A Fading Light

During

        UK stood at the door, his worry only growing. He couldn't help it though, this was his son, and he was protective of his children, but more specifically America. He let him have his independence, but he was worried it might've been too early. His anxiety was eased a bit when he saw how much he was flourishing, but nowadays it's come back stronger than ever. America had become increasingly depressed lately, to the point where he became the third most depressed country in the world. Sure, it's not the first, but they sure as hell act like it is. With political unrest growing with his people and continual manipulations of various businesses and people's money alongside all those depressed kids and school shootings, it's no wonder he's like this. Slowly being crushed under all the weight, with no idea in what to do.
        UK was about to knock once more when the door started to slowly unlock itself.  It opened to reveal a tired and nervous-looking America, hunched over and with only his face showing, though it seemed a bit off...there was some discoloring near his nose, and his eyes looked distanced and unfocused. UK was very worried now. "America?" he repeated, more softly this time. America's downcast head lifted up to meet his. They were red and puffy.
        "Why are you here?" his response came out as a hoarse whisper, barely coherent. UK shifted on his feet. He knew why he was asking. He understood his lack of trust, and decided to be patient with him.
        "I came to check on you. You weren't returning any of my calls in the past few hours. Are you doing okay, my son?" he replied. America didn't respond immediately, instead he studied his father, looking him up and down silently. UK just stood there waiting for him to finish. He didn't have anything scheduled today and the weather was quite nice, so he wasn't in any rush.
        "...How do I know you're not lying? That you're not here to just...just..u-use me and..." his voice trailed off and he looked back at the ground again, eyes watering slightly in sadness.
        "Oh...well, whatever thing you want me to do to prove to you I'm trustworthy I'll do it, I can assure you that," UK smiled warmly at him, but once again America didn't respond. UK didn't want to scare him. He's heard of a few countries trying to use his depression and vulnerability against him, so he put his project aside to make sure he was alright. "You wanna do a pat-down? I can do that," he offered, unsure of what America wanted now.
        "...I can't." UK cocked his head in confusion.
        "What do you mean, America? You can't what?"
        "It hurts too..much..." he sniffed and started cry, quietly. UK thought about what he said for a moment before attaining a suspicion he had to check.
        "America, my boy...may I come in?" the British man asked. The small, frail American nodded slightly and shuffled back a bit to give leeway for the door. UK went inside and shut the door behind him. America stood there dead silent and still, but teardrops still dripped from his face occasionally. Meanwhile his father looked around the room for a short moment. He spotted the couch and had an idea.
        "America, why don't you sit down there for a moment?" he gestured to the piece of furniture. America obliged and shuffled slowly over to it, and what looked to be quite painfully. UK helped guide him over then crouched down in front of him. "Ok, so how about you tell me where you it hurts?" his voice was motherly, and caring. America looked down.
        "Everywhere..." he murmured. He sounded like he was holding something back. Not words but, it sounded like he was trying to prevent certain emotions and expressions from coming through. UK sighed.
        "Alright...let's have a look then.." He carefully lifted up his shirt, where he could see loose bandages wrapped around his entire torso almost. He finished taking it off and set it aside. Inspecting it cautiously, with pressing down on some places and running his fingers along others and receiving winces and whimpers from him in response, he came to a conclusion. "You've got some pretty bad bruises and a couple broken ribs, Meri. Where did you get them, dear boy? Who hurt you?" UK asked, quite concerned. He had a right to be, as these wounds were very serious and could cause plenty of trouble later on if not tended to properly. America froze for a moment, then slunk down in his seat, clearly hesitant and troubled.
        When America's gaze started drifting away UK rested a cool, gentle hand on his cheek. "Meri? Are you alright in there?" America nodded tiredly.
        "China..." he finally answered faintly. UK was surprised, and felt his anger roll in.
        "..Who hurt you?" America could sense his change of tone and shrunk back a bit.
        He felt his anxiety seep up again and stuttered out his next response, much more quietly and with nervousness, "I-It was...Ch..China..." UK sat beside his son and pulled him into a protective hug, careful of his injuries.
        "Then he'll regret ever thinking to lay a hand on you..." he growled out, but not at him.

        America sniffed and leaned into his touch. Everything started hurting a lot more, but he didn't care. Because he was finally being noticed. He was so happy and relieved that somebody out there actually cared for him that his tears of pain and sadness quickly to turned to tears of happiness and relief. He cried and buried his face into his father's chest. UK looked down worriedly.
        "Meri? What's wrong?" he asked and rubbed his back comfortingly.
        "I-It's just that..." he choked out. "...th-that no one's really showed th-this much..kindness b..before..." America hiccuped and let out another sob.

        UK's face softened at that and he continued to rub his back, shushing him. Sure, he was surprised at that, but if he was really the only one, then he'll be damned if he didn't make that count.
        "Sh..shh...it's okay now. It's okay. I'll make sure nobody ever treats you like this again, and if they do, they'll have hell to pay," he assured him tenderly. America nodded blearily. "I'll always be here for you, my dear boy, I promise."
        As America was busy letting his heart full of tears out, UK was silently plotting his revenge on China the next time this happens.