So I'm testing this idea out- lemme know what you think!
DISCLAIMER: I dont not own Hetalia-Axis Powers or it's characters. Nor do I make any kind of profit from this story
A/N: Ludwig: Viktor Frankenstein
Gilbert: Igor
Roderich: Random Aristocrat
Eliza: Daughter of big clothing Co.
More to come ;)
The quiet dripping of water falling from damp stone lined walls accompanied the quiet click of shoes as Ludwig walked down the spiral stair chamber down to his lab, his nose buried in his journal as he walked along briskly, never faltering. His assistant and brother Gilbert followed along with not nearly as much grace, occasionally stumbling and missing a step, or trying to step on the back of Ludwigs shoes. Ludwig sighed and came to an abrupt halt, closing his book and turning. Gilbert, not having expected it nearly mowed into his brother but managed to stop at the last second, staring at him questioningly.
"Gilbert. If you attempt to flat tire me one more time, I'm going to make you clean the dog kennels for the next month."
The albino huffed and crossed his arms, looking away. "Maybe if you walked a little faster, I wouldn't have to flat tire you."
Ludwig eyed him grumpily and whirled around, his labcoat flaring behind him as he hurried down the stairs once more. Gilbert followed, still closely, but deciding it wasn't worth cleaning those filthy kennels all month. Upon reaching the bottom, Ludwig turned to Gilbert.
"Key."
Gilberts face went blank. "Ahh...what? I thought you had it?"
Ludwigs eye twitched and he ran a hand down his face.
"Turn around you fool, and hold this." he grumbled, handing him the journal he had been reading.
Gilbert grumbled but did so, waiting patiently as Ludwig pushed the white hair against his head aside, revealing a silver plate. He clicked it down once and it popped open, making Gilbert shudder.
"Gott that feels weird, hurry up!"
"Be patient bruder." Ludwig scolded lightly and reached inside, retrieving a iron skeleton key. He was about to shut it but paused and peered inside, wrinkling his nose.
"Gilbert, when was the last time you cleaned up in here."
"Wait, I'm supposed to clean it?"
He growled and clicked the hatch shut, covering it up once more.
"And thats why I have to hold onto your brain for you, because you can't take care of it."
Gilbert rolled his eyes and mimicked his speech with his hand.
His brother ignored him and strode to the door, lifting the metal covering for the keyhole and easing it in, turning it until he heard the click. He pulled the key back out and put it into his pocket, intending to keep it there until they left. He pulled the door open, a musty breeze blowing around some of the fringe from his neatly slicked back hair. Gilbert made a face.
"It smells terrible in here."
Ludwig couldn't help rolling his eyes as he took his journal back and strode inside, walking to the left wall and feeling around until he found the light switch. He lifted it up, and the lights buzzed to life, flickering a little bit before brightening and quieting down.
"Alright, hurry up, I want to check on your vitals, and make sure you haven't lost any more brain cells."
Gilbert growled at the jab to his intelligence and trudged to the examining table, sitting himself up on it, whining at the icy cold temperature of the metal seeping through his clothes.. Ludwig walked back over with a small jar, his brothers brain floating lazily inside. He set it on the metal tray next to the table and opened the jar, snapping his blue surgical gloves on his wrists, reaching into the jar and gently pulling the organ out. He set it down on the tray, and gently put some probes on its surface, dabbing the spots dry beforehand. He started to gently poke a few places, monitoring the way Gilberts body reacted, and the frequency of the brain waves displayed on a holographic chart across from him. He 'hmmed' quietly and removed the probes, easing the brain back into its jar.
"Everything seems to be working just fine still Gilbert."
"Well obviously. My brain is too awesome to just fall apart to mush!" he cackled. Ludwig whacked his nose with a roll of paper towels, making him yelp and rub his nose.
"You're not done quite yet, stay still."
Gilbert pouted and slouched as the young doctor walked behind him, and reopened his hatch, wetting a paper towel and starting to clean the dust out from it. Gilbert sat surprisingly patiently until he was done, and had dried off the inside and shut the metal door.
"Now Gilbert, Mr. Edelstein will be visiting later tonight so I can repair his watch, so I need you to behave."
He immediately brightened and bounced eagerly in place. "Roddy's coming to visit?"
Ludwig eyed him warily.
"Bruder, we have talked about this. I know you like him, but remember, he doesn't know about you. Who knows what could happen to us if he found out."
Gilberts enthusiasm died down a bit and he looked down to his feet.
"I know I just...I get lonely. You can't tell me you don't get lonely sometimes too."
Ludwig visibly tensed. "We have each other and that is good enough. Romance of any kind would endanger our secrets."
"But what if it was someone we knew we could trust though?"
"Gilbert that is enough!" Ludwig barked, slamming his fist down on the metal table.
Gilbert jumped, and fell silent.
Ludwig sighed and turned away.
"I'm sorry Gilbert but we can not trust anyone who is not part of this family."
The albino didn't say anything but got up and walked out of the lab, waiting for his brother.
Ludwig sighed and tucked the brain back onto it's shelf, and walked to the door, flipping the light switch down as he left. Gilbert ignored him the whole trek up the stairwell, not even trying to make him mad or prank him, which was how Ludwig knew Gilbert wasn't in a good mood. He sighed and stopped Gilbert with a hand on his shoulder.
"Look….If Roderich really means that much to you, why don't you try courting him and...if it's responded to well, I will consider letting him in on our secret."
Gilberts smiled ear-to-ear and tackled Ludwig, almost knocking them back down the stairs.
"Thank you thank you thank you bruder!"
"Gilbert! Get the hell off!" He shouted, not used to so much physical contact.
Gilbert finally jumped off and ran to his room, 'keseseses'ing the whole way down the hallway. He shook his head and went to his room, flipping the lights on as he entered, shutting the door behind him. He sat at his desk, reading research journals for a few hours. He was about to put his current journal down when he spotted something interesting.
"It is currently unknown whether one can create an artificial lifeform, and actually give it life, and a soul. However, artifacts have suggested that it can be done, with the right mix of necromancy and science. Sadly, evidence of this practice has not been seen in millennia, but I, Lars Van Dyke, have found the secret to a purely scientific method of creating life. It is thanks to this that I now have my darling little sister Bella. However, the villagers have begun to grow suspicious, so I have decided to hide this journal, and the secret of life. Bella and I will flee to the new world, in hopes of finding acceptance. To whomever finds this, I warn you, proceed with caution. This is no simple experiment."
The authors name was scrawled at the bottom, and Ludwig eagerly flipped the page, and was greeted with….Blank pages? He flipped through the book, growing more and more agitated. There were no ripped out pages, or hints, so where was the formula? He slammed the book down and growled, looking at the clock. He had no time for this, Mr. Edelstein would be arriving in 10 minutes. Re-slicking his hair back, he adjusted his tie and the collar of his labcoat and left his room, pausing for a moment to lock his door, in case Gilbert was feeling particularly stupid and adventurous today. Stowing the key away inside his pocket, he made his way to the sitting room, a bit surprised to see Gil already sitting there.
"Bruder, if you insist on bothering him, may I request you do it after we have finished our business?"
His brother made a face. "Can't I at least wait in here with you guys?"
Ludwig sighed and sat in his recliner.
"Fine, but only if you behave. If you don't I won't hesitate to put you on house arrest."
Once again, his speech was mimicked by his older brother.
"Gilbert you are 5 years older than me, show some maturity, please."
Gilbert's only response was to blow him a raspberry. Ludwig growled and gave him a warning look. The albino only snickered and settled into his seat.
Late by 5 minutes, Roderich finally entered, guided by the cybernetic butler his father had left for them. Ludwig stood and offered his hand, Roderich shaking it firmly.
"Mr. Edelstein, I hope you have been well."
The aristocrat stuck his nose in the air haughtily.
"Of course I have. I have money, looks and talent. What else could I possibly need?"
Gilbert sighed like a lovestruck maiden from the other side of the parlor, and Ludwig felt his eyelid twitch as he strained to maintain his professional smile.
"I see...Well, You said your watch's hand has stopped moving and you could hear a grinding sound from the gears?"
Roderich nodded. "That is correct."
He reached into the inner pocket of his coat, pulling the platinum wristwatch out.
Ludwig took it carefully and looked it over, then brought it up to his ear. Sure enough, a slight grinding noise came from the gears of the watch itself, so he suspected the inside was beginning to rust.
"Can you fix it?" Roderich questioned.
Ludwig nodded. "Ja, and it shouldn't take too long. Please, have a seat." He gestured to the seat across from his. He sat down lightly, crossing his legs.
"Gilbert, go get my repair box." Ludwig ordered.
Gilbert grumbled but he pulled himself up with a groan, going to the mechanic room. Ludwig sat in his chair, the two sitting in comfortable silence, even as the butler brought them teas and afternoon puff pastries. Though Ludwig himself refrained, once his brother had brought him his repair box, Gilbert and Roderich ate and drank, watching as he pulled the watch apart.
He started to sand the rust away from the inside shell, knowing he had to replace the gears.
He was fine with the silence, until Roderich piped up.
"So Ludwig, have you given any thought to what we discussed last time?"
"Remind me again, what was it we talked about? My memory only remembers important pieces of information. I have no time for frivolous suggestions."
Roderich huffed.
"Ludwig, I mean no offense but you are getting old. You should really think about finding a spouse. I know I have, as we are approaching our prime."
Gilbert had perked up from his seat, looking at Roderich hopefully.
"Roderich, I am much too busy with my research."
"Then find someone who would not mind helping you, or minding to the house while you work."
Ludwig peered up at him over the rims of his bronze magnifying glasses. "Roderich, I have Gilbert for company, and as for minding the house, I have the butler, and myself."
Roderich leaned over the table, gaze narrowed. "Ludwig. There is still the slight chance Someone will court Gilbert, despite his old age-"
Gilbert piped up with an insulted "Hey!"
Roderich ignored him, "And I know you. Under that all-business exterior, you are just as human as the rest of us. You can't spend your days alone."
Ludwig paused in his work. He had a point, however, there was no one in the surrounding area he knew well enough to trust, or to court. He started tinkering again, Roderich giving an offended sniff as he was ignored.
Gilbert watched as his brother fell back into silence, and looked over to Roderich.
"I'm not that old, right?"
"Well, luckily for you, your brother has made your name quite powerful, so you have at least another year."
Ludwig half-watched the interaction, watching Roderich carefully.
"H-Hey Roderich, what would to say to, um maybe me courting you?"
Ludwig quietly shut the back of the now replaced watch.
Roderich looked a little surprised, then looked away.
"I apologize Gilbert, but I'm afraid you have asked too late. I am currently courting the daughter of the Héderváry's. And currently it is going very well."
Ludwig flinched. He had warned his brother, and it hurt him to see the hopeful light in his older brothers eyes fade.
"T-That's okay! I should have asked sooner…"
Roderich's face was flushed with shame, and he quickly retrieved his watch, and paid Ludwig. It didn't escape the young doctors attention that Roderich had paid him extra. Roderich turned to leave, and paused.
"Gilbert...I truly am sorry. I'm sure you will find someone. You are very...unique, and attractive. I wish you luck." He left a featherlight touch on his shoulder before leaving.
Ludwig looked to his brother worriedly. He sniffled a few times, and wiped his eyes. "Well- that's enough of that! Time to move on!" He chirped.
Ludwig gaped at him. He truly was a piece of work.
Gilbert looked over to Ludwig. "You know, he is right. We are both getting older, and we need to find someone."
Ludwig tried to protest but Gilbert stopped him. "Just think about it, okay? I'm going to go for a walk."
Ludwig huffed, and watched him go. The blonde watched his butler clean up for a minute, before getting up, headed back to his room. Even if Gilbert and Roderich were right, out of all the people he had met in this town, he had never felt comfortable around any of them. He sighed, unlocking his room, and flicking the lights on as he entered. He began to remove his labcoat as his door swung shut behind him, when the journal he had been reading earlier caught his eye. He dropped the coat onto his bed, and went to pick the book up. He reread it, and felt a sense of excitement. Of course! Not only would it be the ultimate test of his scientific skills, but he would be able to create the perfect partner! Hopefully, he could alter the personality to his tastes as well. His enthusiasm dwindled a bit when he remembered the blank pages, the pages that supposedly held the recipe he needed. It was always a possibility the author hadn't gotten the chance to actually write it down, but still, he was determined to try to find out for sure. He sat down, and turned his overhead lamp on. Time to figure this journal out.
So hey guys! Tell me what you think, should I continue this?