Arthur and Francis smiled as both boys snuggled up against each other, their faces mere inches apart. "It's been so long since I've seen something so adorable and innocent." Francis cooed as he softly moved a stray strand of hair from Matthew's sleeping face.

Arthur chuckled and softly ran his hand through Alfred's soft hair. "You better get used to it because there's no way I'm letting you miss any of it." He stated as he placed a kiss on both children's cheeks and stood from the edge of the bed along with Francis who pulled the blanket over them. "Goodnight my angels." He whispered sweetly before grabbing ahold of Arthur's hand.

Arthur looked at Francis and smiled. "They're not the only angels." He stated with a charming laugh that made Francis blush darkly and his heart flutter in his chest, Francis looked away flustered trying to come up with something to say to beat what Arthur had said. "W-well ah...uhm..ow!." He sputtered and bit his tongue in the process, he yelped and covered his mouth as tears formed at the corner of his eyes. "Trying to flirt now huh?" Arthur smiled and pulled at the collar of Francis' shirt.

Francis still had his mouth covered. "Let me see," Arthur demanded and grabbed ahold of Francis' wrist with his free hand, Francis shook his head and turned his head away. "We'll do this the hard way then." Arthur sighed and practically dragged Francis to their room. Arthur turned to Francis with a small frown. "Are you going to show me or not?" he asked in which Francis responded with a shake of his head in protest.

Arthur groaned and pushed Francis on the bed where he caught him by surprise and quickly pinned his hands above his head pressing him down on the bed, a trail of blood trickled from Francis' chin. "You git," Arthur muttered and released one of Francis' wrist and wiped the blood away with his thumb. "Don't hide injuries from me or I'll be the reason you get injuries." Arthur playfully threatened.

Francis pouted still tasting copper in his mouth. "You're scary you know that right?" he said and wrapped his arms around Arthur's waist pulling him into a hug. "A dangerous wolf in sheep's clothing." He muttered and buried his face in the crook of his neck. "Or maybe a small puppy with lambswool." He chuckled. "Shush you git. Go to sleep tomorrow is a big day." Arthur mumbled.

He just wanted some alone time, he was drowning in anxiety but he still kept a smile. He didn't want to worry Francis with his problem, but the way Francis looked at him after was a bit worrisome. "Arthur? What's wrong?" he asked wearily and placed his hand on Arthur's cheek. "Nothing.." Arthur muttered and turned away from him. Francis frowned and placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder, he flinched at his touch, this time Francis was the one who was hit with fearsome anxiety.

He quickly sat up and turned Arthur around and was met with his love in tears, his green eyes glistened like emeralds, but it wasn't supposed to be beautiful. Arthur was in pain and Francis knew he had to help him. "Arthur! Please tell me what's wrong!" Francis pulled him into a tight hug. "I want to help you through this, please let me help you." Francis' voice quieted down to mere whimpers.

He kept himself calm, he had to be strong now for his children and husband. Arthur kept quiet and hid his face, Francis flinched when he had noticed that Arthur began to tremble violently in his arms, he took a shaky breath and ran his hand through his short hair. "It's okay Arthur..I'm here. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you or our children." He stated in a soothing tone that he picked up from Arthur himself.

Arthur felt his heart shatter. "But I'm the one that hurt our family!" he exclaimed with a cracking voice, he buried his face in Francis' shirt and stifled a sob that threatened to escape his trembling lips. "I told our children many things. I told them lies and caused them pain, I hurt you and our family." Francis hated the way Arthur trembled and grasped onto his shirt.

Arthur finally broke, he could no longer put up his forced smile. "I'm a horrible person...I'm the monster our children should be afraid of." With those words uttered Francis held Arthur tighter. "That's not true!" he stated. "Arthur were you the one that stayed with our children, you were sad and broken and tired yet you still stayed strong for the boys. Of course, you would tell them lies, it was your instincts to do so. You were scared." Francis hummed and hugged Arthur tightly.

Arthur shuddered a breath. "Oh god Francis...I forgot Matthew, I made Alfred cry. For God's sake, they both almost died!" he shouted aloud, Francis winced feeling Arthur's pain that spread like a wildfire, Arthur began to breathe unevenly. "I-I can't...I can't protect them!" Francis felt Arthur's pulse, his heart was beating rapidly against his chest. "Arthur please calm down amour. Please!" he held Arthur close, he was now beginning to hyperventilate.

Francis panicked and stroked Arthur's hair rocking him in his arms. "It's okay Arthur, the children are still here. They still love you, I am here too, I will always be here for you my love." He whispered into his ear. "I love you so much Arthur, Alfred, and Matthew love you too. You protected them, you gave them so much love, I'm so proud of you." Francis placed a kiss on Arthur's forehead and rubbed his back soothingly.

Arthur calmed down and rested his head against Francis' chest, his chest and heart ached. "You're okay mon amour, we're all okay. Sleep now love, you were so strong. Now you must rest." Arthur was soothed by Francis' calm voice and eventually drifted off to sleep, he still had his arms wrapped around Francis even during sleep he still feared that he would disappear.

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When morning arrived Arthur awoke with a stickiness on his cheeks, he was soothed by the gentle heartbeats of Francis who still slept soundly cuddling Arthur like a child with an overly large pillow, Arthur smiled glumly remembering last night's event, his chest now felt lighter, his heart was floating. He no longer felt the weight on his shoulders. "Thank you.." He whispered to his sleeping husband and placed a kiss on his cheek.

There was once again the sound of tiny feet pattering outside in the halls followed by quiet giggles, with a chuckle Arthur carefully sat up not wanting to wake Francis and slowly climbed out of bed, he winced when his bare feet came in contact with the cold ground but quietly made his way out the room and into the hall that lead to the living room where both Alfred and Matthew were jumping on the couch watching TV.

Alfred took notice of Arthur's presence and ran to him throwing his arms around his waist. "Dad! Can you make pancakes today? I really liked them last time." Alfred looked up at Arthur with a bright smile. "I want daddy to make them too," Matthew stated with a giggle. "Since you said papa looked weird in an apron." Arthur blushed at the memory, Francis was wearing a pink apron that Arthur had in a closet to cook last time, in all honesty, he thought Francis looked quite...appealing.

With a laugh, he patted Alfred's head. "Of course I'll make them." He stated and went over to the kitchen with both boys closely following him. "Do you think we can help dad?" Alfred asked. "Of course, you can help me with the batter," Arthur replied. "What about Mattie?" Alfred turned to his brother who silently stood by the table. "Uhm.." He blushed at the sudden attention given to him and looked away.

Arthur smiled. "Want to help set up the table Matthew? That way you'll be helping papa too." Matthew lit up at the mention of his other father and nodded in agreement. "Thank you, love." Arthur sent him a loving smile and grabbed the ingredients from the cabinets and fridge.

Sure enough, Alfred and himself got themselves in a mess, batter stained their clothes, Alfred had some on his face and hair. Matthew kept his distance, the table was set with four plates and glasses, Arthur was in front of the stove already flipping pancakes on a pan. The small trio held smiles on their faces as they prepared breakfast.

Soon enough Francis awoke to the familiar scent and groggily trudged to the kitchen, he gave a tired smile to the sight in front of him. Arthur was smiling as he kneeled in front of Alfred with a damp cloth in his hand, he wiped off the batter from his face and hair as Matthew hid behind Arthur in fear that Alfred would dirty him too. Francis laughed catching their attention. "Papa!" the boys smiled and ran up to him throwing their arms around him. "Good morning my angels." He patted both of their heads with a smile.

Arthur stood from the ground. "Good morning love." Francis winked at him and blew him a kiss already regaining his flirtatious attitude. "Morning." Arthur looked away to hide his pale blush. "Are those pancakes I smell?" he asked curiously. "Yeah! Me and dad made the batter together!" Alfred exclaimed. "Really? I'm so proud of both of you." Francis stated proudly. "Yes, and Matthew set up the table all by himself!" Alfred shouted, Francis, turned to his other son who pulled away from the embrace.

Matthew was nervous at the attention given to him, he only ever liked getting noticed by his brother. He was just getting to trust Arthur too, now he had to trust Francis all over again "I'm so proud of you Matthew." Francis praised his quiet son. "T-thank you papa.." He stammered anxiously.  "The pancakes are done now, let's have breakfast." Arthur set down a plate of pancakes, he was proud of himself since they weren't raw or burnt. They were perfect. Almost.

As the small family ate small chatter was given, Francis told his family about the little good moments he had in his country, he barely had a good thing to talk about from where he came from. "Papa, did you ever miss us?" Matthew asked. "Of course! I kept a picture close to my heart. I always thought about you and your father, I had so many dreams about you, I..I cried so much..." He trailed off.

Alfred and Matthew shared a look of concern before scrambling off their seats and hugged their father, Arthur joined in on the hug. "We're all here Francis. You made me believe that. Thank you so much...I love you." Arthur moved forward and placed his lips upon Francis' own. Alfred covered his eyes and groaned. "Eww!" he shouted and buried his face in Francis' shirt. "Alfie that's what mommies and daddies do when they love each other," Matthew stated.

Arthur pulled away, both Francis and himself had dark blushes staining their cheeks. "I love you too mon amour, I love you Alfred, and I love you too Matthew." The boys looked at Francis with wide eyes.

Had they ever told their other father 'I love you'? They looked at each other staring into each other's eyes before nodding in agreement and turning their attention back at Francis, smiles spread on their faces. "We love you too papa." They stated. Matthew smiled at Arthur. "We love you too daddy." He said. "Yeah, you're our hero," Alfred stated.

Francis nodded in agreement. "I.." Arthur felt his heart swell with overwhelming happiness and he smiled "I love all of you. My family." In an instant, he was engulfed by his family's arms being embraced with love that he never knew he needed. He was fixed. His family was next.