This fic has been in progress for over a month. I'd written 3 chapters of it already, but wanted to finish the planned 5 to keep going. Laptop broke, yada yada, got bored of these sitting around and gathering dust. I'm still going to write the other 2-3 chapters planned since they have some of the best prompts, but I figure I'll get some material out to keep generating feedback and fuel my energies back into writing! The ficlets fluctuate over amounts of angst and length where appropriate, but remember, they are all drabbles. Many don't have relation to each other in timeframe, relationships, etc. They're just a compilation of ideas with the same sort of theme, so I've compiled them together for your easier enjoyment.

Enjoy.

Bottom floor.

Front door. Twice. Both locks, top and bottom. Tug on the handle to make sure the locks are functioning properly.

Moves onto the kitchen. Wrestle with the lock to make sure it is in place properly. Unlock, then lock again. Give another tug to make sure it's wedged. Move onto the 3 others windows and repeat. Draw the curtains.

Living room. Repeat process to the 2 windows, sweeping the coffee and side-tables to make sure no valuables are strewn about. Draw the curtains firmly, tugging at them to make sure they evenly meet in the middle.

Move to storage room and make sure the door is firmly locked, no obstructions on the other side.

Check back door, securing both locks and tugging firmly on the knob. Do this twice.

Move back into the hallway adjoining the staircase, striding to the front door to listen for a working burglar alarm, moving into the kitchen to test the smoke alarm, and giving the front door a final, bracing glance. Head upstairs.

First floor.

Go into office and make sure the desk is properly cleared, and the windows are secure and drawn curtains.

Do the same window routine with the bathroom, but without any curtains.

Ludwig wandered out of the bathroom, padding barefoot, when he heard someone climbing the stairs. He gazed over at it, and was met with the sight of his older brother blinking blearily like he'd just been woken. Ludwig blinked guiltily as red eyes glanced over as he approached, Gilbert's expression twisted in an uncharacteristic ghost of concern.

"Still doing it? Slamming windows and locks isn't the best pastime this late at night."

"I'm sorry I woke you."

"Are you done?"

"…Yes." But it was always a yes.

"Feliciano found his way to your bed eventually, I don't know how he does it."

"…I figured."

"Feliciano probably snuck in before you started. You don't need to do anymore."

"I know." But it didn't change anything.

Gilbert frowned, gazing at his brother, who only looked troubled as usual. Bags were tugging at his blue eyes, signalling the toll of his activity. Ludwig could always control how he appeared, his feet still and not at all restless, his gaze steady and body language calm. But Gilbert had long known his itch.

The brothers gazed at each other for a few moments, thoughts sluggishly tugging at their conscious, both varieties of tire and anxiety. They didn't know what to say, there was nothing they could say. This was a routine they were both too aware of, and were both equally powerless to stop. This routine had gone on for as long as Gilbert could remember, that he lay awake some nights and could remember step for step his brother's direction and where he'd go next.

But he could never count how many times over.

There was a blink, and the silence was awkward. Exhausted minds snapped back to consciousness, away from their split thoughts; one of memories and one of compunction. Both of tire.

"Well, don't keep the Awesome Me up too long, though I don't really need beauty sleep, I do sorta need it." Gilbert blurted out, looking unruffled, self-interested and unconcerned as usual. Ludwig's tired eyes crinkled a little in a moment of acceptance, of tired humour at his actions.

"Ja, gute Nacht, Bruder."

Gilbert muttered something about needing a piss before he could catch any more sleep, walking past his brother looking aloof and bothered he'd been woken up. He could easily see the crinkle smooth out around those crystalline eyes, bright in the dim corridor. Face troubled and haggard once more.

He turned away with a secret frown as he heard his brother hesitate, obviously tempted to go and get some rest. Like his brother had said. Like he had agreed he would.

But as Gilbert opened the bathroom door he didn't even need to look.

Ludwig went back downstairs.