Moonlight Reminiscence

Chapter 1

Pairing: Ivan Braginski x Gilbert Weillschmidt

Rating: Τ

Genre: Romance, drama, modern day setting

Note: This Hetalia fanfic is co-written with eternal-blue-skies, a lovely author and person. We began writing this story for our enjoyment and later we decided that it would be nice to share it with fellow fans. We hope that you enjoy your reading.

When the last traces of sunlight withdrew from the horizon, Ivan walked to the steep hill near his house. The specific location offered a great view over the town and the night sky. The sight was magnificent but Ivan also caught himself wishing he wasn't alone...

Gilbert had been on one of his usual late night strolls, loving to walk around at night, because for one; he really didn't like the sun and two; nobody could bother him very often at night. He looked up to the sky and pursed his lips into a smile, seeing how it was a full moon tonight and a gorgeous one at that.

The Prussian continued to loop up, enjoying the view of the moon. He knew the path pretty well, so he knew he wouldn't run into anything. Ηe liked taking the path that went over a hill, since there was always a beautiful view. However, he didn't expect the Russian to be there as well. While looking up, he walked right into him, almost falling on top of the taller male after nearly losing his balance.

Ivan blinked when he felt some weight against his side. The brief collision didn't affect his balance though. He turned and the initial surprise deepened when he saw Gilbert. Months had passed since the last time they saw each other but Ivan didn't mind the Prussian's companionship.

"Gilbert? I don't remember seeing you here before."

Gilbert finally looked at what the heck was in his way and saw the familiar face he'd known for so long. "Ah...Ivan. I was out on a walk. I often take walks at night around here. I've never seen you here before either." Somehow, it was kinda nice that he ran into the Russian. Even though he'd always manage to get annoyed of him, it was nice seeing him again. "What are you doing here?" He asked, tilting his head a little and getting all the thoughts out of his head, occasionally darting his eyes up to the moon, or around them, then back on Ivan.

"When I look at the moon, I forget about anything that troubles me. It helps me feel some comfort. Even the sense of loneliness weakens in my chest." Ivan was able to open up to the fellow personification with fair easiness because he didn't consider him a stranger. They used to talk so much in the past...

The Prussian male looked at the other, attention fully on him as he spoke. He even felt a little bad for the other. But he knew, that couldn't be helped. The world was tough and he knew that fact very well. He looked up at the moon, admiring it and smiled just a bit, unexpectedly speaking. "...The moon sure is amazing, isn't it? I mean, that's why man longed to go there for so long. It's bittersweet..." He finally looked back down and set his gaze on the larger man. "...That truly is amazing though. If I can allow myself to say this..." He put on a puzzled, sort of a helpless smile, and shrugged. "I'm kinda glad I ran into you. After so long, it's nice to see you again." He smiled back up at the moon, avoiding the Russian's face for a few seconds, barely regretting what he said.

Ivan remembered his old dream of going to the moon first. He had lost the space race but the memory of that endeavour remained vivid inside his mind.

"My former government organised the journey to the moon in order to show the world our progress and power. I was also thinking that if I escaped and travelled to this shiny orb, I would be free from everything that pained me. Even temporarily." He turned and searched Gilbert's eyes. He wasn't looking for any sort of validation, but he needed to know how the other man felt about these words.

Gilbert listened to the other and smiled a little. He looked at the moon then back at Ivan. "That's so stupid." He let his smile drop. "You can't expect things to disappear, Ruski! And relying on the moon is dumb as well." He looked away from Ivan and sighed a little. "...If you want things to change, or become better, you have to fix them yourself. You can't expect things to work out right. Life sucks, but you have to endure it." He kept his frown on his face and turned fully to Ivan. "You can't ever give up though."

"I understand there are certain things that are beyond our control." Ivan nodded thoughtfully and continued, lowering his gaze. "But if we have potential to change and improve, then the least we should do, is to try." Once he thought about giving up. When the Soviet Union fell, he felt powerless and lost. It took him so much time to heal the deep wounds that marked his history...He noticed the frustrated expression on Gilbert's face and wondered why he suddenly looked so upset. It didn't take him long to see the reason; the Kingdom of Prussia collapsed and it never rose again. In the end, Gilbert shared the same house with his younger brother. His real identity was forgotten and buried, though his heart continued to beat... "You are right. We cannot give up. If we do, we lose any chance to prosper."

Gilbert half-listened to Ivan's responses, only paying attention at the last one. His eyes widened just a little as he faced the taller man, frowning and then looked up at the sky. He frowned, wishing to believe the optimism the two were spouting, but inside he couldn't.

He could never.

The Prussian sighed a bit deeply and continued to look at the moon, almost as if he was avoiding the other's eyes. Maybe he was, but he couldn't tell himself. He didn't want to admit the fact the other annoyed him in several ways that he barely came to terms with. "Times have certainly changed, huh? Everything's different now. Even you..."

In response, Ivan began to speak while observing a complex constellation. "History itself shows that change is inevitable and can happen unexpectedly. But sometimes, I feel there are things that need to remain exactly as they are. You have changed too. But I see you have also maintained some of your old traits." He concluded with a smile.

Gilbert stayed quiet for a while, simply listening. He tried keeping his vision at the sky, because he had the worst luck of looking right when the other did, which for some reason was weird. He finally smiled a little, letting out a relieved sigh.

"...Like what? You can tell?" He finally looked back at Ivan. He began to feel at ease talking about things with the other for some reason.

"Your stubbornness. You have been through a lot, yet you never yielded and never stopped being a warrior."

Gilbert couldn't help but let out a good long laugh after the other had finished talking.

"Ahaha! You hit spot on, didn't you?" He smirked and laughed again, then finally quieted down after a while and remained quiet for a few minutes. Anyone else who'd seen it, probably wouldn't have believed it, seeing him so calm around the taller nation.

"I like you how you are now Ivan...I mean, not that I didn't before but you've matured and even though things can be bad, I'm glad you've stayed strong."

After a few more minutes, Gilbert turned his gaze, setting it on the other's face, or more specifically his eyes, and frowned ever so slightly. "What did you mean when you said some things are better not to change...?" In his own way, he also thought the same about the other nation. He had repressed thoughts about the Russian and since it had been so long, he couldn't even remember certain thoughts about the other. Almost as if he had tried to forget Ivan. That's how strange it was, talking to him.

Ivan gazed into the fiery eyes of the fellow personification. "I meant the positive aspects about ourselves and all our efforts to be on friendly terms with each other...even though the usual, common point of our long history is the battlefield." He sighed a bit and seemed to hold back for a moment, but in the end he said these words. "I know this might sound odd but...I have always admired you, Gilbert."

XxX

Thank you for stopping by and reading the first chapter! Reviews, comments and feedback are appreciated and welcome by both authors.