Arthur wasn't sure what he did at first when he heard the news, when he watched the channel, when he saw the destruction.

All he could think about was Alfred.

The Nation of England was no stranger to invasions. He had seen and experienced many from the other countries who wished to either take control of his land or to raid it of anything that would fuel their own ambitions or just to attack and instill fear in his people.

Hell, he's already led quite a few of his own.

But he knew Alfred had never experienced invasion before, not even in WWll.

He went across the sea to the nation as fast as he could, and arrived at the White house. President Bush and Kiku were outside of the room where he knew Alfred was in.

The human was sitting down, his hands clasped together, as if in prayer, his eyes closed in concentration. Kiku looked up to meet Arthur, his expression solemn and saddened.

"He won't let anyone see him," the nation of Japan informed Arthur softly, "not even his boss."

Arthur breathed in deeply, preparing himself for what was inside.

He slowly opened the door and entered the room. Most of the lights were off, but he could make out Alfred's figure, hunched over in a chair. As Arthur approached him, his chest clenched painfully.

Alfred's head was bowed, his hands clenched together tightly, making his knuckles white.

"Alfred," Arthur began softly, before he realized he didn't know what to say to the other male, only for him to speak.

"Well," the younger nation stated, his voice dull and hoarse, "what are you waiting for? Go head. Laugh."

Arthur stared incredulously at Alfred. "What are you-?!"

"It's been twelve years," Alfred stated, "more than a decade. Only a few hundred people died, only three buildings were struck, only three planes were used."

Arthur's chest throbbed painfully as Alfred lifted his head to face the British nation. Tears were running down his face, his expression anguished and fearful.

"So why does this hurt so much? Why is it that this day, I feel more fear for my nation than anything else, even with everything else happening to my economy, my people, and my land?"

A harsh, chocking noise came from the back of his throat, Arthur wasn't sure if it was a sob or a bark of laughter. "Funny, isn't it? For all the wars I've fought in and everything I've experienced, something this small makes me feel this unhinged-!"

A hapless smile spread on his face. "It's just too hilarious, isn't it old man?"

At that, the older nation simply knelt down and wrapped his arms around the taller male, hugging Alfred to him tightly. The younger nation was already leaning out pretty far on the chair, and the hug caused him to slid off of the chair and further into Arthur's embrace. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Alfred not being able to bear withdrawing from the other's contact.

After the allotted time, Arthur back up a bit and too Alfred's chin in his hand and brought the other nation's face to his so they could see each other in the eye, azure blue against leaf green.

"Now you listen to me," Arthur said in a commanding tone, even as it shook, "there is nothing shameful, and especially not funny, about what you're feeling. What happened would shake anyone up, including me. I can't promise that everything will be all right, but you, and your nation are strong. You can fight, you can protect, you can do anything."

Alfred blinked at this, his expression more hopeful. "Who are you, and what have you done with Arthur?"

The green-eyed man twitched slightly but a soft chuckle came out regardless. "I'm right here by your side, you stupid boy."

"And I always will be."

For the lives lost on 9/11/01.