Work Text:
The smell of winter permeated everything. Cold ran through the Baumeister family estate, causing Wndelin to shiver and tuck his hands under his armpits to keep warm. His breath came out in a frost in the air, his mind wandering to thoughts of reading the books in the library, rather than staying in his room where it was warm, because—
“What are you doing?”
Wendelin stared at his older brother, mouth pushed together, wanting to say he was off to the library to read, yet thought better of it as Kurt always seemed less than thrilled at seeing him wandering around.
Kurt glared. “You’re sneaking into the library again.”
Wendelin opened his mouth.
His brother beat him to it. “Back to your room, where it’s warm. I’ll grab you something to keep that head of yours occupied.”
“But…”
“Go.”
Wendelin sighed, heading back to his room, tucking himself under his sheets, looking at the books he’d finished yet not returned simply because he didn’t have the energy in that weather to carry them back.
The door opened, and—
As predicted, Kurt brought something that Wendelin had already read, which wasn’t surprising given Kurt couldn’t read. “Huh?”
“What?”
“It’s a fictional piece,” he glanced up at Kurt, mouth forming a pout.
“What? What are you thinking?”
“I could read it out loud,” Wendelin offered.
Kurt stared, then, “Another time.” He reached out, ruffling Wendelin’s hair, something unexpected from the elder Baumeister brother. “I’ve got work to do.”
“I could…”
“You’re too little. Maybe when you’re older,” Kurt said. “And stay put.”
Wendelin sighed, the door to his room clicking shut.