[Matthew's P.O.V] 

"Matthew... wake up." 

I closed my eyes tighter. 

"No, not yet." I muttered. 

"I made you breakfast." I heard in a whispering sound. Who the heck would wake up this early? 

"No, I make breakfast all the time," I almost exclaimed. 

"That's what Matt used to do as well. " I heard a giggle. "Oh, don't tell the others I used up all the pancake ingredients." 

I grunted and opened my eyes. No use trying to go back to sleep now. After all the groggy chatting we just had, I was still surprised to see [name] staring down at me. "I, uh- good morning." I greeted almost like I was asking a question. 

She smiled and pointed to a tray of pancakes on the bedside table. "I made breakfast! Just don't tell the others because I only made enough for us." She giggled. 

"You really shouldn't have bothered." I really appreciate that she cooked for me though. 

"It's to thank you for helping me upstairs last night. Oh yeah, and for waking me up to drink the pain killers too. You were practically my nurse." She passed me the tray while talking. "I'm not the best at cooking, but I tried. Not that that means I made it taste good, I just really tried." 

"It can't possibly be much more worse than Arthur's cooking," I joked. 

"Man, Arthur must be horrible at a lot of stuff. Magic and cooking, huh?"

Then something hit me. I almost forgot Arthur told me something last night. "Oh yeah! We're going to Arthur's tomorrow!" I stuffed some of the pancake she made in my mouth. 

Her eyes almost looked like they shone for a second. "WE ARE?"

"We just have to buy a bunch of stuff for Arthur's spell thing today." I said while chewing. 

"WHOA! We should get ready then!" She looked like she was going to burst right out of the room. 

"Breakfast first." I said while gesturing 'no' at her. She calmed down and grabbed her own plate of pancakes to finish it up. 

"Oh yeah, how's it?" 

"I think you should just let me cook," I said honestly. She shrugged. "Fair enough. At least I didn't food poison you."  

--- 

[Reader's POV] 

 I rummaged through the closet in my room. The closet was full of old clothes. They were for guys, but they were small enough to fit me. They were probably Matthew's. 

I know it's kind of desperate to look through Matthew's old stuff for clothes but I really have no choice. I grabbed a faded red 'CANADA' t-shirt, some old jeans and a belt from the closet and started changing. They're dusty and a bit oversized, but it's good enough. I mean, it would smell like maple if it wasn't for the dust. 

Once I finished, I combed through my hair with my fingers and stepped out of my room. I stretched my legs a bit since I actually can't feel them at times. After that, I ran down the stairs a bit more carefully this time, and threw myself on the sofa right next to Alfred. 

"Where're you going?" Alfred kept his eyes on the TV while asking. "I'm going to go buy some stuff with Matthew." He paused the show. 

"Can I-" 

"No, you're not coming." I cut him off. The last time I brought someone like him along it didn't go well. 

"I was just going to ask you to buy me ice cream." Alfred said while flashing weird puppy dog eyes at me with a pout. 

"You're not cute, I swear." I averted my gaze. 

"Oh c'mon, you have to buy me this stuff since I bought you medicine." He said in the most ridiculously high pitched voice. 

I sighed. He's really trying this, huh? Alright then I'll give him a taste of his own medicine - I flashed my own puppy dog eyes at him. 

"But I don't have the money and I basically owe the lot of you." 

"That's why you're supposed to persuade Matthew. He's the rich one." He tried to make himself look cuter. I think his voice went one octave higher or something.

"I can't, it's embarrassing. Can't you persuade Matthew?" 

"Please, [name]? Pretty please with the blood of your enemies and supreme power on top?"

I sighed and grunted. "Fine, but I tell you, you don't look cute at all. And you have to share with me."

"Deal!"

"Plotting something now, are we?" I shivered when I heard Matthew's small voice sound so threatening from behind us.

"IT WAS ALL ALFRED'S PLAN!"

"YEAH IT REALLY WAS."

I almost cringed at Alfred. Does this guy even know how to lie? "It's okay, I actually want some ice cream today." I heard Matthew sigh.

"Oh." I smiled. "Well then let's go!" I grabbed Matthew by the arm and dragged him out with me. I actually really want that ice cream.

Matthew and I started walking to the grocery store once we got out. It's surprising how all this magic stuff can be found in a grocery. It's like saying you can just have store-bought hellfire.

Anyways, it was clear out today, which was good since I'm not particularly sure what month it is in this dimension, and I don't know if I should expect rain. From what I can see, best guess of the season is early autumn. Pretty similar to what it's supposed to be back at my place.

"Hey, Matthew, what month is it? Like, in this place?"

"It's the start of September. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just wondering if we have the same time here as my place. It seems the same."

I heard Matthew sigh. "Dimensions and timelines and things like these are not my forte. I really don't even understand half of what you're saying. Something about a guy with a name like mine and stuff about people who look similar, it's all too confusing." 

I was almost surprised by that, just almost. I choked back a laugh. "I haven't explained things to you, haven't I?" I kept my gaze on the trees lining our path. Their color's already started changing. "Well, it's like..." I paused to think, "it's like the two dimensions are autumn and spring. They're different, but kind of similar. They're both between winter and summer, but in different points of the year. I've met people who are like you at my place, but you're all too different when it comes to personality. Catch my drift?" 

"Yeah," Matthew said while staring silently at the trees -- or at me. I only gave him a quick glance, so I can't tell. I took a deep breath, breathing in the autumn air. 

"The other you-- or something-- I miss him. You really remind me of him and sometimes I panic because of it. But being around you still makes me happy, so don't worry about it."

Oh gosh. I just said that. I JUST MADE THINGS AWKWARD.

"Oh, do I? Sorry about that. I like being around you too."

F*CK, WHAT DID I DO? DID I JUST FLIRT WITH HIM? IS HE FLIRTING BACK? No... No. Calm down, me. He's just being polite.

"That's great! Did you know that I met Matt just last summer? Yeah, we ended up running away from the police that time. I'm basically wanted back at my place." I said so much so fast in a desperate attempt to change the subject. That was a pretty awkward subject to change to though. I hope Matthew didn't understand all that.

"Oh... What did you guys do to get wanted?"

I HATE MYSELF SO MUCH.

"I... uh... well... they were all charged with murder, you see -- Matt had his brothers and they were all just... you know, like they are, and I just cared about them so much I let them stay at my place." I couldn't even continue what I was saying. I was horrible. I had no idea who Matt and the others have killed and yet I kept them with me. What have I been doing? Why am I saying all this?!

"Did... did you kill too?" Matthew averted his gaze. He was scared. It was like he couldn't even look at me. He obviously didn't know what to think or say. It was like he was trying not to believe me. It was like he was starting to think I really was crazy. Thinking I was crazy was probably easier for him to think than thinking I've killed.

The change of the mood was too sudden. Remembering all the guilt I had pushed back was too quick. My stomach turned and I wanted to puke. I wanted to get out of there. I wanted to undo what I did. I wanted Matthew to know I wasn't the bad guy... I couldn't have been!

"NO! I WOULD NEVER! I wouldn't even dare hurting anyone like that!" I would never. I could never. We had both stopped walking at that point and there was only silence for a long while.

"Then why would you want to go back there? Where people do what you would never dare to and the ones you love are like what you said earlier." Matthew sounded more sympathetic than angry. It was like he was worried for me. But he was still angry and scared, I tell you that.

"I would go back despite all that because I'm pretty sure others do what others wouldn't dare everywhere. I love them -- very much. I would do my best to bring out the good in them. Not all the bad guys are pure evil, don't you think? And that's why I have to go back. They have some good in them, I know that, and I need to see that. I need our world to see that. Gosh, I'm blabbering. I'm so so sorry. I understand if you don't want to help me anymore. Maybe I am crazy." 

I braced myself for Matthew to ban me from his house or to call the police or something. I can't believe I just said all that. I can't believe I said all that so suddenly in the middle of the freaking road.

"No... I-" he was trying to find something to say, "I think you're amazing."

"You think I am..? Are you some psychopath too, Matthew?"

Matthew sighed and scratched the back of his head. "I think it's amazing how you could see so much in these people... I would still help you get back there too, don't worry."

I forced myself to speak. "But why?"

Matthew took a long while to think, like he was unsure himself. "I'd still help you because I believe in you. You said you would never kill and I trust that. Ah! Just promise me one thing."

I'm hanging on this last piece of hope that I wouldn't displease Matthew another time. I need to fulfill this promise.

I gulped. "Yeah?"

"Don't hide anymore of these dark secrets. Tell me all about the other me and the things he does. Tell me if you've got any secret plan or intention."

"Matthew..." I stared him in the eyes "...I have no plans or intentions other than to get home..."

It took me all the courage I had to do that, but I was serious, and I made sure Matthew would get that from just the sound of my voice. 

Matthew smiled and ruffled my hair before turning and continuing to walk. He even whistled while walking. 

How could he be so trusting? Why is he so patient with me? Most importantly, why is all this helping making my heart beat so fast? 

"I trust you, [name]! Now, let's go get that ice cream to lighten the mood." 

Why trust me?

---

Word Count: [1934] 

A/N: You guys deserve this long-arse chapter for waiting so long :)

---

Summary:

Reader: Mattie~

Matthew: *still sleeping*

Reader: Matthew! *shakes Matthew*

Matthew: 5 more minutes, mom! *slaps Reader's hand*

Reader: *smiled while dark aura surrounds us* WaKe Up

Matthew: *immediately sits up* Ma'am yes ma'am!

Reader: gewd, I made you breakfast

Matthew: *stares*

Reader: ...?

Matthew: OH SHIZ WADDUP! *Starts gobbling stuff*

Reader: There we go~ I'm glad you like it!

Reader:  I made it with boogers, toenails, nails, lawn clippings, some dead fish I found outside, which I believe Kumajija brought, feathers, leaves, bird shizz, and Kumachima's saliva. *smiles*

Matthew: *frozen* *unknowingly lets go of fork*

Reader: *innocently blinks*

Matthew: *trying to puke but cnnot*

Reader: Well, imma just use your clothes cuz I don''t have any *completely strips Matthew and wears his clothes*

Reader: Thank you!

Matthew: *faints*

---

Alfred: Hey, Mattie----[name]?!

Reader: Hey.

Alfred: Goin somewhere?

Reader: Gonna make some evil stuff with stuff

Alfred: Can I--

Reader: No

Alfred: Please?

*Alfred and Reader Puppy dog eye staring contest*

Reader: WHAT?! I CAN'T BELIEVE A LOSE!!!

Matthew: Planin something?

Reader: NO!

Matthew: Well, Imma just pretend you do.

----

Word Count + Summary: [2154]