There was a sickening pop as Arthur kneed the poor boy in his stomach causing him to spit out blood and groan. Alfred's arms were bound to a metal post at the height where the Brit could easily kick or knee any part of the boy's body. Without word he brought to broad part of his foot to connect with the side boy's head, hitting him over and over again as the three new recruits bore witness to the example. He only stopped when the other's head crashed to the ground, bouncing off the cold marble. He would admit his anger had gotten the better of him, originally he had planned to be calm about the whole thing but upon seeing him, the rage consumed him and this is where it led. "BASTARD!" he screamed at the boy, pulling him up by his hair and earning a small whimper in response. "How dare you go to him! Him of all people!" it was his fault! He hit him again, stomping his head into the cold ground and watching as the blood ran along the gaps within the tiles. "Was it because you love him?! Why do you seem to love everyone but me?! I could give you everything you ever wanted but you deny me! Why?!"

There was no response. Not a single word from the other.

He walked over, ripping the boy's head back. His eyes grew wide and he stumbled backward. Wheat blonde was now raven black, bright blue eyes looked up at him sadly. "I thought you loved me…Arthur…I thought you were going to protect my sons…" her voice cracked and he could hear the heartbreak behind her words.

"A-Aiyana?!" He screamed.

Arthur woke up in a cold sweat. His breathing was labored and he felt like total and utter shit. He looked over from his seat on his thrown, at the many rum bottles that littered the space. Oh his head hurt greatly. "Bloody hell!" he growled out, cracking his sore bones as he stood. It had been a rough day since Abel had given him the note book. As he read it through he became more enraged and drank like a man whom was about to die. He narrowed his eyes and sighed heavily. It had been a dream, only a dream. She was dead, had died in his very arms and his hands had been covered in her blood.

Francis ran in the room after hearing Arthur scream, abandoning his crème cake in the oven. They made a great hangover treat. "Art'ur! Is every t'ing alrig't mon ami?!" he cried as he flung the large doors open to see his lover standing straight and tall next to the throne. He sighed heavily with relief. "'onestly! You give moi a 'eart attack w'en you are so t'oughtless!" he scolded but smiled all the same. Arthur had not taken the news well. That his little sparrow had escaped it's cage. Francis wasn't happy either, but he could see there had been another reason for the late night visit. A reason he sought Sadik.

~/-*-\~

Loviano looked at the food budget Alfred had given him. The look of shame on his face and the way they were balled up and crinkled were enough to prove what he had done that morning. The blonde had indeed left to go and work. Loviano couldn't piece together why, since Arthur had given him three days of rest. It was a mystery and now was not the time to try and find answers. The bastard was miserable enough already.

After the large welcoming party, what was not eaten had been given away per Alfred's request to those less fortunate then them, so there was little left to eat in the fridge. The budget was more then he would need for the basic supplies of a household but he honestly didn't think the blonde was all there at the moment. Ever since early that morning, and it was around noon now, he has been ghosting around the house with a blank expression when he left Matthew's side which in its self was rare. He sighed and looked at his brother who was talking to two young ladies. He could not bear the thought of losing his only brother, just like Alfred. The poor bastard was at his braking point.

"Feliciano, come on we a gonna be late." He called out. He never liked when Feli was too far away from him. If trouble ensued, he wanted to be sure that he was there to help.

"Ciao!" the young Italian called out to the giggling girls as he ran to catch up to his older brother. "I a think we do something a nice for Alfred no?" he asked his brother a large grin on his face.

"Si. But I a not no what he like?" he thought a moment trying to think of what he had seen Alfred eat more often than any other food but nothing came to mind. Hell he rarely even saw the other eat.

Feli was stumped. He couldn't be sure of anything about the blonde whom had taken them under his wing. Hell everyone owed him a ton but he refused it all. He wanted no help, he only wanted them to grow happy and follow their dreams to a better future while he alone bore the many burdens of running an ever growing household. "What about a ravioli huh? He a love them da last time, no?"

Loviano smiled and ruffled his little brother's hair. "Si. Then we a make a whole lotta ravioli tonight! What a kind you want? Meat? Cheese? Four cheese and meat?" he asked joking with his brother about how many different kinds there were.

Feliciano giggled and smiled brightly. "I a wanna make them all! All da ravioli we can come a up with! It will be a special! Let a us buy wine too! Good wine from a the top shelf!" he shouted happily.

The brothers laughed and giggled as they walked into the food market. They looked over the fresh tomatoes and Loviano bought a few extra as a little treat for later. Next, came the garlic and other spices and herbs. It was amazing just how well they could bargain shop. Loviano looked over the fresh cilantro, its vibrant green color and fresh smell had him sold. "Feli, this a really make a nice salsa!"

The younger Italian nodded happily. "Taste even better on a pasta!"

"Not a everyone want pasta every night!" he said ruffling his brother's hair.

Yet, the younger Italian wasn't paying attention to him. His eyes were looking off into the distance at something. When Loviano turned, he instantly lost what little temper he had. There just a few feet away from them, looking at the potatoes stood the damn German bastard. Though Feli had him by the arm before he could say anything. "Feli let a me…"

"Lovi…they a talking about Alfred…" he whispered softly.

Ludwig examined the potatoes that they were going to make with their wurst and beer. His brother had slowly come out of his depression enough to talk with him. "Gilbert, I keep telling you to look at the facts. Something is not right; he never acts like that…"

The albino shook his head and put a potato in the bag. "That's all it was an act." He still could not forgive him. Not forgive what that little whore had put him through. He had truly thought someone loved him, that someone could care for an albino and not pity him. It had hurt so much because he loved him, truly he did.

The younger brother sighed. "Look at what you do know and not what you think you know. When you were with him in the hospital, did you pay him? What about in the hall of his home, did he push you away? Gil, when that boy is in that hell he is at the mercy of the man whom runs the show…"

"He was not! Alfred isn't the type of person to just do what he is told! Hell he fought me on nearly everything at the restaurant…" he sighed as he remembered the promotion he was going to give him. "He's a whore! Whores love sex! Why else do they work for a whore house!"

Feliciano had heard enough. That ungrateful bastard was going to know the truth! He marched over to them, despite his brother's pleading. He attracted the attention of the German's quite quickly. Before either could speak he did. "You no nothing of that hell!" he shouted. "Tell me a this, if a you think Alfred is a bad person why he no take the prize? Why he give it away to me and my fratello? We a free men because a him!" his eyes scanned over the two and continued pointing at Gilbert. "You are the one who should a be bowing before him! If a it were not for Alfred you a would be dead right now!" He watched the expression change on the albino's face. "Our Mas…" he stopped himself and took a deep breath. "His a master no like you! He wanted to kill you because Alfred care about you. He want total control over him so he said such nasty things so you a could live! How a dare you no take into consideration what he a do for you!"

Loviano chimed in his displeasure as well. "He follow only Arthur's orders because of his a fratello!" Yes, it was all for Matthew. All of the motivation, the pain, the humiliation, the suffering was to protect his brother. Everything for Matthew. "Arthur's a bastardo, he a no care about anyone but a Alfred and he a no like when others play with his toys behind his a back!"

Gilbert turned to Ludwig and burst into tears. "First Mutti, then Vati and now Alfred! How can I lose everyone?! I'm such a fucking unawesome person Luddy!"

The larger brother held the other tightly. "Maybe we can fix it." He turned to the little spitfire Italian and began to blush slightly. Those eyes…they were so big and beautiful. How could he not want to see them half lidded with his face contorted in pleasure gasping for breath and a lovely golden band around his pretty little finger? By Gott, he wanted the Italian. "Do you know where he is?"

Instantly both Italians looked away, unsure of what to do. Alfred had regretted what he had done and said to the Albino but then again now was not the best of times. "We a do…"

He was instantly grabbed by Gilbert who held a desperate look on his face. "Where is he, mein gott please tell me so I can apologize to him!" He needed to make amends for his sins, for using him the way he had. He should have never given in…he had used the boy to get what he wanted and there was no going back. He had burned that bridge and now there was a long road before him.

"But now is no good." Loviano said softly. "He a not well…his fratello…" What more could they say? No one knew how Matthew was because he had yet to wake up.

Ludwig nodded and handed them a card he pulled from his breast pocket. "This is my contact number that is a direct line to me. When things are good, just call and let us know. Danke." He said calmly but inside he was a nervous wreck to see Alfred again. It had been a horrible week and he truly had hoped to see the blonde once more. There was so much to be said and so much to do. "Please, tell Alfred we do hope his brother gets well soon."

Feli took the card and smiled brightly. "Si! We will! Graci!" he now had a number to call the gorgeous German!

~/-*-\~

Tired blue eyes gazed upon the sleeping boy. Alfred prayed that he would make it out. His jaw hurt from the constant prayers he voicelessly chanted over and over again, rarely pulling his eyes away from his twin. In his hand he held a small knife, one that Kiku had given to him years ago when they had moved into the apartment. He had said it was for protection but now it held a more graceful purpose. Should Alfred fail in protecting his brother, the blade in his hand would deliver him to the justice he deserved. It had been hours since he had left Sadik's and as sore as he was he refused to show it. He had to be strong; he had to be sure Mattie was going to be okay. Matthew had to survive, no matter what he just had to.

There was no knock, there didn't need to be. Alfred had shared a room with him before, sometimes on dark and stormy nights, even a bed to calm his shaking. It was funny really, how the stoically strong man many believing to be the incarnation of the very Samurai Bushido could be reduced to a whimpering child when the sky roared in the dark of night. The features of the man were unfazed by the lack of attention given to the tray of food but his dark eyes held all of his true emotions. He was worried for both his friends but more so him than any other.

"Gomen…" he whispered softly as he leaned down to take the tray from the other. It had been one of Alfred's favorites, tempura battered shrimp and teriyaki chicken over seasoned rice. All had been untouched and spared not a second glance. His eyes were fixated on his brother. Such lovely sapphires were now accented with red, his tears drying long ago and his body far too exhausted to produce more, the first signs of dehydration. "Alfred…at least drink something." He said setting a glass of water next to him.

Blue eyes gave no notice to him not the water, just prayer. His once luscious lips were now chapped. Yet, even now Kiku still longed to kiss him, to hold him and comfort him with words of reassurance. Yet, the stubborn ass refused to worry about himself. He needed to drink, to stay hydrated and avoid getting sick. He sighed as he picked up the glass of water and drank some, putting it into his mouth before turning to the blonde. No words were exchanged between them as the elder male tilt back the younger's head and pressed his lips onto the lovely form. There was no fight, no struggle as he allowed the water to flow from his mouth to the other's. Some of it flowing from their lips and down the side of the blonde's cheek. Slender pale fingers laced in sunny blonde hair and deepened the motion. Once emptied of the fresh deliciously cool water he looked down at the other whom found his way back to his original position.

Sadly he wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him tightly and still no response. His heart ached for fear he had lost them forever.

~/-*-\~

Ivan threw his black bag on the table before the Brit. It had taken some time and calls in for favors but Ivan finally had the money together. Cold amethyst eyes locked on toxic green. Neither willing to break the contact. The Brit just glared at the bag without even touching it. "It's not enough." He said smugly.

The Russian frowned darkly. "There is 1.5 million in the bag and I'm sure his was somewhat less…" he was stopped by the Brit yawning carelessly.

Arthur stretched his arms. "His price has sky rocketed due to demand. After our little show I have many offers for a night with our little…oh bullocks what in bloody hell do you call him?!" He sat there thinking hard, leaving silence to fill the room.

The ash haired man took this time to speak. "The price for his contract was set at…" once more he was interrupted and he was growing quite annoyed.

"Sunflower! That's it you call him your little sunflower!" the Brit stood then and smiled at the other. "Nice name for him. Never thought to compare the two." He tossed the bag back at him and walked to the door and opened it. "Now if you don't mind, I've a meeting to prepare for."

Ivan stood from his chair quickly, causing it to fall behind him. "You have no intention of freeing him! Once he signed that contract he sold you his soul!" he growled out grabbing Arthur by his coat. "I swore to you, I will have the boy one way or another."

Arthur giggled. "A threat? How fun, care to make a wager on that?" He smirked cruelly as the other released him and left with the bag. He shrugged it off and moved back to his desk.

He had to finish ordering the roses, then the chocolates and of course the gifts. He couldn't help but smile and feel giddy about the coming night. He would show him! Alfred would fall to his knees before him after that night. He would be his and only his. Arthur smiled happily.

~/-*-\~

Lovely violet eyes fluttered open, staring into the dull world waiting for clearer vision. There was a small amount of light coming from the hall that poured in to the large room. He was tired but knew that his brother had to be worried and if not, he was over reacting about the situation by then. He tried to sit up but found his body too weak to do so. It was then he felt it. A hand squeezing his own softly. Turning his head to the side he smiled brightly.

There, sleeping closely beside him was his twin brother. He could tell Alfred had been stressing out, that he had been crying. It was written clear as day on his face. "Alfie…" he whispered wanting to reassure his brother that he was fine. The other's peaceful face was contorted for a moment before going peaceful again. He giggled slightly before moving to shake him.

"Let him be, please." Matthew turned to see dark eyes looking at him from beside Alfred. Kiku was sitting in the chair beside the bed looking at him. "He just fell asleep not long ago." He said softly before pulling the covers gently over his brother. His eyes were soft and gentle as he moved the stray blonde hairs from his face. "It was bad Matthew-kun. He didn't take it well at all. Everyone is so worried for you both." It was then Matthew noticed Kiku's hands shaking. "I-I don't know what else to do. I have tried everything to find a cure Matthew! Researching and testing but there is nothing I can do to make you better and ease Alfred's…" he stopped and buried his head in his hands.

It was rare, but Matthew believed Kiku was crying. It had been so long since he had witnessed it. The last time was about a year ago when the anniversary of his parent's death came around again. "Kiku…" the other looked up at him eyes as dry as a bone. "It will be fine. We knew this was going to come." He smiled brightly trying to make his friend feel better. "I haven't had an episode in a while, I was due for one. Kiku, relax I'll be fine I always am." Not always but he couldn't admit that now.

"Bullshit." The groggy voice chimed in. Both sets of eyes looked down to the half-sleeping blonde. Sparkling sapphires made themselves known through thing slits. He was far too tired to give a rat's ass about much at the moment. "Mattie, how are you feeling and if you lie to me so fucking help you…" he wasn't going to baby his brother, not right now when he had just had an episode. He needed to know exactly how his brother was because he was going to the hospital soon. He didn't care and he was going to raise hell until someone did something. Matthew needed help and he wasn't smart enough to do it alone. That's why he went to the best hospital and the best doctors. Only the best for his brother, the better half of the whole.

Matthew sighed heavily and crossed his arms. "I'm not a fucking child! Stop treating me like one!" he yelled back. It was just an episode; he had them all the time. "Alfred really! You're not my father!" he instantly regretted saying that. If he had not been Alfred's twin, if he had not known him since birth he would have missed it. For only an instant, his strong elder brother showed his true weakness. He showed him the vulnerability he worked so hard to protect and it was all Matthew's doing. As much as he wished he could take it back he knew he couldn't. from the moment the words left his lips he wished he could grab a hold of them and pull them back.

Alfred's face was calm, and that's what truly scared Matthew. His eyes just seemed to stare but he could tell he wasn't. He was thinking. "I'm not that bastard…I'm Alfred, I can be no one else but your brother." He sat up and both of the others heard the audible snaps from his bones. He grunted but continued anyway. Once he was sitting on the bed, he reached out and pulled Matthew to him, holding him tightly. "I am only your brother nothing more and nothing less and this is how I will remain until I die." His voice was low and flowed like silk from his lips.

He sighed heavily. Alfred was being overprotective again, it needed to stop. It honestly needed to stop. "Alfred, we all know I'm going to die…"

Blue eyes narrowed angrily at him. "Don't fucking say that Matthew! Don't you dare fucking say that again!" He growled out, his grip on his brother tightening. "I told you will live well beyond me. You will get married and have a family well after you escaped this god forsaken shithole of a country and live in Canada like you always dreamed of!" Alfred was starting to tear up.

"And what about you Alfred? Where are you going to be when my dreams come true?!" the younger twin was pissed.

Alfred smiled sadly and shook his head. "I'd be here or in hell. I'd of sold my soul for your freedom." He wasn't joking either. Had the Devil himself offered to make Matthew better and send him to Canada all for his soul, Alfred would have sold his soul in a heartbeat. Eternal damnation for eternal happiness of his brother was well worth it to him. He could swear hell couldn't be much worse then what he lived through every day. He just figured it be a little too hot for comfort.

"So you get to stay in paradise and leave me to freeze my ass off?!" Matthew smiled softly before bursting into laughter. Both brothers knew what the other was saying but the sarcasm and joking made the burden of what had happened easier to bear. In a simple matter of moments both brothers were laughing and giggling like children.

Blue eyes looked at his brother's laughing face. It was so innocent, so pure that is seemed such a shame for him to stare. His amethyst eyes were half lidded and tears perked at the corner of his eyes from laughing too hard. He clung to Kumo, who Alfred seemed to forget at times, and he looked just like the he had when they were eight. He was so lovely, so perfect and it was all because Alfred was so tainted and impure.

Kiku, who had been forgotten, could only sit there and smile at the love he could see before him, the love of one brother to another. He wanted that love. He wanted Alfred to love him and care for him so much that it hurt him physically to watch someone like Matthew, who couldn't truly appreciate it, be so close to him. Alfred turned away then and coughed. The sound alerted Kiku right away and he ran to his side. "Alfred are you okay?" he reached up and touched the boy's head. "You're warm…" he was growing worried now.

He coughed again. "I'm fine." He pushed Kiku's hand off of him. "But to be safe I need my bed moved to my own room, I don't need Mattie catching anything." He turned to his brother who was now just as worried about him as Kiku. "Alfred are you sure? It sounds pretty bad." He pressed his lips to his brother's head, yes he was really warm.

Alfred gave them his hero smile. "Yeh, I just need some cough syrup and sleep. It's just a cold." He shook slightly. If he was sick Arthur would be pissed. He couldn't sell a sick whore, it was bad for business. "I should really not be near you but if you need me I'll be right across the hall." Eduard walked in and helped Kiku move the bed back into Alfred's room.

Matthew smiled brightly. "Okay, just get some rest you deserve it." He said softly.

The other nodded and vanished into the darkness of his own room. Kiku walked over to him causing Matthew to frown. "If it's you who is hurting him…" he warned this caused Kiku to stare at him, eyes wide with the suspicion. "…I swear I will fucking kill you."

The Japanese man bowed. He said nothing because no matter what he were to say, Matthew could easily miss interpret it. It truly wounded him though that Matthew would suspect him of harming Alfred. "I would never do such." He whispered as he closed the door behind him. Only one thing was clear now, Matthew had seen them. Matthew had seen what he had done to Alfred and now he suspected him.

Thunder boomed outside the house and Kiku was frozen in place. He stood there in the middle of the hallway wondering what to do. His whole body shook with fear as the memories of that night replied in his head over and over again. Then it boomed again rattling the windows and he quickly ran into the room and slammed the door shut. His eyes looked up pathetically at the other. "Gomen…" he whispered. He was visibly trembling as lightning flashed in the room and the windows rattled. He yelped and dropped to the floor covering his ears. He hated his fear, hated that he was such a child when it came to thunder storms. "Gomen…gomen…gomen…" he repeated over and over again. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he quickly clung to it, trying desperately to ground himself in the present and not flow to the past. "Soka." The confirmation was enough and he ran to the bed, pulling Alfred along with him. He held him close, trembling as he did. BOOM! He jumped but was held down by Alfred who slowly ran his fingers through his hair, the way he like it. "Arigatou…" he said softly, burying his head in Alfred's chest not caring if he were to get sick. "Arigatou Gozaimasu…Arigatou Gozaimasu…" he chanted, shaking as he did.

Alfred laid there silently stroking the short raven colored hair, trying to calm him down. If Kiku started hyperventilating, then Matthew would never get any rest. Yet, it wasn't Mattie he was worried about at the moment. Kiku needed him now. He needed him close, just like when they were children. He recalled those stormy nights when Kiku would run in to his bed, careful not to wake Matthew, and they would lay there with Alfred stroking his hair and talk until the storm passed. Alfred knew of how Kiku came to be an orphan, how his parents were shot in front of him on a stormy night like this one. He often times would tell him of the horrid night.

The Asian man cuddled him closer, loving the warmth that was radiating from his love. Another boom and he jumped slightly only to feel the other's hold on him. He looked up at him, his dark eyes wanting to see what his beloved's face. He had abandoned his glasses but his eyes, such a glorious eyes of sapphire blue, found the wall to be far more interesting than him. Though, his eyes seemed focused but not on the wall. No, he was deep in thought most likely about his brother. Yet, most of all, what surprised him most was what came next.

"Gomenzai." He whispered, voice cracking and lost to pain. It was shocking to say the least, that of all people to apologize to anyone, it was Alfred to him.

"Nani?" he asked unsure if he had heard correctly.

"Gomenzai, Kiku-kun." He looked down at him as another flash of lightning lit up his face followed by the loudest boom thus far.

Kiku broke into frantic prayer in his native tongue as the gentle hand ran through his hair to calm him. Once he was calmed down, he hovered above him. Alfred didn't struggle; he seemed contempt with what was going on. "What's wrong?" he asked knowing full well that something was off.

Sad blue eyes looked into his and he let out a sigh. "Kiku, I…" he looked away thinking a moment before turning back. "I need you to go tomorrow and find Belle. Bring her back and make amends between them." He had his heart dead set on making things right between the two. Matthew needed her.

"Nani? Why won't you go? What is going on?" he asked worried that Alfred was going to do something stupid again.

He sighed and pulled the blanket up. "I have something to do tomorrow." He whispered.

He narrowed his eyes darkly. "You're going back aren't you?" Alfred quickly turned away to cough hard in his hand. From the sound of it he seemed to be hacking up a lung. Kiku was worried now. Alfred was getting sick and he knew the last time this happened, it had almost driven him to an early grave. The bastard had swallowed so much cough syrup just to hide it from his brother. He worked all three jobs with little to no rest between them, pushing his weakened body to its limits. It wasn't until he had passed out in the shower that Kiku knew something was amiss. He had his suspicions to begin with; the way Alfred was so silent. Luckily though, Matthew had been asleep and not known about the incident. He convinced the damn blonde to call off two of his jobs but he refused to call off the night one. Kiku sighed sadly and pressed his lips to the soft forehead and frowned. A fever.

"Don't say a damn word. I need to go back. He was kind enough to…" he was shut up by the cold stare his friend was giving to him. It was rare to see Kiku angry and when he was there was no stopping his fury.

"Kind of him? Alfred he fucking tortured you all week! Do you fucking know what the hell it felt like…" he lowered his head burying it in the nape of the other's neck. "Do you know what the hell I went through watching it all?" his body was shaking. "I never knew…I never knew how hard you had it…how hard you fight to protect him…" Kiku looked up at him with tears in his eyes, his forehead pressed to the other's. The Asian man cupped his cheek and smiled softly. "I never once wanted you so badly that I was willing to pay for it. I had only wanted you to see I cared, to know I supported you no matter what. I was weak, I gave in and kissed you yes but I swore it was nothing more than that." He nuzzled into the nape of Alfred's neck. "Gomen." He whispered.

Alfred was truly not expecting that. He had not thought that Kiku would show this side of himself. He had always imagined Kiku as the strong, forceful type of person but here and now, Kiku was nothing more than a devoted lover. The kind who stays by the other's side no matter what their choices are, blindly watching over them on their path of self destruction. Yet, Kiku was not as blind as he had thought. He was trying to save him, trying to protect him from the world and his choices. Kiku cared about him far deeper than he had ever let show and he was so blind to it. He wondered just how long Kiku had felt like this toward him. Just how long had he bore the burden of unrequited love? Could it be possible that Alfred could love him back? If he did allow their feelings to grow where would it lead them? The what if's were not helping. There was so much uncertainty that he couldn't be sure. So, he picked Kiku's head up to meet his loving smile. "Arigatou Kiku-kun." He whispered softly. It was all he could say. All he could muster for he was so fearful of triggering Kiku to go and fight Arthur, knowing the Japanese son would not survive the encounter. Another flash followed by a loud boom had Kiku in his arms again. "Arigatou…"

A/N

CrazedWonderland-I am very happy you do love my work. It fills me with joy to know my work is well loved. I will say this Arthur does not know who fathered Alfred and Matthew. All he knows is that Aiyana is their mother.

Abby-Flourite,Elizaveta Hedervary, PeachyM00NShine, Alley of the Labyrinth and my various guests- I will say that Alfred confronts Francis in the next chapter! Also, bring a box of tissues because the next chapter will be long and oh my god will it make you feel feelings and cry your asses off! You have all been warned!