"No! You can't leave!" Ludwig shouted, as Gilbert was steered away by Ivan. "It goes against protocol! We are entitled to five minutes before departure!"

The Russian stopped.

"Russia, 'e is right…" Francis said quietly.

The looming Russian turned around, pleasant smile on his face. "But of course, France. How could I have forgotten?" He faced Gilbert, who had his head down and a nasty look on his face. "I will come for you in exactly five minutes. Don't forget it!" the creepy man said in a singsong voice.

"Erm, we'll, uh, leave you to it too." Arthur said, trying to overlook the pained look in Ludwig's eyes as he refused to look anywhere but Gilbert. "…Remember that you can't go over the time limit, or else there's nasty paperwork to sign."

And with that, the German brothers were left alone.

"West…" Gilbert said, looking up. His crimson eyes swam with tears even he couldn't hold back. He opened his mouth to say something more, but he was cut off by Ludwig rushing towards him.

"Don't say anything." Ludwig murmured, hugging his brother tighter, and closer to him than he had ever dared to when he was little.

"It's alright, West. I'm not going to die from a little separation. Besides, Russia couldn't be so bad I'd want to kill myself!" the albino chuckled, attempting to remove himself from his brother's grip.

"You promise?"

"Ludwig, do we really have to go through this? I thought you got over the 'pinky promise' thing back in the 17th century?"

Silence.

"Fine, fine, where do I sign?" Gilbert said, still attempting to maneuver himself out of his position.

Ludwig chuckled, still refusing to let Gilbert go. He was going to savour every last minute of their time together. After all, they only had 3 left, and who knew how long it would be before they would even be able to catch a glimpse at one another.

"Remember Gilbert… whatever happens over there, I'll still be waiting for you."

"We will get passed this, West. They won't be able to separate us for long."

Gilbert wrapped his arms around Ludwig, burying his face into his shoulders, and finally accepting Ludwig's hug. He breathed in, taking in Ludwig's scent for the last time.

"Time's up!" Ivan called, opening the door without warning.

The brothers pulled away, casting aside the anguish, and taking on the strong faces that everyone knew them for.

"Auf Wiedersehen, bruder." Ludwig called as Gilbert turned away.

Raising his hand, turning his head, and flashing his trademark grin, Gilbert responded "Auf Wiedersehen, bruder."

And with that, the Russian placed his hand on Gilbert's back, and pushed him out of the room, leaving a chilling grin, and the scent of winter behind.

"He's gone, Germany."

When he heard those words, he knew it couldn't be true. The wall had gone up a month ago, and Germany had faith that his brother would be able to handle whatever treatment Russia gave him. It would be hard, yes, it would take a while to get over it, yes, but Gilbert had promised him that he wouldn't die over there. It was illogical. They'd both agreed on it. Separation would never be the end of Gilbert. On the contrary, it might have actually helped the Prussian state get back on his feet.

Sure, the formation of the German Democratic Republic was worrisome, but there was no reason to get anxious about it. Prussia would be its face, right? If anything, it would strengthen him both mentally and physically. Both of them knew that with the state that Russia's Soviet Union was in, Ivan wouldn't be able to keep it going like he planned.

There was no way he could have died. It wasn't planned that way.

But he had.

"There will be a service for him in Russia, where you can arrange his place of burial with Ivan."

Britain was speaking, but the words were muffled and vague in Ludwig's ears. He'd have to be buried in Germany. He would fight with every last ounce of his strength to make sure his brother would be buried in his country, not that bastard's country.

"Hey Germany, are you alright, man? Ya look a little pale or something."

"You idiot! I've just told him that his brother is dead, and you're asking him if he's okay?"

"Calm down! I was just askin'!"

This soon bloomed into one of the all-too familiar scenes between Arthur, Alfred, and Francis. Instead of chastising the trio, and yelling at them until they finally settled down, Germany simply rose from his chair, and left the room unnoticed. He needed time to think.

He hadn't even died where Germany could see him. He had to have been in Russia when he died. 'Well, Russian territory, anyways' Ludwig thought bitterly. What was worst of all was that there was no body to mourn over, Ivan not there to punch. He had to rely on Arthur's word for the information. He didn't even have a person to hug. Ludwig supposed he could call Italy, but he'd just get sad too, and there was no use in deflating the Italian's exuberant personality. In fact, that would only depress the Germanic nation more.

Who would attend his service? He couldn't spread the news to Roderich. He wouldn't be able to bear the uncaring in his eyes. There was no way he would show up. He'd probably stay home and play his piano to celebrate. Of course, because Roderich wasn't going, Elizaveta wouldn't be allowed either. Not that she would even care. Gilbert had caused her a lot of strife in the past. She wouldn't mourn him. Before the wall was put up, he'd heard Gilbert go at length to inform him about a person by the name of Matthew, but where in the world was he supposed to find a person named Matthew? There was nobody else that Ludwig could think of who would care about Gilbert.

It was true. The number of people who actually cared about Gilbert was very minimal.

His mind racing, Ludwig approached his car, unlocked the door, got in, and cried.

Gilbert was gone, and there was no way to bring him back

Author's Note:

So, here's my first "definitely going to be a multichapter!

PRAUS, sorry about my "I'll do a second chapter". Don't count on it for quite a while ^^

This came into being due to a few of my favourite fanfictions, the most notable being kivaember's Reborn, and Scrapbook. Read them if you haven't already! I've taken a leaf out of nearly every Prussia/Germany story out there, taking what I liked from them and putting them into this story.

This won't have a strict "plot", so I don't know how it'll "end". I'll find a way to wrap things up though!

One of the main reasons this was done is because the word "Renaissance" means reborn. I thought it was ironic, with the fact that Prussia was from the Renaissance.

Well, that's a long enough review for now! Review if you'd like! It'd be much appreciated!