Arthur sat in his office looking over his whores. Vash was being well treated by that Austrian guy he seems to favor. The Vargas brothers were fucking one another for the man. His eyes wandered to his favorite whore. Alfred was being tied to the table...Why were they getting buckets?

His heart sank. Water boarding! They were fucking water boarding him! He ran from the room and to Francis'. Frantically, he told him to get Abel, that there was a problem! Without hesitation he ran to the room to get to his Alfred. Water boarding was a form of torture, one with severe psychological and physiological effects. He was afraid that he would lose him. With that fear instilled in his mind he picked up the pace. With little effort he broke through the door causing the men to whip around to face him.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING?! TORTURE IS FORBIDDEN HERE!" his voice was louder then he ever thought possible for a human and almost hysterical. One for the men, the one who was pouring the water, ran at him trying to knock the bucket into his head. Arthur ducked and came up with an uppercut to his jaw, he could have sworn he heard something snap. His bloodlust turned to the other vile beast that had harmed his beloved. His green eyes darkened with rage as he punched his square in the face, blood shooting from his now broken nose. The man howled in pain as he pulled out of the boy. It took no time for Abel and Francis to arrive and drag the men out of the room and to their jail cells. Some of Arthur's best clients were police, they would be by soon enough to take out the trash and make false reports, all for free nights when they wished.

Somehow he had worked Alfred from the table and laid him on the floor. He wasn't breathing and his pulse rate was low. Quickly he moved into using CPR which worked. "Come on now lad!" he urged as the child coughed up water. "Pull through. Don't be like that damn bitch of a mother you had! Don't leave me or you'll regret it!" Arthur could feel his eyes burning as he looked at the sorry sapphires that looked up at him. His heart shattered at the look. The very same fucking look that she had given to him just before she died in his arms.

~§ξ§~

Alfred could feel himself sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness. Small bubbles floating before his eyes, each a memory that played silently. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he looked on at his brother. Matthew was so strong, if only he could see it himself. His brother, his twin, his hope, his lovely adorable twin brother.

"Protect him...Protect your brother..." his mother's voice rang softly through the abyss. Reminding him of the task she had given him when he was first born. A single goal that he had failed to do. "Protect your brother, Alfred my little hero, he's so much smaller, so much weaker then you..." her words cut him deeper then any sword could. He tried to speak but nothing came. No sound escaped his lips.

She appeared before him, as lovely as he could remember. Her soft smile just for him and her tan arms outstretched beckoning him to come to her warm and sweet embrace. He reached his hand up, trying desperately to grasp her hand. "Alfred...my little hero..." she reached her hand out for him. Alfred's heart soared. She wanted him. She still cared even though he had failed. He had failed his one and only task she had given to him yet she still welcomed him with open arms. He reached farther, trying desperately to take her hand, to feel that sweet embrace and bask in her warmth. "Alfred..." he reached further. Almost there...almost...there...As soon as he touched her, she shattered into millions of pieces. Tears swelled in his eyes as he screamed, curling into a tight ball, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

Warm arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly. The warm glow around him filled him with a sense of security. He nuzzled into it, clenching it tightly in his hands. He had never felt so warm, so happy, so loved. "Alfred...don't leave me..." he looked up at his sense of warmth. He smiled at his brother's adorable face. He caressed his cheek taking in the sight of him. Matthew kissed him on his forehead. "Please, Alfred stay with me."

He smiled contently. "Mattie...I will...for you..." he held him tightly. "Forgive me...forgive me for everything!" He began to cry, his heart dying as his brother pecked his lips. Their foreheads pressed together, eyes gazing into each other, bodied entwined. "I will always forgive you Alfred. My lovely brother..."

Alfred's eyes fluttered open. He looked around the unfamiliar room. It was decorated with dozens of UK flags and artifacts. He knew who's room he was in, but he could care less. He was too exhausted to care. Yet, he could hear faint voices in the next room. From what he could tell, it was Francis and Arthur.

"Calm down, mon amour. 'e is going to be fine, moi assures you. Do not blame yourself, 'ow were you to know?" he asked trying to reassure him.

He heard something brake. "It doesn't matter does it?! Bloody hell you didn't see the look in his eyes! He's just so much like that harlot!" something else broke. "The look...the very one she gave to me..."

"Art'ur, please calm yourself! It will do no one good if you do not. Not me, not you and especially not 'im." Alfred heard the sound of flesh slapping against flesh. "Now please relax!"

"Thank you, I needed that, I did." Arthur said.

Alfred stood up. His vision blurred without his glasses. He had no way of finding them but he stood up and stumbled to the door, cracking it softly. He could see Arthur sitting in front of the fireplace staring at the dancing flames, with Francis standing behind him with his arms around his neck. To Alfred they looked like the perfect couple and probably were before he messed it all up. Francis endured so much, trying desperately to deter Arthur's rage and prove his love to him only to be cast aside. Yet, Francis never backed down. Francis was the definition of the devoted lover.

"Come now, smile mon amour, t'ing will be alrig't I promise."

Arthur looked up with a blank look on his face. Eyes nearly void of all emotion. "You said that about her too."

Francis looked down at him sadly. "T'at was different. T'ings were different back t'en." He kissed the Brit passionately. "S'e is gone now, but 'e is now."

"Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done pray tell me,
Then I, my thoughts, will dim.
Haste! 'lest while you're lagging
I may remember him!" Arthur's voice was soft and soothing. Lovely and kind almost fatherly.

Francis smiled. "Quoting Emily again?"

" I held a jewel in my fingers
And went to sleep
The day was warm, and winds were prosy
I said, "Twill keep"

I woke - and chide my honest fingers,
The Gem was gone
And now, an Amethyst remembrance
Is all I own"

He stood up and held his hand over his heart. Eyes as gentle at the sea and as bright as emeralds.

"T'was not long ago

my heart doth quiver like a string from thy bow

when I gazed upon you so

never thinking to go so low

Vile creature from afar

Capturing my heart with in thy jar

just to watch it mar

there upon thy bar

Yet, I shall forever hold

my lovely bold

heart made of the purest gold

though I never told

you that I loved you."

The Frenchman shook his head. "You should 'ave been a poet."

"What good are poems but to express the sorrow you feel?!" He yelled as he slammed a small bust of Shakespeare on the ground. "Nothing can change what happened. There is nothing that can forgive me!"

"I hear the warnings, still I go

Pain awaits me, it's wrong I know.

Instant regret – hopeless I feel,

Destined to repeat 'less I kneel."

Both men turned to the boy. his eyes looking to the fire as he spoke. He didn't look well but still no one moved.

"Two steps forward, then four more back,

Alone and broken, faith I lack.

Freely falling without a net,

My enemies circle, place your bet.

To you I scream "What should I do?"

Low reply says to trust in you.

How to trust when I can't see?

Pain is real – it is killing me!"

His eyes began to tear up. What was he to do? He couldn't just give up and leave, not when Mattie was counting one him.

"Evil seems to win and succeed,

Shift my focus it's you I need.

So alone and feel no love,

True love was shown – came from above.

Not of this world, we claim to be,

Forgiven, chosen, and set free.

Chaos abounds – though eyes on you,

My only hope to get me through."

Arthur moved to him them, holding him tightly. He was grateful that the boy was still alive, that he was safe. There was no reason for such an act against him. "Rest boy. You deserve it." He picked him up bridal style and carried him back to the bed. "Are you hungry?" the boy shook his head but he knew better, the fucking child had not eaten since he was with the Russian bastard. He looked to Francis who simply nodded and left. "Had I not told you before not to lie?"

Alfred sighed and turned away. "Yet you yourself have. For so long, you tell me I am nothing more then a whore yet this morning you tell me that I am so much more...What am I to believe? I don't understand you?" Where was this strength coming from? He had never stood up to him before and now...

Arthur smiled. "I myself can not answer that." he laid next to him, cuddling closely to him. "I don't know what to believe. As for understanding me well, even Francis can't do that." His hand moved to wrap around him protectively. "All my life I have waited for someone to come and save me from my life...to give me hope that I can live and not just go through this life." He moved above him then, looking down with gentle eyes. Eyes that were filled with warmth, filled with love. Eyes that showed the tortured soul within begging to be released from it's torments and set free. The ring around his neck dangling before him. There was something about it, some strange thing that he could not explain. He ignored it for now as his master caressed his face with a soft smile. His eyes looking over the features of his face, thumb running over quivering lips. "I want to love you yet, how can I trust you? It doesn't matter anyway. The week is nearly at a close..."

Alfred's eyes grew wider. "W-What?! How long was I out?!" he began to panic. If he had been out for too long...Mattie.

"Calm yourself...It was only two days. During which I played old videos of you to keep them occupied. As for the auction...well I have received several complaints as to why you were not for sale...quite a bother to me." he smiled before kissing Alfred's soft lips. "Come now poppet lighten up."

He couldn't. Not when he was so close...Not now. He turned his head to the door to see Francis bringing in what looked to be soup. The smell alone made him remember how hungry he was. His mouth watered profusely. Francis helped him to sit up and handed the bowl to Arthur. "Come now don't give me such a look." He sighed as he moved the spoon to his lips. "It's not like I'm forcing you."

Alfred rolled his eyes but took the food anyway. "It's good." he whispered as another spoonful was brought to his lips.

"Bon~! I try moi best, no?" he laughed loudly. "Alfred dear eat and rest. It's not fair for you to stress over somet'ing you did not do." Francis stood once more and laughed as he pulled up a chair next to the bed. "Not only do I cook well but I'm good looking too boot, no? Fourty-two years old and look as if I am twenty-five. Oh the years 'ave been good to me!" This made even Arthur laugh. It was rare but he always tried to see that lovely smile of him. Arthur often commented him on how good he looked for his age, even saying he was aging like fine wine. For the first time in a long time, Francis had a reason to smile. "Now if I am correct t'at would make du...t'irty-eig't, mon amour. Oui?"

Arthur nodded and continued to feed the broke mess before him. He hated that Francis was bringing up age...it made him feel old. Yet, it also made him feel wiser. He sighed at the playful banter at how Francis looked younger then him when he was four years older. He always blamed it on the stress of the business but Francis called bullshit on it. It wasn't in Arthur's nature to look nice, just decent.

Alfred watched them pick at each other playfully for a while before he began to fall back asleep. With every crack on Arthur's cooking to the slinging of the French Frog banter, Alfred somehow found peace in the chaos around him. And soon he was off to see Mattie...

~§†§~

"Don't lie to me! I can tell you're lying! You think I'm this stupid, eh?" Matthew's face was adorable even if he was red with anger. It was too cute for him. Alfred felt like was going to burst. "You were dying Alfred! I had to fucking save you! What the hell were you thinking?! And tell me the truth?!"

Alfred sighed heavily before leaning against a tree. "I told you, Kiku and I were out late. I went to take a bath before bed and feel asleep in the tub. I didn't know I was drowning until you saved me." Another lie, another stab to his heart. Yet, he couldn't tell Mattie the truth. He vowed not to.

The younger blonde narrowed his eyes. If looks could kill, Alfred was dead twenty times over. "Why do I find this hard to believe?" he paced back and forth in front of Alfred. "What are you lying? Why can't you just tell me the truth?!" his large over powering amethyst eyes bore into him. They were hard to resist.

"It's me Mattie, I jumped in front of a moving car." Matthew shot around to say something but closed his mouth. He had him! "Really, you even said I might be killed drowning in a tub."

"I didn't mean to go out and do it!" he punched Alfred in his arm and nuzzled into his chest. "It effected me too, idiot. The others were freaking out."

The elder blond wrapped his arms around his brother. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I tried Mattie, to survive on my own...but I needed you to give me the strength to pull through." It was true. If Mattie had not come along then...

"You don't have to bare the burden alone Alfred. We were born twins for a reason. We are meant to share the burden." his eyes looked up at him with the damned kicked puppy look. "Please...I can tell you are suffering..." The younger twin moved away hugging himself. "All because of me."

Alfred grew concerned. He had tried desperately to make Matthew think it was his own doing, not Matthew's. He didn't want Mattie's heart to bare the weight of the guilt. He would never last if he had. "No Mattie!" once more he was in his elder brother's protective arms. "I know if you could work you would. I am able to so I do because I want us to stick together. It's only a few more days Mattie, can you hold out?" He picked his brother's chin up with his curled index finger and smiled down at him.

Matthew couldn't handle it. His brother was too perfect. "Yeah, I can." He felt Alfred's hand ruffle up his hair. "HEY!" he yelled cheerfully as he ran after his elder brother. 'Why is it here that we are happiest? The bridge between out subconscious minds? Why can't this be our life?' Matthew wondered as he tackled Alfred and they began to roll down a flower covered hill. 'Why can't this be forever?' He smiled down at Alfred who was pinned to the ground by Matthew's weight. His wheat blonde hair covered in grass and flowers. His brother was so beautiful. Just the way he smiled, the way his eyes shined with the purest love. It was all so beautiful.

The wheat blond cupped his brother's face. I was so warm. "Mattie..." he smiled and kissed his forehead. "This can't be forever." his brother seemed to have a mixture of shock and confusion. "If it was, then we would never wake again. I don't want that...you're too young to want death."

He smiled happily. "Yet you called for it before as well." he teased his elder brother.

"Because I'm not a spoiled brat!" He pushed Matthew off and jumped on him. They laid side by side in the warmth of the son.

"Alfred, can you promise me something?" Mattie asked quietly.

Alfred grew concerned but kept a smile on his face. "Yeah, what is it?"

He turned to his brother. "We'll always be together. Just like mom wanted."

The blue eyed blonde smiled. "Only death can part us. If one of us should die before he other...the other must live on for both."

Matthew frowned. "But..."

"No buts!"

He smiled. "Yes, if one should die, the other is to carry on."

A/N

the first two poems are Emily Dickinson's work. The third is my own and the last was from a website for poetry and it was written by RJ.

Shout out to 91redroses, yes I still will give you a shout out! and the person labeled under GUEST who got that Im Young Soo was doing Gangnam Style! Way to go! Hope you enjoyed! Now off to write some more^^