~*1990*~
July 1st
"Welcome home,Bruder," Ludwig greeted as he opened the door. Now, finally, after months of endless negotiations Gilbert was going to move in with him again. They had both waited so long for this day.
Well, the truth was, during the last decade he had not even once thought about this seriously. He hadn't even dreamed of this being possible. Now the only thing left to negotiate was a peace treaty or something like it which had been postponed for the last 45 years.
It had all gone so smoothly. Both brothers had thought thateveryone would object toa reunification. Ivan was the one who hadn't agreed to it yet and neither Francis nor Arthur seemed too happy about it, but none hadobjected.
It had been a long way so far.
~January~
"You can't be serious." Francis was furious. "I won't allow this. Gilbert is definitely not moving in with you. No way!"
"Come on," Ludwig sighed. "I told you. For the last 40 years I wanted nothing more than to be reunited with my brother again. And now, for the first time, it's actually possible without starting a new war or causinga severe loss of political power for any bloc. Please, Francis, I want you of all people to be happy for me. This won't change anything between us. I love you, Francis, and no one else."
They had been having this discussion for two whole months now, ever since November 10th. All they did was yell at each other. Francis couldn't understand Ludwig's longing for unity and Ludwig couldn't understand Francis jealousy. After all, this was about his brother, not his ex-boyfriend.
Like Gilbert would be any competition to Francis.
But of course, as a nation, Ludwig's bond to Gilbert would be stronger than any possible EC treaty. The monetary union of the two German states, the open border without any passport inspections between them; all this would make him much closer to Gilbert in such a short time than he had become to Francis in a long time.
But he and Gilbert were brothers. Until half a century ago, they had lived in the same house, too.
Ludwig could understand the worries of Arthur and Feliks, though he had no plans whatsoever to make their nightmares come true. On the contrary, he had long agreed to Feliks's western border and there was no reason to break that treaty.
As for Arthur... well, he seemed to worry more about the possibility of a growing EC than the reunification of the two German states.
Alfred was the only one who actually encouraged it. He didn't care much about European politics, but he did careabout gaining new friends. If they were former communists, the better.
The best thing, though, was the way Ivan had acted for the past year. He hadn't done anything. Nothing when demonstrations against the old system hadstarted and nothing when the Iron Curtain had been torn down. Even now he did nothing either to interfere or to encourage Gilbert and all the others.
Francis was the only one to object. But also, Francis was the only one who talked to him in private often. In public, he had only raised concerns about the future of the European Community. A reunited, new German state would be no member of it anymore.
Ludwig knew that. Reunification bore so many problems. So many things would needed to be redone afterwards. All those treaties and agreements with other nations, and, worst of all, theywouldfinally need a real constitution.
"See, Francis, I know you are worried about the future," Ludwig admitted. "But I won't let Gilbert come between us, trust me. If this is about the unions planned for the following years, I will propose a monetary one on a European level, too. I want to be with you, only you. Gilbert won't come between us, Feliciano won't, no one and nothing will."
He put his hands around his lover and leaned on him.
"I don't want to argue about this," Francis sighed as he put his arms around Ludwig and hugged him, too.
"Me neither," Ludwig murmured. Time with his love was much too precious to argue. Kissing, cuddling and so on were much more important. "What about we simply see how it works out with my brother, you know, tell him straight froward about our relationship and if he's against it or too annoying I'll come to live with you, alright?"
First, Francis just blinked several times. Unbelieving, he stared at his boyfriend. "Did you just say what I think you did?"
"I think so." Ludwig planted a soft kiss on the Frenchman's lips. "If my brother moving in with me doesn't work out, I'll move in with you," he repeated.
"Okay," Francis cheered. "So, call me when everything is prepared."
Back then, they all had thought it be a long time until reunification.
~July 1st (again)~
"How have you been?" Ludwig asked when he showed his brother the house.
"Aww, come on, West, we have seen each other everyday for the last nine or so months. You don't need to ask me this every time you see me," Gilbert laughed. "But I guess old habits die hard."
Ludwig laughed, too. "Want me to show you your room?"
Of course Gilbert wanted him to. Just as expected, he quite liked his new room. Situated in the basement – or rather it was the basement – it was just near enough to Ludwigto pester him and far enough awayto be more or less able to live on his own. And since there were stairs which led directly into the kitchen with an always filled fridge, it was almost like paradise to the East German.
"West, this is great," Gilbert grinned. "You can leave now," he added as he threw himself on his new couch.
Ludwig coughed. "Actually, there's something else I want to discuss with you,"he said as calmlyas possible. In fact, he was pretty nervous about it. "So would you come upstairs again with me? It won't take long."
"Oh, come on, West, you don't have to tell me the rules. I know how to behave," Gilbert complained as he followed his brother to the living room. On the doorstep, he came to a dead stop. "What's HE doing here?" he yelled, pointing accusingly at Francis.
Ludwig sighed. Just as he had imagined this meeting. "That's what I wanted to talk about with you." Of course his brother was not too happy to see his boyfriend. The last few times they had met on a battlefield and they had been sworn enemies for over a century. Ludwig had hoped he could talk to his brother in private first, but Francis had insisted on doing this as fast as possible.
He walked over to his lover and took his hand, before he turned again to face his brother.
"Francis and I, we're together," he stated as calmly as he could.
"Like in together together?" Gilbert groaned.
Francis smiled. "Yes." He kissed Ludwig on the cheek before he went on. "Your sweet little brother is my boyfriend." Though he smiled, his eyes stated one message quite clearly: "He is mine. And you can't do anything about it."
"West," Gilbert whined. "You can't be serious! Why would you date that Franzmann? Did Feliciano take your brains with him when he left you?"
Ludwig didn't react – or so it seemed. Only Francis could notice his reaction, since Ludwig squeezed his hand tightly at the mention of Feliciano's name.
"You have no right to say that," Ludwig said after a short pause. "Bruder, can't you just be happy for me? Bitte."
Gilbert shook his head in disbelief. "Whatever, West," he said before he left without anotherword.
"That went great," Ludwig stated as he dropped onto the couch. He cuddled up to Francis and rested his head on the other man's shoulders. Francis patted him softly. "Why was I so stupid to think he would just accept it?"
"Because you hoped that he would," Francis replied. "Give him some time, he will come back. Trust me, I have known him for almost all his life. He won't be sulking long."
"No, he won't," Ludwig sighed. "But that's what I'm afraid of. When he's done sulking, he will start acting. I lived with him. I know him at least as well as you do, probably better."
They spent their evening cuddling and kissing, just as every other night. It was different that day, though. Normally, Ludwig would start complaining that some of his work still needed to be done or Francis would suggest to shift it to the bedroom.
Today, all Ludwig needed was to be held and be together with the one he loved. If he hadn't given it up a long time ago, he probably would have cried.
All he had asked for was a bit of understanding. He didn't know whether or not his brother had ever been in a relationship. They had never talked about such things as feelings, least of all love.
Had Gilbert really expected to return after over forty years and find everything as it had been? Of course Ludwig had moved on. He had had to move on, otherwise he would have drowned in his grief after Feliciano had left him. Francis had always been there for him and hadtaken care of him in the last decades.
And now he should end his relationship with Francis just because his big brother didn't like it? Not even for his brother he would do so. He loved Francis way too much, maybe even enough to break with his brother. He had lived long enough without him to know he could go on without Gilbert.
"Maybe you were right," Ludwig said as they went into his bedroom.
"Right about what?" Francis asked, surprised.
"That Gilbert shouldn't have moved in with me. At least not this fast," Ludwig admitted. They crawled into his bed and went on cuddling for about an hour. Ludwig wasn't able to fall asleep until three in the morning.
After an almost sleepless night followed an unpleasant morning for Ludwig. He had thought they could spend some time after waking in bed like they always did when they both had a day off. He had thought thatthey then could have a shower together and take as long as the hot water lasted. He had thought Francis and he would be at peace for the day.
What Ludwig hadn't thought about was his brother. His noisy, annoying, Frenchman-hating big brother. Who didn't even care to knock before entering. Which led to Gilbert interrupting them making out.
Ludwig was lying on top of Francis, his boyfriend's arms wrapped around his hips and locked into a heated kiss. It was not the first kiss that morning, either. In fact, they had just picked up right after waking where they had stopped the night before.
That was, until Gilbert burst in, shouting: "West, where do you keep your milk? I want cornflakes for breakfast!"
Ludwig froze. He had to fight the desire to get up and throw his annoying big brother, who just stood there and made no attempt to leave or at least look a bit sheepish, right out, and yet he was too embarrassed to do so. Instead, he lay down beside Francis and pulled the blanket up to his chin.
"Do you ever knock?" Ludwig growled.
Gilbert snorted. "I forgot that he might still be here." He almost spat that pronoun out, full of disgust.
"Get out already!" Ludwig shouted. He was about to loose his temper. He knew that he was about to do something he would regret later if he actually lost it. "Can't you see that you're disturbing us?"
"Tell me where you keep the milk and I'll leave you and your 'girlfriend' alone," Gilbert stated. In Ludwig's opinion, he was way too calm and much too amused by the current situation. Just as if he had planned to disturb them.
"It's in the store cupboard, where it belongs," Ludwig finally growled, acknowledging that telling Gilbert was the fastest and easiest way to get rid of him. "And now leave, you got what you wanted! Get out before I get really annoyed." He was ready to yell at his brother, but, thank God, Gilbert sensed the mood and gotout of the room before he gathered momentum.
After Gilbert had left, Ludwig got up. "Sorry, I need a shower right now. Feel free to make us breakfast, too," he told Francis, before he fetched his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. The hot water felt so good right now and relaxed him again. But being as angry at his brother as he was, he stayed in the shower for quite some time.
In the meantime, Francis dressed himselfand went down to the kitchen as soon as he heard the shower. He wanted to talk with Gilbert. Someone who could make his dear feel so uncomfortable and angry as fast as Gilbert was definitely worth a talk. Plus, he wanted to knowwhy Gilbert was so prejudiced against him. They had had some fights in the past, that was true, but that was no reason to be so jealous of him.
"Gilbert," he called when he entered the kitchen. Said albino was sitting at the counter and eating his cornflakes.
"What do you want, Franzmann?" the other replied without turning around.
Francis folded his arms in front of his chest. "I want to talk about your brother. And you. Especially about you living here."
Gilbert snorted. "That's none of your business."
"Since I am your brother's boyfriend it is. So would you please stop interfering and enraging your poor little brother every time possible."
"And would you please stop fucking my 'poor little brother'?" Gilbert told his bowl of cereal.
"Stop acting like a child whose favorite toy has been taken away. Your little brother has a life of his own and can do whatever he likes. Face it, Gilbert, he's grown up and apart. He's mine now."
"I am not!" Gilbert yelled turning. He glanced at Francis in rage. "I don't care that Ludwig is with somebody other than me. I hate that that somebody is you! You of all people. Is there somebody worse than you in the world? I expected him to be with Feliciano as he's supposed to be. But the one I find him with is you. Feliciano is the one for him, not you! Don't tell me you love him because we both know what a liar you are when it comes to sex. You seduced him and as soon as you're satisfied you will throw him away like an used tissue. I won't sit back and wait until that happens. Watch your back, Francis, because I definitely will persuade Ludwig to leave you."
Francis looked at him, shocked. "How dare you...?" he stammered, unable to form a complete sentence. He was so outraged that his whole body was shaking. He so wanted to punch Gilbert right now but he was sure that Ludwig wouldn't approve of a brawl in his always so clean kitchen.
Gilbert's usual grin had grown much slyer than Francis had ever seen before. "We both know his weak spot, don't we. Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way he reacts to even the mention of Feliciano's name. He still cares about him. That talk about 'being in love with you' is bullshit. He still isn't over what happened between them, whatever it was. So I am going to do what's best for my brother and bring them back together again. And if you care the slightest bit about him, you would let me."
"You...!" Francis couldn't think of a word which came near what he wanted to call Gilbert right now. He was furious about everything he said. Though he knew that at least a part of it was true. Gilbert was wrong about his feelings towards Ludwig. But he had to admit that all that stuff about Ludwig still having feelings for Feliciano was true. So many times he had seen how Ludwig looked at the little Italian and how he flinched at the mention of his name.
"What? Are you so pathetic that you can't even think of an insult?" Gilbert looked so amused. Francis was ready to punch that grin out of his face. His hands clenched into fists and he moved closer to Gilbert. In the last second before he thought he would snap, Francis turned and stormed out of the house. Gilbert watched him, looking quite amused.
Ludwig looked confused when he entered the kitchen, now freshly showered and fully dressed. He had expected to be greeted by Francis as soon as he entered, but now he couldn't even see his lover. Instead, his brother grinned at him.
"Where's Francis?" he asked. He was just about sure that his brother was the reason why he couldn't see his lover around.
"He left a few minutes ago," Gilbert replied, still grinning. "Didn't say where he went. Forget that wine bastard, West. More importantly, why are we still here?"
Ludwig was getting angry, but then he heard the last part. "What do you mean, 'why are we still here?' Where are we supposed to be?" He didn't care much, all his thoughts were about where to find Francis and that he had to contact him immediately to tell him how sorry he was about whatever Gilbert had said or done.
"In Italy, of course. Or have you forgotten about the WM? Oh, West…" Gilbert shook his head in disbelief, though he mentally smiled. This plan was so awesome that no one but him could have thought of it. He could bring his brother back together with little Feliciano, his brother would be happy and – thebest part of this – he wouldn't have to see Francis every day of the rest of his life. No more West kissing that damn French bastard. Seeing him kiss Feliciano was better, though he had to admit that even that wasn't the best case. But he didn't even dare to think about seducing his baby brother himself. Back in the 70's he had failed terribly at it.
"Now get your things ready and in the car. I'll take care of the rest. I want to leave in half an hour," Prussia ordered. He knew that tone would work on his little brother. It always had. A moment later, he was alone again in the kitchen and could eat up his breakfast in peace. Then he stuffed some clothes in a bag and waited by the car.
Exactly thirty minutes after he had left the kitchen, Ludwig arrived at his car, a suitcase in one hand, a pair of cleats in the other. Gilbert applauded. "Punctual to the minute, as always," he smiled.
"Shut up and get in the car. I'll drive," Ludwig ordered. As one could easily tell from his expression his mood was at rock bottom.
Gilbert couldn't blame him. It hadn't been nice of Francis to leave without saying good-bye, no matter how angry he had been. Gilbert ignored the fact that Francis's anger had been his fault. He got in the car and did not even have time to grab his seat belt before Ludwig already had pulled out of the driveway.
"You told Francis where we're about to go, didn't you?" Ludwig growled.
Gilbert quickly nodded. "Yeah, yeah I did. I told you I would take care of all the rest, didn't I?" His brother's mood raised his hackles. This was dangerous and far less fun than he had expected.
Most of their journey to Italy was very quiet. Gilbert didn't dare to speak to his brother about nonsense and especially not about any serious topic. Both could be very dangerous. He couldn't tell what was on his brother's mind. Before the war, over fifty years ago, he could always guess his baby brother's thoughts. It had been so easy. They had been so close. Ludwig had looked ever so happy when he had been with Feliciano. And now this was all gone. In just forty brief years the world as he had known it had disappeared.
But he was determined to fix it at any cost. Ludwig just didn't know what was best for him.
~July 4th~
It hadn't taken them long to get to Turin, much to Gilbert's relief. Being unable to escape when an extremely pissed off West was next to him hadn't been much pleasant. Of course Gilbert hadn't expected to be thanked at this point of his totally awesome plan. But seeing his brother being so angry was not fair. They were going to see Feliciano soon, andWest really should be looking forward to it. But no, all West was thinking about was that stupid Frenchman. Or so Gilbert had figured.
At least they hadn't come for nothing. The two of them had spent the evening beforein a nearby bar, watching the match between Argentina and Italy with some locals. Too bad that the Italian team had lost, though for Gilbert, seeing West cheer for the Italians made up for this.
Besides, he didn't care much about the result. It didn't matter who they would beat in the final and he was sure that they would win, no matter who the opponent was.
This evening was even better. As always, playing football with England was great fun, since Arthur was one of the few even Gilbert accepted as a worthy – still much less awesome than himself but worthy enough – opponent.
Watching West and Arthur after the match was even better. Since the German team had won, West had invited Arthur for a beer (or two, or many) and after some time, they started to argue about some match in 1966 which Gilbert didn't really understand, though it seemed of great importance to the two.
But, hey, at least that kept West in the bar and Gilbert himself entertained until the special guest arrived. Gilbert wouldn't be his awesome self if he let things just develop over time. He knew that this was one of many things that made him awesome, andthat sometimes, things needed a little push into the right direction.
That was why he had invited little Feliciano over for the victory party. This way, he could supervise his clumsy little brother and maybe get them closer again. The evening was going to go so awesome, Gilbert was sure.
At about elven, Gilbert finally spotted said Italian. "Oi, Feliciano, over here!" he yelled over the noise, waving. West next to him jerked like something had bitten him.
"Ve~ Gilbert, ciao," the little brunette chirped as he bounced over to them. "Oh, and hi, Ludwig," he added shyly, unable to look the taller man in the eye. West, too, had turned his head away as he greeted the unexpected newcomer.
Gilbert putted his arms around the shoulders of the two of them and hugged them. "What's with the long faces? We're here to celebrate. Feliciano, have a beer." And with this, he shoved a mug of beer into the Italian's hands who was still anxiously staring at Ludwig.
Ludwig, too, was unable to turn away from his former lover. Gilbert interpreted the small blush that had appeared on his cheeks as a sign of how well his plan hadworked. Of course it worked since it was his plan. So little West really still held feelings for Feliciano. A bright grin appeared on Gilbert's face.
He put a hand on both Feliciano's and Ludwig's backs and pushed them towards an unoccupied booth. "I'm sure you have a lot to tell each other. Why don't you sit down for a while and talk in peace?" He ignored the slight protest from them and made them sit down, making sure that both their glasses were filled before he returned to Arthur.
Gilbert watched them from a distance, seeing them becoming more and more talkative as time passed. He was very pleased with himself for thinking of such an awesome plan. Gilbert's mood was even good enough to endure Arthur turning into a whiny drunk and started to agree with every bad thing he said about Alfred, which wasn't exactly what Gilbert thought of as a difficult task. Being with that communist for such a long time had had it's effects even on his awesome self.
When they finally left for their hotel, it was almost time for the sun to rise. Gilbert had to secure the Englishman. Seeing his brother chatting with Feliciano like it was fifty yearsago totallymade up for that. The little Italian accompanied them to their hotel and kissed both Ludwig and Gilbert good-bye.
Ludwig was silent when they were back at their room and refused to tell his nosy brother abouthow it had gonewith Feliciano. All Gilbert found out was that they had agreed to meet after the final. This was good enough for him, though.
~July 8th~
After the match, Gilbert was as happy as he could be. Not only hadthey had won, but also his little brother was meeting with the one person he would grant Ludwig. Everything seemed to be just perfect and was going according to his plan.
What he hadn't planned on was a furious Francis running towards him. However, he was currently so satisfied that this didn't ruin his mood. In fact, it made his mood even better. Now he could see Francis's reaction to the great news he had.
"Hi, Francis," he greeted the other with a sly grin.
"Where's your brother?" Francis asked without bothering to greet him in return.
"He's with Feliciano," cheered Gilbert. "I think they will start to date again soon. I'm so sorry for you but it seems as if West has his mind back now."
Francis sighed. "So that's why he called and told me he wanted to see me after he had met with Feliciano."
"Exactly. West told me this morning that he wants to break up with you," Gilbert told the Frenchman. Of course Ludwig had never said such a thing, but Gilbert was sure he wouldn't mind.
Francis shook his head in disbelief. Even to Gilbert, he looked very pitiful right now, almost pathetic. He awkwardly patted the other's shoulder as if that could cheer him up.
A/N:
Franzmann is a not-so nice way to say "Frenchman" in German.