He stepped passed the Emergency room doors, making his way back into the waiting room. No sooner had the doors shut behind him, than France was plowed into by some strong, outside force.

Said force would have probably bowled him over, had it not elected to firmly grip his shoulders instead, shaking him like a rag doll.

"Alright Frenchy; start talking! Where's Britain! Huh? Where is he?! Is he okay?!" America demanded as he shook the Frenchman.

It took France a moment to get his bearings, but once he had, he took charge of the situation.

"Snap out of it, l'Amérique! If you really want to know about Britain, you will calm yourself!" He snapped.

America promptly stopped what he was doing, his worry for Britain taking precedence over his hyperactivity.

"That is better." France huffed; glancing past the American to where Canada was standing.

Judging by the way his arms were outstretched and his eyes widened, France could only guess that the Canadian had tried and failed to stop America's assault.

"Mon petit, this news is for you too, no?" France said lightly.

The Canadian snapped out of his stupor and walked over to stand beside America so he might hear whatever news France had, and be a comfort if necessary. He studied France's face a moment. While it was evident the Frenchman had done a good deal of crying, the air about him didn't seem nearly as depressing- that had to count for something, right?

"First of all, mon petit, have you filled l'Amérique in on what has happened?" France inquired.

"Oui, Papa." Canada said with a soft nod.

"Then let me start by saying Britain is going to make it! He is finally responding to treatment!" France's eyes glistened with tears of joy.

"Oh Papa, that's wonder-" Canada was cut off by his brother.

"Really?! Britain's okay? No way! For real? Let me see him!" America burst out, running for the emergency room doors.

France caught the edge of the younger man's bomber jacket and held firmly, "Not so fast, you stupid American!" he scolded. "Have you any idea how very late it is? Britain is still very sick and he needs his rest!"

"I don't care! I have to see him! I have to make sure he's really okay!" America shouted, struggling against France's grip on his jacket.

It took every ounce of strength he could muster to hold the American back, and France was still surprised he was able.

"I-It's four in the morning, Alfred!" Canada tried to assist France. "I know you're upset, but try to calm down… Britain's going to be alright, and I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you later." He said softly.

"Mon petit is right, l'Amérique. You can visit with Britain later, but right now the most important thing is his rest, no?" France said; his tone a bit gentler this time.

America finally ceased in his struggling and hung his head, "…Fine."

France released the younger man's jacket and placed a hand on his shoulder, causing the American to turn to him, "I understand how you feel, l'Amérique." He said, a soft smile upon his lips, "But believe moi, you do not want to see him as he is now… he has been how you say? Run ragged by this illness."

"That's not very comforting." America said dryly.

France gave a short laugh, "I suppose not, but consider this. If you just let him have a few hours sleep, he will be feeling much better than he is now… You just have to hold out and be strong for Britain until then, no? Or are you not the hero you claim to be?"

"Of course I'm the hero!" America spat back angrily.

France smirked slightly, "Now there is the stupid American we all know and love!"

America took on an expression of shock for a moment before offering a brief smile. "Thanks France, sorry I was acting like a total nutcase… I didn't hurt you with my awesome strength, did I?"

France shook his head and rolled his eyes, "Non, I am fine l'Amérique."

"Umm, I kind of helped talk you down, and I tried to hold you back from tackling France..."Canada spoke softly, "Not that I expect a thank you!" he added quickly.

"Who are you?" Mr. Kumajiro piped up, as if on cue.

Canada turned his attention to the small polar bear at his feet, "I'm Canada, your owner… What are you doing up?"

"How can I sleep when you people are so noisy?" Mr. Kumajiro replied.

Before Canada could respond, America began spouting an apology in his direction.

"Aw, man. Canada, dude, I am so sorry; I totally forgot you were still here! I feel like such an idiot!" America blurted.

The Canadian, however, was used to this and simply waved it off. "Oh, it's okay. You're really worried about Britain, so you're bound to make mistakes." He offered America the excuse.

"I'm still sorry though, dude." America said seriously, "And thanks a ton for your help."

Canada smiled at this, "In that case, America, you're welcome."

As they spoke, France collapsed into one of the waiting room chairs. He leaned his head back and shut his tired eyes. Even if he couldn't sleep, the Frenchman had decided he could at the very least relax. He exhaled deeply, permitting his shoulders to sag as he simply tried to unwind a bit. He heard the soft shuffle of Canada and America taking seats close by.

"Is he asleep?" he heard America ask quietly.

"I don't know…" Canada said uncertainly.

"He looked pretty spent." America replied.

"I guess you have a point… I just have a hard time believing he fell asleep so quickly." Canada replied sheepishly.

France let a brief smile play on his lips, but said nothing. At least for the time being, he'd let them believe he was asleep. He was rather exhausted after all, and he didn't feel like talking any more right now. Yes, by feigning sleep he had the perfect alibi.

In the subsequent silence, hours passed by and France himself was unsure if he might have truly dozed off for a short while. Upon opening his eyes, he studied the clock on the wall. After determining that it was indeed nine o' clock, he turned to his right and gently prodded the Canadian beside him. Apparently, he hadn't been the only one to doze off.

"Mon petit, wake up." the Frenchman spoke softly.

Canada groaned slightly as he blinked open his violet eyes, "Morning already, eh?" he said lightly.

"Visiting hours have begun, would you wake up l'Amérique?" France asked, "I think he would take it better from you, no?"

"You're probably right, Papa." Canada stifled a yawn as he set about the task of waking America.

After the American had been woken, and a nurse had been notified of their request to visit Britain, it was decided that Canada would stay in the waiting room. He wasn't as close to Britain as France or America, and he didn't want to overwhelm the poor Englishman with visitors.

America himself might have been a bit more than Britain could handle already. Canada would have been legitimately concerned if it weren't for the fact France would be there as well and would be able to step in if necessary.

Shortly, France and America found themselves walking through the doorway of a top floor hospital room. The room in itself seemed rather nice, France noted at a glance before his eyes fell on Britain.

An oxygen mask still adorned the Englishman's face, an IV still ran through his arm, and yet he looked slightly better. Perhaps it was the lack of additional machines and monitors, or the natural light shining through the window. In comparison to last night, anything would seem like an improvement, he realized.

America had silently made his way to the Englishman's bedside, his eyes brimming with tears. At the moment he wasn't sure whether he was relieved Britain was alive, or devastated that he was so ill. He guessed it was a mixture of the two. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes in an effort to quell the tears before they could fall. A few sniffles escaped him in the effort.

A soft groan filled the air, "I say…are you… crying…America?" the voice was weak and raspy, but unmistakable.

America hurriedly jammed his glasses back onto his face, looking at the Englishman in surprise, "Britain! Are you okay? H- How are you doing?"

Britain stared back up at the American. Green eyes studying the younger man as if deciding something, "I'll be…alright… though… I do feel…as though… I've been… hit by a bus." He admitted.

"Dude, it sounds like you're really having a hard time talking- are you sure you should be?" America asked with concern.

"I-I'll be fine… you git." Britain did his best to shoot America a glance, "I… have to… tell you something."

France took his cue to pretend to be fascinated with the view outside the hospital window. He wanted America and Britain to be able to talk without feeling like he was listening in… even if he was.

"Oh man, this isn't like that time in World War Two when you were on your deathbed, is it?" America began to panic.

"Of course not… you dolt." the Englishman narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I'm sorry, Britain dude… I just totally start panicking when I see you like this! I don't know what I'd do without you!" America proclaimed.

Britain's eyes softened once more, "You know…America. Despite what… you may think… I am quite proud… of you."

"Y-you are?" America said in surprise.

The Englishman offered a soft nod, "You may be… a blundering…idiot sometimes… but that doesn't change the fact… you are a strong… country." He took a deep inhale of oxygen, "You've grown… so much… from that little boy… I took in… so many years ago."

"Britain…" tears were playing at the corners of the American's eyes once more.

The English nation smiled softly, "You have… accomplished quite a lot… for yourself. However… I can't help missing… that little boy. The one I held…and cared for… But you've grown up… and I can't… change that. Lord knows…I tried. But know that… you will always be… that little boy to me… Because you are… my son."

At Britain's words, America found his tears had spilled over and he furiously tried to swipe them away, "Oh m-man, I can't cr-cry like this! I'm the h-hero!"

"I promise… I won't t-tell a soul." Britain said softly.

America hugged the older man tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. While Britain was a bit surprised by the sudden gesture, he moved a trembling hand to the American's back, rubbing gently.

"I know we fight a lot, but you're the best father a country could ask for." America whispered in the Englishman's ear, voice crackling slightly from emotion. He promptly pulled back, studying Britain's expression.

The Englishman wore a weary and yet tender smile, "I'll probably deny this… when I'm well… but raising you… was perhaps the happiest days… of my life."

America's eyes glistened with fresh tears; he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so moved. Then again, it wasn't often that much fazed him at all.

There was a light rap at the door and a nurse poked her head inside, "I hate to interrupt, but Mr. Kirkland needs his rest now."

"Bloody hell… I just woke up." Britain murmured.

"No, she's right, dude… You need all the sleep you can get." America spoke up, drying his eyes, "Get well soon, okay?" he said as he made his way over to the door.

France was about to follow suit, when Britain spoke up once more, "Just a moment… Nurse… mind giving me… a few more minutes here?"

"I suppose so, I'll give you 10 more minutes… but that's all." The nurse closed the door behind herself.

France turned to the Englishman curiously, "Mon Ami, you really ought to listen to the nurse, no?"

"Oh shut it… Frog." Britain replied, "I have something… to say to you too."

France arched an eyebrow, "Oh? And what would that be, Mon Ami?"

"I wanted… to thank you." Britain said hoarsely, his voice growing weaker due to all his sudden talking, "N-not just for t-taking care of me… or having me driven… to the hospital."

"Oh?" the Frenchman was rather surprised, he couldn't think of anything else he'd done that would warrant thanks.

A soft nod was his response, "Yes… Y-you see… I almost died… last night."

"Oui… I know, Mon Ami." France said quietly.

"Funny thing was… I was ready to d-die… I wasn't afraid… of it." Britain continued.

France listened silently.

"I pr-probably would have died… w-were it not for one voice… that g-guided me back… That v-voice was yours."

"S-So you could hear me?" France breathed.

Britain nodded again, eyelids fluttering, "Y-you really did… save my life… last night. I m-may not remember… all of what you said… but I know it's thanks to you… I'm alive."

France swallowed a lump in his throat as tears began to run down his cheeks, "I am so glad, Mon Ami… that it was my words that reached you. I was worried you would not know just how much you mean to me."

"Believe me… Frog… I understand c-completely. A-and for …the record… you're a wonderful older br-br-brother…" the Englishman's voice died out.

"And you are a wonderful little brother… if not a little stubborn sometimes, no?" France said with a gentle smile.

Britain smiled faintly; it was easy to tell that his exhaustion had again caught up to him. His eyes were growing distant, already half- way shut.

France watched him as his eyes slipped closed entirely, sleep claiming his younger brother. When he was sure Britain was asleep, he pulled the English nation's blankets up and gently smoothed them over.

"I know I am not perfect, but I hope you know, Mon Ami… should you ever need anything big or small, you can lean on moi." France whispered.

Epilogue:

In time, Britain made a full recovery and things became relatively normal. Though the Englishman knew deep down that things were not quite the same.

There were still arguments, and still headaches, and yet something really was different. No one else may have known, but it was just as well.

He and France really were brothers… While he'd never want to go through the experience again, Britain was grateful for the time he'd spent ill.

Not for the sickness itself, to be sure, but for the strengthening it had done in the relationship between him and his brother.

Author's Note:

And so Lean on Moi comes to a close, I honestly feel like this chapter is horribly written. However, that may have something to do with the fact I'm sad to see this story end. *laughs* By the way, Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. I still think it's odd that one should have to put a disclaimer on something that is already labeled as FAN fiction, but I'll do it just to be safe. If you've enjoyed my writing, there's a poll on my profile inquiring as to the next Hetalia story you'd like to see written =) Thank you all, dear readers, for following me through this story. I really do love reviews, so please let me know what you think~