Chapter 8: Heroes

Alfred tilted his head as he watched the omega gym class come outside. It was strange since they usually did yoga inside. He spotted Matthew walking with Yao and Arthur close behind them, looking uncomfortable in basketball shorts. Alfred smiled to himself. The loose shirt and gym shorts made Arthur look rather adorable.

Gilbert came up behind him and swung an arm across his shoulders, making Alfred stumble with his cast-covered leg. "Look at Matthew walk. He walks like a bird."

Alfred gave Gilbert a look. "A bird?"

"Yeah. He steps lightly, and bounces a bit." Gilbert grinned.

"You're freaking weird." Alfred said, waving Kiku over when he saw the Japanese alpha.

"Oh, shut up."

Kiku gave Gilbert a quiet greeting, then Alfred asked, "Does Matthew walk like a bird?"

"Er..." Kiku scanned the track. When he found Matthew, he tilted his head. "What do you mean by 'bird'?"

"Like, I dunno. Haven't you watched a pigeon walk?"

"Now you're calling him a pigeon." Alfred turned a slight glare to Gilbert.

"No no, like a little baby chick. All small and adorable."

"Whatever, man." Alfred shook his head and turned to Kiku, who was watching Matthew talk to Yao. Alfred grinned. "How are you and Yao?"

Kiku's cheeks flushed. "Good. He comes over almost every night."

"Have you two bonded yet?" Gilbert asked, leaning across Alfred with his elbow on Alfred's shoulder now.

The alpha's silent response was answer enough.

Alfred laughed and slapped Kiku on the back. "Good job, man."

Kiku smiled and turned his gaze back to his mate. Yao must have caught his eye because he jumped slightly and threw his hand in the air. Matthew saw Yao wave and turned his eyes to the group of alphas. Alfred tilted his head. Matthew was wearing his hoodie still. Even though he would probably just be walking, it was weird he wouldn't have changed. Matthew ducked his head. Arthur also raised his sight to the alphas. He turned away slightly, his cheeks dusted pink.

"Should we call them over?" Gilbert asked.

"Yao would come over here." Kiku said.

"Might as well." Alfred said, then raised his hands to his mouth, and shouted, "Mattie! Artie! Yao!"

The omegas looked at each other. Yao grinned and nodded, Matthew nodded hesitantly and Arthur stared at his feet. They slowly made their way over.

"Yeah!" Gilbert punched the air, his long sleek silver tail wagging.

"Please don't molest my brother." Alfred grinned.

"Oh shut up."

Kiku rolled his eyes and took Yao's hand when the three omegas got to them.

"What is it, Al?" Matthew asked, folding his arms tightly.

"Just wanted to say hi." Alfred grinned widely, his eyes falling to Arthur.

The blond turned acid green eyes to Alfred. "Please refrain from calling me 'Artie'. Especially around these wankers." He gestured to the rest of the alpha gym class.

In all reality, they should be playing touch football, and the omegas should be walking the track, but no one ever took outside days of gym class seriously. And Alfred couldn't play anyway.

"Does that mean I can call you Artie when we're alone?" A devilish smile spread across Alfred's face.

Arthur's face flushed and he dropped his eyes.

Alfred laughed. Then saw Matthew hanging back slightly, rubbing his cheek continuously. Gilbert must have noticed too, because the silver-haired alpha took Matthew by the hand and all but dragged the omega to the other half of the field. Matthew threw one look back at Alfred before he stood toe to toe with Gilbert.

"Wonder what that is about." Kiku murmured.

"Dunno." Alfred faced the the rest of his friends. "What are you doing for Halloween?"

Kiku smiled at Yao, who shyly looked away.

"I think we're going to stay inside. Yao doesn't really like candy and I have a movie he wants to watch." Kiku said.

"How cute." Alfred rubbed Kiku's head, making the smaller alpha narrow his eyes.

"What about you, Arthur?"

The blond blinked owlishly, before he tilted his head and smiled sweetly. "Hiding from my father and avoiding the door."

Alfred felt his mouth tug down at the corners. Arthur joked about his father and stuff like that, but recently Alfred had been getting a feeling that they weren't jokes. He put on a smile. "You should come over. Since Kiku and Yao will be getting it on and Matthew and Mom are doing something with William, we'll both be stuck at home."

Arthur smirked. "No trick or treating?"

Alfred mock pouted. "That was what I was planning, but I broke my leg, so I can't walk around from door to door."

A real smile cracked Arthur's face and Alfred felt a small victory. "Then I might as well stay over."

"Sweet! I'll get scary movies and popcorn and I'll have Mom buy us our own bag of candy!"

Kiku smiled between the two. Alfred notice the look his friend gave Yao and the way they looked at him and Arthur, but Alfred didn't care. Arthur had agreed to come over.

"Do you know what our parents are doing?" Arthur asked, moving a step closer to the group.

"Something with the wedding." Alfred waved his hand.

"Oh." Arthur mumbled, his lip catching between his teeth.

"Your parents are going to be married?" Kiku asked.

"Oh, yeah! Me and Artie are going to be bros!" Alfred said.

Arthur scowled at the ground.

"That is..." Kiku paused, obviously uncertain of the two blond's feelings on the marriage. "Good...?"

Alfred smiled. "I'm glad my mother is happy." Kiku nodded.

Arthur sighed and shook his head. The bell rang and he looked at Alfred. "See you after school."

"Yeah, okay." Alfred smiled. Arthur had never told him that before.

Alfred and Kiku watched Arthur and Yao walk in with the rest of the omega class.

Alfred looked around for Gilbert and Matthew, but they were nowhere on the field. Alfred looked at Kiku. "Did you see where my idiot friend took my brother?"

Kiku shook his head. "No. I just saw them walk over there."

Alfred scanned the field one last time before hobbling into the school to change.

~•~•~•~•~

Matthew awoke that morning with his head throbbing. He sat up and fought of the nausea, before glancing at the clock. It was six. After his shower, it was 3:30. He hadn't fallen asleep till four.

He rolled out of his blankets and examined his face in the bathroom mirror. The entire left side of his face was black and purple. He touched the bruise and nearly cried out. After settling down, he tilted his chin up. A bite mark shone red against his skin. Just high enough to peek over any shirt he would wear and low enough that his hair wouldn't cover it. Not to mention the bite hadn't scabbed over yet so it was raw. Matthew stuck a band-aid on his neck and checked his arms. Slight road burn. Although they did bleed a bit last night, the wounds were almost closed and didn't bleed.

Alfred couldn't see him like this.

Matthew wet a rag with cold water and held it against his face as he got dressed. It was difficult, but the cool rag felt amazing on his hot throbbing cheek.

Once dressed in a hoodie to cover his arms and the majority of his neck, he put the rag back in his bathroom and peaked out the hall. Alfred was downstairs watching morning cartoons. Matthew let a small smile grace his features even though it hurt. Alfred never changed.

Their mother was already at work, so Matthew tiptoed to her bedroom. He found her concealer makeup and lathered it across his cheek until he couldn't see the bruise.

He made his way downstairs and swallowed four headache pills.

He had to drive himself and Alfred to school. It only made his headache worse, and he wanted to puke.

Matthew and Alfred parted and the omega dozed through most of his classes. The classrooms were too warm and he felt like lying on the floor and sleeping the day away.

He was thankful when his gym class went outside that day. The cool air felt nice against his drowsy face. He was sure he had a fever by now.

Yao jogged up to him and began talking about what he had done that weekend. Arthur appeared behind them, looking highly uncomfortable.

Matthew put on a smile. "What's wrong, Arthur?"

"These shorts!" Arthur hissed, obviously trying not to attract attention to his discomfort. "My thighs are rubbing and they touch my calves when I walk. Not to mention how loose they are!"

Yao laughed. "You get used to them. Once you do you'll never want to take them off."

"Yeah. They're very breezy." Matthew shook his hips slightly and Arthur smiled sheepishly.

They followed the track, Arthur falling back slightly and fidgeting. Matthew was starting to feel better. It was a nice cool day and his nausea was going away. Then he noticed Yao jumping and turned looked at where Yao was waving. Alfred, Gilbert and Kiku stood in a semi-circle, Alfred leaning against Gilbert slightly with his cast. Matthew looked back ahead, maybe Alfred wouldn't notice him. Then he heard his idiot brother.

"Mattie! Artie! Yao!" Alfred shouted.

Matthew stifled a sigh and looked at Yao. "Want to head over?"

Yao blushed lightly, grinned and nodded. "Come on! You too, Arthur!"

Matthew did sigh then. "Might as well. Arthur?"

Arthur hesitated, then nodded.

"Let's go." Matthew mumbled.

The three got to the group and Yao went immediately to Kiku and Arthur was taken over by Alfred.

"What is it, Al?" Matthew asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Just wanted to say hi." Alfred grinned.

Matthew rolled his eyes and hung back, not wanting to get too close to Alfred. He was sure his brother would notice the makeup or somehow sense his fever.

He rubbed his cheek. It had started to throb. He ran his tongue over the fleshy wall of his cheek, feeling a horizontal patch of rough skin.

Suddenly, Gilbert snatched his hand and pulled him down the field.

Matthew stared in a shock before he threw a look at Alfred, who didn't come help him. Stupid hoser.

"Gilbert. What are you doing?" Matthew finally asked.

"What's wrong?" The alpha look dead on at Matthew. His eyes were serious and his ears and tail held still.

Matthew smelt the demanding pheromones and lowered his eyes and ears. "I fell. And bruised my cheek."

"Do not lie to me."

Matthew bit his lip. "R-remember me texting that one guy?"

"Fernando or something?"

"Francis." Saying his name, Matthew felt the strong and powerful hands pinning him down and pulling at his clothes. He swallowed hard.

"What about him, Matthew?" Gilbert stood toe to toe with the omega and moved his chin up.

"I went out with him last night." Matthew whispered, feeling tears well at the awful memory. He was so excited then, now he was terrified of his actions.

"Alfred said you didn't get home till, like, seven, then you went to bed." Gilbert said.

"I left when everyone was asleep." Matthew felt himself tremble. Gilbert was going to tell Alfred, and Alfred would be furious with him. Matthew was all but dead now.

Gilbert rubbed his face. "Okay. Then how did you get the bruise?"

"The bartender squirted me with water. I went to change and when I came out I saw..." Matthew blinked rapidly before he raised his eyes. "I saw you."

"Uh. What?" Gilbert asked.

"You were at that club picking up omegas and now you're trying to get me!" Matthew narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't go anywhere last night!" Gilbert snapped, making Matthew flinch.

"Liar! The person I saw had messy hair and his eyes looked just like yours!" Matthew stood on his toes, pushing himself eye-level with Gilbert. Then he faltered.

The boy at club had larger eyes than Gilbert. And the boy was shorter than Matthew. The omega slowly brought his feet flat on the ground.

"It wasn't you." Matthew whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Then who was it?" Gilbert asked softly, his pheromones shifting to a calmer scent.

Matthew hesitated. He could make a very good guess at who it was now. "I haven't the slightest idea."

"That's fine. What happened after you saw this person though?" Gilbert took hold of Matthew's hands.

"I thought it was you, and it hurt. So I asked Francis to leave." Matthew swallowed non-existent spit down his dry throat. "He said no, but I really wanted to leave and kept asking. Finally, he hit me and forced me to stay all night." Tears escaped Matthew's eyes. Maybe that's where the moistness in his throat went.

"Oh, Birdie." Gilbert wrapped Matthew in a hug. The omega didn't ask about the strange nickname. Gilbert felt too nice.

"How did you get home?"

Matthew choked down a sob. "H-he took me to his car. Threw me in the backseat." He knew his was shaking, he also knew his tail was between his legs and his ears were flat against his hair. "Pulled at my clothes. H-he said he had more omegas and he was going to take me there and..." Matthew buried his face in Gilbert's chest. "The bartender and his mate took me home. They stopped him." Matthew to a shuddering breath. "Get me away from everyone." He begged. He couldn't stand it if these people saw him cry.

Gilbert didn't nod or say anything. He just slipped his arms under Matthew's legs and carried him to his teacher.

"I think he sprained an ankle." Gilbert said.

Matthew was silent, but allowed more tears to fall. He held back the roaring tears of anguish.

"Take him to the nurse." The teacher said emotionless.

"Alright." Gilbert jogged Matthew off the field.

Instead of going to the nurse, Gilbert took Matthew to the locker rooms. The alpha locker rooms.

Matthew was sat on a bench and Gilbert told him to wait while he changed. Matthew was fine for a minute, then the alpha scents started getting to him.

He felt warm and his toes and fingers tingled as the smell settled on his skin. Although it smelt like sweaty boy, Matthew was able to pick up the happy-go-lucky smell of the room. He somehow pinpointed Gilbert's distinct scent and he closed his eyes. Maybe Gilbert would lay with him a while. After his night with Francis, he was still tired and sore.

All too soon and not soon enough, Gilbert was in front of him and helping him stand. "You look like shit, Birdie."

"Well, thanks for the compliment." Matthew murmured over numb lips.

"Let's get your normal clothes and I'll take you somewhere." Gilbert said soothingly.

Matthew nodded and let Gilbert lead him to the omega locker rooms.

In the other room, Matthew could breathe. But he could see Gilbert struggling now. He changed out of his basketball shorts and checked that his hoodie was covering the bandage on his neck and went to Gilbert.

"Ready?"

"Yeah. Where are we going?" He asked, walking beside Gilbert, their shoulders bumping.

Gilbert grinned. "That's the best part, Birdie. We'll find out when we get there."

Matthew tilted his head as Gilbert took his hand and led him to his beat down blue car.

Gilbert drove. Matthew leaned against the window and slept. Gilbert woke him up once to eat some fast food. Mathew ate what he could, but he still felt like garbage. After that, Matthew swam in and out of sleep until he felt the light change against his eyelids.

He sat up and glanced around. They were at the beach and Gilbert was cruising through traffic.

Matthew rolled down his window and smiled against the cool breeze. His headache had vanished and he felt the stomach churning melt away.

"Why are we here?" He asked when he pulled his head in.

"I just drove. I grew up down here. Guess it was instinct." Gilbert smiled over at Matthew. "Wanna go swimming?"

"I didn't bring anything..." Matthew started, but his excuse died on his tongue when Gilbert pulled into a parking stall beside a shoreline with rocks blocking the other side.

"I have towels in my trunk." Gilbert said, pulling his shirt off and tossing it in the back.

"Any swim shorts?" Matthew asked, untying his shoes.

"Nope. Your boxers or nude." Gilbert grinned. "Choose now." He said, his shoes and socks joining his shirt in the backseat.

Matthew froze. His eyes scanned over Gilbert's torso, all pale and toned. His hip bones jutted out enough to give him a v that led to... Matthew gulped.

"Y-you can do whatever you want, but I'm keeping my hoodie on." Matthew mumbled, kicking his pants off.

"Matthew, I want you to choose." Gilbert said again, catching Matthew's hand.

"I... just..." Matthew sighed, "Keep something on please?"

"That's all you had to say." Gilbert shoved off his jeans and threw those with the rest of his clothes.

Matthew fidgeted with his glasses before he took them off and set them on the dashboard.

"Ready?" Gilbert asked, hand on the door handle.

"Yeah." Matthew smiled and got out of the car. His hoodie hung longer than his underwear, but he still tugged the hem down as he followed Gilbert's almost-naked form over the rocks.

Matthew slipped a few times, but Gilbert was always there to catch him. The finally made it to the water and Gilbert ran forward, all but screaming.

"Don't drown!" Matthew shouted, moving into the water.

He watched Gilbert dive under a wave and come back up riding the water before he was swallowed again. Matthew smiled and allowed the water to his knees.

"Come on, Birdie!" Gilbert sloshed closer to Matthew, who backed away before he got soaked. "This is probably the last time we can go swimming before it gets too cold!"

"I'm fine." Matthew said, his eyes quickly scanning over Gilbert's dripping form. Matthew swallowed and looked away when he realized Gilbert was wearing white boxers.

"Don't be that way!" Gilbert grabbed Matthew's arm. "Just take this off-"

"No!" Matthew yanked his arm, but Gilbert held tight. "Let go! Please!"

"Birdie-" Gilbert looked confused and hurt.

"Just, let go!" Matthew pulled his arm again and Gilbert let go. However, Matthew wasn't expecting Gilbert to let go. The force of him pulling his arm sent Matthew stumbling back and falling into the water.

"Shit! Birdie!" Gilbert knelt down and helped Matthew to his feet. "I'm sorry."

Matthew felt his face burn. "I'm fine." He whispered.

"Let's take this off." Gilbert murmured, tugged Matthew's hoodie up.

"N-no!" Matthew stepped back. "I'll keep it on."

Gilbert rolled his eyes and took hold of the hoodie again. "Don't be dumb. Take it off."

"Gilbert-"

"Matthew!" Gilbert snapped, making Matthew freeze and stare. "You can wear my shirt until this is dry. Just take it off so you don't get sick."

"But..." Matthew swallowed. When Gilbert saw the bite on his neck and scrapes on his arms, Matthew had no idea how Gilbert would react.

"Come on." Gilbert said gently, pulling the hoodie.

Matthew felt himself shaking as Gilbert got the soaked hoodie off.

Gilbert smiled. "There. I don't know what the big deal was." Then his eyes landed on the band-aid Matthew had on his neck. "What happened?"

"Er... Well..." Matthew placed his hand on his neck. "I just..."

"And your arm!" Gilbert snatched Matthew's hand. "It was that guy wasn't it?"

Matthew nodded, feeling his heart flutter when Gilbert got closer.

Gilbert growled and moved away from Matthew, the red hoodie in his hands. Matthew folded his arms tightly.

The alpha returned a moment later and took hold of Matthew's arm. "Let's get out of the water." He mumbled, leaving Matthew on the sand so he could go back to his car and get the towels.

Matthew dug his toes into the sand and stared at the rocks around him. Gilbert came back and flung a towel around Matthew's shoulders. Then he spread Matthew's hoodie across the rocks before wrapping another towel around his waist. He went back to Matthew and rubbed the blond's shoulders.

"Are you okay? Did he..."

Matthew shook his head. "No. He just bit me and I got my arms scraped getting out of the car."

"That's good." Gilbert mumbled, carding his fingers through Matthew's hair.

"Yeah." Matthew dropped his head in Gilbert's shoulder.

That's when Matthew realized what the hell he was doing. He was half naked with Gilbert the day after he almost got raped. In the back of his mind, Matthew knew he should back away, but Francis had left him so raw and hurt, he needed some sort of comfort. He raised his head to meet Gilbert's eyes. The alpha had stopped rubbing Matthew's shoulders but his hands remained on Matthew.

"You okay?" Gilbert breathed, his face centimeters from Matthew's.

"Yes." Matthew whispered, smiling gently. "Can we sit, though?"

"Oh! Right." Gilbert plopped in the sand and Matthew settled gingerly beside him, his knees to his chest.

"Sooo..." Gilbert glanced at Matthew.

Matthew chewed his lip. "I don't know." He looked up at Gilbert. "Don't you usually talk a lot more?"

"Yeah. I just..." Gilbert's pale cheeks flushed slightly. "I've never been alone with an omega."

Matthew stared dumbstruck. "You haven't?"

"Why do you look so shocked?" Gilbert blinked at Matthew, who turned away with a blush.

"Well, when the omegas aren't talking about Alfred, it usually turns to you." Matthew mumbled, twisting his fingers.

Gilbert grinned and bumped Matthew's shoulder. "What do they say?"

Matthew rolled his eyes. "You think I listen?"

"I know you do. You wouldn't be blushing this much if you didn't." Gilbert reached for Matthew's hand and the omega didn't refuse the gesture.

"Shut up." Matthew laced his fingers through Gilbert's.

"Do you say anything about me?" Gilbert asked, leaning closer to Matthew.

"I say that you are a complete jerk that doesn't realize he isn't the king of the school because he's on the football team. I also agree that you are very charming and... a-attractive." Matthew ducked his head.

"Oh." Gilbert said. Then he smiled and pecked Matthew on the cheek.

Matthew raised his eyes and studied Gilbert. He looked different. Less cocky and more sincere. Matthew licked his dry lips, tasting salt. "Now what?" He whispered.

"I'm not sure." Gilbert answered. Their shoulders were touching now.

"Oh." Matthew closed his eyes as his nose bumped Gilbert's.

"We could..." Gilbert murmured against Matthew's mouth before the sentence died in his tongue and he firmly connected their lips together.

Matthew shivered and turned closer to Gilbert, allowing the alpha to pull him into his lap.

Gilbert pulled away and looked up at Matthew questioningly. Matthew nodded and fell down on Gilbert's mouth again.

They kissed furiously and Matthew didn't stop or pull away until he was on his back in the sand with the towel spread under him and the other in a heap beside their intertwined legs.

"G-Gilbert." He panted, closing his eyes a when Gilbert went to his neck, making him wince. "Not there." He whispered.

"Can I see it?" Gilbert asked, suddenly serious.

Matthew gulped and nodded.

Slowly, Gilbert pulled back the band-aid and Matthew watched him frown.

"Is it bad?" Matthew asked, only disappointed Gilbert wouldn't come and kiss him again.

"It's..." Gilbert sighed. "Pretty bruised. And really red. It looks like it's going to get really scabby."

"That was a terrible sentence." Matthew smiled smiled. "I don't think scabby is a word."

"If you can spell it, it's a word."

"How about two words?" Matthew said slinging his arms around Gilbert's neck. He felt his ears twitch in anticipation. No omega had ever been the first to push for a kiss. Well, Matthew sure hadn't, anyhow.

"What would those two words be, Birdie?" Gilbert grinned, rubbing their noses together.

Matthew let out a slow breath. "Kiss me?" He cringed internally when he realized it came out like a question.

Gilbert smiled gingerly before lowering himself fully on Matthew and moving his lips against the omega's.

Matthew sighed as Gilbert slipped his tongue in his mouth. He arched against Gilbert and found that the alpha was very aroused. Matthew became aware of his own erection too when he accidentally ground Gilbert's hip.

He quickly pulled away and stared up at Gilbert, his eyes wide.

"What's wrong?" Gilbert panted.

"I-I'm sorry. I... I uh..." Matthew wriggled underneath Gilbert. He started breathing shallowly and his vision started to tunnel.

Gilbert rolled off Matthew and sat him up. "Birdie? What's the matter?" He ran his hands over Matthew's chest.

Matthew slapped his hands away and scrambled back, pulling the towel with him.

"Hey. Matthew. You're okay." Gilbert crawled to Matthew and took hold of his hands tightly. "I won't hurt you."

Slowly, Matthew brought his gaze up to Gilbert. "I didn't like it." His voice barely a whisper.

"Like what?" Gilbert asked, leaning forward so Matthew locked into his eyes.

"Being pinned down." Matthew answered, moving into Gilbert's chest.

"Okay. I won't do it anymore, alright?" Gilbert swayed Matthew back and forth.

Matthew nodded and folded into Gilbert's body.

The blond omega had never felt so safe in another's arms. Gilbert just had this feeling about him, and Matthew found that he wanted to stay with that feeling for the rest of his life.

~•~•~•~•~

Alfred yanked the wrapper off before popping the sucker into his mouth. Then he straightened out the paper and punched the air. "I win!" He cheered.

Arthur raised a eyebrow at him questioningly. "How and what did you win?"

"I got the Indian shooting the star on my sucker wrapper!" Alfred grinned, the white stick of the sucker poking from his cheek.

"Alright, so what do you win?"

"Good question." Alfred crumpled the wrapper and tossed it into his growing pile.

Arthur shook his head. "You are gong to make yourself sick."

"I'll be fine." Alfred bit the sucker, making Arthur wince.

"If you say so." Arthur grumbled, pulling the blanket he was wrapped in up his shoulder.

Alfred smiled and grabbed the remote. "Now, don't get too scared, but this movie is supposed to be super scary."

"I'll try to contain my screams of horror." Arthur said, monotone.

"You don't have to worry 'bout a single thing, Arthur!" Alfred glared at the hand holding the remote, it was shaking. "Here we go!" Alfred hit play and set the remote down.

Arthur sighed and leaned his head against the couch cushion as some little girl's voice began speaking about her past. Alfred watched Arthur out of the corner of his eye. It was an excuse not to watch the movie full on, but also a way to just look at Arthur.

Twenty minutes into the film, Arthur was asleep. Alfred shifted slightly closer to the omega and gripped a pillow in his arms. "It's just a movie. It's just a movie." He whispered to himself, wishing Arthur was awake to distract him from the girl now crawling to the freaking TV screen!

Alfred held his breath as the girl got closer to him. She was coming straight for him! Then she screamed. Alfred jumped into the air, cast flailing and arms latching onto Arthur who awoke with a start.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?!" Arthur shouted as Alfred tried to scramble on his lap.

"Girl! Screen! Scream! Sh-she was going to get me!" Alfred wailed, burying his face in Arthur's hair.

Alfred had managed to swing his cast-covered leg across Arthur's lap, while the omega sat on his other knee and Alfred had his arms wrapped tightly around Arthur.

"It's a bloody movie!" Arthur snapped, but Alfred noticed he didn't try to pull away.

"A really scary one." Alfred mumbled, pulling Arthur closer to his chest.

"Whatever." Arthur eventually brought his eyes up to meet Alfred, and the alpha grinned.

"Is she gone?" Alfred whispered.

"She's gone." Arthur murmured, settling back in Alfred's arms.

Was Alfred imagining it, or did Arthur cuddle into him?

"Sorry to wake you." Alfred pulled his head away from Arthur's hair.

Arthur shook his head and rubbed his eye. "It's alright."

They were silent to the brink of awkward, but neither moved from their position or spoke.

"Hey, why are you so scared all the time?" Alfred finally asked, looking down at Arthur.

Arthur chewed his lip and fidgeted slightly. "My father... He uh. Well, he hurts me."

Alfred leaned back so he could look Arthur in the eyes. "What?"

"He hits me, leaves bruises, slaps, smacks, digs his nails in me. He leaves scars." Arthur dropped his eyes to his hands.

"Arthur. Why haven't you told anyone?"

"He says he'll kill me." The omega began trembling. "You can't stop him. He'll just make my life worse."

If Alfred could walk normally, he would begin pacing. If Arthur didn't need someone to hold him, Alfred would be throwing his fists and shouting. "There has to be some way to get you out of there."

"I've ran away. He's found me each time. He has people everywhere." Arthur pulled his knees to his chest. "I'm stuck, Alfred."

"No! Arthur, he's hurting you. You have to get out."

"How?" Arthur snapped, suddenly angry. "I've tried, Alfred! He catches me each time and hurts me more! I've been to the hospital, the neighbors have called the police! Do you know why we moved to America?! Because he knew they were going to take me away and he couldn't have that! So he picked up and left!"

"Don't yell at me! I'm trying to help!" Arthur went silent and looked at the floor, glaring at the carpet

Alfred sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. "Alright. Well, when they get married, we'll need a bigger house. What about you move in here with me and Mattie and my mom can move across the street with your dad? I'm sure my mom won't mind being alone with him."

Arthur tilted his head. "That could work. But you'll have to tell my father, because if I do, I'll get hit."

"I will. I'll save you, Arthur." Alfred smiled and did something a very good hero would do. He kissed Arthur.

~•~•~•~•~

October 31, Halloween

I told Alfred that I am abused. But I didn't tell him all of it. I fear the day when he finds out what goes on behind closed doors.

But he said he would get me out of there. I believe him.

Before we went to bed, Alfred kissed me. It was just on the cheek , but I can still feel the warmth of his body so close to mine.

~•~•~•~•~

Author's note: Sorry this is late. I had work and I'm in my cousins ins quince so practice! Gah. Hope this was... satisfactory... Thank you always Hannah-fish!

AwesomenessHero: a happy ending is a bit away... He does have Alfred!

ahhhhhhhhh: no, he lives in canadia. Yes yes, no one listens to the blond kid.

MadameTea: Matthew knows who was at the club. Matthew's experience with Francis is a very good life lesson since it has almost happened to me. Of course he will save Arthur! He is the hero!

darkeningflame: I had a feeling I would get a reaction like yours! Matthew will be okay(?) now!

zoewinter1: I can say no more.

TheAmazingBookWorm: nope! Haha the joys of stressful fanfic.

*Hannah-fish says: Oh my god I am so sorry! I didn't save the file at first, so anyone who has read this chapter before the edit got the raw version. Sorry! Should be fixed now.

BlueMusic09: hahaha no, no stalking. But Francis will get his punishment in due time.

DarkMoon0327: thank you very much! Matthew deserves a hug doesn't he?