So this is the Gilbert comes visit chapter. I've included a little more at the beginning and added a bit at the end.


There was a rustle outside. It had jolted Matthew out of his sleep; carefully he pulled the blankets up over his twin's head and nudged Nanuq awake. He motion for the bear to stay where he was as he grabbed the saber he had stashed by bed yesterday. The TV, which he had move to his bedroom, was still on, playing a non-stop marathon that they had been watching/listening to last night.

He heard the noise out side the living room window, quietly he moved to the side. Before pulling the head down, and raising his sword against the back of he neck.

"You have five seconds to explain yourself."

"Birdie, I didn't know you could be such a badass. I mean I knew you had potential with Vimey and all, but I haven't been greeted like this in a century. Except from Vash, now that I think about." Gilbert began to ramble, craning his head to look at Matthew, whose first expression was absolutely terrifying, along with the chills that ran down his back. But it was the look in his eyes that were most deadly. There was no doubt in his mind that if Gilbert had been a threat, he would be dead at the moment.

"Gilbert?" Matthew blinked, as he removed the blade from the back of his friend's neck. Yawning, he rubbed at his eyes with the other hand. "Sorry I must have forgotten to get my glasses. And I heard something outside that sound odd."

At this Gilbert's cheeks redden. He may have had a less then graceful moment tripping over a branch and falling into the bush outside of the window.

"What are you doing here?" Matthew continued on, still holding the blade at his side, as he helped Gil stand.

"I sent you a text like three days ago saying I would visit today and you responded…" Gilbert folded his arms against his chest, before appraising his friend. Especially the saber, generally Matthew would just summon his hockey stick from seemingly nowhere to deal with an unknown assailant. But the saber… French by design if he wasn't mistaken.

"Alright vhat's going on? Are you in trouble?" It was part of the reason he visited regularly, worried about the younger nation.

"No. It's just that-"

Matt! Al's distressed voice broke his sentence.

"Stay here." He gestured, before dashing off down the hall.

Matthew moved instantly to his twin, while setting the blade at the foot of the bed. He lifted the blankets off from his brother, looking for any side of bleeding.

"Shh. It's okay." He brushed back some of the American's hair. Alfred was just calling out in his sleep again, and hadn't really woken.

Gilbert ignored the order and followed. Before halting at the doorway, he was amazed at the tenderness that was display on his friend's face. He couldn't get a good look at the person on the bed from this angle.

But he suspected.

There were very few people that would cause Matthew to carry a sword to protect.

"You can come in." Matthew called without turning his head, still watching his twin for any other sign of distress. Al had settled back into a gentle sleep after Matthew had entered the room.

"Al?" Taking quiet steps over, Gil stood beside Matthew. He was surprised by how long Al's hair was now, and how similar it was to Matthew's. Then he noticed the cloth bandages that were wrapped around Alfred's eyes; he reached out a hesitant hand against the bruise on his cheek. It was sobering seeing how injured the super power was.

A million questions raced through his mind. How? How had Matthew found his brother, without notifying any of them? They had just spoken three days ago. But instead he merely stated the obvious.

"Man. Your dads must be relieved that Al is back."

Matthew blinked.

"Arthur and Francis?" Gilbert continued on.

"Oh." His mouth formed a small circle, and his eyes widened. Then he turned and gave Gilbert a sheepish look.

"You completely forgot to contact them, didn't you?" Gilbert asked.

Matthew nodded.

"You're a terrible son."

"They weren't the best parents either." He shot back instantly.

"That is an understatement. But you should probably call them. I know Francis has been worried sick. Despite the fact that he might not constantly project it, he cares for Alfred too." He had mention as much at one of the bad touch trio meetings; they even ate ice cream together. Well it was gelato that Romano had given Spain.

"I'll ask Al, when he wakes up, if he wants Arthur and Francis to visit." He sighed, still a little surprised that he hadn't even thought about contacting them before now. He had been just so concerned with his twin that nothing else had seemed to matter.

"I'll hold you to it Birdie."

"Tweet!" Gilbird chirped in agreement from his newly nested position in Al's hair.

Mattie? His brother drowsy voice called out across the bond, moving a little on the bed and causing a sleepy Nanuq to roll onto the ground. The bear merely curled back up again, and went back to sleep.

"Al." Matthew reached for his brother's hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Tweet! Tweet!" Gilbird fluttered down, only to nuzzle against Alfred's cheek.

Wha… A bird? Al raised his injured hand lightly against the small bird, which was surprisingly soft. The bird playful nipped at his fingers.

"Mein awesome Gilbird voke the sleeping beauty." Gilbert laughed.

Gil? There was a note of confusion in Al's voice.

"Yes, he had popped in for a visit." Matthew spoke out loud, mostly so Gilbert could have some idea of what was going on. Are you okay with him being here? I'll kick him out if you want me to.

It okay. Al's words were slurred even in his thoughts. Largely in part to Matthew continuing to give him medication for now, because Matt can still feel the pain his brother was in. Alfred felt like he was wrapped in cotton at the moment. He knew he was hurt. The reasons had drifted away into a great black hole of insanity that would suck him in too if he went too close to it. He felt the shards that would pierce through and give him nightmares that he couldn't-won't-remember.

But for now he would enjoy the feeling of the sun's warmth on his face, and the care Matthew particularly radiated. Although Gilbert's bird had began to preen his hair and it was starting to tickle.

"How are you feeling, Al?" Gilbert's words gentled, as he reached over to push aside a stray hair.

Al lifted his right hand in a little wave.

"I'm taking that to mean awesome! Anyvay, Birdie vanted to ask you something."

Al smiled a little at awesome, though he felt the tide of sleep rising to claim him again. But he squeezed Matt's hand when Gilbert mentioned him.

"I was wondering…" Matthew glared at Gilbert for a moment, before turning his attention back on his brother, while keeping his voice calm. "If you want Dad and Papa to come visit?"

Hmm…Alfred titled his head, sleepily, before nodding slowly. That'd be nice.

"Why don't you have some water and broth, before you drift back to sleep?"

K. He smiled in response. Not really paying attention.

"I knew it." Gilbert muttered to Matthew, while the other was getting up for the kitchen. "I knew you still considered those two as Väter."

"Shut up, Gil." Matthew cheeks redden a bit. He wasn't embarrassed by it. It's just if those two knew, they would get all sorts of mushy on him. "Could you keep Al awake for a little while?"

"Ja." Gilbert sat down at the edge of the bed by the American, and took Alfred's right hand, the other had a cast around it. "So ve totally been missing you at the Awesome Trio meetings."

Then he grinned widely.

"In fact the Dane has been vailing this vhole time about you being gone. He's been blubbering nonstop. And our pranks just haven't been-dare I say it- awesome lately. But the other day mein bruder and Italia vere out having a picnic…" Gilbert continued on telling some story about Hungary, Germany and Italy chasing Denmark and him down. Though Hungary reason was entirely different then the other two.

Alfred had promptly fallen asleep after picnic.

Matthew returned nearly thirty minutes later from the kitchen with three bowls of warm chicken noddle soup and glasses of water balanced on a tray. Only to chuckle at the part of the tale that Gilbert had gotten to, and that Alfred had dozed off.

"I ask you to keep him awake, not lull him to sleep with your boring story." Matthew teased as he set the tray down on the end table. "Help me shift him to a sitting position so he can eat."

Once Alfred was situated, Matthew gently shook his right shoulder. Al. Wake up. You need to eat.

Hmm… He nodded his head.

Please wake up. Matthew was worried with how much Alfred had been sleeping, he was worry that his brother wasn't actually getting better.

Awake. Al put his hand on Matthew's. Food?

Yeah. Matthew reached for a bowl that was more broth then anything else, before setting it on a tray in Alfred's lab. He then sat next to his brother on the bed. Do you want me to help you?

Can you show? It smells good. I'll feed myself. Al put a hand under his brother's, letting himself be guided to the placement of the spoon and the bowl. I can manage. He knew he was worrying his brother, but there wasn't much he could do.

"So how does your bond thing vork exactly?" Gilbert broke the silence, having watched the scene, and feeding Gilbird bits of crackers that Matthew had brought. The soup was good. "I mean you just send out thoughts to each other right? 'Cause I think the Italies might have something similar as well. They do get the veird silent thing as vell, and giving looks at each other. Though half the time Romano just randomly curses at his brother."

"We just kind of project the thoughts we want heard to each other." Matthew spooned a little of his own soup as he spoke. "It's limited by distance though, sort of similar to average wifi. Tends to work best when we are in the same building."

Alfred nodded in response, sipping delicately at the soup. His throat was still really sore, and he didn't even try speaking. He didn't know if he could. Most of his pain, he suspected was dulled by what ever meds the doctor had prescribed for him. Which meant his throat in reality, probably felt like he swallowed a raging inferno.

"Speaking of vifi, you should contact your parents." Gilbert re-iterated, while he slurped at his bowl of soup. He forgot nothing. (It was part of the reason why he has a wonderful archive of journals…Not diaries.)

"You are never letting that go are you. I'm just worried about the security of a phone call or an email. Even if I don't say anything directly, I don't want to tip anyone off." Matthew helped Alfred hold the glass of water as Al drank from the straw. (He had put it in earlier to make things easier for his brother.) His arm was still too shaky and he was afraid it would spill.

"You are being paranoid. If you just say 'Papa or Daddy I vant you to come visit me.' They vould run right over." Gilbert clasped his hands in a pleading expression as he tried to mimic Matthew's voice, knocking an elbow into his empty bowl of soup.

"But then they would be blindsided…" Matthew trailed off, spoon in mid air. Before he jabbed the spoon in Gilbert's direction, an idea shining in his eyes. "You know you could- "

"Nein." Gilbert made an X with his arms. "Francis, I could tell, but I am not going to England. He'll become the Dread Pirate Kirkland the moment I so much as say Alfred's name. I don't vant to have mein ass kicked by him."

Alfred nearly spat out his soup at the mention of Dread Pirate Kirkland. He silently snickered at the image of Arthur going all pirate on Gilbert. Please. Can we get a recording of that?

Matthew smirked in return, when he caught the thought from his brother.

"It would make Al happy."

Alfred nodded rapidly in response.

"Especially if you recorded it." Matthew coaxed. "It could be a small camera, and we wouldn't show it to anyone else."

"They'll be annoyed with you, that you didn't call them about it." Gilbert added in a last ditch effort to avoid his fate.

Matthew merely turned the kick-puppy look on.

"Fine, and I'll tell them both at the same time. But know it's my get vell present to you, Al. Vho else vill villingly face the most vicious pirate of all time for their friend?" It would make his friend happy to see his father figure go pirate. He was doing this for his friend. It was a noble cause.

And this was the most secure way of getting the message across. He was in groups with both of them (separate, but he could arrange for them to both be there at once, without making anyone suspicious.) He may have done that once! Just once! He scheduled all his group meetings for the same day. No one was very pleased with him.

"Is there anything else either of you vant me to get vhile I'm out?"

Mana. Alfred perked up at the thought, placing his spoon in his bowl. England had it last, so maybe…

Mana? Matthew echoed trying to place the name. Isn't that the stuff rabbit* you carried around with you as a child?

I'd given to Arthur when he left. He has it. That way Arthur'll trust Gil's words. Feeling tired again, Alfred leaned against Matthew and let his eyes closed.

"Could you ask Arthur to bring Mana? It'll probably prevent him from actually hurting you." Matthew carefully put the tray back onto the end table. He was surprised that Al finished a little more then half of his soup.

"Ja." Gilbert agreed just as Gilbird chirped from his shoulder, before flapping back over to Alfred landing right by his hand.

"Vhat do you say Gilbird, do you vant to stay with these two for me?" The bird soft tweeted, flying up to nuzzle against Alfred's cheek again.

Al just sleepily smiled with his head resting against Matthew's shoulder.

"You should finish up your soup, Birdie." Gilbert gave his friend a critical look, noticing the dark circles beneath purple eyes.

Merely nodding, Matthew forwent the spoon and just drowned the rest of the broth from the bowl directly. They both were quiet for a moment, watching as Al's breaths evened out and the nation was sound asleep again.

Shifting in his seat, Matthew pulled his brother against him so that he could rest more comfortable. Keeping his voice low, he ran his free hand through his hair.

"I can't believe that I forgot to contact Dad and Papa. I've just been so worried about Al." He glanced down at his twin, before pulling him a little closer.

"That was the most he spoken to me in days, Gil. He's been mostly just sleeping, which I know is just due to the painkillers he's been on. But… He's not healing right." One hand lightly traced the wrapping that was around Al's eyes.

"Ve only get this bad vhen something is vrong with the nation itself, or if the majority of the people are sick like with the Black Death." Bending down before the two, Gilbert glanced over Al. The nation was covered with bandages. He didn't know how to help; all he knew was the basic fast patch up necessary for the middle of a battle.

"Which isn't it. His economy is stable at the moment. And the only major commotion is the impeachment and persecution of several of his government officials, including that bastard."

"At least ve von't have to vorry about him fad- " Gilbert stopped in the middle, before back tracking. The barest mention of that could send Matthew into overdrive stress mode. "Several of us are concern for him, even if they normally vouldn't admit it. I'll go get Francis and Arthur. They'll be able to help out better."

"Are you going to nation jump there?" Matt blinked at Gilbert. He was exhausted too. Especially from the nightmares that Al wouldn't remember happening. He couldn't help but wonder how much Alfred actually recalled from his disappearance, or he was beginning to remember things.

"Ja." Gilbert smiled and gave a little wave, before leaving out of the door. Matthew watched from the window as he disappeared.


Gilbert landed in London. He had meant to go to France, but he thought about Arthur's reaction and ended up on the outskirts of the city near Arthur's house. He could easily convince Francis to harass Arthur with him…

'Meet me at Arthur's place. I have an idea.' There that was normal enough. It should provide him a little bit of protection. If anything he could just use Francis as a body shield.

'Certainly mon ami.' The phone chimed a second later, within an instant Francis just appeared at his side. Gilbert jumped a little at the sudden appearance.

"So what do you have planned?" Francis grinned at his side; he could use some fun. It might even cheer up the Brit as well.

"Well. It's a surprise." Gil laughed, as he walked up to the door. Not at all nervous about this. He was bringing good news. Though he could only imagine his reaction if he heard about Germany after he had been missing for years.

He should have convinced Matthew to contact them, but he was right. This was the most secure way, no risk of anyone over hearing. All the nations took precautions against spies now.

"I look forward to it." France shrugged his shoulders and decided to just go with it. Gilbert was fidgeting a bit more then normal-nervous. Hadn't he gone to visit Mathieu recently?

"Ve're visiting. Anyone home?" Bursting the door open, Awesomeness does not knock… Unless it is Hungary's place. Then he does.

"Angleterre! Gilbert has news from Mathieu." France called out from the parlor's entrance.

"Vhat? How did you know?" Gil turned to his friend; he wasn't that obvious was he. He had barely said anything.

"I guessed. You were just at his house."

"Did something happen to Matthew?" Arthur thundered down the steps from the second floor, before standing directly in front of Gilbert. His eyes were ablaze, as he reached for Gilbert's collar.

"Keep calm." France grabbed England's elbow.

"I know my own bloody motto." Arthur stepped back and shrugged off Francis' hand. "I'll go make us some tea and scones. It's time for afternoon tea anyway. Then Gilbert will explain what is going on. It isn't urgent right?"

"Nien. It vould be better if I explain." He shook his head.

"Very well." Arthur nodded, before turning for his kitchen.

Tea was good. Gil thought. It wasn't rum. If it was, then he would run and just tell Francis later.

"I'll help you with the snacks." Francis rushed off after Arthur, Gil followed at his heels.

Arthur set the kettle on, before he argued with Francis over the snacks while he prepared the tea. Gil merely leaned on one side, watching and thinking of how he was going to phrase his words.

"Out with it Prussia. What message do you have that Matthew didn't trust any electronic device with?" Arthur leveled him with a look, while he set the three cups on the table and sat down. Francis followed a moment later with a plateful of crescent rolls.

"I vent to visit Birdie this morning, well it was just afternoon for me, for some pancakes." Gil took a bite out of one of the crescents that Francis had made. It was butter perfection. "And he greeted me with a saber. Now I vas put out by this, seeing as how I had sent him a text saying I'll be visiting."

"A saber?" Francis gave a small smile, but his gaze sharpened. Arthur merely raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I was expecting a hockey stick, so it was a surprise. It made sense now that I think about it." Gilbert paused. Then he gave England a look, before glancing to the window.

"My home is perfectly secured." Arthur interrupted the glance for what it was, as he sipped his tea. His mind was racing.

"He had an injured guest over."

"One of his féres? I know Nouvelle-Zélande likes to visit him at times." Francis guessed, but he was beginning to suspect who it was. If New Zealand had been hurt, Canada would have called England. And they would already be aware of the news.

"Ja. But nicht Neuseeland."

"How injured?" Arthur's emerald eyes sparked with a quite intensity as he set his teacup down.

"He is stabile, but he asked for Mana."

"Mana?" Leaping up, Arthur rounded Gilbert. His stance was every inch the Empire that he once was. The ghost of power glimmered in his eyes.

Gil nodded.

"I'll go get it and gather my things. You-" He pointed at Gilbert. "are coming with me. If this is some prank-"

"I do not make jokes about this. He is mein Freund. Both of them are." Gilbert's red gaze was fierce in return. However, he didn't have time to get in a bawl with Arthur. "And you might want to grab any healing magic books you have. I don't know if your magic works, but-"

"That bad." Arthur steeled himself for whatever condition his son would be in. "I'll go gather my things." He left the room headed directly for his basement. Mentally going over a list of materials he would need.

The velvet rabbit was perched on his worktable. Its dark buttons for eyes were in sharp contrast with the white that had yellowed from the years. Picking it up, he studided it for a moment. It still held traces of Alfred's scent. He shouldn't be too surprised that Alfred remember that old rabbit. The one he had insisted on giving England for his journey over the ocean.

He could remember the bright concern eyes, under wheat hair that danced with the wind. He was in that adorable outfit, holding the little stuff animal up for his father.

"It'll protect you Engwand for me." The young voice echoed in his mind, along with the child standing at the pier with him, with a gentle sea breeze. There had been a glimmer of tears in his sky blue eyes.

"Thank you, America." He had knelt down, and then embraced the child. "I promise I'll be back soon."

"Prowise?"

Shaking his head, Arthur dispelled the memories. He needed to focus on the present. Picking up the jumper he had made, he began gathering the rest of his list.


After Arthur had left, Francis immediately turned to Gilbert.

"It is really Amérique?" He whispered. They have been looking for so long for him, trying to avoid the line of treading on an international incident. But no one could find out anything about what was going on. He had continued to live with a sinking suspicion that something terrible wrong was happening. "How?"

"I don't know." He set the tea down, even if he would much prefer a beer at this moment. This was bringing back too many memories of having been separated from Germany all those years. He wanted to help those two, like they helped him all those years ago.

"Birdie is stressed. I don't think he's been sleeping as much as he needs. And Al didn't say a vord vhen I vas there. But he's been eating and in bright spirits. Matt has been feeding him broth mostly. So he's not on an IV." He smiled at the memory of the younger nation's grin.

"I think it has been difficult for Mathieu. But I am relieved that the two are together again. We can help them now. But you have no idea what happen?" Francis tried to image what was going on. He hadn't suspected that Alfred would be injured. They all agreed that he was just being isolated, that he should be safe in his own country, that his government would protect him.

"I vasn't there for long. And Birdie vas focused on Al more then anything else. He had forgotten to even contact the two of you. I reminded him." Gilbert gave a small grin at that, knowing how worried the two nations could get. "Ve're going have to come up vith a Dread Captain Kirkland story."

"No. You are not. I will, the best story." Arthur interrupted with a suitcase at his side, and a velvet bunny in his arms. One of the ears flopped down. It must have been an expensive gift from the time era it was from.

"You always paint yourself as the hero when you tell those stories." Francis argued, remembering the few times when they brought the little colonies together to play, even if they, themselves were fighting half the time.

"No. I do not." Arthur disagreed, but he was smiled in spite of himself. "Are you ready to go?"

"I'll meet you there. I need to stop by my home and pick up a few things." Maybe he could find something that would cheer up the American, besides fine food.

"I hope Mathieu's kitchen is stocked up, but I doubt it. Last time I checked he had the place covered with Kraft's Mac and Cheese." Francis wrinkled his nose in distaste. Though the Matt's pancakes were delightful and acceptable as breakfast. Mac N Cheese was not. He had been horrified at what he saw.

Giving a slight wave, he stepped out of the door and winked out of site.

"Let's be off." Arthur hurried out of the door a moment later, locking it on his way out, while one hand wrapped around Gilbert's elbow. He thought of Matthew's house. They were gone the next instant.


Please let me know what you think by reviewing. And thank you to Liz-Blizz for your kind words.