Drunk me thought there wasn't nearly enough mapletea in the world. Sober me agreed. A friend requested a sick-fic. First chapter, here we go!

Good Influence

Arthur Kirkland wasn't a bad boy at heart. A rough childhood, a succession of bad foster homes and an easily influenced personality all worked together to land the young man before the judge in juvenile court, charged with a series of petty crimes that ranged from spraying graffiti to, alarmingly, grand theft auto. Despite the charges, the judge was able to see that Arthur was basically a good kid, he just needed some better influences.

It was that which led him here, sentenced to 300 hours community service at Hetalia General Hospital. He wasn't allowed to work with the children, which he would have been good at, but rules are rules, and he wasn't allowed to handle the medicines for obvious reasons, but the nurses and orderlies found him very useful to have around, praising him for his hard work and never too shy to scold him for his filthy mouth.

"Arthur, are you actually going to go to school today, or are you going to be a bum skiver like always?" Dr Wang scolded in that usual way of his as he approached him down the hallway, brandishing his clip-board up high so that he could be seem amongst the taller people in the crowd "And while we're on the subject, are you eating properly? Does that disgusting bedsit even have a kitchen area? You're far too skinny!"

"You're one to talk." Arthur retorted as he picked up the pen to sign out "You look like a woman from behind!"

Dr Wang bonked him on the head with his clipboard as he reached him.

"Don't criticise adults!" he ordered "And you need to go to school!"

"What's the point?" Arthur grumbled, rubbing his head "I never learn anything! It's boring!"

"That's because you don't listen! And if you're not going to school, don't bother signing out – there's plenty for you to do here."

"I need to find a job." Arthur insisted.

"And who's going to hire some grumpy punk kid who doesn't even have a secondary school education?" Dr Wang pointed out "You want to spend your days washing dishes? Flipping burgers? Does that sound like fun to you?"

"At least it pays." Arthur grumbled indignantly, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.

Dr Wang responded by smacking his bare arms with the clipboard, forcing him to retract them in self-defence.

"You know, the hospital administrators are really impressed with you." the doctor reminded him "You're a hard worker, you keep your nose clean, not once have you tried to get into the pharmacy, unlike some of the other juvvie kids we've had here before. You get a good reference from the staff, you could get a job here once your community service hours are over."

"That'll be a long time from now." Arthur pointed out "And in the meantime, I need to buy food and shit."

Dr Wang responded by tossing some coupons for the hospital cafeteria in his face.

"Food problem solved." he spat "In the meantime, we're short staffed thanks to that dodgy burger van in the carpark – I told the nurses it was unsanitary! I know a dirty kitchen when I see it."

"Dr Wang," Arthur sighed.

"No arguing." Dr Wang insisted "Put some scrubs on, we need you to deliver the breakfast to the patients on the fourth floor. Chop chop!"

He clapped his hands for emphasis, making it clear that there was no room for argument. Arthur bit his tongue, what with the promise of employment on the horizon, knowing that it was pointless to argue with this particular doctor. With a resignated sigh, he trudged back to the locker room, ignoring the smug look on the doctors face.

"Oh, Arthur?" Elizabetta, the head nurse called from the station as she saw him walk past "I thought you were leaving?"

"Dr Wang says you're short staffed." he told her "Made it pretty clear I was needed here."

"That infernal burger van." she grumbled, hands on her hips "I told the girls not to eat there – we've gotten five food poisoning cases from that van just this week!"

She sighed, making sure her hair was still tied back properly.

"Even so, this isn't your problem." she said "You should be going to school, not skipping to help is here. You were going to school, weren't you?"

"I was thinking about it."

She bopped him on the head, just hard enough to convey her disappointment.

"Go get changed." she ordered "Did Dr Wang give you something to do?"

"Yes."

"Get on with it, then."

To his annoyance, everyone Arthur saw in the next hour said the same thing, starting with 'weren't you leaving?' or 'shouldn't you be in school?' and ending by telling him with needed to be done. He didn't need to go to school – he didn't need to spend his day being bored and judged, pushed around by dumbass teenagers and looked down on by the stuck-up teachers. Why should he have to go to a place like that? It's not like he was going to go to university, and he could get a good reference from the people at the hospital. School was pointless and stressful.

He much more enjoyed being here, even if he wasn't getting paid for it. Dr Wang and Elizabetta gave him lumps sometimes, but he could see it stemmed from concern rather than malice, and everyone else was very nice, even if stressed. He knew what needed to be done here, what he had to do to achieve his goals for the day, what needed to be finished by the end of the week – the clarity and simplicity of it was reassuring. He felt like he had achieved something when he went home, like he had been useful and appreciated. Whenever he left school, he just felt like shit and wanted to get drunk (which was one of the things he had been pulled up on charges for before...).

Dressed up in scrubs, he looked indistinguishable from the other orderlies, which always inspired confused looks from the older patients, who proceeded to mutter about professionals getting younger and younger. The hospital was pretty big, so it took him a while to get around with the patients meals, going back to the cafeteria for new trolleys several times. It was nearly noon by the time he made it to the last room on the floor, giving the door a light but sharp knock.

"Come in." a somewhat confused voice called after a moment of silence.

He opened the door, pushing it open with his butt as he pulled the trolley in behind him. A kid who looked a similar age to him sat up in the bed, confused expression on his face.

"Hey, you hungry?" Arthur asked him, dropping the professional tone with someone his own age "I got breakfast."

"Oh? Y-yeah!" the kid said, stumbling about to sit up properly "Sure."

"You okay?" Arthur asked "Didn't catch you at a private moment, did I?"

"No, no, nothing like that." he assured, missing the masturbation joke "It's just... no-one ever knocks around here, so I was a little surprised, that's all."

Despite the fact that the other boy was bigger, Arthur couldn't help but think that he was cute. He had a mop of curly blond hair, longer than Arthur's short back and sides, with bewildered violet eyes behind his square glasses. He fumbled to turn off his game, putting it aside as Arthur got the tray from the trolley and positioned the table.

"What do we have today?" the boy asked.

"Fruit, some kinda goop and something that I think used to be eggs."

"My favourite!" the boy laughed "I haven't seen you before – are you new here?"

"Not really." Arthur confessed "But I don't usually work on this floor. You been here long?"

"Longer than I'd like." the boy admitted "I'm Matthew."

"Arthur. You want me to open the curtains while I'm here?"

"Oh, don't worry about that." Matthew insisted, picking up his plastic knife and fork "It's fine like this."

"You'll ruin your eyes." Arthur pointed out, crossing the room to open them anyway.

Matthew didn't complain, just smiling shyly. In the light of day, the dark bags under his eyes and sallow skin were far more noticeable, but Arthur knew better than to ask what was wrong with him. He picked up a few bits and bobs that had been discarded on the ground, folding the clothes and putting them away as the boy ate. By the time he was done cleaning, all the food was gone.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked, feeling a little sorry for Matthew "Magazine, medicine, fresh batteries?"

"No, I'm okay." Matthew assured "Thanks for thinking of me, though. It looks nice in here now that it's clean"

"No problem." Arthur said, taking the tray "Talk to you later, Matthew."

"Yeah, talk to you later."

It was two o'clock when Arthur got his break, making use of the coupons Dr Wang had given him to get lunch in the staff cafeteria. The lovely Korean lady who worked there always thought he looked far too thin and gave him double helpings of everything, so by the time he got to his dessert he was completely stuffed – she refused to take the extra large helping of chocolate cake back, but Arthur just couldn't bring himself to throw away food. After a moments thought, he grabbed a fresh fork and ran from the cafeteria, ignoring the nurses yelling at him, and went back to the fourth floor. He knocked on the door again, waiting for Matthew to call back before opening the door.

"Hey, you like cake?" Arthur asked him as he entered.

"I love cake." Matthew responded.

"Then today's your lucky day!"

Matthew put his game away as Arthur pulled the table back up, laying the cake down.

"Good grief!" Matthew laughed "You could kill a small animal with this!"

"Death by calories!" Arthur agreed "Not diabetic, I hope?"

"No, but I might be when I finish this."

They both chuckled. Matthew picked up the fork, poking the cake awkwardly a moment.

"Hey, are you busy?" he asked carefully "Are you able to sit with me for a while?"

"Sure." Arthur agreed "I happen to be on lunch right now."

"Oh! I don't want to take up your lunch break!"

"It's fine, it's fine." Arthur insisted, pulling up the chair beside the bed, finding it far too low for his liking and deciding just to stand "I'd rather talk to you than try to avoid another lecture from Dr Wang on 'young people today'."

Matthew laughed, smiling happily.

"Yeah, I've met Dr Wang." he said "He's... enthusiastic."

"And shrill." Arthur added "Mostly shrill."

Matthew laughed again, finally digging into his cake.

"He looks kind of young to be grumbling about 'young people', though." he thought.

"Lizzie says he's about 20 years older than he looks."

"Well, he looks about 9."

Arthur burst out laughing.

Time passed quickly as the two of them sat talking – so much so that Lizzie came looking for him, wondering if he had gone home without signing out. Matthew was full of apologies, which made her laugh, reassuring him that Arthur wasn't in too much trouble as he filed out, Lizzie closing the door behind him.

"Sorry," Arthur said again "Time got away from me."

"I'll let you off this time." she replied "I'm sure you both enjoyed having someone your own age to talk to, but if you're going to sit and talk then sign out first."

"Doesn't it count as patient care?"

"Nurses don't get paid for it, so it doesn't count towards your hours either."

"That's harsh."

"I know. Come on, sweetie, there's lots to do this afternoon."

Arthur was physically aching come 6pm, shoulders sore as he pulled on his jacket. Why did he agree to stay so long? Sure, it had been a busy day, and he could admit that they clearly needed him, but it wasn't like he was getting paid. Ugh, he should have just gone home.

"Hey, good job today!" Dr Wang called as he poked his head around the locker room door "Take your ass to school tomorrow – you're too dumb to skip this much!"

"Fuck you!" Arthur spat, more grumpy than usual tanks to the long day.

Dr Wang just cackled, sauntering off down the hall. He had been here just as long – how was he not exhausted? Grumbling to himself, he pulled on his bag and headed down the hall. Would he be able to make it to the door without someone else wanting something?

"Oh, Arthur!"

Nope.

With a sigh, he stopped, shoulders tense and set like an angry cat. Lizzie wasn't perturbed, trotting over with a large parcel in his hands. She had untied her hair, which was her own subtle signal that her shift was over and everyone should leave her alone. She smiled at him as sweetly as one could at the end of a twelve hour shift without nearly enough staff.

"Before you go, would you mind dropping this off for Matthew?" she asked, polite but clearly having had enough "It just got sent up from the post room – don't ask me where it's been all day."

"Sure." Arthur agreed wearily, taking it from her "I'm going that way anyway. You got the kids tonight?"

"Yeah." she confirmed "I need to go get them from my mothers, so she's sure to lecture me about getting remarried again." she sighed "Anyway, you have a good night."

"You too."

They parted ways, both trudging off. Arthur yawned widely as he got into the lift, making one of the night nurses laugh, and hoped that this wouldn't take too long. Not that he had anywhere to be or anything to do, but he was knackered and needed a cigarette. Hopefully his parents were visiting, so he could just drop the package off and leave.

He knocked on the door, surprised to hear a laugh on the other side.

"Come in, Arthur." Matthew called.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked as he entered the room.

"You're the only one who knocks." he explained "Three visits in one day – I must be lucky. To what do I owe the honour?"

Arthur held the package up, surprised to see Matthew's face fall at the sight of it.

"I see." was all he said, disappointment clear in his voice "Thanks for bringing it."

Matthew made no move to get up from his bed, staring forlornly at the sheets. His sulking face was very childlike and adorable, making Arthur's punk heart melt a little.

Well... he didn't have anywhere to be...

Walking over, he dropped the box down on the table in front of Matthew, startling him a little, and hoisted himself up on the bed, throwing his bag at Matthews feet.

"So, what'd you order?" he asked "Porn? Weed? Russian wife?"

Matthew snorted, starting to laugh. He adjusted himself to comfortably face Arthur, hands going to the package.

"Nothing like that." he admitted "It's from my dad. He works away a lot, so he can't come and visit me much."

He tore the package open, revealing the typical care package of snack foods, magazines, stationery and a new game for his handheld. He looked less than thrilled, sighing through his nose.

"I really don't like these crisps." he muttered "I have told him..."

Wow, he had the most ridiculous puppy-dog eyes. Feeling his heart strings pull, Arthur took the offending crisps, opening them up and chomping down a handful. Matthew was understandably surprised.

"I'll eat these." Arthur pointed out "I'm starving. I'll bring you another bag tomorrow – what do you like?"

Matthew blinked a few times as the cogs whirred in his brain, finally realising what Arthur was doing. He smiled shyly, blushing a little.

"I don't suppose you live near Chinatown?" he asked.

"It's not far." Arthur admitted.

"Have you ever seen those syrup flavour crisps? The ones that have sesame seeds on?"

"No, but I'll find them."

"I don't want to put you out." Matthew insisted.

"You aren't putting me out." Arthur assured "I'm eating you stuff, aren't I?"

"Thanks, I owe you one..."

Matthew fingered through the contents of the box, his forlorn expression not lost on Arthur. He soon put it aside, turning his attention completely to his companion.

"Shift over?" he asked "You look really different out of your scrubs. I didn't want to ask about those holes in your ears."

"Yeah, for today." Arthur confirmed "But I'll be back tomorrow, and the day after. And that day after that."

"Hey, me too! What a coincidence!"

Matthew laughed awkwardly, sitting back against his pillows.

"I guess you're going home now. Much going on this evening?"

"Not a damn thing." Arthur confessed "You? Anyone coming to visit you tonight?"

"No." Matthew said matter-of-factly "No-one's come to see me for a while now."

Arthur immediately felt awkward, especially when he saw the look on Matthews face. He had clearly put his foot in it.

"Hey, I'm sorry," he started.

"It's okay." Matthew interrupted "You weren't to know... it's complicated. There's just the three of us at home and Dad's away a lot..."

Coming from a 'complicated' background himself, Arthur didn't pry, but he could see it was clearly upsetting for Matthew. There was something so terribly sad about being in the hospital and knowing no-one was going to come visit... Arthur sighed, pulled off his leather jacket and kicked off his boots, sitting up crossed-legged on the bed.

"So," he said "What game did you get?"

When Dr Wang noticed that Arthur's beat-up little motorbike was still sitting in the staff carpark at 9pm, he was understandably concerned. Having almost run through the halls of the hospital, he was relieved to find him still in Matthews room, chatting and joking with him. He hadn't seen Matthew smile in a long time, but of course it would be Arthur that bought it out of him (and if it kept Arthur out of trouble, then mores the better). Perhaps they would be good influences of each other...

That didn't stop him marching in and clipping them both around the ear: this was a hospital, afterall, and people were trying to sleep!

Slightly longer than other chapter's I'm writing at the mo, but I've got to get back into writing seriously if I'm going to finish my project this year. Please look forward to more!