Yay! 1,000 views! :D Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice! And to celebrate, I give you the 12th chapter of Big Brother! Last I heard, there was a bit of table flipping after I left you all with that cliff-hanger. Let's see how our beloved countries are doing, shall we?
Canada's P.O.V.
Greenland was already at the hospital by the time I got there. She was sitting in one of the chairs in the hall. Her knee bounced with anxiety, and her eyes were glued to the floor. I knew she was just as worried as I was. He was my brother, yes, but I didn't feel the need for his protection the way she did. I walked over and sat next to her. "Hey…"
She didn't look at me. "Hey."
I strained my best for the right words to say. It was strange, even though he was my brother too, I felt like I should comfort her. I knew she was scared out of her mind. Besides that, she was right there when it happened.
We sat there in silence for a while. I couldn't think of anything to say, so I just kept quiet. After a while, she said something.
"Canada… I'm sorry…"
I looked at her. "He'll be ok. He's America, the Hero, remember? He'll be just—"
She shook her head and looked away. "It was my fault… He was protecting me when it happened… If anything…" She buried her face in her hands as tears streamed down her face. "If anything happens to him, it will be all my fault!"
I couldn't stand to see her cry like that. I set aside my bashfulness and wrapped my arms around her, letting her sob into my shoulder. "Greenland… He loves you. You said he was protecting you, right?"
She nodded.
"If you were the one protecting him, and you were in the hospital right now, would you want him to feel this way? Would you want him to think it was his fault?"
She shook her head.
"No, you wouldn't. I know for a fact he doesn't blame you. He shielded you because he loves you, because he wanted to protect you. I know it's hard, and I know it hurts, but… I know he doesn't want you to hate yourself for this. Ok?"
She nodded, still crying quietly, her face rested on my shoulder. I held her for a while longer like that. She was so tiny and fragile, and her hair smelled so nice… It was odd, but that's what I was thinking about at such a time, was this colony in my arms. Though she was still so small, I could tell she had grown a lot from when she first walked into the meeting room. She was more mature, and more familiar with the battle field. On top of that, she was learning to form relations with other countries. It was true, she was different from the Danish colony I first met.
I heard her say something, but it was too muffled for me to hear it. "What was that, Greenland?"
She sniffled. "America is so lucky… To have a brother like you…"
Ordinarily, I would have become flustered at such a heartfelt compliment, but I knew she needed me right now. I had known him all my life. I knew he would pull through. Greenland had only known him for so long, and though they were close, I'm not sure she knew all of what he was capable of just yet. He would be ok. She would see soon enough…
Greenland's P.O.V.
It seemed like an eternity while we waited for him. Eventually, Britain showed up as well, but none of us said anything. I don't remember much while waiting in the hall. All I can remember was Canada's arm around me as I laid my head on his shoulder, my mind had finally gone numb from racing with so many thoughts of fear and uncertainty. I think I heard him have a conversation of some kind with Britain, but I was already half asleep. It only came through as muffled tones to me.
Finally, at around three in the morning, we were allowed to see him. I was so scared for some reason. Perhaps it was because I was afraid he would be disappointed in me, or that I was still convinced that it was my fault. Either way, my desire to see him overpowered my fear, and I entered the room he was resting in, Canada and Britain watching from the doorway.
This wasn't the America I was used to seeing, but I was glad to see him none the less. He was laid up in a hospital bed with a bluish gown made from a paper-like material. He smiled at me and extended his arm to me. "Hey, Green. Sorry to keep you waiting."
I couldn't help it. I came close to him and curled up next to him, laying my head on his strong chest and crying again. "America… I'm so sorry…"
He draped his arm over me and rubbed my head. "What are you sorry for? I told you, you did a good job."
"But… You still got hurt…"
I heard him let out a quiet breath. We were both silent for a moment, save for my irregular breathing and occasional sniffling. Then, I felt him place his lips on my forehead. My eyes widened and I looked up at him. He smiled warmly at me. "Greenland… I made a promise to protect you. I told you, I will do everything in my power to make sure you're ok. I'll heal from this just fine. Don't worry about me." He held me close, resting his cheek on the top of my head. "I'll be just fine."
My breathing leveled out, and the tears slowed down a bit as I hugged my Big Brother. "I was so scared…"
"I know. But hey," his tone lightened; I could tell he was trying to cheer me up. "a Hero doesn't die that easily, and more importantly, a Big Brother doesn't leave his Little Sister behind." He kissed me on the forehead again. "Ever."
"Right…" It wasn't until I was safe in his arms again that I realized how exhausted I was. I laid my head on his chest, lulled to sleep by the strong, constant rhythm of his heartbeat. It was a comforting sound, a sound that represented the life in this country, a sound that meant he was alive. I felt ridiculous for thinking he would die that easily, but I was still so relieved to know he would recover. I loved him so much. Without him… I don't know where I would be, but I knew it wouldn't be good. Even after the war was over, I wanted to be close to him. I wanted to stay with him. I wanted to be friends like this for a long time, forever, if that were possible.
Friends Forever… That would really be something.
Well, that's all for now, lovelies. Please look forward to the next chapter! Ta-ta for now! :3