Arthur sat next to the bed, staring intently at the closed eyes of the other laying before him. He had been patiently waiting for two days to see if they would ever open again. The quiet beeping of a heart rate monitor and drip of an IV bag soothed his mind.

A slight shift made him blink and stare once again. Slowly, and with great effort, the eyes blinked open and he saw the familiar blue he had been waiting for. They peered around, trying to decipher their location and widened as they landed on him.

"Arthur…?"

"Welcome back, Francis," he replied kindly. "We weren't sure if you were going to make it. We were scared it was too late."

"What…?" He moved a little and groaned in pain. Looking down he noticed the many bandages he was covered in. "What happened…?"

"It's a long story so get comfortable."

He started with how he had found Francs as a small child, unsure of the cause of his change, and brought him home to help and protect him. He explained all about school and home life, the teacher and the rockslide. He told him about Alfred and Matthew babysitting him. No part of the story was left out, no matter how upsetting to either and both took short breaks to calm down and process.

"Then I brought you here while Ludwig handled Gilbert. As soon as he could, he joined me to make sure you were alright." He sighed deeply, wanting to prolong the next part. "And that's when I managed to get the truth out of him. Francis, Ludwig was the one who made you change." The older man gasped. "I managed to get him to admit that he asked Lukas to make it for him. I made him approach Lukas to make you an antidote so you would change back and be safe from Gilbert." Francis looked down at his hands sadly. "He's in the hall. Do you want me to tell him to leave?"

"No," came Francis' resolute voice. "I want to speak to him. I need to know why he did this."

Nodding, Arthur stood and called Ludwig into the room. He left the two alone but stayed at the door in case he was needed.

"I am so sorry, Francis," Ludwig apologized as soon as the door closed. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I promise."

"What did you mean to happen?"

Ludwig sat in the vacant seat with a tired sigh.

"I care for you so much but I know our history is difficult for you. I treated you horribly in the second war and you are still affected. I can't forgive myself when I touch you unexpectedly and you shake, or when you wake up screaming from a night terror, or when my dogs bark and you cry. It hurts me so much that I hurt you so badly."

Francis put a gentle hand on his arm.

"But you weren't yourself when it happened. Please stop blaming yourself."

"I know!" The older man flinched at his raised voice. "I know," he repeated in a calmer voice. "I know but I'm still hurting you and I hate it." He dropped his head into his hands. "That's why I asked Lukas to make me that potion. That's why I put it in your wine at your dinner party. I didn't know how much to use so I poured the whole vial in. Lukas told me two days ago I only needed a couple drops…"

"I wish everyone a joyous New Year!" Francis cried out happily as he raised his glass into the air. The others around the table did so as well and they all drank. The meal began as the guests all chatted eagerly. "It seems everyone is enjoying themselves," he whispered to his dear German beside him.

"It seems so," he replied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Darling, what has upset you?"

"You know I am not great at these kinds of parties," he lied easily, watching the wine glass closely.

"Just relax, dear." Francis continued to sip at his wine but his head started to feel fuzzy. He began to sway as the world tilted and his hand knocked his glass over, leaving a single blood red drop inside. "Ah," he began as he stood uncertainly. "My friends I must apologize but I am not feeling well. Please continue until you tire but I must go lie down."

He staggered out of the room, legs feeling weak. Ludwig quickly followed him, the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. The other suddenly toppled and he caught him instantly. His eyes were closed and his breathing was slow and shallow. Carefully scooping him into his arms, he carried the man upstairs and laid him to rest on his bed.

"Sleep well, my dear," he called softly. "You will be much happier when you wake."

He retired to the guest room and laid down, dreaming of how his relationship would improve in the morning. When he awoke, he quickly crossed back to Francis' room but could not find the older man anywhere. No one seemed to be in the house so he returned to his own home to continue looking for the other.

"I didn't mean to change you that much. I only wanted to send you back to before the wars so you would not be so hurt. And so you could fully enjoy our relationship."

"I already enjoyed our relationship. I have told you that I forgive your actions and have moved on. You are the one who cannot seem to do the same."

Hesitantly Ludwig glanced up at Francis.

"My love, can you ever forgive me for this?"

Francis looked away.

"Maybe in time but not at this moment. You cannot say you love me when you wanted me to change. You went behind my back to do this. You never asked my opinion on whether or not I wanted to forget. I would not have chosen to forget, in case you were still curious. I learned so much from those years and do you know how upsetting and confusing it would be to not know my own history? I never held your actions against you since I knew you were not in your right mind." He closed his eyes as tears threatened to spill. "But this is not something I can forgive so easily. You were aware of your own actions and still went through with your terrible plan. You ignored my boundaries and my consent which are the two most important parts to a relationship, especially one with as much history as ours. Because of this…I can no longer be in any form of relationship with you other than a professional one."

Ludwig stared at him, mouth open in shock, for a few moments before nodding silently.

"You are right. I am very sorry and I will give you space until you trust me again. Then I will not stop working to earn your respect and affections again."

"I will always love you, darling. Even while we are apart."

Ludwig felt his chest tighten and whispered to a Francis who still would not look at him, "I promise the same."

With that he stood and left.

AN: Italics- speaking in French or internal thoughts

No Italics- speaking in English