Chapter Title: The Fall

Rating: M

Genre: Angst, Horror

Summary: The sixth and final chapter in the Deal series. With Alfred's feelings in the open, Ludwig responded with the best he knew how, rejection. How will he respond when he has to face Ivan alone?

WARNINGS: rape/non-con

A/N: I'm so sorry this is so late. I've been done for about 5 years but have rewritten this over and over again.\

Alfred's fingers gracefully touched the side of the German's face. He felt so painfully powerful. He had so much control, so much dominance over the abused blonde man. Ludwig sat at the American's feet, almost like a well trained dog. There was a long pause, again, another gentle stroke.

He didn't like the power to be honest.

He knew how independent the other man once was, how strong and courageous. It hurt to see him like this. But still, it was sweet how much the German man trusted him, how he seemed to purr when he was stroked.

How much time passed?

It hadn't seemed long enough for the American to enjoy touching the German before he had gotten up. The young blond haired man quietly cooked, the Prussian and American watching now. They both knew that Ludwig hated being disturbed while he cooked. They had nothing better to do, so they watched. Besides, it was the only time Ludwig actually seemed at peace nowadays, and that was always worth seeing. Especially now, that four months ago, they had found out about Ivan visiting him. That was the last time Ludwig seemed comfortable.

Now he was always on edge, always nervous.

In response, Gilbert and Alfred had divided up their time as evenly as possible. Still, Alfred and Gilbert had no idea how long the Russian had been going to visit the German. Had it only been a one time offense? Had there been more than one visit? Neither men had the courage to ask, nor did they know if Ludwig would even answer. This past week, because Gilbert had been on a business trip in Eastern Europe, Alfred had taken care and watched over Ludwig rather intently. Now that Alfred would have to go to Asia in a few days, he would need to go back to the United States after this dinner.

There was a long pause, the American watching the Prussian.

It was four months ago when things started to get bad.

It was four months ago, when Alfred and Gilbert had both left Ludwig alone. It had been a terrible thing, and both recognized the flaws in a plan that would leave the German man alone even for a short period of time. The once strong and independent German had insisted it would be alright, it was only a night. The two would both be there in the morning. Besides, Ludwig felt he could take care of himself, needed to take the steps to take care of himself even if only for a few hours… For a single night, Gilbert had been at a meeting in China, and then slept in a nearby hotel. Alfred had fallen asleep at Canada's house. Both were planning to go to Germany in the morning.

No matter how many times Alfred begged for forgiveness from the German man, the answer was always the same. There was that painful smile, and that far away look in pale blue eyes and a shake of the head. The same voice saying, "It's okay." Both knew nothing was okay, and it wouldn't be for a very long time. Nothing would ever change the fact he had left Ludwig in such a vulnerable position.

It seemed to pass by so slowly... three months after the attack, when Ludwig smiled and touched him back, Alfred had finally confessed his feelings to the German man.

It was a foolish thing to do.

Alfred had not known what he hoped to accomplish from all of it. Telling a person who had been hurt so many times, so many times without a savior, he had no idea what he wanted from Ludwig.

If Alfred had wanted a reaction from the lifeless German, it would have been easier to pretend to leave the room. It would have sent the German scrambling after him or even crying if he slammed the door shut hard enough.

As of now, Ludwig looked a little lost, blue eyes seeming to fade a little more as he cooked, a faraway look.

Alfred wondered if Ludwig was remembering his rejection.

It was so clear, so painful to the American still. And Alfred hated Ivan all the more. Just when Alfred had determined he would confess his feelings for the German, Ivan had ruined it. The person that Alfred finally cared about with more than just his hero mask on – it was the first time he had met someone he loved on a personal level.

Ivan ruined all of the confidence Ludwig had in him.

Alfred had been rejected on the spot, from the moments the words left his lips. The rejection had been so gentle, so sweet and timid; Alfred couldn't help but love the blonde more.

Ludwig had cried, saying he would never be good enough for Alfred.

Alfred was the light. He was as bright as the sun, and Ludwig loved that about him. Alfred was perfect. He was the kindest person to Ludwig, always thinking about him before he did anything. Ludwig did love him for that. He truly loved Alfred, but he would never be able to be with him. He would never want to taint, ruin, the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Alfred hadn't been able to stand it.

To hear the person he thought was perfect, beautiful, good, say he was ruined?

How painful it was, to see the one person he cared about more than himself cry and say he would never be good enough for him?

Alfred never hated someone more than Ivan and loved someone as much as he loved Ludwig.

"Alfred… Alfred." Alfred's head snapped up, realizing he had been lost in thought only now that Ludwig had spoken to him. There was a moment when Alfred had felt something hurt in his chest. He would never be able to forgive Ivan for doing it to Ludwig. Alfred coughed into his elbow, thanking Ludwig mutely as he was handed a plate.

The three ate, watching each other rather than paying attention to their food. The two thanked the younger man for the meal before quietly leaving the room. Gilbert helped Alfred pack, allowing Ludwig time to clean up the kitchen in silence.

"I spent a lot of time wondering what I could have done differently. I feel like a failure." Gilbert said in a dead voice, he looked exhausted. Alfred patted Gilbert's shoulder. Trust. "I'm barely keeping up with the amount of work that Ludwig used to do. I have no idea how he sorted his time when he worked and I laid around."

"Ask him about it, I'm sure he'll be glad to help you." Alfred grinned weakly, remembering the pile that was growing larger with the day that was on his desk at home. He only hoped that one of his nice helpers would sort it out for him. "Unless you want to hire some help, then you can always do that. But I don't think Ludwig would approve."

"Ja… Eh, it's fine. I'll get it done."

So Alfred left after he was done packing, giving Gilbert a handshake. Then turning to his friend, an awkward smile before a half hug, handshake mixture. Alfred looked over Ludwig briefly, seeming to want to say something. Instead the American settled for another weak smile and gave Ludwig a pat on his shoulder. "I'll miss you, Ludwig. Be back soon, okay?"

Ludwig nodded mutely.

And the moments felt long.

The door shut, and Alfred regretted not giving Ludwig a kiss.

He wanted to.

He really did.

Alfred went back to America.

And the night came quickly after that. Ludwig went upstairs to his new room. He couldn't sleep in his old room anymore. There were too many haunting memories to sleep there anymore. Gilbert slept downstairs in the basement now. He had taken his bedroom and created it into an office where he spent most of his time.

Ludwig wished he had begged his brother to stay with him until he fell asleep.

The storm was loud, terribly loud and scary. It shook the house, made the windows tremble and howl loudly. In the bedroom, Ludwig sat up and watched how the room lit up completely with the lightning. He rubbed his eyes glancing towards the door.

The thunder could have blocked out any screaming.

He gathered his blankets up around his chest, wide awake now. He turned his clock slightly, trying to decide what to do. He didn't like the weather.

He was scared.

The clock read two in the morning. The young blond man flinched slightly at the sight. He glanced back at the door, he wondered about the terrors which would torment him when he opened it. Bad memories always rushed in. Chased him down the hallways and tripped him, leaving him either pale with fear or crying with terror. It was hard to stand it in the house. But he couldn't move. It was unheard of. Nations lived in their traditional capital home.

The blonde gathered up his courage, deciding he would hurry down the hall, down the stairs and go spend the night in Gilbert's room. It would be better, and Gilbert didn't mind. Gilbert always seemed happy that his brother was accepting him again. He was happy that his little brother trusted him again.

The wind screamed, and the thunder rumbled. Ludwig opened the door, getting almost two steps out before he bumped into something warm and so dreadfully familiar. He felt tears spring to his eyes as he put his hands out in front of him to feel what he knew to be a chest. His heart leapt into his throat.

He pushed hard against the chest. The figure went back a step. Ludwig ran, half fumbled, onto the floor as he made it about half way down the hall.

He told himself it wasn't real.

He felt his body jerk, and his wrist burned.

It was too late, the monster had his wrist. The monster's hold was so strong. He pulled Ludwig back, like he was a child who needed to be punished and was trying to run away from it. The blond was dragged inside the room.

Ludwig yanked hard against the hold.

Then the monster locked the door.

The sound made his heart turn heavy.

He is pushed towards the bed, but Ludwig couldn't think. He had no idea what to do. He racked his brain for anything. He tried to decide which would be better, to crawl onto the bed and try to defend himself from there or to try to get to the other side of the room where he would be cornered and then forcibly dragged to the bed.

"I don't mind either way… whatever makes you feel better, da?" Ivan said sweetly, smiling at the German who paled considerably, shaking like a leaf now. Ludwig felt his mouth go dry. He wanted to say something, anything really, just to try and get help… But he didn't know what to say, to shout, he almost forgot how to breathe.

Alfred woke up on his couch, breathing hard and dampened with cold sweat. He groaned. Evening naps were awful. He wondered when he had fallen asleep. Then he wondered if Ludwig was alright. He glanced at the clock, realizing Ludwig would be asleep about now. The American relaxed a little and closed his eyes again.

But Ludwig wasn't asleep.

Ludwig was trembling.

"Get out of here." He tried to sound frightening. He tried to remember how to sound aggressive and scary. Like how he used to sound. He couldn't relive those moments of being fearless or of being feared. They were far gone and passed. He wasn't strong anymore. He was weak, he couldn't protect himself anymore. Or maybe he never could protect himself.

"No." Ivan answered simply, smiling brightly. He leaned over the blonde, placing his hand on his cheek.

Ludwig wished he could scream. He wished words would form in his mouth. But he felt so empty. So hopeless.

"Look at this... No one is even here to protect you~..."

"No, no, Alfred and my brother-"

"Where are they?" Ivan tilted his head innocently though his violet eyes had a cruel glint in his eyes.

"They can't always watch me..." Ludwig whimpered. He tried to move back, but Ivan closed the gap between them and kissed him deeply.

Ludwig could feel tears threaten to fall from his eyes. He turned his head hard, hands coming up to push him back. He would rather die than be kissed by this monster. "If you don't behave, I'll make you regret it." Ivan grabbed Ludwig's chin and forced him to look. "I can make you hurt."

"Stop it." Ludwig turned his face again, hands coming up to hide his eyes. He felt such a deep shame. "I'm ruined. I'm ruined! You ruined me." Ludwig was shaking as he felt Ivan grab his wrists. Ivan yanked his hands down, revealing the teary blue eyes. "What else is there left for me?"

"Me. Make a treaty with me." Ivan growled, voice deeper than usual. Ludwig's back hit the headboard of the bed as Ivan pushed him back. He felt panicked. "CHOOSE ME."

Ludwig's stomach twisted and his chest tightened. He hurt.

"Well?"

Empty.

"Get it over with, Russland." Ludwig finally exhaled. When did he start holding his breath? "Just... Finish." Ludwig closed his eyes. How many times would this happen again? If he gave in, at least he wouldn't be too beaten.

Ivan felt a wave of rage.

How dare he pretend he has any control in this.

"You're going to regret that." Ivan hissed. He pulled Ludwig down onto the bed roughly, wanting a reaction. Ludwig kept his eyes and mouth shut tightly, hands coming up to cover his face. His entire body was trembling hard. "I'll make you regret it,"

One by one, Ivan tied his limbs, and Ludwig made no protest. Eyes shut, pretending to be anywhere but here. He was in the living room sitting with his brother. He was cooking. He was sleeping with Alfred. He was anywhere but here.

Maybe he was finally ruined.

He felt a knife against his skin. Ludwig kept his eyes shut, but now he was breathing heavily. He let out a small whimper as the knife slid around his shoulder, to his collarbones and then up to his throat. Pain.

"Half the fun is watching you cry." Ivan murmured softly as he stroked Ludwig's cheeks. Ludwig squeezed his eyes shut harder. Ivan watched Ludwig's facial expression change from discomfort to terror. Ludwig's breathing got heavy again. "I like to see your eyes~... Open them for me."

Ludwig's arms flailed against the chains, wanting to cover his eyes again. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be anywhere but here.

He's sitting in the living room with his brother.

He's cooking.

He's sleeping with Alfred.

Ivan reached down to run a hand down Ludwig's side, stopping at the bruises near his ribcage. He pressed hard with his fingers. Ludwig's eyes opened with a gasp.

"There you are."

Ludwig winced, trying to look anywhere but at Ivan, but each time he looked away, Ivan pressed on the bruises.

He's sitting...

Sleeping with...

With...

He's not there. He's here.

Finally Ludwig was sobbing, staring up at Ivan. "Still so pretty..."

"Please, no," Ludwig whimpered, tears running down the sides of his face as he stared up. Ivan's hand stayed pressed on the bruises. It hurt so badly. "Please, please..." Again, he was reduced to a blubbering fool. "No more..."

"Ludwig, I won't stop until you're mine."

The blond felt hopeless. He couldn't even look away now. All he could do was stare up at his rapist and hope it would be over soon.

"Just make a treaty with me. Be mine. Then it won't be like this anymore~..."

Ludwig could barely breathe let alone answer.

Like this.

Did he plan to do it differently if they made a treaty?

Breathe.

"Fine. This isn't on me anymore." Ivan snarled into Ludwig's ear. More tears. "You must like it if you'd rather have this happen to you then sign a fucking treaty with me. Fucking slut."

Ludwig let out a choked sob.

He couldn't breathe.

Couldn't breathe.

Ivan pressed hard on the bruises. Ludwig screamed, voice cracking mid way, leaving him silent. He couldn't breathe. Ivan reached for the knife again and this time carved a line down Ludwig's chest.

Almost instantly Ludwig's lungs filled with air. "No!" Was all he could manage from the pain of the knife and the humiliation of being under this man again.

Then Ivan is cutting off Ludwig's pants and boxers, uncaring as the knife nips at the blonde's thighs. Then he is exposed.

Pain brought sudden air intake.

"No, please, no!" Ludwig sobs, hands yanking on the chains but to no avail. He feels a hard cold pole placed on his chest. It almost burns the cut on his chest.

Fear.

"Ivan, no, Ivan please, no." He can feel himself panicking again at the item. "Ivan, bitte. Bitte, bitte, nien." Ludwig is crying weakly, trying to find any compassion in the other now.

Ivan had only raped him once with the pole.

It had been horrific.

He had nightmares for months.

He couldn't sit for days.

He had begged him to never do it again.

The second time Ivan brought it out, Ludwig had sucked Ivan's dick.

Willingly.

Enthusiastically.

Now it was being placed on his chest again.

He's likely upped the ante.

"Anything, please, anything but this." Ludwig felt pathetic as he begged. His cheeks burned. He felt so much shame. He hated himself. "Ivan, please, no,"

"What do I get?" Ivan murmured. He leaned down to kiss Ludwig's cheek. All Ludwig could think about was the pole. "I don't want to do any work. You do it."

Ludwig nodded frantically. "Yes," Ludwig felt relief as Ivan picked up the pole and placed it to the side. Ivan slowly undid the chains. "Thank you."

Almost immediately Ludwig sat up. His eyes were drawn to the pole.

A threat.

He wished Gilbert would come check on him.

He wished Alfred would call.

He wished he was anywhere but here.

The chance of him getting away and avoiding this was small. He could try to run and get tackled and then raped with the pole. He could try to run, make it to the door, unlock it, maybe halfway down the hall if he was lucky, and then get dragged back and raped with the pole. Or he could do what Ivan wanted and avoid the pole.

Ludwig scooted to the side. "I don't... How..." Ludwig glanced over the Russian. "What should I do?" If he could avoid the pole, he'd do anything. He just didn't know what was expected of him.

The pole had been the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to him.

He tries not to think about it.

He aches all over.

Ludwig clenched the bedsheets.

"Come here~..." Ivan liked the power he had as he patted his crotch. He liked watching the other man squirm. Ludwig moved towards him. He carefully licked the side of the cock presented to him. Ivan's hands grabbed the blond hair and forced his face down. Ludwig choked and gagged on the cock as his mouth was brutally fucked. He finally lifted his face. Ludwig breathed deeply, sweaty and teary eyed, lips red and saliva dripping down his chin. "How pretty. Now come sit."

"But..." Ludwig could only think of the pain of being unprepared. He was ashamed but more fearful of the pain than his pride.

"If you bend over, I'll help you~!"

Ludwig felt sick at the offer. He deserved this. He was so pathetic. He shook his head.

"Fine, come here."

Ludwig resigned himself to this.

He was desperately holding onto Ivan's shoulder, using him to slowly penetrate himself. Ivan's hands went to Ludwig's hips, slowly placing more weight. Ludwig mewled, tossing his head to the side as he opened himself up.

It was hard to hurt when he controlled the situation.

Finally he was fully open. He paused, waiting a few moments to adjust. He let out a low whimper. "Go on." Ivan's voice is rough with lust.

Ludwig fucked himself with Ivan's cock.

It doesn't take long for Ivan to come. Ludwig put on a show.

Ludwig sits on Ivan's lap, cum in his ass. He slowly starts to get off when Ivan gives him light pressure on his waist. Then he starts to jerk Ludwig off. Ludwig lets out a small squeak, starting to grab at Ivan's hands.

Stop.

"Don't." Ivan hissed. Ludwig's hands fell to his side as Ivan continued. Finally, it was done.

Shame.

Ludwig breathed in the cool air, head on Ivan's shoulder.

Thunder.

Ludwig finally moved again. Ivan let him. Ludwig felt the cum start to drip down his thighs. He felt disgusting.

Ludwig stared hard at Ivan.

He needed this to be the last time.

He couldn't do this again.

It would kill him.

He'd kill himself.

"Treaty?"

The word felt dirty.

Ivan smiled. "Yes."

Ludwig knew he was done. He was at the end of his rope. If he was going to survive anything else, he needed to make a treaty. At least then he could control circumstances and perhaps get something out of these visits.

He needed control.

He felt so hopeless.

He knew Ivan wasn't going to stop.

Might as well get something out of this.

Rationalize.

He could get specific times and days for these... Visits.

He could never see him outside those times.

He needed to know when.

Needed control.

Ludwig sat at the end of the bed before he crumpled, hands coming to his face as he realized he was truly ruined.

Breathe.

"Don't worry, darling. I'll make it worth it." Ivan kissed his neck. "I'll send the details tomorrow. You and Gilbert can look it over together."

Ludwig's shame and disgust grew in the pit of his stomach.

Ivan left.

Ludwig stared at his hands.

His wrists were bruising.

Ugly purple.

He wondered if living was even worth it.

Gilbert had Germany under control.

He could die.

He wanted to die.

He flexed his fingers.

Control.

Ludwig stood up and cleaned himself. He pulled on a shirt and then some pants.

He opened the door.

Thunder.

It isn't so scary.

Ludwig knew the monster was gone.

He went downstairs, knocking on the door to the basement. He felt a deep sense of shame and disgust.

Control.

Rationalize.

There wasn't anything left to do but fall apart.

Breathe.

Ludwig wasn't sure he wanted to be put together again.

LAST NOTE: If you first started reading this back in 2011 and have come back... welcome to the end! I hope you enjoyed it. I'm going to repost this on my AO3. Same name, come visit maybe. Thank you everyone who's read to the end! It took me 12 years to end it haha