Oh God, it's the final chapter~! Not really/shot. Well, thank you for reading everyone! Thank you for the favorites, alerts and reviews too!

Disclaimer: Axis Powers: Hetalia not mine.


The night was cool and dry. The sky showed no sign of condensed water vapor but there was no moon. The night was dark. It was pitch black outside save for some street lamps and a few lit lights seen from houses' windows. Even the stars were out of sight which is typical of an urban area. In this neighborhood, no cars drove back and forth during the evening especially now that it is nearing midnight – people may have gone to bed already or are just cooped up in their living rooms. No living soul was seen walking around the place.

That is why Alfred's journey to his best friend's house tonight is the worst he had yet. Dark nights weren't always this scary to Alfred. He's just absolutely sure that there are evil spirits lurking in the trees or the bushes. He wouldn't want to meet any one of those ever in his life time. What if a ghost starts chasing him with a butcher's knife? That wouldn't be good.

So he ran to his destination as fast as he could while trying to ignore the ominous sounds of the night around him.

Let's just say running with your eyes closed is not a smart idea during a moonless night.

Now here is Alfred F. Jones, standing on the Williams' front yard, dusty and scratched from his little scuffle with the prickly bushes of some random lawn and eyeing the abode. How he managed to climb up the gates of the house is a mystery. He walked around to the wide garden behind the house and scanned the side of the house facing it. Once his eyes skimmed over his target – a window on the second floor – he took a deep breath a walked right under it.

Alfred was no expert in climbing windows but this climbing this particular window is his expertise. At first, he dragged a ladder from his house to get to the window. Later he learned how to scale the wall of the abode. He doesn't infiltrate Matthew's house that often to learn how to scale walls though. Sometimes, during school breaks, he would give his best friend surprise visits and enjoy the shocked expression of the boy whenever he wakes up to another boy in his bed. Although it was hilarious before, Alfred feels that it is quite awkward to sneak into Matthew's bedroom these days – what with his affection for the other and all.

Matthew was just too exposed sometimes – most of the time actually. Alfred gave a slight smirk but immediately shook it off.

"Climb the wall first, Alfred." He thought to himself, "Climb the wall..." Alfred neared the wall where Matthew's bedroom window is attached and felt for the right places to secure his ascent. Taking the first lift, doubts rushed into his head. He was here to talk to Matthew. He knows – and he is sure Matthew knows as well – that this grand game of hide-and-seek with a hint of a game of tag has to end. This is his last resort. "Here goes…"

Alfred finally reached the window and settled himself on the wide window ledge. He peered through the dark glass and nearly fell when a random cat started mewling from somewhere. Then a dog started barking and a swift gust of wind made Alfred all the more terrified of the night. Fuck bravery, he wants to go in now!

Alfred started tapping the glass to rouse his friend from sleep.


"Mattie~! Do you want to play dress up?"

"Sure… B-but Alfred… Those are for girls…"

"I know right? They'll look good on you!"

"What? No! I don't want to wear dresses!"

"Come here!"

"No!"

Little Matthew started running away from his friend. Alfred seemed adamant on having his friend wear the frilly dresses but being a little boy, Matthew refused to play along. Although he would always play whatever game Alfred would suggest, Matthew does not want to damage his masculinity even as a child. So he kept running and running and soon he felt himself change ever so slowly but surely morphing into his current body.

Soon he realized that not only he had changed but also his best friend who was still chasing him, clothing in hand.

"C'mon, Mattie! You'll look good in these!" Alfred insisted, trying hard to look innocent.

Matthew stopped on his tracks and turned to face Alfred, "No." he said as he crossed his arms, "Put those away now!"

"You stopped running?" Alfred asked – walking slowly toward the other and smirked once a few inches away, "Bad idea, Matthew."

And then he was tackled. He doesn't know if the other managed to remove his clothes quickly enough (he doesn't know if he's already naked) but somehow, the lights suddenly went out and Alfred whimpered.

"M-Mattie… What h-happened to the lights?" Alfred stuttered. A shrill shriek of some woman resounded.

"Al-"

"W-w-what was that? Mattie!"

"It's oka-"

"N-no! Mattie, open u-up!"

"What? But Al, you're already her-"

"O-open up, p-please! Let me in! It's t-too scary out h-here!"

"Alfred…"

"Alfred…" Matthew murmured in his sleep, still oblivious to the pleas of his frightened friend outside his window.

"Mattie! Please, open the window! I'm begging yo- Oh my God, what was that? Was that a- Oh shit, Mattie! Open up! Open up!"

Mattie just tossed and turned in his bed and snuggled into the blanket, "Shut up, Al… There are no ghosts…"

"I swear that shadow just moved! Mattieeeee!"

With a few more forceful taps on the glass, Matthew finally jolted up from bed. "Who's there?" he said threateningly as he held a pillow defensively as if it was a deadly weapon, "Speak!"

"Mattie, let me in!"

"A-Alfred?" asked Matthew while he looked for where the voice came from. Upon sight of the other, he gaped. "What are you- go home!"

"B-but, I need to talk to you! And I think someone is watching me! Let me in!"

Matthew sighed exasperatedly but refused to make any move to open his window, "Of course someone would watch you. You're basically trespassing. At night." he snarled and pulled his curtains to a close. Alfred whined louder.

Normally, like old times, he would just give in and let the other get inside. Sometimes he even left the window open just to please the other. Presently, however, he still doesn't feel like confronting or for this case, being confronted by Alfred.

And he's quite annoyed and confused with the random mention of eggplants and fish paste.

"Mattie, please? W-we need to talk…"

"You're just scared. Go home." He whispered to himself but somehow was heard by the other and was answered rather seriously.

"Matthew. I know you don't want to see me just yet but I can't take it anymore. I have to talk to you." Matthew remained quiet. He hid himself under the blanket too. Alfred just sighed, "I'll break the window then." There was a loud bang on the window and Matthew flinched. The second one made an odd rattling sound and he thought the window would give so he panicked.

"Wait!"

Without a second he opened the window and Alfred went tumbling into the room. A breath of relief left the trespasser, "Finally! I thought the shadow might stab me before I could get in!"

"I knew it. You were just afraid." Matthew scowled, looking quite embarrassed now that he realized what letting his friend in meant. This night won't end well…

"No… Well, okay I was but that's not the point!" the other defended. His face turned serious and he grasped Matthew's shoulders. Matthew stiffened but blushed at the contact. Alfred's face softened, "Mattie, I just need a straight answer."

"B-but," Matthew swallowed. This was it. Though he still doesn't know what to say or do. Perhaps, if he stopped to think about it weeks before like earlier in the library then he could have had a conclusion already. But no, he acted on impulse on that day and ran away and continued to do so until now. There's no escape anymore. "I-I…"

"Just say no, Matthew. It's easy right? All you have to do is say no." Alfred laughed humorlessly. His eyes begged Matthew to give him a chance but one way or another he is convinced that being together will never happen. "I love you, Matthew. If my pining for you will ruin our relationship, then I'd rather be just a friend. I don't want to lose you."

Matthew exhaled slowly as he lowered his head. He placed his hands on the ones holding his shoulders and pushed them off gently. He caught a glimpse of the crestfallen expression Alfred made – he was near to tears. Alfred had given him his decision to him instead. It was obvious how hard it was for the other to say that and yet here he was, still undecided.

"Alfred, you're my best friend." Matthew started, "I won't deny that and neither will I deny the fact that I've asked myself if you still are the friend I had before. Frankly, I think you are but just..."

"Gay for you?" Alfred supplied with forced humor. His features didn't agree with his joke at all. "I know it's impossible, Matt. Just say no. Please."

"But you don't want me to!" Matthew snapped, taking Alfred aback. "You don't want me to but I can't… I love you too, Al but it's not the same with what you feel for me. You've always been just a friend to me, a brother and because of that I don't want to hurt you anymore than I should so I-"

"You'll only hurt me more with forcing yourself to love me," He said quietly but enough for Matthew to hear. "It isn't the same if you love me out of fear of hurting me. I want you to just love me because you do," When Matthew didn't speak, he continued.

"Just say no, Matthew. Reject me. I just want my best bro back, you know? I will try to forget about this feeling. And-"

"Alfred, you're crying."

Alfred stopped to feel the dampness on his cheeks. He swore playfully and laughed as he shook his head. He hadn't thought contradicting his own feelings would be this hard. When he texted Matthew earlier, it didn't seem as emotionally painful as this. Maybe it was he didn't say them in person like right now. He laughed and laughed and laughed until the tears could no longer settle with just a fine trail of silver in the dark bedroom. He sobbed bitterly and Matthew immediately wrapped his arms around him. He mumbled out his true feelings between breaths as Matthew shushed him comfortingly.

"Mattie, p-please…"

"Alfred I-"

"M-Matthew…"

Matthew sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He pushed Alfred away a bit and swallowed. It was now or never.

"I… I'm sorry Alfred. I can't be… with you."

The night started cold and ended cold. Matthew insisted that Alfred stay for the night but he refused. He tried to convince Matthew that he was all right by grinning like he used to but his tears betrayed him. Matthew felt terrible. He was unable to sleep even hours after his friend had left. Alfred didn't get to sleep too. Dawn came and Alfred cursed the sun.

"The darkest of nights bears the brightest of mornings, huh? Fuck." Thought Alfred, "How ironic…"

Matthew thought just the same.

Why did it have to be so hard?


It took awhile for them to converse casually again. It was still awkward: Matthew felt guilty and Alfred is still hung-over. But sure enough, they started to hang out again. They didn't interact so closely like before but at least they've improved.

"Sleep over at my house this weekend?" Alfred asked one day.

Matthew was more than happy to oblige. He missed their former activities, after all.

Sometimes they would talk about how Alfred fell in love with him in the first place. Once things got discomfited, they would effectively change the subject and forget even for awhile.

Months passed and the two moved on to the next year level. By that time, they were back to normal. The only difference is the longing look Alfred would give when he thought Matthew wasn't looking. He would blush whenever he saw that but tried to tolerate the gaze. Of course it would be hard for Alfred to move on. If everything Alfred had told him were true, then it would take a lot of time and effort to forget. It doesn't help that they are still close friends but he is sure that he doesn't want to lose his best friend.

Matthew allows himself to be wary of his actions from now on. He doesn't want to hurt Alfred or make him misunderstand.

They were best friends. Actually, they are best friends. Matthew is certain that it will remain that way and he doesn't want that to change.


Sorry for the grammar, spelling and whatever mistakes. I still hate proofreading, you see.

And that's the end/shot. No, no… I'm sorry. It's not the final chapter yet. ;_; I made the chapter too long you see (at least I think it is) so I cut it into two chapters instead… So the next chapter will definitely be the last. I swear!

Please review!