Author's Notes and Disclaimer:

This is a follow-up to the other Hetalia/1983: Doomsday crossover tales (the first part of two), which take place in a world after a nuclear apocalypse erupted in the 1980s (so far, through Austria's perspective). This one in particular takes place 16 years after A New Meeting for Old Rivals and not too long after A Symphony for a New World, as life is going back to some semblance of normality even though things will never be back to what they were before the world almost ended. This is also where, as the story progresses, the reader gets to find out whether Austria really is imagining all this. As for pairings, there are strong hints pointing to AustriaxHungary and SwirtzerlandxLiechtenstein (though there might be small hints of AustriaxSwitzerland), with possible references to Prussia and West Germany down the line. If there are any warnings, it could be implied character death and certain references to the previous fics.

As an aid, the Alpine Confederation is once more the union of Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (the capital being at Vaduz), though with additional member territories around them. Sopron is a reference to both the real life Hungarian border city (which also used to be Austrian as well under the name Ödenburg) and the Survivor-Nation now living in Austria's protection. While the "uncle" line from Liechtenstein refers to her historic relationship to the Austro-Hungarian household before World War I.

As for some of the translations:

Bitte- Please (German)
Szerelem- Love (Hungarian)

Also, apologies for making some belated last-minute polishing. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

That said, I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did making this.

I don't own Axis Powers Hetalia or 1983: Doomsday. All rights belong to their respective owners.

One Unexpected Day

Or, A 1983 Doomsday Tale through a Nation's Eyes

Somewhere near Vaduz. 2010.

The hillside garden that formed part of Liechtenstein's house may have been overgrown at points, many shrubs, wildflowers and edelweiss sprouting where they shouldn't be. But overlooking the still picturesque Swiss Alps, it was tempting to act as though what happened in 1983 was nothing more than a dream. Nonetheless, for Austria and the Alpine siblings, it was quiet and secluded enough for a nice picnic. And a good opportunity to let Julia have some recreation, the Nation thought as he tried to share Switzerland some of his strudel. Even now, it seemed as though Vash always needed a gun around his person at all times, which coupled with his brash personality captured the average Swiss mindset almost perfectly.

Sighing, the aristocrat turned his attention towards Lilli, with the embodiment of Sopron just behind her as they made their way back from what looked like an enjoyable stroll, if their smiles meant anything. The Nation had to consciously remind himself that the Alpine girl's pure and innocent facade, right down to her simple laced dress, betrayed the fact that as the heart of the Alpine Confederation, she had grown both stronger and physically older, appearing more womanly than adolescent. And though he sincerely considered them family, it also unnerved him somewhat seeing how the Principality's hands kept returning to hold her belly all too tenderly while looking at her brother in a very un-sibling like manner. Do you two really have to make your bonds literal?

Fortunately, whatever discomfort Austria had faded away when Julia suddenly came over and caught him in a playful embrace. After managing something of a warm smile, he got up and gently patted her head. "Did you enjoy playing with your aunt?"

"Yes, Mr. Ausztria!" the young girl in an old but colorful spring dress replied enthusiastically. "Who knew hide and seek can be so fun?" There seemed to be was a wide-eyed energetic glow about her, which seemed to give everyone hope for a promising future that, with Doomsday itself sliding further into history, was once again possible. Yet it also emphasized the long hair, eye color and lively determination of her late mother, as well as the fragile elegant frame more characteristic of Austria himself. Then again it shouldn't have been surprising, given how her titular city was also known as Ödenburg back when it was still at the crossroads of the two Nations.

If only you could see her now, Elizaveta. A sharp jolt hit the Nation, only to remember how it had only been a few months since he first met the child in that frontier cottage, wearing little more than second-hand rags unfitting for someone like her. How he tried his best to explain Sopron's heritage without smothering her with Hungary's. How he sought to raise her as his own daughter to the best of his ability, yet stopping short of having her call him "Father" or "Papa." How the Alpine siblings willingly welcomed her into the family not too long ago during a trip around the Confederation. Even if they thought my story was mad...

"That's...glad to hear, Fraulein," he finally managed to voice out with a smile.

The girl grinned in return, only for her face to suddenly frown, as though in deep thought. "Ah...I almost forgot!" she exclaimed. "There was this wonderful dream last night. I was on this wide plain full of horses. Mama was there! She said that God's willing to let her be our guardian angel. And...and..."

"Um...Julia?" Roderich found it harder to control himself, yet also anxious to have his young watch finish. "Bitte, go on." If there was excitement, anticipation or any interest present in his voice, it was barely noticeable.

"Mama's coming over to visit us!" Sopron said beaming. "And she'll be able to see us more often from now on! Oh, I can't wait to see her!"

An awkward silence suddenly seemed to fall in the garden, the other Nations forcing themselves to act normal. Austria, shocked as he already was, watched with mounting though restrained concern as Liechtenstein whispered something to her brother's ear, all the while the young child was distracted by the pastries still on the mat.

"Can we have a walk with you?" he heard Switzerland mutter almost silently, though with clear irritation. "Right now?"

-o-

"Is there something you're not telling us?" the paranoid Swiss blond asked pointedly when they were far enough to talk safely, his face twitching in frustration. "Because I strongly doubt that little girl knows anything about dead Nations and what have you. Does this have anything to do with your suicidal plans to resettle the Hungarian wastes?"

"Nein," Austria sighed, shaking his head ever so slightly as he shrugged off the implied insult. "I had nothing to do with that strange outburst. But surely, Julia deserves more than the pitiful scraps along the border. It's been almost 30 years. The situation must be safe enough to..."

"In case you haven't heard, Romano's Mafia goons are more of a priority than some irradiated death wish!" Switzerland snapped. "Besides, there was nothing that could have been done, then and now! Whichever way you put it, Hungary was already dead the moment those bombs went airborne! And if you were already divorced with that perverted Commie..."

"What bruder wants to point out," Liechtenstein interrupted softly yet carefully as she tried to calm the other sibling down. "Is that as much as it pains us to lose those we love, we should never get too involved. We survived Doomsday not only because of neutrality but also due to this fact of life: for in the end, we only have ourselves to look after." She was clearly struggling to hold back something else by then, as though remembering her days with the Austro-Hungarian household. "And that...her mother will never come back. The Empire's gone, Uncle. Sopron would learn those eventually. Even for her sake, this charade has to stop!"

She's only a child... Austria forced himself to exert almost every means of self-control he had to keep himself from breaking down. The Nation was certain of what he saw that night in the cottage. What he experienced. What we promised...and it is completely insane to believe it. And yet...none of this is normal. All he could let the Alpines see was a measured nod and biting of his lips. Finally, he managed to take a deep breath and a fake look of relief. "I guess Julia must be waiting. Shall we discuss this later?"

The Alpine siblings nodded silently before they all started to make their way back, Switzerland trying to give the aristocrat a concerned though painful pat on the shoulder. "There's a therapist in Zurich that I'd strongly recommend. Though honestly Roderich, you should have abandoned her when..."

All of a sudden, they heard what sounded like Sopron shouting. As they rushed in however, they found themselves staring as the young girl embraced an unnervingly familiar lady in an old, yet oddly pristine military uniform that seemed to radiate something too otherworldly to be alive. Then the figure looked up at them. There was a warm, playful yet inviting look on her face, a flower fitting snugly in her hair. For the siblings, it seemed as though they had seen a ghost. Yet for Austria, he knew exactly who she was especially as she gently bought the speechless Nation forward.

"Mein Gott. You..."

"Told you it's not the end, Szerelem," Hungary murmured with a wink before turning towards the other Alpines with a smile. "And my sincerest apologies for not telling you sooner."