Immersed Within the Clouds Ch.5 Germany x Reader

Immersed Within the Clouds
(Germany x Reader)

Chapter 5:

The evening's temperature was declining into freezing as the sun began to shroud itself behind the wooded horizon. You had managed a small fire out of a bit of dead wood, but the forceful wind was picking up rather swiftly causing the meek flame to waver. Gilbert shuddered as a breeze swept through the clearing unmercifully.

"We can't wait for him to wake up." He sighed, standing and lifting Ludwig with him. You followed suit as you, unfortunately, full heartedly agreed.

"Well, there has to be something nearby if Alfred's squadron attacked." You mused pointing in the direction the fighters had originally flown.

"Alfred?" He questioned in a soft whisper, but you were already heading through the dense vegetation. Gilbert hoisted his younger brother's arm over his shoulder grumbling sarcastically about how he didn't need help. It wasn't too long until you stumbled upon the abandoned squadron base. Whether it was damaged before the attack you were unsure, but quite a bit of it was in ruins now.

Craters dotted the dry earth as far as the eye could see. Destroyed fragments from outdated machinery and vehicles decorated the ground as well as ruble from the nearby buildings which groaned with each breeze. Gilbert trudged into the area and carefully rested Ludwig and the rope on the ground before scouting out a building that was safe enough to reside for the night.  Meanwhile, you collected ruined furniture and as much dry wood as you could in order to keep a steady supply of warmth for the night.

The pair placed Ludwig in an incredibly aged mattress which was pulled from a rusty bunk. The building appeared to be the housing for previous soldiers, yet all of the bunks were either wrecked or rendered useless. A few stained cots and torn or burned blankets were all that was scavenge worthy in the crumbling structure.

By the time you had started a fire, Gilbert had bundled his brother in the thin blankets and sheets and set out a cot of his own. The sun had set a while ago and your body had finally caught up to today's activities causing your eyes to droop heavily and limbs to throb unpleasantly.

"What, no bed for me?" You jokingly inquired reaching for another cot to drag near the fire. The holes in the building fortunately allowed a fire to burn while granting appropriate ventilation. As you reached the sleeping area, Gilbert grasped your wrist with a cocked eyebrow.

"What do you think you're doing?" He questioned as your brow furrowed in confusion.

"Wha-" Gilbert interrupted as he swiftly tossed you away.

"You didn't think I could trust you while I slept, did you frau?" Gilbert chuckled retrieving the rope and swinging the end teasingly.

"You wouldn't." You pointed a finger at him as you took a step away from him.

"Es tut mir leid." He whispered sarcastically pinning you down and wrapping you in the thick, coarse material. The fibers pinched and rubbed roughly against the already sensitive exposed flesh. Once Gilbert had you absolutely secure, he place you a bit away from the pair.

"Are all Germans so cruel?" You spat the rhetorical question. Gilbert laughed a bit before he answered.

"The awesome me is Prussian." He waved his hand dismissively before resting in his temporary quarters.

"Like it matters you Nazi bastard!" You shouted writhing in the rope's impossible tie around your body.

Your struggling had long since ceased now that any skin exposed from your flight suit had become raw.  Gilbert's snores, the constant pricking, and the freezing air had kept you from sleep despite your immense exhaustion. Your head bowed slightly to the side as sleep implored you to join, but it shot straight up again when you heard a stirring near the fire.

Through your jaded eyes, a mop of blonde hair arising entered your vision. His crystal blue eyes scanned the area with clear confusion. Ludwig glanced at his sleeping brother before noticing your half lidded glare. He lifted himself carefully with a soft wince every so often when he slowly made his way over to you.

"What happened?" He groaned seating himself in front of you.

"Hmm?" You questioned in a dreamy state. It was growing too strenuous to focus.

"Where are we? How did we escape?" Ludwig's voice grew louder and sterner. You flinched at the sudden aggressive tone.

"That's a nice way to treat-" You yawned before continuing. "The woman who saved your life."

Ludwig's eyes widened in shock, but it was quickly overclouded with disbelief. He scoffed and turned his head towards Gilbert who had shifted to a bizarre position including his mouth wide open.

"Ja. I'm sure that's true. That is why you're tied up, right?" He gestured to the crude yet tight knots which constricted you. You rolled your head lazily to one side.

"Do you really think that 'Prussian' soldier could have saved all three of us?" You inquired with a slight slur. Ludwig opened his mouth to speak, but swiftly shut it as he mulled that over. Gilbert was not one for thinking on his toes, especially when he was in danger. As if on cue, the albino began to stir before raising his ruby orbs and glaring at the conversing pair.

"Shut up! I'm trying to sleep you-" Gilbert noticed his brother had awakened and scrambled from the sorry excuse for a bed. He found himself at his brother's side as quickly as he could. "West! You're awake!"

"Yeah. Now how did we get here? She said she saved us." Ludwig scoffed until he noticed Gilbert's sheepish expression.  

"She - may have - helped," Gilbert admitted watching as Ludwig's face twisted into shock once more. His gaze turned to the sleep deprived female in front of him. You blinked slowly, trying to rid yourself of the blurry vision. "But I decided to play it safe and restrain her."

All Ludwig could remember was your voice calling out to them before a bomb had struck the ground and - nothing. Was it true, then? Even after they planned to imprison her?

"But - why?" Ludwig asked his brother with a strained tone in his voice. Gilbert simply shrugged with a yawn.

"I'm going to get a few more hours. Do what you want, but be careful. She may still be dangerous." Gilbert sighed, marching back to his cot by the fire. Ludwig returned his attention to you to see your miserable features. It was much too late; in fact the sunrise was in a few hours.

"Why?" Ludwig finally managed to whisper. Your eyes glanced upwards as a pathetic grin attempted its way onto your face. You fidgeted slightly only to hiss in pain, wiping the grin away. He quickly fished into a pocket on his flight suit to pull out the knife you had originally planned to kill him with. The rope was cut and removed resulting with you falling forward into the German's firm torso.

His face lit ablaze in scarlet at the vulnerable side you were showing him. Ludwig's warmth was much more pleasant than the cool dry temperature you had faced all night, so you nuzzled further into him not thinking much of the situation.

"If I want to get to Sweden, you're my only hope. I thought it was only fair, right?" You forced out all in one breath. Ludwig was still trying to grasp the fact you had risked your life to save him and his brother, but his face flushed darker when you spoke.

With a content sigh, you finally shut your eyes and drifted asleep to the steadily increasing rhythm of your enemy's heartbeat. He had tensed when you grew heavier, but immediately relaxed and found himself instinctively running his fingers down your messy braid. After a few moments, he caught himself and quickly halted feeling a bit embarrassed.

Your nimble hands had gripped the fabric on his torso, but for some reason he didn't mind. Ludwig felt a warm sensation spread evenly through his chest as his usual cold blue eyes gazed at the brave young woman in his lap. Adjectives flew through his mind as he gazed into the relaxed, innocent expression you wore. Cute, adorable, pretty - but he decided it was much more. Beautiful. Despite the dirt and blood that masked your skin, it was undeniable and it was inadequate that names had not yet even been shared.

Guilt shot through his body as he found it impossible to tear his gaze away. What was he doing to himself? She hated him. She only saved him for her own benefit. And yet, his heart ached as if hoping there was another reason.

Ludwig lifted you into his arms and carried you to the cot he previously awoke himself. He gingerly laid you on the dirty temporary bed as if he was worried he might break you. Once you were bundled in a few blankets and sheets, he found himself staring into your face once more. He snapped back to reality and hastily pulled another cot forward next to your own.

As he lay relaxing somewhat comfortably on the firm cushion, he found himself daydreaming with his eyes fixated on the burning embers which emitted enough heat for the three. His head leaned backward allowing him to notice the spidering cracks on the ceiling. Sleep tempted him once again as his eyelids drooped slowly.

Without a second thought, the German pilot leaned towards your cot and placed a chaste kiss on your forehead where his lips lingered longingly. He ripped himself away as pink dusted across his cheeks.

"Thank you."