The handsome young man at the table perks up as the door opens, his blue eyes lighting up at the sight of the visitor.
"Mattie!" His voice is genuinely thrilled to see his visitor, another charming young man with wavy blonde hair and a face that's a mirror image of his own.
"I thought you wouldn't come." Alfred admits, altering his gaze between his own laced fingers and sneaking peeks at his twin.
Mathew slides him a piece of paper.
"The therapist didn't think I should. Neither did Arthur or Jan."
Alfred leans forward as he reads, hungrily devouring every word. When he finishes, he sits back, tugging at the sleeve on his white shirt.
"Then why did you come?"
The question is kept light, casual, but Mathew knows Alfred too well for that, and he can hear the tiny hopeful note in his brother's voice. Hes expecting this question, and already has the answers written out.
"Because I'm your brother, and despite everything, i still love you."
This time Alfred reads the paper hesitantly, half blocking his sight with his clasped hands to his forehead. When he finishes reading, he seems to shrink into himself, growing smaller and younger, and when he speaks, he sounds like a shy child.
"Really?" it's such a tiny sound from the loud Alfred that it almost breaks Matthew's heart to hear it, and Mathew nods in affirmation. Alfred is still hesitant.
"But.. They said I'm crazy, Mattie." Mathew flips the paper he just slid to Alfred, and begins to write on the other side with a crayon. Alfred watches the words appear with trepidation.
"you are."
He looks to Mathew suddenly, trying to read his facial expression. Mathew isnt done writing.
"But you're still my twin."
Alfred doesn't know where Matthew's going with this, and it makes him nervous. He wiggles in his seat.
"I want you to be happy, Alfred."
Alfred cocks his head. "Happy" isnt an emotion for him, its a goal, one he cant accomplish locked up in here. He doesnt tell Mathew though, because he has a feeling that saying that might make Mathew go away and not come back, and Alfred doesnt want that. Mathew takes out a new piece of paper and writes one more sentence before sliding to Alfred.
"So if you're crazy, I must be crazy too, because i still love you."
Alfred wants so badly to believe those words, even after everything he's been told by the psychologists and doctors. Alfred's almost scared to believe them, though, because if this is a lie, he'll truly has nothing left. This time, when he speaks, his voice is so quiet, it makes no sound.
"Really?"
Mathew doesn't write his answer, and his lips twist up into a sardonic smile. He taps on his lips with a finger, and then mouths his reply.
"You know I cant lie to you, Alfred."
Alfred bursts into tears.