I'll update saturdays! *Forgets and gets busy then remembers smack dab in the middle of cards against humanity* damnit...

anyway, one day late update!


Matthew had let the thought of Ivan's situation stew, staying quiet on the matter. What kinds of things would change if he and Yao had separated? how long was it going to be before he found a place? Was Matthew going to have to send the kids to stay with Alfred for his heat? ... or was there an alternative he could offer- one he'd be willing to offer. He shook his head banishing the thoughts. He wasn't even sure what was happening yet, he didn't need to get ahead of himself!

He decided in the end to wait and see, and on Thursday evening he got another call along with a push in how this was going to be... "Matvey? I'm really sorry… I can't take them again… work just is horrible right now" He excused.

Matthew debated for a moment before speaking, "Ivan, Is everything okay? With you and Yao I mean?" He was hopeful that Ivan was keeping his honesty about the situation since it seemed for delicate.

"Ah…" he said sighing. "You know then?" He asked.

"All I know is you haven't skipped a visit before, you were fighting with Yao, and…" He paused before lying in order to keep Gilbert's, not quiet legal, poking out of it "I saw Yao heading into Gilbert's office" There was a quiet, followed by a heavy sigh

"He kicked me out a few weeks ago." The Alpha admitted miserably. "I can't take them because I've been couch surfing and I can't exactly bring the kids to someone else's house to sleep."

Matthew frowned "I'm sorry" He offered, not sorry at all for the break up, but a little for the lack of kid time... He knew it had to be hard on the other

"It's not your fault" He said "but thanks"

Matthew considered quietly for a moment. Maybe this was a bad idea, or a selfish one… either way it was a set up to get hurt but… "Do you want to stay here?" He asked in a small voice "For your weekends" he clarified. "I have a couch and the kids missed you last weekend… I don't want to tell them you're not coming again.."

There was more quiet and Matthew cringed waiting for the rejection, instead Ivan asked seriously, but a hopeful sound in his voice,"Are you sure?"

Matthew sighed "I'll be fine. I have people bugging me for my time anyway, so you'll barely even know I'm there" He answered, mentally coming up with things he could do… mostly it came down to bugging Alfred.

"Alright then" Ivan said, and Matthew could hear the pick up in mood in his voice "Thank you Matvey"

"It's not problem. We'll see you tomorrow" They said their goodbyes and Matthew went to bed with his nerves thrumming still.

"Daddy! It's Daddy!" Came the calling as the knock came at the door. Matthew looked up from the colouring book pages they'd been pouring over adjusting his hair and clothing as he stood. He looked okay right? His jeans fit properly, his shirt was casual, but not ratty. Basically not what he would look like at all on a lazy friday afternoon where he didn't see Ivan.

He opened the door with a smile "Hey Ivan, come on in"

Ivan returned the smile "Thank you" He said, stepping into what use to be his own house. He had a large bag in hand, Matthew recognized it as the same one he'd taken with him when he left. He was only two steps in when it dropped, kids clinging to him tightly, He chuckled and picked them both up,

Matthew felt a warmth and an ache in his chest at the image. It should be a picture on his wall. His mark pulsed and he turned from it, "Well" He said clearing his throat "You still know where everything is?" He asked. "I have a casserole in the fridge you can heat up for you guys for dinner." He continued, grabbing his bag and tossing it over his shoulder.

"You're not staying for dinner?" Matthew turned to see a disappointed frown that made his eyes flutter and his face flush.

"I have plans with Alfred, and I'm late" He said quickly. "I'll be back by bedtime, eight o'clock"

Ivan looked confused, but Matthew brushed past, kissing the children's cheeks and giving brief I love you's before breezing out of the door in a hurry.

"He's staying at your house" Alfred dead panned.

"Yes" Matthew answered simply, sipping his tea. He rolled his eyes at the looked Alfred gave him "It's only on his weekends with the kids until he finds a place. The kids missed him" Alfred narrowed his eyes. "For god's sake Alfred!" He exclaimed. "What do you think is going to happen? He's there with the kids, I'm here. I'll go home to sleep, maybe I'll get drinks with Gil tomorrow night"

Alfred perked at that "Really?" Matthew was regretting that already

"Maybe! I'm still not ready to date Alfred… besides I'm still marked-"

"I told you, any time you're ready and I will pay to get it off-"

"The point is I'm not ready" Matthew countered, causing Alfred to pout.

"Why?" Matthew blinked, looking at Kiku as the other Omega looked on in innocent curiosity, tilting his head.

"I'm sorry?" Matthew tilted his head in mirror,

"Why aren't you ready?" He clarified, "It's been two years, he's had a new mate… " Kiku said with a shrug, Alfred looking on intently.

"I don't know… I just don't feel ready." he said staring into his cup, "It's not like I let him mark me thoughtlessly, it meant something." He frowned for a moment before hardening a bit, "Besides, I'm not ready to date and it's a deterrent."

Alfred sighed, "Mattie…"

"One date" It was Kiku again, and Matthew was shocked again, "You can't know you aren't ready if you don't try" He pushed gently, "We'll inform gilbert it's testing the waters to see how ready or unready you are so he doesn't get invested, who know's that might make him back off after."

Matthew frowned, staring at the other Omega's determination. "Alright." He agreed.

Kiku stood, "I'll go set it up" He said with a soft smile. Matthew felt like he'd been tricked somehow.

When Matthew got home, he had a date set for the next night, dinner and a movie. It felt weird to even think about as he got back in the house, two small children with wet hair in Pajama's running to him,

"Mommy!"

"We missed you~!"

Matthew smiled down on the small children, kneeling down, "I missed you too, did you behave for Daddy?" he questioned, earning nods. Ivan came around the corner and matthew had to swallow back his reaction,

"Where did you two disappear to-?" He was wandering around with wet bits of hair in his face, jeans obviously splashed and a soggy wet shirt in his hand instead of on him. He'd paused, eyes wide, face pink. "S-Sorry, they splashed around a bit and uh… my bag was out here… " He pointed to the couch, "Welcome home" He added, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, Matthew enthralled in the way the muscles moved,

"Yeah, that's fine" He said quietly, face burning "I'll just put these two down," tearing his eyes away from the other's chest he stood and took the children's hands moving towards their bedroom. He worked on calming his hormones as he tucked them in with kisses and a story.

God, Alfred was right, this had been a bad idea. Such a bad idea! He couldn't stop internally drooling, noting Ivan had definitely not let himself go... he still had the young strong Alpha build in that incredibly large body that had always felt so safe and warm... not to mention good when things- He cut himself off standing and turning off the light and shut the door, turning back towards the living room and ran right into Ivan. "S-Sorry!" he exclaimed, quickly taking a step back as he got his footing.

"It was my fault, i was just going to say goodnight to them" Matthew nodded and stepped out of the way

"I just turned out the light, but they aren't out yet" he said moving towards the living room then through to the kitchen heading straight to the sink to splash cold water on his face. He needed to pull it together!

He was drying himself off when Ivan came back out, clothed now and smiling awkwardly. Matthew returned the look and they both sat in silent discomfort until Ivan broke it, "Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah, just had dinner… it was nice" Ivan nodded, and Matthew blurted out the next part "I'm going out tomorrow." He looked at the wall beside him, arms crossed over his chest and face red. "W-With Gilbert… on a date."

"Oh…" He glanced and just caught an edge of hurt on Ivan's face before it was buried. "How long has-"

"It's a first date.." He cut in. He was slightly annoyed at the look he'd seen. Ivan wasn't allowed to be hurt by that. He was the one who'd wrecked things, his irritation lightly coloured his next words "He's been asking for a year now, So obviously he's dedicated" Ivan fliched just slightly and nodded.

"Well, I hope you two have fun" He said with an unconvincing smile,

"Thank you" Matthew replied, eyes glued to the floor. For some reason, he felt even more upset at Ivan's support. Finally he reached the conclusion that anything said would just upset him more. He turned to the hall, "I'm going to bed…"

"Wait-" Matthew turned, maybe a little too eagerly, "It's only eight… Do you want to watch a movie or something?" He offered. That's when it hit him. Ivan was use to having Yao there once the kids were tucked in. He'd never been alone. He went from his parents, to Matthew, to Yao then couch surfing with buddies. The thought made Matthew further irritated.

"No thanks. I'm tired. I might go shopping with Al tomorrow for my date. You know how he gets" He said with an apologetic smile, turning away again. He wasn't about to be a substitute. No, he had more self respect! … and less ability to survive that emotional blow…

The next morning was quiet. They all ate breakfast, the two adults being polite, but awkward. The situation was only made worse by the appearance of uncle Alfred…

"Mattie! I'm here to take you shopping!" He said excitedly coming through the door without knocking. Nothing less than Matthew expected honestly. Matthew had made the mistake of actually planning that trip with his brother just to get away. "Hey kids!" he exclaimed, the kids bounced up, laughing and jumped on their Alpha uncle. Both easily being lifted up. "How's it goin' you having a good morning?" he asked, completely ignoring Ivan, not even looking at him in the most obvious way.

The kids started to chatter excitidly, so Matthew stood up, quietly going to gather the dishes. Ivan stood as well and put a hand on his forearm "Don't worry about that Matvey, go have fun, I can clean, it's the least I can do"

"It's fine Ivan I-"

"Come on Mattie, like he said, least he can do" Alfred said cheerfully, putting the kids down with kisses to their foreheads. "You two will behave today right? I'll buy you something really cool to make up for the fact that you're not comin'"

"Okay Uncle Al! Can I have a doll?" Aurora said with big pleading eyes

"Rora…" Matthew cautioned, Alfred waving it away

"Yup! I'll find a pretty one that looks like you, and Alec, maybe a cool car?" at least this time he hadn't said puppy… Matthew didn't have time for a pet.

"Okay okay, let's go' Matthew sighed as Alek nodded, knowing the shopping list would only grow the longer they stayed. "Behave for Daddy guys!"

"They always do, enjoy your time out Matthew" Ivan said with an unconvincing smile.

"Of course he will, Gilly knows how to treat an Omega! Now let's go make ya look like a million bucks!" Matthew shot a look, but was dragged out of the house after a brief set of kisses from his kids.

"Was that necessary Alfred?" Matthew asked as they pulled away, headed towards the mall."He knows I'm going on a date, do you have to rub it in?"

"Rub what in? If it makes him uncomfortable then good Mattie. He hurt my little brother and was in the wrong. You aren't, if he gets hurt it's his own fault and he deserves it."

Matthew sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere with this right now.

"it's a little tight Al…" Matthew said turning in the outfit his brother had picked.

"it's a date Mattie. Don't you wanna look hot for Gil? " Alfred asked, scrutinizing the outfit

That made Matthew more uncomfortable. .. "Gilbert seems to like me fine in normal fitting clothes"

"and he'll be eating out of your palm in these ones! " he insisted. Matthew sighed, picking and adjusting the cloth.

"Just. .. it's a bit too much. Tone it down a little " he pleaded earning a sigh, but a nod

In the end Matthew wound up with a new outfit, hair cut, perfume (to cover ivan's lingering claim scent) and a mani-pedi.

"he's not even going to recognize me. " Matthew murmured, looking down at himself

"he will. He'll be floored too." Alfred assured as they pulled into his drive. "how did you leave your ID at home anyway? "

"you told me I wasn't allowed to bring my wallet" Matthew defended "I'll be quick. Say goodnight to the kids drop off their toys and be back out!" he said getting out with a few bags.

Matthew darted in the door "kids! Uncle Al sent you things!" he heard excited squeaks from the kitchen. The squeal of chairs and feet thumping. All with a heavy sigh from Ivan.

Matthew handed the bags over and looked sheepish as he saw Ivan, pulling the promised doll out for Aruora and handing her the bag full of clothing and accessories, "sorry… I know I should distrub them during dinner, but I'm in a rush" he stood up tucking hair behind his ear " I left my ID and I'm gonna be late" Ivan stood there, not looking annoyed, but dumbstruck. Matthew pretended not to notice

"I'm not sure what time I'll be home. " he said grabbing his wallet and stuffing it on the too tight pants "but you guys be good for Daddy" he added.

"you look nice" Ivan finally managed. Using his words like a big boy.

"thanks. All dragged me everywhere. Make yourself at home." he added turning for the door after kisses, leaving excited kids to open gifts.

"So how was the test run?" Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow when he got back to the car, pulling out so he could drive to drop Matthew off.

"What do you mean?" Matthew asked, tilting his head a little too innocently

"Uh-huh. Playing dumb is MY thing, but I'll leave it." Alfred said rolling his eyes

Matthew fought back a small smile, ignoring the nerves for the moment in favour of relishing in the look he'd received. The test run went well.