N/A : this is probably one of the chapters I changed the most, but boy was there A LOT to improve...
On the following morning, Alfred left to Washington DC, leaving only a short note to apologise for his absence. Given the fact that he had warned everyone beforehand, no one could actually protest, but a lot of nations pouted and the yawns increased significantly.
Even Russia looked more tired than usual. His aura was somber than normal, which created a small circle around him where no one dared to go, or even breathe too loudly in. All nations collectively agreed that it was a good thing Belarus had been convinced to stay at home rather than assist to the meetings. It was bad enough when one of them was pissed, but Ivan and Natalya's dark mood combined was an instant recipee for gruesome murder.
During the first break, Matthew stayed with his boyfriend, and pretended not to hear all the rumours and rather crude remarks on his brother's assets. Inwardly, he was trying to think of a way to talk to Ivan, without actually telling him what he had learned, along with a constant silent prayer that the Russian wouldn't listen to the gossip mill around them.
Canada sighed loudly, and cuddled his polar bear in hope of regaining some motivation, or even just an idea. Alfred's last words were putting him in an awful situation, morally speaking. The worst part was that he couldn't ask for advice to anyone without risking his secret, and Matthew was determined to not betray his twin's trust.
"Earth to Birdie !" Gilbert chuckled in front of his boyfriend's face. "You okay ? You've been completely out of it this morning" Prussia asked, and behind his joking facade, there was actual worry. Matthew felt his heart melting at the sight of his beautiful, caring boyfriend.
"Just tired, Gil. Nothing to worry about."
"But... didn't you just tell me you slept like seven hours or something ?" Gilbert countered.
Matthew sighed. God, he loved that man half to death, but sometimes, he wished Gil would remember how fucked-up the FACE family members could be when it came to concepts such as feelings and relationships, and what it entailed. A lightbulb flashed in Canada's head at the thought of his unconventionnal family.
"Actually" Matthew admitted with an apologetic smile, "there's something I need to ask my dad about, but I'm not sure whether he's going to answer or throw a tantrum."
Prussia's face lighted up in comprehension, and he laughed. "Yeah, I get it ! Just go for it, Birdie. Maybe you'll even save us from Luddy's boring presentation" he added with a wink.
Matthew chuckled fondly, and walked toward his English father. Arthur was apparently talking with Norway, the magical nations exchanging about unicorns and what kind of physical exercise was the best for the legendary creatures.
"Sorry to interrupt" Matthew said during a pause, and both sorcerers turned to him, "dad, can I talk to you for a minute ?"
Arthur felt the light nervousness in his son's demeanour, and exchanged a glance with the Nordic nation. "Nor, do you mind ?"
Lukas shook his head slowly. "We were almost done, anyway" he said softly, then left to find the other members of the Nordic Club.
England looked at his son, and arched a massive eyebrow. "What's going on, son ?"
Matthew inhaled deeply to gather his courage. "There's something I want to ask you about you and papa's relationship."
Arthur's face suddenly turned white, then red, then white again, and eventually settled on an impressive balance between worried anticipation and mortified embarrassment.
"What... what do you want to know, exactly ?" England asked in a way that left to think he was afraid it would be about their first - quite disastrous - encounter or something alike.
"When you and papa were enemies, were you really persuaded he couldn't be in love with you ?"
Matthew noticed how his dad's eyes widened in shock, soon joined by relief, and a hint of confusion. When Arthur got past the initial surprise, he simply shrugged.
"I was" he answered truthfully.
"What made you change your mind ?" Canada asked carefully.
"Well..." Arthur dwelled on the word, and turned his head to look at the nearest wall. "Your father can be incredibly stubborn when he puts his mind to it. Stupid frog" the English nation added after a second, but the words sounded a bit too fond to be meant as an insult.
Matthew wisely avoided to point it out, and instead focused on the part he didn't understand.
"But I thought papa had seen through your fake hatred for him centuries ago and he's always been stubborn, and you were still persuaded that both of you hated each other" the Canadian noticed smartly.
"Fine" Arthur mumbled. "Let's just say that a few things happened between your father and I, which forced us to... talk things out, and see things through, and then..." England stopped, a fond, soft gleam taking place in his eyes. "And then, I simply accepted it. Us."
There was something so strangely intimate about the way his dad was talking, that Matthew felt himself blushing. His English father wasn't usually one to show his emotions, or admit his feelings out loud, especially where France was concerned. But while it was certainly an important information, it still wasn't enough for Canada to create a good enough battle plan.
"Erm... when you say, a few things happened between you and papa, you mean..." Matthew said, hoping his cuteness would get him a little further.
Arthur blushed immediately. "That's... you know what, just ask the frog."
Even with several attempts of his most powerful puppy eyes, Matthew didn't manage to get a proper answer out of his father. Unfortunately, Arthur had raised him, and learned to resist his puppy eyes when Matthew was still a child, and an adorable one at that. It was hard to top this level of cuteness now, with his adult self, even with his polar bear.
In the end, the Canadian nation decided to follow his dad's advice, and waited until lunchbreak to ask his French father for the rest of the story. Francis gladly accepted to spend his lunchtime with his son, and took him to one of his favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood. It was a traditionnal, family-owned restaurant, cozy and hidden in a discreet street, perfect to discuss peacefully over a simple, yet perfectly-cooked meal.
Matthew repeated the conversation he had had with Arthur earlier, and watched his father's smile grow wider and more fond with each word. Once Canada was finished, they were done with the main course, and Francis chuckled softly.
"That's my Arthur" he stated dreamily. "Never completely out of denial, even decades after admitting his true feelings for me."
"What do you mean ?" Matthew asked in confusion.
Francis winked, waited until the waitress bring their desserts, and grinned knowingly at his son once they had privacy again.
"In the few things he mentioned, there's a couple of events that are all his doing."
Canada almost choked on his Paris-Brest, then looked at his French father in utter disbelief. "You're kidding."
Francis laughed at his son's bewildered face, and gave him a napkin before answering. "I'm completely serious. Of course, if you ask him, your father will probably tell you that it was seeing me sacrifying a lot during the Second World War to ensure he would remain safe on his island, that made him realise that my love for him was sincere" Francis said, and a flicker of passed pain and sadness flashed in his blue eyes for an instant.
Matthew stayed silent, respectful of the painful memories his father was remembering. Those times had been hard on all of them, Axis, Allies and other countries alike. War never brought anything but suffering to everyone involved.
It took a couple of seconds for Francis to snap back to the present time, and he forced a smile on his face. Then, his eyes started shining with mischief, and he joined his hands under his chin.
"In my opinion, though, what really made it was a particular evening just before we created the European Union. Of course, it wasn't even close to what the current one is like, and Arthur was having none of it" France nuanced while rolling his eyes. "The point is, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands and myself had just signed the first treaty earlier that day, and let me tell you it was something big. First step toward forgiveness and a long-term European peace" the French nation said proudly.
Matthew tilted his head, and his father took a sip of water before continuing.
"Anyway, I went back to my appartment, only to find myself teleported in your dad's mansion as soon as I walked through the door. Arthur was standing right in front of me, and he was fuming."
"Why would dad be angry ?" Matthew asked in confusion. That particular turn of event didn't make sense.
"I didn't understand it either at the start, but after centuries of fighting, I immediately yelled back at him" Francis grimaced. "I think we shouted nonsense at each other for something like three hours before I gave in and asked him why he had brought me there."
"And he answered ?" Matthew guessed.
Francis' eyes became impossibly soft, full of undying love and endless fondness. "Actually, he blushed. I was confused at first, as you can imagine. But then, he started crying, and he admitted he was scared of losing me to one of them, that he just wanted to have what little time he could get with me, even if it meant shouting at each other for hours on end, as long as we were together and I was focused on him and him alone. I think he tried to curse me at some point during his confession. It was so romantic" the French nation sighed dreamily, lost in his memories.
Matthew inwardly made a face. His parents' notion of romance was quite the fucked-up one, and the young nation didn't even want to try to understand how they were possibly making things work between them.
"Then" Francis continued his story, "I told him I had been focusing on him for more than a millenia already, and that no treaty or alliance would ever change that. He blushed again, insulted me, then kissed me with all the passion we had both missed and we didn't even make it to the bedro-"
"Stop !" Matthew cut him out, cheeks burning red and eyes closed. "I don't need to know that !"
Francis chuckled, but complied. The French nation had always enjoyed embarrassing his lover and his sons, who were infinitely more prude than he was.
"Anyway" France said lightly, "why did you want to know that, mon trésor ?"
Matthew came back from his mental struggle about forgetting the last bits of his father's story just in time. "I'm not sure" he answered casually, hoping it would be convincing enough. "I just wondered about it. Dad is so proud and guarded, it's hard to picture him opening up and facing his feelings."
Francis nodded in understanding, and a more serious look came on his features. "Love can take many forms and it is undoubtebly the most beautiful feeling you'll ever know, but it's also a powerful and dangerous emotion. Love is a risk, and it's even more true for nations" France stated solemnly. "Your father had to fight his entire life to protect what was his, and deal with multiple people who only took an interest in him because of what they might gain, or who wanted to get closer to him so they could stab him in the back later."
"That... makes sense" Matthew whispered, understanding dawning on him. The parallel with Alfred and Ivan was becoming crystal clear, in that light. "You and dad were always at war with each other, so he couldn't take the risk to accept your love on the off-chance you'd be lying to defeat him. That's why he chose to stay in denial for so long."
"Now you get it" Francis praised his son. "Officially, though, please stick to the version where Arthur finally understood that no one could resist my charms forever" the French nation joked with a playful wink.
Matthew chuckled, then father and son changed the subject and purposefully ignored the time. They would miss the first half of the afternoon's meeting, but it was more than worth it.
When they left the restaurant for the building, Francis stopped to grab his husband's favourite tea from a shop he knew, probably to bribe him into sharing his notes. Matthew kept walking on his own and sent a message to Ivan on the way. The Russian nation answered him in less than a minute, and joined him in a deserted pause area on the third floor. They had a couple of minutes to speak before the break.
Canada avoided asking how his former best friend - now tentative friend again - had left the room before the end of the presentation. Given the general murderous aura surrounding him, Ludwig might actually have been happy to see the Russian leave.
"Are you okay ?" Matthew asked softly when he noticed the bags under Russia's eyes.
"Do I really need to answer that ?" Ivan replied sarcastically, and the Canadian had to admit he had a point. "Sorry" the Russian apologized shortly afterwards. "I didn't mean to lash at you."
"It's fine" Matthew reassured him gently. "I know why you're like this."
Ivan sent him a half-smile in gratitude, and the Canadian braced himself for what was coming.
"So, about my brother" Matthew started, and realised that he still had no idea how far he could go without breaking his promise. "I... can guarantee you that he is not interested in any of the nations he's flirting with. He's having fun and riling you up, but there's nothing more going on."
Canada had already decided that this information was fairly okay to share. Ivan had already realised it, after all, and merely needed to hear the confirmation. According to the relieved sigh the Russian nation let out, Matthew's instinct had been right on that assumption. Still, it was heartbreaking to see Ivan be so relieved at the simple news that Alfred wouldn't start dating someone unworthy of him.
"Thank you" Ivan smiled, a bit more sincerely this time.
"Don't mention it" Matthew replied and looked elsewhere. "It wasn't that hard. Alfred's not that kind of person."
"Still, it means a lot to me that you'd be willing to ask him and tell me" Russia insisted. Then, his lilac eyes became more vulnerable, laced with a mix of fear and hope. "By any chance, did you get to ask him about... me ?"
Matthew bit his lips, torn between his own moral ethic and a thousands reasons to say the truth or stay quiet. There were so many possibilities to make things go wrong and destroy every chance of recovery for both Alfred and Ivan, and the Canadian nation was unable to discern a path that would avoid all risks. There was no right answer.
"I did" the young nation eventually whispered. "And I'm really, really sorry, but I gave him my word I wouldn't tell anyone. And to be honest, I don't think I should tell you."
Ivan's face fell, and Matthew couldn't even bear to look at him.
"That bad, huh ?" Russia chuckled darkly, and it was so devoid of joy, so obviously fake and laced with pain, that the Canadian felt his own heart break at the sound.
"I guess I should have seen it coming" Ivan stated with a bitter smile. "Alfred would never give his heart back to the person who already shattered it once for fun."
"It's not that simpl-" Matthew tried to protest, but Ivan cut him off, his fake innocent expression firmly in place on his face.
"Thank you for everything, Matve. If there ever is anything I can do to repay your kindness, let me know."
"Ivan, yo-"
"I don't think I'm needed anymore around here" Russia continued. "Could you please tell the others I'm leaving for Moscow ?"
"Ivan, wait !" Matthew shouted just before the Russian nation disappeared from his sight, using the nation's natural ability to teleport himself.
Canada cursed, then took out his phone and tried to call his former best friend.
"Come on" he muttered, "pick up..."
After the third attempt going straight to voicemail, Matthew cursed again and glared at the coffee machine. Turning his phone off meant Ivan truly wished to be alone for the time being, most likely to numb himself with vodka to the point where he couldn't think anymore. It also meant he would be in one of his secret lairs, with no way to be found until he decided otherwise.
Canada cursed again, this time in both his official languages, with the occasional appearance of other tongues spoken by his population and a few chosen Italian words he had picked up from hanging out with South Italy. He was almost done with his rant when the Bad Touch Trio walked into the room, along with Arthur and Lovino.
There was a second of silence, where everyone looked at him in shock, safe from Lovino who was smirking proudly. At some point, Spain whistled to show how impressed - and slightly scared - he was.
"Dios mio... mi corazon, did you teach him that ?"
"You got a problem with that, bastardo !?" Lovino shot back with a glare.
"I knew I had heard those words somewhere else before" Arthur muttered, then glared at the Italian nation. Said Italian was too busy insulting his boyfriend to care about it, however, and didn't even notice.
"Far be it from me to be noisy" Francis stated, ignoring his lover's snort at it, "but why are you insulting this poor coffee machine, mon trésor ?"
Matthew facepalmed, and let out an exasperated sigh. "Because I'm tired of dealing with everyone's drama !"
His parents looked at him in utter confusion, and even Antonio and Lovino stopped focusing on each other to shoot him a baffled look. Gilbert was obviously at a loss, but then burst out laughing and walked to his boyfriend to give him a peck on the cheek and a big hug.
"Birdie, you're awesome."
"I'm serious, Gil !" Matthew retorted, but calmed down a bit nonetheless in his lover's embrace.
"Son, what happened ?" Arthur frowned.
The Canadian nation waited a moment to compose himself again, then smiled a tad too innocently. "I'm just starting to understand how unsufferable you and papa must have been for everyone else around you."
"Excuse me !?" England protested. "It was all stupid frog's fault !"
"Did my favourite nephew just tell my baby brother what I think he just told him ?" Scotland said while pushing the door open, a devilish grin on his face.
"Alistair, you stay the fuck out of this" Arthur threatened him. "I mean it."
"No way" the wizard cackled. "Tell me, kiddo, where do you wanna start ? My personal favourite's the Hundred Years' War, when young Artie over there thought the best idea to seduce the love of his life was to start a war against him."
"That was a political move that had nothing to do with my personal feelings" Arthur denied. "And I was young and inexperienced at the time, so it doesn't count" he muttered afterwards, making Francis coo in adoration.
"You sure you wanna play it like that, little brother ?" the red-head grinned. "I've got enough examples of your drama queen's ass pining pathetically for Fran throughout the past ten centuries to last us until next year !"
A spell flashed in the room, and Arthur's face was beet red in either complete fury or utter embarrassment. Matthew's money was on the latter. Alistair dodged, then invoked a shield and started making a list of all the mortifying actions England had done in hope to convey his feelings to his beloved when they were younger.
When Ludwig managed to put a stop to their fight, mainly thanks to Norway and Romania's intervention, the room was almost entirely destroyed and the coffee machine was officially out of order. It took them fifteen more minutes to go back to the main meeting room, and the British nations only agreed to stop arguing when Germany threatened to extend his presentation by two minutes for every minute lost.
Matthew spent most of the afternoon trying to reach Ivan, to no avail. It seemed that everything that could have gone wrong had indeed gone wrong, and the Canadian nation felt like banging his head on his desk in exasperation.
The upcoming months were going to be hell.