So sorry if I made you cry for second chance :D but that actually makes me very happy. The sequel hopefully won't make you cry...except maybe for how bad it is. Anyway, I'd love constructive criticism if you've got some, or you might just think I'm perfect which I am *strikes a pose*. Either way please review and such 3 enjoy~

Ludwig shifted a bit. He'd dressed too lightly after all, the chilly November air pierced through to his skin. His breath came out in white clouds. It reminded him of when he used to smoke. He crossed his arms over his chest.

Ten years.

He looked at the grave. Had it really been so long? It seemed like yesterday that his brother had been laughing and drinking. God, how he missed that smile, those mocking red eyes. It seemed so impossible that he could exist without them. Ludwig had lost more than just a brother, but a father, a friend, a mentor, a teacher, a damn pain in the ass. He sighed. That ache, that loss, it was beginning to ease. He looked around. She should be here soon. Oh, there she was.

Elizaveta walked towards him, holding a bouquet of tulips. She smiled cheerily at Ludwig, "Szia!"

"Hallo, Elizaveta," He bowed a bit at the waist. She was just as happy as always. At first he had hated her for being able to smile after his brother was dead. Then he hated her for moving on too quickly. Then he "got over it", meaning he stopped caring.

She nodded in response. "It's a bit cold, isn't it?" She said, standing next to him. She bowed her head and placed the flowers on the soft grass beneath their feet.

"Winter's coming early I guess."

"So much for global warming."

Somehow things always seemed to get awkward at this point. Ludwig wasn't very good at small talk, and Elizaveta was always making some sarcastic comment he didn't know how to respond to. When Gilbert had been there it was easy to keep a conversation going no matter who was involved. He'd been younger then too, and like most young children, he would be content to sit in Elizaveta's lap and call her "big sister."

"So," He said after a moment, "Are you still with Herr Österreich?" Somehow the question sounded harsher than he'd intended.

"No," She said, her smiling faltering a bit, "We broke up again…"

Who'd he cheat with this time? Ludwig was tempted to say. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," She sighed, "We'll probably get together again soon."

"Ja," He tried not to seem too skeptical. She knew what she was doing. She must really love that guy if she let him treat her like this. It wasn't like she didn't have other options.

"Well anyway," She gave him a tentative hug. "Nice seeing you, Ludwig."

"Ja," He pat her head, knowing she hated that, "Nice seeing you too Fraulin."

She wrinkled her nose, then smile, "I still can't get over how much you've grown, even now." She laughed.

"I know you can't," He smiled a bit, "You say that every time I see you."

"Yes well," She smirked a bit, "I knew you when you were only as tall as my knee."

"Here we go again…" He laughed.

"Fine, I won't tell you the story then." She stuck out her tongue.

"No tell me I want to hear it again."

"Well," She took a deep breath, "Once upon a time…"

"There was a little boy.."

"Shush!"

"Sorry, sorry."

"There was a little boy who had been found by a rather…irresponsible young Prussian. The little boy however, was very responsible, and always ate his vegetables. The two of them were friends with a lovely Hungarian girl who often cooked delicious food for them and taught the little boy games. She and the Prussian often fought, but they always made up," Her eyes became especially soft when she said this, "and they lived quite happily like this for a very long time." She'd changed the original version of "happily ever after" for obvious reasons.

They parted with smiles on their faces, "See you next year." Ludwig smiled.

"Fraulin…" Ludwig said opening the door of the guest room.

"Germany…is that you?" She mumbled sleepily. He just walked up to the edge of the bed, closing the door behind him.

"I had a bad dream," He looked up at her with big eyes. His brother was off fighting some war and she'd volunteered to babysit. He expected her to say what his brother said "just get over it and go back to sleep."

Instead she held lifted the covers from her mattress. "Want to sleep with me?"

His eyes widened, he nodded and climbed onto the bed. His assent was made a bit awkward by the stuffed bear he carried. She wrapped her arms around them both, "Who's this?" she yawned.

"Knut," The little boy nestled into the crook of her neck. She patted the bears head.

"Szia Knut."

"…Fraulin…?"

"Yes, mezem?"

"I…Knut...he's still scared….could you…maybe tell us a story…?" He looked at her tired face hopefully.

She yawned "Once upon a time there was a little boy…"

Translations

Szia-Hi

Herr Österreich— Mr. Austria

Ja—Yes

Fraulin—Miss (as in Miss. Hungary)

Mezem—My honey, honey