A/N: Lookie here! I actually got some free time to write today! –because she has no life!- I must say, I'm really pleased with this chapter. :D And Spamano and Franada make an appearance in this chapter.

Thank you all for the awesome reviews and for Story-alerting or Favoriting! Gilbert declares you all awesome!

WARNING: Very Mainer-ish opinionated views on the late day politics and economy. I don't know if this is how the rest of the country views it, but most of the people I know feel this way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia and I never will so stop making me say this being sad.

Final note: While reading this, please listen to any of the OST music for the anime Clannad. It really adds to the effect. Enjoy!

The next week was pure hell for Arthur, for some reason, Alfred had decided to either; start an argument with him; or 'hang out' with him. How was he supposed to come up with his letter if he didn't have any alone time?

"Hey! Iggy!" Today seemed no different.

"What could you possibly want you git?"

"I thought we could head out to McDonalds today after the meeting, and don't lie to me, I know you love it." The younger nation beamed down at him. "Come on, don't be such a loser, old man~!"

Arthur glared back at him. "What are you blabbering about?! I'm not old, fuck; look wise I'm not much older than you!" He hissed back, clearly ticked off.

"Woah, woah, chillax! I was just joking Artie," The nickname for his real name caused Arthur's cheeks to flush a bit. "Come on! It'll be like a date!" Cue Arthur's cheeks to flush a red that rivaled Antonio's tomatoes. He swore his heart leapt. It was from the fact of McDonalds, not because he was going with Alfred, most certainly not from the fact that he just called it a date. The fact that Arthur was supposed to be writing a letter to Alfred didn't help either. "Except not." The younger man quickly added to his words.

…

…

Well that kind of hurt. Not that Arthur would let the pain show, but he-unfortunately-thought his body flinched from the words. Damn, he was turning into such a Pansy. "Fine, I'll go. Don't get into your head it's for you, I'm only doing it for free food." He said turning, making sure any blush on his face was minimum, to face America. The man was grinning, as if it was possible, from ear to ear. "GREAT! I'll see you after the meetin'!" And with that, the man was off, leaving Arthur to walk to the meeting room alone.

A feeling overwhelmed him, as if he missed the idiot's presence, as if no other presence mattered. Wiping away the wetness that suddenly appeared in his eyes, Arthur hurried to the conference room, just wanting to have somebody else's presence near him.

Of course, he was the very first person in the room. His eyes scanned the room, looking for something to do. Spotting a box of chalk, he walked over and picked it up, taking out a fresh piece of chalk. He could write the guidelines on the board… Except for the fact that Germany had the guidelines. Well, that was a dilemma, wasn't it? He put the chalk down before taking his seat and sulking until the second person to arrive.

Luckily, that person was Germany. The man was always right on time. Arthur glanced at his watch, and sure enough 10:00 was stated clear as day, and the other nations started trickling in the room after the stoic German.

All the nations were seated, except for one. Damnit, why was that git always so late?! For sure the man would be prancing in here, late; whilst shouting something like, "I'm not late ya'll are just too early! The Hero is never late!"

That isn't what happened.

Instead, the normally cheerful, happy-go-lucky annoying nation walked into the room. That isn't the problem though. The problem was that the man was absolutely dreadfully silent. Something was not right. Did someone shut down McDonalds or something? "Late as usual, Alfred?" He called out to the country as Alfred walked slowly over to sit next to him. Shit. He didn't mean to sound so mean. Apparently he had chosen very poor words, for the man he spoke to flinched and reluctantly took a seat next to him.

The silence continued the rest of the meeting. Everything carried through smoothly, and no one raised any stupid arguments. Most were too busy wondering why Alfred was quiet and… frowning. His brows were furrowed and if you got past the glare on Texas, you could see heavy bags. Not that Arthur was staring and analyzing his face.

It just wasn't right. Arthur was sure of that. It just wasn't the same without the senseless blabbering about the worst ideas ever. Finally, someone dared to break the silence.

"Alfred, why so depressed, da?"

Ivan. He would. He would ask one of the largest superpowers why he was depressed, he would step on a ticking time-bomb.

"… Hnn? You said something, Russia?" America replied half-paying attention. Ok, something was really not right. "Al-Alfred..?" The other mans name slipped off his lips. Shit.

"What'd you want, England?" You, in my bed moaning and panting. He slapped his cheek slightly, forcing away the thoughts. "You look… Depressed," No shit he knows that. "Is something the matter?"

The man in question slowly turned to face him. "… I'll be honest..." A very serious and grim look was on his face, making Arthur's throat tighten. "… My Country, the beautiful lands I live for… Is falling apart…" The words sunk into Arthur's mind, as he felt his eyes widen to a size he didn't know was possible.

"Falling… Apart?" He echoed, as if trying to make sense of it. He turned away from the American, staring at the table with a horrified expression. America-Alfred, one of the world's largest superpowers was… Failing? As he sunk deep in thought he heard a soft humming from beside him, "/Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,/" Arthur flinched, it was the words written during... that time. "/What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?/ Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?/" The man stopped singing, before breaking down and releasing all his tension. "Fuck them…" He watched the younger nation whisper out.

"All they do is fucking lie to my people!" Arthur winced at the sudden shouting. Everyone's eyes flew to the blonde superpower that had suddenly stood up and screamed. "They tell nothing but lies, they say the nation is doing well but I'm fucking not! Do they not see my suffering? How the stock market is continuing to crash! The government doesn't give a fuck anymore! People starving and you know what they do? They cut Medicare." His tone was harsh, as if he'd been holding this in for a really long time. The entire room was silent for once, not one of the over one hundred countries dared to speak up. "It's… it's not fair..." His voice started to choke, the emotions bubbling over. "It's not fucking fair!" "It's not… Hiccup .. Fair… it's not… it's not…" The once powerful nation was leaning over the table, tears streaking down his face.

The room continued to be silent and Arthur couldn't see a single dry eye. No one had realised what pain, what suffering the younger nation was going through. He is so young… Yet he's already been through so much. It's not like he's weak like either Italy brother or France, he's powerful. Arthur was sure everyone around the table, even the oblivious Spain, could feel the guilt wracked inside their bodies. Maybe it wasn't as strong as his. Maybe it didn't come from the love and protection he felt for Alfred, but they all were his allies, his friends.

He met eyes with Prussia, whom had tagged along with Germany for the meeting and was sitting next to Canada. The man sent a sympathetic smile his way and with a small hand gesture, told him to comfort Alfred. Arthur blinked his eyes glancing at the crumbling nation next to him and back to his… friend? He guessed they were kinda that now. Nodding once to him, he turned to the smaller nation, before startling everyone. He then hugged the man tightly to him-resting his head on the younger country's head. Arthur stroked his hands through the soft blonde hair, whilst the man sobbed into his shoulder. He knew Alfred hated it when he babied him like this, but the nation was allowing it.

"You'll make it Alfred…" The words started to slip of his tongue and out of his control. "I won't allow you to slip so easily, if you're gone who'll make all the stupid suggestions for me to shoot down?" Tears were sliding down is cheeks in pairs, more and more tumbling over as his speech slurred in between sobs. "You just can't go Alfred, no one here will allow it… We'll make sure of it… I swear.." He knew everyone's eyes were on them, watching him, but he did not care at all. Burying his face in the blonde hair, he let the man continue to cry into his shoulder, whilst he cried into his hair. Then words tumbled off his lips again, starting off as garbled and slowly turning into an old familiar lullaby.

"Come stop your crying
it will be all right
just take my hand

Hold it tight

I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry."

The song carried around the room, echoing in everyone's ear. Anyone who had a version of this song in their country quickly understood that Alfred very much appreciated this song, enough to have Walt Disney incorporate it into one of his movies. As Arthur listened, he heard Alfred's breathing slowed, until it was steady and no sobs continued. The man had drifted off to sleep on his shoulder, at the realisation of this, England's face flushed a deep red, causing aforementioned Spaniard to exclaim, "Look Lovi! His face looks just like yours when you look like un poco de tomate*!"

Arthur smiled gently as he watched the younger nation spin around to the curly-haired idiot and retort. "Don't you dare call me that!" although his face turned a red that beat his own blush any day. The two were so obviously crazy about one another; Romano just had a funny way of showing it. Arthur understood that funny way, because it was his own way of showing his affection for people. He glanced down at the sleeping figure thinking, how does he show his affection? Does he shower them with love, or is he like Romano and me? He glanced at Germany, who caught his eye and nodded affirmatively.

"I declare this meeting adjourned!" A sigh of relief echoed throughout the room. As Arthur truly took a look around, he saw Canada sobbing his poor little heart out and… "Oh bloody hell no!" He hissed under his breath. The nation was being comforted… but by the wrong person! "Chut chut mon amour, ne pleure pas, l'Angleterre a calmé votre frère. L'Amérique sera fine*."

France. Of course France would make a movie on the young naïve country. He would move onto territory that was already claimed by his best friend. Did he not notice the Prussian on the opposite side of him, looking like his heart was broken? Where was the confident, 'awesome' Gilbert? Why didn't he attack Francis? It's because he's already given up. The words echoed in his mind as reality sunk in. Here he was, practically snuggling with Alfred, and Gilbert was suffering. Arthur knew this wasn't the only cause. Just recently had the man begun to act himself again, after Elizaveta dumped him because of some reason between themselves. All he knew is that by the lovey-dovey way Hungary and Austria acted around one another, they weren't 'just friends' anymore. So in reality, Gilbert was suffering two losses, both by close or formerly close friends. Ouch.

His body began to ache under the weight of the younger man. He couldn't hold him like he used to, back when he was just a baby nation. Quickly he thought of an idea.

"Matthew!" The nation across from him looked up in shock, not used to being recognised by England, "Help me carry your brother to his room please?" He politely asked and the man nodded quickly, wiping away the tears in his eye. France released his grip on him and Matthew stood up and walked over to England, lifting his twin off of Arthur. Arthur then stood up himself and wrapped one of America's arms around his shoulder, whilst Canada did the same on the other side.

It was silent the entire trip to Alfred's room, which it turned out to be Matthew's room as well. When they reached the door Canada opened the door and let Arthur in with America's sleeping body. He gently laid the man down, softly placing his head on the pillow. He sat beside the bed on a chair that Matthew had pulled up for him. One of his hands was resting in America's hair, the other one holding his hand. Sighing softly, he gazed with a parental loving look at the young nation. That's when ideas hit him; they started flowing through his mind. He had to write these down before they left him. He looked up and saw a smirk on Canada's face before nodding saying, "Gil told me, go ahead back to your room. Better get your butt in gear to start that letter; you only have three more days."

A/N:

Translations:

un poco de tomate- A little tomato

Chut chut mon amour, ne pleure pas, l'Angleterre a calmé votre frère. L'Amérique sera fine-Hush, Hush my love, do not cry. England calmed your brother down. America will be fine.

Any translations that are off, blame google translate. I don't know French or Spanish. –taking Latin- XD

I really. Really. REALLY. Enjoyed writing this chapter, I just hope I didn't let you down!

Like I mentioned before, the events in this story are based on real-life actions between her and my friends that are like the characters.

She really did say that thing about a date, but it was to go see the movie How to Train Your Dragon.

Ciao everyone!

Awesome people review, are you feeling awesome today? –bricked-