T/W for this chapter: Violence and Injury

Chapter 9: Protective Mentality

1st May 1945

Ivan was sitting with his sisters and Poland as they ate some food. The war had been going exceptionally well for them and currently they were working on taking Berlin and it had almost fallen.

It had been over 2 years now since Ivan had last seen Gilbert and he still found himself thinking of him often, especially the night of Gilbert's birthday. Placing his food down he pulled the music box out again, winding it up and playing it.

'Brother, it's so pretty, let me have it.' Natalia said as she clung onto his arm desperately.

'I will buy you your own when we get home. This one is precious to me.' Ivan sighed, putting it back away.

'Why is it precious brother! Did another girl give it to you!' Natalia growled as she began to crush Ivan's arm.

'Stop hurting me! It wasn't a girl who gave it to me!' Ivan cried out.

'Natalia leave him alone and finish your food. We need to be strong to finish the Germans off.' Ukraine ordered.

Belarus just glared at her causing Ukraine to jump slightly.

'Please let go. No one gave it to me. I just like the song.' Ivan said weakly.

This seemed to satisfy Belarus as she loosened her grip on his arm but still refused to let go completely much to Russia's discomfort.

He did love both his sisters dearly but Belarus scared him so much with how she would stalk him and beg him to marry her that he wanted to stay away as much as possible.

Luckily for Russia as soon as they were done eating they were ordered to return to their positions so he was split off on his own again.

Ivan had fallen asleep holding his gun when suddenly the sound of gunfire shook him awake as some German soldiers attempted to fight their way out of the Garrison they had surrounded.

Ivan and his men sprung to action and began shooting on the men, killing almost all of them although a small few did get away.

Seeing this as proof the forces held up there were at their last stand, they were quickly ordered to storm on the garrison and the fighting went until the early morning, when they all stormed inside to take out the last of Germany's command and hopefully find Germany hiding inside.

Prussia and Germany sat side by side in a barricade room, using the window to shoot at soldiers outside. Germany had grown weaker and weaker as the days of this siege had gone on. Gilbert himself had become pretty weak since Königsberg fell to the Russians more than a month earlier but he was hiding it, besides he had to protect his little brother no matter what.

'It's over isn't it?' Ludwig sighed as the gunshots fired around them.

'I will not let them take you!' Prussia growled, getting back up and shooting out the window again.

'Brother, it's over already. Please stop.' Ludwig begged.

'The almighty Prussia will never surrender you to them!' Prussia asserted, ducking back down to reload his gun.

'Gilbert! Just stop it already! You're just gonna get yourself hurt for nothing!' German pleaded as he tried to snatch the gun off him.

'It's okay Brother. I will protect you. Nothing can take down the almighty Prus-' Gilbert retorted, taking the gun back and going back up to shoot, only to be cut off when a bullet hit him in the arm.

Normally he wouldn't let that affect him but in an already weakened state his body was struggling to withstand all the pain and he found himself involuntarily dropping it to the floor.

'Brother!' Germany screamed as he tackled Gilbert fully down to the floor where it was safe.

'Enough already! I am not going to let you destroy yourself to protect me! It's over already, just please stop fighting!' Ludwig pinned him down as he cried.

This seemed to snap Gilbert back into reality and consider his options. There was no left.

'Okay brother.' Gilbert sighed.

Ludwig began to calm down as he patched up Gilbert's arm. They waited for the inevitable storming of the Russians. As they heard the remaining officers screaming their surrender, Germany grabbed the white flag Italy had given him and waved it out the window.

Gilbert just looked on in sorrow. He really wanted to help his brother be strong but here he was powerless and in pain as his brother surrendered again before him.

Very soon the door was broken through and a horde of Soviet soldiers flooded in.

'We found Germany and Prussia!' One of the soldiers screamed.

Not long after a tall figure appeared behind them and as it got closer it was clear it was Ivan.

Gilbert stared up at him. More than two years since he had helped Prussia escape to be back with his brother. Gilbert only hoped whatever feeling had caused Ivan to help him remained. He really didn't want to be taken from Ludwig's side right now.

'I accept both of your surrenders.' Ivan said with his normal smile.

'You are to come with me now.' Ivan cocked his head as he held out two sets of handcuffs.

Prussia was about to scream there was no way he was going to let that asshole put cuffs on him but Germany, seeing his anger, placed his hand on him, signalling for him to stop.

They both relented and allowed themselves to be handcuffed before being led outside and into the back of a truck that was locked from the outside.

Gilbert reached into his pocket and pulled out the wooden carved bird as he looked at it in anger.

'Did this all mean fucking nothing to him. Speaking to me like we are strangers.' Gilbert growled to himself as he tossed the bird to the floor.

'Did you say something brother?' Germany asked, having not fully heard what Prussia had said.

'Nothing important West. Don't worry about me.' Prussia said, looking away to hide the hurt on his face.

Gilbert was utterly humiliated, worried about his brother and afraid. Of course it had to be the Russians that got to them. At first he thought that might be a good thing but the way Ivan had talked to him, it was like he had forgotten all about everything in Stalingrad. Had he been played? Did he fall into that creepy fucks sick game.