Hetalia Drabble Challenge
Stole this drabble challenge from asidian on hetalia.
Challenge:
1. Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like.
2. Turn your music player on and turn it on random/shuffle.
3. Write a drabblet/ficlet related to each song that plays. You only have the time frame of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts, and stop when it's over. No lingering afterward! No matter how whacked out your drabble is. :)
4. Do ten of these, then post them.
The Hush Sound - ‘Lighthouse' (find 'Lighthouse' on the list and click it)
England/America
Arthur stands at the shore, looking out on the water which flickers and roars in the night. No moon tonight, no stars, all hidden behind a black veil of clouds. The only light in the pitch comes from the lighthouse perched up on the cliff, a signal in the night to warn the sailors of the treachery of the shallow waters of this bay.
But sometimes people, for whatever reasons, don’t heed the warnings they see. Sometimes the lighthouses fail them.
“Arthur,” Alfred says, and clutches his hand tight. “I’m scared.” He’s still all wrapped up tight in bandages.
And Arthur’s still bleeding. London. What happened to his London? And Alfred’s New York…
“Why do people hate us?” Alfred asks. There’s a plea in his eyes so desperate, and a fear more real than anything drawn out of him by all those ghost movies.
Arthur watches the light dance across the water’s surface. “Doesn’t matter,” he says, and squeezes Alfred’s hand back. “We’ve just got to keep our harbors safe.”
Everclear - ‘Your Arizona Room’ (the song is sixth on the list)
England/America
Alfred keeps a house in every one of his states.
Arthur hates it, because it makes it so hard to find him sometimes. And sometimes he really, really needs him. Sometimes he looks back at his centuries of history and fears he doesn’t deserve even half of what he has, that he hasn’t earned a thing with all the bloodshed he’s caused.
So sometimes, when he grows desperate and weary in reflection, Arthur goes on a road trip. He travels the veins of all America’s roads, and every state, every place, brings sights and scents and even the feel of changes in temperature that remind him of how lucky he is Alfred ever came back to him, and all the times they spent together as Alfred would show off all his sights. Excited, like a little puppy. Like a child.
And he finds him in Arizona, collapses into his arms when he throws open the doors. “I don’t deserve you,” Arthur says, shadowed over by the sunset.
And Alfred smiles and lays a kiss on his forehead. “Don’t be dumb,” he says. “If you didn’t deserve me, I wouldn’t be here waiting for you.” And he seizes him off his trembling legs. “Now, come to bed.”
Jack Johnson - ‘Sitting, Waiting, Wishing’
Belarus -> Russia
He’s supposed to be with me and I know it. We have so much in common, we share our blood, our history, our lives, and I’ve always been there with him.
But no matter what I do, I don’t seem to be good enough for him. Never. He’s always got his beautiful violet eyes on someone else. All these filthy, worthless…
No, none of them are good enough for my brother. I know it. I could make him really happy if he’d let me get close enough, if he’d just hang on a little while and let me show much how much he means to me. How I’m so ready to kill for him if I knew he wouldn’t make a fuss over what I’d do to the people taking up all his time.
I should be fed up. I should be. And sister tells me I should let go. But I’m not. And I can’t. And there will never be anyone for me but my beautiful brother. And someday, I swear, he will finally see the truth.
Lit - ‘My Own Worst Enemy’
Prussia, Germany
Gilbert tastes grass. He spits out a mouthful of lawn and gets up onto his knees and tries to remember how the hell he got out here.
Oh right. Ludwig.
His little brother can be so uptight sometimes, honestly. He thought maybe he might lighten up a little after he came to live in his house, and they were together all the time, and…
And Ludwig spends an awful lot of time in Italy lately.
What happened last night? Gilbert remembers going out for some beers and…
Certain words may have been exchanged. And certain fists.
Shit.
Well, doesn’t matter. Ludwig’s such a tight-ass sometimes. He doesn’t need him.
Gilbert sits on the front lawn wiping off his clothes and hopes someone will invite him back in.
Foo Fighters - ‘Walking After You’
Poland/Lithuania
Feliks promised himself he wouldn’t cry when Toris was stolen away from him. Just like he promised himself the last time. And the time before that. He knows it’s not Toris’ fault that he has to leave; knows that if Toris had the choice he’d be staying here with him. But Feliks can’t help but feel a little jilted. He’s always the one getting left behind.
Ivan’s people have harassed Feliks’ people into accepting his ways… but Ivan will not take Feliks into his home. Not knowing how close Feliks and Toris have been. Not knowing the little wedge Feliks can be.
But he sees what’s happening in his country, sees the dissatisfaction, sees the crest of the wave of change coming on the horizon. He knows that Ivan’s little social experiment will be a failure. And when Ivan fails again, Toris will finally come back to him. Feliks knows it will happen so he doesn’t worry too much. Toris always comes back to him, always comes back to help him do his chores, to help him keep organized, to carry him to bed and sleep there with him. Yes, it’s only a matter of time.
And if Toris doesn’t come back, then Feliks will go find him and bring him back home.
Action Action - ‘120 Ways to Kill You: An Illustrated Children’s Guide’ (it's at the bottom of the list)
Russia -> Lithuania, Russia/America
Ivan knows that everyone thinks he is mad. Ivan knows that he is mad. But if he knows that he is mad, that means he isn’t mad, right? Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?
And he understands, perfectly, how self-defeating everything he does is. And when he deals another beating, the fear in his victim’s eyes makes him feel strong, and their cries make him feel weak. He wants to be strong. He wants to be loved. He doesn’t quite know what he wants, and all he really knows is that he hurts all the time.
They say that misery loves company, right?
He knows dear Toris hasn’t really been his company for ages, nor his brothers. He keeps them inside because he feels like as long as they’re close, he can play house and pretend they all love each other like a little family even as he brings the spout down over Toris’ head.
And he looks at the smirk and the frigid, hateful gaze Alfred fixes on him every time they meet. Alfred, who had been so bubbly and optimistic before they locked themselves into this delicate little waltz. He’s ruining him too, and he knows it. And he loves it. And he hates it. Part of him really wants to let Alfred destroy him completely, to set him aflame like he deserves. And part of him really wants to break Alfred all apart and show him all his pieces and inner workings, like he deserves.
And sometimes, when he hears the sirens at night, testing warnings for that lingering threat, he thinks about all the passion hate takes. And he thinks maybe with Alfred he has a chance.
Modest Mouse - ‘One Chance’
America
After the war ended, Alfred thought everything would start to make perfect sense. That everything would all come together. But the way Arthur never really let him do anything for himself leaves him feeling lost and scared like a child. Where the hell are they supposed to begin? He knows the states have been practicing for this in their own ways for a while, but… how do you start a democracy from nothing? And it seems like there is no plan that all states are happy with.
He wishes they would all stop bickering. Aren’t they supposed to be the “United States”? Isn’t that the name they picked?
Alfred wishes he had someone to ask for help, but Arthur is gone, and Matthew is still tucked firmly under his wing, and Francis is waiting for him to pay for his assistance.
Alfred has no idea what he is doing, and that terrifies him. And excites him.
Green Day - ‘Jinx’ (11th song)
England/America
“Must you always,” Arthur asks, leaning against Alfred’s back, “drag everyone down with you?”
“My bad,” Alfred mutters into the wall. And he does feel bad, but he can’t really concentrate on whatever he’s supposed to have done wrong when his arm is twisted and pinned behind his back, and Arthur’s undoing his buttons and… “Oh god…”
“Did I really never teach you any responsibility?” Arthur asks, and kisses about the base of Alfred’s neck.
And as his lover presses up behind him, Alfred breathlessly observes, “And you seem awfully eager to go down with the ship.”
Evanescence - ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’
Lithuania/Poland, Russia -> Lithuania
Toris is trying very hard to enjoy his independence, but every once in a while someone comes pounding at the door.
“Liet,” Feliks moans in bed next to him as Toris sits up. “Don’t go this time. Just, like, let him stand out there and freeze or something.”
But Toris goes anyway. He can’t help but be a little curious.
Ever since the Soviet Union came apart, Ivan’s been coming apart even worse than before.
And he stands on the doorstep stinking of vodka, can barely stand up. “Hello, lovely little Liet,” he says as Toris opens the door, and nearly falls over trying to reach for him.
Toris pushes him back. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I wan… I wanted…” Ivan begins. His brows furrow as he thinks, then tries again. “I jus… jus’ wanted to come… say hello.”
“Alright,” Toris says. “Hello.” He moves to close the door. “And goodbye.”
Ivan tries his hardest to hold the door open-normally, he could do it easily, but he’s barely got motor control right now. “Wait,” he whimpers. “I… I need you. I need someone. I’m so… so lonely.” There are all manner of tears obstructing his eyes, and he’s shaking in the snow despite how bundled up he is. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I want to make it all up. Please come over… and… and I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Toris demands, and taps his fingers impatiently on the doorframe. He can feel all the scars on his back stinging.
And Ivan has nothing to say.
“You had your chance,” Toris says.
And he closes the door for good.
Blessid Union of Souls - ‘Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)’
Austria/Hungary
Austria, Roderich has always known, has the finest in all things. It is a serene place and has, for the most part, been a place of peace and neutrality for some time. He admits to having been weak in his past, and having given in to… certain events. But Austria has the finest in music and dance, in all the arts, in dining and scenery. His Austria is a place of little compare, full of great works and great minds.
And their marriage, at one point, had been a necessity. A marriage of convenience, if you will. They had married because their nations had to make peace. She was a strong woman, with the heart of a warrior, and he had always assumed that, had she the choice at the time, she would have wed anyone but him.
But now, as she sits at his side, long after they ended their marriage, long after the iron curtain threatened to and failed to break them apart for good, well… she remains at his side. She remains with him. She keeps coming back. And as she smiles while he plays his violin, he knows she is not smiling at his song. She is smiling at him.
And Roderich knows he is luckier than anyone else on this Earth.
Challenge:
1. Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like.
2. Turn your music player on and turn it on random/shuffle.
3. Write a drabblet/ficlet related to each song that plays. You only have the time frame of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts, and stop when it's over. No lingering afterward! No matter how whacked out your drabble is. :)
4. Do ten of these, then post them.
The Hush Sound - ‘Lighthouse' (find 'Lighthouse' on the list and click it)
England/America
Arthur stands at the shore, looking out on the water which flickers and roars in the night. No moon tonight, no stars, all hidden behind a black veil of clouds. The only light in the pitch comes from the lighthouse perched up on the cliff, a signal in the night to warn the sailors of the treachery of the shallow waters of this bay.
But sometimes people, for whatever reasons, don’t heed the warnings they see. Sometimes the lighthouses fail them.
“Arthur,” Alfred says, and clutches his hand tight. “I’m scared.” He’s still all wrapped up tight in bandages.
And Arthur’s still bleeding. London. What happened to his London? And Alfred’s New York…
“Why do people hate us?” Alfred asks. There’s a plea in his eyes so desperate, and a fear more real than anything drawn out of him by all those ghost movies.
Arthur watches the light dance across the water’s surface. “Doesn’t matter,” he says, and squeezes Alfred’s hand back. “We’ve just got to keep our harbors safe.”
Everclear - ‘Your Arizona Room’ (the song is sixth on the list)
England/America
Alfred keeps a house in every one of his states.
Arthur hates it, because it makes it so hard to find him sometimes. And sometimes he really, really needs him. Sometimes he looks back at his centuries of history and fears he doesn’t deserve even half of what he has, that he hasn’t earned a thing with all the bloodshed he’s caused.
So sometimes, when he grows desperate and weary in reflection, Arthur goes on a road trip. He travels the veins of all America’s roads, and every state, every place, brings sights and scents and even the feel of changes in temperature that remind him of how lucky he is Alfred ever came back to him, and all the times they spent together as Alfred would show off all his sights. Excited, like a little puppy. Like a child.
And he finds him in Arizona, collapses into his arms when he throws open the doors. “I don’t deserve you,” Arthur says, shadowed over by the sunset.
And Alfred smiles and lays a kiss on his forehead. “Don’t be dumb,” he says. “If you didn’t deserve me, I wouldn’t be here waiting for you.” And he seizes him off his trembling legs. “Now, come to bed.”
Jack Johnson - ‘Sitting, Waiting, Wishing’
Belarus -> Russia
He’s supposed to be with me and I know it. We have so much in common, we share our blood, our history, our lives, and I’ve always been there with him.
But no matter what I do, I don’t seem to be good enough for him. Never. He’s always got his beautiful violet eyes on someone else. All these filthy, worthless…
No, none of them are good enough for my brother. I know it. I could make him really happy if he’d let me get close enough, if he’d just hang on a little while and let me show much how much he means to me. How I’m so ready to kill for him if I knew he wouldn’t make a fuss over what I’d do to the people taking up all his time.
I should be fed up. I should be. And sister tells me I should let go. But I’m not. And I can’t. And there will never be anyone for me but my beautiful brother. And someday, I swear, he will finally see the truth.
Lit - ‘My Own Worst Enemy’
Prussia, Germany
Gilbert tastes grass. He spits out a mouthful of lawn and gets up onto his knees and tries to remember how the hell he got out here.
Oh right. Ludwig.
His little brother can be so uptight sometimes, honestly. He thought maybe he might lighten up a little after he came to live in his house, and they were together all the time, and…
And Ludwig spends an awful lot of time in Italy lately.
What happened last night? Gilbert remembers going out for some beers and…
Certain words may have been exchanged. And certain fists.
Shit.
Well, doesn’t matter. Ludwig’s such a tight-ass sometimes. He doesn’t need him.
Gilbert sits on the front lawn wiping off his clothes and hopes someone will invite him back in.
Foo Fighters - ‘Walking After You’
Poland/Lithuania
Feliks promised himself he wouldn’t cry when Toris was stolen away from him. Just like he promised himself the last time. And the time before that. He knows it’s not Toris’ fault that he has to leave; knows that if Toris had the choice he’d be staying here with him. But Feliks can’t help but feel a little jilted. He’s always the one getting left behind.
Ivan’s people have harassed Feliks’ people into accepting his ways… but Ivan will not take Feliks into his home. Not knowing how close Feliks and Toris have been. Not knowing the little wedge Feliks can be.
But he sees what’s happening in his country, sees the dissatisfaction, sees the crest of the wave of change coming on the horizon. He knows that Ivan’s little social experiment will be a failure. And when Ivan fails again, Toris will finally come back to him. Feliks knows it will happen so he doesn’t worry too much. Toris always comes back to him, always comes back to help him do his chores, to help him keep organized, to carry him to bed and sleep there with him. Yes, it’s only a matter of time.
And if Toris doesn’t come back, then Feliks will go find him and bring him back home.
Action Action - ‘120 Ways to Kill You: An Illustrated Children’s Guide’ (it's at the bottom of the list)
Russia -> Lithuania, Russia/America
Ivan knows that everyone thinks he is mad. Ivan knows that he is mad. But if he knows that he is mad, that means he isn’t mad, right? Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?
And he understands, perfectly, how self-defeating everything he does is. And when he deals another beating, the fear in his victim’s eyes makes him feel strong, and their cries make him feel weak. He wants to be strong. He wants to be loved. He doesn’t quite know what he wants, and all he really knows is that he hurts all the time.
They say that misery loves company, right?
He knows dear Toris hasn’t really been his company for ages, nor his brothers. He keeps them inside because he feels like as long as they’re close, he can play house and pretend they all love each other like a little family even as he brings the spout down over Toris’ head.
And he looks at the smirk and the frigid, hateful gaze Alfred fixes on him every time they meet. Alfred, who had been so bubbly and optimistic before they locked themselves into this delicate little waltz. He’s ruining him too, and he knows it. And he loves it. And he hates it. Part of him really wants to let Alfred destroy him completely, to set him aflame like he deserves. And part of him really wants to break Alfred all apart and show him all his pieces and inner workings, like he deserves.
And sometimes, when he hears the sirens at night, testing warnings for that lingering threat, he thinks about all the passion hate takes. And he thinks maybe with Alfred he has a chance.
Modest Mouse - ‘One Chance’
America
After the war ended, Alfred thought everything would start to make perfect sense. That everything would all come together. But the way Arthur never really let him do anything for himself leaves him feeling lost and scared like a child. Where the hell are they supposed to begin? He knows the states have been practicing for this in their own ways for a while, but… how do you start a democracy from nothing? And it seems like there is no plan that all states are happy with.
He wishes they would all stop bickering. Aren’t they supposed to be the “United States”? Isn’t that the name they picked?
Alfred wishes he had someone to ask for help, but Arthur is gone, and Matthew is still tucked firmly under his wing, and Francis is waiting for him to pay for his assistance.
Alfred has no idea what he is doing, and that terrifies him. And excites him.
Green Day - ‘Jinx’ (11th song)
England/America
“Must you always,” Arthur asks, leaning against Alfred’s back, “drag everyone down with you?”
“My bad,” Alfred mutters into the wall. And he does feel bad, but he can’t really concentrate on whatever he’s supposed to have done wrong when his arm is twisted and pinned behind his back, and Arthur’s undoing his buttons and… “Oh god…”
“Did I really never teach you any responsibility?” Arthur asks, and kisses about the base of Alfred’s neck.
And as his lover presses up behind him, Alfred breathlessly observes, “And you seem awfully eager to go down with the ship.”
Evanescence - ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’
Lithuania/Poland, Russia -> Lithuania
Toris is trying very hard to enjoy his independence, but every once in a while someone comes pounding at the door.
“Liet,” Feliks moans in bed next to him as Toris sits up. “Don’t go this time. Just, like, let him stand out there and freeze or something.”
But Toris goes anyway. He can’t help but be a little curious.
Ever since the Soviet Union came apart, Ivan’s been coming apart even worse than before.
And he stands on the doorstep stinking of vodka, can barely stand up. “Hello, lovely little Liet,” he says as Toris opens the door, and nearly falls over trying to reach for him.
Toris pushes him back. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I wan… I wanted…” Ivan begins. His brows furrow as he thinks, then tries again. “I jus… jus’ wanted to come… say hello.”
“Alright,” Toris says. “Hello.” He moves to close the door. “And goodbye.”
Ivan tries his hardest to hold the door open-normally, he could do it easily, but he’s barely got motor control right now. “Wait,” he whimpers. “I… I need you. I need someone. I’m so… so lonely.” There are all manner of tears obstructing his eyes, and he’s shaking in the snow despite how bundled up he is. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I want to make it all up. Please come over… and… and I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Toris demands, and taps his fingers impatiently on the doorframe. He can feel all the scars on his back stinging.
And Ivan has nothing to say.
“You had your chance,” Toris says.
And he closes the door for good.
Blessid Union of Souls - ‘Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)’
Austria/Hungary
Austria, Roderich has always known, has the finest in all things. It is a serene place and has, for the most part, been a place of peace and neutrality for some time. He admits to having been weak in his past, and having given in to… certain events. But Austria has the finest in music and dance, in all the arts, in dining and scenery. His Austria is a place of little compare, full of great works and great minds.
And their marriage, at one point, had been a necessity. A marriage of convenience, if you will. They had married because their nations had to make peace. She was a strong woman, with the heart of a warrior, and he had always assumed that, had she the choice at the time, she would have wed anyone but him.
But now, as she sits at his side, long after they ended their marriage, long after the iron curtain threatened to and failed to break them apart for good, well… she remains at his side. She remains with him. She keeps coming back. And as she smiles while he plays his violin, he knows she is not smiling at his song. She is smiling at him.
And Roderich knows he is luckier than anyone else on this Earth.