Sorry that it took a while for me to post this. I've just been really busy with the November novel competition, and I might not be able to post very many chapters this month. As much as I would love to.

Also, I hope you guys don't mind that I've shown a few of England's thoughts in this chapter.

England lightly shook America's shoulder in order to wake him up. America had been sleeping on the couch for a few hour, and England didn't want him to miss out on lunch. Groggily, America tried to blink the sleep out of his eyes, but it didn't work. He didn't understand why he felt so exhausted lately. America sighed with annoyance when England placed a plate down on his lap with a sandwich on it. After giving the meal of few quick glances, he refused to pay the sandwich anymore attention. England sat down next to America with a sandwich of his own, and informed, "There's hardly any meat on that sandwich. Really, it's mostly just lettuce and bread. I made sure not to put any sauce or cheese on it."

Still, America refused to look at his sandwich, but instead glared at England. Sighing, England added, "I'm going to be eating a sandwich with you, just so you don't feel like the only one eating."

It did not seem at all as if America was listening, instead he continued to glare at England. At first England didn't know how to reply, but then he set his sandwich down on the plate and lectured, "I thought that I made it clear this morning that eating is not optional. You also didn't eat enough for breakfast, so you definitely can not skip lunch. I'm not saying that you should ever skip lunch, or any meal in particular. It's really too simple, all I want for you is to eat that sandwich."

Quickly, America tried to think up an excuse. When he thought up one that he believed would qualify, he tried it out, "I feel too queasy to stomach anything."

England saw right through the act, "You don't feel queasy, and if you think you do, it's probably because you're extremely hungry."

America grumbled with annoyance, "I don't want to eat this stupid sandwich! You probably somehow managed to burn it while putting it together anyways."

The remark stung, but England still kept the patience in his tone, "That's not even possible. Besides, I'm not that bad at cooking. Now stop these ridicules excuses and just eat the sandwich."

Defeated once more, America slowly began to nibble on the sandwich. As he chewed, the sent of the sandwich became much too pungent for him. The fact that it was in his mouth, and that it had flavor was enough to make him gag. England handed him a cup of water he just so happened to have prepared. Gratefully, America took it and guzzled down half the cup. Just so he was able to swallow the few lousy excuses for food scraps he had produced from the sandwich. By the time he had managed to nibble a quarter of his meal into his stomach, he set the sandwich down and sobbed, "I can't eat any more of it!"

England flinched a little at the sudden outburst, but tried to be reassuring, "It's going to be okay. You already have a good portion of the sandwich gone. Now all you have to do is finish it."

"You act like it's so easy!" America cried out, "You don't even have to worry about your weight!"

"You're not fat at all." England replied, "How come you think you're so fat?"

"Because you called me fat." America's voice grew weak, "And so did everyone else, and then I realized that you were all right. How could I not notice the mass of my body? Even someone as stupid and blind as me would eventually see it."

If England hadn't been guilty about the whole situation, he was now. The island nation felt his voice crack with pain, "Alfred, I never meant it. No one meant it. We were all just teasing you. We had no idea you would take it personally."

America turned his head away from England, "Stop lying to me."

There was a moment of silence before America finally said, "I don't care if you're trying to 'help' me or not. I'm going to make myself a better person."

Then America ran towards the bathroom. Of course, England knew exactly what he was going to do, so he ran after, and since he was the one who had better nutrition, he was able to outrun America. England put America into a firm hold, preventing the starved nation from running any further. However, that did not mean he didn't begin to try and struggle his out of England's hold. England sat him down on the couch and yelled with panic, "Why would you even think about doing something like that!? How can you hurt yourself like this!?"

America flinched as tears streamed down from his eyes. All he could do in response was silently whimper, "I'm sorry."

England realized that he must have sounded to harsh, so he hugged America apologetically and said with remorse, "I didn't mean to yell at you."

Still distressed, America replied, "I'll eat the rest of the sandwich."

England felt a twinge of delight when America reluctantly devoured another meager bite from the sandwich. As America continued to eat, England spoke in an encouraging tone, "You're doing the right thing."

By the time America was halfway finished with the sandwich, he had broke out into another, yet more violent fit of gagging. England rubbed America's back soothingly and said, "Well since you seem to already be full, I'm not going to make you eat more."

America looked relieved, "Really?"

England nodded, "I was thinking about you condition while you were asleep, and I figured that your stomach's going to need to get use to having food in it."

I really need to start researching Alfred's condition. England thought hesitantly to himself I have no idea if I'm dealing with this the right way. It was then that an idea came to him maybe it would help to try and distract him from his negative thoughts? Facing America once again, England suggested, "Why don't we watch a movie together? Are there any movies you'd like to watch?"

America shrugged, "I don't know, I'm okay with anything."

With that said, England put in the first movie that looked interesting to him, and they both began to watch it. If anyone had walked into the room at the moment, they might have found the seen rather ironic. England was actually more intrigued in a movie made in America than the American himself, who seemed to be completely uninterested.

About halfway through the film, England felt something leaning on his shoulder. He looked over to see that America had fallen asleep with his head resting on his shoulder. England nudged him awake and stated, "This time, why don't you sleep on your bed instead of the couch?"

Groggily, America nodded and England helped him off the couch and all the way to his bedroom. Once America was in his bed, England turned towards the door to leave, but was stopped immediately as he felt America grabbed his hand. America pleaded in a quiet voice, "Please don't leave."

England sat down next to America's bed, "Okay, I won't leave then."

America gave England a small smile, and this time, it was not forced as he said in a low voice, "Thank you."

Then America fell into a deep sleep. England watched America, the guilt he had felt for his former colony's condition was gradually increasing. Not so much to England's desires, he had felt powerless for the whole situation. It was then that a dark thought struck England I deserve to suffer for this.