Alfred: Memories

A/N:

This is my first fanfic, so be kind, and constructive criticism is highly accepted.

To start off, I would just like to say that this fic is a series of one-shots showing the stereotypes, mannerisms, and habits (both bad and good) of Filipinos and a few takes on Philippine history. Suggestions would be great, especially if you think some characters are OOC.

The personification of my OC will be Maria Clara Carriedo dela Cruz. I want to credit someone for her name, but it's been used so many times, I don't know who to credit, so please, if you see this fic and know who made Maria up, please tell me so I can credit them properly.

Finally… Kuya means big brother (may also be used informally with older males one does not personally know and/or is not directly related to) and beso beso is a kiss on both cheeks, usually done by Filipinas when greeting and old friend or family member; obviously adopted from Spain.

Alfred couldn't sleep. It wasn't just a matter of eating too much this time, as was the usual cause of his troubled sleep. It was because his 'little sister' (a term he was starting to resent), the only 'sister' he had in Asia, was only a few doors down and probably still jetlagged.

Maria arrived at his country late into the night. Who else would be there to welcome her but Alfred, her 'kuya' and self-proclaimed hero? The Filipina didn't see him at first. There were too many people, and all of them towered over the petite-framed Maria, who appeared smaller because she had apparently gathered all the winter clothes she could find and wore them all at once in fear of the American winter. In her defence, she is from a tropical country. The layers of clothing around her made Alfred laugh out loud and Maria, who would recognize her Kuya's boisterous and slightly obnoxious laugh anywhere, turned and cried aloud as she ran into Alfred's open arms.

Maria had been looking for the blue-eyed, blon,pd, bespectacled American since she reached the ground, and was relieved to find him there, waiting for her, "Kuya Alfred!" Alfred embraced her immediately and, for a moment in time, the whole world slowed. It resumed, however, when Maria tore away from his hug and gave him a beso beso in return. This was normal for the Filipina, but not for the American, as evidenced by the reddening of his ears, which Maria either purposefully ingored or attributed to the cold weather.

Alfred took it upon himself to help Maria with her luggage while the latter went on and on about the affairs in her country.

"We had large typhoons again, so of course we were flooded, but it's nothing new, so we're pretty used to that..."

'This girl. She really should be more careful...' Alfred thought to himself as the walked across the terminal.

"The ASEAN is still pretty peaceful. A large part of my tourists come from SEA, so Ate Nesia and Ate Malaya spend more time with me these days..."

'That's good. At least someone is taking care of her back in her home when I can't...' The American glanced sideways at the Filipina beside him, who was still going on about her local affairs.

"Kuya Kiku and Yong Soo are helping me improve my military. It's been a long time since they've upgraded, so I'm really thankful."

"Is that so?" It was the first time Alfred spoke since Maria started her volley of words. He checked himself, aware of the slight bitterness in his tone. He stopped in his tracks and Maria soon noticed, "Kuya Alfred? What's wrong?"

Alfred turned his gaze down towards the Filipina. He was certain she was in love with either Kiku or Yong Soo (she wasn't, he just assumed she was) and he regretted losing his chance long ago. Then again, she still went out of her way to visit him. That had to count for something, right?

"Nothing," Alfred replied, giving Maria his usual carefree grin, "I just wondered how Kiku and Yong Soo were doing."

"They're doing great. We've been visiting each other lately and... Kuya, you've been eating more than you should again, noh?" she laughed, looking up at him while shaking her head. Alfred had his cheeks puffed and his lips formed a pout, exaggerating his features.

"What? Hey! What's that supposed to mean? And, no I haven't!" Alfred puffed his cheeks indignantly. "You've been talking to Arthur again, haven't you?"

Maria could see him start to blush and laughed even more, "Well, yes, I have been keeping in touch with Kuya Arthur," she admitted and continued, "But I'm just joking, kuya. You'll always be my handsome big brother, not matter how heavy you get, but even so, don't lie ha! I have reliable sources. And start taking care of yourself, or else I might do it for you, and you won't get a single piece of junk food or candy under my rule."

Both of them laughed and talked as Alfred hailed a cab to take them to his place. Maria fell asleep on the way, her head buried in the crook of Alfred's neck, while Alfred silently debated with himself if he could let go of his staple food if Maria took care of him.

They arrived at his house an hour later and he guiltily woke Maria so she could change into her sleepwear while he carried her stuff into the room he prepared for her.

That was how Alfred came to be awake in the middle of the night with sleep resisting capture anytime soon. He ended up calling Antonio, Maria's adoptive father, for help on how to please his guest, the latter threatening to set his bull on him if he harmed his preciosa hija.

Morning came and sleep had evaded Aflfred the entire night until finally, the American gave up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. He was barely in the kitchen for ten minutes when Maria walked in, fully dressed and ready to travel, albeit the dark lines under her eyes.

"Good morning, kuya." Maria greeted him groggily. "Hey Phili! What did you bring from your country? Do you have mangoes? I love the ones you grow." Alfred went on a full rant on what he expected Maria brought back while serving Maria her breakfast.

Finally Maria held up her hand, "Kuya, it's too early to be this noisy, don't you think?" She then pointed to the hall leading to her room, "They're in my room. Knock yourself out." and resumed eating.

Maria watched Alfred's back disappear as he sped down the hall and into her room like a kid. 'Typical Kuya Alfred.' she smiled to herself

Alfred rushed into Maria's room to find that she had alloted an entire box specifically for him. "Are all of these mine? Seriously? I love you, Maria!" He yelled, tearing the box open with his bare hands excitedly. "Love you too, kuya." replied a less enthusiastic Filipina from the kitchen down the hall.

Maria finished her breakfast and slid off the chair beside the counter. She walked happily towards her room, anticipating Alfred's gleeful reactions to her presents. It surprised her, therefore, to see that the American was not sitting on the floor beside the cardboard box but was standing next to her bedstand, holding a picture of the two of them together. It was a picture she kept because the day it was shot was when Alfred finally gave her her independence.

Alfred stared at the picture in his hand, unaware that the Filipina was standing at the doorway, observing him curiously. He ran his fingers along the glass and traced Maria's face, "You were so happy back then. You were finally free. Of all the people, you expected me to understand why you wanted freedom, and I do. I fought for it too... But, somehow, I didn't want to let you go. Now I know why. I... I really do love you. I think. I'm not really sure just yet, and I'm sure someone will try to take you from me and succeed, but until that day, I'll never stop trying to make you feel safe."

Maria saw a tear drop from the bridge of Alfred's nose onto the glass cover of the picture. The scene tormented Maria. She had been, for the greater part of Alfred's colonization of her country, been in love with him. Only he had made it clear, or so she thought, that their relationship could only ever be as brother and sister, and so she gave up. She was sure her feelings were gone, but it still broke her heart to hear Alfred's next words.

"I never should have let you go."

Maria took a few steps back, enough to give Alfred fair warning that she was about to come into her room. She said as much, and she could hear the American struggling to make himself look as normal as possible.

Alfred sat on the floor, pretending to be enamoured by the presents the Filipina brought from her country.

"Hey Phili, are you sure you want to giveall of this to me?" Alfred asked Maria as she entered the room and sat beside him, also digging through the box. She noticed that despite his efforts, his eyes were still slightly watery.

"Of course kuya. You are my hero, after all." She wouldn't be caught dead admitting that in front of their friends, but she knew Alfred needed it. She reached up and kissed Alfred's cheek lightly, "and you will always be my hero."

Alfred smiled at her and genuinely started to go through the gifts.

A/N

So I decided to change a bit, okay, a lot in this chapter because the first one seemed... Forced? I also renamed it to it the whole thing, so there.