Story of my Life (Hetalia One Shots)

Fire

Arthur was in shock that Alfred’s half-assed plan had worked. Ever since Arthur and Elizabeth had gone deeper into hiding, nothing had happened. Daniel continued to grow. It had been years since he’d seen any of his country friends, though he remembered each of them vividly. The four year old never put up a fuss over not being able to go out; he was used to it by now. Alfred laughed at Arthur for staying in hiding for so long, said he was overreacting, it had been years and there were no more attacks. It was more or less a cold war at that point. Arthur had to say, he agreed with Alfred to a point. In fact, over the last week or so, Arthur had been debating coming out of hiding. Moving to a new house and returning to life as normal.

If only he had done it sooner.

It had to have been about two or three in the morning. Arthur had been woken by something, but he wasn’t sure what. Daniel was in his room down the hall, so that wasn’t it. Arthur brushed it off and rolled over, reaching for Elizabeth. The bed next to him was empty. Must be in the bathroom, he thought. He started to doze off again when he heard the door open and then close. The room seemed to be getting warmer and Arthur wondered if Elizabeth had turned up the heater.

“Daddy?” a quiet voice asked from the edge of the bed. Arthur felt a tugging at the sheets.

Arthur yawned and rolled to look. Daniel was standing at the side of the bed, the stuffed eagle that Alfred gave him clutched in his hand.

“Daniel.” Arthur mumbled, trying to wake up somewhat. “What’s wrong?”

Daniel shuffled his feet. “It’s getting warm in my room, Daddy. And there’s a light that’s keeping me awake.”

Arthur sat up and patted bed next to him. Daniel climbed up and curled up against Arthur’s side. Arthur looked at the door. Warm light and smoke was coming under it. A pit formed in Arthur’s stomach. He jumped off the bed, yelled for Daniel to stay put, and opened the door.

Bright flames were making their way down the hall towards the bedroom door. Daniel’s room was completely blocked off by the fire. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief that his son had gotten out when he did.

Arthur spun around. Daniel was cowering into the pillows. Arthur ran his hand through his hair. The heat was becoming stifling. Arthur scooped Daniel up in his arms, tucking the boy’s head into his chest. Arthur made a quick dash to the door, his grip on Daniel never loosening. The flames licked at Arthur's back as he moved past. Everything past the steadily growing fire was getting destroyed. Arthur could see his and Elizabeth's wedding picture on the wall, the flames creeping towards it.

Shaking his head and focusing on the matter at hand, Arthur moved down the hallway towards the front door.

"Daddy," Daniel coughed. "I can't breathe."

The smoke was clouding the whole room. "I know," Arthur murmured. "Just a little further."

Arthur bumped his knee into one of the side tables in the living room, knocking some of the objects on top of it to the floor. His cell phone landed on his foot, causing Arthur to curse. He quickly ducked to grab the device and made his way towards the door.

Once safely outside, Arthur set Daniel down by a tree and dialed Alfred's number.

"Dude, what's going on?" Alfred answered the phone. "You almost never call me any more."

"My house is on fire," Arthur offered in lieu of hello.

A clatter was heard from the other end of the phone. "What! Are you guys alright!"

"We're fine." Arthur replied. "I've got Daniel right here and Elizabeth..." Arthur's stomach dropped.

"Arthur?" Alfred's voice sounded from the other end of the phone. "Arthur, are you alright?"