Narrator: No one (third-person)

"Hey, Artie," Alfred said, throwing his stuff to his desk in the English classroom. Arthur looked up from his book. "Did Gil text you about what happened?"

"He doesn't have my number," Arthur said, "and you texted me about it after Gilbert texted you and Matthew."

"Oh, I forgot," Alfred mumbled. "Anyway . . . yeah. God, I hope they're okay . . ."

"Francis was really upset," Arthur added. "I told him about it after you told me."

"I texted Herc about it, so he probably told Kiku," Alfred said. "Wow, lunch is gonna suck."

"If Gilbert or Lovino's here today, we can ask about visiting them," Arthur suggested. "I don't know what that hospital's policy on visits is, but . . ."

"Yeah, sounds good," Alfred agreed. "We can sneak in or something if they won't let us."

"You know, that's not a bad idea . . ."

Alfred, Antonio, Arthur, Francis, Gilbert, Hercules, Kiku, Lovino, Matthew, and Mei met up for lunch at their usual table.

"Is everything . . . I mean, how are they?" Matthew murmured, his voice just above a whisper.

Gilbert made a face. "Nothing new so far," he muttered. "Last we heard, they were still unconscious."

"The hospital said visitors were okay for today," Antonio offered, lifting his head slightly. "Lovi and me, our boss said—we called in, confirmed what happened, he said we could take this week off."

"Wait," Arthur said, "you and Lovino were—?"

The others looked up at Antonio and Lovino expectantly.

Antonio nodded. "It was—we were on a double date," he explained. "Lovi and me hit our heads, but the doctors said we were okay."

"'s not fair," Lovino muttered, hands clenched on the table. "We get away fine, but Feli and Ludwig—don't even know their condition—"

He let out a shaky breath. "And even when we visit, that asshole's probably going to be there, looking at me like something on someone's shoe—"

"Feli's stepfather?" Mei said. "Don't worry about him. He seems like a douchebag."

Alfred and Gilbert stared at her.

"What?"

"Him being a douche is the problem," Lovino muttered, staring at the table.

"Before I forget," Alfred said, raising a hand, "real quick, I'm sorry about that, and he does seem like a douche, I agree, I was just wondering if it'd be okay to come with you guys to visit them?"

"Seconded," Arthur added, raising Francis's hand with his own.

"I'm not sure . . . I could make it today," Hercules murmured, head resting in his arms.

"Oh, I was going to ask you—" Kiku said, looking around nervously. "I would like to go regardless . . ."

Hercules shrugged. "I'm not offended."

"Guys, it's totally fine," Gilbert said. "Right, Toni, Lovino?"

They nodded.

"Oh, holy fuck," Gilbert exclaimed.

"Is something wrong, Gilbert?"

He looked up at the teacher. He, Francis, and Matthew were in English, their final class of the day.

"Sorry, I'll keep it down," he said, raising a hand sheepishly. She turned around and he showed Francis and Matthew his phone.

"Ludwig woke up?" Francis whispered, reading the text from Rainer.

"Yeah, thank god," Gilbert whispered. He grinned. "Holy shit, that's a load off my chest—"

"Gilbert?"

"Sorry, ma'am!"

Rainer picked up Gilbert and Mei directly from school to go to the hospital. Lovino and Antonio showed up not long after on their bikes.

Once cleared at the desk, Rainer, Gilbert, and Mei went down the hall and found their way to the ward. Ludwig was sitting up in bed, two I.V.s stuck in him. His head was bandaged and a few bruises decorated his shoulders.

"Luddie, hey," Gilbert said with a broad grin, sitting next to Mei while Rainer sat on the opposite side. "How you feeling?"

"Numb and tired," Ludwig mumbled with a weak smile. "These drugs are working, I'll give them . . . that."

"How has everything been?" Rainer asked. "Do you need anything?"

Ludwig attempted a shrug, but winced and gave up. "Nothing I don't have."

The bed next to them was separated by a curtain, but they heard movement and glanced over. A moment later, someone poked their head around.

"Oh, you're here," Antonio said in surprise. "Hey, Ludwig! How are you doing?"

Ludwig made a face. "Are you and . . . Lovino fine? I'm sorry about . . ."

"We're fine," Antonio said, coming around. "I'm sorry you and Feli had to . . . well, take all the impact. Lovi and me got away with some head bumps. You're gonna be okay, right?"

"As soon as they take these bandages off and these needles out," Ludwig muttered.

"What are you two doing over there?" Mei added.

"Well—Feli's here."

Ludwig's breath seemed to halt entirely. "Is he—?"

Rainer, Gilbert, and Mei looked over as Antonio went behind the curtain, murmured something, and pulled it back.

Feliciano lay still on his bed, eyes closed and a nasal cannula in his nostrils. He showed no sign of consciousness, even as Lovino sat near his head, watching him as if he could wake him with his mind.

"Doctors aren't sure when he'll wake up," Antonio murmured.

Ludwig stared at Feliciano, his breath rather shallow.

"Feli," he whispered in a broken voice.

"Bad time?"

Everyone looked around to see Alfred, Matthew, Arthur, and Francis entering the hallway.

"Hey," Antonio said with a small smile. "You guys wanna sit?"

Arthur looked around. "There aren't any more chairs."

"Take my seat, then—" Antonio stood.

"Mattie, you can sit on my lap," Gilbert offered.

"I'm good . . ."

Alfred looked at Mei hopefully.

"You're too heavy," she said flatly.

"Aw."

"I'm going to get some water," Rainer announced, standing. "Woe be it to me if my seat is stolen while I'm gone."

He left the hallway and Alfred seized the opportunity to sit.

"What's new?" he asked Ludwig, throwing a glance at Feliciano and Lovino.

"I'm taking a nap as soon as everyone's gone," Ludwig muttered, stealing another glance at Feliciano.

"Alright, that's cool, you could nap now, I don't think we care."

"Arthur?"

The others surreptitiously glanced up as Francis spoke quietly.

"I hate to ask, but . . ." He waved his hand. "You don't think you could . . . ?"

"Something like that?" Arthur murmured. "No, I'm afraid not. There are different kinds of magic, and I'm barely proficient at one or two kinds, let alone a master of all. This is like asking . . . a knitter to perform brain surgery."

"I see," Francis murmured. He realized the others were staring—even Lovino had looked up. "What?"

"Okay, no offense, but now's not the time for magic jokes," Gilbert said. "Luddie's got some serious injuries."

"It's not a joke," Arthur muttered, pulling out his wand. "And I wish I could help the healing process, but it's best to let the real doctors take care of it."

"Taking out a toy . . . doesn't mean anything," Ludwig mumbled.

Arthur motioned for Alfred to stand up. Once he did, Arthur pointed his wand at the free chair and muttered something. The chair floated a foot off the ground and wobbled through the air over to Arthur, who caught it and raised his eyebrows at the wide-eyed stares he received.

"Okay," Gilbert said at last. "I'm stepping down from everything. That was pretty cool."

"These drugs are really strong," Ludwig murmured.

"Dude, if that was drugs, we're all high as fuck," Alfred said. "Artie, why didn't you ever tell me? We're cousins!"

"I told you all so many times and you never believed me," Arthur pointed out. "Not my fault."

"He's got a point," Matthew murmured.

"Can I have my chair back?" Alfred added. "Unless it's tainted."

"It's not tainted, here you go," Arthur muttered, handing it over.

"I can see faeries now," Francis said helpfully. "Something about a strong connection to a wizard."

"Okay," Mei said, holding up her hands. "I think that's enough weird stuff for the day."

"Fair enough."

Lovino cleared his throat. "So—you said you can't help heal Feli?" he said, looking at Arthur.

Arthur shook his head. "I've never done anything like this. It's too risky, things would likely end up worse . . ."

"Right," Lovino whispered. "Okay."

He seemed to be holding back tears as he looked back at Feliciano, so still in the bed. Antonio went over to comfort him.

Rainer returned and Mei stood, but he shook his head and she sat back down.

"—Oh!"

The party turned once more to see Kiku, followed closely by Roderich and Elizabeth.

"Am I late?" Kiku asked. He held a bouquet of lilies.

"Nah, but we don't have more chairs," Gilbert said. "Nice flowers. Hey, Mrs. Edelstein."

"Hello," Elizabeth said distractedly, smiling at Ludwig before going to Feliciano's bed. "Lovino, Antonio—"

They glanced up as Roderich joined her.

"I'm ready to leave," Lovino said abruptly. "Toni?"

"I—if you want," Antonio said, startled. "Wanna come back tomorrow?"

"Yeah, soon as possible. Sorry, Eliza."

With one last look at Feliciano and a wave to the others, Lovino and Antonio left the ward.

"Good thing, too," Roderich muttered, taking their chairs for himself and Elizabeth. "They don't have any busin—"

A fiery glare from Elizabeth startled him into silence. Gilbert grinned vindictively.

Despite efforts to stay awake, Ludwig fell asleep partway through the visit. Alfred, Matthew, Arthur, and Francis departed not long after this. Kiku was the next to leave.

Rainer, Gilbert, Mei, Roderich, and Elizabeth stayed for another hour or so. Around this time, a member of the staff stopped by to inform them visiting hours would end soon.

Rainer, Gilbert, and Mei wished Roderich and Elizabeth farewell, and smiled to Ludwig before leaving. Roderich and Elizabeth left shortly after. Neither spoke to each other.