A Drink in New Prussia

        I sat down at the bar and he did the same, so I had a chance to look him over. He was wearing more casual clothes than usual, a white button up t-shirt with a grey hoodie with the black and gold eagle of Prussia on the back. I could see the cross that he always wore on a neck, it stood out against his pale chest, which was partially exposed.

      "Nice to get out of military clothes for once, huh?" he said with one of his typical smirks.

      "Heh, yeah," I replied, realizing I'd been staring. I honestly hadn't meant to.

     We were in a bar, to hang out. After I'd given Gilbert that maple syrup, he'd seemed interested in going out for a drink and dinner at some point. We'd met up at a bar in my country, though I don't even know why he'd want to talk to me, not that I'm complaining. It was nice that someone didn't completely ignore me for once.

      The waitress walked over, wearing the pub's uniform, which was, thank god, not revealing in the slightest. He didn't want him thinking he went to those sorts of places. "What do you want for diner, misters?" she asked, her tone neutral.

      "Well, since my bro told me that this was the awesomest bar in New Prussia, I'll have whatever beer you recommend and, I dunno, a burger or something."

      She frowned, and the look she gave him was of pure incredulity. She turned away from him and looked at me expectantly.

      "Umm, I'll have a glass of red wine and a poutine, please," I told her, feeling my cheeks grow warm, and she turned and left, still scribbling on her notepad.

     "You do realize that this is the only bar in New Prussia, right? It's a pretty small town..." I said in an almost-whisper.

     "Well then that does make it the awesome-ist then, doesn't it?" he replied with a grin.

     I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile at the sheer idiocy, though I have to say it was, yes, cliche as it sounded, kind of cute.

     The waitress returned with the drinks, a scowl on her face when she looked at Gilbert, though he smiled at her as he took his drink, a roguish look in his red-pink eyes.

     I kept my gaze on my feet as I mumbled my thanks, taking the glass from her. She left without another word, probably glad to be rid of us.

     He turned to me, the large mug of beer raised. I did, the same, and we tapped them against each other, making a tinking noise.

     "Prost," he said and took a healthy drink from his, then set on the polished wooden surface somewhat roughly.

     "Cheers," I said in return and look a sip of my drink. It was vaguely reminiscent of blackberries.

     "It's so awesome that you have a town here named after me, Mathew" he said, which made me think that maybe this had been a good idea after all, but then he continued bitterly. "It seems like everyone else has forgotten about me ever since I stopped being a country. I guess you'd know what that's like."

     I frowned, looking away. I did, that was true, I guess I just hadn't realized that he did too.

     "Hey, I didn't mean to make you go all sad," he said, and put his hand on mine, but his words lacked conviction. His hand retreated awkwardly after he said that, as though he hadn't meant to, or something.

     After this the atmosphere grew unpleasantly somber, but after a while, the food came, and conversation resumed, though it was more subdued than it had been.

     ---

     We were outside, the sun having just set, though there was still enough light to see by.

     "Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to your hotel with Ludwig? You did have quite a bit to drink, eh..." I offered hesitantly.

     He waved it off, though he seemed a bit unsteady, and began to tilt backwards slightly. I leaned forwards and caught him, and the most ridiculous idea occurred to me. I liked him, and he might like me, and this was the only chance I would get...

     I leaned forwards and just as my lips touched his, I realized that this might be considered taking advantage of him. I pulled back at the last minute, cheeks red.

     I felt his hand at the top of my neck. "Don't be a tease like that," he said, and our lips met again.

     ---

     I opened the door and took a few steps into the hotel room. "Hey bro," I said as I saw Ludwig, still working at his desk, despite the late hour.

     "You're back. How did your date with Mathew go?" he asked as he turned to face me, pencil still in hand.

     "Quite well, in fact." I said, smirking, "we even kissed."

     He raised a blond eyebrow. "Did he want to be kissed?"

     I rolled my eyes. "He started it. Geez, I thought I was the older brother here." I sat on one of the beds, exhaling loudly and lay down.

     "You're drunk, aren't you?" he remarked.

     "Yup." I  replied, with a slight giggle. Then, I propped myself up to look at him with a frown. "You look tired. Hell, you look like you could use a drink or two. Oh bye the way, it's okay if he comes by sometime, right?"

     "I don't see why not. Go to bed, don't worry about me," Ludwig said, standing up.

     "Fine, you win this time," I grumbled as I moved onto my side and pulled the blankets over myself carelessly. "But I will take you out for a drink!"

     I heard a slight chuckle as I closed my eyes, but then I remembered one more thing that I needed to tell him.
  
     "West?"

     "Mhmm."

     "I think I might have found someone who's awesomer than me."

     "How much did you drink again?" he replied, and without seeing his face I could tell that he was dubious.
      
     "I mean it!" I said, though my statement's conviction was diminished by the yawn that followed.

     "Okay. Gute Nacht."
  
     "Gute Nacht," I answered and thought back about Mathew as I slowly fell asleep, and the world fell into a pleasant blackness.