[Austria's vision blurs from the tears, but even she can see when Prussia's eyes meet hers. When Prussia wipes away at her tears, Austria rests her cheek against Prussia's gloved palm-- taking the moment to collect herself.
She won't allow it. She won't allow herself to be worse at a confession than Prussia was all those weeks ago.
[Wow uhhhhh that was a good confession? Years in the making, even, until Prussia literally ran out of time for anything else. Sure, it wasn't the way Prussia had planned; none of this has gone the way Prussia had imagined it would. Even reuniting like this has been... way different from how she pictured. She thought Austria would get mad at her, and then Prussia could laugh it off, and they could go back to the way things had always been. As if this whole stupid nightmare had never happened.
[In fact, she's pretty sure she's imagining Austria leaning into her glove -- or that it's just a ploy so she can get slapped again, harder this time. Or maybe even Hungary will manage to finally swoop in out of nowhere and try to crack her skull with a frying pan (again).
Her gloved thumb brushes over Austria's cheek again, shifting to the other one to graze the back of her hand across her skin. Too late, she thinks she should have taken her gloves off; Austria's skin has always been really soft and nice to the touch.]
[Then Austria's shouting, and for a moment, Prussia's taken aback, her eyes widening. Holy shit, she didn't think that aristocrat had it in her, to yell in a place like this. She was expecting to keep prompting her until Austria got frustrated and smacked her again.
All at once, her face looks very, very vulnerable as she gazes straight ahead, meeting Austria's eyes with stunned disbelief. Like this is another hallucination, or another dream, or-- she doesn't know what this is. Like she's afraid to hope that this might be real, that after centuries of hatred, decades of strife, that Austria could finally say what Prussia knew about herself all along.]
Lieb' dich, [she says, very quietly, almost as if questioning what Austria's saying, as if asking her to confirm. But she can't even tease her into yelling again, prompting her to change her mind; it had been loud enough, decisive enough, that even Prussia can't question it, not really.]
[And then, still uncertain as to whether or not this is real, she laughs. She can't help it! But it's a far cry from the mocking laughter she so commonly assumes as a front. It's soft, genuine and wondering, and her fingertips press a little more tightly against Austria's cheek.
Maybe... maybe it's okay, to believe this. Maybe it's okay to think that even somebody like Austria could have a use for someone like her. In a modern age where Austria was no longer an empire and Prussia was no longer anything, maybe...
She steps in, closing the distance between them to wrap Austria into a tight hug. Maybe it's okay to look vulnerable in front of her. Just a little. Just this once.]
Lieb' dich. Ich hab' dich schon immer...
[No, too much. She just buries her nose against the shorter woman's hair and squeezes her as tightly as she can.]
[She's less patient in one respect, however. She'll give Prussia a moment to do it herself of course, to redeem herself for such a poor first confession!
But when Prussia presses her face against Austria's hair instead of her lips-- the frustration radiating off Mariazell is practically tangible.
Honestly, Prussia? After Austria went and shouted her feelings so loudly for you? Now is when you decide to be chaste?]
[Austria tips her head back, pulling it out of reach for Prussia to keep burying herself in. Once she has Prussia's attention she raises herself up on her tip toes to close the gap between their lips.]
[She's surprisingly chaste!! And for once, after everything she's been through, after all the suffering she went through without Austria at her side these last few weeks... a hug would be enough. Later on, maybe, she'd want more. But she just wants to be held, pretending it's for Austria's sake.]
...Huh?
[But Austria's pulling back far too soon, Prussia's hands still clutching at the back of that sheer lace robe. She's not ready to let go yet. Even if everyone makes fun of her for being weak.
So the last thing she's expecting is a kiss. She goes absolutely still, grip loosening on Austria's robe out of sheer surprise and disbelief. Austria's lips are soft, and warm, and really everything Prussia could have imagined. Her own are sunburnt, chapped from dehydration and constant, unending stress.
But in that moment, she doesn't care. Austria's kissing her, and before she can change her mind, Prussia's hands go to her waist, supporting her and pulling her in so maybe her stupid weak legs don't collapse out from under her.
Maybe, after everything... it's okay to be a little bit weak in front of Austria.]
[Austria will always be grateful for the suffering Prussia endured for everyone, including herself. Now it's over though. Prussia doesn't have to struggle on that miserable rock any longer.
It's time to go home. Together. Just like she fought for. Just like she promised. Where she can be with Prussia with nothing separating them any longer.
After a long moment and with great hesitation from not wanting it to end, Austria breaks the kiss. She gently brushes her mouth up against Prussia's ear, whispering in it softly.]
If you go obtain proper pajamas, I might graciously allow you to join me in my bed and count me to sleep again.
[Prussia's grip tightens on Austria's waist, and she keeps trying to follow her lips when she pulls away. She can't breathe like this, but she wants to be closer, afraid she'll lose the other woman again. Maybe she can eve admit that, at least to herself. That she doesn't want to lose Austria again.
Her breath comes in quiet gasps through her nose as Austria's lips caress her ear, gloved fingers slowly shifting up the curve of her back. In this moment, there aren't forty-two people around them. There's only her, and Austria, and the promise of getting to sleep next to her again.]
What, you sayin' my awesome clothes aren't good enough? [she breathes in response, but she's joking, it's obviously a joke as she leans back to seize Austria's lips in another kiss. Just a brief one, just enough to try to reassert some measure of control.] I'm not gonna strut around in all that fancy shit you're showin' off.
Nein. Not in my bed they're not, I've been free of that island for weeks I won't be reminded of it. Once they wash themselves at home, I'll fix up your "awesome" clothes when we wake.
[Austria concedes that the blouse is probably too far gone at this point, but the left over fabric can be used for patches!-- in contrast to Prussia's joke she's so serious about this.]
[She does smile though, with Mariazell bobbing about in a heart like shape on her head. She never thought she would miss Prussia's touch as much as she did. Although if someone had told her this was going to end with a tight hug and soft kiss instead of hair grabbing and cheek pulling-- she'd of never believed them.]
Besides. I wouldn't want to rob you of your moment of glory with your fellow soldiers. [Prussia worked hard to be a hero of this ending.]
[Prussia laughs again. Once they wash themselves.... yeah, okay. Sure, Austria. She'll teach you to do laundry whether you like it or not. But also, her laughter is lighter than her usual malicious-sounding kesesese. It's quieter, more genuine. That Austria's here, able to scold her for something as simple as not wearing proper clothing, after everything they've gone through...
She leans in and takes Austria's hand in a half-remembered gesture from her childhood as a chivalric order. She brings the other woman's hand to her lips and grins over her fingers. Oh yeah, she's so smooth. Swoon over her, Austria!!]
Yeah, yeah. Just admit you want me in your bed again.
[She kisses Austria's hand before letting go, putting her hands on her hips to survey the area.]
Soldiers, huh...? Yeah, I guess you could make an army out of these kids.
[Hmph. Like she'd ever be so easy as to swoon over something so cliche and simple and--!! Never mind she's already flushing pink at the chivalrous gesture and Prussia's soft laughter.]
Don't be vulgar. [The lack of outrage in that scolding is probably a solid indication of a "Maybe."]
In any case. As much as I'd love to stand here praising you endlessly, I've been waiting for you for weeks as it is. I don't wish to wait much longer. [Austria makes a 'shoo, shoo' motion with her hands.] Do hurry.
[She's been sitting for nearly four weeks straight on a couch drinking beer and eating cake. But she's tired and wants to sit on her own couch drinking beer and eating cake at home, Prussia?? This is very rude?? Won't you think of her for once??]
[Newt has been not-so-sneakily popcorning this Austria/Prussia reunion from a respectable (maybe?) distance. He was nervous there for a minute, what with the slapping and all, but, hah! They kissed! And said they love each other! For real! Ahh!!
Newt's good end has been realized. He can go home and be satisfied with this outcome.
He waits until Prussia goes to secure some appropriate sleepwear before sidling over to Austria with a smug grin on his face.]
Told you. [He nudges her with his elbow. He's very happy for her.]
Don't apologize. I get it. I'm just glad you two are finally hooking up. [He still doesn't quite understand the degree to which this has been a struggle, but regardless.]
It's nice to see something good come out of this, you know?
[As much as she wants to see him, she doesn't think she can bring herself to visit so soon after he stopped a bunch of monsters from the ocean from destroying the world.]
[He's gonna keep his arm there for the moment. It's cute when she gets all flustered, and she's laughing, so it's fine.]
Sachertorte. Right. And that awesome coffee. [Really just make him food forever please??]
Oh, hey, speaking of... [He pulls his mp3 player out of his PJ shirt pocket and hands it to her.] Prussia got the one I had on the island, so you take this one. Now you can listen to some good music with her singing along, hah.
Einspänner. Which should be easy... because of all the whipped cream I'll need. I'll make so much she won't ever be able to call me lazy in that respect again! Literally eating her own words!
[Prussia will just call her lazy for something else instead anyways.]
[He laughs. He is in full support of this plan if it means he gets more awesome coffee.
And as for the NZ3-PO:]
It's an mp3 player. It plays music. [He needs both hands for this, so he lets her go but stays next to her so she can see the screen as he messes with it.] You just scroll through to find a band or a playlist or something that you want to listen to, and it'll play it for you. You can make new playlists too, or you can load other songs onto it, but you'd need a computer for that. I'll show you how to do it when I come visit. We'll put some of your classical stuff onto it. Here.
[He untangled the earbuds, then pops one into her ear and the other into his own. Hooray, music! Maybe she'll recognize it.]
[Listen! Technology has changed so quickly recently it's hard to keep up?]
Right! Ja, I knew that. [Yes. She knew that. Sure. ...It's so small though where do you put the cassette tapes? Oh and there's an ear bud being crammed into her ear alright--]
Oh!
I've heard this... [Or something similar. ish.] This was what you were playing, ja?
Are you sure? [She really wants it though-- not to put her music on but so she can listen to what he likes and think of him.] What will you listen to?
Yeah. It's Muse. [He's glad that his rendition of it was at least recognizable.] I'll play it again for you when you come visit and I'm not so out of practice, hah.
[He pulls out his earbud and hands the mp3 player over to her.] I'm sure. I've got my own at home.
[And it's like way nicer than this one, honestly.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Prussia -> Austria [End Game]
1/2
She won't allow it. She won't allow herself to be worse at a confession than Prussia was all those weeks ago.
It's simply not acceptable.]
2/2
[Austria's voice trembles with emotion and she's much too loud but--]
ICH LIEBE DICH!
[She won't be silenced trying to say this ever again.]
1/
As if she'd never said anything at all.]
2/
Her gloved thumb brushes over Austria's cheek again, shifting to the other one to graze the back of her hand across her skin. Too late, she thinks she should have taken her gloves off; Austria's skin has always been really soft and nice to the touch.]
3/4
All at once, her face looks very, very vulnerable as she gazes straight ahead, meeting Austria's eyes with stunned disbelief. Like this is another hallucination, or another dream, or-- she doesn't know what this is. Like she's afraid to hope that this might be real, that after centuries of hatred, decades of strife, that Austria could finally say what Prussia knew about herself all along.]
Lieb' dich, [she says, very quietly, almost as if questioning what Austria's saying, as if asking her to confirm. But she can't even tease her into yelling again, prompting her to change her mind; it had been loud enough, decisive enough, that even Prussia can't question it, not really.]
no subject
Maybe... maybe it's okay, to believe this. Maybe it's okay to think that even somebody like Austria could have a use for someone like her. In a modern age where Austria was no longer an empire and Prussia was no longer anything, maybe...
She steps in, closing the distance between them to wrap Austria into a tight hug. Maybe it's okay to look vulnerable in front of her. Just a little. Just this once.]
Lieb' dich. Ich hab' dich schon immer...
[No, too much. She just buries her nose against the shorter woman's hair and squeezes her as tightly as she can.]
1/3
...but then Prussia pulls Austria into her, embracing her tightly and telling her that she loved her. She had always loved her.
After all this time, it was worth waiting for.]
2/3
But when Prussia presses her face against Austria's hair instead of her lips-- the frustration radiating off Mariazell is practically tangible.
Honestly, Prussia? After Austria went and shouted her feelings so loudly for you? Now is when you decide to be chaste?]
3/3
[Austria tips her head back, pulling it out of reach for Prussia to keep burying herself in. Once she has Prussia's attention she raises herself up on her tip toes to close the gap between their lips.]
no subject
...Huh?
[But Austria's pulling back far too soon, Prussia's hands still clutching at the back of that sheer lace robe. She's not ready to let go yet. Even if everyone makes fun of her for being weak.
So the last thing she's expecting is a kiss. She goes absolutely still, grip loosening on Austria's robe out of sheer surprise and disbelief. Austria's lips are soft, and warm, and really everything Prussia could have imagined. Her own are sunburnt, chapped from dehydration and constant, unending stress.
But in that moment, she doesn't care. Austria's kissing her, and before she can change her mind, Prussia's hands go to her waist, supporting her and pulling her in so maybe her stupid weak legs don't collapse out from under her.
Maybe, after everything... it's okay to be a little bit weak in front of Austria.]
no subject
It's time to go home. Together. Just like she fought for. Just like she promised. Where she can be with Prussia with nothing separating them any longer.
After a long moment and with great hesitation from not wanting it to end, Austria breaks the kiss. She gently brushes her mouth up against Prussia's ear, whispering in it softly.]
If you go obtain proper pajamas, I might graciously allow you to join me in my bed and count me to sleep again.
no subject
Her breath comes in quiet gasps through her nose as Austria's lips caress her ear, gloved fingers slowly shifting up the curve of her back. In this moment, there aren't forty-two people around them. There's only her, and Austria, and the promise of getting to sleep next to her again.]
What, you sayin' my awesome clothes aren't good enough? [she breathes in response, but she's joking, it's obviously a joke as she leans back to seize Austria's lips in another kiss. Just a brief one, just enough to try to reassert some measure of control.] I'm not gonna strut around in all that fancy shit you're showin' off.
1/2
[Austria concedes that the blouse is probably too far gone at this point, but the left over fabric can be used for patches!-- in contrast to Prussia's joke she's so serious about this.]
2/2
Besides. I wouldn't want to rob you of your moment of glory with your fellow soldiers. [Prussia worked hard to be a hero of this ending.]
I'll wait for you.
no subject
She leans in and takes Austria's hand in a half-remembered gesture from her childhood as a chivalric order. She brings the other woman's hand to her lips and grins over her fingers. Oh yeah, she's so smooth. Swoon over her, Austria!!]
Yeah, yeah. Just admit you want me in your bed again.
[She kisses Austria's hand before letting go, putting her hands on her hips to survey the area.]
Soldiers, huh...? Yeah, I guess you could make an army out of these kids.
1/2
Don't be vulgar. [The lack of outrage in that scolding is probably a solid indication of a "Maybe."]
2/2
[She'd always been jealous of it.]
In any case. As much as I'd love to stand here praising you endlessly, I've been waiting for you for weeks as it is. I don't wish to wait much longer. [Austria makes a 'shoo, shoo' motion with her hands.] Do hurry.
[She's been sitting for nearly four weeks straight on a couch drinking beer and eating cake. But she's tired and wants to sit on her own couch drinking beer and eating cake at home, Prussia?? This is very rude?? Won't you think of her for once??]
no subject
[The most important takeaway here. She ducks in and smooches Austria's forehead briefly before turning on her heel.]
Better write all that praise down, 'cause I wanna hear it as soon as we get home!! So... wait for me a little longer, okay?
[She waves without looking. Time to go find some pjs.]
endgame (makes the spongebob face)
Newt's good end has been realized. He can go home and be satisfied with this outcome.
He waits until Prussia goes to secure some appropriate sleepwear before sidling over to Austria with a smug grin on his face.]
Told you. [He nudges her with his elbow. He's very happy for her.]
no subject
Ja! You... certainly did! [He helped save the world and ended a centuries long miscommunication between two states. Where does he find the time?]
My apologies for doubting you.
no subject
Don't apologize. I get it. I'm just glad you two are finally hooking up. [He still doesn't quite understand the degree to which this has been a struggle, but regardless.]
It's nice to see something good come out of this, you know?
no subject
It was such a horrific experience... it's hard to believe it's all over now.
[She wouldn't ever want to do this again, but.]
Danke... I'm. Very happy to have had the chance to meet you, Newt.
no subject
But it is over, and I'm glad we got to meet, too. Especially since we all get visitation rights. [It'd be just more heartbreak otherwise.]
You'd better keep in touch. [...] Actually, I'll come to you, and then you can make more of that cake.
[feed him......]
1/2
Ja... My house might be best.
2/2
No watermelon slush even needed this time!]
Sachertorte. [She corrects.] With the whipped cream, lest I have to hear Prussia complain again.
Also you have to teach me how to play more 'Muse?' Was it?
no subject
Sachertorte. Right. And that awesome coffee. [Really just make him food forever please??]
Oh, hey, speaking of... [He pulls his mp3 player out of his PJ shirt pocket and hands it to her.] Prussia got the one I had on the island, so you take this one. Now you can listen to some good music with her singing along, hah.
1/2
[Prussia will just call her lazy for something else instead anyways.]
2/2
[There's music in here?]
Is this the... oh. What was it again? [N...Z... 3-PO?? Or some sort.]
no subject
And as for the NZ3-PO:]
It's an mp3 player. It plays music. [He needs both hands for this, so he lets her go but stays next to her so she can see the screen as he messes with it.] You just scroll through to find a band or a playlist or something that you want to listen to, and it'll play it for you. You can make new playlists too, or you can load other songs onto it, but you'd need a computer for that. I'll show you how to do it when I come visit. We'll put some of your classical stuff onto it. Here.
[He untangled the earbuds, then pops one into her ear and the other into his own. Hooray, music! Maybe she'll recognize it.]
no subject
Right! Ja, I knew that. [Yes. She knew that. Sure. ...It's so small though where do you put the cassette tapes? Oh and there's an ear bud being crammed into her ear alright--]
Oh!
I've heard this... [Or something similar. ish.] This was what you were playing, ja?
Are you sure? [She really wants it though-- not to put her music on but so she can listen to what he likes and think of him.] What will you listen to?
no subject
[He pulls out his earbud and hands the mp3 player over to her.] I'm sure. I've got my own at home.
[And it's like way nicer than this one, honestly.]
no subject
...Danke.
no subject
Bitte. [He wraps an arm around her to squeeze her again, then leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek.] I'll come visit you soon, okay?