Chapter 1: Night has Come

Matthew Williams Bonnefoy-Kirkland was used to being treated like an invalid. Mostly because he was in fact, an invalid of sorts. Papa and Father had always been very careful, gentle, and protective with him. Even his twin brother Alfred, who was always full of energy, was always sure to calm down when he came to visit him in the hospital or when he was doing well enough to be at home.

Over the years Matthew's health had fluctuated wildly. There would be months where he would feel great- or rather, relatively great- and be able to be home with his family, almost like a normal teenager. But then, he would catch a cold or trip over his own feet. With weak joints, lungs, immune system and a myriad of other problems, almost anything could cause Matthew's health to plummet. For the Bonnefoy-Kirkland family, the hospital was a second home.

Unfortunately, during the winter of his 16th year, Matthew found himself in the hospital once again. Once again, his parents had been frustrated with doctors who told them that no, Matthew's case wasn't bad enough to apply for a transplant and no, there was nothing else they could do besides help him stabilize.

Matthew was used to these answers. They no longer surprised him. He had long ago accepted the fact that he wouldn't ever truly get better, that he would need to be taken care of for the rest of his life, and that everyone would treat him special.

"Bonjour my dears!" his Papa Francis greeted him and Alfred with all his normal romance and flare- a result of his pride as a Frenchman.

"Hey Pops!" Alfred returned energetically, standing up from his chair beside Matthew's hospital bed. "Is it your turn already?"

"Oui!" Papa replied, approaching Matthew. He leaned down and pulled his dear son into a gentle hug and kissed his cheek. "Mathieu, cher, how are you feeling today?" he inquired as he settled himself on the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine," Matthew responded softly.

He smiled warmly at his Papa. Evenings were always his favorite part of the day. Though he greatly appreciated his Father-Arthur- and Alfred's company throughout the day, he looked forward to Papa's the most. Lovingly, Francis reached out and tucked his son's long honey colored hair behind his ear. Alfred watched the two of them from his position near the door with a smirk. He wished their family could spend more time altogether.

"I've got a surprise for you, Mathieu," Francis announced eagerly.

Matthew adjusted the glasses over his violet eyes. "Oh you didn't have to do anything special Papa," he answered kindly. Though the thought of something new brought a warm feeling to his stomach.

With his long, wavy, golden hair flipping over his shoulder as he turned his head, Francis called out to the hallway. "Entrez-vous my friends!"

Immediately, a tall tan Spaniard and a silvery haired Prussian burst through the door. The Spaniard had a kind smile and his green eyes gleamed with pleasure. The Prussian looked more shocking with piercing red eyes and an evil smirk- but the boys were familiar enough with him to know he was a dork and secretly a softy. Alfred and Matthew gasped with surprise.

"Uncle Antonio! Uncle Gilbert!" Matthew cried with delight.

The effort sent him into a small coughing fit that made his chest ache and back hunch forward in pain. But after a few tense moments he relaxed back against his pile of pillows propping him up. Antonio, Gilbert and Francis all shared worried looks, but quickly they shook it off and acted as if nothing happened.

"Sup Mattie? Glad to see your awesome uncle?" Gilbert asked grandly, opening his arms for Alfred to give him a hug.

"Mateo! We heard you back here again," Antonio explained as he came forward to embrace Matthew.

"You just couldn't stay away from the hospital could you?" Gilbert teased and gave Francis a welcoming pat.

"Well, it is so lovely here," Matthew replied easily. Gilbert laughed at his sarcasm and then at Antonio who hadn't realized Matthew had been joking.

Antonio Fernandez Carriedo and Gilbert Beilschmidt were technically not Matthew and Alfred's uncles. However, both Francis and Arthur were only children so they had no uncles whatsoever. To make up for this, Antonio and Gilbert had taken it upon themselves to act as uncles for the two boys of their best friend. Arthur didn't particularly think the two of them were a good influence, but was grateful none the less.

"Well Mattie, it seems like I have to leave just as the party's starting," Alfred said, a touch jealous.

With a smile, he waved goodbye and promised to come visit him the next afternoon. Matthew knew the promise was unnecessary, as Al always had the afternoon shift, but he was grateful. Matthew preferred it when Al treated it like a voluntary visit and not an assignment- though Alfred never saw it as a chore.

After all greetings and farewells had been said, the hospital room settled down. Matthew's three guests had arranged themselves around the hospital bed. Francis sat at the foot of his bed, Antonio sat in a chair to his right, and Gilbert sat to his left with his feet sitting in Matthew's lap.

"So kid, what happened this time? Trip over Al's toys? Burn yourself making pancakes?" Gilbert asked nonchalantly.

Matthew smiled at Gilbert's easy manner. He never treated Matthew like an invalid, always giving him the same crap he gave everyone else. It meant a lot to Matthew.

"I caught a cold," Matthew explained simply. Gilbert clicked his tongue, the closest thing to sympathy to come from his mouth.

"Mathieu was feeling well voluntary visit and not an assignment. omised to come visit him the next day. Matthew new the promienough to go to school," Francis clarified. "Unfortunately, it was during an outbreak."

A tanned, rough hand reached out and patted Matthew's soft, delicate one. "I'm sorry amigo. I know how much you want to go to school," Antonio murmured sadly.

Blond waves bounced as Matthew shook his head. "No, don't worry about it. It's fine."

"My Mathieu is always so optimistic," Francis cooed. Antonio and Gilbert voiced their agreement.

Matthew's cheeks reddened. "N-no. It's not a big deal," he stammered, embarrassed. With all three pairs of eyes on him, he got nervous. He wasn't used to, or liked all the attention.

"Look at that blush!" Gil laughed, "Stop being so modest!"

Sensing his son's discomfort, Francis suggested they play a game. It seemed that Gil came prepared and went to fetch his Xbox. It took the three adults several bickering filled minutes to correctly connect it to the TV in Matthew's room. There were just enough controllers for all four of them to play, but Francis declined the invitation.

"I prefer to watch," he said, wrinkling his nose is slight disgust as Gilbert pulled out his copy of Call of Duty.

The three of them playing awkwardly arranged themselves at the foot of Matthew's bed. The hospital patient was sitting snuggly between his two visitors, which helped support his weak frame and kept him upright. Matthew wasn't sure if they realized this, but was grateful for the help anyway.

Call of Duty was not the kind of game that Matthew generally enjoyed playing, but it was quite fun to play with Antonio and Gilbert. He was no good at it himself, but he seemed much better in comparison to Toni, who seemed confused and oblivious the entire time. The true master was Gilbert. He became very aggressive and very loud when playing. Some of the things he said horrified Francis ("This is the pediatric ward! There are children!"), but Matthew only laughed- he'd heard worse from Al.

After visiting hours had been over for half an hour, the nurse on duty- Feliks- finally came to kick Matthew's guests out. Francis helped sit Matthew back at the end of the bed and wiped the sweat from the exertion off his brow.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Cherie," Francis whispered lovingly as he gave his son a kiss.

"Au revoir, Papa," he replied softly.

"See you later Mattie! Don't stay here too long," Gilbert ordered as he hugged his 'nephew' goodbye.

"Hope you get better soon, Amigo," Antonio murmured as he embraced Matthew. "Call me if you need some quieter guests," he added with a wink.

Matthew nodded and waved them off. "Thank you for coming Uncle Toni, Uncle Gil!"

"I'd totally let them stay, but you guys were too noisy," Feliks explained to Matthew as his guests left. Feliks was Matthew's favorite nurse. He always let his guests stay longer than they were supposed to and really seemed to care about Matthew.

With a nod of understanding he replied, "I understand. Don't worry about it, Feliks."

Feliks smirked. "You are just too nice, kid," he said with a small ruffle of Matthew's hair. "Now, time for lights out!" he exclaimed. "Sleep well Mattie dear!"

"Thank you, Feliks," he responded as the lights went out and the door closed.

He was all alone again, in the darkness, waiting for the next day when the process would repeat itself all over again, with no promise of it ending anytime soon.

AN: I can't resist cliches.

Next up, Netherlands makes an appearance.

Love,
Allie