kiramaru7 | Cross-posted from hetachallenge

Title: The Sleigh Ride
Characters: Germany, Italy Prussia
Challenge: Holiday Winter Challenge - 31 Fics in 31 Days (Sleigh)
Rating: G
Summary: Prussia arranges for Germany to Italy out on a sleigh ride…

“Ve… Germany?” Italy asked, his breath coming out in white puffs. He was bundled up against the cold and carrying a large thermos full of hot chocolate.

Germany thought he looked adorable like that, with his cheeks flushed from the cold. “Yeah?”

“Are we really going on a sleigh ride?”

Germany nodded. “It’s a gift from my brother.” He left out the part about Prussia going on about how romantic it was. Germany felt there was no need to trouble his friend with his brother’s nonsense.

Italy smiled. “We should get him a ride in a gondola as a thank you.”

“Yeah… he’d probably like that,” Germany said as visions of his brother dressed like a gondolier, complete with him singing “O sole mio” in his raspy tenor, danced in his head. “Anyway, we’re nearly there.” Germany said as they walked towards the stable and the figure standing there, holding a large black Friesen’s head. Something was somewhat familiar about him, but Germany quickly dismissed his misgiving as nonsense.

“YAY!” Italy cried, nearly dropping the thermos of hot chocolate, he was carrying when he slipped on a patch of ice. “Ooops!”

Germany quickly grabbed his arm to steady him. “Careful! You’ll need that to keep warm,” he admonished, softening it with a smile.

“Yeah…” Italy smiled back. He was looking forward to this, despite the cold, as it sounded like fun.

“Hey, kleine Brüder! Itachen!” Prussia called out when he heard them approach.

“Ciao, Prussia! Are you coming too?” Italy beamed at him.

Germany frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s good to see you too, West, but to answer your question, I’m driving, so you kids just hop in the back and settle down for the ride of your lives.”

“No!” Germany said as Italy climbed on board the sleigh.

“Why not? You can’t get all romantic, West, if you’re sitting in the front driving.”

Germany sputtered wordlessly.

“Just get in the sleigh, West. We haven’t got all day, do we, Itachen?”

“Nope! Come on, Germany! And look at this quilt! It’s nice and warm.” Italy beamed at them.

Germany sighed. “Fine, but you’d better behave, Brüder.”

Prussia grinned. “I will, I promise, kleine Brüder. Just pretend I’m not there and snuggle all you want.” He winked as he pushed past his brother and climbed into the driver’s portion of the sleigh.

Germany groaned softly, but climbed aboard none-the-less.

With a light flick of the reins, they took off into the countryside. Italy squealed with delight as he clung to Germany for warmth, the thermos nestled between them and the quilt covering their knees. Even at a brisk trot, the countryside sped past and Prussia would occasionally change direction, so that his passengers often fell against each other. He also regaled them with tales of his younger days under Old Fritz’s rule much to his passengers’ delight.

“So you and your boss went out on a sleigh ride too?” Italy asked.

“Yup! It was really awesome, a light snow was falling and we huddled together for warmth, and when we got to the palace, we drank peach schnapps until we passed out in each other’s arms.” Prussia sighed.

“Ve…Germany, can we drink some peach schnapps too when we get home?”

He nodded. “Sure, if would like to, Italy.” He lifted his arm to let his friend huddle closer to him.

“Good, cuz I’m cold.” Italy shivered.

“Me too. Brüder?”

“Yeah?” Prussia asked, trying to keep his smile from showing in his voice.

“Can we go home now? Italy’s cold and I don’t want him getting sick.” Germany held his little buddy close.

“Sure…” Satisfied that his plan to get his brother and his friend to feel all romantic had worked, Prussia gently eased the horse back towards the stable. He could not wait to get home and blog about it. His younger brother’s romantic misadventures always scored a lot of hits and he had the feeling this particular entry was going to go viral…