Alfred walked into his house. It was quiet. "Hello?" he called out. He heard a crash coming from the kitchen. Alfred ran to the kitchen. When he entered he doubled over laughing. In the kitchen was Arthur completely covered in chocolate syrup.
"Quit laughing at me you bloody idiot!" yelled Arthur. Alfred stopped laughing and went over to help clean up the mess. However, a smile was still tugging at his lips. "Thank you Alfred, I would hug you but…" Arthur gestured to himself still covered in chocolate.
"You're welcome Artie!" said Alfred. For once Arthur didn't complain. As Arthur was in the shower Alfred set up dinner knowing that if Arthur did it the smoke alarm would go off. Again.
When they were eating dinner and weren't covered in chocolate syrup Alfred remembered the letter. "Oh yeah, Arthur you got a letter!" said Alfred.
"See I told you I have friends." said Arthur. When he saw the wax seal his face paled. It's the frog, Arthur thought, what does he want? Arthur opened the letter, hands shaking.
Arthur,
Arthur, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. Yes I had to write it multiple times, I hate you that much. You see, the government is giving Matthew to you because I haven't had a steady job since the company we work for fired me to promote you. I told Matthew about his twin and now he is mad at me for keeping it from him. He is going to be sent to you on October 1st. His flight lands at 9:00 in the New York City Airport. I hope you have told Alfred about his twin mon ami.
Francis Bonnefoy
Arthur clutched the letter. His hands were shaking, his face was pale. "A-a-alfred?"
"Yes?" asked Alfred. He was cleaning the dishes and didn't see how nervous Arthur was.
"There's something I need to tell you." said Arthur.
Alfred turned to face him. Something was clearly wrong. Arthur's forehead was covered in sweat and he kept pulling his tie loose and fiddling with his hands.
"Ok." Alfred said.
"Well, um, you sort-of, well you do, um, have a twin." stuttered Arthur.
"Wait, what?" yelled Alfred. "This is coming up now? I have another dead family member, great."
"No he's not dead, he lives in Canada." squeaked Arthur.
"He's alive, and you never told me?" said Alfred. He felt betrayed. Arthur had known he had a twin and kept it from him. He wanted to curl into a ball and cry. Then he remembered he had a twin. He had family. He wasn't alone. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier. Where was he and why didn't you even tell me about him for the past, I don't know 11 years!" screamed Alfred.
Arthur opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by Alfred saying "You know what? I don't care." Alfred stomped up towards his room.
Arthur cursed at his stupidity. Why did I not tell him sooner, I know that I hate Francis but this isn't about me. Arthur walked up towards Alfred's room and put his ear on the door. He could here loud sobs on the other side. He sighed, this is going to be harder than he thought. He knocked on the door.
The sobbing stopped. Alfred said a weak "Go away." Arthur opened the door. Alfred was curled into a ball sobbing and glaring at Arthur. Arthur sat down on the side of the bed, pulled in Alfred and hugged him tight.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I never told you. Your twin Matthew went to one of your Dad's friends. I always blamed him for the crash. Your parents were heading home from a party at his house when a drunk driver ran into them. I never forgave him." whispered Arthur.
Alfred gave a small squeak then buried deeper into Arthur's arms.
"It was selfish of me to keep him from you and I don't expect you to forgive me for it just know that I am sorry." Arthur paused. "Your twin, Matthew, is going to live with us." He's coming October 1st."
Alfred sat up wiping tears from his eyes. "He is,why?" he asked.
"Well Francis, that was your father's friend, he was fired a year ago and hasn't been able to find a steady job, so the court decided to send Matthew to us." Arthur said.
"Is he going to go to school with me?"
"Yes." said Arthur. "Yes he is." Alfred wrapped his arms around Arthur in a bone crushing hug. "He's coming in 30 days."
Alfred laid back down again and closed his eyes. I have to have a countdown till the day Mattie comes. He thought. Then he fell asleep. Arthur heard snoring and stood up and went to his own bed. Alfred dreamed of hamburgers, maple leafs, and battle axes. While Arthur dreamed of unicorns, tea and perfectly baked scones.
The next morning Arthur burnt the scones, again.
