Matthew sat in the meeting room, listening to Alfred and Arthur argue during both of them trying to get there information out at the same time. The cerulean eyed boy looked to his twin brother, his eyes intent.
No one ever noticed him, especially not Alfred. The american was always rambling about being the hero, and being stronger than anyone else, even Ivan. Which, due to the facts on many wars, was proved. But that didn't give him any right to not even remember his own twin's name except possibly, maybe on Canada Day, where everyone was wishing others about it to remind him for a moment, that Canada, Matthew, his twin brother, had existed.
Arthur and Alfred had finished their current fight, and Alfred babbled on about America's affairs, since Arthur got tired of the battle and thought if he got his own presentation done first, then other things may get done as well. He thought wrong though, since when Arthur's turn came, the american was still babbling during most of it, earning hisses from Arthur himself. Matthew sighed and some of the close-by people turned their heads to look for a ghost making the sound.
The Canadian just shook his head and stood, leaving Kamijiro on his chair to save his seat, then exiting the room to get some fresh air. So, there he stood. Alone in the hall-way, yet again, to clear his thoughts. He could faintly hear Alfred freaking out in the conference room, saying that a ghost opened the door. Matthew started to feel anger bubble up inside him. Why can't he just try to think about me for a moment? Think, 'hey, where's that boy I hung out with when I was younger? He looked just like me!' Something..
You could make him remember.
Matthew's eyes flew open and he looked around wildly, trying to find who spoke. "Did someone finally realize I'm here?",he asked out-loud, hoping it were true. He didn't see anyone though, and grew confused. He scratched the hair on his head lightly, frowning. "What the-"
Looking for me? Haha.. You won't find me by looking around, sadly.
Matthew gulped softly, he shivered when he felt a chill go up his spine. "Wh-who are you?",Matthew asked.
Oh, now who forgot who? I'm Matthew. The one who got you out of a jam whenever someone tried to over-take you. That's who.
"B-But.. I did those things. Even if I don't remember how exactly..",Matthew said, his voice quiet.
You keep telling yourself whatever you want, but that won't make people see you. You have to do something to get their attention. Especially, burger joint back there.
"What am I supposed to do?",Matthew said. It never occurred to him he could actually try to make them see. He thought that maybe, if he just kept being himself then someone would notice, and someone would care. Atleast for a moment.
You do what I do. Take one of 'em, and make people see your the one there.
"You mean..",Matthew covered his ears, though he felt stupid knowing that wouldn't work. "I can't do that. Their my friends, I won't.",Matthew said meekly.
Friends? They can't even see you! Your own brother can't even remember you ever existed! Do something about it!
Matthew shook for a moment, then stood up straight. "I won't. You can't make me.",he said decisively. There was a low chuckle, and it seemed to be whispering on his ear this time.
I can't make you, but we'll see how long it takes for you to want it.
Matthew stood there in silence, even his head was quiet now. He sighed a silent relief, and entered the room, ignoring Alfred freaking out once more. He sat and had Kamijiro in his lap, before he closed his eyes and started thinking about how much he liked these people.
The Canadian woke up a few days later, pulling himself out of bed and putting on his clothes sloppily. Then, going down to his kitchen to make pancakes. He watched the batter on the pan, licking his lips for when they were done. Nothing could defeat his love of pancakes, no matter what happened, pancakes could make him smile. He grabbed the syrup and poured it on, drowning it before he started gobbling them down and eating them almost as soon as he started.
Matthew smiled softly, laughing at how he ate pancakes as well as Alfred ate hamburgers. They were twins, even if the stronger one of them didn't know it most of the time. He stood and made himself another batch, repeating the process before he was full and dropped the dishes into the sink for later. He walked down the hall, going to go for a walk outside, but then something caught his eye as he passed.
He turned to see the closet opened, with his beloved hockey-stick laying out of it. Matthew blinked slowly, then walked over and picked it up. "Why do I have this out? It's not hockey season..",he wondered. Then he frowned and gripped the instrument when a cackle sounded in his head.
Maybe you want to play a game and don't know it?
Matthew grimaced. "I'm very sure our descriptions of 'game' are quite different from each other.",he said softly. He heard an agreeing purr from his mind and his eyes lidded half-way. "Why are you here?",he asked finally.
To get you to stand up for yourself. To get you some respect, some fun.
Matthew gulped at the way the deeper voice said 'fun'. "I can stand up for myself where it counts, and I'm respected by my people. Whether the other countries do or not. Fun..",Matthew stopped at the word. Was he having fun in his life? Or was he just going through the motions of what the other countries were doing?
He kept thinking and he heard an impatient grunt from the other Matthew. That reminded him.. "Hey. You said your name's Matthew, right? Well, can you just be Matt? It's a bit confusing to have two Matthew's..",the Canadian said.
Oh, what's this? Making friends with your other half huh? Guess you calling me Matt is fine. We are a bit too different to be exactly the same anyway. Just remember, no matter what you call me. I'm still you.
"Matt, no matter how many options I weight in my head or any explanations I can think of. There is no way, you could ever be me.",Matthew said, shoving the hockey-stick into the closet finally, before slamming the door and going outside for the air he now needed a lot more than earlier this morning.
It's been a week, and the whole thing has had nothing but pestering from Matt. Matthew sighed, getting exhausted from having to debate with the odd person all the time. "Matt, I need rest. I'm never gonna do what you want, but even if I would, I can't do it without being properly rested.",Matthew sighed loudly, while he laid on his bed.
Fine, fine. I'll bother you tomorrow..
"Well, at least you can admit your a bother.",Matthew said, letting himself smile from the peace and then he felt something on his shoulders, much like someone's hands. He was shocked, but he didn't move when he felt them massaging him.
He was scared, confused and tired at all the same time. How could someone get into his home and under him without him knowing? It was impossible! Matthew let that fact comfort him, so he relaxed still feeling it. Once he relaxed, he could actually tell that whatever was doing it was skilled. He went limp and a small smile was on his lips as his eyes closed.
Night night, Mattie.
Matthew woke up from having no dreams, though he did think the odd hands he felt were his imagination, or that he had fallen asleep before that without noticing. He had been exhausted..
"Oh well. Time for more pancakes!",Matthew said, getting up quickly and keeping his pajamas on today while he traveled down stairs.
Can I have some? I'm starving in here! Matthew was caught off guard by this statement, but started laughing soon. He wouldn't be thrown off by anything the odd voice said. After all, it was just a voice that he could easily disobey.
"And just how would you taste them? Or eat them, for that matter. Your in my head.",Matthew said with a smile on his face as he started pouring batter into the pan to form his little stacks of heaven.
Well, you could let me take over for a bit. It isn't hard for me to do.
Matthew stopped, letting his words sink in. I just said I wouldn't be thrown off.. "You can't do that. I'm in control.",he said defiantly.
Your in control because I let you be in control. I could do anything I want with you. Watch this.
Matthew's hand flew up into the air and shook quickly, like it itself was having a seizure. This all earned a high-pitched yelp from it's owner. "What the-!"
See? I could be doing that all day. I have nothing else to do in here..
"B-But.. But..",Matthew started, his mind locking up except for the part that held Matt.
Spit it out already!
"If you can do that, then why are you telling me to do things, when you can do them yourself?",Matthew asked fully. There was a pause on the other end of this conversation, and he tapped his head with a finger to try and stir the voice.
If I did everything without you knowing, then once you got your grasp back you would kill yourself from grief. Don't deny it either. I'm inside your head, I know what you would do from the start.
"So.. your doing this for yourself. So I won't end up killing you.",Matthew said flatly, some anger building up and he frowned.
Matthew, I'm a part of you. I'm doing this for you as well. If I didn't care then you would still be a strung out mess from yesterday.
Matthew's anger faded a bit and he blinked. "You were the one massaging me like a pedophile! Wait.. how could you do that? You don't have a body.",he said, half to himself. As if it wasn't already to himself.
Your brain controls all your nerves and senses. If I tell it someone is touching you.. Then someone's touching you.
Matthew listened to Matt, then he couldn't help but laugh. "You sound so serious, but you ARE saying you gave me a massage.",Matthew laughed.
Shut up! Like you said, if your not rested you can't do anything. I was just helping..
Matthew rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right.",he said. He was about to start telling him something but his mind cut him off.
Matthew, the pancakes!
The Canadian blinked then looked at the pancake he had begun making before their chat, to see it was black and charred, still currently burning. "Holy Maple!",he shouted, turning off the stove and picking up the pan with an oven mitt, before pouring some water on it from the faucet. "Matt, why didn't you remind me earlier!?",he complained, frowning as he tossed the charred, yet now soggy pancake into the trash-can.
You were distracting me! Besides, I did remind you even if it wasn't really on time. If I didn't stop you from talking, then it could have lit your whole house on fire.
Matthew rolled his eyes, and sneezed from the rancid smell the burnt pancake gave his home. He grabbed the trash-bag and walked outside, putting into the bigger disposal bin. He started on his way back into the house, when he saw the door was shut. He ran to it and started tugging on the door-knob. "Oh, Maple.. Did you remember where I left my spare key?",Matthew asked.
Seriously, you locked yourself out? How could you not take a key with you from inside?
"I didn't know I was supposed to have keys to world with me at all times!",Matthew snapped at himself stubbornly, then started laughing immediately.
What's so funny?
"I was just thinking that now is the best time I've ever had being invisible. If I wasn't, then all my neighbors would think I'm crazy for talking and yelling at myself all day.",Matthew said with a smile, standing up straight and heading towards the back of the house where he remembered his spare key was.
It had been another 2 weeks since they got locked outside, and it seemed to Matthew that Matt had started to give up the idea of getting him to hurt anyone. They had started talking like regular people after that, for the most part. There was still the occasion that Matt would ask about it, like if he had changed his mind yet. But, to his misfortune, the answer was always 'no'. Besides that, they would talk about things they like to do. Some of them were the same, like playing hockey or video games. Though their taste in the video games they liked were completely different.
Matthew agreed to buy a few games Matt would like and play them for his entertainment, though not letting him take over, since theirs always the slight chance he'll go on a killing spree. They had a game night on Wednesday just for them, since no one else knew about them what-so-ever. If Matt had his own body and was there, they would look like old-time best friends. One playing a game he hated, with the other shouting all the encouragement he could for Matthew to kill something already even though the graphics scared him, then switching so Matthew could enjoy a slow-paced RPG type game, with Matt groaning that he was bored as hell.
They had gotten pretty close. Despite the fact, they physically couldn't get any closer. There was always something exactly the same, while completely different about them. Like they both adored red. Matthew loved it because of autumn leaves, while Matt enjoyed it since it reminded him of blood. Matthew loved hockey for the sport and having a feeling of victory when he won, while Matt loved it for it being one of the most violent sports.
Odd a relationship as it was, they were both happy with it.
Matthew walked into the meeting room, sitting in his usual spot between Ivan and Francis, across from Gilbert and Ludwig.
Been a while since I saw these bastards.
Matthew opened his mouth, about to speak to his counterpart, when suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped in his chair. Slowly, he turned his head to see Alfred looking at him with a mixed expression of confusion and his usual oblivious features.
Matthew put on a wide smile. He noticed me! He's actually gonna talk to me again, this is a dream come true! Matthew kept shouting his happiness in his head, which subsided slightly when Alfred held out his hand.
"What's your name? You look familiar, but I can't seem to recognize you.",Alfred said, smiling back at the smaller man. Matthew didn't let his smile fall, but he felt his heart get ripped out of his chest. He.. doesn't remember me after all. "Ya' know, you look a lot like me. Did you grow up in the same neighborhood?",Alfred asked, not really looking like he expected an answer. Matthew took his hand slowly and un-surely, but gave a quick shake. "Wow, your grip is pretty weak. But that's okay, I'm the hero! I have the strength to protect anyone! Even you, little man.",he laughed.
"Yes, we were quite close to each other I think.",Matthew choked out, making himself smile wider as his head was pounding. "Um, Alfred was it? Could you excuse me a moment, I need a drink of water.",Matthew said, pushing his chair back forcefully and exiting the meeting room with all eyes on him. He stomped his feet as he walked, making the lead weights that seemed to be attached loosen so he could get to the restroom quickly.
He went in and started shaking violently. He could feel hot tears on his cheeks and he scowled at himself, for being stupid enough to think Alfred would remember everything after all this time of forgetting. "I'm an idiot.",Matthew said, falling back against the wall and sliding down until he was on the floor.
Your not an idiot! Alfred and everyone there is the idiot for not noticing you sooner. I warned you that they weren't your friends when I first got here.
Matthew wanted to shout at him for pretty much telling him 'I told you so', but the sound wouldn't come. Only more sobs and the known fact that Matt was right. Even if it had a different intention before, he was always right. Those people.. his family members.. they didn't care about him. 7/8ths of the year they didn't even know he existed! And Alfred.. He just, to him 'met' me, and he called me weak, right there in front of everyone! I could be strong if I wanted to. I could do anything I want if I put my mind to it.
"You were right. They aren't my friends, and never were. I should have listened to you in the first place.",Matthew said, his voice colder than the air when Ivan laughed at the silence he made in a common room. He didn't hear anything from Matt for a moment. "I don't know why I tried. I should have expected what just happened and gave up hope. Then maybe I could have stayed invisible, and I would have never realized Alfred doesn't care about his weak little twin brother Matthew!",he yelled, then he did something he didn't know he could do. He threw a tantrum. He slammed his fist against the wall, he shouted bloody curses at no one, snapped at Matt one or twice when he tried to tell him to calm down. He even wished the people he once loved, and wanted to befriend, all to hell.
Matthew did this for a good hour before he calmed down completely and had rage filled tears streaming off his face to resign the last of his tantrum, even if he was still certainly upset. He sat there, panting with his voice cracked from the yelling, his body trembling from the stress and yet leisure of letting out all the frustration he had pent up for his invisible part of life. He leaned back against the wall, resting himself before he could hear Matt's voice once again.
Matthew.. do you mean what you just said?
Matthew knew what Matt was talking about. Wishing them all to hell, to die in here brutally then go down there where they too would be invisible to the world.. He knew it all too well, and to his own surprise, he didn't feel guilty about any of it. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I meant it.",he said, with so much confidence he could never doubt it.
There was a long pause from Matt, then his body moved on it's own and he knew Matt was at work. His body picked itself up and walked over to the mirror on the wall above a sink. When he looked in, he was a bit shocked. There was himself, but his eyes instead of cerulean was swirling purple orbs of sight, and his clothes, instead of the brown ensemble he had put on, was a blood red sweat-shirt with an orange maple-leaf on it. Even the curl on his head was different. Instead of a cute, bouncy little thing, it looked like it got bent the wrong way half through it, waving awkwardly.
Matthew blinked and looked down at himself to see that when he did, he looked as he remembered this morning getting dressed and ready. When he looked back up he was sure of it. "Matt.",he said with a smile that only Matt could see, since on the outside he was still cold. The mirror image nodded.
Matthew, if your serious about this then put your hand on mine. If not, then step away from the mirror and nothing will happen. Everything will be normal and no one will get hurt.
Matt had put his palm up against the glass of the mirror on his side, pressing it firmly when he began speaking. Matthew had noticed that in the mirror, Matt's lips moved with his voice, but the voice was still in the back of his mind or whispering in his ear. Matthew looked at the hand for a second. "When I do touch it, what will happen exactly?",Matthew was compelled to ask. He knew what Matt would do, but he didn't know what would happen to his consciousness.
Then I'll take over your body like I did your hand when I first showed you. You'll know exactly what's going on and your conscience being will be in my head like I've been to you. I can do anything I want until you stop me.
Matthew nodded at his last words and raised his hands up near the glass, before Matt caught his attention.
Matthew, when I first spoke to you about doing this, I was focused on killing whoever I wanted whenever I wanted. Now, I'm doing this for you. I will stop if you tell me to, but letting me out means people WILL get hurt. I'm not leaving until at least one person is 6 feet under. Understand?
Matthew looked at his counterpart straight in the eyes, un-moving with his hand hovering near the mirror. He took a deep breathe and gave a firm nod, pressing his hand to the glass strongly without ever loosing eye contact with himself.