Hey guys, sorry for the wait. I just started school and it's hard for little 'ol me to concentrate on multiple things. I've been busy :/ This chapter and the next are uneventful, but the one after the next two is one of my favourites even if I haven't written it yet XD
I do not own Axis Powers Hetalia.
…
"You didn't have to do this…"
"Da, I did. Dr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland said you need fresh air. Now stay under the blankets or you are just going to get worse."
"Well… a nurse could have done it…"
"And then you would feel bad about the nurse doing it. Now stop complaining and enjoy your wheelchair ride. Kuma isn't saying anything."
"Since when does Kuma talk?"
"Exactly."
"That's not funny, eh."
The wheelchair squeaked as Ivan pushed Madeline through the courtyard. She hugged thick blankets around herself and made sure her hat was pulled over her ears. Kuma, for some odd reason, had ended up piggy backing Ivan and was seemingly smugly sitting on his shoulders and head. They hadn't known where else to put him.
"I think he likes it up there." Madeline smiled weakly.
"Hmph."
"Don't be embarrassed, it's cute." She giggled.
"I am not cute." Ivan pouted.
"Why do you always talk like a little kid then?"
"Well… I do not know… is habit…"
"…It's cute, eh." She whispered with a sheepish grin. Ivan blushed and pouted further.
"Is not cute!"
The short conversations had become routine, and teasing no longer embarrassed the teens so much. Small jokes kept the mood between them cheery, so they both knew it was best to keep on smiling as times got a little harder. The cold temperatures and winter season continued to bring both of them down, Madeline health-wise and Ivan mood-wise. Just a small teasing comment toward the other to make them both laugh a little was what kept them able to be happy.
"Let's go back inside." Ivan suddenly said. Madeline hummed in agreement, tugging the blankets around her figure again. It was so cold… yet so beautiful.
"Someday I'm going to play in the snow..." she mumbled. Ivan frowned.
"Do you like it that much?"
"Yeah… I do… I love it… I just can't enjoy it." she sighed. Ivan remained silent. He didn't really agree, but maybe playing in the snow could… possibly be fun.
They went inside and both enjoyed the warmth that loosened their tight, chilled faces. Madeline relaxed as she was pushed along back to her room. They rode the elevator silently and finally entered the familiar halls and, after a short walk, her room. Ivan took the stuffed bear off his head and sat it on the bed, lifting the covers up to the end of the mattress. As he did, Madeline unwrapped the thick blankets from her body and let them fall to the side, leaving in nothing but flowers patterned pyjamas, her hat, and slippers for warmth. The room was chilled and it made her begin to shake and shudder… yet her hands and forehead were clammy. She breathed heavily and clutched at the arm rests of the wheelchair tightly, sitting up straight. Slowly she brought her slipper-covered feet off of the chair and onto the ground. Her legs shook as she rose up, still clutching the arm rests. The world spun suddenly and, not surprisingly, she fell back into the chair. The girl gasped and her glasses slid down her face.
"You knew you wouldn't be able to do it, yet you tried anyways." A smugly cheerful voice came from right in front of her. Madeline pouted. Ivan was smiling at her in a rather smart-ass way.
"W-Well… I'm optimistic…" she stammered.
"And I have common sense." he stated.
"You would try to walk if you were stuck in a wheelchair all the time, too… hoser…"
"What did you just call me?"
"Nothing you would understand…"
…
Madeline's semi-healthy condition was broken the next day. Ivan wasn't surprised, after all she was able to walk around the room and talk to him for the past two weeks without much trouble… all good things came to an end. He had been hoping it would last forever but… of course, he always knew the winter wouldn't be so kind as to give them that. There was always going to be days when he would walk in, see her, and know that she wouldn't be getting out of bed that day… or even for a while after that. Today it was a fever. A mild one… but combined with exhaustion she could barely move and only opened her eyes a bit when he walked in.
"It's Ivan, da?" he said simply. Madeline's violet eyes closed. There were bags under them… it just made her look so worn-out.
"I…don't need my glasses… to know… any… more." She mumbled slowly, lips quivering with heaviness.
"Am I so fat that you can hear my footsteps?" Ivan joked a bit in a childish voice… his trademark. He sat in the chair that had basically been deemed his property by Madeline herself. It was no longer just a chair, but now had a name. 'Ivan's chair'.
Madeline opened her mouth slightly, small but heavy breathes of air escaping her lips.
"Not fat… big feet…"
…
Winter always meant lots of school work. The teachers knew very well that when it was so cold and snowy, now was the best time to get everything done. Students had nothing better to do and usually behaved and stayed in their seats unless there was something like an assembly coming up. Not to mention, it was no longer the beginning of the year anymore. There was no more getting used to things or getting to know your teachers.
Ivan took a habit to doing his homework at the hospital. He really… had nothing else to do most of the time. His Canadian companion would watch him, even ask him questions sometimes. She wanted to learn, and she caught on quickly. Math, English, Science… she was able to at least listen most of the time and catch on to what he was doing with some explanation.
Now, Madeline was a bit too weak to get tutored, but that didn't mean that Mr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland didn't come. He read to her… old stories and poetry that would hopefully open up the girl's vocabulary and knowledge of the world.
To watch Mr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland read to Madeline at her bedside was a warm, fatherly site indeed, and Ivan saw it more than once over that gruelling winter. In fact, he loved listening to it. The first time he walked in, he had thought he had gone unnoticed and merely watched the man. His voice was gentle, yet its tone changed to every mood that a sentence brought. His facial expressions would match the tone of his voice, but his eyes never left the black and white pages of the book he held with almost… love. His green eyes moved frantically and carefully, yet his words went slowly. He never mispronounced, never shuddered, never paused unless there was a need… never made a mistake. And although Ivan had just walked in, he found himself suddenly captured in the words he heard and froze at the doorway to listen.
Madeline had her eyes closed, but she was listening. Her eyebrows would move slightly when something important happened, and her breath hitched when something shocking occurred. Ivan could see this, though he was so lost in Arthur's words that he felt dazed. The man was a master at literature.
A small thump within the room was what stopped the words. Arthur had closed the book. Ivan stared at the blond man as he stood and took a sharp look at the Russian.
"Lad, if you stand there with your mouth opened any longer your throat with be the home to a family of insects." Arthur stated. His sudden respect for Mr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland disappeared like magic, just like his pet unicorn. Madeline opened her eyes and frowned.
"I'll be leaving." Arthur called.
"Thanks for coming." Madeline answered quietly.
"Get some rest." Arthur reminded her, almost like a father, then left. Ivan frowned at him, but doubted the elder saw it.
Secretly, he wished he could read English so beautifully. But the English alphabet was just so… not Russian.
…
Other than the usual people like Dr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland, Dr. Gil, and Mr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland… there was one other man added to the visitor list. Except… he didn't come to Madeline's room. Madeline came to him, or at least tried. Thank God someone invented wheelchairs, and thank God Ivan was there to push it. Poor Madeline wasn't fit for walking, but she dragged herself out of bed with great struggle anyways. Ivan walked in just as she started and had no clue what she was trying to do.
"You cannot walk."
"Yes I… c-can…"
"Where do you need to go?"
"Roderich is going to play the piano… I want to see him… I can go myself." She ironically fell to the floor at this point. Ivan caught the fragile Canadian just in time. He supported her up as she gasped for air.
"You are quite determined, aren't you? It seems that I will have to carry you there." Ivan teased… yet it was also a threat. He felt a little bad when Madeline gasped in fear, taking him very seriously… but he didn't feel bad enough to drop the act.
"I-Ivan… you wouldn't be crazy enough to do that. That w-would be so embarrassing…." Madeline stammered blushing. Ivan chuckled.
"Well, I would get in trouble, wouldn't I? But the wheelchair is still an option, so take it, da? You just need to ask me, don't try to push yourself. It only troubles me more." He explained. Madeline frowned.
"Well… okay… but… I still… I feel like I can't do anything in return…"she whispered. Ivan shrugged.
"Did I ever say I wanted payment for being your friend?"
"Well… no…" she trailed off.
"Well, let's get you a wheelchair then." Ivan finished for her. She looked to her lap for a couple of seconds, the nodded to him. He helped her up and sat her on the bed, then quickly walked out of the room. Not long after, the Russian boy returned with a hospital wheelchair and once again helped Madeline walk over to sit in it.
"Thanks…" she mumbled, blushing in embarrassment. Ivan began to push the wheelchair along.
"It was no problem."
…
Roderich Edelstein, an Austrian pianist. He was very… gentleman-like... even more than Mr. Bonnefoy-Kirkland. From his well-combed hair that looked like it took an hour to do to his perfectly ironed and expensive-looking clothes… not to mention, those antique spectacles that Ivan wasn't even sure people still wore during this day and age. To top it off, a small mole was located on his face and acted as some sort of beauty mark.
Ivan didn't even know that there was an art room in this hospital, but apparently there was. For the patient's mental health and enjoyable stay, there was a large room with instruments, paint, paintbrushes, paper, and other things, as well. A lot of people were just sitting around, playing with things, some bored and some enjoying themselves. None other than nurse Elizabeta was watching over them, helping out with random things. She noticed the teens at the door and waved to them.
"So you made it… I'm sure Roderich will be happy!" she smiled, speaking really only to Madeline. The girl smiled back to her.
"It must be nice to see your husband here at work." The Canadian answered. Ivan suddenly remembered what the nurse had said about her husband playing the piano here… it must be him.
By now, Roderich walked up the small group. He didn't smile, nor did he frown. He looked to Madeline and Ivan calmly then bowed his head.
"It's nice to see you again." The man told Madeline. She nodded. Then, Roderich looked to Ivan.
"Who might you be?"
"Ivan Braginski."
"I see, pleasure to meet you."
"Da."
There wasn't more talking after that. Roderich didn't speak much but he was a pleasant man. Not long after, he walked over the large piano in the middle of the room and set up some music. Everyone in the room stopped to look at him.
The way he played was amazing. It was like he didn't even need to think, he just magically played the music perfectly. He hands were everywhere without much effort… and his facial expressions matched each note. Everyone clapped when he was finished… except one who decided to suddenly show up.
"Pretty nerdy, isn't he?" Gilbert snorted. Ivan glared at him while Madeline sighed.
"I think it's wonderful…" she mumbled quietly, but her voice was tired… too tired. "I…"
The girl suddenly slumped into her chair, head lolling back and eyes closed. Ivan jumped.
"M-Madeline…" he stammered, unable to find his voice.
"Crap…" Gilbert said under his breath. He immediately supported the unconscious girl to sit up slightly and lean against him. It took a while to check her over, but when he did he lifted her up and began quickly walking out. Ivan stood at the door for a few seconds before following him. He didn't even know doctors were allowed to carry patients around bridal style…
But Doctor Gil… was Doctor Gil.
…
She was fine in the end, just over-worked. Ivan sat beside her bed quietly. It must be annoying to faint and have to sleep so much… he just wanted summer to come.
Roderich had come and given her some flowers… what a gentleman, even if he barely knew her. As usual, the doctors and nurses all said she was fine, that she was doing better than she was before.
Screw it, better wasn't good enough for him.
…
While most families were getting together, opening presents, and having happy little dinners on December 25, Ivan sat alone in his house. Perhaps it didn't matter… he didn't consider today to be Christmas but…
It pissed him off a little that everyone was having fun and he wasn't.
Not only that but… his birthday was in five days… would anyone remember? Say happy birthday to him? Well… his sisters would remember… but… would they even be home on that day?
Regardless of his troubles, Ivan was also debating on visiting Madeline. Of course, lately she had just been getting worse and worse. She would probably be sleeping. But… for her, today was Christmas. She might be… alone on Christmas. That wasn't a nice thought. At least on January seventh he would be having dinner with his "family". Sure, he'd probably just sit there the whole time silently but at least he would be with people he cared about regardless of their differences.
Did Madeline even have any sort of family? Or was the hospital staff the closest thing she had?
He stood up. Well… he would just have to make sure she knew he had visited her.
…
"Merry Christmas." The quiet voice greeted him when he entered. She was sitting up… she had her hair combed… she was wearing her glasses and had a smile. He hadn't seen it in so long…
"You're… you're better today… but it's so cold and snowy…" he mumbled. She smiled sadly.
"Maybe Jesus wanted me to celebrate his birthday with him." She shrugged and giggled. It was followed by a little bit of a heavy breath… but not as hoarse and struggled as the ones she usually had when she talked.
"So you believe in God?" he chuckled a bit. Madeline shrugged again.
"I think I do… I've never had one specific religion that I wanted belong to and I don't go to any churches but I like to think that God exists. I read a Catholic bible that Francis gave to me, the stories give me… hope, I suppose. Arthur also tells me about being Protestant. Do you believe in God?"
"I've never exactly thought about it… but I think I do." He answered.
"Well… let's just agree that I feeling good today for… some sort of reason." She smiled.
"And did you know I was coming?"
"Well… you always come when I want you to be here… so I just had this feeling you would." She smiled warmly, beginning to lie back down in her bed. "You always come… you're always there… so I always wait…"
"Well… I like being here…" he blushed and stared at his large feet.
"I… like you being here too." She agreed with a light smile. Her voice was growing weaker… she was getting tired.
"Well… Happy Canadian Christmas. It is not my Christmas yet but… it will be coming soon." Ivan said. Madeline hummed, closing her eyes.
"Then… Happy early Russian Christmas…" she mumbled. "Kuma says Merry Christmas, too."
"I thought Kuma didn't talk." Ivan chuckled.
"He only doesn't talk to you… I'm his owner… so he only talks for me." she smiled a bit, eyes still closed.
"Then he should be able to say your name."
"Well… maybe he will… someday…" her voice grew too light too hear, and soon her breath patterns showed she had fallen fast asleep. Ivan watched her breath. In, out, in, out.
Just keep breathing so that we can reach that someday…
…
"Hoser! Hoser, hoser, hoser!" it was the loudest her voice had gone in a while.
"Is that the only insult you know?" Ivan grinned at her red little face.
"HOSE-HEAD!"
"Oh my, what a change."
"You DO NOT insult Sidney Crosby! You do not!"
"I just did, Madeline. You Canadians complain so much!" he laughed loudly.
"Hoser…"
"Would you like to say it one more time?"
To this, Madeline said something inaudible.
"I did not hear you." Ivan teased. Madeline suddenly looked at him suddenly.
"Alexander Ovetchkin can go get eaten alive by beavers." Ivan merely laughed at this.
"Something tells me your threats are not something I need to fear." He chuckled. This girl's attitude just changed so much when it came to hockey, at first it through him off and even made him a bit scared but now… it was so fun to watch how frustrated she got.
"I've got the beavers on my side, Ivan. The beavers will be feared." She said seriously.
"Oh? And what will they do?"
"Do you even know how fast those buggers reproduce? Why do you think we hunt them so much?"
Well, that just wiped the smile off of Ivan's face. He hadn't been expecting that one to come out of her mouth.
To make things worse… he had a dream that night about Madeline being the commander of an army of beavers that just may have scared him for life.
Why was she so insane when it came to hockey?
…
I wanted to end on a happier note XD YAY FOR FILLER! Just one more filler chapter to go before this story will finally start to pick up a little and the random adventures will start.
Please don't kill me for taking so long XD I have a feeling that Madeline's army of beavers are already out to get me.