A/N at Bottom

1759

"Retreat!" Francis screamed as thousands of British soldiers attacked. The French didn't stand a chance. Blood had splattered Francis' shirt, mud caked his shoes, and bodies coated the ground of Quebec, a city that Matthieu loved so much and now belonged to that god damned Brit. This was Francis' nightmare, and he had the pleasure of watching it come true. He ran like the devil was lunging for his heels, and the entirety of his army was close behind him. Francis hated to run away, especially at a time like this, but to attempt to ward off the impounding British soldiers would be a definite suicide. Quebec had fallen.

It wasn't surprising that Francis found himself in a bar, drowning his sorrows in cheap alcohol. His two best friends, who also happened to love alcohol, sat on either side of him.

"Jesus Francis, what's wrong with you?" Gilbert chugged his pint of beer.

"I lost Quebec." Francis slumped on top of the counter.

"Aw Francis, cheer up!" Antonio smiled, his signature twinkle in his eye. "You'll get him next time Francis!"

"It's just... thinking about him makes me... furious. I have never hated someone so god damn much." Francis pounded his fist on the bar top. Gilbert and Antonio shared a glance. Francis was bound to explode when discussing this topic, so Gilbert quickly changed it.

"So... did you tell Matthieu?" Antonio swiftly kicked him under the table. He braced himself for Francis to scream, or cry, or walk out, but he just sighed.

"I'm sure he knows. He's definitely going to be on my case about it later. I... hate seeing him so sad. Who knows... maybe I'll have to say goodbye to him."

"Don't say that! Francis, what is wrong with you? You know that wont happen!" Gilbert couldn't believe what was hearing. Antonio tried to cheer him up, but he honestly couldn't do much.

"Aww... Don't be sad! It'll work out, I'm sure!"

Ludwig honestly didn't mean to listen in. He went looking for Gilbert, then he heard shouting, and he knew it was rude, and he swears he'd never do it again, but what matters is that he did it. And he did not like what he heard. He didn't cry. Ludwig rarely cried. Gilbert raised him to be tougher than that. So he kept his mouth shut and pressed his ear against the door.

"Well, I need to go deal with Matthieu now." Ludwig heard a chair scrape against the floor, and then he heard footsteps walking in his direction, and by then he knew it was too late to do anything. He couldn't lie and he couldn't run away.

"Okay, good luck Francis." Gilbert called out. Francis opened the door and caught the piercing eyes of the German on the other side of the doorframe. Now, he would never admit it, but Ludwig made him extremely uncomfortable. Maybe it was the way he looked at him, like Francis was guilty of something, but luckily Gilbert rescued him from having to answer any questions.

"Ludwig, what are you doing here? Were you listening?"

"Oh god, Ludwig, please don't say anything. Matthieu is incredibly unstable right now, don't tell him he might have to leave!" Francis would be damned if he let Ludwig tell Matthieu instead of himself.

"Matthieu... has to leave?" Ludwig just wanted to hear it one more time.

"...no. I mean... just... don't say anything, okay Ludwig?" Antonio flashed him a signature smile. "Please?"

"...Fine."

"That's it? Just... fine?"

"Do you want me to change my mind?" Ludwig wouldn't meddle in other peoples affairs like this, even if Matthieu was his friend. He'd rather have him hear the absolute truth from Francis than a rumor from Ludwig.

"No! I mean... thank you."

"Francis... you better fix this." Ludwig turned on his heel and walked out.

"I'll be there in one second!" Gilbert called after him. "Well, good luck Francis. I'm sure you can do this!"

"Yeah," Antonio turned to walk out after Gilbert. "I'm totally confident in you!"

Francis never lacked in his ability to believe himself, but the assets just weren't there. He sat down at the bar for another drink.

Well played, Angleterre...

A/N

And that's the chapter! As always, criticism is always appreciated! Next chapter next Friday!