Rising Fascination

When you had to bid adieu

Once the sky grew dark the nations had already finished their meals and were preparing for the next spell to be casted.

Alfred sat at the end of the bed pressed against the wall and the soft pillows that surrounded him.

"Alright." Arthur begins, sitting on one of the bed edges beginning to explain what they intended to do next. Going over the bits and pieces of what to expect once again.

His voice was tuned out by America, pulling his legs against his chest and resting his face into the warm fabric of his sweats. It was uncommon to see him so quiet and separated from any group. The other sat on the other end of the room carefully listening to what the British man was telling him.

All the younger man could do is sit and wait, then follow whatever instructions he was told.

It was harder than he thought it would be.

"Hey." A soft voice interrupts his train of thought, looking up he meets kind, violet eyes.

Finland.

The gentle man placed his hand on Alfred's shoulder as he sits on the bed close to him.

He always was told stories, mainly by Arthur when he was younger, how ruthless the Scandinavian country was. That the man was gruesome to come across in battle and wasn't afraid of anything.

Maybe it's because he never had to meer Finland like that, but he was very kind and gentle.

As Alfred grew in power there were a lot of nations that wouldn't talk to him, or would make rude remarks.

Finland was never one of them. Though they never engaged in a full conversation, he was always kind enough to give him a good morning and ask, how are you? General exchanges like that always managed to lighten his day.

Most of the nordics were kind though if he was honest. It could be because he was friends with Denmark, or they were just nice people.

Whatever the reason he did appreciate it.

"Are you okay?" He asks, staring at the American with genuine care.

Alfred only shrugs. "I'm okay." He says matching the quiet whisper so they don't distract from Arthur talking.

"You know Alfred." Tino starts. "It's okay to say that you're scared."

He looks up, his eyes widening just slightly as he gazed at the other man. Was he that obvious?

"I can tell you're not yourself right now, you're in a hard position, But don't worry." He pulls him into a hug, running one of his hands through his blonde hair. "We're all here for you."

America gives a small smile.

It alleviated some of the stress he held, it was good to hear kind words.

"Right, are we ready to begin?"

This grabs both of their attention, turning to the British man.

Finland had already let go of the American, both blinking.

Alfred nods slowly, as he kicks back the blankets of the bed and snuggling under the covers on one side of the bed.

Matthew joins next to him, the Canadian throwing his twin a kind smile.

With a quick flick and foreign words that fall from his lips, the American's eyes close slowly as he drifts to sleep.

Just behind him, the other nations made themselves comfortable and also fell to rest as they went deep into Alfred's memories.