Secrets Revealed

•Chapter Five•

"Francis did you realize that Alfred was extremely light?" Arthur asked seriously. "Did you notice that Alfred felt ridiculously light for his age and height when you carried him? Matthew is far heavier than he is and much closer to a normal weight than Alfred."

"Oui, perhaps there is more to the diary entries than we have been led to believe. He is unnaturally skinny, I think I felt his bones when I carried him! Our son is not okay Arthur!" Francis exclaimed. "We need to have a private conversation with Alfred tomorrow and Matthew should not be left out. I hope he does not had an eating disorder but the knot in the pit of my stomach is telling me other wise."

France and England walked back solemnly to the meeting room where everyone was waiting for them. The food had been cleared from the table and the remaining nations all had serious looks on their faces excluding Italy who looked more worried and Russia was a bit hard to decipher. France and England say down in the their chairs, everyone waiting for someone else to start the conversation.

"Germany are we bullies?" Italy blurted out. "Ve~ because I don't want to be a bully."

"Perhaps we are Italy, perhaps now is the time to reflect on our actions and see think about what we have done in regards to the young Amerika and maybe even Kanada. Does anyone have any vivid memory of Kanada?" German questioned. "I don't quite know who he is."

"Canada- san will sometimes play video games with America- kun and I if we go to his New York apartment," Japan offered. "He is usually very competitive when competing with his brother but it appears to be a friendly rivalry."

"I believe that they are very close friends with my brother Prussia who often goes over to visit them over in North America." Germany stated.

"Matvey is good seat," Russia commented. "And Amerika is very good at chess, da."

"Ve~ Mr. America is my atmosphere searching buddy and I think we stayed at Mr. Canada's house once when we were looking," Italy said subdued. "He was really nice and made us yummy pancakes."

"America owes me lots of money and the diplomatic relations between Canada and I are rapidly improving. I will admit that I do not know them personally beyond our country relations aru." China added.

"Some times America, Switzerland and I will go to a private gun range and I don't know how the fuck Canada is." Romano admitted.

"It doesn't sound like we're bullies," Italy said relieved. "But we say a lot of mean things to America in the meetings and when he asks us to come play with him we always say no. We are really mean to him. Ve~ I don't want to be mean!"

The other nations jaws dropped at how insightful Italy was being and how true that it all was. They always declined his offers to hang out with him except for Italy, Russia and Japan even when they did have time. And considering the fact that he asked each of them almost every meeting it added up to a lot of rejects. England and France felt especially guilty considering that they were supposed to be the boy's paternal figures.

"He asked me to take him to the water park last meeting," France said softly. "He needed an adult to accompany him and he asked me to go with me. I told him no and he went with one of the secret service staff. I am a horrible excuse for a father, I am neglecting my children."

Tears began streaming down Francis's face ashamed and heartbroken at all the pain that he must have put his son through. He dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief from his pocket as he tried to hold in his tears feeling ashamed that he had hurt his sons so much and done so little for their happiness and wellbeing.

"He stopped asking me to take him places a long time ago," Arthur admitted somewhat softly. "The last time he asked me was about 100 years after his revolution and he asked me come to his Independence Day celebrations. I was a bit tipsy but I can clearly remember what I told him, it was horrible what I said."