Chapter 3: Austria's Surprise
Prussia stood there, staring at the small nation yelling in his sleep. France,youbastard?Whydidhesaythat? Prussia asked himself. Reaching towards the bed he grabbed Germany and shook him awake. "Germany, wake up!"
With that the blonde's eyes shot open and the older could see fear in them. "Brother, France attacked me and left me dying in the woods!"
Prussia's eyes widened. That's why he had found him in the woods. That's why France grabbed him at the market. He immediately began to worry that his new family member was beginning to remember what had happened to him. Shaking it off, he pulled Germany into a hug and began to sooth him. "It's ok, it was just a dream. That bastard won't hurt you anymore. I'm going to make you strong, you got that?"
Prussia felt the stiff nod the younger gave him. Pulling away he looked hard into Germany's eyes and smiled. "Okay, time for bed," he said, smiling.
Germany climbed back onto his bed and Prussia pulled the covers over the small nation. He walked to the door and, turning to face to child, he said, "Goodnight, Germany." With that, he pulled the door partially closed and walked to his own room.
Sighing, he changed into a t-shirt and shorts as he got ready to go to bed as well. As he did this, he thought about the dream Germany had. Somehow he knew that it was more than just a dream. It was a memory of what had happened to him. A memory that could help him figure out how he had ended up with amnesia, and somehow Prussia knew that the reason was France. He had attacked his brother before the incident at the market.
Even after coming to this conclusion, Prussia still wasn't sure who Germany had been before a month ago. He had heard rumors that the Holy Roman Empire had disappeared while traveling to Italy. If that was true and Germany was Holy Rome, then Prussia could be in a load of trouble if anybody ever found out. Whether they are Holy Rome's enemies or allies, he could make enemies of all of them. All he could do now is keep pretending that he didn't know anything and hopefully Germany would just think he was having nightmares. Pushing the thoughts from his head, he fell asleep, deciding to deal with it if the problem ever arose.
The next day, Prussia began to train his little brother so he could protect himself if he ever needed to. Not only did the younger nation learn fast, he also grew fast. Prussia was both proud and sad as he watched him grow from a small boy to a nation that was almost stronger than him. Slowly, over the years, it turned from Prussia taking care of Germany to the other way around.
Prussia had stayed away from beer, for the most part, since he took in Germany. That is, until the war against Austria began. Every night he would come home beaten and bruised and retreat to his study (if it could even be called that) and drink himself to sleep. At 15, Germany didn't like seeing his brother like this so he did his best to drag Prussia to his bed. Sometimes he would even hide the beer when he wasn't looking. The only bad thing about doing that is the bad mood Prussia is in tends to get worse when there is no alcohol to "pacify" him.
"Germany!" Prussia yelled from the cellar. "Where in the world is my beer?"
Prussia came stomping up the stairs and headed towards Germany who was bracing himself for the coming rant.
"Where did my beer magically go this time?" Prussia stared down the blonde nation.
Germany just stood there without flinching at his brother's harshness. They continued to stare at each other until German finally spoke. "You need to go to bed, Prussia."
"Hm… I will when you give me my beer back," he replied, narrowing his gaze.
"You won't get it back, you need rest."
"Tch… figures you wouldn't," Prussia said in defeat. "Fine, I'm going to bed."
Once Prussia was in his room, Germany let out a sigh of relief. This was evidently one of the better days he had. On bad days, he would stomp all around the house tearing through piles of items in search of his alcohol. He wouldn't stop until Germany managed to knock him out or until Prussia ran out of steam and collapsed in exhaustion. He never found the beer, but it was never hidden that well so Germany came to believe that Prussia never really wanted to find the beer.
Finally, after three more years of war, Prussia had the guts to make peace with Austria. When he heard the news, a real smile, for the first time since the war began, stretched across Germany's face. He stopped hiding the beer, causing Prussia to be so happy that he gave Germany his "first" cup of beer on the same day. He had many other cups of beer before that day, because he wanted to see why his brother liked it so much. When he tasted it, he didn't find the taste very appealing, but for some reason, he found himself coming back for more. From then on, Germany had 'beer that flowed his veins' as Prussia liked to say.
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Italy, no longer wearing a house maid's dress, stared out of the window in Austria's house as he began humming a tune that Austria had played for him on his piano. Memories began to assault him when the song became dark and sad. Images of Holy Rome's hat covered in blood made his breath catch in his throat. A sob escaped his lips as he thought of the event that happened 14 years ago. He was interrupted when the door burst open and in walked Austria, in a very proud and happy manner.
"Prussia finally wants peace!" He said excitedly.
Italy looked over at Austria with a beaming smile. "Ve~ that's good news."
Austria noticed that Italy's eyes were slightly red from crying. "Italy, what's wrong?"
The Italian looked at him confusion in his eyes until he realized that he had been crying. Turning away, he quickly attempted to wipe the tears from his face, but only caused himself to cry harder. Austria stiffened as he remembered what day it was. It was the 13 year anniversary of the day Holy Rome had disappeared. He recomposed himself and walked over to the young nation, pulling him into a hug. Italy made a small sound of surprise, unsure of want to do as he slowly raised his arms to return the gesture.
Sensing the boy's hesitation, Austria spoke. "It's ok Italy."
Trembling, Italy threw his arms around the older nation and cried into his shoulder. Austria sat there letting him cry it out as he held him close. When the former had finally calmed down and was only sniffling, the pianist pulled away from him and smiled.
"I have to go now, Italy. I need to finalize the peace treaty with Prussia. Will you be okay on your own?"
Italy nodded slowly and stood from his place next to the window. "I'm glad Prussia finally wants to stop fighting. I don't like seeing you come home hurt all the time."
Austria smiled at the boy and turned around to head out. "I will see you later, Italy. Hungary should be over later so you won't be alone."
It was a long and boring ride in his carriage to Prussia's house to finish signing the treaty. He was ever so grateful when he finally arrived. He wanted to get this over with as soon as he could. He couldn't stand Prussia very well. Walking to the door, he knocked twice. A few seconds later, a boy that looked around Italy's age answered. Austria's eyes widened as he dropped everything that he was holding. The boy had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, just like…
"… Holy Rome" Austria said in a whisper.
Confused at why the man had just said that, the blonde asked, "Umm… can I help you?"
Austria snapped out of his daze and, shaking his head, picked up the things he had dropped. "I… I'm here to talk with… umm… Prussia."
The blonde was about to answer when he was interrupted by stomping coming from the stairs. "Oi, West, who's at the door?"
"Austria," the blonde stopped. Why had he known his name? He had never even met the man at their door before. Shaking it off, he let Austria in and led him to the living area.
"Austria? Well whatever, let's get this over with," Prussia said a little annoyed.
"Umm… Prussia?" Austria said, trying to get his attention.
"Yeah?"
"Who is that boy?"
"Germany? He's my little brother. Been my little bro for years."
"Is he the one you brought home with you 13 years ago?"
Prussia swallowed, deciding to tell the truth, "Yeah…"
Austria paused. How couldn't he have noticed it when he picked Prussia up all those years ago? True he never got to see the boys face because it was covered, but he should have asked to see him. His hands began to tremble as realization over came him. Germany was the Holy Roman Empire.
