[Fanfic] The Kid: Chapter 14/24
Title: The Kid
Author/Artist: MoyaKite
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Mainly Prussia, Germany, and Freddy (little kid!OC), but almost everyone could end up in here eventually. (In this chapter: Freddy, Prussia, Canada, Romano, France, Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hungary, America.)
Rating: G (thus far)
Warnings: Fluff, discussions of mortality, potential for future character death
Summary: Simply put, Prussia goes backpacking across Europe and finds a kid. What sort of a dad would Prussia be, anyway?
Author's Notes: The original (which started on the kink meme) is here. I'm extremely fond of this story, so it's likely to continue as long as people keep showing interest. The more comments I get, the quicker I'll update. Also, as a note, I changed the subject line of the posts I've made since I first de-anoned so that the people coming from the kink meme will know where to pick up the story. (Oh, and finally, there will be a time skip after this chapter. If there's any particular age that you really want to see, I suggest that you comment now!)
Freddy stared at the heap of presents, then glanced back at Prussia wordlessly, pointing to himself.
“Yep,” Prussia said, waving at them. “They're all for you!”
Freddy gawked at them for another minute, seemingly unable to comprehend it; Prussia noticed Romano fidgeting out of the corner of his eye. When Freddy didn't move to open anything, Romano snatched one of his unwrapped packages and held it out to Freddy, not looking at him. Prussia figured that he'd gone out to get the rest of the gifts while he and Freddy had been napping.
Freddy took the package and sat on the floor to open it. The lid came away easily, and Freddy pulled out the tissue paper inside, setting it carefully in the boxtop, which he'd set to his right. After a moment, he pulled out the gift. Prussia knew that Romano knew shoes; the shoes Freddy was holding were probably worth more than Freddy's entire wardrobe. Freddy blinked at them, then grinned. Prussia expected him to pull them on, but instead watched as Freddy got to his feet and marched them to the door, where he set them neatly beside the pair that he'd taken off when they arrived.
The worry and confusion on Romano's face eased a little, but Prussia noticed that his hands were still shaking as he held the second unwrapped box. Freddy, finally satisfied that his shoes were in order, ran back to Romano.
“Grazie, Lovino!” Freddy said, throwing his around Romano's knees. Romano turned pink, and he shifted the box to rest under one arm so that he could reach down and pat Freddy on the head.
“Here,” he said, his voice a little gruff with embarrassment. “Look, they're just shoes, okay?”
Freddy accepted the second box and sat down again. He opened it just as carefully as the first box, setting the lid and tissue paper to the right, the box to the left. Prussia noticed that America was arming himself with an armful of red, white, and blue packages.
Freddy pulled out the present, a very fine suit, and Prussia almost smiled at his excitement. Germany had never been excited to get clothes as a kid! But Freddy buried his face in the nice suit, beaming into it. Freddy was still wearing his pajamas, since he'd never wanted to change out of them; they were fuzzy and covered with pictures of puppies. Unceremoniously, Freddy yanked off his shirt and pants-Prussia had to smother a laugh as Freddy futzed with the buttons and the jacket. Romano was nonplussed.
“H-here, just let me do the buttons!” Romano said quickly, hastily doing them up as Freddy pulled on his new pants. After a moment, Freddy stood up proudly in his new suit, clearly delighted by it; America made as though to pass him a present, but Freddy was so busy strutting around in his nice suit that he didn't notice. Prussia suddenly frowned, wondering if he should've gotten Freddy nicer clothes to begin with; he'd mostly stuck to simple, comfortable stuff so far.
“Grazie, grazie, grazie!” Freddy sang, spinning in a circle. Romano hid his face.
“Look, it's just a-” Romano began, but Freddy was hugging his knees again; sighing (and, Prussia noticed, looking just a tad smug), he stooped down to smooth Freddy's hair. He seemed about to speak when America butted in.
“Here, Freddy!” America said, kneeling on the ground and spreading out his and Canada's presents. “You can't play favorites!”
Freddy kissed Romano's cheek and then darted over to the presents, leaving Romano to bluster at no one. He suddenly didn't care about carefully opening them and organizing their contents; he tore right into them, tossing the wrapping paper over his shoulder and whooping as he went. A football with red, white, and blue patches instead of black and white ones, a jump rope, a water gun that America proudly called the Super Soaker Monster XL (which looked too big for Freddy to even carry if it were filled up), a stack of American board games, and a whistle were quickly revealed; the whistle earned a place of honor around Freddy's neck, and he blew it shrilly. Prussia cracked up as he saw Germany cringe, and Freddy, encouraged by the laughter, blew it again.
“Here, Freddy,” Canada said, placing his packages in front of Freddy. Prussia grinned and cracked up again as the nations stiffened; only Romano and America seemed to recognize Canada in that instant. Freddy dove into the packages, unearthing a huge sack of Canada's homemade pancake mix and a jug of maple syrup, both too heavy for him to lift; the next boxes held a child-sized skillet and spatula. Freddy beamed as he saw these last two, immediately leaping to his feet to throw his arms around Canada's neck.
“And what am I, chopped liver?” America asked, darting in to steal a hug from Freddy. “The last box is from me and Matt.”
Freddy turned back and brushed some stray wrapping paper aside to find it, then ripped it open-it was a crate full of books.
“These are all of our favorites,” America said, pointing at them. “You won't be able to read them right away, but Matt and I'll read 'em to you.”
“Thank you!” Freddy shouted, and Prussia was somehow proud to notice that he was responding to each in the correct language.
“Open big brother Francis's next, mon ami,” France said, pushing forward a pile of rose-printed boxes. Freddy nodded and tore them open, pulling out an apron, a full, child-sized kitchen set, and three French cookbooks.
“Apron!” he shouted, recognizing it. “Merci, Francis!” To Romano's clear dismay, he pulled the apron on over his suit and began stacking all of the pots and pans. When he realized that their clattering sounded kind of musical, he started drumming on one with Canada's spatula; America clapped him on the back and cheered, but Japan hastened to Freddy's side.
“It's not much,” Japan said, holding it out. Freddy set down the spatula and opened the box; Prussia recognized it immediately as a lacquered bento box. Freddy turned it sideways, frowning at it in confusion, then reached into the box to pull out another gift-a little robot. Japan coughed discreetly, and leaned in to whisper to Freddy in such rapid Japanese that Prussia couldn't make out what he was saying. Freddy positively beamed, setting the robot down and twisting around to hug Japan, nearly knocking the camera from his hands.
“Arigatou gozaimasu!” Freddy cheered, burying his face in Japan's side as he beamed.
“And what about 'Toni?” Spain asked, carefully setting down his tomato red boxes in front of Freddy. “Be careful when you open them.”
Freddy peeled away from Japan and eyed the presents curiously. He carefully unwrapped each of them, folding the paper and setting it beside Romano's boxes; when he opened the boxes, Prussia craned around to get a look inside-Freddy seemed reluctant to touch the contents, and he looked up at Prussia for an explanation. It took a split second, but Prussia recognized them-tomato seedlings, just sprouted.
“I'll help you plant them in your backyard,” Spain said. “Go on and open England's-err, Arthur's-before he explodes, okay?”
Freddy turned around and looked up at England. Canada had insisted that inviting him would warm him up to the idea of keeping Freddy, but he just looked distinctly uncomfortable. He held out a platter of his own scones-Prussia knew they were his own, homemade ones because they were burnt-and Freddy walked up to him hesitantly. Prussia shot a warning glance at France, who was already opening his mouth to make some insulting remark. France rolled his eyes, but obediently closed his mouth. Romano seemed to be shaking with the effort to keep in a tirade.
“Here you are,” England said, a little awkwardly.
“Thank you,” Freddy smiled up at him, and, trustingly, reached up to take a scone. Prussia closed his eyes for a moment, thanking God that Freddy hadn't just said, 'Ew!' up at England after all the times that Prussia had included English food in his bedtime stories. He opened his eyes in time to see Freddy take a bite, and he winced with pity as Freddy chewed thoughtfully for a moment and then froze. He set the rest of the scone back on the platter, but managed to choke down what he'd already bit off.
“I'm full,” Freddy explained. He took the platter and carefully set it on the table. “For later,” he said, pointing at it. Prussia wondered whether, as a parent, he was supposed to teach Freddy not to lie, or just be glad that he knew how to tell white lies well for a two-year-old-for a three-year-old, Prussia corrected himself.
“I see,” England said, looking a little relieved. “Well, happy birthday, m'boy.”
Hungary stepped forward next. Freddy accepted the gift and, after a confirmatory glance, sat down and tore off the paper. Inside the box, on top of a stack of books written in Hungarian and German, there was a cloth, handmade doll. Freddy picked up the doll, looked it in its button eyes, and then crushed it in a hug.
“Barát!” Freddy shouted. Friend in Hungarian, Prussia realized, after a moment's delay. When had he learned that? “Thank you!” Freddy said, again in Hungarian, rubbing his face against the doll's as he squeezed it. Hungary grinned, but Prussia knew the sorrow in her eyes. Japan took another photo, as though taking pictures would be enough to keep Freddy with them forever. Freddy lovingly placed his doll in the front pocket of his apron so that only her brown yarn hair was visible.
“Freddy,” Italy called, and Freddy put a finger to his lips, pointing at the doll.
“Sleeping,” Freddy whispered, this time in Italian.
Italy nodded, looking bemused. He pulled the table back to let Freddy have access to the big package beneath it, standing it upright so that it was nearly as tall as Freddy himself. Freddy glanced at the books left in Hungary's box, but came over obediently. Germany came forward and set a smaller box beside Italy's, and Freddy looked up at him in confusion. Germany looked away, suddenly flustered, and Freddy deliberated for a moment before opening the big box first.
Prussia's jaw dropped at Freddy opened the box-his wasn't the only jaw to drop, either, as Freddy's methodical tears revealed that Italy had bought Freddy a child-sized Vespa. A smile broke across Freddy's face, and he seemed on the verge of shouting when he remembered the doll in his pocket.
“Grazie, Feli!” Freddy whispered, grinning up at him. Prussia saw Romano spasm behind Freddy. Prussia swallowed hard, wondering how he was supposed to top a gift like a Vespa.
“It's from Germany, too,” Italy said dismissively, pointing to the little box. Freddy ran a hand along the Vespa while walking toward the box. He opened it and pulled out a bright blue helmet that matched the Vespa-it was Freddy's favorite color. Freddy immediately put it on, so his thank you to Germany was muffled.
Greece seemed to be waking up from his spot on the couch. Prussia watched him hunt around in his shirt and pants pockets for a moment before pulling out a cat toy. He squeezed it, and it squeaked, catching Freddy's attention.
It also caught the intention of the fluffy, brown kitten that had apparently been sleeping in Greece's hair the entire time. Prussia fought down a groan-Aster was good with kittens, but the others hadn't spent much time with them yet, and Prussia knew that he was going to be the one taking care of the kitten.
Freddy shifted nervously as he faced the kitten, who yawned and stretched on Greece's head. The kitten blinked down at Freddy, then leapt down onto Greece's lap, batting at the toy. Greece scooped her up and then held her out to Freddy.
“She was born about sixteen weeks ago,” Greece said, using very simple Japanese instead of Greek. Prussia bit his tongue; he'd talk to Greece later. “Take good care of her.”
Freddy hesitantly picked up the kitten, holding her like a baby. She stuck her nose against the glass of his helmet, then snuggled into the crook of his arm. Prussia knew it was time to step forward and give Freddy his present, but he was feeling outclassed by all of the other gifts, and a little ashamed of himself for still feeling so exhausted after his nap.
“That's it for this party, I think,” Prussia said. “I'll give you your present when we get home, okay?” Prussia added, and Freddy nodded, still facing the kitten. “You're all welcome to drop by, but drop us a line first; we don't stay home all day every day!”
Chapter Guide: ( Ch. 1) ( Ch. 2) ( Ch. 3) ( Ch. 4) ( Ch. 5) ( Ch. 6) ( Ch. 7) ( Ch. 8) ( Ch. 9) ( Ch. 10) ( Ch. 11) ( Ch. 12) ( Ch. 13) ( Ch. 14) ( Ch. 15) ( Ch. 16) ( Ch. 17) ( Ch. 18) ( Ch. 19) ( Ch. 20) ( Ch. 21) ( Ch. 22) ( Ch. 23) ( Ch. 24)
Author/Artist: MoyaKite
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Mainly Prussia, Germany, and Freddy (little kid!OC), but almost everyone could end up in here eventually. (In this chapter: Freddy, Prussia, Canada, Romano, France, Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hungary, America.)
Rating: G (thus far)
Warnings: Fluff, discussions of mortality, potential for future character death
Summary: Simply put, Prussia goes backpacking across Europe and finds a kid. What sort of a dad would Prussia be, anyway?
Author's Notes: The original (which started on the kink meme) is here. I'm extremely fond of this story, so it's likely to continue as long as people keep showing interest. The more comments I get, the quicker I'll update. Also, as a note, I changed the subject line of the posts I've made since I first de-anoned so that the people coming from the kink meme will know where to pick up the story. (Oh, and finally, there will be a time skip after this chapter. If there's any particular age that you really want to see, I suggest that you comment now!)
Freddy stared at the heap of presents, then glanced back at Prussia wordlessly, pointing to himself.
“Yep,” Prussia said, waving at them. “They're all for you!”
Freddy gawked at them for another minute, seemingly unable to comprehend it; Prussia noticed Romano fidgeting out of the corner of his eye. When Freddy didn't move to open anything, Romano snatched one of his unwrapped packages and held it out to Freddy, not looking at him. Prussia figured that he'd gone out to get the rest of the gifts while he and Freddy had been napping.
Freddy took the package and sat on the floor to open it. The lid came away easily, and Freddy pulled out the tissue paper inside, setting it carefully in the boxtop, which he'd set to his right. After a moment, he pulled out the gift. Prussia knew that Romano knew shoes; the shoes Freddy was holding were probably worth more than Freddy's entire wardrobe. Freddy blinked at them, then grinned. Prussia expected him to pull them on, but instead watched as Freddy got to his feet and marched them to the door, where he set them neatly beside the pair that he'd taken off when they arrived.
The worry and confusion on Romano's face eased a little, but Prussia noticed that his hands were still shaking as he held the second unwrapped box. Freddy, finally satisfied that his shoes were in order, ran back to Romano.
“Grazie, Lovino!” Freddy said, throwing his around Romano's knees. Romano turned pink, and he shifted the box to rest under one arm so that he could reach down and pat Freddy on the head.
“Here,” he said, his voice a little gruff with embarrassment. “Look, they're just shoes, okay?”
Freddy accepted the second box and sat down again. He opened it just as carefully as the first box, setting the lid and tissue paper to the right, the box to the left. Prussia noticed that America was arming himself with an armful of red, white, and blue packages.
Freddy pulled out the present, a very fine suit, and Prussia almost smiled at his excitement. Germany had never been excited to get clothes as a kid! But Freddy buried his face in the nice suit, beaming into it. Freddy was still wearing his pajamas, since he'd never wanted to change out of them; they were fuzzy and covered with pictures of puppies. Unceremoniously, Freddy yanked off his shirt and pants-Prussia had to smother a laugh as Freddy futzed with the buttons and the jacket. Romano was nonplussed.
“H-here, just let me do the buttons!” Romano said quickly, hastily doing them up as Freddy pulled on his new pants. After a moment, Freddy stood up proudly in his new suit, clearly delighted by it; America made as though to pass him a present, but Freddy was so busy strutting around in his nice suit that he didn't notice. Prussia suddenly frowned, wondering if he should've gotten Freddy nicer clothes to begin with; he'd mostly stuck to simple, comfortable stuff so far.
“Grazie, grazie, grazie!” Freddy sang, spinning in a circle. Romano hid his face.
“Look, it's just a-” Romano began, but Freddy was hugging his knees again; sighing (and, Prussia noticed, looking just a tad smug), he stooped down to smooth Freddy's hair. He seemed about to speak when America butted in.
“Here, Freddy!” America said, kneeling on the ground and spreading out his and Canada's presents. “You can't play favorites!”
Freddy kissed Romano's cheek and then darted over to the presents, leaving Romano to bluster at no one. He suddenly didn't care about carefully opening them and organizing their contents; he tore right into them, tossing the wrapping paper over his shoulder and whooping as he went. A football with red, white, and blue patches instead of black and white ones, a jump rope, a water gun that America proudly called the Super Soaker Monster XL (which looked too big for Freddy to even carry if it were filled up), a stack of American board games, and a whistle were quickly revealed; the whistle earned a place of honor around Freddy's neck, and he blew it shrilly. Prussia cracked up as he saw Germany cringe, and Freddy, encouraged by the laughter, blew it again.
“Here, Freddy,” Canada said, placing his packages in front of Freddy. Prussia grinned and cracked up again as the nations stiffened; only Romano and America seemed to recognize Canada in that instant. Freddy dove into the packages, unearthing a huge sack of Canada's homemade pancake mix and a jug of maple syrup, both too heavy for him to lift; the next boxes held a child-sized skillet and spatula. Freddy beamed as he saw these last two, immediately leaping to his feet to throw his arms around Canada's neck.
“And what am I, chopped liver?” America asked, darting in to steal a hug from Freddy. “The last box is from me and Matt.”
Freddy turned back and brushed some stray wrapping paper aside to find it, then ripped it open-it was a crate full of books.
“These are all of our favorites,” America said, pointing at them. “You won't be able to read them right away, but Matt and I'll read 'em to you.”
“Thank you!” Freddy shouted, and Prussia was somehow proud to notice that he was responding to each in the correct language.
“Open big brother Francis's next, mon ami,” France said, pushing forward a pile of rose-printed boxes. Freddy nodded and tore them open, pulling out an apron, a full, child-sized kitchen set, and three French cookbooks.
“Apron!” he shouted, recognizing it. “Merci, Francis!” To Romano's clear dismay, he pulled the apron on over his suit and began stacking all of the pots and pans. When he realized that their clattering sounded kind of musical, he started drumming on one with Canada's spatula; America clapped him on the back and cheered, but Japan hastened to Freddy's side.
“It's not much,” Japan said, holding it out. Freddy set down the spatula and opened the box; Prussia recognized it immediately as a lacquered bento box. Freddy turned it sideways, frowning at it in confusion, then reached into the box to pull out another gift-a little robot. Japan coughed discreetly, and leaned in to whisper to Freddy in such rapid Japanese that Prussia couldn't make out what he was saying. Freddy positively beamed, setting the robot down and twisting around to hug Japan, nearly knocking the camera from his hands.
“Arigatou gozaimasu!” Freddy cheered, burying his face in Japan's side as he beamed.
“And what about 'Toni?” Spain asked, carefully setting down his tomato red boxes in front of Freddy. “Be careful when you open them.”
Freddy peeled away from Japan and eyed the presents curiously. He carefully unwrapped each of them, folding the paper and setting it beside Romano's boxes; when he opened the boxes, Prussia craned around to get a look inside-Freddy seemed reluctant to touch the contents, and he looked up at Prussia for an explanation. It took a split second, but Prussia recognized them-tomato seedlings, just sprouted.
“I'll help you plant them in your backyard,” Spain said. “Go on and open England's-err, Arthur's-before he explodes, okay?”
Freddy turned around and looked up at England. Canada had insisted that inviting him would warm him up to the idea of keeping Freddy, but he just looked distinctly uncomfortable. He held out a platter of his own scones-Prussia knew they were his own, homemade ones because they were burnt-and Freddy walked up to him hesitantly. Prussia shot a warning glance at France, who was already opening his mouth to make some insulting remark. France rolled his eyes, but obediently closed his mouth. Romano seemed to be shaking with the effort to keep in a tirade.
“Here you are,” England said, a little awkwardly.
“Thank you,” Freddy smiled up at him, and, trustingly, reached up to take a scone. Prussia closed his eyes for a moment, thanking God that Freddy hadn't just said, 'Ew!' up at England after all the times that Prussia had included English food in his bedtime stories. He opened his eyes in time to see Freddy take a bite, and he winced with pity as Freddy chewed thoughtfully for a moment and then froze. He set the rest of the scone back on the platter, but managed to choke down what he'd already bit off.
“I'm full,” Freddy explained. He took the platter and carefully set it on the table. “For later,” he said, pointing at it. Prussia wondered whether, as a parent, he was supposed to teach Freddy not to lie, or just be glad that he knew how to tell white lies well for a two-year-old-for a three-year-old, Prussia corrected himself.
“I see,” England said, looking a little relieved. “Well, happy birthday, m'boy.”
Hungary stepped forward next. Freddy accepted the gift and, after a confirmatory glance, sat down and tore off the paper. Inside the box, on top of a stack of books written in Hungarian and German, there was a cloth, handmade doll. Freddy picked up the doll, looked it in its button eyes, and then crushed it in a hug.
“Barát!” Freddy shouted. Friend in Hungarian, Prussia realized, after a moment's delay. When had he learned that? “Thank you!” Freddy said, again in Hungarian, rubbing his face against the doll's as he squeezed it. Hungary grinned, but Prussia knew the sorrow in her eyes. Japan took another photo, as though taking pictures would be enough to keep Freddy with them forever. Freddy lovingly placed his doll in the front pocket of his apron so that only her brown yarn hair was visible.
“Freddy,” Italy called, and Freddy put a finger to his lips, pointing at the doll.
“Sleeping,” Freddy whispered, this time in Italian.
Italy nodded, looking bemused. He pulled the table back to let Freddy have access to the big package beneath it, standing it upright so that it was nearly as tall as Freddy himself. Freddy glanced at the books left in Hungary's box, but came over obediently. Germany came forward and set a smaller box beside Italy's, and Freddy looked up at him in confusion. Germany looked away, suddenly flustered, and Freddy deliberated for a moment before opening the big box first.
Prussia's jaw dropped at Freddy opened the box-his wasn't the only jaw to drop, either, as Freddy's methodical tears revealed that Italy had bought Freddy a child-sized Vespa. A smile broke across Freddy's face, and he seemed on the verge of shouting when he remembered the doll in his pocket.
“Grazie, Feli!” Freddy whispered, grinning up at him. Prussia saw Romano spasm behind Freddy. Prussia swallowed hard, wondering how he was supposed to top a gift like a Vespa.
“It's from Germany, too,” Italy said dismissively, pointing to the little box. Freddy ran a hand along the Vespa while walking toward the box. He opened it and pulled out a bright blue helmet that matched the Vespa-it was Freddy's favorite color. Freddy immediately put it on, so his thank you to Germany was muffled.
Greece seemed to be waking up from his spot on the couch. Prussia watched him hunt around in his shirt and pants pockets for a moment before pulling out a cat toy. He squeezed it, and it squeaked, catching Freddy's attention.
It also caught the intention of the fluffy, brown kitten that had apparently been sleeping in Greece's hair the entire time. Prussia fought down a groan-Aster was good with kittens, but the others hadn't spent much time with them yet, and Prussia knew that he was going to be the one taking care of the kitten.
Freddy shifted nervously as he faced the kitten, who yawned and stretched on Greece's head. The kitten blinked down at Freddy, then leapt down onto Greece's lap, batting at the toy. Greece scooped her up and then held her out to Freddy.
“She was born about sixteen weeks ago,” Greece said, using very simple Japanese instead of Greek. Prussia bit his tongue; he'd talk to Greece later. “Take good care of her.”
Freddy hesitantly picked up the kitten, holding her like a baby. She stuck her nose against the glass of his helmet, then snuggled into the crook of his arm. Prussia knew it was time to step forward and give Freddy his present, but he was feeling outclassed by all of the other gifts, and a little ashamed of himself for still feeling so exhausted after his nap.
“That's it for this party, I think,” Prussia said. “I'll give you your present when we get home, okay?” Prussia added, and Freddy nodded, still facing the kitten. “You're all welcome to drop by, but drop us a line first; we don't stay home all day every day!”
Chapter Guide: ( Ch. 1) ( Ch. 2) ( Ch. 3) ( Ch. 4) ( Ch. 5) ( Ch. 6) ( Ch. 7) ( Ch. 8) ( Ch. 9) ( Ch. 10) ( Ch. 11) ( Ch. 12) ( Ch. 13) ( Ch. 14) ( Ch. 15) ( Ch. 16) ( Ch. 17) ( Ch. 18) ( Ch. 19) ( Ch. 20) ( Ch. 21) ( Ch. 22) ( Ch. 23) ( Ch. 24)