Trigger warning: alcoholism. Other warnings still apply.

Thank you for reading , hope you enjoy!

"Not hungry?" Asked a calm voice capturing Matt's attention. The blonde looked up at the woman wearing a gentle smile before looking back down at his full plate. He couldn't bare eating anything, it all tasted like cardboard and he didn't have the energy to force himself. He didn't care if she'd be offended by his refusal he was too tired to care about anything anymore. He wasn't even sure how long he'd been sitting in the dining room staring at his food, five minutes maybe ten he wasn't sure everything was all blurred together for him. He hadn't spoken a single word to Trudy since Hank had left and to his surprise she'd barely spoken a word to him.

"That's ok, but if you get hungry later on just let me know", he didn't bother to nod he doubted she meant it. Soon enough she'd get tired of being nice they all did eventually.

"Look Matt I know it's only for a week but why don't we lay down some ground rules so we know what to expect of each other". Matt continued to look down as if he hadn't heard her, but she was undeterred by his silence

"Always let me know before you leave the house and be back by seven, I don't mind if you want your friends to come over, Hank told me about them they sound like good people". It didn't take long for Matt's attention to switch off but from he did hear he knew she didn't have many rules, at least not compared to his dads. Also most of her rules were about keeping in line with the conditions of his bail, she didn't seem half as strict as his dad but Matt wasn't about to let his guard down yet.

After a while Matt found his attention drifting back towards Trudy, she had finished her speech about the ground rules and had begun to tell him a bit about herself. She used to be a desk sergeant that definitely didn't surprise him, after seeing her no beating around the bush approach to life he'd suspected she was some sort of police officer or had been in the army. However he wasn't expecting to hear that she'd been shot in the line of duty he'd gaped at that before remembering himself and returning to staring back down at his plate. He kept his head down but this time he continued to listen despite what he wanted her to believe he was slightly interested.

"Is there anything I need to know about you?" She asked and Matt briefly looked up at her in confusion. He shrunk down in his chair as he mumbled,

"You already know everything".

"I know what happened, I don't know anything about you". You're never going to thought Matt bitterly as he continued to look anywhere but at her. He could feel himself getting more uncomfortable by the second and his heart was pounding in his chest.

"Can I go back upstairs now" he rushed out already rising to his feet,

"Yeah of course, I'll be down here for a little while if you need to talk". Wordlessly Matt headed headed for the stairs without looking back at Trudy. He'd be gone soon there was no point in pretending to be anything but a nuisance, she was just doing a favour for Hank she didn't really care about him. Nobody did.

An annoying squeaking sound echoed around the playground causing Jay to cringe. He was on one of the few remaining swings. Despite the noise that came from it occasionally the old swing was still better than the bench near the entrance that was falling apart. The cold air nipped at his hands as he held onto the metal chains. He stared up at the sky and watched as the sun began to slip it away. He let his mind drift until a quiet voice brought him back down to earth,

"Do you think things will get better for Matt now?". Jay slowly turned to his head to look at Kelly who was sat on the other swing beside him, the teens mouth was pressed into a tight line and Jay could see the fear in his eyes, Jay was pretty sure the same scared look was printed across his face. Fortunately there was no one else around to see the boy's masks slip. Thanks to the freezing cold weather and fast approaching darkness the park was completely deserted, it gave them the perfect place to talk in private. As much as Jay would've preferred to have stayed in the warm comfort of his own home he couldn't risk Will listening in, he didn't want the curious boy to start worrying even more.

"I don't know" replied Jay as he struggled to suppress a shiver. They'd received a message from Hank that the detective had finally gotten Matt temporarily released from juvie. Despite the good news it was definitely not a time to celebrate, their focus was now firmly on Matt's fast approaching trial. Jay knew no matter what the verdict was the entire process would be incredibly hard on Matt, he wasn't sure if his friend would last long enough to hear the juries ruling. It was no secret that Matt was filled with guilt. Everyone who knew Matt well knew hearing the prosecution's arguments would only worsen the blondes already fragile mental state. Jay scrubbed a hand across his face before speaking in a tone full of regret

"Do you think we could have-"

"Stop" interrupted Kelly but his tone was devoid of any anger and in fact any emotion at all. The other was clearly as tired Jay felt, they both just wanted this nightmare to end.

"There's no point dwelling on it, all we can do is be there for him" stated Kelly and Jay nodded solemnly. But he was starting to wonder if they were enough, Jay wasn't the same determined person he used to be and from what he could tell Kelly wasn't doing too well either.

Swiftly Jay walked towards his house, he and Kelly had parted ways for the night and he was determined to get home before he froze to death. As he reached his street a frown immediately appeared on his face. Oh god no mumbled Jay as he sped up the pace towards his house. A small figure was sat on the steps of his house. As he got closer his a tight knot formed in his stomach, Will was sat outside a thick blanket draped around his shoulders and tear tracks staining his face. There was only one reason why Will would wait outside for him in the freezing cold and just thinking about it sent a shiver down Jay's spine .

"Will are you ok?" He asked as he stood in front of his younger brother his eyes scanning for any signs of injuries. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he realised the boy was unharmed but his worry returned when Will looked up at him with a stare full of anger,

"You said you'd be back soon" the boy said as he angrily scrubbed at the fresh tears that had leaked from his eyes. Jay found his heart aching with guilt, Will had begged him to stay but he'd gone anyway after promising he'd be back soon. He hadn't meant to get so carried away talking to Kelly; a few weeks ago they wouldn't have willingly stood in the same room as each other let alone talk for hours.

"I'm sorry I lost track of time",

"You've been gone for three hours" yelled Will cutting off his lame apology. Jay watched sullenly as Will bolted to his feet and headed for the front door. Eventually he shook himself out of his shocked state and attempted attempted to follow the red head.

" I'm sorry look I-" Jay began to stutter out another apology but was cut off by Will turning around with a look of pure anger on his face.

"You knew he was in a bad mood!". Jay swallowed he knew what Will really meant, he knew his father was drinking again but he'd left Will behind anyway. Before he had a chance to speak again Will stormed inside slamming the door behind him leaving Jay staring numbly at the now empty porch.

He stood their frozen with guilt and shock until his skin began to sting from the harsh air. Jay's hand hovered over the door handle as he prepared himself for what he knew was going to be a rough night. Finally he opened the door and stepped into the living room immediately his heart plummeted. Various items were strewn across the room but Jays eyes were drawn to the television or more specifically the cracks that now littered the screen. As he shuffled further into the room he noticed the many empty bottles of alcohol lying on the floor, it was hardly a surprise but it still hurt to see. His dad had been sober for nearly a month, when Jay found empty alcohol bottles lying in the trash a few days ago he'd really hoped it was just a small slip. He wasn't sure he could do all this again. Ever since their mother died their lives had been plagued by their fathers drinking habit. Not so long ago alcohol had almost ripped their family apart, Jay didn't think he could keep everything together this time.