a/n: yay the story finally started going somewhere xD I think my worst writing habit is writing some things in too much detail and others rushed :c I hope it doesn't show too bad! Enjoy and review! ;u;


Matthew opened the door and stepped into the hospital room, and the nurse came in after. The three men's heads darted up as they anticipated the results.

'What's wrong with my husband?' Alfred thought.

"You have the results?" Arthur asked.

"Yes…go ahead and sit on the bed Matthew," she smiled.

Matthew smiled back, "Okay!" he said childishly and sat onto the bed, kicking his dangled legs back and forth alternately, and watching his hospital robe kick up from the air and float back down.

The nurse sighed, which meant bad news.

"Well, it's clear that Matthew does have amnesia, but it's unclear whether or not it's permanent. Sometimes these things go away, sometimes they don't," she said.

"How do they go away?" Alfred asked as he watched Matthew curiously stare about the room as if gazing at a butterfly in motion.

"Well sometimes the memories gradually come back over time, or sometimes they all come back at the same time through an event. For example, have you heard the story of the girl who was kicked by a horse and became cross-eyed, and when she was kicked again her eyes went back to normal? I've heard of a few cases where taking head trauma has caused a patient to regain their memory, for whatever explanation. I've never actually witnessed this though."

"That sounds ridiculous," Alfred said.

"I know it seems unlikely, I'm just saying that it's happened. The most common I've seen is where a patient experiences something that they used to do before their memory loss, and it causes their memory to trigger," she explained.

"Oh so, like, if Matt's favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip, and I take him out for ice cream, then he'll remember that he likes mint chocolate chip?" Alfred asked.

"Something along those lines," she answered.

"Alright so he has memory loss, but there's obviously something else going on with my boy," Francis added.

"Right, well…it might be hard to grasp, but Matthew has attained the mind of a child."

"Huh?" Alfred was puzzled.

"We're not exactly sure why, but Matthew's mind has reverted to the ways of a child's mind. So he basically talks like a child, acts like a child, and thinks like a child. He'll probably do typical child-like things, like be picky about what he eats, get easily excited about things, want to pet soft things and explore other textures. He's expected to be very touchy-feely and curious about everything, because children are like little explorers."

"I…I don't understand how this happened…I just…. So…he's like a kid in an adult's body?" said Alfred.

"Precisely," the nurse answered simply.

"Well, what the hell are we supposed to do?" Alfred asked. He didn't know how to grasp it all. He thought this would all end after Matthew woke up, but it only got worse. He didn't even know things like this could happen.

"Well you have to take care of him of course. What else would you do, send him to an orphanage?" the nurse said sarcastically, not knowing that Alfred and Matthew had actually come from an orphanage. She touched a soft spot in Alfred's heart.

"Of course not!" Alfred exclaimed and grabbed Matthew's hand protectively. Matthew was startled. "I don't want him to experience that again!"

"Well, I suppose he can come back home with me," suggested Francis, "I am his father, so I suppose it's my responsibility now."

"No! Just let me think!" Alfred yelled, not letting go of Matthew's hand. Matthew looked up at him curiously; he was confused about why everyone was acting so frustrated and strange. "How long will it be this way?" Alfred asked the nurse.

"I don't know if Matthew will ever return to normal, but if his memory returns, then his normal self is expected to return at the same time," she answered.

"Look…" Alfred put his free hand on his forehead out of stress and sighed, "I know that taking care of him like this…will be a big responsibility; but Francis, I love him with all my heart and I can't just give him up like that. I'd hate myself if I did that to Matthew. Even if he is this way, and even if I have to treat him like a child, I can't be away from him. I want to take care of Matthew," he said as he squeezed Matthew's hand, "He is still my responsibility and it's going to stay that way."

"Of course Alfred, I understand," Francis smiled. He wouldn't have minded taking responsibility of Matthew again, but he knew Alfred loved him and wanted to uphold responsibility for himself.

"That's very mature of you Alfred," Arthur smiled at his son.

Matthew squeezed Alfred's hand to get his attention, "Alfred, am I going with you?"

Alfred looked into Matthew's eyes, and they truly reminded him of Matthew's eyes when he was a child. Alfred smiled, "Yes Matthew."

Matthew wore a huge smile in return. Even though Alfred sometimes seemed mean, Matthew really liked him.

"Alfred?" Matthew asked again.

"Yes?"

"Are you my Papa?" Matthew asked with large eyes.

"No, Francis there is your Papa," he answered, "I'm…your caretaker."

"Oh," Matthew blinked and smiled at Francis.

"And that is my father," Alfred pointed to Arthur and Arthur waved with a smile, "His name is Arthur!"

"Oh," he said again, his mouth agape in wonder at all the new people he was just introduced to.

"Um…Alfred?" Matthew asked once more.

Alfred giggled, "What is it Matthew?"

"How come if you're my caretaker, and he is my Papa, then I don't remember you? And I don't even remember doing anything with you guys."

Alfred found that question difficult to answer, "Well, Matthew…an accident happened and it made you forget lots of things. But you don't have to try to remember them right now okay? We'll work on remembering everything with time," Alfred smiled. He felt like he did a good job explaining, despite his own confusion and fluster from the sudden shift of reality he was hit with.

"Did we ever do happy things before I forgot?"

"Well yes, but we can do more happy things now, nothing has changed," Alfred smiled again, but more weakly this time. Things had changed, like the fact that Alfred couldn't think of Matthew romantically anymore. He couldn't look at Matthew and want to kiss him like he used to, because Matthew was practically a child. Alfred wanted to be able to get over it, but he knew it would be hard to not love Matthew in a romantic way for the time being; or for the rest of their lives if Matthew was like this for that long.

"In fact, we can go do some happy things now!" Alfred smiled wide, "Do you like ice cream Matthew?"

"I don't know," Matthew said.

"Well how about we find out?" Alfred replied enthusiastically.

"Okay Alfred," Matthew grinned.

"Well wait a tick, we don't know if he can even leave the hospital yet, he just woke up!" Arthur commented.

"Yes, I'll have to discuss with the doctor whether Matthew can leave in this condition. He'll have to stay here at least for the night, so come back tomorrow and we'll see when you can take him home," said the nurse.

"But…Alfred…aren't you going to take me home?" said Matthew with tears in his eyes. It brought Alfred back to the orphanage, when one by one people came in looking to adopt, and plenty of children felt the worst disappointment a child could have when they weren't chosen. It was similar to the feeling of a dog or cat at an animal shelter, that no one was interested in taking home.

"Matthew…" Alfred 's look went soft, "I can't tonight because they still need to fix you up, but first thing tomorrow I'm going to see if I can take you home with me, okay?" he pet Matthew's still-bandaged head.

"Okay," Matthew replied, "But, Matthew will be so lonely tonight…" he added in third person.

Alfred sighed. He knew he wasn't allowed to stay the night at the hospital with Matthew. Then he remembered the present he'd bought for Matthew to give him when he woke up, and he left it in Arthur's car.

"Dad I need your keys real quick, I left something in the car!"

"Alfred, that's a bit rude! We're leaving in a moment anyways, you can get it then!" Arthur yelled.

"Dad please! It's for Matthew!"

"Oh let him get it!" Francis added.

"Fine," Arthur sighed and gave Alfred the keys from his pocket, "Hurry up then yeah?"

"Yeah Dad, thanks!" Alfred took the keys and bolted to the car.

"So Matthew," Francis began. Matthew turned to him and Francis leaned over and held one of Matthew's hands in both of his own from across the bed, "You are going to be staying with Alfred?"

"Oh yes!" Matthew beamed.

"Well is it okay if your Papa visits?" Francis smiled.

"Papa can visit whenever he wants!" Matthew sounded very excited.

"Good, good!" Francis was suddenly strangely happy and excited as well. Matthew acting this way made him feel the joy of having a young child again.

"Arthur can visit too right?" asked Francis.

"Yeah Arthur too!"

"Fantastic!" Arthur smiled.

"And I can see Alfred all the time!" Matthew giggled.

Arthur's smile wore off, "Matthew…Alfred still has to go to school every other day."

"School?" Matthew blinked with curiosity.

"Yes, on some days Alfred has school; but it's alright, because I'm sure Francis can watch you on the days Alfred is away," Arthur said simply.

"Oh…" Matthew said sadly.

"Hey guys," Alfred came in panting with something behind his back, "I'm back," he noticed Matthew's sad look when Matthew stood up, "What's wrong?" he said concerned.

Matthew ran to Alfred and hugged him tightly.

"What has gotten into you?" Alfred asked and hugged him back.

"Please don't go away to school! Matthew doesn't want you to go!" Matthew begged.

"What are you talking about?"

"I told him about how you have to stay at school on some days," Arthur admitted.

"Well, how about I just don't go? You know, until he gets better?"

"Alfred, that's unacceptable! We already figured that Francis could watch over him while you're gone," Arthur discussed.

Matthew shook his head wildly, "No, no!"

Alfred was very concerned, "Matthew," Alfred hugged him tighter with the gift behind Matthew's back, "I have to go to school or I'll get in trouble…I'm sorry…I don't want to leave you, but it's not forever, right?"

"R-right," Matthew nodded.

"Good!" Alfred smiled at him, "Now I have something for you so that you don't get lonely when I'm gone!" Alfred pulled a big, white stuffed bear from behind Matthew.

Matthew shouted with joy, "Alfred! Thank you, thank you! I love it Alfred! I love you!" Matthew hugged Alfred once again.

Alfred chuckled and, of course, returned the hug.

"What's his name?" Matthew asked excitedly.

"Well let's see the tag," Alfred said. He looked at the tag and read the name of the Japanese brand on the label, "Looks like it's…Koo-Muh-Jih-Roh?"

"Ku…ma…?"

"Well, you can just call it Kuma for short, 'kay?" suggested Alfred.

"Kuma's not a 'it', he's a boy," Matthew corrected him.

"Okay, okay! So you're going to have Kuma to keep you company tonight okay? And I'll see you first thing in the morning!'

"Right!" Matthew squeezed his new bear tightly in his arms, "I love you!" he said to the stuffed animal.

Alfred smiled.

"Alfred, I love you too!" Matthew shouted and hugged Alfred with Kuma between them.

Alfred smiled, "We have to go."

Matthew pouted and let go of Alfred, "Okay."

"The nurse should be back in here soon so you aren't alone," said Alfred.

"Matthew won't be alone! He has Kuma!" Matthew squeezed Kumajiro again.

"Okay Matthew," Alfred kissed the bandages on Matthew's forehead, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay Alfred!" Matthew sat on his bed and pet Kumajiro, and Francis and Arthur stood up to go.

Francis went to Matthew and gave him a huge hug, lifting him up. Matthew provided many giggles and hugged Francis around his neck, lifting his legs up behind him before his father put him back down.

"Goodbye Matthew," Francis ruffled Matthew's hair that was free of the bandages.

Arthur gave Matthew a hug too, and smiled sadly to himself as he patted Matthew's back. Matthew nuzzled his head against Arthur's chest comfortably, and Arthur released him.

"Well, I'll see you soon Matthew," Arthur said smiling and walked out of the room. Francis followed after him.

"Bye Matthew!" Alfred smiled brightly and waved goodbye. He met the nurse again in the hallway and told her thank you for her work.

Arthur retrieved the keys from Alfred.

Francis walked over to his own car.

"See you later Francis," England smiled.

"Yeah, thanks for being here for all of this…" Francis thank him.

"Of course," Arthur responded.

"Oh, by the way son, the insurance company arranged for you to get a replacement car tomorrow," Arthur said while getting in the car. Alfred got into the back seat at the same time.

"Oh alright," was all he said. Now that he didn't have to wear a happy face in front of Matthew, his emotions were just beginning to overwhelm him.

"So I guess you don't need me to stay at your house now. Unless, you need help with Matthew, I suppose."

It was quiet for a moment.

"Alfred?" Arthur broke the silence. He checked on Alfred in the rear view mirror, who was leaning his head against the window and crying.

Arthur sighed. "Look," he said, glancing back at Alfred through the mirror once in a while, "This is tough…for all of us. But you're really good at staying strong when times are tough and you especially need to now."

"But this is different!" Alfred cried, "This is a nightmare! Oh God, I'm so confused – how could this happen? I didn't think these kinds of things could happen to me!"

"First of all, this isn't about you, Alfred. Stop being selfish or I won't let you take care of Matthew—"

"You can't do that! I'm a grown adult!"

"Whose father is paying for your way through college! Now if you don't stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about Matthew, then you'll never step up and take responsibility," Arthur informed his son.

Alfred was nearly sobbing, "I-I just need time to think and—"

"But we don't have time to sort things out!" argued Arthur, "Listen Alfred, do you love Matthew?"

"Of course!" Alfred choked with his sobbing.

"Alright, then put him above yourself. How do you thing this whole situation is for him huh?"

"Well…I didn't think about it," Alfred replied.

"Exactly, and you need to. He's probably more confused than you – he doesn't know what his life was previous to today; he doesn't know who we are; and hell, he knows almost nothing about himself! Have you even thought about that?"

"No…I've just been really hurt okay? I know you don't wanna hear it but, I'll never be able to love him the same way again. We'll never be able to have sex again. I feel like I've lost him altogether."

Arthur sighed, "Well you haven't. Yes, you might not be able to love him like a husband, but you can still love him all the same. And he loves you, I know he does. He's barely met you and he's crazy about you."

"How do you know?" Alfred asked as he raised his head.

"I can just see it. He's friendly with Francis and I, but he's absolutely intrigued by you. It's adorable in a way – he doesn't know what a big jerk you are," Arthur chuckled.

"You think so?" Alfred ignored the last words.

"I know so, son," Arthur smiled.

Alfred sighed. Arthur felt like he was talking some sense back into Alfred, since at least he wasn't crying anymore.

"Dad," Alfred said.

"Yes?"

"I'm scared."

"…Alfred, everything's gonna be alright."

Alfred had always wondered if whenever his father kept his chin up in tough times, whether it was a façade or if he truly was optimistic. He breathed in deeply, as if breathing in the chaotic thoughts around him to collect them and regain composure, and exhaled.

"Okay Dad."

"Good," Arthur said. He seemed exhausted just from his conversation with Alfred. Although, perhaps it was exhausting trying to put hope in someone else's heart while struggling to keep it in your own.

"We're here," Arthur said and parked the car in the driveway.

Alfred left the car without words and unlocked the door to the house. Arthur followed him and shut the door quietly behind him, locking it as always.

"Dad," began Alfred, "Thanks for all this. I…I think I can do it though, by myself you know? You've been a really help and you've kept me together. But you were right – I need to step up, so I know I can take care of Matthew by myself," he smiled, feeling just a bit prouder of himself.

Arthur smiled too, "I know you can too Alfred. I honestly don't think this will go on forever. I think Matthew will return back to normal, so don't worry so much about it okay?"

"I'll try," Alfred smiled sheepishly and shrugged.

"That's all I'm asking you to do – try," Arthur nodded.

"I don't need another lecture Dad," Alfred nervously replied. He didn't really like all of the drama and pep-talks he was suddenly getting. It made him nervous.

"All I'm saying is, whenever you try, you succeed. I don't know how you do it Alfred, you're just amazing at pulling through. That's what I meant when I said this is no different. You can pull through now too."

Of course Arthur had to add some typical uplifting statement, yet, behind all the awkwardness, his encouraging words really did make Alfred feel good.

Alfred smiled – a real smile. He had hope again, even if it was only a little.


a/n: this one was pretty hard to write for whatever reason but I hope it turned out alright :) please continue to read and review! Seeing the Story Alerts, Favorites, and Reviews for this story in my email makes me happy! Thanks!