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Prussia, or better known Teutonic Knight at that time, first met him when his Order was raiding smaller villages for food, up east-north near some city called Pskov. The boy was about his height, around ten years old, he had old torn clothes, a scarf and the biggest nose and the most beautiful violet, big eyes Gilbert has ever seen. Teutonic Knights decided that this child is not worth his time, he looked weak and his people were weak. They believed in different gods of sun, rivers, earth, and nature. It will take a long time to convert them to one single god and true religion. Once he himself was a savage like them. He lived with the tribes inhabiting his land.* And then knights from distant places came, brought religion, interstellar stories, beautiful weapons ... They took him to themselves to represent their Order and now he rode out on horses waving a sword and fighting all sorts of Lithuanian kingdoms (that guy was a tough nut to crack!)
“Who are you? Why are you robbing my people?” - asked the child. His voice was soft, but cold like newly fallen snow.
“Me? I am the great and awesome Teutonic Knights! And who are you?” - answered Gilbert.
“I am Rus’.” - the child… Rus’ answered.
“Well Rus’ your people are weak and your nose is big and stupied.” - Teutonic Knights jumped up to little Rus’ and grabbed his nose and pulled. “We will see each other again! Next time I hope you will be a better fighter.” Gilbert jumped again on his horse and started to ride away.
He heard, “You are so mean Teutonic Knights!”
Next time they saw each other by accident. Teutonic Knights decided to go for a walk in the forest. It was winter and cold. Why did he even decide to do so? He was lost and the weather got worse. And then he saw the boy with beautiful, violet eyes. Rus’. He was collecting some sticks, and he was also wearing the same old clothes. Isn't he cold? Because Gilbert was shivering and didn't feel his feet already.
“Hey, you! Big nose. Do you happen to know which direction is west?” - asked Gilbert.
“Wha? Teutonic Knights?” - he dropped his sticks, “you scared me! Do you want to fight now? It will soon start to snow heavily.” - he started to collect his sticks again.
“No, I am lost… so you know or not?” - Teutonic Knights asked again.
“Oh, where is western territories? No sorry, but I know where Novgorod and Syzdal’.” - Rus’ finished collecting his stuff and started to walk.
“Hey, are you going to just leave me here?” - What is this big nose thinking of?
“Da?! But if you want you can stay for a night at mine house… it is small but we can manage somehow, we always do with mine sisters.” - Rus’ said.
“Ah, and here I thought you would not offer the grate me anything!” - Teutonic Knights started to walk behind Rus’.
Rus’ just smiled at him.
The house is wooden and small, and located in the middle of the forest. Who even builds houses in the middle of nowhere, where people are not even living?! Wait he said sisters! No, he cant see women, it was against his Order ideals!
“You Rus’ big nose, you said you have sisters, are they here?” - he asked.
“What? Oh, my dear sisters are not here. They went together to the city for girls stuff… you know? My dear little sister Belarus needs some time with her older sister and other people. She is not the most sociable child, he he.” - he smiled happily.
“Oh, good! I can't see women.” - Teutonic Knights said.
“Why?” - asked Rus’ putting sticks in the fireplace.
“Why?! My order and religion do not allow me to communicate with them!” - was this Rus’ slow-witted or what?!
“Oh, I see… Well you are strange yourself.” - Rus’ went up to the table and took a pot of water and brought it to the fireplace.
“How so?” - Gilbert sat on the floor near the fireplace in order to get some warmth.
“Oh, you see you have wite, like snow hair, and red like frozen rowan eyes, and your skin is white like ice… Like a General Winter, he also has white, like ice skin! But nobody can see him, only me.” - Rus’ went back to the table where were also small wooden cups. He took out some herbs and put them in two cups.
“Kse? It is you who is strange! You have a nose bigger than your head and your eyes violet, I never saw such colored eyes. And who is General Winter? Is he strong?” - Gilbert said.
“Why are you always bringing up my nose? I know it is big! You don't need to mention it all the time.” - he poured hot water into cups and gave one to Teutonic Knights. “And, da, General Winter is the strongest…” - Rus’ tasted a little from the cup and smiled at Gilbert. “Are you going to drink? It is safe and good if you want to get warmer faster.”
“Yes, thank you… Do you have another name? I am Gilbert, or Teutonic Knights.” - the drink tasted really good!
“Oh, Ivan or Rus’!” - he smiled again. Why does he always smile?
“Nice… Um, the drink is good…” - Gilbert already warmed up.
“Da, da, I know! My older sister Ukraine made this composition. We collected herbs all summer, then dried them all autumn, and in winter we are drinking.” - Ivan looked really happy.
They stayed near the fireplace for some time talking about small things.
“Hey, Ivan stupid nose where I am going to sleep?” - Gilbert asked.
“Oh, we are going to sleep on pechka ! See here is the fireplace and you sleep on top. The fire keeps you warm all night.” - Rus’ started to climb on top of this pechka . He was wearing a simple white shirt with some kind of embroidery. And ordinary white pants and of course his whitley gray scarf.
“Are you sure we are not going to burn?” - Teutonic Knights doubted this whole heating system and sleeping place.
“Da, I am sure. I sleep here everyday. Sisters too when they will be home. Take off your clothes, I won't wait here for you all night.” - Rus’ finally settled down and began to straighten the blankets.
“Sure” - Gilbert took off his clothes, he ended up in simple white pants and also climbed up.
They lay like that in the dark for a while, close to each other. Gilbert saw one time by accident, he did not peep in any way, he just saw through the open door, two men from the order who were also lying like this together on the bed and then began to do something! One bent down and leaned his lips against the lips of the other, then he did not understand at all what they were doing, but it looked nice. Maybe they should try too? Is this a special religious ritual?
“Hey, Rus’ are you sleeping?” - Gilbert asked.
“Net, why?” - Ivan turned his face and looked at the knight.
“Do you know anything about rituals where you need to press lips together and then touch each other?” - Teutonic Knights asked.
Ivan sat up abruptly on the bed, “Ritual? I don't think you mean what you mean…”
“What do you know what I mean? It looked good. Let's try!” - Gilbert also sat up.
Rus’ got all red, or at least it looked like that in the darkness. “You want to try that? But I don't think we are old enough for such rituals… We can maybe try to kiss, if you want, you know, press lips together... “
“Kiss? Oh I know kissing! I never kissed anyone. Do you?” - Gilbert asked.
“...Da, I did.” - Rus’ answered sadly, looking somewhere behind Gilbert.
“So you know how it happened? Show then!” - he used his commanding tone.
“I guess I can show you, come here.” - Rus’ moved close to Teutonic Knights,and then gently laid his hand on his cheek, pulled himself, and then gently leaned his lips against Gilberts. The kiss was ordinary and very innocent. It seemed to Teutonic Knights that Ivan tasted like a cold day, like frost on his skin. To Rus’ Gilbert tasted like fresh apples with a little sour taste.
They pulled away from each other, looking into each other's eyes. “Wow, it felt strange! But I liked it. We should do it some time again.” - said Gilbert, breaking the silence.
“Da? You were fine with that? Sure we can try again. But now I think we need to go to sleep, I am tired.” - Rus’ layed down.
“Yes, I am also tired.” - Teutonic Knights layed too, closer to Rus’.
In the morning the weather finally became good. Two future great nations, now still small children, saying their parting words.
“Farewell Rus’!** I will come back and next time we will see each other on the battlefield.” - Teutonic Knights started to run from the house.
“Till we meet again. And next time I will be much, much stronger and nobody will be able to hurt me and my people anymore.” - Rus’ again was politely smiling.
* * *
As time went on, Teutonic Knights, out of simple warrior Order became the great Prussia. He always was the greatest, but now he is even greater! He and his people had excellent military training and an army, beautiful palaces, wonderful architecture and science. Gilbert walked importantly through the palace, pacing and pounding his heels on the marble floor. Today, someone important was supposed to come from Russia, they say the whole embassy.*** This big-nosed ... he hasn't seen him for a long time. How was he doing? The last time he heard that some kind of massive reforms were taking place in Russia. Will Russia finally get off his pechka ? He laughed to himself. So he walked here near the reception hall and waited for him to be invited to a meeting.
After few minutes his king Frederick ||| showed up with his retinue.
“Are you ready for the meeting, Prussia? Today we will host the Tsar of Russia himself, so you should be in your best shape!” - he said.
‘The king himself? Interesting!’ - thought Prussia, “Yes, of course I'm ready.” - he answered.
They walked into a huge and very ornate room. His king sat down at the throne, and Prussia stood proudly beside him, like a perfect soldier. Then the doors opened and a lot of people entered the room, in the center was the Russian Tsar Peter. He immediately began to look for Russia. Where is he? Then he saw a tall young man next to the king, he was at least half head taller than everyone in the hall! He lit up with such delight at everything around him, with innocent large brightly-violet eyes, he had beautiful features, with plump cheeks, and ashen hair, and that big nose! It was Russia.
‘How handsome he has become, it’s even hard to believe’ - Prussia pondered to himself.
Then their gazes met and Russia smiled. Prussia immediately looked away. He thought that Russia would be this uncouth boy, as he remembered him, and not this beautifully dressed, young man!
After an official reception the Tsar and his king decided to talk separately and discuss all the details of various agreements and transactions, as well as to make a cultural exchange. And so he and Russia were left alone in a small room over a cup of tea.
“We haven't seen each other for a long time Prussia! Now you even changed your name, I am so happy!” - Russia got up from the table, almost dropping porcelain cups of tea, and climbed to hug Prussia.
Gilbert grabbed his nose stopping him from being crushed in a bear hug, “Be careful! But I see you haven't changed at all! The same awkward, only grew in height. So you will soon outgrow all the trees but remain a child.”
“I'm sorry I'm sorry, my Tsar thinks the same,” - Russia smiled again with his childish smile, “But he promised that when he will be done with reforms I will become a great Empire, with great people! That is what we are here actually. Peter has a tour around Europe where he can learn more about the world around. He told me to learn from other countries.”
“Well, with your attitude now you have a lot to learn.” - Gilbert sat back at the table.
They sat in silence for some time, when Prussia noticed that Russia was holding a small cup, really carefully, between his two big hands. “What are you doing? Why are you holding the cup like this?”
“Oh, I'm just trying to be careful. I broke a lot of expensive cups like this in China's home during tea ceremonies…” - Ivan answered.
“Who is China?” - Prussia didn't know anyone in Europe with such a name.
“He is my really close friend.” - well it didn't say much to Prussia, but it doesn't matter.
Russia reached for the sugar in the bowl, for the fifth spoon already, which was on the table.
“What a beautiful stone, so orange with tints of yellow, just like my favorite sunflowers! What is it called?” - Ivan asked.
“It's amber, have you ever seen it? These stones are found in my capital, Konigsberg, on the beaches.” - Prussia answered proudly, “our masters can make anything out of it!”
“Wow, I didn't even know there was such a thing at all. I think it will become my favorite stone from now on!” - Russia just answered happily.
“You are such a child.” - Prussia just said with a tiny smile.
Their state leaders parted as good friends, with agreements on the export and import of products, as well as the possibility of a military alliance. And the countries for the first time have established good relations. Prussia personally did not even expect that Russia would turn out to be a pleasant companion ... and most importantly, it would turn out that he had grown so much, and even became taller than Gilbert and so handsome! How unfair.
The Amber Room was the culmination of the Prussian masters, a great work of art. How proud Gilbert was of his craftsmen. But when his next ruler, the son of the previous one, said that he would give the whole room to the Russian Tsar Peter, he could not help but be disappointed. But after thinking it over, Gilbert decided for himself that this is a good gesture to strengthen the alliances of these two countries. And the Russian himself really liked amber, he said himself, it resembles sunflowers, maybe it will please him, warm him up? Prussia decided that next time he would see this room already fully built up in Russia, somewhere in a big palace, where he will see Ivan next time.
* * *
For the first time Prussia and Russia were on different sides of the battlefield. For the first time Prussia experienced defeits and the might of the Great Russian Empire army. Prussia was in a long lasting war with Austria. Russian Empress Elizavetta Petrovna decided to help Austria which led Russia to take over all estern Prussia, even the capital Konigsberg.
‘What a shame’ - Prussia thought, ‘before I drove him and now he bends me over. And it was not in vain that he said that Rus’ would grow and will become the strongest.’
But everything changed when the Russian Empire got a new Emperor - Peter the third. He was a longtime fan of Prussian king Fridrich the second. Russia had to release all the controlled territories of Prussia and conclude the Petersburg Peace . It seemed to Ivan himself that in this way the Emperor sold Russia.
The Emperor was telling him, “How I would like Russia to be a girl, that you would be a girl... Then Prussia could marry you! You must make it so that you will unite with Prussia... I expect that you will do everything that is required of you ... you hear dear Russia…”
And Ivan will do it, will do everything to be strong, never to be alone and weak again. After all, not only people, Russian people, depend on the Russian empire, but also other countries that are part of his territories. But he still felt ashamed…
Peter decided to make a huge ball, invite as many people as possible and celebrate the union of Russia and Prussia. But apparently no one was going to invite Russia, Ivan, himself. Therefore, now he was in a private room with a fairly drunk Prussia. Ivan himself, no matter how much he drank, did not get drunk, and sometimes he wanted so much at least to get tipsy.
Ivan sat on the bed and Gilbert staggered to finish another glass of expensive whiskey. His dress uniform was already crumpled, and the top three buttons were unfasten. Ivan was afraid that a little more and Gilbert would fall.
“Gilbert, maybe you will sit down? Doesn't look like you can stand on your own.” - Ivan tried to be as polite as possible.
“I will do as I please! Give me some time it is mine celebration, my territories are finally back and I am getting your soldiers support in the war with this stupied Austria.” - Prussia was stammered in words. But he still decided to sit down, and on shaking legs he walked to the bed and plopped down beside Russia. Gilbert smelled strongly of alcohol. He looked at Russia, put his arm around his shoulders and then, moving forward, grabbed his earlobe with his teeth. “How cute you are, you grew up so well! Not for nothing did France tell me that he would not mind having fun with you.”
“Really? But I myself didn’t know.” - Ivan just smiled, of course he knew everything, but he was playing the fool. Ivan learned to play this game a long time ago, from the time of the Tatar Khanate, from the time of his childhood. And if the Emperor said that Russia needs to do anything in order to unite with Prussia, the only thing Ivan can do is to oblige.
Prussia began to unbutton the Russian's uniform, and then put one hand under the undershort, “So you're also tough. And I couldn't even tell! Your chest is hard as a stone. And I thought that you were just well fed up.”
“Da? And I didn’t think about it at all,” - Ivan also put his hand in Gilbert's hair.
Gilbert began to kiss Ivan greedily, in order to deepen the kiss, his hand pressed Ivans chin with his fingers, and deepened the kiss. All the same, soldier always remains a soldier, and Prussia, raised by wars and warriors, remained a savage, and even the strictest Prussian military training could not kill it in him, and even in bed.
“Hurry up, Russia, undress!” - and not waiting he started to rip Russia's clothes off. Ivan followed Gilbert and started helping to undress too.
For the first time Russia and Prussia became truly united that night.
* * *
Prussia was taken over by France and Napoleon, what a disgrace! How he hates France. His king didn't do anything for the country and for the people and just sat back. Gilbert himself hated it. He knew that people wanted to fight, wanted to protect. And first and for most people created the country, created him. And if the king will not do anything he will. Few thousand of the soldiers of the Prussian army ran to the Russian Empire and vowed their lives to the Russian emperor, creating a Russian-German part of the army to fight the French army. Gilbert had a plan and if he would be able to realise it he would be in St. Petersburg in a few weeks. He can't just sit in the castle and be a beautiful prisoner of France, and the Russian Empire was the only hope for the future of Prussia freedom, or even the whole Europe. He and a few reliable soldiers pretending to be traders set off. He even stained his hair with charcoal so that it turned black so that no one would recognize him. At the end of the day, he had a great and very memorable appearance!
When in a few weeks they finally managed to get to the capital of the Russian Empire, it was necessary to somehow achieve an audience with the Emperor. But Gilbert simply could not just say that he was the representative of the country of Prussia. So it was necessary to find Ivan so that he would intervene and then they could secretly discuss the strategy and the formation of a joint army. In the meantime, he stopped at the barracks with the rest of the soldiers.
At night he went out into the street, and as if an unknown spirit led him through the streets of St. Petersburg. He came out to the bridge over the sea and saw a figure there who he knew very well.
“Russia! Nice to see you. Is it a miracle that I see you here? Or you waited for me?” - Gilbert smiled and came closer, too close to Ivan. Did he grow up again? He was a whole head taller than Gilbert.
Ivan turned and looked at Prussia, “you know sometimes countries can feel when other countries show up on their territories? I could feel you really well when you just entered the Russian Empire territory,” - Russia smiled and continued, “I can feel Lithuania, Ukraine, China as good as you, but my dear little sister Belarus I don't feel at all. I think she has some sort of dark magic? She can sneak up on me really well.” - now he started to look around like Belarus going to jump out from the darkness.
“I saw your sister a few times, truly a scary woman… I am glad to see you, Ivan.” - now Prussia turned fully to face him.
“Really? I heard that your country is not doing really well, I guess you are here because of that?” - Russia also turned.
“Yes, yes I am here because of that. But before that, I really missed you.” - Prussia took Russia's hands in his, “Please, Ivan… And I would even throw away my great pride and beg you and your Emperor to help my people.”
Ivan firstly looked taken aback, but then just warmley smiled and said, “Russia and Russians never leave their allies and friends without help! If you want to meet with the Emperor we will. But I can promise you that Russia will fight because France is also an enemy of my Empire. We are trying to implement Prussian soldiers in our army.”
“Thank you so much Russia! I will not be in debt. We'll be able to slap this bastard France in his hairy face.” - Prussia looked like he would glow like a christmas tree.
“Do you want to have a drink for our alliance and future victories in mine chambers? And tomorrow we will go to the Emperor...” - Russia leaned against the railing of the bridge.
“Who's talking about what and you about drinking?” - Prussia laughed, “But if you offer… and even in your chambers… I would gladly take the offer.” - Gilbert smiled slyly and then grabbed Russia by the arm and led him off the bridge.
“Um, Gilbert, we're going the wrong way…” - Ivan laughed.
In 1812 the Russian army managed in the Battle of Borodino to drive Napoleon's army back from the country. The beaten and frozen army was forced to retreat. Prussian soldiers on the French side of the army retreated on the Russians side by the thousands. And in the end the strategic agreement on fighting together against France between the Russian and Prussian army was made. The popular song was going around Prussian people, which was stuck in Gilbert's head “Wait, Bonaparte, <...> we will defeat you, because the Russians showed us how to do it...”
Gilbert himself was so shocked when he saw how Ivan and his army fought. He fought like a beast! And here he thought that Ivan was a beast only in bed kse kse… But anyway, Ivan was much, much stronger than a normal human, stronger than Gilbert. He doesn't know any country who is superhuman like Russia… This was not a small child who was beaten by everybody anymore.
Now they were sitting in a field tent where they discussed strategies for further battles. But only he and Ivan were sitting there for now. Ivan sat quietly and drank tea, with his legs crossed, he was wearing a beautiful and clean military uniform and again his scarf. While Gilbert stood at the table and looked at the map of the battle plan. One of his arms was bandaged from a recent injury.
“Ivan? Ivan! Are you listening to me? I am trying here to discuss some battle strategies with you.” - Gilbert was a little bit pissed.
“Da, Gilbert, I am. And I think you need to rest. Does your arm still hurt?” - Russia carefully put the cup on the table.
“No, I will rest when we will finally free my lands! And no it does not hurt anymore.” - Prussia straten up.
“I understand you. We just signed a treaty with Austria, we will have more battle power now and support. And tired you will not help us in any way.” - Ivan politely continued.
“That bastard… I still hate that we needed to ally with him. But hard times require exceptions. And don't tell me what to do, Russia!” - he hit the table with a good arm and accidentally knocked over a cup of tea that had spilled onto the map.
“Scheiße!” - Gilbert began to wipe the map faster with the hem of his shirt.
“See? Let's go for a walk.” - Ivan stood up and walked to Gilbert, taking him by a good hand. Prussia did not resist.
They decided to walk away from all interested and curious people. They walked along an endless field, it was already getting dark and the moon looked out and the stars appeared. Russia stopped and looked at the sky, “Hey, Gilbert, do you think we will ever be able to reach the stars?”
“Stars? Don't say such nonsense! How would you do that?” - Prussia also stopped and looked up.
“I don't know… Maybe people would learn how to fly?” - Ivan smiled.
“I didn't think you were such a dreamer kse kse.” - Gilbert laughed. Ivan laughed too.
They decided to sit down and the silence was only diluted by the distant noise from the military camp.
“Iva...” “Gilb…” - they started to talk at the same time.
“You go first.” - Gilbert said.
“Oh? I just wanted to say that I am really happy to fight side by side with you.” - Ivan smiled.
“Me too Vanysha…”**** - Gilbert started to reach for Ivan where he immediately met Prussia. They started to kiss passionately. Gilbert put his hands in Ivan’s hair. Russia started to unbutton Prussia's shirt.
“Auch!” - Gilbert recoiled sharply.
“Did I touch your hand? And you told me that it is fine.” - Ivan looked worried.
Gilbert through his teeth said, “I lied…” and then he abruptly pushed Russia to the ground and lay down on him himself and then bit Russia's lip. Ivan wrapped his arms around Gilbert and pulled him closer.
“When the war ends, let's celebrate properly, not in some field or forest!?” - Gilbert asked, breathing heavily.
“Celebrate properly? We can celebrate for a whole month! But somewhere warm…” - Ivan moved closer to Gilbert's face and kissed him again.
“Sure… But for now we can be satisfied with what we have, the field and the moon and your stars.” - and Prussia kissed Russia on the nose.
* * *
It was a big celebration, theirs celebration! Russian Emperor Nicolai the first and Prussian queen Friederike Luise, now known as Alexandra Fedorovna, were having the wedding ball. In a huge, richly decorated Hall of the Winter Palace were hundreds, if not thousands of people, at the very least it seemed to Ivan like that. But he was looking for only one person, or rather the country, Prussia. He knew that Gilbert was here. Walking through dancing, talking happy people was not easy and Ivan tried to be polite and not push them. He was already invited to dance by three lovely ladies, but they didn't interest him. For them he was a very handsome young and tall man, from a noble kind, good perspective in marriage. Russia cringed at the thought of marriage… No, Russia can not belong to someone concrete, Russia is the union of brotherly peoples knit together within one country, that is why he should seek friends with everyone, to get the whole world together.
He found Gilbert standing near the big window looking somewhere outside, in one of his hands was a drink, the other was behind his back. He was dressed in the gala Prussian military uniform, he looked great. His red eyes against the dark blue uniform especially stood out. Russia decided to surprise him and walked around the crowd, came out behind and put his hands on his shoulders. Gilbert started.
“Fool, I would have poured champagne on myself!” - Prussia sharply turned around and looked at Russia.
“And hello to you, dear Prussia. Do you find the ball of your liking?” - Russia decided to play nice for now.
“You know that no, I don't like crowds.” - Gilbert finished the glass and put it on the windowsill.
“Then how about we go outside to the balcony?” - Ivan handed him his hand and, not waiting for the answer, dragged outside. Fortunately there was no one.
“Need to drag me? I could have walked myself.” - Prussia smiled.
“But that would be no fun…” - Ivan made a childish face and put out his tongue.
Without holding himself, Gilbert laughed, then looking around, grabbing Russia on his nose, quickly stood on the tiptoe and gently kissed him on his lips.
“You have to grow so tall that I need to stand on tiptoes in order to reach you?” - he asked quietly.
“Well, I am not in charge of my growth but I do enjoy looking down at everybody.” - Ivan answered quietly but with pride in his voice. “Happy wedding, Prussia.”
“Happy wedding, Russia. I am glad that we have been allies for so long.” - Prussia said.
“Me too, me too…” - Russia took one of Prussia's hands and kissed it.
They stood like that for some time without any words. Waltz sounds were heard from the hall and people began to be divided into pairs.
“Would you like to dance with me, Prussia?” - Ivan walked a little back and bowed, stretching his hand theatrically.
“And why should you lead, Count Ivan?” - Gilbert laughed.
“And because your queen is marrying my Emperor, everything is very logical.” - Ivan also laughed.
Prussia made a face. And then, accepting an invitation to the dance, took Ivan by hand. They danced very slowly, close to each other, enjoying every second. At the end of the day it was their celebration too, their nation's celebration. The Russian Empire and Prussian Kingdom became closer once again.
Gilbert asked after some time, “Do you want to leave the ball a little earlier? No one would look for us…”
“Da, let's go.” - and they carefully slipped out of the ballroom together.
Russia was slowly kissing Prussia's neck. Both of them were in Ivans private room in the Palace.
“Ivan… Ivan, would you take off your scarf today?” - Gilbert asked in an intermittent voice. Russia looked at him at first with a question, and after that carefully took it off. Underneath were bandages all around his neck. “Will you ever tell me about them?”
“Net, not now, maybe not ever…” - Ivan answered carefully.
“Understand, I will not ask you about it anymore.” - And Gilbert wrapped Ivan's neck with his hands and pulled back into a kiss.
* * *
Russia no Ivan betrayed him! At least Prussia liked to think about it like that. And for whom? For some Serbia?! Who was that even?! The world was on the edge of the war, the biggest in the history of humanity probably. And Russia chose his side, he chose Serbia, said that they are one people, brotherly nations, and he would support Serbia. And they were not brotherly people? Like their kings did not marry each other for generations and states did not fight together for numerous times? Whatever, he has a brother to support, to create a great German nation and defeat like that of France and Britain once and for all.
“Russia, Russia! Jovan, Jovica?!***** Where are you? I was looking for you everywhere” - Serbia, his new ally. The kind decided to support him, saying they were one people, and Russia agreed. However, he didn't think that they would be so “brotherly”... Serbia reminded him of Belarus, his dear sister, and not in a good way.****** The man was much shorter than him with unbrushed, shoulder length hair and cigarette in his mouth.
“I found you, dear Russia!” - he ran up to Ivan and hugged him from behind. “I am so happy that you are helping me in this war. Together with the Russian army Serbia will finally become free and stronger than ever. Oh Jovan, Jovan I was waiting for you here near the Danube river, looking north and thinking about you. And finally we can be together.” - Serbia only strongly hugged him and pressed his face to Ivan’s back.
“Really? Vuk, you are so cute. If you want we can live as a big family: me, my sisters, Baltic countries, you…” - Russia turned around and stroked Serbian dark disheveled hair, making it even more chaotic.
“Ne, ne Russia,only us together. Russia and Serbia will be together. Forever.” - Vuk rose on tiptoes, he was lower than Ivan on head and a couple of centimeters, and kissed him on the lips.
Russia was surprised at first, but then decided to answer the kiss. At the end of the day he would support anyone who would ask for help, and especially for brotherly slavic people. Like that he would be step clothes to uniting the whole world.
Russia betrayed Prussia and the whole German nation once again. Russian people killed the whole Tsar family, which was directly connected to Germany and Prussia! The new queen was German born, Tsar Nicolai had German blood in him. How could Ivan allow that? Wasn't it his rulers, appointed by God! Created a revolution in his own country, couldn't stop it... For Gilbert personally, it was a hit below the belt. At the same time, with the loss in the war, he decided for himself that everything was finished with Russia, at least for now.
“Comrade Ivan, we are building a great nation. The example of Russia and the great revolution here will change the world. The proletarians of all countries reunite! Workers and peasants will connect. We are building a country where class inequality will not be, we are building a great country!”
“Da, comrades.” - and Ivan agreed. He believed this is the future of the world.
* * *
Gilbert was told that he is the representation of the grater, the best nation in the whole world. That he and his brother would become great again. And about the details he doesn't need to worry. The leaders know what to do, they know better. He was constantly told that Russia was taken over by bolsheviks and communists, that they killed the emperor's family, who had superior German blood in them, that Russia, now the Soviet Union, needed to be saved and to have a better, superior, ruler. Russia is too big, has too many resources which can be used better then they are used now. And Gilbert personally believed in all this beautiful, sweet talks. Russia will be his.
Probably, Gilbert knew somewhere deep in his mind, always knew that it would not end well. And the fact that everything will finish in Berlin was a logical end to this war. It was the end, the war had been lost. Russian, no, the entire Soviet people, fought until the last man, for their motherland, for their dear homes.
Gilbert was running through destroyed Berlin Street. He was looking for where to hide, gather together and find his brother.
“Prussia!”
He turned around and saw a tall figure very close to him. The spring sun shone brightly and because of that, it was hard to see Ivan’s figure. Gilbert realized that if he would not run away now, this would be the end for him. Russia ran his hand over his head, there he had something silver and metallic, looked like a sword or his favorite pipe. He pulled his other hand up and turned back to scream something in Russian, most likely the soldiers who followed him.******* And then in a moment, he was close to Prussia and shouted “За нашу Советскую Родину!”******** And then acute pain, and darkness covered Prussia.
They, the victorious countries, Prussian and Germany, were sitting in the room where the government higher ups were signing up Germany surrender documents. It was not the country's representation to decide, and especially the one who lost. However, Gilbert wanted to scream. Scream about how Germany would be turned appart, about how Prussia will be no more, and this separation of simple people for ambitions of winning powers. In the end he didn't even have an opportunity to say goodbye to Germany, his brother. He will go to the East, his brother to the West.
“Would it end like this, Ivan?” - Prussia, ex Prussia already, asked when counties were allowed to go.
“And how it should end, Gilbert?” - Ivan asked coldly.
“Will you allow this separation? To decide what will happen with German people?” - Gilbert was angry, he wanted to punch Russia.
“Me? I am not a politician or diplomat, Gilbert.” - Russia turned around, his violet eyes were cold and sad, “And what happened to twenty seven millions of Soviet people, Gilbert? To families, children, people of the rest of Europe. My dear sisters lost about four millions of people on their territories, Kazakhstan half a million. What right do you or your brother or your people have a say in it? You and your government thought that you could own Russia, but that was a mistake. Russia can't be owned by anyone!” - Russia didn't scream or argue, he was talking politely, slowly. Gilbert couldn't say anything to that, he knew that Ivan was right. Russia looked at him for a few seconds, and then just turned around and walked away. Well, this is truly the end.
* * *
As time went on Gilbert, now GDR, started to get used to living in the big soviet house. Though nobody really liked him here, but he had to somehow live here. Belarus just hated him and tried to stab with a knife all the time, Kazakhstan always pushed him and never talked, Armenia often “accidentally” stepped on his feet, and Kyrgyzstan ostentatiously did not sit at the same table with him. With Ivan they had fine relationships at best. As Ivan said himself they were comrades. His side of Germany slowly started to be rebuilt, after the bombing, a lot had to be built again, and also socialism had to be built too. In short, a lot of work. The states of the Union themselves worked like well oiled gears of a Swiss watch. For example, when making cars, Kyrgyzstan mined materials, sent them to Russia and the latter processed them, and then Belarus assembled them into ready-made equipment in manufacturers located in her territory. And Moldova is doing excellent wine, and together with Ukraine they grew so much food that they could feed the entire Union.
Russia himself was also busy beyond belief. He was making friends, and Gilbert suspected not just simple in a comrade way friends, all around the world, helping them to fight. First it was China, ex Prussia finally met this China who Ivan talked a lot in the past about. He brought him to the big Soviet house. China was all beaten up and bandaged after his civil war. Gilbert understood everything about Russias and China's relationship when he saw how both of them looked at each other. They were good together. China looked up to Russia and what he achieved, and that he helped him too to fight off Japan. Ivan on the other hand was telling China that he can also be as great as the Soviet Union if he works hard. And China did.
Then it was North Korea. Honestly, Gilbert didn't know where Ivan found him/her? Gilbert didn't know what gender was this country, Ivan said that it was she, braided his or her hair and tied it with a red-blue ribbon, and he or she cooked for him and only for Ivan. Korea himself once told Ukraine, Gilbert heard, that he was a boy. Whatever, ex Prussia didn't care much. What he knew for sure that this Korea was much scarier than Belarus ever was. He for sure would choose her over North Korea to be stuck in one room at any time of the day. That boy was just… wild? Liked only Russia and constantly was by his side and at the others he rushed with a gun, or with a knife, and Ivan always stopped him laughing and said that she had not yet moved away from the war. That time was needed. What Gilbert thought is that this country needs some therapists or maybe a whole clinic.
Then it was Cuba, the island of freedom and revolution. Ex Prussia knew him, he was a cool guy to hang around. They often all together with Soviet home smoked Cuban cigars, drank vodka and admired the Russian winter. Russia especially had a soft spot for Cuba, even wanting to give him missiles to defend himself from America. To tickle America's nerves. However, it was funny only for them and not for the rest of the world not very much.
Then Russia brought Vietnam, she was small, only reached to Ivans elbow, a petite girl. Gilbert was amazed at Ivan's ability to find so many Asian countries that were identical in appearance, with a ponytail and black hair, looking fragile. Probably he finally found out what Ivan's taste was. She was very shy and quiet, but with a great will to fight for her freedom. Once Gilbert saw how she stood on tiptoe to kiss Ivan, and he had to bend over in order for her to get his lips. Ivan was very quiet and respectful with her, they often watched the sunset together.
And then there was Serbia somewhere on the horizon screaming, “Jovan, Jovica I miss you so much!” However, Gilbert and Ivan both became more and more distant from each other over time.
After a long day Gilbert decided to go and sit in the backyard of the house. It was already late at night so he didn't expect anyone to walk in on him, so he could safely smoke his cigarette. When the door opened, he almost jumped up and looked up. It was Soviet Russia.
“Oh, GDR, what are you doing here?” - Ivan walked to Gilbert.
“Having some quality time. Do you want?” - and Gilbert handed him a cigarette.
“Sure, why not. Just don't tell my sisters.” - Russia sat down near ex Prussia.
They sat in silence together for some time, and only the noise of a slow burning cigarette diluted the silence.
“Government said that Russia will be the first country in space… I am so happy! What if there I will find new friends? New beautiful and warm places!?” - Ivan said suddenly.
Gilbert looked at him surprisingly. Stars? Russia dreamed about stars for a long time already.
Gilbert smiled and surprisingly to himself said, “If you are going to space, can I be the one who will go with you?”
“Why not?! Let's go all together.” - Ivan smiled at him.
The silence again fell on them. When Ivan's cigarette burned out, he got up and was about to leave, when Gilbert asked, “Hey, do you want to go to the ball sometime, like in old times? Or maybe you can show me the Amber room again?”
Russia looked at him with surprise and then with a sad smile answered, “There are no balls in the Soviet Union, comrade Prussia. And the Amber room was lost forever during the war.” And he just walked away.
Prussia sadly looked at the stars and thought ‘It might be truly the end at the end of the day.’
* * *
Ex Prussia was laying on the couch in his brother's house and watching the news. ‘In Dresden, people rally for the return of the GDR again’ - the news woman was talking. ‘Again?’ - thought Gilbert. As a representation of west Germany, he began from time to time to feel nostalgia for both the GDR and the Union, and even for Ivan himself. He wanted to tie a pioneer tie around his neck and, under a merry march and military Soviet songs, to go out into the street.
Gilbert switched the channel. ‘Russian-Chinese relations are entering a new stage. As it became known Russia and China are going to build a lunar orbital station by 2036. This undoubtedly strengthens the relationship between these two countries.’ It looks like Gilbert would not be able to escape Russia today. Wait, Russia and China together going to space? Gilbert wanted to spit. Marry way to them, maybe they can take North Korea with them, who would be their surrogate child and play family in space together. Belarus would probably attach to the hull of the ship and fly after her brother. He laughed.
Oh, in reality he missed Russia a lot. Maybe…? He thought about it and then switched off the tv, took his jacket and went out. In some time he found himself on one of the old and small bridges in Kaliningrad, his former capital Koninhgsberg... Somehow this city changed a lot and at the same time didn't change at all. He remembered where there was an old bakery, or where the theatre was. Anyway, now he needs to wait.
In some time he saw a tall figure in a light lavender long coat, white pants and high military boots. And of course he was wearing the signature white scarf. He was heading towards Gilbert.
“Privet Gilbert, I hope you will not cough blood on my white pants?” - Russia looked as handsome as always.
“Nah, maybe not today.” - Prussia smiled. Sometimes he could be so dramatic.
“So what are we celebrating today, so you decided to honour me with your presence?” - Ivan leaned against the handrail of the bridge.
“I don't really even know. I guess nostalgia.” - Gilbert also leaned on the handrail.
They stayed like this for some time.
“Hey, Russia, is your offer about going to space still in place?” - Gilbert didn't even know why he asked it.
Russia looked at him with surprise, his big, child-like, violet beautiful eyes. The one Gilbert fell in love as a child. And then just smiled and answered, “Da, it would always be in place for you.”
Gilbert didn't answer anything and started to smoke a cigarette.
“Do you want to go for a ball together one day, Ivan?” - he looked at Russia.
Then Russia looked with a serious glare and said, “There are no balls in the Soviet Union, Gilbert,” - and then smiled and added, “but I just might find one for you in the Russian Federation.”
Then Gilbert threw his cigarette and hugged Ivan and said quietly, “Russia, thank you for saving my heart, my capital. I missed you.”
For Russia this day was full of surprises. He hugged Prussia back, “I told you many, many times that Russians are never leaving their friends in trouble.” And Gilbert carefully kissed Ivan on the cheek.
“Farewell Russia…”
“Till we meet again, together in space…”