Prussia X Reader, Sleeping Beauty
Part Two: I Wonder
As you grew up with the sisters, you began to realize just how desperately you wanted friends. Loneliness wasn't easy to deal with, being that you lived in the middle of nowhere. It was hard to find people! So, you busied yourself with collecting fruits, berries, and nuts in the forest. You explored it daily, trying to familiarize yourself with the surroundings so that you knew all of the little shortcuts and hidey holes.
On the morning of your eleventh birthday, you found a different trail in the forest you had never seen before. It was clearly man-made with all of the dirt and gravel that had been laid down. Curiously, you followed. At the end of the trail was a large cabin. A few boys were running around, laughing and chasing each other. You watched from behind a tree. You didn't exactly understand how to approach people. The ladies had taught you some basic things about life, but you figured they didn't exactly expect you to make friends in the woods.
It didn't take long for the boys to spot you and stop playing. You felt your face flush, not knowing what to do. You were panicking on the inside.
''Are you lost?'' A blonde boy with a british accent asked curiously.
''Umm...no, I...I know my way back.''
''You look frightened.'' A boy with slightly shaggy dark hair pointed out lazily. In his arms, he was holding a fluffy calico kitten.
''You going to be okay?'' The third boy wondered, his violet eyes filled with concern as he cuddled close to a polar bear stuffed animal.
''Y-yeah. I'm sorry. It's just that... I don't really talk to people much.'' You admitted.
''Do you live here too?'' The british one asked.
''Well, yes. Don't you?'' You frowned. Of course you lived here. Where else would you live? That seemed like a thoroughly stupid thing to ask.
''Now we are. We just moved here from the city.''
''The city?'' The ladies had never mentioned any city. Was there one close by?
''Y-Yeah! It's not too far from here. You've never been there?'' The violet eyed blonde boy was shocked.
''No... I've never even heard of it.'' Now you were irritated. How come Laura had never told you there was a city beyond this forest's limits? Did she not trust you?
''I'm Arthur Kirkland.'' The british boy introduced himself with a smile.
''Matthew W-Williams.'' The blonde boy with the polar bear said sweetly, stuttering over his words slightly.
''Heracles Karpusi.'' In the dark haired boy's arms, the calico kitten wiggled around. You turned bright red. How did you introduce yourself? And would the ladies be mad if they heard you talked to three strange boys? You figured probably, but they had been keeping some things from you... so you in turn would keep this hidden from them. You were gone so often anyway. They owuldn't notice that you actually might have a reason now.
''My name is Briar Rose.'' The name that the ladies had chosen for you always tasted so bitter in your mouth. You never really knew why. It was almost as if it felt...off somehow.
The boys and you spent almost every day together. You felt different with them. It was like you didn't have to be the delicate, demure child that Laura, Lana and Merri wanted you to be. You could just...be you. As time would have it, you became a lot more social and friendly. You proved to be great at making friends and learning how to take care of them. Somewhere within your aging self, you had this strong desire to leave the forest. The more Matthew, Arthur and Heracles talked about the world outside, the more you wanted to explore what lay out there too. But, your adopted family would never let you. You were on such a short leash as it is. It seemed the older you got, the tighter of a hold they forced on you. In your heart, you knew that they only meant well. After all, they had taken you in when your own mother and father didn't want you. They had just discarded you like an old broom with split bristles... but, the sisters took you in. They kept you and wanted you and to make sure you were safe, they moved here. You knew they loved you a great deal... but you couldn't help feeling like there was a bigger world you wanted to be a part of. You wanted so desperately to know what was beyond your home. Having the three boys as friends only made it worse.
Little did you know, your already chosen husband-to-be was wishing the same thing. Gilbert Beilschmidt spent his whole life around snotty, perfect upper class people and their expensive, perfect houses. He was tired of seeing perfect things around him all the time. Gilbert wanted to see things that weren't perfect...or, at least things that didn't act like it or boast it to everyone. He loved the forest, and as a kid he used to run around in it all day long. That angered his father to no end because Gilbert was so young and he was already sneaking out to play in the woods.
''You need to learn to be more respectful, boy! And while you're at it, stay away from the forest. That place is dangerous!'' Elrich assured his son one night.
''Don't tell me vhat to do! I'm tired of alvays being locked up here! You can't keep me here forever!'' Gilbert yelled, her german accent shining through before he started stomping up the stairs to his room. He was just as lonely as you were. But unlike you...he didn't find friends that easily. People were afraid of him because of his short temper and how intimidating he seemed, even at an early age. He would run around with the other kids, screaming how awesome he was. He only said those things because he wanted more than anything for someone to agree. Gilbert wanted to hear someone for once not tell him he is a failure, or that he needs to be a gentleman, or start acting like an adult...but that he is fun to be around, and a good friend. In disappointment, the two of you were equally matched from a young age.
Most nights, you both sat in your own homes with the windows wide open, wishing on the same stars. You had no idea what you were really hoping for...what you really needed...was each other.
