Chapter Text
~Matthew~
It had been almost a solid week since Matthew had woken up at the albino's residence. None of the parties involved were too happy about the outcome of Matthew's visit, in fact there was a meeting later about how they were to settle their debts. Although Matthew already had a sinking suspicion on what the other criminals wanted.
But before he could even close shop for the day a letter arrived, the messenger just as annoying as last time.
"So, Mattie-bro, when am I coming over for pancakes?"
"You can make your own pancakes."
"Yeah, but yours give me that feeling of happiness inside and something else, I can't quite name it..."
"Laziness?" He suggested, half paying attention.
"No, not that."
"Obesity? Greed?" Matthew sighed out, his eyes downcast at the letter in his hand.
"Hey, that was mean." He said sticking his tongue out playfully. "But no, it feels like home." Alfred said with a nod, making Matthew feel like a horrible human being. He looked up and met his brother's eyes, concern shinning through his layer of sunshine and smiles.
"How about this weekend? Please, call me this time before you barge into my house. Again." The taller male said, slowly inching towards the door, towards freedom.
"Sure thing, try not to get stabbed this time though." The American said with a loud laugh and a strong jab to Matthew's side. The Canadian only grunted in either pain or response, neither knew.
"See you around Mattie Moose."
"Take care, Alfred Freedom Jones." Matthew responded, mock saluting the other male. They both left through the front entrance, Matthew staying behind to lock the doors to his little piece of heaven. He walked in a daze to his car and drove home. His mind was full of raging thoughts about what would happen, about Arthur, about Gilbert. Ah yes, the Prussian managed to find his way into Matthew's thoughts in the weirdest of times.
Though Matthew won't deny that the thoughts of Gilbert were far more pleasant than the other ones that had his blood pressure spiking. Before he knew it Matthew was unlocking his door and throwing his sweater on a coat-rack. Kuma came waddling up next to him and stared up at the Canadian with a look that Matthew had seen everyday since he found Kuma in the woods.
Who are you? he always asked making the Canadian's mood worsen. He let out a sigh and didn't bother answering, it's not like the bear was going to learn anyway. Matthew found his way to his bed and sat with his head between his hands, breathing, just breathing, it was the only thing he could do. One breath in, another out. It was therapeutic and helped calmed hi nerves.
There was a pawing noise from the other side of his door as Kuma nosed it open and walked inside. In between his teeth held the letter Matthew was given previously. The breathing exercises almost worked, he almost forgot about it. He sighed, it seemed he was doing that a lot lately, and padded over to where Kuma had stopped. Matthew bent down and reached for the letter, his other hand rubbing circles into the bear's soft fur.
"Thank you Kuma, I almost forgot. What would I do without you?" The man said as the bear dropped the letter into his awaiting palm. Once Matthew was done petting him, the bear turned around and left Matthew to read the letter. The man rose to his feet and sat back onto his bed. His hands were shaky as he opened the envelope. He stared at the paper inside for what felt like hours, just staring not reading. It's now or never his brain supplied Better to get it over with.
Matthew unfolded the paper and read:
Matthew,
It has come to my attention that you are indebted to one of the members of Germania, Ludwig Beilshmidt, as he saved your life. Now I am not too happy with the circumstances, but I am glad you are alright. I'm going to cut right to the chase-- they want something from us. What it is, they will not tell me, but they want to speak to you-- soon. I told them that you will meet with them tomorrow at one of my warehouses, the address is attached. You should be there by half past noon, as they are scheduled to arrive at 1 pm. The reason I want you there early is so that we can talk about your mistake, it won't take too long. I'll be seeing you soon,
Arthur
Matthew's heart stopped along with his breathing and other functions he needed to stay alive. To say that he was scared was an understatement, he was more terrified beyond possible belief. Arthur wanted to speak to him-- in person. The thought alone sent warning bells throughout Matthew's mind, he could feel the beginnings of a headache forming. He was frozen to the spot, unable to think, breathe or move. It was only his cell-phone ringing that brought him out of his breakdown.
Matthew gasped for breath and tried to calm his beating heart. His phone was still going off and the Canadian didn't have any desire to answer it. He was more concerned with the thoughts rampaging around his skull, not even the albino could save him from these ones. He was spiraling, not knowing which way was up. The letter only bringing horrible scenarios to mind and engulfing him in fear.
A small sting brought the thoughts to a halt, yes, he was still afraid, but the terrible noise stopped. His hand stung again, he felt liquid running through his fingers, grounding him back to earth. His vision cleared and he looked down. It had seemed his bear was the culprit, his hand bleeding from where he was scratched.
"You saved me again, how do you always know when I need you?" The man said, his breathing had returned to normal now and his headache was reduced to a dull throb at the base of his skull. He smiled down at his friend and nodded his thanks. The bear seemed to get the message and scampered off to wherever he normally goes to when he's not asking for food.
The cut on Matthew's hand had stopped bleeding and he took his time cleaning and dressing it. He decided that he would deal with everything tomorrow and that he was too tired for all of this. So, the Canadian decided to make a small dinner for himself and his bear-- making sure to give Kuma extra for his good behaviour and conked out for the day. Temporarily forgetting about Arthur, the meeting and his cell-phone.
~Time Skip~
Matthew exited his car at the meeting place, his heart hammering in his chest. From the outside, it looked like an abandoned building-- most of their business places did. The only thing that seemed off was the guards placed all over the perimeter. They eyed Matthew with minimal interest, whether they actually noticed him or just recognized him was debatable.
As he wandered inside, Matthew took the familiar path to Arthur's personal study; the winding corridors doing nothing to ease his heart rate. It was rare for Matthew to experience nerves, let alone fear. Years on the job taught him to feel nothing, to cloud his mind with numbness, that's how you stay sane in this line of work. The thought wedged its way through Matthew's mind, making the Canadian sigh.
He was almost to his destination.
The door loomed ahead, and Matthew stopped a few paces away. Behind that door Arthur waited, behind that door Matthew would either face the man who raised him or the man who taught him to be a killer; the man who took slip-ups like Matthew's, as no laughing matter.
Wasting time thinking about his fate would only dig his grave deeper, so Matthew covered the last few feet to the door and knocked.
A muffled 'come in' sounded and Matthew opened the door, taking one last deep breath before walking inside. The study was nothing fancy; a large bookcase lined the wall behind a glass desk, the desk which Arthur Kirkland now stood in front of, leaning on the clear glass. His sharp emerald gaze locked onto Matthew's violet and the Englishman moved closer a grin splitting his features.
"Wonderful of you to make it, poppet," The man said, clapping Matthew on the arm. The contact was as close to affection as the boy would ever receive. Matthew only nodded, breaking eye contact with his guardian and stepped further into the study. He trained his eyes on the spine of a book that was behind where Arthur stood. The Brit sighed and shook his head,
"Down to business then. As you know the Germans will be arriving shortly, they want to discuss your life debt to Ludwig. Speaking of the life debt, your mission was supposed to be quick and easy. I'm glad you're safe but you've cost me dearly. I am hesitant to give you any other missions to avoid the same embarrassment, but that would do neither of us any good," another sigh, "you will be punished, but I want to see what they want from us first. That will be the deciding factor of your punishment," Matthew's shoulders sagged and he nodded, still not speaking. He wasn't expecting a lecture, especially not one so caring. Matthew was surprised to say the least, but he schooled his features into an emotionless stare. The only tell that the Canadian was listening was the rapid beat of his heart.
Arthur opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by the door slamming open. Someone burst into the study, earning a disapproving glare from Arthur. But before the Brit could speak the person relayed the news that had him running for the private study.
The Germans had arrived.