Beep, Beep, Beep
It was the alarm clock, attempting to wake the sleeping twins for the meeting occurring later that day. Matthew was the first to get up, as always, and attempted to rouse his brother. Usually, the younger brother would blow off Matthew's attempts, rolling over and just keep sleeping. Not today though, Matthew did not get any response out of his brother, he was breathing heavily and his face was tinted a light pink.
"Alfred, you know we have a meeting today, you have to get up"
He tugged on his brother's shoulder again, once again receiving no acknowledgment from his brother, not even a sound. He suddenly found himself very concerned for his brother. He grabbed his own glasses from the night-stand and placed a hand on Alfred's forehead.
He's burning up...Alfred never gets sick. This is bad, but what can I do?
He peered around the room. First things first, I need to get him comfortable.
He quickly made his was up and out of the room, hurrying down the stairs, hoping that his brother wouldn't wake up without him in there. He knew how much Alfred hated being alone when he was sick, especially when he was little, he didn't care who it was, as long as someone was there fussing over him.
"Come to think of it...Al has always been really clingy with Arthur and me when we're in private"
The thought always baffled Matthew, how his loud-mouth and very independent brother could be so...interdependent on his brothers.
"The most powerful nation in the world, and he still acts like a little kid"
He slowly walked up the stairs, a basin of water and a cloth in his hands. He quietly set it down on a table near the bed. The light noise disturbed his brother enough to wake him. He stirred a bit before sitting up, holding his head up with his hand.
"Ugh Mattie...I really don't feel good right now dude..."
"I know that, you're burning up. Do you have a thermometer?"
"In...in the bathroom"
After Matthew retrieved the item, he promptly placed it under his brother's tongue. After a minute or so, he read the screen.
"Alfred! You're at a 102.6°F!"
"Is that bad?"
"I even said it in Fahrenheit for you...Yes brother, that's really bad! I...I need to get someone over here to help me!"
"No...Mattie, nobody can know I'm sick ok?"
"But Al..."
"No buts, I don't want anyone else over here. Just make up some reason why I can't be at the meeting today"
"Alfred, I can't leave you here alone"
Matthew knew how much it would upset Alfred, but his brother didn't want him to miss the meeting on his account. He promised that he would be alright for a few hours by himself, just that Matthew had to come straight back. Matthew was out the door and off to the meeting quicker than Alfred had thought. He just lay there on the bed, for a few minutes anyway, before dressing himself and making his way to the meeting as well. Of course, he didn't even get out the door before passing out from dizziness and fatigue. He managed to crawl over to the couch, so at least he could sleep on something more comfortable than the ground, since he didn't have the strength to climb the stairs.
Matthew arrived with all the other nations, but he worried the entire trip over about his brother.
Even though he sometimes held a grudge towards his brother, he couldn't help but fuss and worry about his twin. They had developed a close relationship after they patched up the whole War of 1812 tension. They carpooled together, worked closely together on many issues, and even slept in the same bed again. It was as though they were little again. Everyone wondered why America was missing from the meeting today, it was unlike him to skip out like that. Canada, being noticed for the first time in a few months, expertly came up with an excuse for his brother. Everyone dropped the issue and the meeting continued as usual, but without America and his wild ideas, nobody had anything to talk about. It lasted for a little time, while many countries left abruptly, seeing as though nothing would happen without the loud, rambunctious American standing up front. Matthew was more than happy that he could cut it short and get back to his ailing brother. Everything would have gone as planned if he wasn't starting to burn up himself. He could feel it, he was starting to cough and heat radiated from his body. It always happened like that, if his brother got sick, he would follow soon after. Nobody noticed the poor brunette's suffering, until the meeting was actually over, when one of the only people who ever remembered who he was walked over to him, Arthur. Sure it was to get more information on Alfred, but it was the thought that was consoling.
"I really doubt America would skip a meeting for something so trivia-...Lad, are you alright?"
"Yah, of course...I'm just feeling a bit under the weather is all"
"You look worse for wear. Canada, I should take you home"
"I'm just going straight there anyway, there's no need for you to come, eh?"
"No, I insist"
"No! Alfred made me promise not to let anyone in..."
"What? Now why the bloody hell would he do something like that?"
"Well you see...I can't tell you..."
"It's alright Matthew, I'm your brother, you can tell me anything"
"It's Alfred...He's really really sick, I could barely get him up this morning. He didn't want anyone to come over"
"And you left him alone?"
"Well...he told me to come, I didn't have much of a choice"
"But you're sick as well. How long has this been going on?"
"I just got sick today...but I don't know about Al...I've been gone for a week, so I don't know when it started"
"That git didn't even tell me.."
"I'm sure he had a reason, Arthur"
"And you, you know how whatever Alfred catches, you do as well"
"I know...but..."
"No, enough of this. I'm going to take care of you two if you can't yourselves"
"We're all grown up now, there's no reason for you-"
"I'm not taking no for an answer"
"You and Alfred...you're both exactly the same way..."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just saying...you act very similarly...and if he doesn't brush his hair, he looks exactly like you. It's just quite obvious how influential you were on him."
"All that aside, we need to get back. That twit won't stay there for very long alone"
Arthur was right of course, though Alfred hadn't moved from the couch he managed to climb on. He fell asleep right as his head touched the cushion. He was awoken a few hours later by someone opening the door. He saw Matthew pop his head through the door, though followed in toe by Arthur.
"Mattie...", his coughing interrupted many of his sentences that day, "I thought I said...not to bring anyone home"
"Al, it's just Arthur..."
"Matthew, go on upstairs and into bed, I'll bring your brother up in a minute"
Matthew still was not fairing well off, but he was perfectly able to walk around and get up the stairs. The same could not be said of Alfred though.
"Alfred, why did you not call me? I would have been over here to help you while Matthew was away"
"I...I just didn't want you to worry about me. I didn't even want Mattie to know, but he came home too fast. Besides, I'm fine, you can go home"
"That's not happening, you twit. Both you and Matthew are ill and someone needs to be here"
"But then you'll catch it...I don't want you getting sick because of me"
"You self righteous, worrying little git. Think about yourself, I'll be able to handle it. Now how long have you been sick?"
"You want me to answer truthfully?"
Arthur simply gave a slightly annoyed look, shoving a thermometer in Alfred's mouth.
"Two weeks"
"Two weeks! Matthew arrived home yesterday..."
"Well I-"
"Why do you always think you have to do these sorts of things alone?"
"Because the hero is supposed to take care of everyone, not the other way around."
"You're a bloody idiot...Good God, you're temperature is 40ºC!"
"I don't know what that means..."
"Almost 104ºF...We need to get you in a cold bath, right now"
"No, really I feel fine. You can go home dude"
"Don't tempt me, you wanker. I know how much you like being fussed over when you're sick"
"Do not!"
"Then I'll be on my way"
"Iggy...Artie wait, no!"
"Oh little brother, you're so predictable. Come on, let's get you upstairs and into the bath"
"Arthur...there's something I need to tell you...I can't stand up..."
"You cannot expect me to carry you alone...You're kind of a fat-ass, you realize"
"And here I thought you would be nicer to me when I'm sick...and I really don't weight that much right now man"
Arthur hesitated, he didn't even want to try, but he needed to get Alfred upstairs. He slipped his hands under his brother's back and legs, and braced for the worst, but he was surprisingly light. He knew what that meant. How long had it been since his brother ate? He decided to ignore it for now, getting him upstairs, while he turned on the cold water.
"Well dude? You going to leave or what?"
"You're really this childish? I raised you, remember?"
"Yah, but it doesn't mean it's not still weird"
"Fine, whatever. I'll check on you later then"
"Artie...wait don't leave!"
"But, you wanted me to a minute ago..."
"I changed my mind ok...Don't leave me alone"
"I have to check on Matthew. I'll be back"
"Ok..."
Matthew had always gotten the lighter side of these things, Alfred had the bad end of the deal when it came to sickness. When younger, he would only be down for a day or two, while his brother remained in bed for weeks at a time, much to his disapproval. For this reason, Arthur was not worried as much for Matthew, but needed to check in on him anyway. He found him clutching the body pillow that adorns Alfred's bed when he's alone in the house, sleeping quite soundly. Checking his temperature, his fever was already starting to go down. Arthur's only real challenge would be the needy one in the bath. While taking his temperature, Matthew was awoken by his elder brother.
"How's Al doing?"
"I only wish he was doing as well as you are, but you know how he is"
"He takes everything to the extreme, eh?"
"That is definitely one way to put it. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine. Go take care of Alfred, he'll freak out if you're gone too long"
"I'll bring him up here then and make him some food. Maybe he'll finally eat something"
Matthew was two seconds away from telling Arthur that maybe cooking for him was not the best idea if he had a sensitive stomach, but he was already out in the hall.
Back in the bathroom, Alfred was lying there, in the back of his mind, wondering how it became so bad. His head was so clouded he could not even put a time to it, or really where he was at the moment. The last question was answered when the blonde Briton strolled in, promptly placing his hand on his brother's forehead, confirming his thoughts.
"Your fever has gone down a bit. Here, change so you can get into bed, then you'll feel better and I can go home without worrying"
"Geeze if you feel that strongly dude, just leave"
"No, you're not starting that again. I'm here and I'm staying. Now, I'm going to go and make you some tea, be dressed by the time I get back"
"Wait just a minute! I don't think so, I haven't had a cup of tea in over a hundred years"
"Yes, and that's an atrocity. Besides, it will help with your throat"
"Hot cocoa would help with my throat!"
"Stop complaining, you'll drink your tea, maybe eat some soup, then go right off to sleep"
"Nobody said I would follow your rules, you're in my house!"
"Look, you're sick and have no say in the matter"
Arthur then went to go and fetch the tea. Alfred always had some around for when his elder brother stopped by for a visit. Of course he would basically have to drown it in honey for Alfred to even think about drinking it, but it was for his own good.
"That bloody git need to learn to take better care of himself. How did he let it get this bad? And because of who he is, everyone else is going to get sick as well. Oh bugger, I wonder how long I have"
Their economies were already so mixed, he was a bit surprised that he was not sick himself. Not only did he make tea while downstairs in the kitchen, he was also formulating a soup-type dish made with components from Alfred's refrigerator. Since the tenant's meals consisted of hamburger, fries, diet coke, and some form of cake, a soup made from such ingredients would indeed be...different. This did not deter Arthur in the least, which was frightening to the young man watching the scene unravel.
"Um...What exactly are you doing in the kitchen? Are you cooking something for Al?"
"And you, if you're hungry that is"
"Oh no, no. Thank you, but I'm not hungry right now. What is it?"
"Soup of course"
"Soup? That sounds lovely...but I'll go back upstairs..."
"Do you need some assistance? You are sick after all"
"No, I'll go get Al into bed and ready for your soup"
"Thanks lad"
Alfred struggled as always to get into bed, as his brother kept pestering him and attempting to push him down, but even in a sick state, the poor guy had no chance against his brother. He finally succeeded using a mixture of tripping and distraction. His brother was about to protest, but seeing as though Matthew was climbing in after him, he decided against it.
"Oh c'mon Al, it can't be that bad, eh?"
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one that's been bored out of his mind doing this for weeks now"
"Maybe if you told someone, you'd be better off now"
"That doesn't seem likely..."
Right on cue, Arthur made his way into the room, holding cups of tea and bowls filled with 'soup'.
"Here, I made you a drink"
"No, I don't want any of your nasty leaf water"
"I put honey in it"
He thought for a moment, it would taste decent now and it would shut his brother up. He reached for the cup, surprisingly downing most of it in one sip. When the soup was offered though, he quietly declined.
"You need to eat something, you're wasting away up here"
"Yes I do need to eat something, but definitely not that"
"What are you trying to say!"
"Um that...I need to eat...something more...substantial than soup"
"Oh? I could go whip up another dish for you"
"No, no! That's fine! I'm not hungry really"
"Alright then, get some sleep, it's getting late. You too Matthew"
He made his way to the door, but was stopped abruptly by someone tugging on his shirt.
"Wait! Where are you going? I have a king-sized bed...it fits three"
"But if I let you sleep next to me, I'm going to catch whatever you have"
"I guess you don't have to..."
"My God, you're such a child, Alfred"
He slipped in next to Alfred, making him in the middle. The youngest didn't mind in the least, though when he fell asleep a few minutes later, he was resting mostly on Arthur. The Brit didn't mind really, but always wondered why it occurred each time he would stay over in North America. He was clinging onto his chest, not in the usual bone-crushing manner he normally does, but tight none the less.
"Matthew, why does he never just do this to you?"
"Oh he does, that is, when you're not around. He never gets to see you, so he always gets closer to you when you're here. He just misses you, that's all. You know how he can be"
"I guess he has not grown up yet..."
"Of course not, he'll always just be that little kid to us, no matter how much he grows up"
It wasn't true of course, the world had seen him grow up in the span of sixty years or so, but he did always enjoy playing the child around his brothers.
So here, it's not exactly done... But finished enough. Some people were asking it up here, so there you go :D My policy's the same as always, I'm just writing here for fun, I have a bad habit of not reading long critical reviews...so yes~