Then I was Young and Unafraid

Tossing back his covers just as his alarm was to go off, Switzerland hit the snooze button and went for his closet. Picking out a pair of slacks and a shirt, he checked over his plan once more. Call Austria a baby for something minor, criticize the plan he had for the day (which likely involved his keyboard) and to top it all off; the blond would tell him to get lost. And maybe he would.

At the very least the boy would make himself scarce and that was what Switzerland thought he needed. They both needed actually. With each and everyday Austria was becoming closer to being the priss he usually was and with the boy's track record, he was willing to believe he'd forget this time he spent with the Swiss and his sister by the time he returned to himself too. And as much as Vash was beginning to like the idea of reconciliation...it didn't seem feasible. To save himself from being all broken up about it again, he needed to push Austria away now. Then at least, they'd be square. And it would be due to his choice (even if it didn't really feel much like a choice right now).

Plus, he'd probably forget in the end. So no harm done. Unplugging his alarm just as the snooze was to wear off, the blond witnessed the green numbers fade away into the black of the screen. He stood a while longer contemplating light, darkness, and switches.

"Morning Bruder!" Liechtenstein greeted as the man stepped into the kitchen. She noticed the bags beneath his eyes but chose not to remark upon it in favor of turning over the sausage. Reaching around for three plates, she looked back and saw he was fiddling with the coffee machine. What worried her was he wasn't cursing at it like he often did in the mornings. Frowning, she turned off the stove and went and shooed Vash back.

"Go vake up Gast, he's asleep."

He eyed her for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Ja!" She insisted. "Go!"

Reluctantly, he took a step back toward the doorway; then another and another until he disappeared back up the stairs to the bedrooms. Looking to the mug in her hand and to the brown liquid burbling in the glass container, the teenager felt her shoulders slump. "Vhat's vrong now Vash?" And Liechtenstein truly did wonder. Just as he always seemed ready to warm up to their little guest he'd back off again like he had been burned. She knew there was some sort of history between them; it had been there even before this.

But...now the tension was running very high, especially so on the Swiss's side and she wondered just what he'd do to relieve it.

His blanket was ripped away from him. Alert within moments, Austria flopped over to see Switzerland looking down at him with an inscrutable stare. Rubbing at his eyes, he reached around to grab his glasses. Slipping them over the bridge of his nose, he was made to roll up his sleeve again as it had come undone in his motion. Sitting there a moment longer without a word between them, the boy realized the blond would not be the first to speak.

"Vhat is it? Breakfast? I'll be downstairs in a minute."

The man's gaze shifted and Austria moved his with it. He was looking at the book. A frown twisted the blond's features as he glared at the child again. "You're too old for that book, vhat are you doing vith it in your bed? Are you a Baby?"

Red flaring in his cheeks, the boy shook his head. "I just..."

"Vhatever, I don't care;" Switzerland sneered. "Come down vhen you're ready." And he turned on his heals already half-way across the bedroom.

Grappling for ground, Austria yelled back "Vhat if I'm never ready!?"

"You'll starve!"

And the Swiss never looked back. It actually kind of stung.

(He wondered if it had something to do with the round face framed by blond he saw in his dreams).

"So vhat are you thinking you'd like to do today Österreich?"

Swallowing his latest bite, the boy considered Liechtenstein's question. What did he want to do today? If the teenager was going to go to market...or better yet, why not piano? It wasn't everyday he could play so freely. Away from and too young for paperwork, Austria could spend hours and hours playing, learning, practicing...he grinned. That was a fun plan.

"I vill play my keyboard!" He declared happily.

Wiping his mouth, Switzerland scoffed. "How lazy, you could be helping out vith chores but instead you choose to close yourself away and leave all the real vork to us!"

He shrunk back in his chair, staring down at his lap. Austria hadn't meant to come off in such a way...he had just been excited to play without interruption. Biting his lip, the boy offered; "I could help vith some things too; like the goats? Ve could do that together Schweiz." And he actually really wanted to. Maybe the blond would feel more amicable once the child proved he could be helpful.

Getting up, the man sent him a cool look. "You already made your choice, I don't need your help."

"Bruder!" Liechtenstein scolded. "Do not be cruel to him! He's just a bub!"

"But he's not Eva!" He snapped back, "Don't be fooled by his appearance! Because it's all just a mirage and once he's himself again he'll pretend ve never helped him out! Just vatch!" And with that, he threw down his napkin and stormed from their home.

Clutching his pant legs, Austria looked up at the teenager and whispered; "I vant to be helpful."

"You are," Liechtenstein told him. "You are by just giving me and my brother company-ve don't get much and I think he's forgetting to be appreciative of the fact."

Eyes going to all the plates before him, the child pulled his mouth in a thin line. "I'll give you a hand with the dishes."

"Oh Österreich-"

He cut her off. "Please?"

Seeing that she was on the losing side of the battle, the blond nodded. "If you like," she agreed.

Hopping up, he picked his plate and glass from the table and made a beeline for the sink. "I vill."

"Okay," she sighed. Sending a look toward the back door, she hoped her brother could find peace among the goats and fresh air.

How did you like the glimpses of everyone's perspectives? I liked it and wouldn't mind trying it again before this fic is done.

To reviewers, Mite, Onyxlark36, Marik of Yami, Violonforte, and Vanessa15975329; thanks for your reviews! I appreciate it. Also, we met my modified goal and I still need the reviewer to give the prize to, so...first reviewer gets the prize one-shot*!

*Excludes previous winners.

Thanks for reading, please review!

P.S. If you haven't, vote on my poll!

Words:

Ja-Yes

Bub-Boy

Gast-Guest

Bruder-Brother

Schweiz-Switzerland

Österreich-Austria