Hi!

This is the last chapter. It is a little shorter and I mostly just used it to give some nice fluff and round everything out. Please review and let me know if you enjoyed the story!

Have a wonderful rest of the year!

When they first got to the castle, Gilbert insisted that he see the physician who gave Matthew a strict diet and herbal supplements. He also insisted that the boy take a bath, wrap the wounds, and go to sleep immediately. Gilbert was given the wraps and a bath was prepared.

Before the bath, Matthew was approached with new clothes. The last time Matthew got new clothes was the last time his father was in town. Anytime he made anything, he was only given enough fabric to complete an outfit for the boys or Reagan.

The shirt was a simple white material meant to be smooth on his skin and avoid irritation. The pants were the same way, but brown. The underwear was white and cotton and put in the middle of the other two garments to avoid embarrassment.

Matthew was apprehensive about taking a bath. It had been a while since he had anything other than a quick dip in dirty bathwater. The door closed behind him and he was left alone with the large tub filled with water.

When he got in, he realized he expected the cold water he was used to but a warmth greeted him and he let his muscles relax. A couple of minutes passed before he actually started to clean himself. When he was done, he grabbed the towel on the chair beside the tub and dried off, putting on pants to at least keep his lower half decent.

Looking back in the tub, he felt a small bit of shame pass over him. The water had turned from clear to a grimy brown color. He hoped he had gotten himself clean enough to not dirty the clothes that were given to him as much as he thought he might.

He called Gilbert in, who had insisted that he be the one to wrap the bandages. He didn't say anything about the bathwater and joked with his Birdie as he spread ointment and encased the wounds in gauze.

Matthew, who had stayed up all night and missed out on sleep for the past several years, slept for ages. At least, that's what it felt like to Gilbert who stayed close until he fell asleep next to him.

At some point, he felt a movement beside him. Looking at the clock, it was 3:30 in the morning.

"Birdie, what are you doing?"

"Sorry, I usually get up this early." Gilbert laughed a little.

"Can you sleep for a little longer, just until the sun actually comes up?"

It was Matthew's turn to laugh as he nodded. As he laid back down, a certain albino decided he was just too far from reach and pulled him much closer.

Gilbert easily settled back to sleep but it took the boy a little longer, getting used to the warmth and comfort that both the arms and a bed brought to him.

Matthew found out the next day that his step-family was arrested for abuse shortly after they had arrived at the castle. He could imagine how disgruntled the boys must have been waking up any earlier than noon, let alone five o'clock in the morning.

Prison didn't seem right for them, at least not to Matthew. It seemed too cold for him to send his family to such a place.

Gilbert fought with him about letting them out and the compromised. His step-family would be given a house, but in a different kingdom, never to return. They would not be allowed any sort of slave and have to fend for themselves.

Matthew did see them again if only to say goodbye.

Gilbert was disgusted with how terribly they treated him even after how much the boy fought for their happiness. When they turned to Gilbert, they flirted with him. It was nauseating and Matthew smiled and waved at them nevertheless.

It was admittedly fun to see Matthew wonder around the castle and get used to things being done for him.

Matthew still got up fairly early, but not before the sun was. Gilbert usually joined him and they would walk around the castle, greeting all of the servants and, sometimes, the guards.

Gilbert realized he hadn't really taken the time to get to know many of them, but realized they were all wonderful people.

A couple of times, Matthew would attempt to take over someone's job.

"I can help too."

"Yes, you can. But we also pay these people. You don't need to do the job for them."

Matthew would pout but stand up from, most often, the floor.

From time to time, he would find Matthew in strange places like the banisters, which really frighted him, or on window ledges, trying to help clean them.

The animals were brought from Matthew's house and he was so grateful. Some days, he and Gilbert would sit with them for hours, watching and playing with them.

At some point, a chick seemed to attach himself to Gilbert and he named it "Gilbird". Of course he would, Matthew thought.

There were days when he would go back to his own house and take care of it, changing it back to the way it used to be.

At some point, Matthew went through his father's office. It was in his second year at the castle when he took on the daunting task. Some of the journals were moved to the library at the castle to be copied as they involved helpful research on different plants that Matthew guessed he did on the side as well as others on trade.

Eventually, when Matthew went through the desk, he found a drawer full of the dried roses his father got from him. At the bottom was a note. It read:

Dear Matthew,

If you are reading this, I have died and enough time has passed for you to heal. I am so proud of you and what you've become.

My boy, I don't think I'd have the heart to tell you so I shall tell you here. If you haven't already noticed, you are adopted.

Your mother died in birth along with your twin. Your father was a carpenter who died earlier that month due to a tragic mishap. They had already come up with names for you and your brother. They are buried at the cemetery in town near a birch tree. Your papa and I would frequent there to thank them for you. I would like if you would continue the tradition. Her favorite flowers were Lillies of the Valley.

If you have found love, know that not everything will be perfect. You will have arguments but if you have your mother's judgment, you'll love that person forever.

Your papa and I loved to dance to your music. Please dance with your partner and it will be one of the most magical things you feel, I promise you.

I love you so much and whatever decisions you have made are ones that I trust.

Your father,

Arthur Kirkland.

Matthew cried, of course, when he read it and brought it back to the castle himself to put it in his box of important things that was now tucked safely under his bed.

A few years later, when Antonio and Lovino eventually got married, Matthew would offer the home to them as Feliciano and Ludwig had decided to stay in the castle.

One of Matthew's favorite things to do was still go into town to see his friends. Although they were available at the castle now, eating their food in their hard-earned restaurant made Matthew relish in a moment of pride. They'd come out and eat with him most times because he would come at a time when the place wasn't really busy.

They'd talk about their lives. At first, the twins wanted to know all about Matthew's life at the castle.

Matthew confided in him. He was still nervous about being there. He felt like there was too much time on his hands and his self-doubt got the better of him somedays. The prince was a very important person and Matthew was just himself.

The two would always cheer him up in some way or another and remind him that Gilbert fell for him for a reason, even if he was a potato-eating bastard.

Gilbert's favorite moments were the days he'd wake up to pancakes, which, in all honesty, had become most days.

The first time he got to try them, Matthew had disappeared before he had woken up. When he finally found him, the smell wafting from the cooktop was much more intriguing than any other thing that Gilbert could have come up with at the moment.

He came up behind Matthew and hugged him, resting his still tired head on his shoulder. Matthew's head tilted to set on his and they stayed like that for a while until Matthew finished cooking and had to fetch something from the pantry.

"It's been years since I had this! I had to make sure to get it!"

Matthew seemed extra excited which, in turn, made Gilbert ecstatic.

Pouring the golden-tinted brown syrup over his own thin cakes.

Gilbert did the same with his own and took a bite. They both melted into their seats. The flavor and the taste was extraordinary.

Gilbert looked to Matthew whose eyes had just fluttered open and had a look of absolute euphoria in them.

"Is this not the best thing you've ever tasted in your whole life?"

Gilbert laughed and nodded thoughtfully, deciding to be a little mischievous this morning. "I don't know. I think bratwurst might beat it."

"What?! Really?" Matthew had a look of disbelief on his face.

"No. These things are almost as awesome as me."

Matthew laughed. "They may be even more awesome."

Gilbert gave an over-exaggerated look of betrayal and looked the other in the eyes before they both broke out in laughter again.

After their first year together, Gilbert wanted to propose.

When he did work up the courage to ask, it was on a certain bench in a secluded part of the garden.

Matthew said yes.

"Obviously he'd say yes," a certain Russian would tell him with an eye-roll after he mentioned his relief.

And now, only five years into their relationship, Gilbert is currently taunting Matthew with maple syrup, holding it only five inches away from his nose before pulling it back.

Matthew has completely healed from his wounds, although still suffering slightly from the mental ones. The only bruise still predominate is the one from last week when he fell out of a tree.

Gilbert still loves all of him.

They have taken on the role of parents to a beautiful baby girl who had the same circumstances as Matthew, and the two will love and spoil her to death, along with her grandfather.

As his papa, I can say they are incredibly happy and healthy.

And, of course, they will live happily ever after.