Over the next few days, Prussia felt progressively worse. And it wasn't just his illness- which was leaving in bed, coughing. Thoughts of Austria still raced through his head. Something had been bothering him: how had he gotten back to the house after he had dozed off. Austria hadn't seen or spoken to him since the doctor had left, so Prussia hadn't gotten a chance to ask him. Maids were sent up to give him medicine and food; but when he tried to ask them about Austria, they would say they had other business to attend to and scurry off.

One evening, Prussia heard the notes of the piano. The melody sounded angry and dark. But, then again, so do most of the songs Austria plays. He threw on a robe and house slippers, and found his way to the music room. When he got there, he stopped inside the doorway and listened. Again, Prussia was awestruck by Austria's playing. He's so passionate. But he's gentle, too. He's not just banging on the keys; he's actually creating music. Austria swirled around, a scowl on his face.

"Sorry was I bothering you?" he asked in a biting tone.

"You know, your constant racket is going to make me even more ill." What did I just say that? I could have just told him the truth.

Austria started to yell but then sighed. "I'm sorry; I forgot that it disturbed you. Please forgive me."

"Yeah, whatever." Prussia started to leave but then remembered what he'd been wanting to ask. "Austria, how… how did I get back here—after I fell asleep, I mean? How was I found?"

"Well, I started searching all over town for you," Austria began. "When I couldn't find you, I started asking if anyone had seen you. The clerk at the store said he'd seen you earlier and that you had bought more alcohol, but he didn't know which direction you had gone. So I started looking on the roads outside of town. That was when I happened to spot you under the tree. You were bleeding- which I assumed was from some kind of fight- and your lips were starting to turn blue from the cold. I tried to wake you up, but it was no use. So I picked you up and carried you home. I didn't know if you'd make it if I went and got help."

He did all that for me? He even carried me home. "I… I guess I should… thank you. Thank you… for all of it."

"You're welcome," Austria said, a little taken aback. "I hope you start feeling better."

"Yeah." Prussia gazed at Austria for a moment, then quickly looked away. "I'll just be going back to bed now."

He left before Austria could say anything more. His head was throbbing from walking around. The pneumonia wasn't gone yet, and he needed more rest. Maybe I'll be able to think through what Austria did if I have some sleep. Almost immediately after his head hit the pillow, Prussia fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.