The children continued eating, and Germania walked over to the sink and began cleaning up. He would occasionally glance over to the two, and to make sure they were behaving. Once he saw that they were fine, he dried his hands, and walked back over to the boys. Seeing as it was still fairly early, Germania thought of a delightful treat for the two.
"Well you two…seeing as it is early, and you two have done a fine job of finishing your dinner, how about a delightful bonfire outside?" Germania watched as Prussia became so excited that he nearly choked on his food. He got up from the table, and ran to the elder nation, embracing his legs in a heart felt hug.
"Yay! Vati, a fire. Like the one that we were supposed to have last time. Let's have a fire!"
"Okay…but the both of you are to watch me, and listen carefully. I don't want you to get burnt." He gave an eye to the both children, and once they were told of the rules, they got down from their seats.
Clearing the plates, the children watched and waited. Once Germania was done, he directed the two outdoors and he had them sit down by a patch of earth.
"Okay…I am going to dig a little here, and build a pit. Then I will gather up some wood. Both of you stay put, I don't want you guys to get hurt with everything going on. Okay?" Looking to Gilbert especially.
"Yes Vati…" Said the two in unison. They watched as the blond nation took a shovel and dug a small circular area. He patted down the ground, and then walked to a pre cut pile of fire wood. Taking a few logs, he then walked over to the pit, and threw down the wood, having them slam to the ground. Prussia became excited, and could hardly contain himself.
"Vati! Can we cook something? Kill something, and then cook it? I want to see something burn in the fire and…" Germania snapped a twig in half and then looked over to the boy. He shook his head, and smiled slightly.
"Gilbert…you just ate, how could you possibly be hungry dear child?"
Kneeling down, the nation took a couple of stones that were nearby and began to rubbed them together, trying to create a flint. The boys watched with extreme incredulity. He looked back up at Gilbert.
"Vati! I am hungry…I want something….please?" The boy jumped up and walked over to the man, and hopped on Germania's back. "Vati…Vati…something yummy."
"Gilbert…come down off of my back, and go sit with your Bruder. Perhaps I will have something that you can put in your stomach." He went back to the logs, and finally got a spark.
The wood erupted into a fury of flames, and crackles and pops were heard. Sitting back, Germania leaned against a log and watched. Ludwig, and Gilbert moved closer, and sat against their Vati. It was comforting for a moment, until Gilbert suddenly perked up, and remembered that he wanted something cooked on the fire.
"Can you kill something Vati…and then we can watch it burn?" The boy was not going to give up, so Germania sighed, but was not sure now, because if he left the children by themselves, they would certainly hurt themselves. He was now going to accept the inevitable response.
"Gilbert…I simply cannot go and find something, while also watching the both of you. You are just going to have to be content, and worry about something else. Is that clear?" He looked to the child who was poking the fire with a stick. When Germania cleared his throat loudly, the boy looked up.
"Huh? What's the matter Vati?" The boy just stared, and then Willahelm just smiled.
It was nothing he had to worry about. The child just forgot what he wanted, and was more interested in the fire rather than food apparently. Germania then looked over at Ludwig who was quietly gazing into the flames. Germania put and arm around each of the boys, and held them close. It wasn't long till the stillness of the flames, and the cool breeze did the boys both pass out. Gilbert leaned his head more deeply into Vati's chest, and snored slightly. Ludwig took a thumb to his mouth and began sucking. Sensing this might be a little difficult to maneuver, Germania looked up and saw how far the house was. He got up as gracefully as he could. Leaning down he managed to pick up both boys into his arms. It was difficult, but he managed. Walking towards the door, Gilbert felt movement and woke up slightly.
"Huuuh! Vati…I want to stay out by the fire…and…and…" The boy leaned his head to the side. Germania smiled.
"Shhhh…quiet…you and your Bruder are in need of sleep…much rest." He arrived at the door, and jabbed it open with his foot. Walking in through, he went straight to the boy's bedroom.
He set both children on the bed. Ludwig laid down on his stomach and stayed sleeping. Slightly groggy, Gilbert sat up, looking sleepy eyed at the elder nation. Germania walked to the wardrobe and grabbed two night shirts. He set Ludwig's aside, and walked to the oldest child.
"Arms up Gilbert, come now…you have to put your night shirt on if you are going to sleep. Come now little one."
The boy slightly whined, but it was because he was so tired. He raised his arms in the air, and quickly Willahelm put the shirt over the boy's head. Once that was accomplished, he eased the child under the covers, and Gilbert continued sleeping. He then took the smaller shirt, and walked to the other side of the bed. Ludwig was not waking up at all, and this made it easier for the blond nation to dress the youngster. Once the two were soundly in bed, Germania walked to the door, and closed it, slightly smirking. It was indeed a good night.
He walked back through to the kitchen, and gazed outside. The fire was still burning, and would not be out for a little while. He wanted to make sure nothing burned around the area, he decided to sit by the fire. He grabbed his bottle of ale, and walked outside. Sitting down, he watched the flames dance. It was a peaceful time, and he was thankful for that. Having two boys at a small age, he was extremely tired. He took a swig of his alcohol, and just as he was about to swallow, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hello Willahelm…how's it going tonight?"
Germania looked up and spit out his beverage into the fire causing it to rage slightly. He looked over at the shadowy figure and breathed a slight sigh of annoyance as he saw that it was only Sandrino.
"Ugh…hello Rome, what are you doing here at this hour of the night? I swear sometimes I think you are stalking me." Germania wiped the liquid off his shirt and wondered to himself why he was stuck talking to this imbecile again.
"Ugh…I am not stalking you Willahelm, I was just taking a nighttime stroll, and well your house just happens to be along my way."
Raising an eyebrow, Germania just shook his head. He poked at the fire with a stick, and sat up just staring. Rome walked over and without question sat down. There was nothing said for a little while, but Germania decided to cut the ice.
"So…how is everything with your grandson? Feliciano is it?" Germania did not really care in the least bit, but making small talk was at least somewhat interesting.
"Ah, well he is good. Didn't see much of him because he was with his nanny in the garden. I was off in town doing some browsing. You know, seeing about some collectables for my home." He chuckled and threw some leaves into the fire. Germania just stared at him.
"What the hell is the matter with you? You are never going to be a role model with the detached parental vibes you give off. At least I have enough sense to always be around for mine. You better change, otherwise that child will grow to resent and hate you."
Scoffing, Rome got up and walked around the fire. He felt bad, because as rich, and handsome as he was, he did not have as close as a relationship to his Italy as Germania had with his own two boys.
"Whatever…I suppose…I suppose I should get going. I do have a lot to do. I shall see you another time." Sandrino waved to his comrade and walked away. Germania yawned slightly. The fire was dying out, so he thought it was a good time to get inside and go to bed.
Walking inside, he latched the front door, locking it tightly. The house was still, which was good, because this meant the boys were still sleeping soundly. He walked into his room, took off his clothing, and changed into a night shirt. Collapsing into bed, he put the covers over his body, and soon fell asleep.
It was a couple of hours later when a sudden screaming was heard from the boy's bedroom. Williahlem sat straight up in his bed and cast aside the blankets. He exited his room in a hurry and ran down the hall to the sounds of one of the boys screaming. From the sounds of it, it appeared to be Ludwig. Germania arrived in the room, and opened the door. He looked over to the bed, and little HRE was sitting upright crying hysterically. Prussia was also awake, and very upset. He was whining as he kicked at the covers. Walking swiftly to the bed, Germania went to respond.
"What is going on here you two. He leaned in closer, and spoke specifically to Ludwig who was crying and would not stop. "Ludwig…come now…what is the matter?" He cast an eye over at Gilbert, suspecting that maybe the child might have done something. "Gilbert? You didn't do anything to cause your brother to cry out in hysterics?"
Rubbing his eyes, and then getting slightly frightened, he shook his head no.
"Vati…no! I didn't do anything. No, Ludie woke up like that. He screamed, and scared me."
Looking back to the boy, Germania reached out to the younger child, and pulled him up into his arms. The child embraced his Vati and sobbed. Trying to calm the boy down, he spoke gently.
"Ludwig…what is the matter? Come now…tell me?" He expressed concern, but was also extremely tired, having little sleep, and wanting more.
"Bad dream Vati…scary…scary dream…I want you…I want to sleep with you." He gripped the man's collar and Germania did not have any other choice but to take the boy back to his own bed. As he was leaving he looked back. Prussia was passed out back snuggly into the pillow snoring away.
Seeing as he was going to be fine, Germania left the room with the small bundle in his arms. He arrived back into his own bed and placed the boy in. Tucking him under the covers, he climbed in himself and huffed a sigh, finally getting some shut eye.
Morning came around and Germania rolled over expecting to see his little one, but of course that didn't happen, and why would it? The child was an early riser, and most likely had been awake for some time. Casting his legs out first, Willahelm got out of the bed and walked to his wardrobe. He washed his face with the water bowl sitting by his bedside. He would bath later in the day when the children were occupied. He had to make sure they were fed, and then he would be able to take care of his own needs. Changing out of his night clothing, he put on his clothing for the day. He walked out of the room, and into the kitchen. Just as he suspected, Gilbert was waiting at the table, and Ludwig was sitting on the floor, sucking on two his fingers, even though Germania had told him he is much too old to be doing that. The child was playing with his blocks.
"Morning Vati! Look outside, the fire is gone! There is nothing but black yuck in the pit!" The boy got up and ran to the window. Germania followed and looked outside.
"Yes, that is charcoal, just something I have to clean up later, while the both of you are doing something else. It is extremely messy, and I don't want you both to encounter it. I have some laundry to do, wash the bed sheets and get them hung out to dry, so I will be in and out today."
Gilbert paid attention for as long as he cared enough to know the conversation was very boring. He walked away from his Vati and hoisted himself at the table, awaiting his breakfast.
"Vati…I want breakfast." The boy looked so adorably pathetic. He didn't have anything else to look forward to except getting food in his stomach.
"Mind your manners Gilbert, and stop slouching. I will prepare a boiled egg on some toast." He walked from the window, and towards the stove. Ludwig was fine by himself sitting on the floor. Before he started, he walked down to the bedrooms and collected the sheets from the beds, and any other soiled laundry. Grasping it all in his hands, he set it in a basket, and walked back to the kitchen.
Laundry would have to be done first, as drying would take a little while. He filled the sink basin with water, and then added hot water from the stove. Adding some soap flakes, he threw the sheets in and worked up a lather. He also washed some clothing of the boys, and some of his own. Once this was finished, he rang out as much water as he could, and then gathered the linens one again, walking towards the door. Gilbert watched and moaned.
"Vati…I am hungry." He whined, but then stopped as he saw the man's angered expression. Closing his mouth, he waited and stayed at the table.
The elder nation hung up the linens, and with the gentle breeze, they would be dry in a short while. Walking back inside, he decided to get breakfast started. Not wanting the children in his hair, he shooed them outside, but told them both to stay close. He closed the door, and walked back to the stove, leaving Gilbert and Ludwig to the wilderness.
Looking around, Gilbert was the first one to notice the large fire pit filled with the random scraps of charcoal from the fire. He walked over, very curious, and reached a hand in. Before he could do anything, Germania opened the door and shouted to the two.
"No, no…stay away from the pit. You'll get dirty and I can't give you a bath till later. Stay about Gilbert…Ludwig…I mean it." He closed the door again, and the boys moved away from the delightful patch of dirty.
"Aww…Vati doesn't let us do anything." Gilbert sat on a large rock and looked over to the house. He was sure the man was busy, so he tested fate…like always. He walked back over to the pit and took a piece of the singed wood. It was fantastic, and amazing, and…he looked down at his hands. It was making his hands all covered in soot.
Trying to wipe it off in a panic, because of what he was told, he rubbed it on his clothing, but this was not working. Ludwig laughed slightly, and took a piece himself and walked to his brother. He rubbed it on Gilbert's arm, and this caused a big black splotch. Gilbert looked down and got angry.
"Ludie! Look what you did! You got me dirty!" He took the piece out of his hand, and wiped his hands now on his brother, causing the child to get upset. "Oh…we gotta clean up. He ran over to the fresh laundered sheets and seeing as they were damp, cleaned off his hands.
A very short attention span Gilbert had. Completely disregarding the fact that Germania had just hung the laundry out to dry. Cleaning his hands, and then taking Ludwig's hands as well, the two children managed to soil the sheets beyond recognition, but only at the bottom of the sheet, since the two were so small. They hadn't cleaned up all the way, and still had soot on their faces, some in their hair, Ludwig's mouth had gotten dirty since he stuck his fingers in. The two were a complete mess. The ran to the door just as Germania was coming to get them.
Approaching the two, Germania's eyes froze. He looked down expecting to see two sweet little boys ready to consume their breakfast. Instead, the display in front of him was nothing short of an incredible soot covered catastrophe.
"What…what did you two get into?" Willahelm crossed his arms over his chest, and just glared at the two, unable to say anything else.