Okay, so hello once again my dearest readers! So sorry for the long wait! I've been planning to put this fic on hiatus until my next school break, but luckily, I was able to squeeze in some time since last week to work on this humble little chapter when I didn't have much homework eating up my time. This chap is unbeta'd. I feel that my writing skills are regressing. School is hectic and total bullshit and it has sapped me of my creativity and has greatly decreased my will to live. I'M SO SORRY GUYS QAQ
On a totally random note, I just finished reading Why We Broke Up (by Daniel Handler/Lemony Snicket) and The Timekeeper (by Mitch Albom). Amazing books, I tell you. You guys should definitely give 'em a shot and read them soon. :D
Oh, and Ha-chan, I remember you told me you were hooked on the German bros a couple of days ago - hopefully, you still are now - so I hope this chapter helps satisfy your little fangirl heart. Consider this as my way of thanking you for that sweet little birthday fic you (and Mi-chan) made for me :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Please review! :)
The lights are on when Ludwig makes it back home, and it comes as no surprise when he swings the door open that he is greeted by the sight of open suitcases strewn across the floor - clothes folded neat and crisp - the scent of cooked meat and fresh beer, and the sound of ragtime jazz blaring from the cheap stereo nearby. A dash of yellow, and the squeaking tweet of a little pet bird–
Ah.
Could it be?
"Bruder?" he calls out before entering, his voice loud yet hesitant.
"West!" A voice calls out to him, a baritone lilt as sweet as a song, coated thickly with an accent unmistakably akin to that of his own native tongue. Warm. Calming. Familiar. "Willkommen zurück."
And it all clicks in place.
"Where are you?" he hollers out in response, removing his coat and setting it aside on the fabric sofa.
"Hier," he hears the voice reply, and his blue eyes dart to the source of the sound. A man turns around from his spot in front of the stove, a thin apron hanging loosely over his neck, crimson eyes burning brightly like the fire. "Yo! Lucky you, my dear bruderlein. The awesome me is making dinner for us tonight."
The oil sizzles in the pan with its searing heat, small puffs of smoke escaping slowly and filling the room. Ludwig nods, taking in the aroma as he closed his eyes. "That smells delicious, bruder."
"Kesesesese~ I'm cooking wurst so of course it smells delicious! And it's going to taste delicious too," he exclaims, snorting proudly as Ludwig held back a chuckle. He raises his thumb and flashes it to his brother, a triumphant smile adorning his features. "Trust me. It's going to be awesome."
"Ja. Natürlich, bruder. I'm looking forward to it."
And almost as though on cue – and in agreement, moreover– their stomachs growl in unison. A flush of embarrassment heats up the German blonde's cheeks and he lets out a false cough. Ludwig says nothing. Gilbert only laughs.
-x-
"So ya' know," Gilbert says in between spoonfuls of wurst and mashed potatoes, "I dropped by ol' Roddy's place last week-"
"Roddy?" Ludwig cocks an eyebrow as he raises a glass to his lips, sending the Prussian a questioning gaze over a mouthful of beer.
"You know…Roderich? The stuck up little master –er, I mean…aristocrat?"
"I believe you are referring to Mr. Edelstein?"
"Ja, that guy. Jeez, West. You gotta quit bein' so uptight, ya'know. All that formal speech of yours is gonna murder me with its…its boringness."
"Well, forgive me for considering my manners –"
"Manners schmanners," the Prussian interrupts with a flippant wave of his hand. "Mein gott, Lud, now I'm totally regretting leaving you in Austria with him when I went to work in the city. That guy pretty much raised you back when you were a kid. No wonder all his boringness rubbed off on you more than my own awesomeness," he exclaims as in mock-despair as he raises a hand to his temples, heaving a heavy and overly dramatic sigh.
"What do you mean by that, bruder? You sent me to Austria? When was this?"
"Yeah, I did. It was way too long ago for me to remember the exact year, but I do remember that you were there up until the time they started recruiting soldiers for the war. Man, I'm surprised you even managed to forget about that though. You were bawling like a baby the moment you saw Roderich's face. It was hilarious! I had to give you my cross because of that. It was the only way you'd stop crying." He stops to guzzle the remaining millilitres of his Hackerbräu. "And besides, it was the only way I knew how to help you remember me while I was gone and stuff."
The sound of silver clinking against porcelain is brought to an abrupt halt. Ludwig pauses from taking a bite, the spoon hanging still in mid-air from his unmoving grip.
The food never makes it to his mouth.
"Bruder, I-"
"Ah, but then I forged another one of my own," he says, fumbling as he undoes his buttons, muttering excitedly to himself. "That way, we'd have matching 'bro necklaces' while we're at it."
He scoops the pendant out from within his shirt, revealing a large cross, embedded with rich onyx at its core. Silver coated around its edges in fine lining. A thin string of sparkling grey, the material made of steel, chained together in fine loops that held it all together. The pendant dangled from his pale fingers, the dark jewel reflecting the world in a splendor of light, like the aurora borealis, a radiant chrysalis that shimmered proudly in the northern night sky.
"I designed them myself. I can tell you for a fact that you can't find any other of its kind. Made 'em especially for just you and me." His eyes lit up and flickered with pride. Gilbert beamed. "Awesome, isn't it?"
Orbs of bright sapphire meet dark ebony, blue eyes ogling the cross that swivelled slightly and dangled from the chain. Ludwig nods, his eyes never leaving the gem. He continues to look on, his gaze captured, mesmerized.
"Hey West, do you still have yours?"
Ludwig shakes his head sadly, pointing to the bare spot underneath his neck. "Nein, Gil.I'm sorry, I don't think I-"
"Nah, that's okay. Never mind the necklaces; don't sweat it, Lud. Besides, no matter what, we'll still be bros in the end anyway," he tells him encouragingly, the elder's tone even and reassuring. "You got that, West?"
"Danke, bruder."
Gilbert grins from ear to ear, flashing a wink at his younger brother. Saffron feathers flock towards him. A petite bird chirps, its wings fluttering past, and perches atop broad shoulders. The sight of it all is familiar and comforting, like a pleasant wave of nostalgia passing through his mind, a calming warmth engulfing his chest. Ludwig can't help but smile.
"Welcome home, Gilbert," he says, startling the Prussian from the sudden shift of their conversation's topic.
The Prussian looks at him quizzically, before his features relax and he allows himself to settle back into the pleasant calm of the late evening – a cheery laugh, a warm smile, and the words that Ludwig has dearly missed since his long-forgotten years as a child.
"It's good to be back, West."
The gears turn, their bond rekindles, and the night goes on.
Translations:
Hier - (over) here
Ja - Yes
Bruder - Brother
Willkommen zurück - Welcome back
Bruderlein - Little brother
wurst - German or Austrian sausage
Natürlich - Of course/naturally
Mein gott - My god
Hackerbräu - A popular brand of beer
Nein - No
Danke - thanks
...schmanners isn't a german word or anything btw, just pointing that out to avoid any confusion or future misunderstandings. Gil just wanted make fun of the word, hehe.