From the diary of Griselda Vargas-Beilschmidt

55

Fred doesen't talk for a long time after that. He lays in a hammock in the belowdeck, gently rocking himself, and thinks.

The other two of their club are not concerned about him at all. Gabe skips to the helm, George goes to navigate. Ashleigh and me remain in the cloud of awkwardness. She then asks me to help her prepare breakfast.

"So, um," she starts when we get out the supplies "what do you think?"

"About what?"

"About us," she explains. Um, us all?

"You mean you and George?" I make sure. She nods.

"Well I'm happy for you," I say, because what else is there to say? I look at where Fred is still laying, without a single comment. Ashleigh looks there too, but turns her head around quickly. "He'll get used to it," she shrugs.

Yeah. He will. Fred is not the person to not adapt. But... he does look surprised.

I wonder what it was like when Vati and Papa came clear about their relationship. What would the others do? Uncle Japan would support them like the secret fanboy he is. Same with Hungary. Some nations wouldn't care. I remember Vati told me Miss Czechia and Mr Slovakia were really happy. They are nice. When Mr Slovakia isn't sleeping during the meetings, as Vati says. Well, I bet Uncle Romano was freaked out of his mind! That must've been a riot! We never talk about it, but I'm sure as hell there were crosses and holy water included. Maybe even guns! Hell, that must've been one hell of a show. I'm surprised no one recorded it. Or maybe someone did and never leaked it. Uncle Prussia says he was surprised, but pleasantly so. Apparently Mr Austria was not supportive, so Japan, Hungary and Czechia tried to lynch him. Another thing I'd pay a lot of money to see.

"So, Gris," Ash grins. "Want to have a girl chat?"

"Girl chat?" I'm confused. What's this about? "What do we talk about in a 'girl chat'?"

"Boys of course!" she exclaims "and period problems, but you're too young for that.."

"What?"

"Nothing for you to worry about!" she smiles, then her expression turns sour "yet."

Should I be scared? I feel like I should be scared.

"Anyway, can I just rant for a bit? I need to let it out."

"Ja, klar," I reply, cutting the apples. What followed was a fifteen-minute-long monologue about the exact colour of George's eyes, his smile, and the way his scary eyebrows furrow what he's thinking. (It would've been longer, but Gabe interrupted it by jumping down and demanding food in his usual loud manner.)

Oh girl, you've got it bad, don't you?

At the same time, I start to imagine if dads ever talked about each other like this. Vati would probably be too shy around most people, maybe except Uncle Prussia, but Papa might actually do it. I can see it happening. But then Uncle Romano would probably cut him off and yell at him.

We eat in silence. Well, if you don't count Ashleigh's happy squealing noises. George's embarrased. Gabe gags once again, so I slap him. Fred says nothing.

Not even when we return on the deck does Fred follow. Instead, he goes, takes a pen and a notebook, and lays back there, scribbling as if his life depended on it.

We meet a big cruise ship and me and Ashleigh wave furiously at the people taking pictures and recording a historical caravela sailing just next to them. They were cheering and waving back. The two boys payed them no mind as they led Spamano to wherever the map said.

The day went quietly on. The two stayed, leading the ship. Me and Ash made lunch, and later dinner. Fred was still writing something. At some point Ash asked him "Why do you write like you're running out of time?", but he only shortly muttered something about 'extremely important' and crossed something in his papers out.

My sunburnt skin was pleased to be spending time belowdeck, and I wondered if Fred's here from the exact same reason, since his skin is even more sensitive.

When the day was slowly coming to an end and we gathered at dinner, Fred finally deigned to climb down.

"So Freddie," I ask "what were you doing all day?"

"Oh, you see, since the couple here," he nods at the two, cuddled together, Ashleigh feeding George, "finally decided to be a couple, there was something I had to do."

"And what would that be?" Ashleigh asks, plopping some vegetables into George's mouth.

"Writing a speech for your wedding of course!"

George spits the vegetables. Ashleigh blinks a few times. Gabe makes a 'tsk' sound, but comments no further. I smile. Fred picks up the notebook and shows its pages, filled with his handwriting. Some sentences are crossed our or underlined, but it's obvious he put a lot of effort in it.

"Good thinking!" I praise.

"Danke! I worked hard on it, and it's finished now."

"W-why would you..." George chokes out, only to be silenced by Ashleigh's kiss.

"God damn, GET A ROOM!" Gabriel yells.