Alright since no one seems to really be interested in School Days, Simply and I decided to get back to main characters. Granted this will have spoilers for the end of School Days which is still yet to be written.

-May- A blonde teen comes off a plane into an airport in eastern Canada, he looked a little travel worn but healthy enough. His movements a bit awkward as if he was getting used to walking again, even if he had odd breaks at his shelter out near the edge of Alaska. Matthew staggered down the plane's steps, gripping the rail for support. Standing on just two legs properly for the first time in nearly two years, he felt tall and unsteady, like he as suddenly wearing stilts.

Still, there was one person he couldn't wait to see, weak knees or not.

As he traveled through the building people milled around him. He was suddenly knocked flat on his back by an equally sized body, enveloping him in an almost smothering hug while a familiar presence invades all of his senses. While his initial reaction was to shout in surprise, Matt knew that scent anywhere. He hugged back even tighter, burying his face in that familiar scruffy blond hair.

*Oh God, I missed you...*

Al could only whine in response. They got a few concerned glances as they huddled on the floor, clinging to each other for dear life.

It seemed like an age before Al finally let him sit up. Even when he did, Matt wouldn't let him go. Al looked so happy it was impossible to see the dark rings under his glasses. Matt was just thrilled to see him again. Still, he never remembered his lower lands being so warm! He was sure he was sweating already.

"Come on, let's get your stuff."

Matt just laughed, letting Al lead him down to the luggage belt. He didn't have much, but he could see his brother just wanted to get moving. They had to do a bit of shuffling to get Kuma's crate but soon enough the three were off heading to Matt's closest house.

It was just a few miles south of the airport, heading into warmer and warmer air. Matt found himself nodding slightly in the car ride home. Al was overstepping the mental boundary as he drove but neither of them really cared at the moment. Matt just wanted to curl up with him and tell him all about his time up north.

Once they get to the house Al led him to the couch and started fixing up a hot meal. Sat on the table was a file of Matt's missed paper work and a journal Al kept to help him catch up with what he missed.

Matt let Kuma out of his box and spent a while just calming the cub down. No matter how often he had to travel like that, he still hated the little case.

Al comes back with pizza and maple topped tuna for Kuma. Matt dove in with a childish delight. He'd had nothing but fish for two years!

Al leans on him lightly as they ate.

Once he'd eaten his fill, Matt pulled his brother back into a bear hug, snuggling in. Al was more than happy to cling.

*I kept a few memories to show you about the cubs, you want to see?*

*Yes.*

Matt smiled, closing his eyes as he played back little scenes for the past two years.
Alfred saw snippets of his two little cubs, just brown balls of fur, slowly growing, learning to hunt, learning to forage, catching their first fish. Even little embarrassing moments. One of the cubs tried to catch a frog and got their head stuck in an old tree stump.

Al smiles sadly clinging tight to him.

The last image was the two of them, full grown and stronger than Alfred could have imagined when he first held them in his hands. His tiny cubs had grown into mighty beasts.

Al nuzzled into his shoulder trying not to cry.

*They'll be okay,* Matt hummed gently, holding him tight.

He held on for a few minutes before calming down.

Matt smiled gently. "Told you I'd look after them."

"Thank you.."

"It's okay. They needed someone to teach them. Making them live in a zoo would have been a sorry life..."

Al nodded softly. He reached over and picked up his journal.

Matt looked up curiously. "What's that?"

"I kept notes to help catch you up."

He smiled, reaching for it. Al hugged him into his lap, cuddling. Matt kept one arm around his brother while flicking through the journal. They spent the afternoon just being together. It was all they needed. Words were unnecessary.

Al did fall asleep on him though. Not that Matt cared. Okay, the company was needed, but the increase in heat he could do without. It felt like a furnace now he wasn't surrounded by ice.

It would take some time to get used to warmer weather again. Right now, he felt like he was sweating buckets!

Maybe he should turn up the ac.. He would, but Al was still on him... And he was reluctant to get up just yet.

That is until Al jolted awake by himself. Matt grunted in shock, nearly asleep himself at that point. He hugged his brother tightly on impulse, protective instincts still high.

He looked slightly pale, sighing shakily. Momma bear, zoned in on it instantly. "You okay?"

"Yeah fine.. Just a bad dream.."

"What about?"

Al shook his head softly, rubbing his eyes. Matt rubbed his back, frowning gently.

"It's nothing. You ok? You look close to a heat stroke.."

He just shrugged. "Article circle is a bit colder..."

Al stood up adjusting the air. Matt sighed with relief as cooler air washed over him. Al sits back with him smiling.

"You sure you would too get cold?" Matt asked kind of meekly.

"I'm fine bro."

"You look pretty tired..."

"Just haven't slept much, there's a meeting in two weeks so I've been kinda heavy on work."

"I owe you big for this, don't I..."

"Just buy me dinner and we'll call it off." He chuckles.

Matt smirked softly. "Does my boss even know I've been gone?"

"Not in the slightest."

A tired laugh bubbled out of him. Al smiles hugging him again. "I'm glad you're back bro.."

Matt wrapped him up in his arms, squeezing tightly. They sat for a moment just clinging, letting themselves feel whole again.

After a while, Matt declared he needed a real shower because he smelled like two years of bear sweat. Al let him go sitting back on the couch. Kuma waddled over and flopped into his lap, claiming the blond as his own. He chuckles petting the little bear.

"Feed me," he whined, setting a yellowed paw on Al's chest.

"But you just ate a while ago." he chuckles.

"Tummy," he rolled over, stretching out.

Al complied scratching the area, "How bout when Matt gets done we throw you in? It'd be nice to feel clean again right."

"I swam," the cub huffed. "Like a bath..."

"Sure it is."

"Got water in it," the bear gave a rumbling sigh of contentment as Al found a good spot it scratch. He just smiles as he petted. Relaxing them both.

Matt returned smelling much sweeter than when he went up. "I feel human again!"

Al laughs lightly, "Great."

"Now it's your turn, mister," he grabbed Kuma with a mischievous grin, despite the cubs protesting. Al gets up, following to help.

Wrestling the cub into a soapy bath was a nightmare. It got a few laughs though in the end. More than anything, it just felt good to be back.

"So what do you want to do now?"

"Honestly, I'm dying to crawl into a real bed again..."

"If that's what you want go ahead. I've got some stuff to catch up on anyway."

"Can't it wait til tomorrow...? Then I can help you."

"You that desperate to get back into paperwork?" Al chuckles.

"No," he muttered. "I just wanted you to stay with me and I feel bad for pinning so much on you for so long..."

Al smiles taking his hand and following him up. They slipped into Al's bed, Matt curling up this time. He'd had the cubs and Kuma, but it wasn't the same as this. He'd felt just as alone out on the ice sheets. Al wrapped around him as they settled in. Kuma flopped onto of them both, earning a chuckle from Matt. Al sat nuzzling Matt as they drifted off.

Come morning, Matt woke with a reluctant groan. Al was still out cold, with his guard down it was easier to see that he looked a little sickly.

Matt frowned softly, brushing back a loose strand of hair as he felt Al's forehead. He mumbled a bit pressing into the pillow, as it shifted he spotted a spot of red underneath. Matt tensed, reaching for it.

It was a journal it seemed, simple red cover hidden just under his head. He pulled it out with a sigh of relief. Since when had he been so jittery?

It was a bit odd though. The journal looked simple enough, but instead of having a title on the first page there was a scribbled drawing of some shadow man with a sadistic grin. Considering how Al's poor artistic endeavors were usually on the lighter side, the image itself was worrying. It appeared to be halfway filled.

Matt flicked through, his concern growing with each new piece. What was all this? The writings were going to rather dark places..

'They told me it was about five months.. I disappeared mid-November and came home in early April. Sometimes it felt more like years…'

'Later I asked how he found me.. Turns out the guy with the.. the steel cage a few years before was a friend of his.. Sent him videos.. After that he went digging. Old war documents, photos, even some eyewitness reports on my escape from the prison camp.. I don't even know if Ludwig knew about those..'

Matt hands started shaking and he had to put it down. What was this?

Memories it seemed. The entries had been dated in the last year or so. Guilt spiked at his heart. This is what Al had been dealing with while he was gone? Suddenly, the ice seemed warm.

But why had they surfaced now? What was the trigger? He needed to find out... But maybe he should tell someone..?

Al shifted pressing into him. Matt twisted, holding him tight. He settled a bit sleeping for another ten minutes before waking. Matt smiled down at him but worry clung to his eyes.

"Mornin."

"Hey..."

"Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in years," he joked halfheartedly.

Al grins hugging him for a moment. Slowly, Matt pulled back, considering the journal. Should he...?

"You ok?"

"Yeah, I... I found this..." He lifted the journal.

Al's smile fell glancing away.

"Al... Are you okay...?"

"I'm fine.. Just bad dreams is all.."

"Did you tell anyone else...?"

He shook his head.

"Why not? You've had dad and papa...?"

"It's not that bad. I couldn't leave anyway." It would have just followed him if he did..

"Al, this stuff gave me the creeps..."

"M sorry.."

"It's okay... I'm just kinda worried..."

Al smiles sadly. He'd be fine, it was well into summer now it'll pass.

"Are these... Dreams still bothering you?"

"Sometimes..." Yesterday..

"When..." Maybe it was lingering bear instincts, but Matt didn't feel right about all this...

Al sighs, "When we were napping yesterday.. I was.. being dissected again.."

Matt pulled him in again, troubled thoughts tumbling through his mind. Thus wasn't the welcome home present he'd been hoping for...

Al huddled in feeling guilty for upsetting him, Matt didn't need this after being away so long.

"We can call dad..." Matt muttered into his hair. "Maybe he can help... Or Iain? He always knows how to fix things..."

Al didn't really want to.. Sure it'd be fine for a few months but once it turns cold again..

"Please..." He wanted to call a few people anyway. He missed his family and so far, only Alfred knew he was home again.

"Alright..."

Matt squeezed him for a moment, feeling a little shaky. The sense of security he'd had coming home was being rattled more than he liked...

Al hugged back trying to reassure him. Kuma wiggled between them, not complaining for once. The cub just offered another source of comfort.

They clung for a few moments before shifting out of bed, Al needing to use the toilet. Matt curled up with Kuma, burying his face in the cub's fur as he tried to soothe his rattled nerves.

His brother came back soon enough, pulling them downstairs to eat. They munched through the meal, Matt just anxious to see familiar faces again. It was easy enough to grab Al's laptop and start up skype.

As soon as his plate was clear, Matt did just that. Al set next to him as they tried the first number. They tried Arthur but got no reply. So Matt gave into his own selfish whims and dialed Gilbert instead. He knew he should call family first, but Gilbert was his family.

"Hallo?" The Prussian appeared on the screen, looked like he was in the middle of practice with his flute in one hand. Matt opened his mouth to answer but just choked, hit by a sudden wave of emotion. Al rubs his back gently as Gil caught them in the screen. He grins jabbering happily.

Matt just let him ramble for a moment, drinking in the sound of his voice. When he finally found his own again, all he could croak out was "I missed you..."

"I missed you too."

"Where are you? You never practice your flute where Ludwig can hear you."

"Ah he's out of the house for the day."

"Play me something...?"

Gil smiles putting it to his lips. Matt closed his eyes, smiling contently as he started to play.

Gil really was good at this, he may goof around Austria a lot but music was one thing they both had a talent for.

Matt made a small mental note that they needed to get together and play again soon, though his own skills may be rusty now. Once Gil was done playing, he asked the albino if he'd missed much while he was gone.

"Ah the usual arguments at meetings nothin big. Jules decided to stay with me though. Who knew phoenix could be domestic?" he chuckles.

Matt smirked wistfully. "I wouldn't want to try and domesticate the bears now... They're huge!"

Gil grins brightly. Al sat back letting them exchange stories for a while.

It was with reluctance that they finally hung up a few hours later. Matt still had other family to call and Gilbert had chores to finish before Ludwig came home.

Al grips his hand gently, "Like I said there's a meeting in two weeks, we can catch everyone then."

Matt nodded, squeezing his hand. "I still want to call dad and papa. I miss them too much to wait."

Al rang up the next number. Francis. Matt bit his lip anxiously.

It took a moment but he did appear, he must have already been sat there as he had his glasses on.

"Papa," the lump of emotion came back again and matt had to wonder when he'd gotten this weepy. Still, he couldn't stop grinning.

"Matthieu! When did you get back?!"

"Last night," he wiped away a stray tear. "Al met me at the airport. It's so good just to see you again...!"

"Oh shush, it's alright.."

"How have you been? Did I miss anything?"

It wasn't much there either just the normality of it being reassuring. It was all he needed. News, voices, contact. Colour! So much colour and it was all so bright now! Francis didn't stay as long as Gil, needing to get back to work.

"Better?"

"Yeah," Matt leaned into him, hugging for a moment. Al smiles gripping tight.

"I guess dad must be busy with work? Shame, I wanted to check on him and Ro."

Al's smile fell slightly. "Ro's not staying with us anymore.."

Confusion filled his face, along with fear and heartache. "S-she isn't...?"

Al picked up the journal from yesterday, flipping through it to the first winter.

Matt watched in confusion. "Al...?"

"She's still nearby, perfectly fine. Just decided to move out with some friends.

"And dad just let her go?"

Al handed him the book, "It was for the best really, she still visits though."

Matt took it, looking through. Al hugged him to his chest as he read again. It had been rather lonely without her around..

Matt read through details of how school had been, and how it slowly came to the point of her leaving. The knowledge that she wasn't there anymore left a heavy ache in his heart. Yes, she was close, but it still felt so far away...

Al held him tight nuzzling in.

They just sat a moment, Matt letting the information sink in. It was hard to know that she was gone, but reassuring that she was happy again. But just left him feeling a little emptier than expected. He'd liked having a sister...

*I know Matt.. I miss her too..*

*She... She's really gone...?*

*I'm sorry..*

Matt couldn't stop the tears if he'd tried. They flooded over, dropping onto the journal in his lap. Al held him tight rocking softly, maybe they could check in on Iain sometime and visit.

It might help ease the blow at the very least. It was a nasty shock to come home too... Who knows, if Matt had been there, maybe Ro wouldn't have left? Maybe her school adventures would have played out differently? Matt had always been the one she entrusted easiest, even if they didn't always talk much.

Nonetheless it left Al to himself for the better part of two years. The ringing emptiness could still be felt in him. Matt shifted, hugging back tightly, though he no longer knew who's pain he was trying to ease anymore. They both needed company for a while..