Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; that distinction goes to Hidekaz. I do own some rumtopf, but I'm certainly not sharing.

Also, Happy Holidays!

"Hey, West!" Prussia's loud excited voice echoed through the library.

A young blond-haired blue eye boy looked up upon Prussia's rather energetic entrance. "What is it, Bruder?"

"You know what the best thing is about Christmas?!"

The boy's normally stoic demeanor stiffened as he contemplated the question, trying his best to identify an aspect of the holiday that would best summarize its meaning in all its myriad of facets. The image the two of the made (one older and the other younger, one almost hyperactive and the other deeply thoughtful) was a study in opposites.

"I suppose," Germany began slowly, weighing his words carefully, "that the best aspect of Christmas is the sense of hope and family that the holiday brings to all Christian countries."

Prussia looked slightly startled. "Ah, I suppose that's good. But, no! Try again!" he said with a small smirk.

Germany frowned slightly. His answer wasn't good enough? Then could it possibly be that "The Christmas markets open up, allowing you to buy all manner of things."

"Nope!"

Germany had the nagging suspicion that his brother's narcissism was at play here. "Is it that you're not required to work for the next few days and that on Christmas Eve you'll be receiving gifts?"

Prussia's smirk broadened. "Yeah, I'd rate that as a close second. All of it. Know what it is?!"

Germany glared at a knot in a floorboard. A reason with neither egalitarian nor narcissistic appeals... "I'm sorry, Bruder. I can't think of any other reasons," the boy said solemnly.

Prussia laughed, openly and loudly. "It's the rumtopf (1)!"

"...the rumtopf, Bruder?" Germany stared.

"Yeah! All the best parts of summer combined with alcohol and left untouched until Christmas! Only THE perfect way to-"

Germany sighed and covered his eyes with one hand. Of all the ridiculous things! But at least he knew he could replace the cookies with biscuits and just leave the alcohol. Looking at his brother waxing poetic about rumtopf, he knew it'd be what he wanted.

(1): Rumtopf is a German alcoholic beverage/dessert whereby the fruits are preserved in alcohol. As the name implies the alcohol used is usually rum, but it can be replaced by other alcohols if one is allergic to honey (I use vodka and vanilla extract, then up the amount of sugar used). You can google rumtopf and get a million results, but here are a few decent sites that aren't wikipedia. As usual, just remove the spaces and the parentheses.

www. nytimes . c (om) /2010/09/22/dining/22apperex2 .html

beekman1802. c (om) /rumtopf-a-spring-to-yuletime-tradition/

www. food. c (om) /recipe/rumtopf-traditional-german-fruit-preserve-beverage-140344

A/N: The idea for this fic was planted when I first began preparing the rumtopf in the summer (yes, it's early-but half the fun is in the anticipation). Being a geek, it was a short jump from alcoholic desserts to Prussia and Germany, to German-brothers family fluff.

Also, for all those who haven't had the chance to try rumtopf, you should do so. It's the fruity goodness of summer mixed with the cozy heat of a winter fire.