Disclaimer: Watashi ga shoyū shite inai Hetalia! (I do not own Hetalia!)
Chapter 8
Alfred lay in his hospital bed, head turned to the side. He was bored and all he had was Mattie, Charlotte, and the occasional doctor floating in and out of his room for company. And he loved Mattie and Charlotte but, he missed the others.
He missed Italy's random outbursts, Germany's strict meeting regimen, and Japan's passive attitude. He longed to hear the Bad Touch Trio's odd laughs and Romano's foul language. But more than anything, he wanted England or Arthur.
He felt like a child, feeling that way. It was like that during the Revolutionary War. He was torn between staying with England and leaving. Back then, he hated England not Arthur.
This time was different. He wasn't sure who loved, wanted, and hated; England or Arthur.
"Alfred?" Charlotte asked, peeking out from behind the door. She moved away from door and went over to the window, pulling back the curtains. "You have to let some light in here. I swear it's like you're a vampire."
He made a mock hiss noise, showing his teeth. Charlotte laughed, tossing her scarlet curls
"I'll have you know, that being a vampire isn't so bad," he said in a matter of fact tone. Charlotte made a face but said nothing. "I mean, have you ever heard of an ugly vampire?"
"Yes," Charlotte replied as she checked his IV, "and I'm looking right at him." He made a mock face of hurt. "I'm just joking, you big baby."
He turned and faced the window, streaming in golden rays of sunlight. It was a beautiful day in Geneva. He could hear the sound of pedestrians out on the streets and the occasional sound of a car horn. It would be so nice to sneak out, just for some air.
Usually when Alfred was stuck in the hospital, Denmark and Prussia would sneak him out of the hospital in some elaborate scheme they'd create. And usually, they'd cause terror in the city until he'd be dragged back to the hospital by an agitated England and an amused France.
"Did he try again?" he asked turning back to Charlotte. He was referring to England who had tried to visit him each day since he'd arrived at the hospital.
"No, actually," she sighed, "he wasn't there. I was a little surprised."
"Oh," he whispered softly.
Part of him wanted to be relieved that England was gone but, another part cried out in agony. He missed Iggy, despite everything.
"Matthew's not here today either," she frowned. "It's not like him not to come." She shrugged her shoulders as she readjusted his IV. "He'll probably show up later."
Alfred nodded absently, not really concerned with Mattie. He loved his brother and all, but he craved someone else's company.
XXXoooXXX
Italy sat nervously in the hospital waiting room with Liechtenstein at his side. They had entered the room briefly after the ginger nurse, Charlotte Ammon, had left. He didn't have the heart to face, especially after she'd slapped England.
He fidgeted slightly. He still felt guilty about not believing America's story and not speaking up sooner. He felt the shame and regret like a dam threatening to burst open inside of him. And, he was scared.
Lilli put a hand on his hand, trying to be comforting. She had agreed to come along since he didn't want to bring Kiku or Ludwig, both whom were still extremely shaken. And Lilli had wanted to come to visit America, which Switzerland was unaware of.
"Mr. Vargas, Miss Vogel," a young male receptionist called from the desk. "Mr. Jones isn't fit for guests. His nurse Ms. Ammon has aske-"
"May we speak to Ms. Ammon?" Lilli asked standing, her small, stern figure making her seem more like an adult than a child for once.
The receptionist nodded, swiveling around in his chair, and leaving his desk.
He reappeared moments later with a red headed nurse on his tail. She looked tired with dark bags under eyes, her posture slightly slouched, and her eyes blinking away her fatigue.
"Yes, Miss…" the nurse said her sentence trailing off.
"Vogel," Italy finished for her, standing up quickly beside Lilli. "And I'm Feliciano Vargas. We wanted to know if we could see Mr. Jones."
He could see the doubt shown on her face, a small frown. He added a characteristic "ve" to remove her doubt.
"Sir, your and Miss Vogel's intentions are good, I'm sure," Charlotte said not unkindly, "but Mr. Jones' just isn't ready for visitors. Maybe you two could come back some other time?"
Feli looked over at Lilli, unsure of what to do. The younger girl, however, wasn't looking at him but at Charlotte. She had turned on the young girl charm that she so easily controlled.
Lilli looked at Charlotte, her green eyes wide and innocent. Her lip wobbled ever so slightly making it appear as if she were about to cry, same as the tears in her eyes. And her small figure, pink dress, and little ribbon in her hair made it even harder to say no.
Charlotte pursed her lips and sighed deeply. The contemplation was clear in her green eyes.
Italy prayed silently to himself that she would take the bait. One could never underestimate Lilli's powers.
"Fine," Charlotte said after a long while. Lilli gave a small smile and he gave a small sigh of relief. "But if Alfred refuses I can't do anything about that."
He nodded vigorously as she spoke. It might not have been what he wanted but it was better than nothing.
XXXoooXXX
Alfred stirred reverie of just staring out the window, as a soft rapping came from the door.
"Come in," he said as he readjusted himself on the bed.
From behind the door, there stood Italy and Liechtenstein both appearing small from behind the door. The pair looked quiet out of place in the white clean hospital, with Italy's dark blue and Liechtenstein's pink.
"Ve- America, we're sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing," Italy said as he and Lilli stepped out from behind the door. "But we wanted to talk to you."
America said nothing, but simply gestured to the chairs nears his bed. He had wanted some company.
The pair awkwardly took their seats on the chairs. Lilli played with her hands and stared down at the floor. Feliciano's leg bounced up and down as if he wanted to pee.
"We're sorry!" Italy blurted.
"Ididn'treallyknowwhatwasgoingonandIdidn'twanttoarguewithJapanorGermanyand-"
America held a hand up in alarm that Italy was going pass out if he didn't take a breath soon.
"Whoa, slow down Italy," he said gently to the near teared Italy. "You're going to pass out if you don't breath."
Italy had stopped speaking and was hiccuping. He tried to steady his breath which was failing as tears began to roll down his face.
Lilli put a reassuring hand against Italy's back and America could feel a twinge of bitterness. He missed the comforting hands of England.
"Mi dispiace tanto," Italy said still hiccuping.
Lilli looked up and smiled at him, "He says he's sorry. And I am too. We should have known better."
He watched as the pair grieved together. Was everyone else like this? Were they burdened by the guilt? Should he have let them in sooner? Would that have helped anyone?
"I know," he replied simply looking down at his hands. "And," he breathed. "If anyone you two are the easiest to forgive. You two didn't shut out; give me those looks, or anything else. And it's actually good to see you two."
He looked up only to find Lilli crying clasping Feliciano's hand. She noticed his eyes one her and looked up. Her eyes were watery and her smile, sad.
He held out a hand to both of them and they both took it. He gave a small smile to both of them as he could feel the tears forming in his eyes.
"I forgive you," he repeated again as if it was still not getting to him. But it certainly got to Feliciano and Lilli.
It was the beginning of healing for all of them.
XXXoooXXX
AN: Okay, guys! Long time no update! But I'm so excited to be back and hopefully being able to update more. And I should be able to update more soon. My spring break is in two weeks so I'm holding out form then. Anyways, the healing process finally begins! (Thank goodness!) Can't wait to write more for this.
Also, for those of who read Can't Smile Without You and Falling Slowly, those will be updated soon.
Anyways, thanks! R&R!