"What can I do to get you to go to sleep, West?" Prussia asked tiredly. Germany was kneeling in his bed, playing with the blankets. Even Prussia would normally be asleep right now if Germany would just close those little eyes. But no, his little brother had determined to be as annoying as possible tonight.
"Nothing." Germany gave a devious little grin and a somewhat delirious giggle. "I'm wiiide awake!" He waited for a while before tapping on his brother's shoulder. "Prussia?" he asked softly, giving him sad eyes.
"What is it, West?"
Germany looked thoughtful for a moment but suddenly brightened. "It's night!" he giggled, and clapped, pleased with himself. It took every ounce of restraint Prussia had left not to strangle the kid.
"You have to go to sleep, West, or I'll never go to work on time!" Prussia exclaimed in frustration, practically in tears now. "Is there anything I can do to get you to sleep? Anything at all."
Germany tapped his chin, taking advantage of his brother's desperate situation. Finally he whispered innocently, "Can you tell me a story?"
Prussia rubbed his temples; his eyes were bloodshot. "Sure, kid, what do you want to hear, Hansel and Gretel?"
Germany shook his head firmly. "That one has a scary witch in it. I don't like scary witches. Tell me… tell me how you got Gilbird," he decided, looking at the yellow bird who lived primarily on Prussia's head.
Prussia smiled. He loved his little bird. "All right then," he said, laying Germany's little blonde head on his chest. "Let's see, I was about your age…"
PRUSSIA'S POV
Vati and I were walking in the yard, I had my brand-new wooden sword he made for me and was swinging it around like a little barbarian. The fall leaves crunched under my feet, which was fun so I kept jumping on them until I noticed something on the ground by my favorite tree. "Vati, come look, it's a little baby birdie!" I exclaimed, bouncing excitedly. Real wildlife, right in my front yard! And it was so cute and tiny and I would raise it on my own and it would take walks with me or maybe fly me around, if that was possible-
(Germany's interruption: Birds can't fly you, bruder.
Prussia: I know now. I was little then.
Germany: I never thought birds could fly people.
Prussia: Shut up and listen to the story.)
Anyway, as I was saying… I watched as Vati picked up the bird and sighed. "Prussia, this bird fell out of the nest," he told me, and bent down to look me in the eye. "Look, little Prussia, I didn't want to have to do this so soon, but I have to tell you… but birds that fall out of their nests don't usually live very long."
My eyes welled with tears as I looked down at my feathered friend. "That doesn't mean he'll die for sure!" I insisted, too attached to the baby bird already to lose him. "Please, Vati, we have to try to help him!"
"I know," Vati told me, "and we will, but just don't give your hopes up, Prussia. Baby birds are very fragile."
I nodded, wiping my eyes on my sleeve, and Vati helped me bring the little bird inside and called a vet to see what we should feed him. While he was on the phone, I decided to comfort the little guy. "Hey," I waved to him, "I'm Prussia, or, Gilbert Beilschmidt. What's your name?"
"Peep," he answered, looking up at me. I decided to translate it into Gilbird.
(Germany's interruption: YOU KNOW BIRD LANGUAGE?!
Prussia: Sure do, kid. I can tell you anything Gilbird is saying.
Germany: Wow.)
"Anyways," concluded Prussia, "that's how I found the little guy. And he's been my little buddy ever since."
Germany smiled, satisfied with his brother's tale, but one thing bothered him. "But Prussia? Aren't I your little buddy?"
Prussia winced. He didn't mean to hurt his little brother. "Ja, of course, West… but you're also so much more. You're my whole heart."
Germany grinned, content with his answer, and snuggled up against Prussia's chest, listening to the soothing beat of his steady pulse. His whole heart. That was pretty amazing to Germany, who figured that his perfect big brother had the biggest heart in the whole world. Maybe someday, he thought as he fell asleep, I'll be big enough to fit into my role.