Chapter 2: Dinner Discussions
Matthew led Arthur to a nice looking restaurant where they got a table easily. The Canadian liked this restaurant a lot knowing that it served pancakes with maples syrup on a lunch time unlike most normal food joints. Arthur ordered a small portion of fish and chips with a cup of tea, not really hungry as the thoughts about finding out what Antonio wanted constricted his mind.
"S-So… Get any good notes from the first part of the meeting?" Matthew braved the silence and asked the first question since they'd sat down. Arthur, sat opposite him, gently shook his head and looked across at the younger man.
"Not really… not in the right frame of mind today I guess"
"You miss my brother too" Matthew's eyes were big and innocent as he stated it rather than questioned it. Arthur scowled at the Canadian who smiled shyly. "I saw you looking at his seat throughout the meeting"
"How are you coping?" Arthur changed the subject of his own feelings and turned the cards onto Matthew.
"I miss him more than I thought I would, I know were brothers and all but he's my best friend as well without him here it's just…"
"Quiet?" Arthur finished as Matthew nodded slowly. Their food arrived and they ate it in silence at first before Arthur spoke up again. "Do you know where he could have gone?" Arthur asked as he took a bite of his fish and chips which he had to admit were rather nice but definitely not as good as his home made ones. Matthew shook his head as he swallowed his bite of pancake and syrup.
"I wish I do just so I could contact him, I wish he'd grown some balls and tell me where he is. I'm his brother for god's sake! I have a right to know!" Matthew's voice rose a little to a small shout leaving Arthur in a small state of shock that the shy Canadian had actually shown some anger. Matthew picked up on his face instantly and lowered his head as if ashamed.
"Sorry…"
"There's no need to apologise, you're right. You have every single right to know his location, you are his only family member" Arthur smiled timidly as he finished his food at the same time as the Canadian opposite him.
"At least someone understands… not many people see me and so I don't really get to voice my feelings or discuss topics like this" Matthew admitted shyly as Arthur nodded and asked for the bill as their plates were taken away.
"If you ever need to chat I'm always here… I'm also worried about Alfred too…" Arthur sighed as he looked at his hands in his lap. Matthew smiled although the Brit didn't see him.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one worried about him… at least someone shared my feelings for my brother" Matthew smirked before he left his money on the table and left before Arthur could ask him to elaborate on what he meant by that statement with that smirk. The Brit remained sat there speechless for a moment before realising that it was time to head back. He collected Matthew's money, counting it before he paid the rest of it.
"At least the man's a gentleman and pays for himself" Arthur muttered knowing that if it had been Alfred, Arthur would have being paying for both if the other had escaped. Once he'd paid and thanked the waitress for the meal he exited and made his way back towards the meeting room when he saw Antonio walking down the street opposite him. The Brit eyed the man carefully noticing the wary look on the others face as he turned and walked into the building the meeting was being held in. Arthur glared to himself before following and retaking his seat in the meeting room. He only managed to get one look at the Spaniard getting out his correct items before the meeting started up again at full swing.