Hearing chirping noises, Prussia awoke at dusk. Either it was super late or super early. Both options meant his sleeping schedule was screwed.
He slowly realized he wasn't in his bed but the worn out infirmary bed. A strange weight was on his arm leaving him immobile. He looked down to see no other than Lithuania sleeping peacefully next to him.
The whole image seemed surreal.
What happened last night!?
Prussia desperately tried to escape his position to avoid any chance of a misunderstanding. He didn't want to give Lithuania another thing to complain about. He lightly tugged his arm trying to loosen it from every angle with no success.
The movement eventually caused Lithuania to wake up himself. He opened his eyes to see Prussia meeting his gaze.
Prussia panicked.
"This isn't what it looks like!" Prussia quickly pulled his now freed arm. "I wasn't watching you or anything!"
Lithuania, half-asleep, rubbed his eyes. "I had a horrible dream. Seeing your face doesn't help."
Prussia scowled. His efforts seemed pointless now.
Ignoring Prussia, Lithuania checked his watch. "I'm going to make breakfast. Do whatever you want."
Lithuania left the room.
Prussia looked over to see his bird friend making a racket. They were both hungry. He skipped dinner last night because of his drunken escapades.
As he got up, he spotted his locket on the nightstand next to the bed. He picked it up. He examined it carefully.
How did this get here? Did Lithuania see? He didn't say anything, so it should be fine!
To forget his worries, he focused on getting some food.
He entered the empty dining room. Everyone else must be still asleep. Russia wasn't here so everyone could afford to sleep in.
Usually that would earn a punishment.
As he entered the kitchen area, he caught a yawning Lithuania stirring a large pot. Lithuania briefly looked up before shifting his attention back on the simmering pot. The smell made Prussia drool.
Prussia peaked over Lithuania's shoulder, "What are you making?"
"Porridge."
"...that's it?"
"There are rolls of bread over there."
Lithuania pointed to a pile of near stale bread. A luxury at Russia's house.
Since Russia wasn't here, Lithuania didn't have to worry about making elaborate meals.
After making a plate for themselves, the two ate silently across from each other at the large table. The mood was awkward as hell for Prussia. He briefly regretted dropping that social awareness book Germany gave him long ago.
"...It's been awhile since we ate together," Prussia piped up. Lithuania stopped eating with a curious expression. "I mean, Poland would always dictate what we ate, but during our alliance you did make some german stuff too. That was a load off my back, Kesesese!"
"I also cooked for America," Lithuania coldly said.
"...Is that so?"
"Yes."
The two went back to eating in silence.
What did they talk about before? Prussia was too nervous to remember.
Before Prussia could come up with another terrible topic, Poland entered the room as loud as possible.
"I'm, like, not the only one up!?" Poland gawked. "Liet you're up like early!"
"I could say the same to you," Lithuania chuckled. Lithuania's entire demeanor changed. He was all smiles seeing his beloved Poland.
The cheery atmosphere ticked Prussia off. The two chatted as if Prussia wasn't there.
Everyone else slowly filled the dining room enjoying a no-Russia breakfast while they could. Idle conversations filled the room until an abrupt car noise could be heard outside. Everyone tensed up once more.
Russia was back.
As grim expressions filled the room, Belarus, lit up rushing to the front door to see her older brother. Lithuania followed soon after. Prussia took this opportunity to hide the chick in his shirt pocket.
Russia entered through the large doors.
"Everyone bow for the graceful entrance of big brother!" Belarus demanded.
"That won't be necessary, sister." Russia said. "We can do that after I have a rest."
"Welcome back Mr. Russia," Lithuania said. He reached for Russia's luggage. "Sorry, we just finished breakfast."
"Is that so?" Russia opened one of his suitcases. He brandished a movie written in english, and handed it to Lithuania. "America said you like these types of martial art movies."
Lithuania's eyes widened in a way Prussia had never seen before. He looked like a kid on Christmas.
"Thank you, Mr. Russia! I don't know how to repay such a favor!"
"I can think of something," Russia smiled lightly rubbing Lithuania's shoulders. "I have a lot of work to catch up on, so can you bring my meal to my office later?"
Prussia felt sick. He couldn't help thinking of what he saw the other day.
As all the other nations when off to do their chores, Russia prepared to walk to his room.
Prussia relaxed as he wouldn't have to worry about Russia at least for a few hours. Russia passed Prussia when suddenly the bird let out one chirp.
Both nations froze.
"What was that noise, Prussia?" Russia leaned closer to Prussia.
Prussia couldn't say anything.
Yup this is it, he thought. Birdy and me are going to die today.
"Mr. Russia, I believe that was Prussia's shoes," Lithuania said.
Huh?
Prussia looked over to see Lithuania behind Russia. Lithuania poked Russia and whispered in his ear, "They're quite worn out."
Russia took a quick glance at Prussia's tattered shoes. His demeanor switched from an intense glare to bashful.
"That was very rude of me! I'm sorry to embarrass you, Prussia!"
"It's okay, Mr. Russia…" Prussia mumbled.
"As an apology please take this and buy some shoes!"
Russia thrusted a bill in Prussia's hands. Prussia couldn't help but be in awe of the minuscule cash as if it was gold.
"Mr. Russia is being awfully generous today," Lithuania smiled. He nudged Prussia with his elbow giving him a slight glance. "Right?"
Prussia gulped hard, "Thank you very much Mr. Russia... I'm glad to be your friend."
Russia smiled like an idiot. He hugged Prussia with all his might. "That's what best friends do, right?"
Prussia's body stiffened. He tried to suppress the urge to faint as Russia's hug tightened. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Lithuania trying his best not to laugh.
Prussia walked the streets of East Germany not really sure where to go. He went down to the market to buy a decent pair of shoes. His old ones were barely kept together, but his jobs didn't rake in enough money for him to replace them.
I wonder how long I can stay out before going back? Prussia wondered.
Being given freedom so suddenly was a bit overwhelming to Prussia. He couldn't help laugh at the irony of it all.
"Preußen, is that you?" Prussia turned to see his brother Brandenburg waving him down. "What are you doing back home, brother?"
"I'm supposed to be buying shoes."
Brandenburg gave Prussia a quizzical look, "Since you're here let's have Kaffee und Kuchen."
Prussia assumed Brandenburg was going to take him to some dingy café, but the two went to a lavish one in Waldsiedlung. Despite East Germany being a communist cesspool, the select few in Waldsiedlung enjoyed the luxuries of the capitalism lifestyle.
Of course no one in East Germany knew this. Waldsiedlung came off as a wildlife preserve to the public.
Prussia didn't think it was fair that Brandenburg lived it up in Waldsiedlung with the other GDR officials while he suffered with Russia. As a nation, he must suffer alongside his people.
Brandenburg as a former nation got away with technicalities like that despite not being as strong as he used to be.
"That's the perks of being a former nation!" Brandenburg gleefully said.
Prussia couldn't believe this was the same brother of his who would work his ass off every chance he got. Though considering the current state of Germany, maybe he had the right idea. Brandenburg was currently the closest Prussia had to family, so he made sure to visit him whenever he could. However, if he had to choose he would rather be with Germany.
"That storm yesterday really caught me off guard," Brandenburg grumbled. "So are things still awful at Russia's place?"
"It's the worst!" Prussia exclaimed. "Outside of Russia, everyone treats me like garbage!"
"So you're being bullied, huh? You were always sensitive."
"I'm not sensitive! I'm super manly!" Prussia suddenly remembered his main objective. "By the way, how is West?"
"Working his ass off as usual. He's basically the Allies whipping boy yet he's taking in all in stride. Japan and the Italy brothers are also adapting well."
Prussia was glad to hear so. After losing the war, Prussia feared his beloved brother might disappear. Prussia seemed to be the only suffering for the most part, but that was fine with him.
"So," Brandenburg's expression became serious. Prussia found himself on edge. "How far have you and Lithuania gone?"
Prussia nearly spit out his coffee. "What's with this weird topic change!?"
"I'm bored and I need some kind of entertainment. I'm going to take your response as a nothing."
"There's no way I can do something like that in this time of crisis!" Prussia snapped. He stopped himself and developed a smug smile, "Well...we did sleep together in the same bed this morning!"
"But nothing happened right?" Brandenburg interjected. Seeing Prussia's smile drop in response caused tears to well up in Brandenburg's eyes. "Sorry for my rudeness. I didn't know you were still honoring your virginity."
"Shut your mouth!"
Prussia hated these weird ideas Brandenburg got in his head.
"At this rate I might as well make a move."
Prussia raised his eyebrow, "A move?"
"You know what I mean. I always thought Litauen was a nice catch since the raid centuries ago, but I stepped back for your sake."
"You're joking right? Why would anyone like that dopey goody two shoes!?"
"Keep talking like that, and I'll make it happen."
Prussia quickly shut his mouth. It wasn't that he feared Brandenburg might do it or anything, he was just tired of talking for the moment. That's all!
Brandenburg looked outside the window and smiled, "I think your guardian is here to pick you up."
Prussia, baffled at what he meant, looked outside the window. His eyes widened seeing Lithuania frantically searching the plaza area. His eyes soon caught Prussia's, for a brief moment they stared at another.
It was too late for Prussia to duck under the table. His short-lived freedom was over. Lithuania made his way over to the cafe and quickly walked over to the german brothers' table.
"If it isn't Russia's watchdog himself," Prussia grumbled.
"Just be glad I came," Lithuania huffed. "Russia seriously considered looking for you himself."
Prussia sweated at the thought.
"Litauen, it's been awhile!" Brandenburg waved.
Lithuania's annoyed demeanor switched to polite pleasantries as he nodded towards Brandenburg, "Same. Sorry for interrupting your meal."
Brandenburg looked at his watch, "I had to leave anyway. Let's have a meal next time okay?"
"That would be great, enjoy the rest of your day."
Brandenburg gave Prussia a sly smile before heading off. Prussia clicked his tongue.
Lithuania returned to his default frown when facing Prussia, "Are you done fooling around?"
"...Yeah." Prussia got up, prepared to re-enter Russia's house of horrors, when suddenly a thought popped into his head. "Actually, can we stop somewhere on the way back?"
Lithuania raised an eyebrow, "How far is it from Russia's?"
Prussia smirked, "Technically it's Russian property."