Trigger warning: There is a brief allusion to suicide in the very last paragraph.

Arthur has lost it. He had finally lost it...Or Britain has lost it. Matthew had trouble calling him by his human name nowadays. The British Empire was struggling, in another fight with France. Matthew was torn apart between who to support, the person who discovered him or the person who took him in. Luckily, Matthew would not have to face Francis in war. At least in this one. Less luckily, it was his brother, his twin brother, he would have to face. Matthew was confused about the whole thing. Arthur had trapped some of his brother's merchant ships and was now rallying the Native Americans of Alfred's land into a frenzy, claiming he needed help defending the northern territories, namely Matthew.

Normally, when his family fought, Matthew would prefer to sit things out and only get involved when he thought things were spiraling out of control, but that was when they fought as humans. Now that this was a conflict fueled by their people and their bosses, Matthew had no choice. Arthur was bound and determined that Matthew do his duty as part of the Commonwealth and help him defend the empire. This was starting to affect Matthew. The anger of the empire, of his boss, the duty his people felt to fighting, was starting to twist his thoughts around. He couldn't help but think horrible things about Alfred and Francis. Because Matthew wasn't being asked to assist with the conflict against Francis, all of his rage and animosity was directed toward his twin. Matthew was starting to have trouble fending things off as he was asked to go to his brother's capitol.

That sick bastard is finally going to get what he deserves. He thinks he can just leave us, just stab us in the back for his own independence, well think again. We'll bring him back, screaming, kicking, and bleeding if we have to. Matthew's eyes widen. No. This was his brother. How can he think such horrible things? He knew how hurt Alfred during the war. He could feel it through their bond. Please Matthew. He's just having a fit. He always was the attention whore. Use this opportunity to prove to Arthur, prove to Francis, that you shouldn't be underestimated. That it isn't Alfred who deserves their attention. Think of all the times Alfred has said or done something insensitive to you. You can finally put a stop to that.

Matthew could feel tears welling up as he rode behind Arthur, Alfred's White House, something he had happily talked Matthew's ear off, starting to peak over the horizon. Arthur turned to Matthew, a look of sympathy flashing though his eyes before being replaced with resolve. "Don't worry lad. It won't kill him. A nation has to do that directly. It'll only hurt him a little. Enough to help him realize that he needs to get over himself," said Arthur. Matthew didn't know who he was trying to convince. Matthew or himself. Canada nodded tentatively, nearing the white house. "You take the west side and I'll take the east. Don't worry Matthew. We'll have him return to us yet," said Arthur, sounding more ruthless as he spoke.

Matthew rode to his position, jumped off the horse, and quickly starting setting the fires, gun slung over his back. He waited quietly, concentrating on the connection that he and Alfred's connected lands gave them. For a few seconds, there was nothing. Matthew backed up and went to where Arthur was watching the flames rise from a safe distance. They waited. And waited. And waited. The flames got higher and Matthew started getting concerned. What if the flames knocked out Alfred before he could get out. The bond was filled with anxiety and pain, but Matthew wasn't sure who's. See, he'd rather burn to death than be your brother again. Why do you allow this? Finish him off. Arthur must have heard the same thing as him because he chose that moment to turn to Matthew. "Go in and look for him. Finish him off if he puts up too much of a fight," he said, face neutral. Matthew nodded and started walking into the burning mansion.

He swallowed, resisting the thoughts of hatred toward Alfred spinning out of control. He hates you. He ignores you. He's nothing but insensitive to you. Take him out. Finally get the recognition you've been looking for. You can finally find the thing you need to be truly happy. "Alfred. Alfred it's me. Please come out. Please let me know if you're okay," Matthew managed to choke out. He heard the floor in the next room creak as someone's weight was shifted on it. The door was already half burnt away. Matthew bit his lip, one trembling hand reaching out for the gun of its own accord. He swore and forced it back down with his other hand. Entering the room, he spotted Alfred, nursing a severely burnt arm. Alfred looked up, fear etched onto his face. Good. He won't forget us now. No one will forget us now. Not after we force the supposedly free country back into the empire.

Alfred jumped up, swaying. His face was blistered and one eye was swollen shut. There was a sack filled with documents and a painting next to him. He's an idiot for thinking he could salvage anything. Take him out. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Alfred's eyes, er, eye, narrowed and he quickly grabbed a decorative dagger off the shelf behind him. "J-Just surrender Alfred. Please. I can't control it much longer. Please don't force me to fight you. I'm begging you," said Matthew. Alfred shook his head, giving him a hard look filled with feelings of betrayal. "How could you do this? To your own brother?" he said, knife held out in front of him the way Arthur had taught both of them. Alfred's hand was trembling.

"You aren't my brother. You made that clear when you left," said Matthew harshly, his resistance to the thoughts slipping for half a second. Half a second was all it took. Good. That look. That look made this all worth it. We've finally found what we've been looking for all these years. Alfred's face was filled with utter hurt and betrayal. The bond shimmered with nothing but the feeling of abandonment. The worse thing was that Matthew couldn't find it in himself to take it back. He had finally found what he was looking for. A way to finally hurt his brother for all the pain he had unknowingly brought him. There was a sound of a blast going off in the west part of the mansion. Alfred screamed, burns suddenly covering the left side of his face.

Take him down. This is your chance. You won't get another one like it. His hand went to his back, bringing the gun forward. Alfred was on his knees, panting and gasping in pain. Matthews hand's shook, the gun trembling along with them. Before he could aim at Alfred, Matthew moved the muzzle of the gun. "I'm so sorry Alfred," he said. Pain split his skull a split second after he pulled the trigger under his own jaw. Matthew felt his the bullet go through him before he fell to the ground, succumbing to darkness. He had finally found it. A way to keep the war from controlling him.

I'm falling down

And fifteen thousand people scream They were all begging for your dream I'm falling down Five thousand houses burning down No-one is gonna save this town

Too late I already found what I was looking for You know it wasn't here No it wasn't here

I was calling your name But you would never hear me sing You wouldn't let me begin So I'm crawling away 'Cause you broke my heart in two, yeahh No, I will not forget you

Too late I already found what I was looking for You know it wasn't you No, it wasn't you Noooooo

Falling away You would never see me through No, I could not forget you Falling down A thousand houses burning down No-one is gonna save this town

Too late I already found what I was looking for You know it wasn't you No, it wasn't you Noooooo

Falling down Now the world is upside down I'm heading straight for the clouds

Please let me know what you guys think. Let me know if I should make another chapter.