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Chapter Text

There was many, many, ways that England had woken in his life. There was no number of ways that he had been awoken abruptly but as he laid there with arms tight around his waist, arms that moved slightly with palms flush against his skin slipping up his back in sleep as if those hands were tracing images into his skin softly, he felt true peace weaving through his system. His cheek was cushioned on the muscular, broad chest and he nuzzled his cheek slightly against the chest as his lashes fluttered against his cheeks before parting slightly to peek through his blonde lashes across the dark bedroom. The bedside tables, the windows, the closet, the bathroom door were all muted and strangely soft in the darkness of the room as he curled his legs around the other pair and he heard America huff out a quiet sigh of contentment as his arms tightened around him as if intent on squeezing the air out of him and his breath did rush out in excitement as he lifted his head off of that muscular chest. When he found blue eyes peering at him sleepily he smiled reaching a hand up cupping that beloved face of his, stroking his thumb against the cut of his cheek bone and fanning his fingers against his ear as those fogged eyes stared up at him. Warmer than the blue sky, crisper than anything he'd ever seen and clear to the very depths like the ocean were America's eyes. A blue so piercing and clear that England swore he could drown in them if he looked at them the wrong way and he smiled broadly as he kissed America's chin. 

"Good morning, love." He murmured as he lifted his upper body with a quiet grunt when he plopped himself back down then reached up twisting his fingers into the locks of hair happily, careful to avoid the Nantucket that swayed with the movement of his fingers through his hair and he smiled as America smirked. The man was young, barely reaching twenty one, but goddamn did he look strangely masculine without his glasses on. England bit at his lip when he moved his hand against America's cheek, his thumb stretching outwards to caress that smooth bottom lip that felt slightly chapped from a night's sleep of breathing through his mouth and yet it did little to deter England as he released the hold on his lip and found himself giggling low in his throat as he bent toward America, the tips of his hair caressing America's forehead making the other man shiver lightly. "How was your sleep?" 

"Perfect." America breathed out as he watched England with greed, with desire as the English Nation giggled once again as if he were all too aware of the buzzing that was gathering underneath America's skin, as if he could sense the desire coiling in his stomach like some kind of snake, ready to strike when they least expected it. America couldn't stop himself when he jerked forward making England yelp as the man was forced onto his back and America bounced on top of him, grinning as he bent down capturing those parting lips before the English Nation could shriek at him so early. The kiss was warm, making America's toes curl; it was warm, sweet, it was absolutely sparkling with electricity as he moved his lips eagerly against England's who responded to the urgency with one of his own as his hands moved towards the back of his head twisting into his hair. When they parted for a breath, a breath that trembled as it went down, America smiled warmly down at the English Nation and lifted a hand upwards as he leaned on his left arm and stroked the back of his hand down England's cheek. "How about you? Did you sleep good?" 

"I slept absolutely perfectly." England replied with that pompous air to him, sniffing slightly when he then smiled at America. "She didn't come in last night so there's tha-" 

"Mummy!" The shout was muffled, from down a distance behind that closed door, and both men blinked as they turned their attentions to the door as America twisted halfway off of the English Nation, btoh scrambling to make sure blankets covered what eyes ought not to see when the second sound rang out. Feet slamming against a wooden floor. The door then, with little class, flung open and the light flicked on with a distressed voice rising up once again. "Mummy, she won't share the telly! She said that it was her turn but it's not!" 

England sighed out then as he let his head fall against the headboard with a thud. America looked over at the boy; a boy who bore a startling resemblance to America from his caramel locks of hair that stood up wildly in the similar manner that England's were after a night of hard sleep and the locks jerked upwards around his head in a halo of blonde locks and the sky blue eyes were imploring, searching his father's for some kind of help. He had a pair of glasses, white framed, resting on his nose that slipped down slightly allowing his eyes to peer above the top of his frames when a second pair of stomping feet marched up behind him and pushed him so roughly his glasses nearly flew off of his face and America sighed as his hands sought out his own glasses case on the bedside table, opening then slipping them on quickly bringing the boy into clearer view. Along with the girl standing there. Where the boy had the clear face of his father, save for the thick eyebrows of England's, the girl was quite literally the spitting image of her mother. She herself had long, golden blonde hair that spilled past her shoulders in messy locks that caressed her face and throat, blue eyes identical to both the boy's and America's, her long lashes quivering when she blinked and her eyebrows pulled together into a tight scowl across her forehead as her eyes flashed light lightening. Somedays it was hard to believe these children were his very own and other days it was easy to believe it. Staring at both children, each with their wildly varying emotions, America found himself sighing out as he looked to England who was hanging his head backwards still staring up at the ceiling. 

The desperate, aggravated looking boy was William Finn Kirkland, or otherwise affectionately referred to as Liam, was seven years old and the spitting image of America save for the eyebrows, of course, and he was the  first born son, first born child of America and England. The angry, violent little girl was Jolene Isabel Kirkland, often affectionately referred to as Jojo, Jo, or Dollface, was four years old and second born child to America and England, first daughter of the pair and she looked positively the spitting image of her mother save for her eyes which she had inherited from America. Both children were staring at their parents, Jolene in a demanding manner as if the men were taking too much time groaning internally at the interruption and Liam looked as though he were going to have an absolute break down if things didn't go his way. Both children should have been impossibilities, shouldn't be standing there looking at both of their parents as if they were ready to shout their cases but there they were, perfect and resembling their parents so strongly that there was little doubt in anyone's mind when they laid eyes on the children that they belonged to England and America. England straightened up with a sigh flying from his lips, his blonde lashes resting on his cheeks before opening to peer at his children with the same tired expression he used to adopt with America when he was a small boy and kicking up a fuss with the elder man. It made America's cheeks flush at the memory as he looked away from the expression in those stunning eyes of his and watched as England slipped towards the edge of the bed, snatching a piece of fabric towards the foot of the bed and slid them up his legs then over his hips before standing up before his children. 

"Jo, haven't we spoken about this? If you want to use the telly then you have to share with your brother and you don't bloody shove each other! Now you apologize for pushing your brother like that!" England snapped as his hands found his hips, another position that America could recall with clarity from his time with Canada; a posture that England would adopt when America and Canada were young boys getting into trouble they needn't get into and it had him fiddling with his own glasses as he watched his daughter cross her arms. 

"Sorry!" She spit out at her brother in typical four year old manner then turned to her mother rushing over to the man, her blue eyes warm enough to melt butter as she threw them around her father's waist and then buried her face against his stomach. "Mommy, don't be mad! I wanted to watch MY shows because Liam's are all boring! I just wanted to eat breakfast and watch the TV! Daddy, you know my favorite shows are on right now! I just wanted to watch TV! Liam hurt my hand! He pulled the remote out of my hand!" 

"I did not!" Liam cried as he looked at his little sister trying to butter up their mother figure when he looked up at the expectant gaze of England's, desperate blue clashing against expectant green, and the boy scrunched his hands into fists against his stomach as he tugged at his pajama shirt and shuffled forward looking at him mother imploringly. "Mummy, I never did that! I didn't pull it from her hand! I promise! I would never act so bru-brutish!" He then rushed forward to his father who was sitting on the edge of the bed with the blanket tucked securely around his waist and he threw his arms around his father resting his temple against his shoulder and America sighed as he hugged his son who looked near tears as he sniffled. "I would never do something like that to my sister! She's lying, Daddy! She's lying!" 

"I don't lie! Mommy told me never to lie!" 

"You are so! I never did that to you!" 

"Did too!" 

"Did not!" 

"Did too!" 

"Did not!" 

"Did too! " 

"ENOUGH!" England bellowed the word cutting off both siblings who looked to his mother, both pairs of blues now shimmering with angry tears, and England took a deep breath to settle himself as tiny hands gripped at his waist and saddened blue eyes peered at him from over his father's shoulder. There was something sincere shimmering in those blue eyes but then there was something sincere shining in his daughter's eyes as well and it had him sighing out as he stroked his daughter's sunshine blonde hair tilting her head up so he could stare down at her little face as her arms tightened around his waist. "Jo, you need to be kind to your brother. If he pulled the remote from your hands, which is wrong, then you should not have shoved him just then. And Liam, if you wanted to watch the telly you could have just come to me and your father to ask us to put something on in here. You've never hesitated to wake us up before, after all!" 

"He's right guys. You shouldn't be fighting with one another and pushin' each other, it's mean and not right." America put in when he looked over his own shoulder to peer at his daughter before adjusting himself slightly on the bed pulling the seven year old onto his lap and then sighed out much like England had moments ago. "Jojo, you know that if your brother does anything that you come and tell us first, you don't hit him. And Liam, you know better than to pull anything out of anyone's hand. It's rude and haven't we raised you better than that?" 

"You two need to go straighten up and get ready for the day anyhow. What time did you get up anyhow?" England peered at the clock on the bedside table then frowned at America who shared the same frown on his lips. "You know this means naptime is going to be early today, Jo." The little girl whined as she stared up at her mother, hands digging into his waist as she gripped fistfuls of the man's pajama shirt in her hands and she jiggled when he frowned down at the girl who was sure to kick up a fuss which was the last thing he wanted this morning. "Don't whine, Jolene. Now come along, you need to get dressed and I have to brush out that crow's nest you call hair. Same with you, Liam. Come along, Daddy has to get dressed and so do I, we have a meeting to get too this morning and it's going to be a drive's away so we need to get ready now." He then offered a smile to his children. "I guess it's a good thing you both came barging in, Daddy and I would have slept in." 

"I'd have loved to sleep in." America sighed out wistfully as he threw himself backwards with Liam laughing out as he fell against his father's chest and they rolled onto their sides, each grinning wickedly making England's smile widen. "You know they wouldn't start a meeting without us there, it's not like us sleeping in would kill anyone." He paused then cackled wickedly making Liam join in, btoh of them laughing together sounding like a pair of villians when England bent down scooping the four year old up into his arms and settling her wait on his hip as both boys on the bed laughed and AMerica's shimmering blue eyes peered up at him. "Well, it might kill Germany if we weren't punctual." 

"Oh my goodness, whatever shall we do? Germany will have a conniption!" England replied sarcastically, poking fun with his lover who grinned widely at him with that same wicked ede and Liam adjusted his glasses slightly on his nose, looking for all the world a tiny America and it warmed the English Nation's heart for a moment. "Now come along, Liam, let's get you and your sister dressed properly for the day while your father gets dressed. I don't want to rush out of here but I want to at least be there on time." 

"Don't worry, babe, we'll get there." America replied waving a hand lazily before dropping both of his hands above his head before sliding them down underneath that shaggy head of his and he smirked at England who merely raised a brow at the sight of his lover laying out lazily. Like he didn't have a single care in the world. They then both began snickering together as Liam rushed out of the room to his own and England snickered so wildly that it sent America into laughter as he watched both his lover and daughter walk from the room, the girl looking at her father then to her other father before rolling her blue eyes looking for all the world like England. America adored that the most, when his children did things that made them resemble the English Nation, and there was nothing he adored more than when his little daughter resembled England the most. 

"You'd better get ready while I'm gone!" England shouted over his shoulder and the American waved his hand once again as the English Nations voice echoed down the hall and America twisted slightly against the sheets as he heard England barking at their children to clean up their rooms. It's not like they'd be staying here, in America, much longer however. They had flown in from England for the meeting, had stayed for a week so far enjoying the American's home and the children had adored the change of scenery but they would all be heading back to England as soon as possible where things felt like home. Where things were resting in places that were familiar, where the wooden floor boards squeaked gently, the fireplace waiting to crackle with heat, the four of them curled up against the cold draft in the home while they watched movies on the large TV America insisted on  buying for the English Nation. 

America loved his home, adored it's high tech set up, but in that moment he really did crave for the homely feeling of England's small house. He missed the walls, the floors, the way England was always up so early in the morning cooking breakfast for them all before sending the children out for school. With the World Academy preparing for it's newest generation of children, many Nations had chosen to send their children to private academies until the time came for all to move in on the World Academy for the children to meet one another properly and begin making friendships better than the playdates that some tried to attempt. And it was the attempts that mattered the most to the children. America stood up, dragging the blanket with him when he stopped to scratch his calf with his foot and then walked over the dresser pulling a pair of clean boxers and dropping the blanket on the floor, grabbing a pair of jeans that were hanging up in the closet. He hopped into them tugging them up his legs and up to his hips wiggling into them before grabbing a button up shirt that he knew England would approve of and after he got the shirt to hang just right over his pants he smiled. He fussed with his clothing before grabbing a brush and walking into the conjoining bathroom, brushing his hair and styling it around his ahoge and fiddled with his glasses squinting for a moment before placing the brush down and plucking his toothbrush up squeezing toothpaste onto the bristles, dipping it underneath the faucet and carefully wetting the bristles before sticking it into his mouth. He could hear England barking at their children still, the sound of feet running from bathroom to bedroom was absolutely heartwarming and had him smiling to himself as he brushed his teeth quickly but thoroughly. 

He bent over the sink spitting the toothpaste and bending down sipping a mouthful of tap water into his mouth swishing viciously as he began cleaning his brush off and opening the mirror to grab the mouthwash he kept carefully sitting on the shelf behind the mirror. He unscrewed the cap, spitting the water out then pouring a little mouthwash into the cap and knocked it back like one would do with a shot only he made sure not to swallow and began swishing the liquid around his mouth quickly. He could hear his daughter complaining, rushing from the bedroom into his room once again. "Daddy! Daddy, Mommy is being annoying again! I don't know why I gots'ta clean my room when we're going home tomorrow! My room isn't even that messy!" 

She stood in the doorway, a blue dress having been pulled over her hair and pristine white tights on her legs, a pair of maryjanes on her feet and a white sweater covering the straps of the dress and her long sunshine blonde hair was tugged up into pig tails as she scowled under her blonde lashes up at her father. She looked so much like her mother that America, for the millionth time, wished she had inherited England's piercing eyes; She looked so much like her mother that it would have been the final tying feature she'd of needed to look exactly like him and there was nothing America wanted than a mini England. After all, Liam had taken so strongly after him that he was the spitting image of him and England had been so absolutely euphoric, so happy, that the boy had been spoiled and smothered for most of his early years. "Well,  Dollface, I'd do what Mommy wants you to do for now and then we can get on this show on the road! So if I have to listen to Mommy, do as he says, then you gotta listen to him as well! Make sense, kiddo?"

"But Mommy is so annoying!" Jolene groaned as she swung her head back and flopped backwards thudding onto her bottom, her cheeks flushing with her irritation while her arms crossed over her chest as she looked up from under her lashes at her father once again. So lovely his little daughter was and so absolutely tragic she looked in that moment  that he couldn't stop laughter from choking his throat causing him to bend over spitting his mouthwash out with cackles then leaving his lips once the liquid spewed out and he threw his head back rubbing the liquid off of his chin and Jolene lifted her foot thudding her heel on the floor. "It's not funny, Daddy!" 

"Oh but it is, kiddo! My goodness you are one dramatic little girl!" America got out before swooping for her, scooping the four year old up into his arms making her squeal at the sudden movements of her father but she crossed her arms once again and pouted viciously at her father who was laughing still but it has slowed and lowered to an amused chuckle. "Mommy may be annoying but he loves us and only wants the best for us." He then kissed his daughter's temple making her grumble as her arms tightened against his chest and he smiled when Liam appeared in the doorway of the bedroom, a dark blue shirt with the collar smoothed down, his hair brushed evenly, his glasses slipping down his nose a touch and he wore a pair of deep black jeans making him appear more classy than he really was. "Look at you! Handsome guy walkin' around, soon enough you'll have to beat the girls away!" 

"I don't wanna beat anyone!" Liam replied with wide eyes that peered at his father as if he were mad and he then walked  into the room eyeing the bedsheets on the floor before hopping onto the bed, his hair bobbing with the movements when he looked at his father with a tilt to his head. "Mummy says that it's not good to beat people, Daddy! And why would I have to fight to keep girls away?" He lifted his hands to his cheeks, fingertips brushing his face as those blue eyes widened again with horror. "Is it because I'm handsome like you said? What about Jojo? Is she handsome too? Will girls go after her too? That's not going to be good, Daddy, you know that right? Right? I don't want girls all over me!" 

"Chill out, dude." America replied laughing out at his son's genuine horror and he plopped Jolene on the bed next to her brother, her blue dress ruffled lightly but her arms uncrossed themselves to rest her hands serenely in her lap. He smiled crouching down in front of Liam and ruffled his hair to ruin the coiffed, perfect style it had been in and he smiled but still had that look of horror to his eyes as he looked at his father. "Don't worry, kid. I just mean that you're going to be one good lookin' kid when your older and you'll have a lot of people's attention on you and a lot of people are gonna wanna date you. It just means that while you're handsome that there's going to be girls getting crushes on you, I bet it! I had to deal with it too at one point." 

"You did? What did you do, Daddy?" Jolene questioned tilting her head to the side, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, as if the idea that her father had been or dealt with anyone other than her other father and it was as if she were entertained by the mere idea that her father had lived this grand life that shone in her eyes. Sitting next to her brother, they looked like little dolls. Save for the shades of blonde of their hair, they were absolutely like two blonde dolls with wide blue eyes waiting to hear from their father just what type of life he'd lived before they came into existence and as they sat there with their dangling legs he found himself smiling. He reached up tugging his daughter's pig tail and ruffled his son's hair making them both whine gently. "Daddy! Answer me!" 

America laughed and tugged his daughter's pig tail playfully making her head dip lightly to the side and he then placed his hands on the "I am, kiddo, I am. I did have a bunch of people wanting to be with me, lots of people in fact, and I had to deal with them for a while but there was one person that I wanted to be with no matter the cost." He then smirked at his children. "I acted like a slob, made people run away and yet I was strangely what this other person wanted, even if I was a slob to them. Mommy is a very accepting person and given the time that we were in, I didn't think he'd give me a second look! But he did and I swept him off of his feet the best way I knew how and that's where you two magically come from!" 

"My my, telling tall tales again? And what have we been told about those, Mr. Jones?" America smirked when he looked to the doorway where England stood in his boxers, his face flushed but his eyes sparkled with mischief as his hands came to rest on his hips, his head tilted to the side looking at his lover with those ever piercing eyes of his. So piercing that America swore he'd fall into them, crystal and clear like grass swaying outside or like the most perfect leaves resting on a tree were his lovers eyes. So beautiful. "You three will start packing when we get home but I need to get dressed so why don't you go downstairs and make some breakfast for all of us? Scrambled eggs would be perfect on a morning like this and very quick too." 

"You got it! Let's go, ankle biters, and make Mommy some breakfast!" Jolene and Liam smiled wickedly before climbing off of the bed while America stood up on his feet pointing to the door nd both children rushed towards the door, squirming between and around England's legs making the man blush when his daughter crawled through his legs but he smirked when America walked towards the doorway. He took lazy steps towards England, each hip jerking side to side like a lazy woman's sway and England giggled low in his throat at the sight of it, his hands reaching out towards his lower who quickly sped forward just as England began stepping away from the doorway. He squealed out with laughter as he was spun around in a circle as the American jerked him into his arms, hands tight and fierce against his waist as they spun in the room slowly, laughing like children getting away with some high stake crime. He curled his arms around his shoulders and America smirked widely. "Well, well, whatever shall I do with you, Mr. Kirkland, now that I've got you in my arms?" 

England pretended to think for a moment, his eyes glimmering at America as he pressed one finger to his cheek before he kicked his feet off the floor, bending them upwards as he laughed at the way America stumbled back a step but tightened his arms around the English man and said man then pressed a finger to his lips expectantly. His eyes glimmered, his cheeks flushed. What an absolutely perfect sight to behold. "Hmmm you could kiss me." 

"My! How cheeky you've gotten!" America chastised but his lips parted with a quiet excited breath that hitched and they both smiled at one another when the American nation pressed his hands against his back and side depending on where his hands ended up. He bit his lip, dragging his teeth over the lip slowly all too aware of the green eyes leveling on the action and it sent an excited jump through his stomach as he kept from breathing quickly like an excited child and rather he took a deep breath as he looked at the English Nation who was inching his face closer and closer to America's. "Guess I have no choice. If I'm to be your Hero then I should give my Lois Lane what he wants, right?" 

"Absolutely." England whispered as he leaned in and was ecstatic when America met him halfway there allowing their lips to come together. It was a kiss that made hearts race, stomachs clench in longing and had hands trembling gently as they pressed against his shoulders, pressing against a lower back, hands that fisted quickly making nails scratch softly against England's skin and his hands gripped fistfuls of America's shirt. It was a kiss that moved lazily but held a heat to it that when it broke America trailed kisses from his lips down his jaw and along the slope of his throat making England shivering in response to the lips that fluttered against his skin as his head fell to the left to encourage more kisses which America happily indulged in and pressed little kisses to his shoulder making England sigh softly. It was a sound that sent longing through America and England then sighed again when he straightened his head up finding America's lips and pecking them once, twice. "Let me get ready, love, and we'll continue this tonight, I promise." 

"Oh you know it!"America dropped England back on his feet making the man laugh and the English Nation moved his hands from his shoulders, spinning towards the closet while America walked towards the bedroom door, blowing a kiss towards his lover who laughed and blew a kiss back at the American. "Don't worry about the meeting, either, babe. We'll get there on time and I'm sure the kids will love seeing some other National kids! After all, how bad could a meeting be with some kids in the other room?" 

Chapter Text

Finland sighed out as he rubbed at his lower back, his knuckles digging into the tense muscles there as he threw his shoulders back with a grunt and he peered wearily at the rough where harsh thuds were ringing out as if someone was jumping over and over again on the balls of their feet and slamming down on their knees just to be a pain. He shuffled down the hall from the kitchen to the living room, where Sweden was waiting for him. His heart fluttered when that head turned, greenish blue eyes peering at him curiously despite the rest of his face appearing stoic and he felt the warmth rushing up to his cheeks when the large Swede climbed to his feet with his own lips twitching for a moment before walking around the couch towards the entrance of the living room holding his hand out for Finland, who happily placed his hand in his and squeezed his rough fingers with a quiet giggle. "Thank you, Ber. I appreciate it." 

"No problem. After all you're so heavy you should be considered top heavy." Sweden replied lifting his free hand upwards caressing the back of it down his cheek, the Finnish man tilting his head back as he bit at his lower lip before smiling as he lifted his arms up pressing his hands against the Swedish mans' forearms before sliding his hands upwards to his broad shoulders. Shoulders that had carried him, shoulders that were strong, dependable and shoulders he loved to sink his teeth into during the late hours of the night when they swore to silence. Nights when he could just rest his forehead against those broad shoulders of his and feel the ultimate sense of comfort, of safety. Finland curled his hands into fists, holding onto those broad shoulders as he stood up on his tip toes and parted his lips slightly as he tilted his head back just enough to turn his face up to Sweden. The Swede's face flushed a soft pink, just enough to make him look approachable, and the man dipped his head down so quickly that Finland giggled happily as their lips came together and a sigh leaked past his lips against Sweden's. Their lips moved together slowly, carefully as if they had to kiss ever so slowly to keep from feeding into a fire that could grow uncontrollable at any moment. 

Finland loved kissing Sweden. There was nothing he adored doing, nothing he loved more than the feeling of those lips on his own moving and crushing his gently as if the Swede wished to kiss him fiercely and fervently but he held himself back from doing so; a sensation that was familiar to Finland. He threw himself enthusiastically into the kiss as he slid his hands from his broad shoulders to the back of his neck pulling him down when he dropped down onto his feet from his toes and he moved his mouth urgently against Sweden who echoed the pace set by the Finnish man. Finland felt a sweat break out over his palms as his heart began sprinting quickly, excitedly, as he breathed shaking gasps throuhg his nose as he moved his lips with Sweden's, not wanting to stop for a single moment as his nails lightly scraped the nape of his neck and Sweden shivered before releasing a low sound from his throat as he kissed Finland with such intensity, such longing, that Finland felt hi own shiver. There was a quiet moment as they stood there quickly moving their lips against one another when a harsh, floor shaking blow was delivered from up above and there was a scream making Finland jerk away from Sweden. He looked at the man with wide concern and when he went to twist away from the Swedish Nation hands on his waist stopped him from running for the stairs, his gaze turnin curious as he looked up into Sweden's face and the stern Nation's lips twitched for a moment as if he was daring to smile but couldn't quite force his lips to move just yet and he then caressed Finland's jaw with his knuckles. "I'll be right back." 

And with that the stoic Nation walked away from Finland, pausing briefly to stroke the bump of Finland's stomach before rushing up the stairs when they began screaming wildly now and Finland rested his hands on his stomach which twisted uncomfortably at the sound of fighting from upstairs. It seemed that, no matter how hard they tried to get the boys to get along, Sealand and Ladonia just wouldn't mix. It was like trying to force oil and water to mix together when they merely existed with tolerable levels for one another; that's how Ladonia and Sealand seemed to be living as they neared their respective puberties finally. Finland sighed softly as he walked into the living room, waddling ever so slightly as he rested one hand against his large bump and he plopped down on the couch looking to the TV which was playing the news as per usual. Finland could hardly focus on the Swedish words being spoke in grave tones, could hardly focus when the weather woman predicted more snow, for inside of him the baby squirmed and rolled over and kicked out as if the inadequate room was displeasing for the little person. Finland had always, always, wanted a child of his own. Not that Sealand wasn't his baby, someone he came to love like a son, but rather he had always ached to be pregnant like the other Nations around him and he'd wanted nothing more than to feel what it would be like with a child of his own kicking and punching at him. When he became pregnant he had held his breath, Sweden had held his breath, for miscarriage after miscarriage had prepared them for the worst possible situation but when the baby continued to grow at a healthy, slow speed and his stomach continued to expand they celebrated. 

It was hard to believe in those beginning months that he was pregnant, hard to accept that after all those miscarriages and after all the nights spent wailing in Sweden's arms as he begged and begged God to  give him once chance to be a mother to a child, that he was expecting a child was bizarre. When the child had begun growing Finland never lost his paranoia that one wrong thing would lead to a miscarriage, that something would go wrong with the delivery, that something would go worn in general but Sweden was there to kiss away the worries. Was there to stroke and to hug away the insecurities, there to cup Finland's bump as it grew larger and larger. The man had been absolutely enthusiastic about the baby's development that he even went so far as to go to the closest Barnes and Noble to purchase as many baby books as he could before coming home and Finland would often times pick up a book to read away his worries. While there was that ever present fear that something could go wrong, that something could possibly be wrong on his ends of things never went away fully but with Sweden there he knew that his partner would do his best to make sure that things would go okay. Sweden, throughout this whole pregnancy, was one of he best supports than he could have ever imagined. He helped with keeping the boys in line, helped with making sure Finland had whatever he craved whether it was at noontime or midnight, making sure that he was comfortable no matter where he was and so many other helpful things that Finland felt that he had to return the favor. He didn't know how yet but he knew he'd do it. As soon as the baby came he'd make it up to his husband. 

Heavy footsteps on the stairs had Finland smiling as he looked up to find Sweden coming down, adjusting his glasses. "How are the boys?" Finland questioned tilting his head against the back of the couch while watching the Swedish Nation walking into the room with those same heavy steps before flopping onto the couch next to him making the Finnish man bounce and giggle softly at the movement before patting Sweden's head. "It can't of been that bad. What were they fighting over this time? Was it the games? Or was it something else all together?" 

"It was over a video game, Sealand was supposedly winning and Ladonia didn't take to the competition very well." He sighed out rubbing his temple as he crossed his legs and he turned his attention to Finland's large belly, reaching out to stroke the bump making the baby within kick at his hand as if displeased once again. He stroked the little hand that stood out to attention for a moment and then turned his attention to Finland, a tired hope in his eyes as he pat his large belly carefully but softly. "I hope to God that this is a girl. I don't think I could take any more boys roughhousing with one another for if this baby is a boy there is for sure going to be more scuffles in our future." 

"Don't worry, I'm more than sure it's going to be a girl." Finland replied placing both his hands on the belly, stroking the bump happily before drumming his fingers joyfully on the bump as if entertaining the baby within was more than enough joy for him at the moment. He then smiled at the Sweden leaning forward kissing his cheek, moving downwards to his jaw and placing a lighter kiss there and blew at his lips teasingly before leaning back with the Swedish Nation moving with him causing him to giggle as he twisted slightly propping a leg up between them. "Mother's instinct is never wrong, after all. Isn't that right, minun pieni rakkaani? Mama is always right! You'll be a girl, I just know it but if you turned out to be a handsome little boy like Papa I won't object to that possibility either. Wouldn't it be nice to have a little son? A handsome little prince who looks like you? Or a sweet little princess?" 

"I think that they'll look like you.  Boy or girl, I think they'll take after you." Sweden's cheeks turned a soft pink, his gaze flickering away from Finland who smiled shyly at his husband and the two of them sat in silence for a moment when Sweden then turned his attention back to the Finnish man next to him and reached out pressing his hand against the curve of his belly once again. He stroked the curve of his bump, staying towards the middle of his belly as the baby within struck out with a vengeance against his hand making both parents smile. Well, Finland smiled, it was more like  Sweden's lips twitched for a moment hesitantly but Finland adored it either way as he leaned in kissing the man's cheek softly. "How are you feeling?" 

"I feel fine. A little tired but I'll probably take a nap here on the couch, if that's okay with you." Finland replied as he scooted closer to Sweden then tilted his head until it rested against Sweden's shoulder, his hand finding one of the Swedish Nation's and squeezing the digits gently. When their fingers weaved together, palms pressing against one anothers, the feel of lips on his hair the Finnish Nation cuddled into the stoic man's side and he felt arm arm snaking around his shoulders hugging him close. He couldn't suppress a little yawn from breaking free from his lips as he clung onto his husband, his eyes shutting for a moment as he sighed out contendly. "I love you, Berwald. So much." 

"I love you too, Tino." Sweden murmured back as his legs crossed, his arm heavy and warm around Finland's shoulders, the arguing from upstairs was a muted sound from behind closed doors and the warmth of having someone in his arms was absolutely delightful. What made it better was it was Finland, the one he'd wanted from the very beginning, and he kissed his blonde locks again as he heard another yawn breaking free from the smaller man and he squeezed the hand in his only to get a squeeze right back and he looked to the TV as the arguing upstairs lead to a couple thuds. If he had pressed anything on the boys it was that if they continued fighting, if they kicked up another fuss that he'd personally rip the game station out of it's place and take the controls if it meant them being quiet or finding something else to do. Something that didn't lead to fighting like they had been moments ago. "I know you said you'd be fine napping on the couch but why don't I take you upstairs? It's better to sleep in a bed than on a rough couch. It'd hurt your back and I don't want you hurting." 

Finland lifted his head from Sweden's shoulder with a smile on his lips, a warmth to his violet eyes that had Sweden's cheeks pinkening and he looked away from his husband for a moment to gather his wits before he looked back at that arm face of Finland's finding a swelling wave of adoration crashing through his chest. It was impossible not to look at Finland and not feel the adoration, the love, the absolute dedication that swelled inside of him each time he stared into those violet eyes or looked into his delicate face. "I don't mind cuddling and napping with you on the couch, Ber. I want to watch the news with you too and it's not going to hurt too badly if I sleep on the couch. Besides, the baby won't rest unless I'm near you, it seems like. They've been kicking me all day long, all night long, but with you near like this the baby seems to calm down. It's not a bad thing! It's just the baby constantly moving makes me tired and when you're close by they seem to understand it. I don't know, it doesn't make much sense I know that, but it's nice being near you. Almost like singing the baby to sleep." 

"We do have a television in our room, Tino, I can always watch the news upstairs while you nap." Sweden replied as he looked at the Finnish Nation who smiled at him and he untangled his hand from Finland's in order to raise his hand up cupping his cheek, stroking the soft blue shadow beneath those warm eyes of his. "You're obviously tired and I do not mind laying down in bed with you. If it helps you get even an hours sleep without the baby kicking you awake then I'll lay with you. Come on, let's get upstairs." He leaned forward plucking the remote off shutting the TV off, the sudden lack of murmuring Swedish made the room feel larger in the lack of noise and he slid his arm from Finland's shoulders to his waist and helped heave the pregnant Nation to his feet where he wobbled and swayed on his heels before catching his balance. "You alright?" 

"I'm fine, just a little light headed." Finland smiled shyly at his husband when he then eased his way around Sweden and allowed the arm to leave his waist and to become replaced with hands on his shoulders as they walked across the living room with the Finnish man making sure to watch his steps as he neared the stair well. Then Sweden did something unexpected he bent down swooping the Finnish Nation up into his arms making him shriek in alarm, the baby kicking in response to their mother's shriek, and Sweden began climbing up the stairs while keeping a firm hold on the man who gripped fistfulsof Sweden's shirt in his hands tightly. "Berwald! You should have warned me you were going to do something like that! My goodness!" 

Sweden chuckled low under his breath making the Finnish man scowl for a moment before the sight of the smile on Sweden's face had him losing his scowl for one of awe. "Don't worry, Tino, I wouldn't drop you. I've got a nice good grip on you and I'd die before I let you fall." The Swedish man took his time walking up the stairs, took his time with each step as if propelling himself forward and the Finnish Nation couldn't help worrying that he was heavier than he had been months ago and he managed to yank one hand from it's strangle hold on Sweden's shirt to press against his large bump when he felt the baby kick at him fiercely as if the sudden new position was displeasurable. "Are you truly that scared that I would let you fall, Tino?"

"N-No! I was just startled by, you know, being picked up out of nowhere!" Finland replied sarcastically with an eye roll when Sweden laughed out though it sounded more like a bark as they climbed up to the top of the stairs and they began their walk down the hallway, brushing past the open door of Sealand's room where the boys were arguing once again over the video game but quickly silenced themselves when they noticed Finland and Sweden walking past. All it took was a harsh glance from Sweden to get the boys to clamp their lips together to keep from yelling at one another and with the boys now quiet Finland sighed out. "You really shouldn't scare the boys into submission, Ber. All you have to do is ask them to be quiet and if you said I was tired they'd find something else to do." He paused then poked at the Swedish man's cheek. "You're quite silly sometimes, Berwald, and I love you for it." 

"How am I silly?" 

"By taking me all the way upstairs just to watch the news in bed!" Finland raised his brows as he spoke when they entered the bedroom, the Swedish man kicking the door shut and Finland winced as a cramp ran through his side and he tapped Sweden's shoulder. "Put me down, please, I need a break. Being in this position has a cramp running through my side and the baby isn't really happy with this position either." Sweden put Finland down, his feet hitting the floor a touch harder than needed but both chuckled softly as Sweden kept his arms around the Finnish man's waist when the man swayed side to side from the strange second head rush he had been delivered and he then tapped Sweden's hands softly. "I'm okay. I think I'll make it to the bed without a babysitter holding my hand the whole way. Don't worry so much, Ber." 

"It's you we're talking about, isn't it? So surely my worry makes sense doesn't it?" Sweden's voice was quiet, soft when he spoke and Finland felt his cheeks flush at the soft tone the man adopted as he walked over to the bed  and he sat on the edge of the bed before crawling backwards towards the center of the bed and stretching out on his back groaning. The muscles pulled tight as he stretched once again and Sweden located the remote and walked around the bed, flicking the TV on and settling on the news station once again then climbed up onto the bed next to Finland. He laid out on his back and wiggled an arm underneath Finland's shoulders and his hand dangled off of his shoulder allowing Finland to reach up to weave their fingers together as his head found his chest and their legs casually overlapped one another's. 

The warmth radiating off of Finland was so absolutely wonderful that when the Nation cuddled closer to Sweden's side the man found his hand stretching outwards pressing against his large stomach feeling the small hands pressing against their mother's stomach and he rubbed the outlines of the tiny hands. He smiled when Finland's hand joined his, rubbing one tiny hand while Sweden poked at the other and the man giggled softly while Sweden chuckled low in his throat at the sight of the tiny hands continuing to push outwards and both parents watch the little hands pushing fiercely before fading away after a few moments. It was a sweetness to feel the baby moving, to see the tiny hands and feet pressing against the inner walls only for it to show up on Finland's belly and there was just something enchanting about the whole situation. To finally have a child after all this time, well, it felt like this was possibly more dream than reality. And Sweden didn't mind it one bit. 

Chapter Text

Blue eyes, intent and focused for a ten year old, stared down at the checker pieces lining the board with the possible moves that he could take but the sight of the troll sitting across from him smirking widely flashing those sharp teeth rustled something inside Sven Køhler that refused to back down. He pressed one finger tip against a checker piece, humming quietly to himself as he stared at his remaining pieces then at the trolls remaining pieces with an intent look to him. His eyes flicked across the board, staring and calculating which moves he could possibly make when the clanging of the metal spoon against the pot made the boy look up briefly at his mother who was bustling around the stove stirring the soup and chopping remaining vegetables that he threw into the soup only to stir it in with a dash of some type of spice. He didn't know how this soup was going to taste but his stomach snarled like any other ten year olds would, his mouth watering at the thought of the meaty vegetable soup bubbling away like some kind of elixir and he felt his stomach snarl at the thought of dinner. He watched his mother bend over to check the rolls he placed into the oven, humming quietly to himself as he his curl bobbed gently with the movements before standing up and stirring the soup once again before flicking the burner off and moving it to the back burner and stretched his arms over his head making Sven's hopes jump in his chest. He then turned his attention back to the game at hand and he moved one of his pieces quickly and snatched up the last stacked pieces that the troll had and looked up with a broad smile on his lips as he turned to his father who was watching him with a quiet on his lips. 

"Mom, did you see that? I won!" He cheered standing up in his chair throwing his arms up and Norway laughed out, his normally blank face filled with pride and warmth as he walked over giving his son a hug then plucked him up off of the chair and plopped him onto the floor. His hair was then ruffled, fingers moving throuhg the locks slowly with nails scratching at his scalp that sent shivers down Sven's spine as he tilted his head back into his mother's hands as he shut his eyes for a brief moment. When his eyes opened again his mother was pulling his hands out of his hair and turning back to the stove, his feet carrying him away but the ten year old shadowed his father's movement's and reached up grabbing the end of his shirt. "So how is dinner going? Are we gonna eat soon?" 

"Yes, we'll be eating very shortly when you're father gets home." Norway replied though Sven could hear the tone of pride in his voice as he looked at his son with such absolute glowing pride in his dull blue eyes that the boy had to look away with a soft blush to his cheeks at the praise in his father's voice. He laughed quietly when a hand ruffled his hair while the other stirred the soup and the Norwegian man then tilted his head. "You're very clever so I'm not that surprised to find that you've beaten him so quickly. Such a good boy you are, Sven. Godt jobbett, kjære." He then leaned down kissing the top of Sven's blonde head, the light locks brushing his face as he did so and he smiled down at the star struck little boy when the sound of feet hitting the floor grabbed Norway's attention and he chuckled. "I thought I told you no running in the house, Abel." 

Coming to a stop in the kitchen doorway was a boy about five years old, a boy who bore a striking resemblance to his father Denmark and yet the dull blue eyes were that of his mother figure Norway's, his blonde hair just as wild as Denmark's had grown to be when he was about that age sent a shock of fondness throughout Norway's chest. His second born son, at five years old, was already promising to be as good looking and striking as his father and when he rushed for Norway he couldn't stop his arms from opening wide to welcome the small boy into his arms and lifted him onto his hip making the five year old beam with delight. "I like runnin'! Daddy said we couldn't go to the park because it was going to snow again and everything was gonna be covered in snow." The little face shifted into a pout, a rather impressive one at that. 

"I know but you know that once it's all dug out that Daddy will be running you down to the park as much as you want." Norway replied raising a hand up to poke his youngest son's little nose making it scrunch up at the casual touch of his father's finger and Norway shifted the boy into a cradle hold on his back, the boy wrapping his chubby arms tightly around his throat as his legs tightened around his sides in an effort to stay onto his mother figure. Norway bent down to pull open the oven, peering inside at the cooking rolls before grabbing one of his oven mitts sliding it onto his hand,  then reached inside said oven tugging the rolls out placing them on the oven then sliding the glove off as the smell of fresh bread wafted around the three of them, each inhaling deeply. "Don't worry about it, kjære, you know that soon enough you'll be able to play at the park but I think for now you'll have to satisfy yourself by playing outside with Daddy or with your brother." 

"Sven never wants to go outside anymore!" Abel complained as his small face rubbed between the space of Norway's shoulder blades, nuzzling down as if hiding his face away from his brother as he cuddled against his father and Norway sighed out as he stirred the soup before placing a cover over the pot and turning the heat down to a low simmer. The five year old clung onto his father like a tiny spider monkey, his hands gripped fistfuls of fabric and his legs squeezing his sides tightly as he peered over his father's shoulder he rested his tiny chin on his shoulder. "Sven never wants to go outside, he's too busy playing with his imaginary friends! And it's not fair at all!" 

"They're not imaginary!" Sven replied coldly when his little brother stuck out his tongue at the ten year old who returned the gesture making Norway's eyes roll as he lightly poked the top of a roll before nodding in satisfaction and turned his attention to the carrots laying there ready to be chopped. He plucked his knife up grabbing the carrots and began chopping away, the clash of the knife against the cutting board near deafening as the Norwegian worked quickly to get the carrots done as he cut the carrots then scraped them into the large white bowl set off to the side. "Mom sees them too so they're not imaginary at all! Just because you can't see them doesn't mean anything!" 

"No fighting!" Norway barked as he began cutting into his second carrot, his eyes on his task as both boys looked away from one another with a pout on their faces, Sven crossed his arms over his chest while Abel's arms tightened around his throat. "You're father is going to be home any moment and the last thing he's going to want to do after a long day of work is deal with two fighting kids. You got it? So please stop the bickering." He made quick work of the carrot before him, the knife moving quickly as he cut into the carrot when the sound of boots stamping outside made all three heads raise and turn towards the door. There was a beat of silence between father and sons, a moment where hearts quickened with hope as the beating boots calmed after a moment and when the door opened hearts soared. Norway helped the squirming child on his back down onto the floor where he took off in a blur of blonde hair and slapping feet with a screech on his lips. 

There was a moment of shouts, Abel's and Denmark's, both sounding utterly delighted as the man laughed heartily. "Hang on, kid, I gotta get my boots off!" Denmark bellowed out joyfully when Abel squealed joyfully and the sound of boots clunking onto the floor rang out did the footsteps on the wooden floor creak softly as the man's heavy footsteps made their way directly to the kitchen. Following his nose, Denmark popped his head around the corner to find Sven standing closely to his mother figure, his blue eyes exact copies of Denmark's, peered up at him with joy sparkling in them while his face remained impassive much like his mother figure's, and when Norway's head lifted then turned towards Denmark the taller Nation's heart fluttered in his chest. How one could get used to such beauty, such attraction, he had no clue. "I'm home!" 

A sarcastic, even ironic, smirk curled over Norway's lips as the emotion glimmered in his dull blue eyes and the sight robbed Denmark of his breath as he looked at his husband before walking into the room with Abel following behind him like a little duckling and Denmark positioned himself right behind Norway. He slid his arms around his waist, pulling him firmly against him making the Norwegian mumble out in his language under his breath before reaching back with his free hand to pat the wild blonde locks of hair. "Welcome home." Norway said simply as he then turned his attention back to cutting the third carrot of his when lips against his neck had him jumping out of his skin with a squeak. "Don't do that!" 

"But I love you! And I missed you, horribly." Denmark pitched his voice lower then as his hands rubbed at his waist. fingers digging into the skin beneath his shirt making him shiver as a pair of blue and dull blue eyes peered up at their parents curiously making Norway's face burn a brilliant red for the Danish man's actions. In front of their children no less! He elbowed the man in the gut making him puff out a breath before turning his own attention to the children. "Why don't you guys go in the living room and wait for me there? We can put a movie on! First one in there gets to-" Abel was already taking off like a streak to the living room with Sven hot on his heels, both shouting out their confirmations and bickering already making the Danish Nation shake his head with a fondness for the boys bubbling in his chest when he then rested his chin on Norway's shoulder. "So how was your day with the boys?" 

"It was alright. Oh, Sven finally beat the troll at chess and he was trying to jump off of the dresser to fly but I caught him before he could do so and Abel kept asking for you per usual." Norway's attention was solely on scraping the carrots into the bowl, the knife scraping against the cutting board as he got the carrots into the bowl and began cutting the fourth, final, carrot. It was easy to focus on cutting the carrot rather than the breath on his neck, the hands on his waist that were rubbing again and it was easier to focus on cooking when those lips were pressing against his neck sending shivers down his spine as he shut his eyes for a moment as he stopped his hands. "Mathias, I have to get dinner done. Don't you think you can control yourself until tonight? Or do you simply have no self control at all?" The man's low husky laugh so close to his ear had him blushing fiercely. "Stop that! Seriously!" 

"I'm not stopping you from cooking, I'm just enjoying myself." The Danish man murmured softly as he wrapped his arms around the Norwegian's waist, chuckling softly at the gasp that left the smaller man's lips and Denmark kissed the shell of his ear delightedly and the arms tightened around his waist when he smiled widely. After five years Norway hadn't quite managed to shift the baby weight yet, something that was tough on it's own but something Denmark hoped he never lost. He adored the softness of his hips, adored the plushness to his stomach and his thighs so deeply that he never brought it up to the Norwegian who would lose the weight just to spite Denmark and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. He squeezed the Norwegian, enjoying the plush warmth in his arms as the scraping of the knife against the cutting board rang out again and the Norwegian pushed at him with his elbows until the Danish man released the shorter man. "So you never answered me fully, when I asked how your day was." 

"I answered you already. It was fine." Norway replied as he carried the bowl of carrots over to the microwave, placing it down, and walked to the fridge opening the door then pulling the butter out and a spoon from the drawer before walking over to the bowl of carrots. He scraped a thin layer of butter before dropping it into the bowl and then sliding the bowl into the microwave and setting it to cook and he  turned to the Danish Nation who was smirking wickedly now and he glared. "Don't think abou-Dammit!" The Danish man had rushed forward, his hands on his waist lifting him upwards and plopping him onto the counter with a thud that had the Norwegian glaring viciously at the Danish Nation who smiled happily as he settled himself between his legs. "Din dust! I told you multiple times not to do that without warning me ahead of time! I hate it when you do that without warning me! And it's absolutely childish to plop me onto a counter!" 

"But you look so sweet sitting here!" Denmark replied cheerfully when Norway read the darkening of those blue eyes, the sparkle there and felt his face flush deeply as a shiver raced down his spine once again  when Denmark leaned in, pressing a kiss against the Norwegian's chest and smiled up at him. "You look particularly beautiful today, so I swear to value it to the hig-" 

"Daddy! We chose a movie! Sven almost didn't-What are you doing to Mama?" Both men looked over at the high piping voice, the Norwegian's face a bright red as his eyes widened at the sight of his youngest son standing in the doorway of the kitchen with wide dull blue eyes, exact copies of Norway's, looking rather worried in that moment as he hesitantly took a step into the room. His wild blonde head barely cleared the counter but as he walked forward he stood up on his tiptoes to stare at his mother clearer before walking around the counter all together and looking up at his father with that same concern on his face. "Is Mama supposed to be on the counter? I thought Mama said that no one could sit on the counter! Why is he on there? Mama, did Daddy put you on the counter? What are you doing up there?" 

So many questions fired out from the young boy that the parents both glanced at one another before Denmark pulled away from Norway who crossed his arms over his chest, one leg over the other as well, and looked away from his husband and son shyly. Denmark shifted down into a squat as he looked at his son who was staring with those wide eyes, his hands curled into uncertain fists that Norway took into his hands, rubbing the tight fists carefully with his fingers until they loosened enough to grip onto his fingers. "It's just fine, Abe. Daddy was just playing with Mama, that's all, I promise. Besides, look at Mama's pretty red face! He'll never admit it but he likes being lifted up onto the counter. As for your other questions, Mama can sit on the counter because he's bigger and because he's Mama! But I was just giving Mama a kiss, that was all. Now if you've chosen your movie I'll be right there to put it in! Promise!" 

The sound of Norway sliding off of the counter, the microwave beeping, interrupted the Danish man when the Norwegian opened the microwave and stirred the carrots before scraping a little more butter into the carrots and then put the container off to the side. "No movie yet, dinner's about to be done. Abel, go get your brother and come sit at the table." Norway ordered as he watched the bowl of carrots swirl around lazily in the microwave, his face throbbing from the intensity of his blush as he scowled downwards at the counter. He listened to his son rush away from the room, his small feet slamming against the wooden floor when arms curled around his waist and the Norwegian pushed at the arms forcing them away from his waist with a look over his shoulder. "No. You cause too much trouble with those hands of yours. I want to get dinner done, so get some bowls for me so I can start dishing out the soup." 

Denmark sighed. "Fine fine. I'm glad to know that you think my hands are trouble." He winked at the Norwegian who looked away feeling flustered once again as the Danish Nation walked over to the hutch to grab four deep bowls for the Norwegian and walked back over placing the bowls out one at a time on the counter before pulling the lid off of the pot, inhaling deeply then smiling appreciatively at the Norwegian. "This smells absolutely delicious, Lukas! You always outdo yourself when it comes to dinner, now don't you? It's got my stomach growling, haha!" The man opened the drawer in front of him, selecting a ladle and in an effort to help his husband began to ladle the soup into bowls while the microwave beeps allowing Norway to pull the bowl out and place it on the table while the boys rushed into the room climbing into their chairs. 

"I'm super hungry, Mama!" Abel chirped out as the Norwegian began spooning carrots on top of the soup, smiling over at his youngest son, grabbing napkins and placing rolls onto them and worked on placing the rolls on the table before the boys then at his and Denmark's chairs. Abel plucked up his roll and took a large, deep bite of his roll chewing happily as his cheeks puffed out from the bite and the boy devoured his first roll in two bites despite the disapproving look of the Norwegian and Abel worked on swallowing his mouthfuls and winced as it went down painfully. When the soup was placed down before him, a scoop placed into the bowl he began to scoop up a mouthful when Norway gave him a warning look and he smiled. "I know it's hot, Mama! I'll be careful!" 

"You better be. You too, Sven, be careful." Norway ordered as he then walked over to the hutch,  grabbing glasses for the four of them and sighing out quietly to himself as he ruffled Sven and Abel's hair as he walked past, placing the glasses on the table as he grabbed the butter then putting it up in the fridge. He grabbed the milk pouring them each a glass then sliding it towards his sons who were devouring the carrots and soup like they had been starving all day long. They tore into their rolls, dipped it in their soup and devoured the dripping pieces only to lick their fingers clean as they devoured their soup and both parents watched the boys hungrily eat before sitting down at the table as well. "I will never understand how you boys are always so hungry, especially after that big snack you had this afternoon." 

"My boys are growing! Growing boys need lots of food!" Denmark happily replied as he scooped up a mouthful of soup, chewing the chunks of carrot as he watched the boys take a break from eating to chug their milk for a moment before returning to their soup which as rapidly lowering in the bowls much to both parents awe. How two boys devoured soup so quickly was beyond him but when they held up their bowls for more, something that stunned both Denmark and Norway, the latter stood up grabbing their bowls and ladling more soup into their bowls then sat them right back before the boys who devoured the fresh soup with gusto. "Besides, if they have fuller stomachs then they'll fall asleep that much faster tonight! We'll all go to bed after the movie, alright?" 

"Okay!" Both boys spoke around their mouthfuls then turned their attentions, once again, back to devouring their food. 

"I've never seen anything like this. Mathias, do you remember eating this much during our growth spurts?" Norway asked to which he got a shrug from his husband and he scowled at the man. "So helpful you are." He turned his attention to his own bowl of soup, chewing the chunks happily as he swallowed and he looked around the table at his small family. Small as it was he was happy, he was delighted, absolutely ecstatic to have two beautiful sons and to have a husband on top of it all was honestly more than Norway could have ever asked for, something he cherished every day. 

Cherished the way his sons noses would scrunch up, how they clung onto him with their small hands, how they stared up at him with their wide blue eyes waiting for him to tell them the secrets of the world and he cherished how they loved him so fervently. He loved his children, hsi sons, with every fiber of his being and he loved his life as it was now, surprisingly. He had never thought himself mother material, had never thought himself to be a family man, but there was something amazing about having two tiny people depending on him, needing him, to hold their hands as he explained what he could of the world. There was even something about laying in bed with Denmark's arms around him as they slept together and there was something in the way that they all needed HIM. They all needed, wanted, and loved him so fervently that he was taken aback by it everyday and he had to admit, nothing was better than being a mother figure to two little boys and being a husband to someone that he had loved since his youth. There was a magical quality to it all, more magical than the mythical beings that flittered around him, more lovely than even the sunrises that he woke too every morning. It was so magical, so ethereal, all because this was his happiness. His treasured, precious, happiness. 

Chapter Text

It was no secret that Russia's daughter was beautiful. From glimpses caught of the girl one would say she was a pretty girl who would surely grow into her looks to be just as stunning as Hungary or Ukraine, though no one could say for sure due to the sheer fact that Russia's daughter was hidden away. She very rarely was brought to meetings due to her elder brother choosing to watch over them while Russia and Lithuania were gone but this time was different. This time not only did Russia's daughter come with him but this time his sons came as well. The hotel room they were staying in was extravagant, two off rooms being the rooms for Tatiana Braginsky and the other small room for his eldest son, Uri Wang-Braginsky, to room with his younger brother Darius Braginsky. Russia set their bags down on the hotel room with a thud of finality to it as the children looked around the rather extravagant room, Tatiana clinging to Russia's hand while her other arm gripped her favored doll to her chest here green eyes wide and roaming the walls. Darius was held up in Lithuania's arms, the violet gaze of the boy peered around the room with the same curiosity and just as wide as his sister's while Uri merely grabbed his bag and walked towards one of the off rooms to claim as his and his brother's. Tatiana released her father's hand, spinning in a wide circle with a laugh spilling from her lips as her pale, ashen blonde hair fluttered and flew around her as she spun and finally came to a stop before both of her parents, her eyes glowing as she held her doll to her chest once again. 

"It's perfect!" She proclaimed in a high, chirping voice that rang with tones of delight in it as she climbed onto the large bed and stood onto of it, her feet digging into the bed as she bounced experimentally on the bed before bouncing wildly as she jumped around giggling. "Darius, come join me! Come on!" Darius wriggled out of his father's arms running over to his sister, delighted that she seemed to be in a good mood after their long travels and so he ran up onto the bed and when she held a hand out he took it as they began bouncing wildly with giggles passing their lips as they spun and twirled with their jumps all while Lithuania kept a concerned eye on them while Russia began moving their luggage over to the large closet space waiting for them when Tatiana screeched out with joy. "мама, look! Come jump with us, please?" 

Russia looked over at his red faced children, looking for all the world like perfect little dolls with their red cheeks and yet the wide imploring eyes were nearly tempting him to join the children for it wouldn't be the first time he had joined in something childish with them. Sadly a knock on the door, wild and quick in it's rhythm broke the spell his children's wide eyes were trying to cast upon their mother figure and Russia brushed past Lithuania, giving his arm a reassuring stroke as he walked by, and pulled open the door only for Prussia to step into the room with a wide smile on his lips, his daughter attached to his hip yet looking for all the world like she wanted to run into the room. A spitting image of her father, leaving no one to wonder her parentage, Astrid was a duplicate of her father from her long silver hair to her wide ruby eyes. "What is it, Prussia?" 

"Vest vanted me to come by, make sure everyvun vas alright after your trip, vanted to make sure the ride vas up to your standards, yadda yadda. He also vanted me to let you know that there vill be a baby sitter to vatch the kids vhile ve are in the meeting, also vanted me to give you this." Russia glanced at the folder curiously as the albino held it out, allowing Russia to pluck it from his fingers as he then flipped the folder open and stared down at the pages waiting for him to read as he raised his eyebrows. "Ja, I know. It's a lot of information in there but he vants to go over all of it at the meeting. You know how anal he gets about the meetings going absolutely perfectly so ve can get it over vith." 

It was at that moment that Tatiana looked over at the doorway curiously only for her eyes to narrow in on the sight of the small albino girl standing next to her father, her jumping coming to such a stop that Darius bounced right into her knocking her off her feet. She flew sidewards off of the bed crashing onto the floor with a scream leaving her lips drawing the attention of her mother figure and had her father rushing over to her as he plucked her up into his arms and she felt tears welling in her yes as she hid her face in his shoulder to keep from looking at that albino girl for she felt embarrassed she had been knocked off of her feet in the first place. Russia sighed at his lovers actions, shaking his head as the girl pulled away from her father, sniffling as he rubbed at her eyes with his fingers when Tatiana turned to her brother with a fury blazing in her eyes as her jaw clenched and she grabbed his ankle yanking him, forcing him to fall onto his back with a cry. "Jūs idiotas! Kaip tu drįsti mane sugėdinti!" 

"Oi! There was no need for that, Tatiana!" Lithuania scolded the girl then as he tapped her hand to keep it from tugging her brother towards her when she then glared at her father, her lashes wet from her previous tears and she turned away from him crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not right to hurt your brother just because of an accident, brangusis. Apologize to your brother. Now." The girl stared at her father in silent, incredulous anger as her eyes widened and he merely sat there on his knees waiting for the apology to leave his daughter's lips, wanted nothing more than to take part in the quiet conversation by the door but he held his ground against his daughter. Out of both their children, Tatiana was the most like Russia in that she could be vicious and unpredictable, prone to hurting her brother sometimes and that lead to the decision that there was to be no mercy for Tatiana if she did a single thing to hurt her brother. "Now, Tati." 

Tatiana peered at the albino girl through her sheen of ashen blonde hair, her cheeks warming with embarrassment as she then leveled her narrowed angry gaze on her brother who paled under the sight of his sister's anger. "Aš atsiprašau!" She spat then turned away from her brother, blonde hair swishing with the movement as she faced away from her father and brother but that left her facing the albino girl and her red face was the last thing she wanted her to see. She looked down hoping her hair blocked out the sight of her red face when the sound of hesitant footsteps rang out over the carpeted floor and when Tatiana peered up curiously she jerked to find the albino girl closer tha nshe had been before, a hesitant smile on her lips. 

"I've got a bruder too, he's a baby but I've got a little sister. I get it." She then held her hand out smiling in a rather cocky manner as she held one arm behind her back. "My name is Astrid Beilschmidt! It's nice to meet you!" Tatiana looked at the girl curiously, then up to her mother who nodded subtly at her when the girl's father cackled wildly at some joke he had spit out in rapid fire and she then looked back at Astrid who was smiling at her in a manner that had her ruby eyes sparkling. She had a pink hue to her cheeks that, while nothing like the red hues of Tatiana's, the splash of color gave the girl a quality that had the blush burning hotter in Tatiana's cheeks as she slowly reached her hand out and placed it in hers. 

"Hi. I'm Tatiana Braginsky. Um, nice to meet you." She replied when Astrid beamed the moment her hand was in hers and the little shake they had going turned into a hand hold on Astrid's side as she gripped the hand tightly, covering it with her other hand and Tatiana blinked at the pale hue of Astrid's skin, paler than even her own pale skin. The silver sheen to her hair was stunning Tatiana in place each time she shook her hair out, the locks spilling past her shoulders to the same length of Tatiana's, though the shimmering silver color of the girl's hair was absolutely beautiful. While Tatiana's own pale ashen blonde hair had the tendency to shimmer and appear very pale, close to white, in certain lighting she knew it was nothing compared Astrid's hair color. Even her eyes, a ruby red that were a complete opposite of Tatiana's greens were beautiful. Red like hollies, shining like rubies. She was a very pretty girl that much was sure and she made Tatiana surprisingly...shy. She couldn't force the words out of her throat as she stared at this albino girl awkwardly when her mother figure spoke up. 

"Tati, why don't you let your brother go unpack his clothing for the next couple of days and you play with Astrid? If that's quite alright with you, Prussia, for Astrid will be quite safe here." Russia offered as he looked at both the girls, at their conjoined hands before turning back to Prussia who was looking rather hesitant, like he was holding his breath or on the verge of saying something. It was a very unusual lookfor Prussia but the Russian leaned in clasping a large hand on the Germanic Nations shoulder and squeezed slightly. "Don't worry, Prussia. I am merely offering for the girls to have a little playdate. I promise no harm will come to Astrid." 

"Um, Asty, do you vanna play vith Tatiana?" Prussia asked with that hesitance to his voice that nearly had Russia snorting in response to the sound but he held the reaction back as he looked at the albino then to his daughter who was nodding so viciously that he rhair trembled and flailed around her face. Prussia then looked to Russia, raising a finger in warning as he looked at the Russian Nation with not a drop of fear in his ruby eyes but rather he was looking at him as one father to another. One parent to another parent. "If anything happens to my daughter I vill personally kick your ass, Russia. Same vith you, Lithuania. If that girl isn't in pristine order vhen I come back for her then I'll kick both of your asses." 

"Don't worry, when we come down for dinner I promise you that there won't be a hair out of place on her." Lithuania promised then held his hand out for the Prussian to shake and when the Prussian took hsi hand the Lithuanian Nation shook it firmly and Prussia then looked at his daughter with that same worry and Astrid waved as Tatiana dragged her towards her temporary room, babbling quietly to the girl about her dolls and other items such like it as they rushed for the room. "I will look after Astrid as if she were my own. I can assure you that she will be save with us, no need to look so worry." 

"I'll see you at the dining hall then vith my kid." Prussia replied stiffly before turning then stopping half way pointing at the folder in Russia's hand. "By the vay, the only reason I didn't bring vun for you, Lithuania, is because Vest thought that you und Russia vould just share the same folder." Lithuania's face colored into a blush that made the Prussian smirk as he then turned to the door raising a hand up waving loosely to both the men as he walked through the door. "Vell have fun!" 

Russia merely shut the door after the albino walked through it, the click ringing out as they took a look at the doors that were shut, four sets of voices rising and falling eagerly with one another, did Lithuania jump at the arms that wrapped around his waist. The folder pressed against his lower back, stiff and cool through his shirt, the warmth of Russia's skin soaking into his waist as he stared up at the taller male who was smiling now as they began walking backwards the bed with the Lithuanian smiling widely at the Russian. His heart fluttered against his chest as they made their way over to the bed, the Russian tossing the folder to one side of the bed while the two of them fell in a heap of tangled limbs on the other side, lips brushing jaws, cheeks, affectionately kissing the tips of noses and smiles were shared. Russia moved a hand up through the brown locks of hair, cupping the back of Lithuania's head as their lips came together in a kiss that seemed to crackle, throb, to life wit helectricity as he heard the long sigh leaving Lithuania's nose, the breath brushing his cheek from the angle of his head as their lips moved together. It was an electric, addictive type of kiss that they had been waiting hours for. Hours upon hours of lip biting, lip licking, calculated smirks shared on the plane as they landed, hours of pursing lips purposefully or parting lips teasingly. The kiss screamed and shrieked with that electricity of finally, finally, getting what they wanted as their lips moved together urgently, coats rustling softly as they pulled back from one another licking lips instinctively and beginning to unzip their coats, russia throwing his big heavy coat to the side then helping Lithuania remove his as well. 

Russia licked his lips again making Lithuania smirk as he sat up on his elbows, the two of them leaning forward pressing their lips together in a fierce kiss that had puffs of breath leaving noses from the intensity of the kiss and hungrily did they kiss one another. Lithuania chose to flop onto his back once again in order to lift his hands upwards and tangle into the ashen blonde locks of hair as Russia leaned over on top of him, his hands sinking into the mattress, his lips hungry on the brunettes as they deepened the kiss to a smoldering degree only to part when the door flew open revealing a pink faced Darius, only the blush on his face deepened to a red. Uri, who was right behind him, slapped his hand over the boy's eyes and dragged him back into the room slamming the door then turning towards his parents. "Can you btoh not control yourselves? You have a bunch of little kids around!" 

Uri Wang-Braginsky was an interestingly colored boy. He had the pale skin of his mother, smooth in complexion though a few red blotches forming on his chin promising to bubble into zits, though his hair was the same pale ashen blonde as Russia's it was long brushing his shoulders. His eyes were by far the most unique things on him; they held a very light tracing of a tilt, nothing major like China's, but just enough of a tilt to make him look rather exotic. His eyes, framed by pale lashes, were a brilliant burning golden brown of his father. While Russia loved every moment with Lithuania he had to admit that he had made one of the most beautiful children ever with China. When Russia had fallen pregnant with Uri, he and China had decided that a break was needed and it was in that time that their love waned and found other recipients but that didn't mean that he regretted his time with China. Not in the slightest bit. If the man had come back to him during that break they would probably be here, with Russia beneath China at this very moment with a few other children just as beautiful as Uri. But alas, not all things worked out for good. Russia climbed off of Lithuania who sighed out with disappointment but sat up with a flush to his face as their twelve year old scowled at both of his parents. "Some day, Uri, you will understand." 

"No, I won't. I won't be crawling all over my girlfriend!" Uri replied hotly as he then sighed rubbing at his eyes fiercely before dropping his hands with a sharp smack against his thighs as his hands found his hips. "Baba doesn't do this with Kiku. Why are you so freakin' different from Baba? Would you be doing this if it was him?" The demanding tone ruffled something inside of Russia, sent his hairs standing on edge as he looked at his eldest son who was standing there with his small hands on his hips still and a fire to his golden brown eyes. "It's embarrassing! Baba always said that touchy feely stuff should stay in the bed-" 

"China doesn't know everything, Uri." Russia replied coldly as he stood up, fussing with his shirt before turning to his son who was now looking slightly pale at the cold tone of his mother figure and looked down at the floor though his hands never left his hips as he bit at his lower lip. Russia sighed out rubbing his hand across his forehead as he considered just what he needed to say to get the young boy to understand that not everything was as prim and proper as what China had going with Japan but he hated when his son compared himself to the Asian Nations. "Uri, when you're in love you'll want to be with that person more than anyone on the whole planet and yes, that comes with kissing. If you want to be technical this whole front room IS our bedroom for the next couple of days so we are doing this in privacy. I just need you to understand, dear boy, that not everything is as China does for I'm not him. I don't live by the same rules and regulations he sets for himself. If I want to kiss Lithuania then dammit I'm going to. China is more than likely doing the same thing with Japan! So don't stand there acting mightier than thou with me, young man." 

"I'm not acting holier than thou!" Uri protested as he looked at the blonde, throwing his arms out then growling to himself as he moved his hands throuhg his hair and then looked up at his mother figure. "I'm not trying to tell you what to do! I'm just saying that Baba doesn't do stuff like that when there's kids around! You saw for yourself what happened with Darius! He ran right on out! I'm just saying have more ideas for different places to make out if that's what you want to do! Aiyaa, I swear Baba understands me more than YOU do, мама." With that Uri spun on his heel yanking the door open to his room and slamming it behind him leaving Russia and Lithuania in the quiet. 

The door slam seemed so much louder than necessary, so much louder than it needed to be when the Russian turned to Lithuania with a look on his face that wasn't quite hurt but it did touch the Lithuanian where it mattered. "Is this what teenagers do? Is this what I have to look forward too for the next seven years? What if he decides to live with China permanently?" Russia asked his voice creeping towards hysteria as he his hands came up to his cheeks rubbing his face fiercely. His hands trembled lightly when he dropped them from his face to look at Lithuania once again, his violet eyes wide and all too innocent for his liking but the sight of them had the Lithuanian on his feet. "Am I going to end up fighting with my son all the time, Tori?" 

"Don't think too much into it, mano meilė, it was just one disagreement. No need to get so worked up over it." Lithuania stood to his feet, positioning himself in front of the Russian as he slid his arms along his waist and pressed his palms flat against his lower back and tilted his head backwards as he reached up kissing his jaw. "I can see why both of you are upset now but don't think too much into it, mano meilė, I promise that things will be just fine. It is in a teenagers nature to fight with their parents and you have to remember that just because you fight doesn't mean that he doesn't love you or care for you. Perhaps over the next few days during the meetings we should be...more careful. We shouldn't be so careless like that because Uri did make a fair point, you know."

When Russia refused to speak again the Lithuanian softly sighed out but kisses the Russian's jaw once again which then lead to the man tilting his head down, brushing his lips across Lithuania's cheek bone, down along his cheek until the Lithuanian lifted his head upwards finding the Russian's lips. The kiss was softer, slower and warmer than the eager sparking kiss they had shared moments before but the kiss sent shivers down the brunette's spine as he clung onto the Russian, his arms curled behind his neck as they swayed together, lips locked together. His heart was fluttering in his chest, his stomach squeezing as they pulled from the kiss only for those lips to trace along his jaw and down to his throat where his pulse beat quickly like a rabbits, fast and light as his head spun with the lips that lightly suckled at him before releasing the Lithuanian sighing out. "I guess we should go over the papers in the folder, shouldn't we?" 

Lithuania sighed again only this time it echoed the disappointment that had shimmered in Russia's tone when the door flew open and the two girls ran out, bare foot now and with beaming smiles as they held up their dolls. "мама, look! Astrid said that her sister showed her how to braid doll hair and look what she did!" Tatiana held up her doll excitedly, showing off the braided crown that Astrid had created, the doll's hair appearing ever so elegant that Russia even reached down and ruffled Astrid's silver hair with a strange look of pride in his eyes when he handed the doll back to Tatiana who immediately nuzzled her cheek against the doll's elegant hair style. "Isn't it pretty, мама? Don't you think it's pretty, Papa?" 

"It is very pretty, darling! You did a very good job, Astrid! Now, why don't you two go play until dinner? мама and Papa have some work we have to do." Lithuania ruffled Tatiana's pale ashen blonde hair, sliding his hand down the silky hair to cup her cheek and he smiled when the sight of his own eyes, green and vibrant, flicked up to meet his happily and both girls then flipped around running back to the room chattering happily to one another as the door slammed shut behind them and Lithuania turned to an amused Russia. "Looks like Tati's got a new playmate. I just can't tell if that's an amazing thing or an ecstatic thing to be happy over." He then poked Russia's cheek playfully making the man chuckle as he swatted the hand away from his cheek. "Our daughter is growing up, it's amazing! To think she has a playmate already is amazing!" 

"Well she was bound to find a playmate with the meeting and everyone bringing their children this time round." Russia replied when he sat down on the bed's edge, flipping the folder open and folding it back when he wiggled the paper before Lithuania and smiled softly when those green eyes he so adored flickered from the papers to Russia's face with a slow grin curling across his face. He slid the hair tie from his wrist, tying his shoulder length brown hair away from his throat and walked over to the Russian, plopping down. They both shared a devious smirk as they leaned against one another's side, heart speeding at the casual touch as Russia looked down at the paper. Whether he believed it or not, he was happy. Happier than he ever thought possible and each time he met those green eyes he felt that joy swell just a little higher. 

Chapter Text

"Mutti, you're tugging too hard!" Amelia Beilschmidt whined loudly reaching her hands up, close to her ears when her mother figure raked the brush through the rich chestnut brown locks of hair as carefully as he could but sighed and giving up by looking at the back of his daughter's head when she reached up rubbing her head mussing up her brown locks of hair softly. Mia had always had a sensitive scalp,something that Austria had always been careful about and yet the whining had always been the hardest part to deal with when it came to his little daughter. He wanted nothing more than to get the process done but the small six year old covered her messy hair with her hands and whined pitifully until Austria dropped his hands all together. The girl looked at her mother, her own violet eyes watery from the light tugging and Austria felt stabs of pity in his chest when he looked at his daughter's distraught little face. So similar to his own, minus the Mariazelle, Mia was the perfect spitting image of Austria. The wide violet eyes, the chestnut brown hair, right down to the slope of her nose and the shape of her lips with her pale complexion coming from her albino parent, Mia was truly the feminine version of Austria in the same manner that Astrid was Prussia's feminine version. It was quite funny how genetics played their part like that. 

"Vell, darling, I have to brush your hair because it's all messy. You don't vant your hair to be messy und tangled like your sister's, do you?" Austria questioned as he looked down at those wet eyes and saw them widen in panic, as if the idea of her hair becoming a tangled mess was a thought she couldn't abide by, and her tears rolled down her cheeks. Mia, for all intents and purposes, was a delicate girl and was very easily driven to tears; whether they were happy tears or they were sad tears, it could always be counted upon that the girl would be moved to tears somehow. She was like a fairy princess brought to life what with her demure, polite nature and the way she was moved to tears right down to her quiet selfless actions, always wanting those to be happy around her and already at six years old she seemed mature. She was a true princess come to life. If his youngest daughter was a princess, then he knew instinctively that his eldest daughter was the knight in shining armor coming to defend the princess at any cost or stake, just like her father. "Can Mutti at least brush the ends of your hair? To make it look somevhat decent before dinner?" 

It seemed that at that moment, a loud cry from the other bedroom had Austria's head snapping up as Mia looked up at him again with those wet eyes of hers and she sniffled, rubbing at her nose. Austria placed the brush down on the bed, standing to his feet as he then rushed from the bedroom into the front room of the hotel and he rushed over to the bassinet. Laying in the bassinet, red cheeked and grumpy upon awakening was the youngest Beilschmidt child, Fritz. Born about four months ago the baby was far too expressive for his own good but it was rather sweet to see each expression flicker across the baby's face and today it was grumpy after his short nap. He had a cap of chestnut brown hair, the same shade and thickness of Austria's but he had the large, glittering ruby eyes of his father and all together with those chubby cheeks was absolutely adorable but beneath that was the shape of Austria's nose, the arch of his brow was like Prussia's. He was the perfect balance of Prussia and Austria and right now he looked about as grumpy as Prussia after a nap. He reached inside plucking the four month old up into his arms, the baby cuddling into his mother's chest, Austria stroked the little cap of chestnut brown hair and swirled his fingers through the wispy locks softly as he crooned worlessly to the baby who peered up at Austria from under his dark lashes and the Nation sighed happily. Such a beautiful baby, Fritz was, and Austria adored the baby ever so desperately. 

The door rattled behind him, the keycard slot beeping gently and the doorhandle twisting then pulling open revealing a rather tired Prussia standing there yet unlike when he left there was no eight year old albino with him. Austria's hackles immediately went up as he turned to face the albino who walked in, shut the door behind him, then walked across the front room to the large bed he was standing beside and threw himself on top of while kicking his shoes off with a quiet grunt then looked over at Austria with the baby in his arms. He smiled when the baby peered over at Prussia only to begin whimpering softly at the sight of his father, reaching his chubby hand out for his father with another whimper at the tight hold Austria had adopted when the albino looked up at him. It was the casual, soft smile on the albino's face that seemed more like being spit in the face than any other time as he clutched the baby to his chest when the albino spoke up. "So vhen do you vant to go down for din-" 

"Vhere is our daughter?" 

Silence. Austria looked down at Prussia who was staring up at him with wide ruby eyes, his mouth moving silently for a moment before it formed an awkward little smile and he laughed weakly but when he saw the bloodshed brewing in those violet eyes of his, along with the sight of his youngest daughter poking her head out, did he bite his lip before speaking. "She-She wanted to play with Tatiana, over at Russia's room so I decided to let her play." He watched the aristocrat puff up with a single breath, like some kind of demented cat and before the words could hurtle past his lips Prussia sat up on his hands looking up at the aristocrat. "Don't vorry! I already told Russia und Lithuania that if there vas a single hair out of place on her head that I vas going to kick BOTH of their asses. I'm sure Astrid is having a blast of a time right now! Und vasn't it you who said that he vanted Astrid to have playmates? Because the vay it looks to me is that she's found herself a playmate already! So don't go getting pissy on me, not vhen she's having a fun time und ve'll see her at dinner." 

"I vanted her to find playmates vhen ve go to the meeting tomorrow und all the children are together! I didn't vant you shipping off our daughter on somevun else! Vhat in the vorld vere you thinking leaivng our daughter alone vith Russia's spawn! Und didn't they just fly in too? They're bound to be tired, Gilbert! I vant you to go back und get our daughter right now!" Austria snapped then gestured to the door with his elbow as he adjusted the hold on the baby who was whining openly at his mother figure's harsh tone and the Austrian Nation glared at the albino laying out on the bed, having moved not an inch yet. Austria stamped his foot fiercely. "Now, Gilbert! I vant our daughter back here right now!" 

"Nein! She's having fun! Vhy do you vant to ruin her fun? Let her play vith the little psychopath, she'll probably have something in common vith her! I don't see the problem that you're flipping out about!" Prussia replied with a defensive tone when he then shifted into a sitting position and held his hands out for the baby which Austria handed over after a moment of deliberation, the baby cooing happily once he was in his father's arms. Austria then turned around storming off to Maria's room with the girl quickly fleeing around him and the door slamming just inches away from her making her flinch before running over to the large bed with tears in her eyes once again as she skootched close to her father. "Don't cry, squirt, Mutti is just hormonal right now. It's probably just jet lag und nerves about the meeting und us leaving you guys vith a babysitter. Don't mind him in the slightest bit." 

"But if Mutti is mad-" 

"Mutti always gets mad, so do I! It's just how life is, sveetheart." He freed one of his hands reaching out to wipe the tears from his daughter's eyes and then tilted her chin upwards giving her a defiant look to her despite her wet lashes and the sparkling in her violet eyes. "You got to be Vati's tough girl for right now, alright? Now do you need Mutti to brush your hair? It looks all messy like Astrid's! Do you vant Vati to brush it?" When the girl's hands flew up to her hair she widened her eyes at her father who cackled softly standing up and propping the four month up on the pillows only to surround the baby with the pillows from the other side of the bed and he then turned to his daughter. "Alright! Vati vill be very gentle, Mia, I promise!" 

"Okay..." The girl mumbled before crawling across the bed, sitting down on her knees with her back to her father as she looked over at her brother who was watching everything with wide ruby eyes and she looked down when he felt a hand pressing against the top of her head before sliding down then pinning her hair against the back of her head. When her father began brushing she felt the light tugs, here and there, but with the hand pinning the hair in place against the back of her head she couldn't feel the tugs of the brush moving through her hair for it was stopping the hair up top from being pulled. She was in awe of this new way of hair brushing that when her father finished she turned around jumping to her feet as she threw her arms around his broad shoulders, her eyes sparkling with awe as she looked at the albino who was smirking widely. "How did you do that, Vati?" 

"I merely held your hair so it vouldn't pull at the top part! It vas very simple, after all, but I think I found a solution for you. Shall ve tell Mutti?" He held plucked the girl off of the bed, swinging her through the air making her squeal as she was plopped down on the floor with her hand gripping his shirt still and he smiled. He reached over picking Fritz up, the baby gurgling softly to himself as drool ran down his cheek which Prussia wiped away and Mia held onto her father's shirt as they walked around the big bed and, together as a little unit, went to comfort the angry Austria.

Austria had long since toned out the sound of Italy cooing over Fritz, who as soaking up the attention from his uncle rather happily, and found himself staring at the doorway of the large dining room multiple times. Each time he stared a touch too long he as nudged under the table by Prussia as he was brought back into the conversation with a begrudging note to his tone but the others along the table didn't seem to mind it as they had their own hands full with their own children. Hungary was scolding her daughter for reading at the table, her son for taunting his sister, while Germany was cutting his sons' food for the both of them while the sweet older twin of his babbled his ear off it seemed as he watched his father cut up the food. Austria was restless in his seat, his leg bouncing often beneath the table as Mia talked to her father in a quiet, docile tone that Austria himself had used countless time when Prussia was in one of his rages. They all had something to do, something they were busy with, and Austria found his gaze straying to the doorway over and over, waiting to see the familiar messy fall of silver hair that he was subconsciously searching for each time his eyes flickered over to the doorway. He was biting at his inner lip, pulling at the skin of his chapped lips and he found his eyes catching Prussia's multiple times only to find the Nation frowning softly often as his own gaze was riveted to the dining room doors as they waited for Russia's arrival. 

"Austria! Austria!" THe aristocratic Nation looked up in surprise as Hungary looked at him, her brows coming together in a worried look as her green eyes shined with concern and he felt his cheeks flushing at the concern on his ex-wife's face. She reached out, awkwardly at first, then confidently as she pat his hand gently before taking his hand in a gentle hold that Prussia glared at. "Are you alright, Austria? You seem rather...distracted tonight. Is it the jet lag?" 

"Nein I'm-" He started to deny it, to try and remain a calm facade but that flew out the window when the doors to the dining hall opened up and the sound of two young voices raised above the din of the voices surrounding them grabbed his attention. Especially when the messy locks of silver hair came into view. He jumped to his feet with a cry leaving his lips that had his face burning at the attention it granted it him but he didn't care for those ruby eyes were turning his way, a doll dangling from her fingers when she smiled widely at Austria and waved cheerfully. "Astrid! Astrid come here!" He choked out his daughter's name but when she noticed she patted Tatiana's shoulder and ran over to her parents who were watching the girl like she was some kind of war hero and when she came close to her mother figure her eyes glittered like rubies, like Prussia's. His daughter's hair shaking as she ran over, the doll whipping in her hand as her arms pumped at her sides in her rush and her face was brilliantly bright, vivid joy that he couldn't help but feel nothing but joy upon seeing as he looked at his daughter growing closer. 

"Mutti, you'll never guess what! I made a new fri-" Austria had pulled his hand from Hungary's and was scooping his eldest daughter up into his arms in a tight, breath stealing hug which he felt a touch guilty about but he crushed the eight year old to his frantically beating heart. His hand cupped the back of her head as she looked over her mother figure's shoulder to her father who smirked widely and mouthed the words 'He missed you' with exaggerated lip movements so she would be able to read it and Astrid blinked then laughed breathlessly as she threw her arms up around his neck and hugged him just as fiercely as he was hugging her. "I missed you too, Mutti! I wanted to ask you though, can I sleep over with Tatiana? Pretty please?" She pulled back looking into Austria's shocked face and she smiled pleadingly. "Please, Mutti? I've really made a friend and I wanna spend the night with her! Can I if I take some clothes with me?" 

Austria looked over his shoulder at Prussia who shrugged with his fork dangling from his fingers with a piece of meat on the end of it and swallowed his mouthful then smirked. "Hey, I don't have a problem vith it. I say let the kid sleepover vith a new friend if it's fine with Russia and Lithuania." Austria wanted to glare at the man for his casual approach to the situation but when Russia and his small family began walking over Austria didn't know what to say at first. The Russian stood with his hands behind his back when the Prussian smirked as he waved his fork. "Vhat's up, RUssia? How vas if vith my kid? It seems like she vants to sleep over. You down vith that?" 

"Down with it? I suppose so. Tatiana and her have been begging since we left the room to allow us to let Astrid sleep over but I told them that Astrid would have to ask her parents, which would be you two." Russia then looked to Lithuania who was holding their son's hand, the violet eyed boy peering at Mia curiously and Mia in return was eyeing the Russian-Lithuanian boy with a curiosity that was tangible when a loud cry broke up the curiosity and gained Austria's attention when Italy began rocking the now wailing child. Fritz squirmed against his uncle's hold fiercely as he wailed with big fat tears rolling down his chubby cheeks and Austria had to release his daughter, something he didn't want to do, but did with ease as he accepted the baby from the frantic Italian. "So I suppose that things are fine with her spending the night tonight?" 

"Ja, I guess so." Austria replied as he rocked his arm, stroking the back of his finger against the red cheek of his son's when Astrid and Tatiana screamed jumping up and down together when the Russian smirked at the two girls and Prussia cackled as he reached for his drink taking a long sip and setting it down. "Go get dinner, first, und eat vith us first, Astrid. Surely vun family dinner von't kill you." The girl smiled brilliantly at her fathers before running off towards the line bar where a worker was standing and beamed at the two girls as they bounced in place waiting for their plates of food that were being prepared behind the glass as they gawked and Russia walked over tugging Lithuania's hand, creating a chain with himself, the Lithuanian and the small violet eyed boy. "The vun time you should have said something und you didn't! My goodness you are useless sometimes!" 

"Vhat-"

"Her sleeping over there! I vanted her to spend the night vith us, stay vith us, und sleep off the jetlag! But no, you had to go und all but give avay our eldest daughter!" Austria got out through gritted teeth as he felt his face flush at the gazes leveled on Austria but he did his very best to ignore the glare that HUngary shot Prussia's way and ignored the glare that the albino sent to his ex-wife. He grit his teeth as Fritz's cries melted to whimpers as his tiny hands twisted into the fabric of Austria's shirt and he took a deep breath trying to keep himself from shrieking loudly at the albino for his daughter's eyes were growing misty as she stared up at her mother figure. "Mia's never slept alone before! Vhat are ve going to do now? Remember ve tried rooming her vith Fritz und it didn't vork! You need to think before doing these things!" 

"I only said yes to her staying over vith a friend! I don't get vhy you're getting your panties all twisted up over her having a little sleep over! Vest, tell me, do you think there is anything vrong vith Astrid sleeping over vith a new friend?" Prussia demanded as he looked at his mother who was shaking his head slowly but now looked awkward now that he was placedi n the limelight, his blue eyes widen as he bit at his lower lip looking at Italy who was staring at his husband then to his brother-in-law nervously. The albino blew out a breath lowering his tone to keep from getting Fritz or the twins worked up as he looked at his lover, pressing his hands together then gesturing to the Austrian like he were some kind of matter to be dealt with. Which he technically was. "I don't understand vhy this is such a big deal to you. You vanted Astrid to make friends other than Liam, Austynn, und Cristiano und she did! She's for vunce not surrounding herself vith the company of boys und is evne carrying around a DOLL of all things! Vhy not be happy that she's hanging out vith someone new? 

"Becuase I vant her vith me!" These words spit themselves past Austria's lips, makig him blush at the petty, childish tone he had adopted once they came out but he looked away from the sudden understanding he saw washing over Prussia's face and looked down instead at his four-month-old son who was staring up at him wtih wide, wet ruby eyes that looked for all the world too much like his father's. It was like looking from Prussia only to find his very same eyes looking up at him waiting for an answer. He felt his face burning with embarrassment at his childish mannrer of speaking when he cleared his throat looking down at his son for a moment longer before looking up at his lover. "Vhat I mean to say is I just vanted her to sleep in her own room tonight, rather than avay from us. It's-This is just too sudden for me. She grows so much und now that she suddenly has this new friend it feels like she's already beginning to drift avay from us und I don't like the feeling. I just vanted her to sleep vith us for the night before she vent running off." 

"Roderich, prinzessin, treasure of my heart, mein lieber Idiot! She isn't drifting avay! She's merely making friends, just like you vanted! It's about time for her first sleepover anyvay! Eight-years-old und never been to a sleepover vith another girl should be some sort of crime!" He cackled softly but reached out cupping Austria's face, his thumbs brushing his cheeks softly like they always did just below his eyes as if he were catching tears that hadn't managed to well up just yet. Austria would have reached up to touch those hands if he didn't have a baby in his arms and said baby eached up for him it seemed to touch his father's hands curiously, ruby eyes alit with that same curiosity, and he squealed at the sight of his father smiling at him. Prussia then leaned in kissing the Austrian's forehead making his face burn in a hot, scalding blush that seemed echoed by Germany who looked away politely meanwhile Italy and Hungary gawked at the tow of them like they were a rare breed they had never seen before. "Don't vorry, sveetheart. She'll be back vith us before you know it." 

"Mutti! Look at the size of my stake!" Astrid chirped when she sat down next to her sister, her ruby eyes wide as she took in the size of her meat when she then looked at her Uncles across the table from her and smiled happily at the sight of them before pointing to her stake. "Look'it! It's huuuuge! Tati got a big vun too!" She looked over at the girl who sat next to her, pale ashen blonde hair now tied back in a low pony tail but something the albino girl tugged on gently while Prussia got plucked her plate away to begin cutting the stake up for her, something that was copied by Lithuania for both Darius and Tatiana. Both fathers worked on getting the stakes cut for the children when Astrid leaned against her mother figure's side, looking up at him with adoration in her ruby red eyes and silver hair falling against her cheek as she looked up. "Danke, Mutti, for letting me sleep over vith Tati. I promise to be extra good for you vhen ve go home! Pinky promise!" 

At this she held her pinky up, the small digit flexed straight as she looked up at her mother who adjusted the baby in his arms before freeing one hand and wrapping his pinky around Astrid, allowing the girl to pump their hands like they were shaking rather than merely holding pinkies. The albino looked proud of herself while Austria merely smiled down at her with a soft sigh on his lips before ruffling his daughter's messy silver hair making her giggle. "You're a good girl, Astrid, so don't go making promises like that. There's no need to promise to be extra good, all I ask is you put more dedication towards your piano lessons und listen to me more. However, tonight I vant you to be extra extra good for Mr.Russia und Lithuania, alright? No acting like your father. I vant you to be there und back vith us as soon as possible, 
liebes verrücktes mädchen." 

His daughter smiled up at him again, her ruby eyes sparkling up at him and he couldn't stop himself from smiling back as the girl then accepted her plate once her father finished cutting the meat for her and she began to devour her potatoes, mixing them with her peas and attacked her meat with the hunger of a growing child. Austria smiled as his daughter as he noticed the fork hovering before him with meat skewered on the end and found Prussia smiling at him with that same sparkle to his ruby eyes as their daughter and he leaned forward  taking the bite, feeling his stomach snarl wildly in response. There would be time to worry later about his daughter, for now as his lover spooned up vegetables and potatoes, the ever so lovely steak, upwards for him to take bites of he couldn't help but feeling that it would be okay. He couldn't cling onto his daughter, no matter how much he wanted to keep her close to him, and he knew soon enough the eight-year-old would want to run around with her friends more than she wanted to stick close to her mother figure. There was a dissatisfaction when he thought about it but as his daughter cheerfully chatted with Tatiana, the green eyed girl happily chattering back as her family looked on with awe, seemed to make things a touch more worth it when he saw the joy that gleamed out of his daughter's eyes tracing along the features of her face. She looked truly happy and there was nothing he wanted more than for his daughter to have happiness. 

Chapter Text

Italy was sure that, beyond what was every possible, that he was a blessed Nation. With his marriage to Germany, a strong union that he was absolutely proud of, he found that more than anything that he adored his children wit ha heart that beat solely with the adoration that gushed through him each time he looked down at their little hands holding onto him. Wolfram Beilschmidt was the spitting image of his father, from the blonde hair that shimmered like gold in the right lighting and eyes that were pools of pure blue just like his father's followed by the shape of his nose, the shape of his eyes, the arch of his brow and the cut of his jaw were all Germany. It was his twin brother, Giovanni Beilschmidt that Italy found to be absolutely stunning; the twin looked exactly like Italy, from the shape of his eyes, the arches of his brows, the slope of his nose to the silky brown locks of hair and the big expressive brown eyes that were identical to Italy's. It was quite adorable when Italy had found out he was carrying niot one but two babies, proud beyond belief that he had managed to carry two children to full term and once they were born he had been delighted to have a tiny Germany and the Germanic Nation had found something charming in having a little baby that was an exact duplicate of Italy. Both parents had smothered the babies with with affection, adoring the twins and showering them with such attention that one would think that the two parents were a tad close to spoiling the boys but it had been an absolute delight for the first twin set amongst the Nations to be born. Twins were rare among the Nations, something that didn't truly happen often. Romano and Italy resembled one another very deeply, with the same face and same mannerisms at times, the two Italians had once been thought to be twins despite their very different coloring and the only two Nations who resembled one another strongly was America and Canada. 

While it was unknown if the Canadian and American were twins or not, it was still an amazing new change to the Nations when the twins were born. Giovanni and Wolfram were the first set of twins born to any of the Nations, the first confirmed set of twins among the Nations, and Italy could not be happier. He had two little boys that depended on him, needed him, and wanted him around as much as Italy wanted to be around for his children and he found that twins took more time to care for than just two different children who resembles their parents. It was quite sweet that, while being fraternal, the twins had wildly contrasting personalities along with appearances; Little Giovanni had the serious personality of Germany while Wolfram had inherited the personality of his mother. It was quite sweet how the boys acted like their opposite parent, creating an amusing thought of the boys going to school once the World Academy was ready to accept the children. Italy blinked himself out of his thoughts as he looked around the shiny elevator, down at his sons who were making faces at one another in the reflection to the elevator doors and then up at his husband who was watching the boys affectionately as well.  When the doors slid open the boys ran forward down the hallway with squeals leaving their lips, footsteps loud on the carpeted floors as Italy took the German's hand and the two of them walked out of the elevator following after the boys. Italy weaved his fingers together with Germany's, swaying their hands back and forth happily as the boys swayed on their feet in front of the door looking to their parents when Giovanni spoke up. 

"Come on, Mutti! Ve have to get inside!" Giovanni called out as he swayed back on his heels, looking up with his rich brown eyes that were far too wide to be mistaken as innocent and sweet, but Italy smiled at the sight of those eyes peering at hi mfrom under deep brown lashes and even Wolfram had spun on his heel to look at his parents. He swayed back on his own heels then came up on his toes, smiling sweetly as his blue eyes shimmered at his parents. Again, both boys looked far from innocent and sweet but they were absolutely angelic to view that often time Italy forgot that his children could be quite mischievous when they wanted to be and staring at the boys now he had the feeling they were planning something in the room. Italy began taking out the room card, holding it in his hand which Giovanni nodded happily at though his face remained stoic, like his father's for a moment but the corner of his lips twitched in a very similar manner to his father's when he trying not to smile. When Italy slid the card into the scanner and the beep followed by a click rang out the boy grabbed the doorhandle throwing the door open. "Danke, Mutti!"

"Grazie, Mama!" Wolfram chirped gratefully as both boys ran into the room leaving behind their parents without so much as a blink as they ran to their bedroom slamming the door behind them leaving both parents to share a look. The boys, for their quirks and charms, hardly ever were up to good when they ran off to their bedrooms like that. The five-year-old's were smart, something Italy knew by the glimmer in their eyes when they challenged their parents ideals and he had seen it in the quiet chess match that the boys often got into and he saw it in the way they calculate each movement before they made it. So two smart five-year-old's running off to their bedroom right away was slightly suspicious but Italy had other things on his mind at the moment when he looked up at his husband with a smile on his lips and found it returned with an awkward one. 

"Well it seems that, for the moment, we appear to be alone, Luddy." Italy casually spoke as he looked up at Germany who raised his brows upwards and the Italian giggled, a low throaty sound that made a blush rise to the German's pale cheeks when the Italian began walking forward towards the big bed, tugging on the Germanic Nation's hand happily when he spun around walking backwards. There was a sparkle in his brown eyes, a wickedness to the quirk of his lips when he climbed onto the bed, releasing Germany's hand to throw his arms upwards and smile brilliantly at  the man. "Come here, Luddy! I want to love you and I want to lay down with you for a little bit before we put the boys to bed. No funny business, I promise! Cross my heart and hope to die." Italy dragged his finger over his chest in an X motion then curled his fingers expectantly a few times with a tilt to his head. "Please?" 

"For a few minutes." Germany allowed as he kicked his shoes off, placing them neatly at the foot of the bed while Italy kicked his off clumsily which Germany straightened instinctively before joining the man on the bed, laying out on his side with Italy rolling over eagerly onto his side with an arm tucked beneath his head as his hand reached out snatching the blonde's. Their fingers awkwardly moved at first before weaving together, palms flushed against one another and Italy smiled warmly at the blonde who blushed at the sight of such warmth aimed his way as they laid there facing one another. "So how are you feeling? I know that you vere tired after the flight, are you still feeling that jet lag? If so I can put the boys to bed on my own und you can get some rest. I don't vant you exhausted before the meeting tomorrow, liebling." 

Italy giggled releasing a happy Ve, the sound ringing out happily between them and the Italian lifted their conjoined hands up to press the back of Germany's hand against his cheek, shutting his eyes for a moment. "I'm just fine, Luddy. I'm a little sleepy but that's nothing to do with the jet lag I had earlier and the nap solved it anyhow! I'm merely content to lay down after such a nice dinner like that." Italy sighed out happily as he looked at the German who was a soft pink that had him taking the hand from his cheek to reach out and stroke the back of his own hand against that pink cheek happily as he smiled warmly at the German. "Ti amo, Ludwig. I truly am happiest being your husband." He paused then smiled shyly at the German when he squeezed his hand. "Luddy, can I tell you something? And you not get mad at me?" Germany nodded allowing Italy to gather a deep breath into his lungs, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment before opening again to meet those blue eyes he so adored. "I want a baby." 

Germany blinked with surprise before sitting up on his arm looking down at Italy with an incredulous surprise on his face. "A...baby? Vhat's brought this on?" 

Italy looked down at their conjoined hands, feeling his face begin to flush as his other hand nervously ruffled his own hair, tugging at the locks as his legs squirmed together on the bed. He felt like a nervous child Wolfram and Giovanni's age being scolded for something he had yet to explain and he kept his eyes down when he decided to speak his thoughts. "I want you to know I've been thinking about this for a long time now. Since the boys turned three, so about two years now I've been considering this and I want you to know that this isn't some impulsive action like everything else I do, Luddy." His voice, for once, was strangely sober. Serious. "But with the boys growing up, attending school, and soon enough they'll be leaving for the World Academy and we'll be seeing them only on the holidays or when we fly in I just-" He took a deep breath to come himself but the tears hovered in his eyes as he looked up at Germany. "But I want to have a baby. Soon enough the boys will be independent, we'll have an empty home for just the two of us, and more than anything I want to give you a pretty baby like Fritz! More than that, I want to carry your baby because it'd be yours. I want us to have just one more baby, just one more." 

Germany was struck wordless by the Italian's confession. Two years? Italy had been wanting a baby for two years but hadn't said a single thing? Normally Italy was the one in the marriage who said his wants plainly, clearly, the moment they ran through his head but the fact that the Italian had his this from him for two whole years spoke volumes to Germany. He looked at Italy who was staring at him worriedly, brown eyes glistening in a way that nearly made them appear amber, his lashes fluttering in quick half blinks as the tears glistened on his lashes and the blonde had to look away for a moment to gather his words, his mouth opening and closing rapidly before the words could come out. "Two years? How the hell did you manage to keep that a secret for two years?" 

"Well, I didn't want you to think I was making an impulsive decision." Italy mumbled before reaching up with his hand rubbing at his wet eyes, the shimmer leaving them a rich brown that Germany found absolutely breathtaking and the Italian then sniffled lightly before looking up with a little smile on his lips. "I thought it was an impulsive reaction, especially when Fritz was born. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want you to think that just because big brother Prussia had a baby that I wanted a new baby. But I do, really, want to have a baby with you, Luddy. I want to give you a pretty little girl, like everyone else! I want to have a baby to love, to cherish and to give the boys a little brother or sister. I want to have a baby with you, Ludwig Beilschmidt, and I would love nothing more than to have the chance to carry your baby just like before. Of course we don't have to do it now and I-" 

He was cut off when Germany leaned forward pressing his lips against Italy's, cutting off the words as the warmth from the kiss that stirred inside of Italy made his toes curl and his hand tightened on Germany's as he moved his lips sweetly, slowly with the German's. He could kiss, love, touch, hold, cherish, adore the German all day long and it would never be enough. He squeaked out when the German rolled on top of him, their hands pressing against the bed as Italy moved his free hand from behind his head to move up through that styled hair mussing it up as he clutched onto the German. The kiss parted but the light pecks, going in for a little kiss over and over before fluttering kisses across his cheeks, against his forehead, down along his jawline and at the corners of his lips as he clutched the man to him and sighed out when those lips fluttered down to his throat and Italy bit his lip at the excitement welling up inside of him in response when the German pulled away from his throat to look down at him. His eyes, so light, were like a clear summers' sky allowing Italy to see right down to his very soul that shimmered through and the warmth within those blue eyes made the Italian's face flush with warmth as he moved his hand from the blonde locks of hair to come down and cup the man's cheek as his lashes tickled his thumb from the blink but those eyes, that warmth, pinned him in place. Italy tilted his head back sighing delightedly as he looked at the man who owned him. And Germany did. From his very breathes, to his very existence did he own  the Italian and Italy didn't mind it one bit. 

Germany leaned down kissing his forehead before tilting his head down and pressing his forehead against Italy's making the Italian laugh delightedly, his breath brushing against Germany's lips tempting him to lean in for another kiss but he held himself back for the moment as he chuckled with him. "I still cannot believe you vaited two entire years before saying something." Germany murmured softly as the Italian bit his lip, waiting, his heat flying against his chest with the hope that circled throuhg him as he shut his eyes waiting for either the yes or no that would make or break him. "Vith our two boys, our twins, I vould say that if they vere vild children that I vouldn't vant anymore children running around. But I've loved nothing more than raising those boys und seeing their compassion, seeing your joy, seeing your contentment in raising our sons und I can say that right now vouldn't be the best time for trying. Just know that I am saying yes, ve can try for a baby." 

"Oh, Luddy!" Italy cried the words out untangling his hand from the German's in favor of throwing his arms around his shoulders, hugging the blonde's head to his chest as tears welled up in his eyes and rolled down his temples as he wailed wit habsolute joy, the emotion burning and throbbing in his chest at the answer. The German hugged his arms around the Italian's waist as the brunette pushed at the German causing him to roll on top of the larger Nation and they laughed delightedly together when the Italian leaned down kissing his husband so happily his head spun and he pulled back after the fierce kiss when the sound of the door opening had him looking over at the sight of their twins standing in the doorway, curls bobbing with their movements and staring curiously at their parents when Italy pushed himself off of the German, struggling into a sitting position and throwing his arms open. "Miei caris! Come, come! We have amazing news!" 

Naturally Wolfram was the first to pull himself from the doorway running for his mother figure, throwing himself onto the bed then squirming over to nuzzle down into his arms the way any five year old would and he pressed he looked up at his mother with those wide blue eyes of his. Giovanni rushed over, following his elder twin, and climbed into Germany's lap with the same amount of eagerness as his bother had moved with and they stared at their respective parents with wide solemn eyes. With the warmth, the weight, of a child in his lap Germany couldn't help but hug Giovanni to his chest much like how Italy was hugging Wolfram and he reached up awkwardly patting the top of his son's head while Italy was fanning kisses along Wolfram's face making the boy giggle happily as his nose scrunched up happily meanwhile Giovanni meremly muttered approvingly of his father's awkward affection. "Your mutter und I have decided something. Something very special to your mutter-"  

"We're going to have a baby!" Italy cried delightedly as he scooped his hands under the blonde boys armpits nd lifted him up into the air, his feet planted on his thighs as the Italian's glittering brown eyes met those wide, innocent blue eyes and he giggled happily at the sight as he turned to his husband who gave a huff at being cut off so suddenly. "What do you think about that? Mama will be carrying a baby and you'll be big brothers!" At this new both the twins traded a look, browns against blues, curiosity against shock. Italy plopped Wolfram back in his lap, stroking his hair happily making the boy smile hesitantly but the shock on his face was far too strong to allow a bright cheerful look like Italy knew he could provide and the Italian looked to the German worriedly. 

"Vhat about us?" Giovanni finally spoke softly as he looked at his mother figure, his brown eyes filled with worry in that moment as his hands knotted and twisted together fiercely in a movement that was similar to Germany when he grew nervous and Italy reached out stroking the locks of hair softly then cupping his son's cheek as he stared at his mother. "Mutti, vill you forget about us? Vhy do you vant a new baby anyvays?" Italy stroked that chubby cheek gently with his cheek as the five-year-old looked away from his mother shyly when his hands lifted and grabbed his mother's hand nuzzling his cheek against his palm and those eyes of his warmed as he looked at his mother figure. "Vill you love the baby more than us?" 

"Never! I would never love the baby more than my boys!" Italy replied as he squeezed Wolfram to his chest, the five-year-old whining lightly when Italy stroked Giovanni's cheek softly only for the boy to nuzzle down against his father's chest with the shyness that took over and the Italian smiled. "There is no one I could love more than my sons, not when I will love my children all equally and not one will be loved more than the other. Do not worry, miei caris, for I will love my boys just as much as I love you right now. Besides, Papa and I have yet to discuss when we want to try so you needn't worry about a new baby coming out of nowhere, darlings. I just wanted to tell you the news! So until then you have mine and Papa's undivided attention! So don't look at us so worriedly, there will be just the two of you for now." He ruffled his son's brown locks of hair and then he ruffled Wolfram's blonde locks of hair happily. "My sweet little boys, do not worry your little heads about something that has yet to happen." 

"Your mutter is right. Ve have only agreed to try, but it is not happening now. But vhen ve do you two vill have to understand that Mutti und Vati are going to need to give the baby some extra attention vhen this does happen but you must know that you'll still be loved regardless." Germany ruffled Giovanni's hair softly, the brown locks sliding between his fingers and the boy looked up at him, the striking resemblance to his mother figure was so stunning that often times Germany found hismelf struck wordless. This time, however, he merely ruffled the brown locks, then pinched his son's cheek lightly making whine and making his blonde brother giggle at the sight. "Don't vorry about something that isn't happening yet, though. Mutti und I vill let you know vhen the baby is on the vay. Until then you get to be happy five-year-old's und have fun." He then smiled. "Speaking of fun, how about playing, hmm? Who vants to play vith Vati?" 

"I do!" Both boys cried then scowled at one another making Italy laugh as he adjusted Wolfram on his laugh. 

"Okay, okay! How about We play with Papa and Mama, hmm?" Italy replied smiling at the two boys who looked surprised by the thought of their mother joining in on the game and he smiled brilliantly at both children as his fingers danced up Wolfram's side making the boy squeal and the Italian gave a dramatic gasp. "Oh my! It looks-I fear that the Tickle Monster is after you, Wolfie! Whatever will you do?" THe boy squealed writhing in his mother's lap as if to get away but his small hands gripped fistfuls of his mother's shirt in an attempt to get closer to his chest, it seemed, as if to get away from the tickling fingers only to scream with delight when those fingers found their way to an armpit and the boy flailing his arms to shake it off but Italy's laughter was beginning to fall out of the Italian as the boy squirmed in his lap and when those dancing, tickling fingers rose up to the boy's neck the blonde jumped off his mother's lap screaming with joy as he ran around the bed when the Italian gave chase and Giovanni looked up at his father with a begging expression and Germany smirked. 

"There's more than vun, Tickle Monster, I'll have you know." The German began in  warning tone as he lift his hand upwards and wiggled his fingers against his son's side and the brunette screamed out burying his face in his father's chest as he laughed and the fingers scuttled up his side to between his shoulder blades, a tickling spot on the boy, and the five-year-old screamed with laughter as he wriggled in his father's arms while his brother shrieked with laughter behind them as the bed bounced and Giovanni kicked his legs out before hopping off of of his father's lap. 

"Nein! Nein, nein, nein!" He screamed in between laughter and Germany jumped to his own feet scooping up the boy then slamming him down on the bed making it buck the blonde and the brunette wildly as he began tickling the boy with earnest as he shrieked along with his brother. Both boys wild, high laughter ws addictive and soon enough all four members of the small family were laughing wildly with one another as Giovani choked out his screams of denial along with his brother and each boy was squirming, twisting and shouting out in between wild bursts of laughter making Germany and Italy laugh along with them. "Nein, Vati! No more! No more!" 

When the boy shrieked the words out the German pulled his hands away from the brunette who was still squirming as he laughed breathlessly, tears rolling down his temples towards his hair and his brown eyes shimmered with brilliance that nearly made them appear amber in that moment, the brown so rich and deep it glowed. He loved that about the Italian's brown eyes, loved the amber highlights of their irises that glowed in such moments of joy, that it nearly made their eyes appear amber, and he loved to view the glimmer each time that all he wanted was to make them laugh and laugh in happiness. He let the boy gulp breathes down before he nodded and Germany descended on the child tickling his neck, his sides, making the boy shriek with laughter while his brother panted next to him before Italy descended on the boy again making the blonde shriek with laughter just like his brother and before long it the laughter was flowing rather quickly and each parent adored the sight of the red little faces and glimmering joy in their sons eyes. Begging for another break, both parents lifted their hands from the boys who were panting wildly on the bed, tears streaking down temples, giggles mixed with laughter spilling past lips as the boys looked up at their parents before turning to look at one another and Wolfram, ever the excitable one, pounced on his brother pressing their stomachs together with an impact that had Giovanni grunting in between his giggles. 

"Look at my boys!" Italy crooned as he sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes displaying the absolute joy and happiness there and Germany smiled at the man who beamed back at him happily as the boys laid on top of one another, panting quickly still though Giovanni groaned pushing the blonde off of him with some effort. The brunette scowled at his brother who merely smiled back at him joyfully, his blue eyes glowing wickedly as he stared at his brother before turning to his mother holding his arms up even as he panted and the Italian reached across the bed dragging the blonde towards him then scooping the five-year-old up into his arms and nuzzling his blonde locks. "My sweet boys, my little darlings." 

"Vati!" Giovanni held his arms up, no doubt wanting the same treatment as his brother and the smile on his lips seemed so genuinely warm compared to the normal shy expressions he kept on his face that Germany himself possessed and so when he scooped the smiling child up he was surprised at the face burying itself against his neck. Giovanni pressed his legs against his sides tightly while his arms clenched themselves fiercely around his neck as if to keep himself up despite the support of his father's arms and he hid his face in his neck happily nuzzling it against his neck. He met Italy's gaze, the happiness shimmering there was absolutely worth it. He was absolutely worth it. And the thought of a baby, a perfect little balance of Germanic and Italian DNA, a perfect little balance of himself and Italy, had his heart racing with excitement as he then squeezed his son to his chest where he kissed the brunette's hair softly. Heh ad the perfect family, the perfect sons and he was all too content to remain in this atmosphere of happiness for as long as he could. 

Chapter Text

Canada wasn't one for lying. For being deceitful. Sitting on the edge of his bed, the morning light scattering across the floor like a pale beam that slithered and widened across the floor as the sun rose higher and higher above the horizon he found that he just couldn't shake the fatigue no matter how hard he tried. He'd been so overwhelmingly tired, had been making such frequent trips to the bathroom and was always breathless when walking long or short distances and he wasn't hiding the fact that he was so easily fatigued either and the vomiting so soon in the morning was grating on his nerves horribly which he normally wouldn't have thought twice about. He was moody, breathless, fatigued and running to the bathroom to either vomit or use the bathroom. How had France, his ever attentive lover, not figured it out yet? Staring down at his knees he felt the pressure inside of him growing, twisting and making him bite his lip as his stomach gave a squeeze that warned him if he spent a moment longer on that bed he'd be spewing all over the floor and that was the last thing he wanted to do. It had been seven long years since he was pregnant, seven years since he'd dealt with something like this and he found that he was quite sick of the symptoms already. His stomach wasn't soft and plush to the touch but rather had a firmness to it that he refused to let France touch, kiss or even caress with his beard no matter how much he himself loved the sensations of that scratchy beard against his soft belly. If he had to be truthful, if he had to be honest, he was scared. Terrified. When he got the home pregnancy test, when he ran to the doctor after the results of that test, he had been shell shocked. 

Him being pregnant was the last thing he had ever expected and he knew the same was for France. Only France didn't know it. Canada bit his lip as he stood up walking calmly around the bed, peering over at his snoring lover who was laying out on his back like he had been  thrown there, his arms spread open wide and his jaw slack as his lips parted allowing air to whistle in and out with each snore of his that rang out rather delicately. Their son, Austynn Bonnefoy, snored in the same manner. He entered the bathroom, locking the door behind him when the first dry heave rolled over him and he lurched or the toilet only to be grateful he got the seat up for his stomach lurched upwards and the bile flew past his lips and he was gagging at the horrid taste as it splashed into the toilet, something that had him cringing as he gagged and retched. He hated how loud the sounds were in this little room, the sounds echoing in the room as he sat on his knees just squeezing his eyes shut and hoping it would be over soon as each wave that crested over him left him gagging and had tears rolling down his cheeks. When it was finally over he was able to get a proper breath down into his tight chest, his hands coming up rubbing at his cheeks when there was a knock on the door, quiet knuckles hitting the door and he flushed the toilet lowering the seat before rinsing his mouth out with the mouthwash they had brought with them and spit into the sink. He rubbed the traces of tears away from his eyes, off of his flushed cheeks before turning to the door unlocking it and pulling it open to find France standing there with a worried expression across his beautiful face. 

"I could 'ear you in there, mon chéri, are you alright?" He lifted his hand up pressing it against Canada's forehead making the blonde shut his eyes for a moment as the comfort that came with the hte touch and the French man leaned in to the Canadian, looking at his face as if he could sense the tear tracks on his face. "Mathieu, per'aps we should go see a doctor while we are 'ere. You've been sick nearly every morning so far since we traveled! I think a doctor would be able to 'elp you feel better, don't you think? I don't know 'ow many times you 'ave begged it off as jet lag but you have to know that that isn't the truth." Canada felt a stab of panic when he looked at his lover who was staring at him so intently it was as if those blue eyes would pierce right into him and he stared at his lover evenly as he could while hoping, praying, that his eyes gave nothing away. "Mon amour, you must understand that I'm not trying to be an ass'ole or anything, I am just worried about you and I don't want you suffering." 

Canada laughed gently as he reached up cupping France's face, leaning in he pecked his lips gently before booping his nose with his own and leaned back with a smile on his lips. "I'm not suffering, Francis. I promise you that I'm not, if I was I would have told you. You don't have to worry so much, mon chéri." Canada caressed his cheeks with his thumbs, his hands sliding back to tangle into the blonde locks of France's and he leaned in kissing his cheek, moving his way down to the corner of his mouth before pausing as he then brushed past him, laughing at the disappointment flashing across the French man's face as he walked towards the bed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I want to get ready for the day and get Austynn up and out of bed. Go brush your teeth, silly man." 

"You win this round, mon amour, but just know that I'll repay you with vigor tonight." France replied over his shoulder before walking into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him and Canada smiled softly to himself when he turned his attention to his belly and pressed his hands against his firm stomach with a frown. He wasn't one for lying, that much was true, but how could he come out and say that he was pregnant? Not only pregnant but was nearing his second month of pregnancy no less. Two whole months he'd hidden it from France and how the man hadn't figured it out yet he had no clue but perhaps it had just been so long since the last pregnancy that he just didn't recognize the symptoms? Or was he so smart that he wasn't saying a word about it, knowing the signs and was waiting for Canada to say something first? Canada felt his face flush softly as he considered this when he looked over his shoulder at the bathroom door where the Frenchman's muffled whistling rang out making him squint for a moment before reaching over grabbing his glasses, flicking them open and sliding them up on his nose. 

He didn't know what to say to the French man but he knew his lover would eventually find out when he neared the fourth or fifth month, surely he would notice it and his lover would undoubtedly be upset with him for not having said something ahead of time. He sighed out to himself shaking his head as he walked over to the closet, pulling his pajama shirt up over his head and reaching out grabbing the white button up shirt throwing it on feeling the cool fabric pressing against his skin he began buttoning it up as he heard the bathroom door opening allowing France to walk out and groan as he stretched his arms above his head. Canada dropped his pajama pants and boxers in favor of a fresh pair from the suitcase which he got on quickly when he noticed the way the French man's eyes had been riveted to his ass and stepped into his pants just as quickly to keep the French man from getting any interesting ideas so early in the morning. That was when the bedroom door open. Their son, Austynn Bonnefoy, was a similar image of Canada; they shared the same two toned hair, the same violet eyes and the same need for glasses but where Canada had his long spiraling curl that bounced out of his hair, Austynn had no such curl. He instead, rather cutely, had a birthmark in the shape of a heart that rested on the left side of his throat. Despite possessing Canada's coloring from his hair to his eyes right down to his skin coloring, he had France's face right down to the way his eyebrows were arched to the way his nose sloped gently. He yawned scratching at his locks of hair, padding out into the room with Kumajirou following after him as always, and he watched the polar bear stretch his front paws then happily plopping down in the doorway. 

"Bonjour, Papa and Maman." He spoke sleepily, rubbing one eye by sneaking his fingers beneath the rim of his glasses, his other eyes shimmered a beautiful violet that he had inherited from his mother. He yawned so wide it looked like his jaw would dislocate if he yawned any harder and he leaned against Kumajirou slightly as his hand dropped from his eye to bend down and pluck up the polar bear hugging him to his chest in a similar manner that Canada himself held the bear in. He nuzzled his face down into his soft fur, enjoying the silky texture against his face before looking up curiously at his parents who were obviously dressing themselves in their best suits, Canada tucking his shirt into his pants nearly and then grabbing a blazer to throw over the white button up shirt and his father was changing his boxers for a fresh pair, just like Canada had and as quickly pulling his pants on. "What're you doin'?" 

"We're getting dress, mon chéri, we've got a long day ahead of us." Canada replied as he buttoned his blazer together looking to his son who blinked sleepily and reached his fingers up underneath his glasses again to rub at his eyes as he clutched Kumajirou to his chest then sniffed lightly and turned his attention back to his parents. "We've got to get you dressed, précieux. I know, it's very early in the morning but you've gotta be ready because Papa and I have to get going soon." He paused then smiled as he walked over to his son then squatted down carefully, reaching out he ruffled that two toned blonde hair of his and chuckled. "How about this! I normally take Kumajirou with me to the meeting but why don't you keep him with you? You can look after him all day while Papa and Maman are in the meeting, okay? Do you think that you could watch him while I'm busy?" 

The reaction was immediate for the boy gasped delightedly, his violet eyes shimmering as he dropped his fingers from his eyes and he squealed so loudly he swore all of the hotel could hear him. It was quite easy to make Austynn so delighted, quite easy to make him happy in the first place for he loved simplicity just like Canada did and the simple action of keeping the polar bear with him seemed to do just that. It had him giggling happily as he nuzzled his face against Kumajirou's fur before turning his attention to his mother figure, his eyes shimmering with happiness. "Of course, Maman!" The boy chirruped happily as he squeezed the polar bear before plopping him down on the floor, throwing his arms around his mother figures shoulder's. 

"Careful!" Canada yelped when he nearly rocked back on his ass but Austynn, along with France, gave him a curious look that had him blushing rather fiercely as he looked away self consciously, down at the floro away from the surprise in Austynn's violet eyes and the curiosity in France's blue ones. He looked up only after he gathered himself and poked his son's little nose which had the boy's serious face rippling into a hesitant smile and Canada kissed his cheeks softly. "Maman's sorry for shouting like that but I didn't want to fall over. Don't worry, you're not in trouble or anything, précieux." The boy hugged close to his mother which Canada welcomed as he nuzzled his son's cheek to his own making the seven-year-old giggle delightedly as he clutched at the Canadian who hugged the boy just as as fiercely before standing up with the boy's arms trailing down to wrap around his waist. Dangerous area. "Come, let's get you all dress so you look handsome!" 

"Okay!" The boy rushed towards the bedroom hitting the light as he went and before Canada could even think of joining his son a hand had reached out capturing his wrist gently making him look up at France."Are you coming, Maman?" 

"Just one moment!" Canada then turned his attention to the French man who held his wrist. The French man who, at this moment, was looking at Canada as though he were some kind of alien figure standing before him and the thought that he was being looked at as though he were something foreign strangely upset the Canadian. He fought down the tears, the irrational stupid tears, but he swallowed them down the best he could as he looked at France who was squinting at him slightly and he forced a hard smile onto his lips as he slipped his hand to hold France's, their palms pressing together. "What? What's the matter?" 

"Mon amour, are you feeling alright?" France asked in a murmur which had Canada jumping slightly in alarm when he looked at the French man, the sound of their son padding around his bedroom could be heard along with the thud of his suit case hitting the ground and then zipping open as he no doubt began throwing his clothes onto the floor. However, those blue eyes of France's pinned him in place, kept him from yanking his hand away and he started at the man who cleared his throat before speaking again. "It just seems like you are a little...jumpy this morning. Is there something wrong, mon amour? Really and truly, tell me! I merely want to know that you are alright, Mathieu, and that would be all for me to be at ease. Can you promise me that you are alright?" 

Canada didn't like lying. He especially didn't like lying to his lover, who looked at him with such sincerity in his gaze. He really, truly and completely hated lying to his lover. He took a deep breath as he looked down at the hand holding his, the warmth that came from those fingers gripping his wrist and he had to fight down the growing urge to scream at himself. He wove his fingers through France's, squeezing his hand softly and tracing his thumb across his knuckles before lifting his hand upwards and pressing a kiss to his knuckles as he then forced a wobbly smile to his lips as he then squeezed his fingers tightly as if he could press his unspoken words into his skin. "I promise you, Francis, that I am well and I am alright. I wouldn't lie to you."

It was an unspoken rule that during a meeting there was little excuse to leave the table unless given direct permission to do so. It was a rule that was unspoken but understood among the Nations who were given a timed period where they could stand, stretch, use the bathroom ectera and it was only during those time slots that they left the large glossy table of the meeting room. Canada knew this rule better than anyone, hardly asking to leave the table while the meeting was ongoing and with the quiet shyness of the Nation it was near painful to even imagine putting himself in the spotlight like that during a meeting. When he and France had entered the large meeting room after dropping Austynn off with the baby sitter, Canada had begun feeling the strings of unease working their way throuhg his system as he sat down at his designated seat with France just inches away from him. He clenched his hands into tight fists as his stomach, a sensitive thing nowadays, twisted as if experimentally like the baby within was unhappy with the large meal he had forced down in order to prove to France that he was alright. A large heaping pile of pancakes, drizzled in maple syrup with at least four strips of bacon along with a pile of scrambled eggs and a big cup of coffee was what he forced down in order to prove to France that he was quite alright and at the moment he had been exactly what he anted. He had felt fine, perfect even, while he devoured those pancakes and the scrambled eggs, even when he chugged his coffee heh ad felt like he had finally been able to eat the first large meal in two months and he had been confident he could keep it down. No, he was SURE he could keep it down. 

Yet here he was at his seat, squirming slightly as his stomach twisted experimentally again and he bit his lip as he looked to Germany who just seemed to be talking on and on, going on about some unimportant matter while the longer he sat there the clammier he felt. His palms were positively slick as he wiped them on his pants, his forehead was growing clammy and he was sipping his water idly in little sips in order to compulsively swallow whenever he felt the need to do so and he hoped that the water would help with keeping his food down. He felt France's leg bump his before a hand pressed against his knee as they looked up from their notes, violet against blue, worry was written over France's face as he looked at the Canadian who looked back down at the notes again when the French man managed to grab one of his clammy hands and squeezed it reassuringly when the Canadian moaned quietly. His stomach surged for a moment, twisting uncomfortably and his fingers clenched tightly around France's, tight as if he had to anchor himself down to something. He bit at his lower lip when his brother took the podium, the sound of pages flipping was loud in the confrence room and France flipped his page as well as he turned his gaze briefly towards the notes when Canada felt another violet surge in his stomach that left little to no wonder just what would be taking place in a matter of minutes. He squeezed France's hand before standing up, his chair scraping backwards as he looked to his brother with a begging expression on his face, one that had the smile on America's lips fading for a moment before coming back with confusion. 

"Am-America, may I be excused for a moment?" Canada questioned when his stomach heaved making him swallow nervously and before it could twist again he twisted away from France, yanking his hand free in order to clasp over his lips but his stomach heaved upwards forcing his last meal out of him. He felt his face burn at th ewet slapping of vomit hitting the carpeted floor as he swayed on his feet, his tears running down his cheeks as embarrassment flooded his system and he hated that he hadn't had the will to hold back just a few moments later but as he wretched and gagged he felt hands rubbing his back, a napkin pressed into his hand as he gasped for air in between the vomiting when, like a triggering chain of events, Canada looked up when he heard a shout and Spain was pushing away from the table with the identical sound of wetness hitting the carpet. Canada's head spun with the smell of vomit hanging in the air like a cloud as other nations began climbing to their feet and Canada whimpered quietly when France tucked his hair behind his ears and used the napkin tucked into his hand to wipe at his mouth. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." 

"It's quite alright, mon amour, you weren't feeling well this morning so it merely makes sense." He cast a worried look over to Spain who was wrenching and coughing wildly before another wet slap hit the carpet as another wave of vomit overtook the Spaniard and he looked away with a wince when a weak burp slid past Canada's lips. "I'll take you back to our room, mon amour, if that is quite alright with everyone else? And I think that per'aps Spain should be brought back to 'is room as well." He wrapped his arms around the Canadian's waist steering him around the puddle of vomit while others had begun covering their noses or leaving the room all together leaving the Canadian feeling far more embarrassed than he had moments ago. "It's alright, darling, it's alright. I'll get a bath together for you and I will allow Austynn to stay with the babysitter so 'e may play with 'is friends. You need some peace and quiet, oui?" 

"Oui." Canada groaned out as he was ushered passed his worried looking brother, past the glances of curiosity aimed his way, and he allowed himself to shuffle at a rather slow pace towards the elevator that was at  the end of the hallway, a long stretch from what the Canadian could tell and he clung onto France the best he could while they were moving and he peered at hte French man shyly. "I'm sorry for embarrassing you, Francis. Je suis vraiment désolé, tellement désolé." He felt tears welling in his eyes behind his glasses and dripping down his cheeks as droplets smeared on the glass of his lenses due to his wet lashes as he sniffled and he turned to France who stared at him with wide eyes before pausing just steps from the elevator in order to wipe away the tears on Canada's hot cheeks. Here he was, vomiting in a large gathering of people no better than a child in a classroom and now he was crying because of his embarrassment. He really did feel like a child in that moment as he reached up touching the backs of France's hands before taking his glasses off and shoving them into his pocket. "I really am sorry though." 

"You 'ave nothing to be sorry for, mon chéri, I promise you that. You are still feeling unwell, that I should of known when I 'eard you this morning in the bathroom. I should 'ave made you stay in the room and rest rather than dragging you to the meeting, all because you said you felt fine! It is my fault for not making sure that you were feeling better and for that I am sorry for allowing something like this to 'appen." France cupped Canada's wet cheeks making the blonde begin to hiccup out weak sounds before allowing the French man to guide him to the elevator, taking his hands away from his wet face in order to wrap them around his waist and hold onto his arm as they made their way forward to the elevator, reaching out he awkwardly pressed the button but squeezed the Canadian to his side. "Do not worry about a single thing, mon amour, I promise you that everything will work out. They don't need to know a single thing about you and I can make sure of that." 

"You're far too kind to me, Francis!" Canada hiccuped out as he clung onto the French man as they climbed into the elevator, his lover taking his hand from his arm as he pressed the button for their floor and Canada was crying with earnest now as he leaned against the wall of the elevator. He raised his hands to his eyes, rubbing at them as tears ran down his hands and his cheeks respectively, his anguish so strong in the moment that he just couldn't stop the tears from falling as the words built on his tongue, ready to come out. "You're so kind and I lied to you! Oh, I'm a horrible person! I'm the worst type of person, Francis! You're far too kind!" 

To anyone unfamiliar with the Canadian's crying fest they would have heard a blurble of slurred words around hiccuping sobs but given that France had dealt with a fit like this before he understood perfectly and he froze. "What do you mean you lied to me? Mathieu?" France lightly tightened his arm around his lover's waist, his gaze on the Canadian's wet face as he hiccuped a sob and the anguish written over his face was so potent, so absolutely heartbreaking in the moment that the man found his heart breaking. The last time he had ever seen an anguish on Canada had been when  their son was being born and the last thing he had ever wanted to do was put the Canadian through that type of pain for a while. A good long while. "Talk to me, Mathieu, tell me what it is that plagues you so." 

"I don't want you to hate me!" Canada wailed as he rubbed at his wet eyes before biting at his lower lip staring at France's blurry face before wailing with gusto as the elevator opened on their floor and the Frenchman, with all the calmness in the world, began ushering the sobbing Canadian forward with hands firm but gently ushering still the poor Canadian forward. Anyone would have to understand just why the Canadian was upset after a moment like that but this? This was something more. Canada was torn between spitting out the words, telling his lover the truth, and hiding it. Denying it. He hated lying to his lvoer, hated lying in general, and the gentle but firm hands guiding him forward to their door had him breaking down as he leaned against the wall nest to their door with hiccups leaving his lips and he rubbed at his wet eyes. "Oh, Francis, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before! I really am, okay? I'm so sorry! I should have told  you before but I'm pregnant! I'm pregnant, dammit!" 

France could only speak two words, two very important words to him in that moment. "You're pregnant?" 

Chapter Text

Spain hadn't felt it building, like he normally did. He had looked over when Canada stood, feelling a small stab of worry for the normally quiet Nation as he stood asking to be excused, his face paler than cream and his eyes worried and within moments when he spun to vomit it had merely been like a chain reaction. Spain's own stomach had clenched tightly at the wet sound, the scent that had begun weaving the room already, his stomach had heaved had he pushed back just in time for his own stomach to decide the last meal he had eaten needed to come out, now, and he was grateful he managed to push back in time but what had caused it? Was it just a chain reaction like he thought? Romano's hand was on his back, his voice a whisper but speaking urgently for the Spaniard to answer but he had merely stood up with Romano's arm around his waist as he was ushered from the room in a similar manner as Canada moments ago as he rubbed the sleeve of his blazer against his mouth and Romano glared at any who dared to stare at Spain in revulsion, glared at anyone who looked at the Spaniard in general and shouted at them when they dared to speak to the weakened Spain. The Italian was amazingly protective over his husband as they made their way to the elevator, not a word slipping out of the Italian as they waited for the elevator to come sliding down, his arms tight around him and when the elevator doors opened Romano had muttered under his breath in rapid Italian which Spain had a difficult time catching and they remained in this quiet state until they reached their room, of course, for Romano surely had something to say about it and say something he did. 

The Italian seemed to have been chewing on his thoughts for a while as he slid the card into the slot unlocking the door and pushing it open as he helped the Spaniard into the room. "How are you, um, feeling?" Romano questioned as he folded his arms across his chest as he watched Spain shrug his blazer off, tugging at his tie as he groaned quietly in response to the question and the Italian sighed softly as he walked up to the Spaniard and wrapped his arms around his waist pressing his hands against the Spanish Nation's stomach. The firmness to the touch, the little bump there had the Italian rubbing his stomach softly. "I know. Morning sickness is always the worst and it's been kicking your ass but I know what a stubborn bastard you can be and I think you'll be able to push past this. The morning sickness doesn't last the whole nine months, I promise." 

"Si, I remember when you were pregnant with Cris. I just didn't expect myself, ME, to get sick at the sight of someone else becoming sick, it makes me look...weak." Spain murmured as his hands reached down covering btoh of Romano's, feeling the butterflies fluttering in his stomach when he felt Romano's cheek press against his upper back. He didn't want to ruin the moment, not when he had Romano's hands on his belly, his cheek against his back and the warmth of his breathes against the fabric of his shirt permeating the thin fabric and he certainly didn't want to turn around just yet. Nothing, he would do nothing. He shut his eyes for a moment, enjoying the warm sensations. "I guess being pregnant just makes you like that. Makes the stomach weaker than before." Romano's arms tightened around him when he moved his hands from his belly up to his chest hugging onto him fiercely and the Spaniard moved his hands with Romano's, enjoying the comfort it brought him. "I promise that I'll try to me stronger during this pregnancy! I'll do my best to make sure our bebé is strong and healthy! I promise you our bebé will be perfect!" 

Romano laughed out as the Spaniard turned in his arms, their hands coming together with palms pressing against one another while fingers twisted and locked together, those light green eyes of his sparkling softly as he looked up at Spain. "I know the baby will be perfect. After all he's coming from you this time rather than me!" Romano laughed again only this time it sounded rathre sarcastic as he then tightened his hold on the Spaniard's hands before twisting around the man, tugging him to move with him until Romano had his back towards the bed and he gestured with his head, making his cul bob gently."Come on, bastard, let's lay down. You just puked your guts up so you're no doubt needing a nap so let's lay for the time being. That meeting is going to be going on for awhile and we won't need to pick Cris up until later this afternoon."

"But I'm not sleepy, mi querido! How about, instead of napping like what you want, we lay down and enjoy one another's company, hmm?" Spain chuckled at the scalding red blush that formed on the Italian's face and he dropped his hands immediately only to strike out hitting his shoulder making the Spanish Nation laugh out cheerfully as Romano tugged his blazer off then kicked his shoes off, pulling his tie over his head as well, before climbing on the bed with a huff. Spain walked towards the bed as he kicks off his shoes, his own tie loosening before slipping off of his neck and he climbed onto the bed plopping down on the bed next to Romano who was pouting now with his eyes hardened with a glare as he scowled at his husband before kicking his shin. "Ouch! Why did you do that, Lovi? You know I just want to lay down with my pretty husband and admire his beauty!" 

"Then don't say it like that!" Romano snapped as he tightened his arms across his chest, looking away from spain when the man reached out throwing his arm around his waist and tugging him closer towards him which he didn't fight in the slightest bit. He peered at Spain from underneath his lashes, taking in the warmth glowing in those emerald eyes of his, the glow that seemed to shine underneath that lightly tanned skin of his and the way his hair lightly flicked upwards with a glossy sheen to the rich brown locks of hair. He was absolutely, heartbreakingly beautiful. And Spain was all his. It was HIS husband that he adored with every breath, HIS husband who now carried their baby whether it was an accident or not, his was carrying his baby and he was absolutely beautiful in that moment from the changes. He knew that the man's appearance had warmed, glistened considerably with the pregnancy and Romano had caught others gawking at the Spaniard's beauty and it took everything in him at the meeting not to shriek at them not to gawk at his husband. "You know you're such an idiot with words! You say shit that sounds wrong!"

"I'm sorry, Lovi! I didn't mean to insinuate anything!" Spain replied before reaching a hand up cupping the man's cheek, stroking his thumb against that olive tinted skin as he stared at his husband with such adoration in those green eyes that Romano had to look away due to the flush that was crawling up his cheeks. The Spaniard leaned forward towards the Italian, his hair ruffling against the pillow as he squirmed his body forward, meeting those light green eyes he so adored and smiled sweetly this time. "I never wanted to offend you, Lovi, so you have a free pass to hit me next time I do something offensive around other people. Now, until that point, I have something much better for you to do." 

"Oh yeah? And what would that be?" Romano challenged with a smirk  twisting on his lips, his hair mussed by the pillows as his lips then parted slightly with a quiet excited breath leaving him as Spain leaned in pressing his lips against his flushed cheekbone, moving down the length of his cheek and then pressing a kiss to his jawline making the Italian whine lightly. Those lips pressed against his jaw, moving down to his chin before moving up placing a light kiss to his trembling lower lip and then to the corner of his lips making the Italian whine out again as he leaned in searching for Spain's lips only for the Spaniard to turn his face offering up his cheek instead making the Italian grunt quietly. "Dammit, Toni! Let me kiss you, bastard! Give me your stupid face!" He reached his hands up grabbing Spain's head and twisting his face towards Romano only for him to pout at the victorious smirk on the Spaniard's face. "Shut it! I don't want to hear it!" 

Spain pinched his lips together in a wide, happy smile as the Italian leaned forward kissing those smiling lips making the Spaniard hum happily as he turned his hand upwards pressing the back of his hand against his cheek, caressing it softly with the backs of his fingers gently before dropping his hand away in order to lean in to kiss the Italian firmly. If there was one thing that Spain loved more than anything it was kissing his Romano. He moved his smiling lips slowly with Romano's, the urge to yawn breaking over him but he fought it down by pressing his lips firmly against the Italian's lips for he knew if he yawned in the slightest bit that the Italian would become offended horribly at the sight of his husband yawning while they were kissing. It was easy for the slow, decent pace to pick up slightly as they clung onto one another as their lips moved with the same rhythm and Spain chose to trace his hand down the Italian's spine making him shiver as he arched up against the Spaniard with an urgency dipping into the kiss. The Spanish Nation replied to that urgency with a desire of his own, their lips crashing against one another firmly and with enough pressure that Romano moaned out quietly into the kiss as the spaniard rolled carefully on top of the Italian, who spread his legs slightly to reach up and wrap around the Spaniard's waist as their lips continued to move with the same urgency that he had before felt. The legs were tight around his waist as he slid his hand up the Italian's side, before wiggling underneath the the light pink button down shirt and pressed his palm against the Italian's stomach making him jump slightly before pouring his own desire into the kiss. 

Romano slid his hands up his upper arms, before delving his hands into his hair twisting the locks around his fingers as he moaned quietly when the hand crawled up his stomach, tracing the C-section scars on his belly before slipping up further. When Romano had been pregnant with their son, Cristiano Fernández Carriedo, he hadn't be able to deliver naturally like they had wanted due to some unforeseen complication with the dilation process and so Romano had to go through with a C-section just to get their son out and due to that he had been left with a thin scar across his stomach. It was a scar that, surprisingly, he shared with his brother Italy. He always felt self conscious about the scar but with Spain's fingers tracing the length of it had made his stomach quiver softly under the touch and sent butterflies flying throuhg his system when the hand climbed higher before circling in on a nipple making the Italian moan softly yet again. That is, of course, until the booming knocks on the door nearly sent the door rocking off of it's hinges. The Spaniard jumped away from Romano, flying off the bed quickly to the door with his hands trembling like he had been caught doing something he shouldn't have and as he unlocked the door throwing it open Romano huffed as he straightened out his shirt before sitting up on his elbows looking to the doorway curiously. Standing there, with a child tucked under his arm, was America in all his blonde glory and both parents looked to one another when he plopped down the child in front of Spain. 

"Hey guys! I figured I'd pop up here and make sure you were doin' alright!" America explained before smirking at the sight of Romano laid out on the bed and turned his attention to Spain, raising then wiggling his eyebrows. "But I decided to bring your kid up! He was worried because he heard that you got sick at the meating and of course I dropped Austynn off with my bro so don't think this was a targeted attack against your sexy times! Enjoy having  your kid back!" He pushed Cristiano forward making the boy giggle softly as he threw his arms around his father's waist and America waved to the small family."I'll see you guys down at lunch, if you're up to it, and obviously we'll see you for the final half of the meeting tomorrow! God, I can't wait to go home!" With that he turned away from the small family and began walking down the hallway with a cheerful laugh leaving the American. "See ya!" 

"See you later!" Spain called out before shutting the door, locking it once again then turning towards his husband who was crawling off of the bed and Romano sighed at the sight of Cristiano standing there with his arms around his father's waist. "At least we got our son! I'm feeling much better so why don't we do something fun, si?" 

"Si! Mama can even play with us!" The seven-year-old cheered as he looked up at his mother happily, hsi eyes shimmering joyfully much like his father's would when delighted and ROmano felt his cheeks flushing at the sight of such joy. Their son had been born resembling Romano quite strongly as an infant, what with his eyes having been a light green upon his birth that combined with the brown locks of hair had him looking like a chubby little fairy but his eyes had darkened up to a bight emerald green much like his father's and his hair had a curl to them that he had inherited from his father that hung to his jawline just past his ears in a wild array. They boy looked to be the image of his father though he possessed Romano's nose shape, the shape of his eyes even, the rest was all Spain from the way his jaw slanted to the shape of his lips and the arch of his brows were all Spain. "Mama, would you play with me? I wanted to bring Austynn but he was worried about his own Mama so he decided to go to his room and now that I'm here I'd like to play!" 

"Alright, alright we'll play a game. Remember we have to be careful with Papa though. Oh I know! How about we draw a nice picture together? That way Mama will have lots of pictures to hang up in the kitchen when we get home!" Romano suggested as he looked at the child who gasped enthusiastically, his green eyes shimmering as he looked at his mother figure and he looked ever the image of Spain's son as he threw his arms up with enthusiasm crying out as he threw his arms around Romano's waist and nuzzled his face fiercely against his chest. "I can see that you like that idea. How about you and Papa both draw me some pretty pictures and you can both show me." This got Spain's eyes sparkling as he walked over to the bedside table plucking up the notepad there then crawled across the bed grabbing the other notepad handing it to his son who smiled brilliantly. "Now the two of you have to use pencils because we don't have all our crap that we do at him so make me the prettiest pictures you can!" 

"Si! I'll make you a really pretty one, Mama!" Cristiano cheerfully shouted as he was handed a blunt pencil and the boy climbed onto the bed next to his father, laying out on his belly as he pushed his curls out of his eyes and his eyes narrowed with concentration as he began drawing. Spain was scritching his own pencil against his papers as he, like their son, stuck the tip of his tongue out between his lips as he focused his own eyes on the paper. It was amazing how quickly and easily it was to occupy both his son and husband, both loving the fact that while artistry passed over Romano and them both they still adored drawing their stick figures and round tomatoes making the Italian smile. Romano sat on the bed making both scowl at him in uncharacteristic manners when Cristiano's little pencil thumped onto the bed and he held his paper up. "Look, Mama! I drew you, me, and Papa! I even drew the baby, see?" 

On the paper, quite nicely he had to admit, were two large stick figures oen with a severe pout on it's face while the other had a cheerful face with curls and then there was a smaller stick figure and a tiny tiny one next to it. It was a simple atwork but it made Romano's heart soar at the sight when he reached over tugging his son onto his lap crooning over the picture. "My my! I'll have to send you to art school because this is the greatest thing I've ever seen! Toni, look what our son drew!" Romano turned the paper to Spain who looked up and his face softened into a smile as he held up his own paper. Instead of stick figures, like he had been expecting, Spain had chosen to draw all of them in the shape of tomatoes, and Romano smiled at the sight of it plucking the paper from his fingers and holding both side by side and then smiling widely. "Both will go on the fridge when we get home! I'll even put them in my wallet for now, to keep them safe." 

"Gracias, Mama!" Cristiano wove his arms around his mother's neck when he tilted his head looking to his father then back at his mother figure who smiled at him rather lovingly. "Mama, when will the baby be here? Papa isn't all big like Uncle Feli got with the twins! And he's not all big like Uncle Austria got with his baby, so when will Papa get big? Or was Astrid right? She told me that babies just show up out of nowhere like pop! There they are! And that the only reason Mamas get big is because you press their belly buttons and the baby pops into life! Is that true, Mama?" So many questions from such a young boy that Romano felt his head spinning slightly at the amount of words that flew out of his son's mouth but he tapped his nose lovingly and ruffled his slight curls gently. 

"Astrid is wrong, querido, that's not at all how babies are born. Papa will eventually get nice and big with the baby but for right now the baby is very small, around the size of a small fruit right now so Papa only has a tiny bump. Babies come from Mamas or Papa's, they rest in their bellies and eventually come out to say hola. Does that make sense to you?" Romano adjusted their son on his lap as he explained the best to his ability to the small boy who was smiling blissfully, perhaps even sweetly, and the Italian raised his brow at the boy who looked to his father. Spain felt himself squirm when a pair of emerald green and light green eyes landed on him, hsi hand going to his stomach. 

"What? Why are you staring at me for?" Spain questioned as he looked from his husband to his son, curiosity in his emerald gaze and his face flushed under their scrutiny and pressed a hand to his stomach feeling his face burn in response. "The-There's nothing to look at! It's not like I'm going to sprout a big tummy right this second!" Romano could have giggled at the red blush on his husband's face but the Spaniard very quickly cleared his throat then tapped his son's note pad making those emerald eyes glitter sweetly and he smiled at their son with as much cheer as he could muster given his embarrassment. It was quite amusing to Romano, not in that horrible mean manner in which one could become amused, but rather he was happy to see his husband dop his cool and cheerful persona for one that was more embarrassed and more open about that embarrassment. It wasn't every day that Romano saw his husband flustered. "Why don't we draw some more pictures for Mama?" 

"Okay!" With that the talk of babies was dropped rather quickly as Cristiano set to work on tearing the page off of the note pad, handing it to his mother figure and then settling down on his tummy to begin drawing a new picture much to the relief of Spain. Romano, on the other hand, quite liked seeing the Spaniard so flustered and so he leaned forward capturing the Spaniard's face with his hands, stroking the burning hot blush on his husband's face making him balk for a moment before smiling as he pressed his cheek into his head smiling so warmly at Romano that the Italian felt his own blush crawl up his cheeks."Oh! Mama! Liam told me that sometimes babies happen on accident! Is that true?" 

Romano had to choke down hysterical laughter. What in the world were these people telling their kids? "Si, sometimes a baby can be an accident but I can assure you that you were no accident, Cris. And  this baby certainly wasn't an accident either! Both of you were meticulously and for a very long time your Papa was actually worried about having babies! So we planned you and this new baby out but the one thing Papa and I didn't plan on was Papa carrying the baby. That, however, isn't an accident but rather a surprise! Does that make sense, Cris?" Two pairs of emerald green eyes were settled on him, one pair wide with curiosity and surprise, the other with mere awe at the speil Romano just gave and he found himself blushing under the gazes of both his husband and their son. "We-Well I tried explaining it the right way! What else do you want me to sa-" 

"Fratello! Fratello, open the door!" Romano jumped at the sound of Italy, both adults turning the door as if shocked by the sound of Italy's voice through the door but Romano crawled off the bed walking across the floor when another flurry of knocking rang out over the door making Romano scowl now. "Fratello! I want to see my little nephew!" Romano flipped the lock yanking open the door to find his brother, brother-in-law, and their twins standing in the doorway when Italy took Romano's hands shaking them as he smiled brilliantly. "Ciao, Fratello! We got really worried about Big Brother Spain after he got sick so we left the meeting early! And picked up our sweet babies, of course! Giovanni, Wolfram, say ciao to your uncle!" 

The little blonde child bounced on his toes throwing his arms around Romano's waist making him gasp in surprise. "Ciao, Uncle Lovi!" 

The little brunette patted his uncle's side and looked away shyly, a blush staining his cheeks at his brother's exuberance and Romano would have chuckled if he wasn't so taken aback by the little blonde clinging to his waist. "Hallo, Uncle Lovi." 

"C-Ciao to both of you. Feli, you idiot, you didn't have to leave early! You were probably just looking for an excuse to leave early, weren't you?" Romano demanded as he bent down picking the blonde up after his hands reached upwards to be plucked up and adjusted the blonde to his hip when Giovanni raised his hands as well, stoic as always and Romano groaned as he bent down picking the brunette up. He adjusted both boys onto his hips as Italy squirmed past towards the bed where Cristiano was standing up, running to the edge. He moved out of the way allowing Germany to step inside and the blonde shut the door for the Italian who grumbled under his breath before turning to his seven-year-old who was bouncing dangerously on the edge of the bed as Italy ran up to him. "Oi! Don't be bouncing on the edge like that! I don't want you falling and breaking your arm or something!" 

"I've got him!" Italy chirped as he pulled the seven-year-old into his arms, laughing happily when the boy wrapped his legs around the man's waist and arms around his neck, smiling so brilliantly that in the moment he looked just like Spain. So cheerful, so wonderfully happy that Romano couldn't help feeling envious that he wasn't picking his own son up ut the two twins had their arms around his neck and were clinging to their Uncle like he were their one saving grace. He adored his twin nephews, really and truly loved them, but they were honestly killing his arms right now. Holding two five-year-old's in his arms was a lot more of an exercise than anything. "Ciao ciao, little nephew! Have you been good for your Madre and Padre?" 

"Si! I've been the best boy!" Cristiano chirruped as he giggled when Italy leaned in nuzzling their cheeks together, giggling happily when the boy then moved one arm to point at Germany excitedly and the German walked forward taking the child from Italy who's arms had begun shaking lightly and allowed the boy to cling onto him. "Hola, Uncle Luddy! Oh! You're never gonna believe it! Papa has a baby in his belly!" Romano felt his face flush when Italy whipped towards him with a gasp on his lips, excitement sparkling in his brown eyes, then whipping towards Spain who had a new scalding blush on his face and Cristiano smiled brightly at his Uncle. "Yup! Mama said that they were planning a baby but that Papa carrying it was an accident! How does that work, Uncle Luddy?" 

"Vell-" 

"A beautiful baby! Oh, Fratello, congratulations!" Italy squealed over Germany cutting him off when Italy threw his arms around Romano making him grunt as Italy took the cheerful little blonde from the Italian and spun him around the room making him giggle happily while Giovanni remained in his Uncle's arms, content to watch his brother be spun around. His brown eyes met Romano's and he shrugged lightly with the reaction of a much unamused adult rather than a five-year-old but Romano could understand it somehow. Italy then turned towards Romano with excitement burning in his eyes once more as he nuzzled his cheek against his son's blonde locks of hair making him giggle happily as the Italian turned to Spain who was blushing fervently, his tanned face a deep red by this point. "You must be so happy! Oh! That must be why you got sick at the meeting after poor Canada! How are you feeling?" 

"Ah, it's nothing I can't handle, little Feli. No need to worry yourself over a little nausea!" Spain waved his hand as if to wave away  the topic of his pregnancy when he held his hands out as if expecting a hug from the Italian. "What I'd rather have is a hug from my little nephew as well! Come, give Uncle a hug, Wolfram!" The blonde scrambled out of his mother's arms onto the bed, crawling over to his Uncle where he then plopped himself in Spain's lap and threw his arms around his neck in a tight hug which Spain returned happily making the boy giggle joyfully as his bouncing curl brushed Spain's jaw and the Spanish Nation smiled at Romano. "Lovi, why don't you join us on the bed? You too, little Feli!" 

Which a quiet "Ve~!" from his brother, Romano watched the Italian climb onto the bed next to Spain where Wolfram then turned his arms rather carefully as he stared at his mother before eyeing his brother with a strange sense of longing and Romano walked over over to the bed with a sigh. This impromptu visit, unwanted as it was, Romano had to admit it was nice to see his little nephews for he hardly ever got to see them due to the airplanes and customs of Spain to Germany always seemed to take forever and then there was the responsibilities waiting for him at home so he and Spain hardly got to leave to see their nephews. He had to admit they were bigger, more evenly proportioned from the last time he saw them and he had to fight the pout that wanted to form on his face as he sat down next to Spain, swinging Giovanni into his lap when the brunette held a hand out to his brother who took it happily, his cul bobbing into a heart shape while Giovanni merely blushed and looked away from Wolfram. Romano peered at his husband, looking for any of the clamminess or pale parlor that had come with his vomiting episode but when he found none. When Germany hesitantly joined them on the bed, Romano had to admit that deep in his chest there was a small spark of happiness glimmering joyfully within. 

Chapter Text

Japan wasn't one to skip a meeting. He knew how important it was that he attend the meeting, make his input and leave with his husband but this week he couldn't make it. At least, he told Germany he could not make it. It wasn't necessarily a lie for by the time news traveled to him about the meeting he had no plane tickets and his children's school was demanding more of an input from Japan and so he foun dhismelf unable to get hismelf or China to the meeting. He hated not being able to get to the meeting, knowing that it would only cause much more confusion on his part and others would be demanding or stopping by his home for days after the meeting just to make sure himself or China were quite alright. But because China was an older Nation along with Japan it was only natural that others would come by to see them, to make sure that things were alright whenever they missed a meeting. However this time, Japan wasn't quite concerned about others coming to visit him. Not when the air felt nice on his face, a chill to it that was erased by the warmth of the sun on his face.He smiled at the shrieks of joy rang out from fuhter in the yard that was accompanied with the squeaking of the swingset. Spring in Japan meant that soon enough he'd be taking his sons to see the cherry blossoms bloom and they'd be enjoying the viewing just like any other person but snow seemed to stubbornly cling to the ground despite the warmth of the sun, the chill in the air refused to abate but that didn't stop his sons from shedding their small yukatas and running for the swing seat where they had shrieked about the cold metal. Now they wer eshrieking merely because of the heights they were getting too. 

His eldest son, Xiong Wang, was six years old and a very classically beautiful boy. When Japan had found out that he was pregnant, when he had watched his belly bloom, he had been absolutely surprised that someone at his age, someone of his position, had managed to get pregnant to begin with. Yet when he grew accustomed to the thought of a baby the doctor had told him that Xiong would be a girl, making the eager parents even more eager for the birth, only to be surprised when the baby came out as a boy rather than the little girl they had been waiting for. Xiong had been the most beautiful baby that Japan had seen with his tufts of black hair and big golden brown eyes and Xiong had been his most cherished baby for six long years of delightment but soon enough Japan found himself pregnant. Of course the disbelief had vanished away for the second time round and when he'd given birth to youngest Genji Wang, he was at least prepared for a boy this time round after many apologies from the technician for the first time mistake. He had laughed about it to this day. When Genji was born he had been like his brother, beautiful and ever so chubby but stunning with his rich dark brown locks of hair, his big brown eyes that were identical to Japan's own coloring had made him proud. This tiny boy, this little wild baby, had been his heart and joy. Looking at his children now, swinging wildly on the swing set with such delight he found that nothing filled him with more joy simply watching his sons swinging joyfully as high as they could go and Japan found nothing greater than seeing those wide smiles. 

"Boys, it's almost time to go in! I don't want you catching a cold!" Japan called out to the boys, noticing a fance shimmer of steam off of his lips and frowned at he looked up at the sky. Would it possibly snow in April yet again? Or would they be spared it? Japan had no clue but he truly didn't want his sons growing sick because they had abandoned their yukatas just for a few moments of fun and so he stood up folding the yukatas over his arms, a dep red for Xiong and a deep violet one for Genji. He stood there in his slippers holding the yukatas to his chest when he eyed the bright blue sky with pursed lips before turning his attention back to the boys who were still swinging despite Japan's previous words. "Come on, boys! I want you inside! It's getting cold and I don't want you guys to be getting sick! Come on!" 

The boys whined audibly before Genji dragged his feet against the ground in order to slow down while Xiong jumped off of his buckling seat, his limbs flailing out as he roared out victoriously and landed on the ground in a heap that kicked up the snow there and Genji released giggles at his brother's antics as the eldest Wang child climbed to his feet. He then rushed over to Japan, seeming unphased by the snow on the ground and plucked his yukata from his mother's hands and began stepping into it, like it were some king of dress and pulled his sleeves up shoving his arms through when his brother came running over with his hair in wild disarray, just like his brother's, though snow clung to his feet as he stepped into his own deep violet yukata. Both boys then ran into the house cheering loudly before rushing off down the hallway leaving Japan to enter the room shutting the sliding doors behind him and he rolled his eyes as he smiled fondly down at Pochi before reaching down to give him a head scratch which had the dog perking up slightly before following his owner as he walked out into the hallway sighing at the wet footprints left behind by Genji and before he could even think of mopping the mess up he heard his front door sliding open and he rushed for it. China himself had been working some long hours, doing his best to support his budding family and Japan appreciated it but he found that when the man was home he was at his happiest and so were their sons due to the Chinese Nations cheerful disposition. Something he passed on to both boys it would seem. 

He rushed into the front hall with the greeting on his lips spilling out in a rush of his next breath. "Ohayo, Yao-san! Welcome home!" He got out breathlessly then blinked at the luggage sitting at his feet and was stunned to see little Uri standing there with his messy ashen blonde locks and wide golden brown eyes, the twelve-year-old smiling to himself when his own gaze lifted much like China's who beamed at the welcome. "An-And welcome home to you too, Uri. Can I ask what you're doing here rather than at the meeting with your Okaa-san?" China picked up the luggage, his socks sliding against the floor when he paused to kiss Japan's cheek softly before rushing up the stairs in a flurry of footwork and he heard the scream of joy when the boys no doubt caught sight of their father. Uri then captured Japan's attention when he reached out cupping the boy's suddenly sullen face and then lifted a hand up to his forehead. "You're not sick or anything, are you?" 

"Of course not, Kiku. I promise, I'm not sick." He carefully reached up grabbing Japan's wrists and pulling them from his face when he looked away, around the room before turning his attention back to Japan who was staring at the twelve-year-old with worry in his brown eyes. "I got into a fight with Mama. I kept fighting and he got tired of me fighting with him so he decided after the first meeting that I would do better here with you and Baba instead and that if I wanted so badly to go see Baba then I could go and see him so he contacted his airline, the private one, and got me on the plane fast as possible. So I guess, until Mama wants me back, I'm prepared to stay with you and Baba until he wants me home. I'm sorry if I'm intruding on your space or anything, Kiku. It's just that me and Mama don't seem to be getting along much." 

Japan offered a small smile when he reached out again ruffling the pale ashen blonde locks of hair softly, and reached his hand down to pat the boy's cheek before dropping his hand all together with a little sigh on his lips. "Hai, I understand completely. Don't worry, Uri, you're not intruding in the slightest bit as this is your home too so don't even think of apologizing for something like that. And as for you fighting with Russia, well, that happens with all children when they reach the age of twelve and they start growing up. Boys and girls often begin showing signs of independence when they grow older so the fact that you and your Okaa-san are bickering is just normal, Uri. Who knows, maybe you'll grow closer to your Okaa-san the older you get and maybe this is just a little spell of irritation on both you and your Okaa-san's side. I think it was a smart choice to send you here, just to give the both of you a little break." Japan then gestured to the stairs with that same small smile. "I think maybe you should go upstairs, unpack, relax and-" 

His words cut off from the surprise due to the preteen stepping forward and throwing his arms around his waist, his head coming to rest on his chest as he squeezed onto the Japanese Nation who gasped lightly from the sudden hug and the sound of feet on the stairs. He looked over his shoulder to find China in a state of surprise as fierce as Japan's own but with an encouraging nod Japan slowly, ever so slowly, folded his arms around the preteen, hugging him tightly making him grunt quietly from the tightness. His husband continued the walk down the stairs, throwing his arms around his son and husband, hugging them both tightly as China's temple came to rest against Japan's and he smiled softly as he reached a hand up to stroke Uri's hair softly making the boy cast him an annoyed look but he released Japan after a few moments, squirmed away from his father and turned towards the stairs. "I think I'll go upstairs now and rest up." 

"Take as much time as you need, aru!" China replied waving a hand lightly as the boy began climbing up the stairs quickly, a blush to his face from the shyness no doubt and China all but crooned when he saw an identical blush on his husband's face who scowled at him. "Aww look at the two of you! Getting along so beautifully, aru!" He then reached out cupping Japan's face, stroking his thumbs along his cheekbones gently and tilting his head slightly as his met those rich brown eyes of his, his pupils nearly lost in the darkness of the color until they expanded slightly making China grin slightly as he traced a little shape with his thumbs against those cheeks. "Look at you, so pretty and such a good step-parent to Uri. I'm proud of you for being so good to him and for acknowledging him, aru." He then leaned in kissing Japan's cheek softly, working his way over to the corner of his mouth before pausing just before his lips. "Wǒ ài nǐ, Kiku, aru." 

"Watashi mo itoshite iru yo, Yao." Japan murmured the words back to his husband, his lips moving slightly as they parted with a quiet breath slipping out of him as he leaned in to the Chinese Nation who reached forward fanning his hands against his waist, a solid pressure that kneaded and pressed against his skin through the yukata making Japan laugh quietly. When those lips captured his own, however, he felt no desire to laugh as his hands slid up the length of China's forearms, up his upper arms to his shoulders where he gripped fistfuls of fabric tightly as excitement flutterred through his stomach as he moved his lips with China's. The kiss itself was slow, warm, and was everything that Japan wanted at the moment as his lips moved with China's in a pace that had his toes curling excitedly and had his fingers twitching with absolute delight as they swayed together slightly from foot to foot as the Chinese Nation laughed quietly against his lips. It was a kiss that brought with it the spine tingling urge to laugh aloud, a throw your head back, scream laugh and sway to imaginary music type of kiss. Japan adored these kisses. 

"Okaa-san! Okaa-san! You'll never believe what Jiji and I found!" China pulled hurriedly from the kiss leaving Japan feel as though he were dangling and with a final peck shared between the both of them, Xiong came running down the hallway, feet slapping the wooden floors as he held his hands up revealing a rather large centipede that, at the moment, seemed to be curling and trying to climb up his arm. Japan shrieked in a rather unmanly manner, something he couldn't force down after all, and stared at the rather large centipede attempting to curl around his son's forearm and Xiong laughed at his mother as his other hand was cupped just below his forearm as if he would catch the upper half of the centipede before it could fall. "Don't worry Okaa-san! It won't bite! Jiji found it on the back porch! I dunno how it's alive or anythin' but we found it! Can we have a bug container and keep it as a pet?" 

"A pet?" Japan shouted while China got a rather thoughtful look on his face and the Japanese Nation turned to his husband who was still looking rather thoughtful making the Japanese Nation glare at his husband. "No! Absolutely not! Don't go giving them ideas because next thing you know they'll be wanting spiders and snakes! Absolutely not! No centipedes or insects for pets!" Xiong's hopeful face dropped, a pain spearing throuhg Japan's chest to see such a thing but how could he allow them to keep a centipede? It'd need other bugs for food and Japan wasn't comfortable being one of those families that keeps large totes filled with roaches. "Do you want to be the one to stick your hand into a tote of roaches, Xiong? Because you'd have to raise and keep cockroaches to feed that centipede and you'd need to have the proper set up for it. Are you sure you both would be responsible enough for that? And that's IF I even let you keep it which I refuse to do so." 

"But Okaa-san it'll be okay! No all centipedes gotta eat roaches!" Xiong insisted as the centipede managed to crawl up his forearm slightly before curling higher forcing the boy to stick his arm out streaight as the insect crawled anxiously forward. "I wanna keep it! If Baba says it's okay the nI wanna keep it! We got kitties and a puppy but how cool would it be if I had a pet that was my OWN? I don't want a puppy or kitty or hamster or guinea pig! I want THIS, Okaa-san!" It was the most long winded Xiong had ever gotten when the six-year-old's eyes grew misty, tears welling on the black lashes causing his golde brown eyes to shimmer softly with the wetness. "Please, Okaa-san! Please, let me keep it! I want it! No one will have to take care of it but me! And Baba will help set up a tank for it so please! I won't ask for anything ever! Not one thing! I won't even ask to go to the park! Please, Okaa-san, let me keep it, please!" 

"Xiong." The simple use of the boy's name had Japan feeling weary as he looked down at his son, at the tears blooming on his lashes and then, in a final silencing move that seemed to hit Japan breathless was the sight of those tears streaking down his cheeks. Japan, although a man, was technically a mother as he had carried this boy for nine months, had given birth to him and raised him every day for the past six years so naturally the sight of tears the Japanese Nation felt his heart break at the sight of it. The tears rolled down his cheeks, dipping off of his jawline and chin as the boy looked at the centipede that was crawling up the length of his forearm before starting around his neck like a snake would and it sent chills down Japan's spine but he sighed out. "Xiong, even if Baba says yes we will still have to buy the bugs nad research on what to feed a centipede." 

"I already know! Baba took me to the library and I got lots of books on buggies! I can do it, Okaa-san, I promise!" Xiong then reached out taking his mother's hand, the Japanese Nation watchin that centipede with a tight glare and Xiong then dropped his mother's hand whe nthe centipede began crawling down his arm and again he cupped his other hand in case the centipede dropped. He stared up at his mother figure with those big golden brown eyes of his that he knew melted Japan to the core but due to them being wet and sparkling with tears still he knew the effect had doubled no doubt. He stared at Japan then turned to his father as the centipede crawled down to the sleeve of the yukata and he stared up at his father. "Baba, please? Can I keep the centipede? I know that I can take care of it, I know I can! Can I pretty please keep it? Please? I promise to take good care of it!" 

China folded his arms over his chest as he looked down at his son when Genji, ever the miraculous child, came peeling around the corner and adopted the same pleading face as his brother all without saying a word as he widened those brown eyes and grew a pleading pout on his face s his hands came together and underneath his chin like any three year old would do. Both boys were staring at their father with hope in their eyes, staring at their father as if he would break, staring with such pleading in their eyes and hope in their faces as they stared up at China. The Chinese Nation sighed out as he reached behind him to tug lightly at his ponytail and curl it around his fingers as he thought, the tiny curl nudging his fingers had him jerking lightly but other than that he was careful in how he twisted and tugged at his ponytail and finally sighed as he looked away from those begging faces and looked to Japan who read the expression all to well and groaned. It seemed that the boys knew by this point what a push over their father was and they often banked on the idea that their father would give them whatever it was they wanted and given the expression on China's face he knew that all was lost and so he washed his hands clean of it. If his children wanted to keep the centipede they would but he'd have nothing to do with it. 

"Alright, boys, listen to Baba. If you keep that then it's your responsibility, understand?" Absolute joy shone on Xiong and Genji's faces, their eyes glowing as Genji threw his arms around the man's knees and Xiong began hopping in place as he spun around joyfully with the centipede in his hands as he cheered loudly. "Listen! That means dealing with bugs like cockroaches, so are you absolutely, one hundred percent positive that you will take care of the centipede? You can't come crying to me or Mama when the bugs get to be too gross for you, do you understand?" 

"Of course, Baba! I can do it, I know I can!" Xiong cheerfully shouted as he held up the centipede up in his hands as the poor thing squirmed wildly and the boy beamed brilliantly. "Welcome to the family, Crea! Let's go look for a tank, Baba! Come on!" He grabbed his father's hand tugging him away from Japan who merely sighed pressing his fingers against his forehead softly while Xiong and China's voices carried themselves away and Genji looked up at his mother with a curious tilt to his head. 

"Mama, how come you don't want Xiong to have the centipede, aru?" 

"Because it is creepy but if he wants it he can have it." Japan sighed out before bending down carefully then scooping his three year old up into his arms squeezing him to his chest and the boy squealed as he threw his chubby arms around Japan's neck making the boy beam. "Now, would you like to come help me make lunch?" The three year old's face lit up like he had been offered a ticket to the chocolate factory and it had Japan laughing as he adjusted his son against his hip and pressed a kiss against his temple making the boy giggle. The Japanese Nation clutched his son to his side as he began walking down the hallway, the boy beginning to chatter happily and the Nation had to admit that he was quite happy in that moment. Happy his son as a healthy boy, three years after his birth and he found that the sound of Xiong shouting excitedly even had him sighing out with what felt like a brief stab of joy and even if he didn't want his son collecting insects he had to admit it was just part of who his son was. After all, an unconventional pet went right with their unconventional family. 

Chapter Text

There was nothing more America loved than having his daughter on his shoulders. The weight, the legs dangling over his shoulder, the little hans tangled in his blonde locks of hair as she squealed with joy when he began running down the hallway making the girl laugh happily and even when the seven-year-old was on his shoulders did he enjoy the sound of laughter above his head. He ran down the hallway with Liam hot on his heels, the three of them racing down the hallway while England's shrill voice raised itself to shout at the three of them to be careful but America was caught up in running down the hallway. Jolene's fingers clutched at his hair fiercely, her golden blonde hair flying around her shoulders as she screamed with joy as America ran only to screech to a stop in front of the hotel door, jogging place making the girl above him giggle and laugh rather out of character due to her sharp tongued nature but the sound of her laughter warmed the American Nation's heart. Liam jogged in place with him making the boy laugh delighted as they turned towards the hallway waiting for England to come around the corner when Jolene tapped her father's head gaining his attention as he tilted his head just a bit to stare up at the golden haired girl who was staring down at him with her brilliant eyes and a smile on her lips that created a mischievous look to her face that sparkled in those brilliant eyes of hers. She looked as though she had a wicked, horrible idea and it had her looking more like her mother than America had ever thought possible. "Hey, Daddy?" 

America took a moment to raise his eyebrow, adjusting his glasses by pushing them up the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking up into her little wicked face and he tilted his head just a smidgen to the left to keep from disturbing his daughter above him too much. "What is it, Dollface?" America asked looking up at her and she reached down grabbing his cheeks with her small little hands, fingers digging into his skin slightly as she stroked his cheeks then his forehead as though he were some kind of dog. Liam shouted out a greeting to his mother, a loud shrill sound, and America found his daughter's hands kept him from looking in the direction of England. 

"Daddy, tell Mommy that I want to learn how to skate!" Jolene ordered as her mother walked down the hallway to her, her tone like that of a princess waiting to get what she wanted and she straightened up, tossing her hair over her shoulders as England grew closer and with her high piping voice she smacked America's head like her hand was the gavel and his head the table as she called out loudly. "Mommy! I want to learn how to skate on the ice!" Her tone had such a finality to it that England himself stopped in his tracks at the girl's demanding tone and tilted his head to the side, his hair ruffling lightly with the movement and Jolene smacked America's head once again. "I wanna wear pretty costumes and dance on ice too! I know I can do it, Mommy! I wanna try!" 

"Well, what do you want more? Ballet or ice skating?" England asked wearily as he approached his lover and their children, ruffling Liam's blonde locks of hair as he walked past and the hand grabbed the back of his shirt holding on as England slid the room card into the slot then stared up at his pouting daughter. Just the week before Jolene had been watching ballet recitals on the TV, looking so awed that England had offered the idea of ballet lessons to America in private, knowing that his daughter would enjoy the dance lessons and with how young she was it would make learning all the more fun for her when she was in school.  He only brought it up to his daughter a few days ago, much to her delight, and England had been proud that his daughter wanted to learn something new. That he would soon have a little ballerina for a daughter, a little ballerina that he could proudly brag to the other Nations about and perhaps do a little face rubbing to France but the fact that his nephew was a rather skilled hockey player and on the team for his current school he knew it would be petty on his end. After all, Canada and France had no daughter to brag about. "You can't keep changing your mind, Jolene." 

"Babe, maybe she can do both? I mean, you know that I have more than enough money for her to do both." America offered as he slid Jolene off his shoulders, her little hand slipping into his as her sky blue eyes widened on her mother who tiredly looked down at the girl and then up at his lover as he then turned walking into the hotel room where Liam was sitting on the edge of the large bed throwing himself backwards and throwing his arms out wide. "I mean, Liam's doing basketball along with track and field tother. I think he's handling it well enough so who's to say that Jolene can't do ballet and ice skating?  After all doesn't one seem a bit necessary for the other? Ballet and ice skating are kind of the same, only one is on ice." 

"The only reason Liam is handling it well is because he's like you, idiot. He has all this pent up energy AND the meetings are on different days so of course he's able to handle track and field along with basketball alright." He then realized his words, growling quietly to himself before turning away from America who suddenly lit up like he had a good idea. "And even if Jolene takes lessons on different days who's going to be with her during those meetings? You're always decoding and translating games for Germany and Japan, even for France sometimes, and I have my own business with the Queen most days.It's a miracle as is that you remember to pick up Liam from basketball or track!" 

"Don't worry about it, babe! I can handle it! I'm already more like a stay-at-home father! I can handle running the twerps around!" Scowls were thrown his way from his son and daughter, both seeming displeased for a moment when America then swung Jolene up into his arms with a cheerful laugh and swung her around the hotel room making her yelp but then smile at the light in her father's eyes."Looks like we got a little prima ballerina ice skater! I'll make some calls and look up some classes for you, kiddo! Just think about it! By the time she's five she'll have been dancing and skating for a year! You'll be able to go to her recitals, her competitions, you can have pictures and you can rub it in France's if you want too! Look at that, so easy! At least you didn't fight me on it, haha!" 

England blushed then as he sat on the edge of the bed, a hand to his stomach as he scowled at his lover. "I-I don't fight you on everything! I merely make a point and back it up wtih reasonability's! It also helps that I understand my children and I know what they can handle. I'm just not sure that Jolene would handle ballet and ice skating but if you're so bloody sure that she can do it then there's no need for me to say anything is there?" England then threw himself backwards laying on his back awkwardly throwing an arm across his eyes as he then gestured blindly to Liam and Jolene. "Why don't you two go play? Mummy doesn't feel very well and he wants to lay down. Alfred, you can mind the children on your own for a while can't you?" 

"Of course I can! And I can take care of you!" America placed his hands on his hips smiling as he looked down at his daughter then to his son who was bouncing lightly on the bed. "Come on, let's go in your bedroom and I'll put some cartoons on for the both of you then I'll come out and help Mommy feel better! I'll also get lunch set up here for us all to eat! Follow Daddy, guys!" America rushed into the bedroom with Liam standing up running after him, catching up in mere seconds it seemed and America fiddled with the remote before getting the TV on and flipping to a cartoon station that both children would be satisfied by. Plucking up his pouting daughter, he spun her around until she laughed joyfully and plopped her on her twin bed where she crossed her legs smiling at her father shyly and he then rushed out of the bedroom shutting the door behind him quietly. 

With a quiet sigh leaving his lips he turned his attention to England who was still laying in the same position, arm tight over his eyes, laying stiffly and rather awkwardly given his position on the bed which had another little sigh leaving him as he walked over to the bed. He reached out unbutton his blazer and throwing it open causing the English Nation to yelp as America grabbed his shirt tugging him upwards into a sitting position as he worked to get his jacket off and throwing it to the floor before untying the tie from around his throat flinging it to the floor as well. He reached down undoing England's belt making the man yelp yet again. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" England demanded as he looked at the American who slipped the belt through the loops and just as quickly his pants were yanked down his legs. "Alfred!" 

"Chill! I'm getting you in your boxers then, afterwards, you are laying down." America replied in a matter-of-fact tone as he worked his shoes off then his socks and finished yanking the pants off throwing them over his shoulders before reaching up only to find England's hands slapping at his own stopping him from touching the buttons. America sighed but shrugged leaning away from England as he reached for the hotel's phone and held it to his ear, raising his shoulder up to hold it into place. "Alright, keep your shirt on, you little kid. Lay down though, I'll call down and have our lunches brought up to us." His finger hit the keys quickly, each button clicking quietly under his forceful jabs and he then turned away from England who was crawling underneath the blankets curling up on his side as his stomach squeezed itself and a hiccup worked it's way past his lips. 

"Alfred?" America looked over at England, the blonde raising a brow in curiosity and England had to curse the fact that the man had figured out how to do that. Once the Nation had figured out how to raise a simple one brow he had done it ever since and the sight of it made for a rather unique sort of attraction to England whenever he viewed it. THe last thing he needed was to get America going like that. "Alfred, love, I don't think I'm going to be able to eat the lunch. Do you think you could request soup? Even if it's out of the can I won't mind too terribly but the way my stomach is right now I don't think a solid, hearty lunch is what I need right now." 

America nodded then and just like that, his attention was on the floor as he cheerfully greeted the lobby. England snuggled down into the blankets, tugging them tightly against his shoulders as his stomach rolled unpleasantly making him swallow nervously. England wasn't squeamish, he wasn't even one to puke his guts out just because another person had thrown up, but dammit those moments in the meeting room were replaying in his mind and it was making his stomach clench and roll uneasily as he curled his legs slightly to his stomach while his hand lightly kneaded at his stomach as if it could will the nausea away. He closed his eyes rolling onto his other side, his back to the cheerfully spoken American as he fought down a burp that made its way out of him as his stomach clenched fiercely and jerked upwards it seemed, teasing his very nervous system as his legs trembled lightly at the thought that he'd be sick any moment. Any moment it could happen. England hated being sick; it was always the worst sort of thing, always energy consuming and this time he would have to quarantine from his children to keep them front growing sick but if this was a stomach bug or flu going around would he really catch it so quickly? Was this just some mental thing? He had started growing clammy in the meeting and his stomach had been growling, rolling, and squeezing but he'd merely thought himself hungry during the meeting due to lunch being so close but as he laid down in bed he was beginning to worry that maybe it was some kind of stomach bug. Or a mental thing. Afterall, two men DID puke their guts up in front of him not far enough away from him so wouldn't it make sense if he was suddenly feeling unwell because of it? 

He continued rubbing his stomach, digging his fingers slightly into his firm belly, rolling his fingers back and forth in a soothing manner in which he'd rubbed Liam and Jolene's stomach when they were sick and while it seemed to work on the children it didn't seem to be working with England in the slightest bit. If anything the outside pressure seemed to make his stomach jump at the thought of heaving once again and he jerked upwards on his arm, clumsy in his movements as his hand pressed firmly against his stomach before he twisted looking at America hanging up the phone and turning towards him when hi sstomach decided enough was enough. He cried out wordlessly, America's eyes widened, and before he knew it a bucket was under his chin as his stomach heaved upwards and he was vomiting. He gagged as his previous meal traveled up his throat and splattered into the bucket, his back trembling lightly from the intensity of his vomiting as his eyes watered from the heaving and he struggled to breath in between heaving reprieves only for something else to come up as he leaned over the bucket. America's hand on his back rubbed comfortingly but he wanted nothing more than to shove the thing off of his back, didn't want to be touched in the moment as his stomach squeezed ever bit of food from his system as he gagged into the bucket, his hands shaking as they held the bucket in place and his tears ran down his cheeks as he leaned back gasping for air while his stomach seemed to gurgle unpleasantly.

"Damn, no one's feeling good, huh?" America mumbled as he rubbed England's back, looking up when the bedroom door began cracking open. "Nope! Go back in there, Mommy's not feeling good nad I don't want you guys to get sick either! Man, if you're Uncle wasn't sick I'd send you to him immediately but he was the first one to puke at the stupid meeting so it's not like it's a good idea to send you to him." He paused then turned to England who was staring up wearily at the American Nation as the door quickly snapped shut. "You know what, I'll give him a little call. If he's not in bed resting, if he's feeling better, then maybe it would be a smart idea for the kids to go stay with him for the next twenty-four hours before we leave just to make sure you're not contagious or anything. Make sense?" England squinted at his lover in the silence that followed the American's words before sighing out. 

"Fine. Text Canada, ask him if he would even bother watching the children for that long and I'll get some rest. Fair?" England questioned tiredly as he reached a hand up pressing it against his forehead rubbing the clammy skin with that same tired edge to his movements as he flopped against the pillows, one hand on the bucket still to keep it from rocking when he rolled his eyes away frmo the sight and plopped it closer to America. "Wash that out, will you? The smell is going to get to everyone and I'd rather not have everyone throwing up now." America looked rather queasy at the thought of cleaning or dumping the bucket out but he took it from the English Nation and began shuffling over to the bathroom as he used his other hand to pull his phone out and began texting Canada one handed. "I do have to applaud you for your ability to multitask." 

"No problem, babe, feel free to clap away fro this rather heroic task you placed upon me." America replied sarcastically as he slid his phone into his pocket then entered the bathroom leaving England to roll onto his side once again, gently rocking himself from side to side as he scowled in the direction of the American who was gagging as the wet splashing of the vomit hitting the toilet clearly triggered some reaction wthin the man. "God, this is the worst thing I think you've asked me to do! It smells horrible in here!" There was a flush then the sink came on as the American whined out making the English Nation roll his eyes at the antics of his whining lover. "You're the worst right now, Arthur! I never thought I'd be cleaning up your vomit!" England laughed at that as he threw his head against the pillows, laughing rather heartily as he curled his arms over his queasy stomach and laughed. America appeared in the doorway, water running down the sides of the bucket and dripping to the floor as he pouted at the English Nation. 

"Well, love, it's about the same way I've been cleaning up our children's vomit for years! It's not that big a deal, darling!" England got out in between the wild laughter, the quasiness abating ever so slightly but still it lingered like tight fingers pressing against his stomach trying to pierce their way out of him and so he turned his head it look at his lover with a wide smirk on his lips. "Don't whine, love. At least you managed to get it over with and if you do something like that gain I'll be sure to give you a reward." Sky blue eyes lit up at the promise and England sighed out holding his hands up before the American could throw himself on the bed. "Nope! I haven't brushed my teeth so I probably smell like vomit and besides, you should go check on the children. They're probably besides themselves right now and-" 

"Mommy!" The door flung open with Jolene howling out the single word like it were a battle cry, her little feet running across the floor and she launched herself onto the bed, golden hair flying around her shoulders as she scrambled up the bed to her mother. England gasped at the bouncing of the mattress, the little hands that pressed against his shoulders before weaving around his neck as the child in his arms howled out wordlessly as she clutched herself to the English Nation fiercely, displaying the strength of her father leaving England motionless in her tight arms. "Mommy, I don't care if I get sick! I don't want to stay with Uncle Matty! Liam hogs Austynn all to himself all the time and I get bored! Please don't send me there! Please!" 

"Were you eavesdropping again?" England gasped out as he looked down at his daughters' wet, sky blue eyes sparkling at him and the tears that welled on her blonde lashes as she clung onto England, her little face inches from his own and not a wrinkling of her nose was detected from what he could see in the close proximity. He tapped the back of her head making those tears spill down her cheeks, blue eyes glistening rather sweetly despite the tears and England sighed. "I've told you not to eavesdrop, Jolene Isabel, and I expect you to listen to me when I tell you not to do that. Look at your father! He's nosy, puts his business into everyone else's and so he doesn't have many Nation friends because he's so nosy! I want you to stop this eavesdropping business, got it?" The girl nodded and England then stroked his hand down her golden blonde locks. "But don't worry. Mummy will let you know if you'll stay with Uncle or not, he's feeling much better now that he got that out of his system." 

"Are you sure you feel better, Mummy?" Liam questioned as he looked at his mother, worry in his own sky blue eyes, his thick brows pulled together tightly over his brows as he hugged the doorway of the bedroom, his cheeks a soft pink with embarrassment at his sister's words but he released the doorframe to walk over to the bed. He climbed onto the bed crawling over to his mother, his hands and knees sinking into the mattress annoyingly but when he finally reached the English Nation he cuddled up in the arm that held itself out to him and his head came down against England's shoulder. "I heard you throwing up, Mummy, and I really hope you're not sick." 

"I hope I'm not sick either, lovie. But if Uncle says that he'll take you then you're going to stay with him. Though I'm not sure if he's sick or not, Alfred. I mean, he DID get sick first at the Meeting." England curled his arms rather protectively around his children, kissing his daughter's golden blonde locks and Liam's blonde locks softly, both the children snuggling down closer to his chest as they curled up tight as possible against one another. England knew that if he was sick it wasn't right to let his children be so close but he couldn't help it when they were being so sweet for they never wanted a cuddle most of the time and with Jolene more like him than he'd like to admit it was near impossible to get the four-year-old to want to cuddle down in his arms like this. "Has he said anything yet?" 

"Nope, nothin' yet." America replied then did one of the most childish things on the planet and threw himself on top of England who grunted quietly as the male crawled between his legs and then plopped himself on the English Nation's chest as well. "I'll give him thirty minutes to reply, if not then I guess we're all gonna get sick! Ain't that right, Liam? And this little ballerina will have to suck it up since she was the first to cuddle onto Mommy, wasn't she?" Three pairs of sky blue eyes looked then looked away from one another as America chuckled, nuzzling down against England's chest when an errant thought crept into his mind for a moment and he lifted his head to look at England. "Wouldn't it be somethin' if my brother was pregnant?" 

"Yes, yes it would, love. Though I doubt Canada would ever want to get pregnant with that Frog again." England replied as his hands raised to stroke hair, even America's, and he raised a brow then looking at the three of them staring so intently at the man. "Now how about we watch a movie then and wait for lunch to be brought up?" At the incredulous America gave him he felt his face flush as he looked away hurriedly, his heart jumping in his chest for a moment with the awkwardness that clung to him. "I'm a little hungry is all! It's a good thing you got soup. Either way let's enjoy a movie together like this, I don't think I've had all three of you snuggled down like this before and so I'm not ready to give this up just yet. So choose a movie that's good because none of you are moving for a while." And as if to attest to that England tightened his arms around the three of them making them groan but the smile on his lips couldn't have been wider in the moment. 

Chapter Text

Finland was scared. He hadn't mentioned anything to Sweden for there was a chance that it would happen, the Braxton Hicks, but he hadn't known how badly they would hurt when they began acting up and Finland had thought that it would possibly be something he could handle. Something that wasn't as bad as it sounded in the books he had read, wasn't as bad as Norway had made it seem but they were horrible. It felt like his very hips were being pulled apart, like the muscles were tightening across his stomach and pulled tightly across his belly from the pain that lasted every thirty seconds but when he placed his hands on his belly he could feel the uterus within becoming hard underneath his fingers. He didn't want to tell Sweden that the Braxton Hicks hurt when they came along, he didn't want the man worrying more than he already worried when he felt the uterus hardening that one time he'd brushed his fingers against his belly during a Braxton Hick contraction but Finland was more worried about his other symptoms. The back pain, the diarrhea that he was beginning to experience from earlier this morning and he was terrified that it meant something worse but when he talked to his doctor he had merely been told it was natural to have some anxiety around this time as Finland was in his seventh month, with two more months to go, and he was worried what it meant to have the Braxton Hicks contractions so early but again he was assured that it was natural. That someone women had it earlier than others so what would the difference be for a male Nation? Finland focused himself, breathing through the next thirty seconds, his hands on his large belly as the uterus within hardened, the muscles stretched and he clenched his jaw against the urge to shout. 

The thirty seconds ticked by quietly, quickly, but the pain remained in his lower back with a throbbing rhythm in his lower back as he turned his attention to cutting up the potatoes into quarters, his hands shaking lightly as he plopped the potatoes into the pot of water and began working on cutting the next potato as a distraction. Any distraction. Just the other morning he had passed this disgusting discharge, stringy and jelly-like in texture that was one two to inches long, the longest thing he'd ever seen come out of his body since his pregnancy and it had been slightly bloody but he hadn't thought much about it. He thought it was just something his body was pushing out due to the Braxton Hicks and when his doctor questioned if anything strange happened he found he was much too scared to bring up the slimy, jelly like substance that had left him so he left it unsaid. Finland took a deep beath, lining the knife up on the cutting board and slicing into the potato, focusing on quartering the potatoes the best he could when he felt hands on his sides, sliding up and down before resting on his belly and he looked over his shoulder to find Sweden standing there. The comfort of his husband so close had him relaxing but the pain in his lower back persisted, throbbed viciously and he had to wonder if maybe his sciatica nerve was reacting to the weight of the baby pressing on his hips in that moment. 

"The boys are awfully quiet. Think it has something to do with their growth spurts?" Finland questioned as he quartered the two halves of the potatoes when the Swedish man leaned in pressing his lips against Finland's throat making the Finnish Nation giggle lightly before sighing out gently as he dropped the quartered potatoes into the soup, then placing the cover over the top of it and turned in his husband's arms, the large belly pushing a space between them that he was grateful for as he looked up at his husband from underneath his lashes. "Berwald Oxenstierna, you know better than to distract me while I'm cooking. What is it that you could possibly want? Is there something you need? Something that has to be picked up?" 

"There's nothing you have to do other tha nsit down and relax." Sweden replied softly to the Finnish Nation, reaching his hands up from his large belly to cup his face and stroke his thumbs across his cheeks softly as he stared into those violet eyes for a moment or two before the Finnish man sighed out softly. He then gestured to the table where the Swedish man pulled a chair out for the pregnant Nation which he dropped into groaning quietly to himself while Sweden sat next to him and reached out taking his hand, bringing it up to his mouth he kissed his knuckles softly. He then kissed the back of his hand softly, his wrist, flipping his hand over he kissed the fluttering pulse in his wrist before squeezing his hand gently settling back in his seat after seeing the flush rising into Finland's face. "How are you feeling?" 

"My back hurts but it's nothing crazy. I think it's just my sciatica nerves messing up on me because of the baby." He  reached behind him with his free hand to press his knuckles into his lower back, leaning forward slightly in his seat and he looked up meeting those greenish blue eyes and smiled as he reached up with their conjoined hand to stroke the blonde's cheek lovingly. Even as he struggles to rub at his lower back he felt a strange pressure building in his hips as he blinked before smiling shyly as he pulled his hand away from Sweden's. "I'm sorry but I have to go to the bathroom. Help me up?" Sweden offered his hand again, pulling the man to his feet where he then rushed across the kitchen aiming to get to the bathroom before this pressure of his could grow to it's cresting point as it always did when he had to go thanks for the baby pressing against his bladder. 

When he entered the bathroom he sighed out as he approached the toilet, having the chance to relieve himself when he felt a pop inside of him. It felt muted, like someone had taken a needle and popped a water balloon inside of him. Thinking it was his bladder at first he cursed under his breath fiddling with his pants as he struggled to get them out of the way when he began feeling something seeping out of him, soaking the back of his pants and making his face burn hotly as he realized at once that it wasn't his bladder. That was still safely waiting to be emptied but what had been the other pop been? It clicked. His water. His water broke. It broke? He gasped in a breath as he reached behind himself to touch the wet fabric of his pants, fingers sliding slickly against the wetness and he turned walking quickly towards the bathroom door, holding his pants up near his hips as he threw the door open gasping out wordlessly, his lips trembling. What did he say? What could he say? That his water, something that should have popped two whole months from now, was seeping out of him? He noticed the light trembling to his hand as he looked down at himself whimpering quietly as he waited for pain, for something, but felt nothing in that moment aside from the liquid that dripped down his thighs and it was the screech of a chair against linoleum floor that had him looking up with frightened tears welling in his eyes when Sweden came through the doorway. 

He looked at Finland, at the state his husband was in and he blinked at him for a moment before approaching the bathroom door rather slowly when Finland wanted him to run at him and scoop him into his arms where he would mutter to him in Swedish that all would be okay. That it wasn't what he thought it was, even if he knew he was right. "Tino? What's the matter?" He approached the Finnish Nation, his hands reaching out when the man refused to answer,trembling lightly like a leaf in the wind the longer he didn't speak and Sweden reached up cupping the man's face stroking his cheeks with his thumbs before reaching up stroking the tears from his eyes. "Tino! Tell me!" He placed his hands on the Finnish Nation's shoulders shaking him lightly when he glanced down at his loose pants and frowned. "Did you not make it? Is that what's wrong?"

"No." Finland forced his lips to move as he whispered the word, his hands clenching his pants tightly as he then blinked quickly trying to bring some life to his body which felt statue-esque in that moment and he pulled his pants up securely before reaching out for Sweden. Sweden, who would make it better. Sweden, who would help Finland understand why this was happening. Sweden, who would hold his hand and pull him close. Sweden, who would help calm his racing heart before it could stop. "Ber, I think my water just broke." The words were surprisingly hard to choke out but the moment they were out felt like popping some balloon of tension inside his chest. Then the fear crept in. "Oh Go-God, what do I do? What should I do, Ber? Do-Do we go to the hospital? Or wait here?"

"We'll wait here until the contractions start, that'll give Norway time to get here and watch the boys while we're gone." Sweden replied when he squeezed his shoulders before grabbing his hand tugging him from the bathroom into the front hall as he helped the pregnant male adjust his pants so they wouldn't fall before giving up and brushing the wet patch on the back of his thighs. "Why don't you go change your pants and I'll call Norway for you. If he's staying at Denmark's then he should be here sooner rather than later but it'll still take about six hours if he were to leave now but they'd be here first thing in the morning." Finland paled visibly at the thought of possibly being labor for six hours but the man nodded weakly before turning towards the stairs beginning to climb them and Sweden plucked up the household phone from the hallway while the Finnish man walked away and he kept a watchful eye on the man until he left his view. Now to call Norway and pray the man would come.

"Berwald, watch where you're going!" Finland shrieked at the man who, at that moment, was speeding down the highway towards the closest hospital they had to their home and no amount of convincing would make the Swedish man slow down. The Finnish Nation had thought when he went into labor that it would be two months from now, had thought he would have had time to prepare and he thought that he wouldn't be so scared sitting in that car as they sped down the highway, the windshield wipers swatting at the ran as fast as they could while his husband sped  towards the hospital. Finland had been in labor for a total of four hours; four hours of pain, four hours of agony, four hours of wondering if something was wrong with his baby who had kicked every once in a while but nowhere near as active as they should have been. Four hours of sobbing as he wondered if something wrong was happening as Sweden finally decided enough was enough and all but  threw the Finnish Nation into the car and began speeding towards the hospital after barking orders at Sealand and Ladonia who both had promised to be good while they were gone and promised to be good for Norway when he got there."Berwald!" 

The Swedish man didn't answer as his engine growled softly as he sped up slightly, honking when he got behind a slower car and was unable to swerve around the car, and Finland clutched at the bar above his head while the other hand pressed against his stomach when another contraction took over the Finnish man. He howled out wordlessly as the pain rippled through him, a pain that clenched and relaxed then clenched once again with the pain that rippled through him and he squeezed the bar above his head, his hand shaking as he panted through the contraction waiting for it to end. The contractions themselves seemed to have been sent from Hell itself. Finland had begun getting small quiet contractions during those first two hours, when the baby was still very much active, but in the past two hours he noticed the movements lessening as the contractions had grown more painful, more agonizing, and he was terrified. He looked out the window panting quietly to himself as he waited to see the hospital lights before them when Sweden slammed on the horn again before speeding around the car, swerving recklessly before speeding forward towards the lights of the hospital, shining brightly in the darkness of the night and Finland wished his husband would be more careful. He wanted to get there too, wanted to be in the comfort of nurses and their personal doctor but he didn't want them to rush like this. Didn't want to be speeding down a slick highway so late at night. 

Finland arched his hips upwards off of the seat for just a moment as the pressure was growing unbearable, the pressure that prompted him to push was clawing at him from underneath his skin as he turned his face into his arm to keep from screaming at the incomprehensible urge to push the child out. To get this baby out of him, to hurry and relieve himself of the pain. He wanted the pain to be over, over, over. He wanted this baby out NOW. He kept from screaming to go faster, he kept from kicking and stomping his feet like a small child but dammit he wanted those lights to grow closer! He began whimpering as he tugged at the hem of his pants, wanting them off of his legs as he growled softly at the build up of another contraction and he leaned back in his seat panting quickly and quietly as he managed to begin pushing his pants down his legs. He screamed at a particularly harsh contraction as he slammed his feet on the dashboard, gritting his teeth through the pain that ripped across his stomach as he arched his back and screamed again through his clenched teeth as he reached out grabbing Sweden's arm tightly. "Berwald, I'm not going to make it! Pull over! Pull over! I can't make it! The baby is coming now!"  

"Tino-" 

"Pull this damn car over right this second!" Finland howled as he hit his husband's arm viciously, his other hand pounding at the roof of the car harshly with his knuckles when he noted the car slowing as they pulled over on a little road off of the highway and the Finnish Nation felt tears rolling down his cheeks as sweat gathered on his forehead and Sweden put the car into park turning towards his husband. Finland's sobs wracked out of him as he covered his face in what felt like shame now that the irrational anger was gone and he turned to his husband holding onto his arm in a tight hug to his chest as his tears gushed down his cheeks. "Oh god, Berwald, I can't do this! I can't make it to the hospital! Call an ambulance or something! Please! I can't stop it, I can't make it wait, the baby wants out now! Help me, Ber! Please, God, help me!" 

"It's alright, Tino, it's okay!" Sweden unbuckled himself to reach over caressing a wet cheek softly, the rain pelting the roof of their car and he leaned forward to press his forehead against Finland's sweaty one as tears continued rolling down his cheeks and the man then rubbed his large belly before turning to grab his phone, moving his hand over Finland's hair as the man sobbed. "It'll be okay, Tino, I promise. Let me get out and look, then I'll call an ambulance to pick you up and I'll follow." He paused then climbed out of the car into the pouring rain and rushed around the car, his form briefly illuminated by the headlights as jogged around and pulled open Finland's door as the man screamed again hitting the roof of the car as he then stiffened. 

The stiffness to his form remained for a moment or two before he leaned backwards gasping for air and Sweden pulled his flashlight up on his phone and twisted into the car awkwardly between his husband's legs flashing the light there. Finland, who had been trying his best not to push, who had been doing his best to keep from doing so, howled as he stiffened again with a growl sliding between his clenched teeth and Sweden gawked at the sight of the baby's head crowning when he noticed said head moving closer and he fumbled with his hand to unzip his coat, pulling his loose plaid shirt off of his short sleeve shirt and looked up at Finland who was grunting quietly as he strained for a moment before leaning backwards in the seat as his stomach heaved up and down with his gulping breathes. Sweden watched as his husband tensed again, pushing no doubt, as the baby's head began sliding outwards until he noticed little eyebrows, eyes that were shut, a tiny nose slipping out and then Finland had to lean backwards catching his breath. They were really doing this. Finland was giving birth in their car, not in the hospital as they imagined but in a car in the pouring rain. Finland screamed as he began pushing once agains and Sweden reached out gently taking the baby's head and helping pull carefully, slowly, while Finland was pushing until the whole head popped on out and the Finnish man growled as he continued to push rather than catch his breath. He could see the shoulders beginning to peek out when the Finnish Nation leaned back in his seat to catch his breath, gulping air down and sobbing wildly as his arms crossed over his eyes as if it would stop the tears from falling as his legs began to shake lightly as he took one breath, two, and finally a deep breath before pushing again. 

Finland screamed so loud he was sure they heard him all the way to the hospital, all the way to Norway who was working on getting over there, screamed so loud he swore other Nations would hear it. The shoulders were agonizing, were absolutely the words part on the planet as he strained and pushed, grunting quietly as sweat rolled down the sides of his face as he howled out his pain clenching his hands into tight fists as Sweden continued pulling the baby gently. Sweden would always, forever and always, be grateful he had that shirt ready for the moment that the shoulders popped on out it only took a push or two for the rest of the little baby to slip on out into his hands. He almost instinctively dropped said baby but he forced himself to wrap the shirt around the baby who howled loudly in the absence of silence from Finland, screamed and wailed only a newborn could and he used a section of the shirt to come up and cover the baby's bloody head like a little hood as he stared down at his daughter in awe. Finland was currently catching his breath, so quiet in that moment that Sweden felt panic curling in his stomach as he reached up touching Finland's leg with his hand, noticing the little blood smears on his legs he left behind and flinched when the Finnish Nation looked down tiredly as the baby continued to scream and howl for her mother. She was a tiny thing, this baby, and Sweden carefully stood with his hand supporting her little head as he handed the baby over to Finland who looked to be in the same awe that Sweden himself had been in moments ago. 

"Tino, will you be okay on your own for a few moments? I need to call for the ambulance but I-I don't want to leave you alone if you can't be alone." Sweden hated the stutter in his voice but as he looked at his husband he couldn't help but feel panic throbbing in his chest at how exhausted the man looked but when those violet eyes lifted to him they shone with a strength, a vitality, that was all it's own as they then looked adoringly down at their daughter. The rain pounded at the ground, at Sweden soaking him as he leaned into the car kissing the sweaty temple of Finland's and lifted a hand up stroking his husband's blonde locks of hair as he looked down at the howling baby who rubbed at her eyes fiercely with her tiny hands and she hiccuped as her eyes peeled themselves open making Finland gasp happily at the sight of her eyes. "Well, we knew she'd be unique." 

"Oh, my baby!" Finland crooned as he stroked her red cheek, his husband stepping away for just a moment after placing another kiss to his temple as he reactivated his phone screen, no doubt to call the hospital and request an ambulance but Finland could hardly focus on that just yet. He was shivering lightly from the cold chilled air and as if in understanding the Swedish man shut the door carefully to give him some warmth and Finland stroked his baby's pale blonde hair, the wisps of hair lighter than air it felt as she whimpered staring up at her mother. Her eyes, something Finland found himself gawking at, were absolutely beautiful like the rest of her. Her left eye was the greenish blue of his husband, the right eye a shimmering violet that resembled Finland's own and he lifted her up to kiss her forehead softly."Pieni vauvani. Kaunis pieni vauvani." He then kissed her cheek softly and her forehead once again as he smiled to himself. 

Chapter Text

Kirkland Children!

Name: William Finn Kirkland

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Liam, Will

Age: 7

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye color: Sky Blue

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: Thick eyebrows like England's.

Birthday: July 3rd

Personality: William is a very cheerful, energetic young man who shares an interest in heroes just like his father. He, like his father, has the bad habit of sticking his nose into everyone's business but unlike his father this often helps him in gaining friends rather than pushing people away. He is able to read the atmosphere rather beautifully and when he is calm he, like his father, is very logical and reads further into things than he usual should. He does have an interest in sports, often trying out one sport or another during his school years in order to find his affinity for the sports life and often times does it just to impress his father and his mother figure, England. Unlike his father he sadly did not inherit his abnormal amount of strength but he is very stubborn and can dig his heels in quite a bit when it comes to his parents and often times will use this tactic to keep from doing something he does not desire doing. He has made friends with his father's alien friend, Tony, William is able to see the fairy creatures around him. If the moment calls for it, however, he can be very blunt, sharp tongued or even cynical like his mother and has inherited his mother's poor cooking skills, not that he complains for he often s tays clear of the kitchen most days unless it's for a snack. Like his mother, he is often seen as spacey or uncooperative during his school hours due to his distraction to the mythical creatures around him and was often in trouble much of his school days. He's rather intelligent, quick witted and shows an aptitude for becoming something great once he reaches adulthood but much like his father he is a fast grower, much to England's dismay, and William does anything he can to be as helpful as possible.

Name: Jolene Isabel Kirkland

Gender: Female

Nicknames: Jo, Jojo, Dollface

Age: 4

Glasses: No

Hair Color: Golden blonde

Eye color: Sky Blue

Ahoge: Yes, a Nantucket like America's.

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: June 24th

Personality: Jolene is very much like her mother. She has the tendency to be cynical, sharp tongued and very much prone to a rougher state of speech when she is in a mood or when she is prompted to anger or irritation and unlike her brother she has a skill for cooking. Jolene was a rather cranky child growing up and would often seek out her mother for attention along with affection and when her sister, Jasmine, was born it was said that she became even crankier and even unwilling to have anything to do with her baby sibling. However, unlike her siblings, she has taken ater England in that she is able to perform magic, simple things like casting spells or curses on those around her, summoning demons and other magical creatures though she lacks the ability to see the creatures her mother sees. She also follows after her mother in learning how to embroidery and she has an ear for rock music which she often practices or listens too when she is working. She can be very stubborn, just like her brother, and strong willed meaning she won't so something if she is told to do it but rather will choose to do it in her own time and when she wants to do it. She would be, in simple terms, be considered a tsundere due to her softer side that she keeps hidden behind her harsher persona. However, like her father, Jolene often will stick her nose into places and topics that have nothing to do with her and so she often is lacking in the friend department but she doesn't mind. Like her father she has a very strong fascination with the worl of scientific exploration and a vast fascination with space.

Bonnefoy child!

Name: Austynn Garrett Bonnefoy

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Aussie or Oz

Age: 7

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Two toned; like Canada, his hair is a lighter blonde near the top with a darker blonde shade along the bottom and tips.

Eye color: Violet

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: He has a love heart birthmark gracing the side of his throat.

Birthday: January 11th

Personality: Austynn is a calm, shy and sensitive boy just like his mother but he is a very strong fighter just like his mother. He is a smart boy, often gaining intelligence on other people around him and thus, if he is prompted into a fight, he becomes very passive aggressive and with this tactic heh as even made his cousin cry because of the things he can bring up. He often times likes to be left alone, like to do his own thing when he has the free time to do so which more often than not is art. He has a very strong artistic ability but more often he choses to play ice hockey, something he has a strong affinity for as well and will choose to hone in on his ice hockey skills instead. Much like his father Austynn, when close to someone he likes, can be quite a bit of a pervert and often adopts the "big brother" role perfectly when it comes to others even if they are older than him. He doesn't use electric devices much, due to his father's influence, but he does carry around a cellphone that he uses for social media or even for remaining in contact with his friends and family which is more than enough for him. He is easily a very affectionate boy and isn't afraid to help others but he can be very picky on what he chooses to help someone with and more often than not he will be the number one advisory or helper when it comes to romance. He often claims that he does not have time for romance himself what with his practicing his ice hockey and artistic abilities but it would seem that that is not the case but Austynn can be quite "dense" when it come sto the romantic pursuits after his heart.

Beilschmidt Children!

Name: Wolfram Josiah Beilschmidt

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Wolfie or Ram

Older/Younger Twin: Older Twin

Age: 5

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Ahoge: Yes, down low on the left

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: December 26th

Personality: Wolfram is a cheerful, energetic sort of young man and is one that loves pasta just like his mother and Wolfram has the horrible habit of daydreaming, wandering off even, and often puts himself into situations that make others angry due to his flighty, mindless reactions. He is a smart young man, knows how to focus and knows when to focus along with knowing when he should be paying attention but he often chooses not to listen and will often be thinking on how to create a new dish. He can be found in the kitchen, trying to create a new pasta dish or even making pasta for those around him, often times he can be found off on his own singing to himself or even painting while singing which is something he enjoys doing more often than not. He enrolled into chorus and painting lessons in the World Academy, two things that he adored more than anything and often is a solo singer for the chorus along with a few others but more often than not he adores to simply sing what's in his heart when he's on his own or drawing inspiration from the world around him. Like his mother he has a little tick of saying "Ve~" when he is in extreme moments of euphoria or extreme happiness and often is helpless against making the verbal tick, just like his mother. Wolfram has a good head on his shoulders though it often is floating away in daydreams and while he is rather strict when it comes to his naps, he had a habit to strip himself when it comes to his naps, choosing to sleep naked like his mother during his naps. Despite being the older twin, Wolfram clings to his twin brother and often relies on him quite a bit to help him throuhg his problems or situations that require help.

Name: Giovanni Bastian Beilschmidt

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Gio, Ani

Older/Younger Twin: Younger twin

Age: 5

Glasses: No

Hair Color: Brown

Eye color: Brown

Ahoge: Yes, to the right of his head also down low

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: December 26th

Personality: While being branded as the younger twin, Giovanni is a too serious, strict, harsh young man who has no time for games and doesn't quite have the attention span for games either way for he finds them tedious and silly. He is smart, quite smart for his age, and has a set rule list for himself that he regards and obeys like a drill sequence allowing for hardly allowing himself for much fun unless he requests the fun and oftne times takes the world around him too seriously. He tends to be the pessimist out of the twin set, often seeing the worst and regarding it as being "realistic" when in reality he is quite the pessimist and is quite the neat freak, often growing angry if something is moved or touched from it's original place. He loves to accompany his father in making cakes, enjoying the quality time of baking and he enjoys the rather close relationship he shares with his father's dogs, often times requesting for dogs of his own despite being told no countless times. He is a stubborn young man, often choosing to rebel and to prove that he isn't afraid of Russia's children he will often remain stoic or even headed about the situation. He is a calm, collected and acts as a "big brother" or father figure to younger nations who view him as such like his little sister who relies on him. He often grows tired of his brother always wanting his help, clinging to him, and will often lose his temper with his elder twin brother and snap at him only to feel very guilty later on. This happens with people outside of his brother, him snapping and then feeling guilty afterwards. He is also a skilled fencer like his mother and shares the same verbal tic as his mother and brother by making the same "Ve~" noise when he is in extreme moments of euphoria or happiness.

Carriedo child!

Name: Cristiano Julien Carriedo

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Cris, Tian

Age: 7

Glasses: None

Hair Color: Brown (curly)

Eye color: Green

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: May 5th

Personality: Cristiano is a passionate, even cheerful young man who is rather optimistic one in the family aside from his father. While he is very smart, Cristiano fails or cannot read the atmosphere in a room or around other people or even around a certain situation nor does he try too. He is very stubborn like his mother, doing what he whenever in whatever way he wants too and decides to go at his own pace rather than following the pace of his peers, often choosing to deal with his own pace as he desires. He can be somewhat cowardly given the situation but more often than not he is very tough and refuses to back down from a fight even if the fight is a lose-lose situation for him. He learned how to say "bastard" at a young age due to his mother's over use of the word and like his cousins he also has a little verbal tic where he shouts, just like his mother, "Chigi!" when he is irritated and he often says "Ve~" when he is extremely happy which is naturally a majority of the time. He is a hard worker that is determined to finish projects or even assignments before others do, often putting his strength to work in gym where he plays the European football (soccer) and he is very proud of his place on the team. He is definitely the type of young man that, depending on what it is, can do anything he puts his mind too and often will do whatever he can to help a friend. He is stubborn to a fault and will often refuse to give up on something or someone which leads to him being quite loyal to a fault as well.

Wang Children!

Name: Xiong Wang

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Xi

Age: 6

Hair Color: Black

Eye color: Golden brown

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: December 13th

Personality: Xiong believes in superstitions but also believes and good luck and fortunes. He actually takes the fortunes from chinese fortune cookies rather seriously, often times tacking them up on his corkboard in his room and tries his best to decipher them whenever he can. He speaks with a Japanese accent and Japanese vocabulary. He loves to try whatever cuisine his father brings home for him to try, even putting food as his first and number one priority whenever he possibly can. He is a very sore loser, hating it when he loses, often times he goes off to sulk or even hangs his head in shame when he loses but he tries his best to accept it with some honor as his mother has told him over and over again. He hates to be patronized and hates it when something is done in a halfhearted way, often times calling out the half heartedness and will even shout about it not being fair before storming off if someone does not put their whole heart into something. He is very much energetic, cheerful and has a sunny disposition just like his father does but he can also be quite shy to new comers and is very much hardworking whenever he needs to put forth the energy to do so. He even has an otaku side to himself, adoring the animes that his mother creates and often times tries to sneak a look at the erotic wood cuts his mother possesses only to be scolded.

Name: Genji Wang

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Ji or Jiji

Age: 3

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Eye color: Brown

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: He has a birthmark on his lower back

Birthday: November 26th

Personality: Genji is a painfully shy, quiet, hardworking person who doesn't care much about the outside world and has to require quite a lot of time just to adjust to other people around him and will often go into his shell when he's surrounded by other people. When he was a child he had a habit of stripping off his yukatas and often times walking around in his underwear just like his brother and often times peeked at his mothers erotic wooden statues only to be scolded for doing the same as his brothers. He has an otaku side to him as well as his brother and both have been known to get together for anime nights where they spend the night with snakes, drinks and binge watch anime series that they can get their hands on. Genji is quite fond of food, like his father and brother, and enjoys the cuisine that is brought home but often finds himself eating slated salmon with his mother whenever he can get away with it. He adores his mothers dog, Pochi, and the cats that run around the house. He is able to draw manga, an artistic talent that he is proud to have and even patiently tries teaching his elder brother how to draw as well. He often gets very angry, something that is obviously by the way that his chest will puff, eyes narrow and the way he speaks very roughly to the target of his anger but he can be quite terrifying if given the chance to be. Like his father he believes in good luck and fortunes but he doesn't read much into it nad even dismisses much of his brothers rantings and ravings.

Beilschmidt children!

Name: Astrid Bernadett Beilschmidt

Gender: Female

Nicknames: Asty

Age: 8 

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Silver

Eye color: Ruby

Ahoge: Yes, she has a Mariazell like Austria

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: October 13th

Personality: Astrid was born as a very hyperactive person. She never fails to find something to do, never fails to get herself into some kind of new trouble, and always has been a very loud young lady who refuses to be ignored or forgotten about. She is a hooligan type of young lady who loves fighting, saying things that start quarrels and has a rather arrogant attitude that often gets her into trouble more often than not but often allows her to bond with her father. She is a loyal sort of of person, always choosing to stand with her friends or stand with a partner of hers if it meant protecting them and even being so loyal to the point that she could be considered blind to any outside force and will refuse to give up her loyalty to someone if she feels they deserve it. She, like her father, calls herself cool and awesome which she will often declare or even act upon but more often than not, she is happy just merely being on her own even if it causes her some kind of melancholy. She adores cute things like small birds, which means her father's pet bird, stuffed animals and soft things that she can through herself onto and cuddle happily. She loves to experience new things, is an extremely free-spirited girl who demands it's her way or the high way though she has a very big soft spot for her mother, Austria. She is often easily bored and gets very easily distracted form things she was supposed to be doing and yet she can be a very hard worker when need be. Like her mother, Astrid is very skilled at the piano and often takes lesson from her mother but often becomes very bored with it which leads to fights between the daughter and mother, something that Astrid surprisingly hates. She is very protective over her little sisters and brothers. Much against her mother's wishes, Astrid has been taking private lessons with England on how to play the electric guitar.

Name: Amelia Rosalinde Beilschmidt

Nickname: Mia

Gender: Female

Nicknames: Mia, Lia

Age: 6 

Glasses: No

Hair Color: Chestnut brown (Wavy)

Eye color: Violet

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: She has a thin line shaped birthmark next to her belly button

Birthday: April 17th

Personality: Amelia is a well-spoken, aloof young lady who is rather optimistic or even easy going unlike her older sister she is a quiet sort of person meaning she is very easily over looked when stood next to her sister, not that she minds in the slightest bit. She often has the habit of, like her cousins, day dreaming despite being serious and hard working, she will often day dream during important moments but always manages to follow along with her work or with what another person has spoken. Much like her older sister, Amelia is very skilled with the piano but she very diligently follows her mother's instructions and even practices with a teacher after school hours in order to become better at the instrument and rather disapproves of her sister's loud electric guitar but secretly enjoys the sound of the instrument. She keeps her room tidy though it is not orderly in the slightest bit with stuffed drawers, messy drawers and her dressers along with her toys are all in disarray though to her it is tidy and yet it lacks order just like her school backpack. She often avoids fighting but she is very easily dragged into them when her mother and sister fight which she has grown to hate whenever it happens. She is very easily driven to tears, aka a crybaby, and often times it isn't hard to cause the young lady to cry or to even be brought to tears. She is camera shy, often hating all the images her parents have taken of her during her infant and toddler years and even hates being in pictures to this day.

Braginsky Children!

Name: Tatiana Anastasia Braginsky

Gender: Female

Nicknames: Tati, Ana

Age: 7 

Glasses: No

Hair Color: Pale ashen blonde

Eye color: Green

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: April 23rd

Personality: Tatiana, like her mother, is surprisingly quick to forgive whether it's over her brother touching her thing or if it's something her parents have said about her she is always easily ready to forgive and while she looks for friends she is a shy girl who is unsociable to the people that she does not consider her friends. She possesses a cruel streak that often times rears its head at times and often times it will be taken out on her brother and she'll later feel guilty over reacting in such a manner and often cuts herself from others to keep from doing so again. She may be cruel, however, but she is not malicious and she would never physically hurt another person but other children consider her scary merely because of the things that have been said about her mother figure, Russia. She is a touch naive, strangely gentle and she adores watching a good fight between people as she is the last person who will actively stop a fight in any manner of way. She is close to her father but is closest to her mother figure, RUssia, and often clings to the man whenever he is around and doesn't seem to mind his cracked mentality as Tatiana has a few problems herself but she is a rather sweet girl. For all her gentle nativity and cruelty, Tatiana can get extremely serious, having a hard time understanding jokes that are not her own creation and much like her father, Tatiana is the type of girl to accept someone into her heart if she knows the person well enough or has known them long enough to do so. She adores literature and often finds problem with her father spending time with Poland.

Name: Darius Dimitri Braginsky

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Dari

Age:6 

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Brown

Eye color: Violet

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: He has a birth mark on his forearm

Birthday: March 2nd

Personality: Darius is a smart, intelligent boy who is often shy and quiet like his sister but is very serious when it comes to certain matters, has the same hard time understanding jokes as his sister and father but he is more of an introvert like his other family members. He often has much distress due to his being kind and concerned for others, often putting others needs and wants before his own and will often ignore his own needs, his own personal boundaries and often gives himself chronic headaches or stomachaches due to the way he ignores himself and how often he can get to himself. He takes martial arts lessons, something that his father happily helps with, and while he is amazing at literature, Darius enjoys the martial arts lessons far more than he would ever admit but in reality looks as though he couldn't hurt a fly. Though, like his sister, he does have a cruelty to him that is hard to bring to the surface but is there nonetheless. He quite shy, however, painfully so and often refuses to speak to people he does not consider a friend and will sometimes cling to his sister if he thinks that she will help him with talking to others or if she will protect him which she often does. Darius is the type of boy that, just like his father and sister, will allow others into his heart once he knows someone well enough. He often tries to be stronger and appear more threatening when others are bullying him but it is hard for him since he has such a gentle disposition to him and oftne times he depresses himself so much that he will skip school for days or weeks at a time. He will often defend his sister and can seem quite scary like his mother, Russia.

Kohler Children!

Name: Sven Elias Kohler

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Sve

Age: 10

Glasses: No

Hair Color: Light blonde

Eye color: Blue

Ahoge: Yes, it is just like Norway's.

Birthmarks/other features:

Birthday: November 5th

Personality: He is a quiet, awkward child who has few words and expressions while being just as reclusive as his mother. Much like his cousin, Sven is a difficult person to read and he is a painfully shy boy, often times refusing to interact with people his own age whether they are human or Nations he will often refuse to speak to those around him. He often chooses to play chess on his own or to practice with his mother and while he possesses the ability to see other mythological creatures, bringing him closer to Liam who shares the same ability, he is still a painfully shy boy and often times has a good amount of social awkwardness to him. He likes to read when he is on his own, choosing often to ignore those around him and especially when he enrolls at the World Academy he finds that while he can be friends with Liam he simply acts quite reclusive around others. Sven also has a strange regard towards humans; he has a rather sympathetic heart for the humans around him and thus this leads to his crush on a certain human girl that lasts years of infatuation until he ends up dating her. He is a strange boy who would just as soon be alone than he would be around other people. He is still socially awkward, painfully shy as an adult but he has some sense of humor though he can at times be very stubborn in his refusal to be anything other than what others want. He refuses to change his shyness, refuses to work on his social awkwardness and so it leaves him quite reclusive from others.

Name: Abel Matheo Kohler

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Abe

Age: 5 

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye color: Dull blue

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: November 9th

Personality: Abel is very much like his father in that he is very stubborn, doesn't listen well to others, and can be very bossy when he doesn't get his way. He likes to create furniture, like his father, and has even made a personal pursuit and life out of creating wooden furniture which he is proud of. He has a rather cheery demeanor and manages to ignore the rather offensive or even aggressive social tones making him rather oblivious of social cues sometimes but more often than not he is able to ignore his mother's slight negativity from time to time due to these little personality quirks. He still manages to often get himself in trouble with his mother or with his brother, either one he often times finds himself in trouble but more often than not his cheerful disposition helps him out and his determination, his stubbornness, often work with him but most of the time will work against him depending on the mood that he's in. He can be like his mother figure in that depending on his mood, on his mind space, he can be quite reclusive and often stays away from people and chooses to live off grid, only coming inland to see his family when they call for him. He is also painfully shy around strangers, never introducing himself but often times he can be quite carefree with strangers so ti is unsure by those around him whether he is painfully shy or not.

RoChu Child!

Name: Uri Sergei Wang-Braginsky

Gender: Male

Nicknames:

Age: 12 

Glasses: Yes

Hair Color: Pale ashen blonde

Eye color: Golden brown

Ahoge: None

Birthmarks/other features: None

Birthday: March 8th

Personality: Uri is rather simplistic, choosing rather to live with what he has and what he can afford rather than running out to get the largest or best things. He does laugh rather easily, though bringing him to tears isn't that hard either, but he is rather quick forgive and has a rather considerable amount of friends due to his rather cheerful personality. He can be rather forward, even bashfully forward, and will often times greet others with a kiss to the cheek or when it comes to familiar people it's a rather large kiss on the lips. While he doesn't believe in good luck or fortunes, Uri can be a bit superstitious at times, even paranoid about the world about him but rather than get too worked up about it he often goes in pursuit of those creepy and perhaps even impossible things in the world. He loves cuisine, something he goes about cooking in the kitchen and can often times be found looking up recipes in cook books to try out and he absolutely loves to eat whatever cuisine he can get his hands on. He has a little verbal tic of shouting "Aiyaa" when he is nervous or if the atmosphere around him is too tense or too quiet but it happens most often when he is frustrated or exasperated. He will try not to waist a single second of time, though often he can be found napping most of the day. Sometimes, in an subconscious movement, Uri will come much too close to another person whe nhe is talking to them and is quite unaware that this takes place but will apologize profusely for coming so close. He enjoys spending time with Ileana, even seeking her out whenever he can and adores spending most of his time with her.

Chapter Text

When did he tell him? How did he tell him? The questions, two repeating ever looping questions, would drive him mad. He was sure of it. Norway hadn't been feeling quite right the past couple of weeks and rather than let it evolve into a sickness that lasted weeks, Norway had done what any rational person would do and he went straight to his doctor when he noticed that the unwell feeling had begun growing. What he had noticed was the sickness in the mornings. The strange craving for SOMETHING but unsure of what it was. The fatigue. All of it had been worsening, becoming more a part of his life five weeks ago and while his instincts told him what he surely knew he waited for the results from his doctor, determined not to give in to irrational thoughts, refusing to believe the irrational thoughts. And that was what he believed it to be; irrationality. When Norway had put it into his own head that it was irrationality, that he was reading too much into the symptoms he was dealing with, he had all but pushed it into his subconscious and had gone on with his life as per usual and as per normal. He hadn't thought twice about it until he received the call that very next day following his decision to ignore the symptoms and had gotten his diagnosis from his personal doctor. Pregnant. He was pregnant. He got the news about a week ago, in his fifth week, and he still wasn't sure what he was going to say to Denmark who would be all too thrilled to have another baby in the house but Norway wasn't quite sure how he felt about the pregnancy. He peered at his husband, yawning to himself as he drove, the rain whipping at the windshield as the wipers tried in vain to work against the streaking water. 

Norway fought his own yawn when he leaned his elbow on the car door then pressed his fist against his cheek as he stared out the window as the quiet purr of the car fill the interior with a comforting atmosphere as Norway stared out the window at the pouring rain wondering if it would let up. He hadn't thought to check the weather before they left but it's not like it mattered, right? They were there to watch Sealand and Ladonia while Finland was off having his baby so a little rain wouldn't kill them. He peered up into the rearview mirror at the sight of Sven leaning his head against the window, quiet breathes slipping past his parted lips and Norway's gaze then turned to Abel sitting in his car seat, his little head pressing against the side of it as his hands rested in his lap with quiet snores leaving him. Both boys were exhausted now that their excitement at going somewhere new had finally worn off and Norway had to admit he couldn't wait until he was in a nice warm bed where he and Denmark could go to sleep together and rest for the night after this long trip. Six hours was a long time to travel and Norway could only hope that it would worth it if Finland was giving birth at the moment. He looked over at Denmark who was rubbing his eye as they sped down the highway and Norway slumped in his seat, the seat belt digging into his stomach briefly and the Danish man looked over for a split second before reaching his hand out placing it on the Norwegian's thigh. 

"Don't worry, Lukas, we'll be there in literally minutes! Then we can get some sleep finally. I hope they left the door unlocked so we can make a run for it seeing as we have to carry the boys." Denmark mmused as Norway rubbed his stomach where the belt had dug in briefly and Denmark moved his hand from his thigh as he yawned largely, his jaw popping lightly. "I can't want to get some sleep, I'm pretty damn tired. Traveling six hours is a pain in the ass." Norway grunted his response as he laid his hand on his stomach and his gaze went out the window again feeling grateful that they were ending the high way soon, large signs on the side of the road advertising restaurants that made Norway's stomach snarl in response and he turned to look at Denmark who smiled. "We can also get something to eat while we're there too! I heard Finland made some soup before he left and I know how much you love his soup." 

"It's decent soup." Norway replied with a shrug as he slumped a little further into his seat, the belt scraping his stomach making him curse softly as Denmark navigated the traffic with such expertise that the Norwegian grunted quietly, an unspoken compliment. He looked out the window at the droplets streaking across his window, the rain that drummed on the roof of the car and Norway turned towards Denmark once again holding his breath for a moment and then decided if any time was a  good time then he might as well say it. He bit at his lower lip for a moment as he debated the thought of coming out to Denmark, announcing the pregnancy, and he found he was nervous. Absolutely, completely, nervous. He looked away from Denmark to stare out the window instead of gazing at him when he spoke. "Hey, Mathias?" Denmark hummed in answer and the Norwegian swallowed nervously before focusing his gaze on a particular droplet of water. "I'm pregnant." 

Denmark's reaction was quite expected for Norway knew exactly how the man would respond. He looked between Norway and the road, blinking quickly before opening his mouth where his lips trembled with unspoken words and his teeth clicked when he snapped his mouth shut and Norway peeked up at him to find surprise covering the Danish Nation's face. Norway couldn't pinpoint when he got pregnant, of course, so it's not like he could scold the Danish Nation for not using a condom or anything of the sort but Norway knew they'd used one every single time they decided to get intimate in that manner so he knew the condom must have broken or been defective somehow. Denmark still wasn't saying anything which Norway bit his lip at when finally the Danish Nation took a deep breath, the air whistling down his throat and then whooshing right back out. "Okay." 

"'Okay'? That's all you're going to say?" 

"I'll start looking into taking extra shifts, even picking up a part time job so I can support us." Denmark nodded to himself as he spoke, nodding like it was the most rational thing on the planet to decide to take another job when he was already gone such a majority of the time. Norway quickly sat up straight in his seat, the bely scraping his belly once again and this time Denmark shot him a worried look as they sped past a restaurant glistening like gemstones in the darkness and Denmark then reached out hesitantly before placing his hand on his stomach. His fingers lightly dug into his stomach as if sensing the uncomfortable sensation of it rolling and Norway found himself meeting Denmark's gaze for a brief moment before he looked away flustered and the Danish Nation smiled softly. "Who knows, maybe this time we'll get lucky and have a girl this time round." 

"You're always hoping for a girl. First you hoped Sven would be a girl and then you hoped Abel would be a girl. You sound absolutely foolish hoping for a girl sometimes but..but who knows. Maybe this time it can be a girl." He felt his face flushing when they began driving down a new road, one with rather large and extravagant homes lining the road on either side and he sighed out softly, hopefully ash e stared out the window. The rain continued to tap along the roof of the car, streaking along the windows as they drove down the road, the rain lessened some thankfully when Denmark shouted wordlessly making Norway lean forward only to find that Sweden's car was in the driveway. Norway felt the outrage fill his chest, like air rushing into an empty room, and he unbuckled his seatbelt as they pulled into the driveway next to Sweden and the Norwegian hopped out of the car into the rain slamming the door. He opened the back door unbuckling Abel, pulling the sleeping five-year-old into his arms before marching up the walkway towards the large double doors. 

"Lukas, wait!" Denmark shouted as he climbed out of the car, keys in hand as he opened the back door waking Sven from his sleep making him whine as Denmark unbuckled his seatbelt and helped him out of the car while Norway stormed up the walk with with a sleeping five year old in his arms. Denmark shut the car doors after Sven climbed out sleepily and grabbed his hand rushing up the wet walkway after him while Sven looked to his mother figure worriedly as he slammed his fist against the door in booming hits while Denmark rushed up to the man, sliding his arms around his waist making him turn his head to glare at him as the door opened. Sweden, was in fact home, and looked not a bit surprised to find an angry Norway standing on his doorway nor was he surprised to find two sleepy children and a panicked Denmark. "Ah, hey there, Sweden! Could we possibly come in out of the rain?" 

"Why the hell did you have us come here if you were going to stay home?" Norway demanded as he shrugged off Denmark's hands and stepped into the home adjusting his hold on the five-year-old, tired gaze latched onto Sweden's own tired gaze but there was something like a flicker of guilt in his eyes when he looked at Abel slumped in his mother's arms as he slept. "Six hours! We traveled for six hours all for you to decide to stay home? This is outrageous! We could have stayed home and kept the boys home rather than dragging them out in weather like this! What the hell were you thinking, Sweden?" It was rare but not impossible for Norway to become angry like this, something that Denmark enjoyed seeing but this time it felt a little embarrassing even though it was quiet rational. 

"You can go lay your son down, if you wish. The upstairs bedroom is ready for the boys and the other is ready for you both. If you'd like-" 

"Ber! Is that Lukas and Mathias?" The sound of Finland walking across the upper floor rang out, steps creaking lightly and he appeared at the top of the stairs with a bundle in his arms, a wide smile on his lips though there was bags underneath his eyes as he looked down at the small family. "Come, come! Let the boys go to sleep, they can meet their cousin in the morning! But you and Mathias can come meet her now!" He then smiled happily at the Nations before rushing off once again leaving Denmark and Norway to look at one another before rushing forwards towards the stairs, Norway adjusting Abel in his arms making the boy whine as his legs dangled on either side of him and he rushed up the stairs with Sven clinging to his father's hand with yawns breaking free from the boy. 

Norway knew he'd have to share his news, something he'd do in a little while, but for the moment he found himself eager to get the boys into bed, somewhere they could catch up on their sleep after the long night of traveling that they had done. The five-year-old was growing heavy in Norway's arms but as he rushed up the stairs to the upper floor he walked down the hallway with three sets of feet chasing after him as he entered the first spare bedroom, a quiet room with deeply painted walls that gave an insulated even dark appearance to the room despite the cheerfully bright lamps plugged in for the boys. He pulled the blankets back on the bed and then focused on unzipping the thick heavy coat then pulling it off of Abel, plucking his boots from his feet and the gloves from his hands he then slid the boy underneath the blankets, his hands positioning his head on the pillows. The boy twitched and whined during this moment of tugging items off of him but he hadn't waken, thank God, but Norway kissed his cheeks and forehead softly while Denmark helped Sven take his boots and coat off before pulling the blankets back on the other side of the bed allowing the ten-year-old to climb onto the bed and underneath the blankets which he tucked tightly around the ten-year-old and leaned down kissing his hair and his forehead softly. Both parents then walked around the bed rushing out the door and shutting it quietly behind them before breathing a sigh but the Norwegian walked towards the flight of stairs that would lead to the top floor where Finland and Sweden slept along with where the baby's nursery was along with a few guest bedrooms and two bathrooms. Sealand and Ladonia, apparently, both slept on the second floor, the same floor that Sven and Abel now slept. 

Norway pressed a hand against his snarling stomach as he walked up the stairs to the top floor where he could hear Finland humming happily to himself, the sound drawing Norway to the nursery where Finland was rocking in a chair and smiling widely as he gestured to the baby in his arm kicking her little legs. Norway's previous anger melted away leaving curiosity in it's place as he walked over to Finland who held the baby up kissing her cheeks, kissing her little nose and when Norway peered over at the little girl he blinked in surprise. The baby herself had wispy locks of light blonde hair, her skin was porcelain pale save for the flush to her little cheeks and her blonde lashes were long and full each time she blinked but it was her eyes that stunned Norway into silence. Heterochromia was a known condition that he'd seen some humans with, a condition he never thought would affect a nation but staring down at the girl he found there was a charm in the greenish-blue and violet combination on her face but they sparkled wit han intelligence that seemed far too aware for an infant. A newborn even. He held his hands out, silently questioning which Finland answered by sliding the baby into his waiting arms and he held the baby to hisc hest as those mismatched eyes stared up at him curiously and he about broke into laughter at the thought that the baby didn't giggle or make much noise like other babies seemed to do. She instead stared up at him with that stoic expression he recognized from Sweden and he chuckled amusedly then when Denmark's hands came to rest on his waist, looking down at the baby and then beamed at the tired looking Finland. 

"You did good, dude." Denmark reached a hand up to poke the baby's chubby cheek making her whine out at the touch and Norway smacked his hand away making him laugh as Sweden entered the room looking to his husband who smiled tiredly but happily. "I was just telling Lukas in the car that hopefully this new baby of ours will be a girl this time around. You guys know how much I've been wanting a girl to complete the family! And here you guys are spitting out a baby girl, lucky bastards." Denmark then poked the baby's cheek again but moved his hand faster than Norway could move his and then smirked at Sweden then to Finland who was looking at the blushing Norway with awe in his large violet eyes. "Either way I'm glad that you both have a healthy baby after all this but I just have a question. Wasn't she, like, super early? I thought she was due in two months?" 

"She was! I guess she wanted out sooner than two months, even the doctors couldn't explain why my water broke so early but they're mostly relieved that she's healthy for the most part and they think it has something to do with her being a little Nation herself. After all our children aren't really normal, are they?" Finland questioned shrugging his shoulders then scratched the back of his head before settling backwards in the rocking chair with a yawn on his lips that broke free and he smiled tiredly again. "I have to give her some supplements in her formula, things to make sure she stays healthy and she has some check ups scheduled so the doctors can watch her growth and make sure that she's taking to the supplements that they prescribed to go wit the formula so Miss Aili here will be quite the busy girl for some time."

"Where did you have her? Because you're still here and all." Denmark shrugged making Norway scowl at him, a similar look on the baby's face as she begna squirming in Norway's arms and Finland eyed the baby with such a longing that Norway happily returned the baby to her mother figure, Finland smiling his appreciation. The wriggling baby seemed to relax once she was in her mother's arms once again and Finland also seemed much more at peace when he stroked the baby's wispy locks of hair. Norway blushed when Denmark wrapped his arms around his waist, hands coming to rest on his belly like they had every right to rest there and rather than throw a fit like he wanted he merely gritted his teeth fiercely as his face burned hotly, his hands curling into fists that hit the hands on his stomach. There wasn't much else he would do in front of others, after all what could he do? Shriek at the man? He turned his attention to Finland who was happily cuddling his cheek to the baby's chubby one making her whine gently and Norway had to bite at his lower lip as he was speared by a wave of longing of his own and he looked away from Finland who smiled softly. 

"We were minutes away from the hospital, quite literally, but I ended up giving birth in the car rather than at the hospital. We stayed there for an hour while they did their check ups on Aili, made sure she was okay seeing as she was born early and everything but they seemed to think that she was okay! We were at the hospital a total of an hour, after all the tests had been made but they wanted to make sure she was perfectly healthy before I could even think of taking her home." He paused looking down at Aili, who stared up at her mother figure curiously and Finland kissed the tip of her nose gently. "I didn't mind it so much, it merely proved that she was healthy despite her early birth but they still want to do weekly check ups and tests to make sure she's taking well to the supplements that they gave me to put in her formula and they want to keep an eye on her for the next month or so to make sure that she's putting weight on." He then smiled at Norway happily, a sparkle in his violet eyes. "What about your pregnancy though? How far along are you?" 

Norway cleared his throat as he elbowed Denmark the best he was able too given the position but the Danish Nation merely laughed at the attempt. "I'm about six weeks along now. It's nothing noticeable or worthy of attention just yet so don't getting yourself all worked up about it or anything like that." Norway then nudged at Denmark again as a yawn broke free of his lips and he pushed at the Danish man until his arms released him and he cast a look at Sweden before turning his attention to little Aili who was looking u pat her mother figure as though he were the most precious thing in the world to her while Finland was staring down at her as though SHE were the most precious thing in the world to him. "I'm going to go to bed. It was a long trip to get here and, no offense, it was kind of not for what we thought it to be. I'm tired as can be, so I'm going to go rest. You should too, Tino, you look absolutely exhausted." He then turned grabbing Denmark's hand making the Danish Nation chuckle softly as he began tugging the Nation with him towards the entrance of the doorway then through the doorway as a yawn built on his lips. 

Denmark waved behind him at the happy mother figure, who wiggled his fingers in a wave and Denmark then turned his attention back to his husband who was dragging him down the stairs with a firm grip to his fingers on his own, the brush of his palm against his own as he clung to the Norwegian's hand. He fought a yawn on his lips but as their boots clunked on the stairs he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the sound alone would be enough to wake a boy from his dreams, if it was enough to wake anyone from their dreams but he bit his tongue to keep from asking Norway as they walked down the hallway to their bedroom. The Norwegian tugged him into the room making him laugh as he stumbled lightly but the Norwegian shut the door, flipping the lock and Denmark couldn't help but raise a brow as he made his way to the bed, tugging at his boots and kicking them off with heavy thuds as they struck at the floor when they fell from his hands. Norway began fidgeting with his boots as he leaned against the bedroom door, kicking his boots off after some fidgeting and kicking but once they were off the Norwegian unzipped his coat hanging it on the back of the doors hook then held his hand out for Denmark's coat as well.The Danish man took his sweet time lowering the zipper, smirking at his husband as he slowly shrugged it off of his shoulders before tossing it to Norway who glared as he caught the coat and hung it up on the hook before him. 

Denmark loved nothing more than to annoy the Norwegian but often times, when he was silent like this, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that head of his. He climbed onto the bed behind Denmark, his arms draping themselves around his shoulders as his cheek then pressed against his head as he rubbed at one of his eyes before dropping his hand to dangle over his shoulder as his breath stirred the wild locks of blonde hair softly. The Norwegian hardly ever clung onto Denmark, hardly ever cuddled or like showing affection physically save for some very special moments and this moment right now ws like one of those rare, absolutely special moments where the Danish Nation had not a clue what was going on through his husband's head. Leaving so abruptly after seeing a baby, dragging him to their room was just so unlike Norway but Denmark wasn't going to sit there and bitch about it but the suddenness of the Norwegian's actions were merely strange and had him wracking his brain for the sudden change in the Norwegian. Then he felt lips on his head. Norway just kissed his head. Norway? "So what's up with you tonight?" 

"Nothing. I'm just tired. Lay with me?" Norway replied pressing his cheek firmly against the messy blonde locks of hair, the strands tickling his face as he then moved his arms from around Denmark to crawl backwards on the bed, pulling at the sheets until he could crawl beneath them and stared at his husband who smirked then followed him underneath the sheets. Norway held himself still as his husband wriggled under the blankets before scootching over closer to him, each movement a wriggle that brought him closer and closer to Norway until their legs were twisting together, hands reaching out for one another underneath the sheets. He felt his cheeks flush softly at the warmth of Denmark's chest against his own, his breath warm against his cheek as arms settled around his waist hugging him close, hands stroking his lower back slowly but with enough pressure that the tense muscles began to relax slightly. 

Denmark's lips pressed against his warm cheek, a soft flutter that moved down his cheek slowly, one kiss at a time. Each kiss was a lingering peck, each one sending flutters to Norway's stomach as he held himself still when those lips pressed against his jaw and teeth nipped at him playfully before those lips pressed against his lower lip that trembled with unspoken words. He knew he hadn't dragged Denmark to bed for THIS but as his lips parted and Denmark's shifted to cover his own lips in a kiss that had his toes along with his fingers curling with the electricity that zipped through his system at the simple touch of lips to his own. He rather happily kissed his husband back, their lips moving slowly but with such pressure that it made his stomach squirm excitedly as he lifted one arm to drape across his shoulders and weaved his fingers into the wild blonde locks of hair as he moved his lips with Denmark's. His palms grew sweaty as his heart took off in a sprint as an urgency slipped into the kiss, an urgency that hadn't been there before but the Norwegian found himself not complaining as he kissed the Danish Nation back with that same sense of urgency to his kiss as he clung to Denmark with a sigh slipping past his nose as he pulled away from the kiss after a moment. Denmark didn't complain nor did he seem to mind in the slightest bit as his lips feathered down his jawline and down his thorat where his face nuzzled into the space and Norway held him closer. Maybe...Maybe just a few more minutes couldn't hurt, now could it? 

Chapter Text

Russia wasn't a cuddler. At least he didn't think of himself as a cuddler which is perhaps why, when he was awake, he refused to cuddle up to his fiance due to the simple reason that his awkward movements and constant squirming made for the cuddling to become a rather awkward affair that he couldn't stand. When he was sleeping, however, this was a different matter. When Russia had forced down his part of the meeting he had been sure there was no torture quite like itm with the gazes burning into him waiting for him to slip up and say the wrong thing but all it had taken was a confident nod from Lithuania who was staring with those brilliant eyes of his to calm him. THe meeting had been drawn out, boring even when they broke for dinner and Russia had been secretly happy to find that the sudden new friendship between Tatiana and Astrid had remained strong while he wasn't looking and he found himself smiling much easier to know his daughter has a friend. He had always been worried about his eldest due to her shy, reclusive nature and he worried that she'd never find someone close to her. When they had gotten through the dinner, they retreated to their room where Tatiana promptly dragged the girl to her bedroom once more where they laughed and shouted for hours, no doubt trying to squeeze in as much time as they could together before the meetings end tomorrow at noontime. Russia couldn't wait to go back to his Homeland, feeling out of place in America's Homeland an dhe had to admit it was a rather profitable meeting this time round if it meant his daughter could have a playmate and it allows his son to make friends of his own. 

When things had quieted down, Russia going into the room to say his goodnights to his daughter and son who happily accepted the good night kiss he had to give, Astrid had chirped out her own goodnight and Russia left the children to go to sleep when he'd entered his bedroom. To say the sight of Lithuania laying in the bed, a book in his hands and reading glasses perched on his nose, excited Russia was an understatement. He'd felt his heart flying in his chest, his hands shaking lightly as he climbed underneath the blankets sitting up next to the Lithuanian who smiled at the sight of Russia and turned the volume down on the TV slightly but Russia had found himselfl eaning against his fiance. They sat side by side with RUssia's eyes on the TV watching some mindless sitcom that America's people came up with and Lithuania reading a boom of his that he clearly seemed to be enjoying at the moment which Russia gazed at with awe. It didn't take long for them to call it a night, an hour at most before Russia slid down onto his back with the pillow fluffed underneath his neck and Lithuania's back against his own as his eyes fluttered shut and he reveled in the heat soaking into his back during the night as he slept rather peacefully. It had been a rather nice night, to sit beside the man he loved more than anything and to have that man sitting within his bed like he had every right to be there, sitting beside him like there was no where he'd rather be than there had been the greatest joy of his day. He always had a sneaking, horrible feeling that he would lose Lithuania to Poland, a thought that used to plague Russia during the beginning of their relationship and so he took in every little detail about the Lithuanian whenever he could. 

It was the cuddling, however, that Russia's mind was on when he woke that next morning to the alarm clock shrilly beeping. He wasn't a cuddler, not in any way, and yet the positioning he found himself in was one that surprised him. His legs were twisted with Lithuania's, so tightly and awkwardly it was hard to tell where one leg went where and his arms were thrown around Lithuania's waist, his head on his chest with his chin on top o fhis head and even without his eyes open he felt his cheeks beginning to warm as he shifted slightly only for it to be mirrored by the Lithuanian. Russia forced his eyes open, blinking blearily for a moment before coughing lightly as he attempted to clear his dry throat and his face burned hotly when he untangled his legs from Lithuania's and scotched backwards, looking away wishing he had his scarf with him at that moment so he could bury his face into it and yet those green eyes caught his making him still hsi movements. Lithuania's lips were parted slightly as though he had been about to speak, his lips moving silently for a moment before his hand lifted upwards brushing the tips of his fingers against Russia's burning cheek like it were made of fine glass, those fingers sliding backwards to allow his palm to press against his cheek. Russia's breath held itself in his throat, his lungs lightly aching from the sudden flow of air as Lithuania leaned upwards on his arm then his hand which put his face above Russia's. His thumb caressed his cheek softly as the air suddenly whooshed out of Russia's throat as brown lashes fluttered in a fast blink that he didn't quite catch, those eyes staring righ tdown into his own like they were caressing every little inch within him. 

His lips parted with the breathes that gradually grew faster, small gasps of anticipation as Lithuania lowered his head down and the proximity had his head spinning as his reached his hands up tangling it in those brown locks of brown hair fiercely, tugging his face down towards his own. His hands trembled lightly as his mind struggled to catch up with his actions and yet everything inside of him, every cold place, flared with warmth when those lips pressed against his own and Russia twisted his fingers in those beloved brown locks of hair, holding the man's face to his own as their lips moved urgently against one another and Russia gasped through his nose. He hardly heard the door creaking open but when he turned his head, violet eyes foggy as those lips trailed down his cheek to his neck he groaned at the sight of his daughter poking her head out the door, pale ashen blonde hair falling over her shoulder but she squeaked and retreated to her room at the sight of her parents, slamming the door which had both men jumping. "Perhaps we should let them come out for breakfast." 

"Or we can let them play a little first thing and you let me play with you." Russia smirked at the red blush on Lithuania's face but he pouted in disappointment when the other male climbed off of the Russian, hitting the alarm clock sending the room into silence and Russia sighed sitting up as Lithuania walked to the closet pushing it open to pull his suit off of the bar with a smile on his lips as he grabbed Russia's as well and the Russian raised a brow. He looked at his fiance who jerked his head towards the bathroom and the Russian then lost his pout for a wide, knowing smirk that made the Lithuanian blush anew and the Russian kicked at the blankets covering his legs, rushing off of the bed with a laugh on his lips as he tilted his head looking at the other man and placed his hands on his hips. "Are you sure you want to shower with me? We both know what's going to happen when we're in there." 

Lithuania then smirked as he looked at his fiance,  placing a single hand on his hip as well as his head cocked to the side giving him a rather sassy image as the doorhandle to the children's roomr attled but he didn't mind it as he held their suits securely with his other hand. "Well, I guess we'll have to be quick given that breakfast is in thirty minutes." He then spun on is feet rushing into the bathroom, laughing rather wickedly and Russia couldn't stop the wide smile from twitching on his lips as he gave chase to his fiance.

"I can't wait to go home." Lithuania looked up at Russia's mumbled sentence, his scarf pulled up above his mouth as he stared rather tiredly at the sight of their lunch, the final meal before they would be boarding their plane and the brunette sighed out softly as he poked at his own lunch as well. It was an amazing, mouthwatering meatloaf with a good heap of potatoes and vegetables for a rather hearty lunch but the Russian's tone was absolutely heart tugging in that moment as he looked up from his meal then across the table where their daughter was chatting happily with the small albino girl, green eyes shimmering with absolute joy as they took the time to eat the pieces of food and scooping potatoes into their mouths then animatedly talking once their food was swallowed. "I hope Tatiana doesn't resent us too much but it'll have to be a long distance friendship for her and Astrid." 

"Probably. I'm sure she'll understand that we can't always travel out to Germany's all the time, especially with the travel time it takes to get there." Lithuania agreed in a low voice as he mixed his vegetables with his potatoes, similar to what Tatiana and Astrid had done with their potatoes but Darius refused to mix his foods, just like his mother, and the Lithuanian then cast another look at the two girls across from them. There was a heartwarming sensation to see the wide, happy smile on his daughter's face that made her cheeks flush and had her eyes sparkling but he knew the resentment that would be harbored underneath the surface and flashing in those green eyes when she learned the truth of her sudden blooming relationship with Astrid would be stunted and from a distance. At least until they could get them enrolled in the World Academy. "We can always video call or even place a regular call on the phone for the both of them." 

"But it won't be the same." Russia replied in a mumble as he moved his scarf out of the way taking a rather large bite of the meatloaf, chewing vigorously like he was trying to force the food down his throat faster than he was chewing in order to eat the food faster and he then looked over at his son, those violet eyes keening in on the potatoes smeared on the sleeve of his shirt. "Darius, give me your arm." Darius held out his arm rather sheepishly as Russia plucked up a napkin and began wiping at the potatoes on the six-year-old's shirt sleeve, huffing out a little breath before dropping his hand and allowing the boy to begin eating quickly. "Especially Darius. I heard he's been playing with Liam and Levi, even that French boy too. He's finally got a friend group and it's going to be three of the longest distances than his sisters own friendship." 

"We can always do video calls, like I said." Lithuania took a bite of his own meatloaf, chewing quickly as he stared at his fiance's face that seemed strangely forlorn, upset even from the tight pull of his eyebrows above his normally shining violet eyes and he frowned softly as he swallowed and took a sip of water from his glass before clearing his throat. "What's the matter, mano meilė? YOu've seemed upset since we entered the Meeting room." Russia glanced over at his fiance before looking down feeling a flush to his face as he buried his face into his scarf, his gaze aimed away from Lithuania's as he stared at his daughter and her friend for a moment before looking down at his half eaten meal. "Ivan?" 

"I...feel bad." Russia replied as he picked at his meatloaf, dipped his fork into his potatoes and dropped his fork to sip at his own water but the man used these little actions to keep from voicing his thoughts just yet but the green eyes staring at him implored him to speak more and he sighed softly. "Our children have made all of these friends and we'll be leaving within the next two hours and they'll probably never see their friends until they are enrolled in the World Academy like the rest of us were. Doesn't it seem unfair that they made these new friends, met these new people, and now they have to give them up it seems? Don't you find that rather unfair? Kind of sad even? I feel horrible dragging them here to meet new people just to have all of these long distance friendships. I mean, it seems quite unfair to even rip Tatiana away from Astrid, doesn't it?" 

Lithuania reached up rubbing his fiance's upper arm, reaching his hand up to squeeze his rather broad shoulder and rubbing his fingers into the tense muscles there as he stared at his fiance's brooding face wti ha small smile on his lips. "It'll be okay, Ivan. After all, this is what we wanted to do! We wanted the children to meet one another before they went to the school and look, they're happier with their new friends! Even if it's a long distance friendship they'll maintain it and they'll enjoy having a pen pal sort of situation with someone else. Not that Astrid could possibly be a penpal considering we'll be commuting back and forth to keep the girls together, if Prussia and Austria are quite alright with it, then they'll be together most of the time. Darius will be okay, won't you?" He turned his attention to the small boy scooping his final bite of potatoes together and his violet eyes shined merrily then at the attention aimed his way. 

"Of course, Papa! Liam already said that his parents will do the video calls with me! And he said that he'll start buying and sending me trading cards too!" Darius' eyes shimmered at this happily, that same merry joy shined in his face as he stared at his parents and he smiled rather joyfully as he kicked his feet in a loose swing underneath the table. "And Levi said that he could convince his Mama to bring him to visit us because they only live two hours away from us! So he thinks he'll be able to convince her that he wants to play with me a lot so she'll bring him over but he said something about his Papa being upset about it for some reason. Why would his Papa be upset about it, Mama?" 

"Don't worry about that." Russia replied dismissively as he looked as his son then smiled softly when the six-year-old tilted his head to the side, his brown locks flopping against his cheeks and Russia then smiled at the thought that the locks would grow as long as his father's. It would be a nice look on the boy, after all. "Why don't you go start saying your goodbyes? Papa and I will be getting out luggage because we have to leave shortly so why don't you say your goodbyes for now?" Darius nodded before pushing back in his chair and jumping out of it and ran across the cafeteria i nthe direction of a certain blonde family who had been bickering loud enough for it to carry over to the other table and had Russia rolling his eyes. "They bicker quite loud, don't they?" 

"Mama, do I have to say goodbye to Astrid too?" Tatiana's high voice piped up, her eyes worried in that moment as her hand found Astrid's, their fingers twisting together tightly and Russia blinked at the sight of their conjoined hands squeezing one another. Even Astrid had a similar, desperate worry in her ruby eyes when they stared at one another and Russia could see it; these girls were more than just friends with one another, they were besotted with one another already. The foundation of their friendship was filled with besottment from the beginning and Russia blinked as he wondered, moaned, in ternall on how he missed something that so very obvious and Russia bit at his lower lip behind his scarf as he stared at the two girls who looked at him with faces of similar worry. "Mama? Do we have to say goodbye?" 

"Taip, mieloji. Turite atsisveikinti." When Lithuania spoke softly in his native tongue Russia saw the tears rising in those green eyes as Tatiana jerked both herself and Astrid out of their seats, tears rolling down her cheeks as she ran away from her parents, their  feet hitting the ground quickly, their hair swaying against their backs as they ran out of the cafeteria and Lithuania looked to Russia.The Russian lifted his hand up rubbing at his eyes then at his forehead as he let out a breath turning his attention to Lithuania who reached out cupping his cheek softly stroking his thumb across his cheekbone as they sat there."Don't worry, meilė, she'll understand it. We'll hunt them down, talk to her and if we have to talk to her on the flight home then we will." 

Russia rubbed at his eyes once more to remove the shimmer that Lithuania caught building there, his thumb softly brushing his cheek gently and making a gentle circuit of back and forth movements but the Russian Nation pushed his hand away as he pushed his chair back with a quiet sigh. "No, I'll go. I'll talk to her myself." Russia then turned walking away from the table leaving his Fiance struggling to get up out of his seat, rushing after the Russian and slipping his hand into his they both shared a quiet sigh before holding their heads high as they walked past the other Nations. 

Chapter Text

There were many thigns that Prussia had dealt with in his long life. He'd dealt with "losing" Holy Rome but gaining his little brother Germany. didn't he? Hell, he'd lost Austria to so many marriages it was absolutely improbable but he got him, didn't he? There was the Berlin Wall that cut off Prussia from his little brother but he'd eventually gotten to him, hadn't he? Yet sitting on an airplane with a wailing, inconsolable child had been the worst type of torture that Prussia hoped he never had to go through ever again, something he hoped his daughter would never have to go through ever again btu he knew with life that heartbreak was inevitable. Astrid had been clinging to Tatiana, both girls bundled up for the cold  temperatures of  their homes, both held each others hand so tightly that their little hands shook and Astrid stared at the adults around them like she dared them to rip her hand from Tatiana's. She had been stiff, unwilling to get on the plane as she squeezed Tatiana's hand and the little Russian-Lithuanian girl had been clinging to Astrid just as fiercely and it had taken both Russia and Prussia to separate the girls when the pilots announced they were ready for take off. Oh, how both girls had screamed and thrashed when they were separated. Astrid had punched him in the face with her little hand, a solid punch that made his lip throb even now and yet his daughter hadn't cared because soon enough she was howling and screaming with tears running down her cheeks. That was more painful than any hit to the face. His daughter had openly wept, wailing like she were a child Fritz's age and nothing Germany said, nothing Italy said, nothing Austria nor Prussia said would console the wailing girl as she was carried onto the airplane and strapped into her seat. 

She had chosen to sit next to her mother figure, Austria, isntead of Prussia and hid her face in his arm as she cried softly as the rest of the Beilschmidts got into their seats but Austria seemed to be the girl's one saving grace on that flight back home. Her loud screaming wails had choked down to whimpers, whines and low sobs accompanied by the constant sniffling unti lshe had fallen asleep against her mother's arm like she were a mere babe just like her little brother. They were three hours deep into their ten hour trip, hwoever, making the adults wary of when Astrid would awaken again and Prussia let out a tight breath that was trapped in his lungs as he looked over at hsi son who was sleeping rather contentedly in his seat and the nto his daughter. Her lashes were wet, trembling lightly as she dreamed, her cheeks flushed red and the tip of her nose was a light red that matched the swollen redness surroudning her eyes from the tears she had shed and she looked drained as she slept slumped against her mother's arm. Prussia fought the urge to reach out, press his fingers against her red sticky cheeks, to make sure she was alright and not burning with a fever or anything of the sort but he knew that the moment he touched her that she'd waken and start crying all over again. He let out a breath that drew his brother's attention, blue eyes filled with a form of sympathy that he wanted to snap at the man not to look at him with when the German Nation cleared his throat softly, quietly to keep from disturbing the sleeping children too much. 

"Bruder, it vill be alright. Ve as a people have so many vays und devices in vhich she can call Tatiana, I'm sure that she von't be too miserable vunce ve get home." Germany murmued to his brother as  the Italian next to him cuddled into his side, brown eyes bright and rather intelligent as he looked between the brothers then to Austria who seemed clsoer to tears than the rest of them as Astrid shifted. Mia, ever the princess, was sleeping against Prussia's side keeping the man from moving but he sighed out again when he looked down at his jiggling leg. "I've never seen two girls become so besotted vith vun another after just two days! You'd think they'd known each other longer than just the mere two days it took us to get the meeting over vith. There has to be something special about that girl that ve don't see that Astrid does see." 

"True. I just don't like seeing my girls cry." Prussia murmumed as he leveled his gaze on the sleeping Astrid for just a moment before lifting his gaze up to Austria who was staring at him with a sparkle to his violet eyes as he held one hand within the seat of Fritz's, a pudgy fist wrapped around his fingers tightly as the baby slept. He reached a leg out caressing the Austrian's leg with the tip of his boot gently, offering the man comfort the best that he could and the brunette smiled shakily as Astrid mumbled quietly udner her breath and nuzzled her cheek against her mother's arm, long silver locks falling against her red cheek. "Don't cry, Roddy, it vill be okay, I promise. Astrid von't let this get her down for long und ve'll do vhat ve cna to make sure that she's happy und ve vill make sure that she calls vith Tatiana und that she never feels she can't connect vith her. It'll be alright."

"But it won't be the same." Italy piped up looking down as the Austrian, Prussian, and Geramn turned to look at the little Italian who was looking down at his lap to avoid the array of colored eyes peering at him with a range of emotions but the Italian twisted hsi fingers together nervously. "I just mean that she can video call someone all she wants, she can talk to her all she wants on the phones and what not but is it really going to be the same as having her in person? I know that during the second world war, when Germany became so twisted and warped that he thought he hated even me I had been so incredibly upset when we spoke on the phone. It was horrible because he sounded the same, seemed the same, but it wasn't the same. I know it's nothing compared to two little girls but the fact remains is you can hear someone's voice on the phone, see them on the computer screen, but would it really be the same? They can't dress up and they play with one another properly throuhg a computer screen." 

"Then vhat do you suggest ve do, Italy?" Austria asked quietly as he shifted his arm upwards to curl around his daughter's head from underneath her chin and he stroked her long silver hair softly and gazed at Italy with a desperation. "Vhat do ve do for Astrid, hm? Vhat is there that ve CAN do? It's six hours back und forth between us und Russia, it's not like ve can just pick up und take her there! If a video call can make her feel better, if she can just TALK to her then can't that be enough? Because I don't know how much I can take of my daughter crying! I don't vant her to ever cry like that ever again und I'm vorried that there's just nothing to do to help her. I vant to help her but if video calls von't be enough then how do ve help her? Tell me that, Italy." The man's tone had grown louder but the desperation in his voice had Prussia reaching across with his foot to nudge the Austrian and those violet eyes flickered over to him with hesitation in them before looking away. "Es tut mir leid, Italy. I shouldn't expect you to know vhat to do vhen ve don't even know vhat to do." 

"It's okay! I'm sure that something can be figured out, can't it?" Italy questioned tilting his head to the side looking at his small family, brown eyes shimmering slightly looking slightly panicked and even a bit claustorphobic in that moment when he clung to Germany's arm looking down at his lap nervously. "Surely the two of you could meet halfway with Russia, three hours your side and three hours his way? No, that wouldn't work. It's sick hours back and forth, isn't it?" He looked to his husband with a face full of worry as he hugged his arm fiercely to hsi chest, his fingers digging into the muscled arm as he nervously flit his eyes around the airplane's interior and then looekd down to his lap once again. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Austria."

It was silent for the remainder of the flight what with the adults dozing on and off, the children surprisingly quiet with their movies when they woke, and it was what a parent would describe as the ideal plane ride home. When Astrid woke, when her pale lashes fluttered open, she had acted as though her breakdown had never happened to begin with. She was jovial, she picked on her sister, she even poked at her little brother making him fuss whenever she could, nd she laughed while joking with her cousins and her smiles were brilliant. Blinding even. But Prussia could see the sadness shadowing those ruby eyes of hers, could feel the emotion as potently as he felt his own sadness, felt it like it was his own, and he knew that when they returned home that it would all come out like a fountain waiting to rush over the dams. His daughters bright, jovial expression didn't fool him one damn bit. When they climbed off of the airplane Astrid acted as though she'd been suffering from the worst case of home sickness and was absolutely bouncing in her seat when they climbed into the car that they'd carefully left at the airport and she had happily sang along with the cds that Prussia put in but he was staring at her through the rearview mirror and he saw that sadness tremble over her face. To fill her eyes briefly, cause her lower lip to tremble softly. She shook herself out of it, however, when Prussia spoke to her he could see the sadness filling her ruby eyes, making them sparkle as she struggled to swallow the lump in her throat in order to speak without the hoarseness.

Prussia wanted nothing more than to solve his daughter's broken heart. He wanted nothing more than to help her feel better, wanted nothing more than to have brought Tatiana with them btu he was just as wary about their sudden besottment with one another, as wary as Russia and even Lithuania had seemed when they pulled the girls away from one another. Prussia had never seen besottment so intense, had never seen it connect to people so quickly as it did for Tatiana and Astrid. Even Holy Rome hadn't been as besotted with Italy back then. Prussia sighed under his breath as he looked away from the image of his daughter bopping her head slowly to the beats of the music, turning his attention back to watching Austria's rather concentrated face as he drove when Fritz cried out loudly making both girls jump in startlement and the albino groaned softly. They were so close to home! So very closer! The baby, however, didn't seem to give any shits about how close they were to the home if his wailing was anything to go off of and the Prussia turned to the Austrian who sighed softly rubbing at his face, tugging at the skin below his eyes as he kept one hand on the steering wheel. They had learned rather abruptly over the past four months that when Fritz cried he wanted attention, he wanted food, he wanted to be changed right that second. It didn't matter what anyone was doing around him, it didn't matter if they were in a long car ride, it didn't matter one bit what someone else was doing, he would want attention or to be cared for nd he'd want it right then. He was a rather impatient baby, more impatient than even Astrid had been as an infant.

He had sword no more babies after Astrid had been born. The girl would shriek all night, shriek all day, want attention or to be left alone at the randomest of times and often times she was more content to be on her own but she had hardly let the new parents sleep at night and would even disrupt any naps they had during the day. Astrid had been horribly fussy, never wanting to eat when her parents offered the bottle, never wanting to eat unless it was on her own time when she wanted too. She had been very head strong, very impatient nd very expressive in her emotions which is why now, with her forced cheer, Prussia found himself hating it. He hated the sight of the false cheer, the way she was trying so hard to prove to her parents that she was alright and even to the rest of her family that she was alright, he hated to see the false cheer on her face. She fingered her silver locks of hair, staring at it dejectedly, twisting the lock fiercely around her finger tightly before releasing it in a loose spiral against the rest of her hair and the sight of her tugging at the long locks of hair gave him a rather good idea for cheering his daughter up. He bit his lip, turning away from Austria as he looked at the lightening sky, his fatigue tugging at him insistently but his fingers twisted together delightedly at the idea brewing in his mind when he turned to his daughters in the back seat with a wicked smirk on his lips that was immediately echoed by Astrid though it was strained due to her brother's crying.

"How about ve do something fun vhen ve get home? Mutti vill be tending to Fritz so vhy don't the three of us do something fun?" Prussia questioned which immediately had violet and ruby eyes glittering with interest and Prussia merely settled into his seat as he winked at Astrid who blinked with confusion so intense that the man couldn't help but chuckle softly. He knew that his idea wouldn't replace the new friendship that Astrid had created with Tatiana but he knew that this new idea of his had been something she'd been begging and pleading for for months now. See, Prussia could care less about how his daughters appeared, could honestly care less about how they appeared but Austria was all about appearances and always the one parent that was fussing, preening and poking at the girl's appearances to be more like Ileana Hedervary He wanted daughters to look like proper little ladies or like they had just stepped out of the pages of some kind of fashion magazine with every hair in place, not a smudge of dirt on their faces and their dresses in place.

A few months back Austria had allowed the girls to get the ends of their hair trimmed and allowed for their hair to be trimmed to just below their shoulders as apposed by their waist long lengths of hair but the girls' hair had grown back rather quickly and while Mia didn't mind it so much he knew that Astrid did. The little silver haired girl hated having her hair long and she often tugged at it when she was frustrated though she claimed to like how it flowed when she weas running and liked how it made her look like some wicked elf when compared to her little sister but Prussia knew if Astrid could cut all of her hair off she would. Fritz's shrieks pulled Prussia from his thoughts as he gazed at the houses framing either side of the road, his lips pursed together tightly when he unbuckled his seat belt, twisting around in the seat until his feet were touching the seat and Austria shrieked. "Gilbert! Get back in your seat right this instant!"

"Chill, Roddy, I'm merely soothing trouble here!" Prussia replied easily with a roll of his eyes to his daughters who giggled softly at their father invading their back seat and Prussia then turned his attention to their shrieking infant in the car seat, pulling the hood down flat so he could look into the seat. Fritz had snot smeared across his upper lip, tears running down his red fat cheeks as he screamed at the top of his lungs like it was his last seconds of life and Prussia was some kind of specter coming to steal him from the car itself. Prussia pressed the backs of his fingers against the baby's cheek making a scream hiccup in his throat as large ruby eyes stared up at the albino hanging above him in confusion then with awe, lashes sticky and wet as they clung to each other with each blink. And yet the baby reached his pudgy hands upwards to his father with another hiccup bursting out of him with a weak sob as he grabbed the Prussian's face and tapped his cheeks as if he had to make sure he were real. "Hey, trouble, can you calm down now? We'll be home in a matter of minutes and we'll be able to change whatever mess you've got going on in those pants and we'll have a nice warm bottle for you, I promise."

The baby didn't seem quite consoled by his father's words, fussing in a manner that clearly said he wanted those things right that instant and Prussia couldn't blame him one bit. The baby whimpered softly as he flailed his hands, kicked his legs and let out a scream that would put even the greatest opera singers to shame and Prussia sighed softly as he used his other hand to squeeze between the space of his head rest and the window in order to stroke those chestnut locks of hair softly. The baby stared up at him with tears beading in those large ruby eyes and Prussia glanced out at the all too familiar houses brushing past them on either side then looked down at the baby who was pouting rather viciously. It put to shame his elder sister's pouts when she was an infant. He'd thought he'd seen it all with his eldest daughter's pout but it seemed that Fritz could possibly be worse than his eldest sister and the thought had Prussia hanging his head sighing out when the baby caught sight of the Iron Cross dangling around his throat and reached up for it. He grunted quietly as he strained against the straps of his carseat, his chubby arms lifting high as they could go yet it wasn't far enough to grab the cross and he screamed again only this time it was in rage at the straps rather than being angry about whatever situation could possibly be going on in his diaper. Prussia tried to lean closer towards the baby, his body tottering lightly as he pushed with his toes against the dashboard to brin g himself closer to the baby but it clearly wasn't close enough for the infant for he shrieked once again flailing his hands and Prussia sighed out softly as the cross continued to dangle out of reach for the poor baby.

If Prussia could safely squeeze himself into the back of the car without Austria losing his shit he would absolutely do it, especially if it meant appeasing his son but the baby was too far low and the car seat provided too much of a challenge for the Prussian. The all too familiar pot hole had the albino groaning quietly, the girls squealing and Austria aiming a rather disapproving look to the Prussian who merely placed his fingers in Fritz's pudgy fists to help sooth the baby who was whimpering softly, his ruby eyes on the cross hanging above him still and Prussia couldn't help but wish they were home already. Everything had gone smoothly on the plan although he had hated seeing his daughter try so hard, he had to admit that Fritz's on and off sleeping had been rather peaceful but the boy seemed far too active for a four month old having gotten off of an airplane. Prussia was kicking his feet against the dashboard when he felt a hand swatting the backs of his legs and he found himself yelping softly which had the girls giggling softly together at the sound leaving their father's lips and even Fritz stared up at his father in surprise before tugging at his fingers like that would make his father lean over further in the seat but the Prussia's body felt as though he were being stretched in far too many different places around the car seat that it was a miracle that he even got his arm to reach between the headrest and window to place his other fingers into Fritz's fat hand. It didn't seem to sooth the baby, however, who wanted more contact and wanted more affection than Prussia could give at the moment, again, given to his position when Mia cried out happily which was echoed by her sister.

"Thank gott! Ve're home!" Astrid finally cried out as they pulled into the driveway, her eyes shimmering with relief this time round as she leaned forward gripping her mother's seat with her hands fiercely and Prussia moved backwards leaving the baby behind making him whimper wildly at the disappearance of his father. Prussia threw open the car door, the Austrian shrieking wordlessly once again due to the movement of the car but in his excitement Prussia merely threw open the back door as his son gasped happily at the sight of his father once more. Astrid weas sliding her buckles apart, climbing out of her little booster seat, her feet striking the floor of the car roughly as she then threw the car door open hopping out of the car stretching her arms high above her head, arching her back like a cat preparing for a nap. Mia was a touch slower with her buckles but with some help from Prussia who paused from Fritz, and the girl smiled with appreciation before climbing out of the car happily to join her sister who was dancing in front of the front door happily. "Come on, Mutti und Vati! I vant a snack!"

"Don't vorry, ve're coming!" Prussia shouted over his shoulder as he got the seatbelt from it's tight constriction around the car seat and pulled the whining baby out of the car, his seat tucked into the crook of his elbow like always and he slammed the car door with his hip, the sound loudly echoing in the quiet neighborhood which earned him a scowl from the tired Austrian. Prussia cackled to himself as Fritz whined though the sound was much quieter due to the soothing swaying of his car seat, back and forth gently from the walking and Prussia smiled softly and rather proudly down at his son who smiled back happily now. Prussia watched Austria fiddle with his house keys before sliding it into the lock and pushing the door open as the girls squirmed past him shouting happily. The albino cackled when both girls spun with their arms wide open, twirling all too happily in the entry way of the home and the albino jogged lightly up the walk way to catch up with his small family. "Roddy, vhy don't you go und lay down? You did most of the driving from the airport so vhy don't you take a break? I can vatch Trouble One and Trouble Two along with Trouble Junior here on my own because I'm no vhere NEAR tired, so vhy don't you get some rest?"

"Vould you really do that for me?" Austria questioned with wide violet eyes, surprise coating the features of his face before they fell into affection and he leaned forward kissing Prussia's cheek only the Prussian moved his head catching the Austrian's lips. The brunette squeaked softly at the sudden movement but he happily pressed his lips firmly, warmly against his own lips sending a happy jolt through the Prussian as he tightened his arm slightly around the handle of the car seat and he forgot, momentarily, about the offer he had just made. All that mattered, all that he cared about, was the lips on his own. He moved his lips with Austria's, the brunette leaning into him with far too much enthusiasm but it merely took a single throat clearing to break the both of them apart with the Austrian blushing rather fiercely as he looked down at his daughters, Mia with her hands on her hips and Astrid with her arms across her chest similar to the smirk across her lips. "Ve-Vell don't let out daughters get into TOO much trouble und make sure they don't get too dirty und make sure they have breakfast-"

"I got it, Roddy! Go und take your nap! Maybe, if I can get the girls down, I'll be joining you momentarily? Later, I mean." The wink Austria received had the brunette's blush deepening as he turned rushing for the stairs, huffing under his breath making the Prussian chuckle softly as he gestured with his head for the girls to follow him into the living room. THe three of them walked away from the sight of Austria huffily walking up the stairs, the Prussian shaking his head fondly at the sight as he entered the living room, his hand reaching into the car seat to begin trying ot one handedly unbuckle the whining boy. He placed the baby on the coffee table, reaching in unbuckling the boy then working his arms through the little straps before plopping him onto the floor, Walking across the living room to dig into a package of diapers and to grab the wipes then settling onto the floor Infront of Fritz who wriggled his legs impatiently. "Astrid, come here for a moment."

"Vhy? I'm not changing him!" Astrid yelped as she held up her hands, looking quite nauseated at the thought of changing a poopy diaper but the Prussian merely threw his head back cackling wildly as she shly stepped forward towards her father who was currently wiping up Fritz's bottom. She looked strangely nauseated to be so close but she held her breath as she bent close to her father's shoulder, silver hair spilling over her shoulders and Prussia took a moment to stare at the locks long enough that she reached up running her fingers through the silver locks self consciously. "Vhat? Vhy are you looking at my hair like that? Is there something vrong vith it? Vati?"

"Vould you like a hair cut?" Prussia questioned then as he kept his gaze down, wiping his son's bottom up making the baby gurgle happily and he tossed the wipe onto the dirty diaper before folding it up and setting it to the side. He then put the fresh diaper underneath the baby's now raised bottom and settled said bottom into the diaper, using a fresh wipe to make sure he got everything before folded the diaper up and began working his son's feet into the onesie. e could hear the breath pause in his daughter's throat and after he got Fritz's legs into the onesie, got him zipped up he turned to his daughter. Her eyes were wide, the ruby red of her irises glowing brilliantly with the hopeful sparkle resting there and a true, genuine smile was quirkling at the corner of her lips. "I know that it von't replace Tatiana, I know you'll still be sad but that's okay! You can be sad all you vant, okay, kid? Und I figured since ve're home that a new haircut to go vith a transfer to a brand new school vould be just the thing to help make you a little happier for the next time you see Tatiana! Vhat do you say? Do you vant your hair cut?"

His daughter's hands folded against her stomach, her eyes sparkling and filling with tears as her lips trembled up into one of the saddest yet happiest smiles he had ever seen as her cheeks flushed and she grabbed a lock of hair twisting it around her fingers before letting it fall against her shoulder. She then squealed throwing her arms around her father's broad shoulders, fingers digging into him as her face hid itself in his hair, tears dripping off into his silver locks of hair softly and he laughed with such relief as he reached up tapping the backs of her arms and twisted just enough to hug the girl back as she smiled gratefully at her father, sniffling lightly as she nuzzled her cheek against his silver locks of hair. "Danke! Danke schön! Ich danke dir sehr, Vati!"

"Any time, kiddo. Any time."

Chapter Text

Italy was happy. No, happy was too weak of a word to use. He was delighted, ecstatic, elated, joyful, thrilled, exultant and he was absolutely certain that he was walking on air each time he opened his eyes. He was absolutely tickled each time he turned over in bed to face his handsome husband, absolutely joyful each time he traced his fingers down his cheek then along his jawline softly with the tips of his fingers like he was tracing the linework for an exquisite drawing. He adored watching those blonde lashes quiver against his cheeks, such a tremble like a butterflies wings before flying away. That's just what Germany was; his butterfly of happiness. His bird of joy. It was impossible not to feel the surmountable, indescribable joy that rushed through his chest each time he saw those lashes flutter, each time those blue eyes opened up and each time he saw that happy curl on his lips. Whether Germany admitted it or not, whether he acknowledge it or not, the Nation was absolutely beautiful. From the shade of hsi hair, to the arch of his b rows and the thickness of his lashes right down to the cut of his jaw and cheek bones, the shape of his lips, the sweet pale coloring of his flesh, there was not one thing about his husband that he didn't adore or love. He could stare at Germany for hours at a time, staring and drawing his husband's handsome face and his fingers would still itch for a pencil in order to forever capture that sculpted face whenever he had the opportunity to do so. He could stare at Germany forever and it still wouldn't be enough. His husband was like a brought to life God and Italy was blessed by waking up at his side every day, having beared his children for the first time and he felt like he was blessed each time his fingers slid into Germany's waiting hand.

Italy loved everything there was to love about his husband. From his strong hands that always caught him when he was falling, strong hands that helped straighten him up, strong hands that at the end of the day would always be held out waiting for Italy to take on their way home. His strong arms that always squeezed Italy just tight enough for him to feel his toes curl, for his bones to hum with the tight pressure of those arms that could squeeze him tighter and tighter until Italy was sure he'd swoon with pleasure. Lips that always curved oh so welcomingly, always formed his name with such dizzying exhilaration for the Italian and always were ready to provide a kiss of awkwardness to the Italian when he arched up on his toes searching for those delicious lips of his. Italy loved the big parts right down to the little parts about his husband, there was nothing that could be done about it. The Germanic Nation was just lovely, so lovely that it was nearly unbearable to Italy sometimes. There was a classic handsomeness to his usually severe and strict face, a handsomeness that could be admired by all but was loved genuinely by the Italian Nation who studied each hollow, each plain, each curve of the Germanic Nation's face whenever he slept or whenever he woke. There was an insurmountable amount of time that Italy had gawked at his husband, whether it was as friends or it was as lovers, Italy had always appreciated and loved the sight of the handsomeness that clung to his features so beautifully that it often times robbed Italy of his very breath. There was just something about Germany that Italy loved so desperately that he just couldn't help the sensation of wanting to hog him all to himself.

Perhaps, even, it was why he doted so much on their twins because despite the way that Giovanni took after Italy when it came to his coloring he knew that the boy would grow into a handsome nature just like his father. But it was Wolfram that he found himself rather pleased with how much the little blonde boy had taken after his father, knowing full well that Wolfram could possibly grow to be like a doppelgänger of his father. And what about this new baby? Would this new baby also be a blonde haired boy? Another baby to look just like Germany? Or would it be another little brunette who took after him? Or would it be a glorious mix of them both? Oh the idea of a baby possessing the qualities of both of them was absolutely thrilling to think about for that was what they thought the twins would be; a mix up of the both of them. Italy smiled happily to himself as he hummed, his pencil scratching against the paper softly, scraping more like it as he peered up at the sight outside the window that had him smiling wider to himself the longer it continued onwards. Germany was pushing the boys on the swing set, Wolfram screaming and howling with joy as he was pushed higher than his brother, his blonde hair ruffling in the breeze the wild movements caused and a bright smile on his face while his brother had a quieter smile on his face. The boys positively, absolutely loved swinging on that swing set and he would be forever grateful that Japan had recommended the sett to him before the twins had been born and he loved that the twins seemed to adore the swing set. Italy smiled widely to himself as he placed the pencil down on the notebook before placing both items on the table standing up and sipped at his coffee before dumping it into the sink and placing his mug inside. He then ran out the kitchen door happily.

"Ciao mia bella famiglia!" Italy cried out as he threw his arms up then choosing to rest his forearms on the top of his head, smiling widely at his family who smiled back in response in response and he adored the sight of smiles on those little faces in which he adored so fervently. He walked over to the swing set, moving behind the boys who were swinging happily and slid his arm around Germany's waist and the blonde jumped at the thought but smiled rather warmly down at the Italian. Germany, thankfully, had gotten used to all the soft and gentle touches of the Italian and their marriage was filled with man caresses, touches and hugs that the Germanic Nation had grown used too. "How are you doing today, amore mio? Have the boys been good for you like I expect they've been?"

"Ja, of course they have!" Germany replied when he leaned over pressing a kiss to the top of Italy's head making the Italian laugh happily and looked away shyly as he pushed Giovanni's back, the little brunette squealing out when he went higher in a manner that would match his brother and both twins released a rather varying amount of noise. Delight from Wolfram, slight fear for Giovanni. Italy snuggled into his husbands side as he pushed the boys one handed, his eyes intent on both twins as they swung and flew past their parents happily and Italy rested his head just below his shoulder as he watched his boys happily."How are you feeling, though? You've been a little under the veather, haven't you? I don't vant you exerting yourself too much."

Italy hadn't hidden how he'd felt sluggish, fatigued during the day and requiring at least two naps just to be up to his usual energy and he hadn't had much of an appetite lately, often choosing to skip a meal rather than eating rather gluttonously as he normally would. He was completely unlike himself and Germany, reasonably, had his concerns for the brunette. "I'm feeling fine today, Luddy! Don't worry, I'm sure that the fatigue and stuff will go away! We did ride a plane not so long ago so it's probably just the jet lag sticking around but I'll kick it's butt!" He smiled up at his husband who blushed at the sight of such a bright, sunshiney smile aimed his way and Germany tightened his arm around the Italian's shoulders making the brunette happily snuggle him actively, arm tightening around his waist and Wolfram looked over his shoulder.

His blue eyes shimmered, his hair flew around his face and his cheeks were a beautiful pink that were flushed due to the exertion and smiled widely at his mother. "Mama! I want you to catch me!" Wolfram screamed as he flew backwards, his feet tucking tightly in a bent before flying forwards in a rather dramatic pumping motion and Italy pulled away from Germany, a bright sparkle shimmering in his brown eyes as he ran around the swing set before Germany could even think to get a word in and Italy was standing before the boy with such a look of determination on his face. "Don't worry, Papa! Mama will catch me, I know he will!" Germany, for some reason, doubted that Italy could handle it. He was worried about the Italian's frail condition, worried that he wouldn't be strong enough to support the small boy.

"Don't drop him, Feli!" Germany yelped as he pushed his son who then was flying off of the seat of the swing, his limbs flailing outwards stiffly in victory as he roared his joy, his arms out stretched for Italy and for a single, heart stopping moment, he feared that not only was Wolfram too big to be caught but that Italy with his frail condition would fall under the sudden weight in his arms. He tensed his muscles to begin running around the playset, even knowing he wouldn't make it in time to catch his little son but the miracle that he was blessed with was the sight of Italy securely catching the boy in his arms tightly, arms clamped tight around the boy. He even spun the blonde around in his arms before holding him up in his arms, cooing at the boy who happily laughed as he cupped his mother's face and Germany pressed a hand to his chest where his heart slammed against his chest. "Oh thank gott! You caught him!"

"Of course I would!" Italy replied squeezing the boy to his chest, his feet kicking at his knees slightly before they raised up to wrap around his mother's waist and cling onto him as any five-year-old would, hands gripping fistfuls of the Italian's shirt and a bright smile on his face despite his flushed cheeks. His blue eyes shimmered just like they had on the swing only now it was merrily in which they shimmer as he snuggled down in his mother's arms, his own arms thrown around his neck with little hands gripping fistfuls of his shirt still, his legs tight around his waist and Giovanni, in that moment, looked rather envious of his brother. He turned to his father, his eyes shining with determination as his hair flew around his face tickling his cheeks as he did so and Italy smiled. "Oh! Does little Giovanni want to jump too?"

"Vati, will you catch me?" Giovanni called out as he swung backwards, his clothes lightly flapping from the rush of air, his hair flailing around wildly as his eyes met Germany's with such determination that the German was nodding helplessly in response to the sight of such a powerful emotion. Giovanni then nodded back to his father before turning his attention forwards as he began pumping his legs earnestly while the German Nation walked around the swing set to the front, just like Italy had, and watch his son pumping away at the swing before he launched himself off of the swing, his arms shot upwards and his legs tensed from the jump as he flew through the air. His face flashed with panic for just a moment, his arms flailing slightly as he came flying down towards the earth but Germany caught the boy with little problems. He spun in a half circle with the velocity of the jump and Giovanni's hands gripped his father's shirt tightly as he gasped in a breath. It was an awkward cradle hold he had the five-year-old in, his upper body protectively held by his father's arms but his legs dangling downwards and his face turned up to Germany was flushed, eyes sparkling with exhilaration as he gasped in another breath before speaking. "That vas amazing! Can ve do it again, Vati?"

"Of course you can! Wolfram, you too! We'll catch and hold you as much as you want!" Italy replied cheerfully before Germany could, catching the scowl that was aimed his way but rather than it being menacing it was filled with genuine concern as he watched Italy place Wolfram down who ran right for t he swing set with an excited squeal and Giovanni wriggled in the German's arms until he was placed down as well. Italy shuffled over to his husband, hands out stretched as he placed t hem on his forearm, squeezing gently as he looked up into the German's concerned face. Italy enjoyed the concern, appreciated the emotion whenever he saw it, but despite having a little cold he wasn't going to let it taint his play times with the boys. He squeezed Germany's arm again as he then smiled softly before reaching one of his hands up cupping Germany's cheek gently, stroking his thumb across his cheek bone as he softly smiled. "Don't worry. I can handle playing with the boys. Let's have some fun, si?" And Germany nodded gently as he tilted his cheek into Italy's warm, soft palm.

Italy got nervous about a lot of things. It was always a surprise given his cheerful, carefree disposition and the way he really acted as though he didn't think things quite through, an airhead as he had heard himself be called through out the years but in reality Italy was quite the worrier. He worried about the weather, he worried about the placement of his items, he worried about the state of the house, he worried about his husband, he worried about his sons, he worried about his brother-in-law and he worried about the world itself. He was a worrier who worried from the littlest thing like a change in tone to the biggest thing of a secret worth worrying over. Italy was quite exhausted after playing with his sons, refusing to take his second nap of the day in order to prove himself to Germany that he was just fine when in reality he worried about the manner in which his legs trembled gently when he put his weight n them or the way his arms quivered when he bent to pick up one of the boys. The fatigue tugged at his mind so fervently that by dinner time he found himself laying in bed while his husband prepared dinner for them all, a pasta dish that Italy would have happily consumed if he hadn't been worried that it would end up coming right back up later on in the night. He picked, nibbled and shifted his pasta around but when he retired for the night after kissing his husband and the twins goodnight he fond himself holding back tears when he was alone in the room. Just what was WRONG with him to be acting this way? He knew that his behavior was alarming, given he skipped his second nap, but in reality he shouldn't even need two naps to begin with!

When he and Germany had decided they would try again for another baby the thought hadn't even crossed Italy's mind that this could possibly be that because it was too early. Much too early. After all, they'd only discussed this three days ago! And yet as Italy laid in bed, his stomach churning undecidedly he found that there was something imp[ossibly annoying about the feeling of his meal churning around and around in his stomach, in the thickness of his throat and no matter how long he shut his eyes his head seemed to spin faster than a marry go round. When he finally had enough he jerked himself into a sitting position, his stomach continuing to churn but he'd had enough of laying in bed waiting for himself to vomit or not vomit, a chance game that he'd had enough of it. He was tired of being tired, he was tired of needing two naps, he was tired of the fatigue that tugged at him so insistently, he was tired of the nausea he felt lately. He knew exactly where the answer was; tucked away in his underwear drawer in the far left corner where he had hoped his husband wouldn't notice it. He climbed of the bed taking a deep breath as he walked across the room to the dresser, tugging open the drawer biting at his lower lip nervously as he stuck his hand into the drawer feeling around before grabbing the small slim package. He and his husband had discussed another baby, something they hadn't planned on trying for a while yet but that meant if he was pregnant now t hat this baby was conceived weeks ago and he was just now having the symptoms. Taking a deep breath Italy marched towards the bathroom, his steps determined and his fingers clenching the box s otightly the edges of it dug into his fingers gently.

This baby, if there was a baby to even begin with, then he'd have to tell Germany. No, he WOULD tell Germany. But how would Germany react? They had talked about having a baby in the future days, possibly when the boys went off to the World Academy, but they hadn't planned on having the boys still at home with a new baby! And they hadn't even planned ths baby! Italy felt his teeth digging painfully into his lower lip, his hands trembling gently as he took the test out of the box, resting it on the counter and flipping up the toilet seat taking deep breaths to keep them from racing. He had to keep calm. It might not even be pregnancy like he was thinking! After all he could just be coming down with something, he could be fatigued because he was chasing around two twin five-year-olds all day long while Germany was working and he could be coming down with the stomach flue which would explain his sudden disinterest in eating or his vomiting spells. Not everything revolved around pregnancy but Italy just couldn't shake it from his mind as he mentally counted back the days, mentally rewound time as he tried to think back to the one time they could have forgotten a condom, the one time the condom could have broken but then again the condom could have been defective, couldn't it? Italy wasn't sure but as he stood there, pulling the cap off of the test, aiming at the end of the test carefully, he couldn't help but feel his face flush at the idea that this could possibly be a baby. He felt worried, embarrassed that this was his fault. That this was because he slipped up, that he somehow didn't foresee the pregnancy even though he had been thinking about it for two years.

There was a difference in thinking, in planning a baby and having a baby sprung on you out of nowhere. Italy released his lower lip as he finished up, placing the test on the sink where he pulled his pants up then began pacing back and forth while reminding himself that he had to breathe. He wanted nothing more than to call up his brother, to cry to him about his worried but he knew that at the moment Spain's sickness was taking number one priority for his brother and he worried that his brother would merely yell at him about being irresponsible once again. While the twins hadn't exactly been planned, yet not unplanned either, this baby would be the same. Not unplanned but not exactly planned either. He began biting at his lower lip once again as he paced back and forth, back and forth, when sharp knuckles on the bathroom door had him near jumping out of his skin. "S-Si?"

"You should hurry, Feli, the boys vould like to say good night to their Mutter." Germany replied calmly through the door, like Italy wasn't on the precipice of finding out something that could quite possibly shake the foundation of their agreement threw days ago. Italy let out a few quick breathes, trying to keep them quiet when he heard a shift in the pressure against the door and he pressed his hand against the wood like he could reach out and touch the German. To have some sort of support while the stupid test processed. "Feliciano, are you alright in there? I know you veren't feeling vell during dinner but you're not truly sick are you? You're not sick in there, are you?" Oh, if only Germany knew just how close Italy was to being sick if this stupid test didn't hurry the hell up and give him the answer. The answer he both wanted and was terrified of."Feli?"

"I think that I'm okay!" Italy hated how his tone shook, how it trembled and came out so weak when he picked the test up with shaking fingers to stare down at it only to feel his face blanch as he read the results. Two pink lines. Two. He reached for the lock on the door flipping it, then throwing the door open his lips parted but trembling as he looked up at Germany who was blinking in alarm at how quickly the door had whipped open but his eyes narrowed in on the pregnancy test. "Luddy. Ludwig." He barely choked out the German's name as he held the t est with his shaking fingers which Germany took from his fingers with a strange form of carefulness to his movements, like he was afraid that the slightest move might make Italy bolt. Italy wasn't scared that he was pregnant, he wasn't even scared of giving birth again, he was scared of Germany's reaction. "Germany?"

"You're pregnant." Germany looked at the test like it was the one and only thing he could possibly see, like it was suddenly his entire existence and was bound by those two pink lines. Italy struggled to taker a deep breath as he bit his lip looking up at Germany, his eyes scanning over the suddenly blank face of his husband's and he raised his hand hesitantly, pressing his fingers against Germany's cheeks and the touch along seemed to pull him out of his trance as he looked at the Italian with wide blue eyes. Wider than Italy had ever seen them grow and he saw his own reflection in those blue eyes of his, saw his panic and his fear written over his face and his teeth biting at his lower lip when Germany raised his free hand upwards cupping Italy's cheek as he let out a tight breath. "Okay. Okay, so you're pregnant. It's not like it's something ve have never experienced und it's not like ve have never had children before. After all didn't you admit to vanting a baby at the meeting? Vell, perhaps this vorked out aironically well."

"It's not like I planned to get pregnant or anything, I mean I have to be weeks along not just days! I keep going over in my head when t he conception could have happened but I just can't figure it out right now. It's like all my dreams are suddenly coming true but I'm scared crapless by it." Italy confessed as he then raised his hand cupping the back of Germany's hand as he tilted his cheek into his palm, the thumb tracing just below his eye had him shutting his eyes for a moment and taking in the sensations. Just a few seconds did he hold his eyes shut before opening them again and staring up into Germany's face as his right hand dropped down pressing against his flat belly with a hopeful smile pulling at his lips as he stared at his husband who was stroking his cheek softly. "Are...Are you happy? Are you mad?"

"I think I'm surprised at the moment. Completely blindsided it feels." Germany then puled his hand from Italy's cheek and instead cupped the side of his neck softly, running his thumb against his jawline sending shivers down Italy's spine as he arched into the touch and the German smiled loosely. "Vhy don't you go say goodnight to the boys, tuck them in like the good Mutter you are und ve'll talk about this vhen you get back, alright? I'll probably have more to say about the matter vhen you come back, after I piece together my thoughts." Well, at least he wasn't angry. Italy felt some part of him sigh in relief now that he knew that at the very least his husband wasn't angry at him but there was still a foreboding emotions hovering in his chest as he looked at his husband before nodding softly and taking a deep breath leaning up kissing his cheek.

"We'll figure this out, Ludwig, I promise." Italy then brushed past Germany, feeling the anxiety curling in his stomach when Germany gently grabbed his arm tugging him back towards him and surprised the Italian by placing a soft, ever so gentle kiss on his lips. It had Italy's heart soaring, the anxiety clearing away in place of the light that seemed to shine throuhg him and he threw his arms up tpo curl around Germany's neck pulling him closer to him, his head dipping down to kiss Italy firmly making the the Italian whine quietly in the back of his throat before pulling from the kiss placing small kisses on his face. Gentle pecks that were echoed by Germany until their lips came together in another kiss only this time there seemed to be a drop of urgency to the kiss as he felt the sweat spreading against the palms of his hands as his heart sprinted wildly against his chest in response to the rather urgent kiss. It was a kiss that wasn't forgotten easily, wasn't possible of ignoring and when Germany pulled back Italy swooned on his feet before turning and stumbling towards the door in his attempt to walk away before the ugly anxiety could curl in his stomach. He walked away feeling as though he were glowing from head to the very tips of his toes and fingers.

Chapter Text

Austynn's laughter shrieked in the silence against the snow, the sound reverberating into the still air and his breath puffed out of him in clouds as he struggled to follow after Kumajirou who was charging forward against the snow then looking back to see if Austynn was still following before running forwards again up the hill. Austynn ran as best as he could against the snow, his little legs lifting high as they could before he fell forward in the snow shouting out that he was alright to a watchful Canada before standing up and beginning his high stepping run once again up the sloping hill of Canada's backyard. He stood on his back porch with France humming within the kitchen, cooking their lunch which had Canada's stomach snarling rather viciously as he kept his watchful gaze on his son who ran up the hill where the polar bear was waiting for him and he shouted happily as he climbed on top of his sleigh, dragging Kumajirou onto his lap and squeezing the polar bear before grabbing the rope of his sleigh and, inching forward, began to slip down the hill with a loud shriek of joy. It was flying down the hill, the hair that stuck out of his hat fluttered against his face as he bobbed and flew down into the backyard, laughing and shrieking the whole way down as he slid towards Canada giggling happily as his violet eyes shimmer up at Canada as they climbed off of the sleigh and the boy ran over to his mother figure, throwing his arms around Canada's waist as their coats slid against one another making the Canadian laugh lightly.

"Did you see that, Maman? I flew down the hill like whoosh!" He stepped backwards demonstrating with his hands just how the swoop had felt to him when he threw his arms up smiling widely at his mother, hopping in place for a moment with a gasp on his lips and a sparkle all too familiar in his violet eyes. "Oh, could I do it again? Pretty please? Do you think I would have time before lunch is done?" His boots thudded against the wooden porch, his eyes begging when the sliding door flew open revealing a rather confidently smiling France who was tugging his apron off. His lover, for some reason, adored wearing an apron while he was cooking and to Canada it was absolutely precious. Even Austynn had a small dainty looking apron that hung on the wall for if he chose to help his father with baking or even with cooking with Canada himself. Canada smiled at his lover who offered a brilliant smile back and made a hand movement for the two of them t o come inside and Austynn pouted with disappointment.

"Don't worry, mon chéri, we can always come out here again later or first thing tomorrow morning! Let's go eat, I know if I'm starving then you've got to be hungry as well." Canada held his hand out for Austynn's who placed his gloved hand into his mother as they stomped the snow off of their boots before entering the kitchen where France had the music set to a low volume but just loud enough for Canada to distinguish a few French phrases. When Canada had revealed his pregnancy they hadn't spoken for three days. France having nothing to say and Canada not brave enough to say anything but eventually, in the two days that they've been home, France had found his voice again. He had been angry, shouting at Canada for an hour before he was calm enough to hear Canada's reasons for hiding the pregnancy but the way that France had shouted, so viciously and so loudly still shook Canada to his core. He had known his lover could become angry, had seen him angry at England, but he never once thought that the anger would ever be directed at him and once it was Canada knew he had made a very large mistake.

Oh how he had shouted, screaming at the top of his lungs about how a betrayal it was for Canada to hide the pregnancy for not one week or two weeks or even three but for almost three whole months and how it was an absolute insult to France who had wanted to be a part of it. How the fear, the sadness, none of it would he been necessary if Canada had just been honest and open about the pregnancy rather than afraid to say something. Canada had never heard France's voice so loud, had never been aware it could get so loud, for it rang around his head like a deep bell that flooded his very senses rendering him immobile, filling his head with it's clarity and it had Canada crying for he knew the rationality of his lover's words. On and on France had gone on, with Austynn up in his room away from his crying mother and shouting father, something Canada had been sure to do before they'd sat down to talk but it seemed that this flood of shouting and accusations that they spat at one another was the wall they needed to work through before they could move past it. Canada had hated the fight, still hated to think about it, but afterwards they had agreed on no more lies. No more hiding things from one another and Canada had quickly agreed. It had been a shaky agreement at first, with both parties hesitant of what to do, how to proceed forward but they quickly found their footing once Austynn had come down and with their attention on their son it was easy to fall back into their usual life. At least that's what Canada believed to be their usual life for he was nervous that the fight had impacted more on their relationship than he originally thought and he was afraid that by the time the baby came that there would be something different with them both.

Yet France acted how he did before the fight and the secret ever slipped out. He was jovial, he was cheerful and he doted on their son and rubbed his belly at night while whispering French words to the infant within which caused little flutters for Canada that had little to do with the baby and more with his nerves. France was acting like none of the yelling, none of the lies had ever taken place and while Canada would love to go along with it he found that he couldn't. He knew that the French man had every right to be angry with him still, had every right to be disappointed in Canada and yet he didn't act it one bit leaving the Canadian a touch confused on why the French man would act like nothing was wrong when clearly there was a shift in their relationship that called for attention. Canada shrugged his coat off after he stepped into the warm house, Austynn pulling his own hat off, his hair ruffled and tugged at the scarf which Canada helped him unwind from his throat and his gloves came flying off along with his coat. He then clambered into his seat, boots knocking against the wood and Canada sighed gently as Kumajirou came to sit next to Austynn like he always did during meal times and Canada turned to France rather shyly. "Yo-You remembered that England and America were coming today, ri-right?"

"Non, I had forgotten, thank you for reminding me! That punk will no doubt try to tell us what to do in our own home if 'e 'ad it 'is way." France grumbled then smiled with a sigh leaving his lips as he tugged his apron over his head hanging it up beside Austynn's tiny one and Canada bent down to tug at his boots while kicking them off awkwardly. France seemed to wait for him to be done before holding his hand out for Canada to t ake, which he did, and be ushered to the table feeling a stab of happiness as he walked towards the table sitting down with a huffing breath at the thought of England telling HIM what to do in his own house. While he did think of England as a friend, a parental figure after all this time, he found that he couldn't stand the man's bossy ways and how he always seemed to act like wherever he went was his place to dictate how others should act around him and America. "Don't erven think twice about it, sweet'eart, I won't be causing trouble with the punk. What time are they to be 'ere?"

A thunderous boom on the front door had them both jumping and Canada looked towards the front door with an annoyed look on his face that was shared with France, both men standing while Austynn merely snuck pieces of bacon to Kumajirou who took it rather gratefully. Of all the timing in the world he would never have thought his brother would show up right at lunch time but then again he knew it took very little time to reach his home and he knew that whenever food was being served that his brother had a hack for showing up right at that moment. He sighed taking France's hand, smiling softly at the other man who squeezed his hand softly before walking forward down the short hallway to the front door where they could distinctively hear the sound of England scolding one of his children who were whining back but as they unlocked the door and started puling it open America crashed forward against the door making someone giggle and Canada glared at his brother who stood in the front entry way with his snowy shoes. "Sup, bro! We've got some good news we gotta share with ya!"

"We were just eating lunch, Alfred. Can you wait in the living room with your children while we finish up?" Canada asked dryly but with that same quiet tone that he always seemed to have and his brother merely clapped his shoulder nearly making him buckle as the man lifted both of his children into his arms and rushed into the living room making them squeal loudly. England shared a brief smile with Canada, a scowl for France and was off into the living room after his family when Canada sighed tugging France back to the kitchen. Austynn was handing Kumajirou a strip of his bacon, his chicken looking quite bare at the moment and Canada felt another sigh leave his lips. "Austynn, you know better than to share all of that with Kuma. You're going to make him fat and he's going to be spoiled because you're slipping him all of your food. We should hurry and eat because your Uncles and cousins are here."

"Really?" There was a tinge of disappointment in Austynn's tone, like he hadn't wanted to deal with his cousins, and worked on cutting his chicken with his fork before spearing a whole stripe and bringing it to his mouth taking a large bite and chewing to keep from speaking again when both parents shared a look. Austynn loved his cousins but often times he found Liam and Jolene both a touch too loud for his liking, often running to Canada when he wanted a break from the two hyperactive siblings and more often than not it was because Liam had done something. Austynn finished chewing his mouthful, reaching for his water did he look away from his parents as he twirled his fork around to bite the other end of the chicken strip before sighing out and lifted his hand in front of his mouth. "Can I finish eating this later, Papa?"

"What is the matter, Austynn? You know that you can finish eating your food before you go and play!" Canada spoke out before France could, incredulous surprise in his voice as he looked at his son who merely looked away from his mother and Canada sighed out gently as he reached across the table taking Austynn's small hand in his own, squeezing it tight for just a moment before rubbing his thumb across the back of his hand gently. He knew how Austynn felt about his cousins for it was the same way he felt about his brother, who was much too loud and cheerful for him to take most days and so when Austynn shoved the rest of the chicken in his mouth Canada smiled softly at his son who chewed with what looked like the bravest face he'd ever seen on the boy. Like he was about to jump from some impossible height or slide down a large hill. "Don't worry, I doubt they'll be here long! They're just here to tell us some news and they'll be gone. We can deal with that! I know we can!"

The frigid air was filled with screams and laughs of joy, the sounds bouncing off of the snow and filling the much too still air while four parents sat on the back deck, each having a pair on their respective child when Austynn was pushed forward by Liam, Kumajirou in his lap once again. The boy squeezed the polar bear as he screamed with laughter, his hair flying around his face from it's pinned position underneath the hat as he came flying down the hill towards the backyard and not even a moment later Jolene's high pitched shrieks filled the air as she came zooming after her cousin, her golden blonde locks of hair flying around her shoulders and her red face. Both cousins giggled together when they came to a slow stop and rather quickly Kumajirou hopped off of Austynn's sled, taking the rope in his mouth and running up the hill with Austynn trudging afterwards and Jolene throwing her sled on top of Austynn's both children raced after the polar bear as Liam came shrieking down the hill. The laughter spilled out him that was so similar to his father's it was sending he pairs into peals of laughter themselves as the boy slid to a stop at the bottom of the hill and turned picking up his sled running up the hill towards his sister and cousin who were each climbing onto their sleds once again with giggles leaving their lips. Whatever reluctance Austynn had been feeling at lunch time had melted away with the news that was shared between both pairs of adults, melted away when he was allowed to go sledding once again and Canada couldn't be happier to see the boy shrieking and laughing joyfully with his cousins. When they had finished lunch, a drawn out affair as France had decided he wanted to see how long it would take England to come marching in demanding to know how long it would take and Canada shared a smirk when it didn't take long for the English man to come stomping in.

When they had finished up their lunches they had walked into the living room, Austynn tucked between them holding onto their hands as usual with Kumajirou sneaking away to the upstairs portion of the house away from the children and Canada couldn't help but wish he was going with the polar bear. It was then shared that England was pregnant, something the golden blonde didn't seem to happy with and Canada then shyly stuttered out his own pregnancy which got him absolutely smothered by his brother who had been saying it was a "sign" that their kids would be good friends just like Liam, Austynn and Jolene were. Canada didn't bother correcting his brother and instead congratulated England on his pregnancy which was returned by the English Nation and Canada had merely brushed this knowledge into the back of his mind for after they had sat down with their conversation the children wanted to go outside. That lead to this rather beautiful moment of the children running up and down the gentle slope of his backyard, screaming with such joy that he felt his own joy burning right down to his soul as he watched the children running up and down and he wondered if he'd feel this sense of joy when the baby came. If he would one day be watching Austynn and the little child running up and down the hill together as they sled downwards shrieking with laughter. THe image of a baby, just like France from the shape of her eyes, the arch of her eyebrows and even the shape of her lips, nose and slant of her jaw would all be like France along with her hair and eyes being his perfectly. A little girl that was the image of France. Sort of like how Monaco, his sister, ;looked like only this little girl would be his and France's.

"It almost makes you want to join them, doesn't it?" France questioned smiling at Canada, the light playing off of his blonde hair and sparkling in his blue eyes, making him appear more like a fairy prince from some story in that moment than an actual man and it had Canada speechless. America laughed when Liam stumbled face first into the snow, England whacking him with the back ofh ish and while Canada gawked at his lover for a moment before looking down feeling a blush scald his cheeks as he smiled upwards at his son who was looking to him with absolute joy on his little face. He looked over when France stood up, groaning as he swung his arms over his head and leaned over kissing the top of Canada's head making the blush in his cheeks throb with a new intensity to it as he looked up at his lover. "Well, I think I should get dinner started, don't you? Do you 'ave anything you are particularly craving at the moment?"

"Hmmm..." Canada tapped the tips of his fingers together, fanned out and lightly bobbing together as he thought of what he wanted before smiling up at France rather shyly before biting his smiling lip staring up at France who smiled widely back at the Canadian who finally spoke. "You remember that bacon wrapped chicken you made before with the cream cheese and chives filling? Do you think you could make that for tonight? Oh! And some mashed potatoes to go with it! Some cheesy ones! Wo-Would that be alright? Or would you rather we have something differ-"

"Mon amour, if that's what you want for dinner then that is absolutely acceptable!" He kissed the top of Canada's head again, ruffling the locks with his hand and the Canadian found himself blushing so fiercely he swore he felt the tips of his ears burning with the intensity of his blush and he looked down at his lap. He noted the sharp glance at America and England, both looking over at Canada's suggestion and the French Nation smoothed a hand down Canada's locks of hair. "If anyone does not like that then they can go 'ungry! I'll get started right away, mon amour!"

A dirty look got thrown France's way when England crossed his arms across his chest, one leg crossed over the other and bouncing with agitation when the English man turned to the Canadian who was watching the shrieking children, the blush on his cheeks beginning to fade slowly away when the English Nation sighed. "You're quite helpless around him so I don't blame you for his rude comments but you really shouldn't abide by his mouth, Matthew. He really is going to infect that son of yours with his dirty ways." He then blushed when America gave him a dark look that was then thrown from Canada and he looked panicked for a moment underneath the two brothers dark looks and he threw his hands up. "I'm telling the truth! The man has an attitude that if not checked will end up being passed down to Austynn or this new baby!"

"Lucky thing he's mine then, isn't it?" Canada replied scathingly standing up he walked to the edge of the deck and cupped the hands around his mouth. "Austynn! Time to go in!" He could hear America groan as the Canadian heard Austynn shout with disappointment that was echoed by his cousins and Canada turned back around scowling at England who was looking rather red in the face. "I would never say that about you or my brother so I'm going to need you to respect my family, England. If not then yo-you're going to have to leave! I won't let you ta-talk bad about my partner!" He turned on his heel marching to the back door as Austynn came shrieking down the hill and Canada threw open the door after stamping off his feet and slammed the door behind him hurriedly getting his coat off and France looked up rather surprised from the mixing bowl.

"Mathieu, what 'appened? What 'as got you fired up?" France questioned as he stirred the chives into the cream cheese and tilted his head to the side when Canada kicked his boots off rather aggressively and turned to France with a fire in his violet eyes that he had come to recognize from any amount of time spent alone with England. "Ah, I see. Angleterre was talking bad about moi, wasn't 'e? Well, I would normally say that they can go 'ungry but those children of 'is don't deserve that. And 'e is pregnant so I cannot refuse to feed 'im. So they will eat but if you want too, Mathieu, you can make them leave. There is nothing I would do to stop you from asking them to leave and we 'ave a family dinner but that is completely up to you, mon amour." His eyes then lit up and he gestured to the kicken breasts and bacon sitting on the stove. "Why don't you start cooking the bacon for me?"

Canada let out a slow breath and then offered a small smile. "Oui. I'll help, it'll have dinner going along much faster, won't it? Especially if we're to boil the potatoes to make the cheesy potatoes!" Canada walked over to France who held out an apron he plucked from off the wall and accepted it rather gratefully before tying it around his waist. He paused then looked to France shyly who looked up from his mixing to tap the spoon on the side of the bowl and tilted his head when he noticed the violet gaze leveled on him. He parted his lips to speak but Canada very quickly cut him off before he could lose his nerve. "Je t'aime, Francis. Je suis désolé pour tout."

"You've been forgiven, mon amour, there's no need to keep apologizing." France replied gently when he came up behind Canada and rested his chin on his shoulder, squeezing his waist with his arms he kissed the side of Canada's neck making the Canadian shiver in his arms and he pressed his hands against his bloated belly. Already, so early on he had a little bump and France adored it. He couldn't wait for the first scan they'd be attending and he couldn't wait to know about the baby's health, how the baby was growing and he knew that without seeing the little blotch that the infant would be growing healthily just like their elder brother. He lightly bit the Canadian's neck making him squeak as he cup open t he package of bacon and France laughed then placed another kiss to his neck. "Je t'aime, Mathieu."

Chapter Text

The stillness of the air, the early morning light spilling across the bed with eagerness as it fanned across the sheets, across the floor as the sun kissed over the horizon and th deep dark sky was lightening to a slew of pinks, oranges and even spattering of light violets. The clouds floated by tainted brilliant pinks, stunning oranges and Romano laid out on his stomach string out the large window of his bedroom, his cheek flush against the pillow as he watched the sun rise over the horizon, the pale blue of the horizon stretching upwards to obliterate those beautiful pinks and oranges. He felt a pang of regret as his hands curled into fists against the blankets, his right shoulder kissing his cheek gently pressing his face firmly against the pillow as he cursed the fact that his hands couldn't create the art that came so naturally to Italy. If he could paint, if he could create something beautiful like his brother, then he'd be up every morning capturing the sunset the way it was meant to be captured rather than on his phone and he'd be proud of his painting, if only he could force his hands to create the images stuck in his brain. He wanted nothing more than to hop out of bed and paint the sunrise, paint the sunsets, paint the sights from the balcony of his and Spain's rooms but he had never been artistically inclined. He would always feel that longing to create something beautiful but knowing his hands couldn't do the task they so desired. There was shuffling behind him then, with a slow lazy movement, a hand brushed against his lower back to wrap around his waist lazily, a cheek coming up and pressing against his shoulder blade as Spain let out a little yawn.

"Buenos dias querido." His voice was low, thick and slow making Romano swallow nervously for a moment when the Spanish Nation nuzzled his cheek against his shoulder blade and Romano forced himself to remain as relaxed as hs had moments ago and shifted slightly signalling he wanted to flip over. Spain moved from the position allowing Romano to flip over onto his back, a blush gracing his cheeks as he looked up into Spain's face for a moment before leaning up placing a chaste, quick kiss to his cheek before looking away shyly from the Spanish Nation who laughed cheerfully. "Well someone's affectionate this morning! And here I thought you saved all your affection for Cris! Thank you, querido. Here, a kiss for my lovely Lovino!" Romano jumped when lips pressed against his cheek moving slowly to the corner of his mouth, lazily taking his time.

Romano didn't mind whatsoever for this morning with it's lazy feel, it's slow movements and low voices was a morning he secretly reveled in. He lifted his hands up in a stretch only to plop his hands onto Spain's shoulders clinging to the Spaniard while tilting his face up, lips parting with a quiet breath of excitement and he slid his hands along Spain's shoulders to the nap of his neck before sliding upwards into those messy locks of hair. He twisted his fingers into the loosely formed curls, his excitement making his legs squirm as Spain covered his mouth with his own making the Italian sigh throuhg his nose as his lashes fluttered shut against his cheeks that flushed warmly at the pressure on his warmth. He was glowing, he was sure of it, if the heat running underneath his skin ahd anything to say about it, and he gripped fistfuls of his hair as their lips moved lazily, slowly, and his heart thumped heavily against his chest. Not fast but a slow even beat. Thump. Thump. Thump. It made his chest radiate with each beat as he clung to his husband, breathing excitedly through his nose as he clung to Spain, a leg working free to curl up around his waist where Spain traced his free hand down his thigh, swirling patterns against his leg through the fabric of his pajama bottoms and Romano squirmed.

He pulled from the kiss to take a deep breath as lips trailed down his throat before Spain began suckling at his skin making his teeth dig into his lower lip as his head tilted backwards at the tingling that raced over his skin as Spain suckled harder at his skin using his teeth to dig in lightly and Romano knew it would leave a mark. Knew what his brother would say about it when he saw him next but he didn't care. All that mattered was the pleasure lazily swirling underneath Romano's skin and he was parting his leg slightly from the curled leg of his waist and when Spain pulled away from his throat he saw the lust darkening those beloved green eyes of his as he dipped hish ead to return to Romano's lips when the door flew open and small feet ran across the floor making Romano push his husband away to find two large green eyes, identical to their father, staring at them with curiosity. "Buongiorno, Mama and Papa! What are you doin'?"

"Nothing, Papa was merely bothering me as per usual." He shot a scowl at Spain who merely laughed from his position next to Romano who climbed off the bed and cocked a head at his husband who was lounging out happily, his shirtless form as distracting as ever but Romano took a glance at Spain's stomach. It was hard to believe that within that belly was their baby, growing strong and capable within Spain and he found himself turning away to bite at his lip as he took Cristian's hand tugging him from the bedroom. "Come on, I'll get you some breakfast. Maybe Papa can have some if he's good about it." He heard Spain sputter from behind them making the Italian smirk to himself as he tugged his son int othe hallway where they ran happily giggling together as they ran for the stairs and Spain shouted from the doorway of t he bedroom.

"Wait for me! Papa will catch up with the both of you naughty boys!" Cristiano squealed at the thought of his father catching up when Romano scooped the boy into his arms, laughing freely as he ran down the hallway with Spain ran after the two of them in hot pursuit. Cristiano looked over his mother's shoulder, laughing with Romano as he watched his father growing closer but Romano remained ahead of the man due to the fact that he was quite light on his feet and quick too which the boy in his arms enjoyed as he bounced lightly in his mother's arms. Spain laughed with them as he chased after Romano who flew down t he stairs quickly wit hCrsitiano settled in his arms snuggly, the pale sunlight shining through the windows splashed across them as they ran, blinding Romano and Spain temporarily each time the sun shot off of a reflective surface but the chase was exhilirating.

Romano was determined not to be caught as he ran for the kitchen and Spain was determined to catch the both of them. Romano flitted light on his feet into the kitchen swinging Cristiano in his arms as the boy screamed with laughter, with absolute joy as he was plopped onto the counter next to the stove and Romano then squealed himself when Spain ran into the room scooping the Italian up into his arms and swingin him around making him laugh as he swatted at his arms. "You idiot! You can't be picking heavy things up, you're pregnant!" Romano shouted as he planted his feet on the floor but Spain happily lifted him once again and spun him around planting a firm but rather fierce kiss to Romano's lips silencing his words. It was hard to remember, just for a brief moment, that his son was on the counter but he ripped himself away from Spain shoving at his shoulders. "Idiota!"

"Te quiero mucho, Lovino! And Te quiero mucho, mi pequeño lindo Cristiano!" The boy squealed when Spain swooped forward kissing Cristiano's chubby cheek, the boy flailing his hands up against his father's shoulders as his legs kicked joyfully and Romano felt such a sweet surge of happiness as he watched his husband shower their son with kisses. When Romano had been pregnant with Cristiano it had been a few years before Italy had gotten pregnant with his twins and, at first, Romano had secretly been pleased that been the first one to brag about something to his brother, the first one to have something that was truly precious. He had been pleased that his son would be the first boy born in their small family, pleased that he was pregnant first to begin with and he had slightly bragged to his brother during those months yet in reality it was something that they had shared together.

Romano had spent weeks flying out to Italy, visiting Germany despite his protests about the Nation itself, and had shared his pregnancy with his little brother and when he had gotten too big to go to a World Meeting or to fly out to his brother, Italy had met Romano in Spain happily. They had bought baby clothes together, pieced the nursery together, chatted about names that he and Spain had chosen, and he had let his brother sit with his hands on his belly as long as he had desired and Romano had held his tongue about being touched during his pregnancy. He and his brother had been in the pregnancy together, something for them to share as this would be the first baby born to their small family of Spain, Romano, Italy and Germany, the four of them being a small family whether Romano liked it or not but his baby had been the first to be born. He had been nervous during his pregnancy about the birth, having heard stories from the other Nations about their birthing and yet his had been far more different than he had ever imagined it would have been and it was thanks to his brother that he got throuhg it. When Romano had gone into labor he found he couldn't push the child out naturally due to the baby being in a breeched position, unable to come out even feet first and a C-section had been his only option. Choosing Spain to be with him he chose to have Italy come in with him as well. He still, to this day, remember the fear as he received his injection of an epidural block allowing him to be awake during the procedure but he remember clutching their hands tightly.

Romano had never felt such fear as when his son was plucked out of his body like a little fruit but he had never not expressed his appreciation for Italy being there. He was forever grateful his brother had been there when he went into labor and when his brother was pregnant with the twins it was a sudden switch as Romano visited the Italian. He had been there for his brother's own c-section which was wildly different from Romano's own but the sight of his little nephews being born had always stuck to him. But despite his love he had for his little nephews, his love for the sight before him was stronger than all of that put together for the sight of Spain kissing and cuddling their cheerful son was a happiness of it's own. Romano turned to the fridge pulling out the carton of eggs, a bag of shredded cheese, the quart of milk and turned to the table placing his items down and walked over to the hutch while his son squealed and laughed wildly behind him while he began working on reaching the large bowl on the third shelf, plopping it on the table and sighing softly. He began cracking eggs, enough for the three of them, and mixed them together using a fork, vigorously stirring creating little bubbles along the surface of the liquid when he paused to sprinkle in a generous amount of cheese into the eggs before pouring a dash of milk into the eggs and stirring it together when he noticed the squealing laughter had paused. He turned his head to find two pairs of wide green eyes watching him rather intently making him blush.

"What? I'm just making eggs, nothing fancy. Toni, do you want an omelet too?"

"Si!"

"And a plate of scrambled eggs for tiny?"

"Si!" Cristiano happily chirped when his father leaned in blowing a raspberry on his chubby cheek making hi mscream with laughter and Romano chuckled softly under his breath, a smile curling at the corners of his lips as he walked around his husband with the bowl of eggs in his hands and placed it on the counter next to the stove, reaching underneath the counter to grab a pan and popping back up placing the pan down. He was aware of those wide eyes watching him curiously once again making him roll his own eyes as he reached forward flipping the stove burner on and poured a decent bit of eggs into the pan and Cristiano tugged at his father's curls before smiling at his mother. "Mama, when will the baby be born?"

"Well, your father is still early in his pregnancy but don't worry. It'll fly by faster than you realize." Romano replied with a hum in his voice as he turned his attention to grabbing a spatula and yawning to himself as he turned his attention to pushing the eggs around in the pan as they began to solidify slightly and he turned reaching out ruffling his son's curly hair. "Don't worry, you'll be a grande Fratello in a matter of months, you just have to be patient while the baby is growing in Papa's belly. He's only three months along, after all! you're little brother will come and it will be the greatest thing on the planet for you, for there's nothing better than being a big fratello to someone. Did you know I have two little brothers?"

Cristiano gasped, his eyes wider than before causing the green to shimmer softly. "Two? You have two fratellos?"

"Si, I do! I have your Uncle Feli as my closest brother but I have another brother. He represents Seborga, rather he's called the Principality of Seborga and he looks more like Uncle Feli than he does to me but I'm not bitching about that. He can never decide on what he wants to be called, a human name that is, but last I heard he was going by the name Romeo Vargas so if we ever see him you feel free to call him Uncle Romeo if you feel up to saying something like that of course." Romano smiled at the awestruck look on Cristiano's face as he shifted on the counter then turned to his father, throwing his arms around his neck as if he were about to share the mind blowing news with the man when Romano, turning hsi attention back to stirring the eggs that were very quickly solidifying, then smirked widely. "Your Papa has a brother as well."

"Si, I do!" Spain replied cheerfully making Cristiano's eyes widen when the Spaniard laughed happily poking his son's nose softly making the boy giggle but the awed look remained in his wide green eyes and Spain kissed the top of Cristiano's head, the loose formed curls brushing his jaw and cheeks as he did so. "We don't get along that much, not really talking but he knows that he has a nephew but I think he's just stubborn and hasn't come to visit due to his claims of "Being busy" whenever I invite him around. Who knows, maybe we'll see him some day! His country name is Portugal but last I heard his human name is João, so obviously just like with your Mama's brother you can think of him as your Uncle João for the first time that you see him. I'm sure it'll give him a kick to see a little mini-me and has him calling him Uncle João, hahaha!"

Romano rolled his eyes as he scraped at the eggs that jiggled beneath the spatula due to the movements and he then began cutting the eggs up into small sections, turning to spain who was tugging Cristiano's arms from his neck in order to make his way over to the hutch where he plucked three plastic plates off of the shelf turning back to Romano proudly. He handed a plate to Romano, the Italian plucking i t from Spain's fingers and scooping the scrambled eggs onto the plate while Spain helped their son off of the counter where he then scrambled up into his seat as Romano placed the plate of scrambled eggs down and kissed the top of Cristiano's head. "There, no try not to make a mess, tesoro. Toni, do you want anything added to your omelet?"

"I know that I want some tomatoes in mine so I'm sure that that's what you want as well so I'll cut up a tomato for the both of us. Oh! How about we have some potatoes and onions to go with it too?" Romano rolled his eyes at the suggestion but Spain was already whipping open the fridge grabbing a rather healthy looking tomato out of the fridge then pulling open the produce drawer and grabbing an onion and potato as well. Romano handed him a knife and watched Spain make quick work of the chopping, his knife flying quickly as he diced the tomato and scraped it into the bowl with the eggs which Romano mixed together then poured the remaining mixture into the pain which sizzled softly at contact and Spain then began cutting the potato and onion quickly. He then leaned over pressing a kiss to Romano's head and smiling when the man looked up flustered with a blush to his cheeks. "Gracias for making us breakfast, cariño. I truly appreciate it."

"Yo-You're welcome." Romano mumbled when he then twirled the spatula in his hand and turned towards Cristiano who had been handed a fork, the metal scraping against his teeth in that spine tingling sound the boy was happily eating his eggs regardless and Romano smiled softly before turning back to the omelet which he promptly folded then cut in half for the both of them. "My idiot brother is coming by today with the twins, I'll bet you anything he's bringing Germany with him this time. I don't know what's got him so hyped up but he said he has some news for the both of us." Romano shrugged then as he held a hand out for a plate which Spain handed him as he plucked the omelet half out and slid onto the plate, putting it on the table then holding his hand out for the next one.

"Whatever it is I'm sure it'll be good news!" Spain replied as he slid the potato and onion chunks into the pan where they sizzled loudly and Romano turned back to the stove pushing the chunks around on the pan where the scents began floating upwards making Spain's stomach snarl viciously as he leaned against the table. It would be a few minutes before the onion or potato chunks would be done but he was ready to stick his fingers into the pan to pluck out a few chunks but he held back from doing so as he watched Romano push the chunks around making them sizzle viciously. He then patted his belly softly making Romano look over at the Spaniard curiously. "After all, we need to properly tell him about the baby! I'm sure he'll be all too happy about the baby, just like our little Cristiano!"

"Si! I get to be a grande fratello to a little girl or boy! Of course I'm happy!" Cristiano replied around a mouthful of eggs, swallowing it down after speaking then smiled att his father who beamed at the boy and he tapped the table with his fork. "Papa, can I have some chocolate milk?" Spain jumped at the opportunity to indulge in the boys sweet tooth, grabbing a cup from the hutch and grabbing the milk he poured half a glass then grabbed their chocolate syrup when Cristiano turned to Romano. "Mama, do you think Papa could have TWO babies like Uncle Feli?" Spain nearly dropped the cup as he was placing ito n the table in front of Cristiano and Romano dropped the spatula as both adults turned to look at one another.

"I-I don't think that'd be possible, Cris. We'd know if Papa was carrying more than one baby, tesoro, and I know for a fact that Papa isn't carrying twins. Thank god for that at least." Romano replied shakily but smiled at the small boy who pouted gently and he stepped away from the stove briefly to ruffle Cristiano's hair softly. "Trust me, kid, if there was more than one baby in Papa and he had twins then it'd be pandemonium around here. There'd never be enough time for anything." Spain nodded with Romano, sitting down at the table when Romano sighed. "Though if we had two babies like you, Cris, I wouldn't mind it so much."

"Oh? So you're saying that if we had two babies that were cheerful like Cris that you'd want twins? That's so sweet, Lovi!" Romano's face burned a bright red that had Cristiano giggling and Spain laughing and the Italian turned away from his husband and son, scraping at the potato and onion mixture he frowned to himself for a moment when Spain chuckled gently. "But don't worry, Lovino, I'd know if we had twins brewing in here, remember what Feli said? Mama's intuition is a strong thing but Papa's intuition is even stronger and I know we're going to have a little girl! The perfect addition to our little family!" Romano snorted as he turned towards Spain, turning towards him with the hot pan in his hand and scraping some of the potatoes and onions onto his plate and then dumped the remaining bit on his plate then placed the pan into the sink, filling it with water.

"You think it'll be a girl but I'll have you know my mother's instinct is nagging at me and I know it's going to be a boy. Just you wait, Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, you'll have a little mini Lovino and they're going to absolutely wreck our lives in the best way possible. A little bastard running around the house is just what we need! Remember how bad I was? That's how bad this next kid is going to be, I'll bet you anything." Romano tapped the table as he walked over to the hutch grabbing two cups and filling them with milk before sliding Spain one cup then sat down with his own cup in front of a pale Spain.

He cackled then as Cristiano's large green eyes looked between his father and mother curiously but stuck another bite of scrambled eggs into his mouth, chewing happily, when Romano cut into his omelet smirking to himself. He knew this new kid would be like him, it was impossible not to imagine it, and Romano had to admit he quite liked the thought of a son taking after him and when he peeked up at Spain from under his lashes he had to admit that he hoped, deep down, that this new baby looked like Spain. He loved how beautiful their son was, with his curly brown hair, his large green eyes and olive complexion, such a beautiful baby he had been that he genuinely hoped that this next baby would hold a similar beauty to Spain, another mini Spain to hold in his arms but with the personality of Romano. THat's what he wanted above all and all he wanted was to make sure that both his husband and t his new baby would be healthy, happy and absolutely perfect in every little way. Romano smiled softly as he scooped a bite of the omlet into his mouth then following it with a few chunks of onions and potato. Yes, all he needed was Spain to be healthy, all he needed was their baby to be happy and healthy just like Cristiano and he would have the perfect family he just knew it.

Chapter Text

Japan let out a low breath as he stirred the chicken, the sizzling rather loud as it crackled in the grease each time he nudged the them and he looked over at Genji who was happily sitting on the counter, swinging his legs as he held his Shinatty Chan plushie to his chest happily. His dark brown hair stuck up wildly from his most recent wrestling match with both Xiong and with Uri, his cheeks still held a wild red flsu hto them as he stroked the top of his plushie's head and held it a touch tighter to his chest and he looked up smiling brilliantly making his brown eyes glitter at Japan. Japan smiled back softly as he spooned the chicken out of the pan onto a plate with a paper towel to soak up the excess oil and he glanced over at the rice cooker which seemed to be nearing it's end of cooking the rice and he then turned his attention to the vegetables he had cooking in a pot just inches from the sizzling pan and he rubbed the back of his hand against his forehead and checked the noodles that were boiling slowly and becoming quite white but he knew if he let them boil a moment longer they'd turn transparent. He finished getting the chicken out of the pan and placed the pan in the sink where the greeze popped lightly and Genji watched curiously as Japan rushed to strain the noodles and get the bottle of Chinese sauce open to pour over them and he held out a hand for the bottle only to frown when Japan held it out of reach as he got the tab off the bottle and proceeded t o pour the contents onto t he noodles once he had them back in the pot. Genji's stomach growled loudly, echoing Japan's own stomach and he bit his lip to hold back a smile as the rice cooker beeped gently and he rushed open popping the top allowing the steam to roll out in a thick cloud.

"Mama, is dinner almost done, aru?" Genji questioned as he rubbed his cheek against the Shinatty Chan plushie, clutching it tightly in his arms, his eyes curiously watching Japan walking back and forth as he flitted to get the plates to make them and the boy felt his stomach snarl again making him sigh softly as he eyed t he thick clumps of chicken longingly as his mother rushed to get the rice dished out on the plates followed by the noodles, then the vegetables which he mixed into the noodles then the chicken and he placed the plates down on their place mats. Genji wriggled his legs, scootching towards the edge of the counter signaling he wanted to get down and Japan smiled plucking the three year old up and placing him down on the floor. "I'll go get Baba, Uri and Xi, aru!"

WIth that he ran off, his doll bouncing against his hip as he ran out of the room leaving Japan to sigh softly to himself at managing to get dinner done so quickly as he placed down his plate at the table then quickly rushed to the cup of chopsticks that held his, Uri's, Xiong's and China's when he opened a drawer pulling out the blue training chopsticks for Genji. With the boy only being three he hadn't quite grasped using the chopsticks on their own, something that would take time and practice, so when China walked in with a new set of training chopsticks Genji had been absolutely delighted at the sight of them. He used them for every meal, no matter what it was, and he even used them for his snacks in order to get a hang of them which Japan thought was adorable as his son was quite enthusiastic about learning how to use his chopsticks like his elder brothers. Japan was setting down the chopsticks by plates when Xiong ran in cheering at the sight of food, climbing quickly into his chair while Uri and China walked in slower than the enthusiastic boys and Japan smiled as he sat down at his place mat while Uri and China each took their own place. Plucking up the chopsticks, exchanging an amused glance with China, both men turned to Genji who was happily being placed in his booster seat by Uri who ruffled t he dark brown locks of hair and waiting for the boy to fit his fingers into the loops he raised his chopsticks up proudly, the light glinting off of the metallic things he then shouted quite happily. "Itadakimasu, aru!"

Japan smiled at his enthusiastic son before turning his attention to the food, pinching some noodles with his chopsticks he brought them to his mouth, holding the chopsticks under the noodles to keep them from trailing down his chin though Xiong seemed to have little problems with letting the noodles trail down his chin. He was devouring the noodles like he hadn't eaten in years and was attacking the chicken, stuffing his cheeks as he ate and even Genji was devouring his own food like he had little time to breath and take his time with eating. "Boys, you've got to slow down. You're going to give yourselves belly aches and the hiccups! What's the rush?" Japan questioned looking from Xiong to Genji who both shared a look before looking back to their mother, a pair of brown and golden brown eyes glittering mischievously.

Xiong swallowed his mouthful with an audible gulping sound that had even China cringing at the sound when the boy then licked his lips and Japan plucked his napkin up and began wiping around Xiong's mouth and chin area making the boy whine for a moment but he quickly smiled at his mother. "We found a buggie to feed Crea! I was goin' to feed them but Jiji told me it was dinner time! So we decided that we'd do it afterwards!" Xiong scooped up a bite of rice right his chopsticks, his golden brown eyes glittering happily as he popped the rice into his mouth and Japan had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the obliviousness of his son's words. Of course he would rush throuhg his dinner just to feed a centipede. "Do you wanna come watch, Okaa-san?"

"Perhaps but only if you and Jiji slow down. I don't want you getting belly aches or hiccups and I definitely don't want either of you choking because you're devouring your food too fast." Japan replied then pointed at his son's plate with his chopsticks. "You eat that food like a sane person and perhaps I, along with Baba, will come watch you feed your pet." Xiong's eyes shimmered hopefully as he turned to his brother with a nod, his hair swinging against his jaw and Japan lifted his free hand up stroking his fingers through Xiong's black locks of hair softly. "You need to get your hair cut. Soon enough it'll be long like Baba's."

"I want it long like Baba's!" Xiong replied happily as he reached up tugging at his own locks of hair then smiling at his father who looked up, noodles hanging down his chin in a similar fashion as they had for Xiong and he giggled at the sight of his father slurping the noodles into his mouth. He then turned to his mother happily, scratching his head for a moment before beaming at his father once again as he picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and laughed happily taking a bite out of the chicken, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. "Baba's hair is long and pretty! I want my hair to be long and pretty too, Okaa-san! I can get it back in a small pony tail now! I'll have Baba put it up so you can see! He calls it my chipmunk tail!"

"Shi! It looks like a cute stubby chipmunk tail, aru!" China chirped as he plucked a piece of chicken up, smiling brightly at Japan who was looking at him with surprise and China then laughed at the surprise on Japan's face as Xiong moved his fingers through his hair, beaming brilliantly at his father. "I say we let him grow his hair! He looks like he loves having his hair so shaggy I don't see why he can't have long hair as well! I have long hair and Baba looks quite manly with it, aru!" China then beamed at Genji who giggled at his father, his face messy from the sauce of the noodles, bits of rice stuck in the sauce along his cheeks and chin making Japan sigh as he stared at his son and Xiong was happily scooping rice into his mouth.

Japan eyed his husband for a moment, who was looking at him with those bright golden brown eyes when Uri looked up curiously, meeting Japan's gaze when the twelve-year-old nodded gently in agreement with his mother figure and Japan then turned to Xiong who happily looked up at his mother. His hair fell down past his ears, brushing his jaw softly and glistening blue-black in the lighting of the room making Japan touch his own locks of hair that just barely brushed his own jaw as he stared at the boy who was staring back with a hopeful glitter in his eyes making the Japanese Nation nod his head. "Alright, if you want your hair long like Baba's then I won't stop you from growing it out. But you have to make sure that you brush it every day so it doesn't get tangled and you have to wash it very good because if your hair is anything like Baba's it'll start sticking up if you go to long without washing or brushing it."

"I wish I could grow my hair out." Uri sighed making his brothers look at him curiously and he looked down plucking some noodles up with his chopsticks and smiled awkwardly when he noticed both Japan's and China's gaze on him curiously. "My hair sticks up like Baba's when it starts getting long. I wanted to grow it out because Ileana said it would look nice long but she doesn't get that my hair is like a haystack when I let it grow out. Mama says his hair gets like that too so I can't grow my hair out. I wish I could." He looked longingly at his mother's long dark brown locks of hair then to his little brothers own shaggy hair but then smiled softly. "But it's okay. Ileana told me that she likes my hair shaggy."

"Who is this Ileana, aru?" China questioned when Japan shot him a rather sharp look, his brows coming together tightly as China widened his eyes and looked to his son who had suddenly gone quite pink at his question and he raised his hands upwards like he were trying to defend himself. He had a feeling that, however Ileana was, that his son had quite the crush on her if he was so forlorn over not being able to grow his pale hair out long like China's and he found it quite surprising when he looked at his son once again who was turning redder by the minute and he then looked to his husband who was looking rather sympathetically to the twelve-year-old. "Is she a crush?"

"Baba!" Uri cried his face suddenly flaming as he dropped his chopsticks onto the plate where they clattered against the glass, his son's voice high strung and cracking lightly on the word as he looked at his mother figure and China blinked in surprise. So he'd guessed right! That was-It was so CUTE! His first born child had a crush! He never thought he'd live to have a child or see that child grow up but here he was with a son who was currently squirming in his seatt before jumping up to his feet, his face unreadable as it burned bright red and he stepped around pushing his chair in grabbing his plate. "I'm going to eat in my room. I'll bring my plate back down." He hurriedly mumbled the words before rushing around the table all but running out of the room and Japan shot him a glare.

"Yao! You should know better than to say things like that to him! He's a growing boy, he's going to get embarrassed naturally!" He whacked at China's arm making the man whine while Genji and Xiong giggled at the sight, their hands move a tad slower though there was still a look of urgency to their eyes when they looked at one another but for the most part they ate at a decent pace. "Well at least now you know not to mention crushes around your children because they'll just run off. Like Xiong for example! What are you going to do if he ends up in the same position as Uri? Are you going to embarrass him as well? You just have to be lucky that Xiong doesn't have a crush yet."

"But he does, aru!" Genji chirped making Xiong turn to his brother sharply, a warning in his golden brown eyes as threatening as an six-year-old could manage and the three-year-old obliviously nodded making both parents stare at their eldest son curiously and the three-year-old nodded again. "He likes Mia! The German girl, aru!" Japan looked over at his son in surprise, the six-year-old glared at his brother with a red face as he slammed his chopsticks down roughly and the toddler tilted his head slightly to the side as he looked at his family curiously. "What? Look! Dàgē is all red! How come you're red, Xi, aru?"

"Just for that you can stay out of my room and away from Crea!" Xiong shouted as he jerked himself out of his seat, leaving his food behind and stomping to the doorway as Genji cried out with tears willing on his dark lashes making his brown eyes sparkle when Xiong turned around stomping his foot. "And you're wrong! I don't like anyone! Girls are gross and stupid! So you're a liar and I hate liars! You can leave me alone from here on out! I don't want you in my room and nowhere near it! Anata wa sunitchidesu!" And with that the boy turned on his foot stomping out of the room, leaving the remains of his dinner behind, his feet stomping harshly against the floor faded away when both parents looked to Genji.

Large tears hovered on his lashes, glistening in his brown eyes as he gasped in a breath only to tilt his head backwards as he began to wail with all the strength and shrillness of a heartbroken toddler while fat tears rolled down his chubby cheeks and Japan was jumping to his feet rushing around the table with a napkin in hand. When he reached Genji he wiped at his stick sauce covered cheeks and mouth, then he began wiping at his tears only to lift the boy into his arms as he hid his face in his shoulder wailing with all the disappointment of a three-year-old and China sighed covering his face. All because the talk of crushes came up. "Kiku, I'm sorry, aru." China then stood up walking around the table to Genji and Japan, holding his hands out for the boy which Japan handed over and Genji wailed into China's shoulder wildly, loudly and China stroked his dark brown hair. "Méishì, yīqiè dōu hǎo. Bié kū, huì hǎo de, Jiji. Xiong may be mad now but it'll be alright! I promise, he'll forgive you."

"Hai, your brother will forgive you, Jiji. But listen too Okaa-san, alright?" The boy pulled his face from his father's shoulder, large tears hovering in his eyes, slipping down his red cheeks and Japan almost sighed at the sight of his youngest sobbing so hard but he reached out flicking a tear from his cheek and brushed his thumb along his cheek bone softly, pressing his hand against his cheek cupping his face making the boy sniffle. "Jiji, what you told me and Baba was private information. That means your brother didn't want you to tell us and besides, he himself might not even realize how true you words are. He got defensive so he snapped in response and while I understand his anger I also understand your sadness."Japan then clenched his teeth together, knowing his offer would be taken seriously by the three-year-old and he spoke through his teeth."If...If you want a..centipede that badly Okaa-san will go online with Baba and we will get you a harmless centipede."

"Really?" Genji cried out gasping wildly with his word as he then tightened his arms around his father's neck turning to look at him with tears on his dark lashes, shimmering in his large brown eyes. "Baba, would you really get me one too?" There was such hope in his little face that China looked to Japan as well who looked embarrassed under both gazes but the three-year-old smiled brightly, a smile that looked like the rising son and beamed just as brilliantly across his face as he looked at his mother. "Xièxiè, Mama! Tài gǎnxièle!" He then looked at his father once again smiling brightly. "Tài gǎnxièle, Baba! Let's go! Let's go look with Mama!"

"Let me go talk to your brother, alright? I want to speak with him about this whole crush business and make sure that he's alright." Japan replied ruffling Genji's dark locks of hair happily making the boy giggle, tears still clinging to his dark lashes from his crying fit and it had him just looking quite positively sweet in that moment. Like he wouldn't harm a fly. And it was true, Genji often watched flies like they were the most interesting things on the planet; sort of like how people watched butterflies or bees buzzing around. Japan kissed China's cheek, ruffled those dark locks of hair once more making brown eyes shimmer with joy before turning on his heel casting a look at their half eaten meal and knew at least there would be left overs he could prepare into lunches for the boys when they went to school.

Japan wasn't the best when it came to talking about crushes. After all when he developed his crush on China he had been absolutely, positively a wreck that didn't know what to do with himself and he hadn't been sure whether to say something or not say something but he'd been a mess when he realized his feelings for the Chinese Nation. He wasn't the type to tell people to put themselves out there, wasn't the type to make such drastic decisions in his life but this was his SON he was going to talk too. Surely he could provide some kind of comfort couldn't he? He knew that eventually the talk of crushes would eventually come up but with the six-year-old it was somewhat of a surprise to find out that his son was crushing of Prussia's second born daughter but it wasn't really that unexpected in his opinion. After all, Mia was the same age, had the same interests and Xiong spent most of his time talking and playing with her whenever he came to pick him up from a playdate between himself and the twins which had turned into a playdate with Mia instead. If he was going to talk to Xiong about his crush, however, he might as well talk to Uri as well. He groaned under his breath as he walked down the hallway towards the front of the home, where the staircase rested and he raised his hands cupping his own face as he stared down at the floor. How did one go about this? How did HE go about this? He dropped his hands and began climbing the stairs, his heart beating uncomfortably in his chest as he made his way upstairs and was huffing lightly by the time he got to the top floor and walked forward to the first door facing the stairs and knocked on the door.

There was no response when he rapped his knuckles against the door but when he took a deep breath and knocked again the door cracked open slightly allowing golden brown eyes to peek out before tugging open further allowing Japan to resth is gaze upon Uri. The boy's plate was resting before his computer which was pulled open to the chat room that they'd created for the children while they were underage and he could see just briefly that he was speaking to none other than Ileana, Hungary's daughter. A faint blush tinged at Uri's cheeks when Japan took a deep breath then let it out in a rush. "May I come in?" When Uri nodded Japan entered the room gazing around the walls decorated a deep gold on the child's request, the deep burgundy carpet and the rather large double bed tucked into the corner of the room, blankets a deep dusky blue were mussed like the boy had been laying upon it. "I wanted to speak to you about what happened downstairs."

"Look, Kiku, you don't have to apologize or anything! It was nothing I was embarrassed because Baba was so blunt." Uri looked down at his feet when Japan held his hands together in front of him, his brown eyes resting evenly on the preteen boy who then twitched when a notification from his computer ang out and his face burned as he fidgeted in place. "It's not like it's a big deal that I have a crush is it? It's not like it's the end of the world or changes anything right?"

"No, of course not. Xiong is in a similar predicament, he has a crush on a girl his age too butt he got embarrassed when his brother brought it up but neither of you boys have ot have your lives change or has to be exploited just because you have a crush." Japan then smiled as he grew confident in his words and reached up smoothing the locks of hair away from Uri's forehead. "It's not the end all be all that you might think it is just because Baba guessed right that you have a crush. Crushes come and go all the time. By the time your sixteen you might have a crush on someone different! Or maybe you'll be in a relationship with someone new, but crushes are a part of life, aren't they? You should have seen me when I realized that I had a crush on Baba." He laughed freely, his shoulders lightly shaking as he tucked the strands of hair away from his face and he heard the door next door creaking open slightly and he smiled widely. "When I realized I liked Baba that way I didn't know what to do with myself! I was quite clumsy and even overly defensive and actually rejected Baba."

"You rejected Baba?!" Japan smiled as he looked over his shoulder at the sight of Xiong standing there with his jaw dropped, eyes wide and incredulously surprised as he then looked toUri who looked just as surprised to hear this little tidbit. Xiong stepped into the room reaching up grabbing the waist of his mother's yukata and his golden brown eyes shimmered with curiosity as he clung to the fabric of the yukata. Japan then reached up tucking the black locks of hair behind his ears softly making the boy wrinkle his nose in annoyance for a brief moment but the curiosity won over as he tilted his head to the side staring up at Japan with that surprise still glowing in his eyes. "Why did you reject Baba? I thought you liked Baba!"

"I rejected Baba out of panic. I thought I had been transparent with my feelings and I rejected him merely because I thought it was pity." He paused then stroked Xiong's black locks of hair softly making the boy lean his head against his mother's side and Japan smiled. "But that was in the past. I married my crush, and now I live quite happily with my boys. All of my boys." He then smiled at Uri when he said this making the boy's cheeks flush softly and he smiled shyly when Japan then rested a hand on his shoulder and cupped the back of Xiong's head gently where it pressed against his side. "What I mean to say is that not everything is an end all situation when you have a crush on someone. They come and go and who knows, you might end up with someone completely different by the time you're all grown up! So don't worry about Baba or I knowing about your little crushes, it doesn't matter who you have a crush on. Baba and I will support you whenever and however you need it."

"So you really don't care that I like Mia?" Xiong questioned softly, more muffled than before due to him pressing his face into his mother's side and he looked up with those big golden brown eyes of his when he then looked down. "Not that I do! It's just-" He paused to collect himself, black lashes fluttering down casting tiny shadows against his cheeks ash e swallowed nervously before looking up again. "Is Jiji mad at me? Because I got angry at him?"

"Not in the slightest bit, dārin. If anything I...may or may not have promised him his own centipede." Japan cleared his throat then when Xiong stared up in awe at his mother and the Japanese Nation then turned to Uri who was smirking widely now, his eyes shimmering wickedly and it was easy to see China in his face when he smirked like that and there was nothing Japan loved more than to see his husband in the faces of his children. Even in children that did not come from him. He cleared his throat once again then smiled down at Xiong then up at Uri who was smirking back with his arms crossed over his chest and he even shifted his wait to his right leg causing him to cock a hip as his brows raised upwards looking so much like China in that moment that Japan blushed at the sight. "Either way, you boys understand what I'm saying, right? About crushes?"

Perhaps he should have prepared himself better but when both boys nodded he felt the air rush out of his lungs quickly in a relieved sigh. That was one talk that was successfully done and he wasn't sure his poor little heart could take another talk quite like that again.

Chapter Text

England was curled up underneath the blankets of his bedsheets, the fabric brushing the bare skin of his upper body and legs softly like fingers brushing over him worriedly as he tucked his face firmly against the pillows with a quiet groan. He normally woke early in the morning, cleaned the home to the best of his ability, got the children ready for school and made breakfast all before they had to go but this morning England had found himself on his knees before the toilet vomiting up his very stomach it felt and he hadn't had enough energy to walk downstairs to cook and he couldn't stand the scents that clawed at his stomach during that time and locked himself in the bathroom. He'd hidden away until the children went to school, calling out his goodbye from behind the bathroom door but he felt absolutely terrible that he couldn't bring himself to leave the position he'd been in but it didn't take long for America to pick the lock and get England into bed. He'd been sleeping on and off, the nausea often waking him but thankfully the trash bin was always close at hand for when he needed it and England had to admit that while he was delighted at the thought of a new baby he was absolutely done with the morning sickness. It didn't matter if it was morning, it didn't matter if it was in the middle of the day, he found himself vomiting whenever possible and everyday was a test of what he could eat and what he couldn't eat with a growing list of what he couldn't stomach anymore. England was sure that he was concerning America but what was there to do? It was a pregnancy and lots of people were sick during a pregnancy.

England rolled over in the bed, throwing an arm across his forehead as a yawn broke free of his lips and yet his legs squirmed beneath the blankets restlessly as he stared up at the ceiling of the darkened room with a fatigue that clawed at him as much as his nausea did when he chose to kick at the blankets, slipping from the bed carefully. When he and America had traveled up to Canada to share their news, to try and make peace he was surprised by how hostile Canada could be when it came to France and England felt like he'd made a mistake saying something as harshly as he had when the children were sledding that Canada had mumbled to him the rest of the night. While he was amazed he and Canada were pregnant around the same time, just like the first time, he couldn't help but feel a touch jealous of the Canadian who was now three months along and would soon be feeling his baby kicking soon and he would be stuck with the beginning effects of his pregnancy. He knew that he'd be much happier once the baby was a moving, kicking thing that wasn't making him sick and that he only resented the morning sickness, not the pregnancy itself but it felt hard when it felt like he was vomiting every few seconds into a bucket or toilet. He reached down grabbing the discarded pajama pants and the large shirt he'd borrowed from America sliding the fabrics up his legs and over his head before standing on his feet, wobbling slightly before walking across the room taking a deep breath. He could hear the children downstairs, could hear them all laughing together and he felt a pang of loneliness in his chest as he opened the door peeking out into the lit hallway.

Rain struck at the windows fiercely, the glowing light of the hall bulb guided England down the hallway then carefully made his way down the stairs for his and America's cat seemed to have the habit of sleeping on the stairs and the last thing he wanted was to go flying down the stairs while pregnant. He crept down the stairs as quietly as he could but the stairs squeaked shrilly beneath the weight of his feet that it caused three pairs of blue eyes to look up as England came down into view and one ecstatic gasp stood out amongst them all as Jolene jumped to her feet. "Mommy!" She ran over to England as he came to the bottom of the steps, grunting as she buried her head against his stomach and threw her arms around his waist before looking up with those wide sky blue eyes of hers. "Mommy, are you feeling better now? Daddy said that you'd be sick for a while and so I wanna give you somethin'!" She took England's hand in her own and tugged him to the living room where she snagged a plush dog off of the couch holding it up to him. "I want you to have Sniffles, Mommy. He'll make you feel better!"

''Oh, love!" England felt tears welling in his eyes smearing the world around him in his field of vision as he squatted down hugging his daughter to him tightly, her arms squeezing his neck fiercely as she pressed her cheek to the golden blonde locks of his hair and she stroked his upper back making his tears fall quickly. "Oh, Jojo, you are such a sweetie! Thank you, darling, I'll make sure it stays in perfect condition, lovie." He then tilted his head up kissing her cheeks and her forehead softly making her smile at him and she wet down on her own knees as England saat backwards and climbed into his lap burying her facei n his chest happily. Jolene had always clung to her mother and England absolutely adored it.

While Jolene could be absolutely intolerable what with her tantrums, her obstinate mindset, her grumpy and even shrill manner that matched England's almost too perfectly, there was something sweet and kind beneath all of it. When Jolene was born England hd been sure that she would be his last baby, what with her screaming all hours of the night, her grumpy and obstinate personality even then when she would refuse to be fed until she was good and ready for it, the way she had been so grumpy that she would smack at her parents when they displeased her. She was, in all honesty, was one of the hardest babies that England had ever cared for even if he adored his little daughter and yet she had required much time, much attention that he was rendered exhausted by the end of the night when he climbed into bed. His pregnancy had been harder wit hher, what with the constant movement and the harsh pains he would receive when she kicked at his pelvis bones or even aimed a kick or two at his ribs, he'd been miserable during that second pregnancy that he swore that Jolene would be his final child. He could croon and swoon over babies from a distance, he had decided he was done with children and when Jolene grew up to be a moody child his decision had merely solidified that Jolene would be the last Kirkland born for a while. His pregnancy with Liam, however, had been such a difference. It had been a breeze, his first pregnancy for there'd been no pain, no discomfort, no moodiness and even if a kick was aimed at his pelvis it wasn't minded much for the boy had been his first baby an dhe had been absolutely awed by the sight of his large belly that he hadn't minded in the slightest bit being so large. He'd adored it more than anything on the planet.

When Liam was born he was quite possibly one of the most cheerful, sweetest little babies that England had ever seen. Sure, Spain and Romano's son had been a cheerful baby, a baby that was worth being proud over and something England could admit to the man even to this day he had viewed his own son as the most cheerful. The baby hadn't cried, was always giggling and was always laying there with excitement shining in his sky blue eyes and happiness in the smile spread across his little baby face as he waited for his parents to wake for the day. Liam had been the world's easiest baby but perhaps it was only because England had been biased with how much Liam resembled his father from his blonde locks of hair that were identical in shade to America's straight to his eyes that were that beautiful blue he'd yet to see in another person and the way his eyebrows arched, the way his nose sloped daintily and the way his jaw slanted were all America no matter how much a person squinted. England had been euphoric when he'd given birth to Liam, a spitting image of his father, and during his toddler years it had proven that time really did make Liam appear more like his father with the resemblance being so uncanny that it had felt like deja vu to the English man. When Jolene had been conceived America had whispered to his belly for Jolene to appear like England, to have his green eyes, to have the same golden blonde locks as England, and to have the happiest personality ever when it came to babies. Little did they know Jolene would come out looking more like her father than her mother and England couldn't be happier by the welcoming of a grumpy, sweet girl who appeared more like her father during her toddler years as well.

England adored his children very much, despite their wild personality differences and with this third baby he hoped for nothing else but a healthy baby that would resemble America once again. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would give him a greater joy than his little baby appearing not only like America but being a healthy baby as well who he hoped would be just as sweet on him as Liam had been during his first pregnancy but if the morning sickness had anything to say about it then this pregnancy might be a touch rough. Almost like he was living a mix of his two previous pregnancies. "Mommy, can we have a snack?" Jolene questioned as she looked up at her mother who stood out of his crouch, the dog plushie being held to his chest fiercely like it was the most precious thing in the world. Jolene's belly gave off a growl that was echoed by Liam's and then, finally, by America's which had England tapping his own cheek with his fingers. "Can we, Mommy?"

"Of course we can! Come along then, all three of you. I'm sure I can whip up a snack from somewhere." He smiled as he turned on his heel walking from the living room into the hallway, two sets of small feet thumping after him with America's being the heaviest as the three of them followed after England who rubbed at his wet lashes and sniffled briefly before entering the kitchen. He opened the fridge, rummaging around one handed before pulling out two yogurts, placing them on the table then grabbing a third for America and grabbed some crackers from the cabinet placing them on the table before them while three pairs of sky blue eyes watched him with awe. He decided, after a moment, that he'd try his hand at eating a yogurt himself and opened the fridge once again to grab a yogurt for himself. "Well, go on! Take your yogurts and eat up!" Again no one made a move to grab them. "What's wrong? Do you not want crackers?"

"Can we have chips, Mommy? I want a bag of chips!" Jolene piped up as she pushed the yogurt away from her, as far across the table as she could get it with a pout on her lips as she looked at her mother with wide pleading eyes. Like America, their children also seemed to have a horrible craving for junk food. England sighed as he placed the dog plushie down on the table grabbing a spoon he opened the top of his yogurt and sat down at the table dipping his spoon into the container and scooping out a bite. "Mommy? Can we have chips please?" England sighed as he slid the spoon out of his mouth, savoring the flavor that had his stomach snarling for more as he took a moment to swallow.

"You can eat the crackers and yogurt, Jo. You've all been eating a considerable amount of junk lately, I want you to eat something healthier than just chips and you'll have a glass of water rather than a soda. You all need to take a break from the Coca Cola and the chips, you'll end up getting fat if you keep eating that way and not to mention all the eating out as McDonald's isn't going to help with the chub you'll put on." England realized a moment after he said it just how cruel he sounded and he sighed out looking down at the table then to the dog plushie. Was he really going to be one of those parents? One look at the hurt that flashed on Liam and Jolene's face spoke volumes to him in that moment as the boy patted his hands against his stomach and poor Jolene looked close to tears in that moment. No. No he wasn't going to be like that. He hadn't even meant it to come out sounding like it did! "I'm sorry, I apologize. You're not going to get fat, I didn't mean for it to come out that way, I just want you to eat something healthier than a bag of chips."

"But I want chips!" Jolene cried out as she threw her arms away from her sides, staring at her mother like the influence of her gaze alone would make her mother change his mind and when England popped another spoonful of yogurt into his mouth he met his daughter's gaze making her pout softly as she then did the one sealing factor of the moment. She lifted her foot up then stomped it down on the floor. America cast a nervous look at his lover who's eyes froze over like ice, the sight had him biting his lower lip as he looked at his daughter who was still staring fiercely at her mother who was staring back rather coldly in that moment. He knew exactly how this was going to go but there was little to stop it when Jolene got in her fussy moods. "I want chips! Give it to me, Mommy!"

"I told you no! You've been eating too much junk! I want you to eat that yogurt and have some nice crackers to go with it or you can go without your afternoon snack! I know for a fact your brother and father are going to eat their yogurt so there's no reason why you should be the exception. Now eat your snack or go to your room if you're going to put up a fuss!" England snapped as he placed his yogurt down on the table and Jolene stomped her foot again with tears welling in those sky blue eyes of hers, sparkling wit hthe welling tears on her blonde lashes as her lips formed a rather severe pout in that moment and she then curled her hands into fsits as her cheeks began flushing a deep scarlet. "Jolene Isabel Kirkland, don't you dare throw a fit! I told you that you can either eat your yogurt or go without! You are not getting chips!"

"That's not fair! I want chips!" Jolene howled throwing her head back as she began stomping her feet and tears began dripping down her red cheeks as she began wailing loudly, jiggling in place for a moment as she stomped her feet fiercely and England glared at the little girl for a moment to solidify that he was not going to break. "Daddy! Daddy, tell Mommy to give me chips! I wan' chips!" She turned wailing and ran the few steps to her father throwing her arms around his waist burying her face in his stomach fiercely as tears dripped onto his shirt and he sighed looking to England who glared at him as well, green eyes colder than ice in that moment as he looked away from America down at the floor. "Daddy!"

England stood up then, his chair scraping back against the linoleum of the kitchen floor as he pointed at hsi wailing daughter. "Jolene! I will not tolerate this silliness! If you're going to have a fit over a stupid bag of chips then you can go to your room!" Jolene pulled her face from her father's stomach, the sight of tears streaking down her red cheeks tugged and ripped at England's chest as those eyes sparkled fiercely much like America's would when he was crying, something he hated to see but he knew Jolene was just in one of her fits. That's all this was. "If you're going to be a good girl and eat your yogurt then you can stay downstairs and watch some TV with Daddy but if you're going to be foolish and throw a fit then you can march right on to your bedroom this instant! Do you understand me, young lady? I'll not have you throwing fits over a bag of chips!"

Jolene stared at her mother before glaring at him horribly, her wet eyes lacking the sharpness they would have if they were dry and she then dropped her arms from her father stomping her foot harshly on the floor, the pain reverberating up her leg but she stomped again and again. "Fine! I'll go to my stupid room!" She screamed as she spun running past her father stomping the whole way making England's shrewd glance turn to ice as he crossed his legs while the girl stomped fiercely. "It's stupid! All I wanted was a stupid bag of chips!" This was shrieked from the stairs, as steps stomped up the steps, the four-year-old seeming to put her weight into every single step as she climbed the stairs and stomped down the hallway upstairs.

It was silent for a moment then the door came thundering shut, slamming loudly and radiating around the quiet house as England ate his yogurt, his brow twitching with irritation and America looked down at his son who was clinging to his hip, his gaze aimed upwards at his father, glasses slipping down his nose slightly and he lifted his hand up pushing the glasses up his nose with the back of his hand. THe American Nation reached forward grabbing the yogurt then handed it to his son, then jerked his head for the boy to leave the room, which he did rather quickly to no doubt go comfort his little sister who was without a doubt raging upstairs about the situation. America loved his daughter to pieces but she seemed to fly off the handle at the drop of a hat, somewhat like how England used to get angry at him for the smallest things in the beginning of their relationship due to the fact that the both of them still adored picking on one another but often pushed too far. Jolene was a mini-England no matter how much she resembled America with her sky blue eyes, the way her face was made up and how sweet she could be at times, there was no inbetween for the girl and she acted just as England had all those years ago when he was still sour about the situation with America. The AMerican sighed out softly moving a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath before plopping down in the chair across form the English Nation who was currently scraping the sides of the container like not a single thing had changed in his life at that moment when he looked up, green eyes curious for a moment before rolling so fiercely America wondered if he could see the back of his head from how fierce he rolled them.

"Don't you bloody complain at me, Alfred. The girl is a bloody nuisance, always wanting something she cannot have and she's never going to learn if we don't start laying some ground rules with her for she's been treated like a little princess her whole life by the both of us and we shouldn't of allowed it to be that way. We should have raised her the same way we raised Liam all those years ago and because of it she's become quite spoiled, love. I didn't want my child to be spoiled but she was the baby! The little princess of the family! She's quite entitled and believes she is owed the world but we have to put a stop to that." England licked his spoon, pausing in his words before reaching forward snatching another yogurt from in front of him and tearing the top open licking the smooth surface clean of it's yogurt before stuffing it as well into the empty yogurt container and he sighed looking to America. "You have to admit that she's quite entitled by this point, can't you?"

"Yeah she is a bit entitled but she's also four, babe. She's four yearso ld and believes that the whole world has to bow down to her little wills and that she can get anything if she flutters her eyelashes enough." America replied when he opened his own yogurt, slurping it straight from the container, squeezing it gently to do so making England roll his eyes again but he looked more thoughtful this time round rather than annoyed. "She's a little kid who believes if she's cute and pretty enough she can get whatever her little heart desires and she has parents who don't like to say no to her most of the time. I agree with you, though, that we need to kick this entitled attitude in the ass before it can become something more and she ends up being a Karen." At the confused look he got America shook his head. "I'll explain later. But for now I think Jolene has to be punished so let's brainstorm a punishment that goes with the crime, hmm?"

"I believe that she shouldn't have that bloody tablet that you bought her. You know the one I'm talking about." Yes, America did know what he was talking about. When Jolene had been two America bought a tablet for Jolene to play with, something for her to watch Netflix on whenever she wanted and as she aged she grew better and better at using it and often times carried it with her into the living room if her brother was watching a show and often times she was playing those dress up games while in bed. She was any typical child with a tablet but America knew that taking it away would be a big punishment to Jolene. "I don't care if it was just a fit over chips, Alfred, she needs to learn that her tantrums are going to have repercussions each time she does so. Taking the tv away will do little or nothing but taking that bloody tablet from her will really teach her something. I didn't even want her to have the tablet to begin with! It'll just make her lazy!"

"She isn't lazy, babe! She's just watching stuff and playing games on it!" America replied plopping his yogurt down on the table causing it to splatter lightly across th etable top and the American had to take a deep breath, let it out slowly and then face the rather irritated England. "Look, I'll go take her tablet away and we'll hold it from her for a week. If she's sorry then she can have it back but if she still refuses to see what she did wrong then she won't get it back, sound fair?" America saw the pout that twisted at England's lips, knowing that if the English man had it his way he'd burn the tablet and force his daughter to play outside which was a justified reaction. America even sometimes regretted getting Jolene her tablet but she still played outside like any other girl her age and it didn't matter that she played on her tablet.

"Fine. That sounds good enough for me." England replied then paused looking at America and sighed standing to his feet, holding his hands out for America who stood up, stepping forward and throwing his arms around England's waist causing them to sway side to side softly. England buried his face into America's broad shoulder, gripping himself to the American Nation, as he curled his arms around his neck providing a small alcove to hide his face into the American's shoulder and he reveled for just a moment in the warmth that was radiating off of the American, his eyes shutting as he allowed himself to be swayed side to side slowly. The rocking rhythm seemed to help with his gurgling stomach, his hands clutching at the American fiercely as he began twist strands of hair around his fingers curiously before pulling back just enough to look at America who was smiling softly down at him and England tightened his arms around the American Nation. "It seems about time that we help with shaping that girl into a proper young lady. How do you think she's going to react to the idea that she's going to be a big sister?"

"True. But just remember that she's only four and again, believes anything can go her way or be hers if she acts a certain way. I think she'll also learn when she's old enough to attend the Academy that they won't be as willing nor as susceptible as we are to her charms but hopefully she doesn't act this way while she's there." America sighed out the words when he then smiled softly, hopefully at his lover when he noticed a shock of golden blonde hair and smiled over England's head as he continued swaying back and forth slowly in a little circle with England in his arms and he raised his brows. "Or is someone here to apologize?" England twisted in his arms to find a red eyed, stuffy nosed Jolene standing in the doorway with her hands twisting together and her brother behind her tugging lightly at her golden locks of hair as her eyes lifted upwards landing on her mother shyly.

"I'm sorry, Mommy. I didn't mean to be a butthead." Jolene spoke in a mumble but it had England smiling gently at the young girl when she looked up under her long, wet blonde lashes with a hopeful look on her face when England twisted fully around in America's arms though they remained tight against his waist, hands coming up to cup his stomach when Jolene ran forward throwing her arms around her parents. "I'm really sorry, Mommy! I'm sorry, I won't be a butthead anymore! Promise! I'll be the best girl from now on!" Her voice was muffled by England's shirt but he reached down stroking her long locks of hair softly with a sigh leaving his lips as he twisted his head just enough to look up at America to find the Nation nodding softly.

"Jolene, darling, look at me." Jolene raised her head upwards, chin planted on her father's arms as her eyes welled with tears that England reached up to wipe away with his thumbs, her golden lashes trembling softly under the touches and she sniffled rather pitifully making the English Nation smile softly. "Mummy forgives you but you still need to be punished, understand? I want you to go upstairs with your brother and I want you to bring down your tablet and give it to Mummy, understand?" Her sky blue eyes widened then welled with large tears that dripped down her cheeks quickly but she still released him to turn on her feet rushing out of the room with a sob on her lips as her hair trembled as she ran and Liam ran after her. "Well, that went better than expected, didn't it?"

"Yeah." America then smirked deviously as his hands slid against England's stomach before targeting his sides making the English Nation screech as he twisted and writhed in the American's grip as he rested his chin on his shoulder and turned sitting in the chair that England had once occupied and pulled the man onto his lap. He tickled the man happily, his laughter being heard underneath the wild screams of England's and he then leaned in close to his ear. "Now the bigger question is how are we going to tell the kids that there's going to be a new baby, hmm? What do you think, oh amazing British Empire? Will we tell them tonight or should we wait to do a baby reveal and record it so it may forever be used against out children?"

"All in good time, love. All in good time."

Chapter Text

Finland was used to many changes when it came to his life. Like when Sweden had come along claiming Finland was his wife, or when they actually did finally tie the knot with one another and became husbands, or when they took on both Sealand and Ladonia when they hadn't been married for very long. Finland had to get used to these changes rather quickly given his aptitude for learning the situation and yet nothing prepared him for the tiredness that clung to him with sharp claws when it came to his suddenly irregular sleeping patterns due to Aili. When Finland had given birth in that car Aili had cried, a shrill and piercing sound of absolute vitality, the girl had been rather quiet afterwards and had shown she wouldn't be one for warbling or cooing like other babies but was rather quiet already just like her father. Often times if he didn't look down in his arms he wouldn't believe heh eld a baby in his arms. Yet there was one thing about her that was like the typical newborn and it was the shrieking at all hours of the night to have her diaper changed, to have something to eat, to be merely soothed by her mother's soft voice and any other reasoning that could be brought up with the baby but Finland tried not to mind it too much as this was his miracle baby, his little daughter that he had adored from the very beginning and no matter how tired he was he felt that swell of pride each time he looked down at that little face, those large eyes that stared up at him curiously as her lashes quivered with blinks that had him cooing down at the baby. It was quite impossible not to adore the child that he had been longing, wishing, begging for from the very beginning it felt and when he looked down at her little face whether she be sleeping or awake, he found himself adoring her.

She was, for all intents and purposes, his. His little girl. Finland couldn't believe that this was what he had been missing when the other Nations had bragged about their children, couldn't believe that this sense of love, this sense of absolute adoration was what he missed all this time and he found it quite unfair that it had taken him so damn long just to have the baby of his dreams. Finland sighed when the baby monitor next to him crackled to life, his lashes fluttering open allowing him to stare up at the ceiling before sitting up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed with a yawn breaking free from his lips as the cries crackled over the baby monitor. He looked over at Sweden, at the sight of those blonde lashes resting on his face, a face that normally so stoic in his waking hours was so vulnerable and rather expressive while he slept; sometimes Finland stayed up just to watch those lashes flutter, to watch his brows come together tightly. He was handsome in his waking moments, unbearably so sometimes and yet there was a beauty, a gracefulness to the expressions that flitted across his face when he was sleeping, something that Finland adored watching whenever he managed to stay up later than Sweden. It was addictive to see his husband so vulnerable that often times he never thought much on it. Finland shuffled across the floor slowly with another yawn breaking free from his lips and he opened the door quietly, slipping out through the space he made for himself then walked the few steps to the bedroom next door pushing open the door and flicking the light on squinting against the sudden brightness. The baby within the room screamed and wailed with all the intensity of a primadonna and he felt an unwilling smiling curling to his lips as he squinted before stumbling forward, shuffling his feet against the floor as he made his way over to the bassinet where the screaming child within hiccuped a sob at the sight of Finland.

Her large violet and green-blue eyes were wet, her fat cheeks a bright scarlet from the wailing and her lashes starred together from the tears that had trickled down her temples to the soft blonde wisps of hair and he reached into the bassinet tugging the baby out into his arms. She still cried but the intensity, the throat shredding cries, had lessened the moment she was in Finland's arms and he stroked her burning cheeks to remove the tears that marred the underside of her eyes, her lashes tickling his fingers as he wiped the tears away from her eyes then used the backs of his fingers to wipe the tears on her temple away. He felt her diaper carefully then smiled softly. "Ah, you just need a diaper change, don't you? My goodness, my girl has a set of lungs on her. All that screaming for a wet diaper? My poor sweet girl, Mama will change you and get you nice and comfortable again but we've got to be quiet because Papa is sleeping right now so there's no need to wake him up, okay?" The baby whimpered wriggling her legs softly, impatiently, and Finland chuckled gently as he stroked his nose down the slope of her nose gently.

Aili merely whimpered gently at the touch, her eyes staring up at him intensely and Finland walked over to the changing table carefully laying out Aili, unzipping her onesie carefully then working her feet out of the pant legs and tugged at the flaps with a ripping sound and reached underneath grabbing a fresh diaper from the shelf below the changing table. He pulled her bottom up as he slid the dirty diaper from underneath her bottom and slid the new diaper underneath and dropped her lower half carefully then grabbed the wipes to clean her up gently making her whine lightly which had him smiling fondly at the little girl. Her tiny hands came up rubbing at her face clumsily while Finland situated the diaper on the baby who happily wriggled her legs as Finland began pushing her legs back into the footsie pajama's and zipped her back up making him smile. He scooped the baby in his arms, her eyes wide and curiously gazing at him making him sigh as he yawned largely, his jaw lightly aching from the intensity of the yawn and he then blinked tiredly at the baby who was staring at him in awe now. He knew that Aili, once awake, wouldn't settle back to sleep for some time and with the look she was giving him he knew it was time for a bottle, her little pudgy belly rising and falling slowly with each breath that left her lips as she stared up at her mother and Finland turned walking out of the brightly lit nursery to the dark hallway. He made his way very carefully to the stairs, walking down the stairs slowly but surely until his feet were against flat flooring and he smiled down at Aili who was squinting at the man in the darkness as Finland made his way to the kitchen carefully in the darkness of the house.

He reached out flicking the kitchen light on once he reached it, walking into the room with the baby whining against his chest softly as she stared up at him impatiently and he opened the fridge tugging out a premade bottle just for this reason alone and plopped the bottle into the warmer watching the light blink lightly as he it began heating up and he turned his attention to the baby. She wriggled whining out again with displeasure when the sound of feet on the stairs rang out making him look up as he brushed his fingers against the back of Aili's cheek and the sight of messy blonde locks, sleepy blue eyes welcomed him when Sealand shuffled into the kitchen and blinking against the bright light. Squinting he looked to Finland. "Hey, Mama, is Aili keeping you up again?"

"It's nothing I can't handle. She's a hungry little thing, your sister." Finland poked Aili's nose again making the baby shout in protest, the sound high and sweet yet holding within it the sound of an irritated child making Finland giggle at her break in her stoic silence and he then turned to Sealand who was opening the fridge. "There's some fresh water in the pitcher if you're looking for something to drink." Sealand, since a very young age, had always woken in the night with a thirst that was quite wicked and would often times come to Finland and Sweden's room begging for something to drink or he'd shuffle downstairs and get a drink for himself. Finland didn't mind either way as he understood just how annoying or even the type of desperation that comes along when in an extreme thirst after sleeping so solidly. "Do you have any plans today?"

"I'm gonna be going out with Ladonia. He wants to go get some sweets with his allowance and I told him I'd walk with him since I know the area better." He then smiled tiredly at his mother before walking over to the hutch grabbing a glass then walking back to the fridge, grabbing the pitcher, and filling the glass with cold water. He gulped at the liquid quickly, rapidly draining the glass much like how Aili seemed to gulp at her own formula, his Adam's Apple bobbing with the movement of chugging the water and Finland smiled at the Sealander when he dropped the glass on the table gasping for air then pouring half a glass of the frigid water then putting the pitcher away and looking over at Finland wit ha little smile. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course you can! Whenever you want, whenever she's awake, you can hold her. She's technically your sister, after all." Finland chirped as he walked over to Sealand, shifting the baby carefully from his arms into Sealand's, the blonde staring down at the baby with a look of awe on his face as she stared up at him curiously like she had never seen the Sealander before. It was a wide eyedl ook of surprise as she turned her head to look to Finland with a little when leaving her making Sealand lightly rock the baby in an awkward little movement of his arms and the baby, who squirmed in his arms, whined again. Finland reached out poking her nose for the third time making it wrinkle up at the touch. "For as stoic as she is she sure can be a fussy baby from time to time. Always complaining about something!"

"It's sweet! She's so talkative!" Sealand replied as he adjusted his hold on the baby who was squirming rather actively in his arms and she pouted up at him as if displeased with being called talkative, her little stoic face looking so severely angry that the Sealander laughed out. "She looks just like Papa when he's angry! Her little eyebrows are all scrunched up!" He laughed again as he smoothed a finger between her eyebrows making her whine loudly at the touch, her little hands flailing outwards and Sealand smiled down at the baby as she pouted then whined again as Finland checked the warmth of the formula and Sealand leaned the baby's head up and pressed a kiss to her wrinkled forehead. "I want a baby sometimes."

Finland about dropped the bottle he held in his hand, whipping around to face the Sealander who looked up with all the innocence of a sixteen-year-old appearing person could as he adjusted the baby once again in his arms and Finland felt his face drain of color as he held his hands out for the baby which the blonde handed over without much of a fuss. "Babies are very hard work, Peter. It's okay to wish for one but until you think you can handle it emotionally don't go having babies with anyone. Just because you've had a growth spurt doesn't always mean that it makes you a fully grown man just yet." Finland tilted the bottle, pressing the nipple against Aili's rosy lips and she parted them latching onto the nipple with a ferocity that nearly had him smiling when he looked at Sealand. "I know the feeling but I'll say this now, Peter Kirkland, if you ever go out and get someone pregnant or get yourself pregnant somehow Papa will tan your hide, do you understand me?"

"Of course I wouldn't just run out and have a baby!" Sealand replied in a high strung voice, taking a moment to sip at his water and by the long pulls he knew the teen was pausing for time before placing the now empty glass down with a sigh leaving his lips. He lifted a hand up rubbing at his wet lips when he then looked at Aili suckling at the bottle, her little hands clutching tightly at Finland's night shirt as her eyes looked up at her brother before looking away to Finland, the green-blue and violet shimmering rather sweetly as she blinked causing her long lashes to tremble lightly. "Just because I want a baby doesn't mean that I will sleep with the first person I find! I'm not like that, Mama! You know that!"

"I'm just saying, Peter, I don't want you having any babies any time soon. You're not mature enough nor are you old enough to have the responsibility of a baby! After all you JUST hit your growth spurt, enjoy your newfound teenagehood before you ever think of having a baby with anyone." He then looked down at Aili who squeaked throuh her nose, the sound a sigh like she were tired of the conversation and he smiled down at her then smiled at Sealand. "How about this; any time you feel the urge to be around a baby, or to hold or take care of a baby, I'll show you how to change her diapers and then you can baby sit her whenever you feel the urge for a baby. Would that be alright and work out well for you, Peter?" The blue eyes widened, sparkling then as they looked at Finland and he smiled widely. "I don't mind sharing my baby with you, after all she's your sister and you're bound to have some responsibilities when it comes to her, you know."

"Okay!" He then hesitated for a moment before holding his arms out bouncing on his toes for a moment. "Could I feed her? Please?"

Finland loved it. He loved his adoptive son being so eager to spend some time with his sister that he pulled the nipple from Aili's lips making her shout loudly as outrage flashed in her little eyes as she flailed her hands angrily with a scream flying from her lips as she was handed overo nce again to Sealand, the baby kicking her legs out angrily at being denied her meal when the Finnish Nation handed the bottle over to Sealand. He offered the baby the nipple making her pout for a moment before latching onto the rubber nipple, chewing for a few moments before sucking fiercely to begin chugging down her formula once again, her eyes flickering to Sealand curiously as he looked down at the baby with awe in his face. Baby fever was a very real, very powerful phenomena that Finland believed affected everyone to some degree of longing, affected everyone to the point that there's no other desire than the want for a baby. He hoped that, by letting Sealand interact with the baby, that the baby fever that seemed to be settling into him would be somewhat appeased due to the interactions with his little sister but as he eyed the look in Sealand's large blue eyes he couldn't help but feel that the baby fever had him tight in it's grip and there was no shaking it off no matter what solutions Finland could find. He sighed rubbing at his eyes, knowing fully well that he was reading too much into it but he couldn't help but feel that if Sealand could he'd be happy with someone right now with a abby on the way and he felt a stab of panic at the mere thought of it.

Sweden looked down at Aili, the baby staring back at him with the same stoic look to her little face despite the redness to her cheeks from her most current nap time and her eyes glittered softly against the coloring of her cheeks. Her little cap of silky hair was sticky up slightly, her eyes fogged from her naptime, her little hands tucked close to her chest as she stared up at her father curiously, her long lashes quivering softly with each blink and he felt his chest tighten with the absolute adoration that came with staring down at this small girl. The newborn, despite being stoic like her father, seemed to suck up the adoration around her like it was her very breath, her very source of air and she seemed to adore that level of love that was aimed her way like any baby possibly could. Sweden laid her against his legs, bending them carefully as she was propped up, staring at her father with awe in her multicolored eyes, her lipp lips dropping open to gawk at him before kicking her legs against his stomach softly making him smile quietly as he reached his fingers up pressing the back of his fingers against her cheek making the baby whine lightly but stare rather steadily at her father with all the concentration of a baby much older than her but the sight of those eyes gazing at her father so curiously were the most precious thing to him. He nudged his glasses up his nose making then wink in the light briefly making Aili's eyes widen at the sight of the glasses as her little hands curled into fists for a moment before flexing outwards, her tiny fingers curling and wriggling eagerly as if she wanted to nothing more than to reach out and pluck the glasses off of her father's face.

"Don't even think about it, kid." Sweden mumbled to the infant who stared at her father with those same wide eyes, her legs kicking out against his stomach once again making him smirk softly at the baby who took a deep breath then huffed out that very same breath as though she were irritated with her father at being denied a possible toy. He had no clue how boring being a baby was but the girl acted already as if she had every right to touch the things she ought not touch and when he smirked widely at the abby she blinked, taken aback by the sight of it on her father's face and he then pinched her chubby cheek making her blink mildly, staring at him as though she were surprised he was doing such a thing but was waiting patiently for him to release her chubby cheek. He wiggled the cheek softly before chuckling quietly underneath his breath at the baby's expression.

Sweden then released her cheek, poking his finger into her cheek like one would do with a dimple and he absolutely adored the narrowing of those green-blue and violet eyes that when he reached up to stroke her silky blonde hair mussing it further the baby then whined gently at the touches lifting her hands up flailing them softly as if she could knock her father's hands away and her eyes then flickered behind him. He turned looking up at Ladonia who was smiling widely at the baby and looking at the child with such adoration in his gaze that the Swedish Nation was taken aback for a moment before before the baby squeaked out a high sound before reaching her little hands out in a stretch above her head. Her feet kicked at his stomach during the stretch and her little arms fell down to her stomach and the Swedish Nation then looked up at Sealand once the stretch was over with and tilted his head slightly. "Where's your Finland?"

That broke the redheads revery, his face flushing into a red blush that rivaled the baby's and he looked away c learing his throat. "He's in the kitchen making lunch for us all. He sent me in here to see if Aili needed to be fed or anything like that." Sweden had dropped his smirk but if he were more confident with it he'd be smirking at the red head who kept glancing at Aili with a spot of longing in those blue eyes of his and Sweden decided it was now or never. He carefully tugged the baby to his chest, swinging his legs over the edge of the couch standing to his feet quickly as he then held out the baby making Ladonia's face burn a brilliant red as he jumped at the sight of Aili being held out to him. "What are you doing?"

"I'm giving you the baby." Sweden replied as he kept a careful grip on the wriggling baby and when Ladonia hesitantly reached out to touch the baby's fat fist the Swedish Nation could have smiled at the way the Red head slowly took the blonde baby into his arms, carefully supporting her head as her little legs danced off of his hand where he supported her bottom and his other hand curved underneath her drooping legs and stood stiffly. The baby stared up at the red head, her eyes wide and curious about this new person she was handed off too and Sweden poked her chubby cheek making her look over at him with those same wide eyes like he had thrown her out to sea and left her flailing. She had that deer in the headlights look to her, something he chuckled at fondly before clapping a hand onto Ladonia's shoulder. "Watch her."

Ladonia blinked when Sealand came bouncing into the room, looking for all the world like he had the very light of the sun burning inside of him and the redhead looked away from Sealand who rushed over to Aili with a croon on his lips as Sweden excused himself from the room with a smile on his lips. He walked down the hallway, his socked feet keeping him quiet on the floor as he stood in the doorway watching Finland hum to himself, giving a light hip shake to the music playing on the Radio and the sight of his hands twisting lightly with little dance moves along wit hhis knees bending or his foot popping up had the Swedish Nation smiling. He loved it when Finland got lost in activities, such as preparing a meal, and he got lost in the music on the radio for he would then begin dancing and singing softly to himself. Sweden quietly made his way into the kitchen, avoiding the table along with it's chairs that stuck out slightly like Sealand and Finland had been sitting there moments ago, his feet carrying him to the dancing Finnish Nation who jumped and shouted when the handso n his waist registered and he spun around scowling at the Swedish man for a moment before reaching up bopping his nose lightly with the back of his hand. "You should know better than to sneak up on me like that! Where's the baby?"

"With Ladonia and Sealand. And as for sneaking up on you, you know you love it." Sweden murmured as he buried his face down into the Finnish Nation's throat making him laugh happily, throwing his hands upwards burying them into the blonde locks of hair, the warmth of his breath leaving his lips filling the small face against his throat. The electricity crackled down Finland's spine as he clung to his husband, his hands twisting into the blonde locks of hair nervously as hands slid against his lower back, along his waist before settling on his hips as lips pressed against the sensitive flesh of his throat. Those lips climbed up his throat lazily, brushed along his jawline with that same laziness and green-blue eyes glowed at Finland as a tiny smile tugged at his lips and the Finnish Nation replied with a brilliant smile as his fingers lightly tugged at the blonde locks within his fingers and he parted his lips with a quiet shaking breath as Sweden's fingers crawled up his cheek, moving towards the corner of his lips. He tilted his head and caught the Swedish Nation's lips, his arms pressing against either side of Sweden's neck as the man pressed a hand against his lower back as he kissed him fervently, fiercely, and wit han urgency that got the Finnish man's heart sprinting quickly when the kiss ended as quickly as it had started leaving him swooning in his husband's arms. "Jag älskar dig, Tino."

Finland smiled as his lips parted, his heart flying against his chest and he clutched the Swedish man to him as he laughed freely, his toes aching as he pushed up onto them and tilting his head to the side as he looked up coyly from under his lashes and he smiled at the Swedish Nation. He leaned in pressing a light kiss to his lips then to the tip of his nose giggling rather wickedly as he then twisted in his arms so his back pressed against Sweden's chest and he looked over his shoulder with a wide, brilliant smile. "Minäkin rakastan sinua, Berwald."

Chapter Text

The bacon was sizzling in the pan softly, the air of the house was toasty warm to combat the rigid air outside, the fire place crackling cheerfully in the living room from beneath the TV where the boys were watching their TV shows, taking turns in between the breaks. He shifted the bacon around in the pan causing it to hiss and spit droplets of grease at him when he used a fork to flip the bacon over, staring at the deep coloring as the bacon continued sizzling quietly and Norway couldn't stop the yawn that burst free from his lips. This morning had been a wake up call to Norway just how inconvenient pregnancy could be what with it's constantly running to the bathroom whether it was to use it naturally or it was to vomit, he was so tired of staring at the familiar white walls of the bathroom as he hugged onto the porcelain toilet either emptying out his very intestines or using it to relieve his aching bladder. He didn't know which one he hated more, his bladder needing emptying so often or the vomiting episodes that left him pale and sweating as he would lean against the cool porcelain of the bathtub rim until the nausea passed away. He sighed to himself ignoring the queasy sensation in his stomach at the thought of eating a meal, something he knew that he had to get over if he wanted to eat anything, and he plucked the bacon out of it's grease placing it onto a plate covered expertly by a paper towel to allow the grease to soak into rather than congealing or filling up the plate. He had decided that, for lunch, he and the boys could devour a BLT for lunch for it sounded like the best thing he could possibly eat after a steady diet of non-buttered toast, crackers, saltines and water that he carefully sipped around Denmark.

He was ready for something more filling, something that he could devour and keep down to appease the baby within. He pressed a hand against his flat stomach, feeling the firmness that pressed back against his fingers softly like a constant little "hello!" from the growing baby within to remind him that yes, this was real and yes, he was absolutely going through this for a third time. He hadn't spoken to Denmark about it, due to the man's cheerful disposition about the newest member to come, but this was going to be their last pregnancy. He couldn't keep spitting out kids, couldn't keep raising them and he knew that it was somewhat selfish to a man who wanted nothing more than a daughter to complete their family but Norway couldn't take another pregnancy after this one. When he had been pregnant with Sven the pregnancy had gone by very quickly, almost overnight it felt with how large he had gotten over the months, the things he had craved and the running to the bathroom, the soar feet and the curiosity that came with his first baby had made the time fly by quickly and quietly. His pregnancy with Sven had been one of the easiest pregnancies he could have ever hoped to experience, in fact he could swear that if he had been blindfolded for those nine months that he wouldn't have even known he was pregnant to begin with. It was a smooth delivery and following it Sven hadn't been the most vocal of babies, often staring and squirming rather than crying like other babies would but Norway had adored that about the baby who had been so easy to care for, so easy to love and so easily ready to accept the love. Almost like Aili. Norway hadn't been prouder than when he'd delivered Sven and saw what a handsome baby he had been blessed wit hafter such a flawless pregnancy.

When it came to his pregnancy with Abel, however, it had been the polar opposite. He had been so violently ill so often, hardly keeping anything down that the doctors had forced him to stay in a special hospital room to make sure he was getting the proper nutrients and sustenance that he needed to keep the baby growing. He had been so ill in fact that the doctors predicted a harder pregnancy on his body than the first one and they had recommended, urged, Norway to terminate the pregnancy. He had been absolutely shocked that they wanted him to do such a thing that he began forcing himself to eat, forcing himself to keep it down even if it was hard and as his stomach expanded he knew that he could never have terminated the pregnancy the way the doctors had wanted him too. There had been complications, what with how active the baby was at first then how quiet he would get and just how hard it was in general on Norway's body that for a majority of his pregnancy he had spent time in the hospital rather than at home enjoying the small moments of the baby pressing his little hands against Norway's when he touched his belly. When it was about the eight month marker for the pregnancy with Abel, the doctors had been forced to induce Norway due to the breeched position the baby was in and while it was absolute, sheer and unimaginable pain to push his baby out feet first rather than head first he had been absolutely smitten with the baby once he saw him. Without a doubt Abel had been the spitting image of his father and when his little hands reached out grabbing onto Norway he knew that he had made the right choice not to terminate his pregnancy at the first sign of trouble.

But now he was antsy. What type of pregnancy would he have this time round? Would he have a seamless, easy pregnancy like what he had with Sven or would it be a difficult pregnancy as he had with Abel? There was no telling but his personal doctor wanted to keep an eye on the pregnancy, an eye on his symptoms and he wanted nothing more than to make sure that Norway was strong enough to handle a third pregnancy after the rather difficult second. There would always be a flutter of worry when it came to this third pregnancy, one that they hadn't planned, and Norway knew that this pregnancy would be his last. He couldn't deal with the fear, the worry that there could be something wrong with himself or the baby while not being far along yet and he knew that Denmark would be disappointed that they wouldn't be trying for a girl like they had agreed too but Norway just couldn't do a fourth pregnancy. He just couldn't. He sighed to himself as he opened bread to smear with mayonnaise, place the lettuce down and the tomato slices and it was as he was reaching for the bacon that Abel, with all the excitement and eagerness of a five-year-old came running into the kitchen with his feet slapping against the wooden floor as he suckled at his cup of water before throwing into the sink with a deep gasp falling from his lips as he hugged a violet frog underneath his arm. He crept forward walking up to his mother's side, his small hand gripping Norway's sweat pants tightly like he had to tether himself to the man before he drifted away.

"Mama, is it true that you have a baby in your belly?" Abel questioned as he hung onto Norway's waist looking up at him with those wide dull blue eyes of his, the shaggy blonde hair spilling into his face and sticking up wildly against his cheeks, across the bridge of his nose along wit haround his ears making the Norwegian roll his eyes affectionately as he reached down stroking the wild locks of hair softly making the boy smile. He then pressed his head against his hip, his hands tightly gripping at his sweatpants fiercely as he then yawned lightly before nuzzling his cheek against the sharp angle of Norway's hip like it was the softest part on the man. "Because Papa told me I was gonna be a big brother but that Sven is going to be a bigger big brother again! And I like the thought of being a big brother! I've never been bigger than anything before!"

Norway couldn't help his smile as he worked on the second sandwich, fighting his own yawn as the boy clung onto him, his little hands tight fists where the knuckles turned white from the intensity of which he was gripping onto Norway and the Norwegian Nation reached down lightly stroking the backs of his son's hands softly to soothe the boy into releasing his tight grip yet he continued to cling onto him. There was nothing he could really do to make the five-year-old release him and so he merely ruffled the wild locks of blonde hair, twisting his fingers into the locks for a moment before scratching lightly at his scalp making the boy's eyes shut. "It's true, I do have a baby in my belly. But it'll be sometime yet before the baby is born but I can assure you that you'll be much bigger than the baby." He then smiled crookedly at his son. "All of my babies were six pounds so I doubt this baby will be much heavier than that."

"Six whole pounds? Wow, that's heavy!" Abel noted when he looked up at the sandwiches his mother was making, the chips being scattered on the place and be bounced in place as he tugged at his mother's sweatpants in the process and Norway smiled softly at the boy who seemed to have been lit up from the inside out, his eyes glowing up at his mother while his smile created little dimples in his cheeks. He looked like he had been told the best news on the planet as he then hugged his mother's waist tightly, burying his face once again into his hip and squeezed fiercely with his arms, his little face absolutely delighted. "Takk skal du ha, Mama, for letting me be a big brother!" He hummed happily then, his hands gripping at Norway still when the boy looked up at him with those wide dull blue eyes of his, exact replica's of Norway;s own and smiled. "Mama, can I do ice skating?"

"Ice skating? What in the world would you want to do that for?" Norway questioned blinking as he looked at his son, who continued to stare up at him with that hope sparkling in his eyes and Norway felt his face flush as he cut the sandwiches in half, quartering Abel's into four pieces but when he turned to the table Abel moved with him easily. He placed the plates on the table and then looked down at the boy. "I can talk to Papa about you doing ice skating if you're determined to do so. I don't want you to get discouraged, however, if you're not the best at it right away." He then ruffled those wild locks of blonde hair and then gave a small smile to the little boy who happily released his mother climbing into the chair and bouncing in his seat as he picked up a square. "Sven! Come get lunch!"

The thump of feet on the floor rang out as the boy walked into the kitchen with a little smile on his lips, identical to theo ne that had been on Norway's lips moments ago and climbed into his chair as he stretched his arms over his head, arching his chest forward as he groaned. He then dropped his arms picking up half of his sandwich and taking a large bite out of it and Norway was taken aback at just how large the bite was, the boy happily chewing his mouthful as Norway poured glasses of water for them all, placing down the cups in front of each plate and he sat down watching both of his son's attack their lunch with vigor, slamming chips and squeezing in bites of sandwich whenever they could before chugging the water that was put down in front of them. Norway fussed with his own sandwich, preoccupied with watching his children devouring their lunch rather quickly and he took a bite of his sandwich enjoying the crunch it made when he did so and watched his children finish their lunch in record time. Sven chugged down the rest of his water smacking his lips then sighing afterwards and dabbing his fingers against the plate to catch the potato chip crumbs left on his plate as he devoured the half of the second half of his sandwich. Abel was on his third quarter, shoving the last bit of it into his mouth as he squeezed in a few chips, crunching happily next to him as Norway sipped at his water. He wasn't surprised that the boys were hungry but after tha rather hefty breakfast they'd had thanks to Denmark he couldn't help but wonder if the boys had burned it off so fast as to have such an appetite so soon after their heft breakfasts. Or were growing boys always devouring food like this?

When Sven finished off his sandwich the boy smiled. "Tak skal du have, Mama, for lunch." Sven then hopped off of his seat bouncing on his toes for a moment, his curl bobbing with the movements as he looked at his mother rather eagerly. "is it okay if I go play outside for a little bit?" When Norway nodded the ten-year-old rushed off for his coat, gloves and boots happily making Abel whine around his mouthful as he then turned his large dull blue eyes to his mother who chuckled softly as he took a bite of his sandwich, chewing for a moment before swallowing and then reaching out ruffling the messy locks of hair once again "When you're done, Abe, come outside! We'll build a snowman or something!" And with that the door creaked open then slammed shut behind the ten-year-old leaving Norway to raise his brows as he took another mouthful while Able hurriedly swallowed his mouthful and began working on his fourth piece of sandwich with determination in his eyes.

"Don't rush it, I don't want you choking because you were rushing. Sven will be outside for sometime yet and if he offered for you to go outside so soon then he'll wait for you to finish so no rushing." Norway scolded the boy lightly making him slow down in his devouring of the sandwich piece, staring at his mother solemnly before nodding as he took his time chewing each mouthful before swallowing, popping a few chips into his mouth or sipping at his water with a lip smack each time and Norway found himself quickly devouring half of his sandwich rather quickly as the boy finished his last bite, staring at Norway rather pleadingly as the man started on the second half of the sandwich and he sighed out through his nose, rubbing his fingers together to rid them of the crumbs as he swallowed his mouthful after chewing thoughtfully for a moment or two. "I'll come out and play with you too as well. Why don't you get a carrot from the fridge? That way when we go out we'll be ready to make the snow man."

The light that sparkled in Abel's eyes at the offer of Norway playing with them, of making a snowman with his mother and brother seemed to delight him so easily that he squirmed out of his chair hopping down onto the floor and running for the fridge throwing the door open and pulling open the produce drawer pulling out a carrot and holding it up victoriously. "Let's go play, Mama! Come on!" He then ran across the kitchen, wild lockso f hair trembling as he did so and the Norwegian chuckled fondly at the boy as he rushed past when the house phone began ringing shrilly making him stand out of his seat, taking a large bite of his sandwich as he heard Abel clunking in his boots and the sound of his coat whispering under his touches as Norway reached out plucking the kitchen phone up swallowing his mouthful quickly.

"Hallo, this is the Kohler household and you're speaking to Lukas Koh-"

"Norway! When the hell were you going to tell me you were pregnant? Why did I have to get the worlds most annoying text from Denmark about it?" Norway sighed out through his nose, his fingers coming up to rub at his forehead as his brother's voice rang over the line and he looked up through his fingers glaring at the wall. Of course Denmark would spread the news of his pregnancy, of course he would! Norway specifically didn't want anyone to know just yet, didn't even want Finland and Sweden to know at all either but Denmark had opened his big mouth without thinking and spit it out. After the pregnancy with Abel he had sworn that he would never become pregnant again, not after a pregnancy so rough that he had been advised to terminate, but the fact that Denmark really couldn't go one day without spreading their news was somewhat irritating. "I thought after the last pregnancy you weren't going to be pumping out anymore kids."

"I didn't WANT another pregnancy, it's not like Mathias and I planned it out or anything like that." Norway replied as he rubbed at his temple when he looked over his shoulder to find Abel waving his arms, along with the carrot, at Norway to get his attention and he held up a finger making the boy pout as he fiddled with his zipper before walking to the door pulling it open with a creak then slamming it shut behind him making Norway sigh. "Did you just call to confirm it or something? Is that why you called me to begin with? Because I've got some things I have to get done with the boys and I need to get on top of it if I want to be able to cook dinner tonight."

"I just..Didn't imagine you getting pregnant again." Iceland mumbled on the other line, the static lightly crackling with his mumble and Norway sighed rubbing at his temple lightly before sliding his hand into his locks of hair, pushing the locks away from his face as he looked up at the ceiling listening to the shrieks of laughter beginning to build outside and bit at his lower lip looking to the large kitchen window to find the boys had begun pelting one another with snow balls. "I wouldn't normally call you up out of nowhere but I just didn't believe it! I just thought that after Abel that things were kind of cemented in that you weren't going to be spitting out any more babies. Anyways, wasn't it always you after all these years that bitches at me about keeping up with you after I was surprised about Sven? And anyways, it's not like I can just hop on a plane and visit you right now."

"Why, are you at Hong Kong's home?" Norway questioned leaning against the wall, tapping his toes against the floor as he heard Abel scream with absolute joy as his brother plucked the five-year-old up and throw him into a thick pile of snow leaving behind a perfect hold in the snow drift. There was truth, however, to Iceland's words for he had scolded the boy about keeping in contact with Norway and keeping in contact with the rest of the family but it had been increasingly difficult to visit when he spent a majority of his time in Hong Kong with the Asian Nation and yet he had no problems with calling him up now. Demanding answers about his pregnancy and demanding to know more than the Norwegian was willing to share as he eyed the children outside the window throwing snow upwards so it drifted over their hats. "Maybe, weather permitting, once I get this pregnancy bit out of the way I can come visit you with the boys for a bit."

Iceland snorted then, the sound loud and grating in Norway's ear making him frown. "By "boys" do you mean Denmark too? The guy acts just like a little kid enough to be looped in with'em. I never did understand why you chose to marry him." Again, this was territory that Norway refused to speak on. What did it matter to others what they thought of Denmark? What did it matter that despite the annoying, childish behavior of his husband that he loved Denmark enough to marry him when he asked? Why did it matter to another living soul why he loved Denmark? Why should it matter that he married Denmark? He clenched his jaw to keep from hurling an insult at the younger Nordic Nation and as if sensing he had spoken wrongly on the matter Iceland sighed. "Well, I can let you go. I didn't mean to offend you, Norway, but all of this is just craziness! You're a rational man, don't you think a third pregnancy is a bit excess-"

Slam! Norway threw the phone down so fiercely, with so much rage boiling in his veins that the children from outside raised their heads curiously at the sound they had heard and Norway gripped the phone tightly as he wriggled his jaw from side to side for a moment and released his tight grip from the phone, fingers curling into his palms. Iceland really didn't know what the hell he was talking about. Why did it go from a slight conversation to him being degraded, to him being judged? Yes, he didn't want a third child but goddammit he'd do it. He'd carry this baby to full term, rough pregnancy or not, and he'd be more than happy to welcome a third child who could quite possibly resemble Denmark in the same manner that Abel had and why wouldn't he want that? His little brother was merely annoying, a know-it-all who tried to act holier-than-thou about anything he could get a breath in on and Norway wasn't going to listen to the man prattle about his choices, about his husband, about his sudden third pregnancy and why should he have too? He didn't have to listen to anyone talking shit about his decisions, about his life, about his marriage and about his pregnancy. Norway then turned to the kitchen scooping up empty plates and placing them into the sink plucking up the remainder of his sandwich off of the table and began devouring it with gusto when his stomach growled and he popped a few chips into his mouth as he chewed viciously, running his fingers along the rim of his glass staring down at the water.

What did it matter what anyone else thought about him and Denmark? It shouldn't even be a topic to be brought up anymore! After all, Norway had chosen the Danish Nation just as much as the Danish Nation had chosen the Norwegian and that was all that needed to be said about the topic. Norway finished off his sandwich, fiddled with his chips before ultimately deciding to throw them in the trash, sipping at the rest of his water the Norwegian rolled his shoulders as if it would dispel the ache that was growing between his shoulder blades. He then walked out of the kitchen happily, grabbing his boots and shoving them onto his feet then tying the laces fiercely and pulling his coat on he zipped it up and reached inside for his hat which he pulled onto his head and fiddled with his gloves on facing the door for a moment before smiling to himself. This was his life, this was HIS, and he would live it however way he wanted too and if it meant being idiotic and even a bit questionable then he was going to do it and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

Chapter Text

Children were fickle. They were forever changing their minds, forever being distracted rather easily and forever being the childish most brutally honest versions of themselves when compared to how elder people hid away this part of themselves in order to appear more mature than before. Children, in all honesty, could drive even the sanest person insane. It was a good, prayed upon thing that Russia already had a cracked mentality but the fact that his eldest daughter, his precious Tatiana, had shared in his mental illness had absolutely upset him and when Darius showed inclinations of the same mental illness from time to time the Russian had been inconsolable for days. Nothing Lithuania did or could say would change the fact that his children ahd a lifetime of mental illness to look forward too and it was all because his genetics were stronger in the children than Lithuania's own. This was merely a prelude to many situations with Tatiana, what with her sudden outbursts of anger and fits of rage that left her parents fumbling to appease or help her figure out just what the root of her anger or grief was never worked with the girl. The only one that Tatiana ever seemed to listen too anymore was Astrid and given how frequently the girls talked it was safe to say that the violet outbursts had come down from a weekly, daily occurrence down to a once in a while situation that he was grateful for. At least, until that afternoon. See, Tatiana was very particular about the order of her books, about the order of her stuffed animals and if it was touched she often grew very upset at the messed up order and Darius, the poor boy, had forgotten to straighten the books after borrowing one of her book series and the girl had lost it.

Russia just wasn't sure what he was going to do with his daughter. He didn't like punishing her for she always came to him with her emotions, always came to him when she needed help figuring herself out, always came to him whe nshe wanted a cuddle and she always purposefully spent her time with him the most rather than Lithuania. She was attached to Russia's hip but the attack, the bruises that rose on Darius's pale skin along his arms were more than enough of a punishment and he'd had to leave the room with Darius sobbing hysterically in his arms as Tatiana was spanked. He could hear each smack, each hiccuping sob that left his daughter's lips and when it was over she ran straight to her room screaming her curses like she was a vengeful witch as she swore one day she'd leave the home and it sent waves of panic through Russia despite the girl not being old enough to do anything he couldn't help but feel that the words were true. She had slammed then locked her door refusing dinner, refusing snacks and refusing drinks as she locked herself away in her bedroom, quiet as a mouse. Darius had long since gone to the door to tell his sister he forgave her for her temper tantrum earlier but even that wasn't enough to get her to open her door and no matter what Russia said to the girl would open that damn door. He had long since retreated to his own office after allowing Darius to continue in trying to get his sister to leave the room with failed results each time and Russia had hidden away in his office pacing the length of the room over and over while Lithuania tended to their son until the sky shed it's rubies and fresh glittering oranges for the deep black-blue hue of nighttime as stars poked out shimmering gently. And his daughter still didn't leave her room.

The soft knocks on his office door had him looking up just in time to catch worried green eyes peering at him as Lithuania entered the office, shutting the door behind him quietly. "What are we going to do with that girl, Toris? What is there that we can do?" Russia questioned when he bent, pressing his hands against the smooth wood of his desk, looking down at the blank surface like it might provide some kin dof answer to the Russian who was hanging his head with defeat and the Lithuanian Nation leaned against the door when Russia raised his head looking at his fiance. "Is there nothing we can do to help Tati? Is she going to be like this for the rest of her life do you think? Should we enroll her into therapy? Give her someone to talk too? Because the only one she talks too is Astrid! And there's not much another child can do for one, is there? If she wants to talk so much then surely a therapist would help work throuhg her fits of anger, wouldn't they?"

"Perhaps therapy is the smart option." Lithuania agreed quietly as he stepped forward walking over to the desk and, reaching out slowly like one approaching a wild animal, covered his hands and weaved his fingers awkwardly with Russia's as the man straightened up allowing their palms to press together, a soft whisper that had his face softening. "Maybe talking to someone professional will help her in the long run, perhaps it will even help us understand what must be going through her mind during those irrational fits of anger that she has and maybe it will help us support her better. I...hate that we have to spank her still, at seven years old. We shouldn't be doing that and shouldn't be having to do that but if therapists could help us understand Tatiana, help us understand what type of girl she is so we can help her feel her feelingsi n a safe manner rather than striking out at other people."

Russia nodded as he looked down at their hands, stroking his thumb against Lithuania's and he then twisted their hands upwards, pressing the back of Lithuania's hand against his cheek softly. "I just don't want her to be forced onto some kind of medication that will mess her up, you know?" Russia sighed sliding the back of Lithuania's hand against his cheek, along the side of his face and across his temple to his forehead where he held the hand tightly against his forehead shutting his eyes briefly. "I don't want to think that she's so messed up because of my genetics. It's my fault that her mind could possibly be messed up so why wouldn't it be my fault if she had some kind of mental illness?"

"Ivan, things like this happen. She's not diagnosed because we thought that she didn't have to be, we thought we had this under control but we very clearly don't and that's okay because if taking her to someone means some kind of understanding for her then we'll do what we have to do. She's only a seven-year-old little girl, she's still struggling to figure out who she is and will no doubt struggle with that for many years, just like any of us will but if she can have something to help her, if she can have a therapist then it'll make it easier on her. But you can't blame yourself for anything that's wrong with her, Ivan, because mental illnesses get passed parent to child all the time and the child can come out just fine! If anything we can get both children evaluated and see just what's going on, okay?" Lithuania rubbed the back of hish and against Russia's forehead brushing the locks of pale ashen blonde hair away gently. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Ivan. It's not all your fault."

"It feels that way." Russia mumbled as he pressed his forehead fiercely and shut his eyes for a moment as he took in his fiance's words that rang around them quietly before lifting his head upwards, his hair falling into his face as he looked at lithuania who was smiling softly at the Russian. He tugged his hands gently, signalling for him to walk around the desk as he plopped down into the chair and Lithuania laughed softly before climbing into Russia's lap, his hands leaving Russia's in favor of cupping his face softly. "I only want for my children to be happy and healthy. Is that too much to ask, Toris? Am I asking the universe so much that in return it's giving me problems instead of solutions?"

Lithuania pressed a kiss against Russia's temple, against the corner of his eye, then his cheek bone and ruffled his hair softly with his hand. "No, you're not. Neither of us is asking the universe too much by hoping our children are happy and healthy, there's nothing more that we could possibly want for. For them to be happy and healthy would be the epitome of good fortune and would leave us a happy family, the five of us. You, me, Uri, Tatiana and Darius will all be in good health I promise you." He then kissed Russia's chilled cheek softly and pressed his forehead against his temple softly. "We hope for our children to be happy, for them to know true happiness because we ourselves were devoid of that happiness growing up. Tomorrow we'll call around and see if we can get Tatiana examined and diagnosed, alright? And I promise you she won't be some drugged up zombie."

Russia pressed his lips to the edge of Lithuania's jawline to avoid speaking in that moment, his lashees fluttering down as he considered his fiancee's words and he clutched the brunette closer to him on his lap as his lips fluttered against the other man's throat for a brief moment before pulling away smiling at the Lithuanian weakly. He found his lips trailing up Lithuania's cheek, once again favoring the idea of a touch far more worthy than speaking his fears aloud as he swallowed them down and he happily submitted himself to the kiss that had his toes curling in his shoes. A kiss that sent warmth trickling through his veins, had him restlessly wriggling with the Lithuanian trapped on his lap as those lips quirked into a smile against his own but as he kissed the Lithuanian he couldn't fully shake off his fears even if he didn't say them all outloud. He worried for his daughter and he worried for her very desperately but with the Lithuanian's lips on his own it was easy to worry about things until much later. It was easier to give himself over to the emotions that sizzled through him one at a time and yet the worry was a constant drumming sound in the back of his head that refused to abate and refused to leave him be no matter what he did as he clutched Lithuania fiercely in his arms. He just had to believe his daughter would be safe, that she would be healthy and that someday she would be the happiest girl ever. That's just what he had to believe or he'd never be able to sleep a wink again.

Russia knew his daughter was stubborn, knew it like the back of his hand but when he had put Darius to bed that night with a kiss goodnight and a story read from one of his favorite story books he had gone to Tatiana's room to do the same only for the girl to shriek at him to leave her alone and that she could read her own story to herself. Russia quickly backed away from his daughter's door, wishing her good night and telling her softly in Russian just how much he loved her but again she didn't respond to him which he thought was understandable given her punishment for hurting her brother but this was going a little over board. He knew that if she didn't unlock that door by the morning that he'd be unlockingi t himself, he swore it to himself. He wouldn't allow his daughter to sit in her room starving or dehydrating herself all night long and if unlocking her door from the hallway was the only way that he could get into her room then he was going to do it and there was little that his daughter could say on the matter. He loved that girl so fervently but he wished, very deeply, that she wouldn't be so much like him and that she could just release her anger but he knew that she couldn't do that so easily given her nature and Russia understood it better than even Lithuania did. He had gone to bed that night sighing quietly to himself as he allowed himself to be spooned from behind by the Lithuanian but still his owrry drummed in his head like a quiet beat that he just couldn't shake no matter what he did, no matter what he thought, no matter what he dreamed the worry pulsed quietly through his head.

It wasn't until he heard his door creaking, the sound of feet flying against the floor that Russia jerked himself away to the sound of feet rushing down the stairs trying their best to emain light as they flew down the stairs and he scrambled out of bed quick as he could while remaining soundless. His heart was racing in his chest as he threw his robe on messily, rushing out of the room only to fly into the hallway as those feet raced down the stairs towards the front door and he down the hallway out to the top of the stair case looking down feeling his heart flying against his chest as his breathes came quietly and quickly at the sight of long pale ashen hair down by the front door. "Hold it right there, young lady! Where in the world do you think you're going at this time of night?" Russia demanded in a hissing whisper as he began to walk down the stairs to his daughter's frozen form and she turned, green eyes wide in her pale face as she stared up at her mother. "Hmm? What in the world are you thinking of doing, young lady?"

"I'm leaving. I'm gonna go live with Tetka Belarus." The way that she said the words without so much of a waver in her voice had Russia blinking at his daughter who stood there with her shoulders thrown back, her hair cascading towards the middle of her back in a shimmering sheet that still glistened like silk in the darkness of the house and her eyes gleamed. Her pale face had a tinge of color in her cheeks, a pale red hue that seemed to come with the defiant way that she tilted her head back and her eyes boldly met Russia's, her face a mask of determination while her hand remained on the door handle squeezing it gently in her hand and stared at her mother. Russia felt a rush of pride, a strange sense of pride for his daughter was standing up to him without so much as a waver in her voice and he found that there was something rather fascinating in the way she tiled her chin, the way her eyes flashed at him as if challenging him to tell her no.

"No you're not, Tati. It's the middle of the night and I can tell you for a fact that there's not going to be another train until one in the morning so why don't you and I go into the kitchen together and talk, da?" Russia crossed his arms across his chest looking at the tiny blonde who huffed throwing the bag that she had settled on her back off, her eyes flashing as she clutched her teddy bear to her chest before walking towards the kitchen with a stomp to her movements. As if she were angry that Russia had caught her in the act. He then finished climbing down the stairs just in time for the kitchen light to flicker on bringing light into the darkness of the large house, a beacon that summoned Russia to it as he held the bag in his hands as the girl climbed onto a bar stood sitting at the kitchen's island where she normally ate her meals and she rested both her elbows on the surface, her hcin crashing down into her hands. Her brows were pulled tight together as the pale blonde locks of hair brushed her cheeks and her lashes casted shadows onto her pale red cheeks each time she looked down. "Now, do you want to tell me why you're trying to run away to your Tetka Belarus's?"

"Because you and Papa don't want me. I know you don't, other wise you wouldn't make me talk to someone. A thera-thingy." The seven-year-old replied looking at her mother, her eyes narrowed lightly before looking down at the counter. "I know that you and Papa don't want me because there's something wrong with me but Tetka Belarus told me any time I wanted I could go and see her. Tetka Belarus never treats me like I'm a freak." She paused then looked up with a sparkle to her large green eyes as she looked at her mother once again. "Is that why you don't love me as much as you love Uri or Darius? Because I'm a freak? Because I'm a girl? Is there really something so wrong with me, Mama?"

"You are not a freak!" Russia hissed the word out like it were a swear word he had to get out of his throat shocking the girl as she stared with wide eyes at her mother and Russia reached out stroking her cheek, flicking a tear off of it making her sniffle lightly before reaching up to rub at her face fiercely. "You are perfect the way you are, Tatiana Braginsky, but sometimes we need to talk to someone just to feel better. Even I have a therapist I meet with! There is no shame, no worry, in seeing someone to talk too if it means making you feel better. That's all Papa and I want, is for you to talk to someone and feel better so you can be happier. That doesn't mean that you have to go running off to Tetka Belarus or even Tetka Ukraine. There's no reason to run away, malen'kiy. Even if you were a freak it wouldn't matter to us in the slightest bit just like it doesn't matter to us that you're a girl. There's nothing wrong with being Mama and Papa's little girl. There's no difference between you and your brothers, I promise you that, Tatiana."

Tatiana was quiet, her face resting in her mother's hands as she looked down for a moment causing her lashes to cast shadows onto her red cheeks when she then looked up with a new emotion glowing in her green eyes as she stared at her mother figure. Russia wished, for just a moment, that he could read his daughter's thoughts. An inkling of what could possibly be going on inside of her head. Her eyes were bright and her lips twitched slightly, trembling gently before she spoke. Her voice, high and clear, trembled ever so gently as she took a deep breath ebfore licking her lips nervously and then spitting out her words in that next instant as she looked at her mother. "So then you and Papa really want me?"

"Of course we want you. We've never, ever, regretted you and we will always want you around, malen'kiy." Russia softly spoke as he stroked her red cheeks and she shook her head knocking the hands off of her face as she then crawled into the Russian's lap did his arms come around her tightly an he pressed his cheek against her pale ashen locks of hair gently, his hand stroking her back as she nuzzled her face into his chest. There was many things about Tatiana that he loved and there was many things about Tatiana that Russia worried for, found himself sick with concern over and yet as he held the girl in his arms with her face tucked delicately against his chest he found that his worry had drummed to a low background noise. His daughter, despite having tried to run away, was sitting in his arms talking to him calmly and rationally when she should have been shrieking or shouting at being caught and he loved that she could be so levelheaded like her father given the situation. "You know, you're exactly what this family needs, malen'kiy, and I can promise you that we will always need you here with us."

Tatiana sniffled against his chest and he felt her shift slightly in his lap, her cheek pressing against his robed chest and she twisted her fingers into the fabric of the robe playfully for a moment before sniffing once again. It was sweet how, given the time to become so, that his daughter could be quite shy. It wasn't' a painful shyness but rather a quiet, subtle shyness that came with her expressing her emotions and often made her bashful in the process but Russia loved it. His quiet little princess becoming bashful and rather sweet in appearance as she stared up underneath her lashes shyly, the green of her eyes glowing with that shyness as her wet lashes fluttered softly with a blink."Promise?"

"I promise that as long as you exist you will always have a place in this family and you will be cherished every day for it." Russia murmured softly to her when he then stroked a hand over her pale shimmering locks of hair and smiled at her warmly. "Now, how about we get you back into your pajamas and into bed, hmm?" The girl grabbed her backpack, hopping off of his lap to the floor where her shoes thumped against the floor as she rubbed her nose with the palm of her hand and rubbed at her wet eyes with the back of it and Russia couldn't help chuckling softly at the sight as he held out a hand for her to take which she took happily with a smile twisting on her lips shyly.

Russia loved his daughter, he truly did, and even if her runaway plan had upset him somewhat he knew that if he could at least get her to understand that therapy did not make her a freak then she would be happier for it. He fought the urge to sigh as he and his daughter climbed the stairs, her running lightly while he continued at his slow casual walk and she tugged at his hand gently as he walked up the stairs then down the hallway with her hand clutching at his own. His daughter, at the moment, may have seemed happy but he knew she still felt hurt and she still felt like her fathers didn't want her but that couldn't be farther than the honest to god truth. When Russia had become pregnant with his first child he had been in utter disbelief. He hadn't believed it when he and Lithuania ran to his personal doctor, hadn't believed it when he got the results and it was only when his stomach began expanding did he find himself believing the diagnosis but there was still that shard of disbelief lodged into his chest during those nine months. It was almost symptomless, the mildest of symptoms did he experience and he found himself quite happy despite the loos he received at the World Meetings and the unease that rippled amongst the other Nations when they viewed his large belly but he hadn't cared. He wasn't exactly jubilant with his pregnancy and when the time came for giving birth he had been terrified for it was something he'd never experienced before but when all was said and done allowing him to have his baby in his arms that shard of disbelief had bloomed into the true and honest feeling. He had been in near shock after his birthing process that he hardly paid attention when he had to push out the placenta.

He had sworn that from the very first day they placed little Tatiana, with her pale hair and her wide green eyes, into his arms that he would never see a more perfect perfection than he did in that moment. His daughter was the most perfect thing he had ever laid eyes on, the most perfect child he had ever had the pleasure of holding in his arms and he even boasted as such to the other Nations around him about his lovely little daughter he had. He would watch the annoyance, the jealousy ripple across their faces depending on who he told it too and yet he couldn't shut up about his little daughter. Maybe someday, as proof of his ever consistent love for his daughter, he would tell her just how much he had bragged and boasted about her. About her beauty, about her intelligence, about her grace nd he would perhaps even tell her someday soon about his boastful past about the girl and he found a smile curling over his lips as he followed his daughter to her bedroom. He didn't brag so much about his daughter but he knew that if she continued the way she did that he'd have something he could brag about, whether it was her intelligence or her beauty just like before he knew that he'd do it if it meant making her smile and he'd do it just to feel those familiar flashes of pride. He looked down at the girl skipping by his side and he smiled knowing perfectly well that even when she went away to the World Academy that she would be just fine. She had to be but he had the feeling that with Astrid by her side that he had little to nothing to worry about when it came to the thought of his daughter being amongst so many of her peers. After all, she was his daughter! He knew that eventually, someday, she'd do well for herself and he couldn't wait for the day when it would happen.

Chapter Text

It was quiet in the bathroom save for the metallic snips of the scissors as he fluttered his hands around Astrid's head, the floor pooled with long shimmering silver hair that curled gently and Prussia stood amongst that pool of silver hair as he snipped at the ends of his daughter's bangs. When Austria had gone upstairs for his nap Prussia knew he had very limited time to get Astrid's hair done, had very limited time to get the hairstyle perfectly done but as he stood there cutting her bangs carefully until they rested against her brows in a little fringe he smiled to himself. Astrid had been begging, pleading, promising anything to her mother to allow her to have her hair cut to the length she desired, would do just about any chore, but Austria had been firm in his rejection. Austria, better than anyone, adored his daughter's long silver locks of hair that shimmered even in the darkest of rooms and had adored the sight of it growing outwards, always joking that Astrid was truly the feminine version of Prussia but the girl had been unhappy. Being an albino was already eye catching ,with the pale coloring and the bright red eyes that would catch anyone's gaze, Prussia knew that better than anyone the girl wanted nothing more than to blend in the best that she could but with the long hair it was impossible to do so. With her long silver hair she had been so fairy tale princess-esque yet not at the same time; she had had the long flowing hair of a princess but the color would be what others would associate to a fairy or an elf, the color shimmering like mercury would and Prussia knew that while it was beautiful that the girl was not enjoying her long locks of flowing hair.

That's why she squirmed gently now, her smile wide and infectious on her lips creating what he knew later in life would be laugh lines in her face and her little nose would wiggle or scrunch up depending on when Prussia blew air into her face to get rid of the wisps of hair causing her silver lashes to flutter softly. When her eyes opened slightly, ruby irises glittering from between silver lashes, she blinked cautiously before opening her eyes wider as her father brushed through the nose short locks of hair and she blinked curiously before tilting her head to once side making the teeth of the comb scrape her scalp unpleasantly but once she dipped her head one way she had to do it the other. She just had too. Her already wide smile seemed to become painfully wide and bright, her eyes glowing as she lifted her hands up running them throuhg her short locks of hair with a happy gasp, as she looked up at her father. Her hair, in the styling chose, her bangs came to rest against her eyebrows in a little fringe that flicked up at the end while the rest of her hair was cut short in a pixie cut that threw the arch of her brows, the slope of her nose, the cut of her jaw and even the shape of her eyes and lips into a focus that had been hidden with the long locks of hair. Her face was suddenly bright, very eye catching and brilliant in the beauty that seemed to glow along her cheek bones and glisten in her large ruby eyes that seemed far more doe like than they had before as they fluttered in a blink before she jumped out of the chair amongst her discarded hair and hopped up onto the bathroom counter.

"Oh, danke, Vati! Danke!" Astrid cried out as she touched the mirror then lifted her other hand to move her fingers through the pixie cut Prussia had bestowed upon her and he smiled standing behind her to which she flicked her eyes to him with a bright smile on her lips, a shimmering happiness in her eyes. She looked as though she had gone from a demure, sleeping princess to a brilliant, wickedly sparkling pixie girl in the matter of mere seconds as she sat there with her knees digging into the porcelain of the sink and her hand moving throuhg her hair happily before twisting away from the mirror to face her father head on and threw her arms out towards him to which he scooped the eight-year-old off of the counter as her legs bent upwards rather than wrapping around him while her arms squeezed his neck tightly. "Ich danke dir sehr, Vati!"

"Gern geschehen, sveetheart." PRussia murmured softly as he kissed her head gently making her smile as she squeezed her arms tighter around his neck, her eyes glowing up at her father. So beautiful. He had truly been blessed with not one but two beautiful daughters along with a beautiful son, all beamingly beautiful children that would blind and soften even the toughest of people and that he knew because he was one of those people. Not that he was tough but he had been blinded when Astrid was bron. When she had been placed in his arms, a squirming mess of arms and legs as though even in her infancy she were restless, her ruby eyes had taken one look at Prussia and he was absolutely, head over heels, lost in emotions that he had for the beautiful silver haired baby that had been placed in his arms. He'd cried when Amelia had been born, full blown sobbed at the sight of those large violet eyes staring up at him, her chestnut brown tufts of hair, and he had considered himself lucky for having not one but two beautiful girls that he had somehow been gifted. He looked up when he saw movement by the door and he smirked widely at the sight of wide violet eyes. "Hey there, trouble."

Mia blinked as she looked at her father then to her sister, a gasp flying from her lips at the sight of her sister's long hair lying on the floor then to the sight of her short hair with wide violet eyes. "Mutti is going to be mad!" Mia chirped worriedly as she stepped into the bathroom, her large violet eyes locked onto her sister's face then to her short hair as if she were admiring the length and the sudden focus her face was thrown into as she curled her hands together near her chest where her little heart beat quickly against her chest. She shifted from foot to foot nervously as she bit her bottom lip then a smile began to curl at teh corner of her lips as she walked into the bathroom as Astrid was placed down and the six-year-old carefully approached her sister and lifted her hands up moving them through her sister's hair, her eyes wide. "So pretty! You look so pretty, Asty!"

"Danke!" Astrid chirped back as she looked at her sister, her hands on her hips as Mia continued ruffling the short silver locks of hair happily, her violet eyes growing warmer by the second as her own hair spilled over her shoulders as she leaned forward as if to get a closer look at the locks of hair. Both girls then giggled together when the one sound, the one crack in their happy moment, rang out making all three freeze guiltily as they looked to the doorway anxiously, Mia dropping her hands from Astrid's hair as if it were flames and she tucked her hands behind her while Astrid's hands left her hips and her teeth sank into her lower lip as her eyes flicked to Prussia. "Vati, vill Mutti like my hair? Or do you think he'll be very angry?" There was a bashful look to her, a hesitant joy that made Prussia's chest clench. "I don't vant him to be angry."

"How about you girls go downstairs und vatch your bruder vhile I get the hair up? He's napping so it von't be too hard to vatch the baby und I'll bring Mutter downstairs vhere ve vill break the news to him slowly."Prussia watched both girls nod their heads as if it was the most serious thing to happen in their short lives before running out of the bathroom, hands clenched tight in one anothers as they ran out of the room and down the hall to, hopefully, remain unseen by Austria who would be coming to the bathroom any moment now. Prussia began scooping the locks of silver up, tossing it into the trash then began working hurriedly when he heard those familiar footsteps of Austria's and he began scooping the hair together in large clumps then throwing it into the trash cursing his daughter's long hair. Dammit, there was so much! Why did Austria always insist on the girls hair so long? He was scrapping together clumps when the footsteps stopped outside the bathroom door.

"Gilbert, vhat in the vorld are you doing?" Austria questioned with the right amount of curiosity burning in the man's voice and Prussia knew the moment he fucked up when Austria gasped at the sight of the silver tendrils held tight in his hands as he threw them away. Knew that he had fucked up when Austria shrieked wordlessly before turning away from the bathroom running down the hallway making Prussia curse under his breath before standing up giving chase, shaking loose silver hairs from his fingers. The sound of feet thundering down the stairs rang out and Prussia cursed again as he threw himself around the corner of the hallway rushing to the landing of the stairs, his feet thundering against the floor as he whipped himself using the banister onto the stairs where he ran down the steps quickly. He could feel his heart flying against his chest when Austria shrieked again. Only this time it sounded more like a wail of despair as Prussia got to the bottom of the stairs, his heart pounding quickly against his chest as he rushed for the living room where Fritz was beginning to fuss due to being woken so suddenly by his mother's shriek but when Prussia entered the living room he was panting lightly. Austria's eyes glistened with tears, as he stood with Astrid in front of him, his shaking hands cupping her face then reaching up to touch her new hair cut like she had been murdered. Then his eyes lifted to Prussia. "You did this! You ruined my baby!"

"Nein, Roddy! Calm down! If you'll let me explain-"

"My daughter has no hair!" Austria screamed stepping away from Astrid, his hands shaking still as he pointed at Astrid who was staring at her mother with a face full of worry, regret washing through her ruby eyes as Mia clung onto her elder sister murmuring quietly to her when Austria gasped in a breath. "How could you, Gilbert? How could you chop off all of our daughter's beautiful hair? She looks like a boy! How could you! I should have never laid down for my nap! I should never have gone to sleep, I should have known you vould do something like this! Oh, poor Astrid! My poor baby!" He wailed the words as he turned towards his daughter who was staring at Prussia, her teeth digging into her lower lip with a guilty shimmer to her eyes and the small albino dropped her gaze to the floor as if she felt the weight of a shame that was not necessary for her to feel. There was no need for their daughter to feel one droplet of shame or guilt, not one reason behind it.

"Roderich, shut your mouth for five minutes! Stop vailing like a dramatic princess!" Prussia shouted over the sound of Austria clucking his tongue, groaning over his daughter's shaved head and he watched those flaming violet eyes raise up to his own, lips pinching tightly highlighting the meole beneath his mouth as he squeezed Astrid to his chest, his hands rubbing her short locks of hair like it would make their daughter's hair magically grow back. "This vas to be expected! Astrid has been BEGGING to have her hair cut und I provided that because it's vhat she vanted! It looks stylish und it looks absolutely beautiful on her! She didn't vant her hair cut like Mia's, she didn't VANT to look like her sister! Vhy is it so hard for you to understand that? Just because her hair is gone doesn't mean she isn't beautiful und you should know better than anyvun just vhat type of girl our daughter is! She vants short hair she gets it! Mia looks beautiful vith her own long hair but Astrid looks just as beautiful vithout the long hair." He then met those violet eyes evenly."Suck it up, princess."

"Princess? PRINCESS? Automatically I'm a princess because YOU cut all of our daughter's hair? Gilbert ve are supposed to talk about these things! You promised me that I vould alvays be involved in decisions lie this! She's my daughter as vell und I should alvays be a part of any decision that is made about her!" Austria snapped as his hands continued moving across the short locs of hair, Astrid's gaze locked onto her feet like they were the most fascinating things she'd ever seen and tears rose in Mia's violet eyes making them sparkle softly as her hands pressed against her trembling lips. "How dare you call me that! How dare you cut off our daughter's hair vithout telling me! My daughter looks like a boy und it's all your fault! How dare you, Prussia!"

"Girls go to your room." Prussia's voice was flat, emotionless as he looked down at the tears trickling down Mia's cheeks and Astrid looed up with a suspicious shineness to her own eyes and Prussia jerked his head, forcing a little smile to his lips as he squatted down in front of Astrid then reached out taing Mia's hand tugging them both forward to a stuttered walk. "Don't vorry, I just vant to talk to Mutti. Get going, alright? Then ve'll all have dinner like a nice family." The girls ran past Prussia out the living room door into the front entry way, their feet thundering up the stairs when ruby eyes met then clashed against violet eyes as he walked past Austria plucking up the wailing Fritz, soothing the baby then glaring at Austria. "So vhat vas your suggestion, Austria? Cut her hair to her shoulders? Make her look identical to her sister vunce again?"

Austria winced at the use of his country name, his eyes darkening at the sound of it being spit from Prussia's lips as the albino rocked the baby softly as he wailed into his shoulder and the Austrian sucked his lips inwards as he too a deep breath through his nose. Then he glared. "You should have told me, Gilbert. You should have said something before you cut all of her hair off! You should have told me und I should had known ahead of time just vhat the hell you vere going to do to our daughter! I'm her mother! I should know everything there is to know about my baby! Und you vent off cutting off all her hair vhile I vas sleeping? That's dirty und underhanded, Gilbert, und I never vould have thoguht that you vould do something like this vithout telling me! How dare you! I vant to be involved! Vhy didn't you just say something?"

"Because you vould of said no! You alvays say no vhen it comes to cutting their hair! You believe that it has to be shoulder length or logner und that doesn"t make Astrid happy! Not in the slightest bit!" Prussia replied throwing a hand out as the baby wailed in his ear, fighting the urge to shout at the Austrian as he began rubbing Fritz's back softly, digging his fingers in just enough to loosen the tight and taunt muscles of his back but the baby whimpered and cried still with his mouth latching onto Prussia's shoulder suckling fiercely at the cloth covered surface. "You never vanted her hair that short und I know for a fact it's a vanity choice! You didn't care vhether Astrid vanted long hair or not! You just vanted her hair long so she vould look like Ileana or even like Tatiana! Hell, you probably vanted her to look like America's daughter! But you have to understand that Astrid isn't like those girls! She's unique, she's special, she's absolutely vun of a kind and there's nothing you can do to stop her from being it! So vhy not let the outside match the inside?"

"You still should of asked me, Gilbert. You should have run the idea by me instead of vaiting for me to go to sleep because I vas jetlagged." He clenched his jaw, unwilling to let it go when he looked at the fussing baby in Prussia's arms and held his hands out towards the baby. "Give me him, I'll get a bottle going. Und just so you know this ISN'T the last of this conversation! It vas absolutely underhanded of you to go something like this und I'm not going to stand for you going behind my back und doing things like this vith the girls. I refuse to be left out of anything further involving them und I don't like that you can't even respect me enough to at least tell me vhat you vere going to do!" Prussia handed the ruby eyed infant over to Austria who lightly bounced the child in his arms before scowling at Prussia from underneath his dark lashes. "It's cruel to keep me out of the loop vith our girls. I vant to be involved, I vant to be vith them vhen things change beore they have to go avay for the Vorld Academy. I don't vant them to think me cruel but I vant to be as much a part of their lives as I can be before they leave."

Prussia sighed softly as he moved his arms out tugging the Austrian towards him making said Nation yelp softly as the baby grisled loudly flailing his arms out as his chubby cheeks burned a brilliant red from the fuss he had put up before but Prussia was bending to kiss his littler nose, fluttering kisses along his cheeks and then was doing the same for Austria. THe brunette held still like a statue underneath his fluttering lips but he eventually melted, a flush to hi cheeks as his eyes peered at Prussia with reluctance but the albino didn't mind it in the slightest bit as he moved his fingers up throuhg the chestnut brown locks of hair softly. "Roddy, you've never not been a part of their lives. They know how involved you are, I know how involved you are, so vhat more can you possibly do? They know they love them but they also vant to be the most authentic selves they can be und that's how I vant them to live as vell. Don't you vant our girls to valk avay from here confident, understanding young vomen? Don't you vant them to have a good self image of themselves before they go?"

"Of course I do!" Austria got out as he pulled away from Prussia, his gaze slipping downwards to the fussing baby who was staring up at him angrily, his ruby eyes wet as Austria pulled away from Prussia nad gestured with his head for the albino to follow him which he did. THey walked from the living room together, the baby fussing impatiently as his little hands both twisted into the Austrian's shirt while pushing at his chest at the same time. When they entered the kitchen wordlessly the Austrian then sighed softly as he turned his attention to his partner who was leaning against the doorway of the kitchen as Austria got the bottle into the microwave where it revolved slowly and he sighed out softly. "I von't deny that she does look quite beautiful vith her hair like that, that's vun thing I von't deny, but goddammit I just vish you had said something before hand!"

"Vould you have stopped me?" Prussia's question was loud in the kitchen making the Austrian flush a brilliant red before looking away making the Prussian laugh as he crossed his arms across his chest. "That's vhat I thought. Listen, Roddy, you don't have to flip out like that all the time. You know that if she vants too she can grow her hair out that long again but I have the distinct feeling that she's going to keep her hair not only short but in the same style I cut it in, but you have to understand it's what she wants. She may be eight but even most children know what they want by this age and if she wants short hair then by the gods she'll have short hair." He then walked into the room, sauntered more like it, and reached out ruffling Austria's hair making the man whine as he kissed the man's cheek making Austria grumble under his breath at the albino. "Don't worry, sveetheart. She'll either love it tomorrow or she'll hate it, either vay it's just hair. Be happy that she's happy vith it."

Austria sighed ut softly but found himself smile weakly at the albino as the baby smacked his pudgy hands against his mother's chest fiercely, whining loudly as tears began welling in his ruby eyes once more and Prussia reached out poking his fat cheek earning him a scowl aimed his way. "Don't tease the baby, Gilbert. Und I just vish she vouldn't be so happy vith the things that make YOU happy. The last thing I vant for our daughter is for her to be an outcast like you were for sometime if you'd be more than willing to remember." Both frowned at this as Austria pulled the bottle out of the microwave after it had beeped and tested the temperature on his wrist before allowing Fritz to latch onto the bottle, suckling fiercely causing bubbles to rise in the formula as the baby sighed through his nose. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It vasn't right. I just vish for our daughter to have many friends, to be happy und to have the opportunities that ve never had the chance too."

"Und she vill! She's already friends vith Liam, Cristiano, Austynn and Tatiana! She has a good friend group und vhen she goes to the Academy then she'll make even more friends! You don't have to vorry so much about her being like me, sveetheart. She's vun of a kind und that's vhat makes us love her so much. Same vith Mia! Our girls are vun of a kind, unique und special to both of us because they're ours und that's all they have to be." Prussia reached out stroking Austria's hair behind his ear, the chestnut brown locks silken beneath his fingers as he then brushed his fingers over Austria's cheek softly down to his lips, tracing the shape of them delicately before smiling. "Don't vorry, our girls vill be coming home every holiday und I bet you anything they'll have made many friends, the little social butterflies that they are. They'll be happy und healthy, you have nothing to vorry about."

"I'm a Vater as vell, Gilbert, so of course I vorry about our girls." He then paused looking down at the baby in his arms and shared a smirk with Prussia who had a mischievous sparkle in his ruby eyes. "Or I guess you could say I'm more like a Mutter since I carried the children so it's only natural that I vorry more about them than you do. As long as they grow up to be healthy, vise and smart then I have nothing to vorry about but vith them so young und leaving next year to attend the Academy scares me. THey'll have romances, they'll have fights und so much more that I vorry about missing it all." He frowned as he looked down at Fritz, holding him firmly to his chest as the baby gurgled in response, pausing in gulping down his formula and smiled around the nipple up at his mother when Austria looked up from the baby to look at Prussia. "Sure there are things that vomen go through that ve have never experience but I still vant to valk them through it, you know? I vant to be there und help them understand the changes coming to them but vhat right does a man have to that?"

"Vell, given that you're their Mutter I'm sure that they'll come running to you vhenever they have some new change und they'll be here on all the holidays, you know how it vorks! They even have an entire veek to spend for a Saint Patrick's day! Our girls vill be home more often than ve think." He walked over to Austria, winding his arms around his waist and tugged Austria against his body, then lifted a hand up stroking the silky cap of chestnut brown hair on the baby, his eyes flicking up to his father and he squirmed delightedly at the sight of the albino and Prussia smiled as he then kissed Austria's cheek softly."But just remember, hair is hair, vhat truly matters is that she's happy und this hair cut makes her happy. Getting new clothes makes her happy und you know that she'll grow up to be a very vise und so vill Mia. They're the daughters of Prussian und an Austrian! Of course they'll be smarter than anyvun!"

"Very true. If Astrid is happy vith her hair cut then I...guess I can get used to it." He then tilted his head to press against Prussia's as Fritz finished off the bottle, chewing on the nipple fiercely while staring up at his parents with that same adoration in which they gazed down at him vith and Austria sighed softly. "Ve have to pick up the uniforms for the girls. I vas told by the dry cleaner that they arrived so tomorrow morning ve'll go pick them up und have a little fashion show vith the girls. I heard that the colors are lighter than the elder girls' uniforms, so it'll be nice to see the girls in a uniform just to see vhat they look like. Though knowing Astrid she von't vear the skirt villingly, she'll vant the dress pants so I put in an order for those as vell vhen ve got their uniforms. That vay she'll have the feminine uniform und a pair of pants to vear."

"You're getting to know our girl better every day!" Prussia crooned nuzzling his cheek against Austria's making the brunette laugh as he pulled the bottle away from Fritz who squirmed again as he was lifted upwards to be burped and his ruby eyes glanced up at Prussia's and the albino reached out poking his nose making the baby giggle. "Don't vorry about smothering either! Ve still have trouble here und it'll be years before he's ready to go to the Academy so ve have our tiny marshmallow to love on." He kissed those silky locks of hair then kissed Austria's neck making the man squeak while Fritz burped and smiled at his father as happily as any four-month-old could.

Prussia then tilted Austria's head back slightly, his lips parting with a quiet breath of what sounded like excitement to Prussia as his lips quickly covered Austria's in a kiss that stole the Austrian's breath thoroughly as he felt his heart skip wildly before beating quickly. It took everything to remind him of the baby in his arms butt when he did remember he squeezed the child to his chest making him gurgle quietly once again as his lips moved with Prussia's in a kiss that seemed far too eager, like there was something to prove in the kiss. It was a quick stab of desire type of kiss that the brunette adored the most for Prussia was already pulling away, leaving him chasing after his lips that tugged up into a smirk and Austria smirked himself before nudging the Prussia away with his hip as a part of their little game and he then tossed his head back in an attempt to brush the bangs from his forehead where they were falling into his eyes. "Go check on the girls und maybe, just maybe, you'll earn something good tonight."

Prussia smiled widely grabbing the Austrian placing another quick, fierce kiss to his lips that had desire stabbing at him once again and Prussia pulled away dancing away from the kick aimed his way as he winked at the brunette who was red in the face, his violet eyes sparkling with desire. Prussia then smirked widely as he hooked his hands on either side of the doorway, his feet rocking back onto his heels as he bounced upwards to make himself taller and bit his lip for just a moment before releasing it slowly watching desire darken those violet eyes and he then twisted shouting over his shoulder as he walked away. "Love you, Roddy!"

Chapter Text

The sun danced on the horizon, the hues of pinks, violets and the pale golden sunlight had Italy's fingers itching as he watch the light growing as it spilled over the horizon like a cup of spilled sunshine spreading across the Earth to their bedroom as if eager to fan into the room to fill it with it's pale light. He could hear Germany stirring next to him, groaning quietly before rolling onto his side judging by the way the bed shook and Italy bit his lip to keep from rolling over to shout his good morning to the Germanic Nation and instead kept his eyes trained on the sunrise. Pale lilac, shimmering pink, stunning gold as it spilled across the horizon eagerly. There was nothing more beautiful than a sunrise such as this and when he felt the weight leave the bed making it shake ever so lightly Italy finally twisted to find the muscled back of his husband's, the red welted lines having gone down to thin red lines from his nails. He squirmed over onto his side, crawling on his forearms carefully before reaching up to press his lips against the red lines left behind by his fingernails and he felt Germany jump beneath his lips like he had been tasered rather than kissed. He crawled to his knees draping his arms around Ludwig's shoulders letting his hands dangle in front of his chest and he found that there was just something about the movement that had an ugly, deep twisting pain stab through his stomach nearly buckling him against his husband. He hid it the best he could with a cuddling movement against the Germany who sighed softly as he stroked his finger tips against the length of Italy's forearms.

The touch was like a feather, a light brushing against hs skin and Italy smiled as he pressed his cheeks against the blonde locks of hair happily inhaling the scent clinging to them from their shower last night and let his lashes flutter closed for a moment. There was nothing Italy loved more than the quiet of the morning, the stillness of the air as it was disturbed by the movements of their limbs and the soft quiet rustling of blankets as their legs shifted closer to one another and just how perfect the world seemed to be as it settled on its axis before him. It was a glorious sensation. He lifted his head up to press a kiss to the back of Germany's head, his arms sliding along his shoulders to press against his chest, fingers fanning outwards as he counted the beats thumping away beneath his palm with a solidity that Italy found intoxicating. Like the very beats of his heart were meant for him and only him. "Buono giorno, amore mio."

"Guten morgen, liebling." Germany murmured softly as he trailed his fingers down the length of his forearms, the silence punctured merely by their words of adoration for one another as hey sat there leaning against one another and Italy wriggled as he pressed a kiss behind Germany's ear then to the shell of his ear, his smile curling at his lips as he fanned his fingers through Germany's surprisingly silky locks of hair. He adored the soft blonde coloring, not at all like the golden hues of England and his daughter's, nor the blonde tone of America or Canada's or even his big brother France's, this blonde was something anyone on the street could have and yet it was so iconic to Germany that Italy never stopped t o question just how common his husband's shade of blonde hair was. Germany sniffed then smiled when Italy kissed the side of his neck, the brown locks of hair brushing his should as he did so and Italy released a low throaty giggle that was far to close to his ear which sent shivers down the blonde's spine as he swallowed nervously. "Let me up, Feli, I've got to valk the dogs und get the boys up und ready for school."

"I'll do that! You go take the dogs out and I'll get the boys up for you, they'll be all nicely dressed by the time you get home." Italy then crawled around Germany, twinges of pain radiating through his back to his stomach as he climbed to his feet and smiled at his husband, bending forward at the waist to press a kiss against Germany's lips softly. His lashes fluttered shut as he moved his hands up through Germany's blonde locks of hair happily and their kiss, intended to be a mere chaste one, turned into a warm long kiss that made Italy's stomach swirl with butterflies and his toes curling into the carpet while his feet twisted and his hands trembled delightfully against the back of his head as he twisted his fingers into Germany's locks of hair. It was only when Germany pulled back that Italy let the warm kiss fall to light pecks to Germany's lips before standing up straight again and releasing his hold on the blonde locks of hair with another low, throaty giggle leaving the Italian. "Ti amo tanto, Ludwig."

"Ich liebe dich auch, Feliciano." Germany murmured back in response as he brushed the back of his hand against the Italian's cheek making the man smile happily, his brown eyes glowing at the German and the blonde flipped his hand to rub his palm against the curve of Italy's cheek, his thumb resting against the corner of his mouth softly and the Italian smiled widely. It was so easy to please the Italian, so easy to make him beam so brilliantly and Germany absolutely adored the ability he had to make Italy so happy after all this time. He leaned in pressing a kiss against those smiling lips, a brief light kiss and when he pulled away he found himself smiling as he stood up in front of Italy and ruffled his bedhead carefully with both hands making the man giggle happily. "Go get the boys up. I'll be back soon enough und ve'll spend the day together, ja?"

"Ve~ Si!" Italy happily chirped throwing his arms around Germany's broad shoulders and tugging his head downwards to kiss his cheek happily before pulling away, a wide happy smile on his lips as he walked from the bed to the doorway with a skip to his step just like any other morning and Germany shook his head fondly at the sight of the Italian so happily walking to the door. When Italy left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him he bent at the waist, gritting his teeth as pain ripped through his stomach once again deeply, twisting in an ugly manner as he straightened up once the wave was over and leaned against the wall to catch his breath. He made his way down the hall, his footsteps no longer the skips they'd been inside the room but instead he walked slowly as he made his way to Wolfram and Giovanni's bedroom. If this pain continued he'd tell Germany. For all he knew it could just be an intense bout of morning sickness coming on and due to his stomach being empty it was just pain or gastroenteritis or it could just be cramping given that the last time he carried a baby it had been five years ago. Maybe his body just wasn't used to it? Was that even possible?

He wasn't sure what was going on but he was scared to turn to the internet, scared to find out just what this back nd stomach pain meant. He reached out grabbing the doorhandle for the boys bedroom, twisting then pushing the door open allowing the light from the hallway to spill into the room and he forced a smile to his lips as he walked across the room to the window where he threw open the curtains. Immediate shouts and whines erupted from the boys who turned away from the light, covering their faces with their little arms and Italy found his smile coming to his lips with more naturality to it than before and grumpy brown eyes peered up at him from under the blankets."Mutti! It's too early!"

"No it's not, mio caro, so up up! It's time to get out of bed and dressed for school! Papa will be walking the dogs but we're to get breakfast going for us all! So come on! Time to climb out of those beds my beautiful sons and let Mama smooth those messy locks of hair!" Both boys groaned as blankets were kicked and pushed at, two small figures sitting up groggily as Italy plucked the brush up and turned to Giovanni who squinted at his mother, brows tugged tightly together and a pout firmly on his lips as he looked up at his mother figure. He plucked the five-year-old up only to regret the movement when that pain twisted through his stomach, spearing right through to his lower back and had Giovanni not been gripping onto his shoulders he would have been dropped from the way Italy bent over with a gasp. The pain lasted longer this time, his stomach cramping wildly and the pain contracting the muscles in his lower back as his body stiffened with the pain that ran rampantly throuhg him for several moments before he was able to breath properly again. Italy's breathes came quietly, quickly but he stared down into the worried face of Giovanni's and he forced a smile to his lips. "Mama's okay, don't look so worried. I just have an upset tummy this morning is all! Come on, lets get you and your brother dressed!"

The boys uniforms always made Italy giggle when he helped the boys into them for they really resembled a suit that he would wear with it's deep dusty blue that brought out the pale coloring of Wolfram, made his light blue eyes sparkle and his pale skin appear paler in comparison. It made Giovanni's skin glow rather uniquely against the color, bringing out his Italian heritage a bit more than his brother's but Italy loved the sight of his sons all dressed up in the dress pants, light blue button up shirt and the deep dusty blue blazer that he would help them wriggle into. Then there was the ties, oh, they were so cute! Italy smiled as the boys stood before him shedding their pajama shirts then tilting heads back for him to brush through and given the light whines he got quite a few knots out but for the most part the brush went through quickly and with their hair brushed backwards they never shared a more striking appearance to Germany than ever before. He held them step out of their bottom clothing, helped them step into fresh underwear then their dress pants and pulled socks onto their feet which they fidgeted in and he helped button up their dress shirts quickly and tuck them into their pants rather neatly before allowing them to slip on their blazers. He buttoned the center button for them both then helped them find their shoes which they often kicked off in to closet after school and when he dug them out the boys slipped their shoes on, Italy grabbed their backpacks and they were ready for school in mere minutes. They walked out into the hallway, Italy carrying their backpacks over his arms as they rushed down the hallway together, two pairs of feet clicking due to the nice shoes thumping quietly and a pair of bare feet silently moving with them.

Italy ignored the cramping he felt in his stomach, ignored the way it radiated down to his hips as he walked downstairs, his feet loud on the tiled surface and the boys shoes clicked softly as they walked on either side of Italy, each gripping one of his hands as they walked down. When Italy turned them to the kitchen he heard Wolfram giggle as they began to trot together to the kitchen, not quite skipping but it even had Giovanni giggling with his mother and twin as they made their way into the dining room where the boys scrambled into their seats and Italy smiled before walking into the kitchen that was connected to the dining room by a single swinging door. He opened the fridge grabbing the pack of eggs, the cheese and milk carefully as he then placed it on the counter, reached up into the cabinet to grab a mixing bowl and set to work on cracking eggs and swirling them into the bowl along with the cheese and milk. He turned top the stove when he hummed lightly to himself a quiet little song that reminded him of his youth, back when he was still a young boy who was in love with the Holy Roman Empire and running around in the home of Austria's, and he lightly tapped his foot to the rhythm of his little made up song and yet his jaw clenched when the pain throbbed throuhg his stomach once again. He tried focusing on getting the pan ready, turning towards the fridge to get the butter out when Wolfram came trotting in, his blonde locks of hair brushing his forehead and cheeks, his blue eyes glittering happily but froze when he took in the sight of Italy, his face going pale. He looked like someone had just pressed pause on his joy, had stopped it in it's tracks quickly and Italy blinked.

"What's wrong, bambino?" Italy shut the fridge door, the butter in his hand when he cocked his head to the side at the sight of Wolfram spinning on his heel screaming for his father who was managing things by the front door, the dogs barks echoing to the kitchen and Italy felt it. A slow, itching crawl down the back of his thigh. He twisted to reach behind him to brush the back of his thigh when the pain crippled him once again only this time it didn't stop, it didn't relieve itself and it brought Italy down to the floor where the butter dropped from his feet exploding across the floor. Italy shouted as his hands covered his belly, reaching behind him with shaking hands when he felt something trickling out ofh im and he struggled to slow his breathing. His breath came wildly when the sight of Germany slamming open the kitchen door, avoiding the butter that exploded from his fingers and rushed over to the stove turning it off.

"Feli, vhats vrong? Vhere does it hurt?" Germany spit out the questions faster than Italy could answer them but his face went pale, just like Wolfram's when he glanced behind Italy and he crouched beside Italy who had tears welling up in his brown eyes, tears that stabbed throuhg the German for he had no control nor could he make it better in any way. What could he say that would make the pain go away? That would make his husband stare at him with something other than fear? He stood up, trying to get Italy to stand with him but when the Italian was pulled to his feet he screamed out in pain, a sound that clawed at Germany's ear drums and so he did the only rational thing he could in a moment like that. He bent scooping Italy's knees upwards and wrapped his arm around his upper back in a cradle hold as he rushed out of the kitchen with the Italian in his arms and their children shouting questions making Germany bark out his next words. "Nein! Stay here! Mutti vill be okay, just give us a moment."

"It hurts, Germany, it hurts!" Italy whimpered into the blonde's shoulder, clinging onto him tightly with his fingers gripping fistfuls of fabric into his hands and tears rolled down his cheeks as he bit his lip for a moment ebfore crying out as Germany ran for the first floor bathroom, the speed rocking the Italian making him moan out. "I'm losing them! Our baby, Ludwig, I'm losing them!" Sobs wracked through Italy at the reality, the true painful truth that he hadn't wanted to think about and it had tears gushing down his cheeks. He was losing his baby. The baby he had wanted for so long now, THEIR baby, and it broke his heart. Germany got Italy into the bathroom, setting him down by the tub before shaking his hands out and bit his lip staring down at Italy who was sobbing wildly to himself as he reached down pushing his pajama pants down and climbed towards the toilet only to have the German help the Italian onto the toilet. He sobbed holding his face in his hands, the sounds cracking out of him ruthlessly.

"Give me vun minute, sveetheart." Germany murmured to the Italian who was gasping, shaking and wailing so fiercely that one would think he'd had his very heart ripped from his chest, not that Germany blamed him for he felt a similar sensation in his own chest. Sure, he may have been taken aback by the suddenness of the pregnancy but he hadn't had enough time to feel the excitement, to watch Italy grow large with their child but it still broke his heart all the same. He was gasping for a breath, grasping for control and so he did the only rational thing he could. He grabbed a towel and carefully wrapped it around Italy's waist, helping t he sobbing Italian lift his waist upwards and swept him into his arms again as he rushed from the bathroom, the sight of bloody water in the toilet making his heart race as he ran out the hallway with Italy keening and whimpering in his arms. "Giovanni! Can you reach the keys in the bowl?"

"J-Ja, Vati. Here!" Giovanni hopped in place, his hand slapping the bowl making it tip over and he pulled the keys off of the counter, rushing over to his father and yanking the door open for him when his face paled at the blood that leaked onto the towel covering his mother's waist. Sure, Giovanni had seen blood before, had seen it stain his mother's pristine white handkerchiefs when he would fall or scrap his knee but there was a different between the blood that had soaked up his mother's handkerchief and the blood that was leaking onto the towel. The color, the vivid dark red against the blue of the towel had his stomach heaving and his hands shaking as he tugged at the back of his father's shirt while Wolfram stood by the front door, waiting for his father to come marching for it when blue eyes peered down at wide brown eyes peering up at him worriedly. "Vati, is Mutti okay? Is he...dying?"

"No, Mutti isn't dying, don't vorry. He just needs a doctor to look him over." He paused then cursed under his breath before walking towards the door, Italy's quiet sobs wracking his shoulders gently as he hid his face in his shoulder and Wolfram opened the door for his father, staring up just as worriedly as his brother as the man angled both himself and Italy throuhg the door. He ran for the car with the boys slamming the door behind them before racing after their father, their shoes clicking against the ground quietly as they ran over the stone walkway and crunched over gravel in the driveway and he looked to the car door then down at Wolfram who ran just a touch ahead of his twin. "Wolf, vould you mind opening the door for Vati und Mutti?"

His curl was scrunched up tightly as he tugged open the door to the car and Germany carefully twisted his shoulders forward as he sat Italy down who was mumbling in between his tears as he looked up with wide wet eyes and Germany squeezed his lover's waist gently making him whimper softly. "I'm sorry, Germany, I'm sorry! I couldn't keep them, I couldn't keep the baby! I'm so sorry!" Italy continued this line of wailing as he sniffled thickly while Germany helped the boys into the backseat, the boys climbing easily into their booster seats and helping their father in strapping in and the Italian couldn't bring himself to look at his sons. He had so been looking forward to revealing this pregnancy, this newest child, to the children who he knew would have been absolutely thrilled at the thought of becoming big siblings and Italy felt as though he had gone and ruined that image in his mind.

He felt like he had soiled whatever joy this family could have shared, that he had done SOMETHING wrong if he was miscarrying and there had to be some kind of reason that he was losing his baby. There had to be, he couldn't believe it was just "one of those things that happened" for there was no rhyme, no reason to losing a baby. He didn't want to think that nothing had happened for him to deserve it and yet it crushed his heart in his chest to think that he might have done something wrong to cause this. He keened to himself as Germany took the car keys from Giovanni after strapping the brunette in and he slammed the back door running around the car, Italy rubbing at his eyes frantically even as more tears began to well inside of his eyes at the thought of having his miscarriage confirmed by the doctors own words and it made tears burn in his aching eyes as he rubbed the back of his hands against his eyes yet the tears continued to fall down his cheeks. Germany threw himself into the driver's seat, jamming the keys into the ignition and putting the car into reverse, backing out of the drive way swearing under his breath in German as they made their way quickly down the long driveway and when they finally got to the road Germany put the car into drive. He sped down he road looking up at the boys in the rearview mirror. Italy couldn't bring himself to do the same thing as his husband for he didn't want to see the tears falling down their cheeks, didn't want to see his own heartbroken expression in their little faces for it would further break his own heart, he was sure of it. It would break his heart worse than the tragedy playing out. He reached out with a wet hand to touch Germany's shoulder as he sniffled and squeezed his shirt sleeve.

"I'm so sorry, Germany. So so very sorry." Italy got out on a whimper, the words choking his throat on their way out as his husband turned his head slightly to look at him from out of the corner of his eye and the regret that washed through them had further tears rushing down his cheeks. He had never seen Germany cry but his eyes were glistening softly, looking far too wet than what the man would allow but as he drove he rubbed at his eyes fiercely in between alternating his hands to clean his eyes as he sniffed briefly and Italy gripped the fistful of shirt in his hand tightly. "I really am, deeply and truly sorry, Luddy. I'm sorry I couldn't keep this baby. I'm so so sorry!"

"Stop apologizing! I'm more concerned about YOU as a person than about you apologizing!" Germany got out in a gruff, even snappish tone but as they pulled into traffic the German was forced to slow down with a curse flying from his lips and he then turned his attention to Italy who had tears dripping off of his chin. "Italy, Feliciano, I love you. Trust me, I do, but you have to understand that vhat is happening at this moment is not your fault! You have nothing to apologize for! It's something that could happen to a human female at any moment, there is no rhyme or reason to why it happens to some people but not to others, do you understand me? It's nothing to apologize over, it is something that just happens sometime!" He paused to take a shaking breath as he rubbed a hand over his face before returning his attention to driving once the car in front of him began moving. "Liebling, Licht meines Lebens, you have to understand that no matter vhat happens I vill never be angry because you lost a baby. I vill never be angry that this happened und I promise you that I understand how you are feeling. I do. Don't think I'm angry or upset or anything like that, alright? So stop apologizing."

Italy bit his lip as he looked at his husband with wet eyes before looking down at his lap only to look away when a seizing pain took him over making him cry out as his legs stiffened at the wave of pain working through his stomach and the cramps squeezed viciously from the inside out. Squeezed his organs, squeezed the baby from inside of him and he let his head fall back as he wailed out with a sob flying from his lips as his hands squeezed the towel covering his waist and he knew his blood was pooling beneath him, was leaking out of him like a weak tap and he had nothing to stop it as he sobbed into his arms as he crossed them over his mouth. His baby. Yes, it wasn't much other than a glob inside of him, a glob of cells and DNA but goddammit it was HIS baby! He wailed into his arms as the engine snarled quietly with he increase of speed and Italy couldn't stop the black waves inside of him from cresting upwards overh is head and swallowing him whole.

Chapter Text

France laughed happily as Austynn wriggled in his arms, the seven -year-old slumped sideways across his chest and screamed with laughter as France's fingers attacked his sides, attacked his neck and his armpits when the opportunity arose to attack the sensitive, ticklish areas. The boy was positively shrieking as he rolled away from his father, his knees digging into the couch cushion below him and the sound of his laughter, so loud, so infectious made the French man laugh right along with him though it felt more like cackling from time to time. The boy's violet eyes shimmered, his hair standing up wildly along his cheeks as it bobbed and caressed those red cheeks and his jawline, his lashes trembled with fast blinks and his smile created dimples in his cheeks as he laughed wildly. There never was a more beautiful sight than the sight of his son laughing so hard. The joy sparkled in those violet eyes, exact duplicates as his mother and the sight of those dimples sticking out in his cheeks had him digging his fingers into the spots making the boy squeal as his long legs kicked outwards flailing wildly as if it would get his father to stop tickling him but instead it just inspired the french man to continue onwards making him squeal and scream until his mother appeared in the doorway smiling widely at the sight of Austynn being tickled so viciously by his father that the boy held his hands out like Canada would rush into the room and pull him free. He screamed when France managed to get his shirt over his belly to bend over to blow a raspberry on the smooth flesh making the byo positively scream with laughter as his legs kicked out nailing his father in the stomach making him groan quietly but smile nonetheless when Canada giggled.

"Francis, you know you shouldn't be getting Austynn all riled up before our appointment." Canada scolded lightly as he looked at his lover who smiled guiltily up at the Canadian but France released his hold on Austynn, watching the seven-year-old roll off the couch and onto his knees where he quickly crawled across the floor to his mother who helped him stand to his feet. Austynn slung his arms against his mother's waist and pressed his cheek against his side as he hugged onto the Canadian Nation, his violet eyes sparkling with mischief from the tickle assault on the couch and France stood stretching his arms up above his head as he groaned lightly and rolled his shoulder's back with a smile on his lips. There was nothing he loved more than to see that mischievous sparkle in his eye, nothing he loved more than to see that wide smile curled across his lips and the way his hands smoothed down Austynn's hair before resting his hand on the boy's head happily. "Austynn, why don't you go get your shoes and coat on for Maman?"

"Oui, Maman! I'll do it so fast you'll be proud of me!" Austynn then turned running from his mother to the front hallway, his footsteps loud on the floor as he rushed from the living rom and both parents smiled fondly. Austynn was a sweet boy, all to ready to do something or anything to impress his parents, to make them proud of him and he did this without ever truly knowing t he fact that it didn 't matter what he did, how he did it or when he did it that his parents were proud of him. He was a talented seven-year-old who would never tire of the praise he received from his parents and today was no different as they heard the zipper of his coat flapping about wildly as he struggled toget his arms into them right and there was the muted thumps as he got his shoes on and Canada smiled shaking his head fondly as France walked towards him, holding his hands out which Canada responded too by putting his own hands in the French man's and they squeezed tightly.

Canada smiled as he looked into the all too familiar blue eyes, into the eyes that gazed at him so adoringly that it left little doubt in Canada's mind that he was forgiven and as he squeezed the hands within his own he found that there was nothing he loved more than the warmth of France's hands in his own. The warmth of the French man so close to him, the warmth in those beautiful eyes of his as they gazed at him and he smiled shyly as he ducked hish ead down staring at their hands as his cheeks flushed into a light blush as his glasses lightly slipped down his nose as he bit at his lip for a moment before speaking."What are you hoping for? A boy or a girl?"

"Well, I don't mind whether it is a girl or boy so long as they are 'ealthy but I do 'ope it's a girl this time round but another boy wouldn't be the end of the world." France replied thoughtfully then smiled at the shy expression on Canada's face and squeezed his hand before carefully shaking one hand loose then using it to nudge Canada's glasses up his nose making the Canadian giggle rather happily. The french man then leaned in pressing his lips against the Canadian's jawline making him shift on his feet back and forth, his hand suddenly fidgeting in his own. "Whatever we 'ave, boy or girl, the baby will be just as lovely as their Maman, I know that much. Just like our sweet Austynn is just as lovely as 'is Maman." France then lifted his free hand upwards to skim softly along the Canadian's cheek making the blonde before him jump lightly at the touch, like his fingers were electrified and sent a current through the other as the French man smiled at his lover. "Let's just take some satisfaction in that we can brag about the gender to Angleterre who will be positively green with envy!"

Canada laughed then, his head tilting back lightly as he did so when small hands on his thigh had him looking down into wide violet eyes, so similar to his own, and he smirked widely at his son before aiming that smirk at France. "This little rivalry you have with England is so amusing sometimes, Francis." His smirk deepened as he ran his fingers through Austynn's hair, admiring the silken texture of the two toned blonde locks, the light blonde of the t op of his head shimmered while the deep blonde at the ends was glossy. His blonde lashes quivered as he blinked at his mother, violet eyes curiously gazing up at him and while he adored his son he was secretly pleased his son took after him so strongly in a similar way that Liam had taken after his father so strongly. "I'm sure that whatever baby we end up having they'll be just like our sweet boy."

"Oui! But I don't think anyone could possibly be as sweet as Austynn! 'e got it from 'is mother after all." A hip bump was delivered to Canada who giggled watching Austynn's face go red at the compliments aimed his way and the French Man reached down rubbing the two toned blonde locks of hair affectionately and the b oy whined burying his face into his mother's side. The head from his blush pressed against Canada's skin throuhg his shirt, the intensity making the Canadian croon wordlessly down at the boy as he moved his own fingers through the two toned locks of hair happily. "Papa couldn't be prouder of 'is sweet little boy! Angleterre must be beside 'imself when 'e things of what a sweet, affectionate little boy I 'ave! Meanwhile 'e 'as wildcat children! Not that I don't love them but our Austynn is clearly the sweetest boy when compared to 'is cousins!"

"True, but you have to remember that those kids are half of America meaning it was inevitable that they would act like him in some way, shape, or form. Now let's go get ready for this appointment and get going." Canada pried Austynn from his hip, the boy whining as his red face was removed from his mother's hip, turning away rushing for the front door making both parents chuckle fondly at the boy as he rushed outside into the snowy yard of theirs and Canada walked into the front hall with France following behind him closely. He took a deep breath throuhg his nose, gearing himself up as he bentt lightly at the waist while shoving his feet into his boots then wiggling his feet around before reaching down tugging the boots up into place allowing his feet to slide right into place within the boot and he huffed throuhg his nose. He pulled his coat, his curl bobbing with the movement as he slid his arms into the sleeves, shivering at the chill that clung to the fabric but the sight of France buttoning up his coat, tying the sash at his waist was distracting as Canada buttoned up his own coat.

France's blue eyes then lifted upwards curiously at Canada making the male blush himself when a wide smile was aimed his way and there was nothing that could calm the way his stomach fluttered wildly with the ever present butterflies and he bit at his lower lip to suppress his own wild smile but the corners of his mouth twitched softly. There was no one, absolutely positively no one, that he loved like he loved France. While he had been with Prussia for a spell, had loved the albino fiercely, he found that even that love paled in comparison to the love that he carried for France and he found himself grateful, absolutely grateful, that France had felt the same way about him by some miracle. He released his bottom lip when France held his hand out the car keys jingling in his pocket as he rattled them idly and Canada slipped his hand into France's, enjoying once again the warmth that radiated off of his palm into his own as he was pulled forward with a laugh on his lips. France flung the door open and Canada shut it behind them as they rushed out into the walkway where Austynn was making small snowmen out of boredom but hopped up rushing for the car giggling happily when France laughed at the sight of the small snowmen fondly rushing after the boy as Canada carefully trotted along with his lover, squeezing his hand softly feeling a swell of happiness. He was grateful, ever so grateful, for his small family and he pressed a hand against his stomach as he released France's hand in order to walk around the car to get into the passenger seat. He hoped, prayed even, that this new baby would be the addition to their family that would make it perfect.

Unlike other doctors, Canada's didn't work at the hospital. Of course she had her license, had every right to doctoring, but she often chose to work out of her home rather than at the hospital and it was this quiet house that France drove towards. It was a rather simplistic house, two floors and wide with four bedrooms, three upstairs one downstairs with a wide open living room filled with two couches, an arm chair tucked close to a fire place and the equipment one needed for an ultra sound waiting right for them in the living room with a proper bench for the patient to lay upon. Of course, France had turned his nose up t the house when they had first started going to this personal doctor of Canada's when he was pregnant with Austynn but he had long since grown attached to driving towards the rather comfy home, to seeing the doctor with her warm brown eyes that always sparkled with the right amount of affection when she caught sight of the Canadian Nation when he would walk up with their son holding their hand. She was a doctor who made sure her patients knew they were not only welcome but were expected with just the right amount of that welcoming atmosphere that France had grown used too when he would be the one to bring Austynn to his appointments and check ups rather than Canada. It was to this house, and this doctor, that they drove towards wti hAustynn singing quietly in the back seat to the songs that played on the radio, his voice sweet and high as he sung under his breath which France smiled at when he strained his ears to listen to the sound. He loved to hear his son's voice, the sound high and clear like a ringing bell whenever he heard it and he felt such pride att their sons artistic abilities.

While Austynn preferred to draw, preferred to bake at times, he had a beautiful voice. Something that, if cultivated the right way, would grow into a powerful and sweet singing voice for him and that's just what France wanted. He had been absolutely overjoyed when Austynn joined the chorus group of his private school, had been absolutely pleased whenever his son was a solo singer in the group and would brag to England whenever he possibly could about his son's successes and his beautiful singing voice only to be hit back with the sports accomplishments of Liam but France didn't care. His son was achieving in the same way his cousin was and he was happy with it, pleased with it, and he loved nothing more than for his son to join the chorus at the World Academy when he transfered over to it. He was nothing short of bursting with pride for his young son who was not only musically gifted but artistically inclined as well, something that had been obvious from a very young age when Austynn had been a mere toddler drawing scribbles and mixing colors curiously with his crayons. His artworks had hung all over the kitchen's fridge, over the freezers and along the wall due to t he pride France felt with each new artpiece his son created, doing everything he could to help his son grow on his artistic abilities by helping him whenever he could, giving his advice whenever the boy asked for it and he was absolutely smug when Austynn would come up to him with a new art piece he had been working on. Austynn had shown signs of his artistic ability, had shown signs of his beautiful singing voice, from a very young age and had always been in tune with music.

When he was a baby, shortly after he was born, Austynn would refuse to sleep unless sung too, would refuse to listen to the same lullaby and of course that lead to a wide diverse introduction to music for the infant at the time and when he was in his toddler years Austynn would always bob and sway to music when it was on, would sing his garbled nonsense along with the melody and France had adored the sight of it. He had many videos of his son on social media, of course, like any other parent would of these moments and he even saved them to DVD's with the markings of Home Video's on the plastic case. He glanced at Canada out of the corner of his eye as they turned onto the familiar street, his smile wide and prideful from his thoughts as he glanced up at Austynn who was lightly shifting in his seat while singing quietly still underneath his breath, more to himself than anything, and he felt his smile widen. He hoped with all his heart that this new baby would be just as Austynn was, just as musically inclined or even artistically inclined as their brother and more than anything France hoped this newest child would also resemble their mother strongly like Austynn did. When they pulled up to the house France unbuckled himself, Canada and Austynn doing the same, the boy scooting across the seats in order to get out on the sidewalk, throwing his door open excitedly as he jumped onto the sidewalk carefully, his boots thudding quietly on t he ground. France climbed out with Canada, their doors slamming shut with Austynn pushing his gleefully as France walked around the car and the boy positioned himself between both parents happily.

He reached up grabbing one of France's hands and one of Canada's hands, happily swinging their hands joyfully as they walked up the walkway and just lke any other time the door swung open revealing a women clearly entering her late forties, her hair speckled through with the beginnings of gray throughout the orange coloring, her brown eyes shimmering with that perfect amount of affection when she caught sight of Austynn. Then it was transferred to both France and Canada, the affection sparkling like she were welcoming home sons or perhaps a grandchild rather than two patients as she held her hands out which Canada placed his free hand into and of course, just like the French, kissed each others cheeks going from one side to the other then beaming at one another. "It is good to see you are in good 'ealth, Mr. Williams! And you as well, Mr. Bonnefoy! And even you, little Austynn! Come in, come in! Let's see 'ow this baby is doing, shall we?"

"Oui, this is the first time I was invited so I would love to 'ear the little 'eartbeat!" France replied then smirked at Canada who laughed nervously as t he three of them entered the house, following after the doctor and Austynn released his mother's hand but clung onto France's tightly like he was worried of his parents fighting. Like he had to hold onto his father to remind him that he was still with them but the French man had no animosity in his heart, no anger, and even showed that in the manner that his eyes sparkled excitedly as Canada unbuttoned his coat, pulling it open then climbing on top of the bench and laying back, tugging his shirt above his stomach which France smiled at. Perhaps it was because of the last pregnancy but the bump there was absolutely precious in the way that it stuck up in a tiny little curve, showing a lot more than Canada had at three months with Austynn but France chalked it up to each pregnancy being different just like every baby was different.

"Of course, of course! I knew Mr. Williams would tell you eventually! Especially with a belly like this!" THe doctor joked as she pulled the machine over to Canada, the transducer wiggling in it's place as she pulled the bottle of jelly out. "It'll be warm, Mr. Williams, alright?" She then squirted the jelly onto the Canadian's stomach making said Canadian shiver at the hot temperature of the jelly, his eyes locked on the screen as the transducer was then plucked up and placed against his bump, smearing the warm jelly around on his stomach when eventually with some pressure the baby popped onto view. Of course it didn't quite look like a baby would at five or seven months but it was THEIR baby on the screen. He smiled at the sound of the heart beating away happily when the doctor's mouth flew open. "Oh! Oh my!"

"What? What is it?" France questioned looking over at the screen nervously, then down at Canada's jelly smeared stomach and he found large violet eyes flicking towards France with that same nervous energy and both parents looked to the monitor anxiously. Then France heard it. Of course he heard it, how could he not? It was muffled, of course, and it was quite hard to pick up on but the longer one strained their ears and leaned forward towards the speakers you could hear it just faintly like a fluttering beat completely different from the loudest heartbeat. There was two of them. Two heartbeats. Now of course this could quite possibly be Canada's heart, after all many mothers had proclaimed that the transducer during an ultrasound could pick up their heart beat, which would explain the muffled quality to this second heartbeat but it was the way the doctor appeared in that moment that canceled the t heory. Her eyes were wide, the brown shimmering in awe as her lips parted slightly and even Austynn was gripping his father's hand tightly as his own mouth dropped open with t he comprehension of the situation and France gasped in a breath while Canada's breath rushed out quickly."Tw-Two 'eartbeats? Are you telling me there are...TWINS in there?"

"THat's exactly what I think." The doctor nodded to herself like it made clear sense, like it was the most natural thing to proclaim, like there wasn't an awe hovering in the room that clawed at every member within the room and the doctor rolled the transducer around his stomach when right there a second head popped up. It wasn't there moments ago but with some coaxing of the transducer against his stomach the image revealed a second head settled close to it's twin but obviously more towards the back like they were hiding behind their sibling. Impossible. Absolutely impossible. "It's not uncommon to 'ave twins. It would also explain why you look so big for three months given that there are two babies in there. Now, this baby seemed to be growing closer towards the b ack of the womb, which isn't uncommon with twins, but I think it would put all of us at ease if you begin taking those prenatals we prescribed you and to begin eating wisely." She paused then smiled at the two Nations who were slack jawed at the sight of two babies.

"But there's no history of twins, how is this possible?" Canada asked weakly as he looked at the side of the babies on the screen, his face a pale color though that similar awe was shimmering through his violet eyes as he looked at hte round heads displayed on the grainy monitor and his fingers twitched with the urge to cover his slimy belly, to feel see if he could feel the babies with his finger alone. If there was one person on this planet, one person alone that he would curse with the burden of twins, it would have to be England. After all it was more likely for him to have twins, something that he wished to have happened and yet here he was, the one with twins. He didn't know much about twins but he was sure they were rare, weren't they? Even Italy's twins were considered rare among the Nations, a confirmed twin set at that, so how did he become pregnant with twins himself? "Is it like a random chance?"

The doctor smiled softly as she pulled the transducer away from his stomach, the small thin printer working quickly to spit out their ultrasound picture as she hung up the transducer then grabbed a few napkins to wipe off Canada's stomach carefully but firmly. "Well, if it were a woman I would say that birth control would contribute in twins. You see birth control has the effect to have a woman ovulate more eggs at a time, which in return provides the possibility of twins better than it would than a woman off of birth control. However there is fertility medicines that help with the conceiving of more than one child, but seeing as you are on neither I would 'ave to say that this was pure chance. There is no rhyme or reason behind it, it was merely a chance that you would 'ave twins. It is known that one in two hundred and fifty pregnancies result in twins naturally, so I would 'ave to say that you fall into that one percentage."

"Twins, mon 're 'aving twins." France breathed making Canada sit up as he tugged his shirt down over his stomach, the French man's blue eyes were softly as he reached out pressing his finger tips against Canada's stomach smiling warmly, softly, as Austynn stared at his mother in awe. Canada blushed at the sight of so much awe aimed his way that when he had the ultrasound in his hand he looked down at the sight of those two grainy black and white heads making his throat close with the absolute longing that burst through his chest at the sight of their tiny heads. Twins. Him. He was going t o have twins? Tears burned in his eyes forcing him to remove his glasses as he rubbed at his eyes, smearing the tears against his lashes as he took a deep breatht hen smiled widely at France, his eyes sparkling wildly at the French man as his hand reached out gripping his ever so tightly as the joy threatened to rip him apart from the inside out at the pure simple words. They were having twins.

Chapter Text

Romano loved many things. He loved the sunrise and sunset, he loved the moon as it hung low in the sky, he loved the sight of his son staring up at him with the face of his father and those large emerald staring up at him and he loved the sound of his son's laughter, the sight of that brilliant smile on his face. He especially loved a pregnant Spain. While it was still early in their pregnancy the Spanish Nation seemed to absolutely glow more than normal, the light shimmering in his own emerald green eyes, glowing in the flush on his cheeks and in the way his smile brilliantly lit up his face and made him appear softer somehow. Sweeter. While Romano adored Spain there was just something about a pregnant Spain that made him that much more irresistible to the Italian, the thought of HIS baby growing inside of Spain was something he thought about all the time and something that got him beaming with absolute delight, such utter joy when he was on his own that sometimes it was hard to knock the smile from his lips. It was moments when they were sitting in the car listening to music, Spain wriggling in his seat like he longed to stand on his feet and dance around to the music that throbbed quietly from the speakers and Romano adored the sight of it more than anything on the planet. Spain was a cheerful, loving man that Romano was ever so lucky to have, to have dated and to have married tying himself to the one man he adored above them all and he was lucky that Spain loved him so fiercely as to marry him the moment that they could. Romano heard laughter from the living room tearing him from his thoughts making him smile when his son came running into the kitchen his lips curved into a brilliant smile as he screamed with laughter.

"Mama!" Cristiano screamed as he was swung up into Romano's lap, his laughter shrieking close to his ear but the sound was ever so lovely as it rung like a cluster of bells close to his ear and Romano circled his arms around his son's thin waist tightly as the boy buried his face against his mother's throat giggling madly when Spain came rushing into the room. His green eyes glowed with a victory that the Italian raised a brow at when Cristiano squealed loudly against his mother's neck, peeking up at his father from over his mother's shoulder as Romano held the boy to his chest wildly and Cristiano pointed his finger at his father with t hat same victorious air to him. "You can't get me when I'm with Mama! I win! I got to him first!"

"Ohoho, you think you've one, little man?" Spain got out rather deviously, his lips curling into a wide smirk that was absolutely and completely wicked as they stared at one another, their green eyes meeting as Cristiano sat back in his mother figure's lap, his hair wild around his face from wrestling with his father, his cheeks a brilliant red much like Spain's. Then the Spaniard lurched forward wrapping his arms down underneath Cristiano's shoulders, digging into his armpits and sweeping him from Romano's lap making the boy scream with laughter as his legs flailed outwards to kick at his father's own as those fingers began wiggling in his armpits. The boy screamed with utter delight as Spain's fingers targeted his armpits, wriggling wickedly against the boy's armpits before slamming his feet to the floor as the child screamed with that same delight as Spain's fingers targeted his neck rather than his armpits making the boy scream with laughter. "That's what I thought! Papa wins once again!"

"No! No you don't!" Cristiano screamed as he wrenched away from his father, giggling happily as he ran around the kitchen table with Spain chasing after him, scooping the seven-year-old into his arms making him squeal loudly and the Spanish Nation rubbed his knuckles against Cristiano's hair mussing the locks up. They created wild curls, the locks of hair spinning upwards and sticking out from the movement of Spain's hand and the boy laughed loudly as he pushed and slapped at his father's hand. "Papa! Papa. stop it! Mama, make Papa stop! Tell him I won!" He then screamed when his father picked him up off the floor, the delight ringing in his voice as he was spun in a circle, his feet striking the table making it rock on it's legs and Romano found himself laughing.

"Toni, stop! Let Tien win for once, why don't you?" Romano questioned resting his cheek against his fist, his light green eyes dancing merrily as he watched his son and husband, his joy and merriment clear as light streaking through a window and Spain beamed when he noticed the expression on his husband's face, dropping Cristiano on his feet making the boy gasp then giggle happily as he pushed at his father's arm running away to the living room laughing joyfully and Spain rushed over to Romano, kissing his cheeks and the top of his head happily until the Italian was blushing and fussed. "Alright, alright, you mushy bastard, enough! I get it, you love me!" He smirked when he said this and stared up at the all too familiar face of his husband, reaching his hands up tapping his temple playfully. "Also limit how many times you pick our son up, please? You've got to remember that you're pregnant, idiot. Pregnant people don't run around lifting seven-year-old's up like that."

"It's fine, Lovi! I'm not even showing yet, when I start showing THEN I'll stop picking Tien up!" He then glanced at the clock and kissed the top of Romano's head once again, the dark brown locks of hair brushing his lips and cheeks softly as the curl bobbed lightly before his eyes. "Aren't we going to visit your cute brother anyways? It's been a while since we've seen Germany and little Italy! Hey, do you think we could stop by Gilly's? I'd love to see him! And you know Cris loves to see Astrid!" He looked down to find a scowl resting on Romano's face, a familiar sight to the Spaniard, and he kissed Romano's forehead. "We're all packed, right? What time do we have to head out?"

"The flight is for three this afternoon, so we've got a couple of hours before we go rushing around but we should probably head out. It's better to be early and ready for the flight rather than rushing at the last possible minute." Romano replied then, squirming away from Spain and the man smiled as Romano stood up, a hand flying to his hip as he glanced at the clock and nodded, his curl bobbing gently as his light green eyes scanned the kitchen for a moment before landing on Spain once again. "Come on, let's start picking the house up and getting shit straightened out before we leave, why don't we?" Romano then turned dropping hi hand from his hip and he looked over his shoulder at the Spaniard. "The last thing I need is to see perfetto Veneziano's home and feel like my house looks like shit."

"Our house doesn't look like shit!" Spain protested as he gestured to the pictures covering their fridge and freezer, the empty sink then t o the tiled floor making Romano's face flush as the Spaniard then rested a hand on his own hip staring at the Italian for a moment before smiling knowingly. "Always trying to be a good example to your little brother, huh? Don't worry, Lovi, I don't think little Italy will know that your home is a bit messy! It's not like it matters anyways! Now lets get ready! I'm sure you can't wait to see your brother!"

Romano grumbled under his breath as he walked from the kitchen leaving Spain to laugh cheerfully as he followed after his fussy husband, his hand brushing his stomach smiling fondly. Their small family would be complete, he knew it, and he would have two beautiful children just like Italy and he knew that better than anyone Romano would be absolutely delighted. He knew this pregnancy would go by smoothly and he knew that Romano, ever the knowledgeable one when it came to pregnancy, would help him go through it the best he absolutely could. He would be happy to share the news with Italy, happy to see those brown eyes sparkle as he crooned about another nephew or niece to swoon and fawn over but Spain couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps it wouldn't be the best time to share the news with Italy. Maybe just a little longer until it was no longer deniable would he announce his news. Just a little longer.

Romano yawned to himself, the music on the radio was far from the usual tunes that they listened too and were instead something soft, painfully sweet with crooned words that he could just barely pick up and he found himself looking in the rearview mirror to find the sight of Cristiano slumped against the window sleeping rather peacefully. Even if the flight had been an hour there was still a sense of tiredness given the time that they had all woken that morning in order to be prepare and especially with how early Cristiano had been awake. The boy had been awake since five in the morning, excited to see his Uncles, had been far too excited to sleep properly to his usual time of eight in the morning and instead woke up three hours early and the boy had been tired because of it on the plane. Romano knew he needed a good nap and with them staying in Germany's house for the next couple of days that the boy would get back into his usual sleep routine. At least he hoped he'd get back into his usual sleep routine. The Italian peered over att Spain who was singing underneath his breath, quiet words that filled the space of the car. It was a rather sweet tone that hte Spaniard has saved for singing to their child with and Romano found himself leaning slightly towards his husband, slightly shifting in his seat to get closer to those little ords escaping underneath his breath. It was the sweetness, the tenderness of their son sleeping in the backseat, the way Spain's hand would leave the wheel to pat his belly occasionally and how Romano leaned towards his husband ever so slightly as he stared out the window at the large houses passing by.

Romano loved car rides with his husband and son, adored it even more when said son was awake for he would sing at the top of his lungs with his father as if the joy in the act was too much for him to contain inside of himself and would belt out the words of his favorite songs. Romano loved hearing his son's slightly of kilter voice shouting out the words of his songs, while Romano hummed along with him like it could inspire the boy to continue his singing. It wasn't an angelic, musical voice like what Austynn had and it wasn't sweet like other childrens but rather closer to a warble, off tone and offbeat with the music playing but Romano absolutely adored to hear it nonetheless. If he had it his way he'd listen to his son's singing for the rest of his life even if it wasn't the best, even ifi t was horrible off kilter singing. He yawned to himself once again as Spain navigated the street carefully, the snow drifting down slowly from the sky in a flurry that attacked the window shield forcing them to use their wipers every once in a while and Romano leaned his cheek against his fist as he stretched his legso ut in front of him in the cramped space groaning to himself before yawning for a third time. He had to be at least somewhat grateful that his brother didn't live far from the airport, a mere twenty drives away but Romano was all too ready to climb out of the car and stretch his legs to get some blood pumpingi nto them so they wouldn't feel so stiff. Like he was made out of wood. He leaned back against his seat, twisting slightly to peer at his sleeping son who had his hand cushioned between his cheek and the edge of the car door, his brown lashes trembling against his lightly tanned cheeks, his lips parted with gentle breathes that had Romano smiling. His son truly was beautiful.

He'd always known the beauty would run strong in their family but he never counted on such a beautiful child to be his. He turned in his seat when Spain began to pull into the long driveway of Germany's, a sigh flying from Romano's lips as he wriggled his legs impatiently and Spain smiled at his husband. "I know, mi amor, but at least we're finally there! I'm sure you're brother will appreciate the visit!" Romano grunted in response and Spain licked his lips before pulling in next to Germany's rather sleek black van and turned the engine off before turning in his seat to shake his son's knee. "Cris, come on, we're here! Wake up, mi precioso, let's go in and see Uncle Feli!" Romano was unclipping his belt as Cristiano yawned out rubbing at his eyes sleepily, unbuckling himself and turning to the door pushing it open and hopping out of the car where his boots crunched onto the snow loudly and Romano climbed out of the car as well. He began walking around the car, towards the walkway when the heavy front door flew open and stepping out onto the damp welcome mat was his nephew, Giovanni. His brown eyes glittered when they landed on Romano, a smile beginning to curl over his lips as he wriggled on his feet in excitement like any other five-year-old child would and he tucked his fists close to his mouth to hide away his smile. An awkward little movement of his when he then held his arms up. "Hallo, Onkel!"

"Hey there, kid! Where's your madre?" Romano called out as Cristiano happily took his mother's hand, his other hand busy rubbing at his eyes as they walked up the pathway and Giovanni's joy, his absolute excitement, flickered on his face hesitantly like the new emotion were delicate. Romano frowned as he approached the five-year-old with Spain hot on his heels, the pair rushing forward to meet the child who was biting at his lower lip nervously before stepping off of the welcome mat back over the threshold as he held the door open for his Uncles and cousin. Romano stamped his feet on the carpet, knocking the snow off before stepping inside, Cristiano and Spain rushing to help when Romano noticed the small blonde boy sitting at the top of the stairs watching his twin brother rather intently. "Oi, kiddo, where's your madre? Or your padre for that matter?"

"Mutti is upstairs." Three simple words came from the child but they sounded heavy, like they were a struggle to get out and Romano lifted his hand dropping it on Giovanni's head ruffling the brown locks of hair affectionately making the boy peer up from underneath his dark lashes at his Uncle before looking down. "Mutti's been really sad, Uncle. Same vith Vati, they're both really sad." The boy then twisted his fingers together before looking up at his Uncle anxiously as those light green eyes flickered towards the stairs. "Onkel Romano, vill you make Mutti happy again? He doesn't sing, he doesn't draw vith me und Wolfram, he doesn't even play during bath time anymore! He's so sad und I don't get vhy he's so sad, Onkel. Even Vati doesn't play like he used too! Do you think me und Wolfram did something wrong? Mutti says ve didn't but it doesn't feel like that. It feels like ve did something vrong."

Wolfram came running down the stairs up to his brother, whispering in his ear and the brunette blinked in surprise then looked up to his Uncle who removed his hand from hsi hair turning to Spain. "I want you to stay with the kids, I'm going to hunt down my fratello. Lord only knows where he is in a house this large." Romano grumbled then as he walked around the twins who stared up at him anxiously, a looke ven Spain gained in his green eyes but he didn't speak out, didn't stop the Italian from walking up the stairs. There was only so much that could be said to Romano when he was on a mission, when he had a set course in mind, and there was no shaking it once he was on that path, something Spain had always found somewhat silly but as he watched the Italian twist around the corner he bit at his lip. Romano, on the other hand, was determined to seek his brother out. Determined and feeling a swell of anger that was throbbing low in his chest as he walked down the hallway. "Oi, fratello! Where are you, huh? Comeo n, I came all this way for you!"

It was quiet following Romano's loud shout as he walked down the hallway, looking down and up the hallway before he began to climb the stairs to the second floor of the house, cursing the three floors and the many spacious rooms he new he'd have to check but it was as he climbed the stairs that he heard the running footsteps from above him. His head tilted upwards as his gaze scanned instinctively around before Italy came into view and the Southern Italian stopped on the stairs, almost like someone had hit his pause button as he looed at his brother. His little brother. Italy looked like absolute hell. His face was gaunt, paler than what was normal when considering his light coloring but it was the halfmoon's underneath his eyes that glowed a rather deep blue that got his attention and too full attention when one viewed his face. It was lie a calling card of color on his gaunt face and his eyes appeared bloodshot, whether it be from crying or from a lack of sleep Romano had no clue but it was the fact that his brother looked like he had been raked through the mud that had his hands curling into fists. His body was still frail and thin though there seemed to be a new frailty to him, like the smallest breeze or the smallest push would and him plummeting onto his ass and yet he was standing as firmly as he could when he looked down at his brother. His hair hung against his forehead, against his ears lankly like he hadn't had the time to wash the hair in a while leaving it clumped and oily, the shine to it not at all like the healthy hue that one associated the Italian's hair and the brown locks of hair seemed far too messy, not at all like the smoothly brushed locks they usually hung in. Italy looked like shit. He looked like he was seconds away from falling apart.

Just what was going on? It wasn't until Germany appeared next to Italy that Romano felt his rage bubble in his chest asd he looked at the rather ragged Germany, the blonde locks of hair appearing to stick up slightly despite the attempt to smooth them backwards and just like his brother there seemed to be a faint smear of blue beneath his eyes. Romano stomped up the stairs, his jaw clenched as anger flared in his light green eyes when he reached out shoving Germany back from the top of the stairs making his brother shout as hands grabbed at his shirt to keep the Southern Italian from shoving at Germany but the man shoved him once again causing the Germany to stumble backwards in surprise more than from the physical exertion, his face that of surprise as well even if in his eyes shown a give. Like he had given up, like he knew that no matter what he said or what he did that there was nothing that would stop Romano's rage. "What the hell happened to my brother? What the actual fuck is going on around here? Have you seen him? Have you properly looked at him?"

"Fratello!"

"No! Germany, you look at my brother! LOOK AT HIM!" Romano screamed jerking himself away from Italy who had tears welling in his large brown eyes, the anger flashing in Romano's own eyes as he reached up grabbing the German's face and jerking it to face Italy, the elder Italian brother's fingers digging painfully into his jaw and cheeks. Romano was shaking lightly in anger, his nails beginning to carve crescents into Germany's cheeks but those blue eyes peered at Italy with a look of regret, a look of pain, that washed over one another in his face and eyes as he stared at his husband. "Do you think he looks happy? Do you think he looks healthy? Look at my brother, you damned potato-eater! You PROMISED me that no matter what happened, no matter what you went throuhg, that you would take care of my brother but look at him now! He looks like shit! Have you done nothing to help him? Have you don't nothing to make him shower? Make him eat? Make him sleep? You promised me years ago when you proposed to him that you would take care of him! That he would never want for anything, that he would never have to worry about your affections transferring elsewhere, and you promise that you would take care of him, no matter what the two of you go through! You're not taking care of him!"

"Fratello, stop it!" Italy shouted as tears rolled down his pale cheeks, his eyes flashing in warning at his brother even as they flared with a sadness that had Romano tightening his grip on the German's face before forcing his hand to drop as he pointed at the Italian and pain flashed over Germany's face. The Italian fisted his hands, pressing them against his lips in a similar manner to the twins when they too grew upset and Germany felt his eyes burning as he blinked rapidly staring at the Italian. Italy had been through hell and back it seemed, had gone through a war that was unspoken and was silent, a war that he had been battling for three weeks now ever since his miscarriage and Italy reached up rubbing at his eyes fiercely. Harshly. "Romano, you don't know a single thing that's happened over the past couple of weeks! You have no clue what we've been through and it's not fair of you to come here just to torment Luddy! It's not fair, Romano!"

"I'm not tormenting anyone!" Romano shouted back feeling a deep, ugly twist in his chest as he considered his brother's words and he fought the urge to bite at his lower lip, his eyes trying their best to seek out his brother's and to look into the familiar warm brown irises he had come to adore all these years but Italy's eyes closed wtih his tears. Romano curled his hands into fists and stuck t hem close to his sides, grinding his knuckles against his thighs as he looked at his younger brother then glared up at the blonde by his side as his jaw clicked from side to side before he parted his lips taking a deep breath and staring up at the German."I'm not tomenting a single person here. I'm merely stating the fact, Veneziano! Have you looked at yourself? Have you taken a single look in the mirror? Have you not seen how close to falling apart you seem? It's like someone's broken you apart and sewed you up all wrong! And of course I have no clue what's going on because you never TELL me anything! What the hell is going on? Tell me, Veni, tell me and I'll help while I'm here but I can't help you if you can't tell me what's wrong! And look at the impact it has on the twins! Whatever the fuck is going on between the two of you is impacting them as well!"

"I had a miscarriage! I lost a baby, fratello! I begged Luddy for a baby, begged and planned, only to get a compromise and I lost my baby!" Italy screamed at his brother, his hands flying away from his mouth in order to get the words out, his voice cracking and breaking in different parts of his sentences and Romano found himself parting his lips to speak but found the words shriveling on his tongue, found them dissolving from his throat. He did the only thing he could think of doing to comfort his little brother. He walked away from Germany, who had been inching forward no doubt to sweep the Italian into his arms but Romano had beaten him to it when he threw his arms around the younger Italian brother, clutching Italy to his shoulder where his head nestled down as tears soaked the fabric of his coat and the Italian hiccuped into his brother's shoulders. "I don't know what to do, Roma! I don't know how to do anything! What do I do? How do I make this make sense?"

"There is no sense to a miscarriage, Veni. There's no rhyme or reason but goddammit you should have told me weeks ago when it happened. You know I'm only one fucking call away." Romano breathed against his ear quietly but his words only earned him a whimper as the Italian clutched at his brother's waist the way that a child's hands would and the elder Italian brother clutched Italy to him fiercely as his arms tightened around his back that heaved with quiet sobs. Romano wasn't even aware when he'd begun rocking his brother but all he knew was that soon enough they were swaying side to side together as he held his brother fiercely like it would help keep the younger Italian together.

But Romano knew there was only so much he could do in the few days that they visited for and he knew there was only so much he could do to help his brother. He couldn't force him to heal, he couldn't force him to forget the miscarriage, but he could help him feel better. He could help take care of the twins, help straighten up the house and force the Italian to groom himself at least once while he was here and he could help the man begin to heal, he knew he could but as he held his sobbing brother in his arms he felt tears welling and dripping down his own cheeks as he nuzzled his brother. He knew, better than anyone, that there was no greater pain than losing a baby no matter how far along one was. He could only hope that his brother would remain put together long enough to heal. That he COULD heal. Romano clutched his brother tightly to him and, as they swayed, found that no matter how old they got that this man would always be his precious little brother and he wanted nothing more than to protect him. Heal him. But at the end of the day, there was only so much that Romano could do.

Chapter Text

"Māmā, can I have another lick, aru?" Japan smiled when he looked down at those wide brown eyes, the earnest smile curling on his lips and the way that hs lashes fluttered with the puppy dog eyes he was attempting to create and the Japanese Nation had to admit he was weak against the look that his three year old was replicating. He used the tip of his finger to smear some frosting onto then held the digit out for his son who happily clamped him mouth around the tip of his finger and Japan laughed when the boy pulled away licking his lips as if to gather traces of the sweet frosting there and the Japanese Nation smiled as he then ruffled the dark brown locks of hair delightedly making Genji happily laugh as he watched his mother decorate the birthday cake. It was hard to believe that tomorrow, the twenty-sixth of November, his son would be turning four-ars-old and not even a week later or two later his eldest son would be turning seven-years-old on the thirteenth of December. It was wild to have given birth so close to one another, to have not one but two sons worth celebrating so early and so close together like this. He carefully focused on writing on the top of the cake, the rich red frosting glowing against the white layer of frosting as he began meticulously spelling out his son's name. "Mama, who's gonna be coming tomorrow, aru?"

"Well your Ojisans Hong Kong and Kankoku will be here, and Oba Taiwan will be here with Vietnam as well. Then Noruu~ē will be coming with his son, Abel for you two to have your playdate and to celebrate your birthday then Italy is coming with the twins, you have many people coming to see you tomorrow." Japan dotted his i on the cake, smiling proudly at his work then found brown eyes sparkling up at him and he placed the bag down reaching down cupping his son's face with his hands, squishing his cheeks then reaching down scooping the three-year-old up into his arms swinging him around in a circle as he peppered his chubby cheek and his adorable little nose with kisses as the Japanese Nation squeezed his son to his body joyfully, feeling chubby arms curling tightly around his neck gripping onto him as fiercely as the legs digging into his waist and he pressed a rather dramatic lage kiss to his son's chubby cheek making him squeal with laughter. While children had never been in his plan to begin with Japan couldn't deny that he adored his children with every fiber of his being, adored them with such joy that it ached within his chest like a hollow squeeze. "Anata o totemo aishiteimasu!"

"Wǒ yě ài nǐ, Māmā, aru!" Genji shouted back as he nuzzled his chubby cheek to his mother's, giggles spilling past his lips as he wriggled comfortably in his mother figure's arms, happily squealing when he felt his mother's head moving slightly in the nuzzling movement of his mother's head and the t wo of them hugged one another tightly, cheeks rubbing together. Japan had to admit a few giggles left his own lips at the delight that melted into him from his son, his arms securely holding the boy in his arms even as a low ache radiated in his back from the weight it didn't any attention away from the joy in the moment as he squeezed his son making air rush out then into his son's lungs. If there was one thing he loved, one thing he adored, was that Genji was a rather affectionate and warm child who was always willing to give and receive hugs without embarrassment and while it showed that he would be as exuberant as his father someday Japan couldn't deny the idea pleased him so fervently that he often found himself imagining just what his son would be like in the future. Who he would become, who he would act like, and it sent warmth through his veins. There was nothing he loved more than imagining his sons futures even if there was a dash of melancholy in the thought. "Baba! Come look at the cake Māmā made, aru!"

"Someone sure is excited about their birthday tomorrow, aru!" China's cheerful voice, sweet in it's sound, echoed into the room filing even the smallest of cracks and had the Japanese Nation turning towards the Chinese nation excitedly only to find the man walking across the kitchen. A smile was curling across his lips as if he could sense the excitement bouncing inside of the Nation and he took his sweet time walking towards the kitchen table, his golden brown eyes glowing delightfully as he then peered over his husband's shoulder looking down at the rather smooth, even elegant writing on the cake and smiled widely. "It looks amazing, Kiku! It's a shame that we're going to be devouring it tomorrow afternoon with the children but it's the best birthday cake I've ever seen and I'm sure that it'll be just as delicious as it looks aru!" He then smiled ruffling Genji's dark brown locks of hair sighing out. "My little boy, all grown up! I can't believe how fast you're growing! Wanting a centipede, taking care of that centipede just like your big brother! Aiyaa, how will I ever keep up with you two, aru?"

"Don't worry, Baba! I'm sure you can keep up, aru!" Genji replied happily as he then leaned in nuzzling his mother's pink cheek with that same happiness before squirming in his arms which Japan responded too by placing him down on the floor as those brown eyes glittered up at his father. "But did you finish setting up the tank for Gia, aru?" When China nodded, a subtle movement that had his ponytail swaying against his back, the boy squealed before rushing around his father out of the kitchen, his little feet slapping against the wooden floors leaving his parents behind so eagerly that itt left Japan laughing lightly to himself as he picked the tray up walking towards the fridge and China happily rushed ahead holding the fridge open for the Japanese Nation.

"Arigatou, Yao." He sighed as he slid the cake into the fridge then brushed his hands against his yukata's fabric and looked to the clock, picking at his lower lip lightly with his teeth before reopening the door beginning to gather the chicken, the vegetables he would need and smiled at China who tilted his head to the side. "I should probably get dinner ready, it's about that time after all." He wriggled around his husband who clicked his tongue at the Japanese Nation which Japan rolled his eyes at when he laid the chicken out on the counter, the package thudding lightly as it hit the counter and the vegetables tumbled from his arms rolling across the counter with quiet impacts that filled the silence. Japan selected one of his knives from the block when he looked up to find China leaning against the fridge staring at Japan so intensely that the man felt his face begin to burn in a shy blush as he lifted his fingers upwards pressing against his cheeks and his lips trembled for a moment before he spoke. "What is it? Is there something on me?"

"No! No, there's nothing like that, don't worry you're still in pristine appearance, aru." China replied waving a hand then he smiled softly, almost like he was hesitant about speaking to the Japanese Nation who was staring at his husband curiously and China cleared his throat. "No, I have something that I would like to speak to you about Kiku but I'm unsure of how to go about it. I don't' want you to think that with Genji's birthday being tomorrow that there's some reason behind me wanting what I want and I don't want yu to think that I'm asking it out of pure vanity or because the other Nations are expanding their families. But Kiku, wǒ qīn'ài de ài, what would you think about maybe, possibly, hopefully having another baby? I can't shake the idea, can't shake the thought of having another baby. I think I'll go crazy! It's just that-"

"A baby? You want a baby?" Japan questioned like an echo of husband's words, his hand placing the trembling knife down on the counter as his fingers fanned outwards against the cool counter, gripping at the edge fiercely as he rocked on his heels. Babies weren't a large issue, weren't a taboo topic in their household, butt Japan had never once thought of another baby. After he had had Xiong he had felt the urge for another baby to accompany their eldest but it hadn't been until the boy was three years old and even then he had been hesitant about getting pregnant again after the restless nights, the changing diapers in the dark, the restless behavior of their son. He'd been worried that their son's wild disposition had been a sign that they were meant for only one child, something he had been sure about. After all his pregnancy with Xiong hadn't been entirely smooth. It had been at turbulent pregnancy with lots of aches and pains, horrible morning sickness and not to mention the toll it had taken on his body the first time he went throuhg his pregnancy with Xiong.

When he had gotten pregnant, three years later, with Genji his pregnancy had also taken a toll on his body. He was weaker, more susceptible to morning sickness and his sciatica nerves were a bundle of pain and with Genji's restless movements while in the womb had left him with little relief he had sworn he'd never be pregnant again. CHina had agreed all too readily, after seeing the strain it put on Japan and on his body, but when Genji had been born it had been love at first sight, just like it had been with Xiong and the two quickly forgot about their agreement. They were happily raising their boys, boys that took time and patience, boys that took up a lot of their attention at the moment and Japan had not the time nor the notice to even become aware on whether he wanted another baby or not for his boys took up that space in his mind. A baby was something that had never crossed his mind, not even with Xiong and his crushes, not even with his son turning four-years-old tomorrow, but clearly China had the head space to think ab out wanting a baby. Had the time, the attention to notice that he wanted another child where Japan had been absolutely ignorant on t he thought of another baby. He had to admit he felt the blood rush from his face at the thought of carrying a baby, at the thought of going through nine months of restless nerves, morning sickness and even an equally restless baby like Genji and Xiong had been while they'd been in the womb. He was sure his face was ashen as he looked at his husband with wide eyes, his quivering fingers clawing wildly at the counter as he forced himself to remain still rather than rocking back on his feet again and he bit at his lower lip.

A baby was time, a baby needed much attention and Japan was unsure if he could give that type of attention to another child at the moment. It would be wrong, horribly wrong, to have another baby then to neglect one of the boys or not pay close enough attention to the baby. Japan knew he couldn't handle another pregnancy, something that he had let slip one too many times when they talked about another baby in the past but here China was asking for a baby. Wanting a new child in their small family. Japan felt like his word was rocking on an axis that was teetering back and forth for even if he did not want a baby there was some part of him that wanted to have the baby just to please his husband but he knew that it wasn't the same as WANTING a baby, it was just him wanting to make his husband happy. Japan continued picking at his lip as he considered for just one wild moment what a new child would mean. It would mean late nights of catering to the child, it would mean changing diapers and running out in the middle of the night to the closest convenience store to get more; it would mean giving one child undivided, ultimate attention while the others would have to watch from the sidelines. It would mean taking and catering to a child to the ultimate degree, to near spoiling as one might say, and yet with those tired nights of waking up to sooth a tired baby would Japan have the time and patience? Would he be able to handle a new child when he was already so tired by the end of the day after chasing his boys around the house from the moment they returned from school? Of course, Xiong would be attending the World Academy next year when the staff was completed and of course Genji would be on his way too but until that day would he have the time for a baby?

Was there time for a baby? Japan looked up from his feet, his gaze having lowered subconsciously as he allowed himself to become wrapped up in his mind and he looked up into the anxious golden brown eyes of his husband and he found the words coming to him easily. "Yao, why would you want a new baby?" Japan asked quietly as he looked at his husband, his hands knitting together only to press against his stomach nervously as his thumbs fidgeted against one another. "I trust that this isn't about Jiji turning four tomorrow but what caused this all of a sudden? How long have you been thinking of another baby?"

"I've been thinking about for a long time. Since Jiji turned two, aru." China admitted as he hung his head in what looked like shame, his eyes locked on his own feet as his arms across his chest as if he had to hold himself together physically before going on but as he looked at his feet he shuffled his socked feet nervously as Japan looked at him with surprise. China was unable to lift his gaze from his socked feet as he then tightened his fingers against his biceps as he took a deep breath. "I was thinking about it for a very long time and while it'd be a big thing to ask for another baby there's something I have to offer before we get too far off track, alright? I understand that you don't want to carry another baby, I understand one hundred percent that the pregnancies with Jiji and Xiong were absolutely ruff on you and that it was harder than I would ever understand so I have an offer. We have another baby, just one more, but it'll be different this time, aru."He paused, taking another deep breath then letting it out slowly as he finally forced his gaze upwards from his socked feet to look at his husband with an almost...pleading look."This time, Kiku, I'll carry the baby."

"You'll what?" Japan yelped as he dropped his hands from his stomach, his surprise taking over every inch of his mind as he looked at his husband and China nodded his head as he looked at his husband, a look of steely determination on his face as Japan stared at him in utter shock. What would this mean? THe last time that China had been pregnant it had been with Uri, had been when he was slightly younger and more able to handle a pregnancy but what would he do this time now that he was older? China was older than Japan, so much older, and if the pregnancies had been rough on Japan then what would China do during the nine months of pregnancy? "What do you mean that you'll carry the baby?"

"It's easy! I'll carry the baby for you, Kiku, and I'll be able to deal with it better! I'm confident, absolutely sure of it, and I think I can handle it! I was pregnant once before so I understand just what it'll do to my body so it's not like that it'll be some wild new thing that I have to deal with, aru!" China then stretched his hands forward capturing Japan's, squeezing them softly as he looked at his husband he bounced their hands gently as if he were trying to shake the idea into the Japanese Nation as he smiled widely."It would be much more easier than putting you through something like that, I wouldn't want you to be unhappy in the slightest bit and I am honestly prepared and ready to carry a baby for us. I'll even help out with the baby, with the boys, eso much that you'll have nothing to do, aru." He grinned at this but Japan looked unconvinced. "Please, just think about it, okay? It's all I want you to do, Kiku, is just to think about it."

"I'll think about it but for the moment why don't we focus on the boys? They need our attention more than a hypothetical baby at the moment, okay? The last thing Jiji needs is to think he's competing for his parents attention the day of his birthday, okay?" Japan squeezed his husband's hands as he then turned towards the food, his gaze flicking to the food when he felt the hands on his gripping fiercely as if refusing to release them just yet and the Japanese Nation looked up curiously, brown eyes meeting golden browns and the Chinese Nation then bounced up on his toes, his ponytail bobbing against his back with the movement as he smiled at Japan happily but there was a sheepish look to it as he bit his lip before releasing it quickly while holding onto the Japanese man's hands. "Yes, Yao?"

"How about I make dinner tonight for you? I promised Xiong that you go upstairs to see the terrarium and I promised him that you would go up to see his centipede's little home, aru." China smiled sheepishly making the Japanese man blink curiously before it clicked and he smiled at the Chinese Nation. Said Nation stepped closer to Japan kissing his cheek softly causing it to flush a soft pink, the man taking delight at seeing the soft coloring on his face and he kiss the tip of his nose joyfully as the Japanese Nation chuckled softly and returned the gesture to China by kissing the tip of his nose making the elder Nation chuckle softly. "And I don't want you to feel rushed to answer me, Kiku, you sit and you think about it as long as you absolutely have too, alright? I know how stressed you can be with the boys so there's no rush. After all we can have a baby whenever, there's no rush for us, aru!"

Japan smiled as he captured the tip of his nose in another affectionate kiss and Japan laughed happily as they traded positions with the Chinese man plucking up the knife slicing into the package of chicken and tugging the plastic out of the way. "Watashi wa hontōni anata o aishiteimasu, Yao." There was a wide smile on China's face as he twisted slightly on his feet leaning forwards Japan, capturing his lips in a kiss that had the Japanese Nation's toes curling tightly as warmth shot throuhg his veins, had his heart and stomach respectively fluttering wildly as he happily kissed his husband.

China leaned away when the Japanese Nations face was a rosy pink, his eyes dazed and his lips parted with quiet breathes and Japan smacked his husband's shoulder as his brows came together before spinning around making the Chinese Nation smile widely as he reached above him on t he shelf for his spices. "Wǒ yě ài nǐ, Kiku, aru!" China called as the Japanese Nation stomped out of the kitchen leaving him to chuckle as he grabbed the large bowl resting in the dish strainer next to him and it was only when he heard small feet padding towards him that he turned again. He smiled when he found Genji running up to his father, sparkles in his big brown eyes as his little arms threw themselves around his leg and his cheek against his thigh. "Ni hao, Jiji. Would you like to help Baba, aru?" When the boy nodded China smiled. There was nothing he loved more than cooking with his sons, after all!

Chapter Text

It was the loud, crisp boom of thunder that woke America the night of their homecoming to the small home of England's. The sound was deep, rich and shook the windows lightly causing the glass to tremble as it tore the American from his sleep as he jerked to a sitting position causing his lover to groan softly as he rolled onto his back reaching up rubbing his eyes fiercely. There was a commotion out in the hallway, something that had England snapping their bedside light on to squint at and something that America popped his glasses on to see as little hands pushed at the door and he smiled softly. Standing there in a nightgown that swirled to her ankles, her long hair spilling down her back, a plush fat seal tucked under her arms as her ahoge bounced softly her blue eyes wide and filled with tears that shimmered softly she ran across the room just as the next boom rang out. She shrieked quickly, jumping as she ran and threw herself on the bed into her father's waiting arms burying her face in his throat as England smiled tiredly at his daughter and reached out stroking a pink cheek before reaching up brushing the tears from long blonde lashes. It was until a second set of quick steps caught their attention that England looked up then smiled warmly as he held his arms open much like America had for their daughter. Liam was standing there in racing car pajama's, the colorful little cars splotches of color on his pants from a distance but at the sight of his mother's open arms he ran forward towards the bed. His glasses were perched on his nose as he crawled onto the bed into his mother's arms settling with his back to his chest and England hugged the boy to him tightly, his chin resting on top of his head.

"I didn't expect a storm like this tonight." England murmured as he pressed his cheek against his son's blonde locks of hair turning his head just enough to stare at his lover who was happily stroking their daughter's long sunshine blonde hair, weaving his fingers through it and rubbing his daughter's back. Her blue eyes peered at England curiously then to her brother before cringing into her father when another peal of thunder rang out and she whimpered quietly as his father rubbed between her shoulder blades and pat her back comfortingly. The seven-year-old and four-year-old in question had a horrible fear of thunderstorms, just like England used to fear when he was their ages. He nuzzled his son squeezing him closer as he then looked to his lover raising his eyebrows quietly before clearing his throat. "Should we tell them now?"

"I don't see why not. I mean we're all up! Jojo, Liam, Mom and I have something important to tell you." America started out as Jolene moved backwards in his lap to look up into her father's face, her reflection seeming to distract her as she caught sight of herself in her father's glasses lenses then turned her brother who was twisting their mother's arms to give their father their attention. Two pairs of blue eyes leveled on America as he smiled crookedly, something that robbed England of breath at the sight and he looked away to piece his attention together as their children focused on sleepily on their father. England rubbed his son's blonde hair making him sigh softly and America nudged his glasses up his nose. "We're going to have a baby!"

"A baby? Will it be a boy or girl?" Liam asked excitedly as he stared at his father while Jolene's lovely pink face wrinkled up in confusion, her lashes fluttering down as she looked at her seal plush, shadows cast onto her pink cheeks as she frowned to herself looking for all the world just like her mother figure, England. She tugged at the fins of her seal quietly for a moment as the child pieced together this information then looked at her brother with her brows tugging tightly together creating a deep wrinkle between her brows. Her eyes resembling the dark thunder clouds outside rather than the brilliant sky blue they normally were and she then looked up at her father, the color draining from her face then as she gasped in a breath, her lips trembling. "What do you hope it'll be Daddy?"

"A baby?" Jolene echoed her brother only this time it was a shriek of dismay it seemed as she looked at her father, her blue eyes wide and incredulous as her lips trembled again with the shimmer to her sky blue eyes that England longed to wipe away and she squeezed her plush to her chest. "Mommy's goin to have a baby? But I'M the baby! What do you mean there's going to be another baby?" Jolene sounded more outraged, more upset with each word that flew past her lips and it was only when Liam yawned and she echoed it that her outrage didn't seem to hold the same weight it had moments ago and she then glared at her father. "This is all your fault, Daddy! Am I not going to be the princess anymore? If I'm not the princess then that won't be fair! I'm the baby AND a princess!"

"That you are, doll face, you are indeed Daddy's little princess." America replied as he swung her over his lap and laid her out straight with her head cushioned on her father's pillow, her hair fanning out against the deep blue fabric making it shimmer like gold as he then laughed nervously. "I guess it is my fault that there's a baby in Mommy but it'll be just fine, Jojo! You'll see! I think that you'll like being a big sister! Don't worry, boy or girl, you'll always be a baby of ours and of course you'll be our first little princess no matter what the baby will be." He then bent kissing her forehead as he settled down on his side and watched Liam struggling into a laying position next to his sister and England laid himself in a similar position to America both men looking to one another for a brief moment of wariness as he then looked down at Jolene who was pouting rather fiercely. "Don't worry, baby girl, you'll always be our baby no matter what gender the baby will be and besides there's a long time before the baby comes."

"How long?" Jolene asked curiously yet the pout remained on her lips, her hair brushing against her cheeks and America caught a lock using it as a paintbrush to tickle the tip of her nose but she refused to be consoled in such a familiar manner. She clutched fistfuls of blankets in her little hands as her eyes flickered from her father to her mother as she swallowed nervously before speaking and when she did so there was a wobble to her voice. "Aren't I enough? Why do you have to have another baby? It's not fair, Mommy. I want to be the baby!"

England sighed as he reached across Liam's chest to stroke his daughter's pink cheek as her eyes filled with tears, her little hands pressing his hand against her cheek as her lashes fluttered in a fast blink and England had to admire that despite her tears, despite her grief, his daughter was lovely. She was a little angel even with the pout twisted on her lips, even with the anger flashing in her tired eyes and with her pink cheeks along with her long sunshine blonde hair against the blankets had him sighing. He could only imagine how lovely another daughter would be or even how beautiful a son would be like Liam but as he looked down into her pouty face that struggled to keep a yawn contained he found himself yawning then before answering. "Just because we're having another baby, Jojo, doesn't mean we don't love you any less. Now enough of this silliness, let's get some sleep alright? We'll even leave the lamps on for you so you won't be scared."

"I think a new baby will be awesome, Mummy!" Liam chirped happily as he looked up at his mother who pinched the b ridge of his glasses sliding them off of his nose and twisting to place them on the bedside table, the seven-year-old snuggling down into his mother figure happily, looking up at him from under his blonde lashes. It struck England then just how much his son looked like America, how he would only grow into his likeliness to his father and the thought had him clutching his son to his chest as he laid down on his side and Liam nuzzled his face to his shoulder in a similar manner that Jolene was doing to her father. Their backs pressed against one another as the seal pressed between America and Jolene when Liam piped up once more. "When will the baby be here, Mummy?"

"In about seven months I should say. There's no due date yet but as soon as I know it'll probably be late June." England replied as he fanned his fingers through Liam's hair gently, scratching the boy's scalp softly making his eyes flutter shut as he yawned fiercely and the English Nation smiled as that yawn was echoed by both Jolene and America. "Let's get some sleep now. There'll be plenty of time in the morning to discuss this further and to ask any questions that may be burning in that little mind of yours." Liam tilted his head back just enough to receive the warm, delicate kiss against his forehead and America placed his own kiss on the top of Jolene's head making her giggle quietly as she squirmed and nuzzled her face to her father's chest the best she could considering her plush was in the way. England couldn't help smiling as he nuzzled his own head down against his pillow feeling a yawn break free from his lips as he began to drift into a light sleep that would only lead to a deeper one.

The morning light shone through the windows blindingly, the light from the lamp casting a small circle on the bedside table weakly when England rolled his head to the side groaning quietly to himself at the cramped position of his legs, the unholy twist to his spine and the arm that was tucked between his shoulder and neck along with the leg thrown across his waist with a twitching foot as snores rang out next to him from Liam. Jolene, ever the bed hog, had all but shoved her father to the edge of the bed with her arms and legs splayed outwards like she must take up all the room or she wouldn't be happy, something England found adorable as America was a notorious bed hog. It was a bit like pay back for all the times he'd woken to himself on the edge of the bed. He sat up pushing the arm along with the leg carefully off of him as he swung his legs over the side of the bed stretching his arms up over his head with another groan slipping past his lips as he pushed himself to his feet where he swayed uncertaintly, unsure if he was going to step forward or fall backwards back to the bed but he shoved his feet into his slippers reached out grabbing his deep green robe that hung on the ped post of the bedframe and tugged it over his flannel green pajama's that he'd selected the previous night and fiddled with the buttons for a moment before closing then tying the robe around himself tightly. He turned slightly looking over his shoulder, smiling at the sight of his children sprawled out on the bed, theri blonde hair shimmering against the deep coloring of the blankets and pillows, a sight that he smiled widely at before walking the length of the bed towards the door of their bedroom which had been left open.

His slippers brushed across the wooden floor of the hallway, a welcomed sound aside from the birds twittering outside his windows as he walkedp ast them with a fond smile twisting on his lips and he walked down the stairs beginning to hum to himself as he considered the house work that was ahead of him for the day and figured he'd get a head start with the sweeping, the mopping and he'd wait until his small family was up before he vacuumed bedrooms and the living room. For now he'd get breakfast started for surely any moment now his children would be waking along with America as the light, bright early morning sun was shining brilliantly this morning even if the dreary gray clouds threatened to swoop over the sight of the sun coming above the horizon. He yawned to himself as he shuffled into the kitchen flicking the light on out of habit as he then walked over to the stove grabbing the pot emptying it from yesterdays tea and turned the sink on rinsing it out then filling it once more with a hefty amount of water for himself and Liam, placing it on the stove turning the burner on and then began his work on throwing away the old filter from the coffee pot, opening the cabinet before him grabbing the filters and coffee placing them on the counter as he placed the filter into the cup, scooped the coffee in and poured water into the machine before turning it on smiling to himself. He listened to the gurgling of the machine as he shuffled over to the fridge pulling it open as he tugged the carton of eggs out, opened the drawer grabbing the bag of shredded cheese and shut the door with his hip as he placed them on the table, snagging a fork from the drawer and walking over to his hutch which held their plates, bowls and cups.

He grabbed a decently sized bowl, medium in size if he had to name it, and began cracking eggs into the bowl where he whisked the eggs quickly with the fork when he heard above him the floor boards carefully squeaking lightly and he smiled. He heard the sound of feet on the stairs, the water in the tea pot beginning to roil to a boil t hat filled the silence much like the gurgling coffee pot did and he felt his stomach snarl as he sprinkled cheese into the eggs before mixing together then shuffled to the fridge grabbing the milk to pour a dash of milk into the eggs when America came shuffling down the hall, his bare feet whispering against the wood of the floor and he smiled at England sleepily as the English man begna flying about the kitchen humming quietly to himself. He smiled putting the fork down throwing his arms up for the American who rushed forward, swooping down and picking the English Nation up making him squeal as he was spun around and the squeal on his lips cut off as lips crushed themselves to his as if this was a long awaited reunion. The desperation, the warmth that trickled through him as he curled his arms around the American's neck and he moved his lips just as eagerly against the American Nation's as he hummed with delight at the hands that brushed across his lower back before he was placed onto the floor. He pulled back to smile up at the American who had pushed his glasses into his hair to keep the kiss from being awkward and flicked his head forward making his glasses flip down onto his nose, sky blue eyes twinkling merrily.

"Morning, Arthur! How are you feeling this morning? Any, you know, sickness?" England had been violently ill during his first month of the pregnancy that now, entering his third in December, it made America nervous when he gazed at the eggs sitting on the table and England smiled up at him. It was so incredibly easy to be so pleasant, to revel in the happiness that fluttered in his chest rather than being a "sour puss" as America put it and apparently his good mood was quite infectious for America got a hesitant almost shy smile on his lips as he looked at his lover. He slid his hand from his lower back to his tummy, fanning his hand outwards to touch the firm belly making England's cheeks flush as he looked away from the American feeling a strange thickness in his throat as he cleared his throat. "I just want to make sure that you're up to eating this morning and not feeling ill."

"I'm just fine this morning, America, I promise. In fact we're having omelets this morning!" England pulled himself from the American's arms, feeling a stab of irrational loneliness as he did so but he held up the bowl with a smile on his lips as he then turned towards the stove. "Would you mind grabbing me the pan over there?" America nodded as the coffee pot gurgled loudly now, he kettle beginning to lightly whistle and he heard the sound of two pairs of feet running down the hallway making him blink at the suddenness of his children's awakening but he shrugged it off as he took the pan from America and plucked a spatula from the drawer closest to him and poured half the egg concoction into the pan then turned it on just as the children came rushing down the stairs and he turned with a wide smile on his lips as they ran down the hallway only to skid to a stop when they noticed both parents in the kitchen. "Good morning, you two! I don't want to hear any arguments over the telly, you hear me?"

"Yeah, no fighting! In fact both of you come in here, you need to eat breakfast first before you head off to school instead of watching cartoons." America replied as he leaned against hte counter, smirking at the groans from his children as they walked into the kitchen and he turned towards the pantry. "Time for some cereal! Do you guys want orange juice with it?" He walked backwards into the pantry, making Jolene giggle as her sunshine blonde locks of hair stood up wildly along with Liam's and both offered a smile as they climbed into their chairs and nodded. He plucked a box of Frosted Flakes off of the shelf then walked quickly over to the hutch plucking two bowls off the hutch and slid them onto the table. He opened the top of the cereal, shaking it into their bowls then plucked the milk from where England had sat it down and poured the bowls for the children and took the spoons offered to him from England. "There ya go! Now you guys gotta eat quick so we can get you dressed. Jojo, todays your first ballet practice, how do you feel about that?"

"Really? Today's the day?" Jolene squealed as she gripped her plush with one arm, her spoon in one hand and milk trickled down her chin around her mouthful of cereal that she had hastily swallowed and her sky blue eyes sparkled brilliantly when England turned to smile at the happiness in her voice. There had been nothing, was nothing, Jolene had wanted more than ballet lessons along with ice skating lessons. Today, Tuesday, was her first day of ballet and Thursday would be her ice skating lesson but she seemed far more happy at that moment about her ballet than anything in the world. She rubbed at her lips to remove the milk as she scooped up another mouthful, holding the dripping spoon over the bowl. "What time do I have to go?"

"Right after school. I don't know what they'll be having you do but I do know you'll be getting your shoes and your little tutu today! Guess Mommy and I are going to have to learn how to do your hair up into a bun like those other dancers, huh?" England laughed gently as he held his hand out for a plate which America carefully pulled off of the hutch following it with a second which England accepted gratefully as he slid the omelet onto the plate and immediately poured the rest of the eggs into the pan, tossing the bowl into the sink where it clattered loudly and America chuckled softly. "And Liam you have soccer so I'll go to Jojo's ballet recital and I'll be back to pick you up at four. Sound good?"

"I think it works out quite well and if not I can always pick him up from his lessons if Jojo's ballet lasts longer than four." England replied as he kept his eye on the omelet cooking rather quickly before him as he hummed quietly, tapping the spatula against his thigh then smiled over his shoulder at his daughter who beamed despite her mouthful of cereal and Lima smiled shyly as he devoured his cereal quickly before tilting his bowl back guzzling the milk down. No doubt in a hurry to rush upstairs to get his uniform on and get his bag ready. "Don't forget to put your homework in the folder and in your bag, Liam. I don't want another call from that teacher of yours about you forgetting your homework." Liam nodded as he slid out of his chair carrying his bowl to the sink, the spoon rattling against the glass bowl and he turned on his heels running out of the room. "And bring my your brush! I need to straight out that hair of yours!"

"You're so motherly." America noted chuckling as he rested his face in his hands as he watched Jolene finish catching the last flakes in her bowl before using one hand to daintily sip at her milk, going at a much slower speed than her brother as she sipped at her milk until the last bitt was gone. She then hopped out of her seat, plucked her bowl up and walked around the table to place the bowl into the sink which rattled loudly due to her shorter stature and her reach only going so far and she then skipped from the room, her hair bouncing against her back as her night gown swirled around her calves as she happily skipped down the hallway. He listened to her quick footsteps up the stairs making both parents smile as he then accepted his plate from the English man."Coffee's done, mind making me a cup?"

"Sure thing, love. Two sugars and milk, right?" When America nodded England walked over to the hutch grabbing three mugs, two for the adults and the final for Liam who enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey first thing in the morning before school after he had gotten ready. He placed the three mugs onto the counter, humming quietly to himself as he rushed back to the stove sliding the omelet there onto his plate before it had the chance to burn and then placed his plateo n the table. He poured the coffee into America's cup following it with a dash of milk then two spoonfuls of sugar and stirring it together admiring the soft brown coloring as he turned placing the hot mug on the table next to America's plate. Then the kettle shrieked loudly as he reached up into the cabinet snagging two bags of Earl Grey from the cabinet and plucked the tea kettle off of the burner pouring the hot water into the two remaining mugs and placed it on the back burner, flicking the front one off. He ripped open the packets and set the tea bags into the hot water as he heard feet rushing around above them. "They sure are ready to go this morning, aren't they?"

"They sure are! I've never seen them so ready to go like this. Maybe it's because Liam is excited about his soccer game Friday night and Jojo is obviously excited because of her dance lessons this afternoon so it makes sense they've got some pep in their step, haha!" America cut into his omelet then brought the bite up to his mouth happily chewing as England opened the bread box placing four slices into the toaster and then turned his attention to the darkening tea in the mugs as he heard footsteps on the stairs once again and he pulled the tea bag from one mug turned with the steaming mug in his hand as Liam rushed into the room. He wore a deep blue blazer, a white button down shirt with a black tie and a matching pair of deep blue pants to go with his blazer and in his hand was his back pack and a brush in the other as he nudged his glasses up his nose. "Look at you! All ready to go, even got your tie on straight!"

"My little boy is growing up." England noted with a sniff, his eyes burning as Liam placed his backpack in the chair and walked around the table to his mother and accepted the hot mug from him by trading the brush as England set to work on the knots and curls that stuck up wildly throughout Liam's hair and smiled to himself as he sniffed again as Liam sipped at his Earl Grey. If there was one thing he got from the English Nation it was that he took his Earl Grey straight like his mother figure. He was draining the hot liquid rather quickly as England finished brushing his hair and then the sound of shoes on the stairs rang out happily as Jolene skipped into view. She had her own uniform on, a little blue blazer, a plaid skirt and knee high socks, Mary Janes on her feet and her wild messy hair smiling down her back as she held her own little back back with her seal inside it in her hands. "Come over here, my little princess, and let me brush out that hair of yours."

Jolene was surprisingly easy to get over to him, her hair trembling down her back as she rushed over to the man and turned around quickly as England began brushing through the locks while America quickly devoured the omelet on his plate and England heard the toastt pop up in the toaster. He quickly moved the brush through the knots until the sunshine blonde hair trailed down her back in a sheet of gold that shimmered softly and she turned smiling up at her mother happily rather than pouting grumpily like she normally would have and he smiled back. He quickly got the toast out of the toaster, grabbed a knife and the butter from the fridge buttering each slice then handing three out to America, Liam and Jolene who happily crunched into their toast and he sat down at the table with his mug of tea, his toast and his omelet before him with a sigh. The children had gotten ready for school in record time and he was all too ready to dig in to his food as he smiled softly. Perhaps it was a turning point, perhaps it was a good thing his daughter was getting involved in dance class at the time of his pregnancy, and perhaps it was the best thing that his children were beginning their lives with this new baby on the way. It would be easier on them and he knew once Liam went away to the World Academy that it would be all the difference in the world to have his son living away from them but he knew it would be worth it to have his son learn their history more thoroughly and he found himself picking at his food before smiling softly. Everything would work out, he knew it would. He just had to keep his certainty clear and he would be able to hold onto the belief that things would work out.

Chapter Text

Finland had many hopes. He hoped that the years with Sweden would continue to pass by effortlessly as they have been. He hoped that he would remain in good health along with his husband. He hoped that his daughter would grow up to be a beautiful, intelligent young woman who remained in the same good health as he and his husband, nad he hoped he could help guide her into being that wonderful being. He also hoped that the baby fever would wear off of Sealand. He did his best to share his daughter with Sealand, always handed the baby over when Sealand asked to hold her and allowed her to change her in the morning, allowed him to choose her outfits most mornings and even allowed hm to help with bath time but there was something burning in Sealand that Finland couldn't stop. There was a desire for his own child, something that anyone would want, and Finland didn't blame him one bit. He knew how it felt ot long, want and desire to have a baby of his own for years and he thought he had made do with adopting Sealand but there was always an unspoken urge for a baby, always the urge to try and try for a baby but he had fought the urge until recently. He hadn't even been LOOKING to get pregnant this time round but here he was with a little daughter who loved him as much as he adored her and yet there was something changing in Sealand the longer he was around the baby. THere was a longing in his eyes that was so easy to read that often times it robbed Finland of breath to see the intensity of that longing and he wondered, for just moments in time, if this was more than just a simple baby fever. He tried his best to share the baby with Sealand and yet there was another thing that bothered the Finnish Nation more than the longing in those sky blue eyes of his.

There seemed to be a...change between the boys. Something that Finland couldn't put his finger on but one that he knew was going to grow into something that both would someday regret and that is what Finland tried his best to discourage as he passed the baby between both boys. He had thought it just to be baby fever for the both of them but each time those sky blue eyes met those deep blue ones, each time their hands brushed or each time they sat a touch to close to one another had Finland's mind screaming in alarm at just how comfortable the boys seemed to be with one another. Of course, after years of screaming and fighting, of having to separate the boys time after time from their disagreements there should have been some relief that they were finally getting along with one another, right? Finland wasn't sure what was changing but he could feel the change between the boys, could feel it in the air assuredly as one could feel a storm coming and he found himself watching the two boys anxiously for any signs that something had been taken to the extreme but there was never any signs. And if he missed them, could anyone blame him? He was so wrapped up with Aili some days that he barely remembered the boys and often felt guilty about it but Aili was a baby! She took up much time of his, of Sweden's, and he knew that he would have to spend some extra special attention to the boys but there was something about them that clearly said they were enjoying one another's company far more than they were enjoying that of Finland's or Sweden's.

Today was no different in his worry as he stood in the kitchen feeding Aili, the boys having gone off to school for the day, and he patted her bottom softly as she stared up at him curiously with her green blue and violet eyes as she suckled rapidly at the nipple of the bottle which would no doubt give her hiccups. He smiled down at the little girl who ws quite happily resting in his arms as she suckled at her bottle, her little hands clenched into small tight fists against her chest as the fabric of her little dress laid against her chubby legs and her socks covered her little feet as they squirmed restlessly and he chuckled softly. So much like her father, Aili was, and there was no doubt in his mind that she would grow up to be just like her father and she would grow up in such good health, such happiness that she would be a delight to speak too once she could figure her way around words in the upcoming months. He kissed her forehead making it wrinkle up as her brows came together tightly above her eyes and her mismatched eyes stared up at him grumpily now and he laughed happily at the sight of the little baby scowl at that moment and Finland eased the bottle from her lips to lift her to his shoulder where he patted her back softly. THe belch that flew from her lips had him laughing softly to himself as her little face came to nuzzle his throat, her hands curled against his chest and he rubbed her back as her little feet dangled against his stomach and he kissed her silky locks of hair softly making the baby sigh out as if she were tired of both the affection and her late naptime.

"Is it naptime already?" Finland wondered quietly to himself as he rocked side to side slowly, the baby sighing out again as she turned her face against his chest, her chubby cheek pressing against his chest creating a spot of warmth there as she nuzzled against his chest. He kept one hand on her bottom, the other on her back rubbing in soothing circles that had her yawning rather adorably and he kissed her silky locks of hair once again when he heard feet approaching from behind and he twisted his head to look over his shoulder. Sweden had a tiny, strained smile on his lips but the warmth there that shimmered in his green blue eyes had Finland beaming back as he turned to face his husband who walked over to the mother and baby. He bent down kissing the top of her head softly making the baby whine gently against Finland's chest while the Finnish Man tilted his head back eagerly to accept a chaste but warm kiss from his husband. The sweetness that trickled through his veins had his toes curling tightly against the linoleum floor of the kitchen and he smiled up at the Swedish Nation with such happiness t hat his violet eyes shimmered with the emotion. "What are you doing home so early?"

"Didn't need me at work. I got to leave early." Sweden replied simply, shrugging his broad shoulders an the Finnish man smiled as Aili sighed out with a small squeak against his chest where she slept happily and Sweden's lips curled into a small smile as he stroked his fingers down his daughter's back then stroked her straight silky cap of hair. There was no one Sweden had loved more than Finland, sure that there was no one who could warm his heart so completely, yet there was a love in his heart that was purely for his daughter. A love that squeezed his chest so tightly that he wondered just what he was going to do when his daughter grew up and had to face the world. He wanted nothing more than to keep his little daughter tiny and wanted her to rely on him the same way that Finland did. The way Sealand and Ladonia did. "Do you think she'll be as pretty as the others? Like Prussia or America's daughter?"

"She'll be prettier. I mean, look at her! She's already so pretty! Beautiful even, so she'll no doubt be one breathtakingly beautiful little girl when she's bigger, I'm sure of it." Finland kissed the top of her head softly, inhaling softly taking in her scent for a moment as he let his lashes flutter shut before lifting his head upwards and opening his eyes again. His daughter carried with her the smell of baby powder, the sweetness that all babies seemed to carry with them and he loved it. "We'll easily have a stunning daughter and she's going to blow some unlucky person out of the water with her affections along with her beauty when she's older, I'm sure of it! Though I think she might end up quite a bit like you, Ber. Not that it's bad or anything! I just think she'll take after you more than she will after me."

Sweden gained a thoughtful expression, his eyes just as thoughtful behind his glasses when he reached up stroking a strand of hair from Finland's forehead making the Finnish man blush shyly as he stared up at his husband and Sweden then smiled his tiny little smile once again. "I think she'll be quite sweet like her mother. Don't you?" A red, scalding hot blush then burned in Finland's cheeks as he stared at his husband then looked away as if overcome with shyness at the statement and Sweden bent down grabbing his husband's chin tilting his face up for a chast kiss sending warmth through the Finnish man's chest before settling happily in his stomach causing his toes to curl once again when he stared up at Sweden. "You truly are the sweetest thing I've ever encountered, Tino. Don't you think that Aili has that same sweetness to her?"

"Of course she does!" Finland replied breathlessly when lips caressed his hot cheek, kissed the tip of his nose, then trailed upwards to his temple where he felt his heart squeeze tightly at the warmth of those lips on his face, his stomach fluttering fiercely with excitement. Sweden pulled back capturing his lips once, twice, three times before placing a kiss to Aili's head and the Swedish Nation's eyes sparkled as they gazed at his daughter's sleeping face, lifting a hand upwards to stroke a pink cheek. A delicate pink palm flashed as Aili whined and hit at the hand as only an infant could before t urning her face away from her father's adoring fingers and hide her face in her mother's chest as she huffed out a breath in her sleep while she settled back down. "I think I should probably go lay her down."

"Or you could just let her sleep there." Sweden replied with that little smile on his lips, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he stared down at his daughter happily snoring delicately in her mother's arms and Finland smiled brilliantly like he had gotten some unspoken wish. "Come on, let's go watch something on the TV for a bit." He reached out wrapping an arm around Filand's waist, his hand resting on his hip as he pressed a kiss to his temple once again making the Finnish Nation giggle. It was a sweet, high sound that he adored and even had his heart fluttering in response as he looked at Finland who began walking forward with careful even steps to keep from rocking Aili too much in his arms and Sweden found himself amused. He followed after the Finnish Nation who happily walked ahead of him and he had to admire, just for one moment, how the jeans he wore hugged his ass. Just a moment.

He could have sighed from how they looked on the Finnish Nation, could have complimented the jeans but his words choked in his throat and his tongue refused to move with a single compliment as his face flushed lightly as they settled down on the couch in the living room. He admired the way Finland's hair fell across his forehead, the pale color shimmering in the low lighting it seemed and how wide his violet eyes were as they gazed at the TV that Sweden flicked on, his attention riveted to some drama show that was on at the moment but Sweden could care less. He was watching a beautiful creature, something that was more precious to him than anything in his life and he could never get enough of his fill at watching Finland merely breathe or merely sit next t o him existing quietly. He wrapped an arm around Finland's shoulders, tugging the man closer to him until his head was resting lightly against his shoulder, his fingers twisting and flicking at the blonde locks playfully making the man giggle once again as he settled into Sweden while being conscious of the baby resting on his chest and Sweden smiled to himself quietly. He adored the sight of their daughter sleeping so heavily, so soundly, against her mother figure's chest as she snored delicately and he reached a hand up to ruffle those silky locks of hair gently making the baby twitch in her sleep and he chuckled quietly to himself as he dropped his hand away and pressed his cheek against Finland's hair making the man hum with approval as they gazed at the TV. This moment, this child, this lover of his, was all meant to be. That much he accepted and that much he knew. He'd known it from the beginning that his life would end up at this point.

How could it not? He had the greatest, sweetest husband out of all of the Nations and there was no one he was prouder to be with than Finland. It was these thoughts that swirled lazily around his mind when Finland shifted slightly underneath his arm. "Hey, Ber?" Sweden made a small noise of acknowledgement that inspired the Finnish man to go onwards. "There's something that I need to talk to you about. It's about Peter and Erland. I don't know what's going on with them all of a sudden but I thought it was merely baby fever for a little while but they've completely stopped fighting! They don't bicker, they don't fight over things, and they certainly aren't wrestling anymore like they used too and while it could be chalked up to the maturing of their feelings or their mental capacity it just...puts me on edge. Like there's something that I'm missing and it's driving me a little batty. Like there's this big secret wrapping Peter and Erland up that I can't figure out what it is that's changed between them."

"It could be that they're maturing, Tino. After all they did hit growth spurts so why wouldn't their feelings mature just a bit?" Sweden replied thoughtfully then kissed Finland's head softly, the locks of hair tickling his face but he leaned back after a moment to nudge his glasses up his nose as he considered Finland's words when those violet eyes flickered up to him. "But I think I see what you're saying. There has been a change between them, a change in them completely. Erland of all people asked to hold Aili the other day and I sure as hell was surprised by it. After all he isn't the type to ask or expect to hold children but I figured it's just curiosity between them at this point and they're just wanting to hold the child. After all, Aili is quite beautiful and I wouldn't blame them for wanting to hold the baby in the slightest bit."

"I understand what you're saying Berwald but there's just something going on with the two of them that we're being left out of the loop about. There's something going on with those b oys, Berwald, I'm telling you right now that I'm sensing something about it and it's not just my overactive imagination this time." Finland replied huffily as he leaned against his husband and bit his lip for a moment, his daughter snoring delicately into his throat as he adjusted her slightly while being mindful of her head and neck position. "Just keep an eye on them, okay? I don't know what it is yet that t hey're hiding from us but they're hiding something. And I'm going to find out just what it is that they're hiding!"

Chapter Text

The air of the ice rink was freezing. Norway may have been a cold Nation, may be a snowy one in certain areas, but he had discovered years ago nothing was colder than Denmark in the middle of winter and with them being in the mere beginning of winter Norway knew he had some long months ahead of him. However the freezing air of the ice rink was a touch bearable when compared to the frigid air outside, his arms curling across his chest as he watched his youngest son speaking to a woman across the ice, her blonde hair tugged into a tight ponytail as she explained something to his son that he bobbed his head too. When Abel had asked for ice skating lessons he had been hesitant but it ultimately had come down to Denmark who had agreed whole heartedly to allow Abel to learn ice skating, even joking that someday their son could become a professional ice skater but Norway had taken it seriously. It pained him to think his son would have thirty years, maybe, to become an ice skater, to develop a career and that would be it, due to their immortality. People would notice Abel wasn't aging and that would be the one thing that the Nations had agreed upon centuries ago; only those in the know would understand their immortality and could know. If the people of their country figured out that they were not only personified but also had immortality would be detrimental to the Nations and would even cause mass hysteria. It pained his heart to see Abel so focused on performing his little jumps as any five-year-old would as he stared up at his teacher with such seriousness to his face that Norway had to smile just a touch at the sight of his son listening to someone other than himself with such seriousness.

Denmark sat to his left, Sven between them watching his brother with an awe to his gaze that was shared among the parents as he skated away from his teacher to skate around the rink, letting his momentum guide him providing such grace to his movements that it was hard to take eyes off of him. It wasn't until he braced himself on one leg and leaned forward slightly sticking the other leg out straight behind him in a display that had Norway's heart pounding to see Abel straightened up and performed a sett of tightly knit circles as he scrunched himself lower and lower before touching t he tips of his fingers to the laces of his skates. It was unbelievable that this boy, this five-year-old child, could possess such a talent for the ice but as he straightened back up in his spins he began to skate once again, backwards this time as he waved to his family who waved back quite eagerly. He performed a little hop that had him wobbling as he came back down but smiled proudly when he landed that hop and he skated lazily, weaving back and forth, his teacher skating up towards him. She was obviously speaking to him quietly but he nodded happily as he stared up at her and with a hand held out to him he happily took his teacher's hand and allowed her to tug him with her as they began practicing with earnest. Norway was taken aback by just how smoothly his son cut across the ice, how graceful he appeared after just three lessons and there was nothing Norway adored like the sight of his son skating across the ice with that gleam of excitement, that sparkle of pride, in his wide dull blue eyes as he followed after his teacher closely. The one on one lessons had been something that Denmark had requested, something he paid for out of pocket and worked hard to make.

Something that Norway wished he hadn't done but seeing at how his son was exceling was rather heartwarming as he watched Abel perform a set of hops that had him wobbling each time and had Norway's heart pounding as he squirmed in place for a moment before climbing to his feet. He felt his sons and husband's gaze on him as he began walking away and murmured under his breath his explanation. "Bathroom." Denmark's eyes sparkled with amusement and Sven hopped up with him repeating the same word as his mother and taking his hand as they walked around the bench towards the doors with him turning to Abel who looked at him curiously and he raised a single finger signaling he needed just a moment and he watched his son beam as he nodded. Sven held onto Norway's hand tightly, his gloved hand squeezing Norway's rather fiercely as they walked out of the room into the front open area where a few families were waiting for their own skate time and Norway ducked his head.

He was far from shy but knowing his son's one-on-one session was making them wait had his face flushing as he rushed past towards the bathroom with Sven trotting at his side quickly and once they were inside the quiet bathroom Norway sighed in relief as he and his son entered their separate stalls. He unzipped his coat quietly, stuffing his gloves into his pockets as he unzipped then unbuttoned his pants pulling himself out to do his business as he gazed down at his stomach biting at his lip lightly as he fought the urge to smile like a fool. While his brother's words still rang in his head from time to time about this pregnancy being excessive, about his pregnancy being a mistake, the Norwegian would merely have to look down at his belly and feel the surge of absolute joy at the rightness of his choice. His bump wasn't anything dramatic, a slight curve to his stomach that stuck out awkwardly at the moment but would grow larger in the upcoming months and had him smiling like a fool each time he brushed his fingers across the bump whenever he was alone. While he hadn't asked for a third child, hadn't asked to get pregnant and hadn't asked for this to happen to himself he had to admit that his son's enthusiasm was rather addicting with the past two months that had passed leaving him in his third month. He finished his business flushing the toilet and heard the toilet next to him flushing as well and Norway took a moment to straight himself out after tucking himself back into his boxers and zipped up his pants he walked out hearing his son shuffling at the sinks, the water bursting out loudly in the now quiet room. He bit his lip harder to keep the corners from turning up but he stepped out of the stall walking over to the sinks to stand next to his son.

"He's really good, Mama. Like super duper good." Sven finally piped up as he washed his hands rather thoroughly, his hands covered in suds that he rinsed off underneath the water and Norway found himself smiling softly despite having bit at his lip so roughly before and his eldest son smiled up at him rather shyly. "I really wish I could be good at something like that but I'm not any good on the ice like Abel is." He paused then looked down at his hands as he flicked the droplets from his fingers then turned the water off as he turned to grab some paper towels to dry his hands with. "I wanna join a club at school, Mama. I want to join the chess club and the debate club. Could I possibly do both? I know that I could handle it! I just want to try doing both because they both seem really fun and I'd like to try them both. They meet on different days so I know that I could do it! So could I try, Mama?"

Norway was struck wordless as he looked at his son he found himself scrubbing his hands vigorously for a moment in the silence as he considered his son's request. Of course he would want to join the chess club, and of course he would want to do debate, but both? At the same time? Of course it wasn't uncommon for one child to be in one or two clubs but could his son really handle it? And wouldn't he be heartbroken when he had to give up those clubs in order to attend the World Academy? Norway took a deep breath, feeling his lungs expanding briefly and painfully at the rush of air entering them before letting it out slowly as he then looked to his son who was staring at him hopeful eyes and Norway smiled softly once again as he grabbed a fistful of paper towels and dried his hands. "Alright. If Papa can pick you up after school then you can do it. We'll talk to him when we go out there. If he says yes, which we both know he will, then you can absolutely join both of those clubs."

Sven bounced on his toes, his hair bobbing with the movement as it fell across his forehead before throwing his arms around his mother's waist, hugging Norway tightly and fiercely as he buried his face against his abdomen carefully and squeezed his arms around his waist. "Thank you, Mama! I promise I'll make you super duper proud!" Norway never had a doubt that his sons wouldn't make him proud but as he stood there in that bathroom of the skating rink, he had to admit that he felt a sense of pride for his sons that about near choked him as he hugged his son back. There wasn't enough space in his heart to hold this much pride but as he hugged his son he found that there was never a possibly that his son wouldn't make him proud. He already made him so proud that often times he found that his love, his pride, leaked out of him like a cup past full.

And so life found a new rhythm for Norway. What with him rushing to get Abel to his skating lessons, Denmark working and picking Sven up from his chess and debate meetings, there was a new rhythm and flow to his life that hadn't been there before. Already in the past two weeks of his sons picking up these extra things he found that there was hardly enough time to think let alone breathe as there was always something to do, always going going going that Norway found himself slumping at the dinner table with exhaustion from running his sons around. Of course his husband did the work of picking up Sven from his extra curiculars after school but he was the one that made the breakfast, lunches, dinners, brought Abel to his skating lessons and was constantly receiving information from his sons teacher on what he was and was not to do that often times there was little to do but just refer to the papers that suddenly cluttered their cork board. Norway never thought that he'd be so busy, never thought he'd have to live by what a piece of paper said but as he prepared dinners to accommodate his son's new diet he found that he was constantly going going going that he was never leaving time for himself to enjoy his pregnancy in the past two weeks. He was surprised his sons were unbothered by the changes that affected their parents so thoroughly that they often times fell asleep long before their heads hit the pillows for very different reasons but still exhausted ever the same. Norway had finally, however, found time to take time to sit down Wednesday at noontime. A roast was in his crock pot, simmering quietly as it filled it's scent throughout the house as it cooked and he sat in his favorite rocking chair with his feet up.

Rocking back and forth gently he hummed quietly to himself as his knitting needles clicked together, the soft green yarn was like silk against his finger tips as he knitted a small little bootie, rocking lightly as he paused in his knitting to press a hand against his stomach stroking the little curve to his belly with a hum escaping him. Then, shrilly and rather demanding, the phone rang. He struggled to get his feet off of the foot rest, placed his knitting off to the side and climbed to his feet before lightly running towards the kitchen where the phone sat on the wall, his hand reaching out as he pulled the phone off of the wall. "Hallo, Kohl-"

"Norway! It's impossible! It's completely impossible, unbelievable!" A loud voice sobbed on the other end of the phone, a voice thick with what had to be the utter most agony and disbelief, a voice that had screamed and strained itself hours before but Norway blinked at the sound of his little brother's voice. What could cause such agony in his brother's voice? What could cause such absolute heartbreak? Did Hong Kong leave him? Did something horrible happen to Hong Kong? He licked his lips before parting them to speak when a loud howl of sobs rang over the phone's end cutting off what Norway had been about to say when the Icelandic Nation whimpered his next words into the hone, sounding for all the world like a child looking for comfort. "I'm pregnant, Norway. I'm fucking pregnant!"

"Pregnant?" Norway repeated dully as he clutched the phone and pulled a chair out from the kitchen table to plop into as he blinked to clear the roaring in his mind as his brother continued to keen and whimper into the phone as if so utterly distressed that he couldn't keep his thoughts nor his reactions in check. It wasn't like Iceland to call him up crying, wasn't like him to call him up at all after he had spoken to him three weeks ago but here he was sitting in his kitchen while his brother wailed over the phone with tears thick in his voice. Then the realization dawned on him. His brother, his little brother, was pregnant. He blinked again as he adjusted his hold on the phone as he cleared his throat listening to the sobs on the other end of the phone, each one cutting into him fiercely as he swallowed nervously before speaking. "Well, Iceland, you know there are...other options. If you don't want to keep the baby, that is. Obviously you could adopt out to another Nation couple or you could, you know, um-"

"Are you saying I should get an abortion?" Iceland asked rather icily then with tears still clogging his voice but it came out so sharp, so cutting that Norway winced as he tapped his fingers on the table next to him and he bit at his lower lip as he refused to fill in his blank sentence. Iceland was shifting around on the other end of the phone, the sound of him blowing his nose, then clearing his throat. "I just don't know what to do, Norway, but I just...I don't think I could kill my baby. I don't know if I have the strength to give them up for adoption either, not that I think Hong Kong would even let me. It would mean hiding away from my boyfriend for nine months just to give up a baby! What do I do?"

Norway was unsure of what to say. What could he do? What was there left to say to his little brother that would help him? He didn't have the strength to hide away to give the baby up and he didn't want an abortion so that left him with but once option. "I think that, if you can't go through with an abortion, and you don't have the strength to give a baby up for adoption, that it would seem that you're keeping the baby." Norway spoke slowly as if trying not to spook a rather wild animal and he bit at his lower lip once again before speaking again. "It might not be so bad, Iceland. It seems impossible, scary and unwanted at the moment but you might find yourself enjoying a pregnancy and having a child. After all, you're not in it alone. You can talk to Hong Kong, who knows he may have the strength for both of you to give the child up for adoption if it works that way but I'm confident that once you hold that little baby in your arms that you'll find that it'll be worth it. Just give it a chance, alright? Take it one day at a time."

Iceland was quiet for a moment, for the first time since Norway had picked up the phone but then his voice, no louder than a whisper, rang out as if he needed the strength his brother was displaying."Do you...really think I'd make a good parent to someone?" It was such a simple question, such a quiet question that Norway knew the answer instinctively.

"Of course you would be. You'd make an amazing parental figure for any child, Iceland. You just have to get over the shock of the news and once you do that it'll come to you so easily that you'll wonder what all the fuss was about in the beginning. Trust me, I was the same way when I found out I was pregnant with Sven. I thought it was impossible, had denied it until I was in my fifth month because in my fifth I got so big that Denmark joked there could be twins in there. I was absolutely in denial but the moment I held Sven it was like it all clicked together. Everything made sense and this tiny person needed me more desperately than I wanted to be free of children. This tiny person that looks up at you with wide trusting eyes, the pink cheeks, the complete innocence is what breaks your heart and breaks down your defenses." Norway paused then smiled softly as he pressed a hand to his stomach. "That's why I'm honestly happy about this third pregnancy. But I believe, with my whole heart, that you'd make an amazing mother figure to a baby, Iceland. Don't doubt yourself so early. Just tell Hong Kong and work from there, alright?"

"Alright. I-Thank you, Norway. Thank you for talking to me." He paused then took a deep breath and let it out slowly over the line. "And I'm sorry for calling your pregnancy excessive. It's not. I'm happy to welcome another nephew into the family, or maybe even a niece this time! But I really do apologize, from the bottom of my heart, for being so rude last time. I have no right to tell you whether you can keep a pregnancy or do away with it. That's why I don't deserve your kindness right now. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about all of this." He then gained a more confident tone as he took another deep breath, his had fidgeting with the phone no doubt. "I've got to get ready for Hong Kong to come home. I'll talk to you later?"

Norway then smiled as he stood up out of his chair, the leg scraping the linoleum flooring as he pushed the chair back into the table. "Anytime, brother, any time." With that the line disconnected and Norway hjung the phone up as he glanced at the clock curiously, his hands coming to rest on his lap as he considered his previous knitting that he had been doing and he bit his lip as his stomach snarled at him. Lunch time it was then! He turned to the fridge knowing he wanted some type of meat, maybe a hamburger would do, but that meant taking meat out of the freezer and waiting for it to dethaw and his snarling stomach was not happy about waiting for a pack of meat to dethaw. He just had to find something else as he waited for his husband and children to come home from school. He smiled then as he patted his belly where the baby rested and he chuckled quietly as he spoke to his belly. "Well, I guess it's just the two of us for now. Let's enjoy the quiet before your brothers come home, shall we?" And like a distant sensation he felt the flutterings of the baby within moving around making him smile widely.

Chapter Text

"Maybe we should go to a doctor." Lithuania's anxious, high strung voice rang through to Russia's ears around the buzzing as the man kneeled before the toilet gasping for air in between waves of vomit spilling past his lips as he panted and groaned quietly when the nausea continued to plague his stomach in squeezes he felt no more heaves from his stomach. He was tired of the squeezing muscles of his abdomen, tired of the vomit that stun his tongue and burned his nose when it spurted through his nostrils and he was tired of the acrid taste on his tongue as he reached up flushing the toilet with a groan. He leaned backwards into Lithuania's arms as hands stroked att his clammy forehead, brushed his cheeks and used a napkin to rub at his runny nose and lips before kissing his clammy forehead softly and Russia panted quietly as he turned his face into his lover's throat keening out a weak sound as strong arms wrapped around him rocking him back an forth in little movements that sloshed his stomach but thankfully the nausea held off on making him sick once again. He closed his eyes as a hand pressed against his forehead before reaching up to fan throuhg the pale, ashen blonde locks of hair. "I'm serious, Ivan, you've been sick for two weeks now and there's no signs that this is getting any better."

"It's just food poisoning or something, I told you that, Toris." Russia mumbled as his lashes fluttered against his cheeks, weak movements as he allowed himself to be cuddled by his fiancee, the brunette's arms holding him firmly as hands pressed against his stomach and Russia sighed when lips trailed down the side of his clammy face to his cheek where they pressed so tenderly his heart ached. It was hard to remain firm in his beliefs when his lover had such sweet lips, such sweetness to him that he was rendered helpless against it as he was helped to his feet. Though he stood a touch taller than Lithuania the brunette never seemed to mind it, even reaching up to cup his pale face and he tipped his face into his hands shutting his eyes again. He enjoyed the coolness of his lover's hands against his warm cheeks, the tear tracks drying onto his skin uncomfortably as he sighed softly before opening his eyes once more to stare into those worried green eyes, admiring the way his hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail giving him a rather princely appearance and the locks were far too glossy under the bathroom lights. Russia lifted his hands up covering Lithuania's as he smiled softly. "I promise, I'm going to get better. If it'll make you happy I'll make an appointment in the morning for the doctors and go have some process of elimination done."

"It would make me very happy. I fear we've let this go on too long after all." Lithuania murmured softly as he stroked his thumbs against Russia's cheeks, rubbing at the tear marks underneath his eyes and he frowned at the pale blue markings beneath his lover's eyes. "You're positively exhausted with all these vomiting episodes. Why don't we go to bed?" Lithuania pulled his hands from Russia's cheeks to take his hands and began pulling the Russian from their conjoining bathroom into the bed room with the Russian shuffling slower than normal and though he smiled it just didn't reach his eyes like it did before. Lithuania bit at his lip for a moment before rubbing his thumb against Russia's and then shifted their hands in order to press a kiss to his knuckles as he looked to the Russian who smiled softer. "It'll be alright. When you go to the doctors they'll do a process of elimination and we'll find out just why you're sick and have been for the past two weeks." He kissed his knuckles once again as he sat on the edge of the bed holding their hands between them. "How about, until this sickness passes, I take care of our work?"

"I can't ask you to do that!" Russia denied shaking his head but Lithuania merely smiled at the Russian who narrowed his eyes at the Lithuanian. "No, I won't ask that of you, I absolutely can't. You have more than enough work to be going throuhg without mine added to it, so don't even think about it, Toris." There was a pause between the both of them when Russia sighed releasing one of Lithuania's hand, gripping the left fiercely as he plopped onto the bed next to his fiancee. "No, it's not right to expect you to pick up the slack that I've been presenting the past couple of weeks. It's not right. Who knows, I might be better tomorrow morning and I'll get to work on my paperwork, alright? So don't go getting any ideas about filing my work for me or anything of the sort." Russia then relaxed his tight shoulders as he then smiled gently as he squeezed his hand lightly, fingers interlocking with Lithuania's as he leaned over to rest his head on his shoulder. "Don't worry too much. It's probably just a case of upset stomach and there's nothing more to be done about it. Some kind of stomach flu that I've got. I'll get to work on my paper work."

"I don't want you to push yourself." Lithuania found himself murmuring once again into the pale ashen blonde locks he so adored and pressed a kiss to his head before leaning his cheek against Russia's head as they sat in silence for a heartbeat, the beating of his heart seemed louder in t he silence than was necessary so he decided once again to break it. "Do you want to lay down? Get some rest?" When Russia nodded silently the two of them turned to the bed, tugging blankets down when a quiet knock on their door had Lithuania pausing as he turned looking over his shoulder at the door while Russia crawled underneath the blankets. He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead when the door creaked open and standing there was Tatiana and Darius.

Tatiana wore a pajama set, pink with little strawberries dancing across the fabric as her hair spilled past her hair managing to shine like pale silk as she stared with her wide green eyes with her pale bear tucked underneath her arm. Darius wore a matching pajama set with small bears dancing in their patterns and a brown dog tucked under his arm as his hair shone with a glossy hue as his own wide violet eyes stared from their father to their mother with unspoken curiosity when Tatiana cleared her throat, hugging her bear just a touch tighter to her chest. "Mama, Papa, we were wondering if we could sleep with you tonight. Please?" Her voice was small, quiet as if she were afraid to breathe the words let alone say them. She looked down at her toes wiggling them nervously as she adjusted her hold on her bear as her brother squeezed her hand while they both shuffled foot to foot. "We're having a hard time sleeping is all."

Lithuania turned to Russia who was sitting up on his elbows to stare at his children in surprise, his violet eyes curious as they flickered from child to child before sighing as his gaze was riveted to Lithuania who merely shrugged his shoulders as he walked around the bed to climb into his side and Russia held his hands up at his side curling them. "Come on then, children. Come into bed." The children filed into the room, shutting the door behind them, then ran across the room quickly in a blur of color and action, Tatiana settling herself into her father's arms while Darius snuggled up to Russia happily. He weaved his fingers throuhg the rich brown hair, glossy in the low light, and he smiled as Darius leaned into the touch when fingers prodded his chubby cheek with violet eyes shimmering with delight. "My beautiful babies, how I wish I could give you the world."

"But then there would be boring people ruling the world, Mama!" Tatiana replied as she twisted in her father's arms to smile at her mother, her eyes shimmering much like how Darius' had and both children snuggled into their parents, delighted to be in the warmth of their arms which had Russia and Lithuania sharing a rather wide smile that reached their eyes. "If I ruled the world it would be a much more interesting place, I think! There'd be no bedtimes and I could eat whatever I wanted! I'd be able to have a desert whenever I want, however I want! And there'd be no one to tell me what to do!" She nodded as she then rested her head on her father's shoulder with pride sparkling in her eyes at the thought of this fantastical world that she imagined she could rule and Russia laughed when she yawned then held her bear up to her father. She had a smile on her lips as she nudged the bear just below his jawline making him blink when she smiled rather angelically. "Good night kisses, Papa!"

"Ah, yes, goodnight kisses! Whatever was I thinking?" Lithuania questioned as he kissed the teddy bear's head and then pressed a kiss to Tatiana's pink cheek making her giggle delightedly and Russia repeated the same kisses to his son's stuffed dog and the top of his head which the boy happily accepted. Lithuania then stroked his daughter's hair from the top of her head to her shoulder blades softly feeling the girl settling against his chest with another yawn leaving her lips that was echoed by her b rother this time round and Russia smiled softly at his yawning children. Lithuania then, without a second thought in his mind, spoke with such fondness in his voice that it made even Russia blush. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a baby in the house? Another little one to shower with our affections?"

"Another baby wouldn't be necessary. We've got what we wanted from the beginning, didn't we? One girl and one boy, the very things we'd been trying for and got rather effortlessly didn't we?" Russia replied as he tried in vain to hide his gaze away from Lithuania who was peering at him curiously and Russia hugged his son to his chest only to find curious violet eyes looking up at him. Even Tatiana had twisted in her father's arms slightly, a hand rubbing at her eye as she yawned largely and looked at her mother quizzically, curiously and he found his face burning as he stroked his fingers through Darius' hair softly once again, twisting a few locks around his fingers. "It's not like we need to run around spitting out children like America or Spain! I just think it's the perfect balance we have with one boy and one girl, and that we have the best of both worlds right now. After all, why should I need another child when I have the perfect daughter and son? A daughter and son who make me prouder than anyone on the face of the planet?"

Darius giggled when Russia pinched his cheek lightly then prodded his side making him squirm with giggles spilling past his lips and Lithuania chuckled gently as he settled his head on the pillow gazing at his fiancée happily as Tatiana pressed her warm cheek against his chest close to his heart. "I know we have the best of both worlds with our children but I just think one more baby would be amazing for us. Wouldn't it be adorable to have a little boy that looks like Tatiana? Or a little girl who looks like Darius? It would be the greatest addition to our family, I think, but it's up to you, Ivan. No babies unless motina says so! You hear me, Tati? So don't go pestering Mama with questions of a baby, same with you Darius. It's merely wishful thinking on Papa's part." Lithuania explained as he also poked Tatiana's pink cheek making her giggle sleepily as she turned her face into his chest and he ruffled Darius' hair softly. "Goodnight to you both, we'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Papa and Mama." The children intoned together, their voices mingling perfectly as their eyes slid shut and Russia had to admit he had liked the picture that Lithuania painted in his head at the thought of having a little girl who looked like Darius or a little boy like Tatiana, something that had his heart warming as he curled himself around his son holding him to his chest fiercely. It didn't matter, however, what image his fiancee painted in his head. THe answer, at this moment, remained no. No babies for Russia and Lithuania, he would make sure of it. And yet there was a nagging thought in his mind that wouldn't allow him to truly rest as the bedside lamp flickered out submerging the family in darkness. What if, just what if, this sickness was something he had experienced before? What if this sickness, this vomiting episode, was much more than food poisoning? More than a simple bout of nausea?

What if, just what if, he was...pregnant? The thought had him breaking out in a sweat, clammy palms wiping against the sheets as he considered this new angle and he bit his lower lip peering at his husband and his children who all held their eyes shut with quiet peaceful breathes leaving their lips. Peaceful in their dreams no doubt but Russia found that sleep avoiding him the longer he laid there, his legs shifting back and forth nervously as he twisted his head just enough to stare up at the ceiling to view the dark ceiling above him and released his lower lip from the painful bite of his. There was an answer to this hidden away in his upper drawer, the answer to his sickness was just feet away and he could find out with a simple test that would take minutes to give him his answer yet he found his muscles freezing at the thought of confronting that very possibility. He gazed at his children, his beautiful children, and knew that if he had a baby now that it would be like throwing a rock into a peaceful lake and creating ripples that would come back to the shore to wreck havoc on their shores but as he laid there gazing at his small family he knew that he had to do this. If not for him then for his children. For his fiancee. The thought of a pregnancy, however, terrified him to his core as he laid there in the darkness twisting away from his son, his teeth finding their way to his lower lip once again, wearing grooves into his lower lip as he slid to the edge of the bed looking back at his son sprawled out on the mattress with his dog held tight to his chest while his daughter had her arms thrown securely around her father ensuring that if he moved in the slightest bit that she would feel it.

He took a deep breath. It was about time that he owned up to somethings and if facing a possible pregnancy was in the cards then Russia would do it. He had to do it. It wasn't just about him, after all. He could hide the pregnancy, could keep it hidden until it was undeniable, but then he would face the repercussions of his own children's' outrage at the thought being lied too for so long and he knew deep in his heart that he couldn't do something like that to Lithuania. Not to the man who had been so excited for their daughter then their son. Russia stood up quietly as he could as he walked across the dark floor, his footsteps sliding against the carpet to try their best to distribute his weight evenly across the floor as he made his way over to the dresser, pulling open the drawer quietly as he could then stuffed his hand under his clothing. He knew Lithuania would never snoop through his drawers, would never even think of doing such an invasion of privacy that Russia had decided during his first week of sickness that he would go to the store and buy a test just to ensure that it would be there should he ever need it. He tucked it far beneath his clothing to ensure that his fiancee wouldn't find it quite so easily, that it would be tucked in the farthest corner of his drawer beneath his clothes hidden away from the world. His breath hitched inwards when his hands brushed the stiff, hard edge of the box which he closed his fingers around, pulling his hand backwards out of the drawer out of his clothing and even in the darkness the words jumped out at him as if to wrap themselves tightly around his throat. A pregnancy test. THe words seared themselves into his eyes, into his mind, as he shuffled towards the bathroom door, shutting it behind him then flicking the light on.

Russia wasn't one for such fear. Wasn't the type of man that would get nervous easily, that would find himself choked up or would find himself worried for no reason at all and he wasn't the type that would give in to his fear as easily as others would for he knew that this time it would get him nowhere after all. He squinted against the bright light glowing above him as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror, the sight of those faint blue smudges beneath his violet eyes, the unkempt pale ashen blonde locks of hair that stuck up wildly, the skin he had peeled from his lower lip subconsciously, his skin a sickly pale that looked clammy to the touch and Russia took a deep breath. He bent over the sink turning the water on gulping straight from the tap, the metallic flavoring of his water spread across his tongue making his nose scrunch up but gulp the water he did and pulled back after his stomach felt quite tight and he turned the water off leaning against the counter. It would takes some time before the water worked throuhg his system to his bladder, would take some time in general to sdispell itself and until then he had to just hope that he didn't vomit up the volume of water he'd drunk as he stared at the pink box in his hands. He wasn't a man who go scared easily, wasn't a man who was the type that would crumble underneath the fear, but even he had to admit that at that moment he felt his heart pounding viciously, sickly hard against his chest as he turned the box over in his hands as he bit at his lower lip before picking at the skin there. WHat would he do if it was positive? What would Lithuania expect him to do? They were to be married shortly, very shortly in fact, and Russia was terrified at the thought of being huge at the wedding and knew that if he bumped up the wedding date he would have to explain to Lithuania why.

Was he brave enough to face this? Brave enough to tell his fiancee he was pregnant? And that was IF he was pregnant. He hated the whispers, hated the pointed looks, when he had gotten pregnant with Tatiana. He had gotten amazingly huge during his pregnant months and it was during those months that he'd have to sit meeting throuhg meeting listening to America's wise cracking jokes about the "snow man getting knocked up" which had continued even after he had given birth to his daughter. It was worse the second time round due to it being a mere year later that Russia had gotten pregnant with his son, having to deal with the jokes and the looks. having to deal with the horrible bouts of morning sickness and the annoying symptoms that plagued him month after month. His pregnancies had been the highlight of his long life, had been for quite sometime and he had adored the t ime he spent pregnant with Lithuania the most as he could recall just how breathtaking it'd been to feel those hands on his large stomach and their baby kicking from within as if eager to touch their father's hands already. He knew he could endure the jokes, the looks, the whispered conversations that were pointedly about him and he knew that he could get throuhg it this time round even if it was annoying but did he have the guts to tell his husband that he was pregnant? If he could withstand one thing why couldn't he have the balls to admit to another? He wasn't sure but pregnancy, the long nine months, seemed far more...personal to Russia. He couldn't explain it but it felt so personal to him, something like announcing a pregnancy, that he couldn't even imagine telling his fiancee let alone his own children for they would find out whether he wanted them too or not. He took a deep breath and prepared himself the best he could as he squeezed his fingers around the pink box and began to rip it open.

Chapter Text

Austria stood in the kitchen next to Amelia, her violet eyes narrowed at the workbook before her as her pencil tapped against the thick pages and he leaned his cheek against his hand with a smile on his lips as he stared at his daughter's face creased with concentration while his eldest daughter, Astrid, ran through her piano scales. The keys were slow, lazy and drawn out each time her fingers hit the keys but Austria knew better than to scold his eldest daughter by this point when it came to her lazy piano skills. She could be quite brilliant, a true child prodigy in the making but the girl just had little time or desire to want to play the piano in the first place and often times the only time she allowed herself near a piano was afterschool when her mother forced her to sit at the shiny bench, placing her hands on the keys and urging her to play her scales. Astrid was just too much like her father, too much of a wild chil that was amazingly strong headed and determined to do as she pleased, something that Austria had discovered not long after the girl had been born. When Astrid was born she had been a loud, restless child who had wailed at the top of her lungs whenever she was awake and something displeased her greatly, had been a messy child who often had something smeared across her pudgy hands and her face, even when she learned how to walk she had been quick to run. Quick to strip the bushes of their berries whenever she could, running out the doors of the house whenever she could and she had absolutely been the perfect little hellion that when they had discovered that he was pregnant with Amelia they had been absolutely horrified at the thought of welcoming a second child just like Astrid, a reaction most strong from Prussia.

When Amelia, nicknamed Mia, had been born it had been like a cooling rush following the scalding heat of a burn. She was a good girl, amazingly well behaved, even the sweetest little thing that Austria had ever settled his eyes on and he had been rather proud of this little daughter of his who was eager to prove herself. Even from infancy Amelia had been a quiet, yet very sweet infant who had been quick to smile at her parents, her behaviors always docile and rather complacent but a bit of a crybaby the older she got. They had been worried, very briefly, when Amelia had begun chasing her elder sister around, stripping bushes of their berries with her, even rebeling once in a while in such a headstrong manner that it sent chills down the parents spines but Amelia ultimately was the sweeter, calmer of the two. Always ready to help out, always ready to apologize for her sister's harsh words or actions, always willing to defend her sister even if tears hovered in those large violet eyes of hers. The girls were amazingly bonded to one another, both sharing a bond that Austria found himself fascinated with and one that Prussia cackled at but encouraged to flourish, claiming it was just like his and Germany's brother bond which only enthralled Austria further. The lazy keys from the living room had the Austrian tilting his head lightly as Amelia scribbled a few answers on the lines of her homework after tapping her pencil against her cheek and looked to her mother hopefully as she held her pencil tighter in her little hand and he slid the workbook closer to himself. He scanned over he answers before nodding making relief flood his daughter's face.

"Astrid, speed it up a little bit, sveetheart. I know that those scales aren't supposed to be played so slowly." He heard a loud sound of irritation leave his daughter's throat, could imagine the way her head tossed backwards causing her bangs to bounce around her face no longer the rippling length of silver hair and yet the image had him smiling to himself as Fritz squealed out loudly. He sat in his saucer across from Austria, his ruby eyes brilliantly shining as he bounced in the saucer making his Mariazelle bounce wildly as his little feet kicked at the floor and he screamed so loudly that even Amelia giggled underneath the loud laughter of her elder sister. He heard the screech of the bench pushing backwards and the sound of socked feet flying against the floor leaving him with moments to tense himself when the albino girl rushed into the room sliding on the floor using her socks like ice skates and threw her weight into his chair making him buck forward as her arms threw themselves around his shoulder's tugging him backwards making him yelp. "Astrid! Ve have talked about this! It's rude to be doing things like that! You approach someone politely from behind, not so roughly."

"Ja, but Vati does it to Uncle Ludvig all the time!" Astrid protested with a smile on her lips, her ruby eyes sparkling delightedly as they peered at Austria and the girl then slid herself into her mother figure's lap, a feat not easy for the eight-year-old but the girl squirmed herself into his lap, knees tucking upwards and her head nuzzling down into his throat. Her shoulders scrunching forwards as if to make her lanky form smaller than it truly was and he curled his arms around the eight-year-old like she were a small baby the size of Fritz and he kissed the top of her head sighing softly as the girl wiggled with that same delight she had in her gaze. She gripped fistfuls of his shirt as her breath warmed the side of his neck as she peered at her sister's homework. "I don't vant to do the scales anymore, Mutti, I need to do my homevork as vell!"

"Astrid, you und I both know that vhatever homevork you have you're not going to to do it because you'll vant a snack und then you'll vant a drink und then you'll volunteer to do your scales again. So unless you vant me to believe you then you'd better get your homevork right now, missy." The albino girl squirmed from his lap, something she had done since her toddler days, and rushed for the living room while Amelia merely wrinkled her nose at her mother and Austria laughed at the sight as he reached out tucking strands of chestnut brown hair behind her ears and kissing her forehead. "Und you have to finish your social studies before you even think of practicing your scales, you hear me?"

"Of course, Mutti!" She bobbed her head in a quick nod causing her hair to swing forward across her shoulders with the movement, her violet eyes flicking to the clock as her sisters dramatic, heavy steps started crossing the living room and Austria rolled his eyes sighing outwards as Astrid stomped into the doorway making Fritz scream and squeal with absolute delight as he held his hands out towards his big sister, ruby eyes shining with such utter adoration that Austria smiled. Even Amelia giggled softly under her breath at her sister's antics but when her eyes flicked to the clock once again it was clear that the six-year-old had other things on her mind in that moment and the Austrian Nation tilted his head once again as he gazed at the small brunette who was wriggling her pencil between her fingers anxiously now and her eyes were trained on the clock as though they were willing the moments to come by quickly. Those large violet eyes lifted towards him curiously, lashes fluttering in a quick blink her brows came together slightly creating a dent between those brows. "Mutti, vhen is Vati going to come home? Isn't he going to come home early tonight?"

Austria sighed softly, his shoulder slumping briefly from the rush of air leaving his lungs with the sigh, as he looked from daughter to daughter then down at his hands folded neatly against his knee that he had crossed over the other, his leg bouncing lightly as his fought the urge to check his phone which was burning hot in his pocket. He fought the urge to pull his phone out at that moment, his fingers twitching against his knee as he looked to Amelia once again and he forced a crooked smile to his lips. "I'm not sure, sveetheart. If all comes down to it, I'll read you your bedtime story. Don't you think I'm getting better at it?" Amelia's lips parted before clamping shut as Astrid ruffled her brother's chestnut brown locks of hair as if she needed something to keep from answering their mother. "Oh, come on! I'm not that bad at reading your stories, am I? Surely if I was so bad at it then you vouldn't vant me to read them, vould you?"

"You're okay at it, Mutti, but like you say all the time, there's alvays room for improvement!" Astrid chirped as she squished her fingers into her brother's chubby cheeks making him squeal at the affectionate touch of his sister and Amelia nodded quickly making her hair swing against her shoulders once again. The small albino then turned to her sister, puffing her chest out with her hands going t owards her hips, planting themselves there and she seemed to swell up much like her father did and smiled widely at her little sister who smiled back happily. "Don't vorry though! If Vati doesn't come home I'LL read your story tonight, Mia! I'm good at making all the right noises and reading it super good! Then Mutti can read to me vhen you're all sleepy! Sound like a plan?" The eight-year-old beamed at her little sister then, ruby eyes glittering much like her brother's and Austria for a brief moment felt pride for his daughter.

It was times like this, emotions that swelled and choked his throat, that Austria wondered just who his children would grow to be. It wouldn't be the first time that he wondered just who his children would grow to be, it wasn't the last nor would it be the final time that he imagined it and as he stared at his daughter who was turning her attention back to Fritz who was lifting his hands up waving them happily as if to g ain his sister's attention. Would Astrid become like her father? Would Amelia grow to resemble himself? Just who would Fritz grow up to be like? Would he become like Austria or Prussia? Would he be some kind of mix of the two? Or would he strongly resemble just one parent? And who would his daughters grow to become? He shook his head with a smile on his lips as he held his arms out wordlessly allowing Astrid to throw her bag on the table and throw her arms around his neck, climbing onto his knees then slumping downwards to rest her head close to his throat. The warmth that radiated off of his daughter was a comfort, something he had to hold onto as he nuzzled her silver locks of hair happily, kissing the top of her head and making the girl in his arms giggle as her breath puffed against his throat and he clutched the girl to his chest. He then reached one arm out to tug Amelia into the embrace, her forehead coming to rest against her sister's shoulder as her hair swung forward and the three of them cuddled together for just a moment. One moment was all he needed after all. His children were growing far faster than he would like, growing far faster than he imagined they would for they were making leaps and bounds rather than steps and feet, something that worried him for Prussia was truly missing everything.

When Astrid was born the albino had decided that in an attempt to rake in money for the both of them that he would begin working at a factory job, long hours that were spent away from the small family at first and there was much he had missed when Astrid was growing but he always made it home at the end of the day which Austria was grateful for. However, at this job his hours were constantly fluctuating, going from one time to another time,starting and ending irregularly lately and with both girls being old enough to miss their father due to his busy schedule Austria couldn't help resenting Prussia's job. It's not like they needed him to have a job in the first place! Austria made more than enough money to support hundreds and thousands of small families alone on his income but the Prussian didn't want to spoil their children and didn't want to raise them on a budget that had them realizing just how rich they were and he wanted them to have a more wholesome up bringing. But was it truly wholesome if their father wasn't even home half the time? Austria resented that job, resented the ideas that filtered through the albino's head and he hated that he hardly got to see his lover. Prussia saw some of the changes but he didn't see them all. And that's what got to Austria worse than those god awful hours that the albino was working here lately. Prussia's daughters were growing up, they were developing into little ladies, and he was MISSING it. Austria could see the small changes in his daughters, could see Astrid gaining shape in her body as it shifted from that of a child's to that of a very young woman and it ached his heart to see as his daughter neared her ninth birthday. If he saw this change, how many more would he see and Prussia miss?

"Don't look so sad, Mutti. You'll make Mia- Oh Mia! Don't cry!" Astrid's voice tugged him from his mental babble, his eyes blinking quickly before turning to look at his youngest daughter who had a face crumbled into grief, something his own face must have betrayed, and tears hovered on her dark lashes as she abandoned her pencil on the table and reached up taking her mother's hand in both of her little ones, patting delicately. His lips quirked into a sad little smile as he pulled his hand from his daughter's little ones to lift his hand towards her face, brushing those tears from her eyes with his thumb and the violet of her irises shimmered aas they stared up at her mother and Astrid's slim arms wrapped around Austria's torso, squeezing him fiercely. "Don't vorry, Mutti! Even if Vati doesn't come home tonight you still have us! Und I can be just like Vati if it makes you happy! Only you yelled at me for climbing on the counters und you von't let me do awesome stuff like Vati, but I can do a lot more! I can be just like him if it makes you happy!"

"Oh, darling, I don't need you to be like your Vater. I want you to be YOU, no need for acting like anyone else." Austria replied as he Amelia's temple as those wet lashes fluttered shut for a moment and she tilted her head backwards as if soaking up the affection aimed her way and Austria used his his other hand to awkwardly ruffle the silver locks on top of Astrid's head. "Now, let's not get too emotional, ve have some homevork ve have to vork through! Come on girls, let's get this homevork done und then the four of us vill go play in the living room, how about that?" Austria ruffled hair adoringly, Amelia's long locks twisting around his fingers like tendrils intent on swallowing his hand up but he managed to ease his fingers from the girl's long locks, Astrid's arms leaving his torso and he straightened up out of his leaning position. He watched Astrid climb into her seat, unzipping her bag and reaching inside for her own textbooks and workbooks when his phone rang shrilly from his pocket. "I'll be right back, you get to vork on your math."

Astrid tossed her head backwards groaning with the same level of protest as she had at the piano moments before, a sound that was echoed by Amelia's quiet giggle as Austria slid out of the chair and Astrid opened her pencil box, carefully keeping her eyes trained downwards at her pencils as her mother rushed towards the doorway. "Tell Vati ve said hi, if he even cares, that is." Astrid murmured under her breath feeling the poison of her words leak into Amelia who had fresh tears welling in her eyes at the venom in her sister's voice and Astrid pulled an eraser out and held it out to Amelia. Her mother even sent her a warning look that was weighed down by sadness and Astrid focused her attention on her little sister, not wanting to face that sadness she'd see in her mother's violet gaze, a sadness that always hurt her heart."Don't cry, Mia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't of said that, I just get mad about Vati is all. I miss him."

"I miss Vati too but I know he cares about us, Asty." Amelia replied in a quiet, whispered voice as she looked down at her homework, those tears hovering dangerously on her dark lashes making those violet eyes shimmer once again as she stared down at her homework. "No matter vhat ve think, I know that Vati loves us lots! Don't you think so, Asty? Ve alvays have so much fun vhen he comes home!" Amelia tried for an encouraging smile but it merely trembled on her lips as she squeezed her pencil tightly in her fist and accepted the eraser held out by her sister, admiring the rainbow unicorn shape of it and she squeezed it to her palm as well and bitt her lip before lookin up as she raised her fists rubbing at her tears, one eye at a time and then tried for a deep breath. "I know he loves us very much und that's vhy he's gone so much. Vhy else vould he be vorking so hard for us, right? Mutti alvays says Vati vorks hard for our sake, right? Othervise vhy vould he be gone so much?"

Astrid shifted in her seat, glancing at the clock and then turning her attention back to the doorway her mother had gone through and sighed to herself feeling a heavy weight in her chest holding her down when she turned to her sister's hopeful face. She couldn't say it. Not to her little sister. The eight-year-old didn't know much, didn't understand it fully, but what she did know she knew would hurt her sister horribly in the long run of things and if she said them to the six-year-old there'd be no taking it back. See, Astrid was a smart girl. Very clever in fact and could understand things quite plainly but she could also piece together b its and pieces of information to make it make sense. She knew Miss Hungary, her mother's ex-wife, and her father's ex-girlfriend was suddenly working with her father for long hours and her mother was upset by this despite her father's reassurances that nothing was happening. What could be happening she had no idea but Astrid didn't like to think about it. "Of course Vati loves us it's just frustratin'! Vhy does he have to be gone all the freakin' time? It's not fair! He doesn't even have to vork! Mutti has a lot of money und can support all of us for a very long time but Vati just vants to vork to the bone! It's stupid!"

There was the sound of feet approaching the doorway, Austria's arms crossed tightly over his chest as he leaned against the doorway, his lashes suspiciously wet as he squeezed his cellphone in his hand and stared at his eldest daughter for a moment before looking away. "You shouldn't be saying those things, Astrid. It is'n't something children understand und I vould appreciate it if you kept those thoughts out of your head."He spoke quietly as he pushed off the doorframe walking twards Fritz who whimpered quietly at the sight of his mother and raised his chubby arms up towards his mother. "Vater loves all of us very much und there should be no doubts in your little head that he loves you. He does vhat is best for us und he does his best to be home to see us, butt thankfully after tonight he's being put on leave for a little while due to complications at vork. So Vati vill be around a lot more for you girls."

"Not like it matters because I'm gonna be goin' to the Vorld Academy soon. That's far avay! So it's not like I'm gonna be seeing Vati for long, right? Because I'm going as soon as they find a bunch of teachers, right?" Astrid questioned tilting her head, a birdlike movement in the way it was light and quick as she looked up at her mother from under silver lashes that had her ruby eyes glowing with curiosity and Austria found himself sighing as he pulled the four-month-old into his arms the baby relaxing as his tiny hands gripped at his shirt and his head resting in the crook of his elbow happily. The baby yawned rubbing at his face with his little hands before looking up at his mother who lifted a hand to stroke the tip of his finger down the bridge of his nose, tapping the tip of it. All of his babies in one room, all of his babies suffering from the lack of their father. Astrid may seem pessimistic but she was perhaps the closest to her father. "I just vant Vati to spend time vith us instead of hanging out vith Miss Hungary und vorking all the time!"

Austria sighed softly as he reached that free hand out to rub the silky silver locks of hair as he adjusted the baby in his arm. "I know, I miss Vati very much. I know he misses us, Astrid, und you'll be spending a lot of time vith Vati here soon. That's vhy he requested time off, so he could spend time vith his girls before they go off to the Vorld Academy." Austria replied as Fritz squeaked out a small sound before yawning again as he nuzzled his head down against his mother's elbow, turning his face towards his chest sighing softly as if he were tired of the conversation between his mother figure and elder sister. Austria squeezed the boy to his chest lightly, the baby's weight solid in his arms as he kissed his silky forehead before turning his attention back to the girls who were staring at him curiously. He sighed quietly as he considered his next words, knowing he had to do something to keep his daughter's from worrying so much about adult situations, adult problems, and that's perhaps why the next words came so easily. "I don't vant you vorrying about it, though. You are both children still, there's time upon time for you to vorry about your Vater und I, for now enjoy your childhood, you von't have it forever. Soon enough you'll be all grown up und vishing you vere children again."

"Do grown ups really vish they vere children again?" Amelia questioned looking at her mother curiously who smiled slightly at his daughter, her wide violet eyes curiously peering at him, her hair framing her pale face so beautifully she appeared more like an oil painting in the works than a breathing child. While Amelia did not inherit a single albino cell from her father she did receive his pale skin, something that workedi n her favor rather than against it as she looked more angelic with each passing day, more beautiful as her blushes rested against pale skin like roses, her long lashes that fluttered with each blink and how she was rather sweet. She would make someone happy someday but Austria had to hope that she'd give some hell when she was older. Amelia blinked when her mother nodded to her question and she turned to her sister. "Asty, do you vish you vere all grown up then?"

"Mmmmm, sometimes." Astrid replied as she opened her math book open and folded her workbook in half to the proper page, a pencil held tight in her hand as she tapped the eraser against her pursed lips that very quickly spread into a wide happy smile while she shifted around in her seat, tucking a leg beneath her. "I vish I vas grown up only because I promise Tatiana that I'd marry her vhen ve are older!" Austria looked up from his son with a startled expression and Astrid laughed delightedly at her mother's surprise. "Ja! Me und Tatiana are gonna get married vhen ve're big enough to do it! I even promised next time ve meet that ve'll svitch stuffed animals as a promise!" She looked utterly delighted, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink that glowed against her alabaster skin, her lashes fluttering down as a shy smile curled over her lips and yet Austria felt a stab of icy cold anxiety at the thought of his daughter promising herself away to another person so young. A crush was a crush, something he understood better than anyone, but his daughter couldn't make a mistake such as this.

"You don't know one bit vhat you're talking about, young lady." Austria replied stiffly before lightly tapping the top of her head making her look up at him with wide eyes that were surprised as she tilted her head to the side and he rolled his eyes before adjusting his glasses. "Marriage isn't normal for us as it is for humans, Astrid. A marriage between two countries, micro or not, is a very serious commitment und isn't vun that can be viggled out of easily. It means many trade deals, various funds that vill need vorking out upon various other things. So vhen you say you're going to marry Tatiana it's far more serious than a simple marriage, darling." Astrid had a glazed look to her ruby eyes, something that occured when she was lost in her own head during a chastisement and after a moment the light came back to her eyes, the ruby coloring glittering, only for them to roll upwards in a lazy movement. She looked so much like Prussia when she rolled her eyes like that.

"Don't vorry, Mutti, I know vhat I'm doing! It's not like YOU are going to marry Tati!" Astrid began scribbling her math along the side of the page, showing her work as usual when she leaned her pink cheek against her hand and she smiled up at her mother. Austria knew his daughter was making a pretty big mistake, something that he wanted nothing more than to correct, but the girl looked so happy with her sparkling eyes and her pink cheeks, her happy smile curled loosely on her lips was all he had ever wanted to see but the girl was making a mistake. He knew that it could change in a year or two, that Astrid could possibly forget this promise of hers but he had the distinct feeling that she wasn't going to forget it in the slightest bit. It would be up to Prussia to shake their daughter of this, that much he knew, and he sighed as both girls dived into their homework with gusto to finish in order to no doubt to greet their father when he walked throuhg the door tonight. Austria just wanted his children to grow up happily, wasn't that what every mother wanted?

Chapter Text

When Italy's eyes opened he turned his head curiously to the alarm clock beside the bed, his pillow rustling softly against his hair and he nearly groaned aloud at the hellish time as he rubbed at his dry, itching eyes and sat up carefully, doing his best to keep from bouncing the bed as he looked over at his side. Germany, ever stunning as a man could ever hope to be, was positively beautiful while asleep. His sleek blonde hair glowed in the darkness, a chaotic fringe of bangs against his forehead and his lashes rested on his cheeks, his lips parted with soft breathes. Beautiful. So beautiful. Italy slid towards the edge of the bed, a yawn on his lips as he pressed his feet to the floor and stood walking around the bed leaving his husband on the bed, grabbing his robe sliding it over his body as he made his way across the room, doing his best to keep his feet flat, to keep his movements still and he looked over his shoulder at the sight of his husband before cracking the door open slipping out of the room and shutting the door carefully behind him. He then made his way down the hallway, his robe swirling around his ankles as he walked down the length of the hallway towards the boys bedroom with an urge to make sure all was right with his children in the late hours of the night. He picked at his lower lip as he came to a stop in front of their bedroom door, cracked halfway open due to the light in the hallway glowing cheerfully sending a slant of light into the boys' dark bedroom and it was as Italy carefully slid into the space the door offered that the rustling of bedsheets had him pausing as a head raised from the bed. Giovanni's brown locks of hair stuck up wildly, his lashes fluttered as they blinked quickly then tilted his head as that sleepy gaze landed on his mother.

"Mutti? Is it morning time?" He whispered only to pinch his lips together when he noticed his brother stirring and his mother pressed a finger to his lips that had the brunette sliding off of his bed to press his feet against the floor, his pajama's rustled just like his hair but his brown eyes glowed with awareness. He padded across the floor in typical five-year-old and raised his hands up allowing Italy to bend down plucking the boy up into his arms and using his hip urged the door just a touch wider as he slipped out of the bedroom with his son in his arms, the small brunette staring up at him curiously. His brown locks of hair stood up wildly, brushing his forehead and nose gently from how long it had grown out and Italy tucked a piece of hair away from his nose and those long dark lashes fluttered for a moment in a fast blink as he stared at his mother. In the brightly lit hallway Giovanni found his voice one again. "Mutti, vhat are you doing up? I can't sleep either! Vould you make me some vanilla milk?"

Italy felt his lips twitching as he adjusted his hold on the five-year-0ld in his arms, absolutely adoring the solid weight in his arms as those legs pressed tightly against his sides, hands locked behind his neck making hish ead bow forward slightly. Vanilla milk, a concoction that Italy had come to adore, had been the magic trick to making the twins sleep at night when they were mere toddlers, no more than a year old did they start using the milk concoction to help the twins sleep and it worked like a charm. "Of course, tesoro, so how about you help Madre with it, hmm?" Italy allowed the corners of his lips to tip upwards, his lashes lowering slightly giving him a warm gentle look that had Giovanni cheeks flushing a light pink, hiding his face in his throat whining making Italy laugh. "Sounds like a si to me! So tell me, little one, how long have you been awake for?"

"I dunno." Giovanni mumbled into his mother's throat, bouncing lightly as his mother began walking down the hallway, curling slightly in his arms the best he could as if it would make him smaller and the boy closed his eyes resting his forehead against his mother's shoulder. In truth, Giovanni had never actually gone to sleep, he had been tossing and turning horribly ever since his mother had tucked him in and given him his goodnight kiss but he wouldn't admit to that for his mother would only be upset by the news of his lack of sleep. The boy clutched at his mother figure when he lifted his head to look into his mother's face, tilting his head to the side. 'How long have you been up for, Mutti? You look sleepy."

"I'll be fine." Italy replied when he felt little fingers tracing the halfmoons beneath his eyes making him sigh as he tilted his face away and a small palm pressed against his cheek as Giovanni sighed quietly to himself as he stared as he lifted his head with a pout on his lips, his eyes tight and disgruntled as Italy kissed his forehead softly. He looked so much like his father when he got like this. Italy paused at the top of the stairs, kissing his son's forehead once again then kissed his rather soft cheek making the boy grumble wordlessly, just like his father, and Italy pecked his cheek repeatedly before he began to walk down the stairs, adjusting his hold on the boy in his arms. "Mama will be just fine, il mio prezioso bambino, so don't you fret about Mama too much, got it? I'll get some good sleep tonight after I put you back to bed and then tomorrow I'll play with you and your brother all day long. How does that sound?"

"All day long?" Giovanni questioned in a hopeful, tiny voice that had Italy smiling as he focused on climbing down the stairs carefully, nodding his head and the boy squirmed delightedly in his mother's arms at the thought of spending the entire day with his mother figure, his eyes sparkling at the thought. He looked down with shyness at the fondness radiating from his mother and he tightened his little hands around his mother's neck as he smiled quietly before looking up from under his lashes. So much like his father Giovanni was and Italy adored it with such ferocity that the boy in his arms smiled sheepishly now. "Okay, all day long. I can't vait to tell Vati about it! Do you think Vati vill play vith us too? It'd be fun to play vith Vati und Mutti."

"Maybe I can convince Papa in the morning to spend the day with us. We can go to the park, or go on a picnic, we could go to the mall and window shop, we could even play with your toys right here in the house! Or we could watch a movie, how does that all sound? Maybe we can do it all!" Italy babbled quietly as he stepped off of the final step while Giovanni yawned, his eyes screwing up tightly as he did so and when they opened once again they had a rather wet sheen to them from the intensity of the yawn and Italy squeezed his arms around his son. Italy had to swallow down his own yawn as he began walking quickly now towards the kitchen, knowing that any moment now the German Nation upstairs could roll over and find him missing which would only lead to Germany hunting down the Italian which he didn't want. It was bad enough that he wasn't sleeping properly, he knew he couldn't keep impacting his husband's own sleep schedule like this. "What do you think about that, Giovanni? Wouldn't that be an amazing day?"

Giovanni rested his head on his mother's shoulder once more, humming quietly as he thought the words over no doubt and the boy's knees lightly dug into Italy's back as he squeezed his arms around his mother's neck, the two of them quiet for the moment as they made their way to the kitchen. Italy let out a quiet breath knowing better than anyone that he had a little making up to do to not one but both of his sons due to his attitude and reactions to both boys following his miscarriage. He'd been so withdrawn the past handful of weeks that Giovanni and Wolfram's hair brushed their jaws, sticking up messily and not at all like their coiffed rather chic hair styles and Italy knew he was neglecting more than just cutting his sons hair. Italy had been lost in his agony, in his absolute sheer despair after t hat hospital visit that he had forgone everything he had to do as a mother figure to two growing boys, boys that were HERE and needed him, and he knew that his sons wouldn't hold it against him if they somehow remembered this dark period of their childhood but Italy knew he had so much he had to make up for. He had all but given up when he had gone through the miscarriage, had all butt dropped off of the face of the planet after his brother left him and he hadn't been the same since his miscarriage but walking into the kitchen, his arms securely held around his son, he found that he may have a lot to make up for to both his sons and his husband. He placed down Giovanni the moment they got into the kitchen and the little boy followed after him as he walked up to the fridge pulling it open pulling out the gallon of milk, plucked a pot off of the wall and walked over to the stove placing the pot onto the stove.

He then walked parallel to the counter, pausing before his spice cabinet to pluck his vanilla down, a container of cinnamon, then reached up higher to grab his measuring cup pulling it down and placed it on the counter sliding it close to the counter while Giovanni watched each movement curiously. He was rubbing at his eyes, which were tinged with light red spiderwebs of veins from his lack of sleep and Italy smiled softly at his son who raised his hands up and Italy bent down plucking the small boy up plopping him onto the counter where he then stuffed his hands between his thighs happily, swinging his feet lightly as he watched Italy pour the milk into the measuring cup, pouring it into the pot then dripping the vanilla into the milk and reaching out to twist the knob turning the burner on. He then turned his attention to his son, sighing out softly as he threaded his fingers through the long locks of hair carefully. "Mama has to cut your hair. It must be a pain to have it hanging in your eyes all the time, isn't it, bambino?"

Giovanni shrugged. "It's okay, I'm used to it. Vati didn't vant to cut it because he's not as good at it as you are but he told us not to bother you too much because you're still sad." Giovanni then peered up from underneath his hair and lashes, the hesitation in his brown eyes had the Italian's heart clenching tightly at the sight of those lightly blood shot eyes peering at him so cautiously. "Are you still sad, Mutti? Vati is still sad und I vould understand if you were sad too. I just...I miss you. I miss you UND Vati, I miss playing und having fun sometimes. Are you going to be sad much longer?"

"Oh, Giovanni." Italy blinked rapidly to stop the tears from welling yet they stubbornly clung to his lashes as he stared at his son who was staring down at his hands clenched tightly between his thighs, his ashes casting shadows onto his pink cheeks and Italy found his arms reaching out and tugging the boy into his chest. He weaved his fingers through his hair holding his head to his head as he peppered kisses against the crown of his head and Giovanni murmured quietly something under his breath that Italy's ears didn't quite pick up but as he scratched his son's scalp softly, comfortingly, he squeezed those shoulders to his chest tighter as Giovanni's cheek pressed fierce against his heart. Oh, he truly did have much making up to his sons, didn't he? "Oh, my Giovanni, Mama was having a hard time but I promise it'll change for the better. I promise it, but Mama never meant to make you feel sad or alone, I'm so sorry, il mio prezioso bambino!"

"Is okay, Mutti." Giovanni got out around the tight hug he had been pulled into when he squirmed awkwardly within his mother's grip but he quite enjoyed the warmth radiating onto him from his mother's body and he gripped a fistful of his mother's pajama shirt. "I just don't vant you to be sad anymore, I vant you to be happy again. I miss you singing in the morning und cutting my hair und spending time vith me und Volfie. I don't like it vhen you und Vati are sad. You got even sadder after Onkel Lovi left und nothing seemed better. Vill it get better now, Mutti?" Giovanni pushed at his mother's hand to lean backwards, looking up into his mother's face tilting his head back slightly in order to look up into his face. "I vant you to be happy, Mutti."

"And I will be, Giovanni, I promise. It's just taking some time for me to be happy again after what happened but I promise that I'll start spending time together again just like we used too and I'll try super hard to be happy again but Mama is still sad about what happened but I'll start spending much more time with oyou boys, I can't promise that everything will magically be better but I'll try harder for you both." Italy slid his hand from Giovanni's hair to cup his little face, his thumbs caressing the pink chees lovingly making Giovanni's lashes flutter shut as he leaned his face forward into Italy's touch instead of shying away in embarrassment like he usually did. It made Italy smile softly as he looked at his little son, a son who resembled his father strongly despite his coloring being that of Italy, and he leaned forward kissing his forehead. He could heard the mil gurgling behind him and he released his son in order to turn towards the burner taking the milk off of it and turned the burner off while Giovanni's brown eyes traced the movements curiously. "Alright! Let's give this a few minute to cool down and I'll get you a cup then it's back to bed, alright? I don't want-"

"Mama! I knew that you and Gio were up!" A high chirping voice rang out victoriously making Italy turn slightly to find both his husband, standing in the doorway with ruffled blonde locks of hair but their son in his arms as well who was smiling widely with a victorious edge glittering in his large blue eyes. Wolfram, despite sharing his father's blonde hair and bright blue eyes, seemed to resemble Italy more and more each day. The boy squirmed in his father's arms and was placed down allowing the boy to race across the small kitchen to his mother, throwing his arms around his waist burying his face into his stomach happily with a quiet laugh when he then looked up at his mother happily. "Are you drinking vanilla milk? Can I have some, Mama? Pretty please?"

"Of course you can!" Italy cooed down at the boy, capturing his face in his hands stroking those equally pink cheeks and then reached his hand up tousling those shaggy locks of hair where they brushed his jaw and he then smiled at Wolfram then turned his attention back to the little brunette sitting on the counter. "How about Mama cuts your hair tonight? It may be late and we should all be in bed but while we're up we can get these locks cut off and back to the cute hair cut you btoh had before?" Wolfram's eyes glittered happily at the thought of having his hair cut while Giovanni merely cocked his head to the side and Germany sighed letting his head hang forward for a moment when Italy then kiss Wolfram's forehead. "Wolfie, Mama was just talking to Giovanni, but how would you feel about spending the whole day together? And of course Mama can get Papa to join us, but what if we spent the whole day shopping and playing together? Would you like that?"

Wolfram's hands came together happily, clapping together as his fingers weaved together and both hands came up to press against his jaw as he looked as delighted as any five-uear-old would when offered the world and he gazed at his mother with such an adoring smile on his lips that the Italian knew he was making the right call when it came to his sons. "Of course! Si, si, Mama! It'll be super duper fun! And Papa will have fun with us too!" He turned towards his father, blue eyes shimmering delightedly making a resigned smile form on Germany's lips as the boy ran bac over to his father, his arms throwing themselves around his father's strong waist, his hands instinctively gripping fistfuls of the fabric. "You promise that we'll spend lots of time together in the morning and all day tomorrow?"

"Ja, ve'll spend all day together tomorrow, I promise." Germany replied with a sigh in his voice but he smiled happily at the boy who was staring up at him hopefully and the man turned his attention to his husband who was pouring out three cups of vanilla milk, smiling softly at the sight as he then ruffled Wolfram's shaggy blonde locks of hair happily. "Let me go und get Mutti's hair cutting kit. You're going to look quite handsome again, now won't you? Liek Mutti's strong little boys!" Both boys beamed at their father at the thought as he detached Wolfram's arms from his waist turning on his heel waling away from the kitchen while the little blonde flock back towards his mother with a bright joy in his blue eyes and a delighted smile on his lips as he bounced on his toes accepting his cup of steaming milk from his mother with grateful hands while his father returned rather quickly with a black kit in his hands that he held from his finger tips. He smiled at the sight of the boys sipping their vanilla milk and he offered that smile at Italy who was holding his own cup, when the answering smile he received left him breathless.

It had been so long since Italy had answered his smile with such a bright, brilliant smile like that but the sight of it had his heart beating rapidly at the warmth that shone from those brown eyes he so adored and found himself blushing as he looked away from the Italian Nation. Italy sipped at his milk, feeling his own cheeks coloring lightly as he considered his bright, enthusiastic response to the smile that had been aimed his way and he wondered if he was perhaps a bit TOO enthusiastic when answering his husband's smile if that red blush was anything to go by but he knew it didn't take much to make Germany blush; something he had always adored about the man. He swallowed the silky milk down, enjoying the aftertaste of vanilla dancing on his tongue as he took small sips and watched as Germany dragged two chairs in from the dining room and both boys quickly took their seats as Germany placed the kit on the counter popping it open and hanging Italy his cutting scissors while the Italian quickly drained his cup. He smacked his lips with a happy sigh as the flavor melted across his tongue from the bottom of his cup and he then nudged Germany away from the chairs the boys sat in, swinging their legs and sipping their warm vanilla milk and Italy plucked the comb out of the kit beginning to move it through Wolfram's hair. He just couldn't wait to get their hair cut, to get them back to the rather adorable boys that they were before with their short hair that they liked to style after their father. It was quite adorable after all and there was nothing he loved to see more than his little sons with their slicked back hair that resembled Germany's.

Italy found his arms reaching out for Germany, the lengths wrapping around his waist and he looked up into his husband's face. A face that was so beloved, a face that he could look into for hours at a day and yet never feel boredom, never feel tiredness upon viewing and he sighed softly as he looked up at his husband before leaning his head forward pressing his cheek against the German's chest. "Ti voglio bene, Ludwig. I know I've been such a sad grump lately, I know that I've been sad for far too long but it was such a tragedy wasn't it? I don't know what to do with myself sometimes but I know that when we try again that this baby will be the greatest blessing this family has ever seen, I promise. But until then I find that I want to try and be happy, with you and with the boys. I want to be happy instead of so sad all the time over something that was out of my control. Do you think that you could help me be happy once again like I was before we found out the news about the baby? Before everything happened?"

Germany's arms were tight, warm and solid around his waist and Italy knew that he had to work on the boys' hair in a few moments if they wanted to get any decent sleep tonight but he found that the warmth of his husband's arms were far too tempting to leave and he tilted his head back looking up at his husband who smiled down at him with that quiet warmth. It made his eyes shimmer, the blue stealing Italy of his breath as he looked up at his husband, adoring the reflection of himself in those blue, blue eyes of Germany's and he jumped when a hand pressed against his cheek softly, a thumb stroking his cheek bone gently. "Of course I'll help you become happy again. I'll do my best but ve all deserve some happiness, don't ve? Let's just focus on the boys for now, alright? The talk of babies can be made later, can be talked about any other time und I'm sure that vhen the time comes it'll be the perfect timing for us, alright?"

Italy's answering smile was bright and breathtaking but was one that Germany found that he had missed in the past handful of weeks and as he held his husband to his chest securely he found his heart was fluttering in time with Italy's, the beats skipping and jumping as if in echo of one another. Italy giggled quietly to himself at the feel of his heart flying against his chest as he curled his arms around his husband's neck and tugged his face downwards slightly, smiling at the slight resistance and then danced upwards onto his toes meeting his husband halfway. "Grazie, Ludwig. Grazie."

Chapter Text

Canada lounged on the bed, the tv down to a murmur as the news broadcasted images that his mind barely clung too before releasing far too easily as he stroked a hand over his stomach, the curve pressing neatly against his palm as he bit at his lower lip for a moment before releasing it. Ever since their news of the twins had broken, AMerica had been absolutely thrilled at the thought of a pair of twins being born into the family and had bragged about it to whoever he talked to and Canada wasn't sure how much more he could take of his brother's boastful attitude. You'd think it was England who was pregnant with twins, not Canada but the Canadian let it go time after time for he knew his brother's enthusiasm, his excitement, was a genuine reaction. It seemed, however, that when he wasn't bragging about the twins he was bragging about England's own pregnancy, the man not far behind Canada, just a month or two, Canada just wasn't around much to handle the enthusiastic display that America put on whenever he had England at his side. Canada looked down at his stomach, extended far higher for a fourth month pregnancy belly than it should have been but the doctor had assured him that he would only grow larger the further along he got due to him, obviously, carrying not one but two babies and France had been absolutely attentive during this and had begun sewing maternity clothes for Canada in a blinding fury. In fact he wore said maternity clothes, deep violet pants and a soft white sweater that France had taken upon himself to finish for Canada as a gift. Canada just wished he didn't feel so bloated, so claustrophobic in his own body at that moment, for it was quite the challenge handling two infants inside of him at the moment that he wanted nothing more than to be at the end of his pregnancy already.

He was only four months along and yet his stomach was extended enough that one would think he was about five or six months along, not just four and he dreaded to think of how much bigger he would grow to be in the upcoming months and he shivered gently at the thought as he stroked his stomach through his sweater when the sound of the shower in their conjoined bathroom turned off making him look up, judging his glasses up his nose and the sound of small feet coming down the hallway had him blinking softly when Austynn appeared in the doorway smiling at his mother, scratching the bridge of his nose before nudging his round glasses up his nose then tilting his head slightly at the sound of his father singing in French through the bathroom door with a smile curling over his lips as he then looked back to his mother, his violet eyes bright. "Maman, could I lay with you for a bit?"

"Of course! Come here, bébé, and lay with Maman." Canada held his hands out for the boy who rushed across the floor, his hair flying around his face against his jawline as he rushed across the room, climbing onto the bed crawling towards Canada before plopping down next to his side making Canada smile. The boy cuddled into his side, Canada's arm curling around him tightly while cupping the back of his head as it came to rest on his chest, the two of them curling up around one another as their eyes were riveted to the tv and the bathroom door swung open. Canada giggled at the way that the French man paraded out of the bathroom with a towel tightly wrapped around his waist and the Canadian felt his cheeks flush at the sight of so much bare flesh being flashed his way as he shifted on the bed, his fingers stroking over Austynn's two toned blonde hair happily. "Francis, cover up!"

He playfully covered Austynn's eyes making the boy giggle happily as his little hands came up touching the back of Canada's hand and France laughed as he walked across the floor, his hips swaying lightly with his quick steps and Canada found himself pressing his fingers tightly against Austynn's eyes as he watched the movement of his hips greedily. There was just something mesmerizing, addicting, and all too tempting about the way that his hips swayed lightly but as France reached into the dresser drawer tugging a pair of boxers out he slid them up underneath his towel making Canada sigh as the towel dropped revealing the length of France's back. The slopes, the dip of his back had him sighing with longing as he imagined just how nice it would be to enjoy his husband's body, ravishing it from finger tip to toe tip and he wanted nothing more than to worship every inch of his husband's body in that moment. Canada moved his hand from his giggling son's eyes once France had gotten some pants on, a shirt spread across the dresser that he quickly slipped into and smiled as he began buttoning his shirt and turned towards the Canadian nation. "So, what are we going to do today?"

"Anything we want." Canada replied as he nuzzled his cheek to Austynn's hair, the boy giggling once again as he curled up closer to his mother, nuzzling his little face down against his mother's chest delightedly as he curled carefully around the bump of his stomach, his feet lightly touching Canada's knees. He stroked his fingers over Austynn's hair once again delightedly as he watched France button up his shirt and he smiled pressing his cheek against the pillow beneath his head as he fought off a yawn that threatened to break free from his lips as he watched the French man and stretched his legs out arching his back for a moment before sighing as he rested a hand on his stomach. "We have to Skype call Alfred though. Might as well get that over with. I swear he only wants us to call him, to talk to him, for the sole purpose of comparing England's bump to my bump then getting salty and upset over it. It doesn't make sense why we indulge him that way but at least we get to see Jolene and Liam."

"Oui! Our precious little niece and nephew are always worth seeing! It's 'ard to believe that such an angelic little girl could 'ave ever come from Angleterre!" France laughed making Canada join in briefly when the French man then smiled widely as he finished up the last button on his shirt and his hands came to rest on his hips, cocking one forward as he smiled at Canada. "You know, I truly do 'ope we 'ave the opposite of Angleterre! They are 'oping for a boy and I know I wouldn't mind 'aving little twin daughters running around. Two is always better than one after all! Imagine just 'ow bitter Angleterre would be if I 'ad two daughters rather than just one! I think he would implode out of 'ow unfair it would be! Same with two sons!" He laughed again as he then walked over to the bed, smiling widely with a sparkle in his blue eyes as his hair hung down to his jaw in wet wavy clumps of hair as he pressed his knees to the bed. Crawling forward onto the bed France smiled as he settled himself against Canada's left side, the Canadian reaching his arm out curling it around France's shoulders his hand finding it's way to his wet hair.

"Look at me with my two boys!" Canada crooned the words delightedly as he stroked two different heads of hair, smiling brightly at France then to Austynn who both smiled happily at Canada and the Canadian felt a tiny nudge from his womb making him look down at his stomach. "And my babies of course. You know, I still can't believe I'm having twins, it's a wild thought." Canada sighed when he felt a fluttering of movement from inside him tiny and mild but it had him smiling widely as France lifted a hand up stroking the curve of his bump rather lovingly making Canada's cheeks flush softly. "Can you believe it, Francis? After all this time with our little prince we get not one but two babies. You really think it would be Alfred who got the twins but I'm happy. I really am! After all wouldn't it be nice with a charming pair of boys? Or a sweet pair of girls? It would sure get Alfred all worked up if I had two daughters, I know it would."

"That is merely because 'e is rather childish!" France replied playfully as he stroked his palm against the curve of his belly absentmindedly like one would do with a cat, a rhythm that soothed both the flutters within his womb and Canada felt his heart flutter in time with the movements as he smirked at his lover. "Austynn, I know you want to cuddle up with Maman but I 'ave to talk with Maman about something very important so would you mind giving us some privacy for a moment? I promise that as soon as I am done we will call for you." Austynn bobbed his head, kissed his mother's cheek wordlessly before scooting down to the edge of the bed and trotting from the room within mere seconds, his two toned locks of hair bobbing against his neck from the light breeze of his movements as he rushed from the room and France smiled when he then turned to Canada who was staring at him curiously. So curiously in fact that France found himself smiling ever so fondly at the Canadian."Mathieu."

Canada tilted his head, violet eyes curious as he looked at his lover. "Oui?"

"Mathieu. You know better than I that we 'ave been together for quite a long time, no?" France started while Canada felt his heart stutter over it's beats before thumping quickly, solidly, against his chest in response to the warmth in those blue eyes aimed his way as an arm slid around his waist, just below his baby bump, and held him closer to France than before. "You know that I always 'ave, always will, love you and I want you to know that I want nothing more than to be able to call you mine for the rest of my existence. There would be no greater pleasure, no greater fantastical adventure that I could go on that could compare to the way you own me and 'ave me wrapped around those fingers of yours and I 'ave you around my own." He paused then to squeeze his hip, his thumb brushing the length of the bone gently making Canada's breath hitch in. "Mathieu, mon amour, I fear I love you too much to let you ever go. The only thing I stand to lose, the only thing I cannot live without, is you. I know, I know, I'm being cheesy but I promise it's building up to something. Mathieu Williams, my lover, mother to my children, the dearest lover I 'ave ever 'ad, would you please do me the greatest pleasure, the greatest 'onor, of marrying me?"

"Ma-Marrying you?" Canada squeaked out in an unattractively high voice as he stared at his lover who nodded, his wet locks of hair swinging against his cheeks as he did so, those blue eyes burning into Canada with the intensity of a summer's sky, warmer than the deep blue of Autumn, and mesmerizing as the oceans depths were the eyes he adored. He licked his lips as he considered the French man's charming words, words that had his heart racing against his chest, and he bit his lip as he stared at France who watched him with that even, calm look to his face that echoed into his eyes, a calmness that spoke volumes. It was like he knew Canada's answer long before Canada could spit it out but as he shifted the arm left his waist to allow Canada to roll onto his side awkwardly, then lifting his hands up to cup France's face, brushing his palms against his cheeks, brushing a palm across his lips which kissed at his palm, his fingers then the tips of said fingers as his left hand slid against his cheek before delving itself into those blonde locks of hair that slid like wet silk against his fingers that triedi n vain to twist into the locks as he smiled, his breath brushing against France's lips causing them to part as Canada gazed into those blue eyes. Eyes that he had adored all of his life. "Oui. I-I'll marry you, Francis Bonnefoy."

France's cry was joyful, was a shout of delight as he leaned forward cupping Canada's cheek while Canada leaned in, a giggle playing on his lips as he locked his lips with France's in a kiss that had his feet squirming against the sheets and his toes curling into tight bunches and his hand reaching out for the other's. When his hand found France's, their fingers wove together instinctively, palms flush against one another's as the babies within his womb fluttered wildly as if delighted by the news and Canada was drowning in the sensations of those lips on his own that had him going in for more more more, forever eager for more of the ambrosia that seemed to be linked to France's lips. He released a muffle squeak when he was urged onto his back, his torso twisting with his legs following slowly after to straighten out as France leaned carefully over the Canadian, their lips moving with that shared eagerness t hat was melting away to a sureness, a delight that had them kissing with such enthusiasm that the breathes through his nose were becoming insufficient but he couldn't stop. Didn't want to stop. It wasn't until he heard steps rushing up the stairs, running for the bedroom that the parents parted, each breathing quickly as they jerked into sitting positions like they were teenagers caught feeling one another up rather than adults who had been merely sharing a rather passionate kiss. Austynn could be seen rushing down the hallway, his hair swinging around his face as his hands reached out catching the doorway and hugging himself to it as he stared in at his parents with the wide violet eyes, duplicates of Canada's, shimmering excitedly.

"Maman, Uncle Alfred is on the computer! He was calling and calling so I accepted the call!" He then nudged his glasses up his nose, then rubbing his cheek in an itching movement and he shuffled his feet nervously as he looked in at his parents. "I 'ope that was okay of me, Uncle Alfred said I was a clever kid for figuring out 'ow to accept the call, that I was super smart and that I 'ad to tell you and Papa about 'ow smart I am! Am I really that smart, Maman?" He looked absolutely delighted at the thought of being praised for being smart, as he was such a quiet boy it was hard to remember sometimes that he needed the praise and needed the boasting proudness of his parents when everything he did was absolutely perfect to both France and Canada. His eyes shimmered with a hope that had Canada smiling as he scooted slowly to the edge of the bed, a hand on his stomach as if to protect the babies from the movement.

"You are absolutely a smart, clever boy! It doesn't surprise me in the slightest bit that your uncle was calling so insistently." France rolled his eyes when Canada looked over his shoulder and caught the movement but Austynn mere laughed at the sight as he shifted from foot to foot. "Why don't you go downstairs and talk with Uncle Alfred while Papa and I get ready to get down there? I have to finish up talking with Papa but I'm sure Uncle will understand that it takes us a few minutes to get there. Oh! Why don't you talk with your cousins, hmm? It'll be nice to catch up with them!" The boy nodded before turning on his heel rushing from the doorway back down the hallway to the stairs, his feet thumping loudly against the floor as he rushed away, all but throwing himself down the stairs from how fast and aggressive they sounded on the stairs and France laughed out as he stood up off of the bed.

"So what else do you wish to speak to me about, mon amour?" France questioned tilting his head to the side lightly, his eyes glittering like light playing off of ocean waves, and Canada pretended to think for a moment Standing up from the bed and walking around, tracing his fingers along the bedframes edge and smiling as he peered above the rims of his glasses, under his lashes. His cheeks were a delightful, sweet pink that France adored in that moment but the Canadian looked less like a cute kitten and morel ike a hunting puma as he made his way around the bed, right up to France with his hands locking behind him as he smiled at him with all the innocence of one trying to convince another. At first France had felt a touch confused as the Canadian came to stand before him, that innocent smile on his lips and those pink cheeks that he had not a clue just what the Canadian could want. At least at first he'd felt clueless. It took a moment of staring at the man, peering up at him from under his lashes, his glasses slipping down his nose slightly to emphasize the look as he smiled and it clicked rather quickly for France who smirked widely once the reason for this little facade. "Ohohon, does mon cheri want another kiss? I think that I could survive something like that. Poor little Amerique will 'ave to wait now won't 'e?"

"Don't worry about my brother, he can always wait." Canada replied moving his hands in front of him, trailing his fingers up his arms that were reaching out for him, up to his shoulders where he curled his arms around letting his hands weave upwards into those damp locks of hair tugging the Frenchman's face closer to his own. It was tempting to France to lean in and close the distance when Canada's breath brushed his chee but he fought the urge too as he looked at his lover's precious, perfect face so close to his own with a touch of strain to his eyes and yet he adored the sight of Canada's face so close to his own. His lips parted softly as he waited for those warm, soft lips to press against his own when France made a low sound in his throat and Canada giggled quietly as his breath continued to fan out against his cheek when the Canadian in question leaned in pressing a soft tender kiss to his cheek and his fingers clutched fistfuls of hair tugging gently at the locks when he spoke again. "Je t'aime beaucoup, Francis."

Je t'aime aussi, ma chérie Mathieu." And the kiss that was planted on France's lips was so sweet, so tender, that he swore he felt his very soul flutter in time with his heart as he kissed the Canadian back eagerly and held his waist tenderly with his hands, his lashes coming to rest on his cheeks. There was nothing better, nothing greater, than kissing his sweet Canadian. Time would never be long enough for him to indulge in his desire for the Canadian and there would never be enough hours of the day to shower his family with love but he knew better than anyone how lucky he truly was to have not only an amazing, adoring son but two more children on the way. He was blessed, that much was plain and simple as he held the object of his desire, the object of his heart, within his arms and delighted in the sigh that slipped past Canada's lips when he pulled from the kiss in order to flutter his lips alone his jawline and down his throat making the Canadian's breath hitch against his ear. "Je t'aime tellement, mon amour. So much."

"Maman! Papa! Uncle Alfred wants to see you already!" Austynn's voice, once again, broke the pair apart from one another as he shouted up the stairs to his parents and both adults shared a look between one another, what with eyes glowing with desire with smiles of fondness for their son's loud voice as hands came together finding one another's. Fingers wove together instinctively, just like before, and palms brushed against one anothers as France lifted his hand up, twisting it so he could kiss the back of Canada's hand, watching that pink blush darken to a soft red that he so adored. "Maman! Come on! Uncle Arthur wants to see you too! They both want to know about the twins!"

"Let us go, shall we?" France murmured to his lover now turned fiancee and watched delight shimmer in those violet eyes as he lifted their hands, this time to place a kiss to the back of France's hand this time round as their thumbs moved together to rub at the other's hands together. He swore in that moment, as he watched those violet eyes shimmering so sweetly, with such adoration, that he would never be able to tire of his little Canadian. No one, nothing, was better than Canada and God help him he would continue to show the Canadian day after day that that was the case once they married. He would do anything for this sweet, charismatic man and he would prove to his dying breath that there was nothing he wanted more than his sweet Canadian. France walked forward tugging Canada with him playfully making the other man laugh out with delight so clear, so ringing, that it made France join in instinctively he heard his son call for him once more and together the pair descended down the stairs with such delight shimmering between the two.

Chapter Text

Spain was craving olives. He rolled onto his back with a groan of irritation seeping free from his throat as he stared up at the ceiling, squirming his legs slightly but stilled them when Romano grunted quietly shuffling away from Spain in his sleep, curling up tightly on his side as he snored delicately into his pillow. Spain rolled his head to the side to stare at the back of Romano's head wondering, theorizing, if he should wake the Italian to let him know his latest craving or if he should just take care of it himself but the longer he forced himself to remain still in the bed the more restless he felt. They were all supposed to be napping that afternoon as Spain had gotten a dizzy spell earlier that had strangely drained them, Cristiano had decided he needed a nap and happily gone to his room to do so and Romano had then suggested they take a nap as well to help Spain get his energy back. Yet as he laid there, the afternoon sun trying in vain to get through the curtains, he found himself biting at his lip as he sat up onto his arm slowly, peering at the side of Romano's sleeping face and slowly rolled to his left side, swinging his legs off of the bed as slowly as he could, pushing the blankets off of him as he stood up on his feet stretching his arms above his head. This craving, a new and sudden thing, clawed at him as insistently as his recent desire for Romano's body and he found himself shuffling forward carefully while trying his best to avoid the squeaky spots in the floor when he realized his biggest obstacle was not the floor but rather the door. He cursed himself silently as he came to stand in front of the door, swallowing nervously before peeking over his shoulder at his sleeping husband and then turned back to the door before him.

He reached out taking the handle in his hand, twisting the knob in his hand and pulling it open only to flinch at the ungodly screech of the hinges as he opened the door just enough for him to slip out carefully and shut the door quickly behind him even if the hinges screeched in an ungodly manner. He'd have to remember to oil those hinges the next time he got on a ladder but knowing then it would be a pretty long while before Romano let him anywhere near or off of the floor. The man was strangely strict when it came to Spain's pregnancy so far refusing to let the Spaniard do his usual duties and instead would do them himself rather than letting Spain help him do them and while others would find this annoying to be suddenly babied ,Spain found it rather endearing. Romano had an odd way of showing when he cared for another person, was awkward and stiff but rather warm and welcoming with their son that Spain had never questioned it but the snapping attitude of the Italian was something the Spaniard had merely grown used too after centuries with his husband. He hummed quietly to himself as he walked down the hallway, pressing a hand against the small bump that stuck out rather defiantly like the baby within was already as proud and stubborn as their father and it made Spain laugh quietly under his breath. There was nothing more amusing to him than the thought that this baby could possibly be like Romano, the idea that their second born would be like Romano whether it be in looks or personality or even both, Spain was excited for the birth even if he knew it would hurt. He knew pain was involved in every child bearing situation but he found himself eager to welcome a second born child to his family after seven years.

Perhaps it was a long time to wait to have another child but they had been so wrapped up with Cristiano that the thought of a baby had never occurred to the pair, not until there was already one on the way, but Spain was secretly pleased at the thought of another child to love upon what with Cristiano growing up so much every day. Yes, he was still a child and needed all the love his parents could afford to give him - which was all of their love- Spain found that his heart had grown, had swelled up to make room for this new baby, a baby that would bring love to their brother as well. Cristiano was growing up so much that the thought of giving Romano another child to love, to scold, to raise as they saw fit was something that Spain had absolutely adored the thought of. He was surprised, however, at how mild his pregnancy was so far. He hadn't had wild bouts of morning sickness like what Romano had had when he was pregnant with Cristiano, and he wasn't in the stage where he bemoaned his pregnancy, for he still saw it as something fresh and new. Something to marvel over, something to find joy and something to be so new that he couldn't help fawning over the sight of his small three month bump. Spain climbed down the stairs, his feet slapping lightly against the tiled steps as he made his way down into the entry way of his home, his humming starting up again as the light poured through the windows casting a soft golden hue to the house around him as he climbed down those stairs and once he reached the bottom he swung himself in a little arc towards the back of the house where his large kitchen rested. He hoped, prayed even, that there was olives in the kitchen somewhere and give that he was married to an Italian man, he hoped the man had some recipe that called for olives.

Spain entered the kitchen humming to himself, pausing in the doorway with his hands on his hips and nodding to himself. There was olives somewhere in this kitchen. He could feel it. Then again he could be wrong, he's been wrong before, and he knew the only place they could likely be would be the fridge and if he was wrong then he was going to have to go to the store. He walked around the kitchen island, walked towards the fridge reaching out grabbing the handle and tugging the door open. He began pushing things around, squinting at the door's shelves, then continued pushing things aside only to find disappointment looking him in the face as he dug through that fridge looking for olives that have yet to appear when he froze hearing the sound of feet brushing across the floor and coming to a stop outside the kitchen door. He peered over his shoulder awkwardly, barely catching sight of none other than Romano standing there with his arms crossed his chest and Spain forced a smile to his lips that was as wobbly as he felt. "Ho-Hola, Lovi. What are you doing up from your nap?"

"I could be asking you the same thing. Along with WHY in the Lord's name that you're making a mess of my refrigerator." Romano asked with an eerie calm tone as he looked at Spain and the Spaniard pulled his arms out of the fridge turning towards Romano parting his lips when the Italian cut him off. "If you were trying to be sneaky then maybe think of oiling up the hinges on that god forsaken door! I heard you when you snuck out, for what I have no damn clue but the only thing I can piece together is that you're hungry again, aren't you?" That was one thing about Spain's pregnancy that was different from Romano's. Romano had spent much of his pregnancy with Cristiano sick beyond belief meanwhile Spain's pregnancy brought with it hunger and cravings. "What's you're latest craving? Some unholy blend of Oreos again? Or is it something worse? I can't imagine just what this kid is going to make you eat next."

"Ol-Olives. That's what I was looking for." Spain replied sheepishly as he shut the refrigerator door behind himself, feeling a blush coming up to his face out of self consciousness and he scratched at his hot cheek when Romano spun on his heel, his curl bobbing with the movement leaving Spain a step behind. He rushed forward after the Italian, his face hotter than he would have liked as he followed after his husband who was already approaching the front door, keys ins his hand and he bit his lip for a moment before releasing it and reaching out touching the back of Romano's arm making the Italian jump. "Lovi, where are you going? I didn't upset you, did I?"

"N-No! I'm not mad or anything, I'm going out to get your stupid olives!" Romano replied rather nervously, his face flushing as well as his light green eyes turned away from Spain to the door with the car keys held tight in his hands he then looked down at his feet while Spain blinked with surprise as the Italian jammed his feet into his shoes. "You want olives I'll go get you olives. Someone has to stay here with Cris after all." He then peered up at Spain with a sigh on his lips as he turned towards the other and reached his hands up to awkward cup one side of his face while the other pressed his fist against his cheek due to him clutching the keys and he sighed once again as he then peered down at Spain's little baby bump. "You know, I don't think it would be smart to tell him now but we'll have to tell Veneziano you're pregnant. Not anytime soon, of course, but we can't hide from him for the next six months now can we? I just don't think it would be in good taste to mention our pregnancy so soon after his miscarriage you know? But we should really figure out when the right time would be to tell him."

"You're right, mi amor, we'll have to figure something out." Spain replied as he tilted his cheek into Romano's hand making the Italian's face flush yet again with a red blush that had his eyes glittering in response, appearing far brighter than before and he looked away from Spain yet again as the Spaniard smiled gently. "You'll do the right thing, mi amor, we'll figure out the perfect time to tell your brother. Like you said, we have six months before it's time to tell him. It'll go by fast, I'm sure it will." He then smiled as his hands pressed against his baby bump and Romano looked down at the movement then looked up at Spain. "I think this baby, however, will be just like their Mama. Call it fathers intuition." He winked then making Romano's hands drop from his face, his face flushed as he flipped the lock on the door with a pinched smile at his lips and Spain brushed his hands against Romano's, the tight fist holding the keys and the hand on the doorhandle. "Don't worry, Lovi, everything will work out. I appreciate you getting me olives though!"

"Of-Of course I'd get them for you. But I hope you're right, I don't want to upset my brother by you being pregnant." Romano looked away once again as he tugged open the door just enough for two cats to streak inside making both men jump at the sight of them for even though both Spain and Romano owned a cat it was still a surprise to see them. Spain's cat was a white cat with these pale brown markings on both of his flanks, most of his tail and on his back along with that brown markings that curved down between his eyes and over his ears with a collar that held a name tag and a little rosary to go with it. Romano's own cat was white with patches of orange on it's head, left leg, back and tail and there was a little cowlick on top of his head that almost resembled Romano's curl yet on his collar he had a small tomato pendant to go wti hhis tag. Spain's cat was called Biele and Romano had named his own Enrico. "Feed the cats while I'm gone, alright? Probably thirsty too after running around all day, it's hot as balls outside. Alright, I'll be back, so don't stop me this time."

"Do have fun on your drive, I'll make sure to take care of Biele and Enrico while you're gone." He smiled when said cats rubbed up against his ankles, Enrico meowing up at him in a tone that strangely matched Romano's and the Italian laughed as he slipped out the door shutting the door leaving Spain alone with the whining cats and he sighed out placing his hands on his hips looking down at the whining animals that were chirping up at him. "Alright, you two! Let's get you some food and water, si?" He then turned walking back towards the kitchen with the cats trailing after him meowing rather loudly up at him to which he replied with "uh huhs" and "no kidding!" until they were back into the kitchen and he was filling two cat bowls with food and placing water bowls down next to it.

Once the cats got to eating and drinking the Spanish Nation nodded with satisfaction then left the kitchen, walking towards his living room enjoying the cool rush of air from the air vents around him as he walked into the living room and plopped down onto the couch after swiping the remote up into his hand. He lounged backwards, crossing one leg over the other and flicking the TV on. Of course it was on a kids show that Cristiano had been watching moments before his nap so he began flipping through the channels, ignoring his growling stomach as he held his foot in one hand, his eyes flicking to the large bay window that was angled perfectly to show off the driveway which was missing the bright yellow car of his and he wondered briefly just how long it would take Romano. Would he be in and out? Would he be back in minutes with an olive jar in hand? He had no clue but he leaned back against the couch settling in when Biele jumped onto the couch making him laugh lightly as the cat rushed for Spain's lap, curling up into a happy ball that squirmed belly up for a moment for pettings which Spain gave happily. He scratched underneath his chin and around his ears happily making the cat in his lap purr like a motor boat that had Spain laughing once again when Enrico jumped onto the couch, curling up near his thigh with a rather huffy sigh that would seem dramatic even to his own owner. Spain loved owning cats, absolutely adored watching them run around the house, welcomed them in his bedroom on his bed despite Romano's protests and he adored having them sit on his lap but the cats hardly seemed to like staying indoors all the time and so with his high fences, he allowed the cats to have as much outdoor time in the back and front yards as they wanted.

Often times they were found beneath bushes or high in the tree or walking along his fence but Cristiano absolutely seemed heartbroken when the time would come when the cats wanted to return to the outdoors after spending some time in doors with their family and often cried to see them slink out the door. There had been some part of Spain that wanted to bring up to Romano that they could very easily afford a third cat, that if Cristiano loved their cats so deeply that there wouldn't be a problem with getting a third cat, something that Romano had denied before, but surely he wouldn't deny Cristiano would he? If their son asked for a kitten would Romano be able to say no to him? Spain smiled at the thought of Cristiano walking up to his mother figure, widening those green eyes of his and begging for a kitten to have and he found himself snickering at the thought of how his rather tsundere husband would react. He looked up when he heard feet on the stairs, flying down them rather and Cristiano appeared in the doorway as if the sound of his father's snickering had summoned him from some type of deep sleep and he stood there in his clothing, rumpled from sleep, his curly hair sticking up wildly around his pink cheeked face. She was rather cherubic at that moment with his wide, green eyes that were impossibly soft with sleep and his lashes fluttered with a blink then he smiled slowly as if he was catching onto his father's good mood and those green eyes of his light up with a sparkling light when they landed on Biele and Enrico, a happy gasp slipping past his lips as he rushed forward to the couch scrambling onto it while the cat next to Spain lifted his head scowling sleepily at Cristiano only to yowl in surprise as the boy tugged Enrico onto his lap.

"The kitties are in! I'm glad I woke up! So why were you laughing, Papa? Was there something funny on the tv?" Cristiano questioned as Enrico settled onto the boy's lap, ears flicking as small hands moved slowly and carefully over the sleek fur, his smile that of adoration as he looked down at the green eyed cat in his lap then looked up at his father with that cherubic innocence of his. "Or is the baby playing with your mood again, like Mama said it would? Does the baby really do that? Play with your moods?"

"It's not so much the baby as it is the hormones that come because of the baby. Mama is right though, I might get moody later on! I know Mama sure was moody when he was pregnant with you and that was something to truly behold, hahaha!" Cristiano smiled widely at the thought but there was still a hint of confusion in his eyes that Spain smiled at. "A baby changes a lot of things, Cris, and Papa is going to get bigger and bigger over the next six months, I'm going to get chubbier and the baby will start moving so that you can feel it! Soon enough the baby will be here though and we'll be a bigger family what with Mama, Papa, you and the new baby! Won't that be amazing, Cris? You're going to be the bestest big brother in the whooole world, I just know it!" He ruffled his son's curls making the boy giggle and Spain tilted his head. "Do you want Papa to cut your hair?"

Though he had never openly complained about it, Cristiano had shoulder length hair that bounced and curled wildly, giving him a softer feminine look to him and while he never complained Spain knew that sometimes the long locks of hair bothered him. He grew them out for the pure sake of Romano, wanting nothing more than to make his mother happy for his mother adored the curls that he had inherited from his father and adored brushing through them until they hung in glossy shimmering curls against the nape of his neck. Spain had been planning to bring up the idea of a hair cut to the seven-year-old but even if Cristiano said no he planned on cutting the hair for him. Cristiano now looked mesmerized at the thought of having his curls cut, his hands leaving the cat to reach up and tug at his curls with a thoughtful look on his face before nodding with a smile on his lips. "Si, Papa, I would like to have my hair cut. But what about Mama? What will he say?"

Spain was already playing Biele out of his lap and was standing up moving Enrico from the boy's lap when he reached up tapping his nose making him giggle once again as Enrico grumbled in that quiet cat language as he laid down again next to Biele who cuddled up happily to the other cat. "Don't worry about Mama. Whether he knows it or not, this hair cut will make you look handsome just like him!" He then smiled gripping his son's chin, gazing into his face for a moment or two with a wide smile on his lips. "Yes, you have Mama's strong nose, his pretty cheekbones, his strong chin." Cristiano smiled proudly and Spain smiled widely at the boy. "And of course you have his amazing eyebrows. You loo just like Mama even if you have my coloring and with my hair cut you'll look just like Mama! I promise you that!"

"Let's go then!" Cristiano chirped squirming away from his father, off of the couch and towards the kitchen quickly making the Spaniard laugh as the boy no doubt was scrambling into a chair in the kitchen at the island and he walked from the kitchen , pausing briefly in the hallway to press a hand against his baby bump feeling faint flutters and he smiled down at his stomach. Boy or girl, he was sure this baby would be just like Romano and he hoped that the baby took after Romano completely with no interference from Spain and the thought of a tiny Romano look-alike in his arms sent warmth rushing through his veins as he smiled warmly to himself. "Papa! What are you waiting for?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Don't rush this old man!" Spain called back to his son who happily laughed as Spain entered the kitchen once again, the sunlight playing off of the boys curls once again giving him a cherubic loo as he waited patiently for his father who went digging through the drawers for a pair of scissors and once he found a pair he turned to his son who smiled brilliantly and he walked over to the boy standing behind him as he ran his fingers through the curls, getting the knots out gently, and lifting the scissors he began cutting at the curls which fell to the floor in glossy rings. It surprisingly didn't take much time at all to cut the curls off, for even though the boys hair was thick it was quite easy to cut through the hair due to the sharpness of the scissors but Spain began humming as he cut at the curls, knowing it was calming to his son as he cut throuhg the precious curls that had been grown out for years now and the seven-year-old very quickly picked up on the song that Spain was humming and began to hum with him in a quiet tone. The father-son duo hummed together as the curls continued to fall to the floor and with his fingers Spain did his best to keep the hair even as he began fluttering the scissors around the sides and back of his son's head before spinning the chair around so he could focus on cutting and evening his son's bangs. He was in the process of blowing the hair from his face when the front door opened again.

"I got your stupid olives, Toni!" Romano called out as the door slammed shut behind him, the jingle of keys ringing out as they were hung up once more and Spain felt a tiny spasm of fear in his chest as he looked down at hte curls resting on the floor as the footsteps rang out down the hallway, both son and father biting at their lips before looing up as Romano walked in. The wind blew out of him fast, an audible wheeze as he looked down at the floor at the curls laying there then up at his son when he all but slammed the jar of olives onto the kitchen island and grabbed his son's face then lifted his hands upwards to his cut hair then clutched the boy to hsi chest as he glared at Spain with such fire that the Spanish Nation chose to remain quiet rather speaking when Romano began shrieking. "What did you do? How could you, Toni! His curls! They're all gone!"

"Lovi-"

"You cut them off! Why did you cut them off?" Romano shrieked at him as he clutched the boy to his chest who was wriggling in his seat and Spain silently willed his son to calm down but his big green eyes peered at Spain with sympathy and so he pushed at Romano who looked down at his son, releasing him from the death grip he'd had him in. He brushed his hands over his hair with a moan of agony, tears welling in his light green eyes making the sparkle in such a way that it truly tugged at Spain's heart as Romano rubbed his hands over their son's head like it would grow the curls back and he then cupped the boys face. "Oh, Cris, they're all gone! Papa should never have cut off your precious curls! How could you, Toni? I can't believe you-"

"I asked him too, Mama!" Cristiano cut in making Romano blink, a few tears rushing down his cheeks which the boy reached up to rub away and he forced a smile for his mother as he looked up at him from under his lashes as he flicked those tears away. "I asked Papa to cut my hair because I was tired of looking like a girl. Besides, don't I look like you now Mama? Papa told me I have your face, that I look just like you despite my eyes and hair, I thought you might be happy because I look just like you and Papa now! Don't be sad Mama, okay? And I like it short anyways! It looks nice, doesn't it? Now you don't have to brush out my hair in the morning or before bedtime!"

"Oh Cristiano, it's not about brushing your hair!" Romano moaned the words out before sighing as he turned away from his husband and son crossing his arms as he stared at the floor where the curls laid, the Italian staring at them like they were butchered pieces of their son rather than just hair and the Italian gazed up at Spain squinting at him fiercely. It wasn't quite anger but it was distrustful at least and when he pointed at Spain the indignity behind it made the man blink as he stared at his rather moody husband who had fresh tears in his eyes as he gestured to Cristiano who was watching like a hawk. "You tell me before you do crapola like this, got it? You don't want until I leave the house before doing it. It's not right to do something like that." He sighed then rubbed at his eyes and then rubbed at his forehead with the heels of his hands before dropping his head forward slightly into them and began walking away. "I have to call my brother, you two can order a pizza. I don't feel like cooking anymore."

And with that the Italian walked out of the kitchen with his shoulders slumped, the small boy looking up at his father with his brows pinched tightly together and his lips turned down in a soft frown that held in it the concern for his mother that made Spain sigh out gently as he reached for the broom. "Don't worry, Cris, Mama is mad at ME but I'll make it up to him! I promise! Why don't you go keep an eye on the cats for me while I sweep this up, okay?" THe frown pinched at the corners, so much like Romano's would, before jumping down out of the chair then scurried out into the hallway towards the living room no doubt to hunt down the cats and Spain sighed out softly as he felt those soft flutters once again. He'd have to find a way to make it up to Romano but how? Then, like a lightbulb flicking on, Spain smiled.

Chapter Text

"A lizard? He wants a lizard? My goodness!" Japan exclaimed as he paced around his and China's bedroom, the scent of lotion thick in the air as China rubbed the thick solution over his hands and up his arms and onto his face as his nightly routine, his hair scraped back from his face in a tighter ponytail than usual but he merely smiled when he rubbed his fingers into his cheeks when he looked up at Japan. His golden brown eyes sparkled with delight as he stared at the Japanese Nation walking around their futon bed, his feet brushing against the wooden floor while China rubbed his hands over his arms and hands vigorously now with a laugh on his lips. Japan whirled towards the Chinese Nation with a fire rarely seen in his brown eyes as he pointed at China with an accusatory edge. "This is your fault! All because you allowed Xiong to keep that wretched centipede now Genji thinks he's old enough to own a damn lizard! What happened to children asking for puppies and kittens? Why do our sons want to own exotic animals?"

"It's just who they are -aru! I don't think it's our place for judging them for loving and wanting what they love and want, Kiku, but it'll be okay -aru!" China replied with an easy smile on his lips, his eyes sparkling at Japan who was puffing up yet again as if he was going to tear into China who merely shrugged his shoulders as he rubbed his hands against his throat as if to get the excess lotion off of his hands and he smiled as he tilted his head backwards. He looked far to youthful, far too comfortable underneath the heat of Japan's glare on him but there he was sitting like a glowing star that seemed far too precious to be yelling at but Japan found his words clogging in his throat like he had no clue what to say first to his husband who was reaching up tugging his hair out of it's ponytail and shaking the locks out. The rich dark color swayed against his back, the dark brown glossy in the lamplight was making Japan's fingers twitch, along with the smooth slope of his husband's throat. My goodness, he was just all over the place wasn't he? "Don't think about it too much, Kiku. We can get a family lizard for Jiji to think he owns and he can watch it with the rest of us -aru."

"And that just makes it okay?" Japan asked as he stood beside the bed, his arms folded tightly across his chest as he looked at his husband and China smiled lazily, his hair swinging over his shoulders and framing his face so perfectly that for a moment, just a moment, he found himself losing hold of his anger. It was hard to be mad at his husband when he looked so lovely, so much like a blooming flower, and Japan found his face burning as he turned his back to his husband who laughed lightly as if sensing Japan's thoughts in that moment. "I just feel like I don't understand our sons sometimes, Yao. What do I do to get to know who they really are? Because I don't know how to relate to them when they're talking about these animals that they've been wanting, I mean Genji makes it sound like he's wanted a lizard for years and he's only four! Am I losing touch with the boys?"

"No! Of course not! They're just expressing themselves, Kiku, and that's alright for them to do because you'll get to know them better, won't you? Isn't it better to get to know their interests now rather than later -aru?" China questioned as the sheets whispered against his legs and Japan sighed as he adjusted his pajama top before turning to his husband with a pout on his lips that had the Chinese Nation smirking widely as he patted the side of the bed that, at the moment, was empty. "Come on, let's get in bed, shall we? Besides I think you said at dinner time that there was something important you wanted to talk to me about anyhow? Why don't you come snuggle with me and we can talk about whatever it is that you wanted to talk about at dinner, I'm ready to hear whatever it is that you want to say -aru!"

Japan sighed then but his cheeks flushed to a soft pink as he turned the light off, casting the room into darkness and twisted climbing onto the futon bed where China was leaning on his arm, his hair spilling over his shoulder and the Japanese Nation found himself sighing this time with a sense of longing. He loved, adored, the sight of the long locks of dark hair and he adored it better than even his sons did; he wanted nothing more than to weave his fingers into the locks of hair, to twist them tightly around his fingers as he did every other night and he wanted nothing more than to reach out for it. He laid out on his back, tugging the blankets up to his chest as he looked at his husband who was now leaning towards him, his head cradled by his hand as the moonlight streamed throuhg the window, casting a glow to his pale skin and glimmered behind him like a gently lit spotlight that had Japan's heart thumping unevenly for a moment before finding his words. "You remember a few days ago, before Jiji's birthday, how you mentioned a...baby?"

China felt his heart leap in his chest at the hesitant words and found himself smiling eagerly as he leaned forward slightly, twisting his fingers into his locks of hair to keep from tapping them excitedly against his scalp as he longed too. "Shi, I do. I recall I also offered to carry the baby for you."

"Hai, I remember that as well." Japan nodded hearing the pillow rustle in his ears as he nodded when he then rolled onto his side to face China who was gazing down at him with warmth in those golden brown eyes lie a shimmering hue of golden sunlight and the Japanese Nation found it hard to breath for a moment. This was possibly a big mistake on his part but as he looked up into China's eager face he found himself growing excited as well as he considered the words forming in his throat, the ideas that had been floatingi n his mind, and he blew out a breath fighting the urge to smile up at his husband. "Well I was thinking the other day about what you offered, about what you were asking of yourself and asking of me. And I was thinking about those things, thinking about what it would mean if we welcomed another baby into the family what with the boys growing up and needing our attention. I was thinking and thinking and thinking about this for the past couple of days and I'm glad to announce that I've come to a conclusion." He paused as he looed up into his husband's hopeful face and smiled. "I decided we can try. We can try for a baby."

"Kiku!" China squealed throwing his leg over the Japanese Nations waist digging his nee into the mattress as he straddled Japan and looed down at the man beneath him giving said man a breathlessness that he hadn't experienced in quite some time. The sight of China over him his hair falling like a dark curtain around his enthusiastic face, a face that looked so lovely in his excitement that Japan felt lie he was five steps behind but still understand the situation that had caused the excitement. He smiled only to find himself murmuring into a kiss that muffled any other words he wanted to say and found himself kissing his with the same level of enthusiasm that was pouring itself into the kiss, the eagerness that followed with hands capturing his own and Japan pulled from the kiss gulping in a breath of fresh air and China's lips merely trailed down his throat sending shivers down his spine. "Oh, Kiku! Xièxièxièxiè! Xiè xiè wǒ de ài! Oh, I promise you won't regret this for one moment -aru!"

"How could I regret anything when this is our baby we're talking about? Anyhow I said we'd try but we both know it doesn't mean a baby will result from it but we'll try for as long as we're able too!" Japan got out in a breathless voice as he arched his back subconsciously when teeth dug in lightly at his throat, the pleasure that tingled down his spine and pooled in his stomach had him squirming as the lips finally left his lips and China smirked down at the Japanese Nation with such delight it robbed him of breath. His husband could be so beautiful, so very beautiful that at times it was hard to deny him anything and with him hovering above him with warmth burning in his golden brown eyes making them appear amber in the moonlight, the silken appearance of his pale sin and the way his long lashes fluttered with each blink had his heart cramping in his chest. It was easy to imagine another child with China's beauty, a beautiful child resting in his arms, a beautiful child who would hold their arms out for him and a beautiful child to love their older brothers. He bit his lip as China leaned down brushing his lips against Japan's cheek.

"Just imagine it, Kiku a pretty little baby to go with our beautiful boys. Three beautiful children that you can love on, three beautiful children to come running for Okaasan, three beautiful children who will love their mother for the rest of their lives -aru." It was a nice picture that China was painting with his softly spoken words, a picture that sent longing straight to his heart as he imagined just how beautiful their baby could be and how their boys would blossom into beautiful young men. "Kiku, if you're okay with it then could we try tonight? Would it be alright to try? Just once -aru?" Japan looked up at his husband, at the eagerness now shining in those golden brown eyes and he found his hands reaching up to cup his face, stroking pink cheeks with his thumbs and enjoying the tickling of lashes dripping down against the tips of his thumbs causing him to smile. "Please, Kiku -aru?"

"Follow my lead." Japan whispered as he slid his hands backwards into China's hair, twisting his fingers into those rich dark brown locks of his and tugged the Chinese Nation's face downwards feeling his heart jumping for joy in his chest with the closing proximity. It was hard to tell who started it first, who began rocking against the other, but Japan's eyes shut as their lips pressed firmly, eagerly, against one another's and he felt the whispering heat rushing beneath his skin as he tugged lightly at the Chinese Nation's hair and with a simple kiss it was far too easy to let the rest com just as naturally as it would any other night. It was just one more night of loving his husband but this time felt so different and it was the shock to think that this time, this first time, they would be trying for a baby. And Japan felt everything inside of him soar with delight as he clutched the Chinese Nation closer to him. Never ever would he be close enough.

When the morning light stretched across the land, stretching with eager fingers into the bedroom of Japan and China's, the Japanese Nation's lashes fluttered gently with a quiet groan as he turned his face from the light but already his head was swimming to consciousness with each second that ticked by. His lashes fluttered against his cheeks once more before they peeled themselves apart to welcome him to one of the most beautiful sights he could have come by that morning. It was more beautiful than the rising sun, more beautiful than the vibrant hues of pinks, purples and glowing oranges. China's sleeping face was relaxed, clear of wrinkles and laugh lines, making him appear much younger than he truly was and it made him appear more at peace than Japan had ever seen him be when he was in his waking moments. Peace was something that did not come to the excitable Chinese man easily, something that Japan had accepted a long time ago, and the excited man was a joy to have by his side even if there was a few moments he wished China could sit next to him and sip tea while taking in the quietness of a tvs quite murmur. The tranquility of eating lunch together, of taking in one another's presence without so much as speaking a word to one another, but Japan felt no disappointment when he realized these things he desired would never truly take place because of his husband's excitable nature. He wouldn't change CHina for the world, however, not when he delighted in the sight of China playing with their sons making them shriek and scream as they were swung around in the Chinese man's arms or over his shoulders as he chased them around the backyard. He smiled softly as he looked into China's sleeping fface when those soft dark lashes suddenly trembled against his cheeks.

It was a slow process of his eyes opening; he whined gently scrunching his nose up lightly from the sudden appearance of the sun's rays but when his lashes opened revealing those golden brown pools of light Japan found that there was indeed one thing more beautiful than the rising sun. There was a foggy quality to those golden brown eyes, a confusion that always accompanied the waking moments of China's and yet very eagerly a smile tipped up at China's lips as he squirmed in place before reaching his hand out for Japan's, something the Japanese Nation gave him with zero hesitation. Their fingers wove together instinctively, palms brushing then settling against one anothers as fingers squeezed Japan's hand gently while a yawn spilled past China's lips and he smiled sleepily at the Japanese man."Zaoshang hao, Kiku."

"Ohayōgozaimasu, Yao. How did you sleep?" Japan questioned softly, a mere whisper of words as if he were afraid to speak louder; like if he spoke any louder his sons would be summoned from their own peaceful slumber and that was honestly the last thing he needed at the moment. He wanted, more than anything, to sit here and bask in the wonder that came with the memories of last night. He squeezed China's hand back in response, his fingers clutching at China's fiercely as he rolled onto his side facing his husband who had a pink flush to his cheeks already. How must it feel to be so effortlessly in possession of such beauty? Did he know the effect he had over Japan? Did he understand just how he stunned the Japanese Nation into silence? How he had the man longing to climb on top of his husband and love him, love him as he had last night? To prove his everburning desire for the Chinese man.

"I slept like a baby -aru!" China replied then smirked widely as he squirmed onto his belly, his legs pressing then wiggling together underneath the blankets like he were a child no older than their sons and was completely overwhelmed with excitement as his eyes sparkled with the emotion. It was bright, infectious even, as it sparkled within those beloved eyes and China let out a quiet squeal as he squirmed their hands against the sheets umch like how his legs were wiggling together yet again. "Oh, Kiku! Do you think we made a baby last night? Do you think it's possible -aru?" There was such hope in his eyes, in his face, even in the movement of his legs and his hand that clutched at Japan's that he found himself smiling at the Chinese man's antics. "I think it'd be like fate if we made a baby on the first try! Don't you -aru?"

"I think we'll need to try a few more times, Yao, but it truly would be fate if you DID get pregnant the first time." Japan replied with a smile on his face as he looked at his cheerful husband who rolled out of bed, jumping to his feet then cringing as he put wait on his hips and pouted over his shoulder at Japan. "Hey, you're the one that just jumped up like a hyperactive child! I would have told you that you're hips and lower back are going to be tender but I have the feeling you remember how that is don't you?" Japan smiled wider while China seemed to pout harder at the subtle hint at his relationship with Russia, a relationship where he had been the submissive partner and he looked away with that puffy cheeked pout that made the Japanese Nation shake his head fondly as he yawned. "You should get some clothes on, before the boy-"

"Baba! Ohayōgozaimasu! Oh!" Xiong had flung open the sliding door and quickly covered Genji's eyes making the small boy whine as his brother clutched him to his side and he immediately pushed at his brother's arms but Xiong was firmly keeping his hands over Genji's eyes an he giggled nervously. "You're naked Baba! I didn't know you slept nude!" Genji was immediately pealing into giggles as he squirmed in place, still pushing at his brothers hands while Japan threw his head backwards and laughed as he sat up slowly, China's blush being too hilarious not to keep the laughter back and the man huffily grabbed his robe off of the wall and covered himself up with an indignant air. Like a pompous woman being proven wrong. Once China was covered up the boy then turned his mother, releasing his brother. "Okaasan, did you want us to get dressed for the day? Or can we stay in our pajamas?"

The four-year-old ran over to his mother, his adorable duck pajama's rumpled from his sleep and his dark brown locks stuck up wildly around his head as he threw himself onto the futon bed into his mother's chest and then blinked at the feel of bare skin beneath his own and laughed with delight. "Xi, Māmā slept nude too -aru!" Genji happily called out as he sat on his mother's legs, his hands locked around his neck and was playing with the ends of his hair watching with delight as his mother's face turned a rather rich crimson and he giggled poking his mother's cheek. "Zaoshang hao, Māmā! You're so silly! So is Baba! You're both sillies for sleepin' in the nuuude~! But I wanna stay in my jammies, Māmā, can I? We don't have to go anywhere today unless Baba is going to take me to get my lizard -aru!"

Genji was so sweet and so innocent that even though he said his words with that same innocence Japan couldn't help but groan as he let his head fall backwards at the thought of a lizard being bought for his son but as China ruffled Xiong's hair in excitement the sparkle in his golden brown eyes was unmistakable; Genji would get his lizard just like Xiong got his centipede. He sighed softly as he then tugged Genji closer to him to kiss his forehead, ruffling his hair with his hands and then kissing the chubby cheeks that he so adored when he smiled quietly to himself at the thought of doing this all over again. At the chance to have another chubby baby to have in his arms that would throw their arms around his neck and plop themself into his lap just like how Genji did. He kissed his son's cheek once more before reaching up to grab his little hands and bring them to his mouth, kissing the backs of them lightly. "How about you go in the kitchen and wait for me and Baba? I need to get dressed since I, er, slept in the nude as you two put it. Go on! We'll be right there, I promise."

Genji climbed off of Japan's lap, rushing across the bed onto the floor once more before skipping to his brother's side, smiling at his mother with a warmth in his brown eyes that was so much like Japan's own that it sent him for a wave o deja vu for a moment. Both boys rushed from the room leaving China to laugh as he plucked the robe off of the wall, walking over to the bed laying it out for Japan to put on. "Those boys are going to be the death of us, I swear it! Let's just hope that this little one isn't as mischievous as their brothers, eh, -aru?" China laughed at his own remark as Japan slid from the bed, climbing to his feet and grabbing the robe sliding it over his arms, pulling the sides together securely hiding his body away from view as he tied the belt. "I wonder who this new child will look like? Both boys look like a mix of the both of us, thankfully, but who do you think this new baby will take after -aru?"

"I hope the baby takes after you, seeing as it's coming from you." Japan murmured as he walked around the bed, coming to a stop in front of China who smirked at the Japanese Nation with a rather cocky edge to it that a soft blush rushed up into Japan's cheeks. "But maybe this new child will look like the both of us, just like the boys, or maybe the baby will take after one of the boys? Who knows, it's all up to genetics after all." Japan then smiled as he reached up tapping his husband's smooth, silken cheek affectionately and then admired the way the Chinese Nation's hair spilled down past his shoulders like a dark cloak that he knew was as soft as it looked. "Now come on, old man, let's go get breakfast started why don't we?" When China balked Japan found himself laughing. "Come on!"

"If I'm an old man then what does that make you -aru?" China replied cattily making Japan smile widely in amusement as he walked to the open bedroom door, the boys voices rushing from the kitchen down the hallway to the parents as they made their way out the door and the Chinese man grabbed Japan around the waist making him yelp. He nuzzled the back of his neck, blowing a puff of air against it making the man in his arms jump in surprise as China chuckled rather deviously into his arm, nipping the shell of the Japanese man's ear making a shiver move down his spine and China rested his chin on his shoulder. "As many times as it takes, Kiku, we will try until we're as fortunate as the other Nations. Hopefully it won't take us long until we have a baby."

"I hope you'll be just as fertile as you were when you carried Uri." But then he smiled leaning his head backwards against China's shoulder and he the nsighed patting the backs of China's hands as they pressed against his stomach, dipping lower to his hips and the fingers kneaded at him softly. "Let's go take care of the boys, then we'll worry about this new little baby, alright? After all, if you do get pregnant, we can say goodbye to quiet nights for a very long time so we might as well enjoy out solid nights of sleep and solid hours of quiet time, now shouldn't we?" He twisted out of China's arms but spu non his toes to twirl around facing his husband once more who was smirking widely like there was so joke in what Japan had just said. "What? What did I say?"

"You make it sound like we'll get any quiet time with our boys -aru!" China smirked with that same catty look he'd had before but then the sound of a crashing from the kitchen, the shatter of glass had both parents sighing as they began walking quickly and Japan peeked at his husband who still had that wide amused smirk on his lips. "We'll figure it out! After all, if all those other Nations can have babies and multiple children then so can we! It can't be that hard, can it?"

Chapter Text

"Man, I wish we were having twins." England jerked up from his cross stitching with wide, incredulous eyes that appeared rather taken aback from the words that had slipped past America's lips and if he had to say it, the man looked thoroughly horrified at the thought of having twins. For America, the sight of his brother's rather large baby bump had him longing to have twins as well, something to make England twice as happy as it seemed to be making his brother but after the call England had assured America that soon enough he'd be just as big as Canada but at the moment he wasn't showing in the slightest bit at two months. America down at his comic book before flipping it shut without marking the page and rolled onto his back looking up at the ceiling of the room rather than at England's horrified expression. "I just wish that we had the capability for twins like my brother, you know? It would be nice if we ended up having twins somehow."

"Absolutely not, love. Twins are a lot of work plus we'd be run ragged from taking care of two babies and I doubt Frog Face over there has even considered just how much work twins are going to be for the both of them." England replied rather shortly with an indignant air to his words, his brows coming together as he adjusted his glasses on his face and returned to his stitching without missing a beat it would seem. England then peeked up at America who has turned his head to look up at his lover and England then shrugged his shoulders at the man as he then turned back to his cross stich. "I'm just saying, twins would be a lot of hard work, love. I absolutely am not envious in the slightest bit to be in Canada's position. I'd go crazy if we had twins!" He then placed a hand on his stomach and smiled. "Be grateful we have one on the way."

"I am grateful! I just, you know, don't see the harm in having twins though, I think you and I could handle it!" America replied with a smile on his lips as he then rolled onto his stomach, squirming and grunting lightly to get into a position that left him with his feet dangling off of the bed, his hands on England's knees and his chin on top of the backs of his hand as he smiled adoringly at the English Nation who blushed at the position. America used his finger tips to nudge his glasses up his nose and then smiled tilting his head to the side staring at his lover, admiring the way the lamp light caught his green eyes making them shimmer in the golden light and his fingers held the needle tightly as he gazed back at America curiously. "You know, I hope this new kid has your eyes."

England snorted as he placed his cross stich down, his fingers reaching up to pull the glasses off of his nose, his eyes sparkling at America as if it were a challenge being offered to him in that moment as he pressed his hands against his belly. "I don't think so." England replied rather pompously but smiled nonetheless as he reached a hand up to poke the tip of America's nose. "Why should they have my eyes when they can have those beautiful blue eyes of yours? Mine are rubbish, what Nation doesn't have green? My brothers, Hungary and her daughter along with Tomato Brain and Romano. Green is everywhere! No, I would love it if this child had your beautiful sky eyes, just like our William and Jolene." He smiled at the soft warmth in America's eyes, catching the lamp light making them appear rich in their hues and he brushed his finger tips against his cheek. "Yes, I think blue would suit this child far better than green ever could."

"Nah, green will be their eye color, just you wait!" America replied crawling up the bed over his lover who giggled quietly, the sound ringing out like a gentle little bell and the American smiled down at England who was looking up at him from under his golden lashes shyly. "After all, how could your eyes be rubbish? How could a green so beautiful, so breathtaking, be bad? Your eyes are like fresh spring leaves after a summer day, green as emeralds, green as clovers, and there's not a color richer or more beautiful than green. I love your eyes, England, they are the mysterious color of love songs don't you know? Why do you think there's love songs about green eyes? Why they emphasize or call attention to them so much? Because they're beautiful! And our babies, blue eyes or green, are beautiful just like you."

"Alfred, you are positively poetic right now and I'm not sure how I feel about it but let's just say that you've earned a few brownie points." England replied in a low voice his hands reaching up to brush America's cheeks, the backs of his fingers nudging his glasses before slipping backwards into his blonde locks of hair, twisting his fingers into the locks tugging his fface down closer to his own. "Our child, whoever they look like, whoever they act like, will be beautiful you know. I can't wait to meet them but more than that I can't wait to prove you wrong." America felt a shiver go down his spine at how husky England's voice had become, those green eyes burning viciously like flames with a challenge within them. Almost like he was daring America to fight back.

"Nope it'll be green. It's YOU who will be wrong!" And with that his lips crashed down fiercely on England's, the Nation below him groaning out softly as his fingers tugged at his hair and his legs squirmed between both of America's, The soft groan was quickly followed by a moan as America leaned onto his right hand, using his left to caress England's cheek, sliding down the side of his throat with his finger tips and to his chest where he thumbed at a nipple through his shirt making his back arch upwards, the sound rumbling throuhg his chest beneath America's fingers. His lips moved fiercely urgently against England's who happily replied to the kiss by tightening his arms around his neck, fingers twisted tightly into his hair gave him shivers of pleasure as their kiss burned hotly with a desire that clawed lazily beneath America's skin. He broke the kiss in favor of fluttering his lips against those hot red cheeks down his jaw to his chin making the man beneath him laugh breathlessly as lips moved down to his throat naturally and he began unbuttoning England's shirt sliding his hand underneath to press his palm against the warmth of his flesh.

The English man murmured softly at the cold feel of his lover's hand but quickly pushed the man away when loud thuds rang out on the floor outside of their bedroom making England look over America's broad shoulder to find the door flying open and Jolene skipping into the room. One of the best things about dance mom's, America had discovered, is they LOVED to carpool. It had taken not much more than a mere loo and an explanation about his daughter for him to be invited into the carpool circle which he happily accepted and Jolene always got home from her dance lessons on punctual time which he absolutely loved. Standing there with her golden blonde locks of hair in a tight bun, the girl stood in her leotard and tutu, her ballerina shoes dangling from her backpack and she smiled brilliantly, angelically at her father then to her mother with such delight beaming out of her face that both parents blinked. Ever since Jolene had been told about the baby that late night she had been a real thundercloud in the cheerful families plans and had refused to talk about the baby whenever it was brought up, refusing to even heard about her Uncle's pregnancy. She would stiffen her little body, hold her breath and wait until the conversation was over before she took a new breath of air which was one of her scarier temper tantrums she threw for America preferred the screaming and kicking, not this holding her breath nonsense. Jolene was taking the news hard and America honestly didn't blame her that much but England was rather fed up with the girl's attitude towards the pregnancy but it wasn't like either one could truly hold it against her when she was still a rather immature four-year-old.

"Oh, Daddy, thank you for letting me take ballet!" Jolene cried as she threw herself forward jumping onto the bed, her skirt bouncing wildly against her legs as she climbed on the bed settling herself in England's lap once the English man sat upwards and he put his arms around her as she rested her head against his shoulder. Her sky blue eyes were brilliantly, blindingly clear as they sparkled at America who smiled adjusting his glasses and her little Nantuckett brushed her mother's jawline lightly and she squirmed as if to get comfortable in his lap while England began to pull her hair down from the tight bun it had been put into at the beginning of her lessons. "It's so much fun! I can't wait to go to my ice skating lessons tomorrow! I can't wait! It's so much fun, I learn so much! The teacher even said I could be really good if I keep practicing and keep working on my moves at home!"

"Did she now? That's awesome, dollface! I'm happy that you're so happy with your dance lessons!" America cheered as he cupped his daughter's cheek, her hands coming up to press it firmly to her face as she nuzzled her chubby cheek into his hand happily with a delighted giggle and England placed the hair tie around his wrist as her hair spilled down around her shoulders in a golden sheet. "I'll make sure that the living room is all free for you to practice when you want to do it, so me and Mommy can watch." He blinked when the front door slammed shut downstairs then grinned widely at Jolene who lifted her head from her mother's shoulder to stare at their bedroom door expectantly. "I bet you that'll be Liam from soccer practice! Let's go see him! Last one there is a rotten egg!"

America rolled off of the bed while Jolene kicked away from her mother running around her disposed backpack with a laugh on her lips as she raced after her father leading England to roll his eyes fondly at his small family before swinging his legs over the side of the bed bending over to pick up the backpack and ballet shoes that had been discarded on the floor carelessly. He held the bag by it's strap, the shoes carefully with his fingers and walked across the floor while the shouts of his lover and their daughter rang up the stairs towards him as he popped into Jolene's blue themed room to place her backpack on the girl's desk and made a mental note to check for homework in a few moments. Jolene always liked to push her homework off to the very last moment, just like America used too when he was young, and he found it quite amusing at how the girl tried to hide her homework some days by folding the papers up then tucking them behind or in between pages of her text books. He pulled the workbooks along with the textbooks out of the bag onto her desk and smiled to himself as he settled her bag down against the side of her desk and nodded to himself happily before exiting her bedroom into the hallway in order to follow the loud happy shouts of his family. He brushed a hand against his stomach, wishing for a slightly bigger bump like Canada, but pushed the desire down as he walked down the stairs. Soon enough, if he just remained patient, he would have a bump just as large as Canada's. He was still in the beginning with his pregnancy while Canada was four months into his own. He just had to be patient.

He climbed down the stairs listening to the excited chatter of his son, daughter and lover all babbling to one another at what could only be considered super sonic speeds as they spilled about their day, about their activities as if they had no breath left to do so. He climbed down into the living room where Liam was sitting in his pants and jersey, while Jolene sat on the floor against her father's knee in her little ballet outfit and America sat between the two waiting to hear about the boy and girl's day. It was like looking at a matching family of dolls with their blonde locks of hair and big sky blue eyes while England sat on the sidelines with his own golden blonde locks of hair and green eyes looking different from the other three of his small family but when all three pairs of sky blue eyes turned towards him they glittered with such delight taht he found hismelf smiling. THey looked at him, each with a sparkle in their eye, like he was the most precious thing in their world and he adored to see such a look in their faces for that was how he felt. His family was his everything, his children his everything, and he needed America with him to continue to function in order to make it to the next day. "So what are we all talking about?"

"Our day! My soccer team is getting better!" Liam chirped happily, a sparkle to his sky blue eyes that had England smiling widely down at his son as he leaned against the arm of the couch next to Liam who seemed to enjoy the closeness to his mother. "It was nice today so we were able to train and practice for much longer than before! THe coach was really impressed with us too!" He then grinned widely at his mother, nudging his glasses up his nose and then scratched the back of his hand happily. "I told the coach and the team that we're getting a baby soon! They all said congratulations and that they can't wait to see you at the next soccer meeting! I will be able to play at the next meet right? The World Academy isn't done yet is it?"

"Will we be living at the school like the others?" Jolene questioned as America began dragging his fingers throuhg her long golden locks of hair, carefully working knots out as he went along and Liam scratched nervously at the back of his hand like a little nervous tick and England found his gaze being riveted to America who remained thoughtful as Jolene drilled one parent then the other fiercely with her eyes. It was as if she were trying to drag the answers from her parents, her hands in tight fists on her lap as she tugged at her tutu nervously, her long locks swinging forward over her shoulders as she shifted on her knees slightly before leaning her cheek against her father's knee smoothing it gently. "Because you want to live here, right Mommy? So does that mean you'd be staying here while we went away to school?"

"I think that's something that me and Mommy have to think about. And talk about when there aren't little ears to hear." America jumped in poing the top of Jolene's head making her pout as she nuzzled her face into his knee and he then pinched Liam's cheek making the boy whine lightly losing the intense look he'd leveled onto his father and the American Nation then chuckled. "Don't worry about it, there's some time left before we have to worry about sending you off to school. Mommy would know best what to do and when the school opens we'll be sending you to a place that has lots of knowledge! You'll be coming home on the vacations so much smarter than when you left! You'll be surprised by how much of our history you have to learn in school and just how much you have to learn about other people's histories too!" He ruffled Liam's hair smiling affectionately as he then carefully ruffled Jolene's hair. "You two will be brainiacs, I just know it!"

"Of course you know it, you're a bit of a brainiac yourself, Alfred." England put in as he picked a piece of lint off of his son's jersey making the boy whine when he began fussing with a smudge on the boys cheek and he then smiled at America who had turned a soft pink. "You know many languages, you can do amazing calculus in just your head and you're an amazing astronomer last time I checked. You're a smart cookie, Alfie, and you better bet that Liam and Jojo will be smart cookie's as well! It's a shame that old Mummy is stuck in his old ways."

"No you're not! I see them too, Mummy, so I know them just like you do!" Liam cheerfully put in making England smile at his son proudly and America to roll his eyes but force a bright smile when Liam turned to his father excitedly. While America did not believe in the so called "fairies" as his lover put it their son had somehow picked up on seeing these fairies whenever possible from a very young age and America simply did not get it for he had made sure that England didn't mention it around the baby but he felt that England MUST have been whispering stories to Liam late at night. He couldn't hold it against him, however, for he himself had grown up from a very young age with those same stories whispered to him close to his ears as he was laid down in bed at night. He just didn't expect his son to fall into the same beliefs as his mother. "Mummy, can we have a snack? I'm feeling kind of hungry."

"You can each have a yogurt and maybe, if you're good, you may have three cookies after dinner tonight but first you both need to go get changed. Alright?" England ruffled Liam's hair then smiled affectionately at his pouting little ballerina but both stood up rushing towards the stairs each pushing lightly at each other as if to reach the stairs before the other and England sighed out as they thumped up the stairs quickly towards their rooms then turned to America. The American was smiling fondly after his children, his sky blue eyes shimmering happily behind his glasses, but he looked to England when he noticed the gaze leveled on him and he turned that adoring smile onto the English Nation making his face flush. "Wo-Would you like to help me get dinner ready?"

"Of course! You were planning on lasagna tonight ,weren't you?" When England nodded the American then smiled as he stood up then reached out brushing the back of his fingers agaist England's pink cheek and smiled warmly at the English Nation. "I'll get the meat out into the sink while you go make sure those little monsters don't tears their rooms apart, okay?" England nodded helplessly, tilting his face backwards instinctively when he felt his lips parting slightly as he looked up at his lover with such longing that he could read it on his own face as he studied his reflection in the American's glasses. "You're so freakin' easy to read, Arthur, you know that?"

England let out a soft sound as he reached out for the American but said American was already bending downwards towards the golden haired male with his own lips parting as they came together in a kiss so sweet, so warm, that it made England's toes curl tightly against the carpeting of the floor. He reached up gripping fistfuls of fabric into his hands feeling his heart flutter wildly as he moved his lips eagerly, excitedly, against America's and he enjoyed the equal excitement he felt being poured into the kiss as he moved his lips quickly against England's. They clung to one another, England's arms moving upwards to slid around the back of America's neck as he happily kissed America before parting to take a deep breath but felt those lips against his cheek, his cheekbone, then up to his eye before finally fluttering over to the tip of his nose making the English Nation laugh, the sound ringing in the living room like a bell. He clung to the American, kissing him once, twice, and then sighing against America's lips as he released the American who snuck one last kiss against the blonde jawline making England's head tilt backwards as if inviting more kisses but if the thuds from above were anything to speak of he knew that he had to get to work on watching his children and making him smile as if this were a goodbye rather than a mere moment that would be continued later on. They pecked their lips together three times more before the American waled across the floor out of the living room into the hallway then down the hallway towards the itchen and England sighed as he slumped against the cushions of the couch. He truly was a lucky man wasn't he?

Chapter Text

Finland tried to keep his gasps low, keep them quiet, as he leaned over the bowl of the toilet as he groaned quietly to himself turning away from the sight and he leaned backwards until his back pressed against the cool wall of the bathroom and pressed his knees against the toilet bowl. How much longer would this sickness continue? For a week now Finland had been vomiting his very guts up and it had made cooking so much more difficult for himself as the scents, the textures underneath his fingers while he was preparing the meal, often sending him into spirals of nausea. Nausea that would lead to him vomiting into the closest receptacle whether it was the sink or the trash bin, Finland would be heaving into something like his very organs were trying to crawl up his throat and outside of him. He wanted to say he was barely eating but he DID eat whenever he was spared of the nausea but it didn't matter what he ate, it didn't matter how much he ate, it all came spilling out of him at one point during the day or another. Here he was, just hours after dinner, vomiting his guts up once again only this time it felt far riskier due to the fact that Sweden was home. He was home where he would notice that Finland was vomiting far more than he was eating and the last thing he wanted was for Sweden to panic or worry over him when they had to look after the daughter that Finland had been avoiding like the plague. The last thing he wanted to do was get her sick, the last thing she needed was TO be sick for the first time and he didn't want to do anything that would lead to her sickness when she was only two months old at this point. It would be hell for both her and her parents.

Finland rubbed at his lips with the back of his hand as he scootched forward to flush the toilet, dragging himself to his feet as he fished his toothbrush out of the cup and grabbed the toothpaste which he got on the bristles of his toothbrush, wet it, then stuck it into his mouth to scrub at his teeth and tongue. He found himself nearly gagging at just how STRONG the toothpaste tasted on his tongue, the taste overwhelming even the taste of vomit that had been tormenting his tastebuds moments ago but this? This was too strong. He scrubbed his teeth viciously but as thoroughly as he could manage before bending over the sink to spat out the toothpaste, turning the water on toe rinse his mouth out and hopefully rid it of that overpowering minty taste of the toothpaste. It had never been that strong before but he had the feeling that this sickness was just enhancing the taste of certain things in order to torment him. If this vomiting, the over sensitivity to food, didn't stop soon he'd be marching his unhappy ass to the doctors office to get some testing done if it was the last thing he did. Pressing his hand against his wet lips, Finland turned the water off then placed the toothpaste along with his tooth brush back where it belonged then turned grabbing the hanging hand towel to wipe at his mouth and hands before placing it back. He took one deep breath then another before reaching out flipping the lock on the door and pushing the door open stepping out into the bedroom did he squeak at the sight of Sweden sitting on the edge of the bed with his hands resting in his lap, fingers weaved together tightly. The tight pinch of his lips, the harsh pull of his brows coming together had Finland's heart flying against his chest.

"O-Oh, Berwald, I didn't know you were coming home early tonight!" Finland got out in a choked, guilt ridden voice as he clasped his own hands together only he pressed his hands against his stomach which churned warningly at him. It was like watching the beginnings of a whirl pool in the ocean and hoping you weren't close enough to be sucked in. He bit his lip for a moment, staring into his husband's green-blue eyes that stared at Finland so steadily, so intently that the Finnish man almost wanted to crawl out of his skin as he fought the urge to fidget under this strong gaze like a guilty child. "Did you get your dinner? I put it in the microwave for you and I didn't know if you got it or not but I can go heat it up for you if you wan-"

"How come you didn't tell me you were sick?" It was quiet after the words came out, quiet in a way that Finland found his muscles locking into place freezing him as he looked at his husband who was looking at him with not a drop of curiosity but rather outrage at the thought that he had somehow missed something. Sweden nudged his glasses up his nose sighing softly to himself before looking at his husband from underneath his lashes making Finland's heart spasm wildly and he licked his lips nervously only to cringe at the taste of toothpaste clinging to his lips. The silence ticked by with the quiet movement of the second hand on the clock by the oor, each tick radiating through Finland as he considered just what to say to his husband without sounding guilty about his sickness for his first instinct had been to shriek and ask him how he possibly knew about his sickness when it clicked. Ladonia and Sealand. Of course they would notice his sickness and of course they would tell Sweden. It hadn't been a matter of how but more of a matter of WHEN the man would find out. "Tino? Are you going to tell me why you didn't mention once that you were sick this entire week?"

"I'm sorry!" Finland squeaked out as he fought the urge to fidget like a guilty child, fought the urge to run from the room like a frightened rabbit, but rather chose to hold his ground as he looked at his worried husband and pressed his hands against his stomach once again which gurgled either with nausea or hunger he just wasn't sure which it was. It was a toss of the dice at this point whether he could eat or not and he had to admit that this was strangely reminding him of something. Something that had happened to him before. He scrunched up his own brows, frowning as he considered this train of thought, the idea that he had possibly experienced this before but it danced from his grasp as he stood there before his husband who was staring at him rather expectantly and Finland released the idea with a sigh on his lips."I really am sorry, Ber, I didn't mean to keep it from you but I've been throwing up for most of the week. I couldn't tell you what was wrong but I'm just feel off and so Ladonia and Sealand have been mostly taking care of Aili for me because I don't want to get her sick or anything like that but I thought that maybe it would clear up on it's own, you know? But I think if it continues that I'm going to go to the doctors."

"You should have made an appointment by now." Sweden murmured as he climbed to his feet, stepping forward reaching out for Finland's hands pulling them apart and weaving their fingers together and squeezing them gently causing that pink blush he so adored to grace Finland's cheeks as violet eyes sparkled looking up at him. So beautiful his husband was with his violet eyes, his blonde hair that tended to fall into those lovely eyes of his and the way his lips twitched even now as if he was fighting the urge to smile at his husband and Sweden lifted their conjoined hands up to stroke the back of his hand against his pink cheek. "I don't want you dealing with this sickness by yourself, Tino. I can afford to take time off to take care of you and take care of the baby as well. I'm your husband, that's what I'm here for, remember? I promised for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. So why don't you get into bed, watch some TV and I'll go eat my dinner then check on the baby, alright?"

"Alright." Finland replied in a whisper as he looked up at the taller man from under his lashes with a little smile on his lips now and he tilted his head backwards lightly in order to tilt his face upwards towards his husband who read the movements rather easily for he smiled stiffly yet it had warmth there too. It sparkled in his blue-green eyes and it made Finland's insides flutter wildly as Sweden's lips came down on his softly, tenderly making his insides once again flutter as his hands pulled away from Sweden's in order to curl his hands around his neck. One hand pressed it's palm against the back of his neck, cupping it gently, while the other slid into Sweden's light blonde locks of hair as their lips moved together in a kiss so sweet and tender that Finland couldn't help wanting more of his husband's lips, more of his hands that rested on his waist, and he lightly nipped at Sweden's lower lip playfully. It got him a nip back, both parting for a breath of air that revealed the Finnish Nation's breath to be racing faster than what had been coming and going from inside his nose, his heart racing in his chest causing his blood to rush so quickly throuhg his veins it seemed to thrum with the desire he had. He was lightly shaking as he pushed on Sweden's neck and licked his lips. "Ber?"

"Yes?"

"I don't think I want to let you eat right now." Finland whispered shyly as his face burned brilliantly as he looked up at his husband who's eyes flared and smoldered at him from behind his glasses and Finland knew that the man had no intentions of walking away in order to eat and while he wanted Sweden to eat after his long shift he knew that there was better things to do. So much better touches, caresses and pleasure waiting for him that he squirmed in place tugging the man down forcefully in order for their lips to meet eagerly as they began walking backwards towards the bed with heart racing hopefully and Finland had a moment of curiosity at just how face his heart and blood seemed to thrum with his desire. Painful. It was near painful as he pushed Sweden onto the bed and climbed on top of him, his hands shaking and he found that as he lowered his head that there was nothing he wanted more than to love his husband. Even if he was sick he wanted this. Even if he felt weak under the weight of desire, he wanted this. He wanted his husband so desperately that his breath raced as he lowered his lips for another scalding, eager kiss that had his heart positively flying against his chest. Yes, yes, yes! This proved, this showed, that there was something to this life worth living so long as he could touch his husband, love his husband, and receive that same love in return.

He was breathing quickly throuhg his nose s he moved his lips hungrily against Sweden who was returning that passion, his hands gripping his ass fiercely as the rocking movement of their hips sent shivers down Finland's spine and he parted from the kiss to kiss along Sweden's jawline, down along the slope of his throat where he nipped playfully at his Adam's apple. He rolled his hips swallowing a groan when he heard knocks on the door making Sweden look over as he quickly fixed his glasses on his nose and Finland moved away from Sweden to sit on the edge of the bed, pouting to himself as Sweden called out allowing the door to open. There was Sealand and Ladonia, Aili resting in the blonde's arms as he looked at the baby who seemed to be pouting as she wriggled impatiently in Sealand's arms. It was as if the baby had been displeased by something the blonde had donea and wanted nothing more than to leave his arms as he traded off the baby to Ladonia who scowled but took the baby all too readily. He held her to his chest, a tiny noise escaping the girl but she settled down against Ladonia with surprising familiarity. Finland felt a stab of resentment but he buried it beneath his gratefulness that the boys had been all too willing to watch after their little sister figure and he had to admit that without them things would have slipped through the cracks for Finland what with him feel so sick the past week .He sighed gently at the sight of his baby held so securely in Ladonia's arms but he felt a stab of longing for the baby, a longing so strong that he found his hands curling into half formed fists with his nails scratching at his palms.

"Mama, Papa, there's something that we need to talk to you about. This is something serious, obviously if you decide to throw us out then you can but Ladonia has his house all prepared for us so regardless we have somewhere to go." Sealand's voice was pitched lower than normal, his eyes down at his feet as he locked his hands together and peeked at Ladonia who was t urning a rather bright red as he looked down at the baby in his arms and a pink blush rushed up to the blonde's cheeks. He took a deep breath, in and out slowly with exaggerated movements of his chest and he looked up appearing positively like he was about to be sick and he bit his lip then released it, licking his lips nervously instead. "Erland is pregnant. And it's mine." Silence.

It was absolute silence that reigned over the room as Sweden's gaze flew from Ladonia and Sealand right to Finland who was staring at what he considered to have been his two sons standing there nervously, red cheeked and looking away from him like they couldn't bear to be scolded. Like they couldn't bear to meet his gaze of outrage. He was still breathing quickly from his impromptu make out session but this time it was racing with a rather panicked sensations that hummed throuhg his veins as he looked between the red head and to the blonde for the thought of them leaving, the thought of them walking out that front door, terrified him worse than anything. He couldn't imagine, couldn't live, if those boys walked out the door for how could he bear to send them out there? They knew nothing of taxes, knew nothing that was waiting for them once Ladonia decided he deserved his independence and it terrified Finland. But this? This was not the news he was expecting to receive and especially not while they stood there holding his daughter like she was something precious to them already. He wasn't sure if he was angry, wasn't sure if he was absolutely taken aback or what he was in that moment but he slowly stood from the bed, each movement slow as he began making his way over to Sealand and Ladonia. He was awed at just how tall Sealand and Ladonia had grown, no doubt his height now, but he ignored this as he looked into Sealand's sky blue eyes and lifted his hand slowly then brought it forward sharply. The cracking slap had Aili whimpering while Ladonia's jaw dropped as the baby was taken from his arms. It was a good thing from the way that they swung down around his sides.

The crispness of his slap rang in the silence as Sealand looked at him with those huge blue eyes, filling with tears looking like he had been so ultimately betrayed but Finland had to keep his head for just a few more moments in order to get his words together. To string together two words to create the sentence he had in hi mind but as he stood there before the blonde with his baby in his arms he found himself strangely wordless with no clue where to start. He forced his lips to move wordlessly at first, moving his lips in silent vowels before he could finally force his vocal cords to work. "You...This is what you've been hiding from me? You SLEPT with your adoptive brother? What in the WORLD are you thinking, Peter? And now he's pregnant? How in the world do you know he's pregnant? Did-Did you buy a pregnancy test? When? And when did this happen?"

So many questions spilled out of Finland and he felt absolutely guilty when he saw the tears slipping down Sealand's cheeks, the red mark from his hand had left on his cheek and he sucked his lips in biting down on them for just a moment while Sealand rubbed at his tears and his wet eyes with his fingers when he finally spoke up again. "I couldn't help it. I still can't, I love him, Mama. I'm IN love with Erland, and I want to keep this baby with him but if we have to go away, if we have to leave, then we'll go." His voice was no louder than a whisper as he fidgeted with his fingers, picking at his nails as if to keep from rubbing the red mark on his cheek and Finland felt another spasm in his chest at the sight of Sealand acting so quiet like this but he was still bewildered by this breaking news. "I'm sorry, Finland. I'm sorry."

Finland turned his gaze to Ladonia who was staring at the blonde with a soft look in his own blue eyes but when he looked up at Finland he tensed his shoulders as if he was also expecting a slap but Finland took a breath and let it out sharply, making his chest rise and fall rapidly which Aili whined at lightly. "Do you want to keep the baby?" Ladonia looked back as defiantly as any seventeen-year-old appearing person would and gave a short, sharp nod as his blue eyes peered right into FInland's without flinching once. That was that then, wasn't it? He knew he could impose his will on Ladonia and Sealand, he knew he could tell the red head that he wasn't ready for a baby but then he knew they would push back just as defiantly. "Fine. Fine, fine, fine. Go to your room, let me talk to Berwald. I can't think right now. Just go."

Both teens hesitated like they wanted to reach out for him but they btoh turned leaving the Finnish man alone who shut the door perhaps a touch too hard from the way the sound revertibrated and he then turned facing his husband who was still sitting on the bed far more stoic than he normally was. He looked as though he was about to fall apart, like if he didn't keep his stoic mask up he'd fall apart. He was nearly blank but Finland approached the man slowly with their baby held tightly in his arms and Sweden looked up with some unnameable emotion in his green-blue eyes behind his glasses that glinted in the fading sunlight streaming through the window. the blonde looked down at his hands as his husband came over sitting down next to him with the baby squirming in his arms Sweden finally spoke up. "I can't believe it. I absolutely, positively, cannot believe that Erland is pregnant. What do we do?"

"I have no clue." Finland replied as he looked down at the baby in his arms, her mismatched eyes disgruntled as she waved a hand as if to emphasize that she was not pleased at that moment and Finland clutched her a touch tighter to his chest at the thought of Ladonia going through a pregnancy. At the thought of Sealand becoming a father. It was wild, absolutely completely insane to think about that. "Maybe we just...support them? I mean we can't force Ladonia to get an abortion but if they leave-"

"They won't leave just because you slapped Sealand." Sweden replied as he looked at his husband and reached out wrapping his arm around his shoulders and tugging hsi head towards him until it rested on Sweden's shoulders while Aili hiccuped lightly out a tiny sound and it made both parents smile rather grimly. Aili, their bright spot in this madness. "Perhaps we just let them deal with this however way they deal with it and at the end of it we'll have a grandchild. Another baby in the house won't be the worst thing, so long as we don't go getting pregnant, you know?" Finland laughed nervously then as he held Aili to his heart where she nuzzled her face down into and he stroked her tufts of light blonde hair.

"I don't think we'll be having any babies any time soon." At least, that's what Finland's mouth said. He really, truly, hoped that this was the case.

Chapter Text

Norway sighed as he began packing away the sandwiched he'd made for lunch, rushing to get the sandwiches into the containers and slid them in a backpack he was taking with him, three thermoses of hot chocolate that he'd poured and slid them into the bag then zipped them up. He had his heavy coat on, his gloves and boots all tied up while he was secretly happy that his bump was hidden securely by his coat and he slid the backpack onto his back and he looked to the doorway where Sven was standing dressed up with a pout on his lips. He'd wanted nothing more than to stay home, desired to stay home so he could practice at his chess but due to today being one of Abel's ice skating lessons the four of them were choosing to go to the ice rink instead much to Sven's disappointment. Norway walked towards the kitchen doorway, the zippers on his bag jingling, he ruffled Sven's light blonde locks of hair happily but the boy merely pouted up at him as the Norwegian man walked to the stairs leaning forward while pressing his hands against the wall. "Abel, Mathias, let's go! We're going to be late if you too lollygag much longer! And don't you forget your skates, Abel!"

"Coming, Mama!" Abel shouted as he ran around upstairs, his boots thudding against the wooden floorboards and the clack of skates hitting together as he ran for the stairs, hopping down them happily with his hair bouncing against the bridge of his nose due to the hat fit snugly over his head and the tips of his ears. He looked absolutely adorable as he held his skates by his laces, smiling brilliantly when a knock on the door had Norway turning around curiously when Abel rushed past him happily. "I'll get it!" His gloved hand reached out and twisted the doorhandle throwing the door open only to gasp enthusiastically, his skates clacking together as he threw his arms out but then the five-year-old threw himself forward with a wordless cry that quickly formed words. "Onkel Emil! Onkel Emil! Oh, it's you!"

"Emil?" Norway echoed as he turned around following his son to the doorway where his son was clutching himself to the man's waist and Iceland was hesitantly patting the top of Abel's head when his violet eyes raised upwards meeting Norway's dull blue's. "Hey, what are you doing here? We were just about to head out to Abe's ice skating lessons." Those were the first words out of his mouth as he gazed at his little brother with Hong Kong just behind his shoulder, an arm around his waist and looking all too comfortable being at Iceland's side. "Would the two of you maybe like to join us? I'm sure Abel would love nothing more than to show you how well he's getting along with his ice skating."

"Yes! Yes, please come, Onkel! I want to show you all the moves I've been learning! Pretty please come with us?" Abel chirped up at his uncle, his lashes fluttering and his dull blue eyes widened at his uncle who looked away with his cheeks turning a tinge pink, something that Norway knew had nothing to do with the cold, and he smiled when he felt Sven grab his hand and tuck himself close to his side. Denmark was coming down the stairs, keys rattling and boots thumping against the stairs and Abel twisted towards his father, keeping one arm around his uncle's waist as well and beamed brilliantly when Iceland finally then looked up at his surprised father, a wide smile on his face and a sparkle in his dull blue eyes. "Papa! Papa, guess what? Onkel Emil is going to come watch my ice skating lesson! Isn't that awesome?"

"Of course it is! It's also nice to see you, little Iceland! How are you doing nowadays?" Denmark slung an arm around Norway's shoulders, tugging him forward which prompted Sven to walk with him, hsi hand clutching fiercely at Norway's. Iceland and Hong Kong backed up before they began to walk down the walkway and Denmark ushered his eldest son and husband out the front door, locking the door behind them and Abel happily skipped towards the deep blue minivan of theirs his ice skats dancing from his finger tips as he waited by the car door where the lights flashed and the boy climbed into the car into his booster seat. He began clipping his seatbelt into place, his feet wiggling delighted as Sven released his mother's hand and rushed for the car, jumping into the back sitting down in the middle and crossing a seatbelt across his chest clipping it into place. Both boys stared at their parents expectantly and Denmark smirked. "Well, there's one more space left. Would you like to join us, Iceland? How about you, Hong Kong?"

"Why don't you travel with them and I'll follow?" Hong Kong murmured to Iceland who turned a charming shade of red and he lifted his hand up brushing his fingers against his red cheek and smiled thinly at the man. "It'll be alright, Emil. I'll be close behind. Promise." The Icelandic Nation stared into Hong Kong''s face for a few silent moments before nodding his head making both boys cheer from the car as the Icelandic Nation released Hong Kong's hand waling forward to the car where he climbed in next to Sven. Hong Kong then turned to Denmark and Norway with a rather blank expression as he bowed his head forward slightly causing his hair to brush his cheeks before straightening up. "I'll see you there, thank you."

With that the Asian nation then turned continuing his way down the walk way with quick purposeful steps to get to the car parked on the street, his boots crunching on the snow as he went while Norway and Denmark made their way to the van, Denmark hopping into the drivers side while Norway walked around the car to climb into the passenger seat the car doors slamming in unison when Iceland tugged the back door shut. Norway then twisted in his seat looking from Sven to Abel with a critiquing gaze that had both boys straightening up. "Are you both clipped in right? Nice and snug?"

"Of course, Mama!" Abel chirped as he kicked his feet happily then pressed them against the back of Norway's seat making the man scowl at his son before the feet disappeared from the seat."Onkel Emil, are you all strapped in?"

Iceland blinked then his cheeks flushed a brilliant pink as he noticed both of his nephews gazing at him evenly, then his brother's gaze swinging towards him as if he were no older than Sven or Abel and he tugged at his seatbelt lightly as if to show it off to the three pairs of eyes leveled on him. "Já, I'm clipped in. Let's get going already though so you don't miss your lessons." Iceland's gaze softened as they gazed at the excited face of his nephew for it was hard not to feel the sweet swell of affection, of adoration, for little Abel. He then leaned back pressing his head against the window as Denmark started the car, reversing backwards out of the drive way onto the road and, with Hong Kong following after them they began the rather long drive to the ice skating rink.

There was many things that Norway enjoyed, whether one believed it or not. He enjoyed playing with his sons, he enjoyed knitting, he enjoyed sitting back and watching a good movie with his husband, even enjoyed a good summer's day and more importantly he found himself enjoying his pregnancy. But in the moment at the ice rink, the moment Abel's skates touched ice, he enjoyed the look of surprised aw on both Hong Kong and Iceland's faces as they watched the young boy cut and dance across the ice. It had started as mild surprise, a glimmer in their eyes as they watched how efficiently Abel cut cross the ice to get to his teacher, but then it quickly turned to awe on their faces as they watched Abel run throuhg his routine, one that Norway and Denmark had seen countless times but seemed to hold some sense of power over Iceland and Hong Kong. It was as if the routine held them entranced, gripping them as their eyes barely moved from the little boy out there on the ice and Norway smirked to himself as he followed Abel's movements with his eyes and waved feeling rather proud of his five-year-old. Abel waved back with a brightness on his face that never failed to send warmth through to a person as he performed a quick spin that left Norway smiling to himself. There was nothing he was prouder of then that boy. He practiced night and day, whenever he could, and would try to get away with walking around his room on the ice skates as if to wear them in further. Of course it wasn't all sunshines and poppies for the boy; he had horrible blistering the first week or two on his feet from the sharpness of the ice skates, from how crisp and new they were and from how long he spent on the ice in them.

He'd been in utter despair when he noticed all the blisters and even the cuts on his achilles tendons from the newness of his skates, had pushed through that pain however when it came to his lessons and yet Norway's heart ached at the memories of how Abel had cried when they lanced his blisters, draining them. How he kept thick socks on hand to keep the five-year-old from blistering up like that again and yet his teacher had assured Norway that blistering was normal, the cuts were all normal and that soon enough the skates would be worn in and wouldn't cause a single drop of pain to Abel. The way that the five-year-old was skating now across the ice you'd think that he never knew a moment of despair, a moment of pain from the blisters and cuts he'd gotten. Abel was happily spinning from end to end on the ice, twirling nad hopping his way from one end to the other as he followed his teacher's instructions to a T and Norway was happy to even say that he was delighted that he had said yes to ice skating lessons. He bit at his lower lip when he felt a squirming sense of nausea, however, working it's way from the depths of his stomach, a squirming that made him want to wriggle in his seat as he watched Abel go back and forth, back and forth. He stood up mouthing "bathroom" and he vaguely noticed Iceland standing up following after him but Norway knew he had mere minutes to work with if he wanted to spare himself some sense of embarrassment. He hated the morning sickness, the nausea, more than anything but something about his eyes following the boy going back an forth, the looping circle he made had brought forth a sense of nausea for Norway. Was it perhaps dizziness?

He wasn't sure but he slammed his hands into the bathroom door making his way to the big trash bin sitting right by the paper towels when his lunch decided to make a second appearance. He gagged, wretched and trembled as he vomited into the trashcan, his hands gripping the edges tightly as if he had to cling to something solid to keep him in the hear and now, something to keep him leveled but it did very little to make him feel that way. His legs shook as he bent over the trashcan but he was surprised to feel a hand on his back, rubbingin circles and patting every once in a while awkwardly and he wretched into the trashcan wishing it over. When he had a moment of reprieve from the gagging, from the tight trembling of his muscles as he wretched, he turned towards the sink turning the water on in order to rinse his mouth out and it was in the mirror that he noticed the silver-white locks of hair. Iceland. He swished the water around in his mouth then spat it out straightening up rubbing at the water that had trickled past his lips, down his chin and turned to Iceland who was holding out some paper towels for Norway to dry his face. "Takk skal du ha."

"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"

"Like I just puked my guts up at the ice rink."

"Alright, point made." Iceland bobbed his head in a nod before tilting his head as he looked at Norway, his violet eyes unreadable. "Is that how I'm going to be in a couple weeks? Puking my guts up out of nowhere?" The tone of his voice was rather disappointed, if somewhat hesitant as he looked at Norway then pressed a hand against his stomach through his coat, patting slightly as if he were displaying a bump like Norway and he bit his lip before speaking again after releasing his lower lip. "I just don't know what I'm going to do. It's not so much throwing up that scares but rather the whole freakin' thing. I don't know how I'm going to handle the whole pregnancy thing, how I'm going to handle being a mother to someone." He hesitated again then looked up at Norway, meeting his surprised gaze. "THat's why we came all this way you know. To talk to you and Denmark about this whole situation."

"Oh." Norway blinked as he leaned against the sink as his gloved fingers tapped at his thighs and he then looked at his younger brother, really looked at him, to find that there was a vulnerability behind that carefully composed mask of blankness and Norway licked his lips rather nervously. There was something strangely nerve-wracking about the thought of having a heart to heart with his little brother, something that should come naturally but instead it was something he was strangely nervous about. "Well, what is it that you want to talk about? Is that why you followed me from the rink?"

"Um, I guess? I know I wanted to talk to you one on one and when you got up I decided to follow you because I kind of wanted to get you alone so I could talk to you." Iceland shuffled in place, appearing just as nervous as talking about something so personal but those violet eyes then flashed with determination as he lifted his head. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me out? Not with me living with you or anything, but if I need to talk will you be there? I just don't know how I'm going to get through this pregnancy, this whole situation, without you and awkward as it is I have to say this." He paused taking a few deep breathes, his hands curling into fists at his sides before crossing his arms across his chest, pink cheeked suddenly. "I need my brother. If I call on you, you'll answer won't you?"

Norway blinked at the words that rang and bounced wildly within his mind as he glanced at his little brother. His little brother who, in that moment, had just said that he needed him. Iceland NEEDED him? How long had he waited to hear the words? How long had he wanted anything more than to hear his brother say he needed him? He reached out brushing his fingers against his brother's folded arms and felt the corners of his lips twitching but he fought the urge to smile victorious as he wanted too. "You need me? Really?" He cleared his throat to rid the joy from it and then nodded. "Yes, I'll be there if you call. I'll be there if you even want to fly out! I'll be there for you if you truly need me, if you truly want me to help, then I'll do whatever I can to help you, Emil. Absolutely, without a doubt."

Iceland let out a breath that he had clearly been holding, his pink cheek faced turning into one of hope as he cautiously moved his hands apart and lifted his hands upwards, wordlessly making NOrway finally smile. It was a movement that Sven and Abel had done countless times, millions of times, and Norway stepped forward throwing his arms around his waist hugging his younger brother tightly, as tight as he possibly could. His bump pressed firmly against his brother's flatter stomach, the arms tight around his shoulders they stood there hugging on to one another and Norway had to admit that this is what he wanted all along. All he'd wanted was his little brother to come to him as he would any other time and with this sudden pregnancy he knew he was finally getting his wish. He'd always wanted his little brother to come to him claiming to need him, wanted nothing more than for the male to come to him and hug him fiercely as he was now after telling him he needed them. He squeezed his brother's waist before pulling back noticing the quiet little smile on Iceland's face. "Let's get back, shall we?"