Dear West

Chapter 4:

January, 1973

There was a knock on the door.

Looking out his window, he could see a familiar expensive looking car and quickly bolted down the stairs to answer the door. There stood a man and a child holding a stuffed bear who smiled at him, "bonjour Ludwig, I see you're doing well, I hope you've been having a great birthday so far. Is Elizabeta or Roderich home? Ah, but before that, I suppose I should deliver this to you," the Frenchman handed him a small, rolled up note.

Excitedly stammering his thanks, he took the note and ran back to his room to read it, a habit he'd picked up from his brother. Downstairs, he could hear the adults being busy and chattering away, but he didn't care, unrolling the scroll, he began reading.

Dear West,

Hey, you're learning to write pretty big words now, aren't you? I'm doing awesome as usual. The other day, Holland nearly set the kitchen on fire with his stupid matches, he's one of those weird people who still smokes with one of those super old pipes, but luckily the boss was there and stopped it before the fire spread. And apparently there's been a little bird using my head as a nest, has it always been there? It's really soft though, and really cute, and really fun to pet but I could've sworn it was a different bird before.

Anyways, I'm expecting this letter to find you before the 18th or else it'll be late, hm? I promised to send you one of these every year, didn't I? So happy birthday West! Make sure you get Austria or France to make you something tasty to eat, and then have Hungary buy you something awesome! I mean, your birthday only rolls around once a year, so you might as well make the most of it.

I hope you enjoy your birthday! I'll be celebrating here on the other side.

Love,
East

Reading it over one more time while trying to suppress the smile on his face, he hopped off his bed and ran down the stairs. The brothers had been communicating through Francis, who was living over at the French sector of Berlin with Matthew, ever since he'd arrived to the west over a year ago.

He liked the French man, not only was he charming and elegant, but he also took over his and Alfred's place in looking over the timid child, who he knew had been one of Bruder's favourites. Dashing into the kitchen, he grinned happily at the adults, "thank you for delivering this."

The Frenchman smiled, "it was my pleasure, mon cher."

"Did he wish you a happy birthday," Elizabeta asked him from the other side of the room.

Excitedly, he nodded, "ja, just like he promised. Excuse me, I'm going out for a bit," he told them before heading back out into the hall where he ran into Feliciano and Matthew.

The brunet had a happy look on his face, "Ve, Ludwig, where are you going?"

He looked over at the pair, "to the platform. I'll only be going for a little bit, did you want to come?"

The other boy nodded, "yea, I want to come! Let's go, Matthew!"

The blond dipped his head, "o-okay, but I have to go ask papa first."

"Ah, children are so precious," Francis muttered fondly as he faced the two adults, his head resting on the back of his hand when Matthew came running in.

"Papa?"

He sat up and smiled, "oui, mon cher?"

The boy returned his smile as he hugged his bear tightly, "m-may I go out to the platform with Ludwig and Feliciano, papa? Please?"

The blond had never been able to say no to the boy, especially when he stuttered like that, it was just too precious. He frequently mentally sent his thanks to Gilbert for pairing him up with Matthew, who, he considered, like any doting father, was the perfect child. Leaning down and giving the boy a kiss on the head, he nodded, "Of course you may, mon petit, just make sure you stay near Ludwig, alright? And be careful, who knows how many people out there are after adorable little angels like you. Papa will have to cry himself to sleep if anything happens to you! Have fun! Don't run off too far!"

"Yes, papa!"

After the child ran back out excitedly, he turned his attention back to the pair, "the platform?"

Elizabeta sighed, "It's this platform nearby. If you stand on it, you can see over to the other side. Ludwig and Feli always go there to see if they can see Gil. It's gotten better, he used to go out every day…the poor boy."

He nodded, "it's ashamed that Gilbert didn't make it over here but as I've told you before, he's doing great things in the east. He's a hero in his own accord, helping all those children over. Not including our group, I believe he's almost at ten."

The woman was staring at her feet, "I know, but I also know the reality of what happens to the 'heroes' in the east. I've heard the stories, Francis, and I don't want any of that happening to Gilbert."

Roderich placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "maybe we shouldn't underestimate Gilbert. Even though he's an idiot, he's capable of taking care of himself. And nothing's really gone wrong as of yet except that one time."

"Ah, that brings me to another point," Francis pulled out a note from his pocket, "this is for you."

The pair blinked, "oh? He doesn't write to us very often."

The blond shrugged, "well as I said, he's been very busy as of lately and he's not the best at making conversation on paper."

Elizabeta nodded, "I can tell, he hasn't written Ludwig as often as he used to. He really does love that boy to death. What could he have to say to us?"

They unfolded the note and read it.

Austria and Hungary

France told me you guys were stressing out over me because of how useless you think you are, not his exact words. You should know that you're doing more than you think by taking care of West. It eases my mind to know that he's in relatively good hands. But anyways, you shouldn't worry too much about me. I'm too awesome to screw up! Besides, I think everything happened the way it did so that I could stay here and do this. So continue to take care of West for me until I get there, okay? Bye!

East

Elizabeta raised a brow at him, "Francis…"

"What? I might've mentioned something to him, that's all," the blond waved a hand offhandedly.

Roderich adjusted his glasses after reading the additional bit of the note, "well, he certainly was in a contemplative mood, that idiot."

The Frenchman nodded in agreement, "I suppose even Gilbert has those kinds of days, especially now that he's there alone…it's strange to think that we used to always be within running distance of each other."

The trio ran down the street and through the crowds until a lot of loud voices could be heard. Ludwig looked back to see the other blond boy hesitate, "It's okay, nothing's going to happen to us. It's the just people on the platform yelling. This is normal."

The youngest boy gave a slow nod and continued to follow them up the wooden stairs and onto the platform where people were crying, screaming and jeering. Some were yelling angry words at the soldiers on the other side, some were crying for separated loved ones, and Ludwig climbed onto the railings, scanning the streets for any sign of a man with light hair and red eyes.

Matthew leaned over to the brunet, "why are we here?"

Feliciano smiled, "ve, because it's Ludwig's birthday and we might see Gilbert! Last year we did this, we saw Gilbert walk by, down that street and I think he might've seen us but he didn't wave so we don't really know."

The younger blond dipped his head in understanding, "Oh, papa said before that people on the other side shouldn't wave at people or talk too much otherwise the scary men there will think they're doing something wrong and take them away."

"Is that why Gilbert didn't wave at us last time?"

"I guess? How does Ludwig know what time to stand here?"

He looked over at the pair and explained, "Because Bruder gets off work at three thirty."

"Oh."

And the vigilantly stood there for quite awhile when they noticed a distinct figure walking down the street. Feliciano waved happily, "ve, look, it's Gilbert! I wonder if he can hear us."

Ludwig leaned in to get a better look, "I think Bruder just winked at us."

Matthew nodded, "yea, I think he did too, so that means he saw us, right?"

They continued waving and chattering happily among themselves until the man disappeared down the street. Only then did they get off the platform to head back to the house where Arthur and Alfred, Peter and his parents and eccentric neighbours and later, Antonio and Lovino joined them for cake and celebrations.

"Papa, Alf, we saw Gilbert on the other side today!"

"Is that so, mon cher? Did he look well?"

"Gilbo? You saw Gilbo, Mattie? Really? Is he still awesome? Come play with me!"

"Alfred, I've told you a million times not to use that word anymore!"

"But it's awesome!"

"Arthur, clearly you have no grasp of understanding on how to raise children."

"Quiet, you bloody frog, don't talk like you do!"

"Ah, au contraire, mon ami, just take a look at my Mathieu, my precious ange, and you will see how wrong you are! He's well-mannered and perfect in every way!"

"What are you trying to say!"

"Yea! A fight! Go Artie!"

"Papa's fighting?"

"Of course not, mon cher, that would be a terrible example to set in front of children."

"That's right, Alfred, we're not fighting, we're merely having a disagreement between two responsible adults."

"That's lame!"

"Hey Mattie, so you saw stupid Gilbo?"

"That stupid jerk? What happened to him anyways, damn it!"

"He's still on the other side!"

"Ah Gil, he was always so independent wasn't he?"

"W's he?"

"Yea, don't you remember how he used to laugh to himself because he was having so much fun on his own?"

Ludwig watched as everyone ranted and raved happily in each other's company. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness when he realized that the only person missing was his brother. Suddenly, there was a hand at his shoulder, he looked up at Roderich who smiled at him, "I'm sure Gilbert's celebrating on the other side, and having too much fun doing it alone, that idiot. Don't forget to have your reply written and given to Francis before he leaves tonight, but for now, try to enjoy yourself, alright?"

Nodding, he decided to join in the fun, there was no sense in everyone celebrating except him.

Dear East,

You've always had that bird on your head, at least from what I remember.

Did you see us at the platform today? I hope you did. I was there with Veneziano and Canada, and we saw you walking home. They were really happy to see you.

Everyone was here to celebrate my birthday today, they're all doing great and it was very fun. We had food prepared by Austria, Hungary and France, the games and toys made by Sealand's parents and stories told to us by England and Spain. England's ghost stories were really scary and France scolded him for scaring us.

They were all talking about you at dinner. Is it true that you have to burn France's letters after you read them? He says it's dangerous to keep them around where anyone can read them. Does that mean you burn ours as well? Veneziano thinks you do and he went all sulky for the rest of dinner. I wish you could've been there today, but I hope you had fun at home as well.

Will you be coming over any time soon?

Love,
West

Double checking his letter for spelling mistakes and legibility and in case he wrote anyone's name, he pushed his chair back and dashed down the stairs and to the main entrance where Francis was waiting with a sleeping Matthew in his arms. Handing the note to the man, he asked politely, "can you please get this to Bruder?"

Francis looked down at him and took the letter with a nod and a smile, "of course, I'll make sure Gilbert gets this as soon as possible. I hope you had yourself a wonderful birthday, bonne nuit."

Watching the Frenchman's retreating figure, he turned to the remaining two adults, "thank you for today."

Elizabeta shook her head, "think nothing of it. I hope you had yourself a very wonderful birthday, Ludwig. Oh yes, and here," she pulled out a box from nearby, "he requested that we get this for you." Blinking, he opened the gift to unveil a set of army figurines. "It's the same as the ones we used to play with. Gilbert used to spend hours coming up with tactics, trying to win against me-not that they ever worked. He thought you'd have as much fun as he did with these when he was your age," the woman explained to him.

"Thank you," he muttered, eyes still drinking in the sight of his present.

"Make sure you thank your Bruder in your next note, alright? You can play with these tomorrow. It's been a long day and you need your sleep."

Nodding obediently, he did as he was told and crawled into bed only to find Feliciano there. "Ludwig?"

"Ja?"

"I couldn't sleep in my own bed after Arthur's story, can I sleep here tonight?"

"Yea."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Good night."

"Good night."

Pause.

"Ludwig?"

"Ja?"

"Happy birthday."

"Danke."

"Did you make a wish when you blew out the candles?"

"Yea I did, but I can't say it aloud or it won't come true."

"Oh, okay. Do you think it'll come true?"

"I hope it does."

"I hope so too."

Nya~

I spent a lot of time typing while I was away so this fic is actually pretty much complete. Please tell me if there are any errors or anything! Um..other than that, expect quick updates, yay(?) As always, thank you readers and reviewers! Lots of love!