Story: At World's End
Chapter One: Fallen Nation
Word Count: 5,828
Alfred stared up at the ceiling above him, following one of the many cracks made in the cement. There were so many he supposed he should have been happy the roof hasn't collapsed yet and he wasn't completely crushed. Still, following those cracks could occupy him for an eternity it seemed. But he didn't have that time anymore. Alfred couldn't help but remember memories, good and bad. His childhood, wars come and past, the roaring twenties, they all seemed to blend together in his mind and held no order, reflecting his unorganized thoughts. There was nothing else for him to do but think of those times past, even if they were painful to think of now. England, Alfred thought of him, his brother- father- friend- Alfred couldn't place him, especially now. 'Was the Revolutionary War like this?' Alfred wondered, 'Did he feel this betrayed? ...I never hurt him this bad, never. So why?' Why had Arthur been one of the many that had hurt him? And worst yet, his people.
England, China, France, Germany, even Canada and Japan and so many, many more. Why? What had he done? He had always just wanted to help people for as long as he could remember, sure sometimes he messed up, but he tried as hard as he could. Did he really do something so bad to deserve this? How many of his people were still alive? Would anybody find him here? There were so many questions, and he did not have the answers to them, though some of them he did not even want to know what the answers would be.
Alfred inhaled shakily, looking to his side, staring at one of the many walls that were in the white house, trying to ignore the bodies. He remember all the memories associated with this place. All of the presidents and their families, the time Matthew had burned it down. Ironic, Alfred thought Matthew and him were on really good terms, but in the end even Canada had betrayed him. Maybe America shouldn't have felt so hurt by that, just about everybody had betrayed him and here he was, laying on his ruined country, questioning what he had done wrong.
Pathetic... yet, Alfred felt that he was alright with that in ways, 'I just wish I could have lived longer.' Not quite 500 yet, so young it seemed, compared to the others, 'Am I really going to die here?' Alfred saw somebody enter the room, it was hard to make them out at this distance because the air was thick with dust.. or maybe ash. There was a spark of hope in him, but that died quickly, it couldn't have been an American, the bomb had killed any humans around here and it was too soon for a rescue party. It was probably another country, come to look for him and finish him off so they could claim the land without the bother of him being around. Which most likely meant that he was going to die here, right now.
Alfred looked back up at the ceiling, wondering how the outside looked now. He had not seen the first bomb hit, only felt it. Before that point, everything looked the same, it had been a normal day like any other until the bombs started. When he heard the crunching of boots, he knew that the stranger was close and probably saw him now. Alfred continued staring up until he heard the footsteps stop very close by. He turned his head slightly to the side again, to see what he had suspected, another country... but not who he had expected. They stepped closer and knelt down beside his head, "Hello old friend." At first Alfred thought it was some sick joke, but he quickly recognized the sincerity, he gave a weak smile.
"Hey, so you come to kill me or wha-what?" Alfred strained to say, having a small coughing fit near the end where some blood slipped out of his mouth. He focused on breathing for a moment as he closed his eyes until only a sliver of the outside world was visible. God, he did not want Russia of all people seeing him like this, but he supposed it could not really be helped.
"Nyet, I do not wish for your death." Ivan said.
"I'll take that as 'or what' then." Alfred sighed out, at least he didn't have a coughing fit, still, it was a strain to even say such a small sentence.
"I suppose I am the last person you wish to talk to at the moment. I could probably find Canada or England if you wish."
"Guess that means I am going to die, if you..." Alfred paused to breathe, "are offering to fetch somebody for me."
"Do you wish me to fetch them?" Ivan repeated, he did not know if Alfred was going to die or not, to be honest, but the blond did not look too good. America was bleeding from several places and it seemed like he was having trouble breathing on top of it. His clothes were torn and dirty. Ivan would have liked to stay here and try to help America in all honesty, or perhaps just sit and talk awhile, but Alfred had the right to choose what he wanted in Ivan's opinion. And Ivan could not blame America if he choose family instead of his enemy's company near what was possibly the end of his life. That was why Russia was a little confused when America spoke again.
"No thanks." Alfred said curtly.
"Do you wish to be alone then?"
"God no." Ivan watched as sorrow filled Alfred's eyes at that, "It's empty here..." Ivan understood that Alfred was referring to his country and how many people were dead now, "How many bombs were there?"
"I do not have the heart to count."
"Ivan?" Ivan blinked, curious about the use of his human name.
"Da?"
"...could you perhaps stay a bit?" Alfred asked quietly, Ivan paused for a moment, examining the young American that was usually so filled with cheer and life, now broken and somber under the pain of millions of deaths. It had been so long since a nation had died, and even longer since such a powerful one had perished.
"Of course."
"Then could you answer something?" Alfred asked, but didn't wait for Russia to say yes or no, "If there's so much fire... why am I so cold?" Ivan looked at the bleeding American, who was not looking at him anymore, but at the not-so-safe ceiling above them. After a moment of hesitation, Ivan moved a bit closer to Alfred, who did nothing to protest the movement.
At that Ivan carefully lifted Alfred and held him close, much like one might do to a very small child. Alfred winced in pain at first, but relaxed after a moment, seeming to be perfectly content with being like that. The taller nation's arms that held Alfred securely at the waist and upper back. Ivan felt America clenching his fist weakly around the fabric of his coat at the sides, as though afraid Russia would vanish.
"Are you not afraid I might kill you?" Ivan asked curiously.
"I thought I was going to die anyway."
"It is not like you to give up." Ivan noted sadly. Alfred hummed in a non-communal way as he rested his head in Ivan's neck, seeming unwilling or unable to keep it up on his own.
"I remember the Cold War..."
"That was a long while ago."
"Remember when you wrote USSR... on my ships to other countries... and they thought the gifts were from you?" Ivan chuckled a bit at the memory.
"Da, I remember that. You were quite angry when you found out. But why bring that up?" Especially now of all times.
"You did that again... didn't you?" It took a moment before Ivan understood.
"After all these years, and you are still spying on me? Not that I am surprised much. How did you figure it out?"
"Slowly... I was mostly wondering if it was... true or not. I guess so."
"You are the only one who has connected it so far... if that helps any."
"Makes me feel smarter." Alfred paused, thinking for a moment, "Why did you do it?"
"I do not know." Ivan said, noticing that Alfred smelled like the ash that flew through the air outside. Had the other come in recently? Had he been outside when the bomb hit? It would explain Alfred's injuries.
"Please, I can't figure it out." America muttered. Ivan sighed heavily, Alfred always could tell when he was lying.
"I did not wish for this, I said that earlier. But nothing really came from my efforts, so it does not matter anymore."
"Well, thanks anyway... it means a lot to me... at least." Ivan didn't know how Alfred knew that he hadn't actually helped make any bombs. No Russian bombs had helped to destroy America. Ivan had decided that he didn't want to take part in it, to have as little to do as possible. So when ordered to tell factories to start making bombs, instead he had just secretly bought others from small factories in different countries before giving them back for the use of destroying America. He told his boss and the others they were from Russia's own companies to help in the massacre effort and that was that. Several less bombs that would be produced to hurt America. But it really hadn't mattered. It was foolish to think that it would help.
"I still betrayed you." Ivan said softly, "I am surprised you are not yelling at me." Alfred laughed, but then started having a coughing fit again.
"I do not think I could yell anyway." Alfred chuckled hollowly, the humor that usually fueled it lost. "I'm not angry at you though."
"Why are you not? I do not understand you sometimes Amerika."
"I expected it more from... you, if you understand that... I was surprised, but did not feel... betrayed when you were one... of them."
"Should I be relieved or hurt by that?" Ivan asked curiously. Hurt because Alfred expected such a thing or relieved that the other did not feel betrayed by him.
"Knowing you, neither." Alfred said, smiling a bit, this time there was some true humor behind it, but it faded quickly.
"Still snarky as ever." Ivan said, looking up when he heard what sounded suspiciously like the building groaning, "I am going to move us, alright?" Alfred hummed again and Ivan took it as either the blond didn't care or agreed. Ivan placed one of his arms under Alfred's knees before standing up, he heard the American grunt, but the other didn't show any other sign that he was put in extra pain. Russia carefully made his way back out of what was left of the building and outside. Anything that used to be recognized as any sort of building was long destroyed and ash filled the skies, "How are you even still alive? Japan said he had already looked for you there." Ivan asked as he continued walking, he did not want the other countries to find them. That would be very unfortunate.
"I was out for a bit... I didn't see him either... I guess that is good luck."
"Da, though they are still looking to kill you." Alfred thought for a moment.
"Are you helping me?"
"At the moment." Ivan said.
"But why?" Alfred asked confused, why would Russia, one of the countries who attacked him, be helping him in his weakened state?
"I do not know why I always have to repeat myself with you. You have selective hearing, I am sure. I never wished your death Alfred. That is the last time I am saying it, so get it into that thick skull of yours."
"Eh, scolding me, that's not... nice." Alfred pouted as best he could, Ivan ignored him and there was silence for a bit, "Where are we going?"
"Hopefully somewhere safe. Did you ever show anybody else your so called secret bunker?"
"The Batcave!" Alfred laughed, but had a violent coughing fight and the sound of a wet strangled gurgle before he calmed down a bit, though panted heavily for a while, "s-sorry... I got blood on your coat."
"It has seen worst." Ivan said, "Try not to act so excited idiot, you are going to kill yourself."
"Laughing to death? ... Sounds kind of cool."
"Just answer the question." Ivan sighed heavily.
"No, I didn't really... think much of it."
"Not even Canada?"
"No, I was angry at him... because he ate all my ice cream... that weekend. And I forgot... after. Only you... Tony and I know about it."
"Tony?" Ivan scanned his memory. It sounded familiar, was it a human Alfred was close to? "Oh, that alien friend of yours?"
"I hope he's okay." Alfred muttered, "Do you think Canada hated... me because everybody thought... I was him? I even... ignored him sometimes and... I sometimes made it worst and-"
"Alfred, stop talking." Ivan said, "You are going to strain yourself and you are not even walking."
"I could try if you let me."
"Nyet, you would fall on your face. Well, that might actually be amusing."
"I hope you fall off... a cliff."
"That is not nice." Ivan thought about threatening to drop the other, but didn't. He supposed he could let Alfred be a bit snarky. Ivan saw the remains of the building he was looking for, there was not much left of it. Still, he was sure that this was the right place. Russia stepped over the remains of the wall and after a bit of searching, he found the stairs that descended into the basement of what used to be the store. Though most the steps were chipped and cracked harshly under the pressure of the bomb.
Downstairs there were boxes here and there, all labeled with numbers and letters, obviously inventory, but Ivan didn't concentrate on that, instead he knelt down and set Alfred up against one of the corners of the room. Alfred didn't say anything as Ivan looked at each of the boxes. It had been a while since Alfred first showed him this place, so Ivan counted his blessings when he moved one of the boxes and there was a small trap-door leading down under it. Ivan pulled at it, but it did not budge an inch. "That is new." It was not locked last time as far as he knew.
"No it's not." Alfred said, "Here, I still have the key thankfully." Ivan went back to the blond, who held a small silver key in the palm of his hands. After taking it he turned back and unlocked the door, pulling it up heavily to reveal a ladder leading straight down into pitch darkness. Now, how was this going to work? It was a long way down, Ivan knew, and Alfred could not hold on to Russia the whole time, it was a wonder that the blond was still conscious. Ivan knelt by Alfred again, handing the key back first. The American took it, gripping it in his hand.
"Alright, you are going to have to try holding on, da?" Ivan said, Alfred nodded a bit, though he looked a bit curious even with all the other emotions in his eyes. Russia turned around, indicating that Alfred was to get on his back. Alfred took a deep breath and wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck, Ivan held the arms so that the other would not let go as he stood up with some difficulty with the extra weight.
"Fuck." Alfred said, "I can't... this hurts too much..."
"It is only for a few seconds, promise. Just hold on. This is going to hurt."
"No. Kidding." Alfred gritted, breathing heavily as he tried to get past all the pain. Ivan let go of Alfred's arms slowly, glad to see that the other did not collapse to the ground, though Ivan did not like his airway being threatened as much as it currently was. He stepped down the ladder until he was far enough in to close the door above them.
"Hang on." Ivan repeated, he was grateful he was wearing his thick gloves. Ivan put his feet on the outside of the ladder and loosed his grip on railing enough for gravity to work. They fell fast, air whistling into his ears a moment and seeming to be the only noise he could hear. Ivan stumbled a bit when they hit the bottom a couple seconds later. Alfred made a small sound, Ivan could feel the other shaking violently, showing the strain his body was going through. Ivan held Alfred's arms again and knelt down so that Alfred was touching the ground as well.
The American loosened his grip once he touched the ground. Russia stood after that and started searching the wall near the ladder until he found the switch he was looking for and flicked it on. The hall light up quickly. It was a long walk down. Hearing the sound of retching Russia looked towards Alfred, who was on his hands and knees, there was a pool of blood beneath him. Alfred fell to his side after a moment, though he had enough coordination not to fall into the puddle of blood. Alfred curled up a little, holding himself as he shivered violently, eyes closed in what seemed like an effort to calm his body down. Ivan didn't say anything as he picked Alfred up carefully, who flinched at the touch at first, before seeming to remember Ivan was there. Alfred closed his eyes once more as Ivan walked down the hallway.
"Hey Communist bastard!" Alfred said cheerfully.
"That is not how one is suppose to address others, da comrade? You really have no manners." Ivan said in response.
"Not your comrade. Come on, I want to show you something!" Alfred said excitedly, Ivan was cautious to say the least, "Nothing that will kill you, promise." Yeah, when was the last time he heard that one? It was usually a lie, "Fine I see how you are." Alfred sighed, turned away, "My government did say I shouldn't show anybody it anyway, so I suppose it's all for the best."
"Disobeying your government? You are worst than I thought." Ivan said, but Alfred smirked at him, that's how he knew that Alfred had caught on to the fact that he was curious now.
"So you coming or what?" Alfred asked, walking away. Ivan hesitated, it could have still been a trap. Alfred had more than once gotten Ivan into tight situations before, as much as Ivan hated to admit it. Still, despite that, Ivan followed him.
"So, what do you think?"
"Why are you showing me this place?" Ivan asked, looking around at what Alfred said still needed a name. It was very like a very large house, like a mansion - but very far underground.
"What? Haven't figured it out? I wanted you to know that even if we totally bomb the fuck out of each other, that I've got a really awesome place to stay until Nuclear Holocaust is over, that way I will totally outlive you, so you should just give up now and stop being communist."
"Your logic is so... I am not sure how to insult it at this point."
"Ah, speechless I see." Alfred said cockily.
"Nyet, not really. First of all, you are saying it as though you would be able to destroy me. If anything, I would bomb you and you would hide here. Now I know where it is and I can easily kill you while you are weak. Not too smart."
"Don't be stupid, you see that hallway? It's like a bottleneck, even the ladder down, I would be able to kill anybody long before they got here even if I was weak. So go ahead. Killing you and your people never gets old."
"You have yet to kill me."
"So I've noticed." Alfred sighed miserably.
"What is the point to all of this again? I think I missed it." Ivan said.
"Geez, you never get anything! I am saying that you should just give up cause even if you completely destroy my country, I'll still live. And if I live, so do my people. Meaning even if you kill me, I'm going to keep fighting you." Ivan laughed, "Shut up, what's so funny!"
"Nothing, are you sure your government did not put you up to it? Let me guess, they are wanting to try another treaty? And this was suppose to be a sign that you trust me enough for us to be peaceful?" Alfred pouted at him, "I will take that as a yes then."
"Shut up fucking commie!" Yes, that was definitely a yes. Ivan laughed again.
It was strange thinking back to that day, so long ago now. Neither would have thought things would be like this now. Where the world was against Alfred and Ivan was the only one helping him. No, they would not have guessed it, not even a couple months ago. And Alfred wouldn't have guessed it until just that day. The world changed quickly, sometimes too quickly for any of their liking. Ivan opened the heavy door in front of him before stepping inside. It was different inside than the first and last time he had been there. Redecorated and up to date. So he was still that paranoid? After placing Alfred on the couch that was there, Ivan closed the door strong enough to block out radiation and probably a tank attack and locked it, of course it locked from the inside, "I do not think your paranoia has gone down any."
"I have a lot of enemies."
"So it seems." Ivan said, going back to Alfred, who was staring at the ceiling, just as blankly when Ivan found him. At that time, Ivan had wondered if the other had been dead. Ivan sat by Alfred's head again, on the floor. Sitting comfortably on the carpet and looking at Alfred, "You changed it."
"Yeah." Alfred muttered, "... Hey Russia? Does this mean... I lose our game?" Ivan looked at Alfred. Ivan knew what the other was talking about. Their unspoken game that never seemed to end. They would trick each other, try and out-fox and out-think what the other was doing as well as be about three steps ahead. They never stopped, after the Cold War it became much less violent and less about spreading their ideals, but it didn't stop, most just did not see it, other than when they openly insulted each other. But it was deeper than that.
"No. This is not our game, it is a different one and I am afraid we do not make the rules anymore."
"That is really too bad... I liked our game... it was fun. Guess it'll... never be finished, huh?"
"I suppose not."
"Do you think I'll be forgotten... like Prussia? Most Americ... Americans don't even know... he ever existed."
"Nyet, you will not be forgotten, records are more easily kept then back then."
"Have you guys... talked about how the land... is going to be divided... between all of you?"
"... Whoever brings back your body gets to make the demands. Basically whoever kills you gets America of course."
"Of course." There was a moment of silence, "You know... I have never seen you... cry before." Ivan clenched his fists at that, "I think that is a... little strange, don't you?"
"I suppose it is."
"I think you are... going to be the one that... misses me the most, silly... isn't it?"
"Da." There was silence between them and Ivan did not even bother hiding his tears, the other knew and had been humiliated far more than simple crying.
"Hey Ivan, can I... ask one favor?" Ivan nodded silently, "I was killed... fighting, alright? Not any of this lying around stuff."
"Alfred, why would-"
"If it was up to me... I would give you all... my land rather than the others... having it. But I can't... make that choice, can I? ... and also tell the others... that I'm sorry for whatever... I did to make them hate me so much."
"You are an idiot." Ivan said, closing his eyes in anger and gritting his teeth. How could the other be so forgiving when they had done this?
"I know that... you can't help me any... anymore. That's okay, you did... more than anybody else would."
"I hate you." Ivan choked out miserably, "Here you are talking about dying. You were suppose to fight even after your country is destroyed. And you made me cry too. And you're so young and cheerful.." Alfred smiled sadly.
"I'm sure that you will... figure it out."
"Figure out what?"
"You have to figure it out. I'm... going to go to sleep. I... promise I'll wake up... but if you are going to... take whatever is left of me... to the others... Kill me while I am asleep." Ivan didn't say anything. Perhaps an hour passed, perhaps more, Ivan would have guessed longer than a year, for that is how long it felt, but he knew that was not true. Ivan had stopped crying a while ago. When had been the last time he cried? A long time. Ivan was going to miss Alfred, he knew that more than he knew that snow was cold.
Alfred was his enemy, that had never changed, but he was also Ivan's friend, but they were more than either of those things. They knew each other better than themselves at times, they could bewilder each other and trick each other, but they knew each other a little too much for their own good. Eternity was a long, boring thing and Alfred had always seemed to spice it up when he was around and it made Ivan forget a lot of things, past horrors and future fears whether it was something nice or bad that the blond was doing. But now he was going and Ivan did not know how to react. It had been a long time since a country died and even longer since Ivan had somebody so close to him.
"You are suppose to live so much longer." Ivan said, Alfred still looked as young as ever, not even physically twenty-one yet, "And I helped kill you." Ivan muttered sadly to Alfred's sleeping form, "Figure what out? Why must you give me riddles at such terrible times." Ivan wondered out loud, as though unlocking such a secret would save Alfred, "Or is it perhaps your way of saying goodbye?" Ivan sighed, "I would give anything to read your mind sometimes. Why would you give me your permission to take your land? We hate each other. That is something we both knew would never change. But it has, has it not? You should hate me, you know I helped do this to you after all." Ivan played with the end of his scarf. He shook his head sadly, feeling a little silly for talking to the unconscious American who at this point had stopped breathing.
Arthur walked to the designated coordinates that were transmitted to him from Russia. If that bastard had found Alfred he was going to be pissed. If anybody, England was the one who deserved to get Alfred's land since the younger was once his brother and colony. The thought of having America at his fingertips to start over again was an exhilarating thought. At the moment it was just a wasteland that only their kind could exist in without any harm, but that would pass soon enough and the land would start healing itself and while it would probably never look like it once did without serious help, Arthur knew it would be worth it in the long run of things.
However, if Russia of all people had killed America it would have been like insult to injury. It wasn't like Russia needed anymore bloody land, he was already the largest country in the world, he didn't need that standard almost doubled. That would cause some major issues. England heard voices, jogging him from his internal thoughts to look around. Voices carried in this vast emptiness of broken dreams so it was hard to locate where they were coming from at any given time, still he knew that some of the other countries were already there. After a couple moments of listening, Arthur started making his way towards where he thought the voices originated from. All his fairies and magical creatures where out looking for Alfred so they couldn't help direct him through the thick cloud of dust that still hung in the air.
The voices were getting louder though, and now Arthur could tell that it was some sort of argument, but he still couldn't make any words out. Arthur saw the group of shadowy outlines of some of them before he managed to decipher what was being said, "What are you all arguing about now?" Arthur hollered at them, annoyed and suspecting this to be nothing but a red herring curtsies of a certain Russian. They fell silent, almost as if wondering who was joining them, it was hard to tell who was who in this place. Arthur was close enough to see who was all there, that's when Arthur stopped and so did the world for a moment.
Arthur didn't really register anybody else who was standing there, all he saw was Russia, who was holding America firmly by the scruff of his clothes, arm outstretched as if in a gesture of offering. Alfred hung there limply, not a trace of his powerful, prideful spirit anywhere. No breath however small emitted from the bloody and beaten blond. It was a sight that stirred something in Arthur that he couldn't quite describe and Arthur shook himself to clear the feeling. However, while he was able to tear his gaze from his once younger brothers body he felt something stick inside of him like a weed.
He brushed it off as nothing as he stared into violet eyes of the same smiling face of Ivan Braginski and couldn't help but glare, "I think it is quite obvious England, I found and killed America before any of you." Ivan said simply. Arthur briefly eyeballed who else was here, there was China, Japan, and France so far, "It seems that there is somehow some controversy." The tallest nation swung his bloody pipe over his shoulder. Arthur felt a bit sick to think of the wounds that had caused, probably to the back of the head if he knew Russia any.
"That is because it is not fair aru! You already have so much land already, you do not need more!"
"Are you saying comrade that you are daring to go back on the agreement simply because you were not the one to fight him?" Ivan asked darkly.
"Now stop this! We made the agreement so that we would not turn on each other!" England said, being the voice of reason for one of the first times ever. China turned to look at him.
"So you are alright with Russia having all the land?" He demanded, giving Arthur pause. He looked at Ivan for a long moment.
"No." Arthur finally said, "But we all made the agreement knowing that we had as much chance as Russia did." Arthur said.
Ivan narrowed his eyes, innocent smile still in place, "Da, I have won fair and square. America is now my land and if any of you try and oppose me or try to pull the same method you used to kill America, I will make your life a living hell. Now, if you all will please get off my land I think we can coexist peacefully. You may also pass on the message to any other countries you see." There was a long silence before people moved, first China, who walked away angrily then France, until nobody was left but Ivan and Arthur, "Do you want something?" Ivan demanded. Arthur glared back at the taller.
"I was wondering... what are you going to do with his body." Ivan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Why?" Ivan asked.
"It would be best if the body was released to his family, that is why." There was a short silence before Ivan smirked, putting the body over his shoulder.
"Nyet, you do not get it. It shall be mutilated and burned so the rest the world remembers this is what happens to heroes." Ivan spat with venom. Arthur glared.
"You cannot just-"
"You are mistaken England, I can and will do what I please." Arthur glowered at Ivan angrily.
"I should have expected nothing less from the likes of you. That being said, this is particularly low, even for you."
"Is that all?" Ivan asked unaffected, "If it is I have to ask that you leave this land or I shall consider it a threat." A warning, the only one he would get.
Russia remembered how England had come and told him and his boss their plan to take the country America, Ivan was shocked to say the least. England said that they were planning on bombing America all at once, no warning, no sign, just all at once, shock and awe. Alfred wouldn't be able to hit them all back even if he saw them coming. It would take a while, and Alfred wouldn't be expecting anything. Certain countries would bomb certain parts and they would have this little game to choose the winner. Almost every country in the world was in on it. Deciding America was to much of a world power and had butted in one to many times. Ivan's boss had agreed, maybe out of fear that they would be targeted if they didn't sign the treaty that also declared them all allies.
England hesitated a moment before he turned his back and walked slowly away. Ivan waited until he was gone before sighing and bringing Alfred's body closer to him, cradling it like he had when the once vibrant blond was alive, mostly out of respect. He walked away. He would have to contact his boss.