Ivan grunted loudly as his father's lackeys managed to tie the last strap to the straight jacket down on him. Growling, Ivan struggled and thrashed around but to no avail as the strap that was tied and hooked to the pole behind him refused to give away. His lower lip bleeding.

"You could have avoided this, you know?" Came Joshua's voice. Joshua being Ivan's twin brother, the two looked identical down to the last freckle. The one thing that separated them for the longest time was Ivan's blue hair, but now, it seemed that Josh had copied that as well. Though, Josh's hair was more bright and new looking than Ivan's fizzy faded blue. "You had one job, and you would have gotten Issiah back. Just one job, and you couldn't even do that," Josh tsked his tongue bitterly at his brother. Ivan spat out some blood on the floor in front of his brother's feet.

"You wouldn't understand!" Ivan spat once more and in an instant, Josh raised his hand and slapped Ivan as hard as he could across the face.

"Weak! That's all you've ever be! And now it's up to me to clean up your mess. Like always!" Josh snapped as he then felt the need to slap Ivan on the other cheek with just as much velocity as the last slap, this one caused Ivan to yelp out in pain and shock as he tasted copper in his mouth once more. "That dragon of yours could have been saved-"

"Oh, bull-fucking-shit!" Ivan snarled out before his twin got a chance to finish his sentence. "Do you really think I'm that dumb? You never had any plans to return Issiah to me."

"That doesn't matter now, does it? No. Your little 'romp' with Benjamin is pretty much over, and your defiance will end here today."

Ivan gritted his teeth angrily at his brother as he felt his blood boil under his skin. "You won't do anything. They'll see through you in a minute."

Josh only turned and smirked at Ivan. "I don't think so. Not with what that vampire is going to be facing here shortly. I'll be sure to show you the pictures later." With that, his brother turned ready to walk out.

"Josh! Wait!" Ivan screamed out as he struggled against the straightjacket keeping him in place. "Josh!"

His brother turned around millions upon millions of spiders poured out of his mouth as he just stared menacingly at Ivan-

Ivan let out a cry as he literally rolled off of the couch he was sleeping on. Landing face first on the ground, Ivan pushed himself up and groaned out. Entangled in his blanket he started to unravel himself. Thankful that nobody- Looking over at the Greenbloom's breakfast table Ivan felt his shoulders slump as he looked at the whole Greenbloom family. The moment he looked at them, they instantly went back to eating their breakfast or doing their daily tasks. Ivan only sighed out weakly as he silently placed the blanket back on the back of the couch making sure it looked all nice and neat. Walking over to the table Ivan sat next to Ben as normal. Ben smiled at him and instantly started to pour Ivan some hot water for tea. About a year ago Ivan would have declined on any type of tea for breakfast. Being American and all. However, living with the Greenblooms the Earl Grey tea tends to grow on a person.

Yes, Ivan was an American. Well, technically he was Columbian. Being half Columbian and Half American that is, he was born and raised in Columbia till he was seven, then he moved to America. Things just really get muddled from there. His father made him and his twin Josh move halfway across the damn world to the UK. In an act of defiance towards his father, Ivan ran off and met Issiah, a brilliant blue dragon in Scotland. Him and Issiah traveled all over the UK. That was until his father and twin finally caught them and took Issiah from him, Ivan managed to get away. That was when Zenith, a henchman that once worked for his father who went missing for a good while, contacted him about Benjamin. From there...

Ivan looked at Ben and smiled. Ben smiled back as him as he finished pour the hot water for Ivan. Ivan silently picked up a tea bag and started to let it seep in the hot water. While waiting for it to seep, Ivan looked over at Jackson sitting on a stack of phone books. Jackson being the youngest Greenbloom of almost four years old. The little tyke took a handful of food and threw it at Ivan causing Ivan to tsk out in bitterness. The kid may have a sweet innocent face, but he was really the devil in disguise. Ivan cringed as another handful of food got thrown in his lap.

"Jackson, dear, don't throw food," Vita intervened finally, Jackson didn't need any more coaxing as he now started to eat. Ivan only sighed out with a headshake. Silently he and Ben started to eat. In all honesty, Ivan wasn't really all that hungry for just waking up. In fact ever since he's gotten out from jail, his appetite has taken a downfall. Looking over at Ben's plate, Ivan frowned at the just the two pieces of toast that were the only thing to sit on Ben's plate. It was clear that it wasn't just him affected. It was also clear that the others took notice as Guinevere suddenly grabbed the eggs and started to pile some on Ben's plate and even pile some of Ivan's plate. Just really out of respect they both slowly ate. Both of them had their reasons for their loss of appetite.

For Ben, it was more than likely because of his missing limb. Almost a year ago Ben lost his arm protecting Ivan from deadly dragon fire, Ivan honestly felt horrible about it. Every day when he sees Ben just a pang of guilt feels the need to whack Ivan as hard as it can in the chest. Ben has a plastic arm he puts in place of his missing limb, it does the job well at hiding from most people at a distance, however; once close enough anyone with functioning eyes can see that it's plastic. That and Ivan was sure Ben's job was also a cause. Ben works at some high-end tourist fast food job, and his feelings for that job are clear he hates it.

Ivan's reason for not really being hungry as before wasn't as clear to him. Most days he'd just sit there and really push his food around the plate rather than eat it. Sometimes he'd take a few bites, however, if Ben was actually there for dinner, then Ivan would actually eat. The funny thing, it seemed like it was the same thing for Ben, If they were together then they'd actually finish what was on their plate, but if they were alone it seemed like they just couldn't bring themselves to eat at all. Still, since they were sitting next to one another, they both slowly started to eat.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Barnabas asked everyone as he continued to read his newspaper.

"I have school at 1 pm all the way until 6 pm today," Guinevere piped up first.

"Work from 9 am to 9 pm. 12-hour shifts are always fun," Ben sarcastically quipped more towards Ivan who just chuckled.

"I got to get Jackson to daycare and get to the office," Vita answered as she quickly wiped the three-year old's face with a wet napkin. Jackson struggled against it and whined until Vita finished.

"I was called in about a potential expedition in the next few weeks," Barnabas concluded, Ivan felt almost all eyes on him. Truthfully he felt bad about not having a job yet, however with now having no choice but to be his deceased twin brother...

"I'll probably wonder around town asking shopkeepers for applications again," Ivan guessed with a shrug. His appetite now vanished once more he put the fork down. Don't get the wrong idea here, he was pretty grateful towards the Greenblooms for allowing him to crash on their couch after he got out of jail. They didn't have to do that they could have just turned him away, still, something told Ivan that Ben probably had something to do with him staying with them until he got back on his feet.

"Can I go with you?" Twigleg questioned from the table top. Ivan just smiled at Twigleg, Twigleg felt Ivan's pain of being left behind while the others all had work and school to go to. "Sure." Ivan allowed Twigleg to scramble up his arm. Twigleg rested on Ivan's shoulder while both Ivan and Ben stood up and put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

"Wait." Ben suddenly demanded as Ivan started to walk back towards the kitchen. Ben grasped Ivan's wrist and pulled him back so they were face to face. Ben suddenly started to mess around with Ivan's hair. "Can't have you trying to find a job while looking like a peasant now, can we?" Ben smiled at Ivan as he made sure Ivan's ginger hair was rightfully in place. Once done, Ben had his one hand cupping Ivan's cheek and smiled warmly at him. Ivan smiled back and they stayed like that for a few heartbeats until they heard Twiglegs sudden, "Ahem!"

"Oh, I better get to work!" Ben blushed as he let go of Ivan's cheek in a hurry. Ivan pouted and glared down at Twigleg before watching as Ben turned and started to get his work shoes on. "I'll see you tonight Ivan."

"Yeah, bye." Ivan broke away from glaring at Twigleg. Ben, who was clearly in a hurry, suddenly kissed Ivan on the cheek as he turned and rushed out of the kitchen. Ivan felt every bit of heat from his body migrate up towards his face.

"Wow, I didn't think it was possible for humans to turn that red," Twigleg observed as he stood on Ivan's shoulder and lightly poked Ivan's cheek.

"...He just..." Ivan cupped his cheeks in both of his hands and let out a soft noise, that sounded like a high pitched squeak, as he grinned ear to ear.

"It was just an accident, you know, he was in a hurry," Twigleg was quick to point out to Ivan who instantly felt his happiness slowly deplete.

"Why you gotta ruin it for me?" Ivan questioned the tiny manikin,

"Why can't you speak proper English?"

"Touché."

Ivan could only sigh as he walked off towards the bathroom, putting Twigleg down outside the door, Ivan shuffled through his duffle bag full of clothes and quickly noticed a few things. His clothes were neatly folded and clearly cleaned, he knew he hadn't touched them at all the day before. Seeing a piece of paper sticking out of the side, Ivan pulled it out and noticed the rather sloppy, but improving, handwriting of Ben's.

I cleaned your clothes.

-Ben

Please see me about learning how to use the washer and dryer, so my son doesn't have to do your laundry.

-Vita

Ivan couldn't stop the laugh that left his mouth. It was clear that Vita had written the last part by the girly loopy handwriting. They really were too good for him at times it truly felt like it. Ivan smiled softly as he changed into, now, clean clothing. Slowly brushing his hair making sure to get all the knots out he frowned and tugged at the bottom of his hair. It was starting to get rather long. Just reaching past his chin, maybe he could scrounge up a few bucks to get a well-needed haircut. He paused as he suddenly looked at the end of the lock-in between his fingers. His red hair had come back full swing now, he no longer had his beloved blue hair. The jail he was in for all those months made sure that they thoroughly got rid of his blue hair. Still, at the very tip, Ivan saw it, blue, just a small bit of blue. He swallowed hard as he shakily dropped the lock of hair. A hair cut. He needed a hair cut. Besides, unlike Atticus and Zenith, Ivan could pull off a ponytail.

Atticus and Zenith. They were friends of his as well. Well, Atticus was more Ben's friend whereas Zenith was Ivan's. They were both wild cards that's for sure. Atticus being the crazier of the two, with him being a Half-blooded vampire and being almost a thousand years old. Atticus was there to know the real Zenith. That being said, it's true that the Zenith that currently lives with Atticus isn't the real one but a clone of the real one. It was all one long story that involved a witch being really pissed off at Atticus.

"Are you alright in there?" Hearing Twigleg's voice on the other side of the door snapped Ivan out of his thoughts. Shaking his head Ivan walked out of the restroom turning the light off as he did so.

"Yep, never better. Let's get going," Ivan picked Twigleg up and the two of them headed off as soon as Ivan grabbed his wallet off of the side table by the front door. Shutting the door behind him, Ivan felt the cool UK weather hit him full force. The sun blocked by the daily morning overcast leaving a pleasant smell of ozone and rain all around him. The chilly air made him frown. A part of him did wish he had a jacket, but it was too late now. He was already outside. Taking a step down, Ivan started to walk down the sidewalk. While trying not to look crazy he struck up a conversation with Twigleg. "Alright, I need a job, so, where should we look first?"

"Someplace that takes criminals?" Twigleg suggested and Ivan just pursed his lips to the side bitterly.

"And just who would that be? I already tried the place where Ben works, they said no...and they hired Ben," Twigleg only shrugged in response to Ivan. Ivan just sighed stopped walking, looking up at his options he only gave a bitter sigh once more. "I guess we could try the petrol station I haven't tried there yet and I'm of age," Ivan spoke allowed as he started off towards the station.

"I guess, if you don't mind messing with drunks at night," Twigleg showed his disgust of the place as he scrunched his face up.

"Please. I think I can handle a few drunks," Ivan smiled softly as he gently waved Twigleg's previous statement off. Twigleg hid in Ivan's pocket. as he got to the petrol station, Ivan waltzed in and allowed the air conditioning to cool him off as he walked up to the empty counter. Leaning down on the counter he watched as a cute black woman came up towards him and waited patiently as he stood up more fully and coughed. "I was wondering if I could have an application."

"Sorry, you have to do that online now." The woman calmly told him.

"Urg. You are the fifth person to tell me that, you know," Ivan groaned out.

She only shrugged in response to him. "Sorry. Times are changing, Sugar, you should know that,"

"Yeah, I got that. Thanks for your time," Ivan sighed as he started to back away from the counter he failed to see the small stand of brochures next to the counter and accidentally kicked it down with his foot. Jumping in shock, Ivan turned and quickly started to pick up the mess he made. "Shit. Sorry!" He quickly apologized. Picking up the stand he placed it back in its spot as the woman came from behind the counter and helped him pick up the brochures. The two of them started shoving the paper back in place, he only paused at one odd one on the floor. Picking it up he looked at it.

It was a brochure for America, the front page was overlooking the evening in New York city, the statue of liberty just off in the distance. Opening the front page big black text was first to greet him,

VISITING AMERICA?

It then listed all the major landmarks and sites that a tourist must-see while visiting the nation. Of course, each page had a picture of one of those major places and where to find them. He paused when he got to Illinois. Illinois was where he was raised before they moved. More specifically Peoria.

"Oh? I thought we got rid of all of those-" The woman made a reach for the brochure in Ivan's hands, but he pulled back suddenly.

"S-Sorry..." He mumbled sadly as he just caressed a page between his thumb and forefinger. America, god did he miss it sometimes.

"Interested in going back to America are ya?" She asked him and he just frowned even deeper. "I just.. miss it I guess," Ivan found himself admitting rather sadly to the stranger as he continued to stare at the brochure.

"Well, it's none of my business, but, if I may ask, what's stopping you from going back?" She softly asked him some concern in her voice enough to make Ivan look at her before frowning.

"Truthfully. I don't know," Ivan mumbled as he truly thought of it. Suddenly with no warning, the woman grabbed a pen and started to write on Ivan's right arm. "Uh, Ma'am-" Ivan tried to but she cut him off before he could finish. Looking down at his arm he saw a phone number, and in cursive writing below the number taking up almost his entire forearm was the name-

Cynthia

"Cynthia?" Ivan asked aloud as he looked at the woman, then his eyes drifted over to her name tag and instantly he blushed, "-Oh, uh, Ma'am-" He tried, once again, but, like before, he was cut off not by her but by her boss."Cynthia! We're out of coffee!"

"Ok, I'm on it! ... give me a call later, sweetie, I'm sure I might be able to help you feel better," She added with a wink, "Keep the brochure if you'd like," With that Cynthia walked away leaving a blushing Ivan standing there staring blankly at his arm. Finally, stiffly he walked out the door as fast as he could, still staring at his arm the whole way.

The moment it was safe Twigleg poked his head up, "Well that was unexpected."

"You're telling me," Ivan chuckled as he gently ran his thumb over the markings on his arm and watched as the ink smudged against his skin. With an interested sigh, he just shook his head. "Alright, lets hit up some more places and call it a day, Twiggy," Ivan decided as he folded the brochure a couple of times and put it away in his back pocket.

"Sounds good to me."

Ivan waltzed into the Greenbloom household, two new job applications in his hands. It was becoming harder and harder to find paper applications mostly everything was online these days. Still, he shut the door with confidence only to pause to see Ben sitting at the dinning table, not in his work clothes, reading the same newspaper that Barnabas was just reading earlier that day his eyes lighting scanning the paper before he noticed Ivan. Ivan looked at the clock then at Twigleg.

"Ok, either they let you go home ten hours earlier than expected, or something happened," Ivan tentatively started as he took smaller steps towards his friend. Ben only responded with a weak sigh as he folded the paper and placed it down on the table.

"If you wish to know. I was fired today." Ben responded rather sadly as he pursed his lips in slight anger.

"What?!" Both Ivan and Twigleg demanded surprised by the news.

"Joy told me that my services are no longer needed for this company'. Then because she's a horrid woman proceeded to tell me that it pretty much because I was- 'too slow for a fast food place and they need well-abled people to help keep up with the touristy' Basically telling me that my handicap was the reason for my firing." Ben only sighed out as he shook his head. "I really don't want to talk about it anymore," Ben told them a bit of a bite in his voice clearly warning the two of them to not press any further. Twigleg looked like he was about to press, but Ivan silences him and then walked up to the table sitting across from Ben. His friend was now sadly caressing the edge of the newspaper between his thumb and forefinger as Ivan realized Ben was looking through the classifieds for a new job. Ivan frowned as he watched Ben silently read. His brow was furrowed as he had a pained look on his face as he continued to focus on the paper. "All of these are for higher positions." Ben half growled as he shut the newspaper angrily. Ben then sucked in a deep breath and tried to force himself to calm down. Ben without a smile just didn't mix well.

A part of Ivan just wanted to hug Ben, but he knew Ben well enough to know that it's going to take more than a hug to make Ben feel better in times like these. Looking at Ben's face, Ivan suddenly got an idea and jumped from his seat. Not before giving Twigleg to Ben in a rushed manner. "Stay here." Ivan ordered as he then rushed off towards the Professor's study. He knew the professor will probably kill him for going in there, but he knew just what it took to make Ben smile right now. Grabbing the laptop, Ivan rushed back into the dinning room.

"Ivan, that's my dad's laptop-"

"Shhhhhh, just let me help," Ivan whispered to him as he put his index finger up silencing Ben. With the laptop on one arm, Ivan started to type in the site that he's been spending a lot of time on recently.

YouTube.

Typing in the song he wanted he placed the laptop on the table and suddenly started to dance to the beat causing Ben to only raise an eyebrow at him.

Then came the chorus.

"Come on Ben! You know this song!" Ivan cried as he jumped up and clapped simultaneously. "I'm kinda buzzed and it's all because!" Ivan sung along waiting for Ben to start and sing along. Ben's lips stayed pursed as he just watched Ivan dance along to the music. However; as he danced like a dork, Ivan could see a smile slowly creeping up on Ben's face. "South Central does it like nobody does! BEN COME ON! YOU KNOW THE WORDS!" Ivan practically screamed as he was now doing the Carlton dance. Ben only sucked in his lips as he now trying so hard not to laugh as Ivan snapped his fingers and moved side to side in a jovial matter. "To all my neighbors you got much flavor!" Ivan continued to do the Carlton snapping his fingers happily as Ivan swerved in a dramatic fashion dancing along still not giving up until he can get Ben to smile. Finally, Ivan almost missed it when Ben practically whispered,

"This how we do it.."

"HA!" With a quick movement Ivan grabbed Ben's one arm and started to dance with him. Ben didn't show the same enthusiasm as Ivan, but it was clear he was at least smiling a bit more now. Ivan started to do the classic, pop and lock as he sung the next verse. "Let's flip the track, bring the old school back!"

"This is how we do it!" Ben sang louder. He then let out a yelp of surprise when Ivan proceeded to twirl him around causing the two of them to get rather close, however; Ivan was quick to let go of Ben as he continued to dance to the song, he then backed up and started to show off his best 'Elvis legs' as he wobbled his knees in and out. Then suddenly the two of them where both snapping their fingers and bobbing their heads to the music. For a second they were in sync with one another until the song finally ended, causing Twigleg to burst out laughing. Ben only tried to catch his breath as he smiled and chuckled a breathy chuckle.

"See, there's that smile, Ben!" Ivan lightly tapped Ben's shoulder as the two of them smiled. Ivan then went over to the laptop and exited out of YouTube. Holding the laptop now, Ivan smiled at Ben. "I better-eh?" Ivan watched and suddenly felt Ben grab his left arm and pull it back enough to see Cynthia's number and name on his arm. Instantly Ivan's mind started to "Ah, I bet your curious."

"No. It's pretty self explanatory. Good job getting a number, mate," Ben smiled at him as he let go of Ivan's arm. Ivan breathed out as Ben walked over and sat back down at the table, a smile still on his face as he silently folded the newspaper up. Ivan turned and walked towards the professor's study, plugging the laptop back in. Ivan turned and walked back out he then paused when he could hear Ben and Twigleg both talking to one another in the kitchen. A part of him didn't want to eavesdrop, but he just couldn't help himself.

"-He's a handsome man, Twigleg, it's obvious that he's going to have women are going to be attracted to him."

"Still, maybe you should-"

They both went quiet when Ivan stepped around the corner. Ivan smiled at them and Ben smiled back. "Mate, thanks for the small dance party, but please don't use my father's laptop like that again. He has all his important files on there." Ben explained to him as he shifted a bit in his seat.

"Oh, right, sorry about that. I just can't stand to see you sad. That reminds me, did you eat anything today after breakfast?" Ivan asked as he went towards the kitchen.

"Uh, no, but I'm not really that hungry right now."

"Rubbish. How about I make some tea and we can have some biscuits? That sounds lovely..." One he realized what he just said he turned to Ben, who was now trying to stifle a smile. "I think that was the most British thing I ever said." Ivan breathed out softly as he turned and walked back to the kitchen. Ben only chuckled and watched him leave.

Ben let out a soft sigh as he left the bathroom and made his way towards his own room. In a bathrobe, Ben lightly patted his sopping wet hair with the towel. Going to his room, Ben opened the door only to pause. Ivan was currently on his bed looking at some sort of brochure.

"Well, good thing I'm wearing a bathrobe." Ben smiled softly at Ivan as he walked over to his dresser.

"Yeah..." Ivan let out a depressed sigh causing Ben to stop rummaging for night clothes and turn to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

Ivan folded the brochure up and stuck it in his back pocket. "It's nothing really, Ben, I guess I just kinda miss America a bit,"

Ben gave him a look before frowning a bit. "Well, why don't you just go back? I mean you and Issiah could go." Ben suggested softly.

Ivan let out another sigh as he sat up and crawled to the edge of the bed. "I thought about it, but I wouldn't have anywhere to go really," Ben sat down next to Ivan and gently put a hand on his shoulder. Ivan just looked at him with a small smile on his face before humming out with curiosity, "You know, with you not having a job and me clearly having troubles getting a job. Why don't we go to America together on the dragons?"

"For a couple of obvious reasons, Ivan. One, America is such a populated place, bringing Firedrake and Issiah there would be insanely dangerous, two, Ivan if we did go we wouldn't have any money to do anything, I mean I have a bit and I'm sure we could easily get that converted but that could only last us for so long, and three, do you really think Firedrake and Issiah would want to drop everything to go to America?" Ben finished without skipping a beat.

"You make very good points." Ivan couldn't help but just laugh at the end of his sentence before gently patting Ben's leg. "I guess I wasn't thinking."

"It's fine honestly. I mean we are meeting Issiah and Firedrake here in a week, maybe you can talk them into it but we still need supplies and money and all of that. I just don't think we can really pull it off. Maybe if we save up enough money," Ben softly explained to him as he stood. "Now, can you please get out of my room so I can get changed?"

Ivan got up from Ben's bed and slowly strutted out of the door. Gently shutting it behind him. Ivan put his head against the door softly with a deep sigh. Taking the brochure out of his pocket, he looked at the statue of liberty and only shut his eyes. "Shame. I tried," He muttered softly as he folded the paper once more and placed it back into his pocket. With a heavy sigh, he trudged off outside, it was time for a smoke break.

Two days passed since Ben lost his job, Ivan and Ben were both sitting on the couch watching little Jackson, the child currently watching Dora the explorer on TV, while Ben and Ivan both sat on the loveseat their legs intertwined as they both rested their backs on opposite ends of the armrests. Ben had a book while Ivan was calling off jobs in the classifieds. "Accountant?"

"I suck at maths and I'm sure you need experience with that." Ben cooly told him as he moved the page to his book.

"I'M THE MAP! I'M THE MAP! I'M THE MAP-" Jackson sang along loudly to the song while he clapped his tiny hands along to the song, it caused the two adults to look at him before going back to reading.

"Why are we watching him again?"

"Daycare was closed today, and neither of us has a job." Ben deadpanned as he turned to the next page.

"Good point."

Jackson let out a squeal and started to run around excitedly as he clapped his hands before sitting back down.

Ivan only chuckled before feeling his phone vibrate in his back pocket. Pulling it out of his pocket he looked at the number. "217...That's an Illinois number." Ivan thought out loud as he raised an eyebrow. Answering the call, Ivan spoke, "Hello?"

"Yes, hello! Is this Joshua Newlands?" A male asked on the other side.

"N-...Yes...Sorry. Yes." Ivan corrected himself almost forgetting he was technically his twin at this point. Rubbing his forehead he waited for the other man to speak.

"Joshua, I'm James Marr's lawyer. As you know of his passing along with your bother's." Ivan sat up at that. Ben was now looking at him just as curious. "Yes. I'm aware. Is something the matter?" Ivan kept his composure in his voice, but his mind was racing. Did they find out it not really being a suicide?

"You see, Joshua, you are his sole inheritance."

"..In...Inheritance? Like...Money?" Ivan asked shocked as his jaw fell open. Ben perked up more and finally tapped Ivan's arm.

"What?" Ben whispered and Ivan quickly shushed him as the lawyer continued on.

"I am not comfortable discussing this matter over the phone, is there any way you can come here?" The man asked and Ivan rubbed his nose nervously.

"Sir, I'm currently in the UK right now," Ivan explained to the man the best he could.

"Hm, that is a problem. I'm sure you can come back to America though, right?" The man asked Ivan looked at Ben, Ben had his head tilted clearly wanting to know just what was going on.

"Sir, can I put you on hold for a second?" Ivan asked him.

"Sure."Placing the man on hold. Ivan scooted up towards Ben a bit more. "Listen, I was just on the phone with my dad's lawyer. I think money just came our way because technically I am Josh Newlands now and I am my father's sole inheritance."

"Ivan, that's great-"

"Problem. It's in America."

"Ohhh.." Ben trailed off awkwardly as he seemed to be thinking, there were a few moments of silence as they both just sat there unsure of what exactly to say. Then, finally, Ben spoke. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Let's do it, mate. I mean even if you aren't getting money, you should see just what your father had hidden away for you. Who knows, maybe he has more labs. I can use what little money I have saved up to buy us some supplies, the only thing is convincing the dragons which might be a little tricky." Ben softly explained to him.

"What if the dragons say 'no'?"

Ben only shrugged, "It's worth a shot, mate."

"How long should we tell him to wait?"

"...Probably about a month. That's good enough."

"But what about-"

"Ivan, we'll discuss everything in a moment, just answer the nice lawyer, please." Ben calmly told him.

Ivan frowned but nodded before taking the Lawyer off of hold. "Are you still there?"

"Yes."

"Ok, how's a month from today? Will that be good enough?"

There was a silence over the phone as Ivan waited anxiously, silently tapping his fingers together Ivan held his breath.

"That works out perfectly. I will see you next month then."

"Ok...WAIT! Where is your office?"

After the man gave Ivan the address to his office, and Ivan had to get up from the couch to write it down for safe keeping, they both hung up and Ivan took a deep breath in.

"Okay, first things first, we're seeing the dragons in a couple of days I think it would be best if we try and talk to the dragons before we get the supplies, but after we map out just where we need to go." Ben quickly spoke up before Ivan got the chance to do so. Ivan opened his mouth to ask, but Ben, being the mind reader he is, explained quickly, "It's better if we know where to go to harden our argument in case there is one."

"Ok good point, does your dad have any maps of America?" Ivan asked as he went to the bookshelf quickly. Ben stood and stretched from the couch. Jackson ran up to Ben and hugged himself around Ben's legs, clearly wanting to be picked up. Ben sighed and gave in, bending down to pick up Jackson before walking over towards Ivan. Ivan was now shifting through the many books on the bookshelf. Ben could only look with Ivan as he was unable to use his arm now. Jackson let out a loud yawn and rubbed his head against Ben's neck, Ben shift Jackson a bit as his eyes scanned all the book titles.

"There! Top shelf second book to the left." Ben told Ivan. Ivan looked up and let out a happy noise as he got on his toes to reach up and grab the book. Once in his hand, Ivan and Ben both went to the dining table and started to plan their trip.

Ben ran out of Ivan's car and up the hill towards where the dragons both were.

"Ben!" Sorrel suddenly yelled out catching Ben off guard, before he knew it the brownie was up in front of him. It was clear she was trying to mask her joy of seeing him by putting on a faux sour face. "Staying out of trouble?" She asked tensely once she noticed Ivan coming up behind Ben.

"Trying to," Ben smiled back at her before walking over towards Firedrake. Sorrel kept close to Ben and even grabbed his arm good arm with both of hers clearly being wary of Ivan as the other human walked behind them hands in his pockets backpack slung over his shoulder. Twigleg sat on Ben's shoulder, the homunculus looked back at Ivan before looking forward where Firedrake.

"Ben," Feeling himself being pushed back slightly, Ben chuckled and gently patted Firedrake's warm scales on the dragon's head. All he saw was a flash of blue and tensed up as Ivan suddenly yelled out. The four of them all looked over to see Issiah now on top of Ivan. The giant blue dragon peering into Ivan's eyes. Nobody moved. Finally, Issiah got off of Ivan slowly and cautiously.

"It's been a long time," Issiah huffed out, his voice low and deep, as he looked at Ivan. Ivan got off of his back and up to his feet.

"Yes it has, and I've missed you."

Ben watched as Ivan hugged Issiah's head close to his chest. For a good while everyone sat around talking about this and that. Ben showing Firedrake and Sorrel that his fake arm was really just made of rubber and attached easily just to hide the fact he didn't have an arm. Ivan spent most of his time catching Issiah up on everything since he was in jail.

Finally, after about an hour, Ivan brought up their plan. "We need to go to America," Ivan spoke to them all as he gently patted Issiah's head, the dragon's large head laying in his lap. Issiah's ears instantly perked up at that.

"America? Whatever for?" Issiah questioned before anybody else could. Ivan looked at Ben, who just nodded back urging him to continue.

"My father, he left inheritance towards my brother, Since I'm posing as him and I have his ID, I get the inheritance," Ivan explained calmly.

"Inheritance? That is?" Firedrake inquired before Issiah could.

Ivan shrugged, "Everything he left behind for Joshua I guess. Money...Plans...Anything. It's a wild guess,"

"So you want us to just leave on 'a wild guess'? It's bad enough we have to leave the rim as often as we do now!" Sorrel hissed out towards Ivan. She then turned towards Ben, "Please tell me you're not in on this?"

"Actually, I think it's a good idea. If James Marrs really left something behind for Joshua only god knows what he has locked away. It could be anything, or, it could really just be money. Either way, it's worth a shot, I say." Ben softly told her. Sorrel let out a bitter tsk. "Sorrel think about it logically, he could have secrets about dragons locked away for Joshua, and if Ivan doesn't claim it then it gets put up for an auction and if that stuff gets in the wrong hands..." Ben trailed off.

Everyone stayed quiet for a few heart beats as it slowly sunk in.

"Ok. Let's do it." Firedrake finally spoke. "To protect the dragons... where do we need to go?" At that, Ivan took off his backpack and opened it showing the book to the others. Sorrel was clearly against the whole plan and voiced it several times as Ivan showed the trail Ben and him made for everyone.

"I know Illinois, it's an easy spot to hide really, all you need to do is rest in a cornfield and nobody will spot you, well, except for people in airplanes, but, if this is the small city I know, then that won't be a problem," Ivan explained as he showed them the red circle in the middle of Illinois. "Now, my plan is really simple, grab the inheritance and go to the bank, then we call it day," Ivan simply put it in a cocky manner.

"Is it really that simple?" Sorrel questioned them.

Ben nodded to her quickly. "Just that simple,"

When Sorrel let out a heavy sigh, they knew they finally won her over on the idea. Sharing a look together, Ben and Ivan then went over the rest of the plan.

"Now, we just really need a week to prepare for this trip just to stock up on normal things like supplies," Ben more or less excitedly explained.

Ivan looked at Ben, when was the last time did he seem this excited about something? Maybe this trip will be good for the both of them. Looking at Ben's face, Ivan only sighed out happily as a small smile played on his lips.

"I think that's everything, right?" Ben turned to Ivan wanting confirmation. Realizing he wasn't paying attention, Ivan quickly made it look like he followed along with Ben the whole time by nodding frantically. "Well?" Ben inquired, Ivan started to sweat but calmed down once he realized Ben was talking to Firedrake.

"Sounds like a plan. I have to say, it's been a good while since we had a proper adventure, it'll be nice to have my rider back on and adventure once more." Firedrake leaned down and lightly bumped his head against Ben's stomach.

Issiah lifted his head slightly from Ivan's lap only to snort and lay his head back down. Ivan lightly scratched Issiah behind the ears. Still after they went after everything the three of them stayed with the dragon's, Twigleg and Sorrel chatted a bit that almost ended in an argument between the two of them if it wasn't for Ben stepping in and putting a stop to it instantly. Finally when the sun started to set Ben and Ivan started to pack up.

"We'll see you guys in a week, we should have everything we need by then," Ben softly patted Firedrake's head as he backed up towards the car. Ivan was having a more difficult time, Issiah having Ivan's shirt sleeve in his mouth and refusing to let go.

"I-Is-Issiah! Stop, I'll be back," Ivan fought against Issiah's grip. Issiah clearly didn't want to, Ivan looked back at Ben for help, Ben only shrugged in response. Finally, Issiah only let go once Ivan was pulling all his weight back. The moment Issiah let go Ivan went tumbling back and literally did a backward summersault. Ben only chuckled as he helped Ivan up to his feet. "Stubborn dragon," Ivan huffed as he patted his legs off.