Hetalian Old Alphabet-3

D is for Damsel

Characters: Holy Roman Empire, Italy Veneziano

If Holy Rome was feeling more embarrassed than he already did, that would have explained the uncharacteristic clumsiness in his sword-wielding skills.

A little 'girl' was hiding up in the tree, holding a squirrel tightly in her grasp and feigning terror.

"Oh, were could Holy Rome be? Wah~ I need help…" came her pleas. Holy Rome could swear that the squirrel was suffocating because of the tightness.

What were they even doing, to begin with?

Well, earlier today, our dear Holy Roman Empire was reading in the study, understanding each consonant-cluster in such boredom. Italy came and convinced him to stop his studying for a while to play with her. Not one to disappoint the maid (and he sure wasn't planning on doing so), Holy Rome agreed. Besides, a little time alone with Ita-chan was a rare thing for this lovesick soul. He wouldn't miss it for the world.

And so that was why they were out in the gardens, playing damsel in distress.

"D-don't worry Italy, I'll save you!" said the young empire, holding up his sword with some difficulty. Holy Rome flinched inwardly in disgust. Honestly, that was such an overused line- oh great, he was starting to think like Austria…

Italy's expression immediately turned to one of relief as she saw Holy Rome with his big sword. "Yay~ Holy Rome has come to save me~" She says with a grin that has (so far) never failed to make Holy Rome trip on his shoes.

Holy Roman Empire wouldn't trudge with a sword. He was used to this kind of weight because of all those battles he's been fighting. He ran to the foot of the tree, where supposedly, he was to fight a beast.

And there it was- in all its slimy, scratching, furry glory- the beast itself. Snout underneath its very itchy armpit and its tail wagging along with the thumping of its foot, Chestnut the dog was waiting for its master to come across him.

Sure enough, Holy Rome waved his trusty sword towards his dog's itching form. "Chestnut! Only you stand in my way of my princess and I's way! Prepare yourself!" said Holy Rome with a challenging look upon his pale face. Chestnut didn't seem frightened of his master's threat, rather, was overjoyed with his master's presence. It was not everyday Holy Rome would play with his dog, after all.

The dog barked happily before dashing up to its master (itchiness long forgotten). With a surprised yelp, Holy Roman Empire fell on the grass with his dog wagging its tail up high as it covered his face with sloppy kisses.

"Ch-Chestnut! No, you're supposed to attack me! Not drown me!" cried the boy as his face and outfit began to be soaked in his dog's saliva. Up in the tree, Italy was watching the scene unfold, and she could not help but laugh. Italy laughed until she was clutching her sides and tears were coming out of her eyes. Holy Roman Empire blushed as soon as he realizes that Italy had been watching.

Italy was still laughing, and, in the midst of all the excitement, lost her footing. Seconds later, she was just hanging limply from the branch with a scared expression on her face.

"H-Holy Rome, help me!" She cried out in help, and this time, she wasn't faking it. Holy Rome looked up to see his damsel in true trouble. He could feel his ears pounding with blood, and the branch threatened to break.

Everything was a blur after this. Holy Roman Empire quickly clambered onto his dog. "Chestnut, hurry!" And there, sitting upon his noble steed, he charged towards Italy. The branch broke, sending Italy hurling towards the earth. Italy closed her eyes, waiting for the pain.

But it never came, and instead she fell on top of Holy Rome. The blonde nation felt Italy shivering in fear in his arms. Then, Italy, realizing that she was no longer in danger, stopped shaking. She looked up to see the concerned face of Holy Roman Empire.

"Are you alright, Italy?" he asked.

Italy smiled and hugged him. "Yes, grazie, Holy Rome,"

Only just then did Holy Rome realize that he was in extremely close contact with his damsel.

E is for Embarrassment (ce que, I'm overusing this word,)

Characters: Austria, Holy Roman Empire

Austria's skillful hands found their way onto the piano, lightly tapping the keys in sync with the chords on the stack of parchment in front of him. The melodic tune of Austria's grand piano filled the room, and the maids outside were sorely tempted to just stand there and listen.

The bespectacled nation kept to himself, eyes closed and ears listening to only his music. Ah, if only more people were here to listen to his sonatas and songs, they would surely applaud him.

Speaking of people…

The nation's ears then detected the familiar sound of Italy's cries. Cringing lightly, Austria stopped for a moment. He stood up, and walked towards the window, muttering something about Italy being 'far too noisy'. When he was finally in front of the grand fragile mass of windowpanes, he was greeted by a familiar sight.

There, under the shade of one of the many oak trees on their property, sits a red-faced Holy Roman Empire and a horrified-looking Italy, who promptly ran in the opposite direction soon after. Austria could practically hear Holy Rome's dejected sigh as he watched him walk back into the manor. Austria went back to the piano stool, and waited.

Soon enough, Holy Roman Empire entered the room, still wearing the blush on his pale cheeks.

"Oh no, you're making that face again, that is very unsightly, Holy Roman Empire." Austria says to him without looking up. The noble only got a groan in reply. Sighing, Austria faced the boy. "I don't fancy nosing into other's business, but what is it this time?" He asks.

Holy Rome's first reaction was to stare at him oddly. Was Austria not feeling well today? Later on, he realized that he needed someone to confide in, so why not?

The small empire looked away. "This time, I'm sure that Italy would hate me…" he mumbles.

Austria scoffs. "Give her a few hours and an afternoon nap; it would be like nothing happened."

Holy Rome ignored his remark. "I found her sleeping under the oak tree and, oh I-I just couldn't help myself!" He covers his face with his hat in shame, blushing profusely.

"Couldn't help yourself with what, exactly?" Austria prods on, hoping to hear more about the empire's little tale. Holy Rome muttered something that the aristocrat could not exactly catch over the black hat. "Speak up a little, Holy Roman Empire."

"I-I watched her …while she was sleeping…" He said a little more loudly this time. Austria had the why-am-I-not-surprised look on his face; he could only be so thankful that the black hat covered most of the empire's vision. "Sh-she looked so peaceful, I couldn't stop myself… But then this bee flew up to her, and it sort of looked that it was going to sting," Holy Rome swallowed the lump in his throat, and continued his tale. "I tried to shoo it away, but then I ended up hitting Italy's face… I think she might have been worries that I was angry at her because I blushed so hard it made me look like it…" And then he started to whimper.

Once more, Austria scoffs. "That was what you were worried about?" Awkwardly, he places an arm around Holy Rome's whimpering form, and pats his shoulder in a somewhat fatherly manner. "She will get over it, I guarantee so. It is Italy, after all."

"But, I don't think I will get over it… Because, um… You know…" Holy Rome's words were reduced to an incoherent mess of words, but Austria did not need words to know that Holy Roman Empire was very embarrassment prone- particularly around this Mediterranean nation known as Italy.

They both knew this. Though, it was not until supper time did they move from that spot, Austria patting him on the shoulder and Holy Rome needing his support.

Author's Note: Ah, I'm really sorry that it took me so long to update, I guess it's my laziness catching up to me. I promise to come up with more exciting plots, 'cause this is mostly a bundle of pointless fluffs that are heavily disorganized and horribly fricking written.

Anyways, I hope you didn't get too bored with this fiction… Please read and review!

Disclaimer: Nope, do not own Hetalia.