Chapter 25

The Kathmandu world meeting approached with the speed of one of France's bullet trains. Prussia had almost forgotten about it and lulled into a sort of complacency until nearly a week before when Denmark called him about rooming arrangements. Apparently, Denmark rooming with Prussia and Iceland with America was throwing the Nordic's usual routines for a loop.

They weren't the only ones affected by it either. America's brother (who?) ended up rooming with Mexico. Norway was rooming with Estonia, which inconvenienced Lithuania who normally roomed with Poland. After all, he didn't want to leave Latvia on his own, and since when did Estonia and Norway get so close anyway? But Latvia assured Lithuania that he'd be OK, to the point that Lithuania assented to leaving him alone, only to find out that the small Baltic was assigned to room with Russia in Nepal!

It was mess after mess and things did kind of fall back into place after Prussia agreed to stay with Germany, who was alone in his suite, shifting a few of the displaced pairs back together: Norway with Denmark, Lithuania with Poland, Estonia and Latvia and so on. Only, that was short lived since Norway said he actually didn't mind rooming with Estonia and Latvia also voiced no opinion. Nepal just gave up trying to arrange anything.

So end result: Prussia was with Denmark anyway.

Prussia plopped down on his shared bed with Denmark and kicked off his shoes.

"Ah, it's good to finally relax. I don't like long flights. Not enough leg room," complained the smaller of the two nations.

"You think you don't have enough room? My legs are way longer!" retorted Denmark.

He set his suitcase aside and joined Prussia on the bed. He wrapped his large arms around his slighter boyfriend's shoulders and pulled him to him.

"Then stretch them out," Prussia said.

"I am," Denmark replied.

They both reclined on the bed and Denmark leaned in to kiss his partner. Prussia kissed back.

"I'm glad that I get to room with you in the end," Prussia admitted after they broke away.

"Aw, I am too. I'm actually not sure if I'm more surprised by the fact Norge let Ice and America room together or that he is willingly rooming with Estonia," chuckled Denmark.

Prussia rubbed his chin in exaggerated thought, "Maybe they're fucking."

"No way!" Denmark exclaimed. "Norge and that dweeb? Don't even joke about something like that."

"Does it bruise your ego for your ex to move on to someone like that?" joked Prussia.

"I'm ignoring you now," was Denmark's response.

"Kesese. At least you know you have a way more awesome boyfriend than him."

Denmark rolled his eyes at Prussia's laughter.

"I don't know why you're laughing. Latvia's rooming with Russia. Are you saying they're fucking too?"

"That's too far!" Prussia said, ceasing his laughter and getting to his knees on the mattress. "Take it back! Besides, Latvia knows how to navigate his way around Russia."

"You wouldn't say that so easily if it were you who were rooming with Russia," Denmark noted.

"Yeah, but Latvia isn't me and Russia doesn't care about him."

Denmark snorted, "Do you know how conceited that makes you sound?"

Prussia shrugged, "I'm conceited for a reason. I'm going to shower."

He slipped off the bed and went to his suitcase to pull out his stuff. Denmark watched him with arms folded behind his head and leaning against the headboard. He sensed something was off with Prussia. His feeling was askew the entire ride over and his aura only got darker since entering the room.

"Why so early? We're probably going out again, you know."

"I know. I don't like feeling dirty after long plane rides," Prussia replied. "You know that by now."

It was true but something was still wrong.

Denmark decided not to press the issue. Prussia finished grabbing his toiletries and then disappeared into the connecting bath. Denmark turned on his side to grab the remote to see what was on TV.

Meanwhile in the bathroom, Prussia stepped into the tub and turned on the shower without even bothering to wait for the water to reach a suitable temperature. He felt his muscles tense under the cold stream.

He didn't know why he nearly snapped at the mention of Latvia and Russia together. It was a joke, just like the comment about Estonia and Norway was. And yet, there he was getting riled. Prussia hated showing that side. He prided himself in being easy going and not easily offended. He wasn't Austria, after all.

He wondered if maybe it was due to nerves. He hadn't seen Hungary or Austria in quite some time. Hungary seemed to take the hint that he didn't want to talk to her after ignoring the bulk of her calls. Either that or she truly was as busy as Austria claimed she was. That didn't erase the fact that he would have to confront her during their time in Kathmandu. It wouldn't be so bad. Experience told him that things were never nearly as bad as one imagined them to be.

Comforted by that Prussia finished his shower. He turned off the water, threw back the curtain and grabbed his towel. Wiping off his body he stopped to swipe at the mirror clearing it of the fog. He gazed at his face, showing a toothy grin and throwing a wink. He felt better. The water had eased the tension out of him.

Wrapping his towel around his waist he exited the bathroom.

"Get dressed in something normal," said Denmark when Prussia exited. His eyes were glued to the TV.

"Normal?"

"Not pajamas," clarified the Dane glancing to his boyfriend briefly.

Prussia chuckled, "I didn't even bring pajamas."

He didn't bother knowing he was rooming with Denmark. They'd only come right back off anyway.

"Ok, then just put on your regular clothes."

"Sure," Prussia pulled out a pair of underwear. "Where are we going?"

"Finland called while you were taking a shower. The others are going to dinner in about half an hour and they invited us."

"Who all is coming?" asked Prussia.

"The usual suspects, plus America."

"Sounds good," Prussia said.

He slipped his shirt over his head mussing his still damp hair. He went over to the bed and collapsed against Denmark's side.

"You know, I'm not even hungry. I just really wanted to do it. I haven't even touched myself once since the last time I saw you," Prussia said, nuzzling against the Nordic nation's neck.

"Really?" Denmark wondered if he should rethink their dinner plans.

"Pfft," Prussia's breath came out hot against Denmark's neck. "Yeah right."

Denmark rolled his eyes even as Prussia scooted closer to him and attached his mouth to his neck. He allowed his eyes to close as Prussia tenderly kissed him in that sensitive place. He welcomed the feeling of Prussia's hand moving to caress his thigh and then move without shyness to paw at the crotch of his pants.

"You're horny enough for me to think that you haven't," remarked Denmark.

"I can't help it. You're sexy."

After a few more moments of heated kissing and petting Denmark broke it, though his hand was firmly set on Prussia's butt.

"Dinner," Denmark reminded.

Prussia, who was now splayed out across Denmark's body, rutted against him greedily.

"But I want you so bad."

At those words Denmark's entire body went rigid with Prussia in his arms. It was Danish. Prussia was speaking Danish.

"Denmark?" questioned Prussia, feeling how his boyfriend completely tensed up.

Denmark regained his baring and flipped them so their roles were reversed and Prussia was the one pressed against the mattress.

"You play so dirty," hissed back Denmark in his own language.

"What?" Prussia blinked.

"Waiting until a time like this to speak Danish," Denmark gritted before capturing Prussia's mouth in a fierce kiss. "You always have to get what you want don't you?"

"Because I'm awesome," was Prussia's quick reply.

Denmark impatiently pushed at his boyfriend's shirt when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Denmark pulled back, getting off of the bed. Prussia sat up as well, bringing Denmark back towards him by fingers hooked in his belt loops. Denmark caught himself before he landed back on top of the smaller nation.

"Denmark?" called Iceland's voice.

Denmark cursed under his breath.

"Ignore him," Prussia panted into another kiss.

"Maybe they aren't here yet!" America's obnoxious voice boomed through the door followed by louder knocks.

Iceland's reply to America sounded like a mumble from their side of the door. His voice was substantially lower. Iceland called again after another knock.

Prussia sighed as Denmark broke contact and answered.

"Yeah?"

"We were wondering if you wanted to walk with us to dinner."

"Sure," Denmark said. "Give us a second."

Prussia sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You suck. You're too soft of an older brother."

He had reverted back to speaking his usual German.

"Like you wouldn't do the same if it were Germany," Denmark scoffed back in Danish, going into the adjoining bathroom to check his appearance in the mirror.

Prussia scooted off the bed and followed him.

"Also, I wanted to try speaking Danish with you for a while now. It just never was a good moment."

Denmark rolled his eyes, "And you figured now was the moment?"

"Sure?"

"Why aren't you speaking it now then? You understand me perfectly well."

"OK, I'm speaking it now. Happy?" Prussia asked switching to Danish.

Denmark stopped messing with his hair for a moment to look at Prussia who was gazing up at him with a half pout.

"Actually, a little... yes," admitted Denmark. "It makes me happy."

"But... don't get too used to it. I have an image to maintain after all," Prussia warned still in Danish.

"I won't."

It was punctuated with a quick kiss.

Finishing up in the bathroom and grabbing their things, including umbrella and keys, they exited their room. America and Iceland were standing against the wall. The older nations didn't know what the teens were up to but they jumped apart quickly when the door opened.

"That took forever!" America whined. "What were you doing in there?"

"Sorry," Prussia said, rubbing at his eye. "I was taking a nap."

"He can be a bitch to wake up," Denmark shrugged.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" America seemed to buy it.

They started down the hall.

"When did you two arrive in Kathmandu?" Denmark asked the young couple.

Normally Iceland and Norway would fly in with Denmark but this time Iceland was flying in from America's house. Admittedly it felt weird to travel to a world meeting as a pair rather than a trio.

"We arrived the day before yesterday," Iceland replied.

"We went all over the city! We saw everything! So ask me anything and I can tell you about it. Also, we went bungee jumping outside the city too. It was super high up!" America said enthusiastically.

"Bungee jumping?" Denmark looked at Iceland who shrugged.

"Yep! Dude, you should have seen it! Our view was insane!"

"Your eyes were closed the entire time," said Iceland.

"No they weren't!" protested America. "Besides, how would you know!?"

America continued to prattle on about what they did in the city. Eventually the foursome made it out of the hotel.

"I hate the rain," America groaned as he pulled up the hood on his all-weather jacket.

Iceland shrugged noncommittedly as he did the same. It was the rainy season and he didn't understand why his boyfriend continued to complain about something that couldn't be helped.

"Aw, shit!" cursed Denmark startling everyone.

"What is it?" America asked.

Prussia too eyed his boyfriend with curiosity.

"I forgot something in my room. Actually, you all go ahead. I know the place so it's no big deal. It's just around the corner!" Denmark said in a hurry as he turned on his heels and disappeared back into the hotel.

Prussia, America and Iceland shared confused looks and shrugs.

"Should we just go then?" asked America pointing out towards the rain with his thumb.

"Actually, I'll wait out here for him," Prussia said, waving his umbrella weakly. "I have our only umbrella. You can go ahead."

Iceland looked like he was torn between going ahead, or waiting for Denmark as well but America grabbed his arm and pulled him.

"OK, see you there then, Dude."

"See ya," waved Prussia as he watched the pair go.

He sighed and then leaned against the exterior wall of the building staring out into the rain without really looking at anything. He didn't really care much. Idly he spun the tote umbrella in his hand and hummed a song. He stopped however when realizing it was one of Austria's favorites.

"Prussia."

Prussia was brought out of his stupor by a deceivingly gentle voice. Straightening his body and turning his head to the side he was met with Russia's smile. Belarus was at his side, arm hooked through her older brother's.

He wasn't prepared. He had been completely unguarded and his body went through a series of emotions and response before landing on panicked. His eyes darted back towards the hotel doors.

"Waiting on someone?" Russia asked.

Belarus pulled at his arm, "Brother, we need to check in."

Russia's bulk was of course not moved by her persistence. His amethyst eyes remained fast on Prussia's face despite the inability of his own ruby pair to remain stationary.

"I'm waiting for Denmark, and he's going to be here any minute so leave me alone," Prussia replied, eyes still checking back towards the hotel doors.

"Ah, Denmark," Russia said.

Prussia didn't like the way Russia said Denmark's name even if he couldn't read what it was. He hated that it definitely wasn't jealousy or concern. Russia seemed amused and it only aggravated the ex-nation even more.

"It's so cute how you tag along with him these days," Russia continued. "Does he make you feel important?"

Prussia's grip on the handle of the umbrella tightened. Where the heck was Denmark? Prussia just wanted to get out of there.

"Brother," Belarus tried again.

"I'm leaving," Prussia snapped unable to take it anymore.

He opened his umbrella and headed out into the rain, walking in the direction Iceland and America had set off in. The restaurant wasn't far, they said. He was sure he could make it. What he hadn't expected was for him to be followed. He hadn't even heard any of the footsteps beside him though Belarus' shout of 'Brother!' should have been enough to alert him.

Prussia's advances were halted as he was stopped by a bare hand - of course, Prussia absurdly found time to think to himself, not in this weather even he's not that crazy- hand on his wrist. Prussia felt scalded and pulled away, his umbrella clattered to the ground and he pulled back. The touch was so familiar but it was unwanted and for the first time in forever he actually looked at Russia. Their eyes met.

"What the hell!?" Prussia hissed.

His heart was in his throat hammering so violently it may well pop out. For just a second they maintained the gaze. Russia didn't break it even as he stepped forward to pick up the discarded umbrella. Prussia looked away first and folded his arms over his chest as Russia stepped closer so that the umbrella shielded the both of them from the rain.

"Here," Russia said.

Prussia didn't move, his eyes were trained on the ground.

"Here," Russia tried again.

Prussia lifted his hand and accepted the umbrella but his eyes were still focused on the ground and the puddles of water surrounding their feet.

"I've wanted to talk to you for a very long time," Russia said, and he sounded so happy that Prussia wanted to rip out those vocal cords.

Russia was talking as if he didn't care that Prussia didn't even seem like he was listening.

"Kaliningrad's really gotten so big. I fixed everything up. I've been waiting for you to come see it. Of course it isn't all like it was before but we did the best we could with all the damage."

"I hate you," Prussia cut him off.

There was a pause in Russia's speech so Prussia chanced to glance up. Russia looked like a child. Prussia wondered why Russia just never seemed to really grow up. It was like he was never really even fully there. It used to draw him but now only served to irritate and to a lesser degree frighten.

Prussia thought he could play Russia like a fool back then, but he couldn't be sure if his plan even truly worked.

Russia tilted his head in the way he so often did when he was playing dumb. His smile grew softer on his pale face.

It felt surreal to be talking to Russia like that. He hadn't spoken to him face to face since the day he'd broken up with him. That was even before the official end of the GDR. Russia had been of no use to him anymore so he discarded him just as he was giving up any hope of continuing with life. He wasn't sure anymore if he ever even really loved Russia or if he convinced himself he did out of some extreme desperation.

He was afraid but he wasn't sure exactly what of. Now that he was experiencing the dreaded moment head on he felt underwhelmed. Had he been afraid of retaliation? Russia had a history of violence even with his loved ones, but Prussia was never one to shy away from pain or war.

"But, I did it just for you," the overgrown nation continued perhaps moved by whatever emotion Prussia's face held at that moment. "Because, I love you."

Prussia wanted to throw up. Russia sounded so proud of himself and so sure. Prussia threw his hand over his mouth and doubled backwards. For the first time in their conversation, Russia actually furrowed his brow in concern.

That horrible confession, Prussia belated realized, was exactly what he had been avoiding. Those weren't the words he wanted to hear. He hated that nation to the very core and to hear those words shook him deeply.

He would have fallen to the ground had not Russia reached out at the moment and caught him. Prussia resisted the embrace and the resulting struggle caused the umbrella to once again fall to the muddied ground.

"Brother!" Belarus voice drew close.

Her foot steps were making splashes in the puddles as she approached. Heavier footfalls were after her. Of course Belarus hadn't pursued right away, she waited for back up.

"Gilbert!"

It was Denmark. As soon as Denmark arrived Russia let Prussia go. Belarus clung to her brother and glared heavily at Prussia who was winded.

"What the hell is your problem?" Denmark snapped at Russia coming to a stop beside his boyfriend.

He picked up the once again discarded umbrella and draped his arm over Prussia's shoulder protectively.

"I don't understand why you're so concerned," Russia replied, voice sincere. "He can take care of himself. He's very strong."

Prussia gathered himself then, snapping to attention. He slid his hand into Denmark's squeezing tightly.

"Fuck you!" Prussia cursed at Russia, feeling strengthened by Denmark's presence.

"Let's just go," Denmark said, trying to calm Prussia down and pulling him further away from Russia. He then shot at the large nation, "And leave us alone."

Russia just smiled at them, "How can I do that when we've already become one?"

Denmark and Prussia didn't reply. After all, they never heard the words parting Russia said. They were already making their way down the street and away, far away, from where Russia stood watching them go.

"Brother, why do you consider going after that weak one?" Belarus bore malice and a hint of confusion in her voice.

But Russia didn't bother giving her a reply. It was a question she asked many times before and no amount of times would allow her to understand it. Regardless, Russia didn't need her to understand. He was content if nobody did. Then he wouldn't have to share what he saw with anyone else. He knew within Prussia still beat the mighty heart of a military nation, the very same one that Russia had admired and longed to possess for years.

When Denmark and Prussia arrived at the restaurant, Denmark flushed from anger and Prussia overly happy though waterlogged the group could only silently wonder what had happened. Denmark couldn't help but marvel during dinner at how adept Prussia was at hiding his emotions. Prussia laughed, boasted and acted as happily as ever, not exposing, but rather over compensating for the fragility of his own feelings.

-to be continued-

AN; uhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so what do you think hehehe and yeah if yo don't get the last paragraph basically after the incident Prussia was just acting like his usual awesome self as if nothing happened.

Thanks for reading and thanks for any feedback! I love to hear what's right or wrong with the story

Oh, yeah also I started a Prussia-centric one shot series called The Beautiful Me lol so check it out if you like Prussia