Hello guys, college makes me a mess and I've had writer's block to be quite honest.

But here is another chapter, this time focusing more on Mathias and Lukas.

Hope you guys enjoy!

Lukas sighed out as he closed the door and he set the basket of goods on the table. He had just come back from dropping Emil off at school. His father was already gone, now working for a store shop owner that took pity on his family and was paying him well. "Lukas?" he heard.

He walked over to his mother's room and smiled, "Hey mom, how are you feeling today?" he asked.

"Tired," she replied. She barely had a voice left and her body had become so pale she could barely move out of bed most days.

"Did you want some tea?" he asked and she shook her head. He nodded and changed the small cloth on top of her head giving her a new cool one from a bowl beside the table. "Emil is at school now, dad went to work. You just rest, I'll make sure everything is ready by dinner." His mother barely said a word before her eyes closed and his smile disappeared from his lips. He decided to open up the window that looked out into their small garden.

He was careful not to knock over the small pot that had the moon rose in it, ever since Tino gave it to him he placed it in his mother's room. He thought he was being so childish thinking how a simple plant had any magical power. He pushed his hair back before walking out toward the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. He knew who it was, but regardless he opened the door. "Mathias," he muttered.

"Good morning!" The annoyingly loud man said as he walked inside. "I brought some bread from the bakery," he held up a basket to show him.

Lukas took the basket and set it on the table. "Won't your Master be angry that you spend his money without his permission?"

"He knows," Mathias replied.

Lukas glanced at him before he began to put away the goods he bought. He wouldn't need to start on dinner for another two hours and needed to get some cleaning done before that. "Is that all you came to do? Deliver bread?"

"And to see how your mother is doing," Mathias said and took a seat.

"She's asleep," Lukas didn't want to keep the conversation going. He wanted the man out of his house so he could get things done. Although, if it was like most days that wouldn't be the case. Most days Mathias would come over with something, it could be foods or even a gift for him and Emil. They would make small talk as Lukas started to do his chores, and wouldn't even realize Mathias would start helping.

However, today he didn't want to deal with any of it. He was exhausted from constantly getting up early and he wanted to get things done so he could maybe get a nap in. He walked outside as Mathias was going on about something he saw in town and he walked toward the small goat they kept. Without thinking he took a small bucket of grains that Mathias handed him and he fed the goat before walking toward the chickens. He only nodded and agreed every once in awhile.

Mathias opened the small gate to where the hens were as they flocked around Lukas. He scattered some feed out for them, Mathias in the meantime cleaning out the chicken coop. "And then, Mrs. Lamiar said her daughter was expecting another baby. I mean, isn't that a lot of babies for one person?"

By this point they were both cleaning the chicken coop and collecting eggs that Lukas realized he let it happen again. "Dammit," he muttered and turned to glare at Mathias who set another egg in the bucket by his feet "Shouldn't you be getting back home?" he asked

"It's fine," Mathias smiled and dug around for another egg.

"You're doing it again," Lukas said this time tugging on Mathias' sleeve and pulling his arm away. "Look, I can take care of things here by myself. I don't need your help. Just go home to your Master, I'm sure he has you do this kind of thing all the time."

"Not really, I usually just get him food and making sure all the other servants are doing as their told." He watched Lukas ignore his explanation going in for another egg. "Oh! I get it! You're just worried about me!"

Lukas scoffed, "Please," he set the last egg in the bucket. "I could care less even if you were dying right in front of me." He promptly walked out of the hen house, but as usual the harsh words had no effect on Mathias.

"I'm sure you don't mean that."

"You don't know what I do and don't mean," Lukas replied setting the eggs down inside. He turned around to tell the annoying much taller blonde to get out when he realized the other was just a bit too close for comfort. His face heated up and he stepped back his hip hitting the edge of the table. His fingers grasped the edge as he cleared his throat, "Like I said, you can go home now."

Mathias could see the dark tint growing on Lukas' cheeks and he smiled to himself, "If you insist,' he sighed out. "But, if you want I can help get dinner started before I go."

Lukas was going to protest, but it didn't sound like a bad idea. "Fine, but then you leave."

"Would it really be a scandal if your father came home and I was here?" Mathias asked teasingly.

"Of course not," Lukas said trying to keep calm. He knew what he was suggesting and his eyebrow twitched. "My father trusts you, as does my mother. And it would be best not to break that trust," he gave a small smile toward Mathias.

Mathias' smile fell for a second, giving Lukas the impression that he had somehow scared him. When in fact it was quite the opposite. Mathias was taken back by the smile, if it was meant to scare him in the slightest, it didn't work. The sight left him speechless.

Which, once again, gave Lukas the impression that he scared him. "I-I should go," Mathias said quickly.

Lukas raised an eyebrow, his expression turning to normal. "So soon? I thought you were going to help me with dinner?"

"I-I...I just remembered Master Berwald called for me home early this evening!" he bowed quickly and headed out the door.

Lukas watched it close and sighed out, was that all it took? A smile? He chuckled to himself, Mathias was certainly an odd one. But he was glad for it to be so quiet once again, he was going to start on dinner when he remembered he still had to clean out the chicken coop itself. He sighed out in annoyance and walked back out again.

Mathias returned back to the estate and walked right through the front door handing a couple of other servants things he got from the market. He tried to busy himself and not to think about Lukas, he thought he was also being a bit absurd. Yes, he knew he liked him. Yes, he knew Lukas probably most likely despised him. And yes, he was sure it would never work.

So why did he like him?

The thoughts were going to make his head hurt if he kept overthinking it so he had to find someone to help him. He wasn't close to any of the servants, and Berwald wouldn't be much help in this case. So the next logical person would be Tino. Plus, he was Lukas' cousin and knows him best so maybe he could help him.

He was looking all over the place for Tino until he found him about to head outside with little Hanatamago. "Ah, Tino!" Mathias called and Tino turned to him smiling.

"Hello Mathias, how was the market today?"

"It was good as usual," and was about to spout out the latest gossip he heard when he remembered the reason why he was there. "I need to talk to you."

"About?" Tino asked and set little Hana down as she started to get fussy in his arms.

"Eh, well you see, I have a friend who likes someone, and I need to help him out." He kept a bright smile on his face although he could feel the palm of his hands

"Who?' Tino asked with a large smile on his face.

"Well, their name isn't important. But you see they like this person, but this person can be grumpy sometimes. But I swear they are really nice and they work really hard and they have the cutest smile…" he could go on and on about Lukas. He did for another five minutes describing his smile and how over these past few months seeing him nearly everyday made him unbelievably happy.

"Mathias...Mathias can I ask a question?" Tino interrupted him.

"Sure!"

"Are you perhaps talking about my cousin?"

"Oh, um….maybe?" Mathias smiled.

Tino wanted to laugh, Mathias was way to obvious and it was sort of charming. "Well, my advice for this 'person', would be to give Lukas some room. I'm sure with everything going on he is a bit overwhelmed and having someone around all the time doesn't help."

"Oh...would he see that person as annoying?" Mathias asked now playing with the hem of his sleeve.

"I don't think so," Tino said trying to reassure him. "He just needs space, that's all. Space is key."

"Space...so like leaving him alone?"

Tino nodded, "Yep. Maybe visiting him every other day instead of every day would be a great start."

"Right," Mathias said with his usual wide smile. "Well, I'll definitely tell him then!" Mathias turned right around and walked off.

Tino sighed out, this was going to be interesting. Little Hana was now scratching at the door as he opened it and they both walked outside.

The next day when Lukas got back from dropping off Emil and visiting the market he set the things down on the table. He went to his mother's room to change out her towel and to feed her some broth from the night before. He sighed out and closed the door to the room looking at the clock, he half expected a knock on the door.

He promptly walked over and opened the door, glanced out, but didn't see any sign of the butler anywhere. He closed the door and glanced at the clock once again before opening it and glancing out. Still no sign of him. He closed the door once more and decided he was just being weird before starting on his chores.

For the first time in a while it was quiet. All he heard was the small 'bah' from the goat and the clucking of the chickens. He collected the eggs, cleaned out the coop and collected whatever was ripe in the garden that day. He smiled setting the basket of eggs and freshly picked herbs on the table. It had taken him a little more time without help, but it was relaxing. He didn't have to hear some annoying person spout off about gossip he didn't care about.

The day came and went and soon he found himself arriving from the market once more. He set his things down and went over to care for his mother. He glanced at the clock and sighed out. He opened the door and there was no sign of the butler again. He found it strange and slightly worried about the man. Then he quickly shook his head closing the door, why would he worry about him? He didn't care what he did or what he was doing. He went out to do his daily chores and once again it was quiet.

However today, it was way too quiet. He kept expecting someone to knock or for the back door to just open and the tall blonde to stroll in as if everything were normal. He felt slightly unsettled at that the man hadn't shown up yesterday, and then again today. Maybe his master finally caught on and told him he was no longer allowed to visit. He laughed to himself, that's what he gets.

He set the basket of eggs on the table and glanced at the door once more. Maybe he was sick, should he go and visit him? Afterall he always came here wondering about his mother. Wouldn't it be the right thing to do? Going into the black forest though was far different than going into town. He bit his lip and decided against it, he had to much to do here to go and worry about someone who could take care of themselves.

Later that evening they had a visit from the town doctor. Lukas was cleaning up after dinner and Emil had gone to go and wash up for bed. He couldn't hear anything from the other room, but he was sure the news wasn't going to be any good. His mother had been getting worse everyday and he wondered how much longer she had.

He jumped up hearing the door open, "Thank you so much," Elo said shaking the man's hand. The doctor had a grim look on his face and shook his hand as well. The doctor turned to him and nodded his head before putting on his hat and walking out of the house.

"What's happening?" Lukas asked turning back around to finish washing a few dishes.

Elo walked over to the kitchen and sat down, he let out a long sigh and leaned his head back to look up at the roof. The dark corners of the house seemed to be getting bigger as the flame lighting the room was dying out. "He said...she might not make it to next week…"

Lukas gripped the small cloth in his hands. He put his hands down in the murky water as if he was suffocating them. He knew he was shaking, he just didn't want to see it. "What...what are we going to do?" Lukas asked trying to keep his voice as calm as possible.

"What we always do."

Lukas knew his father was crushed, he knew he was probably hurting worse than he was. "It's late you should go to bed," he muttered.

Elo sat still for a few more moments before getting up. The chair creaking with the absence of his weight and he sighed out. "Make sure Emil gets to bed on time." With that he shuffled out of the kitchen and toward the bedroom. Once the door was shut closed Lukas felt the tears run down his face and he didn't stop them.

The night didn't pass by as quickly as he wanted it to. He was up almost all night tossing and turning, his brother in the bed on the other side of the room. He was fast asleep and he couldn't imagine what it would be like to be so young and to lose his mom. He waited as patiently as he could for morning to arrive, and he hoped that Mathias would visit today. He would need a distraction.

Morning came as slowly and painfully as it could, he got up and did his usual routine. He made breakfast for his father and Emil, then dropped Emil off at the school and went to the market to get any extra ingredients he would need. He took longer than usual seeing as news spread about his mother and several people stopped him to offer support. He never knew what he was supposed to say as he just smiled and thanked them before getting away to get home.

He sighed out setting the things on the table and went to check on his mom. The window left open and the small rose plant had grown a little more. His mother was sitting up in bed and didn't seem to hear him walk in. "Mom," he said quietly and she glanced over at him. Her skin so pasty white and her eyes sunken in. She looked so fragile as he walked over with a new bowl of water and some towels. "How are you feeling today?"

"A little better," she said and then turned away from him to look out the window again. Her voice was low, raspy, she couldn't properly speak. He wiped her face down a bit, but she pushed at his hand slightly and then pointed at the window. He set the towel down and walked over to the window grabbing the small pot and taking it over to her. She wrapped her fingers around it and then looked at him, "It's growing…" she whispered.

"Mom you should be resting," he said and took a seat on the bed beside her.

She didn't say anything and ran her fingers over the small silver leaves. Then she gave it back to him and he set it back down on the window. He helped her lay back down and minutes later she was asleep. He sighed out and walked out of the room. He walked slowly over to the table, the dishes from that morning still there and he glanced at the clock.

He looked at the door and walked over, he set his hand on the knob, and then he waited. He waited for the knock. He waited for something. He didn't know how long he had been standing there until he glanced up at the clock again. Nearly 15 minutes of doing nothing but standing there and waiting.

He furrowed his eyebrows and dropped his hand from the door. Why was he wanting him to show up so badly? Why was it annoying him that he hadn't shown up? With thoughts running through his head he swung the door open, half expecting to suddenly just see the butler there. Smiling holding either bread or some silly gifts.

But, he wasn't there. There was no bread or silly gifts. Instead a dog that was crossing the dirt path had stopped and glanced over at him before scurrying away. He clenched his jaw and then looked down, he felt his face red with anger as he closed the door softly. He leaned his forehead against the door and sighed out, it wasn't making any sense.

The thought of going to go and visit him again struck him. But it would be stupid to enter the black forest without some sort of escort. He bit the inside of his lip and then turned away from the door. Maybe he was just busy, or perhaps his master really did forbid him from coming anymore.

He needed a distraction, so with that he picked up the basket and went outside to the chicken coop. He didn't want to think about the stupid butler and his sideway smile. Or how his hair stuck up all over the place as if he just rolled out of bed.

With each passing moment he felt the anger rolling up. He didn't want to feel so annoyed and soon he found himself sitting in the dirt. The chickens walking around him and pecking at the feed he had set out for them. Hot tears rolled down his face. He felt exhausted. He was going to lose his mother, his best friend and cousin was now gone, he now has to do everything his mother did. And, above all, he realized he really did like that stupid butler, as in more than a friend and it just made him angrier.

He kicked at the dirt and grabbed the basket making the chickens scatter from him. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt, he had to many things to do to just sit there and sulk. He got the last of the eggs and put down a little more feed before walking from the coop toward the goat.

Walking back inside he heard a knock on the door, "Coming," he muttered. He half-hoped maybe it was his cousin, he felt the need to talk to someone he could trust. He opened the door and he was met with a tall blonde.

"Hello!" Mathias said loudly and held out a bouquet of flowers out to him in one hand, and in the other was a basket of bread. "I brought these for your mother, I hope…"

Lukas slammed the door on his face.

Mathias stood there for a few moments and blinked a few times. "Lukas?" he called out and knocked once again. After a few moments Lukas opened the door and Mathias smiled, "Anyway I hope…" but he felt a sudden force push him back. His eyes widened as he stumbled back before falling flat on his ass. He did his best to make sure the bread didn't fall out of the basket but the flowers were slightly crushed in the process.

"What the hell is your problem?" Lukas hissed walking down the steps and toward him. "You think you can just show up after a few days and act as if everything is okay?" Lukas was screaming now. He knew he was, but he didn't care. He felt all the emotions from earlier suddenly rush forward, "Well?! Do you?!"

Mathias stared up at Lukas, baffled of course, but Lukas continued screaming at him. He could see the tears running down his red face, his lips were shaking and he could barely speak between his tears. He understood he was trying to say something about his mother, or maybe it was something about the goat. He didn't know which it was, but he stood up leaving the basket and flowers in the dirt. "Lukas," he said as gently as he could. It didn't seem like Lukas heard him as he continued to scream at him, his entire body shaking and now a little snot running out of his nose. "Lukas," he said again, but when Lukas continued he put his hands on his shoulders. Lukas instantly tried to push his hands off, but it was no use. He was instead pulled in for a hug and his eyes went wide. "I'm sorry," Mathias said gently. "I didn't think being gone for so long would upset you."

"Y-you idiot…" Lukas whispered as he tried to get out of Mathias' hug. "You...you re-really think thi-this is a-a-all about yo-ou?!"

"Of course not," Mathias replied running his hand over Lukas' back gently, but not letting him out of his grip. "I heard about your mother, and I came over as quickly as I could. I didn't want you to be alone."

Lukas stopped fighting him and his sobs seemed to fall silent as his body trembled. "Wh-where...were you?" Lukas barely could form the words without wanting to just break down into sobs.

"I...Well you see," Mathias chuckled a bit and pulled away to look Lukas in the face. "I thought maybe I was annoying you, and I don't want you to not like me. I mean not that you do like me. Just, if you did, not to ruin it. Or if you didn't like me maybe so you could like me…" Mathias was stumbling with his own words now, his face slowly growing hotter as he stared at the empty space between the two of them. Which wasn't much.

"Idiot." Lukas sighed out glanced away for a moment. He could feel Mathias stare at him, the two of them now silent only with the sound of a distant market filling the air. "If… If I really didn't like you I would do something about it."

Mathias chuckled, he was sure he meant it well. "Well, I'm still sorry," he said and then turned around to pick up the basket of bread and slightly crushed flowers.

Lukas took the basket and looked up at him, "I'm already running late on making dinner so you better be ready to help." With that he turned around walking inside and Mathias followed right behind him as he started to talk about the latest gossip that he heard in town that day.

Well hope you all enjoyed that! Please leave a review if you liked it or if you didn't. Thanks so much!