Chapter 35

Kaliningrad was a strange place. It was an odd amalgamation of Soviet architecture and historical restorations. The cathedral, the Juditten church, and city gates stood as testament to Prussian resilience. It coexisted with monuments honoring Prussian and Russian heroes both. The city square was where the old castle once stood, before the war. The area surrounding what used to be the castle was rebuilt and repopulated. It was repurposed into a bustling square populated with parks, streets, and even buildings rebuilt or reconstructed in the old German style.

The place looked German but felt decidedly Russian.

Denmark realized belatedly that he'd never set foot on Kaliningrad soil once in all of its time since it ceased to be called Koenigsburg. He'd been ignorant of all that transpired there and not until dating Prussia did he even once think about the fate of this once Prussian stronghold.

Except it was Prussian again in some sense. Maybe not in name, but in spirit.

In the cab beside him sat the personification of all that whizzed by them. Kaliningrad Oblast was no more. He'd seen it in his own newspapers back home, a blurb on the front page even.

Kremlin Elects to Grant Kaliningrad Oblast Status as Republic: Renamed Baltic Republic

Yes, all around him was Kaliningrad, now capital of the Baltic Republic. Denmark wouldn't be surprised if the name of the city was changed soon. He found it hard to believe Prussia or his people wanted to keep the name that bore honor to the old Soviet leader. It was a new era after all.

The name Baltic Republic was also a sore point, but Prussia had said he wasn't able to talk anyone out of it. It was Russia's boss' idea, and the people seemed to agree. So it was decided, at least since Russia's boss was still essentially Prussia's boss. There was only room for so much autonomy.

Denmark took everything in with greedy eyes mingling the new sights with the pictures provided by his memory. It had been so long though that he couldn't even rely on it.

"You seem rather taken with everything," Prussia said from the seat beside him.

Denmark tore his eyes away from the window to look at his boyfriend.

"Can I help it if you're beautiful?" he asked.

Prussia rolled his eyes, "Yeah, under all that snow how can you tell?"

"It's barely a dusting," Denmark said. "It's all nearly melted away."

"It'll come back over night," assured Prussia. "Then we can have a proper snowball fight."

Denmark turned back to the window and watched the scenery once more. The light dusting of snow only helped further bring the magic out of the place.

"So did you do any research as to what sites you want to see?" Prussia asked.

Denmark turned to Prussia again, "You mean other than your bedroom?"

Prussia stuck out his tongue.

"Well, what's there to do around here? I thought you were giving me the grand tour," Denmark said.

"I'm giving us a grand tour. Remember I've only been settled in here a couple weeks myself and I've had work."

"That's right. How was Christmas at Russia's place? Just like old times?"

"Weird as hell," Prussia replied. "All of us were there, even the Republics that don't celebrate Christmas. China, Vietnam and India too."

Denmark quirked a brow at that.

Prussia waved off his curiosity, "Let's just focus on what to eat and where to go, what to see."

The cab stopped, pulling off to the side and signaling that they'd arrived at their destination. Denmark exited and took in the sight of the 3 story ocre colored complex that filled an entire block. He wondered if it'd been chosen for the Baltic Republic or if he'd done the house shopping for himself.

"Russia rented this out for me," Prussia said over the top of the cab as if he read his mind.

Denmark closed the door behind him as the cab driver popped the trunk without moving from his seat. Prussia paid the fee as Denmark fished out his single suitcase. He rolled it up the curb, careful not to get the bottom wet in the snow piled up along the sides.

"Well, what do you suggest we start with?" Denmark continued their conversation as Prussia unlocked the front door. "I haven't been here in decades, you know."

"I've got a ton of new stuff, Russia wasn't lying when he said he fixed it up nice. I don't agree with all his architectural choices, but we can totally look at the old stuff and the new too. I think it's warm enough for the zoo today."

"By the time we drop off my stuff and head out again it'll be late. I'm sorry I couldn't get an earlier flight," apologized Denmark.

Prussia led them up a set of stairs and they reached his place then. Prussia opened the door and stepped back allowing Denmark to pass into the building.

It was a fully furnished place, and some of Prussia's old things from his room back in Germany were there already, including his model car displayed next to an old television set. It was all neatly arranged, not a single thing out or place and not a single speck of dust to be found. Even with Faroe Islands and Greenland's help Denmark could never keep his house as spotless as the Prussia and his brother did.

"Come on strip off, I'll give you the tour."

Denmark took off his coat and hat and hung it on a rack near the door. Next to go were his shoes. Beside him Prussia did the same before grabbing him by the hand and pulling him further in. Denmark allowed himself to be led by the hand. He pulled his suitcase behind him just a bit before abandoning it in the living area. But the place was small. It had two bedrooms, one of which was made into something like a study.

Prussia pointed everything out,

"This is my desk and the computer Russia gave me. I still prefer my laptop but I have it in my room. Here's my shelf. I only brought some of my journals the rest is with West for safe keeping."

Denmark figured it was probably a space issue that had Prussia leave the volumes behind.

Prussia then led him back out the study.

"This is the bathroom," he quickly opened and closed a door which lead to a small functional bathroom.

Then the last door in the hall.

"Finally, this is my awesome room!"

He threw open the door and revealed the room which was complete with a nice sized bed, dresser and wardrobe. There were hooks on the wall that hung several hats. The night stand had a lamp and alarm clock.

"I'm still setting in and making it mine, but what do you think?"

Prussia moved to sit on top of the quilt at the edge of the bed.

"I think it's a good start," Denmark said.

Prussia then leapt up and clapped his hands together.

"Welp! You saw it. Now let's get out there and see the sights!"

He went to leave the room but when he was walking past Denmark to go out the door the taller nation grabbed him by the elbow and stopped him.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Denmark asked.

He pulled his Prussia close and planted a big wet kiss on his lips before letting go.

"OK, now we can go. I've been dying to do that since I got off the plane."

"Just that?" Prussia asked.

"Don't tempt me, come on," Denmark said, turning Prussia and pushing him towards the door.

Prussia allowed it and soon the two were back in their winter gear and on the streets for a day on the town. It felt good in a different way than the first time Prussia showed him around Berlin. Not only were they discovering new things about the place, but they were doing it together. It felt intimate, as if he were in on a secret, Prussia allowing him to trespass upon the places he'd never let anyone else tread upon. Denmark felt special for it, and needed.

The sun was setting in the harbor after their early dinner. Only a slither of it still peeked its head above the water along the horizon. Others walked along the waterway, mostly workers and commuters hurrying home after a long day. Their conversations were heard along with the sound of the traffic.

Denmark and Prussia remained hand in hand and despite the thickness of their gloves; Prussia thought that if he concentrated and really focused, he could feel the heat of his lover seeping between his fingers. He flushed at the thought, giddy and feeling young again.

The day had gone as planned, not a single thing wrong. He picked Denmark up from the airport, showed him his place. After a leisurely walk around his neighborhood they took in some sights in the square. It was decided to leave the zoo for later in the visit, and they instead had dinner, Denmark's choice, at a local restaurant serving German and Russian food. Now there was only one thing left.

He was nervous and was thankful that he could blame any shivering on the cold. It had been centuries since the first time they'd met, but if anyone told him that they'd be where they were today, hands laced together, relishing in each other's company he'd have laughed in the person's face.

Prussia had quite a journey. His fledgling days as the Teutonic Order were spent in celibacy, living a chaste warrior's life for God. He was uninterested in love, only loyalty and respect. When he married Brandenburg he had been like a blushing human bride on his wedding day despite his accomplishments on the battlefield. Brandenburg had handled him gently, kissing away his apprehensions and assuring him that it was OK, they were still brothers. He never imagined that night that they'd be anything less than forever.

But forever wasn't real. Not with Brandenburg, not with Russia.

Standing on the pier at that evening Prussia knew better than to fall into his heart's trap. He held back from putting his feelings into words for so long. He didn't want to lose the game. But what really was there to lose but the affection of the nation beside him? The very one who powered him and gave him the courage to attempt to stand on his own feet again.

They reached the edge of the water and stopped, peering out into the glittering water. The sea breeze whipped around them and Prussia watched Denmark from the corner of his eye. Denmark's normally styled hair was buried beneath his wool hat and his bangs fell against his face, tossed by the winter winds. His cheeks and nose were reddened by the cold making him look youthful and bright. Denmark turned his head and Prussia offered a smile before looking away, back towards the water.

"Is this what you wanted to show me?" Denmark asked, softly, squeezing Prussia's fingers.

"I told you when we were in Riga, right?" chuckled Prussia in reply, feeling Denmark's eyes upon the side of his face. "I want to show you everything."

He glanced again at his boyfriend, giving a grin. "Don't you know, this isn't everything yet."

Denmark's eyes visibly softened as did his smile, "You're everything."

Caught off guard, Prussia's heart leapt at the words and he would have reacted the way he always did by deflecting it and turning it into a joke, but Denmark didn't let him. He bent down and captured Prussia's lips in a tender kiss. The wind had been loud all around them, but in that moment Prussia felt like they were truly alone. He closed his eyes and let Denmark hold him. He sagged into Denmark's body when he felt a strong arm wrap around his shoulders, pulling him in. And then it was over, Denmark pulled away, hoping to seek out Prussia's eyes with his blue ones.

Only Prussia's eyes were still closed. Without warning the tears had spilled out from beneath his lids, sliding down ruddy cheeks. His heart couldn't take it and he felt like if he disappeared in that moment it wouldn't matter. He couldn't be any happier if he tried.

"Gilbert!"

There was alarm in Denmark's voice and the sound of his clear concern only made Prussia cry harder. Denmark responded in the only way he knew how, raising his hands to Prussia's face and wiping away the tracks of tears with his glove covered thumbs.

How did he ever deserve this? How did it even come to this? Prussia had no idea. He had only wanted to play around, have some fun, shake up the monotony of his aimless days in Germany's house. Denmark was supposed to only be a distraction.

Instead he became his world. His motivation. His everything.

Prussia opened his eyes.

"I'm OK... I'm just... so happy."

He sniffed and tried to pull himself away from Denmark. He tried to laugh to show he was ok and it came out as a half sob as he used the sleeve of his coat to wipe at his nose. It was fruitless as tears continued to still fall, as if his heart was only allowing him to let everything go now.

"This is... this is so," Prussia gestured to everything around them.

The pier, the ships, the replicated fisherman's village and the river.

"All of this is because of you. You gave me the push I needed. You believed in me when I no longer believed in myself. I don't know, I've spent so much time wondering what this is. I've never felt this way about anyone before. You make me comfortable and drive me equal parts insane. And then you go... you go and call me 'everything' and I just fall into pieces!"

Prussia punctuated the last bit by throwing his hands up and then laughing and sniffing as he wiped his face again with his sleeve.

"I'm sorry. I wanted this to be romantic and cute and I'm just here crying like an idiot," he shook his head. "You've given me everything. But what have I ever given you?"

Denmark smiled, reaching up to card his hand through Prussia's bangs.

"What have you given me?" he repeated the question. "You let me in."

A fresh well of tears filled Prussia's eyes and he blinked heavily in a failed attempt to keep them at bay. They spilled over and Prussia, with eyes clenched, choked on his next three words.

"I love you."

Denmark smiled, and leaned in for a kiss, whispering his reply against Prussia's lips.

"I know."

-END-

THE END! Sorry that took a million years. I did plan for the fic to end with Prussia saying I Love You for the first time. SO yay score. However, him crying and choking up and being all snot filled while doing it wasn't part of the plan. But for some reason while I was writing he just burst out crying. I guess the poor baby been through a lot and he had a lot of feels. lol

As for Denmark's reply. I think it's cute for him to reply that way because it still goes along with their chill, playful relationship. Especially since Denmark has been saying I love you all this time but Prussia never replied, you know. So I think that was the perfect way for Den to reply to it.

As for loose ends...
Estonia and Norway are friends with benefits
Russia and China are back together and have a fairly good relationship
Lithuania still hates Prussia and hates even more that Prussia is called Baltic Republic
America and Iceland are teenage boys still on their teenage love affair
Germany and Russia's political relationship somehow becomes stronger :)
Denmark and Prussia are in love!

Thanks for reading! Look out for my next project~