The ride back to Arthurs home was fairly quick, or it seemed to be to Arthur. In, what felt, a matter of minutes they had arrived at their destination, the large house that still stood, strong and tall. As the brothers all piled out of the car, Arthur began rummaging through his pockets to find his keys to the door as Alba, Cymru and Shawn carried their things towards his house. Finally unlocking the door Arthur shoved the door open before going to help his brothers, grabbing the remaining boxes Arthur made his way into the house. Telling his brothers to follow him he led them to their respective bedrooms, letting them put their things away Arthur went back down stairs to make them all some tea along with getting out his old ashtray for alba to use.
Entering the kitchen Arthur sighed as he placed the kettle onto boil he reached into the cupboard pulling out 4 mugs (not bothering with the presentation) and placing the respective teabags lazily into the cups, knowing his brothers all had different tastes in tea. Thinking about what might happen when his brothers found out about what was happening Arthur began to get worried. What if they really did think he was stupid? Maybe even pathetic? The more these thoughts swam through his head the more Arthur began to regret his brothers finding out. The click of the kettle drew Arthur away from his thoughts as he poured the boiling water into the cups. Staring at the boiling water as it was transferred from the kettle to the cups Arthur began to think about what it would feel like against his skin.
Picking up the teaspoon to stir the tea Arthur kept thinking about it would it relieve him of these thoughts? Would the pain help? It usually did when his thoughts wouldn't leave him alone like he wanted; he shouldn't though he managed to kick that habit long ago why should he start it again now? Withdrawing the spoon from the final cup he placed it against his already heavily scarred wrist and pressed down against his skin. Hissing in pain Arthur smirked, his theory proven correct, the pain did distract him from the thoughts. Removing the spoon from his wrist he inspected the mark which had been left behind. A red circle sat there like a blanket covering the silver lines which already decorated his arms, the only evidence of what had just happened. Disappointment began to flood his body, he knew what he just did was wrong but what else could he do? The thoughts wouldn't just leave of their own free will; he had to force them to leave. Hearing the sound of shuffling coming from the front room Arthur quickly placed the spoon into the sink ready for cleaning; gathering the mugs Arthur made his way into the front room where his brothers were all sat on different seats waiting patiently for him to sit down as well.
Placing the cups onto the table, Arthur began placing the requested amount of milk and sugar into each cup and passing them to each brother, before finally seeing to himself. Sitting himself down next to Scotland, England began timidly sipping at his tea. Both hands on the cup effectively covering his new injury quietly listening to his brothers talking about what they had done since they had last seen each other. Alba had managed to create another type of beer, and was proud of the fact that his drinking buddy, Prussia had approved of his beer. Wales had completed sheering all of his sheep, along with have 5 lambs born this season and finally northern Ireland who had gotten better at controlling his republic side, something all of his brothers where happy about. Finally it was Arthurs turn, he had explained that he had improved in his piano playing thanks to Austria and had also managed to learn a few new spells and guitar songs, trying to keep the depression out of it for the time being.
"Oh yeah I meant to ask, artie how are Australia and New Zealand? I haven't seen them in a while" Ireland asked the joy and interest shown from his eyes; out of all the colonies his younger brother had gained throughout the years they had been his favourite. England was always happy to answer about his two eldest colonies they had been one of the reasons he had wanted to become an empire, to be able to protect them.
"They are doing great; they called me a few days ago to check on me telling me about how their economies are along with how they are doing and how their music lessons are going. Australia is improving greatly on his guitar and is thinking of taking up singing as well and new Zealand has asked me to get him some more lessons with Austria for his violin, saying something about having to beat Norway next time they meet" smiling at the end of his explanation England realized that with most of his colonies he had tried to find a instrument for each of them, trying to encourage them to play and take lessons. Even when they were young he would sit with them and play the guitar for them, teaching them all the basics in most instruments.
"That's grate brawd, I'm glad they are enjoying their instruments so much" Wales congratulated with a smile on his face. He was happy that his brother wasn't completely gone yet, that they had made it in time to save what was left of him. Glancing at Alba, Wales found that his elder brother had been staring at him before nodding his head. That was the signal.