hetaliasunshine | [Fic Fill] Your Smile has no Price (Reply)

TITLE: Your Smile has no Price
AUTHOR/ARTIST:

isakana
RECIPIENT:

pyrrhiccomedy
CHARACTERS/PAIRINGS: slight Austria/Hungary
RATING: PG-13, to be safe.
NOTES: I think I paled when I read

pyrrhiccomedy's fill, because... it was really good. I just hope this is good enough as well as sunshine-y, and I hope you all enjoy it! And

tanya_tsuki betaed this for me, which I am eternally grateful for. It would be very much worse if she hadn't!
It's also quite long, so...
Another thing is that while I did some research into certain things, this is likely to historically fail. Sorry!
SUMMARY: Austria buys small presents for his servants for Christmas, but this year, he wants to get something special for Hungary - but has no idea as to what to get, or even what she wants.

~~~

Snow lay thick on the cobbles in Vienna, toughening the journey of those who decided to brave it, and the erratic gusts of wind occasionally blew lumps of ice off the roofs. Despite the weather, a figure trudged through the unforgiving white layer, wrapped in a deep blue coat and gazing over a woollen cream scarf, deep in thought. It was not uncommon to see Austria as such, often thinking about a composer's latest work or another composition, but his current thoughts wove a new and largely unknown yarn; presents.

But it wasn’t everyone’s presents that he was having trouble with, just one person’s.

He'd already thought of his gifts to the other servants – it was not hard, as he had fallen into a routine years ago.

Martha was going to receive some hand made cookies and a book of fairytales, both to take back to her family: besides, material gifts weren't necessary for him to let her know her presence and help were the most valued in the house.

Little Italy was to receive a packet of pasta and a lease to the kitchen to be allowed to cook it. Austria felt this would be gratefully welcomed by the Italian, as she had greatly missed her local food.

Holy Roman Empire was to be given a high quality sword, to help him in his seemingly frequent battles. And maybe Austria could arrange some lessons for him too.

As for the other workers, they were to find a woollen scarf, socks or gloves, (depending on what he’d heard them complain about most) to help them through cold winter nights. Cold servants never worked quite as well as warm, happy ones.

Austria had also already realized that the practise of giving anything to servants on Christmas other than a rest day to spend with families was odd. He understood that this would put himself out, both financially and emotionally - his household wasn't known for being for being frugal with numbers of servants – but knew it was in his best interest to keep them happy, for leaders needed to be both well-liked and respected. He relied on them enough during the year that a little kindness went a long way, especially in this season. Most of them had worked in his house long enough to know he was not going soft, but merely thanking them for their work.

His dilemma did not lie in the usual presents to his people. In fact, he'd spent very little time on their presents. The problem arose when it came to buying something for the timid brunette, the one closest to him in many ways, Hungary. It was slightly strange how he'd already spent days thinking about her present and yet only a few moments for everyone else. She was the one he most wanted to impress. And not even for diplomatic reasons.

No, the reason he wanted to please her was, pathetically, for her smile.

It had all started during her birthday – having noted her affection with torturing a certain albino, he decided that maybe a weapon for that singular use was needed. Plus, he was fed up with his frying pans and saucepans coming back to him with sizable dents in them, making them distinctly less usable. It hadn't started out as being a present to her, but as a way to save his pots and pans; while hitting Prussia was an admirable and agreeable task, his frying pan deserved better.

So he had trotted down to the nearest blacksmiths and requested one. Of course, not a normal frying pan, but an extra hard one; maybe Hungary would hit the Prussian hard enough to give him concussion so he would forget they existed and would therefore stop bothering them. He could at least hope.

When he’d brought it home and given it to her, offhandedly telling her to use that instead of his frying pans, he’d been rewarded with a small blush and a heart-melting smile. After stuttering a completely dignified response, he had rushed off to calm his own racing heart, and was annoyed at himself for his actions until he remembered that smile, and how it had felt to receive it.

It was similar to a warm glow in his chest, like whenever he played a new piece, and got it right; the way it rolled off his fingers felt perfect, and the whole day would be spent smiling. It was easy to tell when it was one of those days, because even Prussia could not bring him down. Like then, a smile had made its way onto his face and stuck there, no matter how much he tried to remove it.

The people he walked past all smiled knowingly, and had asked which composition he’d mastered, only to receive a confused look as he said that he hadn’t played anything that day.

That was June, this was December. All the time in between had been, at every turn, spent trying to make her smile. He tried to contain any angry citizens so she didn’t see them and become troubled. He even attempted to work a little of her national cuisine into their meals. Occasionally she would smile, but it never reached her eyes, and never made him feel the same way as that June. But he tackled it as he would a battle, or a cake – skilfully and carefully, but determined all the same. Christmas was a perfect chance for him, and Austria was not about to let it fall through his slender fingers. He would get her that gift, the one that she had always wanted, the one she didn’t even know she wanted until she received it, and then she’d have no choice but to smile at him. He felt warmer already, just thinking about it.

The only problem then, was the present itself. A question mark still loomed ominously over this mystery gift, the shape even a black fuzz in his mind.

He had already wondered past several stores, scouring them for something suitable, and he could tell it was getting near closing time for those still open.

He knew he didn’t want to get her chocolate or anything edible, since it wouldn’t last. As a nation, really, if anything was to make an impact, it had to last more than several years. Equally, something that would break wouldn’t be suitable either…

Snapping out of his thoughts, Austria realised that he’d sauntered into a dead-end, and was about to turn around when he saw lights blinking through light snow. Cautiously making his way towards it, he found it was a small family-run jewellery shop – perfect for a girl! Hungary would have to love it. But somehow, she didn’t seem like she would want something too feminine, like a flowery necklace or a pointless bracelet.

Knowing this, the brunet passed quickly over that section and found a more practical section – rings and hair things. Rings, he thought, may make a good present, however Hungary never liked displaying her political marriage to Austria. So, despite how nice they were, he passed over them, to see-

The perfect thing.

It wasn’t the prettiest thing in the shop, nor the most expensive. It was a hair clip, it appeared, to hold hair in a certain position. He noted that if, for some reason, he should need to hide his flick of hair, this would be ideal to not draw attention to it. Maybe if Prussia got even more like a stalker. He made a mental note to get one in January, when prices were cheaper.

But this one had a small flower on it, and when he looked closer, it was a very light pink that shone sheens of different colours on different lights. In the centre of the flower was a tiny gem, a polished rose quartz that made it stand out. As he picked it up, it sparkled slightly, reflecting the light in a soft rose tone – beautiful. It seemed it had a partner, which was exactly the same but in a light green. He half expected the green and pink to clash, but they seemed to compliment each other here, each giving a unique shine that went perfectly with the other.

He knew immediately that this was the thing he’d spent several days thinking about, and if he were to admit it – a sleepless night. Of course, Austria wouldn’t say that. He’d blamed it on the cold.

As the shop keeper began to mutter something about annoying customers coming in a few minutes before closing time, he produced the money for the hair clips, plus some extra for a suitable wrapping and ribbon. (Pink and green, since it seemed today those colours were in unison – married almost. Not that Austria compared himself to colours of course. Maybe Hungary was having more of an effect on him than he thought…)

Walking home, the snow seemed to not be cold, almost as if the warm glow in his chest had alleviated all the coldness in the air. He smiled uncontrollably, not even grimacing when a stray snowball hit him in the face. The party concerned wore a shocked expression, merging with fear as he began to apologise, until Austria merely smiled at them and continued on. The brunet wasn’t even quite aware that he was humming anything, until he got to the doorstep to hear the familiar tune of Canon in D Minor. Ah, the tune he was going to play tomorrow. He knew it by heart now, but never tired of it, as pleasant and simple as it was.

“Austria! Where have you been – we were worried!” Martha had opened the door before he had even knocked, creating a situation where his hand, poised to knock, remained in mid air. He quickly dropped it.

“I said I was going out to do some shopping. There was no need to get worried, I would have been fine. Thank you for your concern.” He stepped into the small mansion, Martha closing the door after him.

“Miss Hungary was worried that maybe… maybe Prussia or some other undesirable had caught you… I tried to calm her, but to no avail…” The woman murmured, almost to herself.

“While I appreciate her concern, it will not be necess- H-Hungary. Good evening…”

“Austria! …Sir.” She caught her mistake before it become impolite. “Where have you been? The snow was getting deeper; I thought you may have been stranded…” Or lost, silently added by all three.

“Ah, no, I had to take care of a few things. Thank you for your concern, but I was neither stranded nor confronted by anyone.” Under his breath, he cursed himself for his sharp tone – how was that supposed to make her smile? Scurrying away, he decided that this needed to change, preferably before tomorrow.

------

Austria had been in bed. It was late, but he’d been unable to sleep, questions flying through his mind; what if she didn’t like it? What if he’d broken it? What if-

To calm himself down, he decided to use the time for some extra practice for a few concerts he was to hold over the next week, anonymously, just so his citizens could relax and enjoy their time off. Music would flow over the streets in Vienna, warming the hearts of everyone, despite the cold and the snow. Delicate fingers trailed lightly over the milky white keys in front of him, as they would during the concerts. He didn’t even need to think about what he was playing anymore, it simply came.

However, he stopped, knowing that piano was not the area he needed to practise in. Despite his expertise in all areas of music, the violin was the instrument he found hardest to play and improvise on, so he took one to begin his practice.

He closed his eyes, concentrating, and slid the bow lightly across the strings, rewarded with a quiet hum. Beginning with his scales, he moved from them to simple tunes, building up layers in his mind, not noticing when Hungary tiptoed in and sat on a stool behind him, watching Austria try his best to make a fickle instrument sound warming and fulfilling. She was mesmerized, having only seen him play the keys she currently sat in front of.

Only acknowledging her with a small flick of his head, when she accidently pressed a piano key after leaning on it, yawning, he continued to play, almost falling asleep on his feet, unconsciously moving onto lullabies until he realised Hungary had fallen asleep, and if he didn’t put the violin down now, he would, too, breaking the carefully carved instrument.

Laying it gently back in its case, he picked up Hungary as he had seen other people do so, mostly at weddings – he presumed so that the dress didn’t fall on the floor – while trying not to look at her too much. This close, with a relaxed face, she looked beautiful – even more so than normal. It made his stomach churn in a not-quite-unpleasant way, but he set his gaze on the carpet in front of him to keep himself from looking at her too closely. As a proud person with plenty of reputation to uphold, wandering eyes would be unacceptable. It didn’t stop a dusting of red resting on his cheeks though.

------

Austria reluctantly opened his amethyst eyes, dragged down with sleep and wishes to remain in this luxurious, warm bed. After all, it was improper to remain in bed for long after having awoken.

Before he could begin asking himself all the questions he knew he couldn’t answer, he rolled out from under the blanket, and began to go about his daily chores – after all, presents were to be handed out this evening, after supper.

However, he would be letting most servants leave after lunch, which would be a fairly grand meal, for all to enjoy. The only day when the whole household ate together – even for all the bad manners of the servants, he enjoyed seeing everyone in one room having a good time, in anticipation for any presents they were going to receive, big or small, and their time off the next day.

After lunch, a somewhat traditional affair, with carp and other normalities of Austrian Christmas Eve meals, most people went. With anxiety coursing through his veins, he gathered everyone left in the dining room. Of course, being master of the household, he had to graciously accept his gifts first, all of which he was thankful for, even if they were a little inconsequential. Little Italy was extremely pleased with her present, as was Holy Roman Empire; both giving him a hug, Italy more enthusiastically than the small German, but both with the same appreciation.

Austria had kept his anxiety under control for the whole day, but he couldn’t keep calm when Hungary set her large emerald eyes on him, and he was unable to resist any longer.

“Yes, Hungary… I did get you a small present. I’m not sure if you’ll like it too much, but… have it anyway.” As she tilted her head in surprise, a smile making its way onto her face, he forced himself to look away while giving her the small package, so she couldn’t see the light blush on his cheeks.

“Really? Thank you Austria!” Grinning even more as she took it, the drop in formality suddenly didn’t matter at all – he discreetly watched her as she opened it, wondering whether the wrapping was too fancy.

He failed in looking stoic as she hugged him, that same heart-warming smile back on her face from her birthday.

“Thank you very much! It’s really pretty! It wasn’t too expensive was it-“ Her smile faltered a little as her face scrunched up in confusion, “What is it? Does it keep my hat in place?” Her hat? Oh, she didn’t have a clue what it was meant to do! Austria raised a hand to his mouth to try and prevent his laughter from offending her – quite unsuccessfully. He was soon in an uncontrollably undignified fit of laughter, while getting very amused and confused looks from everyone else in the room.

When he finally managed to stop himself and bring himself back to his senses, he coughed before explaining the hair grip concept to Hungary.

“Well, you see, I have noticed that sometimes, your hair gets a little… unwieldy. You use them to pin you hair back, like this:” He took a pin out of her hand, and brushed a lock of hair away from her face, then secured it with the pin. For security, he used the other one to work in sync with the first, creating an added element of beauty and sophistication to her face. As he predicted, she looked beautiful with it.

Only then did he notice how close they had become, and stepped away to allow her breathing space – no matter how reluctantly.

She scampered out into the hall to a mirror, where she closely checked the positioning. But before Hungary could return to the room, the Austrian had sauntered out, keeping her where she stood.

“Do you like them?” She nodded, profusely, followed by a curtsy, to fully show her thanks.

“And… Hungary? I’m… well, you saw me practising last night, and I wondered… whether you wanted to come to one of the concerts I will be holding…?” For a moment, there was silence, and when Austria finally picked up enough courage to look at her, she wore a wide smile and eyes to match.

“That would be very nice! Thank you very much! I’ll wear these, too!” With her look of utmost happiness, his heart felt like it had melted, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Her smile was truly the best present he could think of.