Warning: I'd like to apologize to all the England lovers out there.
Al rests his head on his hand staring at the wall in front of him. The coffee blend he made this morning is just a bit sweeter, more chocolatey than normal. It's one of Alfred's favorites. He sighs dramatically as their conversation from yesterday comes back to him. Alfred still not believing him had hurt. He's said it so many times how much he loves him. Maybe this time around Alfred will finally believe him. He won't mind too much if Alfred doesn't love him back. What's important to him is Alfred is happy.
"Morning Al!" Al lazily twists in his position to see those blue eyes gazing at him. Before he can say a greeting in return, Alfred takes his seat and leans over to quickly kiss him. He tastes like coffee. Al lets out a snicker at the blunt display of affection in front of almost every other nation. Oh he doesn't mind, and with the way Alfred uses his spare hand that's not holding his thermos to grab his hand, Al doesn't think Alfred minds either. He's got a satisfied smirk on his face as the meeting starts.
He lets out another snicker as Alfred casually angles his phone so Al can see a text from Francis. An encouraging supportive l'amour text. To know that one of their parental figures approves, even though it's not specifically his, makes him feel somewhat happier. He cranes his head around to see Francis. The flamboyant nation winks at him so Al does the natural thing and winks back. He catches a glimpse of Arthur glaring at him but he chooses to think nothing of that British bitch.
Al lets out a loud sigh when the meeting ends. It's the last day of meetings, which means a long nights sleep and a doozy of a trip back to his part of America. He grabs Alfred's discarded thermos to go wash it out, kissing the top of his head as he passes. Alfred smiles up at him, then goes back to writing his notes as Al leaves the main meeting hall. He hums to himself as the water washes over his hands. He glances at the coffee maker and sticks his tongue out at it.
"Al, may I have a word?" Al snorts, glancing over his shoulder at Arthur in the doorway. He raises and eyebrow to the gentleman, keeping a smirk on his face. Arthur looks annoyed to say the least, with his eyebrows drawn tight and his arms crossed.
"Well I guess so, what can I do for you Artie?" Al lets his New York accent slip through, watching the way Arthur bristles to the sound. He's not entirely sure what bugs him more, the accent or the shortened version of his name. He doesn't really care, just enjoying the success of pissing off the britishman more.
"I would like to know the nature of your relationship with Alfred." Al pretends to ponder the question tapping a finger to his chin. His fake pondering turns to real pondering as he actually has no idea what he and Alfred are officially romantically to each other. He knows he loves Alfred, and his opposite doesn't seem against more of a romantic connection between them. Al hums.
"We're together." I think, Al adds mentally. He doesn't know for sure, but he likes the way Arthur grits his teeth at the answer. The britishman sighs and runs a hand through his hair with a groan.
"Aw what's the matter? Don't like that?" Al teases, though he probably shouldn't. He hasn't quite got the hang of that 'filter' yet. Arthur glares at the ground, and then him.
"No, I don't." Arthur spits out. Al raises an eyebrow at him. That answer didn't come as a surprise to Al at all. Arthur really shouldn't be butting into his and Alfred's business. As a parental figure he can kind of get it, Oliver is smothering to say the least. At least Oliver kind of approves of him and Alfred though. Arthur seems against it in every sense.
"What's your problem with me anyway?" Al finds himself saying, getting more into his angry feelings. Arthur huffs and stands up straight.
"It's not just you I have a problem with." This comes as a shock to Al. He makes a confused face as Arthur runs a hand through his hair again. Then he shakes himself off and regards Al coldly.
"Stay away from him. He'll be better off without you." Anger is bubbling up in him and Al opens his mouth to say something stupid back, but Alfred beats him too it.
"I think I should be the judge of that." Al leans around Arthur to see Alfred in the doorway with his hands balled into fists at his sides. He's got fire in his eyes as he glares at Arthur. The englishman raises his head to make it so he can pretend to look down on his past colony. Al's anger subsides as Alfred comes in the room to stand by him. Al hides his smug expression the best he can when Alfred holds his hand tightly.
"I'm better off with Al, and you're not in charge of who I spend my time with." Al bites his tongue again. His stomach is fluttering at the sight of Alfred standing up for him, and standing up for him to his father figure no less. Arthur sighs.
"You need to understand Alfred, there is nothing-"
"Don't tell me to understand. You need to understand that I love Al and I won't have you talk down to him anymore." Al is suddenly wrapped in a tight embrace. He blinks up at Alfred's angry face. His blue eyes are sharp as they glare at Arthur. Al knows its inappropriate for the time but he lets a starstruck smile cross his features. Alfred is protecting him. Alfred is standing up for him. Alfred said he loved him.
Someone clears their throat from the doorway and Al convinces himself to tear his eyes away from the wonderful sight of Alfred. Matthew and Matt are standing there. Matt looks slightly miffed and Matthew's smile is obviously strained for pleasantries.
"Perhaps you should leave now Arthur," Matthew's eyes are cold as they regard his father figure. Al can feel the arms around him tighten as Arthur glares at him again. Al brings his arms around Alfred's waist and remains quiet, burying his head into Alfred's collar. Arthur lets out a huff and heads to the door. Both Canadas glare as Arthur tugs his clothes down to be proper once again and stalking off down the now empty hallway. Al feels Alfred rubbing his hands up and down his back in a soothing motion. He lets a few soft tears slip through, his bitterness turning to sadness. He's fairly used to people talking bad about him, but it still sucks. He doesn't particularly care what Arthur thinks about him, but it still hurts to hear he's not good enough for Alfred, especially when he knows that already.
He feels a hand on the top of his head and twists around to look at Matt. His blank expression is back, but his eyes are scanning Al's face. Al wiggles out of Alfred's hold to hug his brother. He's so grateful for Matt. He's always been there for him, whether it be when Al needs a place to vent or a fight is breaking out. Matt places a hand on Al's head again in a simple comforting gesture, and it's more than enough for Al. He feels an arm on his shoulder and Al switches his hug to Matthew, who has been nothing but sweet to him.
"A change of scenery maybe?" Matthew offers when Al pulls back to stand by Alfred again. His opposite wraps him up again to hold him close. Al returns the embrace wholeheartedly. Alfred guides him along as they make their way back to the hotel. Matthew keeps conversation light, telling about what he could make for dinner for the four of them. A smile eventually makes it's way back onto his face. It's hard to not smile with Alfred's hand in his. When they get to the rooms, Alfred ushers their brothers on, pulling Al aside.
"Are you okay?" Alfred leans his head against Al's. He hated hearing the way Arthur talked down to his opposite. Al nods, and tired smile on his face. Alfred sighs and hugs him tightly. Al didn't deserve all the bad things said about him. Alfred has heard it all from so many nations. Now he can't see how they ever thought such things.
"Did you mean it?" Alfred blinks at the muffled question. Al's face is squished to his collar. He pulls back to see him fully. Al is glancing up to him hopefully, like the wrong answer will crush him. Alfred tilts his head to the side.
"Mean what?" Al gulps and casts his eyes down. Alfred catches the sadness in his voice.
"I mean, it's okay if you don't but you said you loved me and I just want to know if it was true or not." Al locks eyes with him for a second before dropping his head again. Alfred makes an 'oh' face. He did say that. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Well, I do. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it." Alfred is staring at the ground now too. After all this time he didn't think Al wouldn't believe him if he said he loved him. Al suddenly kisses him, grabbing his shirt to pull him closer. Alfred goes wide eyed for a second before kissing him back. They break off, both smiling dumbly at each other. A few kisses later and Matthew tells them to come get food.
Diner is easy going, light teasing shared between them all. Al marvels at the feel of Alfred's hand in his and the smiles that Alfred gives to him. It's more than he ever dreamed of.
AN: ..confessions? I'm sorry? Hope you enjoyed~
PS: I actually made this chapter less angry on England. It used to be a lot worse.
Disclaimer: Hetalia ain't no belong to me.