"Detention?" Alfred asked incredulously as he and Matthew walked home. "Seriously dude? It's the first week, how on Earth did you of all people manage detention?"

"'Arrogance is not becoming of once such as me'" Matthew quoted with a soft smile, "We've got a new hockey coach."

"So... what happened?" Alfred pressed.

"Basically, he told me to do something and I did something else. He then told me that he was the coach and he knew hockey better than anyone else and that if he tells me to do something when it comes to hockey then I should just do it, not ignore or question him."

"And you said..."

Matthew grinned softly, "I told him that with all due respect, I'm the best damn player this school has seen for the last fifteen years, probably more than that. I also told him that he may think he knows hockey but I know my team better than he ever could. I said that I know all their strengths and weaknesses and that if I ignore something he says it's because he's said something stupid that could cost us a point."

Alfred laughed, "Oh that is epic, little bro! I wish I could have seen his face!"

Matthew chuckled, "He turned a rather impressive shade of purple and then slapped the detention on me."

"And what did the team say to this?"

"At that point Ivan appeared at my shoulder and told the coach that I was right. That making the suggested move would have been a mistake and that he would trust me above and beyond anyone else when it came to hockey. And that I'm right and I know the team better than anyone else. So I have a detention buddy!"

"He gave Ivan detention? Does this coach know absolutely nothing?" Alfred laughed again.

"Apparently so!" Matthew grinned at him. "So how has your day been?"

Alfred pulled a face, "It's been... school. Really dull. Though it's been good to see everyone again. Like, properly. Lud said he wanted to talk to you about something, by the way. Probably school work. And... yeah. You know I said that Toni was going to be away over the summer? Well it turns out he was going out to Spain for a few weeks and Lovino went with him. They ended up having a kind of roadtrip about parts of Europe, starting in Spain and ending up in the South of Italy. They both said they had a good time, Lovino started every other sentence with 'stupid bastard' so it must have been good! How about you? Other than the detention?"

"Same. Dull. Carlos bought us all ice cream at lunch though. And as you say, seeing everyone again properly and catching up. The only one of my group I've seen every day is Gil." Matthew shrugged slightly.

"And how is he?" Alfred asked, a light teasing note to his voice. "How did he react to his perfect boyfriend getting detention?"

"He laughed and gave me a high five." Matthew replied.

"That does not surprise me in the slightest. How do you think Dad and Papa are going to react?"

"I... don't know. I sent Papa a text and he replied saying that his little boy is growing up and what do I want for dinner."

Alfred frowned a little, "That... Well I was going to say it doesn't sound like him but it kind of does. You remember when I broke my arm and he insisted we take a group photo at the hospital?"

Matthew laughed, "Dad was furious at him! And Papa didn't seem to understand why he was so angry"

Alfred laughed as well, "Those pictures are brilliant."

Matthew nodded, still giggling, "Just the way they tell the story of Dad trying to take the camera off of Papa."

"Okay. So the real question then. How is Dad going to react to you getting detention?"

Matthew pulled a face, "I really don't know. Sometimes it's really hard to predict how Dad's going to react to something. But it's not like I got detention just because I was playing up in class or anything. The hockey coach was clearly just wrong. And didn't seem to understand that I do actually know this team better than he does. I mean, it's not like we've been a team together for years or anything. I'm not captain for no reason! Speaking off, how's the rugby team going?"

Alfred pulled a face but then laughed, "It's going really well so far! I've got a meeting with the coach next week to discuss ideas and stuff of how we want the team to be."

"So it sounds like it's going better than hockey."

"Yeah but that's only because the hockey coach is an idiot. He'll soon realise that everyone listens to you instead of him and that you actually win matches that way instead of how he wants to do it."

"I guess so..." Matthew stopped as they reached the house, "Well... time to face the music, I guess."

"You'll be fine. I've got loads of detentions over the years!"

"Yeah, not filling me with confidence there, Al!" Matthew nudged his brother before making his way down the path.

'I'm bored'

'What's up, Birdie? Weren't you coming over today?'

'I can't. I'm grounded'

'How'd you end up getting grounded?'

'I told you I got detention, right?'

'Haha yeah. So your parents have grounded you for it. That sucks'

'Rescue me!'

'What exactly shall I do, Birdie?'

'I don't know! Climb in through my bedroom window like a dashing prince? And then be gone by the time dad gets home from work?'

'Done! My awesome self will be there as soon as possible!'

'Birdie! I have arrived! Open your window!"

Matthew laughed as he read the message, going over and pulling the window open. Gilbert's head appeared through and he grinned at him."Hey, Birdie." He grinned.

Matthew laughed and hushed him, "Get in here and be quiet. Papa's downstairs."

Gilbert grinned, "So what are we doing?"

"We could play video games. Isn't Al at your place?"

"That is very true. He's doing work with Lud and Kiku. Languages I think." Gilbert grinned.

Matthew nodded, "Yeah. The school have been really good about letting him not take French any more. Which is cool of them. So he is seemingly going to be spending a lot of time with your brother while he tries to catch up."

"More time for us to spend together though," Gilbert teased, kissing him softly, "Time when your brother isn't going to interrupt us."

Matthew giggled and kissed back, "Very true. Though you need to behave. Papa's downstairs."

"I don't care." Gilbert grinned, laughing again.

"I care. I'm already in trouble. I don't want to end up being in even more trouble for having you round. Dad specifically said that you couldn't be here because I'm grounded."

"Such a rebel, Birdie. First getting detention, now sneaking your boyfriend into the house while your Papa is downstairs. I'm starting to think that I may be a bad influence on you."

"Only starting to think?" Matthew teased, "And if you are a bad influence it's certainly taken you a long time to influence me considering we've been best friends for years."

Gilbert seemed to ponder this for a moment. Then he shrugged and just kissed Matthew again, pulling him in close. Matthew didn't resist, melting into him. After a moment he made himself pull away, giggling faintly, "Gil...! You need to behave." he grinned.

"Never." Gilbert grinned, moving in to kiss him again.

Matthew giggled but turned his head away, "I'm serious, Gil. Video games. Video games are what you are here for."

Gilbert grumbled but relented, letting go of him and setting up the TV. He'd been around enough to know exactly how everything worked. He passed Matthew one of the controllers and sat down on the floor. Matthew grinned and took it from him, leaning happily against him as he started up the game.

They started off playing calmly. But it very quickly descended into laughing and shouting, all thoughts of Francis downstairs forgotten until the sound of footsteps on the landing and a rapping on the door.

"Mattheu?" Francis called, pushing the door open. He stopped as he saw the pair of them sitting on the floor and giggling.

Matthew looked over at Francis with wide eyes, "P-Papa!"

Francis laughed, "Mattheu, your father is due home in twenty minutes. Perhaps it is time for Gilbert to make his exit."

Matthew blushed slightly and nodded, "You won't tell him will you, Papa?"

Francis thought for a moment before smiling again, "Non. As long as Gilbert is gone by the time Arthur gets home I don't think he needs to know he was ever here."

"Merci, Papa," Matthew smiled, watching as Francis left and closed the door behind him. He turned to Gilbert, "I guess you should leave."

Gilbert smiled and nodded, "Are you okay, Birdie?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Matthew replied, leaning into him.

"But I mean, seriously. With everything that's happened with Alfred. Are you really okay? And how is he getting on?" Gilbert looked at Matthew seriously, "Honestly."

Matthew sighed, "No. Not really. I'm not okay. But I have to be. I need to be strong for him, Gil." He looked across the room to the drywipe board and calender above Alfred's bed. "Ten days. Twenty is the record. It's been really hard."

Gilbert nodded and hugged him as tightly as he could, "I'm always here for you, Birdie. No matter what time of day or night. If you need me, I'll be here."

Matthew looked up at him and smiled softly, "I know. I love you, Gil."

"I love you too, Matt."

"You should go..." Matthew said quietly, "Before Dad gets back and we get into trouble."

Gilbert grumbled but nodded, reluctantly pulling away from him. He kissed the top of his head before standing up and moving over to the window, "I'll see you at school on Monday. But if you need anything then just text me. I don't care what time it is, just text me."

Matthew smiled and nodded, "I will Gil. Promise."

Gilbert grinned at him for a moment before disappearing out of the window. There was a light thud as he landed in the garden and then he was gone. Matthew lay back on the floor and closed his eyes. For once he allowed his emotions to take over him and he curled up into a ball as he softly cried.

Author's note: *drops to my knees and begs for forgiveness* I'm SOOOOOO sorry it's been so long without an update! There's been a lot going on in my life and if I'm honest I am really struggling to write this story. I mean I love it and I'm not planning on dropping it (I have both epilogues written) but I started writing this when I was in a really dark place and as I'm getting better and getting on with my life I'm finding it harder and harder to write chapters. I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO FINISH THIS STORY. It just may take a while, that's all. Please be patient with me. I love you all. There's almost 80 followers on this story and I am so grateful for you all. Just... please be patient.

Thanks