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Tax and Tea~ (Alice and Silver)
---------- Post added 11-04-2012 at 09:48 PM ---------- Thunder had surrounded the Kirkland residence for quite sometime now. The nation of England suffered with large amounts of rain, caused by the misery of the nation itself. A colony had been lost, and not one of the minor ones. No, Arthur had lost America, his very favorite colony of all. Though years had passed since the war, the older country had not healed. He'd become a cold man, strict and unkind. He seemed unhappy always, never cracking a smile. Most of his free time now was spent on spells and he'd been seeing things...unicorns and fairies..the occasional ghost or elf. And he had flying mint bunny...a peculiar little thing that seemed to appear when his pain was at its worst. He hadn't bothered with seeing other people. He hasn't many friends, and the few he'd had before no longer wished to be around him. He'd lost Francis quite a long time ago. After all, it was France who helped America leave him in the first place. This had left him alone, driving him madder and madder as the days, weeks, and years past him. His nation was still strong, still rich, but so empty of glamor or warmth. He sat to read, a new pastime he'd really taken to in the past few months. It made him feel less lonely, almost like the books were his friends. A sound that was rather unfamiliar rang through the house, and Arthur had quite a time trying to figure it out at first. It sounded over and over again, a dull bang. The sound of metal hitting wood. He realized it was the front door. Someone was using the metal knocker, attempting to gain his attention. He stood very slowly and book marked the page he'd been viewing. He wasn't in a hurry to answer the person, figuring they could very well wait if what they had to say was important. He got to the large wooden thing and hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should open the door. He wasn't positive that he could handle the presence of another person...not yet. It felt way to soon. He finally opened it and stared at the person on the other side. "Francis." His voice was a dull murmur as he coldly regarded the Frenchman at his door. "What do you please with me frog?" France wrang his hands together in a nervous fashion before speaking. "I hear that Alfred is not well...perhaps you should check on him Mon Cher?" The Englishman shook his head with a rather cold expression. "If that brat wanted my help, he'd come and ask for it. Until he shows up and asks, I will not care for him." He slammed the door and climbed back into his chair, but was unable to focus on his boom. What was wrong with his little Alfred? Well, not little..after all, he was much larger than Arthur was now. Stronger, taller...broader. England may have been older, but he was a child in comparison to Alfred. He sipped a cup of tea to get his mind as blank as possible. He didn't want to worry right now. He'd just let fate be. |
Lightening light up the sky as the two nations faced each other on a field of war, there was no friendliness in their gazes. Nothing but anger and hurt and a betrayal so deep there was no going back from it. Alfred pushed wet hair out of his eyes, his gaze settled on Arthur his big brother, his protector, his ruler. Chafing under the bit and tired of being told what to do and when to do it America had revolted and claimed his independence. But at an expense, blood, death, and pain was the price to pay for his freedom. For a time his nation was a place of great progress, sure it was a wild country, but that was the beauty of it, and as the years progressed so to did the country make great strides. It became a great powerful nation, a nation strong enough to rival any other. For years Alfred devoted his life to his nation taking great pride in its advances, but even as he took pride in his country so too did he look upon it with bitter sadness. For it was the cost of a beloved brother that he had a nation so great. Far to soon though America went into a spiraling decline, people lost their jobs, lost their homes, families splintered and fell apart, the country suffering because its nation was suffering. After a horrible accident that landed him in the hospital he was finally able to go home with the help of France. As Alfred fell into a drug induced stupor Francis decided to go and get the help of the only nation who could be trusted not to take advantage of America's decline. England, after being turned away France returned to America and readied him for the painful trip to Arthur's estate. Francis would make Arthur see how much help Alfred needed whether he wanted to or not. Alfred groaned as the bump jolted his ribs paining him. France looked back a worried look etched on his handsome face. "We are almost there America hold on" he offered though it was small comfort when every twist and turn of the road was more painful then the last. Broken ribs were only the beginning of a long list of injuries America had sustained from his accident. It was a long road to recovery, the doctor hadn't been entirely sure if Alfred would walk again. But if one person could help it would be Arthur. Hurrying to the door ignoring the constant rain that soaked him France pounded on the knocker waiting impatiently for England. "ANSWER THE DAMN DOOR" he yelled though he knew he couldn't be heard. He would show England just how much help his brother needed. |
England sipped delicately, starting to doze just slightly when the knocker sounded. He gave a short cry of fear, a porcelain tea cup sliding from his hands and shattering. He stared at the ruined object with a tsk before cleaning it up, not bothering with the door. He jumped again when he heard yelling, managing to slice open his hand on a shard of the cup. He growled and threw his hands up in frustration before throwing away the ruined cup. He'd have to get the tea stain out of the carpet at a later date seeing as how his door was about to be pounded in. A particularly loud boom of thunder went off as his mood decreased steadily. The sky went from black to a wicked shade of purple, yellow streaks of lightning lighting up every so often. He slung the door open with enough force to show his anger. "I do say! What in the bleeding hell do you want?! You interrupted me from my rest you stupid useless frog! So tell me, what the hell is so important that you found it ok to--" he cut off quite suddenly, green eyes studying Alfred carefully. Without any sort of warning, he backhanded Francis and pulled Alfred inside, slamming the door in France's face. He pushed the American to his guest room which was still decorated like a child's. it had been Alfred and Matthew's when the two had been young. "Ring this if you need assistance." His voice was very cool and emotionless as he sat a bell on the bedside counter. "Do try not to be loud. I'm used to peace an have become rather find of silence." He pranced off and down the stairs. Arthur made sure to bandage his hand before he went back to reading. He tried not to think about his former colony, wishing he'd never had to see the man again. He stared at his own pale hand, the skins nearly translucent from lack of sun. He'd grown almost frail, a smaller appearance taking him over. He was ashamed off his state. He'd once been a large, strong, powerful nation. Now he was no more than a damsel, ruled by a woman. He sighed and curled up on the couch, listening to the silence of the house. Part of him wondered how America had been so hurt. The other part didn't care in the least bit. He listened harder, enjoying the rumble of thunder and the pitter patter of rain on the roof. |
The trip from France's side to a bed in the guest room of England's house was a short but fairly painful one. Arthur paid no attention to his injuries and fairly threw him into the room before he left him for his own devices. Which isn't a very good idea when one was as drugged up as Alfred. Stumbling and half crawling he tried to make it to the bed, but it seemed way to much of an effort so he quit half of the way there and instead sank down onto the plush carpet trying to keep as much weight off his painful ribs as possibly but that was hard when putting weight on other parts of his body was painful as well. Grunting he found as comfortable a position as he could and focused on the room. It took his mind off the pain of his body. It was a typical English style room, a desk in the corner, a shelf filled with large books nearby, an easy chair where one could recline with one of those books. But it was the bed that dominated the room. A large bed with a large plush blue comforter and matching pillows. It was where he wanted to be right now, but the distance seemed immense.
The one thing that shocked him more then anything else was the very fact that he was in Arthur's house after all this time, albeit it wasn't because either of them wanted too. Alfred hadn't much choice in the matter, he needed help and even though it was a blow to his pride, he knew it. Arthur was the best choice in this matter, despite the fact that the brothers hadn't talked, or even been in the same room since that awful time. Pressing a bandaged hand to his ribs he tried to sit up, didn't get very far. After a few failed attempts he gave up and slumped back down on the floor. Breathing heavily he sat there trying not to pain his ribs to much. It wasn't soon after that he fell into a drug induced slumber. One he happily embraced as it took him away from it all. And for a time he could forget the accident that had landed him in this frustrating predicament. (sorry its so short ><) |
Arthur had effectively fallen into a deep sleep when he woke with nightmares. He sighed, ruffling his hair and wishing he were dead. One glance at the clock told him it was only six thirty in the evening. He went to the kitchen and looked into the freezer. He grabbed a sack of frozen fish sticks, knowing this was one thing he wouldn't mess up when he cooked. He made those and some fries, then boiled some tea. He stared at the drink, knowing that Alfred would most likely turn his nose up at it. He grabbed a glass and cooled the tea, poring it over ice and adding liberal amounts of sugar. That was more the kind of tea America liked. England carried the food upstairs and opened the door, sighing at the sight of his ex-colony. "Wanker can't even get to a bed on his own." He muttered. "It's like taking care of a bloody child." He set the food down and struggled to lift Alfred, groaning in frustration. "You fat arse! How am I supposed to lift you if you're four times my size?!" He managed to get his brother on the bed, then pulled off his clothing, putting him in something more comfortable. "There. Now, you are not to get up from that bed for any reason. If you need to use the restroom or anything else, ring the bell and I'll come help you." He set the tray of food on the bed. "There's your dinner." He gave Alfred one last glance before quickly storming out of the room. Once down stairs again, Arthur curled into the couch, trying his very hardest to keep how he was feeling pinned up. The storm was getting worse and worse, thunder loud and lightning bright. He didn't even hear it when the door opened. "Arthur?" His head shot up at the mention of his name by a German stranger. "Ludwig?" He stared at a soaked Germany who looked a bit like a drowned kitten. "I came to check in with you? Remember? I'm supposed to keep tabs with you while Gilbert heals.." The albino Prussian hasn't been well since the Prussian-English war, and England was supposed to be helping Ludwig care for him. "Did you bring him with you?" Ludwig nodded and went back outside, carrying in a delirious looking Prussia who was groaning with pain and sickness. "Alright, alright, I'll give you some medications for him and such. Just keep him rested. He's getting better after all." Gilbert made a sound that was a mixture of a whine and a groan. "Arthur...." He yanked the Englishman close to his flushed face. "Make it stop." He whispered feverishly and Arthur tried to scramble back, not wanting to be close to Prussia he sedated the man, then gave Germany the medication. England had always been good at caring for other people, and so he ran his house like a pharmacy. People could come and go for medical help. Once the German brothers had left, Arthur allowed himself some time to break apart. He made little sobs and shrieks as his heart broke apart for the second time. Memories of hatred and defeat flooded his mind, causing him to quiver. The whole house shook as the thunder was the loudest yet. He yowled and scared his cat, causing the animal to his and run off. He finally started to calm when he was to tired to cry any longer. His queen came and carried him up to the room. He'd forgotten she'd been staying the night and she was staying in his bedroom. That meant he would have to also stay in the guest room. She redressed him and slipped him into the bed right beside Alfred. Arthur turned his back away from the other country and scooted to the side furthest away. He curled into a ball and stayed silent. ---------- Post added 11-06-2012 at 09:26 AM ---------- ((Pft. Don't apologize. Mine was so much shorter the last time.)) |
The door to his bedroom creaked open and the sound of footsteps had the broken country opening eye to watch his brother cross the floor to him, he was bearing a silver tray with a glass and plate on it. Ice cubes clinked in the glass as England set it down on the desk insulting America as he wrestled the bigger country into bed. Alfred stayed quiet watching Arthur past barely opened eyes. He wasn't sure if he wanted England to know he was awake, he really wasn't in the mood for any arguing. Stifling a groan as Arthur's rather rough treatment jarred his broken ribs Alfred waited until England had left before he reached for the food smirking at the poor fair. Of course, England had never been much of a cook. Picking up one of the fish sticks he popped it into his mouth wishing he had ketchup or something to dip it in and cover up the fake fish flavor. Grimacing he picked up the glass and sniffed it, it was tea of course America doubted he had anything else in the house but this as a beverage. At least he had remembered how America drank it, taking a sip he set the glass down. Eating turned out to be quite a chore, every swallow hurt his ribs. Only finishing half of his food, if even, and only taking a few more sips of the iced tea America set the plate back on the tray leaving it for England to pick up later. Settling back into bed carefully he was soon fast asleep.
Alfred was floating over his body looking down at the broken country lying in the street the groceries he had bought strewn all over the street some stained with blood. A woman started screaming, followed by another, an ambulance was called and America was loaded into the back, blood was pooled in the street where he had been laying. America watched as his body was born away. Turning he looked towards the east and watched as a man walked away, frowning he saw something familiar about that man. And suddenly he found himself on a field of war looking down at his brother. The brother kneeling before him with a dirt smudged face, tears in his eyes pleading for America to reconsider. America turned his back on his brother and walked away. As he walked he came towards a house, England's house, he found his brother inside curled up on the ground asleep. Leaning down he kissed his cheek, then England was awake and leaning up to capture America's lips in a hot kiss. America woke up to find a warm body beside him in bed, only turning his head he was surprised to find Arthur asleep there. The tray was gone and the room was dark with the night, he wasn't exactly sure what time it was, suddenly unable to keep his eyes open any longer he dropped back into a dreamless sleep. |
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