*Hides in corner*
…Oopsie?
XD Sorry to keep you all hanging on a cliffhanger. Forgot… to write. '^_^
I hope this longish chapter (for MY standards) will make you forgive me (and make you review 3)! So, without further blabbering, enjoy!
"talking"
WARNING: Language, YAOI
Disclaimer: … Check empty bank account… Nope, still don't own the thing.
SONG OF THE CHAPTER: Hurt (Johnny Cash)
This song totally reminds me of Prussia, and is the reason I finally wrote this chapter. You can say thank you to my history teacher for making me listen to it (even though I already knew the song…).
Remember, Please!
Chapter Five- Hurt
"Bruder…"
Panicked blue eyes searched the crowd for the familiar sight of white hair. Hands clenched, Germany stepped over what was left of the wall.
"Bruder…"
Trying to calm the tremors in his own voice and his still clenched, trembling hands, Ludwig continued walking straight ahead. He ignored the mocking voices in the back of his mind, saying that he was too late. Or even worse, that Russia was right and his actions lead to the death of Gilbert. He just walked, and searched.
Searched for his brother.
Searched for his everything.
Searched for his conscience.
Searched to prove Russia wrong.
Searched to make everything right once again.
Taking no notice of the screaming of relieved family members and lovers reuniting, he looked around him. And waited. For his other half. For his East. Waited for him to burst out of nowhere, laughing that demented laugh of his and see his wonderful, sparkling with mirth crimson eyes. For that single moment, when he would hold that slim body close to his heart, and finally, after all these years, feel at peace.
Germany collapsed on his knees and waited for that moment.
But, as seconds turned to minutes, and minutes to hours, that moment never came.
And as people cleared the area to go celebrate, Germany wept for his absent brother.
"Please… Don't leave me… bruder… Russia lied. Come on bruder; come tell me that I'm an idiot for believing his words. Come knock some sense into my head."
Facing the facts, Ludwig dried his tears and stood up. Wobbling slightly, he started making his way home.
He walked for a few minutes, until he saw his reflection in the windows of a shop.
His normally well-kept hair was in disarray, his deep blue eyes were blood-shot and had dark circles under them. His uniform was ruffled. Basically, he looked like he felt: a mess. As he was about to continue on his was home, his eyes caught the reflection of something in the window.
His iron cross.
He took it slowly in his hand, softly tracing the contour with the tip of his finger. A new light found its way in his dull eyes. He turned around and started walking briskly in the direction of the wall.
Closing his fist around the cross, his resolve hardened.
He refused to give up on his brother.
If he had to go get him directly from Russia's house, he would. He was going to take his brother back where he belonged. Home. With him.
And if Russia had an ounce of self-preservation, he would stay out of his way.
Because Ludwig was done with playing.
Austria waited anxiously next to the phone. Waiting for a call from Ludwig. Waiting for news about Prussia. Waiting to see if he got home okay.
Of course, he wasn't worrying. There was no way something could have happened to that idiot. He was too annoying to die.
No, Roderich was in no way worried about him. How ridiculous. He just wanted to know if… if Ludwig needed any help in handling that moron. That's all.
Now, if that damn phone could just RING.
Maybe he was a little bit uncertain. But not worried! Not about that idiot. Why would he be scared for that idiot Prussia?
…
Lilac eyes rested on the phone. Frowning, the aristocrat mumbled under his breath.
"That idiot better be alive. Or I'll kill that damn brat."
A bird soared through the cloud-less sky. Spain lifted his head, basking in the sunlight.
Just a few more hours. A few more hours and he will be able to see his dear friend once again.
And maybe… Finally lift the guilt that weighted his shoulders.
Sparkling brown eyes looked away from the window and rested on the plane ticket held in his hands. Nodding to himself, Antonio made a promise to himself right then.
He would never let the other out of his sight once again. Never let him come in harm's way. Maybe he could even act on this weird feeling he had for years. That snuggly, warm feeling they call love.
Yes, he said to himself, if Germany didn't watch his brother, he would snatch him right under his nose.
Holding his boarding pass close to his heart, Antonio sighed contently.
Only a few more hours.
The thought that Gilbert would not survive the fall of the wall, or Russia's unknown treatment never even crossed his thoughts.
"Open the door!" Knuckles hit hard wood.
Frowning, Ludwig raised his hand to knock again, and give Russia a piece of his mind, when the door opened to reveal Lithuania.
"Ah… Ludwig? What are you…"
Hands gripped his collar.
"Don't mess with me! Where is my brother?" Toris gulped, icy blue eyes digging deep in his soul, reminding him of the lie he lived in every day. He stood there for a few moments, unsure of what to do.
"Maybe… Y-you would l-like to speak to Russia-sama…?" Blue eyes hardened.
"I don't fucking care. I want my brother. Now. Either you take me there, or I'll make you discover plenty of good reasons to move .."
An angry Germany didn't sound good. But an angry Russia was even worse. Toris whimpered. Taking in the appearance of Ludwig, the choice seemed clear. Russia wasn't there right now, but the German, yes. Getting out of the iron hold on his collar, Lithuania motioned for the other man to follow him.
Stopping in front of Gilbert's room, he paused to warn him of his brother's little… problem, but it was already too late. Germany had entered the room.
Halting in his steps, Ludwig took in the sight that was his brother, breathing softly, lying on the bed. Distantly hearing Lithuania mumbling about health problems, he carefully approached the frail, shivering form on the huge bed.
So fragile. His brother looked surreal in those white sheets. So tiny, so…
Hurt.
It suddenly clicked in his mind that his brother was suffering. Seeing specks of blood on the corner of his mouth he slowly raised his hand. Scared of hurting him, or making him disappear, his carefully wiped the blood away.
Prussia sighed contently and leaned in the hand caressing his face. Germany could have sworn he heard him whisper "warm hands…".
Never breaking his gaze, Ludwig addressed Lithuania.
"Where are his things? I'm taking him home."
"But… Russia…"
"His things. Now."
Toris whimpered again and hurriedly gathered all of Prussia's belongings, stuffing them in a bag. Looking around to see if he missed anything, his eyes fell on Gil-bun, in the snuggly embrace of his master. Oh dear…
"Eh… Germany-san…"
"Is that all?" Totally absorbed by his slumbering brother, he missed the panicked look on the other's face.
"There's only one thing… The b-bunny… In Gil-… Prussia's hand. He's very attached to it."
"If brother likes that thing, I'll take it. Is that all?" Finally breaking his gaze, Germany gathered his brother carefully in his arms, holding him bridal style.
Holding a hand out for the bag, he held Toris's gaze. Slumping his shoulders his defeat, Lithuania gave him the bag.
Holding the front door open, he tried to warn Ludwig one last time.
"Wait… Gilbert has…"
"Whatever he has, can wait until he's safe, warm and home. Thank you Lithuania."
Watching the tall form walking away in the distance, Toris frowned worriedly.
"Oh dear… What have I done? What will Ludwig say when he finds out?"
He collapsed on his knees when the next thought crossed his mind.
"Oh no. What will I say to Russia-sama? I'm doomed…"
And so the pieces were moving once again.
Spain, making his way to Germany. Austria, waiting for that phone call.
Lithuania, trembling in his boots. Russia making his way home, with no idea of what had happened today. Germany softly putting his brother in bed. His real bed. Unaware of his brother's condition.
Most of them unaware that when Gilbert would wake up, he wouldn't remember them.
All of them blissfully unaware of all the trials waiting for them in the future.
FINALLY.
Am I evil? Maybe. But still, the chapters always write themselves. In this one, there was actually supposed to be a confrontation between Russia and Germany.
I hope you're not lost or anything. Don't be shy to ask questions.
And reviews.
Reviews are what keep me going. :)
'till next time,
Cerma-chan
