Then I was Young and Unafraid
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Coming to awareness, Austria's upper body felt cold. As did his feet. Fighting the waking day, the brunette flopped his arm over his eyes only to realize how far it truly stretched. Eyes popping open, Austria sat up to find his sleep shirt nearly fit him and that his toes peaked out from underneath the duvet. Half-elated and half-confused, the teenager smiled. He was overjoyed not to be so small anymore, but the youth was absolutely confounded as to how he could never feel himself growing or even sense that it was coming on.
Running a hand through his hair, Austria grappled for his glasses and then stood up with the covers draped around his shoulders. Nervously, the youth shuffled out of the room and toward the stairs. Pausing at the landing, he strained his ears for Switzerland (because he was so not going down there if Liechtenstein might per-chance see him so disheveled). Thankfully, he did not here the man and when he turned around, he saw the older coming out of his bedroom. Eyes lighting up, Austria went to him.
"Schweiz!" He called. The blond lifted his gaze only to frown.
"Österreich!" He groaned, "Vhy do you always have to grow at the most cumbersome times?" The teenager may have felt embarrassed or guilty if it weren't for the quiet quirk to his friend's lip that told him the Swiss found the situation a little amusing. Opening his door, the blond waved Austria in. "Come here, ve'll find something you can vear..."
Scurrying in ahead of the other, Austria went to his friend's bed and sat down as Switzerland wandered to his closet to mutter at his clothing. Picking through them, the older male eventually tossed a button up and a pair of khakis his way. Staring at the outfit, Austria shed his blanket and pulled the shirt on. It was a little long in the torso, but the brunette didn't mind. Then putting on the pants, he was happy that they were not too loose and only a tad too short.
Eyeing him, Switzerland nodded. "Ja I think that vill vork until ve get you back to your house, don't you think?"
Looking at himself in the mirror the other had on the back of his door, Austria bobbed his head. "Ja Schweiz."
"I vould take you home if you vanted...but I've been called out to a meeting early this morning."
The brunette felt pleasantly surprised by the other's consideration. It would be nice to go home after so long...but, he didn't mind staying an extra day or two. Fiddling with his glasses, Austria used the mirror to look over to where the blond stood. "Danke," he said; "I'll be okay for another day or two, so don't vorry."
Coming forward, the Swiss pat his shoulder. "Okay," he smirked. "I should be back tomorrow evening if everything goes vell." Walking away, the older nation called over his shoulder; "Keep Eva company for me!"
"Bye Schweiz!"
"Yeah!"
And the other left Austria alone to consider his new self. Reaching out, the teenager traced the reflection of his face and found it incomplete. The glasses, which he'd always believed to give him a sophisticated air, now seemed to sit ungainly on his face. And his nose was too big, his chin too round, hand drifting downward to he looked to his body and felt it was too thin. His arms felt ill-proportioned in comparison to his torso and legs. Pursing his lips, the teen tore himself away from his image and remembered that Liechtenstein was downstairs.
Heart beating for the distraction, he hurried out of Switzerland's room and for the kitchen.
The girl looked up at his entry. "Oh..." she whispered, fingers curling around her mouth.
"Hi." The teen muttered, blushing.
Face reddening, the girl waved him forward. "I'm sorry! Come here, come here...I made sausage and there's porridge too." Heading her beckon, Austria slipped into a chair and began to ladle himself porridge to go with the sausage Liechtenstein was already pushing onto his plate. Once done, he reach for a slice of bread and a bit of jam.
They were both quiet for a while, neither really looking at the other until the blond looked up. "You always surprise me."
"Vhat do you mean?"
She smiled a little. "It's silly, I know you are supposed to get older...but I always expect you to be the child I saw the night before."
"Yes, vell," The teenager muttered uncomfortably.
Wiping her mouth, the girl cocked her head. "I need to pick up some eggs and dish soap," she remarked. "Vould you like to come vith me to the store?"
"...Ja," he agreed. Sifting through memories that felt older than three weeks, the Austrian could recall an incident on the way back from the store when he was a small boy. It had felt threatening at the time, he remembered and he feared that those vicious faces would be waiting to strike again.
"Excellent!" The youth exclaimed clapping her hands. "Let me get my jacket...do you vant one as vell? I'm sure Bruder has something you can vear."
"Please."
Getting up, the girl left the room. "I'll be back in a moment!"
Eyes on her as she left, Austria just hoped this trip to the store would go smoothly (and that the group of hecklers would be gone for good).
Running an item over the scanner, the elderly cashier grinned."A new young man, eh? He looks a little like that Bub you brought through before...vould he possibly be his dashing uncle or cousin?" She rose an eyebrow and Liechtenstein blushed.
"Nein! Nein he's a friend..."
The woman winked. "Of course dear."
Finishing their transaction, the duo walked away with their bags and Austria couldn't help but glance back. "She...she thought ve vere a couple?"
"She vas our cashier vhen you vere a Junge."
Blushing, Austria whispered; "I see."
"She's meddlesome."
The teen nodded, but with a smile, the brunette said; "It vas sort of funny, though."
"Yeah, you're right," Liechtenstein giggled and by the time the pair slipped from the store; they both were laughing.
XxXxX
"Hey look boys! It's her." A teenage boy shouted as they rounded a corner. Pressing close to Austria, the girl looked down. Blinking, Austria looked in the direction of the group and saw them making lewd gestures and faces. Locking their arms together, the brunette made a gesture of his own their way.
The trio laughed. "Hey! Hey I'm talking to you!"
"Vhat?" Austria snapped as one jogged toward them.
He grinned. "Are you her boyfriend?"
The girl's head shot up. "N-"
Austria kissed her. "Ja!" He snapped. "Now leave! I don't vant to hear about you bothering her again!"
"Alright, alright!" The youth relented. "Good luck vith her though! She's a real prude! I doubt you'll ever get any from her!" He jabbed.
"Scram!" Austria roared. The teenager skittered back. Heaving a sigh, the brunette shook his head and lead them off. Once a good few blocks away, Liechtenstein tugged on his jacket.
"You didn't have to do that," she whispered.
Averting his stare, Austria shrugged. "They vere all a bunch of jerks."
"Danke, though. Truly."
"...It vas no problem." Austria muttered extracting himself from her hold. "Do you need help vith making lunch?"
The blond smiled. "I'll be fine."
"Alright," The other mumbled. "I guess I vill see you vhen it's done then!"
"I'll call for you."
Stepping into the house, Austria paused. "You should let your Bruder know."
"I don't think they'll bother me anymore," Liechtenstein grinned.
Scuffing his boot, the brunette nodded. "If you think so..."
"I do."
Austria lifted his stare and then looked away. "Um...I'm going to go play the keyboard."
"Okay," and the girl brushed past him; a faint pink still to her cheeks.
I'm posting this quite a bit later than I expected! All I really have to say about that is my mom and me moved and this is the first time I've had extended internet all week! So, a couple more chapters to go and this fic will be done! I'm already working out an outline for my next Hetalia fic, so I'll announce that with the completion of this one...
Also, Katie-Kat1129 won my prize One-Shot! Her fic is now up and it's called Gamer Boyz; the premise being:
"Canada and America playing video games with Canada beating him until America blows up (and breaks the TV or game console). Then they go to McDonalds so America can drown his sorrows."
I hope you'll check that out!
To reviewer, Marik of Yami, thanks a lot!
Thanks for reading and I hope to see some nice reviews!
P.S. Vote on the poll I have on my page, it's greatly appreciated!
Words:
Ja-Yes
Bub-Boy
Nein-No
Junge-Boy
Danke-Thanks
Österreich-Austria
Schweiz-Switzerland