Chapter Text
Mathew had always felt like he was living in the shadow of his brother, and for as long as he could remember he’s done everything in his power to reject it. The young nation would be ignored at meetings, recognised only as a lesser version of America, of the great beacon of freedom. Mathew didn’t want to stand out exactly,- truth be told he didn’t know what he wanted.
He showed up early to this meeting, hoping someone would maybe just give him a wave or a smile. Heck, even being mistaken as Alfred is better than treated like you don’t exist. He first saw some European nations enter the world conference. Germany, Italy and Austria. They all took their seats across the room from him, chatting amongst themselves, just out of ear reach. He told himself the distance was too great for him to initiate a conversation, it’d just be weird! Plus, he doesn’t know them all too well.
Next was England, France, China and Russia. Again, none of them paid any mind to him. He stared at the group as they took their seats, but no. not even a glimpse.
The room slowly filled up, with no one paying him any mind. Matthew knows he should at least try make small talk, but how can he do that with people who don’t even realise he’s here? He stares longingly at the doorway, only snapped from his trance once Alfred enters the room. “What’s up guys!? sorry i’m kinda late- had some suuuper important business to take care of.”
“You’re almost 30 minutes late, bloody idiot! next time don’t make us wait.” Arthur barked at him, crossing his arms with a huff. Matthew didn’t even realise the meeting was supposed to have already started. He checked the clock on the wall and low and behold— he’d been sitting here for an hour. It was pathetic, he was pathetic. He felt like giving up, letting the meeting zoom by without him. Why does he even show up if this is the result every time?
He crumpled in his chair, throat sharp and stinging. Would people wait for him like they did for his brother?
“How about you, Canada?” His name snapped him out of his thoughts. He jolted up and scanned the room for whoever said it. He saw everyone staring, expectantly.
“what-“ he loosened his tie, but the stinging in his throat still wouldn’t go away. “what was the question?”
Arthur waved his hand dismissively“never mind, it doesn’t particularly concern you anyways. What were we talking about again?”
Matthew only felt worse after that. So people knew he was there, yet chose to ignore him? He was about to break out into tears right then and there if he didn’t start getting a strange chill down his spine. It felt almost like someone was watching him. He scanned the table, but no one was looking in his direction.
After a few minutes the feeling faded, but Matthew still had a strange feeling something was up.
He was one of the last to leave, slowly packing up his things with sluggish movement. From what he gathered there’s been some urgent issues today, so the next meeting is only 3 weeks away. He wasn’t exactly excited, and debated even showing up. Ultimately, it was the right thing to do. And no matter what, he held onto hope that maybe the next time someone would need him, well and truly. But he didn’t know how much longer that hope would last.
Matthew took his seat, once again checking the clock. 5 minutes until the meeting starts, and no sign of his older brother. He’ll probably be late again…
He turned his eyes back to the table, buzzing with chatter amongst nations. Just as he was settling into his seat however, he felt that chill down his spine again. He began scanning the table, a little more frantically than before. This time, he found the culprit.
Ivan, his neighbour, of whom he rarely ever talks to, staring at him like a piece of meat. But as soon as Matthew caught him, his gaze disappeared like nothing had ever happened. He questioned if what he saw was even real, mulling it over in his head. Maybe he was just so lonely he was going crazy.
He stayed slumped in his chair for the rest of the meeting, taking glances at Ivan every few minutes, but every time he appeared busy in something else. Matthew adverted his eyes to the clock on the wall, watching the minutes tick by waiting for this useless meeting to be over.
But by the time it was, he hadn’t even noticed people dispersing from the conference room, his eyes still fixating on the clock.
He felt a sudden grip on his shoulder, from a large and cold hand. He jumped in his seat and whipped around, now face to face with Ivan himself. “Ah, Canada, glad I was able to stop you before you left.”
His cheerful tone only made Matthew shiver in disgust. Something about it just threw him off, like he was hiding his true intentions.
“did you…need something from me?” He mumbled back, just barely loud enough to hear. The more he cowered back into his chair, the more Ivan seemed to lean forward, towering over him and cornering him.
“I was wondering if he could talk- well, diplomatic relations. You have some nice minerals, don’t you? Good machinery too—machinery we’re lacking. To put it simply, we want you to up exports to Russia.” Ivan’s smile widened beyond friendly, their warm breaths mixed with one another, too close for comfort.
Matthew was about to refuse out of pure instinct, but he knew he should talk it over with his boss first. Just as his lips moved to respond, the conference doors burst open. Ivan ripped himself away, standing up straight and giving Matthew a small smirk.
“Vladivostok, August 31st, central square. Bring your boss.”
With that, he left.
Matthew didn’t even have time to process Alfred coming up and ruffling his hair, rambling on about something useless. He could only look up with a blank face at his brother, the one who he so envied. The one whose biggest enemy wanted a trade partnership with him.
“so, what was biggie talking to you about anyways? I don’t think i’ve even seen you two talk before.”
Matthew paused for a moment, looking down at his knees. “Nothing. He was just mentioning how he couldn’t wait for autumn.” He lied to his brother’s face and he didn’t know why, but it made him feel a little stronger, and he had the right to relish in that just a little bit.
August 31st, only a month from today.