Chapter 28: The Found and The Searched
Feliciano walked slowly to the medical tent. Thanks to the rude nurse who attacked his already injured knee, he was limping more with the bandage than without.
But that didn't matter. He had heard that they would be sending Alfred and Gilbert home, and since he was the one who found them, he would be able to go back to England too. Feliciano was giddy with the thought of seeing Ludwig again.
He walked into the tent to see Alfred being helped into his bomber jacket by Gilbert. The albino man was severely dehydrated and had only scrapes and bruises from carrying Alfred. Apparently the albino was able to hide successfully from the Nazis while in captivity. Feliciano smiled and went to Alfred.
"It's good to see you up, Al!" he chirped.
The American looked terrible. His brilliant eyes were sunken in from lack of food and sleeping. The blue was dull and frightened, like a beaten dog. The doctors has not permitted him to wear a shirt yet, so a small, rusty stain on his bandaged shoulder glared angrily at Feliciano.
Alfred turned his head to the lad, a slow smile creeping on to his face, some life seeping into his eyes.
"Feli... Gil said you found us."
Feliciano nodded. "I wasn't able to believe that you were killed."
Alfred's face paled even more than it was before. "They said I was killed? Did they send a letter to Arthur?" He turned quickly, making Gilbert have to hold him before he fell.
The little Italian stepped back. "I-I don't know. I think they did."
"I have to go back now!" Alfred all but shouted. "Arthur needs me!" Suddenly, he bent at the waist and coughed harshly into his hand.
"Feli, help me get him on the bed." Gilbert commanded.
With tears in his eyes, Feliciano helped Gilbert settle Alfred onto the medical cot. The tears started to run free when Feliciano heard Alfred whispering about Arthur. He heard Alfred say how frightened and fragile the usually stoic Englishman is. It confused Feliciano to hear things like that said about Arthur, but it pained his heart to hear someone so strong almost in tears over a person who was relatively safe.
Alfred reluctantly laid back and his eyes glazed over. His hand reached to his neck and Feliciano saw a necklace clasped around Alfred's neck.
Stepping forward, Feliciano saw the small charm. It was the Star of David. He tilted his head. "Where did you get that?"
Alfred looked at the little Italian. "A friend of mine." He said, before looking away.
Gilbert sighed softly and hugged his elbows. "Hopefully we can leave soon."
USUKUSUK
After Matthew and Francis left the night before, Arthur had went to his room and stared out the window. He was thankful for nights without the air raid sirens, but that night, the silence had ripped through him.
It was the morning after Matthew and Francis' visit, and Arthur had no motivation to get out of bed. He held York in the curve of his body as Boston sat a few inches from them, sensing that Arthur just wanted to hold his cat.
Ludwig hobbled down the stairs and took in Arthur's pitiful state. "Have you made breakfast?"
"No." Arthur croaked out, pulling York closer to his chest.
The cat was uncomfortable, but he could tell his master needed his support more than he needed a comfortable position.
"What would you like?" Ludwig asked.
Alfred. Arthur sighed. "I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure? I can make potatoes." Ludwig stepped closer to Arthur.
"I don't want potatoes." Arthur mumbled, squeezing York ever closer.
"Tea?"
Suddenly, Arthur sat up quickly, making the two cats jump and fly off the bed. "No, Ludwig! I don't want anything! I just want to lay here and wait for depression to consume me so I don't have to think about Alfred!" He shouted, standing and moving to Ludwig.
Ludwig did not flinch or back down, instead he narrowed his ice blue eyes. "So this is what the strong Arthur Kirkland is reduced to when something is taken from him. What will you do when York dies?"
Arthur also stood strong, facing the Jewish man head-on. "I won't find York dead because I'll die before he does." He said coldly, stalking past Ludwig and going downstairs.
"Where are you going?" Ludwig called after him.
"Out. And I don't need you to follow!" Arthur shouted, skipping steps on his spiral staircase.
Once outside, Arthur started walking. He didn't care where he went, but he hadn't grabbed a jacket. All he had on was Alfred's blue sweater as he searched for a cafe of some sort to calm down in.
He passed the bar where he had met Dean, and he could see a group of people cheering loudly at their new pet now that Arthur had disappeared. Even though it wasn't even noon, he saw a couple drunks, though most of the men in the bar were on war leave and in desperate need for a woman's, or man's, touch. He even caught a glance at Dean's heartless eyes, but the drunk man was too interested in the show that was practically in his lap. Arthur hurried by.
At the train station, Arthur paused. He saw many wives and children waiting anxiously. A couple of young lads were talking and using bare sticks as swords, though neither seemed interested in their game.
He spotted the plume of black smoke against the cold blue sky, signaling the arrival of a train. He wondered how many wounded men were getting off the train, and how many of those were husbands, brothers, fathers...lovers. Arthur sighed and moved on.
He soon came across a small cafe. From the frosted windows he could see the room was empty except for a young girl at the counter.
Arthur rubbed his chilled arms and walked inside the shop, a small tinkle met his ears. He looked up and saw a small silver bell with a bright blue and green bow. He smiled sadly at the colors. He walked to the counter and perched himself on the bar stool.
The girl immediately went to him, a big smile on her face. "Hello sir!" She chirped. From the tone of her voice, Arthur could tell she was probably too young to actually be working, and the purple bow in her hair had a childlike air.
"Hello," Arthur replied and offered a smile, though it felt tight and fake on his face.
"Would you like some tea? We have enough to make one more strong cup!" She smiled and walked down the counter. "We also have some fresh bread, it's still in the oven, but it should be done soon."
Arthur's smile came more genuine and relaxed. The girl was being so shy and rather adorable, but what was with this 'we' talk? He cleared his throat, "Tea and bread would be nice." he said, resting his forearms on the counter.
The girl smiled brightly and continued to bustle about, pouring steaming water into a cup and disappearing into the back to appear again moments later holding a wooden plate with a smoking loaf if bread. "Big brother says to give you some butter!" She said sweetly, placing the tea and bread in front of Arthur.
Arthur smiled softly at the small, thin slice of butter. "I would like to thank him personally." He said. He knew how hard it was to come by butter, and if a stranger was giving it out, Arthur felt it was right to tell the man thank you in person.
The girl smiled sadly and picked at the sleeve of pink dress. "I'm afraid Brother is terribly ill. He hasn't been out of bed for a week." She dragged a stool close to Arthur and perched herself on it, folding her hands in her lap.
"If you want, I can send a doctor over." Arthur said, spreading the butter around on his bread the best he could.
"Brother won't allow it. He says we need our money to find his friend when he is better." She worried her lip, obviously not pleased with her brother's decision.
The girl smiled brightly, "Oh! And I'm Lilli." She said softly, then continued to bustle about, pouring steaming water into a cup and disappearing into the back to appear again moments later holding a wooden plate with a smoking loaf of bread.
That's when Arthur decided to answer with his own name, "I'm Arthur." He said, watching Lilli.
"Well its nice to meet you!" She said sweetly.
Arthur sipped the steaming tea. After setting his cup down, he replied, "Who is his friend?"
"An old friend who he helped out of fights with as a child. Roderich Evergreen or something." Lilli waved her hand. "I don't remember exactly what his name is."
"Is this man a doctor?" Arthur asked, setting down his teacup.
"Yes, I believe so." Replied Lilli, tilting her head.
"I think I know him. May I see your brother? I can clarify if it is who he is looking for." Arthur offered.
Lilli's green eyes brightened and she stood. "Let me ask him!" She chirped than ran from the bar.
Arthur looked down at the bread he had been given. He ripped a piece off and popped it in his mouth while he waited.
Not a moment later, Lilli appeared again. "Back here, Arthur. He can't stand very well."
"That is alright." Arthur stood and went to the edge of the counter and to the young girl.
Lilli smiled and went down a short hallway and turned into a room.
The man on the bed was very pale, his... pink... pajamas standing out sharply on his skin. His hair, that matched Lilli's color and style, was greasy and limp. He opened green eyes and looked at Arthur harshly. "You know Roderich?" He asked.
"Big brother, at least introduce yourself." Lilli scolded.
"Yes, I do. If we are talking about the same man. I am Arthur."
"Vash." He said before continuing. "Roderich Edelstein. He is a doctor. Very stuck up. Has a wife with a very boyish attitude."
"Ah, yes. We know the same man. He is my doctor." Arthur said.
"Bring me to him." Vash began to stand, but Lilli rushed to his side and pushed him back onto the pillows.
"You are far too weak to go out and look for him!" She said, pulling the blankets over Vash more securely.
"I need to get him out before he dies!" He snapped at his sister, making the young girl flinch.
Arthur stepped forward. "I can assure you that Roderich is alright. I see him every now and then. In fact, I saw him the other day. He and Elizabeta are fine."
Vash looked up at Arthur sharply, but settled back into the blankets and pillows.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are you so concerned about Roderich?" Arthur asked.
After a moment of silence in the room and a sigh from Vash, he spoke, "He is a very close friend of mine. When he said he was leaving to come here to help with the wounded, we got in a fight. He left and I haven't been able to contact or find him."
"And with his illness, he hasn't been able to look for weeks." Lilli said, pouting, "But with your help, Big Brother will be able to see Mister Roderich again!" Her eyes lit up at the thought of her brother's happiness.
Suddenly, Arthur had a strong urge to help. Not Vash, but Lilli. Arthur couldn't remember a time in his life he was happy for his brothers or sister, and now, he could make up for it by helping Lilli and Vash. "I'll fetch Roderich then. I'm sure he's eager to see a lost friend has well." He said, before leaving the room, Lilli hot on his heels.
And, out of the corner of his eye, Arthur saw a rose-tinted mist, following closely to Lilli.
Author's note: Told ya it would be before my birthday. Merry christmas! Yay! So, I have turned an innocent girl into a Hetalian. Mwahahaha! Anywho, thanks always Hannah-fish, who has written a one-shot! Yay! It's usuk and... sad... check it out if you like sad stuff... or just lemon scented stuff. It has it all.
MUDCAT: I'm sorry for the false hope I have given you! Don't worry, the brothers will reunite... in the after life. Hahaha just kidding. Thanks for the review!
*Hannah-fish says: -hugs Vash- Swissu. Thank you for the mention, Dear. :') I'm always happy to do this, even if life likes to tell me no.
