The Silencing

The Siege of Austria (Part 1)

You said you wanted more. What are you waiting for? I'm not running from you.

-30 seconds to Mars (The Kill)

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"You... did... what?!"

"I'm sorry."

"I can't believe you! This is ridiculous!"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You're pride gets in the way of everything! Everything!"

"...I'm sorry."

"Now we're both going to die!"

Hungary paced the floor. Back and forth, her heels clicked on the white tiles. Austria sat at the small couch, watching her. Every time she reached a certain point in her beeline, the clicking would stop because of the patterned rug covering the hard floor. Her tea was on the ledge near the unlit fireplace, untouched. Now they both were back at Austria's house, and Austria was getting chewed out.

The clicking of her heels started again as she passed the rug. "We're both going to die, and it's your fault!"

Austria cast his eyes gown, guilty. "I know. I shouldn't have done this, it was a horrible idea. But he don't both have to get punished for it."

Hungary stopped pacing and looked at her guilty friend. Her anger withered for a moment, seeing his pouting face. She knew what he was implying. "Austria, I'm helping you win this."

"But why?" He asked. "It's my fault I got into this war, why should I have to drag you into this? I'm not going to get you hurt because of my mistake."

"I'm not letting you go into battle alone! You're about to face Italy in a war, Austria. I'm not going to just ditch you and make you fend for yourself." Hungary padded over the rug to stand in front of Austria. She leaned down-one knee on the floor, one foot on the floor- to see eye to eye with Austria. She took both of his hands. "I'm right here, let me help you."

"But that's the problem." Austria replied. "You're always helping me, since... forever. I've always relied on others to make my decisions and fight my battles. But not this time." For an instant, Austria's eyes hazed over, thinking of the many examples of his statement."I'm the one who signed the paper, I'm the one who declared war on Italy. It's my fault and I'm going to deal with the punishment myself. Whether you like it or not."

Hungary gave him a genuine smile. "Well, whether you like it or not, I'm going to help you. It's my decision too, Austria. You made a mistake, fine; but, I'm going to help you fix it. We're going to win this together. This is my home too, I've lived here and made too many memories here to not say that. I'm fighting for my home, not just yours." Hungary has done so much in a house she no longer was able to call her own. She met and raised the precious little Holy Roman Empire, and watched him through his short existence. She watched Italy grow and become a beautiful country. She met so many people there, and she had so many fun, sunlit memories that she didn't want to just be thrown away. This house was her gateway to her past memories, and she would not let it blow away with the wind.

She'll fight for it, she'll fight until someone dragged her away from her gun.

Austria took a deep breath, but couldn't help to smile as well. "You're truly one of a kind, Elizaveta."