HAI there! :D wondering where I went? Uni's sucking up sooo much of my time it's unreal, but now I have literally nothing to do, so you're getting TWO chapters tonight! Aren't I niiice? :3

Thiiis one mainly consists of brotherly love between Gilbert and Ludwig, and only a little sexual tension between Gilbert and Francis (yaoiblock, SORRY! D:) BUT if you do want our nearest and dearest, then the next chapter won't disappoint you, I promise! :D

AND yes, I know I said there would be other pairings other than the three main ones I've mentioned, I'm getting to the other ones, don't worry yourselves! :D

WARNINGS: Slight boyxboy, but not extreme, angst, OOC'ness from Gilbert (SORRY! D:) and everything else we'd expect from our Hetalia boys. YAAAY!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HETALIA: AXIS POWERS!

Enjoy-eth! :D

Gilbert:

I turned away from my dear brother; already feeling the tears beginning to pool in my eyes. Immediately, Francis was by my side and without thinking, I threw myself into his arms. He cradled me gently against his chest, as my shoulders shuddered with barely suppressed grief.

"There now; shhh, petit…" he murmured softly against my hair. It was only then that I realised that I was sobbing; taking large gasps of air, trying to regain control. Sod being Mr. Awesome; I can't even protect my own brother! I pounded my fists against Francis' chest in frustration, but my blows were too weak to do any major damage.

"V-verdammt! I-I'm such a shitty b-bruder! God; I wish I were dead!" The words were torn out of my chest as if they were being ripped out of my soul.

"Don't you dare say that about yourself, chéri!" Francis' soft accent washed over me as though they were balm for my emotional wounds. He held me closer and tighter. "You are a wonderful person; and moi personally, I think it is beautiful that you care about your brother so much." I felt a finger push upwards under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. He smiled down at me; his perfectly blue eyes, so like my brother's, sparkling themselves with unshed tears.

"You are so beautiful, Gilbert."

"I-I'm not! I'm so useless; so much for being awesome!" I screamed in frustration; tears flooding down my cheeks, "How can I live up to that reputation if I can't even protect my little brother from a fucking Italian?!"

Francis blinked, causing a tear of his own to escape and trace down his cheek. "You listen to me right now. You are amazing, très belle, and an extremely strong person, and-and… I believe in you."

On this last sentence, he lifted my face up to his, pressing our lips together.

"F-Francis? Wh-what are you-?" My voice strained under the sudden contact; I cleared my throat, and shifted slightly in his arms so I could see him better.

"You don't really want this do you, Francis? I'm just going to be one of your sympathy kisses, aren't I?"

"Attends, chéri!" You are so, so much more than that to me; do you realise? You are the first person I think about when I wake up, and the last before bed." His eyes shimmered.

I was amazed. I had never seen this side of Francis before. His usual thick, sensual accent was cracking and straining. His normally immaculate hair was knotted and wild. And in his eyes, I saw a burning passion that was deep and unshakeable. And for me. For me.

I reached up to him, pulling his head level to mine, touching our foreheads together.

"You're serious."

"Oui… yes."

He hesitated. "I've never been so sure about anything in my life Gilbert, I hope you realise."

On this, he closed the gap once more between our heads and our lips met once more. But this time it was different; there was warm passion instead of burning lust. I moaned softly, wrapping my arms more firmly around his neck, drawing us closer so our bodies touched.

It was like a brush of electricity, the first contact. I could feel Francis' heart pounding underneath mine, feel his chest pressed intimately against me, and feel his hands gently encircling my waist, pulling me closer. Almost too soon, I felt something else lightly nudging my inner thigh. As if reading my mind, Francis pulled away guiltily.

"I'm sorry Gilbert. I know that this should not happen, not after your dear brother's situation, but I…"

"Don't apologise. If you want, we can go back to the hotel and see how it goes from there."

"D'accord. As long as you're alright."

"Don't worry about me; let's just get back. I want to see Ludwig."

oOo

As we reached the closed door of Antonio and Ludwig's room, we could hear lowered voices, and shuddering, choking sobs torn from my brother's chest. My hand hovered over the door, as if to knock; but all I could do was bunch this fist in my mouth, preventing my own keening sob from escaping. Next to me I felt Francis' soft, reassuringly solid presence grasp hold of my other hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.

"Go on. Be amazing. Your brother needs you."

My decision was made. Raising my hand, I struck three times on the door; the blows reverberating in the empty hotel corridor. Soft footfalls preceded Antonio's presence at the door, his deep green eyes filled with sorrow.

"H-how is he?"

"See for yourself." He turned and called into the room, "Ludwig, your brother is here."

A strangled sob of assent came from the adjoining room. Francis placed both hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him.

"You can find the right words; you always will. I'll be in our room; just come and knock if you need me." He leaned down and kissed me gently. "Go on. Go."

As he retreated down the corridor towards our room, Antonio closed the door and turned to face me with tears in his eyes.

"He's worse. Even than the last time." His voice shuddered and broke.

Bracing myself, I walked into the room, leaving a stricken Antonio in the hallway.

My brother was stretched out on the double bed; arms behind his head, gazing at the ceiling. Tears freely fell down his cheeks; he had stopped trying to hold them back this time. I placed a hand gently on his leg, and only then he acknowledged my presence. His eyes were vacant, empty of all expression; this scared me. Even as youngsters, I could always see sadness in his eyes at times of sorrow. But now… nothing. No sparkling mischief, no passion, no anger, no… love.

"Lud? Y-you're scaring me. Bruder? P-please, say something! I-I'm s-sorry I'm such a u-useless big brother, a-and I can't s-seem to protect y-you." I was shaking now, sobs threatening to tear my body apart. Useless, useless, useless! You're so weak!

"I'm s-s-sorry…"

Suddenly, all of the breath was knocked out of me; my brother had suddenly thrown himself at me, wrapping me in the warmest hug I'd received from him in a while. I could feel his body shuddering too; the two of us, united in our grief. We stayed that way for a while, just enjoying the warmth of each other's embrace. Then, I held him out at arm's length, and examined him closely. His eyes were bloodshot, with huge bruise-like marks lining them. His hair was unkempt and in need of a wash. His normally immaculate shirt and slacks were crumpled and tear-stained. I wanted to cry and never stop, from merely seeing the defeat written all over his face, piercing his soul. But he was still here; my dear, dear bruder.

"Oh, bruder; I'm so happy to see you," Lud sniffed. "You had no idea; the moment I saw him, my mind fell into darkness. I've never felt this bad since Franz during the war…"

"Listen to me Lud." I cut in, "You've got to talk to him before we leave. That way, you can clean the air between you both. You can't go on like this. Neither of you can. I personally don't like him for what he's done to you; but that's just my opinion. You're my brother, and I respect your decisions as though they were my own."

"B-but we're meant to be leaving tomorrow… I-I guess we can ask for an extension of a few days. I'll sort out some l-later flights tomorrow."

"Do you want me to come with you? I mean, when you meet him? I remember what happened with Franz… I don't want that happening again."

For the first time, he looked up and met my eyes steadily, a small spark of life kindling deep within his eyes.

"N-nein, but danke. I have to do this m-myself."

"Okay," I smiled gently. But I'll… I'll be waiting when you get back if you need me. We all will, alright?"

"I know." Ludwig sighed, and turned to look at himself in the mirror. "Mein Gott, I look disgusting! I think I'll have a shower before I turn in."

"You want me to stay?"

"I'll be alright; Antonio's here remember? I think he's more than capable; he can always call for you if I need you."

"Well, if you're sure," I smiled. I hugged him again; pulling him close. "Don't worry about it for now. Just get a shower and go to bed, ja?" I turned away, and began walking back to the door.

"Gil?"

"Ja?"

"Danke."

"You don't need to thank me. I'm your brother; it's my job to look after you." I grinned. Turning away, I walked into the hall where Antonio was stood.

"Well?"

"Keep an eye on him. He seems better, but you can't be too careful. He's going to try and find that Italian guy and talk to him; he's booking later flights for us all, including you and Francis."

"Are you sure that's the best idea? After what happened… last time?"

"Look, he's independent. He can make his own decisions; if he wants to talk to him, let him do it. We'll all be here to support him; I've made sure he knows that. And I'll speak to Francis and let him know what's happening; as you know he's not exactly the master of tact."

Antonio smiled tentatively. "Yes, indeed. Well, I'll look after Ludwig for you; no need to worry."

"Well, you know where I am if you need me."

"Thank you. Good-night Gil."

"'Night, Antonio."

Closing the door gently, I walked slowly back to mine and Francis' room, deep in thought.

OOOOOOO, what will happen next?! :D next chapter to follow! :3

Reviews are love. :)

GermanyBlossom out! *poof!*