Roderich looked over to his cousin and just shook his head. He really was not about to see what the little nation was doing, as he was just plain annoyed.
Splashing cold water on his face, Germania felt a little better, and then decided to alert the rest of the children on what he was doing. He walked out of the washroom, and looked over to Gilbert who was writing something, and then to Roderich and Basch.
"Ahem…boys…I am going to take a bath…as I need to relax some, you will stay here, play quietly, as it is almost bed time. And please…for Gott's sake, behave…especially you Gilbert." He gave a warning look to his offspring, and Gilbert looked up from his furious writing. With his tongue sticking out to the side of his mouth, he nodded at the elder nation.
"Ja, Ja Vati…we will be good. We are going to have a fun time…playing." He gave the nation a grin, and Germania just looked at him with a shake of his head. He turned back around, and walked to the washroom, closing the door behind him. He prepared the bath with steaming hot water, and got in, exhausting a deep sigh. It had indeed been a long day already.
Once that was over, Gilbert continued, and Austria looked over to him, still scoffing a bit. He crossed his arms over his chest, and huffed a little bit. Basch was staying sullen from the past punishment, and just seated himself in a chair, at the table.
"Okay Gilbert…if you say you can prove it, then PROVE IT! Go get one of your Vati's belts, and I will use it on you!"
Prussia dropped his pencil, and looked up at his cousin with a bewildered expression.
"Nein, are you KIDDING ME? I am not going to let you strap me…you are crazy nuts Roderich!" He shook his head, and went back to whatever he was working on.
"Oh, and why not? If you say that it doesn't hurt, and that you have gotten it plenty of times, then why not let me? Don't be a little chicken Gilbie!" Roderich pursed his lips, and stood with a smile.
That was it. Someone calling Gilbert names, and threatening his braveness. He was not going to take this. Suddenly something in him snapped a little, and he calmed himself down. Holding the paper behind his back, he then walked over to his cousin. Roderich did not see, and just gave the little nation a stare. Clasping his hand, on his cousin's back, Gilbert slapped the paper to Roderich, and said some kind words.
"Alright pal! Why don't we see who is wrong here! I think though first, we should make up, and put all this nasty behavior behind us. Its not awesome to be enemies. How about it Roddie?" Gilbert snickered and held out a hand. Austria just looked at him.
"Eh…okay, Ja…" He shook Prussia's hand, and then stepped back. Gilbert hid his little grin, and kept a straight face.
"Alright, I will go and get Vati's belt…he keeps them in his bedroom, and then we will see who's not the chicken!" The boy crept down the hall, only stopping at the washroom door to listen, and see if Germania was done or not.
The Ancient nation laid in the tub, soaking up all the nice steam and relaxing water. As he did this, he spoke to himself. "Gott, what a day…ugh, those children had better mind me…Mmmm…" He spoke to himself.
Gilbert leaned his ear closer, and gulped a little. It would be a little bit longer, as he knew this was tired sounding Vati, and he would be free to do a little games in the meantime. He walked past the room where Germania was, and tip toed into the larger bedroom. As he walked in, he heard soft little snores from the bed, forgetting his brother was there asleep. He gulped a little, and headed quietly to closet that was slightly ajar. He waltzed towards it, and grabbed one of the brown leather belts, and quickly got out of there before waking his brother up.
Walking past the bathroom, he walked over to the couch, and presented his older cousin with the belt. Basch who was still sitting at the table just watched the two, and sniffed back, being quiet as can be. Roderich held the belt, and then glanced over at the couch.
"Eh, why don't you go and lay yourself down on the couch, that way you are easier for me to hit with the belt." he grinned, and Gilbert, thinking this would word nodded. He walked over, passing by one of the chairs by the table, and grabbed the paper he had in his hand. Roderich was looking over at the couch, and then Gilbert arrived. He casually slapped the paper on his cousin's back, and said in a warm tone. "Roddie, we really should learn to be each other's friends. So with that, I say, I am ready!"
Germania was done with his bath, and a little more relaxed. He stood up, with the steaming water pouring off his body. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. Wrapping it around him, he walked out of the room, not looking at what the other children were doing, and walked straight into his bedroom. His towel dropped to the floor, and he hastily changed, as it was slightly chilly. Once that was done, he headed to the door, but there was a little voice.
"Vati…Vati is that you?" Ludwig had woken up and sat up in bed, staring at the nation. Germania sighed, and shook his head, but walked over, sitting on the bed quietly. He leaned in.
"You know you are supposed to be sleeping little one…what are you doing awake?" He ran his hand over the child's fair face, and the boy held his little hand up, and grasped the nation's hand.
"Um…uh, Vati…I just woke up…but…" He rolled his head to the side. It was apparent that he was still sleepy, and the elder just stayed there until he drifted back to sleep.
"Its fine Ludwig…try to go back to sleep. I will wait here until you do."
Roderich nodded at his cousin, and walked over to the couch. In his hands he held the leather implement, and just as his uncle had done before, he folded it in half, gripping it tightly.
"I'm going to start Gilbert." He got behind his cousin, and with Gilbert nodding, all the while smiling, he wasn't sure how it was going to be. Roderich pulled back his arm, and with a quick flash, delivered a hearty smack to his cousin's backside. Gilbert's eyes suddenly went wide, and he screamed out.
"AGHHHH! AGHHH….VATI! VATI COME HERE, COUSIN IS TRYING TO KILL MEEEEEEEEEE! HE'S BEATING ME, COME HERE VATI AHHHHH" The boy shouted, and as Roderich delivered the second swat, he became frightened.
Germania was just getting Ludwig calmed down, when he suddenly heard the screaming coming from the living room. Ludwig sat right up very frightened and clung to the nation's arms. He started to cry out, and Germania hushed the child.
"Ludwig…you calm down right now. Lay back down, and I will see whatever is going on between your brother and your cousins. Go on, lay down." He got up, and walked out of the room.
As he walked down the hallway, he approached the dining room, and saw Basch sitting at the table. He looked back at his uncle, and his eyes grew wide. Germania looked to the couch where the other children were and just stood there looking down with an awful gaze. Prussia was laying on the couch in a familiar position, and Austria was standing there with the belt in his hand. Crossing his hands over his chest, and very, very annoyed, the elder nation spoke up.
"What in the Hölle are you two doing?" He looked to his offspring, and then his nephew. The two were not saying anything, and in return looked to one another. This made Germania even more irritated. "Oh don't go an answer at once you two." He shook his head and then looked over to the table at Basch who was slowly started to get off the chair, wanting to leave right away. "Basch…come here…I want to know what happened!"
Basch froze, and looked to his very angry uncle. He did not want any part of anything that was going on, and he just looked up to the nation. Germania just kept a steady eye on the boy, and he walked forward.
"Little one…you are not in any sort of trouble, you just need to let me know what happened. It seems like I am not going to get a response from those two, so please…please tell me what is going on?" He walked over, and knelt down, placing hands on the child's shoulder.
Basch looked to Gilbert and Roderich who were both shaking their heads. Prussia put his finger to his mouth, trying to hush the nation from saying anything. Germania just gaze a semi glare to the two, and then turned back to Switzerland.
"Come on Basch…tell me what happened." The little nation breathed deep, in and out, and then with all he could muster, he said in a fast tone just to get it out.
"Onkel, Gilbert said that the belt didn't hurt, and then Roderich said to prove it, and…and Gilbert got a belt from your room, and gave it back to Roddie, and then, and then Gilbert laid down on the couch, and got hit with the belt, and that's it, that's all that happened. Okay Onkel, I am going to bed, okay goodbye!" The child quickly ran out of the room, down the hall, slamming Ludwig and Gilbert's bedroom door closed.
Germania got up after having that whole conversation told to him, and walked over to the boys. He stood shaking his head, and had a strange smile upon his face.
"Oh you two…you both can not ever get along can you?" He saw that Gilbert was still laying down, and did not even both to move.
Looking to Roderich, he pointed to the couch. Roderich rubbed at his backside, preparing, and walking slowly, he then felt his back, and grabbed at what was a paper. Taking it off, he looked and saw a picture that Gilbert had drawn. It was a little picture of a crop, and the words "spank me" on it. He looked to Gilbert, and protested.
"Hey! Did you put this on me Gilbert?" He held it out, waving it front of his cousin's face. Gilbert did not dare say a word. The boy then looked up at his uncle. "Onkel! Look what Gilbert did to me!"
Grabbing the paper, Germania crumpled it, and then pointed to the couch.
"Get over on the couch next to your cousin, and the both of you prepare yourself." Roderich did not object and ran over, laying down next to Gilbert.
Basch changed his clothing, and quickly got into bed. He was so worried now, and did not want to listen to the approaching chastisement that was about to commence. He put the pillow over his head, and started to sob a little, wishing for the moment when him and Austria could go home.
With the two little children ready for their comeuppance, Germania walked over and leaned down. He pulled down both of their pants, and undergarments, so two small little backsides were exposed in front of him. Small little gasps were heard, and Gilbert of course turned his head back.
"Nein! Nein Vati…please, not on my bare. I already got two swats from Roddie already. Its not fair!"
The elder nation shook his head, and folded the belt in half. He raised their shirts, and responded.
"Enough of this, the both of you!" He raised the belt, and with a quick swish, it came down, across the two bottoms, making a crack noise. Austria yelped out loud, as did Gilbert.
"Ooooowww Vati! Wahhhh!" Gilbert gripped the couch. Roderich moaned out, and cried too.
"Ahhhh…Onkel! Ouch, ouch!" He leaned his face into the couch, large tears forming in his eyes.
Willahelm slapped the belt down five times, having the behinds before him form little welts. Once he was finished, he set aside the belt, and cleared his throat.
"Go on, the both of you, get up, and you will both go to the corner and stand for ten minutes. I will go and get some night shirts for you to sleep in, and then it is time for bed. I don't want to hear a word from either one of you. Go now!"
Gilbert did not need to be told twice. He knew his Vati was very angry. He pulled up his pants, and ran to the corner in which he was familiar. Roderich nodded and did the same, going to another corner. Germania walked out of the room, and to the bedroom where he had freshly laundered clothing. He took two shirts, and walked back to the room. He gave the shirt to Roderich.
"Now then…you go to Gilbert and Ludwig's room. You will go straight to bed, and I will see you in the morning." He then turned to Gilbert. "As for you, you are going to sleep in my room, and don't you dare wake your Bruder up."
Sniffing and grabbing the shirt from his uncle, the boy nodded his head, and rubbed at his backside.
"Ja, Ja Onkel…" Roderich walked down the hall. Gilbert shuddered, because now he couldn't even cry in his own bed, and would most likely be lectured again when he got to the room. He followed after Roderich and went to the elder's room.
Roderich arrived in the room, and walked in. He changed his shirt, and got into bed, crying into the pillow and holding his backside. He did not sat anything to Basch, because after all, the little nation did not do anything wrong.
Germania had made sure everything was clean, and watched his little one go into his room. Sighing, the nation walked over to the couch, and sat down. Exhausted, he then flopped down, and laid down on the couch, just taking in the day.
Prussia had climbed into Vati's bed laying on his stomach and kept waiting for him to come in and continue to lecture him about how disappointed he was with him. Prussia waited and waited, but no Vati came. Prussia was not more than just a little worried and slowly crawled out of the big bed and peeked his head into the living room doorway to see where Vati was and he saw him there surprisingly on the couch.
Roderich laid on his stomach sniffing. He hadn't fallen asleep yet, and looked over to Basch who was laying in the bed with his back to the other little nation. As he cried, he reached out, and poked Switzerland in the back, and clearing his throat.
"Basch? Basch are you still awake? Please...talk to me..." He waited, and hopefully the nation would say something. Germania's eyes grew heavy, but sleep did not find him. Laying on his stomach, he looked to the outside, and the window that was open blew in a nice breeze. He smiled slightly, huffing with everything that had happened, and closed his eyes, resting a hand on his chest.
Switzerland didn't say anything for a moment, he hoped that Austria would think he was asleep, but after he spoke to him he sighed and rolled over still curled in a ball, his face showing he had been crying.
"Was it worth it Roderich?" Meanwhile, Prussia seeing Germania there and breathing meant he wasn't dead. That was a good thing, he almost turned around to go back to the bed but after all the events of the day...he realized he needed something from Vati.
He crept silently over to him and laid down on the couch on his tummy next to him, just wanting to be near him when he wasn't mad at him.
Roderich reached out and brushed the stray tears from Basch's eyes, and cheeks. He had now felt bad. The visit to their uncle and cousins was supposed to be fun for both of them. He sniffed again, and spoke back.
"Um...I...I don't know what to say...I guess this visit wasn't what you had anticipated..." He just looked to the other nation and bit back his lip. "It was worth it...someone needed to show Gilbert a thing or two." He breathed heavy.
Germania breathed in deeply, and felt a presence next to him. It felt like a small, and warm little body. Opening an eye, he looked over and saw his eldest.
"Gilbert...*yawn* little one...whaaaa...hmmm..." He raised his arms, and lifted the boy, having him lay on his own broad stomach. "Sleep..." Prussia was afraid for a moment that Vati was going to be mad at him, but then he felt him pull him up onto him and he snuggled.
"Ja Vati" he said and closed his eyes feeling secure with his Vati. Basch rolled back over and pulled the quilts up closer to him.
"See you tomorrow Roddie...goodnight." He said with a finality in his voice, he had decided, he would not wait. He would rise early tomorrow before the rest of the house was up and go back home, he was a intelligent child and thinking this through only someone stupid would leave at night in the middle of the dark.
Germania embraced the boy a little more tightly, and zonked out, snoring slightly. Roderich seeing as Basch was not going to say anything more, he turned his back to the other little nation and snuggled into the pillow and closed his eyes. The whole house was asleep, and morning would arrive shortly.
Switzy was always an early riser, at home he loved to wake up early and watch the sun rise over the snow covered mountains take in the flowers. He loved waking up with the goats and sheep stirring, there was none of that here though. Basch was indeed homesick, the sun had not even broke the sky and the little country was quietly tip toeing into the kitchen, shoes in hand and his things tied in a bundle, he grabbed part of a loaf of bread for his breakfast journey. He had seen Germania and Prussia sleeping on the couch and had to hold his breath to keep quiet, he then as silently as he could slowly and quietly opened the door to set out on his morning journey back home.
Ludwig rolled over in his bed, and saw that there was no one there. He rubbed his eyes, and climbed out of the bed alone. Seeing that he was in his Vati's bedroom, he walked out of the room, and towards his own. Seeing a lump in his bed, he got excited, and tiredly climbed into the bed, snuggling with what he thought was Gilbert. Roderich yawned, and then snored. Germania heard the first rooster crowing, and rubbed at his eyes. He looked down to see Gilbert laying on him and smiled. Rubbing a hand on the child's back, he said to him softly.
"Wake up little one...its a new day..." He kissed the top of the boy's head and waited.
Prussia stirred. The night's rest had done its job to reset the little nation he felt himself refreshed.
"Guten Morgan." He said then pushed himself up sleepily trying to make his eyes open. "Oh ...we slept here all night?" He said looking around feeling slightly disoriented.
Basch was not a mile away, the sun now cresting the horizon, as he started into the deep black forest, he wasn't fearful, he and Austria had made it through these woods the day before and had been just fine though they did look different on the way than they did now, but he would not let that discouragement him, he would make it back to his beautiful mountains before supper he was certain.
Leaning up with the boy, Germania moaned slightly, as his back was hurting slightly, having the child lay on his all night. He raised up fully, holding Prussia, and then setting him down on the wooden floor. He rubbed at his eyes again. Looking down, he set a hand down on the boy's head, and stood up.
"Yes, I suppose after I sent you to my bed, I just went to sleep here, and you must have followed." He walked over to the kitchen, and filled the kettle with water. "Gilbert...go and see about waking your Bruder and your cousins. I am going to start preparing breakfast."
"Ja Vati..." Prussia was in a much better mood than before, maybe it was the good nights sleep on Vati's chest or the fact that it was clear what Germania wanted of him and knew exactly what to expect that now made it easier to obey him.
Prussia peeked into his bedroom and saw two lumps sleeping he shook his head. He would wake them last. Then went into Vati's bedroom to wake Ludwig. He jumped on the bed.
"Ludi, Ludi wake up! WAKE UP!"
Meanwhile in Germania's woods, the trail became more and more narrow and the forest darker and thicker. Basch was not one to scare easy, but he was starting to worry he had come the wrong way.
Germania had watched the boy walk to the bedrooms, and decided on making some eggs, as with the chicken coop, eggs were plentiful. He walked out of the house, picked up the basket and went to the coop. He collected many eggs, enough to feed four hungry boys. He walked back to the house, and set the basket on the table, and then set to start kneading some dough for a fresh loaf of bread. Looking down the hall, he wondered if the boys were waking up.
Something was strange when Prussia jumped on the bed. It was empty, and Prussia looked all around the sheets and the bed but there was no little brother. Prussia let out a shrieking cry of alarm and ran out of the bedroom to Germania.
"VATI! VATI! LUDIE IS GONE, HE HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED!" Germania looked up, quite alarmed and rubbed his hand on his forehead, covering it with flour.
"Kommen wieder? (Come again) What do you mean Gilbert? If he is not in my bed, maybe he got a little confused, and wandered back to his and your bed. You know he sometimes does that. Now seriously, go and see if he is there, and don't get yourself all worked up." The nation leaned his hands back into the dough and continued. Roderich was still sleeping, and was very comfortable. Ludwig rested his head on the little nations shoulders. Yawning though, Austria looked over and shook his head realizing that instead of Basch, it was Ludwig.
"Ludie? Uh...but...where is Basch...what are you doing?"
In the deep woods Basch was not totally lost and turned around, he was trying not to get upset...he started to run hoping running would get him out of the forest faster, as he did he felt something grab at his foot jerk and the next thing he knew the world was topsy turvy upside down, he had stepped into a snare set for a deer and was now dangling upside down by one foot.
Prussia rushed into the room and saw Ludie and his cousin and frowned.
"VATI I FOUND THE KIDNAPPER! IT WAS RODERICH!" He yelled and went to grab Ludwig by the arm and shook him "Ludwig Ludie are you alright did he hurt you? How many fingers am I holding up?"
Basch tried desperate to reach up and try to unable the rope holding his foot, but it was tiring him out and he started to get frustrated and tears formed in his eyes he was going to be stuck upside down forever and no one could find him.
Germania slammed the dough down, and shook his head to himself.
"Oh Mein Gott...so early in the morning with this one..." He wiped his hands on his tunic, and made his way down to the boy's bedroom. Once arriving there, he saw Gilbert frantically worrying over Ludwig. He then looked over to Roderich. "Calm down Gilbert you are seriously making everyone here anxious." Clearing his throat, he then spoke to Ludwig. "Good morning my small one...I hope you had a good nights sleep, and Roderich, Basch, you both sleep well?" He looked over, and noticed something weird, Roderich was there, but Basch was not. Before he opened his mouth, Austria spoke up.
"Um Onkel...I woke up with Ludie, but Basch is gone! I don't know where he is..." Germania's moth gasped slightly. Basch had not liked being there, he thought the inevitable...perhaps he ran away?
"I bet he was kidnapped! The kidnappers decided that Ludie was too small and puny and so they took Basch instead! They were wrong though, Ludie is a lot more valuable than Cousin Basch. Prussia said patting his brothers head. in the woods the small nation had tired himself out from trying to get out the snare and now just dangled there freezing, crying and sobbing.
Shaking his head, Germania just knew the morning had only just started. He knelt down to the boys, and gave them all his attention.
"Nein Gilbert...I highly doubt he was kidnapped. Remember when we went into town and you thought Ludwig was kidnapped? Basch most likely wanted to go home, and ran away." The nation was slightly angry, because the little nation had been foolish. "Alright...this is what I am going to do. You are all going to stay here...you will STAY PUT...GILBERT. There is a loaf of bread sliced and some pear berry jam. Have some of that, and I will be back. Let me change." He got up and walked to his room to change. Roderich just looked upset.
Prussia nodded, when it came down to it he could be serious and take care of everyone including his Bruder.
"Ja Vati I will take care of the house and guard it while you go track down those kidnappers." Prussia said clutching onto Ludwig. "I will make sure Ludie and cousin do not starve!" He nodded his head.