Requested by madigen

Narrator's View

Nothing felt real anymore as Arthur and the others watched as the casket was lowered into the earth, each hoping, praying that this was all a sick joke or a terrible dream.  But it wasn't.

The rain hit them, soaking them to the bone as their warm tears ran down their faces.  That night replaying in each's mind.

-------------- Flashback -------------

"-I can not wait to show your father zhe surprise."  Francis said excitedly on the phone.  Matthew nodded from the other end.

"Oui p-papa.  We a-are on our w-way right n-now."  He said, sitting in the car with his father, Arthur, and older brother Alfred.  The trio was on their way home after doing some shopping, with Matthew slipping off to pick up something special Francis had ordered for the occasion.

"Zhat is good.  I'll 'ave dinner waiting for you all when you get home."   Francis said.  Matthew then bade his papa goodbye and hung up, turning his attention back to his brother and father.

"Dude, I can't wait to see what the old man cooked up!"  Alfred exclaimed excitedly, bouncing in his seat.  Arthur chuckled.

"I agree, that frog always goes all out for our anniversary."  Arthur said, a small smile coming to his face.  Matthew smiled and placed his hand in his pocket, toying with the small box containing the gift that Francis had wanted to surprise Arthur with.

"I just hope we make it in time,"  Arthur said, snapping Matthew from his thoughts.  "Maybe we shouldn't have taken the bloody high way.  It's going at about a snail's pace."  Arthur commented.  Alfred shook his head.

"Nah dad, it's fine, it's just due to the lousy weather."  Alfred said, watching the rain falling.

"Alright... if you believe so."  Arthur said, feeling unsure.  He then turned around to Matthew.  "Matthew, could you call and let Francis know we might be a bit late due to traffic?"  Matthew nodded and brought his phone out.

"Hello, the number you have dialed is unavailable, please leave a message at the beep."  It said.

'That's weird, Papa answered a few moments ago,'  Matthew thought to himself.  After leaving a message he couldn't help but feel a seed of worry beginning to grow in his stomach.

~Mini Time Skip~

After half an hour of driving the group arrived home, only to find the neighborhood filled with police cars and ambulances.  The trio got out of the car and walked over to one of their neighbors, a German by the name of Ludwig.

"Ludwig what the bloody hell happened here?"  Arthur asked.  Ludwig turned to him, a look of sorrow and pity crossing his face as he took a deep breathe.

"Arthur... I... I'm so sorry..."  Ludwig said.  Arthur and the others felt panic beginning to rise.

"Ludwig, what happened?  Where's Francis?"  Arthur asked, worry now showing.  Ludwig bit his lip.

"Zhere vas a gunman... and he vas on a robbing spree and... and he decided to target jour house."  Ludwig said, feeling worse as he watched their faces fall, looks of horror and fear now on them.

"And then what happened?"  Alfred questioned.  Ludwig gulped, his throat feeling dry.

"Vell, Francis vas home and drew attention so zhe gunman held him hostage..."  Ludwig said, wanting to say no more but knew he must.  "Zhey vere at a standoff for zhe last twenty minutes before..."  Ludwig took a deep breathe.  "Before zhe gunman shot Francis."  The others gasped as Matthew started to cry.  Alfred hugged Matthew close.

"Dear God, Ludwig tell me Francis is alright."  Arthur begged.  Ludwig's face darkened as he averted his gaze.  All was silent till slowly, Ludwig shook his head, making Arthur fall to the ground sobbing hysterically.

"Francis, oh Francis."

-------------- End of Flashback -------------

The trio sat silently in the house, each suffering.  Matthew hugged the stuffed polar bear Francis had given him tightly as Alfred held on tightly to an american flag locket Francis had given him.  Arthur sobbed into his hands as he held onto the brand new wedding band Francis had been planning to give him, along with a little card.

"Will you marry me again?"  It read.

But what the three didn't know was that they weren't alone in the house, for there, unbeknownst to them, sitting on the couch beside Arthur, was Francis, a red stain on his shirt, trying his best to comfort his lover.

"Mon amour, I am right 'ere."  Francis said longingly, trying to get his lover's attention, but to no avail.  Francis sighed and got up, heading upstairs.

'Perhaps if I try to use some sort of ghost ability I can communicate with zhem,'  He thought to himself.  He wandered towards his and Arthur's bedroom when he got an idea.

~Meanwhile Downstairs~

The trio jumped upon hearing something go thump upstairs.  Quickly, they scrambled to their feet, each taking up a nearby object for protection.  Alfred grabbed his baseball bat, Matthew his hockey stick, and Arthur the broom.

Slowly, cautiously, they went upstairs, walking towards the hallway.  They were just about to go past Arthur's and Francis's bedroom when a pillow went flying out the door and hit the wall.  The group stared.

"What the bloody hell did that?!"  Arthur whisper-yelled.  The other two shook their heads, unsure.  Alfred put a finger to his lip and carefully peeked into the room before turning back to the others.

"Nothing's in there."  He whispered back.  Arthur and Matthew both raised their eyebrows.

"Can't be, pillows don't go fly-"  He was cut off by the sound of something rummaging through the closet.  The trio walked into the room and carefully opened the closet door, only to find nothing, save a box that had fallen off the top shelf.

"What's t-that?"  Matthew asked, pointing to the partially opened box.  Arthur bent down before a small smile graced his face.

"It was Francis's memory box."  He said softly, going over to the bed and sitting down with Matthew as Alfred checked the rest of the rooms.  Arthur pulled out a single dried rose and smiled fondly.

"This was the rose Francis gave to me when he asked me out the first time."  Arthur said.  Matthew nodded and picked up a few photos, all showing Francis and Arthur together before Matthew and Alfred were even born.

"Dudes, there's nothing in the house but the three of us."  Alfred said, taking a seat.

"M-maybe it w-was one of t-the c-cats?"  Matthew suggested.  Arthur nodded absentmindedly as he continued to look back on the fond memories, with Alfred now joining in.

Francis watched from across the room, happy to see a smile on Arthur's face, but still, he wanted to let his family know that he was still here.  Francis moved in front of Arthur and tried hugging him, only succeeding in going through him.  Arthur shivered.

"You okay dude?"  Alfred question.

"Yes, I believe so, just felt a bit cold for a second there."  Arthur said, rubbing his arms a bit.  Matthew pulled the blanket from the bed and put it around Arthur's shoulders.

"Thank you Matthew."  Arthur said, trying to warm up.  It was then that Francis got another idea.  He sat beside Arthur and tugged the blanket as hard as he could, succeeding in getting Arthur's attention.  Arthur looked in his direction.

"That's odd... it felt like something tugged the blanket."  Arthur said, confusion clear in his voice.  Alfred moved over and looked around, finding nothing there.

"Dude, it must've been-"  He was cut off by the sight of a piece of the blanket lifting up, like someone was holding it, and tugging it away from Arthur before dropping down.  The group stared, trying to process what had just happened.

"...P-papa?"  Matthew questioned, breaking the silence.  He was answered by the blanket lifting up again, and then going down, and back up, trying to simulate nodding.  The others gasped as Matthew looked faint.

"Francis!  Bloody hell is that really you?!"  Arthur yelled.  Again, Francis did the blanket nod, feeling very happy that he had their attention and acknowledgement.

"And the pillow?!  That was you too pops?!"  Alfred yelled excitedly.  Again, Francis blanket nodded.

"And the box and even the bit of cold I felt before covering myself with the blanket?"  Arthur question.  Francis beamed as he quickly blanket nodded again.  Alfred was jumping for joy as Arthur cried again, but this time it was tears of joy.  Matthew hugged him, knowing the that's what Francis would want.

Francis placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder, Arthur feeling a cold patch there but not caring since he knew it was Francis, his Francis who was right there.

Once they had all collected themselves, Alfred ventured to ask the big question that was all going through their heads;

"What now?"  He asked.  The were all silent till Francis got up and tapped on a wall, gaining the others' attention.

"Francis, do you want us to follow you?"  Arthur asked.  He then added, "Bang once for no, twice for yes."  Francis banged twice.  The others nodded and got up, heading into the hallway.

"Alright pops, which way?"  Alfred asked.  Francis tapped to the left of them, leading towards the stairs.

"S-so you want u-us to g-go downstairs?"  Matthew asked.  Francis banged twice, signalling that he did indeed.  The others went downstairs, Francis waiting for them at the bottom.  He then tapped on the door to the study where they kept all their books.  Though the others were confused, they still went into the study.

"Francis, do you think there might be something in here that can do something to... well, help this bloody situation we're in?"  Arthur asked, looking around at all the books the two had gathered.  Again, two knocks were heard.  Arthur sighed and looked around.

"So, I guess we should start looking for things on ghosts then?"  He said.  Francis smiled and knocked enthusiastically, gaining a small chuckle from Arthur as he and the other three looked around.

"Alright, alright, hold your horse old chap."  Arthur said, opening a book.

----------- Time Skip ------------

"Agh!  We've been searching for hours!"  Alfred exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air with a pout, acting like a child.  The other three in the room sighed as Francis walked out and dragged the throw blanket from the couch into the room.  The others watched as the blanket seemed to drag itself over to Alfred, draping itself on his shoulders.

"Mmm, thanks pops!"  Alfred said, cuddling into the blanket.  Francis patted his shoulder, Alfred jumping from the cold shock, before Francis moved over to Arthur and enveloped him in a hug, making Arthur shiver a bit, but still, it was good to know that Francis was really there.

"Love, are you trying to suggest we take a break?"  Arthur asked.  Francis reached over and tapped a nearby desk twice, signalling that he was.  Matthew gave a small sigh of relief and went out of the room, probably to make something to eat, as Alfred got up as well, probably to also go to the kitchen.  Arthur leaned back on the desk.

"... Francis... be honest with me now, do you have any bloody idea what to do to make this situation between us better?"  Arthur asked.  All was silent for a moment, making Arthur fear that Francis had disappeared when Francis very carefully made three knocks.

"Does that mean that maybe you have an idea?"  Arthur asked, confusion heard.  Francis knocked twice, meaning that yes, he had something of an idea.

"Magic?"  Francis said aloud, not expecting Arthur to hear him.  Arthur blinked.

"... Fr-Francis you just - I-I heard your voice just now."  Arthur said, not believing what he was saying.  Francis glanced at him.  "You said 'magic', didn't you?"  Francis blinked before grinning and knocking twice.

"I can't bloody believe I just heard you,"  Arthur said, smiling to himself.  He then moved and paced the room.  "So you think we should try to use magic to at least help the situation, like maybe helping us to see, interact, and/or communicate with you?"  Again, Francis knocked twice.

"Alright, then first place to look would probably be one of the old spell books I have."  Arthur said, walking out of the room, only to return a few moments later with a large leather bound book.

"And if this was what you made us look for, I kept it in a chest in the basement so the boys wouldn't get to it."  Arthur said.  Francis chuckled and placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, trying to gently rub circles into it as Arthur sat at the desk, flipping through the pages.

"Francis, at some point remind me to get a bloody translated version of this bloody book."  Arthur said, trying to remember his Latin.  Again, Francis chuckled and knocked twice to show he would.

After flipping through the book for a few moments, muttering under his breathe before he finally seemed to reach a page that caught his attention.  Arthur stopped muttering and began reading over the page carefully, taking out a small notepad from the desk and a pencil, writing down in almost illegible hand writing.

Francis glanced at it, wondering if he should try to ask the Brit what he was up too before shaking his head.

'Non, it might be best to let 'im be in 'is own world right now.'  Francis thought to himself.  Francis then walked out of the room to check on the boys, blinking at the scene before him; Alfred standing behind Matthew, cuddling him, like how Arthur and Francis would do for each other.

Francis thought nothing of it till he saw Alfred begin to kiss Matthew's neck, making Francis turn right around and head back to the study, for once glad he was invisible.

'Mon dieu, I am going to 'ave to 'ave a talk with both of zhose boys before zhey get very serious.'  Francis thought, blushing at even the mere thought of the two getting serious.

Once back in the library, Francis sat down in an armchair, watching Arthur through half-lidded eyes, drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

~Meanwhile With Arthur~

Arthur sighed, placing the pencil down and glancing over his notes.  He then said softly,

"Francis?"  Hearing no response, he assumed Francis had gone out of the room.  Arthur quickly took the notepad and walked out of the library, making his way into the kitchen where Alfred and Matthew were eating.

"Do you two know where Francis is?"  Arthur asked.  The boys shook their heads before Alfred spoke.

"Yo, pops!  If you're in here with us, give us a knock!"  Alfred said loudly.  They were met with silence, worrying them all.

"M-maybe he fell a-asleep?"  Matthew suggested.  Arthur shot him a nervous glance.

"I hope so."  Arthur said.  He then shook his head.  "Actually, it's better that he's not here at this bloody moment."  The boys raised their eyebrows.

"Why?"  Alfred asked.  Arthur sighed and took a seat.

"I may have found a way to bring him back."  Arthur said, both boys standing up.

"WHAT?!"  They shouted in unison.  Arthur shushed them.

"Be quiet and I'll explain."  Arthur said.  He took a deep breath and continued.  "Looking through my old spell book, I found a way that would give Francis his life back."

"That's awesome dude."  Alfred said.  Matthew nodded.

"Y-yeah but t-there's a c-catch i-isn't there?"  Matthew said.  Arthur looked down and nodded.

"Yes, and that catch would be an exchange."  Arthur said.

"An exchange?"  Alfred questioned.  Arthur nodded.

"Yes, a ghost can come back if..."  Arthur gulped.  "... if someone else loses their life."  All was silent.

"How s-so?"  Alfred stuttered, face pale.  Arthur sighed.

"It's an exchange deal; the person who is alive exchanges their life for the one who died, who then comes back and lives all the years they would've lived."  Arthur said.  "It's the law of life and death; for every death in the world, a new life is born, so the same should be true right now that if we want to bring a life back, someone would have to die in their place."

"S-so w-who's l-life d-do w-we t-take?"  Matthew asked nervously.  Arthur placed his face in his hands as he rested his elbows on the table.

"I don't know but it isn't going to be one of us, and it can't be anyone we're close to-"

"Him."  Alfred said, a glare in his eyes.  The other two glanced at him.

"Him who?"  Arthur asked.

"The one who's responsible for this."  Alfred said.  Immediately the other two knew he was talking about; the gunman who had killed Francis.

"Bloody hell, I hate to say it, but I like the idea of getting even with that wanker who caused this mess."  Arthur said, an evil glint in his eyes.  Matthew nodded.

"So w-what do we n-need to d-do this?"  Matthew asked.  Arthur flipped through the notepad.

"Holy water, candles, etc, the usual, but we need a picture of the person we want back and a picture of the person who's life we sacrifice, as well as something of theirs."  Arthur said.  The boys nodded.

"Getting a picture of dad and what do we need from him?"  Alfred asked.

"Something of him, or precious to him.  For example his hair or a precious object."  Arthur said.  Matthew stood up.

"W-we still h-have his h-hair brushes."  Matthew said.  The others nodded.

"That takes care of that, but we need some of the gunman besides his picture."  Arthur said.  Matthew looked over to Alfred.

"Alfred, i-isn't your f-friend M-Mattias in l-law enforcement?"  Matthew asked.  Alfred nodded.  "T-then ask him t-to get s-some h-hair."  Matthew said.  Alfred beamed and glomped Matthew.

"That's genius bro!"  Alfred said.  Matthew gave a small giggle as Arthur paced the room for a moment.

"That could work just perfectly, but what will we do once the gunman is dead and a person who's been declared dead is now alive?"  Arthur asked.  The boys stopped celebrating and looked down.

"Um... I h-have a t-thought."  Matthew said.  He then began playing with his sleeve.  "D-do you t-think you could u-use you m-magic to t-tamper with m-memories?"  Matthew asked.  Arthur thought for a moment before giving a small nod.

"I suppose I can but there's something I want you boys to promise me."  Arthur said.  The brothers looked up at Arthur, eyebrows raised.  "I want you two to promise me that we will never tell Francis about exactly how we brought him back, especially the part with the sacrifice."  Arthur said.  The boys nodded in agreement.

They all knew how upset Francis would be knowing that a life was taken away by force to give him his life back.

"It'll be our secret, now let's go get the things we need."  Arthur said, tearing out a fresh page and writing down in legible handwriting exactly what they would need, while Alfred was already phoning Mattias.

----------- Time Skip ------------

Francis woke up to the sounds of things being moved around and hushed whispers.  He got up from the armchair and stretched before walking towards the basement, tapping on a wooden beam to get the others' attention.  They jumped and turned towards him.

"Francis?"  Arthur asked.  Francis knocked twice, getting a sigh of relief from the others.

"Francis, good news, while you were off doing whatever the bloody hell ghosts do, we found a way to bring you back."  Arthur said, a smile on his face.  Francis was surprised but knocked rapidly.  Arthur smiled.

"We just have to perform a certain ceremony but you need to be out of the room, okay love?  Or else the magic might get confused or think that we're one of the dead people."  Arthur said.  Francis knocked twice.  Arthur nodded.

"Good, see you soon frog-face."  Arthur said, a bit of his usual playfulness coming out.  Francis smiled and went back upstairs, shutting the door behind him to show that he had left.  The others sighed with relief.

"Alright then, Matthew do you have the memory powder ready?"  Arthur said.  Matthew nodded and held up a sack.  "Good, let's get started."  Arthur said, placing what they needed in the various parts of the drawing on floor.

Arthur then began chanting, low and spooky, words that seemed like utter nonsense to the boys who remained silent.  Soon it seemed the very house was groaning and moaning around them as the picture of Francis along with his hair began to glow while the gunman's seemed to burn and rot.

Eventually, Arthur shouted the last part, the candles flashing before dying down, winds rushing out of the room.  All was silent till Alfred lit a candle.

"Did it work?"  He asked.  Arthur bit his lip.

"I bloody hope so."  He said.  He then moved towards the stairs.  "Let's go see if Francis is back firstly before doing anything else."  The boys nodded and followed their father upstairs where they were soon met with a welcoming sight;

Francis, flesh and all, was sitting on the couch, appearing to be asleep, wearing a dress shirt that had a blooming patch of red on it.  But the trio soon discovered that that was all it was, a red patch.  Behind the patch was just skin, no cut or scar to it.

"Thank god."  Arthur said, sounding exhausted as he collapsed on the couch next to Francis, hugging him close as the Frenchman slept on peacefully.

"D-dad?  S-should we..."  Matthew held up the sack of powder.  Arthur nodded and took out a few charms, placing them on himself, Francis, Alfred, and Matthew.

"So that we don't forget."  Arthur said.  The boys nodded and took the powder from the bag, opening a window and doing the chant they had been instructed to do before blowing the powder out the window, watching as it dispersed in the air, making things around them glow for a moment before returning to normal.

"Great, now what?"  Alfred asked.  Arthur leaned back on the couch, Francis's head resting on his shoulder.

"We should probably get Francis here to bed, and I'll change him out of his shirt.  After that, I'd suggest we all get some sleep, lord knows we all bloody need it."  Arthur said with a slight groan.  The boys nodded as Alfred placed Francis onto his back and lifted him up, carrying him upstairs as Matthew and Arthur followed suit, taking the shirt off and letting Arthur place a new one on before tucking him in for the night.

"See you in the mornin' dudes."  Alfred said, walking to his room as Matthew did the same.  Arthur walked back over to the bed and looked down at Francis, his face peaceful as his chest moved slowly up and down.

"God I missed you, you bloody frog."  Arthur mumbled, lying down, wrapping his arms around Francis.  Francis shifted and wrapped his arms around Arthur, burying his face into Arthur's hair, just like he did every time the two were sleeping together in bed.

"I really did..."  Arthur mumbled before joining his lover in the realm of slumber.

----------- Time Skip ------------

Francis woke up, feeling sunlight coming through the window.  He groaned softly before going back to hugging the warm weight beside him, opening his eyes to see Arthur snuggling closer to him.  Francis smiled and got up from the bed carefully, wanting to surprise his family with breakfast.

He walked downstairs and began cooking, humming a tune as he made everyone his famous crepes.  He was just placing a crepe on a plate when he heard hurried footsteps, followed by a trio of blondes with bedhead coming into the room.

"Bonjour, breakfast will be ready in a minute."  Francis said, turning back to the crepes, placing them on plates.  He turned around only to be tackled by a group hug as the three all buried their heads into his chest.

"Don't you dare ever leave us again frog."  Arthur said sternly.  The boys nodded.  Francis chuckled and hugged them back.

"Mmm, I 'ad no plans to do so.  And,"  Francis freed himself from the hug and stood before Arthur, getting down on one knee.  "I still 'aven't gotten my answer mon amour."  Francis kissed Arthur's hand gently, looking up into his emerald eyes with his sapphire ones.

"Will you marry me again, Arthur?"  Francis asked.  Arthur teared up but lunged forward, hugging Francis tightly.

"Of course you bloody french frog."  Arthur said.  Francis stood up and twirled Arthur around happily, the boys standing to the side, Matthew leaning on Alfred, both happy for their fathers.  Once Francis put Arthur down, he escorted him to the table and pulled out Arthur's seat, allowing him to sit down before sitting down himself.

"Alright, time to eat real food again!"  Alfred cheered, getting a chuckle from Francis and Matthew while also getting a huff from Arthur.

"Oui, and afterwards I need to talk to you two boys about your behavior in my kitchen."  Francis said, a sweet smile on his face as the boys paled a bit.

'We've been found out,'  They thought in unison, gulping as the crepes went dry in their mouths.  Arthur just raised an eyebrow but continued eating, deciding not to question what had transpired.

'But at least we're a family again.'

~Fin~