They were finally back in Germany. Belle watched quietly as Germany placed her bags in a guest room.
Germany placed her suitcase on the spare bed and turned back to her, chatting with her as they left for a tour so she could see the old architecture. They spent two days adventuring around in pleasant conversation until they encountered someone Germany wasn't sure he wanted to see.
"Hey, brohas!"
Germany froze where he was. Did it really have to be him right now? Belle looked back and spotted a man, slightly shorter than Germany, with gray hair and red eyes. She wondered if he was possibly albino as he strutted up to Germany and began talking to him without even bothering to glance at her, stepping between them. She didn't mind it but Germany didn't look too happy.
"You are finally back in town, why don't we get a few brewskies?"
"Don't take it personal, but could you please go away?"
The man slapped a hand to his chest, feigning surprise and hurt.
"Whaaaaat? You leave for over a month and when you finally come back and your big brother greets you, you ask me to go away?"
Germany sighed.
"Hello Prussia, thank you for greeting me."
"That's better."
"Now go away."
Belle skirted around from behind Prussia so she could get a better look at them. Germany's eyebrow was twitching and Prussia was poking his arm incessantly.
"What has gotten into you? Did you stop drinking again?"
"No, I'm am just busy right now."
"Too busy for me?! Come on, let's go!"
"Prussia…"
"Don't make me make you run naked in the streets again!"
Germany's eyes grew wide and Belle failed to stifle a laugh.
"T-That never happened in the first place!"
Prussia finally turned and looked at her. He stared at her momentarily before quickly glancing between her and Germany. He leaned on his shoulder and grinned at him mischievously.
"Oh so you are busy with a lady hmm?"
"S-Stop looking at me like that!"
"Germany you naughty boy-"
"Ok ok, we'll go drinking with you just shut up!"
Germany's face was hot enough to fry food as they discussed which bar to go to. They settled on an old historic bar, one which looked at least a century older than the buildings around it. Once inside they saddled up to the bar and ordered their drinks.
It didn't take long for Germany and Prussia to get drunk. Belle was only halfway through her pint but the two had downed four and were halfway through their fifth. They had been gossiping about some hypothesis about Canada's bear really being a cyborg when Prussia slung an arm around Germany's shoulders.
"You know, I never took you for a rebel."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You know, breaking the unspoken rule of the Countries and all. Seems a bit out of character since the rules govern you and all."
Belle looked at Germany uncomfortably. Prussia was irritating him, and to whatever ends he intended it was working.
"Are you trying to say I don't take up for myself? I am my own man!"
"That is a little hard to believe."
"What?"
"I mean, you are usually such a stickler for the rules."
"Would everyone shut up about that already!"
"So the girl isn't important to you?"
"I…I don't know! Let it go!"
Prussia snorted sarcastically.
"Oh you have such a way with words. Good, because if she was you'd be breaking the-"
Germany stood up suddenly, turning to Belle. He leaned forward, eyes focused on her lips, his face flushed from anger and alcohol as hers registered shock.
The resounding sound of a slap silenced the rest of the banter in the room, punctuated by the sound of the bar door shutting soon after.