The Returned (APH/Hetalia)

Chapter 2

Alfred's POV:

I woke up to the annoying sound of my alarm clock. I groaned and sat up in my bed. I sat there for a while before I decided to get out of bed. I got on my feet and tiredly made my way over to my closet. Pulling out a t-shirt, a pair of pants, some underwear and a pair of socks, I went to the bathroom, which was right across from my room, and turned on the shower. As I waited for the water to heat up, I undressed myself and found my toothbrush. Might as well brush my teeth while I shower, right?

I stepped out of the bathroom about 15 minutes later and, while drying my hair with my towel, made my way down to the kitchen. As I reached the end of the stairs, I quickly spotted a plate with 'food' and a note beside it. On the note it read:

               Good morning Alfred,

   I hope that you could get at least a

         little bit of sleep, despite the

nightmare. I made you some eggs with

some bread, hopefully it will be edible

     enough for you. And, as you may

       know, I will be home at about 6

    o'clock, so you will have to make a

          meal of your own tonight.

- Arthur.

I looked at the so-called eggs, but only saw some black lump spread across the plate. The sound of an empty stomach told me that I would have to eat something to keep myself alive throughout the entire day. I looked at the burnt meal and sighed to myself in defeat. I guess I don't have any other choice, do I? Sometimes I wish Francis still lived here, but ever since Mattie's death, Arthur and Francis haven't spoken to each other at all. Nothing to do about it though, I guess.

I took the plate, made my way over to the dining table, put the plate on the table and slumped down in the chair. Slowly I consumed the food while my thoughts drifted back to that horrible memory. It had been so long since the last time I had that dream, I had tried my hardest to put it behind me and think of something else, but the memory won't leave me alone. I still remember exactly how painful it was to receive the news that my own brother had died in an accident, which I was 'oh, so lucky' not to have been involved in. I closed my eyes as I let my memories take over my thoughts.

"Oh, so you're 'sick'," I looked up from my phone to identify the source of the voice. I smirked as I recognised the extremely familiar face.

"But Mattieee! I AM sick! I swear! You know me, I would never lie about such silly things," I told him sarcastically. He rolled his eyes at me, but I just smiled even wider.

"I can't believe dad actually fell for that..." he mumbled.

"Anyway! I hope you have a nice trip, Mattie! I heard the weather is going to be absolutely amazing!" I laughed a bit, but tried to keep my voice down so that dad nor papa could hear me and see through my act. Mattie sighed and looked tiredly at me. I looked back at him with pleading eyes.

"Please don't tell them... Please?" I begged through whispers. He looked at me for a while before giving up and agreeing.

"Fine, but only this once. The trip sucks already and now that you aren't coming, then I will be even lonelier than I already am..." He looked sadly at the ground, falling silent for a moment. Before I managed to say anything, he left with a small goodbye. Damn, Mattie knew exactly how to make me feel guilty, didn't he?