Antonio knows Francis is spiralling as soon as Francis declines dinner and wants to head straight to bed. As a friend, Antonio know better than to ignore it. The decision is made as soon as he locks eyes with Gilbert, and Antonio follows Francis to his room. He studies the queen bed critically before deciding they can all fit if they squeeze. He's in his pajamas by the time Francis finishes in the shower, and Francis doesn't look surprised to find Antonio on his bed.

Antonio waits for Francis to sit down next to him before he speaks.

"You're not alone, Amigo."

The first time they found out about Francis's depression was in collage, and Francis had been mostly alone at that point, or at least tended to think he was. Antonio doesn't want him to think that way again. Antonio's words open the floodgates, and Francis begins to cry, and Antonio is relieved. He knows it'd sound insane to say this out loud, but he'd rather see his friend crying because of the pain than the emptiness that he'd seen before.

Antonio is just happy that Francis is feeling anything. If Francis feels the pain, or the sadness, or the anxiety that is causing the depression, Antonio thinks he can help him move past it. Antonio's not afraid of the tears. It's the emptiness, the blankness in Francis' eyes, the lack of reaction to the outside forces that scares Antonio. That's why he's relieved Francis is crying.

He texts Gilbert quickly. He knows he can't do it alone, and he knows Gilbert will kill him if he doesn't let him know. They both need to be there for Francis. Francis curls down with the force of his sobs, and Antonio takes the chance to pull Francis into his arms. Francis is trying to explain and apologize, a mixture of French and English, and Antonio is only understanding half of it, but it's enough, and his heart feels like it's breaking.

"Desolé, I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm like this. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm so weak. I'm sorry for always troubling you. Désolé."

Francis is blaming himself and Antonio hates it, but he knows it's best to let Francis let it out before he contradicts him. It won't do any good to tell Francis he's wrong when he's already blaming himself. Francis probably won't believe him. Instead, Antonio tells him little truths.

"You are stronger than me, sometimes, Amigo."

"I'm sorry I keep doing this."

"I'll be here for you no matter how many times you need me. Gilbert too."

"Désolé, I've cause you trouble."

"But causing trouble is what we are good at, si? Both Gilbert and I too cause you trouble."

"I was not good enough to Art'ur."

Antonio doesn't respond. He doesn't know what to say to that without upsetting Francis more. Francis chokes on his tears, and Gilbert opens the door and rushes in the room, face distraught. Francis makes a confession that freezes Antonio's blood.

"I wish I was dead!"

There's a gasp from behind Gilbert, and Antonio drops Francis into Gilbert's arms as he pushes Mathew out of the room and closes the door. He knows the boy can't be here. The boy shouldn't have heard that, but he doesn't have time to worry about that. Gilbert is holding Francis and speaking in the soft voice he used to use when he put his little brother to bed.

Francis' words hurt, but Antonio knows he doesn't mean them. No, perhaps right now he does, but Antonio knows he'll regret them later. Gilbert is reminding Francis why that is.

"But what about your family?"

Francis' shoulders are shaking with the force of his sobs, and he doesn't respond. Gilbert continues.

"What about Lucille? Do you remember how small she was when you first introduced me? She looks just like you, she's so proud to have you as her Papa. What about her? Do you want to leave her alone?"

Francis still doesn't respond, but Gilbert doesn't seem to expect him too, and neither does Antonio. Antonio starts to rub Francis s back as he used to do to calm Lovino when he was raising him. Gilbert continues in the same soft tone that perhaps only three people in the world knows he can use.

"What about that other little girl?"

Michelle isn't a little girl, but to Francis she might always be one, and Gilbert uses this to his advantage.

"She is worried about you, she just wants to stay near you and she wants to see you smile again, I can tell from her face. She loves you. Do you want to leave her behind?"

Francis's sobs begin to slow, and Antonio chimes in.

"What about Alfred? Do you know he called us because he's worried about you? He looked up to you. Do you know he always says that your food is the best? He really loves you too. What about him?"

"What about Mathew?"

Gilbert adds, and Antonio remembers the boy's presence at the door moments ago and tries to meet Gilbert's eyes. Gilbert is looking only at Francis, but his voice sounds genuinely worried about Mathew as he speaks.

"That boy loves you more than life itself. Will you leave him alone too? What about us? What about Toni and me? We don't want to live in a world without you."

Francis jerks and shakes his head.

"Ich liebe dich, Franny." Gilbert deals the last blow, and Antonio chimes in too.

"Te quiero."

It's not a romantic love, but a love for family, because that's what Francis is to Antonio. Not a friend, but Family. And he won't let himself lose him. It takes some time, but Francis calms himself down enough to stop crying, and takes the offered tissue and blows his nose somewhat sheepishly.

"Merci. J'taime aussi."

Francis whispers the words, and even though he doesn't take back his earlier statement, Antonio know he doesn't mean it anymore. It doesn't take long for Francis to drift off after that, exhausted from the ceaseless sobbing. Antonio wipes his face down with a warm damp cloth, and tucks him into bed. Gilbert watches with darkened eyes.

A bell chimes, and Antonio realizes its the door. Gilbert stand up.

"I'll get it."

He's frowning, and Antonio knows he has a suspicion of who it is and doesn't like the answer. Antonio too, thinks he knows.

He isn't sure if it's a good thing or not.