A special thanks to BakaRamenBowl, whose review last night got me started writing this chapter! And thanks for all reviews/watches/faves, and for all input about the animals. When I have that story up on the site I will tell you the title ^^. Now on with the story!
A few days later~
Matthew yawned and rubbed his eyes, slowly blinking them open. For a minute fear took over him, until he remembered he was in his new home with his new family. He sat up straight and stretched his arms out, yawning, before he slid out of the bed and padded over to the door, reaching to turn the knob. He peeked out into the hallway. There was nothing to be seen or heard, but the smell of food reached his nose, and he walked in the direction it was coming from. He went down the stairs one at a time so as not to trip, and eventually made it to the doorway of the kitchen. He peeked in and saw Francis standing at the stove, a flowery pink apron tied around his waist.
"Papa?" Matthew said quietly. Francis turned around and smiled.
"Mathieu! How are you this morning?" The Frenchman walked over and picked up his son. Matthew yawned again.
"J'ai faim," Matthew answered. Francis chuckled.
"Let's get you some breakfast then, okay?" Matthew nodded and Francis set him in a chair at the table. Francis returned to the stove and Arthur walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, good morning Alfred," he said. Matthew frowned in confusion and looked around for his brother, but after finding Alfred was not in sight he looked up at Arthur.
"Quoi?" he asked. Arthur blinked.
"Oh, you're not Alfred. Sorry Matthew, you two look so much alike," Arthur said.
"Ça va," Matthew said.
"Yes, well, I'll go wake up Alfred." Arthur left the kitchen again, and Francis turned and winked at Matthew, as though sharing a private joke with him. The phone rang on the counter next to Francis and the Frenchman picked it up, cradling it between his ear and shoulder as he went back to cooking.
"Bon matin. Oh, Antoine! How are you? Ah, oui, très bon! Oh? Oui. What time? After breakfast? Oui, that should be fine. Mmhm. I'll see you soon, mon ami." Francis hung up and set the phone down. "Mathieu?" Matthew was in awe at how many things Francis could do at one time and was startled when he heard his name called.
"Oui Papa?" Francis smiled.
"Mathieu, today after breakfast two boys are coming over to play with you and Alfred, okay?" Matthew nodded, nervous at the prospect of meeting new people. Arthur walked in with Alfred half asleep in his arms as Francis set out plates of food. Alfred snapped awake as the smell of the food reached his nose and he immediately started eating.
"Alfred, slow down, you'll choke yourself," Arthur admonished. Alfred mumbled something through the food in his mouth, and Arthur rolled his eyes. Matthew smiled and started eating his own breakfast. After breakfast when Arthur was cleaning the dishes, there was a knock at the front door. Alfred gasped.
"I'll get it!" he yelled, jumping down from his chair and running for the front door. Francis followed at a slower pace. Matthew slid out of his chair and walked into the entrance hall, watching as Alfred opened the front door. "Hi! Who are you?" Alfred asked the person on the other side of the door.
"Hola niño, my name is Antonio," the Spaniard said, smiling down at him.
"I'm Alfred! I'm a hero!" Alfred proclaimed.
"Che, annoying." Alfred lowered his gaze and looked at the boys standing in front of him. The Italian twins looked back at him.
"I'm not annoying!" Alfred huffed.
"Lovi, that's not very nice," Antonio said.
"Like I care," Romano said.
"Hi! I'm Feliciano, and this is my big brother—"
"I'm Romano," the older boy cut in, before Feliciano could introduce him as Lovino to yet another person.
"Sorry I can't stay Francis, but I really have a lot of things to do today," Antonio said.
"Oh it's no trouble mon ami, they'll be fine here, oui?" Francis looked down at the twins. Feliciano nodded while Romano looked doubtful. "We'll see you later, Antoine." Antonio waved goodbye and hurried to his car. Francis ushered the twins into the house and shut the door. Francis smiled as Alfred seemed to connect with Feliciano almost immediately and the blond dragged the Italian off to play. Matthew flattened himself against the wall as Alfred stormed by. Francis smiled and walked upstairs leaving Matthew and Romano alone in the hallway. Romano crossed his arms and scowled, then he glanced at Matthew.
"Who are you?" Romano demanded. Matthew jumped. "Well? I asked you a question." Matthew stammered something in French. Romano walked over, getting right in his face and causing Matthew to attempt to blend into the wall behind him. The blond's eyes were wide, his cheeks red. "What's your name?" Romano asked again.
"C-c'est Mathieu. Je m'appelle Mathieu," the boy managed.
"I'm Romano," the Italian said, looking down at the blond.
"Romano," Matthew repeated. Romano wrinkled his nose at the sound of his name in Matthew's French accent. He paused a moment.
"Say 'Lovino'," he ordered.
"Lovino…" Matthew said. Romano nodded.
"You can call me Lovino," he said. Then Romano looked down at what Matthew was wearing.
"Che cosa indossi? Perché sei un vestito? Fatto che pervertito ti fanno fare questo? Sto dicendo Spagna su di lui!" (What are you wearing? Why are you wearing a dress? Did that pervert make you do this? I'm telling Spain on him!) Matthew flinched at the sudden onslaught of Italian and pressed himself back against the wall, closing his eyes. The yelling drew Arthur's attention, and he stepped out of the kitchen while drying his hands on a dish towel.
"What's going on out here?" he asked. Romano turned to him and pointed at Matthew.
"Why is he wearing a dress?" Romano demanded. Arthur blinked and looked at the blond boy.
"That's his nightgown. He hasn't changed into day clothes yet." Romano deflated a little and looked at Matthew, who was staring at him in fear.
"Well then where's his room so he can change?" Romano asked.
"Upstairs," Arthur answered. Romano held out his hand towards Matthew, who flinched back. Romano rolled his eyes.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Come on, let's get you out of…that," he said. Matthew hesitantly reached out and placed his hand in Romano's, and the Italian boy grasped it firmly, tugging him away from the wall. "Now come on, let's go." Matthew allowed himself to be led towards the stairs, glancing back once at Arthur, who waved him on. The two climbed the stairs and then Romano turned to Matthew. "Which one is your room?" Matthew pointed to his open door and Romano pulled him into the room, closing the door behind them. Romano let go of Matthew's hand and started going through the clothes in the dresser and closet. He muttered to himself in Italian while Matthew just stood and watched him. Romano eventually pulled out an outfit and thrust it towards Matthew.
"You can change by yourself, right?" Matthew nodded and took the clothes. "Good, so, change." Romano turned his back, blushing slightly, and listened to the rustling of fabric behind him. "So, the pervert adopted you?"
"Oui. Moi et Alfred."
"Has he done anything to you?"
"Qui?"
"The French pervert."
"Papa? Non, il est très gentil. Il m'aime." (No, he is very kind. He loves me.) Romano scoffed.
"Don't believe everything he tells you," he said.
"Q-quoi?" Matthew asked, his voice wavering.
"You're not crying, are you?"
"N-non," Matthew sniffed. Romano turned around.
"You are crying!" The blond tried to wipe away his tears. Romano sighed and walked closer, pulling the younger boy into a hug. Matthew gasped. "Look, I…I didn't mean it, okay? I'm sure the perv—Francis loves you like a good dad should. So stop crying, okay?"
"Oui," Matthew said, nodding.
"Good." Romano let go and looked down at him. He blushed a little when he realized Matthew's clothes were unbuttoned. "W-why aren't you dressed all the way?" he demanded. Matthew jumped.
J-je ne sais pas…I am…not good…with…" Matthew plucked at the buttons on his shirt, hanging his head.
"You're not good with buttons?" Romano asked. Matthew shook his head. The older boy sighed and knelt in front of him, pushing Matthew's hands away. "Here, I'll do them." He quickly buttoned up Matthew's clothes and then stood up. "There, all done. Now let's go to the kitchen, I'm hungry." Romano opened the door and led the younger downstairs to the kitchen. Romano got out two tomatoes and handed one to Matthew. The blond just stared at it for a moment before hesitantly taking a bite, as the older boy was doing. Romano watched as Matthew's face lit up in a smile. The Italian boy blushed and looked away.
A few hours later found Romano and Matthew curled up on the couch together, fast asleep. Francis smiled at the sight and quietly snapped a picture. He would show it to Antonio later.
Please forgive me for any mistakes in the Italian, it's not one of my languages. There is a poll on my profile asking what you want to see in the next chapter. Please go there and vote! I have the next three chapters planned out but not written yet. Also, if you have any requests for future chapters, go ahead and ask! They help me know what you want to see in the story.
Review please? I don't mind reviews in other languages (I've already gotten one in Spanish ^^).