Even after half an hour, Arthur hadn't made any move to touch his things, which he noticed had already been brought to his room. He didn't want to put anything in drawers or closets, giving more reality to the situation. He pondered the thought of just living out of his suit cases, lying to himself. Telling himself he wasn't truly going to stay here. It was only temperay, he told himself over and over.

Arthur jumped, started at the light knocking at his door, he really did not feel like facing Alfred quite yet. He was relieved when he saw a curl and than the blond locks they belonged to. Matthew looked very unsure if he should enter.

"Um...may I come in?" He asked softly, just as he had before. Arthur nodded, the boy seemed to have something on his mind. "Thank you..." He slipped into the room, shutting the door behind him. He spared a momentary glance at Athur's still packed luggage, a sadden expression over came his face as he crossed the room and sta next to the Englishmen on the bed.

"Is something the matter? Did something happen?" Arthur asked, concerned that a tragedy had occured recently.

Matthew took a deep breath, preparping himself and willing himself to keep strong. "I...I know why you are here..." He said quiet, clutching tightly to his stuff bear as Arthur stiffened. "And..under what circumstances.." He mumbled.

"Y-You do..?" He said, he didn't think Matthew would know this a business deal, not just an arranged marriage.

"Yes...I wanted to...say sorry on our fathers' behalves. It..it isn't right...even if there's nothing to be done about it." Matthew looked up at Arthur. "I-I wanted you to know that I am always here if you w-wanted to talk or just vent...You're not alone in this..." He trailed off before he said to much and bit his bottom lip.

"..Matthew?"

Matthew looked down at his white plush bear, worrying his lip. He sucked in a shakey breath as he did his best not to cry. "Y-You are not the on-only one with a fa-father that would sell off his son to keep his bu-business safe." A single tear escaped him.

Arthur opened his mouth, shocked, but before any words could pass his lips, Matthew stood up, choked with emotion. "I-I'm so sorry, Arthur, I must go." He rushed out of the room before any more tears could fall and his composure disappeared.

Arthur barely got to his feet before Matthew already shut the door. He was left with nothing but questions and feeling even worse than before. How could anyone, let alone two anyones, do this to their sons? They were not property...

"Ah, mon ami, it's so good to see you again!" Francis said, embracing his albino friend. "How is your dear brother, well I hope?"

"Kesese, West is doing great, he's actually being soical and made a friend. Some Italian boy that joined his office as an assiant." Gilbert said, returning the hug. "How're your brats?"

Francis let go, tutting at his friend. "My children are quite well behaved and certainly not brats, cher."

The Prussia dismissed it with a wave. " So, have you thought about my proposal?" He asked, getting right to the matter of his visit.

Francis sighed lightly, gesturing for the platinum blond to take a seat as he sat behind his oak desk. He folded his hands on his desk as Gilbert sat, he truly hated doing this to his son, but he had be left with little optiton. Gilbert was a ruthless man.

"Oui...I have thought long and hard about this and...I've accepted it." The Prussian grinned in excitment, looking like a mad man, with those red eyes of his.

"And Matthew?"

"I've told him and he too has come to accept graciously." That was a kind way to say that the boy accepted his fate but no enjoy it one bit, it seemed lost on the other man though.

"Really?" Gilbert stood, putting his hands on the desk, leaning forward, his happiness at the news plain on his face. "He accpeted my proposal?"

Francis had never seen his friend this way for a long time, he looked like a happy puppy that just got an amazing treat. "Oui, he has..."

"Kesese, awesome!" Gilbert plopped himself back into his plush chair.

"Oui, its all been arranged, you and Matthew shall wed a short time after my eldest does, by years end."

"Pfft, Americana is getting hitched? The poor bastard got tricked into that." He muttered the last, best not to offend to much.

"Yes, I still don't understand why are you so keen on having my son's hand, when you hardly even know him." Francis said, deciding to ignore the man's insults, it was just the way the Prussia spoke.

"Psh, me and Mattie have hung out tons of times! We've had lots of long random talks before." Francis' brow went up in confusion. "Man, you've been in the same room with us several counts when this has happened."

"Hmm...I can't..seem to recall you two ever talking.." The Frenchmen pondered this, but it didn't last long.

"Pathetic, Frenchie." Gilbert huffed.

"In any case, I would like it if you would stay for the summer. That way you and Matthew could get to know each other better, non, I insist you do."

Gilbert smirked at the idea, that much quality time with the young Canadian woul be very enjoyable. "I would be honored to stay at your lovely manor, Francis."

"Splendid, I know you will enjoy it here with us." Francis smiled warmly. "Now our deal is complete, oui?"

Gilbert waved his hand dismissively once more. "Ja, ja. I guess I won't be needing to add you as a department after all, what would Mattie think if I did that?" He smirked amused.

Francis chuckled lightly, glad everything was settled. "Speaking of which, Matthew is awaiting you in the drawing room down the hall."

"He is?" He straightened up in his chair.

"Oui, I called for him to wait there shortly after you arrived. You should go and see him." Francis had barely said before Gilbert had gotten to the door. "Cheri, just...treat him right."

Gilbert looked back at his friend, signature smirk in place, nott making the Frenchmen feel any better. "I'll treat him better." With that he disappeared down the hall

Matthew sat alone in the large room, his only company was his stuffed bear and his thoughts. He was awaiting to meet the man that would he would belong to. His father wouldn't even tell him what the man's name. All he knew was it was a business assoisate of his fathers, which could be countless people.

He sighed heavily, his head clouded with muddled thoughts that he didn't hear the door open and a certain albino sneak up behind the couch he was sitting on. Suddenly pale cool fingers slipped under his glasses, covering his eyes.

"Kesese, guess who?" Matthew knew that laugh and voice anywhere. His heart lightened, relieved his friend came to visit.

"Gilbert." He smiled as the hands left him and the Prussian walked in front of the couch, chuckling.

"Can never fool you, can I Mattie?" He said, plopping down on the couch next to him, his arm going around the younger boy's shoulders. Matthew blushed and looked away to hide it.

"No one has a laugh like yours, Gil." He said softly, still not so used to the attention Gilbert gave him everytime he visited. He settled comfortably inot the Prussian, having him here made him calm.

"Kesese, so true, no one else is awesome enough." Matthew nodded in agreement as Gilbert softly stroked his hair, it was very comforting. Even so, his heart was still at war and his mind wouldn't let him enjoy the peace.

He begged himself not to cry, willed himself to be strong. He clutched tightly to the Prussian's shirt, causing the red eyed man to look down at him concerned.

"What's the matter, Mattie?" He asked, rubbing the back of the blond's hand soothingly, or what he thought was soothingly, it wasn't really his thing.

"E-Eh?" Matthew looked up at him with those beautiful blue-violet eyes, Gilbert metally slapped himself as he caught himself leaning toward the boy.

Sure they were to be wed and they did know each other pretty well, but Gilbert wanted to ease the boy in. Francis had told him that the young Canadian had never dated a girl let alone another man. He was going to take it slow. It wasn't really his style, but there was just something about Matthew that made him special.

This summer with him will prove useful for them to get to know each other, so he would just have to make some self control.

"Oh, nothing...I was just..I'm sorry if I'm to close.." He sputtered, moving to get off him, but the arm around him pulled him closer.

"Naaah, you're just fine, Mattie." Gilbert grinned, always happy to have the boy close to him.

Matthew smiled back lightly, blushing all the while. Maybe should he should tell his friend his troubles, they often shared personal things before. Gilbert was his only real friend, his siblings did not count at all. He thought about it, but he really didn't want to bother him with his trival life, what good would it do.

Matthew could feel his eyes sting and took a deep breath to hold back the pain best he could. He looked up, Gilbert was staring at him wiht such a concerned look in his eyes. It made his heart stir, in a very good way.

He didn't know why, maybe became to many emotions ran through him or if he were simply overwhelmed at the tenderness on Gilbert's face. Which ever it was, it drove him to slowly lean forward, pressing his lips gently against Gilberts. His eyes fluttered shut a moment before he hurridly pulled away.

"I-I'm s-sorry!" He blushed darkly, throroughly embarrassed at what he had just done, but he just couldn't deny he had a crush on the man.

Gilbert was stocked for only a minute, he smirked. "You better be." He cupped the boy's cheek, leaning close, those breath taking eyes filling with terror and hope. "That wasn't nearly long enough." He whispered before he captured Matthew's soft lips.

The Canadian instantly melted into the kiss, moving closer once more only being coaxed a little by the Prussian. Gilbert shifted a bit, deepening the kiss only a little. Matthew found himself out skilled quickly, he wasn't surprised, this was his first kiss it was...Awesome.

Gilbert's hand slowly slid from the boy's soft cheek to his supple neck, his fingers digging into the soft blond hair on the back of his neck. He took full control of the slow tender kisses that they had both wanted for a long while.

With a little boldness and guidence, Matthew slid half onto the Prussian's lap, his blush was bright but his heart was exploding, a feeling of such joy had never visited him before. The bliss he felt, the pure excitment, he never felt so alive.

It was one bump, one awkward movement that broke the spell, brought Matthew back to curel reality. He pulled away hastely, very embarrassed and scrambled to his feet.

"I-I'm so s-sorry!" He apologized quickly. "I c-can't.." He barely whispered, a single tear escaped him. "I-I ha-have to go.." He turned and rushed to the door, the Prussian was just a second behind him, but the younger was faster and shut it behind him. When Gilbert opened it, Matthew was already gone, disappeared around a corner...