Gilbert was awoken from his restless sleep by a particularly distressing dream. He would often push memories like these to the back of his mind, happy to deny their existence in order to preserve his 'awesomely' cheery demeanour.
Standing up, the ex-nation examined the alarm clock that sat on the bedside table. It read '02:37', causing the Prussian to frown. He knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep.
Stretching, Gilbert tilted his head to see to Gilbird still sleeping peacefully, the bird's tiny yellow chest rising and falling with each minuscule breath that it took. With a smile that came as a result of seeing Gilbird's cuteness, Prussia pulled on a t-shirt, heading upstairs and out of his basement room almost silently, not closing the door lest it's creaking wake his sleeping pet.
His feet carried him through the corridors until he reached his younger brother's room. Prussia pushed the door open and smiled. While Germany was an early riser, there was still no way that the blonde would be awake, not for another few hours at least. Gilbert sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling at the sight of Ludwig's peaceful state. Running a hand through Ludwig's soft blond hair, his smile fell slightly. When Ludwig's hair was down like this, it looked almost identical to how it had been when he was a child.
To how it had been when he had been the Holy Roman Empire.
To how it had been when he had been Ludwig Edelstein.
Edelstein. The name itself made Gilbert cringe. To think that his brother, his brother, had once shared a name with Austria.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the window creaking, and the white haired nation dove from his seat on the bed and ducked beneath it, grabbing a nearby lamp as means of protection. The window slid up, and Italy climbed through, a bright smile forming on his face when he saw Germany. Feliciano slipped beneath the warm covers and wrapped his arms around the German's broad chest, kissing his cheek tenderly, all of which came to the Prussian in hiding's great surprise. However, the thing that astonished Gilbert the most was what Feliciano said and how Ludwig reacted to it.
"I will always love you, Holy Rome."
"Ich liebe dich auch, Feli." Whispered the German in response.
"Since when..?" Urged the Italian, exited. Ludwig had never answered him before!
Ludwig rolled over so that his head was facing the Italian, emitting gentle snores, causing Feliciano to giggle. "It's ok Luddy, you'll remember soon." Laughed the Italian quietly, smiling down at Ludwig as he ran his fingers through the German's blonde hair.