I just read a review commenting on how fast I've been updating and it made me chuckle. How often I've been updating this fic is far from normal for me. But I think I will try to keep this pace in the future when I post new stories. Usually I have a fic completed in my head and have already started on another before I started typing out chapter 2. I haven't done that with this one. You guys are getting it as quickly as I come up with it. I like this method as it means fewer fics will get left hanging.
On to it then.
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Germany had been slightly confused when his boss told him that Canada had requested having a meeting with him about trade agreements between the two nations. He had thought that Canada may have been a new nation, or perhaps one of the micro-nations like that Sealand kid. His boss had been a bit surprised when he had voiced these questions and explained that Canada was the nation North of America and also the second largest nation on earth. Germany had the decency to feel ashamed at his mistake and hurriedly agreed to the meeting with Canada.
Which brings him to where he is now. Standing in a meeting room, his bosses aid that had come along to take the notes on the meeting and be the public representative for these trade agreements was sitting at the table going over some papers about Canada's exports and economy. Germany looked over to the door as it opened and saw, was that America?
"Ah hello Germany. I'm Canada." Canada was quick to introduce himself to the imposing nation when he saw the familiar look of mistaking him for his brother come across his face.
"Of of course." Germany coughs into his hand to hide the rising blush on his cheeks when he realizes Canada was expecting him to not recognize him.
The Canadian turns to the aid, "Excuse me, but would you mind stepping out. Before we get to the official business I was hoping to talk to Germany so we could just get to know each other better."
The aid looks to his country, who nods at him, before standing and leaving the room.
"Its unusual to have these sorts of meetings without the aids, Canada."
Canada nods, "I know, and I'm afraid I've been a bit deceptive with the reasons for wanting you to come here. But I couldn't have other nations learn of what I've done."
Germany gives him a quizzical look, "Then why tell me?"
"Because it involves you. What I've done I did partially for you anyway."
Germany furrows his brow in confusion and only just notices that the other nation is moving towards the door. He watches as he opens it and holds his hand out as if beckoning someone inside. Germany watches as Canada leads in a small white haired boy of about 12 who is looking down at his feet and shuffling in slowly. The Canadian closes the door softly before nudging the boy forward.
It isn't until the boy looks up at him that recognition flits across his mind. Those red eyes. Germany nearly takes a step, forward or backward he isn't sure, at the shock as he takes in the boy in front of him.
"Canada, who is this?"
"This is New Prussia. A province I had formed in 1947. And if you recognize him it is because I transferred the representation to a nation that was loosing their position at the same time." Canada fidgets a bit when Germany just stares at Gilbert. "I, it didn't go exactly as I wanted it to but it did work mostly."
Of the two brothers it was Gilbert that spoke to the other first, "Brother?"
It shocked both nations when after speaking that one word the province runs forward and wraps his arms around the German.
Gilbert recognized the blonde man that Canada had told him would be Germany nearly instantly. He had the same eyes and hair as the boy from his memory of the Thirty Years War. He didn't know how, he didn't care how, after muttering out 'brother' he bolted forward and clung to the taller man.
Germany was at a loss for what to do in this situation. He looks up at Canada for help and sees that Canada is just as shocked as he is at the actions of the boy. Awkwardly Germany lays his hands on the boys head and back in an attempt at a hug. The action causes the boy to look up at him.
"Sorry." He lets the taller nation go from the embrace and takes a step back, rubbing one foot against the back of the other leg. "I, I just..." He furrows his brow in thought, looking back at Matthew who just nods encouragingly, "I lost a lot of my memories after Mat, Canada transferred me to the land of New Prussia. Every now and then I remember things though. I, I remember you." Slowly as he was talking he started to remember more, though not in great detail, about what happened after the memory of the boy dieing in his arms, and he looks up at his brother. So he had done the same thing to save Germany as Matthew had done to save him. Only instead of a memory like swiss cheese Germany had complete amnesia. "I'm glad you're safe." It was odd but it was the only thing he could think of to say.
Germany knew this was his brother Prussia, sure he wasn't quite the same but he said he had partial amnesia. And really after all these years why would someone play a prank on him using the memory of his brother. He kneels down to get to eye level with the boy standing uncomfortably in front of him. He feels his eyes beginning to sting and knows that tears aren't long behind. He doesn't care. His brother, the one he has thought dead for more than sixty years is standing in front of him alive and well. He reaches forward and draws the boy into a fierce hug and lets the tears fall into his shoulder.
Unsure hands slowly raise and wrap around Germany's shoulders, comfortingly rubbing his back as best he can.
It takes a while for the brothers to both calm down and once they do Canada reintroduces himself using his human name. Germany returns the courtesy. Smiling Matthew offers to have Germany come back to his house on the excuse that it would be much more comfortable there to catch up. The brothers agree, and after explaining to the aid from Germany, they head to Matthew and Gilbert's home.
Gilbert is back to his usual self. Now aware of the fact that his brother was saved all those years ago and not simply left to die on the battlefield had him relieved and he chatted up a storm with catching Ludwig up on his life over the past six decades. He told him about everything.
"I've even made some really good friends here. They're awesome. They don't even mind that I'm different."
"Mmm, really. It's nice to know you've made some close friends bruder."
Sometime that afternoon the brothers were interrupted by the doorbell and turned to look as Matthew made his way out of the kitchen and to the front door to answer it.
"Is Gilbert feeling better today?"
"Alex! Guys!" Gilbert vaults over the back of the couch and hurries over to greet his friends. "Come on, I want you to meet my brother." Gilbert excitedly drags his friends into the living room and over to the German.
"Guys, this is Ludwig. Brother these are my friends I was telling you about." He motions to each one as he introduces them. "This is Alex, Byron, Dustin, Ed and Jordan."
Gilbert's friends nod and greet Ludwig as he does the same.
Matthew watches for a bit, smiling, it seemed Gilbert was back to his usual self. That was good. He then turned and heads back to the kitchen noting he'll need to make more now.
Dinner that night was boisterous as everyone chatted and talked about whatever came to mind. On several occasions Gilbert sputtered in indignation as either a friend or his brother shares an embarrassing story about him. Matthew is happy to note throughout the dinner that Ludwig seems less tense than he's seen him in years. So this is how he is when he isn't focused on work. It was nice to see that the German wasn't so stiff all the time.
After they ate Gilbert saw his friends off, promising to see them at school the next day. Not long after Ludwig also left, he had a flight back to Germany, but he promised to come back when he could. After all working out 'trade agreements' took time.
Once the guests were all gone Matthew took Gilbert into the living room. Something had been bothering him since he introduced Gilbert to Ludwig. The sudden change in his attitude after his memory induced daze. Matthew remembered when the boy had remembered about King Frederick II's death. It had taken him a few weeks to get back to his normal self. So what happened this time.
"Gilbert?"
"I know what you want to ask already Matthew. seeing Ludwig just helped the rest of that memory come back." Gilbert settles onto the couch, "I saved him. I saved him like you saved me, only he never was able to remember anything like I do. Since they actually tried to kill him when they dissolved the Holy Roman Empire I guess. I was able to save him though and that makes it hurt less. I," Gilbert pauses a moment and leans his head back against the couch. "I guess that's why they blamed me for the whole mess in WWII. A lot of them remember that I was the one to raise Holy Rome and then the next kid I bring up tries to do the same thing. My record doesn't look so good."
Matthew is silent as he listens. Making no response until Gilbert sits up a bit and makes to stand. "I should probably go do my homework and get to bed. School tomorrow after all."
"Yeah." Matthew nods. "Night Gilbert."
It wasn't until he got to school the next day that Gilbert realized that maybe he should have asked to stay home one more day. It was Friday and apparently two days is not enough time for high schoolers to forget about something as bizarre as a kid having a panic attack in the middle of class. As soon as he walked into the common space the other kids looked at him and began pointing and whispering. Frowning he makes his way over to his friends, the only people not treating him weird and tries to ignore everyone else. It works too, up until Jake walks over to them and heavily lays his hand on Gilbert's shoulder.
"Heya freak!" Gilbert and his friends stop in their conversation and all eyes turn to the larger boy standing behind Gilbert. "So I thought you only freaked over WWII history but apparently I was wrong." The nasty smile on his face earns him equally nasty looks from Gilbert's friends. "So what was that about anyway. You know I've always been curious about why you freak out in history. But now I also wanna know why you were screaming about your brother being dead. Did you watch him get killed or were you the one that killed him." Gilbert's friends were the only ones in a position to see his look darken as Jake continued talking. Asking if he had been the one that killed his brother was what made him snap though and his hand shot up to grab the hand on his shoulder in an iron grip.
"Shut up! You have no idea what you're talking about." His voice is low but the steel in it is stronger than his grip. "Leave me the fuck alone Jake. Go away now or I swear you're going to regret it."
Jake just scoffs and tries to pull his hand out of the smaller boys grip. "Fuck, like hell I'm going to just leave you alone. This is too good to leave alone man. Little freaky albino boy can't take a little friendly chit chat. So what you saw your brother die or some shit. He probably deserved it if he's your freaky brother."
Jake didn't even have time to register what was happening before he was sprawled on the floor, his cheek and nose aching. He slowly reaches a hand up to feel a trickle of blood coming from his nose. He scowls angrily and lunges for the now standing albino. Gilbert manages to dodge the punch aimed for his face and land one of his own in the other boy's gut before taking his elbow and driving into the doubled over boy's back. Jake struggles to get back to his feet, gasping to catch his breath. He makes a swipe for the smaller boy's legs and manages to bring him down to the ground. The two wrestle for dominance before they are pulled apart by a couple of teachers. Both boys struggle for a moment against their captors before relaxing and glaring at each other. A third teacher steps between them.
"What is going on here?"
Jake reacts first. "I don't know I was just talking to him when he freaked out on me and started attacking me."
"The fuck I did! You were fucking asking for it, asshole."
"Mr. Williams! That is enough! You will not use that language." Turning to the crowd the teacher asks for witnesses.
"Jake was provoking Gilbert. He was teasing him about Wednesday." Gilbert silently thanked Byron for being able to keep a level head.
"Is this true Jake?"
Jake scoffs, "I just wanted to know why he freaked in class, not my fault the guy's unstable."
"Both of you to the principle's office, now."
The boys glare at each other from across the room. They were sitting in the waiting area for the principle's office, one of the teachers that had pulled them apart standing nearby to make sure they didn't go after each other again as the teacher that had ordered them there was in the office explaining what had happened to the principle.
the door to the office opens and the principle calls them both in. Gilbert lets Jake go in first. "I've called your parents. They will be here shortly. Is there anything you want to say before they get here?"
"Yeah I want looney over there to get locked up like he deserves." Jake smirks at the albino and Gilbert just glares back. He doesn't say anything. He knows that somehow Matthew will get this worked out. He also knows he's in deep trouble because of this.
"Gilbert, do you have anything to say."
He continues to glare for a moment at Jake. "Nothing I say is going to change anything. I'm not sorry that I did it and I'm not apologizing if I don't mean it."
The principle sighs. "I see. Both of you please wait outside. You parents should be here soon."
The two boys went back out and sat in the waiting room. Jake's parents were the first to arrive and his mother began fussing over him while his father began to demand an explanation. Claiming his son couldn't have gotten into a fight, he was much to sweet and kind to do any such thing. Matthew arrived not long after and made to go straight to Gilbert before being stopped by Jake's father.
"Is that your boy that beat up my son?"
Matthew pauses and looks at Gilbert before bring his face around to look at the man in front of him. "I'm his older brother and legal guardian."
The man seems to get a triumphant gleam to his eyes as he hears this. "I hope you can pay for reparations. Your brother beat up my son and caused him severe trauma, both mental and physical."
Gilbert catches a look of glee from Jake as his father begins to make demands of Matthew.
"Sir," Matthew interrupts the man in his demands. "Why don't we talk to the principle first before you accuse me of being a bad parent to my brother." Matthew's voice is soft but full of strength as he talks. Jake's father stops and scowls at the man in front of him before turning and heading into the principle's office, his wife and son following him.
Matthew lets out a sigh and waits for Gilbert to stand before they follow in after Jake's family.
"I want him expelled. Look at my boy. He's bleeding and the other boy barely has a scratch on him. Its obvious who is at fault here."
"Mr. Bailey. Several of the students who saw the fight break out state that your son was provoking Mr. Williams."
"They're obviously his friends and are just backing him up."
"Yeah. Everyone in the school knows how unstable Gilbert is after what happened Wednesday. He just finally snapped, that's all."
The principle looks between the two parties before addressing Matthew. "Mr. Williams?"
"Yes."
"You've been raising your brother since your parents died..."
"Yes. It's been just the two of us. Gilbert isn't one to cause trouble. I stand by my brother sir. He isn't the type to attack another without provocation."
Mr. Bailey scoffs, "As if a kid your age could properly raise anyone. This is the problem here Mr. Jenkins. Someone barely down with school raising another child. I don't blame Gilbert for this I blame his brother. It's obvious that Mr. Williams is the one that has failed in this."
Matthew clenches his jaw at the accusation and turns to face the accuser. "Sir with all due respect shut the fuck up. You do not know me nor my brother. and if your son is anything like you I can completely understand why Gilbert hit him." Turning to the principle, "Gilbert will accept whatever punishment the school decides to give him for getting into a fight so long as it is solely the school's decision and not influenced by a parent who refuses to admit that his son was also in the wrong."
The principle looks between Matthew and Mr. Bailey before speaking his decision. "Both boys will have a one week suspension. So long as this sort of thing doesn't happen again we will leave it at that." Matthew nods at the decision while Mr. Bailey begins to sputter and stare accusingly at Matthew.
"I don't care what the school's decision is. I'll be suing you for damages against my son."
Matthew levels his stare at the other man, "Go ahead. I doubt you will find a single judge willing to take the case." He smiles sweetly at the angry man, "They're all rather good friends of mine." Taking Gilbert's hand Matthew turns to leave. "Come on Gilbert, lets go."
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They made it out to Matthew's car before Gilbert could bring himself to speak. "Wow. Matt you do realize Mr. Bailey is a lawyer right?" He looks at his guardian and smiles, "But that was still so awesome the way you handled that."
Matthew lets out a breath as he starts the car and begins to pull out of the parking lot. "You're still in trouble Gilbert."
"I know, I shouldn't have let my temper take over but he accused me of killing my brother."
Matthew glances over at the smaller boy and sighs. "As long as you understand that." They pull up to a stop light and Matthew runs a hand through his hair. "I was going to let you stay at home next week with the conference happening in New York but now I'm not so sure that will be such a good idea. especially with the way that jerk was accusing me of being a bad 'parent'. I don't want to come back and find that he managed to get child services to take you away."
Gilbert lets out a laugh at that and Matthew smiles, "Yeah, like that will happen. I'd just call your boss or something and have them bail me out."
"Still I think it might be better for you to come with me to the conference. YOu could see Ludwig again, and Francis and Spain will be there."
Gilbert nods, "If you say its ok. I don't want to cause you more problems than I already have."
"Alright then, I'll talk to Alfred about it. He may want to take the opportunity to break the secret about states to the rest of the world anyway."
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Wow I had a lot happen in this chapter. It just keeps going. I hope you all enjoyed reading this, please leave a comment to let me know if it was good or bad or whatever.