Chapter 2

"W-What is that?" Matthew almost shrieked when he saw the "uniform" that he was supposed to wear. "No! That's for a girl!" He frantically searched for a way out, but Lovino was standing right in front of the door.

The short-tempered Italian scowled. "You have no choice," he said. He tossed the uniform to the other boy, a smirk tugging at his lips. His inner sadist was showing. "You have to wear it or Arthur'll flog you."

Matthew's face went red. He stared down at the clothing in his hands, biting his lip. "A-All right," he relented quietly. "But can you please leave the room? I'm going to change..."

Lovino quirked an eyebrow, but shrugged. "As long as you put it on." Turning around, he missed the happy glint that passed through Matthew's indigo eyes. The Italian was a little suspicious, but they were already setting sail again, so Matthew couldn't possibly escape. Besides, he could hear that bastard Antonio calling his name...

The door was shut rather loudly. Matthew exhaled a long breath, loosening his fingers and letting the dress fall. It looked unused, its color a dilute white. There was a black corset that went with it, which was held together tightly by criss-crossing lace at the front. Pressing it against himself, he realized that it would stop just a little above his knees.

He was definitely not wearing this.

Matthew let the dress fall back onto his bed - which was so tiny and cramped that he doubted it could be called a bed. He stepped over the matching boots and padded over to the door. He cracked it open about an inch wide and peered out.

There were three of them at the helm of the ship - Francis, Antonio, and Lovino - a good fifteen feet away from where Matthew was. The other pirates were nowhere to be seen. The ship was rather large, and Matthew figured that no one would notice him if he sneaked around the back.

So he did just that. He closed the door behind him as quietly as he could, making sure the three men up front didn't notice him. He turned right, and then his eyes widened when he realized that the ship was already moving. Granted, Matthew was a great swimmer, but...

He reached the side of the boat, gripping the railing tightly. The ship was steadily getting farther and farther away from his village... So he did the only thing he could do.

He reached down and pulled off his boots; they would just slow him down. He was start to pull himself over the railing when he heard someone shout, "Hey, someone stop him!"

Thanks for the encouragement, Gilbert.

Matthew swung his legs over the rail a little too fast, and he found himself slipping off. He had enough time to suck in a breath before he hit the water.

It was freezing cold. Matthew forced his eyes open, kicking his legs, swimming upwards. He broke through the surface just in time to hear another splash. Someone had jumped in after him.

Matthew ignored the way his legs were starting to feel numb and began swimming towards land. Behind him, he could hear the distinct noise of someone following, but ignored it and kept going.

He didn't know how much time passed that he was in the water. He was starting to feel the sand underneath his feet again when he was grabbed roughly from behind. He let out a cry of surprise, which caused water to rush into his mouth.

Was this person trying to kill him?

Matthew caught sight of fair blond hair and blue eyes just before he passed out.

. . .

"You almost drowned him," Gilbert said accusingly.

Alfred, who pushed back dripping strands of blond hair, rolled his eyes. "He's still alive," he retorted. Though looking down at the male underneath him made him falter.

"I hate you," Matthew managed between harsh breaths. His eyes narrowed into slits, glaring daggers at his "savior." "I wish you drowned."

Alfred smirked. "I saved you." He tapped the other's nose playfully. "Don't I get a thank you kiss?" He leaned down, half-serious, to peck the blond on the cheeks, but his face was pushed away by a damp hand.

"For the Queen's sake, don't you think of anything other than that?" Another hand smacked his head. Alfred looked up to see that it was Arthur. "Get on the rowboat, the three of you. Hurry up, before I change my mind and maroon you lot here."

"You wouldn't do that, Iggy!" Alfred smiled cheerfully.

Arthur flashed him a look that said, "Why don't you find out?"

Gathering his last bits of strength, Matthew shoved Alfred off of him. The pirate landed on his side with a pained grunt, and Matthew took the opportunity to scramble to his feet and start running. Unfortunately, he didn't get very far.

"You can't run away from us," an amused voice chuckled into his ear. It sent shivers down his spine. Gilbert snickered, gripping his midsection tighter as he dragged him back to the other two.

"He has some fight left in him." Arthur smirked, momentarily forgetting Alfred, who was complaining.

Matthew would have stuck up his middle finger*, but he was wet and freezing and Gilbert had already dropped him into the rowboat. He tried to scoot as far as possible from the three pirates that also climbed on, but it was in vain. The rowboat was rather small.

Arthur handed the oars to Gilbert. "Get us to the ship," he ordered.

"Aye, Captain." Gilbert rolled his ruby red eyes when Arthur looked away. Nevertheless, he started rowing.

"Are you cold, Mattie?" Unfortunately, it was Alfred who was closest to him.

Matthew pressed his lips together in a tight line. He refused to answer partly because he wasn't going talk to one of the people who burned down his village, and partly because if he opened his mouth, his teeth would start chattering again.

"Here." Alfred didn't mind the lack of a response. The pirate shifted closer and slipped off his navy blue overcoat. Then he draped it over Matthew's shoulders with a stupidly bright grin. "Is that better?"

The overcoat was heavy, making his shoulders sag a little. But it was ridiculously warm, so Matthew found himself pulling the coat closer to himself. Alfred noticed this and his grin became even wider.

Arthur, who was watching the little display in front of him, crossed his arms and glared murderously. He kicked Alfred's leg. "Stop fraternizing with him lest you want to be hanged by the gibbet, you scrappy swine."

Alfred didn't stop smiling. "Your inner pirate is showing," he told the captain.

"I am a pirate, you scurvy-infested-" Arthur cut himself off short with a frustrated sigh.

Alfred was still grinning.

Meanwhile, Matthew mourned silently, constantly wondering why he was the one that got stuck with these ungodly men.

A/N: Finally, an update~

*Did they stick their middle fingers back at this time period? I don't know. :\