Removing both children's clothing, he filled the basin up, and made sure it was at the right tem. He then lifted both boys in. Gilbert swished around, pretending he was a monster of some sort, and Ludwig splashed and laughed up at the elder nation. Washing the two, he looked to the younger child, and as happy as he was, the wearing of the day looked to be taking a toll on him.
"Come now Ludwig…let me get you out of the bath, and get you ready for sleep…it is apparent you are sleepy." He reached in and grabbed the boy, while Prussia stayed in. Toweling off the youngster, Germania looked back to his eldest. "Gilbert, you stay in the bath, wash behind your ears. I am going to put Ludwig to sleep, alright?"
Nodding, Gilbert knew what he had to do. Getting clean was not fun, but he was not about to upset the larger nation. Ludwig fussed a little, but as soon as he was picked up in his Vati's arms, he soon passed out and lay his little head on the nation's shoulders.
He walked into the boy's bedroom and set the child down onto the bed. He waked over to the wardrobe and took out a nightshirt. Approaching the bed again, he lifted the child up, in his slumber, dressed him in the shirt, and then tucked the boy into his covers, and laid a hand gently on his cheek, looking down with a smile.
"Gute Nacht little one." He leaned down kissing the forehead, and walked back to the washroom. Gilbert also looked tired, and didn't realize it when he was being taken out of the basin into Vati's big strong arms. Rubbing at his eyes, he rested his head on the nation's chest, and was dried thoroughly with a towel.
He walked to the bedroom, and with Ludwig snoring softly, he dressed Gilbert in his nightshirt, and helped the boy into bed. Gilbert's eyes were heavy, but he did not want to go to bed just yet. He sat up while in bed. Germania kneeling down adjusting the covers, and making sure the child was covered.
"Okay Gilbert…it is time for sleep. It has been a long day, and your little body needs the rest." He rested a hand on the child's little covered feet and stood up. "Have sweet dreams."
"Ja, Vati…um…can I have a glass of water? I am very thirsty!" He fidgeted in bed, and looked wide awake now because he was supposed to be going to sleep.
"Er…I suppose you can have a glass of water." He sighed and then Germania went to the washroom, filled up a glass that was in there, and walked back into the bedroom. "Here, drink it down, and you go to bed..." He cast an eye, looking down sternly.
Prussia took the water and gulped it down averting his eyes away from Vati...when he was finished he handed the cup back and flopped backward into the bed.
"Are you going to bed too now Vati?" The child was always wondering what the nation did when him and his brother went to bed. In all reality, when the boys were in bed, it was a little relaxing time for the elder nation. Taking the glass from the boy, and leaning down running his hand over the boy's fair hair, he smiled.
"Nein little one, I have a few things to do...and I need to make sure some things are prepared for tomorrow. I know there are some chores to do outside, it all depends on how much cleaning I get done inside. And then there is getting the house prepared for your cousins." He held the glass and tilted his head back, then looking at Ludwig making sure the little one was asleep. "Why do you ask Gilbert?"
"OUTSIDE things?" Prussia seemed to suddenly pop up from his laying down position on the bed. Ignoring the fact that his cousins were coming, he didn't want to have to be cooped up in the house when there were things to do outside. When his Vati said outside chores, it usually meant hunting, and chopping wood, and some interesting things in the barn. "I can stay up and help you clean Vati!...I am not a baby like Bruder I can stay up late and help you prepare!"
All the sudden commotion that Prussia was displaying seemed to have woken up Ludwig from a sleep, and the boy sat up and started crying loudly. Germania slapped his hand to his forehead and gave his oldest a very foreboding stare.
"Shizer Gilbert look what you did!" He walked over to the side of the bed where the little one was and sat down. Calming the child down, he spoke softly. "Its okay Ludwig...its okay, go back to sleep." Looking to Gilbert he gritted his teeth. "Gilbert...why don't you go in my room while I put Ludwig to sleep." He watched the child, but then spoke again. "I am not mad...just a little annoyed. Wait there while I get your Bruder to sleep again."
Prussia melted a little under Vati's glare and gritting teeth. But when he said he wasn't mad, he felt a little relived and slowly slid out from the bed and padded to Vati's room. Vati's bed was really big compared to his and Bruders. Everything in Vati's room seemed big. The furniture, the windows, and even the wooden chest that held Vati's things. Prussia tried climbing up onto Vati's bed but needed a stool. He looked around and couldn't help but noticing his direction was being constantly pulled to the large wooden chest. Prussia tip toed over to it and tried to push open the top wanting to see what was inside. Perhaps there were weapons or some other cool things. Maybe there was a stool inside.
Little Ludwig stirred a little and was fussing a little too much. He seemed to be experiencing some sort of night terror, and Germania held him in his arms, much like when the child was in his infancy. He grabbed a cloth from the side, and wiped the boy's brow, since it was warm outside. Speaking to him softly, he smiled down to the child.
"Come on little one, there is nothing to be afraid of. Please...it is getting late, and you need to get some rest." The child thrashed slightly, and he looked up while in the nation's arms.
"Vati, Vati...I want to...where is Bruder...where..." The boy was in and out of sleeping, and when Vati couldn't answer, he just hummed slightly, and this put the boy to sleep. Seeing as the child was asleep, he stood and waited, just to make sure. Thinking to himself, he hoped Gilbert was behaving himself.
The chest came open and Prussia looked inside with excitement then slumped a bit, it was rather boring, extra clothes, some materials, leather wraps and furs. Prussia wasn't expecting treasure by no means but he was hoping for maybe some trophies, like antlers and bloody knuckles. He stood on his tip toes to look in and started to poke around. He then noticed that there was something hard wrapped in some leather and fur. It seemed longish, so he tried grabbing it with both hands trying to pull it up. A bit of the leather unwound revealing a sword hilt made of iron. Prussia gasped and grabbing the large hilt pulled with all of his strength until it freed itself and he pulled it all the way out of the chest the end of it clanking to the floor. It was almost as long as Prussia was tall. The blade part was still wrapped well and bound with leather. Prussia started to untie it he wanted to see the blade and the sword as a whole. Probably the same sword his Vati used in battle.
Watching as the child was nodding off, Germania was satisfied, he went to walk away when he heard movement on the bed, and a little voice creak.
"Vati, Vati...Vati...I want some water!" He turned his head and saw that Ludwig was very much still awake, and he sighed.
"Give me strength..." He muttered to himself. Walking to the bed, he stood by the boy's side, and cast a downward gaze. "Ludwig...it is much too late...you need to go to..." Ludwig was not having this.
"Water...please Vati, please!"
"Ja, fine...fine..." Germania grabbed the glass that Prussia had used, and he walked down to the washroom. It was on the other side of the hallway, down from Germania's own room. The elder nation only hoped Gilbert had fallen asleep. Filling the glass, he walked back to the bedroom, and handed it to the little boy. "Drink up...and then sleep." The boy smiled, obliged, and sipped. When he was done, he lay his head down, and closed his eyes. "Goodnight..." Germania went to leave the room a second time.
Prussia watched as the last of the leather fell away revealing the awesomeness of this most amazing sword, it was so shiny he could clearly see his own reflection in it. He went back to where the handle was and tried to lift it up imaging he was an awesome warrior like Vati slaying giants. Even protecting the village from evil invaders, he could seem to lift the other end off the floor he grunted and tried with all his might and slowly the tip of the sharp sword rose. Prussia was elated and tried to swing it over his head and see if he could do a thrust lunge as if attacking the enemy, but as it reached its panicle Prussia lost grip and it started to slip from his hands just as it was above his head. He felt his arms weaken from the weight and was suddenly scared as it was starting to fall back on him.
Seeing as the water had done the trick, Germania closed the door to the boy's room, and walked down the hall towards his own quarters. He was just thinking of what to do with the children tomorrow, and when he approached his room, pushing the slightly ajar door aside, it seems that he was just in time. Once walking in his eyes widened and he ran inside as he saw little Prussia handling what he could not believe as his most prized war sword. Something that he thought was hidden in his chest.
"GILBERT...NEIN...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He grabbed the sword before it impaled the child and killed him.
Huffing, he let the blade slam to the ground, and he grabbed the boy and held him to his chest. Prussia had gasped as he for one moment was certain he was going to feel the sudden pain of the sharp end of the sword, but instead he suddenly felt the strong arms of his Vati around him and the sound of the heavy weapon clatter behind him. Prussia was stunned for a moment. It was all so fast, and now he was safe again, breathing a little hard and slightly shook up, but after a moment he finally spoke.
"Wow...that thing is heavier than it looks, be careful Vati...I think its sharp too."
Holding the child tightly, Germania could not believe the child and how incredibly lucky he was that nothing had happened. He hugged him tighter, and then getting down on one knee, he held the child away from him, giving him a worried look. Tears had formed into the larger nation's eyes, and some streamed down his face. The foolish child, and his little curious ways. Germania did not know what to say at first because of the shock, but breathed in deeply.
"Gilbert...do you...do you have any idea how foolish you were just now? What were you thinking?" He blinked fast, having a few more tears fall.
Prussia looked at Vati, and for the first time the elder nation looked very worried. He had never seen his Vati look scared before, and even cry. He had seen him annoyed, frustrated, and mad lots of times. This was different, there was something in Vati's look that seemed to scare him more than those other stern looks before. Prussia suddenly felt smaller than he ever had and tried to look away from Vati's eyes, feeling a pinch inside him that felt like guilt. He was the one responsible for Vati looking that way, he just knew it.
"I…eh was...curious. I just wanted to be an awesome warrior...like you Vati." He said in a tiny voice hating this moment and wishing it would go away and things could go back to normal. Shaking his head, and still holding the child by the shoulders, he was slightly shaking.
"You could have killed yourself, do you understand that? This is why you are not to touch my things. They are in my chest for a reason, and why certain things are off limits. I...I don't know what to say to you, but I do know one thing, and that is you will never, EVER touch my things again." He stayed kneeling, and reached for the boy, putting him firmly over his knee. "Perhaps this will keep you out of my property!" He raised his palm in the air, and had it come down upon Gilbert's clothed bottom.
Gilbert couldn't say he didn't see this coming, but for some reason it felt worse than usual when he got spanked. Vati wasn't mad...he was scared, and Prussia yelped out and started to cry as soon as the first swat struck. He didn't fight like usual, though he did grip and hold on tightly to Vati's leg, for support and comfort at that moment. It was one of the rare times that Prussia actually felt a little bad for what he had done.
"Vati...I'm sorry! I won't touch your sword again. Even if it is really AWESOME! WAA!" The boy cried out, and held tighter.
Tears continued to ran down Germania's face as his palm came down again. Gilbert had done many naughty things, but this was the most horrible thing. He wiped his eyes with his free hand, and continued. With the boy over his lap, he really had no choice, and if this was the only way to get through to Gilbert, then he was going to continue handing out the spanking.
"Awesome or not *smack*, you endangered your life *smack*. You had me very worried *smack*. I should punish you for the whole day tomorrow. *Smack*. Leaving your room would not even be an option." *Smack*. He continued to plant down several hard clouts to the boy's backside. Prussia started to bawl louder in heavy sobs, and shook his head.
"WAAA Vati…please! I am sorry, I am more sorry than I ever have been before! Please...I WAAAHH OOOWWWW! I will do extra chores! OWWW ...y-you can spank me owww...w-with a switch WAAA...p-please...j-just forgive me!" He cried pitifully over Vati's lap.
Giving the child one last smack, he took the boy down, and stood up. The child continued crying, and Germania had to respond to the boy's many reactions.
"As sorry as you are, I expect that you knew what was coming to you. Extra chores...me spanking you with a switch does not change my mind. However..."
He sat on the bed, looking down, and putting a finger to his temple. He had his eyes closed, and wiping away whatever stray tears were in them, he looked back to the pitiful child crying.
"I of course forgive you little one...I have to, being your Vati is a strenuous and honorable thing." He half smiled at the boy, because the child was clearly sorry for his misdeeds. "Oh Gilbert...come here..." He leaned forward holding out his arms. Prussia sniffled and grasped onto his Vati for a comforting hug.
"Vati...I don't want to stay inside all day, I want to be with you and help you with whatever you do outside...*sniffle* I promise to not be curious ever again...and I wont touch your sword even though it IS really awesome...but too heavy for my arms." Nuzzling the child to his chest, and leaning his head on the boy's fair head. He breathed in deep.
"I know you want to help outside...and more than likely you can because I could always use your help. I also KNOW for a fact you will never touch my sword again because then you will be switched. Okay, listen...what I will do is give you something, but you must promise to only use it when I allow you to."
Germania holding the boy still, got down from the bed, and put the child down. he then walked over to the chest, and reached in further, looking for something. Once he had found it, he pulled out a small fur wrapped bundle. Turning around, he faced the boy, and unwrapped the parcel. There in his hands was a small blunt dagger. He carefully held it out to the boy. Prussia's eyes widened in awe...it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his whole life he slowly reached for it.
"V-Vati...I can...I can have this? For real? Forever and ever?" He had never seen such an amazing weapon, well almost. His trusty crop truly was the most awesome, but this was very very close. "I will handle it like a true warrior Vati! I will only use it to kill in defense of myself! or to protect the land and Bruder and you!"
Germania smiled down at the boy who's eyes had widened so largely that he laughed to himself, holding his hand to his mouth. Keeping a straight face, he then cleared his throat.
"Yes...this is for you. I was going to wait until you were older, but sensing your curiosity, I had no choice but to let you have it now. But, before you go protecting and killing, I have something else. He walked back to the chest, and pulled out a leather sheath. "Here, this is to hold the dagger so its always by your side. I will let you wear it to town tomorrow. You may not play with it, otherwise I will take it away. Do you understand?"
Prussia nodded his head up and down quickly and furiously to let Vati know he understood.
"Ja Vati! I understand, I will be very good with it like a real warrior. Its not a toy so I wont play with it!" Prussia took the sheath and put the little dagger he started to try and attach it to his belt but realized he was still wearing his nightgown and not his clothes with the belt. "Vati! can I sleep with it?" The boy looked up with an excited face, but Germania tilted his head, with a sternness.
"Gilbert...you're kidding me...sleep with it?" Germania just crossed his arms over his chest, and shook his head and could not believe the child had asked such a silly question. "And what happens if the blade slips, and you cut your precious little face? No... absolutely not, out of the question." He realized it was late. "Come now, hand me the blade...you need to go to sleep now."
"B-but Cant I set it on the nightstand? I want to be able to see it when I go to sleep! I promise I wont touch it. And seriously Vati, what if a wolf comes in the middle of the night and I need to protect Bruder? I NEED IT! VATI!"
Shaking his head, he dropped down to his knee again, and held out his hand. Raising his eyebrow he looked at the child with a stern expression.
"Gilbert...I understand your need for your new possession and you want to protect your Bruder and me, but when I say no, I expect you to listen to me. Now...please hand it over now." Germania held out his hand, and Prussia pouted out his bottom lip. It didn't seem fair that he had to give up such an awesome thing when he only had it for a short moment.
"B-but where will it stay? When can I have it back?" He said handing it over reluctantly. But not actually letting go of it.
"I will hold on to it, and if you behave yourself, and not be a bother, you will receive it tomorrow. I think having it armed on you if we go hunting will be most acceptable because, well there are many dangerous things in the forest. Now, let me have it, and I will keep it safe in my room."
He took it out of the boy's grip, and stood up, putting it on his shelf next to the bed, high from reach. Looking back down, he put his hands on his hips.
"Okay...it is way past bedtime...come along. Since Ludwig is fast asleep, you will sleep in here with me." Prussia was about to say something about it being so far away from him but the prospect to getting to sleep in Vati's big bed was enough to compensate.
"JA! VATI! I want to sleep with you in the big bed!"
"Alright, alright...calm down now...okay..." He reached down and picked the boy up placing him on the mattress. "Okay...then, get under the blankets. I need to changed into my nightshirt."
He made sure the boy understood and then walked over to the wardrobe. Pulling out a nightshirt, he undressed and put on the clothing. Snuggled all the way under the sheets and giggled it was like being underground.
"Vati you ready yet?" The boy wiggled under the covers and smiled, and could not wait. He was excited to sleep now, and excited for tomorrow, and most of all excited that he had a new prized possession.
"Almost little one...I need to check on one more thing..." He leaned down planting a large kiss on the boy's head. "You stay under those covers young man, otherwise I won't hesitate to give you another spanking.." He stood up and went to exit the room. "I just need to make sure everything is locked. Be right back." Prussia giggled under the blankets and rooted around under the sheets.
"Ja Vati I am a mole! the sun hurts my eyes I like it under here!" He laughed and bobbed up and down in the bed. Shaking his head at the boy, he smirked.
"Behave..." He walked out of the room, and down towards the kitchen. The breeze was blowing in through the open windows. It felt nice but he wanted to make sure nothing would get in. Closing the windows and latching them, he then went to the door and locked it tight. Sighing, he knew that he had to fulfill the boy's wishes and they would get something exciting done outside tomorrow. He walked down the hall and approached the bedroom. Seeing the little silver haired boy snuggled under the blankets, he smiled. "Okay Gilbert...are you ready for bed?"
There wasn't any motion from the lump under the blankets though the soft sound of snoring was heard.