Chapter 10: Run-in with Dr. Sevarius

After leaving Ivan's house, the Beilschmidt brothers were now back to living on the streets. They were sharing an alley with several other homeless people. Poor Roderich was now stuck with Ludwig and Gilbert complaining about their situation.

Gilbert was weeping slightly while latching onto Ludwig. "I want Mutti and Vati. I want Blair. I hate living on the streets. Ya should've left me and West with Ivan."

Ludwig had his arm around Gilbert, who was now burying his face in the thirteen-year-old's shirt. He spoke soothingly to Gilbert. "I know, Kleine Preußen. " He drew in a shuddering breath and wiped at his eyes as he mentioned his parents. "I miss Mutti and Vati, too. I'm sorry, little bro."

Gilbert shivered and started sneezing and coughing, then wiped his runny nose. "I-I'm c-cold. And hungry." He cried some more when he looked at Roderich. "Why didn't you bring us to Blair's house? Or leave us at Ivan's?" Gilbert really started bawling when a cold wind blew.

Ludwig shed tears as well and glared at the four-eyed playboy. "Gilbo's right, Roddy. Why didn't you take Blair's offer, or let Ivan take care of us?!" He stopped crying and became concerned when he heard Gilbert cough and sniffle, then looked at his little brother. "What's the matter, Little Prussia?"

Gilbert looked up to see Ludwig's worried face looking at him. He coughed some more and cried again. "I-I'm not feeling good, and I'm cold, and I'm hungry. I want Mommy and Daddy, and Blair, and Ivan."

Ludwig couldn't hold it in anymore and started crying uncontrollably while hugging Gilbert tighter. "I know Gilbo. I'm sorry."

Roderich had enough and whipped around to glare at his brothers. "Will you two shut the hell up?! The both of you!" He stood up, picked Gilbert up, slapped him, and dropped the child on the hard ground. Then he slapped Ludwig and shouted at them again. "You ungrateful little brats! Maybe I should've let Jeremie have you back in Frankfurt!" He didn't waver when he saw them shaking. "I risk my ass to save your scrawny necks from being abducted and abused by that monster, and you';re complaining about something as minor as being cold! Well, suck it up, deal with it, and shut your stupid mouths!" He breathed hard before sitting down.

Ludwig and Gilbert huddled together and sobbed quietly after being yelled at and slapped. Ludwig then glared at Roderich and said, "Halt die Klappe, Bruder! This isn't minor, Gilbo's getting sick again! We know you're risking your butt for us, and we're not ungrateful! Don't be so cruel! If you don't want to deal with us, maybe you should let Social Services take us to a foster home! That way you'll get your stupid harem, and we won't be in the damn way! Mutti and Vati would be disappointed in you." He went back to coddling and gently shushing Gilbert.

Roderich looked at his brothers and instantly felt terrible. He drew both boys into a warm hug. "I'm so sorry, guys. I'm so, so sorry. I was just frustrated. I shouldn't have yelled at you, or said those things. I didn't mean it."

Gilbert sniffled, coughed as if he were hacking up a lung, and wiped his eyes and nose. Then he looked at Roderich with big, red-violet eyes and said, "'s'okay, Roddy. I'm not mad at you." He dropped back against Ludwig.

Roderich looked at Ludwig with concern. "How sick is Little Prussia?"

Ludwig felt Gilbert's forehead and jerked his hand back. Then he gave his big brother a worried glance. "He's got a fever!"

"Scheiße," Roderich said worriedly. He took Gilbert into his arms and held him like an infant.

The brothers looked over at the other homeless, then back at each other.

"We're not gonna be like this forever, are we?" Gilbert asked weakly.

"No, you're not," an unknown voice replied, scaring the brothers. A white man with brown hair and a German accent came out of the shadows and approached Roderich, Ludwig, and Gilbert. "You don't have to keep living like this."

"Who are you?" Ludwig asked.

"I'm Anton Sevarius," the German guy introduced himself. He put an arm around Roderich's shoulders as Roderich held Gilbert closer. He then patted Ludwig and Gilbert's heads, and spoke again. "Come, you can stay at my place until you get back on your feet."

"Really?" Roderich and Ludwig asked brightly as Gilbert drifted off to sleep.

"Danke," Ludwig said gratefully while he and his brothers were led to Sevarius' car.

"English, please," Sevarius said.

Ludwig became irritated. "Thank you. You know, you're German, too!"

Sevarius laughed after Ludwig threw something at him. "Ja, I know."

Roderich sighed as the car pulled away. "Wiseass."

Author's note: Anton Sevarius is from Gargoyles.

Mutti- Mom or Mommy (German)

Vati- Dad or Daddy (German)

Kleine Preußen- Little Prussia (German)

Halt die Klappe, Bruder!- Shut up, brother! (German)