Chapter Seven: Heartbreak Warfare

"Hey, Katyusha," Gilbert said aloud, approaching the taller woman, who was in the kitchen, setting the table for dinner.

Kat looked up from the table after setting down some of the plates. She had a smile on her face as she beamed up at him. "Hello, Gilbert!" She said all too cheerfully. "What can I do for you?"

Gilbert looked around, slightly embarrassed, but cleared his throat. "Um... Have you seen Ivan?" He asked, glancing over his shoulder just to be safe. Natalia was still around, so Gilbert had to keep his guard up whenever he mentioned Ivan. "I haven't seen him all day."

A look of both confusion and sympathy crossed her face. "No, I haven't," She answered simply, returning to place the plates more properly along the table. "I hope he comes back soon, dinner's almost ready."

Gilbert just nodded in understanding, staring down absently at the table while she worked. Gilbert didn't know what was eating at him, but he felt suddenly concerned for Ivan's sudden absence. The Russian wasn't in his room where Gilbert had left him earlier that day. He wasn't anywhere else in the house, which made Gilbert think that maybe he left home to go and pillage some town or something.

Of course, Gilbert shouldn't feel worried about the other man, considering how large and powerful he was, but Gilbert did. He felt as though Ivan left because of something he said or did. But it didn't make any sense. What did Gilbert do or say to make Ivan leave?

Or maybe Ivan just left to think more clearly about how he was going to deal with Gilbert later. After all, the Russian had said that he was going to make Gilbert's life miserable here. But how?

In fact, Gilbert actually quite liked it here, despite all the cold snow and Natalia of course. It was indeed different from his home in Germany, but that didn't really matter that much. Despite how the house was practically all cold with ice and snow, it was still warm and rather comforting inside, which Gilbert wasn't expecting the first time he came here.

Sighing, he shook his head and left the kitchen. He needed to ask someone else about him. But the only other person who was around was...

Fomp!

Gilbert had his back slammed against the wall of the hallway, being pressed against his will be someone...

Natalia.

She was glaring at him with her dark eyes. Her face was expressionless, which gave her a more deadly appearance. And even more so when she had a knife directly under his chin, which she held on to tightly.

"Where's big brother." She asked coldly, not moving a muscle.

"I don't know!" Gilbert managed to choke out. "I was just about to ask you the same question!"

Natalia glared at him for a moment, studying his face as though she were trying to depict whether he was lying or telling the truth. After a moment, she released him from the wall and moved farther away from him so that she was on the opposite side of the hallway. She wasn't looking at him anymore, but was just staring down the hallway.

"I'm worried about him." She said quietly, making Gilbert raise an eyebrow.

"Why's that?"

"Because," She sighed, turning to face him again. Gilbert almost jumped backwards in alarm when he saw that her eyes had grown softer. It was strange seeing her like this, but it made her look much more serene and pretty almost.

"Ivan's been acting strange." She continued.

"Isn't he always?"

"That's not what I meant."

"Well, what did you mean?"

There was a sigh from her as she looked away again. "Ever since you got here, Ivan's been different. I haven't seen him act like this before."

"Act like what?" Gilbert was intrigued now.

"He's so... happy. Like he's a little child who had just gotten a puppy for the holidays."

Gilbert was silent.

"Don't take me wrong, I'm glad to see this side of him. It's actually having some impact on myself as well. It's like I'm not as threatening to people lately. But... it's just hard to see him like this, knowing that you aren't the one who's making him smile like that."

"The figure of you suffering makes me happy.... However, how can I be happy when the one causing you pain is not me?" Ivan had said the first time they crossed paths.

"Well, who's making him like that?" But Gilbert already knew the answer.

Natalia glanced up at him, her eyes were wide as though she were about to cry. "You're so daft, sometimes." She shook her head. "It's you, Gilbert. I don't know what it is about you, but Ivan really takes a liking to you."

Gilbert snorted slightly. "It's because I'm so adorable, right?"

Natalia didn't answer.

Instead, she just walked over to Gilbert and placed one hand lightly on his chest. "Please, you need to find him and talk with him. You need to find out what's going on with him." Her voice was quiet but pleading. But she didn't wait for Gilbert's answer, and left to go into the kitchen to help her sister with dinner.

Gilbert watched her go, his head spinning. Ivan was acting strange because of me? Why me? I thought he wanted to kill me, didn't he? I better clear all of this up before something bad happens or Natalia kills me, or something.

He shook his head, clearing that. But he knew what he had to do. He had to go outside and find out where that large Russian had wandered off to. Marching down the hallway, he grabbed his coat near the front door and opened it. Glancing behind his shoulder once more, he saw Kat and Natalia look up at him in confusion, but Gilbert just gave them a slight smirk and ventured outside.

The cold air hit him immediately, like it was a boulder being thrown at him, almost knocking him backwards. Luckily, Gilbert managed to grab some gloves and a scarf next to his coat, and placed them on. It helped stop the cold air a bit, but it was better than nothing.

Starting to walk along, he trekked through the snow, almost collapsing at some points since the snow sloped down at several parts. He hated snow, but nevertheless, he kept pushing.

That was when he saw them. It was as clear as a cloud in the blue sky. There were tracks in the snow. Gilbert distinctively knew that they were Ivan's.

He was just about to follow them, when he stopped. A thought had occurred to him.

What was he doing, following Ivan? He could just leave! He could just get out of here and find his way back home to Germany and to Ludwig. He could leave all of this behind and never look back. He could be free.

That thought made Gilbert swell up with joy for a moment. But it deflated almost as quickly as it came.

What about Ivan? He couldn't just leave him out here, could he? But he was a prisoner here, captured against his will by the large Russian. He had to leave.

But Gilbert couldn't make himself move another step.

Maybe Gilbert wanted himself to be captured. Of all the places he went, he came here. He could have gone somewhere else when he was under attack. But no, he came here. It was as if some sort of unknown force was driving him up to here. No matter where he turned, he always came up to here.

Gilbert had suck to his knees now, not caring how the cold snow pierced through his clothing to his skin, almost chilling him to the bone.

Ivan had done so many things for Gilbert already, and the Russian probably didn't even know. How could Gilbert leave him after he had done all of that? There was no way.

"I won't let you die... for now, da?"

"You look better in blood,"

"Oh Gilbert, how you amuse me so."

"Since you can't live with your brother, you can stay with me..."

"You passed out while we were walking, so I decided to carry you."

"You're so warm..."

"You're so beautiful, Gilbert."

Those were just some of the things that Ivan had said to him when they first met here. How could Gilbert throw all of that away? Someone was just finally learning to appreciate him, and he was just about to run away from it all?

Gilbert was crying now. Tears were streaming down from his face, and he didn't bother to try and cover them. They just kept coming, turning into small ice as soon as they hit the snow. The albino placed his head down, covering his face as they hit the snow. He was just a ball of sorrow now, wallowing in his own self pity and unable to comprehend anything now.

For the first time in his life. Gilbert felt the one thing he never wanted to feel.

Loneliness.

All his life he had been surrounded by people, friends and family alike. But now, he was all by himself out here in the cold snow, wanting someone to come and comfort him. But who would come? No seemed to care about him, or else someone would have sent a group to come and rescue him from up here.

No one cared.

Gilbert's soft crying turned into louder sobs as his whole body lurched with feeling. He felt like he was just going to get buried in the snow and die. This feeling now was about ten times as more painful as coming here all wounded the first time. Those were nothing but scars, able to heal themselves back in moments. But this feeling that was in Gilbert's gut, in his heart, wasn't going to be able to go away. Not for a long time.

"Privet..."

There was a voice. It was as soft as a whisper in the wind. Was the wind talking to him? Gilbert didn't know, but his gut-wrenching cries were quieted down to only small whimpers.

"Gilbert, why are you crying." It was the voice again.

Gilbert could feel something against his back. It was warm and moved along his back in slow strides, as if trying to calm him. The smaller man lifted his head slightly, meeting a pair of bright purple eyes. They were full of concern and worry.

It was Ivan. He had come back.

He had come back to me. It was like Gilbert's heart had a voice now.

The albino could only stare up at him with big tearful eyes, not able to say anything to him.

"Gilbert's what wrong?" Ivan tried again. "Did someone hurt you?" His voice was so sincere, as though he really did care for him now.

Gilbert just shook his head, still not finding his voice. Instead, he just leaned his head into Ivan's chest, feeling the soft cloth of his large coat against his face. He was still warm, despite the temperature outside.

He was always warm. But no one could feel it.

Only him. Only Gilbert.

He started crying again, but not as violently, just small tears that slid off his cheeks. Ivan must have been shocked, just seeing Gilbert acting so vulnerable like this, despite the other's regaining strength. But Gilbert didn't care, he just had to get all of this out.

"Why did you go?" He asked softly.

Ivan didn't answer at first, but he was still staring down at the other in confusion. "I told you, I needed to get away for a moment. There was some things I had to take care of."

Gilbert just nodded, bringing his arms up and wrapping them around Ivan's waist. "Right..."

"But are you okay? You're awfully cold..."

"Mmm..." Was all that Gilbert could muster out. What else was there really to say? Gilbert didn't know if he was okay. He really didn't. He was at war with himself. Should he really tell Ivan what was going on with him, revealing everything that he thought and felt?

Ivan was about to say something more, but Gilbert started speaking again. He let go of the Russian's body and sat up, wiping his eyes with his gloves. "Yeah... I'm okay," His voice wavered, not making eye-contact with Ivan yet. "We... We should go inside. It's cold out."

Ivan smiled, somewhat relieved that nothing wasn't hurting Gilbert. But if only he knew. "Yes, that's probably a good idea."

Gilbert somehow managed to get to his feet, reaching up to grab Ivan's hand. The Russian was a bit hesitant but just reluctantly allowed their fingers to intertwine as Gilbert pulled him along through the snow. They didn't say anything, but Gilbert didn't mind the silence. He was sure that he was making the right choice. He could've just left, he could have gone home. But he didn't. He didn't choose to go home. He chose to take Ivan back to the house. This was his choice and he was sure of it.

Ivan had caught up to him, walking next to him like they were best friends now or something. Maybe that's what they were now. Friends.

Just that word struck something inside Gilbert's chest though. Just friends. Maybe that's all just what they were, friends. Maybe that's all that Ivan wanted him to be, nothing more and nothing less.

But Gilbert didn't want that. Maybe he wanted something more. Maybe whatever that was bothering Gilbert was because that he wanted to be something more...

"You're awfully quite, Gilbert." Ivan chipped up after a while as they neared the house more. "Is everything okay?"

Ivan was sounding concerned again. Gilbert was glad that Ivan was taking such interest all of a sudden. Oh how Gilbert wanted just to admit everything to Ivan and let him in his mind. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Gilbert was one of those people that couldn't do that with people. Maybe that was why no one liked him quite like this; because of how he let no one in.

'I... I don't know." Gilbert sighed out, exhausted with all these feelings that he was fighting with now.

"Hmm?" Ivan was still interested, obviously not convinced. "I'm pretty sure that it's not nothing, Gilbert. You can tell me, you know?" Now, it was more of a question rather than the usual commands he gave Gilbert before.

"It's..." There was a sigh of defeat. Gilbert just couldn't continue. "It's just... complicated." He admitted finally.

Ivan stopped walking, pulling Gilbert almost immediately towards him. They stood standing in the snow as it swirled around them, staring into each other's eyes for no longer than a few moments.

"Like I said, you can tell me." Ivan pressed, eager to hear what was going on inside Gilbert's head.

But Gilbert didn't listen. He didn't want to say. He just couldn't. Gilbert wasn't the type to admit his feelings, especially towards Ivan. What if he didn't return the feeling? What if he was disgusted that Gilbert may sort of actually liked him?

"Ever since you got here, Ivan's been different. I haven't seen him act like this before. He's so... happy. Like he's a little child who had just gotten a puppy for the holidays."

That was what Natalia had told him earlier in the day.

Ever since you got here...

... He's been happy...

Maybe... just maybe, Ivan liked him back. Natalia said that Ivan was different now that Gilbert was staying with them. Maybe he did like Gilbert as much as he liked him back in return.

Maybe...

"Gilbert?" Ivan's voice cut back into Gilbert's head, bringing him back down to reality.

The albino had been staring up into the larger man's big purple eyes without realizing he was. There was just something in those eyes that Gilbert couldn't look away from. They were indeed hypnotic.

"Come on, let's head back to the house." Gilbert looked away, keeping his head down and pulling Ivan back along the path through the snow in which Gilbert had came from.

Ivan didn't press Gilbert with anymore questions, so he was thankful about that. All Gilbert wanted to do right now was go back to the house and curl up in a little ball in Ivan's bed and sleep forever and never wake up.

Once back inside the house, Gilbert was relieved that it was just as warm as he had left it. Natalia and Kat weren't in the kitchen this time. The table, though, was all set up and prepared for the dinner that they were going to have in a while. Gilbert shrugged off his coat and kicked off his boots, placing them by the door before storming away down the hallway.

Ivan, who was both confused and concerned for the younger man, followed him down the hallway. Gilbert opened the door to the bedroom and crossed over to the bed, throwing himself down on the comfortable blankets.

He was aware that Ivan was also in the room with him, probably just staring at what a mess he was, all crumbled on the bed like a pathetic waste he felt now.

Gilbert sighed into the covers, burying his face even more deeper and closed his eyes tight.

Suddenly, there was a large pressure that was brought against his back. It started crushing him, cutting off his breathing a bit.

"Ouch!" He complained, raising his head up and looking behind him. Ivan was laying on top of him, his face was buried in Gilbert's back and his arms were almost wrapped around Gilbert himself. "Get off of me!" Gilbert complained, trying to wiggle his way out from underneath Ivan. He didn't want Ivan to bother him like this now.

"I don't want to." Came Ivan's muffled voice. He didn't move up, moving his arms closer to Gilbert's sides and kept his face against Gilbert's back.

Gilbert let out a heavy sigh, seeing as though he wasn't going to move anytime soon. Instead, he did the next best thing that he could do. Leaning up slightly, about as far as he could really move, he moved his head forward towards Ivan's and planted a kiss on the top of his head.

He could feel Ivan's body stiffen as his lips retracted from the Russian's hair. Gilbert kept his face expressionless as he saw Ivan lift his face up to look at him. He was staring at him with wide eyes, as though he didn't know what was going on.

Gilbert kept his face straight, taking this moment to flip himself somewhat over so that he was on more of his side now than on his stomach. Ivan still watched him cautiously. One of the albino's hands moved up and snaked around the other's neck, resting securely on his shoulders. The other, however, moved up Ivan's arm and carefully began moving part of the larger man's jacket off of him. Gilbert kissed the top of Ivan's forehead again.

"Ivan..." Gilbert murmured softly against the other's hair.

Fear struck Ivan in the eyes as he was trying to comprehend what Gilbert was up to, but Gilbert didn't even know himself what he was doing. He was just going with it.

"Wh... Gilbert... Woah!" Ivan let out a gasp, jolting as he felt Gilbert's hand start to move downwards towards the rim of his pants. He pushed Gilbert back down onto the bed, staring at him in disbelief. "Eh? Eh?!"

Gilbert just stared up at him, his eyes were glassed over with what appeared to be some sort of lust. Gilbert tried to make himself look as innocent as possible, which wasn't that hard because he was just going with what his heart was telling him to.

"Wh- Wh- Wh- !" Ivan couldn't finish. "What's gotten into you so suddenly?! You've never done anything so dominating before!" His was still in shock, watching Gilbert as he laid over him.

"Ah, maybe." Gilbert said in a small voice. "First time for everything, right?" Without waiting for an answer, Gilbert propped himself up, bringing up his lips towards Ivan's. His lips met the Russian's, tongue already brushing the other's lips and everything.

Gilbert could feel his heart pounding roughly against his ribcage. This was just a perfect moment for him. It was true, he was never this dominating towards anyone. But nonetheless, Gilbert pushed forward. Holding onto Ivan's neck again, he deepened the kiss and slowly began to flip Ivan over onto his back.

As Gilbert undid Ivan's shirt, the larger man couldn't help but smirk up at him. The Russian reached up a hand and placed it against Gilbert's cheek, lifting it so that they were looking at each other's eyes. "I don't know what's gotten into you..." Ivan began slowly, smiling as he continued.

"But that's sexy."

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I was brainstorming about what I should do for the last chapter. Plus school bites, so. This is the second to last chapter, so the next one will be the last! I'll try to make it as happy ending-ish kind of thing as I can. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and everything, it really helps me out. Thanks you~ xxUSxUKxx