WEST.

Germany stared at the wall with great dismay. He gave a worried glance at his watch and sighed. His brother was never late and this was the time of day that the albino somehow slips away from the wrings of Russia to talk to him. Germany looked side-to-side, feeling complete empathy for those who depicted illustrations of freedom on the Iron Curtain.

Maybe Prussia couldn't get away today? He hoped nothing bad happened to him. His dear older brother was precious to him in a completely platonic way. Germany put a gloved hand on the wall and muttered sullen promises to save his brother or die trying.

"This too shall pass, Ludwig." A man wearing a uniform that demands utter praise smiled at him. A familiar and loved smile. Little Germany had quietly asked his brother when would the wars stop so that they can simply stay at home and eat wurst all day long.

"But bruder!" He whined and pouted. Gilbert, Prussia, softly chuckled at him. Then the Prussian's expression shifted from cheery to solemn as red eyes looked out to the open windows and out into a militarist country at war.

"Ignorance is bliss, Luddy." Gilbert ruffled his blond hair, making it stand up due the friction of his leather glove. The younger scowled and pushed away the elder's hand. He huffed and distanced himself from Gilbert who now looked warily at his pocket watch.

"Are you going?"

"Ja."

Germany sighed. He had already waited too long; he needed to get back to work. This country cannot be alleviated if he just stood here waiting. He can't be the savior of his brother if he just waited. Germany has to move. He has to go-

"Forward," Gilbert said, "if you reach a line, there's nothing to do but move forward." Ludwig nodded as his brother was giving him a lecture on tactics. He was always supremely fascinated with how his brother knew so much on the subject. Young Germany even heard myriads of people speak of Prussia's greatness when it comes to these things but there was always this lingering question on his mind.

"Bruder, what about love?"

"Love?"

"Liebe."
"Ah. What about it?" Ludwig evidently blushed, he wasn't used to asking such matters. He'd always been a diligent student and rarely strayed from the topic.

"I heard France and Spain argue about it the last time they were here, it sounded uhm, I don't know. The kissing thing is intriguing!" Then and there, Ludwig couldn't read his brother's face for once. He thought he was going to get a scolding until he heard 'kesesese'-ing.

"Love is something that binds two people. It's larger than life and more powerful than war," An emotion that Ludwig couldn't place shone in Gilbert's eyes, "As for the kissing nonsense, you kiss those you love! Not everyone on sight like Francis, ja?"

"So does that mean I can kiss you?" And Gilbert obviously flushed at that but he simply coughed then assumed his regular aura.

"Ja, you can but only on the cheek, Luddy."

"Why?"

"Your lips are reserved for the one whom you'll spend eternity with."

Upon arriving at his house, a tinge of home cooking escaped from his kitchen. Germany wasn't phased though. It was merely Italy who bothered him to no means yet he'd always put up with. He guesses, that this is what love is. Prussia never stayed long enough to seemingly explain to him and the albino would always come up with excuses not to. Germany looked at the Italian humming as he cooked excessive amounts of pasta; the blond never complained though. Maybe this is what love is? Did Gilbert even know?

"Küss Mich." All that little Germany got in response was a silver eyebrow quirk. He was about to run inside the house and vow never to speak to his brother again unless completely necessary when he was swept up by Gilbert and a chaste kiss was placed on his forehead.

"Luddy, remember what I told you?"

"N-nein."
"These," Prussia paused and placed a slender finger on his little brother's lips, "are for your lover not for your brother so don't fret, 'kay?"

Ludwig nodded. The soft prickle of a kiss on his forehead was enough for him. He thought that this was all the love he could ever need.

"I-italia."

"Vee~?"

"Küss Mich."