The next day was a Sunday, so activities had come to a stop. There was a brief outdoor service, after which most of the soldiers went to enjoy their day of rest. America and Prussia, however, were nowhere to be seen. France asked a few soldiers if they'd seen either of them come out, but none had yet. He had a vague idea of where America had gone, and didn't care to chase after him, so he made his way to Prussia's residence at the edge of the encampment.

Prussia's hut was impeccably clean as usual–as clean as one could be in Valley Forge, anyway. Clothes folded, weapons tucked away, floor smoothed and swept of all dust and debris. Prussia was kneeling on the floor in front of his cot in silence, head bowed, not having moved an inch since France had intruded.

France stood there behind him for a few seconds.

"Ahem."

There was no reply.

"Prussia, what are you doing?"

Prussia grunted with annoyance, but didn't turn around. "Well, what does it look like I'm doing?" he snapped. "I am praying. You all still do that right, on this continent? Or did you all turn into heathens since I stopped paying attention?"

"You are not half as funny as you think you are," said France, frowning. "Anyways, I talked to America. Have you thought about what I said yesterday?"

"I did indeed." Prussia got up and sat back on his cot. "In fact, I've been thinking a whole lot. Gave me quite the headache yesterday, I might add. That's what I was just doing when you so rudely interrupted me again."

"I thought you said you were praying."

"Same difference! God and I have had an extremely close, if slightly complicated, relationship for ages, and seeing as our little situation could use an outside opinion, I thought it would be a good idea to check in."

"Prussia, it's not like the Bible's going to give you any advice on 'What to do if your much younger charge suddenly starts crushing on you in the middle of warfare,' is it?"

"Well it's certainly been more helpful than you," said Prussia, picking up his well-worn leather tome and making a flourish of flipping through it before setting it down again. "I'll bet your mind could benefit from a couple devotionals, since while you're being awfully reserved right know, I know the sort of things that go on in your head. And before you say it, it is out of the question."

"Is that so?" said France teasingly, leaning in. "What makes you think you know me so well? I don't recall the two of us ever being that intimate."

"You know what I mean," Prussia shoved him away. "'Give him a chance, Gil,' Prussia imitated a whining voice. "''Don't you think the kid's cute, how do you know you won't like him?' yeah, fat fucking chance. Just because the Baron thinks it's fun to flirt with the boys at a serious time like this doesn't mean I need to follow suit."

"I was not going to suggest anything like that." said France, who could feel his patience starting to slip ever so slightly. "What's going on with you? And don't go storming away from me like you did yesterday."

"I bet that's what you were thinking at least. Don't deny it."

"Okay, so maybe the possibility fleetingly occurred to my mind." said France. "So what? It crossed yours, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm not making decisions for you, and I'd never convince you into trying anything you're not personally comfortable with, you know that."

"Oh, that's just comforting! You should tell that to the Baron!"

"What does the Baron have anything to do with this?" France crossed his arms defensively. "Anyway, you're going to have to deal with this sooner or later, before it turns into anything unpleasant and unmanageable."

"Unmanageable for you, maybe, but you know me, I can tackle anything, even that brat. Especially that brat."

"I'm not doubting your military prowess, but I know how you are, you can be so blunt with your words! And this isn't like a battle or an argument or something where you can just overpower the other side. He's been through so much already, you don't need to add a broken heart to the record."

Prussia huffed and rolled his eyes "So what do you want me to do? Lead him on when I know I'm not interested and get us both in an even worse situation? Yeah, I'm blunt, but that's because I'm not trying to deceive anyone. That's how we operate on an everyday basis–I don't just talk to just sound pretty, unlike some people. It's just like training. Might be painful and harsh to hear, but it's what's good for him." Prussia grabbed his hat and strode out of the tent, France following him. "Where's the rascal at now?"

"I haven't seen him since last night, but I'll hazard a guess. Probably hiding far away out of shame and embarrassment of his feelings. Give him some time, he'll emerge eventually."

"I can't believe this kid," Prussia kicked at a hard clump of dirt with the tip of his boot. "He has about hundred other things to worry about besides me. I don't need this in my life, I am too fucking busy!"

"You should also be aware that he's been picking up on your language lately, and I don't mean he's studying German," said France. "Make it simple! Tell him you appreciate his feelings, explain why it's a no-go, and carry on with your strictly business relationship just like before. It'll be hard, but trust me. When it comes to matters of the heart, it'll be better for everyone if you just get everything over with quickly."

"'Matters of the heart,' huh?" Prussia muttered, passing the newly formed rows of tents and huts that Von Steuben had mandated since his arrival. "Geez. Don't people have better things to talk about? For centuries I've had to put up with listening to all of you people endlessly discussing who's hooking up with whom. And not just when it comes to political alliances, if you take my meaning. Not even the Baron, no one would shut up about him back at home!'"

"Well, regarding the Baron, even you have to admit it is not as if he is exactly…discreet." said France.

"Fair enough, I guess." said Prussia. "I'm not begrudging him his pleasures." He turned back to look at France. "I'm not trying to blame the kid or anything, you're right, he's young, I get that. But you do understand how deeply uncomfortable this particular situation makes me, right?"

"I think we are all uncomfortable at this point." said France. "But comfortable or not, I seem to remember a certain someone saying 'It might be painful and harsh, but it's what's good for you.'"

"You sly frog." Prussia sighed again, more out of weariness than annoyance this time. "This is one of those times when I'm actually forced to admit that you're right. In this case, that I'm right, since you quoted me this time. Alright then, it's settled. I'll talk to him first thing in the morning, once he comes out of hiding or whatever. We'll get this awkward situation out of the way once and for all, God help and forgive me."

"I don't know about 'once and for all,'" said France. "But it sounds like a good start to me."

—

Not much history to talk about for this chapter, but fun facts:

-This chapter was actually the very first part of this fic that I ever wrote when I was originally developing this whole story idea! Aside from a few edits to make it flow better with the rest of the story, it's basically the same.

-Hm yeah lots of thoughts on Prussia as being lowkey romance repulsed, and how he deals with it. :/ I'm thinking that he prob doesn't mind people around him having relationships in principle (he is in the middle of Europe, after all) although as we can see here he gets pretty freaked out and irritated when he himself gets involved…

-As someone who is both Christian and aro ace, I do realize that the whole "religious sex/romance-repulsed person" is a bit of a stereotype, and I do plan to address that in relation to my characterization of Prussia with a bit more nuance in future chapters. I like the idea of Prussia being a man of many strange contradictions–being a bit vulgar, arrogant and temperamental, but also an pretty honest, disciplined and well-meaning person. Also I still think he'd have a pretty active spiritual/religious life as well, albeit probably a lot more private and personal and less militant than in his Teutonic Knights days. Altho im still unsure as to where he'd fall on the catholic/protestant divide at this time, like I said last chapter, Europe is kind of a mess.

-This was a short chapter, but once again thank you for reading!