I swear to every god there is or isn't this isn't supposed to be incest. Just brotherly love that's maybe a little... too loving.

But after reading so many cutting!Canada stories, I had to write something.

The darkness of Wednesday's early hours blanketed what seemed to be all of the world, only light coming from the moon, taking in two teenagers; two brothers.

Tears welled in Matthew's eyes as chapped lips pressed against his wrist, kisses landing upon each intended cut; each scar and scab. Fingers touched a bruise and the blonde couldn't help but choke out a sob.

"I'm sorry, Mattie," Alfred whispered. "God, I'm so sorry."

Matthew was intelligent, but his physical fragility made him an easy target for bullying. Oh, Alfred had witnessed his twin being pushed around, before but he hadn't done anything to stop it. He was regretting that decision now. He should have known about the severity of the situation. He should have known that Matthew had been driven to such a deep depression that he broke his own skin.

"I'm so sorry," Alfred murmured again, pressing his lips to another scab. "Dammit, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, Al," Matthew assured him quietly.

"I knew they were hurting you." The hand not holding Matthew's wrist clenched into a ball. "I didn't do anything about it. I'm a terrible brother…" A soft hand touched his face.

"I still love you," Matthew said with a sad smile. Tears prickled in Alfred's eyes. Matthew crawled into his arms. Alfred held him tight against his chest.

"Please don't hurt yourself any more," Alfred whispered into his brother's hair, tracing the marks on the pale, thin arm. "I swear to god, I'll never let anyone lay a hand on you again." Matthew whimpered another sob, listening to his brother's steady heartbeat.

"Don't worry about me."

"It's my job, Mattie."

"Al…"

"I can stop them from hurting you, because I'm-"

"-the hero." Matthew giggled softly. "I know.

"…Your brother." Their eyes locked, identical facing staring back at each other, like a mirror. Slowly, Alfred lifted the wrist to his mouth again. "I don't want anyone to hurt you," he murmured again the skin. "Especially you. I couldn't bear to lose you to yourself." Matthew choked and the tears spilled down his cheek. His brother's lips traveled to his face, kissing them away, shushing him. Matthew hiccupped.

Cradling him, kissing him, and whispering sweet nothings, Matthew felt safe, here in his brother's arms. Suddenly, nothing else mattered.

"Thank you, Al…" And just for good measure, he added, "I love you."

"I love you too, Mattie."

As they both drifted off to sleep in his bed, holding each other close, for the first time in a very long time, Matthew was happy.