Seventy years. Seventy long, agonizing years since it had been abolished. Prussia had been clinging to his very existence since that day, but now he had no strength left in him to defy the laws of the universe. His awesome self couldn't handle it anymore.

This was the palest he'd been in all his centuries of life. His paper-white face held an unreadable expression as he gazed at the mirror, tired red orbs beginning to droop and dark circles forming. The end of his life was nearing, and he's been almost expecting it for quite some time. Despite that, he wasn't ready to go.

He'd miss being his brother's drinking buddy. He'd miss pranking Austria whenever he had the chance. He'd miss getting bruises after Hungary whacked him with a frying pan. He'd miss going to Japan's place to have tea and manjuu every other day. Heck, he missed those things already. Now he'd be just another country in the textbook, a fallen kingdom to study, lost in history.

Prussia weakly went over to his desk and grabbed a pen, opening his diary. This pained him more than anything else, but he had to do it.

Dear Ludwig,

I'm not feeling so awesome today.

I'm fading pretty fast, so I'll get this out as quick as I can.

I'm sorry, bruder. You won't be graced by my awesome presence and you'll be all alone. I'm still your big bruder, I just won't be around to be your drinking buddy anymore.

Please don't forget about me, that's what I want the least right now. Always remember me, your awesome bruder, Gilbert. Who am I kidding, I am too awesome to forget, right?

So...

If you're reading this, it means I'm pooped after hanging on for seven decades. I wanted to spend more time with you, and I did, so I don't regret anything, really.

Goodbye, little bruder

- The Awesome Prussia

He gently placed the pen down and left his diary open to the last entry. Wincing in pain, he stood shakily, using his desk for support. His chest felt tight, his mind foggy and the rest of him radiated with a dull ache. He coughed blood onto the hardwood floor and when he saw is, he gasped.

For the first time, Prussia was utterly terrified.

This is how countries disappear?

Red eyes flicked toward the mirror. It was then he was certain what would happen, it was clear as day.

The paleness was gone. Instead, he was losing colour altogether.

He no longer wore a Prussian blue military uniform. It was starting to look like his light blue bedroom wall and the bed behind him. He wasn't pale as a ghost, he looked like one himself.

Germany was supposed to be home any second. Prussia was about to disappear for good, and he desperately hoped his brother wouldn't come home just to witness that.

He paused.

A door was opening, followed by heavy footsteps. That had to be Germany.

"Bruder, I'm home," Ludwig called. There was no response. "Gilbert? Come out, I know you're here."

He quickly made his way to Prussia's room, which was usually where he'd be found. He opened the door to find nobody there.

"If I find out this was one of your pranks, you get no wurst tonight." Ludwig warned, looking under the bed with a frown.

During his search of the room, he'd found a small puddle of blood next to the desk. In his panic, he saw the open diary and began to read.

"Dear Ludwig..." He started quietly, going through the rest in his head.

His Prussian brother was with Old Fritz now, and it felt like it was too soon. Christmas was in a few days, and Germany would have to spend it alone.