Chapter 13: A Day with Three Uncles
Fern-Lui woke up to the smell of breakfast, and knew her Vati was making it by the smell of eggs and sausages. She got up and headed down to find not only her Vati, but also her Onkel. "Onkel!" She called out happily as she ran up to the Prussian, who scooped her up in his arms, laughing and hugging her.
"Hey there Squirt!"
"I'm not a squirt!" She said while laughing as her uncle tickled her. "Onkel! Onkel! Onkel!" She pleaded as he stopped to let her breathe, but both were laughing.
"Guten Morgen Fern-Lui." Germany said, smiling at the active duo.
"Guten Morgen Vati Deutschland." She said as she finally settled down and her plate was ready. "Is Mamma Italia going to join us?"
"He should be up any second now. Otherwise I'll wake him up."
"By kissing him back to life." Prussia teased, earning his plate being taken away. "Oh come on West! I'm starved here!"
"Earn it and I'll let you have it back."
"How do you propose I do that!"
"Ve~ Buon giorno everyone…" Italy said, wearing only one of Germany's shirts, which always end up looking like a dress on his small frame.
"Buon giorno, Mamma Italia!" She said as she ran up and hugged the Italian, who returned it just as cheerfully.
"Ve~ You're very happy this morning."
"I feel very happy." She said as she dragged the Italian to the table, where his plate was served. "What are we gonna do today?"
"Your mamma has paperwork to do." Germany said as he pointed to the stack of papers.
"Ve~" Italy sighed as he ate his breakfast.
"Do you have work to do, Vati Deutschland?"
"Ja, so Prussia would take you out today."
"Cans I haz food now?" Prussia groaned.
"Speak like a normal human being!"
"Nuuu…" He whined, making the girl giggle.
"I wanna visit Zio Romano and Tío España. Can you take me Onkel Preußen?"
"Of course! Spain is a buddy of mine, though I would rather avoid Romano and his issue with Germans. But if you're with me, he wouldn't complain."
"Zio Romano isn't a bad person, Onkel Preußen. Just like you're not a bad person."
"Just as sweet as ever." He said as Germany placed his plate back in front of him. "Thanks West!"
"You're going to need it if you're going to see Romano and Spain." Germany said, which fell on deaf ears once Prussia started shoving food in his mouth. "And don't stuff yourself when someone's talking to you!"
"Waah~ Germany's scary!" Italy said as the girl giggled as she finished her plate and headed to the sink, only for the German to beat her too it.
"You go get dressed, I got this."
"Okay!" She said happily as she headed to her room.
0o0o0o0
When she came out in light blue jeans, a white shirt and the necklace that Prussia gave her on Christmas, she saw that Prussia was ready to go, and commented on how awesomely cute she is, and gave her parents a hug and kiss before walking out the door and into Italy's car.
"And for the love of Gott, please don't drive crazy!" Germany shouted out when Prussia started up the car.
"I know West! Yeesh! I got my awesome niece on board!" He called back as the girl giggled and he drove out of the driveway and headed out to south Italy. "If I remember from my last chat with Spain, he said he was going to Romano's place to help him with the tomato crop for when they get into season." He said.
"Should we call to let them know we're coming?"
"And miss the surprise looks on their faces? No way!" Prussia said laughing.
She giggled as she looked out of the window in time to see Turkey and TRNC walking down the street. "Pull over Onkel!"
"Eh?" He said as he did just that as she pressed the button to roll the window down and called out to Turkey and TRNC in their native language.
The two looked and were surprised to see her as they went up and exchanged greetings with Prussia.
"So, where are you heading off to?" Turkey asked.
"We're going to Zio Romano's house to visit. You two can come if you like."
"Thanks, but Romano wouldn't want me near his place." Turkey said. "And if Spain is there, then there's no way I would take one step without starting an argument of some sort."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Oh no, don't apologize. It's something past related."
She nodded understandingly as she looked at TRNC. "How are you this morning?"
TRNC blushed, but he was able to respond with that he was feeling good, in both sense of the word.
"That's good!" She said happily. "Well, if Zio Romano is able to teach me how to make his famous tomato sauce, I'll be sure to make one for you too. Or do you not like tomatoes?"
"I like them!" He said suddenly. "It's… just not a huge deal in my home…"
"I see. Well, I'll make you one so you can try it. Okay?"
"I… would like that." He said with a smile on his face.
She smiled as she told them later and wished them a good day and she and Prussia headed out.
Turkey looked at the boy, who would walk on air at this point. He shook his head as they made their way down the street, the boy practically skipping beside him. 'Young love…' He thought with a smile on his face.
0o0o0o0
Back with the two, Prussia found Romano's house and the girl immediately went out and started knocking. By the time the Prussian reached to where the girl was, the door opened and Romano looked like he was going to have a fit when the girl tackled him to a hug.
"F-Fern-Lui!"
"Sì! I wanted to call to let you know we were coming, but Onkel Preußen thought it was more fun to surprise you!"
"Of course…" He said as he glared at the grinning Prussian before patting the girl's head. "Well, you two are just in time to plant some tomato seeds."
"Really!" She said excitedly.
Romano smiled at the girl's enthusiasm, and nodded. "Yeah, follow me." He said as the girl grabbed his hand and happily walked beside him, Prussia following behind them with a pout on his features.
0o0o0o0
When they headed outside, both the Prussian and the girl gasped, but for completely different reasons.
"Wow! You have such a large patch for tomatoes!" She said, seeing the mile long and wide garden for the tomatoes.
"Sì, last year's batch was successful. I'm hoping for this year to be the same if not better."
"Is it possible for you to teach me to make that tomato sauce?"
Romano smiled. "We're working with our fifth lane right now, so sometime around lunch I can teach you."
"Yay!" She cheered as the Italian looked over at the Prussian.
"You're helping, you albino potato."
Before Prussia had a chance to retort, Spain came up and was instantly happy to see the girl and his best bud.
"¡Bienvenida! Welcome!" He said as he picked the girl up, spinned in place and hugged her. "How's el rayo pequeño de la luz doing today?" (1)
She giggled as she hugged back. "Great!" She said happily before being placed down. "Can I help too?"
"Of course! Rayo pequeño de la luz."
"What's with the nickname?" Prussia asked with a grin.
"I figured it would be cute to give her one, like I call Romano mi Tomate Pequeño." (2)
"S-Shut up!" He said as he put in a hard punch on the Spaniard's arm, which he simply laughed off.
0o0o0o0
And in a matter of minutes, Prussia and the girl were out planting seeds until it was almost time for lunch, which Spain and Prussia stayed out in the field to continue planting while Romano taught the girl how to make the tomato sauce while he made the pasta.
Once lunch was done, everyone enjoyed themselves, though there were some arguments as far as Romano and Prussia were concerned, making Spain and the girl talk to each other while they left the two to vent.
When siesta came around, Prussia made himself at home by watching television, but couldn't help seeing the cute sight of the girl, his best bud, and the angry Italian, all sleeping peacefully in a family group fashion. Watching them made him sleepy and joined in.
Soon they were done by sunset and Fern-Lui called Italy and told him that they were heading back with her tomato sauce, which Italy exclaimed happily that he was going to start making the pasta.
"So you have to head back now." Spain said, a bit sad that they only spent a few hours together.
"Sì, but we'll meet again. And this time we'll call to let you guys know."
"You be sure to do that," Romano said as he petted the girl's head. "Pomato."
"Pomato?"
"Potato and tomato together. Since you're half German and half Italian and all. And Spain was giving you a nickname, so… I figured I'll give you one as well."
She smiled and hugged the Italian. "I love it, Zio Romano!"
Romano blushed as he hugged the girl back. "I'll see you around then."
"Yep!" She chirped.
0o0o0o0
Once that conversation was done, she and Prussia exchanged their farewells with Romano and Spain and headed back to Italy's house, where the smell of pasta was strong before they reached the door.
When they sat down, the two explained what they've done and the other two told them that their day was pretty boring, and as Germany puts it, got a lot of their paperwork done.
Then Prussia's cell went off, and the ringtone was a national anthem. "Excuse me." He said as he ran out of the room and went outside.
"That was strange…" Germany said after a moment of silence. "Even for him."
"I wonder who called? That ringtone sounds familiar."
"That's Canada's national anthem."
"Who?" Said the two, making the girl sweat drop.
"America's brother? That's north of his home continent?"
"Oh!" The two said, remembering him now.
"Ve, I didn't know Prussia's good friends with him."
"Neither did I." Germany said as he picked up the empty plates. "But from what I know, Canada is not like America, and a lot sane than France. So it's good to know that mein Bruder can make sensible friends as well."
Fern-Lui looked out of the window in the kitchen to see Prussia, swaying in place as if happy. "Onkel seems happy." She said as Germany looked out of the window and shook his head.
"I feel sorry for that guy though. Bruder can be a pain when he wants to be." He said as he started to wash the dishes.
Not long after that, Prussia re-entered the kitchen and glomped the other German from behind. "West!" He sang. "May I borrow something of yours?"
Germany looked at his brother with a raised brow. "What is it, for what are you going to use it for, and why."
Prussia rolled his eyes. "Jeeze West, what do you take me for?"
"France number 2." He said blankly, seeing his brother acting hurt.
"How… How could you even think that!" Prussia said dramatically as he looked at the remaining two in the room. "Italy! Your husband is so cruel to me!"
"We're not married!" Germany barked.
"You two adopted Fern-Lui together, therefore, you're considered married."
"What kind of logic is that!"
Prussia grinned at the other's blush. "An awesome one, by the awesome me."
Germany face-palmed, only realizing too late that his hands were wet and covered in soap suds, making the brother laugh.
"That is perfect!" He said in-between his laughter.
Before Germany could snap, Fern-Lui offered a cloth to her vati and looked at her onkel. "Onkel Preußen, are you going over to Canada's house?"
Prussia took a moment to compose himself. "Yeah… I am."
"Ve, but you just got here." Italy said.
"I just wanted to physically check how you guys were doing." He said as he tickled the girl, making her laugh as she struggled playfully.
Germany sighed, not able to stay angry with his brother when he gets this playful. "So, what is it that you want?"
"Oh yeah, can I borrow that frying pan you use to make toasted sandwiches? Canada is gonna teach me how to make and flip pancakes in the air."
"Pancakes?" Germany said with a raised brow.
"Was?"
"Nothing, nothing." He said as he waved it off. "Okay, you can borrow the pan, but I expect it back in the same condition."
"Yeah, yeah." He said as he messed the girl's hair. "I'll be seeing you around, Überwältigend Reizende Nichte." (3)
She giggled as she watched the other go. "Enjoy making pancakes! Be sure I get a sample when you're done!"
Prussia laughed as he promised and walked out of the door.
"Come and gone, ve…" Italy said as Germany sighed.
"At least he's being productive… to many days when he would annoy me when I'm in the middle of something."
"Ve~ Am I annoying too?" Italy asked, looking sad.
"You're a different kind of annoyance that I welcome." He said and thoughtfully added. 'Though I don't have a choice but to welcome his kind of annoyance.'
"Ve~ That's good! I don't know what I do if Germany started to hate me."
Germany blushed as he continued to wash the dishes. "I told you this before, I don't hate you." He said with another thought. 'Not like I could ever hate you. Well, maybe that one moment back in that war when he just bluntly told the allies about… that…' He sighed, making the two occupants in the room confused.
"Vati Deutschland? You okay?"
"Ja, just thinking."
She giggled as she excused herself and headed to the bathroom to wash up.
0o0o0o0
Italy watched her go to the bathroom before looking at the German washing the dishes before getting up, grabbed a dry hand towel, and started to dry the washed dishes.
Germany didn't know why the other came to help, but he appreciated the help and continued to wash the dishes.
"Germany?"
"Ja."
"If you do start to hate me, please tell me."
Germany looked at the Italian, who was looking at the wet plate. "Italy, I told you before-"
"But if you do, tell me…"
Both were in silence for a moment before he asked. "And what would you do if I do start to hate you then?"
Italy smiled. "I'll do whatever I can to make Germany like me again."
Germany smiled a bit as he handed the clean plate to the other. "I'll do the same then."
"Hm?"
"If you ever find yourself not liking me for whatever reason, then I'll do whatever I can to make you like me again, even a little."
Italy blinked as he smiled. "Well that's impossible! Because I really like Germany a lot!"
The other blushed as he handed the last of the clean dishes. "I like you a lot too…"
Italy smiled as he dried the last of the dishes and he and the German headed to the living room and watched something on television before the girl joined them and headed to bed when she fell asleep.
Translations:
The little ray of light – Spanish (European)
my Little Tomato – Spanish (European)
Awesomely Cute Niece - German