Intermediate Sides

Somewhen in the 20th Century

The Britain's POV

I walk down the offices hallway, just wanting to get out.
"Wait up, ol' man!" my son, America, frantically yells after me and I hear quick footsteps getting louder. I stop in my tracks as well as turning my head around, waiting for him to catch up. America is taller than me, by a lot, which isn't a very hard thing to achieve.
"Since when have you gotten so slow?" I question him in a sarcastic voice, pulling my gloves fully over my fingers again. Bloody hell, my hands have sweat a lot during the meeting. In all those years I've never been quite as afraid of the world as now.
"You just sprinted out of there-"
"So I am pretty fast for an 'Ol' Man', no?" I counter with irony, making Ame puff up his checks. He towers up, rearranging his sun glasses, frustrated. How amusing.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just get out of here before France catches up!" he starts annoyed, but cheers up mid sentence. I exhale in relief.
"Thank you."

Walking out of the building, we make our way to Ame's car. I get in on the right side, frowning internally. Why can't the driver sit on the right side? Why does it has to be left here? I really miss that about home. The right side.. feels just weird to me. Doing so, Ame gets behind the wheel, soon starting the engine afterwards. While driving to another facility before getting home, I take out a Thermal pot with tea. I open the lid and consume some of the liquid.
"What are you doing this weekend?" I start a conversation with the driver. Ame just shrugs.
"Was planin' to meet up with Aussie and Nada in the city to hang at the Festival."
"Delightful."
"You and your posh sounding language, ol' man." the American chuckles and I cannot suppress a grin either.
"Do you wanna come too tho?" he adds. I think for a moment, but shake my head.

"You kids go out there and have fun, bloody hell I'd just hold you back. That'd be.. 'uncool' I assume." I politely decline my sons offer. Yet, it is very thoughtful of him. Ame gasps in playful seriousness.
"You're not uncool, Dad! You're the most cool, polite and most handsome Father of all! No one will ever be able to top you!" he reassures me, loudly. I can't help but to smile again, it is really nice of him to cheer little old me. America continues.
"Not like ma'! How dare she! She even took Nada, Aussie and Zea' from us. That Bitch!" he complaints and I just mentally sigh. France and I had been married for a long time and those have been my happiest memories, but she decided to leave me. Not sure why, or what I did too wrong, but Ame insisted to stay with me to crush any depression that would befall me. Really generous.

"Well, you are quite the handful, young man. Not sure if I would have been able to raise all of you at the same time." I roll my eyes.
"Heee! Don't be like that!" he complaints, then snickers.

I laugh too, more content than Ame and afterwards a silence makes itself wide between us. I turn my head to the side and look out the window, remembering the meeting half an hour ago. The meeting was between us, the rest of the family, the BeNeLux states, Switzerland and Norway, as well as Sweden, who was there in place of Finland, who has massive troubles with the communists right now: Soviet Union's forces. Poor him. I've never been close to Finland, but he seems like a good guy to drink at a pub with. Might invite him for a drink if he comes out of this shit alive.

We've discussed topics like further negotiations with the USSR while both we and him stack up on nuclear bombs for Defence. Sadly, this endangers all of the world and any blow will be fatal. If you don't get blown up first- you'll be sure enough to be second.
What a disaster. Humans, including us, are just power hungry monster, I admit.
Also we've talked about how to procedure with the newly formed Federal Republic of Germany, FRG or West for short. France volunteered to take him in. West ist a child, proximity with the maturity and body of a 12 year old, and he needs to be monitored either way. Though, America did not like the thought at all, since our divorce he despises France with every fiber of being, presenting our household as a better option. Eventually, everyone (Except my ex) agreed, and now we are going to pick the boy up before going home.

Although, I fear that Ame will be a little.. intimidating for the boy and I want to be on good terms with him in the future, like, building trust. My son is a grown up.. yet still a child in behavior. Don't get me wrong, he can act like a reasonable adult, but he claims to be too 'lazy' and it to be too 'energy consuming' for him. Where did I raise him wrong? I love him, but still.. Saying that, it is the best if I introduce myself before my noisy son does.

Reaching our destination I clap once to get Americas attention.
"Very well. You wait here."
"Huh??"
"None of us has met West yet, I figured you are.. to energetic for the very first introduction." I carefully try explaining. Ame puffes up his cheeks again, reminding me of the time he was way younger. As said, he still acts like a child. And usually I don't mind, it is good to stay young mentally, though it isn't good for certain situations..

For example, Ame's childish behavior caused him to leash out on Soviet during a negotiation, making.. things more difficult.. for everyone. That is why I want to make sure Germany will not be intimidated or scared off immediately.

Ame groans.
"Do I really need to wait?"
"I insist."
"F i n e."

With that, I step out of the car, eyeing the building. It does look like a mixture of a refugee camp and a jail. I can't help to feel sorry for the boy. Sure, his 'father', with whom I mean Nazi Germany, did really messed up stuff, bloody hell! But his son wasn't part of this and this environment is not suitable for a healthy mental state. Thank god I'm getting him away-
I feel Father-instincts kicking in.

I look back to my son and he just waves, urging me to get Germany. I roll my eyes and approach the building.
I enter the building.
There is some sort of reception, and I simply walk over to the receptionist. Their eyes widen upon seeing me. Understandably, you surely don't see a Countryhuman every single day in person. Especially me.

"Good day Sir, I'm here to pick the Federal Republic of Germany up, you've been informed, I assume?" not wasting time, I get straight to the point. The receptionist, a middle aged man in his late 20s or early 30s, nods.
"Yes, United Kingdom, we've been informed." he reassures me, handing me papers. I take them, taking a look through the printed sheets. There are some with laws and rights and stuff, also adoption papers. Wait, adoption papers? They want me to take FRG in as.. a son? I take a moment to reconsider, questioning if I am doing the right choice. So FRG is going to be my son from now on. A little odd, not that I mind so far.

I carefully read the papers JUST TO MAKE SURE that everything is going according to my liking. I eventually get it confirmed, and sign the papers. The receptionist watched me closely, even a little anxious the entire time, actually I feel empowered by this, making me grin internally- though I keep a straight face.

Then, two guards came and lead me to a chamber.
So this is where my new child must be. Honestly I'm both excited and nervous to meet him. Knowing what Weimar and Nazi were like.. I wonder how he is behaving?
They open the door.

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