Rejected Kindness

Rejected Fear

/

By the time Ludwig reaches Holland, it's almost sunset. The German tenses up slightly as he looks down at the map Austria had so kindly provided him with, searching for the secret bunker, which had been built under an abandoned house - a picture of with Roderich had added to ease his search.

And he has to admit, upon spotting the hiding place nestled at the corner of the street, that it was the perfect place for someone to hide out for a few weeks. No one would think to look in such an inconspicuous place, a small, three-story building that peeks out against the other, much newer buildings like a younger brother against it's older siblings. He can't help the smile of relief that floods his face.

If you want to hide a tree, place it in a forrest.

Taking a deep breath, he heads for the abandoned building, reaching out and opening it with ease.

Looking around, he finds that it really is abandoned. Dark, with cobwebs starting to be produced at the corners of the room. Absolutely nothing gives indication that the room holds any meaning whatsoever. Taking a deep breath, Ludwig heads for the stairs that lead to the secret bunker. Leading down the dark staircase, he can hear a scuffling and laughter underneath.

"Argh! You cheat! Ah-ha-ha! T-that's not - ha ha ha! - the way that pirates fight! Ha ha ha - stop that! Stop...argh! No, you're n - ha ha ha! You're not doing it right!"

"Oh yeah? Pretty big from a kid that wasn't ever there! I saw real pirates, and guess what? They were all cheats! Especially that stupid brother of yours, he was the worst of them! Now you're gonna walk the plank and like it, kid!"

Ludwig's smile grows. He can't help it, he honestly can't, when he hears the familiar voice of his older brother - one he hadn't heard in years - laughing and scuffling, in the way that only Gilbert could. He doesn't notice that his pace is quickening, and he reaches out to tug at the door much sooner then he realizes. Yanking it open, he looks at the sight before him.

He's there, in a room flooded with light and laughter. Gilbert, his hot-headed, impulsive, troublemaking, precious older brother, is sitting on the bed, and in his arms was a laughing, smiling Sealand, who is apparently in the midst of being tickled into submission. Ludwig's heart lifts up, because it's quite honestly the first time that he has ever seen a real, true smile on the boy's face. His lips twitch up in a wider smile, and for a fleeting moment, he wishes that things could stay this way, if just for a little longer. If Gilbert and Peter could stay with him, smiling and laughing forever as they should, as they deserved, and that the three of them could be a happy, loving family. A family that was filled with members that had gone through their own hardships, and somehow ended up together...forever.

It was a fleeting, selfish wish. Something Ludwig knows that none of them can have. But still, he closes his eyes and for a moment, imagines a life like that. No nation duties, no abandonment. Just love, with the occasional scolding, and more happiness then any of them had ever had in their lives, all at one time.

It was a wonderful feeling.

/

He steps into the underground room, boots clacking, and Gilbert's head rises at the noise. Blue eyes meet red as the Prussian freezes, tensing up. The child in his arms, noticing that the attacks to his stomach have stopped. Looking up in confusion, his mouth opens slightly. Sitting up, the child grabs onto Gilbert's sleeve, and the Prussian instinctively wraps his arms around the small boy, bringing him forward in safety. Neither of them move for a long moment, before Ludwig opens his arms and parts his lips.

"...bruder."

Gilbert's eyes mist over as Ludwig says that, and he gently stands up, a very confused Peter still cradled in his arms. Stepping towards the younger blond, Gilbert reaches out his free arm and wraps it around the German's neck, pulling him forward in a one arm hug. Ludwig obliges by wrapping his own arms around the former empire and the micro-nation, supporting Peter as Gilbert's entire body sags into Ludwig's strong hold.

"Ludwig," Gilbert says softly, shutting his eyes tight as he takes a shaking breath, and he says nothing more. It takes a long moment for Ludwig to configure a response.

"...I really wanted to see you, for years, bruder. I'm just happy that you're alive, I really am. I...I don't know what to say, other then that..." he trails off, looking away in a bit of embarrassment. He should have more to say, the words that he's wanted to say for decades, but all words are lost.

Gilbert swallows and looks back up, the smile on his face contrasting the tears in his eyes. "H...hot damn, Ludwig, you got even bigger. Shit, man...how long has it been…? Have you been eating right? You been taking care of Italy? What about that stupid brother of his? And that wench Elizaveta? You've been taking care of all of them, like you promised?"

"...I have, Gilbert. I have."

Silence envelopes them, as Peter curls in Gilbert's lap, vaguely aware that the things happening right now are none of his business to intrude on, and after a long moment, Gilbert breathes out.

"...good. You're a good younger brother, just like I taught you, ah?" he finally says, softer this time, as he pats Peter's back, rubbing soothing circles through the fabric. "That's...that's great. It really is. I just...mmh.

"Thanks, Ludwig. Thank you. But...what are you doing here, West? Why...how did you find us…?"

The German's heart stops for a brief moment, as he looks down at both Gilbert and Peter. Peter is eyeing him curiously, with a hint of fear in those blue eyes. Ludwig's takes a deep breath and stiffens up, gently letting go of the two non-nations and shaking his head. "I'm here to...well...I will stay and see you, for a few days. Then...I'm going to have to take Peter home. It's...the right thing to do, Bruder." he says softly, gently leading Gilbert and Peter back to the bed. Gilbert says nothing, only holding and rocking the boy in his arms gently. Peter's eyes are widening, and his hands shake as he clings to the Prussian, lip trembling. Germany's heart continues to break. The expression on Peter's face says volumes.

'No, don't take me away. Don't make me go, please. I've finally found a happy place with people that like me, don't rip that away…'

Germany swallows, reaching out to move Peter from Gilbert's lap and into his own, before hugging around the child tightly. He knows it's out of character to show this much affection, but he doesn't care. What he cares about is Peter, in comforting a child who would have to come to the face the truths once he finally got away. Soothingly, he rubs circles into Sealand's back.

"I want to do this even less then you do, Peter. But...it's where you belong," he murmurs softly, pressing his lips to the crown of Peter's hair. "You have duties there. You have citizens. I understand that you don't want to go, because you've found people whom love you, but...please, Peter. Imagine what would happen if you weren't there. They need you, even if you don't believe that. Please, Peter. I'm so sorry."

Sealand presses his head against Ludwig's chest, shaking. He puts up no argument, which breaks Ludwig's heart even more then if he had put up a fight. Peter's resigned to his fate, which is much sadder then anything else the German can think of. Determined to not leave Peter like this - sad and without hope - Ludwig hums softly, closing his eyes as he leans back, still holding the boy tight.

He hasn't sung a lullaby in decades, perhaps even centuries. But for Peter, it's worth it, and in a low baritone voice, he begins to sing softly, cupping his hand around the back of Peter's head, rocking slowly to comfort Peter from his fears.

"Hush little Peter, don't say a word

Antonio's gonna buy you a stuffed Gilbird

And if that stuffed Gilbird doesn't sing,

Francis here will buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,

Lovino here will buy you a looking glass…"

Before Ludwig can prod his mind for the next verse, Gilbert joins in the singing, rubbing Peter's back as he closes his eyes and continues in a soft voice.

"An' if that looking glass gets broke

Feliciano will go and buy you a billy goat."

The German cracks another smile. He can't help the soft barks of laughter that spill from his throat, finding the improvisation absolutely hilarious, and he can feel Peter loosening up underneath him in turn. Relief flooding through his veins, Ludwig lowers his head and closes his eyes, hoping that he can be just as clever.

"And if that billy goat's not nice,

Lady Ukraine will will kiss you not once, but twice,"

Satisfied with this, Ludwig can feel Peter shift in his arms, big blue eyes peeking up to look at the German. Licking his lips and opening his tiny mouth, the child suggests another verse.

"And if Miss Ukraine's magic kisses aren't enough

Uncle Gilbert will buy me lots and lots of stuff…?"

Gilbert bursts out into laughter, obviously pleased with this. Ludwig chuckles as well, and doesn't miss a beat as his fingers tangle through Peter's hair. He doesn't even think as the next words come out of his mouth, and even when they pass, he doesn't care what sort of things his boss would think if he could hear Ludwig.

"Yes, Gilbert would spoil you ridiculously

But, his gifts are nothing compared to your new family…"

-TBC.

[ A/N: I would say something here but I'm so tired that I don't think I'd be able to manage to express my feels. Ahhhh. I think the next chapter will be the last in the main storyline, with various other 'bonus' chapters that I might or might not write, depending on what you all want. Thank you all so much for reading this far. Stick with me till the end.

-Rishi ]