Chapter Text
Germany was in his fluffy pink apron, flipping pancakes, frying wurst, and making eggs at the stove. Prussia was sitting at the kitchen table, in the seat farthest away from the kitchen. Germany quickly looked back at Prussia, who had a strange look in his eyes as he stared at the floor. Germany turned back to his cooking and cursed as a speck of oil jumped from the pan and burned his hand. Immediately, Prussia's head snapped up.
"Vest, are you okay?"
Germany nodded. "Yes." He finished scooping the wurst up and put them onto the plates.
"I know zhis is not suitable for lunch but...it was zhe quickest to make." Germany said as he put the plates of food onto the table.
Prussia shrugged and said loftily," Nozhing is too unsuitable for my awesome tastebuds..except for England's cooking.." Prussia visibly shivered at that.
Germany also shivered. At that time, he thought his brother had died. How could America have survived for that long with that food? "It is good that you survived it."
Prussia glanced up at Germany and there was a pause before he replied. "Obviously I survived it! I'm too awesome to die! Kesesesese!"
Germany snorted. Of course his brother would say that..
"Vhat? It's true!" Prussia insisted.
"Of course.."
"Hmph! Fine! Since you can't accept my awesomeness, I shall attack your pancakes!" Prussia picked up his fork and attacked Germany's pancakes, taking one of them for himself.
Germany made a sound of indignation. "I only make zhem once in a while! Let me enjoy zhem!"
"Kesesese! Nein!" Prussia took a dramatic chomp out of Germany's stolen pancake. "Zhis is good."
Germany sighed and inside decided to silently eat his pancakes, silently relieved that his brother still had his sense of humor, but at the same time, annoyed because he took his pancake..
"Do you know what zhis needs?" Prussia suddenly asked.
Germany looked up. "Hm?"
Prussia's eyes lit up. "It's zhis awesome zhing called maple syrup! This Canada guy showed me and it was so awesome, I gave him zhe awesome award!" Prussia's arms started to wave around wildly. "It was so awesome zhat I drank an entire bottle of it the next day and it is good wizh pancakes says zhe Canada guy! Let's go get some!"
Germany sweatdropped. "Er...okay.."
Prussia whooped in victory and then started to devour his food. "Hurry up, Vest! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Prussia jumped up from his seat and tapped impatiently as Germany slowly ate his food leisurely.
"Let me enjoy my pancakes bruder."
Prussia sighed exasperatedly. "Hurry uupp."
"Finally!"
Germany had just finished eating and was now currently being dragged outside by a very hyper active Prussia, clad in sunglasses and a coat.
"Vhy are you so excited for zhis? It is just food."
"Food?" Prussia scoffed. "JUST food? Nein! It is the drink of zhe gods! It is so delicious that it will made you zhink that you are not vorthy for zhe drink for it is so heavenly!"
This outburst earned Prussia a few strange looks. Germany glanced around and mouthed a quick sorry to them as he was dragged away again, this time into a store.
"Yes, how may I help you today?"
"Excuse my awesomeness but-" Prussia halted to a stop as he saw the employee. He nudged Germany and motioned for him to speak. Germany gave Prussia a strange look and whispered, "Vhy can't you do it?"
"Just do it for me!" Prussia harshly whispered back.
"But vhy?"
"Please!" Prussia's harsh tone now morphed into a desperate tone. Germany froze. Why the hell did Prussia do that? It was just a man, just a human employee. He never knew who it was and will never need to. The employee awkwardly started to shift away.
"Vait!...er.. is there any maple syrup here?.."
The employee quickly shook his head. "No.."
Then Prussia practically dragged Germany out the store and into the street.
"Vhat happened?.." Germany asked after a few moments of walking.
"Nozhing.. I just don't vant to talk to humans right now.." Prussia replied, shrugging. Clearly it was an excuse. Germany's eyebrows furrowed in confusion but he didn't ask anymore. Clearly his brother didn't want to tell him and he had no right to prod. But it couldn't stop him from wondering. They silently entered the next shop, and again, an employee greeted them at the door. "Welcome! How may I help you?"
This time, Prussia had no problem talking to her. "Excuse me, fräulein!" Prussia shouted out confidently, quite unlike his rather withdrawn and shy phase in the previous store, "Is zhere any maple syrup here?"
The woman seemed surprised at his loud outburst but replied earnestly," Yes, sir! They're in Aisle 3. Would you like me to show you two there?"
Prussia shook his head. "Nein! Ve'll find it ourselves! Kesesesesese!" He then ran straight into Aisle 1.. The aisle that was meant for baby food and stuff like that. "VRONG ONE!"
Germany snorted in amusement and went to buy the maple syrup his brother liked so much. Then..he was going to find his brother.. who was currently in the pet section.. After he purchased the maple syrup, he turned around to look for Prussia. He looked high and low, far and wide, and in aisles 1, 2, 3, and 4..ten aisles more to go. Then, in the midst of his search, a loud crash filled the store.
Thinking it was nothing, in fact, it was probably his brother stirring up trouble again, he made his way over to the place the sound originated from.
Well, Germany was right. Though he would wish that he wasn't. It was his brother. It was his brother laying on the floor, surrounded by broken shards of glass and a pool of his own blood, with the light shining on him like a spotlight.
Germany froze for a moment, other people starting to come too and being horrified by the sight. Germany rushed forward, not caring if the glass cut him or if the blood seeped into his clothes.
"A-ambulance!" He managed to choke out, cradling Prussia's head in his arms. "Someone, call zhe ambulance!"
A murmur rushed around the growing crowd as people took out their cellphones and quickly dialed for the ambulance. The rest was a blur to him. Paramedics arrived and Prussia was rushed to the hospital with Germany who was almost always by his side till Prussia was brought into the hospital rooms.
"Sir?... Excuse me, sir? Sir?" Germany was prodded awake and looked up to find a nurse holding a clip board close to her chest.
Wait, where was he? Why was he in the hospital? In an instant, memories flooded back to him. "Bruder! My bruder, Gilbert Beilschmidt, vhere is he? Is he alright?" Germany shouted. .
"U-um I think he's in room 212, second floor, last room on your left.. H-he's awake. Only family is permitted. He's had stitches and please don't be too loud." She stuttered, obviously frightened.
Germany forced himself to calm down. He was scaring people again. He shouldn't do that. "Danke." He said to the nurse before hurrying off to find room 212. He walked into the blindingly white room, and his eyes locked onto Prussia, who's face was scrunched up in pain.
"Pru-Gilbert!" Germany whisper-shouted, his voice coated with concern, trying to get his brother's attention as he sat in one of the guest chairs. "Gilbert, vhat's vrong?.."
"..Zhe light...close zhe curtains.." Prussia whispered, his hands coming up to cover his face. Germany did as he was told and the room didn't seem so white anymore. Then he turned to Prussia. "Bruder...East.. vhat happened?" Germany asked, trying to make his voice as soft as possible. Prussia attempted to answer but instead pressed his head closer into the pillow, and immediately jumped up from the sharp pain.
"Take it easy. You've just had stitches.." Germany urged.
Prussia groaned. "Yeah, obviously.." He said as he slowly got into a comfortable position on the bed while lying down. " How?"
Germany looked at Prussia. "Vhat?!" He asked, shocked, " You don't remember?"
"No..Am I supposed to?" Prussia said jokingly.
"Ye-"
" Ah, hello Mister.."
Germany turned and saw a doctor in a white coat. " Excuse me?"
The doctor ahemed. " Well, I'm Dr. Beck and you are?"
Oh. " I'm G- Ludwig. I'm Ludwig." Germany said, mentally chastising himself as he almost used his country name in front of a human.
"Alright and I believe you are his.. brother?.."
Germany nodded.
"Good, please step outside Mr. Ludwig. I need to speak with you about something." Mr. Beck said and walked outside the room and Germany followed him.
"Mr. Ludwig, I'm concerned for your brother's health. More specifically the health of his brain." Mr. Beck said. "I looked through his medical history and I see that he's had one concussion in the past year and a major one in the past decade." He looked at Germany as he said this. "Usually, damage made by concussions will heal with proper rest but unfortunately, your brother hasn't been at least resting that often. I fear that another major concussion will permanently damage his brain. Please, make sure that he has proper rest and not to do anything too physical for at least one month. I'd say he should go to bed by at least 9. Eight would be good though. Also, bring him back to the hospital if he complains about being nauseous or continually throws up. It is important to note that at least half of patients who had suffered a brain injury to suffer from sudden sadness and if he ever has any suicidal thoughts or tendencies, also bring him back because it may develop even worse, and-... Actually I think that's all. No alcohol too. He's discharged today and oh, remember to keep the stitches clean and bring him back in two weeks to remove the stitches. That's all, goodbye. I have other patients to tend to."
Then Mr. Beck walked away, leaving Germany alone in the hallway. Then a nurse popped out of Prussia's room. How did she get in there without him noticing? "Excuse Mister Ludwig, Mister Gilbert is ready to leave."
"Alright. Please tell him I'm coming."
"Will do, also you need to fill out some forms before he leaves."
"Yes, please have them out."
"They'll be at the front desk."
"Danke."
Germany exited out of the vehicle, helping Prussia out after. The two headed into the house and Prussia immediately collapsed onto the couch.
"Ahh~..." He moaned, stretching. "It feels good to be back~"
Germany ignored his brother's comment and looked up at the clock. '7:00 pm.. It's so late. Prussia needs to get to bed by 8.. we need to eat now.'
"Prussia, wash up and go sit at the table. You must eat." Germany commanded, immediately heading into the kitchen to prepare food.
Prussia rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "Yes mutter."
Germany snorted and began to cook a small dinner of sausage and pasta. Yes he got the recipe from Italy. And no, he didn't regret it. It actually tasted very good. He slowly made his way to the table with the plates in his hand. The plates made a satisfying 'clink' on the table as he sat down and waited for Prussia to come down. He waited and waited.
As he was waiting, Germany brooded over what the doctor said. ' "If he has another major concussion, he may have permanent brain damage." ' What would happen if something like this happened again? How would it hurt Prussia? But.. he could recover by having enough rest right? That was what the doctor said. But Prussia hadn't been sleeping that well.. Or rather at all. Germany thought to when he woke up to find his brother on the floor rolling around probably due to boredom. When he was asked when he woke up, Prussia had merely shrugged and said, ' 2 am.' They had both gone to bed that night at 1. At the time, Germany brushed it off as nothing. But now.. he wished that he had prodded Prussia for more information. Maybe he should sleep with Prussia tonight, just to make sure he slept easy tonight. Germany blushed at the thought. It made him feel like a little child again no matter what the purpose was. He did always sleep next to Prussia when he was younger. Argh, Prussia might take it the wrong way..
Germany shook his head and tried to remember what else the doctor had said.
' He also said something about suffering from sudden sadness or suicidal thoughts.. '
And suicidal thoughts was connected to depression. Depression. Shit. How did he forget about that? Well...Prussia did seem happier and the day's events were hectic.. But how could he have forgotten? Germany groaned. He was a horrible brother.. Even if Prussia didn't seem sad all the time, he should still be on the lookout for signs! And if Prussia's head injury could make him even sadder or suicidal, combined with the depression- Germany slammed his fist onto the table. Goddamn it! And he still had guns laying around even though they could be used for a suicide attempt!
Germany quickly stood up and nearly knocked over the table in the process. Wait..it could wait till tomorrow. It was nighttime and by staying away from Prussia, he was risking Prussia having to deal with his depression on his own. And not sleeping. During this week and the next, he would stick by Prussia's side all day. He should request a break from his government. A 2 week break.
Then he looked at the clock. 7:45. Prussia was taking so long. He should be down by now. Germany's eyebrows furrowed in concern. A bad feeling entered his chest. He should go check up on him. Germany walked up the stairs and nearly crashed into Prussia as he made his way to the bathroom.
"Sorry Vest! I had to take a dump!" Prussia chortled. "Now let's go eat!"
Germany groaned and the concern dissipated in a second. All that worry for nearly nothing... As Prussia passed him, he smelled something weird..
"Is that...is that my cologne?!"
Prussia turned to look at Germany. "Kesesesese! I needed some perfume to cover up zhe shit smell! Your cologne was perfect!" Prussia crowed and then jumped down the stairs...and tripped. Prussia landed on his face and stayed there like that for a while. Germany started to get worried as he stared at Prussia's unmoving body. He slowly made his way down and tapped Prussia. Prussia suddenly jumped up and his head smashed into Germany's.
"OW!"
Cursing, the two brothers hold their heads in pain. After Germany's pain subsided, he checked up on Prussia, who's pain was still going on.
"Bruder?"
Prussia gave a groan in response.
Germany looked at where Prussia's hands were pressing on. Shit, it's his stitches. Germany stood there, a loss at what to do. Prussia slowly let go of his head and wrinkled his nose.
"Zhat hurt."
Germany rolled his eyes. Obviously it did. "Let's eat.."
Prussia shrugged and headed towards the dinner table. "It's not my fault you can't appreciate my awesome ways of pointing unawesome zhings out!"
Germany looked at the clock. 8:30. He then turned to Prussia, who's plate was not even half gone, while his had been empty long before.
"Prussia?.."
Prussia looked up from his plate, his face looking like he was about to throw up. "Vhat?"
"Does it not taste good?"
At this, Prussia began to eat more voraciously. "No-*chomp*- zhis*chomp* is awesome*chomp*" By the time he finished his sentence, only a quarter of the food remained. And Prussia seemed like he was going to throw up even more.
"Bruder, it really is okay. Stop eating."
"But-"
"Nein. It's.." Germany quickly glanced at the clock," 8:35. You need to sleep by 9. Zhe doctor said so. And you can eat the rest of the pasta tomorrow."
Prussia opened his mouth to argue but sullenly stayed silent and walked upstairs, leaving his plate at the table. Germany nodded approvingly and cleaned up the table a little and stored the rest of the pasta in a container which he put in the fridge. After, he went into his room to change into more suitable clothing. Germany frowned at the bloodstains on his discarded shirt and pants and put it under a pile of dirty clothing in a basket. He didn't like the sight of blood anymore.. Not after seeing what he did in the war.. Then Germany made his way into the bathroom and entered. As he entered, he smelled the very strong scent of his cologne. Wrinkling his nose, Germany opened the window and only hoped the smell would get out before tomorrow morning. But along with that smell.. Germany also smelled something putrid. He recognized it but couldn't put his finger on what..
Germany finished what he needed to do and exited the bathroom. He walked right into Prussia's room and was met with a pillow to his face.
"Vest!"
Germany sighed and picked up the pillow before making his way to his brother's bed.
"Prussia, you need to sleep.."
"NEIN!"
Germany sighed again, now in irritation.
"Yes you vill. I vill be sleeping next to you and I vill be checking..so you can't pretend to sleep."
Germany was met with silence. Then a gasp that quite literally took away at least 50% of the oxygen in that room. Prussia was smiling, smirking, as he began to snicker.
"You miss me?"
Germany sighed and plopped down onto Prussia's bed.
"Yes."
Prussia quieted down and he laid down, making himself comfortable.
"Okay.."
Germany's eyebrows rose at this.
"Okay? Just okay?"
Prussia's face was hidden as he said this.
"Yeah.."
Germany was in shock for a minute before shrugging it off. Maybe Prussia's head injury was affecting him.. He settled into the bed, directly facing the stitching his brother had received today. He looked at the white tuffs of hair surrounding the stitching and the angry red color that was around it. Usually, as a nation, something like that would have been healed already.. Germany sighed softly. What if that head injury was worse? And his brother couldn't have been saved in time or at all? In that moment, Germany thought about how his brother would die. Naturally, as Ancient Rome and his grandfather, Germania, had. Maybe he would just grow weaker and weaker until he silently disappeared one day. Or maybe he would be in pain, from growing wounds and new sicknesses, until his life cut abruptly to an end. Germany shook his head, trying to force the thoughts out, and, on an impulse, hugged his brother tight.
"Uwah! Vhat zhe heck Vest?"
"..I don't vant you to...to die.."
There was a silence and Prussia turned to face Germany, concern in his features.
"Vhat do you mean?" He demanded," I vill never die! I'm too awesome!"
"But.. what about Ancient Rome and Grandpa Germania..zhey were amazing empires, the greatest ones in zheir time and they fell... zhey died.."
".." There was a pause before Prussia spoke again.
"Did I tell you about the time when you were a little kind?"
"A child?...yes."
"Vell, too bad because I'm going to tell you it again!"
Prussia laughed, there was only amusement and mischief in his face now.
"Zhere was this one time vhen zhere was a thunder storm and you," He pinched Germany's cheek," YOU, vere shaking and screaming for me and I vas so vorried that someone had attacked you, and I rushed to your side with my sword in my hand. I was pumped up, ready for a fight, to protect you, but when I saw why you had been screaming, I fell down and laughed my ass off!"
Germany lightly punched his brother in the arm, a blush growing on his face. Prussia only snickered and continued.
"You vere huddled up in the corner because you zhought a tree branch, a tree branch, vas zhe hand of a monster trying to get you! And vhen you saw me, you zhought I vas a monster because of my red eyes."
Prussia pouted and Germany gave him an awkward pat on the back.
"I'm sorry.."
Prussia shrugged and continued.
"Zhen I had to hug you and zhat night you vouldn't leave my side. And you alvays needed to sleep next for me for a month after! And zhere was this ozher time vhen.."
Prussia continued on and on, and Germany's thoughts about his brother dying ceased as Prussia chattered on about 'the brotherly adventures' of the two. Germany was growing sleepier and sleepier. A suppressed yawn made its way out of Germany and Prussia abruptly stopped.
"Vest, it's time to sleep now."
"Hm.."
Prussia pulled the blankets over the two and petted Germany's head.
"I remember vhen I used to do zhis..a lot."
Germany sleepily nodded, lulled to sleep by his brother's words and the oh-so-comfy bed. His eyes slowly closed as he was enveloped in a pair of warm, familiar arms. His initial embarrassment of sleeping with his brother has vanished and instead, a warm fuzzy feeling had replaced it. He was gone for so long sometimes and barely had time to spend with his brother. It was nice when he could though..when Prussia wasn't annoying or talking about how awesome he was(which was half the time, but it didn't really bother him that much) As his mind slipped away into the comforting darkness, and his thoughts vanished. Germany thought he could hear a 'Ich habe dich lieb'