Hello my lovelies! It's finally time! This is the last chapter of my first Hetalia story! *sniff* I really did enjoy writing it, because I love both Hetalia and history. I know most of you were probably expecting a different ending, but there is a reason, which I will explain a bit later. For now, let's get started! Kairichin, yes, the awesome Prussia is the Reaper! Guest 1, aw, thank you! I love Prussia too! luckycat222, those were song lyrics at the top! I highly recommend listening to the songs while reading the chapters! Ember Hinote, Prussia took England's immortality. He's 23, and human. Hikari Bara, thank you for reading! I'm glad you like it so much! I couldn't resist adding Prussia! Shite Anonym, Figgy pudding is pudding made from figs, haha. kokichi, I will write more for Hetalia! Don't be sad! Rebel Lenses, you're welcome, my lovely! Kit-Usa, hehehe, AWESOME PRUSSIA! darkestlight96, I love him too! ncalkins, he is the awesome Prussia! Not a two bit player like France! Quiet. Crash, awww, glad I could spread the UKUS love! Pennilee, …I don't see what's not to get, haha. It means just what it says. Casey Hence, YOU AMAZING REVIEWER YOU! ZillaMeister, glad you liked my A/N. I tend to make things overly dramatic. tetris, ah, okay. I like getting to know reviewers in person, so thanks for signing a name! adorableness, you can…get a free ice cream cone! darkingflame, everything ends, my love. Lady Shadow 77, it is Prussia! Aw, I love you! Atemxyugi kfXjinx, what a strange review! Haha, poor Prussia. You and England really did a number on him. Now, it's time for the final chapter of Counting Bodies Like Sheep. On with the story!

Pet

(A Perfect Circle)

[Don't fret precious, I'm here. Step away from the window. Go back to sleep… Lay your head down child, I won't let the Boogey Man come. Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums. Pay no mind to the rabble, pay no mind to the rabble. Head down, go to sleep to the rhythm of the war drums.]

Life, as it turns out, is a big transition.

Arthur spent so long without feeling anything, even feeling the air on his face again was mind blowing, in its own way.

He knew Death had planned it this way. Being around for all eternity really must have given the bastard time to meddle in everyone's lives. But still, Arthur was forever indebted to him.

The Reaper had given him an appreciation for life, something he had never had before.

In his youth, he was simply too afraid to die, to face the unknown. He was afraid of losing himself, and becoming one with an unknown void.

Now, it's different. He lives because he truly wants to, and death is no longer scary. Hell, he knows who will come to collect him and Alfred one day. And it'll be a reunion to behold.

The American is still healing from his wounds. He had to have surgery to remove the shrapnel from his leg once he was returned to the States. Arthur went with him, of course.

Arthur can tell you one thing for certain: Life in America is something else entirely.

He watched Alfred eat his weight in junk food, watched the people on the streets, welcoming their soldiers home with open arms.

There were parades thrown, television announcements, the President himself giving the men honorary medals.

Alfred had missed the ceremony, but his commanding officer hand delivered his Purple Heart to his and Arthur's new house.

Yes, they lived together.

As said, it took time for Alfred to heal, and he obviously couldn't live alone. The American had to deal with a mild infection from the wound as well.

It had been seven months, and he was just now able to move freely again.

When asked, Alfred would always say it was worth leaving the war.

"My brothers in arms handled it well enough without me," he would say with a smile. Arthur always doubted these words, knowing full well the man desired nothing more than to help his country. Then, images were released of the imprisoned Jews, and countless others in the concentration camps. Arthur watched as Alfred saw the images on the screen of soldiers liberating the prisoners. His blue eyes were wide, and he had brought his hands to his face, wiping tears away.

"Are you alright, love?" Arthur had asked.

"That's what you were seeing that whole time? That's what had you so afraid?"

"…Yes…"

Alfred had then thrust himself into Arthur's arms, severely testing Arthur's self-control.

While the American didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary, everyday was a challenge for Arthur. He promised himself he wouldn't try anything until the younger man gave him a sign.

And when that didn't seem to be happening, he changed his plan to at least waiting until the man's leg was healed. It seemed to be the best option.

The war was still going on, but Germany was out of the picture. They surrendered unconditionally when Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his bunker.

How Arthur would have loved to take that soul.

The Allied forces were still at war with Japan, and would be for a while yet.

In present, the two were curled on their couch, watching the television screen. It was a ridiculous scary movie, entirely in black and white.

The television still wasn't something Arthur was entirely familiar with. He would stare in awe at the screen, not even paying attention to the images playing. Alfred would usually laugh at him, calling him an old man.

As is, the American isn't saying anything. He's curled into a ball, one hand gripping his lover's shirt. Half his face is hidden, and he's watching the movie with one eye open.

"You're being entirely ridiculous, you know. It's just a movie, nothing special. How many times have you told me that?" Arthur laughs.

"Shut up! It's scary!"

"…That monster is obviously an action figure on a string, Alfred."

"It's s-s-scary!"

Arthur sighs, getting comfortable on the couch. He looks around their small space, amazed at all the new things around him. They were living quite comfortably on Alfred's Army salary. In fact, neither man would have to work for quite a while.

But Arthur still wanted to try and find a job. He wanted to pull his own weight. Of course, it would be next to impossible since he was technically an illegal immigrant. Alfred had told him they could claim he lost his papers on the way to the States, but that seemed to be a stupid plan. How would he prove he existed in London? He hasn't technically been alive since the 1300's.

Alfred told him not to worry about it, but it seemed to be something that needed to be worried about. This was their future. Is he couldn't get a job, how could he help support them?

"AHHH!" a sudden scream shattered his thoughts, and he looked over in time to see the younger male throw himself in his lap.

"Alfred! What the bloody hell are you doing?!"

"It jumped at me! I saw it stare into my soul!"

"It's an action figure!"

"A scary one!"

"Uggghhhhh. I'm going to make tea."

"We drink coffee here."

"I drink tea!"

Alfred only laughs, which is replaced by another squeak when Arthur tries to leave the couch.

"Hey! W-Where are you going?!"

"I already told you! I'm making tea!"

"Don't leave me here with the monster!"

Arthur allows himself to be pulled back down by the strong male, and he gives into the idiot crawling into his lap again.

"You're hopeless, Alfred."

"Shut up!"

The sandy blond's cowlick is tickling under Arthur's chin. He tries to blow it away, but as always, it snaps back in place. He gives up, and settles on trying to at least comb it down by raking his fingers through the younger man's hair.

His fingernails graze Alfred's scalp, who goes rigid in his grasp. The American makes a slight purring noise as the fingers in his hair begin to tug.

"Does that feel good, Alfred?" Arthur asks, his mouth going dry at the noises.

"Mm-hmm…"

"How…does your leg feel today?"

"Good. Doc says I can probably take the last bandages off in a week or so. It just…stings every now and then, but…that'll probably last forever..."

"Not what I was hoping to hear, but good enough," Arthur says, flipping the man off his lap and pinning him into the cushions.

"Arthur?"

The American is silenced by Arthur's mouth on his. The kiss quickly becomes heated, and the younger man gasps when he feels a hand enter his shirt.

"Arthur!"

"Do you have any idea what it's like to be beside you and not be able to do this?" Arthur asks, his fingers pinching Alfred's nipples.

"A-Aah… Y-You wanted…to do this?"

"Mmm, so bad, Alfred…"

The sandy blond's arms wrap around Arthur's neck, and pull the man closer. Their lips meet once more, this time, their mouths opening. When their tongues meet, the American moans quietly, his body going entirely limp on the couch cushions. When they part, he's panting and flushed, looking like he just ran a mile.

"My God, Alfred… You're so damn beautiful…" Arthur says, his hands unbuttoning the white shirt Alfred is wearing. Slowly, the fabric is removed, and the Englishman can see the perfect chest underneath.

"A-Arthur…"

"Shhhh, let me take care of you, alright? I'll make you feel good."

Alfred nods, turning his head to the side in an attempt to hide his face as he feels a tongue on his chest.

"Mm…" he groans, biting his lip.

"Stop trying to be quiet. I want to hear you, Alfred."

"N-No wa-aah-"

Arthur grazes his teeth over the idiot's nipple before he abuses it with his tongue, his hand pinching the other one. He can feel Alfred's arousal pressing against his chest.

"Are you already so turned on, love? My, my, it must not have been only me wanting this…"

There is no response, only panting. Arthur smiles and moves back up to his love's face, forcing their gazes to meet.

"I don't want you to be afraid. I'm not going to be able to do everything I want, because you're still hurt…but I can give us both what we need."

"W-What…are you going to do…?" Alfred asks quietly.

"Trust me."

Arthur's hands move down to Alfred's pants, and he unzips them, slowly pulling them down. The sandy blond gasps when he feels his boxers lowered too, and his member is exposed to the colder air of their home.

"A-Arthur…"

To his surprise, Arthur undoes his own pants and settles on top of him again, aligning their bodies.

"What are you doing?"

"I told you to trust me, stupid."

"I'm not stup- Nnnnn!"

Arthur grinds down, slamming their arousals together. Both men moan blissfully at the added friction, and the Englishman laughs at the American's hands gripping the couch cushions.

"Feels better now?"

"F-Feels…so good…"

Arthur snarls slightly, riding down even more harshly, turning the sandy blond's brain even more to mush. He's startled to feel Alfred's legs wrap around his waist, giving them more leverage.

"Finally getting bold, are we?"

"S-Shut up… Do it harder…before my leg starts to hurt from this…"

The couch springs squeak in protest as Arthur does just that, gaining speed as they move together. The room is filled with breathless gasps, hungry moans, and pleasured haze. Arthur's eyes open when hands grip his face.

Alfred's eyes are clouded with lust, and his face is flushed pink. He gives Arthur a small smile, his fingers caressing the white skin of the man's face.

"So beautiful…" Arthur hisses, slamming their mouths together again. They greedily swallow each other's moans as they speed up once more.

Alfred finishes first, emitting a small squeak and shaking suddenly under the older man. Arthur follows quickly after, falling against the American and kissing his neck. Their hands grip each other, and their fingers entwine as they both fight to catch their breath.

"That…was…awesome…" Alfred grins, still panting.

"Please don't ever use that word… Bad…memories…"

The movie is still playing, and they look over just in time to see a woman being eaten by the action figure monster.

"Holy fuck! Did you see that?!"

"Ugh, now I really need tea…"

Thankfully, a commercial comes on and he's able to leave the couch and put a pot of tea on the stove. When he returns, Alfred is sitting up, fully dressed again, already trying to hide from the monster behind his hands.

"You are aware it's still a commercial. The movie isn't even on yet!"

"Yeah, but it can jump out at any time!"

Shaking his head, he joins the git on the couch, waiting for his tea to boil.

"I was thinking…we could go to London when my leg is healed… You know, visit…"

Arthur looks at him in surprise.

"What did you say?"

"Well…all the times before you were working…and I couldn't explore like I wanted to under orders… I'd love to see the city…rebuilt."

Arthur smiles warmly at him.

"I'd love to show you my home, Alfred."

"Then we'll go…"

They share a quick kiss, before the music gets dramatic in the background, and Alfred goes back to trying to morph with the couch.

The kettle begins to scream, signaling the tea is ready. As Arthur goes to fetch it, he can't help but be grateful for the way things turned out.

Death offered to erase his memories along with his immortality. He had said it would relieve him from the screams that would surely plague his dreams.

"You've seen more than any human ever has," he had laughed. "I can take it all away."

Arthur had declined, of course. While it would have been nice to forget everything he saw, he didn't want to risk forgetting the events that made him the man he currently was.

Besides, the screams had long since stopped.

Alfred is his remedy, even now.

[Pay no mind what other voices say. They don't care about you, like I do. Safe from pain, and truth, and choice, and other poison devils. See, they don't give a fuck about you, like I do. Just stay with me, safe and ignorant. Go back to sleep, go back to sleep]

Sachi: Whoo! Finished! I am writing another UKUS story to be posted soon enough. It is going to be an incredibly dark story, more than anything I've ever written for this site, and I wanted to give you a happy ending before I start it. The story will be called 'Devour' so keep an eye out for it. Until we meet again, my lovelies! Thank you for all the reviews and support! This was my first Hetalia fic, and you all made me feel so welcome in the fandom! Hope to hear from you all in my new story! Love you all!