, let me know, and I'll do my best! Enjoy!
Spring, 1788
Elegant tea cups lightly chinked in a gentle toast before France raised his cup to his lips, savoring the decidedly not-British brew. His eyes roamed out over the harbor which sparkled in the afternoon sun. Massachusetts this time of year was still chilly but spring had a firm hold on the land.
Francis glanced to his companion- in so many ways, another brother, another son. America noticed his gaze and smiled back with the same open honesty he always had. Alfred had filled out again after the war. It was strange, though. To the older nation, Concord and Lexington and Yorktown seemed like just yesterday.
"A lovely day," Francis said. America nodded and waited patiently for the country to continue.
Eventually, France spoke up again. "How is the government?"
"Running like clockwork. It's beautiful." America smiled broadly.
"So many new liberties." France was careful but curious, unable to resist the draw of America's new Constitution. A republic? So much freedom, all without a monarchy? It was unheard of.
"It's what we've been working for. It's no longer just a dream, and Francis, it's working." America turned his blue eyes straight into Francis's darker ones. "It's not impossible, to give representation to every free man, to give each person the rights they were born with. Repression is not the only way."
France turned his gaze back to the harbor. There was such promise in those ideas; ideas his own people were examining with more and more curiosity. Both of their countries were tied tight with these ideas, flowing from minds like Locke and Voltaire. America's ideal was the social contract, a government that worked for the people instead of on top of the people, where religion had little say and the masses decided for the good… his very own Rousseau was the preacher voiced American truths. But how could the people live without a monarch, without a ruler? One couldn't just replace the chosen of God with new slander. What about the estates? What about the clergy? And then, what about his Bourgeoisie, as they had taken to calling themselves, how can they be associated with the same class as peasant farmers?
France shook his head and offered no comment, simply examining the harbor. He had accepted America's suggestion for more trade. It was clear that while America could hardly hope to establish the wealth France already enjoyed in the near future, his natural resources would be a valuable asset, and France almost never declined to expand his markets.
He would have to move carefully when he returned home- his people were quickly forming their own opinions of what defined government, and the majority, he could feel, sided on the side celebrating America's achievements. Those were the opposite of his government. He offered the new country across him all he could, at the moment.
"Congratulations, cher."