Chapter 7

(Time skip to December 2 weeks before Christmas )

        Since that night things had neither improved nor depreciated between the two in over a month; much to Lutz’s dismay. He still couldn’t figure out why (Your name) was still so standoffish. But he happy she had at least gotten used to living with his brother and himself.  Matter of fact their lives had fallen into a bit of a routine. While Lutz was at work Gilbert stayed home with (Your name). Which (your name) didn’t seem to think was all that bad. Gilbert stayed out of her way and her out of his and sometimes Lutz would come home to see the two would be listening to the radio. (Your name) cooking dinner and Gilbert sitting on the coach drinking a beer. And that was about it aside from Lutz taking her to get a few dresses to wear and one nice dress for a special occasion. This was all that (Your name’s) life consisted of cooking cleaning and reading.

        Not too different from her life back home but at the same time. At least at home she had her mom and she could go outside without an escort; which was really irritating if you were to ask (your name). She didn’t get any time to herself and to make things worse she really missed her mom and dare she say it! She even missed Arthrur! It was so bad that she often found herself saying things he would say or cooking a recipe her mom used to make for her when she was a kid. Like today she was making Gu-laush  which is a mix between macaroni and cheese and spaghetti. So basically awesomeness in a pot except twice as good and you can eat it!

        Adding a little salt (your name) stirred the pot as she heard the door open and close and felt as someone hit her butt. “Hallo Lutz when did you get home?” she asked her disinterest clear in her voice.

        “Aww come on Katze” whined Lutz a pout on his face.

        “Come on what?” she asked  looking at the German still tending to the food.

        “You take all the fun out of messing with you” he pouted

        “That’s the point.” she replied “Eventually you’re going to get bored and stop all together”

        “Is that so?~” he asked pinching her bottom

        “Lutz!” She squeaked jumping slightly.

        “Ja Katze?~” he asked with a smirk.

        “You best be careful Jerk face” she replied glaring at him“ I do cook for you”

        “Was ever you say Katze” he teased

        “You’re right it is what ever I say!” replied (your name) “now go away before I put one of my size (shoes size)  up your butt and they come out your nose!”

        “Will you two please keep the sexual tension to a minimal! I’m trying to listen to the raido!” called Gilbert from the living room.

        “Shut up!” they replied blushing darkly “It’s nothing like that!”

        Sure it isn’t” replied Gilbert standing up and stretching as he walked to his room. “I’m going back to my room to get packed try to keep your hands to yourselves while I’m gone.”

        “Don’t worry we will!” replied (your name) blushing darkly as Lutz eyes widened as he uttered a small curse and  ran to his room. Leaving a bewildered (your name) standing in the kitchen not quite sure what had just happened.  So seeing as she had no idea what was happening (your name) walked over to the German’s room to try and discover what was happening. Only to see a suit case lying on the bed and Lutz  going to and from his closet shoving things into his bag. “What are you doing” she asked

        “Packing” he replied “Und so should you”

         “Why?” she asked giving him a puzzled look

         “Because every year my family and I go to our older brother’s house in Austria to celebrate Christmas and every year he throws a ball. Und we’ll never hear the end of it if we don’t go so we’re going.” He replied “and since I can’t leave you here  you have to come along.”

         “Ok?” she asked utterly confused “What do I need to pack?”

        “A nice dress und some normal cloths” he replied stuffing some other things in his bag.

         “K uh….I don’t have a suit case.” She replied

        “Take one of mine” he replied as he went back to his closet tossing (your name) a small bag then coming back out with another handful of cloths.

        “Thanks” she said leaving the German’s room and making her way to the room that Lutz had given her a few weeks ago. It was still relatively plain but it was better than the couch. (Your name) sighed as she set the bag on the bed and began packing. Going between the dresser and bed putting cloths in the bag and eventually she had all  that she needed and zipped the bag up. Before hanging the good dress; that she wouldn’t dare fold; on a hook beside her suit case and laid back on her bed and just stared at the ceiling as her mind wandering from her mother to that of the rest of her family.  ‘Did they miss her? Did they even know she was gone? Is mom ok without me? Who’s she making cookies with this year?  Will she make them at all with out me? Will gram come keep her company so she’s not alone on Christmas?’

          All these things running through (your name’s) mind only seemed to make her current situation worse. She had tried numerous times to find her coin when she was forced to clean the house or when she had to wash the cloths, but she still hadn’t found anything. Not a single thing! Needless to say (your nam ) a bit frustrated but she tried her best not to let it show and to hold her tongue when she could. Doing her best to gain the two brothers trust so that maybe they might slip up and make a mistake or say something that would give her some idea on how to get home, but it was a futile effort.

        The German brothers didn’t know how she got there anymore than (your name) did. But that didn’t matter to (your name). In truth the real reason she tried to  distance herself from them was because they were soldiers. (Your name) had sworn to herself after her father died she would never get close to someone in the armed services because she didn’t want to say goodbye again. And besides the plan was to leave here as soon as possible and she didn’t want to be too attached to them if she was just going to leave. But as much as she hated to admit it Lutz and his brother had grown on her. Despite Lutz’s uncouth and perverse ways he really was a nice guy and underneath his swagger he wasn’t really as tough as he lets on. And she had only discovered this because Lutz had come home and gotten drunk on his “Secret stash of beer”; because alcohol was not permitted to be consumed by soldiers during the war; which ended up turning the hulking German into the equivalent of a small child. Whom (your name) had no other choice but comfort as he cried about how much this or that hurt or how everyone hated him. (Your name) hadn’t really been listening. Not that she didn’t want to of course! She had simply been more concerned with not being crushed by the large man as he cried! Not to mention he had eventually made himself sick! What with all the crying he had done! (Your name) even remembered having to stay up with him for most of the night; because Gilbert is allergic to things he doesn’t want to do; while he was ill until he finally fell asleep. (Your name) couldn’t help but smile as she remembered how peaceful the man had looked once he had fallen asleep so different from the way he looked when he was awake.

         “Katzechen?” asked Lutz

         “Hmm?” she asked sitting up.

         “Are you ready to go?”

         “Oh yeah I’m good!” she replied blushing slightly

         “Then let’s go” he replied picking up (your name’s) suit case.

         Right…” she replied getting up and following him to the living room to find Gilbert waiting his blue eyes reflecting his boredom as he grabbed his small tote and headed outside muttering a soft.

        “About time.” as he left followed by (your name). Who was then followed by Lutz; who was toting his and (Your name’s) bag; after he locked the door.

         “Do you need any help?” asked (your name) trying to help,

         “Nein I’ve got it” he replied walking down the stairs to his car followed by (your name) who really didn’t know what to say in response so she just followed him down and got in the car. The brothers in the front herself in the back because she was a “prisoner”. She rolled her eyes and huffed as Lutz started the car and they started rolling down the street on the way to Austria.

 (Time skip brought to you by sleeping reader-chan in the backseat)

         “ Katzechen!” exclaimed Lutz.

         “Hmmm wa what?! What happened were we attacked?!” She asked doing a strange yet awesome but not really ninja stance.

         “ We’re here” he replied trying not to laugh.

         “Silence pheasant” she replied pouting not meeting his eyes.

         “Did you just call me a peasant?” he asked a glint in his eye

         “No.” she replied “I called you a fancy chicken.”

         “Well she told you!” laughed another man with a strange cowlick to go along with  his head of crazy dark brown hair red eyes that matched his red attire.

         “Shut up bruder” replied Lutz a small pout present on his face. 

        “But it’s not everyday my little bruder brings home a girl that isn’t a slut!” exclaimed the man “You’ve  brought plenty of girls before but never a girl who doesn’t look like you paid for her !”

        “You’re pushing it bruder.” warned Lutz glaring at his brother a small blush going unnoticed on his face.

         “But it’s true!” replied the man.

         “Bruder!” exclaimed Lutz

         “You’re absolutely impossible Luther” replied the man “It’s a wonder you manages to get ny Fraulein to pay you any attention with that attitude!”

         ‘Lutz’s real name is Luther?’ thought (your name) as she watched the man in red take in lutz’s expression and quickly change the subject. “Anyway! My name is Rodrich Eldenstein!” exclaimed Rodrich as he took (your name’s) hand and kissed it “ What’s yours?~”

         “(Your name)” replied (your name) a small blush on her cheeks ; which produced no small amount of jealousy in Lutz as he did he best not beat his brother senseless.

         “(Your name)” said Rodrich “Well that is a lovely name liebe. Please allow me to escort you to your room~” he replied wrapping his arm around her shoulders leading her along. “Luther why don’t you be a good bruder and grab the fraulein’s bags~”

         “Stop calling me that!” exclaimed Lutz

         “ But it’s your name~” replied Rodrich

          “Nein! I’m Lutz!” shouted Lutz

         “What ever you say Ludwig~” he teased.

         (Your name) could almost imagine the look on his face when Rodrich said that. She could almost feel the hate, pain and rage radiating off the blonde man. ‘ I wonder why?’ she thought.
“Why did you call him that?” she asked once they had made it safely inside.

         “Because Luther is the name our dearest mutti gave him the day he came into the world~” replied Rodrich with a smirk.

         “No I meant Ludwig” she replied looking him in the eye.

         “It’s an inside joke liebe don’t you worry a bit about that” he replied smiling. But his smile didn’t meet his eyes. It was more for (your name’s) benefit than it was out of sincerity. And this much (your name) knew was true. Something was up and she was gonna get to the bottom of it!