Then I was Young and Unafraid
Sun streaming past the curtains, Switzerland isn't worried, he's pissed. Where in the world could Austria have hidden himself away for so many hours? Liechtenstein had started crying halfway through their search simply because she was so upset that she wasn't fulfilling her promise to Germany. The man had know to send her to bed then. It had taken a lot of promising, but she went and now he was back in the guest room where Austria had started out.
He caught sight of the children's book flopped against the wall. Going over, he bent over to pick it up. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something behind the bed's skirt. That little...Stalking over, he threw up the cloth and reached under. Feeling around, he manages to grab onto what he assumed was the boy's foot. Dragging him out, Switzerland ignored Austria's cry.
The boy's purple eyes wide and on him, the man scowled. "Vhat are you doing under there?" He demanded. "Do you realize how long ve've been looking for you?!" Keeping a firm grip on the child he began to lecture him. "Do you think it's funny to make Liechtenstein cry? Huh? Do you think it's fun to make us search the house from top to bottom all night? I can't believe how selfish you are! I know you're selfish...but this, this is too far!" And he's so close to just shaking the kid.
"Nein!" Austria shrilled, wriggling with sudden energy. "Nein! Let me go! Let me GO!" and a tiny foot lashed out, kicking Switzerland in the shin.
And the blond does, a hand rubbing at the smart spot. The boy's on his feet, but he didn't leave. Maybe he was standing his ground. Or maybe he was too scared to run. Switzerland didn't really care one way or another. All he knew was that it was six in the morning and Austria had kept him up all night looking for him. The itch to return the sting multiplying by the second, the blond slapped Austria's cheek.
The child tumbled back. But he sat up tears spilling over the red print. Unbidden, the face evoked memories the blond had spent centuries trying to bury and forget like Austria so obviously had. Filled with remorse, Vash reached out.
"Vhy-" the boy began, but Switzerland cut him off with a fierce hug.
Holding him close, the man took a shaky breath as he whispered; "Sorry, so, so, so sorry..."
After a while, tiny fingers twist into his shirt and the Swiss began to cry himself. Here he'd been trying so hard to forget his childhood friend when he needed him most. How could he have slapped the one person he'd tried so hard to protect? How? A little hand worked between the space between their bodies and touched his cheek.
Pulling away, he saw a strange light was in purple eyes. "Are you my Schweiz?" He asked with such hopeful reverence.
"I think so," Vash choked. "I think I'm your friend."
His tiny head burrowed into his shoulder. "Angenehm..." Austria sighed.
"Yeah, angenehm;" The blond agreed. Pulling the child away, he smiled. "I don't know about you, but I'm beat. Vould it be alright if I crashed in your bed?"
"Uh-huh!" He nodded. "But..." his eyes fell to something behind them. "I vant you to read to me first."
Vash rolled his eyes and twisted around scooping up the book of nursery rhymes. "Fine, fine, vhich one?"
Thumbing through the pages, the boy pointed to a familiar nursery rhyme. "This one!" He declared.
"A farmer went trotting upon his gray mare-" The man stopped. "Vhy do you like this one so much? It's so depressing."
Purple eyes stayed on the page as his small hand traced the gold letters. "It feels familiar," he answered. Looking up, he said; "Like it matters."
Shaking his head, Vash chose the easy course and read it through. After he was done, he put the book on the edge of the bed and stood up with the boy in his arms. "Eva only vent to sleep only a few hours ago, I never have." Lying down on the white sheets, he said; "No one vill be making breakfast anytime soon and there isn't much that vould interest you around here...can you sleep a little longer?"
"I don't know..." The child admitted.
Throwing an arm over his face, the blond asked then; "Vhat about being quiet? Can you do that for a couple hours? No talking or singing?"
"Ja," he finally answered.
Relieved, Switzerland felt his eyes begin to droop. "Alright then..." he yawned. "Read your book and be quiet for me."
Tiny hands kneed over him as they snatch up the bound nursery rhymes. Then, a little hand pushes back his bangs. "Sleep vell," the child mumbled.
"Danke.." And the Swiss felt sleep drag him down. But it was pleasant dreams that met him, one of laughing boys and happy days. If he had known how he smiled, he might have considered sleeping elsewhere. Austria, however, found the look on the stern make comfort and after a while curled himself close.
Tiny finger patting the man's face, he mumbled; "Gute Nacht." He wasn't actually tired, but he thought maybe, if he tried, he could join Switzerland in his happy dreams (he could do with some).
And a little reconciliation happened! Do you think it will last long? I'm not so sure...
To reviewers, Onyxlark36, Light8mare and Mite; you guys rock! Plus, I should have your one-shot out sometime next week Mite!
If anyone wants more Hetalia, I have recently uploaded a Hetalia fic called Want to Believe which feature England, Australia and Wy.
Thank you for reading and please review!
Words:
Ja-Yes
Nein-No
Danke-Thanks
Angenehm-Pleasant
Schweiz-Switzerland
Gute Nacht-Good night