Francis shook violently with fear and anxiety, it had been a whole year since he had left his family behind, a whole year of regret and painful loneliness. "Francis.." Arthur grabbed his trembling hand, keeping his other on the wheel. "Calm down, please you'll give yourself a panic attack. I don't want that to happen." He ran his thumb across his knuckles. "What if they hate me?" Francis pulled his hand away and stammered between chattering teeth.

"They won't hate you," Arthur reassured in a soothing voice. "I left without saying goodbye, I wasn't there for them when they needed me most! I left you alone raising both of them with so much to handle." Francis' trembling voice rose. "Francis, just listen to me, please. The boys won't hate you, they will love you no matter what." Arthur pulled the car over and unbuckled his seat belt so he could face Francis.

He leaned forward and pulled him into a loving kiss. "A-Arthur.." Francis stammered against their pressed lips. "Shh.." Arthur continued to kiss him until he had to pull away for breath. "Are you calm now?" he asked the flustered Frenchman. "O-oui." Francis stuttered in embarrassment. "Good, now hold my hand. Please." He reached his hand out for him to take, Francis smiled slightly and intertwined their fingers together. "Thank you, Arthur."

Arthur smiled and drove off once again enjoying the heat given from Francis's warm clammy hand. "Don't be so anxious or I'll kiss you again." He warned Francis had noticed that Arthur was acting way more different. Wasn't he always the cute tsundere in their relationship? Francis frowned, he was supposed to be the seductive one, not Arthur! He huffed and pouted to himself which earned a chuckle from Arthur.

"What are you laughing at?" Francis asked, raising a brow. "It's nothing, I just missed you so much, I forgot how comforting it was to feel your presence." Francis doubled over and clutched his chest 20 point knockdown! Arthur's charm was at max level. "Stop that! I'm the daddy and you're the mommy! It's not the other way around!" he whined. "Oh? But I'm not the one who has long hair, beautiful eyes, long eyelashes, and looks good in a dress." Arthur teased.

Francis clicked his tongue and looked out the window. "...you're right about me looking good in a dress though.." He muttered. The whole car ride became happy and comforting, Arthur tried his best to distract Francis from the possible anxiety filled destination. As soon as they arrived at the familiar street that held Gilbert's house Francis became tense with anxiety washing over him like a tidal wave. "Oh..we're here." He whispered.

The happy mood was gone so quick filling the atmosphere with concern and fear, pulling into the driveway Arthur parked the car and turned it off completely, he then turned toward Francis who was beginning to shake again. "Calm down Francis, everything will be okay." With that, he placed a kiss on his hand and exited the car closing the door shut behind him.

Francis took a deep shaky sigh and got out the car closely staying by Arthur's side as they walked toward the front door, with much dread Arthur knocked sullenly on the door, there was the sound of quick footsteps, a thump along with a curse, and finally the click of the door unlocking. There appeared an exhausted-looking albino. "Oh thank god Arthur you're he-" His eyes went wide when he spotted Francis. "Francy pants!" he smiled and hugged him tightly. "How dare you leave the trio!" he exclaimed.

"A-ah sorry.." Francis stammered nervously. "I made tons of mistakes." He admitted with a glum tone. "Just don't ever do it again." Gilbert pulled away from the embrace. "Anyways the boys are in the guest room, they skipped breakfast and I'm getting a little worried. Luddy is sick too so its been chaos." He opened the door wider allowing the couple inside. "thank you, Gil, I really am grateful for what you did. How should I repay you?" Arthur asked. "Just give me some sleep!" Gilbert groaned.

Arthur laughed. "Okay, come on Francis." He tugged his arm and led him to the guest room where the boys would surely be at, Francis stopped midway and stayed there. "G-go ahead." He ushered Arthur to proceed, Arthur nodded and opened the door revealing his sons playing patty cake with each other, Matthew was the first one to spot him and smiled. "Daddy!" he beamed happily and ran up to him, instantly wrapping his arms around his waist.

Alfred joined the embrace. "Don't ever leave us again!" he warned and pouted up at his father. "I won't," Arthur reassured. "There's someone I want you guys to see." He stated. "Hm? Who?" Alfred asked. "Come." Arthur held both of the boys' hands and left the room, stopping in front of Francis who stood frozen with fear. Tears pricked at the corner of his eyes, they had both grown, Alfred and Matthew's eyes went wide with shock. "W-what are you doing here!?" Alfred yelled.

Francis winced feeling as though he'd been shot in the chest. "Why!? I thought you hated us! You're not going to take us away!" hate left Alfred's lips and filled his baby blue eyes, Matthew stayed silent still trying to comprehend what was happening. Arthur went to his knees and tried to console Alfred who was still throwing insults and threats. "Alfred stop!" he yelled which quieted the furious boy. "Francis...Francis is not a threat to us. I was wrong Alfred." Tears filled Arthur's eyes.

He looked into Alfred's eyes. "I'm the monster, I hurt him." He looked at Francis and then back at his son who stared at him with sadness. "We all hurt him..because of me, Francis is sick and sad and really scared." He wiped away the tears that trailed down his cheeks. "He still loves us Alfred, Matthew. He's always loved us." Alfred felt his heart drop with guilt, tears filled his big eyes. "Papa! I'm sooorrryyy!!" he apologized and ran toward Francis, he hugged him almost knocking him over. "Papa...desole." Matthew whimpered and ran to him wrapping his arms around Francis' waist, joining his brother.

Francis sobbed happily and dropped to his knees. "I'm so sorry my family." He brought both of his sons into his arms and squeezed them tightly. "I love you, so please don't ever say I don't." The trio were all a crying mess, Arthur smiled and joined the hug. "We're going to be a happy family again so look forward to having the best life okay? We're going to stick together from now on." He said with a trembling voice.

Gilbert slept beside his ill brother holding him in his arms snoring softly, leaving a note and a bundle of cash the small family quietly left the house and exchanged a couple of hugs and kisses on the cheeks outside before climbing in the car. The whole car ride was filled with apologies, stories, laughs, and love. Francis was still anxious knowing that once they arrived home he'd have to tell Arthur everything he'd done while he was away.

He sighed now gathering all the courage to prepare himself for the painful memories to be retold. Tiredly leaning against the car seat he looked at the roof of the car, his fingers locked on with Arthur's, both boys were wide awake with fresh happiness and excitement awaiting to return home and spend the time with their papa who was gone for so long. "Papa..promise you won't leave again," Matthew spoke up catching his attention. "Matthieu I promise with all my love that I'll never ever leave my family ever again." He smiled.

Alfred grinned and held his brother's hand. "It's okay now Matthew, but getting home we have to find a way to apologize to papa." He whispered to him. "Okay, I don't want papa to be sad anymore." He whispered back. Alfred turned toward Francis. "Papa I love you!" he yelled out catching him by surprise hitting his vulnerable heart with such force. "I love you too!" Matthew piped up.

Arthur chuckled and leaned over to Francis placing a kiss on his cheek. "I love you three." Francis blushed brightly. "I love you all the most!" he cried out desperately trying to wipe away his tears only to find that they showed no signs of stopping. "Don't cry, papa!" Matthew whimpered. "Are you hurt papa!?" Alfred asked worriedly. "N-no it's not that.." Francis hiccupped. "I..I'm just so happy!" he exclaimed as a wide smile spread across his face, his tears made it almost impossible for him to look happy to the boys.

Francis was finally able to wipe his tears away fully. "Thank you for loving me still, I honestly don't deserve it." With so many tears shed Francis and the boys had eventually fallen asleep in their seats, their breathing long and peaceful leaving Arthur with a smile on his face as he drove. "My family...what did I do to deserve this?"