The next day would have been a standstill if not for the books Arthur read to Alfred as the latter tossed and turned. The monologue was briefly punctuated by Arthur's infrequent breaks, or the infrequent times when Al would wake up.

"Artie!"

Arthur's head snapped up from the thick book his eyes had been fixated on. "Al?"

"Feliciano and Ludwig are happy together, right?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. I haven't heard otherwise."

Alfred nodded. "And Tino? With Berwald?"

Arthur smiled. "They just had a baby girl last night."

There was a strange hollowness in Al's eyes when he looked at Arthur. "That's because they're good people. I'm not a good person. I don't deserve happiness, or a baby girl."

Arthur wanted to object, but he couldn't, the words had vanished. He sat in disbelief, until Alfred's blue eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out. Arthur quickly hit the button to call a nurse. Kiku walked in a moment later, shiny shoes clacking against the ground, his pressed white suit barely creasing with his steps.

"We will have to take Alfred-san for some tests. I suggest you get some rest, Arthur-san," he said quietly.

Arthur nodded and stood, his back cracking in three places and all of his joints popping as he stretched. Bloody hell, he was sore. And he needed some caffeine. He meandered over to the vending machines. Of course, they had no tea. He put a couple of coins in the coffee dispenser and pressed the "French Roast" button, snorting softly to himself. He had a twisted sense of humor. A Styrofoam cup appeared, catching the stream of dark brown liquid. Arthur lifted the steaming cup to his lips and blew softly. This was the only time you'd catch him blowing something French. He chuckled again. He took a cautious sip, and gagged. Tasted like cat piss. Of course it did.

A finger tapped his shoulder. Arthur turned around a bit too quickly, splashing some of the horrid coffee on his finger. He hissed in pain, throwing the cup in the trashcan. Francis stood before him, laden down with a tote bag, a lunch box, and a duffel bag. A quite familiar duffel bag, actually. One emblazoned with the Union Jack.

"What're you doing with my stuff?"

Francis pouted, "What? No 'Hello Francis, how are you?' Or even a 'Oh, I'm so grateful you brought my things!'"

Arthur sighed. He was right, even if the Englishman didn't want to admit it. Arthur tried to paste a smile on his face. From Francis' expression, it didn't go that well. The Frenchman looked at him with pity, then turned away saying, "Well, let's go to your lover boy's room, shall we?"

Francis walked away with a swing in his hips, garnering glances from men and women, and Arthur just trailed after him, hoping that they wouldn't think he was with him. They got to the sterile room; Arthur noticed Al wasn't back yet. Francis set down the bags with a huff and stretched like a cat. Arthur picked up the duffel bag and unzipped it. In it were his clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a washcloth. The tote bag was stuffed full of thick books; Arthur pulled one out. It was from his house, titled Alice in Wonderland. Arthur smiled. Lewis Carroll had been a nice chap, if a bit odd. The Harry Potter series was in there as well, and Pride and Prejudice.

Francis was now rummaging around in the lunchbox, which seemed to be full of thermoses, and a lone, rather lopsided sandwich. Arthur picked up the sandwich, unwrapped it, and took a large bite. It was peanut butter and Nutella, something Al had shown him. Francis stuck a cup of steaming tea in front of his face. Arthur breathed in the scent of a perfectly brewed Earl Grey, with eight drops of milk, just the way he liked it.

"I'll inform the nurses to bring up an extra helping of food for you everyday. There's tea in here, and you should have enough clothes for a week. Did I forget anything? Hmm, I don't think so. Oh yes! I brought you a cell phone, just call me if you need anything, okay,mon amour?"

Arthur nodded. "Why are you helping me?"

Francis swooped down and kissed him on both cheeks, lips lingering ever so slightly. "Love. I love you,mon amour, and I will do anything to help you."

Arthur knew this of course, Francis had told him of his love years ago, but nothing had ever really changed between the two, until now. "Oh."

"Now, get changed into something more comfortable. And brush your teeth. Even I wouldn't kiss you with the morning breath you have right now. Then try to get some rest. I'll be back whenever you call!" and with a flourish, Francis was gone.

Arthur got up, and did as he was told. He scrubbed at his teeth until all he could taste was the mint that left a tingling sensation in his mouth. He pulled on his pajama pants, these also emblazoned with the Union Jack, and a white t-shirt. Maybe he could take a nap, just for a little while. They wouldn't even know he had. Arthur sat down gently on the lumpy bed and leaned back, rubbing his eyes. It was cold in the room, even with his socks on. He pulled the thin sheet over himself and yawned hugely. The pillow was flat, he was cold, and the bed was uncomfortable, but Arthur fell asleep, his body relaxing into a fitful dream.

Author's Note- Thank you for reading the second chapter! I would like to thank my wonderful beta, xasiannoodlesx, for being a wonderful beta!

If you would please review, I would appreciate it, and please come back for the next chapter!