Chapter Text
The school courtyard always felt too clean in the mornings.
Not quiet—never quiet—but orderly. Controlled. Like everything and everyone had already decided what they were supposed to be for the day.
Uniforms crisp. Voices kept at a reasonable volume. Laughter that didn’t linger too long.
It was suffocating.
And right in the middle of it—
Prussia didn’t belong.
He stood off to the side near the main building entrance, shoulder pressed lazily against the cool concrete wall as if even standing properly required too much effort. One leg crossed over the other, head tilted slightly back, eyes half-lidded like he hadn’t slept—or hadn’t cared to.
His uniform, if it could even be called that anymore, was a mess of intentional negligence.
The shirt was wrinkled, top buttons undone just enough to break every rule without going too far. Sleeves rolled unevenly up his forearms. Tie missing completely—probably abandoned somewhere days ago.
Hands shoved deep into his pockets like he had no intention of taking them out for anything.
Students passed by in a steady stream, but there was always a noticeable shift around him—a slight curve in their paths, a careful avoidance. No one said anything.
No one needed to.
He clicked his tongue softly, gaze drifting over the crowd without really seeing any of it.
“…boring,” he muttered under his breath.
A group of first-years hurried past, whispering too loudly. Someone laughed near the fountain. A teacher’s voice called out from across the courtyard.
Same thing. Every day.
His eyes flicked toward the front gate, irritation creeping in.
“…where the hell is West…”
Germany was never late. Not once. Not ever. Which meant if he wasn’t already standing here waiting, something had to be—
“There you are, Germany!”
Prussia’s gaze snapped toward the sound.
And just like that—
his attention locked.
Germany stood near the center of the courtyard, posture straight as ever, expression already halfway to disapproval.
Beside him was Japan, calm and unreadable as always.
Normal.
Expected.
But then—
There was someone else.
Prussia stilled.
Smaller than the other two, standing just a little too close like he hadn’t quite figured out personal space yet. His uniform was neat—proper, even—but it somehow looked softer on him. Less rigid.
Messy brown hair caught the morning light, strands shifting with the breeze like they refused to stay in place. And his expression—
open.
Too open.
Wide brown eyes taking everything in like the world hadn’t taught him to be careful yet.
For a moment, the noise of the courtyard dulled.
Prussia pushed himself off the wall slowly, almost unconsciously, hands still buried in his pockets as he started walking.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Just… drawn.
“…woah,” he breathed, barely audible.
As he got closer, he leaned forward slightly, just enough to get a clearer look at the boy’s face.
…are you like an angel or something…?
The thought came out of nowhere—uninvited, unwelcome.
His expression twitched.
What the hell—
He stopped himself before it could reach his mouth, biting it back with a quiet scoff.
Yeah. No.
Instead, his usual grin slid back into place—easy, sharp, familiar.
By the time he reached them, it was like nothing had happened at all.
“Oi, West,” Prussia called, slipping effortlessly between them like he had every right to be there…
“You finally decided to show up.”
Germany frowned immediately. “Must you always—”
“Ve~! Prussia!” the boy chirped suddenly.
Oh.
His voice—
Prussia’s attention snapped right back to him.
“And you are?” he asked, tilting his head, eyes narrowing just slightly.
“Italy! Feliciano Vargas!” Italy beamed, like they were already friends.
Too bright.
Too open.
Too easy.
Prussia grinned.
“Yeah? Italy, huh?” He leaned closer—closer than necessary, invading space on purpose. “You always this loud in the morning?”
Italy blinked, then laughed nervously. “Ve—sorry…!”
“Don’t apologize,” Prussia shot back quickly, almost automatically. “It’s entertaining.”
Germany sighed. “Ignore him.”
“Hey—”
But Prussia wasn’t even listening anymore.
He circled slightly, like he was inspecting something interesting, eyes dragging over Italy in a way that would’ve been uncomfortable coming from anyone else.
Except there was something oddly… light about it.
Playful.
“So you’re the new one, huh?” he said. “Didn’t think West would hang around someone like you.”
Italy tilted his head. “Like me?”
“Yeah,” Prussia said, grinning wider. “Soft.”
Italy made a small, confused noise.
Japan spoke calmly, “He does not mean harm.”
“Oh, I definitely do,” Prussia shot back, though there was no real bite to it.
Italy laughed again.
And that—
That threw him off.
Most people got nervous. Or annoyed. Or told him to back off.
But Italy just… laughed.
Like it didn’t bother him.
Like he didn’t mind.
Prussia leaned in again, closer this time, testing.
“Careful,” he murmured. “Stick around us too long and you’ll get dragged into trouble.”
Italy smiled.
“I don’t mind!”
Prussia paused.
Just for a second.
“…heh.”
Weird.
Later that day, he found him again.
Of course he did.
It wasn’t even intentional—at least, that’s what he told himself.
Italy stood near the hallway windows, fiddling with something in his hands, humming softly under his breath.
Prussia approached from behind, quiet for once.
“Skipping already?” he said casually.
Italy jumped slightly. “Ah! Prussia—!”
“There it is,” Prussia snorted. “You’re way too easy to scare.”
“Sorry…!”
“Stop apologizing.”
Italy laughed again.
There it was.
That same stupid, light sound.
Prussia stepped closer, leaning against the wall beside him.
“So what’re you doing?” he asked, glancing down.
“Just… drawing a little,” Italy said, holding up a small notebook.
Prussia took it without asking.
“Hey—!”
Inside were messy sketches. Flowers. Faces. Little doodles that didn’t make much sense but somehow still looked… nice.
He flipped a page.
Another.
“…you drew these?”
“Mhm!”
Prussia stared for a moment longer than he meant to.
“…not bad.”
Italy lit up immediately. “Really?!”
“Don’t get used to it,” Prussia muttered, handing it back.
Italy held the notebook close, smiling.
And Prussia—
Prussia reached out without thinking, flicking a strand of hair away from Italy’s face.
“Can’t even see what you’re doing with that in the way,” he said.
Italy froze slightly.
So did he.
His hand lingered for half a second too long before he pulled it back, shoving it into his pocket.
“…anyway,” Prussia said quickly, looking away.
Italy blinked.
“…you’re nicer than you look.”
Prussia scoffed immediately. “Yeah, don’t spread that around.”
Italy giggled.
And Prussia glanced at him again—
at the way his eyes curved when he smiled, at how easily he reacted to everything, at how—
…cute.
He froze.
His expression dropped instantly.
“…what.”
Italy tilted his head. “Hm?”
Prussia straightened abruptly, pushing himself off the wall.
“Nothing,” he snapped, a little too fast.
What the hell was that?
He turned away before Italy could say anything else.
“Try not to get lost, Italy,” he threw over his shoulder. “Would be annoying to look for you.”
Italy smiled, soft and bright.
“Okay!”
Prussia didn’t look back.
But the word stuck in his head the entire time.
Cute.
“…tch.”
Yeah.
Something was definitely wrong.
TO BE CONTINUED-