Newest addition to my story collection. I hope you all like.
~*~*~* 1613*~*~*~
It was one of the warmest nights of summer of the year. Warm and moist. Not yet midnight for in the colonies of North America. Young Canada was watching the night sky in childlike awe of the millions of stars lighting up the black sky. He watched the moon illuminate even more of black void and light the valley the young boy was sitting in. Matthew relished in the mysterious beauty of night sky. He looked up and hugged his polar bear cub gently. The young colony was at peace for the moment. As he continued to watch the sky he saw a shooting star cross along the endless sea of darkness. He remembered his big brother saying that he could wish on such a rarity to be seen. The Canadian closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. "I wish my little brother Alfred would be all better," he said quietly.
"Who?" spoke the cub.
The Canadian looked down and spoke softly, "My little brother who is really sick, Mr. Kumajaro."
"I believe it is Kumajiro, Mattie," said a familiar voice. The young colony jumped and nearly died of fright. He calmed down after looking over his shoulder and realized it was his big brother Britain, his other big brother then France, who had left him to Britain for a short period of time. "That was a lovely wish to make for your brother, lad," smiled Britain as he walked over to the colony, "Think we should go see him?" Matthew nodded his head and the Brit chuckled lightly before sighing sadly as he picked up his colony and carried him back to the large house they lived in. Matthew continued to look up at the nighttime sky and prayed.
Please let my little brother live. Please . . . If you exist god, let Alfred live.
The older blonde carried Matthew inside the house and set him down on the carpeted floor. Arthur closed the door quietly. As the movements in the house seemed to come to a halt, both beings could hear the labored breathing upstairs. "Um . . . May I?" shyly asked Matthew.
The mother country looked down and smiled encouragingly, "He is your younger brother. As you both are to me. We should comfort Alfred the best we can and hope for the best."
Hope for the best? Comfort him? Is my little brother going to die?!
Matthew's eyes grew larger, revealing more of the violet-blue eyes to Arthur. "Don't cry lad," said Arthur as he bent down and hugged Matthew, "Alfred is strong. He'll make it through this and I won't give up on him." The Canadian's eyes gave way to raindrop tears and they fell from the gravity upon them. The tears fell more and landed on the Englishmen's shoulder. Feeling the wetness grow and grow, Arthur just rubbed Matthew's back and embraced him tighter. "Alfred will be fine, Mattie." Matthew pulled away gently and set his cub down. He looked at his big brother and nodded his head before walking quietly upstairs to his brother's room.
The hard breathing grew louder and louder as Matthew approached the door. He looked at the floor with his hope leaving him every small footstep. He couldn't think of a world by himself in this big empty house. Not without Alfred could Matthew be whole. His little brother was his life and yet he couldn't do a thing to help Alfred. Matthew noticed the door was cracked open a little and he peered in. The room was dark, except for the little light that seeped its way through the creak. As Matthew pushed the door open it squeaked loudly as if desperately crying for a drink of oil to ease the hinges. The breath picked up a little as a weak voice barely said, "Bri. . . tain?"
Matthew walked over to his twin's bed. He looked up and could not eve see Alfred. The Canadian only heard the soft panting of his little brother and the deep red bed spread that covered his bed. The bed was taller than he had remembered, which wasn't long ago he saw it. With all his might, Matthew jumped up onto the bed and crawled over to his little brother. Placing his child sized hand on Alfred's head Matthew said, "It's me Al, Mattie."
"M-Mattie . . ." panted Alfred, "Wh-ere's . . . Ah . . . br-broth . . .er?" The words seemed to grow weaker as the boy tried to stay awake.
Matthew found himself petting his twin's head. He looked on in pain as he hand repeatedly stroked the wet hair. The colony watched on as his brother sweat seeped down his face and onto the bed. His clothes seemed drenched already. "I-I'll get big brother. Just stay strong Al!" proclaimed Matthew as he jumped off the bed and ran down the carpeted stairs. "BIG BROTHER! BIG BROTHER BRITAIN!" screamed Matthew.
Almost immediately as Matthew finished the stairs, did he see the blonde country. "What is it Mattie? Is Alfred alright?" yelled the Brit as he ran to his colony.
"It's Alfred," cried the Canadian, "His breathing is labored and he's calling for you and he doesn't seem to have energy and getting weaker!"
"Mattie, run and tell a maid or butler to fetch the doctor, alright lad?" asked Britain seriously. Matthew nodded his head and felt new hot tears run down his cheek. Arthur let go of his shoulders and quickly ran upstairs to his little brother, his charge. Matthew bit back the urge to run back up the large steps as well and ran to find his nurse. The Canadian ran wildly around the large house until he found the butler instead.
He ran in front of him and bent down breathing hard after all his running. The older gentlemen, no more than his mid-twenties, bent down with worry in his eyes, "Young master?" Matthew looked at Winston's kind brown eyes and placed a timid hand on his face.
Winston was about to speak but was cut off by the child. "Pl-please," wheezed Matthew, "Fetch th . . . The doctor f-for my brother. Pl-please Winston . . . My brother needs help!"
Winston took a deep gulp and pated Matthew's small back. "Right away, young master." Winston smiled at the young colony and quickly left the house. The butler, once outside, ran towards the stable and withdrew the fastest horse. He quickly saddled the dark stallion and jumped on his back. Tapping his heels into the firm sides of the dark beast, it launched its front legs up and started at a fast pace towards the down.
For my masters.
After Winston had left the house, Matthew ran upstairs to his brother. As he climbed each step he grew more exhausted from the energy it took to reach the top. Once he reached the top of the lengthy steps, Matthew raced to his brother's room and saw his big brother sitting next to his twin. "Al, it's alright. Just breathe calmly," encourage the Brit, "Help is coming for you." Matthew walked closed to the bed and noticed Alfred's breathing had worsened in the short span of time he had been gone. Arthur turned his head and looked at Matthew with strong eyes. Quickly, the Brit bent down and swept up his other colony and place him on the bed. "Watch over him while I go fetch him some water and a cooling cloth." With that Arthur went downstairs.
On the way, Arthur lost himself to his emotions. He could not stop his tears from falling as he ran to the kitchen and started heating water from the pump on the iron stove. When the water drew hot enough, Arthur poured it into a basin. He also grabbed a towel and a glass of cold water. Before going up, Arthur wiped his face clear of tears and took a deep breath to compose himself. Then, Arthur rushed up the stairs with the three objects and set them on the night stand next to Alfred's bed. He sat next to his charge and felt his forehead. "Is Alfred okay?" asked Mattie. Arthur looked at Matthew then at Alfred. He wasn't sure about Alfred's condition. He had never seen anything like it before.
I . . . I don't know . . . When will the bloody doctor get here?! I've never felt a child so cold on a warm night in summer!
"H-he's strong Mattie. Alfred stay awake okay, lad."
A pair of tired half lidded eyes opened to look at Arthur and Matthew. The eyes were like the sky, a feat that Arthur never would have believe to see. Matthew was startled by the eyes. The young colony had never seen his brother so tired. Ever since he could remember his twin, Alfred was always full of energy and alert. Looking into his eyes, Matthew knew something was deeply wrong with his twin. "Al?"
The boy smiled weakly and panted weakly, "I-I . . . f-fine . . ." Those two stuttered words seemed to take a lot out of the small child, because he started to breathe worse and close his eyes.
Arthur gritted his teeth and lifted the boy up. "America, drink some water, luv," he said as he offered the glass. The younger colony latched on and took a few light sips from the glass and pulled away. "Good boy. Relax and stay awake for us." Britain laid America back down on his pillow gently. With a gentle smile, Arthur soaked the cloth and wrung it out before placing it on the child's sweaty forehead. "America, stay strong for us. We both love you." Both saw the bright light of blue open again.
The child smiled lightly again and then the smile vanished as the panting increased. Britain noticed that Alfred's skin was not tan anymore. His skin was rather pale and his eyes were dull compared to his normal self. "Little brother, stay with us!" screamed Matthew. Arthur stared at Matthew with surprise. Never had he seen this child speak so loudly. Never. He reached out and rubbed Matthew's back for support. The two waited and Arthur felt relief when he heard the door open and close with footsteps coming up the stairs.
The Brit stood up and walked over to the door. When Arthur saw the doctor he felt so relieved at the sight. "Doctor, please he is in here," said Arthur, who was making room for the doctor to come in. The doctor walked by and Arthur quickly said, "He's cold to the touch, he has the sweats, and his breathing is labored." The older gentlemen sat on the bed beside America and checked him over. He pulled away after a few moments and motioned to meet the Brit outside of the room.
Once outside the doctor said, "The boy will not make it much longer. I am sorry. The most I can offer is an herb that you add to hot water. It will numb his pain until he passes on. I am truly sorry . . . A single man with no wife and two little ones to suffer the death of one. I wish there were more I could do," with that said the doctor place a small packet in Arthur's hand and left. Arthur looked at the packet. It was large and wrapped tightly in parchment. Taking a shaky breath, Arthur went downstairs and made some tea. Carefully unwrapping the packet, the Brit poured some of the powder into the cup and walked back up to Alfred's room.
As Arthur walked in he smiled at the sight and then feared gathered in his heart. He loved seeing the brother's together. It was a touching sight, seeing Alfred usually ignored his brother and went off to play. So seeing them together and witnessing their like similarities was a rare treat. However, Arthur didn't know how Matthew would take Alfred's death and he wanted Matthew away from his twin, because the Brit did not want the Canadian to get sick. Walking up to Alfred, he picked the boy up lightly and supported him. "Drink this Alfred and all of it," he ordered as he brought the cup to Alfred's lips.
Obediently, the young colony drank the contents of the cup and relaxed. Smiling, Arthur laid his charge back down and picked up Matthew, who reached out for Alfred. "Al . . ."Gently rubbing the colony's back, Arthur took Matthew out of the room and places him in his room. The giant bed for a small body stood tall and covered with a soft blue blanket covering the feathered mattress.
Tucking the Matthew in the bed, Arthur ordered, "Do not leave you room and do not enter Alfred's anymore until I say so. You must sleep Matthew in order to become strong and escape the frog." Arthur smiled at the boy and left, shutting his door firmly and walking back to Alfred's room. "America," Britain says as he sits beside his colony, "I love you, Alfred Foster."
The sky blue eyes opened again to look at Arthur kindly. "I l-o . . . ve y-ou too . . ." panted Alfred as he breathing quickened. Arthur looked on and let his tear show in front of his beloved Alfred. The boy closed his eyes and breathed harder and harder. All the Brit could do was watch and hold his charge's hand tight until it ended. After an hour of holding Alfred in his arms, the boy passed away. Arthur never thought that he could or would ever lose Alfred. He was strong and energetic.
"Al-fred . . ." whimpered the Brit as he hugged the lifeless body. He hugged the soft and small body with all his strength and cried. "N-no! ALFRED!" Crying and crying was all the poor mother country do for the death of his charge. Arthur kept on crying until Winston pulled him off the boy's dead body and forced him to his large canopy bed. He pulled the covers over his master and watched him sleep. Winston walked back to Alfred's room and bit his lip as he walked in and saw the poor dead body of the boy he helped raised.
He picked up Alfred's dead body and hugged him. Winston hugged him tightly. "Alfred Foster . . . You were a good child. A very good child and I hope you can find the light and join with the almighty God." After a few more moments of hugging the cold and still body, Winston tried to lower him, but found that he couldn't. Confused, Winston try pulling at the body. He pulled and pulled, but yet it didn't move. His heart racing at the fear of what could be happening, Winston let go of the body and felt small arms wraps around his neck. It wasn't soon after that he felt a small pain in his neck. The pain worsened as he tried to pull the body off again. Trying and trying, but to no avail. The butler grew weaker and weaker until he collapsed on the floor and was panting hard and barely conscious.
Alfred unconsciously kept on drinking from his butler until the lovely taste stopped flowing in his mouth. It was then he let go and jumped back in fear. He had killed his best friend and guardian when his big brother went away from time to time. "Winny?" poked Alfred. Nothing. His friend was gone and Alfred was alive and confused. Trembling in fear Alfred ran down the stairs and jumped repeatedly to get the doorknob at the front door. Finally, the child achieved his goal and twisted his small body around and opened the door. He looked backed at the place he had known for six years of his life. Since the day Arthur Kirkland, Francis Bonnefoy, and Tino Vainamoinen found him in the tall grass of his country. He would remember the day he chose Arthur over Francis and smiled happily at the memories as tears rain down his cheeks. This day was the day he would leave his loved ones, because this was the day he had died and been reborn.
Alfred closed his eyes and ran into the remainder of the dark night. The boy ran as fast as his small legs would carry him. He ran through the sleeping town he had visited many times. Passing the general store where Arthur would buy him a sweet if he were good. Past the riverbank that was where he had meet Arthur Kirkland in person and declared him his older brother. He ran towards the country. Towards the only place he could think of he wouldn't hurt anyone. Alfred ran faster and faster and then found himself on his butt in the loose dirt. Wincing and ready to cry he looked up with his large blue eyes with tears lining the bottom of his eyelids.
Alfred looked at saw two men who looked too similar. They both had brown hair, just one was darker than the others. The one had a friendly expression and his eyes seemed to be closed. The other had his open and looked to be olive green or darker, maybe hazel. They seem to be the same height and close in age. However, the curls on both the sides of the strangers head, just different sides, caught Alfred off guard. "VE?! Who?" The light browned haired on looked down, or seemed to look down because he never opened his eyes to Alfred. "Look Fratello! Un bambino!"
The other looked down and noticed Alfred on the verge of tears. "So, he's just a twerp. Too small for a meal."
The one that seemed to never open his eye came down closer to Alfred's face and smiled brightly. "VE! Fratello, look! Look! He has fangs in his mouth! He must be one of us!" The other looked in disbelief until the happy one took the other's hand and shoved one of his fingers in Alfred's mouth. He cursed under his breath and he felt a small, yet sharp pain and pulled his finger out to see a small droplet of blood. "Can we keep him Romano? Please?"
"Why should we? He's just a twerp!" replied Romano.
"Because, he is just like us! One of our kind, si?"
Romano looked at Alfred again and sighed heavily under his breath. "Fine, but I'm not taking care of the twerp. Give him to Gilbert or Kiku or someone Feliciano. You are not responsible to handle a child."
"VE! VE! VE! I AM TOO!" shouted Feliciano as he picked up Alfred.
The other grabbed Feliciano and shut his mouth shut and pulled him away towards the edge of town. "Then for starters, keep you Italian mouth shut! I don't want to get caught!"
Feliciano looked down at the child in his arms and smiled warmly. "Ciao~ I am Feliciano Vargas and this," said Feliciano as he motioned to the other, "Is my fratello Romano Vargas. You're the same as us, which makes us a family."
"Same as you?" question Alfred, who had stoped his tears.
The vampire nodded his head happily, "Si, we're vampiri and so are you fratello!"
Alfred looked at Feliciano as if he were nuts. "Fratello?"
"Si, twerp," said Romano, "It's Italian for brother. We are the same, si? So we are fratellos forever."
"Fratello," tested Alfred and smiled happily. "Fratello!"
Feliciano smiled and Alfred noticed Romano had a grin going. "There you go fratello! What is your name though?"
"I'm Alfred Foster."
"Alfredo!" smiled Feliciano, "I like Alfredo. It's yummy an-" A quick smack to Feliciano's head ended his thoughts.
"Dammit Feliciano that's pasta!" scolded Romano. "Let's go. We need to move." Feliciano nodded his head and looked at Alfred with a smile. The two Italian's started walking and Alfred looked over Feliciano's shoulder. He watched as the area he had known his entire life grow smaller and smaller until it was gone. Alfred didn't feel sad like he thought he would. He had Feliciano and Romano now. He would live through this and grow stronger. As he thought about this, Alfred hugged Feliciano tightly and drifted off. This caused Feliciano to smile happily and even Romano was touched by small innocent act.
Review if you like! don't question the names quite yet... i have a plan ;)