A/N: I'm surprised most are still following this – I really appreciate that! It's a lovely welcome back. Speaking of welcome, I'd like to thank all my new readers also. Haha, I'm sorry for making you so sad from the first chapter alone, but in all honesty that made me happy; I don't get pleasure out of your pain or anything, it just shows me my writing's powerful enough to affect people's emotions, you know what I mean?

So, here is chapter nine, or as I like to call it 8.5 as it describes what I kept a secret in chapter eight.

It's more from Alfred's perspective in order to explain what's happened, and we head back to the present day. On with the show!

Chapter 8.5 – Unbreakable?

"Mattie? You in here?"

Alfred called out, but the only reply was echoes bouncing against the walls and finding their way back to him, just like a boomerang.

Stubbornly, he shouted again. "Mattie, come on."

He inched closer to the bedroom belonging to Matthew, mentally debating whether to knock first or go in with no concerns for privacy.

He didn't even have to hesitate before deciding; he intruded.

Matthew was huddled in the corner, a blanket covering most of his pyjama clad body. Only his face and hands were exposed. Although the room was dimly lit, Alfred could clearly see what Matthew was holding in his hands, and what was shining on his face.

In his hand was a photograph. What was printed on aforementioned photograph to Alfred was still a mystery – however, as slow as he was, it wouldn't take a genius to realise he was crying whilst his eyes were fixated on a photograph.

Obviously it was a photograph of either Gilbert on his own, or Matthew with Gilbert, his precious Gilbert.

Alfred felt his whole body flush with a wave of remorse, a wave of guilt. He sighed and gently inched closer to Matthew.

Matthew saw a presence move, only a shadow lingering to his eye, and flinched, squeaking in fear involuntarily. Alfred couldn't help but chuckle; he was about as threatening as a teddy bear.

"Relax," Alfred wore a convincingly reassuring tone. "It's just me, Alfred. You know, your brother, Alfred."

Matthew wiped away his tears with the blankets and feigned happiness. Carefully he placed the photograph on the floor (he was about to throw it in order to hide his feelings, but realised he would never want to damage or taint such a sacred, significant thing) and turned his head, bracing himself for a conversation.

Or a question.

Can I copy your homework, Matthew? Can I borrow your money and never pay you back, Matthew?

Alfred signed again and crouched down next to Matthew, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Matthew opened his mouth to speak but Alfred quickly hushed him.

"I'm not here for money and I'm not here to copy your homework," Alfred informed him, a smirk on his face that evidently was meant to be taken as 'I know what you're thinking and you're wrong.'

A soft 'oh' escaped from Matthew's lips, and he twiddled with his thumbs. Through the corner of his eye, he glanced at the photograph and bit his lip, resisting the urge to cry. He always felt as if his tears had all run out, all evaporated, since he'd been crying so much recently but every time he was proven wrong. Every time.

It was like an endless waterfall pouring from his eyes whenever he cried, no matter how big of a drought he thought he was in.

"Then…what do you want, Alfred?" Matthew whispered, his voice obviously weak and cracking like he was going through puberty again.

"I just wanna…" Alfred began before stopping abruptly. His eyes darted around the room and he leaned in closer to Matthew before whispering, "You know, apologise."

Matthew's eyes widened. Wow, he had to record this moment after it had finished! Seldom did Alfred apologise for his actions; he always had the whole 'screw you, I do what I want!' attitude.

"Apologise?" Matthew repeated, cocking his head to the side slightly like a confused dog. "For what? That time you broke my neck? That time you twisted my arm so badly I had to go to hospital and stay overnight? That time when-"

Alfred groaned and quickly interrupted him.

"No!" he replied loudly, sounding quite irritated. "I mean…I just…wanna say sorry for…uh…that thing I did! Yeah."

Matthew rolled his eyes. "What thing, Alfred? You've done a lot of things…"

"You know what I mean."

"…I don't, actually…be a little more specific, huh?"

Alfred sighed, admitting defeat – very weird of him. He wasn't the type to immediately go with plan Z – for him, that was getting the white flag out and waving it around. He wasn't the type to surrender, especially not to his brother.

"Fine, I'm sorry for keeping you and Gilbert apart," Alfred said all out once. The words were incoherent to Matthew as they were uttered in a fashion as bustled as New York City.

"Do you think you could repeat that?" Matthew asked meekly, scared to be asking that question. "I didn't quite catch that."

Alfred groaned again and took a deep breath, repeating his previous sentence at a slower, more coherent pace.

Matthew's heart stopped beating in his chest and he gulped. He quickly turned away, biting his lip. Even the name Gilbert was hard to hear now, whether it was referring to his Gilbert or not.

"Oh…" was all he could say. Matthew hugged his knees and rested his face in there. "It's okay, Alfred. I've forgiven you."

Alfred smiled and wrapped his arms around Matthew. At first, Matthew froze and stiffened before relaxing and falling into Alfred, enjoying his company, enjoying his compassion.

"That's good, because I've been feeling mighty awful about what I did," Alfred revealed, holding Matthew tighter. He picked up the photograph and stared at it. Sure enough, his thoughts were confirmed; Matthew was wrapped up in Gilbert's arms, smiling, his eyes twinkling. Alfred had never seen that before.

Matthew breathed deeply. So many questions circulated around in his head. Why was he so guilty? He only brought them closer together in the end.

"Listen, dude," Alfred whispered even though he knew he had no need to, "I didn't realise you two were…like that, you know? I guess I let my own hatred for the guy get the better of me. I really don't get how you forgave me."

"You're my brother," Matthew simply answered. Alfred anticipated more, but realised that was all Matthew was going to say and continued.

"And I…when I realised you two were, uh, like that, I guess I had a lot more sympathy for you," Alfred smiled, his feelings somehow becoming so much easier to express than before. It was like they were rolling off his tongue naturally. "Because I'm in love myself. I think this girl's the one."

"I'm happy for you, Alfred," Matthew smiled back. "I wish you two the best."

"Thanks, dude," Alfred beamed, suddenly returning to his old smug self. "But anyway, again, I'm sorry."

"Alfred, I've already told you; it's fine!"

"What the hell is your brother's problem?"

Matthew shrugged. "Gilbert, I don't know. He just started a fight with me and ended it by saying, 'I don't want you hanging around with Gilbert. He's bad news.' I know he just wants the best for me, but…"

"Just wants the best for you?" Gilbert repeated in a harsh tone. "That's exactly what I want."

"Do you think you're best for me?" Matthew asked tentatively.

Gilbert smirked initially before dropping it just a second later. "That's not for me to decide, Mattie. But personally? Yeah. Do you think I'm best for you?"

Matthew's cheeks flushed as he struggled to find the words. Gilbert had literally rendered him speechless.

Gilbert looked at Matthew both ominously and expectantly, so Matthew knew he had to say something and soon.

Instead, he realised actions spoke louder than words.

Matthew snuggled up to Gilbert, nuzzling against his neck. Gilbert wrapped his arms around Matthew in return, holding him closer to his chest. Matthew rested his head there; it was like a warm pillow, and the soft tune of Gilbert's heartbeat was enough to make Matthew feel lethargic. He closed his eyes and Gilbert ran his fingers through Matthew's hair, stroking softly.

"I'll take that as a yes," Gilbert chuckled. A soft giggle came from the sleepy, happy curled up ball beside him.

"Gilbert," the word was muffled, but to Gilbert it still sounded like the best thing on the planet.

"Ja?"

"If this is the last moment we get to hold each other, then I don't want it to end," Matthew internally cringed at his cheesiness, a visible blush forming on his cheeks. "I wanna stay here forever."

Gilbert sighed. "Yeah, I do too. It's almost as awesome as I am."

Matthew giggled.

"I'll see you again someday," he fought back tears, although his voice was growing week.

"Yeah…"

Gilbert had so many things to say, so many arguments to share, so many insults to spit and so many battle to fight and consequently prevail.

But time was running out.

The battle was over.

Alfred had won.

Would Gilbert forgive him? He didn't know.

He didn't wanna think about that.

Because once this moment of bliss, of ecstasy, had reached its inevitable climax, Gilbert's hand felt empty.

His soul felt empty.

Matthew felt the same way, as much as he hid it with a smile.

"If we never see each other again, don't forget me, please," Matthew begged with tears in my eyes.

"I won't."

Because, deep down, Gilbert knew they'd meet again someday.

A/N: Yay foreshadowing

One dimensional characters are one dimensional...frick, I've gotta start remembering how to write in character because it seems I've forgotten. In all honesty, I haven't actually watched or roleplayed Hetalia in forever. :T

Okay, so this is basically what happened before the previous chapter. I really should have written it first, but a) I like being annoying and surprising you all with plot twists and b) I only got the idea halfway through writing the last one, haha.

But yeah, here you go. Thank you all for your feedback and continued support, but we've still got so long to go!

During the time they were apart, Gilbert…well, I'll write about that later.

Keep on being awesome!