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Their first time joining together happened just after their wedding, officially marking Austria and Hungary as one.
They danced and twirled and did their best to make themselves seem like a god-blessed couple while silently thanking their lucky stars that their other subordinates were otherwise occupied. Austria wouldn't put it past the Czech to crash the wedding. He had been considerably irritable when he got to know this fact, demanding to know why only Hungary was allowed to stay on par with Austria.
Austria had no good answer for him.
He pushed the thoughts of the Czech out of his mind and instead focused back on the problem at hand.
After they left the party in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage and finally entered their quieter, calmer palace, Austria finally allowed himself to properly look at the fiery, determined woman who had managed to bring him to his knees.
He had been surprised at first, to learn that the famed Kingdom of Hungary was indeed ruled by a lady rather than a man. Oh, for battles, she disguised herself as a man too, but otherwise... From her perfect posture, one could never have assumed her to be such a skilled fighter, either.
For the second time that night, their lips crashed together in a battle for dominance, which Austria found himself losing. Hungary leaned even closer as his fingers tangled in her beautiful, soft locks.
And then it happened.
Something about them shifted fundamentally, and suddenly, it was not just Austria in his own head.
Looking down, one of his hands was red.
The other Hungary's green.
Something was hiding his eyes from view, though somehow, Austria could see perfectly, as if he were just wearing glasses instead.
Quickly turning toward a mirror, Austria-Hungary finally saw themselves.
...
And they stood, stunned, their uniform a beautiful, shining white, their eyes hidden beneath twin eye patches of their respective coats of arms, the bottom of their flag halved in the colours which differed between them.
They were stunning.
This is strange... Was all Hungary had to offer, though she seemed just as interested as Austria.
And then...
We still have to meet with Germany tonight-! Austria urged, attempting to pull back away from Hungary, to separate, only to receive nothing.
They were stuck, at least for now.
Oh no.
They would have to attend like this. Not Austria and his beautiful wife, but Austria-Hungary, an amalgamate of them both.
Hungary felt just as tense about it as Austria.
His steps measured, Austria-Hungary approached, finding it much easier to function once he let the two minds meld into one.
Into him.
As he lightly pushed the door open, the room's only other occupant looked up.
And then remained staring for an uncomfortable eternity.
German Empire's steel grey eyes assessed him critically, his expression unreadable as he slowly stood up, leisurely making his way toward the newly-formed nation. Never before had their friend looked so very intimidating, so very strong, beast-like, almost. German Empire reached out with his hand and unwillingly, Austria-Hungary winced, pulling back just a little, their eyes squeezing shut in an involuntary reaction.
One hand with its claws turned away traced a line up Austria-Hungary's cheek in a surprisingly tender gesture.
"You look beautiful." Germany finally crooned, and Austria-Hungary allowed himself to sink into the gentle touch even as Germany lead them both back toward the table and the dishes laid out in an opulent display. At once, their tension drained away, replaced by tired gratitude as German Empire decided not to question their spontaneous... existence.
"I wanted to congratulate you on the wedding again, in private." Germany began once they were both seated and the food had the opportunity to truly shine, its visage and aroma attempting to lure them into finally eating after the long day that they have had. But neither of them did so. "It is good to still have a strong ally who can present a united front alongside me." The dark country said, his eyes growing just a tiny bit unfocused for but a moment as Austria-Hungary sipped at their wine.
Expensive stuff. German Empire always knew what to get.
Austria-Hungary was doing his best to get used to this existence.
Most of the time, Hungary and Austria remained separate, but every once in a while, whenever they needed to present a united front to the public, they would morph together into Austria-Hungary once more.
German Empire had been the most surprising factor of this joint existence, however.
He had always had a preference for Austria, but now that they were together, he seemed even more intent on getting close. Something about it felt both flattering and suffocating at once. Austria-Hungary did not know what to think about that, especially considering that they were both male. That was unheard of in this day and age!
And yet.
He couldn't find it in himself to refuse his friend's advancements.
And in time, Austria-Hungary actually found himself returning most of these small gestures, though only behind close doors, of course. Their reputation was on the line should they be found out. Hungary began to think of it as an exciting new part of her day, favouring the necessity of sneaking around while Austria rather more enjoyed the gentle closeness he would receive. It had been a strange day when German Empire pulled them close, took their hands and kissed them softly, almost as if he were courting them both.
Austria-Hungary had had crimson cheeks for hours afterwards. It just felt so... forbidden, to have such things done by a man! And yet he couldn't find it in himself to pull away when they found themselves alone on the balcony of Britain's mansion, only the chilly night their witness. German Empire had pulled him close, then, strong arm winding around their shoulders as Austria-Hungary's hands braced themselves on the German's broad chest, entire face going warm. And German Empire leaned close, his other hand taking Austria-Hungary's chin between his thumb and pointer finger, gently tilting their head up, and for a short, sweet eternity, their lips joined together.
But just as quickly as it had begun, it also stopped, and German Empire pulled away once more, only giving Austria-Hungary a slight smile, his own cheeks blushing crimson.
When Austria-Hungary went to pull away, Germany let them till they stood side by side as if nothing had happened.
"...what now?" Austria-Hungary asked into the darkness, not looking up at his German ally.
"I suppose that depends entirely on you." Germany replied, his sentence, as always, short and to the point. "I have made my interest clear in the past few months. If you wish to continue, we will continue. If not..." His great shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "...then we stop while we're ahead."
Austria-Hungary needed to take a moment to think. German Empire waited patiently for him to compose their response.
"What if I don't want to stop?" He asked, finally looking at Germany, who had a small, cold smile playing on his lips.
"Then we go ahead." He said, and it sounded so very simple...
Austria-Hungary straightened one of their eyepatches, making sure their clothing was still immaculate. Only after that little ritual was done did he smile back just a little.
Having the good excuse of the cold being behind their reddened cheeks, they returned, Austria-Hungary dressed in white and trailing behind him a head taller German Empire framed by his great wings of raven, sinister in his black uniform.
If anyone suspected anything, they did not make it known.
And the days continued onward like that, with their little sin unknown, remaining a close-kept secret.
Austria-Hungary couldn't find it in himself to regret this. Not even with Bohemia being on the warpath and Serbia dissatisfied over something or the other.
What did it matter, when everything was so perfect? When Austria-Hungary finally found his happiness?
Especially when on some nights, German Empire would pull them close, press them against a wall, join their lips together and ensure that all Austria-Hungary could think of that night would be him. It was immoral, it was sinful, and yet.
It also felt so wonderful.
When Germany would sweep them off their feet, make love to them, his touches feather-light and so very gentle that it made Austria-Hungary's nerves light up with fire.
And he would hold onto German Empire's neck, tight, very tight, trying to keep himself under control, to remain quiet, lean close toward Germany and make sure he heard all the noises he could make.
And during the quieter days, when they would go for walks through Austria's many large gardens and hide away from servants to be able to grow bolder once more...
Austria-Hungary loved him, that much was becoming apparent. Both his parts started to love the man in their own ways, Hungary for the adventure of the entire thing, Austria for the warmth of growing close on a winter night, cuddled together underneath a blanket, or perhaps stargazing and kissing under the cloak of midnight.
And during meetings, they would send each other secret glances, when nobody else was looking.
Austria-Hungary had not understood the meaning of 'lovesick' before this moment.
It was true, they were sick with love, so very sick...
And yet at that moment, neither of them could care. Neither of them could care of the complaints from Austria's subordinates, or the growing tension in Europe.
For this moment was perfect, and nothing could ever ruin this.
Nothing could ever ruin this.
Nothing could ever ruin this.
Nothing could ever ruin this.
...
.......
...............
war.