Forbidden And Forsaken

2

It was half an hour later when the five of them were situated on a private flight back to Germany. Not a word had been spoken as they left the building and boarded the plane.

"So," Germany began.

"So," Third mimicked Germany.

Germany examined the men before him. Third seemed outwardly collected and relaxed, but his eyes indicated he was ready to strike at any moment if need be. Weimar seemed less confident, but held the same reservation in his eyes nontheless. Both Empire and Prussia appeared openly nervous. This was probably their first time ever on an airplane. Prussia hadn't ever even seen an airplane before today.

"First time flying," Germany joked. Prussia scowled at him.

"It would have been safer by boat," he muttered.

"Nope, airplanes are the safest form of transport." Germany quipped. Prussia's frown deepened.

"I think its an interesting experience," Empire gave a tense smile.

A pregnant pause surrounded them.

"So how'd my baby grow up!" Reich grinned, clapping his hands.

"With difficulty," Germany deadpanned. Reich's grin tightened.

"They didn't treat you too badly did they?"

"Oh no," Germany continued, "they only split me in half."

The others gave him alarmed looks.

"Ouch," Prussia winced, "I'm sure that hurt like hell."

"I wouldn't know, never been to hell unlike some people," Germany laughed sarcastically.

"You should visit sometime, the devil serves excellent tea," Prussia laughed with him.

Germany inwardly smiled to himself. If Prussia was this easy to get along with, then maybe things wouldn't be half bad. He still wasn't too sure about the others though.

"Tell me more about you and everything that has happened since I- uh, passed unexpectedly," Third inched closer to Germany.

Germany raised an eyebrow, "passed unexpectedly? I don't know how unexpected putting a bullet in your own skull is, but sure." Third winced.

"As I said, I was split in half. East went to the Soviet Union, west to USA, Britain, and France," Germany elaborated.

"Soviet Union?" Prussia asked.

"Russian Empire's son," Empire quickly supplemented. Prussia nodded.

"I was under them for about forty years before Soviet control weakened enough for me to reunite. Thirty years later, here I am, better than ever," Germany smiled.

"It is good to see you doing well," Weimar said softly. The others nodded.

"Well means nothing if you can't defend yourself, how is your military?" Prussia interjected.

Germany winced, "not the best, not the worst. But I have several strong allies surrounding me."

"Not the strongest?" Third trailed off.

"Not by a long shot," Germany laughed, "I could never compete with America. Maybe Russia, but I doubt it."

A comfortable silence fell over them.

"Landing in Berlin International Airport in fifteen minutes," the pilot chimed over the intercom.

"Been a while since I've been home," Prussia joked.

"We can tour the city tomorrow, today we'll focus on getting settled in and where everyone will be sleeping," Germany replied. The others perked up at that.

"Did you tell the servants to have rooms ready for us when we get there? And call for a carriage?" Prussia asked.

"Uh," Germany started. Third and Weimar burst out laughing.

"Oh dearest, call for the carriage and dress the horses!" Third mocked with a fake posh voice.

"I want all the floors of the palace swept, not a speck of dust or I'll have your head!" Weimar mimicked.

Prussia sunk down in his seat and scowled. Germany was reminded of just how much everything has changed in the past century and a half. How can he possibly catch up Prussia? Empire, Third, and Weimar will be a bit easier at least.

"So I actually just live in a townhouse," Germany explained to them. "No one lives in the palaces anymore and I don't know anyone who travels by carriage. We use cars, which I guess could be horseless carriages."

Prussia nodded, appearing less embarrassed than before. "Will we each have our own rooms?"

They all turned to Germany expectantly. "Uhm, no."

"I'm assuming you live alone?" Weimar asked, fiddling with his jacket.

"Yes, but I have one guest room in my house. I'm thinking you and Empire can share a room while Prussia and Third share the other one," Germany said nervously. There was no telling how they would react.

"Why can't Third and Weimar share a room," Empire furrowed his eyebrows.

Weimar glared at his brother while Third looked away, mimicking guilt.

"Why can't we share a room Third, hmmm?" He asked.

"Me and Weimar didn't have the best relationship after you passed Father," Third explained cooly.

"That's putting it mildly," Weimar muttered bitterly.

"Hey its the Brandenburg Gates!" Prussia interrupted excitedly.

They all turned to look out the window as the plane did a fly by of the infamous gates. They all smiled and laughed, happy that something so familiar had lasted so long.

"We should be landing soon," Germany said, smoothing out his suit.

"About damn time, how long have we been up here?" Third remarked.

"Like 6 hours, which is less time than if we had taken a boat" Germany looked pointedly at Prussia.

"Rhetorical questions, child!" Third joked.

"And if you look out your window you will see the lovely place we call the runway," Germany put on his best announcer voice.

"Wow! So beautiful! Never seen anything like it!" Third laughed sarcastically.

"Truly a work of art," Weimar deadpanned.

"And yes Prussia, I did call a carriage, although in the 21st century its more commonly known as an uber," Germany smiled as the plane came to a halt.