Renaissance Ch. 2
Bright autumn leaves fell, scattering the city in a plethora of warm shades. The contrasting cold air made it cool enough for a jacket, but warm enough to keep comfortable. Parks were littered with maple leaves, and benches quickly became occupied by couples enjoying the sights. Children played in mounds of fallen leaves, begging their parents to stay for "Just one more minute, please?" The crisp fall day's atmosphere was a joyful one. Who wouldn't enjoy the sights of Berlin in the fall?
Taking in everything Germany's fall had to offer, its personification walked around the park. Even though there wasn't a whole lot to be happy about nowadays, there was something so simple and pleasing about a clear fall day. The sight of his people enjoying their lives despite what they'd been through inspired him to move on. After all, his strength was their strength, and it takes a lot to put down the German nation.
Approaching the Wall, Ludwig finally found a free seat. First clearing the spot of leaves, he sat down to reflect on what might happen. It was clear that Ivan's power was fading. His perfect Soviet Union was crumbling from the inside out, ever since they began accepting complaints. The way things were headed, Ludwig would be surprised if the Union lasted more than another month.
And supposing that the Soviets really did fall, what would come of it? Surely, East Germany would be returned to him. The prospect didn't really seem too exciting. When Gilbert passed, Ludwig was not left with a feeling of fulfillment. He should have felt his brother join with him, and since he had not, Ludwig grew wary of something more being conspired behind that infamous wall. He had attended the funeral and the truth was quite clear. Gilbert was no longer with them. But then, why did Ludwig still feel empty?
Standing up, Ludwig paced alongside the Wall.
Today was October 3rd, 1990. And something was different. The people had been antsy ever since people had been allowed across the wall. Ivan's control of the situation was loose, and East Berliners were quickly making their way to the West. The question on everyone's mind was: When was the wall going to come down? Ivan clearly wasn't going to take it down himself, and so after nearly 30 years of pain and frustration, the people took it upon themselves to tear the wall to pieces.
It all happened very quickly. The people gathered, and there seemed to be a mutual understanding that this was the last day for the wall, and that the German people would have none of it any longer. They came with pickaxes, hammers, shovels, and many with just their bare hands. Before Ludwig could blink, he felt the emotion of the entirety of Berlin. The oppression felt by the East, the passion and pain of the West, and the begging for unity between the two. Though his connection to the Eastern people was weaker, he could feel their pain as though it was his own.
Before he knew it, Ludwig saw Alfred leading on the American sector, Arthur encouraging the English sector, and even Francis, standing at the forefront of the French sector. They gave their nod, proving they were ready to take down the Wall that had killed his brother.
Getting caught up in the sheer force of emotion, Ludwig began commanding the people, taking charge, telling them that they could and would finally do it. They unleashed their anger upon the wall, and managed to take it down in a matter of minutes.
People ran in a mad scramble to find their loved ones, their lost children, their newfound grandchildren. Names permeated the air, filling it with the universal sound of emotion, and the connection of people long separated.
It was then that Ludwig realized he had nobody to welcome back. There was nobody to hug in a crazed frenzy of happiness. His heart turned cold as the crisp air he breathed as he turned to Alfred, knowing who he now had to face.
The young American, though exhilarated, took on a serious tone, telling him "You know what you have to do. Go give that Commie hell for me!"
Smiling for the first time in what seemed like ages, Ludwig turned to Arthur and Francis, the more mature of the three nations. Though Arthur looked like he was going to say something in protest, Francis placed a gloved hand over the blushing Brit's mouth, leaning forward and saying "You have suffered enough mon ami. Finish this in whatever way you feel that you 'ave to."
Thanking him silently, Ludwig stood up to his full height and turned towards the East side where surely the Russian stood, awaiting a confrontation. Stepping over the rubble, Ludwig searched the wall for the man with the lavender eyes, a beige scarf, and the creepy smile.
Off in the distance, Ludwig saw his nemesis. Scarf waving and coat billowing, the blue eyed man could just imagine the grin on his face and the glint in his eyes. Malice filled Ludwig at the mere sight of the tall Russian.
Imagining Gilbert's blood red eyes and snow white hair, tears pricked at Ludwig's eyes, refusing to give Ivan the satisfaction of seeing them fall. He was the reason that the German was alone. He was the reason that Gilbert had to say his final goodbye. He was the reason that his country had faced 30 years of separation, keeping families from seeing each other and lovers from being with each other.
It was time that Ludwig made his stand against that man in beige. Stepping towards him with solidarity and a look that could kill at one glance, he fluidly pulled out his gun, and pointed it at the Russian.
"I will never forgive you for what you did to my country! My brother died at your hands, and all you can do is grin like a madman! For what you've done, you deserve to die, you bastard!" Ludwig yelled, gritting his teeth against the tears. His grip on the trigger tightened, nearly setting off the bullet when Ivan interrupted.
"Germany, I think you should see something first."
Ludwig hadn't bothered to look down in the heat of everything. Things had gone so quickly and when all he could think about was facing Ivan and giving him a piece of his mind, he hadn't bothered himself with where they were, what they were doing, and even who they were in the presence of.
Turning around, Ludwig saw the gaping faces of Alfred, Arthur, and Francis. Shocked, he snapped his head back to Ivan, attempting to break down the grin on his face. Following the gaze of the three men behind him led him to the stunning sight before him.
"What are yo-"the German started, cutting off his own sentence.
Behind Ivan, clutching his coat stood a boy that could be no older than 5. His bright red eyes looked up at Germany in wonder, seemingly unafraid. Tufts of snow white hair glinted silver in the sunlight, mesmerizing Ludwig. Though his expression showed defiance to the four men ogling at him, his grip on Ivan's billowing winter coat tightened, betraying his fear. Glancing away from them, he looked up at the tall Russian with a glare and frown asking, "Почему они смотрят на меня?" in a voice that demanded an answer.
Looking down, Ivan quickly chastised the child, telling him he had to speak English here, reminding him that not everyone in the world knows Russian.
While Ivan gave a small lesson to the little boy, Ludwig's mind was racing. Everything about him was exactly like Gilbert. His hair, eyes, lack of skin color… but Ludwig knew that all those things could be mimicked very easily. No, what convinced the German was his tone of voice, and the general backtalk and disrespect the small child had towards the Russian, regardless of the fact that it would take him no effort to snap his neck in two. There was no mistaking that this child was Gilbert.
Standing upright again, Ivan readied himself for an explanation.
"This is… Gilbert. I attempted renaming him East, but he didn't take to the name very well," he said, glancing down at the child, pouting at the mention of East. "He appeared at the Wall shortly after Gilbert's passing, and I took the liberty of raising him. He has not grown any more since I found him, and he appears to be four years old when he is in reality about 30 years old. He knows both English and Russian, though he will speak what he wants, when he wants. His preference for today is, evidently, Russian."
"And you decided not to inform us of him?" the British man asked, tearing his eyes away from the boy kicking the ground.
"I thought it necessary at the time." He said, keeping his answer to a minimum.
"He is a representative of German territory. The falling of the Berlin Wall marks his freedom. You will have to give him up to Germany." Arthur responded, wary of the response. They could easily be waging war over this boy.
Meanwhile, Ludwig could not keep up with the speed of the conversation. Gilbert was alive? Was this really Gilbert? Would he have to raise him in his own household? Why on earth didn't the Germanic boy learn German? What if he didn't like Ludwig? Everything from his favourite kinds of food to how to deal with him politically raced through Ludwig's mind. One moment Gilbert was dead, and now he's been reborn?
"I didn't anticipate that the Berlin Wall would fall today. You must allow me some time to explain to the boy what has happened. I will need a week at the very least." Ivan reasoned, placing a hand on Gilbert's shoulder, much to his irritation.
The three burst into an argument, half against Ivan, and half amongst themselves. The din kept rising, as each attempted to be heard.
"I won't allow it." Ludwig said sternly. Gilbert looked up from his pout in interest, blinking curiously at his now-elder brother.
"Gilbert comes with me no matter what. I won't accept anything else."
"Ludwig, you can't just demand that! If he-" England interjected, attempting to reason with the stubborn German.
"I won't tolerate any other options. It's this or war." His expression was stern, and the three behind him began chattering like squirrels.
It was a battle between brothers. If Ludwig allowed Russia to take a week in explaining what was going to happen, he would attempt brainwashing Gilbert into believing that Germany was a bad person, forcing him to give back Gilbert if he wished for his happiness. If, however, he managed to convince Russia to let him take Gilbert now, he may have a chance at rekindling a relationship, and slowly purging the Russian from his mind.
Both were very aware of these facts, and neither would give in. The glinting lavender in Ivan's eyes showed determination, and the unwillingness to give up Gilbert. Somewhere in those 30 years, he had formed a bond with Gilbert. He wasn't about to give it up.
When it seemed as though all was lost, and war would be declared for the possession of Gilbert, Ludwig had a thought.
"Ivan, let him grow up where he can see the flowers bloom each spring, and where he can see the leaves change colour in the fall. Let him see the hot summer, and cold winter. My country has all of these things. Let him grow up as a child should."
The amethyst eyes changed from hard with determination to soft with understanding. Looking into Gilbert's eyes, he thought of how much he had loved the warmer weather in the summer. They didn't get much of it, but how he loved it. If he could just swallow his pride as a nation and as a person, he could give this boy a chance at a life without General Winter.
"…If the boy goes with you, he will not live." Ivan said sadly.
"What are you talking about? Of course he will live!"
"Germany. Think sensibly. This boy is the representation of the German Democratic Republic. If the two are to join, one will have to go. The strongest always wins." The Russian continued grimly, placing a hand on Gilbert's shoulder.
Though that small movement irritated Ludwig, he knew he had to keep his head. Gilbert might as well be dead if he stayed with Russia. It's not like Ivan would let anyone else near him. He presented a new argument, one that might just win.
"What about the Italian brothers? They were rejoined, and Romano is still with us. When Prussia and I were first unified, Prussia didn't fade." Ludwig argued.
"Prussia no longer exists. The Italys may be a special case. Nobody knows how this world works, Germany. Are you willing to wager Gilbert's life on it?"
"Yes."
The silence that followed was one that not even Alfred could break. The only sound heard was the wind in their ears, and the flapping of Ivan's scarf.
"Я хочу пойти." Gilbert said, his voice high pitched yet displaying a sense of certainty. His eyes were trained on Ludwig, in a sense of wonder that made the German nation's heart sing with pride. He would be the best big bruder he could be.
"Вы уверены?" Ivan asked, stooping down to Gilbert's level.
"Да, Poccия." The frail albino responded, voice cold as ice.
Still, a pause remained in the air. Russia stood to his full height, meeting eyes with Ludwig. Something in the strong nation had broken. Shutting his eyes and lowering his voice to a near whisper, he said the words "Yes, he can go with you now."
Kneeling down with a grin on his face, he opened his arms for the little Germanic nation. Gilbert's face split into a grin, and he went on the instinct of his birthplace, and ran towards the brother he never knew.
Ludwig lifted him into the air, holding him tighter than ever before, all the while crying in his tiny shoulder. Looking into his shining crimson eyes, he ruffled the white hair that made him so distinctive. He would keep this boy safe from anything.
Gilbert's laugh filled the air, so different from laugh Prussia made. Ludwig vowed to always make his little bruder laugh, too. It sounded so wonderful.
Glancing up at the Russia, who stood alone against the 5 of them, Ludwig could not help but be thankful towards him. Though the wall had caused so much strife and despair, it gave him this little one to care for, and a new reason to live.
Gilbert was back, and nothing was taking him away from him again.
Author's Note:
Written at 1:00am. This will definitely need revising in the morning! Hopefully this story is an enjoyable one! I'm debating bringing up another confict, or just filling the rest with unadulterated fluff. Let me know what you think!
"Почему они смотрят на меня?" – Why are they looking at me?
"Я хочу пойти." – I want to go.
"Вы уверены?" - Are you sure?
"Да, Poccия." – Yes, Russia
