Chapter II: Brother and Mother


Alfred stared with his mouth opened, 'What?'

'I told you, I am an angel!'

The boy scrambled over the mess and tried to stand up, but immediately tumbled to the ground with a loud 'thump'. Alfred winced at the sound and saw the boy trying to regain his balance.

'Erm, do you… need help?' Alfred asked awkwardly.

'I'm fine on my own!' The boy replied, followed by another loud 'crash.' Alfred shot him an unconvinced look. The boy looked away embarrassed. 'Yes, I need… help.' Alfred helped the boy up and led him to a chair, forgetting about his fear just now. Then he crossed his arms across his chest.

'So, what happened actually?'

The boy sighed. 'I know that you won't believe it, but I am an angel and I have just fallen down from heaven since I have broken my halo. I couldn't stay in heaven without my halo.'

As the boy has said, Alfred could hardly believe what he has listened just now. Angels? Heaven? Seriously? Alfred stared at the unknown boy in front of him and thought about the incident just now. A boy, who claimed to be an 'angel', has fallen down from nowhere and happened to crash his home's roof, and now he was sitting right in front of him.

'Ah, I see that you are totally unconvinced. Your look has already told me so.'

'I… am just shocked. I… don't…'

Alfred took a deep breathe to calm himself down. 'I don't see that you are an angel. Even if there are angels, you definitely look nothing like one.'

'What!? T-that's... What a rude thing to say! I am an angel! I have broken my halo but I still have my wings! Couldn't you see that?' The boy turned around to show his back.

'Um... I certainly cannot see that you have wings.'

'What, you really...!' The boy flustered and stood up to search his back. When he realized that there was nothing but the smooth skin, his face paled in disbelief. 'M-my wings! They, they are gone!' He spluttered.

'I think... perhaps, is that your imagination?' Alfred suggested weakly. He now decided that the boy was somehow suffering from psychological problems and was trying to suicide by jumping from up high, but happened to fall at his home's roof, and the boy must probably have a habit of cosplaying. As a hero, he will help this poor guy out! This is what heroes should do!

'I-I can understand, a lot of people nowadays like to do cosplay, I don't have anything against that, trust me. Look, um, life can be pretty hard sometimes, but don't try to suicide, there's a lot waiting for you ahead, you know.'

'I am NOT cosplaying, and my mental health is PERFECTLY fine.' The boy snapped.

'Oh, you don't really have to deny it, I will help you! Trust me, you'll be fine! Just leave it to the hero!' Alfred shot him an assuring grin.

'If you really want to help, help me with finding my halo!'

'It is not good to get overindulged in cosplay.'

'I told you, I AM NOT COSPLAYING, I AM A BLOODY ANGEL!' The boy yelled.

Alfred was stunned by his yelling. The boy crouched down and buried his face into his knees. 'I don't know what I can do now... I probably have lost my broken halo when I was falling, and now, I am going to be forever stuck here.' He muttered quietly. Alfred felt sorry for the boy, whether or not he was an angel, it was true that the boy was in distress.

'Look, I... I want to help you. I still cannot believe all that angels' talk but... I truly want to help. You can tell me what you want.'

The boy looked up sadly. 'There's no way for you to help if you do not believe that I am an angel.' He answered softly.

'Then prove it to me. Prove that you are an angel and your story is true. There must be some way to prove it, am I right?'

The boy hesitated for a while. 'Since I have lost my wings, I cannot prove to you by flying. So... perhaps I, I can... show you some of my magic?' Alfred nodded. The boy thought hard, what can he do...?

'Ah! I remember, I can turn you into a child!' The boy clasped his hands in excitement.

'Reallly?' Alfred's eyes widened a bit.

'Although I don't have my wand with me now, but I think this will do!' The boy held up a pen nearby. 'All I need is a medium!' He turned around to Alfred and shouted, 'HOATA!'

Alfred was shocked, but nothing happened. Alfred looked around himself and saw nothing changed, he had his focus back to the boy and said, 'I don't think it works.'

'But...! But it should work! My magic can be performed with or without my wand! The magic is, is in me...' The boy was startled and he started to get nervous by his failure.

Alfred patted his shoulder. 'Maybe you can try something else?' He suggested.

'I don't know what I can do! I have no idea what has happened to my magic! Without my magic, I, I can do nothing!' The boy sputtered. Alfred could hear that the boy was at the edge of tears.

'Now, just concentrate, concentrate on what other things you could do. I am sure that you must have other abilities other than using your magic.' Alfred didn't know what other things else he could say, of course, he was still seeing the boy as some psychiatric patients but he didn't mind giving a chance to him to do what he want. If he were to help the boy to overcome his mental disorder, he would have to first convince him that the 'angel' thing is not true.

The boy stared at the ground. His face suddenly lit up. 'I know what I can do! I am not sure whether you could see since some of my angel friends couldn't see as well, but I can take you to see the unicorns and fairies!'

'Unicorns and fairies?' Alfred's face has written 'I doubt it' all over it. First the angels, now unicorns and fairies? The boy continued cheerfully, 'Don't be afraid, they're my friends!' Alfred nodded with a weak smile. The boy looked around the house and locked his gaze at the window. His eyes widened with surprise and relief. 'There, a fairy is at the window waving at me! Come!' He took Alfred's hand and ran towards the window. Alfred was surprised at how warm and soft the boy's hand was, his heart suddenly was filled with warmth and calmness, but before he could think anymore, he tumbled down as the boy tripped himself.

'Sorry, I don't think that I am still used to walking. I used to fly, you know. Are you hurt?'

'Oh, oh, it's okay. Don't worry, I am fine. The hero doesn't get hurt!'

The boy stood up again and walked slowly to the window. He held out his hand and smiled. 'Hello there, you are a new one here, aren't you? I haven't seen you before.' He stopped for a moment. 'I see, I see. Oh, stop, it tickles!' He giggled. 'Please stop it, I couldn't stand tickling!' Then he looked at Alfred. 'Here, can you see her? Let me introduce. This is Lily. Lily, this is... um... Sorry, I think we have not properly introduced ourselves yet. I am Arthur, what about you?'

'Oh, I am Alfred! If you want, you can also call me Alfie or Alfred the hero!' Alfred beamed.

'I prefer Alfred. Now, Lily, this is Alfred. Alfred, can you see Lily?'

'Um, here?' Alfred pointed to the air.

'Of course not. She's here.' Arthur pointed at his shoulder and sighed. 'So, you cannot see fairies too... Although I have never expected much from humans like you. How can I prove to you then...?'

This boy is getting crazier. Not only that he has mental disorder, he's having illusions! Alfred thought to himself.

'Look here, Alfred! There's not just only Lily, there's even a unicorn here! How lucky of you to have them around your home!' Arthur exclaimed with amazement.

Oh dear. 'O-Okay, where is it?'

'Hold out your hand.'

'What?'

'Just held out your hand, I want you to try patting him.'

'You're asking me to pat a unicorn?'

'Yes, I am. Don't be afraid, he is friendly.'

Alfred held out his hand slowly and Arthur took it immediately and pulled his hand out of the window. Alfred could only feel the air.

'Um, you know, I actually don't feel-' But before he could finish his sentence, his hand felt something soft and furry, like a horse. Alfred gazed to the air and saw nothing, his looked at Arthur in horror, but Arthur just smiled brightly at him.

'GAAAAAAAAAH!' Alfred screamed and pulled his hand away, jumping backwards. 'WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?!'

'Shhh. You are going to scare the unicorn!' Arthur hissed. 'You have felt him, don't you? He's soft and furry.' He said with a soft laugh.

'I-i-i-is it that a unicorn?' Alfred whispered shakily. He was still terrified of what he has touched just now. He has just touched, a unicorn, a bloody real unicorn. He stared at Arthur who was laughing to the air. He slapped his forehead and took a deep breathe. Alfred, you can do it, just calm down... When Alfred felt himself no longer shaking, he walked towards Arthur.

'Can I... touch it again?' Alfred had to make sure that wasn't his imagination.

'Sure! He would love to!'

Alfred reached his hand out to the air.

'He's... more to you left.' Arthur said.

Alfred moved his hand leftwards slowly. Then he felt himself touching something soft and warm. His hand moved along the surface and touched something furry like the mane of a horse. He held his breathe and continued. Then he felt a shiny and spiraling texture.

'Is this-?'

'Right, you are touching his horn now.' Arthur was pleased to see that Alfred was getting along well with the unicorn.

Alfred touched the horn carefully and stroked the mane of the unicorn. He could see nothing but he must admit that there was a unicorn. He pulled his hand back and looked at Arthur in disbelief. He has touched the unicorn himself now. Although this might not prove that Arthur was an angel, it was enough for Alfred to believe.

'Okay. As I have said, I believe you. I believe that you are an angel.'

'Really?' Arthur's face lit up. 'Thank you!'

Alfred still hasn't entirely accepted the fact that he was having an angel at his home, an angel who has just fallen from heaven and crashed his roof, and the fact that he has just touched a unicorn. Everything was still in a mess. He needed time to convince himself that all of that was real. Arthur seemed to know his trouble, he patted Alfred's shoulder, 'Don't worry, I'm already thankful that you believe me.'

'I'm fine. It was just too sudden.' Alfred took a long, deep breathe and resumed back to his normal, cheerful self. 'I have promised to help you, let's do it!'

'I am grateful for that. My halo must have lost when I was falling, since it has already been broken into pieces before I fell, so they must have been scattered all over the land... I must retrieve all the pieces and find a way to bring them back together, or else I can never return to heaven. The problem is, I don't even know where to start.'

'Maybe we can start from the things nearest to us, like, around the house first?' Alfred suggested.

'You are right.' Arthur waved a 'goodbye' to the unicorn and the fairies at the window and turned around. Again, he stumbled over the ground.

'Before we find your halo, I think it would be better if I teach you in adapting your life on earth.' Alfred sighed and pulled Arthur up.

'...Yeah.'


Matthew waved goodbye to Carlos after they have finished their revision in the library. He then slung his bag over his shoulder and walked back home. I wonder if Alfred is watching his hero movies again. Although he and Alfred were so-called twins, he never really understood a lot about Alfred's interests. As Matthew walked past the fast food shop, he stopped by and saw the 'Buy 2 and get 1 free' sign. Matthew chuckled to himself, knowing that even if Alfred has already eaten a burger, he definitely wouldn't mind eating two more.

After buying the hamburgers, Matthew continued his way back home. When the house slowly revealed into Matthew's sight, Matthew stared at it in horror. The roof had an enormous hole on it and there was certainly nothing good happened. Matthew tried not to faint by the scene and ran straightly to the front door. He opened the door quickly and shouted,

'Alfred! Are you alright?'

'Oh, hi, Mattie, welcome back! I am fine.' Alfred was holding two large sacks.

'The roof...!'

'Yes, the roof has torn apart. I thought you would faint before you could come back when you see it!'

'Alfred! This is not funny!' Matthew was furious, he was worried about his brother yet Alfred was joking about it.

'Okay, okay, sorry Mattie. I didn't mean to.' Alfred apologized.

Matthew was still furious, but less now. 'What happened actually? How come the roof is like that? Why...?'

'Mattie, I know that you have a lot of questions in your mind now, but just wait until I finish moving all these mess into the sacks. It's lucky that Dad has left some of them in the garage.'

Matthew bit his lips and knelt down, putting away his bag. 'I will help too.'

'Alfred! How does this thing work?! Water is coming out!'

Matthew stared at Alfred in bewilderment, waiting for an explanation. Alfred shot him an 'I will explain everything later' look at him and ran to the bathroom. Matthew followed.

'Alfred! This thing is...!'

'Let me do it. Look.'

A skinny boy wearing a white toga and old-fashioned sandals moved away from the tap, Alfred held a bucket under the tap and turned the tap on. Matthew was surprised. Who is that boy? Where does him come from? 'Um... hello?' Matthew decided that he will say hello first, even though he had no idea who he was. The boy noticed Matthew's presence and flinched.

'O-oh, um, hello, my name is Arthur, and I-I...'

'He is an angel.' Alfred continued.

'Excuse me?' Matthew widened his eyes at the word 'angel'.

'Arthur, would you help me to bring the bucket outside? Be careful not to trip.'

'Oh, sure.'

'What's all this about?'

'Mattie, let's go out and I'll explain.'

Alfred, Matthew and Arthur were now all in the living room. It looked much better after Alfred and Arthur have removed most of the debris to the sacks. Matthew crossed his arms across his chest, looking at Alfred. Alfred sighed.

'You have to believe everything I say, okay? You have to trust me.' Matthew nodded.

Alfred then told Matthew all about the crash, the angel, the broken halo and everything else. Matthew listened carefully even though he had a lot of things running across his mind. When Alfred finished, there was a long pause.

'It's hard to believe, but... But I will trust you, Alfred. I don't think this is a lie though.' Matthew spoke and turned to Arthur. 'I am sorry for what happened to you, Arthur... I would like to help too. Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I am Matthew, Alfred's twin brother. Alfred likes to call me Mattie though. Nice to meet you.' Matthew held out his hand to shake hands with Arthur.

'Nice to meet you too! I'm glad that you believe my story.' Arthur shook back. When Arthur's palm touched Matthew's, Matthew felt it almost like an electric shock, except that it wasn't really a shock that hurts, but rather he felt warmth and happiness flowing to him, making him felt calm and steady. When Arthur took back his hand, Matthew came back to his senses.

'S-sorry, I...!'

'It's fine.' Arthur smiled. 'I think we should clean up the mess first.'


The three of them helped in washing and cleaning up the dirty floor. By the time they finished, they were exhausted and lay against the wall.

'So, you are really an angel?' Matthew asked eagerly.

'Of course I am!' Arthur said proudly. 'I can do a lot of magic once I regain back my power!'

Matthew hasn't come across anything like this before, compared to Alfred, he was more childish and it was easier for him to believe in these things. Matthew looked at Arthur with respect and admiration.

'You seriously believe that in such a short time.' Alfred groaned.

'Not everyone needs to touch a unicorn before they belief, Alfred.'

'Don't you even refer to scientific knowledge?'

'Not really in this case.'

Alfred stopped making anymore comments.

'Arthur, you can stay at our home for the mean time. I'm sure that there's no one you can go to at this moment. I believe that Mum would agree to that.' Matthew offered kindly.

'Really? You are willing to take me in? Will that be a trouble for your family? I don't want to... be a nuisance.' Arthur was taken aback at Matthew's suggestion.

'W-wait! Mattie, but...!'

'Are you against that Arthur is staying with us?'

'No! I mean, no, I don't mind Arthur living with us, but Mum...'

'Alfie, let's just leave it to Mum's decision, okay?'

There was another long silence. 'Maybe we should get ourselves cleaned up too, don't you think so? Our clothes were in a mess now and it's almost evening.' Alfred spoke.

'Sure.'

'Right.'

Matthew headed to the bathroom on the first floor. Alfred went to the one up the staircase.

'Wait, what about...'

'Oh right, I almost forget about you, Arthur. I will show you the bathroom in the basement. It isn't used often, usually for guests, but we don't have a lot of guests, you see.' Alfred led Arthur down the stairs.

'I have showed you how to turn the tap on already so I guess you can handle yourself. I will be out for now.'

Arthur entered the bathroom and examined the place. 'W-wait, Alfred, do I just turn the tap on like this? The water will run through the hole there. How can I take a bath?'

Alfred stopped and walked back. 'I thought you are going to take a shower!'

'Shower? You mean... raining?'

'Er, no. A shower, it means that water will come out from this thing and you can hang it here and you can wash yourself under this. To turn on the shower, you can press this button, and then this, and this. Remember to adjust the water temperature before you do so.'

'Thanks a lot.' Arthur looked weirdly at the nozzle. 'I will be out then.' Alfred left the room, leaving a confused Arthur in the bathroom.


Woah, this is like a waterfall! I have never tried cleaning myself like this in heaven! Arthur looked at the nozzle in amazement. It was like a complete new experience for Arthur and he had never imagined water coming out in midair, this does not only save water, but indeed very convenient. In heaven, angels only take baths at a public pool. If Arthur could return to heaven, he must introduce this marvelous invention to the others.

Arthur dried himself in a towel and looked for some clothes to change into. However, he has forgotten that the toga was his only garments and now, the toga has already been dirty and cannot be worn. There's no choice for me then. Arthur flushed. Angels don't mind exposing their bodies to each other, but Arthur knows that in the humans' world, they consider it an act of a pervert. Arthur tried to wrap himself in a towel but since it was too small, he could only use it to cover his vital regions. I just hope they won't scream.

Arthur walked slowly upstairs, spotting Alfred watching the television on the sofa and Matthew reading a book at the table.

'Um... Alfred, Matthew... I...'

'Oh Arthur, you have finished?' Matthew lift his eyes up and noticed the half-naked Arthur and widened his eyes with his face turning red. 'Arthur, why you...'

'Arthur what?' Alfred turned and saw a blushing Arthur, he realized that Arthur was almost naked and Alfred couldn't help but stare at him.

'I... don't have any other spare clothes. Could you... lend me some?' Arthur looked away awkwardly.

'S-sure! I will go fetch one of my pajamas!' Matthew hurried to his room and handed Arthur a set of pajamas.

'T-thanks.' Then Arthur noticed that Alfred was still staring at him. 'W-what? Just, look away!' Arthur rushed downstairs and was out of sight.

Alfred realized that he has been staring all the time and hit his head on the sofa edge. Oh God, I was acting like a pervert just now! What the hell I'm doing?


Arthur came out very soon in Matthew's pajamas (which have a lot of bear patterns on it). Alfred took a quick glance and found that rather adorable.

'I'm glad that they fit you! You look really nice in them!' Matthew exclaimed.

'Th-thank you.'

Arthur took a seat next to Alfred on the sofa. Alfred was still thinking about him staring at Arthur just now and didn't dare to start a conversation. Does Arthur hate me now? I hope he doesn't think of me as a pervert.

'You like hero movies?'

Arthur's question snapped Alfred back to reality. 'Why, of course! I like heroes and I want to be one of them someday soon!'

'I see...'

'Don't you like heroes?'

'I don't really have an interest in them. I think.. They are rather unrealistic.'

'Heroes bring justice to the world! Of course they are realistic! If I were to say, you are way more unrealistic than them!' Alfred tried to defend for his heroes.

'You believe my existence anyway. It's just... No one is truly invincible, they must have their own weaknesses, just that they didn't show it.'

'Of course not! Heroes are the best! They can take down all their enemies because they have justice and bravery in their hearts!' Alfred wouldn't let Arthur look down at his favorite heroes.

'Whatever you may say.'

'I see that you are totally unconvinced! You know, in Captain America, they...'

Alfred gradually forgot all that awkwardness just now and started to tell Arthur all about his favorite heroes. Matthew, who was at the table, smiled at the conversation, it has been long that Alfred had quarreled with someone since Matthew was always too soft.


'DING DONG!' The doorbell rang.

'I think Mum is back!' Matthew whispered.

Arthur stood up from the sofa immediately. Thanks to Alfred and Matthew, Arthur could walk properly now, at least he won't trip on every step he made. 'I will explain to your mother. This is my problem after all.'

'No way! We are the one who asked you to stay! I will be the one to tell!'

'No, I will!'

'No, I'm the one!'

'Guys, I'm going to open the door!' Matthew disrupted the two and opened the door. Their mother, Amelia, has just come back from work. Amelia saw Matthew and gave a hug. 'Oh, how's my dear boy?'

'I'm fine, Mum. Alfred and I...'

'Oh right! Alfred!' Amelia hugged Alfred, who was standing behind Matthew.

'Welcome back, Mum!' Alfred gave his biggest grin.

'How rare is that both of you are at the door! Something happened, right?' Amelia smirked at the twins. 'And Alfred's grin tells me that I'm right. Now, move away, boys. I have to get inside.'

'Wait, Mum, promise us that you won't get angry or pissed off with us no matter what we told you...' Matthew said nervously.

'Oh boys, there's nothing to hide. I can see the broken roof far away from there already.' Amelia smiled smugly.

'Ah.' Alfred and Matthew have entirely forgotten about the roof, all they have thought just now was Arthur.

'Well that's true, but there's something else... Mum, you have to believe us, okay?'

Amelia sighed. 'Of course, I believe you two. Just let me in.'

The twins let Amelia into the house and Arthur was standing at the table anxiously. Amelia was surprised, 'Oh hi there, I am Amelia Jones, and you are...?'

'Good evening, Mrs. Jones. I am Arthur.'

Amelia held out her hand, intended to shake hands with Arthur. Just like Alfred and Matthew, right at the moment she touched Arthur, she felt a sudden flow of warmth, reminding her of all her happy memories. She looked at Arthur in astonishment.

'I am sorry to intrude your house and even broke the roof.'

Amelia's eyes were full of curiosity. 'I see... Arthur... So it's you? How did you manage to crash the roof? I-I mean, I'm interested. You don't look like someone very strong.'

'I... erm, fell down from the sky?'

Amelia laughed heartily. 'You made great jokes, don't you?'

'Sorry, I... I don't joke often.' Arthur stuttered. Amelia stopped her laugh at his words. 'Mrs Jones, I am an angel and I have broken my halo so I couldn't stay in heaven anymore. I fell down from heaven and happened to crash your roof and met your two sons. They have been helping me a lot. I have lost my broken halo when I was falling down so I need to retrieve the pieces and put them together again, or else I cannot return to heaven.'

Amelia listened carefully but hesitated. Alfred and Matthew were waiting nervously for her response but Arthur was the most anxious one. Alfred notice his Mum's hesitation and spoke, 'Please, Mum. I know it's hard to accept in such a short time but please, can Arthur stay? He has nowhere to go.' Amelia was surprised that Alfred was asking her to do him a favor. Amelia hardly remembered a time when Alfred show that much concern for a person. She knew that Alfred got along well with most people, but he hasn't really been closed to anyone.

'Mrs. Jones, you do not need to rush your decision, I do not want to be your family's burden. If I was allowed to stay, I will be responsible for all my needs and try not to cause any trouble. I will help your family as much as possible. Even if I cannot stay, I will do my best to make up for your loss of the broken roof... I promise that I will...'

Amelia chuckled at Arthur's formalness. Then she stared into Arthur's eyes, she wasn't sure about the existence of angels and has never bothered much to know, but now she had this boy claiming to be one. However, she noticed the determination and sincerity in Arthur's eyes, she hasn't seen much of this in the eyes of kids nowadays and it's somehow reassuring. Amelia's instincts told her that, things will definitely change in this house if Arthur stays.

'Arthur shall stay with us until he wants to leave!' Amelia declared.

The three boys looked at Amelia in disbelief. 'Thank you, Mum, thank you!' Alfred hugged his Mum tightly. 'Mum, thanks a lot.' Matthew gave her a hug as well and gave a wink at Arthur.

'Arthur, why don't you join in the family?' Amelia smiled at Arthur, who was still standing there in shock.

'I-I...'

'Don't be shy, come on.'

Arthur walked towards Amelia and held out his hand for a handshake but Amelia instead, pulled him into a hug. 'Welcome to the family, Arthur.'

Arthur suddenly felt like crying, he was touched, even he himself was surprised by this. He has never received this kind of welcome before, at least not from his brothers and Peter. He has rarely received a hug in his life and this actually... felt nice.

'Thank you.' He whispered softly.


Note: I know that this chapter is boring and nothing actually happens but you still have to bear with it. `)

I hope there will be more happening soon too, but I think the next chapter is as boring as that one. Too bad~ ( • ̀ω•́ )

By the way, I think Amelia is the name for Nyotalia America and Carlos is Cuba's name... The title for this chapter is as plain as ever.

Anyway, once again, any feedback is more than welcome!(✿゚▽゚)

- Righteous Scone