Chapter Twelve

Canada made it to the top level. It was mostly empty of people. There were a few ghouls going the same direction as him and others were climbing up the stairs behind him. They recognized him and guessed he knew where he was going.

Matthew could hear fighting up a head. As soon as they rounded the corner to the entry of the prison, he saw the source of the noise. Ghouls and Doves were fighting. There were bodies on the floor from both sides. The guards were trying to block the exit, but there were too many ghouls. A lot of them were slipping by while the more experienced fought the Doves.

Blackbird stood back for a moment as the ghouls past him. He wanted to fight and help, but his priority was Gilbert. He saw an opening and didn't think twice. He ran past the Doves and out the exit. Cool air immediately hit him as he stepped outside.

Outside the prison was a mess. There were bodies of ghouls, Doves, police and a few civilians that had got caught in the crossfire. There were more cops as well as military vehicles pulling up. A few ghouls were staying to fight, taking their anger out on the officers. They were also defending the less skilled ghouls to let them flee.

Canada bit his lip and immediately slipped away into an alley. He started moving north through the city. He didn't have much of a plan after getting out. He hadn't factored in finding Gilbert. Alone, he had thought about stealing a car or something to move quicker. Together, he'd have to leave the albino somewhere to get a car. He wouldn't do that. He decided to keep moving north and get out of the city.

Matthew just kept moving through the quieter streets. He kept out of sight of people. There weren't too many on the streets anyways. It was night and cold. He assumed the local policed had issued a warning about what was happening at the prison, but he wasn't sure.

After almost three hours of walking, he was finally on the outskirts of town. It was just starting to get dark out too. The Canadian could smell rain coming. He ducked into a forest the first chance he got. He felt safer among the trees.

Gilbert still hadn't woken or shifted the hold time he'd been carried. He guessed the Prussian hadn't got much rest. Matthew was getting tired as well. He had already been tired from the suppressants. He found a spot among the underbrush that looked comfortable enough. After sleeping on a concrete floor, he'd take just about anything.

Blackbird carefully slid down the tree with the albino in his arms. He could feel him shivering. He pulled the investigator jacket off and wrapped it around the albino. It was cold and he didn't want Gilbert to catch anything. The Canadian held him close to keep warm. He sighed taking in his scent. He let his guard down enough to fall asleep.

—-❄️" I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."❄️—-

Matthew was woken hours later when he felt Gilbert shift in his arms. He opened his eyes and looked down to see bright red eyes looking up at him. The Prussian looked suspicious and raised a hand cupping his jaw. The Canadian leaned into his touch.

"It's really jou." Prussia said quietly. He still seemed in disbelief. "Jou're really here."

"Yes, it's me." Canada said reassuringly. A small smile spread across the Prussian's face.

"Vhy did jou let them take me?" Gilbert asked smile falling. Matthew's eyebrows furrowed and his eyes saddened.

"I made a deal with the investigator. He said if I told him what he wanted to know you'd be let go and be safe." Canada explained quietly. He looked away into the forest. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have trusted him. I feel horrible that they kept and hurt you."

"It's not jour fault Birdie." Gilbert said reaching up and cupping his face again. Matthew sighed closing his eyes. "Please don't blame jourself. Don't do that again."

The pair were quiet for a moment. It was a while before the Canadian spoke. "Does it hurt? Do you remember what happened?"

"It aches a bit." Prussia shrugged. He sat up in Matthew's lap and reached back to feel the bandages. "I don't remember. I remember a bit after I was taken from jou, I was put in a cell. I can't remember anything after that."

"Can I look?" Canada asked raising an eyebrow.

The albino nodded and turned his back to him. Matthew reached out and carefully unraveled the bandages just enlighten to see the wound. There was a large cut just under his shoulder blades, the Canadian didn't know what caused it, but it had been stitched closed at one point. It had been ripped open, but had scabbed over. His eyebrows furrowed with worry as he carefully rewrapped the bandages. He pressed a light kiss to his shoulder.

Gilbert turned to him with a bright smile before pulling him down for a proper kiss. "Ich liebe dich." He hummed as soon as they broke apart. "Für immer und ewig, Vogel."

"Je t'aime aussi." Matthew murmured burying his face in the crook of his neck. "I missed you."

"How long vere ve there?" Prussia asked playing with the Canadian's hair. "Did they hurt jou?"

"I don't know. It didn't feel like long." Blackbird mumbled. "They didn't hurt me much."

"Much?" The albino asked suspiciously.

"I'm fine. Everything is healed now anyways." Canada said reassuringly. "You should worry about yourself. Your wound isn't healed."

"It's healing though." Gilbert pointed out and Matthew shrugged. He looked around feeling wind. "Vhere are we?"

"In a forest just outside of Denver." Blackbird said. His stomach rumbled loudly and he tried to hide it. Luckily, the albino didn't notice. "We should keep moving. I don't know if they're tracking us."

"Ja." Gilbert said standing up. Canada stood and immediately picked him up bridal style. The Prussian yelped in surprise. "Birdie! I can valk."

"You need to save your energy to heal." Matthew said as he started to walk.

The albino complained a bit more until he was bored. He started to play with Canada's hair. He braided every strand he could reach. He finished what he could reach and sighed. He crossed his arms and rested his head on Matthew's chest. The Canadian was humming quietly and Gilbert fell back asleep listening to it.

Blackbird looked down as he walked and smiled seeing the Prussian was asleep. His stomach rumbled loudly again and he groaned quietly. He was starving, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He wouldn't leave Gilbert alone and he definitely wouldn't take him with him. He didn't want to kill on the U.S. side of the boarder either. It would draw a lot of unwanted attention.

Matthew kept walking for hours through the forest. The rain had caught up to them. It was cold and the Canadian didn't mind, but Gilbert was shivering in his sleep. Canada paused for a moment and readjusted the investigator's coat he'd given to Prussia. He changed the way he was carrying the albino to give him more body warmth. Gilbert didn't stir through the whole process. Once he was happy that the Prussian was warm, he started moving again.

AN: I hope everyone is safe and healthy! I am currently enjoying no classes and getting to stay home. I started writing a one-shot/short fic for a new ship i've recently fell for. Idk when it will be done, but eventually.