Chapter Text
It wasn't often that Austria travelled to Italy. Of course this 'vacation' was for business travel in which the nations held their monthly world meeting in Rome. Althought, to be expected, not much progress was made. The meeting fortunately was rather quick. It was a bit odd when a nervous staff intern entered the conference room after it already had concluded. They looked very stressed and seemingly didn't want to be there. So when they found the Austrian man sitting at the round table, they rushed towards him and slammed a letter in front of him yelping a quick 'sorry' then excusing themselves rapidly. Austria didn't even having the chance to say anything before the mortal bolted out of the room.
Austria grabbed the envelope that was aggressively smashed on the table and flipped it to see if it had any more details. His eyes widened, a little shocked to see who the sender was.
From The Swiss Confederation
Addressed to Roderich Edelstein
'Does Switzerland know this was sent to me?
Please open within the vicinity of Basch Zwingili
'Apparently not...'
Austria never sought out Switzerland for anything anymore. Their conversations always turned south no matter how hard Austria tried to remain civil. Judging by how The Swiss Confederation, also known as Switzerland's boss, reached out to him personally, he would make the guess that the blond also had no idea what this was about.
'Well might as well get this over with' he thought and rose from his seat. Switzerland couldn't of left already. Sure, he was the fastest and most agile nation in the room, but given how nuisances like France and America were part of the meeting he surely was held back by one of them against of his own volitions.
After exiting the conference room, low and behold, there he was... with France of all people. It looked like France was slouching over Switzerland and pestering him, typical. Normally, the Austrian wouldn't interfere with the Frenchmen's weird obsession in harassing smaller nations, but today he needed to speak to Switzerland; and he presumed Switzerland alone.
Switzerland and France's relationship was a bit odd. It was clear as day to anyone that Switzerland was still a stubborn shut-in towards everyone (but Liechtenstein), but somehow France held a special spot in the mercenary's heart. Surprisingly, the Swiss never held much of a grudge against the Frenchman for claiming party of his territory back in the day - so much so they even shared, and still do share, the same language. Not that Austria was particularly jealous or anything, Switzerland also spoke German, it's just something he found it odd. France of all people? He wondered if anyone else had that effect as well, or if it was just him.
"Ah, voilà Autriche. How rare of you to join us, ça vas?" France spoke flamboyantly, like he usually did.
Switzerland's face soured and he groaned, shoving off the clingly man from his body.
"Yes, I'm fine France. I would like to speak with Switzerland, alone." as soon as he said that, his face cringed as he knew he shouldn't of.
'Ah here we go...' he gritted his teeth preparing for whatever teasing would come their way.
"Alone? But of couse. Have you two finally reconciled and become des amoureux?"
Austria had no idea what France just called him, but judging by Switzerland red face and by the nature of it being France, it was probably some kind of inapropriate comment.
"Ah uh, non? I just received a letter and it was send by The Swiss Confederation. I just wanted to know if he knew about it." Austria pulled out the envelope from his work binder.
Switzerland's face turned from a slight blush to a confused expression, indicating 'yup, he definitely had no idea'.
"Judging by your expression Switzerland, you have also no idea." Austria sighed for the probably millionth time today. "It was addressed to me specifically so I-"
Switzerland pasted over to Austria's side and grabbed the closed envelope from the brunet's hands. His expression turned even more confused. What could Switzerland's boss want with Austria, and why doesn't he know what it's about.
"France, leave!" Switzerland snarled, it almost making Austria jump.
"Hon hon, ou là là, it's a private affair. Maybe your boss is interested in Autriche, non?"
"Va te faire foutre France!" Switzerland hissed. Yet again, something the Austrian couldn't understand, but he guessed by the tone and dejected reaction of the taller blond that it wasn't anything particularly nice. France raised his hands in defense and walked away whistling.
Switzerland turned to Austria, face still a little flushed.
"What is this about?" The Swiss biterly asked.
"I came asking you. It's from your boss after all." Austria replied, still trying to keep a calm facade.
The short Swiss angrily walked away from Austria, letter still in hand. His fingers glued to forehead as if he was deep in thought.
Somehow, it kind of bothered the Austrian. The letter was addressed to him, was it not? Sure, Switzerland was requested to be present when he read the letter, but still.
Austria walked up to Switzerland and snatched the letter out of his hand. Before the Swiss could speak, Austria interrupted.
"I do not mean to be rude, although it's to you so I couldn't really care less, but this letter is addressed to me. Even if your name is written on it and it's sent by your boss, it's still mine."
"Whatever, just open it then." Switzerland grumbled.
Rolling his eyes, Austria proceeded to delicately open the letter. He was clearly trying to not tear the paper which annoyed the blond as a verbal sigh of impatience was heard.
Dear Mister Roderich Edelstein
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation between both our nations.
Austria heard Switzerland mumble something in the line of 'my ass' Nevertheless, he carried on.
We are delivering this short message to announce that a temporary partnership between The Republic of Austria and The Swiss Confederation will need to take place shortly.
When available, please inform us of a scheduled visit. We will conduct a formal reunion at the International Assembly Hall outside of Zurich.
Apologies for the short notice, but we hope that this alliance will allow both parties and citizens to prosper.
Signed,
The Swiss Confederation's International Diplomacy and Treaty Chief.
...
...
...
No matter how many times he reread the letter, he simply couldn't believe it. An undefinite temporary partnership?!? Like a marriage?? Of course it was written in more refined and bureaucratic language, but still Austria couldn't comprehend it. Him and Switzerland? To top it all of, the idea was proposed by the Swiss' side?!? The same people who always stated to be neutral and independent for centuries? Now suddenly having a partnership? In this day and age? This was absolutely unheard of. Austria shuddered just thinking of how the other nations would take this groundbreaking news.
Switzerland, on the other hand, looked like he just forgot how to read German. There was a faded pink hue on his cheeks, but surprisingly he hadn't shouted in retaliation... yet. It was almost as if he was frozen in place. Then suddenly, his eyes were rereading the contents of the letter frantically.
"Well, this is rather unexpected. What are your thoughts on the matter?" Austria posed rather calmy despite having discovered such radical news.
"O-of course not! There's no way I would marry a jerk like you!" the shorter jabbed, like a fuse had just exploded.
"Likewise, that makes two of us." Austria exhaled. "Still, why wouldn't they tell us in person, rather than send us the message through post??" As soon as the aristocrat said that he realized he knew the answer... sort of. The Swiss' boss probably decided to send them a letter rather than personally confronting them... for safety reasons... Everyone knew Switzerland was feisty and carried a handheld with him at all times. It would be a bad look if the he actually murdered a mortal in broad daylight.
'Another reason why I refuse to marry that unruly excuse of a man' Austria thought to himself.
"It's not like we have the power to refuse right now, so we might as well get it over with. It will last what? A few centuries? Decades? If we're lucky, not even 5 years." the Austrian huffed.
"W-what! I should've known you would be compliant with this. You just solve all your problems by marriage regardless if you're the one benefiting from it or not!" the shorter barked.
"And look where I am now. I live a lavish lifestyle and can afford things as I please. I think I have a rather healthy and social life whereas you refuse to cooperate with anyone unless you get any financial benefits." the aristocrat retorted.
"Ha! Healthy?! You can't even walk a bit without being out of breath! You're so reliant on people like Germany and Hungary to save you from whatever problems you have. Have you ever considered being a bit more independent?!" Switzerland spat.
"You haven't changed at all Switzerland. Having something so trivial bother you. I may be heavily reliant on others, but at least I don't have anger issues and shoot anyone who crosses my land." Austria continued.
"Honestly, I would like to know what was going through your bosses' mind when they came up with the conclusion that we needed to form a partnership. If it's financial trouble, surely Liechtenstein would be the prefer-"
Before Austria could finish, Switzerland immediately shot down that solution.
"She's my younger sister! Of course I wouldn't marry her. And anyway, I'm her older brother, it would look bad if I suddenly asked her for financial aid!"
'Oh, so now you care what other people think of you.' Austria snarked in his head.
"Anyway, we have to speak to them in person. I can't see any reasonable conclusion as to why, after so long, they would want us in a partnership, but there must be a valid reason." the brunet sighed in defeat.
Despite 'giving up' so easily, Austria still couldn't understand why they would need to form a partnership. Both he and Switzerland have been a independant nations for decades now. What possibly could be the reason for a marriage now?
"I will be in Zurich this week performing for a wedding, I'll have to drop by your house to discuss this further." Austria nonchalantly announced.
"Hey! You can't invite yourself over you jerk!" Switzerland barked.
"I'm not, you're boss did. They're the ones who want us to get married. It would be nice if you could act at least civilized to your future husband. It'll make it much easier for both of us."
"W-wha, husband!" Switzerland's cheeks flushed.
"Now then, I would like to return to my accommodation as soon as possible, so I can compose a song to display my utter disgust at this revelation that has unfolded. Please excuse me."
Without even looking back, Austria pasted away from the shorter nation leaving Switzerland speechless.
'What the hell? Marriage? And with Austria of all people!?!'
Still in a state of shock and pensivness, Switzerland couldn't help but to to punch the poor corridor wall. A small 'eep' was heard and the mercenary noticed a silhouette of a certain Frenchman in the distance. Without hesitation, he took out his handgun and fired a warning shot, purposefully missing of course. Clearly, he didn't care much for Itay's wall.
"How long have you been eavesdropping?!"
"Non, pas du tout! I wasn't eavesdropping. Just watching to see if anything scandalous would happen.
'Okay, so stalking then... isn't any better' the Swiss man rolled his eyes.
"Ah, but alas, you and Autriche never seem to get along."
Switzerland face soured thinking about his and Austria's messy relationship. He ended up mumbling some incomprehensible jibberish.
"N'inquitez pas, if you need advice in the fields more intimate. Your grand frère France will always be there to help you." the taller purred
"You are not my brother! And as if I would take advice from you!" the Swiss snarled.
"Non, mais je suis sérieux. If you need advice of charming a fellow man, you will let me know? Autriche is a very elegant man you see. He needs someone who can take care of him and is gentle in lovemaking. I can teach you all the important things on handling a delicate virgin... Oh? but, now that I think of it, he is most certainly not a virgin, on the other hand y-"
"Ta guele!" the shorter nation flusteredly shouted and stormed off leaving the Frenchman snicker in his own fantasies.