Hey there! I've been pretty inactive lately, with regards to writing, so this came up after I listened to a couple of songs. Speaking of songs, you will see that I've used a few references to a particular song in this fic. I'd like to make an offer (because I'm kind of at a standstill right now). To the first three reviewers who guess the song correctly, I will write a Hetalia fanfiction for each. Posted here, any characters, any genre, just nothing that would be rated M. So, here are the guidelines for a qualified review:
The song and the band
Pretty simple, right? And if you want, you can include the request preferences in your review.
It was a quiet, calm night. Ludwig walked along the beach with his jacket draped over his shoulders, watching the tides roll in and out. His boots made imprints in the loose sand. A trail of footprints led from the fringe of bushes around the beach to the lapping surf, next to a figure sitting on the shore. The moon framed two dark silhouettes against the ground; one with its head facing towards the silver waves, the other looking at the clandestine sky. There was silence for a few moments, as nature wove its alluring spell. Presently, a deep baritone voice slipped out.
"Aren't you cold?" Ludwig finally turned to Gilbert. The moon highlighted his brother's silver hair as he glanced at the blonde.
"You learn to deal with it when you're around Ivan." Nevertheless, Ludwig pulled off his jacket and covered Gilbert's slight frame with it. Wearing the green military coat, his older brother looked even thinner and paler. Seeing him like that made Ludwig grit his teeth. He crouched down next to Gilbert.
"So Germany is officially unified today," he marveled quietly. His only reply was the roaring of the ocean. Realizing what unification and the destruction of the Berlin Wall meant to his sibling, he gazed at him imploringly. "I'm sorry, Gilbert. About everything. It's entirely my fault; I shouldn't have followed my boss' orders." When he still did not answer, Ludwig looked away sorrowfully. Cold, slender fingers suddenly turned his face back to its original position. Gilbert's crimson eyes were brimming with…anger.
"What the fuck do you think you'll get out of blaming yourself for something that wasn't your fault? I was there too, West." He looked away bitterly. "I did this to myself."
"Bruder, I was the one who—"
"Stop fucking trying to make me feel better!" His fist smashed onto the ground, creating a virtually soundless thud. Gilbert withdrew his hand, muttering petulantly, "Damn this sand. Can't even put an emphasis on my words…" With those simple statements, the tension in the air dissolved. The brothers embraced each other.
"Gott, I missed you, West," Gilbert whispered brokenly, clutching Ludwig. His brother held him tightly.
"Home just wasn't the same without you there. It felt too empty," Ludwig murmured. They drew apart.
"I realized something while I was slaving away under Ivan." Gilbert paused, leaning back on his elbows. "We didn't have enough time together, you and I." Ludwig quirked an eyebrow at him. He caught his look. "Don't tell me you didn't think of your big brother while he was away."
"Well, of course I did. I understand what you mean. So…what were you thinking of when we were apart?" His usually verbose sibling was quiet. Pondering the question, Gilbert settled for,
"You. And…the times we had together."
"Like when?"
"Well, remember when you were just a kid, and I was your awesome role model?" Ludwig nodded grudgingly. "And we tried to sign on with the crew of some trade ship?"
"When we asked them, they laughed in our faces and told us to go home."
"They weren't laughing so much after I kicked their asses."
"All I remember is you shouting profanities at the captain and then diving off the side of the ship."
"I was trying to show them that I wouldn't take their crap!" The two erupted into laughter. When they had calmed down, Gilbert said softly, "I was also thinking about times like this. Just the two of us, enjoying ourselves together." Ludwig looked at him tenderly. He then spied a bulge in the sand and rose to examine it. In brushing away the loose layer on top, he uncovered a perfect conch. The other man walked over to his side.
"What do you have there, West?"
"A seashell." It was quite large and smooth. "I remember that when I was young, you told me to hold the openings of seashells to my ear. Then I would be able to listen to the ocean like I was in…"
"An underwater room," they finished in unison. Gilbert laughed.
"I was so awesome back then, caring for you like that. Preußen, the greatest kingdom in Europe—"He stopped abruptly. His face suddenly seemed much older. As his brother turned towards the shadows, Ludwig heard him mutter,
"But not anymore." The guilt rushed back full force.
"I'm so sorry—"
"Hey! What did I say about blaming yourself?" Gilbert whipped around, glaring at him. He then broke into a half smile. "Anyway, I'm part of the most powerful nation in the world now. You've made me proud, bruderlein." Ludwig swelled with pride. Those words were equivalent to the Iron Cross that his brother had given him long ago. To hide the grin slowly permeating his face, he turned towards the ocean and watched the ship lights. The other man did so as well. Together they counted the little patches of brightness until the night grew old. It was then that Ludwig said,
"We'd better head back. It's getting late."
"Yeah. Gotta rest up for tomorrow; I expect that there'll be tons of people waiting to welcome me back." Ludwig smiled at Gilbert and allowed him a head start. Lifting the conch he still held to his ear, he listened for the roaring of waves. It rushed out immediately like it had so many years ago, singing sonorously. It was indeed as if he was in a subaqueous grotto. A place where all was right, his brother had returned, and Germany was whole. Ludwig walked quickly to catch up to Gilbert. The seashell was left behind on the sand. And there it remained, waiting for another chance to witness the reunification of other hopeful wishers.
It's corny, but please tell me what you thought about it! And for the contest too.