two updates in 24 hours what?! no... uhmm... this popped into my head during a dream (which was sparked because I read comments before going to sleep) and I needed to write it. it was a NEED okay? plus your all so awesome for reading and all the comments! omg! thank you for the feed back, I'm loving it. you deserve a second dose of creepy/cute Stockholmy goodness and prucan / gercan fluff!

and yes, plenty of time jumps in this story. fear not! the FAE trio will eventually make their way back into the story. but not just yet ^.^

edited... because ugh. I keep forgetting to do it on here!

By the time Mina's twelfth birthday rolled around she had been fluent in german for three years. It had been her third language, but soon she found herself unable to remember much of the french she use to know. Words, phrases and songs lost under the ones she was surrounded by daily. Occasionally she would still hum the lullaby she had sung on her first night, but the words were no longer there, just the tune.

Her appearance had changed as well, her red blonde hair was still long, but it was now kept in a braid down her back to keep it out of her face and untangled. She had grown taller, though still shorter then both the boys. The beginnings of puberty starting to show in her slight figure, and the angles of her face. In the past year she had developed the need for glasses, but with enough begging and pleading she had been allowed contacts. Her skin glowed with a tan from the time she would spend outside.

There was barely a ghost left of the little girl she was six years before.


It was Ludwig's thirteenth birthday, children were everywhere in the garden today, running laughing and screaming among the autumn leaves. Most of them weren't yet preteens, all of them family of the Beilschmidt clan and a few children of the most trusted employees. It was one of the only times there were children there besides the five that lived in the house full time.

The first few years of Mina living with them, Parties had been small, contained to the people in the house with no outside guests. Eventually they had grown to involve extended family. Mina had even had a similar party only a month before. She loved the chaos of it. All the little girls she could coo over, the little boys who could join in chasing her. The older boys had both hit growth spurts, Catch Mina wasn't as much of a challenge when their stride was almost double what hers was.

Currently all the children were around the tree line, little ones were shouting that they wanted to play hide and seek! Ludwig and gilbert groaned. Teenagers didn't play hide and seek.

But that changed quickly when Mina flashed them a big smile "I think it sounds like fun!"

A quick look at each other, with something flashing across their eyes, and they caved to her. Soon it was decided, since he was the oldest present, Gilbert would be the first seeker. He rolled his eyes as he was instructed to turn and face the tree to count. But a smirk was plastered on his face when Mina turned him to it and pushed him gently "Come on! It'll be fun! Just like when we were little ja?"

When he started counting everyone scattered, most running further into the trees and out of sight. Minas legs carried her quickly, her eyes scanning for the perfect spot, years of hiding while playing had made her perfect for this. She locked on a bush that had not yet lost it's leafs, trying not to make too much noise she ducked behind it and kept an eye out.

Mina could hear the counting coming to a close when someone slid in beside her. She looked over to see the sheepish smile on Ludwigs face, "Do you mind if I…" he started, she smiled brightly and shook her head holding a finger to her lips.

Gilberts shouts of "Ready or not here I come! You won't elude me this time birdie!" came from the distance and Mina had to cover her mouth to stifle a giggle.

The space behind the bush was small, the pair were almost touching in their hiding. It didn't bother Mina at all, she was use to the boys, they had always been there with her. It made her comfortable to have them close. But she puzzled over why Ludwigs face was glowing red. He looked like he was about to speak when her hand shot out, covering his mouth just in time. Gilbert stalked by, eyes trained up, he obviously thought kids would be climbing.

When he passed and was far enough away, she let out a silent sigh and took her hand away. "Sorry" she whispered he smiled at her and nodded.

The movement had pulled their faces closer, she could feel his warm breath mingling with hers. For some reason, Mina felt her cheeks burn, Matching his his . Ludwigs eyes looked determined suddenly and he took a shaky breath "Mina… C-can I… I mean… That is... May I kiss you?" his face burned brighter but his ice blue eyes never wavered from hers.

Mina's breath caught in her chest and her eyes went wide. Her heart pounded faster and it felt like everything slowed down. Shaking slightly with nerves she nodded her head. He drew closer, his hand grasping hers as he leaned, and her eyes fluttered shut. She felt his slightly chapped lips meet hers in a chaste kiss. Soft, hesitant and gentle. Warmth spread through her. Just as lips were starting to move, a sound interrupted the moment.

"AHA! I found both of- what?"

The two broke apart quickly pulling back and looking up at Gilbert. he looked stunned and hurt. Mina felt guilt bubble up, at the look she was about to try and explain when the hurt was covered by anger, his eyes slipped to Ludwigs and narrowed. Mina looked between the brothers. They glared at one and other for a moment and Gilbert turned from them stalking back towards the house "Olly olly oxenfree ya damn brats" he yelled as walked.

"gilbert…" Mina muttered and stood to follow him when she felt a hand grabbing hers. looking down she saw Ludwig who still sat behind the bush, his eyes pleaded and she stayed.


For the next week, neither brother talked to the other. Mina luckily was spared the silence as they both were still talking to her. She tried to the best of her abilities to use this to fix things between them. So far, no luck.

In one of her attempts she had set up a picnic. It was warm for october, but light jackets were still needed. In the garden sat five teenagers, hoping for some extra buffers she had invited Lovi and Feli to join them. Lovi and gilbert were on either side of her, Ludwig straight across and Feli was beside him, talking avidly.

Ludwig looked exhaustively at the Italian boy, It made Mina giggle. Feli was always so cheerful, how could anyone not smile around him? Mina was happy she had already swallowed her tea when he started talking about how Antonio liked to called Lovi his little tomato. Mina turned and looked at the red and miserable looking boy and laughed as she noted the similarities. Gilbert was chuckling too, she turned to look to him when she was caught off guard.

A hand brushed against her cheek and before she knew it, lips were pressed against hers her eyes were wide and frozen for a second, but lost in the sensation of lips suddenly moving against hers, violet orbs slid shut. She momentarily lost her head, forgetting everything around her. Then it was over. Gilbert pulled away and snickered. She opened her eyes, face red to see him smirking at her. "You're almost the exactly shade of a rose birdie" his finger brushed across her cheek again and then fell.

Mina was suddenly aware of the impossibly loud silence. She turned her red face slowly towards the others, first Lovi, who was looking pointedly away, then feli, shock and awkward nervousness as he looked at Ludwig. Lastly she looked towards the blond in front of her. He was mad, but his eyes were locked with his brothers again. Her eyes went to Gil his challenging smirk directed at his younger brother. "Looks like it's even bruder"

Mina was completely at a loss for words. She had no clue what to do,she was about to excuse herself when Gilbert spoke to her again. " So, Mina, I'm curious." his fingers reached out and one was placed under her chin delicately. "Who was better?"

She pulled back, eyes wide as they could go, she was so flustered and distressed tears stung her eyes. Her hands covered her face and she squeezed her eyes shut tight with a squeak, wishing she could just disappear

Suddenly a sound caused her to open her eyes. Ludwig had apparently launched himself across the blanket and landed on top of his brother. Mina shrieked, drawing Erika and Vash's attention. They ran from the patio where they had been talking, Vash swore and grabbed Ludwig around the middle dragging him back. Gilbert scrambled to his feet, lip split open and was about to launch at his brother when Lovi and Feli grabbed him around each arm.

"Damn potato bastards! Calm the hell down!" the brothers stilled, but the glares never wavered.

Erika was at Mina's side, helping her to stand. Mina hadn't even noticed the tears that were steadily rolling down her cheeks at that point. This was not what she wanted. "Come on Mina, lets go inside okay? get you cleaned up" she nodded numbly and followed.


When they got to her room the two sat on the bed, Mina curled up against Erika's shoulder crying openly like she had done in childhood when she was upset. Erika was one of the only females around her. She had gone through all the talks, done her hair, showed her how to use the small amount of makeup she was allowed for special occasions, bought her her first training bra. All of the things that a mother or a big sister would do. That's what Erika was in her own way, Mina's big sister.

So now sitting on the bed with the now adult Erika, she drew comfort and looked for advice. "I don't know what to do Erika… I don't want them to fight. I love them both and i don't want to hurt anyone!"

"I know Mina, they know you would never try and hurt anyone" the hand brushed against her hair. "Let me redo your braid while we talk?"

Mina sat up and nodded. Erika re-positioned herself running her finger through the rope of hair undoing it.

"How am I supposed to act around them? What happens if I fall in love with one, and I end up married to the other? What if they never speak again all because of me?" Mina voice was small and shaky.

Erika started re-braiding, tugging at her hair in a familiar way. "None of it is your fault Mina, they're just being boys. The Master is probably speaking with them right now and sorting them out." Mina wasn't sure if this should be comforting or not.


Mina had taken dinner in her room, too upset to leave. Master Beilschmidt had come in and bid her goodnight making sure she knew she still had her lessons in the morning before she went to bed. She had stopped asking for stories the previous year, but she smiled at the kiss that was placed on the top of her head. At least he wasn't mad at her.

The next day Mina walked into the library for lessons to find Master beilschmidt standing behind the two boys. Gilbert lip was swollen and he had a bruised cheek, while Ludwig was sporting a black eye. Upon her arrival both boys stood up straighter. "Well? What do you have to say for yourselves?" growled their father.

"Sorry Mina" came the response from both boys at once.

She blushed and nodded quietly. The boys were , not so gently, shoved towards one table together, and the master pulled her chair out for her at the other. She smiled sweetly and sat. "Thank you" he offered her a half smile then turned a warning look on his sons before turning to leave

"Study hard"

The door shut and the day began.

"Birdie I…. " the boys had stopped in front of her at the end of class, Gilbert had spoken, a hand behind his head looking awkward. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… It wasn't very awesome of me to put you in that position…"

Ludwig looked guilty and added "It wasn't fair of us."

Mina blushed and didn't exactly know how to react but she took a deep breath and stared at her shoes "I don't want to be made to choose between you. In the end it's not going to be my decision and I think it would be harder that way. Can't we just… Can we just keep getting along?" she looked up bashfully "I don't want you both fighting all the time.."

The discussion had halted any further physical fights. However after that, the boys were always full of insults, comebacks and goading for each other. They stopped fighting over Mina directly, but they became more avid in their rivalry for the head spot in the family. It wasn't exactly what she wanted… but it was better than nothing.