The next few days passed with them just unwinding and enjoying the luxuries they missed, good food, television, homey atmosphere. Right now, Iain sat at the table, waiting for Francis to check his eye. Al had gone outside, still unable to look. Francis slowly peels off the bandages.
He winced a bit as they came off, revealing mostly healed skin... and three deep scars running across his face and neck. His eye was sticky with puss and crusty blood.
Francis cleans it off. "Ok see if you can open it."
He gripped the table, managing to force it open. The iris was milky white-green now... Francis frowns at that.
Iain blinked a few times then frowned. "Is it open...?"
"Yeah.. But you can't see can you..?"
He shook his head softly. "Not a damn thing..."
Francis sighs.
"How bad does it look...?"
Francis pulls him up leading him to the bathroom. "Do you think it'll come back?"
"Not sure... eyes are tricky little bastards, even for us to heal... shit, this is really fucking weird..."
Francis gazed at Iain's reflection with him.
He just stared, touching his cheek gently. "...He really fucked it up..." this was the first time he'd really seen his own wound...
"He's done it to Arthur too.. Someone stuck him in a cage but Arthur didn't know it was him.."
"That's what that was? The boys dangerous..." he just stood, transfixed by his own face.
Francis stands by him trying to figure out what he was thinking.
He was honestly shocked. He wasn't overly vain, but this had left him speechless... He hardly looked himself anymore. He looked fiercer... colder... dangerous.
"..Iain? You alright?"
"I... y-yeah, I'm fine," he shook his head, finally breaking the trance. "I think I need some air..."
"Maybe it'll heal up more?"
He just turned and started for the door. He missed the handle though, depth perception thrown off. Francis opens it for him.
He growled in frustration, pushing passed him and heading out. His pride had taken a massive blow... if he couldn't even open door without help... Francis let's him go. He stormed out to the garden, sinking into the chair on the porch. He just needed to let it sink in...
Unnoticed to him Al was sitting on the roof. Even if Iain's spell was still active, the blonde had been blocking him out.
Blocked or not though, Iain's frustration and upset was radiating strong. Not much got to him, but this had... Al curls up into himself. Iain just sat, broiling below him. Al sits there unmoving, afraid to make noise.
*You okay...?* Matt could sense his distress from across the house.
*Yeah I'm fine!* he says overenthusiastically.
*Alfred F. Jones, what have I told you about lying?*
*I'm not lying! I was just thinking of heading to the lake and do some fishing!*
He sighed. *Fine. Come in and help me find the gear?*
*Yeah sure be right there!* Al stands as quietly as he could walking to the other side of the roof before jumping down.
Matt waited for him in the hall. Al goes inside and meets him.
"Want to tell me why you suddenly want to fish?"
"Why not? We haven't had fish in ages!"
"Because it's late afternoon and the weather's getting colder by the minute. We might not even be able to."
"Uhm.."
He raised a brow suspiciously Al shrank back slightly.
Matt sighed and softened. "What happened?"
"...Iain's outside.."
"Is he alright?"
"He's really mad.."
"What happened?"
"Last I knew Papa was taking off the bandages.."
Matt frowned softly before realization hit. "Oh..."
Al wrings his hands together.
"I need to talk to Papa..."
Al glanced up at him.
"I think he might not be healing like they wanted..."
That's what he was afraid of..
"Come on..." Matt took his hand, going to find France. As much as Al wanted to avoid it, he needed to know what was happening. Al clung tight following with his gaze on the floor.
They find the older blonde in the kitchen. "Papa?"
Francis glanced up. "Yes?"
"What's wrong with Iain?"
Francis sighs running a hand through his hair. "He's half blind.."
Al cringed. Even Matt stopped in his tracks. "But... i-it'll get better, right?"
"I don't know.. I've never known a nation to go blind outside of magic exertion or gas.."
Matt shuddered at the mention of gas... it was the reason he needed glasses...
"All we can do is wait.."
Matt sighed, running a hand through his hair. Al's hand clenched on his other.
*Not your fault bro,* he assured him as best he could. *It was just an accident.*
Al just stays silent, clinging. He was afraid of this, that's why they had kept it secret for so long. The animals where dangerous and most who saw feared them..
*Come on.. fishing is a no, but we can still go for a walk...*
Al nods and they slip out.
They grab coats, Matt heading for the back as he usually would. Al stops him going out the front instead. Iain was out back..
Matt let him, just this once... They head off to the woods Al watching the ground. When they covered a little distance, Matt stopped. Al glanced up to him cautiously.
"..." he sighed and sat. "I don't know..." Al sits next to him. Matt just sat, at a loss for what to do. Al clung to his hand. He gripped tight. They sit there for a while, lost.
No one knew what to do on this one... Getting through to Iain was difficult... Usually Francis could manage it, but on this... this might not be so easy.. Al leans over pulling Matt into a hug. He sighed and sank in, hugging back tightly. Al nuzzles into his neck rocking.
They stay until it gets cold and dusk crept upon them. Al sighs reluctant to go back. They needed to though... dinner, and the fact that the weather was liable to grow dangerously cold. It was warmer than dead winter though, but still cold enough to head back. Still, Matt was a worrywart and Al sucked in cold.
They walk back Al slightly trailing behind. *I'm serious about fishing though Matt, can I please go tomorrow? Eagle is getting picky..* though balds catch a variety of rodents and smaller birds as well as any lucky carcasses, they often prefer fish.
*Alright...* Bear was getting edgy too, often more demanding during the summer months. And a day out the house was good too. Al sighs with a slight smile.
They got back, finding the back porch empty. Al fidgets slightly before walking inside. They remove their outdoor clothing just as Arthur caught them and told them dinner was done. Al chews his tongue lightly as they follow him to the table.
Iain wasn't at the table, having opted to skip the meal, it seemed. Everyone else sat quietly. Al's eyes where glued to his plate anyway, though it didn't seem like much left it.
*You need to eat bro...*
No response.
*Alfred...*
*M' not really hungry..*
*You need to eat something... Arthur's staring...*
Al sighs forcing a few bites. A few soft sighs break the tense silence around the table. He inwardly cringed at that. Molly stood and left, her own plate still half full. Al didn't get much farther. They eventually just gave up and cleared it away. Francis sighs washing the plates.
"This isn't working like we thought, is it?" Arthur muttered, drying them.
"Not really.."
"His eye is really bothering him..."
"Which one? It's both I'm worried about.."
"Well both of them... I came in on Iain's blind side and ended up frightening him..."
"Hopefully it heals up more.."
"I don't think it will... the colour may come back, but I doubt his sight will..."
Francis sighs. They finish up the pots in silence.
It wasn't much better on Matt's end. Matt had been sat with Al for twenty minutes now, desperately trying to coax a response from his brother, but nothing seemed to be going through. He just seemed to want to sit curled into himself.
"Alfred, come on," Matt tugged at his arm. "You can't just sulk! Talk to me already!"
A slight whine.
"Al, it's never going to go away if you just hide like this... please..."
*It won't go away either way..*
*How do you know?* he pounced on the reopened channel. *How do you know that hiding up here and letting everyone else pick up their own pieces is going to end better than trying to make amends?*
*He doesn't like me anymore..*
*How would you know, you've not spoken to him.*
*Cause I do..* he knew those feelings he felt when on the roof.
*That's a lame as excuse..* Matt frowned.
Al buries his face.
*Al, please just look at me for a moment...*
He hesitated before doing so.
Matt just looked soft, warm. "I won't make you do anything tonight... but you need to talk to him, okay...?"
Al watched him a moment before hugging him. He hugged back tightly, happy just to be accepted again. Al sighs clinging.
"Come on... let's just go to sleep..."
"Ok.."
They lay down and snuggle in. Al clung tight to him. Matt pet his hair until he drifted off.
Morning seemed to come too soon. They woke slowly, minds fumbling in the fog of sleep, determined to keep them under. Kuma comes up laying on Matt, wanting cuddles too.
He grunted, the bear heavier than he remembered. Al hums moving closer. He shifted some then settled, smiling softly.
They lay there a little longer. Til eventually a certain albino peeks inside.
Matt glanced up as the door opened, smiling at him. "Hey Gillie..."
"Hey, they sent me to wake you guys up."
"What time is it?" he sat up slowly.
"Bout ten."
"Oh," he hummed, rubbing his eyes. *Al... it's ten... time to get up.*
He blinks awake. Gil sits waiting. Matt got up, setting the bear on the floor before stealing Gil for a kiss. He kissed back while Al tried to pull himself together. Matt just smiled, oddly happy today.
They all head downstairs Al still slightly fidgety. Matt held his hand securely.
Ivan caught them in the hall giving Al a warm hug when he saw how distressed he still looked. Al clung to him for a moment. Matt watched sadly, almost starting to rethink making him reach out...
Al stood for a moment before braving a quick peck on the lips then hiding. Ivan looked overjoyed at that though. Matt beamed, pride radiating. Al smiles softly before pulling back. He was starting to heal his relationship at least.
"Shall we get breakfast?"
Al nods softly following the others down. They go to the kitchen and gather up a nice meal. Al still seemed rather subdued though, almost like he had when they brought him home.
Matt tried to keep it light, goodwill and supportive... It worked somewhat. Al smiles ever so slightly. It was better than nothing, Matt thought to himself. Plus, if the Celts chanced to come down, it might ease them too...
Al ended up quietly asking Matt if the others wanted to go fishing too. He relayed the message, smiling encouragingly. He had enough gear for them all. They agreed with a grin.
That sorted, they finish eating, get the rods and nets from the garage and head down to the lake. Once set up they cast out. Matt whistled happily, swinging an icepick by his leg. It was for if the lake had iced over. It was unseasonably chilly...
Kuma joined in too, though he swam out to catch his. Al tried not to watch as an osprey skims the water plucking one out of it.
Matt noticed this instantly though... *Alright...?*
*M' fine.* Eagle wanted to go out and fish 'properly' as he saw it a much more efficient method then using sticks.
Matt shrugged and handed him a rod, casting his line out. Al takes his and casts. Ivan on his other side with Gil by Matt. They stood, patiently listening to nature as they waited for a bite.
There was nothing for a while, which thoroughly frustrated eagle. Al kept rangling him down when it argued with him. Kuma was the only one catching anything. Matt frowned at that, calling the bear out of the water. Kuma came in with a content stomach anyway, shaking the water off his fur.
Matt chuckled softly as he settled in the shade.
Al sighs casting again, it had been harder to keep complete control over the bird during his recovery, it was being far more protective than usual which had accounted for the many slips in the last few months..
But he really needed to start gathering himself again. They couldn't have a repeat of Iain's accident... what if he caught Molly? She was still struggling as it was... Which was why he refused to go skimming with the others around. He needed to get a handle.
Perhaps he should just talk to Matt? Just tell him that Eagle was getting edgy and he could organize a day for them both. Eagle might be dangerous to the others, but Bear would be fine.
He kept that in mind as they continued to fish. It took a while, but the soon started reeling them in. Matt's lakes were always full, or so it seemed.
By the time they headed back they had a good catch. Matt grinned all the way, whistling softly. Al was just itching to eat them already.
*Oh, here,* Matt chuckled, throwing him a fish. *You'll start drooling soon.*
Al caught it but was wary of just eating it like that with the others still there.
*They're ahead of us, you'll be fine.*
He fidgets then puts it back. *I can wait..*
Matt just smiled, urging the group to walk a little faster.
They get back to the house and start slicing up the fish. As soon as one was done, Matt set it cooking, using the excuse that Al needed the protien. Al kept glancing at the pan as they finished the rest.
Matt couldn't help laughing at his impatience. He plated it up and handed it over. "Eat. I'll cook more." Al washed his hands then took to the plate. They were done with the fish by now anyway. Matt just chuckled and set to cooking the rest. They had more than enough for everyone.
Francis walks in following the smell, "Good haul?"
"Very good," Matt grinned. "Want some?"
"Sure."
He dished him up a plate. They all gather round and eat. Al having a bit more appetite than before. Matt ran plates to the Celts, telling Arthur to help himself on the way out. Al finished his plate putting it in the sink.
Matt soon returned, frowning softly. Al glanced at him.
"When did she last eat...?"
Al shrugs unsure. "Whats wrong?" Francis asks.
"She wouldn't even look at me... she had two plates full of cold food on her bedside table..."
Al frowns worriedly. Arthur left his food, planning to go check. Francis follows. They head up together, stepping into her room cautiously. "Molly...?" Francis comes in behind Arthur.
They got no answer. She just lay on her side, hair splayed around her head, glassy green eyes fixed on the wall but seeing something entirely different. Francis frowns walking over. Arthur took one look at her filthy bandages then left to hunt down the first aid kit. Molly didn't even blink at her new visitors.
Francis walks closer checking her over. She didn't even react to his gentle prodding. She was locked in a trance. He frowns at that checking for fever. Her skin was burning, dry heat searing her body. He frowns heading to the bathroom and starting the water.
Arthur came back with the kit, pausing when he saw him in the bathroom. "What on earth are you doing?"
"She's burning up.." Francis picks her up carrying her over to the cool water. Arthur cussed, starting to worry when she didn't immediately react to the water. Francis held her there washing her face a bit.
It took a few minutes, but her trance finally started to break, eyes fighting to focus again. "F-F-Franc-cis...?" she croaked groggily.
He sighs in relief.
"S'cold," she whimpered, shivering.
He shuts it off. She tried to move, but it was all she could do to shift a bit. Her eyes were drooping already. He frowns again undoing the bandages. Blood seeped into the water instantly. More than a few cuts looked infected, the stitches in her side had ripped... He sighs cleaning them and asking Arthur for the paroxide. He handed it over. Molly whimpered in anticipation, trying to squirm away weakly.
He shushed her letting it bubble on the cuts. She kicked, gripping tightly to his sleeve as her eyes watered. He pets her hair a bit. She just sobbed, cuts bubbling away. They were still quite deep, struggling to heal during all the stress surrounding them.
Once thoroughly clean he went to work fixing the stitches and wrapping them back up. Arthur knelt by her, cooing and comforting gently all the while. It was all she could do to rest against him, trembling with cold and anxiety. Francis finished the wrappings then wrapped her up in a towel.
She curled into him. "M't-tired..."
They take her back to her room and into dry clothes before bringing her downstairs to keep an eye on her. She clung to him in a weak plea for comfort, passing out soon after he got her settled. Francis frowns softly glancing to Arthur.
"We only left her a few days..." he frowned guiltily. "She seemed fine..."
Francis sighs hugging him. He leaned in, watching her fretfully. They with with her for a while coddling.
Arthur was reluctant to leave her, but he still had half a meal to finish.. In the end he just brought the plates in there with them. The boys still waiting worriedly in the kitchen.
After a while, Matt came through, glancing to her then them. "She okay...?"
Al was behind him, other two watching from the other room.
Arthur sighed softly. "Burning a fever with at least seven infected wounds..."
Al drew back a little.
"Okay..." Matt back up too, slipping outside.
Al follows him. *Matt? You ok?*
*I've been taking her her meals... How did I miss that?*
Al frowns hugging him. He leaned in, guilty adgitation bubbling through him. *How?! How the hell?!*
*It's ok Mattie.. You didn't know..*
*I should have seen it...*
Al sits hugging him and rocking. Matt clung, brimming with self hate for letting her condition get so bad... Gil comes out trying to comfort him as well.
He couldn't accept it though. This was his fault, no doubt about it. He'd been taking care of her and if he hadn't been preoccupying himself with other things, maybe he would have seen her health dropping. The albino sighs softly.
"I have to make it up to her..."
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Gil says.
"We were sure four days ago too, but she's not fine. And she doesn't have to suffer in the meantime either..."
Gil frowns. There was little stopping Matt when he rode his guilt train... but Molly would be thoroughly looked after between Francis and Arthur.