(Author's Note: Remembered this needs to be done... I DO NOT OWN HETALIA, AO ONI, OR HETAONI.)

"How many fingers… am I holding up?"

England couldn't answer that. He never would be able to ever again. The black curtain lowered in front of his eyes assured him of that.

"You can answer that, can't you? If… you can see."

He swallowed hard, forcing the lump in his throat to go down. He knew America knew the truth as well as he did, that he was only asking because he still clung desperately to the hope they both wished was true.

"…It can't… be…"

Oh, how England wanted to deny it. How he wanted to answer his brother's question, to assure him things were alright, that nothing was wrong. But he knew that there was no escaping the truth.

"I'm sorry, America… I can… no longer… see…"

Before England could fully grasp what was happening, two strong arms wrapped themselves tightly around him, pulling him into a crushing embrace. His brother buried his face into his shoulder, starting to soak it with tears within only a few seconds, his body shaking with sobs.

America was crying. America was crying.

That realization destroyed the last ounce of strength England had. He collapsed into America's chest, clinging to him as if he was his last lifeline.

He was blind. He couldn't see. He couldn't see…

Why hadn't he listened to America? Why had he felt the need to be the hero? Why did he stray from his position as the gentleman, try to fulfill a role he'd never tried to fill before?

Digging his hands into America's jacket, England was dimly aware of a loud, anguished wailing. It took him a few moments to realize it was coming from himself.

"It's… It's gonna be ok, England," He heard America shakily whisper into his ear. "It's gonna be ok. We'll… We'll figure something out, alright?"

Normally, England would've snapped at America, told him not to lie to him, to be realistic. Now, however, he weakly nodded and buried his face into America's shoulder, his breath hitching as he attempted to get his sobs under control. He didn't want truth or reality now. He wanted comfort, support, hope.

Because as long as he had those, he could make it through this.