"Hurry up bruder, else you're gonna be late for breakfast!" Gilbert yelled from downstairs in the kitchen. The small house was filled with the scent of freshly made eggs and toast. Ludwig rushed down the stairs, his eyes were slightly drained. He jumped onto a creaky chair, and waited for the plate. Gilbert brought along the plates, and he sat down himself, and the two began to eat. Ludwig finished first, as he always did, in order to get ready for school. Gilbert's shift didn't start till later, so he wasn't in a particular rush. Today was gonna be a good day. As Ludwig walked out the door, ready for school, the brothers hugged and wished one another a farewell, leaving Gilbert alone. Gilbert stretched his arms, still a bit tired. He rubbed his head and made his way to the kitchen in order to clean up before he left. It wasn't as much as a chore as it was a hobby. Gilbert loved to clean. It came natural to him. He wasn't a clean freak, he wouldn't walk into a house and be disgusted, he'd just want to clean it. He never said that, in fear of being rude. Gilbert checked the clock, and decided to get ready. He turned on the radio, and headed upstairs. His room wasn't large, like his house, it mainly held the essentials and a few personal items, like his flute. Gilbert got dressed in his usual attire, a whitish grayish shirt with dark blue jeans. His shoes were a plain black, and seemed a bit too small for the German. Gilbert grabbed his bag, and headed downstairs. He took a look at the tickets that sat idly against the coffee table, which even though in the open, was safer there than anywhere else. Gilbert would keep them in his wallet, but, even at work there are thieves. Gilbert knew that Vargas would let him go to the circus, but he couldn't help but have second thoughts. He promised Ludwig this. Gilbert did a small pray asking for Vargas's permission to take a day or two off. He turned the radio off, and headed to work.

SouthEast wasn't a famous restaurant, it wasn't anything grand, it was just a restaurant that everyone knew had good food. Gilbert knew a few of his other employees, some were immigrants like him, others were "purebred" Americans. Either way, they all knew that they couldn't throw insults at one another until after their shifts. If Vargas caught 'em getting into fights during work hours, yikes, Gilbert remembered how bad Vargas's punishments could get. He was lucky he wasn't fired.

"Morning Gilbert." A buff blonde German greeted. His name was Siegfried.

"Morning Sigi. Vargas here yet?" Gilbert asked, staring at the German. Siegfried was born in the states, not originally from Germany, but his parents had came from there. Gilbert didn't know wether to be terrified of the guy or to joke with the dude. Sometimes his personalities would just switch in seconds. One second he's happy and jokey, the next he's sour and quiet. Weird guy.

"Nein, I was just opening up, I guess we can get to cleaning." Siegfried was incharge of the door, something Vargas should do, but the guy never came early to do anything, which the employees didn't really mind. It gave them a little free time to do whatever they want.

"Are you excited about the circus?" Gilbert asked, switching to German. He didn't feel like English.

"I guess. Lucy wants to go." Siegfried shrugged. Lucy was an Italian woman that no one wanted to mess with. She was headstrong, pretty brutal, and a huge woman rights activist. Not that it was bad or anything. Gilbert didn't know how Siegfried got with her. Their personalities were so different from one another.

"I'm gonna take Ludwig." Gilbert said, feeling pride in his chest. "He's never been to one, and I want him to be amazed." Gilbert said dreamily. Siegfried made something that was almost a chuckle, before finally opening the door, and the two started to work. Gilbert started to put the chairs down, and place the outdoor table and chairs outside, along with cleaning the place up a bit. Siegfried made his way into the kitchen to make sure nothing went wrong with anything. After a while some of the other workers came in. They had all gotten to their jobs, the older ones started to cook up the food, and work with the stoves, the younger, mainly the siblings, all started to just clean and help in the kitchen. Gilbert put on his best serving outfit, which was just an apron, and grabbed his pen and paper. His fellow waitress, one of the French sisters on his street, Lucille, looked exhausted.

"You good there Lucille?" Gilbert asked her, in English, a smile on his face.

"I am fine Gilbert. I just didn't get enough sleep last night." Lucille yawned, lazily making her way into the kitchen. Gilbert looked at her, but decided not to press. Some people just need to have their own lives. Gilbert did another check on all the tables, making sure they're clean, and waited for Vargas. They weren't really allowed to open up without him, so most of the employees would just talk and grab a pot of coffee or two.

"Hey Gil," Lucille came up, holding a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Hey Lu, how's it going?" Gilbert asked, taking a sip from his own coffee. Needed more sugar.

"Nothing much, just ya know, elder sibling responsibilities." Lucille sighed, her eyes were drained.

"Is everything alright between you and Michelle?" Gilbert asked. Lucille seemed a bit graceful that he asked.

"No. Not really. Michelle hasn't been attending school these days, escaping down towards the beach. It's often now where police will drag her home, and basically lecture me about raising my own sister. I don't know what to do. Michelle has a bright future ahead of her, and she isn't doing much with it. I just…" She paused, "I wish that I could do more." Lucille crumbled. Gilbert held her hand, she held it to hold back the tears in her blue sulken eyes.

"It's okay Lu. You're a great sister." Gilbert comforted, "Michelle is just going through that rebellious stage. With no parents to act out on, you're her next candidate. Just try to communicate more, and maybe make a deal or two. Trust me." Gilbert told her, talking slow for her to understand. Lucille wiped a loose tear from her face, moving her glasses a little, before stepping back.

"Merci Gilbert. Sometimes I forget that you're actually smart." Was all she said, before giggling away. Gilbert rolled his eyes. Lucille was a good lady. She was polite, can cook, and just overall awesome. But Gilbert didn't feel that way towards her. He never felt that way towards anybody. He's never seen a girl that he'd like to date, so he kept it that way. It never bothered him. Afterall, there were more important things on his mind than getting a girl.

"Good morning all ya assholes." Vargas stormed in, a smile on his face. Some of us greeted him back, a few of us grimaced, but we all knew the day had begun.

Gilbert worked his ass off. He was lucky enough today to get actual good customers instead of assholes who were racists towards him. He wasn't foreign to younger kids looking at him weirdly, and calling him names, but when adults did it, it upset him worse. Since adults are, ya know, supposed to be "nice" and "polite". But instead, they act childish.

"Can I take your order?" Gilbert would ask to the customers flowing into the tables, and of course, they would answer. Once in a while one would stare at him, either bewildered by the fact he might be a ghost, or that he was German. Or perhaps both. Gilbert settled himself down in the kitchen, taking a glass of water to himself.

"Having fun?" Siegfried chuckled at the exhausted albino.

"All the fun in the world…" Gilbert smiled sarcastically. "Hey is Vargas in his office?" Gilbert asked, hoping to have a word with him.

"Ja, but he seems ta be a bit on the angry side of things." Siegfried warned. Gilbert collapsed again. Maybe after his shift, or his next break, he could ask the main man. He needed to do it soon before anyone else asks first. Else he would break his promise with Ludwig. Gilbert had thought about just skipping work, but, he didn't want to suffer the consequences. What's worse? Breaking a promise that can be revived, or, suffering through the fault of no work, with no money coming in. Gilbert knew exactly which one held more importance over him. Gilbert continued on with his job, talking with a few other employees, and got his pay worth. By the end of his shift, Gilbert was exhausted. Sure he liked to work, better than doing nothing, but it still wiped him out. Gilbert made his way to Vargas's office.

"Mr. Vargas?" Gilbert knocked on the door. There were a few rattles and movement, before Vargas allowed him in. Gilbert opened the door to find Vargas's roommate, Antonio, inside the office.

"Si Gilbert?" Vargas sighed, he seemed as tired as Gilbert was.

"Ah, sir, the circus is coming, and I was wondering-"

"You want to go to the circus?" Antonio intervened. Gilbert nodded. "Ah! Isn't that amazing!" Antonio turned to Vargas, "Remember when you-?" Vargas immediately stopped him.

"How many days?" Vargas eyed the German.

"One. Maybe. If I get more money, maybe two?" Gilbert shrugged. Vargas was silent for a moment.

"I want you to take the week off." Gilbert looked at him in shock.

"But sir-?" Vargas cut him off harshly.

"You want to spend time with that little brother of yours right? School is gonna be cut next week. Giving ya some quality time with him." Vargas closed his eyes wistfully. "Now, ragazzo, if you want to take the week off, then say so. The other workers are gonna be staying, since they don't really wanna go out there, and since some are too poor to." Vargas stared at Gilbert, his eyes intent. Gilbert hadn't remembered when the asshole Italian was, well, this nice before. Gilbert grinned, said thank you, and retreated out the door. Before he left, he caught wind of the last words Antonio and Vargas shared.

"Aren't you just nice Lovi~ Are we gonna-?"

"No. I told you. I ain't going back to that place, idiota. Ever."

Gilbert put up his uniform quickly, however, before he could make his final escape, Lucille was waiting at the door.

"Gilbert. I was waiting for you." Lucille said, her face was solemn.

"Oh, heya Lu. Do you need something?" Gilbert asked, respectfully.

"I was wondering, if you don't mind," She shrunk, "If you could walk me home?" Lucille had a bit of fear in her voice. Gilbert immediately knew something was wrong.

"Of course." Gilbert said, his voice became tougher, stronger. He had to be on alert. Lucille's face was full of relief as her shoulders relaxed.

"Merci…" She whispered. Gilbert smiled at her, and took her hand. It was a gentleman thing to do.

After a few blocks away from SouthEast, the two had just held hands in silence.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Gilbert asked, after making sure that no one was in the area. Lucille shook her head, almost falling into tears.

"Some boys from a few blocks, the rich boys, have been giving me comments, and even trying to touch me. I've been trying to make sure that I wake up early enough to where they aren't around, but somehow, they just keep finding themselves towards me. If there wasn't a link fence between us, I don't know what would happen to me." Lucille confessed, tears falling down her face. Gilbert had never seen her like this. She always had such a poker face, as expected from someone who can win at almost any gambling game, but to see her like this was, soul crushing. Gilbert hugged her tightly.

"It's okay, Lu. I'm here. I'll make sure to walk you from your home to work, and then back home everyday." Gilbert said, his voice was stern. Lucille hugged him back, a smile on her face.

"Merci." She said, and the two began to discuss normal topics.

"Hey Sexy where you at?" A voice called from in front of the two teens. Lucille tightened up, she squeezed Gilbert's hand.

"Can't wait ta look at ya Miss Hotty Hot!" Another voice came. Gilbert snarled in disgust. He could tell from the view of where these boys were, they couldn't seem Gilbert. The two teens came into an Alley, and Gilbert could catch a good glimpse of the boys. They saw him.

"Ah shit." One said, he had reddish brownish hair, and piercing on his lips and eyebrows. The other boy, he was more lean and didn't actually seem that bad. He looked normal, besides the glint of smug in his eyes and smirk.

"Oi! Bring that pretty little thing to us! We wanna get a closer look!" The boy called out. Gilbert grimaced, anger pounded in his head. He looked over at Lucille, who only stared at him.

"Follow my lead. Stay behind me. No matter what happens, do not come over." Gilbert whispered to her. Lucille nodded. Gilbert gently lead her towards the fence, she stayed behind him. He felt protective. Lucille was his friend. She was just a teen, like him, raising a kid. They were made to be kids. Not adults.

"Hey! The White Piece of Shit can listen!" The boy with reddish-brownish hair commented. Gilbert wanted to jump over that fence and beat the shit out of those boys.

"Bring the darling little thing over here." The other boy said, his voice of lust. Gilbert stepped forward, letting go of Lucille.

"I would," Gilbert said, making sure that his German accent was as thick as he could make it, "But I don't think two assholes like yourselves deserve to be anywhere near her." Gilbert snarled. The boys were taken aback at first, before the reddish-brownish boy started to laugh.

"Did a kraut just fucking tell me what to do?" The boy laughed. Gilbert stood his ground. "Listen here ya fucking Nazi, this is America, home of the fucking awesome. We men get to do what we want, while ya Germans and ladies just sit down and do exactly as we say." The boy continued to laugh, a dangerous eye in his glint.

"Then jump over this fence, and make me." Gilbert snarled. He quickly turned to Lucille. "Go to Emma. NOW!" He yelled, surprising Lucille, who quickly sprinted off. The other boy was pissed.

"Ya fucking Nazi dumbass!" The other boy yelled, scrambling up the fence. The reddish-brownish haired boy followed. From another world perspective, 2 v 1, not good. However, Gilbert was tough. If Lucille made it to Emma's, two others will be joining his side. He needed to stall.

"I was gonna get laid tonight you piece of shit!" The reddish-brownish haired boy yelled, attacking Gilbert, who barely dodged. He grabbed the boy and bent him down, putting a knee into his stomach. Wasn't used to fighting. Or just really bad at it. The other boy seemed more accustomed to the life of fighting. He was more vigilant, relaxed. Gilbert waited till he swung first. Mistake. The boy was fast. He immediately uppercutted Gilbert, he felt himself bite his tongue. Gilbert jumped back, wiping a bit of blood from his face. He started to attack the boy, punching, dodging, kicking. It was as if the two were dancing, they were in sync. A few times the boy would slip up and Gilbert was able to give him a new one, but, alas, Gilbert would also slip up. This time he slipped up good. He forgot about the reddish-brownish haired boy, who came up from behind him, and pinned him to the wall. Gilbert tried to let out a yell, but stopped himself. Yelling was a sign of weakness. Gilbert struggled in the boy's grip, a little surprised that he was so strong. Then Gilbert realized, they were a duo. Obviously. One was a distraction, the other was too sneak behind and catch their opponent off guard. He fell for something so simple. As Gilbert continued to struggle, the fast boy started to pound in him. Throwing insults at the almost defenseless German.

"You're a real son of a bitch? You know that?" The boy screeched into his ear. Gilbert spat blood onto him. The boy punched Gilbert's face again.

"You're a real pervert. You piece of horse shit!" Gilbert snarled. More time. Just a bit more time.

"I'mma turn you into a piece of horse shit!" The boy yelled, raising his fist once more, Gilbert closed his eyes, as to lighten the damage, but nothing happened. Gilbert smirked.

"Dammit Gilbert." Ned sighed, holding onto the rich boy's arm. "You really like getting yourself into trouble don't you?" Ned said, throwing the boy back. The reddish-brownish haired boy tensed, as if he was going to fight this tall guy, but decided against it, and immediately let Gilbert go. Gilbert fell to the ground, before being lifted up by Lux. Ned's younger brother.

"Wow Gil. I thought you'd last longer!" Lux chuckled, a smile on his face. Gilbert rolled his eyes.

"Ja, ja, rub it in why don't you?" Gilbert laughed. The rich boys immediately headed for the fence, when Ned stopped them.

"Heard you boys were messing with one of our girls' on this street." Ned said, his voice was low and filled with anger. The boys spat at him. Wrong move. Ned immediately took their heads and hauled it into the fence. He got close to them. Gilbert could barely hear what he was saying, but decided to ask later. Lux helped Gilbert get his grounds, before walking over to Ned. Ned threw the boys onto the ground, and finally they scattered off.

"I forgot how scary you can get big bro!" Lux grinned. Ned nodded, and the three of them headed back to their homes.

"You're a good guy Gilbert." Ned said as they closed to home.

"Danke." Gilbert thanked him, a large smile on his face. It was pretty rare when Ned would compliment him like that.

"Lucille wants to say her thanks to you. Though, I feel like she's even more scared now, thinking them boys might come back for revenge." Lux commented.

"Then I'll be there for her!" Gilbert almost yelled, "The awesome me will make sure all girls are safe here!" Gilbert roared. Lux rolled his eyes, but smiled at the proud German.

"Yeah, you do whatever you do Gil. Just, keep Lucille safe. Along with Michelle. We can take care of our sister!" Lux said, his eyes boar deep. Gilbert nodded. On their street, they were family. They protect one another, and to let some rich assholes mess with their girls, them rich boys got what was coming to them. No one hurt these girls.

"Ludwig is with Emma. He got home when Lucille got to us." Ned said, glancing at Gilbert.

"It was kinda scary seeing Lucille walk up to us in tears and blabbering about how ya was fighting. I mean, it's Poker-Face-LuLu, I'm pretty sure any emotion from her is kinda scary, or weird." Lux explained. Gilbert nodded. Seeing her in terror and tears wasn't something he wanted to see on her anyday. He would rather see her smile.

"Gilbert!" Emma called, running away from her garden and towards the German. She immediately hugged him, holding him tight.

"You are such a good person. But a dumbass." Emma smiled, she also looked like she was gonna cry.

"Please don't cry too Emma. I've had enough female tears today." Gilbert jokes, Emma smiled at him, before punching him.

"Don't be rude. Now, come on, Lucille and Ludwig are inside. I made some pastries!" Emma smiled, her eyes still a pit puffy. Gilbert nodded, and followed the siblings inside, where Gilbert was immediately hugged, once more, by Lucille.

"Thank you…" She said softly. Gilbert chuckled a bit, hugging her back. The two pulled away, and they ate the sweets.

"Hey Luddy, how was school?" Gilbert asked, grabbing a cookie from off a plate. Ludwig looked him up and down.

"Amili got into another fight today. Some boy was being mean to her, so she beat him up." Ludwig shrugged. Gilbert smirked at that. Looks like he wasn't the only on with bruises today.

"What was the kid doing?" Gilbert asked, leaning back in his chair.

"He kept trying to pull her hair." Ludwig shrugged, grabbing another cookie.

"What did you do about it?" Gilbert asked, his voice heavy.

"I tried to get him to stop, but he wouldn't listen to me. Then Amili hit him. It was kinda funny." Ludwig gave a small chuckle. Gilbert laughed.

"Well, I got into a fight today too." Gilbert said, pointing out the obvious.

"I'm back with the aid kit!" Emma said, rushing into the kitchen. "Now, come over here, I don't wanna move." Emma said, falling onto an old antique chair, beckening Gilbert over, who, reluctantly, complied with her command. Emma grabbed his face and started to patch it up, putting ointment here or there to stop infections, placing a bandage some places as too hide the bruises.

"Emma, if you put even another bandage on me, I'll be ready for Halloween." Gilbert joked, Emma shot him a humoured glare, placing a bandage on his mouth.

"Quiet when the doctor's working." Emma hushed him, Gilbert gave a chuckle, before obeying the rules of unspoken silence. As that's exactly what silence is.

After a while of chatting and just messing around, Gilbert decided that it was probably time for he and Ludwig to go back home. Lucille agreed, thinking about Michelle, doing God knows what.

"Thanks for the sweets Emma!" Gilbert waved off, carrying his tired little brother.

"Au revoir Gilbert! Have a good night!" Emma smiled at the boys.

As the two brothers walked into their house, Ludwig immediately spun on his heels, and turned to his brother, who already knew the question that he had been wanting to ask ever since he got home from school.

"Well?" Ludwig poked, "What did he say?" Gilbert pretended to give a face worthy of despair.

"He said… He said…" Gilbert pretended to choke on his words, the face of both utter disappointment and hatred on his brother's face was priceless, "He said I can have the week off." Gilbert said, still in the same tone of sadness. Ludwig looked as though he was about to storm off and yell something when he stopped mid thought. He looked at Gilbert, glaring at him. Ludwig punched Gilbert in the stomach.

"Ow! Ow! Soft zone! Not there!" Gilbert cried in pain, over exaggerating. Ludwig turned away from his brother.

"You arschloch!" Ludwig stuck out his tongue, heading up towards his room. Gilbert laughed, before heading towards the kitchen to start dinner. As Gilbert was cooking dinner, he realized something. If Vargas had given him the following week off, then, what about Lucille? Who would walk with her? Gilbert thought that maybe, no matter what, he would do it, but then that would interfere with quality brother time. But what it really worth it to let a girl walk alone, fear that the boys will come back, just to spend time with his brother? Well, obviously it was no, but still. Gilbert thought about it rationally. In the morning he could totally do it. It would give Ludwig some time to pack up whatever he needs, and then they can get going as they walk with Lucille. It was after her shift that was his worry. What if he forgot? Or if he ran late? How would he forgive himself? How would Lucille forgive him? Gilbert made a mental note to never forget. To keep it in his mind at all times. He knew it would be a bit hard to do, but he was gonna do it.

"Ludwig! Dinner's ready!"

After prayers and food, Ludwig, wiped out, headed once more up into his room, while Gilbert laid himself onto the old moldy couch. Gilbert sighed and stared into the air, wincing a couple of times as he moved around, the bruises still fresh, along with a cut or two. He could hear exactly what Vargas would say to him.

"You dumbass! How will people like it if a bruised kid came into work and served them? Why do you always get into fights? I know you did it for Lucille, but still! No. You are to work in the back. I don't want business failing because you got hurt!" Gilbert continued to mock Vargas in his head. Even though Gilbert did like him, the guy got on his nerves. Gilbert sighed, shutting his eyes. He deserved to dream.


A/N I hope you enjoyed and will continue to read this story! And don't worry! This wasn't a filler chapter, this actually has meaning for the future, so be prepared! The circus is upon us! As this story takes place in 1982, if anyone out there is a huge history nerd, as I'm more of a geography nerd, please tell me if I'm doing any history incorrectly. I want to make sure this is as realistic as possible. Any information is helpful! Chapter Three is on it's way!