Matthew's not surprised when he looks over to ask Gilbert a question to find the albino fast asleep. He looks back at his computer and the few sentences he has written. He sits back unsure of what he should write for his assignment and with Gilbert asleep and Alfred out with Feli he's stuck alone with no ideas. A sound in the kitchen makes him look up surprised to see his Uncle. "Uncle Allistor?"

"Aye, lad good morning." Allistor answers back as he grabs a cup of coffee as his nephew joins him in the kitchen. "You look surprised."

Shrugging Matthew sits down at the counter, "Normally you don't stay this long." What he doesn't say but thinks is that he's never stay this sober before either.

Allistor can practically tell what he's thinking as he sits down next to his nephew, "Does that mean you want me to go home? Because I think your Aunt Erin can handle a few days without me." He takes a sip as Matthew shakes his head, "Good because I thought I'd stay a few more days."

This is something Matthew never expected, "Really?" When his Uncle nods the thought of two nights ago slowly resurfaces but he doesn't want to ask no matter how tempting it is. His father's never came home for Christmas before so why would he come home for New Year's Eve either?

"Lad? Matthew, are you alright?" Allistor asks after a few minutes of watching his nephew. He doesn't want to get either Matthew's or Alfred's hopes up if Arthur decides not to show up so for now he won't say anything.

The blonde teen gives him a small smile trying to hide what's really on his mind, "Yeah. I just don't know um what to write about."

"Oh?" Allistor lets out a chuckle looking down at the screen, "They gave you homework and actually expect you to do it?"

"Yeah but…I don't have any ideas."

"Well I might be able to help Lad…if you'll let me that is..." He takes a sip of his coffee still watching him from the corner of his eye, "Or was there something else you wanted to ask me?"

After a few minutes Matthew gives him a nod. "Why…um why aren't you…" He pauses unsure what exactly to say or even if he should ask.

His uncle lets out a light chuckle, "Why aren't I drunk right now?" Matthew looks down but Allistor gives him a sweet smile, "Would you believe I gave it up for Lent and never started up again?"

"Really?"

"Ay Lad." Allistor looks down at his cup of coffee, "I did…I'm just sorry it took me ten years to do it." He cradles the cup letting out a deep sigh, "You asked for an idea then do it on the two evils of the world."

Looking up at him confused Matthew asks quietly, "Two evils?"

"Ay Lad. There are two evils in this world; those who do evil and those who watch from the side lines and down nothing to stop it." He lets out a deep sigh thinking of how he could have stopped Arthur from leaving, could have somehow made him stay if he wasn't fighting his own inner demons. "Do you know what I'm saying Matthew?"

Again Matthew nods looking down at his screen, "I kind of do…a little at least."

"Good." He takes another sip of coffee before walking out into the cold snow, "Don't forget that ever son."

"Where are you going?"

Allistor can't help but chuckle taking out a white box, "I gave up drinking but not smoking lad and right now I could really use one."

Matthew waits until he's closed the door behind him before looking back down at his screen thinking about all the times he could have done something for his brother but walked away or just ignored it instead, "Not much of a keeper am I?" He says to the silence around him as he starts to type rapidly vowing to himself that that will end.