Matthew's day just was not going his way, even more so than usual, which is saying a lot. He had left his college campus and was walking to the bar. He hadn't wanted a drink, or a couple drinks, before he went back to his dorm room that he was sharing with his now ex boyfriend. That fucker, cheating on him in their shared room, anyway that hadn't been a pretty start to this morning. Matthew crossed the street, directly from a bar that was already open at 3pm, Matthew hadn't looked both ways… And of course there was a truck.

Matthew woke up with a groan, 'Fuck me! Fuck my life!' Matthew thought to himself. He opened his eyes, his whole body ached and the sun was shining directly into his eyes.

"Woah, dude! Are you ok?" Matthew rolled his head to the side and squinting (plus blinking a few times) he was able to make out a figure.

"I totally thought you were dead when I found you lying here!" The man next to him said, he sat criss-cross, had some light blue cape on. Why does he have a cape on, Matthew wondered. The guy also had the bluest eyes Matthew had ever seen. Matthew slowly sat up, he bit back a groan as he did. "Where are we?" Matthew said his voice hoarse as he began to survey the surroundings. This definitely did not look like his small college town with its fields rolling as far as the eye could see. A few trees were littered about, with green leaves and blue blossoms.

"Wow, you really must've hit your head or something! We're in the great land of Akifdf." The dude loudly announced right into Matthew's ear.

Matthew flopped back down onto the grass and realized he must be in a hungover coma and that's why he doesn't remember getting to the bar. Why does he only remember crossing the street and then feeling an unbearable pain all over his body? Matthew's eyes widened as he finally came to a semi-correct conclusion, he got hit by a truck so he must be in a coma and that's why he's here in some random field. He then thought he might as well go along with this dream while in a coma as he's plugged into a life support and dying.

"Can you tell me about the land of Akifdf," Matthew paused, "I'm visiting." He said diverting his eyes.

The guy with brilliant blue eyes leaned closer to Matthew, clearly not knowing what personal space was. "I've never met a foreigner before!"

Matthew could feel his breath on his ear and it tickled.

"Are you from the kingdom of snow, the Skskzj? I heard the people there are really ashy and I mean your as pallor as a ghost! I thought you were dead when I first saw you!" Matthew rolled his eyes, "So tell me what Akifdf is like, please."

Matthew intently listened while the guy rambled and gushed about how amazing this place is. With its crystal clear waterfalls, and boundless hills. It's quaint little towns, it's roaring and bustling capital, with apparently a wonderful and loving monarchy. Matthew wasn't fully sure he bought that, sounded like propaganda. As the dude talked for hours to a half engaged Matthew the sun began to set, "Is there a town nearby?" Matthew asked interrupting some tangent about the food here.

"Yeah dude! We better get going! We don't want to be out when it's dark."The guy jumped up and then quickly pulled up Matthew by his arm totally surprising him. Matthew stumbled a little and somewhat fell/lend into the guy. "Woah steady there, uh, uh dude what's your name?"Matthew wasn't sure whose stupider, him or the guy. "Matthew," He murmured, his legs were throbbing and he felt like he was about to faint or die. Fuck, was he actually dying now? The life support wasn't working. Matthew couldn't hear the guy's response as everything spun and got blurry. "I think I'm dying," Matthew stated in a voice barely audible.

"Fuck," Matthew said actually aloud this time. He put an arm on his forehead, like a dramatic lady in a british drama. Where the fuck was he now? Matthew didn't want to open his eyes and instead just…What did he want to do instead? Well be at home with his boyfriend but that obviously wasn't happening for multiple reasons. He heard a door nearby fly open, slamming the wall. "You're finally awake!" Matthew didn't need to open his eyes to know that it the guy, Matthew just groaned at the guy's volume. Clearly he doesn't know what an inside voice is. He felt the guy rush over to him and kneel beside the bed, placing his hands on Matthew's stomach. Matthew couldn't even find it within him to question the weirdo guy. Matthew did move his arm and open his eyes, peering down at the guy who was now in a white short sleeve shirt and blue pants, not blue jeans surprisingly. Matthew watched as the guy place his hands harder against his stomach, causing Matthew a slight discomfort. The man closed his eyes and that's when Matthew's eyes widened, he felt his stomach grow warm and that warmth spread throughout his whole body. "What's going on?" Matthew panicky questioned. "I'm using an inspection spell to see what's wrong with you, duh."

"A what?" Matthew asked befuddled. The guy gave him a look like he was dumb before furrowing his eyebrows. "It looks like you were hit by a giant thing, that was going very fast. What hit you? From what the spell is saying you got hit by something bigger than I've ever seen before."

How do you explain to someone that you are from a different world and have moving vehicles? Obviously, you don't. Matthew averted his gaze hoping the guy could catch on that no he did not want to say what hit him. The minutes ticked on and Matthew felt awkward, the guy didn't seem affected and continued to stare straight into Matthew's eyes. "How did I get here?" Matthew asked his eyes flickering to the guy's eyes. "I carried you of course." The guy™ flippantly stated, "You're welcome by the way." Matthew sheepishly looked down, feeling embarrassed that he probably inconvenience this guy.

"I'm sorry you had to carry me, thank you, I do appreciate it. You have helped me a lot, thank you." Matthew sighed, guilt eating away at him a little. He felt like crying, he just wanted to be home…

"Hey, it's ok." The guy assured placing a firm hand on Matthew's shoulder. "You're pretty light for a hero like me to carry so it was no big deal!" Matthew chuckled at this response, somewhat wishing he had met this guy in college and not in a dying coma-induced hallucination dream thing. "I wasn't able to catch your name earlier." Matthew trailed off, his eyes still fixated on his lap.

"I'm Alfred F. Jones!" The guy actually named something normal said, patting Matthew's shoulder repeatedly.

Matthew smiled at Alfred and asked for some water and as Alfred quickly skedaddled out of the room to grab that and something else called a "vfyugdwhq herb." Matthew sat on the bed reflecting on what happened the past hours days who the fuck knows? This place, the air, the environment, Alfred, they all felt so real. Could this truly be a dream? When Alfred returned Matthew gratefully drank from the glass of water which had a mint-flavored herb crushed into it. "May I ask for your help while I'm here in…Akifdf? I don't know anything about the culture, practices, or locations." Matthew sniffled and Alfred readily agreed to help him and said he would continue to help him even when they reached the capital.

While Matthew recovered for a few days, Alfred would come and go, bringing Matthew odd cuisines from this country saying "You have to try this!" Matthew couldn't refuse when Alfred would flash him a gigantic smile with his eyes shining, as Alfred would quickly dig into his own serving. Alfred would also help Matthew to stand and help him to get steadier on his feet, and every night would cast some spell on him which made his whole body tingle!

After a while, Matthew was strong enough to walk and move and not be in pain. Alfred showed him around the small village they were staying in, introducing him to people that Alfred knew. Everyone always spoke praises of Alfred.

The duo gathered supplies and began the trek to the capital, stopping in villages, towns, and cities along the way. It seemed that everyone knew Alfred which baffled Matthew. The pair grew closer as they spent days traveling together, talking and sharing food, jokes, and even a bed once in a small tavern they stayed at. Matthew found out that Alfred was the oldest son and that he had three younger siblings, and an annoying and snobbish older cousin who bossed him around. As they got closer to the capital Matthew began to notice that Alfred seemed more uneasy and agitated. One night as they sat by the fire eating some strange concoction of food, the tent set up behind them as they were nearing the outskirts of the capital, Matthew asked a question, "Is something the matter, Alfred? You seem upset, is there a way I can help?"

Alfred refused to look Matthew in the eye, instead staring at the fire, "When we reach the capital you'll find something out about me, and I don't want that to change how you think of me." Matthew was unsure as to what to say in response to that odd statement, "I doubt anything could change my mind on how I think of you. You're the person who saved me and helped me even though I cannot give you anything in return."
"Of course, I'd help you! I don't expect anything in return for doing that. Anyone would help you!" Alfred exclaimed, his naivety showing.

"Thank you, Alfred," Matthew smiled, "I don't think anyone would do what you've done to help me and I want you to know I really appreciate it. I hope to one day make it up to you." Matthew knew though that day would never come because no matter how real this world felt it was not real and Matthew in reality was dying, sure, this dream went on longer than he thought. But once he read a reddit post where someone lived 10 years of their life while passed out from an injury. It would make sense that Matthew would be living some days or weeks in a fantasy world with a man of his dreams, right? Despite this being a dream, Matthew felt guilty, as he thought that when he died in real life he would just disappear from this world, and he fretted to think about how that would affect Alfred. The two sat in a bit of silence as the conversation dwindled down to an ember just like the fire. "I think we should get some shut-eye," Alfred said standing up and extending an arm to Matthew to help hoist him up. Matthew mumbled a quick thanks as Alfred led him into the little tent they were sharing, the sleeping bags were beside each other, and they both quickly crawled into their respective ones.

"We'll be in the capital by tomorrow," Alfred murmured, surprising Matthew as he had never heard Alfred speak so quietly before, Matthew only hummed in response. As Matthew began to drift off into sleep, he suddenly felt a weight placed on him. Quickly opening his eyes and his heart pounding, he just saw that it was Alfred slinging an arm across Matthew's stomach. Matthew turned his head slightly to see Alfred asleep beside him, his cheeks a little flushed, as he turned even closer to Matthew. Unsure of what to do and a bit flustered Matthew remained still as a long until finally sleep came for him.

When Matthew awoke in the morning Alfred was already gone, sluggishly getting up Matthew exited the tent to look for Alfred. He saw Alfred in the distance with a big smile on his face and his arms full of something. Matthew jogged over to Alfred as they met up halfway, "Good Morning!" Alfred chirped as Matthew rushed forward, "Please let me help you carry that," Matthew tuttered, concerned as the thing was taller than Alfred's head. Alfred laughed, "I can't let you do that! A hero can carry anything, especially for his," Alfred cut himself off, his cheeks turning a bright red, and cleared his throat. "Anyways, are you all ready to go?" Matthew nodded affirming, still hesitant and wanting to help Alfred to carry this weird, semi-transparent purple jello looking square. To Matthew's shock, Alfred was easily able to stuff that thing into one of their travel bags that definitely should not have fit. Matthew shrugged it off, giving up on understanding the magic of this world.

When Matthew and Alfred reached the capital's outer walls, multiple trumpets thundered its tooo-too-too-toooom for all to hear. Alfred looked sheepish as they got closer to the gates, "Why'd they sound the trumpets?" Matthew questioned and Alfred only shook his head. The guards stood at attention and thumped their staffs onto the ground and loudly stated, "It's good to see you back Sir A," Alfred interrupted the guard, waving his hand and the guard instantly shut up. "May we have entry?" Alfred stated, that his question was not really a question.

As the two entered Matthew felt the guard's eyes on him, and felt a little uneasy like they were analyzing him. Matthew trailed behind Alfred as many people stopped and stared at them, whispers were tickling his ears. Matthew anxiously grabbed Alfred's hand in hopes of comfort and reassurance. Alfred turned back to him, "What, are you worried?"Alfred squeezed his hand and smiled, "There's no reason to worry."Matthew's eyes skittered around as people continued to glance at them as they began to resume their daily activities, "Why are they staring at us?"
"Because I'm the hero!" Alfred proclaimed.

"Like are you literally the hero?" Matthew asked, his eyes widening and some gears turning in his head.

"What, no," Alfred incredulously said, "there isn't no hero. Like what is that? A destined hero?"

Matthew scratched the back of his head, "No sorry I got a bit confused. I'm just confused about why everyone's staring."
Alfred only shook his head and began to pull Matthew along, he darted into an alley and Matthew willingly trailed behind him. To anyone else, this would be definitely suspicious with how dark the alleys they traveled through were but Matthew realized he trusted Alfred. More than he had ever trusted his ex-boyfriend. Matthew spotted old-looking buildings as they traveled further into the heart of the capital, fewer and fewer people were lingering around in the streets so Alfred tugged them onto the main roads. "Where are we going?" Matthew finally asked, he probably should have asked sooner.
"I'm taking you to see my cousin, he'll heal you up completely so you won't feel any aches any longer!" Alfred proclaimed, a giant smile on his face. Matthew was a little more hesitant, "I thought you didn't like your cousin?"
"I don't! He's the worst! But if he can help you then it's worth seeing him."

"You really don't have to take me to him, I feel fine." Matthew dismissed.

Alfred chuckled, "Well you've been overruled. I'm taking you to him whether you want to or not. If need be I'll carry you there." Matthew blushed, picturing Alfred carrying him and yielded by shutting his mouth.

The building they stopped in front of looks old, it's exterior built of old gray stones, the door was cracked wood. A sign of a raven and spirals hung above the door. It looked like a classic spooky magic shop from a video game. "Here we are!" Alfred announced, finally pulling his hand out of Matthew's. Loudly knocking on the door, Alfred quickly stepped back, throwing an arm in front of Matthew to shield him. The door flew open, and a gangly guy with terrifying eyebrows stood in front of them. "Bloody fucking hell Alfred! I've told you time and time again to not bang on the damn door!"The eyebrow guy said fuming at Alfred, his green eyes seemed to be glowing. Matthew felt a sense of awe and horror looking at the stranger.

"Sorry, sorry Arthur, but it's really important!" Alfred babbled grabbing the stranger's hands and clasping them together. "Someone reallyyy needs your help! Use your weird magic powers or 'special' friends!"
The stranger's pissed face turned a shade of red with anger at the words weird and special. Matthew didn't want to know what 'special' friends were. The stranger dramatically sighed, stepped back, and shoved Alfred. "Lad, are you the one needing help?" Eyebrows asked looking at Matthew and totally ignoring Alfred, Matthew darted his eyes at Alfred who nodded affirmingly and Matthew hesitantly nodded. "I suppose, I feel pretty fine just sore still," Matthew trailed off, nudging his feet some. The stranger stared at him intently, it seemed these two share something in common, staring to the point Matthew felt embarrassed.

The eyebrowed man assured Matthew and reluctantly Alfred into his shop, Matthew later found out the upper floors were his home that he shared with two others, which Alfred then said "They're all totally banging each other."

Eyebrows led the two down a winding staircase that was hidden beneath a trap door which was behind the counter. The torches on the stone walls lit themselves as they walked further down. Multicolored liquids bubbled and gurgled in different shaped tubes and containers and Matthew looked at them in awe, colors he had never seen before were nonchalantly hanging off the walls in those tubes. "Please do keep up," The eyebrowed stranger said, turning to caste a look at the baffled Matthew who was reaching towards one of the colored liquids, "I suggest not touching anything, you don't know what may touch you back."
At that odd statement, Matthew quickly skittled closer to the two and realized they had been arguing under their breaths this whole walk. At long last they reached a room which looked like ann old victorian room, multiple fireplaces lined the wall, a gigantic and gorgeous red rug laid in the middle. In the center was an entricately carved table and chairs lined with green velvet. The stranger sat comfortably in the largest of the chairs, "So tell me what happened." The man said, his eyes piercing into Matthew's soul uncomfortably. "Uh," Matthew dumbly said as he slid into a chair, "I was uh hit by something really large and fast. Um, I don't believe there's anything like that in the Akifdf kingdom." Matthew picked at his cuticles as eyebrows continued to stare. Before eyebrows or Alfred said anything the door they just entered flew open. Everyone quickly turned to look and a group of people stood in the doorway.

A lanky man with white hair strode closer to the table, "Why didn't you tell me you were back! I had to hear it from some wall guard! How can I protect you if I don't know where you are."The guy reached Alfred and shook him dramatically by his collar. Great, more unknown people. Matthew turned his eyes back to the three others who were previously standing by the door, now walking towards him. Chairs magically appeared at the table and the table slightly grew in size to accommodate everyone.
A pale-haired man with indigo eyes stood directly in front of Matthew. His face was stoic and Matthew felt like a worm about to be eaten by a bird. "Where are you from?" His monotone voice rang out, silencing the room and once again all eyes turned to Matthew.
"I'm from the Scscsg kingdom" Matthew said unconvincingly sounding more like a question than an answer.

"I thought you were from the Skskzj kingdom?" Alfred asked tilting his head like a puppy.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Matthew whined, these kingdom names are so stupid.

A laugh twinkled in Matthew's ear sounding like a bell, turning around Matthew sees the third man standing on his opposite side. This dude's hair was strawberry blonde hair and pink eyes. "Arthur," this dude crooned, "Why didn't you tell us you had someone so interesting down here."
"Hey, what do you mean by that!" Alfred shouted standing up, slamming his hands on the table.

The protector guy was now casually seated beside Alfred, his legs crossed. During that little outburst, the indigo-eyed guy sat down to Matthew's left, and pink eyes over here stood frozen before quickly sitting down and not responding to Alfred. This round table reminded Matthew slightly of King Arthur's round table, he wondered if that table was as eccentric as this one seemed to be.
The eyebrow guy cleared his throat, "Correct me if I'm wrong," Eyebrows paused and both Matthew and Alfred chimed with Matthew's name. "Matthew," The head guy said before pausing again, this guy would be good in a Shakespearean play, "You aren't from this world are you?"

"Before I say anything else can I know everyone's name? I'd like to know the names of the people staring at me instead of just calling you all eyebrows or red eyes in my head." Eyebrows did not seem pleased to be called eyebrows yet when Matthew glanced to look at Alfred he could tell that Alfred was chuckling to himself.

"I'm Gilbert," The red eye guy apparently named Gilbert said smirking and pointing at himself, "That's Arthur" pointing at eyebrows, "Lukas" the indigo eyes, "and lastly Flavius" and with that Gilbert gestured to the strawberry blonde. Matthew nodded, the clarification of names helped both him and the writer.

"Anyways, you aren't from this world, correct?" Arthur said bristling.

"No way, he's totally from our world! Wouldn't he be all weird if he wasn't? He's just from Skskzj or whatever!" Alfred exclaimed and Matthew could see why those two didn't get along. The two quickly began to bicker with each other, calling one another limey-bastard and bloody moron.

"Actually, yeah, I am." Matthew sheepishly said.
Alfred looked at Matthew with his mouth agape and eyes wide. "What?" He stuttered, at a loss for words for once.

"I could tell right when I walked into the room, your magical energy force is like nothing I've seen before." Lukas said and both Arthur and Flavius nodded.

"Well then, how did you get to this world?" Alfred asked, his voice a little colder then usual.

Matthew made eye contact with the table, it was made of a very pretty world. "I'm pretty sure I died or am dying, I'm still not fully convinced this isn't a weird dream my mind has conjured up in my last moments." In a way the situation finally dawned on him, he had been aware of the situation but also he was in denial. Would he never go back to his real world? Never see his family again? Never see his dog Kuma again? He wasn't too worried about seeing his friends since one of them slept with his boyfriend so.. He had now been in this world for weeks and if Matthew was being honest with himself he preferred this world over his original, especially with Alfred being here.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he was literally pulled into a hug. Looking up Matthew saw that it was Alfred hugging him and was all teary.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Alfred sniffled, rubbing his cheek on Matthew's head.

Matthew just looked down and gently attempted to hug Alfred back which was hard because he was pretty much pinned.

"Do you want to go back?" Arthur asked and Matthew quietly mumbled, "No."

To that Flavius raised his eyebrow at Matthew, seemingly to be the only one that heard Matthew's response. "Why don't you want to go back?"Flavius asked Matthew and to that, Alfred squeezed Matthew even tighter.

"I like this world better."
Arthur clasped his hands and leaned forward, "Please explain your reasoning, as the longer we wait to do the spell the harder it will be to return you to your world. I want you to be more than 100 percent certain that you want to permanently remain in this world," Casting a judging eye towards Alfred in an obvious manner Arthur continued, "And please don't let my insufferable cousin sway your answer. Alfred get off him!"

Matthew held steadfast onto Alfred's arm, not letting him go. "Hey you gotta let go," Alfred hesitantly said to Matthew a tad bit confused.

"I don't want to go, I want to stay here." Matthew proclaimed a sense of confidence rushed over his body that felt warm and circled around his heart. "I really want to stay here."

Gilbert began to cackle loudly, "You know nothing about this world but you want to stay? I mean do you even know what kingdom you're in?"

"Yeah, the kingdom of Akifdf."
"And do you know who the king is? And who his family is?"
To that Matthew couldn't respond, "Watch it," Alfred hissed at Gilbert.

"That guy you're holding onto is the crown prince." Gilbert smirked, "This guy is the kingdom's greatest grand mage" Gilbert said shrugging towards Arthur. "Did you not know that? Or did you know that and planned it that way? Planned to befriend the crown prince and manipulate him!" Gilbert ended with a yell and pointed accusingly at Matthew, "I don't buy that you're from another world. That sounds like bullshit."

Matthew let go of Alfred, shocked that his travel companion, savior, hero, and someone who Matthew was slowly falling in love with was this kingdom's crown prince.

"You shouldn't have said that." Alfred huffed.

A sense of guilt began to bubble and churn in Matthew's stomach. Did he prevent the prince from doing his duties? Did he negatively affect this kind kingdom that he's traveled through? He selfishly took and occupied the prince's time when the prince should have been doing more important things than helping Matthew. He felt his blood turn ice cold, and his breathing quickened. Matthew probably ruined everything! He should have just died when he got hit by that truck. Why was he sent here? To ruin things here? His heart began to thunder in his head. Matthew felt like he was absolutely the worst.
"I'm sorry," Matthew said softly, interrupting the newly started argument between Gilbert and Alfred. "I didn't mean to," Matthew said beginning to shake his head, placing his head in his hands. A few tears bubbled out, burning his eyes. "I didn't mean to, I didn't know he was the prince! I wouldn't have burdened him so much if I had known that!"
Matthew's heart quickened and thudded harshly against his chest as the room went to a pin-drop silence. After a few minutes or heartbeats later, Flavius rubbed his back in a way that was meant to be comforting but his rubbing in circles was too fast. As fast as Matthew's heart.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's all ok," Alfred said quickly walking back over to Matthew and wrapping an arm around him. "I was out on a sabbatical anyway, if that's what you're worried about. With you I actually returned back to the capital sooner than I planned, and even though I'm the crown prince I like rarely have any duties to do. That's why I went traveling around this kingdom." Alfred babbled nonsensically attempting to comfort a crying Matthew.
Matthew felt so embarrassed that he was crying especially in front of practical strangers. Logically he probably should go back to his world but no one had treated him as kindly or lovingly as Alfred had in these past few weeks. He wanted to see what else this world had to offer but Gilbert was right, he didn't know enough, and he should probably go back to his world.

"I wanted to spend that time with you," Alfred whispered into Matthew's ear, "If I didn't I could have easily left you in one of those towns. I love spending time with you, it's refreshing." Matthew sniffled a little and wiped his face quickly. Alas for poor Matthew his face gets red and blotchy when he cries. Alfred comfortingly rubbed Matthew's shoulders.

"I'm sorry about that," Matthew timidly spoke. "Didn't mean to make a big scene, it's just been a lot lately."
Alfred nodded at that, "Yeah totally don't get why you didn't tell me that, dude." And with that Alfred ruffled his hair some.

"So you really want to stay?" Gilbert ludicrously asked.

Matthew nodded, "I don't know anything about this world but I want to learn. I want to stay."

"Totally because of me, right?" Alfred joked, nudging his shoulder some with his elbow.

"Yeah," Matthew mumbled his face flushing slightly and Alfred's did as well. Matthew hoped that in his time in this world, in his new world, himself and Alfred would become closer, and closer. Matthew's cheeks turned a shade darker at the thought of perhaps even being with Alfred but that could never be because Alfred was a prince and Matthew was some weird out of world weirdo, right?