Hey there, Fang here. I would have posted this yesterday...but...I'm absolutely lazy...So sorry...

Anyway, this chapter is shorter than the others, but there really wasn't much to write except the resolution...Enjoy anyway!

It was four long hours before Arthur finally stirred. His eyes flickered open slowly, and Alfred, who was listening to his iPod, literally tore his earphones from his ears.

"Arthur?"

His brother's eyes turned towards him, foggy from his ordeal, but slowly focusing on Alfred's face. His lips formed a single word, too soft and raspy for Alfred to hear. Alfred leaned closer.

"What, Arthur?"

"Tea."

Alfred sat back, incredulous, and then burst out laughing. It was going to be okay, he knew now. Arthur was going to be okay. It was over.

Arthur coughed impatiently, hurting his torn throat more than he realized. His grimace brought America's laughter to a halt, but the smile stayed as he helped Arthur to a half-sitting position. The movement made Arthur gasp in pain, but the worn muscles in his arms and hands held on to Alfred as his brother tried to be as gentle as possible.

"Sorry, bro…" Alfred apologized sincerely.

Arthur shook his head, breath coming out in short, little pants from the exertion. Alfred held in one hand a glass of water, and he wrapped his other behind Arthur's head. He lifted him up as much as he dared so he could drink.

"I know it's not tea, but we'll start with water, kay?"

Arthur twisted away from the glass after a few sips, each one painfully making its way down his throat.

Alfred grabbed a few more pillows from the other side of the bed, making sure to cushion Arthur's head and chest sufficiently. Arthur's eyes closed again, exhausted from everything he had gone through.

"Arthur?" Alfred laid a hand on his brother's thin arm. Arthur cracked his eyes open again.

"Alfred." He rasped. Alfred had never been happier to hear his name.

"Dude…" Alfred's hair hid his eyes. He really needed to comb it, Arthur thought absently.

"You scared me shitless back there."

Arthur simply looked at him.

"I mean, after all you said about not having to worry about you, and then…that…comes and #!*% happens…"

"It – wasn't your fault." Arthur interjected, wincing at his gravelly voice.

"I coulda prevented it! You wouldn't have had to go through that! It was insane that I coulda let that happen!"

Arthur's hand reached out to grasp Alfred's arm. Alfred stared at his brother's now jagged and broken nails, from where Arthur had dug into his own flesh…no. No, not yet.

"Alfred." He had to lean in to hear Arthur. "They were my people." Arthur flinched at his own words. "There- was no way you could've bloody predicted it."

Alfred stared at his brother. Arthur swallowed painfully.

"It wasn't your fault."

He lay back against the million pillows, spent. That many words had taken all energy out of him.

Alfred felt the weight on his chest suddenly lift. It wasn't his fault. Arthur didn't blame him. It wasn't his fault. He scrubbed at the wetness in his eyes, and looked at his paler than normal brother. The covers had been fumbled around, and Alfred pulled them over his brother again for the hundredth time after settling him into a lying position.

"I, um…I called my boss, and he said I didn't have to go home for two months. So…"

"Git…I'll- be okay in less time than that…" Arthur's voice was growing even softer as exhaustion started dragging him into sleep again.

"Yeah, But I won't be." Alfred smiled sadly.

Arthur dropped off to dreams peacefully, but Alfred continued to watch him. Arthur had protected him plenty of times before. Alfred was returning the favor.

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS:

First things first, what's up, HeartlessRain? Yes, these are the London Riots...I noticed there was only one or two fics on the subject (For no real reason...maybe people just don't like doing recent history) and decided to put one up! I have kept going, and it is done! WOoHoo!

Hey Death-Sama01, well, I updated fast! Hope the ending met with your expectations, I'm glad you liked it.

And to Faith-Altoire, a most faithful reader, you are just freaking awesome and amazing. I'll try to keep my writing level and story interest up to par! Thanks!

AND back to the story...

...poor Arthur...but he has a faithful brother to look after him! He's gonna be just fine!

Actually...Me and my friend were talking...and if you think about it, Arthur has had a rough go of it his whole life...bad childhood experiences(Hey! His brothers shot arrows at him! Uncalled for!), numerous attacks on London (Fire of 1666...WWII...05...it's not pretty), I'm pretty #!*% sure he didn't have a friend in the world until Alfred and Matthew...

...And people wonder why it's so easy to hurt this guy...

...he needs a hug. Multiple times.

So hug your Iggy today.

Haha, anyway, I love reviews, blah blah blah, some witty comment about reviews, laughter, the usual.

Hope you enjoyed this (again) angsty fic!

-Fang