Falling Over The Wall

...he did not feel the bullet... One small whine... her... found himself able to... moving, grabbing... hit the ground.

"...no..." ...sobbed into her coat. He felt her tongue...

And she stopped...

...stop crying. Not even... dark and –––'s shadow covered him from seeing his precious...

He finally looked up to see... Tears streamed down...

"I'm so sorry."


Ludwig woke up sobbing. No amount of comfort from Aster or Blackie could change that.


"May I go out after breakfast?"

Austria stopped in mid sip and set down his coffee cup with an amused smile. Ludwig could not begin to wonder what he had said which was so amusing. "Yes, you may. Though try, if you may, to be home around one."

"Yes, Mister Roderich," Ludwig responded, before thinking about the statement at all. "Is someding happening den?"

"There is someone coming over who I want you to meet," Austria said. Hungary set down her own breakfast and stared at Austria for a moment before sitting down.

"So that is what you both were talking about yesterday?" she questioned, voice nonchalant. Austria nodded.

"Who?" Ludwig tried to clarify. Austria shook his head.

"I will introduce you when he arrives," Austria responded, returning his attention back to his breakfast. Ludwig almost tried to protest, but decided he was not likely to get an answer until Austria had told him he would.

"Have anywhere particular in mind you are going to go?" Hungary questioned. It was they way she usually asked questions, completely innocently. Which always made both Ludwig and Austria suspicious as to whether she intended to reveal something they did not even know they were hiding. Austria taught him that, a secret from man to man, he said.

Except Ludwig knew he was hiding something and knew he was no good at it. So he would just have to make up something that he was actually going to do as well as try and find this Italy.

"I'm going to the capital."

"Berlin?" Austria questioned. Ludwig looked at him with confusion.

"Munich," Ludwig corrected him slowly. Austria stared at him for a moment before nodding and rising to his feet.

"Yes, yes, of course..." he mumbled absently, taking his plate and walking out of the room. Ludwig immediately turned to look toward Hungary.

"Vhat is Berlin?" he asked. And as soon as he asked the question it sounded wrong. It just sounded wrong.

Hungary looked back to where Austria had left the room. "I don't think..." her voice trailed off. Then, she leaned over the table closer to him and spoke quietly. "You cannot tell Austria I told you this, understand?"

"Ja," Ludwig nodded, now whispering, still confused.

"Berlin used to be a part of the old Germany, it was his capital," she whispered. "It no longer exists now, it was wiped out in the war, but some of its remains lie right on your north-east border, on the Spree."

Ludwig's mind practically devoured this information. There was a war – he knew it! He had heard it, he had guessed it, but neither Austria or Hungary had ever admitted it straight to his face. A place that no longer existed, a place which only existed in the past, in history. And he had been there, he had been there and had not noticed. There were no buildings, no remains, there was little of anything there. There were some trees, young trees, he should have guessed from that.

There was that wall there, the wall he had never fixed. He knew that had been the edge, but never a city! Maybe he had just not looked closely enough...

Berlin. He treasured the name. Just as he treasured anything he could discover. Like the name of Vash, the names Prussia, Gilbert, the name North Italy. Italy.

Feli...

"Ant who else's land does it lie in? How did it fall?" Ludwig questioned. Hungary winked, raising a finger to her smiling lips as she got up and left as well.

Ludwig thought about it. He remembered being there two weeks ago and falling off the wall when he saw...

Prussia. Ludwig's chest felt oddly tight. If he went there again, would he see him? Was Prussia the Nation who lived on the other side of the wall?

Maybe Prussia could tell him about Berlin.

Ludwig changed his plans again. He would not go to Munich. He would head in that direction and try to see if he could find Italy. Then he would go to the north, to the old capital and see Prussia. Two other Nations. He would see two new Nations today. New Germany could not wipe the smile from his face even if he tried.

So he fed Aster and Blackie and the three of them headed out.

This time Ludwig could tell when he had left Austria's land and entered Northern Italy. He knelt down to the two dogs, letting them off of their leashes.

"Such Italy, Mädchen. Such Italy."

With that the two dogs darted off, Ludwig running after them. He hoped they would find Italy by just finding her as opposed to jumping on her like they did yesterday. He grimaced. Maybe he should have thought of that earlier? Maybe he should not have taken off their leashes?

But he did not lose them and it did not take long before they ended up at the back door of a home in a town named Tarvisio. "Hier?" Aster whined. Clearing his throat, Ludwig located the doorbell and pressed it.

"Arrivo!"

The door opened quickly, revealing the Italian. A loose apron was tied around her waist. Ludwig tried very hard not to stare at the other country, instead deciding to stare at the wall behind her.

"I'm sorry for intruting. I... I came to apologize for yesterday."

For still staring at him as if he were some sort of freak, Italy responded rather quickly. Not only responded quickly, spoke quickly. "Oh, don't apologize! I should apologize! You see, you look like an old friend of mine and I thought you were him or related to him or something like that! I didn't mean to startle you."

"Uh... it vas noding," Ludwig tried. Aster scooted forward and starting licking at Italy's hand. Italy raised both her hands above her head.

"No! I'm cooking!" Italy protested and suddenly looked at Ludwig as if she had come up with the greatest idea. "Why don't you come in?"

"I don't dink so..." Ludwig took a step back.

"I'm making pasta!"

Ludwig found himself changing his mind immediately. "Pasta?" he questioned as Italy grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him inside.

"Stay out of the kitchen!" Italy told the dogs as firmly as she seemed able to, which was barely at all.

"Bleib," Ludwig reaffirmed. Both went and made themselves comfortable near the front door. Italy grinned at him and pulled him the rest of the way into the kitchen.

"Now sit down!" Italy pushed him toward the table. "I'm nearly done with it... so what's your name? My name is Feliciano Vargas. Just call me Feliciano!"

"Feliciano..." Sounds like a male name. Ludwig frowned.

"What's your name?"

"Ah... Ludwig," Ludwig responded. Italy wheeled away from him, in front of the stove. Ludwig tried to think about it. It was a different culture. He knew nothing about Italy. He probably should not think too hard about it.

"Ludwig... Ludwig?"

"Yes?" He stared at the Nation's back.

"Ludwig!" Italy repeated happily.

He decided Italy was not actually trying to talk to him and was just being... Italy. Ludwig wondered why he was in here, but it was hard to forget with the smell of pasta permeating the air. Could it possibly be better than Hungary's? It would be horrible to even consider that, would it not?

"Here you go!" She set a large plate in front of him. Ludwig stared at it. Well, he would not have to go and find lunch, that was for certain.

"Dank you... Italy." He picked up the fork.

"Call me Feliciano," Italy corrected. Her hand reached forward and gripped his wrist again. "Please."

"Thank you, Feliciano," Ludwig corrected himself. She stared at him for a few more moments before sitting across the table from him. Thankfully letting go of his wrist first. Ludwig wondered whether it was polite to just try and ignore her while he ate, because the staring was really bothering him.

"Wow... You really like pasta," Feliciano commented, sounding slightly surprised. Ludwig responded with a nod, trying to decide how to tell Hungary that this Italy's pasta was probably the origin of all pasta. Thinking about it though, Hungary said pasta had not originated from her country and would not clarify whose it was. So maybe that was true. "Do you like potatoes?"

Ludwig stopped in mid chew, staring up at Italy without moving his head. He swallowed.

"Who vants to know?"

"I do!" Feliciano responded, a little hesitant. Ludwig swirled the last of the pasta on the plate onto his fork and finished it off.

"It vas very good, but I–"

"It was?" Feliciano leaned completely across the table and into his face. Ludwig scooted the chair back, his heart pounding in his ears.

"Yes. But I hafe to go now. I'm sorry."

"Ve..." Feliciano pouted, sitting back in her seat. With that, Ludwig's heart decided to let up on him a little. "But you just got here!"

"I'm sorry," Ludwig said once more, the rest of his words spilling out before he really had much time to think about them. "I'll make it up to you."

Feliciano continued to stare at him. "Really?"

"Ja." Ludwig stood up. "Vhen I can, Feliciano." And he meant it. No idea why, but Ludwig meant it. "Bye!"

With that he ran out, both dogs following. Only after he managed to put some distance between himself and Feliciano did he stop to think how stupid that was.

"Just as rude as before!" Ludwig exclaimed, kicking at the ground.

The way Blackie was breathing, mouth opened and tongue lolled out, almost made Ludwig think the dog was laughing at him.


It was Germany. He knew it.

Maybe he had not been right in telling Spain about it so quickly, considering everything, but now Italy was certain.

The first person that came to mind to talk to was his brother, but Italy shoved that from his mind. South Italy would not want to hear about Germany, especially after what had happened. Romano would probably do anything to keep him away from Germany, like tell Spain. Italy understood why they would think that was for the best, but at the same time...

It was not for the best.

This was Germany, right? Germany, forgetting again. But he looked so much smaller, so much younger than his Germany...

Still, out of everything, he had forgotten him again. Italy gave himself time to cry.

But he had come back to him. Germany... Ludwig had chosen to return to speak with him, even though Feliciano knew he had reacted rather badly the first time around. Yet Ludwig had come to see him.

Ludwig. Germany?

Feliciano wiped the tears from his face. He knew exactly who to talk to.


The wall had always looked like it had once been tall and proud. At its tallest now it only stood a little above one meter, running for around one kilometre long, chipped beyond recognition of what it was created from or by. Ludwig had never understood why he enjoyed it being so destroyed, enjoyed its wrecked form. Why he enjoyed being able to walk along the top of it as if it were nothing.

It was just a wall, barely even that. It meant nothing before. Maybe he simply had the satisfaction of walking on it because he knew he could drop down to the other side.

It was not a promise he had to stay out of others' lands, it had been something Austria had simply advised him of. And until Italy he had kept that strictly in mind.

But why? Why should he not see other Nations? Ludwig had no illusions of grandeur, he did not think he would be very capable to understand and communicate with all of the other Nations immediately. But he certainly would not always be bad! Practice! Was that not what Mister Roderich always told him to do? Taking longer to do any of it would make it all more difficult, right?

He was a new Nation. It was not as if people were likely to have preconceived notions against him!

Ludwig remembered both Prussia and Italy's reaction to seeing him the first time and rid himself of that hasty belief.

"Schwarz, schwarz, schwarz sind alle meine Kleider," sang a voice from beyond the wall. Ludwig ran over toward it and saw the person he had been looking for. "Schwarz, schwarz, schwarz ist alles, was ich hab.Darum lieb ich alles, was so schwarz ist..."

"Weil mein Schatz ein Schornsteinfeger ist," Ludwig finished with him, just as Prussia and he met halfway from along the wall, Prussia still on the other side.

"Come to see me?" Prussia smirked, eyes roving over him before looking down, Ludwig turned his head to follow where he was looking. "Hey girls! 'ow've ya been?"

"Vha...?" Ludwig jerked his head back up as Blackie and Aster both went over to Prussia, Aster jumping up and licking his offered face, paws scrambling against the wall, and Blackie waiting for the back scratching Ludwig knew she preferred. Prussia patted her back, arms stretching over the wall, pushing Aster down a bit. "Do you... are dey... yours?"

Prussia stared at him for a moment and Ludwig felt almost as if he should have not come to the wall.

"Ach... no," Prussia shrugged. "I've just seen dem around. It's been a vhile."

"Okay," Ludwig nodded, feeling some sort of relief. Certainly if the dogs' previous owner claimed them again he would not stop them, but Ludwig held the selfish thought that they would always be his. Ludwig considered Prussia for a moment. "I'm Ludwig."

"I'fe heard," Prussia responded, tapping at his ear. "Prussia, but call me Gilbert, 'kay?" He extended his hand which Ludwig would have shook if the hand had not been clenched into a fist.

"Vhy?" Ludwig asked as Prussia reached over, took Ludwig's hand and turned it into a fist as well and then made his and his own fists meet.

"Because Austria vill be bothered by it," Gilbert grinned. Ludwig smiled despite himself.

"May I ask a question?" Ludwig asked, right before he got a finger shoved between his eyes.

"Don't ask me a question about asking a question, its implied," Gilbert rubbed his finger in before Ludwig took a step back, rubbing gently at his forehead. "You want to ask me someding? Ask me, don't mess around vith it."

"Yes," Ludwig said uncertainly, his surprise from the reaction subsiding slowly. "Vhy to you alvays vear black?"

Gilbert laughed, as if the question was funny somehow. Maybe the answer would make it funny, Ludwig did not know. "It's a colour for mourning, Wessi."

"Mourning?" Ludwig wanted to have clarified, right before he realized that Gilbert had actually called him a directional point from a compass. "Did you just call me Wessi?"

"Ja," Gilbert grinned.

"But my land is south of yours," Ludwig protested. Gilbert shrugged.

"Okay, Süden," Gilbert drawled, absently pulling at the green band which was on his left arm. "Black is a colour people vear if dey are mourning."

Ludwig first opened his mouth to protest the nickname, but after what Gilbert said he felt less like antagonizing him. "I'm sorry. Who vas dis person?"

"Mein Schatz, der ein Schornsteinfeger ist," Gilbert snickered.

"Not much dough..." Ludwig pointed out. Gilbert stopped laughing to look at him curiously. "You are vearing dat," Ludwig pointed at the dark green.

Gilbert looked thoughtful for a few moments. Then he lifted himself up so that he was sitting on the wall. "I lost my bruder."

"Oh," Ludwig blinked. "I'm sorry." And he meant it, even if he could not imagine what it was like to have a brother. He tried to think about how he would feel if Austria were to die, but could not force himself to consider it. Another question popped into his head, but he bit down on the inside of his cheek before he could ask it.

"I said just ask," Gilbert smirked, leaning backward a little.

"How did he die?" Ludwig blurted out. Gilbert looked surprised.

"I said I lost him. Doesn't mean he isn't alife. I just don't know." With that said he dropped down off the wall to stand next to Ludwig. "Valk vith me. I hafe to meet someone who hates vaiting."

With Aster and Blackie both so friendly toward him Ludwig could not think of a reason why he should not. Miss Hungary and Mister Austria both knew this Nation, so neither would mind much, right?

"Dis... dis used to be Berlin," Ludwig started, staring down at his feet as they walked. "Vhat happened to it?"

"It vas blown up," Gilbert responded simply. "In the var. A lot of things vere blown up."

"How did dis var start?" Ludwig glanced back toward Gilbert, slightly nervous asking these questions which no one would have answered before, even if he had known to ask them. Prussia did not look at all bothered by it, grabbing a stick from the ground and throwing it far for the dogs to chase.

"I don't know all de details," Prussia shrugged, watching the dogs run. "America's government gafe into terrorist demands to keep their people safe. These... terrorists were able to use America to gain control of oder countries. Practically a set of dominos de entire vay."

"Vhat's a domino?"

"A tile dat knocks other tiles down – to you vant to hear about the war or not?"

"I'm sorry," Ludwig responded. "Who's America?"

Prussia stopped and stared at him. With a sigh, his hand came up and landed on Ludwig's head, ruffling up his hair. Ludwig let out a sound of protest, pulling his head and completely mussed hair away from the elder Nation.

"Has Austria taught you anyding?"

"Mister Austria has taught me many dings!" Ludwig retorted angrily. Gilbert laughed, hitting him on the shoulder a few times.

"Forget I said anyding."

Gilbert walked him right home, which as Ludwig realized the time he was very grateful for. He expected a lecture from Mister Roderich (it was about ten minutes after he had supposed to have shown up), but not Austria staring at the two of them with some sense of approval and curiosity.

"I see you brought Gilbert with you, good."

"I vas coming anyvay," Gilbert said, a bit sulkily. Ludwig stared between the two.

"He vas who vas coming today?" Ludwig asked incredulously.

Austria rose an eyebrow, but did not answer his question. "It still took you long enough," Austria said, waving them inside. "Ludwig... Why do you always ruin your nice things when you go out?"

"Ah, Roddy, he's only following de best example he has," Gilbert grinned at him. Roderich scoffed. Ludwig tried not to laugh.

For some reason he felt more comfortable at home than he had ever felt before.


It had been a very long time since he had seen Japan. Well, maybe not too long. Japan would stop by occasionally, but never really spoke with him or his brother, not that his brother said he cared much. Japan mostly spoke with Spain, then he would leave. Spain told him it was part of the stress of becoming the top world power so quickly. Neither Italian could understand this.

When had Italy ever been a world power?

"Japan! I thought I'd catch you here!"

"Italy?" Japan turned to face him. Japan had always been more expressionless than anything else, but nothing compared to this. Italy felt uncomfortable around him. It was almost as if it were not Japan anymore. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah..." Italy hummed, trying to think of how to say this. Spain and Romano had thought him insane when he had mentioned Germany. And considering how Germany did not remember... "I met someone yesterday. He says his name is Ludwig."

Japan stared at him, face never changing. Italy felt his pep slipping into desperation.

"He looked so much like Germany, Japan. So much. He even had Aster and Blackie with him!"

"Really?" If it were possible, Japan stiffened up even more. Italy bit his bottom lip.

"You think I've lost it, haven't you?" Italy squirmed where he stood. Japan shook his head.

"I believe there are more things in this world than either of us could begin to understand."

Italy knew what Japan was talking about. The words came out immediately. "Have you found America yet?" At those words, Japan look stricken and Italy regretted even mentioning it. "I'm so sorry Japan."

Japan shut his eyes tightly, head turned toward the sky. "I'm the one who's sorry Italy. I am so very sorry."


"Such Italy, Mädchen. Such Italy" = "Find Italy, girls. Find Italy."

"Hier?" = "Here?"

"Arrivo!" = "Coming!" At least, I think so. Again, if anyone could help with my Italian, I would be grateful.

"Bleib" = "Stay."

"Mein Schatz, der ein Schornsteinfeger ist" = "My love, who is a chimney sweep."