Peace. No danger, no harm. Simply peace. Then again, peace is never everlasting. There's always a disaster waiting to surface.

It was nightfall and each person was either setting up to (attempt to) fall asleep or just doing a quiet activity since sleep had long abandoned them.

...

Ivan sat on an arm chair downstairs, looking out the darkened window. Night had already fallen which casted solid shadows on the ground from unknown objects. The mist on the iron gates around the building glistened clearly from the soft moonlight. As usual, there was no sign of life outside. The only thing that greeted the eye was the faint sway of the nearby trees.

The Russian's focus went from the blackened world outside to his grim reflection on the window. A tired, violet eye blinked back at him as it glanced upon the bandage on top of the other. Uneasy for pondering upon the injury, he turned his attention to the other details that weren't so triggering. His longer beige hair was tangled with multiple little knots here and there curtained the front of his face ever so slightly. Nothing new here, even in the apocalypse. Even now he had a bad time taking care of himself when it came to the simplest of things.

"Sir, would you like some tea? Arthur made some for everyone before he went to his room." Toris's soft voice drifted into the room like a breeze in the wind. Ivan turned over to him, shaking his head.

"No... I am okay." Ivan responded. A little smile crept upon his lips as Toris walked over to him. The clear limp the other had made the Russian shudder a bit, causing him to focus on the Lithuanian's tired face.

Feliciano was the first to question them on their injuries. A limp and loss of an eye was impossible to go unnoticed. Someone was bound to question upon it and that's what the two dreaded. When asked 'what happened', they merely smiled weakly and gave a shake of the head. They refused in the politest way to answer. If pried on, Toris would simply state: "some history is meant to be untold." So, they left what clearly happened in the imagination of those who asked with the truth locked away in their own minds.

Toris knelt down beside Ivan's chair, grunting slightly as he shifted his weight from his bad leg to his other. Gentle hands made contact with bigger ones, causing the Russian to turn away.

"You need anything?" Toris said in a quiet tone. "I noticed you were spacing out. You do that a lot-"

"I know." Ivan interrupted, glancing briefly at the other. "I was just... thinking. Maybe thinking will be making them go away." A chuckle came from the Lithuanian at that.

Despite such drastic events and experiences, there are permanent things that remain with individuals. Even after losing a friend, losing family, having his right to see properly stripped of him, living in such a dangerous world- even after all this, Ivan's childish beliefs stayed with him. A child daydreams and escapes into there mind to go away from reality. Ivan, the child that he is, thinks if staying in his mind will mend the world around him. Truly, he believed this was all a dream.

Of course, then there's Toris who's the rude yet gentle awakening to it all.

"You can't make it go away, Ivan. This is how the world is now. I know, it's... scary. Believe me, I know. But it's okay. Ludwig is working to find a cure or solution to all of this. He is helping us- all of us. We will be alright." Toris tilted his head a bit, trying to catch Ivan into looking at him.

Ivan nodded slowly, turning his head to return the stare. His one violet eye shone with grief and despair. It was as if losing his other eye transferred all his emotions into one. You can stare at someone and see their feelings through the look in their eyes. Yet, when you only have one, it shows the story of them both, making the emotion stronger.

"You trust me, right?" The Lithuanian asked with a genuinely pure smile.

"Yes... Yes, of course I trust you." Ivan whispered, lowering his head as he scratched at his bandages. "You are only friend I trust."

Friend. Such a word to use with the two. In the past, they were the farthest from friends. In the midst of friendship was the aura of pain and hurt being brought into by one to the other. There was no love nor care between the two. It was as if everything had been flipped to opposite. However, now was not the same time as before. Now, history had no play in any matter. The history between the two was irrelevant to this world. A new history was made at the end and beginning of it all. A new history that rewrote everything. A new history causing the most broken of bonds to come together through friendship and survival.

Toris grinned at the other, reaching over and feeling the bandages himself with such delicacy. "Does it need to be changed? I can change it for you, sir. I have-"

"No." Ivan answered quite quickly, gently putting Toris's hand away from him. "I have gotten it. I can change them on my own." He cleared his throat uneasily, turning to the kneeling brunette. "You have done much for me already. Please, take my seat. It's calm night. Cherish it before it disappears."

With that, the Russian stood up and exited the room to get his bandages. Toris smiled at that and gratefully took Ivan's seat.

It was true. It was a calm night. It must be acknowledged before it is too late.

...

Arthur and Francis got a room to themselves. It was right across from Alfred and Matthew's room. They would've had a whole room for the four of them but there was not a room that had a big enough space. So, they were in two separate rooms that were fairly close to one another.

"It's been a while since we've slept in a bed together." Francis said with a small laugh. He pulled back the blankets in the dim lit room and slid into them. The only light came either from the cracks of the door or the moon outside. Arthur was already underneath the warm covers, looking up at the Frenchman's moon illuminated face.

"I can't believe I'm saying this..." The Brit murmured, returning the laugh with a small smile. "but I actually miss sleeping with you in a bed."

Francis returned the smile and moved over closer to the other. Crystal blue eyes connected with emerald ones and suddenly everything stopped. Time stopped.

It was as if the two were back in their own countries- or whoever's house they were at this night. There was soft chatter outside from the couples of the night walking down the streets. Francis would always trace his fingers across Arthur's soft skin, smiling as the shadows of owls flying past the window and the streetlights on the street corners frequently flickered by. Arthur would always be reluctant and grumpy at first with being in bed with the Frenchman but would give in with a returning smile. The two would sleep in each other's arms from night to morning. Francis would wake up first and cook breakfast for Arthur in bed. Arthur would eat and try to insult his food despite the drool dripping from the corners of his mouth. The two would spend countless hours with one another with no care in the world. Sure, they were nations, but that never mattered when they were together.

This moment now as Francis stared at Arthur lying in front of him took them back to that time. That time when everything was sublime.

Arthur let out a little sigh as he never broke the stare between him and Francis. "Just like old times..."

Francis smiled sweetly over at him, the pure look of love clouding over his eyes. Every time he looked at him, he fell in love all over again. "Just like old times."

The Frenchman snaked his arms around the other and drew him close. Arthur leaned into the embrace and rested his head against Francis's chest. The steady beat of his heart was soothing to his ears.

"Arthur, do you love me?" Francis questioned as he ran his hand through the other's hair. Arthur smiled at that feeling but scoffed at the question.

It was a question Francis already knew the answer to. However the reason for asking it is that it always opened Arthur into pouring out such loving words he only rarely gets to hear. The Brit, being reluctant and stubborn as ever, only became romantic in bed and, seeing how they were in one right now, gave Francis the desire to ask him this question.

"Even now you pry for me to splutter out my heart." Arthur mumbled, but silently pleased to answer. "Of course I love you. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. If you could take a glimpse into my heart, you will see that every beat is meant for you. On the surface of my heart, your name is forever engraved upon it. Every breath I take is to be with you and shower my love on you till my very last. Every day I wake simply to be by your side and nothing more. You are my everything. From your silky stupid locks to your bloody annoying laugh." Usually he'd stop there but what if they'd never get to experience this again? "Every time I lay my eyes on you, I fall in love all over again. Every time we touch, I'm sent into an endless bliss. Francis, I am a very rude and ridiculous man- someone I'm quite surprised you chose to fall in love with- but despite all my insults and names I throw at you, they are merely my way of saying 'I love you'. You are my world. Without you, my time would freeze and nothing else would matter. Without you, I am nothing. Without you..."

Francis sniffed, putting a halt to Arthur's loving monologue. He felt his eyes start to glisten with tears as every word was cherished. Who knew if this would be the last time.

"Oh Arthur." Francis cooed, planting a long kiss on the other's head. "Despite all my years of hearing love poems and countless hearts being poured out, I've never been moved as much as I am with you. Which I find ironic since you're also one of the most unromantic people I have ever met."

It didn't matter at the moment that the apocalypse was going on. It didn't matter now that death was right outside their door. It didn't matter now that this night could be their last. It didn't matter now that the past would never be redeemed again. What mattered now was that they were with each other. That they were in each other's arms and everything around them wasn't there.

Arthur smiled into Francis's chest. "I love-"

Knock Knock

The Brit's words were suddenly cut short at rapid knocks on their door. Groaning, since he was just getting in the mood, Arthur dragged himself out of bed. "I'll get it."

He walked over to the door and opened it halfway. Matthew stood right outside, sighing with relief when he saw Arthur was the one who answered it.

"Thank God it's you." The Canadian said. "Alfred needs you."

...

It had been precisely five months since Lovino died. A group of humans had found their safe house and made an attempt to raid them. They broke through and tried killing the current nations living inside. Unfortunately, the first and only person they got to was Lovino.

It was swift. The leader of the group slashed his throat, killing him almost instantly. He had just finished eating lunch with Antonio when he decided to check on who came inside. That's when they got him. By the time the others got to him, it was too late...

Ludwig disposed of the group once he got to them. That's when he decided to raise defenses in the place.

When Lovino died, he didn't... die. Well, he did die but came back as a biter. Ludwig and Antonio knew he was a biter. It was obvious by his dead panned eyes and animal like growls. Not to mention his sudden revived corpse that attempted to take a bite out of them when they pinned him down. However, Feliciano didn't accept that fact.

The Italian had wedged into his mind that he was just sick. His brother was just sick and needed a cure. That's all that it was, right? He just has something wrong with his brain that makes him act in such a crude way. That's what Feliciano believed.

The most reasonable thing to do would be kill the biter of Lovino. However, that couldn't be done. Feliciano wouldn't allow anyone to come near him with such harsh weapons. He wouldn't allow anyone to hurt or kill him.

"He's sick! He's just sick! Please, don't hurt him! Please! Ludwig... Antonio... Don't hurt him. W-We can cure him! We'll find a way! Please..."

So, they chained him up in the basement. They kept Lovino in a locked up room with chains keeping him secured in that little room. He was a danger, Ludwig knew that. But, he couldn't strip him away from Feli. So, he added on another thing to search up: a cure for those infected.

"Fratello?" Feliciano called out, unlocking the door to Lovino's room. A low grumble was the response given along with the clinking of chains.

Lovino stirred where he was from the corner of his room, his black eyes slowly turning to Feliciano coming through the door. His scarred wrists from pulling at the chains were clearly shone through the light from the hallway.

"Feli." A hand grabbed Feliciano's arm, holding him back from going into the room. The Italian turned to see Ludwig holding him back with a faintly pitiful look on his face. "Don't go near him... He's sick, remember?" Another lie the German had to hold up. "We don't want you to get sick, too. It's late... Everyone's retiring into their rooms."

Feliciano hesitated, frozen where he stood. He wanted to go to Lovino. His brother. He must be so lonely down here... Feliciano only wanted to accompany him. That's all. Alas, even he knew some things could wait.

"Okay..." The Italian compromised with the German and stepped back outside the room. Lovino growled and made a rush for them right before Ludwig closed the door on him.

It was hard working with Feliciano's fake belief. Everyone else in the place knew Lovino was long gone, but Feliciano refused to come to believe that. He held onto the idea of him being sick and only sick. He didn't believe the hard truth that he was dead and this was just his corpse being played around with with death's puppet strings. He just couldn't bring himself to believe that reality. Sure, he could believe anything else harsh about reality just not... that.

"Did you find anything yet that might cure him?" Feliciano questioned Ludwig as they walked upstairs. His hazel eyes were casted down at the steps that led them back up from the basement, following his dragging feet. Truly, he didn't want to leave Lovino. He had to sneak down here since Ludwig almost always kept him away from him. Tonight he wasn't as sneaky as he thought.

"No, not yet.." The German responded. "I haven't yet. I'll find something. I... I promise. It just takes time."

Ludwig made two promises already that he knew he wasn't keeping. One to cure Lovino and one to find a solution. He already found a solution to this whole disaster, but remained to keep that a secret out of desperation to find another answer. He already knew how to cure Lovino, it was simple. The cure was to kill him. That was the only thing that could be done.

Nonetheless, the strongest nation remained silent about it all and continued to carry the weight of everyone's fates. Soon, they'll each have to carry their own.

...

"Alfred? Matthew said you needed me?"

Arthur peeked into the room carefully, looking to see where the American was. It was odd to be called upon since usually he only wanted to be beside his brother. Matthew was the only one who could really comfort him.

Yet, here he was.

Alfred was sitting in the middle of the bed with the covers yanked up to his chin as if it were posing as a shield. His brilliant blue eyes shot over to Arthur when he came through the door. A flicker of fear crossed before it was taken over by a fake calmness.

"Yes... I did- do." Alfred stumbled across his words as he watched Arthur walk near the bed.

"What is it that you need, dear?" The Brit asked gently, taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

The American looked over at him, licking his lips nervously. Why was he nervous? This was Arthur- the man who raised him and cared for him. Why was he looking at him with the slightest bit of discomfort?

"I can't sleep..." Alfred mumbled finally, finding the words he wished to say. Arthur chuckled lightly at that.

"Can't sleep? Would you like for me to stay here with you until you do?"

When Alfred was a little boy, he often awoke with nightmares. He would come fleeing into the Brit's room in hysterics. Arthur would always wipe away the sleep in his eyes to aid the frightened child. He then would make room for him on his bed and read him a bedtime story or simply spoke with him until he slept. On bad nights where those simple words didn't help, Arthur would cast a sleeping spell that would ensure Alfred nothing but peaceful and happy dreams. He supposed that's what the American wished to do now, and he was right.

Alfred nodded. "Please... I'm scared to fall asleep... I don't want to sleep and wake up because I might wake up... there."

He didn't need to specify where he meant because by the tone of his voice Arthur had easily established where. It was the ship, wasn't it? The small, metal room at the bottom of the ship that was his couple months of shelter. Arthur also connected that the sudden change in scenery and shelter must've made him even more nervous about it all.

"It's okay, Alfred. It's okay. You won't wake up there." Arthur soothed, brushing a few strands of the American's hair out of his face. "Lie back now, alright? I'll tell you a little story to help you fall asleep."

Alfred hesitated before complying with what was said and lying back on the bed. Arthur brought the blankets up to the other's chest and tucked him in before he started with his story.

"Now, you got to close your eyes, alright? The magic of the story can only happen if your eyes are closed." Bringing back his old ways of telling the other bedtime stories. He would always tell him the stories won't work unless his eyes were closed. Of course, no magic was used since that was impossible now, but nonetheless he said what he said.

"Okay..." Alfred closed his eyes slowly, his eyebrows furrowing in unease.

Arthur smiled down at the American before starting his tale.

How odd. The past crept upon them and, for once, mended their pain. The pain of reality that tore at their hearts was being stifled by what the past held. The reenactment of the past temporarily dragged them back to the good times. The Lithuanian acting as a servant for the Russian again, addressing him as 'sir'. Loving words lacing the Brit and Frenchman together in a comfortable bed during the night. The Italian relying on the German to make all the choices for the good. And now the frightened American who called upon his father to tell him a bedtime story to help him fall asleep. In times like this when the past would never return, they still grasp onto it as if it's still the same.

What they do not see is that their attempts are useless and it's merely an illusion of the past. It was not 'just like old times'. It was simply an illusion. Toris was not bound to Ivan and his attempts were nothing but friendly gestures of care. Arthur and Francis lied together in a bed while deadly beings roamed about outside. Feliciano depended on Ludwig to make an impossible action to save his already dead brother. Alfred did not need a bedtime story because of a nightmare but because of the unease of sleeping in such a fine home and fear of waking up in his torture chamber. Yet, they still choose to think of it as exactly the same.

When Arthur finished with his story, Alfred kept his eyes closed. The other didn't stir at the ending, which gave Arthur the satisfaction that it quite possibly helped him sleep. So, he leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on Alfred's forehead before standing up to return back to his and Francis's room.

"Wait..." Alfred's soft voice stopped Arthur from walking out.

"Yes, Alfred? Do you need another story?" Arthur replied with the same softness. There was a moment silence before another request was made.

"Sleep with me. Please. I don't want to sleep alone... or with Matthew. Not tonight. I can't..."

Now that was something he did not expect. A small part of him desired to refuse and go back and sleep with Francis, but he simply could not do that. Alfred needed him and he needed to be there for him. He wasn't there for him when it was dire so the least he could do is do this for him now.

Arthur slowly walked back over to the bed, nodding. Sapphire eyes pleaded up at his deep emerald ones, making Arthur smile reassuringly. "Of course, Alfred. I'll sleep with you tonight."

The Brit pulled back the covers and slid under them. Alfred quickly yet hesitantly inched over to him, letting his head rest against his shoulder. He curled up beside the older one, his body still tense as he did so.

That place really did break him, huh, Arthur thought. Look at him. He never requested for me to sleep with him- not since he was a child. Even then he'd be reluctant on admitting it when he needed me. 'I'm the hero I can sleep by myself! But... tonight, Iggy, you're my sidekick his usual answers and ways of asking. Yet, here he is with his pleading eyes begging me to spend this night with me.

Alfred closed his eyes after a minute or so, slowly relaxing. Arthur carefully put an arm around him, brushing his fingers through his hair soothingly. Before he knew it, Alfred's breathing slowed and his tenseness softened. He was asleep. The damaged hero retired into a peaceful state he so deserved and needed.

Arthur looked down at him, not stopping from stroking his hair. His face was calm and, only briefly, the look of how he was normally returned. No stressed creases in his face. No fearful stares that held unbearable pain. No fragile stances that causes him to flinch at every little thing. None of that. Only pure peace and youth that never left him.

"Sleep, my dear." Arthur whispered softly as he, too, closed his eyes. "You're safe. No one and nothing will hurt you... Keeping the promise I made years back, I will be beside you and keeping you safe no matter what. Sleep now... You need it. I'll protect you while you do, I promise. You're okay."

And just like that, Arthur fell asleep too. He kept his arm around the other as if keeping him under his defensive wing. The two slept in peace at that as the rest of the house fell silent for the night.

All was quiet, all was well. For that one night, everyone had a break. It was the perfect night.

...

The next morning, Ludwig awoke before anyone else. That wasn't really a new thing since that's how it usually was even in the past. He would awake before anyone else and get the day started. And, that's what he did this morning.

Usually he would go directly into his study and start his daily research, but this morning was different however. It appeared that he did not wake up alone for the world outside seemed to rumble with life as the sun rose in the air.

Ludwig peered outside, scanning the area for any reason why the soft rumbling sounds were made. That's when he saw it. Two trees somewhat nearby falling the floor as if a lumberjack had just chopped it own. Blue eyes trailing to the roots, he saw a sight that sent him at a loss for breath.

Dozens, maybe even a hundred or so, of biters marched in a massive herd straight towards the building. Straight towards where they were.

The end of the world was arriving at their doorstep.

A/N:
I just wanted to say thank you guys so much for reading and commenting on my story/stories. It honestly means the whole entire world when I see every view and favorite and comment. You, my readers, make me so incredibly happy I can't even put it into words. I'm so grateful and thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you for reading my stories and thank you for just making me the happiest person in the world :)

To clear some things up within this chapter:
I know some of you wanted to know what happened to Toris and Ivan but I chose to leave it up to whatever you guys want to believe when it comes to their injuries. So, I'll leave the story behind their injuries up to you and however you wish to perceive it.

The next chapter will be kinda hectic and chaotic so that's a little hint on what'll happen next.

Anyways, please leave your feedback in the reviews/comments! I love reading them and they inspire me to continue writing!