Wake up! Alfred!

Chapter 5

As excited as America was the meeting, he was still really nervous about meeting the other countries. How would they react when Arthur brought him to the meeting? Were they nice? Would they try to kill America on sight? These and many more questions ran through his mind while he numbly allowed Arthur to dress him.

After about a half an hour of England nervously adjusting his bow tie though, Alfred finally had to remind him they would be late if they didn't head out soon. Both were silent on the walk over to the strange building Alfred sworn hadn't been there yesterday. Odd colored things where all around the building, curiosity got the better of him.

"Hey England, did another one of your spells back fire?"

Flinching England glanced down at the boy, nervously chuckling he rubbed the back of his neck.

"What do you mean Alfred?"

Pointing to the things, Alfred said.

"Well those things weren't there before, neither was that building. Or..."

Now that he really looked around, nothing was looked the way it did yesterday. There were a lot more houses too, and the trees looked a lot bigger. It was confusing to look at, how could his home change so much after one day. Holding his head, Alfred shut his eyes tight from the painful headache this uncertainty was causing.

Arthur was only slightly concerned by the question, but when Alfred groaned while holding his head. That concern rapidly turned from worry then panic, but Arthur tried to appear calm as he placed one hand on America's shoulder.

"Are you alright poppet?"

Alfred shook his head, then nodded not really sure the answer. Rubbing his temples, the boy muttered.

"I don't know I got a headache from how different everything looks suddenly. I think I'm okay..."

Still worried England took the boys hand, kneeling down so they were at the same level.

"If you don't feel well we could go back home America."

Arthur offered gently, maybe it would be easier on the boy if they waited a bit longer until Alfred came to a meeting. But Alfred shook his head, eye burning with determination.

"No, I said I'd come with you so there's not backing out now England!"

Arthur's eyes flashed slightly at those words, but quickly returned himself back to the present. Alfred was looking expectedly up at him; they'd reached the doors leading into the meeting building. While the American was trying to be brave, he couldn't bring himself to go in first.

Arthur smiled warmly when he finally figured out why Alfred fidgeting, hopping from foot to foot waiting for the Brit to open the door. Place on hand on the handle he asked himself as much as Alfred the question neither really knew an answer for.

"You ready then?"

Alfred nodded, swallowing slightly as England open the door. Feeling like everyone they passed where staring at him, the boy inched closer to Arthur. The knot in his gut got tighter and tighter until finally England stopped in front of a large pair of double doors. Staring at the well-worn handles Arthur realized something, turning to Alfred with forced smile.

"I forgot to inform the frog I was bringing you. America, would you be a good lad and wait for me out here?"

Feeling a little relived that he didn't have to go in the room yet, Alfred grinned up at England.

"Sure thing."

Arthur felt the tension leave his shoulders, patting the Americans head he lead Alfred to a padded window bench. Alfred rolled his eyes at Arthurs fussing, before pushing him towards the door.

"I'll be fine England so go, it's not like I'm going to suddenly disappear if you leave me alone for a few seconds."

Arthur narrowed his dark green eyes slightly, brushing some dust off Alfred's jacket grumbling.

"I am your older brother, America; I have the right to worry about you."

"I'm fine England; come on you'll be late if you don't get in there soon!"

Alfred snapped, he was already anxious and England's fretting wasn't helping calm his nerves at all. Looking quickly at the clock on the wall, Arthur winced slightly at the time. Kissing the top of the slightly annoyed boy's head, before rushing over to the door. Alfred muttered under his breath about being too old for this, although he felt his nerves again when his brother paused outside the door to straighten up his jacket and tie.

Feeling eyes burning into his back, England turned to see Alfred watching him intently. The boy clearly wasn't going to admit he didn't want to be left alone, but his expression was another story. Smirking Arthur winked once the boy realized he'd been spotted, before slipping soundlessly into the room.

Alfred stared blankly out the window while he waited for Britain to return, only vaguely aware of the slowly rising in volume voices from the meeting room. That was until the muffled angry shouts suddenly erupted from the room, jumping slightly Alfred's head whipped around to make sure the door wasn't about to come flying towards him. Even if he could have understood the words, the tension and fury coming from the room was enough to tell the somewhat dense Alfred there was a fight.

Covering his ears as the droning buzz of voice started getting to loud to handle, Alfred silently prayed the noise would stop soon. His wish was answered a moment later when one voice drowned out the others.

"ENOUGH!!!! LOOK AT YOURSELFS!!!!!"

Alfred shivered slightly at the utter fury and disbelief in Arthur's voice, not to mention the fact when the Brit had spat this out the window shook slightly. After a few second of silence, someone in the room spoke in a hushed tone for a little while. Followed by another long pause, before the door slowly opened.

England's face was a little red, and slightly out of breath as he smiled at Alfred. Closing the door behind him as Arthur walked swiftly over to where his little brother sat. Staring up at Arthur with wide eyes, Alfred quietly demanded.

"Are you okay Arthur, sounds like things got rather intense in there."

Pleased with the Americans concern for him, Arthur ruffled the boy's hair lightly.

"Course love, I'm all right. Now are you ready to face your fellow countries?"

(To be continued...)