Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

GerDen: Saying Goodbye

Mathias watched as Ludwig went over towards his car, and what was next to the car. He had never seen the stoic German like this before, but he couldn't blame him. It was never easy for someone to bury a friend, even a furry one.

Ludwig carefully picked up the bundle wrapped in a blanket. Mathias wanted to move closer to help him, but Ludwig shook his head. He had been like this at the vet as well. He wanted to see it through to the end.

Mathias felt his throat close when he saw the paws sticking out as Ludwig passed. Ludwig stopped next to the grave, dug a week ago. It had been inevitable, but it didn't lessen the pain. And Mathias remembered that he was supposed to place a pillow in the grave.

"What side does… does the head go?" Mathias asked.

"The west," Ludwig said.

As Mathias placed the pillow in the grave, he saw Ludwig's brother Gilbert coming closer. His eyes were redder than usual, and it was clear that he had been crying as well. And if Mathias looked towards Ludwig's eyes, he saw the same.

As gently as he could, Ludwig placed the body in the grave. He grabbed the shovel, but he seemed to freeze. Mathias cleared his throat, deciding that he would have to take over.

"Aster, you were an awesome dog," he said. "You were always happy to see us, and you could make any day better. But in the end, your body betrayed you. You were always a good dog. Rest in peace."

He heard a sniff, and under normal circumstances he would have been surprised to hear that it came from Ludwig, but now he could understand it. Each of them grabbed some dirt and threw it into the grave, before Ludwig started to shovel the dirt in. Gilbert disappeared after a while, but he returned with a second shovel and helped his brother.

Mathias just stood there, in a way offering his emotional support. He didn't want to be in the way, and he didn't want to just leave. So he just stood there, his throat closing as the grave was filled.

When Ludwig finished, Mathias went over towards him and hugged him. Ludwig clutched him tightly, breathing in a shaky breath.

"At least he's at peace now," Ludwig whispered.

"At least," Mathias agreed.

This was written as a form of therapy. After eleven years, we had to say goodbye to our boxer.