❝i could wait around for the dust to still but i don't believe that it ever will❞
Title: Suum Cuique
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Words: 1,400+
Characters: Prussia ;; Germany ;; Liechtenstein ;; Hungary ;; Austria ;; Switzerland ;; Poland ;; Belgium ;; mentions of Germania
Rating: G
Warnings: Civilian names, anachronisms, familial fluff…
Summary: Request for pillowfight. After Germania’s death, Prussia takes charge and has to decide the fate of his many siblings-namely Germany and Liechtenstein.
Suum Cuique
The moment he was gone, the earth began to shake. Tremors rolled through the ground, and the building rocked. Those who didn’t know said that the gods were angry, that disaster had come upon them. Those who did were calmer; they said that no, the world was merely restructuring itself.
He knew. Sitting in the armory, a sword across his knees, he felt the ground begin to move and knew immediately what had happened. For a fraction of a second, an expression lost and forlorn came over Gilbert’s face-the next moment it was gone, replaced by smug half-smile. He looked to the sky-covered though it was by the armory ceiling-and let out a laugh.
“Finally, eh? Good for you, Gramps.” With that, Gilbert through down his sword and stomped out the armory. Even as he did so, he could feel that more than just the world had changed-he had changed, as well. Already, he could feel his senses growing keener, his eyesight more far-reaching. Was it his imagination, or had he grown taller in the last few minutes?
The town of Königsberg was small-a series of farms surrounding a few main roads. But they centered on a great castle, and that was Gilbert’s home. Racing up the steps, he headed first to the east tower, calling his brother’s name.
“West! Hey, West, you awake yet?” He pounded on his younger brother’s wooden doors, a frenzied hurry adding to his knocks. “Open up, would ya?”
The door swung open, revealing a young, lanky boy. Ludwig was tall and lean for his age, and shared Gilbert’s milky skin and narrowed eyes. His hair was brighter, though-golden-yellow to Gilbert’s silvery-white. Yawning, he raised his head to glare questioningly at Gilbert.
“What is it?” He yawned again. “The sun’s barely up, bruder.”
“Didn’t you feel that, West?” Gilbert asked incredulously.
“I was asleep,” Ludwig reminded his brother with barely-mustered patience. “I wasn’t feeling anything.”
Gilbert opened his mouth to respond, then choked down his words and sighed. “Old Man Germania’s dead, West,” he said.
Ludwig’s blue eyes grew wide. “Really? How?”
“How should I know?” Gilbert snapped. Then he sighed again and ran a hand through his silver hair. “Listen, just round everyone up and have them meet me downstairs in a half-hour, okay?”
The look on Ludwig’s face was half-frozen-he was still glaring at Gilbert, but his elder brother knew him too well not to notice the grief in his eyes. Impulsively, Gilbert pulled Ludwig into a one-armed hug, his younger brother’s head barely hitting his shoulder.
“Look, West-Gramps was hurting for a long time, y’know? Maybe it’s better, or something…once a warrior can’t fight anymore, there’s not much left.”
“Yah,” Ludwig nodded.
“Good.” Gilbert nodded approvingly. “I’ll meet you in the drawing room soon.” With that he turned away, not wanted Ludwig to see that he had his own share of grief, as well.
---
Germania’s grandchildren were a mixed bunch. When he had started feeling weaker, Germania had asked his progeny to stay in Königsberg with Gilbert-for protection, or moral support, Gilbert really didn’t know the reason. Still, as he looked out across the room, he could only think of one thing-They need someone to look after them now that he’s gone.
He crossed his arms over his chest and surveyed the group. Ludwig had evidently told them all the news, because Emma was sitting perfectly still, her hands in her lap and tears pooling in her green eyes. Roderich, never one to openly show his feelings, was nevertheless glued to Vash, who had done nothing but scowl at the ceiling since Gilbert had gotten there. Feliks was sitting cross-legged on the floor, glaring at anyone who tried to get close to him.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Gilbert turned to see Elizaveta’s jade-green eyes. The Hungarian girl-he still couldn’t really get over that little detail-looked at him with concern, and reached forward to gently grasp his shoulder. In response to her worry, Gilbert laughed.
“Alright? Of course I’m alright-why wouldn’t I be?”
Elizaveta shook her head ruefully, but he saw her bite her lip for just a moment. “Okay-if you’re going to be the tough guy, I won’t stop you. Just know that we’re all here for you, alright?”
“Whatever,” Gilbert grumbled. Elizaveta has always been too perceptive for her own good. But this wasn’t about him, now, it was about their stupid family and what was going to happen to it, now.
“Bruder?” Gilbert turned to see Ludwig walking towards him, holding Sophie’s hand. The girl looked like a small doll-she barely reached Ludwig’s hips, her long blonde braids hanging down on either side of her face. Tears ran freely from her blue eyes, and she was sucking her thumb. She looked up at Gilbert, hiccupped, and then began to bawl.
“Hey-hey! Sophie, calm down!” Gilbert reached down to pick Sophie up, and the girl immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, unwilling to let go. Gilbert grimaced, but he couldn’t really throw the girl off of him when she was so upset. He hesitantly shifted his sister’s weight, wrapping one arm around her to keep her steady.
Ludwig gave Gilbert something of a smirk-it was never easy to tell, given the kid’s bland expressions-but nevertheless seemed relieved to no longer be the one in charge of the crying child. He remained at Gilbert’s right hand, and nodded at his elder brother, indicating that he should speak.
Gilbert coughed authoritatively, shifted Sophie ever-so-slightly, and began.
---
“Grandpa Germania is dead.” No one had ever accused Gilbert of having much tact. He cleared his throat again, and said, “So, basically, you’re all on your own. No one’s forcing you to stay here anymore-so you can leave, if you want.”
He received four blank states-from Roderich and Vash, Emma and Feliks. Elizabeta nodded quietly, and he couldn’t really see what Sophie was up to, though it felt like she was trying to braid his close-cropped hair-at least she was distracted from her tears. Gilbert felt Ludwig stiffen at his side, and knew that his little brother had his share of sadness, too. Everyone dealt with it in their own way, he supposed.
“…and if we don’t want to leave?” It was Ludwig’s voice, stern and challenging, that broke the uneasy silence between them. And he didn’t wait for a response. “I’m staying here.”
Suddenly, Roderich looked up and nodded-Vash was still grimacing, but he nodded, too. Feliks rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, but Gilbert took the rapid bobbing of his head as another nod.
Emma smiled softly as she said, “It’s what grandfather would have wanted.”
“She’s right,” Elizaveta murmured. “Maybe there’s a reason he asked us to be together, for this.”
“Hey, hey-I’m not asking for a bunch of squatters in my house, you losers. If you want to be freeloaders, then you can forget it.” Gilbert looked around at his family in something of a panic-they weren’t really going to stay, were they? What happened to his private life, his independence?
It was Sophie, who, in her child-like wisdom, merely grabbed Gilbert’s face in her chubby hands and looked him in the eye.
“Families don’t leave when bad stuff happens.” She said in her high-pitched, stately voice. Unable to respond to that, Gilbert patted her head.
“Fine, squirt. You can stay. As for the rest of you…”
“Don’t even try to kick us out, bruder,” Ludwig warned.
“Who said I was going to try, West?” Gilbert demanded. “All I was going to say was that if you losers are staying here, you’re not going to shame the name of Prussia by being weak, or losing. Anyone who messes with you lot answers to me, alright?”
Was he mistaken, or was Elizaveta smirking through her tears? Emma now held Roderich and Vash in a tight hug, and Feliks was clinging to Elizaveta’s leg. Suddenly, all of them exchanged knowing smiles and began edging towards him.
“Hey-hey! What are you doing? Stay away from me-” Gilbert yelled as his family tackled him into a hug. He was already holding Sophie, but Roderich caught him around the waist, and soon enough Emma was gripping one of his arms. Elizaveta encircled him, Ludwig, and Feliks, and with Vash already holding Roderich’s hand, they fell to the ground in an eight-person tangle.
At the bottom of the pile, Gilbert scowled-or was that a twisted smile?
“I’ll protect you,” he murmured, too low for most to hear. “Since he can’t, anymore.”
Sophie reached up and kissed his forehead.
---
Footnotes:
* This fic is based off of no particular time-period, since it’s hard to pinpoint when exactly “Germania” faded away. Let’s say its approximately somewhere in the Middle Ages.
* Sum cuique is a Latin phrase meaning “to each his own.” It was the motto of Prussia, and I’ve adapted it here to mean that everyone has their own way of grieving.
* Königsberg was one of the capitals of Prussia, before Berlin.
* Emma is my name for Belgium. Sophie is my name for Liechtenstein.
* My choices Germania’s “grandchildren” are based off of countries with sizeable Germanic populations: Germany and Prussia, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Belgium.
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Words: 1,400+
Characters: Prussia ;; Germany ;; Liechtenstein ;; Hungary ;; Austria ;; Switzerland ;; Poland ;; Belgium ;; mentions of Germania
Rating: G
Warnings: Civilian names, anachronisms, familial fluff…
Summary: Request for pillowfight. After Germania’s death, Prussia takes charge and has to decide the fate of his many siblings-namely Germany and Liechtenstein.
Suum Cuique
The moment he was gone, the earth began to shake. Tremors rolled through the ground, and the building rocked. Those who didn’t know said that the gods were angry, that disaster had come upon them. Those who did were calmer; they said that no, the world was merely restructuring itself.
He knew. Sitting in the armory, a sword across his knees, he felt the ground begin to move and knew immediately what had happened. For a fraction of a second, an expression lost and forlorn came over Gilbert’s face-the next moment it was gone, replaced by smug half-smile. He looked to the sky-covered though it was by the armory ceiling-and let out a laugh.
“Finally, eh? Good for you, Gramps.” With that, Gilbert through down his sword and stomped out the armory. Even as he did so, he could feel that more than just the world had changed-he had changed, as well. Already, he could feel his senses growing keener, his eyesight more far-reaching. Was it his imagination, or had he grown taller in the last few minutes?
The town of Königsberg was small-a series of farms surrounding a few main roads. But they centered on a great castle, and that was Gilbert’s home. Racing up the steps, he headed first to the east tower, calling his brother’s name.
“West! Hey, West, you awake yet?” He pounded on his younger brother’s wooden doors, a frenzied hurry adding to his knocks. “Open up, would ya?”
The door swung open, revealing a young, lanky boy. Ludwig was tall and lean for his age, and shared Gilbert’s milky skin and narrowed eyes. His hair was brighter, though-golden-yellow to Gilbert’s silvery-white. Yawning, he raised his head to glare questioningly at Gilbert.
“What is it?” He yawned again. “The sun’s barely up, bruder.”
“Didn’t you feel that, West?” Gilbert asked incredulously.
“I was asleep,” Ludwig reminded his brother with barely-mustered patience. “I wasn’t feeling anything.”
Gilbert opened his mouth to respond, then choked down his words and sighed. “Old Man Germania’s dead, West,” he said.
Ludwig’s blue eyes grew wide. “Really? How?”
“How should I know?” Gilbert snapped. Then he sighed again and ran a hand through his silver hair. “Listen, just round everyone up and have them meet me downstairs in a half-hour, okay?”
The look on Ludwig’s face was half-frozen-he was still glaring at Gilbert, but his elder brother knew him too well not to notice the grief in his eyes. Impulsively, Gilbert pulled Ludwig into a one-armed hug, his younger brother’s head barely hitting his shoulder.
“Look, West-Gramps was hurting for a long time, y’know? Maybe it’s better, or something…once a warrior can’t fight anymore, there’s not much left.”
“Yah,” Ludwig nodded.
“Good.” Gilbert nodded approvingly. “I’ll meet you in the drawing room soon.” With that he turned away, not wanted Ludwig to see that he had his own share of grief, as well.
---
Germania’s grandchildren were a mixed bunch. When he had started feeling weaker, Germania had asked his progeny to stay in Königsberg with Gilbert-for protection, or moral support, Gilbert really didn’t know the reason. Still, as he looked out across the room, he could only think of one thing-They need someone to look after them now that he’s gone.
He crossed his arms over his chest and surveyed the group. Ludwig had evidently told them all the news, because Emma was sitting perfectly still, her hands in her lap and tears pooling in her green eyes. Roderich, never one to openly show his feelings, was nevertheless glued to Vash, who had done nothing but scowl at the ceiling since Gilbert had gotten there. Feliks was sitting cross-legged on the floor, glaring at anyone who tried to get close to him.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Gilbert turned to see Elizaveta’s jade-green eyes. The Hungarian girl-he still couldn’t really get over that little detail-looked at him with concern, and reached forward to gently grasp his shoulder. In response to her worry, Gilbert laughed.
“Alright? Of course I’m alright-why wouldn’t I be?”
Elizaveta shook her head ruefully, but he saw her bite her lip for just a moment. “Okay-if you’re going to be the tough guy, I won’t stop you. Just know that we’re all here for you, alright?”
“Whatever,” Gilbert grumbled. Elizaveta has always been too perceptive for her own good. But this wasn’t about him, now, it was about their stupid family and what was going to happen to it, now.
“Bruder?” Gilbert turned to see Ludwig walking towards him, holding Sophie’s hand. The girl looked like a small doll-she barely reached Ludwig’s hips, her long blonde braids hanging down on either side of her face. Tears ran freely from her blue eyes, and she was sucking her thumb. She looked up at Gilbert, hiccupped, and then began to bawl.
“Hey-hey! Sophie, calm down!” Gilbert reached down to pick Sophie up, and the girl immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, unwilling to let go. Gilbert grimaced, but he couldn’t really throw the girl off of him when she was so upset. He hesitantly shifted his sister’s weight, wrapping one arm around her to keep her steady.
Ludwig gave Gilbert something of a smirk-it was never easy to tell, given the kid’s bland expressions-but nevertheless seemed relieved to no longer be the one in charge of the crying child. He remained at Gilbert’s right hand, and nodded at his elder brother, indicating that he should speak.
Gilbert coughed authoritatively, shifted Sophie ever-so-slightly, and began.
---
“Grandpa Germania is dead.” No one had ever accused Gilbert of having much tact. He cleared his throat again, and said, “So, basically, you’re all on your own. No one’s forcing you to stay here anymore-so you can leave, if you want.”
He received four blank states-from Roderich and Vash, Emma and Feliks. Elizabeta nodded quietly, and he couldn’t really see what Sophie was up to, though it felt like she was trying to braid his close-cropped hair-at least she was distracted from her tears. Gilbert felt Ludwig stiffen at his side, and knew that his little brother had his share of sadness, too. Everyone dealt with it in their own way, he supposed.
“…and if we don’t want to leave?” It was Ludwig’s voice, stern and challenging, that broke the uneasy silence between them. And he didn’t wait for a response. “I’m staying here.”
Suddenly, Roderich looked up and nodded-Vash was still grimacing, but he nodded, too. Feliks rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, but Gilbert took the rapid bobbing of his head as another nod.
Emma smiled softly as she said, “It’s what grandfather would have wanted.”
“She’s right,” Elizaveta murmured. “Maybe there’s a reason he asked us to be together, for this.”
“Hey, hey-I’m not asking for a bunch of squatters in my house, you losers. If you want to be freeloaders, then you can forget it.” Gilbert looked around at his family in something of a panic-they weren’t really going to stay, were they? What happened to his private life, his independence?
It was Sophie, who, in her child-like wisdom, merely grabbed Gilbert’s face in her chubby hands and looked him in the eye.
“Families don’t leave when bad stuff happens.” She said in her high-pitched, stately voice. Unable to respond to that, Gilbert patted her head.
“Fine, squirt. You can stay. As for the rest of you…”
“Don’t even try to kick us out, bruder,” Ludwig warned.
“Who said I was going to try, West?” Gilbert demanded. “All I was going to say was that if you losers are staying here, you’re not going to shame the name of Prussia by being weak, or losing. Anyone who messes with you lot answers to me, alright?”
Was he mistaken, or was Elizaveta smirking through her tears? Emma now held Roderich and Vash in a tight hug, and Feliks was clinging to Elizaveta’s leg. Suddenly, all of them exchanged knowing smiles and began edging towards him.
“Hey-hey! What are you doing? Stay away from me-” Gilbert yelled as his family tackled him into a hug. He was already holding Sophie, but Roderich caught him around the waist, and soon enough Emma was gripping one of his arms. Elizaveta encircled him, Ludwig, and Feliks, and with Vash already holding Roderich’s hand, they fell to the ground in an eight-person tangle.
At the bottom of the pile, Gilbert scowled-or was that a twisted smile?
“I’ll protect you,” he murmured, too low for most to hear. “Since he can’t, anymore.”
Sophie reached up and kissed his forehead.
---
Footnotes:
* This fic is based off of no particular time-period, since it’s hard to pinpoint when exactly “Germania” faded away. Let’s say its approximately somewhere in the Middle Ages.
* Sum cuique is a Latin phrase meaning “to each his own.” It was the motto of Prussia, and I’ve adapted it here to mean that everyone has their own way of grieving.
* Königsberg was one of the capitals of Prussia, before Berlin.
* Emma is my name for Belgium. Sophie is my name for Liechtenstein.
* My choices Germania’s “grandchildren” are based off of countries with sizeable Germanic populations: Germany and Prussia, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Belgium.