He was awoken by a gentle hand on his forehead; he grunted and shifted away from the cool hand that disrupted his dreamless sleep. It was at that moment Albion realised hot he was. He shifted weakly wishing that the cool hand would come back. Luckily, it did only to place a wondrously cold cloth on his forehead instead. He heard low murmurs but he couldn't understand what they were saying, they seemed so distant. He almost drifted off again when he felt a harsh movement from a bundle of soft fur beside him. Two small paws poked at his cheek and a whisper in his ear, "C'mon
England you have to wake up." He could hear the desperation in his voice. Albion willed his eyes open, not wanting to worry his friend for any longer.
The first thing he noticed was the dark; he allowed his blurry vision time to focus, wondering why Bunny had woken him up at such a late hour. "B-Buh-" He coughed out, why did his throat burn? He cleared his throat but before he could try to talk again Bunny spoke up with a relieved, excited, worried combination on his face.
"England! You're awake! Oh thank God, they started saying you wouldn't wake up! Well Rome did, Germania wasn't happy when he did and then they started arguing. Italy started crying and then Germania walked out and everyone went really quiet and sad." Bunny paused to take a deep breath. Albion tried to stop Bunny, he was talking too fast for him to catch up, but his voice wouldn't work and Bunny continued anyway. "Rome, Prussia and France looked after you until Germania came back. He looked kinda ashamed that he left, and he was always in the same room as you until your fever broke. But you're okay now!"
"W-where's Germania?" Albion said, it came out weak and quiet. "How long w-was I asleep?" He didn't even remember falling asleep.
"Oh um, three days. Germania went a couple of minutes ago, I'm sure he'll be back soon."
Albion sat up instantly and regretted it; his vision swam and felt the world spin. The wet cloth fell onto his lap and he immediately felt hot and uncomfortable. "Ugh… Three days? H-How? I jus-t fell asleep."
"England! I really think you should lay back down!" Bunny panicked, knowing from Rome and Germania's conversations that England was really unwell.
"England?" A familiar voice interrupted Bunny. Albion turned and saw Rome standing at the doorway. He seemed to snap out of his shock and approached the scruffy blond, placing a hand on his too warm forehead. He pulled a stool over and sat down, "How are you feeling?"
"Dizzy and hot." Albion mumbled mutely. He didn't know what to think of Rome anymore. Was he trustworthy? Did he really care about the little nation? Rome only seemed to care about Italy the most. Albion felt sorry for Romano, not being the preferred twin but he would never say it out loud; Romano scared him.
"Here." Rome handed him a cup of cool water. Albion moaned softly in relief as the liquid soothed his hot throat.
"Hmm… Thank you." Albion smiled at Rome but soon disappeared as he readied himself to ask a question he's wanted to ask since he got back from the woods with Prussia. The sorrow on Rome's face didn't help. "Rome? Can I ask you a ques'ion?"
Rome nodded with a small smile, "Sure, ask away."
Albion took a deep breath and let it go gently, still aware of his burning throat, "Is… Is Mama gone?"
Rome was silent, unsure how to answer. His mind was racing and he almost decided to brush off the boy's question but the sight of England's patient and almost nervous face changed his mind. If England was asking such a question then that must mean the kid feels something. It would explain why he was so suddenly sick. England has finally taken his mother's place as a nation.
He composed himself, "Believe me England I didn't want to – we've known each other for a long time, I would have called her my friend if she wasn't so stubborn." He answered finally, ending with a chuckle. "I didn't mean for her to get hurt. If I'd known she was with you I would've…" He trailed off, unsure how to carry on.
Albion had never seen Rome look so mournful before, he's always so happy and cheerful. "But why? Why were you fighting?" Hungary said that nations fight to protect their homes and people, but why was Rome fighting Mama? Mama wasn't doing anything wrong, not that he knew anyway.
Rome sighed heavily, "For my empire but honestly your mother's people are just as stubborn as her." He ruffled Albion's hair, "hopefully you won't get that trait of hers but I fear it's too late." Rome smiled, reminiscing the times he had with Britannia.
'If it's anything from Mama,' Albion thought, 'I'm glad to have it.' "What is an Empire?"
"Uh, it means that I have power in other countries." Rome explained, trying to keep it simple for the young nation.
"Oh, they lis'en to you? The other n-nations, I mean." Albion wondered. This could be his chance to make his brother's see he is not so useless.
"Sí…" Rome agrees wearily.
England's confidence went through the roof, this was his chance. "H-how did you become an empire?"
Of course, Rome caught on to England's intentions. He hesitated the Roman really didn't want to see the young nation get hurt. England was such a small country and a small boy too… maybe a little knowledge would do him some good.
As Rome explained very vaguely what he did as an empire, purposefully missing out the gruesome fights he has been through. Albion listened intensely he mentally noted down the points he thought were important. 'This'll show everyone I'm not as useless and small as they think I am.' He thought smugly.
Rome eyed the door the doorway as he spoke, he didn't want Germania or the boys seeing him tell England this. He didn't want to cause anymore arguments between him and Germania, no matter how often they were happening now.
"Alright, that's it for today, you still need rest." The Roman said, standing up from the stool.
"Aw," Albion whined disappointedly, "okay, f-thank you W-Rome."
"Don't tell anyone I told you, sí?"
"Okay…?" England agreed, confused why Rome would ask that but didn't dwell on it. Being awake at a late hour finally caught up with him as he struggled to stifle a yawn. Rome smiled and ruffled the boy's hair again and quietly left the room. Albion turned on his side facing the window gazing out at the dark, navy blue sky littered with clusters of sparkling stars and a large pale moon beaming down at him. He listened to Rome's heavy retreating footsteps then he was left alone, with a low orchestra of insects and nocturnal birds' chirps. Albion felt Bunny snuggle up to his chest, he smiled contently and pet the silk-soft fur.
"What are you thinking about England? You need your sleep." Bunny asked while stretching his body and leaning into England's torso.
"I need to find a way back home. I think I know how to get my brother's to like me." Albion grinned. Despite being ill he's never felt better.
Rome wandered the halls of his house, checking each bedroom to make sure the nations were okay, little Italy clung to Romano like he was a lifeline; Rome could hardly keep himself from (manly) squealing at the sight. He silently left them to their sleep.
Prussia messed up his bed and was now sleeping at the bottom of the bed while that strange yellow bird nestled into the pillows.
France was curled under his covers with a small smile on his face and a hand wrapped around his hair.
Rome frowned when he stepped into Holy Rome's room, that boy seemed to have problems sleeping peacefully. Rome had often heard France and Prussia tease him about Italy sometimes, but he didn't say anything to the young nation, he thought it was cute how he cared for his grandson. He hoped that Holy Rome would help Italy as they grew up.
He left the sleeping nation and decided to get some fresh air. His mind kept wandering back to Britannia and her son. He knew that Britannia was gone but he wished she wasn't. He wondered what the other nations will think of him once they find out what he's done. Rome hoped they would leave England's country alone, the kid's seen more that he should have at that age. If he kept England here then he can prevent the island nation from fighting, he didn't want the boy to be raised in war and battle, to be corrupt by the killing. He couldn't imagine Britannia's son to be like that.
Rome found himself sitting at the banks of the lake near his home. It was a clear and warm night and he began wondering how long this will last, his empire, and if it was such a good idea. England had lost his mother and was a long way from home because Rome didn't know what else to do with him. He couldn't leave the boy there without some supervision; he could have gotten hurt with all the fighting going on there. And his brother's seem to have abandoned him to fend for himself.
Gaul was also gone, her and Britannia's relationship was a confusing one, but when Britannia found out that her neighbour was invaded and attacked, she didn't just sit around.
Greece and Persia even detested him now and they argued a lot in the past.
Rome turned when a shadow crossed over him and settled down next to him.
"How is England?" Germania asked in his deep accented voice.
Rome hesitated as he remembered the conversation he had with the young nation, he resisted putting his face in his hands, "He's fine. He woke up earlier."
Shock and relief flashed in his eye for a moment before it vanished. "Zhat's good to hear."
They sat there in silence, Rome frowned, even his relationship with Germania was deteriorating. He didn't know how to fix his friendship with Germania; everything he did seemed to agitate his Germanic neighbour.
Germania sighed, "I'm going to check on him." He said as he got up and left for the house.
Rome was left alone.
The next day Albion sat on his bed talking to Bunny about his plan to get home and hopefully persuade his brothers that he's not as useless as they think he is.
"So what's this about going home? I thought you liked it here." Bunny tilted his head.
"I do! Well besides the heat, it's a really pwetty pwace – pretty. Pretty place." He gave a small embarrassed smile to Bunny who in turn praised him for his own corrections.
"Anyway you heard Rome-"
The small creature gasped, "you're not really going to try and form an empire are you?!" Bunny couldn't let England do that, he didn't want to think how badly England could get hurt. He just wished the nation could see how impulsive he was being.
"But he's liked! And res-respec-re… People look up to him! If I could show my brothers that I can do something right… maybe they'll like me." England trailed off, hiding his blush and watery eyes behind his long fringe. "And Prussia! He will stop treating me like a child."
Bunny shook his head as he clambered onto England lap, "Prussia already likes you. As for your brothers, they are your family, they have to like you." Bunny finished with a laugh.
England grit his teeth, "You never met them Bunny!" He coughed, holding his throat. "Alba left me…" England said quietly due to his burning irritated. "He saw Germania pick me up and he did nothing. He woul' always pick on me too, Ireland never spoke to me and Wales pr'ferred Ireland to me. I di'n't like bein' alone so I usually snuck out to meet the faeries." Albion sighed after his rant, "Sorry Bunny."
Bunny smiled sadly and hugged England stomach. The mood was broken when an auburn haired blur jumped on his bed and clung to Albion's chest. Bunny quickly flapped his little wings to get out of the way and avoid being crushed by the over excited nation.
"Englaaaaaaand~! I'm so glad you're awake! It was really scary~ I thought you would never wake up!" The Northern Italian brother almost screeched. Albion wasn't sure what to do, he didn't mind Bunny hugging him but another person was very different. He looked down at the younger nation and flinched back when two honey brown eyes sparkled up at him.
"Uh… Hello Italy."
"Italy, give him some room, I'm sure England is still not feeling his best." A lower voice spoke as Germania entered the room. He was holding a streaming bowl and once Italy extracted himself from England, Germania placed it on his lap. "Eat, you'll feel better. Careful zhough, it's hot."
"Thank you Germania." Albion smiled gratefully.
He knew he should let the food cool some more but the smell of it reminded him how hungry he was. Lifting up the spoon, he blew some of the steam away, the first mouthful felt like heaven.
"Do you like it?" Italy piped up, practically jumping up and down on his knees. "Do you feel better?"
Nodding while his mouth was full, he swallowed and replied, "Hmm. Yep, it's really good."
"Really?! I helped Germania cook it!" Italy exclaimed, hugging Albion's arm. "He said it'll make you feel better then you can come back outside and play." Albion tilted his head in question but smiled nonetheless, apparently Italy's happiness and contagious. He didn't understand his excitement about playing, Wales only played with him for a short while and they didn't really leave his room in case they made too much noise.
"Well I feel better now, can I go?" Albion asked, both young nations looked at Germania with the best pleading eyes they could muster.
Germania sighed and covered his face in defeat, "Ja, okay. Just be careful."
"Thank you!" Italy said and jumped off the bed to hug the only part of Germania he could reach, his knees, he then grabbed Albion's sleeve and pulled him out of the room.
Albion was sure it would be difficult leaving. He'll definitely miss Italy and Prussia and Germania. He was beginning to wonder if he should just forget his brother's and stay here. However he knew he couldn't do that, their Mama would have wanted them to stay together and England decided that he was going to work real hard to protect his people, like Mama was doing. He just wished that his new friends wouldn't forget or hate him for leaving.
While taking a break from playing, Albion thought hard about how he was going to get home. He doubted he would remember the way back, it was a long trip and the beautiful sights were too distracting to keep track of. Although he did remember when he crossed the sea for the first time, he asked where they were. Germania said something about France. If he could get to France's country then he'd be able to get home. He sighed; Albion never knew that living on an island would become such a problem. He knew that he'd have to find one of those boat things to get home, and to do that he'd have to sneak on without the scary Romans finding out. That would ruin the whole plan.
"You alright?"
Albion looked up, using a hand to block out the sun; he saw Prussia standing above him with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah…" He kept quiet until Prussia sat down next to him looking like he wasn't going to moving until he got a longer answer.
He sighed and cleared his throat carefully, "I need to talk to Fwance, haf you seen 'im?"
"France? Vhat for? I zhought you didn't like him 'cause he eats frogs." Prussia laughed.
"Eating frogs is weird!" Albion yelled and winced at the scratchy feel it left behind in his throat. "I need a favour from 'im… Is fighting hard?"
Prussia furrowed his eyebrows, "A favour, vhat for – viat fighting? You vanna fight France?"
"No, it was jus' a question." Albion looked down flustered; he hadn't meant to say that last bit.
The Prussian sniggered, "Vell if you vanted to, France would be a good start, he vould care too much if his hair was ruined or somezhing."
Albion allowed a smile and hummed in agreement. The Frenchman did care about his looks too much. When Albion was watching deer in the forest he would want to be as unseen as possible, so he wondered how France usually lived.
"But seriously, I know you vatched me and Hungary fight, but you should vait until you're older, ja?"
'Great, even Prussia thinks I'm weak.' Albion thought while grumbling at Prussia to show he understood.
"France and Holy Rome vent vith Rome to town, I dunno vhen zhey'll be back." The albino explained.
"Couldn' you teach me a little, jus' the basics? Hungary said you fight for your home, but I don' know how to fight, so how can I…?" Albion trailed off hoping that Prussia would do something other than just stare at him.
The Prussian leaned back on one hand and used the other to scratch the back of his head, "You're really not going to let zhis go, huh? I suppose I could-"
"Englaaaand~!" Italy dashed towards them with Romano in tow, "Would you like to draw with us?"
"Uh…" Albion looked over at Prussia. He didn't want this chance to go to waste. Said nation nodded and, "I'll talk to you later."
Albion smiled, "Okay Italy, Romano." He stood up and almost fell back down when Italy grabbed his hand expectantly and pulled Albion and Romano away to the house.