Standard disclaimers apply. Working on this as a fill for the kink meme.

"It's been a while since we've been able to get together like this, eh?" Matthew smiled across the table at Alfred. Sure, it was just lunch at McDonald's, but it had been at least a month since he had last seen his brother and sometimes lover. He was hoping they could get together more often and smooth over the wrinkles in their relationship. Maybe they could go back to being as close as they had been before.

"What? Oh yeah! Too long! You're always too busy, Mattie." Alfred smiled as he picked up his third hamburger, or was it his fourth? Matthew couldn't bring himself to point out that Alfred was the one that was all over the place lately.

"I was surprised that you called me to get lunch today. Is something wrong?" Alfred blinked and set his burger down, looking at Matthew.

"What? No! Of course not! Haven't you been watching the news? Things are going great! My economy is picking up, the Middle East is sorting itself out, we got rid of those pesky terrorists, and..." Matthew leaned forward as Alfred paused, pulling off his glove. His eyes widened when he saw the ring on his finger. No. It couldn't be one of those. "I'm getting married! I wanted you to be the first to know! I haven't even told Arthur yet!"

Matthew's jaw dropped slightly as he stared at Alfred. Married? He couldn't get married! He wasn't even dating anyone! Just what kind of colossal idiot was Alfred anyway? Not only was he too blind to see what was in front of him, but he now he was just marrying some fling?

"Wh-what? To who?" Alfred's smile fell a bit as he looked at Matthew.

"You haven't been paying attention to anything at all then, have you?" He sighed and shook his head. "Ivan, of course! Russia finally sent in help to stabilize the Middle East. Once we were able to pull out of there, we started that trade program that really boosted our economies. And Ivan was the one who went looking through the caves with me to find every one of those murdering bastards. We just go so well together. It makes so much sense!"

Matthew just stared at him. He felt his whole world falling apart all over again with every word.

"B-but...you hated Ivan. What...isn't this kind of fast? Are you sure you love him enough to marry him?" Alfred scowled and stood up.

"What the hell, Mattie? I thought you, my brother, of all people, would be happy for me. That's why I wanted to tell you first. Apparently I was mistaken. Yes, I love him. I think I always did. Even back then." He picked up his drink and another one of the burgers. "Forget it. I'm leaving. I know Arthur will at least pretend to be happy for me." Matthew couldn't bring himself to speak as he stared at Alfred's retreating back.

Not only had he lost the only one he's ever loved to another, but he practically pushed him there. No. That wasn't right. This wasn't his fault at all. Alfred was just confused. Poor, naive Alfred. He really thought that Ivan could care for him. Matthew knew better, though.

He couldn't try to make Alfred see that Ivan was no good for him. He'd seen enough movies to know that wouldn't work. Instead, he'd just have to make Alfred see that the one he loved wasn't Ivan. It was Matthew himself. That's why he told Matthew first. He wanted him to talk him out of it, to save him from making a huge mistake. He just got mad at him because he didn't even realize it.

He chuckled a bit to himself. Of course. And he had just been a stammering idiot the whole time. No matter. He still had time to think of something.

This time, he would be Alfred's hero.