Chapter Three: My Own Worst Enemy

As it turned out, several days had passed by before Ivan returned home. It appeared that they were victories, by the loud amounts of joyous chatter that arose out of the large army that Ivan had put together.

Gilbert's heart dropped even lower into his stomach, knowing that Ludwig was probably suffering badly know. Though, Gilbert hadn't been doing much himself, considering what else there was to do being trapped in a dusty old shack for several days. Mostly, he had just sat in a darkened corner of the room, clinging to just his thoughts.

He mostly wondered about what Ivan was planning on doing with him when he got back. Also, there were other thoughts like; would he be able to see Ludwig again, will he actually get some food around here, how much longer until he were to pass out from exhaustion, and why was Ivan so interested in him all of a sudden?

Gilbert knew that he was adorable, that was a bonus for being incredibly awesome, but he didn't know that anyone like Ivan would pick up on him. Maybe it wasn't his good looks that had Ivan intrigued by him. No, it probably was just whatever Gilbert had done to him in the past, and now he was attempting to get revenge on him, sort of thing.

"Privet...?"

Speaking of the devil...

Gilbert's head moved up once he heard his name being called. He was paler than usual and looked disheveled. Thankfully enough, some of the bleeding had stopped, but he still felt sick to his stomach. The lack of food and drink was taking a toll on him now.

And just seeing that small amount of light from that dastardly sun enter the room once Ivan opened the door made Gilbert shield his eyes.

"What?" He croaked out, his voice cracking from the lack of use.

Finally noticing where his position was, Ivan wandered over towards him before crouching in front of him. His smile was playful, that matched his purple eyes. "So..." He cleared his throat before continuing. "How are you?"

Gilbert avoided eye-contact with him, shifting his position so his legs were up against his chest. "I've been trapped here for almost a week by a psycho," he muttered bitterly. "How do you think I feel?" His jaw clenched as he turned his head away, wrapping his arms more securely around his legs.

It could have been is imagination, but he thought he saw Ivan flinch slightly when he had said he was trapped by a psycho. Why would he do that? Gilbert thought Ivan was some sort of fearless bastard, not someone who gets easily offended by words.

Gilbert couldn't tell what was real and just in his head anymore. Most things he saw seemed as though they were real, like now. While other things he tried to persuade himself that it was the lack of food and blood that was making him this way. Just ask the small white bunny he was talking to the other day when the furry little creature had somehow snuck in.

Ivan's chuckling brought Gilbert back from his thoughts. "Well, that's good to hear." He nodded, pulling his scarf closer to his face. As he did, Gilbert noticed that there were some blood stains on it. Some looked new, some seemed older.

Why the hell does he wear that thing? Gilbert almost gagged.

Ivan caught Gilbert's glimpse at his scarf, but his smile didn't bother to move again. "Don't worry," He said, trying to sound reassuring. "Your brother did not die. We just simply... wounded him..." His voice was dark again.

Hearing that caused some sort of reaction out of Gilbert. Reaching a hand up, he grabbed ahold of Ivan's scarf, pulling him closer so that their faces were almost touching Gilbert could see Ivan's eyes search around his face, not daring to let out a breath. Those purple orbs seemed much more calmer than they were before, which made a shiver run up Gilbert's spine. He had never seen the Russian's eyes get so soft like that before. They were almost hypnotic...

No! What are you doing?! A voice mentally slapped him as Gilbert turned his eyes towards Ivan's purple ones, narrowing them.

"You better not have killed him." He said gruffly through clenched teeth. He tried to sound as intriguing as possible, hoping to try and maybe knock the other off guard.

But Ivan didn't look moved by him. His eyes were still soft, which made Gilbert slightly uncomfortable, and his smile was just barely visible over the blood-stained scarf that covered it. "I didn't... We just broke his spirit..." He explained simply, placing his hands on top of Gilbert's not yet ready to move them off though. "Just be thankful you weren't there..." He added.

Gilbert's grip loosened around Ivan, slipping his hands out from under the other's hands. They were freezing, which was ironic, as Gilbert found, to match his personality.

But those eyes. Those ones that Ivan had on just minutes before. They looked almost comforting, like they were full of warmth. And that confused Gilbert even more. Why would someone so cold have such warm eyes?

Letting out a huffy breath, Gilbert just rolled his eyes, dismissing the thought and turned away from Ivan again. He placed his chin on top of his knees, which were close to his chest now. He closed his eyes before speaking, "So, now that Berlin's down, why do you still want me? What else is there for me to do?"

Ivan was fixing his scarf, pulling it up over his cheeks so only the top of his head and eyes were visible. "Well... Since you can't live with your brother, you can stay with me." He said it more of a command rather than a question.

"In here?" The albino glanced around the building. "No thank you." He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting his lip slightly and leaning against the wall again.

Ivan laughed again. He looked as though he were about to ruffle Gilbert on the head, but decided against it. "Oh silly Gilbert..." He shook his head in dismay. "In my house, of course."

If it was even more possible, all the color from Gilbert's face drained. Back to his house? Who knew what went on in there! Who knew if he would ever come back out, or even see the light of day again!

But judging by what he knew, Gilbert thought that this place was nicer in comparison. "Change of thought, I'll stay here..." He nodded, hoping that Ivan would just let him be.

The taller man raised an eyebrow. "Aw, why?" He asked, sounding a bit disappointed. Gilbert didn't know if he really was disappointed or was just playing it. "Don't you miss seeing my sisters?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

Gilbert looked up at him in confusion for a moment, trying to remember. It drew back faint memories. One of the girls, he knew, had long hair and was always following Ivan around. Natalia was her name. But the other one, Gilbert couldn't quite remember hers. He only saw her once, and had been slapped for staring at her chest...

Before he knew it, Gilbert realized he had been staring thoughtfully into Ivan's eyes for that long moment. The Russian had acknowledged his staring but didn't blink though. Turning his head to the side, Gilbert let his breathing slow down to a normal pace. Why was his breathing going so fast in the first place?

"Fine." He answered quietly.

Ivan blinked innocently for a moment, possibly shocked that Gilbert had given in so easily like that. Nevertheless, he just smiled again and stood up, pulling the other up by the collar.

"Alright then, let's go!" He sounded a bit too cheerful for Gilbert's taste as he started to drag him out of the warehouse.

Almost choking, Gilbert tried to keep up with him, stumbling every now and then by Ivan's tugging. Ivan hadn't let go of his collar just yet, so Gilbert had to walk behind in in an awkward position.

"Ugh... Do you mind... letting me go?" Gilbert gasped out when the tugging stopped for a few moments every now and then.

Ivan glanced over his shoulder and gave him a quizzical look. "Why would I do that? So you can make a run for it?" Once again, he was trying to look innocent.

Gilbert snorted. "Doubt I'll even make it two feet anyways." His said sarcastically, rolling his eyes in the process.

He saw Ivan's expression change for a moment, guessing that maybe the taller man was reconsidering Gilbert's words. With that in mind, Ivan suddenly let go of Gilbert's collar, causing him to stumble almost head-first into the Russian's back.

"Hey! Why'd you do that-?" Gilbert yelled but stopped when Ivan's hand suddenly grabbed onto his.

An explosion of warmth creeped up the albino's arm from the other's small touch. It was a strange warming sensation that Gilbert had never felt something like this before. It was like Ivan had a built ini fireplace in his hands. The numbing feeling in Gilbert's fingertips were melted away in a heartbeat, only leaving the feeling of Ivan's hand on his.

The white-haired man looked up at the other in both shock and amazement, but Ivan had his back turned and continued on walking.

The warmth was now spreading throughout his body like he had just curled up in a blanket. Gilbert had to admit that he was pretty thankful for this, since he'd probably freeze in just a second. But he'd never admit that to Ivan, but just a silent thanks to him would be okay for now.

"I hope you don't mind if I hold you like this then, da?" Came Ivan's voice just a second after he cleared his thoughts.

"Wha-?" Gilbert piped up, casting him a confused look even though they still were not facing each other. "Oh yeah... Sure..." He covered his face now as the warming sensation settled up to his cheeks.

What... Was he blushing?

No! No way! That's preposterous!

"Good." Ivan's voice was full of enjoyment now as he cast Gilbert his signature smile, but his eyes were closed, making him look even more child-like as though he weren't planning on something.

Don't fall for that smile! One voice in Gilbert's head warned him. You know that something bad is going on in his head!

But he did help you warm up. Another voice argued back. That has to count for something! Right?

Don't be ridiculous, Ivan's probably going to snap your throat when you get to the house! Voice one snapped back.

Come on, he's in a good mood though. Look at him! Besides, if he wanted Gilbert dead, then he wouldn't gotten rid of him already. Gilbert's got nothing to worry about. Voice two said back, trying to breath some sense into the other voice and to Gilbert.

He shook his head, trying to shut those voices up, as he still clung on to Ivan's hand for support. Now was not the time for all this arguing. He just had to focus on getting to Ivan's house in one piece and probably start planning an escape route to get back home to Ludwig.