Matthew pov
I lied motionless on the bed my breathing was short and shallow, I was unable to move, a blanket was draped over my bare body. "I'm a bit ashamed you didn't last long..oh well I better leave, I'm sorry for everything." Cuba sighed as he buttoned up his shirt, I felt numb once again unable to feel anything although just a while I felt complete pain, Cuba was rough and didn't care about how I felt.

My eyes drooped tiredly, I was exhausted from the pain. "You'll need lots of rest, shock can have different effects on people...that is why I had to do this. To see how America would deal with his shock.." Cuba walked over to me and softly stroked my hair. "I did not want to hurt you, I hope you find your voice soon." He sighed and left the room leaving me struggling to catch my breath.

I couldn't slip into unconsciousness no matter how hard I tried, how tired I was, I couldn't find sleep. Bruises were covering my whole body from head to toe, I wanted Alfred I wanted my papa I just wanted someone to be here with me. Kuma later arrived almost as if he heard my silent plead, he crawled into my arms and quietly whimpered as he nudged his head under my chin. "...I-I'm okay.." My voice was weak and raspy.

My hand trembled violently as I stroked his soft white fur, I suddenly felt comfortable and safe once Kuma was with me and I felt the drowsiness that was locked within myself start to set in. I yawned and closed my eyes. "I'm going to rest for a while Kumakuro..wake me if anyone comes." Feeling myself drift off to sleep I let my hand slip off from his fuzzy head and land on the bed with a tired smile barely hanging on my lips.

Alfred's Pov

As I drove to Francis's house I couldn't help but panic, fear filled my veins and pumped into my heart "bloody hell Alfred slow down!" Arthur yelled out in fear "no way! Mattie is my whole world, I lost him once I'm not going to lose him again." my hands were tightly grasping the steering wheel up to the point where my knuckles were jutting out. I hit the break as soon as I reached the house and particularly jumped out the car with Francis and Arthur right behind me.

I kicked open the door and frantically looked around the house "Mattie!? Mattie where are you!?" I looked in the living room. He wasn't there. I went to Francis's room. He wasn't there, by now full panic began to set in. Finally, I headed to the last and final room and when I slammed the door open my heart completely stopped at the sight. I ran to Matthew who laid motionless on his bed with his bear clutched to his chest.

I jumped on his bed and quickly brought him into my arms which surprisingly didn't wake him. "Mattie! Please...please be okay!" I rested my head against his chest and almost cried when I heard his steady heartbeat and the soft breaths he took that made his chest rise and fall. I smiled as tears streamed down my face. "Thank god.." I muttered and held him close, I switched my gaze to his white bear that looked at me in confusion. "Who are you?" it asked, "look, bear you have one minute to tell me what the hell happened," I ordered in anger.

It jumped in fright but quickly recovered its posture. "Cuba...I don't know what happened but I saw him leave right before you arrived." I had to admit, I was surprised the bear could actually speak full sentences but I was grateful for that. "Thanks, little weird talking bear." I patted its head and carefully checked Matthew's body, I wasn't being perverted I mean I've seen him naked lots of times. We are technically brothers, with a not so brotherly relationship.

Speaking of which, I knew Matthew never slept naked, and the bruises on his body were freshly made. "No..." My face drained of color. "Oh god...I'm so sorry..." Francis and Arthur soon barged into the room. "Matthieu! Alfred what happened!?" Francis rushed towards us and Mattie soon began to stir awake. "A-Alfred?...papa?.." His eyes were glazed over, the light that was once in them was gone.

I kept him close to my chest and rubbed his back. "It's okay Mattie... I'm here." I reassured soothingly, there was a moment of silence before I heard quiet sniffles and small hiccups coming from him. "Alfred... I thought you loved Arthur.." Quiet whimpers escaped his lips as he silently cried. I pulled him away so I could face him and wiped away his tears. "I love you, Mattie, I knew Cuba would hurt you since he knew we were both in love." Anger still rose within me.

Francis rested his hand on Mattie's cheek and Arthur was silently standing near the door, he took a deep breath before speaking. "Frog...I know we have fights sometimes... I never wanted to hurt you." He muttered under his breath, Francis froze at his words and his face paled. "W-what are you trying to say?" He asked shakily. "I... I miss you frog! I regret fighting with you and I still love you." By now his face was bright pink. "Arthur...do you really mean that? You're not lying?" desperation filled his voice.

Arthur slowly walked toward Francis and pulled him into a hug, Francis's head rested against Arthur's chest since he was on the bed sitting on his knees. his eyes were wide in shock and instantly filled with tears while Arthur's face only went brighter with his blush. "I made mistake... I really am a black sheep of Europe..." He carefully ran his hand through Francis's long blonde hair. "..will you ever forgive me?.." He asked.

Francis grasped onto the collar of Arthurs shirt. "Sorry Arthur, but this is for breaking my heart." He slapped him with great force, but when Arthur looked at him with a painful smile I knew he understood that Francis went through a lot of pain. "And this is for still loving me..." Francis first kissed his bruised cheek and then pulled him into a deep and loving kiss. I looked down at Mattie who was beginning to doze off again in my arms. "Mattie... I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you." I placed a kiss on his soft lips before he once again drifted off to sleep.

"Alfred...you do know I'm still going to severely hurt you for hurting my Matthieu right?" I turned my attention to Francis, his eyes were fierce. "Yup! Looking forward to it!" I simply grinned happily which took Francis by surprise. "Why are you happy about that?.." He asked. "Well...I deserve it. Besides, I need to build up my ego before I kill Cuba for hurting my Mattie." I was ready to face Cuba, to destroy him just like how he destroyed me.

My Mattie was hurt and possibly scarred for life, I was eager to beat the crap out of Cuba. He was nice I don't know what made him hate me but when things start to cross the line and my everything is hurt during the process I'm ready to take revenge. I'll be the hero Mattie deserves. "Francis...Mattie was..." I sighed unable to finish my sentence. "Alfred?" Arthur was also deeply concerned. "He was...forced into something.." I barely managed to choke out my final words as I held back my tears.

Francis and Arthur quickly understood what I was trying to explain. "Alfred get him into fresh clothing for now. When he awakes Arthur will prepare a bath for him. I'll make dinner for all of us." Francis explained thoroughly. I nodded and carefully lifted Mattie up from the bed. "I think it'll be best if he stays at your room to rest. This room will probably trigger something bad." Francis agreed and went with Arthur downstairs to discuss what they should do.

When Mattie was changed into fresh clothes and settled into bed I gave out a long sigh of relief, I lied down on the bed with him and held him closely. "I'm going to protect for now on. I promise." I softly stroked his hair, a worried expression was still glued to my face, would he be in shock? If so, how bad would it be?...will he ever be the same again? Questions filled my head, the anger only growing more, pulsating into my veins and heart like fresh adrenaline.

Hours passed and I worried if Mattie would ever up until finally, he did. "A-Al..." His voice was quiet but filled with fear. "I'm here Mattie. I'm here." I held him close to my chest and soothingly rubbed circles on his back. I honestly felt like breaking down but I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat and looked down at my love who had his face buried and hidden within my chest and shirt.

"Mattie, I know what he did to you. Please tell me how you're feeling I need to know if you're okay or not." I was desperate to help him but my only response was his silence. "Mattie, what's wrong?" I carefully pried him away from my shirt and stared into his eyes. They were dull almost lifeless. He stared at me with a blank face, he looked depressed and miserable, he wouldn't speak to me.

I sat up and sat him on my lap, I placed his head on my chest. "Mattie, I'm here for you.." He nodded and trembled. "Come on, let's go give you a warm bath." I got off the bed and lifted him up in my arms and walked over to the bathroom where Arthur was already setting up the bath and checking the water. "There you go, it should be nice and warm for you Matthew." He smiled at him only to receive a small smile from him. "Thanks, Iggy." I smiled at him before he exited the bathroom leaving only me and Mattie alone.

I placed him on the toilet and checked the water. "Alright Mattie, you can get undressed." I turned to face him, he stayed still not a single word escaped his lips. "You need help?" I asked and walked towards him, a small blush crept to his pale cheeks and he reluctantly nodded. I smiled and shakily sighed in relief, the first emotion he showed. Maybe he would get better as time passed. I carefully took off his clothes and helped him into the tub.

His pale waist was bruised and I could see the purple handprints that showed just how hard that bastard was squeezing my delicate Mattie, bruises were on his neck, his wrist was an angry red probably from when he was pinned to the bed. I quickly recollected myself and tried not to lose myself in my rage, I grabbed the shampoo and quietly washed Mattie's hair. "...hey Mattie, when you're all washed up we can go get pancakes together okay?"

There was a quiet gasp of what I assumed was happy because when he turned to look at me he smiled and nodded happily. "Did you lose your voice?" I asked in concern. "I..I..don't-" he stopped at mid-sentence, maybe it was an effect from the shock. He was left mute for a while, slowly trying to find and obtain his voice again. After I got him all washed up I helped him into his clothes and carried him downstairs even after he frantically shook his head in protest.

There was loud singing in the kitchen and Mattie quickly recognized the voice. "I didn't know France could sing like that." I chuckled and quietly entered the kitchen and placed Mattie on a chair. When Francis finally finished singing I clapped and cheered loudly which startled the Frenchman. "Encore! Encore!" I shouted and I swore I heard my Mattie giggle making my heart flutter with joy.

Francis rested his hand against his chest and took a shuddered breath. "Never do that again!...although I did enjoy your applause." I grabbed Mattie and sat at the table placing him on my lap. "Are you hungry Mattie?" I asked, concern laced in my voice. He slowly nodded, his hand rested on my own. "Francis will cook something up for you." I held both his hands and brought them to my lips.

He blushed darkly as I blew my warm breath on his cold fingers. "Matthieu, how are you feeling?" Francis asked and placed a plate of pancakes in front of us, Matthew looked up at Francis and gave him a small reassuring smile. "I saw the news, there's a storm heading this way so looks like we'll all be staying here for awhile." I grinned at Francis. "Besides I think you and Iggy need to work some things out...if you know what I mean." I chuckled mischievously which earned me a well deserve whack to the head.

I quickly noticed how Matthew's hand trembled as he reached for the fork, I calmly grabbed his hand. "It's okay Mattie, I'm here for you." I held his hand in my own and helped him cut his pancakes, Francis quietly observed us from afar, his expression was filled with complete concern. After he had finished one he pushed the plate that held the other away. "Is that all Mattie? Don't you want to eat the other?" I asked worriedly, he shook his head and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Alright, it is getting late. You two should go to bed, its been a crazy day." Francis suggested and chuckled under his breath when he saw Mattie begin to doze off in my arms. "Right, come on Mattie, I bet you're exhausted." I smiled and carried him upstairs to Francis's room. I lied down on the bed with him holding him close and him tightly clinging onto me as if dear life depended on it, the night was dark, the moon was covered by thick clouds and before I knew it there was a loud clap of thunder and Mattie jolted awake with small whimpers escaping his lips.

I acted quickly and held him tighter against my chest pulling the blanket over us. "It's okay... I'm here Mattie...nothing will hurt you.." I reassured quietly as I stroked his hair. "I promise, I'll protect you," I whispered sweet nothings into his ear until he finally drifted off to sleep as the rain pounded against the window and the thunder rumbled in the sky as the lightning illuminated through the transparent curtains that hung over the windows.

Matthew trembled slightly in his sleep, I rubbed his back and kissed the top of his head. "You're safe..." I whispered and fell into a comfortable sleep with my love safely snug in my arms where I knew no one would never touch or harm him, no one will ever take him away from me. He will always be protected no matter what it takes.