Calling
He was still making the final adjustments to tomorrow's (today's) plans when his cell phone rang.
It was 12:58 AM and the buzzing noise of the vibration and the soft tune of his national anthem were so loud in his large and empty study. He sighed, and picked up the slim phone, answering it.
"Hello, Matthew Williams speaking."
"Uhm- Hey, Matt!"
"Oh, Alfred." There was a mild tone of surprise in his voice - he hadn't paid attention to the caller ID when he had picked up.
Alfred ignored all of this, preferring to respond with a burst of potentially caffeine-charged energy. "Hey, hey Matt, why don't you sound more sleepy? Usually you're asleep by now."
"If I'm usually asleep by now, why are you calling?" Matthew groused lightly, although altogether not too bothered by his brother's presumptiousness. "And for your information, Alfred, I'm adding the final touches to my plans for tomorrow."
"Today."
"Pardon?"
"You mean today, Matt. It's already past twelve - way past your bedtime, by the way - and so it's already the First of July."
"...oh." Matthew mumbled tiredly, punctuating his quiet exclamation (and confirming the implications of Alfred's words) with a yawn.
"Two hours is not way past my bedtime, Al," He denied. "And what about yours?"
There was a short laugh from the American's side. "I'm in Tennessee right now, so it just turned to the First."
It was 1:06 AM and there was a pause over the line. Neither man said anything for a moment, but then Matthew's exhaustion-addled brain (this week been so much busier than last year's) prompted him to give into his curiosity.
"Alfred," he exhaled, a sound audible over the phone. "Why are you calling?"
Many, many kilometres and miles away, Alfred sucked in a breath in return. "I just wanted to confirm with you that I'm coming for our meet up tom- today."
The Canadian resisted groaning aloud. "Okay?" Was that it?
"...and I wanted to be the first to wish you happy birthday." Here, Alfred blatantly ignored the fact that they were in different time zones, and that he was an hour off of Matthew's Ottawa time.
"So, uh... Happy Birthday, Mattie."
The corners of Matthew's lips quirked up, and a warmth grew and settled in his chest. Unseen by any others in the privacy of his study, his violet eyes were shining.
"Thanks, Al."
"You're welcome. Go to sleep, Mattie, you need your rest. I'm sure your plans are fine." His voice was soft and soothing compared to his greeting earlier, and Matthew closed his eyes tiredly in agreement.
"Alright then, Al. You sleep soon too, okay?"
"Yeah, alright. Good night, Matt. Happy Canada Day."
"G'night. Happy Canada Day."
He ended the call, and, slowly, tidied up his desk. He was very tired; when he slid bonelessly into bed, his eyes closed instantly upon the touch of his head on his pillow.
It was 1:21 AM and Matthew fell asleep content, a smile on his face.
AN: Hi guys. This was written at the times displayed in the story (starting at 12:58, with me checking the clock every now and then). Also, it was written on my phone in the dark, and I've only edited it lightly... I hope you enjoyed my first piece of AmeCan/NA Bros fluff. xD