Hello hi, any followers of this story left will probably be very made since I've not updated in God knows how long (Two years ish) But I found the old chapters the other day and have decided to upload them! I should be doing it once a week or so, but if I don't just bug me for them. Thank you if you've stuck around this long. I am so sorry for making you all wait. Enjoy the fluffy fluff in this chapter okies~

(Pls don't kill me)

"The loan you received from Germany is being processed. Your boss and I worked out a way to pay it off swiftly enough." Gilbert uttered monotonously. He could not look her in the eye, instead he focussed on the papers he had brought with him. He stood in the centre of one of Ivan's reception rooms; decorated with dark wooden panels of the same oak the chairs, tables, bookshelves and pretty much everything in this God damn house was made of. To his left sat Toris, eyeing him coldly whilst Eduard saw to one of his bandages. In front of him sat Natalia, dressed in a long sleeved black dress and a blanket over her lap. She had no sympathy for the Baltics it seemed, even when Ivan was away. Toris would approach her and offer her food or drinks and she would not only glare him down but throw an insult his way also.

"Thank you Herr Beilschmidt," His heart ached, she addressed him coldly but with more respect than the Baltics received. It was at this point he raised his head to look at her, though she did not look at him. "Toris, Eduard," Both of the men raised their heads hopefully, praying that she'd show them a shred of kindness. "There is a sensitive topic I wish to discuss with my liaison, leave us be."

"But Natalia, Ivan said-." Eduard began and Gilbert saw the man pale at the glare the Belarusian gave him.

"Do not question my authority in this house. It was my home long before yours and it would do you well to remember so." She snapped.

"Y-Yes Miss Arlovskaya." Eduard whispered in disbelief. Toris sighed loudly.

"Are you to side with your brother once more, Belarus?" The Lithuanian murmured drily.

"At least my brother's intentions are transparent, Lithuania. Unlike others I can think to name."

The exchange between the two was cold, no friendship or compassion was felt between the once friends and Gilbert tensed at the atmosphere. The two Baltics shuffled out of the room quietly before slamming the door shut. Gilbert did not dare say a word, he was too confused to try and rationalise why his Natalia was being so cruel. She met his gaze though her face bore no emotion. No love, no hate, no affection. She was worse off now than she had been at her own ball, this time she didn't even try to hide her lack of feeling.

Sick of the silence, he decided to speak. "Fraulein Arlovskaya, what matter would you like to discuss?" He took three strides towards her so that they were a mere metre apart. That was a bad move, he could smell her now, he could hear each calm breath that she took. He watched her fingers ball into a fist at the top of her blanket before she looked up at him with those stoic, icy blue eyes.

"My lilies" She uttered and Gilbert fell to his knees.

Natalia smiled, lowering her head as he crawled forward to lean his head on her lap. She reached out to touch his hair taking in a deep breath of his scent. She heard him sniff, and watched his body shake as he cried onto her lap. "M-Most have bloomed, they look beautiful." He managed, laughing through his tears.

"Good." Was her reply, and she kept stroking back his hair. Oh his scent was enthralling, every part of her wanted to wrap herself up within it and disappear. A dizzy spell hit her head in waves of increasing pain but she ignored it. Instead she listened to his ragged breathing; she could feel the heavy drum of his heart against her leg and the warmth of his breath through her dress. "That uniform looks good on you." She noted softly.

"I thought I lost you… I thought that you were-…"

"I am yours Gilbert Beilschmidt and that will not change." Her voice remained ever calm, despite the awful migraine in her temple. He hugged onto her legs tighter. "You should sort yourself out, if my brother returns and sees you like this he will kill you."

"You're right" He nodded against her dress and lifted his head, peering up at her with his bloodshot cerise eyes. He gave her such a wonderful smile, one that made her heart pulse with joy. She almost cried herself for the sheer adoration beaming from the Prussian's eyes could make her melt. A slight blush rose on her cheeks and she knew he noticed by the smirk he gave her. He leant towards her face as she reached out and wiped his cheeks.

There was a quick knock at the door before they burst open. Gilbert was standing upright and Natalia was looking over the papers he had left on her lap.

"I am sorry to have been out so long, dear sestra." Ivan noted happily, paying no mind to the Prussian in the centre of the room. Her brother walked straight to the window and forced it open against the harsh winter gale.

"The cold will not do Miss Arlovskaya good." Toris noted numbly as all three Baltics, followed Ivan into the room.

"What did I say about speaking out of turn, Toris." Natalia snapped.

"My my, my sweet sister is regaining her venomous bite." Ivan laughed happily. "Toris is only concern for you Natalia. Though he need not be, our family were born into ice and snow, it is in the cold we feel at home."

Natalia nodded in agreement, shuffling through the papers to see many un-opened letters from both herself and Gilbert especially. She looked up to the Prussian who watched her intently, he was ready to attack should Ivan hurt her in anyway in front of him. What a fool… She could not help but think so little of her lover.

"Tonight, I was hoping we could eat in Moscow." Ivan stated as he shrugged off his coat and handed his gloves to the Baltic. "Our guest should be gone by then, and I've made a reservation."

"I would rather eat at home, brother." The Russian stiffened. "Raivis and I made apple pie just this morning and I would love for my big brother to enjoy it. We must show our guest all the hospitality that Belarus and Russia are rumoured to hold." Ivan turned to his sister with a smile on his face. She had stayed here long enough; she knew how to work him.

"Excellent idea Natalia! We can eat in tonight, and once our guest leaves tomorrow morning we can spend the day together." He grinned at his sister who regarded him emotionlessly.

"That sounds wonderful, big brother."

"Well then Toris, you and Raivis better prepare a feast. Eduard bring Bela her present early and help her with it. Tonight we shall celebrate her better health. And you," For the first time, Ivan acknowledged Gilbert, "Remain in your room before the feast is ready. Make yourself look presentable, I'm sure Eduard's dress robes are around somewhere."

Eduard had left her alone in her room with the letters, she apologised to him for the glare and he shook his head. Though Toris' intentions were questionable, she had nothing to fear from the Estonian. He had proved to be quite an unlikely ally, one she could not have made it through this ordeal without. The man had her gratitude, which was something she did not hand out often.

The letter on the top of the pile had not address, only her name written in a hand she recognised instantly.

My Natalia,

Though you think me immature, though you believe that you know best in this situation I ask that you allow me to help. I know I come across as irresponsible and reckless, but I was a country once as well. I know what fluxuation does to a representation, I know how to help. I know how to plan and how to respond to such things. I cannot bear to see you weak as I did last night. Nor can I stand being helpless in aiding you. Next time, tell me and I shall come running. I love you Natalia, and I will be there when you need me to be.

Though something I have realised recently is how human we are. We will age eventually, and we may even die. When you return I have so much planned for us, so many mundane human things so that I can show you just how much you mean to me. I don't want this to get fucked up, I really don't. If you need me to stay away, to let you be then I shall. If you need me to stay then I will do as such. But I leave my choice to you.
When you're involved I don't seem to have any choice.

All my love,
whether you want it or not,
Gilbert Beilschmidt

My Sweet Natalia

No more like.

My dearest Nata

Not good enough.

Yo! Natty!

That's not even an option.

My love,

If anything is to go wrong in the next few hours just know I do not blame you at all.
You've made me happier in a few weeks than I have been for most my life.
I have wrote this letter a thousand times, and I will write it a thousand times more. I do not fear death, I only fear leaving you alone. I know I will be rewarded in the afterlife, despite all the horrific things I have done. I know whoever is up there will reward me for loving you. And I

"So it is you I hear scrawling on my table?" Ivan smiled sadistically at Gilberts now open door. He pretended to be more startled than he actually felt and slid his papers onto the floor. When he gathered them up again he put the letter to his brother on the top and Natalia's other documents underneath, hiding his letter under the table. "You should take more care, your precious letters will get lost."

Gilbert gritted his teeth. "My brother would not be happy if I lost his letters, I thank you for your advice."

"Oh has Ludwig taught you manners finally?" This time, the albino's hand clenched into a fist on his knee, his veins straining against his leather gloves. The Russian laughed at him. "Now now, Prussia. We were once very close and even after all this time you cannot hide your emotions."

"It seems I cannot." He grunted.

"You'd do well do hide them whilst in my house." The Russian went deadly serious from light hearted in a heartbeat.

"Understood."

"Good!" He smiled happily, "Now get ready! A feast is about to be served and I assure you," He paused at Gilberts door. "You will not forget this meal."