All turned to dust 10/17
Even if Germany's new bosses surrender things don't go back to anything resembling normality. Berlin still remains a ruined zone of occupation. The chaotic lawlessness is so widespread that Prussia steals the phone away from Russia and pleads to Stalin directly.
“You make a good point,” Stalin says. “It would be unpractical if we accidentally encouraged further underground resistance.”
It wasn't the point Prussia was trying to make, but good enough. Probably. Stalin declares the new policy is that the Germans aren't enemies to be exterminated and they make a serious effort to get food into the city. Hopefully it will help. Prussia isn't around to find out because Russia decides they are going to fly back to Moscow to celebrate the victory.
***
Russia empties his storages of vodka and celebrates with a group of red army soldiers and the improvised party grows when passing civilians join in. Prussia drinks too, trying to find some comfort that in at least someone is happy and Germany isn't completely eradicated from the map.
“I guess this is nice, but shouldn't we hang out with your boss right now? I bet he has a huge party going on.”
That is the person Prussia wants to be around right now, to try to speak up for his nation.
“No,” Russia says. “We should not.”
He growls at the secret police who are not that good at looking anonymous until they go away. In this moment people are happy despite everything, feeling secure that the worst is behind them, from now on things will just get better. Russia is happy to and enthusiastically hugs everyone, not only Prussia.
***
They end up back in Russia's apartment when it's so late that it became early again. Since Russia played host and made sure his new friends got enough to drink he is not nearly as drunk as Prussia. Prussia knows the other nation knows what he is doing when he brings him along to his bedroom instead of Prussia's own. It briefly crosses Prussia's mind that this might be obligatory, the finale of Russia's victory celebrations.
“You seem sad,” Russia says, paying attention for once.
“Don't I have reason to be?”
Prussia allows Russia to gently push him down on the bed but doesn't look at him. Russia's bed is very comfortable after being on the move for so long.
“Don't be so sad. I'll take care of you, you know I will.” Russia pauses. “You know I don't want to hurt you?”
“Can I say no to this?” Prussia says, voicing his concern against better knowing.
Russia imminently withdraws his hands.
“Am I that horrible?” Russia wonders. “That you have to ask.”
“We all done really bad things.”
And it makes no sense that Russia would hesitate. He looked away while Prussia's people ran for their lives and the Red Army took whatever they wanted. Russia claimed Germany's house and his dogs and it only makes sense for him to do the same to Germany's brother.
“Just stay here,” Russia says. “I don't want to be alone.”
“In that case I guess it doesn't matter,” Prussia replies. He doesn't want to see Russia look this dejected and he doesn't want to be alone either. Perhaps Russia does like him for real, Prussia doesn't have anything to offer anymore and Russia still worries about him. Prussia takes Russia's hand and moves it back to his shirt, inviting Russia to continue to undress him. “But don't you have Lithuania now?”
“Who?” Russia says and Prussia feels a brief moment of triumph.
Russia is a bit rough but listens when Prussia tells him to be careful because it's not supposed to hurt. They really should have done this long ago, Prussia thinks. With a little practice if could be perfect.
***
Russia makes Austria play piano for him. He asks very nicely but it's not a question, not really. Austria shows that he understand his situation by choosing a Russian composer rather than his usual favorite Germans or Austrians. He misses a note for maybe the first time in a hundred years when Russia touches him, pushing some hair away from his face. Prussia doesn't like that at all.
“Stop that,” Prussia says. “It gives me enough of a headache when Austria is playing correctly, don't distract him.”
Austria doesn't look up and plays the rest perfectly.
“That was nice,” Russia says. “I wish you could stay here with the rest of my friends but we decided it was better if you went back home and America and England kept an eye on you.”
“I am sure that will be a satisfying arrangement for us all,” Austria politely says.
Prussia tells Russia he is going to stay behind a moment when Russia leaves. Austria tries to catch his eyes and he must want something.
“Is Hungary going to stay with you?” Austria asks. So that is it.
“Yeah, I think so. Russia says she wants to remain allied with him.”
“I can imagine that Russia would say that. I-I would have liked to tell Hungary that I am sorry. That I miss her. Please, could you tell her that.”
It looks like asking for that favor is physically painful for Austria, yet he does it. Prussia realizes that there are a lot of things he could ask in return for passing on a message to Hungary, Austria would do most of them.
“Write her a letter,” Prussia says, because he doesn't like to feel like the bad guy. He's not the bad guy even if he always liked to mess with Austria. “I'll give it to her as soon as I see her. Just think write anything stupid, someone else might end up reading it.”
**
They send Austria off later the same day and Prussia wonders what the rush is. It was the same with France. Some people Russia refuses to let go of and those he can't keep he tries to get rid of as soon as possible.
Austria slips Prussia that letter without Russia noticing.
“Thank you,” he whispers, which is the last thing Prussia expected. “For protecting me from Russia and for the the letter. I know you do not like me and you did not have to do that. Thank you.”
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