Medium

The Awkward Reunion

= Britain's POV =

- Real World - Austria -

I still can't figure out why all the others are so calm about this. Third Reich in Austria? We searched worldwide, including the South American continent and Asia, for 80 years, and he just showed up in a neighboring country? Who knows, maybe Austria is lying about finding him and the "memory disorder." Who can forget those horrible doings?

"So, he's sleeping?" My son asked. Austria nodded, "He seemed like he didn't have the strength to even move. I don't know if he's sleeping, but he shouldn't have been able to leave the room." He had calmed down a little and was sitting at the table with us.

"OK, is there anything he remembers about himself?" Soviet asked. "Well, he knew he spoke German. And, I think he sensed that he had done horrible things... he should have overheard my conversation with my father." Austria answered. "Oh, and another thing. He said that I look familiar, so I don't think he just forgot everything. If there's something that affects him, he may easily recall everything."

Is that a good thing or not? I stole a glance at the others. Austria looked like he was convicted of a crime. He was usually the calm one during meetings, but the incidents must have caused him stress. I felt bad for him. The other two looked irritated. It would have been much easier if TR had all his memories and if he was as savage as we remembered him.

"It was wise for you to tell us first before telling every country at the meeting. The situation is so complex." My son nodded at my words and added, "And the glitches. I never heard about that. Have you ever experienced it?" he looked at the USSR. "No. Do you want me to ask the other past countries?"

There was a pause; my son looked at me, and I shook my head. "I don't think so. Let's wait for a while."

My son took his sunglasses off and rubbed his temples. "If he wasn't in such a peculiar state, I would have ignored your request and shot him in his sleep."

Silence.

The atmosphere was heavy, which is just natural. Who would be happy in this situation? As I asked that question to myself, I remembered the noble soldier in the East. He was a great partner once and a horrible enemy. I still have no idea why he was so fond of the Third Reich.

I shook my head to get rid of the memory. The once "noble soldier" is now considered the villain of the war. I took another sip of tea. It tasted better than I expected it would be.

"Can we see him?" USSR asked the owner of the house.

He looked at the large country surprisedly. USSR scratched the back of his head. "You could be lying about the whole thing." Soviet eyed Austria like a hawk. That must have triggered his fears, and he stammered a bit. "Oh, oh yes. Of course." He stood up to guide us.

The room was a small simple room with a table, some chairs, and a bed. On the bed was a red figure with simple clothing. On the chair beside him, a tattered piece of cloth and some clothes were neatly folded.

My son and USSR went beside the bed, and I stayed a little away with Austria. I didn't notice before, but his hands were shaking from nervousness. I felt sorry for him that I had cast doubt on him that he was lying.

"So, Austria," I said softly. He looked at me. "I know you've watched him for only a few hours, but I have a question. Do you think he'll be a threat to the world now?" I asked him. He seemed to think for a while but slowly shook his head. "I don't think so. Countries change greatly depending on their leaders. You know, and, well, his leader isn't the same as him." I raised an eyebrow, "So, you think he's harmless now?" He shrugged, "I can't see why not. Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan are sane now, even if they have their memories. Why not him?" He had a point.

"Ah, so this is the "glitch" you were talking about." Soviet let out a voice, "It's like a bug in a computer game." I walked closer to the bed, just in time to catch a glimpse of his cross haze. That's odd. Even I have never seen anything like this.

All the features I remembered about the man were there. The red face, the white circle with the cross, and the dark circles around his eyes. Though, I never thought he would sleep with such an innocent face.

"Should we wait until September, or should we call for a special meeting sometime in the month?" America turned around to Austria, "Can you take care of him until September?" Austria shook his head violently, "How!? Of course, I can't! How am I supposed to hide him anyways, my country's literally next to Germany!"

"Hey, chill out. I was only asking." America shrugged. "Hmm, then probably a temporary meeting will work better." He began to check his phone. "Damn it, does someone have the meeting schedules for the Africans and Asians?"

We all answered no.

"Then I'll ask the UN to shove it in when everyone's free." He thrust his phone into the pocket of his hoodie. That must be the things we had to discuss today, and I was about to lead the way out when I heard a small mumble.

I froze on the spot and turned around.

He was awake. Although Austria mentioned that he shouldn't have much strength to move, he woke up and sat on the bed, looking around him with drowsy eyes. The rest probably helped.

"Hmm~?" He rubbed his eyes when he turned to us. Austria, with his expression strained, walked in front of him and said, "Guten Abend. Are you fine now?" TR looked at him and answered, "Much better. Danke." And smiled. Smiled! It wasn't a snarl nor a sinister grin.

"And, um, who are they?" Third turned to us. We should have looked puzzled as he was because he suddenly looked scared and nervous, "Oh, sorry. I-I don't seem to r-remember anything." and began gasping for air. Is he hyperventilating?

Austria quickly grabbed the paper bag propped up on the table nearby and held it over his mouth. His breathing calmed after some gasps, and he apologized. For what? I couldn't ask that; his expression was nothing like that of 80 years ago. His green eyes were full of puzzlement and fear.

"Ah, shit." My son uttered under his breath. The voice was so small I should be the only one who heard him.

And if no one was here but me, I would have said the same thing.