"Like… I need to talk to you."
Scarlet eyes sent an irritated glare at the Polish nation. "I have nothing to say to you." The Prussian placed his hand on the Austrian's lower back, pushing him forward to the meeting room.
The blonde let out a sigh and hurried forward, stepping in front of them both and forcing both the brunette and the albino to stop. "Yeah. But I have something to say to you. You're, like, one of my least favorite people in the world, but I still need to say it."
Roderich glanced around uneasily, and pushed his glasses up a bit. He obviously had qualms about stopping in the hallway… but he stayed silent.
"Can it wait till after the meeting?" Prussia asked, almost growling out the words. "No. I need to talk to you now."
Prussia rolled his shoulders, debating the choices he had.
Poland sighed again placing his hands on his hips. "Austria. It's for your benefit. Please, I need to talk to him."
The brunette looked positively startled at being spoken to. He stepped back a bit behind the Prussian. Silent still.
"How is it for his benefit?" Prussia spat.
"Like, think about it for a minute. So, yeah, I'm totally sorry that Austria got beat up by Russia. And I believe you. But…" The blonde shrugged, lowering his gaze. "What are you going to do? Go in there and start a scene? It just brings more humiliation to the person that was hurt."
Gilbert glared at the other. "Then what? You want him to just… get away with it?"
Poland gave the albino a small smile. "To put it simply. Yeah. Look. You think that Austria is so special? You think Ivan just did this to him? No. He does it to a lot of people. It was more common back in the like day… but it still happens. Listen… I've been in both your shoes. His. And yours. And there is nothing you can do… Like… when this happened to Toris… I was everywhere, trying to get justice. But… I totally shouldn't have. It just ended up hurting him more. Reminding him of what was done. You wanna help your him? Want Austria to get better? Don't go out on a vendetta… just… like, take care of him and help him through this. That's all you can do. The other nations wont listen, cause their all guilty of doing something similar if not the same thing. America has done it, France and England used to do it… We're all guilty. But… everyone turns a blind eye to it. That's the way it works."
Gilbert scowled, his hands curling into fists. "That's not fair! How can you-"
"I didn't see you stopping your brother when he was doing it to me."
The words froze something in the Prussian. A slow and sickening realization. "West… he…"
"True… we were, like, at war at the time… and your brother was... But my point, is like, these things happen. And there is nothing you can do about it. Just. Be there for each other." He simply hadn't realized… he was the older brother. He should know when these things are happening. "Fe-"
"It's whatever, history. I wont forget, but I can forgive. I've had it rough. But haven't all us older countries. Anyway. You were busy during those times… keeping someone else safe." The blonde smiled a bit, stepping away from them. "Like I said, they won't care. And you'll just hurt Austria. They don't care in there… They never will." Poland gave them both a small smile and shrugged turning to go on his way.
Prussia let out a low growl, and turned to look at the brunette. "I guess… he's right. But it's your choice. What-"
"Don't." The words were soft, but swift to cut him off. "I'd rather you didn't… let's just… let's just let it be. Poland is right… they wont do anything. No one believes us anyway. And… things should be fine. You'll be beside me. Protecting me, ja?"
Prussia smiled a bit, despite himself. He'd like nothing more then to rip the Russian apart for what he had done. But he, in all honesty, didn't have the strength to do so. And if it would just end up making Austria a bigger target for Ivan, or harm him in any way… it wasn't worth it at the end of the day. "Ja. I'll be beside you."
The Austrian smiled slightly at the other, before lowering his gaze. "You've been… extraordinary, Gilbert. Helping me through all of this. And, do know… this doesn't go unappreciated. I will find a way to repay you."
"Specs. You don't need to repay me. Think of this me repaying you… for all you did for me, when I got back from Russia." The Austrian looked up at the Prussian, his eyes wide, clearly surprised by this statement. "Nein! I could not. The situations are not the same. You-" The Prussian grinned and placed a single finger over the Austrian's lips. "If our places were reversed. And you went to Russia instead of me all those years ago. I know you'd have survived it." Gilbert glanced around, daring to speak of his time in Russia out loud. "It wasn't abuse from day one…" he finally began, speaking softly. "I was slowly… conditioned for it. Yeah… it got rough. And it sucked. But the kind of torture you went through in that one week, is what I faced many years later. I'd be in the same state as you, had it happened to me. You'd have made it in Russia. I know it."
The Austrian shook his head. It wasn't the same. Not at all.
"You're a lot stronger then you think you are. Trust me. I would know. You've been my greatest rival for years. You wouldn't be if you were just some weak sissy." He took a deep breath, gently running his fingers along the Austrian's pale cheek. "Now come on, or we'll be late. West will yell at me if I got you here late.
Gilbert laced their fingers together and led the Austrian into the meeting room, taking note of where the Russian was, and where West was. To close for comfort… but there was nothing for it. He'd put Austrian in between them.
He gently tugged the Austrian forward, placing them him in the middle chair. So West would be on one side. And him on another.
"You're late…" Ludwig grumbled.
"Psssh. It hasn't started yet. Anyway. We got caught up in the hallway… and I was convinced not to make a "spectacle" of myself."
"Gut." Ludwig nodded his head, sitting up a little straighter. Clearly the thought of his brother making a scene had been worrying him. Eventually the meeting began as soon as America burst through the doors. It was long. And boring. And Gilbert would much rather be outside tormenting Sealand then listening to everyone arguing. He rested his chin on the table, his scarlet eyes glazed over a bit as he was reliving a past battle in his head, where he was awesome. And not here.
Now and then he'd be jolted from his memories by Austria. It'd be accidental. A sudden shudder that'd bump him. Or a soft whimper. Gilbert wished he was paying a bit more attention, because it obviously had something to do with Russia, but he never knew what since his was always lost in his own head.
Though it was probably for the best. He didn't want to make a scene here in the meeting room and get kicked out.
At last they ended the meeting for a lunch break. Gilbert stretched a bit, thankful that it was at least half over. He glanced over the Austrian who seemed to be going over his notes… Ludwig was doing the same.
"Oi~ Gilbert~"
The Prussian flashed a smile and stood up, telling Roderich he'd be back in a moment. West was there so it was fine.
"Francis~" Gilbert said cheerfully meeting the blonde at the other table, Spain coming down from a different table to chat with them. "How have you been?" "Hurt. Why haven't I been invited to your home to see poor sick Austria?"
"You could've just stopped by like Tony." Gilbert said with a sigh.
"He had an excuse. Ex husband and all. I wished to be invited. Cruel as always Gilbert."
"Ah haha~ It's okay Francis," Spain piped in cheerfully. "Roderich wasn't up for visitors anyway… he was quiet around me. And I don't think anyone else stopped by."
"Still. I should have been invited." France pouted. "Your rudeness aside, come have lunch with us. It's a rare opportunity for you to be in one of these meetings, so come."
"Ah well-" he began to dig up excuses for why he couldn't eat with them. He really should be keeping an eye on the Austrian. Speaking of which… He glanced back to see if West was still keeping an eye on the Austrian. Only to see… no West. Just Austria. With Russia. Who for some sick reason was inspecting Roderich's hands.
Anger flooding through his veins he hurried over to the table yanking the Austrian away from the Russian. "Don't touch him. Don't fucking touch him." He held the brunette tightly, glaring over the shoulder, at the Russian.
"So rude. I was just inspecting Roderich's hands. They healed surprisingly well, considering."
He was just going to jump the Russian and kill him here. Fuck consequences.
"Nein…" He felt nimble fingers grip his arms as tightly as they were able, and the soft words that had been spoken, were whispered carefully on his skin. "He's goading you. Bitte… let's just leave."
He looked down into frightened violet eyes. But far more reasonable ones… Gilbert swallowed all his anger and gently led the other away. Not stopping to look or say anything to his friends. He just needed to get the Austrian out of here. "Did he hurt your hands?"
"Nein… he was just looking at them…"
"Are you sure?"
"J-Ja of course…"
Not really convinced the Prussian stopped and turned to inspect them more carefully. His own rough fingers moving along the smooth ones. They did seem alright… but… something could have happened…
"Hey!"
A loud voice that they had been listening to all day broke through the silence. "America?" Gilbert questioned, his eyes narrowing and he tilted his head to the side a bit.
The young nation smiled slightly his sky blue eyes, somehow still filled with youthful innocence looked them both over, lingering on the Austrians small form.
"So…" he began, glancing down for a moment. "How… How are you… uh. Austria?"
"Ah… Fine." Roderich looked up, giving the young nation the smallest of smiles, much to the Prussian's surprise.
"I heard you got hurt… and I wanted to come see you… but… I've been busy."
"I know…"
America shoved his hands in his bomber jacket's pockets shuffling his foot a bit. "Look… I…" he glanced behind him, where another blonde was walking towards them, England. "I… can't fix everything. I want to… but I can't judge one nation and punish them… when I've done the same things…" He quickly lowered his gaze once again, as a dark haired female walked past them. Long locks fluttering behind her. "But…" he started up again once she passed. "I… want to do something. So… I think. For now… and maybe for a few meetings. You should just stay home. Until you're better. I think… the meetings are to much strain on someone trying to recover."
"Eh!" Prussia blinked in surprise. "Really?"
America nodded. "Yep! And since I'm in charge, I say it's okay. Any really big things can be passed onto you from word of mouth."
"Why didn't you tell us this before we dragged ourselves out here?"
Alfred blinked and gave the Prussian a sheepish smile. "I… wanted to see him for myself… and… in the meeting today. I could just tell… I think it's better if you guys just go home till he's better."
"America!" called a grumpy British nation.
The young blonde waved his hands at the two. "Anyway. Just take the offer. You of course don't have to go…"
Prussia was actually thrilled. He got out of this boring meeting and kept Austria far away from Ivan, for quite some time. "Nah, we'll go." But before he could get away…
"Oh! Mr. Austria!" A wistful and soft voice called.
"Romania…" Austria murmured softly, giving the nation a slight nod.
"I hope you're well…" he smiled slightly showing off his two pointed fangs before turning his attention to America. "I'm running a little late… my apologies~" he held out his hand towards the American, scarlet eyes gleaming.
"It's all right. Just be quick…" Alfred dug in his pocket, placing a key card in the other's hand. "Iggy wouldn't approve…"
"Oh, I would imagine not. But what he doesn't know wont kill him." Grinning deviously the Romanian nation turned away, his coat fluttering slightly and swiftly walked back in the direction of the meeting room, without another word.
"Well… anyway." Prussia said cutting through the silence. "We'll go then. And West can always catch Specs up on stuff…"
The young nation nodded at this and turned to greet the impatient former empire.
The albino grinned, glad that they could just leave. "Alright then… time to go home. Vienna~"
"Ja.." Austria said softly. Not as enthused.
"Don't worry… I'll be here…" Gilbert gently tugged the Austrian down the halls so he could lead them back to their rooms, pack up and get out of here.
A new challenge awaited them. To go back to the house that held the nightmares and the memories of those horrible nights for Roderich…
More sleepless nights were in his future, to say the least.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~The red and yellow ribbons fluttered slightly as well as his powder blue coat as he walked. A grin slowly creeping on his face, eyes sparking as he approached the doors. He pushed them open, being sure to swipe the card, and locking them into place, once inside. No one was getting in or out, without his say so.
"Ivan~" he said sweetly, walking into the middle of the meeting hall. "It's been a while."
Milky violet eyes glanced at the much shorter nation. "Da… it has…" Russia snapped his briefcase closed glancing around a little more. He had known he wasn't alone in the room… but he hadn't realized who was there.
Switzerland in the corner. Spain a few desks down… Both Italies… France… Hungary… and now Romania.
Russia grinned widely at them all. "Oh…? What is this? An ambush of sorts?"
Romania grinned just as wide, he playfully waved his hands at the larger nation. "Come now, Russia we can be civil. We just want to have a little chat. It wont take long.
Ivan reached into his coat, for his pipe, hearing a gun cock from the back corner and seeing other movements out of the corner of his eye.
Emerald green eyes of Spain, lacking any sort of reason. Another pair of green eyes, filled with anger and rage. You did not touch what was once hers, even to this day… And scarlet eyes…
Not belonging to the albino… but he hated them all the same.
"This'll be fun, da!" he laughed stepping forward, much to the pleasure of the Romanian.
A/N
Late updates are ridiculously late. :/