had been glancing down at the letter when he hears the door open. He swallows glances up and wants to smile but can't quite make one. He lifts the letter as if to show her he got it and read it. -

"Elizaveta..." He begins softly. "I-i...we need to talk...I-i need to better understand." He breathes ou.

doesn't recoil from the touch as he steps in noting the slight change in demeanor. He doesn't say anything at first unsure if she wanted to say something or if she was waiting on him.

meets her gaze. "I need to understand how you think things can go back to normal even after your decision..." He says as he steps forward towards her. "I..." He stops himself for a second. "I care too much

about you and I feel what we shared...I just can't let it go that easily." He knew his brother was in the picture but he just couldn't....not with her.

frowns at her response. "You expect us to be happy when you've pulled yourself out of our lives...not entirely but enough that it hurts." He says, keeping the small distance he has with her, so not to scare her

off, even though that was probably not very likely.

doesn't make a move to pull her closer or push her further. It was hard to make a decision...because he knew it was hard for her to pick. He wasn't sure if he should make her choose or not and his expression

saddens. "I-i'm not hear to make you decide." He finally manages to get out. "I just wanted to see how true your letter was...I think I've got my answer."

's expression doesn't change but he does eventually wrap his arms around her gently caressing her back in comfort. He doesn't say anything instead remaining in silence as he lets her seek comfort in his arms.

looks uncomfortable at her questions but he swallows it back his lips thinning. He wants to hold her again and make her smile. "I want you." He says. "But, I don't think I have it in me to share you again..."

takes the offered seat. "Gilbert..." He repeats as if he had momentarily forgotten about his brother. "No...I can't do that too him..."

certain that Gilbert does care deeply for Elizaveta. "I'm sure he cares a great deal Elizaveta...he's never been the type to put in half the work. He always goes 120%."

grows silent again. He didn't know what to add and merely nods at that.

glances up at her when she takes his face in her hands. When she finishes he pulls her in, burying his face against her as he holds her close.

pulls back a bit and rests the top of his head against her. "I...I don't know what to do..." He gets out. "I need the both of you..."

loosens his hold on her and looks up at her, eyes clearly reflecting his pain. "I don't want him to prioritize me...Elizaveta...he's been doing that for the past two hundred and twenty years...I want him to do

something for himself." That's exactly what he wanted. Gilbert had sacrificed way too much for Ludwig and he couldn't repay his brother enough.

knows but doesn't really want to say it. "He'd probably still prioritize me..." He replies painfully.

his eyes prickling with tears of frustration but he manages to control himself as he looks down again.

can see her reasoning. "Can I have one more night with you then...." He asks quietly, unsure if it was even appropriate but if this was indeed the last time he wanted to show her how much she meant to him.

isn't too sure but he didn't want to take his chances as he kisses her back and wraps his arms tighter around her as he leans up and continues to kiss her almost desperately.

pulls her down onto his lap as he pushes his tongue past her lips, his hand running through her hair and down her back.

explores her mouth with such urgency it's only a matter of time when he's pulling back, panting hard for air. However, it doesn't stall him for long as he makes work of kissing along her jawline and now her

neck occasionally nipping at the skin.

arching into the touch as his hands push the straps of her dress off of her shoulder and go for the zipper at her back. (I honestly have no idea what she's wearing...so I hope you're fine with the fact I took a

bit of creative licence. )

( : ) )

inspired by her words and has the zipper completely done before he's shifting their position and she's laying on her back against the couch. He's pushing the material down to her waist before leaning forward

and capturing her lips in a heated kiss to convey that he felt the exact same way.

lets out a grunt when's pressed flush against her and trails his lips over the side of her cheek, his arms keeping him slightly propped up to not crush her completely.

pushes himself up a bit so that he can easily remove his shirt, discarding it to the side as he leans back down nipping at her collarbone and one of his hands pushing down the rest of her bra, exposing her

chest. He wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her against his chest. And that's when he runs his hands down her back.

lets out a small gasp at the grope as he continues to trail his lips down to her breasts. He re-adjusts his hold on her pushing her up so she's straddling his middle as he flicks his tongue over her nipple

before gently taking it into his mouth and sucking and nipping at it.