Germania sat sipping his wine, and contemplated the next day. Gilbert was in a whirlwind of trouble, but he had to keep his cool because clearly the boy did not know what was in store for him. He had told him in the past about drinking, and how it was only for adults, but the child was curious, what could he do? As he drank the last drop, he walked to the basin, and set the glass down. Breathing a deep sigh, he turned down the lights, and walked down to his bedroom. Arriving there, he opened the door and with the moonlight shining into the room, he looked over to the bed, and saw little Gilbert laying on his stomach, snoring away. This pleased him, as dealing with the child awake and loopy, would not be a good thing for him.
He walked over, pulled aside the covers, and got into the bed with the boy. Hopefully it would be a still night, and the child would just sleep off his inebriation. He quickly fell asleep, but the middle of the night was full of leg kicking, and face slapping, and little groans and moans. Gilbert must have been having little nightmares. Germania huffed and groaned as the pain ensued from the child's little gymnastics show.
Germania was exhausted when he woke up, and rolled over. He was however not surprised when he looked to the bed and noticed that the boy was gone, but looking down, he gasped and slapped his hand to his forehead. The boy had wet the bed…now he was angry. He flipped his legs out of the bed and quickly pulled the blankets, and under covers off the bed, and into a pile on the floor. Annoyed he walked over to the wardrobe, pulled out an outfit, and hastily changed.
He walked out of the room and headed down to the kitchen. Arriving there, he was curious to see it was only Ludwig, who was laying on the floor. He had scraps of paper and was drawing on them, being quiet. He looked up and smiled.
"Hi Vati!" The boy got up and ran over to the nation and hugged his legs. Placing a hand on the boy's head, Germania looked down and smiled.
"Good morning little one…um, can you tell me where your Bruder is?" Ludwig backed away from the nation and looked up at his Vati.
"Um…I don't know Vati…in our bedroom?" The boy kept a straight face, but did not look away from Germania. Believing something was up, he shook his head, and walked from the boy, and into the kitchen. Setting two hands on the wood scrubbed table, he gave the child a slight glare.
"Little one, if you are not telling the truth, and you know of Gilbert's whereabouts, then you will be in a lot of trouble." He waited, but the child was not saying anything. "Alright then…I will start on some breakfast."
Ludwig nodded and looked down to his drawing. He bit back his lip, and wanted to say something, but he was not sure what to do. Earlier in the morning, Gilbert alerted his brother of what he was going to do and decided to go outside unattended. Ludwig was supposed to stay inside and not say a word, and that was what he was doing.
Germania started to chop up some pieces of pork and put a skillet over the flame. Sensing it was two quiet, he really wondered where the boy was, but just continued. He looked over to the kettle and saw that he needed water. Sighing, he grabbed a bucket, and walked towards the door. Ludwig gazed up slowly, and then gasped. He got up and ran towards the door holding out his arms.
"Vati! Vati noooooo…you um…you can't go outside Vati…its bad outside!" The child looked behind him, and was now starting to show a little bit of nervousness and sweat a bit. He waved his hands, and halted the elder nation as best he could. Germania looked down with a raised eyebrow.
"Little one…I need to go outside and get some water…why are you halting me?" He crossed his arms while still holding the kettle, and waited.
"Um cause…I don't want my Vati to get hurt, and Gil…" The boy stopped talking when Germania's eyes went wide and he suddenly got down on one knee and held the boy by his shoulders.
"Where is your Bruder? Tell me right now."
The boy did not need another reason to halt his answer. The look in his Vater's eyes was just scary, and he put his hands behind his back, clutching his backside because he knew he would be punished eventually. The child sniffed slightly and pointed to the window. Looking behind him, Germania stood up and walked to the window. Peering outside, he saw Gilbert kneeling in the grass, looking very sick.
"Oh Gott…Gilbert!" Germania dropped the kettle, and ran outside. He got to the child and dropped to the ground. "Gilbert…Gilbert, are you alright? Answer me!" He pulled the child upright by the arm. Prussia gulped and wearily turned his head.
"Vati…I…I don't think that stuff I drank was very good." He wiped his eyes and sniffed slightly, having just sicked up. Germania grew slightly agitated, but kept his composure. He held the boy steady, and responded.
"No…what you drank was not good…at least not for someone your age." Holding the boy closer, he became more stern. "I am relieved you are alright, but I just want to make you aware of something. If you ever make a point of trying my wine again, I will give you the worst spanking you have ever had." He stood up and continued to look at the bewildered child. Gasping, the boy quickly put his hands behind him.
"Aghhh…okay Vati, okay…I will never drink the wine again!" He grabbed the end of the man's tunic and pouted, giving Germania a very puppy dog eyed look. The elder nation shook his head.
"Hmmph…I should give you a good switching now…but I believe you have learned your lesson." The boy stepped back, and nodded.
"Yes Vati…I learned…and…well…I mean come on Vati, there is no such thing as a good switching." He smirked, and this caused Germania to grab the child by the arm, and haul him inside.
"It would appear your snaky little attitude is nothing short of irritating. A deserved punishment is effective, that is what I meant. Anyway, go…over to the corner, you wait there until I am finish preparing breakfast." He left Gilbert to stew in his remorse while casting an eye over to Ludwig. Rolling back his sleeves, he walked towards the little one. "Ludwig…come with me…" He held out a hand, and Gilbert cast a glance at the boy sitting on the floor. He nervously reached a hand up and embraced Germania's.
"Yes…*sniff* Vati…" The two walked away, and Prussia watched as they went down to the boy's room.
The elder nation closed the door, and Gilbert could hear a bit of lecturing going on, and then the faint smacks of his little brother being spanked. Ludwig was being punished for lying to the elder nation, and Gilbert now felt bad. He never meant for the little one to be involved. After the chastisement was finished, Ludwig's wailing could be heard, and Willahlem emerged from the room. He closed the door, and fixed his sleeves. The child would most likely stay in his room until the tears subsided.
Walking back to the kitchen, Germania looked to Gilbert who's eyes widened when he realized that he was supposed to be staring at the wall, rather than worrying what was going on.
"Turn back around Gil." He cleared his throat, and walked back to the skillet. It was heated, but he then realized that his main objective was to go outside and get the water for the kettle. Walking to the door, he noticed the bucket outside. Opening the door, he walked, grabbed it up and walked to the well.
The well was off limits to the two boys. A very dangerous place, where one of them at any moments notice could fall in and drown. Germania warned them if they were to go near it, repercussions would be eminent. He stringed through the rope to the handle and dropped the bucket into the water. Getting a proper amount, he then lifted it, and walked towards the house. Muttering to himself about not having enough hours in a day, he poured the water into the kettle and then set the bucket on the floor. Grabbing the pork that he had chopped up, he placed the meat into the skillet, and hearing it sizzle, Gilbert turned around. Sniffing into the air, the boy's lack of appetite was now turning into a famished one.
"Vati? Vati do you need any help? I am sorry I was naughty…can I leave the corner and help you?" Germania looked up with a semi smile, and nodded.
"Yes little one, you can come over here…but first, please go and see if your Bruder would like to join us out here."
"Okay, yes Vati." The boy ran from the corner, and took to full speed dashing down the hall towards their room. Opening the door, Gilbert saw Ludwig laying on the bed, on his stomach. His eyes were closed and he was breathing heavy. Most likely falling asleep from crying, Prussia walked close and held out a hand, nudging the boy. "Ludie…Ludie…wake up! Vati is making breakfast…he is making food. Wake up Ludie!"
Ludwig rolled over and moaned slightly. Yawning, he then looked down at his brother with a frown.
"Vati spanked me…because you were outside. And…and…" The boy carefully got down from the bed, and rubbed his eyes. "I don't like you Gilbie!"
"Ludie…I am sorry…Vati had to go outside, but come on…we need to go and have some breakfast. Come on!" He pulled the tot by his arm and the two went down the hall.
Germania stood with his back to the two, and stirring the pork. He then took some eggs, and cracked them in a separate skillet, letting them sizzle. He cast a glance to the boys who were supposedly behaving themselves and sitting at the table. He put a hand on his waist, and raised an eyebrow.
"Did either of you wash your hands? I do not serve breakfast to little boys who are dirty."
Gilbert looked at Ludwig, and vise versa. Ludwig held up his hands, which he had been scoring the living room floor playing with his blocks. Gilbert had been outside, so both boys stayed quiet.
"Hmmm…both of you to the washroom, and wash those hands…right now." He did not take his eyes off the boys, and watched as they hurried off the chairs and run to the bathroom. Both boys pushing each other, trying to get to the sink basin first.
Arriving, the two cleaned their hands, while Willahelm served the children's portions on plates. He set them on the table, and sat down, waiting. Gilbert was the first to run to the table, with a slightly sobbing little Ludwig. Germania rolled his eyes.
"Gott…why is he crying Gilbert? What did you do now?"
Gilbert looked over to his brother, and then back at his Vati. He shrugged his shoulders, and sat down, grabbing his fork. He went to take a mouthful, when Germania took the utensil out of his hands.
"I asked you a question…why is your brother crying?"
"I didn't do nothing Vati! I washed my hands, and he did it after me…I only washed my hands! Why are you on my back about it?" The boy went to grab for his fork, when Germania stood up placing two hands on the table.
"Excuse me? Just who do you think you are talking to?" He glared at the boy, now wanting a full answer. Groaning, and looking over to the precious little baby Ludwig, Gilbert looked back to the elder nation.
"Vati…I am not doing anything wrong!" The child started to get slightly annoyed. In all reality, Ludwig just got upset because he was not the first to wash his hands, but Germania had not known this.
"You just remember to watch your tone with me…understand?"
"Mmmmppph…" Gilbert muttered…and then seeing Vati's look, he nodded furiously. "Yes…yes Vati...sorry." The boy was handed back his fork, and started to eat his breakfast. Germania looked back at Ludwig, and spoke softly.
"Come now little one, don't be upset, just eat your breakfast, and then we have to go into town again." The little nation gulped and then took his fork and started to eat.
Gilbert's eyes grew wide. He could not believe they would be able to go into town again. He knew the last time, they went he got stung, and was not able to really enjoy the time. Maybe this time would be different. He started to bounce up and down in his seat, giggling and pounding on the table.
"Vati, Vati! We get to go into town again?" The boy almost slipped in his chair, had Germania not reached a hand out, and grabbed the child's arm.
"Calm down Gilbert. Yes…we are going into town. I have some things to pick up. I also need…my sword sharpened."
This alerted the attention of the boy fully now. He was always fascinated with Germania's weapons.
"Oh Vati…can I help with your sword? I want to hold it!"
Shaking his head, and grabbing the boy's plates, he walked over to the sink basin, and placed the dirty dishes aside. Then looking back to the curious child, he shook his head.
"That is obviously not going to happen until you are much older." Walking back to the table, he helped Ludwig down, and then held out his hand. "Come, the both of you. Bath time, and then we will leave." Ludwig reluctantly took the nation's hand, and grumbling slightly because he would not get his way, Gilbert stomped slightly and walked over taking the other hand.
Once arriving in the washroom, Germania stripped both boys of their clothing, Gilbert obviously halting more than Ludwig, until he got a quick smack to his backside by his Vater. The boys were washed, and then it was time for dressing. Arriving back into the bedroom. Tunics and pants were put on. Gilbert went with his awesome cape.
Once the children were dressed, Germania let them to stay in the living room. He walked back to his own room. He stopped as he looked on the floor and remembered the dirty linens. Shaking his forehead, he needed to somehow alert Gilbert without embarrassing the child. He changed his clothing, and put on his garment cape, and his sheath. Walking to his great chest, he opened it, and grabbed his sword. It had a brilliant shine to it, and he admired it with compassion. Taking it up, he put it on his side. Before he left the room, he bent down and picked up the pile of sheets, and then walked back out to the room where the children were waiting.
"Alright you two…let's go, but first I have to put these outside. I will wash them later." He gave Gilbert an eye, but the boy did not remember what he had done.
He walked with a brisk pace, and both boys followed. Ludwig grabbed hold of a hand, while Gilbert followed after. He was awesome, he did not need to hold his Vati's hand, as he was a big boy. He pranced behind, and as the door was opened. All three left, and locking the door behind him, Germania looked down and placed the linens by the door, and then spoke to the children. "Okay…we are off."
"Vati…can we get sweets please?" Prussia looked up at the man, as did Ludwig. It was rare that the boys would get anything that was not good for them. Germania did not like to spoil them with sugary treats, and would often decline the request, but if it was a good day, he did not see the harm in it.
"Maybe…depends on how well you both behave. Now, come." he walked, having Ludwig in his grip, and Gilbert seeing this as a good response, he hummed as he walked.