"Time for bed you two." Francis said to his young colony and his pet polar bear.
The quiet little boy clinging tight to his bear only nodded and toddled off towards his room. The bear, however, was not so quiet. "But I'm not tired. I want to stay up."
The older nation smiled at this and patted the bear's head. "I'm sure you do, Kumajirou, but you know Mathieu won't sleep without you by his side."
"Ouais, I know."
"Bonne, so you go to bed. I'll be in shortly."
Mathieu climbed into bed and the bear jumped up and lay beside him.
"Merci Kumajibi." The boy whispered. "I don't want to sleep alone."
"De Rein. Oui I know. It's okay." The bear replied as the small boy cuddled him.
Francis came in and told them a short story then kissed them both goodnight. The boy fell asleep quickly but the bear was restless. Then the noise started.
"Guttentag!" was heard by the bear and he knew that meant Gilbert had arrived, and surely Antonio wouldn't be long.
Kumajirou lay awake listening to the 3 men as they talked and drank. This was a regular occurrence so the bear thought nothing of it other than he would like to see his friend, Gilbert. However, he knew better than to get out of bed. Francis was nice but he did not like Mathieu to be alone for some reason. The polar bear rarely left the boy's arms.
Just as Kumajirou was falling asleep and the noise had died down, the door creaked open and Gilbert crept into the room drunk but being quiet.
"Hey there bear friend." The albino whispered as he approached the bed.
The little bear raised his head in acknowledgement, not wanting to wake the boy.
The next thing he knew the bear was in Gilbert's arms and the Prussian was carrying him outside.
"I better not get in trouble." The bear told the pale man.
"Nein, of course you won't. Francy and Toni are both asleep."
"Oh. Okay. I'm glad to see you."
"Me too bear friend." The nation hugged the bear close. "Is Francy taking good care of you and the boy? You know if he's not I'll take care of it."
The bear laughed because Gilbert said this every time they were alone. Kumajirou thought maybe he was looking for a reason to hit the tall blond. "Oui, he is. He is very good to us."
"Very well, you'll tell me if he isn't, yes?"
"Oui, I will."
"Ready for our run?"
The bear jumped out of the man's arms as he said "Of course, I'll win."
The pale man chuckled. "Ja, you always do."
The two ran side by side for a while and when they turned at their usual spot the bear sped up. Gilbert jogged up to the porch; the polar bear was sitting waiting for him.
"I win!" The bear said with a laugh.
"Ja, I know." He laughed his reply as he picked the bear up. "We better get you back in bed, before Mathieu finds you missing."
"Oui, merci Gilbert."
"You're welcome little buddy. Maybe next time Mathieu can join us."
"I'd like that."
The Prussian smiled as he quietly took the bear back to the bed.
"Good night." He said and kissed the bear and the boy on the head and crept out to sleep himself.