I'm Still Here... (Sad Hetalia Fanfic)

Chapter Five

It had been a full week since Matthew ran away, and little to Matt's knowledge, Alfred was panicking. He hardly slept, and he went searching for his brother everyday, with the help of the other countries, mainly Arthur, Ludwig, Feliciano, and Kiku. Even Lovino was worried sick. Everyone was worried about his sudden disappearance, and had all put in a bit of their time into helping in anyway they could. Unfortunately, no one was able to find him, and Al was panicking more and more as every hour passed.

Where had his brother gone? Why did he leave? Where is he?! Alfred had just got back from another uneventful search, and was already heading out again. This time Al decided to try looking elsewhere, as much as he doubted Matthew could be in an alleyway, it was the only type of place he hadn't looked yet. So he had to try.

Speed walking his way around town, Alfred went as fast as he could towards the area of town where there were the most alleyways, intent on strip searching each one if he had to. When he finally got there, his heart beat increased, and with a deep breath, he walked down the first alley he saw.

Alfred spent the entire day scavenging through the alleyways for Matthew, with no luck. Yet. Being as it was getting late, Alfred reluctantly decided he would give up for the day. He thought about his brother, and closed his eyes. Heroes don't cry after all. He hesitantly started walking out of the alleyways, but just before he turned the last corner, he felt something twinge in his gut. A feeling, a feeling like something was going to happen.

And as he turned that corner, he saw something he thought he would never see again. His brother, Matthew. Alfred froze in place when he saw the sleeping form of his brother, wrapped up in a tattered blanket sitting against the wall. Al couldn't hold it in, and hugged him so fast that Matt jerked awake in shock. "Mattie! Mattie oh my god! I can't believe it's you!" Alfred cried through the tears that were now flying from his eyes.

"A-Alfred?!" Matthew said, surprised at what was happening. Al pulled back and put his hands on Matt's shoulders to look him in the eyes. Matt was shocked to see his hero of a brother crying, and he was so confused as to why. "Don't you dare run away again! You had me worried sick!" Alfred practically screamed, and Matt's eyes flew open. He was worried, about me? "You were, worried about me? I thought you wouldn't even notice I was gone..." Matt said refusing to look at his brother.

Now it was Alfred's turn to be shocked. Matthew, thought he wouldn't notice? What the fuck?! Alfred frowned and shook his brother's shoulders. "You seriously thought I wouldn't notice my own brother's absence?! What the fuck dude!" Matt whipped his head around, anger in his face and tears in his eyes. "Well you never noticed anything else did you?!" He yelled. Al gasped, he'd never heard Matt yell before. "You never payed attention when I talked to you! You always ignored me! Everyone does! No one gives a shit about me! I've always been invisible! You could never understand how that feels Alfred! Everyone likes you, the precious hero Alfred F. Jones! What could be better!? Who cares about his dumb, stupid brother?! Who cares?!" Alfred stayed silent, simply in shock hearing his brother snap like this.

"I hate it! How do think it feels?! Every time I try to talk to anyone, they always ignore me! You think I like it when Ivan sits on me every world meeting?! I bet you guys didn't even notice I wasn't there last time huh?! And you know what?! You know what caused me to snap?! YOU!" Alfred's mouth dropped open in an attempt to speak, but no words came out. "I thought you were the only one Al! The only one who would at least recognize my existence, but I found out I was wrong! How do you think it felt when my own brother didn't remember my birthday?!"

Alfred stared at his brother in astonishment. How could he have forgotten? He never did! It was too important to him...

Matthew threw his hands to his face, and sobbed. His words broke Alfred's heart, he had no idea how Matthew had felt, all this time... All this time, his beloved brother was suffering all alone...

"Mattie..." Alfred tried so hard to find the words, but couldn't. "M-Mattie I'm so sorry... I had no idea..." He grabbed his crying brother and hugged him tightly, crying slightly himself. Finally, Alfred found the words to say.

"Matthew, I'm so so sorry. I was stupid. I can't believe I did that to you, and I'm so sorry. I should've paid more attention to you, I should've noticed, I'm so sorry. I'll pay more attention from now on, I promise I'll protect you like a true hero, a true brother. I'm so so so sorry..." Matthew threw his arms around his brother, and cried.

After a few minutes, Alfred could feel Matt's head shift slightly, and his arms squeezing him tighter. "Alfred, c-can we go home now?" Matt said so quietly, it was almost a whisper. Alfred simply nodded and helped him stand up. Al walked Matt home, holding his hand the entire way.