Hallo. My name is Germany, or Ludwig Beilschmidt. My großer bruder is Prussia, or Gilbert Beilschmidt. He's the one who taught me how to spell our names aloud but I couldn't yet say his name. Instead I called him Gilby. He always responded when I called him that.
The other countries, what Gilby called them, were scheißkerl Österreich, or bastard Austria. Old Fritz, who I will get to in a minute, always scolded bruder for calling Austria that word so I think it is a bad word to say. I don't really know. Bruder has never said anything about words we are not supposed to say. The other country is Ungarn, or Hungary. When bruder is angry with her he will call her names like bescheuert or Hündin. Also another word Fritz gets upset about.
Old Fritz, Alte Fritz, or just Fritz are variations of what bruder calls the man sitting at the desk right now. Bruder wouldn't tell me what Fritz was. I know he's not a country though because he ages. Countries don't age as fast as he does.
Right now we were sitting in Fritz office, Prussia was talking to him about things. I don't really know what he's saying because they switch between German, a language I remember making at some point, and Prussian.
I was here in Prussia and not Germany right now because my people keep getting angry and trying to storm my castle, or my house, to get to me but Gilby always saves me. I feel much more safe in Gilby's arms right now because of this.
I was bored and sitting in the corner. I'd been playing with my toys with Knut but he kept saying that he didn't want to play. He wanted outside and play fetch. I picked up one of my toy soldiers and looked at bruder.
"Gilby." I saw him quickly turn to look at me. I lifted my toy soldier and he grinned. He stood up from the chair he's been sitting in for a while.
"Sorry Fritz. Just tell scheißkerl Österreich to suck it and Hündin Ungarn to mind her own verdammt business. If they have a problem with that then it's war." He sat on the floor next to me and I handed over the soldier. "Where are my men? Attention!" I shoved men over to him. He smiled. "My men are awesome, they can walk on zer backs!" I giggled and he grinned. "Now welcome to standing up camp, those first to stand get free pumpkin biscuits and free beer for a month!" I quickly stood, jumping.
"Me! I want it."
"Ah! You win, the rest of you are besiegte! Losers! Now mein kindly giant Kind. Please show these Köter how to salute your Feldmarschall!" I paused. Gilby quickly saluted and I copied him. "Good job Soldat! You get to choose dinner!" I clapped, grinning. "Salute please!" I did it again. "Perfekt! Rührt euch!" I stopped. I sat down and started standing the men up and Gilby clapped.
I grabbed my own men and started standing them up. Gilby helped me. When we were done, Gilby handed me one of my men. "He is the leader, or Feldmarschall, of your army."
"Hallo." I moved my Feldmarschall to Gilby's. "My name is Koen."
"And my name is Milo. How are you?"
"Gut und you?"
"I am wunderbar. Where do you come from? I come from Prussia." I tried to think of a far away country but I didn't know any others. "You can just make a name if you want." Gilby whispered.
"I am from Rainbonia, but my people are from Rome. I was captured and taught ze art of var."
"You were captured and were, was, taught ze art of var." I laughed again. I moved my man up and down.
"Don't correct me!" Gilby laughed.
"Kesesesese. Ja mein freund. Vat is Rainbonia like?"
"Dragons, fairies, rainbows, and potatoes."
"Gasp! You have no beer?"
"Ja we have beer." I moved my man closer and he moved his farther. "Tea party?"
"Are you hungry Luddy?" I was going to shake my head when I heard my stomach growl. I nodded instead. He smiled. "We can come back to playing later." He picked me up and carried me out of the room. "You, move the toys in Fritz office to Ludwig's room."
We arrived to the kitchen and he set me on the counter. "Vat does mein adorable kleiner bruder vant for lunch?"
"I'm not adorable!" I said, blushing. He only put his hand on my head.
"Ja you are. Your hair, your eyes, your size, your speech. Everything about you is adorable. Though that's not the point right now. What do you want to essen? Wurst?" I nodded. "Wurst, beer, biscuits, and to add something unhealthy, some broccoli." I nodded.
"Why feed me something unhealthy?"
"Because it tastes good and it is a delightful treat. Mein kleiner bruder can also have chocolate milk." He started moving around the kitchen. I began kicking my legs over the side of the counter.
"Gilby, am I your underling? Or henchmen? Whatever the term is." He looked at me, worried.
"Where did you learn those words?"
"I don't know." I replied, looking down. I saw his hand go under my chin and he made me look up at him. He was much closer than I thought he would be. Being surprised, I put my face to his.
"Kiss?" I gave him a kiss and he kissed both my cheeks and my forehead.
"Gilbyyy." I waved my arms at him but he dodged out of the way. He came back to close proximity before his face turned serious. I frowned, worried I had upset him.
"Ludwig Beilschmidt, you are my little brother. You are not an underling and you are definitely not a henchmen. You are my little brother. The only thing that makes you anywhere near being an underling is the fact that it is I who takes care of you. I feed you, I give you things to drink, I give you things to entertain yourself, I dress you, I keep you safe from danger, I hold you when you are scared, I hold you when you are sad, I love you, I even try to keep you happy. I do many things for the love I have for you. That is all more than you do for an underling. If you were an underling then all I would do is keep you safe." I hugged him and he picked me up again, hugging me.
"I'm sorry for asking you that."
"Nein. I'm happy you did."
"I heard that Austria had an underling or henchmen."
"So Hündin Österreich taught you that word? I want you to stop listening to news about him. I don't even want you near him. He of all people will try to conquer you if only just to get at me. I will never fail you Luddy."
"Ja Gilby." He set me on the counter again.
"Good boy Luddy. Let the Awesome Me cook you lunch!"
After that, I waited patiently for Bruder to cook lunch and when he did finish he took it all out of the room and then carried me to the dining room. I clung to his shirt as he walked and I looked up at him.
"Gilby? When lunch is over can we go play fetch?"
"We can play football! Fetch is a game for dogs. You are not a dog, you are a very respected country and one day everyone will fear the name Germany! Just as they fear Prussia!"
"But I don't want people to fear me Gilby."
"But if they fear you then they won't mess with you. It's like if they had a death wish, if countries could die. Enemies will cower at the sound of your name! I will make sure of it." He sat me in my special chair before he sat down right next to me.
"Tell me the story about Rome, please Gilby?"
"Ja! Well as you know Roman Empire was the richest, vastest, most biggest country. He was the one who conquered the Mediterranean area. He had great battle tactics and he helped to civilise the savages who lived near him. He was what is now Italy and all those places. Old Prussia or whatever was considered the outlands or something. Old Prussia was considered untamable savages, because they loved fighting so much or something. I don't know how Romans think. The Roman Empire was ruled by a Caeser. He's like a king, like Fritz- eat your broccoli." I nodded and instead of going to drop it on the floor, I stuck it in my mouth and started chewing.
"What is Germany ruled by right now?"
"Me. Until you become old enough to decide for yourself."
"Is that what my people are so upset about?"
"I don't see why they would be angry about it. It's not like they can do anything about it. Their not mein adorable kleiner bruder."
"When will I be old enough?"
"... Well first of all, I would like to wait until your people stop being stupid. Second of all, I want you to grow up more a bit. Third of all, I would like to wait until either you find a man you like to be your human leader and make him king of your land. Lastly, I would also like to wait until you have an interest in politics. Unlike you, I had to grow up without someone looking out for me as I do you. I didn't have to know politics because we were always being attacked and I learned to defend my borders."
"Nobody was there for you?"
"Well not really. I had only hu- people like Fritz."
"Hu? Hu what?"
"Nothing! Ignore what I said!"
"Yes sir Gilby."
"Good boy. We will play football after lunch." I nodded. I picked up my cup of beer and noticed it was only half full. I said nothing, just drank.
When I finished, Gilby picked me up and headed straight to my room. He picked up Knut and the football. I grasped Gilby's blue coat and held on tight with my legs as he grabbed them. He handed me Knut when he stood and held the ball with his other arm.
He walked us outside and to where we usually played. I watched people wave at us and I waved back at a few until I caught eye contact with one of the women and I hid my face in Gilby's chest. He laid his chin on my head but that was all.
"It's okay Luddy. These are our people."
"Gilby. Thank you for always having time to play with me."
"It is my pleasure."
When he stopped moving, I removed my face from Gilby to look. "We're here. Do you want down?"
"Is it dry?"
"Yes." I let go of Gilby and he quickly caught me before placing me on my feet. "Be careful Luddy." He dropped the ball and held onto Knut. "Ready to kick the ball?" I nodded. I backed up a bit and then ran, throwing a leg to kick the ball. It flew and Knut and Gilby both clapped. Bruder placed Knut down on a blanket he'd brought. Then he ran after the ball. "Try to keep up West!" I was shocked for a minute before running after him.
"I thought we were playing football!" I called.
"We are! Whoever gets to the ball first gets second kick!" I tried to run faster, Bruder had longer legs than I did so he'd be hard to beat. He got to the ball and kicked it back toward me. I ran after the ball, turning around so quick I almost slipped. I barely reached the ball before Gilby did. I kicked it as hard as I could. Gilby ran after it and we kept playing like that until... I fell.
I had been running toward the center of the field where Gilby's kick had landed the ball and I had almost reached the ball but I reached to kick too soon and landed on my face, my forehead hitting the ball and my clothes were dirtied by the grass. I sat there a minute before sitting up. I waited to see if I hurt. My forehead hurt the most. I felt tears well up in my eyes until I saw something blurry waving its legs and moving around. My eyes cleared up enough to see Knut doing a dance. I smiled and watched happily. When he bowed to me, I clapped before quickly reaching over for him. Knut came to me and Gilby clapped.
"Yay! Yay Luddy! You love Knut, right?"
"Uh huh." He smiled.
"What do we do with things we love?" I beamed. I knew the answer to that one. I kissed Knut, hugging him tighter. Gilby clapped again. I heard happy tweeting and clicking. I kissed Knut again.
"Danke for the dance. It made me happy."
"Knut doesn't like it when West is upset. Nor does Gilbird. I don't like it when West is upset either." I looked at him. 'What do we do with things we love?' I love Gilby too! I don't want him to feel left out! That would be sad. I walked over to Gilby and tugged on his blue coat. He looked down, moving the box from his face. "West?" I tugged again, trying to get him to my level. He was a giant.
"Come closer Gilby." He bent down and spread his knees a bit so he was sitting on the ground. I put Knut on the ground before wrapping my arms around Gilby's neck and kissing him too. He blushed and fell over to his side. "Gilby?" I asked, worried.
"You are an adorable angel, my little brother." I climbed on top of him and sat on him. He grinned. "Ah! It's a rebellion! I'm being conquered by Germany! Who would think this is how the Awesome Me, Prussia, fell?!" He was being funny.
"Silly Gilby."
"Prussia?" Bruder moved his head and looked up the hills that surrounded the meadow we were playing in. I looked up too. It was a man with brown hair, a huge curl, and he was wearing glasses and before I could get any clues about his clothes, I was being held to Gilby's chest. We're in danger! I quickly grabbed a fistful of Gilby's shirt. "Prussia? What do you think you are doing? We were supposed to have a civilised meeting about the upcoming events."
"Shut up! You can't have Germany, no matter how much you want him! The people have already decided they don't like you!"
"And I hear their trying to kick your men out of office as well. They want to rule themselves."
"Go talk to your Hündin Ungarn."
"We are supposed to be civilised, I assure you I am not here for war."
"I said shut the hölle up! If you don't leave us, I will have no qualms about bringing my blade against you!" I was scared. I couldn't help but whimper and push myself as much as possible against Gilby.
"You shouldn't say such vulgar words in front of a Kind."
"Don't you dare learn to speak that language! That's Germany's decision!"
"You are unfit to have a Kind. I will go speak to your boss instead then."
"Gilby!" I whispered. "Make him go away! He's scaring me!" He put a hand behind my head and in my hair.
"Shush, everything will be fine." He whispered. "Get out! My boss is busy with a more pressing matter right now!" He set me down but I wrapped my arms around his leg. He picked up his sword and I watched Österreich take a step back, out of Gilby's land. Gilby tried to switch my grasp to Knut. I let him, hugging Knut as tight as possible, pretending it was Bruder instead. I heard Gilby start at a run. I looked up, worried. I stood, holding Knut by his arm, before running after Gilby, whimpering. He needs help! I will help him! I watched Gilby swing his sword and Austria backed up, he didn't have a weapon.
"Don't get so worked up, Prussia. It's a wonder why no one likes you."
"Get out!"
"I will, I will. I will also send a letter to your boss, and I will make sure to mention this meeting."
"I don't care! You're not welcome here! You're only after mein kleiner Bruder! I remember how you fought Spain for Italy and how you fought me for Germany. Now get your Skirts out of here!" I ran up to Austria and started beating at him with my fists and even Knut started hitting him. He coughed, surprised. Then he smiled. I was snatched from him from behind. Gilby had picked me up. Austria scoffed or huffed before leaving. "Scheißdreck. Scheißkerl Österreich. I could have done without this. I don't need Fritz hearing about this." He scratched his back. He looked worried. I tugged on his coat and he smiled down at me.
"What happened? What was he talking about?"
"Don't worry about what Austria says. He lies almost all the time." I smiled.
"I'm happy. Gilby want to play again?" He grinned. I yawned and he sat down, pulling me into his lap.
"Think you wanna take a nap? Then we could watch the night sky tonight."
"That was Austria?"
"Ja, ja that was him. What about napping?" I nodded. He took his coat and laid it down, laid me down on his coat, and he wrapped me in it. "Gute Nacht."
...
I woke to Gilby's voice. It made me happy. Until I found he was actually complaining. I couldn't help but listen to see if he was talking about me. "... if Austria tells, then he'll kill me! You know that! What makes it worse is that I directly disobeyed. I know I wasn't supposed to do that! My problem is if I am me, big and older and powerful, then how do I have rules to follow?"
"Tweet tweet tweet."
"I do not! This man is the only man I have ever felt this way about. I'm afraid of him, I love him, and I want... I actually want to make him happy. Proud of me. I've... never really... felt this way. The only other problem is he has expectations for me and the better I do then the more he expects. I am never going to be like Austria."
"Tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet."
"Then what does Fritz want?" I opened my eyes.
"Gilby?" He looked at me, smiling.
"Ah! You're up! ... Did I wake you?"
"Uh uh."
"Tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet?"
"... blackmail Austria. I know just how to do it too."
"Why would you want to blackmail Austria?"
"To get him to keep quiet."
"About what?"
"Broken promise."
"What did you promise? Surely a flower andelivery an apology can work."
"... but he's a boy."
"..."
"..."
"Tweet."
"I will tell Hungary that Austria tried to kidnap Germany again." That's exactly why I am afraid of Austria.
"Gilby? What promise did you break?"
"Tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet?"
"A cover story works better here. I told him I would bring him cookies."
"What's a cover story?"
"Tweet tweet?"
"What is he saying?"
"He wants to know what cover story I am going to use. A cover story is a word used-"
"-when you are going to lie?"
"Nein! I would never lie to Fritz! Especially after the last time I did it. Ke se se..." Bruder laughed nervously. "The word cover story is used when you are going to-"
"-cover up a lie?"
"Nein! Stop interrupting! If you would be a good boy and let me finish, I would be able to tell you." I blushed, looking down from him. I hated being a bad boy. If only because I feel guilt afterwards and Gilby finds some type of punishment like scolding or grounding. When it was most severe... I would get a spanking. Those hurt and I was grateful that Gilby was sparing with when he used them. I noticed he was speaking again. "I need a good one, one he will believe, just in case blackmailing doesn't work." I frowned and pulled on his arm.
"Gilbyyy." He scooped me up into his arms.
"Yes Luddy?"
"What does cover story mean?"
"A cover story is... a certain point of view on an event that happened."
"Are you sure it's not a lie?"
"Ja. There is a difference between a lie and a cover story. A cover story is a word used when you are trying to cover up a mistake you did so you can fix it first."
"I guess. Then should I learn how to make cover stories?"
"No. If you made a mistake or you have a problem, I want you to come tell me at once so I can fix it or make a cover story myself. You and I in this forever together." I smiled, kissing Gilby. He blushed before kissing me back. "Ich liebe dich."
"Ich liebe dich auch."
"Tell Fritz the same thing I am going to tell Hungary, otherwise they will know something is up."
"Tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet."
"Ja, ja Gilbird."
"What did he say?"
"I learned it from a past mistake. That's in my own words."
"How can you talk to a bird?"
"Because I'm awesome!"
"I can't."
"First of all, let's get to Hungary first. Gilbird, retrieve paper and pen. No wait, I have some in my pockets." He reached for his coat and dug through the pockets. I climbed off of his lap and started poking around in his pockets too. They were huge pockets. There was even one big enough to stick my head in. I screamed when I felt something touch me but it turned into giggling when I realised it tickled. "What are you doing in there Luddy? Are you hungry already?" I could tell he was making fun because he was tickling me but the next minute he was holding me upside down. I laughed even more. I reached out for him and he flipped me right side up, wrapped his arms around me, and laid down. "Ahhh." He sighed, content. " Mannn. I could stay like this forever. Kleiner Bruder in mein arms, slight cool breeze, and partly sunny partly cloudy day."
"Bruder, you want to play?"
"In a moment. Just relax Luddy." His arms fell at his sides, parallel wide. I sat there on his chest as he relaxed. "Didn't we bring Knut and a ball?" I nodded. Wait. His eyes are closed.
"Ja, we did. Want them?"
"Mmm. Can't leave them here. Tell me when you want dinner and we can eat. I did bring food. And it doesn't even need to be cooked." I got an idea and shakily got to my feet on top of Gilby. Then I jumped on him. "Oof. Luddy! Be careful I don't want you to hurt yourself." I got off after a few more times and him just lying there. I grabbed his hand with mine and pulled.
"Gilby. Get up! I wanna play."
"Okay Luddy. Let's play." I grinned, let go, and ran up the hill. When I got to the top, I sat down. Prussia stopped next to me. He sat down too. "What's up?"
"Copy me!" I laid down and covered my face with my hands. He laid down and covered his face too. I wriggled and he did too. The next thing I know is we were rolling down the hill like I wanted. When Gilby realised that, he scrambled to get up. He rolled and slid until finally he was on his hands and feet, his movement completely stopped. I wanna do it just like him! I scrambled like he did and I rolled and slid and rolled and slid. I couldn't keep my hands in place long enough to stop my movement. I tried my feet, noticing that the hill was almost finished. Gilby was running down the hill, at a very fast rate. He tried skidding to pick me up at points but gravity had already rolled me past him. So he ran on down.
"Gilbyyy! Don't leave!" I tried harder to do what he did and I noticed all I was doing was getting my clothes scratched and dirty.
"Relax! Roll like before! I'll catch you!" I obeyed and I rolled right into his arms. I laughed.
"Again! Again!" I got up and ran back up the hill. I rolled down again and continued trying to do what he did. I still couldn't. "Gilby! How did you do what you did?" He gave me a confused look. "You know when you stopped yourself from rolling down the hill?"
"Oh! That? I just turned myself around so that I was in a position to go up the hill. I dug my feet into the ground and used my hands to grab the ground. The grass. You keep trying to stop using your hands as foot holds so gravity just makes you fall over yourself."
"Then I'm going to try doing it again."
"Are you sure? Your clothes are already filthy."
"Gilby, could you do it the other way?"
"That would be more effort than the other way because your wearing shoes and that means that your feet aren't doing any work."
"Have you always had this place?"
"Ja. In fact I used to come here all the time."
"Cool. I mean, awesome." He grinned.
"Yeah. We are awesome aren't we?" He grabbed me and carried me back to his coat. "Gilbird will be back soon. Then we can have dinner. See how the sun is over?"
"It's almost dark? Is Fritz going to miss us?"
"Nah, he's got his own family to worry about. The Royal Family." I gasped.
"Gilby. I have to go!" I said worried. He looked shocked.
"What?! But I-! I thought... I thought we were just beginning to have fun."
"No, I need to go!"
"Okay. You can go. I won't fight you on it but I do want to walk you back to- to your place." He was sad, he doesn't get it.
"Nein! I have to go go." Realisation crossed his face.
"Ohhh." He picked me up and, grabbing his sword, carried me up the slope and walked us into a clump of trees. "Here." He set me down. "You can go here. Use this sword if someone comes." He turned around and headed off. "I am going to give you privacy."
I turned around and quickly relieved myself. I turned around to go look for Bruder, dragging his sword with me. I found flowers, beautiful ones. I laid the sword down and started picking them, making a flower crown.
I carried it and dragged the sword until I found Gilby again. He smiled. He picked me up. "Are you okay?" I nodded. I took the flower crown and reached for the top of his head. He bowed his head and I placed it. He grinned, kissing my forehead.
...
It was dark now and we had had dinner. Gilby had hid us once, something about hide and go seek with Gilbird. I didn't care. I was with Bruder.
He was now lying on one of the hills as we watched the sky. I was wearing his pirate hat while he wore the flower crown. Bruder promised to get me an outfit like his. All I had for an outfit like his from when I was born. I had a hat I was supposed to grow into and I wanted to ask Gilby where it was. I was leaning against his legs as I watched the sky.
I stood as I saw a strange star. I pulled on Gilby's pant leg. "Lookie!" He looked up because he said something.
"Shooting star. Make a wish and it'll come true!" I beamed, mouth hanging open.
"I wish that Gilby could play with me all day every day. I wish that my people would stop fighting and be happy. I wish that I could find a good king or leader to lead my... country? ... to greatness! Just like mein großer Bruder Preußen." I smiled.
"All of it will come true, I promise. Maybe not all at once but it will." I yawned as I sat down. I rubbed my eyes and yawned again. I felt an arm wrap around my waist and I was deposited on Gilby's chest. "Time for bed. You wanna go home or sleep out under the stars?" I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I don't care long as we're together."
"We'll stay here until you fall asleep and then I'll take us home."