hetalia_kink | HETALIA KINK MEME PART 4

“Here, it’s not poisoned, see?” Alfred took a sip of the soup Francis had prepared to prove his point.

Arthur sat pointedly still, only moving when it was absolutely necessary and, even then, only at bare minimum. There was no longer any life in his eyes, as if everything had been drained out of him the day he woke up in this bleak world. His colour was gone, evaporating into the whiteness of the walls. There was nothing left.

“I’m not hungry,” he whispered.

Alfred tried not to look hurt. “Please eat it!” he scooped a spoonful of thick soup, pushing towards Arthur’s mouth the way one would coax a baby to eat.

Reluctantly, he took the spoon from Alfred’s grip, their fingers brushing ever so slightly, and swallowed a mouthful.

Alfred watched his slow, methodical way of eating. He did not savour the food, but ate it with the grim determination of a soldier given an order to march. If he was not there to watch over him, he doubted that Arthur would even bother to continue eating.

Marianne had been dismissed from caring for Arthur when he made it clear that he would not suffer her presence. It was painful to know that the only time he came alive was to hiss at her and flinch from her touch. Now Kiku took care of changes his bandages and bed sheets and Francis took over cooking duties. Alfred had to apologise profusely to her for it but she did not seem to mind.

Personally, Alfred would have done more for her but his thoughts were solely occupied with Arthur. His human-phobia extended to even his boss and countrymen. Who ever heard of a nation who hated his own people?

“S – So do you want to know what’s going on right now? I imagine it must be boring to be cooped up here all the time. Don’t worry, you’ll recover soon,” Alfred spoke for the sole purpose of filling up time and space with something, anything. Silence was too awful for him. He thought it might take away the rest of Arthur’s personality if it could.

“Well, Ludwig’s informed all the other countries and we’re all on the alert now. Security has been tightened. We think there might be a rat amongst the circle of people who know. We’re looking into that too,” he said.

Arthur made no sign of hearing him.

Alfred straightened on his chair, trying not to fidget too much. Arthur always told him off for fidgeting during world meetings but now he seemed not even to notice. “Ah, don’t worry. We’ll sort this out soon enough; I am a hero after all!” he forced a laugh. Yes, he was a hero so he could fix this. He could do anything. He could even save Arthur, right?

Again, there was no reply but Arthur turned his head to the window again as though bored of listening to Alfred’s words.

Alfred leaned forward, nudging Arthur’s arm a little. “What do you think we should do?” he smiled, hoping this would at least engage him in conversation. He was tired of talking to walls.

He was tired, but heroes were not supposed to get tired. They could do anything. They could save Arthur. That was what Alfred wanted to do. He wanted to lean forward and press his lips against Arthur’s ear and whisper; ‘I’ll save you.’

Only he did not. He could not move much whenever he was in the white room. If he did, he was afraid he would shatter something and then there really would be nothing left. Gathering his courage, he placed a hand on the bed and leaned forward, though not far enough to touch Arthur’s face.

“Wh – What should I do?” he whispered.

There was no reply.

GFRBLE. UPDATE. YAY. Also. No, I don't think anyone saw you de-anon...not that I would mind knowing who you are so I could st-err...friend you... XD But, man oh man. I did not see this hatred of humans coming! NOT AT ALL. SHOCK. HORROR. AND INTRIGUE. Oh yes, I am very, very, very interested in this...YOU SPOIL US ANON!

Nope, didn't see your nonanon!

Interesting reaction. Extreme, but some what rational. One of the humans he knew personally completely betrayed him. Looking forward to the next chapter!!

Goes back to checking this every few hours.

Don't worry, I didn't see your de-anoning.

This is more serious than I thought. D8 Arthur has a pobia of humans now... what would that do to his country? OAO

I wonder how his boss is taking this...

...Poor Alfred...-hugs him- you can make it though

thanks for the update, anxiously awaiting more

... *wibbles* ;A;
Poor Arthur~!
Anon wishes for more, so anon can see Arthur get better, because he can't stay like this forever, he just can't, and *shot* I'll shut up now.

Arthur.........Arthur...the fills of this request are both very well written and depressing ;__;

good job writer anon! Alfred's pleading makes me sad ;_;

He leaned in further.

“Hey, Arthur...what should I do?”

Please tell me, he wanted to beg. Look at me. Please tell what I have to.

“Y – You’re not asleep are you? Don’t tell me I’m that boring!” he feigned laughter, reclining back into his chair. His shoulders slumped.

Finally, Arthur turned his head and looked at him. He was not sure whether he preferred to be gazed upon or not.

“Arthur...”

A sudden knock startled him. Francis poked his head around the side, the surprise at on his face was false; it was common knowledge that Alfred spent almost twenty-four hours a day in Arthur’s company.

“Alfred, can we talk?” he asked, gesturing for him to follow.

Alfred rose. “I’ll be right back,” he assured Arthur, though his smile faltered when he thought that he would not really care either way. Gritting his teeth, he followed Francis out of the door, softly closing it behind him.

“What is it?” he asked as soon as they stepped into the hallway. The emptiness gave it a cold sheen and Alfred made a mental note to buy a rug or something to keep away the chill.

Francis unfolded his arms, sighing with exasperation. “Nothing, mon ami, I just thought I would throw you a line,” he said and left Alfred standing there in confusion.

Yet it was no really confusion that rooted him to the spot but realisation. If he stayed in that room for any longer, he was sure that he would be crushed by it.

XX

“We need to do something about Arthur.”

Uneasy silence pervaded. In the meeting room, one could have heard a pin drop.

Yao was the first to speak up. “I’ve brought some specialists with me aru, but...”

“...They’re human,” Ludwig guessed and Yao nodded grimly. Alfred had explained Arthur’s new temperament and there was not a snowflakes chance in hell he would endure the presence of a human let alone their ‘help.’

“Can’t you do anything?” Alfred stressed. He would have said that he was desperate except that he was a ridiculous optimist and even now he held onto the futile hope that things would somehow turn out alright.

Yao sighed.

XX

Alfred wondered if he was some sort of masochist for spending all his time with Arthur as he did. No matter how much it pained him, no matter how depressed he felt afterwards, he would always flutter back to the white room like a moth hopelessly attracted to a candle flame no matter how it singed his wings.

If there was anything positive to be reported amongst the lack of progress and the confusion, at least Arthur’s wounds were healing nicely. With Kiku changing his bandages and Yao mixing medicines, he would soon be back into perfect shape. Physically, that was.

“So Matthew said he’s flying here soon,” Alfred tried to put some enthusiasm in his voice despite his utter conviction that Matthew would not be able to do a thing. He mentally reprimanded himself for such a thought. When did he become so paranoid?

Arthur’s apathetic “Oh?” was more response than he had managed to wring out of him in days.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll appreciate more intelligent conversation,” he laughed lightly, hoping it did not sound too strained. “But that’s not true, is it? Between me and Matt you like me more, come on, admit it!” he nudged Arthur, hoping to goad a better response from him.

However, Arthur refused to take the bait and remained silent. Not to be deterred, Alfred continued. He was not the type to give up so easily.

“You know, you always like to call me an ungrateful brat. I’m sorry about that. Sorry I didn’t turn out better...but, you know, I did stick around for all those years despite all those disgusting scones of yours!”

There. A jab at Arthur’s cooking always managed to touch a nerve yet this time Arthur did not so much as flinch. Where was the furrowing of eyebrows, the indignant scowl that would cross his face, the flash of anger sparking in his eyes? At this point, Alfred would have been grateful if he called him an ‘insufferable git’ and whacked him over the head.

“Arthur,” Alfred dared place a hand over his, hoping to awaken him with his touch. “Arthur...are you listening to me?”

When he was young, before he had sought independence, all he would have to do is get a little teary-eyed for Arthur to come rushing to him, sweeping him up into his arms. When he was older, he would move around noisily, doing everything in exaggeration so that it was impossible for Arthur to ignore.

This is something Alfred was not used to. He was gentle, he was obnoxious, he jabbed, he goaded, he pleaded and begged but nothing could coax a lively response - or even a response at all - from Arthur.

“Arthur!” Alfred shook his arm.

Arthur, that movie was scary let me sleep with you tonight!

“Say something.”

Arthur looked at him but his mouth would not move.

“Hey, say something. Call me an idiot like you always do. You can yell at me if you want. You can even get angry at me...Hey, come on...” he shook him, harder this time. “Tell me I’m stupid. Tell me I’m a brat! Tell me you hate me even! Just - ” Alfred’s voice faltered, threatening to break. He could not take this anymore. He flung his arms around Arthur’s shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug. “Just do something!” he cried.

“...Alfred.” A slow response.

“Yes?” he asked, almost giddy with relief.

“You’re crushing me. Let go.”

Hope soared and came crashing down. Alfred could fel it shatter into a million pieces, each one a shard into his heart.

“S – Sorry,” he reluctantly released him, returning to his chair.

“Alfred,” Arthur pointed to his face.

It was not until then did he realise that his eyes were a little wet around the corners. He blinked in confusion and felt them rolling down his cheeks. “Ah!” he hastily rose his arm to wipe them away. “O – oh. I must have gotten a little worked up. Dust in my eye. Um...dammit, it’s really gotten in there! Don’t worry, it’ll stop soon. It’ll stop. It’ll stop.”

Alfred scrubbed his face and laughed, assuring Arthur that it was just a little dust. Not to worry, he would not go blind. It would stop soon.

Only it did not.

The door burst open while he was still trying to regain his composure. Alfred was almost sure that it was Francis here to ‘rescue’ him again but instead Kiku leaned against the door frame, panting heavily.

“Alfred, please come quickly, it’s an emergency!” he cried.

“But - ”

“It’s an emergency!” he practically pushed him out of the door. Alfred had never seen him so flustered or so forceful. It was unlike the usually reserved Kiku to be so forward as to grab his hand, practically dragging him down the hallway.

“What’s going on?” Alfred asked as soon as they reached the holding room. He knew that this was where they were keeping the prisoners for the moment.

Ludwig and Yao were already crowding around the entrance with Feliciano desperate trying to peek over their shoulders by hopping from one foot to the other and Francis leaning against the wall with a look of distaste. They turned when Alfred approached, giving him enough space to squeeze through as if to say; ‘take a look for yourself.’

The captive was dead.

Alfred did not have to bend down to check the man’s pulse to know that it was already too late. That once arrogant, stubborn man’s face was twisted with fear, eyes open and glazed, blood running down his forehead.

Ludwig cleared his throat but before he could say something a piercing scream jolted them all from their positions.

“Ve, isn’t that Marianne’s voice?”

Something cold ran down Alfred’s spine. The source of that scream had come from down the hallway and down the hallway there was only...

“Arthur!” He pushed Yao and Ludwig out of the way, dearly praying that his fears were irrational.

HOLY CRAP CLIFF HANGER!!!

sjkadhsahdjkashdkja

HOLY CRAP ARTHUR YOUR BEING TOO COLD!!!!!!!

Alfred!! *hugs Alfred*

Oh Alfred, poor dear....

Cliff hanger!?! Blast!

Naver stop writing dear Anon *_*
You did very well on this fic, I must admitt that the subject seems to me to be rather difficult, one can easily make it very cliche. But here everyone seems to be perfectly in character (especially Alfred ;n; I'm so sorry for him).
Thanks for writing it!

OHNOES! CLIFF HANGER!! DDDD:

*F5s liek mad*

AH! Cliffhanger! Damn it. What happened?!?!?!

Hoping that I estimated it right. Wasn't sure if it would work out 26 or 28 parts. Anon is sorry it'll be so long!

XX

Arthur backed himself into a corner at a crouch, clutching his arm as the old wounds that had not yet healed began to bleed again. He gritted his teeth together, glaring coldly at the young woman who had invaded his room. The rumpled bed was all that separated them but even at that short distance Arthur hardly felt safe at the moment.

“You’re awfully quick for someone who’s injured,” the woman smiled condescendingly, she held a dagger in her right hand and there was a gun – though still in its holster – at her hip. She wore a black dress suit – identical to that of the millions of office workers around the world – as though it were her armour, making her untouchable, superior.

“You wanted to catch me by surprise?” Arthur growled. He made a note to commit her face to memory – black hair and beauty spots and dark brown eyes that were too small and too far apart.

“I was hoping to go in and out without anyone noticing but now I fear they may have caught on after that useless pirate decided he couldn’t die in silence,” she reached for her gun.“Be a dear and don’t make this difficult, okay?”

As soon as Arthur saw her fingers reach for the holster, he barrelled into the bedside table, knocking it onto its side. The vase shattered into large shards, throwing water and fresh flowers onto the floor. He grabbed a jagged piece of vase, not caring as it sliced into his fingers. Jumping back, he pressed his back against the wall and lifted the shard to his throat.

The woman faltered for just a second. “What do you think you’re doing? You plan to take your whole country with you?” she laughed, though Arthur could sense her hesitation barely veiled by her bravado.

“It’s just a bunch of humans anyway,” he muttered. He had known that this would happen, that they would not leave him in peace. It had been foolish to take his time and rest; he would never be left in peace because those pirates were...

“You don’t have the guts,” the woman dared him. Was she one of them too?

The cold tip of the shard pricked his throat, drawing a small drop of blood. Did he dare do it? Wasn’t this what he wanted? To die rather than fall into the hands of filthy humans who would use him and torture him and fuck him as they wished? Even now, thinking about how they had stripped him and passed him around like some fuck-toy, made him want to hurl.

He wondered what would happen if he was gone. The East Germans did not die when Prussia was no more so maybe, even if he did this, the people of England, though damaged, would live on without him, not that it really mattered to him anymore.

Arthur swallowed and pressed the shard to his throat.

“Mister Kirkland, you musn’t!” Marianne – wasn’t that the name of that stupid maid? They had been too caught up to notice her enter the room – screamed as she leapt for him, knocking the glass out of his hand. He hissed as their fingers brushed, withdrawing his hand as though he had been burnt. “W –What are you doing here?” he growled at her.

Marianne made no reply but gathered herself to her feet, using her body as a shield between Arthur and the woman.

The woman was not expecting an interruption but nevertheless took it all in her stride. In hindsight, perhaps this turn of events could prove advantageous for her. “Oh? Are you one of them too? What country are you?” she asked, amusement evident on her voice.

Though Marianne’s face was a picture of confusion she did not falter. “Country?”

However, there was clearly no time to wait for an answer. They all heard the sound of pounding footsteps racing towards them. In that brief moment of distraction, the woman leaned over the bed, grabbing a fistful of Marianne’s hair, throwing her out of the way. She vehemently pulled on it, eliciting another shrill scream.

“Damn it!” she cursed under her breath, aiming the gun squarely at Arthur’s chest. “A bullet won’t hurt a country too much, right?”

The door flung open. Marianne ripped herself out of the painful grasp as Arthur grabbed another broken piece of vase and the woman raised her gun, took aim...

“Don’t shoot!”

...Fired.

Uguu, the top part was meant to be part 12/28. Anon is sorry!

Alfred and Yao were the first into the room but neither of them would make it in time. The sound of the bullet exploding from the nozzle rippled through the room, tearing into space, into time, the very fabric of reality.

“Arthur!” Alfred flung out a hand. Why couldn’t he make it in time? If he really was a hero he could stop this. If he really was a hero...

“Mister Kirkland!” Marianne imposed herself between them, arms flung wide.

“Marianne!”

Blood coloured the walls. White and red like Arthur’s flag. Marianne’s face was a picture of pure shock, as if she had not comprehended that a bullet would hurt when she flung herself in its path. Her breast was crimson, the colour quickly spreading like a disease that would consume her, blood violently spurted from her mouth as she collapsed, spreading her red corruption across the once white floor.

The woman swore under her breath. Another bullet shattered the windows and she flung herself through without ceremony. Yao and Ludwig immediately gave chase while Kiku took Francis around the back in order to seal all exits, leaving only Feliciano and Alfred alone with Arthur and the body of Marianne.

A moment of absolute stillness reigned. It was that moment between the realms of conscious and unconsciousness when the mind is still trying to confirm whether it is still dreaming or not, when one feels disorientated and paralysed. It was as if someone had covered their eyes with their hands; teasingly whispering ‘Guess who?’ though no one was there; a cold surprise that festered in the gut and conquered the brain.

Arthur was the first to move, though only to slide down the wall into a shocked heap. Some of the blood had splattered onto his face so that he could feel its warmth trickling down his cheeks like tears and smell that disgusting, metallic scent smothering him.

“M – Marianne?” Feliciano smiled as he crouched beside her. He shook her gently, as one would to rouse someone from their sleep. “Ve ve, Marianne don’t lie there all day! You’re bleeding; shall I kiss it better for you? Marianne? M – Marianne, want me to kiss...kiss it...better...?”

He was crying. He tried not to show it, tried to smile despite himself but Feliciano’s trembling hands betrayed his feelings. He made no sound, he did not sob out loud as he would when pleading for mercy, but the tears came down in steady silent streams.

“M – Marianne?” Alfred knew that she was already dead. Had she been a nation she might have survived. Had she been a nation... He looked at Arthur and crept towards him, reaching out a comforting hand. “Arthur, are you - ”

“Don’t touch me!” Arthur batted him away. The harshness of his voice made Alfred flinch. “Ha...haha...” shaky, almost deranged laughter bubbled from his throat. “Hahaha! Stupid human! She should have just let her take me! If she knew who I was she would have - ”

The sound of Alfred’s palm hitting the side of Arthur’s cheek made even Feliciano look up in surprise. Alfred’s enraged face was marred by tears. Why could he not do anything? He was the hero here! Why could he never do anything but watch?

“Don’t talk as if you know everything!” he yelled, gripping Arthur’s shoulders hard enough to make him wince. “Even if I told her what you were, it wouldn’t have made a difference to her!”

Arthur quelled a little under the harshness of his gaze. “...W - Who cares?”

Alfred’s grip slackened. Arthur was slipping back into apathy.

“...War, poverty, crime, who cares what humans want to do to each other? They shouldn’t get us involved.”

“Arthur?”

“I’ve had enough.”

Cue Arthur going ~~Russia~~ batshit-insane. No, just joking...

Should have seen that coming....BUT I DIDN'T!!

;A;

AUTHOR ANON I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I HAD LIKE THE SHITTIEST LONGEST DAY EVER AT WORK AND COMING HOME AND SEEING THAT YOU UPDATED MADE MY NIGHT ;_; ILU, KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK

CRUISE CONTROL FUCK YEAH

Poor, poor Arthur...-hugs-

The suspense is killing me! Can't wait for more!

Oh shiiiiit. That was intense!!!! D8

Arthur has fallen off his rocker. @_@;;

Also, don't apologize for making it long~ I enjoy long fics. ^-^

Arthur tilted his head back to rest against the wall, sighing loudly as if to expel his soul in one breath.

Alfred had no idea what to say. He tentatively reached out and tied to rub the blood from Arthur’s face but it only ended up smearing into a grizzly red stain.

“You used to be really kind, you know?”

He could hold himself back no longer. Alfred flung his arms around Arthur’s shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug. If his back could shield all the bad things from touching Arthur, he would have gladly stayed like that forever. Briefly, he wondered if he was some sort of fool for clinging on to hope even now, like a desperate beggar he grabbed at whatever gleams of light flashed before his eyes.

“Arthur, I’m not – I’m not going to let you - ” he squeezed even tighter, hardly caring that Arthur was not hugging back or if Feliciano was looking at him, at how pathetic he had become. He was a hero and he would go to any lengths to save someone, to save Athur, even if – even if he had to become the villain in doing so. “I won’ t let you go the way you’re going. I’m not going to let you become like – like this!”

“They’re not going to leave me alone,” Arthur said; a cold statement of facts.

“We’ll get them! Every last one of them!” he cried.

Arthur stiffened. Though Alfred was unable to see his face, he could sense the sudden shift in demeanour. “...Yes, I suppose we’ll have to do that,” Arthur whispered, lightly touching the small of Alfred’s back.

XX

Despite tightening security, everyone was walking on eggshells the next morning. The remaining pirates had been transferred to a proper prison, leaving the manor even emptier. They held a funeral for Marianne. Alfred took it upon himself to notify her family, sending a bouquet of yellow roses with the condolence card.

That day, it did not even rain when they carried out the coffin. Marianne’s parents wanted her buried in Maine where she had grown up but they held their own service for her anyway. Kiku gave her some of his cranes and Feliciano made a chain of daisies; Alfred could see how he trembled and clung onto Ludwig’s arm as if everyone around him would disappear if he did not hold fast. Even Francis, who remained completely calm throughout the grim affair, indulged himself in a little more wine than usual as soon as the coffin was borne away.

Only Arthur remained missing from the ceremony. Yao could not say how much the event affected him but, although he was up and walking by now, he continued to hole himself up in the manor, living his life either in the white room or in the much unused study of Alfred’s manor. His attitude remained cold and distant even to his fellow nations. He was never rude but always curt, giving no more than two or three word answers at best.

Alfred caught him sitting in the study, the lights set to a minimum, hunched over a thick tome of...something; the books in there were mostly for show and Alfred had no clue about the names of half the books in his own study.

Creeping in, he sidled towards Arthur who, as expected, paid him no mind.

“Hey Arthur! Want to...watch a movie or something?” he asked. It was a bad suggestion but he had no idea what else to say, he just wanted to do something, anything that would bring Arthur back to life even for just a second. He would even eat a million burnt scones for one, quick smile or a flustered blush.

Damn character count *grumble* *grumble*

However, Arthur paid his presence only the smallest amount of recognition, just enough to reply “...No thank you,” before promptly forgetting about him until Alfred spoke again.

“Well, how about going outside for some fresh air?” he suggested.

“I’m fine,” Arthur replied laconically, eyes rooted to the same page he had been reading for the last two hours.

“Come on, don’t be so boring! Let’s do something!” Alfred tugged at his sleeve impatiently. It was not that he thought what he had dubbed 'the Feliciano effect' would work but he had never tried to be so obstinately cheerful before and one should always try new approaches.

“London,” Arthur muttered under his breath, snapping the book shut.

“Huh?”

Arthur frowned at him for being dense. “I want to go back to London. What happened to it after I was...” he trailed away. Neither of them really wished to recall those unpleasant memories.

“...Arthur!” Alfred breathed, hardly daring to believe what he was hearing. Arthur wanted to go back to London. That meant that he was worried. That meant that, surely, deep down he was still the same old Arthur! “That’s great! It would be a good idea to move now that they know where we are. I’ll talk to the others and make preparations immediately!” he cried enthusiastically.

“Thank you,” Arthur gave him the tiniest of smiles.

There really was a God after all!

“N - no problem!” Alfred cried, grinning from ear to ear. Arthur was smiling, Arthur had thanked him! Just seeing that made him feel as though he could do anything, could probably walk on top of a rainbow; he was feeling so giddy with happiness.

Alfred rushed out to tell the news to the others, failing to see that Arthur’s smile was edged with malice.

What is Arthur up to now...? D8

Alfred keep an eye on him! :[ Something isn't right.

Totally breaking my F5 button to see what comes next!

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Arthurrrrrrrrrrr what the hell is wrong with you!!!!!!!!!!!! Dx

*dies with anticipation*

reCaptcha: mitty brother

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This reader anon has 99.9% chance of losing her sanity