He didn't remember sleeping.
And yet, here he was waking up.
Blue eyes blinked slowly as America attempted to absorb everything he could about his current location. He was staring at a high white ceiling with one light out of his line of vision, so he could just see the dim glow it was casting. He felt like he should recognize this room, but no memories came to mind. Testing out to make sure he could still move, his hands curled around soft sheets.
"Al? A-are you awake?" He jumped at the soft voice of his younger brother. He could see the blond, but he knew it was him. His voice was thick with concern and shock, which he found confusing. Since when had Matthew ever been too worried about him? Or surprised to see him wake up for that matter.
"Y-yeah." He turned his head to see Canada sitting up on a bed next to him. "Are we in a hospital bro?"
The Canadian laughed sharply, a bitter sound. "I wish. We're in my cabin just north of Sudbury."
America scrunched up his nose, trying to think of where that was. He never could be bothered to remember his brother's provinces. (He still called them states anyway) "Yukon?" He guessed.
His brother sighed, shaking his head. "Ontario. Just a three hour drive from our shared border at the Sault."
"Oh." That name he recognized. They'd always joke about the twin cities because they were twins…it was funnier to them than it was to most other people. "Could've just said that to begin with."
"How're you feeling?" Canada asked suddenly.
A shrugged, moving to sit up as well. "Not too bad. I've has worse days anyway. Actually, my cold from the debt to China feels like it's gone!"
Canada frowned, and looked at the far wall. "It makes sense I suppose. There's no more United States of America to be in debt to China."
America leapt to his feet, leaning against the other bed to get closer. "What?" He was searching the Canadian's violet-blue eyes for some sign that he was joking. Soon, he'd crack a grin and push his head away, calling him so gullible.
There was nothing. Now, with their closeness, Al could see how pale, and sunken his brother's face was. Eyes scanning the bed, he noticed the blond's right leg was heavily bandaged.
Finally, he noticed that he was seeing all of this without his glasses. Without Texas.
"Shit." He muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "What happened?"
Canada grimaced. "You'd been sick, remember? Because of your debt. Your fever got to the point where you slipped into a coma." He bit his lip, clearly unsure of how to continue. "You've been out for over a year."
While America tried to process that, he continued. "A nation isn't as strong when their representative is out of commission. When you went down, China called the debt. Arthur and I did our best to help, but we're not exactly in perfect economical conditions either. If it's any consolation, the States went relatively 'peacefully', so only the heads of state were killed. None of your other citizens were killed as far as I know.
"I think the plan was made a long time ago. Yao's army didn't blink before spreading out to Europe. I managed to get you over the border to my home right before the bombing started here. Apparently Harper finally decided to grow a pair and stand up for us."
"What's the situation like in Europe?" Al interrupted quickly before his brother could get on a rant about his boss.
Canada shook his head, blond curls flying. "The last message I got from Arthur last week. He says he's holding his ground, and China has yet to have turned his attention to the Nordics yet, but… the rest of Europe is gone, either under his control or…" He swallowed. "Gone. Same goes for Asia, South America… everywhere."
"Who's all gone?" He found himself asking before he even really thought about it.
"Almost all of Africa. There's been no word from Gutpa in over three months, so we've assumed the worst. Seychelles was barely spared thanks to France pleading for her life. Sadiq was killed last week during a raid in Athens where Heracles was hiding him. He hasn't gotten to us either so Greece may be gone as well, and Romano is currently MIA."
The list felt so long. Alfred just stood, staring at his bare feet in frustration before something clicked, and he brightened. "What about Ivan? That Ruskie has got to be holding his own, right?" His grin faded when Matthew looked down, pale bangs shielding his face from view. "Right Mattie?
No answer. He sank to his knees beside the bed. "Come on Mattie, tell me, say something!"
His soft voice sounded hollow as he answered. "The Russians are standing very strong against China's assaults. They're the only power able to do so." Twin tears seared down either side of his face. "Ivan was reported missing after a stray fighter bombed Moscow a month ago. Ukraine found his scarf in the ruins of his home just before she was taken prisoner, and he was pronounced dead after that."
"Oh God Matt, I'm so sorry." He knew how close the two had been, even if he didn't always like it.
"It's okay. They never found the body so… There's still a chance, right?" Even as he said it, he didn't sound anywhere near hopeful. All that had already gone up in smoke.
"Right." The American confirmed, inwardly shocked at how easily his brother had smothered his sadness. 'Mattie, you really are a trooper.' And then he offered one of his biggest, million watt grins. "He's probably getting a team of epic Russian spies and secret agents, and computer-hacking geniuses together to overthrow China as we speak!"
Canada found the strength to smile weakly. "Thanks Al, I knew I could count on you to pull something like that."
"Hey! What're heroic brothers for?"
The silence that followed was interrupted by the cell phone next to the Canadian's bed coming to life, ringing shrilly. Matthew grabbed it quickly. "Arthur! I've got news!" He said with the sharp authority of a soldier. The tone didn't suit him, Alfred noted. Even during the wars, he always remembered hating how it sounded when he talked like that.
"Good to hear boy. All I'm able to say at the moment is that we're still alive. Couldn't have you getting worried."
"Al woke up!"
America could almost see the look of relief washing of England's face. "Hey, Matt, can I talk to him?"
Canada nodded, handing it over. "Alfred? You're really alright?" The Brit's voice sounded hushed, as if saying it too loudly would make it untrue.
"No obvious brain damage yet!" He chirped. "Maybe I'll even get some psychic powers or something. Listen Artie; you take care of yourselves out there, got it? Be careful."
The warm tone in England's voice instantly melted. "I'm not a child, I know that you wanker!" Then he continued muttering something about 'putting the intelligent one back on the phone.'
"I'm serious! Just hold on until me and Mattie can get to you guys to help, you're in London right?" Not waiting for a response, he continued. "In fact, we're on our way as we speak." He blew loudly into the phone, making Arthur wince on the other end from the noise. He hung up, and tossed the phone back to Canada. "Alrighty! Time to head out!"
He moved for the door, which he assumed let to the upper levels of the cabin, and then stopped when he realized his brother wasn't following him. "Are you coming?"
"Are you crazy?" The younger nation asked in the exact same expectant tone. He indicated his leg furiously. "I got three bullets in the leg Al, and had to dig around myself to get them out! There's no way I can walk, let alone smuggle myself all the way to London in the midst of a worldwide Chinese invasion!"
"Oh." The American thought for a moment before returning to his brother's bedside, and crouching down. "Hop on bro!" He wiggled his outstretched fingers, as if to tell him to hurry up.
"Are you kidding?"
"Nope. We've gotta help the others save the world!" The tone was cheerful, but at the same time, it held absolutely no room for argument. He was dead serious when it came to being a hero.
Hesitantly, Canada swung his legs over the side of the bed, and gingerly lifted himself onto America's back, arms wrapped tightly around his brother's neck.
"I swear to God, if you drop me, I'm going to kill you." He muttered.
"I know, I know." Alfred grinned, getting back to his feet and heading for the door. "Hey, does this mean you'll teach me the ways of the Jedi, master Yoda?"
He yelped as Canada smacked his head sharply and growled, "There's a time and a place for everything Al!"
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Thanks for reading~!
I really hope this is as good as I think it is, honestly I don't think I've ever felt so good about a new story since…ever.
However, I probably shouldn't even be writing this right now. I've already put two stories on hiatus, and have two more to work on…but this plot just feels so good to write!
Just so you know, some of the pairings and other fun stuff in this will be really cracktastic. If you don't like 'em…well, I've used the ultimate disclaimer in literature history. If you don't like them, it was a dream, and never really happened, okay?
Review to let me know how it is, I can't wait for feedback on this one, and I'll try and keep my author notes short from now on, bye!
