Aria and Recitative [Closed]

[herr_edelstein]

Who: Austria and North Italy. Also Lupo.
What: Discussing staging operas, performing arts, and the like. Possibly angstier topics as well.
When: The evening of New Years Day
Where: Austria's apartment in the theatre
Warnings: PG
Status: In Progress

Comments

[morethanpasta]

Punctuality didn't come easily to Feliciano. No matter his best intentions, no matter how early he left for an appointment, he never failed to run across some distraction along the way, even if it was provided by nothing but his own flighty thoughts.

That he was not merely on time, but a bit early, might have been cause for worry in itself. The tentative, downright listless knocking might have been another clue, it held none of the enthusiasm Feliciano had shown just a few hours earlier for this visit.

However, Austria would truly find cause to worry once he found the northern half of Italy standing outside his door. For he would find him waiting there with a wolf-like puppy cradled in his arms, just like announced, but he would be hiding his face in said puppy's fur in a feeble attempt to hide eyes reddened from a day on which he had spent more time crying than not. One of these eyes, the right one, bore a bruise that was clearly just a few hours old.

Poooor baby I want to cuddle him.

[herr_edelstein]

If one were attending an opera or other performance at this theatre or any theatre, one would have always arrived through the grand front doors. But for the actors and performances, or in this case, Austria's guests, one would arrive at the side entrance. When he heard the listless knocking echoing up the empty hallway, Austria frowned and checked his watch once more

Oh, he'll be okay. He's a tough cookie. He wouldn't mind cuddles, though.

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano flinched at Austria's quiet remark. That I see held a whole book full of meanings and even he, who couldn't read the atmosphere, wasn't illiterate enough not to know it. He hugged the puppy closer to him, who whined and licked his jaw in response

Oh, Feliciano. Austria was being understanding when he said "I see".

[herr_edelstein]

Austria let him look around for a moment; the novelty of a new place seemed to improve upon Italy's mood at least for a moment, which was good. He'd only seen a sullen Italy when the Holy Roman Empire had left...and when he never returned to the house. Even during the two great wars, he'd been cheerful to the end. Quietly, he followed behind as Feliciano looked around, thinking about how to move forward. Though it was none of his business what he and Lovino did in their privacy, it was his business the moment it became violent. He refused to stand idly by and let it happen. He'd learned his lessons long ago

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano was quite content to follow Austria, his eyes still eagerly taking in his surroundings as he continued to take apart and rebuild them in his mind. A theatre like the ones in Venice... Oh, that would be too wonderful

[herr_edelstein]

"Cinnamon of sorts. It's cinnamon schnapps. Normally I only take a single shot in my coffee, but for you, I put two and a half." Austria paused as he picked up the cut of beef and unwrapped it from its butcher paper. "You appear to need the comfort," he added as he stepped over to where Feliciano sat. "Lean your head back; this will help with the swelling

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano's body had been relaxed, albeit from nothing but sheer force of will, when Roderich began to speak. As he talked, he felt himself tense up, felt the natural urge rise in him to flee from an uncomfortable, vaguely frightening situation. He pressed the steak harder against his eye, the stinging cold provided a welcome distraction from his discomfort and turmoil

[herr_edelstein]

Roderich didn't flinch in the least when Feliciano spoke out so vehemently; his expression hardly changed, though there was condolences there. He had seen the breakdown coming, and perhaps the other nation needed to have one to try to heal. He understood that well enough himself, and stood aside for a moment as he spoke, though he was far from distant

[morethanpasta]

Even once he was done drying his face and wiping his nose and the tears ceased falling, Felician clung to the handkerchief. He wrung it in his hands as he listened to Austria speak. His face was solemn and attentive and truly, quite mournful

[herr_edelstein]

"No, I will not force you apart. But I will entreat you to open your eyes, Feliciano. You may be a fool at times, but you are not unintelligent, and you are not blind. I know that you are unhappy...I want to try and help this. I will tell you that this relationship, whether platonic or romantic, with your brother, is not healthy for either of you. Someone will always get hurt. Lovino says that it is none of my business, but I disagree. The moment you arrive on my doorstep a victim of abuse, it becomes my business

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano heard the words, he would always listen when Mister Austria spoke, he couldn't help himself. It was too deeply ingrained in him after centuries under his rule and in his household. Yet as Austria spoke of Lovino and his relationship being unhealthy, of the need to bring distance between himself and his brother, he sure didn't want to listen anymore. Feli clung to his cup of coffee so tightly that his knuckles turned white

[herr_edelstein]

"You won't lose him. Not permanently. But if it is one thing I have learned, Feliciano, is that you cannot live as long as we do and not hurt someone's feelings in the process. To go through life trying to please everyone else while ignoring your own needs will only lead you into misery." Austria's voice was set, but not unkind. He had been firm with North Italy before as a child, but it was for a completely different set of reasons

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano watched Austria attentively, not because the cooking was particularly interesting, but simple because Austria was. It still felt so odd to be talking to Austria, from one adult to the other. Back home, they were on the same side, of course, but his attention had been focused on Germany, not on Austria

[herr_edelstein]

Austria leveled a gaze that was not severe, but intense, on North Italy. He understood Feliciano's distress more than he let on, but he was frustrated that he could not make him see through this to the core of the problem. Abuse was not an expression of love, it was a means of control. But he would bring that up in a moment. Now, he wanted to make a point

[morethanpasta]

"Ve~..." Feli went quiet, considering for the first time that Ludwig may have had feelings for him previous to remembering being the Holy Roman Empire. He had never considered it before, for Germany had never acted in any way he would associate with being in love, having a crush or even thinking someone was cute. He sighed. "I suppose... I wouldn't have noticed. He wouldn't have flirted with me like I flirt with cute girls."

He twirled the empty cup around in his hands again. "See, Mister Austria... Both you and Ludwig tell me that he's the same and it doesn't matter if he loved me as Germany or Holy Rome, but it does!" He looked up then, gaze intent. "Because I am not the same person anymore that I was as a child! You knew me. I was a shy little child, quiet and meek. But I'm not a child anymore. I'm loud and annoying and I'm pushy and I always run off getting myself into trouble and sometimes I'm sad because I've seen too many things since I last saw my Holy Rome. And I can be angry and petty, too. I can be jealous and possessive

[herr_edelstein]

"No...he would not have flirted with you. But think beyond flirting for displays of affection. What has he done for you?" For all his knowledge of the ideal of love as the Italian nation, Austria was surprised at his lack of realization