Russia smirked as he walked up the stairs. Ludwig actually thought that Ivan would help him find his brother. And yet… Russia paused. And yet having Gilbert here would not be a bad idea. Perhaps Ivan could use the ex-country as leverage. If not, Ivan never tired of beating up Prussia.

"Estonia! Latvia! Lithuania!" Russia called to his Baltic States, who came running. "Send out everyone that can be spared to look for Germany's idiot brother. Have China do the same." The three Baltics nodded and bowed before Russia, clearly terrified. 'Good,' thought Russia. 'They should be.' "Oh," ha called out, and the three countries turned. "If Gilbert is not found within the week, punishment is in order."

All three faces paled. They bolted, and in their haste almost knocked over the table next to Ivan. Calmly, Russia reached out to steady the table in one hand and grabbed Latvia with the other. "Latvia," Russia purred with a smile. "Perhaps you should be more careful? If not—" Ivan reached for the metal pipe he always kept close at hand.

"Of course, sir—Russia."

The terror running across Latvia's face caused Russia to laugh. 'So cute,' Ivan thought, caressing the young country's face before dismissing him.

Ivan wandered restlessly around his library, awaiting any news of Prussia. He picked out books at random and read only a few lines before tossing them onto the floor. He smiled, thinking of how upset Ludwig would be at the mess. "Sorry, Germany," Russia said to the empty room. He sat down on the couch, considering how he would use Gilbert against Ludwig. Somehow, he knew, Germany loved the bastard. Russia sighed. Why must these lower countries insist that love is important?

Belarus jumped into his head, causing the normally emotionless Russia to shake with something almost like fear. His sister was…was…was what? Hundreds of words flew into Ivan's head. Insane, crazy, obsessive, pretty, dedicated, stalkerish, the list went on and on. As a young child, her cuteness and sweetness had softened Russia. Then, she grew up and insisted on becoming one with him. Marrying him! Ivan couldn't even comprehend that. His own sister! And yet, that one time, when he had lain with her for the one night after she had moved out, she had seemed sweet, gentle even.

A booming knock echoed through the halls, shaking Ivan from his reverie. His wild mind thought that perhaps Belarus had come again to ask him to marry her, clawing at the door in an effort to get in. Then, Austria's voice came wafting through the door. "RUSSIA!"

"What now?"

"I need to speak to Germany!"

"He's not here."

"Feliciano told me he would stay here until Gilbert comes home."

Russia sighed. The Baltics probably let Italy escape. Ivan opened the door. "You might as well make yourself comfortable," he said, looking at Roderich's tearstained face and grimacing. Immediately, Austria sat down at the seldom-used piano and began to play.

Ivan grabbed some of his spare clothes and hurried down to the basement, throwing them at the naked German chained to his wall. Even with Austria just upstairs, Ivan could not help but feel a burning desire to take Ludwig right then and there. He pushed the thought down. No time for that now.

Russia undid the chains that shackled Germany and then he helped the smaller country to dress. Ivan grabbed Ludwig's hair, messed up from the night before, and smoothed it back with water. He placed a knife in the hollow of Germany's throat. "Not one word about your treatment to Austria, understood? You are simply staying with me as we search for your brother."

Ludwig nodded slowly. "Mein bruder," he said as he walked up the stairs.

Austria threw himself around Germany's neck when he saw him. "Ludwig!"

"Roderich." Germany nodded curtly, trying to disengage himself.

"Ludwig, I received a message from Gilbert. Gilbird flew in my window a few nights ago with a letter tied to him and I untied the letter and I saw what Prussia wrote and I couldn't believe it so I went to your house but you—" Germany cut him off.

"Roderich, calm down. I'm staying with Russia until we find mein bruder. What did the letter say?" Russia noticed the bite to his words. 'He wants to know what his brother said.'

"I brought it with me." Germany snatched it out of Austria's hands before the man could even open it.

Dear Austria,

I guess I'm writing to you because you're a sort of decent guy. Not as awesome as I, but decent. I need you to take care of Gilbird for me as I can no longer keep him and it would not be awesome of me to ask him to leave with me.

I know we've sort of had our differences in the past, but I'm done now. Mein people are dying off and their children become part of Germany. Mein country is dead and I am getting sicker with each one of mein people's deaths. I didn't want to alarm West, so I did mein best to hide it.

The only reason I have held on so long is for mein bruder. He no longer wants me here. He said so himself. Therefore, I have gone where he cannot see me waste away as mein people do.

I'd rather you not show him this letter. I don't think he'll notice I'm missing, and if he does he probably won't care, but if you see him and I and my awesomeness happen to come up, tell him I still love him so sehr. Always.

Awesomely yours,

Prussia

Russia reached out to catch Ludwig before he hit the floor. "Mein Bruder liegt im Sterbem? Nein!" Germany whispered. "Nein."

Russia glanced at Austria. "I think you'd better leave." Austria nodded and headed towards the door.

"Ludwig? I have Gilbird at home. If you want him—"

"Nein." Ludwig's voice, husky with unshed tears, cut into Austria's sentence.

"Okay. I'm sorry Ludwig."

Russia cradled Germany in his arms, feeling his chiseled body through the cloth. "We'll find him. Don't worry."