Prussia hummed to himself washing a few dishes. Roddy was eating again. He never ate much unless it was cake. But even cake was something. Sadly the Austrian's hands were useless, so Gilbert fed him.

He expected the uptight Aristocrat to flush embarrassed sputter and fight about such babying. But… he was disappointed. Roderich just sat there, opening his mouth when Gilbert held out the fork. With half closed eyes, dull violets starring at the other wall.

It was a sad sight.

On the plus side it was obvious that Roderich's ribs had healed. His breathing sounded much better. No longer hitched. Gilbert could sit him up and the other wouldn't be in any kind or pain.

"Ost," Ludwig greeted Gilbert when he entered the kitchen.

"West." The Prussian eyed his younger brother. "Why the suit? You gotta date?"

"G-8 meeting," The blonde grunted.

"Eh? I normally know about that stuff…"

"You've been busy with Roderich, you probably didn't remember I told you,"

Prussia frowned putting the plate in the dishwasher. Maybe… "G-8 meeting huh?" He turned around to face his brother an idea slowly forming. "I wanna go."

Ludwig gave him a suspicious look. "Why? This isn't a full meeting. Just eight of us. You can't come,"

"I got something I want to say at the meeting. I may not be a nation, but I want to go and speak to you guys." Gilbert insisted.

The German shook his head, doubting this very much. "If you have something you need to say, then wait till a World Meeting, they'll be more likely to liste-"

"This can't wait for a World Meeting!" Gilbert shouted. "Please, you guys are the big dogs. Please West!"

The blonde hesitated. "And what about Roderich?"

"I'll get Tony to look after him. Come on West!"

After several more minutes of arguing, the German finally agreed. But Gilbert had to hurry, or he'd be late.

Gilbert ran up the stairs and quickly changed into his Prussian blue uniform. Attaching the cross to his collar and dialing up Tony to beg him to come, who thankfully agreed with little argument. He'd be there as soon as he could, so hopefully the Austrian wouldn't be alone to long.

Ignoring his brother's calls for him he entered the Austrian's room next, looking down at the sleeping form. He carefully reached out to stroke the other's cheek. He regretted it as he soon as their skin touched. Roderich jerked away from the Prussian's hand, waking suddenly.

"Sorry Roddy… I didn't mean to wake you."

The Austrian sat up a bit looking over the Prussian for a moment. "Are you leaving?" concern laced in the words. Gilbert couldn't blame him for that.

"Ja, but only for a few hours. West is going to the G-8 meeting, and I need to go with, but Tony is coming to look after you. And all the crazies will be with West and me. You don't gotta worry."

The Austrian looked down at his bandaged hands. "Alright…"

"I promise, I will come back," he reassured the other.

The Austrian looked back up at him. Pale violet eyes void of any spark they used to have. It made the Prussian grind his teeth together in anger, and only strengthened his resolve about what he was going to do.

"I know…" Roderich said softly. "You always come back…"

The Prussian couldn't help but smirk proudly at that. "I do. Even when you don't want me to." He gently ruffled the other's messy hair, and turned to go. "Be back in a few hours. You rest, and I'll be back before you know it."

Roderich's words echoed through his head. He had pushed aside all memories from back then.

"Where are you going?"

He stopped walking for a moment, glancing at the aristocrat.

"To accept my fate…"

"It's not you who should be getting punished." The Austrian was pissed. He'd been almost pleasant at the beginning. But locking the other in his room had been a necessity at a certain point. He couldn't trust West anymore. West's mind was gone. And the Austrian was going to get himself hurt. But… now it was all over.

"I'll take the punishment for West…"

The aristocrat stepped forward, just a tiny bit. "What… what are they going to do to you?" he asked softly.

"What have they already done… you mean…" he grinned, but it was forced. "They've abolished Prussia."

Violet eyes went wide. They had been fighting against one another for years and years. Austria couldn't imagine a world without Prussia. "W-what?"

"And now I'm getting shipped off to Russia…"

"I'll say something to the allied forces…"

"Don't bother, there is nothing you can do. You weren't a part of this, yet West and I dirtied up your land, made Austria something it shouldn't have been. We don't deserve you speaking for us."

Scarlets met wide worried violet eyes. For weeks and weeks on end the Austrian had done nothing but curse the two of them for what they had done. And here he was, now, gaining pity from those violet eyes. Pity he certainly didn't deserve. They had sinned. West and him.

He turned and stalked over to the aristocrat. "You ain't gonna cry are you, priss?" he teased.

"If I do, they wont be for you. There are far better people I can shed tears for, then the likes of you."

"You can say that again." he grinned sadly. "You take care of yourself."

"Don't talk like this is the end. You'll be back, wont you?"

"When have I ever left you alone?"

"I'll be sure to leave the music room window open then, and you best make good on that."

A true grin cut across the Prussian's face. "You do that specs."

"Shall I see you off?"

The Prussian turned on his heel, shaking his head. "Naaah. If you come, you'll probably start bawling. And that would be embarrassing."

But the Austrian was there anyway. He remembered looking back as Russia led him away. The allies all there. The proud hero, savior of another war. The beaten down but smug Englishman, Italy wasn't there, nor Japan or China. But France was… his friend signed his own death warrant and wouldn't even look him in the eye when he was being shipped off. His brother was there too. Still not all right in the head, not yet. And in the distance, Roderich. The only one with a glimmer of remorse. Of sadness.

And then the iron grip of Russia, pulling him along. There were others to collect, and a fate to accept.

"Ost!"

"What?" The Prussian shook his head snapping out of day dreaming.

"Pay attention. You wanted an audience with them, so I'm giving it to you."

"Right. Thanks," the Prussian grinned happily. The German hesitated, his hand pressed against the oak doors of the meeting room, fighting the reasonable part within him. He knew this was a bad idea… he sighed, and pushed open the door seeing the other countries waiting for him.

"Germany~" sang the Italian.

"Potato bastard, you're keeping us waiting!"

"It's unusual for you to be late, Germany-san."

"Doesn't matter, I'm here! Hahahahaha, we should have started ages ago!"

"Wanker, shut up! Are we missing someone. One, two, three,"

"China is missing, da!"

"It's not China! I keep telling you that!"

"Why were you late, Germany-san?"

"Yeah! Why? Germany why? You're never late?"

"Bugger I lost count, One, two, three,"

"Maple…"

"It's China! I'm telling you!"

"Hon hon hon, Angleterre, everyone is here. You're going crazy in your old age~"

"AHAHAHAHA He called you old!"

"Frog! Bloody shut the hell up, and don't get me started on you, you fat ass wanker!"

"I am not fat!"

Prussia was lost and the squabbling, just sort of watching as they bickered, before shaking his head and looking over everyone.

"Everyone shut up." Ludwig shouted. "I know I am late. But let's get this meeting started already. My brother is here with me because he has something important to say. The sooner he says it, the sooner we can move on and take care of business. Understood?"

"Yes." they agreed.

The blonde took his seat, and gestured to his brother. "Gilbert. You have something to say?"

"Ja." He stepped forward, to the end of the table and looked over everyone. He didn't know how he'd win over everyone… England hated him. But, France was his friend, and his brother would agree, and then the Italy's of course. And Japan went with the majority. And that Canada… he assumed if he addressed the normally ignored nation… then he didn't have to worry.

He cleared his throat. "Right well… you guys are the big dogs here, so I wanted to go over something. Because, it isn't right. And I don't care if you are a part of this group. You can't just go around hurting people. And I think, consequences should be given out if you attack someone. I mean… you can't just go around hurting nation avatars."

Germany's blue eyes were narrowed. He was obviously pissed.

England's were narrowed as well. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"Russia attacked Austria!"

The room was silent. "Russia did no such thing, Austria is fine."

"No. Listen you tea sipping tool. Ivan attacked Roderich. Unprovoked. Went into his house, wrecked the place, then wrecked him!"

The room was silent again.

"That's quite an accusation you're making about me, ex-nation Prussia." Milky violets looked at the Prussian. "Do you have any proof?"

"Proof?" Snorted the Prussian. "Roderich is walking proof! You beat the shit out of him! Tore apart his house!"

"He may be hurt, but you can't prove that it was me."

"Like hell! I saw you!"

"You're word against mine, without a shred of evidence. For all we know Roderich could have gotten lost in his own house and tumbled down the stairs. And with your grudge against me, you're setting me up for a crime I didn't commit. You could have trashed the house yourself. You are there often enough, da?"

The Prussian was furious. How dare Ivan try and twist this around. "I know it was you, and so does everyone else. Vash and Elizabeta and even Ludwig!" He looked to his brother, so did the rest of the table.

"Nein. I don't know that."

Gilbert had to take a step back at his younger brother's words. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't know who hurt Roderich. Only that you were missing then came back and found him like this, claiming that Russia did it."

"West! You think I did that to Roderich?" he asked hurt. He was so hurt by this.

"I'm not saying that…" Ludwig said softly. He was trying not to upset his brother more then he already had.

"Then what are you trying to say?" he snapped.

"I just don't see why Russia would attack Austria."

"To hurt me! It was to get back at me!"

"It's not always about you, comrade." Russia smirked.

"That doesn't make sense, Gilbert," Ludwig agreed. "It's your word and…"

The Prussian's hands curled into fists. So that's what it boiled down to this… "Because I'm not a Nation anymore… what I say isn't as good as what you say, huh?"

"Well, there is a reason, you're not a nation anymore, Gilbert." The smug Englishman said.

"You think I would do that sort of thing to Roddy, West?" he asked softly.

"I never said I thought you did that…"

It hurt. It hurt to be doubted. It hurt not to be a nation anymore and have all these idiots look down on him. "I would never do that to anyone! After all I've had to go through, I would never hurt someone like that! Go to hell, all of you!" He snapped, and turned away. He'd find a way. He would. He'd make Russia pay for what he had done.

"Bruder!" Ludwig's voice called after him.

No. Screw Ludwig. Fuck him and his fancy meetings.

He felt a strong hand grip his shoulder and turn him around.

"Get your hands off me West!" Ludwig clearly had other ideas. He pushed his brother against the wall, Gilbert letting out a soft cry at the sudden impact. He looked up at his brother, scarlet eyes narrowed and angry.

"I let you in that meeting, it didn't mean you get to make a spectacle of yourself, as usual. You can't just go in there accusing people. You don't have any proof. Your word and Roderich's word are worthless."

"Why! Why can't even Roddy say what happened!"

"Because everyone will believe you conditioned him to say just that. No one will deny what happened to Roderich, but no one will believe Russia did it. Not with you beside him."

Gilbert scowled. "That's Bullshit! Then Russian gets away with hurting someone like that? The fuck! What if he comes after Roderich again?"

Ludwig sighed releasing his grip on the other's shoulders and taking a small step back. "Why… why do you care?"

The Prussian blinked. "What?"

"Why are you doing this, why do you care?"

"Roderich is our friend… we should help him through this."

"I figured I'd be the one looking after him. But… is this some guilt trip you're having? Is this why your doing it?"

The Prussian bared his teeth and pushed the younger brother. "Mein gott! Why does there have to be some secret or double meaning behind everything? Why can't I do something, just to do it? I'm glad I'm not like you and the others!" He stormed away furious. His brother… not even his brother had his back. Where they just suppose to wait till Russia got bored and attacked again? He ground his teeth together. Fine. Then he'd wait. He'd protect the Austrian at all times. He'd never, Never let him be hurt again.

The ride home was long, but gave him plenty of time for him to burn through his anger. He was spent by the time he reached the door of his home, but his resolve was firm. Tony had already told him that he'd more then likely have to always be by the Austrian's side at the end of this.

Well that was something he was more then willing to commit to. He'd be like, a body guard. Roderich was sure to appreciate that. He marched up the stairs and pushed open the bedroom door. "Thanks Tony, I re-" he stopped. No Tony. No Roderich. The bed was empty… Scarlet eyes darted around the room, looking for them. "Tony!" He checked the bathroom. His brother's office. His own bedroom. "Roderich!"

Panic. That's all he could feel. Russia had gotten back before him. That had to be it. He bolted through the house stopping suddenly when he heard Tony's familiar laugh. He looked out the window to the backyard…

Antonio had taken Roderich outside…

The Prussian breathed a sigh of relief, and slid open the back door and stepped out.

Emerald green eyes caught sight of the Prussian, and he smiled slightly. "Here you are Roderich." He handed the aristocrat over a dozen lilac flowers. Unable to hold them the Austrian had to wrap his arms around the stems. "Haha" Tony laughed softly. They suit him, don't they Gilbert?"

The Austrian turned around to look at the Prussian, when he heard the other use his name. Tony must have gotten the other dressed. He was in his dark violet coat that was fluttering slightly in the spring breeze. Dark hair, not brushed back and styled like usual was also moving to the wind. The flowers that were being held onto were framing the pale face, almost perfectly. The only imperfection in the scene were the violet eyes that had lost their life and spark… but that could be easily overlooked at the moment.

Gilbert slowly stepped forward, not wanting to spook the other. He had seen this man many times, in all different states. His devilished state when the Prussian pushed him out of bed at the crack of dawn, and his just getting lost in a dream state as the Austrian dozed off in front of his fireplace, with a book resting in his lap. Gilbert had seen him victorious, and defeated. From his favorite place in the bushes he had seen Roderich look all alone, in a big house that no one visited. And the Prussian had seen him overwhelmed with to many people. He had seen the Austrian in love, and heartbroken. And, Gilbert had seen him broken. Was still seeing him broken. But, he had never seen the Austrian quite like this. So… as un-awesome as this was about to sound, so beautiful.

He had reached the other now and without a moments hesitation he wrapped his arms tightly around the other. Holding him tightly. There was a soft gasp in his ear, but no struggle. And it didn't matter that Roderich didn't embrace him back, he was holding the flowers after all. All that mattered was that he was allowed to hold the Austrian like this for the first time.

However this worked out… however Roderich felt by the end of it all. It didn't matter. He'd stay by the Austrian's side and protect him. As a friend or whatever else they might be. But as long as he was allowed to hold Roderich like this. As long as he could sit beside the Austrian and listen to the wonderful melodies he played, and he would play again. As long as he had that, then the rest didn't matter. It didn't matter at all.

He inhaled taking in the strong sent of lilacs. The warm body in his arms. The soft dark hair against his skin. He closed his eyes contently.

Ich liebe dich, mein geliebter Österreich

A/N

I have a lovely beta now, so hopefully this fic wont have anymore mistakes. I know that was turning people off.

My apologies for the lateness of this, but I do hope you enjoy.