October, 1817
Matthew hasn't forgiven him.
England couldn't remember the exact moment that he realized that Canada was angry.
Sweet, innocent Matthew holding a grudge, but still obedient. At least until now.
Arthur had been so distracted by France's pitiful attempts at conquest, that he'd missed the fire in those violet eyes. His troops had been paying for it- England's soldiers had been attempting to squash America's attempts to gain more territory. To force Arthur to acknowledge again what he hadn't been able to articulate that day nearly forty years ago before- And Matthew's people had barely aided them. It almost looked as though they wanted to be a part of America.
And now this meeting a final setting of terms between all countries involved- hopefully they could put an end to the fighting and soon.
"Angleterre, mon ami, it looks as though your American boy is striking out blindly-" Arthur flinched as the words came from the Frenchman. Tentative peace between them kept him from outright strangling the frog most of the time, however the choice of words... "You should have left his people alone."
"False documentation is not a proof of citizenship, and you bloody well know it." The argument was halfhearted. The icy chamber that they waited in made England doubt his sanity at asking Francis' along for anything, let alone moral support.
"What is wrong?" Francis was draped across a chair, casually watching Arthur pace the office. "This is not like you to ask a favor from me..."
"I needed someone around to translate just in case Matthew lapses into that bloody language you taught him."
"That is a lie," Francis was smiling. "You have people who know the language. Is it the possibility that petit Alfred might be here in a moment?"
"You annoy me, Frog." Arthur couldn't quite control the tic at the mention of the name. Of course he knew that Alfred would be there. All countries involved would be represented. But as an ally of America, perhaps France had seen him... "How long has it been since you've seen him?"
"Around '77," The reply coming more easily than Arthur had expected, "After that I was... how shall I put it. Busy."
Of course. His own revolution had been sneaking up on him for some time. It might have been years after the American one had ended, however...
"Angleterre, I have heard many rumors. I know that he was wounded in his last battle with you..." Francis had risen, slipped his arms around England.
Arthur froze for a moment, and jammed his elbow into the other man's ribs.
"I'm surprised that you didn't do that sooner," Francis said after his yelp of pain, and withdrawal . "Are you going to tell me why you really invited me along?"
"Matthew is very angry." England admitted reluctantly, "Very angry. With me. I thought having you here might temper that."
"Pourquois?" Francis said the word low and in his ear. Arthur didn't bother fighting off the arm that was slipped around his shoulder. "Why? He has always been a biddable boy-"
"So gentle and obedient that I never noticed when he began to slip away from me, just like-"
The sound of a door opening and closing interrupted England before he could say the name. France's arm fell away as they turned as one to face the men who had just entered.
But only Matthew, precious Matthew stood before them.
His build and face were so much like his twin's- like Alfred's- that Arthur started. It had been the same look of fierce determination on another boy's face, as he told his guardian that he wanted to be independent. But the cold amethyst eyes told him that this was Matthew, and England had better listen.
"England, I choose liberty." The words echoed, a hard edge to them. Francis made a little noise of surprise, "I choose to be independent. What do you say?"
"Where is America? How is-"
"He and I have come to an agreement, which is none of your business anymore." The cold anger had been cemented. "What is your answer?"
In that look, Arthur- England- saw the promise of another long and bloody war, culminating in another gunshot, another boy in his arms, bleeding and forever crippled-
He couldn't do that again.
"I will acknowledge it." He ignored Francis' startled gasp. There would be no battle, however the anger still had not left Canada's eyes.
