Prussia pulled away from Russia and coughed awkwardly. He knew that if he said Russia had forced it upon him then his pride could be restored, but also in the process it may harm his chances with Russia. He knew that the best thing to do would be to keep his mouth shut and let whatever happen, happen.

Germany seemed to be the most shocked one out of the bunch and so of course was the first to ask the question that they all wanted to know, "What's going on here?"

Russia smiled uncouthly, "Well your brother and I..." His voice trailed off and he looked at the ceiling, "We're together now!"

Gilbert could almost feel the pain from the glare Germany was giving him. Since when did he agree to that!? Oh yeah, maybe when he "confessed his love" for Ivan. Isn't this what he wanted though? To get close to him and play with his heart? Of course it was, he felt no sympathy for a cold and heartless person like Russia... Although, Russia was neither of those things. He was kind enough to stop his torments and let Prussia return to his normal and arrogant self. Also, he had just admitted to being in love with him way back during the Berlin Wall. That wasn't something Gilbert was sure a "heartless" man was capable of.

He let out a small sigh and decided to go along with it, "That's right, bruder."

Russia glanced over at him, he expected the other to retaliate and deny everything. He tried to tell himself that nothing was wrong and that maybe Prussia was changing for him. Although he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. It somehow made everything easier to deal with if he tried to rationalize Prussia's new personality this way.

Germany sighed, "Could you please keep it out of the meeting room?" Sure, he was shocked, but he was still the one who was self-appointed to keep everything in order. Gilbert sat back down in his chair and Russia followed suit. He folded his arms across his chest and watched as everyone else sat down in their assigned seats.

The rest of the meeting was full of the chaos it always seemed to have and not much got done. Germany raged at how they needed to keep on topic, France, America, and Britain fought, and everyone else was either talking to each other in their own personal conversations or were also fighting. Gilbert and Ivan continued to talk a lot about personal stuff. Gilbert got to learn what the huge nation had been up to the whole time he was gone from his house. And honestly, it wasn't much. He had been alone most of the time. This bit of information made Gilbert seriously reconsider everthing. He didn't even try to convince himself that he was way too awesome for any of this sympathy shit.

He looked at Ivan and grabbed his hand, "Your room..."

Ivan blushed but gripped back at Gilbert's hand as he led him to his hotel room. They were able to leave the room without much difficulty, everyone seemed to be caught up in their own business to notice anything going on around them.

Ivan tried to make small talk, but was unable to think of an exciting conversation to engage the albino in, so instead he just remained quiet.

Gilbert wasn't sure what exactly he was going to do in Ivan's room but he knew he had to do something. They couldn't just sit there and stare at each other. Gilbert thought to himself and finally came up with something… a date. He smiled at himself for the idea, but it made going to Ivan's room pointless.

"Um… Ivan?"

Ivan looked down at the albino, "Da?"

"I changed my mind. Let's go out on a date."

The Russian man chuckled softly, "Alright, but where?"

Gilbert closed his eyes, trying to think of anything, but nothing came to mind, "Just… anything. Take me anywhere."

Ivan thought; he wasn't really sure of what to do. He'd been to Germany, yes, but he wasn't sure of what there was to do for fun there. Gilbert should've known at least one thing to do. His grip on the albino's hand got a bit tighter, "How about we go for a walk?"

Prussia nodded and they headed outside into the cold streets. When Ivan saw Gilbert shivering a bit, he put his scarf around both of their necks and offered him a small smile. He took the smile and even gave one back.

They were an odd pair, one Germanic albino and one tall, violet-eyed Russian. Both males; holding hands. Prussia chuckled to himself as other couples, and straight ones at that, whispered and pointed at them. Ivan tried to ignore the people giving them looks of disapproval. It made him slightly angry that they could grasp the concept that two men could be in love, and he was certain that's what they were. In Gilbert's mind, however, the were bitter rivals; Yet all the information Ivan had given him about his life made him think that they could make it work as real lovers. He didn't quite know what he felt for Ivan. Sympathy? Empathy? Something was making his preset goal take a turn. The worst of it all, he thought, was how it didn't bother him anymore. He honestly didn't care if he felt this for Ivan now. Something had changed in him. For worse or for better, he couldn't decide. One pro of this is that he wouldn't be alone and to know that Ivan would always respect and love him even If he wasn't a powerful empire anymore. The con was that he'd never get to be that strong he once was ever again.

He knew that if he went through with his original plan then he'd be seen as nothing but a backstabber. Respected maybe, but a backstabber none-the-less. Not to mention the utter shock and betrayal he'd find in Ivan's eyes when he overthrew him. This was the only problem, falling in love with Russia caused him to rethink everything.

He felt Ivan's warm hand in his own clench just a little tighter. The Russian knew that Gilbert was thinking deeply by the way his eyebrows were knitted together. It was cute, but it worried him a little.

"Prussia? What is wrong?"

The use of his country's name caught him off guard, "What is it?"

Ivan rubbed over Gilbert's knuckles with his thumb, "Is something wrong?"

"I'm just…" he took a deep breath, "I'm just thinking."

Ivan leaned down and kissed Gilbert's cheek, smiling when he saw him blush, "Alright then."

The albino was taken aback by the Russian's affectionate gesture, "Why'd you do that for!?"

"Because I love you."

Ivan's reply make Gilbert shut up. He felt his cheeks burn a little hotter. Even if it was freezing outside, it felt like a million degrees to him.

They had walked to a small park and sat on a bench together, Ivan was fiddling his fingers together and Gilbert sat there watching him curiously, now it was his turn to wonder about Ivan's thoughts. Before he got the chance to ask, Ivan spoke, "Back at the meeting…. I told your brother that we were seeing each other," He lifted his head to meet eyes with Gilbert, "That wasn't entirely true, was it?"

Gilbert didn't answer him, he just kept sitting there in silence and looked into Ivan's eyes. He wasn't sure what track the Russian was on or what the point of his conversation was.

Ivan started to speak again, "I never got the chance to ask you what you wanted… So I'm doing it now. Gilbert, would you like to… make a pact." He waited for Gilbert to answer but it never came. He knew what he wanted. If he was going to ask for a relationship, he'd have to do it right, "I guess what I'm trying to ask is…. If you'll be mine…. Will you be my boyfriend?"

A smile graced Gilbert lips and no words were needed. He wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck and hugged him. Yes, it was cheesy. No, he didn't give a shit. He just reminded himself that everything he did was awesome, including the corny stuff. All that mattered right now was them and their love

They reached the hotel around 9:00 P.M. Germany was waiting in the lobby for his brother to come home ever since he heard from the others that he left with Ivan. His brother could be so careless sometimes, it really worried him.

The pair came into the lobby laughing and holding hands as they did almost the entire day.

Ludwig glared at them sternly, "Gilbert!" He barked.

Gilbert sighed and looked his way, "What is it?"

The blonde met his gaze and spoke harshly, "Don't just leave the hotel like that! It's bad enough you left the meeting before it was through, but leaving the hotel when dusk was approaching?!"

"Calm down, West. I can take care of myself, and it's not like I was alone. I had Ivan."

Ivan had been standing awkwardly off to the side, listening in on their conversation.

"It's dangerous out there, Gilbert! You really think Ivan could have-"

The German was cut off by Ivan, "Excuse me but… If need be, I would've protected your brother with my life."

Ludwig sighed heavily, "You really have no idea what you're getting into, Russia. My brother can be a trouble maker. Being with him is not just some walk in the park!"

"I know… but I love him and I'm willing to do anything for him."

Gilbert looked up at his boyfriend, genuinely surprised by his words. Did Ivan really love him that much? Why couldn't he just be happy being his boyfriend? Why'd he keep contemplating whether or not to destroy him? The albino finally understood what he needed to do, just be happy. He realized that he'd rather be with Ivan and not have a country than to be the most powerful country and be alone.

'Ah! What am I telling myself!? There's all that sappy shit again!' Gilbert couldn't help but shake this out of his mind. He was too awesome. Too damn awesome. It killed him to be cocky and to love Ivan. Torn was the only way to put it.

Germany narrowed his eyes, "I know you may 'love' my brother, but he's still troublesome. You're bound to run into trouble sooner or later. Even the great Russia won't be able to handle it." He walked into the awaiting elevator and went to his floor, leaving the two alone in the lobby.

"Don't worry," Gilbert began, "He's just a little protective of me."

Ivan laughed, "A little? Now that's an understatement."

Gilbert couldn't help but chuckle, "Okay, so maybe he's really protective of me. But who can blame him? He couldn't survive without his awesome brother."

"Sure, sure," Ivan said, leading him up the stairs.

"What? It's true!"

They reached the floor that Ivan was on, it was one floor above Gilbert's, "Do you maybe… want to spend the night in my room?"

Gilbert bit his lip and shook his head, he wasn't ready to move things along this fast, "Not tonight... Maybe tomorrow."

Ivan looked at him, "Tomorrow I have to leave back to Russia. Next meeting perhaps?"

Gilbert looked down at the ground, he'd completely forgotten that it was the last day of the meeting. He changed his mind suddenly, "Well since it's your last day then… yes. I'd like to sleep with you." After he said his sentence, he face-palmed. He told Ivan he'd sleep with him rather than spend the night. Ivan let out a small laugh, "Well then."

He unlocked and opened the door, letting Gilbert in first, locking the door when the two of them were inside.

Gilbert admired the room, 'The bed's certainly big enough for both of us…'

And what else they would do in that bed he wondered.