Disclaimer: Hetalia is property of Himaruya

~X~

Alfred has his phone clutched in two hands as he waited for someone to answer the other end. Arthur hadn't been answering for three days, and it was beginning to rattle the American. It was unusual for the Brit to miss one phone call, let alone seven.

The laptop screen in front of him was half-blinding compared to the night-darkened room around him. Fear wracked through Alfred's system as he tried to block out the contents of the screen.

If Arthur didn't answer, the bespectacled blond was likely to freak out. He didn't think their fight was really that bad, but if he didn't get to hear Arthur's voice soon…

Once again, Alfred heard the accented message for his voicemail. "Hello. You have reached Arthur Kirkland. Please leave your name and number and I will return your call when I can. Thank you."

There was a brief pause before the message clicked in Alfred's head. It was another between that realization, and when he actually begun to speak; stumbling over his words as he did.

"H-hey, Artie! It's me, again. I mean, I'm sure you know that already but… Anyways, I haven't heard you for a while, and I—" He stopped. This wasn't the time to ramble. He only had a limited amount of time to say his piece. "Ok, dude, I'm sorry. I just… I mean, I thought…" Alfred laughed nervously. "I screwed up, ok? I'm really sorry. So, will you call me back? I miss my best friend."

At this point, his hands were shaking. It was a miracle that he could even hold on to his phone. "So, yeah. Just let me know you're all good when you can. See ya."

The phone was slammed against the counter the second he hung up, and his face was buried in his hands.

On the laptop in front of him was a list of names: victims of a recent plane crash. On the list of the deceased, one name stood out.

Arthur Kirkland.

Ten minutes later, Alfred picked up the phone, and tried to call again. A couple of stray tears fell from his eyes, still not ready to give up.

"Hello. You have reached Arthur Kirkland. Please leave your name and number, and I will return your call when I can. Thank you."