Chapter 16: Best Laid Plans

When they got to the hotel where they were meeting it was already late but that wasn't too inconvenient. Ivan wasn't much in the mood for any pre-meeting socialisation after all, he would get more than enough over the next few days anyway and he still hadn't fully finished his presentation thanks to the Prussians insistence on making sure he didn't overwork himself.

Ivan grabbed their room key and walked silently as Gilbert followed close behind, both now in uniform with Gilbert having gotten changed on the plane. Opening the door revealed a single double bed, it was to be expected after all he was ordered to be alone on this trip.

'I will throw some blankets and pillows on the sofa, that way if someone searches our room when we are gone it won't look strange.' Ivan said, dropping his bag and walking to the cupboard.

Gilbert dropped his bag and looked around the room a little before flopping on the bed.

'Would you mind if I went down to the bar?' Gilbert asked as he stared at the ceiling.

'I don't know if that's a good idea.' Ivan said nervously as he placed some paperwork down on the desk.

'What you don't trust me?!' Gilbert snapped sitting up.

'It's not like that!' Ivan said darkly 'I don't trust that fucking American!'

He also was still slightly scared Gilbert might run away. That this was some long con. However, saying that would just piss the Prussian off and he would become a pain in the ass.

'I want a beer and I haven't had German beer in forever.' Prussia winded as he rolled around on the bed.

'FINE! JUST FUCKING GO! SEE IF I CARE!' Ivan growled, throwing money at the Prussian,

'Fuck you too! Maybe be in a less pissy mood when I come back or we won't be needing to pretend one of us is sleeping on the fucking sofa!' Prussia snarked as he grabbed the money and stormed out.

'Possessive fucking creep!' Prussia yelled before slamming the door.

'FUCK YOU YOU ARGOANT FUCKING ASSHOLE!' Ivan screamed back slamming his pen so hard it broke.

Prussia ignored the eyes of the staff as he walked by, no doubt they had heard the screaming. Prussia didn't get Russia's deal, one second he was sweet as sugar and the next he was an overbearing creepy asshole again.

He had been so normal the last few months and Gilbert couldn't understand what had changed. Did Ivan trust him that little? If Gilbert was going to runaway no way he would just sneak off, he would beat the fucking Russian's ass before he did. The Russian had it fucking coming after all.

'What does he take me for?' Gilbert grumbled as he walked up to the bar.

'Maybe I should get one for Russia too, might make him less pissy.' Gilbert thought to himself as he sat down on one of the stools.

'Hey! Get me two pilsner bier's with one in the bottle to go!' Gilbert demanded.

'Yes sir' The man behind it said.

Gilbert looked over the empty bar and sighed, no doubt it was only them and the others here for the meeting but he had hoped to see his brother down here.

'Brother.' Gilbert sighed as he looked over the bar again.

The bar man had brought over one beer in a glass and another in the bottle.

'Was there a tall blond guy with slick hair here at any point? His German like us.' Gilbert asked, placing the money on the bar.

'Not that I have seen yet. You're the only one who has come in here today.' The man explained handing Gilbert his change.

'Figures.' Gilbert scoffed sitting down to enjoy his beer.

He had hoped that in that time Germany might come down but no luck. He really hoped he was here, he waited a little long but was careful not to wait too long so as not to anger the already pissed off Russian more.

Gilbert sighed and grabbed the bottle before heading back up to their room. He tried the handle but the door had been locked and he didn't have a key.

'You going to let me in?' Prussia asked, knocking on the door.

He waited hearing footsteps come up, the door unlocked before the footsteps went away.

'Of course he's still pissed, he's a man child.' Gilbert thought to himself as he walked inside.

'Got you a gift.' Prussia said placing a beer by Ivan who had buried himself in his paperwork.

'I haven't got time for a beer, I have vodka anyway, just have it yourself.' Ivan grumbled not looking up.

Gilbert just sighed and sat on the floor by his chair, leaning his head on Ivan's lap as the Russian scribbled away on paper. He almost always seemed to be drowning in work. Like Prussia obviously knew a lot of work went into being a country and he wasn't lazy himself but a lot of the stuff Ivan was made to do seemed like it might be better suited by someone else. Like his boss was just throwing this work on him to keep him busy or something, maybe it was the work no one else wanted to do.

Russia smiled and softened up as he felt the Prussian stroking his leg. Ivan took his non-dominant hand and placed it in the Prussians hair and sighed.

'Did you see Ludwig down there?' Ivan asked softly.

'No. I am not sure he's here but I guess we will wait and see.' Gilbert said sadly.

'It would be weird since the meeting is here in his part of Germany. Then again my boss didn't mention me bringing you along so maybe you are both not needed.' Ivan explained.

'What is this meeting about anyway?' Prussia asked.

'How the rebuilding efforts are going.' Ivan replied.

'Not like I have much of a say in it. I assume it's the same way for Ludwig, or maybe not, who knows.' Prussia mused.

'I don't get a say either if that makes you feel better in anyway.' Ivan laughed sadly.

'Not really but I don't think anything can make me feel better about this all.' Gilbert buried his face into Ivan's leg to hide his tears.

'I miss my fucking brother.' Gilbert cried.

'I am sorry. If I had been stronger. I could have taken you both.' Ivan sighed and he put down his pen and put both his hands on Gilbert.

'That did not sound as comforting as you think it did… still… at least I have you here to make this hell bearable… It's like Stalingrad all over again…' Gilbert said honestly, not having the energy for his normal bravado right now, besides Ivan had never judged him for crying like this before and it felt nice to get comfort.

'I have done more than enough for the presentation I think. Let's go lie in bed and listen to the radio or something.' Ivan said, putting his hands on the Prussians' back.

It was a lie but fuck it, he could just wing the rest. His little Prussia was sad right now and it was Ivan's job to be strong and comfort him.

'Fine.' Gilbert sighed getting up and throwing off his uniform before lying under the covers.

Ivan did the same and pulled the Prussian into his chest.

'One day, I will make sure no one will be unhappy, I will make it so. When I am strong enough, I promise you will never be away from your brother because everyone will live together with me.' Ivan said seriously.

Gilbert grabbed his hand onto the fabric of Ivan's undershirt as he hugged the Russian back. He wanted to say he didn't want that. He wanted his brother to be independent from everyone, including Ivan but he didn't have the energy. Not like Ivan could understand anyway. Gilbert knew all too well Ivan genuinely thought his idea of peace was the best and had no ill intent. Even if his methods were fucked up.

'You big dumb innocent fool.' Gilbert whispered as he listened to Ivan's heart beating.