CH 28: Recovery (edited)

Arthur sobbed as paramedics carried out his children, they were both unconscious and in desperate need of medical attention.

Francis was still in the car trying to calm himself down once again, everything was too much for him. He had finally broke, after days, hours of watching his husband slowly grow weaker and weaker he couldn't keep it bottled up anymore especially after seeing his sons in such a horrid state, he just couldn't take it.

A man stumbled out of the bar and yelled aloud. "What the hell did you do to my car!?" Arthur gritted his teeth and wiped his eyes. Francis rushed out of the car and grabbed Arthur's hand. "Non I got this amour." His voice was strained. "Please go with our children, they need you." He pleaded. "And get a check-up, please. You're very ill." Francis leaned forward and placed a kiss on Arthur's cheek.

Arthur took a shaky breath and nodded. "Be careful, please." With that, he was off to his children. Alfred was beginning regaining consciousness. "Dad?..." He looked around, paramedics surrounded him and offered him water which he gladly obliged, in an instant, he finished the whole bottle. He then frantically looked around searching for his brother. "Where's Mattie?" he asked anxiously, terrified that he had failed his mission to protect his brother, to keep him alive.

Arthur climbed in the car and nearly broke into tears as soon as he saw Alfred sitting up on his stretcher awake and alive. "Dad!" Alfred shouted happily and reached out for his father. "Alfred." Arthur smiled and scooped Alfred into his arms giving him various kisses. "I'm so happy you're okay, and I'm so sorry." Arthur blubbered.

Alfred giggled, but once again he panicked. "Where's Mattie?" he asked again. "Dad please tell me where Mattie is." He whimpered and begged, Arthur, turned to the paramedics who had moved to Matthew's stretcher giving each other orders, one brought another water bottle, though they all flinched back as soon as Matthew began to cry.

Arthur hurried to his son's aid with Alfred still in his arms and quickly sat on his stretcher to calm him. "Shh, it's okay love I'm here." Matthew looked up at Arthur with wide eyes and instantly threw his small thin arms around him. "Daddy I missed you!" he exclaimed and hugged him and his brother tight.

Arthur scooped Matthew into his other arm and tightly squeezed his sons, happy that they were once again safe in his arms, but something caught his eye. Both Alfred and Matthew wore oversized sweaters, they were dirty and unwashed, but that wasn't what concerned him. It slipped off of Alfred's frail shoulders and revealed a dark bruise on one of his shoulders, it looked like a handprint.

Arthur suddenly felt sick to his stomach and he gently tugged at Alfred's sweater. Alfred flinched. "A-ah sorry.." He stammered. "It's been a while." He shuddered and leaned against Arthur's chest pressing his cheek against him. "Alfred.." Arthur spoke softly. "I.." He hesitated. "I see a bruise." He whispered, Alfred, froze. He shifted uncomfortably in his father's arms not wanting to remember how he got the bruises.

But Matthew thought otherwise, he tugged at Alfred's arm and looked at him with a sympathetic look. "Okay Mattie," Alfred mumbled and gave his brother a slight nod. "Dad." He looked up at Arthur and took a breath to prepare for the story he would tell, the awful story of his and his brother's horrible experience.

Alfred grabbed Matthew's hand and grasped onto the sleeve of his sweater, Matthew gave him a soft sad smile and nodded. Alfred lifted the sleeve showing the many bruises that littered his brother's skin, he then lifted his own sleeves revealing his own. Arthur was shocked and angered. His emotions were all mixed up.

Alfred looked down. "I'm sorry dad...I couldn't keep Matthew safe. I failed to keep him from getting hurt." He was close to tears, Arthur hated seeing his son look so distressed. "You don't have to apologize, it wasn't your fault." He placed a kiss on his cheek. "Right now what's important is that you're both safe and sound." The paramedics soon shouted at someone.

Arthur stood quickly to see what was going on, his heart dropped and his blood ran cold.

Francis had collapsed, the man stood above him with his fist raised. "Boys stay here please," Arthur demanded quickly and instantly ran to his husband's aid. "Get away from him!" he yelled and dropped to the ground on his knees, taking Francis into his arms. "You bastard what did you do to him!?" he looked his lover over and brushed away the hair that covered his face, a fresh bruise was made on his cheek.

That was it, the man done it. He hurt Francis, he touched him.

Arthur was now enraged and boiling with anger he let the paramedics help Francis and then slowly stood facing the man in front of him, he balled his hands into tight fists and quickly punched the man square in his face, a satisfying crunch was heard. Though Arthur didn't know if it were the sound of the man's nose breaking or the sound of his knuckles break-inn either way, someone was bleeding.

The man staggered back and held his broken nose, a stream of blood gushed from his nose and dripped from his chin, but Arthur wasn't done yet, oh no. He stepped forward and with a rush of adrenaline kicked the man right in the groin, a strangled cry escaped the man's lips and he fell to his knees. "I don't want you to ever go near my family ever again if murder wasn't a crime I'd have killed you long ago." With that he kicked him again, his knee connecting with the man's chin sending his head snapping upward. Arthur was pretty sure he saw a tooth popping out of his mouth.

He took a shaky breath and returned to his family leaving the man writhing on the ground, one hand holding his broken nose and the other holding his groin, as some might say he looked pathetic.

Francis had quickly regained consciousness by forcing himself to wake, he backed away and refused the paramedics help. "It's alright," Arthur called. "I got it." He kneeled in front of Francis taking his face into his hands. "Love, you need to calm down," He demanded the anxious Frenchman. "Look at me, I'm right here. Nobody else." He reassured in a calming tone, Francis looked into Arthur's eyes and his tense shoulders slumped.

He gave out a shaky sigh and gave Arthur a weak smile. "Amour.." He mumbled wincing as Arthur carefully ran his thumb across his bruise, cheek. "We need to get you some ice." He frowned, now everyone in his family had bruises, Francis took notice of Arthur's swollen knuckles and gently took hold of his injured hand placing a soft kiss on it.

Arthur blushed and stood. "Can you stand?" he asked curiously, Francis had collapsed from exhaustion that was for sure which explained why he was instantly knocked out from one single punch. Arthur had tired him out so much to the point where he couldn't even stand anymore, he felt a pang at his chest. Francis had done so much for him and tried everything he could to make him happy during the days the boys were gone.

Arthur began to regret ignoring Francis's attempts. "I'm sure I can walk," Francis said and quickly stood, his head spun and he stumbled forward, Arthur caught him before he could fall. "You need rest," Arthur stated. "You took care of me so now it's my turn." He huffed and dragged Francis to the emergency truck.

Both boys smiled and called for Francis as soon as they laid eyes on him and Francis was absolutely overwhelmed with happiness he literally nearly passed out again due to all the sudden outbursts of many emotions he was experiencing. The cops soon arrived and Arthur explained everything to them, they took the horrible man away and the small family was taken to a close hospital.

At the hospital, the boys were a bit ill only suffering from malnutrition and possible food poisoning, and as for the bruises...

A doctor suggested therapy for the family to get them back on track.

Francis was also ill, he suffered from insomnia which Arthur didn't even know he had and also a bit of malnutrition and exhaustion. They patched up his bruised cheek and placed a brace on Arthur's hand, he had a fracture though he knew it was worth it. The boys were covered with bandages hiding their bruises and injuries.

It was a long while before they were released, but as soon as they were free to go the family had a small reunion in the lobby. Francis and Arthur both held their children tight and close to their hearts giving their sons many kisses. "I love you both so much." Arthur blubbered happily. "I missed you both." Francis was close to tears.

Alfred couldn't believe it still, he and his brother had survived. They weren't killed, and best of all they would finally be able to sleep in peace knowing that the man was going to be locked up for good. "Matthew..." Alfred looked at his brother remembering how he thought he lost him during the last moments in the hot suffocating car. "We really did make it." He grinned.

Matthew giggled. "It's because of you Alfred, you're the coolest superhero." He said, Alfred flinched at his words. "He's right Alfred," Francis agreed with Matthew. "If you have never called, well..." He frowned and looked pained. "I wouldn't like to dwell on that thought." He muttered and hugged Matthew tight to his chest.

Arthur did the same pressing Alfred against his chest. "I'm so happy." He sighed. Alfred nodded. "I am too." He yawned and rested his head against his father's chest. "I'm super duper happy." Matthew hugged him, but he suddenly coughed. Francis caught the scent of cigars, horrible memories of his time in France came back to him and he anxiously grabbed the stuffed bear. It was the source of the stench.

Matthew whimpered. "Papa." He reached for the bear. "Non, I'm sorry but you can get really sick if we don't wash it," Francis explained with a frown. "I think it's time we head home," Arthur said, noticing how Alfred was dozing off in his arms. "Yes please." Francis cradled Matthew in his arms, he frowned. Matthew had gotten smaller and thinner along with Alfred.

Surely it would take a while for them to readjust to their regular eating habits, but for now, it would all be hugs, kisses, and lots and lots of recovering to do.

Arriving home both Francis and Arthur quietly trudged into their home with sleeping children in their arms, they were both in deep slumber, and honestly, both men couldn't wait to join their children.

They trudged to their room with aching bodies and tired minds and carefully lied their children down on the bed, Francis was the first one to fall asleep, he was out as soon as his head hit the pillow, his arms over Matthew and Alfred. Arthur took a while to fully relish the feeling in his heart, the feeling of relief and happiness.

He smiled at his sleeping family and soon joined them he threw a blanket over all of them and fell asleep.

And so the family slept not caring about what would happen tomorrow, they were together again and that's what mattered.

They were a family again, a happy one.

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