War's Edge

Pride to Fill an Ocean

Everything was going by too quickly. It was horribly disorienting for Arthur. Any normal person would've nearly broken down, but he had centuries of time to learn how to juggle the difficulties he faced. With a few short inhales, exhales, and some mental words of encouragement, Arthur cleared his throat to catch the attention of his unintended audience. He guided them all to his living room. His thick eyebrows knitted together in concentration for a moment, then he straightened himself out and brushed the imaginary wrinkles out of his shirt from habit, waiting for his company to settle down.

"There is a rather pressing... issue... I must make aware to you all," Arthur formally began, uncomfortably aware of all the mockery he'd receive if they didn't believe him.

His quietest brother, Dylan, gave him a thumbs-up and a grin, and his loudest brother, Allistor, visibly rolled his eyes and made a motion to hurry up, but he, too, was grinning. That made him freeze in his spot. Did they already know? Could they sense the imbalance he'd just brought into their world by letting so many 2ps in? Certainly it hadn't been that obvious...

"Well, yes... I... it is very important that... that I..." Arthur thickly swallowed. Why was he getting so nervous?

Yes yes, let me just announce that I have brought random strangers from another dimension that are connected to our mentality. Why are they here? Oh, well they're here for bloody tea and crumpets. No, of course I don't sound like a madman!

"It's okay," Matthew smoothly murmured, "I don't think anyone here has a problem. It isn't an issue."

Arthur, flabbergasted, was unable to speak for a moment. Sure, the sentence was a bit oddly worded, but how had Matthew sensed their presence, too?

"You already knew?" Arthur incredulously asked.

At that, his brothers began to laugh. Even Dylan chuckled!

"Angleterre, it is very obvious," Francis added, winking at him.

Wait. Why the bloody hell did he wink? How did Francis even sense their presence? The frog didn't even believe in magic!

"And what makes it so bloody obvious?" Arthur pointedly asked, now not too sure they were all talking about the same thing.

Before Francis could even make a smug comment, Matthew rather boldly answered, "I saw you kiss Papa when I was still a small colony."

Immediately, Arthur's face went white as a sheet, then redder and redder. Did they think he was—? Embarrassment shifted into horror and anger at the pure mockery he knew he'd receive, but not for this. Allistor continued to cackle, elbowing Seamus and Dillon as if he'd watched the funniest scene. Matthew, his sweet Matthew, chuckled at him? What was so funny about this horror show?

Before he could finish his thoughts, Francis was already on his feet with an arm around Arthur's shoulder.

"Lighten up, Angleterre! It is obvious, non? There is nozhing to fear—"

Arthur jerked out of his hold.

"Get out of my house. Get out," Arthur spat between clenched teeth, his eyebrows narrowed into the purest look of anger he'd shown in ages.

Francis didn't seem to get the message and tried to swoop in for a hug, but he was quite passionately pushed back with a force that nearly made him stumble to the ground.

"All of you. I want you all out of my house now."

And, for once, he got his wishes, but not without the usual stubbornness. Allistor called him 'over dramatic' under his breath, ruffled his hair in a familiar way that made Arthur want to punch him, and then he left. His brothers left, still giggling and murmuring to each other like old wives in gossip groups. Francis had left without Arthur noticing, which was admittedly odd, but he couldn't be bothered with that. He was far too overwhelmed with embarrassment, hatred, hurt, and worry.

"Don't you love him, too?" Matthew quietly asked, and Arthur realized he was still there.

Matthew felt odd today, seemingly stronger, and his persistent eye contact made Arthur feel antsy. Some brief, familiar scene flashed before his eyes. Matthew looked too similar to Alfred, especially those moments when he stood alone, standing up to his full height. It was times like these when Arthur was reminded that both Matthew and Alfred were the same height, with Matthew being the older one.

"I'm not a sex-hungry fool like him. I abide by the Queen. I don't need, nor do I want, whatever he thinks he has," Arthur snapped, thick, stubborn pride overflowing in his very soul.

Some strange look crossed Matthew's face, and rather than the emotional response Arthur expected, Matthew raised an eyebrow and gave him an irritating 'are you sure?' look. Since when had he been so... so horribly... defiant?

"Get out of my house. I feel no such way for that lecherous frog," Arthur repeated, gathering the courage to stare back into Matthew's purple eyes.

"I don't feel like it."

For the second time, Matthew had surprised him. This was unlike him, yet grossly similar to Alfred. The only difference was the firm scowl upon Matthew's face compared to Alfred's overly sweet, defiant grin. Arthur couldn't fathom what had gotten a hold of the Canadian, except... he did.

Right. The 2ps.

"I am not queer like Francis. End of discussion," Arthur harshly replied, adding before Matthew could reply, "Now, the real issue that I've wanted to discuss."

At this, Matthew's mounting frustration visibly lowered until he expectantly stared back with a blank look. Arthur made a motion to follow him, and together they walked back down the hall. Nervousness crept up his spine and sat in his throat, making it hard for him to speak. Having nothing planned to say, anyway, he unceremoniously opened the basement door and gestured for Matthew to look into its shadows. Oliver reaches out and flicked the light on, giving Matthew a sweet look and a quick peck on the cheek.

"Oh, well look at you! You remind me of Matt when he was just a little nation! Why, do you even curse? You sweet little thing!" Oliver insistently cooed.

Matthew glanced back at Arthur while Oliver pinched his cheek.

"Well, uh, yes... I can explain."