This is the third chapter which introduces a bit more about Alfred and his own life. After this, we talk about Arthur and then there's the epilogue that talks about what happened after high school. Please review and thank you!
No one talks to him about how he lives…
No one ever talked to Alfred about his home life, but it didn't really matter to him. After all, he had a perfectly nice family. Sure, his father had to work all the time since his mother had left and he had to take care of everything back at home, but that was fine. That was okay. Alfred was perfectly okay with that.
Alfred always loved heroes and he always claimed to be one himself. He liked to make good choices, and therefore always did what he believed was right. He thought that the choice to befriend the lonely people was his choice alone.
Doesn't know he's the leader with the way he behaves…
Unbeknownst to Alfred, many people in his school looked up to him. While he was oblivious to the fact that his cheerful personality made others instantly brighten up, everyone else couldn't help but admire him. This was why he was one of the most popular guys in school.
He was also a favorite student in the eyes of some of his teachers. While his grades were a B- average, he was very polite, if not a bit loud at times, but everyone in that school was loud. He did his work and helped others with their work because he knew that doing so was right.
Younger students and older students all followed his example and helped others. Many students started doing volunteer work and helped raise money for clubs. Some students chose to ignore what Alfred stood for, most didn't and followed his example. After Alfred had saved Lovino and Natalya's lives, more people began to realize that they needed to work harder. He was like a leader, and the facts that they so blatantly ignored people in need made them feel awful.
Alfred had also opened the eyes of Ivan Braginski, Natalya's brother, and The Bad Touch Trio, plus Feliciano Vargas. When Lovino was about to shoot himself, Feliciano and the BTT were scared. Feliciano didn't want his brother to die, and he had no idea about the bullying. The BTT felt guilty, especially Antonio. When Alfred saved his life, they were relieved. They tried to apologize, but it wasn't until Alfred told Lovino to let it go that he forgave his brother and the BTT.
Ivan wasn't aware of what was going on in his sister's life until the American marched up to him with a glare and demanded to know why he didn't care for his sister. Of course Ivan cared for his sister, he cared for them both, but Natalya kept going on about how she would marry him and it was a bit creepy. So when he learned that Natalya was depressed and lonely, he couldn't help but dismiss how creepy his sister was in favor of worry. Natalya had instantly forgiven him when he apologized, so he was happy. He didn't want to make Natalya lonely anymore and vowed to keep her safe from then on.
His brother who wants to be him is just nine…
Alfred had a younger brother named Matthew Williams. Matthew was nine and kept his mom's surname. Matthew looked up to his older brother and wanted to be like him. He wanted to be brave and he wanted to help people. He wanted to be called a hero.
Matthew always admired his brother from the day his brother caught him after he fell out of a tree when he was three. Alfred knew that his brother also wanted to be a hero and so he encouraged him as much as he could. When Matthew was hurt or felt like he just wasn't good enough, Alfred was always there to pick him up.
"Alfred, I'm going to be just like you when I grow up!" Matthew has said in awe again and again whenever Alfred told him about whatever he had done to help people. Alfred always chuckled and ruffled his hair.
"I'm sure you will, little bro," he would reply. "But you're already so grown up now, aren't you?" He would lift Matthew up in the air and say how heavy he was, and Matthew would squeal in delight.
When Matthew heard about the two times that Alfred saved someone's life, he was in even more awe.
"That's amazing, brother!" He exclaimed. "You were able to save their lives with only a few words! You are a hero!" Alfred laughed.
"What, did you doubt that I was a hero until now?" He teased. Matthew had blushed and fiddled with the scarf that had been around his neck.
"Well, until now, you never saved anyone's life and every superhero saves lives, so I didn't fully believe you were a hero…" He murmured even quieter than he normally did. Alfred just chuckled and ruffled his hair like he always did.
"I was kidding, but you are right," he told him. "Real superheroes always save lives." Matthew smiled up at his big brother. He wanted to be like his brother even more right then and there. He wanted to save lives and he wanted to be a superhero like his brother. He loved the stories of his brother and they influenced how he would act in later years.
The story of why Alfred had such a hero complex also helped in Matthew's decision.
Heroes are made when you make a choice