Romano- GermanBros 24 (Falke) doesn't own Hetalia. I own Spain though.
Part Two
Ludwig shivered in his army uniform. He was standing alone, out in the snow. It was Christmas of 1944.
I'm a monster. I've failed to do everything mein bruder taught me to do. I've allowed a mad man to run my country. I don't deserve to be called his bruder…
Ludwig let out an exasperated yell and in fur tore of his Iron Cross, leaving it in the snow. He stomped inside his office and locked the door.
He didn't know Gilbert had seen he was acting weird and followed him. Gilbert picked the Cross up from the snow. He remembered giving it to him all those years ago. Now the chain was as long as his, but the Cross still said Gilbert.
Gilbert knew Ludwig needed a moment alone so he went to his office and got out a small box. He got the same old piece of cloth that Ludwig had first gotten the Cross in. Then he wrapped the box and walked with a six pack of beer to Ludwig's office.
He knocked "Hey West it's me!" Gil said through the door.
"Go away." Ludwig growled
Gilbert wasn't one to take no for an answer. He walked around the side of the building and wrenched the window open, crawling in through the window. He nimbly landed on his feet inside.
"You should be a robber." Ludwig said frowning
"No, I should be your bruder." Gil said
"I don't deserve it." Ludwig said hanging his head
"I didn't do anything you told me to. I've failed both you and my people. I'm a monster." he said
Gilbert extended the box towards Ludwig.
"Open it bruder." he said
Ludwig looked confused, but did open it. When we saw the cloth wrapped object he paused before unwrapping it and revealing his Cross.
Gilbert reached and took the Cross from the box and placed it over Ludwig's head.
"This is a symbol of strength and pride. Wearing it shows your strong Luddy. I have mine and you have yours." Gilbert took his from under his shirt "When you need strength look to your Cross, and if I need I'll look to mine." Gilbert said looking at Ludwig
"We're brothers Gil, we need each other. We keep each other strong." Ludwig finished smiling
Gil grabbed a beer. "Here let's have some beer." he said tossing one to Ludwig
Ludwig caught it and they cracked them open together.
"Cheers." he said
"Cheers." Ludwig said
As they finished the first beer a siren went off
Ludwig grabbed his gun and rushed off to the west while Gilbert went to his men on the east. A brigade of English soldiers had begun firing on the small German group.
Seeing they were trying to outflank them Ludwig rushed around shouting orders as his men obediently followed them.
One clear shot rang out, from a sniper, striking Ludwig in the upper arm. He kept fighting. Any good soldier would fight with a minor injury as that. The western attack had moved trying to crush the German east flank so Ludwig directed his men over there and kept fighting.
He swayed on his feet. Blood was running down his arm freely.
Ludwig stumbled and fell. He ripped his shirt and bandaged it. His head got foggy from the blood loss.
Ludwig seized his Cross from under his shirt.
"Bruder give me strength." he whispered before passing out.
The battle was on shortly after and Gil went to look for Ludwig.
He found him lying in blood and screamed then ran to him. He dragged him, taking Ludwig's full weight by himself back to his office. Ludwig's hand was clutched over the now bloodied Iron Cross.
Gilbert lit a fire in the oven/ stove and removed Ludwig's bloodied shirt. The bullet had missed the bone, but tore deeply into the muscle. As a country, this was not a big deal. Gilbert sighed with relief. He stitched the wound up then bandaged it.
Then again he dragged his little bruder but this time to a bed. He laid him down gently. The removed his shoes and tucked him in.
Gilbert smiled. It was just like when Ludwig was little. He'd tuck him in every night if he wasn't away.
Just to keep tradition alive he soft sang.
Schlaf, Kindlein schlaf.
Der Vater hüt' die Schaf,
Die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,
Da fällt herab ein Träumelein.
Schlaf, Kindlein schlaf.
(Sleep, child sleep.
The father takes care of the sheep,
The mother shakes the tree,
there falls down a dream.
Sleep, child sleep.)
He had sung that lullaby to Ludwig many times. If he was scared or hurt or not tired. Even now Ludwig seemed to relax, just a tad bit.
Gilbert replaced Ludwig's Cross under his shirt.
"I give you all the strength I can bruder." Gilbert said sitting beside him.
And he sat there all night long. Watching over his only family, his only little bruder.
GermanBros24- Part two of three! Any guess on what the third and final will be on? Hehe.
Denmark-review andI shall beat Prussia in a drinking contest!
Prussia- Review and I'll beat Denny's ass!
Ludwig- Review and I'll shut them both up!