Alfred sat down on the couch next to Matthew, resting his head on Matthew's shoulder and peering down at the book he was holding in his hands.

"Whatchya reeeaaadin'?"

"A book."

"A book about whaaat?"

"Stuff."

"What kiiiinda stuff?"

"Sex."

"Wha- Really?!"

Matthew laughed, a high-pitched laugh that sounded more like a giggle than anything (it was also one that only Alfred got to hear), and shook his head.

"No, no. Its just a poetry book, Al."

"Awww how cute. Are you reading love poems, Mattie? Are you gonna memorize some and recite them to me?"

Matthew's cheeks turned a bright red colour and he looked up at Alfred, promptly closing the book.

"No, I just like poetry, okay?"

"Alright, alright! Don't get your panties in a bunch." Alfred laughed, leaning his head up to place a light kiss on the edge of his boyfriend's jaw. Matthew huffed, but he wasn't annoyed or anything at all. Al was just being Al.

"So who were you reading, anyways? Please don't say Poe. His stuff is too depressing for me."

Matthew flipped the book over so the cover was showing, and held it up for Alfred to see. "Walt Whitman. You told me he was your favourite poet, so I thought I'd read some of his stuff. And now I can see why he's your favourite. His poetry is so uplifting. It reminds me of you."

Alfred smiled and took the book from Matthew, flipping through the pages until he stopped at one specific poem.

"This one's my favourite."

Alfred cleared his throat a little bit before he began to read from the book.

"Out of the rolling ocean, the crowd, came a drop gently to me,

Whispering, I love you, before long I die,

I have travel'd a long way, merely to look on you, to touch you,

For I could not die till I once look'd on you,

For I fear'd I might afterward lose you.

(Now we have met, we have look'd, we are safe;

Return in peace to the ocean, my love;

I too am part of that ocean, my love—-we are not so much separated;

Behold the great rondure—-the cohesion of all, how perfect!

But as for me, for you, the irresistible sea is to separate us,

As for an hour, carrying us diverse—-yet cannot carry us diverse for ever;

Be not impatient—-a little space—-know you, I salute the air, the ocean and the land,

Every day, at sundown, for your dear sake, my love.)"

Matthew listened intently to Alfred as he recited the poem, smiling to himself when Alfred got a bit too caught up in the words. He shifted a bit, so Alfred's head was a bit more comfortable and his shoulder, and rested the side of his head atop Alfred's.

"That was really beautiful, Al. You read that one a lot? I can tell, you got really wrapped up in the words when you recited it."

Alfred shut the book, glancing up at Matthew with big, bright blue eyes. "Yeah, it's my favourite, so of course I read it a lot." He smiled his big, genuine smile up at Matthew. It was one of those smiles that was purely Alfred; a huge grin that showed big, pearly white teeth and made his eyes shine. Matthew couldn't help but think Alfred was beautiful every time he smiled.

He hummed in response, grabbing one of Alfred's hands and flipped it over in his, playing with his fingers. Al's smile lessened, but it didn't disappear. It was just a tiny thing now. He closed his eyes and snuggled up closer to Matt's side, letting him play with his fingers.

"Hey Al?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Matthew. Forever and always."

a short request i did on tumblr about two years ago believe it or not. it doesn't feel that long but apparently it has been. hope you enjoyed it. (: