The morning after was a blissful blur after the events of the past day. Lukas and Mathias ate breakfast together at the kitchen table, Lukas even noting that Berwald and Tino had joined them, the small Finn brewing them all cups of strong, black coffee for which he was thankful for.

He had stayed a while longer that night, comforting Mathias as well as he could. Stroking his blonde locks, his fingers running through his hair and across the delicate skin of his face. He wasn't sure how to reassure the other, trying his best, softly, silently. In turn Mathias never let go of the fabric of his shirt, holding onto it like it was his lifeline. He seemed so helplessly lost, meandering through the crooked paths in his own head, lost in his own mind. Lukas didn't like the thought.

Staying like this for a long time, minutes seemed to pass like seconds, hours like minutes. He could feel the hammering in Mathias' chest slow down until it was normal. He just wished his could slow down too.

He snapped out of his thoughts just as Tino placed a cup of freshly brewed coffee just as he liked it in front of him. He thanked him with a nod, taking a sip, concentrating on the warm feeling of the liquid flowing down his body, filling him with it's warmth. His senses tingled, the caffeine a welcomed morning present.

There seemed to be an awkward sort of silence that felt strained as they ate, until Tino couldn't take it anymore. He turned to Lukas, his face a mixture of worry and mild glee; the contrast was unnerving.

"It's nice to see you again Nor," he said in one breath, seeming relieved to a degree. Berwald nodded beside him. "We haven't eaten like this since... the accident. How are you? Ber and I, we... we were worried. And Mathias too, right Mathias?" He went off into one of his rants, at which the Norwegian couldn't help but lightly chuckle. He watched as Berwald placed a large hand on Tino's shoulder, stopping him mid-sentence, the Finn looking up at him, a faint blush dusting his face as their eyes connected, realising he'd gone off on a tangent again. He looked at Mathias then, who was watching him. They looked away, remembering the previous night.

He let out a shaky breath. "I'm... fine," he shrugged, looking at his toast, not feeling very hungry anymore all of a sudden, his stomach sinking as he spoke. "I've been better but..." he trailed off. He felt their eyes on him, all three pairs like aquamarines, amethysts and blue tourmaline bearing into him, anxious. The atmosphere in the kitchen was like a thick winter duvet draped over them, bearing them down with it's weight. Out of the corner of his vision he saw Tino nod.

Tino hesitated for a second, before taking a breath, about to speak. And yet another voice that did not belong to him spoke. One who's every word he clung onto. Mathias'.

"We're here if you need us. Emil might be your biological brother but we care for him like he's ours too. So you don't have to suffer alone." Lukas blinked a few times looking at him, too stunned for words. He scanned the three faces around the table; Tino's violet eyes bright and smile light and reassuring; Berwald, straight faced but cyan eyes soft; and Mathias... his eyes lingered on his features, on his confident lop-sided grin and brows furrowed giving him an air of determination about him. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't. He was speechless, his mouth agape, unable to think let alone speak. A feeling like that of sitting in front of a fireplace on a cold winter's night wrapped in blankets and drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows over came him. It felt so warm, comfortable, calm and... happy.

"Thank you," he whispered looking down at the cup of coffee held tightly in his hands, the heat of the mug prickling his palms. Tino and Mathias jumped lightly in surprise before grinning brightly again.

"That's what family's for Nor," Tino laughed, leaning over the table to take a hold of one of Lukas' hands. The Norwegian looked at him, awed. "We've let you go on by yourself for too long. We want to help. Right Sve?" The Swede nodded beside him. Lukas couldn't help but let a small smile play on his lips. This was home.

"Hey," Mathias said suddenly, "What's that?" Lukas followed his line of sight quietly, resting on the hand that Tino held. Faintly, he could see the remains of pen on his skin from yesterday. He looked back at Mathias sharply, who was tilting his head in confusion, an expression filling his face that Lukas could only describe as conflicted.

"It's... a phone number. Of the new receptionist at the hospital." Mathias nodded as Tino sat back in his chair again, quiet.

"Have you called her?"

"Why do you care?"

Mathias shrugged, the smile returning to his lips, however it didn't reach his eyes. "No reason."

Lukas raised an eyebrow at him, disbelieving him. Mathias couldn't meet his eyes. He sighed and sipped his coffee again just as another figure he had not spoken to in a while joined them at the table.

Érik looked tired as he poured himself coffee, and Lukas noted the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that he hadn't noticed before. He looked exhausted.

"Good morning," he smiled, taking a seat between Mathias and Berwald. They all greeted him politely. "It's nice to see you eating with us again Lukas." He smiled warmly yet wearily at Lukas who simply nodded. "How are we all today?"

They ate as a family, the warmth from before returning, smiles and jokes passing around the members. He missed this, Lukas realised. He was so busy concentrating on Emil to notice how much he had wanted this back. No, how much he needed it. He felt something warm and wet trail down his cheek.

"Hey," Mathias snapped his head towards him, his whole posture and voice alarmed. He placed a hand on the other's shoulder in concern. "Nor are you all right?"

He nodded, looking up, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "I've never been better."

They sat under the tree in the garden, neither saying a word. The day was warm and cloudless, and Érik had decided it'd be best for everyone to stay at home for the day or not visit Emil at the very least, to Lukas' dismay.

It had turned August. When had that time passed by? Lukas wasn't sure. The air was so still, not even a slight breeze blew on his face or through his hair. The air was mildly humid, making it difficult to breathe but that was the only thing disturbing the tranquility of the garden. He was alone. Alone with Mathias.

He looked up at him. The shadow of the tree fell across his face in an almost artistic manner, his lashes almost golden. His chest rose and fell slowly, rhythmically. His eyes fluttered open then, looking back at him, a peaceful smile growing on his lips. They sat leaning back against the tree, looking at each other for a short eternity, navy eyes on azure.

"Did I tell you," Mathias said slowly without warning, "I was accepted at the University of Copenhagen. Sve was at the one in Stockholm but I think I got the better deal." He looked at him grinning, eyes shining proudly. Lukas figured he should feel proud of him too.

Yet, he didn't. An ugly, cold feeling manifested itself in his chest, refusing to leave as much as he wished it to.

"Good for you," he whispered, looking away. He felt Mathias shift beside him.

"What's wrong?" Mathias' voice alone left Lukas able to imagine the expression on his features, from the worried furrow of his brows, to the pout on his lips. He shook his head. "It's obviously not nothing."

"I don't know Mathias," he looked at him then, sadly. "I don't know."

Mathias thought for a second before whispering "come here", and wrapping his arms around the slighter boy's shoulders, resting his head on his chest. Lukas could hear his heart, beating steadily. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sound. Thump. Thump. Thump. It calmed him as he tried to steady his breathing to the rhythm, subconsciously nothing how it seemed slightly escalated. Just like his own.

Lukas pulled away, suddenly really conscious of how close they were to each other. He leaned against the rough bark once more, looking up at the sky, his heart refusing to calm down.

"When's your flight?" He asked at last, choking slightly on his words.

"September 1st. Sve and I got both our flights booked on that day." He waited a second after Lukas nodded before asking, "You'll come to see us off, right?"

"Of course."

"Good," he sounded relieved. He hesitated again before saying, "I'll call everyday. I'll send you photos and stuff and we can video call. That'd be nice, wouldn't it?" Lukas made a non-committal sound that could have meant yes or no, but nodded slightly.

"I'd like that."

The Dane smiled, shutting his eyes. He rubbed the back of his neck, ruffling his hair further. Lukas' eyes however focused on the other side of the garden. On the doorstep sat Tino and Berwald, Tino seeming to chatter on as he did with Berwald listening silently, intently. Everything seemed normal and yet he couldn't peel his eyes away, and if he had he'd have missed something important. He'd have missed the way Berwald leaned down and kissed the younger boy, who smiled into the kiss.

Mathias followed his gaze, also watching with a grin. "About time, right?" he laughed. Lukas barely computed that he had spoken.

"Yeah," he whispered. "About time."

The sound of ringing interrupted his thoughts. Mathias, Berwald, Tino and Lukas had decided to play a "friendly" game of monopoly, which, like the three latter boys feared, did not turn out so friendly. Twenty minutes in and the two older boys were already arguing over property. Lukas sunk back against the couch, answering the phone with a monotonous "hello?".

Érik's voice sounded thrilled. "Lukas? Can you tell everyone to meet me at the hospital at once. I have a surprise for you." Lukas sat up, leaning against his knees with one arm, before confirming he can do that and putting down the call. Mathias and Berwald had temporarily decided upon a truce, everyone looking at him. He told them about what the man had said, and they set off towards the building, walking in pairs on the pavement.

The man was waiting patiently by the entrance, trying, and failing, to hide a smile. Lukas felt a wave of anxiety and anticipation sweep over him as he followed down the corridor that he knew so well, stopping outside that same ward door, the man's smile the brightest Lukas had seen it. He opened the door and Lukas could have sworn he felt his heart stop.

Inside the ward, Emil sat in bed looking back at him.

A new chapter folks. I'm so happy to have gotten this far with this fic thank you so much for your support 3