Chapter Text
Matthew cleaned up his wrists, eyes blank as he stared at himself in his neatly clean mirror. "I'm disgusting," he muttered under his breath, reaching for the scissors, "...Maybe just one more."
An hour later, his entire arm was covered in puffy cuts.
He bandaged his arm, sighing and running a hand through his dirty blond locks. He walked to his bed, flopping down and bringing his bear Kumajiro closer.
"Who are you?" Kumajiro asked.
"I'm Canada, your owner..." Canada muttered tiredly.
"Okay." Kumajiro snuggled closer.
Cuba walked down the hall, looking at each room tag and searching for Canada, accidentally bumping into Russia.
"Ah- Sorry big guy," Cuba muttered, stepping back.
"Same to you," Russia spoke, smiling.
"Hey, where ya going anyway?" Cuba asked.
"To see friend Canada." Russia answered.
"...I'm going to see Canada." Cuba looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, we shall go see him together!" Russia exclaimed, smiling.
Cuba shrugged, agreeing and letting the two walk together.
Alfred crossed his arms, staring at Matthew's bandaged arm.
"Matthew, what is that?" He motions to the bandages covering Matthew's arm.
"Nothing, Alfred, just Kumajiro..." He spoke, though there wasn't any light in his eyes.
"...You're lying. What's wrong, Matthew?" Alfred questioned sternly.
Matthew gulped. He didn't expect Alfred to be so... stern about it.
"It's just- I don't feel seen, Alfred... Everyone thinks I'm you, yknow?" Matthew admits, sighing.
"That doesn't mean you have to-to mutilate yourself!" Alfred yells, walking closer to the bed where Alfred sat.
"You've got me, Arthur, Francis, Cuba, even Ivan to tell how you feel! You had so many other options, lil bro..." Alfred sighed.
"Well I just- I-" Matthew attempted to retaliate, stuttering fiercely.
As Cuba and Russia approached Canada's door, they heard... arguing.
"It sounds like Amerika and friend Canada are arguing about something, no?" Russia asked, turning to Cuba with a slightly worried look.
"Yeah... It does." Cuba replied, walking closer to the door.
Alfred heard a quick knocking sound on the door, followed by a small "Privet?" from Ivan.
He cracked the door open, looking at the two men standing outside.
"Yeah?" America asked.
"We're here to see Canada, could you let us in?"
"...Fine." America grumbled, opening the door wider and watching the two walk in.
"Hello friend Cana- what is that on your arm?" Russia points out, Cuba staring at it too.
"Ah... Bandages." Canada replied, eyes refusing to look at the two men in front of them.
"And why are they there, mi amor?" Cuba questioned, crossing his arms.
"Uhhh... Fashion...?" Canada lied. Horribly.
Of all the answers, fashion, Canada?!
"Okay then, take them off if they are just fashion, friend Canada." Russia asked, crossing his arms, showing genuine concern under that smile of his.
"Wha- No!" Canada exclaimed, shielding his arm.
Cuba stepped closer, gently grabbing his bandaged arm. "Just let us see, mi amor..."
Canada whined in protest, but didn't struggle.
Cuba inspected the bandaging, Russia close behind and watching. He felt a little jealous of Cuba, watching him touch Canada like that...
Cuba finally found where the gauze started, slowly moving to unwrap it.
"H-Hey! What are you-" Canada yelped, but Russia stepped closer, shushing him.
"Like Cuba said, just let us see, friend Canada."
Canada sighed, letting them finish peeling off the bandage.