Xx 1896-Athens, Greece xX

Prussia elbowed his brother, "Stop gawking. You don't have to take it all in at once, Athens isn't going anywhere."

"I know that," Germany snapped, "I've never seen anything like this before."

"Of course you haven't, we've never done something like this before. Exciting, isn't it?"

Germany nodded as he looked around the stadium. There was so much to see in the city. Ancient buildings and even more ancient ruins, and the ancient games that France and Greece had worked so hard to bring back for a modern age.

Even now, the two were having a quiet conversation not too far from where the nations were seated. Germany looked around at the gathered nations: thirteen participating, and then a few more who were there just to watch. With everyone gathered, he was sure it wouldn't be long before the ceremonies began.

"Now, keep in mind: we're not just here to have fun," Prussia lectured him, "We're going to make conversations and build up diplomatic relations or something. So don't just hole up in your shell, like I know you want to."

Germany rolled his eyes, "Yes, I know."

Before Prussia could respond again, France seemed to realize everybody was there, he patted Greece on the shoulder with a few last words and went to sit down, leaving Greece alone in front of everyone.

Greece didn't falter. He clasped his hands and gave everyone a warm smile. "Hello," he said, "I wanted to thank you all for coming here, and giving me the opportunity to revive this tradition. I hope we'll have many more chances to meet like this. Long live the Olympic spirit."

Xx 1900-Paris, France xX

"Has he always been this loud?" Germany asked as he watched America excitedly talking to France.

"Which one?" Prussia responded.

"Either of them."

Before Prussia could answer him, France saw them approaching and gasped in delight, "Prusse, Allemagne!" He came over, arms spread in what was meant to be a welcoming gesture. He gripped Prussia's shoulders and pulled him close, kissing both his cheeks, then did the same to Germany. "I'll never stop being amazed how quickly you've grown!" he said to Germany before turning to Prussia again, "You've done an excellent job raising him."

"Haven't I just?" Prussia threw his arm around Germany's shoulders. "I think he's a pretty great kid."

Germany shrugged him away, "I'm not a child." he reminded him.

"Yes you are," Prussia argued, "Just a little baby. You always will be."

France laughed, "Brotherly love at it's finest. But I do hope you won't spend your entire time here fighting. This is an event for spreading love, after all."

"Is that what you think this is about?" Prussia asked flatly.

"But of course. Why else would we be in Paris, hm?"

"Because Greece let you host as thanks for bringing the Olympics back?"

"Well, yes, there is that." France absently fluffed his hair, "Have you seen him by the way? I need to thank him properly for that." He winked at Germany.

"I haven't but I'll be sure to pass it on if I do." Prussia answered, still in that same flat tone.

"Oh, there's the Italy's, I really should go say hello to them. Excuse me."

"Do you really enjoy being able to host everyone?" Germany asked before France could walk away.

"Of course I do," France answered sincerely.

"Why?"

"I told you: it's an opportunity to spread love. And it's fun. That's what this is all about, don't you think?"

Germany nodded and France gave him a bright smile, "I hope you two enjoy your time here. I'll catch up with you later, yes?" Germany nodded again, and then France was off.

Prussia elbowed him, "What's that about? I'm telling you now, you don't want any part of whatever love France is spreading."

"What? No, I was just curious…"

"Don't tell me you already hate this," Prussia rolled his eyes, "You're too young to be filled with loathing and existential dread."

"No, of course not. I enjoy being here with everybody else. Don't you?"

Prussia shrugged, "I guess. You really like this thing?"

"I really do."

Xx 1904-St Louis, United States xX

"A word of advice for anybody thinking of looking for France or Greece: Don't." America announced as he entered the nation's viewing booth.

"What does that mean?" Germany leaned over to whisper to his brother.

"It means...don't ask."

"What does that mean?" Germany asked again.

"It means that you are a little child and the rest of us are adults." Prussia haughtily reminded him.

"America's not that much older than I am." Germany argued.

"And yet he's the one who knows what France and Greece are doing."

Germany frowned as someone slapped Prussia's shoulder, "Don't be too hard on him," England scolded, "It's not his fault he was raised by a prude."

"I don't know what you mean," Prussia turned his nose up, "You had nothing to do with his upbringing." England sputtered while Prussia continued, ignoring him, "It's a good thing America had France around to keep him off the straight and narrow."

"Yes, I really ought to thank him for that," England said flatly, "Perhaps once he returns from his tryst with Greece. You might think he could stay out of trouble for just a few weeks, but you would be wrong. Aren't you glad you don't live with him anymore, Poppet?" He turned to the younger nation next to him.

Germany tried to remember if he had met this nation before. He looked a bit like France, with his long blond hair, but even more like America, and appeared to be close to America's and his own age. His current proximity to England meant that he was probably related to him as well.

Rather than answering England, the younger nation was watching something across the booth, "Um, Australia…"

England followed his gaze, "Oh, bloody hell!" he set off across the booth, after an even younger nation, who was making trouble with America.

Prussia laughed, then turned to Germany, "You've met Canada, right?" he indicated the other nation, "He's one of England's now, but he used to belong to France. Followed him around like his shadow when he was little."

Canada blushed a bit.

"Yes, I believe we've met." Germany said.

"Great," Prussia slapped both their shoulders, "I'm sure you'll find plenty in common to talk about. I'm going to go warn France that England is in a bad mood and angry with him."

"I thought France was busy with Greece?"

"And I'm going to interrupt them." Prussia winked before leaving them.

Canada turned to watch him leave. He was still blushing. He reached up to brush his long curls behind his ear as an awkward silence fell over them.

"Are these your first games?" Germany finally asked.

"No," Canada shook his head, "My second. I had a few competitors in Paris, too. You've been at all three, haven't you?"

Germany nodded, "And he insists on coming with me every time," he nodded towards where Prussia had exited to indicate him, "But I'm sure you understand overprotective guardians."

"I do," Canada sighed.

"Aside from that," Germany continued, "Are you enjoying the games?"

"I think so," Canada nodded, "They're so different from anything else I've done. Do you like them?"

Germany smiled, "I really do. I think they might be my favorite thing to attend. I'd like to be able to host them someday."

Canada returned his smile, "I hope you're able to."

Xx 1908-London, England xX

While all the participating nations had gathered for the opening ceremonies, and now again for the closing ceremonies, quite a few had come and gone in between, Germany included. He had stayed for a few weeks at the beginning, but eventually had to go home, only able to return and watch another event every few weeks. Now, as everyone regathered for the closing ceremonies, it occurred to him that it had mostly been England's colonies who had stayed through the whole event.

"Have you been here this whole time?" Germany asked Canada, who he had found himself seated next to, partially in an attempt to make polite conversation, partially because he was genuinely curious.

"Almost," Canada smiled at him, "I went home for most of July, but other than that I've been here all summer. What about you?"

"I came back every chance I could, but I had a lot to keep me in Berlin."

"Is your brother with you this year?"

"He is. I don't know where he is right now, but he's here. Where are your brothers?"

"Which ones? I have a lot. Arthur has some official business to wrap up before everything is finished, and Alfred's...probably bothering him, if I'm honest. Any other brothers you want to know about?"

Germany shook his head, currently unable to remember how many more might be around, or even how many others there were in general.

"Are you still hoping to be able to host the games yourself?"

"I...am," Germany admitted, "I don't mean to brag, but I really do think I have a good chance of getting it soon."

Canada nodded, "You've participated in all the games, haven't you?"

"I have." Germany looked down at the field and around the stadium, wondering if things would be starting soon.

"That's dedication."

"Not really. I enjoy being here." Somehow it seemed that he had to convince someone of that fact every four years. "I like the energy. As chaotic as it can be." He added the last part as France and England entered the booth, arguing with each other. America was following them, laughing. Canada released a discouraged sigh.

"What about you?" Germany asked to distract him, "Have you ever thought about hosting?"

Canada shook his head, "I don't think so. I'm so far away from everyone else."

"No farther than America."

Canada shrugged, tucking his blond curls behind his ear, "Yes, but he's...He's America. I'm just me. It must be nice for you to be in the middle of everything."

Germany shrugged, unsure how else to respond to the sudden change in subject.

"I think you're right," Canada continued, "I think you do have a good chance at being a host."

"Thank you." Germany said as Prussia finally joined them.

Prussia spared Canada a bright smile and quick greeting as he sat down. "Alright, alright, my awesome presence has finally arrived," he announced loudly, "England, you can start this thing now!"

Xx 1912-Stockholm, Sweden xX

Even as the stadium slowly emptied following the opening ceremony, many of the participating nations remained in the viewing booth, either waiting to make a less crowded exit, or simply making conversations with others. Germany was watching one of the other nations nearby. Despite his small stature, he was impossible not to notice, as he was the first of their kind to visit the Olympics from so far away.

"That's Japan, isn't it?" he asked Prussia quietly.

"Hm?" Prussia looked up, "Oh, yeah. We should go say hello. But he's come a long way to be here, so be polite! We don't want a repeat of dinner at Hungary's last month. That means nobody gets covered in cake this time."

"That was your fault!" Germany protested his brother's scolding.

Prussia laughed, "Yeah, it was. Hello!" He inserted himself into the conversation Japan was having with England and America.

"Oh, you again," England sneered.

Prussia returned the expression before turning to Japan. "You remember my little brother, right? He wanted to say hello."

Japan gave them a polite smile, "Yes, of course. Hello, Germany-san, Prussia-kun. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise," Germany replied, "We're glad you could join us this year."

"Yes, that's what I was just saying," England interrupted, glaring at both the brothers now. "I hope the journey wasn't too difficult for you. Did you have a chance to rest properly before everything began?"

"Oh, yes, everything's been fine." Japan insisted.

Prussia scoffed, "He wouldn't tell you even if it wasn't. He's too nice for that."

"Yes, well, maybe you could learn something from him," England said flatly before turning to America, "And that goes for you too."

"Me?" America protested, "I haven't said anything!"

"You don't have to."

Japan looked away as the three started arguing, lifting his hand to his mouth, like he was trying to cover a smile, or the fact that he was laughing. Germany caught his eye and returned the smile.

"Is it always this...energetic here?" Japan asked him.

"I'm afraid so. But you get used to it after a while."

Japan nodded as he looked around the stadium, now mostly empty. "I intend to enjoy my time here." he said.

"That's not difficult." Germany promised, "And please, don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do for you."

"Thank you, Germany-san. I'll keep that in mind."

"Oh, Japan," England suddenly dropped his argument, right as America was saying something, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get carried away like that. There was something you needed earlier, wasn't there?"

"Nothing necessary," Japan assured him, "I was just wondering if you knew where Greece-san was? I was hoping to say hello to him too."

"Oh, yes," England looked around, "If he hasn't run off with France, he shouldn't be too hard to find." he added flatly. "Excuse us, it seems we have somewhere else to be." England pushed past Germany and Prussia.

Japan bowed before excusing himself, "It was nice to see you again. I'm sure we'll have another chance to catch up," he promised, "I look forward to my time at the Olympics."

Xx 1916-Berlin, Germany xX

"Ludwig, dear, come have some cake with us." Hungary invited from somewhere behind him.

Germany glanced back, Hungary had brought in a tray and was serving cake and coffee to Austria and Prussia. Prussia was ignoring her in favor of a stack of papers, but Austria was in the middle of a conversation with her. "No thank you," he said, turning away again.

He looked out the window of their Berlin apartment, down to the city below. There was quite a bit of activity as people went about their business in the late summer morning.

"Watch this," he heard Prussia say from behind him before something hit the back of his head. Prussia sniggered.

"Hey," Germany turned to glare at his brother before bending down to pick up the object. It was a crumpled ball of paper. He smoothed it out, hoping it wasn't anything too important.

"Stop moping," Prussia instructed, "Come join us. Have some cake." He picked up the plate Hungary had placed in front of Austria and held it out to him.

"There's plenty, he can have his own," Hungary scolded him, taking the plate again and returning it to Austria. She cut an extra piece and set it at the empty place at the table next to her, motioning for Germany to join them. "Really, Ludwig, what's bothering you?"

"Nothing really," he said as he joined them, "I'm just thinking." He poked at the cake with his fork, it was leftover from the previous day, when he had helped Hungary make it.

"Well stop thinking," Prussia threw another paper ball at him, despite the fact that he was only separated by a few feet of table now, "You're making me depressed. No, not depressed. What's the word?"

"Melancholy," Austria supplied without looking up.

"Yes. Stop being melancholy. Why are you always so sad?"

"I'm not sad, I'm just thinking," Germany repeated, "And stop ruining my papers, I might need them."

"You don't, they're boring."

Germany glared at his brother as he took the stack of papers and set it away from him. Prussia grinned at him before taking a too-large bite of his own slice of cake.

"You could always tell us what you're thinking about," Hungary suggested, "Maybe we could help?"

He shrugged, "I wasn't thinking about much. Just the Olympics."

"You're too obsessed with those. Ow!" Germany briefly wondered whether it was Hungary or Austria who had kicked Prussia under the table.

"I just think they're interesting." He insisted, "And...I was looking forward to being able to host them this year."

"It's alright to be disappointed," Austria said as he served himself a second slice of cake, "But I'm sure you'll have another chance."

"Tell you what," Prussia leaned forward, "When this is all over, you can host all the fancy-schnazy games you want."


Historical notes:

1896: the first modern Olympic games were hosted in Athens, Greece. Germany was one of 13 participating nations.

1900:

1904: Germany makes a comment about wanting to host the games, this is a reference to Berlin placing a bid on the 1908 Olympics, which were instead awarded to Rome, and then passed on to London, due to an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906.

1908: There's a mention of the nations going back and forth from the games, that's because they lasted over six months.

1912: Japan's Olympic debut was at the 1912 games. Japan was the first Asian nation to participate.

1916: Berlin was finally awarded the Olympics, but they were cancelled due to World War 1.