"But Alfred-!"
"Stop it!" Alfred yelled, he'd had enough, "I don't like learning French! I couldn't do the exam! I'm not Matthew! Just because he could do it doesn't automatically mean that I can too! I'm not him! Stop treating me like I'm not good enough just because I'm not the same as my brother!" There were tears running down his flushed cheeks.
"Alfred! Mon Petit, I don't-"
"Shut up!" Alfred yelled, "Just shut up, Papa! Everything I do isn't good enough for you because I'm not Matthew!" He turned on his heel and ran from the room, almost crashing into Arthur but dodging around him as he fled down the hall.
As Francis moved to follow Arthur reached out an arm, blocking his way, "Let the lad cool off. I'll go check on him in a minute."
Francis sighed, "I don't treat him like that do I? Like he's second best to Matthew?"
Arthur looked at him seriously, "You were a bit harsh on him. The lad had a hard time in his exam and you had a go at him because Matt didn't."
"I did not mean to upset him," Francis looked at him with wide eyes, "He is my child. I do not favour Matthew intentionally."
Arthur nodded, "I'm going to see if he's all right. Why don't you start on dinner, Fran?" He kissed him briefly before turning and starting to walk the same way Alfred had gone.
Alfred was curled up on the bathroom floor, sobbing. The razor was held tightly in his hand as he sliced across his wrist, watching the blood drip from his arm onto the clean floor. "Wh-Why does Papa love Mattie more than me...? They... They'd all be happier if I wasn't here..." He whined faintly, cutting again. With each cut he dug the razor deeper into his pale, scarred skin.
"Alfred?"
He jumped as the knock on the door disturbed him from his dark thoughts, hearing his father's voice. Before he could react or hide what he'd been doing the bathroom door was slowly pushed open.
Arthur's eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene in front of him; his son curled up bleeding on the floor. He crouched down and wrapped his arms around him, pulling the razor from Alfred's now limp grasp. "What are you doing, Al?" He was shocked at how his son who always seemed to be so bright and happy could have sunk so low without him realising. "Why, Al?" he whispered gently, holding the sobbing boy close to his chest.
Alfred sniffed, "Papa... Papa doesn't think I'm good enough... a-and I really try at school but I'm not as good as Matt... And I don't have any p-properly close friends. Not even Kiku really wants to be my friend but he's too nice to say. A-And I can't do it, Daddy! I c-can't...!" He started to sob harder, burying his face into Arthur's chest.
"Oh Al... Papa doesn't think you're not good enough... He didn't realise how much he was upsetting you and he definitely doesn't think you should be the same as Matt." He held his son close, collecting him up into his arms and cradling him as he sobbed. "You're Alfred and you don't need to try to be like anyone else. Papa and I both love you just the way you are."
Sniffing Alfred looked up at him, his bright blue eyes swimming with tears behind his clouded glasses, "B-But Papa..."
Arthur sighed and kept hugging him close, stroking his hair softly, "Papa never meant to upset you. Now come on lad, let's get you cleaned up and we can go to McDonald's for dinner. Just you and me." He smiled as Alfred's expression brightened slightly.
Picking Alfred up, Arthur sat him on the toilet lid and got out the first aid kit. His hands were gentle as he washed and bandaged the cuts.
"You won't tell Papa, will you?" Alfred asked with wide eyes, "I-I don't want him to know... not yet..."
Arthur shook his head, "Until we can work out getting this sorted between the two of us I don't think there's any reason for him to know unless you want to tell him." He secured the bandages and gently pulled Alfred's sleeve down to hide them, "Let's go get dinner. I don't know about you but I'm famished."
Alfred nodded and wiped his eyes before beaming his trademark grin at him but Arthur could now see the sadness hidden behind that smile. The Strength of his Mask. How Had I not noticed this before?
Author's Note: So, I finally got the name of the story into it. This is the one chapter I've had ready to be uploaded since the very beginning.
I'm so happy, this fic has passed 40 followers. When I started it I honestly didn't think I'd get that many. So to all old followers, thanks for sticking with me and to all new followers, thank you. I hope you all continue to enjoy! It means so much to me that people are reading this!