I do not own Hetalia or any of the characters described here. That gem belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya.
This was written for Tono Radish. Here you are love!
WARNING: This story contains rape. It's rated M for a reason, so if you don't like it, don't read it.
Based on a review that I got, I decided to re-write this chapter. Le reviewer said that the way I portrayed Gilbert was very OOC, and after re-reading the story a few times I find that I agree with them.
So long story short, I did the best I could to make Gilbert less OOC and more like the narcissistic, obnoxious Prussian we all know and love.
Now, enjoy!
Gilbert sat by the window, gazing out at the destruction. Outside, the rhythm of the war drums mingled with continuous gunshots, the marching of boots and the screams of dying soldiers. The sky was a deep red, the color of blood, the color of suffering. In the vast canvas above, dark clouds floated along; In between the clouds and the sky were planes, readying for air strikes and missile fire. Gilbert gazed outside once more, desperate to help but not sure how.
Once a great empire, Gilbert was reduced to little more than a backup for his younger brother. It hurt, deeply, but there was nothing he could do. His time as an empire in this world had passed. He was growing weaker and weaker by the day as the war took a greater toll on him. Rather than disappearing completely or surrendering, Gilbert persevered. He just couldn't take seeing his brother's soldiers dying anymore; with a cry, he grabbed a waiting assault rifle and threw open the window pane, firing bullets into the skulls of any Allies he could see.
The time was World War I. The Central Powers were losing the war, and the Allied Powers were inching ever closer to victory.
The whole thing had torn Gilbert, Ludwig, Roderich, Elitzaveta and Sadiq apart: Roderich was no longer the piano playing gentleman that Gilbert once knew; Every time they came in contact with each other, Roderich's face was hardened and his hands were covered in blood and dirt and scars that would never go away. Rather than clutching a book a sheet music, Roderich would be clutching a gun, locked and loaded.
Gone was the sweet Hungarian woman that lived with Roderich. Gone was the girl that once was Gilbert's best friend and worst enemy; in her place was a warrior, bloodthirsty and emotionless, that scared even Gilbert.
Sadiq had shed his mask and sword at the start of the battle. There was no place for grace and majesty when fighting a war. Instead, he wore a standard combat uniform, complete with assault rifles strapped to his back and dual pistols. He had never been the most carefree person, but now there was no trace of happiness left.
None of the empires of Europe were the same, and it would be a miracle if they could ever go back.
Slowly, Gilbert became aware of another presence in the room, turning around, he saw Bella standing in the doorway. Her emerald eyes were downcast as he relayed a message.
"Herr Gilbert?"
"What do you want?"
"Herr Ludwig would like to see you in his study." Gilbert threw away the rifle and slammed the window pane shut, shutting out most of the cacophony. When he turned around Bella was gone, off to do some chore for Ludwig.
Bella was another one who had changed dramatically. She never made jokes or never laughed anymore. Gilbert couldn't remember the last time he had seen a smile on the girls' face, or had seen her emerald eyes light up with happiness. After being invaded by Germany, Bella was forced to live and work in Ludwig's house while the Allied Powers tried to free her from the German control. As with every other country, the war had taken a toll on her.
Gilbert walked through the halls of the house, glancing at the pictures that lined the walls while the adrenaline receded from his veins. Otto von Bismarck, Ludwig van Beethoven, and many other famous Germans hung from the wall. Gilbert smiled when he saw a picture of old man Fritz, thankful that Ludwig cared about his history. He walked up to the oak doors leading to Ludwig's study, knocking three times.
"Come in." Ludwig's harsh voice resonated through the woods. Gilbert turned the handles and pushed the door open.
A fire blazed in the hearth, filling the room with warmth and eerie shadows. Huge windows loomed in the back of the room, almost taking up an entire wall. In front of the windows were Ludwig's desk of teak wood and a leather office chair. Opposite the fireplace was a bookshelf, stuffed to the edges with novels of all sizes and genres. And facing the fireplace were two tall-backed, black leather chairs. By the fireplace, Ludwig was standing behind one of the chairs with a hand on the top. His ice blue eyes stared into the fire, emotionless and calculating.
Out of all the nations, Ludwig was probably changed the most by WWI. West had never been the most carefree person, but now it was like he had no fun side at all; his fun side had been decimated along with the German military. At every little noise, he would flinch, never able to let his guard down. He once shot a mouse as it scurried across the kitchen floor while they ate breakfast. Gilbert just stared, unbelieving at the bloodied mess on the floor. Ludwig got up and walked out the room, calling for Bella to clean up the remains.
Gilbert knew one thing for sure: the high tensions of the war had changed his brother. He was always more irritable, more uncaring and completely cold. The person in Ludwig's body, with Ludwig's face and voice was not Gilbert's brother; he was someone else entirely.
"Ludwig." Gilbert called, saluting.
Ludwig nodded, acknowledging Gilbert's presence. "At ease, bruder." Ludwig walked over to his desk, promptly sitting behind it. Gilbert took the action as an invitation to sit himself, so he plopped down a chair in front of the desk. He didn't notice, but his brother's eyes narrowed slightly at the disrespectful act.
"You called?" Gilbert felt at ease with his bruder: he felt like there wasn't a war going on at all. The only reminder he could see was his brother's military uniform, clean and crisp as ever.
"Gilbert, you know we're losing this war."
"Yeah, I know. Those damned Allies are destroying my awesomeness! But we need to do something about it West! I can't just sit here, watching idly as our men are being killed. Let me take some of your troops: combined with the power of my awesomeness, we will beat those Allies into the ground."
"No Gilbert. You have done nothing for me: Allowing you to use my troops would be condemning those men to death."
"West, what are you talking about?" Gilbert's eyes shifted back and forth at the accusation. "Have you been drinking too much beer?"
Ludwig's eyes narrowed even more.
"You need to take a chill pill West." Gilbert yawned, placing his feet on the desk only to have them shoved brutally off. He lost his balance, tipping backwards in the chair and landing on his bottom.
Ludwig stood over him, one hand on the desk behind him and one hand hidden behind his back. A cold malice filled his eyes, tinged with something Gilbert didn't want to recognize.
"Damnit Gilbert! Don't you see that you're the one causing us to lose?" Ludwig's voice rang throughout the halls of the house. "You do nothing to support our troops! You sit at home, complaining and whining while Roderich, Elitzaveta, Sadiq and I are you facing enemy fire! You lazy, no good arshloch! I am done with you mooching off everything I do and not lifting a finger to help."
"Dude, what is wrong with you? I've been out there on the battlefield with you every single time! I'm just as strong as you are, and I'm just as devoted!" Gilbert tried to reason with his brother, but Ludwig was way past the point of listening. His hand reappeared from behind his back, holding a pistol.
Gilbert's crimson eyes widened as he stared down a loaded gun.
"Devoted, you say?" Ludwig chuckled darkly. "Well then, Bruder, let's see just what you will do for our cause."
Read and review? Pleeeaseee? *puppy dog eyes* Also, I apologize for any factual errors in the story. I know little to nothing about WWI. If you find any, please don't hesitate to review or PM me telling me what they are so I can fix them.
I loves yo fayces!
~Renee