It turns out that this story will possibly be a lot longer than I expected it to be. Fine by me, I'm not even close to losing interest in this story.
Again, I would like to thank everyone for reviewing, favoriting, following, and reading this story. It motivates me, knowing that there are people who enjoy reading this story, and some reviews have helped me detect some errors that managed to slip past my revising. Of course, I found them all interesting, and encouraging.
Two weeks passed since England had discovered America's eating disorder, as well his habit of performing self harm. America was recovering, and there had been some improvements to his condition. However, there were a couple of incidents where England had caught America using a sharp object that was near by in order to cut himself when he had his back turned. Fortunately, England was able to stop his former colony from doing too much harm to himself. England was still very much concerned for America. He just couldn't help it. After all, there was no nation that was more important to him than America.
There was going to be a meeting held at France's place, much to England's adversity. America and England were never too fond of the meetings they would always have to attend, and now they had even more of an incentive to abhor them. Despite America's miserable state, England was beginning to enjoy hanging out with his ex-colony. It could be very nerve racking at times, but it still reminded him of the old days when America was still a colony. England never thought he would be able to enjoy time with America as he did in the colonial times ever again. The fact that his harsh prediction was proven wrong seemed to elate England's mood. At least, that was how it was during times when America wasn't disconsolate. Spending time with other countries during a rather pointless meeting instead of having quality time together was not appealing at all.
England and America were currently in Paris, and the meeting would be held the next day. Instead of hanging around the city, they just stayed in their hotel room and organized some notes for the meeting. Soon enough, America and England had eventually found themselves in the middle of a conversation. A rather intriguing one that had absolutely nothing to do with putting forth some dedication towards the meeting. At least, the conversation was intriguing to them. To anyone who had randomly walked in the room, it might have sounded as if the two nations were venting complaints to each other about the meeting, and how they would rather be somewhere else. They weren't angry with each other at all. In fact, they seemed to agree with each other on every single complaint, so that was why they classified it as an engaging conversation. Usually, England would've considered conversations such as the one they were currently participating in pointless, but the nation had been acting differently than he usually did. He was beginning to gain a lot more patience.
For once, America had actually went to bed early on a night before a meeting. It was a miracle that England had never even considered. Despite the fact that they were able to receive quite a high quantity of sleep, they were still enthused the next morning. No surprise there, the only nation that did seem to care about the meetings was Germany, so every other nation could be compared to a teenager with no passion in their school work. The meetings were nothing more than a tedious chore. At least, until some fights broke out.
America sat down at the conference room's table, waiting for the meeting to end. It hadn't even started, which made the situation worse since he didn't want to socialize with anyone. He was about to fall asleep, but was brought back into reality as he heard a soft, timid voice behind him, "Hey Alfred."
Turning around, America found that the familiar voice had come from his brother Canada. A smile crossed his face as he replied, "Hi Canada. I haven't seen you in a while."
Canada stared at America for a while before finally saying, "I've noticed in the last few meetings that you haven't been your usual hyperactive self. Did something happen?"
America shook his head and lied, "Nope, everything is going fine. I'm just as cheerful as ever."
"I hope you don't mind me asking," Canada suddenly began, his voice still wispy as always, "But what are those red lines on your arms. They look like cuts."
Looking down at his sleeves, America realized that some of the scars on his arms were showing. Quickly, he pulled up his sleeves, far enough down his arm to look exaggerated, and explained, "I got bored in the hotel room, so I started randomly drawing lines on my arms with a red pen."
Canada gave America a glare of suspicion, but decided not to question his brother any further, "Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing okay."
America and Canada immediately turned their attention towards France and England as the British nation nation yelled, "I told you to never talk to me again!"
"You know that can't happen Angleterre." France replied with a smirk.
England scowled, "Besides, why are you suddenly so interested in America!? He's clearly none of your business!"
France gave England a creepy smile, moving slightly too close to the shorter nation. Eventually, France retorted, "He is my concern if he's been hanging out with you, petit lapin. I know there's something going on involving you two. Trust me, I'll eventually find out."
"Oh just piss off!" England snapped back, "You're not helping anyone by being a pervert."
"Tu es drôle." France smirked again, this time stroking the side of England's face which resulted in him getting his hand swatted away, "I am not being a pervert. I was just being curious. There's nothing wrong with that, non?"
England continued to glare at France, "Knowing your vocabulary, perverted and curious are the same exact thing."
France laughed at this, "Now you're the one who's beginning to think perverted thoughts."
Sighing with vexation, England turned away from France, and sat down next to America. A few seconds after that, the meeting had begun. Of course, almost no nation was paying attention to any of the presentations. Eventually, boredom was bound to take it's toll on the nations who were waiting patiently for the meeting to end, so of course, there was someone who had create a plot to bring out some action in the dull, colorless conference room. Maybe the fact that they were plotting a plan for action was false, and maybe it was more probable that some nation was testing another one's patience. None the less, the nations were in need of some sort of entertainment. Even if that entertainment was a possible fist fight. It was much better than sitting around and listening to a multiple presentations for three hours.
To no one's surprise it was England who was the first to try and get even with France as he snapped, "Stop touching me bloody frog!"
France answered innocently, "I wasn't touching you Angleterre."
England screeched, "YES YOU DID!"
America watched the two continue to argue, eventually becoming physical. The moment England had lunged at France, half of the conference room interpreted the action as a signal to start having quarrels of their own. Before any real damage was inflicted, Germany roared, "EVERYONE, STOP FIGHTING ZHIS INSTANT!"
Immediately, every nation that was present turned their attention towards Germany, now silent. Germany continued, "From now on if someone has somezhing to say, zhey vill have to raise zheir hand! No one vill speak out of turn!"
Aside from the nations who were permitted to speak, the rest of the conference room stayed mum. Not that any of the nations had much to say when they weren't allowed to strike conflict with whomever happened to find adverse. Staying awake was becoming nothing more than a tedious struggle for America. He thought to himself with annoyance, I use to possess so much more energy. Even during these pointless meetings. Why am I so tired all of the time?
Soon, everything became a daze to America. Seriously, this is ridiculous. I can't possibly be this tired already.
England glanced over at America when he heard a soft snoring coming from his direction. Only to find that the younger nation had fallen asleep with his head tucked into his arms on the conference room table. England watched America for a while as he mentally debated with himself, Should I wake him up? I mean, he might miss out on something important if I don't. America shuffled a bit, as if he was trying to make himself more comfortable. England couldn't help but smile at the sight, He truly does look peaceful when he sleeps. I guess I will just let him rest. It's not like we're actually learning anything important in this meeting, and besides, America must be exhausted from the strain he had put on his body from the exercise, starvation, self-harm, and depression. Some extra rest might help him recover, at least physically. If there happens to be something important, I'll just tell him about it when he wakes up.
The meeting didn't last much longer. Eventually, Germany decided that everyone was faltering during the meeting, thus announcing the conclusion of the conference. The catch being that there was going to be yet another meeting the next day. Almost everyone groaned upon hearing this, but Germany didn't seem to care much for the protest. Almost everyone had left the conference room as England continued to organised his and America's notes. England jumped as he felt someone tug on his sleeve. He was too caught up in his thoughts, and hadn't expected anyone to still be in the room. The boredom seemed to be dragging him into his own world, and made him less aware of his surroundings.
He turned to see a timid nation. One that look very familiar to him, but couldn't quite recall if he had ever met before. After a moment of examining the nation, he finally asked, "I'm terribly sorry about this, but who are you again?"
The nation gave a pained expression at this response and sighed softly, "I'm Canada."
"Oh, well, for a moment I thought you were America, but of course, I eventually knew that you were someone else." England explained, feeling ashamed for forgetting the name of America's twin. After overcoming a portion of his embarrassment, he asked, "So uh, was there something you needed Canada?"
Canada anxiously looked around the room. When he found that America was still asleep, and that he and England were the only nations still present in the room, he began, "Well I was talking to America earlier, and I noticed quite a few red lines on his arms that looked like scars. He claimed that they were lines from a red pen, but I think there's more to it than he's letting on. Do you know what's going on with America? He doesn't seem to be okay."
England nodded, "Everything will be fine Canada. Trust me, nothing terrible is going to happen."
After a moment of inferring what England had told him, Canada finally replied, "Does that mean that there is something wrong with America? Or do you think I'm overthinking the whole situation?"
Should I tell him? What if he doesn't take the information well? Or worse. What if he decides to use the information against America? England mentally slapped himself, Okay, so maybe I don't know Canada too well, but I understand his personality well enough, and I know perfectly well that he would never even consider doing such a terrible thing to his brother. Then again, how would Alfred feel if I told him about what was going on? Would it make the situation worse? Would he go into a relapse? England snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Canada ask, "Are you okay Arthur?"
"Why of course," England answered. Before Canada could say anything, he continued, "As I have said before, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Nothing's going to happen."
There was a moment of silence. Then Canada finally inquired, "He was cutting himself, wasn't he?"
England flinched, as it was obvious that the younger nation had hit his in the correct spot. Based on the reaction Canada received, he added, "I knew he was the one who inflicted those scars." Then he sighed, the loneliness was present in his voice, "I just wish he didn't keep it from me. I could've helped him with his depression."
"Do you happen to know some things about overcoming depression?" England finally asked after overcoming his shock, but he of course did not feel comfortable at all. Now that someone else had discovered America's terrible secret. He added, "Please tell me if you do."
Canada answered in a grim voice, "You have no idea what it's like to suffer with depression as terrible as Alfred's. All I can tell you is that it can take years for someone to recover from depression. Some people never have to deal with it ever again, while the less fortunate learn to cope with their depression. Of course, it's possible to make Alfred feel happy once more, but he will never be the same person he was before. There's also the chance that the depression will recur multiple times in his life."
England had never heard such forbidding words come from the quiet nation. He tried to stay casual as he replied, "Well, that was quite a dark explanation for depression, but you still haven't answered my question."
Canada seemed to return to his shy self as he explained, "The best thing you can do for him is stay supportive."
Then Canada turned to leave the room, but before he did, he requested, "Just please tell me if he gets worse."
"Okay," England replied. Then he reviewed what Canada had just told him, Maybe it isn't so terrible if Canada does know about America's self harm. It's starting to feel quite a bit more reassuring now that someone else is willing to help him out. I just hope that no one else finds out. It's obvious that everyone else would use it against him. England's thoughts became more bitter, They would probably make the situation worse for Alfred, and try to make him self-harm again. Or worse….. The thought was sickening. England tried to ignored the queasy feeling, I'll make sure no one else finds out.