(June 1815)

"Damn Austria," Prussia muttered to himself. "Damn him, and hell, why not Hungary, and my stupid boss, and hell, how about Russia? I seriously do not like that guy. Oh, and did I mention damn Austria?" No one took any notice of him as he sulked his way down the streets of whatever village he was in. He wasn't even sure if he was in his own borders at this point. He blamed the alcohol for that fact. And Austria. It was that damn aristocrat's fault that he was pissed off enough to need to get that drunk in the first place.

The Congress of Vienna had just ended. A fine example of international cooperation and politics at its finest. And a whole crock of bullshit.

"Does anyone have any questions?" Austria asked.

"Just one," France said. "I'm afraid it is a little awkward, but… now that the Holy Roman Empire has…"

"Officially bought it?" Prussia interrupted.

France glared at him. "Well I would have liked to be less blunt about it," he said. "But yes. Now that he is no longer with us, what will happen to the lands he controlled?"

"The German states will be organized into a German Confederation," Austria answered. "It will have much the same borders as the Confederation of the Rhine set out by Napoleon. Prussia and I will both be members of the Confederation."

"Oh, that should go smoothly," England muttered under his breath.

"Anyway," Austria continued, "there will be states as well as some independent kingdoms and cities. It will be governed by a Diet, under an Austrian presidency-"

"Hold on a second!" Prussia shouted. Austria flinched, although he had been expecting an outburst.

"Yes, Prussia?" he said.

"Just who said you could put yourself if charge, huh?" Prussia demanded.

And there lay the root of Prussia's frustration. What the hell gave that stupid aristocrat the right to pull a stunt like that?

"Well then," Austria said as they argued, "perhaps you had someone better in mind to hold presidency in the Diet?"

"Well, you know you aren't the only big player around," Prussia retorted.

"Perhaps not, but I am the biggest." Prussia made as if to respond. "And before you say anything about your own power here, I can assure you I am fully aware of it. But you, sir, are a soldier, not a statesman. Look at yourself now! You're wearing a military uniform to a Congress in peacetime."

"Well sorry if it offends you," Prussia spat. "My other suit was in the laundry."

"Prussia, I do not deny that you can fight a war. But the Confederation does not need a war. Confederations of any sort, by their very nature, are difficult to maintain. I know how to run an empire, you do not, and until you can provide compelling evidence to the contrary, do not interfere with me."

Prussia's expression darkened.

"And," Austria went on, "be aware that should you get it into your fool head to attempt to take control by force, I will meet you blow for blow. Despite what you may think, I have not remained in power for this long by being completely incompetent on the battlefield. Are we clear?"

Prussia wasn't sure what angered him more: the fact that Austria had seized control like that, or the fact that Prussia had let him do it. He was just as much a country as Austria, and damn had he had to fight for it. But even he had to admit; a war now would do no one any good (though it would sure as hell be satisfying). Austria was right that this Confederation would be pretty weak. Perhaps it was time to learn to play the statesman, rather than the soldier? Prussia shuddered at the thought. He had no patience for politics or statecraft. Battle: that made sense. You shot a man, he died; you had better tactics, better soldiers, and you won. Not hard. There was a clear chain of command. Not so with politics.

In his angered stupor, Prussia found that he had wondered to the outskirts of the unknown village. There was a thick wood surrounding the place, with only a barely maintained path to guide any travelers. What little good sense Prussia had warned him against going any farther. His getting hopelessly lost in a forest would not serve anyone. Then again, he thought, it was bound to be more exciting than going back home. Maybe he would get attacked by a bear or something. That would actually really improve his day.

So, into the trees he went. He followed the path for a while, but then he thought he spied a deer in the distance. He stalked after it, memories of hunting flooding back to him. It had been too long since he'd had a good hunt. While he had no means of bringing the animal down, he still followed it, just to feel some of that old rush again. After a while, though, he lost the deer. And then he realized that he had also lost the path. Well, that was a bit annoying. He sighed, vaguely wondering if it would be getting dark soon. Oddly enough, he could not seem to bring himself to care. He was tired, and his head ached, so he found a spot under a stout tree and let his back fall against it, breathing out a deep sigh of relief, and then deciding to drape his coat over himself like a blanket. Lying under that tree was complete bliss. At last, he was alone, no one was trying to shoot him, and the cares of the world seemed so far away and small from here. Even he had to admit, as he let the quiet envelope him, peace had its advantages.

Prussia did not even realize he was drifting off into sleep until it was disturbed by the sound of rustling leaves nearby. His entire body tensed, and for a moment he tried to reach for the rifle that he suddenly realized was not actually there. He shook his head, telling himself it was probably just a squirrel or something.

Then again, he thought as he looked in the direction of the noise, squirrels did not usually have blonde hair or blue eyes.

"Who are you?" the boy asked him.

He regarded the child, curiously. Humans didn't normally approach him so openly. And children didn't normally wonder this far out into the forest, either.

"You lost, kid?" he asked.

The boy shook his head. "Who are you?" he asked again.

"That," Prussia began, "is a slightly complicated question." He leaned back against the trunk of the tree, now that it was evident that there was no threat. "You cold, or something?" he said, noticing that the boy seemed to be shivering slightly.

He shook his head, but made his way towards Prussia, anyway, taking the edge of his coat and pulling it towards himself. Prussia let him do it. He was fine, and he noticed that the kid's clothes were thin, and torn, and pretty filthy. It looked like he had been wondering around the woods for ages.

"How long have you been out here?" Prussia asked.

"For as long as I can remember."

"What? You don't remember anything but this forest?" Prussia said. "You hit your head or something?"

The boy shook his head. Then he looked up at Prussia, his large blue eyes meeting red ones. "You didn't tell me your name," he said, wrapping Prussia's coat tighter around his small frame.

"Name's Prussia," he responded. He waited for the confused expression, or the laugh, or the 'you must be out of your mind' look, but it didn't come.

Instead the boy tilted his head. "Brother?" he said.

Prussia was shocked for a moment, then confused, before the realization finally dawned on him. "The name 'German Confederation' mean anything to you?"

The boy nodded. "My name," he said simply.

So that was it then. A new nation. And… Holy crap, he had said 'brother', hadn't he?

...

Prussia was not entirely sure how he felt about having a little brother. However, he was sure that he did not like the fact that Austria was interfering again.

Austria was sitting across from him in the dumb aristocrat's study. When he had arrived, Hungary had run off with Germany almost the instant she saw him, fawning over him the whole time. Apparently she really liked kids. That had left Prussia stuck with Austria to figure out how they were going to care for the new nation.

"Prussia, you have no idea how to raise a child," he said. And, unfortunately, Prussia could not really deny that. He knew how to help kids rebel (just ask England) but that probably wouldn't help them in this case.

"He's still my brother," Prussia replied.

"Which is the only reason I am even discussing this affair with you," Austria said, sounding snooty as ever, Prussia thought. Then Austria sighed. "I am willing to discuss joint custody with you."

Prussia gave a derisive snort. This whole thing was completely ridiculous. Though he wasn't sure if he was more upset that Austria was trying to control everything again, or more confused that he cared so much. After all, he really didn't know anything about kids, and why should he want to have to learn? He didn't even like children. They were loud, and annoying, and dirty, and having to be a responsible adult figure did not appeal to Prussia in the slightest. So why was he bothering to argue about this?

Frankly, he didn't know. But that wouldn't stop him.

"Fine, let's make a deal," Prussia said, resigning himself. He knew it would be impossible to lock Austria out entirely, so he may as well get the best deal he could out of the situation.

Austria nodded.

(July 1815)

Austria had care of the new German Confederation first (much to Prussia's dismay). Actually, Austria was surprised by how hard Prussia had fought for the boy. At first, Austria had believed it was only the other man's pride talking, but later it became clear that it was something more than that. Could Prussia actually care for the child?

Austria was very busy, so he was not home often. Hungary was there though, and she was very fond of Germany. She told him often that she missed having children around the house. Italy had long since moved out, and Holy Rome…Holy Rome was not mentioned often anymore. But now, Austria was glad to see her happy.

One day, he came home, and saw Hungary arranging some flowers in the foyer. When she saw him, though, she gave him a queer expression. "Did you just go out?" she asked.

"No," he replied. "I have been out all day."

"You have?" she said. "But, then, who was at the piano just now?"

Austria didn't have an answer for that. As far as he knew, he was the only one in the house who played any instrument. But, sure enough, as he and Hungary made their way along the corridor, he heard a little melody winding its way down the hall from his music room.

He opened the door slowly, and peeked inside. To his surprise, he saw Germany sitting at the piano, legs dangling off the bench, and fingers dancing across the keys, playing a lovely, if unfamiliar tune.

"Oh," his startled little voice said when he noticed them. "I'm sorry." Germany looked down, sheepishly, taking his hands from the keys.

"No, that was beautiful," Hungary exclaimed, walking inside.

"Indeed, it was," Austria said. Germany looked up at him. The child didn't smile often, but Austria could see that he was pleased by the approval.

"I heard you playing," Germany said. "And I liked it. I wanted to try."

"Let me hear you play again," Austria said. Germany turned back to face the keys, and started to play again. "Here, try this," Austria said, adjusting the boy's fingers.

Hungary smiled, and stole out of the room, quietly. Austria was so busy lately that he hardly ever had time for music anymore. She didn't want to interrupt.

(October 1824)

"Hey, Germany, you in here?" Prussia said, leaning his head through the door of his library.

Sure enough, there he was, in the armchair, with a large tome open across his comically small lap. He looked up when Prussia walked in.

"Hello," he said.

This library had gotten very little use in its time (the amazing Prussia had better things to do in his spare time than read silly books). He wouldn't have even had it at all, but his boss made him put it in so they would seem more cultured or something stupid like that. However, it turned out that his little brother loved to read. He did it nearly all the time. Germany liked to go outside too, especially to play with the dogs, but… he got tired so easily. Prussia had watched him collapse more than once. And he was sick so often. He was a Confederation, and those were always weaker by nature, but Prussia was worried, nonetheless. He remembered the time some crazies had started assassinating members of Germany's government. The kid had become so ill after that, the doctor had said he might not make it through the week. God, Prussia thought. He had felt so powerless then, and so scared. This time, there was no enemy to face on the battlefield. Just a sick child he didn't know how to help.

But, the kid had recovered, and now he was here. Reading. At least he would always be able to read. Prussia walked over and leaned over Germany's shoulder.

"What'cha reading?" he asked.

Germany showed him the cover in answer. It said De Bello Galico. "Not bad," Prussia replied. It was one of the few books in the library he, himself, had actually read.

"I've been reading about the Roman Empire a lot," Germany said. "But I can't figure out why he disappeared."

"Well, you know," Prussia answered. "Lots of economic troubles, and his leaders were all nuts. And something about Vandals?"

"I know about all that," Germany replied. "I understand why he fell, I just don't get why he vanished. I mean, he was so powerful and big and strong, so why did he go away?"

That Prussia did not have an answer to. So he just shrugged.

"Brother, can we get a piano?" Germany asked.

"Huh?" Prussia said. That was a random question.

"I've been learning to play at Austria's house, but he says I need to practice everyday, and I can't practice here because we don't have a piano."

"Oh. Uh…sure, I guess," he replied, more focused on the question of why anyone would want to learn to play a dumb piano in the first place.

"Thank you," Germany said, giving Prussia a rare smile. The boy didn't smile very often. But Prussia liked it when he did. "Oh, and I had one more question."

"Shoot."

"You know those books on the very top shelf, over there," Germany said, pointing. Prussia's heart fell into his stomach. "What were those people doing? I mean, in the ones with pictures it kind of looked like wrestling, but I don't think that's what it was. I mean, I think they were all naked. And how come that one guy seemed to like getting tied up so much?"

Prussia had to clench his teeth to keep the string of curses from escaping his throat, but he was sure as hell screaming them in his head. This was not how he wanted this discussion to come up. Frankly, he had been hoping the kid would just ask Austria where goddamn babies came from.

"Okay, uh, first of all… The top shelf is for, uh, grown up books. That you don't get to read until your older. Like, a lot older." How the hell had he forgotten about those things, anyway? He had probably put them there to spite his boss for making him get a library and just left them.

"Why not?" Germany asked.

"Because I'm your brother, and I say so," Prussia said quickly. Thankfully, the kid didn't press it. "And, do us both a favor, and don't tell Austria or Hungary about this?"

"Um, okay," replied Germany. "But, why not?"

"Because I'm you brother, and I say so." Germany gave a frustrated sigh.

(April 1842)

The sweet familiar bang of a firing rifle and the smell of gunpowder made Prussia smile. And so did the new gun. The new breech-loader was much easier to use than a muzzle loading rifle, and the self contained cartridge cut down on reload time as well. He couldn't wait to really see it in action.

Now, though, his little brother was struggling to aim the Needle Gun. Prussia had figured it was time to teach the kid something useful (like how to shoot), so he had taken him outside his house to an empty field where he liked to practice himself. It was early morning. The sound of shots had driven birds and animals away, so it was eerily quiet.

Germany fired again, with Prussia watching close behind him. The shot missed the target, but only barely, Prussia was sure. Germany, his face set in a determined expression, reloaded (he was getting much better at that part) and fired again, this time managing to graze the target.

"Not bad," Prussia said. "But, hey, that's my awesome teaching skills at work."

Germany rolled his eyes, reloaded, and fired again. Another miss. "Brother," he said as he reloaded again. "Are we going to be at war soon?"

"Huh? What makes you ask that?"

Germany fired again. He hit the targets edge. "I just wanted to know. Since you're teaching me how to shoot, and everyone seems so suspicious all the time. All the other countries I meet act like someone is going to attack them at any moment. So, I wanted to know." He fired again. This one hit.

Prussia didn't really know what to say. "I'm not teaching you how to shoot because we're about to fight a war," he said, figuring that was true enough.

"What are wars like?" Germany asked.

"Depends on whether or not you win."

Germany didn't say anything. He just fired again. "How strong do you have to be to win a war?" he asked, after a time.

"It's not always about strength," Prussia answered. "Sometimes it's about better tactics, or better troops, or better leaders or morale. Sometimes it's just luck. Unless you're me of course. I always win."

"No you don't."

"Well, I always win when it counts."

Germany only rolled his eyes again. "Are you and Austria going to fight a war?" he asked, suddenly.

"Seriously, kid, where are all these questions coming from?"

"I just want to know," Germany said.

"Well," Prussia began. "We've fought wars before. We probably will again." Prussia thought that might not have been the best answer, when he saw the sad look on his brother's face.

"Oh, okay. Um, if you do fight a war," Germany said, "Could you try not to hurt each other too badly?"

Prussia paused for a moment, caught off guard and not at all sure how to answer. Of course, he didn't want to upset the kid too badly so he just said, "Sure. We won't hurt each other too badly."

That seemed to cheer him up a bit, though he still didn't smile. "Thank you." He went to raise the gun again, but then he shuddered, then a loud cough broke through his lips. Prussia leaned forward, taking the gun from his hands and setting it as far aside as he could, while Germany's body shook with wracking coughs.

His hands shot up to cover his mouth, and Prussia saw that they came back flecked with red. He put his hands on he brother's shoulders to steady him, as he waited for the episode to pass. Germany's too-small frame quivered beneath his hands, and finally, the boy sank weakly to the ground, still shaking and gasping for breath.

"Hey, you okay?" Prussia asked once the coughing had subsided.

"No, I'm not," Germany cried, weakly. "I hate this. I hate that I'm sick, and weak, and that I can't do anything. And I hate that I have to be protected, and I always hurt, and I'm scared. I don't want to be scared anymore!" He turned his face away, but Prussia could still see the tears glistening in his eyes.

"Come here," he said, wrapping his arms around his little brother. Germany didn't resist. He just lay in Prussia's arms, trying to hide his tears.

"Prussia? What if I get sick, but I don't get better?" he finally asked.

"That's not going to happen," Prussia replied, his tone firm.

"But what if it does?"

"It won't," Prussia repeated. "You're going to grow up, and get strong. If things are rough now, that only makes you tougher down the line. And I'll be there. I'll make sure nothing happens to you. Just so long as you promise me you will not ever give up." He turned Germany's face to his. His eyes were red, but Prussia looked at him squarely and said, "You hear me? You have to promise not to give up."

"I promise," Germany replied softly.

"Good. Now, come on, let's go inside." Prussia picked up the rifle, and started leading him away. Germany's steps were faulty, but his expression was determined. Prussia kept his pace slow, so the kid could keep up. Finally, they made it back. Germany was exhausted, but at least he seemed less upset. When he started to cough again, though, he was hurried away by a doctor and shoved into bed.

Prussia watched as they left. He was angry. He didn't know who or what he was angry at, but there it was. His brother was sick, and there was still nothing he could do. The damn kid was in tears about it, but still he was powerless. That wasn't supposed to happen to him. He was the goddamn Kingdom of Prussia, so why was there nothing he could do?

He felt the urge to hit something.

Author's Notes

Wow, first story :) Anyway, I just thought a quick rundown of the historical events and concepts referenced was in order here (so you can legitimately say you were studying instead of just reading fanfiction). Now, my explanations are woefully short, but a quick google search will get you plenty of better information, if you are curious.

- The Congress of Vienna: Took place after the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. Notable (among other things) for being Russia's major debut into Western European politics, establishing the German Confederation, and attempting to create a "Congress System" in European diplomacy, allowing diplomats to convene to solve problems rather than resorting to wars (naturally this part failed rather spectacutarly, but kudos for trying, guys.)

- German Dualism: The long standing rivalry between Austria and Prussia for dominance in Central Europe and the German States between 1740 and 1866 (a normal person sees historical jargon, and Hetalia fan sees a custody battle ;D)

- Prussian Needle Gun (Dreyse Zündnadelgewehr): adopted by the Prussian army in 1841, this was the first practical, military, breech-loading, bolt action rifle. Totally revolutionary design and it established the standard for cartridge ammunition, rather than dumping powders down the gun and praying. I'm sorry, I just really like old weapons.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading. Please review, and if you have any constructive criticism, I am ready and eager to hear it!