Beep. Beep. Beep.
Prussia sighed as he shut off his alarm clock. He was so tempted to hit snooze, or maybe just sleep all day, but that was no longer an option for the exhausted albino nation. Today was little Germany's first day of kindergarten, and Prussia had to be up early to get him ready.
He walked into his little brother's bedroom and turned on the light, smiling at the sleeping face of the little blonde nation. "West," he whispered gently, pushing his brother's hair out of his face and kissing his forehead. "It's time to wake up for school."
Germany's eyes opened and he gave a tiny, squeaky yawn, sitting up and reaching out his arms to Prussia. Prussia scooped him up and set him on the floor, getting the school clothes he had bought for him out of the closet. He helped Germany into his little black shorts and suspenders above a white shirt. He'd bought him strap-on shoes because Germany was only five and had a hard time tying them. He knew he should be teaching him how to tie his shoes, but for today, he would wear these.
He led his brother into the kitchen for breakfast and heard the soft sound of him sniffling. He turned around to see the little tears rolling down those soft cheeks. He knelt down in front of him and used his sleeve to wipe Germany's eyes. "What's wrong, West?" he asked softly, hating to see his baby brother cry. "Why are you crying?"
"I don't wanna go to school," Germany whimpered, standing between Prussia's squatted legs and reaching his arms up around his big brother's neck. "I'm scared of all the bigger kids, they'll pick on me and you won't be there to protect me."
Prussia sighed and held Germany on his hip as he got some breakfast sausages out of the freezer and placed them in the microwave. "Don't you worry, little brother, I'm sure the teachers will take care of you there but if anyone is mean you tell big brother Prussia and I'll come and personally make sure they never pick on my baby brother again."
Germany nodded and wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Danke, Prussia."
"Hey, that's what big brothers are for." The microwave beeped and Prussia took the sausages out and put them on a plate at Germany's seat. "Now, eat your breakfast so we can go to school."
Germany sat down obediently and Prussia smiled, remembering his own first day of school. Of course, he was pretty sure that everybody would think he was the most awesome kid there, but still, it was intimidating, and must be more so for a shy kid like Germany. But it would be good for him. Maybe his little brother would make some friends, and then he'd have kids his own age to come over and play…
Prussia stopped smiling as an image of twenty shrieking children running around his house spilling and breaking things popped up in his mind. He rubbed his temples. Mein gott, he thought, the things I do for my little brother.