Germania rolled over in his bed and yawned. Morning was always a routine with him and the boys. He rubbed his eyes, and realized that his two nephews were going to arrive today. He had to be prepared.
"Alright little one its time to wake up and…" He looked over to the bed, and to his surprise he did not see Gilbert.
Prussia had gotten up early and woke up his little Bruder and told him about all the awesomeness of last night...excluding the spanking. He started to dress Ludwig and getting him ready for their awesome day and even washed his and Ludwig's face and was brushing his hair.
Germania knew the child would be awake before him, possibly. Kicking his legs outside of the bed, he got out and scratched his head. He heard some giggling from the boy's room and smirked. The morning had indeed begun. Germania changed his clothing and adjusted his hair. It was going to be a delightful day. He walked out of the room and down towards the children's room. Making his way there, he walked to the door and stood by watching. Gilbert was such a good big brother and the way he took care of Ludwig made the elder nation proud.
"Getting ready for the day you two?" Ludwig shook his head and smiled. "Remember Roderich and Basch are coming today, so the both of you need to behave yourselves."
"Yes Vati!" Shaking his head and laughing, he looked at Gilbert.
"Are you two hungry?" He expected Gilbert to respond in a distraught tone because he was not fond of the company coming, but he waited for an answer.
"JA we are aren't we Bruder!" Gilbert looked and squared his shoulders and was trying so very hard to contain his excitement and trying to show that he could be grown up so he could have his new knife. He could care less of the company that was coming to visit.
"Ah, well...there's something new Gilbert. Come along then you two, we will have wheat cakes with some maple syrup and some fresh fruit. We have a long day ahead of us, and I need to get you both fed before the guests arrive. Come along." Prussia grabbed Ludwig's hand and started to pull him to the kitchen.
"Look VATI I am holding Bruder's hand so he doesn't get lost! See we are practicing staying close and holding hand so he doesn't get lost!" Prussia said and pulled at Ludwig's hand. Nodding his head, he looked down at the boy.
"That's very good to hear young man...though I do not think he has to worry about getting lost while we are at home, just when we are out and about. Now then…let's have something to eat." He shooed the two out of the bedroom and down towards the kitchen. "Go ahead boys, and go sit at the table. I need to cook breakfast, and then I must get the house clean. And Gilbert, you need to keep that gift that I gave you out of reach." The two boys walked, and Ludwig turned his head. He had heard his Vati say something about a gift to Gilbert, and he was curious.
"Vati...what did you give Gilbie? I want a present! I want a present Vati!" The boy jumped up and down. Shaking his head, Germania responded while putting the now cooked cakes on the table. Both boys sat down.
"Nein little one. You are much too small for something along the lines of what I gave your Bruder. And so…" The nation was interrupted by Prussia jumping in.
"Nein, Nein, Nein! You're too little for an awesome gift. You have to be big and awesome like me to get a super awesome gift. Right Vati?" Prussia started grabbing at the syrup and started to pour them over his wheat cakes.
"Gilbert, you mind your manners...and don't be mean to your Bruder." Germania popped Gilbert on the top of his hand, and gave him a stern look. He then looked over to the littlest child. "Ludwig, my little one...I will get you something the next time we go into town. What I gave your brother was something that he was going to get later, but well...because of a situation last night." He raised an eyebrow at Prussia. "Gilbert was to have his gift earlier. Now then...you both eat up...and I will have something too."
Prussia rubbed his hand and tried to pout but was really trying to be good...he wanted so bad to be able to have his knife.
"But mine is the more awesome gift isn't it Vati? Because I am the oldest so my present is the best and most awesome!" He then started to stuff his cheeks with the wheat cakes.
Vati walked over to Ludwig and wiped his mouth with a wet cloth, and then sat down consuming his breakfast. He nodded to Gilbert, and then responded.
"Gilbert...don't gloat...you shouldn't do that to Ludwig...he is smaller than you, and looks up to his older brother. If you can not learn to be less prideful, than you will never learn." He put a forkful of the wheat cake in his mouth and chewed. Ludwig looked at his brother and pouted. He sat back and his eyes started to water.
"But its the truth! I am only being honest Vati! Do you want me to LIE? Is that what you want me to do Vati?" Prussia took his juice and chugged it down and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Ludwig will never be as awesome as me and that is the honest truth. Oh but he can try to be awesome and he may get really good and come really close. But really Vati, he can never catch up to me. Nope not in a million zillion years!"
Germania set down his fork and looked to the little nation, and then over to Gilbert. He was trying to hold in his patience, and did not want to get angry with the child, especially this early in the morning.
"Ludwig go over to the living room and play with your toys, I am going to have a little chat with your Bruder."
Ludwig sat sitting and was still upset, but he nodded and slid down from his chair, walking into the living room, which was all one big open space. He sat down and played. Germania walked to Gilbert and took his arm, pulling him gently down from the chair, and he set his eyes upon him while kneeling.
"I always want you to be honest little one...but also...you let your pride get in the way, its going to catch up to you when you are an older nation. Now do you want that? Do you want other nations to turn their nose up at you thinking you are nothing but a bully? As awesome as you are to me...the feeling of that may not be shared with other nations. Perhaps you should think about what you say." Prussia looked at Vati and pressed his lips together and nodded.
"I can see how other countries may be intimidated by my super awesomeness, like cousin Roddie and Basch. Heh…" Gilbert snickered. "But I don't see why that should be my burden...I cant help but be Awesome."
"Perhaps...you are right...and then perhaps not...but in the meantime, can you please try and remember that your actions reflect everything."
Germania sighed and looked around. Sensing the break of day, and the sun shining it, he could tell it was still early. The two other little visitors were coming today, and there was much to do.
"Alright, let me clear the dishes, and then get a couple of other chores finished. I need to change my clothing, and I will be right back."
He took the plates and utensils and put them in the sink basin, and then walked to his bedroom. He put on his long dark green cape, and sheath. He always kept his own dagger on his persons, in case of anything dangerous should arise. They would be outside today, so he always took caution. He also took Gilbert's dagger, as it was daytime, and he could keep an eye on the child and what he did with the weapon. Walking back out to the kitchen he called over the boy.
"Gilbert, come over here..."
Prussia trotted over quickly when he was called and stood strait before Vati. Sometimes it was a little scary when he was called over, only because sometimes it meant he was in trouble. But trouble or not he had learned to obey right away. He felt he knew why he was being called over and that did make it easier, but Prussia could never be sure.
"Ja Vati?...have I been good enough to have Mein weapon to protect my Bruder and land?"
"Ja, Ja Gilbert...I just need to fasten your dagger to your side...BUT..." He slightly jerked the boy forward not too hard, but to make the boy understand. "If I catch you taking your weapon out for everyone to see, you will most certainly CATCH it from me." He took the sheath and tightened it on the little waist, and then placed the dagger in its holder. He straitened the boy's shirt, and smiled.
Prussia gulped a little at the threat and nodded, and patted the dagger at his side, he would keep it safe there and it would also KEEP him SAFE.. Standing up, he called over to Ludwig.
"Come little one, its time to get some chores done. You too Gilbert."
"JA I am ready! And don't worry I will make sure to get all the chores done in the quickest of speeds."
"See that you do. Alright then, you know your task, its to collect eggs from the coop."
"But…but Vati, I already collected eggs…and there isn't anymore to collect…do I have to?"
"Gilbert, you have to collect eggs everyday. The chickens lay the eggs, and it is our duty to collect, otherwise there will be an overflow. Come now, don't be stubborn." He looked down to Ludwig. "And come with me Ludwig, you will pick up some kindling, and I will chop some wood. Want to make sure the house will be nice and warm for our guests later."
"Okay Vati!" The youngest boy hurried to the door, and walked with his Vati. Germania opened it, and holding it open, the little one ran out. He then cast an eye at Prussia.
"Come on…I haven't got all day, we need to get these things done. Outside chores first."
"Ja, Ja Vati…I know." The child shuffled his feet, and followed until all three were outside.
Gilbert grabbed his basket and started towards the chicken coop, while Ludwig walked along the grounds collecting his twigs. Germania seeing as both boys were occupied, went to the barn, and grabbed his axe that was hanging up on a wire holder. He removed it, and walked back outside.
"Ugh, I will have to eventually do something with those bales of hay in the barn, but as long as they are neatly bundled." He said to himself as he walked to the tree stump. There was a pile of large logs that needed to be split, so he proceeded to start that.
Vigorous days work is what Germania wanted to bestow on the children. It would make them strong, and hopefully tire them out by bedtime. Today was slightly different, having the two relatives come. Willahelm knew that the boys would be arriving in the afternoon, but he wasn't sure what time.
With breakfast done, he would not have to worry about lunch until after the two others arrived. He raised his axe high in the air, and it came down, splitting the log in half. Ludwig watched in awe. He was supposed to be collecting twigs, but he was fascinated by his Vati's strength. Looking over to the boy, the nation raised an eyebrow, and this got Ludwig to continue with his kindling collecting.
Gilbert meanwhile was in the chicken coop, and collecting the eggs like he was supposed to. He had on his dagger, and it was almost too much to keep it tucked away in his sheath. He thought by maybe waving it around, he could have a little fun, but then he remembered that he would be in a lot of trouble if he did that. Shaking his head, he spoke to himself.
"I can not upset Vati! We have a busy day today, and…ugh cousin Basch and Roddy are coming." He grumbled to himself and plucked more eggs into the basket. Once this was done, he lugged the basket towards the house.
Once he arrived, Ludwig was taking sticks out and handing them to Germania, and the elder nation was feeding them to the fire. Gilbert huffed, and brought the basket in. He wanted to collapse and fall asleep, as the work was hard, but Germania cleared his throat looking to the child.
"Uh Gilbert…now is not the time for a little relax, there is more to be done outside, so come along, and we will finish." He took Ludwig by the hand, and the two walked out. Moaning, Prussia did not disobey his Vati, and walked outside to join the two.
Arriving back outside, in the slightly sweltering weather, he stomped back over to Germania who was loading logs onto a cart. Seeing this, the nation pointed over to some smaller logs.
"Alright you, go ahead and bring some to me…and put them in the cart." He turned to the smaller nation. "Ludwig, go sit somewhere safe." The boy nodded and ran over to a stump.
While the two nations worked, Ludwig looked around, and noticed two small nations approach the homestead. He suddenly got excited and leapt off the stump, running over to his Vati.
"Vati, Vati, Vati! Look! Its cousins Roddy and Basch! Look where they are!" He bounced and pointed. Germania turned a head, and wiped his brow. He then put down his axe, and walked over to Prussia, and having Ludwig come close.
"Yes, well it seems they are here. Come along boys, we mustn't be rude…they are family." He walked towards the two nation children, and Austria walked up to his uncle.
"Guten Tag Uncle…Basch and I have arrived…and we are very happy to be here." The little boy who sported a purple tunic with matching pants. He had a little spring in his hair, which he noted as Mariazell, and also sports a little beauty mark on the left side of his face, under his mouth. Little Basch had a Dutch boy haircut, and wore a tan tunic with little green pants. Both children were very happy to come visit.
Germania looked down with a smile, and pat Austria on the head, and then looked over to Switzerland.
"Ja, hello boys, very good to see you both. I am hoping you enjoy your stay. Now then…" He cast a glance over to Prussia and little HRE. Clearing his throat, and motioning a hand, he had them come over. "Boys, please say hello to your cousins, and then I shall prepare some lunch."
Ludwig ran right over, giggling, and jumping up and down. He hugged Roderich, and then Basch. Prussia on the other hand, stood standing next to Germania, and he was annoyed. The elder nation saw this, and grabbed his arm gently pushing him towards his two cousins. He leaned down, and spoke to him in a slight tone.
"Little one…you need to say hello to your cousins…don't be rude alright." He pushed him slightly harder, and the boy turned around.
"Okay, okay Vati! Jeez!" The boy walked forward and looked to Austria and then to Switzerland. Sighing he mumbled. "Hi Roddy…Hi Basch."
Austria and Switzerland nodded and smiled. This was about the only thing they were going to get from their cousin. Slightly satisfied, Germania looked to all the children, and proceeded to go inside the house.
"Alright boys, let's go inside, I will prepare some lunch, and then you children can catch up, and play…while I continue to get some work accomplished." He held the door open for the children, who all piled inside. Germania was not sure if this was a good thing. Four children…ages seven, six, five, and three…and they were all under the same roof. The elder nation breathed a deep sigh, and prepared himself.
Prussia ran to the table to sit at his usual spot, and pulled out his chair. Apparently it was a thought by Austria, that his cousin was being polite, and he walked over and went to sit down.
"Danke Gilbert." The child went to sit down, but Prussia frowned and continued to pull the chair out, having little Roderich fall down on his backside. He looked up at Prussia with a frown, and then started to pout. His little whines were heard from Germania who turned around, seeing as he did not see what actually happened, but was now concerned.
"Ugh, what is the problem now? Gilbert I am looking to you…and…ugh, Roderich why are you on the floor?" The nation looked up at his uncle and continued being upset.
"Um…Uncle…Gilbert pulled the chair out from under me…he isn't being very fair." The child turned around and glared at his cousin. Germania walked over to the table and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Gilbert…that was very naughty. Now let your cousin have your seat, he is a guest, and sit down in another seat."
Prussia was about to object, but seeing the look on his Vati's face, he gulped and held the chair out to his cousin. He made sure the other little nation was comfortable, and then walked over to Basch and did the same. Germania smiled at this and then walked back over to the stove and started on cooking some fried potatoes. He added some wurst and kept a steady eye on the meal.
Huffing and Prussia walked over to another chair, which was right next to Basch. Ludwig sat in his high chair, and looked around the room.
"So little cousin…what are we going to do for fun?" Asked Austria. He gave a little sly smile, and waited for an answer. Prussia looked back at him, gripping his knife, and glared.
"I don't know…Gott do I have to think of everything? Why don't you think of something, you are stupid and old…and…" The boy was interrupted by Germania walking over and bopping him on the head. This was the second time his Vati did this, it hurt slightly. "OWWWW…Vati, ouch!"
"Stop being rude…Mein Gott you are asking for a bottom tanning." He walked back over to the stove, and served up the meal on five plates. Roderich looked over to Gilbert and snickered. Basch held his hand to his mouth, and held back some laughs. Gilbert blushed, and could not believe his Vati had threatened a spanking in front of his cousins.
Walking around the table, Germania placed a plate in front of each of the children, and then one in front of where he sat. He then made sure the little nations all had what they needed, and he sat down, at the chair that was next to the youngest nation. He sat down.
"Alright…you may eat little ones." He took his utensils and cut into the wurst. He put a piece to his mouth, and chewed. Ludwig grabbed at some of the potatoes and took some to his mouth. Germania then stuck his fork into some of the potatoes, and held it to the child. "Ludwig…don't use your hands, here little one, take some off the fork." He held it to the child's mouth, and Ludwig leaned forward eating.
Roderich, and Basch ate quietly, stealing glances at one another, and at their stern uncle. Prussia leaned on his hand, which was resting on the table, and munched quietly. He was showing bad manners, and Germania was getting fed up. He was about to say something when Basch spoke up.
"Uncle…this is very delicious…thank you for making it." He wiped his mouth, and smiled at the elder. Willahelm nodded with a smile, and took a sip of his water. Setting the glass down, he responded.
"Why thank you little one…I appreciate that." He smirked and then looked at his own offspring. "You see that Gilbert? Its nice to hear words of kindness once in a while, you should learn from your older cousins."
Gilbert saw this and his jaw almost dropped. Mouth hanging open, he dropped his fork, and pounded his little fists on the table.
"But…but Vati! I am always saying nice things…and…um…" The child had to ponder because he knew this was not true. He looked over at his Vati, and huffed. "Ugh…I am not hungry anymore Vati, I am going to get down and…"
"You most certainly will not get down. You will sit there until at least half of your lunch is finished. Now get to it young man." He tapped a finger on the table.
"But I…I don't wanna Vati, I ate a lot…look!" He picked up his plate, tilting it aside so the food slipped to the side, making it look like there was a lot gone.
The elder nation wiped his mouth. He looked over at Roderich, Basch, and then over to Ludwig. Seeing as the other children had finished, he spoke to them softly.
"You may all be excused from the table. Go off and play outside while have a little word with Gilbert." His eyes narrowed, and the other three little nations did not ignore the elder's command.