School is out people! Woohoo!... I know it's been a while, but, y'know... when summer relieves your responsibilities you kind of forget everything XD
America bit his lip, trying to look away from Claudia. Korea looks over to him," Ah, no thank you. It was a nice offer though" he tries to smile reassuringly, but it comes out as more of a grimace. Claudia shakes her head," Nonsense, you two must be starving. I'll get you both some right now" America felt himself pale slightly at the word "starving". That's right Alfred, she sees it. She sees how weak you are to your own mind and takes pity on you. How does it feel, Mr. Mighty United States? How does it feel to completely and utterly helpless and such a goddamn burden. Korea rubs the back of his hand soothingly, reminding him that he was there to help. That eased his mind... only a little bit though. Claudia came back with two paper plates, both with skinny slices of pie on them. Korea utters a small thanks, taking a plastic fork and cutting into his slice. America said nothing, his eyes roaming over the crust, the filling, even the small swirl of whipped cream on top. Damn... he was hungry. And the pie looked so good... but he couldn't eat it. Too sugary, sugar wasn't good for his weight. But... his weight might, for the moment, be fine if his family was giving him so much food, so... one measly slice can't be bad right?
WRONG
God, America had actually grabbed a fork! He can't believe he was about to betray himself like this! He slapped his own hand, setting the fork down and sitting with his hands in his lap. Korea notices the behavior and frowns. America winces but doesn't say anything. "A quiet duo, huh?" Claudia laughs nervously, glancing between America, Korea, and the untouched slice of pie. "We're usually very loud" Korea shakes his head," Especially Al... He isn't feeling his best in case you can't tell" Claudia frowns, finally taking a look at America. His sunken eyes and flattened nose and sucked-in cheeks and his thin hair... she looked like she finally got it. "Oh, oh my god, I'm sorry, I didn't see.." She looks away in embarrassment, and America rings his hands together," It's fine" he mumbles," No one ever sees"
China wrinkled his nose at the nation in front of him, arms crossed stubbornly," Why you no take any more food? You know how much I cook for you alone? It selfish to not eat the whole meal" America winced slightly but smiled," Nah man we just take the left overs home! I even brought a take out box 'cause I know you always go overboard!" he laughs obnoxiously. Oregon had managed to nurse him well enough to get him to go to one last meeting while Florida (Poor Florida, America thought after seeing the dark circles that contrasted her sun-kissed skin) called the president to give America the next month off. America could technically just stop working, as his well-being and his alone decided the fate of the nation and not the paperwork he was stuck doing, but he liked to feel like he was helping. Anyways, Florida was on the phone with the wrinkly orange of a president that America had, while America himself stayed late talking with the Asian nations. "Mister America, perhaps it wourd be wise to finish the mear if you want to keep on China's good side" Japan says bluntly, making Taiwan and Vietnam laugh at America's face.
"You look sick" Philippines huffs, pressing her hand to the back of America's hand," Why didn't you say anything, Joe?" Ah, there she goes with her crazy nicknames again. "I'm not sick, sis" America laughs nervously, taking a step back. Philippines looks suspicious but doesn't press further. "Yo Al I was thinking you could come over to my place tomorrow and we could try out weird beauty hacks again" Korea slings an arm around America's shoulder, grinning. "What!? No, he coming to my place to talk about Global Warming agreement" China snaps, and Korea looks over at the blond nation. "Aha.. yeah, I did say that didn't I.." America laughs nervously, feeling a sharp pain in his stomach," I can't make it, mandatory break and all that ya know?" He lies.
"Bullshit" India says offhandedly, and a few people stare at him in surprise," You don't ever take breaks, not even when you're overwhelmed. Very unheroic of you" he criticizes jokingly, and America sighs," Yeah, I know..." oh wow, he actually took it seriously," I'm just sick, don't worry" And worry they did. Korea frowned, but didn't comment on his break in character," Well then... I'll see you at the next meeting! I've got an appointment to keep you know!"
After another hour, the therapist finally showed. Her name was Reyla, like they thought. She had purple streaks in platinum blonde hair and she was pale. Really really pale. Oh well, c'est la vie, who are America and Korea to judge on paleness. They had a good hour and a half left, Korea expected it to be talking about his feelings and prescribing pills or something (it was sort of like that, Reyla asked about anti-depressants. She didn't prescribe them though. America had been taking them for a while). But... they just talked. Reyla didn't prod him when he said he felt cold or tired, she just wrote it down. When America said something about what he was actually feeling, she asked him to elaborate. Embarrassed, ashamed, nervous, those were the only three he listed. But he couldn't explain them to her. She frowned, thinking, and nodded," Okay then Alfred, and what is the last thing you've eaten?" America bit his lip, obviously trying to remember. Korea cleared his throat, letting out a quiet,"Uhh.." Reyla looked over to him," Yes, Yong Soo?" "The last thing he ate was... Last week, at the hospital. He ate some low-fat sugar free stuff" Korea huffs, obviously displeased with the 'healthy' thought process. Reyla nods," Well then, Alfred, let's make it your goal to eat this week. I'll be looking forward to our next visit!"
America looks surprised," That... that's it? Really? No pills or tests or anything?" Reyla shakes her head no," I've got a pretty good idea on what to do with you" she smiles, sticking out her hand. America stares at it before shaking it, sighing," That's what the doc said, but thanks for trying" He said it in an apathetic tone, but his eyes were hopeful. He wanted to get better. Hopefully that was a point in their favor, rather than the Bulimia's.
England snorts when he heard what happened with Reyla," She better know what she's doing. Or I'm dragging your ass to my place to speak to a real professional" America cracked a small smile," Sounds like kidnapping, man.." "Not if my government knows you're there" England hums, running his fingers through America's hair. He had gotten back around noon, settling back into the guest room and he seemed more than happy to spend time with his more talkative brother-son figure. "So, are you fine with Yong Soo taking you to your appointments?" England tilts his head, and America hums in confirmation," He's nice, and my best friend. I don't really care if he watches or listens or not" he shrugs, and England bites his lip. "So... Do you have any suggestions for supper?" he gives a small smile, and America sighs. Reyla had told him to eat this week, if he could, but just the thought of eating made his stomach grow heavy and his heart clench in despair. "Uh n-no, no suggestions" America smiles, moving his head off England's lap and stretching. Even if Reyla hadn't told him how he can get better, talking about his feelings made him a bit more sociable. That's a good thing. "A girl named Florida called earlier, by the way. Said the paperwork was stacking up for you" England shakes his head," I told Timothy and Pierre they could go help her out. You're fine with me and Yong Soo right now.. right?"
America sighs, but after a moment, nods," Yeah, you two are great" he grins, and with the life in his eyes, England believed it. "I trust you two"