Chapter One: A Favor

Running away wasn't a good idea. It never is and never will be.

Matthew and Alfred found themselves thinking the exact opposite. Matthew tried talking Alfred out of the psychotic idea ever since they had graduated senior high. He was always the quiet, kind, sane brother and Alfred was nearly the exact opposite; loud, a bit obnoxious and insane. Still, Alfred would be the one that was on stage covered in an endless crowd of people and Matthew would just be there, unnoticed in his brother's overpowering shadow. He hated the thought of being weak. He hated the idea of being small for the rest of his life. But he could never bring himself to blame, or hate, his brother. Sure, Alfred had it all; athletics, friends, intellect and looks that can win world-wide competitions but Matthew never really, truly cares about those characteristics.

All it took for Matthew to fall into his brother's spell is to simply look. They weren't just brothers, they were identical. Besides Matthew's wavy locks and Alfred's banged golden threads, they were the exact same. Nearly every single feature.

He found hope in the face of his blood-relative.

Since they were so alike, he had faith that he could, one day, be like his brother, noticed. Even a little. Matthew was determined to make it happen. Perhaps he was the insane one.

"You want to what?" Alfred exclaimed, eyes wide and finally turning from his game of Borderlands on his Xbox to look at his twin kneeling by his side, hands clasped together, nearly praying. "Please? I just want to try it for once," Matthew pleaded.

It had been four months since they ran away from home in New York City. Alfred had always had the dream of wanting to go see The Golden Gate Bridge, even if it was on the other side of the United States.

Matthew was a teacher at a small private school teaching literature to his grade six's, he liked the rare relaxation that the classroom brought.

Alfred became the obvious chef, for his love of greasy food, at a restaurant a couple of blocks from their large apartment.

On his first day as cook, he was being shown the ropes when he fell in love with his coworker, Arthur, who was (thankfully) a waiter, not a chef because his culinary skills were hopeless and deadly. They were the such great allies that everyone in the diner, even some of the darn customers, teased them for being the cutest couple.

Alfred couldn't take the criticizing pressure anymore and asked Arthur to finally go on date with ketchup and mustard decorated on one of the serving plates. They have been an official couple for about six days now and Matthew was more than happy for Alfred. Arthur was also surprisingly into literature so, him and Matthew got along perfectly and that fact made Alfred relieved.

Alfred finally gave in, seeing his brother's adorable begging. "Okay, Okay. Just be sure to save some of the flour. I still want to make some fried wings tomorrow," Matthew squealed with excitement, "Yay! Thanks, Alfie! You won't regret it! Promise!"

Alfred rolled his eyes, "Pancakes? I think I already have." Alfred turned back to exterminating every single thing on the flat screen, unending gunshots and screams boomed through the living room once more as Matthew cursed at himself while whisking some Canadian dough in the kitchen.

Every single time, Matthew would hate himself and cry for not accomplishing to request his wish, his insane wish. Of course he'd only have the guts to bawl when Alfred wasn't around. Matthew would end up stuttering some random crap that wasn't at all related to what he truly wanted to say. He was sobbing into one of the bathroom sinks when he suddenly heard the front door slam open followed by an ear-breaking, "I'M HOME MATTIE!"

Matthew quickly stood up, wiping his pained face and observed himself in the large mirror, he looked exactly how he felt; simply horrid. Without a single knock, like with everything Alfred does, his brother practically breaks down the poor, bathroom door. As Alfred stared at Matthew's complexion, his face of complete excitement turned into a pained concern.

"Mattie. What's wrong?" Alfred asked worriedly.

"Um," Matthew started. I'd would surely say it now, Matthew told himself. "I…" Say it Matthew, He chanted.

"I was worried if you liked the pancakes I made the other day," he blurted out, cursing at himself in his mind once again.

"Oh, is that it?" Alfred chuckled a little, "Yeah, they were actually really good! You cook real nice, Mat!" Alfred's bright smile filled Matthew with relief and he scraped up his rotting courage to make a double-take.

"That and something else, too" Matthew stopped for a second before continuing as Alfred came down onto his knees so they were eye-to-eye. "I actually wanted to ask you… if you would go to the barber with me"

They arrived in front of double-glass doors of a chic barber shop, in the lower parts of San Francisco.

"Alright, your destination, boys! $12.70 before you hop out!" The driver smiled and held out a hand, obvious to what he's asking for. Alfred clapped the man's hands with a 10 dollar bill, a silver coin worth $2 and a gold coin worth $1 in between his dry fingers. "Thank you! Keep the change, sir!" Matthew followed Alfred's broad back out of the yellow taxi. The taxi man, gave another small smile and rushed out into an opening in the loud, honking, gold river.

They entered the fancy building and the heated, polluted air from the city was instantly pushed out and a surge of fresh, cool oxygen hit them. Matthew and Alfred couldn't help but stand on the dark, polished floors and just inhale. The barber shop was much larger than it looked on the outside, complete with a second floor. It was a dark, modern atmosphere that a had a single chandelier dangling as a center masterpiece. There were at least 12 stations packed and organized with every tool a stylist could ever dream of, each seat illuminated by a gold spotlight. The second floor was filled with posh clothing sections, a private floor for employees only.

They spotted a man with silver hair matched with ruby eyes, attending a middle-aged guest. The peculiar man looked back at them, grinning. Alfred waved his arms at the guy, highly excited, and yells, "Gilbert! Long-time no see, bro!" Matthew rolls his violet eyes knowingly as Alfred and Gilbert's chests collide and scream at the top of their lungs "Fordham Rams!" annoying every customer in the echoing shop.

After a few minutes of sharing news, they finally calm down and Matthew came to Gilbert with his ideas, perfectly planned and after another group of boring minutes, Alfred sees Gilbert nod. "Okay, my Mattie. Shall we continue with your insanity?" Alfred suggested and Mattie gave him a forced but grateful smile.

Gilbert leads Alfred into a leather seat facing a clean, granite counter top and a circular mirror that reflected his every spectrum. Alfred was blinded as Gilbert wrapped his ocean-blue eyes with a thick, dark, strip of cloth. He could feel his brother's nervousness radiating off of his pale body and he could hear Gilbert speak calming words too him before his hearing shut out and was replaced by the sound of metal and spray mixed with snips of his long gone hair.

The blindfold left his eyes finally for what seemed like ages, but he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes, like it was a life or death decision. He felt Matthew come close behind his brown seat, now heated with Alfred's body temperature. His brother came to his ear, slightly trembling and murmured, "You look beautiful." The way Matthew's voice echoed in his brain was painful but, no doubt, filled with awe and gratefulness and he couldn't help but open his vision at the sound. The sudden light change hurt his retina but, quickly, he adjusted to his surroundings.

Beside him, Matthew was filled with the most joyful tears running down his wide smile and Gilbert was grinning ear to ear on his other side. He looked into his own reflection and yes, his reflection was beautiful. He looked younger, kinder, braver and it was painful but so beautiful.

Because in his reflection he saw his brother looking back at him.