A Game of Chess

Chapter 10: Admitting

Slowly, Ludwig's trembling hand reached upwards and pointed to the counter island on the other side of the house. "Pills.." He grunted, almost inaudibly.

The American turned his head, spotting a small orange prescription bottle standing on the edge of the counter. He left Ludwig's side and grabbed the pills and frantically filled up a mug of water from the sink, bringing it to him.

Ludwig nodded at him, his eyes still barely open. He gratefully took the cup in his hands and swallowed to pills, calming his breath. "I'm sorry.. for the inconvenience.. I've caused.." He croaked.

"Can you tell me why you're drinking at three in the morning?" He turned his head towards Ludwig, who was still trying to breath. He sighed and turned away. "Take your time." He started to collect the bottles in a plastic bag. If he didn't know any better, he would just be a nanny. However..

Something was nagging at him, from the back of his mind. He felt as if this was familiar, like he saw this type of condition before. He furrowed his brows as he started to count the amount of beer bottles he was cleaning up. How the hell was he able to drink this much in one single night? And why didn't he invite him?

"Ah yes." He muttered. "All of this you mean." He motioned to the coffee table.

"Well what else would I be referencing." Alfred chuckled awkwardly, hearing the clash of bottles continuously sound as he collected even more of them.

He placed it down and turned back towards Ludwig, lending his hand. "Here, let me get you some water." He sighed, giving him a worried grin. But there was a crucial thing about Ludwig that he only then realized when he locked eyes with Ludwig. His mind was still trying to wake up and understand what was currently happening, he didn't even notice what was different. All he could do was stare, the smile on his face dropped and his eyes widened. The only functioning thought that he could process was repeating itself in his mind.

'His fucking eyepatch is gone.'

Through those tired, confused sockets, gazing right back at him were two distinctly different eyes. One a dark cyan and the other a bright maroon purple. He froze at the sight, feeling the hairs on his neck stand uprights and his stomach plummeting downwards all within a few seconds. That purple eye didn't help his situation, in the place where he wasn't prepared to see it. It was as dreadful as he had remembered it, as horrifying as his imagination could get. He blinked once, then blinked again. No matter how many times he blinked, the purple eye still stayed there, staring back at him. The sound of Ivan's mocking voice echoed in his head, that cold chil rushing down his spine. His hand trembled, his fingers retracted in shock.

"Oh my god." He yelled.

In a flash, he stumbled backwards, landing on the floor beneath him. That rush of fear flowed back in from the dams he had been so desperate to build. Panic was reinstated in his mind, the chains of terror keeping him from making any comprehending sentences.

"His eye. Y-You have his eye." He mustered, staring at Ludwig.

At first, he was confused, his drunken self trying to understand what Alfred was rambling. But then he realized it as well.

Hurriedly, he grabbed his eyepatch off of the table and quickly covered his right eye with it. "Calm down.. I can explain."

Alfred looked at him hesitantly, a petrified look still on his face. He looked downwards, the feeling of his heart spiraling into despair. Slowly, he placed a hand on his chest and began to breath in small, shaky patterns. "I need a moment.. Please excuse me." He muttered, getting up and leaving for the kitchen. A sick feeling churned in his stomach. It felt like he was about to throw up. He lurched over for a moment, pushing down the feeling of hurling on the ground before shakily walking to the bathroom again.