Aefoahrioaur I am so so so so so so so so sorry about the really long time this took to update aoeruioaur i'm really sorry please don't hit me
Once again my full explanation as to why I didn't update will be at the bottom. (Excuses, excuses, you say, but I have a good reason!)
Although now I get to accuse you guys, my faithful readers. I love you, yes, but why didn't any of you remind me to put a disclaimer? Silly followers. This is why you need to review. So, I don't own Hetalia. I am not worthy.
Arthur watched Alfred's peaceful face as the American slept. His eyes followed the path of the IV to the bag of water and nutrients. He gazed at the mask forcing oxygen into Alfred's injured lungs. His stare ended at the cast enclosing Alfred's entire right leg.
It wasn't difficult for Arthur to keep from dwelling on the accident. Most of it was a blur anyway. All he remembered was Ludwig straining to lift the heavy concrete ceiling and an extremely tense car ride to the ER. He had heard that Lovino had been sent back to the Adult Registration Facility to be repaired and Gilbert was being retired. Arthur didn't want to know what being "retired" meant.
Alfred gave a small cough, his eyes cracking open. "Hey, Artie," he greeted weakly, his oxygen mask distorting his voice somewhat. "What'd I miss?"
"Not much, really. I've been watching the news for you." Arthur gestured to the small TV in the corner of the hospital room. "The politicians are lying, the Republic of Earth remains steadfast in its neutrality, and the sports teams are complaining about bad referees."
"Did, uh… did Alice swing by?"
Arthur frowned. "I'm afraid not."
"Oh. That's… uh. That's cool."
The Brit's frown deepened. "You're hurt, aren't you?"
"Well, duh. I'm in the hospital."
"You know what I mean."
"I'm fine. Nothing's wrong."
Arthur sighed and placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder, wishing he could truly comfort the younger man with a human-like heat. "You're upset."
"Only a little."
"Alfred…"
"Okay, okay, I'll spill!" Alfred coughed and continued. "Alice and I had a fight, ya know? Like normal couples do. Nothing big. She was just pissed because I was spending a lot of time making comics and money, so that we could get married or something, and not enough time with her." He gave a small sigh. "I didn't think she'd take a little fight like that so seriously."
Arthur looked at the wall, letting the information sink in. "It's rather extreme of her, to take such an insignificant fight seriously enough that she won't visit you when you're gravely injured. Hypocritical, even."
"Mm." Alfred closed his eyes. "Art, I'm hungry."
"I'll see if I can get you something to eat." Arthur stood up to leave.
"Arthur?"
"Yes, love?"
Alfred cracked an eye open. "Are they gonna have to amputate my leg, like they did with Freedom Fire?"
Arthur smiled. "Of course not." He slipped out of the room, deciding not to mention the uncertain future of the American's lungs.
WHOP WOW WHAT A HORRIBLE CHAPTER. IT'S SO FREAKISHLY SHORT AND STUPID. AOFUEIORU. BUT IT'S OKAY BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY WRITTEN THE NEXT CHAPTER AND IT WILL BE UPLOADED TOMORROW HURRAY!
Okay. So. There are a few reasons as to why I didn't update for so long. It's not that I didn't know what I wanted to happen. I did. But the first draft that I wrote of this was NOTHING LIKE THIS BECAUSE I HATED IT. This is, like, the seventh revision. It's all gonna lead to the same place, don't worry. Just... It needed to be done right, this chapter. And I don't feel like I did it right, but it's better than the first draft. That was terrible and bluh and, as previously mentioned, I hated it. The other reason I didn't update is because high school hit me like a brick. My grades have started to slip through my fingers, so I'm stressing out trying to keep a good average. CURSE YOU, AP CLASSES. CURSE YOU.
So anyway, time to thank the reviewers. Thank you Eurlenette, hexa, EuterpeDream, Thieves of the Sea, Tragos, and someone who I am guessing is Haley for reviewing! You guys are awesome and I LOVE YOU. ALL OF YOU. I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING THE LOVE.