44 for a pairing of your choice!
Angsty I like it. Thank you.
Prompt: "If you die, I'm going to kill you."
Everything seemed to hurt when Arthur woke up, though he wasn’t fully alert when he came to. His vision was somewhat blurry and his mind foggy, but the unmistakable smell of hospital gave him enough information to know where he was. There was pressure on one of his hands, his best guess was someone was holding it. When a voice began talking, when Ludwig’s voice began talking, he knew it to be true. A small smile spread on his face, a pleasant, calming feeling settling over him.
Another voice came in. A doctor or nurse Arthur assumed. They were muffled so he couldn’t gather what they were talking about. At least he could trust Ludwig to relay the information to him when he was more awake. For now, he was just going to lay there, try to ignore the pain he was in, and maybe even fall back asleep. That was until footsteps signaled the doctor’s departure and Ludwig seemed to start talking to him.
“So...uh...Gosh I have so much to say, but it feels weird talking to you like this,” Ludwig began, his voice quiet. “But Gil said maybe it would help. I’m...I’m not sleeping well or eating well. You know how I get when I’m worried. But you’d be so mad to hear that wouldn’t you?”
Ludwig was definitely right about that. So much for going back to sleep, he was too wound up now. This man and his habits to worry about everything. He knew it wasn't Ludwig's fault solely, intrusive thoughts were a pain. Arthur went to speak but found his mouth unresponsive. He tried to move only to get the same result. It looked as though he'd just have to listen.
"I don’t have much to say about today. I basically ate a bit of breakfast then headed here to see you. It's rainy, but when isn’t it? Maybe you can hear it hitting against the window, you always liked that after all.” Ludwig went quiet for a moment, reaching for something else to say. “They’re worried you know?” his voice was now shaking and it made Arthur’s heartbreak. “Gil, Francis, Kiku, Antonio, Alfred, Matthew, everyone who’s close to you. I-I’m worried...I...seeing you like this...It feels like I’m being torn apart. N-Nobody can give me certain answers and although they try to tell me everything will be okay, I know there is a chance it won’t...you won’t...I can’t help but think of the possibility that you won’t....”
Ludwig didn't have to finish his statement for Arthur to connect the dots. His mind may have been working slower, but considering how much pain he was experiencing and this strange, semi-conscious state he was in, he was obviously not doing good. They had to consider all the possibilities, even the worst case that he wouldn’t wake up. Surprisingly, Arthur found himself unafraid of that fact. Right now what mattered was Ludwig and figuring out some way to give him a sign he was listening.
“Y-You better wake up…” Ludwig was sobbing now. His hand squeezed Arthur’s to the point it was starting to hurt. “If you die, I’ll kill you.”
The crying went on for what felt like hours and Arthur was left powerless, unable to move or speak and comfort his lover. Among the pounding noise of Ludwig’s cries and his own thoughts, Arthur managed to move his fingers ever so slightly, squeezing back and praying Ludwig could feel it.
Ludwig tensed under the touch. His eyes widened and for a moment, he didn’t dare look anywhere other than their linked hands. Eventually, their eyes met although Arthur’s were only opened a crack. His vision was still blurry, but he could at least make out the silhouette of the man beside him. “Arthur…” Ludwig murmured, voice still choked as more tears threatened to fall. “Oh, Arthur.” Ludwig brought the Brit’s hand to his lips, placing soft kisses on his knuckles. Arthur tried to squeeze the German’s hand again and was met with a bit of success, though it was hard to tell if Ludwig felt it.
‘I’ll be alright,’ Arthur thought, wishing he could tell Ludwig. Hand squeezing would have to do for now.
