"MATHEW!"

Alfred screamed himself awake, panting and sweating he made a grab for his glasses on the bedside table and shoved them on to his face. His eyes darted rapidly over the room taking in every inch as his mind processed that he was no longer in the nightmare and instead back in his own bed.

He lay back, swallowing large amounts of air to try and calm him self down. The whole thing had been some horrible nightmare, he convinced himself as he ran a hand through his now sweat drenched hair and slicked it back. Dreams couldn't hurt him… No matter how real they seemed.

"Thank god… Thank god." He mumbled, as a sense of calm enveloped his body while the effect of the adrenaline started to wear off.

That was until he realised that Arthur was not in the bed beside him.

Mathew looked up as Alfred hurtled from his bedroom, practically falling through the doorway before straightening himself out and starring at Arthur with wide eyes.

"Y-you're here! How's your wing? Has it healed?" Arthur, who had been quietly eating what Mathew called cereal, frowned and touched his wing with his left hand.

"Hey Al, are you ok?" Mathew placed a cup of coffee down on the counter in front of his brother who turned to look at him.

"Oh Mattie!" The taller blonde cried, running forward and pulling the violet eyed man into a tight bear hug. Mathew frowned and attempted to hug him back but as his air supply started to run on low he had to squirm to break from his brother's grasp.

"Al what's wrong with you?" Alfred stepped back and took a long swig of his coffee.

"I had a, ah, nightmare… And you kind of killed… Yourself…" Mathew blinked and raised an eyebrow in question.

"So you were freaking out because I killed my self? I'm flattered Al but it was only a dream."

Alfred smiled in his normal goofy way and sat down beside Arthur. It wasn't until Arthur coughed that Alfred realised he was there as the hysterics started all over again.

"Arthur! I almost forgot! I should check your wing to see if it's healed!" He jumped up and went to get a pair of scissors; ignoring the confused look Mathew was giving him. Arthur simply saw it as normal behaviour and began to take off the Captain America shirt he had become fond of wearing. When Alfred turned back he hesitated, his eyes, Mathew noted, took in Arthur's small form in a far different way then that of a doctor viewing a patient.

When Alfred didn't move Arthur turned to look up at him, his green eyes regarding Alfred's still form with a mixture of confusion and boredom. It was then that Mathew decided to step in.

"Hey Arthur, why don't you go watch some TV while I help Al, brush his teeth ok?" He smiled brightly as he grabbed Alfred's shoulders and led him to the older blondes bedroom. Once they were both in the room, Mathew shut the door and turned to his brother.

"Hey Al-" He began.

"I didn't kiss him!" Was Alfred's immediate response, which lead Mathew to frown harder and as he leaned against the wall.

"Who didn't you kiss Al?" He asked, confused and concerned for his older brother. Alfred didn't answer him straight away; instead he paced around the room in an agitated manor.

Mathew grit his teeth and grabbed Alfred's arm to stop him from moving. "Al, seriously, what's got you so riled up this morning? I haven't seen you this stressed since you had to attempt your first surgery." Alfred stood still with Mathew's hand around his arm while he tired to think of a response. Could he tell his brother that he had kissed Arthur in his dream?

"I… Nothing, just the nightmare was weird." He waved his brother off. This was simply too much in the morning for him to handle.

"Nightmare or not Al," Mathew grabbed Alfred's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm your brother and I'm worried about you… Ever since Arthur turned up you've been acting weird and if you don't tell me at least tell Kiku, or someone!" He waved both their arms together. "I like to think if something was wrong you'd tell me, we're family and I won't judge you no matter what."

Alfred looked into his brother's eyes, albeit he couldn't see clearly without his glasses, but he could feel them looking back at him all the same.

"I know, and I think I'm really, very lucky to have a brother like you but… I just don't really want to talk about it right now…" He looked away suddenly unable to meet Mathew's eyes as his dream played back through his mind.

Mathew sighed and ran a hand back through his hair. "I kind of have an idea as to why you're feeling this way… But I won't say it because you seem to be on edge already but please talk to someone if it starts getting too much for you." Alfred nodded, a small feeling of dread settled in the pit of his stomach at the thought of Mathew knowing about his feelings. Mathew had a good point though. He couldn't keep his feelings secret forever and he certainly would have to tell someone or he'd explode under the stress.

"Thanks Mattie, I know you worry about me… Even when I tell you not to." He smiled and turned back to the bleary form of his bother. "I promised not to let the stress get to me again ok?" Mathew smiled softly; knowing this was the best Alfred would offer him.

"Ok, well you better get ready because it's actually almost noon and I know you have work today." He said as he left his brother's bedroom.

"Haven't forgotten!" Alfred called after him.

When Mathew came back to the kitchen/dinning room, Arthur was studying a banana. The taller blonde smiled and took the banana from him, peeling it, and then passed it back. "Thank you," Arthur smiled and took a bite out of the fruit.

Continuing with the washing up, Mathew thought about what their plan was for today. They couldn't very well leave Arthur alone in the apartment, not with the uneasy feeling he had had yesterday. But if they took him with one of them he would have to be disguised. And if they were to take him with them which one would he go with?

After seeing how uncomfortable Arthur was at the Vet's yesterday Mathew would have opted for Arthur going with Alfred but then he would go to a proper hospital, which would be even worse.

He sighed as he grabbed juice from the fridge and placed it on the counter. He would have to ask Arthur whom he would prefer to go with.

The angel had made his way over to the couch and started to eat his banana while watching some strange show about a couple on the run. Mathew watched it curious to see what Arthur would take from it, as he always seemed to do.

"Arthur?" The blonde in question tilted his head back and looked at Mathew. "Would you rather go with me to the vet's today or with Alfred to the hospital?" Mathew saw the flicker of fear that crossed through Arthur's emerald eyes at the mention of the vet and he knew that despite the fact that the hospital might be worse for him he, that was what he was going to choose.

"With Alfred... Please." Arthur answered. Mathew nodded, already prepared for that answer. Alfred was the one who saved him after all, it was only natural he'd want to be with him.

"That's fine, I'll ask him when he finished getting ready." Mathew smiled and poured him self some juice.

Arthur turned back to watching the strange (and almost as exciting as Detective Kirkland) show. It was about two lovers who seem to be running from the law. They were both thieves, or so he guessed, and they were desperately trying to remain together no matter what.

"I'll give myself up!" The man said as he held his lover close. "And you can live in the country like you always dreamt!"

"No! You mustn't! Please I'd rather live a life on the run with you then no life at all!" She cried and clung to him tightly. The stayed like that before the sound of sirens caught their attention.

"A life in prison isn't one I'd ever want for you," The man said, leading her down an alley towards the docks. "As soon as the chase it off I'll come find you and we'll live together." As he said this he lead her to a boat, giving the driver some money and they pair of them helped the girl aboard.

"But… What if I never see you again?" She had tears running down her cheeks at this point, not even bothering to wipe them away.

"Shhh," The man comforted her, placing a hand on her cheek. "I promise to come find you." The woman leaned forward and brought their lips together in a sweet, caste kiss that didn't last long.

"We have to leave now!" The driver yelled, starting up the boat.

"Good bye my sweet!" The woman called as the boat drifted further and further away from him.

Arthur clutched a pillow against his chest as a hollow feeling of recollection brought him back to the night when Ivan had told Arthur to continue on without him. He closed his eyes, the image of Ivan bleeding on the floor wormed its way into his mind and he couldn't help but let out a small choked sob.

He thought of Ivan often, wishing and hoping that his oldest friend was still alive despite being in the Doctor's company.

"I'm leaving now Arthur, Alfred will take you to work with him, is that alright?" Arthur looked up to see Mathew standing in the kitchen in his uniform for work.

"Um y-yes course it is." He answered, standing up and bowing to him.

"Uhh... oh! You must have learnt that at Kiku's right? You don't need to sorry about bowing here Arthur, it's simply a formality at Kiku's house." Arthur blushed and fidgeted, embarrassed at having done something out of place.

"Ah! Artie! Time to get dressed." Alfred grinned from his bedroom and held up some of his clothes. Arthur scowled at him and looked away.

"Arthur, it is Arthur!" He grumbled. Mathew chuckled and left the two alone, he needed to leave before it started to snow too heavily.

Mathew stepped out of the lobby and into the already blisteringly cold day. He shivered before taking his first steps and that's when he noticed them.

Two men were off to the side of the apartment building smoking in the freezing cold. Mathew continued quickly, hoping that his hesitation wouldn't have let them know he thought of them as any kind of threat.

Usually two men hanging around smoking wouldn't bother Mathew… But he didn't know anyone that would volunteer to smoke out in this weather and after last night he didn't feel like he could trust strangers doing this.

When he was far enough down the road Mathew pulled out his phone and began texting.

"Ok we just need some large coat kind of thing to cover the wings now." Alfred said as he pretended to be a photographer and paced around Arthur with his hands shaped like a rectangle. Arthur blushed and used one of his wings to bat Alfred playfully on the head. They had chosen the gentlemen clothes just so he wouldn't stick out. Now that Mie had fixed them up nicely they were a lot easier to put on.

Alfred had gotten rid of Arthur's bandages, deeming his wing perfect. Arthur smiled and was continuously opening and closing the wing just to make sure it wasn't a dream.

Arthur was lead to Mathew's room where Alfred began to rile through his brother's belongings. He soon found a long dark brown coat that was big enough to sufficiently hide the wings. This outfit was complete with the high scarf and low beanie as it had been the day before and Arthur was ready to go outside!

"Alright! Just let me get ready and we'll be on our way! I'll buy a book at the hospital so you won't get bored, or maybe you wanna come on the rounds with me?" Arthur didn't quite understand what Alfred meant by rounds but nodded his head anyways. "Awesome! I'll be back in a-huh?" Alfred's phone began to sing so the taller blonde left to answer it while Arthur was left looking at himself in the mirror.

Alfred came back not too song later dressed and ready for work. Arthur glanced up and down at his nice black pants, black shoes, and blue-stripped dress shirt and white coat. A small part of him suddenly panicked at the sight of the white coat but he forced himself to see Alfred.

Alfred and not the Doctor.

"Ready?" Alfred asked with his usual enthusiasm. Arthur simply nodded, and reached out for Alfred's hand. He didn't notice the slight hesitation before Alfred grabbed his hand and they were off.

Strangely enough though, Alfred took them a different way out of the apartment. Instead of going down the elevator, they took the stairs to the left of it. Arthur didn't mind of course but he just found it odd that they would take a different way.

Once out on the street, Alfred quickened his pace, forcing Arthur to have to almost run along side him. Alfred was acting very strange today and Arthur wondered if it had something to do with the nightmare he mentioned earlier. He knew from experience that nightmares sometimes compelled people to act differently.

Alfred made sure that Arthur's hand never left his own as they walked. Arthur deeply appreciated this effort and even smiled to himself the few times that Alfred would give his hand a small squeeze. Alfred seemed to be continuously looking around, as though searching for someone.

Behind his glasses Arthur could see his blue eyes filled with worry, as though there was something after them. "Alfred?" He asked softly when they stopped at a red light. Alfred smiled down at him; the worried looks and furtive glances seemed non-existent the moment he smiled. Like everything would be all right.

"Yeah Artie?"

That horrible nickname.

Arthur scowled and looked away. "Nothing." He huffed.

They moment they reached the hospital Arthur felt panic rise within his chest. The inside smelt just like the vets had the day before but instead of being filled with animals it was filled with… People.

Arthur looked from side to side at the amount of people bustling around. He had never seen so many sick people in such a place before and the amount of people wearing those long white coats…

Alfred glanced down at Arthur who had latched onto his entire arm. It would have been quite endearing if he hadn't known why Arthur was doing it in the first place. He placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. "I know you're scared but you have to keep moving, we can't stay put in the open like this, it's not safe." Arthur blinked and looked up at him. Safe? They weren't safe?

He forced down his fear enough to let go of Alfred's arm but he still had a death grip on his hand. Alfred lead him forward again, further into the hospital.

"Alfred… And Arthur-san?" The Japanese man's soft voice caught Alfred's attention.

"Kiku! Hey how are you?" Kiku's eyes slowly lowered to where Arthur and he were holding hands making Alfred slightly uncomfortable. "H-he's scared of hospitals." Alfred quickly explained.

"Ah." Kiku said but he didn't look convinced. "Why is he here then?" While Alfred started to explain to Kiku why Arthur found his eyes drifting around the hospital again till a pair met with his.

The man's eyes looked like they had been watching him for a while. They were intense and some how sinister. Arthur quickly became uneasy and tugged on Alfred's hand.

"Someone… Looking at us." He whispered. Alfred and Kiku immediately turned to see the two men. They stuck out of the crowd with their dark clothing making it painfully obvious that they weren't there for treatment of any sort.

"Kiku-"

"I'll distract them Alfred, take Arthur and escape." Alfred looked at the small man and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks man, I owe you one! Come on Arthur!" The pair began to walk at a fast pace down the hall while Kiku walked over to the two men.

"Are you two here for treatment or two visit a patient?" He asked softly. The taller man glared down at him while the smaller one smiled pleasantly back.

"We're here to see a doctor actually, so if you don't mind!" Kiku was pushed roughly aside into a patient in a wheel chair as the two men started running through the hospital. A nurse came and helped Kiku and the patient up while another was now ringing the police.

'It wasn't much time, but I hope it helped.' Kiku thought as he made his way to his office. He needed to make a call.

Alfred gripped Arthur's hand tightly as they ran down the hall; weaving between patients, nurses and doctors, ignoring the shouting and indignant yelling behind them, they finally made it to the elevator before the two men could catch them. Kiku had done his job and managed to buy them a few more minutes. Arthur was panting, leaning against the wall for support while Alfred pulled out his phone, a plan quickly forming in his mind.

"Arthur, I need you to be brave today can you do that for me?" Arthur looked sceptically towards Alfred but nodded his head.

"Good, I'm going to give you my phone and then, when we reach the top of the hospital I need you to fly away and hide till Mathew or I calls you, still think you can do that?" Arthur's eyes widened as the phone was pressed into his hands.

"N-no! What about Alfred? Y-you is too big to carry…" The green-eyed man was not about to leave his saviour behind… He promised he would never leave anyone behind after Ivan. Alfred smiled, showing off all his teeth as he placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm a big boy I can handle what ever they throw at me! Now, I need to show you how to use the phone…"

The elevator dinged at its last stop, opening the doo to a dark corridor. "It doesn't go all the way to the top so we have to walk up some stairs from here." Alfred looked down the rest of the stairs; listening carefully he could vaguely make out the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching. "Crap, come on Arthur we haven't got much time!"

Alfred was once again dragged Arthur up the stairs to they reached a door. Alfred used his master key to open it and then lock it again once they were outside. Arthur walked through the snow on the roof of the hospital. Up here there was a strong wind blowing and he could feel his wings twitching with anticipation. There was however once problem.

The entire roof was fenced off with sharp metal. He glanced fearfully up at the barbed wire then back at Alfred who too, was contemplating a new strategy. "Ah! I have it."

Alfred pulled off the long coat Mathew had given him, exposing his wings, which opened, glad to have the room to spread. Alfred then took the coat over to the fence and draped it over the top, dulling the barbed wire. "Quick! Climb over and fly away!" Arthur felt panic rise within his chest. He'd never flown from such a height before but that wasn't his initial fear.

There was no way off the roof besides that door so Alfred would get caught no matter what he did. "Alfred," Arthur whined softly, looking towards the door. Alfred caught on quickly to what he was thinking.

"I told you not to worry! Silly angel! I'm a hero, and hero's always come out on top remember?" He smiled and ruffled Arthur's hair, blushing when instead of swatting away his hand like usual Arthur leaned into the touch.

"Careful…" Arthur mumbled before Alfred started nudging him to the fence where the coat was draped.

"Quickly, remember what I told you about the phone and remember my instructions and everything will ok, alright?" Arthur felt helpless, just like Ivan told him to continue without him.

"Y-yes…" His eyes stung and his throat felt constricted as he gingerly climbed up one side of the fence and down the other. He clung to the fence, his feet just hanging off the ledge but still able to stand. He turned his eyes to look at Alfred who was still standing there grinning like an idiot. A very brave idiot. "Git…" Arthur mumbled sadly.

The taller blonde stepped closer to the fence, leaning his face against it. "Don't treat this like a good bye, we'll just be apart for a little while." He placed his hands against the wire where Arthur's hands were, in hopes of reassuring him.

"Alfred… Is a git." Arthur smiled; he could feel the wind pulling at his body, as if telling him it was time to go.

"Yeah but I'm a heroic git-" He was cut off by a sudden cold feeling on his lips. His blue eyes widened as after a few seconds his mind realised that Arthur was kissing him. Kissing him! Through the wire! He hadn't even know Arthur knew what a kiss was! Or that he could be so romantic? Before he could react though Arthur pulled back with an incredibly red face that Alfred could only think of as adorable.

The door banged behind them and Alfred could almost see the gun pointing through at them. 'Fuck!' He thought, lifting his hands. "Time to go Arthur!" He slammed them against the wire; shaking it enough that Arthur was forced to let go.

Arthur flailed in mid air before gravity made a grab at him and he began to plummet downwards. His mind quickly switched from shock to instinct and his wings opened, catching the harsh cold wind and using it to lift him up into the air. With a few flaps he was on his way over the city.

Alfred watched in awe as Arthur righted himself and was quickly disappearing into the snowfall. His attention only brought back to reality by shouting and a gunshot.

He ducked on the ground before the instructions of 'hands in the air!' were yelled at him.

"Ok, ok!" He pouted and held his hands up; watching at the two men cautiously approached him. When they were close enough he was grabbed and kicked in the gut roughly.

"Where is he? Where the fuck is he?" The taller of the two yelled. Alfred gasped and tried to breath while the smaller one pulled out a phone and dialled.

"G-gone!" Alfred wheezed. "You'll never find him!"

"Fucking bastard!" He felt the man's boot connect with his collarbone and send him spiralling backwards. He wasn't going to stand for this! Alfred collected himself up and prepared for the next kick.

"Quit it you idiot! No! I wasn't talking to you! Shaun's being a dip shit with the guy- No he's gone, we got the guy he was with!... Yeah we're on the roof of the hospital… Yes sir!" He closed his phone and glared at Alfred. "I don't think you'll live to see tomorrow."

Alfred clenched his teeth and lunged at him, gun be dammed! He was not going to be killed now!

He and the shorter assailant wrestled for less then a minute before a shot rang out. Both stopped and turned to Shaun who was holding the gun, positioning it so that he was aiming for Alfred's head. "One move and you're dead pretty boy!" He threatened.

Alfred realised he had no choice and stayed quiet, wishing and praying that Arthur had managed to find shelter safely.

Ten minuted passed and the assailants were getting edgy and Alfred knew why. He could hear the sounds of sirens in the distance, which meant police were coming. He couldn't help but smirk at their discomfort.

A thrumming noise filled the air, quickly getting louder as it approached the hospital. A black helicopter was making its way through the wind towards the roof where the three men waited. It stopped, hovering above the roof for a minute before the door was opened and a ladder was rolled down.

"Climb." Shaun ordered, prodding the gun to his back. Alfred sneered at him before proceeding to do so. The wind made it very difficult to climb so it took him longer then he would have thought, but when he reached the helicopter he was hauled inside by a large man with slicked back blonde hair and another man with ice-cold blue eyes.

"Welcome," The man with the blue eyes said with malevolent smirk. "I am Francis Bonnefoy."

Alfred didn't have time to think as a bag was placed over his head and knocked unconscious.

Hey look at that! An update! :D

Also, again, Francis appears! -evil laugh-

Not long to go actually till this story ends... Make the most of it people!

Enjoy!