Francis stood in the room, looking at two empty beds, while Alfred was pacing in his American flag boxers. Upon waking that morning, Francis was greeted with the coolness of an empty space next to him in the bed. He knew Arthur was an early riser, but this was ridiculous! When he realized that Arthur was no longer in the room, and not in the bathroom as he had first thought, Francis got out of bed, the morning light revealing that Alfred was also alone in the large bed he and Matthew had been sharing just last night.

Panicking, Francis woke Alfred, hoping he knew something of what happened, but he really didn't. And now, they were in the room, Francis standing there, trying to figure out what happened, while Alfred paced.

Arzer always leaves a note... But where on earz did he hide it?!

Francis looked around some more, thinking about where his husband could have possibly put the note! He checked on the table, the nightstand, behind the desk, in the drawers, even under the clock! But he found nothing.

"Uh... Papa... What are you doing?"

"Looking for a note. Your fazer usually leaves a note... Help me find it."

Alfred nodded, and went on to help Francis find the stupid note.

"Did you check his pillow? He always left me notes on my pillow if he needed to talk to me or somethin' like that."

Francis stopped dead in his tracks. Had he checked there? He didn't think so. Following his son's advice, Francis looked to Arthur's pillow, and found the chicken scratch there.

Matthew woke feeling ill... I took him for a walk so he could get some fresh air. Don't know when we will be back... Don't let Alfred make a mess of a room. ~Arthur

Francis felt relief fill his body. Oh, did it bring great comfort to Francis that his other two boys were safe.. His husband, and his younger son were safe, and that's all that mattered.

Francis then slapped his own face. "Mon dieu! Why did I not just ring for him?" he chided himself. "Sometimes, I really zink I must be going crazy some of these days."

"It's because you work too much, and worry about everything. I think you would be happier if you did not focus a whole lot on your job, and you did so more on other," Alfred told his father.

"And you, my boy, must do more zan laze around all day. You do not care enough."

Alfred laid himself out on the couch's bed, biting into an apple. "We should go out and get some burgers. They have those in Canada, right?"

Francis couldn't help but let out a sigh. Of course he would ask for something, and then ask if the place had it... It was something he always did, and it was something that always dug into the Frenchman's skin. But alas, there was nothing Francis could do about the guy now. He was all grown up, and didn't take anyone's advice, but that's the way it was.

Matthew had hardly touched his hot chocolate, and the two had been there for nearly three hours now. Arthur thought maybe it was because it was hot, but the steam had not been seen since about a half hour after they got the drink. Thought Arthur wasn't really complaining. Matthew was never one to waste something, and he always wanted to try everything, no matter how gross it looked, tasted, or felt. But this Matthew was a different one from back then. Back then, Matthew always smiled, even when he was ignored, or left unseen, or even mistaken for his brother. The Matthew in front of him right now, was nervous, that much, was so easy for Arthur to tell.

"You haven't touched your drink hardly at all... Are you feeling okay?" Arthur asked Matthew.

The small blond on the other side of the table jumped at the sudden voice, but he didn't say anything for a moment, as if he was thinking about what to say, or still trying to process the question. He nodded his head, speaking his answer at last, "I'm okay." He took a sip of the now cooled off drink.

Arthur sighed, looking out the window for a little while before Matthew stood up. Arthur looked up and saw his son going to the kind lady behind the counter. He had always been terribly shy, but he pulled out the courage to talk to her, and she smiled, nodded, and took the mug from him, gladly heating up the drink for him. With a nod in thanks, Matthew returned to Arthur, who was still looking at him.

"Sorry," Matthew mumbled as he sat down. "It didn't taste very well cold..."

Arthur smiled to help Matthew relax. "I know. I'm surprised you took a sip despite how cold it was."

Matthew's face reddened. "I.. I didn't n-notice..."

Arthur couldn't help but laugh. "Ah... Sorry, my dear boy."

Matthew shook his head. "I've learned a lot in the past few years... I know you meant well."

Arthur's interest was piqued. Matthew was talking about his life away from home... But he stopped... There's gotta be something that he could say to get the boy to talk just a little bit more at least... The ice wasn't officially broken, but there was still this little bit of hope in Arthur's mind that it was okay already, and talking about it, would not be difficult for the boy.

"Matthew... may I ask where you've been for all these years?"

Arthur knew that was a mistake to ask when he saw Matthew's face pale.

"W-well..." Matthew started, not really sure how to respond to the question. "I've been... here and there..."

Arthur nodded, still very curious on what he had been doing all this time.

"I... I still play hockey... I've gotten better too."

"Is it possible for you to get any better? You were the one teaching your coaches, if you remember."

Matthew released a smile that warmed Arthur's heart. That's what he's been wanting to see: A smile, and now, he can die in peace... As soon as this mystery was found out.

"I'm sorry, Matthew... But we have to know... Who was it, who took you? Who do you claim owns you?"

"It's... It's a little hard to explain..."

"My dear boy... We've all day. I will wait for you to be able to say it."

And that's about the time Alfred burst through the door, yelling for "Francy Pants" to hurry it up.

Arthur sighed. Of course they would find that cafe to go into to ruin everything... But maybe it was for the best...

"Mattie!" Alfred exclaimed, hugging the smaller blond.

"Honestly Alfred, you're annoying as ever, get off," the younger complained.

"Whoa dude, chill. It was just a hug. No homo, right?"

Matthew rolled his eyes, looking back to Arthur, ignoring Francis who had also come up to the table to the pleasant surprise. "I can't say when we're out in public like this..."

"Nonsense! Just... Here, write it down."

Matthew shook his head. "We've no pens..."

"Just whisper it to me then. No one will know."

Looking around with worried eyes, Matthew leaned over the table and said one thing about the man, "His hands were cold... His face held a soft expression... But he laughed like a madman... His shoulder was soft, his steps were large... His hands grabbed me in... In weird places..."

Arthur put up a hand to stop him, noticing the boy was starting to relive it.

"He's done horrible things... I don't... I can't..."

"It's alright. Don't worry about it. Okay?"

Matthew nodded, and looked to his brother. "I'm sorry... I don't know why I was so mean."

"Don't worry about it bro. We're cool. More importantly, let's eat!"

Alfred pulled out a bag from a restaurant down the street, and started pulling food out of said. Matthew smiled, and took something he knew must have been Alfred's.

"No, bro, that's mine. Francis thought you'd like pancakes better. Ew. I don't know how people can eat these so much... for breakfast maybe, but it's lunch now."

"Did you get maple syrup too..?"

"Uh, duh. That's the only way to eat these things."

Matthew couldn't help but smile once again. He was glad he was back, and for now, the feeling of threat left him as he ate in the cafe, the hot chocolate going wonderfully with the meal.

But the girl behind the counter saw this, and dialed a number on her phone.

"They've found him," was all she said.

A/N: I'm still not really sure how I want this to end, so I'm trying my best to keep things interesting for you guys... :P Hope you continue to enjoy!