Before the Conquest

Inca was sitting at her loom, her clever hands moving quickly to weave a complicated pattern. The blanket she was working on was nearly complete. Her eldest son was sitting on the ground next to her, with string of knots in his hand. There was a crib next to her with the youngest of her sons sleeping comfortably swaddled in blankets.

Peru was trying to keep his mind on what he was doing. It was important to learn how to read the accounts of the empire. Every so often, he glanced over at his second brother, who was playing with little carved toys on the ground next to him.

For now, he was quiet, but when he got bored, Peru would have to keep him entertained so that he did not disturb their mother. She said she would not mind, but he felt that it was his duty to help his mother however he could.

Peru tried to keep his mind on the string in his hand. He was meant to be reading the number off of the string and tell his number to his mother. It was a simple exercise, but it was meant to prepare him for leadership. Inca had always said that he would be the one to inherit the throne, and he knew that meant that he must learn.

It was not easy to remember what the patterns meant, or how to produce them. But, he was trying to understand. One day, he would be able to just move his hand over a cord and know the number, like his mother did. He had seen her go through the accounts easily and quickly.

He finally finished counting and added the numbers together in his head. Then he looked up at his mother, hoping to catch her eye so that she could see that he was done. He did not want to bother her when she was so busy weaving.

Inca glanced at him and said, putting her weaving aside, "Have you finished, Pachacutec?"

Peru nodded quietly. She extended one hand to him and said, "Come show me."

Peru stood and walked to his mother, his work in his hand. He wanted to be sure he had done it right, and his mother would be proud of his progress. He extended the cord to her and she took it gently from his hand. She looked it over and then said to him, "And how many do you count?"

He took a breath into his chest and said, hoping his answer was correct, "Fifty-three."
Inca nodded and said, "That is correct. You are learning so quickly, my little one."

He smiled fully, so proud that he had done well. She ran one hand over his hair gently and said, "I'm very proud of you." Peru felt so happy to hear those words. He was her heir and he needed to do his very best all the time.

The baby woke and quietly let out a little coo. Peru looked over at the little baby, who was now stirring. Inca looked at the baby and then to Peru and said, "Do you want to hold your little brother?"

Peru hardly remembered his middle brother being that small, so he was fascinated by the little child. He had been a toddler himself when Bolivia was born, and he had never had the chance to hold him. He only had memories of the crying and of having to share his mother, with all the childish jealousy that had come with it.

He said, enthusiastically, "Yes."

Inca took the baby in her arms, being careful to keep him wrapped in the blankets. She placed him in Peru's arms, but was careful to keep her own arms beneath his so that the weight of the baby would not be too much for Peru's little arms.

He looked down at the bundle in his arms. The little baby looked up at him with deep, insightful eyes. Peru felt his heart melt. This vulnerable little creature was his brother, and he was responsible for him.

He said, trying to express this new feeling, "He is so small."
Inca said, sounding like she understood exactly what he was feeling, "So were you when you were born. He will grow soon enough and then you will be able to play with him."

Bolivia tired of his toys and walked over to join them where they were standing. Inca looked up and deftly picked up Bolivia with one hand, while still keeping one arm beneath the baby. She placed Bolivia in her lap, where he cuddled against her shoulder. He started to play idly with one of her braids.

Peru was still looking at his baby brother, still enchanted by how small he was. Baby Chile let out another sweet coo, and reached out one of his small hands. He seemed to be grabbing for something.

Peru instinctively offered one of his hands, and the little hand wrapped around his fingers. He let out a soft gasp. It was so precious to feel the pressure on his fingers, so much stronger than he had expected.

Inca said, keeping her arms firmly around her sons, "You are all precious gifts to me. You must love each other and look after each other." Peru nodded emphatically. He wanted it to be clear that he understood his duty as the eldest.

His mother turned her warm brown eyes to him and said, "Do you understand that?"
He said, his voice coming out with a tremble in it, "Yes, mama."

She leaned forward and kissed Peru softly on the forehead. Then, she turned to Bolivia and kissed him as well.

—-

1536

In his dream, Peru was in the capital city of the Empire again, where his mother had reigned. He had fond memories of this room, of playing with his younger brothers on this floor while his mother patiently checked the accounts of the empire, counting knots for the exact measure of each commodity.

But, in his dream, the room was empty. It was hauntingly quiet in a way that it never would have been during his mother's lifetime; four young boys had never made it possible to have even a moment of quiet.

It felt cold to be so quiet, like a graveyard. His feet were carrying him without any real thought. Though it slowly dawned on him that he was walking towards the throne. The thought made his heart beat unevenly. Could he really allow himself to sit on his mother's throne, even though she had intended it for him since the moment of his birth?

The dream gave him no option, he was on the path already. But, as he sat, he felt a great trepidation.

The door of his room banged open, immediately jolting Peru from his sleep. soldiers cam pouring through it. In the momentary panic before he was dragged from bed, Peru realized that there could only be one reason for this. Spain knew everything. Two soldiers grabbed him roughly by the arms and dragged him from the bed.

Peru didn't have awareness to get his feet below him before he hit the floor. One of the soldiers said gruffly, "On your feet, traitor"

Peru, still firmly in the grip of the soldiers, scrambled to his feet. He was still attempting to understand what was happening. He knew that Spain must know about his involvement in the plan to throw off the Spanish yoke.

Before he could ask or question any of it, a bag was pulled over his head. He could hear his own heart in his ears as the darkness snuffed out his vision. He did not know what Spain would do to him, but as he was dragged at a rate too fast for his feet, the stories came back to his mind of what Spain did to his captives. He couldn't guess what horrors were awaiting him at the end of the walk.

His bare feet bumped painfully against stone steps that he could not see. He gasped in pain, but no one had any sympathy for him, nor did they slow their pace. He had no sense of place, so terror took its place. If Spain knew he was a traitor, then what would happen to his brothers? He had sworn to his mother in her last moments that he would protect them.

He entered a room with a hard floor that was cold beneath his feet, and he was forced into a seat. The bag was pulled off and he blinked, even though the candle light was not bright.

Spain was sitting across a table from him. The man's expression froze Peru's blood. It was not the rage he had expected, it was a distant, cold, joy. It was as though this was what he had expected and anticipated.

Without a single word, Spain slid a letter across the table towards him. Peru knew it already. It was the letter he had sent to England begging for aid. He did not know how Spain had intercepted it, but it didn't matter. Spain said, once his hand left the letter, "It is yours. Do you deny it?"

Peru shook his head slowly. It would not do much to fight and deny it now that Spain knew. But, he kept his lips pressed firmly together. Spain said, a smirk turning up the corners of his mouth, "Then you admit you are a traitor?"

Peru could feel his pulse through his whole body. Spain was playing with him; he could feel it. He would have to say something about punishment eventually. It had to be what was putting so much joy on his smirking face.

Peru nodded again, still refusing to say more than Spain already knew. Spain smiled like a hungry wolf, "Tell me who else knows. If your brothers are guilty, they will face the same punishment."
Peru finally spoke, unwilling to let any of his brothers suffer for his mistake, "It was only me. If you want to torture me or kill me, do it. But, leave them alone."

The other's smile widened at that, though Peru did not understand why. He was giving in, but it was the best chance he had to spare anyone else pain. It might cost him his life, for all he knew, but he would not bring his family down.

It had been hope, for one shining moment. How could he have ignored hope, when it was so close to him?

Spain said, "Oh, I know what will hurt you and I don't even need to touch you."
Peru felt a bolt of cold down his spine. He did not want to want to know the meaning of those words. Spain stood and said to one of the soldiers, " Bring him in."

Peru made to stand, but one of the men behind him forced him back down. The door opened and two more soldiers stepped through it with Ecuador between them. The young boy was still in his night clothing and his big eyes were wide.

Peru stood and this time he was allowed to. He wanted to pull his youngest brother into his arms. He knew that there was no possibility that Spain's intentions were good.

Spain flashed him another cruel look before walking over to the little boy and kneeling. Ecuador said, sleep still heavy on his voice, "What's going on?" The sweetness that Spain injected in his voice sounded so false that it made goosebumps erupt on Peru's skin, "I'm sorry for waking you. Your brother has done a very bad thing."

Peru noticed for the first time that there was a knife in Spain's belt. The handle was sticking out more than usual, so Peru knew that he intended him to see it. An old memory flashed across his mind of seeing his mother's body left in the city square, a deep red slash across her throat. He was not supposed to have seen it, but he did. He couldn't allow that to happen to his brother, the little one who loved turtles and meant no harm to anyone.

Spain continued talking, daring to lay his hand on Ecuador's little shoulders, "Did you know anything about the bad things your brother planned?"
Peru tried to lunge forward, but the soldiers seized his arms and held him back. He said, grief tearing at his vocal chords, "Leave him alone! He doesn't know anything!"

Spain turned to him, and reached back to put his hand lightly on the dagger. The warning could not have been clearer. Spain asked again, more clearly, "I believe that. And the other two?"

Peru could feel tears stinging his eyes as he looked at the way Spain's fingers were toying with the dagger, as though this was some game to him. His voice cracked as he said, "They don't know anything. I didn't want to risk them."

Spain nodded, showing that he believed him, and let his hand slip from the dagger. He turned back to Ecuador, and spoke again in that voice of false compassion, "You are going to spend time with you sister in New Granada. You won't be seeing Fransisco for a long time."

Spain gestured to the soldiers, who finally released Peru. Then he said to Ecuador, "Say goodbye to your brother."

Once he was released, Peru knelt and Ecuador came running to him. Ecuador wrapped his arms around Peru's neck and said, "I don't want to go, Paco." Peru pulled him close and wished he could him never let him go.

But, he only got a moment before he Spain said, "That is enough of a farewell." One soldier took a hold of Peru, and pulled him away. He tried to hold on, but his grip failed, and his arms were left empty. Ecuador was hurried out of the door.

Only once he was gone, did Spain turn back to Peru and step towards him. He towered over his colony and said, his voice cold and hard, "You will never see him again. He will be with his other half-siblings, and he will be well taken care of."

Peru finally understood. His punishment would be to have his dearest sibling cut off from him. It caused him pain in a way that physical torture could not have. He couldn't find a word to say to Spain.

He looked up as Spain untied the scabbard and dagger from his belt and handed it to one of his soldiers. Spain continued speaking, "If you take even a step out of line, that dagger will have a use."

Peru felt the tears running down his cheeks. But, he did not dare speak, in case something angry and spiteful would come out. Spain did not want his response as he continued, "You are lucky I did not make an example of you. You will not speak to anyone about what happened; I will not have your rebellion spreading. You will be the model of an obedient colony."

Peru nodded silently. He would have to be an actor and hide all of his discontentment when he knew his brother was in danger. He would have to smile and pretend. Spain continued, "Take Alejandro as your example. I gave up a fine night with him to be here. There is a reason he has always had my favor, despite all of your jealous gossip. He is loyal and knows his place."

—

Early 18th Century

Peru opened the door to his bedroom, half expecting to see one of his brothers digging through his drawers to take something from his clothing. They did not have much regard for his possessions, and he had grown accustomed to it. The fact that the door was slightly open before he touched it made him think that one of his brothers had taken the liberty.

But, as he opened the door, he saw that someone was indeed on his bed, but it wasn't one of his brothers.

Colombia was laying on his bed, and the way he was curled up on his side told Peru immediately that something was wrong. He sat next to him on the bed, and reached out to put a hand softly on Colombia's shoulder.

Peru said, softly, "Is something wrong, Enrique?"

He had only just arrived back at court, and he should not be so upset already. It hurt to see him like this. Colombia's voice sounded clearly like he had been crying when he said, "He's engaged. He is going to get married to a woman." He sniffled and buried his head in the pillow.

Peru sighed deeply. He knew what this was. Someone had told Colombia that New Spain was engaged, and Peru would not be surprised if it was the snake himself.

He had known that Colombia would have to find out eventually, but something told him that New Spain had not been gentle. He said, "I was going to tell you, Enrique."

As soon as he said it, he realized that he should have said it as soon as he knew that Colombia was home. He continued, "I should have told you, but I didn't want to hurt you."

Colombia looked up at him with teary eyes. He said, "It's not your fault, Paco."

He wiped the tears off his cheek with the back of his hand. He slowly sat up and looked like he was trying to compose himself. He said, "He is going to marry someone good, better than me. I don't blame him." His lip started to quiver and tears came back into his eyes as he said, "I was a fool for thinking that he would wait for someone like me."

Peru's heart felt heavy at the words. He couldn't have expected the words to come out of the mouth of someone who had once been so confident.

He put his arm around Colombia and said, "Who said that there is anything wrong with you?"

He was suddenly worried that New Spain had said something to him to make him think that. But Colombia shook his head and said, "When I was away, the priests told me how wrong and sinful I was for the things I wanted."

He let out another pained sob and Peru pulled him closer. Peru could feel himself clenching his jaw. Spain had sent priests to hurt Colombia when he spent his time parading around the court with New Spain on his arm like it wasn't the same sin. This wasn't about who Colombia loved, it was just an excuse to tear him down because he dared to touch Spain's favorite.
He said, "Don't listen to them. There is nothing wrong with you."

Colombia put his head on Peru's shoulder. his cheek was wet and Peru could feel it through his shirt. He said, "I heard once that twins are two halves of the same whole, and I keep thinking that something went wrong and my sister got all the good. How could Alejandro want that?"

Peru felt the undeniable urge to erase that thought from his head. He turned and took Colombia's face in his hands. He said, looking Colombia in the eyes, "You listen to me. You are too good for him. You took the blame for something he was just as guilty of. You were patient and good."

Colombia nodded, but it still didn't seem like he was completely convinced. But it was enough for now. He let go of Colombia's face. Peru said, "You are welcome to stay here as long as you want tonight. Whenever you need me, I will be here."

Colombia slipped his hand onto Peru's and said, "Thank you."

—-

Early 18th Century

Peru slammed the door behind himself and let out a frustrated snort. The exchange was still playing in his head. New Spain had absolutely no remorse about hurting Colombia, and now he was back to do it again. Peru had spent all the time since New Spain had left comforting Colombia and assuring him that there was no reason to pine for New Spain. There was far more to a man than a handsome face. But, in a few days at the very least, New Spain would be back to his old tricks, and doing harm that he did not care about.

Peru said, trying to vent his frustration, "He's a complete asshole!" He immediately got a response that he was not expecting, "New Spain again?"

Bolivia was standing in the door to his bedroom. Peru had not bothered to look around his chambers and when he did he realized that both of his brothers were there. Bolivia had apparently been in his bedroom and Chile was sitting on the windowsill writing something in the light filtering in around him.

Peru had thought he was alone, but it was better to have someone to talk to. He addressed the question, "Yes, he's back and he's still an asshole."
But, he was also incapable of ignoring the fact that his younger brother was in his room. He asked, "What are you even doing in there?"

Bolivia replied without a stitch of shame, "I am borrowing one of your vests. I'll give it back tomorrow."

Peru sighed. Usually he would be mad that his brother was taking his clothing without permission, but his anger was elsewhere. He continued with his original thought, "How can someone be gone for so long and come back with no remorse? He hasn't even thought about what he did Enrique?"

Neither of his brothers reacted to his rant immediately, which only frustrated Peru further. He said, trying to get them to react, "He is so self-centered!"
Chile finally spoke in his smooth, quiet way, "You only care so much because you want Enrique to fuck you."

Peru couldn't entirely deny the accusation; he was attracted to Colombia. But, that was not the point that bothered him so much. It was the flippant way that New Spain dismissed anyone else's pain. He responded to the accusation, "You can't deny that he's attractive."

Chile shrugged in response, "He isn't my type."
Bolivia cut in with an inquisitive smirk, "And what is your type, Santi?"
Chile replied, "Tall, dark, and handsome."

There was a moment of silence while Bolivia attempted to figure out if his brother was being serious. Peru did not care whether Chile really had a type or not, or whatever Chile was lazily writing while he sniped at him. He returned to his original thought, "But, New Spain is the same heartless selfish person he always was!"
Chile chuckled, "And he's a whore. Everyone knows it."

Bolivia nodded his head like this was accepted fact. Peru knew that; no one could deny that New Spain hung on Spain's every word and spent nights with him. It didn't take much imagination to know what New Spain was doing behind closed doors.

Peru wanted to rant further, but it dawned upon him that they had both heard this before many times. Instead, he let out a long sigh and said, "Keep an eye on him, both of you. I don't trust him and he is going to do something." Both of his brothers nodded, which satisfied him.

He sat down and Bolivia's attention returned to his other brother, "Santi, what are you writing?"
Chile was curt, "A letter."
Bolivia did not relent, "To who?"
Chile glared at him and said, "None of your business, Simon. A neighbor."

—-

Modern

Colombia was sitting in the middle of the field where Peru was keeping his small heard of alpacas with a baby alpaca in his lap. He was wearing on of Peru's many hand knitted ponchos, since his own clothing had not been warm enough for the mountain climate.

Peru was sitting next to him to make sure that none of the alpacas took it as an intrusion. While they were usually placid animals, they could get protective now that they were having their babies. Peru knew that they would be able to take his presence as confirmation that everything was alright.

Colombia kissed the baby alpaca on the head, and the look on his was so adorably innocent and happy. He was smiling so genuinely, in a way that Peru so rarely saw. Colombia said, both to himself and to Peru, "This is a happy place."

He gave the baby another soft kiss on his fleecy head. Peru replied, leaning close so that he could also give the alpaca a stroke under his chin, "I have always found it calming."

He wondered if Colombia would notice if he just slipped his arm around him and pulled him closer. He decided against it for the moment, even if he would like the physical contact.

Colombia's eyes were fixed on the small animal in his lap as he said, "I think that I could stay here forever. It's calm."
Peru's heart always felt like it was glowing when Colombia talked like this about the mountain home that he had worked so hard on. It was his escape and he was glad to share it with someone he really loved. He replied, with a broad smile, "You are welcome here at any time."

The baby alpaca started to fuss in Colombia's lap after sitting there contentedly for several straight minutes. Peru knew what was wrong, and he said gently, "He needs feeding. I'll take him back to his mother."

He extended his hand, and Colombia handed the baby back over with only a little pout. Peru stood up and carried the baby a short distance to where his mother had been standing being very patient.

Peru placed the baby back down and that baby hurried back to his mother and started nursing happily.

Peru watched them for a moment before an out of place sound caught his attention. It was the dinging of his cell phone, but it was coming from further away than he expected. He turned to look for where it was coming from.

His phone was sitting on the grass next to Colombia, where it had fallen when he had stood up.

Colombia gave him a charming smirk and picked up the dinging phone. He said, "Your brother says-" He paused and a truly bemused look appeared on his face and Peru had a felling of dread.

Colombia cleared his throat and continued, "Santiago says, 'quit staring at your boyfriend, and answer my texts.'"

Peru felt a cold jolt down his spine. He knew that both of his brothers knew about his feelings about Colombia and they were usually glib about it. But, he had not intended Colombia to read it.

He scrambled for an explanation. He settled upon, "He's just joking."
But Colombia raised his eyebrows and said, "Do they know that I am here?"

Peru walked back over and sat down on the grass with a sigh. He said, "Yes, they do."
He took comfort in the fact that Colombia was smiling as he said, "Do your brothers think we are dating?"

Peru decided to be as honest as possible at this point. Evasion would just make him look like he was hiding his feelings. He kept his eyes on Colombia as he said, "Santi says that 'everyone' thinks that we are dating."

The other man started to laugh at the idea. He said, "You're sure people think we're dating? It sounds like Santiago is making that up."

Peru shrugged. He had made a habit of avoiding the gossip because it very rarely was true. So, he could not be sure. Colombia looked at him with that same laughing smile and said, "Why would they think that?"

It was Peru's turn to chuckle, and he said, "You are visiting my house, and wearing my poncho, and kissing my alpacas."

Colombia leaned against him and said, "It is a very comfortable poncho, and your alpacas are very cute."
Then, much to Peru's surprise, he put his hand on top of Peru's own, and said, "Let them talk. I like it here, and I like you."

—-

Modern

Peru was standing at the stove stirring a pot of hot chocolate. It was almost done, and he turned to get a cup and a pot holder. He had made all the pot holders himself by weaving together small pieces of fabric. They hung on hooks on the cabinets, each colorful and unique.

He first opened the cabinet and took out a mug. It was one of his favorite mugs. It had little lamas all over it. All of his mugs had llamas on them. It had gotten to the point where his brothers and friends all bought him llama themed mugs. He didn't mind. He knew it may be kitschy, but he felt like it was a joyful thing.

He placed the mug on the counter and slowly lifted the pot from the stove. He then poured the hot chocolate slowly and carefully into the mug, managing to not spill any on the countertop. Aromatic steam curled up around his face. It smelled good, but he knew the drink wasn't for him.

He took the mug and walked into his living room with it in hand. Colombia was sitting on his couch. He had shown up at Peru's doorstep in the morning with no warning. But it was no problem; he was always welcome and he knew it.

Colombia even being awake at this hour meant that he had probably had a long night. Colombia had wrapped one of the knitted blankets from the back of the couch around himself and was sitting there in a warm mass of fabric. He looked comfortable, but he also looked quite tired.

Peru sat next to him and said, "This is for you."
He passed over the cup of hot chocolate to Colombia, who took it with a smile. He said, "Thank you, Paco."

His voice sounded terrible, like his vocal cords were struggling to produce it. He grimaced after he finished speaking and put his free hand to his throat like it hurt.

Peru guessed that he had burned his voice out during a long night of partying, and he hoped that it had been one night and not a several day bender. During a certain period of his life, Colombia had been prone to those, but that seemed to have stopped.

As Colombia took a sip of the hot chocolate and made an appreciative sound in the back of his throat, Peru said, "It's okay. You don't need to talk now."

Colombia turned his beautiful coffee brown eyes to him and gave him a warm smile. He didn't need to say that he was thankful for the support. It was clear enough.

Colombia leaned against him, and Peru instinctively put his arm around his shoulders. Colombia took another long drink from the mug and let out another appreciative, "Mmmmm."
Peru was a little too curious though, and he couldn't help but ask, "Was it a long night?"

Colombia smiled and nodded. At least he looked happy about it. Peru would have been more concerned if he had looked depressed, as he often did after his bad nights with Mexico. Peru took little issue with his partying if he was happy about it. Nobody could tell Colombia that he wasn't allowed to spend a night dancing, when it brought him so much happiness.

But, he wanted confirmation that there had been no romantic incidents. He asked, "Alejandro wasn't there, was he?" Colombia again shook his head as he took another drink.

Then he pulled his sock clad feet up onto the couch and leaned even further back to put more of his weight on Peru. He looked up with an innocent smile, like he wasn't slowly taking up more and more room because he could.

Now that he was even closer, Peru could smell the scent of old cologne and cigarette smoke clinging to Colombia's hair and clothing. He had certainly not showered or changed before coming here. Peru said, "And you just decided to come see me."

Colombia immediately put down the mug. He pointed himself, used both of his hands to make a heart, and then pointed at Peru. Then he smiled again warmly. Peru thought he understood his meaning, and he felt himself blushing.

He felt like he was giving Colombia a safe place to return to, and he was glad to do it. If he could be a comfortable place, he could be happy.

Colombia picked up the mug again and drained it of the last of the hot chocolate. Then, he yawned and stretched. Peru could not help but think that he looked absolutely adorable.
He said, "I think what you need is a bath, and I have a guest bed with your name on it."

Colombia nodded happily and leaned in to plant a kiss on Peru's cheek.