I do not own Hetalia, or any of the characters.

This is purely for your enjoyment, and I really appreciate comments of both praise and criticism. Thank you for reading!

I felt as if I was dying.

The tortuous pain, the burning, felt like continuous stabs to every inch of my being - the overwhelming scent of death filling my lungs, the absolute agony sweeping over my senses as not a single cry could find its way through my parched throat. . The horror of seeing darkness, pure, cold darkness, and nothing else.

But the worst part of it all, was that I enjoyed every second of it. My mind completely ignored the salty tears rolling down my cheeks at a mile per minute, and instead focused on that maniacal laugh echoing through nothingness. Was that… my laugh..?

I deserve this!

What had I done?

I don't even know what caused this horrible - yet wonderful - pain.

You destroyed him.

Who? Just what have I done? Tell me!

You know just as well as I do.

I was drowning.

Sinking deeper and deeper into this pit of despair, never to be seen again. I tried to call out, tried to feel my way around, but all hope was lost as I fell slowly, painfully slow, into nothing. I was gone; never to be found.

And I was full of joy.

Sick, disgusting, joy...

"Wake up!"

Just the faint sound of a familiar, almost warm, voice found its way through the void as I desperately reached up to grab hold of it.

"Come on, wake up.."

It spoke again, sending harsh icy air to fill my lungs,

"Don't mess with me! Wake up!"

I wish I could. I wish I could wake from this darkness. And then - a warm sensation crawled up to my face, followed by a feeling of some sort of liquid. . Bright, brilliant light surrounding me, and my vision was swirling and dancing around an unfamiliar room. That is, until I realized where I exactly was. That sickly cold liquid turned out to be my own perspiration dripping down my forehead, and sticking onto the back of my neck in a large pool.

A nightmare.

It was only a nightmare.

But why had it felt so real..?

Taking shuddering and quick breaths, my eyes finally adjusted to my surroundings, and I turned to see a terrified male staring me down with worry swimming in his bright emerald eyes. I was going to try and speak, but my dry throat cut my words off short.

"Dammit, you scared the hell out of me you twit!"

"S-sorry…"

"Don't apologize idiot, just hold on."

I was going to protest - say everything was fine - but, that was a blatant lie. Truth is, my heart was thumping vigorously behind my ribs and they felt as if they might snap at any second, and my head was drenched in sweat, pounding in my skull. Water was forcefully poured down my throat, and immediately it cooled my heated body. My panting began to subside and breathing starting to regulate.. All while those large eyes continued to pierce into my own.

"I told you not to watch horror films before you go to bed, idiot."

Although he called me an idiot, I knew it was just out of habit, and it was a way to make himself feel better about the whole situation.

"I-It was just a nightmare Artie.."

Hardly managing a whisper, I looked towards him, having glasses shoved onto the bridge of my sweaty nose, "Even so, you were crying and muttering like a mad man. You… You scared me America. I shook you for minutes, but you wouldn't wake up. I thought-"

"If I was talking, I obviously wasn't dead."

"I know but. . I didn't know what to think honestly. I was just worried, alright?"

"You? Worried about me? That's a first."

"Bastard. I always worry about you, considering how stupid you are."

"Well, no need to worry Artie; the hero never dies!"

"I told you not to call me that!"

And with a small laugh escaping me as the other rolled his eyes, everything was back to normal. My heart rate had slowed, and I was sitting up chugging down the water that England gave me, (If only it was soda) and as I sat the glass down, I managed to smile. With a wink I pulled him in for one of my famous hugs that I only enjoyed giving to him. He squirmed in my grasp, pushing at my chest and trying to escape my strong hold.

"Ameri-..! Dammit, you're all sweaty!"

"Hahaha!"

You know, it's funny how things work themselves out. At first, our relationship was nothing but constant fighting, thinking that England truly hated me, and vice versa, but something was deeper behind all of that fake hatred.

Love.

Sounds completely cheesey, I know, but who doesn't love that romance crap every once in a while? I do! Anyway, now here we are; lovers. And quite honestly, I couldn't be happier. Some people say it's awkward because we were once 'brothers', but England was, and really always has been, just looking out for me. He wanted to make me stronger, and let me grow into the country I am today. I'm grateful, and I'm sure he knows that - I tell him practically every day.

And I'm completely in love with him…

"Here."

A fresh plate of his infamous scones were placed on the table as a warm, genuine smile creeped along my lips. Sure, they were god-awful, but it's because they were made by him that I choke them down every morning. Sometimes I try to wake up early and make something different, but he's seriously persistent when it comes to cooking. Not sure if that's a blessing or a curse to be honest…

"Thanks!" I muffled through a mouthful of the warm scone, leaning up towards his cheek to peck it softly as his palm shooed away my face, "W-Wanker!" He hissed almost inaudibly, but I knew he didn't mean it - his cheeks were bright red! "Booooo… You're no fun." I pouted, sticking my tongue out in his direction as he rolled his eyes as usual, turning on his heels and re-adjusting his apron which I had bought him recently and told him to wear when he baked (I had told him it looked adorable on him, but he shoved it back in my face, telling me that "If you ever say that again, I'll never wear it!" And that was the end of that). Stuffing my face with the pastries, and chugging down a fresh cup of coffee, filled with milk and sugar, I glanced over towards him as he poured his daily tea in one of his fancy tea cups. "I heard we have a meeting tomorrow?" I asked, causing him to jerk his head back towards me, "Yeah, we do. Hopefully it's not a disaster as usual… And let me do all of the talking America. You always piss everyone off."

"Aw, I do not!"

"Alfred, your ideas are complete bollocks."

I was about to respond when one of England's rare smiles caught my eye, immediately brightening my mood as I stood up slowly from my spot and looked over towards him before strolling over to place my dishes in the sink. While he was busy emptying out my coffee mug, I sneaked my arms around his lithe figure from behind; purring into his neck with a large grin. Surprisingly, he didn't budge as I thought he would, and he actually leaned back into my touch. "You're being awfully nice to me today." I whispered towards him, bringing his usual personality back as he shoved me away with narrowed, sharp eyes (Yet, his face was a beautiful rosy color). "There's the Arthur I know…"

The rest of the day consisted of playful arguments, me insisting we have hamburgers for dinner, and him working outside in his lovely garden as I collapsed onto the couch. He insisted that I not help because honestly I suck when it comes to flowers and shit like that. Apparently I just mess it up, but I couldn't complain. I'd rather be watching tv or playing video games anyway.

Clicking through different channels on his television as I leaned back against a pillow, I was just starting to get comfortable and content until an uncomfortable feeling filled my skull. I continued to stare into the TV, but the pain only grew and swelled with every second, and suddenly a piercing pain practically ripped through my head; my hand slapping up towards my temple in attempt to stop the continuous thumping echoing in my eardrums. It seemed like a familiar feeling, but I brushed it off - I must have had too much caffeine, right? I mean I did have about three or four cups of coffee, so that must have been the issue. I attempted to ignore the pain that remained throbbing at my temples and had my crystal eyes glued to the screen.

"Oi, America! Come help me with something." As much as I loved his voice, the sound only brought more aching which was sweeping through my whole body.

"C-Coming.." I groaned, not necessarily out of annoyance, but when I stood the feeling magnified itself.

Hoisting myself off of the couch, I stumbled towards the open door and into the spring evening, still clutching my head. "Are you alright?" "Yeah, no worries. I'm fine." I replied, leaning down to help him clean up the dirt spread around the patio, "You're rather pale.."

"I said I'm fine England.."

Liar.

The shouting voice repeating in my head caused me to stop dead in my tracks, standing upright and connecting my ocean-like optics into England's emerald ones. The phrase repeated endlessly and it was the only thing I could hear until I spoke over it.

"England… Can we just go to bed?"

"Already? But it's only-"

I cut him off, "Please. My head is killing me dude."

"..Whatever you say.."

And thus ended another day, sweat appearing across my forehead as I slipped into the covers with nothing on but sweatpants, reaching towards the englishman and pulling him close to my chest. He didn't refuse, and all went silent, wishing that this unusual pain would subside and I would sleep peacefully as I did every night.

Except, I had a feeling more pain was to come.

Thank you for reading the first chapter! Reviews are greatly appreciated - especially constructive criticism. :3 Have a wonderful day!