March 1927
Gilbert was looking out the window, doing his best not to even see his brother in his peripheral vision. Ludwig was sitting across from him, leaned forward, an almost pleading look on his face.
"Gilbert…"
"No." The Prussian still did not look at him.
"Is it because he's Austrian?"
The word made Gilbert look over at him, a harsh look on his face. "I am offended that you would even think of me being so shallow," he spat. "I have yielded to an Austrian before, and if one comes around that I like, then I will do so again. But I do not like him."
"You haven't even really heard him speak. His ideas, Gilbert, his vision-"
"Ludwig, he is a criminal. Put in jail for treason."
"So was Frederick the Great. For treason."
Gilbert's fingers slowly curled into fists and he did his best to appear very passive. It was doubtful, however, that he could hide how alight his eyes were. "You will not compare the two," he said, very calmly, but with an undertone of malice.
Ludwig sighed heavily and scooted his chair forward. He leaned towards his brother and reached out, taking Gilbert's hands in his own. "Please, Gilbert. Just give him a chance to speak."
"No. I do not approve of his message or his party."
"Yes, but you didn't have to ban him-"
The Prussian snorted. "That was my superior's decision, not mine. I was just more than happy to oblige it."
Ludwig squeezed Gilbert's hands. "Please, Gilbert. Just…just one more speech. Just one! That's all I ask."
Gilbert looked at him long and hard. His brother's eyes were pleading, desperate. But beyond that, and beyond the usual weariness of working too hard every day, there was hope, and a look of optimism he hadn't seen in years. You really believe in him, Gilbert thought disdainfully. You really believe he's exactly what we need. That's what scared him.
He looked away and sighed. "Fine," he finally relented. Damn it, he could never say no to him. "Just one speech. You owe me a fucking drink."
"I'll buy you two!" Ludwig stood up happily, still holding onto Gilbert's hands.
The older one gave him a look. "Please, as if you can afford two. Just one will do."
Ludwig let go of his hands to instead grab Gilbert's cheeks and kissed him all over several times. "Thank you, thank you." He kissed him once more on the lips before practically skipping backwards. "I'll make the arrangements." He reached the door and nodded at him, still smiling broadly. "You won't regret it, brother. I promise."
Ludwig left, and Gilbert slumped back in his seat, staring at the door. For once, he hoped that he was wrong about something.
A/N: Prussia has a rather interesting relationship with the Nazi party - Hitler was banned numerous times from speaking in Prussia. In March of 1927, the Prussians lifted its Nazi ban and Hitler was allowed to speak, but not for long - he was forbidden from speaking in September of 1928.
During the national elections of 1932 (in which Hitler took power), the Nazi party only earned 36.3% of the vote in Prussia.
