Dro: It's over! Finally! Another one down! (And another to start at some point, but not for a while because I have midterms when I come back...) Anyway, enjoy the last chapter, and don't forget to review! I want to hear your final thoughts on the story!
Chapter Summary: The end.
Warnings: Language
Disclaimer: Yes, because I've magically acquired the rights to APH. Poor college students totally have the money for that!
Alfred woke up to a ceiling. A very familiar ceiling. He'd mocked Arthur for having such a drab ceiling several times in the past, and he remembered very well the furious yelling that had ensued from the irritating Englishman. Alfred had always hated this ceiling. Until now. He'd never been happier to see that damn ugly than he was right now. Because it meant they succeeded. They were home. They?
He turned his head to the left, panicked, and then turned it to the right, breathing a sigh of relief as he caught sight of the still sleeping Ludwig. They'd both made it back. He let his eyes slip shut and smiled. Home. The look on Matt's face crossed his mind, that sad face of parting, and he frowned. He was back in his true home now, but he'd left the place that had become a second one. Bittersweet. Their return wasn't supposed to be this way. It was supposed to be joyous. He was back! But just as when he'd first jumped dimensions, he'd left some important things behind.
Ludwig groaned and slapped a hand over his face, scared to open his eyes. "Alfred?"
"We made it." Alfred replied.
Ludwig let out a deep sigh. "Thank Gott for that. I'm just glad this is all over with."
"Yeah. Me too."
Neither of them moved to stand up.
Alfred was the first to comment on what they were both thinking. "It's going to be hard to get over this, isn't it?"
"If we even can."
"Optimistic as always, eh?"
"You expected anything less?"
Alfred chuckled dryly. "I guess not." He opened his mouth to add something but shut it as his ears caught the sound of rapid footsteps ascending Arthur's stairs. Both of them sat up simultaneously and locked eyes on the door just as Arthur burst through the threshold, mumbling to himself about "Stupid Francis and his stupid pranks! What's that bastard done to my house now? Blown out a window? I swear to God…" He trailed off, his green eyes finally meeting the forms of the two men sitting on his floor. His mouth hung open, uncomprehending.
No one said anything for several moments. Alfred wasn't sure what he should say first. Apologize for being gone so long? Tell Arthur he was okay? Ludwig didn't seem to be faring any better. He opened and closed his mouth over and over, no words making their way out of his throat. Alfred nearly jumped up and ran to Arthur when the man sank to his knees, his hand still clenching the doorknob. Finally, he managed to find his voice.
"A…Alfred?" Tears choked both his voice and eyes, and Alfred's name came out more like a disbelieving whimper.
"Yeah. It's me. I'm back." Alfred swallowed, a rush of emotions assaulting him. He'd just left another Arthur, but seeing his own again, seeing the one he'd left behind in the bud of a relationship…Oh God. He felt a tear slide down his cheek. The next thing he knew, Arthur was in arms, a loud, choking sob resounding throughout the room.
"Oh my God. Oh my God. I can't believe…I thought…I though you were…Everyone thought…I never thought I'd see you again!" He held Alfred tightly, and the two of them rocked back and forth.
Alfred was suddenly filled with regret that he hadn't been able to return sooner. He hugged Arthur back tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I'm so sorry."
"No. No. No. I'm not mad. Not at you." Arthur mumbled into his neck.
"Don't be mad at yourself, Arthur. It was my choice." His hand slipped into Arthur's hair, and he held the man against him. "And I'm fine. Both of us are. And we're back in one piece. It's all over."
Arthur clung to him tighter and cried. He bawled. He let out every pent up emotion that had been plaguing him for the last nine months. And Alfred silently let him. He rubbed the man's back and pressed his face into Arthur's hair and rocked him back and forth until the sobs slowly began to quiet. A few times, he flicked his eyes over to Ludwig, his flushed face telling Alfred he was quite embarrassed to witness such a private moment.
Finally, Arthur stopped crying, and Alfred released him. His red-ringed eyes aside, Arthur looked incredibly happy. "I…I can't believe you came back. I was so sure I'd never see you again…"
Alfred smiled. "Come on, Arthur. Since when I have ever let you suffer from a lack of my amazing presence?"
Arthur snorted. "True." He smiled softly. Then he seemed to suddenly realize that Ludwig was there for the first time. "Germany! Oh, you've…been there the entire time, haven't you?"
Ludwig nodded slowly.
"Ah…right. Well, this is embarrassing. Um…we…uh…we should probably make some phone calls. Everyone's been ready to officially declare you two dead for months now. It's just been me, Francis, Matthew, and Italy holding them back. Imagine their surprise." He chuckled, a hint of pain in his voice.
Alfred cringed. Arthur had, of course, had to tell everyone what had happened. He grimaced at the sheer number of people he knew had probably blamed Arthur for all this. And then he'd had to deal with all the ones who were convinced they were never coming back and the ones who had no doubt claimed Arthur was a liar and that the pair of them were already dead in some kind of accident and…He felt the urge to hug Arthur again.
"Call a world meeting." Ludwig said.
The two of them turned to face him. Arthur's mouth dropped open. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"What better way to end this confusion than to prove we're alive to the world?" Ludwig cocked an eyebrow. "Plus, we can rub it in their faces."
Alfred chuckled. "Good idea, man! Let's teach those asses a lesson!" He smirked at Arthur and winked.
Arthur just kept smiling.
Alfred couldn't help but think it suited him.
The first thing Arthur did was call Matthew and Feliciano and tell them they needed to rush over to London. Alfred and Ludwig had remained quiet, intent on their return being a happy surprise. Alfred felt a sense of anxiety overcome him when he thought of Matt. This Matt wasn't that Matt, but for all Alfred knew, his brother in this world might also be in love with him. That Matt had never told that Alfred, so what if his Matt had never told him? God, this was all so confusing!
They waited around Arthur's kitchen table for a good portion of the day. They'd called Matt first, and he'd hopped on the first plane to London. Feliciano had not been at home, and it had taken them a few hours to reach him. At this rate, they were set to arrive to within minutes of each other. Alfred sat in front of a long cold cup of coffee and tapped his fingers on the table. Arthur sat next to him, continually throwing him tentative glances as if he thought Alfred was liable to disappear right before his eyes. He probably did. He'd probably had nightmares of that exact scenario.
"Arthur, can I talk to you for a second?"
Arthur perked up, sending him a questioning gaze.
"Alone?"
Arthur opened his mouth to answer, but Ludwig coughed. "I need some air. I'll be out on the porch." He pushed back his chair and hurried off, the front door slamming behind a few seconds later. Alfred reminded himself to thank the man later for that. He pushed his own chair back and rose to his feet, taking a deep breath. Arthur mimicked him, biting his lip nervously.
"What is this about, Alfred?"
Alfred clenched his eyes shut briefly. Now or never. Arthur's hand landed on his arm. And that was it. He grabbed Arthur's arm and swung the man around, slamming him into his refrigerator. Arthur's eyes went wide, and he stuttered. "A-Alfred? What are you—?"
Alfred crashed their lips together, kissing Arthur with every pent up emotion he'd had bottled up inside of him for the past nine months. After a few stunned seconds, Arthur relaxed into the kiss, his eyes slipping shut and arms wrapping around Alfred's neck. He pulled their lips apart and slammed them together again and again, nibbling on Arthur's bottom lip. The man groaned softly.
"So…long…" He whispered between kisses. "You…just…don't know…Arthur."
Arthur vigorously kissed him back. "I do…I truly do." He pulled Alfred against them, their bodies meeting at every contour. Their desperate kisses continued, both men releasing every painful feeling that had been building up inside of them for nearly a year. Tongues met and fought and slid wetly against the other's, battling passionately instead of the angry spitting of words they could've been having at this point. Alfred much preferred this. How long had he been imagining this? How long he wanted to hold Arthur this way?
Too long.
Lips met the soft skin of an exposed neck, and Arthur sighed lovingly as Alfred trailed down it, unbuttoning the top few buttons of Arthur's shirt along the way. He latched onto the curve of Arthur's neck and sucked, Arthur letting out a low moan. Hands grabbed at his shirt, clenching the fabric. Hips brushed together, and both men gasped. Oh God, Arthur! I want this so bad!
He released Arthur's neck with a wet pop and brushed his lips against Arthur's ear. "I love you."
Arthur stiffened. "You…you mean that?"
"So much. God, I mean it so much. The last nine months…I…finally can't deny it anymore. I've been deluding myself. I'm so fucking in love with you it hurts."
"A-Alfred…" The man embraced him again. "Oh God, Alfred! I thought…I thought I'd never hear you say that to me. I've had feelings for you for so long now…"
"Do you love me, Arthur?"
"Yes. Oh God, yes!"
Alfred pulled away from him, their eyes meeting again. The adoration in Arthur's eyes broke any sort of resistance or reservation he'd ever thought of having. They met in the middle for one last passionate kiss. Arthur's hands cupped his cheeks gently as he pulled away, thumbs stroking softly. Alfred smiled at him, and Arthur smiled back. Finally. They both thought. Finally.
"Ahem." Ludwig coughed.
They broke apart, blushing, and Alfred turned to face the red-faced Germany. "Sorry. Uh…"
He realized Ludwig's eyes were wide, the man motioning to the door. "Canada is approaching."
Alfred sucked in a breath, his anxiety suddenly returning ten fold. Arthur fixed up his shirt and took a deep breath. "How do think he'll react, Alfred?"
Alfred shook his head. "Only one way to find out." He marched with deliberate steps toward the door, trying to mask his nerves. He could see Matt's silhouetted on the other side, reflected on the screen door by the porch light. Just as the shadow's hand reached out to press the doorbell, Alfred wrapped his fingers around the handle, pushed the button, and pulled the door open.
Matt paused and looked up from the doorbell, eyes going wide as he caught the sight in front of him. Neither bother spoke, Matt blinking several times, as if he was sure he was looking at a illusion or had suddenly fallen into a lucid dream. A shaking hand rose up, making a slow, tentative path toward Alfred's face. The moment the fingers brushed his cheek, Matt cried out and leapt at him, crushing him a tight embrace. He stumbled back, wrapping his arms around his whimpering brother.
"Al. Oh God, Al! It's you! It's really you!"
He whispered softly into Matt's ear. "Yeah. It's me, Matt. It's me. I'm back." He hugged his brother tightly, pressing his face into Matt's shoulder, trying his best not to be reminded of the Matt he'd left behind.
"So you two have been together, then?" The other him accused.
Alfred looked away.
"Come on, why put yourself through this torture? You both knew that you'd be leaving!"
"That doesn't matter, Alfred! I love him!" Matt shouted.
"Matt! Think about this!"
"I have!"
"Matt, how can you love him? He's me!"
"And I loved you too! I did for years! You're just too fucking blind to even notice! Every advance I've ever made on you, you just brushed me off! Do you know how much that hurt to have you ignore me like that? Like I was insignificant and not worth your attention? I started to resent you! And then he showed up. And he paid attention! And he cared! So I fell in love with him instead!"
The other Alfred look shocked. "Matt…I…never…Oh God, Matt, I never knew!"
"Just like I said. Blind!"
"Matt…I'm so sorry…"
Matt refused to look him in the eye. The other Alfred hesitantly met his double's gaze. "I'm sorry for…"
"It's okay…"
They all settled down in the living room, waiting for Feliciano to arrive. Matt clung to him on one side and Arthur on the other. He was uncomfortable enough being squished between the two of them. He was super uncomfortable whenever he acknowledged his myriad of confused feelings. Which was every five seconds or so. Thus, he kept fidgeting in his seat. Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore.
"Bathroom break." He hopped up before anyone could say anything and dashed up the stairs, hoping no one would say anything about there also being a bathroom downstairs. He actually did head to the bathroom, but after he flicked on the light, he turned the sink on and splashed his face with cold water, taking deep breaths to try and calm himself down. He tried his best to convince himself that this Matt had no romantic feelings for him, that he needed to focus on Arthur for romance and Matt for brotherly love. This would all work out. This would all work out.
"Are you all right?"
He jumped at the sound of Matt's voice. His brother, eyebrows furrowed, crossed the threshold and softly closed the bathroom door behind him. "What's going on with you, Al? You've been acting really uncomfortable around Arthur and me."
Alfred took a step back. He didn't want to be in a cramped space with Matt. That was a bad idea. But Matt wasn't deterred by his retreat. He took another step forward. "Al, tell me what's going on."
Just like Matt. He would never just let things go. "Uh…it's not like that, Matt. I'm just…there were some things that happened in the other world that…uh…it's just not something I want to talk about."
"Matt…please forgive me."
"One day, maybe I'll be able to." His brother's voice was cold. "Until then, you'll just have to deal with the consequences." He turned and left the room, resolved.
Both Alfreds stood there stunned. The other him turned to face him. "I'm sorry for everything. I've…made a grave mistake, it seems. And I've lost something important to me."
Alfred put a hand on his shoulder. "You haven't lost him. You can make him mad all you want, you can hurt him at every turn…but Matt will never leave you for good. He's just not that kind of person."
"But I don't want to keep hurting him…"
"Then don't."
The other Alfred ran his hands through his hair. "It hurts. I hurt him and it hurts so bad to see it on his face."
"If you want it to stop, then you'll have to make it up to him."
"How?"
Alfred smiled sadly. "That's for him to tell you."
The other him sighed, holding out a hand. "I'm sorry. Really. For everything."
"Don't be. We all make mistakes." He smiled wider and took the man's offered hand. "What matters is that we correct them."
Matt wouldn't give up the fight. He blocked the door, refusing to let Alfred escape as he advanced on his older brother. Matt was starting to get awkwardly close, and Alfred felt himself start to blush. Ignore it. Ignore it. Ignore it. But all he could picture was the other Matt, leaning in to kiss him. Shit. His brother stood inches away from him, eyes narrow and scrutinizing.
"I don't know what happened to you over there, but you're not leaving this room until you tell me why you're acting this way." Matt made his final mistake. He tilted his head to the side.
Alfred's hands tangled themselves in his brother's soft hair and pulled him into a wet, searing kiss. He switched their positions, pressing the rigid, wide-eyed Matt into the wall as he continued his assault, lips smacking together. Matt's face went beet red, his eyelids twitching. His lips parted slightly, and Alfred plunged his tongue in, pressing it against Matt's stiff one and sliding it along his gums. So good. God, it's exactly the same. The same. The same as…
He tore himself away from Matt, stumbling back against the door as he slapped a hand over his mouth. Matt stayed motionless against the wall, eyes half-lidded, lips swollen, cheeks flushed. Alfred struggled to find the words. Shit! Oh, shit! I'm in trouble now!
"A-Al…"
He turned his head away, refusing to look Matt in the eye.
"W-why did…do you…I thought…Arthur…"
"I love Arthur." He mumbled, staring blankly at the wall.
"Then why did you…"
Alfred finally broke down. "There was another you there."
"Huh?"
"The you…the parallel you…he was in love with me…the parallel me and the parallel Arthur were together…and you were silently suffering in the background because the other me wouldn't pay attention to you. And I just…I had no Arthur there…and you were there…and we…and I….Shit! I'm so fucking stupid." He covered his face in his hands, ready and waiting for Matt to yell at him.
Somehow, some way, Matthew understood what he was talking about. "So, this other me was in love with you?" Matt was still blushing. "I see…"
Horror ran through Alfred's veins. "Matt…oh God…please tell me you don't…I'll never forgive myself…"
Matt looked up at him, wide-eyed. "No! I don't…I don't love you like that. In fact, I'd never really thought about it before. I mean, I always thought you were attractive, but I've never been in love with you like that."
Relief washed over him. "Oh, thank god. I was sure for a second there…"
Matthew crawled over to him and sat next to him. "So you have feelings for this other me?"
Alfred nodded dumbly.
"But you're in love with Arthur more?"
He nodded again.
Matt smiled, caring and understanding like he'd always been. "You need to tell him about that, you know? It'll be worse if you lie."
"I know."
"But you can keep this kiss a secret it you want." He blushed again. "I can't say I was expecting that."
"I'm sorry." He said quickly.
Matt chuckled. "Don't be. It wasn't bad." He snickered.
"Don't make fun of me. I'm struggling here!" He crossed his arms and pouting.
Matt hugged him. "I can see that." He laughed. He tightened his hold. "It'll be okay, Al. I think we all just need to sit down and have a nice, long talk about everything that happened in this other world."
Alfred cringed at the thought but nodded anyway. "You're probably right."
They stayed like that for several minutes when a though suddenly struck Alfred. "So, Matt, if it's not me you love, then are you with somebody? You never talk about your love life with me."
"Right. Because you always tell me about yours."
"Well, you know now, so…"
Matt sighed. "I kind of…don't want to tell you. I'm afraid you might get mad."
And then Alfred knew.
"Ivan." He muttered through tight lips.
Matt stiffened. "How did you know?"
Alfred banged his head against the door, groaning. "Why? Why God, why?"
"Al? Al, what's wrong?"
He fidgeted on the couch across from Arthur. The brothers were taking a long time, and Ludwig wasn't sure he wanted to know what they were up to. He avoided Arthur's gaze like the plague, the man's green eyes boring into him with a look that hissed "Something's going on, and you know what it is!" Oh, he knew alright, but he certainly wasn't going to say anything about it.
The doorbell rang.
Ludwig froze.
Arthur stared. "I believe that's for you."
Nervously, he rose to his feet, unsure if he was ready to face this or not. He let his feet take him to the door of their own volition, his hand reaching out by itself to pull open the door. Feliciano stood on the other side, hands full of a box that was no doubt filled with pasta, eyes locked onto the starry sky. He craned his neck to look back at Ludwig as the door creaked open.
Their eyes met.
"L-Ludwig…?"
He stepped out onto the porch, grabbed the box, sat it on the ground, and pulled Feliciano into a deep kiss. He kissed the man with everything he had, with everything he'd ever told him and everything he hadn't, every single bit of emotion he could grasp from every crevice in his heart. When he pulled away, he embraced Feliciano tightly. Feliciano was limp, stunned, and silent, so unlike his normal self. Say something to me, Feliciano. Anything.
"Ludwig. Is it really you?" He whispered, a hint of tears in his voice.
"Yes. It's me."
He sobbed. "Ludwig!" His arms wrapped tightly around the German man. "Ve! You're back! You're back! You're back! Everyone said you'd never come back, but I wouldn't believe them!"
"Thank you for having faith in me."
Feliciano cried into his shoulder. "Ludwig!"
"Did you bring pasta, Feliciano?"
"Yes! Do you want some?" He sniffled.
"I would indeed. I've missed your cooking."
"Ve!" He pulled away, smiling through his tear-stained cheeks. "I'll get it ready right now!"
Ludwig smiled back. My Feliciano. It's been so long since I've seen that face. Those eyes unmarred by murder. That smiled untouched by tragedy. Gott, how I've missed it!
"I'd like that."
He stood in front of the world, a world curious to hear all it could of another. Many were skeptical about the true nature of his absence, believing the whole "parallel world" thing to be but a lie. Some were suspicious, thinking he had hidden motives. Alfred took a breath before he started speaking, the papers shaking in his hands. He'd mostly recovered from his injuries now, but whenever he got nervous, the slight shaking in his fingers got far worse and much more noticeable. He let the papers rest on the podium.
Arthur stood on one side of him, Matthew on the other. He'd sat them down the night before and told them everything. From his arrival to his departure. From Ivan's tyranny to his death by Alfred's hands. From the other Alfred's relationship with the other Arthur to his own relationship with the other Matt. Arthur had been angry, and Alfred hadn't expected any less. His cheek still stung, but at least Arthur had verbally forgiven him. For a few hours, the man had barred himself in his room, convinced that Alfred and Matthew were secretly together. Somehow, Matt had managed to talk Arthur out of his anger and bring him back to reason. Just like Matt. He was so thankful for Matt.
Now if only Ludwig was here. He couldn't describe the parts that only Ludwig had been there for. Sure, he knew them, he'd been told, but he didn't know them nearly as well as Ludwig. He felt the story would be weaker without Ludwig here, but the man was uncharacteristically late. As he'd told Alfred he would be. He was out having lunch with Feliciano (and for some reason, Romano too). He'd said he'd be about ten minutes late. Alfred wondered if he could stall them until then.
The doors wrenched open to reveal a familiar hulking Russia. Alfred froze. It was the first time he'd seen Ivan since…God, since he'd put a bullet through the man's head. He coughed nervously. Ivan paused, eying him suspiciously. The man took a seat close to the podium, scrutinizing Alfred.
"Come on then, America. We are all waiting to here your big tale of 'parallel worlds.' We all do not want to be kept waiting, da?" Ivan smiled at him, a glint of harsh accusation in his eyes.
Oh, this was going to suck.
Lovino grumbled. Why had his stupid fratello invited him along to lunch with that stupid potato bastard? The man had been missing for nearly a year, and yet his brother had just picked up their relationship right where it had left off. He huffed as he followed them past a fruit stand. The odd pair, tall, blond German and small, brunette Italian, filed into the tiny café together. Lovino lingered outside, rolling his eyes. He eyed a box of green apples and shuffled over to them, picking one up. He couldn't help but wonder if this would be a repeat of the last episode with an apple. His brother had been torn up over that stupid potato eater for months, and he hadn't been able to do a damn thing to console him. Fuck that! That stupid potato bastard couldn't even come back in damn time. How can my brother like him so much? He scoffed, rubbing the apple on his shirt until it shined.
He looked up, letting his eyes fall into line with the street across from him. They latched onto a familiar figure. He froze. His brother stood beneath a canopied doorway, hands tucked inside the pockets of a black coat, a beret resting on his hair, smiling back at him softly. His…brother…? But hadn't his brother just gone inside the café behind—?
A car horn rang loudly as a bus blew by him down the street, the apple falling from his startled hands and bouncing to the ground. He scrambled for it, grabbing it frantically before straightening himself to look at his brother again. He felt the blood drain from his face.
The doorway was empty.
His brother was gone.
"Ve, Lovino! Are you coming in?"
Lovino slowly turned around, eyelids aching at how far Lovino stretched them wide, and caught sight of his confused brother poking his head out of the door of the café. He glanced at the apple in his hand and hesitantly reached out, putting it back in the exact place he'd taken it from. Then he scuttled inside behind his brother, letting the tinted windows hide the frightening world outside.
I am never touching an apple again.
Dro: My lips are sealed. -snickers-