Woah... It's been a while, huh guys? I'm so sorry. Writer's block is kicking my ass.

But here's the latest installment and there's no playing around. I'm getting right down to the nitty-gritty.

Ivan stared at the unopened letter on his desk.

He knew exactly who it was from. The neat handwriting in Cyrillic was enough to give it away; that and the lipstick print that had clearly been delicately kissed onto the envelope.

Ivan had received the offending parcel on Monday afternoon, after he had gotten home from school and he had been putting it off since then. He ignored it all day Tuesday, and then on Wednesday he had originally intended to read it before classes started. However he had put it off, getting to school later than normal, then he told himself he'd read it during his lunch break. Yet there he sat at his desk, the letter still neglected.

He knew he'd have to open it sooner or later (and at this current behavioral pattern it would be later...much, much later...), but he didn't have the will to. He knew she wasn't getting any better; the lipstick print was proof enough. He sighed heavily and placed his head in his hands. He needed to be strong about this, if not for himself, for his sister...

"Mr. B...?"

Ivan jerked his head up at the sound of the tentative voice from the doorway. Alfred stood in the door jamb. He was still moist from the shower and he had his football equipment slung over his shoulder with one hand, the other was nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh. Alfred, it's just you." Ivan replied, "Are you ready to go?" He asked trying to seem calm and poised.

Alfred nodded. Ivan couldn't help but notice that while the old bruises seemed to be healing, Alfred still seemed out of sorts, just as he had Sunday. Ivan didn't take this as a good sign.

The duo made their way through the empty hallway, out of the building, and into the parking lot where Ivan's old silver car sat. The ride home was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Ivan's soft music flowed from the speakers. At first, Ivan was a little embarrassed because the music was completely in Russian, but a quick glance at Alfred's complacent expression cured that.

Ivan couldn't quite place it, but something in his chest tightened when he realized he was actually giving Alfred a ride and was going to tutor him at his house. And for once, Ivan didn't suppress the feeling.

Ivan's house was just as clean as it had been days earlier, Alfred noted. He followed Mr. Braginski into the kitchen and set his book down on the table.

"Can I interest you something to drink?" Ivan asked politely.

"Sure, got any sweet tea?" Alfred asked.

"Nyet."

"huh?"

"No. Anything else?"

"Water, please.."

Ivan returned to the table with two glasses of iced water. Alfred had spread his books out on the table and had gotten out several pens and pencils as well. Ivan nodded approvingly at Alfred's preparedness; it was a vast improvement from the boy who needed an act of Congress to turn in his homework. As soon as Ivan sat down and got comfortable, the two set to work.

The two worked through a solid hour and Alfred hadn't said much or even attempt to stray from the topic at hand. To say Ivan was worried was a bit of an understatement. Ivan noticed how the boy's eyes had been cast down the whole time and the usual bright azure color seemed duller; more of a grey-blue than the electric oceanic color Ivan was used to.

Ivan couldn't take it anymore. He wanted-no-he needed to know what was wrong. Ivan couldn't handle this melancholy, despondent Alfred. It wasn't his Alfred. Yes... his Alfred. Ivan couldn't fight it any longer. He harbored feelings for the boy that he knew were wrong. He had no intention of revealing that, but he did feel compelled to make sure Alfred wasn't suffering. If anything, it would soothe his own restless thoughts.

"Alfred," Ivan began as he was forming the sentences in his mind.

Alfred looked up at him for the first time since they had arrived at the house.

"Please tell me what is bothering you..." Ivan said. He had to fight to keep the waver out his voice.

Alfred opened his mouth to respond, but Ivan cut in.

"Do not lie to me." He said sternly.

Alfred cast his eyes back down onto his hands that he was wringing in his lap. Ivan waited patiently. The seconds ticked by. Seconds became minutes and still no answer. Alfred's mouth was set into a hard line and his eyes were focused and dark. He jumped slightly when he felt a large hand slip under his chin. Alfred hadn't even noticed Ivan scoot closer he had been so lost in his thoughts. Where could he even begin?

The hand gently lifted his face up so that concerned violet eyes met blue eyes on the brink of pouring over.

"You can tell me..." Ivan said softly.

Alfred broke.

Tears that had been welling up in Alfred's tear ducts slowly slid down his cheeks as he spoke, "I don't know what to do! I don't know who to choose!" He sputtered.

"shh... shh... Там, там. Это хорошо ... (there, there. It's alright...)" Ivan comforted in hushed tones.

"This whole custody shit is a waste of time... I'm almost 18! It won't matter then... And I love my uncles... but he's my dad. I need him..." He hiccuped.

Ivan fought back the urge to crush the boy in an embrace and opted to nod instead. He moved his hands up to gently wipe away the boy's tears. Alfred flinched as Ivan ran his thumb over the healing black eye and busted lip.

"Fredka... Did he do this to you?" Ivan asked, indicating to the injuries.

Silence.

"Alfred, please. Tell me." Ivan urged.

"He didn't mean to. He was drunk... he patched me up afterwards."

"Is this the first time he's ever hit you?" Ivan asked.

Alfred tried to avert his gaze away, but Ivan's strong hands held his head still as he locked his lavender gaze on the boy.

Alfred shook his head, "n-no..."

"Have he ever his you sober?"

There was a moment of tension as Alfred internally debated whether he'd answer or not. Finally, he nodded.

"Do your uncles know?" Ivan asked, his voice barely a whisper.

".. No..." Alfred whispered, his voice hoarse and raspy, "Though they've asked..."

Ivan's eyes softened and he wrapped his arms around the younger man who leaned into the embrace and wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck. Ivan wanted to kill Sam. He wanted him to suffer for every single little tear that cascaded down Alfred's cheeks onto Ivan's shoulder.

Ivan knew he had to tell someone; and he had three people in mind.

"Alfred, I want you to know that I will look after you. I know what you are going through..." Ivan said, his voice barely a whisper.

Alfred looked up at him with watery, puffy, red-rimmed eyes. "You do?" He asked.

Ivan nodded solemnly, "When my mother passed away, it changed my father for the worse. He took up heavy drinking and taking his frustrations out on my sisters and I. Though if he wanted to get to them, he had to go through me first," While Ivan spoke, he slowly removed his scarf to reveal jagged scares etched into his skin.

"My grandpa, Winter Braginski, took us in when my eldest sister Katyusha turned 17. She had legally moved out and told grandpa of our ordeal. Unfortunately, the damage had taken it's toll... especially on my little sister, Natalia."

Ivan thought of the still unopened letter and felt guilt settle in the pit of his stomach, but he carried on.

"You see, because I protected her, she became rather.. attached to me... and it became very unhealthy." Ivan couldn't go on about Natalia, so he moved on, "My other sister finally got enough money to leave the country complete and went to Ukraine, then to Canada. My Grandpa is still in Russia and my father could be dead for all I know..." Ivan concluded expressionlessly.

Alfred had stopped crying, a look of sickened awe was etched into his features. Tentatively, he reached out a hand to Ivan's neck and brushed his fingertips along the scars. Ivan shuddered at the touch, but didn't fight it. Soon, both of Alfred's hands were placed gently on the base of the older man's neck. He looked up with his big blue eyes at Ivan.

"I'm sorry..." He muttered.

" Why are you apologizing? You have nothing to be sorry for." Ivan stated, gently placing his hand behind Alfred's head.

"For all this... I shouldn't have gotten you involved..." He grumbled and turned his head away.

However, Ivan used his other hand to cup Alfred's chin and turn it back to face him.

"I'm glad you did." He whispered.

Their eyes were locked onto one another. Alfred's hands trembled at the base of Ivan's neck. He leaned forward ever so slowly. Ivan closed his eyes and used his hands to guide the younger. Their lips gently touched; a warm, brilliant, electric sensation. Alfred's eyes fluttered closed and he felt cold when Ivan slowly pulled away.

"Mr. Braginski?"

"Please, call me Ivan..."

"Ivan...?"

"Da...?"

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome, Fredka..."

Alfred was asleep in the guest room, no doubt tuckered out from the emotional roller-coaster he had endured only a few hours ago. Ivan was not surprised that Sam had not yet called. Ivan had taken that window of opportunity to call Gilbert and tell him what happened (excluding their little moment...). The German agreed to call Francis since Ivan's understanding was that they were close friends.

After he had hung up, Ivan went up to his study. He shut the door quietly, and took Natalia's letter out of his pocket. He sat down and read it, shaking his head the entire time. However, instead of ignoring it like he usually did, Ivan took up his favorite pen and began to write.

My dear sister,

I realize now that I must be honest with you. You will not be happy with the contents of this letter, but I believe things will never get better between us unless you can understand my feelings.

I love you, but only as a sister...

Ivan sighed and signed his name. He addressed it to her, and addressed another letter to the asylum with contact information. Once he placed the stamp, it felt like a weight was gone from his shoulders, but he wasn't done. He took out another sheet of paper and began to delicate write.

Dear Katyusha...

Author's Notes

DRAMA BOMB!

Ho! Ho! I bet ya'll didn't see that one coming, did ya? Haha!

...

I am a despicable human being. I was a little drained after writing this (and it has nothing to do with the fact I was up until 4AM playing Skyrim the night before and it's almost 1AM now... Nope.
Nothing to do with that AT ALL). But I knew that you guys have been patiently waiting so I thought I should give you something that would make you cry, then give a lady boner. Unless you're a guy. Then it's just a normal boner.

...

Special thanks to Golden Lioness- Goldie. She really helped me out of the slums on this one.

...

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to sleep. Then, I'm going up to the lake for a few days to swim, and while I'm not swimming watch Disney movies and play my latest addiction, Skyrim.

Until next time,

GERMERICA