Sleep… finally after a couple of horrid restless nights. Dreams of laughter and fun with Francis and Antonio as he ran and fought alongside them were what played on the 18-year old albino's mind as he slept. Running! I'm running!
"Bruder… Bruder!" Gilbert blinked his eyes open. Judging by the fact that he was unable to see, he noted that it was still night. He turned to the young German who slept beside him but had awoken in fear. More tears and probably another sleepless night… he thought as he hugged the little country.
"Ja, Lud?" He asked. "Did you have another nightmare?"
"Ja!" Ludwig whimpered, nuzzling against the elder nation's chest. Gilbert reached over, flicking on the light as he was held onto as though he were a lifeline, "You aren't going to leave me like vati did are you?" Came a silent, strained whisper.
The elder shook his head, "Nein."
"Good," Ludwig's small hands loosened their deathly tight grip on Gilbert's shirt, "because in my dream, you-" He stopped, his lower lip trembling.
"I what?" The albino asked in a low, calming voice.
"Left me…" His young brother choked out. Gilbert clicked his tongue, flicking the light back off and cuddling the little boy. Dreams of his passing had been tormenting his little brother for an amount of time now. It was almost eerie, but he felt that it would be an overreaction if he fretted about it. Besides, nightmares are common among young children right? He thought to himself. Still, it bothered him. They were both losing sleep after this and he needed to look after his brother since Germania was no longer there. He looked into the soft, innocent face of the little nation.
Ludwig's sweet blue eyes shut peacefully; his small mouth opened ever so slightly. He kept his ear against Gilbert's chest, the sound of his heartbeat lulling him to sleep.
"Ich Liebe dich." The albino couldn't resist pecking his younger brother's soft, round cheek before allowing himself to enter the dark world of sleep.
The next morning, the albino had trouble rousing himself. His body felt heavy and the light hurt his eyes. Ludwig had come in a few times, shaking him, poking him and even shouting in his ear. He was so tired he simply couldn't be bothered to respond. His body felt so heavy when he finally dragged himself out of bed to meet Antonio and Francis at the door. He'd forgotten all about the war against Rodreich. 'Mein Gott Francis! You could remind me about these things you know…"
"Gil, we did…" The blonde Frenchman reminded him.
He smirked at the Spaniard who leaned close and peering into his droopy crimson eyes, "What do you want, Antonio?"
"Gil… are you feeling okay?" The Spaniard's battle-ready smile turned into a frown.
Gilbert shook his head, "I'm fine Toni I just-" His mouth gaped into a yawn, "-didn't get much sleep last night…"
"I see." Antonio tilted his head almost sympathetically as he watched his friend prepare to go take Austria. "Well Gil, remember we're always here for ya."
"Ja. You always have been…" The Prussian slighted, "but then again who doesn't want to be near the awesome me."
"Me!" Francis teased, receiving a playful punch. "Now let's get going."
"And seize those vital regions!"
Ludwig stood there silently watching the trio as they prepped then eventually left, "Bru-" He was about to call out to Gilbert when the door shut. "Bruder…" He sniffed, a lone tear escaping his soft blue eye and streaking his cheek. "Please stay safe…" He silently prayed, sitting on the floor, leaning sadly against the wall. His big brother always said goodbye before he left, why didn't he say goodbye this time? Is big bruder mad at me? Does he like his friends better than me? The little blonde boy wondered. Gilbert seemed to be drifting further away from him. He as acting so differently. He still loves me I think, or he wouldn't cuddle me at night when I have nightmares… The young German reminded himself, feeling tears push their way out of his eyes. He sadly began to drift off as he sat there, eventually falling asleep. He was awoken by the sound of the trio returning. They didn't seem too happy. "Bruder?" Ludwig asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Luddy! You- I'm so sorry! I didn't even say goodbye…" The albino gripped the boy in his arms.
The blonde smiled, "Its okay Gilly." He said. A gasp escaped his mouth when the Prussian pulled away. He felt his hart drop at the sight, "Bruder you're hurt!"
"I'm okay."
"Nein." Ludwig whimpered at the sight of blood staining the other's clothing. "I will make you feel better." He said, running to grab some bandages.
In the meantime, Gilbert removed most of the bloodied clothing. Francis and Antonio had went home with quite some injuries themselves. Austria was not expected to have so much back up. Hungary was not supposed to arrive. He let his thoughts wander on the mishaps of the day as Ludwig came back and helped him out of his shirt and onto the couch.
"Danke, I can deal with it from here… they aren't too b-"
"Bruder." Ludwig pouted, "First you leave me without saying goodbye and as far as I know you could have died! Now you're refusing my aid? You really are foolish…" The child shook his head.
"Ja, okay, whatever." Gilbert sighed, holding still as his little brother gently wrapped his injuries.
"That should be okay." Ludwig tightened a bandage around Gilbert's head and smiled.
The elder nation reached over to hug the other, "Danke." He whispered, caressing his ear, enveloping him tenderly in his battered arms. "I'll always keep you safe Ludwig Bielschmedt… always."
"Don't say that!" The child slapped him away.
Gilbert gaped not in the pain that the child's hand drew from his bruised cheek, but the cold shock that consumed him, "Wh- Why?" He asked.
"Because. Vati said that too…" Ludwig trailed off, biting back tears, "…the next thing I knew he was…gone..."
Author's Note: Please forgive me for any spelling mistakes as my keyboard is not very good. If something says ad its probably 'and', 'hi' would be him or his etc. Alright, I fail… right here right now -_- Anyways, please read and review. Any questions? (besides about the future of the storyline) feel free to ask, loves. Reviews are greatly appreciated as they do encourage me to write more Well that's it for all, stay tuned for chapter three~
