"Right, where could our little fae be hiding..."
Al shrugs unsure.
They checked the loft, the cupboards, the spare rooms and the study, the garden and the rosebushes and a little bit of the woods around the house.
"...Alfred, I don't think she's here..."
He sighs.
"She'll be fine, out there, I mean... She's used to living in the woods..."
"Yeah.. I just hope she finds some friends."
"She should do..." Unless the group rejected her... Then she'd either be outcast or killed.
Al sighs griping Arthur's finger. He pet him softly, pity filling his gaze. They head back to the others.
When they got to Matt, he was starting to stir. Al jumps gliding over to him.
He rolled onto his back, groaning as he forced his eyes to open.
"Matt..?"
"Al...?" His voice was dry and raspy. "Wha... The bear!" his eyes flew wide open as he sat up sharply, adrenaline pumping as he looked for the bear.
"Matt it's ok! We're back at the house!"
"B-but it... And I..." he stammered, trembling.
"Matthew..." Arthur perched on the bed, holding Matt's face gently. "You're safe... Trust me..."
Al jumps to his shoulder. It was almost like the slight extra weight was enough to tip him over. Matt slumped into the older blond, clinging tightly. He couldn't help it, he just felt so vulnerable without Bear. Al frowns hugging his neck.
Matt hiccupped softly, slowly crumbling. Arthur hugged him tight, hushing him gently. They sit holding him.
Matt slowly evened out, needing to lay down again. His back still ached tremendously... Al nuzzles into his neck. He lay there for a bit, Arthur busying himself by getting Matt's hair back into a semblance of order.
*You ok..?*
*I guess...?*
*..I'm sorry..*
*How long have I been out...?*
*About a day..*
Matt sighed thoughtfully. *How's my back...?*
*Iain patched up most of it.. Just a few stitches left..* Al still felt bad he couldn't do more..
*I guess I owe him then... There was bone damage, I know... I-I felt them snapping..."
Al cringed. He reached in surrounding Matt with his mind. Matt sighed in an odd kind of relief, sinking into the mental comfort. It was so familiar, he could nearly feel the arms around him that should have gone with it.
*I'm sorry Matt.. I wasn't much use at all..*
*It's okay... You tried your best...*
He clung tighter.
*Al...?*
*I'm sorry... Bear was right..*
*...bout what?*
*I'm just nothing but trouble for you lately..*
*Al, you weren't the problem,* he sighed. *Unless you're suddenly a big black bear with anger issues...*
*I'm no help either.. He's still pissed cause of me..*
*No... Bear is sulking because HE'S A SELFISH, STUBBORN FUCKING DICK!* Matt rarely got pissed and rarely at Bear, but he had had enough of his spirit animal's behaviour lately.
Al blinks, then laughs. He didn't even know why it was funny, but it proved Matt was ok.
Matt sighed, rolling onto his opposite side. *I could seriously slap him at times...*
*Yeah well, we'll both give him an earful whenever he decides to show up again.* Al smiles gently.
*He's in my head somewhere... I'll drag his furry ass back out, eh...?*
Al chuckles again. Matt huffed sleepily. Al smiles hugging again. *You feel up to eating? It's almost dinner.*
*Guess I should try...* He didn't overly feel like it...
*You rather have painkillers?*
*Try both...?*
*Alright.* Al gets up seeing if Arthur was still there. Arthur had stepped out to tend his brother while the twins snuggled. He glanced to the bell on the nightstand hopping over to it.
It was one of the bells you find in hotel lobbies... Likely stolen, knowing Britain... He smirks slightly at the thought pressing it once.
A moment later, Arthur appeared in the doorway "Yes?"
"Matt wanted some painkillers."
"Alright, I'll be right back."
Al hopped back to Matt. Matt sighed painfully. Al strokes his face.
Arthur soon came back, helping Matt swallow his pills. The bird smiles softly at him.
*Why do they always taste horrid...?*
*Ya got me..*
"Give it about ten minutes." Arthur pet his hair gently.
"How's Iain?"
"He's on the mend," the Brit smiled sadly. "Spines aren't easy to fix..." Matt shuddered. Al hugs him again.
"Are you hungry...?"
Matt shook his head softly. *Feels kinda weird... Dad looking after me, I mean...*
*Yeah, well I had to be let out of that box to pee..*
*If you ask, I bet he'll get you a litter tray.*
*Not funny..*
*Al, I feel like I got hit by your truck again...*
*Sorry..*
*...Did you see Ro yet...?*
*No..*
A wash of sadness came over from the Canadian. *She's gone, isn't she...*
*We can't find her anywhere..*
Matt sighed, swallowing back tears. *Okay...*
Al hugs him. He wondered about that hollow they stayed in that one night.
Matt leaned into the tiny bird, trying to keep it together. *I should have spent more time with her...*
*I'm sorry Matt..*
*S'okay... You couldn't have known...*
As soon as he had a chance Al snuck out for the woods.
It was coming nightfall by the time he reached the hollow in the tree. He perched on a branch resting a moment. Only one wing got singed along with his shoulder but it limited his ability severely.
The hollow was nearly silent, save the soft whispers of something breathing inside. He shuffles over peaking in. Ro was curled up on a little bed of wilted leaves, wings drooped, face still damp with tears. She was shivering...
He frowns sadly stepping closer. She tensed at the noise, flinching in her sleep. He stopped, touching her gently. She squeaked, eyes snapping open as she shied back. Al smiles gently.
She stared at him in bewilderment for a moment before curling up, dropping her gaze to the side. "What d'you want...?"
"Ro.. Come back please..? It's freezing out here and Matt's worried sick.."
"So now he cares?" She spat bitterly. "No, I'm staying here..."
Al sighs. "It's not his fault.. He's just been cranky the last few weeks cause of the bear part of him.."
"He ignored me for months!" She wasn't an attention whore, honestly. It just hurt when someone spent so long saying you were best friends just to have them leave...
"Ro we were wrong.. We didn't understand how you felt and I'm sorry.. But after being tiny myself I finally see how hard it is for you and we promise to try harder.."
"You'll just forget about me again..." She hugged herself harder, trembling.
He frowns reaching over and hugging her. "I'll try my best not too.. And if I'm ignoring you I give you full permission to knock something over or burn my hand again or something.."
She sat tense for a moment before her front crumbled. She turned and buried into him, hugging tight. "I just don't wanna be alone again..."
"I know.. I'm sorry.."
She hiccupped sadly, slim shoulders trembling. He holds her and rocks until she's ready.
She took quite a while, still shivering when she pulled back. There was something truly heart wrenching to see her so miserable... He smiles gently.
She smiled back feebly. "C-can we go in-n..."
"Sure. You need to warm up."
She nodded, struggling to her feet. She was dangerously wobbly, muscles seized up with cold. He takes her hand as they go out then let's go and leads the way back. She only just made it back to the house, collapsing onto the window ledge.
*Yo Matt! Tell Dad to come to the window!* He was smaller than her, he couldn't carry her.
A moment of silence.
*Told him! Are you okay? Where did you go?!*
*I'm fine. Just had to go out is all.*
Arthur appeared in the doorway just then, frowning softly. "Alfred?"
Al grins. "Can we come in? It's cold."
He took a moment to register then gasped. "You found her!" Arthur rushed over, letting them in. Ro shuffled in then curled up, shivering. Al comes in as well.
"Goodness me, she's frozen," Arthur scooped up the little fae, holding her close. "Al, do you mind sharing your box?"
"No prob. We can all watch a movie or somethin."
He nodded softly, rushing off to tend to her. Al flutters after abet slowly.
By the time he rejoined the others, Arthur had Ro snuggled in the towels, working on refilling the hotwaterbottle. Al landed rubbing his shoulder a bit before walking over. She had curled up in a corner, clutching the towels around herself. Al settles in next to her.
She looked over at him, something in her eyes silently asking him for comfort, but she was too scared to ask. One rejection hurt enough...
He smiles wrapping his uninjured wing and arm over her. She smiled softly and leaned in, just relaxing. They sit warming up. He really should get that burn looked at though.. He was just too worried about Matt to think about it..
Arthur was already coming back with burn cream. "Al, honey... Let me see your shoulder..."
He glanced up. Ro frowned at it softly. Al lifted his other wing away, though the arm of which was slightly seared too along with charred feathers.
Arthur hummed disapprovingly, dabbing ointment on the burnt areas. "Sorry about that..."
"'S fine.. Not really your fault."
"I set light to the bear..."
"But it drove it off too."
"It also hurt you..." Arthur sighed. "And you ended up forgotten after the mess with Iain and Matt's back..."
"Not like I helped by pointing it out either.. Too upset to think about it anyway."
"Nonetheless, it's not too bad... Just let it rest for a while and try not to fly too much..."
"Ok.. Can we go see Matt now?"
"Alright, but the whole box is going," Arthur hummed, picking it up. "Little lady is still chilly."
Al smiles.
They head up to Matt's room. Al perked up as they entered. As did Matt. The blond sat up a bit, looking better now the painkillers had set in.
"Hey Mattie!"
"Hey Al," his voice was still a bit sore. "Back in the box, I see. Guess we messed up your wing again, huh?"
"I got around just fine today.."
"Then why the box?" Ro sat up slowly, smiling uncertainly. Matt lit up like a Christmas tree. "Ro...? I thought you'd left!"
Al grins. She smiled apprehensively, like she still thought it might be put on. Matt just reached for the box, eager to see his little friend. The box was passed over into his hands. He reached in to Ro, who flinched at his touch but said nothing. It was too small for Matt to see anyway...
"Shit, Al, she's like ice...!"
"Found her outside.." *Be careful bro, she's terrified we'll forget her again..*
Matt gave a tiny gasp, instantly going gentle. *I couldn't forget her... She's like a tiny little sister...*
*Remember what I said about being little? We have to try and pay more attention..*
*Okay... How about she stays in here with me? I know it means you lose your box, but she'll have company!*
*Well I think I'm grounded to the box again either way..*
*Then lets call it a sick party.* Matt chuckled.
Al grins hugging Ro again. She blushed and snuggled in, still a little flustered by the contact, but unwilling to break it. She knew what it meant now anyway...
They settle in chatting for a bit. The conversation warmed the tiny girl more than any towel could. Like this, she could start to believe Al was right... They sit around for dinner still grinning.
Arthur brought dinner up to them, letting them eat in Matt's room tonight. They settle in for bed after, the box on the other side of the pillow. It was sat so the little ones could walk on the bed, if they wanted to... Though Ro was still too cold to come out of the box... Or refused to... Matt settled down for sleep. They all drifted off.
The next morning Matt, Al, and Ro had borrowed Iain's laptop and sat watching some horribly made low budget horror movie. "Ya idjeet! (Such a fun word!XD) Don' jist stand thare waitin fer 'im ta knock yer head off, shoot 'im!" It wasn't unusual for Al to slip into different dialects from time to time. Some examples included the New Yorker, the chilled surfer, Cajun bayou, and the home boy. Today seemed to be a southern drawl cowboy day.
Matt had the laptop on his lap and the little ones on his chest, bouncing them every time he laughed. Ro was captivated more by Al's sudden swap than the actual film.
"I tell ya these here cacti brains are dumber than a carpenter tryin ta shoe a horse.."
"A-a what...? Is he okay...?" Ro leaned into Matt, genuinely getting worried now.
"He's fine," Matt petted her softly. "He just does this from time to time."
It was amusing sometimes really. Matt nearly always found it hilarious - especially if it came out during a meeting.
There was one time he hosted while stuck in Hawaii's native language, no-one understood a word he said. Matt had been in hysterics for the whole meeting. Arthur had dragged Al off straight after for a brain scan, worried he'd hurt himself.
Al was just confused, it was sometimes hard for any of them to realize if they switch languages or accents since they came so naturally for a nation. He could generally gauge now though - if Matt was laughing, he probably swapped.
"Is it chow time yet? 'M starvin.."
"Yes Alfred, it's nearly lunch," he snickered.
"Ya know what we need? Good ol' John Wane picture!" He pounced on the laptop switching films.
"Whoa, cool the jets cowboy," Matt picked him up by his wings and put him aside. "Iain'll kill you if he finds you've gotten clawmarks on his laptop!"
"Aww I ain't hurt nothin!"
"Don't make me call Dad up here..."
Al huffs sitting back.
"Thank you! Now watch your film."
They sit watching Al still commenting occasionally. Ro got fed up half way through and curled up on Matt's chest. Al blinks at her confused. She was tired and this film made no sense to her and Al was being weird... She just gave up. He frowns softly looking at Matt.
*I don't know bro... Fairies don't have tv, maybe her eyes hurt?*
Al shrugs softly laying back as well. Matt paused the film with a sigh. Al glanced up again.
*I've had enough...*
*Y'all ok?"
*Tired... I need a rest.*
Al nods curling up as well. They all settle down for a nap.
Lunch came later after they woke up. Arthur brought it in with the good news. Iain was feeling much better and he was ready to start mixing up Al's potion. The blonds would soon be big again.
Al grins. "Yeehaw! Finally no more box!"
Ro sank back into the towels, smiling sadly. He sees her and his smile faded. She would be alone again... You could almost hear her tiny heart breaking. He frowns reaching to hug her. She couldn't resist it... It might be the last she got... She clung tight, sniffling quietly. He hugs her rocking.
"Please don't forget me." She whispered sadly.
"I won't. I promise y'all I won't.."
She sighed, pressing in. As much as she wanted to believe he wouldn't, she was just so easy to forget... He rocks softly. Matt and Arthur watched them sadly for a while.
"Iain said the potion should be ready in a few days time... After that, they can change back to normal at their leisure..."
Al sits pondering about it. He'd been aching to change back since Arthur had accidentally shrunk him... But during his time as a three inch eagle, he'd come to see how lonely it was being small... and Ro was lonely enough already... but he couldn't just stay like this - he had a nation to manage, friends and family, a partner... He couldn't just up and leave them...
He sighs hugging tight.
*Quite the predicament,* Matt muttered. *What are you gonna do...?*
*I donno..*
*Think long and hard... We'll respect whatever you chose...*
*Alrigh..*
*Just enjoy a bit of time with her while you can...*
Al smiles softly.
*I need a rest anyway...*
Al glanced at him as he lay down. He hopes Matt would feel better soon.. The Canadian just needed to sleep and heal... They rest for a while, Al hugging Ro still. She was more than content just to cling to him.