the sequel to "everything is good". I had started writing this one first, but writing a few of the flash backs I felt i needed to write a complete back story! this one is much darker, It contains violence, abuse, stalking so TRIGGER WARNINGS!. (end of Ame/can. eventual pru/can)

CRASH! Matt heard the bang of the front door from the kitchen. He sighed. Alfred obviously had another bad day at the office. He put the pot he had been about to wash in the soapy water and walked timidly into the hall. Alfred had developed somewhat of a temper recently. His boss had been extra hard on them thanks to the recession and Al had been bringing his stress home. Things were so different these days.. Matt tugged his sleeves down to cover the green and yellow bruises that were just starting to fade before he peeked into the mud room "Alfred?".

His husbands face would give a hint of what his night was going to be. If he just looked tired, it was fine. Matt could pacify him relatively easily. If, however he was mad? Whole different story. Als eyes flashed up. Yup, definitely mad.

"What?" he said curtly.

"I was just making sure it was you sweetie"

Alfred huffed, kicked off his shoes and brushed past Matt, the smell of liquor hitting Matts nose. Al headed to the fridge "who the fuck else would it be?" He asked, clearly irritated. He grabbed a beer and opened it tossing it back before closing the fridge door.

Matt chuckled tensely "Yeah i guess your right... Dinners in the oven it should be done in about 10 minuets."

Al merely nodded grabbing a glass and his scotch on the way to the living room. Matts eyes fell to the floor. Definitely a bad night.


A couple hours after dinner Alfred had gone from bad to worse. He was cursing and slurring, spilling his drinks on the couch. Matt just sat and listened nervously nodding and agreeing when it was appropriate. He excused himself to grab a glass of water when he heard a shatter followed by a string of cursing. He grabbed a tea towel and rushed out. Alfred sat holding his hand, it was covered in blood. Matthew hurried to his side and carefully examined the damage. It was mostly small cuts thankfully. Al didn't argue as Matt cleaned up his hand with the cloth, pulling fragments of glass out. After a moment of sitting next to him, in fact Al leaned over nipping at Matts neck. His good hand trailing down his back. Matts cheeks flared red and he pulled away.

"No Alfred," he said gently but firmly" Not tonight.. " he was way too rough when he was drunk...

A moment later Matt wished he had just caved. Al yanked his still bleeding hand away and was standing. His eyes were full of rage. Matt stood slowly In case he needed a get away.

"What the fuck is the point of you?! 'Not tonight, not tonight' You never wanna fuckin' do anything anymore! ". Matt tried to reach for his arm and Al yanked back.

"Al... I just... I can't when your drunk... " Al wasn't screaming at the comment, so he looked pleadingly. "I love you Al, I just wish you could maybe.. cut back on the drinking.. You're not yourself-"Al cut him off shouting, "Oh and your so fucking perfect?! Maybe i wouldn't drink so god damned much if you just stopped fucking nagging me and gave it up for once, you goddamned prude!" Tears sprung to Matts eyes "I don't even know what the hell I'm with you for." just block it out Mattie " Your lucky to fucking have me! No one else would want such a naggy little bitch!" he's just drunk Mattie... He's in there I promise... He's your Al when he's sober... He's just sick..

"P-please al- please stop s-screaming... Your scaring me..." The tears were flowing now. Al lunged and took Mathews arm roughly with his still bleeding hand And yanked him closer. Matt let out a small yelp.

"Maybe I'd stop screaming if you'd shut the fuck up!"

Matt was sobbing now, "Please Al! Let go" he begged.

Alfred made a disgusted noise and flung Matt back, and straight into the wall. Matt heard a crack and everything started to fade to black...


2009

Matt was at work at la rose café français . His parents had paid his tuition, but he needed to work so he could clothe and feed himself. He had jumped at the chance to work at the little place. It felt warm and homey. His best friend and room mate Gil had got him the job. a guy Gil had known in high schools family owned the place. It was a little french cafe.

"Day dreaming about a certain bomber jacket Matthieu? " the owners son, Francis, teased.

Matt jumped and flushed red. "I-I don't know what you mean..."

Francis chuckled and walked away. Matt did know of course. He'd been drooling over the owner of said jacket for weeks now. taller then himself, built nicely, blonde, amazingly blue eyes and a dreamy smile. to top it all off, he was a football player and a business major. But there's no way he'd even look twice at Matthew! he probably wasn't even gay. and even if he was, Matt was pretty much invisible to most people...

10 minuets later the bell tinkled happily signaling a customer. Matt stood up and smiled before really looking up and coming face to face with bomber jacket... His face went from joy to confusion as the man had stalked directly to him ignoring Francis welcome... He stopped right in front of Matts counter with a determined look in his eyes. He reached over the counter grabbing Matts arm. oh shit! was he going to get punched?! He was too shocked to react as the man pulled him forward catching his face in the other hand and kissed him square on the mouth. Matts heart skipped in his chest. Was he dreaming?! he could here Francis wolf whistle. The man pulled back slightly smiling

"I've wanted to do that all week. My Names Alfred Jones, Please get dinner with me?"

Matt was too shocked to speak for a second. But he nodded then muttered "o-okay...".


2014

Matts head ached. it was swimming with images of blue eyes, bomber jackets and pastries. His eyes fluttered open to see the same large blue eyes in front of his face. Only they were full of tears and covered by stands of hair. He was confused.. Why were the pretty blue eyes crying. He reached out a hand to brush away the strands in his face. Then, through the fog, he started to remember. He withdrew his hand. His eyes screwing up in realization and pain.

Alfred started sobbing Loudly, grasping Matts hand. "I'm so sorry Mattie! Please believe me! I didn't mean- I don't know why- why i did it. Please don't leave me! I love you! I can't lose you baby please!"

Matt took a second. He had been moved to the couch. Al was kneeling beside him on the floor. He was a wreck. His fear melted. replaced by the kindness Matt gave much too freely he swallowed. "Shhhh Al... It's okay... I'm okay..."

Alfred threw his arms around him sobbing against his shoulder and apologizing into his shirt. Half an hour later Al had slunk to the floor and fallen asleep hiccoughing with a mix of drunkenness and crying. Matt closed his eyes and drifted off.


2011

The walk to the car was quiet and awkward. Matts nerves were jumbled. Surprising himself even matt stopped in his tracks his face glowed red. Al stopped and looked back "Whatcha doin' mattie-"

"If your going to break up with me, can you just get it over with!" He practically yelled. Then remembering himself he stuttered" I-i don't want to w-walk home cr-crying. Its pathetic. "

Tears welled in his violet eyes. He didn't even notice Al coming closer until he felt the arms around him. "Mattie! What the heck gave you that idea?! " he chucked a bit "We've been through this before baby, I love you I-" he pulled Matt back looking into his eyes suddenly nervous again. He sighed. "I wanted this to go a little differently... "

Al kissed matts forehead then stepped back and reached into his pocket pulling out a box. Matts eyes eyes grew wide and even more red crept up to his hair line. Al got down on one knee. A pink blush crossing Als cheeks. His eyes burning with hope. "Mattie, I'm so lucky to have you. Even if you don't see how amazing you truly are, I know you are. I know we fight sometimes but I think that's normal and well... I want to be able to wake up next to you, watch you blush, wipe away your tears, be your hero, forever. so Mattie, will you marry me?" he flicked open a box that held two golden rings.

Matts mind raced a billion things to say all at once flew around. But all that came out, was a squeak and a frantic nod.

Al swept him up into his arms and they both laughed . he put Matt back down and nuzzled his neck "I'll love you forever Mattie. I'm the luckiest guy in the world".

"I'm pretty sure that's me Al" Matt said, voice thick with happy tears.


2014

The next few weeks were peaceful. Al even brought Matt flowers. So many he ran out of places to put them. He was trying so hard to make up for his actions. He had woken up the morning after to clanking of bottles. He had found Al throwing all the liquor in a garbage bag.

"I don't ever want to do that again Mattie." Al had said when he saw Matt standing in the door way. "You deserve so much better and I swear I'm going to be better for you Mattie! No matter what!".

At the time it was such a sweet gesture. This fight seemed to have effected him so much more then the others! Matt had hugged him from behind before Al turned and returned the embrace kissing Matts head. "I love you Mattie... So much."

Matt had his face buried in Als chest so he wouldn't see the reluctant look when Matt replied "I love you too Al".

Sadly all good things come to an end...

okay, I have to say it. I love Al. America is one of my favourite characters and as much as it KILLS me to write him in this light, It felt important. I dunno. I promise I don't hate America :(.

also, Gilbert in the next chapter!

AHHH! I had to replace this chapter! I noticed i had uploaded a rough copy. -.-'

AHHH again! i excidently edited the old one with lines grrrr...