Okay wait- two things I have to say
1. Chibi Austria reminds me of Italy.
2. When do you think that Austria started making the switch between Happy go lucky kid and started putting up the facade?
They are both sweet, kind-hearted, optimistic and bad at war ;v;
Baby <3
There isn't much content of Austria set between 976 AC (his canon birth year) and the 1500s, and honestly I can't recall if he made any minor appearance in that time gap that would prove my idea wrong.
But, I think he started putting up the façade in the 15th Century and especially around 1452, when the first Habsburg was elected emperor of HRE. Canonically, it is apparently stated that his change in behavior was caused by him suddenly being burdened with many duties, and Chibitalia shows him as a very overwhelmed teen with way too many responsibilities in the 1500s, so I believe that's what caused it. He probably started faking it in the 15th Century till he made it.
I believe, during his marriage with Spain, especially in the 1500s, the façade was still not perfect and he felt safe enough with Antonio to loosen it a bit and act more genuine sometimes, but in the decades leading to his divorce, as he started to sense instability, he reacted by perfecting his façade and give his genuine carefree self a lot less room.
I think nowadays he's more prone to let it go a bit in front of people he cares a lot about, because he is no longer burdened with all those responsibilities and he is pretty much at the same level as anyone else, Country-wise. He retained his neediness and feeling a bit entitled and spoiled from his most glorious years, but he's also relieved that he no longer has to act like he's above others, no longer has to feign superiority and desirability as survival tools. Now when he does it it's just because he wants attention and/or to be a bit of a bitch lol (like to profit off Germany's kindness, soldier complex and sense of guilt).
