T/W for this chapter: Mentions of starvation, Mentions of violence

Chapter 8: Tactical Retreat

1st February 1943

Prussia was hanging around the last main base of operations for the Germans in the city as he, the General and some other remaining high ranking officers argued amongst themselves about what to do. This was it, they had finally pretty much run out of everything, food, ammo, you name it they had none. The Southern and Central pockets had already fallen to the Russians, they were all that was left.

Prussia had already lost a lot of weight even with Ivan feeding him every night, then again Ivan's own food supply had been dwindling. He wasn't even convinced the Russian had been eating more than once a day at this point as his food cupboard always looked the same as the night before.

Not that that made any difference, either way they couldn't out wait to see if the Russian's starved first, they were starving first. As Prussia and the officers debated the next step, Prussia almost lost his shit when he heard the word surrender.

'Surrender?!' Prussia spat in disgust.

'Do you have a better idea because if so I want to hear it?!' The general snapped back at him.

'You call yourself soldiers. I am not surrendering, I refuse!' Prussia yelled.

'Well we are. Let the Russian's paint the snow with your blood if you want but we are doing it with or without you.' The general affirmed.

'Fine! Fuck you all! The Great Prussia never surrenders!' Prussia snapped before storming off.

He may tactically retreat but he never surrenders.

Prussia knew there was a risk of sneaking to Ivan's in the day but there was no way in hell he was hanging around long enough to get caught up in their surrender. Gilbert eventually managed to make it to Ivan's hideout and after knocking hurried inside before he got seen.

'Of course you're not here. You're out fighting.' Gilbert sighed, sitting on the bed as he began waiting.

If he got captured by the Russian's, no way Ludwig's boss was going to bargain for his release. The guy seemed hell bent on killing him off. If he ever wanted to see his brother again anytime soon he had no choice but find a way back into German lines. Only one he could rely on now was Ivan.

He hated it but he had no idea how the lines had moved in the last two months, nor the supplies if it was to be a long journey. He knew him and Ivan had spent the last week as casual fuck buddies but god only knew if Ivan would be willing to go that far to help him. Still, it was worth a shot, plan B would be to shoot Ivan in the head to keep him quiet before trying it on his own. Heading west would surely get him there right?

As the sun began to set Ivan made his way back to his hideout, surprised when he opened the door to find the fire going and a very upset looking Prussian on his bed.

'Are you insane coming here in light, what if you got seen!' Ivan said darkly.

'Have they all surrendered yet?' Gilbert asked.

'No… why?' Ivan responded confused.

'They are going to. If I get captured, no way I am seeing Ludwig until this war is over. I can't… My brother needs me. I can't believe I am saying this but I need your help. I need to get to the German line.' Gilbert sighed.

'Help you get to the other lines? Are you insane, if my boss found out he would do so many horrible things to me.' Ivan said looking panicked.

'It is okay if you don't want to help. Just don't tell anyone. Please.' Gilbert said lowly, ashamed he was here having to beg the Russian.

Ivan just stood there in shock. One the one hand he didn't owe Gilbert anything. It wasn't worth risking his well being anymore than he had for him. He shouldn't have even done that. One the other, he had come to care for the man and knew if he even missed his brother half as much as he missed his sisters it was agony knowing he might not see him for a very long time.

'I am going to regret this, I know, but I will help you.' Ivan sighed as he put his face in his hands.

'Thank you! I mean it! This is the most awesome thing you could do for me!' Gilbert said, pulling the Russian into a tight hug.

Ivan hugged him back. Regretting it less already. Part of him feared the entire time that Gilbert could have been taking advantage of him, however if that was the case he would make him pay either way. So it was worth a shot.

Once they pulled away Ivan ran to his clothes pile and picked out some pants and a shirt.

'I haven't got a spare jacket or blazer so I will give you my rain poncho.' Ivan said, throwing them at him.

'Are you sure these will fit me?' Gilbert said, looking at the pants with scepticism.

'Is all I have so make it fit, hide your old uniform in this bag, I imagine you will need it.' Ivan said emptying his bag on the floor and throwing it at the Prussian.

'Don't you need this stuff?' Gilbert asked, catching the bag.

'Don't worry about that. Just get changed.' Ivan said as he walked to his food cupboard.

Gilbert got off his old uniform and neatly folded it into the bag before putting on the uniform Ivan had given him, he had to use his belt from his uniform to keep the pants on him, luckily the rain poncho would cover that.

Ivan then grabbed all his food from the cupboard and put it in the bag along with his medkit, some ammo, a map and a torch.

'I can take you 3 hours of the way but the rest of it you will be on your own. As of now heading for Rostov is your best bet. It will take you 5 - 6 days on foot, I would highly recommend staying as far away from settlements as you can.' Ivan explained as he shut the bag.

'Also swap rifles with me. You take my Mosin, I can give you ammo for that, it also will help you blend in. I will take yours and pretend mine broke and I took this one as a trophy.' Ivan said, holding his rifle out.

Gilbert took it and handed Ivan his Karabiner. Ivan then slung it on his back, before taking the helmet from his head and placing it on Gilbert's.

'We need to go now, so keep your head down and follow my lead.' Ivan instructed.

'Got it, let's go.' Gilbert nodded.

Gilbert did as Ivan said, and followed him with his head down. A few times they passed by soviet troops and Gilbert got nervous they might clock him but they didn't even seem to pay attention to him at all.

As they got further and further away from the city they spotted less and less people, soon Ivan turned around and stopped Gilbert dead in his tracks.

'This is as far as I can go, I need to get back before they realise I am gone, please take care.' Ivan said seriously, pulling Gilbert into a tight hug.

'I will, I promise. The awesome me cannot be taken down by anyone.' Gilbert smirked as he pulled away slightly before kissing Ivan.

Ivan happily returned the kiss before pulling away completely.

'When all of this is over, please come find me, goodbye!' Ivan said before running back towards the city, not wanting the Prussian to see him cry.

'Goodbye you dumbass.' Gilbert smiled sadly before continuing on towards Rostov.

Just like Gilbert had said, the Germans surrendered the very next day and Ivan finally got to return to Moscow now his boss's namesake city was safe.

Gilbert meanwhile managed to make it to Rostov mere days before the Russian's pushed the Germans out of the city. Somehow Germany's boss, despite being mad that Prussia had abandoned Stalingrad, was impressed he made the almost 500 km trip through enemy territory without getting caught and allowed him to be reunited with his brother.

Do not worry friends, this is not yet the end. Next chapter should be Friday. ^.^