Bruder of Mine Ch. 4

Setting the kettle over the fire, Germania looked over at the arrogant nation sitting down. He was smiling, while he looked around the room. Sighing, Willahelm walked back over to the table, pulled a chair out, and sat down. Nothing was said between the two, and when it stayed quiet for a couple more moments, Germania got frustrated and threw his fists down on the table.

"What? What was the point of your visit Rome? To annoy me, or simply to waste my time. It has been a long day…and I don't feel like catching up!" He gritted his teeth, and then a surprised Rome laughed nervously.

"Will…come on, I thought you and I had a connection last time we got together?"

Germania slouched in his seat, not entirely hearing everything that Rome had said. He just rolled his eyes.

"Come on…you're not even going to say anything to me? I mean…come on, its me…aren't I the most wonderful person you have ever met? Everyone seems to think so. The ladies, the gents…my adorable sweet little grandson." He looked out into space as he thought of the little cherub child. He was knocked out of the trance as Germania threw something at him. "Ugh…oh, so…yeah, come on, say something to me."

"Say what Sandrino…I CAN'T stand you…I despise you. You're always coming up with these insane ideas, and why include me. Stupid Arschloch!" Germania got up from the table and just stood staring at the nation.

"Well that was kind of harsh…and…well…" Rome stopped talking and looked over Germania's shoulder and noticed a little guest. He smiled and when Willahlem noticed  Rome's change of expression, he put his hands on his hips.

"What ever are you smirking about Rome?" Pointing behind the annoyed nation, Sandrino sat forward and put his hands on his knees.

"Looks like we have a little stowaway. Hey there kid, what are you doing?"

Germania's eyes widened and he turned around and looked over to the doorway and saw a little boy standing there, slightly frightened. It was little Gilbert. He was never one to fall asleep as quickly as his brother, but something made him curious, and he wanted to know what was going on. Germania crossed his arms over his chest and stepped forward to the child.

"Gilbert…just what do you think you are doing out of bed young man? I have a guest…and its important that you go back to sleep." He went to walk to the child when Sandrino got out of his seat and ran over to him first.

"Hello little one…how are you?" He gave the boy a large grin, and Gilbert was a little standoffish, but then realized that this man did not look like the type that would be mean. He giggled and smiled back with a response.

"I am good…who are you? Are you my Vati's friend?" Gilbert walked out  closer and stared at the handsome nation with much curiosity. He hadn't even acknowledged Germania and that seemed to upset the nation.

"Gilbert…mind me and go back to bed. This is not a time for children to be awake."  He took the child by the shoulders and went to steer him away, but Gilbert's inquisitiveness in another tall person in his home, made him excited, and he squirmed out of his Vati's hands, and ran right back to Rome.

"Are you going to stay here with us? Vati made some stew, it was very good…but I didn't eat all of mine. Me and Ludie had to go to bed, and we didn't even get to have the fire! Vati said…"

"Well youngster, it sounds to me like your Vati is a mean old grouch…haha, right?" Rome knelt down and tussled the boy's hair, and he laughed. Germania was not amused.

"Haha! Mean Vati…uh yeah he is…" The child was immediately quiet after seeing the stern look upon Willahelm's face. He backed towards Sandrino and held on to his shirt.

"Rome…knock it off and Gilbert…come here…right now." Germania stood waiting. When the child held on tighter to Rome, he sighed. "I am going to count to three…and then you're going to get it if you do not listen to me."

"No…I…I don't wanna Vati!" Gilbert was overtired, but still this guest in his house was very different, and the fact that he would be made to go to bed when all this action was going on, he was not going to tolerate it, but of course Germania was not tolerant of this behavior either.

Willahelm looked at him for some seconds, quite as shocked as he was appalled.

"One…Two…" He stopped when he saw the worried look in Gilbert's eyes. Many a times had the child been told the consequences, and he had always listened, but this time he was challenging the older nation. "Three!."

Rome stared down at the child, and not wanting to cause any trouble, pushed him towards the other nation.

"You eh, you better listen kid."  He handed off the boy, and stood with grim promise as to what was going to happen. Germania nodded at the other nation, and took the boy by the arm.

"Kindly excuse the two of use Rome…although I am more than sure…" He looked down at the child tightening his grip. "Stop fidgeting Gilbert!" Looking back over to Rome, he said with much patience. "Ahem, like I was saying, I am more than sure you will still be here, so I will be right back. Come along young man…"

They walked down towards the hall, and Willahelm arrived in his own bedroom, with the child, and then closed the door. Sandrino stood helpless and suddenly with an inkling prediction, there were clear sounds of a small boy being spanked. Small cries came from the room, and then it stopped. After a few moments, the door opened, and Germania came out. Rolling down his sleeves, he closed the door, and walked back towards Rome. He went over to the cabinet and took out a small bottle of brandy, and looked over to Sandrino.

"Would you like some Sandy? I know I could sure use a large drink." He watched as Rome nodded yes, and then took out two tumbler glasses and poured the liquid into them. Putting the top back on the bottle, he took the two glasses and handed one over to the other nation.

"So eh…that's how you handle a situation? I mean…with the kid right?" Rome took a sip of the beverage, and watched as a small smile formed on Germania's face.

"Why whatever do you mean Rome? The actions in which I choose to raise my two menaces are very effective, though Gilbert is usually the one to receive it more than Ludwig." He tiled back the glass and drank.

"No, I mean…its fine. I know Feliciano has never really gotten on my bad side, but then again I am not always around, so his nanny might have chastised him."

"Perhaps you should be around more often than bothering me all the time. Anyway…it is getting late, and I have to see about cleaning up and going to sleep. I would appreciate any visits in the future that I am alerted. These delightful drop ins are most irksome." He took the glass from Rome and took his to the basin, setting them in gently.

"Alright Willahelm…I will leave, but I am not going to give up on you…we'll see about an alliance or something to get you out of your mood all the time. Good night." Sandrino turned to the door, opened it, and walked out, having it slightly slam on his way. Germania stood at the table, annoyed, and very tired.

He cleaned up whatever was left to clean, and got rid of the remaining stew, as it would only sit all night and become spoiled. Once he was finished, he locked the door, and yawning walked to his room. The moonlight shown into the room, so he could see what he was doing. Grabbing a night shirt, he cast aside the clothing he was wearing, and put on the shirt. Gilbert was snoring away, and smiling slightly, Germania got into the bed. He kissed the boy's forehead, and rolled over to his side and went to sleep.

Morning came around to the sound of rustling on the bed. Opening one eyes, he was surprised to see the face of a little boy looking back at him. It has already begun.

"Vati!!! Vati wake up, I see that you are awake, cause look, you're eyes are open!" The little boy put his fingers to the man's face, and widened them. Germania made a small groan as Gilbert's finger poked him accidentally in the eye.

"Oh Gilbert…couldn't you for once let me sleep in? It is so early…" He tried to sit upright, but Gilbert climbed over to him, and sat on his Vati's chest, pinning him down, and looking at the man with his big red eyes.

"You can't sleep anymore Vati…its morning! Hear the little birds…and its so nice outside. Can we have breakfast? And what are we going to do today?"

The boy seemed to completely forget his behavior from the previous night. Germania was about to answer when he heard the patter of little feet and looked over to see Ludwig by the doorway. The child had two fingers in his mouth, and a vacant expression. The elder nation laid his head back into the pillow and waited. The littlest nation giggled and ran up to the bed, hoisting himself up. Gilbert got over to the edge and helped him up. With both of the children on the bed, Germania smiled, and then pretended to fall back asleep. Ludwig saw this and climbed to him.

"Noooo, Vati. No sleep, its daytime. Wake up! Wake up Vati!" The child tugged at the nation's blanket, and then ripped it aside.

"Okay, okay…I am awake." He stretched and got out of the bed, with the two boys getting down as well. He pulled on some trousers and then looked at the two smiling faces. Another day…and it would be a long one.

As he walked out of the room, the two children went to run towards the kitchen, but Germania called after them both.

"Hey, not so fast you two…come back here, its bath time."  Ludwig happily obliged, but Gilbert just stomped his feet slightly. "Come along Gilbert, there will be none of that little attitude today." He waited by the washroom door, and the two children went in.

They were stripped of their night shirts, and then put into a basin. The water was slightly tepid, but that summer heat made it bearable. Once they were washed, they were then dried off and he had them walk to their bedroom. Dressing them, he still hadn't decided what was on the agenda today. Then Germania remembered he had to go into the village for a couple of things. Putting a finger to his temple, he spoke to both of them.

"We are going into town today…I want the both of you to be on your best behavior." He buttoned Gilbert's shirt, and made sure Ludwig's pants were fastened. Once that was done, he stood up. "I am going to change, the two of you stay here."

Leaving the room, he walked into his own and got his green tunic and tan pants. He also adorned himself with surcoat. He looped his belt on, and put on his persons his dagger, cause there was always a chance of trouble along the walk into the village. Once he was fully dressed, he walked out of the room and approached where the two boys were. Stopping in the door, he spoke to them both.

"Come now, let us go. The sooner we go into town, the sooner we can all leave." He held out a hand, and Ludwig grabbed it. Walking he soon realized that Gilbert was not behind them. He looked back. The boy stood in the hallway with large eyes and they began to water. "What? Why are you upset?"

"Vati? Vati…we did not have breakfast! My stomach is making growling noises. Its not happy. Why aren't we eating?" The boy was very serious when it came to having something to eat.

Feeling the compassion, because after all, a growing boy was important, Germania released his grip from Ludwig and got down on one knee.

"Gilbert…I am not forgetting about your stomach." He said as he poked it making the child's frown disappear. "We will have something once we arrive in the village, now come along." Taking Ludwig's hand again, he held out the other to Prussia, and the boy took it.