First Steps

Some days passed. Gilbert became stronger and with Toris' help he wandered around soon, until he didn't need him as support anymore.

He didn't understand everything in this guy - sometimes he'd randomly just remove some old books from Gilbert's room, his only explanation being that someone else needed these right now...

Toris seemed nervous all the time, as if he feared he'd do something wrong the next moment. And sometimes he paused before calling him by his name. It was just... strange.

That day Gilbert wanted to join the others, so he slowly climbed down the stairs, holding on to the railing.

There was busy chatting downstairs. Plates and cutlery made tiny noises and people walked back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room.

"I'm back in a second. Don't worry." Toris came down the hallways, seemingly lost in thoughts when he noticed him. "A-ah! Gilbert?" Immediately he came up the last steps and took his arm to support him. "What are you doing?"

"Can't you see?" Gilbert said with a crooked grin. "I'm walking..." Still he sighed a bit in relief as the other took his arm.

"But you're not supposed to walk yet. You're still not well..." Toris sighed deeply. "Did you want to join lunch?"

"Hey, I made it all the way down here...!" Gilbert protested with a pout before he nodded. "Yes... I'm pretty hungry...!"

Toris blinked but smiled then as he helped Gilbert the last steps down. "True. That's a big step forward. Maybe it's time you should walk more again to train your legs?" His smile shrank for a moment before it came back. "Alright then. It's almost done. We're just waiting for Ivan."

Gilbert just nodded. He didn't want to lie around all day. He still didn't remember anything, but he just... felt that this wasn't what he was supposed to be...!

"Ah, I see...! Well, maybe he'll pass us on our way" he joked.

"I hope not... a-ah... I mean... he's working right now so..." He bit his lip and walked a bit faster, leading Gilbert into the dining room were just Raivis and Eduard waited. Most people worked during the day and just few stayed in the house. However for dinner the house was most of the times more crowded.

Two pairs of eyes looked up as they entered. "P-Prussia?"

Gilbert blinked at that voice, then blinked again for that name.

"... P... Prussia...?" he repeated, his gaze suddenly distant, thoughtful.

"Raivis!" Toris hissed and even Eduard whispered something to his brother. Both seemed almost in panic.

"A-a-h... e-ehm... I... I mean Gilbert..." The shortest brother tried a shaky smile. "G-good to see you here!"

"Come, Gil... let's... let's sit down..."

"..." Gilbert didn't move, still staring into nothingness. Something... something touched his heart, his soul, but when he reached out to grab it, it was gone.

"A-ah... yes... let's... I feel a bit... dizzy..." he mumbled.

"..." Biting his lip Toris took his arm and led him to a free place where he let him sit down. "Raivis will get you a plate and all. Right, Raivis?" Toris' voice was unusually sharp as he said that and it made his brother jump.

"Do you want some water, Gil?"

"Yes... yes, please..." He rubbed his temple, breathing in a bit deeper than before. His head hurt... something was there... something that wanted to get OUT...

"Alright. Just a second." Hurrying to the end of the table Toris got a glass and filled it with water. However when he turned back he froze.

"... good day, Ivan... Lunch is... almost ready."

Gilbert blinked and turned around, looking at Ivan. "Ah... hello, Ivan..." he said with a weak smile.

Was it imagination... or did the temperature drop several degrees...?

"Gilbert, what are you doing here?" Ivan smiled slightly surprised, observing Toris' and Eduard's expression attentive. He knew something was up.

"Do you feel strong enough to join us already?"

The German nodded slightly. "Yes. I didn't feel like lying around all day... I don't know... it felt wrong and I thought it would be good to train my legs a bit. Plus, I was hungry" he added with a low laugh.

Eduard smiled nervously. "Toris' made some tasty food, so... we will take care of that...!"

"These are good signs then! I'm glad you're getting better." Smiling brightly Ivan let himself fall on the chair at Gilbert's side. It wasn't his usual place but without having to say a word Toris came and put plate and glass, fork, knife and spoon in front of him. Ivan ignored him completely.

"So if you're bored in your room, how about we drive out this afternoon? Some fresh air can't be wrong."

Gilbert observed them attentively and something about this scene left a nagging feeling inside him.

"Ah... it's... if you're not too busy?" He sighed a bit, looking down at the plate. "I tried reading some of the books, but... well, I feel like I once knew some Cyrillic, but like everything it's gone almost completely and the books I can read... that are left in the shelf," he looked at Toris for a moment, "aren't that interesting..."

"I have some work left after lunch, but it won't take too long. After that I have all time of the world for you." Ivan kept on smiling and listened attentive. When Gilbert's glance went to Toris he looked at him as well, nodding barely visible.

Toris felt his heart skip a beat at that gesture and looked to the ground.

"I can teach you how to read Cyrillic, if you want. And about German books... I just got a bunch of example prints from Berlin."

Another nod of Gilbert. "That's good... thanks! And I'd like to learn to read Cyrillic again."

Again...

He knew he had been able to read it, at least a bit. Maybe he had been associated with Russia before... probably...

He shook his head to free his brain from thoughts. "When will the meal be ready?" he asked with a crooked smile. His head was spinning again...

"Don't worry. It's not that hard and I'm sure you're a fast learner."

"A-ah... In a second!" Toris gave Eduard a glance and they hurried outside to get the food, leaving Gilbert and Ivan alone.

"... don't worry... it will get better..." Ivan mumbled softly, when they were gone.

Gilbert raised his head, smiling weakly. "Can you read my mind? Or do I look THAT miserable that it's this obvious...?" He sighed a bit. "The room is spinning around... and I feel like I should be remembering something..."

"You don't look too good to be honest..." Putting a hand on Gilbert's, Ivan brushed his thumb over white skin. "It will come back to you. Maybe if you see what's going on outside. I was thinking about taking you on a trip to Berlin. Maybe seeing your capital will help."

"My... capital..." Gilbert smiled a bit. "Berlin, huh? That sounds familiar... yes, maybe I will remember then...!"

Ivan smiled too and leaned in to blow a kiss on white hair. "I like when you smile like that. Yes, I'll take you on my trip. But until then you need to get better and train to walk. Is that a deal?"

Gilbert blinked at that kiss, his eyes widening for a moment.

Was this... supposed to happen...? It felt... weird... not really wrong, but not right either...

"A-ah... ja... that's... that's a deal, I'd say..."

"Good. Now where is our lunch? Toris!"

"C-coming!" They had waited behind the door, knowing Ivan didn't like to be bothered when he had his private talk with someone. Now however the table filled with deliciously smelling food and not many minutes later everything was ready and everyone seated.

Ivan raised his glass and looked into the tense faces. "This is a happy day, now that our newest family member finally joined us. On our family! And that it'll grow with time."

Gilbert noticed how the others smiled sort of... unsure, when they raised their glasses.

It left mixed feelings, just like this whole conversation had done, but he raised his glass, too, and nodded slightly.

On the family...

Family...

Without really noticing he put his hand on his heart.

But then he blinked and put down the glass, starting to eat.

Ivan noticed the gesture and he noticed how Gilbert observed the others for a moment. Somehow... he didn't like it, even if he knew there was no way to hide the truth forever.

The lunch was calm and chatty, with Ivan being the one talking most and laughing at his own jokes. The Baltics just laughed politely. The shock of Latvia's faux pas still stuck in their bones. If Ivan found out... they'd be in trouble.

After all were done and stuffed Ivan excused himself and went back into his office, finding his telephone ringing without break.

It was two hours later that he came to knock on Gilbert's door.

Gilbert raised his head, sitting on the bed. "Herein?" He still felt tired and the more he had tried to remember, the more his head had hurt.

Poking his head in Ivan smiled brightly. "Are you ready to go? I'm sorry I took so long but my boss needed some things."

"Ah! Yes, yes, sure!" He threw his legs over the edge of the bed and wanted to get up, but fell back on the mattress immediately. "Ah... I... shouldn't get up that quickly, I guess..."

Ivan was at his side a second after and grabbed his arm. "No, you shouldn't... Are you feeling well? Maybe we should make our tour another day...

"N-no. I just got up a bit too quickly...!" he insisted. "Please, I'm sick and tired of sitting inside...!"

"Hm..." Ivan looked down on him for a long moment and shook his head then. "No. We won't drive out, but we'll take a walk in the nearby forest. I don't want you to break down somewhere far away."

Gilbert made a face, but then nodded with a disappointed sigh. He had wished to find some memories in his capital... but he had to admit, that Ivan was probably right...

"Just for today. Maybe you'll feel better tomorrow." Holding out a hand for him Ivan tried a reassuring smile. "It's walking training today."

"Ok..." He took his hand and let him help him up. "I guess, I'll need some warmer clothes then..."

"I thought so too and got some coats and shoes in your size. They're downstairs." And Ivan led him out of the room, never letting Gilbert's hand go.

"Ah, thank you..."

It was a strange feeling, letting the other holding his hand all the time. It was... probably just because he feared Gilbert would fall, right?

"No problem~" Together they went down again where coats and shoes waited. Ivan picked some dark ones from the shelf and held them out. "Try them on. I guess they should fit."

Gilbert slipped into them and they actually fit almost perfectly. "Ah, thanks... I guess they should do just fine...!"

"Great!" Smiling gladly he gave Gil the coat and slipped into his own boots. When Ivan was dressed he took the rifle, hidden behind all the clothes, and put it's leather strap over his shoulder. "I guess we're ready to go then~"

Gilbert blinked at the rifle. "I... guess it's not too safe outside, huh?" He smiled crooked and looked at the door. "Well then..."

"It's a forest and there do live bears and wolves. It's better to be safe than sorry."

Shoving the door open a cool, soft autumn wind blew into their faces. It was refreshing and everything smelled like leaves and mushrooms.

"I see..." He followed him to the door with slow steps and took a deep breath of that air. It felt very nice... yet it gave him again that nagging feeling... like there happened something in this coldness... something important.

"Ah... you lead the way then!"

"Sure. Come." In the distance they could see a city. The buildings seemed small from where they stood and just smoke rising up in the air every now and then told them this city was still alive. However Ivan lead Gil around the house and through a well kept garden to a narrow path leading them over a field full of blooming wildflowers and to the edge of the forest.

"What do you say? Isn't the landscape beautiful?"

Gilbert nodded silently, smiling a bit. "Yes... I don't know why, but it... feels good. Like... like my home was similar to this... I don't know, it's hard to describe..."

While walking, he let his fingertips stroke the passing flowers. He stopped when he saw a cornflower, still in full bloom. "..." Even if it was already late in year and cold, this little guy kept on fighting, living.

It made Gilbert smile.

"I know that feeling." Ivan kept on walking, however when he didn't hear footsteps behind him anymore he turned back. It was a strange thing to see Prussia... Gilbert… standing there and smiling at the flowers. Ivan wasn't sure he had seen him like this before. Either they had been at war or seen each other at meetings. It had been rare in the last decades that they had spend time somewhere alone and in peace...

A sigh left his lips. He was unable to look away.

As Gilbert noticed he was being watched, he blinked and raised his head quickly. "A-ah..." He scratched his chin a bit embarrassed. "Sorry... I... I guess I'm just happy being outside..." he mumbled and caught up with Ivan quickly.

"... everyone would be after the time you slept." Turning back to the way Ivan continued walking. "If you get tired, tell me. Da?"

"Yes, I will..." Gilbert followed him, still smiling absently, his gaze wandering over the flowers, the field, the scenery.

It felt good...

Ivan walked slower and glanced at his company every now and then. He liked that smile, even if it wasn't the one he was used from Gilbert. That smirk with so much fire in it, teasing almost, bold and still so addicting...

He shook his head, smiling to himself. That would maybe never show up again.

They walked in silence, since Ivan felt there was not much left to say. Gilbert needed some fresh air and he'd speak up if he thought that their walk was too silent.

After a while, Gilbert slowed down, his expression changing just slightly to tired.

"I guess... we should return..." he said lowly, looking at Ivan with a thankful smile. "I'm glad you took me out here... but my legs are getting really heavy now..."

"Are they?" Ivan came closer and put a hand on Gil's cheek, examining his eyes and pale skin. "Yes... it's enough for today. We can always repeat this or you can even go alone, if you want. Once you're better of course."

Gilbert looked at him for a moment, then lowered his gaze. He knew by now that Ivan was someone who got closer to people than usually acceptable, and it wasn't like he really minded, but... it was... well. Weird. He wasn't used to it.

"Sounds good..." He straightened his shoulders a bit and turned around.

"..." Ivan remained with hand raised for a second, before he let it fall. Something told him that Gilbert didn't like this, but it was Ivan's habit, his opinion on how dear friends and family were treated - intimate and trusting.

"Let's go then. I know a shorter way." He was so taken by his thoughts that he didn't notice the birds flying up and making a ruckus above their heads.

Gilbert did notice though and he stopped, raising his head to the sky. "..."

Something... something wasn't right.

His eyes widened as he heard a noise, his head turning around the next moment.

"Da kommt was...!"

Something big was breaking through the forest.

In a reflex Ivan grabbed his rifle before he even looked up. Whatever was coming... it was coming fast.

"... run... Run, Gilbert!" Grabbing the other's arm Ivan dragged him with himself.

Gilbert cursed lowly, starting to run.

There were more birds over them now. Gilbert could feel his heartbeat in his chest, fear and realisation rising - whatever it was, that was hunting here... he had the feeling they wouldn't be able to outrun it...

A loud roar was heard and when Gilbert looked over his shoulder, he saw the big bear stomping through the forest.

"S-scheiße!"

"Don't talk! Run!" Ivan didn't need to look over his shoulder. He knew that noise and that voice. He knew how a bear sounded and he knew that this bear was pissed for some reason.

His eyes rushed over the trees around, while he kept on dragging Gilbert. If they'd stumble and fall now, they were lost...

"There! Over there!" He pointed with his rifle to a half fallen tree. "Up there!"

"A-are you kidding me?" Gilbert stumbled towards the trunk and leant against it. His heart was racing. He had never been good at climbing anything and he could barely feel his legs now!

"I don't know if I can!" he said, as he started to pull himself up. "Hn..!"

Damnit.

Damnit!

If he wouldn't manage, Ivan wouldn't be able to follow and...!

"Do it!"

Ivan turned back panting and grabbed his weapon with both hands. They had a head start but the bear rushed through the bushes and past trees. Even from afar he could see the white foam on its snout.

"... shit..." Aiming at the animal Ivan shot, but the bullet crashed into a nearby tree. The loud noise startled the bear, but just for a second. Roaring even louder it stormed closer.

"Up! Up!"

Gilbert was gasping, the forest spinning around him, but the mere fear kept him going. "I... I'm trying..." he said, clinging to the wood. "A…ah..."

Ivan felt his heart skipping some beats. Turning half around he reached out and tried to push Gilbert further up, but he could see there was no way Gil would manage. He was too weak for that...

The Russian gritted his teeth and made a decision. While his hands reloaded skilfully his rifle, he spoke in pressed voice. "Stay there! No movement and no noise! Not a single word!" The next moment he dashed forward.

"What? No! NO! IVAN!" he yelled, the next moment clinging to the tree, head leaning against it.

He felt dizzy, sick all of a sudden, but he didn't allow himself to lose consciousness now!

Ivan cursed under his breath, seeing how the big animal turned its head in Gilbert's direction.

"I said no noise... I said no noise! HEY! HEY, MISCHKA!" he shouted and shot once more. This time he had no chance to aim, not while running, but unexpected the bullet seemed to hit. The bear screamed in pain and turned to the prey with the stinging branch.

"Over here!"

Gilbert watched the bear run after Ivan. He shook his head. "N-no..." His arms were trembling and so were his legs.

I'm too weak.

If only I were stronger, we could've both climbed this tree!

The bear will kill Ivan...

Ivan could hear the branches crunching under the big paws. He could hear the heavy breath and the low growl. There was no way to outrun the bear... it was just too fast. Ivan had to shoot it or it would rip him to pieces and Gilbert right afterwards.

Falling on his knees Ivan reloaded the rifle once more.

... the bear was coming...

He raised the weapon up and aimed.

... it was so close already...

And Ivan shot.

The bear howled and shook its thick head, threw it around while blood drops flew in all directions.

"... damn..."

Ivan's eyes widened. He had missed... Once more his hands reloaded the rifle, while the shadow came closer... and closer... and a big paw reached out for him.

"ARGH!"

The shot didn't reach his brain, but Ivan's scream did.

"I-Ivan..." he gasped. "IVAN!" Gilbert raised his head a bit and that was a mistake.

The forest spun around him and with another gasp he slipped from the tree. He didn't even notice how he hit the floor...

The bear raised its head at the shout and the movement triggered him more than the blood under him. Rushing around it ran back, shaking its thick head again. The bite from the strange branch had hurt, but there was more prey!

Groaning, Gilbert lifted his head, still seeing stars. "H-hn..." He tried to push himself up, but didn't manage.

The ground shook under the bear's steps. Leaves and pieces of wood flew around the moment it stopped and leaned with a growl over the helpless man. Hot breath brushed over white skin and yellow teeth glistened, when another shot rang...

... and the heavy body fell to the ground.

Gilbert blinked a bit, seeing the dead bear through half lit eyes. "..."

A low voice inside his head told him: "Das war knapp..." but he didn't listen.

He was so tired...

Slow steps came closer. If Gilbert was buried under the bear... If he got crushed...

Leaned on his rifle Ivan dragged himself past the dead animal, until he could see the white haired man. With a groan Ivan went back down on his knees. Gil was safe... at least something.

Slowly Gilbert raised his gaze. "... I'm... sorry..." he whispered, his head still spinning. "... should've... returned earlier... I'm... too weak..." He closed his eyes and tried once again to push himself up. "... you... ok?"

"..." Ivan just nodded and crawled closer, before he collapsed at the other's side. "... da..."

He rolled on his back with a groan, finding his chest hurting and his left arm almost useless. If there was blood he couldn't tell. There was just pulsing pain.

"... and... you...?"

"... 'm fine... just... dizzy... my head hurts, but... that's.. ok..." Tired, red eyes roamed over the taller nation's body and he bit his lips. "... you're bleeding... d-damnit...!"

"... shouldn't have... gone... out then... damn..." Ivan tried a laugh that ended on another groan. Reaching up with his right hand he felt for the rips in his coat and flinched when his fingers touched raw flesh. "... 's a... scratch... give me a... moment..."

"It's... not..." With some effort he managed to sit up and lean against the tree. "... you need a doctor... quickly..."

"... oh s-shut up... I... didn't fall... from a... tree..." He turned his head to look at Gil, managing a crooked smile. "... anything broken...?"

"Don't know... but... it doesn't feel like it..." Gilbert sighed a bit. "My arm and head hurt... but... I can move, so... guess I'm ok..."

"... good... that bear... will attract new... predators soon... we should leave as..." he groaned as he tried to sit up. "... a-as soon... as... possible..."

"Yes..." Gilbert looked at him with a frown. "Come... we'll... do this together..." With another groan he pushed himself up and leant against the tree, holding out his hand for the other.

Ivan thought about taking the offered hand, but decided against it. Gil would break down. He was way too heavy for the German.

Taking all of his strength together Ivan sat up and fought himself on his feet. The rifle helped as a cane and as long as he kept his hurt arm unmoved, it didn't hurt too much.

"... can you walk... alone...?"

"I should be the one asking that..." Gilbert gave back and nodded. "Yes... yes, I can... not very quickly, but you can't either..."

"..." He smiled crooked. "Aren't we... the perfect pair then...? Come... we need... need to... leave..."

Gilbert made a face and nodded. "Yes... come..."

Somehow and with many pauses, they managed to find their way back home.

When the German saw the house, he sighed in relief. "A-almost there..."

There wasn't much to say. They needed their breath to walk, but when he heard Gil's words Ivan did look up from the trail he had left on the ground.

"... da... T-Toris! Toris!" Shouting hurt, but Ivan couldn't do more but lean on his rifle. "TORIS!"

Gilbert saw how it hurt him, as he went down on his knees and screamed: "SOMEBODY! HELP! WE NEED HELP!"

A window was opened and green eyes looked down on them. "What is-" Toris gasped and turned around immediately. It didn't take him long until the backdoor flew open and Toris stormed outside. "What happened?"

Ivan clung to his weapon, watching Gilbert scream from the corner of his eyes. Memories flashed up in his mind. Memories of war and pain and endless screams... He wanted to reach out with his hurt arm, feeling it tremble heavily. ... Gil...

"... bear with... rabies... probably... bring Gilbert inside and call... call a doctor..."

"I already told Eduard to call a doctor... you-"

"Get him... get him in..." Gilbert gasped. "I'm fine...! Just... hit my... my head...!"

"He's not fine! For fuck's sake, Toris!" Somehow Ivan managed to stand up tall, glaring at the poor man in front of him. He felt the blood running down and wetting his clothes, but it was nothing... nothing against the things he had endured already... nothing against war.

"I gave you an order!"

Toris raised his hands quickly. "I-I didn't mean to disobey!" he quickly said and stepped next to Gilbert and wrapped his arm around the other nation.

"G-goddamnit, it's just a headache...!" Gilbert protested, but Toris ignored him and carried him inside. "Eduard! Raivis! Ivan needs help!"

As soon as they were gone Ivan sank down on his knees and finally on the cold ground. He hated to be weak... he wasn't allowed to show anyone weakness... but it hurt and he felt dizzy. If he rested for a moment, he was sure he'd be able to walk inside on his own. Weakness wasn't allowed... it just wasn't... allowed...

"I called the doctor. He's here in fifteen minutes." Eduard explained with a worried look on Gilbert, before he nodded. "I'll go."

"W-why?" It was Raivis' quiet voice as he stood there shaking. "L-leave him there... It's not as if he could die. Right?"

Gilbert raised his head a bit, frowning in confusion.

"Raivis!" Toris gasped. "How can you say that?" Of course, Ivan was... very, very difficult to handle and sometimes even worse than that, but...

"I-It would be quiet for a while. I mean... nice and quiet. We could finally take a break! I-imagine it!" A shaky smile curled Raivis' lips and Eduard pushed his glasses up in silent agreement. He didn't move an inch, even if he felt bad for it.

"Raivis... has a point."

"G-guys...!"

"Y-You can't be serious..." Gilbert groaned. "He's hurt...! He... what... what kind of... friends are you...?"

"We're not his friends." Raivis gave back serious, the tremble gone for the moment from his voice. "We're his subordinates... prisoners... and so are you, Prussia."

While Eduard held his breath and Toris gasped in shock, Gilbert just stared at him.

Subordinates...

That kinda made sense... as Ivan ordered them around, right...?

... prisoners...

...

"P... Prussia...?" Gilbert's voice trembled, his gaze got distant as that name tried to ring a bell in his mind.

Prussia...

Prussia...!

"Raivis!" Toris shrieked, panicking now. "You're not supposed-"

"He... he needs to know! How would you feel if-"

"Latvia." It was just a single word but so full of rage and ice it seemed to freeze time for the moment. Breathing heavily Ivan stumbled through the door, his gaze fixed on the trembling nation. The moment Ivan reached him a bloodstained hand met him right in the face and without a warning, sending the smaller one to the ground.

"R-Raivis!" Eduard stuttered, but didn't dare to move, while Gilbert's eyes just widened.

"W-woah, what was that for?" Ivan couldn't have heard him saying that he didn't want to help, right?

We're prisoners.

And so are you...

... Prussia.

"A-ah..."

Ivan glared down on Raivis. He had ruined everything. How did he dare and ruin his nice, quiet time with Gilbert? As soon as he'd remember Gilbert would start protesting and Ivan felt his head ache coming already.

"To my room in half an hour, Latvia..." he growled lowly and turned to climb the stairs, without giving anyone else another glance.

Raivis curled up on the ground a bit, whimpering lowly. "D-da..."

Gilbert looked at that bundle of fear and then at Ivan. "H-hey...! You... you have to see a doctor! And what is that supposed to mean, Iva-"

Toris made a step to the side, pulling him with. "Don't, Gilbert..."

He didn't turn around, just glared over his shoulder. "Get yourself treated... and get some rest... We're leaving... for... Berlin in two days..." With that he kept on going up, wavering and stumbling every now and then, but Ivan didn't allow to let himself break down. It meant weakness... and weakness wasn't allowed...

Toris lead Gilbert to the closest room where he could sit down.

"What did just happen?" The other didn't reply. "Goddamnit, answer me! What did that shivering boy mean? I'm… am I a prisoner here? Why did he hit him? And... and what's with that name?!"

Toris bit his lip, while he took a closer look at Gilbert's head and the little bruises he had got from falling.

"Raivis is sometimes... too direct and he... mixes facts up... We're Ivan's subordinates like he's our superior. That's it... And our superior ordered that we don't talk about it. Believe me, it's better that way. Just forget it and don't... don't try asking Ivan about it. Sometimes Ivan is very... short tempered. You'd just end like Raivis..."

Gilbert frowned. "What's the big deal about it?! Why am I not allowed to know? It's about my past, right? About the things I don't remember! ... that's why you took away some of these books, isn't that right?"

"I... I had my orders." Toris tried to avoid the topic. It would just cause trouble in this already tense house. "Please, Gilbert. Not today."

"Not any day..." he mumbled. "I understand." He pushed away his hands. "I don't care what he ordered, I'm fine. Just a hit to my head, so don't make a fuss about it! He's the one who got attacked by a goddamn bear!" With another groan he got up. "I'll go to my room..."

Toris reached out for him, but his hand sank back down. He couldn't do much like this and knowing Prussia, he couldn't convince him to play along and please Ivan's wish.

"... be careful." This would mean trouble as soon as everyone had healed.

Translation:

herein - come in

da kommt was - something is coming

scheiße - shit

das war knapp - that was close