Chapter 10

Ghost Nation

The trip back to the hotel had been uneventful. Neither nation nor ex-nation talked all that much. Canada was tired, and Prussia seemed to be preoccupied. Canada assumed he was thinking about everything that had happened. Not in a mood to talk Canada rested his head against the window of the cab and stared out at the city as it passed by.

Canada noticed occasional glances from the cab driver. Most likely the man was trying to size up his two fares. Luckily, the cab driver never asked any questions, and in truth, Canada enjoyed the silent ride. The day had been long and stressful. He needed a moment of quiet and peace. It felt good to be out of the meeting hall.

However, the longer the trip lasted the more Canada was starting to worry about his boyfriend. It was odd for Gilbert to be quiet for so long... ever. It had been fifteen minutes since they had gotten into the cab, and the albino had yet to say anything. Canada silently wondered if Prussia was simply disturbed with having faced Russia. Gilbert had talked to his boyfriend once about some of the time he had spent being forced to live in Russia's home. Canada knew that facing the other nation wasn't easy for his boyfriend. He wanted to simply ask Gilbert if he was ok, but he didn't want to push his boyfriend into talking especially out in public like this. He decided to wait. If Prussia was still withdrawn when they got back to the hotel he would ask him then, in private.

Once back in Canada's hotel room the two walked to the nearest piece of furniture and collapsed after the traumatic events of the day. Prussia fell back against the couch cushions and not a moment too soon. He was glad for a soft place to sit. The trek to the room had taken far too long in his mind, and it had been far too exhausting. As soon as Prussia had laid eyes on the sofa he simply wanted to pass out on it.

Finally sitting down Prussia assessed how he felt, and he felt like he was going to throw up. He had tried to keep his growing pain hidden from Matthew, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. It had started as a sharp stab that had faded to a dull throb. It had started when Russia had thrown him against the concrete wall of the stairwell. Prussia had felt the pain in his lower, left side, and it had become increasingly more painful as time went on. His hand still burned and throbbed of course, but the pain in his side was making his broken hand feel like a paper cut.

He looked down at his swollen hand and tried to focus on it instead of the burning pain in his side. When he saw his hand he took note of his skin tone. His skin couldn't get any paler could it? He suddenly took note of the sweat covering his body. Prussia felt a tinge of worry welling up inside of him. This wasn't normal pain like he was used to. He tried to think of the last time he'd been injured, seriously injured. He hadn't had any serious injuries in ages. Not since he'd been a nation.

What ze hell is going on? He thought to himself as a shiver shot up his spine. He felt his body start to tremble, but he fought hard to control it. He barely heard Matthew say something off to his side, but his ears were ringing. The words Matthew spoke were slurred as they reached his ears. Prussia couldn't understand what his boyfriend was asking, and the longer he sat the more disoriented he became.

Matthew had noticed a change in Prussia since they'd gotten in the taxi. Once away from the others Gilbert seemed to pull into himself acting withdrawn. The albino seemed quiet, and every time Matthew looked at him it looked like he was dazed. Still thinking it might have had something to do with facing Russia, Matthew waited until they were alone in the hotel room to ask about his boyfriend's state of mind. The wavy haired Canadian sat down beside his boyfriend and looked the albino over. That's when Canada took note of how bad Gilbert physically looked.

"Gilbert. Are you alright?" Matthew saw that Gilbert had his eyes closed. Prussia looked like he was concentrating hard at something. Then Matthew noted that his boyfriend was covered in sweat.

Is he shaking? What the holy maple leaf? Matthew reached out placing his hand on Prussia's shoulder.

"Gilbert. What's wrong?" Matthew saw that Gilbert had his arms wrapped around his abdomen protectively. Matthew zeroed in on Gilbert's left side where he saw Gilbert clutching at the fabric of his shirt and trying to subdue his pain in silence. Wondering what was wrong and if he could help Matthew reached out and attempted to place his hand on top of Prussia's.

Canada was completely caught off guard as his simple action caused his boyfriend to frantically swat him away with a feral scream of pain. Drawing in sharp, short breathes Prussia pulled at his shirt all the tighter. The simple touch from his boyfriend had caused the dull throb to radiate throughout his side, and it felt like his side was on fire.

Canada felt his eyes widen in both shock and horror. He jumped to his feet, but he didn't try to touch Gilbert in any way.

"Gilbert!" Canada cried. "What's wrong?" Gilbert found that he couldn't respond as he continued to clutch his gut tightly. Gilbert found that at the moment, he couldn't make his voice work. He was convinced if he opened his mouth he would only be able to scream in pain. As he lay on the couch Prussia's mind was screaming at him for another reason.

I have to protect him. Get up zu uzelezz! Now iz notz the timez to layz down unt look weak. Prussia berated himself, but he was stuck. He let out a shaky breath as the pain in his side continued to flare.

"Gott…" He managed a weak whisper.

Meanwhile, Canada was freaking out at his side. He had no idea what was wrong with Prussia, but whatever it was Canada knew it was serious. As such he pulled out his cell phone and dialed for the emergency services of the area.

The next 30 minutes seemed to happen fast. The time seemed to race for the terrified Northern country. The paramedics came rushing into the hotel room. Prussia's condition had only gotten worse by then. He had become unresponsive as he was loaded onto the gurney. Canada stayed by his side all the way to the hospital, then in the halls, and all the way to emergency surgery when he was told he'd have to wait outside. Canada stood in the hallway simply staring at the ER doors. He waited outside in the hallway his heart sinking with every minute that passed by.

Eventually a nurse came out saying Gilbert was in surgery. The Northern nation found his eyes filling with tears. He was barely able to contain himself as the nurse said that emergency surgery was being performed in order to repair trauma to the albino's lacerated spleen. She told Canada that they would inform him as soon as they knew more about the extent of the damage. After delivering the news she left, and Canada found himself alone for some time.

Eventually Matthew had gone to the waiting room of the hospital and taken a seat. He pulled his phone out and sat staring at it. It had been a while since he'd left the world meeting. The countries were already debating, talking, and arguing again in the meeting hall, no doubt.

He had to let Ludwig know about this though. Prussia was in surgery for maples sake. Matthew fiddled with his phone and quickly looked up Germany's number. Prussia had put it in his phone some time ago. After debating with himself for a few minutes he sent Germany a quick text simply saying,

'Gilbert has a lacerated spleen. In hospital. He is in emergency surgery. I will be here.' A moment later he texted the address and then sat back and waited. Gilbert will be fine, he reassured himself. He would most likely be back at 100% by tomorrow. Still it was rare that nations had such trips to the hospital. It did happen, but generally only when extreme meds were needed to manage pain, accidents, or from severe injuries that were suffered from direct attacks on their land.

Was Russia really strong enough to do such a thing to Gilbert? Prussia had no direct connection with any land so Russia couldn't hurt him that way. How had Gilbert gotten so injured from a simple punch even if it was Russia who had done it? Canada's mind whirled as he thought about the situation and simply waited.

Back in the meeting hall, things were in full-swing even though they'd already gone over their allotted time limits. They were supposed to have adjourned thirty minutes ago, but everyone knew that wouldn't be happening. As always, things had disintegrated into chaos. For several minutes there'd been nothing but shouting. It had been up to Germany, as usual to restore order. Giving everyone more minutes to work with, they tried again to talk a few things out.

At least America was acting more like himself as Germany had suggested. But all the same, he couldn't help but to see the strain it put on the young country to hide his concern over his missing brother and to witness that in truth…no one else seemed to care that Canada wasn't there. He could see it only because he knew what a perfect front looked like, and America had one up right then.

"Dudes! I told you! Finances will be fine! The European market doesn't need to worry, and for that matter, they don't always have to copy everything I do anyway!"

"Oh that's rich coming from someone who has a six trillion dollar debt!" One of the smaller European nations screamed across the table. And China immediately jumped on that bandwagon next.

"And you still owe most of that money to China!"

"Hey hey! HEY!" America shouted over the noise. "How fair is that? How many times have I lent money to all of you? Huh? And this one time, this one fucking time you can't give me some leeway? Luxembourg, you wanna cough up that 78 billion you owe me? Apparently China over here, can't wait a few fucking months, so I'm just gunna have to call in your debt now dude."

Poor Luxembourg, a tiny little country, shrunk back and shook his head, trying to hide in his seat at the end of the table.

"Oh that's nice America! Real nice! Make me out to be bad guy!" China cried.

The shouting continued and Germany was at the point where he was about to bark out orders again to get everyone to settle back down, but…that was when his phone rang. It was on vibrate, of course, he didn't want to interrupt their meeting, even if it was just a boxing match at that point. Picking the phone out of his pocket, he found he had a text message. Opening it up, he read it quickly.

As soon as he did, his heart fell out of his chest and landed in his feet. He felt his fingers and toes go cold.

Gilbert…is in zee hospital?

He wanted to panic, but he was too good for that. Germany knew their situation. He couldn't just call out to America and then have both of them leave together. That would be odd considering no one else knew that the two usually estranged countries were now, quite suddenly friends. But there was no way he could leave without telling him what was happening. Torn, he wasn't sure how to proceed.

That was…until Italy came up beside him. Having read his text message over his shoulder, and knowing exactly what Germany's problem was, the cute, little country smiled up at his protector.

"I'll-a-take care of it Ludwig, ve!" And before Germany could even ask what he meant or what he was planning, Italy turned to the room of screaming, fighting countries. Raising his hand he quickly shouted.

"PIZZAAAAAHHH!" Everyone froze, mid sentence it seemed, at the complete random, oddness of the exclamation. They were all looking over to Italy, America's fist still in the air as he'd been shouting some sort of accusation, and China with his finger pointed at the super power in mid-defense, all the other countries gaped.

"What?" One of them finally questioned.

"Ve! The meeting is-a-now adjourned! I'm-a-waaaay too hungry to continue without some-a-sort-a deliciousness! Besides, aren't we-a-all-a-late already?"

And with the mention of food, and because it was indeed late, a lot of the countries were hungry. And with talk of pizza, and deliciousness, everyone's attention was quite sharply turned to their stomachs instead of their financial issues. And just like that, with grumblings toward each other, they started to pack up.

"Like stubborn America would listen anyway…" China was groaning. "He never listen to anyone but himself!"

"You got that right," America agreed. Everyone grabbed their jackets and briefcases, packing up any papers they'd used. And then the countries started to file out of the meeting hall doors. America had started to do the same, eager to get to his brother's hotel room to check on him when Germany called out.

"America, vait a moment." But he'd seen a few heads turn at the shout. It was odd for Germany to want to talk to anyone privately after all. "Err…ve need to discuss dat bit of business about your tourism in my country…" Germany quickly covered. It was enough to make any straggling countries lose interest, but it was enough to keep Alfred's. Still not the best at picking up on people's moods, especially not Germany's, America jogged on over to him while the others left.

"Sure dude!" He said cheerfully. "Are we not partying hard enough while we're on vacation? Hahaha!" Germany didn't respond. Instead he watched the door until all the other countries were gone…with exception of Britain, who remained by his seat, his green eyes glued to America and Germany. Germany nodded his way, letting him know it was fine if he joined them. And even as the older country started to walk over, Germany told Alfred the bad news.

Germany watched as the younger countries smile was stolen from his face. He paled, and within seconds he seemed like the same Alfred he'd spoken to in the hallway before the meeting began.

"Come on…let's hurry."

Germany, America, Italy and Britain all shared a cab. All four rushed to the hospital. And within minutes they were there. Running through the front sliding doors, America was in the lead. And as soon as he entered the building, he scanned the waiting room for his little brother.

It had been hours since Matthew had arrived. Canada had paced all the hallways on the first floor of the hospital. When that had failed to relieve his stress he had looked through the gift shop for anything that he could give his boyfriend. Still he was too stressed out to actually find anything. Mainly he just fiddled with the items and then sat them down. When he had tried the front desk again he had found out that Prussia was still in surgery, and he'd have to wait at least another hour.

As such Canada had retreated once more to the waiting room with a mood of utter distress. He had pulled his hood down and had forgotten completely about his own bruised face. When a passing nurse tried to help him he had tried to say he was fine, but the kind nurse insisted on checking him over. He asked for information on Gilbert, but he didn't get anything new. The nurse had been kind enough to go and get him an ice pack for his face though, and then she promised to tell him if she found out anything.

As such he had been stuck waiting for quite some time. He had slowly faded off into oblivion when the other four nations came into the waiting room. It was the quick movement that caught his eye and made him look over at his approaching family and friends. He didn't get to his feet. This day had just sucked too much to stand up. He had utterly lost the will to do anything but worry about Prussia.

America, spotting his little brother seated in one of the waiting room chairs, hurried over. Jogging ahead of the rest of the countries, he immediately asked,

"Bro! What's going on? All we got was a text message from Germany!"

Matthew looked over to Alfred. He didn't have any news to tell him, and that was killing him. Canada tried to explain what had happened in a calm voice, but he was panicked, and he couldn't hide his emotions.

"H-he was acting really weird when we went back to the h-hotel room. He was trying to hide it, but I could tell." He reached up pushing his palm against his forehead. "He was in so mu-much pain. I called the paramedics. They took him into surgery, but he's been back there forever, and no one will tell me anything! I-I don't get it! Russia's not that strong, right? Gilbert will be ok, right?"

It was the second time in the day that he found himself crying. He really hated this, but his boyfriend had looked so dreadful when he'd last seen him. Canada looked up at Germany as he approached, with a grief stricken face.

"He was bleeding internally. I'm guessing ever since the fight. I- I saw his hand too. I think he broke something."

Luckily just as Canada was telling everyone about the things he had observed a doctor came over to the group with a clipboard in hand. The doctor looked at the strange bunch who seemed a bit mismatched at best, but when he asked if they'd come in with the 'awezome' albino Matthew was on his feet in a flash.

"Yes! Yes! Where is he!? Is he ok?" The doctor nodded perhaps saving Matthew from the mini heart attack he was having. The doctor pointed down the hallway.

"He's awake in recovery now. The emergency surgery went fine. We sewed up a rip in his spleen. We were most concerned with blood loss, but we gave him a transfusion. He will pull through just fine. You can go see him if you want. He's actually-"

Canada had taken a firm hold on his brother's wrist as the doctor spoke about Gilbert's condition. As soon as he was given clearance to go see Prussia he was off. He held onto his America's wrist as he marched off down the hallway. After this hellish day he wanted his brother to be close. He needed the moral support of family, and he was sure Alfred wanted that too.

He practically ran into the recovery room where Prussia was lying in bed and currently cussing every other word as a nurse went about putting a cast on his hand. Even though his attitude was back his voice was still low, along with his energy level.

"Zeriously." The albino said in a quiet, slow tone, "You donz needz to do zhat. Ze awezome me needs no damn cazt." He looked over as the two North American twins barged into the room. A smile came to his drugged face. "Matthew. Unawezome." Gilbert smirked at the nickname he had given America and gave them a weak thumbs up with his good hand. The nurse attending to Prussia's other hand did something that made him cry out in a German dialect that no one in the room understood. A second later Gilbert saw his brother enter the room.

"West! Tell zis bimbo I don't needz 'dis zhit! I am the awezome Prussia, damnit!" Canada ran to his boyfriend's bedside, recovering from his hysterics much more quickly now that he saw Prussia was alive, talking, and relatively ok. Even if he was lying in bed with needles sticking in his arm giving him blood, plasma, and pain meds. Canada reached out gently taking Prussia's uninjured hand in his own.

Alfred was at Gilbert's bedside as soon as Matthew was, mainly because his brother was dragging him around like his stuffed bear. But…he didn't mind. And he was glad to see Gilbert was ok.

"You stupid ghost nation! You scared the hell outta Matt!" But he wasn't really angry, and in fact, Prussia would be able to tell that this was America's weird way of saying he was glad he was ok. "Now that I've put you in charge of taking care of my bro when I'm not around, you better think seriously about being tougher!" He clapped Gilbert on the shoulder, but not nearly as hard as he usually did. Even America could be mindful from time to time.

Britain had gone off to fetch tea for everyone, as such it was only Ludwig and Feliciano left standing in the doorway. Ludwig looked in on Gilbert, watching the three countries interact with a blank expression on his face. No one else would have been able to tell, but Italy saw very easily how upset Ludwig actually was. Perhaps it was the deep caring he had for Germany that let him see the ever so slightly paler color to his skin, or the beading sweat that was starting to form on his temples. Germany didn't move, or frown, or even breath more quickly than usual…but Italy had always been able to read his ice blue eyes, even when he wasn't looking at him.

He was worried. And he was in pain. Italy knew no one else would ever see it, or be able to understand it because Germany hid himself away so carefully and so thoroughly and in such an orderly way so that nothing from the outside could come in and bring him more suffering. Ludwig guarded himself more completely than the gates of Rome once had. He had built his walls and put up his fences and dug his moats and ditches and had done all he could to seal himself away, completely and forever; to ensure that no one ever got into his heart again. To ensure that he never suffered in the same ways that he had already been made to endure.

Italy knew him. Completely and totally. And perhaps he was the only one on all the earth who could look at his stone-cold face and his ice-blue eyes and truly see how much pain he was really in. Italy could see it clear as day…no matter how good he was at hiding himself away from everyone and everything. Germany even hid from himself. But there was a deep, despondent loss in him, an ache that never ceased. And as soon as Italy had seen it…he had dedicated himself to easing that hurt. And no matter how long it took, or how persistent he had to be, he was one day going to succeed.

Germany had suffered greatly, and deeply. The other countries had already forgotten, but Italy knew Germany had not. He couldn't. Because the hardship he'd had to endure had lasted so long, and had been repeated so many times, that it had eventually become a part of who he was. And so, Italy knew he couldn't change. But he didn't want him to. He loved him for who he was, even the sad parts. And he knew, the only way to make it a little bit better, was to make sure Ludwig had good, new memories to work forward from. And so, each and every day, Italy knew he'd be there for him.

And this was one of those many moments, when Italy knew he needed him.

Reaching up, the brunette gently rested his hand on Ludwig's shoulder. Ludwig exhaled slowly, then shifted his gaze to the smaller country. There, as always, he found him smiling.

"Gilbert's a-ok. Isn't that great news?" And Ludwig, in simply seeing Italy's adorable smile, and hearing his offered words of encouragement, did indeed feel a little better, even though he was terrified for his brother. The very corner of his mouth cracked upward, ever so slightly as he rested his cool eyes on his partner.

"Ja." And just like that, he found the courage he needed to enter the hospital room. Italy knew Germany was too afraid to get close to him in front of others, so as always; he reached out his arms and wrapped them around Germany's. Even when he stiffened from his touch, he knew perfectly well that this was what Germany wanted and needed, even if he might object in front of the other countries from time to time. This time however, he didn't say a word as the pair approached Gilbert's bed together.

Stepping up beside his older brother, Ludwig gazed down at him, his face still rather stony. All the same, Gilbert was perhaps the only other person on the planet who could read Ludwig. He did raise him after all. Gilbert may not have been as good at it as Italy…for no one could be that in tune unless they were in love, but he could at least tell that his little brother was worried for him.

"You schwachkopf!" Germany suddenly yelled. "Dis is vhat you get for gettink into idiotic fights vith countries who are bigger den you! You're not a nation anymore! You don't heal like zee rest of us!"

And of course, Italy only smiled. He knew, even if the northern twins didn't, that sometimes when Ludwig yelled, it was only because he cared and had been frightened.

Prussia rolled his eyes as his younger brother yelled.

"Kse. West. Stopz yelling in my ear. That arsch made my birdie fall down ze stairs. Whatz would you do ifz he had pushed Italy down ze stairz? You wouldz pummeled himz too." Matthew looked down at his boyfriend. He squeezed Prussia's good hand all the tighter. A look of worry quickly spread over the gentle nations face. He had heard what Germany had said, and the revelation shocked him.

"What does he mean you don't heal like us?" Prussia sighed settling onto the uncomfortable mattress.

"I donz healz like youz anymore. Whenz I get hurtz it takez long time now to get betterz. I have notz had any real injuries in longz time, but when I getz littlez injured it takez longer than it used to. I'llz probably havz a broken hand for the next few weekz. I will have to be on stupid bedzrest until my spleen heals. Iz ztupid, but I always thinkz itz because I am a ghost nation. I heal more onz human timez thiz way."

Prussia looked up at his little brother, "Geeze West. Donz act zo ztuffy." Prussia let a grin overtake his face. He recognized many of his brother's moods. He also knew when he could perhaps make his younger brother blush. "Youz got into plenty of ztupid fightz when you were a kid, bruder. I remember when you camez home crying that timez when you were little." Prussia's cocky smirk returned as he looked over at Italy.

"Do you remember, West? Italy did he tell you? He gotz in a fight whenz he waz a little thing. Gotz the snot beat out of himz. He came home crying to big bruder." Prussia chuckled at the memory. He never got to take care of Ludwig anymore. He missed that time. He used to be invincible in his brother's eyes. A frown came over his face…now he was a cripple in a hospital bed.

Germany scoffed as he set his teeth together. He sent an insulted look his brother's way.

"Ja, vell, vhen I vas a new country it seemed everyone in all da world vanted a piece of me! I don't ever recall havink a moment's peace!" Italy only seemed to hold onto his arm all the harder, squeezing him tightly. "Unt vhy are you tryink to embarrass me anyvay? Is dis da thanks I get for visiting you in zee hospital?"

It all seemed a little tense, and as America and Canada watched the German brother's interact, America couldn't help but to lean in a bit closer to his own brother and whisper,

"They're so weird. Our relationship is waaay cooler than theirs."

Matthew jabbed his twin in the ribcage in order to hush him up. He didn't want to insult Germany or Prussia. Heaven knew Germany already looked tense.

"Ifz the awezome me really wanted to embarrazz you, West, I wouldvz done it by now." His fanged grin widened as he stared up at his younger brother. In truth he did have plenty of stories that would surely make the stern nation blush, especially with the North American twins in the room and not to mention Italy. He could have brought up bath times, bed times, dinner times, times when the blond haired child had refused to sleep by himself because of nightmares, and many other stories that had come from Germany's childhood.

Luckily he didn't. Prussia thought of those times fondly for a moment. He missed the little kid who looked up to him and thought he was the best thing in the world. Seeing Germany still looking so stiff Prussia let out a heavy sigh.

"Donz be so crankiez Ludwig. Ifz the hopzpital makes you uncomfortable you canz go." Prussia looked at his brother. A look of compassion came across his red eyes. He knew his brother cared deeply for him. Germany had proved that by letting his brother live in his home all these years after all.

"I didnz mean to upzet you. I am notz dying. Although there waz a momentz there…." Prussia shook his head at the memory. Just then the nurse finished with the cast which would hold his hand in place for the next few weeks. With a scoff he looked at his hand. He still had the tips of his fingers, but the hard cast extended from just above his knuckles all the way to his forearm. Prussia held up his hand looking un-amused.

"Shizer. What ze hell am I zupposed to do with thiz?" Canada looked from Prussia to Germany with a frown on his face.

"Let me get this straight. If he gets hurt, like seriously hurt…he will die? Permanently? So if I hadn't brought him to the hospital when I did he could have bled to death? Is that right?" Canada was looking at Germany intently as he took in this new bit of information. "I didn't know that. I'm guessing Russia doesn't either. Gilbert he can't see you with your arm like that. If he figures out you don't heal like the rest of us he could seriously use that to his advantage."

Matthew felt his grip tighten on his boyfriend. "The world meeting will last for a few more days. I don't think anyone will care if I don't show up. I'll stay with Gilbert." Canada looked back at his twin for confirmation of that plan. "No one said anything today, right?" He wanted to make sure Russia hadn't pointed it out that he was absent. Russia was the only one Matthew was worried about making a scene. No one else would notice, and for once that worked to his advantage.

Alfred glanced away from his brother, something like discomfort or perhaps sadness coming over his face.

"No…no one noticed…" he mumbled. "I think I made a big enough stink to keep everyone fighting for days…" Germany and Italy both nodded in agreement. America had taken Ludwig's advice and had run with it. No one at the meeting was the wiser with America distracting everyone so expertly. The world was far more concerned with the prospect of America falling into a double-dip recession. If that actually happened, it would screw over everyone else's finances as well.

Of course, Alfred had little fear that would actually occur, but it was certainly a topic worthy enough of getting everyone to focus on something other than the secret problems the handful of countries were trying to keep hidden.

"But…now what do we do, dudes?" America asked. "I thought the plan was to let Russia talk to Gil here, so we could find out what his plans were. If we're trying to hide his injuries, then…he can't talk to Russia until his hand heals."

Canada shrugged his shoulder and looked back at his brother.

"I don't think he can leave the hospital anytime soon Alfred. He's not healing on our time any longer. They probably won't release him for a few more days at least."

"Gah!" Prussia scoffed and jerked his head to the side looking away from everyone. "Dis blowz. I canz get up. I canz hide my hand or something. I wanz to tell that smug bastard that I hope his house burns to the groundz."

Canada turned back towards his boyfriend then. A very stern look on his face.

"You can't do that. If he hits you or shoves you or bumps you, you could rip your stitches. You're supposed to be on bed rest. I just rushed you to the damn hospital. I am not taking any chances on this."

"Well." Britain said from the door as he came back in with a stack of Styrofoam cups in hand. "If Gilbert can't do it there has only been one other person Russia's shown any interest in contacting. You'd have to come back to the meetings tomorrow Canada, but I don't fancy the idea of sending you anywhere near Russia alone. He was obviously using you to deliver a message to Gilbert from what I understand. You could confront him about it and try to question him further." Britain said hesitantly.

He knew America was about to blow a fuse, but he'd had to say it. If anybody else approached Russia about any of this it would be suspicious. Canada on the other hand had already dealt with Russia one on one. He would have every reason to confront Russia on the things that had happened earlier in the day and to also have Russia explain himself further about this 'message' of his. Britain sat his pitcher of hot water on the table and went about adding a tea bag to all the Styrofoam cups he'd brought in.

"No. No'z way in hellz iz that a good idea!" Prussia cried and at the same exact moment, America screamed, "No fucking way Arty!" Matthew on the other hand looked like he was thinking about it.

"Donz you dare, Mattie! Donz you even thinkz about it! This is the most unawezome thing I have everz heard!" Prussia shot a glare Britain's way.

"Right on Gil! This is so stupid! You're supposed to be the smart one Arthur! Don't you see what happened after one meeting with that psychopath? Matthew was shoved down the stairs! He cracked his damned face open! It took me and Gil together to take that sucker on! And even then, Germany had to come in and break us up! If he didn't, Gilbert could've-!"

And quite suddenly, he cut himself off. Matthew or Arthur may have seen a quick and sudden wave of guilt wash over America's face, but he quickly stuffed it away. He wasn't going to let that type of thing drag him down now. He hadn't known Gilbert could get so seriously injured, or he wouldn't have ever roped him into the fight in the first place.

"Anyway, there's no way in hell I'm gunna let my little bro go face that monster again! Who knows what he'll do next time! So no. No fucking way. If someone's gotta go, then I'll go! I'm Canada's brother. I'd have every right to question Russia too!"

"Nein, Amerika," Germany said quickly. "Ve're tryink to keep you closer to your original personality, remember?"

"Dude, I'm freaking losing my patience with this entire thing! If I wanna be a big bro, than I'm gunna be a big bro! I can't just…just…pretend like I don't care!"

"We have appearances to keep up Alfred," Britain said. "I'm glad that our family is getting closer together. It's about time, but the changes are attracting attention to yourself and your brother. We have very few options here. Matthew what do you want to do?"

"I can do it." Matthew said, voice unwavering, "I'll go to the meeting tomorrow and confront him again. It would be the easiest answer. Don't worry Al. He can't hurt me… permanently anyway. I'll be ok."

But America did not look happy. They were lucky there was no table around, because America looked like he was ready to ram his fist through one.

"No! I don't fucking care if it's permanent or not! A broken bone is still a broken bone dudes! So what's your ingenious plan to keep him safe Arthur, huh? Send him in there all alone? I guess I'm not allowed to even go with him, since I fucking care too much! God! This is a bunch of bull!"

"I just started thinking Alfred. Give me a moment." Britain said as he continued making his tea. Matthew turned to look at his stressed out brother. He reached out gently ruffling up his brother's amber waves of grain.

"Alfred. I'm glad you care so much. You're great big brother. You really are. Don't worry. I'll be fine." It was Matthew's first time relinquishing his claim on the older brother title they had fought over since forever.

That actually caught Alfred off guard. He was so used to saying "big bro" and 'little bro" their entire lives and having Matthew resist such a thing. It was odd to hear him agree for once.

"Yeah…" he mumbled, clearly not knowing how to handle his brother being agreeable for once on the subject.

"So, uh…while Arthur thinks up a plan, should we discuss sleeping arrangements? I mean, the three of us were gunna bunk together in a room right? You me and Gil here. Is it…just gunna be you and me Matt or…are you staying here with Gil?"

"Yourz not leavingz me here." Prussia said firmly, "Thiz iz da worst place to be." Prussia elbowed the bed underneath him.

Canada sighed heavily as he looked at his brother. He didn't have to use that twin power of his to tell that what had happened today would give his brother nightmares later that night. Alfred had just lived through one of the repeating nightmares he had been experiencing since future America had come. It was going to affect him later. It was already affecting him. Canada could tell his brother was more wary with him. Alfred hadn't even complained that he was still holding his wrist.

"Well." Canada looked from his boyfriend to his brother, "Uhm. Gilbert you can't leave yet, but I don't really want to leave you alone either big brother." Matthew smiled. Now that he'd said it, and Alfred was really acting the part, the words seemed more natural.

Prussia could see his boyfriend's conundrum easy enough. As such he quickly thought of a plan.

"Lizen I will be finez here. Ludwig can ztay." Prussia volunteered his younger brother's services without a second thought. "Matthew. Go home and rest up. Take carez of unawezome. He lookz like he'z got more ztrezz than me." The selfless act didn't get by Canada who smiled down at his boyfriend. He leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips.

"I'll be back tomorrow. See you then Gilbert." Then he started to walk towards the door of the room. Matthew was ready to fall out himself, so he was eager to get back to his hotel room and go to bed.

America wanted to object, so, so, soooo badly. Everyone was talking like he was some sort of…of…child or something that needed to be taken care of! It was infuriating! He was America damn it! And he was the toughest, baddest, most awesome country around! Seriously! Everyone knew it too!

But…as he started to leave with his brother, he immediately felt better knowing he'd be in a place where he could keep an eye on him. And Gilbert would be perfectly safe with Germany. He liked the arrangement, and so…didn't argue.

The two twins left, along with Britain, and Germany and Italy stayed behind.

This left Prussia staring up at his brother. He waited until the North American twins had gone and with an utterly serious voice said.

"West. Go getz me tha beerz."

As soon as Prussia extended a request for beer though, Germany quickly crossed his arms over his chest.

"Nein. Vhat a stupid question. You're in zee hospital. Even if I didn't think der'd be any harm, I doubt the doctors vould allow such a thing."

…And there is Chapter 10. So what happens in the next chapter? Will Canada confront Russia alone? We will have to wait and see.

Reviews and Critiques are always welcome! Both Artiluna and Spotofpaint enjoy creative input! Hope to have Chapter 11 up soon!