Ex's to Lovers

Chapter 6

In which Alfred learns that there never was such a thing as a "secret".

Mathew, seemingly thinking he understood the reason for Alfred's horror, was quick to assure him.

"I just meant me and Arthur! I didn't tell anyone other than Arthur. Kat said she heard it from Natalya, and neither of them are the type to tell anyone else!"

Remembering the barrage of concerned faces and offers of comfort he'd received that morning, Alfred frowned. It was obvious that, despite what Mathew said, there were definitely more than just those four who had heard Alfred's fake sob story. He told Mathew as such, and Matthew's eyes widened as though realizing something.

"Oh..."

Alfred frowned. 

"Mattie..." he warned, and Mathew threw up his hands defensively.

"It wasn't me!" he defended. "It's just...Arthur probably told Francis...." 

Mathew didn't need to say anything further, and Alfred dropped his head to his hands with a groan.

"And Francis told everyone." 

Matthew's silence was an affirmation, and Alfred knew he was right. Francis, a good friend- or possibly an enemy (it was unclear) -of Arthur's had probably, in his misguided kindness, told people so they wouldn't insensitively bring up his "heartbreak". Instead, Francis had cornered Alfred in his lie with no way out. Mathew was still watching Alfred with a complicated expression, and Alfred decided the first thing to do was set the record straight with his brother. He sighed deeply, then tried to explain.

"No, that's not it, Mattie. The truth is I never dated Ivan and he didn't dump me. That's just a story I made up so Natalya wouldnt kill me."

Frustratingly, Matthew's expression didn't change, except for the slight quiver to his brother's lower lip, like he was about to cry, and then Mathew wrapped his arms around Alfred's neck, suddenly and unexpectedly, as though to comfort Alfred. 

"Sure, Al," Mathew choked the words out, "If that's what you want me to beleive, I'll believe you." Mathew released Alfred somewhat sheepishly, wiping tears from his eyes as he continued. "But I hope that one day, you'll tell me the true story from start to finish."

Alfred felt a new sort of hopelessness settle in as he understood that Mathew not only didn't believe him, even though it was true, but instead thought that Alfred was lying for the sake of his pride. Mathew was a kind person, but very stubborn, and Alfred knew that once Mathew made up his mind about something, there was little changing it. Faintly, Alfred gave up. 

"Just leave Ivan alone," he said tiredly, waving for Mathew to go away, "He didn't do anything." 

Mathew gave Alfred one more guilty and complicated look before obediently allowing Alfred to shoo him out of the bathroom that Alfred had chosen to have their secret conversation in. Mathew left, throwing pitying glances back over his shoulder at Alfred as he left, and Alfred sunk to his heels, burying his head in his hands with a deep groan.

It was hopeless. The one person who knew the truth was refusing to believe Alfred, and If Mathew said something was the case, Alfred knew everyone else would believe him.