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Jodhaa Salik: Love triangle indeed~ XD Thanks for the review!
Krayon: LOL, funny how 'cute' is not generally a word used to describe ore-sama, but who can resist? :D Bi-polar...hopefully I've done it so it isn't completely OOC ^_^; Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!
Elthara: Ooh, Russia? So cool...kolkolkol~ *shot* I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Updates every Thursday~
It was absolutely evident that Prussia was deeply troubled.
Hungary had been at his military fort for two whole days but they never had the opportunity to sit down and discuss Hungary's potential role in the Austrian Succession war properly. Duty called Prussia away from her constantly, rushing him towards other forts and battalions to care for his men. Unfortunately for Hungary, she was kept under close guard so she was unable to search for Austria or find any other military secrets. It didn't matter anyway; Prussia carried the tiny ring of keys with him as he departed, so even if Hungary did discover where Austria was kept, she wouldn't be able to enter without suspicion.
It was already arranged, however; if all went horrible, Hungarian soldiers would attack the fort if Austria was not freed yet. Hungary personally dreaded such a solution, for it would spell out death for more men than she could have lost if she was successful.
When Prussia finally returned late at night, his trademark grin was wiped off his face. His burgundy eyes flashed with something dangerous and monstrous. It was as if a hint of the monster Hungary had first expected before she met Prussia for the first time in a long time was finally featuring, but now she wished it never appeared.
"Well, that's what you would call a Pyrrhic victory," Prussia muttered to himself, taking off his hat and cloak.
"What happened?" Hungary asked, feigning concern. In actuality, it wasn't completely faked. It was rare to see Prussia solemn, and it must have been for good reasons.
"A lot," Prussia said briefly. He ran a hand through his white hair. "A company is being moved to this fort. They've—well, to put it bluntly, they've received a beating and we have the most supplies to help them. But I don't know if they'll make it safely, or if we could save all of them."
"We're taking up your supplies and space, aren't we?" Hungary said worriedly. She was surprised at her own concern. In her defense, she saw those men as not just the soldiers that destroyed Austria's forces, but also men and boys with families waiting for them, not unlike how Hungary waited for Austria. "We should move from your way as soon as possible—"
"You aren't. Don't fret about it," Prussia said firmly. "Of course this fort is fine. We're always prepared." He winced slightly before sliding to the ground, rubbing his ankle gingerly. He looked up at Hungary and shook his head. "Don't give me that look. It's fine. I'm fine. We'll be all right."
Hungary didn't even know that worry was visible on her face. She quickly rearranged her features and nodded hurriedly.
"But shouldn't you take better care of it?" she pointed out.
"How?" Gilbert muttered, massaging it tentatively.
"Well, for starters," Hungary said as-a-matter-of-factly, "you shouldn't be running around all day on a sprained ankle. Stressing it makes it worse."
"You sound like our medic," Prussia grumbled.
"You should listen to your medic," Hungary chided.
"I'm not weak," Prussia protested. "I have to keep on working and fighting."
"Why are you even fighting?" Hungary blurted out. "You've already got Silesia. Why do you need more land? Your kingdom is already so vast!"
Prussia raised an eyebrow at Hungary guardedly. "You wanted to help me in a war and yet you don't even think I should be fighting it?"
"I never said—I didn't mean that you shouldn't fight!" Hungary defended herself as to not blow her cover. "I just want to know—is all this—" She swept out her arms for emphasis. "—just for more land?"
She didn't know exactly why she was asking. Perhaps she wanted to assure herself that all of Austria's pain and suffering was for a bigger purpose, at least somewhat noble and not just for gluttonous, lifeless land.
Prussia bit the corner of his lip contemplatively. "More or less," he admitted. Hungary clenched her teeth.
"What does that mean?" Hungary demanded.
"I want to win more land," Prussia said circumspectly, "but not for myself."
"I see," Hungary said tentatively. Who was supposed to take all that land Prussia was trying to earn? "What good would that do?"
Prussia studied Hungary carefully before turning away, arranging his rack of weapons more neatly. "You said it yourself; my kingdom is quite sizeable already. Gaining more land would make me stronger, no doubt, but I'm already at a prominent level. I can wait a little to continue. As for others…"
"Who else is there?" Hungary asked curiously.
"West," Prussia said sharply. He turned back to her, his eyes lit with spirit. "You'll know it when you see him. He deserves so much more. He's small and such right now, but if I work hard enough—for the both of us—I can help him grow strong!"
Hungary furrowed her eyebrows at Prussia's passion. He had always been the one to fight for himself only. Every man for himself. A dog eat dog world. Where did that ideology go?
"What is it about him that makes you want to help him so much?" Hungary questioned. "You don't care for anyone else!"
Her tongue froze a millisecond too late. Prussia raised his eyebrows in surprise at her declaration, slightly taken aback. She averted her gaze, resentful and mortified at once.
"I found him almost dead and destroyed by war," Prussia said stiffly. "He's already seen Hell. There's no reason to make him have to go through more."
And yet you rain hell down on Austria, Hungary thought bitterly. Instead, she nodded wordlessly.
"So that is the reason," Hungary said carefully. "You're doing all this for…West?"
"A good part of it, but not completely," Prussia admitted. He fumbled with his black gloves absentmindedly. "Hungary—are you happy with what you are?"
"W-what?" Hungary said, taken aback. "Wait—what kind of question is that?"
"A blunt and uncensored one," Prussia said frankly.
"Well—" she stammered, her tongue tied with confusion. "I don't exactly—I don't think I know what you mean by that."
"I meant, are you happy with how your life is now? Part of the Austrian Empire—your status in your own home—is all that all right with you?" Prussia asked. Hungary hesitated, looking away from Prussia's attentive red eyes. Why was he so curious about her life under Austria's rule?
"I am," she said boldly. "I mean—I suppose there are times I'm a little defiant against Austria, but it's nothing enormous or hateful. I don't hate it."
"So—you're fine with it?" Prussia said anxiously. "If you had a choice between freedom—your own rule and no one else sharing your country—and what you have now…would you choose the latter?"
"No," Hungary blurted out. "I'm not fine, but I'm—how do I say this? Okay, look," Hungary took in a deep breath. Her thoughts were now jumbled. "Of course I want to be independent. Every country wants to be independent! I like my freedom and my right to have a choice just as much as any other nation! But I'm not mutinous or anything."
Prussia seemed relieved by the answer. He let out a sigh and offered a smile. She bit her lip inquiringly.
"Why?" she demanded.
Prussia pursed his lips wordlessly. He waited a moment before finally responding.
"I—how do I put this? I made a…deal with Austria's empress," he said. Hungary stiffened immediately. She glanced down for a second; the ring of keys was still looped through Prussia's belt.
"I don't understand what you mean," Hungary admitted. "Austria—he's captured by you, isn't he?"
"How did you know?" Prussia asked, frowning. Hungary swallowed hard, wildly thinking of an excuse.
"I overheard some of your soldiers talking about it," she fibbed.
"I see," Prussia said contemplatively. He did not continue on; he busied himself with the artillery batteries for a moment before speaking up again. "I gave his queen some terms."
"Terms," Hungary repeated, knitting her eyebrows. "What are they?"
Prussia bit the corner of his lip. "That they release you. From their empire."
Hungary's eyes widened. Suddenly nothing made sense to her anymore. "What? Why did you ask for something like that?"
"So you could have your freedom!" Prussia exclaimed. "So you wouldn't have to live the rest of your existence under Austria's thumb anymore!"
"But…why?" Hungary demanded, flabbergasted. She had expected so many other different things Prussia could have asked for: land, money, unconditional surrender…but instead he had asked for her release. "You weren't—you didn't want to take over my land, did you?"
"Of course not!" Prussia snorted. "Besides, I wouldn't have to remove you from your binds to do that."
"Then why?" Hungary echoed faintly.
"Can't you see?" said Prussia, slightly crestfallen. "I just want you to be happy." He drew away from her, as if concerned that for some reason he had angered her. Hungary had no idea what to say. Never in her life would she have dreamed that she was the determining factor of Austria's captivity.
She suddenly realized that Prussia was staring at her. She nervously looked up and locked her green eyes with his vivid red. Days ago fury would have burned and risen in her like vomit, but now there was none of it. Confusion and slight wistfulness was in its place.
"I should check on my men," Hungary said in a cracked voice. "Make sure that they aren't—misbehaving or anything." She hurriedly tore herself from Prussia's penetrating gaze and disappeared around the corner. Her heart was almost left behind, but it remembered in the last second and came chasing after her, beating ardently.
The boy couldn't have been any older than nineteen.
Austria wasn't exactly sure if it was just because of coincidence or perhaps Prussia was trying to insult him by placing only one very young guard to keep watch over his prison. Either way, Austria couldn't help but feel a little wary and somewhat harried at the situation. This would have been a perfect moment to attempt a break-out if only he didn't know that there were tens if not hundreds of Prussian soldiers outside these doors.
It was the only time Austria was left under such meager security. Usually Prussia would have positioned two very able-bodied guards in the prisons. At least then the two men would converse amongst each other and fill in the thick silence that was now flooding the prison. The young boy was standing stiffly across from Austria's cell, not making a single sound.
"Isn't there someone else who is supposed to be guarding me with you?" Austria couldn't help but ask. His voice was very dry and crackled from lack of use.
The young soldier seemed surprise at being addressed to. He hesitated for a moment before silently shaking his head. Austria shrugged and brushed stray strands of hair from his hair. His hair was now unkempt and falling over his already myopic eyes. He was forced into a very simple and grey ensemble as a prisoner of war, his old uniform long gone. Prussia claimed to have burned it, and Austria would not be surprised in the least if he did.
"Are you…?" the young boy started. He paused and seemed to want to change his mind, but pressed on anyway. "Are you actually the country of Austria?"
Austria raised an eyebrow at the question. "If I wasn't, I doubt your leader Prussia would hate me as much as he does now." Austria never understood why Prussia detested him so much. When had Austria ever wronged Prussia?
"And he is actually the embodiment of my home? Truly?" the young boy said eagerly. Austria nodded and the boy let out a weak chuckle. "I never really believed it in all honesty…tell me—if you can—do you all represent the government? Or the people?"
Austria couldn't help but give a crooked smile at the boy's curiosity. It wasn't unusual for people to confront the truth from their countries.
"We are whoever our government tells us to be," Austria said simply. "They are our bosses."
The boy nodded as if satisfied, but then a confused spark lit his features once more. "But—shouldn't they be under your control? Because—without a country, there isn't a government, right?"
"But without a government, there is not country either," Austria pointed out sagely. "There are rules on what a nation is and what isn't, and having a government is one of them."
"I see," the boy said with a tone of eagerness. Soon Austria no longer saw the stiff and heavy uniform or the weapon in the boy's hands; he could see the young green eyes and boyish face.
"What's your name?" Austria asked.
"Alois," the young boy answered dutifully.
"Roderich," Austria introduced himself.
"You have names as well?" Alois questioned. "Don't you just go by the name 'Austria?'"
"Some nations do," Austria explained. "For example, I know that Denmark and Norway opted not to have another alias, but other countries like I have."
"I learn new things every day," Alois quipped. The stiff and unapproachable façade was quickly dissipating. What would Prussia say at this sight: his trusted guard warming up to his prisoner and worst enemy?
"Why did you join the army, may I ask?" Austria inquired. "You seem so young to be fighting in a war."
"I'm twenty years old," Alois said. "My country—Prussia, shall I call him now?—needed men to step up and help the cause, and I was able enough. Besides…" He gave a shy smile. "A fine way to get a job, ja? Fulfilling the Prussian virtues and helping to support my family—why wouldn't I?"
Austria was all too familiar with the Prussian virtues that Friederick I had imposed. He had to admit that Prussia followed them quite devotedly; his Pflichtbewusstsein and toughness was impeccable, and neither compassion nor common sense seemed to have made it on the list.
"Who is in your family?" asked Austria.
"My mother and father. Two younger brothers—twins, actually—and an older sister," Alois answered, a small smile flitting across his face. "And Analiese. Well—" His cheeks tinged slightly. "Not yet. But soon, she will. I'm certain of it."
Austria could decipher that tone of voice from anyone. "A sweetheart?" he said lightly.
"Perhaps," Alois said, his face coloring rapidly. "We're planning on getting married as soon as I'm free of service." He gave a resigned chuckle. "Unfortunately, I've just started and I haven't even seen combat yet, so I suppose it would take a while."
No wonder he was so lighthearted. Austria was certain that if he had been guarded by a veteran, such a conversation wouldn't have even begun. To them, he was the enemy, the monster, the reason why their friends and comrades were killed in battle.
"Analiese," Austria echoed, tasting the name in his mouth. "How long have you known her?"
"Since my adolescents," Alois said breezily. "You wouldn't believe it—she and I always fought when we first met. Most of the time she would win the battles as well—she considered herself as strong as a boy."
Austria felt a chilling sensation of déjà vu at Alois's story. His heart panged and he was flooded with both longing and worry for Hungary. How long was it since he had last seen her? He heard stories through cracks underneath the heavy doors and the whispers of guards that Hungary had arrived already, but that was to the extent of his knowledge.
"What about you?" Alois asked. "You countries—do you have families?"
"No," Austria admitted. He stretched out his legs; after being immobile for so long the muscles creaked in protest. "But…" His mind wandered to Hungary again and he had every desire to rip apart the bars and search for her, even though his strength was sapped away. "Alois—I heard Hungary arrived in the military fort. Is that true?"
Alois was surprised at the question. He hesitated, his eyes darting toward the door as if to make sure no one was listening in. "Maybe. Why do you ask?"
"I just hear of the guards talking about it many times. I wasn't exactly sure if that was the truth or not," Austria said carefully. He gripped the metal bars tightly until it became hot under his palms.
"They must be awfully chatty," Alois commented, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Is she taken as a prisoner?" Austria said nervously.
"As Prussia's guest," Alois corrected, surprised. "Why did you think as a prisoner?"
"A strange assumption of mine," Austria said anxiously. "No reason, actually." He drew away from the bars and delved back into the murky shadows of the cell. Hungary was safe…for now. He had no idea what was in store for her.
"I reckon they must have taken a fancy for each other," Alois said casually. When he realized what he said, he immediately shut his mouth, embarrassed.
Austria perked up immediately at Alois's words. "Why do you say that?"
"I—I'm not completely sure," Alois stammered. "I mean—they seem very close, and he—Herr Prussia— becomes much gentler around her—or as gentle as someone like he could get…And she is kind to him." Alois shrugged and laughed in spite of himself. "I'm probably mistaken. But he's very different around her. And they've known each other for so long—that is what Herr France said when he visited, anyway…"
"I see," Austria said quietly. His mouth grew very dry but he did not let his uneasiness surface. He had always suspected that Prussia was fond of Hungary—something Austria had been wary about for years—but what of Hungary's case? She expressed her undying hatred towards him at any given chance. It didn't seem like her that she would withhold her antipathy against him. What was she putting herself up against?
The longer he was left alone deep in his thoughts, the more apprehensive he became.
Hungary, why are you here?
Ironic how Prussia is so intent on keeping Hungary free from foreign rule when later on in history, Russia might just do the same to both of them...
Gakuen Hetalia fanfiction is slowly forming on Microsoft Word...I might publish it after I finish this one. Grr, I'll be in school by then...I feel so old! First I'll enter junior year of High School and then I have to turn sixteen! D: Two double whammies of growing up in a row! ;_;