Chapter 12: Germany and Prussia

It was time. Brother or no brother, this was no way to live, not for someone as awesome as him. Hiding away so no one could come after him and make sure he didn't come back; mooching off his thoughtful younger brother that fed and took care of him just as he had for him when they were younger…it wasn't right. He may have been obnoxious, self-righteous, narcissistic, and maybe a little annoying, but he knew from right and wrong and he cared about family deeply.

Unfortunately, so did his brother. Part of him knew that his brother was doing this for both of their sakes. Sure he kept him safe and hidden from the world and a place to stay under his house, but he knew that he also kept him there so he could have his older brother to himself. It was time to address the problem, time to tell him that this wasn't healthy for either of them. Not only that, it was time to tell his brother about him.

With things packed and in hand, his yellow pet bird on his shoulder, he trudged up the basement stairs to find his brother. "Yo We-…Germany…Bruder…you home?" he cried, searching in every room until he found him. He grinned a mischievous and delighted grin as he found him not alone but once again scolding that dim witted Italy again. It quickly faded as he remembered how much his brother loved that dim witted Italy. 'I suppose Italy will be my replacement…the person to pick up the pieces after I'm gone…' he smiled bitter-sweetly to himself, 'at least he can make him happy…' he snapped out of it when he heard the sobbing in the other room stop and the front door close he peeked around the corner to see his brother rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration then give a delighted smile. That smile…how he loved it when his brother smiled, he never smiled enough he thought. Now he was about to break that smile…break him even further after so many losses and blows over the years already.

A deep, calming breath surged through his lungs as he let it out slowly and rounded the corner with his things. "Hallo…bruder…" he mumbled, his voice cold and sober instead of his usual jovial overconfident manner. That moment, his brother knew something was wrong.

"Ja, Pru—Gilbert, what's wrong?" he asked, immediately correcting himself, his stare harsh with concern. Prussia didn't dare look him in the eyes and he felt the stare piercing through his chest. How he ached with all the emotions surging through him, only one of them was truly happy and it was the dimmest feeling in his heart right now.

The two of them stood there, frozen in their silence. Gilbert wouldn't look at him, memories of all the things they ever did together flooded his mind. How could he be turning his back to all of that? Could he really do this, right here, right now? He could. He had to. It was the best solution, wasn't it? He got to live with Canada, Canada had him all to himself, and Germany could live happily on his own or with Italy without having to worry about his older brother. Everyone won, right? This was a good thing!

So why the hell couldn't he just say good bye and walk out the door?
Another deep breath, "Ludwig...the awesome me doesn't feel awesome staying with you anymore," Dead silence, and then he added, "I have to leave. I met someone…and….he's almost as awesome as me…almost…Canada really does have a nice place…" he stopped himself and found that he could finally look up at his brother. The expression on his pale face was one of heart break and confusion.

"You're…you're leaving me for…who…?"

Prussia growled, "CANADA YOU DUMMKOPF! AMERICA'S LITTLE BROTHER!" it always pissed him off when no one remembered Canada. He'd spent many a night comforting the soft spoken country and telling him that he was loved and wanted. But his reaction just now, well, it wasn't the right time or place for it. Gilbert caught himself and quickly apologized.

He sighed and clenched his fist. This wasn't going as he had planned. Why? Why was this so difficult and stupid and not awesome? And then he heard it…that withheld cracking sound of his brother trying to stay composed and manly and keeping back his sobs. Verdammt. That only made it harder for him.

"Why bruder? Why do you have to leave now?" he pleaded, his voice low and hushed.

"Because I have to. It's not good for either of us to keep me here, Luddy. You and I both know it. Its ok, you're house won't be less awesome cause I'm gone. It'll stay awesome cause I was here." He forced a grin and a thumbs up before pushing past him through the front door.

It was for the best.

He could finally be Germany.

No more worries.

But so much heart ache.