There Is The Third Option

(Warning: Don't Consider While Tired)

Maybe I'm taking the wrong course for this, eh. Maybe there is no Alfred and this entire town is simply raving mad.

Either way Matthew was still trying to decide the best course of action as Arthur pulled him down the streets. He did not doubt he could probably pull out of the man's grip, but he did not know whether the other would be violent, whether he could run fast, and whether Matthew would be able to find the inn where his belongings were.

And his wallet! He still had not found that! Not that there would be any point looking for it out in the snow in the dark. Adrenaline running out, Matthew found that at this point he was simply exhausted. He was tired when he first came into town and it had not progressed well since. Through half lidded eyes, Matthew was beginning not to care what was going on. It might not have been all he wanted to do, but sleep was very quickly becoming high on his priority list.

Would everything become clear after sleep? Probably not. Matthew did not care at this point.

He was going to try and explain it to this Kiku! Certainly this Alfred's best friend would be able to tell he was not Alfred, right?

Then there was the Spaniard, something about a ring he was supposed to have and because he did not have it the man's... boyfriend? His boyfriend broke up with him. Matthew felt sort of sick.

And he had not been able to say goodbye to Ivan. Which really should not be a problem, considering the fact Ivan still thought he was Alfred and might have expected such behavior from him. People did not seem to expect much of Alfred anyway. At least, everyone except Kiku and... Antonio? Matthew was pretty sure the man's name was Antonio.

Unless, of course, there was no Alfred and Matthew was falling into this insanity too. All of the warnings about Hearth would make sense if that were the case.

Matthew Williams, what have you gotten yourself into, eh?

Arthur was talking at this point, but it was more of a grumble and Matthew finally came to the conclusion he was talking to himself. Did that happen often? Why was he even trying to think about it?

He was too tired. And hopefully not really here.

"You're making a mistake, eh," Matthew sighed out, almost not even trying. How could he be so much like another no one would believe him?

"And you left your keys on the table," Arthur frowned, moving towards the table, picking up the offending objects and throwing it at him. Matthew missed the prompt to catch it and the keys hit him in the forehead.

"Ouch..." Matthew squinted at the impact, before staring down at the keys and picking them off the floor.

"It's too quiet down there," Arthur groused, looking towards a door. "No explosions? Maddox better be out. I'm not walking into another one of his pranks... I already have you to deal with."

Explosions? Matthew swallowed. "I'm not Alfred. I'm–"

"Go to your room and get some sleep," Arthur waved off down the hallway. "I'm not in the mood to take your crap right now. And you deserve every ounce of pain your hangover is going to give you in the morning."

"But I'm not–"

"Bed!" Arthur shouted. Matthew wilted.

"Yes sir," he ran down the hallway, forgetting he did not even know which room was supposed to be Alfred's.

Maybe he was assuming, but Matthew decided it was probably the bedroom with the television and game console on the floor and the comic books piled up against one of the walls. He felt like he was intruding, but... any luck, this Alfred would show up and everything would be figured out.

Matthew sat down on the bed and waited. He should have thought of that earlier! Alfred was going to show up at his own house! Everything will turn out well and he could be allowed to apologize for the confusion and leave, find his wallet, go back to the inn, sleep, and then go.

There was knocking at the door. Matthew waited for the sounds of surprise and realization.

And waited.

Matthew was still waiting.

He also fell asleep without warning. But, as he was very tired, he could hopefully be excused.

Notes:

Maddox chooses to spend his time in the basement. Because from there he can set off fireworks in the house and still have a running start when Arthur comes after him.