Alfred wasn't sure how long they walked, all he knew is his senses were in hyper drive. He looked at Matthew every few minutes for signs of discomfort. He could feel the emotional distress, and in his state he didn't want to push his... brother? mate? It was all pretty confusing. Regardless he was worried.

At the same time he knew they had to keep moving. Getting to the bus station was the goal.

It was ten minutes later he noticed Matthew start to shake. "Come on. Let's sit and rest for a bit okay?"

"I'm okay, I can keep going" Matthew said quietly. Alfred frowned.

"Mattie..."

"I'll be okay. We need to keep going" Matthew replied determined, and Alfred sighed.

"At least give me that" he said, placing the bags down to take Matthew's backpack, hosting it on before picking up the other bags again. Matthew didn't argue, only looked down at the pavement before continuing to walk.

Finally they reached the station, Alfred bought their tickets, picking a location as far away as he could with the money he'd managed to collect over the weeks (both from hoarding lunch money and selling a few items like his laptop and games that he wasn't going to be needing.)

When they were on the bus, bags stuffed in the storage under the seats in front of them, He finally relaxed a little. Matthew was sitting between him and the window, Alfred putting himself as a barrier as other people filed on. The bus had barely even started moving when Matthew's eyes had fluttered shut, and he gave into the obvious exhaustion. Alfred wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close So Matthew could use him as a pillow. He leaned his head back, staring out the window as they drove through town and on their way out.

Over the next four and a half months, the twins moved around a lot, staying in towns in shelters until suspicions arose. The lack of ID's, similarities and obvious youth paired with a pregnant Omega tended to make them stick out like sore thumbs.

Alfred gave all he could to keep Matthew fed, and rested… but between a nasty case of morning sickness, stress and the scant portions of food he could find, Matthew was still looking too thin for his liking… He had practically growled when he caught sight of Matthew changing, counting his ribs easily even from a distance. He was aware that Matthew was having the same feelings as Alfred sacrificed his own need to eat, but Matthew and the baby were top priority right now! He didn't need that much anyway... However right now they were down to half a jar of peanut butter and some chocolate chips, so in the next town, he tried something different.

"Alfred, I don't like this…" Matthew looked at his brother as they sat in the bus depot bathroom in the new town. Alfred was reading the instructions of the hair dye he had managed to nick from the drug store on a stop over. Matthew wasn't very happy with the stealing either… but what choice did they have?

His hand went to the growing bump under his hoodie. It was one of those times that he was intensely happy he tended to wear baggy clothing before this, because his tops at least still fit, God knows how much longer for though… His bottoms had all changed to sweat pants, his and Alfred's.

"well... " He said shaking the bottle, gloves already on "It's my hair, not yours, and we can't get kicked out of another shelter." He tipped the bottle up and started working it in "Now back off a bit... fumes ya know."

"I just don't know how much dying your hair is going to help…" Matthew said frowning at both the smell and the brown goop.

"I guess we'll see won't we? It's not like I'm going black or anything… just brown. Look" He said picking up the box "It even says Medium brown, not like… dark brown or whatever…" he put it down and went back to pulling chemicals into his hair. Matthew sighed, Alfred was right… Matthew was just upset to see the golden blonde locks go. Tears formed in his eyes and he looked down trying to stop them.

Alfred hummed in question at the prickling in his head and turned from the mirror, sighing as he watched the Omega cry. "Aw come on Mattie… I can't even hug you right now, that's not fair…" He watched the blonde wipe his face and sniffle. The hormones, as Matthew had claimed, had been causing this kind of break down more and more. Alfred suspected it was more then that… Stress of the situation, fear, some heartbreak… He frowned and turned back to the mirror in defeat. This was a mess…

It turned out the colour wasn't so bad, Matthew had fingered the strands as they sat in the park. They had let the sun work its magic, drying Alfred's hair and getting an idea of what he looked like. "I suppose it's not as awful as I thought it was going to be…" Matthew had said as they stood to go and locate the local shelter "brings out your eyes more." He smiled up at his Alpha in what he hoped was encouragement. Maybe this would work…

"Can I get yours names please?"

"Alfred Jones, and Matthew Williams" Alfred said with his most charming smile at the women behind the desk of the shelter.

"Do you have an ID on you?"

"No ma'am, I had them in my backpack, but it got left on a bus a while back and someone snagged it." she nodded, looking down at a list.

"We only have one bed open for tonight I'm afraid" She said with a frown. To his credit, Alfred's smile didn't waver for a second.

"Alright then, Mattie will take it" The women looked to the blonde and her eyes went down sadly to the poorly concealed bump, and gave him a pained look that screamed of apology

"I'm afraid it's an Alpha bed… Omega's wing is all full…" his smile faded at that and Matthew looked down, working to not let himself get upset, but it was hard. His back hurt, his feet hurt, he was tired and hungry… now they'd have to find somewhere to go for the night where Alfred wouldn't sleep and he'd be left using one of their bags as a pillow…

"Alright, well… thank you anyway" He said, Matthew could see his shoulders slump. a sense of guilt flooded him. He knew, or at least Alfred had told him over and over and over, that it wasn't Matthew's fault… but it was at least partially. However even saying that much would send Alfred on a rant.

Their biology was off, this kind of attraction wasn't suppose to be possible, They couldn't be faulted for a genetic flaw. Besides, Alfred knew what was going on and should have stayed out. Matthew was only following his instincts, he couldn't be held accountable in the state he had been in. The fact that he tried to resist was impressive on it's own!

But Matthew had known. He should have been able to keep his mouth shut, or at least taken the life line when Alfred asked if he was sure. He could have turned his attention more fully towards Lars, kept his distance… but… an arm was around his shoulder rubbing his shoulder as they turned to leave. If he had done any of that, What would have happened with Alfred? Matthew snuggled in as they walked, he didn't want to think about any of it anymore.

Alfred cursed in his head. Why had they picked such a small town? Only one shelter in the whole of it… Now they had to get creative.

There was an upside to small towns… though cities certainly had more benefits, But in this particular part of the country, small towns boasted farms not far outside of the town center. Farms meant shelter where they were less likely to get mugged... A quick public transit ride, and and hour of walking (an hour because Alfred insisted they stop every ten minutes for Matthew to rest.) and they found themselves at a piece of farmland.

By this point the sky was starting to darken, that was a good thing for this. They were less likely to be spotted. Alfred and Matthew stopped just in the edge of the property, a small grove of trees providing a good enough spot for Matthew to hide while Alfred went looking for a barn for them to hide out in. Worst case they could stay here, but the wind wasn't overly forgiving as they were in the middle of fall...

"Okay, stay here, stay quiet. If you're in trouble I'll come running okay?" Alfred said pressing his forehead to Matthews. The small blonde nodded and Alfred went to turn, but hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him down to meet Matthew's lips in a deep and desperate kiss. Alfred returned it, hands resting on Matthews hips, his thumbs brushing over the bump that held their baby… He pulled away reluctantly giving Matthew one last kiss and dashing off.

As he searched, his mind went over what it usually did when he had time to think. The baby. What were they going to do? Sure it was okay for the pair of them to sleep wherever… but a baby? The plan when they had started out was to find a town, get into a shelter until Alfred could get a job. Then they could get an apartment and go from there… It was short sighted… The pair didn't have Identification to get a place, even if Al did manage to find a job.

he was still in the midst of a brain melt down when he saw their shelter for the night. It was a run down barn in the back of the field, you could only see a slight shimmer of light from the house on the other side of the expanse of grass. It wasn't perfect, but it would at least do for a night or two… Alfred turned back and set to work helping his pregnant mate towards the temporary shelter.

The barn was empty save a few cats, so it wasn't like they had to worry about someone coming to deal with livestock in the morning. He and Alfred sat and finished up the last of their jar of peanut butter, Matthew adding chocolate chips to his because the straight peanut butter made him feel sick. The didn't want to risk talking much, unsure of how voices would carry... but they stayed close, Matthew hiding his head against Alfred chest as they held each other, both worrying about the future more then two kids their age should have to.

They had, in the midst of their running, turned seventeen, But there hadn't been any celebrations. The most done to acknowledge it was quiet whisper exchanges of "happy birthday, I love you" as they parted to go to separate wings of the shelter that night. As awful as sleeping outside was, mostly because Alfred didn't sleep, Sometimes Matthew found himself enjoying it, able to cling to his mate before he fell asleep.

They had been sitting for an hour when Alfred looked down on the barely conscious Matthew, he leaned over to kiss the top of his head and gently whispered "you should go lay down babe. you're gonna hurt your back sleeping like that."

Matthew looked up and nodded sleepily. There was some dry hay in the back that made a warm enough bed and Matthew crawled towards it, curling up and inhaling the scent. He wasn't sure why, but hay always smelled amazing."Alfie… you could probably get some sleep to you know. I don't think anyone's gonna bother us out here…" He said hopefully.

"Nawh I'm good." He said settling his back against the wall next to the pile of hay "Maybe we'll hit a library tomorrow. You can sit and read and I'll take a nap then okay?" Matthew frowned but sighed, He didn't mind the idea… it would get Alfred to sleep and he could read, but he'd prefer to have his Alpha curled up with him.

The sad look in his eyes must have tipped Al off to this though, because he received a sigh and a half smile as Alfred pushed himself to stand, moving behind Matthew to curl around him. An arm slid under Matthew's head working as a pillow, and the other hand moved to rest on Matthew's stomach. "Mmm thank you" Matthew said sleepily, snuggling in as his own hand came to rest over the Alphas on the bump.

"Of course Mattie, love you" Alfred nuzzled into Matthew's hair gently, enjoying the combined smell of them that came off the Omega.

"I love you too" He whispered. Alfred knew Matthew was already falling asleep. He was glad for it… but it was only eight-thirty according to his watch, which meant Matthew had been over exerting himself again. He was failing at taking care of his family properly.

Alfred spent the next hour lost in self doubt and worry, holding the family he felt he didn't really deserve at this point close in his arms. He wasn't paying as much attention as he should have been, his own exhaustion clouding along with the spiral of his mind. He didn't even realize there was anyone close by until a sudden flood of fear hit him. His eyes flashed up as a cry went out

"L-Lovino!" a tiny, shaking Omega stood before him, wide eyed in shock and fear, a cat in his arms.

Alfred moved quickly as he smelled aggression coming upon him. Matthew woke up at some point, whimpering and whining in fear, as Alfred shuffled moving over him to get in between Matthew and whoever was coming.

A rifle cocked before the Alpha even came into view and Alfred was staring down down a loaded weapon with Matthew now pressing his head against Alfred's back, ducked down and hiding. "What the fuck are you doing in my damn barn shit head?" a slightly, but only slightly, taller man said.

"Please don't shoot!" Alfred said putting his hands up. "We just needed a place to sleep, I'm sorry we'll leave!"

"You bet your ass you will! I'm calling the fucking cops to, so I'd suggestion you god damn brats run-" the Omega who had found them interrupted.

"Lovi wait…" Alfred's head spun and he tried to adjust as he noticed the Omega had moved to the side, he was looking at Matthew with sad eyes. Alfred glanced over his shoulder quickly. Matthew was curled around his stomach, hands holding it while his shoulders shook in silent sobbing.

"Why the fuck should I?" he grumbled, but the weapon lowered.

Alfred's eyes flashed between them as the Omega crouched down to a more Matthew level "Hey there…" He said very softly trying to catch Matthew's eyes "you're pregnant aren't you?"

Matthew turned his head, breath coming too fast… He had woken up to the sounds of shouting and the smells of aggression that drowned out everything else. Now he was looking into a pair of soft, though slightly nervous brown eyes. "It's okay… I won't hurt you." the strange Omega coaxed.

"Y-Yes… I am" He answered tucking himself further against Alfred's back a hand moving to cling to the fabric. The brown eyes looked away and to the Alpha Matthew couldn't see, but knew was there.

"Oh no… no Feliciano! They're not more fucking cats-, we can't just-" the brunette Omega's lip jutted out, "but... " their was a growl then a sigh "Fucking fine! bring them to the damn house… but hurry the fuck up, I'm freezing my ass off out here" Matthew risked a look over Alfred's shoulder at the Alpha who was currently crossing his arms and looking away with a reddened face.

"Well! you heard him!" Said the Omega cheerily as he stood "come on, let's get you two into the house and warm okay? I have plenty of leftovers from dinner if you're hungry~!" Alfred looked over towards the Omega, then to the Alpha. unsure of what to do. It would be nice to get some real food into Matthew… thought's of Matthews sharp hip bones under his fingers flashing through his mind.

"What the fuck are you waiting for you damn brats! Move your asses or you can fucking freeze for all I care!" Alfred's eyes flashed to the gun and he nodded. The guys temper might not hold out much longer, and then he would have missed an opportunity… Alfred did a half turn, gathering Matthew against his chest, then moving them both towards the bags, grabbing them and following the Alpha and Omega. The strange Omega had clung to his mate happily giving him a kiss on the cheek,causing the Alpha to grumble but return it.

The twins found themselves in a warm kitchen sitting at the table across from a sadly smiling Omega and a grouchy looking Alpha. Alfred kept glancing over at Matthew relieved as the Omega politely, but quickly ate the very large portion he got. Alfred ate slower, prepared to shift his plate over when Matthew finished. God only knew when they'd get this much food again...

"So how did you two wind up out here?" Feliciano asked kindly.

Alfred looked down. "Ah… well…" He had told this story before… but it felt more awkward in the warmth and general normal look of the pairs kitchen… "Our families weren't happy when Mattie got pregnant, they wanted him to get rid of it, so we had to leave."

"So why the fuck didn't you just apply for government help?" asked the Alpha, glancing between them with narrowed eyes

Alfred frowned but Matthew spoke quietly, "we're too young… They'd just send us home."

"Sounds a hell of a lot better than sleeping in a fucking barn in October… What the hell are you gonna do when that thing gets here dumbass?" he grumbled earning a sharp look from his mate. Matthew looked down, hands on his stomach and tears forming.

"I'm looking for a job!" Alfred interjected, a hand going to Matthews back rubbing gently "This is only temporary!" He leaned over nuzzling against Matthews head "Shhhh, it's okay" He cooed softly, trying to stop the tears before they actually started falling.

"hmmph… yeah well.. good luck finding one here…" He grumbled. Alfred looked up only when Lovino spoke again in irritation "Oh what the hell are you looking at me like that for you moron?" Feliciano was smiling at Lovino with his head rested on his palm.

"Weren't you saying the other day you needed some help around here~?" the Omega said innocently batting his eyelashes.

"yeah… but… oh no! No fucking way Feli! I said no more god damned strays!" Lovino glared at his mate.

"Come on fratello~! What would it hurt!" The omega whined grabbing his arm with a puppy look.

"Fr-fratello?" Matthew suddenly looked up blinking away tears, his eyebrows furrowing. It wasn't that he knew a ton of Italian or anything, but Alfred had gone through a big mobster movie phase when they were ten and Matthew had teasingly called Alfred that a time or two "Y-You're brothers?"

Feliciano cringed and Lovino closed his eyes looking pained "Good one dumb ass" he mumbled pinching the bridge of his nose. Matthew put the pieces together and his eyes widened he looked between them. they did look strikingly similar…

"You're twins!" Matthew squeaked in realization, Alfred looking between all three of them in confusion, and maybe a little hope. A pair like them! They weren't the only messed up freaks in the world?!

"And? What the fuck are you gonna do about it shit stain?" Lovino snapped aggression hit the air aimed towards Matthew and Alfred tensed half out of his seat.

"N-no!" Matthew said holding his hands up "We're not.. It doesn't…" Matthew moved, reaching a hand into Alfred back pocket and digging out the wallet that was there, then yanked his own out of his pocket. He pulled out a pieces of student ID from each, flinging them down on the table before moving to try and calm Alfred "We're not in a position to judge" He said as he worked his hands through Alfred's hair, trying to get in front of him to make Alfred sit down.

Lovino's aggression cleared from the air as the twins opposite them looked at the IDs. Matthew was whispering against Alfred hair, a hand moving over his back calming him down, but it was otherwise silent. Neither of the younger twins looking towards the older set.

"You'll have to wash that fucking shit out of your hair." Lovino finally snapped Alfred looked up in confusion, having finally calmed down, Matthew sitting in his own seat again, still eyeing his twin cautiously.

"w-what?" Alfred said furrowing his brows.

"The damn stuff if your hair. it looks like you did a fucking head stand in a cow pie. If your gonna fucking work here I don't want to mistake you for a god damned pile of shit and run over you." Lovino snapped as he stood. "Hurry up and finish fucking eating. You'll need sleep if you're gonna wake up and be less then fucking useless. " Alfred sat shocked, staring at him in disbelief "What? You don't want the damn job?!"

Alfred stumbled to his feet, hands on the table "N-no! I mean yes! Yes sir, I want the job! Thank you!"

"Whatever… better be ready to fucking work your ass off kid. The pays gonna fucking suck, but you can stay here, I'm sure this one will make you both fat. I'm going to bed. " He leaned over and kissed his relieved and smiling Omega on the forehead before turning and taking off down the hall.

Matthew was looking between the beaming Alfred, and the tiredly smiling Feliciano when he started crying again, Happy tears this time. The other Omega moved from around the table, and bent over to hug him as Matthew sputtered thank yous leaning into the embrace and being rocked.