Helllllllloooo! I know it's been forever, since I've updated, but I was on vacation and didn't have access to a computer, and my phone broke. I mean, really. Technology these days. So now that I am back, and I'm waiting on some friends (yes I do have friends I know its hard to believe) so I figured I should get back to writing! Without further intro, here is Chapter 6~!

Chapter 6- Hope for the Hopeless

It had been about a week until Alfred was finally released from the hospital. Ivan helped Alfred into the car and headed for home. The doctor told Ivan that it would take a while for Alfred to fully regain his memory, but it may come back only in bits, or it may come back fully. Whatever the case, Ivan was glad to have Alfred out of the hospital. Seeing the bleach white walls and hearing the constant beeps only made Ivan feel enormous amounts of guilt.

When the pair got to the house, Ivan helped Alfred out of the car, causing the younger man to blush.

"I haven't forgotten how to get out of a car by myself, Ivan," Alfred said, smiling a bit even though his cheeks were stained a cherry red. Ivan only smiled softly in response and made his way to the front door. He reached for the house key in his pocket and let out a swear word when he felt nothing inside.

"Ivan, what's the matter? I have to use the bathroom." Ivan wondered if the window was unlocked and cursed as he remembered that he locked it this morning. "Nothing, I just don't have a house key," Ivan said, trying not to show his panic. "Isn't there a spare key we keep under the welcome mat?"

The Russian man stopped and slowly turned around to look at his companion.

"Yes. How did you know?"

Я люблю тебя, Альфред. Сладких снов, моя подсолнечника." "I just...somehow knew it. It just seemed like common knowledge to me. I didn't really think about it, actually." Alfred said, chewing on his bottom lip. "Do you remember anything else, Alfredka?" Ivan asked, trying to mask his hope.

"No, Ivan, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Fredka. It isn't your fault."

Я люблю тебя, Альфред. Сладких снов, моя подсолнечника."Я люблю тебя, Альфред. Сладких снов, моя подсолнечника." It will never be your fault.

The rest of the day the pair had watched television and had dinner. It almost seemed like normal, almost. When it was time to sleep, however, they faced a problem. Ivan and Alfred only had one bed. Ivan didn't want to intrude and it didn't feel right to sleep with Alfred when Alfred barely remembered him.

"I'll sleep on the couch, Fredka. You take the bed, it's more comfortable. The bathroom is the first door on the left," Ivan said, standing in the doorway.

"Okay. Thank you," Alfred said in response. Ivan turned off the lights and left the door cracked. Alfred stared at it after Ivan had left, and tried to sleep, but it was no use. He tossed and turned trying his best to get comfortable, before climbing out of bed to find Ivan laying on the couch staring at the ceiling, mumbling to himself. Alfred couldn't make any of it out, except the last few words.

"I love you, Alfredka."

Alfred took a step back and looked down at the ground before entering the room.

"Hey, uhm, Ivan...? Do you mind sleeping with me tonight, aha? The darkness is a bit scary...not that I'm scared, no! I just...want you to be comfortable! Yeah...that's it..."

Ivan looked at his lover in amusement and smiled warmly.

"Yeah, sure."

The American and the Russian laid down in bed and Ivan scooted as far away as possible, hoping not to violate Alfred's personal space.

"Ivan...?"

"Mhm?

"It's okay," Alfred said and scooted over to Ivan's side, wrapping his arms around the other man's waist. Ivan looked at Alfred in suprise, but when he looked down the blonde had already dozed off. The silver-haired man smiled and played with Alfred's hair.

And for the first time in weeks, the Russian finally slept.