Je Vous Anch'io Ti Amo (Hetalia AU) Ch 02

The whole week was full of rain, rain and nothing but rain. It would bring depression even to the happiest of moment, but that wasn't the case at hand now. All week, they had stayed at Alistair's home so Arthur could organise something's dealing with Matthew.

The first thing that came to mind was the little lad's luggage. He had loads of clothing, not to mention the bits and bobs in between. However, as Arthur went over to his home to collect these things, he'd noticed he didn't have that many toys. It was strange, kids his age would be surrounded full of them, tripping over them even. But, as he entered the bedroom that used to belong to Matthew, there wasn't that many, only a chest full. It was rather an odd sight for him.

Maybe Matthew doesn't like toys, Arthur thought to himself. Yet again, it's Francis, if anything; I think the man wouldn't want a mess lying around. Shrugging the thought away from her mind, he rampaged through all the photos on the walls.

According to Ace, if Matthew had one really good photo of himself and Francis, it could help him through his life that he was beginning. It was a rather good idea, so that was why he was rampaging through every single photo to find the right one. All he found was photos of the dead man himself, and a few random ones here and there, but none of Matthew.

Why on Earth wouldn't anyone have any pictures of their family in their house?

Arthur sighed annoyed, strolling to the door. Just about as he did, he spotted a photo frame on the door. Odd, this wasn't like Francis, or his son at the matter, to leave a photo on the floor. The British man picked up the now broken frame, brushing away the glass, relieving the picture.

It was one of Matthew and Francis, and whoever took the photo got them really well, Arthur was guessing they didn't know about the camera until it got taken. Matthew held his bear tight, his sweet little smile hiding under the fur of the bear. Francis was smoking, as expected, but was peeking at his son at his side, one of his eyes open. Arthur didn't know why, but he had this look about him, Francis had this protective yet loving gaze over his son.

Arthur was only lost in his thoughts for one second, before shutting the door quietly, making his way towards his car. However, as he did, he saw a curl peek out from the back seat. Sighing, he strolled over to the car, opening the door. Startled at the person, he smiled warmly, "Matthew, why are you in my car?"
Matthew stared at him for one moment, before whispering, "I…I wanted to come, I didn't want you to leave me alone…"
He shook his head, picking him up, placing the last box in the car. Shutting the door, he placed him on top of the car front, "Lad, I said I'll be back by the end of the day, don't you trust me?"
"W-well…" His head went down, looking the other way.
He noticed tears falling down his chubby cheeks, and Arthur sighed, hugging him, "What were you about to say?"
"Papa said that to me all the time, but he never came back by the end of the day, he usually came back a day or two later…" He'd sigh a shaky breath.
Oh, that really annoyed the man; he hated how parents gave empty promises, leaving their children depressed. He opened his passenger door and placed him in the front seat, then getting in himself, "Lad, listen. I said I'll never leave you, and that includes being alone, you know…"

He nodded, looking out the window. Something about the Maple leaves of mid-autumn would always cheer his spirits, if not than a little, "Thank you, Anthur?"
He laughed, driving, "No, no. It's Arthur, love. AR-THUR."
He struggled, but actually managed a nickname for him, "Can I call you Iggy?"
His brows twitched. People always called him that during his school years, but it wasn't in a good way though. However, seeing those huge purple eyes stare up at him, full of hope and happiness for once, he sighed, "Fine, you may, Matthew."
He smile grew larger, bouncing up and down in his seat, "Yay, and you can call me Birdie! That's what Gilbert calls me all the time! Antonio calls me his sunny tomato! OR, you can give me a nickname!"

Arthur smiled warmly, nodding. However, he was confused at something, the little lad's sudden change of moods. Five minute ago, he looked as if he wanted to die right there, but now's he's happy as the richest man alive. He'll have to ask about that from people.

Arriving at his house, Matthew was awestruck. He'd never been to Arthur's house before, but he'd never understood why, his Papa would always talk about him, yet he never seen him until now. The house was a castle fit for a king, it was huge in size. Plus, the yard seemed to be big enough to hold the world's largest garden party or whatever he'd seen on TV. A large maple tree covered one side view of the house, but that made his mood perk even more.

Seeing as Matthew was completely bewildered by the place, Arthur opened his side of the door first, "Come on, I have to show you around, lad. Don't want to get lost, now do we?"
He shook his head, his blond hair matching his movements, "No…"
He stepped out, the child doing the same. However, instead of walking, the lad just stood there, looking at the place. He smiled, scooping him up, "We have to keep moving if you want to see the house, Mattie."
He was confused as he was being carried off, "Mattie?"
Odd, he thought everyone called him that, "Don't you like it?"
"No! I finally have a nickname from you!" He cheered.
Okay, he's has to ask about these mood swings he gets, "Mattie it is." The rest of the ride was in silence, as Matthew had fallen in sleep land ten minutes after the conversation he had.

Arriving at his house, he's noticed that there were cars at the front. He'd remembered asking his older brother, Ace, to take care of Alfred for him while he was out, apart from that, Arthur wasn't sure why there was two extra cars at the front. Oh great, the drive way was blocked; now he had to park on the road. The car stopped, and before he stepped out, he glanced at Matthew, a smile spreading across his features.

It looked like the little lad was deep in sleep, clutching his bear tightly to his chest. Matthew's face was pressed against the seat, his eyes fluttering in his sleep. His soft blond hair was shining in the afternoon sun, making him look as if he was an angel from heaven.

Arthur opened the Matthew's side, scooping the sleeping form up, walking up to the door. He realised that he couldn't open the door, so he knocked. However, when he opened it, he was surprised he got a certain white haired man, grinning away. Arthur groaned, "May you help me please, Gilbert? Also, why are you in my house?"
Gilbert, seeing the sleeping child in his arms, only smiled, "Alistair invited me and Toni over, plus Ludwig and Romano wanted to visit, so yeah!" He grabbed Matthew from him, "Anyway, I'll get Ace for ya! Want Antonio to help ya too?"
He gave up, Gilbert was always on the positive side to everything, and it was pointless to argue with him. Besides, he did need help to get Matthew's things out of car anyway, "Fine, just make sure he doesn't get upset, I somehow made him happier than anything really…"
He walked inside, "Sure, sure…"

Satisfied, he strolled over to his car, opening the back doors. Hot air pressed his face, making him groan in displeasure. Arthur looked at the child's things, and realised something, Matthew hardly had anything. Sure, he had toys, but to Arthur, it didn't look like he was spoilt at all. Heavens knows why though, his father was one of the richest men in the country. He sighed; some people are so…cruel to children.

A tap on his shoulder brought him back into reality, as Arthur turned to a certain red haired man, "It about time, you bloody moron."
Alistair laughed, shaking his head, "Never mind that, lad." He looked at the child belongings, face turning confused, "Is that it?"
"Is what is it, mi amigo?" Antonio peeked in from behind the taller man, gasping, "Is that all Mateo has?"
Arthur sighed, "Afraid so…"
"I thought he'll have more than this!" Antonio searched the boxes, only finding clothing, "Where are his toys?!"
The British man grits his teeth, he hated whiners, "Shut up and just help me already, it's bad enough Matt sneaked into my car…" He picked up a box.
Ace sighed, and scooped one up effortlessly, his brother could be so demanding at times, "Come on…" They all walked back into the house, strolling around. However, as they reached the living room, they paused.

It was a wonder how Gilbert was good with kids, and it was indeed a shock when they saw the grown man, on the floor, doing a shadow puppet for the kids there. He mimicked the animal's noises very poorly, but it seemed to make the group of kids laugh. Matthew was smiling, but seemed depressed. Arthur sighed; he needed to ask some questions he need to know about him.

Antonio was the one to break the silence, "You don't do impressions good I'm afraid, mi amigo…."
Embarrassed, Gilbert stood, grabbing his drink from the coffee table, "S…see ya kids later, eh?" He stormed ahead of them, ignoring the laughter behind him.
Once settled in a place that no child can disturb the men, Arthur's study room, the Spanish man sighed, "Gil, tell me one thing. Why were you doing that?"
He glared, "Shut up! I was only doing that 'coz Birdie looked depressed when he woke up! When I ask him what was wrong, he said that he was lost! Lost! That's not normal for a kid to say, hey?!" He slumped back in his seat, "So, I did what my stupid mind told me to do…"
"That was a puppet show?" Arthur supplied, "Bloody Hell, you know how to deal with kids, I'll give you that…"
"Heh, thanks Arthur…"He sighed, "That kid is unpredictable…"
"Speaking of Matthew," he stated, shifting in his seat, "I wanna ask you all something about him…"
He smirked, "Go ahead, punk ass that still has that stud in his mouth."
He laughed sarcastically, "Funny…" He sighed, "I wanted to ask about his mood swings he gets and how he's incredibly shy around people he doesn't know…"
Alistair, who was quiet at this time, looked at his brother, seriousness on his face, "Matta has autism, Artie. Apparently, it's the worst of that kind. We don't know what he's got; Francis only told us that much I'm afraid." He watched his brother's eyes went huge.

Okay, that new piece of information shocked Arthur. Matthew has autism, and the worst part of it? Really, he didn't act it. Yet again, as he thought more about it, he could see the puzzle come together in one big piece. Matthew was 'different' from all the other children, he looked it anyway. Also, he acted a little odd as well.

That was shocking to him.

Antonio laughed, "I know how you feel…"
Arthur glared, "What do you mean?"
"Well, Matthew doesn't look it, but he is musically talented. Seriously, mi amigo, he can play the violin really good, no joke!"
He was confused, "What does that have to do with that fact that he has autism?"
He sighed, shaking his head, "My point is, is that if you treat him normal, he'll love you."
"Why wouldn't I treat him normal?"
"That's not what I'm saying, hmm?"
"Then what are you saying, Antonio?!" Honestly, he was getting rather frustrated.
He chuckled, "The way you deal with the kid is like this; treat him normal. However, if he needs help with something, even tying his shoes, don't hesitate to help him out. If his lonely, talk to him, otherwise he'll just end up mentally impaired. If he wants something, give it to him…" He locked eyes with the British man, "You get what I'm saying?"
He nodded, now fully understanding his intentions. He looked at the boxes, "Still, what if he goes on a rampage of madness or something?"
"First off," Prussia held out his finger, "I hardly doubt it he'll get mad here, it'll be mostly cryin'. Second thing, calm him down. I don't care how ya do it, just do." He stood, "I gotta go, Vati will kill me I get home late…"
"Thank you for everything, Gilbert…" He called down the corridor.
"No problemo! See ya!" He and Ludwig went off.

Soon after, Antonio left with Lovino and Feliciano, leaving Ace and Arthur alone. Arthur sighed, strolling out of his study, Alistair doing the same. He saw Matthew searching for something, but what? Alfred wasn't far behind, as he babbled on about something completely random. They both watched as the two boys made their way over to the storage cupboards, seeing Alfred pull out several pillows.

Oh great, here comes another episode of the Pillow Fort.

Arthur strolled over, scooping Alfred up, "Ya think you can get away with that again, eh?"
Alfred pouted, "Stop fooling around my plans, daddy!"
He stuck his tongue out, his stud shining in the light. Matthew gasped, "What's that on your tongue, Iggy?"
He turned, winking, "A stud, son! You like it?!"
He shook his head, stepping back, "Not really, sorry…"
He sighed, bobbing down, "It's alright, love. You see, I used to be a punk back then."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah! Used to be really awesome at it, until the band split and we went own separate ways, lad. That is why I'm a doctor…"
Ace scooped the blond haired boy up, smiling, "Indeed he was, lad. I bet, if you put your mind to something ya wanna do, then you'll get big."
The child's purple eyes went huge, "You really think so? Papa always said that I'll never get far if I believe in things that are impossible…"
"LAD, NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE!" Arthur yelled, taking Matthew away from his brother, looking into his eyes, "Look, they said that landing on the moon was impossible, yet they did it! They say that there are no such things as heros…"
"But there is, 'coz I'm one!" Alfred supplied.
He nodded, "That's right! And you know what, when you're with me, Mattie, anything is possible, do you understand?" He smiled warmly, "Anything's possible if you put your mind to it, lad."
Tears picked up in the boy's eyes, as he cried, "Thank you so much, Iggy!" He smiled, "You're the best!"
"I know, Alfred tells me that every time I don't cook! Believe me when I say things, because they are true!" For the rest of the night that followed, they set up Matthew's bedroom, he was looking at the photo Ace gave him.

Seeing both children sleeping soundly in peace, Arthur made his way towards his room, shutting the door. Today was absolutely full of surprises, and he had this feeling there were more to come. However, he was thankful for one thing, Matthew's smile. For some odd reason, it lightens up the mood in the house, so did Alfred's.

Speaking of Alfred, all day he'd been trying to cheer Matthew up, and somewhat succeeded in some way. He sighed, making his way over to a window. Staring at the stars, he sighed, "Francis, just do one thing for me…Whatever you're planning for the future for that child, it better be good, ya hear me?" Satisfied with what he said, he slumped on his bed, falling into dreamland.

Arthur hoped, with all his heart, that he could just cheer Matthew and Alfred up with what's been going on in his life.