A year had gone by in a flash, both Alfred and Matthew grew to love their new parents. Although a sense of sadness and depression still lingered in the air the twins resorted to calling them daddy and papa, Alfred grew closer to Arthur while Matthew grew to Francis like a puppy. He learned French and learned how to write it as well while Alfred decided to stay as he was.

Both twins never grew an inch over the year and Alfred was growing weary of the situation, but he decided to forget about it and live as he was with no problems in his life. Everything seemed to have gone by perfectly, until that one night.

Alfred was awoken by a violent shake, his eyes snapped open quickly and he frantically sat up from his bed only to meet his brother's fear-filled eyes. "Mattie wha!-" he was cut off when Matthew clamped his mouth shut with his hand, he slowly brought a finger to his lips signaling him to stay quiet.

Alfred nodded slowly and removed Matthew's trembling hand from his mouth and slowly started to sign on it. just breathe Mattie his hand and fingers moved in a sign language they both knew, Matthew evened out his quickened breathing and signed back. I heard them both fighting again he claimed with shaky hands.

Alfred frowned and was able to hear faint yelling coming from downstairs don't worry, they'll have to stop eventually he tried to reassure his frightened brother but Matthew was too smart to fool it's been an hour and they haven't stopped he pouted at him. Alfred sighed quietly and hopped off the bed lets go he signed to Matthew before heading out the room.

Matthew padded silently after Alfred, his bare feet surprisingly hit the wooden ground silently not making a single noise along with Alfred who was also an expert at staying quiet. When they both lived in the orphanage they would sneak out of the room where they stayed in along with all the other boys and head out to the roof.

Of course, lots of guards were on patrol at night so they learned how to stay quiet, Alfred had stolen a book about sign language and they both learned over the years they had stayed at the orphanage. Now they could have an entire silent conversation by only moving their fingers, I don't think this is a good idea Matthew signed on Alfred's shoulder with wavering hands not even bothering to hide his fear.

Alfred ignored his brother easily and shook off his hand away from his shoulder don't worry about it he smiled and quietly walked downstairs where the violent yells of the two men became much clearer. "You can't just go back to France! I need you!...the children need you!" Arthur yelled with his voice cracking and breaking horribly with incoming tears.

"Please understand that my country needs me, I need to go." Francis's voice was firm but shaky and on the verge of tears as well, Matthew curiously peeked over the corner and saw Arthur with tears trailing down his cheeks with his teeth gritted and his eyes lit with anger and devastation.

"Arthur...please you need to understand," Francis spoke with deep remorse as his hard gaze softened once he met Arthur's dull and tear-filled green eyes. "J-just leave..." Arthur muttered. "Go away! I don't need you anyways!" he yelled aloud causing both the children and Francis to jump out of fright. "I hope you forgive me one day...tell the children I love them.." Francis mumbled under his breath.

"No papa! Don't leave!" Matthew had quickly ran to Francis and tightly hugged his leg. "S'il vous plaît ne vont pas!" he cried out with a pleading tone in Francis' native tongue, Francis stayed silent and carefully pried off Matthew from his leg he kneeled down to his height and gritted his teeth knowing that he would deeply regret what he was about to say.

"..je ne place ici." He whispered and quickly stood up from the ground, he turned toward the door with his luggage at hand. "I always loved you.." Were his last words before he left and disappeared within the empty and foggy streets leaving Matthew standing wordlessly with Alfred beside him.

Arthur cried silently and collapsed on the living room floor where he brought his knees close to his chest and hid his face with his arms, the broken sobs that echoed throughout the empty room terribly broke Matthew's and Alfred's hearts, so their first instinct was to comfort him.

And so they did just that.

Arthur froze at the tiny arms that wrapped around him, he looked up from his arms and saw both children hugging him with tears of their own trailing down their hollow and pale cheeks. "W-why are you crying?" he asked curiously with a wavering tone to his voice. "Because...You're crying... it's sad." Alfred hiccupped along with Matthew who hugged Arthur tightly.

Arthur felt a twinge of shock but happiness toward the children, knowing that they loved him back gave him hope that he was accepted and wanted. He hugged them back and sobbed, Matthew who was also heartbroken joined Arthur and buried his face within the crook of his neck. "I'm sorry you two had to witness that..but I promise that I'll never leave you two no matter what." He held them closely.

That night Arthur carried both children to their room and spent the whole night with them, he didn't want the children to be in a depressed mood again so he told them stories of fairies and magical creatures that still lingered upon the world deeply hidden within the wonderful beauties of the Earth. When both children fell asleep in his arms he was finally able to break apart, his heart ached with pain as silent tears trailed down his cheeks.

He grew a sense of hatred toward Francis that night, he would never forgive him for what he'd done. Even so, memories of when they were children replayed in his mind causing his chest to ache more. "..that love is nothing but a lie.." Arthur muttered to himself, Alfred, who was still struggling to go to sleep, overheard this and felt his heart drop in fear. Does that mean he doesn't love me or Matthew then?...is it all a lie?

He silently sighed shakily and fell asleep feeling a pit of dread grow in his stomach if he doesn't love us then I guess there's no use living here. And as those final words clung to his mind he thought of a plan and fell asleep, waiting eagerly for the next day to come.

The next morning Matthew was surprised when he was woken up by his brother at such an early hour. "Come on Mattie, let's go play outside," Alfred suggested with a fake smile plastered on his face. "Huh? But it's really early.." Matthew yawned as he wiped his eyes tiredly.  "Yeah! It'll be more fun that way! Come on!" Alfred grabbed a hold of his brother's hand and dragged him along until they had quietly made it outside where the winds of winter blew upon their skin.

Matthew shivered and worriedly glanced at his older brother.  "Alfred...it's cold out here and we don't even have our shoes on," Matthew complained with concern laced in his quiet voice. "It's okay, we'll only be out here for a little while, I promise," Alfred reassured gleefully. "O-okay if you say so," Matthew mumbled under his breath still feeling a sense of worry eating away at him.

As they both walked a distant sound of rushing water had reached their ears, Alfred had grinned happily. "We're here!" H
he shouted happily. "What do you mean?" Matthew asked in confusion at his brother's sudden outburst. "About a month ago, Arthur took me here and told me that across a log bridge there is a huge forest where we can find fairies," Alfred explained, of course, this was a lie.

Alfred's plan was to take his brother over the bridge where they would both run away without having to be heartbroken again. Alfred really loved Arthur, but when he heard his words last night he began to doubt his feelings and actions of love he gave, he didn't want to see Matthew cry again nor did he want to feel the same pain he felt when he lost his mother.

"Over the river and through the woods...remember the nursery rhyme, Mattie?" Alfred asked as he tightened his grip on his brother's hand, Matthew nodded. "Yeah, I remember," he said with a shy smile. "But we don't have a grandma, Alfie." He giggled quietly. "We'll find one! Now watch your step when your crossing okay?" Alfred instructed. "Bu..but I don't want to cross over..it's scary." Matthew whimpered in fear.

"It's okay I won't let you fall." Alfred smiled and began to walk towards the log that stretched from one side of the river to the other side across from it, the water was rapid and quicker than it usually was. "I-I don't want to cross!" Matthew had abruptly stopped and stood his ground. "I'm scared...I don't want to fall in." He whispered fearfully.

"Mattie..don't look down just look at me.." Alfred slowly instructed his frightened brother, he only had a couple of minutes before Arthur would wake up and check in their room, and if he didn't see them there he would quickly run outside in panic. Matthew took a deep shaky breath and looked straight at his brother. "Don't focus on anything but me okay?" Alfred smiled as he slowly, and carefully, began to walk backward still facing his brother.

Once he had felt the birch wood of the familiar log under his bare feet he breathed a sigh of relief. "You said you had a favorite tree right? What was it called again?" Alfred asked, trying to keep his little brother distracted as he walked down the log. "It was the Maple Tree.." Matthew responded small fish swam down the rapid stream so when one had unexpectedly jumped out of the water and flew over their heads and splashed back into the stream Matthew had froze in terror realizing where he was now.

He looked down and saw the stream, it was pretty wide and a bit deep too. "Matthew, don't panic.," Alfred ordered shakily. "Alfred! Matthew!" A distant yell caused both twins to jump in fright. "Mattie we need to run!" The panic in Alfred's voice made Matthew tremble violently in fear. "Boys stop right now!" Arthur yelled.

And just as Arthur began to run towards them Alfred had attempted to pull his brother with him but failed miserably when he lost his footing, time was suddenly in slow motion as Alfred's heart raced a thousand beats per second. He felt the rush of wind sweep through him and suddenly he submerged into the freezing water, he barely had enough time to hear his brother's cry before he plunged deeper into the water.

He tried swimming upwards but the current was too strong, his lungs begged for oxygen. He wasn't afraid to die though...he was just afraid to leave his little brother who always had night terrors and wouldn't sleep without him being there by his side. If he died now who would take care of his brother? "I promise I'll protect you, okay Mattie?" those were the last words that echoed in his mind as his world went black.