Chapter 9: Forgiveness

"A-Al?" Matthew was confused. Why was Alfred apologizing? And... was he crying? Matthew felt warm tears on his neck and shoulder. "What's wrong, Al?"

"I've been a horrible brother." His twin replied. "I thought I was helping you, but I was doing the opposite. Please forgive me."

Matthew was scared. First of all, his brother never cried, at least not in front of anyone. Second of all, he was apologizing. "Al, stop this." The younger tried to push away, but Alfred pulled him closer. "Al... I forgive you... now let go!"

Alfred let go and stared down at his feet. This was when Matthew got a better look at his brother's face. It looked as though Al had been crying for a while.

"I'm sorry," Al breathed.

"Al, there's no need to apologize. Now what's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"You said you hated me," Alfred began as Matthew cringed at one particular word. "and I got to thinking that I wasn't protecting you."

"I don't really hate you. I didn't know what I was saying." Matthew was on the verge of tears as well. "I should be the one apologizing."

"No, you had every right to say that to me. The only reason I don't like Gilbert..." Alfred paused to take a breath. "is because I'm jealous."

"Jealous? Of me?" Matthew was confused. Did his brother like his boyfriend?

"No, I'm jealous of Gilbert. I'm jealous of all your friends. They spend more time with you than I get to, and you don't hang out with them that much."

Matthew's heart began to beat fast. Was his brother implying that he loved him in more ways than one?

Seeing his brother's reaction, Alfred freaked out and trying to mend what he said. "I'm mean we don't get to hang out as brothers. You always seem to avoid me. Of course that's probably because I scare everyone away..."

The younger let out a sigh of relief, and both chuckled at the awkwardness.

"Al, if you wanted to hang out then all you had to do was ask."

"Cool," Alfred said, unsure how else to respond. He paused, as if deciding on something, then spoke again. "Mattie."

"Hmm?"

"You know Ivan? One of the kids at school that I hang out with."

"Yeah."

Just then the older became really nervous. "Nah, forget it."

"Al, what?"

Sighing, Alfred spoke again. "Him and I are... going out." Alfred said the last part so quietly that Matthew almost didn't catch it. When he put together what had been said, his eyes widened. A blush appeared on Al's face and he turned around, walking away.

"Al, wait, why did you tell me that?"

"Because I felt like someone should now besides me and Ivan. I can't tell Dad and Pops because they don't like Ivan."

Matthew smiled. "Well, I'm somewhat honored that you chose to tell me."

Alfred smiled through his tears. Then wiping his eyes, he continued, "I'm sorry, Mattie. I shouldn't just dump something on you like that."

"That's what brothers are for," Matthew said shyly.

The next week, Alfred began to act differently towards people and apologized to Gilbert. He began to leave most people alone but would still pick on many. Old habits die hard. At least he was improving.

Over the next month Gilbert and Matthew got closer and closer, spending more time with each other every week. Matthew also took some time to spend with his brother. By the time December rolled around, it seemed as though the blonde had no time left in the day for anything.

One day, three weeks from Christmas, Gilbert tried to figure out what Matthew wanted. "So, Birdie."

Matthew looked at his German boyfriend, got up from his bed and sat next to him on the floor. "What's up, Gil?"

"I was just wondering... What do you want for Christmas?"

The blonde stared at Gilbert as if he were studying him. Finally he spoke. "I don't know."

"Aw come on." Silence followed. Gilbert shifted and poked Mattie on the cheek for each word he said. "What do you want."

Matthew smiled and batted his hand away. "Let me think for a little while. Anyway, what about you? What do you want?"

"All I want is you, Birdie," Gilbert said wrapping his arms around Matthew waist. Pulling him close, he began to place soft kisses on the blonde's neck.

"Gil..." Matthew let out a moan.

"You're so cute, Birdie." Gilbert whisper in his ear.

He kissed Matthew on the neck again, and moved to his lips. He licked the smaller teen's lip and was given access to the boy's mouth. Gil stoked Matthew's back as their kiss deepened. Breathing heavily, they pulled away and Gilbert removed the blonde's shirt. Once it was gone the German placed light kisses up and down his chest and abdomen. Matthew stopped Gil and pulled him back into a kiss. Suddenly, a sharp knock was heard at the door and both teens snapped back to reality.

Matthew quickly tugged back on his shirt and opened the door. "Oh hey, Dad."

"Matthew, love, dinner will be served soon."

"Okay, I'll be down in a second." Closing the door, Matthew sighed and turned to Gil. "We better go down stairs or my dad will get mad."

Gilbert heaved himself up and sighed, too. Why did Mattie's dad have to be such a cock block?

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Arthur can be a real cock block at times XD. I wonder what Mattie wants for Christmas... hmm. Don't forget to review~! ^^