Two long chaps today for Hetalia!
It was very early in the morning when Arthur grumbled awake. His litter was awfully demanding...
Francis hums softly nuzzling into him. At least he had that... Once they'd finished feeding, he turned to kiss him softly.
Francis leans in sleepily. Arthur smiled warmly, letting it linger.
Finally they parted. "Why so early?"
"They woke me up," he shrugged. "Thought you might like quiet time?"
Francis smiles kissing his nose. Arthur grinned and nuzzled. They cuddle for a bit. A few of the kits wiggled their way between them, seeking company.
Francis chuckles. "Someone likes us."
"That's fine by me," Arthur hummed happily, gently guiding them close to him. "They're just darling..."
Francis pets one gently. It snuggled towards his hand. He smiles.
"I think that one prefers you, actually," Arthur hummed.
"Really?"
He nodded. "Always wiggles to you when you lay with us."
Francis smiles holding it. It cuddled up and settled in.
Al came a while later with breakfast and a shopping bag.
"Oh, thank you," Arthur smiled, taking his plate. "What's in the bag?"
Al smiles emptying it out, a spool each of pink and blue string and a box of letter beads. He also takes a pair of scissors out of his pocket. "I thought maybe you'd like a way to tell them apart."
Arthur grinned at that, sitting up just a little straighter. "Oh, I do love you at times like this."
Francis sat with his breakfast. The one honey colored kit still in his lap.
"Where do we even start though?" Arthur chuckled.
Al picks up one of the kits sorting them into boys and girls. They ended up with six girls - the silver duo, one of the black ones, Francis's honey brown, and the other two a deep chocolate. The boys - the other black, two dark brown and one grey.
Francis pets his while Al cuts the string into collar sized bits. "I think I'll call her Jeneane.."
"Sounds lovely," Arthur smiled, kissing him softly.
Francis smiles warmly.
"You," Arthur scooped up one of the silvers. "Look like a little Moxie."
Al chuckles as he strung beads to spell the names and ties it on Jeneane.
"This is rather fun," Arthur smiled.
They sit and pick names, stringing up the little collars. Soon everyone had a name and collar. Francis smiles warmly.
"They're beautiful..."
Al sat watching them interact. Al himself had all this to enjoy when his brood hatched. He wonders how long that would be, it took him a month to lay the eggs, and normal ones hatch around 35 days.. Would that be delayed too?
He could only wait and see...
But then again the rabbits came rather quickly.. Rabbit came quick anyway, but the birthing times seemed to be all over the place.
Al gathers the plates going back downstairs. Ro was in the kitchen, staring sleepily into the fridge in search for food that didn't need cooking - she still couldn't use the appliances too well...
"Need some help?"
She jumped a little, smiling tiredly. "I don't know what to make..."
Al hums looking around before pulling out some oatmeal.
"What do you do with that?" She peered over his shoulder.
"Just add hot water and stir." He rips open a couple of packets pouring it into a bowl.
"You make the water hot with the silly pot thing, right?" she pointed to the kettle.
"Yep."
"Then just mix it?"
"Right."
"Can I try?"
"Go ahead."
She took out a packet and emptied into a bowl before carefully adding water and stirring.
Al smiles. "There's different flavors too. This is peaches and cream. But there's also strawberry, apple, maple and brown sugar, and a few others."
"How do you know which is which?" she looked at the little white packets in wonder.
"It says on the box, normally there's only one flavor each, if there's more they come in different colors."
"Oh..." All these things fascinated her.
He smiles mixing his bowl.
She mixed her own, smiling softly. "Like this?"
"Yeah."
She grinned, filling with a little bubble of pride.
"If you want you can add more water to make it thinner or just a little to make it thick."
She shifted her spoon around her thick mix. "I like it like this."
He smiles. She picked up her bowl with a smile. Al finished his and fixed something to take to Matt. Ro followed him around like a lost puppy, wanting company more than anything.
They head back to the library where he was still recovering. Matt had moved, cuddling his egg. It was like a natural heater. Al smiles softly at that settling next to him and offering the bowl.
Matt smiled, sitting up enough to eat it. They snuggle together, pulling up a movie on Al's laptop. They just veg really, indulging in quality time.
Al glanced to Matt briefly. He was looking better bit by bit, food and rest doing him well. His fever had all but vanished overnight.
Al smiles as he hugged the egg. *Weird isn't it? Hard to let go of.*
*A little bit,* Matt smiled shyly. *I dunno, I just want to make sure it's safe, I guess.*
Al hugs him. He cuddled in, curling around his egg. They sit for a while, brooding their respective chicks. Ro snuggled with them.
A few days passed, the food getting low again. Five people ate quickly, the twins mostly eating fish. Which meant they needed to shop again...
Who would go this time though? Arthur needed help with the kits and Francis loved spending time with them, but Matt and Al were swelling like balloons as whatever they were carrying grew...
In the end Al Matt and Francis go together. They pile into the truck, Francis having to drive now, and head to town.
They get to the store and head inside. Al had been in a rather touchy mood today. Matt had just been tired and groggy but insisted on needing an outing before he went mad. They go in and start gathering things.
Half way around, a child tugged on Al's sleeve, brown eyes soft and curious. "You look funny."
Al flinched.
"Your tummy's all fat like mummy's, you know?" he babbled happily. "She's gonna have a baby - are you gonna too? Can boys have babies?"
Al wasn't sure what to say, but his mood was quickly plummeting.
"Would it have to come out of your bum?"
"Michael!" A pregnant woman gasped and waddled over quickly, grabbing the boy. "What have I told you about bothering strangers?!"
"But mummy, he's got a baby like you!"
"Honey, boys can't have babies," she sighed tiredly.
"Oh... Then he must really like cake, cuz he's got a fat tummy!"
Al frowns hands twitching in his pockets. That always hit a sore spot for him.
"I'm so sorry," The woman started tugging her son back to their cart. "Michael, apologize!"
"Sorry mister..."
"It's fine.."
"Come on," the duo left down the next isle.
Al watched them leave but that switch had been flipped. He wandered over to the nutrition section.
Matt came back to the cart with orange juice and frowned as he watched his twin vanish. *Al?*
Al was giving off depressed vibes as he looks over weight loss pills.
*No,* Matt just grabbed him and pulled him away from them. *Just no. Not happening, nope!*
Al whines.
*Don't. You know what happened last time and be damned if I'll see that again!*
Al just let himself get pulled along, not in a mood to fight. Matt clung to him protectively now, worry ebbing from him. Francis glanced to them confused. Matt just started ahead, desperate to get out of here.
They finished quickly getting back to the truck. Matt still clung to Al though, fidgeting. They load up and get inside Francis at the wheel. "Talk."
"I caught him looking at weight loss pills," Matt muttered into his lap.
Francis frowns. Al just stares out the window. Silence seeped into the car.
"Alfred?"
Al fidgets.
"Why...?"
"...the kid called me fat.." It was hardly a whisper..
"Al..." Matt tensed, emotions churning.
Francis sighs.
Matt chewed his lip tersely. "Can we just go...?"
They head back to the house. Tension filled their car, making the air thick and hard to breathe. They pull in Francis letting the twins inside while getting Ro to help with the bags.
She flitted in and out, still with her dainty grace. "I'll get these. They looked kinda down."
Francis smiles at her. "Thanks."
She just flashed him a smile and carried on. He went inside to find Arthur then sought out the twins. Arthur was in the lounge, the twins in the library.
As they walk in they find Alfred sitting in the nest staring at his eggs. Arthur frowned softly, worry tugging at his brow. He was obviously upset.
Arthur waddled over, kneeling by him. "Alfred...?"
Francis comes over as well.
Arthur took Al's hand and squeezed gently. "Poppet... Please talk to me..."
Al sighs. "Do you think I'm fat..?"
"No," he tutted kindly. "You've ended up pregnant because of a spirit, that's not fat. As soon as they're out, you'll go back to being ideal."
Al stares at his lap. He had developed self image issues when the others would constantly bark about his appetite, which wasn't entirely his fault in the first place. He was a large country with a high metabolism, and that meant he needed a lot of fuel to run.
That was something that they had come to figure out after a while. Matt was just as bad for eating a lot but for some reason, no one ever gave him the same lectures for it though.
It caused a spell of anorexia, hence the reason Matt got so upset. Also why Al had a habit of skipping meals when depressed, though he was better it wouldn't always leave. Arthur had taken up helping as much as he could, even if it was keeping Matt under control whilst Al sorted himself out...
It didn't help that he was lucky to find pants that stayed on him this morning..
"Alfred, sweetie," Arthur gently brushed back a lock of his hair. "You know we all love you no matter how you look, right?"
Al leans on him with a sniffle. Maybe a good cry would help?
"It's okay," Arthur just shifted, bundling him up into a tender hug. "Just let it out poppet..." Francis sat next to them rubbing Al's back. They sit just letting him vent the built up emotions. They just huddled together, soaking up the companionship.
It took a while but Al eventually ran dry. The pregnancy making him rather emotional lately. Arthur had had his spell of it before the kits. Matt just got moody. Al just sat hugging Arthur tiredly. Arthur just sat with him, stroking his hair tenderly.
Francis sat back glancing to Matt. Matt sat curled around his egg, still looking rather put off by everything. He shifted over pulling him in. Matt folded in without a word, clinging softly.
Last time Al had dabbled with anorexia, Matt had taken such a fright, he wouldn't let his brother out of his sight for a good three months. They settled in snuggling for a while.
A little knock sounded at the door, Ro's voice piping up from the other side. "Hello? Are you in there?"
Francis calls her in.
She awkwardly opened the door, teatray in hand. "I made tea..."
Francis smiles waving her over. She came over, carefully setting down the tray with five cups and two teapots and a little stack of cakes.
Arthur smiled proudly. "You remembered!"
Francis chuckles. Ro just flushed. They sit her in and settle with the snacks. It was a little lift. Al just drank silently before laying down tiredly. Arthur pet his hair gently. He drifted off.
Matt pressed into Francis, sighing softly. Francis rubs his back. "It's just hormones. He'll be alright."
"I can't see him like that again, Papa..." he tightened his grip slightly.
"None of us can.."
"I feel sick just thinkin bout it..."
Francis hugs him gently. He huddled in. They settle in the remaining four just chatting while Al napped.
Matt seemed reluctant to talk. Arthur sat with Al and Ro, petting the blond as he spoke to the fae. He'd taken to her lately. Al had a hand gripping Arthur's pants.
Time passed slowly, daylight clinging as long as it could before night crept into its place. Al woke up somewhat, nuzzling closer to the nearest warm body. It was still Arthur. The other three curled up a little bit away. Al grumbles softly gripping Arthur's pant leg.
He shifted, pulling him into his chest. Al hums nuzzling.
"Okay poppet?" Arthur mumbled sleepily.
Al cracks an eye open mumbling. "M'hungry.."
"Want to go find something?" Arthur started stirring.
He nods. Arthur pulled himself up with a grunt. Al follows after. They shuffled down to the kitchen.
Al glanced through the fridge, ending up with frozen pizza. Arthur shrugged and set it cooking in the oven. Al sat at the table rubbing kinks out of his back.
Arthur sorted a good snack for him before coning to help. Al sighs softly. Arthur just rubbed the knot of tension that was Al's back.
"Sorry about earlier.."
"It's alright poppet," Arthur hummed dismissively.
"...I kinda scared Matt didn't I..?"
"If you want the truth," the Brit spoke softly. "He was terrified."
Al sighs laying his head on the table.
"Don't worry," Arthur sat beside him, rubbing his shoulder. "So long as you're safe, he'll be okay."
"It shouldn't have bothered me that much..."
"It's the hormones," he assured him. "Soon as we get these out," he gently prodded Al's tum. "You'll be fine."
"I still don't even know what they are.."
"I'm sure you'll see soon," Arthur just smiled. "I imagine they must be due out soon enough."
"Maybe.."
"Until then, we just have to waddle about as best we can," he chuckled softly.
Al smiles softly.
"Eat up. You need it." Arthur placed a softly kiss on Al's temple before going to making himself a cup of tea.
Al fetched his pizza and chows down. Arthur watched to make sure he ate it alright, but he really wanted to go back to his litter...
Al ate without a problem. Arthur quietly excused himself.
Al finished his meal and sat back with a sigh. The house sure was quiet when you were the only one about...
He sat there for a moment gathering his thoughts. Everything was going to be hectic when Arthur's rabbits started moving about... This whole 'pregnancy' thing was really messing with their heads too.. They were all tired and stressed and over emotional. They were putting too much on Francis and Ro really...
He sighs hauling himself up towards the couch. Maybe some games would help him unwind a bit? He wasn't ready for bed yet considering his recent nap. Arthur didn't seem to be coming back anyway. He settles in turning on his game.
He got through a few levels before footsteps came down, small and soft against the carpeted steps. Al glanced up. Ro padded down, sleepily rubbing her eyes.
"Hey."
She jolted to a stop, head snapping up. "...Oh, hi."
"You ok?"
She shrugged softly, casting her gaze down. He frowns slightly.
"You okay?" She looked up through her bangs.
"Yeah. Just got hungry."
She shuffled down, loitering in the doorway.
"Wanna sit?"
She shrugged again but came and sat anyway. He smiles gently, hugging her. She leaned in, hugging back lightly.
"Talk to me.."
"I'm okay... Just tired..."
He rubs her back softly. She snuggled some, curling her legs beneath herself. He saves and quits his game switching it over to tv, and sits petting her gently. Ro was content to just snuggle, it seemed.
Not that he disagreed. He gently probed upstairs for a second, trying to see if Matt was still asleep. Seemed a was, or he was in a light doze, because Matt still felt a little distant and hazy.
Al brushed against him gently, almost like petting his hair. Matt stirred slightly, as if nuzzling towards him in response. Al smiles slightly. It felt like Matt smiled back, but it could have been sleepy idealism.
He sits for a while just cuddling. Arthur flittered up and down, coming for snacks. His other litter must be growing in.. If it was anywhere near the size of his last one ..
Al frowns softly worried. The house was going to be overrun...
Maybe their litters that were opposite were smaller? Matt only had one egg..
But to be fair, it was a bloody big egg...
Who knew really..?
Not them, that was for sure...
Al leans back again with a sigh.
Ro looked up curiously with tired eyes. "...Okay?"
"Yeah."
"Okay," she curled back in.
He pet her for a few minutes before he felt something move. She jolted up, looking stunned and confused. Al blinks resting a hand on his belly.
"Was that...?" soft pink eyes watched his hand intently.
They kicked again causing him to giggle. Ro looked up, slight smile pulling at her lips. Al smiles bubbling with giddy happiness.
His glee bubbled over to her too, making her smile. "Can I feel...?"
"Sure."
She carefully lay her hand where his had been. She got a little nudge back in response. She gasped, eyes filling with wonder. Al grins.
"It moved!" Ro looked like a child, eyes as wide as the smile on her face.
"Yeah it did."
She giggled happily. They sit for a little while until his insides seemed to settle back into sleep.
"I wonder what it's like in there," Ro hummed, still smiling brightly.
"Warm I'd imagine?"
"Dark too..."
He nods.
"D'you think they're happy?"
"Yeah, I think they sleep most the time so they should be."
"We don't sleep much, do we?" Ro hummed, hugging a cushion.
"You having trouble?"
She sighed and nodded softly.
"Do you know why?"
She shook her head, hiding behind her cushion a bit. He frowns softly.
"I just get restless whenever I lay down, but I'm too tired to get up... Then I finally pass out then wake up too soon..."
He rubs her back softly. She leaned into him but clung to the cushion nonetheless. He wonders what was upsetting her so much.. She didn't seem ready to share...
He sits cuddling her a while just hoping she'd be ok.