11The happiest time of the year arrived once again. The streets were illuminated by the fallen frozen crystals from the sky and children, along with their families, sang jolly songs to spread the holiday atmosphere all around as they rang their bells. The streets were crowded by the people who were shopping and getting everything ready for Christmas. Some were running late getting presents but there were also many who finished doing that early this month. Even those who did not have to shop anymore came to the busy streets simply to experience the holiday spirit along with all the others before they were to be with their family only. The sound of carols and people wishing others a Merry Christmas, the smell of newly baked gingerbread and cakes, the sight of all the happy colours was welcoming for one and all and spread the Christmas spirit to the people both on the inside and the outside.
However, there was one in particular who was infamous of being stern all the time. No one ever saw a smile from him, and the way he was would never deserve a smile. The people, his people to be precise, and the foreign neightbours knew what a miser he was. His name was Roderich Edelstein, known as the personification of Austria. He was not much kinder before and after this time of year, but Christmas clearly showed his unkindness.
On his way home from his music office, he went through the merry streets. He did not look at anyone and his body language pushed away everybody on his way.
"Herr Austria?"
Austria kept on walking, pretending he did not hear the ones who called his name. The ones who called for him kept on doing that as Austria kept on ignoring them. One made a bold move by jumping in front of Austria, stopping him.
"Ja, what do you want?" Austria was clearly annoyed by being stopped.
Two men greeted him. The one who stopped him was a tall and skinny man and the other one was a small and chubby man. Those two were dressed classy, the tall and thin one was smoking a pipe and the little and chubby one held on to a clinking jar.
"We provide to the poor, sir. Care to give something so we can offer the poor a Merry Christmas?" The skinny asked as little chubby one raised the jar up in front of Austria.
Donators... Those pests were bothersome all year long! Instead of giving the poor money, the poor could work instead of pleading to others like stray dogs whining for food. Austria had no intention of helping anyone by giving away some of his money, he had seen and heard rumours of homeless people spending their undeserved earnings on drugs.
"Time is money, and I dont have any time for you or the poor" Austria said as he walked away, shrugging off the donators pleading and sad expressions.
"
"There you are, Austria!" Hungary exclaimed.
Hungary, her name Elizaveta Hedervary, was Austria`s wife. Normally a wife should not have to refer her husband so formally, but their relationship had been unsteady for a long time. There were no romance between the two of them, the marriage was all just for politics and their bosses arranged it for an alliance. In the beginning their marriage was alright, Hungary developed feelings for him. However, now she was not sure if she hated him for being the person he has become during all these years, or if she actually still loved him.
"What do you mean, Hungary? You know exacly where I have been, where else am I supposed to be?" Austria said.
"But Austria... Now that the politics are at rest for Christmas, do you really have to be working on your music profession?" Hungary asked as a sigh came afterwards.
"Why, of course I do. Now that I do not have to worry about politics, I can now focus and work hard on other things that matters" Austria looked around.
"Where is Italy?"
After Austria asked the question, quick steps were heard and they got louder and louder. When the steps was on its loudest, puffs were heard as well and when the sounds of steps stopped the maid, Italy, arrived next to Austria.
"Here I am, Austria sir" Italy said, completely out of breath.
"
Although Italy was a young man, he wore a typical maids uniform. Italy had been working as a maid for Austria ever since he was a young boy, aged 6. When Italy was that young it was no official employment, Austria did not want to be arrested for child labour and neither did he have the conscience of such during that time. Italy wanted to earn a little pocket money, so he asked if Austria would be kind to let him do a little in return for a bit payment. Before Austria could come up with the decision all on his own, Hungary said he should let this little cutie work by doing simple tasks and come to the mansion sometimes. Austria agreed. He thought it was a good idea to let the child work a little so he could learn how it was like being an adult working for payment. Italy did small jobs such as removing weeds, doing dishes, taking out the garbage and so on. Hungary insisted on Italy wearing a maids uniform since it would make him look even cuter. Italy had no problem wearing a maid uniform and he was shown to be a hard worker which pleased Austria.
As the years passed by Italy got more work he could do as he grew up. Austria and Hungary then found out Italy was a boy when he hit puberty as his voice cracked into a deeper tone while he was singing while working. Hungary thought it was an intruder and almost hit Italy when she hid in a corner. After the shock of learning Italy`s true gender, Austria wanted Italy to quit wearing the maid uniform. Hungary managed to convince Austria into let Italy keep wearing the maid uniform and she was willing to buy new uniforms as Italy grew bigger.
Austria could not remember how Hungary managed to convince him back then, but he got used to it and started to like it when he became more selfish and thought it was a perfect attire for "a desperate worker". Italy officially became their maid when he grew up to the legal age. It got worse for Italy then as he worked almost all day, earning a small amout of money. Hungary had told Austria tremendous times how awful he had turned towards poor Italy, but her convincing did not work anymore. Austria turned into the infamous miser.
"
"Why are you so filthy, Italy? Don`t you dare get any spots on my coat!" Austria said as Italy took the coat of him.
"I was cleaning the fireplace, sir. I thought it would be important to see if there was something blocking the pipe and clean it so Santa Claus wouldn`t get dirty."
Austria snorted.
"Santa Claus? You are not a child, Italy! There is no thing such as Santa Claus, and Christmas is all just humbug!" Austria yelled at him.
Italy got teary eyed. That was a rare sight to see, one barely ever saw Italy`s eyes. Italy was usually looking down either because he was concentrated on his work, looking at an item, or at what and where he was cleaning. And also he was a naturally shy young man who did not want to look into someones eyes, especially not into Austria`s. Now Italy had his golden-brown eyes looking at Austria with sadness.
"Don`t just stand there moping, Italy! Go and do proper work!" Austria yelled at Italy again.
"Yes, sir" Italy made a sob and turned around, slowly on his way to now do "proper work".
Hungary looked at Austria with eyes that could be set on fire any moment. Austria shuddered even though his back was turned to Hungary. He did not even need to see her to know she was giving him such a glare.
"How can you talk to Italy like that ?!" Hungary yelled to Austria.
"Italy is a grown up, Hungary. He should not be so naive about such things, his only task here is to work" Austria said and turned around.
The flare in Hungary`s eyes were extinguished as Austria looked at her indifferently. Hungary mirrored Austria`s look.
"Have it your way, Austria. I don`t want to see you anymore tonight, neither do I want to talk to you" Hungary said in a cool tone and walked away.
"
Hungary stepped in to the living room to check on Italy. Italy was sweeping the floor with a devestated expression on his face. Hungary could tell he was on the verge of crying, but he did not. It reminded her of a drop from the faucet being near to drip out, but was stuck on its place. Hungary embraced Italy from behind.
"I am so sorry, Italy... Are you alright?" Hungary asked, now with her cool façade being completely replaced with sadness.
"I`ll be fine... Nothing can break my beliefs, not even Herr Austria"
Hungary let go of Italy as he was seaching in one of his pockets. He took out a piece of paper he unfolded and the paper increased its lenght.
"This is the list of what I want for Christmas. It is selfish to want things, I know. I believe and hope Santa Claus will give me at least one of these things. I know I won`t get any of this from my family and I can`t buy gifts for myself since I won`t get it in surprise and I must use the little I earn for my family..." Italy looked down on the floor.
"Oh, Italy..." Hungary said.
Italy turned his look from the floor to Hungary, smiling as cheerfully as he could. The smile was there, but it was clearly not a genuine one.
"What do you wish for Christmas, Lady Hungary?" Italy asked.
Hungary also put on a fake, cheerful smile.
" My home will not have Christmas decorations, nor Christmas tree with presents under it, nor glitter or lively colours, nor gingerbread and Austria will not play any Christmas songs for us to sing together... I wish I could get it all this year and every Christmas in the future... But I will not get it, and i won`t get him back..." Hungary lost her fake smile completely and the true sad expression came.
"That is a wonderful wish, I would love to give it all to you if I could" Italy said.
Hungary petted Italy`s cheek.
"You are so wonderful, Italy. Even with all this, you are still so kind" Hungary said.
"
Austria listened to the whole conversation in the hallway where he was still standing. He frowned.
"All this whining for this insignificant holiday... Bah, humbug!"
