Author's Note: Sorry for not updating yesterday, I found myself quite busy. But this is my longest chapter yet, so hopefully that makes up for it? Anyways, this chapter is definitely more fluff than any thing else. Sorry if you don't like fluff but I thought it would fit well in this part of the story so I put it in there. Don't worry though, next chapter will be back to more angst!

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

Word Count: 2,418

Chapter 3: Investigations, An Adventure in Baking, and A Sleepy Arthur

America woke only a short while later. England was still fast asleep beside him so he stood carefully. He really didn't want to wake him up. He headed down stairs quietly.

He was eager to do some research to try to figure out how to help England. Not knowing what type of poison, if that was what it was, he didn't know that either, wasn't helping at all, though.

He found himself silently hoping that it would pass on its own. He wasn't exactly sure of the probability of that, he had been throwing up blood after all. But still here he was hoping.

He knew that he would have to ask England about it if his state got worse but decided to leave it be for now. No need to upset England if it would get better on its own.

That rose another problem, though. England had tried to kill himself. Was he supposed to be treating him differently or would that just upset him? Acting like nothing happened felt wrong, though. And dangerous. What if he tried again? His head shot toward the stairs worriedly. It suddenly felt wrong to leave him alone.

After some research he came to a couple of conclusions: He would have to keep him in his eyesight at all times from now on and he would have to make sure there was nothing dangerous around him too. But he would have to be very nonchalant about it. He was almost certain that England would begin to question him if we wasn't careful.

With this in mind he headed back upstairs. He was already screwing up the first rule after all. "Aren't I just off to a wonderful start?" He mumbled to himself. He paused outside the bedroom door for a moment before pushing it open.

England was sitting up in bed and turned toward him in surprise when he opened the door. " How're you feeling?" America questioned.

England blinked as if he were struggling to comprehend the question before nodding. "I feel better."

"That's good." Came America's tense reply.

A long silence stretched out between the pair. Finally, England broke it. "Alfred? What's wrong?" England couldn't help but be scared. What if he screwed something up?

"N-nothing." America was horrible at this already.

"D-did I mess up?" The Island nation's voice was full of concern and worry. "Are you angry with me?"

"Angry? Of course not!" America couldn't believe what he was hearing! " Why would you ever think something like that?"

"I… you just seem upset." England wasn't meeting his gaze anymore.

America moved forward. He put a reassuring hand on the smaller nation's shoulder. "You didn't do anything. I just want you to feel better. Okay?" His voice was surprisingly calm, considering this was America after all.

England nodded in understanding. "I am feeling better." He reassured the American.

"I know. But I can't help but worry!" America said with a laugh.

A comfortable silence stretched out between the two. Before England spoke. "H-hey America?" He seemed anxious now.

America frowned. "Yeah?" He felt a frown pulling on his lips. England was freaking him out.

"Well… I was just wondering if you would…" The island nation was fidgeting now. His hands occupied with picking at the stitches on the blanket. " Would show me how to bake something?"He glanced up, meeting America's gaze, a light blush coloring his cheeks.

America felt relief wash through him and then surprise. It seem such a weird thing to ask considering their conversation before this and it didn't help the the question was coming from England of all people. "You want me to show you how to bake something? Really?" He said dumbfounded.

"Yes. B-but you don't have to If you don't want to. It's just that I know that I'm terrible at cooking, and maybe if you showed me it would help. That's all." England gushed, his blush deepening.

America felt a smile pull at his lips. "Sure. I'd love to bake something with you!" The whole entire prospect just seemed so… innocent. It really would help lighten the mood… and maybe help England. It would at least give him an excuse to be around him if nothing else.

"You'll really do it!" England beamed. The smile brightening his whole face. He glanced at America with wide green eyes. He is so adorable, America thought.

"Of course!" He smiles back. " Maybe we could make… sugar cookies! Those are fairly easy and you get to cut them into different shapes!" America really was to excited for this.

"Can we do it now?" England said hopefully. His eyes widening in anticipation for an answer.

America blinked. Did they have all the ingredients? He did a run through in his head. Flour… check.

Baking powder… check. Salt...check. Butter...check. Sugar and eggs...check and check! Milk… check! That was everything! "Yeah! We can make them now." America said just a bit to pleased that they had all the ingredients. He really wanted to make England happy is all.

England couldn't help but be happy. Maybe America really did care if he was willing to do this with him. Or maybe he's just doing it to use you. A darker part of his mind provided. He pushed the thought away. He was going to have fun with America! No matter what!

"You ready to go?" America glanced down at the smaller nation expectantly. England nodded his head. He moved to stand up, but his body felt sluggish and slow. A sharp pain spread through his body and he gasped, before trying to stand again to no avail. He frowned swallowing back the lump forming in his throat. He really couldn't move. He dreaded having to tell Alfred that he couldn't make cookies after all. That he couldn't even get out of bed right now.

Before he could even open his mouth to say anything, America was scooping him up into his arms. "A-Alfred! What are y-you doing!" He gasped in surprise.

"Going downstairs to make cookies! Obviously!" He said a determined look on his face. He turned toward the door as he held the Briton close to his chest.

England felt tears spring to his eyes and he blinked them back quickly. He gripped the front of America's shirt tightly. Why was he being so nice. It really was confusing him.

After they got downstairs, America carefully set England down on the counter, making sure that he could hold himself up okay. Before quickly gathering the ingredients. "Alright. First we have to mix the flour, baking powder, and salt." The bigger nation pushed the three ingredients forward (he already measured them out) "Can you put those in that bowl while I get the other stuff ready?"

England nodded. America turned around before remembering something. " Hey! Make sure that you don't…" A white cloud suddenly engulfed them. A white dust settled over the both of them leaving a wide-eyed England in its wake. "...pour all the flour in at once." America finished, very much aware that the effort was fruitless.

"S-sorry!" England replied quickly.His eyes were still wide with worry and his hair dusted white.

America couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "It… It's fine!"

"Why're you laughing!" England felt a blush spreading across his cheeks again. He glanced at the laughing America with a pout on his face.

"S-sorry! You're just a silly goofball!" America explained. " You're adorable, but still a silly goofball." He felt his laughter die down. "Come on we better finish these cookies.

England was still pouting, though. So America moved forward and wiped some of the flower of his face. "Cmon! You can't be pouty on me the whole time now! Who's gonna beat the butter and sugar if you're pouting?"

"You can do it." England said, refusing to meet the American's gaze.

America let out a fake gasp and clutched at his chest. " Oh! You wound me so! To leave me to beat the butter and sugar on my own! How will I ever manage without my Arthur to help me!"

"You can do it." England had to duck down so that America couldn't see the smile forming on his face.

"I assure you, you are mistaken! I would be lost without your help! Even a hero like me can't defeat this task without the valiant England's aid!"

"I don't think so." England was trying so hard not to laugh.

"You must reconsider, please?" America was giving him the puppy dog eyes now.

England snickered. " If you're sure…"

"I am! I am!" America was bobbing his head up and down enthusiastically now.

"Alright. I suppose. I guess that I'll help you if you're really that desperate." England was beaming now.

"Oh thank you, my valiant Arthur!" America said happily. He was quick to show him how to work the mixer and how to tell when it was finished before turning back to the other ingredients.

After he got the appropriate ingredients, he turned back to England. Now we have to put the egg and milk in there he explained. He offered the milk first, then the egg. " H-how do you crack it?" England asked hesitantly.

America smiled. "Don't worry. It's pretty easy." America assured. "Here I'll show you." America grabbed the island nation's hand gently and guided them in the motion. "There we go wasn't that easy!" America smiled warmly at England. "Let's see… what's next." He turned back to the flour mixture.

"Alright. We have to put that mixer on low and gradually add this." He said presenting the powder filled bowl.

"Carefully." England said, remembering the incident from earlier.

America laughed. "Right. Carefully."

After they both did that together, America turned to look at England, who was watching the mixer from his seat on the counter in fascination. He looked pretty tired and he was a bit pale. He was still sick after all. "Hey, Arthur. After the dough stops sticking to the sides we have to divide it into to equal parts, wrap them both in wax paper, and put in the refrigerator for two hours." He emphasized by holding up two fingers.

"Okay. I think it's ready England said glancing back down at the dough.

America joined him, looking for himself. "I think that you're right."

Not long after that,the dough was in the fridge and a timer for two hours was set. America turned back to the sleepy looking nation He really was adorable in that oversized shirt and his messy hair sure was helping, America though before scooping England into his arms.

"Wh-where are you taking me!?" England said, surprised by the sudden movement.

"To bed. You are still sick and you look exhausted."

England opened his mouth to protest but America cut him off. "I'll wake you before the dough is ready to be taken out of the fridge." he assured.

England nodded. Burying his face into America's chest. They headed up stairs and America tucked the smaller nation into bed. England surprised him a bit when he grabbed onto his hand. After he recovered from his shock he just squeezed it in return. "Get some rest alright? I'll be here when you wake up." America assured him.

It took no longer than 30 seconds before he fell asleep. America let out a sigh. He was just glad that England had seemed happier earlier. He just had to keep this up for awhile longer. Until he was better. Was there a "getting better"? He wondered. A knot formed in his stomach. What if he was like this forever?

No. He would fix this England had to get better.

"Arthur? Sweetie? The dough is done." America mumbled softly, running a hand through the Briton's hair gently. He was met with a groan. "Don't you want to finish your cookies? Oh Valiant Arthur!" The bigger nation teased.

"Cookies… ready?" England mumbled. Bringing a hand up to rub at his eyes. He yawned. "Okay. We can go." His voice was still sleepy. He reached his arms up expectantly. Waiting for America to pick him up.

America would admit that he was a bit surprised by that. He had seemed embarrassed about needing to be carried before after all. He wouldn't complain, though. He was glad that England trusted him enough to let his guard down. It really was a rare thing for England to do. Especially to America.

He reached down and pulled England into his arms. " You don't have to come if your to tired." He assured. He did still look really tired.

"Mmmm fine." He mumbled in reply. His head fell lightly onto America's shoulder.

"If you're sure." America replied. Before heading toward the door.

Just like before, America set England down on the counter. "Alright. Let me get the dough from the fridge" He turned and got the dough before setting it on the counter.

"I already preheated the oven, so now we have to roll the cookies out on the table. The bonus is you get to but powdered sugar all over the table first." America explained.

England seemed more awake now. Listening to him intently. "So we're going to the table?" He glanced over to it.

"Yeah. That's right." He glanced down at England. Before Stretching out his arms. "Come on. I'll carry you." England hesitated only a moment before allowing himself to be pulled in America's arms.

After they rolled the dough out and cut it into a bunch of different shapes, all that was left to do was cook them. "They only take about 7 minutes to bake." He informed England. "Then we let them cool."

After the cookies were left cooling, America turned back to England. "Alright. It's off to bed with you."

"What? I'm not tired." England said sleepily.

"Uh-huh." America crossed his arms.

"Fine." England mumbled with a sigh of defeat. Reaching his arms up to be carried. It was becoming quite enjoyable.

"You can have some cookies in the morning." America told him as they climbed the stairs.

England was soon tucked into bed again. "You... gonna... stay?" England mumbled tiredly. Obviously already half asleep.

America smiled. "If you want me too."

"Mmm" England reached lazily for him not even bothering to open his eyes. America smiled and grabbed his hand before climbing into bed beside him. They both fell asleep like that. No worried thoughts plaquing their minds for once.