Still trying to find a way to update quicker... hehe! It's Canada's turn with another short update. Important friendships are being born here and I kind of got some characters involved that weren't in the first plans. But I guess this is how it goes when you update as you go and go as you write. Hey, it's only a fan fiction, not a NYT best seller! xD
Enjoy!
Matthew took a deep breath.
Looking down at his lunch he couldn't help but to feel his stomach grumble with fear of being poisoned. Whatever the cafeteria had for lunch had possibly been lunch a week ago, he thought as he pushed his tray to the side and let his head bang on the table in front of him.
The week had been a long one. Ever since he had accidentally barged into his brother – Alfred or America –'s room things had been even more awkward for him. People looked at him funny (though it wasn't the usual "who are you and why are you here?" look) and others even turned around in the hallways at the sight of him. It was as though he had gotten the plague or an even deadlier virus from walking into America's office, and Matthew simply could not understand what was happening.
"Mon ami! You seem to be depress?"
Matthew looked up to find France and Seychelles taking seats next to him. No one had ever come and sit with him before, so why now? And why weren't they scared of him like everyone else was?
"It's… it's nothing," Matthew stuttered.
France raised his hand in the air. "Now now, don't be a fool. I know how everybody looks at you like you've just walk out of ze sewage système but I come to think that you are not even aware of the reason why – le pourquoi – of this reaction from everybody."
Canada couldn't help but to frown at the words of the Frenchman. Not because he barely could understand through the random added French words (even if he knew some French) but because the man was trying to be… so friendly with him.
The Frenchman kept going as though he hadn't seen Matthew's confused look. "You see, while I could resume everything with the fact that America is simply a douche bag, there's more than meets the eye about him."
This time France turned his eyes on Matthew, as though he was waiting for him to reply, but Matthew simply listened.
"It is said that America is England's boy, and they haven't been talking to each other much since the little one decided to go on his own. Ah, les adolescents! But before that England attempted his best to bring out the so called best in America; he tried turning him into a world force, a little like when he was one of the most powerful kingdoms on the world."
Matthew admitted to himself that it was weird to have a history lesson about his own family, but since he didn't know about it to being with – since Father only came to visit to make sure he was still an obedient little soldier – he decided to keep listening to the blonde hair man.
"Truth is, we believe that England wanted his force stronger all across the world, but it didn't work out that way."
"How so?" came out of Matthew's mouth without even thinking.
That question seemed to make France smirk. "Because America is a douche and managed to get his independence, England had to back away. This made Little America powerful in its own way: he had defeated one of the major strengths in the world. America only sought power after this and, well, he became feared by everyone."
That made sense, Matthew guessed. Nothing seemed to explain though how America had forgotten about him though, but listening to France's story made him realize that it was possible that only Britain and himself knew about his relationship with Alfred.
While France took a sip of his wine Matthew carefully looked at the lady that was sitting in front of them. Seychelles hadn't spoken a word since they had come to sit with him, and for some reason he felt as though she was scared to talk about America. She had spent most of her time looking down at her meal – some sort of a salad with fruits and almonds – but she hadn't taken a single bite.
"Are you okay, Miss Seychelles?" Matthew couldn't help himself but to ask after a moment.
The woman blushed, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. She was hiding something from her friend Matthew concluded.
"Do not worry about her," France spoke as he replaced his wine glass on his tray and picked up a piece of baguette bread before spreading some sort of a cheese on it. "Seychelles is America's secrétaire so it bugs her that I speak of her boss the way I do."
In a quick but soft move Matthew brought his hands to Seychelles and took them in his. She gasped at the touch and Matthew felt that she wanted to pull back and possibly even run away from his – just like the others kept doing.
But he held her there. "Mister France is a good man. I'm pretty sure that no matter what it is that is going on that he can protect you from it."
When the tears finally ran down on her cheeks Seychelles smiled back. "Merci, Canada."
Realizing that he had just made two good friends, Matthew smiled. "No: thank you Miss Seychelles."
xXx
Matthew had spent the remainder of that day trying to find out more info on his brother and what he had accomplished after the so-called War of Independence, and he had only managed to find dark and cruel things. Secret assassinations and genocides and more wars had been going on and on throughout the years, and it scared Matthew to no end knowing what the guy was actually capable of.
But he knew that there was no way that he could get information from books and newspapers, so the only thing left to do had been to go visit their father for the truth. Before closing his office door behind him Matthew made sure to look at Kumajirou one last time. They might have been separated at a very young age but Matthew still remembered the day he had received the bear; the day he had been ordered to begin a live without his twin brother.
Walking up the stairs he heard a sudden shout. Everyone in the hallway stopped in their movements, along with Matthew who immediately recognize whose voice was shouting and scaring everyone in the building.
"… Now speak or else this time I won't stop myself from killing you like I did back then!"
Ah crap! Was he too late?
"STOP!"
Matthew tried to catch his breath as he finally got to the last step. When he saw that Alfred had his gun at the ready, aiming towards Britain all that he could instinctively think of was to raise his own gun, the one he had been assigned to and yet had never dared to touch.
"Don't… do it…" He tried as he felt his brother, father and everyone in the surrounding's stare on him. He grabbed the gun with both of his hands, fearing that the machine would go off if he would try to hold it with only one hand like his brother was doing. But the gun felt awkward and heavy in his hands, and he wanted to get rid of it as fast as he could.
Matthew didn't dare to move as he saw Alfred moving his head to look at him, the gun still pointing at their father.
"Who the fuck are you?" He cried.
"My name is Matthew," the Canadian replied softly. He felt his heart skip inside his chest as he thought that perhaps raising his tone might trigger Alfred's index finger to squeeze in. "Don't you remember me?"
It took some time for Alfred to think, and all of the sudden Matthew saw that his brother had somewhat realized something dark.
Matthew froze in fear as he saw that Alfred didn't bring his gun down while he looked back at their father. "You told me Matthew was dead."
What? Matthew processed the words inside his brain. Surely this hadn't been the reason why his dad had order him to never talk to America?
"Why… I've never said such a thing!"
"No, no, no! This can't be real! This can't be happening! Had father really wanted them to be that much different?"
Matthew felt his body shaking under the pressure of not knowing what to do. In a flash that brought him back to reality he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he could open his eyes he saw that his brother was by his side, his gun down. Feeling a little relieved Matthew brought his down also, but his hands still firmly gripping the metal.
"I don't know what your plans are, father, but you can't keep us separated any longer. I suggest you leave us alone before I get your land burnt down to a crisp. You know I can do it so don't you dare try me."
Matthew felt his father's eyes on him. What could he possibly do? Sure his brother thought of him dead and everyone feared him to no end, but after all it had been their father who had betrayed them, both.
"Canada – Matthew!" Britain began. "Don't listen to him! I've never said such things!"
There was only one thing Matthew could do in this moment. Looking at the floor the fought off some tears before he got what he wanted to say out.
"I'm so sorry, but I believe this is the right thing to do."
Turning into Alfred's arm the brothers turned around and both headed downstairs, under their father and everyone else's stare.
"We both have a lot of catching up to do," Matthew thought as he wiped away any sign of tears from his eyes.
First off I think I'm being a meanie to Britain/England. Though he sure lies a lot (or does he?) Next up: Canada and America catch up and part 2 of the Aku No Maple song begins! How will America's catching up with his brother will affect Canada? ;) Stay tuned!