Fragile

Chapter 1

       He stiffly turned to and fro in the fuzzy covers which enveloped his muscular form. Today was a special day in a way, but Ludwig had spent that night imagining what it would feel like to actually be one with his people once more. With those thoughts in mind he slowly got into a sitting position and rubbed his eyes. Looking towards the vanity in front of his bed he noticed his usual eagerness gone and in its place was a drained man. His brother, Gilbert, or the "Awesome Gilbert" as the man himself put it, was snoring softly at his side. It may seem weird – okay it's VERY weird – that two buff, grown men are sharing one bed, but Gilbert didn't want to be separated from his "cute and awesomely adorable" little brother.

       Gently ruffling Gilbert's platinum crown, Ludwig slung his feet off the mattress and made his way towards the bathroom to only stare at his figure more closely. His unruly hair stuck at every angle possible, dark bags had appeared under his powder blue eyes, and a small trail of saliva was still visible from the corner of his mouth. This was surely going to be a long morning.

                                                                           •••

       After about half an hour of prepping himself to meet the standards of today's man, Ludwig emerged from the loo only to see that his ruby-eyed brother was no longer laying on his bed. Shrugging, he quickly started to pick the sheets, which Gilbert had probably just dropped then and there without a care. Once his room was spotless, clean like his shining counter tops, the buff blond let his nose guide him towards the end of the hallway and down a spiral staircase. Only when he reached the kitchen did he stop; his albino brother was wearing one of his long shirts whilst making pancakes and it honestly didn't do any good as his shirt was covered in spots of batter just like the rest of the kitchen.

       "West!" Gilbert said, finally noticing his sibling, "Since today's a special-" He put an emphasis on the word, "day! I decided to make my wittle bwothew a nice, and royal breakfast from yours truly!" He posed and gave a dazzling smirk which only prompted a facepalm and small smile from Ludwig.

       "Yes, yes, but you better clean up-" He spread his arms apart, indicating to the disaster, "this... war zone and-" He then let his eyes wander to Gilbert before averting his gaze, "please wear something suitable too." Ludwig mumbled as his checks gained a rosy tint.

       Smiling like the Cheshire Cat, Gilbert said, "Like what you see, big boy." While moving his hips which made the young Germanic even more uncomfortable. Noticing his discomposure Gil scoffed, "Geez, West. Can't you take a joke, huh?" He walked towards his brother and poked his chest, sticking his tongue out, "Take care of the hot stuff while I change then." The older, lanky brother said, walking away.

       Quickly and calmly he let out a huff of breath he had been holding and glanced up as a drop of... batter. Of course Gilbert had managed to get it up there too! Wiping it off his face he grabbed an apron and decided to take care of the hot cakes first before cleaning his 'mature' brother's chaotic piece of art.

       "I swear if you don't come down here in the next thirty seconds I'll either eat or burn the rest of the pancakes, East!" After flipping the one Gilbert had been making himself, Ludwig took a cloth and started wiping part of both the walls and stove. It amazed him how Gilbert would be messy as hell when there weren't any guests, or people in general, around to witness his true nature.

       "And her we see a furious Ludwig in his natural habitat-" Gilbert had tumbled down the stairs, afraid of his little brother's threat against the pancakes. He playfully held a camera and zoomed in on his blond sibling's face, "ready to kill a man in his sleep." Laughing and now on the verge of tears, he carefully placed the camera on a batter-free area and started to help with the pancakes again. "Ksesesesese, go set the table, brohas."

       Muttering under his breath, Ludwig set off to the dining room connected to the kitchen with the dishes in hand. In the pit of his stomach he honestly felt nervous and quiet possibly he sensed that something would go wrong, but there was no point in trying to figure that out. Setting the white plates and clear glass cups Ludwig set off to the door to his right, the basement, to get a few bowls of food for his three dogs: Blackie, Berlitz, and Aster. The cellar had a gloomy atmosphere to it as most of their old articles were left abandoned in boxes or chests. Quickly taking what he came for Ludwig dashed up the stairs and shut the door, "Berlitz! Aster! Blackie! Come here!" He shook the bowls, trying to attract the dogs to the noise – which worked as the small patter of their paws was heard on the wooden floor.

       Berlitz, a German Shepard, jumped into the German's arms causing him to drop the bowls thus making the food spill. The other two, Aster, a Hovawart; Blackie, a Doberman both dart around eating from the floor.

       "Hey! Hey!" Ludwig tried pushing Berlitz aside, " Not now, Ber- Oh my god! Blackie, get off the table! Aste- Holy shit!" The blond tried his best to gently move the German Shepard and hurriedly chased Aster and Blackie around the table.

       "Oi,West! My awesome pancakes are don-" Gilbert didn't finish his sentence as all three dogs suddenly scurried his way, but he dodged, trying not to let his breakfast descend. Both men slowly looked at one another and then towards the mess. Sighing for the umpteenth time, Ludwig went back into the kitchen. Retrieving an old push broom he created a walkway for his albino brother and cleaned up the rest of mayhem.

       "Just get your ass in a seat, Luddy! We can't be late!" Gil had started stuffing his mouth, syrup drizzling down the sides of his lips.

       Pausing, Ludwig glanced at his brother, "You're... Going..? He pondered aloud, "I tho- I mean, it's great you are! But I had the feeling you would've stopped by now."

       Offended, Gilbert clutched his chest, "Luddy! I'm perfectly capable of going! Don't you trust your awesome, older bro? I've promised not to touch the meteors – we had to take an oath for Christ's sake!" Devastated, and gloomily, if I may add, the Prussian stuffed his mouth once again.

       "I didn't mean it that way, East! It's just-" Ludwig sighed, "Are you sure? Your body wouldn't be able to take it if you touch the meteor willingly or accidentally- I'm not saying you're weak or anything either! I just... I don't want to see you feeling left out." Both their eyes met, icy blue against spider lily red.

       "I can take care of myself, Ludwig." Gilbert angrily chewed, "Its not like I'm the only one who can no longer touch the damn meteorites... Let's just hurry."

       "Gilbert..." Germany exhaled, "Okay, I won't question you any further, but please don't regret your choices and I trust that you won't touch the meteors." He sternly gazed back although Gilbert now tried avoiding his gaze. "Gilbert."

       "Yes, yes, baked potato..." The albino puffed out his cheeks, "The Awesome Me is going to stay out of the way."

       Giving a small smile Ludwig said, "Good. And just for your information we have an hour left before we have to get out on the road."

       Sadly, that one hour turned into I'll-be-done-in-about-eight-hours-because-being-awesome-requires-the-perfect-song-and-outfit.

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< 12.20.2017 >

「Hello! I hope you like this chapter (I know it's a weak start)! Criticism is very much appreciated. And a special thanks to pastaaaaatrash for helping me proof read and help with part of the future plans I have in store for this story. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.」

[3.9 pages - 1313 words]