Authors Note: Let me first apologise for how long this took to be posted. I'm caught up in exam revision at the moment as I need to get the grades for Uni so thats why my focus has been off this story.

Also, when I do find time for updating fanfiction I go on which one I have a clear idea for the story line and won't have to spend ages thinking up something. And I had absolutely no idea where this one was going to go next... I felt bad about making Ivan pretty evil, since I do like him as a character and I also felt conflicted with the whole one sided LietBel... Since I really like LietBel as well as PruBell... But any ways, I am immensely sorry for the lack of updates and will try and update more for you guys, though it will be staggered.

So here you go!~

Gilbert did not know where he could go from the position he was in. Natalia was cradled softly in his arms, and any minor movement he made caused a small frown to crease her docile expression. The Prussian panicked internally and could come up with no solution to his dilemma. The lock on the door clicked softly, though it may as well have been thunder to Gilbert's ears. He cradled his Natalia close, a foreign emotion came over him. He felt it course though his frame like lightning, instilling itself within the very depths of his bones.

It was fear.

But more than just 'fear'. He wasn't fearing for himself, he wasn't even afraid. He was terrified that something may happen to Natalia if he was found here.

Why did he have to be so stupid?

"Natalia..?" A strong, yet unused voice whispered. The door opened a crack, not enough to illuminate its occupants but enough to make Gilbert's eyes clench shut. The door edged open another inch, but this was irrelevant to the Prussian, who had begun uttering sweet nothing to his love. His only love. His last love. "Miss Natalia, I have brought you the letters I-..." The voice stopped itself before continuing, Gilbert opened his eyes to be greeted by an image he'd never been so glad to see. The man was tall, his hair was a light blonde and his eyes were framed by slender glasses, despite said glasses Gilbert could see the purple crown of a bruise riddled eye.

"You shouldn't be here." The Estonian uttered in disbelief. In one of his hands was a pile of paper, in the other was a syringe filled with a white, viscous liquid. Eduard wore a dressing gown to compensate for the cold surroundings and his hair, upon further inspection was rather dishevelled.

"I had to see her." Gilbert growled.

"You shouldn't be here..." Eduard repeated sternly. "She isn't fit to-..."

"Probably because you've been dosing her up on that shit!" Gilbert roared. Eduard frowned and sighed loudly, exhaling in exasperation as he shut the door fully.

"You don't understand." He sighed, fixing his glasses. "Too much has happened for you to understand, and if you are found in here... It all may as well have been for nothing."

"Eduard... Stay away from her with that shit or I will kill you." Gilbert growled lowly, he shielded her away from the Estonian who sighed loudly.

"You idiot!" He hissed. "Can't you see I'm bringing her your letters? If Ivan hears you then we're both dead. Now will you please move!"

"What is that shit in the syringe?" Gilbert snapped, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Natalia was stirring in his arms, she moaned his name in pain and her breathing became heavy. Her damp skin felt like it was on fire but she was shivering uncontrollably, she clawed her nails into his skin desperately as she moaned again.

"It's medicine! It's making her better I promise, just let get to her! She's over due a dosage and one slip up could further deteriorate her condition." Eduard took a few steps forward, gripping onto the Prussian's arm with a strength that Gilbert wasn't aware the nerd had. Eduard pulled the Prussian up roughly and pushed him aside, handing him the assortment of letters that was bundled in his hand. The Estonian took Natalia's hand carefully and gently turned it over, he whispered soothing utterances to her and Natalia seemed to calm down a little. He softly pierced her flesh with the needle of the syringe and injected the fragile doll, who was sprawled over the bed, with the medicine. She calmed almost instantly, the drug taking effect so quickly that Gilbert was astounded. Eduard reorganised Natalia's crumpled sheets and gently shifted her head back to the soft pillow, she sighed contentedly and returned to a quiet sleep.

Gilbert watched it all with guilt replacing his previous fear. He had caused Natalia discomfort... It was his doing that she had just suffered.

"You should just go..." Eduard sighed. "It's my shift to watch her and we were told not to let you near her."

Silently, and guilt ridden, Gilbert walked out of the room. His heart wrenching fiercely as he watched by the door as Eduard stroked his Natalia's hair from her face, he watched in pure jealously as she smiled in her sleep and for the first time in a long, long time, Gilbert felt the need blood thirsty urge to reclaim what was his. He lingered by the door, clenching his left fist before walking down the hall way back to his bed room. He wouldn't let anger take control... He wouldn't run the risk of making Natalia's situation worse... He was a reasonable man now, not an unstable boy. He had responsibilities now, he had a duty to care for not only himself but her also, going on a rampage would do no one good.

Gilbert found himself at his room eventually, with a better mindset to the one he had left Natalia's with. He looked to his left hand and found that he was still holding the letters that Eduard had brought for Natalia. The postage stamps indicated that it had travelled to the Russian's house from Germany, and was probably a letter from Ludwig. Gilbert smirked as he kicked his door shut, sure it was probably boring official stuff, but there was that small, small chance that it could contain some secrets. He opened the already preopened envelope carelessly and threw his body, plus the remaining letters onto his bed.

Dear Frauline Arlovskaya

I hope that this letter reaches you in well health, Ivan has consulted mein boss and I upon your condition and I can assure you that the fluxuation of your economy is nothing to be afraid of. My boss has agreed to loan you money, so that your condition may improve. We have also sent medicine, by my calculations a week should be all it takes for you to be healthy once more.

You write to me of the privations facing parts of Russia, the UN are aware, we have done all we can on our part, we can only help that Ivan will see sense.

Gilbert is managing your finances well, he should receive the loan from Germany within a week, something he shall personally oversee if that is agreeable to you. This means that he will have to take permanent residence within your country, a matter which I cannot see bothering the pair of you too much. I assume this is what you both want, it can be changed if it isn't... I find myself at a loss with these kind of things.

Who knows? This may make Gilbert stronger, a sense of responsibility may work wonders.

Your sister is visiting me presently, and insists I tell you that she shall visit soon and not to worry.

She is a very amusing woman, your sister, and seems to amuse whom ever she greets. She is currently planning a party to celebrate once your six months is over, her and Feliciano are more excited about that than they are about even christmas.

I myself find my self in a great deal of worry for my older brother. He misses you greatly Natalia, and has become somewhat a recluse.
Other than that I am well, my country is standing strong and our prayers are with you.

Ludwig

Gilbert's mind was in disarray, he knew not what to do with himself other than read the next letter, one that had been undelivered to it's intended recipient and it's author was Natalia.

сэр Beilschmidt.

Please do not insist on calling me Fraulein, or I shall keep using my alphabet within our letters.

I have received the medicine, the Baltics are tending for me at the moment and for that I am grateful.

The loan seems a brilliant and swift solution for the time being, a better way to increase the relations between us. Roderich has written also, he intends to invest into this loan however I cannot see Gilbert being happy with that.

He could stay permanently? That is most kind of you Ludwig, but I cannot make that decision for him. You are his brother, your land is the closest thing he has to a home and it would be wrong for me to ask that much of him. If he chooses to stay, then I will house him, if he chooses to leave, I shall hold no grudge.

The privations here are much worse from what the UN believes, children freeze in the snow, the elderly beg for bread or a drink, anything to keep their bodies alive in this bitter place. Ivan has directed all funding into the army, and his people are suffering. I shall try to talk sense into him, that is why I am here.

Gilbert is strong enough, he doesn't need pointless things like responsibilities holding him down. That is what I am for~

Give my sister all my love, and tell her I eagerly await her arrival.

I must express how important it is that Gilbert does not find me in ill health. It will worry him more that it should, he cannot know about this under any circumstance.

Am I clear on that point at least?

Just because I threw a party does not mean I shall be attending all of the others. Tell Feliciano and Yekaterina that, watch their faces drop. It's the most amusing thing in this world.

Natalia Arlovskaya.