You know, America was my least favorite character in all of Hetalia when I started writing this some two years ago. As ridiculous as this sounds, it took his English voice actor Eric Vale (pretty much all of the other English voice actors are worse or at best equal to the Japanese voice actors) to make me realize he isn't so bad. And now, I actually, kind of, sort of, like him. Not as much as Canada, of course. And there's no way he's ever going to compete with Russia and Sweden for #1, but now I can say that I don't hate a single character in Hetalia (Ok, maybe pouring so much blood, sweat, and tears into this had something to do with it, too).


Matthew knew from the moment that he had first seen the doctor that whatever he had to tell them wasn't good. As the doctor shut the door behind Matthew and his mother, Matthew froze up like a child that had been pulled out of class for misbehavior; looking down to the floor. The doctor had just barely glanced at him and then focused his gaze on Matthew's mother, just like almost everyone else did.

"Are you his mother?" the man asked.

"Yes." Hurit replied matter-of-factly.

"…We still aren't entirely sure of the circumstances, but x-rays show that the bullet pierced his eye and fractured the outside of his skull. It's a miracle it didn't penetrate any further." He said. "We had to remove the eye in surgery. It was damaged beyond repair." He finished. Matthew's mother sighed heavily at this news, but made no comments.

"There's another thing that bothers me. Ever since he first regained conscience here, Alfred's been showing some very strange symptoms."

"Like what?"

"…He mutters in his sleep, for one. And there's a pattern behind it. According to one of the nurses that observed him, Alfred usually makes threats to unknown people. Violent threats. And then…He pleads for forgiveness." He paused. "Ma'am…I've never seen such strong psychological strain be put on one person…"

"What are you insinuating?" Hurit asked somewhat defensively.

"…Ma'am, we still aren't entirely clear on the incident that lead up to this point. Alfred's been too traumatized to recount it to any of the staff, and most if not all of his visitors. Has he opened up to you, at all?" he asked. Hurit sighed and looked over to her younger son.

"No, not really." She said. Matthew was a little shocked at first, but he realized that she was only trying to protect her son from judgment.

"…Ma'am, whether it be the actual incident or something occurring before, your son's mentality is in an extremely fragile state. I don't think it would be helpful to release him as soon as he's physically recovered."

"Physically?" Hurit repeated. "Are you saying my son is insane?"

"Not insane. Mentally disturbed." The man said apathetically. Matthew looked up and saw his placid expression.

"Do you even realize what you're saying?" Hurit said, voicing her younger son's thoughts. "What kind of significance that hold to us, his family?" The man looked slightly taken aback, but regained his composure almost automatically.

"Ma'am, I work with the severely injured and dying every day. In this profession, you have to learn to stay calm under all circumstances."

"So you've built up an emotional immunity?" she said. "Doctor, there's a fine line between professionalism and apathy, and I'm afraid to say that you have crossed it."

"Ma'am, I am trying to tell you about your son." He replied almost irritably. "I'm afraid it's my duty as a doctor to recommend him for psychological analysis. And then…If needed, have him treated at a mental health institution."

"'Mental health institution'?" Hurit asked, the irritability evident in her voice. "I've visited a so-called mental health institution to support a friend and the way those places are ran seems more like a prison that a hospital to me."

"That's only for the dangerous patients, ma'am." He said. At this, Hurit fell silent, not really knowing how to respond. Finally, Matthew spoke.

"When can my brother come home?" he asked calmly. The doctor looked at him almost as though it were the first time he noticed Matthew.

"It depends on how well he adjusts and responds to the treatme-"

"When can my brother come home?" Matthew asked irritably. Just like the few other people that had ever heard Matthew raise his voice, the doctor looked just a bit shocked.

"…I can't answer that for sure." The doctor finally said. "If his condition is as poor as it seems to us, then…It'll be a very long road. He might never fully recover…" he said. At this, Hurit sighed heavily and held her face.

"We haven't informed him of this yet. I'll give you a few more minutes with him." The doctor said before turning away.

Both mother and son stood still, emotional numbness washing over them as a defense mechanism against everything that had just transpired.

Hurit was the first to make a move, putting her hand on the door knob to her elder son's room and glancing at Matthew, who reluctantly followed her after she opened the door and walked in.

"What did he say?" Alfred asked.

"He said he's worried about your mentality." Hurit replied. "To be honest, you've got me a bit worried, too."

"What are they going to do to me?..." Alfred asked.

"Nothing. Alfred…They may keep you here longer. They said…They wanted to perform psychological tests on you…" she said.

"Maybe they'll actually find out what's wrong with me now…" Alfred said pessimistically.

"Son…You're ok with this?" Hurit asked.

"Well, I don't like it, but it beats what I was doing before…" Alfred said. "I hate hospitals, I HATE them. But…Maybe here, they can help me. And this way, everyone'll be safe…"

"Al?..." Matthew chirped up.

"Yeah, bro?" Alfred said. Matthew paused for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.

"…I'm going to miss you." He said. Alfred laughed weakly.

"You act like I'm dying." He said.

"I'll hardly ever get to see you." Matthew said. Alfred sighed quietly. After years of neglect and ignorance, Alfred knew Matthew could get terribly anxious about being alone for long periods of time.

"I'm sorry. I'll try to recover as fast as I can. But, until then…Mom?" he said. "Would you visit Matt every now and then? Y'know…" he said. Hurit smiled.

"Of course. I was just about to ask that myself. Son, you can visit or call me whenever you want." Hurit said to Matthew. "I have a lot of catching-up to do on mothering." She said before catching Matthew in another death-grip.

"T-Thanks…mom…" Matthew said.

"I'm so proud of both of my boys…Even if you make mistakes, you'll always be my sons. Life from here on out will be hard for all of us, but I'll always love you and be there for you, no matter what." She said. She released Matthew and walked over to Alfred's bedside, taking his hand.

"I wish our reunion had been under happier circumstances…But I suppose tragedy is what brings people together best." She said, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry that it came to this…"

"Mom, please." Alfred said. The three turned when they suddenly heard the door click open and the doctor from before peered in.

"Visiting hours are over." He said. Hurit hugged Alfred one more time. Matthew stood by his bedside, finding himself being roughly pulled into yet another death-grip by his brother.

"You better take care of yourself, bro. Don't end up like me, or I'll kill you." Alfred said, somewhat jokingly. Matthew laughed nervously and momentarily hugged back before he was released and inhaled as quietly as he could. Matthew and Hurit reluctantly left the room and waved their goodbyes before the door was closed behind them and they were ushered out to the reception area.

"Mom, how'd you get here?" Matthew asked.

"I took the bus. Why?" she asked.

"I'll drive you home." He said. She smiled, still sad-eyed, and followed him to his car. For quite some time, the ride was quiet aside from the occasional instructions given by Hurit, but for once, Matthew managed to start a conversation.

"Hey, mom?"

"Yes, my son?"

"Do you think…Alfred'll ever get better?" he asked. She sighed.

"…I don't know, Matthew. I pray that he will, but all we can do is be there to support him."

"Yeah…I guess you're right." He paused. "Mom…I'm scared. For him, for the future, for everyone." He said. She smiled sadly.

"Times of uncertainty are very dark indeed. But, Matthew, just remember this whenever you're apprehensive; it's always darkest before the dawn."


AN: Holy crapola! Am...Am I really done? Did I actually manage to finish my first chapter story for anything? Ever? I...I'm so happy and relieved. Yet, at the same time, disappointed...Y'know, I think I've learned that the hardest part of a story is ending it properly, which I really hope I did since, like I said, I've never finished anything more than one-shots or very short novellas. Anyway, expect something about the Nordics (I loves me some Nordics) next and, for you Homestuck fans, something to do with the trolls later on.

So...I hate to pry, but I would really, really appreciate reviews and constructive criticism. I want to know what you guys like and don't so I can make future attempts bigger and better! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! (Hint hint: There just maaaaaaaay be a little extra in a short while. Maaaaaaaaybe.)