One Difference

Part 10

Arthur wanted to have a mental break down. He wanted to flip the table, throw the floral centerpiece, declare war on France, anything to crash the meeting and stop the interrogation taking place. This meeting place had been especially chosen in case Alfred did decide to come and he had, Jackson in tow. Unlike most meeting places, this one had four rectangular tables with only one break between them for an entrance that enclosed a central area where a podium sat. On all sides behind the tables stood benches large enough to seat the entire world's various personifications, with the door to the circular room placed right in front of the break in the tables. The tables were meant solely for the great eight, and that is where Arthur sat, next to Francis. Alfred and Jackson were in the middle answering questions as Germany came up with them at his seat at the table beside Italy. China and Japan were at another table, watching intently, along with Russia who sat alone next to the seat where Alfred should be.

Most people had no clue what was really going on, but Arthur knew. While both Alfred and Jackson were answering basic questions articulately and with ease, he knew that Jackson wanted to be anywhere but here right now. He knew that he was shy and did not like crowds. He knew that he did not trust the other nations and thought they were only going to stab him and his brother in the back. He knew that Jackson hated the Russian that had betrayed him and now got to enjoy the misfortune he caused. He knew that Alfred was trying to comfort his brother and himself from the younger's distress. And he knew that he could not take either being that position, especially since he caused it. It would be nothing if he suddenly flipped out. After all, this was an emotionally charged meeting, it was in July, and Germany had not even cleared him to be here, so why could he not just do it? It would save the two in the middle from dealing with this anymore, at least, even if he could not protect them from the other nations afterwards. So, why? Alfred had visited him personally to explain the situation so he already knew the answers to these questions, they were derived from what Arthur had told the mass anyway. He had also been given hope that he was not hated by the younger American when they met outside, so trying to get into his good graces would surely be the next step. He could see through the façade, he could stop it. So, with all of this, why was he still frozen in his seat next to Francis?

As much as he did not want to admit it, that vengeful side of him thought Alfred deserved the discomfort. Not Jackson, of course, but a similar side wanted this to fix what he had done. He had made it so Jackson never met the others because he did not trust them, so in some sort of twisted way this was fixing it, right? Yes or no, the guilt still bubbled in his gut. Both of those sides were tiny and buried beneath everything, but they were probably what held him in that seat. That and his understanding of some of the other nations, really. They needed to know, have their questions answered, to meet the new personification. It hurt to be kept out of the loop, especially by someone you thought you were close to. Plus, it is not like a new country is born every day. There were very few personifications in this world, especially compared to people, and you can get sick of each other pretty fast when you have an eternity together. In a way, it could be compared to someone having a baby and the whole family wanted to see it. The poor child would probably be terrified out of its mind with the newness of everything, but the people would just be excited. Make that a secret pregnancy that was revealed after the child had already grown to be a teenager and Arthur really could not think of any differences.

"So why is it that you never wanted to be revealed?"

The question brought Arthur out of his thoughts immediately. Everything Germany had asked until now had been simple things like when Jackson had been born and if he had met anyone beside Alfred, Ivan, and Arthur. Even when the question had been about why he had been hidden, Arthur did not think for a second it would lead the interrogation here. He certainly did not want it to go here. He did not want the other nations to get the blunt answer he had gotten. Surely he would actually lie right now, at least when they were in front of such a crowd? Even if distrust was a very real thing, nations did not talk about it. Arthur saw Alfred sigh at the question and his heart dropped.

Jackson took a step forward, a Hollywood smile he shared with his older brother firmly in place, "I did not want to leave the states, for one, and I did not want to meet everyone either."

Although Arthur did not hear a collective gasp he was sure there was one.

"And why is that?" Germany persisted, and by now Arthur really wanted to gag him.

"I cannot say I really am a people person." Jackson admitted honestly.

"That is all?"

Now Arthur really was going to gag him.

"No."

"Then what else is there?"

Arthur shot up from his chair, which screeched as it scraped across the wooden floor. All eyes were suddenly on him and Francis grabbed his arm.

"What are you doing mon cher?"

"Is there a problem over there!?" Germany bellowed, getting up from his seat to glare at the interruption.

Said interruption glared right back until he caught Alfred's small, sorrowful smile out of the corner of his eye, followed by a shake of the American's head. The message was received loud and clear, and he sat right back down, though begrudgingly. Germany retook his seat as well and motioned for Jackson to continue. He did, but only after staring at Arthur for several long minutes.

"I will be blunt. I am not my brother. That is why. He is a people person. He can trust others after being stabbed in the back. He can trust others knowing he will be stabbed in the back. He can play the fool to make the rest of you feel better, which I do not understand because does anyone really want an idiot to lead the entire free world? I cannot do those things and quite frankly, do not want to. I do not want to play your game of 'friends' when I know all of you say and do put yourself first. You justify that because you are a country and have people to look after, you know that all the others think that way as well so you are just going to be betrayed anyway, so I think I am justified in not wanting anything to do with all of this when I have my brother and myself to look after."

Arthur was sure the entire audience was gaping at this point. Germany surely was. Russia was smiling that creepy smile. Jackson looked like he had just stated something as obvious as the weather. As for Alfred, he still had that small, sad smile. Arthur could only assume he had expected as much, why would he not? He did not even plan to look at Francis, much less Matthew. This was one of those cases where the truth really hurt, which was why nations did not talk about their distrust in one another. With the increase in globalization, all the nations had to deal with each other, but the past never disappeared. Even when this was supposed to be one of the most peaceful times in history the tensions were still there. The personifications were still worried for a World War III, which was why things like these meetings and the European Union existed. It was thought that if all the nations depended on each other then they could not start another terrible war. The thought had not really been proven one way or the other yet, but wars still existed. Oh, did they still exist! It seemed there was no stopping them and even knowing all of that, it was still sobering for someone to actually say it all out loud. Maybe Alfred really only played the fool.

"If that will be all, then I am leaving. Good day."

In seconds flat, Jackson was out the door, his shoe soles making steps that could still be heard going to the hall. Alfred had followed right after him, leaving an apologetic smile as the last image on everyone's mind. Russia was the first of the audience to stand and leave, not uttering a word. Germany had closed his mouth, but he was still clearly shell shocked. Everyone was, no one had to say it, but that could never be the end of it.

"Why would he think like that?"

It was Matthew.

"Especially when Alfred was the one that raised him. I know he was born during the Revolutionary war, that may have been a long time ago but what could have made him not trust us so much?"

Arthur could feel the guilt bubbling up his throat. It would have spewed out by now if his heart had not already lodged itself there.

"Pearl Harbor, maybe?" began Japan, looking rather pained, "It would explain why Alfred would not tell me."

Arthur could tell the crowds were nodding. It made sense. The really bad things they could think of would have to be Pearl Harbor or September eleventh. None of them seemed to remember that certain two of them had actually burned the American's capital down. He was both relieved and distraught at the same time. He did not want Kiku to feel like this was his fault, but the last thing he wanted to explain to Matthew was that Jackson did not trust him because he went along with Arthur's plan. In reality, Jackson was just as much Matthew's brother as Alfred when it boiled down to it. Alfred may have had all of the personal connection by raising him, but blood was still blood. Arthur knew that better than anyone, considering his three older brothers and sister.

"But he did not tell anyone." Matthew continued, "Russia and Arthur just caught them."

Arthur began mentally cursing as the crowd began discussing the matter in light of Matthew's new comment. Could Matthew not be visible until the end of the meeting? Apparently not.

"Arthur, can you think of anything? You are the only one here who had actually talked to Jackson."

The words knocked his heart out of his throat and into his stomach.

"The War of 1812."

The room turned silent once more.