Then I was Young and Unafraid

Watching Switzerland finish his second glass, Germany made a grab for one himself. The other didn't fight him. After several bottles, the two feel liberated enough to take the next steps in sorting out the mess waiting for them in the living room of the Swiss man's home. Wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand, Ludwig met green eyes.

"Bereit?"

Pushing himself away from a half-eaten plate, the slighter bobbed his head. "Ja," He agreed.

With that said, the pair leave the kitchen and go to the living room where Liechtenstein and Austria sit side by side eating.

"Do you like that?" The girl smiled as she offered a bite of what Germany thought must be Getränkter Zitronencake*. Austria eagerly took it off her fork and smiled after swallowing.

Eyeing the treat, the boy's purple stare turned hopeful. "Mehr?" He implored in his oddly unrefined child voice.

The flash in the girl's eyes should have been all that was needed to know that the Austrian would be receiving as much of the treat as he liked, however, Switzerland's harsh voice broke in. "Don't be spoiling him Eva, you'll make Österreich fat."

Germany wanted to rebuke the man as he watched the small brunette sink back into the couch, an uncomfortable expression eclipsing his face. Yet it seemed he wouldn't need to. Completely ignoring her brother, the teenager moved the Getränkter Zitronencake from her plate to the one still on the coffee table.

"Ignore him," she said to the child. "He's just being stingy."

Hesitantly, Austria smiled. "Meinen Schweiz vas too," he murmured.

The German rose an eyebrow, attempting to catch the other man's gaze; but failed. Switzerland was too focused on his feet as his sister arranged the plate in the boy's lap. He didn't know where this "my Switzerland" came from, but it was undoubtedly a coping mechanism-no matter how unnerving he found it to be. Clearing his throat, the older nation caught the youths' attention.

"Österreich," he began, "Vould you mind if I asked you a few questions vhile you eat?" Nibbling on his treat, the boy seemed indecisive. Sighing, Germany pleaded a little. "Bitte? Ve vant to help you."

"Deutschland is good at asking questions," The girl offered. "He'll make it quick."

This seemed to be the right thing to say because Austria nodded.

Relieved, Germany crouched so he was at eye-level with the child. "Erstens, vhat's the last thing you remember before vaking up at meinen haus?"

Purple eyes darted to the static body of Switzerland. "I vas vith Schweiz, he and I-mostly him-finished chasing off my latest invader and he told me I had to get stronger.."

Ludwig nodded. "Nützlich," He praised. "Is there anything else? Even if it seems silly or not important, please tell me."

The boy's eyes shuttered with something. It was fast. Grown-up. "After I can't remember anymore, there's sad. But I don't know vhy..." His gaze shifted from Germany to Switzerland who would not look at him. "I don't know vhy there's sad. I vas happy after Vash rescued me."

It's not much and it really isn't helpful, but it's the truth. He can work with the truth. Reaching out slowly, he patted Austria's head. "Danke," he muttered. "That vas very helpful."

A light pink came to life across his cheeks. "You're velcome!" He squeaked.

Chuckling, the blond man stood up. "Vill you keep him occupied for a vhile longer?"

Liechtenstein smiled. "Ja, ve vere having a lot of fun looking through that buch, veren't ve?"

A shy smile budded on his face. "Uh-huh!" He concurred.

With that said, Germany reached back for Switzerland and lead him out of the living room. Once away and seated in the kitchen for a second time, Germany stared at the slighter man. "You refused to look at him," he noted.

"So?" He demanded as his eyes jumped around the room.

Leaning back in his seat, the man exhaled. "Just an observation," he replied.

"You'll take him back to your place, right?"

"Nein."

Shocked green found his blue. "Nein?!"

"Österreich vished to see you and see you he vill."

The slighter rose up and began to stalk the length of the kitchen. "I don't vant him!" He roared suddenly as he stopped in front of Germany.

"You expect me to keep him at meinen haus?" Germany murmured. "With mein bruder?" Bringing his hands together, the blond made sure he kept a firm look on his face as he held eye contact with Switzerland. "That is unfair to that junge. I do not think keeping him with his childhood enemy vill foster trust or happiness."

Vash's shoulder's slumped. "Vhat about me?"

"Do you think Österreich vould turn you away if you vere in his place?"

Silence reigned for several minutes.

"Nein," Switzerland grumbled. "He vouldn't understand, but he vould not refuse to have me either."

Relieved to see the man coming around, Ludwig said "You should be kinder."

"Every time I look at him, I think of how Österreich does not remember what that junge knows," the Swiss explained.

Germany had never thought of the friendships Austria had with others in his youth. He'd always figured there wasn't much to worry about besides his previous relationship with Hungary and the obviously antagonistic one he held with Prussia. Everything else seemed unimportant in comparison. Evidently, he'd been wrong.

Clapping his fellow nation's shoulder, the larger squeezed it in comfort. "You do not have to love him, just don't be so cold; ja?"

"Ja."

Taking it as the end of that issue, Germany inquired; "Vho do you think can fix this chaos?"

"I don't know vhat caused this, but..." the other's stare was troubled as he searched his taller counterpart. "It could be Magie; strange as that sounds."

It's not as strange as the boy in Vash's living room, Ludwig wanted to say; however he knew that would not be of help. So, he nodded. "I've heard rumors that England dabbles with magie."

"Does he know to keep his mouth shut? Ve don't vant the Erde to know about this."

Germany sighed. "Vhat choice do ve have?"

Switzerland appeared rather despondent at his reply. "Vhat choice doe ve have..." he shook his head and attempted a weak grin. "keiner, I suppose."

Well, what do you think of this chapter? Let me know!

To reviewers, Summer Leigh Wind and PirateANDelf; thanks guys. It means a lot. Like I said previously, if I have ten reviews by chapter five; I'll give a prize one-shot to reviewer eleven! So, you know, review if you want a one-shot!

Thank you so much for reading and pretty please REVIEW!

*Getränkter Zitronencake is a type of lemon bread/cake I hear is popular in Switzerland.

Words:

Ja-Yes

Nein-No

Mehr-More

Junge-Boy

Buch-Book

Erde-Earth

Chaos-Mess

Magie-Magic

Bitte-Please

Keiner-None

Bereit-Ready

Erstens-First

Danke-Thanks

Österreich-Austria

Nützlich-Good/Useful

Schweiz-Switzerland

Deutschland-Germany

(Meinen) Haus-(My) House

(Meinen) Bruder-(My) Brother

All my German comes from google translate, so please excuse mistakes and if you spy any, feel free to correct me!

*GIANT thank you to Mites for the correction of my German!*