When Lily's Cry: Puppet Strings

Chapter VI. Proof of Truth, Like Warm Rain in Broad Day

Alfred's voice cracked, "Matthew.... Welcome home."

Matthew ogled at his brother, before replying.

"Hey Al, h-have you been doing okay? Dad said you would get off work around twelve. W-Were you out doing stuff?"

The younger of the two nodded, a solemn expression replacing his previously nervous one.

"Yeah, sorta. Fell asleep at the shop actually, guess I was really tired, huh?"

Alfred tittered awkwardly, looking up at his brother, who was now a few inches taller than himself.

"Eheh, yeah, I guess..... uh, d-do you wanna take a walk?"

The teens expression faltered, and if it weren't his brother he was with, it probably would've gone unnoticed.

"Yeah, okay... sure, let's do it."

Alfred spoke more to himself than his companion, desperately trying to convince himself that somehow, it'd be okay. Matthew took note of the wavering mask Alfred wore, and reminded himself for the hundredth time that Alfred would be an adult soon. He didn't need coddling and probing to get him going in society. He was independent, already had two part time jobs, and was taking decent care of his body, even with how busy he was. Matthew was just 'a worrier' as Alfred would call him. The fuchsia eyed man bit down on his bottom lip, a nervous habit he had developed while away in Canada. Alfred noticed, and kept a mental note to make sure he wouldn't forget, even though his mind wasn't very reliable at the moment.

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The two continued to observe each other silently, while strolling side by side at a leisurely pace, neither one going ahead of the other. They were still in sync in that way, though they had become less so in others. Matthew was the first to notice the height difference, and it was a real surprise for the elder sibling.
Even though Alfred was younger by four years, the brothers were always close to the same size. Alfred grew quite quickly as a child, while Matthews growth was on the slow side. But by the time Matthew was sixteen, his growth doubled in rate, and soon enough he was taller then Alfred, who was in a growing slump at the time.
Matthew had imagined his little brother would be about the same height as him, just as the two always were, but that wasn't the case. He smiled and looked down at his brother, a sense of superiority being given to himself. He finally felt like the older brother, but then he recalled their fight.

Not a very good one, he thought glumly.

Alfred noticed his brothers change in attitude, and delicately tugged at his jacket sleeve. The Canadian hummed in acknowledgement, giving his baby brother a sullen glance. Alfred opened his mouth to speak but due to his maladroit footing, he tripped over himself and went soaring forward.

Guess I got shitty luck, Alfred thought as the concrete quickly approached his face.

But before he could feel the painful sensation of his face smashing against the sidewalk, he was pulled back into a standing position. His hair wild and eyes wide from embarrassment, Alfred tried to form words, but instead, all that came was an idiotic stutter. That's Alfred's point of view though, Matthew on the other hand, thought it was actually quite cute. The way he clumsily stumbled over his words, just as he had stumbled while walking. The younger of the two flushed from the humiliation, but instead of the expected laugh, a different sound reached the teens ears.

"Be more careful next time, 'kay Alfie?"

Alfred stared, a stupid look of surprise on his face as his mouth hung open. The latter chuckled at his brother and held the younger's hand in his own.
The blue eyed teen felt tears threaten to escape his eyes once more, but he wouldn't let them out. No, those tears were permanent prisoners hidden behind Alfred's cerulean eyes.
Alfred didn't detest the contact, it was just surprising, and the boy was clueless on how to respond, so he simply clutched his brothers hand tightly. Matthew knew Alfred wasn't used to affection, their parents weren't ever very lovey dovey towards the two, so it was always a wonder to the brothers when someone showed them love without ulterior motives. Matthew was happy that Alfred was at least responding though, even if it was a clumsy attempt on the Youngers part.