Chapter 37

GDR lifted his head weakly, looking into Russia's face. He was tied to a chair in a cold stone room, one light hanging in front of him. He could barely move his legs, so they weren't bound, which he was grateful for. The ropes around his wrists dug through the bandages, pressing against the tender skin that hadn't fully healed. He moved his right arm, trying to adjust the needle that ran into it, a long tube connecting his body to the drugs it needed, but only received if Russia was satisfied with his answers. His heart pounded, his breathing choked and quick. He hadn't had sleep, or food, or water for several days, and he could barely keep his head up. He let it fall forward again, breathing weakly.

Russia grabbed the man's white hair, pulling his head up roughly, smiling when he drew a soft cry of pain from GDR's cracked lips.

"Well," The bigger country asked, "It's been over 12 hours… do you need more, GDR?"

"Ja…" he whispered, his voice choked. He let his head stay back as Russia let go of his hair. He watched as the giant of a country walked back around him, sitting across from him with a sickening smile.

GDR looked forward, staring at Russia, barely keeping his eyes open.

"What's your name?"

"German Democratic Republic." Prussia.

"What are you?"

"A communist state." Prussia.

"Who do you belong to?"

"The Soviet Union: you." No one.

"Why was the wall built?"

"To protect me…" To keep me caged…

"What punishment do people attempting to cross it deserve?"

"…Death." Freedom…

"And your brother is?"

"America's dog." What does that make me?

"Would you like me to give you the drugs you need?" Russia smiled, leaning forward into the light, so Gil could see his face.

Gil nodded, "Ja… bitte…" He cried out in pain as Russia slapped him, throwing his head to the side hard. "Yes…" he whispered, "Please…"

"'Please', what?"

Gil sighed, "I need the drugs… please…"

"What was that? I'm still not sure I understand you." Russia's voice was ice.

"Please, Russia, I need the drugs…."

"Oh, you need them, really?" Russia snapped, standing and grabbing Gil's hair again, forcing his head back, "Do you?"

"Russia, may I please have the drugs? Please give them to me, please…"

Russia smiled, sliding his hand from Gil's hair to his cheek, patting it gently. "Da. All you had to do was ask," he smiled, turning the valve on the medicine bag, letting the liquid rush into Gil's blood through the tube in his arm.

Gil sighed, relaxing as the drugs started their work. His breathing relaxed, his heartbeat slowing to normal. He looked up at Russia, trying to look braver than he felt.

Russia smiled, pulling out a canteen of water.

Gil struggled at the ropes, looking up at Russia, desperate. He watched as Russia dripped the water into the cap slowly. A drop fell down the metal side onto the ground. Gil licked his lips, knowing it wouldn't do any good.

"What's your name?" Russia smiled, stepping closer to Gil with the water cup.

"German Democratic Republic." He healed forward, straining to get to the water Russia held just out of reach.

"What are you?"

"A communist state."

"Who do you belong to?"

"The Soviet Union: you."

"Why was the wall built?"

"To protect me," he looked up at Russia, his eyes begging for the water.

"What punishment do people attempting to cross it deserve?" Russia's tone didn't change, and he didn't move.

"Death!" He didn't care what he had to say. He needed the water.

"And your brother is?"

"America's dog, Russia please…"

Russia smiled, bringing the water to Gil's lips, letting him drink, "Would you like more?"

"Da…" Gil whispered, hoping the Russian word would please the giant country.

Russia's smile grew, "Khorosho, Ptitska." He filled another cup and let Gil drink, "Would you like the rest?"

Gil looked up at Russia, confused, "What would I have to do…?"

"Nothing," Russia shook his head with a smile, "But you're thirsty, aren't you?"

Gil nodded slowly, still wary of Russia's kindness.

"Here…" Russia put his hand to the back of Gil's head and held the canteen to his lips, tilting it so the smaller country could drink.

Gil drank gratefully, fast enough to almost choke as the water ran down his neck while he tried to get every drop.

Russia spoke while watching the man drink, "Your brother really is America's dog you know… without America there's no way he would have survived. His people think they're free, but they're not. America may claim to give them freedom, but some people rise, while others starve, now what kind of country does that?"

Gil was almost too busy gulping at the water to listen to Russia, but he glanced up at him, trying to pretend to be paying attention.

Russia smiled, tipping the canteen further, more wasted water splashing down Gil's neck, "Men can be driven by greed… America, is driven by greed. He can't understand that everyone must be treated with absolute equality. Everyman the same. This is safe. This protects people… he gives your brother too much freedom…"

Gil looked up at Russia as he struggled for the last drop of the water.

"Your brother's like a dog without a leash…" Russia pulled the canteen away, petting Gil's hair almost comfortingly. "But you, Ptitska… my little bird… you have learned to like you cage… da?"

Gil nodded slowly, resting his head in the warmth of Russia's hand. He was so cold…

"America hasn't forgiven your brother…" Russia smiled, walking behind Gil slowly, tracing the communist scar on his back. "Your brother has a scar here too… though a different mark I think…"

Gil shivered, looking away from Russia. He wrapped his hands into fists, "Don't talk about my brother!"

Russia pulled his head back hard, "You don't get to give me orders." He kicked the back of Gil's legs under the chair.

Gil cried out in pain, struggling against Russia's grip on his hair.

Russia let go, "Your brother is worth nothing. France and England and America can have him, he's barely worth their time. And what they're doing to his country… too bad he doesn't have you to protect him anymore," Russia's voice was ice.

"Halt's Maul! (Shut up!)" Prussia snapped, looking up at Russia, hatred flashing in his red eyes.

Russia grabbed his hair again, smiling, "I knew there was fight left in there somewhere… So your brother means that much to you?"

Gil said nothing, gritting his teeth.

Russia leaned in threateningly close to Gil's face, "Maybe once I'm done with you, I'll get your brother from America… wouldn't it be nice to see him again?"

Prussia struggled, looking into Russia's face, "I'm going to kill you f-" Russia's hand around his throat cut him off. He closed his eyes, gasping as the deep bruises already left in his neck shot pain down his spine.

"And here I thought I'd almost broken you…" Russia let go of Gil's neck and took a step towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Gil breathed hard, coughing.

"To get the one who can."

…

Germany leaned his arms against his desk, pressing his hands into his hair, pushing it back. He stared at the circular package, wrapped in brown paper, resting on the cherry wood.

From: Russia

To: Germany

Open Immediately. Contains Important Information Regarding GDR.

It had been checked and re-checked. It wasn't dangerous. It was a tape. A quad video tape. He wasn't sure he wanted to open it. He jumped, resting his hand on his gun and turning his chair suddenly as he heard the door to his office open. It was America.

"Hey, Germany! So, what was on that tape!?" America stopped, looking at Germany's face. "Hey, man, are you all right?" He took a few steps closer, noticing the still un-opened package on Germany's desk. He let Germany speak.

"I uh… haven't opened it yet…" Germany looked away from it, "America what if-"

"Look, we don't know anything until we watch it… maybe… maybe it's nothing!" America put his hand on Germany's shoulder reassuringly. "I'll… I'll even watch it with you if you want!" America grinned, nodding, trying to sound positive. He always tried to sound positive.

Germany nodded slowly, picking up the package and flipping it over. He sighed, taking off his black leather gloves to open it more easily. He unfolded each taped piece of paper carefully, not tearing anything. He took out the tape. A black quad tape. He brought it to the player that had been brought in for it, and looked back at America.

"Go ahead, I'm sure it'll be fine," America smiled, trying to sound hopeful. He pulled a chair up to the television and motioned for Germany to sit beside him once he started the tape.

Germany slowly sat next to America, putting his elbows on his knees, leaning forward, his chin resting on his thumbs and his folded hands pressed against his lips.

"Hey," America put his hand on Germany's back kindly, "Seriously, whatever happens… I'm trying, ok. You know I'm trying to get him back…"

Germany nodded, turning to the screen as the video tape started to play. He stared at his brother. He was so thin, so horribly thin. He wore a black uniform. Dark circles were clearly visible under his eyes, and his lips were cracked and dry. Germany shuddered as his brother's eyes looked up into the camera lens. They looked dead.

"Hallo, Bruder…" his brother's voice was different. It had always been raspy and almost harsh, but there was no life left in it. It was rougher, colder, more like Russia's… He wanted to look away from the screen but he couldn't. He felt America's hand on his back again. It was barely comforting. He shook his head, seeing his brother's bloodshot eyes dart off to look behind the camera for a moment, then fix themselves back on the lens, like they were talking face to face.

"I'm being treated more than well here."

Germany didn't believe that for a second. One look at his brother's face told him that. He looked like he was dying. He'd never seen him look so… helpless.

"I'm making this video… to… remind you…" GDR's words were choked, and Germany could hear the dehydration in his brother's voice. He brought his hands down from his face, clenching them into fists.

"I'm making this video to remind you, who, and I am," Gil's voice trembled, "My name, is German Democratic Republic, also known as GDR," the white-haired country swallowed hard, "I am a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union, owned by Russia…" his eyes darted of camera again, then back, "I know the wall must upset you, but it's for my own protection and those my people. Anyone attempting to cross it is shot. They are no longer loyal citizens of GDR, and therefore cannot live," he swallowed again his voice catching, "I am very sorry that you are owned by America, as I can only imagine how… cruel… of an owner he must be…" Gil bit his lip, his eyes darting off camera again.

Germany winced as his brother blinked hard, almost flinching, and turned back to the camera lens, a spark of fear in his eyes.

"Please, don't try and save me, I like it here, and I want to stay…" tears were just barely visible in Gil's eyes, "I don't want to be another one of America's dogs," he set his jaw and nodded off camera.

The video ended.

Germany sat stunned for a moment, barely able to process what he'd seen. He stood and flipped the glass table in front of them over, shattering it, sending the papers that had rested on it flying around the room with a shout of rage.

America stood, grabbing Germany's shoulders, "Germany, calm down…"

Germany threw off America's hands, turning back to him, "Don't tell me to calm down that's MY BROTHER!" He yelled, pointing towards the tape, "What do you think Russia did to him to get him to say that!? He… he wouldn't…" Germany shook his head. He didn't know if he wanted to shout again or cry. He wouldn't cry. Not in front of America.

"Germany, I'm trying, please understand, Russia-"

"IS HURTING MY BROTHER!"

"I know that but I can't do anything about it right now!" America shook his head, angry, "I'm in the middle of a war I'm not winning, and as much as I care about Gil, there's nothing I can do!"

"I can't do nothing… I can't…" Germany shook his head, his voice breaking. "I won't do nothing!"

"Then don't. Do everything you can. Help his people get across the wall, figure out a way to help him once he gets back… just… I can't fix it yet… I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry!"

Germany looked away, "Some 'hero' you turned out to be…"

The words stung, "You're one to talk…" America clenched his fists.

Germany looked back at America, angry, hurt.

"I'm sorry…" America sighed, putting his hand on Germany's shoulder again, "That was uncalled for." he sighed, "Really though, I'm trying. I want to free all of them. Remember, Russia came and dragged Toris away from me… I… The way he reacted to normal things while he was in my house just… I know Russia's hurting him. I know it. He's my friend, and so is Gil. I want to help them both, and everyone else there, but I can't. Not yet. Not YET. But I will. I promise… just give me more time."

"How much more time do you think my brother has?" Germany forced himself to speak.

America sighed, looking back at the television, picturing Gil's face on it again. He shook his head, horrified, "I don't know…" he looked back up at Germany, "I'll do everything I can. I promise."

Germany nodded, patting America's hand on his shoulder before pushing it off, turning away, sitting back at his desk chair, putting his head in his hands.

America glanced at the broken table in front of the TV.

"I'll clean it up later," Germany sighed, not looking up at America.

"I'm… guessing you want me to leave?" America sighed, looking at Germany again. He was worried.

Germany nodded without a word.

America walked towards the door, "Um… I'm here if you need me, ok?"

Germany nodded again, still not turning to America.

America left, closing the door behind him.

Germany sat at his desk for a moment, still processing everything he'd seen, analyzing every detail in his mind. He looked up at the tape finally, standing to reset it and play it again.

"Hallo, Bruder… I'm being treated more than well here, I'm making this video… to… remind you…I'm making this video to remind you, who, and I am. My name, is German Democratic Republic, also known as GDR. I am a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union, owned by Russia…I know the wall must upset you, but it's for my own protection and those my people. Anyone attempting to cross it is shot. They are no longer loyal citizens of GDR, and therefore cannot live. I am very sorry that you are owned by America, as I can only imagine how… cruel… of an owner he must be…Please, don't try and save me, I like it here, and I want to stay…I don't want to be another one of America's dogs.

Click

Germany shook his head. Every time his brother's eyes darting off camera, every time he blinked, or shivered, or almost flinched, or his breath caught, etched themselves in Germany's mind. He had to save his brother. Somehow. He pressed his hands into his face, sliding off the chair onto his knees beside the broken glass, and sobbed.

A/N: Well that was sad... Gil so desperate in the beginning he's barely acting human, followed by Germany getting a glimpse of his brother for the first time in a long time... *sigh*. A few of you have been asking me to jump over the wall to Germany's perspective, and Gil's mind is getting so dark and depressing I really wanted someone to be fighting for him for a change! I need some hope guys! (I bet you all do too!) This is not good. This is very, very not good... Also, America being less obnoxious than he's usually portrayed, because he's an interesting character too, and he's trying his best! I haven't written for Germany or America before, so please let me know if you thought I did a half-decent job at them!

As always, reviews are deeply appreciated! They really REALLY help keep me motivated to update so often, and I know you all love frequent updates! *hand-heart* Thank you all again for the continued support for this story! I'm actually pretty overwhelmed at the reception it's gotten! Thank you all so much! Cookies and hugs and treats of all kinds for all of you!