Sunflower Plaza, Moscow, Russia
Arthur felt like shit.
Worse, he felt like dead shit.
Dead shit that had been burnt to less than a crisp, resurrected and tortured to death once more.
But that wasn't the problem. (Not yet, anyway.)
The fact that he was in a meeting didn't help him, for there was nothing to do but try (and fail) to keep his mind on the discussion and try (and fail once again) not to worry about the way he was so hot that he felt like he was on fire when he was in the middle of a Russian winter and everyone else looked like they were shivering.
Nor did the fact that he did not know why he felt so bloody terrible, and therefore did not know how to stop it.
That was the problem.
It wasn't as if he was experiencing financial problems. Nor was he experiencing any other kind of nation-related problems. It was just him feeling awful (and it wasn't the first time he was unwell like this), which made no sense for any physical problems he experienced should always be related to his nation's status, economical or geographical. The only human afflictions the personifications suffered from was poor eyesight. Then again, that rule wasn't one Arthur paid any attention to. If he did, he would probably end up freaking out. A lot. He was perfectly aware of the fact that nations weren't meant to have allergies or intolerances, and he was also aware of the fact that if he were a normal nation, he wouldn't suffer from asthma or anaemia. (For these reasons, Arthur had kept said illnesses to himself and tried to use his inhaler in private only, take his pills when others weren't looking, and declined any food that he wasn't entirely sure wouldn't trigger a reaction. He had also kept his current affliction to himself, as it had to come to an end soon- it had been going on for a while- and there was no point in bothering them unnecessarily.)
But he tried not to let that worry him.
Nor did he let the fact that the words on the page in front of him were blurring into each other panic him slightly. Nor the fact that it was becoming considerably harder to breathe, but there was no way he was about to use his inhaler. After all, the meeting was virtually finished. All he needed to do was to get out of here. Then he could use his inhaler as much as he liked and go to sleep.
He wasn't actually able worry about the way that his blurry vision twisted like a kaleidoscope as he fell onto the floor, and he certainly couldn't worry about the way he temporarily lost the ability to breathe as well as his consciousness as he tried to struggle back with his peers to the accommodation part of the Russian skyscraper they were living in for a week while they argued over trivial matters. No, he was blissfully unaware of that particular fact, and therefore unable to worry about it.
But that didn't stop the others worrying.
Japan had been watching his friend for the best part of the four-hour meeting now. He knew he should be listening, but scratch his work, one of his closest friends was ill, and pretty seriously so too if his colouring (or rather, lack thereof) and heavy breathing was anything to go by. He knew that if he asked Arthur what was wrong all he would get in reply was a typically irritated "I'm fine", but Kiku could see he wasn't, and his thoughts were beyond confirmed when Arthur suddenly collapsed onto the carpeted floor as the meeting drew to an end and everyone left for their rooms. Panicking, Kiku yelled out in fear for his closest friend.
"Arthur-kun!" The Asian nation crouched by the thin (how did he get so thin? How did Kiku not notice that Arthur was so clearly underweight?) Briton collapsed on the floor.
"Yao!" He yelled, forgetting his manners for there were more important things right now. "Help me! I don't think he's breathing!"
At these words, the room went into chaos. Nations didn't just collapse unless something really terrible was happening inside of their borders, and at the moment, the UK was great. Money left, right and centre and the best environment one could hope for. Why? It made no sense. And even those whose financial status was in ruins and whose geography was to be shuddered at didn't stop breathing. And so, chaos was ensured. Japan shooed most of the people out of the room except for a handful of family, close friends and medically trained nations as China was forced to perform CPR on the British man.
"Russia, get me an oxygen mask; America, C-Can.. Canada, call an ambulance. Now-aru." Yao said as he managed to make the Englishman breathe once more and tried to bring his heart rate back to normal. Russia nodded and sprinted away, and the twins sped off at inhumane speeds.
"But, Yao-san, he is a nation. Human doctors won't help."
"Maybe so, but they can help more than we can-aru. They have better equipment and better resources."
"Ve~ Why is Mr Britain sick?" Italy asked, tears in his eyes.
"Sshh, Feli. We don't know." Germany said somewhat quietly as he he put an arm around his distressed boyfriend, shaken by his friend's sudden collapse. Or was it sudden? Arthur had been looking tired and pale for the last few weeks, but weren't they all tired? But... Nations don't collapse... Ludwig ran a hand through his short, blonde hair as the North American brothers sprinted back, Canada in the lead.
"They're on their way, I didn't tell them who we were..."
The tall Russian ran in, mask in hand. "He will be okay, da?" Russia said, handing the mask to China.
"Of course, he is under my care-aru!"
"Since when did you care about Iggy, commie bastard?"
"Britain is my friend. And America, I am not communist anymore, but I am inclined to believe that communism is a better idea than creating superheroes to conquer global warming, da?"
"Ivan, Al- Fighting right now is not a good idea. Ivan, leave my brother alone; Al, leave my boyfriend alone."
Canada sighed, worried about his British father. He knew Arthur was already hiding quite a few secrets, but he also knew that it took a while to get this ill, and he had therefore been hiding this, too. Matthew tried not to be too annoyed about the fact that he kept his many human afflictions to himself, but he should at least tell his sons if he wasn't feeling well for reasons unrelated to his country, for that was not good in the slightest. He exasperated Matthew, always keeping his secrets clutched to his chest, convinced it was for the best. Being the quiet, perceptive person he was, Canada could normally see through his barriers, but he wasn't always able to judge just how serious the situation was, like today, for instance.
He should have noticed that his father was unwell, and he was now facing the consequences in the form of an oxygen mask and an ambulance.
"Matvey? You okay, da?" His lover was looking at him worriedly.
"J-just worried, Ivan. Don't worry about me. How is Arthur doing?"
"Matvey, if you know something about Arthur that we don't..."
Canada sighed. If it could help Arthur, he ought to tell the others what the Briton didn't know he knew of.
"Yao, you are the most medically experienced out of all of us, I need to know this. Is it normal for nations to suffer from human afflictions?"
"In what way-aru? We suffer from cold-like illnesses as the result of our country's difficulties, is that what you mean?"
"No, I mean allergies, intolerances-"
"Britain suffers from allergies-aru?"
"Yes, and intolerances, but that's not it, he also has asthma and anaemia, I've seen the medicine he keeps in the pocket of his jacket."
"...We aren't supposed to have human afflictions-aru."
"Er, I don't mean to interfere, but the ambulance is nearly here, I can see it. Shall I deal with it?"
"Thank you, Germany. Ai yah, it seems that Britain is keeping quite a few secrets from us-aru..."
"He will be okay, Matvey, da?" Russia put his arms around his now shaking boyfriend.
"O-ouais... N-nations c-can't d-d-die, r-right, Y-yao?"
"Hai, but nations can't suffer from human illnesses, either."
"That... That is a good point, Kiku. Not a nice one, but a good one-aru."
"I am sorry. I am just worried for Arthur-kun. He is my closest friend."
"We are all worried, da?"
"Hai. I am sorry."
"Nyet, don't apologise, I was just reminding you that you are not alone, da?" Russia smiled warmly at the raven-haired nation. He was ever grateful to the amethyst-eyed nation for helping him see that he was not who he wanted to be. If it weren't for his Matvey he would never had befriended Arthur, one of his closest companions. Now, the British blonde was in danger, and the least Ivan could do was comfort his peers.
As the paramedics lifted the unconscious blonde out of the room, followed by Germany, the rest of the nations arranged transport to the hospital and tried to figure out exactly what had happened to their companion, and finally giving up as they realised they weren't getting anywhere. Only Arthur knew what was wrong with him, and they couldn't ask him until he woke up... Their best bet was to follow the ambulance to the hospital. Each nation worried for their hot-headed friend, they divided into groups small enough to fit into regular cars.
Two days later
EMC, Moscow, Russia
As the sleepy haze lifted, Arthur's eyelids fluttered and he managed to open them fully. What he saw just made him groan (as best he could with an oxygen mask obstructing his face) and close them again.
"Ve~ Mr Britain, you're awake!" Italy said joyfully.
Arthur lifted a hand, pulled off the mask and lifted his head so he could see exactly what was going on. Brilliant, he thought. Abso-bloody-lutely brilliant. He was lying in a bed, in a hospital with various IV lines in and wires trailing to a heart monitor. (And ugh, was that a feeding tube?) Three nations were in the room with him, all looking worriedly at him.
"Ve~ I'll go tell the others that you're awake..."
"Alright, what happened?" He sighed hoarsely and struggled to a sitting position.
"Eh, Arthur, I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to take that mask off, you may need it. And I really don't think you should be sitting up."
"I'm fine, Matthew. What happened?" The nations looked at each other uncomfortably.
"Well... You sort of just.. Passed out. And then- then you stopped breathing. And Yao says your heartbeat was unnaturally slow."
"I stopped breathing? And my heart was... Slow?"
"And Yao-san performed CPR on you. But Arthur-kun, you really should have told us that you were feeling unwell." Japan spoke up for the first time.
"And we know, by the way."
"Know what?" Confusion flickered over Arthur's pale face.
"That you have intolerences, allergies, asthma and anaemia."
"Bloody- How- How did you find out?"
"Matthew-san noticed and told us after you collapsed."
"Ah- I see- Er, how long have I been-"
"Two days."
"Two- I-"
"Iggy! You're awake! Dude, you nearly made me get all worried and stuff!" America burst through the door, followed by the others. "Why did you collapse and stuff? Why didn't you tell me you were ill? That's totally unheroic! Even the commie bastard was worr-"
"Al, stop, he's only just woken up. And please, stop insulting my boyfriend." Canada cut in, earning a grateful look from Arthur.
"...I don't really know why I collapsed, I have a theory, but it's not a pleasant one, and I'm not sure. I didn't tell you I was I'll because I didn't think it was important. And Matthew is right, stop annoying Ivan, he and Matthew are very good at hockey and I happen to quite like the shape of this room. I'm not sure that it would look quite as good if it were destroyed by a pair of hockey players on a rampage. Now scram, I want to talk to Yao, and in private."
"But-"
"You heard him-aru."
America sighed and stalked off, followed by the other nations.
"What was it you wanted to talk about, Arthur-aru?"
"Well, if what Canada and Japan said was right, and you did resuscitate me, I must thank you. For you see, it is very likely that if you hadn't, I would be dead."
"But... We can't die-aru."
"You can't. I have no idea as to my mortality status."
"But, Arthur... Wars... Natural disasters... Financial problems..." Yao stuttered slightly, confused.
"I played it safe in wars, we don't get very severe natural disasters in the UK, and... Well, when my prime ministers saw Allistor's paperwork, they made sure I couldn't possibly die."
"Arthur... Why the hell didn't you tell someone?"
"Yao," Arthur said, somewhat more softly. "Would you have told someone if you were in my position?"
Yao considered this. His first thought was that of course he would tell someone, they may be able to help. And then he realised that by telling someone he would be almost admitting defeat to the illnesses. He would rather ignore them and therefore not worry about them, and the last thing he would want was for others to worry about him, so he would keep quiet. Even if...
"You there yet?" Arthur asked, seeing the comprehension on the Asian nation's feminine face.
"Ai yah... Yes, I understand now. But I think I would have told someone in the end, rather than collapse-aru."
"But that is simply because you are more experienced in medicine than I, and therefore would have recognised the right time to tell someone better than me."
"That... That may be true-aru."
"As a matter of interest, what did the doctors say?"
Yao gulped. "They... They didn't know specifically what was wrong with you. It is not entirely a human condition-aru. And we have not informed them that we are not humans."
"Hmmm... Not a human condition, yet not nation-related. Interesting. Where is my jacket? I ought to call my boss and explain."
"I'll do it, you still need rest."
"Thank you, Yao. I really appreciate it."
"Anything I can do to help-aru."
Arthur hummed in thought. "Actually, my brothers ought to know, too, they weren't at the meeting."
"You can call them later, after you have slept-aru."
"Well, I daren't argue with you. Not after you saved my life."
Yao blushed slightly and handed his British friend some pills. "Here, I want to know you are sleeping properly-aru."
"Mmm." He thew the pills into his mouth, taking a swig of the water beside him.
"Yao... I'm sorry."
"For what-aru?"
"For this. For everything."
"...You're sorry for being ill?" Yao raised an eyebrow.
"Well, when you put it that way..." Arthur sighed. "I'm sorry for causing a fuss, and for worrying everyone. I'm sorry for not telling you and I'm sorry for interrupting the meetings. I'm just... Sorry."
"I can understand why you wouldn't tell anyone, and you aren't to blame for interrupting the meeting. It's not as if you planned on collapsing-aru. It would be heartless not to worry if someone is ill, but you didn't cause a fuss. I believe, dear Arthur, that your argument is invalid. So now you must sleep-aru."
Arthur could feel himself getting more tired by the second. "Yao, you're (yawn) too (yawn) wise sometimes." Arthur said wearily as he fell back onto his pillows and his eyes slid shut.
Yao walked out of the room, asking the Nordics to watch Arthur. He knew most of them were medically trained, so in the event that something happened they could act fast and efficiently.
He found the Englishman's jacket and searched the pockets until he found what he was looking for: a well-cared-for iPhone with a Union Jack case on it. Unlocking it (Arthur was so predictable; of course his passcode would be "flyingmintbunny"), he called Arthur's Prime Minister.
10 Downing Street, London, England
Arthur Kirkland and George Harrington were on very good terms. In fact, rather than colleagues, one would perhaps describe them as best friends. They worked very well together, and spent time together out of the office as well. Therefore, he was somewhat worried when Arthur didn't contact him for two entire days, work-related or not. And when his phone rang, the caller ID telling him it was Arthur Kirkland, he was startled to hear a Chinese accent on the other end, instead of a aristocratically husky English one.
"Hello, Arthur?"
"Ni hao, is this George Harrington-aru?"
Taken aback, the Prime Minister stumbled over his words a little. "Y-yes, sorry, who is s-speaking?"
"I am Yao Wang, a close friend of Arthur's and the personification of China-aru. I believe we met last year at one of Arthur's dinner parties?"
Remembering the petite man, he replied politely. "Ah, yes, I remember. Forgive me, but why are you calling?"
"Ah, yes, I have some rather unpleasant news. I presume you are aware of the international meetings taking place in Moscow this week-aru?"
"Yes, why?"
"Two days ago, Arthur- ah- collapsed at the end of one of those meetings. He lost consciousness and stopped breathing. I performed CPR on him and he is recovering here in a Russian hospital, he woke up about an hour ago. He is currently sleeping-aru."
Shivers of fear ran down the Prime Minister's spine like ice. "Why? Is he going to be alright? Where is he? I shall come to Russia!"
"He should be fine. I am not sure you should come to Russia- you must have a lot of work. As for why, well, I'm not sure even Arthur knows."
"I am coming to Russia- just let me contact my colleagues. Where is he? Which hospital?"
"If you insist-aru. He is in the European Medical Centre, Moscow. It is a private hospital. I'll send someone to get you from the airport- what time do you want to leave? I shall get Ivan to send his jet, that way you will arrive much faster-aru."
"I don't care what time I leave, Mr Wang. And there is no point sending a jet from Russia when I can use one of Arthur's- he lets me borrow them when I wish. I can be in Russia in about four hours, so that will be around five in Moscow's time zone. Is that okay?"
"Yes, I shall get Ludwig to pick you up from Domodedovo Airport for five. Are you sure about this-aru?"
"Of course- Arthur is not just my colleague, he is my best friend. If he is ill, I must see him. And what's more, he will have to come back to England once he is well enough to travel, and I am the only person who knows exactly where would be best for him to recover without interference."
"Okay, I shall see you in approximately five hours, Prime Minister. Have a safe journey-aru."
"Goodbye, Mr Wang. I shall see you soon."
Five hours later
Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow, Russia
"Guten Abend, Mr Harrington." The intimidating German greeted the dark-haired, brown-eyed politician.
"Good evening, Mr Beilschmidt. It is good to see you again."
"The feeling is mutual." Germany held open the door of the expensive German SUV that was glinting in the wintery late afternoon sunlight.
"How is he doing?" Harrington questioned as he slid into the passenger seat.
"He is still sleeping, he should wake up soon. He is not aware that you are coming." The German started up the engine.
"I see. Do you know why he...?"
"No, none of us know, but China says that Arthur had a theory. He didn't seem too happy about it."
"Right. And what did the doctors say?"
"They do not know. It is not a human condition."
"And it's not nation-related, either?"
"We do not suffer from illnesses unless our country is in trouble."
"...Really?"
"Ja, why?"
"Arthur... He has several medical conditions... And he has to miss work occasionally due to sickness, and the country is really not in any way hard for cash or geographically damaged..."
"...We knew about his asthma and such, but does he really get ill often?"
"Not often, but about thrice a year (as far as I know), for about a week."
"Mr Harrington, we nations don't get ill unless our country is suffering. The United Kingdom is currently very well off all round, and has been for the past few centuries. If Arthur is ill at all, that is not good. How long has this been going on?"
"...Since before I came into office."
"Mein Gott. Why, England, why?!" Germany pulled into the car park of the hospital quickly and angrily. "Why did he leave it so long? We could have helped him, now look at him!" Germany leapt out and slammed one of the doors of the car shut and held the other open for the Prime Minister.
"I know. But Arthur is a very strange and proud man indeed, Mr Beilschmidt."
A/N
Er... Hi, I guess. This isn't my main FF account, I just decided to upload one of the ancient fanfics that have been on my computer for ages. So, if you're wondering why it's so awful, and why the plot is beyond ridiculous, that is why.
I'm sorry.