Chapter 3: Brothers, Monster, Remembering.

Author Note:

P.O.V: Alfred (America) Mathew (Canada) Peter (Sealand)

Alfred-

There was once a time when family meant something to me. Like any other normal kid I had a mom and a dad who cared for me. Remembering the good times hurts just as much as the bad. I use to be a normal kid. Growing up just came too quickly I guess, because now I feel like a sentimental old man. I look over and over at the few pictures I have left of my family. I just sit and remember.

Dad came stumbling in like he normally did, but this one time was different; He seemed in some sort of a daze.

"Hey Mat!" I nudged my brother, as Dad stumbled into Peter's old room. "Is Pete in bed?"

My brother's expression went pale, and he looked sick.

"What?" At the time, I did not understand the awful things Dad was capable of.

"Peter was with Dad." Mat's face got paler by the second; suddenly, he got up and rushed to Peter's room.

Dad sat there staring at the photo of all five of us: Mom, him, Mathew, Me, and newborn Peter; who was barely an hour old. He just stared at it like it would evaporate if he even blinked.

"Have the sitters gone?"

His voice shocked both me and Mathew. His tone sounded normal, but the way he said it seemed robotic like.

"Have the sitters gone?" he replied a bit more aggressively. Dad never liked being ignored.

"Yes." Mathew said. I couldn't see his face, but his tone and shaking hands told me he was terrified.

"Good." Dad nodded and exited the room, taking the photo with him.

"Dad, Where is Peter?" Mathew turned and asked at the very last second, right before Dad's foot was just about to step out of the room.

Dad froze. His shaking hands clenched into a tight fist.

"A better place." His monotone voice shocked me. As if, he had no… regrets.

A thought over took me; Mathew was my only brother now that Peter was gone. I needed to protect him from that monster.

Peter-

As I look around my massive room, remembering that nice night I first spent with Daddy and Father. For a while we tried searching for Arthur, but he had moved back to England. Seemed he wanted nothing to do with me since the day I was born. I don't remember my mum; I have dreams sometimes of a dark hair woman. She's holding me, and talking to me. She comforts me the way Daddy does all the time. She has dark skin, and a bright white smile. She smells like water, but not the rain water Arthur smells like; surprisingly, she smells ocean water. I can't believe I was ever so naïve as to ever think that bloody jerk would ever come back for me. Although sometimes I do wish, he would have picked me up. I can't help thinking how awful my brothers' lives must be with that monster.

I remember sitting on the couch as Father flipped through the phonebook looking for Arthur.

Daddy frowned slightly, "Kirkland… Kirkland. Damn."

Father looked shocked. "Wife?"

"Oh. Sorry." Daddy blushed; He usually isn't one to curse. "Peter are you sure your dad's name is Arthur Kirkland?"

I nodded.

Father snorted, "This is po'tless. We've be'n searchin' fer days. Still n'thin'!"

I had been polite; nevertheless, I had to say something that had been on my mind since the first night Daddy hugged me.

"I… I don't mind staying here." I said.

Both men looked at me.

Daddy smiled grabbing papers out of a bag; He looked at me with the very serious expression like I had only seen on Father. "Are you sure?"

I nodded.

Daddy hesitated a moment, his pen almost touching the paper; suddenly, Father grabbed the pen and paper signing his name on the dotted line.

Mathew-

Looking out my window reminds me there is still a world out there. Father shifts in his bed, cursing in his sleep like he always does. He's an old dying man now. Looking back he regrets so much. Although I will never completely forgive him for leaving Peter or driving Alfred away, I know why he did the things he did; I pity him. I've been stuck in this house taking care of a man I pity and despise. What a life. What a monster.

I still remember the look on Al's face when he left. He wanted me to go; I was too scared. I hear he has a pretty good life these days, Peter too. Seems he has grown up into a fine young man.

Al wrapped me in a hug, "I'll find him, dude. Don't forget; I'm the Hero!"

I chuckled and gave him an eye roll, "Says who?"

Al gave me a playful punch in the shoulder and I could see his eyes turning watery.

"Promise me something." He said as he wrapped me into a hug.

"Anything, Hero." This time I also wrapped my arms around my brother, I'd miss him with every bit of feeling I had left.

He laughed and quickly wiped his eyes with his hoodie sleeve, "You'll be okay. Promise me."

"I promise." I tried to give him a smile of assurance, but he was already picking up his bags. He had to leave before the old man woke up, or all hell would brake lose.

As he climbed through the window I yelled, "Take care of yourself, Hero."

"Ditto, Maple." He hopped down to the fire escape, "Love you, Bro."

I wanted to say it back, but certain something stopped me.

"Mathew! Where is the bloody pancakes and tea?" screamed a far too familiar voice.

A/N: Okay...

Father= Berwald (to Peter)

Daddy= Tino (to Peter)

Old Man/ Dad= Arthur (to Mathew/ Al)

^ Just in case it was confusing

Sorry if any mistakes computer has NO spell check.

xoxox,

Jazz