"May I ask what this meeting is about, Mr. Kirkland?" Matthew inquired.

"You mean your boss didn't tell you?" the Englishman asked back.

"He just sent me here to agree to a proposal of some sort by your boss," the blonde replied.

"My boss has invited your mafia to attend his daughter's wedding party next week. We are having this meeting to determine how many people on your side will go,"

"Well, I'm not sure exactly how many wants to go…but I can give you the number of how many to expect," Matthew offered.

"Very well, that'll do,"

After Matthew gave Arthur the number of possible attendees, Arthur in exchange provided Matthew with details as to where the party will take place and the time.

"Thank you for your time and information, Mr. Kirkland," Matthew said before reaching to retrieve the bomber jacket on the armchair.

"The pleasure's all mine, Alfred." A bit hesitantly, he added "And I'm terribly sorry that-"

"Mr. Kirkland, are you still going on about that? It's not your fault," Matthew chided gently. "Anyways, I should get back-"

"Look out!" Arthur shoved Matthew to the side and crashed to the floor, bleeding.

When Matthew turned around to the door, it was wide open and the mafia members who were supposed to be his bodyguards already left the hotel room. Arthur's bodyguards remained, although they were staggering around, not knowing what to do.

"What are you guys doing? Help me get him to the hospital," Matthew told the two members near the doorway at the same time helping Arthur up, who was clutching his left shoulder.

X.X.X.X

Dressed in their own attire, Matthew and Alfred went to visit Arthur in the hospital the next day. When they entered the sterile white-washed room, Arthur was sitting up on his bed reading a book. He gave the twins a weak smile as he placed the book down.

"I'm so sorry for what happened, Arthur," Matthew sobbed.

Said Englishman was taken aback by his words, seeing as though they only met once. The once cheerful person he thought he knew was expressing an unusual amount of grief.

"Please forgive my brother for his actions,"

"It wasn't his fault,"

"B-but…" Matthew tried to argue.

While the two were in a light-hearted debate, Alfred, with both fists in the pockets of his bomber jacket, looked around the room warily. He didn't spare Arthur a greeting and kept his eyes moving, anxious.

When Matthew realized how frigid Alfred was being, he excused the both of them for a moment and left the room.

Once the door closed completely, Matthew faced Alfred. "What's wrong with you? At least show him some gratitude for saving 'your' life,"

"You see, Matthew…this is what happens when you trust a stranger," Alfred said rather coldly.

"He's not a stranger anymore, Alfred. He blocked a bullet for me!"

"Those guys who were your bodyguards probably heard your conversation with him from last time…they're trying to kill us,"

"What?"

"He knows, Matthew. The boss knows that we're trying to leave the mafia…"

"N-no…"

"Why else wouldn't the boss assign me this job if the target wasn't you? If he wanted Arthur dead, he would've told me to kill him in a more discreet way."

Matthew was about to say something when the two heard someone clear his throat behind Alfred.

Alfred moved to the side and muttered a "sorry" before the blonde gave them a smile and entered Arthur's room. However, after a minute, the twins heard a crash and glass shattering. Alfred opened the door for the new visitor to burst through it.

"My my, looks like our dear Arthur will make a full recovery," the visitor said knowingly. "Oh how rude of me, I'm Francis Bonnefoy," the Frenchman introduced himself after the twins gave him an odd look.

"Alfred Jones,"

"Matthew Jones,"

Francis eyed Alfred for a bit before saying "Ah, so you're the Alfred Arthur has been talking about lately. You're the one who got him out of that fix, oui?"

"Also the one who got him into the hospital," Matthew added shamefully.

The Frenchman raised an eyebrow at the younger twin. "Well, I wouldn't say it was because of him that Arthur got shot…which is what I would like to talk to you about," turning toward Alfred once again. "In case if you were wondering, I'm also a negotiator in the same mafia as Arthur's,"

"Uh, okay…" Alfred answered slowly. The nervous expression on his face told Matthew that he knew almost nothing about the situation.

"Let's discuss this somewhere else. I heard there was a café nearby, and Matthew is more than welcomed to join us if he wants."

X.X.X.X

"I would like to have a description of the man who shot Arthur," Francis asked frankly once they were seated in the back of the café. When both twins glanced at each other doubtfully, he added "I think it would benefit us both if we can take this guy down,"

When Alfred remained quiet, staring down at his coffee, Matthew offered "Well, it was obvious that he was from our mafia…but I'm sure that he was aiming for Alfred instead of Arthur. He left the room before Alfred saw anything,"

This surprised the Frenchman. "Oh? You knew what happened, mon cher?"

"Yes, Alfred told me all about it after he came back from the hospital. Please forgive him for being so rude, but he is still a bit shell-shocked from the event. If there is anything you would like to know, I'll try my best to answer your questions,"

For the rest of the conversation, it was Matthew who did the talking while Alfred grew bored and headed back to the hospital to see Arthur.

X.X.X.X

Upon entering, Arthur smiled at Alfred. "Oh good, that frog didn't come back,"

"You mean Francis? He's at a café right now with Matthew,"

"I'd advise your brother to be careful around him…the frog has a way with words, which may explain why he's actually a negotiator…Anyways," Arthur paused, shaking his head and pointing at a bag. "I forgot to give this to your brother earlier, but can you give it to him when you see him?"

Out of curiosity, Alfred looked into the paper bag and found that it was the burger he told Arthur to get him.

"I met Matthew a while ago on the streets. Apparently the wanker who framed me still wanted the money, but your brother came by at just the right time. And in exchange for saving my life, he wanted a hamburger!" Arthur snorted. "Could you believe him? It's very apparent who's the smarter one between you two. I mean, at least you wanted something more reasonable than fast food,"

Alfred had to bite his tongue and force a smile after hearing this. "Hahaha, yeah…Matthew can be…obnoxious sometimes…" The words were reluctant to leave his mouth and he knew he couldn't keep this up for long. He had to change the subject quickly. "Anyways, I'm sorry for not expressing my gratitude earlier…but, why did you even bother to do what you did? We hardly know each other,"

Arthur was lost in thought for a moment. "True, honestly I am not quite sure myself...I thought it was odd that your bodyguards were pulling out their guns…but when they pointed it at you-hey, what are you doing? That's Matthew's!"

Alfred was already taking the burger out of its wrapping and shoving it into his mouth when his attention was directed at Arthur. He gave a wide smile while saying "I'm sure Matthew won't mind. In fact, I'm pretty sure he asked you for this so that he could give it to me himself!"

"B-but…you…are you alright?"

His personality seems out of kilter…Arthur observed. He never knew the person sitting next to him could be so boisterous.

"I'm just hungry is all. But are you alright?" Alfred questioned. "You still look a bit sad,"

"W-what? I'll be fine…you don't have to worry," Arthur stuttered, a bit embarrassed that he was being read so easily.

"If it's about you owing me, you can just drop it," the blonde said bluntly. "The fact that I'm still alive right now is all thanks to you. You've done more than repaid me, Arthur."

There was a silence, and Alfred suddenly got up from his chair. He has already finished the burger. "I think…my brother and I should get going…immediately…"

"Wait," the Englishman protested, grabbing onto Alfred's wrist to prevent escape. "Just give me a chance to talk to your boss to see if I can do anything…This isn't about my debt to you, as a gentleman, I cannot allow you two to do these things against your will,"

Alfred gave him a gentle smile before taking his arm back. "You really shouldn't go so far for a couple of nobodies like us…besides, I don't want anyone getting involved in our problem…I don't want them to get hurt," pointing at the bullet wound on Arthur.

'These lines the last endeavor, to find the missing lifeline'

"That's strange…he did tell me to meet him here," Matthew said to himself. A couple days after visiting Arthur and having their chat in the café, Francis wanted Matthew to tell his brother that he would like to talk to him again. To take Arthur's place as negotiator, he wanted to fill Alfred in on a plan to capture the would-be assassin. But for the plan to work, he first needed Alfred's cooperation. Matthew knew his brother wouldn't bother to associate with the Frenchman, so he didn't tell him about it and did what he always did – went in his stead. He didn't know it, but he was standing in the same alleyway where Alfred and Arthur first met. The street lamps flickered and shed pale, yellow light onto the ground. Matthew was unaccustomed to this eerie setting, and pulled his brother's bomber jacket closer to himself as the minutes of loneliness passed by slowly.

"Ah mon cheri, you're already here," Matthew heard a familiar voice.

"Mr. Bonnefoy, is that you?"

"Oui, but please, call me Francis," he cooed.

"O-okay…Francis…what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"There's no need to rush now is there? The night is still young," the Frenchman started advancing toward Matthew from the shadows.

"Well, I would like to get back…Al-Matthew is waiting for me," the way Francis was staring at him almost hungrily made Matthew lose his composure. And this time, he didn't have bodyguards or anyone to help him.

"Oh? Then I guess I'll get down to business," Snaking a hand around Matthew's waist, he leaned forward to whisper into the blonde's ear. "There is no wedding party…"

"W-what?" Matthew was beginning to blush from the contact, but try as he might to push the other blonde away, his grip only tightened around him.

"I didn't want to do this, but the boss wants something back for injuring one of his finest negotiators…Arthur was supposed to do the job to get his revenge, but I know he lacks the heart to do it…which is why…"

"Francis!"

Said Frenchman slumped and crumpled to the ground in front of Matthew.

"Matthew! Where the hell were you? Why didn't you tell me you were going somewhere?" Alfred came up from behind the Frenchman, carrying a metal baseball bat.

"Alfred? H-how…it was none of your business; you shouldn't worry over me all the time. Why did you hit Francis? I can take care of myself you know," Matthew blurted out all at once, shocked by his brother's entry.

"You sure about that?" Alfred stepped on the Frenchman's hand, revealing a pistol.

Matthew remained silent, a hand over his mouth.

"I thought it was weird of you to go out at night…I thought they might have gotten you…" he slowed, his expression changing from worry to rage. "What were you doing with this bastard?"

"He…he wanted to have a private meeting with me…to give me information…"

"Matthew…I thought I told you that we can't trust anyone…they're all against us…"

"Does that explain why you were carrying that?" he pointed at the bloodied baseball bat.

"Yeah…some members of our own mafia attacked me on my way home," a tear slipped down the older twin's cheek. "If I wasn't here a second sooner…you could have…why…" Alfred grabbed Matthew's shoulders. "This was the second time you could have been killed! Why does it always happen to you…and not me?"

But Alfred knew exactly why. It's because you're always taking my place…

It was extremely rare to see Alfred act like this…the only time Matthew ever saw him cry was when he had to kill his first few targets. The younger had really done something to upset him…and Matthew knew it. "I'm so sorry, Alfred,"

With his blurry vision, Francis was able to make out two figures looming above him wearing the exact same outfit from jacket to glasses. What…two…Alfreds? Was his last thought before he slipped into unconsciousness.

"If you die…I'll have nothing left…nothing…" Alfred distanced himself from his brother. Wiping away the tears with the back of his hand, he went over to pick up his bat. "Which is why…" he raised the weapon over his head, ready to bash the unconscious Frenchman until he died.

"Wait! Alfred, don't!" Matthew grabbed him by the wrist. "Please don't do it…Francis didn't want to kill me…he had to…just like you…"

The fury in Alfred's eyes faded when he saw the imploring look on his brother's face. Slowly, he lowered the bat.

"We should get out of here, and get ready to leave this town,"

Alfred nodded his head mutely and started heading for their apartment with Matthew right behind him, leaving Francis on the streets.

X.X.X.X

Along the way, the twins heard a distant siren that grew louder as they went in the direction to their apartment. When they were only a block away, the two realized that they won't be able to gather any of their belongings. For when the brothers were gone, someone has set fire to their humble one-bedroom home. A moment after staring at the black smoke rising out of the windows, an explosion near the building diverted their attention. Their car detonated.

The twins quickly and quietly left the scene and rented a hotel room to stay in for the rest of the night. It was a short night for the both of them, since only one brother slept at a time while the other stayed awake to keep watch over the streets around them.

As soon as morning came, the two stayed off the alleyways, trying to blend in with the public to buy their plane tickets, passports, and rent a car with the remaining money in their bank accounts.

"Do you think we'll make it in time without being caught?" Matthew asked nervously. He was trying to distract himself by pulling on the sleeves of his tan coat.

"Of course we will! I'm the hero after all," Alfred tried to sound convincing. We have to…it's our only chance…

With their plane tickets and passports in a plastic bag and clothes on their backs, the two got into their rented car and drove off to the airport at night.

'Nemo sailing home'

It was when they were going up a cliff that led to the airport did the twins noticed that they were being followed.

"Damn it! Who's following us?"

Matthew, who was sitting in the back clutching onto the plastic bag, looked back. "It's…Arthur…and Francis! There are more people in the back of them with guns,"

"Shit…keep your head down, Matthew," Alfred stepped harder on the accelerator until it was all the way down. The car jerked before speeding forward.

"They're getting away, shoot their tires," Francis ordered one of the members.

The member poked his head and arm out of the window to aim at the vehicle in front of them.

Matthew cringed when he heard the sound of bullets whizzing past them. A few of them got their parking and brake lights. "Alfred…"

The one in the driver's seat reached for the glove compartment, but swore when he didn't find what he was looking for. "Fuck! I forgot I left my hand gun in the other car…" Before he could search for any firearm he could have had on him, the car skidded; one of their tires was shot. Alfred pressed on the brake and steered the wheel as fast as he could before the car hit the metal rail. He was about to step on the gas again when the road in front of him was blocked off by a bunch of cars.

They were cornered. Yet they were only a turn away from their destination…

Abandoning the vehicle, Alfred pulled out a small pistol and pointed it at the first person he saw. Matthew got out of the car as well, standing close by his brother's side.

"Alfred, put the bloody gun down!" Arthur hollered as he got out of the car.

Alfred took a step back and directed the gun towards the Englishman. "Don't come any closer!"

"Mon cher, please listen to him. There is nowhere for the two of you to go," Francis intervened. By the exasperated tone of his voice, it was obvious he was still aching from when Alfred hit him on the head.

"If I turn myself over to you guys, will you let Matthew go? Your boss only wants me right?"

"Alfred, no," he heard his brother whimper.

"I'm afraid…that's not the case. We need the both of you to-" the Frenchman tried to answer.

"Why are you after the both of us? It's because of our boss, isn't it! You guys are working together to kill us!" he roared.

Both Arthur and Francis looked down for a moment in shame.

Matthew took Alfred's free hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Alfred…please…I know that you are a sensible person," Arthur started, staring warily at the gun still pointed at him. "Killing us won't achieve anything,"

The blonde smirked at this and lowered his firearm. "Do you really know who I am?"

Arthur faltered a bit at the question, but nodded his head and insisted "Yes, I do…"

"Then you will understand why I'm doing this." He threw the pistol to the ground.

The two brothers looked to the back of them, at the city lights of New York below for one last time before jumping over the metal curb and off the cliff.

'Nemo letting go'

Freefalling, Alfred and Matthew spun around so that they faced the black sky with its stars poking holes of light above.

"Hey Alfred, is this what freedom feels like?" Matthew faced his brother.

Alfred turned to the side to meet equally blue eyes, a smile on his face. "Yeah…"

The two held each other's hand as they descended into the darkness.

'Once and for all, and all for once,'

"NOO! Alfred! Matthew!" Arthur ran after them, the men in the back of him raised their guns in hopes of shooting the twins. "Don't shoot them you gits!" But when he got to the edge of the cliff, they were gone.

Francis followed Arthur to the edge, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Our job here is done…it is best we leave quickly,"

Arthur reluctantly turned around, brushing hot tears running down his cheeks. "It would have been better if we never knew them…" he spat bitterly.

'Nemo my name for evermore'

"Check it out," an employee pointed at the front cover of the newspaper. "It says here that two bodies were found at the foot of a cliff in New York,"

"Who were they?" the other asked, stepping away from the arranged floral to take a look at the article himself.

"Dunno…the bodies were never identified…"

"That's a relief; you think the boss will buy it?"

"They were fresh human carcasses…I'm sure he's convinced…looks like my 'job' paid off after all…" the blonde grimaced at the memories.

"The act does not make a criminal unless the intention is criminal…you had no choice but to kill them…but that's over now," the other blonde offered a sympathetic smile.

"Excuse me, Mr. Williams," when Tino Vainamoinen caught both of their attention, he cleared his throat. "Al, can I ask what you're doing? You don't appear to be helping Matt with the plants,"

"Just reading some news from our homeland," Alfred chirped, flipping to and pointing at the comic section of the newspaper, avoiding the front page.

After moving to Finland, the twins resumed their life as wanderers until they ran into Tino, who took them in to work for his flower shop.

Tino chuckled when he saw the various cartoons on the page. "Speaking of your homeland, what did you two work as back there?"

"We were street performers," Matthew butted in when Alfred's face went blank.

"Ah how nice, were you guys famous?"

Al and Matt gave the Finn a wide grin and answered at the same time: "Nope."

Useless Endnotes: Please don't ask me how Alfred and Matthew lived from falling off a high cliff...this is just one of the many plot holes in this fic...*Le gasp* A mafia AU that doesn't have the Italian brothers in it...And uhhh, is this what one would call a songfic? Because I think I really botched up the traditional format of one, and the lyrics are all over the place and out of order...still, I'll pay credit where credit is due: the song used was Nemo by the band Nightwish.

Important Disclaimer: I do not own Nightwish or their song.

Sorry if the story was fast-paced, this was supposed to be a one-shot...don't know what happened though...And for those who know Nightwish, the ending may have more meaning (something like that?) As for the origin of this fic, it actually came from two separate ideas. The first one had to do with Matthew and the song Nemo, because I thought they went well together. The other had something to do with the North American bros switching places for some reason. But because the first idea lacked content, I decided to smoosh the two together =D I I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.