Chapter 8

In the end, it was not Feliciano who managed to convince him, but Matthew himself. After a solid hour of arguing, Feliciano finally seemed to realize that this was one argument he was not going to win, and had stormed off in a rather un-Feli-like (but typically Italian) huff. Roma had then stepped in to see what his granson's were making so much noise about, and, seeing Feliciano in tears and perilously close to giving his brother a bruise to match the former, suggested that perhaps Matthew should be the one to explain it instead.

That led them to where they were now, sitting in a café at the airport in as close to privacy as they could get. Matthew had, for once, asserted a modicum of authority over this brother and ordered him and Feli to leave them in peace. The two had wandered off, rather surprised at the soft-spoken Canadian's voice, but had complied. Matthew watched them go, then turned to Lovino.

"I really am glad you came, Lovi" he said quietly. Lovino simply huffed and crossed his arms.

"Well, my idiota of a brother was doing a terrible job of explaining, so Nonno dragged me here to hear it from you instead." Lovino tried to sound belligerent, frowning at Matthew as though annoyed.

Matthew simply looked at him softly. "Ok. Hear me out." He proceeded to relate his argument to Lovino, keeping his voice low and measured. Lovino, for his part, couldn't keep a look of disbelief from showing.

"So, let me get this straight. You want me to join the soccer club again, despite the fact that that German bastard already kicked me out once, simply because you think it will 'look good on my record?"

Matthew nodded. "Lovino, listen to me. You need to realise that the school has already done a great deal to help you." Lovino rolled his eyes and looked away, feigning boredom. "They didn't have to offer you counselling, you know. They could have simply expelled you" he said flippantly.

That got his interest. Lovino whipped his head back to face Matthew, taken aback at the ferocity of the words. Matthew smirked. "That got you listening." His face turned serious. "But seriously. I understand that you don't want the counselling. But whether you like it or not, the school has decided that this is the best thing for you. And it seems like Mr Carriedo is really nice. If I had to see a counsellor, I wouldn't mind seeing someone like him."

Was it just his imagination, or did Lovino see a faint flush on Matthew's pale face?

He continued. "Anyway. I'm not just saying this for the school's benefit, Lovi. I want you to do this as a personal favour."

Lovino frowned, confused. "What?"

Matthew took a quick glance around to make sure that the others were away, then leant in.

"I, um, haven't told anyone else this. It's, uh, the reason I'm leaving." He took a deep breath, steeling himself. His voice was almost a whisper when he spoke again, and Lovino had to lean forward to hear him.

"I got a call a couple of weeks ago. It was actually the same day you had the meeting, in fact. The call was from my father. My real father." He relayed the story to Lovino, who looked uncomfortable. After a long moment, he decided to tell the truth.

"I know" he said shortly.

Matthew's head flew up in surprise. "HOW?!" he burst out. His face fell. "Did Feli tell you? I did ask him not to, but I suppose since you're his brother.."

Lovino looked down at his hands. He frowned, shaking his head. "No, it was actually that Saturday. After the meeting finished, nonno took us out to eat as a 'celebration'. I couldn't take it, so I went outside. There was this weird guy with white hair out on a smoke break. We started talking, and it turned out he was best friends with Antonio – uh, Mr Carriedo –

(Matthew raised his eyebrows, but didn't comment on why Lovino was on first name terms with the counsellor after only one session)

and another guy. He said this guy had moved to Canada and had a kid with a girl he met there, then abandoned him when she died and gone back to France. When he said the kid was adopted by his American aunt who had a kid the same age, I thought it sounded like you, so I asked what the kid's name was and he said Matthieu. So I knew it was you." He shrugged. "It turns out the guy is your coach's brother, so there's that too."

Matthew listened to this in silence, simply blinking in surprise. Then, to Lovino's confusion, he started laughing softly.

"Wow! It's true what they say then, after all! It really is a small world we live in."

Lovino raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's what Gil said."

Matthew smiled. "Well, it's true. Anyway. The point is, I'm going to be gone for at least a month, if not longer, and I want you to take my place on the team for me."

Now it was Lovino's turn to look surprised. He had only thought that Matthew suggested he join the team as a substitute member, not actually replace him. He frowned again.

"But why me? You know I already got kicked off once. I'm not gonna be good enough to take your place" he said, his voice angrily confused.

Matthew shook his head. "You know that's not true. The problem with you before wasn't your playing, it was your inability to play with other people. But if you just give it a chance, I know you can do this. Please, Lovino. You're a brilliant player if you try, I know you are. I don't trust anyone else to take my place. But if you do, I know we can win. I'm going to miss the play-offs, maybe even the championships. Play in my place, Lovi. Please."

Lovino looked at him doubtfully, torn. He knew that with Matthew leaving, he would lose one of his few, if not only friends. He wasn't particularly close with anyone else in his classes, since his attitude and language tended to drive away most people. But more than that, he knew that the reason his behaviour had spiralled out of control was his sheer contrast with his brother. Feliciano drifted through life with a smile and a happy-go-lucky attitude that couldn't help but draw others to him. His less-than-perfect grades were made up for in his simple enthusiasm for life itself, and could generally work his way out of trouble with nothing more than a smile and his infectious laugh. He was also a natural on the pitch. Lovino knew that his playing matched his brother's, but he couldn't stand the thought that this would be just another reason to be compared to him, and, like always, would only end up being brought short.

He shook his head. "I can't do it, Mattie. I'm not good enough. Feli will win, anyway. He bragged enough at home about being a 'star player', anyway." His voice was sour.

Matthew leaned back in his chair. "Who cares?" he said, uncharacteristically sharply. Lovino looked at him, frowning in confusion. Matthew looked at him.

"We've both spent our lives being compared to our brothers. I'd give anything to have the chance to outshine Al at something, just once. But it's never going to happen. I get perfect grades while he barely scrapes a pass, and all I get is a 'Well done' from the teachers and perhaps a nod from Arthur, when he even remembers I exist." He stared at Lovino.

"You have a chance, Lovi. Take my place and show them all what an amazing player you are. Win the play-offs for us, then we'll win the trophy when I get back. If it helps with your record, so much the better. But don't do it for the school, Lovi. Do it for me. And for you. Show them that they can't keep comparing us to someone else. Please?" Matthew sounded almost desperate.

Lovino thought about it. it was true that their shared grievance over being compared was one of the main reasons they had become friends, but Lovino couldn't believe the belief that Matthew seemed to have in him. His words had certainly struck a chord in him, however.

His face twisted in thought. He bit his lip, unsure. He looked over to Matthew, who was now looking down at his hands again.

"If you really think I can do it, then I'll try. But don't think it's because of you, you jerk."

Matthew's face broke out into a grin. "Thank you, Lovi. I mean it." He looked down at his watch and laughed, a little shakily. "It's getting late. I guess we'd better go and tell the others, eh?"

Lovino tried to look annoyed. "You tell them" he muttered, halfheartedly angrily. Matthew smiled again.

"Guys! Over here!" he called unsuccessfully trying to catch their attention. "Oh, never mind. Come on, Lovi." He grabbed his suitcase and bag and walked over to where the other two were.

Feliciano and Alfred were admiring a display of what looked like incredibly expensive watches, thankfully encased in glass. They didn't appear to hear the others approach, as Alfred loudly exclaimed

"I'm so gonna get this one. Isn't it cool?"

Matthew and Lovino shared a glance. "Yes, if you ever have the sudden need to tell the phase of the moon while three meters underwater" he said.

Alfred jumped and turned around. "Jeez, Mattie! You could'a said you were here! You almost gave me a heart attack!" he whined. Matthew arched an eyebrow. "No, if you ever enter cardiac arrest it will be due to the frankly disgusting amount of hamburgers you get through on a daily basis. Anyway, Lovi and I have finished talking and I think my flight is boarding soon, so let's go."

Alfred looked vaguely hurt at his brothers' comment, muttering "but burgers are the best, Mattie", but followed him anyway.

Matthew had managed to forget his nerves while talking to Lovino, but now that his departure was drawing closer the anxiety returned in full blast. He swallowed harshly and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He looked up at the board. Just as his eyes found the details he was looking for, a robotic voice sounded over the tannot, announcing his flight was now boarding.

He gripped the handle of his suitcase tighter. The four of them walked in relative silence to the boarding lounge. He turned to the others.

"I guess this is it then." He tried to smile, not quite succeeding.

Feliciano was the first to speak. He threw himself at Matthew and hugged his tightly. "I'm gonna miss you, Mattie! Call us all the time, si? The team's gonna miss you and you're gonna miss it all and it's not fair!" A tear ran down his face when he broke away, and Lovino dragged him back roughly.

"Let him breath, you idiot. And the team's gonna be fine." He looked at Matthew, and his mouth twisted. Matthew nodded at him, his face serious. He stepped forward and hugged Lovino, who stiffened, then relaxed.

"Win for me" Matthew whispered. Lovino blinked away a tear, surprising them both by hugging Matthew just as deeply. The two broke apart.

"I really will miss you, Lovino. Tell me how it all goes, ok?" Matthew asked. He tried to smile again. Lovino frowned and looked away, a slight flush on his face. "Yeah, whatever" he muttered. "I'll miss you too, maple jerk." Matthew's mouth quirked in a smile.

The brothers stood back to allow Matthew and Alfred to say their goodbyes. "We'll, um, leave you to it. Grandpa's probably waiting for us anyway. We'll see you when you get back, ok?" Feliciano said, displaying a remarkable level of tact. Matthew smiled thinly in thanks. "Thank you. I'll let everyone know when I'm there, and I hope you'll tell me about the team. And Lovi?"

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Just, think about it, ok?" was all Matthew said. Lovino frowned, but didn't reply. The two walked off, Feliciano waving madly until Lovino grabbed his arm and spun him around forcefully.

"Lovi? What did Mattie mean just then? Think about what?" Feliciano pestered his brother. Lovino scowled. "It doesn't matter" he said. Feliciano pouted. "It does matter." His face lit up. "Did he make you agree? He did, didn't he! This is great! Now we're not gonna be down any players! We can win! Oh, coach is gonna be really glad. And Toni! Oh! We can tell Grandpa too, right? Then he can tell Toni this evening and he can sort it all out!"

Lovino tuned out his little brother's prattle, knowing it was simply an attempt to divert his mind from the sadness of Matthew leaving. Feliciano had a tendency to get emotional far too easily, and tended to chatter when he was nervous or trying to cheer himself up.

Lovino, for his part, was trying not to think of Matthew's words. Just like before, he was torn between wanting to believe in his friend and his usual disbelief that the other had meant what he said. Matthew clearly had enough faith in Lovino to think that he could do it, but what if he let him down? He already had so much to contend with his classwork and sessions with Antonio, what if he failed Matthew? Even worse, what if he did join the team, and in the unlikely event that they did win, what then? Matthew would come back in a month or so, and Lovino would presumably have to relinquish his place. Even if he was able to stay on the team, it would likely only be as a substitute, and things would go back to the same as they were before.

His mind turned it over and over. They walked out of the airport and towards the car lot, where Roma was waiting for them. He got in the car, still ignoring Feliciano's chatter, and sat lost in his thoughts as they made their way home.

Meanwhile, back at the airport, Matthew and Alfred were trying to say their own goodbyes. Matthew swallowed, suddenly aware that this was it.

Before he could say anything, Alfred lunged forward and caught his brother in a bone-crushing hug. His voice was muffled against Matthew's hair.

"I'm gonna miss you, bro."

Matthew hugged him tightly, blinking back tears. He hid his face in Alfred's shoulder, desperately trying not to cry. He couldn't entirely hide his trembling shoulders, though, making Alfred draw back in alarm.

"Mattie?! Dude, don't cry! It's only a month! And you'll be in Paris, right? With, like, the noting damn, or whatever. And the iffy tower."

Matthew couldn't help laughing, if a little shakily, at his brother's typical mangling of the words.

"Notre Dame, Al. And it's the Eiffel Tower. But I'm not actually staying in Paris. It's about an hour outside the city, apparently."

"Oh." Alfred's face fell, then brightened. "But you could visit it, right? I want to see a picture of it. Like, where you pretend to push it over, and stuff?"

"I'm sure we'll visit it at some point. Although it's usually the leaning tower of Pisa that you pretend to push." Matthew smiled.

Alfred beamed. "Oh, good. You'll bring me back one, right? Like, a little one. And, uh. Well, I don't really know what else, but something cool, ok?"

His brother smiled again. "Yes, I'll bring souvenirs. For everyone." Alfred looked at him dubiously. "Everyone? Even Dad? 'Cause he kinda doesn't like France, for some reason. No idea why, though. He's funny like that."

Matthew's mouth twisted at the mention of Arthur. Since finding out that he was not Arthur's son, even by marriage, had strained things between them slightly. Add in Arthur's irrational (although very English) dislike of the French in general, and they had made for a rather difficult parting. "I'll see." Was all he replied.

He was saved from having to say anything else by the arrival of their mother, Amelia.

Now that he knew it was there, Matthew could see the differences between them. His hair was more golden than straw-coloured, his eyes a light violet as opposed to Alfred's bright blue, and his build, although tall, was slighter, thinner. All in all, the differences were slight, but glaringly noticeable now that he was aware of it. His expression must have shown, because Amelia immediately drew him into an embrace.

"You're my son, Matthew. That man may be your father, but you will always have a home here. Remember that. I love you so much. Maddie would be so proud of you."

Matthew tightened his hold on her, again unable to hide the tears running down his cheeks.

An announcement came on over the tannoy, signalling that his flight now had ten minutes left before boarding closed. Amelia let go of him, drawing back slowly. She wiped away a tear of her own.

"Ok, darling. Have you got everything? Boarding pass, carry-on? Everything you need? Headphones, remember you can't have your data on, face mask, pressure socks, tablets'

"I'm fine, mom. Really."

Amelia stopped, smiling at her son. She had been so terrified that he would stop calling her his mother, afraid that he would see it as a betrayal after hiding it for so many years. She hugged him again, kissing his cheek as she released him.

"Ok, then. Now, remember to ring when you get there, ok? I don't care what that man says, you ring immediately. And I want regular updates. Don't let him pressure you into anything. If he does anything you don't like, you call and come home as soon as you can, alright? I wouldn't put it past him, suddenly barging into your life like this, the cheek'

"MOM, chill." Alfred interjected. He looked startled.

Amelia cut her tirade, coughing politely. "I'm so sorry, Matthew. Of course your father has a right to see you, especially at a time like this. Give my regards to your grandmother, alright? She's such a sweet woman."

Matthew nodded. "I will, mom." He looked behind him, seeing the line gradually thin behind him. "I have to go now. I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Now go, quickly, before I cry." She hugged him briefly, then turned and hid her face in Alfred's shoulder. He put his arms around her automatically.

"I'll miss you, bro."

Matthew picked his bag up and swung it onto his shoulder, then grabbed the handle of his suitcase. He turned back and smiled at his brother.

"I'll miss you too, Al. I'll call as soon as I can. Try not to let Lovi get too mad, ok? He really will be an amazing player if he only sees it." He tilted his head slightly, making his blond waves fall over his face.

"Win for me, ok bro?"

Alfred nodded, his face set. "We will. I promise."

Matthew smiled. "Good. I'll see you in a month then." He set his shoulders and walked forward to the desk. He went through the boarding process, then walked out to the shuttle corridor. He found his seat on the plane and set his suitcase on the shelf, then arranged his carry-on within easy reach.

He nodded a greeting to his fellow passenger, a tall man with dreadlocks and an easy-going expression, then sat through the usual warning safety video. Once they were up in the air, he took out his phone and put some music on, settling in for the flight. He tried not to think about the others left behind, wondering with a mixture of trepidation and excitement what the next month would bring.

Authors Note

This is the point to stop reading if you don't like CaMano (is that their ship name? I've never seen it any other way, so that's what I'm calling it).

Hope you enjoy, and please consider reviewing if you want to, it really does help. Thanks for reading!