EnglandxReader Her Power 8 (Final!)

Your feet slapped the ground as you ran. You had managed to lose the men in the last few turns, but that didn't make you slow down. You ran as fast as you could to Francis's house, your lungs burning. You tripped up the steps that led to the front door and half-fell into the house as you opened it.

“Arthur!” you screamed, panting. You stumbled further into the house after roughly pushing the door shut and slamming the lock into place. Arthur's head peeked around the corner, quickly followed by the rest of his body as he caught sight of you.

“(Name), what's wrong?” he asked in alarm, helping you off the wall. You caught your breath and launched into explanation.

“I was walking back here from the bakery, and I saw a group of men in suits. I didn’t think anything of it, until they saw me and started chasing me. I lost them, but they know we're here. They've found us.” You looked up into emerald eyes, hoping for some kind of reassurance, some kind of comfort. Arthur's eyes widened.

“We... we don't know that it was them.” Arthur stated, but he didn't sound like he believed it.

“Why else would they chase me?” Arthur's eyes snapped back to yours. There was silence for a few moments.

“Francis!” Arthur called. There was some rustling elsewhere in the house, and soon Francis appeared in the hallway. Arthur looked back at him. “Francis, they've found us.”

---Timeskip---

Arthur pushed the curtain aside, peering at the street beyond. There was still no sign of the men. You sat back on the couch, watching Francis rush around. He disappeared down the steps once more, arms full of bottles containing some kind of purple liquid.

Arthur pulled back. There was something off. He seemed distant, weary, and sad. You watched him from your spot. Francis rushed by again.

“Arthur, what are we doing? What's Francis doing?” You were frustrated. No one had told you anything yet.

“Francis is setting up a last-resort.” Arthur replied cryptically. You sighed. Arthur moved the curtain aside again. It was only a matter of time until they showed up. But Arthur couldn't bring himself to tell you that you were out of options. There was no were you could run to be safe. There was no way you could fight them. They were too large, too expansive. It was time for the last-resort.

“It's ready.” Arthur was jolted out of his reveries by Francis's voice. You sat forward, looking between the two, hoping to glean any information you could. The pair of them exchanged a tense look. Arthur nodded thanks, and looked back out the window.

“They're here.” He said, jumping into action. You stood, your heartbeat picking up. Francis put his hand on Arthur's shoulder as he passed, giving him another look.

“Someone tell what's up with all the dramatic glances!” you commanded. Neither of them responded. And then the door burst open.

The men in suits ran into the house, followed by men in bulletproof vests carrying large guns. Arthur grabbed your hand, and then the two of you were running. You heard the sounds of guns firing behind you. Movement caught the corner of your eye, and you looked sideways to see Francis running beside you.

Arthur pulled you down a dark set of stairs, into an underground room. Purple writing covered the floor, and in the center of the room stood Alfred. You barely had time to register his presence before men were tearing down the stairs after you. Arthur pulled you into a purple circle, Francis following.

“(Name), I need you to keep their bullets away from us.” Arthur whispered in your ear.

“Wha- I can't!” you protested, but Arthur was chanting. The first gun fired. Instinct kicked in, and you stopped the bullet, turning it around. The men open fired. You saw the bullets in slow-motion. You concentrated, feeling the calm in your veins. The bullets stopped in mid-air and fell to the ground. But more were coming.

You could feel Arthur massing power behind you. Alfred and Francis were both doing something with the purple liquid on the floor. You deflected more bullets, the tinkling of metal on the stone floor adding to the din.

Then you heard a both familiar and unfamiliar sound. You looked around, trying to locate the sound. Your eyes fell on a man holding a grenade, it's pin in his mouth. Your eyes widened as he threw it.  

“Arthur!” you screamed as the grenade sailed through the air towards you. You felt an arm wrap around your waist, and then blinding light and deafening noise filled the room.

–

You blinked blearily. A soft wind tickled your face, the sound of rustling leaves peacefully filling the background. You opened your eyes fully and sat up. You were lying in a field surrounded by trees. A gleaming lake lay still at the other end of the field.

And then the pain came. Your breath left you in a gasp. Your arms and cheek felt like they were on fire, and there was sharp pain in your abdomen. You looked down. Your shirt was soaked in blood, even more seeping through. You clutched your stomach, colored spots starting to dance in your vision. You felt yourself falling backwards.

“(Name)!” someone yelled. You felt hands press against your stomach, and a familiar voice whispering something. You looked up into green eyes. Arthur. You felt like you were falling, and then there was only darkness.

–

Arthur paced back and forth, pushing a hand roughly through his hair.  Alfred watched him from a chair on the other side of the room.

“Arthur, it wasn't your fault.” Alfred said. Arthur glared at him.

“Yes. Yes it is. I should've have gotten us out of there sooner. If I had, she wouldn't...” Arthur looked away. Francis leaned back in his chair.

“Arthur, there wasn't anything you could have done.” Arthur didn't respond. He resumed his pacing. Several moments passed in silence before the door opened, revealing a woman.

“How is she?” Arthur asked, his eyes wide.

“She'll make it.” the nurse replied. Arthur let out a long breath. Alfred melted back into his chair, and Francis let his eyes close.

“Can I see her?”

“Yes, but she is weak. She also needs rest.” Arthur nodded and pushed past the nurse into your room. The room was simple, with mostly white furniture, and a large bay window. Arthur's eyes fell on you, looking so pale in the mass of sheets and pillows on the bed. Arthur rushed to your bedside, pulling up a chair.  As soon as he sat, your eyes fluttered open. You grimaced, turning to face him.

“I thought you were asleep.” Arthur muttered. You shook your head gently. Arthur bowed his head. “(Name), I am so sorry.  This is my fault. I never meant for you to get hurt.” Arthur looked up, tears gathering in his eyes.

“It's not your fault.” Arthur clasped your hand in his. “W-where are we?” you asked, your voice slightly raspy.

“I... I had to transport us to a parallel world. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It wasn't safe there anymore. We couldn't stay.” Arthur searched your face.

“A parallel world?” you repeated in disbelief. Arthur nodded. You took a moment to process the information.

“We're currently staying in a friend of mine's home.” There was a moment of silence. “Please forgive me.”

“For what? I had nothing. No family, nothing. Now I have you. We'll be safe?”

“Yes, yes we will.” Arthur sounded relieved. You nodded, and winced as you shifted your position. “(Name), I-I love you.” You looked at the Brit.

“I love you too, Arthur.”

---Timeskip: Two Weeks Later---

Arthur supported you as you walked. You weren't yet fully recovered, but you were getting there. Arthur held the door open for you, revealing a bright blue sky, and a rolling expanse of green.

“Ready?” Arthur asked. You nodded. Alfred and Francis followed close behind. You stepped out of the house and onto the soft grass. The sun fell warmly on your shoulders. You closed your eyes and looked up, letting the light wash over you.

“Arthur, what happens now?” you asked. Arthur thought for a moment.

“We live.”