Chapter 20

The evening had calmed down after an exciting little party. America, Norway and Iceland had headed out after their gathering ended. The trio were staying in Oslo at Norway's house and leaving Denmark and Prussia alone as guests of Sweden. Estonia too bid his farewell much to Sealand's disappointment. He seemed to like having a lot of people in the house. He liked things to be lively.

He watched and waved from the front door along with Finland as Estonia said his good bye. He even called after him as his vehicle drove away.

"Come back again!"

Prussia chuckled at Sealand's antics and followed him and Finland back inside where Denmark and Sweden were sitting and watching the television.

"Why couldn't Ice and America just stay here?" whined Sealand as he slumped on the floor in front of Sweden's legs.

"Aw, you'd rather him here than me and your Uncle Den?" teased Prussia plopping down beside Denmark on the sofa.

"No!" Sealand hastily corrected. "I want you all here. It's fun."

"OK, well it's time for your bath," Finland said.

Sealand's face dropped but Finland wasn't swayed.

"You've been playing around outside all day. Do you really want to go to bed like that?"

"I don't care, not really." Sealand said.

Finland gave a lightly disapproving look causing Sealand to switch tactics.

"B,but, Prussia said we could play Chess after everyone leaves! So I can't take a bath now. I have to keep my promise."

That was news to Prussia. He hadn't offered to play chess with anyone but he decided to let the boy have his lie.

"It's true," Prussia said. "I promised the runt a game. He's dying to learn from my awesome chess skills."

"See!" Sealand said, face lighting up. He looked back at Prussia grinning brightly for having his story corroborated.

"Bath first. Then we'll see," Finland said sternly.

"Listen to Finland," Sweden decided to back Finland up.

"Aw man," Sealand pouted but stood. "Prussia don't go to sleep yet, OK! Wait for me. I want to hang out."

Prussia gave a thumbs up, "You got it, little man."

Sealand ran up the stairs and Finland shook his head and collapsed onto to sofa on the other side of Denmark. He looked over at Sweden who just shook his head. Finland sighed.

"What's so bad about letting the kid stay up?"

"If they let him stay up we'd never get any peace," Denmark replied.

"I like it!" Prussia beamed. "It's been forever since West was that cute. I miss it."

"Yeah, remember when Iceland was cute?" Denmark said, looking over at Sweden and Finland. "He wasn't as noisy though."

"Neither was West!" rejoined Prussia, grin still in place. "I bet you remember him, right? Man, it feels like... well it was practically yesterday. He got big so quickly."

Finland shook his head, "Yeah, well even if you want to, the kid needs to sleep. I know for a fact he didn't ask you to place chess with him."

"Why's that?" asked Prussia genuinely curious.

"Because he hates it, that's why," chuckled Finland. "Don't worry. After his bath he should have calmed down enough to get to bed. Why don't you and Denmark go up ahead of us."

"Ok," Prussia said. "But only because I know this is your way of getting some alone time with Sweden here."

Finland just laughed, "Good night."

Prussia stood and pulled Denmark up.

"Night," Denmark said.

"G'night."

"Nighty."

Underwear, pajamas, toothbrush, toothpaste.

Prussia was digging through his overnight bag – borrowed from Denmark rather than lugging around his regular suitcase – as Denmark lounged against their shared bed. The Danish nation's feet were propped up at the foot of the bed, legs crossed and arms loose at his sides.

Denmark was tired but only in that good way when you know that you've spent the day well. He felt intoxicated by a feeling of bliss after everything that took place that day. Spending the entire day with his precious people, his family, and his boyfriend was something he waited what felt like a long time to experience. Now that he knew it he didn't think he could let the privilege go. He was happy and grateful that Prussia was accepted as one of them and that Iceland too found someone to share with them.

Denmark figured Prussia felt his eyes on his back as he turned and threw a pair of boxers at his chest.

"Are you going to shower first?" the white haired nation asked.

"We can save time and go together," Denmark retorted in jest.

Prussia scrunched up his face.

"It was a joke," reassured Denmark.

He wouldn't really be so bold.

Prussia moved to the bed and sat on the edge as Denmark sat up further and pulled the boxers from off his chest.

"Anyway, did you have fun today? What did you think?" Denmark asked with what was probably an overeager look on his face.

Prussia shrugged and moved back on the bed. Denmark scooted over to the side allowing room for Prussia to join his side. They sat shoulder to shoulder.

"It was fun. More awesome than the last time I saw them in Latvia," Prussia said.

"I told you they'd come around. Didn't I?"

Denmark nudged Prussia's shoulder with his own. Prussia allowed himself to sway with the hit but he fell right back into place.

"Yeah, you did. You were right."

They sat in silence after that, each caught up in whatever thought they had. Denmark was thinking about earlier that afternoon in the backyard. Watching Prussia with Estonia was equal part comforting and upsetting. It was good to see Prussia glowing when surrounded by people. All throughout history Denmark always regarded Prussia as a lone wolf type. Everyone in Europe did.

Sure they all knew Prussia as a neighbor, some better than others, but the also knew that the little villainous nation kept his distance when it came to matters other than battle. It was a surprise to everyone when Prussia took in little Germany as his charge. At the time Denmark ad the other suspected it was equal parts Prussia wanting to be ostracize Austria and also exert his influence on all of the Germans that motivated him. In hindsight it wasn't difficult at all to see that Prussia could very well have held affection for the foundling nation.

Maybe that same affection was what kept Prussia tied to Germany even in the present. If what Prussia implied about his current state was true, and Denmark still had his reservations about that, there was no reason for his boyfriend to still be living in that same house as Germany any longer.

"Say, Gilbert."

"Yeah?" Prussia asked, shifting a bit and letting his head fall onto Denmark's shoulder.

"What would you say if I asked you to move in with me?"

He felt Prussia's head shoot up immediately. He glanced down in time to see Prussia send him a suspicious glare.

"What are you going on about?"

"Well, I was thinking...maybe it'd be nice if we lived together."

"Stop right there," Prussia said holding out his hand and sitting up completely. He folded his legs under him on the quilt. "There is no way I'm going to leave West. He'd die without my awesome presence."

"You're not leaving him. We're practically neighbors as it is. Besides, you told me that he... that you didn't... well you don't really help him much anymore, right?"

Denmark didn't know exactly how to word it without possibly offending.

"Yeah, but there's a reason why I still live there."

"And that is?"

"Well," began the German. "My brother may not admit it but he needs me, OK. He gets lonely."

Denmark gave his boyfriend a sympathetic stare, "Are you sure about that?"

"What?" Prussia asked. "He doesn't have many friends and he's always been with me his entire life. Like, ever since he was founded there was either me or Austria. When I was gone Austria was there. Specs isn't as awesome as I am but it was better than nothing, I suppose. You can't expect me to abandon him."

"It's not abandoning. You can visit him at anytime and he can call you if he ever gets lonely. Austria is nearby too, right?"

"Why though? Why are you suddenly saying this? It's not because of yesterday is it?"

Denmark hesitated for only a brief second but that was all Prussia needed.

"It is, isn't it?" he looked indignant. "I didn't tell you so you could feel sorry for me."

"I don't feel sorry for you," corrected Denmark. "And it isn't about that... not completely, anyway."

"What is it?"

"Well, because I really like you and spending time with you. I thought that you were busy in Germany with nation duties and all, but then you said you weren't. What could it hurt? We live in a different time now, right? It doesn't have to mean anything political if you did, even if you were still working. Austria did it from your place, right?"

Prussia shook his head, "Is that how you're rationalizing it?"

"Look, I think it'd be nice. I'm busy a lot so we don't meet as often as I'd like, but if you lived there we'd get to hang whenever I have time. Plus, if you ever want to go back to Germany then go. It's nothing, really."

Prussia didn't look convinced.

"I really want to help you... with everything," continued Denmark. "Being with Germany is important to you, I get it. I am a big brother too. I had Iceland with me for way longer than it took Germany to grow up and get strong. I can only imagine how it feels for Germany to get his independence after such a short time."

"But?"

"But, you have to think of yourself too, OK. Maybe being away from Germany and being up here can give you perspective on what exactly your place is in the world right now. I want to help you figure this out."

"I don't want to 'figure this out'," huffed Prussia, he looked away and turned his back to Denmark.

"Prussia..." began Denmark, voice soft.

He reached out and touched Prussia's slighter shoulder.

"You know I-," Denmark chose his word carefully, skirting around the issue of love. "Care about you, right?"

Prussia said nothing so Denmark continued to speak.

"Yesterday, we didn't get to really talk about it. I kinda of... went mad. I was so angry because the situation is so unfair, for you I mean. I don't care about your past, or the things you done. And the future too, what you make of it doesn't have to involve me, though I'd like it to. I understand what you did. We all do. We can forgive you and those wounds are healing. The punishment the Allies gave you it's only on paper, you see that don't you, because you joined Russia and came back on your own."

"It wasn't on my own," Prussia replied. "It's more complicated than that."

"I realize that. I know it has to be, or else you wouldn't feel the way that you do."

"Ever since then I never really felt the same."

"How so? Tell me. Even if I can't solve this I still want to listen."

Prussia turned to Denmark again, an annoyed and shy expression on his face. He looked like he had resigned himself to whatever it was Denmark wanted of him.

"You can trust me, you know."

"I know," Prussia nodded. "And that's kind of what scares me."

Denmark merely reached out and stroked Prussia's cool white cheek and pushed a few strands of unruly hair behind his ear. Prussia sighed and Denmark let his hand fall.

"When I was dissolved after that war, Ivan, I mean, Russia..." there was a pregnant pause and Denmark noticed Prussia's fingers curl into the quilt. "acquired some of my lands. It was when K...K..that place was annexed that I really felt it. It was almost as if I were being torn in half. Everything hurt. My entire body felt like it was on fire, inside and out. The pain was so excruciating that I would black out. I don't know for how long I'd be out or even how long the whole ordeal was in general. All I knew for sure was that I was dying."

Denmark listened quietly. He was a bit surprised that Prussia was even speaking about it, but perhaps it was a long time coming.

"I spent so much of my life alone and it never really bothered me before. I mean, sometimes I saw Austria and Hungary and figured it'd be awesome to have a partner like that. Brandenburg didn't really count. Anyway, I thought he didn't care and went to live with Germany. I felt like it really was the end and wanted to give up. I'd dream of Austria and the others and I'd wake up in tears."

It was then that Prussia let out a hollow sounding laugh

"It must sound stupid right?"

"No, it isn't stupid at all," Denmark assured him.

"I would wake up and I stare at that stupid wallpaper with the red flowers. The window had the dumbest lace curtains and I was just so angry I'd want the place to go into flames. I wanted to curse everyone: Brandenburg for leaving me, Austria for being a wuss, France for being so unforgiving, and Germany for not being strong enough. I know I was wrong but it just hurt and I couldn't bring myself to care."

"But Brandenburg was there right?"

"Yeah but I hadn't known... not at first."

"So what happened?"

"It was like that for so long; a blur of consciousness and unconsciousness. Then one day I woke up, and he was there..."

-to be continued-

AN: Next chapter is a flashback! Don't worry nothing bad will happen... i mean nothing bad that didn't happen historically. Thanks for reading! Please review! I appreciate all feedback~ Also, I was supposed to have Russia be doing stuff by now but the scene keeps getting pushed back cos I am apparently love drawing things out. whoops. thanks for ur patience.