Matthew stared at the edge of the table, clicking his ball point pen to the usual sounds of Francis and Arthur bickering. The meeting itself had dragged on like this for nearly three hours (without Ludwig to disrupt the fighting, it got out of control). Matthew wasn't interested in the meeting, or whatever Alfred was yapping on about. Everyone didn't seem to be interested either. Greece was sleeping, Francis and Arthur were STILL fighting, and Ivan was… well being Ivan…
'No one would even notice me if a stepped out for a bit to stretch my legs.' He thought while looking about the room. Once he was sure everyone was busy with whatever, he casually slipped out of the room.
"Good god, how can anyone sit that long" he said rubbing his lower back.
"Who" said Kuma-whatever, waking from the movement and Matt's voice.
"Oh you're awake Kumagichi."
"It's Kumajirou…" The bear said suddenly taking on an irritated tone.
"Oh sorry… Ummm ... Kumajiko" Matt said petting his dear pet, Kumajirou. Who he for some reason carried everywhere with him. Matt peaked back in to the conference room while saying " I guess I've been out long enough". He entered the room upon seeing that the scene hadn't changed.
'I might as well have stayed out there' he thought as he strode across the room 'no one even noticed me leave'. He sat in his chair with a slight pout 'Why do I even come to these things?' Matthew sat there so absorbed in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed that the meeting had ended.
"Yo, Sealand!" Said a voice over Matthews shoulder. Matt stood and turn to meet the gaze of his slightly irritating twin.
"Alfred, how many times are going to-"
"Dude you talk to much! … Peter Ahahahahaha!"
"I'm Matthe-"
"Hahahahahahaha"
"I'm Matthew!" he said breathing heavily.
"Dude whats a… Oh I know who you are your like Canadia!" Al said smiling.
'This is why I don't invite you over' he thought, trying his best not to blow up on his twin. Then he simply let out a sigh. "What is it you want Alfred?" He said not really not wanting to know.
"Well I wanting to know if you wanted to, I don't know hang out… later…" he said looking as if he felt uncomfortable with his statement. "Arthur's always saying that we need to talk more and crap… something about we're brothers and we're supposed to get along and junk…"
"So you were inviting me because Arthur told you to." Matthew said slightly irritated.
"Weeellllll… Not really…. Kinda….. No"
"Well I have other thing to do today." He politely said despite how much he wanted to tell his brother off. "Maybe some other time."
If Alfred would have noticed that Matt actually started to cry, if he hadn't rushed off after the statement. 'Nice' he thought wiping his face. He gathered his things and prepared to take his leave, no one ever noticed him leave since he was usually the last one to leave except Arthur, Who sometimes liked to chat when he would stay late, the only other person that seemed to interest in actually speaking to him besides Kumajirou. Tears started to fall on his now organized pile of papers. No matter how much he rubbed and dabbed at his eyes they wouldn't stop. 'It's not fair, that idiot shouts and talks nothing but nonsense and people still pay attention to him. They never forget him or never see him as invisible.' He had hunched over the table and was now fully fledged sobbing. 'Stupid hosers' he thought.
Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him jump. He turned his head to see Arthur standing there.
"What's wrong… did Alfred do something?" The Englishman asked looking concerned. "…That idiot."
"It's not just him" Matt said wiping his eyes trying to stop the flow. "But, I'm used to it… I'm sorry… I just… ~gasp~"
"Obviously you're not if you're crying. What did he do? Was he picking on you again" Arthur said taking on a tone similar to a parent or guardian.
"He has done that since we were kids. I wish that he would do even that instead of even ignoring me and treating me invisible."
"I told him to-"
"That's the problem never once since we gained our independence has he even once ask me about my day, how I was doing… nothing… At least if he teased me I'd feel like he knew I existed… It's like he hates me…"
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you did you even tell him how you felt." The Englishman questioned before patting Matt on the back. "It's okay chap."
Matt sat staring. Arthur would never know (or Matt was sure he wouldn't want to know) how he felt about him. The truth is that Matt loved Arthur for more reasons that one: Arthur was the only one who noticed Matthew, Talked to Matthew, and made him feel that he actually belonged.
"How about we go back to my place, it's about time for afternoon tea." Arthur said motioning toward the door.
Matt reluctantly moved toward the door with the Englishman. "Okay" he said the last of the tears leaving wet trails down his flushed cheeks.
~At England's House~
"Nothings better than a fresh cup of Earl Grey... Don't you agree?" He said glanceing over to his guest, who was now pouring a large helping of maple syrup in his cup. Not trying to judge his guest's 'strange' eating habbits. "All of that sugar will drive you mad, you know that right."
"I'm not Alfred" he said sipping his tea, "I don't have ADHD."
"I know that but."
"Have you ever had maple tea?"
"N-no usually you don't mix... the two... i don't believe its exactly healthy." He said just before Matthew removed the cap of his handheld bottle of maple syrup and motioned toward Arthur. "Guess it couldn't hurt... to at least try it." Matt smiled as he poured a generous amount of maple heaven into Arthur's cup.
Arthur stared vehemently at his glass, when Matt smiled and asked "Well are you going to try it or just stare a hole through your cup?"
"Y-yeah" Arthur reluctantly took a drink from his cup and smiled. "It's actually quite delightful, what did you call it?"
"Maple tea" Matt was pratically beaming.
"Hmmm... Maple tea... Well I might have it more often then."
Without thinking or even knowing what he was saying Matt bursted out saying "And me too..." Realizing what he said he covered his mouth and blushed bright red. 'I can't believe I just said that, please just kill me.' He thought wanting to just disappear into the couch cushions.
"Excuse me... W-what did you just say?" The Englishman asked a slight blush covering his cheeks also.
"Umm... I didn't mean... that came out wrong!" Matt said 'damn it he's going to think I'm a-" Matt's train of thought was suddenly interupted by a pair of lips pursed to his. Feeling dizzy his eyes found their way to piercing emerald orbs, the same way the Englishman's hand found it's way to Matt's cheek. Before pulling his seemingly perfect moment away as fast as it came.
"I-I'm sorry... that was rather... indigifed."
"A-arthur would it be strange if I told you i wanted you to do it again..." He said with a shy expression and a slight pout on his lips. "I l-like you Arthur" he said then though when he said the same thing in his head like wasn't the word his had used. "Alot..."
The Englishman regained his composure and cup his cheeks, "You taste like maple syrup."
"You taste like Earl Grey."
Arthur grinned and then said. "Why don't we make maple tea?"
~~Epilogue~~
"YOU AND BUSHY BROWS ARE WHAT!"
"Al please calm down." Matt said placing his hands in front of him like a ref.
"THAT BRITISH BASTARD HAS A LOT OF 'SPLAINING TO DO!" Al said as he shuffled to the door and slamed it behind him.
"Maple... I shouldn't have said anything..."
