GerUk/GerEng Collection

The Power of Hand-Holding

Author's Note: I'm a little late, but as of this month I have been writing fanfiction for two years. Back when I started this collection and started my journey as a fanfiction writer, I never expected to fall in love with GerEng as much as I did, I never thought I would accumulate so much support, and I definitely never thought I would end up writing so many fanfictions. Thank you everyone for the support and here's to another year!

I wanted to do a little something special for my two year anniversary of being a fanfiction author and what better way to celebrate then by doing a GerEng Dreamtalia based fic? After all it was the Hand-holding buddies that got me into GerEng and fic writing in general. Some of the dialogue in the beginning is not mine and is actually from/based on Dreamtalia: Erroneous Epilogue. So check out Dreamtalia (specifically Kyokoon64′s lp if you want some GerEng content) and the two sequel games and enjoy!

Also CW sort of character death?

They were under that same old tree on that same old day again. Ludwig laid in Arthur's lap, holding onto the Brit's hand tightly as Reve, World, Italy and the leftover arcana sat around them. Dread had settled in the pit of Arthur's stomach as he felt himself fading. His time was almost up. But here Ludwig was, asking him for another story, and worst of all asking him to...

"Stay?" Ludwig asked, so softly Arthur could barely pick up on it. At the very back of Arthur's mind, something told him all this was familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. But that feeling was quickly overshadowed by the whirlwind of emotions Ludwig's question brought forth. It was a death sentence to stay...but...Was that much different than a life of heartbreak? Was it worth it to go back and be miserable? In his gut, Arthur knew his answer. But before he could say anything, he was suddenly ripped out of the Dream World.

When Arthur came to, he was back in his basement in front of his mirror. He knew he had failed. He knew he had the moment he had finished reading Ludwig and the rest of them that story. But if only he had a few more minutes he could have at least... stayed, and lived out the rest of his days beside his lover. But now... Deep down he knew what he'd find when he returned to Ludwig's bedside, but that didn't stop Arthur from immediately heading over.

Just like he suspected, Ludwig laid still on the bed. Arthur's heart dropped as he saw Ludwig's still chest. "Ludwig," he whispered, cautiously approaching the German. "Ludwig...wake up."

Ludwig didn't stir.

"No...nonono...WAKE UP," Arthur shouted, seizing Ludwig's shoulders and shaking him violently. "WAKE UP! DO YOU HEAR ME? WAKE UP."

He kept shouting and shouting until his throat became raw, and tears were streaming down his face.

"Ludwig...please...Don't leave me..."

The next thing Arthur knew, he was being shaken awake, coming to in a dark room with two firm hands on his shoulders. He thrashed about, confused by what was going on.

"Hey...Arthur, it's okay," a familiar voice reassured him, "It's just me."

Before Arthur sat Ludwig, alive, awake, and well. A wave of relief washed over him, and with shaking hands he pulled his lover into a tight hug. Slowly, cautiously, the German's arms came to rest around his waist. Arthur buried his nose in Ludwig's neck, trying to hide the few tears he couldn't contain.

"What's wrong?" Ludwig asked.

Arthur sniffed, burying his face even further into Ludwig's neck. "It's nothing. I-I'm fine now."

Ludwig was quiet for a moment before asking, "Another nightmare?"

Arthur nodded. It had been about a month since Ludwig and Italy had returned from that Godforsaken dreamscape, and, although both were okay (more-or-less), and Arthur's mission had been more than successful, the thought of losing Ludwig still haunted him. At least the German was there when he woke up and managed to put him at ease by just being there.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ludwig offered, starting to rub Arthur's back.

"Not really. It's the same old, same old after all. But it doesn't get easier."

"Well..." Ludwig began, linking hands with Arthur, "I'm here. Safe and with you. And I'm not going anywhere."

"Mhm...I'll be okay in a minute."

For a moment, Ludwig just held him and continued rubbing up and down his lover's back with his free hand. Eventually, he proposed: "Would you like some tea?"

Arthur only shrugged. Ludwig took that as a yes and got up to head to the kitchen, but Arthur didn't let go of his hand. "Come on mein Hase," Ludwig said, tugging gently at Arthur's hand. Arthur quickly got up, and the two headed down to the kitchen.

Normally, Arthur would be the one to prepare their tea, but given his shaken state, Ludwig figured he better prepare it this time. It turned out to be kind of difficult given the Brit's hold on his hand. But in the end, Ludwig had managed, and the two made their way into the living room, two mugs of tea in hand.

Once they were seated on the couch and Arthur had settled himself against Ludwig's side (still holding on tightly to the German's hand), the two began sipping away at their tea silently. Ludwig felt like he should say something, but Arthur seemed to have relaxed, and he didn't want to say anything that might set Arthur off again. "At least one good thing came out of... all of this," Ludwig eventually said

"Hmm?"

"This," Ludwig murmured, raising their locked hands.

Arthur's cheeks went pink as he looked over their clasped hands and Ludwig's smiling face. A small smile grew on his own face to match the one on his lover's. "Yes...I suppose you're right," Arthur agreed, placing a soft kiss on the back of Ludwig's hand. Then it was the German's turn to blush.

"It was hell, but we got through it unscathed," Ludwig went on, "well...mostly unscathed. And we'll get through this too."

"Through the power of hand-holding?" Arthur asked with a chuckle.

Ludwig's smile widened. "Sap...I wouldn't put it that way but...sure, through the power of hand-holding."

It was cliché, it was sappy, but Arthur believed it. Everything seemed to turn out okay as long as they were together. That didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. Arthur wouldn't let it stop anytime soon.

"Do you think you're okay now?" Ludwig asked after a moment.

"I think so..."

Once they had finished their tea and disposed of their empty mugs in the sink, the two lovers headed back to bed. In no time, they had settled down under the blanket facing each other. Arthur stared at Ludwig intently, leaving the poor German concerned that something was wrong again.

"Are you okay?" Ludwig asked.

"I have an idea," Arthur stated, not really answering his lover's question.

Ludwig quirked a brow. "What?"

"Hold me."

Ludwig's face went beet red as he recalled when Arthur had first told him those words. He had thought it was a joke, or Arthur being overdramatic, but it turned out to be so much more. "Did you just..."

"Yes," Arthur hissed, "Now shut up and hold me!"

Ludwig let out a laugh but quickly gave into his boyfriend's request, draping his arm across the Englishman's waist. "Are you good now?" Ludwig asked.

"Mhm," Arthur hummed before letting out a yawn. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight meine Liebe. Sleep well." And Arthur did.

Translations

mein Hase = my bunny

meine Liebe = my love