DISCLAIMER: Hetalia: Axis Powers – Hidekaz Himaruya

BROTHERLY LOVE

EPILOGUE

NEW YORK CITY

JUNE 2014

Is this a family supper, or a double-date?" Allistor joked, nodding to the foursome: Arthur and Francis; Al and Matt.

Arthur glared at him, unimpressed. "Piss-off, Allistor. I still can't believe you knew about them"—he pointed to Al and Matt—"and you didn't tell us, you bloody wanker!"

"Calme, chéri," Francis said, touching Arthur's bicep. "Let's not ruin tonight. Mes bébés have graduated!" he gushed proudly, then repeated to the maitre d': "My boys both graduated high-school."

The maitre d' smiled in exasperation. He led the party of six—Dylan joined them—to a private table in the restaurant's lounge. They were accompanied almost immediately by Feliciano, who bounced forward in a waiter's uniform, smiling exuberantly. Since graduation, he and Lovino had started working at their family's Italian restaurant fulltime. "Ciao!" he said, distributing menus. He wrapped Matt in a one-armed hug: "I'm so glad you're home, Matt. Padre let me bake something special, just for you," he winked. "Hiya, Lovino!" He waved to his older brother, who was grudgingly taking orders a few tables away. "Fratello!"

Lovino smiled, waving off Feliciano. "Hi guys," he said to the Kirkland-Bonnefoi's. "Happy Graduation."

"Thanks," said Matt. Al was searching the menu for his favourite dishes, making recommendations to his two British uncles. Arthur—who would be paying for tonight's celebratory meal—denied several choices, but Francis very politely told him—in French, so as not to make a scene—to remove the stick from his ass and enjoy himself. "This is a special night. Order whatever you want, boys," he said, smiling indulgently.

Green-flagged, they ordered a table-full of food. They toasted to Al and Matt's accomplishments, and visited briefly with the Italians as they worked. Al licked tomato sauce off of Matt's finger, laughing at Arthur's mortification: "We're in public!" Francis forked an olive and held it out to Arthur in distraction: "Try this, mon chéri. The seasoning is merveilleux!" For dessert, Feliciano presented a beautifully decorated plate of tiramisu, which he put between Al and Matt. Al's eyes lit up in delight; Matt took a generous spoonful. "This is amazing, Feli!" he complimented.

Feliciano bowed in thanks. "Grazie." Then he leaned forward in secret, and said: "Guess what? I heard today that I've been accepted to culinary school! I start in September."

"That's great!" Matt congratulated him. Al grinned through a mouthful of tiramisu, showing a thumbs-up.

"Speaking of school," said Arthur, after Feliciano left. "I know you've only just graduated high-school, but have either of you given much thought about where you want to go to University?"

"Actually," said Matt, licking his spoon clean. "I was looking at McGill University, in Montréal." Sheepishly he looked at Al. McGill would separate them for another four to five years, depending on Matt's plans. He expected a fight. Or at least an argument from his brother, whose opinion he felt very susceptible to, undecided as he was. Please don't be upset; please don't try to change my mind, he worried. To his astonishment, however, Al nodded and said:

"McGill's a good school."

"You're not... upset?" Matt asked, glancing at his parents, who stayed unhelpfully silent. Arthur shrugged in feigned indifference: Don't look at us, it's your choice and you're old enough to make it. "It means another few years apart before we can be together... like, really together," he added, blushing.

"Yeah," Al agreed. Unabashed, he took Matt's hand and pressed his knuckles to his lips. "But something tells me that we'll be just fine. You could go to Australia for all the difference it'll make now, Matt. And do you know why?" He smiled sincerely. "Cause we belong together, bro. And that won't change. It's you and me forever— you promised."

"Yes," Matt nodded, feeling confident—feeling genuine happiness. "You're right, Al. I did."

FIN

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