The room buzzed with life and excitement, nations milling about, laughing and smiling. Every few years or so, the world summit threw a Christmas party for all personifications, be them G8, a World Superpower, a third world country, or a micronation.
Matt sat in a corner on a comfy couch, Ro stuck to him like glue. It had been a year now since Iain had made her human and after quite a bit of arguing on the Scot's behalf, she had been allowed to attend this party with her new brothers.
Al was over in the kitchen fetching drinks
"Hey, Alfie," a voice called out behind him, a small body thumping into his back with an all too familiar giggle. Al grins turning to her.
She grinned back, long hair twisted into an elegant braid.
"Hey how you doin?"
"I'm good, finally back on track with everything now," she giggled. Last years events left her with a crippling distrust of men... It'd taken months to get her out of Iain's house again.
Al smiles brightly. "That's awesome."
"How about you? I hear that little fae of yours isn't so little anymore?"
"Yeah, wanna see?"
She grinned excitedly, eyes sparkling.
Al smiles picking up the drinks and heading over.
Molly beamed when she saw Ro. "Oh, goodness, honey, you're adorable," she giggled, hugging the fae tightly. Ro was a little flustered at first but soon hugged back.
Al smiles handing out the cups. They take them, sitting together.
"It's rather nice to have someone my size for a change," Molly giggled, sat with Ro.
Al chuckles a bit.
"Molly-Olly-Wally," a little voice chimed as a scruffy ginger child pounced over the back of the couch. Molly yelped in surprise, dropping her drink.
"Patrick!" (Yes this is the same Patrick from the beginging of Shrunk Twins, Simply must have changed his profile a bit.)
Al laughs softly.
"What have you been told about jumping on people, young man," she scolded softly, picking him up.
"To not to but Peter found this really amazing sweet and I ate like fifty of them, I think, I kinda lost count but now I feel great," he rambled, bouncing on the spot.
"Ouch.. Sugar rush.."
"Wasa sugar rush? I dunno that, I just wanna run - do you think I can fly if I flap my arms real fast, like?!"
Al chuckled at that knowing it took a bit more.
"I'ma go find Artie! Maybe he knows where Peter went!" he giggled and dashed off, knocking over Wy and Seychelles on his way past.
Al sits giggling.
Matt chuckled, going to help the girls up. Molly just shook her head softly. "How Arthur manages him is beyond me."
"I heard Berwald stuffed Peter in a box once.."
She giggled softly at that. "I might try that one."
Al grins.
The song changed and the little Irishwoman gasped in delight. "Oh, I love this one! Alfie, come dance with me!"
He chuckles getting up. She pulled him to the dancefloor, grinning brightly. They danced about. Matt and Ro joined them, both pairs dancing till they were exhausted.
Al flops down giggling.
Molly fell into him, laughing happily. "I missed this...!"
Matt grinned, leaning into his other side, keeping an arm on his own little redhead. Al gins hugging.
Just as they caught their breath again, Paddy came racing back over, plowing into Al.
"Gah!"
The child clung to his shirt, sugar buzzed eyes wide. "AlfieuncleIainneedsyounowcuzsomethingswromgwithArthurandhecantbreatheandirsreallyscary!"
Al just barely caught all that being able to blurt that fast himself. "Alright alright!"
"Iain just told me to get you," he whined a bit slower. "They're in the kitchen."
"Ok, just let me up will ya?"
"But I don't wanna let go; I'm scared..."
He sighs getting to his feet with Patrick in his arms, heading to the kitchen. Molly had rushed ahead, Matt and Ro trailing behind.
When they reached the kitchen, Arthur was curled in the corner, clutching onto his brother's hands as the Scot talked him down from his panic attack. The green eyed blond was trembling like a leaf, breaths stuttering.
Al frowns worriedly coming over. Paddy clung tighter, kicked straight out of his comfort zone with Arthur so rattled.
"Iain..?"
"Aye lad," his eyes never left Arthur.
"What's wrong?"
"We're not sure... We were just chatting then he started to panic..."
Al frowns setting pat down and coming closer. The child looked around, lost until Matt took him. Arthur was slowly coming down, pulling in steadier breaths. Al knelt next to them.
"I-I..." Arthur started then shook his head, burying into his brother.
Iain sighed, rocking him. "Shh... Yer alright Art..."
Al frowns rubbing his back..
Arthur pulled back a few minutes later, rubbing his eyes "Okay... I'm okay..."
They watched him. He seemed a lot steadier now. The worst seemed to have passed.
"What happened?"
"Something," Arthur swallowed dryly. "S-something just happened back home... I'm not sure what, but I..."
Al frowns, "Should we check?"
He nodded softly. Al leads the way to the tv. They turn it on, flicking through the channels.
Al stops at a news station. There was nothing to report. The wars in the Middle East had signed an armastice for Christmas; but that was it, save for a Yorkshire Terrier saving its own and other 'feel good' news items. They frown.
"There's nothing there..." he rasped, voice full of disbelief. "B-but... I felt it, I... "
"I don't know..
"Arthur, you've been working hard lately," Iain frowned softly, laying a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Maybe it was just the lack of sleep kicking in..."
The others watch worriedly.
Arthur just stared at the screen, at a loss. "I swear I felt something..."
"Maybe it just hasn't gotten to the news yet?"
"Either way, its nigh on time for Pad to get to bed and you need a rest too, Art..." Iain frowned softly. "Come on, I'll take you up to your room..."
Al sighs softly stepping away. Matt handed Patrick over and the Scot took them both upstairs. Molly watched sadly, worry putting lines on her pretty freckled face. The others group together nervously.
They met up again the next morning, all four members of the UK sticking close together. They all looked a little uneasy...
Al sat off to the side with Matt. Francis sat with the UK.
*They don't look too good, do they...*
*Not at all.. What did happen last night?*
*Dunno, but I don't like it... I want to check the news again...*
*Me too..* Al gets up to sneak over to the tv.
Matt crept over with him, flicking it on. They watch switching through channels.
Something popped up after a few channels later that made Matt stop. "...break in London last night. It is believed several highly dangerous criminals have escaped and are now loose in the city. Please practice cation..."
Al frowns. *Prison break..*
*Sounds like it...*
They sit listening. The newsreader went on saying people should be careful then moved on. He frowns.
*We should tell Dad...?*
*Yeah, at least they won't think anything worse happened.*
They head over, sitting with them. "We know why Arthur freaked out last night..."
Francis glanced to them. "Why?"
"There was a prison break in London," Matt explained. "Load of criminals got out..."
Francis frowns griping Arthur's hand. Arthur squeezed back with a sigh. "Scotland Yard should pick them up soon enough..."
They sit around the table for a while sipping tea. Arthur looked a bit more relaxed. As much as he had lunatics running loose in his capital, at least he knew what had caused him to panic.
They finish the tea then group up to clean the mess from last night. It took a while and most of them would have given up, were it not for Paddy playing with half of the stuff he found. It was annoying but cute.
Al grins softly at him. At least the child made it fun.
Soon the house was spick and span and they set up for lunch. The meal was a bit lighter than last night. Arthur looked a little worn down though. Francis hugged him close worriedly. He just leaned in, closing his eyes for a moment.
Al frowns at them softly before taking Pat outside to play. Paddy didn't really want to play though; despite the fact it had snowed. They sit on the porch watching it drift.
"Alfie," the freckly child sat in his lap, snuggling for warmth - her and Ireland didn't do cold too well...
"Yeah?"
"Is Artie gonnae be okay...?"
"Yeah he's fine, just tired is all.
"He looks really poorly... Like he's gonna sick..."
"Probably needs a good nap."
"Is it the bad people in London...?" The child twisted to look up at him with innocent green eyes.
"...yeah.. But the cops are working on it so it should be better soon.
"Does it mean we have to stay at Molly's until they catch them?"
"I donno, might be better to ask Iain." He kinda was the appointed head of the family..
"He might just leave me..." Paddy muttered, voice small and scared. "Cuz it's safer, but its lonely..."
Al frowns hugging him.
"I don't wanna be alone..." he hugged back, clutching at Al's coat.
"Hey.. How bout me and Matt stay with you if nothing else?"
"I-I guess..." he shrugged. He hated leaving his brothers. He was always scared they wouldn't come back for him or forget they'd left him behind... He was only small...
Al thought it odd at first having an uncle younger than him, but he had become awful attached either way. Paddy had ended up more a younger brother than an uncle anyway. The child really looked to Al, especially if Arthur wasn't there... They sit hugging.
Soon enough though, Patrick started shivering from the cold, little body having had enough. They go back in. Al starting to chill as well.
Iain and Molly sat to the side, discussing something. Matt sat with Ro, but the others were gone. Al walks over to the latter. Pat cling to him, refusing to let go.
"Hey," Matt smiled up at them both. "Have fun in the snow?"
"Yeah." *Didnt even touch it..*
"Aww, that's good," Matt grinned, shifting so they could sit with the child between them. "We'll have to build a snowman later." *Is something upsetting him?*
Al sits hugging still. *He's worried about Artie..*
*He and Dylan just went back upstairs... He needed to lay down cuz he was getting dizzy...*
Pad just curled into Al; clinging like a limpet. Al rubs his back. *Are they having that much trouble?*
*I think its his people. They're all worried and confused. How could you not be scared when killers are running loose?*
*Alright then..*
They sink into a silence; the only noise was Pat's shuffling little feet on the couch. Al glanced over to the gingers. Whatever they were discussing, it had Iain tense and focused. Molly however seemed rather unsure...
He sighs leaning back. Patrick curled into his side, gloomy air growing. He rubs his back.
Molly got up, coming over to them. "Patrick, sweetie... How would you like to stay with me a wee while?"
"I told you!" Pat yelped, big green eyes pleading turning to Al.
He sighs "Moll would you mind if we came too? I kinda promised to stay with him."
"Sure," she actually looked relieved at the offer of help. "See sweetie, Alfie's coming with us; okay?"
"I-I guess..." Pat still didn't sound sure...
Al smiles gently.
"It's just til they catch all the bad men," Molly smiled softly, gently petting his hair. "Then Arthur's gonnae come get you. He promised."
They cuddle a bit before gathering their bags together. Al, Matt, Paddy and Ro all bundled into a cab to the airport with Molly. Paddy didn't look at all happy with the arrangement, still curled into Al. Al hugged him comfortingly.
Everyone stayed silent. What was there to even say? They drove on to Molly's house.
Once there, the child perked up a little. They got out, Scruff, Molly's old English Sheepdog coming to greet them. Paddy giggled, cuddling the shaggy beast. Molly and Ro stay out the front for a come back out once the bags were put away.
"All settled honey?" Molly tipped her head back to look at them.
"Yep." They sit with them.
"Did you pick out a room for Ro too?"
"Yeah."
"I'll show her," Matt smiled, leading the fae off. "Be right back."
Al watched them leave sitting back on his hands.
"I'll make dinner soon," Molly hummed, hugging her coat closer against the wintery chill. "Nice warm stew..."
"Sounds yummy."
She smiled warmly at him for a moment before turning back to the child and the dog. "Paddy? Time to come in sweetie, it's getting colder..."
"Can Scruff come too...?"
"Scruff can come too," she smiled, getting a happy woof from the dog. Paddy smiled softly, coming in with Scruff on his heels. Al follows as well. They meet Matt and Ro in the lounge. Al smiles moving over to them.
"You all get comfy, see if there's anything on tv," Molly smiled before going to fix dinner.
Al sits with his brother and new sister cuddling. They both snuggled happily. Paddy just curled up with the dog, content with his canine companion. They flip through channels as Molly cooks.
When it was finished, she brought it through, letting them eat in the lounge. They eat enjoying the warmth and companionship.
The night passed through in the same relaxed, docile manner. Paddy fell asleep on the dog after a while. Al smiles softly at him. He looked so small and peaceful there... Blissfully innocent and free of most of a nation's sin. Just a child...
Al sighs leaning on Matt's shoulder.
Matt smiled, wrapping his arms around him. *Do you ever miss being small...?*
*A little.* That brief time a few years ago where they de-aged was actually rather fun.
Matt just missed having someone there... Sure, he had Al, but as a child, someone had always been just a room away... Al was in a different country...
Al never liked being left alone. Especially since Mother disappeared and Arthur wasn't able to stick around much, the Brit had to manage all the other colonies after all..
Still, as much as Arthur did his best, it still got lonely... Matt's grip tightened slightly as he curled into Al. He grips back pulling Ro into his other side. She curled in too, draping her legs over Matt's so the sat in a little pile. They huddle close snuggling.
Molly smiled warmly at them as she gathered Paddy up in her arms to take him up bed. Al smiles back and nuzzles in.
Molly's home was always cozy. It had a lovely homely feel to it no matter what was going on inside. It was like the walls hugged you and comforted you, especially if you were sad or lonely. The trio just about fell asleep right there.
They would have spent the night there if it weren't for their host shaking them awake long enough to go upstairs and settle in a bed. They unravel stumbling up.
The trio shuffle up to their respective rooms and crawl into bed, snuggling into the plush drift off quickly.
