Breaking point (F.A.C.E) [Under Editing]

CH 16: Unfairness of Life (edited)

It was late at night when Francis and Arthur awoke to screaming, with panicked looks on their faces they both ran to the boys' room. Alfred was screaming as Matthew tried to calm him."Daddy! He just woke up screaming what do I do!" Matthew's voice was strained and filled with panic. "Matthew.." Arthur quickly brought Alfred into his arms and sat on the edge of the bed. "Shh..it's okay Alfred." He pressed the crying boy to his chest. "I'm here." He assured.

Alfred's face was twisted in fear and pain Francis sat next to Matthew who stayed silent with a pained look in his delicate eyes. "Alfred." Arthur stroked Alfred's hair that was plastered to his forehead with sweat. "Please calm down love, you're safe." Arthur pleaded anxiously. "Dad. Dad, I'm scared." Alfred whimpered, Matthew flinched at his brother's actions he always saw his brother as strong and brave.

But now he finally saw how vulnerable Alfred was, and how similar they both were when it came to nightmares. "There's nothing to be afraid of, I'm here," Arthur stated. "Mattie...where's Mattie!?" Alfred thrashed around in Arthur's arm. "He's here." Arthur quickly grasped onto Matthew's arm and pulled him close. "He's right here, see." Alfred laid his eyes on his frightened brother and instantly calmed down. "Mattie." His lip trembled. "I'm sorry Mattie!" he exclaimed and outstretched his arms for him.

Matthew felt his heart swell, and he instantly hugged his brother with the little strength he had. "What are you sorry for Alfie?" Matthew asked. "You did nothing wrong." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "I thought you disappeared because in my dream we both fought and...and I...wished..." He trailed off, not being able to finish his sentence, more tears had choked him leaving him speechless. Arthur grew worried and sat Alfred upright on his lap, Francis had kept his distance knowing well enough that Arthur was in parent mode at the moment, and boy did he look scary.

A sudden pang at his chest made Francis nearly stumble back, the sudden pain took him by surprise almost knocking the wind out of him. Arthur looked at Francis with hard emerald green eyes, Alfred had buried his face in his shirt as he trembled and whimpered and Matthew could only watch as his brother continued to somewhat suffer in foul emotions.

Arthur leaned over to Francis and whispered in his ear. "Would you please take Matthew to our bed? I'm going to stay with Alfred for a while." After that, he pulled away and glanced down at Matthew with a pitiful look in his eyes. "Alright, Matthew." Francis stood and scooped Matthew into his arms. "It's time for bed, let your daddy take care of Alfred okay?" Matthew whimpered and squirmed in Francis's arms. "But I need to be with Alfred!" he exclaimed in a panicked tone.

Francis winced and hugged Matthew tight as he reluctantly trudged out the room. Matthew was still trying to escape Francis's arms when Francis arrived at his and Arthur's room he closed the door behind him and set Matthew on the bed. Matthew scrambled off the bed as soon as he was released and ran toward the door, but Francis was quick to act and once again had Matthew in his arms. With a heavy heart Francis locked the door and once again placed Matthew on the bed, Matthew climbed off the bed once again and went toward the door only this time the door wouldn't budge and Matthew had no idea how to unlock the door.

A tiny shriek escaped his lips as he practically leaned against the door, Francis sat on the ground watching guiltily as Matthew gave up and stayed silent. The sound of sniffling alarmed Francis, Matthew's shoulders shook with quiet sobs. "I want Alfie." He stated in a teary voice. "Please papa. He's scared." He turned around, Francis immediately broke at the sight in front of him. There Matthew stood trembling his face flushed red with fat tears rolling down and dripping from his chin. "Matthew, I'm so sorry." Francis could feel himself about to tear up.

He clutched at his chest feeling his heartache as his son sobbed and pleaded to see his brother, and he couldn't do anything. He knew how protective Arthur was over the boys, but why separate them? If he was so protective over his children shouldn't he had made sure that both boys were in good moods and happy?