AN: Warnings- character death, gore, disabilities, perhaps some triggers.
Future Pairings- America/Russia, Prussia/Canada, (more added in the future)
"The Fog is coming!" A child's voice tried to scream in warning, but was drowned out by a line of explosions and dust covered everything. Alfred could barely see his own shaking hands. Comrades covered the earthy dirt, all fallen or just given up. But he refused to. He had someone to find. "Matt! Matthew Williams!" Alfred screamed his brother's name into the orange sky. His uniform felt so heavy, like it was pulling him backwards."Mattie!" He blindly screamed and searched for his kin, guild raging and pulling at his hair.Why, why, why, why, why?
"Bro!" Alfred could feel relief hit him hard as he saw a lanky body and a mop of dirty blond hair hunch over a fallen soldier. "We have to go now! The Fog is on our tail!" He grabbed the back of his brother's collar, trying to pull him away from the body below him. But Matthew swatted his hand away and looked back at him with begging, violet eyes. "Alfred. I can save him. It's Gil." Another pang of guilt hit Alfred hard in the gut.
"Do it fast! We really need to go!" He leaned over his brother's shoulder to look at their fallen friend. Gilbert looked barely alive. He was covered in blood and his left arm was a mangled mess and he had deep open cuts everywhere. His little brother was desperately trying sew him back together like he was torn doll. But it was his Gift after all, the power of healing. He could stitch up anyone and heal them good as new. Alfred looked back and his eyes widened with terror.
A dark fog started to roll across the dirt, eating up soldiers, enemies, bombs, and explosions. Everything seemed to just disappear in it's path. "Matt!" He didn't think as he hauled the albino on his back. "Let's go!" But as soon as he looked back, Matt was gone. Disappearing from the Earth forever. He didn't have time to mourn as he desperately ran with a man draped around his back and bleeding over his body. As soon as he saw more comrades, he nearly threw Gilbert at them. "I have to go back!" Alfred yelled. "Everyone's dead!" They screamed back, but Alfred wasn't listening. He marched back into the battlefield, desperate to find his brother. The last thing he saw was his shaking hands. And after that, blackness.
"Come on, sleepy beauty, time to get up! Carpe Diem or whatever that shit means." Gilbert. I smile at the sound of my friend's voice. I slowly rose from my bed, tossing a pillow at the direction at his voice. After I heard a grunt, I knew I hit my target.
"Fine, fine." I groaned and rubbed eyes. An old and useless habit. I was a bit disturbed by the slow silence. But I knew what was coming. "Alfred, we don't have to-"
"No." I interrupted him, slowly feeling energy rushing back to my limbs. "I want to see him. And I want to make him some pancakes. And get him some flowers. So do me a favor and go get some at Bella's, okay?"
"I'm talking about the reunion and you know it." I could nearly feel Gilbert inhale sharply. "Look, we don't have to go. It's a painful day for both of us. It's not a big deal if we skip it."
I could feel my throat tighten. I tried to choke out an objection, but I knew I couldn't do it. I can't face them, even if it has been two years.
"We'll skip it. I'll tell everyone we're sick. You get ready, and I'll go to Bella's. She makes the best flower arraignments in San Fransisco. Also, make enough pancakes for Gilbird and Kuma too. They're starving." I couldn't help but grin and shake my head.
"I still can't believe you named your pet after yourself, you narcissistic dick." I could feel the comfortable aura return to the room again.
"At least he likes it. Fatass."
"Plastic-arm."
"Blindy."
The playful banter ended with giggles and a soft click of the door.
Our relationship was made of insults, trust, and deep woven loyalty. It was hard for others to understand why we make fun of each others disabilities, but we were friends. It's what we do.
As soon as Gilbert left our cozy apartment, I popped up from my sheets and shuffled towards the bathroom, hoping the bastard didn't move any furniture. I grimaced at a memory of Gilbert leaving me alone after he rearranged the entire apartment. My feet lead me from muscle memory to the sink. My hands lead me to my toothbrush and toothpaste after groping around the medicine cabinet. And my mouth lead me to realize that I accidentally used Gil's disgusting Vanilla Mint Crest toothpaste. Why does that even exist? Better yet, why does he even like it? It left my mouth with a horrible aftertaste of something between sugar sweet, and spicy mint.
I shambled back into my bedroom, kicking around the floor looking for my pants. As I started to sweep the floor with my foot, I felt something furry and heard a small yelp.
"Kuma! Oh my God, I thought you were sleeping at the other side of the room!" I crouched down and felt a warm tongue lap at my face.
"You forgive me, right boy?" I smile and felt a nudge at my leg. "Okay, okay, I'll get you some food. I just need to find my pants." I patted him on the head and stood up to continue my search, until finally I found my favorite jeans hiding under my bed. I hate getting dressed in the morning...
"Oh my God, Alfred. How do you get these so fluffy?" I could nearly hear a moan from Gilbert's full mouth.
"Buttermilk." I mumbled back, pancakes stuffed in my own mouth. I could hear two other mouths happily chewing along with us. Gilbird squawked in gratitude and Kuma nudged my foot for more. I usually never made pancakes, especially Mattie's recipe, but today was special. Today, we were going to honour a true hero. I know I should be at the reunion, sharing our gratitude to my brothers with my former comrades, but I just couldn't. I'd hate for them to see me for something so weak.
"Sorry, Kuma. The rest are for Matt." The nudging stopped and Kuma whined in empathy. It pains me that even a dog can recognize a death. But then again, Kuma was Matthew's in the first place. A Great Pyrenees that bounced around his side, eager to eat his food. But, just as I was Matt's brother, he was his best friend. Matthew loved him as much as any human, spoiling him rotten. It got worse when I moved in with Gilbert. His Gift was communicating with animals and well... Kuma always ended up what he wanted and would always find a way for his own opinion. Brat.
"We should go." Gilbert interrupt my thoughts and I heard him stand up. "I'll wrap the pancakes up."
"Don't forget the syrup." I called after him as I heard feet shuffle towards the kitchenette.
"I'd never forget it."
The trip to see Mattie was a long one. I visited every week, but today, the ten minute car ride seemed to drag on for hours. I scratched my fingernails along the leather car seat. It felt cool, slick, but most importantly new.
"What the fuck? The government did not just give you a 50,000 dollar car." I shot my best glare at Gilbert. I didn't need to see to know I was boring holes into his head. I was answered by a nervous laugh.
"Shit, you're observant..."
"It doesn't take a genius to realize this is a Mercedes. Where did you steal it?" My tone was biting.
"Look Al, can't we do this another time? Today's about Birdie and-"
"Don't you dare change the subject. Which poor dead soul did you take this from?" I flinched at the old nickname Gilbert used to call him.
"Alfred, please-"
"I swear to God if you don't answer me, I will slug your fucking face in." My fists clenched and I could hear a warning bark from Kuma, ready to take action because God knows my own strength when I'm upset.
"It's from the Edge, okay? I'm sorry, I'll take it back-"
"You know how I feel when you take the belongings from the dead."
"I know. I didn't think you'd notice."
"Just because I'm blind, it doesn't make me a useless, oblivious asshole."
"You're right. It just make you an asshole with an incredible sense of everything else."
I hit Gilbert hard in the arm as softly as I could without exploding. "You're a fucking jerk."
"Love you too. I'll return it."
"Promise?"
"Yeah."
The Orthodox Memorial Park was packed. I didn't need my eyes to know others were teeming around us nervously like a river. I walked near Gil and fingered Kuma's leash anxiously. But I didn't need them to find Matt. No, he was an easy gravestone to find. Although his gravestone probably looked ordinary like everyone else's, round and morbid, it was under a maple tree. I could almost see it's red leaves sprinkled around the gravestone like snowflakes. I sat in front of it and crossed my legs.
"Hey Matt. I made you some pancakes. But Kuma ate one of them." I shot the bear-like dog a blind glare and I heard a defensive whine. "Anyways, I made them just like you did. I miss you a lot, bro... Jesus it's so weird living without you... God." I felt my throat tighten and a soft hand on my shoulder. "Anyways, I just want to tell you I love you. You saved so many people. Shit, you saved Gil and I. We would have been dead if it wasn't for you. You are a true hero, Matt. And I love you so goddamn much. Even Kumajirou." I could feel a furry body rustle against me. "And no-arm too. Probably." The hand on my shoulder squeezed and a throaty laugh erupted from Gilbert. He was crying. "Shit, blind mouse, speak for yourself." I carefully set the pancakes down and Gil placed the syrup and daisy bouquet next to it.
"We miss you, birdie. Hope Heaven's treating you right." That was my queue. I stood up and Kuma agreed to give our friend some space.
I remember the first time I met Gilbert Beilschmidt. A cocky bastard we met on the bus for training camp. He had a little brother too trailing along, Ludwig. The buffest 17 year old I ever saw in my life. But I was stronger. That was my Gift, after all. Strength. But, Ludwig's fate was ended quickly in our first battle against the Resistance. They captured him and we never heard from him again. Assumed dead like thousands of other soldiers. I sighed and walked along the concrete path, hearing the soft prayers of children and smelling the gifts they left for loved ones. I could point out apples, dumplings, a chocolate cupcake and even a-
I interrupted my own thoughts as Kuma and I both slammed into another body, falling hard on the ground. That was weird. Usually I could I sense someone in front of me. Or Kuma would lead me away. It seemed like he didn't see the person either.
"Bozhe moy! Ah, I am so sorry! Are you alright?" I felt large hands pick me up to stand. "I was a bit distracted... My goodness, I'm so clumsy today!"
The voice was thick with an ancient, but was soft. He must have been dressed nicely since I could smell his cloud of cologne.
"Don't worry about it. Usually Kuma is good about help me out..." A whine erupted from the furry body below me.
"I feel horrible about this." Worry and concern was sewn into his thick voice. Russian accent?
"Seriously, man, it's okay-" I heard feet hitting the concrete behind me.
"Al? Shit, dude! I saw you- What the hell are you doing here?" Gilbert's voice turned extremely hostile. He was talking towards the Russian man. Did he know him?
"I'm here to pay my respects to Matthew among others." His tone seemed earnest.
"Bullshit. You stay the hell away from us." I felt a clammy hand grab my wrist and pull me away.
"The nerve that bastard has. Thought he was back in Russia. "
"A friend?" Gilbert scoffed. "I have some beef with him with my brother. Don't ask. It's sort of already been a depressing day without that reminder..."
I nodded and didn't. "I just wanna go home."
"Me too."
A/N: Hello everyone! So this is a new series I'm gonna make after screwing around with an human with powers AU. I'm just gonna call it 'Giftalia'. Anyways, the setting for this story is present day. Gilbert (has a left prosthetic arm) and Alfred (blind) are disabled veterans who live in a flat in San Fransisco. Everyone in this AU has a Gift whether it's something simple, or a bit more complex. The war Alfred and the others fought in happened three years ago (when Matt died). It was in Afghanistan (nothing to do with actual current events, however) and they were trying to save certain countries (will be revealed in next chapter which countries) people from the 'Resistance' which rebelled against the League of Nations and literally trying to take over the world. There is another threat called the Fog which is made from nightmares and pollution. Everything it touches, demolishes in it. Alfred got caught in it, but somehow survived (but is now blind). The Edge is the outskirts of San Fransisco. The neighboring town was demolished by the Fog and some are adventurous enough to take the belongings of the dead.
Anyways, that's some backstory so I don't lose anyone! I'm going to try to update this as much as I can. Please leave some reviews! I really would love some fee back, constructive criticism, or any comments or suggestions! It would mean so much to me! Anyways, thanks for reading!
-Oak Dreamer