Long chapter ahead!

My exams are over, guys! Squeee~! Some 3 weeks until we get the results, but I'm kinda 100% certain I passed... Still, it'd be nice to hear it officially.

Anyways, thanks for all the lovely reviews and just for reading!
Did someone say Germany and Prussia didn't deserve to be trialled?

Well... Sorry!

I hope the chapter won't disappoint, though ;) I hope you'll like reading it!

No matter how many times Germany had pictured this day in his mind, not once had he imagined it would be quite like this.
For starters, he had expected there to be more humans than nations present for the war trials, but instead there were only a few humans. One of them was the judge. The other humans were there to keep order. That did also mean that there were surprisingly few people in court: even with nearly all of Europe's nations and then some present, there were fewer people than he had expected there to be. The fact that the vast majority of them were nations came both as a comfort and a near-suffocating truth. These were the people who could understand what he was going to say in his defence. These were also the people whose judgement would matter most of all.
The Benelux stood close together, Luxembourg and Belgium standing shoulder to shoulder with Netherlands right behind them, towering over his siblings like a guardian to them, ready to defend the two younger nations from anything and everything. Netherlands, though, looked just as battered as his brother and sister did, still showing signs of the famine that had killed hundreds, thousands of his people just a year ago.
Belgium didn't even spare her young cousin a single glance. Luxembourg looked at him with a look of betrayal and hatred, even five years after their last and terrible encounter. Germany couldn't bring himself to look at them for long.
Czech and Slovakia also showed nothing but disdain and anger over everything that had been done to them, and rightfully so. Poland's green gaze was cold as ice from where he stood beside Lithuania and Estonia and Latvia. France seemed to want to burn Germany to a crisp with his stare; his eyes were like blue fire, burning hotter than any regular, orange flame ever could. Greece, who never showed much emotion for all Germany had ever seen, was also glaring at him as he was brought in.
Everyone was angry. Everyone hated him.
He had known it would be like that, he had expected it and prepared for it, but no amount of mental preparation could ever be enough. The hatred, the disdain and furious disbelief that he saw everywhere was overwhelming.
The main Allied Forces were seated behind the judge, and Germany knew from explanations he'd received some time ago that they were there to support the human judge in his decisions. Above all, they were there to help the man understand nations and their nature as much as needed during the trials.
Looking at them, Germany tried to feel a little more hopeful. America had been kind most of the time. Russia was creepy, but that was mostly because he had such strange behaviour; he had a good heart deep down, or at least that's what Germany believed. Canada was one person he hadn't had much contact with, but he trusted America's brother wouldn't be any worse than America himself. The United Kingdom had shown him much kindness even when he had been their prisoner.
The only one that he was really worried about was France. The old kingdom had always hated him and Prussia and he expected that hatred to have only grown deeper over the course of the war.
The doors closed behind him. The noise it made was deafening to him in the otherwise silent courtroom. His heart pounding, the young nation glanced over his shoulder: Prussia, Austria and Hungary were seated not far behind him. His meagre defence in this trial. He had believed at first that, with these three people to support him, nothing could go wrong. Not much, at least. But now, faced with many more nations who were against him and realising that two of the three people who would defend him today were also to be trialled themselves, his hope disintegrated within seconds.
Today would be many things, no doubt, but it sure wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

The young nation couldn't even bring himself to look up when he was spoken to. To his relief, for some reason, it was England's voice he heard. "Germany," the kingdom began calmly. "Before we formally begin, is there anything you would like to say or anything you want to ask? If you have any questions that you need answers to before we start, this is your last chance."
Germany tried to swallow, hoping to do something about how dry his throat felt, but his mouth was dry like sandpaper. "J-just one thing," he choked out softly, still not daring to look up. "Has… has anything like this ever been done before…?"
"No," was the cold answer he got. It was France, and Germany could just about picture him glaring as he heard the old nation's voice. "But then, this war has never been done before, either. Special measures are required in this case."
England then asked if there was anything else, but Germany couldn't even answer anymore. How was he supposed to do this? How was he going to get out of all this? Not only was it a situation he had never been in himself, it was a situation no nation had ever been in before him. He had absolutely nothing to use as a reference, to base his actions on, nothing he could use as an example to fall back on if he didn't know what to do or say.
He hated not knowing what he could expect and how to respond to things. Especially now, it made him feel sick and light-headed.
The first thing that was said to him as part of the official trials robbed him of his breath already, and his mind was spinning because of it. "Tens of millions of human lives have been lost in the past six years," England said, his voice quivering ever so slightly on the words as he obviously struggled with that knowledge as much as anyone did. "We're not even certain of the numbers of casualties yet and already this war has been declared the most devastating in world history. How do you expect to justify that, Germany?"
Germany just stared at the older nation, wide-eyed, stunned silent. How he was going to justify all those pointless deaths? What kind of a question was that? The numbers seemed to echo in his mind. Tens of millions. Not hundreds. Not thousands. Millions. For just a second, he felt like he was going to pass out from sheer nerves, but he managed to keep himself together. More or less.
He finally dared to glance around at the other nations who sat on either side of the courtroom, watching him in silence, their eyes saying more than words ever could. They all blamed him. Even if they didn't, their anger was still directed at him. And he couldn't begrudge them any of that. Eventually, looking back up at the Allied Nations and the human judge, he could tell from their expressions that his silence was starting to annoy them.
Barely able to speak, Germany finally managed to force some words over his lips. "How do you expect me to respond…?" he just asked, his voice weak and high-pitched with fear and shame and confusion and every other emotion that was coursing through his body at that moment. "What is there to say? Y-you think I want to try and justify everything that's happened?" He couldn't quite believe the question, even after giving it some time to sink in. How ridiculous of them to even think that he would try. "I can't. No one can. Nothing can ever justify something this terrible. So… So what do you expect me to say…?"
There came no response, and the silence hit Germany like a whole mountain slamming into him. What was he supposed to do, what was he supposed to say? He tried to take a deep breath, which proved more difficult than he had thought. "Do you want to hear me say that I'm sorry?" he asked then, his voice hoarse and quiet. "That… That I'm so ashamed of what happened that I would rather just lie down somewhere and die than anything else? But what good would that do?" He glanced around at the other nations again as he spoke. "A simple 'sorry' doesn't bring back all the innocent people who died, it doesn't turn back time and restore all the damage that's been done. I'm more sorry and more ashamed of what happened than I've ever been, but what does that even matter, if it doesn't change anything?"
His words were met with even more silence, until England, who Germany now figured was taking the lead out of all the Allied Nations (a task he didn't envy the man one bit), sighed. "It does matter, Germany," he replied evenly, without looking at the young nation at first. "At least we know that you don't condone any of what has happened the past years. That matters a lot, even if it might seem unimportant."
"Bullshit," France said angrily, getting up and pushing England aside. His eyes were ablaze with fury as he stared at Germany. "If you really hated it so much, why didn't you do anything to stop it?"
"What could I have done?" Germany asked in response, trembling where he stood. "That man wouldn't listen to a word I said. He told me that I was just a child, that I had no business meddling with affairs that didn't concern me, and I just had to keep my mouth shut and follow orders."
France narrowed his eyes at this. "And so you just followed orders like a good little nation, did you now?"
Once again, Germany couldn't breathe. Trying to suppress his nerves, he closed his eyes. "I did… All things considered, it was the only rational option I had." He looked back up at France, seeing the man ready to retort, and Germany quickly went on without giving him the chance. "I had to think of my people. They needed their nation, and if I stood up to Hitler, he would've had me locked away like he did with all his political enemies."
Now, England spoke again, nudging France away, although the older kingdom wouldn't budge. His emerald gaze was unreadable as he looked at Germany. "So you say," he said calmly. "But how do you know he would have done so? How do you know it would have turned out so badly for you if you didn't even take the risk?"
Before Germany could respond, he heard Prussia's voice behind him, steady and determined. "Because he did it to me."
There were a few gasps in the room, but it was silent aside from that. Germany looked over his shoulder to see his brother had stood up from where he'd been seated, staring determinedly at the Allies. All eyes were turned on the albino now rather than Germany, and when the younger nation looked back at the Allies, he saw the nations looking uncertain of what to do or say. They started talking to each other in hushed voices after a minute or so, and eventually England sighed and nodded, looking down at Prussia then. "Prussia, your trial will take place tomorrow, not today," he said almost reluctantly. "Please sit down and do not interrupt like this anymore."
"Now hold on," Scotland put in, looking rather displeased with his younger brother's decision. "Prussia, Austria and Hungary are here for a reason. If any of them have a valuable input in this case, then we should listen."
"Except Prussia cannot be trusted," France argued, looking at Scotland briefly before glaring at his old friend. "That maniac once swore that he would 'unleash hell on Europe, on the whole world if need be', and that's exactly what happened. I can just about imagine him celebrating everything that has happened."
Scotland's eyes widened at this, and he stared at Prussia in shock for a moment, along with many other nations. Still, the old nation shook his head. "I've known Prussia for a long time and I've never known him to be like that," he said, unwilling to believe France's words. "Are you sure you're not letting your hatred for him cloud your judgement, France?"
"He isn't," another voice suddenly said, and Germany turned to look to his left in complete shock. Spain was looking at the Allies with a look of apprehension in his eyes but determined nonetheless. "I was there when Prussia declared that he would take 'revenge' on the world, just like France. I've never had anything against Prussia, but even I cannot deny that he has his… moments. He is either sadistic and cruel or truly mentally ill, but he's said and done enough for anyone to know that something is wrong with him."
Germany felt sick at hearing this, and for a moment he couldn't even process the words. Had Prussia really said all those things, or were France and Spain conspiring against him? Just looking at his brother gave him the answer.
Prussia stepped forward then, tense all over, until he stood in front of Germany. The albino stared straight at the human judge when he spoke. "It's true what they said," he told the man calmly. "I've had my moments of wanting to watch the world burn and then spit on its ashes. But England was right when he said that this is Germany's trial, not mine, and Scotland was right in saying that my input matters as much as anyone else's."
Germany saw that his brother was trembling as he spoke, and the older nation folded his hands into fists nervously. He couldn't see his face, but he knew his expression must be one of both determination and anguish.
Prussia glanced around at all the other nations as he went on. "I understand that you would condemn anyone who didn't try to put an end to this war," he told them all. "But I can tell you with certainty that Germany had the right of it, following orders and staying on Hitler's good side throughout it all. I didn't, and I paid the price for it." Looking back up at the judge, he confessed: "I've tried to kill Hitler. I've plotted to assassinate him along with Von Stauffenberg and Tresckow, two names you should know well. I failed, obviously, just like they did."
There were a few hushed whispers in the courtroom then, and Prussia turned his attention back to his fellow nations. "If you think that no leader would ever imprison their own nation or worse, think again," he told them with a steady voice. "Hitler imprisoned me for trying to stop him, and that was only the beginning of it. I know it may not seem like it to you, but Germany did the right thing. You more than anyone should understand that a nation's first duty is to his people, unconditionally. If he had been as foolish as I was and tried to stop Hitler, neither of us would have even survived."
The Allies looked shocked when Prussia said this, and Canada was the first to speak this time. "Neither of you would have survived it?" he stammered, confused and disbelieving. "But… Don't get me wrong, I understand that what he's put you through must have been terrible, but… surely he wouldn't have been able to kill you…?"
America shook his head fiercely, his blue eyes wide with confusion, disbelief and distress just like his brother's. "No human can kill a nation! Prussia, you would do good not to exaggerate; it doesn't make the rest of what you're saying much more believable."
"But he isn't exaggerating," Russia then put in, to everyone's surprise. The tall nation's voice was calm as he spoke but his eyes showed clear distress. "I was there when my people liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp. I went into the medical ward there, and I found some old documents." The Russian seemed to shudder for just a moment, and Germany wondered if he had imagined it. "They were all detailed descriptions of how humans have experimented on nations and in the end succeeded in finding not one, but several ways for humans to kill nations. I do believe I need not tell you which nations were the test subjects."
All nations and also the humans looked completely disgusted and shocked at hearing Russia's words. The humans didn't seem to know who he was talking about, but when Germany dared to glance at the Benelux, he saw Netherlands and Luxembourg look pale as ghosts and Belgium had tears trailing down her face as they heard what had happened to their lost family members after so many years.
England stared wide-eyed at Russia, then choked out: "What… what did you do with those documents…?"
"What any sensible nation would do," Russia replied, averting his gaze. "I burnt them. No one needs to ever know any of what was written there. I do not even want to think of what could happen if the wrong person got such information."
"So you destroyed what could be valuable evidence in this case," the human judge then put in, not looking quite as relieved as the nations did at Russia's actions. "I understand your point, Russia, but it was quite foolish of you."
Russia looked at the human calmly. "Easy for a human to say," he replied a little stiffly. "Also, at the time I didn't know there would be trials. No one did. You can't blame me for it."
England nodded, then turned back to Prussia. "So you believe Hitler would have killed you and Germany if you had stood up against him?"
Prussia nodded stiffly. "That's what I was locked up in Auschwitz for in the first place," he confessed, his voice croaking on the words. He was shaking more violently now as he spoke. "I spent one month performing forced labour like many of the prisoners there, then after that month I was brought to the medical ward and left at Josef Mengele's 'mercy'. He was supposed to kill me, but he liked his experiments too much. He used me like a lab rat and experimented on me daily. D-did you know nations can regrow bones?" he then asked all of a sudden, his voice getting a little more high-pitched than before, and Germany could tell that his brother's emotions were starting to get the best of him. "I didn't. I didn't believe him when he said that. So to prove it to me, he cut off my finger." With a dry chuckle, Prussia lifted both his hands. "Well, it's back…! A-as are all my teeth, which he also pulled out just for the fun of it. L-luckily, m-my ribs have restored themselves after they were broken and he tried to make them heal in the wrong position."
Even without looking at Prussia's face, Germany knew that the albino was on the verge of tears remembering everything that had been done to him, and the younger nation expected him to fall silent any moment now, like he always did when his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Prussia had already been more open than Germany had ever expected of him in front of so many nations, but he was certain that the Free State would not go any further than this, not if it meant risking having a panic attack for all of Europe to see.
But Prussia didn't stop. "It was horrible… Every single day, week after week, for three months, that man tortured me like a cat playing with its prey before finally delivering the killing blow. I-I'd never been so terrified in my life..! I would have been dead if it weren't for Austria and also Poland, who got me out of that place. They saved my life."
It wasn't until Germany heard a soft sniffle coming from his brother that he realised the Prussian was crying, or trying hard not to, in the middle of the courtroom whilst surrounded by dozens of nations. He himself was frozen to the spot listening to it; Prussia had never told him quite what had happened, and he had never expected nor wanted to know, so this was his first time hearing just what had been done to his brother. He couldn't help but picture Prussia, tied up, bone-thin and injured, his teeth being pulled one by one and his finger being torn off his hand. He felt sick.
He watched in stunned silence as Prussia looked up directly at France, who stared back with an expression of pure horror. "If you need proof of what I'm saying," the albino choked out in a weak voice, "you need only look at my eyes."
At this, France's expression hardened a little. "If you think your honest expression would-!"
But Prussia shook his head, interrupting the older nation. "No, I mean literally, the proof is in my eyes." He took a deep, shaking breath, held that for a moment then exhaled slowly. "T-that sick bastard injected blue chemicals into my eyes to try and change my eye colour. Some of it is still there."
France hesitated for a moment, but then, urged by England and America, he stepped down and walked over to Prussia, halting in front of him. He grabbed the younger nation's face in his hands and looked closely, and Germany watched as all colour drained from France's face. The old kingdom stumbled back, looking nauseous over what he had just seen in Prussia's eyes. "Goddamn…" he choked out softly, seemingly all he could manage to say at that moment.
Meanwhile, Prussia was speaking again, barely able to say a word and almost crying as he went on. "That maniac was capable of anything, I'm telling you," he stammered, his voice quivering with emotion and held-back tears. "I-if Germany had stood up to him and been locked up also, he would have rounded up Austria simply to complete the set, I've no doubt, and he would have had each of us killed just to ensure we wouldn't try to stop him. C-controversial as it may sound, I'm proud of Germany for doing what he did! It wasn't easy, having to pretend we were okay with it all, having to follow orders from that psychopath, but he managed, all so that he could be there for his people when they needed him!" The Prussian paused for a moment, his breathing quick and shallow.
Germany tried to move then, go to his brother, but he got a correcting stare from England, France, America, Russia, even Scotland, and he stopped himself.
Prussia still wasn't finished, even though he was shaking like a leaf and close to hyperventilation. "Germany did the right thing. We couldn't have stopped Hitler no matter what we did. What he did was more difficult than you could possibly imagine; it took as much courage to sit by and do nothing as it did to try and stop it all! No matter what we did, it wouldn't have changed the outcome of this war. All those tens of millions of people would still have lost their lives, we would have also been killed, and no good would have come out of any of it!" He paused again, trying to catch his breath, but it was a feeble attempt. "If you say you wanted Germany to have put up a resistance against Hitler, that you wanted him to have tried and stop that man, then you're actually saying you wanted him to be tortured to death. And you can't… you can't seriously… can't wish that on anybody…!"
Finally Prussia broke off, unable to say anything else, his breathing harsh and shallow as he frantically tried to draw in air. He was wheezing in complete panic and trembling violently.
To hell with the Allies. If they would try to stop him again, Germany would simply ignore them this time. His brother was more important than their stupid trial and their stupid rules.
But before Germany had very well been able to take the couple of steps it took to reach Prussia, Austria had already dashed past him. The older nation was standing in front of Prussia, gripping his shoulders firmly as he stared him straight in the eyes and whispered soothingly to him. "It's okay, Gilbert, it's okay. Just breathe in, all right? Breathe."
"I-I can't…!" Prussia choked out feebly, sounding terrified.
But Austria just smiled at him. "Yes, you can. Of course you can. Come, sit down with me. Easy now." The Austrian very carefully knelt down, supporting Prussia as the albino did as he was told and sat down on the floor.
Germany then quickly sat down behind Prussia and gently pulled his elder brother onto his lap, letting the nation lean back against him as Austria tried to calm him down.
"We've done this before, Prussia," Austria whispered calmly. "Just like before, all right? Breathe in deeply. Go on, you can do it." He waited for a few seconds as Prussia tried desperately, just about managing in the end. Then Austria smiled. "Good. And you remember what comes after? Hold it in for three seconds. Just three short seconds is enough."
Prussia nodded stiffly and did as he was told, then breathed out slowly when Austria told him to. The two cousins repeated that process a couple of times, until Prussia seemed to control his breathing again. Then the albino just stared at Austria for a little while, still shaking as he leant against his younger brother. "Thank you, Sissy…"
Even at this insult, Austria smiled warmly. "That's okay. Take it easy, all right? You did well, Prussia. Really well."
Germany nodded then, holding Prussia a little closer and pressing his face into his brother's white hair. "Thank you for what you did," he whispered to him, a little choked up himself. "It wasn't easy, I know. Thank you so much for trying to help me."
Prussia sighed deeply. "Of course," he whispered back, relaxing in Germany's arms. "You're my little brother; I would do anything for you." He turned a little, leaning sideways against his brother now. "I just wish I could forget all that… Forget everything that's happened."
There'll come a day when you won't have to remember anything anymore, Germany thought with a stab of grief. But he already felt better when he let his own thoughts sink in a little. He knew, from his own observations and Prussia's own words, that his brother wanted to live for a while yet, but he also knew that the closer the Free State would come to death, the more he would start to welcome it. Once he died, he really would be released from all his suffering, all his painful memories.
He decided at that moment that Prussia's death should be something to postpone as long as possible, but also something to celebrate once it came.
Hopefully he still had many years to prepare for it so that he would actually be able to stick with that decision when the time came.
When he saw a figure approaching him and his brother, Germany looked up. France had come to stand beside Austria in front of the two brothers, his expression somewhat calm but his eyes betraying his unease over what he had just witnessed. Germany didn't say anything, but he felt Prussia stiffen when he looked up at his old friend, his long-time enemy.
France, too, was quiet for a moment, but then took a deep breath. "Are you all right, Prussia?" he asked a little tentatively.
Germany was surprised at these words, and Prussia just as much so. "I-I suppose so," the albino replied quietly. "A little lightheaded, though."
France gave a short nod and let out a soft sigh, watching quietly as Prussia struggled to his feet; the Frenchman even offered his help when it looked like the Free State was going to lose his balance, but Prussia refused, determined to stand up by himself. Once he stood again, the albino looked at the older nation, and France held his gaze for a few long seconds. Then, a soft whisper. "I'm sorry…"
Prussia blinked, silent, then nodded after a couple of heartbeats. "Me too."
For a moment, Germany could do nothing but stare in confusion. He had believed he would never see the day that France and Prussia would be civil with each other, and now they were not only doing that, but also apologising to one another? And for what, exactly? For what had just taken place, or for everything that had once caused the rift between the two old friends? Somewhere in between, maybe? He simply didn't understand one bit of it.
Germany was shaken out of those thoughts when Prussia stumbled, and the young nation quickly caught and supported his elder brother; the Prussian was still a little shaky and clearly dizzy after breathing so erratically for a little while.
France inspected them for just a second or so. "Perhaps you should take a break. Both of you." He looked back at the other Allies, who were watching quietly but with clear worry in their expressions. "If you all agree to it, of course."
All the nations nodded in agreement, and some of the other nations around mumbled that they, too, thought it would be a good idea. Lastly the judge nodded approvingly. "I would like to discuss something with you all without them here for a moment; if they take a break for a little while, that would be the perfect opportunity. Austria should go, too. Also," he added after pausing briefly. "I think it would be best if one or two other nations would go with them for supervision."
Immediately Scotland stood up. "I'll go," he offered, adding quickly: "If that's okay, of course."
Beside him, Wales nodded. "I'll come along too, if you think that's all right, sir."
The judge gave his permission without hesitation, although when Hungary asked if she could go with them, too, he said that he would like her to be present for the discussion he wanted to have, so in the end, only Scotland and Wales went with the three Germanic nations into the hallway.

Once outside, Germany felt like he could finally breathe more easily again. The courtroom seemed to have been slowly suffocating him; it was almost as good to step into the hallway as it would have been to step outside and breathe in a fresh breeze.
Prussia and Austria seemed to feel a lot better, too, being away from all those eyes. The Prussian went to the first bench he saw, somewhere down the hallway, and sat down there with a sigh of gratitude. He sat with his eyes closed for a moment, breathing deeply, and Germany knew that his brother was still feeling dizzy. Hopefully he would feel better soon, now that he could rest up a little.
Germany and Austria sat down beside him, and Scotland just about managed to sit on the albino's other side, although he was at least a quarter off the edge of the wooden bench like that. Wales was still in his wheelchair, so he stopped and sat in front of the four other nations.
Scotland was the first to speak up after a short silence between the five men. "You know," he mumbled, half to himself it seemed, "I do still believe that it's unfair. These trials."
"But then," Wales replied dryly, staring at his elder brother with an almost bored expression, "you think many things are unfair. I don't completely disagree with you, though."
Scotland rolled his eyes at this comment. "It's like Cearul's case," he argued. "That the IRA are getting more and more hostile, doesn't mean the Old Man is, too."
Again, Wales had a calm retort with which he proved the Scot wrong. "Except Cearul is getting increasingly possessive about Coineach lately. Also, please don't try to compare the IRA to the Nazis. It's not even close."
Germany shifted uncomfortably as Scotland huffed, but the old kingdom didn't say anything else anymore. Tentatively, Germany spoke up: "I… I do see the point of this, though…"
He quickly averted his gaze when both British nations stared at him in surprise, as well as Austria and Prussia, who didn't seem to understand his opinion one bit. The young nation just sighed now that he realised he had just condemned himself to having to explain. "These trials, whatever the outcome, won't bring justice," he began softly. "I truly do believe punishing me or Prussia or Austria would be unjust. Not doing anything, however, also wouldn't bring justice for all the terrible things that have been done. Nothing will be solved at all, no matter what the outcome of these trials will be." He paused, wondering whether or not to continue. He would probably have to. "But it's not completely useless: I never want to have to go through anything like today again. I also don't want another war, not ever, but… By now, should another war ever break out -I don't control any of that, anyway, so it doesn't matter what I want in that respect- I will at least make sure this won't be the result of it." He bit the inside of his lip for a moment and closed his eyes. "At the start of this war," he confessed, "I decided that it would be better if I didn't care about the other nations who would suffer because of us. I would just do as I was told, even if that meant doing some… bad things."
He'd begun to feel gradually more determined to make this clear with every word he spoke, and the young nation looked up at both Scotland and Wales. "After the Great War," he said, "brother and I were punished for something we never started. Isn't it common knowledge that every participant in that war bore equal responsibility, or near-equal? So why is it that Prussia and I received the steepest punishment?" He gritted his teeth, remembering how angry he had been about it. He still was. "When this war started, I promised myself to make sure I'd never again be blamed for something I didn't do. Since I would receive the blame anyway, I might as well just do as I was told."
It was silent after he was done talking, until eventually Wales sighed. "Well, I guess I can understand that sentiment. No one had it easy after the Great War, but I suppose it's true that you two had it especially hard."
"Being blamed for something you haven't done is never a nice feeling," Scotland added solemnly.
"It's not," Germany just replied stiffly. "But this is worse. This is receiving blame mostly for something I didn't do, and partly for things I did do. After the Great War, I just felt like how we were treated was unfair. I felt despised for no reason. Feeling guilty and being guilty is a million times worse, especially in combination with being punished whilst mostly innocent." He clenched his hands into fists. "I'll avoid going through something like this again, I swear. Never again."
Prussia hummed at this, smiling a little. "Well, I second that."
Austria chuckled. "Third."
Both Scotland and Wales smiled approvingly, silent for a moment, before Scotland looked at Prussia. "Are you doing all right now, Gil?" he asked carefully. "Just earlier, you looked pretty bad, to be honest."
Wales nodded, also looking a little bit concerned. "Hearing what you went through, I completely understand if all that was really just panic and fear, but if by any chance you're ill… Well, I'm sure that we can pull some strings so that you won't have to come here again tomorrow."
Prussia shook his head immediately. "No, I'm fine. Thanks, though." Without looking at either of the two older nations, the Prussian sighed, gaze fixed on the floor. "One of these days I'll get over what happened. It's just… taking longer than I'd hoped…"
"Hey, Pipsqueak," Wales then began gently, using the nickname he'd used for Prussia the first time they met. "If you're feeling ashamed of that panic attack earlier, quit doing so right this instant." Prussia looked up at the principality when he heard this, a little surprised. Wales was staring at him with a hard, dark green gaze. "I'm pretty sure what you told us wasn't even half of what was done to you," the old nation told him, voice a little harder than before. "And trust me, if I'd been through something like that, I would seriously be pissing myself if I had any flashbacks of it."
Scotland then nudged his friend, smiling reassuringly. "I had nightmares for years after the chlorine incident," he said. "And that was only one day! Given, the effects lasted about a year, but after a little while, being blind didn't freak me out anymore. It was that day, that attack, that scared the living daylight out of me." He sighed softly and looked away. "Sometimes still does."
Germany felt a twinge of guilt, but pushed it away. Instead he allowed himself to feel the relief that welled up in him when he saw his elder brother relax a little more when he heard this.
Prussia still didn't seem to be at ease, though, and the other nations all noticed it, too. The two British brothers glanced at each other for a moment, then looked back at the albino.
"Hey, and what happened to the arrogant little shithead we all know and love yet despise at the same time?" Wales asked, sounding like he had to force himself to sound cheerful by now. "This isn't like you. I mean, you're Prussia! Arrogance and rudeness and being loud and annoying seems to be in your blood. Who's this silent, withdrawn guy, and what have you done with Prussia?"
The joke didn't seem to reach Prussia much. "Arrogance is in my blood, eh?" he muttered, half to himself. "I guess… But then, I suppose it bled out of me over the past years…" He ignored everyone except Germany for a moment, when he leant against his little brother's shoulder and closed his eyes with a sigh. "I'm still a little dizzy," he mumbled softly.
Germany then put an arm around the Free State, feeling his heart skip a beat even though he had expected as much. "Just keep breathing," he replied calmly, trying to ease his own nerves as much as his brother's. "Breathe and take it easy. That's the best thing you can do."
"I'll see if I can get us all something to drink," Austria then suggested, getting to his feet. He'd only taken a few steps before he halted however, and muttered without looking back: "Assuming I don't need an escort for this, too?" It came out almost as a sneer, surprising Germany.
And not only Germany, although Scotland and Wales didn't show it much. Not until Austria left after they said that, of course not, he could go wherever he liked. Only when he was out of earshot did Wales look at his brother, who shrugged. Then the principality turned to Germany and Prussia questioningly.
He didn't even have to ask anything for Germany to reply. "We've all had a tough time," the young nation stated, looking down at his brother: the Prussian hadn't moved an inch since leaning against Germany. He sighed. "Austria has been worked half to death. He hated his job in the concentration camps. But then, what sane person wouldn't…? Yet, they kept forcing him back there, again and again and again."
"He'll come around," Prussia added softly, completely out of the blue. "He, like all of us, just needs some time."

It took nearly ten minutes before Austria came back, but when he did, he was holding a tray with five glasses of water. "Why must they always hide the kitchen…?" he grumbled then. "Thing is, buildings like these always have one, even if it's a tiny one. What their reason is for hiding them away in some corner of the building, I don't have a clue. Stupid humans." He went on to hand Scotland and Wales a glass each, saying nothing as the two nations thanked him for it. Next he gave Germany his glass, but then put the tray on the bench and leant down to be on eye-level with Prussia.
The Austrian gave his cousin a careful nudge. "Gil," he whispered to him; Prussia had just started dozing off against Germany's shoulder. "Gil, it's already past four," Austria went on carefully. "You need to… you know. Especially after earlier, you really shouldn't skip a day."
Germany's gaze flickered to the two British brothers, who said nothing but looked curious. Meanwhile, Prussia sat up straight and shot Austria an annoyed look. He thanked him softly, though, when he was handed his water. The Free State stuck his free hand into his chest pocket, taking out the two little pills he'd taken with him. He was as quick about swallowing them as he could be, as if he didn't want Scotland and Wales to see it, so much so that he nearly choked on the water and started coughing.
When the coughs ceased again, Prussia looked at the two older nations through narrowed red eyes. "Not a word about this to anyone," he muttered darkly, although he then added almost desperately: "Please."
Both shook their heads and promised to keep quiet. Neither of them seemed to even dare to ask what the pills were for, which came as a relief to Germany, knowing that Prussia would loathe to explain it even more than he did, and Germany already hated the thought with a passion.
Actually he didn't want to talk about anything right now, but he also felt increasingly uncomfortable with every passing second. He was glad to be out of the courtroom and away from prying eyes, grateful that the only two nations that went with him and his brother and cousin were kind and understanding, he really was. But he couldn't stand knowing that decisions were being made about him just down the hallway and he had no idea what those decisions were. Just thinking about it, the young nation felt sick with nerves, but he couldn't stop his mind from wandering off to those unnerving thoughts.
Suddenly he felt an arm around his shoulder, and he turned to see Prussia staring at him with a gentle expression. "Stop worrying, little bro," the albino whispered, smiling a little. It looked forced at first, but soon became more genuine. "It'll all be fine. I know it will."
"I'm getting the feeling this trial is more symbolic than anything else," Austria added on Germany's other side, also sounding a lot calmer than earlier. "I've seen a few trials in my life, and this isn't how they normally go. I wouldn't worry, if I were you."
Germany nodded, forcing himself to take a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, he answered: "I hope you're right…"

It was at least two hours before they were called back into the courtroom. Germany was trembling lightly as he stepped back to where he had stood before, and he was still struggling to look up at the judge and the Allies.
It was the judge who spoke this time around, not England. "Germany," the human began. "The charges held against you were assault on Luxembourg, assault on Italy Romano and collaboration with the Nazi regime. Be brief and honest: did you or did you not do all these things?"
A little surprised at the way this was phrased, Germany nodded. "I… I did."
The man was quiet for a second or so, then gave a brisk nod. "Then I hereby find you guilty of all charges. However, you shall not receive any penalty for your deeds."
Those words robbed Germany of his breath, of his ability to think. His mind went blank in an instant. He could vaguely hear the judge telling Austria and Prussia that the same went for the two of them and that they would have no separate trials anymore, but didn't really process it. His thoughts were still stuck on those two words, 'no penalty'. Did that mean it was over? He'd thought the trials would be days, maybe weeks of hell.
It had only been a day.
Just as that began to sink in, something heavy slammed into his back and he was thrown to the floor. Stunned for a second, the young German then turned onto his back; Prussia was on top of him, holding him in a crushing hug. Even as Germany sat up, Prussia just wouldn't budge, clinging to his little brother in what was likely the tightest embrace since their reunion earlier that year.
Germany didn't even care that there were so many nations surrounding them, he just swung his arms around his brother with as much force as Prussia used. All his fear and anxiety from earlier just disappeared, relief washing over him with the force of a tsunami. He actually felt choked up over it, but he just about managed to suppress that. Relieved or not, with all these nations around, there were still limits.
"See, Ludwig?" Prussia choked out in a soft whisper. "I told you everything would be all right. I'm telling you, Hungary pulled some strings for us here."
Germany couldn't answer. He feared that, if he opened his mouth, he would simply start crying in sheer relief, and he really couldn't have any of that. He just hoped Prussia knew that what he had said, no matter how difficult it might have been for him to do so, had no doubt helped a lot also. And I guess Gilbert would tell me not to underestimate how much I did myself, too, he thought with a tiny smile.
He would have to thank Hungary, whatever it was she had said to get this done. He didn't care what it had been, either; it could be the most embarrassing thing anyone had ever said about him for all he cared. The results were worth it.
Everything is… all right…

So yeah, I never planned on letting them be punished. Well, not in these trials, anyway.
(I mean, we all know that they did in the end receive one steep punishment, the poor things)

But yeah... A suspenseful day for them, but in the end, it all turned out well.
(I couldn't make it even worse on my poor babies...!)

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!