Chapter Text
“I’m no longer a child, nor your little brother. From now on, consider me independent!”
It was the night of September 3rd, 1783. The Treaty of Paris had been signed earlier that day. Meaning… it was all over. Alfred was independent now. He was free from the British Empire. Free from Arthur.
Matthew watched silently as Arthur finished the last few drops of whiskey in the bottle. He groaned and slumped down in his chair. Matthew cautiously approached.
“How much have you had already?” he asked softly.
Arthur startled and turned around to face him. As soon as his eyes met Matthew, his mouth went agape.
“Alfred…?”
Matthew had to hold back a wince. He shook his head. “No, it’s not Alfred. It’s me, Matthew.”
“Oh…” Arthur frowned. “Right.” He looked away. “Alfred isn’t here anymore. The bloody traitor…”
“It’s getting late, Arthur. Maybe you should go to bed.”
“It’s fine… Not that late…” Arthur slurred. He brought the bottle rim back to his lips before pausing. “Shit, this is empty. I need more.”
Arthur stood up and then stumbled. Matthew grabbed his arm before he could face plant onto the ground.
“I-I think you’ve had enough. Please, you should really go sleep.”
“I’m grand.” Arthur tried to shake off Matthew’s grip, but he didn’t have much strength in his drunken state. “Unhand me!”
“Arthur… please.”
Matthew hated seeing the older man like this. It wasn’t the first time he had to look after a drunk Arthur, and it surely wouldn’t be the last. Especially now that Alfred was gone. Matthew was expecting many more nights like this.
Alfred… How could his brother be so selfish? The idiot was probably out celebrating at some tavern. Laughing and partying while Arthur was drowning memories away with booze. Barely able to stand on his own two feet.
Matthew would never understand his brother. Was Arthur perfect? No. Matthew knew what Arthur could be like just as well as Alfred did. But he looked after them for so many years. Provided for them, cared for them, showered them with love and affection. Alfred especially; he was always the golden child. The shining star in Arthur’s eye. If Matthew had been the one to rebel and become independent, Arthur wouldn’t have been nearly as distraught as he was now.
Did none of that matter because of some taxes? Alfred was never satisfied with what he had. Could never see the blessings right in front of his face, always wanting more no matter how much he had.
Arthur tipped his head down, and Matthew heard a small sniff. He leaned forward a bit to get a look at Arthur’s face, and… he was crying. Two glistening tear tracks dripping down his cheeks.
“Why? Why did he leave? Was I not good enough? I never meant to hurt him…” he wept quietly.
“Oh, Arthur. He…” Matthew hesitated. “I’m going to get you a cloth. Stay right there.”
He rushed off into the kitchen and grabbed a cloth. He soaked it in some cool water and then returned back to Arthur’s side. Arthur paid him no mind as he started to dab his tears away.
“I need more whiskey.”
“No more,” Matthew whispered. He wiped away the snot that dripped out of Arthur’s nose.
Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and glared up at him. “And who do you think you are? I’m the bloody British Empire! I can do what I bloody want! That prat thinks he can just leave me!? All that rubbish about freedom. We’ll see about that. He’ll realize the mistake he made soon enough. He’ll be lost without me! Come crawling back like a pathetic dog.”
“Let’s go to your room now.” Matthew grabbed Arthur again, and he didn’t resist this time. In fact, he leaned over and practically brought all of his body weight down onto Matthew. Matthew wrapped an arm around Arthur’s shoulders and slowly began leading him to the bedroom.
Once they were inside the room, Matthew helped him onto the bed. He took off Arthur’s shoes and then shifted his legs so he was in a more comfortable position.
Arthur started mumbling to himself. Matthew leaned in closer, hoping to get at least a snippet of what he was saying.
“I love him…”
Matthew sighed. “I know you do.” He placed Arthur’s shoes on the floor. “I’ll go grab you some water. I don’t want you to have a headache tomorrow.”
Arthur muttered something that sounded like an “okay”. Matthew turned and was about to make his way out of the room, but Arthur sat up and brought a hand to his mouth. Matthew’s eyes widened, realizing what was about to happen.
He took out the chamber pot that was under the bed and handed it to Arthur. Arthur vomited into it.
Matthew cringed as the putrid smell hit his nose. He tucked some of Arthur’s hair behind his ears so he wouldn’t get any puke on it.
“It’s okay, Arthur. It’s okay.”
After a few more seconds, Arthur was seemingly done emptying the contents of his stomach. He stayed completely still, hunched over the chamber pot with a tired, defeated look on his face.
“Arthur?”
Arthur glanced over at him. His expression became sorrowful, and Matthew half-expected to be called Alfred again.
“Matthew…?”
Matthew blinked. “Uh… yeah. It’s me. Are you okay? Do you feel like you’re going to vomit anymore?”
Arthur shook his head. “I’m alright. I’m… I’m sorry. You shouldn’t… be responsible for me like this.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve got you.”
“You’re too kind for your own good, lad. Thank you so much.” Arthur sniffled.
“You should lie back down now, okay?” Matthew grabbed the chamber pot from him and placed it on the ground.
“I love you.”
Matthew froze. “Huh?”
“I love you. I’ve never loved Alfred more than you. I’m sorry I paid more attention to him than you.” Arthur wiped a stray tear. “I’ll be better. I promise I’ll try to be better.”
Matthew… didn’t really know what to say. “I… love you too, Arthur.” He helped the man back down into a lying position. “I’m going to get you some water now.”
“I love you, Matthew…”
Those three words warmed Matthew’s heart. It wasn’t like Arthur never said that to him before… Matthew must’ve been tired. Sappy and tired. It’s been a long day. He sighed and rubbed his heavy eyes.
“I love you too, Arthur,” he repeated.