For Mattie

Chapter Five

×Chapter Five×
×A Brother's Mistake×

Matthew woke up, wounds aching as he tried sitting up. Glancing to his right, he smiled at the sight of a peaceful Ludwig. A knock on the door startled him.

"Mattie...are you awake?" A frown replaced the smile on Matthew's face as his flinched at the care in the voice. But he could never be mad at his brother. Maybe Alfred genuinely did care.

"Hold on, Al" Matthew responded quietly, but Alfred must've heard because he got an small 'okay'. When he were to swing his legs to the edge of the bed, a pair of muscular arms stopped him and a groggily voice spoke tiredly.

"Mattie? Vat are you doing?" Ludwig whispered, removing his arms from the slightly younger teen's waist. Matthew was quick to silence him, gesturing to his door. Understanding right away, Ludwig nodded and quickly made his way to Matthew's closet, shivering. Why was it so cold? Oh shit...

Before Ludwig can get his shirt back from Matthew, who was still wearing it, said boy opened the door to talk to his brother. Biting back a groan, Ludwig sat down, hoping this wouldn't take long.

"What's wrong, Alfie?" Matthew questioned, looking up at his brother with concern. Alfred felt sick to his stomach and it wasn't because of the visible marks decorating Mattie's pale skim. No, it was because Mattie, his dear little brother, was concerned for him. He realized his wrongdoings and cried in his room for 3 hours before getting the balls to finally go to Matthew. To help his brother. If the younger let's him in, of course.

"I'm sorry, Mattie. I...I'm a horrible brother" Alfred couldn't hold back the tears. They weren't for himself. He couldn't hold back the dam. Seeing how abused his baby brother's skin was. Battered, used, marked. He wanted to throw up, the churning in his stomach taunting him. Being the sweet and motherly person he is, Matthew brought Alfeed into a comforting hug, missing the comforting warmth that belonged to his brother. The same cologne and hair soap scent.

"I forgave you long ago, Alfred. You're my brother. You have a life that you must live. You can't always care about me" Matthew whispered, eyes stinging but he shrugged off his emotions. Alfred was more important right now, he scolded himself.

"Go to bed and tomorrow we can talk more, eh?" Matthew says softly, pulling away. Alfred nodded and waved goodbye, turning around. Hearing the creak of the door being closed, Ludwig stepped out. While that was happening, Alfred wanted to tell his brother one more thing. The two locked eyes. Matthew's widened.

"Who the fuck is this?!" Alfred yelled, charging towards the concerned and still shirtless Ludwig. The German teen held up his hands, ready to defend himself against the American teenager.

"Wait, Al! He's just a-" Matthew froze, watching in fear as Alfred punched Ludwig, who flew back into the wall, almost crashing through the window.

"Al please!" Matthew stormed over, anger pulsing through his veins. He can be the punching bag but not his friends. Before he can react though, Alfred turned around and slapped him. Alfred hit him. Both brothers froze in shock and regret. Two sets of running feet was the only backgroumd noise before Arthur and Francis showed up, eyes widening at the scene in feont of them.

"Oh my god...Mattie I'm so-" "save it Alfred!" The younger in the room yelled, surprisng everyone. More sets of feet were heard and Arthur was shoved away, revealing the three best friends of Matthew. Gilbert noticed the red hand print forming on his Birdie's cheek and Alfred's hand still raised.