Originally a drabble request from Tumblr. Please review.

The Bunyip

Two young colonies huddled under blankets together, sitting staring at one another from their beds. Although the house was likely large enough for them to have rooms of their own, they were determined to stay together like this. Australia had been determined to actually share beds, but New Zealand had decided that was taking it one step too far and refused. Thankfully for the Kiwi, England had agreed that it was highly inappropriate and it was separate beds for the two of them. However, that never stopped Australia occasionally sneaking over and climbing into his brother's bed during the night. However, that meant he was often greeted with a less-than-amused Kiwi in the morning, who would tell him to get out. Only when New Zealand had nightmares or was sick was Australia allowed to enter "the Kiwi zone", an area that took up what New Zealand had claimed as his part of the room.

"Hey Kiwi. Do you know about the bunyip?" Australia asked quietly, tone quiet. New Zealand looked at him curiously, and then shook his head. "Well, come here and I'll tell you about it". Sitting up in his bed, the Australian boy patted the bed beside him. Hesitating for a moment, the Kiwi clambered out of his bed and up next to his brother, waiting patiently to hear this story.

"It's not going to be too scary, is it?" he asked quietly, climbing into the blankets to make himself more comfortable.

"No, not really". Well, Australia didn't think so. And that was all that really mattered, wasn't it.

" Okay then. What is a bunyip?" New Zealand asked quietly, looking up at him patiently. The fact that his brother had been so vague made him even more curious to know what it actually was. Was it some sort of monster? Was it a scary thing that ate people? At this time of night, he became unsure if he wanted to know what the bunyip was. What if he had nightmares? It wasn't that he was a coward or anything, not at all.

"Anyway. A bunyip is a creature that lives in the water. They don't like it when people invade their homes. And they usually eat them when they did". Australia nodded. He was fairly sure that was right, although it had been a while since he had heard the story. "And sometimes…. Do you know what they liked to prey on?"

"I don't know…."

Australia smirked, leaning over to blow out the candle. The room quickly descended into near-total darkness. In a creepy voice, he whispered, "Women and… children". He began to tickle his brother suddenly, who let out a shriek of fear. Delighted that this had worked, Australia laughed wickedly.

"That's not fair. Not funny at all", New Zealand whined, pushing his brother away.

" Sorry New Zealand…." Australia said after a moment, although the smug smile was still firmly in place. He wasn't sorry. Wasn't sorry in the least bit. "You won't have nightmares, will you?"

New Zealand didn't respond to this at all, although he didn't return to his own bed. He was slightly scared the bunyip was under Australia's bed, ready to grab him should he try to return to his own.

" It's okay New Zealand. I'll protect you from the bunyip", Australia promised, wrapping his arm around his brother to hold him protectively. There was no way in hell he would let anything hurt his brother, even a bunyip.