It was cold.

The temperature was icy though Arthur could feel nothing but such and a sensation of agony running through him from his abdominal.

The pitiless ocean water swirled past his lips, filling his lungs with a solid force as he searched desperately for air. His emerald eyes burned as the salt plunged itself onto the green orbs, though his tears were evaporated against the shadowy water hindering his sight of anything as it filled with his blood.

"Arthur!"

Though he couldn't hear it, having collapsed rearward into the bitter ocean, cutting off his senses as the pain and shock disabled him as he swiftly floated further away from surface.

"Arthur!"

The Prussian gave a harsh push, making the Frenchman locking fists with him stumble backwards before he started running where he could see blood soil the water.

He stood at the edge of the wood, searching for any sign of movement from the Brit still below.

Alfred gasped, dropping the pistol from his trembling hands as he charged forward, falling to his knees. He ignored the stinging that came with the rough impact and instantly wrapped his long arms around his younger brother who was shivering without a word on the planks. The only sound coming from the other was whimpers and the sound of his quivering body shaking on the wooden docks.

Alfred whispered softly into the Canadian's hair, kissing his head and face over and over while still running his lengthy fingers through the dirty blonde locks. He rocked the boy back and forth like a child, and he did nothing but lean into his older, American brother, closing his eyes and trying to get his sharp breathing back under control.

"Alfred!" Matthew gasped, still shivering in his brother's arms. Tears started to pour down his bloody cheeks. "What did you do to Arthur!"

There was no answer.

Matthew opened his violet eyes again, moving his head so he could see Alfred crying himself. But his sobs were muted and even more painful with regret and longing for his lost love.

"Alfred…"

"Matthieu!" The Frenchman cried, dodging past the blonde German that was preoccupied with Antonio.

"Oh! Mon Matthieu!" The long haired blonde grabbed both sides of the Canadian's face, planting kisses more frantic than Alfred's on his face and lips, crying his name as he did softly. "You are alright. My precious Matthieu. My precious, precious, wonderful, beautiful…"

"Captain…" The Canadian spoke back, letting the Frenchman pull him into his arms, his limp form being drawn from his silent brother. "Captain, I missed you too." Matthew let himself he showered in his overruling's affection, but eventually looked back at Alfred.

The American still hadn't moved. Spain and Romano were still dealing with Ludwig, Prussia was still yelling for Arthur, and Feliciano was crying behind a nearby pole to try and hide himself.

Francis noticed the saddened stares Matthew gave his older brother, but kept petting his long hair.

"Alfred," The thick, French accent spoke softly, watching the motionless form. "You saved Matthieu. You saved your baby brother."

Again, he gave no answer. Only more silent sobs came.

"Alfred, thank you. You did good, you are a hero and-"

"I'm not a hero." But still he did not move.

"Alfre-"

"I'm not a hero! I killed Arthur! I killed my lover!" The teen cried, letting out a howl of pain. "I just panicked! I couldn't stop myself! I was afraid he was going to hurt you again, Mattie! I panicked! I panicked and I killed Arthur!" Again Alfred began sobbing, but this time it was loud and messy. Tears, mucus and sweat all mixed together on the planks of the dock under his arched body and he couldn't stop it from coming.

"Alfred!" Matthew cried, the sudden, loud exclamation burning his beaten throat but still he hobbled messily over to his brother once more. "Alfred! Please, don't cry so!"

There was no reply, only echoes of "I killed him! I killed him!" And vulgar weeps.

"You did, you worthless American! You shot Arthur!" Gilbert shouted abruptly, throwing his arms in the air and spinning around. Tears purged the ends of his red eyes but they did not stain his pale cheeks. "Now the very ocean he once ruled laughs as it carries his spilt blood out into its depths to charm foul sharks!" He screeched, making everyone stop and stare.

"Your insolence! You're disobeying!" He shrieked out. "Your gun! His blood is on your hands! And you shall pay for it!"

"No! Alfred, move!" Matthew screamed, but the Frenchman quickly drug him away from Alfred towards safety. "Move!"

"You will pay!" The Prussian yelled, cocking the pistol he pulled from his captain's jacket.

Alfred simply stared at him quietly, still tears falling over his fallen love on his knees, making no move to escape.

"I'm sorry, my former amigo, but you can't hurt Alfred!" Spain announced, quickly grabbing the albino from behind.

"Wha-!"

The shot fired, missing the American on the ground but flying up and hitting the pole Feliciano was hiding behind, making him shriek and run towards his still burnt, older brother.

"Fratello!" He wrapped his weak arms around his brother who had limped over to join the Frenchman still holding back his young Canadian.

"Feli!" He cried in return, hugging his brother back, starting to cry himself with the happiness of having his baby brother back okay.

Ludwig had jogged over to help his own brother with the Spaniard clinging to his back, holding his arms back from doing any damage.

"Alfred! What are you-" Matthew screamed, watching his brother stand up, his arms flopping around like a doll's lifeless form. He trudged slowly towards the edge of the dock where Arthur had fallen backwards into the water after he'd shot him, staring at it with hurt and guilt.

"But I deserve this, Mattie…I deserve this…"

"Don't! Please, big brother!"

Splash!

Matthew gasped, twisting in his Captain's iron grip. "Alfred! Alfred please, come back up! Please!" He called, the Italians and Frenchman silent as they watched the empty space where the American had stood before letting himself fall into the dark ocean water. The three busy wrestling slowed down, but still fought, taking glances every now and then at the vacant space themselves while the boy's younger sibling yelled for him to come back still.

Suddenly, a laugh was heard. A sadistic sound full of heartless and mocking burst. The Albino's grin was spread wider than ever, though the tears flicked away from his eyes, he kept laughing as the younger twin started to ball.

"Why so sad now, my lovely Mattie?" He mused, pushing the Spaniard away, watching the blonde grab him before he could go after him again. "He was just doing what he knew he deserved. He was only going so he could be forever with his murdered lover!"