The boy is so loud it's like his body wasn't made to handle giggles. They bounce out of him uncontrolled and wild, rousing Germania from his sleep.
He's not surprised the child is playing with his hair again. It's something that's off limits even to his youngest. He lifts his head, ready to swat and scold the offender but he's suddenly swayed against it. The sun is sinking down the sky and the way the moving light seems to slink into the room uninvited soothes the sternness out of Germania's brow. He relaxes; pretending to be asleep just this once. There's more harm in spoiling the fun than spoiling the child, he decides.
"Hey, Hey, Bruder!" The boy's voice is an extension of his laugh. It carries strong and dominates the room, clinging to the air as if it's always been there. Unlike his youngest, the boy will never have a voice to sing, a pity, Rome would call it, but Germania is proud anyway when he's not annoyed. However grating, the child has the feel of someone Germania knows will be able to lead with success. The potential is there in the confidence of his undeveloped voice.
There's a few rough tugs on his scalp, and with a frustrated exhale of breath, Germania cracks an eye open and turns his head slightly to the offender. To his surprise, the boy has his back to him; Germania's borrowed blond hair is cascading down over the child's own white, wavy locks.
"Ja?"
"Kesesese! Awesome right? Bruder, I'm a woman now, so call me princess!" It takes all of Germania's self restraint not to break into a smile.