A Game of Chess

Marseilles, France

September 30th 1950

6:08 PM

*Click

Matthew softly locked the door. They were going to be in this room for a while.

Alfred sheepishly pulled out a chair to get ready for the oncoming storm, he still didn't want to look the European duo in the eye. Never did he want to get on their bad side, he didn't want to become the next Ludwig either. He sat down, trying to look as lax as possible. The room smelled like sweet lavenders, it was actually a bit calming. For a moment, he and Matthew looked at each other. A small pleading grin cracked onto his face as the Canadian placed the keys back into his coat pocket. Matthew stared back with a serious expression on his face, shook his head, and slinked off into the kitchen.

Alfred heaved a sigh. Matthew never was a fan of taking a main role in political conversations. He didn't like getting his reputation of 'The Quiet One' tarnished. Alfred looked at him, trying to gain his attention as Matthew grabbed a small kettle and began filling it up at a sink. It was clear, he wasn't going to help him this time.

He inwardly groaned, and turned his head to the two men standing in front of him in defeat.

"So what exactly did you guys want to talk about?"

Arthur was the first to go off, he could never really control his temper. He shot up from his position, taking large steps towards the American with a finger still pointing at him. His face was already as red as a strawberry from him fuming silently in the corner.

"Why are you going to Germany's? Why didn't we know?" He asked in an accusatory tone.

Alfred rolled his eyes, only fueling Arthur's rage. "I'm going because I need to, you guys aren't the only countries in ruins."

"You still haven't answered one of my questions."

"Alright fine, listen." He said, putting a palm in front of Arthur before he could interrupt him. Matthew placed down the kettle, waiting along with others in anticipation.

"The reason I didn't tell you guys sooner is because I knew you two would act like this." He said tiredly. There's no use in trying to sugarcoat it. "There isn't anything I can do about it, the President needed me to get in contact with Ludwig so we planned a visit next month."

"But he's a half-witted *bonehead!" Arthur yelled. They flinched at the term, it was still too early to be able to throw around that word in conversations. "He shouldn't even be at these meetings, but you were the one who insisted on allowing him to come!"

Alfred winced at that. It was true, but Ludwig has been getting better over the years. But he didn't realize how angry that would've made them.

"But he's still in Europe, just like you!" He argued back.

The Englishman stumbled backwards, deeply offended to be placed in the same category with that country. "Why I never-"

"Mon cheri?" France quipped up, calmly stopping Arthur from bursting into hysterics. "Allow me to handle this situation for a moment." Arthur's cheeks flushed at the nickname. He coughed into his hand slightly embarrassed while Matthew hurriedly brought him a cup of tea which he gratefully thanked him for. Francis nodded at the two then bent down getting on one knee. He placed his hand onto Alfred's shoulder, looking at him with sympathetic eyes.

"Alfred. You're a good person, I know this because I raised you-"

"Technically, I did." Arthur corrected, taking a sip of his tea.