Bruno’s life had become slightly different from his normal days ever since becoming an adult, marrying his wife, and starting his own family. For the first time in a very long time, he was forced to return to his parents’ home. Not out of any form of economic crisis which saw him evicted.
Nor a natural disaster that saw his family’s home destroyed. No, Bruno was simply waiting for his new estate to be built, and had gone out of his way to provoke some powerful forces which now wanted him dead, and had already tried on one occasion to kill him.
Because of this provocation, he had decided to move into his parents’ estate, which had its own security, security which had been vastly increased and improved since Bruno’s arrival. His father, being a former military officer, and currently one of the highest-ranking politicians in the Reich, was naturally aware of why his son was temporarily moving back in with him. Even if he didn’t tell the boy’s mother about it.
Since this was the case, Burno found himself being doted on by two women rather than the one that normally did. His wife had always been very attentive to whatever Bruno needed, so much so that she was there to help him, even when he didn’t realize he required it.
But when it came to doting on Bruno, his mother took it to the extra mile. Having not really seen her son outside of family gatherings since he moved out for the academy, she was more than happy to have the youngest, and most favorite, son temporarily return to his childhood home.
And because of this, she was not only doting on Bruno, but his wife and children as well. After all, Elsa had as much love for Bruno’s children as she did him. And he was the only one of her sons who had actually named one of his daughters after her.
Just adding to the woman’s affection for her youngest son. And in doing so cement his place as her favorite. Because of this, Elsa was running around the house, looking after her grandchildren, all the while making sure Bruno was nice and comfortable.
But today was a day that Elsa was honestly dreading, and that was because it was the day that one of her other sons and his family were scheduled to visit. Seeing how Bruno had troubles with his older brothers while growing up, Elsa was fearful that the two siblings would not get along.
Especially since Bruno had always been quiet and aloof at the annual family gatherings. So, you can indeed imagine the woman’s shock and surprise when Ludwig came home and hugged his younger brother, as if he had been waiting to see the man for over twenty years.
Ludwig had initially been the brother, who was perhaps the vilest to Bruno in their youth. But having lowered his head in humility, and asked to serve beneath Bruno’s command. The man had actually formed an unbreakable bond with his younger brother, and unwavering respect for the man after their time together in Russia.
And of course, Ludwig was the one on whom the war had taken its toll on the most. Having been sent home early in order to avoid developing a severe mental illness, one which the man would never recover from.
Elsa had not entirely been aware of the extent to which the two brothers had grown close during their brief time together at war. And was thoroughly surprised by the fact that Ludwig was acting so friendly with the brother he used to bully relentlessly during their childhood.
“Little brother, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? I heard about what happened in Russia. Why the hell didn’t you at least send me a letter telling me you were alright?” Do you have any idea how worried I have been these last few months? I had to find out from our mother that you were perfectly fine and staying with our parents!”
Elsa frowned when she saw that she was being ignored by her two sons, and was forced to interject before Bruno could come up with some excuse for why he forgot to tell Ludwig he was alright, or that he had planned the entire incident with the Black Hand which he was speaking about.
“Since when are the two of you so friendly? How much have the two of you been hiding from your dear old mother?”
Elsa was quite frustrated by this “sudden” development, and not being informed that her favorite son was actually getting along with his older brothers and had never mentioned it. Luckily for him, Heidi was nearby and was quick to intervene.
“Mother, please don’t be angry at Bruno. Frankly speaking, he doesn’t speak about the wars he has fought, even to me. I’m sure that only the two of them understand why they are so much closer after what they experienced together in Russia, or what had caused them to do so…”
Naturally, Heidi was aware that Ludwig was medically discharged from the Iron Division during its deployment to Russia. She however only learned recently during their trip to Vienna the exact details of what had happened in the Russian Civil War, having heard it from Bruno’s lips while he spoke at dinner, and later during the night alone together where she interrogated him about it well into the morning.
However, for the sake of calming down the monstrous wrath of Bruno’s mother, which was only ever provoked when her sons were in question. Heidi feigned ignorance, and caused the woman to sigh heavily and shake her head, saying something or another as she stormed off in a fit.
“Boys and their secrets! Your father is exactly the same!”
Once Elsa was gone, Heidi flashed a smile at Bruno before running off to comfort her mother-in-law, who had the ability to act like a spoiled little brat whenever her children perceivably wronged her. This was despite her mature age.
As for Bruno, he sighed in relief, seeing as how his mother was taken care of by his wife, before finally addressing his brother for the first time since he had just gotten back from the Russian Civil War.
“You’re looking better than the last time I saw you. Has all been well?”
It was ultimately Ludwig’s wife who spoke up on his behalf, confirming that the man was indeed doing better since the last time they saw each other.
“He’s not the same man he was before he foolishly followed you into hell. But I would be lying if I said he hasn’t gotten better since he first returned to us… Thank you again, Bruno, I’m sure this stubborn fool would have gone mad in the War had you not seen reason enough to send him home before its completion.”
Bruno did not argue with his sister-in-law, nor did Ludwig, for that matter. Instead, Bruno simply nodded silently at the woman. The last time they saw each other, she had been rightfully pissed with him.
She had initially blamed Bruno for the state his brother was in. But apparently time heals all wounds, as the woman appeared to finally understand that the reason Ludwig was able to return home with any form of sanity at all is because Bruno caught the signs of his brother’s PTSD early on, and ended the man’s time at war.
With that said, Bruno welcomed his brother into their childhood home, and told him what he had been up to as of late. The two of them would further discuss their plans over dinner with their parents and their families combined.
Any awkwardness or animosity that had previously existed between Bruno and Ludwig’s families would finally come to an end tonight. Instead replaced with a more healthy family dynamic as the two brothers let go of their past grievances, and embraced their future’s working together for the betterment of their family and fatherland.
