Brief A/N: I wrote this originally for a contest on dA, but then discovered that I actually needed to have Arthur saying something (whoops). So the tones between part one (Build Me a Door) and part two (Paper Trail) are quite different, but still quite enjoyable, in my opinion.

All APH characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya. The story belongs to me.

July 5th, 2011

Dear Arthur,

Thanks for coming to my party sober. I guess it's a rough time of year for you. I know you only made it because Francis babysat you, and I'm sorry about that… I kinda asked him to do it. I had to talk to you, but I guess you just wanted to deliver my yearly black eye before leaving. I can't see out of my left eye today – it swelled shut. It's really messing with my depth perception. Mattie almost fell over laughing when I poured the pancake batter directly onto the floor instead of into the pan this morning. By the way, I've enclosed pictures from his birthday party, because you missed it (again).

…Right, what I wanted to say to you. Actually, I've wanted to seriously talk to you since 2001, but other things happened. And then stuff just kept on happening. Katrina… The oil spill… But since bin Laden is out of the picture, and the skies seem relatively clear (for now) andbecause it's my birthday, I'm finally writing to you. (I can just see your face, telling me to get to the point. Damn it, Arthur, I'm getting there.)

So, two hundred and thirty-five years ago yesterday, my Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. My first birthday! It was… incredible. Exciting because I was finally understanding and acting with my nature, with what my people wanted. Unalienable rights! The pursuit of happiness! Justice! All those things you make fun of me for being so proud of. And scary too, because, you know, I was separating myself from you. Well, actually, you'd ignored me for years on end on empire business, but that time was different. There wasn't any guarantee we'd ever speak on civil terms again.

I was so scared, Arthur. You could sense it in my men. Prussia came over with the Baron von Steuben a few years later, and he made me decide. There's no middle of the road in war, colony, he said. Now, are you going to make yourself a country or are you going to let your people drown in a tide of fucking tea and blood?

What if I'd stayed, Arthur? I wouldn't be me. I wouldn't be Alfred, the United States of awesome America. I'd be you. No, not even you. Just a shadow of you, trailing behind you and planning to stab you in the back at every turn. It was a choice between my people and you. You you you you you.

Yeah, I left because that was what I needed. My people needed. If you can't respect that, then I don't know if I can call you a friend. If you can't understand that, then you have no business being the embodiment of a country.

And if you just won't, then I wonder what business I have loving you like I do.

Oh yeah, I love you. I always kinda knew that, but I always felt like you would laugh at me for being a like a little kid. This year, though, I realized that even if you laugh, I'd still love you. So make fun, if you want. But somehow I know that your schadenfreude would be sad. And really, it's not like that. So you shouldn't laugh, okay? You're not a terrible person to love. A bit, well… Kiku calls you a 'tsundere' behind your back sometimes. He said it meant something about you being embarrassed, building walls, that sort of thing. I guess you are 'tsundere'!

This is getting pretty long and you're probably already planning something to get back at me. Point is, Arthur, whether you like it or not, I am who I am: your friend (not your little brother), waiting on the other side of that wall. You can keep that wall, if you like. But would you mind putting in a door for me? Just for me (no one else!).

This is being sent through snail-mail, so I don't know when it'll reach you. (Hopefully I won't chicken out before I put it in the mailbox.) But whenever you read it, what I have written will still be true.

God save the Queen.

Alfred F. Jones

… P.S.
I love you. I think I mentioned it earlier. But I felt like saying it again. Just in case you forgot or skipped over that part or something.

… P.P.S.
I'd keep the key with my dog tags.

...P.P.P.S.
Put a peephole in the door, so you can check to see if it's me before you open it. Nobody else should be allowed in. Just you and me.

Be a peach, leave a comment. 3 They encourage me to post more here! Hope the fluff didn't frighten you off.