We Carry the Weight Together - Part 2

"Yeogi buteora

modu moyeora

We gon party like lilililalala-"

The fast tempo K-Pop song ended abruptly. He had to remind himself to change his ringtone to something more appropriate for what he was going through. Not caring who it was who called, but still answering, he slid the 'answer call' panel on his smartphone (which was made in Korea, da-ze~!) and in a tired, straining to sound cheerful voice. "Anyeongsaeyo? (Hello?) Who is this?"

"Yong Soo! Bro, it's been forever! We need to talk!" That loud, boisterous voice could only belong to one particular person. It was obviously America, and despite his perpetually uplifting tone of voice, he wasn't necessarily happy himself.

While checking his e-mails on AOL (America Online), he saw the news story about the ferry boat on the home page. As a hero, it shattered his heart seeing the ratios of deaths to those who were missing to those who lived.

South Korea knew what topic his close blonde friend wanted to discuss, but he really didn't want to delve into that again. "Oh, hi, America. I'm sorry, but you caught me while I was sleeping... Can you call again later?" He said, feigning a positive tone. "After all, a good night's sleep originated in Korea, da-ze~!" He didn't want to be rude to him. It's not his fault any of this happened. 'Still, I wish you could have helped, America... You're a hero, aren't you...?'

"Bro, I said you could call me 'Alfred' a while ago." Scolded Al. "Sorry, but we gotta talk now. Besides, it's 4:30 P.M. Why sleep with the sun still out?"

He obviously forgot about time zones in different places again. If it were any other period of time, Yong Soo would be amused. Still, trying to act like he was OK, Yong Soo replied "Anyo (No), Al. It's 3:30 A.M. here, you silly." He chuckled, but it sounded a bit forced.

America, not joking around for once, caught South Korea's bravado. He didn't address it immediately, though. Not when his friend was in such a terrible situation. "Oh, yeah. Time is different over there, huh? Sorry, bro. Still, could ya stay up a bit longer? I really wanna talk. "

The Korean sighed. He really did just want to sleep, but America was so persistent. 'This American is gonna be the death of me... I do appreciate how much he cares, though.' He shows the smallest of smiles, even though America can't see it. "OK, Alfred. But mind you... This is a very soft subject for me. Understand?"

"Yeah, man. I understand." He made sure to maintain a serious attitude. This was not the time to act stupid or oblivious. He had to be a hero and be here for Yong Soo. With that thought in mind, he started talking. "I'd heard about the news this morning... It's not even my country, but I felt devastated." Sincerity was in his voice. He really did feel grief for South Korea and remorse for his inability to have done anything at the time. "I really sorry, Yong Soo. I couldn't save those people for you."

Im Yong Soo was surprised. America was blaming himself? "Alfred... It's not your fault. How could you have helped? I didn't even know it would happen until I saw it." He cringed as he remembered the horrific and hopeless things he saw in his vision.

"'cause, Yong Soo... I'm supposed to be the hero of the world. If I could, I'd save everyone. But..." Alfred's voice wavered a bit. "I didn't even know what was going on 'til this morning. I failed you, man." On his side of the call, Alfred had a very sorrowful and guilty expression on his face. He was really glad his friend couldn't see him.

"Al, unless you were there, you couldn't have known. Please don't feel bad, je chingu
(my friend)." It broke the Korean's heart to hear Alfred verbally beating himself up. "Besides, I'm sure you have your own problems in America. We all have our limitations." He tried to console the American. He was about to offer more words of consolation, but he suddenly gasped. His eyes shut tightly and he winces as he has another vision.

More lifeless bodies. The death count rising and the missing count slowly decreasing. The scouters and searchers growing more traumatized. They're definitely going to need psychological therapy. The ratio of adults who survived and teens who survived is still frighteningly imbalanced. More families are in tears, for their prayers were forsaken. The captain of the ferry was arrested, but not put to death, as many probably wanted him to. A teenage corpse was found with one of his eyes rotting away. The whole thing... was truly a living nightmare. No mild horror movie scare could compare to this...

Yong Soo was silent for a long time, but he didn't hang up his phone, leaving a confused and worried Alfred on the other side of the line. "Yong Soo? South Korea? You still there, buddy? If you are, please say something!" He was scared for Yong Soo, but he still had to be brave. For the both of them.

As he heard Alfred's voice, he was jogged out of his trance. "Aah! No!" He yelled as if he'd woken from a bad dream. "Huh?" He blinked for a moment. 'Hananim (God), things just keep getting worse... Will my country ever be the same?' He took a deep breath and tried to speak again, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm still here, Alfred. I'm... I'm OK." He wasn't even close to being OK. The sights he'd seen brought him to the verge of crying.

"You saw something, didn't you? Was it a vision? Dude, tell me what's going on." Alfred felt really useless right now. Yong Soo was obviously suffering so much. Then, the blonde American decided something. "Yong Soo, I'm coming there tomorrow. Obama will probably lend me one of his private jets." He'll be there. For real. Not just voices. A country's entity meeting another country's entity. They had to speak in person. They just had to, America thought.

"Eh? Al, you don't have to do that." He was touched that Alfred cared so much, but he was starting to feel like a burden. Even his brother came the previous day to offer his condolences. That brought a negative thought to mind. 'Dong saeng Ilbon (Brother Japan), Hong Kong, Jung-Guk Oppa (Big brother China)... Where are you all? What are you doing? Why haven't I heard from you guys...?' He speculated that they were staying out of this matter, despite how much he needed his family. He didn't want to think that they abandoned him, though, so he put that thought in the back of his mind.

"Nah, man. I'm going over there, so don't even try to stop me." This was now a personal mission for America. As hero of the world and a very good friend to Yong Soo, who would never even entertain the thought of abandoning him. On the side, he felt... something. It was another motivation for him to go to South Korea. He didn't know what the feeling was exactly, but he just wanted to hug and protect Yong Soo. He wanted to be Yong Soo's personal savior and for him to rely on him when the going gets rough.

Yong Soo heard the determination in his close friend's voice. If it were any other time, he would have smiled brightly and welcomed him with open arms. Still, in spite of feeling grief-stricken and bitter, he knew he needed the company. Especially of America. "Miguk (America)... Kamsahamnida (Thank you)."

Having some Korean citizens in his states has given him the advantage of knowing some of the language. He liked the way it sounded when Yong Soo spoke in his native language. Though he knew that the brunette was pretty good at speaking English, thanks to his brother, Canada (He's a bit jealous of that fact.), Alfred simply thought his friend sounded better in Korean. He appreciates Yong Soo's effort to make communication easier. Not all of the other countries were so eager to learn English (The European countries especially.). "Gwen chan nayo (No problem), buddy."

Yong Soo was a bit impressed. There wasn't much of an error in his friend's Korean. He felt a little better. More than when his brother came to talk. "Heh, been practicing your Korean, I see? Well, the great language originated from me, da-ze~." He didn't pridefully shout the phrase, like he would when he was in a better mood. Even so, just saying it was a good sign that he was being brought out of his pain. ...Or at least, distracted from it.

Alfred was relieved to hear Yong Soo perk up a little from his depression. "Ha ha, yeah. A little. Anyway, I know it's late over there, so I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?" He'd have to arrange the jet flight in the morning. He knew that the mood over in South Korea must be dreadful and haunting in its current state, but he had to do this. If God must forsake Im Yong Soo, then Alfred will be his salvation.

"OK, see you tomorrow. Anyeong-hi jumusaeyo (Good night), America." He hung up his smartphone and put it back on his nightstand. With his mind settled a bit, Yong Soo hoped that when he went into deep sleep, he wouldn't have nightmares. He settled down in his bed again and tried to go back to sleep.

When America noticed that South Korea hung up the phone. He looked at his phone, where his dear friend's voice emerged. He kissed it and held it towards his chest, where his heart would be and said "Good night, Yong Soo. Tomorrow... I'll be there for you. I'm your hero."

AN: Hey! Guess who's back? I'm so sorry that it took so long to update, but I've been either too busy or too sick. I got sick a lot recently. ;_; Ah, well. I'm better now. Also I'm very glad summer's coming. I'll have even more time to write stories and such. So the wait won't be as long. :D Anyway, yay! America comes to the rescue! We'll see what happens soon.

Quick question: Should I change the rating to M? 'cause of the kinda gruesome descriptions of the tragedy.

Oh, and Yong Soo's inappropriate ringtone is "Fantastic Baby" by the K-Pop group, BIGBANG.

Anyway, I hope you guys like this.