Ok, honestly I thought we wouldn't start this until we finished Recession. But Simply wanted to switch from her plot to this for a bit so here it is!
November. The days were getting shorter and colder. The weather was at war with itself, trying to snow, rain and hail all at the same time, leaving everything with a dirty coating of grey slush. The sky was constantly overcast and the wind never stopped.
Ro tugged her coat closer as she headed home from another exhausting day at her new school up in Scotland. Alfred had wanted her to reach out, learn and make friends. Arthur was too busy, but Britain offered the best education system, which meant she'd ended up in Scotland, living with Iain. He'd terrified her at first, but she didn't take long coming around. The Scot was scary, but he was also kind and thoughtful. It helped that France had a habit of stopping in.
Despite this though, she couldn't find a smile today. Ever since starting her new school, a group of other students had taken a disliking to her. They teased her hair colour, pushed her around, ruined her work, even spilt water on her at one point. Today, one of the boys had shoved her off the bus and straight into a pile of slush. She was soaked instantly... But she still clammed up at the thought of telling anyone... She was scared of what would happen if she did.
She opened the front door as quietly as possible, trying to sneak upstairs. Problem was there was a bag siting on the couch, voices coming from the kitchen. She paused, curiosity getting the better of her, even when she was soaked and freezing. She crept around, peering through the doorway.
His back was to her talking to Iain over coffee, but that was definitely Al's hair.
Her heart skipped - she hadn't seen him in months! She was so surprised, she didn't notice her bag slipping from her shoulder before it was too late. It landed with a soggy thump on the carpet.
Iain looked over curiously. "Ah, Ro, you're home!"
Al turns grinning brightly, honestly he looked a little run down. The chicks had grown and were starting out on their own and Matt and the bears were still roaming the mountains. He had a hard time getting used to an empty house again.
Ro took a deep breath, determined not to cry like a baby - she was a young lady now - as she hurried over to Al, hugging him tight. Al hugs back just as much, taking a moment just to smell her hair.
She still smelled like wildflowers in bloom and fresh summer rain, and it would have been relaxing, were it not for the fact she was freezing and wet.
"Jez what happened, Did you get caught in the rain?"
She considered lying for a moment, but it obviously wasn't raining... So she went for the next best choice. "I slipped coming off the bus..." she smiled awkwardly. "The floor was wet. I went straight into slush."
Al frowns softly hugging her again. She snuggled in, clinging tightly. Iain came around, rubbing her back softly. "How about you run up and dry off? I washed your big jumper today, you can snuggle up in that."
Al smiles softly. Ro pulled back reluctantly, forcing a little smile before grabbing her bag and running upstairs to her room.
"Is she ok..?"
"I'm not sure," Iain frowned softly. "She's been off for a while.. Figured it was just missing you. I've been trying my damnedest to make her feel comfortable, but she still seems down."
Al frowns worriedly.
"I was hoping that seeing you might help," he ran a hand through his hair tiredly.
"I can try."
"At the very least, it'll narrow it down... All over her teachers say she's doing fine, I'm running out of ideas."
"Hmm.."
Soft footsteps crept back down to them, Ro coming back in an extremely oversized jumper - honestly, it looked like it'd fit Iain - fluffy slipper boots and the stuffed bear Alfred had bought her before she moved clutched to her chest.
Al smiles softly. She smiled back, cheeks rosy. He opens his arms for a hug. She folded straight in, clinging to the front of his shirt. He held tight rubbing her back.
Everything felt safe right here... She never wanted to leave again. She felt tears prickling in her eyes and pulled back quickly, trying to scrub them away before they could fall.
"Hey you're ok.."
She sniffled, hiccupping softly. "I-I just... I m-missed you..."
"Me too.."
Ro buried in, letting a few tears escape down her cheeks. Al rocks softly resting on her shoulder. They swayed for a moment, calming each other down. By the time they parted; Iain had made them both a warm drink, sipping his own idly.
"So, how have you been?"
"Um, okay," she shrugged, smiling shyly. "Iain's been really really nice..."
"Any luck with the magic?"
"No..." her smile died. "I can't do a thing..."
Al frowns softly. "Don't give up yet."
"Not true," Iain hummed over his cup. "You're getting that little bird to work for you."
"But I want my own magic back!"
"Hey easy. Maybe it's not that different, just looks like it?"
"I'm not meant to have feathers..."
Al hugs her again. She sat for just a moment before pulling away and sipping her tea. "I'm fine..."
Maybe he could try and help her with it later.. Iain just shot him a tired look.
"What do you say we watch a movie tonight?"
"Okay," she shrugged, muttering into her cup.
Well that didn't work.. "How's Ash doing?"
"Iain's been helping me train him," she perked up at the mention of her puppy. "He's asleep on my bed right now."
"That sounds fun. Any new tricks?"
"He can wave and do a high five," she grinned. "But he's still really wiggly and excitable, so it's hard to teach him."
"Puppies usually are."
"He loves walking though, so Iain takes us to these really pretty woods and we let him run."
Al smiles warmly at that.
"He's getting bigger too. And so fluffy!"
"That's good."
"He still needs a walk today," Iain smiled warmly. "Do you want to take him, or should I?"
Al glanced up.
Ro shrugged, shuffling in her seat. "It's cold..."
"I'll run with him after dinner," Iain chuckled. "You look like you need a day at home."
Al smiles softly, "Anything else that I missed?" He asked Iain.
"Our little lady is coming on leaps and bounds with her reading," he smirked softly, Ro turning bright ted. "And Arthur should be joining us for Christmas next month, so that'll be fun."
Al grins brightly. "Mind if I stay for that then? I'm still not sure when Matt'll come back and two sets of work is getting to me."
Ro perked up instantly, big brown eyes too hopeful to refuse.
Iain just rolled his eyes playfully. "How many times do I have to tell you, you don't need to ask?"
Al chuckles softly.
"So he can stay?" Ro asked softly.
"I suppose so," Iain sighed playfully but Ro just beamed, hugging Alfred's arm happily. He grins petting her hair.
Iain smiled sadly. He hadn't seen her this happy since she'd gotten here...
"Anything you want to do?"
She gasped excitedly, but Iain cut her off, 'subtly' coughing "Homework, maybe?"
"Aww I hate homework." Al pouts playfully.
"Me too," Ro pouted with him and Iain nearly caved.
"No. Not a chance," he frowned sternly. "Homework comes first, we agreed that in August."
"Fiiiine." Al sighs with a grin.
Ro whined softly, pouting. "But it's all soggy in my ba... My book!" she scrambled out of her seat, running upstairs. Her polar bear ended up on the floor, looking rather sad about it actually.
Al picks it up hugging it, "She's really out of it huh.."
"I've tried talking to her, but I don't think she's quite comfortable with me yet... She just won't open up."
"Hmm.. Maybe I can send Eagle with her for a day or something?"
"He'd never see her in the school. We don't tend to have great hulking birds in town either."
Al frowns softly. Eagle was wispy as it was in astral form..
"I'll think about it, alright?"
"Alright. I'm going to go check on her."
"Just get her out of her shell?"
"Can do."
Iain nodded softly, letting him go. Al headed upstairs taking the bear with him.
Ro had left her door ajar in her rush. Ash sat beside her as she rifled through her schoolbag, easing out stacks of wet paper. "Oh... They're all ruined..."
Al frowns softly watching from the door.
She started flicking through one of her workbooks, art, if the drawings were any clue. She got to one page and froze, choking. "T-they..."
Uh oh..
Ash whined, nuzzling up to her. She dropped her book and buried her face in his fur. "T-those jerks... W-why couldn't they leave j-just one thing alone...?"
...What..? Someone else made her wet..? Maybe not... Her drawing was hard to see, but someone had scribbled over it in thick black pen. Al frowns softly crossing his arms.
Ro just cried softly into her pet, the pooch sitting patiently through it. Neither of them had noticed Alfred.
Al quietly backed away heading back downstairs with a troubled frown.
Green eyes fixed on to him immediately. "You've brought me bad news."
"I don't think school's as entirely as happy as she lets on.."
His eyes darkened. "Explain."
"Looks like bullies.." If anyone knew what bullying was like it was Al, both from the other nations and the time he would spend in high schools.
Anger sparked in the redhead, his protective side flaring up. "Can you tell how bad?"
"Not sure.. Messing with her stuff at least."
"I need to talk to her," he stood, draining his coffee. "If she's getting picked on, I don't care how petty it is, it's stopping."
"Iain.."
"What," he snapped then backpedaled, apologizing. "Sorry... I just can't stand bullies..."
"You think I'm any better? But if you go in there like that she'll just clam up.."
Iain sat back down with a tired sigh. "Why the hell did I agree to this...?"
Al sits next to him, a bit lost himself. They knew someone was harassing her, but they couldn't do anything.
"Send your bird in. Watch her as close as you can."
"Sure thing."
They sat tensely, waiting for Ro to come back. Al ended up munching on crackers at one point.
"She's been up there an awful long time..."
Al fidgets nervously, he stood up to check. Almost on cue, Ash came thundering down the stairs, yapping excitedly.
"Whoa slow down! What now?"
He sat in front of him, whining softly. Al frowns heading up. Iain followed him silently, just wanting to listen.
Ash padded back to Ro's room, nudging the lump in the duvet. Ro hiccupped from within, telling the pooch to go away. Al sat on the bed rubbing at the lump gently.
She choked, trying to stop even though she knew she'd been caught. She just didn't want to explain...
Al kept silent pulling her into a hug.
She whimpered, giving in. She let her tears flow freely, sobbing. Ever since she'd gotten to this school, one group had made it their personal pass time to harass her. The random shoving and punching and pushing was easy to ignore once the pain left, but her art book was special. To think even that had been taken from her...
Al hugs her tight rocking gently. Ro just wept, letting out all the tears she'd swallowed down since leaving Alfred and America. They let her grieve, waiting till she calmed.
It was a little while before she puttered out, sniffling softly into his shoulder. Iain watched, a worried frown creasing his brow. Al rubs her back gently. Ro stayed silent, just wanting him to hold her a bit longer. Well he had nothing better to do right now.
Eventually, she sat up, scrubbing her cheeks with the cuff of her sleeve.
"You ok?"
"Yeah," she muttered, keeping her eyes down. "M'fine..."
"You know you can talk to me right?"
"I know, but... But there's nothing wrong," she curled in on herself slightly. "I'm just really tired..."
Al sighs rubbing her arm. "Want to get a drink?"
"I'm okay," she dried her face and finally lifted her head. She looked terrible but Iain's stubborn nature must be rubbing off on her because she refused to admit it. "I should take Ash for a walk while dinner's cooking..."
"Alright.."
She slipped off her bed, going to her wardrobe to find her wellie boots. She just wanted some air and a moment alone with her best friend. Al watched her leave then flopped back with a sigh.
She ran straight passed Iain without noticing him. Iain waited for her to go before coming and sitting with him.
"This might be harder than I thought.."
"I'm not the most subtle with these sorts of things... Still, she's getting as bad as the rest of us..."
Al chuckles dryly.
"Not the best role models, are we," Iain smirked sadly. "I don't know what to do with her... She's not Molly..."
"I'm not sure.. Last spring wasn't all that great for her either.."
"She's not used things going too well, is she?"
"Not really.."
"Well, we'll just have to change that then, won't we."
Al smiles softly.
"Let her cool off and try again. We're all suffering through a vegetarian dinner tonight."
"Alright."
Iain ruffled his hair before getting up again. "Best get on."
Al sat up following. They headed back downstairs, fishing out Ro's veggie burgers.
Al was a little unsure, they had to taste good right? He understood Ro's decision but Al was a carnivore at heart. Though he did tend to avoid eating rabbit at all costs..
Iain didn't looked thrilled about it either. He'd always kept a healthy garden growing; but he was starting to get sick of the sight of veggies. "...I can make beef burgers...?"
"Please.."
Iain nodded, pulling meat out of the fridge. "You want to make burgers or peel spuds?"
"I'll do the meat."
They split up, getting to work. Al made sure to keep Ro's ones separate but soon they had it all set up. Ro finally trudged back in just as they started cooking. She looked tired and cold but Ash was still full of energy.
Al frowns softly, worried.
She flashed him a soft smile as she pulled her boots of and left them by the door. "What's for dinner?"
"Burgers." Al smiles trying to cheer her up. She brightened a little, but she still just wasn't herself. They'd have to work on that..
For now though, dinner. They set up the plates and sat around. They eat in silence for a moment before Ro asked something that almost sounded offensive coming from her. "...What does meat taste like..?"
Al glanced up stunned. Iain looked over, shock plain on his face too. Ro blushed, shrinking in her chair. "I-I was just... Curious. I wanted to know why y-you liked it..."
"W-well, it's hard to describe.. I just, meat is kind of necessary for me because of my spirit.."
"I guess," she muttered.
"Do you want to try it and find out?" Iain asked, just testing a hunch.
"No!" Ro snapped up instantly but soon shrank again. "I don't know..."
Al frowns, "You don't have too." Why did she bring this up all of a sudden..? She looked ashamed at herself for mentioning it.
"Ro, I know I complain about having to check labels," Iain said softly. "But I don't mind. It's your choice."
"If you don't want meat we respect that."
"Maybe I just wanted a change," she muttered unconvincingly.
She wasn't meant to eat meat though.. Something had to be wrong.. Iain reached over, pressing a hand to her brow. He was worrying that she getting ill, with the amount of stress she was dealing with. She just whined irritably, moving away.
Al sighs mentally. Ro just busied herself with her food, eating so she didn't have to talk anymore. Al continued with his own brain weighed down with questions now. Iain's brain was working now too, thinking up a thousand things.
The rest of dinner was rather silent, each in their own world. Once she'd finished, Ro stood to leave. Iain shot Al a look, asking if he wanted to call her up on this or leave it til later.
Al shook his head softly, she wasn't going to talk and he knew it. He nodded, letting her go, Ash whining at her heels.
Al helps pick up the dishes and wash. Really the only way they could get her to talk was to catch her somehow..
"Not ever Arthur was this much trouble," Iain sighed softly. "I swear, if I could cover her in bubblewrap..."
Al smiles slightly at that image. At least Ro had someone who cared for her waiting at home. Iain wasn't the kind of person to pretend he cared if he didn't.
Al felt a little bad for pushing her into this, but honestly he had hoped it would help..
"She was happy to begin with," Iain assured him softly. "She loves her lessons, it's just this bastard that won't leave her alone."
Al sighs softly drying his plate. How could they help?
"How about we let her be for tonight and have a think while she's at school tomorrow? Give you a chance to unwind."
"Alright."
Iain patted his shoulder. "I can finish this. Go take your bag up to your room."
Al nods going off. Ro's door was shut tight as he passed it, the dull roar of loud music through headphones ebbing out to him.
Al glanced to it before continuing to his own, feeling a slight pang as he started to unpack. Normally Matt would be here sharing this one with him.. It would still be another 20 months before Matt could even think of coming home...
Al sighs softly laying on the bed while cuddling his stuffed rabbit. Sometimes when he went up north for Matt's paperwork he visited the house and just sat trying to get a scent off the pillows.. It was only a moment of relief and the scent grew weaker each time. It just wasn't the same as having Matt with him...
He felt so lonely these days.. Even Ro was getting distant, sinking into herself. Al curls into himself just wanting things to be normal again..
"Bud," Iain knocked softly on Alfred's door. "You alright?"
Al glanced up, "Yeah, just overthinking again."
He slipped in, shutting the door with his foot. "You miss him, don't you..."
"Who?"
The Scot smiled sadly. "Arthur told me about Matt and the cubs."
Al sighs, "This is probably going to be the longest we've gone without some sort of contact.. Before I could at least write or call.."
"You can't... Spirit bird him or whatever?"
"Doesn't reach cross country. Plus I don't know exactly where he is. The only way is if Kuma pops a visit."
"Doubt he'll just wander over here," Iain tutted. "Guess you're stuck then."
Al nods softly.
"If you ever need to bitch about," he smirked softly. "I rarely sleep."
"Thanks." Al smiles.
"And, I was thinking about driving Ro to school now. If she's getting picked on on the bus, it cuts out that bit at least."
"Good idea."
"Fancy joining us in the morning? Unless you'd rather just sleep? You look like shit."
"I'll come."
"Get some rest then," Iain gave a rare, warm smile. "Car leaves at half seven."
"Alright. See ya in the morning." Al smiles softly.
"Bright and early," Iain grinned, slipping out. "Oh," he added. "If you need something to hug, Molly's room is just across the hall."
Al chuckles softly pulling back the sheets. Iain stopped by Ro's room to let her know he'd be taking her in in the morning before letting Ash out to pee. He finished up a few odd jobs then headed to bed himself.
