T/W for this chapter: Mild Violence
Chapter 10: Pride and the Fall
It was now evening, Gilbert and Ludwig were held up in a cell, awaiting whatever fate was to be given to them. It was only a matter of time before the war was officially declared over and a meeting happened for deciding on what loot the victors had gotten.
Gilbert watched over Ludwig as he slept. Refusing to sleep so he could make sure they didn't take him away from him or hurt him. As he was sitting there he heard footsteps approaching them.
'Gilbert.' Ivan said softly as he stood outside the bars of the cell.
'It's Prussia to you!' Gilbert spat with venom.
'Oh.. I see…' Ivan said, trying to cover the fact that had taken him off guard.
'You dropped this in the car. I thought I would bring it to you.' Ivan said placing the wooden bird on a flat part of the bars.
'I also brought you this, don't tell anyone.' Ivan said, placing a chocolate bar next to the bird.
'Is this just a game for you?' Gilbert scoffed.
'What do you mean?' Ivan asked, confused.
'You treated me like a stranger back there, and now you're acting like a friend, bringing me chocolate and you expect me to believe you didn't poison it.' Gilbert argued.
'I had to act that way or my Boss would-' Ivan explained getting cut off when Gilbert got up to yell at him.
'Thats just a fucking excuse! Your boss wasn't even there! I threw that stupid wooden bird out on purpose! I am not playing your game!' Gilbert snapped, throwing the chocolate bar and the bird at Ivan.
'That wasn't very nice Prussia!' Ivan smiled darkly as he grabbed Prussia by his shirt through the bars and lifted him off the ground.
'I was nothing but kind to you. The only reason you are here with your brother and not with every other POW from Stalingrad is because of me. I risked everything to help you because I thought you actually cared about me but you just used me.' Ivan said, smiling even though his eyes were watering.
Ivan suddenly threw Gilbert down to the ground hard causing him to yelp in pain.
'I didn't lie that night. I was such a fool. I will not make that mistake again.' Ivan's voice cracked as he grabbed the music box from his pocket and threw it at Gilbert before storming off.
Gilbert looked at the music box in his lap confused. What had even just happened. He wanted to believe this was a game but it felt so real. Was he mistaken?
Gilbert opened the music box as it began playing the song. Inside attached to the lid was a torn bit of paper. Taking it out and turning it over Gilbert saw it was a photo of him in the field in his uniform, probably taken by military intelligence, Ivan had ripped it so only Gilbert was there.
Leaving the box playing music on the floor he reached out from the bars grabbing the bird and the chocolate bar. Shuffling back over to the music box he placed the wooden bird by it as he watched the small metal cylinder inside spin.
'What are you doing brother?' Ludwig asked, finally stirring from his deep sleep as the exhaustion of the last few weeks had caught up with him.
'Nothing, just go back to sleep alright.' Gilbert sighed as he shut the lid on the music box.
2nd August 1945
It had now been over 3 months since Germany surrendered. The two had been living in a lock room in Cecilienhof Palace for the last few weeks as the allies decided what to do with them. Gilbert was all too familiar with Cecilienhof Palace, having been here many times. It was the last palace that had been built before the Kingdom of Prussia had been dissolved.
Gilbert hadn't seen Ivan since that night in the cell. He was hoping to apologise, partly because he felt bad, and partly because he was scared of how the Russian might retaliate. Gilbert sat cross legged on his bed playing with the small wooden bird as Germany lay on his side staring at the wall.
'Liven up already brother. You survived this once right. You will be fine.' Gilbert smiled, trying to make Ludwig feel better.
Hell, Prussia should be the one moping, he was very possibly not going to be a country after this anymore, no longer de facto but for real and that scared the shit out of him. He didn't want to die and he certainly didn't want to die and leave Ludwig all alone at a time like this, a time when Ludwig needed him most.
'Why does this keep happening?' Ludwig said sadly.
'All great empires have trouble finding their feet at first brother, don't give up.' Gilbert said, jumping over to Ludwig's bed.
'No East. I don't want to be an empire anymore. I don't care if I never live up to everyones expectations of me. From now on I am not going to be a war monger anymore. I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear from me Brother but I can't take this anymore.' Ludwig argued.
Gilbert didn't know what to say. All he had ever known was war mongering. It hurt him more than Germany though he would be disappointed in him. He could never be disappointed in his little brother. Not ever.
'No matter what you choose. I will always be proud of you. How could I not be. You're my awesome little brother.' Gilbert said as he tried to hold back his tears.
'I am sorry if you felt you had to do any of this to impress me. The last thing I wanted was to cause you suffering.' Gilbert said finally crying.
Germany sat up and pulled Prussia into a hug, Prussia hugged him back.
'You never caused me to suffer. I am so glad you are my big brother.' Germany cried too.