I PROMISED YOU A NEW CHAPTER TO DAY. LO AND BEHOLD, THERE IS A NEW CHAPTER TODAY. I MAY BE A DISORGANIZED MESS, BUT YOU CAN'T SAY THAT I DON'T KEEP MY PROMISES.

I don't own Hetalia. I am unworthy.

After Arthur left, Alfred closed his eyes again. He couldn't really see anyway; his glasses had broken in the accident.

The air was forced into his lungs by a mask covering his nose and mouth. He was grateful that it was keeping him alive, but it hurt him. His lungs simply didn't want to expand. It was as if the concrete that had fallen on him was still there, still trying to kill him. Alfred supposed it was only natural that he hand some broken ribs, but he hadn't seen or felt and cast around his chest. Then again, he had no idea how to bandage a cut. Maybe there weren't any casts involve in rib-healing.

Alfred realized that he was seriously getting bored if he was thinking about how to fix ribs. His mind wandered back to earlier. Alfred had a lot of pet names for Arthur, but he had never heard the stuffy Brit use one on Alfred. Especially not one like 'love'. Alfred mentally shrugged.

There was no way to continue this train of thought, so Alfred opened his eyes and turned his attention to his hospital room TV.

"The Federation of Andromeda has now declared war on four neutral systems," the reporter droned. "Other systems already locked in comeback with Andromeda have pledged to aid these systems, but experts say that there is little to no hope for those standing against the Federation. Undisclosed sources tell us that they have more men and better weapons than previously anticipated. In response to these new developments, the Republic of Earth has declared a state of emergency and reaffirmed all alliances within the system. There are talks of a draft…"

"That doesn't sound very neutral," Alfred murmured. He sighed, trying to find a less depressing way to occupy his attention.

Just as Alfred's eyes began to scan the room, his cell phone rang. He reached out for it, hissing in discomfort, and brought his phone to his ear. He didn't bother to check caller I.D. "Hello?"

"Alfred."

"Alice!" Alfred's face split into a wide smile. This is great. Alice is gonna tell me that she got stuck in traffic and she's on her way here, and everything's gonna be fine. "Where've you been? How come you didn't visit?"

"Alfred, I can't do this anymore."

"What, being a fashion designer? You totally shouldn't give up! Your ideas are fantastic –"

"I mean us, Al."

Alfred said nothing. His throat had suddenly run very dry.

"You're a great guy, don't get me wrong. I really have enjoyed our relationship. But you're just too… too adventurous. Too daring. You're going to end up killing yourself if you keep going on like this. This accident… I know that there will be more accidents, and they'll just get worse and worse. I won't be able to stand it if you… if you die. I'm sorry, Alfred, but you do see why it has to be like this, don't you?"

Alfred's throat burned. He said nothing.

Alice sighed. "Goodbye, Alfred."

Click.

Don't cry. Don't you fucking dare cry, Jones.

Alfred bit his lower lip, squeezing his eyes shut. His phone slipped out of his hand and landed on his pillow.

C'mon, Jones, you're a hero. Heroes don't cry.

He hadn't thought a break-up would hurt so much.

Pull it together.

The structure of his life was disintegrating before his very eyes.

Hold it together, kid. It's not that bad.

It hurt more than his lungs.

Don't let a single tear escape you, Jones, or I swear –!"

"Alfred, are you alright? Do you need painkillers?"

Alfred let go of his breath and realized he had been so busy trying not to fall apart that he had.

"Alfred. Alfred, can you hear me?"

"Y-yeah, I hear you fine." Jeez, I sound like a frog or something. Croak, croak.

"What's wrong?"

"She, uh. She broke up with me."

"Oh. Oh."

"I need a hug."

Arthur swooped down and wrapped his arms around Alfred, squeezing gently. The American rested his head against Arthur, closing his eyes, and dreamed of a better world.

So I liked this chapter a lot more than the last one. The last one was pretty shitty. I'm sorry. I tried. Please note that the last chapter was written during math class. Of course it's going to be shitty. I was trying to concentrate on USUK and radicals at the same time.

BUT YEAH SO ALFIE IS SAD. POOR ALFIE. LET'S ALL CRY TOGETHER.

Thank you to my awesome friend Kate for beta-ing this chapter. AND I CAN'T THANK ANY REVIEWERS FOR THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER BECAUSE NO ONE REVIEWED YOU GUYS ARE MEAN. But I love you anyway.

I'll have the next chapter uploaded either tomorrow or Friday. Until then, enjoy sad Alfred feels.