Everything happens around 1413, a few months after the baptism of the Samogitians.
Toris stood in the now abandoned room. A small ray of light fought its way to it through some empty holes in the wooden wall, hidden by a curtain. The boy winced as another one shone straight to his face and quickly stepped away, bumping into a sharp edged table. A yellow candle fell to its side and rolled to the floor with a loud thud. Toris knelt down and took it. Dusty. Like everything in this cottage.
Although it's already more than a month since Kotryna passed away, her home still had the specific scent-her very own scent. It was a mix of linden honey and homemade bread,with a hint of herbs. He looked around and saw some on a long thread,which was hanging from the ceiling. Yes,his sister was a true witch. There was even a fireplace which always shone with a small,yet a strong fire. But without care it died out. A heavy sigh escaped his chest. That was the moment the boy noticed a box next to him,decorated with flowers and carvings. A hope chest! Toris almost laughed when he remembered that women held there their most precious clothes,jewellery and everything they'll want to take to the life that awaits after...
"They get married" he said out loud.
"This is a very pretty hairpin,what do you think?" Toris asked,his voice full of pride as he saw his sister take the small gift from him and clutch it to her chest.
"Yes,oh yes! Thank you,thank you,thank you!" Kotryna chirped and jumped up,enveloping the boy into a crushing hug,then stepped back." But,bruoli,where did you get this? Our people can't make pretty stuff like this. And these gems...Bruoli,where did you get this?" she repeated.
"It's my little secret" Toris chuckled and a new scar on his hand ached. But it was worth it. Just to see his sister smile. She,however,pouted.
"You can tell me that you got this during a raid to the Muscovy." she muttered and gently caressed the gift. Toris grinned and took it from her, then brushed a long strand of tangled brown hair from her eyes,clipping it with the pin.
"There. Now you look like a duchess."
Finally, a smile bloomed on Kotryna's lips, as she hugged her brother again. Toris noticed how small she was. He knew that Samogitia wasn't a powerful place,but this... Shocked him. For ages they were the same height, walking through the world as equal. But now she only was a small girl next to a strong man,who is her sibling.
" Bruolis is growing up,but Kotryna isn't..." she suddenly whispered,making Toris almost jump." How will she marry him?
"M-marry?"
"Mhm." she nodded." Girls who live around me are all married now... I want to be like them! With someone... And since you are the only one to care for me..."she shuddered,like realizing the words she said were childish,but Toris only squeezed her.
"I understand. But,not now,okay? One day we will. It's a promise."
" The deity of promises will rip your tongue out if you continue these promises." Kotryna said,but her voice seemed more happy now. He chuckled again.
"It's worth it."
"Married" his heart ached as Toris quickly turned around,away from the box,that kept her dreams and wishes. He couldn't make them come true...Suddenly,he tripped over something and his thoughts were disrupted."Wh-why on earth there are clothes on the floor?"the boy winced and took them,sniffing carefully."O-oh dear God" he coughed,covering his nose and dropping the dirty pile down.''Wait a second...These are men clothes!" he hissed. Yes,it was- pants,shoes,a cloak and -his stomach painfully twisted- underwear? Oh,it seems that some kind of a hired soldier thought it will be a nice place to stay! He has bad news then!
Toris walked to a small room,where stood a small bed and an another box. It was open,clothes scattered around. And in the bed... There was someone there and from the curves he knew it was a man indeed. His head hidden by a pillow, legs tangled with the sheets. And is Toris imagining things or that man is really clutching his sister's dress?
"Th-this is it!" the Lithuanian roared while jumping to the intruder,ready to strangle him. The boy ripped the sheets away,only to be stopped by a hand,the same hand which was holding the dress few seconds ago. Toris tried to pull away,but the grip was surprisingly strong. The man's head peeked from the pillow,looking at the other with a sleepy gaze. Lithuania felt as the knot in his stomach hardened even more.
"What are you doing here Pru-" Toris bit his lip. It was hard to call his enemy by his real name,but in this situation it seemed to be the right thing. "G-Gilbert?"
He still gazed at the brunette for a few moments with tear-stained red eyes as the Prussian leaned towards the male.
"You came back... With shorter hair thought... But you look even more pretty..." Gilbert rasped,while reaching for the Lithuanians brown locks. He reeked alcohol. Toris slapped his hand away,gently, as he saw that the injuries he left three years ago turned into deep ugly scars. Prussia,however, still approached him, falling on Lithuania's shoulders. A long,painful sob echoed in the room. "I hate you..." a choked voice cursed him,even thought the owner of it grasped Toris." H-how many times I proposed to her? How m-many?! B-but she never accepted my love... She wanted to be free-no- she wanted to be with you! With the man who... Who.. " he ceased. The other only grabbed Gilbert's hair and dug his nails into the scalp. His own eyes watered. He felt the pain too.
"Umh.. Kotryna... Be with me!" Gilbert grasped her hand,eyes darting to sides and cheeks tinted with crimson. It was the second time he proposed to her, but the girl only smiled again and brushed short white hair behind his ear. The boy felt his heart skip a beat, even thought this marriage has to happen only for a one reason. He has to merge his powers and lands with that honey haired boy and Samogitia was in the way. This has nothing to do with feelings. Or that's what he thought.
"You already know my answer and it's the same now too. I can repeat it if you didn't understand it." her face was radiating warmth,but voice hit with coldness. "My heart is promised to someone else and you can't take it. Nor with force,nor with love. The only way we could be together is if you make an alliance with Toris,which I know you won't. I know you never will. So it's a no. I won't marry you."
Gilbert flinched. Is it her voice from the past or from the present? Although it doesn't matter- the pain is the same...
"B-but you..We.."
Kotryna's eyes shut him.
"It was before. It was when you were still the Gilbert I knew."
He wanted to say something,but she walked away. He saw Toris and how she ran to him,smiling. If only he could steal it... That smile...
"If only I could.."Lithuania muttered. Prussia lifted his head,looking at him."...get you off me,so you would stop staining me with tears.
"Huh,wh-what? What are you on about?" Finally,his voice wasn't raspy anymore. And his mind a bit more clear.
"I somehow remember you being sober. But this... Boy,you never cried! "Toris raised his eyebrows,grinning. Then it hit Gilbert. The other male was trying to brush his crying off so he could look at him straightly later. That bastard! He knew how the Prussian hated to show his soft side. Although he was grateful. The white haired boy stood up,eyes looking for clothes." Don't you dare to put on those disgusting rags!'' Toris frowned." I don't care how you dress outside or in your house,but you have to be clean here!
"So what do I have to do?" Prussia whined,hiding a smirk.
"Take mine. I was going to stay here for a few days and took a clean change." he answered while Gilbert pouted.
"Underpants too?" he asked another question as he was only with an Adam's costume.
"Yes,yes. Don't worry,they are new,so you can take them." Toris wasn't disturbed by the nudity. He lived with Feliks long enough. Gilbert smiled as his eyes shone with gratitude for a second.
"Thanks"
Is it just Lithuania or Prussia is thanking not only for the clothes?
After few hours Toris was ready to go. He didn't wanted to stay in Kotryna's house anymore,since Gilbert seemed to prefer being there alone, although he shouted and grinned as always. The brunette walked to the porch and turned to the albino. He smirked.
"Hey,Toris. Promise me you won't come back with your men. I would like to stay with my limbs for some time."
"I promise,I promise." he tried to sound irritated,but failed somehow.
The deity of promises will rip your tongue out if you continue these promises.
He bit his tongue just to be sure as he left.
A/U: I had this written on paper for some time,but I was too lazy to upload. Also I tried to be historically accurate,but stuff happens. And if you see any grammatical mistakes,please tell me. Thank you .w.