Arthur woke up to Leon jumping onto his bed the next morning. It scared him, causing to cry out in fright and sit straight up. Leon stared up at him with his small, brown eyes and giggled.

"What is it, Leon?" Arthur asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

Leon yawned. "Someone is at the door," he excitedly said. "I think it might be Alfred! He looks like Alfred, but he's not wearing what Alfred usually wears, and he doesn't knock like Alfred either."

Arthur was immediately awake as memories of the night before returned to him. Alfred's distress, Alfred drunk, Alfred stumbling dangerously down the street, Alfred's lips on his…

"Daddy, we have to answer the door," Leon insisted.

Arthur stood up. He realized he was still in his clothes from yesterday, having been in too much of a daze to change into nightwear. He yawned and smoothed his hair down before going to the front room and answering the door.

Leon was right. It wasn't Alfred at the door. But the man at the door looked nearly identical to him. The man looked at Arthur with kind, yet worried eyes. He wore a captain's badge and had his head held high.

"Arthur Kirkland?" the man asked, looking at Arthur.

"That would be me," Arthur slowly confirmed, trying not to shrink against the doorframe. Was this the brother that Alfred was always talking about? If so, why was he here? What did he want? Where was Alfred?

The man smiled apologetically. "My name is Captain Matthew Williams," he stated, introducing himself. "Have you by any chance seen Private Alfred F. Jones in the past day?"

Arthur's heart skipped a beat. He struggled to find his voice. He knew he shouldn't have let him walk alone last night! His head nodded, yet he still couldn't find his voice. What had happened? Did he not make it back to the base?

Matthew breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed a little, almost as if a metric ton was literally lifted off of his shoulders. "Please," he anxiously pleaded. "Please tell me everything you know!"

Arthur swallowed the lump in his throat. "Very well," he said, gesturing inside. "Please come in, Captain Williams." Matthew nodded and stepped in as Arthur stared at him curiously, shutting the door. "How did you know I was associated with him?"

Matthew smiled warmly and got a look of fondness in his eyes. "Alfred's my younger brother," he explained. "We're all each other has left. And the night I came to his base, he sat on my bunk all night and told me all about you two."

Arthur smiled, imagining Alfred talking to Matthew all night, while Matthew was trying to sleep. He imagined Alfred sitting, still talking to Matthew after his brother drifted off to sleep, not even noticing. Then it hit him. Alfred was missing. Alfred didn't make it back to the base last night.

"Captain Williams, did Alfred not make it back last night?" Arthur asked, stomach sinking. He didn't want to believe it. He prayed it wasn't true.

Matthew shook his head, biting his lip. "Did he say or do anything weird yesterday?" he asked.

Arthur glanced to Leon. "Leon, please go do your homework in your room," he said, not wanting Leon to hear what had happened. He didn't know how much he should tell Matthew, but knew that in order to find out what happened to Alfred, he'd have to tell him.

Leon's eyes widened with panic, knowing how serious it must be if his father was dismissing him. He nodded numbly and went to his room to do homework.

"Tell me, Captain Williams, what all do you know about your brother and my family?" Arthur softly asked, not daring to look at Matthew.

"That depends on how much you know about my brother," Matthew simply stated.

"Meaning what?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matthew sighed. "He'll kill me for asking this, but what is the relationship between you two?"

Arthur was quiet for a moment, trying to hold back the blush that wanted to spread across his cheeks. "We're friends, of course," he answered stiffly. "Nothing more than that." He wasn't sure if Matthew should know about the night before or not. But then again, why was Matthew asking about this in the first place?

"Did he do anything out of the ordinary last night?" Matthew cautiously asked. He had to be careful when probing people for information, especially regarding their relationships with his brother. He learned many years ago to be very careful about things of that sort.

Arthur stared at him for a moment. "What sort of thing are you asking about?" he asked, voice tinged with just as much caution as Matthew's. "Alfred is an eccentric person. Everything seems to be out of the ordinary when regarding him."

Matthew smiled a little and nodded. "That's very true," he agreed. "It's just that Alfred is different than most men that I know."

"Different?" Arthur questioned, leaning more toward Matthew.

"Tell me what happened last night before I say anything more," Matthew sighed. "I need to know everything he did before he left."

Arthur swallowed. "Very well," he said. He proceeded to tell Matthew about their day yesterday and then about how Alfred got very drunk and began ranting. Matthew looked troubled when he was mentioned. "And then he…" Arthur trailed off.

Matthew leaned toward him. "Go on," he said, already suspecting what happened. "Arthur, it's important that I know what happened."

Arthur knew what happened to homosexual men, especially the ones in the military. He bit his lip, terrified of telling Matthew.

"He kissed you, didn't he?" Matthew finally asked, prompting it out of Arthur.

Arthur stared over at Matthew with wide eyes. "How did you…"

Matthew looked down at the floor. "I've known about him for years now. My brother prefers men to women." Arthur's heart skipped a beat. So Alfred did intend to do that. "And being in the military means that he isn't supposed to be that way. I'm the only one who knows." He looked down. "And I knew how he felt about you." His eyes met Arthur's once again. "How did you react?"

"I told him he was drunk," Arthur sheepishly admitted, looking down.

Matthew's mouth drew into a tight line. "I see," he said. "Which direction did he go in?"

Arthur pointed down the street. "He went that way. I knew I should have walked with him!" The guilt was eating him alive. He was praying for Alfred to be okay.

Matthew turned back to the door. "I have one last question for you," he softly asked. "Did you kiss him back?"

The British man's heart skipped a beat before he bit his lip, nodding. "I did," he answered.

Matthew was very surprised by that answer. He gasped slightly. "Do you feel the same about him as he feels about you?"

Arthur looked at his feet. He had been up all night, thinking about it. If he didn't love Alfred in that way, then he wouldn't be dying for another taste of his lips. If he didn't love Alfred in that way, he wouldn't be comparing him to Mei in his head. If he didn't love Alfred in that way, his heart wouldn't hurt at the mention of anything bad happening to him. "I do," he finally decided. His mind went in many different directions when he finally owned up to the feelings. It was too real. He was in love with a man.

Matthew turned to face Arthur. "I-I-I see," he stammered. He hadn't expected Arthur to openly answer in that way. "Then will it be alright if I bring him back here when I find him? I don't want to take him back to the base if he's in not so great condition."

Arthur nodded absently. "Would you like me to accompany you?" he asked.

The captain shook his head. "I'd rather Leon not see him if he's in the condition I think he's in," he admitted. "Please keep Leon occupied when I return."

Arthur was anxious to go. "I can call Victoria. She'll be here within minutes." He wanted to help find Alfred.

Matthew weighed it out. "Very well," he decided. "But get her here soon."

.

Arthur searched every alleyway with Matthew. Where was the bloody American? What had happened to him? His heart pounded every time he saw someone in military dress or with blond hair his length. It made him more nervous.

"Wait," Matthew said, looking up ahead. He was staring at a park bench with a blond military soldier slumped on it, asleep. His heart beat sped up as he ran to the man. "Alfred F. Jones!" he shouted when he reached him.

Alfred woke up with a start, falling off of the bench. "Mattie?!" he cried out in shock. He blinked against the morning light, realization hitting him. "What time is it?"

Matthew towered over Alfred. "It's probably half past ten by now," he stiffly stated. "Is this where you have been all night? I was worried sick!"

The American backed away a bit at his brother's loud words, not used to Matthew's voice being anything but soft and gentle. "I wasn't feeling well, so I sat down to rest," he struggled to say. "But I guess I must have fallen asleep."

Matthew sighed. "You need to work on thinking of others," he said. He offered Alfred a hand and pulled him to his feet. "Your actions affect more than just yourself, you know."

Alfred brushed himself off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he sighed. "I get it, Mattie." He sighed and fixed his glasses, which had been crooked. "Not to say your feelings aren't relevant, but it was just you who was worried. It's not like it was anyone else."

"I don't care whether you find my feelings relevant or not," Matthew simply stated. He stepped aside and gestured to Arthur. "But don't you think his would be?"

Alfred's eyes widened when he saw Arthur. He glared up at his brother angrily. "You got Arthur involved?!" he angrily growled. "How could you do that?!" His eyes flicked over to Arthur and he turned bright red as he looked away in shame.

Matthew clenched his jaw but did not say anything. He knew better than to argue with Alfred, especially when his brother was angry. "I had no choice," he finally said. "He was the last person to see you last night."

Arthur awkwardly stood there, wondering when would be a good time to speak. His eyes took in Alfred, who looked really tired. "Let's get him to my place," he sighed. "He looks like hell and needs to rest."

Alfred's eyes widened. "Your place?" he struggled to say. He looked to Matthew. "Shouldn't I be heading back to the base?"

Matthew shook his head. "Not until you're able to answer demanding questions," he answered.

Alfred sighed. "I really messed up, didn't I?"

The captain sighed. "Don't worry about that right now," he answered. "I'll be with you the whole time. But first, you need to rest in a proper place, not a park bench."

Arthur finally stepped over to the brothers. "Alfred, you need proper sleep. Let's head back to my flat. You can sleep there."

Alfred stared at Arthur in horror. "B-B-But last night!" he struggled to say.

The British man shook his head. "Don't worry about that right now, Alfred," he said. "You need to sleep. Now come along."

.

Alfred was accosted by Leon the moment they walked through the door. He smiled at the boy. "Hey, Leon," he greeted.

Leon stared up at Alfred. "You don't look so good, Alfred," he observed. "You should sleep. That's what helps me feel better." His eyes lit up. "Oh, I know! You can sleep in my bed!"

Arthur looked down at Leon. "I appreciate the sentiment, Leon, but your bed will not be big enough for Alfred."

"Then let him sleep in yours!" Leon said, grinning. "I know yours is big enough for a lot of people! It should be big enough for Alfred, right?"

Alfred smiled. "I'm fine with the couch, kid."

Arthur clicked his tongue in disapproval. "There is no door in there to keep sound out," he said. He helped Alfred out of his boots. "I'll put this bloke to bed. Leon, go play with Victoria."

Leon nodded obediently and then turned to Matthew. "Hey, are you Alfred's brother? You look like him! Come play with me!" He grabbed Matthew's hand before he could answer and drug him to his bedroom.

Arthur walked Alfred to his room and shut the door after them. "Alfred," he began.

Alfred cringed. "If this is about last night, then I…"

Arthur cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. "Let me talk," he stated. "What was your reasoning behind kissing me last night?"

The American's eyes widened in horror. "Look, I'm sorry," he began. "I was drunk, and I couldn't hold myself back. I just…"

Arthur shook his head. "You fool. Do you know what that did to me?" He bit his lip, unable to look up at the American.

Alfred couldn't answer. He was stunned, unable to read Arthur's face. "No," he finally answered, slowly and quietly. "I don't know what I did, but I apologize. It wasn't appropriate."

Arthur sighed. "Alfred, I…" He didn't know what to say. His mind couldn't process how to put the thoughts into words. He then decided that actions spoke louder than words and pressed his lips to Alfred's.

Alfred blinked in shock, but didn't break it off. Instead, his arms circled Arthur's waist as Arthur's snaked around his neck. He pulled the smaller man closer to him, causing Arthur to gasp against his lips. Alfred didn't pay attention to the gasp as he licked Arthur's bottom lip. Arthur slowly opened his mouth and Alfred's tongue slipped in.

Arthur felt his knees weaken as Alfred kissed him. His could feel his legs trembling and clung tightly around Alfred's neck. He was slowly losing his sanity, yet he was enjoying every moment of it.

Alfred stumbled to Arthur's bed as he began to lose balance due to the intoxicating kiss. He sat and pulled Arthur onto his lap, holding the British man close to him yet being careful as if he feared Arthur would break.

Arthur opened his eyes widely when he realized he was seated on Alfred's lap. He had never sat on a man's lap before, not since he was a child. Yet this was a different kind of sitting. He loved this man differently than family. It was still a stunning shock for him as he realized the fact that he really did love Alfred. He loved this man the same way he loved his beloved Mei. Every tiny voice in his mind screamed at him, telling him that this was wrong, very wrong. But if it was so wrong, why did it make him feel more himself than he ever had in his life?

Alfred broke off the kiss and stared into Arthur's eyes. "Matthew knows," he softly said.

Arthur sighed. "I figured as much," he admitted. "Alfred, why is it me?"

The American sighed. "Why wouldn't it be, Arthur? You were the first person here in London who gave me the time of day. You were the first person to be kind to me. Last night, I wanted to tell you how I felt, but I was so worried that you wouldn't feel the same, so I had to drink until I couldn't remember my worries. I had to drink myself into honesty."

Arthur leaned his head on Alfred's shoulder. Alfred was so strong and muscular that it made Arthur blush. "Next time, just say it. It'll save you a drunken walk down the street."

Alfred laughed. "Yeah, I guess so." He smiled and leaned his head on Arthur's, holding the man protectively in his arms. "When did you realize you felt the same?"

Arthur was quiet for a moment. "I realized it as I laid here last night," he admitted. "All night I was wondering about if I would ever get to kiss you again. Or what it would be like to kiss you while sober. Just before dawn was when I realized it. You make me feel the same way Mei did."

Alfred sighed. "I don't want to replace her," he said. "It wouldn't be fair to her memory."

Arthur chuckled to himself. "You wouldn't be replacing her. She'll always be in my heart as the first woman I ever loved. But you will always be in my heart as the first man." He looked up at Alfred and smiled.

The American smiled back and then yawned. "I honestly hope to be the only one," he quietly admitted. He yawned once more and laid back on the pillows, asleep within moments.

Arthur stood up and tucked him in. "As do I," he softly said, kissing the American's forehead before leaving the room.