Prussia dropped the box he had been rummaging through- this time with no malicious intent born of his loathe to sort old junk.

"Wh-what was that bruder?" he asked. The aged and neglected portrait in Germany's grasp derailing his focus from his brother's inquiry.

"I asked what this is." Germany repeated, is face curious, yet patient, so alike to the expression of the young boy in the portrait Prussia was sure Germany was trying to imitate just to fool with him.

"It's... An old painting." Prussia worded out slowly. His younger brother had stumbled upon something Prussia had not meant for him to ever see.

"Ja, I see that," Germany responded, an edge of sarcasm bordering his words.

It was a rare pitch in his vocabulary Prussia treasured on most occasions, but now it was simply a crack for the seed of doubt to find refuge in. Had he and the others not been careful enough in their teachings? Had the mused it over one to many times and he over-heard? Does he suspect?

"What I mean is," Germany continued, interrupting Prussia's inner dread. "Who is this boy? Why are you holding him? There is no description anywhere..."

Well. Prussia was safe for another few seconds at least- maybe he'd be able to talk his way out of it...

"It's nothing, really." Just me and the Holy Roman Empire. "Just someone less awesome then me." He ended with a cackle, hoping that showing a bit of (what Austria loving called) his 'Manic and deep-seeded narcissism' would defuse any further questioning.

Germany eyes Prussia's smirk tiredly for a few seconds before turning back to the painting. He wouldn't have asked in the first place, but he had never seen Prussia look so serious or so gentle as he was portrayed in the image. He had almost made up his mind to set it aside and continue his cleaning duty, but two tiny words in the very top left corner caught his eye. There were a bit curled under the frame as if the canvas had once been stretched over a slightly larger structure. He tilted the picture ans squinted.

"Holy... Rome..." He muttered to himself. Prussia froze, but Germany seemed to absorbed in his finding to pay much heed to his brother's discomfort. "Is this you and the Holy Roman Empire?" He asked, not knowing it was a forbidden question.

Prussia squeezed his tongue between his teeth. The truth wanted to be told, but Prussia didn't want to tell it. If he said a word, he knew it would all come spilling out.

"Yes." He breathed, and the flood-gates were opened.


AN: I wrote this on the back of a picture I drew, if anyone is interested, here's the link: ht tp :/ /your wayward destiny .deviant art. com/ art/ Prussian -Blue -217 4594 59