#and i think prussia is too stupid to really care or be genuinely hurt

[cowboy-robooty]

ROPRUS SO HARD I EXPLODE

[my2phetaliaheadcanons]

Can I ask the 2p allies and the 2p axis, separately to each of them, reacting to a love confession from a close country with whom they recently developed feelings but did not yet confess because they feared she would reject them as she was too good a girl for them? ❤️

“I love you.” That was all it took to change his world.

France – François stood there. He couldn’t have heard that right, did they really just confess to him?

He is confused. François is a firm believer that you often get someone at a similar level to you in relationships. An example of this is wanting to be with someone active, for the relationship to work you have to either already by at that level or work toward that level of fitness. So, to have perfection not only acknowledge him, but like him back causes a second or two of him blue screening.

After his blue screening, François will tell her how he feels. His words will be kept simple but will feel poetic. He will also not allow her to leave his side until a time and day is set for their first date.

America – Allen smiled, it wasn’t the overconfident smirk or the wide predator’s grin he usually showed. It was a genuine smile big and full of hope.

For Allen, in this moment the world felt bright and colorful. The sounds that were once so loud became quiet and the only beings to exist were the two of them. He was happy and this level of purity was not something he had felt in a long time.

Since this relationship is with someone that Allen feels like would reject him, he would feel his ego grow. Don’t get me wrong, he would be amazing and happy, but it would boost his ego. It was not only a sign your love was meant to be, but that he was also irresistible.

Allen would take her on a date that very hour. It would be something informal like dinner at a diner. They would talk for a while and enjoy each other’s presence.

Canada – Matt’s hand came to cover his face. Looking closely, one could see the blush covering his cheeks as he laughed.

Laughing may seem like a weird reaction, but it is one way Matt shows feelings of relief and joy. He had never expected to end up with this cutie and for her to confess first, that isn’t very manly of him. In his mind, he would have imagined various different scenarios where he finally let this fear go and manned up. Many of them involved him winning her heart in a fight or competition. Though, he was not upset with this.

Matt would take a note out of François’ book and plan a date with her, but he would treat her to something before the date. If they had a meeting before the date, he would bring a small gift for her to the meeting and would work extra hard to be chivalrous.

England – Oliver looked stumped for a moment, before asking if it was heartfelt. Her reply of a confirmation sent Oliver launching into her arms.

Since Oliver works in the realm of emotional manipulation, he would do his best to certain that emotions like love were actually felt by the woman he yearned for. He would accept the words after double checking and be willing to show he love for her openly. After a day or two past connections would resurface, and he would be paranoid about it. Though, if she stays true in both word and deed, Oliver would do all he could to make up for his odd behavior.

Being the nation known for chivalry, he will fall right into the boyfriend role. Opening doors, carrying things for you, and coming up with amazing dates would be his forte.

Russia – Viktor’s body relaxed when he registered the words that came from her mouth. A small smile graced his features as he gently pulled her close.

This man of tradition would feel both relief and agitation. His relief in that she felt the same, while agitation that he failed to notice her pining. Viktor would tell himself that he would have to make up for his lack of attention. This would mean taking extra care to the needs of his snowflake. After all a good man does not leave his woman wanting.

Viktor would surprise her with a date a couple days after the confession. He during the time in between he would talk with her nearest kin and ensure that they know she is in good hands and that he wants the same thing has them, her happiness.

China – Jin could feel his eyes water as he smiled. He was not this blessed often and he would not take this chance for guaranteed.

It had been so long since Jin could say that a person made him happy. The last few decades, joy had come in fleeting bursts from worldly pleasures and had left him searching. Until she walked in, but the difference between them felt like canyons that Jin could never cross. She was too good, pure, and precious. While Jin walked along the deranged and dirt of the earth.

When he realized the her words were true, Jin’s tears flowed. Despite their differences, he always hoped they would be like the love stories that are so common. Lovers from different worlds that end up creating a beauty all their own.

Jin would be determined to make this relationship work. Right from the get-go he would be ready to change habits in his life to ensure that he could stay with his light.

Italy – Luciano had felt the woman of his dreams was above his station. An impossible dream meant to be indulged in the quiet hours of the morning, and yet here it was. His fantasy becoming a reality with the bright rays of the morning light. Luciano was quick to capture her lips within his own, almost as a way for him to confirm that this was not a dream.

Luciano may be smoother than butter, but even he can catch feelings. Wanting for someone that he believes that he could never have is torture. He never meant for his heart to be caught and now that it was, he had been fantasizing about them. Their words caught him off guard, it made him wonder if he was still home, lost in the throws of the land of dreams.

The kiss would not last long, but the break wouldn’t either. With a confirmation of reality, Luciano will turn up the charm and continue the kisses.

Romano – Fabrizio didn’t register that he yelled out a yes until he heard her melodious giggles. He blushed and tried to recover from his outburst, but he failed as he joined her in a chorus of laughter.

This drama king’s scream would cause the birds to panic and the rabbits to run. As much as he loves her and has gotten to know her, he would be shocked by her confession. Her purity would make him doubt that he had any chance with her. So, before the confession, he was content to just be with her.

After confession, Fabrizio would make her his number one model and do all he can to make her even more beautiful. He would love her natural beauty, obviously, but to be given the opportunity to make his angel more lustrous than the moon would be something he could never turn down.

Germany – Without a second thought Luther kissed her. He had been wanting this for so long and why not celebrate.

Luther would have been flirting around to get his mind off his sweetheart. His heart would ache because of the dark thoughts telling him, he had no chance. It would have lead to him feeling empty and tried. He was shocked when she confessed, because he thought he didn’t deserve her. He flirted with others, but he guessed she saw through him.

In the same moment he was shocked, he reacted. He put all his longing and happiness into that kiss. Luther wanted her to know that he was hers and that she would get everything he had to offer.

Luther would not leave her that night. He would spend all the time he had with her, talking about how happy he was they were together. How sorry and stupid he was for flirting with others in front of her. They would share laughs and end the night cuddling.

Prussia – Wilhelm nodded. He wasn’t sure why, but he could not form the words to say, “me too.” Though judging by her smile, Wilhelm guessed that she understood too.

Though quiet, Wilhelm can be further shocked into silence. The phrase “I love you” was one he rarely even heard between him and his family. To hear it from this angel, it caused his vocal cords to seize. He wanted nothing more than to offer prayers of gratitude to his God. Despite his fallen state, and her purity, Wilhelm had been blessed with her love.

Wilhelm would not be able to talk for a bit after. He would be so happy and allow his lover to do all the talking. Once he could control his vocal cords, Wilhelm would ask if it would be okay to take her out for a date. With the start of their courtship assured, Wilhelm would then bask in her presence.

Japan – Kurai may not have smiled, but there was something in his eyes and his posture that showed joy.

Kurai knew that he had blood staining his hands, and he did not want to tarnish his blossom. It would bring him shame to even think about taking her light and turning it dark. Yet, Kurai could not stop his mind from wondering what her lips felt like and what she was like in her most tender moments. Their distance hurt, but he could only hope of one day gaining the confidence to over come it.

With her confession Kurai felt a weight leave his shoulders. Maybe he could find joy in this life. Maybe it came from falling in love with her. Though he doesn’t show much emotion, Kurai shows it in actions. He will hold her hand so tenderly in that moment and look upon her with eyes full of love.

[oumaheroes]

Seems like literally everyone but england is tsundere to him atleast, they're like "oh its not like we want your company or friendship, we're just going long with you uwu", grow some balls god

This ask came in a few hours after I posted this drabble about England and France, but you remind me of my Prussia anon who sent me an ask about Prussia being a dickhead.

If you are talking about France, ho ho ho not at all. I feel like he’s a very warm character who’s comfortable with himself and, more importantly, comfortable with himself around other people. A real charmer, is our Francis Bonnefoy; he can work a conversation like no one’s business and people are drawn to him like moths to a fancy, well-dressed flame. That’s not to say that he feels this confidently about himself on the inside (I keep meaning to do a headcanon post about France’s feelings of self and his personality), but outwardly he’s very much a popular and well-liked guy with a lot of friends. Maybe not a lot of deep, intimate relationships, but a lot of friends who enjoy his company immensely nonetheless.

If you are talking about Prussia then gosh nonny, what did poor old Gilbert do to you? I suppose it depends on how you feel about that personality type; I must admit that for me he’d also be a bit too much to handle (very fun to write though).

I would however disagree that everyone but England is like this with Prussia (but ‘this’, I am referring to my previous answer:

‘…for the most part Prussia is very comfortable in being himself in all the ways that entails- unsmoothed and untidied up for the pleasure of others.

This does mean that, at times, he is the biggest dickhead alive. I feel he’s a very proud person with a very (fragile) high opinion of himself and he often says things that lack tact or thought, or that are the opposite of what people want to hear.’

Spain and France certainly enjoy his company and enjoy him for who he is, alongside England. France likes, similarly to England, that Prussia will cut straight to the heart of things (France, who hides himself behind thick walls of colourful clothes and shields of a charismatic personality) enjoys being around someone who doesn’t try to make his way in the world with slippery words- someone who is happy to speak openly about how they really feel. France is used to people of his royal courts dancing clever, careful lies and so he has always found pleasure around individuals who chose not to adopt this showy elegancy to hide themselves. (Deep down, though he won’t admit it, France finds it an enviable trait).

Spain on the other hand, is a very happy go lucky person, for the most part. He is very hard to offend, either with words or actions, and views and judges people by their intent instead. Prussia may be abrasive and offensive, but he is well-meaning. By telling the truth he isn’t trying to hurt you, he believes that his opinions are wanted (out of arrogance) or will be helpful (genuinely thinks he can help), and so Spain isn’t usually offended or annoyed by Prussia’s lack of tact or overbearing energy.

Prussia is a great ‘character’, in every sense of the word, and he is happy to go and do things with no fear of being thought silly or being mocked. If Prussia finds something interesting, he’s gonna talk about it and if he finds something fun then by God, he’s going to do it. Prussia is good for an adventure and the Bad Friend Trio, and England (and Denmark, for me) often have an amazing time getting up to nonsense they really should have grown out of by now.

I like to think that this outlook on an almost immortal existence keeps them all young- Prussia is that someone who’s there at 10pm prodding you out of your house to go drinking on a work night and tempting you to do something utterly stupid that you’d never thought you’d do, but you really end up enjoying.

In my head there are many, many nations and people who find Prussia to be their perfect cup of tea, but there are also many others who actively dislike him- same as any person! Sadly, I can’t write about them all, and this is also only my interpretation- if you have one that contrasts that’s totally cool, I’d also love to hear about it!

[inkstaineddove]

A Lovelit Sky

Ships: PruHun

Characters: Prussia, Hungary; mentioned Austria

Summary: Grappling with the recent death of his beloved Old Fritz, Prussia finds himself running away from his emotions in Vienna. He winds up before Hungary, all his emotions pouring lose in his vulnerability.

 Vienna, 1786.

Prussia had never been more alone. It had been two months since his beloved king had died, two months since he had to watch Frederick be laid to rest, two months of nonstop aching. He'd become zombie-like, moving through each day in a haze. In Berlin he found himself completely alone. All of Frederick's closest friends died before him and his family hadn't been sorry to see him go, leaving Gilbert to mourn by himself. He tried burying himself in his work to take his mind off things or traveling throughout Brandenburg to escape his ghost, but it was impossible. There were remnants of Frederick everywhere in the kingdom. Home was no longer safe.

His quest to escape had led him south into Austria. By the time he was in Vienna, he had begun feeling a bit better. There were no painful memories here, no past to torment him as he tried to forget. His feet carried him to Roderich's house, his body operating on autopilot. He only fully grasped where he was once he was standing below Roderich's bedroom window. Gilbert looked around, silently cursing himself. The place was so big, he could probably break in to rest for the night without being noticed. But what was the point if he didn't see...? His heart lurched. He needed company.

Gilbert began throwing pebbles against the window, praying to Fritz that the right person would notice. A flash of brown hair. His breathing caught in his throat. He stood frozen, waiting to be discovered. Even if he wanted to flee, his feet found themselves cemented to the grass.

Erzsébet appeared before him in a sheer nightgown. His heart jumped to his feet and he stared like an idiot. "Gilbert, what are you doing here? It's the middle of the night." She examined him closely. His eyes were far away, his hair and clothes disheveled, and there was a slight tremor to him. "Are you okay?"

He tried to communicate but found it difficult to speak without breaking down right there. He weakly shook his head. "Come on, there's a bench back here we can sit on." She took his hand and led him deep into the garden. "Did you walk the whole way here? Does anyone know where you are?" His silence was telling. Erzsébet closed her eyes and shook her head. She was in for a long night.

Eventually, Gilbert regained his power of speech. "Aren't you cold?" If he focused on her, he wouldn't have to deal with his own pain. If he could take care of her then maybe he would begin to feel like a man again instead of an empty husk.

"You shouldn't be worrying about me." Her voice was stern where it normally would've been tender. "Don't deflect, you look awful. What happened to you?"

He began fidgeting his hands, staring at them intently. "The old man died. No one seems to care but me. There was a small formal mourning period, but then it was back to work like nothing happened." He sneered at the ground, the memory leaving a bitter taste within him. "The greatest man I've ever known, who I loved like a father, dies and they expect me to embrace my new king? To pretend like everything's wonderful and nothing dear to me was lost? It's disgusting, it's treacherous."

Hungary tried to be understanding but couldn't wrap her mind around being this upset over a human. They died, it's what they did. Why would that be so shocking this time? "Did you really expect him to live forever? You had to know this was coming, I can't imagine how old he was." She saw his grimace and quickly attempted a change of strategy. "Regardless, I am sorry for your loss. I suppose even knowing what's inevitable doesn't make it easier when you truly care for them." While she hadn't experienced such a loss, she remembered how hard Roderich was hit by the death of Maria-Theresa. It was the only frame of reference she had.

Prussia sniffed, offended. "Of course I knew this would happen. How stupid do you think I am? It wasn't something I ever tried to prepare for since it was something I tried to never think about." He looked up at the stars and frowned. "I only realized how alone I'd been till I was with him. Now that he's gone, the loneliness hurts even worse. I have no one back in Berlin who cares for me." He rolled his eyes. "Well, they care for Prussia, but they could give a damn about Gilbert."

She took his hand and squeezed it gently. "I think you're being a bit melodramatic. I'm sure there's plenty of people back home wondering where you ran off to. I'd be surprised if Brandenburg wasn't worried."

"Brandenburg keeps to himself. He cares for me as long as it means I'm doing all the work and he can do whatever he wants in his castle." He shook his head. "My generals only like me when I'm holding a weapon. My ministers tolerate me at best. Most of the royal family views me more as the immortal family pet, which isn't exactly said with any warmth."

Silence settled between them, only the calls of owls filled the air. Erzsébet felt a pain for Gilbert. She could understand the sense of isolation such an existence would bring. There certainly were parallels with her current home life, but at least she had people outside she could talk to. She often traveled to Warsaw to catch up with Feliks or to feel that her company was appreciated by someone. She faintly remembered Gilbert being close to Francis but couldn't imagine that friendship being very secure after the most recent wars.

He sensed her pity and tried to compensate for it. "I write letters to Ivan and still keep up a correspondence with Antonio. I've got some friends, even if I'm going years between seeing them. Please don't worry about me." He faked a smile that convinced neither of them. Giving up, he sighed and kissed the top of her head. "I've got you. I've always had you, Erzsi." It was the first sign of genuine happiness she'd seen in him the whole night.

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Their eyes met and a warmth spread throughout his body. It all made sense now. They'd been by each other's side for centuries, through immense highs and lows. Whenever he felt too weak to continue, he'd always found his way to her and she would always revive his spirits. There was no one else he was able to trust with the most intimate parts of himself. He'd never been able to confide in Ivan and Antonio - and certainly not that bastard France - like he was able with her. Being with Erzsébet was so freeing, it was intoxicating. It had always been the one thing he'd wanted more than anything else in this world, and the one thing he could never quite achieve for himself. His recent loss was making him vulnerable and he couldn't stop himself. "I love you, Erzsi." Gilbert cursed himself, wanted to take it back and couldn't. "I've loved you for so long." He bit his tongue, trying to prevent himself from repeating the words like a lunatic.

Erzsébet's body tensed up. She averted her eyes from his, focusing on the bush in front of them. What he was saying didn't surprise her, but it was the last thing she wanted to hear. If he admitted his feelings, that changed things for them. They had been having an affair for some time now, but it had remained purely physical with no deeper emotions. At least, she deluded herself that that's all it was. She'd known when she proposed the damn thing to him that he'd been enamored with her since they were children and, while she had a childhood crush on him as well, she pretended that she'd outgrown it. She refused to acknowledge that she imagined Gilbert falling asleep besides her at night, that she replaced Roderich with Gilbert when they had sex (it certainly wasn't making love!), that she didn't feel a magnetism around Gilbert when they were in a room together. Erzsébet was married, she couldn't allow herself to feel love for another man. It would make everything even more complicated.

So Erzsébet sat there, stiller than a statue, all this running through her mind while Gilbert poured his heart out to her like a lovesick moron. She bit her thumb, hoping the pain would force her to focus on anything else. She should've stayed in bed. If she'd ignored him, Gilbert would've been forced to leave eventually. None of this would've happened, they could've gone on as they always did. Eventually, he stopped talking. Erzsébet allowed herself to look at him again once he was silent. He was staring at her expectantly. She supposed she did have to speak to him. "What do you want me to say?"

"What do you think I want you to say?" She winced. His exasperation made sense. "I definitely don't want you to ask a stupid question like that!"

"Love is complicated." She felt his expectations boring down on her. Erzsébet sighed. "I think you're exhausted. How can you be so sure of yourself without being rested?"

"If you don't love me, say so. I'll be able to handle it." They both knew that was a lie. In his current state, he wouldn't be able to handle much more emotional upset.

"I'm married. I love my husband." Another lie. The expression on his face called her out. "Alright, I don't love Roderich. What good does me openly loving you do? It won't bring any of us closure. It's a pointless thing to say when loving you brings no joy." She paused, realizing she might have revealed too much. "Hypothetically loving you."

He caressed her cheek with his hand, smiling when she subconsciously leaned into his touch. "Because if we can't be together always, we can enjoy what time we do have together more. And then, no matter what, I know you’ll always have me in your heart and I’ll always have you in mine. Nothing could ever take that away from us." He kissed her forehead. "All I need is to know that, no matter how things may have to be, you'll always be mine, you'll always be the one I can turn to."

She closed her eyes, wrestling with her emotions in her mind. How lovely it all sounded, how easily she could picture it. It would be so easy, to slip into these fantasies and never come out. But reality nagged at her. In the real world, in the space she currently occupied, any happiness was fleeting. Any happiness was liable to be taken away from her. "He'll find out. What we're doing now upsets him enough, but he sees no reason to try and destroy it because there's no romance. I'm afraid that even if I whisper my feelings to you, the wind will pick them up and carry them to his ear." She shivered, the very thought chilling her to her bones. "Things are difficult for me, Gilbert. They're difficult in ways you can't quite understand. I can't be so free in my words."

"Then say so with your actions." He kissed her, his movements filled with desperation and longing. He wanted her, needed her, to confirm his feelings. To know he wasn't alone in his adoration. Despite her silent protestations, she returned his affection. Her heart cried out to her to say it, say it, say it. She wanted him to understand the conflicting nature of her desires and responsibilities. They parted and her eyes were filled with such ardor that it took his breath away. "I love you, Erzsi. You're my one constant. I would do anything for you, set the world on fire if you desired it. Anything you ask-"

She put a finger to his lips, shushing him. She quivered in anticipation. "What I want is for you to kiss me like that again and don't ever stop."

He complied. That night, they slept underneath the stars and within each other’s arms. It was the best rest Gilbert had gotten in months.

[imagine-hetalia-countries]

May I ask headcanons for the Axis (separately) where they are really good friend with the future s/o, but since she is starting to develop feelings for them she decided to step away because she is sure that they don’t reciprocate her feelings? Maybe happy ending? Thanks!

Hey, anon! I’m not sure if these are exactly what you wanted, so if not, let me know and I’ll redo them!

GERMANY

At first, he thinks you’re just busy, so he doesn’t really mind it or pay attention. But when he knows it’s your day off, and you’re still not responding to him when he texts to check in with you- something he does with all of his friends, but more often since you started ignoring him- is when he really starts to think something’s wrong. He’s not sure what it is, but he wants to find out.

It takes a while before he can actually catch you, and you still don’t want to tell him, but maybe it’s the genuine worry in his eyes that makes you admit it. He’s worried about you, he’s worried he did something wrong- especially if you’ve still been texting his brother. He cares about you.

It’s only when you say it that he realizes how much sense everything makes. And how much the feelings have been growing inside of him as well.

North Italy

He’s heartbroken. He thinks you don’t like him. But you two have had so much fun together, and just yesterday you were excited to visit! However, he’s not going to leave you alone. He’s going to try to talk to you. He won’t stop until you respond to him. He’ll just keep trying until you reply.

He’ll press it until you tell him what’s wrong. Think he’s bad at reading the mood in person? He’s worse when he can’t see your face. He’s terrified that you don’t like him anymore, but you mean so much to him! He can’t lose you! You’re forced to face how you feel because of how he’s pressing the issue.

And he’s excited when you tell him. This means he gets to tell you how he feels too!

Romano

Pff, fine, he didn’t need you anyway. First couple of days, he’s completely fine. A week comes, he’s fine. Two weeks, he’s on the floor in the kitchen at 3 am sobbing. He’s not actually the one to go looking for you, it’s Feliciano. Feli asks why you’ve suddenly become so distant, and when you admit to him why, he’s just confused. What makes you think Lovi doesn’t love you, he was passed out covered in melted ice cream on the kitchen floor. Just because he misses you! You’ll have to go to him though, Lovino is still in denial that he misses you.

When you do tell him, he’s acting like he’s just offended that you thought he didn’t like you. But he still grabs you and pulls you into a hug.

Japan

He genuinely thinks that you’re busy. And he won’t think anything of it unless someone says something. Maybe it’s America, asking where you are since he’s so used to seeing you and Japan together. It’s only after someone pointed out to him how odd it is that you two haven’t seen each other in so long that he starts to get worried.

Did he offend you in some way? That’s the first thing he asks you. Did you get sick, do you need him to bring you something? It’s a lot of questions like that, he doesn’t think about it being anything else. Surely you’re not avoiding him out of personal choice. He’s honestly thinking you’re offended by something he did without realizing it. So he’s going to ask, and get even more worried when you don’t respond. He doesn’t want to ask someone else to ask you, but eventually he’s put in a position where he has to. So, you two end up with someone acting as a messenger between you. He’s surprised but so relieved to hear that he didn’t offend you, and that it was because you were feeling something towards him. He’ll need some more time to consider his own emotions, but he asks that you let him have that time, but please still be friends while he works on it.

Prussia

How could you not want to spend time around him? For the first couple of days, he’ll be texting you nonstop. If you don’t reply, he’ll wait a day or two then start getting worried. He’ll ask if you’re alright. He’ll ask if you’re injured and need him to bring you something to the hospital. He thinks you’re hurt, at first. Somehow injured and can’t come to the phone. As more time passes, he starts realizing that you’re not hurt and you’re purposely distancing yourself. And it’ll hurt. He’ll visibly wilt and won’t be as open to talking. That is, until he sees you while walking the dogs. And they drag him over to you so he can’t avoid you.

He’ll still be quiet and a little worried about talking to you, but if you admit to him why, all spunk will come rushing back. He’ll stuff his free hand in his pocket and give you a stupid grin. “Why didn’t you just say that, man? Had me worried for no reason!”

Austria

Roderich is honestly not going to notice for a while. He’s busy, so he’ll just assume you are too. It’ll take a long time, or someone else pointing it out to him, for him to realize just how long it’s been that he hasn’t seen you. Or had contact with you, which is the thing more odd to him. First, you’ll get a single message asking if you’re okay. You don’t respond to that, which means after two days, you’ll start to get two. Then three. And eventually, he stops messaging. He comes right over to your house, and you have to confront your feelings for him directly. You probably already did by now, it’ll have been a few months. He asks if he did something, or if it’s because you’re being affected by how time works around him.

When you explain that it’s none of those, and what it is, he’s silent for a moment, not really sure how to react. You think you’ve messed up. He’s still quiet, unable to say anything in return, he’ll send you a quick text. It’s a confirmation that it’s okay.

[inkstaineddove]

Turning Tables

Characters: Austria, Prussia; mentions of Germany and Hungary

Summary: Hearing Austria hasn't been doing well post World War I, Prussia travels to Vienna to see for himself. He works to handle the mess he discovers.

Vienna, 1919. Since the end of the Great War, Prussia had done his best to avoid Austria. While they'd both gone through a similar loss, the removal of a royal family they cherished, things remained tense between them. In all honesty, Prussia didn't want to hear it. He knew that if he'd see Austria then he'd be blamed for their losses. That sweet little Roderich would never want to go to war, that bloodthirsty tyrant to the north tricked him into it. Meanwhile, if they had been able to claim victory, Roderich would be bending over backwards to pat himself on the back for starting the damn thing. No, he'd much rather continue to hide out in Berlin, away from any sort of confrontation while Gilbert licked his wounds. But Europe loved her gossip. Prussia had known about the divorce before it happened, a fact he would deny if asked, and had celebrated it in October when the breakup seemed inevitable. He'd been so preoccupied with losing the war that he hadn't wasted a moment being concerned about how Roderich was taking it. And why should he? No matter what side they were on at the moment, he still wanted to see the Austrian face as much personal misery as possible. No, he only began to pay attention to it when he received a letter from one of Austria's old states informing him of how bad Roderich was handling everything. The letter had promised him a juicy show, something Gilbert would be able to relish in. If that was the case, then why was Gilbert so nervous? He shook his head, clearing his mind. It wasn't nerves, he was simply so excited for the main even that his mind shut off. He entered the home, surprised by how vacant it was without his staff. "Österreich, where are you hiding?"

Prussia followed the sound of a piano deeper into the home. What Austria was doing wasn't so much as making music but making noise. His fingers pounded furiously at the keys, releasing all his tension into the instrument. He stared intensely down at the ivory, as if he was daring at it to make a move against him. "What do you want, Preußen?"

Gilbert took a seat on one of the sofas alongside the piano. "I'm checking in on you. You know how things are, word travels. Everyone's saying you're a wreck and I wanted to get a front-row seat to your implosion." Despite his taunting, concern flashed across his face. "And, man, you really are imploding. You look like hell."

"Of course I look like shit, Gilbert, I've lost everything! Some of us have fallen on hard times." Roderich appraised the other man. He looked neatly put together, as if he hadn't been fighting a war for the past four years and lost a substantial amount of territory, money, and resources. He glowered. "I forget myself. The glorious Prussia is too good to struggle," he snarled.

Such hostility right off the bat took him by surprise. Normally Gilbert was the one who fired the first shot. He sat up straight, trying to find a way to deescalate the situation. "I'm struggling there's, ah..." Quick, think of something. "Debt! Lots of postwar debt! Have to pay off France somehow." Roderich gave him a look that called him on his garbage. Gilbert exhaled loudly. "Nothing I say will be acceptable to you, so why should I bother trying to convince you that I've been dealt a shit hand too? I lost my monarchy, that's been rough."

"Cry me a river. Losing the Hohenzollerns is mercy on us all. Without the Hapsburgs, my whole state is in shambles. There is no one to rule, no one understands what's going on, and all of them refuse to listen to me! All they want to do is chase each other around Vienna and debate things. The whole practice is absurd!" Roderich buried his head in his hands. He banged out a few sharp notes on the piano to vent his frustrations. "But I bet democracy is so wonderful in Prussia!" He began imitating a North German accent with a stupid smile on his face. "Oh yes! It's so wonderful and effectual and we all hold hands and sing songs! What a wonderful way of doing things, we should've tried this long ago instead of starting every major war for the last fifty fucking years!"

That was hurtful. Gilbert crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed into a glare. "I think speaking like that constitutes as some sort of prejudice. No surprise then that everyone left you. I'm sure Feliks found your impressions of Poles equally as charming."

"As if you like the Polish either!"

He shrugged, ignoring that. "Besides, what's the point in taking your anger out on me? I'm trying to do a nice thing here, making sure that you're still functioning. Has anyone else come here to check on you?" A telling silence. Gilbert smiled without any warmth. "Exactly. I'm all that you've got right now. So, either get a little nicer or you're going to lose your only friend."

Austria jumped up, unable to contain himself. He began pacing, a cold fire burning in his eyes. "There goes your arrogance as always! We are not, nor will we ever be, friends! I don't want your sympathy; I've never asked for it and I certainly don't need it now. I'm capable of being on my own and regrouping till the time is right for me to reclaim all my possessions again. This is simply a minor hiccup. Part of the natural ebb and flow of our existence." He turned on his heel, facing Gilbert directly with unbridled contempt. "As for you, I don't want anything to do with you! Your vile tongue was the one that coaxed me into that godforsaken war and what did I get? I lost everything because of your blood lust! You didn't care one bit about assisting me with anything, you only wanted to gobble up more French territory for yourself!"

"And I did. I would've kept it all if it hadn't been for that meddling kid." Prussia shrugged dismissively, pushing away his mental picture of America. "They'll get their comeuppance soon enough. I'm not losing sleep over it." The Austrian was flustered at how little impact his words made. Seeing this, his rival seized the moment with a smirk. "If you knew all that, and I know you did because I hadn't bothered hiding it, then why did you so willingly go along with me? There you go again with your victim complex, Roddy. I'm always the one forcing you into something or doing something to you that you find so reprehensible. Will you ever grow the balls to admit that you like it? That you love taking things just as much as me?" Roderich's discomfort made him smile. He licked his teeth, hungry at the thought of conquest. "While we partitioned Poland, you acted like it was so horrendous while demanding you get some of the best portions. You didn't hesitate to attack Denmark with me on the same flimsy reasons simply because it would be an easy fight. I hate to admit it too, but we're the same. It's about time you own up to it."

"You have no shame. You like to be the villain."

"I'm not the villain, I just don't delude myself with thinking I'm the good guy. You should try it."

They stared each other down. Gilbert remained spread out on the sofa, claiming the entirety of it for himself, while Roderich stood behind the piano, his left hand clinging tightly to it. Roderich eventually cooled his nerves enough to form a sentence that wasn't filled with expletives. "Get out of my home. I don't want you defiling it with your presence any longer."

"Make me. You don't have the staff any longer to force me out." Gilbert flashed a shark-like smile, full of teeth and lacking emotion. "Face it, Roddy. In some twisted way, we need each other. Where would be if we weren't getting into screaming matches like this? There would be no more fun in life."

"I don't need you around! I am adamant in the fact that I'm perfectly capable of being on my own! In all honesty, I would prefer it. My music doesn't talk back to me in such a loathsome way. Nor do my books, my portraits, my garden." He began noticing a pattern. He truly had no living companions. Roderich began considering his life. Who on earth actually understood him? Hungary did, but she had made clear to him her feelings when she left. There was no way he could contact her without invoking her wrath. All the other territories he occupied held even more negative opinions of him, as did his former peers in the Holy Roman Empire. His eyes met Gilbert's. If this was the closest he could come to any sort intimate relationship, he was damned.

"When was the last time you were really alone?" All the baiting had left Gilbert's voice. The faintest bit of genuine sympathy - or what it pity? Roderich could no longer tell - was reflected in his eyes. "I've never seen your home this quiet."

"It's been centuries. Not since the sixteenth century." Some of the fight began to drain his body. He slumped down on the piano bench. "I have some staff still. Purely the essentials. A butler, a chauffeur, two chefs, a maid that comes twice weekly. Nothing nearly as extravagant as before. It's rather ostentatious to have a palace be so empty." He laughed bitterly. "If the state wasn't paying for them, I would personally have a hard time. My finances aren't in the best place."

Gilbert shot him an incredulous look. Roderich cleared his throat. "Alright, I'm not exactly in dire straits. I still have plenty of gold and jewels, but the government offered and why turn down a good deal?"

"You're such a cheap bastard." Gilbert couldn't stop himself from snorting out a laugh. "You almost had me for a second, till I remembered you probably have loads stashed away in some London bank account." He composed himself. "If you've been surrounded by underlings for that long, you're not going to handle in being such a huge place by yourself. Your cries might echo too loudly at night for your comfort." Embarrassed by his confession, he tried walking it back. "So I've heard. Francis gave me that advice after I destroyed him at Waterloo. It's not from personal experience." Another signature smooth save.

Roderich didn't want to touch that. He did ponder the advice for a moment, before rejecting it. "I would, but this is the smallest home I own, and I don't want to purchase an even smaller one. I had enough trouble fitting all my possessions in here as it was."

"This...this is your smallest home?" Outrage. Pure, unbridled outrage. Gilbert swiveled his head around, suddenly feeling a deep sympathy for the Marxists who called for the heads of aristocrats. "My smallest home is a hunting lodge in rural East Prussia! This is bigger than some of my palaces in Potsdam and those would be the ones I showed off to women to impress them." He closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Throughout all these years, I don't think you've ever said a more upsetting thing to me."

None of that mattered. Roderich narrowed in on his true target. "Which women, Gilbert?"

Cornered. "There's a really funny story behind that, I'm sure you'll be laughing very much. I need something to drink though. It's the only way I'll have the strength to tell you." Seeing his suspicious look, Gilbert begged. "Please. When I'm done, we'll both need one."

It was a simple enough demand and, though he would never admit, he had a feeling Gilbert was right. Roderich looked around for one of his staff to command to bring them a bottle and some glasses. There was no one else in the room. "I didn't say this, but you might have a point that I'm not well-adjusted to this life." Even more shocking, they both laughed, enjoying the very act. Roderich led them out of the music room and into the bar where they made themselves comfortable with a glass of wine and beer respectively.

Gilbert sipped from his stein happily. "Ah, much better. You also can't kick me out after I tell you this."

"I would never promise such a thing."

"I didn't think so, but worth a shot. Anyways, I got access to all the castles which I doubt is news to you because you probably have a similar arrangement. And of my favorites, the largest is the Neuis Palais. Well, I'm not sure if it's the largest but it seems like it. I loved it even when Fritz was alive and there were a few months while we were living there that I begged him to move out for a few days so I could bring this woman back, show her off, have her feel like a queen. All the works of romance-"

"That reminds me. Who was this lovely woman? It's so fascinating that you'd go to such lengths to woo her, I'd love to know her name." Austria stared him down from over the rim of his wine glass. He took his sip and smiled. "To have such powers over your heart, she must be quite the force of nature." He spoke very pointedly.

"You shouldn't ask questions you already know the answer to."

"Oh contraire. Those are usually the best questions to ask."

"Fine. It's Erzsébet, it's always her. Happy?" He was met with a fake smile brimming with hostility before continuing. "You asked to hear this, you put this on yourself. So, I'm doing all this to impress Erzsi because some of us know how to treat a woman and keep her satisfied." He offered his own mock smile. "Fritz wasn't very big on the whole plan since he was living there at the time and believed his needs usurped my own, which is ridiculous considering all the things I had to do to help him sneak his boyfriends around so he could get a little action. Anyway." Gilbert smirked, thinking back at those fond memories. "Once I inform him who it is I'm planning on-"

"Cheating with? Helping destroy her marriage? Sleeping your way to the slightest bit of self-satisfaction?" Roderich smiled, but it didn't meet his eyes. "Do any of those work for you?"

"If you're going to keep interrupting, I'll start going into graphic detail while acting it out." The distraught look on Roderich's face provided a sufficient answer. "Smart choice. I tell him who I'm going to spend a wonderful weekend with and he finds it hysterical. His immediate reaction was to ask me if Maria-Theresa knew and if it upset her. I didn't know the answer to that, but I figured if I said she did and she was, it would help my chances."

"She did know and she found it equally distasteful. It furthered her disdain for you, as both a state and person. Once you invaded Silesia, I decided she needed to know everything you'd done so we'd be more determined to crush you." Austria was gripping the arms of his chair tight in his left hand. He tried to relax his grasp, but found it impossible.

Gilbert, proud of his exceptional guesswork, paid no attention. "I'm such a genius. I got what I wanted and I weaseled out the truth! I really am the most brilliant strategist in all of Europe."

"While we're congratulating your brilliance, care to spare a word on the Schlieffen Plan?"

"It would've worked just fine if Ludwig hadn't bungled it!" Prussia huffed, crossing his arms. He resented having his plans critiqued by an armchair general.

Austria finished down the rest of his drink. The wine really did appear to be a necessity. He filled his glass again, needing more to help quiet his thoughts. "I'm surprised at how bashful you were to mention all that. Normally you love throwing this sort of thing in my face. Have you two had a falling out?" Self-loathing filled him for the faint hope in his voice.

"Why would I want to tell you all about us right now? There's no joy in kicking a dog while he's down." With a flick of his hand, Gilbert waved away Roderich’s dim glimmer of hope. "I'd rather beat you down when you're getting arrogant again about your place in the world. I figured with the divorce, you didn't want to hear about all my recent trips to Budapest." He snickered. "Correct me if I'm wrong. I'd be more than happy to fill you in on everything we've been doing."

"I most certainly do not want to hear any of that! I would appreciate if you didn't insinuate about what you're doing with her, you degenerate!" An obnoxious laughter filled the room. Roderich wanted to scream, but barely restrained himself. "Now I understand the real reason you're here. You've been waiting all this time to throw that in my face, remind me of where you stack up better as a lover than me. There's nothing to stop you now - though, I suppose there never was if you lack any morals - so why not go all in? You're such a loathsome creature."

"I didn't insinuate anything you couldn't figure out was happening! You would do the exact same to me if you had the chance." Gilbert was now growing frustrated. "How many times do I have to tell you that my real reason, no bullshit, to be here is to see how you're doing? To make sure you're not slitting your wrists or sticking your head in an oven! You don't have anyone and, besides, who knows you like your worst enemy?" He patted Roderich on the shoulder. "We both need friends right now. Arthur won't talk to me since he's taking this war close to heart and Ivan seems like he's losing it. Ludwig's being a real jerk right now so why not sit around, talking with you? You've always given me good enough entertainment."

"It's almost endearing that you feel that way, but have you ever stopped to consider how I might feel about all this? That I find you, down to my core, the most disgusting character in the world? You dragged me into a war that destroyed everything I hold dear, my ex-wife had been cheating with you for centuries and now she gets to openly be with you, you've been provoking me to war and self-destructive choices for years and besting me at every turn." Austria's hands shook with anger. All the negative emotions he'd been suppressing for the past few months began pouring out. "You're the antithesis to everything I believe makes an upstanding, respectable person. Every aspect of you from the mundane to the important fills me with dread. The fact that for so long so many have found you charming - in fact, that they've found you to be a better friend, lover, and ally than me - boggles the mind and upsets it so deeply! I'm at the point where I can barely stand the sight of you. Especially knowing that, despite every conceivable factor, you're able to still be relatively well-off and powerful while I am a shell of my former self! You are the one that's at fault for everything, but have barely faced any personal consequences!"

Prussia sat, continuing to drink while the other man vented. He glanced at his watch, finding the whole speech tiresome. "Are you done yet? I've heard all this before from you. I would've figured that such a maestro would've learnt a new song by now."

That did it. The tables turned, Austria saw red. He bolted up and grabbed Prussia by the collar, thrusting him up. "I would love nothing more than to rid my life of you for once and for all. No matter where I turn, no matter where I go, I always come up against you. Why? What game are you playing at here? Haven't you had your fun yet? You've cursed me to become eroded over time, replaced by such a backwater Piefke!"

"Are you really going to hit me to make yourself feel better? After all the years you derided me for doing the same?" Prussia's answer was the feeling of a fist crashing into his chin. He shifted his jaw around, laughing. "You've never been much of a fighter. That's the lamest hit I've ever taken, didn't even draw blood."

"Then show me how it's done, you brute! You're the one who's always talked about rolling in the mud. Here's your chance! For once, I'm actually ready!"

His hands balled into a fist and he swung his arm back. He would show Austria, he'd show him how a real man fought. But something caught Prussia's attention. How crazed Roderich looked, the desperation in his eyes. This wouldn't be a fair fight. This would be wish fulfillment, further proof that the world was stacked up against him. Gilbert dropped his arm and pushed Roderich away. "Why would I when you're beating yourself up better than I could? What honor is there in this fight?"

There was that damn pity again. Roderich couldn't take it. He collapsed onto the floor. All the fight within him drained at last. There was nothing left, not even a flicker. "I've lost everything. I don't even have a rival who sees me as a worthy challenger."

"Look at yourself, Roderich! Really look at yourself! You don't need me to beat the shit out of you to feel alive again. Have a little more sense of self-worth than that! You need to get a grip before you completely lose your mind." Prussia closed his eyes, swallowing all his pride. "I'm only doing this because you need some sort of pick me up. I respect you, in my own way. I wouldn't have wasted my time going after you all these years if I didn't respect how much of a threat you can be." He opened his eyes, staring intently out the window. "And, before everything got intense, you were decent towards me. I respected that you appreciated me enough to let me become a kingdom. And that was before you started handing kingships out like they were candy!"

Austria rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fat good it did me. Acknowledging you in such a way proved to be the worst move of my life." He considered the rest of what Prussia had said. The full weight of it took him by surprise once it settled in. "You have a strange way of showing respect."

He sat down besides Roderich, assessing the situation to be stable enough to move closer. "I respected what you could do politically and, for a very short time, militarily. I'll admit that once Erzsi told me about her situation, who you were as a person didn't move me. Didn't mean I stopped respecting how willing you were to fight me on everything, even when it was obvious you were going to lose."

"On paper, I typically had the upper-hand. If you're going to delude yourself, try not to do it in my presence." Roderich crossed his arms. He slowly felt some of his barriers crumbling down, much to his curiosity. "I suppose it's only fair if I admit to admiring your tenacity, despite it always being used to oppose me. The way you would always chase after whatever fantasy you held was fascinating to watch when I could be a bystander and, though I will never repeat this, rather stunning when you achieved it." He shot a warning look, wanting to take back what he so freely gave. "Empire does not suit you, though. I'd never seen you more desirous for bloodshed."

"It doesn't look good on you either. You've never been able to take criticism, but holy shit. All those dissenters you crushed before words could even leave their mouths. You couldn't handle a single thing being said against you."

They paused for a moment before laughing. "I take it Erzsébet lectured you on her theory of empire as well."

Gilbert affixed a stern expression of his face. "You become the worst version of yourself with power! Stop invading everyone, how many more wars do you have left in you?" He spoke with a terrible Hungarian accent, his voice up three octaves in what he believed a woman sounded like. The two of them broke into uproarious laughter.

It was Roderich's turn. He gave Gilbert a conspiratorial look. "Leave the Balkans alone! What have they ever done to you!" He dropped the voice before switching back to his normal tone. "Well, dear, I don't know. Assassinating our crown prince feels like a big offense." They laughed even harder. They had to lean against each for support, wiping tears away from their eyes.

"Don't forget that bastard, France. Big winner, having his country torn to shreds for four years. Better not mess with him else he might start waving a white flag so fast, you'll call him Italy."

Austria shook his head, scoffing. "For God's sake, don't mention the damn Italians. If I knew Feliciano would turn out to be such a useless coward, I would've let Antonio take the entirety of the damned place in the divorce." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I suppose Turkey was just as helpful. It's amazing, isn't it? How the hell did we manage to get surrounded with such utter incompetence?"

"Because we'd alienated anyone else with half a brain." Prussia held his glass up. "Cheers to our utter unlikability." They clinked glasses.

"Really, I think you were more of the problem than me. You've done a lot over the years to draw everyone's ire." Roderich sighed at the pointed look Gilbert shot him. "Fine. Yes, we're both intolerable and insufferable bastards. Better?"

"Better."

They sat there, drinking in peaceable silence. The only time it was broken was when they would go to refill their glasses. It was during such a break that Gilbert observed Roderich over the bar counter. He appeared to be doing better than he was originally. He'd moved away from heading towards a psychotic break to a place of being consumed by deep melancholy. It wasn't fantastic, but any improvement was satisfactory to Gilbert. Once everything had calmed down, he was surprised at how much he was enjoying himself, how easy it was to be in the other man's presence. If he was being honest, they'd been heading in that general trend for a few years now. Something about the war changed their relationship. Perhaps it was having to be united against more fearsome enemies, perhaps it was because it became increasingly apparent that their personal melodrama would be resolved in Gilbert's favor, or perhaps they'd gotten too old for all this. Whatever it was, Gilbert was bizarrely thankful for it. He remembered their youth - when there was room to be some sort of friends, even if they never always got along - fondly. To have someone who understood your mentality, your life experiences, you could turn to would be pleasant. Much better than Antonio's constant optimism or Francis' continual condescension or Ivan's neediness.

He slumped back down besides Roderich. "Feels weird to admit it, but the war didn't feel quite as terrible since you were around. When we're not trying to kill each other, you're pretty fun to be with." He swigged his beer back, needing some alcohol to help loosen up his words. "At first, I was pissed at you for personally taking such a backseat to the whole affair, but it was always a nice break away from everything to come here, see it was all the same instead of ruins and trenches." Gilbert wrinkled his nose, the smell of sod and rotting flesh filling his nose. "Damn trenches were hell. I hate this city, but it became like heaven on earth during those years with you at the center of it all, showing that there were still some civilized men."

"There's no glory in modern warfare. In the past, I could ride up on a horse with all my decorations, shout a few words of confidence to my men, and let them handle the rest. Maybe charge you or whatever state I was warring against to make it a fair fight. Now, everything's so bloody, so uncouth. I want nothing to do with that, I'd rather handle everything behind the scenes, it's what I've always been better at. I'll admit that having spouses or underlings with better armies and generals made me quite rusty." He smiled gently at Gilbert. "Besides, while we're being complementary towards each other, why would I want to get in the way of two of the best fighters Europe will ever see? You and Hungary on the same side, conspiring together instead of against each other? What would I have to offer in that? You two would be right not to listen to me." He shrugged, leaning back against the chair behind him. "I'm glad I could provide you with some sort of escapism and you'll be happy to know you gave me the same. It was refreshing to hear from someone who actually knew what was going on and what needed to be done as opposed to aristocrats who'd grown softer than me, unsure of what to do since they'd never fought for anything before."

Gilbert snickered, shaking his head. "We're morons. We're really morons. Wasted all those damn years trying to kill each other and look where we are?" He waved an arm around. "We're fucking pariahs with no glory and only the contempt of everyone else to prove we achieved anything!"

"The good news is that when you're at the bottom, the only place you can go is up." Roderich caught Gilbert's eyes, failing to hide a smirk. "The bad news is that we've sunk beyond rock bottom. I think we've managed to sink so low as to find ourselves in hell."

They held each other's eyes before breaking into a laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting them. What a waste of time and blood they'd spent trying to destroy each other. So focused were they on their petty grievances, on trying to destroy what the other had achieved, they couldn't focus on the real threats. It only made sense that after so many years of signaling their weariness and displeasure at their constant fighting, France and Britain would team up (what power Austria and Prussia had to make a different pair of enemies finally see eye-to-eye!) and crush them. So concerned were they in besting the other for power in Central Europe that they forgot they were bit players in the larger Anglo-French drama, that they could be punished for hogging the spotlight too long by their American sugar daddy.

"You know, after any battle where you'd beaten me severely, I would always get absolutely obliterated to take my mind off it." Gilbert looked at his stein suggestively.

Roderich considered it. What did he have to lose? He'd already had a few glasses of wine, what harm would more do? He hadn't had anything resembling fun in so long, it wouldn't kill him to enjoy himself for one night. A voice in the back of his reminded him that it would be having fun with Gilbert, with Prussia. The very idea was unthinkable, previously unconscionable! The world had changed so rapidly. He was divorced, his empire lost to the pages of history. Hadn't things changed for Gilbert too? Hadn't he been pushed out of the seat of his power as well, having all he'd won so recently taken back as quickly as it came? They both were losers, the most pathetic kind of losers. For the first time in centuries, there was no difference in power between them. As strange as it was, they were equals. Equals in misery and, if Roderich could get over himself, possibly equals in friendship.

"Whenever you'd dealt me a crushing loss, I would always lock myself in my piano room and play until my fingers were raw, until I could no longer see that gloating mug of yours." Roderich chuckled, feeling as if some weight had been lifted from him. "Perhaps your method would've been better. Go on, get whatever I have in the bar that's strongest."

Gilbert shot up, complying with the order as if it had been barked from a general. "I'm making you play for me when you're drunk! I need to hear Edelstein's 'Ode to a Drunken Haze', I know it's your best piece."

"Only if you accompany me on flute. I refuse to make a fool only out of myself!"

"Oh, trust me," Gilbert smiled, pointing the bottle of rum he'd found at Roderich. "We're both going to look like complete idiots by the end of the night. Might as well have some fun with it."

Roderich was surprised to find how true those words would ring.