'Hey West,' Prussia's voice was faint and Germany strained to hear his pain stricken voice over the rain and the hammering of his own beating heart.

'Yes?' Germany's voice, which usually carried strength and purpose, was weak and cracked.

The air around him seemed to cool down to freezing and Germany started to shiver. All his hair stood on end, but he was not crying, not yet. His heart plunged as he drew a hand through what was once solid skin.

Germany didn't believe it; he didn't want to believe it. What had happened to the happy days? The nightmare had suddenly become a fearful reality. He saw the crystals, floating up into the air, like tiny angels; his brother's tiny angels.

'Where's that beer I asked you for, bastard,' Prussia chocked. He smiled weakly. Germany's stomach churned.

'Please,' Germany's voice was more desperate this time, more so than before, 'Tell me this is some terrible nightmare, tell me I wake up,'

Prussia didn't reply but he reached for Germany's shaking hand.

'B-but,' Germany stuttered, 'You're a country,'

'Was a country,' Prussia's eyes locked onto Germany's, holding him. 'You always knew letting me live in your basement was never going to save me from what was coming.' Prussia sighed slightly. 'It's over for me'

Suddenly, Prussia inhaled sharply, causing Germany's heart to stop beating, for a brief painful moment. His feet had gone and his legs were slowly disappearing. Germany shook off Prussia's loose grip and moved closer to him still, one hand shakily resting on his pale check.

'P-please,' Germany was struggling to speak over the lump firmly planted in his throat.

'Don't.. worry… West,' Prussia's words were broken and forced. His eyes slowly drifted down towards his lower abdomen, slowly disintegrating into thousands of tiny sparkling crystals. This broke Prussia.

'I'm not ready to go,' There were now tears flowing freely from his bright red eyes. 'West, stay with me,' He smiled through the tears. 'Until I finally fall asleep; stay with me,'

Germany nodded, too stunned and stricken with fear to say anything to the slowly fading country. 'I won't forget you, brother' Germany sobbed, squeezing Prussia's pale, cold hand. His eyes, which were bright red, were now faded and lifeless.

'Goodbye West,' Prussia's last words stuck in Germany's chest, pulling him. His hands squeezed through the crystals as they twisted, spiralling into the sky. He pulled away. The last essence of life had left his eyes. His chest no longer rose and fell. Germany could no longer feel the shaky heartbeat of his brother.

'Stay with me,' he sobbed, cradling the last of the still body in his arms. 'S-stay, with me,'

'I need you,' Germany whispered into his ear. As he lifted up his head, he placed a delicate kiss onto the sheet white forehead and pressed his head into the Germans neck.

Germany stood. The remainder of his brother twisting up into the sky. Like tiny angels; his brother's tiny angels. Looking down at where the country once lay, his iron cross replaced the body, the last strong memory of him. The only memory of him. Germany carefully picked the fragile necklace off the floor and slipped it on over his head.

'I will remember, and I will never forget,'