A family chapter. XD I just like writing Alfred and Matthew interacting, and Arthur, of course.
"I can't believe you're gonna go talk to Mom about this," Alfred said as he walked alongside Matthew. It was a surprisingly nice day in London as they made their way along the side of the road towards Arthur's home. It was a little dry, but the two didn't seem to notice.
"Of course I'm going to talk to Arthur about this—what if he comes over one day and all he sees is Gilbert, in the kitchen, or drinking beer on the couch at two in the afternoon?"
"When does Arthur ever come over to your house?" Alfred asked him with a grin.
"He came over a couple of months ago!" Matthew defended himself.
"Yeah, because he got lost on the way to my house."
Matthew reached over, promptly punching his brother in the shoulder. Alfred yelped.
"Hey! Hey, that was a hard punch!" He reached over to shove at Matthew, but his hands were caught and the Canadian grinned darkly. "That's not fair, man. Low blow. Low blow."
"Well, it's what you get for implying that Arthur likes you more than me," Matthew said and squeezed Alfred's hands. Alfred squeezed right back and they squinted at each other, beginning to push each other, trying to see who'd give up first.
"I'd be happy if he'd like you more than me! You're the momma's boy, after all!" Alfred said, grinning and tightening his grip. Matthew glared slightly at him, tightening his grip right back and starting to push the other blond back along the sidewalk.
"I am not the 'momma's boy'."
"'No, Arthur, I'm not gonna be in the war'," Alfred said in a high voice that was apparently meant to sound like Matthew. "One week later: 'I'll be in the war now, Arthur!' You are definitely a momma's boy." Matthew growled and squeezed tight with his fingers. "Ow! Ow-ow-ow! Mercy, mercy!" Huffing, the wavy-haired blond let go and straightened up. "Jeez, all that hockey does wonders for your hands. You nutcase."
"M'not a momma's boy," he mumbled, sullenly.
Alfred grinned and slapped his back with an open palm. "Whatever gets you to sleep at night, Mattie."
They resumed their walk, seeing Arthur's house up ahead, just like Matthew remembered. He blinked back a rush of nostalgia, sliding his hands into his pockets as he trod towards it. "Um, thanks for coming with me, Alfred."
"Huh?" Alfred blinked over at him, and then grinned. "Aw, you always were the sentimental one." He ruffled Matthew's hair. "C'mon, what kind of hero would I be if I didn't go with my brother to talk to the fire-breathing dragon about his boyfriend?"
"Not my boyfriend, Al," Matthew cut in.
"You know, I doubt that," Alfred said, grinning. "I mean, c'mon. He's been coming over to your house for how long before he decided he was suddenly going to move in?"
"A while—but he always said it was just for pancakes."
"Didn't he stay the whole day?"
Matthew chewed his lip. "And sometimes overnight," he admitted. "Well, now he's around all the time, so…"
"Awfully suspicious to me," Alfred said with a laugh.
"Al, this is Gilbert we're talking about. He's about as affectionate as Arthur is. I can't really take anything he says or does as anything but something he just wants to do on a whim. I can't start thinking that he likes me." Matthew rubbed at his cheek, ducking his head, his shoulders slumping a bit. "I can't really get my hopes up."
Alfred blinked with sudden sympathy. "Aw, Mattie." He slung an arm around Matthew's shoulders, squeezing him against his side. "Cheer up, gloomy! You're always so pessimistic about stuff."
"Not everything," Matthew mumbled, but he smiled all the same. They walked up the driveway to Arthur's front door, Alfred dropping his arm but nudging the other blonds' shoulder. Matthew nudged back, and by the time they knocked on the door, Arthur opened it up to the two of them, back-to-back, trying to push the other over.
"What are you two doing?" Arthur asked, lifting his thick eyebrows, apparently able to see Matthew perfectly well today.
"Ngh—strength contest!" Alfred grunted, pushing. Matthew dug his heels into the ground, eyes screwed up in concentration. "The hero—always—wins."
Arthur reached out and pushed the both of them so that they stumbled apart. "You two are so foolish," he scolded. "What are you here for?" He blinked between them.
"Tea?" Matthew said with a little smile.
"I don't want to have tea time," Alfred mumbled. "Can't we just tell him on the doorstep, Mattie?"
"No," replied his twin succinctly. "May we come in, Arthur?"
"Of course, my boy," Arthur answered, pulling open the door slightly. Matthew beamed and stepped inside, Alfred following with great reluctance (accompanied by a muttered "momma's boy") and kicking his boots off into the corner. Arthur scowled lightly at him but he grinned and shrugged.
When they entered the living room, Arthur directed them to sit. "I'll make tea," he said, lips curling. Alfred watched him as he left and then grinned over at Matthew.
"He should just marry it," he said.
"Al," Matthew said and swatted his side. Alfred laughed. It didn't take long for Arthur to return with tea and a plate of scones (something neither of the two were particularly eager to try) and after a few minutes, they were all drinking (Alfred merely looked at his cup as if it were going to bite him).
"So," Arthur said cheerily, "what brings you two here today? You haven't visited in forever." Here he seemed to become rather melancholy and Matthew cleared his throat delicately.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about something, Arthur, since you're an important person to me…" Arthur looked at him, surprised, before his eyes started to water.
"You made the old man cry," Alfred hissed out of the corner of his mouth before raising his voice. "Arthur, Mattie's in love and he wants your blessings for his marriage."
"WHAT?" both Arthur and Matthew yelled at the same time, rounding on him.
"Damn it, Al! I am not getting married! Can I escape that anywhere!?"
"In love?" Arthur lamented. "Tell me it's not Francis. Tell me it's not that bloody sodding frog."
Matthew looked at him. "Arthur, surely you know I have better taste than that." Arthur looked at him for a moment, studying his face before sinking back in his chair, looking equal parts shocked and surprisingly sad.
"Aren't you a bit young to be in love?" Arthur said, squinting slightly at him.
"I'm one hundred and forty-two," Matthew said evenly. Arthur sighed noisily.
"In love," he mumbled. "Are you going to tell me who?"
Alfred and Matthew looked at each other, wondering exactly how his reaction may be. Arthur caught their look and frowned slightly. "Well? Who?"
"It's kind of…" Matthew paused, scratched his cheek.
"It's Prussia," Alfred said helpfully. Matthew winced slightly and Arthur's eyes widened.
"The kraut?" he yelped. "The one who's not a nation anymore, but who's always hollering about how awesome he is and how he's going to invade others' vital regions?"
"That was a long time ago," Matthew mumbled. A couple of years, but still.
"The very same," Alfred said cheerfully, his blue eyes shining. He looked as though he were having fun.
"No," Arthur said stiffly. "I won't allow it."
Matthew spluttered and looked at him, raising his eyebrows incredulously. "You can't not allow my feelings, Arthur," he stated. The British man looked to the side stubbornly, lips pressed together.
"He's almost as bad as France!" Arthur moaned, pressing his face into his hands. Matthew sighed and scratched his hair, wondering how he was supposed to continue.
"He's moved in with Mattie," Alfred said, grinning.
"What?" Arthur exclaimed, snapping his eyes up to Matthew's face. "What—what—why? Matthew!"
"Um, well, Germany wanted him to move out, and he said he wanted to move in with me for the pancake breakfasts, and I didn't see a reason to say no, so…" Matthew trailed off.
"Didn't see a reason to…oh, Matthew," Arthur groaned, massaging his forehead. "You're being bullied, aren't you?" He straightened up, looking a bit grim, and Matthew shivered. "I'll go and take care of him right away." He moved to stand, but the Canadian shifted over quickly, gripping his shoulders and preventing him from rising.
"I want him around, Arthur," Matthew said, gazing at his face with a tentative little smile. "Sure, he's brash and he doesn't think before opening his mouth." He paused, glanced over at Alfred, who promptly bristled.
"I know what you're thinking, Matt, and don't you dare compare him to me! I'm the hero!"
"And maybe he's just using me to occupy himself until he finds something better to entertain him, but…" Matthew paused and bit his lip. "I don't know. He recognizes me, he gets annoyed on behalf of me, and even if he doesn't feel the same way, I sort of kind of love him, Arthur." He looked down at the British man, who had stopped straining against his grip and slumped back in the chair. Matthew sat down after a moment.
"Really?" Arthur asked after a moment, still rubbing his forehead. "You still l…feel that way even though he's so…" He waved a hand vaguely.
"Mmhm." Matthew nodded slightly.
"Well, I guess I can't do much, then." Arthur leant his chin on his palms, defeated. "All I can do is wish you good luck with it." Matthew's face brightened, and Arthur lifted a finger sternly. "However, if he does anything to hurt you, I want you to tell me immediately and I'll take care of it." He lifted his chin, furrowing his eyebrows. "You understand?"
"Yes," Matthew said and laughed, smiling broadly. "Thank you, Arthur."
Alfred grinned and folded his arms over his chest, his eyes gleaming, and Matthew looked over at him warily. "Oh, Matthew'll get that guy, don't you worry, Arthur." He flashed all of his teeth in a radiant smile. Matthew squinted.
"Don't get involved, you'll probably mess it up," Arthur said sternly.
"Psh! If Matt ever wants to get down-and-dirty—" Here both Arthur and Matthew winced, for different reasons "—with that guy, he'll need the hero's help." Alfred winked.
"No, um, thank you, Al. I'm afraid of what might happen if you got involved."
"Eh? What? Matt, you can't just say 'no'!"
"Ah, I just did. Please, stay out of the way."
"That's it! I'll fight you, and if I win, you have to let me help!"
"Bring it on!"
"You two!"