A/N: Oh my goodness, I am sooo sorry. I meant to update last Thursday, but I was a bit sick, and then I went away for the weekend. I had planned to them update on Monday, but I almost drowned on Sunday, and I've been a bit out of it and traumatized, so this took me far longer than it should have. I'm sorry, but enough of my issues.

Disclaimer: I don't own this, well... the plot... I? Well it was a prompt? So... I dunno. But I know for a fact I don't own the characters...

Song: Away From The Sun

Artist: 3 Doors Down

Chapter 4: Its Down To This

Its down to this
I've got to make this life make sense
Can anyone do what I've done
I missed life
I missed the colours of the world
Can anyone go where I am

Matt felt Arthur pick him up after a few moments, he tried to struggle, but ending up being too tired to do anything but groan.

"Alfred, try your Papa, I'm putting Matthew to bed. We can't do this tonight," Matt only faintly heard his voice, his head was swimming and he began feeling hot and stuffy.

"Daddy… Papa…" he mumbled as he felt his father put him onto the bed. A cool surface touched his forehead, causing him to recoil with a whine.

"Shi... burning up… the doctor's num… just go, Alfred… Matthew?" his blood was rushing in ears, blocking his father's voice out. He felt his shoulders being shaken, and he lolled his head around to look at his father and watched as Arthur's lips moved, but no sound emanated.

"Daddy…" his throat ached raw as he tried to talk. Arthur looked into his eyes, but his words were still lost on Matt. He tried to roll over, but his hands and feet were tied to the bed. Matt shocked eyes landed on his father, who seemed to be talking, or was it yelling, to someone out of the room. He tried again to move and when he still found he couldn't he cried out in anger.

"Just let me go! You have no right to tie me down! I wasn't planning on leaving!" his voice faded into nonsense as Arthur just looked shocked. He turned to the door again and began talking. Matt tried to thrash, hoping to pull his bonds off, but nothing he did could make him move. He watched as Alfred rushed into the room saying something. He looked over at Matt, stopping his speech suddenly to stare wide eyed at him, blushing furiously. Arthur looked from one son to the other before settling on Matt's body with a horrified stare. Matt shifted his eyes, suddenly finding his head to heavy to move. He looked at the two staring at him, before looking himself over in hopes of- Oh! Shit when the fuck did… What did they…

"What the fuck have you two done to me," he screamed, or he thought he did, but in his ears it was a gruff whisper. His eyes continued to stay focused on his pants. He couldn't even fully feel it, the only sensation coming from… there… was pain. A burning pain. Tears streaked down his face as he began sobbing uncontrollably. Arthur swallowed his embarrassment and returned to Matt's side, stroking the top of his head, while whispering unheard words.

The only way he knew time was passing was the movement of his family, to him it felt like days, but to them it only seemed a mere half hour. Arthur had continued to comfort Matt, who had taken to screaming while shaking, while Alfred just huddled in the corner staring in horror at the convulsing body on the bed. Suddenly Alfred shot up and Arthur's hand stilled. Alfred nodded to something the other must have said, as Matt numbly felt his chin moving against his own hair. His brother shot out of the room, but Matt could no longer cared to pay attention. He looked up at Arthur and tried to talk again, but finding his voice useless at forming actual words. Daddy, let me go. Please, don't tie me up like this. Stop! I don't want to… I need. His throat finally let loose in a guttural cry, startling Arthur, and the three people walking into his room. The two paramedics ask his father something he couldn't understand before moving over to his bed, Alfred going over to stand with Arthur, both looking on in terror. He tried to command his body to move, but the only response he got was his limbs starting to shake. Tears leaked from his eyes and he stared helplessly as the two men carried him down stairs to a stretcher. As the loaded him into the ambulance he felt himself begin to loose consciousness, and the last thing he saw was his father and brother starring at him from the driveway.

He heard a faint beeping noise as his body roused him from sleep and when he opened his eyes he was shocked to see his own face close to him. What the hell-

"Alfred, leave your brother alone," his father's stern voice made him turn and Alfred moved away. Why is he angry? Wh-what happened?

"What… What's going on? Where am I?" He looked around and faltered.

"Why am I in a hospital?" he cried.

"You are in a hospital because you went into withdrawal. They gave you some thing to help you sleep but the only thing that will get you through this is toughing it out. What the hell did you take for so long, to have such a reaction? I did not raise you this way, Matthew," his father sounded angry and he could only stare. Alfred stepped closer to his father.

"D- Dad. Maybe this isn't the tim-"

"It is the time, Alfred. He is in the hospital because of this," Matt stared at Arthur, as did Alfred.

"Dad, I really think that you're over reacting, it's no-

"Overreacting? I'm overreacting? Alfred! First he runs off, tearing apart this family in the process, then when we finally find him again, not only is he not grateful, he's also rebellious, and now I find not only did he smoke weed and drink, he also did some unknown substance, which is causing him to go through withdrawal. What the hell have you done to yourself, Matthew?" Matt continued to stared while gathering his thoughts, which were starting to feel jumbled, he looked down at his hand which started shaking. He looked back up at his father, his eyes watering.

"I didn't, if I just go back this sto-"

"What? No! You're not going back there! You've done this to yourself, Matthew. You are going to get through this," he stopped as the doctor walked in the room.

"Matthew Kirland -"

"Williams," Matt interrupted.

"Sir?" he turned to Arthur, confused.

"It's Kirkland, ignore him. Please, continue," Matt made an angry noise before turning away to face the window.

"Mr. Kirland, we need to know what drugs you've been doing, all of them. We're testing you, but we can get treatment started earlier if you tell us," Matt turned and looked at the doctor before looking over at his family. Arthur stood there with his arms folded, glowering at Matt, while Alfred just looked back and forth between the other three.

"I- what if I don't want to get better? What if I want to go back to-"

"Matt. Please," they all turned to Alfred, who just looked at Matt pleadingly.

"You're my brother, and I can't loose you again. Please, try and get better! Please!" Matt stared at his pleading brother. I… I want to get better, yes? Or should I just go back? … My head hurts. I'm so confused, I don't even know what-

"Mr. Kirkland. The drugs you've done. Please?" Matt looked at the doctor and glowered.

"I've done a lot of… weed, drinking… heroin…-" Arthur started chocking on air.

"Heroi- Lad… What… What were you thinking? Why would you ever try that?" Matt turned and glared at him.

"Why? Why would you ignore one of your sons. I would have thought you adopted boys because you wanted to love and care for them, not because you wanted to care for one of them, and ignore the other. Why wou-"

"Stop this right now, boy. Whether you like it or not you're apart of this family, and you will get better," he stalked from the room, slamming the door behind him. The doctor glanced around before looking at Matt, and sighing.

"Mr. Kirkland. We have some treatment options for you, I'll be back to… discuss them," he turned and left the room. Alfred walked over to Matt, and grabbed his hand.

"Please get better, Matt."

"I told you not to call me that," Matt said, anger radiating off of him. Alfred sighed and dropped his hand.

"Matthew, can't you understand. Dad and I… are sorry… We never meant to do any of this to you… We-"

"I want to talk to Papa."

Matt turned and refused to look at Alfred.

"Matthew… Papa…"

"I don't care, I want to talk to him, he was the only one that ever cared. If you want me to stay, I want to see him," Matt glared at the wall and heard the door open and close as Arthur walked back in.

"He wants to see Papa," Alfred said, and he heard Arthur sigh.

"Lad, your Papa won't answer my phone calls. He and I… we don't talk anymore… He left a few months after you…" Matt snorted.

"Then have Alfred call him," he said stubbornly. He felt the bed dip next to him and a hand touch his arm.

"Fine. Alfred go call Papa. Tell him where we are. Tell him Matthew wants to see him," he heard Alfred leave the room and silence fell.

"Ma-Matthew… You… you know that I didn't mean what I said earlier, right? You didn't tear the fami-"

"Yes, I did. I did it all, didn't I, dad? I ruined your family. Your perfect little family… You, Papa, and Alfred. The best family ever. No one ever saw little Matthew, sitting in the corner, not apart of anything. I'm surprised any of you even noticed…"

Silence fell again as his father awkwardly tried to think of something that would make Matt feel better, anything to prove him wrong.

"Matthew, you do know that we never meant it. We never meant any of these things. Your papa and I… you two boys were the best things we ever had. Both of you. Not just Alfred, and not just you. Wasn't there anything you liked about our life together? I mean, were you always so… upset? Was this from the beginni-"

"No! This wasn't from the beginning. I- Oh forget it," Matt quieted and continued to stare at the wall. They sat in silence until they heard the door opened. Both turned towards it and watched as the doctor and a nurse walked in.

"Mr. Kirkland, I have some treatment options for you and your son. This nurse here is going to give him more medicine that will stop him from feeling the pains for now, but we can't keep him on it. He'll have to go into detox, and it won't be pretty," the doctor explained as the nurse put the medicine through the I.V. line. The doctor spent some time explaining the different options, many involving being sent away for care, which Arthur refused.

"I don't think you understand, doctor. We just got him back, I'm not exactly going to send him away. We want home options. I want my boy staying at home, I don't care what it takes, how much it costs, I want it done at home," he argued. The doctor sighed and placed his clipboard down.

"Mr. Kirkland, I don't think you understand. Home treatment is never a good idea. To treat heroin addiction the best idea is a centre. Home treatment can be done, but not with out many strains on everyone in the family. It'll take some treatment at a centre, over night or not, group therapies, medication, and most importantly," he paused and towards Matt.

"You. You need to want this. If you don't want this it'll never happen. You need to want to get over your addiction more than anything. "

Matt slightly nodded. Sure, he wanted to get 'better', but mostly he wanted to get out of there. The doctor took his nod as a promise.

"Good, now the nurse here just gave you Methadone, which will take away the effects of the withdrawal. Unfortunately you can't take it outside a clinic setting, so I'll be giving you a prescription for Buprenorphine. It's a new drug that isn't as powerful as Methadone, but it holds less risk for dependancy, and it has been approve for home use. Now Mr. Kirkland, if I could speak to outside about some more options involving this home care you want," The doctor trailed off and gestured to the door. Arthur glanced at Matt before following the doctor out the door.

Matt sighed and leaned back, ever since he had come home he felt ike there hadn't been a moment of peace for him. At least in New York he could just spend a day at Kat's house or something. Here he was stuck dealing with stuff. And God I really could use a hit of something, anything right now… Alfred walked back into the room and sighed.

"I talked to Papa… he's not happy about me insisting you're alive. Him and Dad got into a lot of fights about it when you first left… but… he's agreed to come by this weekend. So you better be there," Alfred said, venom pouring from his mouth with every word. Matt turned and stared at him, wondering what his problem was. S'not like Papa gave up on him living. And really, he acting as if he'll never talk to him again. Inside his head he scoffed at the thought. Not talk to Alfred? Fucking bullshit. He's always been king of their lives. Alfred sighed and finally turned to him.

"Sorry… But my relationship with Papa really went down hill when you left. Talking to him is really hard, for both of us. I refused to believe you were dead, and he thought I didn't care and was only taking Dad's side for the hell of it. We all said pretty nasty stuff to each other back then. I'm almost sure the only reason he talks to me any more is out of obligation. He always did like you a little bit more. I think it was you willing to learn French," he chuckled and sat down on Matt's bed. Matt looked at him and grabbed his hand.

"Al, don't think like that, Papa loves you, he always has. Don't worry, my disappearance wouldn't hinder that. He wouldn't change how he feels about you because of me. I'm actually surprised you guys even noticed I had left…" he trailed off sadly. Alfred rolled his head and pulled his hand away.

"Oh, come off it! Were we really so bad to you? You're my brother! Blood or not! You are my fucking brother! You always will be! I know I was a bit suckish bu-"

"Suckish? Alfred! You never talked to me, unless it involved me doing something for you. From you using me as a cover every other frigging night, to you asking me to do your fucking home work!-"

"Just we because those things happened doesn't mean we didn't care about you! Big brothers don't necessarily mean to, but they do they… they-"

"Really? Big brothers got their little brothers beaten up? They cause trouble and then watch are their little brother gets screamed at, they let him get grounded? Really, Alfred? Could have fucking fooled me!" Matt said, venomously.

"Mattie, I didn't really mean to… you just… you never said anything… I'm sorry..," Alfred sat back down and grabbed his hand again.

"Please, Mattie, please. Just get better, Matt, please. Papa… he… he may not believe that you're alive right now… but after he sees you… after he sees that you're here and back, he'll be so happy! As for Dad… Dad… he was so upset, he's been so upset, for so many years… But, with you back he's been getting better! Last night… last night was the first time he slept without nightmares in nearly a year! So… contrary to what you obviously believe, we missed you and we are so glad you're home. I'm so glad you're home," Alfred smiled down on him, Matt looked up and smiled back. The doctor and Arthur walked back into the room.

"Okay, I've discussed everything with your father. You'll be set up with a therapist, a support group, this will all be discussed in a plan set up by your new rehabilitation centre," he continued to talk as Matt drowned him out.

So this is it, eh? Papa's coming home, that's good… but… I'm off to a rehab? Gotta admit, when I was younger I never exactly went, 'Hey! When I grow up, I want to go to rehab' then again… I didn't think that a few months ago… or even a few days ago. Fuck! I don't even think I think that now! But I'm not saying anything against it, I just want to go home. At this point I'll take home here in this town, not even New York…

He watched passively as the doctor left the room. Arthur turned to him and sighed.

"Well, lad… You're going to be okay. We'll get you to clean and sober soon, don't worry!" he chuckled and sat down in the bedside chair. After a moment a wistful look crossed his face.

"Your Papa… Did you?" he trailed off and looked at Alfred, who just looked like he didn't know whether to smile or not.

"He agreed to 'come and see him' this weekend. Of course he doesn't believe me about Mattie, but… he agreed to come," Alfred said weekly, and he barely looked at either of them. Arthur actually chuckled and shook his head.

"That… that stupid frog! He'll never have been so happy to be wrong as he will this weekend, then…" with a sudden burst of energy he hugged Matt tightly. Matt and Alfred exchanged looks and smiles.

"Geese, Dad… Cuddler much?" Alfred teased their father, who then shot bright red and glared at his elder son.

"Sh-Shut… shut it will you? God, you're so… so…" he trailed off before swiping at the back of Alfred's head. Instead Alfred just laughed it off and turned to Matt.

"So… Tell me something… While you've been gone have you gotten into any… video games?

A few days later found Alfred and Matt sprawled across the living room. The floor was covered in candy wrappers and other snack remains, a half eaten pizza was abandoned on the coffee table. For the past few days Alfred had been introducing Matt to all his favourite movies and games. Arthur looked on from the kitchen, pure glee on his face. He was glad his sons were finally getting along, after so long his life was getting back on track.

"What? No, oh hell no! There is no way you've never played this game before! I refuse to believe it! There's no way you could be this good already!" Alfred pushed Matt off the couch, with a shout Matt tumbled to the floor.

"Ha ha! Oh! Ow! You are just angry because I'm more awesome than you!"

"Oh god… Way to sound like Gilbert…" Matt turned to him, shocked.

"Why does that name sound familiar?" he asked, something tickling the back of his mind from the name. Alfred looked at him for a moment before glancing back to the Halo option page.

"We went to school with him a while ago. He was always proclaiming how awesome he was. Pfft, whatever, I'm cooler than him anyway," he started another game and Matt laughed and got back on the couch.

Over the past few days they had fallen into a routine. During Matt's good hours, he and Alfred would reacquaint themselves, sharing their likes and dislikes and trying to be brothers again. Sometimes Arthur felt like Alfred was treating it like he was given a toddler to take care of. His bad hours however… They both knew they'd never forget the first night he had a breakdown.

As the clock struck one a terrified scream echoed through the house. Arthur burst through the door of Matt's room, stopping when he found his son convulsing on the floor.

"Oh Matthew!" he cried and grabbed his son. The doctor had told him this would happen. He had said that Matt would convulse a lot and have some other issues. The door flung open again, Alfred's voice nearly drowned out by Matt's cries.

"What? Dad? What's going on? Is he… is he-"

"Not now, Alfred! The doctor said this could happen! We just need to make sure he gets through it!" he cried as Matt calmed down, unconsious, but alive. Alfred slid to the floor crying.

"Daddy… is he… okay? I mean… he's still alive, right?" Arthur grasped his shoulder and opened his mouth to speak when Matt rolled over and began to puke.

"Oh no, Al, help me get him back into bed…" together the two lifted his limp body back into bed. Arthur sat down next to him and felt his forehead while Alfred sighed and got cleaning supplies for the carpet.

"Go to bed, lad. I've got him now, and I'll clean that up, don't you worry," he sighed, suddenly far more tired than his age. Alfred shook his head and resumed cleaning the carpet.

Several more times into the night Matt threw up and cried out. Both had stayed up through out the night for him. In the morning he remembered nothing, he only felt more tired than usual. Since that night both had slept with their doors open, and more than once Alfred had fallen asleep in Matt's room while they were doing something.

"So, what sports do you play now a days?" Matt asked, timidly, effectively reminding both of them of his former self. Alfred rolled onto his back and hanged his head upside down off the couch.

"Well, I'm on the football and baseball teams at school, and then I have a soccer club outside of school. But with my friends I'll play just about anything. How about you? Still loving your hockey?"

"Yea, that and I've begun playing basketball."

"What? Basketball? No way! You?"

"Ha ha, very funny. Yes, we all used to play it, every week."

"We?" Matt sighed and looked away.

"The group… you met one of them… at the station?" Alfred laughed, before quickly stopping.

"The guy who was singing about a duck or something?" Matt laughed at this too.

"Yea, him. Matthais. He's a pretty cool guy…" Matt trailed off sadly. Alfred, panicking, grabbed a handful of cheetos and threw them at him. Matt shouted and the food war had begun.

Arthur groaned as he watched food fly across his living room. He would tell them off, but this was the first full day the two got to spend together. Without school for Alfred, or therapies or doctor's visits for Matt. He felt like letting them get away with it, he turned back into the kitchen and went about making his tea. The sounds of happiness floated in from the living room, and though he felt good on the surface something deep down told him he was missing a little frog in his life.

The sudden quiet from the other room tripped his senses the moment he noticed it. He froze, worrying if a fight had broken out between the two. Right before he turned around a cold sticky substance from several directions were poured on his head. He froze and slowly turned around, seeing his two sons laughing together warmed his heart… right before the soda cooled it down again.

"Alfred Freedom Bonnefoy-Kirkland! Matthew Bonnefoy-Kirkland! You are both so dead right now!"

Laughing at his fury the two boys turned and ran.

"See I told you it's be awesome!"

"Did you catch his face?"

"I'm going to skin you both alive!"

The three ran through the house, twin bought of laughter shortly followed by irate shouts could be heard from the outside. The man outside stared up at the house and mumbled quietly to himself before walking up and delecately ringing the door bell. Not even a few minutes later the door opened, revealing the still sticky and sopping wet Briton. Arthur gasped as he glanced at the man on his stoop.

"My my, you have truly let yourself go, no?" his french accent flowing from his mouth with a slight sneer.

"Francis…" Arthur mumbled, while matching shouts of "Papa" were heard from the house. Arthur stepped aside and allowed Francis inside, who stepped in, glancing around at the once immaculate house, lifting an eyebrow at the mess in the living room, before finally settling his eyes on the two boys in the hall.

"No, it cannot be… Matthieu?"

"Bonjour, Papa…"

A/N: Well there ya go! Lookie! Francis! HA ha, no he's not being an ass, just doesn't like filth...

Please review, it actually makes me happy... : D