Alfie had been sceptical about the existence of Tom's best man from the start.

For one thing, he hadn't heard a mention of the guy until a week before the wedding apart from an evasive 'Yeah, one of my friends is going to be the best man, I hope that's okay Freddie', which, of course, it was- though he still wished Tom would drop the childish nickname.

For another, the man had never joined the two of them when they hung out with some of Tom's other friends.

Then there was the fact that he didn't even turn up to the bachelor party, though apparently the preview of the next James Bond film and the smorgasbord had been his doing- so he was obviously loaded and had some special connections.

However, the greatest cause for doubt was when it was ten minutes until his little sister was supposed to walk down the aisle and the (still nameless) best man hadn't arrived. It was only the fact that Dani herself had assured him he existed that kept him from asking Tom if he needed someone to step in.

Finally, with two minutes to spare, a man appeared beside Tom. They embraced tightly and the stranger gave the rest of the groomsmen a polite nod before turning his attention completely on the groom, muttering encouragements and fussing over his suit and hair.

Alfie turned to the back of the church to see if Dani arrived yet but instead noticed some unassuming men and women standing now at each entrance. He was instantly on alert and his heart rate quickened as he noticed the small bulges at their hips. His eyes flicked back to the best man. He did look strangely familiar. Maybe he was some celebrity or politician who had to keep his friendship with Tom on the downlow.

The music started and Alfie quickly turned his attention back to the entrance, tearing up as his sister, beautiful as ever, walked towards them. The ceremony was short but perfect. The only thing slightly strange was that Tom's brother signed the marriage register instead of the best man, but Alfie quickly forgot about that when they cheered for the newly wedded couple and they exited the church.

He was unsurprised when he realised the best man was nowhere to be found.

~~~AR~~~

Alfie was surprised, however, when the best man reappeared at the reception three hours later, after all the photos had all been taken by the designated photographer. He'd initially thought the strict 'no phones or cameras (please)' policy was due to Dani's profession. Now he suspected it was due to the distinguished, but suspicious, best man.

The man in question actually gave a speech, introducing himself as Tom's friend from way back- still no name- but people seemed too preoccupied by the stories he was telling about Tom- and unexpectedly Dani too- to think about that. Alfie was almost certain that he was famous now because his voice was very familiar, though for some reason it was making his chest tighten uncomfortably.

He was regaling the crowd with a camping mishap from when they were teenagers. Tom had pitched his tent too close to the river which flooded that night, forcing him to sleep in a soggy bed out of sheer stubbornness, not wanting to let his friend have a reason to gloat. He'd gotten sick and they'd had to cut the trip short, but the man ended it saying, 'Tom might be stubborn but it's one of his best qualities because it means he'll stop at nothing to make sure his friends are safe, healthy and happy.'

Alfie quietly left at that point, thankful that he was close to the exit. He was unable to keep the tears from spilling. He couldn't ruin Dani's special day but as it went on it was getting harder and harder to hold it together, especially seeing Tom with his friends, all cheering him on.

'Can I join you?' a voice asked from behind him a few moments later.

Alfie quickly wiped his tears and stood.

'I was just leaving, all yours-' he stopped when he realised who it was- the best man.

'You look like you need some company,' he said, sitting down and patting the bench.

Alfie wanted to decline, but the man had such an open expression… so he sat.

'You're Dani's brother, Alfred, right?'

Alfie nodded and smirked.

'And you're the mysterious best man.'

The man laughed.

'If you want you can call me Al.'

Alfie quirked an eyebrow. 'Don't tell me you're an Alfred too.'

He just shook his head.

'So, what's on your mind?'

Alfie rubbed his arm. 'Look, I get that you're trying to be supportive and all, but I don't know you and this is meant to be a celebration.'

Al sighed.

'I'm sure that Dani would want her little brother to be okay, and while I can't say much, I know a bit about you and, let's just say we're more alike than you'd guess. And I promise I won't judge. I have absolutely no right to, and you'd agree if you knew anything about me.'

Alfie found himself nodding despite himself.

Maybe it was Al's kind eyes or maybe he was just tired of bottling up his pain, so he let go.

'I'm the reason half my team was killed in action.' He let the tears fall freely. 'I was following orders, but I knew, I knew that they weren't going to get out of there alive. If I'd listened to my gut they'd still be here.'

Alfie let out a sob and after a few moments Al spoke.

'First of all, it was not your fault. Secondly, what would have happened to the civilians?'

Alfie's head snapped up.

'How could you know about that?'

He felt the urge to throw up, but he swallowed it away, a horrible thought taking over his mind. It was not your fault.

'You were the one who gave the order.'

Al didn't try to deny it. He didn't even flinch, he just hesitated for a moment before opening up even more.

'I was.'

Alfie's chest tightened and he only just managed to stop himself from punching the so called 'best' man.

'They were good men and you just let them die. You didn't even let me go back to try and help,' another sob escaped, 'There were plenty of soldiers escorting the civilians, they would have been fine! Someone else had to volunteer to go and help my unit, my brothers, a stranger. That Cub is a better man than you.'

Alfie didn't care that he was yelling at a superior officer. He didn't care if he was discharged.

'If you hadn't been there, those children would have most likely died. I know it's not fair that Kenneth and Leroy died,' Alfie bristled at his use of their names, 'I know that nothing I say can ever make their loss seem worth it, because no life lost is ever worth it, but don't let yourself bear the guilt of their deaths- that's on me. You did what you were commanded. It is not your fault they died. It's mine.'

Al's refusal to reprimand him for his outburst but rather speak to him with empathy caused something to release in Alfie. It was not at all enough to make up for two lives lost but he was comforted to know that the man who essentially sent his friends to their death didn't seem to be taking it lightly.

'I'm sorry for making you do something you didn't want to do Bear. If you ever need someone to chat to, ask Dani to get in contact with Alex.'

He stood and left.

Alfie gave himself a few moments to gather himself before going to wash his face. When he went back inside he thought he'd better go check on his sister to avoid concerning her- though his red eyes probably wouldn't help.

'Where's Cub?' an older man asked Dani and Alfie's breath caught. The man who'd risked his life for his friends was here?

Dani pointed to the centre of the floor.

'He insisted Tom dance with him.'

Alfie looked for the groom, but the only person dancing with him was Al. Where was Cub?

'I still find it hard to believe that Alex is at my wedding, let alone one of my closest friends, let alone Tom's best man.'

Alfie's brain shorted.

'Al, Alex is Cub?'

He ignored the worried looks from Dani and the man.

He'd just yelled at not only the man who sentenced his friends to death but who'd risked his own life to try and prevent it and offered to make himself available should he ever need.

He might not truly be the 'best' man, but he was a good man. Alfie nodded and wiped a tear away. Whoever he was, he was a rare find and Alfie was quietly grateful Dani had someone like him for a friend.

Maybe someday he would call him a friend too.

'A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.'

Proverbs 17:17