Other pairings include Austria/Hungary, Poland/Hungary, and America/Canada
Vienna, Austria Austria’s House November 30th, Present Day
The snow crunches beneath his feet as the two of them walk side by side down the long snowy driveway. Austria can feel the weight of the bags growing steadily more apparent with each step. He’s only thankful that Hungary has never forgotten the way. It wouldn’t have been the first time he’d circled the neighborhood for hours; he can remember being lost in the surrounding forest for some rather impressive amounts of time as well. The old mobile phone in his pocket rings and he makes a pitiful attempt to answer it, nearly dropping everything in the process. He clicks in tongue in annoyance and Hungary sighs. “Here c’mon…” She wrestles the bags away from him with practiced ease, seeming to have a much easier time shouldering them than he was. Austria looks away with a faint embarrassed blush as he fishes the old clunky phone from his coat pocket. Prussia still teases him about not having texting capabilities or a vibrate function. He can hear her grumbling about the nine hour train ride back from Hechingen as he answers. Well of course they have fine Christmas Markets here as well but that’s hardly the-
“You always do seem to pick the most inconvenient times to call.” He looks annoyed, standing still, folding his arms to ward off the cold. He’s learned over the years it’s less distracting not to try to walk and talk. “She’s there, isn’t she?” Prussia asks right away. Austria sighs. Of course she is; she’s their most effective little spy, after all. It’s all too easy to pretend when it’s only the two of them that nothing’s changed and they’re just friends or even that it’s 1900 again and this is their home and he isn’t alone. He can see the slight change in her face as she looks at him and it makes it so much easier to frown as she switches from friend to jailor.
"Obviously,” he answers tersely. He looks at her with an apologetic smile. “If you want to go ahead to the house…” She has the key, naturally, but he knows she’ll never leave him alone. “I can wait.” Her voice sounds so easy and free a she speaks he can almost delude himself into believing she’s not dangerous. “What’s a few minutes after an all day trip, after all? “ He nods and doesn’t falter once; he didn’t really expect her to go, after all. “Nice try, right dear?” He swallows, eyes drifting downward. “Watch your language, pig.” Because I don’t know if she can hear you or not. I don’t know if they’re listening. “Don’t worry; the line’s safe. Japan saw to that.” He’s thankful they have a few loyal allies. Some of the tension slips out of his shoulders and Hungary shifts to the other foot impatiently. “Really, he can’t call you back?” Are you insane? she wonders with a pity that he’ll never see. Why are you risking everything for this?
He’s about to answer her when Prussia blurts out, “America’s coming.” The silence from Austria is nearly tangible. He answers easily even as his heart feels about to pound out of his chest. This is a far more dangerous game, after all, than they’ve ever played before. “That’s absurd! A red white and green cake? Only America would come up with such a ridiculous notion. I can’t believe Ludwig would ever agree to bake such a monstrosity!” Her posture relaxes and a small amused smile appears on her face. Even if she knows- even if she doesn’t believe him at least now she can pretend. He’s slipped up before and thank God that there’s still a shred of something between them because she’s always looked the other way when he has. He’s hated that she’d even had to. It raises the risk of complacency and none of them would ever show him the same mercy. They’ve been waiting for him to slip up ever since the war ended.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 5/?
Gathered around the small table in the conference room, the five nations met in secret to guarantee in history the document signed by their representatives. The parchment on the table looks no different to human eyes, but to those surrounding it, the faint golden glow of the words is evident. Austria looks it over carefully. He knew this day was coming, they simply wished to deal with Germany and Prussia first. When Russia claimed “East Germany”, Austria had felt the urge to use that damn gun for a second time. As he looked at each of them in succession he wondered if he could shoot them all before they stopped him. “This forbids...” he almost choked as he read words. Forbids unification with Germany: ensured there would never be another Anschluss. Christ, Figl would have no idea what this truly meant to they who were nations; Austria would sooner die than tell him even so. They were probably counting on that.
“It shouldn’t be a problem should it?” Russia questioned sunnily and Austria snapped his attention up at him. You’re loving this aren’t you, you sadistic little demon? You can’t have what you want so you have to destroy everyone else who does. He said none of this and forced his hand to stop shaking. “It’s merely a formality, Roderich,” England had chimed in seemingly oblivious to what the rest of them had already guessed: the true nature of his relationship with his cousins. “After all, you’d never actually bed either of them, would you monsieur aristocrat?” France wore no such blinders. “Your own blood relations? Such a forbidden act would mean-” “Only you’d ever accuse someone of such disgusting perversions you filthy minded frog!” Austria could’ve kissed him for the diversion as France responded with predictable hostility. Austria felt the room spin as they argued and thought he might be dying.
France and Russia- they knew. Oh god they knew. Or if they didn’t know they suspected and perhaps that was even worse. “Of course I’ll sign it,” he answered with a perfectly affected offense. “Really, I was shocked that you would even imply such an indiscretion on my part.” He caught France’s eyes then. One of that bastard’s spies must have seen something, but how? Christ how reckless they’d been. Acting as if they’d already won and were above the laws laid down by God himself. He swallowed the bile in his throat, the practiced air of nobility swirling around him. He reread the document shrewdly and then drew his finger across the page watching as another term in flowery language appear with that lick of flame from his hand. He pressed his palm to seal it, the red and white glow of the Austrian flag standing out proudly.
Russia was the first to read the declaration of everlasting neutrality and laughed with childish delight. Perhaps there were more facets to him than what appeared. “Ah, how delightful. My boss had wanted me to request this anyway but it seems our minds are one in this matter.” France narrowed his eyes across the table as if to ask what game he was playing. Austria met him with a beatific smile: the one that made the entire room sparkle around him. Switzerland would be so proud. Just the lot of you wait. Peace doesn’t last forever and when it inevitably fails and the hounds of hell are running through your streets baying for your blood I’ll stand there and fiddle like Nero when your cities burn to the ground. He watched them signing it, all of them aware on some level that on a battlefield where their people or their bosses would never see, a gauntlet had been thrown down.
“Hey, the kid’s still young right?” Prussia’s voice anchors him and holds him fast to the present. “It’s nothing but daring plots and happy endings for the hero and all that Hollywood bullshit.” “Hmm...” his answer was that noncommittal sound which could mean anything from “building that Ninja Warrior replica in the yard was one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done” to “Why yes, darling I’d rather like it if you bent me over the sink and had your way with me.” Prussia’s responding “ttch” was equally ambiguous. Both of them could read the habitual vociferations with ease that used to make Hungary jealous. She merely sighs and silently wishes that it was safe for him to trust her.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 6a/?
“I’m just giving you a heads up so you don’t have a coronary when your little “lover boy” doesn’t arrive alone for Christmas.” Austria frowns. No. Matthew’s far too level headed for such nonsense. He wouldn’t dare risk it. “Be that as it may I’m sure my stomach won’t be able to handle it. I doubt even Matthew could stand such a disgusting confection either.” Tell me, God tell me this is all Alfred’s ridiculous- “Wish it were that simple. Superman’s roped him into it too. At least we’ll all die happy, right?” No. No, they won’t die- as if they could anyway- but they won’t be found out. If he has to... if he has to have relations with Canada in front of the entire world so they’ll leave them all alone, then so help him he’ll do it.
“While I’d love to hear more about this ridiculous dessert, it is rather cold out here and I’d like to go inside. Perhaps you might reign in some of your lover’s asinine ideas?” Prussia will talk some sense into him. Prussia will talk some sense into him because America’s in the same damn boat and if he thinks that the lot of them won’t treat him like Prometheus bringing fire to man just because he’s the world’s super power he’s delusional. “Aww c’mon, Artie would never-“ “Let me tell you one thing I have discovered in all the years that I’ve lived, Alfred. The only thing more dangerous than the foe hell bent on destroying you is the friend determined to “save” you.
“Like it’s any warmer in your house, Scrooge.” It would be if the two of you were here. “I’m hanging up now.” His tone is tart and he doesn’t leave any time for the other to answer before he closes the phone and stuffs it into his pocket. He says nothing further and tries to at least divide the bags up between the two of them as they finish the walk to the house.
Austria trips over the foyer step, and with an ease borne of years of practice, Hungary catches him before he hits the ground. The ceramics are safe for now. The cost of the tickets and the gifts always give his stomach a vaguely unsettled feeling, but the thought of Hohenzollern Castle folding is far worse. The living room, immaculate and full of furniture no one ever sits on is lit up with lights and expensive decorations from years prior. Above the fireplace still hangs a painted portrait of them in their wedding attire. She, the beautiful maiden dressed in white trimmed with red and gold and he the handsome aristocrat in his uniform. “Like, seriously?” Poland had commented last winter. “You guys haven’t been married in almost a hundred years. I could give you a fantastic Czachórski if you’re that hard up for something to hang there. If I were Canada, you would so be sleeping on the couch.” He could almost consider Poland a friend if it weren’t for this entire... mess. Poland had never cared what anyone else did or thought but strong as he was, Austria would hardly take the risk. He was smart enough to be wary of even Japan’s loyalties.
Austria looked at Hungary who was regarding him with a frown and seized upon the small opening. He’d let himself lament later on how instinctual the response was to manipulate and play them. He smiled as if she were the only one in the room and took her hand. With a bow, he kissed the top, feeling her tense, knowing that she was a step from slapping him- knowing that he’d deserve it. “Sometimes, I like being reminded of holding a beautiful woman.” Poland had laughed like it was the funniest damn thing in the world but she didn’t come around so much after that.
The two of them continue on to the far less ostentatious den where he entertains the few people he doesn’t feel the need to put on airs for. The worn red carpet is comfortable beneath his feet and Austria pretends not to notice when Hungary turns the thermostat up. The gesture is so normal and familiar it hurts. He’s never scolded her the way he does Prussia, but somehow the interaction is less intimate because of that.
“I’m freezing my fucking sac off in here, damn it, would it kill you to turn the heat up?” Austria looked up from his place on the adjacent loveseat, Crime and Punishment sitting open in his lap.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 6b/?
“You’re a man, aren’t you? You should be able to stand a little cold in this economy.” He looked at Germany, seated on Prussia’s left with several reports to stacked in his lap. He ignored the protest that his economy was hardly affected. “I’m sure Ludwig is warm enough for the both of you.” The nation in question steadfastly ignored them, head bent over the small script of Bavaria’s handwriting. He muttered to himself about the old man refusing to use so much as a typewriter. Prussia glanced over his shoulder and with a red pen scribbled serious a note in the margin before turning back to Austria. “C’mon, I got two sides here. Keep me warm, asshole.” He whined. With a put upon expression tempered only by the affection in his eyes, Austria sat down beside him with his book, head resting on his shoulder. “Don’t I always?” He sets the packages down near the space reserved for the large Christmas tree letting them join the other extravagant gifts. A faint smile crosses his face in the dark where Hungary can’t see it.
“Here, let me show you two little girls how a real man does it.” Prussia had claimed the chainsaw as soon as they’d gotten out of the rented vehicle. Canada stayed back, ironically enough, as he was the one best suited for the task. He seemed to have an odd aversion to the chainsaw and had pleaded the case for an old fashioned two-man saw. But seeing the chance to rent something loud and powerful, Prussia would hardly be dissuaded. “Be careful with that you savage! It’s not a toy.” Canada looked uneasy as he approached. “Ah… Gilbert, have you ever done this befo-“ “No, he hasn’t. Give Matthew the chainsaw before you hurt yourself you idiot.” Prussia grinned in front of the tree and Austria almost wished he’d brought a camera. “Aww, specs, I knew you cared…” “Is Gilbert bringing the cider again?” He hears her ask setting down the bags she was carrying. He opens the long buffet filled with wrapping paper and frowns when he doesn’t see the ribbons or bows. “Ludwig is.” He answers somewhat stiffly. He doesn’t trust whatever vitriolic concoction Prussia would supply a second time. He has no control over anything he does or says while inebriated and in front of witnesses it’s too dangerous. “Cmon, baby,” he’d taunted when they had their own private celebration last year on December 6th. “Old Fritz and I used to knock back a bottle of this home brew every year. It’s tame as mother’s milk.”
Clearly Prussia’s mother had been a woman of far greater mettle than his own.
“That’s a shame,” she answers looking over his shoulder with a playful smile. “I wouldn’t mind adding a few things to the album when Matthew visits.” Because of course she’ll be here as well. They’ve always spent Christmas together. And when Prussia was forced to stay with Russia it was tolerable even if Germany would bring North Italy and he wanted to shoot him with that damn gun Prussia had given him every time he saw him hanging all over... No. No that wouldn’t be necessary because Germany had assured him from experience that neither Italy would ever lay with a man.
Notes: Hechingen is a city in Germany near Hohenzollern Castle (the castle being the historic seat of the Prussian royal family)
The treaty in this is the 1955 Austrian State Treaty which basically declares Austria's pledge to eternal neutrality and forbids another Anschluss i.e. reunification with Germany.
Leopold Figl was the Austrian foriegn minister who signed the treaty along with Vyacheslav Molotov (Soviet Union), John Foster Dulles (USA), Harold Macmillan (United Kingdom) and Antoine Pinay (France). America was there but for reasons that I hope are clear for once wasn't wanting to draw attention to himself. I think I'll have to expand on that a bit more.
Czachórski was a Polish Painter
The mysterious last sentence will be revealed with the next update.
This is going to be somewhat lengthy so while I hope to encompass the full spirit of the quote in the entire fic it will absolutely be used itself later on as well.
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Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 4/?
(Anonymous) 2010-09-19 04:06 am (UTC)(link)Vienna, Austria
Austria’s House
November 30th, Present Day
The snow crunches beneath his feet as the two of them walk side by side down the long snowy driveway. Austria can feel the weight of the bags growing steadily more apparent with each step. He’s only thankful that Hungary has never forgotten the way. It wouldn’t have been the first time he’d circled the neighborhood for hours; he can remember being lost in the surrounding forest for some rather impressive amounts of time as well. The old mobile phone in his pocket rings and he makes a pitiful attempt to answer it, nearly dropping everything in the process. He clicks in tongue in annoyance and Hungary sighs.
“Here c’mon…” She wrestles the bags away from him with practiced ease, seeming to have a much easier time shouldering them than he was. Austria looks away with a faint embarrassed blush as he fishes the old clunky phone from his coat pocket. Prussia still teases him about not having texting capabilities or a vibrate function. He can hear her grumbling about the nine hour train ride back from Hechingen as he answers. Well of course they have fine Christmas Markets here as well but that’s hardly the-
“You always do seem to pick the most inconvenient times to call.” He looks annoyed, standing still, folding his arms to ward off the cold. He’s learned over the years it’s less distracting not to try to walk and talk.
“She’s there, isn’t she?” Prussia asks right away. Austria sighs. Of course she is; she’s their most effective little spy, after all. It’s all too easy to pretend when it’s only the two of them that nothing’s changed and they’re just friends or even that it’s 1900 again and this is their home and he isn’t alone. He can see the slight change in her face as she looks at him and it makes it so much easier to frown as she switches from friend to jailor.
"Obviously,” he answers tersely. He looks at her with an apologetic smile. “If you want to go ahead to the house…” She has the key, naturally, but he knows she’ll never leave him alone.
“I can wait.” Her voice sounds so easy and free a she speaks he can almost delude himself into believing she’s not dangerous. “What’s a few minutes after an all day trip, after all? “ He nods and doesn’t falter once; he didn’t really expect her to go, after all.
“Nice try, right dear?” He swallows, eyes drifting downward.
“Watch your language, pig.” Because I don’t know if she can hear you or not. I don’t know if they’re listening.
“Don’t worry; the line’s safe. Japan saw to that.” He’s thankful they have a few loyal allies. Some of the tension slips out of his shoulders and Hungary shifts to the other foot impatiently.
“Really, he can’t call you back?” Are you insane? she wonders with a pity that he’ll never see. Why are you risking everything for this?
He’s about to answer her when Prussia blurts out, “America’s coming.” The silence from Austria is nearly tangible. He answers easily even as his heart feels about to pound out of his chest. This is a far more dangerous game, after all, than they’ve ever played before.
“That’s absurd! A red white and green cake? Only America would come up with such a ridiculous notion. I can’t believe Ludwig would ever agree to bake such a monstrosity!” Her posture relaxes and a small amused smile appears on her face. Even if she knows- even if she doesn’t believe him at least now she can pretend. He’s slipped up before and thank God that there’s still a shred of something between them because she’s always looked the other way when he has. He’s hated that she’d even had to. It raises the risk of complacency and none of them would ever show him the same mercy. They’ve been waiting for him to slip up ever since the war ended.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 5/?
(Anonymous) 2010-09-19 04:10 am (UTC)(link)“This forbids...” he almost choked as he read words. Forbids unification with Germany: ensured there would never be another Anschluss. Christ, Figl would have no idea what this truly meant to they who were nations; Austria would sooner die than tell him even so. They were probably counting on that.
“It shouldn’t be a problem should it?” Russia questioned sunnily and Austria snapped his attention up at him. You’re loving this aren’t you, you sadistic little demon? You can’t have what you want so you have to destroy everyone else who does. He said none of this and forced his hand to stop shaking.
“It’s merely a formality, Roderich,” England had chimed in seemingly oblivious to what the rest of them had already guessed: the true nature of his relationship with his cousins.
“After all, you’d never actually bed either of them, would you monsieur aristocrat?” France wore no such blinders. “Your own blood relations? Such a forbidden act would mean-”
“Only you’d ever accuse someone of such disgusting perversions you filthy minded frog!” Austria could’ve kissed him for the diversion as France responded with predictable hostility. Austria felt the room spin as they argued and thought he might be dying.
France and Russia- they knew. Oh god they knew. Or if they didn’t know they suspected and perhaps that was even worse.
“Of course I’ll sign it,” he answered with a perfectly affected offense. “Really, I was shocked that you would even imply such an indiscretion on my part.” He caught France’s eyes then. One of that bastard’s spies must have seen something, but how? Christ how reckless they’d been. Acting as if they’d already won and were above the laws laid down by God himself. He swallowed the bile in his throat, the practiced air of nobility swirling around him. He reread the document shrewdly and then drew his finger across the page watching as another term in flowery language appear with that lick of flame from his hand. He pressed his palm to seal it, the red and white glow of the Austrian flag standing out proudly.
Russia was the first to read the declaration of everlasting neutrality and laughed with childish delight. Perhaps there were more facets to him than what appeared.
“Ah, how delightful. My boss had wanted me to request this anyway but it seems our minds are one in this matter.” France narrowed his eyes across the table as if to ask what game he was playing. Austria met him with a beatific smile: the one that made the entire room sparkle around him. Switzerland would be so proud. Just the lot of you wait. Peace doesn’t last forever and when it inevitably fails and the hounds of hell are running through your streets baying for your blood I’ll stand there and fiddle like Nero when your cities burn to the ground. He watched them signing it, all of them aware on some level that on a battlefield where their people or their bosses would never see, a gauntlet had been thrown down.
“Hey, the kid’s still young right?” Prussia’s voice anchors him and holds him fast to the present. “It’s nothing but daring plots and happy endings for the hero and all that Hollywood bullshit.”
“Hmm...” his answer was that noncommittal sound which could mean anything from “building that Ninja Warrior replica in the yard was one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done” to “Why yes, darling I’d rather like it if you bent me over the sink and had your way with me.”
Prussia’s responding “ttch” was equally ambiguous. Both of them could read the habitual vociferations with ease that used to make Hungary jealous. She merely sighs and silently wishes that it was safe for him to trust her.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 6a/?
(Anonymous) 2010-09-19 04:17 am (UTC)(link)“Be that as it may I’m sure my stomach won’t be able to handle it. I doubt even Matthew could stand such a disgusting confection either.” Tell me, God tell me this is all Alfred’s ridiculous-
“Wish it were that simple. Superman’s roped him into it too. At least we’ll all die happy, right?” No. No, they won’t die- as if they could anyway- but they won’t be found out. If he has to... if he has to have relations with Canada in front of the entire world so they’ll leave them all alone, then so help him he’ll do it.
“While I’d love to hear more about this ridiculous dessert, it is rather cold out here and I’d like to go inside. Perhaps you might reign in some of your lover’s asinine ideas?” Prussia will talk some sense into him. Prussia will talk some sense into him because America’s in the same damn boat and if he thinks that the lot of them won’t treat him like Prometheus bringing fire to man just because he’s the world’s super power he’s delusional.
“Aww c’mon, Artie would never-“
“Let me tell you one thing I have discovered in all the years that I’ve lived, Alfred. The only thing more dangerous than the foe hell bent on destroying you is the friend determined to “save” you.
“Like it’s any warmer in your house, Scrooge.” It would be if the two of you were here.
“I’m hanging up now.” His tone is tart and he doesn’t leave any time for the other to answer before he closes the phone and stuffs it into his pocket. He says nothing further and tries to at least divide the bags up between the two of them as they finish the walk to the house.
Austria trips over the foyer step, and with an ease borne of years of practice, Hungary catches him before he hits the ground. The ceramics are safe for now. The cost of the tickets and the gifts always give his stomach a vaguely unsettled feeling, but the thought of Hohenzollern Castle folding is far worse. The living room, immaculate and full of furniture no one ever sits on is lit up with lights and expensive decorations from years prior. Above the fireplace still hangs a painted portrait of them in their wedding attire. She, the beautiful maiden dressed in white trimmed with red and gold and he the handsome aristocrat in his uniform.
“Like, seriously?” Poland had commented last winter. “You guys haven’t been married in almost a hundred years. I could give you a fantastic Czachórski if you’re that hard up for something to hang there. If I were Canada, you would so be sleeping on the couch.” He could almost consider Poland a friend if it weren’t for this entire... mess. Poland had never cared what anyone else did or thought but strong as he was, Austria would hardly take the risk. He was smart enough to be wary of even Japan’s loyalties.
Austria looked at Hungary who was regarding him with a frown and seized upon the small opening. He’d let himself lament later on how instinctual the response was to manipulate and play them. He smiled as if she were the only one in the room and took her hand. With a bow, he kissed the top, feeling her tense, knowing that she was a step from slapping him- knowing that he’d deserve it. “Sometimes, I like being reminded of holding a beautiful woman.” Poland had laughed like it was the funniest damn thing in the world but she didn’t come around so much after that.
The two of them continue on to the far less ostentatious den where he entertains the few people he doesn’t feel the need to put on airs for. The worn red carpet is comfortable beneath his feet and Austria pretends not to notice when Hungary turns the thermostat up. The gesture is so normal and familiar it hurts. He’s never scolded her the way he does Prussia, but somehow the interaction is less intimate because of that.
“I’m freezing my fucking sac off in here, damn it, would it kill you to turn the heat up?” Austria looked up from his place on the adjacent loveseat, Crime and Punishment sitting open in his lap.
Re: Prussia/Germany/Austria et al Who's Afraid of Roderich Edelstein? [Rewrite] 6b/?
(Anonymous) 2010-09-19 04:27 am (UTC)(link)“C’mon, I got two sides here. Keep me warm, asshole.” He whined. With a put upon expression tempered only by the affection in his eyes, Austria sat down beside him with his book, head resting on his shoulder.
“Don’t I always?”
He sets the packages down near the space reserved for the large Christmas tree letting them join the other extravagant gifts. A faint smile crosses his face in the dark where Hungary can’t see it.
“Here, let me show you two little girls how a real man does it.” Prussia had claimed the chainsaw as soon as they’d gotten out of the rented vehicle. Canada stayed back, ironically enough, as he was the one best suited for the task. He seemed to have an odd aversion to the chainsaw and had pleaded the case for an old fashioned two-man saw. But seeing the chance to rent something loud and powerful, Prussia would hardly be dissuaded.
“Be careful with that you savage! It’s not a toy.” Canada looked uneasy as he approached.
“Ah… Gilbert, have you ever done this befo-“
“No, he hasn’t. Give Matthew the chainsaw before you hurt yourself you idiot.” Prussia grinned in front of the tree and Austria almost wished he’d brought a camera.
“Aww, specs, I knew you cared…”
“Is Gilbert bringing the cider again?” He hears her ask setting down the bags she was carrying. He opens the long buffet filled with wrapping paper and frowns when he doesn’t see the ribbons or bows.
“Ludwig is.” He answers somewhat stiffly. He doesn’t trust whatever vitriolic concoction Prussia would supply a second time. He has no control over anything he does or says while inebriated and in front of witnesses it’s too dangerous.
“Cmon, baby,” he’d taunted when they had their own private celebration last year on December 6th. “Old Fritz and I used to knock back a bottle of this home brew every year. It’s tame as mother’s milk.”
Clearly Prussia’s mother had been a woman of far greater mettle than his own.
“That’s a shame,” she answers looking over his shoulder with a playful smile. “I wouldn’t mind adding a few things to the album when Matthew visits.” Because of course she’ll be here as well. They’ve always spent Christmas together. And when Prussia was forced to stay with Russia it was tolerable even if Germany would bring North Italy and he wanted to shoot him with that damn gun Prussia had given him every time he saw him hanging all over... No. No that wouldn’t be necessary because Germany had assured him from experience that neither Italy would ever lay with a man.
Notes:
Hechingen is a city in Germany near Hohenzollern Castle (the castle being the historic seat of the Prussian royal family)
The treaty in this is the 1955 Austrian State Treaty which basically declares Austria's pledge to eternal neutrality and forbids another Anschluss i.e. reunification with Germany.
Leopold Figl was the Austrian foriegn minister who signed the treaty along with Vyacheslav Molotov (Soviet Union), John Foster Dulles (USA), Harold Macmillan (United Kingdom) and Antoine Pinay (France). America was there but for reasons that I hope are clear for once wasn't wanting to draw attention to himself. I think I'll have to expand on that a bit more.
Czachórski was a Polish Painter
The mysterious last sentence will be revealed with the next update.
This is going to be somewhat lengthy so while I hope to encompass the full spirit of the quote in the entire fic it will absolutely be used itself later on as well.