could feel the tension rising in Matthew's people, but he didn't kniw what to do. Just handing independance over seemed out of the question to his boss, but he didn't want to anger the Canadian.

went to go see him, he stood outside the French man's house and frowned a bit before he knocked.

blinks up at the knock, fixing his clothes as he stood to answer the door. He seems both surprised and not to see Matthew standing in the doorway. "Bonjour, Mathieu.."

smiled at him and moved to give him a hug. "Bonjour Papa, I hope it's okay that I came to visit you."

smiles softly, hugging him back. <<Of course my dear, I always look forward to seeing you," he hums, leading him inside.

glad he wasn't imposing. He followed him inside forcing himself not to take Francis' hand. <<I actually wanted to talk to you about something.>>

tried to take his hand anyways, leading him along to his living room. He blinks at that though, deflating slightly. <<Oh?>>

noticed and lightly held his hand back as he followed him. <<I um... do you want me to make some tea or something first?>>

shakes his head, humming softly. <<Nonsense, you're the guest here. Would you like a glass of wine? You're old enough, by now...>>

blinks at that and nods slowly. He hadn't had wine before, let alone any other kind of alcohol. He knew Francis probably wouldn't approve of it. <<If you don't mind Papa...>>

smiles as he pulls away from Matthew to get them each a glass of wine. As much as he loathed to admit his boys had grown up, he thought it would be nice to share at least an adult moment with him now. He

returns a moment later, handing him a glass. <<Cheers,>> he smiles, holding his glass up.

waited for him to come back and took the wine glass from him with a small thanks. He smiled a bit at him, <<cheers.>> He took a sip of it. <<Umm... I was... well I wanted to ask you for independence.>>

smiles softly, sipping at his wine as well. When Matthew asks his question though, he can feel his chest tightening, and his smile becomes strained. <<Now Mathieu my boy, don't you like living with Papa?>>

frowns a bit as he held onto his glass. <<I... I do Papa, but I know I can be fine on my own.>>

sighs snd looks down at his glass. <<Ah Mathieu, but living under me is so much easier, oui? I can take care of all the confusing things and help you when you need it..." He hoped he could simply convince the b

boy out of this foolish idea.

set his glass down and shifted a bit as he watched Francis. <<Papa... I... I am only asking because I do not want to fight you... can you please consider it?>>

smiles at him gently, worrying at the back of his mind. <<Mathieu... it would be much better for the both of us if you stayed.. we can prosper together. You're the perfect colony my boy,>> he praises, reaching

over to squeeze his hand gently. <<If you are unhappy over something else, I can see what I can do to fix it...?>>

looked down at their hands as he nodded reluctantly. He couldn't really say no to Francis. <<My people want to be independent as much as I do Papa...>>

still smiles at him, though deflating slightly. <<Mathieu you must understand... my boss has no desire to let you go. It would break my heart if it came to a fight..>> he pleads. <<Is there anything I can do to

convince them out of this foolish idea?>>

shakes his head lightly as he shifted a bit, glancing up at him. <<I don't know Francis... I... I really don't want it to come to a fight.>> He squeezed his hand lightly and shifted to move over to him to hug

him lightly. <<Nothing will happen any time soon... I mean we can work it out right?>>

sets his glass aside, pulling Matthew into a tight embrace. <<I would like to work this out, yes. Hopefully we can come to an agreement with your people?>>

rested his head on Francis' shoulder as he thought about that. He doubted it... he wanted to be independent as much as they did. He wanted to be able to support himself. <<M-Maybe Papa.>>

hums softly, reeting his chin on Matthew's shoulder. <<I'd really rather not fight you, my dear...>>

*resting

frowned a bit and pulled away from him, <<Then please try to convince your boss? Please Papa?"

sighs and shakes his head. <<He had a fear this was coming....he already told me no,>> he answers, though he didn't want to lose Matthew either.

slowly moved to take a seat opposite him, fidgeting with his hands. <<Then I cannot promise my people will not fight for it.>>

expression drops as well now, picking his wine back up. <<Mathieu please, Ido not want to have to fight you, but you know my forces will, if commanded...>>

nodded as he looked down at his hands, <<I know Papa... and my people will fight back.>> He looked up at him, determined and sad all at once. <<I will do what I can to keep them quiet, but... it will not last."

| A frown tugs at his lips, though he's trying not to show it. <<Please Mathieu, convince them out of this silly idea,>> he asks, starting to harden on his own resolve.

couldn't promise him that, <<I love you Papa. I really do but I can't promise you I will do that.>>

shakes his head, looking hurt. <<If you loved me, you wouldn't be so willing to shatter my heart like this....>>

winced at that and looked away again. <<It's... it's not like I want to hurt you. I don't please don't think that.>>

runs a hand through his hair, looking away from him sadly. <<It is sure what it feels like...>> he wasn'ta bove emotional manipulation.

already feeling extremely guilty over the whole thing before he came here. He got up slowly and bowed his head lightly to him. <<I am sorry Francis... Thank you for talking me. I will... I will let myself out.>

sighs, looking up at him sadly before standing as well. <<Please Mathieu, do reconsider,>> he replies, pulling him into a hugband kissing his temple. <<Papa loves you very much.>>

carefully hugged him back and refused to let go. <<I love you too Papa, but you have other colonies. I'm not that important.>>

frowns at that, hugging him tighter. <<I may have other colonies, but you're my favourite, Mathieu. Don't forget that.>>

glanced up at him and smiled sadly as he nodded, <<I... Papa I won't ever really leave you know. I couldn't do that."

smiles weakly, feeling like if this went through, it wouldn't be true. <<Thank you, Mathieu...>> he answers softly.

wouldn't he really wouldn't. He kissed him on the cheek lightly as he pulled away. <<I promise.>>