The airport was extremely dull. Or so it seemed to Alfred. The two hour drive to the airport had been spent counting every car, and the three hour waiting period during which they had to check their baggage.
There was also the minor event when Alfred was nearly detained by the TSA for refusing to remove his Converse.
"Someone might steal them!" He protested.
"No one wants your nasty old shoes!" Matthew yelled in frustration.
"They're vintage!"
"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to step into this room here."
"Al, take off your damn shoes!"
Alfred proceeded to finally remove his Converse. He bitched and whined the entire time, but if saved them a very uncomfortable body cavity search, Matthew was willing to put up with it. It was a very awkward and uncomfortable walk past the crowd and toward their terminal.
The younger brother sighed and leaned his head back on the cool metal of a bench they had seated themselves upon. In front of them, people bustled to and fro through the small Virginian airport. No one paused to look at the men as they hustled by. Each was far too preoccupied with their own agenda.
"Don't you ever do anything like that again," Matthew sniped, sparing a glare at Alfred.
"...These are my favorite. First I can't bring my freakin' shampoo on a plane, now they want my shoes," Alfred countered bitterly.
"They didn't want to keep them. They just wanted to make sure you weren't packing a shank or something. Although I dunno why. With all those holes in them, you'd think they'd be able to take one look and see that you're harmless."
Alfred glanced down and wiggled his sexy-and a little weather beaten- bright red Converse. "Bro. Don't diss my sneaks."
The younger brother closed his eyes and counted silently to ten. "When does our flight leave?"
"Uhh..." Alfred checked his watch. The tiny hands on the American flag told him it was half past three. "In about forty-five minutes."
Matthew kept his eyes closed and snuggled up inside his big red hoodie. "Good. Then we have some time to take a break."
The taller blonde looked at his brother and then back to the bustling crowd of people. "I'm gonna go get a coffee from Starbucks, okay?"
"Sure," He was waved away. "Just be back before we have to be at the terminal."
Alfred hopped up and wandered off to their left. He passed a couple of angry Russians yelling at each other as he did so. The young man ran a hand through his hair and sighed. This was going to be a long as hell trip. Having never been out of America before, Alfred was excited to see some new ground. He'd seen the border of Canada when Matt came to live with him and his mother, but he'd never actually crossed it.
His head tilted up when he caught the scent of the rich coffee beans. Ah, coffee. His dad had loved it before the divorce. Alfred could remember waking up early in the morning and smelling coffee and bacon all through the house. He could remember their mother, blonde and smiling as she sat the plates down in front of he and his brother. Then, after the accident...
Alfred shook his head. It was silly to think of it now, after all these years.
The Starbucks was busy (as expected), so he took his place in line and put his hands in his pockets. His father had been the one to introduce him to the delicious drink. A small smile appeared on Alfred's mouth as he recounted the memory.
Coffee? How can you drink that awful bean dribble?
The blonde' s head jerked in alarm, glancing around for the source of the voice. If anyone else had heard anything, they gave no notice.
"Can I help you?" Asked the very bored, rather pimply, teenager running the register. Alfred turned to look at him.
"U-uh yeah. I'll take a decaf Pike Place. Black, please." Usually he despised decaf, but he didn't think his nerves could handle any more caffeine.
"What size?" The kid was obviously disinterested. Alfred's eyebrow twitched. He got the feeling that in some way his order was going to be messed up.
"I'll just take a tall."
The kid made his coffee and he paid for it; making sure not to leave the brat a tip. He sipped on it slowly while he made his way back to his brother.
Maybe I am losing my mind, the man wondered. Getting out of the country might be a good thing for me.
Matt glanced up at him. "Were they out of the trenti?"
"Nah. I figured they wouldn't let me take my coffee on the plane. I got a smaller one."
"I wonder if you bleed coffee grounds," The younger brother said with a smile.
"If I did that would be so cool," Alfred grinned.
Matt laughed. "Al, you are such a dweeb."
"But I'm your dweeb!" Alfred pulled his brother closer with his arm and ruffled up his hair. Matthew let out a rather undignified squeak and laughed. He shoved Alfred away and proceeded to fix his mop of golden hair. A smile still graced his face as he put his curl back where it belonged.
"You're the reason we get thrown out of places like this."
"I'd like to see them toss me out. No one bans a hero from his adoring public!"
"Flight 243 to London is now boarding. Flight 243 to London is now boarding." The intercom buzzed through. Matt sighed.
"That's us. You ready to go, hero?" He teased.
"I'm always ready." Alfred flashed him a thumbs up.
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed and is watching this story up to this point. It's really a great motivator to keep the story going when I've got awesome people like you to be my turbo boost.
These three chapters were pre-written to their uploading, and I suspect chapter 4 will take a little longer to get up. But don't worry. I'm dedicated to writing this and will put it up as soon as it's completed.
Also, I imagine going through an airport with Alfred would be so much more torturous than this. Matt's just lucky he's losing his mind.
REVIEWS ARE GREETED WITH MUCH LOVE.
