❝and i love her so; i wouldn't trade her for gold❞
Title: A Golden Evening
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Words: 2,300
Characters: Austria ; Hungary ; Germany ; Prussia ; Switzerland ; Liechtenstein ; Holland ; Belgium ; Norway ; Sweden ; Finland ; Denmark ; Iceland (Austria/Hungary ; mentions of England, Germanina, and the HRE)
Rating: PG
Warnings: some chaste kissing
Summary: Written for Tanya_tsuki for the holidays! Though it normally galled the Germanic nations to be in agreement on anything, most of them had to admit that Austria and Hungary’s annual holiday party was usually the highlight of the season. This year, they assembled in Vienna as always, some of them looking forward to a night of dancing and dining, and others merely tolerating what they thought was a stuffy evening.
A Golden Evening
Though it normally galled the Germanic nations to be in agreement on anything, most of them had to admit that Austria and Hungary’s annual holiday party was usually the highlight of the season. This year, they assembled in Vienna as always, some of them looking forward to a night of dancing and dining, and others merely tolerating what they thought was a stuffy evening.
“I think you either have to knock or ring the doorbell, bruder,” Liechtenstein murmured softly to Switzerland as they stood before the grandiose entryway. Her dress was edged in more lace that usual, and she had dispensed with her normal maroon in order to don the green and red appropriate for the occasion.
“It’s not too late to go home,” Switzerland muttered. Like every year, he had allowed Liechtenstein to coax him into a suit and tie. There was even a box of expensive Swiss chocolate tucked under his arm-a gift for his hostess. “Really, Liech-we could just do Christmas ourselves this year.”
“Oh, but Hungary will be sad if we don’t show up,” his sister replied mournfully. She pulled at her hair and tilted her face towards Switzerland. “Besides, I wanted to hear Austria’s new song…”
“What’s the hold up?” A loud voice broke through their conversation, and the siblings turned to see the approaching form of Prussia, and, behind him, Germany. The younger brother was sensibly and appropriately dressed in a meticulous suit, but the elder’s collar was unbuttoned and he wasn’t even wearing a tie. None of that seemed to bother him, though; he merely pushed Switzerland aside and banged on the heavy oaken doors. “Hey, priss! You going to let us in, or what?”
The door swung open a few moments later, revealing a very irritated-looking Hungary. Her hands were on her hips and she arched one eyebrow at Prussia. “Remember what I told you last year?” she asked menacingly, “No insults, or you get no dessert.”
It was quite the threat, given the myriad of confections Austria usually provided. Prussia through back his head and laughed. “All right, all right-where’s the food, already?” He threw an arm over Hungary’s bare shoulders and began leading her back inside.
She titled her head back and called to the others, “Oh, sorry-do come in!”
Liechtenstein giggled and grabbed Switzerland’s arm, leading him into Austria’s house. Looking very embarrassed, Germany followed them.
---
Austria and Hungary were in constant competition with themselves, always trying to outdo their party from the year before. As their guests approached the dining room, they had to admit that this year’s décor certainly took the crown.
Delicately-crafted snowflakes of gold and crystal hung from the ceilings, capturing and refracting the amber lights coming from the numerous chandeliers. Holly and mistletoe were draped along the banisters and mantel, along with gold and silver decorations that couldn’t quite be called tinsel. Grandest of all, however, was the magnificent tree that stood in one corner of the dining room. It was taller that Prussia standing on Germany’s shoulders, or so the former nation claimed. (Germany had been unwilling to test his brother’s hypothesis, and had instead gone to pour himself a glass of champagne.)
“So, you made it,” a low voice comment dryly. Germany, who had been busying himself with the drinks, turned to see Holland.
“Despite my brother’s best efforts to make it otherwise.” Germany smiled uncomfortably and ran a hand through his slick, neat hair. “He claims that there’s nothing worse that these parties, but I think he enjoys them.”
Both men glanced at Prussia, who was now trying to trip Hungary as she passed out hors d'oeuvres. Eventually, she set down her tray and punched Prussia cleanly under the chin, despite her flounced gown and dangling earrings. Holland laughed heartily.
“I’d probably be bored to tears if you two didn’t show up,” he admitted. “Your brother certainly does a good job of providing the entertainment. He’s probably the most interesting one here. And it’s not like there’s ever much going on otherwise, so…”
“There’s not much going on?” Belgium approached them, a stern look on her face as she looked down her nose at her brother. “I’m so sorry, broer, that I don’t provide enough entertainment for you.”
Holland rolled his eyes. “Come on, Bel, I see you practically every day! There’s no notoriety in that, is there?”
“Who says there has to be?”
“No one…just, on the holidays, you want things to be special, y’know?”
“No, I don’t know,” Belgium replied testily. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”
Germany, sensing one of the Benelux’s frequent but superficial squabbles, saw the chance to make his getaway.
---
As it turned out, Holland and Belgium didn’t have much time to squabble. Dinner was served ten minutes later, and despite any misgivings they might have had, the nations had no intention of missing Austria and Hungary’s famous banquet.
“Lo and behold, our illustrious host makes his appearance,” Prussia called out scathingly as Austria finally entered the room, taking his seat at the head of the table. “It’s not nice to keep guests waiting, priss.”
Austria raised one eyebrow in ironic surprise. “Forgive me. I was under the impression that you didn’t want to eat undercooked meat. I can see now that I was wrong.”
“Why do you and Hungary always try to put me in my place with food?” Prussia replied incredulously. “You’re the prude, remember? I’d eat anything.”
“And you bragging or being self-deprecating?” Austria asked lightly.
Prussia opened his mouth to retort, but then his thoughts caught up with his words and he grimaced. “Shut up, you stupid aristocrat.”
Austria raised both of his eyebrows and half-smiled before turning to Germany, who was seated to the other side of him. “Would you like a roll?”
Hungary, sitting across from Austria at the other end of the table, looked up and smiled. Their eyes met briefly, and their smiles deepened.
“Where are Denmark and the others?” Belgium, sitting to Hungary’s right, asked. “We usually don’t start until everyone’s here.”
“They said they’d be late,” Hungary replied with a sigh, “bad weather.”
“They’ll be alright though, won’t they?” Liechtenstein’s eyes were round with worry.
From next to Belgium, Holland laughed. “Of course, squirt. Sweden practically invented snow. You think a little blizzard’s going to stop them?”
“Well, they better get here soon,” Switzerland replied testily.
“Why’s that?” Belgium asked wryly, “So greedy for your present, are you, Switzerland?”
“N-no!” Switzerland sputtered. “I just don’t want them to ditch us like England did!”
Not content to count himself a member of the Germanic family, England had formed his own family years ago, and now had Christmas dinner with them. He, France, and their former colonies now had a grand celebration in Paris, London, or New York every year. This year, they were having their festivities under the famous Rockefeller Center tree. England’s desertion, though it had happened years ago, was still a sore point amongst the nations.
The guests lapsed into silence until Austria cleared his throat. “Shall we adjourn to the main hall?”
---
A dreamy Viennese waltz filled the air as the nations danced loosely around the room. Liechtenstein, despite her stature, had an innate feminine grace as she smiled up at Switzerland and he twirled her around and around. Belgium’s hair ribbons streamed out from behind her like streamers as Holland picked her up by the waist and spun her.
Hungary rested her head lightly against Austria’s shoulder as the two of them danced, perfectly in time to the three-step of the music. They didn’t speak, simply got lost in the music and allowed it to carry them where it would.
“Hey, prude-I’m cutting in,” Prussia announced. Austria seethed, but Hungary merely giggled, and Austria had no choice but to relinquish his hold on her waist and hand. Prussia winked cheekily at him as he led Hungary away.
Seeing the change in partners occurring, Belgium broke away from Holland and held out her hand lightly to Germany, who took it with a blush. Holland came up behind Switzerland and Liechtenstein and picked the young girl up by the waist as she shrieked in mock protest and delight. Now at a loose end, Switzerland had no choice but to make his way over to wear Austria was standing, sipping chardonnay.
The two old friends stood in awkward silence for a moment before Austria asked lightly, “Did you enjoy the dinner?”
“There was too much sauce on the ham,” Switzerland replied huffily.
“I see.” Austria pursed his lips.
Switzerland clenched his teeth and then released the tension with a sigh. “Well…it…the dinner…” His voice trailed off.
“What was that?”
“It was nice, I guess. Liech enjoys it.”
Part of the reason-other than Hungary’s insistences-that Austria included Switzerland and Liechtenstein every year was because he still felt a misplaced sense of obligation towards the young girl. She had been under his care, once upon a time, and he continued to feel as though he owed her something.
“Well, I’m glad, then,” Austria replied stiffly. But when he released his breath in a sigh, there was a hint of sadness to it.
Switzerland’s emerald eyes smoldered as he continued to wrestle with words. “I suppose…the party would be nice…if you didn’t spend so much damn money on it.”
Austria chortled. “What business is it of yours?” But his eyes were smiling, and when they met Switzerland’s, his were, too. “I’ll keep that in mind for-”
Boom!
“What the hell was that?” Prussia demanded.
Boom!
Germany tried to answer his brother. “I don’t suppose it’s-”
Boom!
The main doors flung open, revealing five wind-swept, snow-covered figures.
The Nordics had arrived.
---
“We cut across Poland and ended up saving a bit of time on the road,” Denmark explained sometime later, laying across a couch in Austria’s sitting room. Sweden and Finland sat across from him, sipping hot cocoa. Iceland and Norway were seated very close together on the same couch as Denmark, though there was a careful distance between the Norway and the latter.
“I’m sure he loved that,” Germany muttered under his breath.
“He was having dinner with Lithuania, so he didn’t notice.” Norway was, as always, matter-of-fact and logical.
“An’ ‘e was also wi’ Russia ‘n ‘is family,” Sweden mumbled. “So ‘e was t’ busy t’ notice.”
“That is such a weird group,” Prussia muttered with distaste. He shot Hungary a glance, who grimaced. Wounds too near the surface grew raw whenever Russia was mentioned.
“Well, look at us,” Belgium replied with a laugh. She gestured at their family, some sprawled across couches, others on the floor, and those like Austria seated upright in armchairs. “we’re not exactly a matched set either, are we?”
“Bound together by tradition and ought else,” Iceland murmured thoughtfully.
“No, there’s blood between us, too,” Finland asserted. “I mean, we all have the same grandfather, right?”
But Germania was a grandfather than none of them could quite remember. And thoughts of him led to those of his direct descendant-a little boy with brilliantly blonde hair and blue eyes. The group let out a collective sigh, caught in a reverie.
“Austria?” Hungary asked, gesturing towards the grand piano, “maybe it’s time we started the music.”
He nodded and rose to his feet. He took his place at the piano, raised the lid to reveal the keys, and stretched his fingers, preparing.
Every year, Austria played a set of staple German carols. At the end he included one special song, usually a classic he rewrote or an entirely original piece. The music provided the backdrop to what Prussia and Switzerland considered the highlight of the evening-Finland’s presents.
So as paper was ripped open and thanks you’s were said, Austria began to play that year’s special song. At first, no one paid much attention-until he began to sing.
“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen; Aus einer Wurzel zart…”
Most of them usually forgot that Austria’s voice was his most beautiful instrument. Belgium smiled, listening, until the second verse began, and she joined in.
“Wie uns die Alten sungen; Aus Jesse kam die Art…”
They each knew a version of the song, and so by the time it drew to its climax, all the nations present were singing, a chorus of different Germanic languages. (And if some nations needed to be goaded into joining in, no one mentioned it.)
“…Da wir Dich ewig loben; O Gott, uns das verleih.”
---
Hungary made her way though the sitting room after the guests had left, picking up discarded bits of paper and coffee mugs. She hummed as she worked, content. (And though she would never admit it, there was something nostalgic about cleaning Austria’s house.)
“Ah, Hungary. You haven’t left yet.”
She looked up to see Austria entering the room. He had dispensed with his cravat and coat, and had rolled up his sleeves to the elbow.
“I was just going to clean up, but I see you’ve already done that for me.”
Hungary smiled. “Well, you did make all of the food. It was the least I could do.”
Austria shrugged. “You really don’t have to go to all the trouble.”
“I like to.” She smiled more deeply and then turned back to the cleaning. Because she had turned around, she didn’t notice as Austria came up behind her and placed his hands around her waist.
“Thank you,” he whispered very softly in her ear.
“Austria?”
“Yes?”
“Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket.”
“Frohe Weihnachten,” he replied. And then: “Ich liebe dich.”
Hungary turned and kissed Austria lightly on the lips. Just as she prepared to break the kiss, he caught her face in his hands and pressed their lips together again, more fully.
It was safe to say that, for Austria and Hungary, the majority of the celebrating took place after the guests had left.
---
footnotes;;
*The Germanic family-Germany, Prussia, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the Nordics-are all countries that speak Germanic languages and are home to Germanic people. (The other major language groups in Europe are the Latins and Slavics.)
*The song Austria plays is Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, or “A Spotless Rose is Growing.” The link has a translated version of the lyrics.
*“Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket.” -- Hungarian Christmas greeting.
*“Frohe Weihnachten,” -- German Christmas greeting.
*“Ich liebe dich.” -- “I love you” in German.
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Words: 2,300
Characters: Austria ; Hungary ; Germany ; Prussia ; Switzerland ; Liechtenstein ; Holland ; Belgium ; Norway ; Sweden ; Finland ; Denmark ; Iceland (Austria/Hungary ; mentions of England, Germanina, and the HRE)
Rating: PG
Warnings: some chaste kissing
Summary: Written for Tanya_tsuki for the holidays! Though it normally galled the Germanic nations to be in agreement on anything, most of them had to admit that Austria and Hungary’s annual holiday party was usually the highlight of the season. This year, they assembled in Vienna as always, some of them looking forward to a night of dancing and dining, and others merely tolerating what they thought was a stuffy evening.
A Golden Evening
Though it normally galled the Germanic nations to be in agreement on anything, most of them had to admit that Austria and Hungary’s annual holiday party was usually the highlight of the season. This year, they assembled in Vienna as always, some of them looking forward to a night of dancing and dining, and others merely tolerating what they thought was a stuffy evening.
“I think you either have to knock or ring the doorbell, bruder,” Liechtenstein murmured softly to Switzerland as they stood before the grandiose entryway. Her dress was edged in more lace that usual, and she had dispensed with her normal maroon in order to don the green and red appropriate for the occasion.
“It’s not too late to go home,” Switzerland muttered. Like every year, he had allowed Liechtenstein to coax him into a suit and tie. There was even a box of expensive Swiss chocolate tucked under his arm-a gift for his hostess. “Really, Liech-we could just do Christmas ourselves this year.”
“Oh, but Hungary will be sad if we don’t show up,” his sister replied mournfully. She pulled at her hair and tilted her face towards Switzerland. “Besides, I wanted to hear Austria’s new song…”
“What’s the hold up?” A loud voice broke through their conversation, and the siblings turned to see the approaching form of Prussia, and, behind him, Germany. The younger brother was sensibly and appropriately dressed in a meticulous suit, but the elder’s collar was unbuttoned and he wasn’t even wearing a tie. None of that seemed to bother him, though; he merely pushed Switzerland aside and banged on the heavy oaken doors. “Hey, priss! You going to let us in, or what?”
The door swung open a few moments later, revealing a very irritated-looking Hungary. Her hands were on her hips and she arched one eyebrow at Prussia. “Remember what I told you last year?” she asked menacingly, “No insults, or you get no dessert.”
It was quite the threat, given the myriad of confections Austria usually provided. Prussia through back his head and laughed. “All right, all right-where’s the food, already?” He threw an arm over Hungary’s bare shoulders and began leading her back inside.
She titled her head back and called to the others, “Oh, sorry-do come in!”
Liechtenstein giggled and grabbed Switzerland’s arm, leading him into Austria’s house. Looking very embarrassed, Germany followed them.
---
Austria and Hungary were in constant competition with themselves, always trying to outdo their party from the year before. As their guests approached the dining room, they had to admit that this year’s décor certainly took the crown.
Delicately-crafted snowflakes of gold and crystal hung from the ceilings, capturing and refracting the amber lights coming from the numerous chandeliers. Holly and mistletoe were draped along the banisters and mantel, along with gold and silver decorations that couldn’t quite be called tinsel. Grandest of all, however, was the magnificent tree that stood in one corner of the dining room. It was taller that Prussia standing on Germany’s shoulders, or so the former nation claimed. (Germany had been unwilling to test his brother’s hypothesis, and had instead gone to pour himself a glass of champagne.)
“So, you made it,” a low voice comment dryly. Germany, who had been busying himself with the drinks, turned to see Holland.
“Despite my brother’s best efforts to make it otherwise.” Germany smiled uncomfortably and ran a hand through his slick, neat hair. “He claims that there’s nothing worse that these parties, but I think he enjoys them.”
Both men glanced at Prussia, who was now trying to trip Hungary as she passed out hors d'oeuvres. Eventually, she set down her tray and punched Prussia cleanly under the chin, despite her flounced gown and dangling earrings. Holland laughed heartily.
“I’d probably be bored to tears if you two didn’t show up,” he admitted. “Your brother certainly does a good job of providing the entertainment. He’s probably the most interesting one here. And it’s not like there’s ever much going on otherwise, so…”
“There’s not much going on?” Belgium approached them, a stern look on her face as she looked down her nose at her brother. “I’m so sorry, broer, that I don’t provide enough entertainment for you.”
Holland rolled his eyes. “Come on, Bel, I see you practically every day! There’s no notoriety in that, is there?”
“Who says there has to be?”
“No one…just, on the holidays, you want things to be special, y’know?”
“No, I don’t know,” Belgium replied testily. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”
Germany, sensing one of the Benelux’s frequent but superficial squabbles, saw the chance to make his getaway.
---
As it turned out, Holland and Belgium didn’t have much time to squabble. Dinner was served ten minutes later, and despite any misgivings they might have had, the nations had no intention of missing Austria and Hungary’s famous banquet.
“Lo and behold, our illustrious host makes his appearance,” Prussia called out scathingly as Austria finally entered the room, taking his seat at the head of the table. “It’s not nice to keep guests waiting, priss.”
Austria raised one eyebrow in ironic surprise. “Forgive me. I was under the impression that you didn’t want to eat undercooked meat. I can see now that I was wrong.”
“Why do you and Hungary always try to put me in my place with food?” Prussia replied incredulously. “You’re the prude, remember? I’d eat anything.”
“And you bragging or being self-deprecating?” Austria asked lightly.
Prussia opened his mouth to retort, but then his thoughts caught up with his words and he grimaced. “Shut up, you stupid aristocrat.”
Austria raised both of his eyebrows and half-smiled before turning to Germany, who was seated to the other side of him. “Would you like a roll?”
Hungary, sitting across from Austria at the other end of the table, looked up and smiled. Their eyes met briefly, and their smiles deepened.
“Where are Denmark and the others?” Belgium, sitting to Hungary’s right, asked. “We usually don’t start until everyone’s here.”
“They said they’d be late,” Hungary replied with a sigh, “bad weather.”
“They’ll be alright though, won’t they?” Liechtenstein’s eyes were round with worry.
From next to Belgium, Holland laughed. “Of course, squirt. Sweden practically invented snow. You think a little blizzard’s going to stop them?”
“Well, they better get here soon,” Switzerland replied testily.
“Why’s that?” Belgium asked wryly, “So greedy for your present, are you, Switzerland?”
“N-no!” Switzerland sputtered. “I just don’t want them to ditch us like England did!”
Not content to count himself a member of the Germanic family, England had formed his own family years ago, and now had Christmas dinner with them. He, France, and their former colonies now had a grand celebration in Paris, London, or New York every year. This year, they were having their festivities under the famous Rockefeller Center tree. England’s desertion, though it had happened years ago, was still a sore point amongst the nations.
The guests lapsed into silence until Austria cleared his throat. “Shall we adjourn to the main hall?”
---
A dreamy Viennese waltz filled the air as the nations danced loosely around the room. Liechtenstein, despite her stature, had an innate feminine grace as she smiled up at Switzerland and he twirled her around and around. Belgium’s hair ribbons streamed out from behind her like streamers as Holland picked her up by the waist and spun her.
Hungary rested her head lightly against Austria’s shoulder as the two of them danced, perfectly in time to the three-step of the music. They didn’t speak, simply got lost in the music and allowed it to carry them where it would.
“Hey, prude-I’m cutting in,” Prussia announced. Austria seethed, but Hungary merely giggled, and Austria had no choice but to relinquish his hold on her waist and hand. Prussia winked cheekily at him as he led Hungary away.
Seeing the change in partners occurring, Belgium broke away from Holland and held out her hand lightly to Germany, who took it with a blush. Holland came up behind Switzerland and Liechtenstein and picked the young girl up by the waist as she shrieked in mock protest and delight. Now at a loose end, Switzerland had no choice but to make his way over to wear Austria was standing, sipping chardonnay.
The two old friends stood in awkward silence for a moment before Austria asked lightly, “Did you enjoy the dinner?”
“There was too much sauce on the ham,” Switzerland replied huffily.
“I see.” Austria pursed his lips.
Switzerland clenched his teeth and then released the tension with a sigh. “Well…it…the dinner…” His voice trailed off.
“What was that?”
“It was nice, I guess. Liech enjoys it.”
Part of the reason-other than Hungary’s insistences-that Austria included Switzerland and Liechtenstein every year was because he still felt a misplaced sense of obligation towards the young girl. She had been under his care, once upon a time, and he continued to feel as though he owed her something.
“Well, I’m glad, then,” Austria replied stiffly. But when he released his breath in a sigh, there was a hint of sadness to it.
Switzerland’s emerald eyes smoldered as he continued to wrestle with words. “I suppose…the party would be nice…if you didn’t spend so much damn money on it.”
Austria chortled. “What business is it of yours?” But his eyes were smiling, and when they met Switzerland’s, his were, too. “I’ll keep that in mind for-”
Boom!
“What the hell was that?” Prussia demanded.
Boom!
Germany tried to answer his brother. “I don’t suppose it’s-”
Boom!
The main doors flung open, revealing five wind-swept, snow-covered figures.
The Nordics had arrived.
---
“We cut across Poland and ended up saving a bit of time on the road,” Denmark explained sometime later, laying across a couch in Austria’s sitting room. Sweden and Finland sat across from him, sipping hot cocoa. Iceland and Norway were seated very close together on the same couch as Denmark, though there was a careful distance between the Norway and the latter.
“I’m sure he loved that,” Germany muttered under his breath.
“He was having dinner with Lithuania, so he didn’t notice.” Norway was, as always, matter-of-fact and logical.
“An’ ‘e was also wi’ Russia ‘n ‘is family,” Sweden mumbled. “So ‘e was t’ busy t’ notice.”
“That is such a weird group,” Prussia muttered with distaste. He shot Hungary a glance, who grimaced. Wounds too near the surface grew raw whenever Russia was mentioned.
“Well, look at us,” Belgium replied with a laugh. She gestured at their family, some sprawled across couches, others on the floor, and those like Austria seated upright in armchairs. “we’re not exactly a matched set either, are we?”
“Bound together by tradition and ought else,” Iceland murmured thoughtfully.
“No, there’s blood between us, too,” Finland asserted. “I mean, we all have the same grandfather, right?”
But Germania was a grandfather than none of them could quite remember. And thoughts of him led to those of his direct descendant-a little boy with brilliantly blonde hair and blue eyes. The group let out a collective sigh, caught in a reverie.
“Austria?” Hungary asked, gesturing towards the grand piano, “maybe it’s time we started the music.”
He nodded and rose to his feet. He took his place at the piano, raised the lid to reveal the keys, and stretched his fingers, preparing.
Every year, Austria played a set of staple German carols. At the end he included one special song, usually a classic he rewrote or an entirely original piece. The music provided the backdrop to what Prussia and Switzerland considered the highlight of the evening-Finland’s presents.
So as paper was ripped open and thanks you’s were said, Austria began to play that year’s special song. At first, no one paid much attention-until he began to sing.
“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen; Aus einer Wurzel zart…”
Most of them usually forgot that Austria’s voice was his most beautiful instrument. Belgium smiled, listening, until the second verse began, and she joined in.
“Wie uns die Alten sungen; Aus Jesse kam die Art…”
They each knew a version of the song, and so by the time it drew to its climax, all the nations present were singing, a chorus of different Germanic languages. (And if some nations needed to be goaded into joining in, no one mentioned it.)
“…Da wir Dich ewig loben; O Gott, uns das verleih.”
---
Hungary made her way though the sitting room after the guests had left, picking up discarded bits of paper and coffee mugs. She hummed as she worked, content. (And though she would never admit it, there was something nostalgic about cleaning Austria’s house.)
“Ah, Hungary. You haven’t left yet.”
She looked up to see Austria entering the room. He had dispensed with his cravat and coat, and had rolled up his sleeves to the elbow.
“I was just going to clean up, but I see you’ve already done that for me.”
Hungary smiled. “Well, you did make all of the food. It was the least I could do.”
Austria shrugged. “You really don’t have to go to all the trouble.”
“I like to.” She smiled more deeply and then turned back to the cleaning. Because she had turned around, she didn’t notice as Austria came up behind her and placed his hands around her waist.
“Thank you,” he whispered very softly in her ear.
“Austria?”
“Yes?”
“Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket.”
“Frohe Weihnachten,” he replied. And then: “Ich liebe dich.”
Hungary turned and kissed Austria lightly on the lips. Just as she prepared to break the kiss, he caught her face in his hands and pressed their lips together again, more fully.
It was safe to say that, for Austria and Hungary, the majority of the celebrating took place after the guests had left.
---
footnotes;;
*The Germanic family-Germany, Prussia, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the Nordics-are all countries that speak Germanic languages and are home to Germanic people. (The other major language groups in Europe are the Latins and Slavics.)
*The song Austria plays is Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, or “A Spotless Rose is Growing.” The link has a translated version of the lyrics.
*“Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket.” -- Hungarian Christmas greeting.
*“Frohe Weihnachten,” -- German Christmas greeting.
*“Ich liebe dich.” -- “I love you” in German.