Rising Fascination

Too far behind to see

"Alfred!"

America wakes up with a sharp gasp, his hands grasped around the blankets with tight fists, he fought to find his breath.

"Alfred you're okay, come here buddy." Another voice says, softer this time. Warm arms wrap around the boy's shaking form, holding him gently as he cries and desperately tries to get air into his body.

Matthew holds Alfred, holds him like his life depended on it because he never remembers a time he's seen his twin so scared. Arthur runs his hands through the boys hair.

The young boy, now physically deaged ( eleven? Twelve? God, maybe even ten) his entire body shook like a leaf, his now smaller hands gingerly went up to his mouth and swiped. He wiped, and wiped at his mouth, whining as his yes closed. He was scared. Terrified.

Seeing the boy so out of shape was just as alarming to every other country in the room. Wide eyed as they watched someone who usually adorned a megawatt smile, was tiny and frail. Fearing something that no one else saw, even in the dream world of his own memories, nothing was there.

They all watched in silence for a moment, only the sound of Alfred's scared sounds filling the room. Francis first came back to reality, realizing that this might be too intimate for everyone to watch (and may be embarrassing for America later on). He quietly ushered everyone out of the room, asking them all to wait in their rooms for what to do next. Only Norway stayed behind, leaning against the wall in the hallway between the door entrance and the main room.

After just a moment, Alfred finally stilled. "That's it, breathe... in.... and out..." Canada guided his brother until he was taking even, steady breathes again.

"'M sorry..." he let's out quietly, his entire body leans into his brother.

"Don't be, it's okay."

The blonde nods in response, blinking, then looking down at his clothes. "Um..." he raises his arms, the t shirt he was wearing was now very, very baggy. The pants also covering his ankles and feet. "Guess I uh, already got a little to small for these huh?" The tiniest smile grows on his face as he says this, raising his arms to show the size.

Just as the American giggles, his fellow companions do too. "I suppose they are lad." separating himself from the boy, he walks across to pick up a plastic grocery bag from the same store he had bought the clothes from earlier.  "I was suspecting that you would get smaller, and thought back to you just before that massive growth spurt." he places the bag in front of Alfred. "It might be a bit off, but I suspect they may be a bit better then... your current attire."

He opens the bag, sifting through the articles of clothing. They were relatively plain, a blue and red striped shirt and a black pair of basketball shorts. Arthur wanted to buy clothes that would be more comfortable, and since his theory on Alfred's changing body proved to be correct; clothes that could double for sleeping in would be a cheaper option. Of course with it was the appropriate under garments he would need, not wanting the child to be "nude" under his clothes.

"Thank you Artie!" Alfred scoots out of Matthew's arms, and speeds into the bathroom. The two nations hear the clicking of a closing door, followed by Norway walking out from the hallway.

"So, England." he starts, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he stands a few paces away from the brit. "Any theories as to why... this is happening." The 'This' he was referring to was relatively clear to the other two, Alfred's changing size and age. Seems Lukas was just as lost as he was in this.

"Yeah I was meaning to ask." Matthew pipes in, turning to England, his voice his usual hushed level. "Why is he getting younger? Is he going to turn back or...?"