Matthew woke up late the next day. He was hooked up to more machines and he felt weaker than he did yesterday... He wondered why. Both his parents were awake and doing little things to distract themselves. Although he waited, and are the nasty hospital food, he didn't see any sign of Alfred. He looked to his parents, confused. Al had never left his side during treatments. Was he stuck doing something?

"Dad?" He asked, his voice coming out hoarse and shaky along with the usual quietness. Arthur looked up from the book he had brought with the night before. He had gotten pretty far into it, surprisingly. Matt wondered how long he had been up to read that much.

"Yes, dear?" He asked, removing his reading glasses. He leaned forward, his body language saying that he wanted to hear every word of what he wanted to say. Odd... He usually didn't do that.

"Um, I was just wondering where Al was," he told his father. "He's never just disappeared... Well not without saying something."

"Oh," his father replied, sitting back in his seat. "He went home. Said he was tired." Matthew nodded slowly and mumble an 'Okay'.

The day went by slowly. With doctors coming in to inject medicines and such into him, there was nothing much for him to do. A hockey game was on tv, but it wasn't the same to watch without his brother there. He ended up sleeping through it.

Some days passed and there was still no sign of his brother.

One night, when he had woken, he was surprised who was in the room.

"How's he doin?"

"Fine... Fine. I haven't told him yet."

"Don't! He should be happy for the next few days... God only knows how much longer..."

"Oui..." There was a sigh. "Arthur and moi are going home for the night. We'll be back in the morning."

"Kay, bye dad."

"Good bye, Alfred. Make sure to call us if... If anything happens."

What the hell had he just listened into? Matthew rolled over and opened his eyes just enough to see who was in the room after the door shut.

Alfred. Alfred was there. For the first time this week!

Matthew smiled a little and sat up a bit.

"A-Alfred?" His voice had shun to fail him in the past few days. He now sounded like a soft whisper when he strained to be heard.

Alfred stiffened and sighed.

"Shit..." He muttered. "Hey, Mattie."

"W-Where have you been?" He asked. He missed his brother.

"Busy," Alfred shrugged. "I got stuff I need to do, too, you know." This annoyed Matthew.

"You said last week you don't have anything to do," he said. "You just have school."

"And homework!" His brother said, defending himself. He sounded suddenly angry. "I have a life, too, ya know!"

"I-I know, Al. I never said you didn't!" He said, he didn't know what had come over his brother.

"Well, maybe you're not the most important thing in the world!" Al snapped. "Yea, you got cancer. Yea, it's bad. But other people have cancer, too!"

"Al-" Matt tried to stop him.

"No, Matthew! It's always you, but what about me?!"

"Al, maybe it hasn't always been me!" Matt said. He wanted his brother to stop his little rant. But now he was past the point of no return.

"Maybe no body loves you, Matthew," Al whispered. "Maybe they just feel sorry for you and are waiting to see how long till you die."

"Alfred F. Jones!" Arthur snapped. He had been in the doorway. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" Alfred jumped in surprise and straightened up.

"W-What do you mean?" He asked, trying to play it off as innocent. Arthur glared.

"Hallway. Now."

Alfred reluctantly walked to the hallway as commanded and stood out side as Arthur shut the door.

Matthew was crying. He knew his brother could be rude, but he's never been rude like this. He wiped his eyes as he heard pieces of the conversation.

"-going to die!"

"It's my way of..."

"Make the best of what you have left with him."

Then, after a moment of silence, they walked back into the room. Arthur walked to Matthews side and sat down.

"How are you feeling, dear?" He asked. A clear display of fake worry on his face.

"A-Alright..." Matthew answered. "I heard you and Papa were going to go home."

Arthur looked surprised then softened his look.

"We were, but decided it was best to stay," Arthur admitted. "Papa will be back in a moment. He's going to get some food. You have surgery in the morning, so rest. You'll need the energy."

Matthew looked confused. He hadn't been made aware of any surgery.

"W-What are they going to do, dad?" He asked. Arthur thought and shrugged.

"Probably a major operation," he informed. "They said if the surgery is a success, you'll stay one more night, then you'll be able to go home." He smiled. "Isn't that exciting?"

Matthew yawned and nodded. He really was tired. He lied his head back and closed his eyes. The door opened, but he trusted that it was just his father coming in.

Matthew fell into a deep, deep sleep that night. It was probably one of the best nights of sleep he'd ever have since he was diagnosed.


Hi! So, this chapter is kinda short because the next one is the last chapter! I'm sorry to pull it to a close already. Anyways, the next chapter should be much shorter as it only reveals whether he lives or dies, and how he copes with either ending. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please review! (Btw, there will be an epilogue with a surprise character ;) )