Chapter 12

Of Gilbirds and Capture

Matthew sighed, and stood hesitantly at Gilbert's door. Would this be considered breaking and entering? Gilbert wasn't here, but it was a part of his home… Matthew slowly opened the door. He sighed in relief when it didn't squeak. It was the middle of the night, but Matthew couldn't get to sleep. He was so worried about Gilbert, and was hoping that maybe the smell of his bed would help calm him.

Matthew wasn't sure when he became so attached to the Prussian, but he was glad that they had fallen in love with each other… Or he hoped that Gilbert actually loved him. He wasn't sure. Gilbert had left without saying goodbye and that could mean anything. He closed the door and collapsed on the bed, feeling his heart clench painfully. He buried his head in the pillow and began to cry.

There was a sudden, frantic tweeting in Matthew's ear. He jumped and rolled over to see one of Gilbert's birds.

"Why didn't you go with him?" he asked the small, yellow bird, "Did he leave you behind too?"

The bird only chirped and rubbed his head against Matthew's face, much like a cat.

Matthew laughed quietly and scooped up the small creature in his hands.

"You're cute," he informed the bird, "I'll take care of you until Gilbert comes back. I should give you a name."

It tweeted again, sitting down in Canada's hand and starting to go to sleep. Matthew nodded and continued quietly.

"Yeah, I'll think of a name for you tomorrow. Its way past time for bed, isn't it?"

The bird cheeped in agreement, snuggling close to the Canadian when Matthew put it next to him.

"I miss Gilbert," He whispered to the bird, "I miss him so much, and he's only been gone one day. How am I going to live through the next few months?"

The bird didn't answer though – It was already fast asleep.

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Breakfast was eaten in a depressed silence. Both Matthew and Alfred were not eating – instead deciding to push their food around their plate.

Wang Yao could feel the sad atmosphere that hung over the occupants of the house the moment he walked into the kitchen. He had just returned from talking to the rest of his siblings. The only one to turn down his invitation to an alliance was Kiku, although China was not surprised in the least. He fully expected Japan to side with Germany, Italy, and England. They were his friends, and Kiku had long since become estranged from his family.

Toris was quick to insist that Wang Yao sit down and have some breakfast. Ivan was done almost at the same time that food was placed in front of China.

He asked Alfred to come with him, and the American gained a confused expression.

They left and the table fell into silence once again.

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Ivan closed to door to his study behind him, locking it and trapping both him and Alfred in the room.

"What's up, Ivan?" The American asked, leaning against the chair on the other side of Ivan's desk.

Ivan opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out three books, throwing them onto the desk.

"I found these in your room," He stated quietly, his eyes accusing.

"You went through my room?!" Alfred angrily demanded, standing up straight and glaring at the Russian.

"I have every right to go through your room if you're keeping books like these!"

"They're American classics! You wouldn't punish Lithuania if you found banned Lithuanian classics in his room!"

"Yes, but you're not Toris!"

"Goddamnit, Ivan!"

Ivan was suddenly standing in front Alfred, rage showing clearly in his eyes. His tone was calm, however.

"Why?"

"They're American classics."

"Not what I meant. Why are you drifting away from me?" His eyes were suddenly sad, and his tone was depressed, "Why do you want to leave me?"

"W-what?"

Alfred was more than surprised at the sudden change of mood. Ivan pulled him into a hug and buried his head in the crook of Alfred's neck. Alfred awkwardly hugged the Russian back.

"Don't leave me, Alfred, please!"

"I won't," he whispered gently, "Never."

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Gilbert yawned and sat down on his bed. Two yellow birds looked up at him and chirped. He looked down at them and said,

"What? I fed you two hours ago – Wait, where's Panynte?"

The two birds just cheeped.

"Don't tell me I left him at home! Who's going to feed him? He'll die!"

One of the birds jumped onto his head and started to pull at his hair.

"Hey! Halten Sie das auf!"

The bird ignored him, though, until Gilbert grabbed him. The bird squawked indignantly and struggled in his hand.

"What is with you?" he asked the bird. The bird just gave him a look that looked oddly like a glare.

"I can't help it that I left Panynte! I was worried about waking Matthew!"

The bird slowed its struggling and Gilbert let go. It hopped down onto the pillow and curled up to the other bird, which was already falling asleep. Gilbert rolled his eyes at the small bird and put his head back on the pillow.

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Arthur dove behind a tree and felt a bullet rush by his head. He took a deep breath and reloaded his gun, before jumping out and aiming at an enemy's head. He was stopped, however, when someone grabbed his gun with one hand and put another hand around his mouth. He struggled, and smirked when he felt his elbow connect with some part on his attacker. He was the ex-pirate, Arthur Kirkland, and the great country of England! He was not going down without a fight. His gun was thrown away some time during the tussle, and he was on his knees soon after, his hands held behind his back. He felt something hard connect with the back of his head, and he was plunged into darkness.

When he awoke, he found his hands and legs tied, and his eyes covered with a blindfold. His captor seemed to know that he was conscious, though, because he spoke.

"Damnit Arthur, you almost got my vital regions!" his attacker cussed, and Arthur instantly recognized the voice.

"Gilbert?!"

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Author's Note: I FORGOT ABOUT THE GILBIRDS!!! I failz at life... *emos in corner* And about the Gilbird Gilbert left behind(Poor thing!)'s name, it's apparently a Prussian name. But I used the internet, so I could be lying. :) *cough* I might as well inform you that capturing Arthur was no where on Ivan's war plans. And Gilbert's a sneaky sneak. :)