Chapter 11: Failure
For a few months, International Bandits became a huge hit! Their manager, Patrick McElderry, was delighted about the success that the boys were giving to the world. During those months, the band toured around the US and then headed over to Europe and greeted by a torrential tides of screaming fan girls. Whilst in Europe, they wrote a song called 'Glory Days in December' and the song become Number One in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands and over in the US. The members still could not believe the success that they had made. Soon, the band headed over to Asia and was greeted the same way and even performed 'Glory Days...' to a special music awards ceremony in Tokyo. Kiku was happy to be back in his country and the band was even requested to hand out an award to the Best Selling Female Artist.
Kiku then made a request to their manager that they would all be allowed to visit their home countries. Patrick agreed and soon the International Bandits were back on the road to New York. As a welcome home present, the International Bandits were called up to perform at a charity concert. They agreed. The band was soon welcomed by the stage crew and also Francis, Arthur, Antonio and the rest. It was a teary reunion for Alfred, Arthur, Matthew and Francis and soon they were all invited to be in the front row seats. International Bandits performed the best to their abilities that night and soon headed home for the long sleep they deserved.
But just how long would their fame last?
A few weeks after travelling back home from Tokyo; Alfred was relaxing in Arthur's bed trying to catch up on his jet lag. Matthew was at Francis' house – as usual – sleeping as well. Both dads knew that their sons needed the sleep. They had been told, on the way home, about all the tour and the amazing experience whilst getting some jealous looks from Gilbert and Antonio. Francis had been delighted to hear that his Matthew had finally gone to Paris but had been heartbroken to have not been with his lover. Arthur – according to Francis – had gone crazy without Alfred by side and had panicked each day when he knew they were travelling to somewhere different and kept heated reports about the weather conditions in each place and what was going on in the news. Alfred had rolled his eyes and hugged his lover at his worry.
In Arthur's home, Arthur was in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil. He stretched a little a few bones clicking. It was nearly noon and Arthur didn't see much point of waking his boyfriend up. Suddenly, the phone began to ring, Arthur hurried so that wouldn't wake up Alfred.
"Hello?"
"Arthur," said Francis. "Thank god I managed to get 'old of you."
The Frenchman sounded as though he was panicking. "Francis, what the bloody hell is wrong now?"
"Ze 'ospital called. It's Matthias 'as been in an accident!"
"He's what?"
"He's been in an accident. 'E was taken to ze 'ospital! 'E needs Alfred, Mathieu and Kiku at zere right now!"
"Christ! I'll get Alfred up now."
He hung up the phone and hurried from the living room and up the stairs. He softly opened the door and hurried to Alfred's sleeping form. He sat down by his side and shook his lover gently awake.
"Alfred, Alfred. Wake up, Alfred. It's urgent."
Soon, Alfred, Arthur, Francis and Matthew were hurrying along the road to the hospital. It had been several months since they had been there when Francis had had his accident and now that they were here going to visit one of their band members. In the hospital, they hurried to Matthias' ward. The Dane looked worse for wear. He had several gashes on his arms and cheeks but looked to be healing quickly. He had a bump on his head a black eye that was slowly coming up. Beside him was a boy with spiky hair and a harsh look on his face and was holding tightly on to Matthias' hand. Kiku was also at Matthias' bedside. They looked round as they entered.
"Lars?" Matthew asked. "Is that you?"
"Oh, hi Matthew."
Francis raised an eyebrow. "You two know each ozer?"
"Yeah, we're in the same classes." Matthew explained and felt Francis tightened his grip on him.
"So, you and Matthias are dating?" Alfred asked.
"Ja, ve are."
"Oh, so what's the verdict?"
"Vell, it's not good." Matthias groaned. "Ze accident has made zings impossible for ze band."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm paralysed from the waist down. I have no feeling in my legs. It's going to be impossible to drum. But that's not the only zing that's wrong."
Kiku sighed and turned to the others when they look confused. "My father was called from his business company in Japan. I'm sorry, guys but I have to move to Tokyo."
"But we can't!" Alfred exclaimed. "The band just got started. We've been to so many places where people loved us! We can't let them down."
"Alfred," Arthur begged. "Calm down, please."
"I'm sorry, Alfred, Matthew." Matthias said. "But you may just have to find someone else to replace us. or you could easily become a duet."
"But...i-it wouldn't be the same." Matthew said. "We can't replace our best friends."
Alfred looked at all of his friends, his dad and his lover. But they were all right. Matthias couldn't continue until by some miracle he regained feeling in his legs and Kiku wouldn't be able to come back with his father's company. He sighed, mournfully. "Fine, we'll phone up Patrick and tell him to host a conference. Let everyone know how we let them down!"
And with that Alfred stormed out of the ward and out. Arthur hurried after him without saying a word. Matthew leaned against Francis, who hugged him tightly.
He couldn't believe he was going to lose the most important thing and his friends all in one. It was just one bad thing after another. First Francis' accident, then Arthur and Alfred break up at Fritz and Gilbert's wedding – but they had gotten back together so that ended great – and now this! What the hell was Patrick going to say when he found out? Or worse yet what would the entire world think? Well, maybe it was meant to be, a cruel twist of fate: maybe that's what it had been for Gilbert and Roderich's relationship but they had found someone they loved and stayed with them. Just like when he and Francis had found each other – that had been wonderful day when he and Francis had gotten together. He wouldn't forget it.
A/N:
Hello, sorry it's taken a while. I've had sooo much going on. It's been ridiculous! For two days, I was in Blackpool on holiday and on top of that I've had a really bad shoulder and I have no idea how I've done it and it's been killing me. Honestly, it's not even funny anymore! Anyways, I'm sorry that it's a little short but it's kind of a filler kind of not because the next chapter I am going to make it the last chapter, so I'm unsure of what to write about for the last chapter I need help – BUT I want it to be a happy ending and make a big explosion of fireworks going off ending! So, I would really appreciate some requests and I'll decide which one is the best. Thank you!
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter and again sorry for the long wait. Reviews are love :)
M.S.P.
Xxxx
