"...........And so the Prince rode off into the distance with the Princess, and they all live Happily ever after." Ludwig's usually rough voice sounded unnaturally soft and caring as he read the story to the small rounded creature on his lap.
the Thing he was reading to was a small infant, with large puffy cheeks and rust colored eyes, staring intently at the picture book as he read. The small reddish brown head of twitched irratically when the child momentarily lost intrest in the book and looked around the room. .
"Mister-sir-person..."
"Ludwig" He corrected the tiny boy.
"Ludwig... do you have a princess"?
Obviously the German was slightly taken aback with the question, it was childish, yes, but it hit a soft spot in him. Especially since it was this peticular person asking him.
"Yes, Once" He hoped the conversation would drop but the large eyes turned up to him, shining bright with innocent curiocity.
"What happened to Ludwig's Princess"? the shrill voice persisted. Ludwig sighed.
"A wizard changed him into a bug".
It was Half true, Arthu had tried to curse America, but Italy had burst in and disrupted the spell (it was Arthur's fault for trying to curse people in the bathroom of the conference Building) and Now the italian... he wasnt exactly the same anymore. Arthur was currently under heavy supervision and harrassment from Romano who wanted nothing more then his brother back to normal.
"Can i be Ludwig's princess"?
Blue eyes met Brown as Ludwig was brought out of his daze. he stared at the bouncing baby in his arms.
"Since Ludwig's princess is gone, can i be Ludwig's Princess"? Ludwig gazed at the child, his eyes attached to the little bouncing curl that stuck out from the rest of the hair.
the German felt a small smile twitch at the side of his mouth. once again the comment was so innocent and full of childishness, but to him it ment the world.
"Of course" he replyed, receiving a delighted squeal and more bouncing from the chubby little boy.
"If Im a Princess, you have to kiss me" the large man frowned slightly, but that didnt stop the determined little boy. "Kiss kiss kiss" he squeaked, patting Ludwig's cheek to try and encourage him.
With a quick glance at the clock hanging on the wall, he saw it was getting a little late.
"Its time for you to go to bed" the squeal this time was full of complaint.
"Kiss Kiss"! the Infant kicked his little legs around, making little crying noises that by now where all to familiar to the german soldier. Ludwig made his way to the spare room of his house that had been set up to accomodate the little boy under his care.
the problem was that the child wouldnt stay still long enough for ludwig to put him in the bed, he was kicking around to much, the little puffy pajama pants had ridden up his legs and the buttons on his shirt where comming undone. it seemed the german had hit a dead end.
there was only one way yot calm down the child. reluctantly, Ludwig bent forward and kissed the small forehead. as if on que the crying stopped. when he pulled away the child stared up, small hands pressed to his cheeks.
"are you happy now"? the boy nodded "then go to sleep". the blond turned to leave, he was almost out the door when...
"Ludwig"? he turned.
"yes"?
"Will i always be your princess"?
the room was silent for a moment.
"of course Italy, Always"
10 cookies to whoever guessed it was Italy before it was said.