This chapter is the sequel to chapter 7: Christmas 1989

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December 1990

America stares grim face at the other nation, "Is the plan ready?"

The other nation gives an equally serious but not as grim look. "Yes. The beer have been picked and the plan for alcohol intake has been planned."

America smirks, "It a good thing that D. does not care how it is signed as long it gets signed."

West Germany nods, feeling some shame for using alcohol to get East Germany to sign something even if it will save his life. But still, Gilbert did specify that he wanted a 'last' chance of being drunk and better to do it at home then on the streets.

Hic Hic. "Hello Brrrruder, one last night of …of something right?" The intoxicated nation of recently dissolve East Germany giggles that devolves into a snort as he starts listing over a bit.

Lugwig rolls his eyes and leans into his brother to keep him upright on his chair.

Alfred smirks around the drink he is nursing. Better to be sober for this night.

Gilbert does not even notice the smirking American when he goes in to hugs his brother, West Germany. "Brother..soon…soon we will be completely one. Sooon… only one."

Ludwig grimace, why did he put it that way?!

Gilbert giggles, "That is how Russia kept saying it, but to be free from the asr…" The comment gets interrupted by a yawn.

Ludwig sighs in relief, finally, Gilbert is in a state to sign something without reading it. He lifts his brother off his chair, a cheers in his heart. The contract. The contract. "Before you go to bed, brother, there is small paper to sign concerning a detail of article 23."

The former Prussian blearily looks and nods in the way only the drunk can.

Ludwig hands a blood red quill to the other and rolls out the vellum contract on the table.

Gilbert frowns, "Wait… Something not right." He pauses and burbs, "What… what was I saying?"

"You were about to sign this." Alfred chip in helpfully.

Gilbert blinks and goes briefly droopy eyed. He signs the contract, not even noticing that he is using a quill that have no ink (especially since pens are the norm), nor that the paper he is signing is not even paper, but the much older vellum. He did notice a strange cut on his hand that goes away right away but only blinks in confusion. He drops the quill and tumble rolls to the floor muttering, "Where is the floor?"

Ludwig grimace at the state of his brother.

America sighs, "Ok man, next step is you signing it."

Ludwig, unlike his inebriated brother does not even hesitate, picks up the blood quill off the floor and signs his name without pause.

America nods and takes the quill next and signs his name as witness. He blows and watches the red blood fade into a shade of brown. He rolls the vellum and hands it to the German nation. "Hold it until D. does his part."

With the still passed out East German on the floor the American goes to the obnoxiously large mirror to contact the reaper.

Ludwig pinches the bridge of his brow wondering how America persuaded him to getting a large mirror. Although now it very handy. Alfred crows in triumph and Ludwig looks at the comical figure in the mirror that belays it dark nature. Seeing the reaper in a mirror is not nearly as scary as meeting him and getting the contract. Without stalling, West Germany pushed the signed vellum through the mirror where the reaper unrolls it and looks carefully.

Death nods once in his stark mask. "Good. This will hurt both of you."

While West Germany internally cringes at that statement, he still looks in awe as a single white digit of his foam like hand become sharp and black as night. Through the mirror, he sees the Grim Reaper sign and see the strange letters that seem to shift languages but all mean the same name; DEATH. Then a sharp pain before the world turns to blackness.

Alfred sighs. Now he has to carry two Germans into their beds. Good thing he has super strength. Ludwig is going to be cranky and feel like he is hung over. But that is normal. Well, normal for this situation. "Ok, why does Ludwig gets a warning but not me or Mattie?" He sighs in exasperation.

The Grim Reaper wobbles, "His will hurt less then when you or your brother did the marriage contracts."

America gives a finally sighs as he waves the reaper goodbye, "See ya"

The next morning, sunlight makes the German nation want to go back to bed. Then grimace as memories of last night flood through him. Ludwig then frowns, wondering why he feels like he has a hangover even though he barely drank. A knock halt the stream of thoughts and the German force a polite, "Come in". He sees America looks noticeable cheerful with a glass of water.

Alfred sees the looks and smiles assuredly. "Don't worry, it is done. While D. will have the original, both you and Gilbert will have a copy ingrain on your life. If needed, anyone with a soul perception can help you bring it up with a little meditation."

Ludwig relax again and sighs in relief. Then that relief becomes fondness when he hears his brother unsteady gait in the hall.

Alfred pats his hand in reassurance. The American looks at his watch and grimace, "Love to stay and chat but I will be late. Best of luck Ludwig," and slams the door a little too hard for his aching head. The German covers his eyes. Only to uncover them when the former nation of Prussia stumbles in looking noticeably better. Ludwig wonders if it because the restoration of nation healing.

"Hey West, I am hungry. Cook some food for me."

Germany sighs but gets up, knowing that there will be more mornings to come.

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When I first wrote this, I made of a mess of names, Gilbert was a special pain because in the manga/ anime he is known as Prussia but at the time his name would have been East Germany. I should have it fixed so a few mentions of East Germany at the beginning and switching to the human name Gilbert. Human names thankfully are far more neutral to use then whatever country name they are at that time.