It was months before Alfred saw England again. The little colony even checked the docks everyday, asking if his caretaker had ever arrived. Everyday he was told to wait a bit longer. Finally, the dock supervisor smiled and walked up to him, used to the sight of the little boy who would come and wait for a couple of hours before leaving. "I have something for you lad. I was told that this was to go to an Alfred F. Jones. Is that your name by any chance?" asked the nice man. Alfred nodded happily. "Yep! That's me!" he said excitedly. The man smiled and handed him the letter. "Enjoy young man," he said before leaving.
Alfred excitedly tore into the envelope. 'Dear Alfred, I am happy to write you to let you know that I am on this way. By the time this letter reaches you, I should be three days away from port. I am also excited to let you know that I kept my promise. As I am writing this, your soon to be new friend is chattering happily at my elbow. He's a nice shy lad, so I hope you treat him delicately. We will see you in three days' time. Until then, do not cause trouble and mind your elders. -Arthur.'
Alfred immediately cheered. "He's coming back! He's coming back!" he said, jumping up and down. The dock workers smiled in amusement and let him celebrate, a couple of them offering him some candy. Alfred ran home, nearly running Adelina over. "He's coming home! He's coming home! Three days' time. And he's bringing me a friend! Isn't that great Adelina?" he asked. Adelina simply sniffed. "You tracked mud all over the floor I just cleaned. And is that chocolate on your face? Dinner is in an hour," she said.
He pouted. "But...But Adelina, Artie's coming back! And I get a new playmate! Why aren't you excited?" he asked. "Because that means there's two of you little hooligans running around that I need to take account for. I have a feeling that your Arthur won't be decreasing the amount of trips he takes to the Motherland," she said. Alfred swallowed. "But…" he started. "If anything, this is a good way for him to ease his guilt of leaving you alone. Now, you can no longer claim that as an excuse. I assure you Alfred, if I felt like he was doing this from the kindness of his heart, I'd be ecstatic for you," she said.
Alfred's face fell and he tried to hide the tears, turning to leave. He felt a hand come down on his shoulder. "But I am excited for you boy. You need a friend. Whether Arthur makes a good father or not, or whatever he claims to be to you, matters not if you have a good companion and good people around you. Hopefully this boy is able to put up with your mischeviousness. How about this? I help you set up his room. Perhaps we can even decorate it so he feels more welcomed," she said nicely, feeling bad for being so ruthless toward the child.
Alfred immediately cheered up. "Really?! You'll help me? And we can decorate it however I wat?" he asked. Adelina nodded. "But remember, you need to keep the boy in mind. He may be very different from you and prefer different things to be in his room. Your father said he was your age? Let's start with making him some clothes. That way he isn't without them in case Arthur wasn't able to secure any or bring much with him," she said. Alfred nodded. "Alright! I'll go get the sewing kit!" he said.
Alfred came back, beaming. "Can I help make the toy?" he asked. Adeline smiled. "How about this? You make the toy, and I help you smooth out any edges you may come across. That way I can prepare the boy a room. I suppose Master Arthur would like you two boys to share. Is that quite alright with you?" asked Adeline. Alfred's eyes widened. "Y-You mean he and I get to share a room?! We could build forts and tell stories and play!" he said. Adeline chuckled. "I will take that as a yes. I will go prepare the room. You work on the stuffed animal. Once you are finished, I will make the clothes," she said.
Alfred nodded and got right to work. His brother had always liked bears...and he couldn't really think of any other animals. Well, he could do a an eagle toy but the edges were going to be hard for him to sew unless he decided to carve a wooden toy instead. He doubted Adeline would let him play with knives. Arthur had freaked out when he discovered Alfred's little hobby, banning him from playing with knives under any circumstances. It makes Alfred a bit wistful, he really enjoyed whittling.
After an hour or two, Alfred had managed to create a lumpy...lopsided teddybear, with Adeline's help of course. Alfred had happily chattered her ear off as she did her best to smooth out some of the seams. "What do you think he'll be like? Will he like books? Will he like to climb trees? Do you think he'll want to meet any of my rabbit friends? What about gardening? Do you think he'll like gardening? I like gardening," said Alfred. Adeline gave vague answers, doing her best to fix his little mess before getting started on knitting some clothes for the new boy.
"Do you think he'll like me?" asked Alfred quietly. Adeline blinked and looked up at the change in tone. "What was that dear?" she asked. "...Do..do you think he'll like me?...My brother didn't like me...Arthur...Arthur only likes me some of the time….Do you think he'll like me?" he asked. Adeline was reminded of the many times she found the boy tugging at her heartstrings. This was one of the many reasons why the boy had a soft spot in her heart. She's seen his face fall every one of the times Arthur had left him behind.
She set aside her work before pulling the boy into her lap, reminded vaguely of the son she had lost decades ago. "You, my dear, are an absolute sweetheart, and absolute joy. You my dear, should never worry about what others think of you. You just be yourself, and that will always be more than enough. Anyone who doesn't take you for what you are does not deserve you," she said, gently pinching his cheeks playfully. Alfred made a face but leaned into her touch. "You really think so?" he asked. Adelina nodded. "I know so," she said. Alfred hesitated. "But that doesn't answer my question. What if he doesn't like me?" he asked.
"My dear child, he will learn to grow to you. Remember that this is a huge change for him. He's away from his land, from his home, possibly from those he loves. He may not understand the culture. He may not even understand the language. You need to be ready to help him adjust, be polite and thoughtful of him, and guide him as to the rules of this house and the culture. Arthur may not have the time necessary to do these things. As the one who has been here the longest, the responsibility is to you whenever there is not an adult around," she warned.
Alfred listened to her and nodded. "Alright," he said, somewhat understanding what she was talking about. Adeline smiled, playing with his nose. "Alright. I think we made enough clothes and toys for the child to last him a good decade. How about you go to bed and I clean up the room and make sure the house is spick and span?" she asked. Alfred nodded. "Alright! Tomorrow...can I help clean the house?" he asked. Adeline chuckled. "The only time you seem to want to is around the time Arthur comes. Alright, I suppose you won't get in my way," she said. Alfred grinned and ran up to his room.
Alfred found himself standing at the edge of the dock with Adeline waiting for him at a comfortable distance. "Do you see his ship?" Alfred asked a look out. "No lad, but worry not. He'll be here soon. The winds are strong and he is an experienced sailor. His captain is one of the best. They will come in one piece, no harm no foul. Just be careful where you step this time boy. Last time, we had to go fishing for you," joked the sailor. Alfred blushed. "I was excited and I tripped. Besides, I can swim! The neighbor boy taught me how to do it," he said. The lookout just laughed.
"Ship incoming!" shouted one of the men from the docks. Alfred jumped up and down. He was coming! He was coming! The dock workers never made a big effort to keep an eye out for ships, but upon seeing the boy's reaction to his guardian coming home, along with how often the boy came to the docks to check if a return had been made yet, the dock workers decided to make an exception. Alfred's charisma and enthusiasm was that infectious. Almost of the burly men loved the little guy.
A large wooden ship broke the barrier of the horizon, floating upon the waves as it slowly approached the docks. Alfred could hear men shouting, preparing for the oncoming docking. America already know exactly where to move in order to stay out of everyone's way, giving a grin to Adeline when he heard one of the dockworkers with a spyglass call out the name of Arthur's ship. "He's here! He's here!" shouted Alfred, jumping up and down. Already, he could make out the silhouette of his guardian and a smaller silhouette of a boy next to him. My new friend!
Within seconds, he could hear Arthur giving orders. Alfred watched and kept a safe distance as a wooden gang plank was set down for the incoming men. Alfred couldn't wait, starting to run up the plank before his father's first in command stopped him. "I'm sorry lad, but I have orders. I'm not to let you onto the ship. Your guardian wishes that you wait for him at home. He has some paperwork and other business to attend to. Once he is done with that, he said that you will have all the time to talk with him and your new...brother… that you wish," said the man.
Alfred blinked. "He...He doesn't want to see me?" he asked in a small voice. That didn't make sense. Arthur always allows him on board, at times already awaiting him. "I'm sorry lad, not at the moment. You'll see him later. I'm quite certain of that. I'll be sure to let him know that you were disappointed boy," said the man nicely. Alfred nodded, feeling all his enthusiasm dying. "Alright…I'll go. ...Tell him I was excited to see him…" he muttered before slowly walking down the gang plank.
Adeline blinked when she spotted Alfred coming back alone. Around this time was when Arthur would usually dismiss her, telling her that he wanted to spend some quality time with 'his boy'. She would usually enjoy the day off, sometimes the next few days. When Arthur was around, she usually only showed up soley to clean the house. "What's wrong boy? Did he wish to see me? Did you get in trouble?" she asked, curious and confused as to why Alfred had been turned away.
"...I didn't get to see him," said Alfred in a tone of voice she almost couldn't hear. Adelina blinked. "What?" she asked him. "...I didn't even get to see him. Patrick sent me away. He said that Arthur was too busy for me, doing paperwork. I'm to wait at the house until he gets home," said Aflred quietly. Adelina frowned, outraged. "You are to do what? Does he know that you waited here for him? That you have been looking forward to his arrival ever since he left? That you dread him leaving you behind?" she asked, mostly to herself. The dock workers were staring now.
Alfred tugged at her skirt. "I-It's fine Ms Adeline. I'm sorry for bringing it up. I didn't mean to make you mad too. Don't be! I'm used to it. Everyone in my life goes away eventually...I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Artie got sick of me the minute he got a new son," he said sadly, trying to calm her down. That only made her more infuriated, but one glance quelled her anger. The boy was near tears and all of the eyes on him only made him more upset. She let out a sigh before picking him up, rubbing his back. "Shh, it's alright. We'll go home. Perhaps he'll have a surprise for you to make up for it," she said. England always used material goods as an attempt to heal emotional wounds.
Alfred only slowly nodded, allowing Adeline to carry him home. On the walk back, he had fallen asleep, head on her shoulder with his cheeks all puffed up. "You remind me of Charles. Alright, let's get you to bed. If Arthur didn't want to see you on the docks, he will probably be taking his time home. Might as well get your rest, my dear," she said, slowly climbing up the stairs and placing the boy in his bed. She tucked him in and gently pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I'll have porridge on the table for when you wake up, your favorite," she said.
Adeline made her way back down the stairs, sighing at the sight Alfred had left in the living room. Handmade cards welcoming back both Alrthur and the new boy were laying on the table. A handmade banner was pinned to the wall. Pictures of the new family together spilled across the couch. The stuffed animal that he had made for the new boy, along with a box filled with the clothes the two of them made together, had a place of honor on Arthur's favorite table. "How could he deny the boy his love? How could he not see how much the boy loves him?" she muttered to herself.
Adeline shook her head and tidied the place up, knowing that if the house wasn't perfectly clean, Arthur would have a fit. She allowed for Alfred's little gifts to keep on decorating the house, knowing that Arthur was going to make Alfred clean it up right away, after Arthur had done his duty of showering Alfred with 'I love you's' and 'That's so sweet!' Adeline shook her head. It was times like these that she missed her little boy. She could have shown Arthur what real parenting was like.
Arthur was still not home by the next morning. Adeline frowned. Usually Arthur would sleep at home, believing that it was below him to sleep on the ship if he had access to quality inns or his own homesteads. Alfred came racing down the stairs excitedly before faltering at the lack of Arthur in the kitchen. "Is he still sleeping?" asked Alfred inocently. Adeline sighed. "I'm sorry dear, it doesn't look like Arthur has come home. Perhaps he got side-tracked by something on the ship. I'm sure he'll be home for dinner," she said gently.
Alfred swallowed before climbing up to the chair. "...Would you like something to eat?" she asked. Alfred nodded. "Is it okay if I wait for them at the end of the road? I'm sure he'll come soon," he said hesitantly. Adeline sighed. She doubted it but couldn't find it in her heart to deny him that, knowing that pointing out that Arthur may not be coming home that day either would only serve to break the poor boy's heart. "Alright dear, but you must be home by noon for lunch, alright?" she asked. Alfred nodded and ran out of the house, grabbing one of the muffins she made for him before going out the door.
Alfred waited outside by the road for three hours, playing with his bunny friends between glances down the road for his father. The bunnies, sensing his anxiety and loneliness, crowded around him, doing their best to keep him distracted from the passing time. After a few hours, it became clear that Arthur was not going to be making an appearance any time soon. With a heavy heart, he made his way back home, climbing onto his chair at the kitchen. Adeline looked at her and sighed. "He wasn't there?" she asked gently.
Alfred slowly shook his head. "No...Not even a cloud of dust. Not a passing horse or carriage. He's never coming home," he said mournfully. "I'm sure that isn't true. He must have a detour or possibly an injured horse. I'm sure he'll be coming home soon. Now, I hope you're hungry. I have a nice pie set aside for dessert," she said, hoping to cheer him up. Alfred shook his head. "I only came home because you told me too...I'm not hungry," he grumbled begrudgingly. Adelina sighed. She wasn't going to lecture the kid, especially when she knew how much he had been looking forward to this return.
"May I go outside and play? I-I'll be back before it gets dark...I just want to be alone…" whimpered Alfred. Adeline sighed. "Of course my dear. Just remember to wear shoes this time. And not to go swimming," she said. She had noticed that the boy tended to surround himself with nature whenever he felt the need to comfort himself. Whenver he had tantrums, she would just pick him up and place him under a tree, finding that the boy would calm down almost immediately.
"I think that that's a great idea. Here, I'll go ahead and turn it into a little picnic for you. You can have some sandwiches and an apple with your pie. I'll even throw in a nice serving of juice for you. How does that sound?" she asked nicely. Alfred hesitated before slowly nodding. "That sounds...good. Thank you Adeline," he said softly. She smiled and kissed the top of his head before handing him the basket. "No need to thank me child. Now go run along. Try not to get into too much trouble and remember, be back here by dinner. I'll spend the next few hours making sure that you have a good homecooked meal to return to," she said nicely.
Alfred nodded, hugging her leg before taking the basket and running outside, feeling slightly better. Adeline wasn't his mom...but more like a grandmother. A nice auntie. He went over to the lake, one of his favorite places to go to. He sat down and started nibbling at food, staring at the water before it slowly dawned on him...he didn't like water. Not like his father did. The reason he liked the lake was because his father's face lit up anytime they were around a body of water. He sagged and started eating. He should have just gone to the plains. That was really his favorite place to go.
Alfred finished his meal, feeling as if he had just swallowed nothing but strawdust. He got up, thinking he caught the glimpse of a lady's face in the lake. He blinked before walking over to the lake, leaning over to look at it. The face seemed to immediately disappear. "...Is someone there? Are you a lake spirit? I didn't think my land had those," he said hesitantly. There was no answer besides a sighing wind that almost seemed to push him away from the lake. Alfred sighed himself and walked toward the plains, the grass moving to lead him away. He found his favorite place, an old fallen tree.
Alfred looked around, making sure that no one could see him, before he sat down, daisies popping up around him. He smiled slightly, letting all sorts of wildflowers cover the old log. "I'm sorry you died Mr. Tree...but you're really cool. And the flowers make you pretty," he sighed, leaning back as he started making a flower crown. Bunbun sat down next to him, nuzzling his nose. He giggled. "You want one of these too?" he asked. Cinnabun wiggled her tail, nudging Bunbun to the side. "Alright...I'll go a head and make you one too," he said happily.
Alfred spent the next four hours making flower chains for all the local bunnies, grinning from ear to ear as they all toted their new accessories. That was until Bunbun ate Cinnabun's crown. "Hey! I worked hard on that!" he pouted before feeding Bunbun some food from his picnic and starting on a new crown for Cinnabun. "There you go. Good as new! Hopefully Bunbun won't eat this one," he said, glaring at the offending bunny. Bunbun just blinked at him before nibbling on the young nation's hand. Alfred giggled. "Alright, I guess I can't stay mad at you," he chuckled.
He sighed, seeing that the sun was in the position it normally was around dinner. "Alright boys...and Cinnabun. I'll be back after dinner probably. Father hasn't come back yet...but...maybe tomorrow he'll be here? But for now, stay away from the village. Some of them are hunting rabbits illegally. Try not to get caught because it's hard for me to get the traps undone without anyone catching me," he warned, having already saved a few of the bunnies. Unfortunately, some had been taken away from him brutally.
Alfred got up, dusting his pants before going to the house. "Is he back yet?" he asked. "I'm sorry my dear but...Wait! I believe I see a clowd of dust coming down the road. Perhaps it's him!" she said, spoting a carriage coming down the street toward the house from the kitchen sink. Alfred jumped up. "This isn't a joke is it?" he asked. "Of course not dear! Go out front!" she said, watching as the carriage stopped and a man and child were lead out of the back. Alfred blinked and raced out of the house.
Alfred ran down to the door, pausing. Matthew. His father brought Matthew with him. That was why Father had blown off Alfred...he found a new and better son. Matthew was always Aiyanna's favorite, what if Arthur prefered Mattie? H-How could his father do this? So many feelings hit Alfred like a fish to the face. No...he was not going to let himself be threatened. He was happy to see his brother again...but decided he was going to let his brother that he hadn't forgotten what had happened when they were last together. Alfred opened the door and raced over to England.
"You came back! What took you so long?" he blurted out without thinking. Arthur blinked, feeling a bit bad for the delay but immediately pushed Matthew in front of himself. "Alfred, don't be rude. This is your new brother. His name is Matthew. He comes from the land above you, Canada," he said. Alfred paused, looking at his brother. Matthew looked him, eyes widening with recognition. Alfred was satisfied that at least his brother hadn't forgotten him but immediately looked confused.
"This is my brother? Well, I guess our faces are kind alike," he said, pretending to have forgotten Matthew. He saw the look of hurt and panic in his brother's eyes. Alfred looked up at Arthur. "I'm hungry! What's for dinner?" he complained, deciding not to welcome his father home either. Usually, Alfred would gush about how much he missed his father and how badly he wished to go with Arthur to Europe. But not today. Alfred would say that he had never been hurt that badly before, but he remembered how Matthew left him and felt just as awful, if not worse.
Arthur huffed. "I'll go see what Adeline is making. You go up to your room, get Matthew acquainted with the place," he said. Alfred nodded, running into the house and upstairs without even glancing at Matthew. A disheartened Matthew sighed softly and followed Alfred into the house, trying to keep track of where his twin was in the house. Matthew slowly entered his room. "U-Um...America?" whimpered Matthew. "America? Right, Arthur must have told you my name," said Alfred nicely, still extremely bitter.
Matthew swallowed. "Don't...Don't you remember me?" he asked slowly. "Should I? It's not like we're actual siblings. I recall someone informing me that a Kanata rather not be my brother and abandon me. So no. I don't remember you. In fact, I hope to forget you once more," huffed Alfred. Matthew looked like Alfred had hit him. "I...Alfred that was a long time ago," he muttered. "We're nations. It wasn't that long ago. To be honest, I was lonely but if I had a choice between you and no one, I'd leave you behind like you did me," said Alfred acidly.
Matthew swallowed. "I-I'm sorry...I missed you..I really did. I had a good home and there was a bad fight and the man with the eyebrows took me here...b-but I thought things would be better once he told me that he found you. H-He's our father...isn't he?" asked Matthew. "Why? Did you want to steal him away from me?" growled Alfred. "Non! I already have my own Papa! One better than yours. I just...I just want my brother back. I'm sorry I hurt you and I left…" he said. "You betrayed me...casted me aside...You don't know what I had to see," whimpered Alfred, curling up on his bed.
Matthew blinked. He hadnt' seen his brother like this before. Usually, his brother was the idealistic, happy-go-lucky one out of the both of them. Hesitantly, Matthew climbed up onto the bed and sat down next to him. "What do you mean? What happened?" he asked. Alfred swallowed. "Have you ever...died? Have you ever died and come back before?" he asked in a small voice. Matthew slowly shook his head. "Non...Papa said it was possible and not to be scared if it happens though…" he said slowly, scared of his brother's answer.
"...It happened to me...Twice. One of the tribes...they killed an entire colony. My first one. A-And then in Salem. It's scary...being gone and then waking up with no idea of what is going on," he said. Matthew looked horrified. "Y-You lost a colony?" he asked. "Yeah...I wandered around after that until I found Arthur a century or two ago. I was on my own for most of that time…" he said. Matthew frowned, having a feeling that there was a lot more to that story.
"I'm sorry…" said Matthew softly. Alfred looked up. "You're just saying that," he huffed, cheeks puffed up. His brother sighed before jumping down. "I'm not here to steal Father from you...He forced me to come here after he hurt my big brother. But...I can go if you want me to. I don't think Arthur would really notice if I leave...He isn't attatched to me yet," he said slowly. Alfred blinked. "You would...leave again? B-But that's why I'm mad at you to begin with," said Alfred. Matthew blinked. "But...you don't want me around," he said.
"Of course I do! That's why I was so sad that you left the first time...I thought you really didn't want to be my brother...That you hated me. I still kinda think you do," said Alfred in the quietest voice Matthew has ever heard him use. Kanata blinked before hugging his brother tight. "I could never hate you. You're my brother. I love you a lot. I wasn't thinking when I said those things to you. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I understand if you could never forgive me...and you probably shouldn't. I promise I won't ever do anything like that to you again. Brothers forever," he said.
Alfred froze before hugging his brother tightly. "I love you too...I'm sorry I've been mad at you all this time...and that I pretended not to know who you are. And don't be afraid of Arthur. He's really nice...but he's not home really often. He also has a lot of strange rules, but his desserts are pretty good. He's fun sometimes too," said Alfred. Matthew nodded and pulled away. "Alright..where do I stay?" he asked softly. "Adeline said that you could stay in my room with me! Adeline is the nice neighborlady, but Arthur says she's a servant," said Alfred.