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T/W for this chapter: Violence

Chapter 6: Battlefield Birthday

18 January 1943

Ivan was out fighting again, not that he minded, these assholes were hurting his people, he was happy to kill them. He was currently laid up on a roof looking for soldiers he could pick off when he saw Gilbert walk on by, he seemed to be scavenging for something.

'Hello there little Prussia, you are so small from up here. How amusing. I could kill you and you wouldn't know but I like you so you can stay.' Ivan smiled as he watched over him.

All was going well until he saw some of his own men approaching where Gilbert was, they were still far enough away that they couldn't see Gilbert but Ivan had to warn him somehow.

Ivan pulled his gun up above him and pointed it at the sky, shooting it. As it went off Gilbert pulled his own gun out and ran for cover in a dilapidated building, hopefully running away after.

Ivan looked over to see his men progressing slower and more cautiously now. Ivan sighed in relief as he lay with his back flat on the ground staring at the winter sun. Ivan reached his hand out to try and grab it as he always did. It never worked and Ivan sat up sadly.

After the sun began to set Ivan headed back to his hideout excitedly. If he remembered correctly it was Gilbert's birthday today and he had a surprise for him. He had spent the morning using some of his bread, butter and sugar to make a very lame cake. It was the best he could manage with what he had though.

He had made a sugar paste out of water and sugar for the top frosting, on top of 3 layers of black bread that had sugary butter between them. He had even managed to make a small birthday candle for the top and he had also made a perfect gift for Gilbert.

Ivan got home and waited patiently for Gilbert but as the hours ticked by he began to get more and more worried. Ivan sat on his bed with a makeshift party hat he had made out of newspaper crying in frustration and worry.

Gilbert eventually showed up 3 hours late, doing his normal knocks before entering. Ivan shot up and charged over to him, slapping him in the face.

'What the fuck!' Gilbert yelled as he fell to the ground.

'WHERE WERE YOU I WAS WORRIED!' Ivan screamed as he cried, going to slap him again but Gilbert shot up and pushed him over.

'Why the fuck did you slap me asshole! I am just going to fucking go!' Gilbert snapped, not seeing this as worth the food.

However as he went to leave Ivan grabbed onto his legs tightly.

'No you can't leave! I won't let you!' Ivan screeched.

'Fuck you! I AM NOT YOUR PUNCHING BAG YOU FREAK!' Gilbert snapped back using the butt of his rifle to smack Ivan in the head so he would let go.

Ivan grabbed his head in pain and as he did Gilbert swung the door open and ran outside.

'NO PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME BE ALONE AGAIN! COME BACK! PLEASE!' Ivan wailed as he curled up in a ball on the floor clutching his chest so his heart wouldn't fall out.

Gilbert wanted to leave but Ivan's pained wails were making him second guess himself. He was not happy about being hit but he still felt bad that Ivan was so upset. Also Ivan could easily back out of their deal and he would be left hungry.

Gilbert kept thinking about how nice the last month and a half had been and despite his better judgement, he was also hungry, so he went back inside.

'Fine I will stay but you ever hit me again I will fucking shoot you understand.' Gilbert said seriously as he stood over the crying mess balled up on the floor.

'I am sorry… I just thought someone had hurt you… or you hated me… I am sorry…' Ivan cried as he looked up at Gilbert.

'Just get up off the floor already, you're cramping my style. The guys just threw me a mini birthday party so I was late.' Gilbert sighed.

Ivan got up slowly, staying with his hand clutched to his chest until he was sure everything would be fine. He then ran to the cupboard and got the cake out from it, lighting the candle he walked up to Gilbert holding it proudly.

'Happy Birthday Gilbert.' Ivan said shakily as he held the cake out in front of him.

'You remembered my birthday.' Gilbert said surprised, he had not mentioned it once to the Russian in the entire time they had had this arrangement or his life.

'Of course, I know everyone's birthday. Sorry it isn't a good cake, I didn't have much, you don't have to eat it.' Ivan said with a smile.

Gilbert had to admit the cake looked disgusting. All things considered it was pretty good and the effort it must have taken to make it look as good as it did. Even though it was lame as fuck, Gilbert had to admit he adored it.

'Thanks Russia, I mean it. This is awesome.' Gilbert smiled, before blowing out the candle.

Gilbert then took the cake from Ivan, pulling out his knife and cutting it in two, taking one slice and handing the other over to Ivan.

'It's okay you can have it all.' Ivan tried to refuse.

'I insist.' Gilbert smiled, placing it into his hand.

Ivan smiled and began to eat the cake, it wasn't all that bad. Gilbert smiled and sat down on the bed, eating his own.

'Oh that reminds me! I have a present for you!' Ivan said excitedly as he finished his cake and ran for his kit bag.

Digging around until he pulled out a small object wrapped in old newspaper. Ivan happily skipped over with it and placed it by Gilbert before sitting by him with a big grin on his face.

'Thanks.' Gilbert said as he began to unwrap the paper.

Pulling away the paper revealed a hand carved wooden bird. Gilbert looked over it softly, it was rough and looked very poorly done but it was cute and he could tell a lot of effort went into it.

'Did you make this?' Gilbert asked as he stared at it.

'I remembered you liked birds, so I carved one.' Ivan explained.

'I love it, thank you. I think this is awesome!' Prussia smiled.

'I am so glad! I will make us food now!' Ivan smiled, running to the over with joy.

Gilbert made small talk as he watched Ivan make potatoes and meat with what little meat he had. Gilbert would have to get him something nice for his birthday, if he was still around for it that is.

'Hey, Russia. When is your birthday?' Gilbert asked.

'Oh… it was 19 days ago.' Ivan said casually.

'Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?!' Gilbert said surprised.

'I didn't feel much like caring this year. No one else did anyway.' Ivan said sadly.

'You should have told me you idiot.' Gilbert sighed.

'I don't mind. Really.' Ivan said, faking a smile.

Gilbert sighed. He was obviously going to get him a gift. He just needed to find one. That's when Gilbert remembered the music box he had found, he had fixed it up in the hope of trading it for some food but no one had wanted it. Gilbert pulled it out his pocket and got up, walking over to Ivan and placing it next to him.

'Happy late birthday.' Gilbert smiled.

Ivan looked at the box, winding it up before opening it and looking at it with a child-like joy.

'Korobeiniki…' Ivan smiled as he looked down at it.

'I love it, thank you!' Ivan said, grabbing Gilbert and hugging him.