((HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALFRED/AMERICA! (And happy late birthday to Matthew/Canada too!)

And to answer previous questions: Yes there will be a time skip.

Enjoy, and remember that reviews are appreciated!~))

Alfred really didn't know what he was expecting when he entered the large bathroom. There was so much pink everywhere, he briefly questioned if he was feeling sick and seeing things. It looked nice, but goodness it was literally everywhere! The towels were pink and fluffy looking, there was a mat that looked equally as poofy, and even the curtains had a salmon color to them. So far the only thing in this bathroom that wasn't pink were the walls and sink, both which were white.

"Alright Alfie," Oliver began as he closed the bathroom door and crouched down, "can you take your clothes off so I may bathe you?" He smiled sweetly as Alfred quickly obliged, slipping out of all his raggedy clothes. Oliver let out a small sigh as he trailed his eyes over the young American's body. It was covered in bruises that would probably only be noticeable up close due to his tanned skin. He quickly averted his gaze when Alfred caught him looking.

Alfred shifted from side to side, biting his lower lip. He knew his body didn't look very appealing with all the times it has been beaten. He hoped Oliver didn't mind! He didn't want to be discarded! Oliver wasn't a bad guy though, right? So far all he has done is care for him!

"Alright Alfie, come here baby." Oliver whispered, lifting the little boy into his arms and holding him up with one. His other hand extended out to turn one of the knobs in the tub, switching between hot and cold water until it was perfectly warm. "Is this good for you dear?" The petite man lowered himself so that Alfred could reach his hand out and feel the water. After a quick nod from the boy, he placed him in the tub. He decided to kneel down and begin humming a soft tune.

Alfred watched as the tub quickly filled up with water. He couldn't help but slowly grow tired. The water was so warm! He had never felt such a nice temperature in a tub before. When he was with his mother all he bathed in was cold water, and that was when he was lucky. When was the last time he even stepped in water before this? Probably a week ago.

"Do you want bubbles?" Oliver tilted his head to the side, lightly scrubbing Alfred's skin with a rag rubbed with soap.

Alfred blinked a few times before arching both brows. "B-Bubbles?"

The pink man grinned and reached under the sink cabinet, gripping a bottle and taking it out. It too was of course a fuchsia color. Alfred stared as Oliver leaned over and begin squirting out the substance in the bottle into the tub. As soon as he closed the bottle back up the water was already blooming with white fizzy... bubbles.

Alfred's eyes widened and he couldn't help but squeak and jump up when the bubbles began forming closer to him. They tickled his skin and he smiled a bit. He wasn't sure how this was possible, but he was glad it was! The bubbles just kept growing higher and higher until his whole body was covered in them.

Oliver giggled quietly to himself before there was a knock at the door that made them both turn their heads. "Daddy, Mr. Ox...Ox... Berwald is on the phone!" Matthew spoke from beyond the door, groaning while trying to pronounce the man's last name. Why was it so difficult?

"Oh, Alfred keep scrubbing at your hair okay?" Oliver flashed him a smile before standing up and rubbing his hands on a towel that hung from a rack. He slipped out of the bathroom, leaving the door open much to Alfred's misfortune. He watched as the other grabbed the phone from the young blond and walked away, already chatting into it.

Alfred did as Oliver said and ran his fingers through his hair, lightly scrubbing his scalp. He stopped when Matthew decided to step in though.

"Hey new brother!" He grinned, a few of his baby teeth missing. Alfred smiled nervously in return, hesitantly waving. "Wow! You look a lot nicer without all that nasty dirt on your face! It really looked gross, I didn't even want to touch you!"

Alfred wasn't sure whether to thank the other or be offended. He instead opted to remain quiet and wait out the awkward silence that filled the air.

"Um, you know, you're pretty cute!" The blond suddenly claimed, crossing his arms over his chest and trying to casually look away.

"W-What?" Alfred felt like he'd just been slapped, except not really. He knew that feeling all too well. This was a mental slap more like it. "Huh?"

"Ha ha! See you around loser!" Matthew grinned another toothy smile, darting out of the bathroom. Alfred blinked a few times. What was all that about?

By the time Oliver returned Alfred was rubbing his scalp red. "Oh my, that took longer than expected! I'm terribly sorry dearie!" Oliver skipped inside, quickly crouching down by the tub again. He seemed to be staring at Alfred a little more than usual, and not with a fond look like earlier. It wasn't a bad look either, it seemed mostly interested. "Let's get that soap out of your hair, hm?"

Alfred nodded and smiled, letting out a happy sigh of relief when Oliver cupped his hands and poured water over his head. The warm water flowed down his body and it felt so nice. He wondered if he was a cat if he would be purring. Wait, cats don't like water.

"Alright, I think that's enough!" Oliver chimed as he reached over to turn the water off. Alfred couldn't help but frown and wave at the bubbles as they slowly disappeared into a vortex along with the water. Oliver apparently thought this was funny because he began giggling up a storm. "Precious!" Soon Alfred was being lifted once again, but this time he was being wrapped in a towel.

He made a comforting noise as he leaned his head on Oliver's shoulder. He considered for a moment if Oliver would be mad about his wet hair dripping onto the other's shirt, but quickly waved the thought away. Oliver was a really nice man.

Alfred nuzzled into his neck after awhile as the man bounced out of the bathroom (quite literally) and into another room. This one actually wasn't pink. It was red and white. Sure red wasn't far off pink, but it was different either way.

"Heeeyyyyy, what are you doing in my room?" Matthew tilted his head. Alfred noticed he was sitting on a bed designed with a... flag? Yes, those looked like flags. What flag though? It certainly wasn't American. As far as he remembered, the American flag didn't have a giant leaf in the middle of it. Or maybe it did, he never really bothered to look.

After being lowered onto said bed (right next to Matthew which made Alfred awfully uncomfortable) Oliver turned away and crouched down by a drawer. "Well Alfie is your new brother, dearie! You have to learn to share now!"

Matthew frowned a bit before grinning. "So does that mean he's going to be sleeping with me too?"

Oliver giggled, but it wasn't like his usual giggles. It was more... stressed out? Alfred couldn't really tell. What he did know was that Matthew was looking straight at him. He tightened the towel around him for safety. Wait, safety from what? He was family now!

He loosened the towel as the thought smacked him. He must have let go too much though because his towel fell off his shoulders and he sat there completely bare. He felt his face grow red. Oh no, why was Matthew still staring?

Alfred began silently praying (something Natalia often talked about although he never really saw the point of whispering to the air) that Oliver turned around soon. And as if on cue the petite man did, standing back up with a pile of clothes. "Let's get you dressed up!"

Alfred nodded quickly, lifting his arms up as Oliver slowly slipped a shirt onto him. He lowered his arms when the shirt was finally on. It was practically a perfect fit! It was a red and black colored shirt, something that seemed common in Matthew's taste.

Soon he was fitted into some underwear (which Matthew complained was weird to share but Oliver reminded him these were new and it was okay) and pants. He looked down at himself, honestly if he changed his hair color he might just be mistaken for his new brother. Well, he'd also have to grow out his hair since Matthew's seemed to be quite long.

"Alright Alfred, I didn't mention this earlier, but I'm actually having a party tomorrow!" Alfred blinked in response, not really having anything to say. "I have one every year, it's really quite the ...um, pile of fun!" He grinned and Alfred heard Matthew snicker nearby. "Tomorrow's going to be a really special one though, because you're here!"

Alfred smiled a bit, feeling his heart warming up after being frozen for so long. He nodded and slightly smiled while showing teeth. "Great! Well I have to get things ready, so you two have fun, okay?" And with that Oliver was twirling out of the room (again, literally).

The rest of the day was spent with Alfred and Matthew asking each other questions. Such as, "What's your favorite color?" (in which Alfred's was stuck between red and blue and Matthew between red and purple) and many others. Before Alfred knew it the sun was setting outside and Oliver was calling lights out. So by around ten both boys were resting in bed with a smile.

"Hey, if anyone bothers you I'll be here, okay Alfie?" Matthew whispered, reaching over to place his hand over Alfred's. It really surprised Alfred that Matthew had a soft side. He seemed goofy and even a little rude earlier. It was a nice change.

Alfred was beginning to grow used to talking to him. He held Matthew's hand in his and nodded. "I-I'll try and protect you too, Mattie."

Matthew snorted in response, "Ha! Like you could!" With that both boys were giggling away into slumber.

The next day Alfred awoke to a light shaking. He yawned and slowly opened his eyes. Where was he? He peeked out at the red and white walls and noticed he was laying in a bed much too comfy to be his. Was this a dream? He didn't want to wake up then.

"Alfie, sweetie wake up," a voice called out. He knew that voice. ...Ol...Oliver! Right! The previous events began flooding his mind. That's right, he was in a new house. He had a new family.

He yawned and smiled up at the pink covered man, who was especially pink today. He had on a sparkly blush colored suit it seemed. "It's time to get ready dear, the people will be arriving soon!" Alfred blinked, trying to process what the other was saying. Remember. Oh right, there was going to be a party! Alfred smiled and slowly sat up, glancing about for his new brother.

"Matthew's already downstairs greeting our guests. Here, I rushed to the store this morning to get you this!" Oliver sang, holding up a white shirt with fancy dress pants. Alfred arched a brow when Oliver began pushing the clothes into his hands. "Put them on, no time to waste dear!"

Alfred quickly shrugged off his (Matthew's) clothes from the night before, switching into the new clothes. It fit pretty nicely, a little tight if anything. Oliver stood up straight and glanced the boy over, nodding in approval. "You look dashing! Come now, let's go, shall we?"

Alfred hummed in response, tilting his head. "What time is it?" Why would people be coming in so early?

"Oh, it's around six dear! You slept for quite awhile! I didn't disturb you though, you looked like you needed the rest!" Oliver said while combing his hair back. There were so many knots in it that he struggled a bit but managed to make him look...decent?

Alfred's mouth gaped open. Six, at night?! Has he ever slept that long? He shook his head and shoved the thoughts away, reaching up to grab Oliver's open hand instead. When they reached the staircase that led downstairs Oliver dashed behind him.

Alfred went to turn his head to see where he was going when two pale hands began covering his vision. He frowned but stood frozen. What was Oliver doing?

"Shh, keep walking!" Oliver chirped from behind, slowly nudging the American forward. Oliver must not have known the word 'safe' because this was definitely far from it.

However, Alfred agreed and began slowly lowering himself down the stairs, taking careful steps. It felt like forever until they finally reached the bottom (in which Alfred nearly tripped over his own feet had it not been for Oliver keeping him up from behind).

Alfred stood still as the hands covering his eyes slowly removed. What he saw was the last thing he expected.

There were people everywhere. There must have at least been one hundred people around. That wasn't the thing though. They were all staring at him with large grins. Berwald was amongst the crowd, grinning even wider than the others. Did he have something on his face? Alfred shifted onto one leg, trembling slightly before-

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALFRED!"

Alfred's eyes widened, taking a step back. Oliver giggled from behind though and lifted him up into the air. Everyone began cheering as Alfred silently stared in amazement. These people were here for.. him? Wait, birthday. Birthday? Birthday! When was the last time he looked at a calander? Was today... Was today July fourth?

"H-How-?" Alfred croaked out.

"Berwald called me yesterday to tell me! You silly goose!" Oliver, along with the rest of the crowd, began laughing. Alfred felt like he was about to faint. The whole room was beginning to swirl around him and blur. So he did the only thing he knew how to do.

He cried.

Everyone in the room grew silent at this. He couldn't help it, he just bursted into tears. Why was he crying? Stop! He's embarrassing Oliver! He really can't do anything right! Mother was right!

"Shh, baby, shh," he heard instead as he felt himself lowered and hugged closely. His head rested on the other's shoulder as he felt Oliver slowly pat his back. "Why are you crying baby?"

"I-I," Alfred sniffled, "I-I've n-never had a b-b-birthday party!" Alfred was full out sobbing now. He couldn't see it, but he was receiving soft smiles from around the room. Berwald was even fighting with the onions again.

"Oh sweetie, you're part of this family now." Oliver whispered into his ear, nuzzling his combed hair. "In this family we celebrate the birthdays of those we love."

"L-Love?" Alfred squeaked the foreign word out.

Love. Love. Love.

"Of course, Alfie!" He could hear the smile in Oliver's words. "We already love you."

Alfred couldn't help full out sobbing again. It wasn't because he was sad or scared though. Far from it. He was so happy. He didn't think he could feel any happier than this. People cared for him. He wasn't an item or a toy to play around with. He had heard once before from the neighborhood children that hearts shouldn't be messed with. He heard that once they were broken, they couldn't be fixed.

They were wrong though, because at this moment he could feel his heart repairing. Oliver, Matthew, and even Francis (who he guessed took a lot of convincing for all this) had wrapped a bandage around his frozen and broken heart. He could feel it mending, slowly but surely.

Alfred was finally loved.