Hey, guys. I know the last post for this chapter was a little short, so I added some more content and fixed some typos. It's not much longer than the last, but I hope you all like it better :D

A sigh escaped his lips, a gentle but unnerved sigh. His eyes peered on the hospital that lay before them. "Why can't we help them?" Many that passed by graced the two and they nodded their return.

The older of the two looked gently but sternly. "They need to do this on their own. You already helped them without permission."

Their white gowns blew in the breeze that gently passed by, sensing the unease between the two. It swayed around them almost wanting them to calm their nerves. The smaller male looked at the ground and back up. "It would've been disastrous if they were to continue. They weren't ready to fight."

Even he had to admit, his younger brother was right. Tossing the Molotov in the fight was the right thing to do. "That interference could have changed things around in the future, though."

"I know it did. But at least we know there's one flaw. They can't kill the original them or else it would cause their deaths as well. Suicide."

"Suicide never prospers, and they know that. They've been careful so far, but if they get reckless, we could be in danger of death as well."

The older started to walk away before the other noticed and gracefully and happily followed, grasping his brother's hand in his. A light blush appeared on the older brother as he side-eyed the younger calmly. "What are we going to eat tonight?"

"Anything, as long as Selaphiel doesn't so much as look at it, will be fine for me."

The younger giggled and squeezed the hand he held tighter, pushing himself closer that, with the sway of their strides, entangled their long necklaces together, clinking against one another.

"So tell us," America said, looking over the four patients, "what the hell happened for you to wind up here."

Looking at each other and exchanging glances, Austria was the first to speak up, "We are not quite sure. They must have been stalking us for a few days, because they knew when to strike."

"Horrible timing on our part," added Hungary. "They assaulted us the night we were driving home late from an orchestra concert." She spared a sharp glance at Austria. "Standing right in the middle of the road, the Nazis. At first, we thought it was just some prank, but when that…" — she searched for a word that would best fit the wendigo — "thing approached, I spun the truck around and bailed out of there. Not long after, they were behind us, shooting at the tires of my truck."

"Luckily we were able to outrun them for the time. It was then I decided to never get in another vehicle with her as a driver again."

Prussia chuckled lightly. "Isn't zat ze truth."

Giving them both a look, Hungary continued. "We called Switzerland, unsure of where anyone of you would be at the time. He told us to come to his house, that he'd assist us. When we got there and settled for the first hour, those guys barged in and attacked. That's when Austria called you lot. I was helping defend against them, that's when it attacked me." Again, she rubbed her bandaged arm as the flashback passed through her mind. "They all came through, overpowering us. I took Lichtenstein and ran out of the house, hoping to get away. Didn't get far if I ended up here."

Everyone was silent for a moment. The air was stale with sweat, and the smell of dried blood plagued underneath the other scents. Sunlight shone through the curtains disappearing every so often as a cloud veiled the rays.

Breaking the silence with a clear of his throat, England said, "They could strike anywhere next." Tension emitted from each country standing in the room. The horrible, ugly truth stared at them like an old monster hiding in the closet: waiting and watching for the perfect moment to strike at its prey.

"We'll just have to wait," Italy muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. "It's all we can do."

Germany set a warm hand on the Italian's shoulder, comforting him. "Ve vill be ready ven zat happens." His voice made Italy smile and warm up. "Let us get somezing to eat."

"I will join you both," Japan said. "If you do not mind."

In the cafeteria, the three of them sat in silence while they picked and ate at the food, if you could call it that, in front of them. Unsure of what they could think of, conversations consisted of rather short small talk with awkward silences between them that about what they had been involved in before this incident ever happened.

A thought traveled through Italy's mind, making him smile as he remembered the times before.

Noticing, Germany looked questioningly at Italy. He had not seen the kid smile like this in what seemed like so long. He enjoyed seeing Italy smile. It made him feel like smiling as well. Japan had also noticed and was staring at the Italian as well.

Without looking up from his food he said, "Remember the first day we met, Germany? And the first day we met you, Japan?"

Shocked and awestruck the two were that Italy had brought this up suddenly. They quickly exchanged looks before returning to Italy staring at his food.

"And when we were stuck on that island."

"That is right. It was when we had decided on our united title."

"Ze axis," muttered Germany. He pushed the unappealing food around on his plate with his fork, not wishing to eat when his thoughts were already fogged.

"We've had a lot of great adventures together, haven't we?" Italy asked. His smile faded for a moment. "And a lot of not so great, too. Some times were easy and other times they weren't."

"Nothing worthwhile ever is." Italy looked up to meet Japan's eyes. Knowing he was right, he gave a short nod.

"I am never driving with you again," Japan muttered as the flashback crossed his eyes. "Curse Westerns and their rack of speed rimits."

"Who gave you a license anyvay?" Germany was curious. With someone like how Italy can, or used to, be it was hard to imagine that Italy even had a driver's license.

"Fratello helped me with my driving before I got my license. Took me a year and a half, though."

"I am not surprised. It was hard to berieve that you were riterate when Germany-san read that note you reft."

Italy's eyes widened for a second. "Oh, that note." Italy looked at Germany with regret lining his eyes. "I'm sorry I betrayed you."

Germany blinked with unchanging eyes, only answering with, "I forgave you, did I not?"

"But why? After such a cowardly move."

Gently, Germany grasped Italy's hand and brought it to his lips. "You vere my only friend for ze longest time. You vere my first friend. Even zough you betrayed me, it vould have been cruel of me not to forgive you."

A warm smile and blush rushed over Italy's face. There was that smile again. How was that smile so irresistible? Oh, it didn't matter anyway. All that mattered was keep everyone safe and alive and having Italy to love.

"I'm worried and scared. If someone dies this time, I can't go back and try again."

Setting a caring hand on his shoulder, Germany said, "Not everyzing in zat event vas bad. It brought all of us closer. Ve all became an alliance. Not as countries, but as humans."

Italy grasped the large hand. "Ludwig…"

"Germany-san is right. Even in times where things looked bleak, there have always been good things to come out of it. All the challenges that we have all faced together, we have defeated. This time, it will be no exception. We have always found a way and we always will."

"Vise vords, Japan." Germany was impressed. Then again, Japan was a storage unit for philosophic words and phrases and always had a good pep-talk or two for any situation.

"Arigato."

"We can't relax yet. Not until this is fully over. I have a really bad feeling." Italy started to shake. Sickness welled up in his stomach. Unable to hold himself calm, he rushed to the nearest bathroom and vomited. The two other worried and frightened countries followed him, asking if he was all right. When his answer turned negative, they helped him back to the room the others were staying at, stopping twice along the way.

"Italy?" France was the first to notice them enter. "Is he all right?"

"He's zrown up."

Italy moaned in pain and grasped at his chest. "My heart…"

England had a thought. "Hold on a second." He grabbed the tv remote and flicked on the news station.

"Oh, no…"