A/N: I hope you read the prologue first. I don't think you'll get the full impact if you don't! So if you haven't, please go back and read that. D:
Moving right along. I'm sorry, the first chapter is a bit off. It's just a building block to give you all an overview of what's going on and everything you need to know. So it's a bit boring and sort of jumps around a bit. I apologize. But I promise the next chapter is going to be much better. So I hope you'll power through this one and I'll see you again next chapter! Alrighty then ~ Enjoy! :3
Love is Love
Chapter: 1
Alfred lay silently in his bed. It was large enough for two people, and clearly occupied accordingly, an imprint permanently fixed into the pillow that rested inches away from his head. Blue eyes were half closed, a look of slight displeasure in place, the sound of running water in the distance filling his ears. His brother's voice having called for him moments ago already, he forced himself to rise, the cold air of the morning greeting his skin harshly. Rubbing briskly at his shoulders, he wobbled down the hall, seeming more drunk than half asleep.
Hearing his heavy footsteps, Matthew turned around, a soft smile lighting up his face. Alfred was amusing to watch when he was drowzy - but more so when he was actually drunk. Matthew often cursed himself for not having a video camera to catch just how outrageous and hilarious he was when he was intoxicated.
"Come on, Al." he smiled, waving toward the tub as he entered the room with him. "You look like you had a rough night." he teased as the other struggled a bit to remove his boxers.
"It was quite extraordinary, actually." the bigger male replied absently, not much thought behind his words.
"What do you mean?" tone turning curious as he climbed into the tub, Matthew watched his brother follow suit, a concerned look on his face.
"What does what mean?" Alfred asked, cheeks burning slightly as he started to realize what he said.
"What you said, Al." Canada's tone falling serious.
"I - I don't know. Sorry, I was half asleep. You know sometimes I say weird things when I'm tired.." he shot back, gaze falling to the water that rose to his thighs, hand reaching out instinctively for the wash cloth which rested over the side of the tub.
Matthew smiled. It was true. He couldn't deny that. Alfred has said a lot of weird things when he was tired. Once, he could remember getting very upset over such an occurance. He could still remember the event so crisply, but he couldn't help but chuckle at it now.
The two of them laying together in bed, the younger male sensing the exhaustion from his elder brother, and cuddling closer to him whispered "I love you, Alfred." affectionately. Voice slurred, the American grumbled softly, "Hm? Yeah. I - I love you too, garbage."
"Yeah. You do say some pretty odd things when you're sleepy, I'll give you that, I guess." a breathy laugh escaping him as he reached for his own washcloth, pumping soap onto it, spreading it evenly across his skin, a rich lather forming in it's trail.
Alfred and Matthew had been together as a couple for a long time. Since Matthew had turned officially legal. Of course, it came as little shock to everyone else - after all, the two boys were hardly ever separated as children, and their relationship became even more obvious when that fact didn't change when they grew older, Matthew still crawling into Alfred's ned from time to time even as he grew well into his teens. Of course, the intentions had changed for him doing so. However, while it didn't come as shock neccessarily, that didn't mean it was accepted entirely. Arthur seemed very displeased with this situation from the beginning, trying at first to reason with his children and correct them saying that it wouldn't be proper, seeing how they were brothers and all. He only stepped off it after France argued with him on the matter drilling "Love is love" into his head, which he learned to reluctantly accept over time.
Today, Alfred had a meeting at work. He worked as a cooperate business manager, dealing heavily with the entertainment industry, but is by no means limited to that area. If one were to hear his position, it's sure that he would sound as if he were one of the top ranking members at the industry, a man to be taken seriously with high regard. But in actuality, his position would be considered far from the top. And though he is highly regarded, it wasn't for his actual work. If anything, his position in the industry was more of a joke in the eyes of his fellow workers.
Arthur was the owner of the industry, which is huge and expansive. It was no secret that Arthur was Alfred's father, and it had grown to be widely assumed that the only reason he was initially hired was due to their relationship. As such, he of course is treated with much respect, but most people chatter about him behind his back and doubt his ability in the profession.
For this reason, Alfred sometimes grew frustrated. He was outraged that people would come to assume such, as Arthur would never have hired him if he didn't know that he was capable in the first place. He wasn't like that; the old bastard never gave Alfred an inch, lest he take a mile. His entire life it had been that way, it wasn't going to change over a job position - especially since giving an inexperienced person that position could effect him negatively.
"So Al, you got that meeting today. You nervous?" The younger male asked bleakly. He had always been curious to know what was going on in his brother's life and how he actually felt about it. And usually, Alfred loved to talk about it. It seemed he could easily talk for hours when the subject was focused on himself. Which drove most people insane; Matthew was one of the few, possibly the only one who actually enjoyed it.
"Yeah. I don't know, not really. Just not thrilled, you know?" his tone came in dry, the life seemingly sucked out of it.
Matthew frowned, leaning over to splash water on some suds that remained on his brother's shoulder that were bothering him.
"Is mum going to be there?" he attempted to get him to say more on the matter, not satisfied with the lack of his usual work related morning rant which he found to be oddly attractive.
"Dunno." the other muttered back quickly, his cheeks starting to heat up as he pulled his face away to stare in some, any, other direction. "Why does it matter?" his tone now a scoff.
"It doesn't, I guess. Was just curious, eh." the violet eyed male shrugged his boney shoulders before standing up and draining the tub. "Come on, you wanna have time for breakfast, right?" his sad face easily twisting into a smile as he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked calmly down the hall.
The smell of pancakes filled the air, America's nose twitching at the familiar scent. Pancakes were Canada's favorite, it was one food product that he could suffocate relentlessly in maple syrup without receiving unsettling stares. It was for this reason that he had completely mastered cooking them and had hundreds of variations, as surprising as that may be, for the particular food. It was his specialty and America never got tired of tasting the odd but delicious mixtures he prepared.
"Today I tried hazelnut and cinnamin, it's really good. Try some, babe." his excitement easily readable in his tone. He loved to see his lover's expression when he took the first bite of his lovely piece of art.
"Er, I want to be early for work today. You know, to set a good impression."
"So you don't want anything to eat?" sad eyes gazed the entirity of the kitchen, bowls and boxes messily spread across the counters, pans greasy and forgotten on the stove.
"Sorry, not today. Save me some for later?" Alfred offered the proposal when he noticed the other's expression fall, a desperate attempt to cheer him back up. Only somewhat succeeding, Matthew flashed a quick, small smile, nodding and wiping his hands on his apron.
"Alright. Have a good day at work." he bid his usual farewell, walking over to kiss Alfred tenderly. "See you when you get home."
"Of course. Be a good boy while I'm gone." the larger male half teased, turning to leave the house.
"I love you." Matthew's voice rose meekly before the door shut.
"You too." Alfred replied, not turning back to face him.
Alone. Matthew stood in his place silently, staring at the closed door, feeling as if it were a barrier between him and his lover; as if it took Alfred's entire being away from him each time it closed behind him. A small sigh pushed past his lips, and he turned after several long moments - ones that felt like an eternity; ones that only marked the beginning of an even longer day.
Usually Matthew felt very close to Alfred. He would certainly, if ever asked, consider their relationship to be a happy one. Most times, his brother seemed satisfied and content with everything in his life; Matthew would never have suspected that he wasn't. And there was no mistake that Matthew was absolutely pleased with his own life as well. He didn't need to work because his brother was able to provide for both of them, which was a huge relief to him. Being shy and soft spoken, the mere idea of a job pinched painfully at his easily triggered anxiety. And Alfred had never been very controlling or possessive, so he could basically do whatever he wanted. Though he usually preferred to stay home anyway. And of course, he had the best lover in the world. Alfred was strong, dominating, and rough, but he had a way of being kind and gentle at the same time. In bed, or just in general, he was so relaxed and confident in everything that he did.
It was no wonder that America was so easily likable. Of course, it did slightly bother Canada that perhaps, he was a bit too likable. Girls often swooned over him, which made Matthew a bit tense at times. But who could blame them? What's not to like? But he was able to get over it quickly, finding it easy to do, as America had never shown any interest in girls anyway.
It seemed, though, that Alfred's personality did nearly a complete 180 whenever he had one of these meetings coming up. It always worried Matthew, no matter how many times it happened. He figured the meetings must shake him up, but he couldn't imagine why. Perhaps public speaking on a larger scale with the pressure of possibly getting demoted or fired made Alfred's stomach turn? Strange as the idea was, he had pretty much grown to accept the assumption. He was glad though. Today was the day of the meeting, which meant that when he came home from work, he'd be back to his old self again, as it allways worked out that way.
Smiling to himself, Matthew slid over to the drawer and pulled out a piece of paper alongside a pencil and began to jot down a shopping list. "He'll be really happy if he comes home to a nice dinner!" The thought of Alfred's face when he got home practically having Canada singing a blissful tune of nothingness.