"So I've been thinking..."
Hungary looked up from her book. The way Prussia had drawled the words out was a clear indication he wanted something but wasn't sure how she'd react. She smirked. "What is it, Gil?"
Gilbert glanced at her before darting his eyes back to the TV. "What if... This is just a what if... But what if... we got another dog?"
Elizabeta blinked. Of all the possibilities that had run through her head in the seconds it had taken him to finally spit his words out, him asking for a dog hadn't been one of them. "Another dog?" she asked, bewildered.
"Yeah..." Still keeping his eyes averted, he added, "Living with West... He had three dogs. So it kind of feels weird... You having only two dogs..."
Hungary tried her best to keep a straight face. That was such a silly excuse... 'He had three dogs.' 'You having only two dogs...' She knew damn well he just wanted a dog that was his. But of course he didn't want to just come out and say it. "Is that so?" she lightly asked, gazing back down at her book. As she suspected, he glanced at her again now that her eyes weren't on him. He was always like this when he asked for something he wanted... The dork.
"Yeah." Gilbert paused. "...I know we also have Gilbird, but he's just a tiny little wee bird. Not having a third dog just... doesn't feel right. It feels weird, feeding and giving treats to only two dogs. ...And Gilly. It doesn't feel right coming home to only two dogs, or only having two dogs to pat on the head. It feels weird, chickie!"
She couldn't keep the straight face any more. She let a smile slip and giggled. "Does it, now?" she teased.
Prussia furrowed his eyebrows. "It does, chickie, it does!"
Elizabeta finally brought her eyes up to look at him again, and as expected he quickly darted his away. She sighed. "...You really want another dog?"
"...Yeah."
"...You think we can take care of a third dog?"
"Yeah!" Sensing there might be a positive answer in his future, he at last met her eyes and leaned in excitedly. "Sure we can, chickie! I helped take care of West's dogs all the time! When he was away during the day or gone for a few days on trips, I always took care of them! I took care of them every day, chickie!"
She leaned her elbow on the armrest and grinned as she saw the hope in his eyes while the rest of his face remained serious, waiting on pins and needles for her answer. The dork... How could she say 'no' to that face? "Alright, then. We can get another dog. What kind were you thinking?"
As a huge smile spread across Prussia's face he embraced her and happily exclaimed, "I don't know! It doesn't matter! It'll be mine! That's all I care!" Realizing what he blurted out, he hurriedly stammered, "I-I mean-! It'll be our dog! It'll be ours, chickie!"
Hungary hugged him back and laughed. "I know what you mean, Gil! Ludwig's dogs were his, mine are mine... You love them as much as we do, but you still can't help but you still want one of your own, hm?" She pulled back and pecked him on the cheek. "We'll go looking tomorrow. How's that?"
Prussia's eyes shined with joy as he laughed too. "Thanks, Eli! Danke! Danke! I can't wait! I'm going to pick out the most awesome dog! Just you wait and see!" [Thank you! Thank you!] He kissed her and jumped off the couch, hurrying into the foyer. "Gilly! Florina! Andrei! Guess what?! We're getting another doggo!" he excitedly called to the pets. They chirped and barked in response, and Elizabeta giggled and returned to her book, shaking her head.
One bird, two dogs... And a man that practically acted like a dog himself. What was one more animal to the bunch? She smiled to herself as she turned a page. She wondered what kind of dog Gil would end up picking out...
"Mind olyan aranyosak!" Hungary gushed as she and Prussia slowly walked past the kennels, looking at the dogs as they passed by. [They're all so cute!]
The staff member with them smiled. "Vannak, nem? Tudassa velem, ha van olyan, amely kiemelkedik neked." [They are, aren't they? Let me know if any stand out to you.]
Gilbert beamed as he saw how excited all the dogs were. They barked and wagged their tails, jumping on the kennel doors and sticking their tongues out as they panted. He wished he could adopt them all, but their house would basically turn into a zoo at that point...
"What do you think, Gil?" Eli asked, turning to smile at him.
"I don't know! There's so many! And like you said, they're all so cute!" He looked back and forth across the aisle as they walked, until he noticed there was one dog not acting like the others. He stopped, looking into the kennel.
It was a white German Shepherd. While the other dogs were barking and jumping for attention, this dog was simply lying down on the floor, tail motionless and head resting on its paws. "Hey, doggie, what's up?" Prussia stepped closer and kneeled to get a closer look.
"Ó, ez Rolf." [Oh, that's Rolf.] The staff member weakly grinned. "Szegény srác néhány hónapja elvesztette a tulajdonosát. Öregkor. A családtagok nem tudták befogadni, és nem találtak neki otthont, ezért idehozták." [Poor guy lost his owner a few months ago. Old age. Family members couldn't take him in and couldn't find a home for him so they brought him here.]
Gilbert's heart dropped upon hearing that. To have an owner for who knew how long, then to suddenly end up here? That was just... so sad. "Poor Rolf..." He gazed at the dog, but the dog didn't so much as look at him, keeping his eyes on the floor. "...Hány éves?" he asked. [How old is he?]
"A család és az állatorvosunk szerint hat éves." [He's six years old according to the family and our veterinarian.] The staff member sighed a little as she went on to explain, "Ez középkorúvá teszi, ami sajnos megnehezíti az örökbefogadását. A legtöbb örökbe fogadni vágyó ember kölyökkutyákat vagy fiatal felnőtt kutyákat keres." [That makes him middle aged, which does make it harder for him to be adopted unfortunately. Most people looking to adopt go for puppies or young adult dogs.]
As Prussia continued to look at the dog, Hungary came up behind him and leaned to put a hand on his back. She looked from him to Rolf, then smiled knowingly. "...You've made up your mind, haven't you?" she softly remarked.
He nodded and looked up at her with a grin, his eyes shining with emotion. "Yeah... I have."
After the paperwork was completed minutes later Gilbert beamed down at their new pet. "You ready, Rolf?! You're gonna love living with us!" The dog didn't respond, his tail hanging limply behind him and eyes still downcast. As Eli took the papers and dog bed, they headed for the door. Rolf walked beside them, but was still devoid of energy and didn't tug at the leash or try to run ahead like most dogs leaving the shelter would. Prussia tried talking to him again. "That was nice of them to give us your bed and toys, huh, boy?" He lifted the bag in his hand, containing some of the toys Rolf's old owner's family had left him with. "You had them before coming here, huh?" Still no response.
Hungary gave him an encouraging smile. "He'll perk up once he gets used to us and his new home. You just have to be patient."
"I know..." Gilbert grinned at her. "Thanks for letting me have a dog, chickie. I love him already!"
She laughed. "I can already tell you two are going to be the best of friends!"
"Really?!"
"Mm-hm!" she assured him. "Just give him time!"
On the ride home Gilbert stayed in the backseat with Rolf, petting him the whole way. The dog didn't seem to mind, at least, as he just laid on the seat as Prussia continued talking with him. "You'll love Gilbird! He's the awesome-est little bird! And Florina is an energetic sweetie and loves belly rubs! And Andrei's the funny little mop dog! You should see him run!"
Elizabeta looked in the rearview mirror at the pair, smiling. "I hope they get along well... We'll have to see how they interact with each other."
"Aw, Rolf will be besties with them all in no time!" Prussia proclaimed with a wave of his hand. "I can't wait to get a picture of Gilbird riding around on Rolf's head!"
When they arrived home and walked up to the porch, they could hear Andrei and Florina barking on the other side of the door. Gilbird was probably chirping too, but his peeps were no doubt being drowned out by the dogs. At the commotion Rolf's ears twitched. Hungary unlocked the door and slid inside, quickly shutting it behind her. As Prussia waited outside with Rolf, he could hear Eli talking to the others, giving orders.
"Alright, alright, you two! Gilbird! Settle down! Settle down! Calm down or they're going to make you wait longer!" she sternly told them. "Sit! Sit! Stay! And Gilbird... Also stay! No flying!" The animals quieted and she slowly opened the door seconds later. "Okay, bring him in," she brightly said.
Gilbert pet Rolf's head and took a step forward. "Let's go in, buddy!"
Hungary had the dogs sitting, standing beside them with Gilbird perched on her shoulder. "Goodness, they're just as excited as you are!" she laughed.
Prussia beamed at the waiting crew and looked down at the new member. "This is Rolf, everybody! Be nice to him! He's been through a lot!" He pet Rolf's head again. "Do you know how to sit, boy?" Rolf sat. "Good boy!" He eagerly pet him yet again as he looked the other dogs over. They were sitting as told, but their tails were wagging excitedly behind them and they were squirming, ready to dart forward as soon as they were allowed. "Rolf lives with us now! He's a little older than you two..." He paused, looking to the ceiling, and amended, "I mean, technically you two are older by purely years, but lifestage wise he's older than you, so be understanding if he doesn't wanna roughhouse as much, ja?" [yeah]
Florina and Andrei barked in answer. Hungary reached up to pat Gilbird. "That goes for you too, Gilbird," she informed him. The little chick chirped. After a moment of letting the dogs take each other in, she finally waved her hand and the dogs rushed forward to greet Rolf. Gilbird was hot on their trail, flying to Andrei's head and landing with a happy peep.
Deeming it wise to keep Rolf on the leash still while meeting his new family, Gilbert watched as the animals met. Andrei and Florina were sniffing up a storm, panting and dancing on their paws, while Gilbird stayed atop the mop dog's head and cocked his head at Rolf with a chirp. Rolf stayed where he was, stiff as a board, but Prussia could still see his nose sniffing the others. And his tail moved just the tiniest bit. He grinned. "See, Eli? They're already getting along!" he exclaimed.
She smiled back at him. "I'm glad! You never know how the first meeting will be." She walked over and placed an arm around him as they watched the other two dogs start to beg Rolf to play with them, arching their rears and tails wagging madly behind them.
"You wanna play with them, Rolf? Go ahead!" Prussia unhooked the leash and Florina and Andrei ran off, expecting their newest playmate to come chasing after them. Gilbird flew after them, chirping excitedly. But instead of following them, Rolf merely walked over to the spot under the stairs, disappearing out of view. Prussia furrowed his brows. "Why's he going under there...?"
"Oh, I put his dog bed there for now. In case he wanted to stick to himself for the time being," Eli explained. "It's nice and secluded under there."
"Ah." As the other dogs ran back, wondering where Rolf got to, Gilbert walked over to the alcove and kneeled to see the white German Shepherd had indeed curled back up into his bed. He glanced at Prussia, then looked down at the floor. While Elizabeta shooed the other dogs away and explained Rolf wanted alone time, Prussia smiled and pulled a couple of his toys out of the bag and placed them next to the bed. "It's okay if you wanna be by yourself, buddy. It's a lot to get used to, huh?" He stood to look at Hungary. The dogs and Gilbird had run off to play and he could hear them barking and chirping elsewhere in the house. "Well... That's that. ...How does it feel to have another dog?" he asked as he walked back over to her.
She wrapped her arms around him and looked up at him with a smirk. "I think you should be asking yourself that, considering you were the one that said it was weird only having two," she joked. "So how do you feel about it?"
He smiled, then slowly frowned before sighing. "Kinda... Kinda still weird. I was expecting the homecoming to be a little more..."
"Exciting?" She closed her eyes and leaned into him. "Like I said, just give him time. Rolf probably still misses his owner. It's only been a few months since they passed away. If he really loved his owner, he's probably still wondering what happened..." She sighed as well. "That type of thing can be as unexpected and difficult to work through for animals as it is for us. We still have people we miss and wish were still here... It's tough." She squeezed him. "At least we understand where they went. Animals... Sometimes they can tell. Sometimes they're just confused."
Gilbert hugged her back. "Thanks, Eli. You always know what to say. ...I think Rolf knows what happened though."
"I think you're right..." She smiled up at him. "We'll just have to show him all the love and affection, then!"
He smiled back. "And I think you're right! Like usual!"
Later that night as Hungary made dinner, Prussia skipped helping like he normally would have and instead sat just beside the alcove under the stairs, his back to the wall and chatting with Rolf. He knew the dog probably didn't care for the company, and probably didn't know what he was even saying, but Gilbert didn't care, either. He just felt like being close to Rolf...
"My brother has a German Shepherd too, you know. He's a typical brown and black one, though. He's also got two other dogs! You might get to meet them sometime! When he visits he tries to bring them along so I can see them! And when we visit him we sometimes bring the whole gang, too! I think you would like Berlitz, Aster, and Blackie. And I'm sure they'd like you!"
He glanced over his shoulder. Rolf had his eyes closed. Maybe he was sleeping. Prussia turned back around and stared at the opposite wall, up at the landscape portraits. He was silent for a moment, wondering what to talk about next. ...Well, it's not like it even mattered. Especially if Rolf really was asleep. But it was kind of nice... Just talking to talk. He did it all the time with Eli and she would humor him and listen. So maybe Rolf would humor him too. "...What I said earlier was probably confusing. About Florina and Andrei being older than you even though they're younger. ...Eli and I are personified countries. Well... She is. I'm... Maybe... Sort of... Kind of still am...?" He scratched his cheek. "It's complicated. Anyway... Since we've been around for centuries, we're basically immortal. And when animals stick close to us and we get attached to them, and they get attached to us, our immortality kind of rubs off on them. So... Even though the other dogs are younger than you in lifestage years, technically they're older. Just 'cuz they've lived longer. It's the same for Gilbird, too. I've had the little guy since, like, forever... So... You'll be living quite a long time yet, Rolf! Isn't that awesome?"
Silence.
Gilbert pulled his legs up and wrapped his arms around them and rested his chin on top of his knees. "Although... Not gonna lie... Living forever isn't all it's cracked up to be sometimes. ...It's probably different for an animal. You got it made! You get to eat, sleep, play, and repeat, every day! But... I guess that's all I kinda do now, too..." He slowly frowned. "I used to do all sorts of things as a country. Important things. But those days are over. Lud takes care of everything now, for the most part. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of him! My awesome little brother grew up to be big and an awesome world power, just like I always hoped he would! It's just... I don't really know what to do now, you know?"
He glanced down the hall to the kitchen. He couldn't hear Eli humming, so she probably couldn't hear him either. Just to be safe, he lowered his voice a little. "I just wonder sometimes... What I'm supposed to do now, you know? So much has changed, and while everyone else still has their important country matters to attend to, and meetings to hold, and other things to do that countries just do... I don't really have any of that to do now. I don't feel as bad about it now as I did before, though. Thanks to Eli..." He grinned. "Being with her... Heh. I should have confessed sooner. We give each other new life! We have so much fun together, and make each other laugh and smile so much, even if we still argue and fight every now and then, like old times... Minus a frying pan to the face. But even if I don't know what to do now that West has the country stuff taken care of, I know where I want to be and who I want to be with. I'll figure the rest out later..." He closed his eyes, smiling. "I'm home, here. With Eli, Gilbird, Florina, Andrei, and now you, Rolf. I'm happy! The happiest I've been in years! So I hope you'll be happy here, too. Take your time sorting out what you need to. We'll be here. I-!"
He felt something beside him and opened his eyes to see Rolf had gotten out of his bed and was now lying on the floor next to him. He put his head in his paws once more, and he heaved a hefty sigh as he closed his eyes again.
Prussia's bottom lip wobbled as he fought the urge to happily shout for Eli to come look. Luckily she seemed to have perfect timing, as she poked her head out of the kitchen. "Dinner's ready, Gil. I-! Oh?! What's this?!" she squealed, stepping out and placing her hands on her heart in delight. "Awwww! Gil, look at him!"
"I knoooow!" Prussia gushed back, turning to look at her with teary eyes. "Eli! Eli! Hurry and take a picture!"
She had her phone out in an instant and carefully tiptoed closer to get a better angle. She bit her lip to keep quiet as she took the photo, and she whipped the screen around to show him the result.
"Ahhhhhhh! He's so preciouuuuuus!" he whispered, reaching down to pet Rolf.
"He issssss! You both arrrrre!" she whispered back, face flushed from controlling her urge to loudly squeal. "I'll send it to you! Then you can show the boys!" Her fingers were a flurry of motion as they tapped away on the phone screen.
Seconds later Gilbert felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he pulled it out, positively beaming as he saved the image. "I already told West we got a new dog! I was gonna surprise France and Spain next time we met up but I can't wait after this! I have to send this to them! And I'll send it to Feli, too! And Lovi! And Kiku-kun! And Roddy! And Lili! And Sey! And Bela! And America! And Canada! And-!"
"Yes, yes, I get it! Just send it to everybody," Hungary softly giggled. "After you're done with that we'll eat." She reached down and gave Rolf a gentle pat on the head. "Such a sweetie pie," she cooed.
"What about me?" Prussia teased, smirking up at her.
She rolled her eyes, then patted his head too. "You're a sweetie pie, too, dork," she replied with a smirk of her own. "Took you long enough to show me that side of you." She bent down and kissed the top of his head. "Now hurry up and send that photo so we can eat."
He blushed and chuckled. "Kesesese~! On it, chickie!"
"I'm hoooooome, everyone!" Prussia crowed the next day as he closed the door behind him, arms full of groceries. Andrei, Florina, and Gilbird hurried to greet him, barking and chirping away. Elizabeta leaned in the archway leading to the living room, smiling as Rolf slowly followed her. "Oh? You two getting acquainted?" Gilbert asked with a grin.
She looked down at Rolf and reached to rub one of the dog's ears. "I suppose! Someone had to keep Rolf company while you were gone." She raised an eyebrow. "Did you remember to get the new food and water bowls for him? If not the travel ones should still work for the time being."
"Of course I remembered! And I got gifts for all of you!" Gilbert proudly stated, reaching into one of the bags. "For my awesome little chick! A new toy!" He held up a rope string with beads tied along it and a bell at its end and shook it, making the bell jingle. Gilbird instantly swooped in, snatched it up, and flew away with it. He perched on the bookshelf and shook the rope vigorously in his beak, the bell jingling away with each shake. "For my awesome chickie! Some chocolate!" Prussia pulled out a box of chocolates next and held it out to Eli. She eagerly grabbed it and grinned as she tore the plastic wrap off it.
"Thank you, Gil~!" She opened the box and wasted no time in popping a chocolate into her mouth.
"And for my awesome doggies!" Gilbert next pulled out some rawhide bones, giving one to each. "One for you... One for you... One for you!" Florina and Andrei happily took theirs and went back into the living room, tails wagging with enthusiasm for their new treats. Rolf sat and adjusted the bone in his teeth, his tail slowly wagging on the floor. Prussia's smile grew even wider at the sight. "And~! Guess what, Rolf?! I got you one more thing! Just for you!" He reached back into the bag and pulled out a bright red collar. A bone shaped tag jangled from it. "When I was at the pet store I got you this! And look! Your name's even on it!"
Hungary grinned. "Aw! Now he matches the other two! How cute!" She ate another chocolate, eyes sparkling in delight.
Rolf looked up at Prussia as the collar the shelter had given him was removed and replaced with the new one. The red boldly stood out against his snow white fur. Gilbert laughed as he straightened. "Ha! I just realized... Now they all have collars the color of your flag, chickie! Andrei's got a white one, Florina's got a green one, and now Rolf's got a red one!"
"How fitting! Are you sure that wasn't your intention when you picked red?" she teased.
"Positive! I just thought red would suit him!"
"That, and red's your favorite color."
"That too." Prussia looked down at Rolf. "Do you like your new collar, Rolf?!"
To his shock and delight, the dog's tail started rapidly wagging. Rolf adjusted the bone in his mouth again and his whole body started moving with the force of his wagging tail.
Elizabeta warmly smiled. "I think he does." She took a few steps and held a chocolate out to Gilbert. "Thank you for the treats, Gil! Here's a treat for you!" She giggled as he opened his mouth and she gave him one. "Hehe... Good boy!"
"Woof!" he playfully barked with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"Hmmm... Are you going to be a good boy later tonight~?" she teased, holding another chocolate aloft, just over her shoulder. When he gave another bark, growling just a tad with it and toothily grinning after, she giggled and let him have it. "Such a good boy!"
"Of course I am! I'm the best boy!" he proudly boasted.
She smirked. "I suppose so..."
A couple nights later, Prussia woke up to go to the bathroom. He rubbed his eyes and as he swung his legs over the bed he heard something move at his feet. He looked down to see Rolf hurrying to get up with him. He stared at the dog a moment, then smiled and crouched to rub the dog's ears. "You want to sleep up here with us?" he whispered, trying not to wake Eli and the others. Gilbird was fast asleep in his nest, and Florina and Andrei were sleeping in their dog beds against the wall. Rolf peered up at him and his tail started going.
Prussia grinned and patted the dog's back. "Okay. Let's go downstairs and bring your bed up."
As they quietly descended the stairs, he kept glancing down at Rolf. When they reached the small alcove under the stairs, he stood a moment, then headed for the kitchen. "Actually... I think I might have myself a little midnight snack. Care to join me?" he asked, looking back to the dog with a sneaky smile and gesturing for him to follow.
He gave Rolf a treat from the jar of dog biscuits and held a finger to his lips. "Don't tell the others or they'll be mad. This is our secret, okay?" Rolf accepted the treat and stayed at his side as he grabbed a pastry from the bakery box Eli had brought home the other day. Sitting down, he was delighted when the dog padded over and sat beside him, contently munching away at his biscuit.
Prussia rubbed Rolf's back affectionately as he ate. His thoughts wandered as he looked the dog over, admiring his white coat. You didn't see many white German Shepherds... The idea that Rolf's old owner's family had given him up to a shelter still irked him. Even if he was an older dog, almost a senior, he was such a beautiful dog... But he reminded himself they probably had their reasons. Maybe they had really wanted to keep him but lived in an apartment that didn't allow pets. Maybe they already had other animals and taking in another would burden them too much. Maybe they couldn't afford to keep him. Maybe they didn't have a lifestyle suited for a dog. There were plenty of maybe's... That was just how life was sometimes. Maybe this, maybe that, but never a way to know for sure. He would give them the benefit of the doubt. And he'd be thankful, too. If they hadn't dropped Rolf off at the shelter, he and Eli wouldn't have him at all. And while it had only been a few days since they had adopted him, Rolf already felt like part of the family.
Then his thoughts wandered in another direction. An even sadder direction. He frowned slightly as Rolf looked up at him, examining him as he felt Gilbert tense. "...I'm fine, boy. Just..." Prussia's lip twitched. "...Just something I remembered. From a long time ago... But not really that long ago..." He paused, then sighed, closing his eyes. Why the hell not? It was just him and Rolf, anyway... "By all rights, there should be more of you guys running around. I know you're not that rare, but still... Our old boss was a fucking lunatic." He scowled. "Thinking white German Shepherds dulled coat colors and that you were responsible for genetic defects in the breed... Blödsinn." [Bullshit.] He shook his head, gritting his teeth. "Anything different..." He opened his eyes when he felt something in his lap. Rolf had laid his head down on his legs, gazing up at him.
Prussia gave a throaty chuckle. "It wasn't just you guys, though. Fucker had a whole list... Including me. Lud was perfect in his eyes, but me... Wouldn't so much as look at me. He would talk to West, or if he wasn't there and it had to be me, the Arschloch would just look out a window or keep his eyes on his papers. It's a fucking wonder he didn't try to do anything to me... I probably have Lud to thank for that though. Either that or I scared him. Maybe both." [Asshole] When Rolf gave a small whine, Gilbert sighed again and continued petting him. "Whatever. Fucker's dead now. I just..." He looked down at Rolf, and something about the way the dog was looking at him made him tear up. He leaned down and cautiously, slowly wrapped his arms around him. The dog allowed the hug and Gilbert sniffled as he kept his arms around Rolf. "I'm just glad we're here... We're lucky. Real lucky..."
Minutes later as Gilbert returned to bed and pulled the covers back over himself, he looked over to where he had lined Rolf's bed up with the other dogs' beds. Rolf was already curled up in it, head in his paws and eyes closed. He couldn't help but give a small happy sigh as he rolled over and draped his arm over Eli.
"Hm?" she sleepily murmured, feeling the gesture. "Gil?"
"Nothing, Eli. Go back to sleep. You'll see in the morning," he whispered, closing his own eyes with a grin still on his face.
Yeah... No doubt about it.
He was lucky.
And Rolf was lucky.
He was home.
And Rolf was home.
And there was no 'maybe' about it...
Elizabeta hummed to herself as she walked up to the porch, giddy with excitement as she carried bags in her hands. On the way home from her meeting she had stopped at the pet store and bought Gilbird and the dogs some new toys and treats. She couldn't wait to see how they reacted to their presents! And of course, she had gotten a little treat for Gil too. It was supposed to be a dog toy, but she knew he wouldn't care. All he would see was a fluffy and cute chick plush and he would be ecstatic over it. Hell, he would probably freak that it squeaked if you squeezed it, she mused with a giggle. As though he didn't already have enough chick plushies... She had seriously lost count. He probably had as well. She smirked to herself at the thought. Well... Whatever the count was, it was now plus one.
She made to open the door then stopped, hearing him swear on the other side of it.
"Scheiße! Ack! Not on there! Get back here!" [Shit!]
She heard running and stood still with her hand on the doorknob, waiting to see if she could hear anything else. She heard Rolf barking excitedly, which in turn caused Andrei and Florina to bark as well. She assumed Gilbird was also chirping somewhere in the loud commotion. She stared at the door. ...Did she really want to go in and see what was going on?
With a resigned sigh she opened the door and immediately gasped. Mud. Mud everywhere. The walls... The floor... Not just mud, either. Muddy pawprints. And muddy footprints.
"GILBERT BEILSCHMIDT!" she cried out, kicking the door shut behind her with a little more force than was necessary. "WHAT THE FUCK AM I SEEING HERE?!"
"Scheiße!" she heard him swear again, from the living room. She swiftly walked over to the archway and fixed a fierce glare at him as he awkwardly stood by the armchair, eyes wide and hands quickly dropping to his sides. Behind him madly barking were Florina and Andrei, with Gilbird chirping away upon Florina's head. Rolf was nowhere to be seen, but judging from the awfully suspiciously big bundle of blankets sitting in the armchair, she had a pretty good guess where he was.
"Gilbert. Explain." She scowled at him. The man himself was a fucking muddy mess, with mud splattered across his face, in his hair, on his shirt...
Prussia anxiously laughed, darting his eyes away as he exclaimed, "Ch-Chickie! Y-You're home! Great! Awesome!"
"Gilbert."
"I thought you'd be gone a little longer! Wow! You were speedy!"
"...Prussia. Look at me."
He slowly turned his eyes back to her, a nervous grin plastered on his face.
"..." She set the bags down and crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Where's Rolf?"
"Ah... He's..."
Hearing his name, the pile of blankets began to shake, a not-so-white tail poking out from under them and wagging excitedly.
"Let me see him," Hungary demanded.
Knowing there was no way out of the situation, Prussia groaned and begrudgingly obeyed, sliding the blankets off Rolf. The dog was grinning and panting, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he looked from Gilbert to her, then back to Gilbert, almost proudly. He was no longer white, but completely brown, caked in both wet and dried mud from head to toe.
She put a hand to her mouth, eyes widening. "GILBERT FUCKING BEILSCHMIDT! Bazd meg..." [Fuck...] She stared, at a loss for further words.
Gilbert weakly chuckled, then lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "So, uh... Yeah... Did you know it's raining outside?"
She closed her eyes, gritting her teeth as she replied, "I am aware..."
"Yeah, so... uh... I let the dogs out to, you know, do their thing, and... Well, Andrei and Florina came right back. But Rolf... um..." He lifted a hand to scratch his cheek, accidentally scraping some dried mud off. It fell to the carpet beside his muddy shoes. "He found a puddle."
"...Why didn't you hose him off?!" Hungary gave him a bewildered look as she hunched her shoulders and motioned with her hand towards the back door, to where the garden was just outside it. "You could have hosed him down before letting him back in!"
"I was going to!" Gilbert huffed, placing his hands on his hips and giving her an annoyed look. "I thought of that! I'm not stupid!"
"I didn't say you were! But what happened then?! Because clearly you didn't hose him off!"
"I needed towels to dry him off after! So I went to come inside and get them and he shoved his way past me before I could stop him!"
"Why couldn't you just get towels after you washed him?!"
"Because I wanted to have them ready for when I was done cleaning him!"
"It's raining, Gil! They would have gotten wet while you washed him!"
"...Verdammt. ...I didn't think of that," Prussia sheepishly admitted, his cheeks reddening under the mud. [Damn.]
They were both silent for a few seconds, just staring at each other, then Hungary sighed. "Well..." She suddenly broke into a fit of giggles. "W-W-Well! G-Guess you have a mess to clean up! B-But first-!" She pulled her phone out and quickly snapped a photo, tears coming to her eyes as she tried fighting back the laughter threatening to break free. Now that the initial shock from the situation she had come home to was fading, it was quite hilarious... "Geez! Wait until Pol and the girls see this! Oh my God...! Such a great photo!"
"Lemme see!" Gilbert eagerly stepped forward only to have her scowl at him again.
"After this is all cleaned up! And he's clean!" She smiled at Rolf. "Don't worry, sweetie, I'm not yelling at you. I'm yelling at your idiot owner."
"Hey! That time you did call me stupid!" Prussia retorted, furrowing his eyebrows in offense.
"I didn't call you 'stupid'. ...I called you an 'idiot'," she corrected him. "And can you blame me?"
Looking around at the state of the living room and knowing the rest of the downstairs wasn't much better, Gilbert slumped his shoulders in defeat. "...Guess not," he mumbled. "I'll get to work, chickie."
"Thank you, Gil." She reached for the bags again and turned to go, with the other dogs hurrying to follow her as Gilbird flew to perch on Prussia's head. Suddenly a thought came to her and she stopped and looked over her shoulder at him and Rolf, smiling. "You know... It's only been a couple of months, but seeing the difference in Rolf is rather nice. It's good that he's so lively now! ...Maybe not so good that's he's also mischievous like you," she joked. "But... If nothing else, I can definitely tell he's yours."
Prussia beamed at her. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." She warmly looked at him for a moment, eyes sparkling in amusement, then she headed into the hall. "...Oh my God!" she cried out, bearing witness to more of the mess as she walked. "A fenébe! That better come off! Geez!" [Shoot!]
Gilbert looked down at Rolf, still happily beaming. "You hear that, Rolf?! You really are mine, aren't you?"
Rolf barked in agreement from the chair, wagging his tail and jumping up to put his paws on Prussia's shoulders. As he licked his owner's face, Gilbird peeped and tugged at Gilbert's hair.
With a laugh, Prussia pet both of them. "You too, Gilly! You're both mine! And you're both awesome! So, so awesome...! The most awesome-est pets an awesome guy could ask for!"