Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or any characters associated with it.

Warnings: This FanFiction contains Male Pregnancy and Genderbending, if these things offend or make you uncomfortable find something else to read that you actually want to.

Notes: Thank you for taking the time to read my work I greatly appreciate it. Feel free to comment just know while I appreciate constructive criticism, comments regarding how Male Pregnancy is impossible or inappropriate will be ignored. Once again if you have a problem with it I recommend you leave to read a piece that will make you happy. Last of all I will not be shipping, while it might seem strange romance is not the focus of this written work.

Thank you again for checking out my work and I hope you enjoy

Building Pressure- 8 Weeks Since

Arthur was a little annoyed when Crumpet jumped and snuggled in his embroidery while he was on the phone with Canada. He gave a halfhearted swat at the feline on his lap but she remained looking at him smugly. Oh, she would be shooed off when he was done so he could right his work and finish it.

Presently he was seated in the sitting room around noon with clouds coming in from the west. He could just feel it; it was going to be another rainy Christmas. He switched the phone from one had to the other being mindful of the cord.

"And how many years did you live at that particular house?"

….

"And she really didn't know anyone lived there till you approached her? Ha, well I hope you gave her what she deserved then. How bloody disrespectful letting the dog dig and go loo in your yard."

….

Most of their conversations were fluff and meaningless, but England found it nice to talk. It seemed that since the trip to the mall his former colony called to talk. Not about much but for once he felt relieved that his relations with at least one of his former colonies was improving. He had tried contacting some of the other commonwealth and while all respectable it was clear they were busy or were taken off guard by his…. curiosity.

He sighed and rearranged the heating pad so it sat beneath his sore hips. The conversations with Canada was at the very least a very convenient distraction from the difficulties he had been having since America. Which was just one of the reasons he had been so 'feely' with other colonies and his Commonwealth. Just had to let them know that he cared, and sure maybe sending them all cards and extravagant gifts was much. He was sure that India was probably a little off put by England's sudden interest, and Australia and New Zealand were just tolerating him. But no matter it eased his nerves to know that they knew they were all appreciated.

"I... don't….no… I'll be fine, with some paracetamol I should be fine. I've been feeling a lot better lately." A lie, but he could get through it for the sake of the holidays. Their conversation had since turned to Christmas. He had convinced Canada that since the boy would be in Europe anyway to visit him on Christmas eve, however the boy had been a little hesitant with the stomach flu England just couldn't seem to get over.

They would have a grand time; England would make sure of it. He would just have finished a few things around the house decorating, attempt to get Wales out and try his hand at cooking. But since his slip up about doing something 'rash' Glynn was much more concerned with finding out what he did. The man's paranoia knew no bounds and found something new to settle on.

"Well I will see you on the 'morrow then."

He hung up and set the phone back on the stand and finally shoved off Crumpet, frowning a bit as his beautiful stitching was marred by cat hair. Really, he didn't mean to be so hard on his brother, he was the one that came and stayed after Alfred's passing. Not to mention he was trying to look after Arthur when he was ill. But the man would probably enjoy a Christmas with his sheep dog on his own land, but stubbornly he remained here not willing to move unless he knew exactly what had happened to Arthur.

Speaking of the man he was just about to start his embroidery again when the dark-haired man sauntered in. In his hands was tray of tea that he gently placed on the end table situated between England's seat and the seat across from it. After which Glynn settled himself in the chair and grabbed his cup. He looked to Arthur sipping at his cup with pleasant expression but the way his thin lips were set in a frown bespoke his true intentions.

"It looks like it's going to start raining soon…" The man commented; Arthur nodded but never really looked up instead fastening gold thread to start the rays of sun on the seen he was slowly putting together. He heard his brother sigh in frustration but didn't bother looking back up.

"Drew-ghee why can't you just tell me what you did, it has been weeks. You look horrible and your health is failing. And I have a feeling that whatever you did is the source of this all."

Arthur jerked to a stop and looked up; this bluntness wasn't normal for his brother. Where was the twenty minutes of small talk that eventually lead up to the point. Looking back up at Wales he could see the hardness in his brother's darker eyes and the frustration in the set of his brows.

Arthur looked back down and frowned as he weighed his options. If he had it his way his brother would forget it, he would recover from whatever he contracted and things would go back to normal. But unfortunately, that was not on the table, his brother's anxiety wouldn't lift until he confessed. There was no chance however that he would just freely admit a failure especially to his brother. Perhaps if he just told part of it, he could omit certain information such as the wand and the objective failure, he could salvage his pride and pacify his brother.

"Scotland has probably...and Aiden too I guess…. or even... No, whatever you did I mean, can't be worse than whatever you could have done laggard. Because you were probably drunk right, you always get drunk...when…?" Wales tried to encourage, his voice going soft again losing the anger he carried earlier.

"No," England sighed finally giving as he turned to face his brother. Prepared to give what he deemed necessary

"I was desperate, he was gone and it was…. was…...my fault." England started, the anger and sorrow suddenly rising and his voice going higher in pitch.

"So, I had to do something I couldn't just bloody mope when what had happened. So, I did some searching, after all mother left us information on magic for reason. I would be a fool if I didn't use it…"

His brother paled and his frown managed to deepen as well at the mention of their mother and magic. Perhaps it was because his older brother had stronger memories of her and actually remembered her but he held all of her belongings on a pedestal. Thus, using what she provided made Glynn, perhaps not all out angry, but…. He watched as his brother knuckles turn white, stressed. Too bad it too late to back out at this point.

"There was a way, an enhancement of sorts described in one of the writings about a second chance…. A way to bring people back. I didn't have it, searched the everywhere but couldn't find it. But what I could find pointed to one place, a hag's book. And there was one that years ago I had helped I knew she would."

He paused suddenly as he watched his brother's eyes go wide and suddenly stand up.

"You went to Witch; you trusted a Witch!" His brother nearly yelled

"Witches… no one can trust the damned things, Arthur there was a reason we burned them… yes there were some innocent women who were probably…. But that's not the point you went to a Witch in hopes to bring the dead back. She probably twisted things, set a curse on you or…. we should call the American embassy there is no telling what she could have done!"

Arthur stood up in retaliation, anger brewing. His brother just didn't get it, sometimes the goal was more important than the details.

"I was desperate, you wouldn't know what it feels like to be in my situation, how guilty I felt. Yes, she was Witch but she had what I needed."

"This is much worse then what happened in 1365, this is why you never trust a witch. Didn't you learn from me…. I was out of it for at least 2 or three years, no decades…. Wait Arthur come back here!?"

Arthur started marching to his room, the good mood that he had been enjoying as of late dissipating entirely. He should have never given an inch on the issue, brother or not he should have known that Wales wouldn't sympathize.

"Piss of Wales, I don't want to see you anymore you tosser!" Arthur barked reaching his room and slamming the door behind him.

Sitting on his bed he could hear his brother's knocking and voice quiet before dying out altogether. He had to go to her, there was no other choice, who could blame him for doing whatever he could to bring back his little one.

As predicted rain was pouring down creating a soft drumming outside. He heard it so many times ever since he was little but he couldn't bother to be annoyed by the weather at the point. With how his life was going nowadays he could use some normalcy. He was finishing setting up an antique Christmas decoration, it was one of his favorites and he made sure to put it up every year. He remembered buying not too long ago, but with the way time passed to a human his poor little horse drawn sled had become very dated indeed.

He worked on pushing it safely from the ledge of the piano lest Crumpet get any ideas, and Christmas Eve he really didn't need anything else to go wrong. He stood back up and looked to where Glynn had disappeared to not too long ago. He was helping Arthur set his house up for the holidays but had disappeared as soon as the home phone started going off.

Which was beneficial, there was still tension between the two, it worsened if anything. They had yet to speak and Glynn hadn't even mentioned the weather yet. He could finally breathe, somewhat, he took out a handkerchief and blew, of all the times to get a runny nose.

It was well that he had only a few pieces of decor to finish setting in place. It would be awhile before Mathieu would come but it never hurt to be prepared. It also gave himself time to tidy himself as well as medicate and collect himself enough that his recent afflictions wouldn't be much of a bother.

Satisfied with the work he went to the worn box cradling the rest of the holiday items. Picking up an old wooden sled with bells he went to put it on an end table when his stomach growled. Odd and a bit frustrating that he was hungry when the entire night before he had been rushing to the toilet to vomit, but perhaps it was a sign he was getting better. He could grab some fruit and tea in the kitchen and the head off to get ready. The rest of the decorations he was sure his brother could put up just fine.

Stepping into the Kitchen he found his brother hanging up the phone. Before he could enquire about the call his brother beat him to it.

"Wrong number…...guy was lost I think and he needed directions to me…...well my land...yeah…" his brother didn't meet his eyes as he rambled and his voice was lighter than normally was."

"Never mind that… it was just a wrong number."

Arthur's lips thinned as he tried to distinguish what his older brother was doing. He spent an awfully long time on the phone for it to be some stranger calling for directions. However, his stomach clenched and he was reminded why he was there. At this point he wasn't even sure he cared, asking could mean that their conversation could quickly go back to the day before.

He took out a cup for his tea and started some water on the kettle ignoring the feeling of his brother staring at him till the man walked out of kitchen. Waiting for the water to boil England scanned his pantry trying to find something he was actually hungry for. Eventually grabbing a couple of oranges and a few slices of cheese everything else seemed rather unappetizing at this point.

He rubbed his face, more than a little worried by the lack of facial hair. He hadn't shaved since yesterday morning but it was unnerving as he didn't even have a five o'clock shadow no his face was smooth and clean.

He rubbed at the mirror trying to clear it a little more the precipitation from his shower away. But no amount of clearing the mirror changed the image before him. He backed off a little and loosened the hold of the towel wrapped around him, it was true he wasn't himself since his visit with her and he had felt so...strange. But if Wales was right, at least if she he had done something more sinister it would mean he could be in more trouble than he had originally thought.

Gently he dropped the towel, with how ill he had been he had avoided looking at his body. Being unwell never made one's body to appealing, and he wasn't too keen on seeing his sickened body. But he had to look now, if there were other changes to his form it could be concluded that this was more than a simple stomach bug.

Looking across the mirror he got a clear look at himself and the blood from his face drained and he felt faint. He grabbed on to the ledge of the counter. Glynn was right and he cursed his brother, the damned witch and himself. Because in the mirror all the little aches and sores he had paid no mind to was a symptom of something much worse.

In short, his body had become frightfully disfigured, as his hips seemed to have flared out and he could see a little of the outline pelvic bone sticking out. It explained the soreness and the tight fit of his pants but his body had never changed this much before.

Being a nation and a rather prude one at that he didn't really think much of his male anatomy but it didn't stop him from being disturbed to see everything down there smaller and pushed up. His once firm chest on his slim frame seemed to be 'fattened' at himself it was almost as if his body was becoming more…..feminine, and so suddenly the familiar feeling nausea returned. Most of the changes were subtle enough but to Arthur the could only be a sign of what was to come.

He grabbed at the towel and rewrapped himself, sitting down on the edge of the bathtub. He would have to... to...apologize to Wales for not heeding his advice and blowing up on the poor man. He would then have to put everything else on hold and start looking for a cure or a counter spell or something to reverse this. He might have to go out for that Witch, but everything was going to be harder without his…... Wand. Traded that invaluable item because he was sure that at this point, he would have America back. He didn't, he had a curse and was at a deficit at fixing it.

He put his head in his hands as a hopelessness seemed to swallow him, bloody hell he felt like sobbing but what pride he did have prevented him from doing so. He was set to sit there and think for a while but the bustling sound from movement reminded him of his Brother who still remained. Eventually the thought forced him to get back up and dress before speaking with his brother.

He had just exited the shower room and entered the dining room when he found his older brother. The man was already staring at him expectantly more than likely sensing the shift in Arthur's mood. England for his part looked at Glynn gathering the courage to give an apology when the doorbell suddenly rang. However, neither moved for it, Wales still looking at the blond waiting for some sort of response.

The bell rang a second time, looking at the clock it was undoubtedly Canada. If he gave and told Glynn about the changes meant that more than likely Wales would escalate things even further. The Welshman loathed the dark enchantresses and their curses how he would react could mean postponing anything to do with the Holidays.

Looking down and away from Wales, Arthur thought carefully about how he should handle things. It would probably be better if he cancelled everything till, he could figure this whole thing out. But he couldn't just shoo Canada away when he was already here. So far, he had been fine, maybe not in the best of health but he had been functional, surely one more day couldn't worsen his situation any further. No…. he could wait, if he could handle the black plague and move on through it, he could handle one more day before working on a cure.

The doorbell rang and this time Arthur snapped back to attention and without a word ran to the door to answer it. Without any delay he opened the door to his former colony only to jump a bit to see that behind him was no other than France.

He hesitated a bit not sure whether to be surprised or angered as the Frenchman greeted him in his stupid language. Canada seemed rather nervous yet gave a small smile and hugged his polar cub in his arms. He wondered if France coming was planned or if the Frog felt he needed to insert himself in this visit.

"Que? Vas-tu laissé nous dans ou tu nous veux devenues trempés?"

Arthur frowned and rolled his eyes. This was supposed to be with Canada only, just because England invited Mathieu did not mean he wanted France there as well.

"Francis, what are you doing here don't you have things to be doing before Christmas?" he grumbled angrily

"Oui, but I thought it be best to spend this wonderful time of year with friends, it has been awhile since we spent any holiday together!" Francis raised his voice in exclamation but England's brows rose at the tone. He knew his 'friend' well enough to know that something more was up.

France was good enough reason to close the door immediately but unfortunately it would be ungentlemanly to have invited Canada only to slam the door in his face when he brought his original colonizer. He sighed and opened the door wider to let the two in from the rain.

"Fine, but mark my words France test me and I will send you out, the rain and the season be damned." England put in as Francis waltzed in with no worry and promptly ignored him.

At that time Glynn came walking in and waved a greeting to the newcomers. While France recognized him, Mathieu wasn't too familiar with the man and the two were reintroduced. Once upon a time when Mathieu was younger, he had met all Arthur's older brothers it had been awhile. Where Canada was easily forgotten Wales simply hid away and let Arthur interact with other countries so it had been awhile for the boy.

England originally had plans to go out and do some festive activities but just as they were going to enjoy some simple lunch before they went out the bloody nausea returned. Very quickly it was decided by all members with exclusion of them that they ought to find things to do around the house.

It found them doing simple stuff like watching movies or talking, Francis had decided to make biscuits and other festive treats with Canada and Glynn if he wanted. The only drawback was that England was banned, even his own brother admitted that no one really would like to have the house burn down on Christmas eve. While they were doing relaxed things there was an uneasiness in the air, and England hated that it mostly surrounded him. The air between him and Wales wasn't yet clear and Mathieu and Francis seem to be quite keen on observing him. They would be watching something and he would find either one looking at him before glancing away when they saw they were caught.

It made him uneasy thinking that the only reason those two came was that they probably knew something was off. What they were planning to do about it was a mystery but it made Arthur think twice on how he was being seen by the rest of the world.

Eventually after dinner they all found themselves seated in the sitting room with only the lights from the faux tree illuminating their environment. Arthur was reclined comfortably, half hoping that he wouldn't fall asleep while his guests were still here. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as Mathieu looked at the lights distantly .

"He always made it a competition," the boy looked over at the rest of them.

"Every year with the stupid lights. Made it some big thing and always tried to make me play along. And every year he would make his house into some blinding show and then declare himself the winner. I hated that he did it then, but I kinda miss it now."

While he didn't mention the person by name all of them knew who the boy was talking about. The mood took a more somber tone with everyone waiting quietly for the other country to continue. Canada for his part looked away into the lights of the Christmas tree with an all too serious mood.

"There was one year however, I just didn't have the time to put to put up any lights, even for my own sake. Thought he would really have pushed it in my face that he won, but he didn't, instead he came over one day insisting that he help e. Rambled on about how he needed someone to beat, ended up staying the whole day there stringing lights up." Mathieu continued, however his expression became softer and there was now a hint of a smile.

"I minded alittle, but being honest he just hung out, joking and being his normal crazed self. And by the end my house was just as over the top flashy as his had been, and yeah he still named himself the winner but he made it kind of…..fun."The boy finished looking back to the rest of the group.

France nodded supportively but england was finding it hard to express anything. It was two months ago no but he still felt like he was going to start sobbing. He remembered the Christmases and Boxing days spent with the boy, although they were few and far after his independence.

He thought back to a decade ago when they had spent parts of the Holiday together. Alfred had been so insistent that they do something fun regardless of the storm raging outside. England had of course refused several times arguing that the time was better spent in the house. Hinting that reading might better the boy's miniscule brain. However it only ended up America declaring that he was going out, and Arthur found himself going out because he feared what might happen to his land unsupervised.

Because most places were closed they spent most o f the time freezing their s=arses off and talking. Which Arthur would be hard pressed to say he didn't enjoy it, most of the time they spent together was fighting and arguing but this time they were genuinely talking to each other and catching up. It did end with America's shenanigans going wrong and him ending up in the pond which put a damper on the day, but it Arthur still saw it as time well spent. Especially since those days could no longer be and he was to blame.

Without much control and despite his best efforts he eventually gave in and felt tears start running down his face. He screwed his eyes shut and tried to keep his breathing even. There was no reason to be crying, everyone else seemed to be able to hold themselves together but he was still losing his control of his emotions. There was a dip in the seat beside him and someone patted his back in comfort, he looked up to find it was Mathieu who had moved to sit by him with soft smile on his face, to which he took a breath to eae himself and gave small smile back in enough it was France who came oer that was patting at his back being unusually supportive. Normally he would swat the other man's hand away but things were getting strange enough to begin with and it never hurt to have some comfort from a….. friend.

However after he calmed himself down the time came for Canada and France to head back, leaving him alone again with his brother. In the dim light he sipped slowly at a cup of tea, injust a few minutes he would retire to his room but first he needed to talk to Wales.

Said man was in the Kitchen on the phone in there, Arthur could hear the murmur of talking but couldn't quite pinpoint what the man was saying. Soon there was a silence followed with the clicking of the phone be put back and the Glynn came strolling out with a neutral expression on his face. Arthur swallowed calmed his features looked straight at his brother.

" I'm sorry Glynn, I haven't been treating you well these past few days. You have come to help me and I haven't been to gracious. " Arthur looked down fighting against his pride

"You were right too, I think there is something...wrong with me, I'll need to figure something out but you could probably go."

He looked up slowly, for once not quite sure how his Brother would reac. He wasn't quite sure how to feel when Glynn smiled softly at him with a bit of pity in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to say this Arthur but as your older brother I can't go. If you need help then I have to stay, maybe all four of us haven't always gotten along but now there is peace and ought to take advantage of that." his brother replied rather straightforwardly, and Arthur felt a bit happy and relieved at the message.

(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)

Being honest with himself he didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed. On one hand he now had proof that he was alive, on the other said proof was rather annoying. It was twitching, like the spasms one would get in their arm or leg, while they usually weren't to bad in his opinion as usually a good stretch got rid of them, they suddenly became the most horrible thing in his life at this point.

Because he really couldn't move his body the spasming he felt in his entre being was rather frustrating because not only was it not in his control but it wouldn't stop either and he tried...hard. Briefly he wondered if there were an nurse looking over his comatose body seeing him twitch and just letting it be out of some sense of amusement. Because seriously was there no drugs or something someone could give him to make his body quit with the twitching.

What seemed to be worse was that the longer things continued the longer the twitching lasted and the stronger it seems to get. He could feel this muscles contract and release over and over. Sometimes they would fade and he remained hopeful that they would have ended, but no it would begin right back again just given time.

But once again it insured Alfred that yes, he really was alive, but where and when and how still remained a mystery and at the end of the day he was still trapped.