Cake and Training

*Read the description below, there is a picture/drawing from a fellow deviantART member that goes along with the short story.*

In was late in the morning, and little Austria was sweeping the hallways. His Papa, Mister Italy was down in the parlor, creating some beautiful works of art, and even though the nation had wait staff to clean up the areas, he wanted to teach his little one responsibility, so Austria was giving the job of sweeping. The little one swished the broom, making noises while he did so. He was decked out in a little purple frock, and a white apron, alongside a little bandana on his head, to keep the dust and grime from getting in his hair. He had seen the chamber maids, and what they wear, so he had one of them help him.

Italy was down in the South wing of the mansion, painting some pictures, and enjoying himself. Knowing his little one was always well behaved, he did not have to worry about a thing. He hadn't had any plans set for the day, though sometimes Holy Rome would come over. Austria called him Onkel Holy Rome, and is quite fond of the nation, though he could be a bit strict.  He was supposed to come over later to train the little nation, and watch him while Italy was getting some other things done. The two were still expecting him.

Sighing slightly as he swept, little Roderich set aside the broom, and decided to go and see what his Papa was doing. The little one padded down the hallway, and heard slight humming coming from the parlor. He got excited and ran into the room. To his surprise, there were several female ladies, and they were posing for a painting in which Italy was painting.

"Molto Bello ladies. Ah Si' so'a lovely, and so'a delightful to look at and…" Italy was praising them while he used the brush to make deep strokes into the canvas, but something caught his eye, and he looked over to the doorway where a little stowaway was standing. Austria put his little hands to his mouth, worried that his Papa was going to become angry with him.

"Eh…Papa?" The little one just stayed standing there, not sure. The females looked over, and fawned over the little nation. Italy looked to them, and smiled, then put his hands in the air with a wave.

"Go on'a ladies. I must'a see what my little one needs from'a his Papa." The elder nation watched as the ladies walked towards the door. Some gave Austria a little pat on the head, which the child blushed, and the others just smiled. Once they were gone, Italy set aside his pant brush, and got down on one knee, holding his arms out. "Come'a here my little bambino!"

Austria did not need to be asked twice, and he quickly ran over to Italy, and was embraced in the loving arms of the Italian nation.

"Oh Papa…um…can we do something fun?" The little nation looked up, and Italy smiled, patting the child's head.

"Si' Roderich, Papa just'a has to finish'a some painting. Then'a I will come and'a play with you. Why don't you'a go and play in you'a room?"

The little one was slightly upset, but he knew that there were two important things in the elder nation's life, and that was art, and himself. Italy loved his little one so much, so the boy did not want to feel too selfish pouting, so he ran towards his bedroom. He was going down the hall when Italy stopped him.

"Er…little one…did'a you finish your chores?" Italy's face became serious as he looked over to the child, and slightly cocked his head. Roderich put a finger to his mouth, and shook his head slightly.

"Um…well Nein Papa…I um…" He looked up to see Italy fold his arms across his chest, and walked slowly forward to the child.

"Little one…go'a and finish your'a chores. You'a know better than'a to leave areas in'a shambles."

Austria nodded his head, and walked closer to his father's legs and embraced them. He leaned his little head, and then looked up. Italy's eyes softened, and he set a hand down on the child's head, and pat it. The child was really a delight. He hardly ever misbehaved, and when he did, Italy only had to warn him with being sent to the corner, and the child would straighten right up.  Course this was something uncle Holy Rome did not agree with. He had been over to visit, and witnessed the child in little acts of defiance. Holy Rome would not object to give the child a firm hand, and Italy knew this.

Austria ran off, and went to finish his chores. Italy had a few more painting strokes to accomplish and then he would go ahead and see about playing with the little one.  He wouldn't spend too much time with the painting, as spending time with the little one was what he loved the most. While the little one was sweeping, Italy finished. The elder nation walked down the hallway, and approached the foyer, seeing the busy little nation sweeping.  Walking up to him, he cleared his throat, and Austria sensing him, looked back, and smiled.

"Hi Papa…um…what are you doing?" The little nation held the broom, but Italy walked up to him, and took the broom from him, and then lifted the child into his arms.

"Come'a on little one. Papa is'a going to make'a you a great big'a chocolate cake!" Italy just couldn't contain himself, and though little Austria's responsibilities were not finished, Italy had to give in. His little one was so adorably cute.

"Ja, Ja Papa I love cake! I am so 'cited for cake and…" The boy was bouncing up and down, but stopped when he saw his father looking at him. "Papa?"

"Little one…I'ma going to make'a you a cake, but a' uncle Holy Rome'a is coming later. While'a cake is yummy, you'a need your'a training. Papa has to get'a some things done, so he'a will watch you."

Austria's eyes widened, and he pouted now. It wasn't ever fun with uncle Holy Rome came over. He had to learn new things, when all he ever wanted to do was play his music, and spend time with his Papa. His uncle was not fun, and was strict, but the little nation nodded his head, and spoke in a low tone.

"Okay Papa." The boy shuffled his feet and walked over to the table, and sat down with a huff. Italy saw this, and looked upset. He knew what the boy was feeling, and he shook his head.

"Now'a now…don't be like'a that little one. Your'a uncle wants to'a see you act responsibly, and'a so do I." The nation started taking out several of the ingredients for the cake, set large bowl out. The elder nation looked over to the boy, and sighed. "Why'a don't you go and play for'a little while. Papa has to make the cake, and then'a I am going to paint some more."

Little Austria just looked to his Papa, and nodded his head. Playing was a lot nicer than doing chores. As he got down, he pouted out a lip.

"Papa…can I go and play my piano?" The child's most favorite thing in the world to do was play and listen to his music, and he did a lot of writing his own tunes. Italy was fine with this, but when Holy Rome came over, it was time for the child to train, and though Austria knew this, he sometimes would make a fuss about it.

"Ah, Si' Si' my little one. Go and'a create some pretty music. Fill'a up the room with the sounds of nice. I will'a make the cake." Italy got to adding flour, and sugar, cocoa and eggs. He continued with other ingredients, and Austria seeing that he was able to do what he wanted, walked down to his wondrous music room.

Italy though he loved his little one immensely, but he was able to get work done a lot more quickly without the child asking him questions and everything else, he wouldn't be able to get some things done. He finished putting the cake batter in two separate pans, and then put them into the oven. He smiled, and looked up at see two large blue eyes gazing at him. Surprised, and excited, Italy spoke up.

"Holy Rome! What'a are you doing here'a so early?" Italy walked around to the front of the counter, and held out a hand. The blond nation nodded his head, and held out his hand, grabbing the smaller and soft touch of Feliciano.

"Ja, um…I have come to perhaps get some training done for Roderich, give him a little lesson. Where is the little one?" The nation looked around and his ears perked up to the sounds of music. Italy wiped the front of his outfit, and responded.

"Well I'a have allowed the little one'a to play his piano, and'a then we will have'a some cake. Perhaps you would'a like some?" The nation gave a little smile, but the blond was not amused.

"Nein…he needs to get his training done before any of this cake eating takes place. You know that Feliciano. You go too easy on your youngster, and I believe…" Italy shut the nation up by leaning in, and giving Holy Rome a kiss.

"Shhhh…he's a good'a boy. He's a' just playing, and then he'a will train." The Italian walked back into the kitchen, and started to prepare some fine espresso. Holy Rome just looked, slightly blushing.

"Eh…sorry Italy, I suppose I take my training a little too seriously." He walked over to the table and sat down. Slightly breathing in, his mouth watered at the wonderful and sweet scents coming from the over. "Mmmm…that cakes smells delicious."

Setting two small espresso cups on the counter, Italy looked up and just took in the large and simply adorable nation in front of him. Though Ludwig put on a stern face, and acted all brutal in some ways, the Italian nation just saw around this, and smirked.

"Ludwig I'ma making the cake because'a little Roderich likes chocolate, but'a he knows to'a complete his training, and attend to'a his chores."

Holy Rome felt slightly bad, and looked down to the table, and put his finger to the wood, tracing back some dust. This made him look up at the other nation, and he held out his finger.

"Is he doing all of his chores Feli? Or is he just skirting around…" The nation stopped as he heard the little patter of little feet and he turned around looking to the nation. What didn't get Ludwig was the child coming into the conversation, but his attire. He turned back and cocked his head. "The Wenig one is wearing a dress Italy…why he is wearing a dress?" Holy Rome just raised an eyebrow.

"He's not'a wearing a dress, he is a' wearing clothes that he cleans in…" The nation looked over to the boy, and called him over. "Roderich, come'a here, and say hello to uncle Holy Rome."

The little one made a slight face, but nodded his head, and walked over to Ludwig. The nation dressed in black, with a wide brimmed hat, reached out, and embraced the boy in a slightly pathetic hold. Roderich hugged him back, and pulled away. He then ran over to Italy and held his legs. Feliciano looked up at Holy Rome, and then back at the small nation. He moved him away.

"Come, come my bambino, I need'a to take the cake'a out, and then its needs to a' cool. We'll eat'a some, and then you need'a to train with uncle Holy Rome."

Austria just nodded his head, and walked from the oven, and watched his father take the cake out. It looked amazing, and as he set it on the counter, little Roderich walked up, and went to reach. Italy had turned around to close the oven door, and Holy Rome's eyes widened as he saw this. He quickly ran over, and pulled the child away, while giving him a little smack to his hand. Little cries escaped out of Austria's mouth, and Italy turned around.

"What? What happened?" Feliciano looked over, and Roderich had gone to become a little crumpled nation on the floor having a slight little fit. Italy looked up at Holy Rome. "Che? What'a happened Ludwig? Why'a is my little one crying?"

"The little one went to reach for the cake. Its hot, he needed to know it's wrong to touch something that hot. Please…I did nothing wrong." He shook his head, and walked to the counter, grabbing his espresso. "I'll be down in the drawing room, I need to relax a little, and then…" The nation looked over to the boy and wavered a finger. "You need to be more careful." The elder nation walked down the hallway, and left the two alone.

Italy frowned, and looked over to the little nation on the floor. He had seen the child act like this, and it wasn't often, the little one just sometimes got a little cranky. Walking over to the child, Italy bent down, and picked him up.

"Okay, someone a' needs a' nap." He held the child close, and Austria slightly stirred at hearing the mention that he needed a nap. Holding the boy firmly, he walked over to servants bells and rang them to get a chamber nurse. While he waited, he spoke to the boy gently. "My Amore…let me'a have some adult time with'a uncle Ludwig, and then we will'a have some cake."

Roderich did not say anything but stayed sniffling in his father's arms. Italy waited, and swayed back and fourth. He looked over to the entrance and saw one of the maids coming in. She nodded, and walked over, taking the child from Italy's arms. The boy went, as he did seems little tired. Italy spoke in Italian to the maid to put him to bed, and he will check on his later. Nodding the maid bowed slightly and walked away, going to the child's bedroom to out him down. Clearing his throat, Italy walked back over to the counter, and with the cake slightly cooled, he started to frost it with thick chocolate frosting. He would dress the cake with some cherries, and the three nations would feast on it a little bit later. He smiled, and set the cake down on the table in pretty display. It would be perfect.

Roderich was put down, and he passed out within a matter of moments. Italy meanwhile seeing that his cake was completed, he brewed a new pot of espresso and walked down to the drawing room where Holy Rome was just sitting. Walking in, Ludwig looked up and just smiled at the Italian. Feliciano walked over to a chair across from the nation, and the two sat down, just having conversation.

A couple of hours past, and while the two elder nations shared conversation, little Austria rolled over in his bed, and was awake. He yawned and sat up in his bed. He knew that now he was awake, it was time for cake. He cast aside the blankets, and not seeing the maid around, he ran out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen where he was sure that his Papa, and uncle Holy Rome were maybe in the kitchen talking and they were waiting for little Roderich to come and have some cake. The little one was so excited, that he could hardly contain himself. He walked towards the stairwell, and arrived to the foyer. Turning he went to the kitchen, and found himself alone. No Italy, no Holy Rome, but when Austria looked up at the table he saw a delight in front of his eyes, and that was the delectable chocolate cake.

Looking around, he noticed that he was fully alone, and a little devious grin formed on his face. He tip toed over to the table where the cake was, and pulled a chair out, and hoisted his little self up, eyeing the massive cake. He figured, it wouldn't be the worst thing to have a little taste, and within moments the boy's little chubby hand reached out and he grabbed a chunk of the cake. Squishing it in his hand, he held it back to his mouth, and bite into it. His eyes widened at the taste, and he instantly fell in love with its decadence.

"Mmmmmm…ooooh yummy!" He stated this out loud, and continued eating some more.

In the drawing room, Italy stood up, and wiped his brow, slightly sweating from the conversation Holy Rome was telling him. He got up and looked to the time.

"Oh…it'a looks like I need'a to go and'a see about the little one. Would'a you care for some'a cake Ludwig?" The Italian smiled at Holy Rome, and the nation just nodded. "Veeeeee! Okay, let'sa go!" He got up and the two walked.

Ludwig excused himself to the bathroom, and seeing this, Italy quickly walked up the stairs and went to see if his little one was awake. Sometimes the boy would just be awake and play with his toys.

Roderich was taking another piece of cake enjoying when suddenly felt a slip from where he was standing, as he leaned into the cake. Within moments, the plate that the cake was on slipped. The little nation tried to hold on, but just like in slow motion, the cake fell, and landed with a smash to the ground, landing with a plop. Nothing else was said as the boy quickly got down, and he looked over to the corner, and grabbed a broom. He made it seem like he was sweeping.

When Italy walked into the room, he noticed the child wasn't there, he slightly panicked. Walking out of the boy's room, he walked down the steps and saw Ludwig exiting the bathroom. He looked up and saw Italy frantically walking down the steps in a tizzy, and he approached him.

"Whoa, whoa…Feliciano what is the matter with you?" He grabbed the nation, and held him by the shoulders. Italy looked and had a pout on his face.

"Roderich…I can'ta find little Roderich, he's uh…um…" Italy paused and realized there was the child's empty bedroom, and a full chocolate cake sitting on the table in the kitchen. The nation's eyes narrowed. "I know'a where he is."

The two adult nations walked, and soon approached the kitchen together. When they walked in, little Roderich was there, with his back turned, sweeping the floor. He was humming to himself, and this of course made it seem very suspicious. Italy looked to him, and then over to the table. He then looked to the ground, and saw a cake smashed to the ground. Roderich turned around, and gasped, walking over, and standing in front of it. Italy put his hands on his hips, having Holy Rome stand behind her.

"Young man, just'a what do you think'a you are doing? And the a' cake. Look'a what you did to the a' cake!" The nation had never really witnessed the child being this naughty, and waited for an answer. The little one looked up.

"Cake…what cake Papa?" The child looked up sheepishly and held the broom behind him, and sneaked his eyes over to Holy Rome, and his father.

Ludwig watched the interaction between father and son, and he went to interject, but he waited for a little bit longer to see what Italy was going to do. Feliciano looked to Austria with a raised eyebrow.

"Roderich Edelstein…did'a you eat the cake that'a I had made and'a was sitting on the table?"

The boy was now stuck, and he needed to fess up, but with Italy, he knew his Papa was not the sort of nation that would punish him if told the truth.

"Um…Ja…Ja Papa…but um…"

"Si' hmm…okay'a then." Italy cast a glance over at Holy Rome, and the nation nodded his head, motioning for some sort of action to take place. Feliciano made a slight little moan, and walked over to the counter, and grabbed from the large utensil holder, and pulled out a wooden spoon from it. He had never spanked the boy, ever. He went to approach the boy and walked over, but as he did, Austria looked up with worried eyes, and the elder nation simply just walked by the boy, and stood with his back to the child. Holy Rome's eyes widened, and he looked over to the child, and then back at Italy.

"Italy…what are you doing?" The nation just shook his head. He knew the Italian would not have gone through with it. Austria looked at his father too, worried.

"Papa?" Holding the broom tightly, the child was not sure who to look to. He did not make eye contact with uncle Holy Rome, but could not see his Papa's eyes. Italy just shook silently trying to hold his composure.

"I…I…can't do it…" He shuffled his feet while still holding the spoon. "I'm sorry…" He turned back around to the boy, and pointed to the corner. "Go stand in'a the corner Roderich." His eyes slightly ablaze.

Austria looked up, and dropping the broom, he quickly ran to the corner, with a little choke, and stood there, facing it with a sob. Italy walked to the servants chimes, and rang them, he needed someone to clean up the mess. While he did this, Holy Rome walked over to him, and spoke to him gently.

"Italy…perhaps if I take the little one down to the drawing room, and we work on a little training, and you can have a little piece of mind. Ja?" He rubbed Italy's shoulders and looked to him in the eye. Italy glanced over to the little nation, and he just was disappointed in himself. He just nodded.

"Si' I will'a go and do some'a painting in my parlor. Please'a see that the little one is'a behaving." The nation walked away, and headed down the hall. Smiling, Holy Rome looked over to the little one in the corner.

"Sure…I will make sure the little one behaves." He went to walk, when Italy came back in.

"Oh…ah, the little one'a needs a bath, and'a change of clothing. He has'a gotten cake all over." He looked over to the maid cleaning. Snapping his fingers, she finished, and took the child by the hand.

"I will take him and get him changed and…"

"And take him down to the drawing room. Got that?"

The maid nodded, and grabbing Austria's hand, the boy followed her, and did not look up at either nation. He knew he had behaved naughty, and he was now going to be punished by having to train rather than have fun. Italy just walked down to the parlor, and started with his painting, while Holy Rome walked, and arrived down at the drawing room. He set up a little desk and chair, and then sat down on the couch waiting for the nation come in. Austria was bathed and changed into a new little outfit. A purple tunic, with little white shorts, and brown tights, and purple shoes. It was a favorite of the child's and Italy's. The little boy left his room, and walked down to the drawing room, like he was told. He figured he would maybe get some time to play some violin, so he had grabbed it out of his room. Arriving in the drawing room, Holy Rome was waiting and he looked up as the child walked in.

"Ah…what are you doing with your musical instrument little one?" Ludwig stood up and just looked to the child with a glare. Austria looked up, with his wide eyes, and paused for a moment.

"Um…well, Onkel Holy Rome, I was thinking, maybe when we are done…I can play my violin. I have some pretty music and…"

"Nein! I do not think so Austria. Now you might have gotten away with that little display of disobedience with your Papa, but you are with me now, and we are going to do some training." He grabbed the violin, and set it down over on a table. Austria watched this, and started to have a little fit, but Ludwig saw this, and shook his head. "Nein, you are not going to pull that on me. I won't tolerate it. You'll find yourself over Mein knee in a minute if you continue your little tantrum."

The child gasped and nodded his head furiously. He did not want a spanking from Holy Rome. The nation was scary. The elder nation directed the child over to desk, and set down some paper work for him to look over. This was awfully boring. The little nation did not want to deal with the likes of this, all he wanted to do was what made him happy, and that was music. Ludwig was standing spouting off several things about when to prepare one for war, trapping hostages, and where to be when one is attacked. He had the child take notes, and would casually look over at the boy who was actually earnestly writing. Ludwig smiled, and continued speaking.

"And Ja, you have to watch out for snipers. They hide. They will kill you and you don't even know it. Write that down. You need to prepare and then there are the ones that hide within several feet from you." He rambled on, and Austria wrote on his paper.

The thing is, the whole while the older nation was speaking, little Austria who should have been taking these so called notes, but all he was doing was writing some sheet music. He did not have the appropriate paper, but he was doing the best he could. After about fifteen minutes, Ludwig stopped talking, only to take a sip of water. He sipped from a glass, and then continued, but forgot where he was, and walked over to the boy.

"Austria, let me check and see where I was and…" He walked over, and little Roderich looked up, shielding the paper. The elder nation's eyes widened. "Stand up Roderich…" The boy huffed slightly, and stood up. "Give me your notes…" Said Ludwig. Austria looked again, with a cry, and handed them over.

When he received the papers, he looked them over. Sure there were certain notes written, but nothing the way Holy Rome had said to the child. Mostly it was random words, and then the notes and music writings. He looked through all the papers, and then handed the papers back to the child. Austria held them in his hands, and nervously looked down to the ground, while Ludwig crossed his arms over his chest.

"Austria…have you been writing sheet music and neglecting your training again young man?" He just glared. This wasn't the first time this had happened. The boy had daydreamed while Holy Rome was spouting some nonsense and he was warned if it happened again, he would be spanked. The boy looked up at the question.

"Um…I wasn't doing anything bad. I was listening to you Onkel!" He pouted his lips out, and stamped his little feet. Ludwig saw this, and grabbed the boy by the hand, having the child drop the papers on the floor.

"That's enough. I told you the first time that you were going to get in trouble. If your father can't teach you, then I sure as Hölle can!" He walked over to a wooden bench, and sat down.

The little nation was quickly grabbed up in a swoop and put over the elder nation's lap, and his bottom was bared. Holding the child firmly, by placing the child's legs interlocked in-between his own. Austria moved his little feet, but there was nothing he could do. The only thing he did was cry out for his father. This did not help, and Ludwig lifted his hand up, and had it come down harshly on the little bottom. He continued, and the little nation started crying out loud.

The little one's crying persisted, and it was heard from down the hallway, and Italy heard this. He dropped his paintbrush, thinking maybe the boy fell and scraped his knee, or something else happened. He quickly heard the cries coming from the drawing room, and soon arrived, only to see his little bambino over Holy Rome's lap. He gasped.

"Oh…um Ludwig…what'a are you doing? What'a did my little one a' do?" He knew he shouldn't have asked, he knew that Holy Rome most likely had a good reason for dishing out a spanking.

Having his hand hit down upon the little bottom bared, it became redder and redder, and Austria cried out, trying to kick his little legs. Holy Rome looked up and just shook his head, and spoke out to the other elder nation.

"Your little one needs to be more focused on his work, and when he is told to do something, he needs to do it. That cake incident would have never happened had I enforced the rule." His hand came down again, making Roderich cry out harder.

Italy though very upset, did not disagree. He knew the child needed this, and he just stood and waited as Ludwig finished off with the hard, and earned swats. Once he finished, he set the boy down, adjusted his pants, and within moments, the sobbing child ran to Italy, and waving his little arms, wanted to be embraced. Italy looked down with compassion, and lifted the little nation into his arms, hushing him all the while, and rubbing his bottom empathetically.

"Its'a okay my little one. Shhh…shhh, hush now…" He held the little hysterical crying boy in his arms the best he could.

Holy Rome got up from the bench he was sitting at and walked towards the two. He sighed, and looked to the little one.

"Roderich…Roderich…" He called out, and the little boy sniffled and  looked over to the other nation.

"Ja Onkel Holy Rome?" He wiped at his eyes, and knew better from his manners to just not respond. Ludwig reached out his arms, and the boy went to him.

"Next time you will listen to Onkel, and then we will be fine, understood?" He swayed, and hushed the boy. Roderich nodded his head, and leaned in, laying his head on the elder nation's shoulder.

With that being done, the three nations walked out of the drawing room, and Italy had suggested they go down to the parlor. Arriving, Ludwig sat down on the couch, with little Roderich in his lap, and the two watched as Italy created some beautiful works of art. As the day became later, the three ate a magnificent dinner, and Holy Rome bid them goodbye, leaving father and son alone to enjoy the rest of the night together, and having little Roderich understand a serious lesson in lessons, and pleasure.