I feel bad but happy to say that this will be the last chapter of Try and Hear Me. Yup that's right people! I might make a one-shot of what happens after, but only if people want me to ;P

I hope you all enjoy the last chapter of this fun fun FUN story! Thank you all for sticking with me and my horrid updating system. Thank you all for the support and kind words.

Stay awesome! ^^

~~~ Chapter 9 ~~~

It's been a while since the two brothers saw their dad at the hospital. They've always planned on visiting, but they couldn't spare the time and always seemed to come when it wasn't convenient. So, in the end, the two didn't really get a chance to see their father improve, but they were at least at the hospital now to pick up him up to take him home. Gilbert had optioned the idea of entering through the older blond's window, but Ludwig shut down the idea as soon as it came out of the albino's mouth.

"I'm just sayin' Lud, it would save us a lot of time!" Gilbert protested as they made their way down the hall.

"And I'm just saying you would end up right next to Vati in a hospital bed," the other shot back. As he spoke, he reached for the handle and opened it. Ludwig was too busy opposing his brother that he didn't even notice Dr. Vargas was also in the room, helping the other pack his books and other trinkets he brought with him (mostly books).

"Gilbert, Ludwig. How come every time you enter my room you are always bickering?" Aldrich said.

His eyes narrowed at the young men but it quickly melted off his face as he saw the utter shock from the two's faces. The albino had his jaw to the floor while the younger had yet to let go of the door handle, his knuckles slowly turning white around the metal.

Aldrich stood upright beside his bed, in normal attire, with his luggage on the bed. Augustus stood by him, holding a shirt that he was in the middle of folding. Neither of the boys had ever seen their father look more confident. It wasn't to say that Aldrich looked weak before, but he didn't carry himself as high as he did right now. His chin wasn't in his chest and his back stood taller and his shoulders were squared. This side was new to both boys; it was like he was a whole different person.

After a while of the two staring, it began to set the older German off a bit. Knitting his brow, he ordered, "Quit staring, and help me pack." The two instantly rushed toward their elder and did what he said.

Aldrich would be lying if he said that he wasn't glad the two pressured him to come to this hospital. He was also quite pleased that he could show off his improved vocal cords. True that he still held his thick German accent, but he wouldn't want it any other way; it was his original voice and he was going to keep it.

While the boys were busy packing, Aldrich felt his throat become dreadfully dry. It happened on occasion when he talked a bit too much or too loudly. He didn't want to make a big deal about it, especially since he would be leaving in a few moments, so he causally reached for the water bottle conveniently on the night stand and took a swig.

Dr. Vargas immediately noticed the German's vocal discomfort and placed a hand on the other's shoulder and muttered, "Don't push yourself too much Aldrich. I know you're doing better 'n all, but you don't want to end up back here for over doing it, yes?"

The blond huffed as he capped the bottle. He knew the Roman was right, but his pride wouldn't let him admit it.

When Aldrich was all packed up, the boys volunteered to bring the elder's bags down so the two could say their good-byes. When the two boys left the room, they brought all the noise with them. Aldrich couldn't meet Roma's eyes and vice versa.

The silence was eating the brunet alive, and – for once – he had no idea what to say. It was quite obvious that Roma had developed feelings for the blond and not just lust but real, true feelings. He wanted to tell him, wanted to tell him for ages now, but of course there was always that fear of rejection. However, now was the perfect time to say it; if he didn't feel the same, then they would never have to see each other again and things wouldn't be awkward. But if the blond did return his feelings . . . well then, Augustus would be one happy Roman.

For Aldrich, on the other hand, he didn't quite know how he felt of the other. He felt something, that was a given, but he couldn't quite place the feeling; he couldn't put a name to the emotion. Aldrich was constantly annoyed by the other, but he sometimes felt that it wasn't such a bad thing. He would look forward to seeing him every day and he was sad now that he was leaving, yet he was constantly irritated and was happy to leave this infernal hospital. Everything was just confusing to him. He wanted to tell Augustus, but how on earth would he word such a strange thing? I think I like you, but I'm not sure. . . Yeah, even in his mind that sounded awful to Aldrich.

Before the silence could kill the Roman, he decided to clear his throat and finally look at the other, "So . . ." he started lamely.

"So," Aldrich mimicked as he avoided eye contact.

Huffing, Augustus decided to bit the bullet. "Listen Aldrich . . . I don't really know how to say this, and I'm probably going to sound like a goof when I say it –"

"You'll look like a goof regardless," Aldrich teased, interrupting the other.

Roma couldn't help but laugh at the interruption. Now with the tension broken, the brunet continued, "What I'm trying to say is . . .ah. . . IREALLYLIKEYOU! YOUWANNAGOONADATESOMETIME?!"

The Roman mentally slapped himself as Aldrich raised a brow. The blond understood only half of what the other said. "What?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Taking an exasperated breath, Roma tried again, "I said . . . I-I like you . . . and I also asked if you would, perhaps, l-like to go on a d-date sometime?" Augustus wanted to hit himself again, but this time with an anvil. Why was he being so goddamn shy about this?! He could practically ask a female stranger for sex with a straight face, but asking Aldrich out left him a stuttering mess.

The blond's brows shot up and his face warmed. Aldrich's mind went completely blank. He had no clue how to respond to that. He felt his throat drying all over again! No one – NO ONE – has ever confessed to liking the German before. He was too distant and anti-social for anyone to actually like. How did this idiot manage to even stand his presence?! Yet again, he is an idiot. . . but is that really a bad thing in this instance? Wait, did he even feel the same? . . .

Because Aldrich was lost in his own thoughts, he didn't speak for quite some time and Augustus automatically took that as a bad thing. Looking down, Augustus muttered, "Sorry. . . I'll. . . I'll leave now."

That snapped the blond out of his whirling thoughts. He blinked a few times and said far too quickly, "No!" He rubbed at his neck as he felt his vocal cords strain. He couldn't say what he wanted, just like always.

Angrily running a hand through is locks – careful not to catch the braid so he wouldn't mess it up – Aldrich tried to communicate to the other but with his hands instead of his voice. He signed, "It's alright. . . I'm not mad." He paused for a moment thinking of how he wanted to word this. "I . . . I would love to go on a date."

Augustus' brows shot up as he translated the motions. In a matter of seconds, Roma went from shame to absolute joy. Without thinking – not like he did that much anyway – he rushed the blond and enveloped him in a bear hug. Aldrich flinched as soon as the other was on him. He wasn't use to physical contact, and this was pushing his boundaries greatly, but he didn't want to push the other away like he almost did before. Hesitantly, the German wrapped his arms around Augustus' middle, which only made the other hug him even tighter.

Before things could get awkward – or even more so – Roma pulled back and gave the other's shoulders a squeeze. "Oh!" Roma suddenly exclaimed, "Here . . ." he walked over to the nightstand toward his clip board and ripped a piece of paper from it. He quickly scribbled his phone number onto it and handed it over. "So you can call me . . . Ya know, if you're throat is hurting or . . . for other stuff." Roma tried to gain some of his swagger back when he leaned closely to Aldrich as he passed the piece of paper.

The German wasn't impressed with the attempt, but took the paper nonetheless. He flicked the other in the forehead as he leaned in even closer. Augustus flinched back and rubbed the wound. He had a hurt look on his face but it soon faded as he saw the joking smile on Aldrich's face.

"I'll call," Aldrich stated simply, "Thanks Augustus."

"Roma," the brunet corrected, "Call me Roma. It's what all my friends call me anyway," he said as he casually shoved his hands in his coat pockets.

"So, I'm just a friend?" the other teased.

Roma's brows shot up once more and he spoke in a rushed and panicked tone trying to explain himself better, when it only made it worse. Aldrich shook his head. The brunet was too easy to mess with.

To shut the other up, Aldrich grabbed Roma's tie and pulled him in close. He placed a kiss to the other's cheek and the Roman went stiff as a board. His eyes got so wide the blond thought they would pop right out of his head, it would be a funny but terrible sight.

Aldrich didn't know where he got the sudden confidence from but he didn't argue with it and just went with the punches. Pulling away, the German patted the brunet's hard chest and repeated, "I'll call." He then spun on his heel and walked out of the room leaving the brunet still dumbfounded.

If the two were to make it work – and Aldrich was seriously hoping it would – Roma would be left dumbfounded quite often.

Thanks again for sticking with me once again. And I'm sorry for crappy ending cause I suck at those XP

If you want a one-shot of what happens after, then leave a comment~! ^^ If I get at least five PMs asking for more then I'll definitely do it :D

Please tell me how I did~! I really wanna know if this was successful or not (cause I think it was, but ya never know) so please leave a review

Thanks again everybody, stay awesome! ^^