THIS CHAPTER IS SOOOOO LATE! DX I'M SO SORRY TO EVERYONE! I got soooo distracted with The Long Road Home and I don't know what happened, but... yeah. It's hard to believe this story is over, and I'm really not sure if I like the Epilogue all that much. I rewrote it a few times, but I could never write it to a way that I was satisfied with... so I eventually just gave up and went with it (as there were only so many times I could go back and poke at this before my brain just said, "No, I'm done. Move on.")

A special thank you to, Amethyst DragonRider, for BETAing my chapters since... what? Chapter six? Anyway, thank you for all your kind help. I never would have finished without you.

So... yeah. It's over. Thank you to EVERYONE who has continued to review to me time and time again, and I've loved reading all your kind comments. I hope to see some of you at my other stories so we can continue to chat and poke fun at Ludwig together (because who wouldn't enjoy that?) It really means SO much to be that this story has gotten as much attention as it did, and I'm still honoured that so many people enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I hope that the ending to this story is pleasing to you all... I'd really hate to disappoint.

Azeeza: Roddy really does need those hugs, huh? Happily, he has a Gilbo to give them to him, so all is well~ I hope the Epilogue is above expectations for you.

RoboPhantom: Personally, I believe "The Long Road Home" is MUCH better than this one--in all ways. I am glad that I was able to get all the proper emotions of the last chapter across and I thank you for the applause--I really don't deserve it...

memopanda: Mm... I can't really answer your review without spoilers (though I won't say which way). Still, thank you for leaving me one, and I'm really glad I've managed to get everyone's personality and relationships down in a believable way.

Naomi Hansen: Watch out for those bells, they sneak up on you. -helps out from behind couch- Here is the final chapter, and I really hope you enjoy it. Thanks for your kind words here and on DA.

LithiumKiss: Ludwig needs that love. He really, really does. Poor boy... I've been so cruel to him, but he has been such a good sport about it. I am sorry to hear that you understand Gilbert's situation a little more than I'd like... I can only imagine what that must be like, as I felt strange enough writing it. -hugs-

Senaki Mira: Um, we really shouldn't kill Naomi. She didn't tell me to do that shout out. I did that on my own. Don't be annoyed with her... I'm really honoured that you love my story as much as she said. -takes the bazooka away- Why don't you enjoy this chapter, instead, hm? No dark twists here.

kazenokasa: They really do deserve that happy ending... Honestly, they really, really do. Uwaa! But I'm excited you've finished translating the first chapter! You'll keep me updated on the reviews, right? I'd love to know what people think.

Senka Milankovic: Well, here you are~ Time to see if what happens, ja? I hope you enjoy this as much as the others.

Epilogue

The sharp, crystalline notes of a grand piano blended together perfectly with an accompanying violin and produced an almost mystical sounding song that reverberated throughout the music room and hallways of Hetalia Academy. An awed group of spectators lined themselves against the walls and watched the two musicians at work, taking note of how each of them seemed to subconsciously lead the other through the melody. Neither opened their eyes as they played, the sheet music on their stands left unused and forgotten as if the song had been long-since memorized by both players.

Several minutes later the song came to an end and only silence followed. The group of men on the side of the room glanced at one another before huddling together in a small group, their black-suited shoulders pressed tightly together and making it appear as if they were one dark mass of heads and glasses. To their right, a nervous looking professor glanced between them and the two musicians now seated close together on the bench of the piano. The elder clasped the hand of the brunette beside him gently in his own, muttering in quiet German to stop twitching and calm down.

"I'm not twitching, Gilbert," the brunette snapped, fixing the silverette beside him with a glare that was easily given away by the tremble in his tone. Gilbert laughed quietly and slipped an arm around the Austrian's waist, earning a skeptical look from their professor who turned his attention back to the suited men, waiting for them to turn back around and say something.

"Calm down, Roddy..." he muttered in a quiet tone. "It'll be fine. I've told you before, you're awesome with the piano—and when have I ever been wrong?"

"Shall I really list all the times? I doubt it will take them that long to judge our performance."

"…Burn in hell, Roderich."

"As long as you are there with me."

Quirking an eyebrow, Gilbert shook his head and glanced down at their joined hands where two matching bands of silver graced their fingers. His pale thumb brushed over the ring on the hand that held more color than his own pale one. Violet eyes slowly followed the gaze of his own crimson, peering down at the material symbol of their bond.

"I never did properly thank you for all you've done," Roderich began in a quiet tone. "For allowing me to stay with you, or your assistance today in my performance."

"Who said I was doing it just for you?" the albino smirked. "You should know there's almost always something in it for me when I do crap like this."

"Of course…" the brunette scoffed. "And what was in it for you this time?"

"Well-"

"Excuse me? Herr Edelstein? Herr Weillschmidt?"

Before Gilbert could finish, one of the men in black suits stepped forward to address them. His deep brown eyes peered at them over his half-rimmed glasses with a wide smile on his face. "You're both quite impressive individuals," he said with a nod. "That was a beautiful performance. Do you two play together often?"

"On and off since we were children." Roderich answered before the albino could say anything. "We do it much more often now than we used to. It's quite refreshing."

The instructor nodded, looking between the two in approval. "I can tell. It's quite obvious. Are you close friends?"

"You could say that…" Gilbert smirked.

"Mm." The man nodded again and stepped forward, glancing over the sheet music that was sitting on Gilbert's stand. His eyes raked over the notes with focused interest before he turned back to the two of them and clapped his hands together loudly. "Well then, Roderich Edelstein, Gilbert Weillschmidt… It is my honor to accept you both into our orchestra. I'm sure the other members could learn quite a bit from the both of you as we travel on tour."

"The… both of us…?" Roderich asked in a confused tone. "Sir, wasn't this just an audition for…?"

"Kesesesesese, I told you we'd pull this off!" the albino grinned widely, clapping Roderich on the shoulder as he stood up. "We're just awesome like that."

"But I thought this was…"

"If it were a solo audition, you'd have played by yourself, dumbass. I thought you would have known that by now."

"Yes, but…"

"Herr Weillschmidt talked to us shortly before your performance and asked that you two were able to perform together. He was originally scheduled to play for us just after you, but he insisted that you be able to play a duet instead."

"Gilbert…?" Roderich turned to the albino with a questioning look. "Why would you…?"

"I said I'd stay by your side, didn't I?" Gilbert grinned, holding his hand out to help Roderich to his feet after the instructor asked them to clear the room for the next audition. "I wasn't kidding. I meant it—I'd follow you anywhere you go. West wasn't too happy about being left alone at home at first, but he eventually caved and said he wanted us both to do our best as long as we promised to stop in and visit and come home during the holidays when we can."

"Gilbert…"

"The same thing applies now as before, you know…" the albino muttered as he passed by one of the large windows in the main hallway, stopping to lean against the railing and look outside. "I meant what I wrote back then: 'The musician of my heart.' As long as you're there… I don't really care where I end up. If music is your path, then that's mine, too. I've got nowhere else to go, and I'm fucking awesome at the violin. Why not put the skill to use? West was always giving me grief about not using my useful talents. Now I can."

Feeling something catch in his throat, Roderich bit his lip and tried to ignore the burning sensation in his eyes. Ever since the beginning of the year, Gilbert had proved himself time and time again, and often the Austrian didn't know how to take it. If someone had told him where they would be standing back when he stood outside Ludwig's kitchen door cursing his luck for having to watch the dogs, he'd have turned right back around and gone home. So much had happened so quickly, and part of him still felt as if he were living his life in a dream that he never wanted to wake up from. Yet here they were, in the hallway after being accepted into one of the most prestigious orchestras that traveled the world and preformed for more cities than Roderich could ever possibly imagine. He'd have never had a chance at making it had it not been for the man in front of him.

"Gilbert?" Roderich called quietly as he walked up beside the silverette, placing a hand on his shoulder and silently asking him to turn around.

"Hm…?" the Prussian blinked and spun around on his heel, peering at the Austrian curiously. "What's got you so serious all of a sudden? Shouldn't you be off telling Elizabeta the good news or something? Maybe play chopsticks? However it is you celebrate when you're happy?"

"There's no need right now. I've everything I need with me right here."

"Aw, how cute." Gilbert grinned, "You're actually starting to get pretty good at those pickup lines. Where'd you learn those?"

"From the best," Roderich scoffed, stepping forward to slip his arms around Gilbert's neck. "Just humor me and listen without looking for something to tease for a few minutes."

"I might be able to do that—My awesomeness does hold a variety of talents and abilities."

"I'm sure…" rolling his eyes, the brunette continued, leaning forward to rest his forehead against the silverette's. "…I wanted to thank you. I would have never made it this far had you not done everything you have up until now. I know I wasn't the most agreeable to your gestures at first, but… you've done more for me than the combined efforts of everyone I've ever met in my life. I… owe you so much, Gilbert… and I just wanted to thank you."

"You know what? I take back what I said before. You're still shit at flirting. That was corny as hell."

"Gilbert-!"

"But you're welcome, if it makes you feel better."

"…Thrilled."

Laughing, Gilbert threw wrapped his arms around Roderich's waist and tugged him against his chest, grinning as the brunette let out a surprised yelp and blushed crimson. His fist connected lightly with Gilbert's chest in a half-hearted protest, but the albino merely smiled and laughed again, inclining his head forward to claim Roderich's lips with his own, pressing forward until the Austrian's protests died and he finally received a positive response back.

Had the hallway not been empty, Roderich likely would have protested the sudden display of public affection, but at the moment, the brunette couldn't find a reason in himself to care if someone were to appear anywhere. He felt elated and on top of the world. His dream, the goal he had worked so hard for and nearly lost, was finally his, and there was Gilbert, right at his side, just as he had always been every step of the way.

Somewhere down the hall, he could hear the beginning notes of the next soloist beginning to play and a small smile graced his lips. The hand holding his was soft and warm, and it was all he needed in assurance that everything was, for once, going to be just fine. Pressed against Gilbert's chest, he could feel both their heartbeats resonating strongly in their chests, the four-beat metronome of their own beautiful duet.