Chapter 5!

Warnings: Angst... Lots and lots of angst.

"Gott bruder... I am alright. I'm alive see?" Ludwig said, sounding rather exasperated, though he returned the fierce hug after a moment with a sigh and a small, reserved smile. "It takes more than a few infected to kill me. You should know that." He teased, though the slight trembling in his hands betrayed just how strong his sense of relief was now that he wasn't alone and, more importantly, was with his brother again. It had been hard, being alone, especially knowing it was because he hadn't moved fast enough...

"Where is everyone else? I figured they would have stayed with you if something went...wrong...Ludwig what's wrong?" Gilbert asked looking up from examining his brother closely when he caught the sheen of depression and grief in his brother's cerulean eyes. Slowly, his grin faded into an almost anguished frown of realization. Surely they couldn't all have... "Oh...they didn't...not even Vati?" He whispered, only the sheen of unshed tears in his ruby eyes giving away the grief that was suddenly overwhelming him. None of them had survived? Feliciano... Vater? It hurt more than he could put into words as he shuddered and pulled his brother into a hug again, tighter and almost desperate this time, trying to seek comfort from someone who would fully understand and share his suddenly crushing grief.

Arthur felt a small pang of sympathy for the poor man as the albino looked away a moment, his eyes focusing onto some distant object as he fought to clear them of the offending tears welling up behind his eyelids. Subconsciously, Arthur edged closer to Antonio and spared a thought for his own family, miles away and on their own... He couldn't help but wonder if any of them had escaped the infection.

"Vati... I... Bruder... Es tut mir leid." Ludwig whispered almost silently, face burning in shame while tears of his own threatened to fall. It was funny, in a cruel sort of way. He had always been thought of as the stronger and more responsible of the two once he hit his midteens, but he couldn't help think that if it had been Gilbert with them instead of him, everyone would be alright. After all, his brother had always known what to do. "I couldn't... They were everywhere bruder... All around the house... I tried... I... I told Feli to hide in the bathroom..." He said in the same, near silent whisper. Even the soundless words shook as he spoke and he had to stop to clear his throat for a moment as grief threatened to overwhelm him. "Vati and I... We ran upstairs... Got the guns. Everything looked ok... But then Feli screamed downstairs... I.. I didn't even think bruder! He... He was Vati! Vati... he's never struggled with anything... I thought for sure he'd... but... but I lost them both..." The younger German's voice cracked and broke in his grief, words croaking in places, losing all sound in others. It was his fault they both were dead. Had he just... done something different...

Antonio could feel the two Germans' misery, almost as if it was his own. What would he do if his Padre and... his Arthur... If they... But he shook his head, riding his mind of the gruesome images and instead moving until he could wrap his arms around Arthur's waist and pull him close. He felt as though he didn't belong there, with the two German brothers as the grieved, and it was with that mentality that he slowly pulled Arthur further into the house to give them space.

Gilbert remained silent for a moment as he struggled to keep the grief at bay. Instead he focused his attention onto the fact that his brother needed him to be strong for him right then. He would have time to grieve later when they were safe. Sighing shakily, he clenched his eyes closed and pulled his brother into another fierce hug. "You did everything that you could. Vati wouldn't want you to grieve bruder... he would want you to escape and move on." He pointed out firmly, voice rasping with his grief as he pulled away from the hug and smiled shakily at his brother. "We'll get out of here together, and we'll keep living, because that's what Beilschmidts do." *His voice was firm and insisting as he worked to shove aside his own grief in order to comfort his brother. "It wasn't your fault bruder. You did everything that you could." He soothed, as he always did when Luddy was hurting or scared or blaming himself, wiping the tear from his brother's face. "And you've still got me right? I won't let anything happen to you bruderchen...we'll get out of here together."

Ludwig closed his eyes and shuddered once, a full body thing that was full of fear, but when his eyes opened again, he looked determined, nodding to his brother and returning the smile and hug shakily. There was nothing he could do about his fallen loved ones now... "You're right... I can hear Vati now. "Ludwig! What are you doing, moping about when there are other people's lives at stake?"" He shook his head with a sad smile. "We'll get out of here and be fine... You and Eliza have to be tired, ja? I think we can get away with staying here one more night..." He said, though he looked uncertain.

"Ja I suppose he would be scolding us both." Gilbert chuckled softly gesturing for Elizabeta to come stand by him, unwilling to leave his brother's side now that they had been reunited.

"I think staying the night somewhere safe would be...wunderbar actually." He pointed out with a small exhausted grin, heart clenching a bit at the fear and uncertainty in his brother's usually strong and sure eyes. With a sigh he ran a pigmentless hand through his tangled hair, ruby eyes flashing hopefully. "Is it too much to hope that the water is still running?"

"Mmmm. The water is still running, but its cold." Ludwig said with an apologetic glance at his brother before walking into the kitchen to where the two strangers had disappeared. Seeing them entangled together in a pretzel-like hug, his bright blue orbs filled with confusion at first, and then extreme sorrow, before settling on mild curiosity. "Who are you?" He asked, not unfriendly more so than firm in demanding an answer.

Gilbert grinned slightly when he heard that the water was still running and leaned up against the wall of the entranceway, frowning at the authoritative ring in his brother's voice. "Luddy, be nice. They're nice enough." He called with a good humored smile, eyes glancing towards Elizabeta with a wink, causing her to laugh softly. "You don't have to command them into answering things. I'm sure they'll tell you if you just ask." He continued, pulling his wife into him when she came to stand beside him, green eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I wasn't being unfriendly!" Ludwig retorted with a good natured roll of his eyes before returning his attention to the men before him who still had yet to speak. "Well? Who are you?" He asked again, this time more curious than commanding.

Antonio warily held onto Arthur, heart fluttering in his chest at the direct, almost confrontational question that came from the younger German's mouth. A sheepish, uncertain smile formed on his face when the question was asked a second time. He certainly didn't want to appear rude or unfriendly in the stranger's house. "I suppose introductions are important... I'm Antonio Fernandez Carriedo. We ran into tu hermano on the road and he offered to let us trail behind." He explained, arms tightening around Arthur hesitantly as Ludwig simply nodded at him and looked at the blonde expectantly.

Arthur had been scanning around the room warily when Antonio tightened his hold on him, causing him to blink in surprise as he realized the German was waiting for him to speak. Embarrassed at having been caught zoning out, he flushed faintly. "I'm Arthur Kirkland." He answered, cursing as his voice shook slightly and moving forward with his hand extended for the man to shake with a small, shy smile on his face. "It's a pleasure to find another friendly face."

Ludwig smiled faintly at Arthur's kind words and reached forward to take his hand, shaking it firmly. "Likewise to you, Mr. Kirkland. If mein bruder has yet to offer you a place to say, let me extend the invitation and say you may stay as long as we do." He offered kindly, leading the way back into the living room to rejoin Gilbert and Elizabeta.

"We'll stay here for tonight. I'll take watch and we'll head out in the morning." He decided, locking eyes with his brother for a moment in a silent question of approval. He looked away only when Gilbert nodded in reluctance.

"I'll let you take watch, but only if you agree to wake me up if you get tired." Gilbert compromised with a sigh, knowing the argument that would arise if he disagreed wouldn't be worth it.

Ludwig nodded his agreement and glanced back towards Arthur and Antonio. "Sleep while it is safe... I assume you two will be travelling with us in the morning?" He questioned, cerulean eyes calculating some form of plan or another.

Antonio nodded and moved forward with Arthur, defensive and almost as wary of the German as he was of the flesh eaters. "Si. We'll stick with you guys. Survival will be easier with five sets of eyes instead of two..." He stated slowly, not liking being under the calm blue eyes of the muscular teen.

"Anthony!" Arthur cautioned, a bit exasperated when he caught the defensive gleam in Antonio's eyes. Smiling warmly up at Ludwig he nodded and sighed, eyes apologetic for his Spaniard's strange behavior. "A bed would be wonderful. Thank you for letting us stay with you." He nodded graciously, nudging Antonio when the man still seemed wary. What had gotten into him?

Elizabeta giggled softly at Antonio's defensiveness as she leaned into her husband, remembering how possessive Gilbert got in situations that made him uncomfortable. She took one of his pale hands in hers at the thought as they stood there, pressing her lips to the back of his ice cold hand. "You alright dear?" She asked in a soft, concerned voice, knowing how hard it must be for him to have lost his father.

Glancing at Elizabeta, Gilbert nodded grimly, reaching out to brush some hair from her face affectionately, though his eyes glowed with pain. "Of course I'm alright liebe...just tired is all." He mumbled with an exhausted sigh. He was lying of course, the pain of losing his father was tearing away at his insides furiously, but she didn't need to know that. She needed him to be strong for her, and damn it he was going to be strong.

Elizabeta didn't believe him in the slightest, she knew him too well to believe the facade. He'd hide whatever hurt him from everyone if he thought it might endanger someone he loved. "You don't have to be brave dear... If you hurt, you should never hesitate to tell me, even if you think it isn't a good thing for me to see you 'weakened' or what have you..." She said, voice soft but firm. "We can be strong for each other... It doesn't all have to be on your shoulders." She whispered to him in a soft enough voice that her words didn't carry further than their ears.

"You know Luddy, you might let Arthur and Antonio take over watch at some point when you get tired." Gilbert suggested, trying to avoid the whispered conversation. He knew ignoring Elizabeta's words made her worry for him, but he really didn't have it in him to try to lie better, nor did he want to have such a conversation, no matter how disapproving her sea green eyes on him were.

"That sounds fine to me. I wouldn't mind keeping watch at all, what with the kindness you all have shown to us." Arthur shrugged, glancing around the well-built home and realizing that it had been fortified rather well for the amount of time Ludwig must have had. Windows barred, door enforced with a hotel style lock, the kind that kept the door from opening more than a handful of centimeters when the lock was flipped.

Antonio on the other hand, who was hardly discouraged from his defensive possessiveness, still had his eyes locked on Ludwig holding a rather challenging gleam in the fiery, verdant depths. He didn't particularly like the clearly strong, intimidating teenager being so close to Arthur in the slightest, not with how big and threatening the he could easily be. "We can take watch later, si." He all but growled, eyes flashing in nervous discontent and a faint hostility.

Arthur rolled his eyes dramatically and grabbed onto Antonio's collar hauling him towards the stairs with a grumble of irritation. Glancing at Ludwig as they moved up the stairs he smiled brightly his eyes still flashing slightly. "Sorry about him, mate...he just woke up...bit grumpy. Thank you for the room though, wake us when you need us to keep watch or if you need anything at all alright?" He beamed shooting a slightly worried glance at Elizabeta and Gilbert as he caught sight of the grief in both of their shoulders.

"Good night you two. We'll see you in the morning." He called to them before dragging Antonio up the stairs to the room Ludwig had indicated looking rather cross with the Spaniard for what he considered a very rude display to their new host.

"Guten nacht." Gilbert waved after the two before turning back to Elizabeta with a sigh, smiling shakily. "I'm alright Liza...just...I just need a bit." He admitted softly glancing at his brother.

Suddenly the prospect of sleep with such a heavy heart seemed ridiculously irrational, leaving him to glace at his brother with a sigh. "Bruder... I don't particularly like the idea of you staying on guard by yourself. Maybe after I shower I'll come join you, ja? Then we can switch off with Arthur and Antonio so we can all get some sleep." He suggested calmly, hoping against hope that his brother would agree. When Ludwig shook his head, eyes firm, he sighed. "Are you sure? I don't want you down here by yourself." He pointed out sternly, hand resting on Elizabeta's shoulder gently.

When he saw the stubborn look in Ludwig's eyes he sighed again. It really was pointless to argue. "You shout if you need anything at all alright? I don't care if you stub your toe I want to know about it." He commanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "You don't leave this house, and you do not go near the windows on the bottom floor. Stay alert and wake me up at three because I'm taking over at that point, Antonio and Arthur can sleep tonight."

Elizabeta smiled sympathetically at her husband, though she agreed with Ludwig that he needed sleep. With a little sigh and understanding eyes, she kissed him softly. "Go shower dear. I'll head upstairs to bed with you." She said, before sending a glance Ludwig's direction. "Unless you want me to stay down here?" It was doubtful, but she figured she would offer.

Ludwig shook his head, though not unkindly, and moved to sit in the middle of the living room floor, a shot gun slung across his shoulder, his Vati's rifle in his lap and a pistol on his belt. "I'm fine, danke though. Go on to bed Elizabeta. Bruder, I'll wake you when I am tired, no sooner." He insisted stubbornly, blue eyes flashing defiantly. Gilbert needed sleep, he could see it in his older brother's eyes and posture.

"Ok ok..." Gilbert grumbled, looking defeated and exhausted.

Glancing at his brother, he smiled shakily when he recognized the rifle. "Hey...make sure you clean that thing before you use it. It jams if it gets grit in the chamber remember? We always tried to get him to replace it...but you know...sentimental value." He whispered, dangerously close to breaking down at the memories.

Quickly, trying desperately to hide his crumbling façade, he turned and moved upstairs slowly. "Head on up once you say goodnight Eliza." He called over his shoulder before disappearing into what had once been his bedroom.

Scavenging through the clothes he had left he found a new set of jeans, boxers and a folded black t-shirt before moving into the bathroom and turning on the shower. Slowly he stepped into the tub, trembling already though not because of the icy water. It was only once he got situated into the frigid water that he sighed and rested his arm against the wall, allowing the first of many tears to roll down his face. "Gott verdammt Vater...you were too strong to go down like that, damn you." He croaked as he allowed soft sobs to wrack his frame into a freezing oblivion.

"Vater was such a stubborn old man... Just like Gil..." Ludwig's eyes clouded with grief and he looked down with a shrug, saying nothing more to hide how close he was to tears. He was grateful that his brother left when he had. Never would he shake the idea that his Vati's death was his fault.

"I think it runs in the family, dear. You're stubborn just like them." Elizabeta laughed softly, her eyes dull with sorrow and concern as sat beside him for a few minutes, hugging him and rocking the much bigger person in an almost motherly fashion. She sat with him like that for a few minutes before she kissed the top of his head and got up to go into Gilbert's room. "You two are so similar... Don't be afraid to let the hurt out Ludwig... Now good night... Stay safe dear." Her voice was firm and caring as she left him, hoping maybe being alone would help him grieve.

Ludwig nodded with a weak smile in her general direction as she left for his brother's room, wishing that letting his pain out was as easy as she made it sound. With a miserable sigh, he settled a bit more from where he sat in the center of the room, prepared to sit out yet another sleepless night, knowing sleep would only bring on nightmares of his Vati and his Feliciano being bitten.

Antonio gazed evenly at Arthur when he was spun around to face the fuming Englishman as they reached their borrowed room, eyes narrowed and lips in a hard, thin line. His eyes were clearly challenging, though they also burned with shame at his overreaction. Surely Arthur could hardly blame him for being possessive, even though his display may have been a bit over the top? In all honesty he was simply just terrified of losing the man! He was so afraid of that possibility, that it sent his stomach churning sickeningly each time he merely thought of it. At this point it didn't matter whether they had known each other for all their lives or just a few days, he loved Arthur and wasn't about to let anyone or anything take him away, even if he couldn't quite admit the words directly to the man.

"Care to explain?" Arthur demanded in irritation, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared back at him. He could understand the possessiveness, but as far as he had been concerned Ludwig had made no move that seemed even the slightest bit threatening. He wasn't mad at the man, but he certainly was irritated that he had gotten so touchy on the drop of a hat! Though deep down, he might have been the slightest bit flattered at the same time, not that he would ever admit to that.

Antonio frowned, not really wanting to feel bad but he did. He hadn't wanted to make Arthur angry with him, more than just to protect him. Ludwig was much bigger than either of them and had something brought them to a fight, he wouldn't have been able to keep Arthur safe! "Not really amigo... I don't really know how to anyway." He admitted with clearly conflicted that did nothing to hide his swirling emotions.

Arthur raised an eyebrow and looked a bit miffed. What did he mean he didn't know how to explain? "No? You don't want a chance to explain yourself? Antonio that man and his brother just let us into their home and you treated them like they were going to eat me alive!" He whispered in a hiss, not wanting to raise his voice when the people down the hall might be trying to sleep. "I don't understand...why are you so suspicious of the poor man? I wouldn't leave you for him if that's what you think!" Arthur snapped looking livid as he started to believe perhaps the Spaniard thought he would be so flighty as to up and leave him the minute an attractive blonde came wandering into the picture.

Flinching slightly, pain flashed through Antonio's eyes. That wasn't what he had thought at all! Why would Arthur think so low of him? He was so distraught, the implications of Arthur's words didn't even register in his brain. "Amigo no! I... you got it all wrong! I... I just..." He stuttered, floundering in his attempts at an explanation. How stupid he surely sounded, unable to form proper sentences. His cheeks burned in embarrassment and he bit his lip, moving past Arthur to head toward the door, wanting to just sit in the hallway for a moment.

Arthur's eyes followed Antonio as he moved past him. With a sudden pang of realization he felt his heart clench painfully. He hadn't meant to hurt the man...he just...he wasn't used to anyone caring enough to make a scene. Eyes suddenly remorseful, his hand lashed out catching ahold of Antonio's sleeve desperately. "Don't go! I...I didn't mean it like that." He whispered lowering his gaze and releasing the man's arm once he had him stopped. Wrapping his arms around himself he stared down at the floor nervously as he thought of a proper apology, face burning with shame. With his eyes trained on the floor, he didn't see the absolute confusion and bewilderment in the poor Spaniard's eyes. "I...I was...I was just confused. I've never had anyone care so much for me...and well...I'm not sure what to expect." He whispered, scuffing his foot across the ground. "I'm sorry Antonio...I didn't mean to snap. I just...didn't understand why."

Antonio felt very small under Arthur's words, his face positively glowing in embarrassment and discomfort. "N-No no amigo. I wasn't leaving…. Just going to go sit in the hallway because I am very embarrassed!" He stammered, looking everywhere but at Arthur who was still looking down at the floor. He was no good at this! "I-I shouldn't have... I just... Um..." He blushed and moved back a bit, wanting very much to disappear. How was he supposed to explain? At this point he was so flustered he nearly felt like wailing in his distress. I just... it... it hurts to think of... losing you... and if he... I just... Lo siento. I feel so bad for upsetting you!" He attempted, stuttering and mumbling, desperately wishing he could turn invisible.

A feeling regret for yelling at the man welled up in Arthur's chest as Antonio stammered and blushed furiously, not having realized how strongly the Spaniard felt about whatever had caused him to be so unfriendly downstairs. Guess the poor man wasn't the only one to overreact...

Stepping forward, Arthur wrapped him in a hug from behind and rested his cheek against his shoulder. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to upset you or embarrass you Antonio." He murmured feeling ashamed for snapping at the man who obviously cared very much for him. To think he had been fearful of something happening to him! "You care so much for me...and I turn around and scold you for simply attempting to protect me. I'm so sorry." He whispered sounding genuinely apologetic and grief stricken. "Don't feel bad...I should feel bad for not understanding how stressed you are about trying to keep me alive."

Antonio just sort of shrugged and fixed his eyes on his hands, wishing away the pressure building behind his eyes. "Really I shouldn't have... I'm sorry... I... I'll just... try harder to back off next time..." He whispered, completely tense as Arthur hugged him, feeling undeserving in his embarrassment and his shame to accept such a gesture. It didn't help that a piece of himself was asking why he felt so hurt by Arthur's previous anger, even though the Englishman had apologized for it. Far from feeling any better or less like he wanted to be invisible, Antonio kept his eyes trained on everything but Arthur.

Arthur bit his lip as Antonio still refused to look at him. On a whim, he buried his face into the man's overheated neck and closed his eyes a moment as he struggled to find something to say. "Please...don't beat yourself up. It's my damned fault...I shouldn't...I shouldn't have yelled at you." He whispered removing his arms from around Antonio when he still didn't look his way and moving over to the bed, sitting with a heavy sigh and staring down at his hands. "You deserve so much better...I just...I can't believe it myself that you care so much for me. I thought perhaps you did think I was the type to run off with some... buff blonde if he bats an eyelash at me. Because I'm not!" He promised looking up at the man in hopes of catching his eye. "I'm not angry...I was just confused is all...please don't look so upset love."

"I don't think that..." Antonio mumbled, hanging his head. The posture made him look rather defeated as he just stood there, his blush not even trying to fade from his face. Some way to mess things up already! He was no good at any of this! "I'll be better... I promise... I won't be so... defensive and clingy... I'm sorry... Lo siento... It's ok to yell if you were upset... I understand I made you uncomfortable... I'm sorry." He stuttered even softer, rooted to the spot as he tried to decide whether to go sit on the bed beside Arthur or perhaps go sleep on a couch downstairs.

Arthur couldn't express the relief that filled his chest as Antonio admitted that he didn't think he was some sort of loose person. Sighing in relief, he glanced up at him. "I didn't say I didn't want you to be clingy and defensive..." He whispered, looking up at him with a small shaky smile that he had to force to keep on his face as he spotted the defeated posture that Antonio had taken up. Sighing heavily, he lifted a hand and gestured for the man to come sit down beside him, hoping they were at least a little closer to fixing things. "You aren't planning on making me sleep alone, are you?" He asked shyly, his smile encouraging as he tried to get his Spaniard to come back to him.

Antonio hesitated, having caught the gesture from the corner of his eye. A weak, wispy smile pulled at the corners of his lips at Arthur's words, though he still looked guarded and crushed. At least he wouldn't have to sleep without Arthur, even though he had been so defensive and then a flustered fool. "I was thinking about it... But if you want me to, I would very much like to stay..." *He said softly, peeking up at Arthur through his long lashes almost nervously, as if he was afraid that Arthur would be cruel and tell him no.

Arthur frowned slightly as the man admitted he was planning on leaving him alone and shook his head, heart clenching with fear at the very thought of being alone. "I want you to stay Antonio...I don't want you to go to bed thinking I'm still angry at you." He murmured, patting the bed next to him insistently, feeling positively terrible for putting the crushed look onto Antonio's face. "Please don't be upset... I... I didn't mean to upset you." He whispered, looking up at the miserable looking Spaniard through pale eyelashes as a few tears formed stubbornly in his eyes.

Antonio slowly made his way to the bed and sat down beside Arthur with a soft sigh. A deep frown formed on his face when he caught sight of the tears in Arthur's eyes and hesitantly, he opened his arms, wondering if Arthur would come and fill the space between them or not. He vowed to himself that he would try his hardest to never upset him again. He really was just mortified at the idea of losing his Arthur...

Arthur looked up as Antonio sat next to him with a heavy sigh and found himself startled when the man opened up his arms hesitantly. Slowly, shyly Arthur moved forward into Antonio's arms and when he didn't turn him away, threw his arms around the man's neck and kissed him gently, feeling a weight lift off of him as Antonio hugged him fiercely. "I'm sorry love...I didn't mean to hurt you." He whispered insistently, not planning on stopping his apologies until Antonio verbally said it was alright.

Antonio immediately wrapped his arms around his waist tightly, shivering with relief as Arthur's lips met his. Everything was ok in his world again as they sat there holding each other. I didn't mean to anger you, amor... but everything is all better now, si?"

Arthur nodded and slowly pulled them both down against the bed, suddenly exhausted now that they were alright again. "Of course love. Everything is fine so long as you stop feeling bad." He assured, resting his head on Antonio's chest and smiling faintly as he felt arm, strong arms wrap around him, even if they were a little hesitant yet.

"Vale vale... I think maybe we should sleep now, si? It is going to be another long day tomorrow I think and I am tired... You look tired too amor... So buenos noches. Sleep well mi flor." He whispered, running gentle fingers through Arthur's hair as he closed his beautiful verdant eyes, breathing evening out almost as soon as they closed.

Arthur laughed softly, amazed at the man's ability to fall asleep so quickly and closed his eyes as well, though sleep didn't claim him right away like it had the Spaniard. Instead he listened to the man breath in and out, the repetitious action and sound lulling him slowly. "Good night love." He mumbled after a few minutes, sleep claiming him shortly afterwards.

Gilbert was still in the shower when he heard Elizabeta enter his room. The water was freezing him slowly, leaving his translucent self to shiver. It wasn't fair! Sure his Vater and him had some tough times, but that didn't mean he wouldn't give anything to have the man back.

Shuddering, he sighed and turned the knob until nothing fell from the shower head, the water cold enough to force the flood of tears in his eyes to remain hidden where they belonged. Toweling off, he threw on a new pair of pants and stepped into the room still towel drying his hair as he attempted to put on a brave face for his wife.

"Hallo...how is he?" He asked tossing the towel on the floor and moving to sit on the bed with a sigh.

"He's... just like you. Hiding everything... But he's strong and will be ok... And so will you." Elizabeta sighed and looked upset. She could see the pain in her husband's crimson eyes, even if she couldn't hear it in his words. Him and Ludwig were so much alike... If they weren't careful, they'd end up making themselves sick by hanging onto their grief like they were.

Gilbert nodded grimly and pulled her down onto his lap burying his face into her shoulder. "I'm going to miss the old man...he...he wasn't the best father, but...Gott I still loved him." He whispered softly, his face hidden from her view as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.

Elizabeta hid her surprise at the unexpected reaction by wrapping her arms around him and soothingly rubbing his back. She hadn't expected anything close to him discussing the elderly German. "I know, love. I know... Shhh It's ok... It's hard to lose your father." It was all she could think to say as her thoughts flew to her adoptive father. Was the loud, strong Turkish man alright? Of course the shuddering man in her arms quickly reclaimed her attention as she felt tears soak into her clothing.

Nodding slowly, he sobbed softly into her shoulder as she rubbed at his back gently, seeking comfort from the gentle gesture. "Gott...I just...I should have been here for them." He choked out, his grip tightening around her almost painfully. Had they not have gone out to celebrate their marriage, would Feliciano and his Vater still be alive? It was hard to know that maybe they'd still be alright had he just stayed at Ludwig's house with his Eliza.

There was no point in dwelling on what he couldn't fix, no matter how much it hurt. It was far more important to focus on the living, on the woman in his arms and the teenager downstairs who still needed him. "I promise you...I will never let anything hurt you or Ludwig. We'll get out of this hell hole and find somewhere safe so we can start a life just like I promised you before."

Elizabeta rocked him gently, similar to how she had Ludwig in the livingroom. "Love... you couldn't have known this was going to happen... It's not your fault... And it isn't Ludwig's fault either..." There wasn't going to be any self hating going on so long as she was around. "You are right though. We are all together now... and we'll be fine." She assured firmly. If she and Gil could stay alive, just the two of them on there way here, the five of them would be more than capable of staying alive.

Gilbert nodded slowly and rested his head against her shoulder, too tired to cry as the fear and grief still pulled at his mind. "We're all together now..." He repeated softly, his hands running through her hair more to sooth himself than his wife. The soft, silky strands helped to clear his head, if only just a little.

"Where do we go from here? We obviously can't stay in this damned house." That much had proven true with the lose of his vater and Ludwig's little Italian.

Eliza sighed and thought for a minute, hugging him tightly. It was a good question. "I... don't know. I'd say somewhere unpopulated,,, But..." She trailed off with another sigh. There was no point in going to look for Sadiq. He was on the other side of the continent. If he had even made it back home or was still alive. "I don't really know."

Catching the concerned and distant look in Elizabeta's eyes, Gilbert sighed heavily, hugging her tightly to him. "We'll figure this out...and maybe...well maybe we'll find your family. Sadiq and the others weren't leaving for a bit after the wedding...maybe their flight got cancelled and they're in the area?" His words were hopeful as he continued to run his fingers through his wife's hair absently.

As hopeful as his words were, Elizabeta knew her father and shook her head in disagreement. "No... He'll be heading home... Heracles was sick and didn't come to the wedding remember? He'll be fighting his way home... stubborn man... I'm sure he'll be fine..." She sighed, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself than Gilbert.

I'm sure he'll be just fine." Gilbert nodded in agreement, kissing her temple. With a low groan he laid down on the bed, pulling Eliza with him. Despite it all, yet another worry nagged in the back of his mind.

"I'm sorry that our honeymoon turned to such...hell." He pointed out with a sigh, kissing her gently again and pulling the blankets over them. "I promised you a romantic escape and well..." He sighed in frustration looking rather put out with himself. "Someday we'll get that vacation Liza...I promise."

A soft laugh filled the air around them as she returned the kiss, finding it in herself to smile just a little. "Mmm... I have you, and we are safe, for the night at least. That's all that matters in the end." Elizabeta decided, resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes.

"Ja..." Gilbert muttered sleepily, his hand weaving through her hair softly. "Ich liebe dich Eliza." He whispered, his eyes closing with a flutter.

Elizabeta laughed softly once more, eyes staying closed as she stifled a yawn. "Mmm... Szeretlek Gil." *She whispered, before allowing sleep to claim her.

As always, let us know what you all think! We love hearing from you guys!

For those who need it:

Ich liebe dich- I love you (German)

Szeretlek- Love you (Hungarian)