The Longest Time - Chapter 8 (UsCan Fanfiction)

It had been nearly three years since that night, and Matthew still remembered every second of it. Why? Because he had the lingering feeling that he was in love with Alfred.

He noticed everything about the other; the way he moved, strong and confident as he walked down the hallways of the school. The way his dirty blond hair framed his angular face. The way his white teeth sparkled whenever he smiled.

It was hopeless. Matthew knew he was in love.

He did eventually tell Alfred he was gay. That had been a huge relief off of the boy's shoulders. It had been the beginning of high school, and Matthew was crushing on one of the boys in his class. It turned out the other boy liked him as well, and they started dating. Matthew had told Alfred then, and it turned out Alfred was completely okay with it.

"You're my bro, and I don't care if you have a thing for dicks. You're still Matthew." Those had been the American's exact words, and for some reason they made Matthew's heart flutter.

Matthew and his boyfriend had been going out for a few months when they broke up. In that time, Alfred had gone through at least four girlfriends. He was a stud in the high school. Every girl wanted him. Matthew couldn't help but feel jealous.

It was after one particular girlfriend, one that was way too grabby, that Matthew began to realize his feelings for the other. With every kiss Alfred and the girl shared, Matthew frowned, and imagined what it'd be like if he was in the place of that girl. Having Alfred's lips on his mouth, moving heatedly with his own. His strong arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him even closer as the kiss became more passionate...

That's when Matthew realized he was in love with his best friend. But he couldn't tell him. He just couldn't. There would be a chance that everything would fall apart. But there was also the chance that Alfred would return his feelings and everything would work out, but Matthew knew those chances were very, very slim. Alfred was absolutely, 100% straight. He'd had nothing but girlfriends his whole life. Matthew knew it was hopeless. For the moment, he was just happy being friends with Alfred. At least he got to see him every day and talk to him every night on their almost conjoining roofs.

Right now, Matthew thought everything was perfect. He and Alfred were almost seniors, and began to think about college. Matthew really wanted to study film and photography, and Alfred wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. He figured he'd go to whatever college Matthew chose and mess around with his best friend until he picked a subject to study seriously. They would be college buddies. Best friends forever, just as promised.

Matthew studied hard in school, while Alfred slacked off. The Canadian repeatedly tried to tutor the stubborn American, but soon gave up on it. Alfred just couldn't' t take it seriously. But when Matthew had said they might not get into the same college unless Alfred got better grades, Alfred seemed to realize it was true. He began to study more, and soon was at a B average. Everyone was happy, and within two more years, the boys would be going off to college together to explore the world.

Matthew couldn't wait. It would be just him and Alfred against the world, and nothing else mattered.

"Hey, Matt!" A voice broke into Matthew's thoughts and he glanced up, spotting his friend Gilbert approaching him.

"Hi, Gil." Matthew smiled warmly as Gilbert came and wrapped his arm casually around Matthew's shoulders.

"What're you doing out here all alone?" The white-haired boy questioned, glancing around the nearly empty school library.

"This is my off period. I'm just trying to finish my homework." Matthew responded, looking back down at the book he was reading.

"That's totally not awesome! You're so boring, Matt. C'mon, let's go do something fun." The self-proclaimed Prussian grinned wickedly, closing Matthew's book.

"Hey! Gil, c'mon, I'm trying to work. " Matthew huffed, looking up at the other's red eyes.

"But that's lame. We can go do something much more, entertaining." Gilbert winked, and Matthew felt heat rise to his cheeks. Gilbert was always like this; loud and suggestive and sometimes a real pain in the ass. Matthew wasn't quite sure if Gilbert liked him in that way, or if he was just being a flirt. But to Matthew, Gilbert was just a really good friend.

"No, let me do my homework." Matthew said.

"Well you're no fun." Gilbert pouted, crossing his arms. Matthew sighed.

"Maybe after school we can go do something." He suggested, and immediately Gilbert's eyes brightened.

"Yeah! Get Alfred to come too." He grinned, and Matthew flushed slightly at the mention of the name, and the wiggle of Gilbert's eyebrows.

"Alright, fine. Let me do my work now." Matthew said, shoving the other away as he laughed. Gilbert nodded and left, leaving Matthew to his homework.

)()()()()()(

"So, where're we going?" Alfred asked Matthew, who was in between the two.

"Um, we could probably go to the park." Matthew suggested, and the other two nodded.

The three of them continued walking, and when the park came into sight both Gilbert and Alfred ran to the swings. Matthew laughed, following behind them more slowly. It was a beautiful day, and the smell of spring was in the air.

"Mattie! Push me!" Alfred called childishly, grinning from ear to ear. Matthew smiled and nodded, moving behind Alfred to give him a push on the swing. Alfred laughed, and Matthew couldn't help but laugh as well.

Gilbert got off his swing and moved next to Matthew, slowly pushing him aside and grinning as he shoved the swing, causing Alfred to flail off of it and land on the ground. Gilbert laughed loudly and Alfred immediately turned around and ran after the Prussian.

"Oh shit!" Gilbert shouted, turning and running from the oncoming American. It was useless though; Alfred was a great runner and soon he had tackled Gilbert to the ground. By the time Matthew got over to them, both were laughing uncontrollably.

They stood up, dusting off their clothes, chuckles still escaping their mouths. Matthew suggested they all go get ice cream, and they nodded eagerly.

The three of them walked into a small ice cream shop, located just across the street from the park. It was a smart place to put it; kids playing in the hot sun would want something cold to eat, and would immediately go to the refreshing ice cream shop. They all got their usual ice cream; Alfred got chocolate, Gilbert got strawberry, and Matthew got plain vanilla. After everyone got their cones they headed outside again, eating their ice cream along the way.

Alfred and Gilbert were finished soon enough, while Matthew wasn't even half way through his. He always liked to eat his ice cream slow.

The other two boys ran off while Matthew finished his frozen treat, licking the sweet cream slowly. They began play fighting again and Matthew couldn't help but smile affectionately as he watched them. His friends always made him smile.

Soon he finished his ice cream, taking the last bite of the cone. Gilbert saw and came jogging back towards Matthew while Alfred tried his best to climb one of the tallest trees in the park.

"All done?" Gilbert asked and Matthew nodded, licking his fingers to make sure he got everything. "Then let's go see if that idiot breaks his neck climbing that tree." Gilbert grinned.

Matthew chuckled. "Alright." he said, and started walking beside Gilbert towards the tree Alfred was currently occupying. A large hand suddenly pushed him down and he found himself falling, Gilbert landing on top of him.

"h-hey! What're you-" Gilbert cut him off with a finger to his lips and a grin.

"Sh, just testing something." he said, "And you do look rather nice from this angle." he winked.

Matthew felt his face flush and he struggled a bit. "Gilbert, let me up."

"Sorry, Matt, no can do. I think I like it like this." he grinned, winking once again.

Matthew was about to reply when another voice interrupted him. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

Matthew recognized it as Alfred's voice, and turned his head, seeing the other running towards them.

"Just as I thought." Gilbert chuckled to himself, before looking up at Alfred. "Hey, wanna join?" he smiled suggestively.

"Like hell I do." Alfred responded, finally reaching the two and tackling Gilbert off of Matthew. The two scuffled for a bit, Matthew slowly sitting up on the grass. He wondered what it was Gilbert was trying to test. Whatever it was, it was probably really idiotic. Gilbert was known for being a little dumb in the head. Matthew chuckled lightly and watched the two, smiling softly, waiting for them to finish so they all could go home.