Hey guys :) I'm back and sicker than ever. Lol, actually, this isn't so bad compared to some other times and definitely yesterday. It got bad yesterday, but that twelve hours of sleep made me feel better. So yeah, I really don't have much to say here so enjoy :)

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"Okay guys, we ha—" Arthur had started before being rudely interrupted by Alfred, who burst through the door dramatically, a tall silver haired male in tow. He was about to question Alfred's antics, but decided against doing so.

"Hey guys! This is Ivan Braginsky! The bass player that Gilbert jerk recommended," Alfred introduced enthusiastically. Arthur, Francis, Matthew and Kiku all had to tilt their heads up a bit (Matthew mostly since he was in a wheelchair) to get a good look at the tall young man. Ivan greeted them cheerfully with a wave of a gloved hand, though it was fingerless.

"I am Ivan Braginsky according to Alfred," he introduced himself, revealing a thick Russian accent.

Alfred grinned. "Yeah, and he's a pretty sick player guys! He played a riff for me at the airport and people went ape shit over him…the good kind," his grin only widened. "Why don'chya show 'em Ivan?" he turned to look at Ivan. Alfred was just tall enough, enabling him to look at the other without craning his head back. Nodding in agreement, the Russian swung the leather guitar case around from his shoulder and unzipped it, revealing a dark (emphasis on the dark) purple bass guitar. It was big too.

His cheery smile still stuck to his face, Ivan started to play the same riff he had performed for Alfred at the airport. His fingers flew over the neck of the guitar, pressing down harshly on the thick strings in order to smoothly execute the sound without the strange sound guitars emitted whenever one didn't press hard enough. When he finished, Alfred looked enthusiastically and expectantly at his band mates and was glad to say that they were thoroughly impressed.

"He's good, he's good," Francis remarked, nodding his head up and down slowly with a thumb rubbing on his jaw line. "Ah, I'm Francis Bonnefoy," he suddenly remembered to introduce himself. "Eyebrows there—"

"Hey!"

"Is Arthur Kirkland, he's British," when Francis had said 'British', he went as far as attempting a British accent, his faint French one obviously destroying it which made Matthew giggle. "The dark haired one is Kiku Honda," Kiku bowed. "And this one," Francis placed a hand atop Matthew's head and smiled fondly. "Is Matthew Williams, though he and Alfred are half-brothers."

Alfred grinned again before motioning for Matthew to follow him into the kitchen.

A bit confused, Matthew gripped the rims of the wheels and wheeled himself along. Alfred was doubled over the dining table, that grin having never left.

"So, wha'chya think? He's pretty cool right?" Alfred asked, leaning forward in anticipation of Matthew's opinion. Matthew could only nod his head in agreement, not exactly knowing why Alfred had pulled him off to the side just to ask this. "He's pretty hot too right?" oh, never mind what he had just said earlier.

Tilting his head in confusion, Matthew furrowed his eyebrows in slight confusion. "Well…yeah, I guess I could say that. Didn't know you had a thing for guys like him though so sorry if I sound surprised," Matthew itched at the back of his head before attempting to tuck that one curl of hair that stuck out behind his ear, only to have it spring back into his line of vision. He had learned to tune it out, but sometimes it managed to catch his attention.

"No problem half-bro."

"But I'm staying strictly dedicated to Francis Alfred," Matthew sternly added before his American half-brother could say anything else. Alfred nodded his head in an understanding way.

"Hey, do you think I should ask him out or something?" Alfred questioned, his voice bordering a whisper.

"Hey, it's your decision, so knock yourself out," Matthew almost joked with a grin forming on his lips. The two chuckled a bit, Alfred saying something about not wanting to perform self-harm so Matthew would have to do it.

"Yeah, I'll ask Ivan out probably tomorrow," Alfred concluded with an excited grin. Matthew smiled softly up at his half-brother, but didn't feel like Alfred was making a good choice. Brushing that thought aside, Matthew had to tell himself that who Alfred dated was Alfred's choice, not his or anybody else's.

Arthur had overheard the last few parts of Alfred and Matthew's conversation, the introductions having been done and the task of reminding them of the rehearsal they had to do in about an hour placed on him. He had stopped when he heard the two talking about asking someone out and he had flushed slightly. Unfortunately, they had been talking about Ivan and his stomach dropped like a stone.

He entered the kitchen, eye averted. "Rehearsal in an hour you two," and after that, he turned on his heel and nearly bolted.

Alfred and Matthew both sat at the dinner table, Alfred more confused than Matthew.

"What's his problem?" Alfred asked. The way Alfred had worded that made Matthew flinch slightly, looking up at the bespectacled teen with a slightly concerned look. He hoped Alfred would figure this entire thing out without severely damaging someone's (mainly Arthur's) emotions.

"Alfred, please be careful with all of this."

XXX

They had all decided to meet at the school's auditorium, Alfred having taken off to show Ivan the city right after Francis had finished talking to the Russian, Francis and Matthew having gone off to shop, though Alfred severely doubted that. Kiku went home and Arthur stayed at Matthew's with nothing to do.

Alfred sighed at the nostalgic feeling he was getting despite their rehearsals at school only being about a month ago. Alfred, Arthur and Matthew had all been rehearsing at Matthew's home, though Alfred would sometimes go back to his home. Francis and Kiku practiced at their homes too. This was their first time practicing together now that Ivan was there and that they had three days to spare before the concert. They were also practicing for the Fourth of July concert which was three days after the upcoming one.

Alfred tapped his foot on the stage, glancing at the wristwatch wrapped around his left wrist. Arthur was late. That was something that rarely happened, but then again, he probably got lost since Matthew's mom was currently unavailable and Arthur couldn't drive giving that he was uncomfortable even in the passenger's seat, complaining about how American's read the blueprints wrong.

He and Matthew were currently talking about what order they'd play the songs when Matthew's phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, Matthew read the text before snapping his phone shut and shoving it back into his pocket.

"You've got a photo shoot with Ivan tomorrow," Matthew announced and Alfred whooped. Matthew got up and left to tell Ivan.

Alfred looked over when he heard the auditorium door creak open before closing loudly, Arthur strolling down the aisle with his head bowed and his guitar slung over his shoulder. Grinning, Alfred loudly and smartly remarked how Arthur was late. The other acted like he hadn't heard Alfred's statement as he scaled the small steps.

"Oh, Artie, you'll never guess what I'm going to do tomorrow!" Alfred grinned, poking his friend on the forehead once he had finally lifted his head. Arthur was about to answer bitterly about Alfred asking Ivan out, but held his tongue. "Me and Ivan have a photo shoot together tomorrow! Isn't that awesome?"

"It's and I dolt and…that's great," Arthur grumbled halfheartedly, shoulders slumping slightly before he headed over to the amplifier he'd be using as second guitar, Francis getting to be lead for the upcoming concert. They'd be alternating for the Fourth of July concert.

"Dude, are you sick or something?" Alfred asked, though no concern could be heard in his voice. Straightening up from plugging the guitar to the amplifier, Arthur glanced at Alfred before averting his attention to something else.

"Yes Alfred…I've managed to catch something from you Americans," he answered. Alfred could barely hear the Brit's answer, but heard it none the less.

Nodding, Alfred returned his attention to the rehearsal they had to get started. "Alright guys! Let's start with All the Small Things!" Alfred announced, raising the microphone high in the air before lowering it and tapping it to make sure it was functioning correctly.

Looking over to Francis, Alfred gave a thumbs up, the French teen doing the same, a wide grin spreading across his face before giving a thumbs up to Matthew who tapped his drumsticks together. The couple started the song.

Alfred noted in amusement, about halfway through the song, that Matthew needed a pony tail and how Francis was basically in his own world. He also needed a pony tail. Arthur was a backup singer here, singing the higher part while Alfred sung the lower. Alfred subconsciously noted that Arthur was a good singer and how the other sang with his eyes closed. Kiku was standing next to Arthur, him also being a backup singer with Arthur since they didn't require a piano in this song, nodding his head to the beat.

The song originally didn't have a bass in it, but they had managed to create a funky bass addition, making the song sound much better. Ivan was good at it too obviously.

When the song ended, they held the last part out until it eventually died down. Alfred pumped a fist into the air with an excited whoop and Francis began complaining about how sweaty he'd gotten. Alfred snickered at Francis's complaining, the other acting like he had never expected for it to happen even though it's happened multiple times.

"Hey guys, me and Mattie had decided the order, are you fine with All the Small Things, Your Guardian Angel, Roundabout and Fat Bottomed Girls in that order?" Alfred asked. Francis had wanted to do Fat Bottomed Girls and when they had figured out that Ivan was a damn good bass guitar impersonator as well, which meant he could bring his voice low enough to sound like a bass guitar, they had excitedly agreed on singing the song acapella. Matthew was a damn good beat boxer and Alfred joked about the two being able to play their own instruments without actually having them physically in front of them. Alfred would be the lower half of the melody and Arthur would sing at the same tone as Francis to make it sound more reinforced. Kiku would be sitting out unfortunately.

"Yeah, ending with that would be great," Francis grinned as he started the opening to Your Guardian Angel. Alfred grinned as he heard agreement from Matthew behind him and Ivan who was to his right. He didn't get a response from either Kiku or Arthur though, but that was fine, if they said no, their opinion would be outweighed by Alfred, Matthew, Ivan and Francis's.

The next three days went by in a hassle, trying to get things ready for the concert and rehearsing for the Fourth of July one that was coming up fast. Ivan wouldn't be performing there, but they were still in a whirlwind of activity. Avoiding fangirls was a different story, but that was campfire worthy.

Alfred and Ivan's photo shoot had gone without a hitch either, the picture becoming an instant hit on the internet. Alfred had asked Ivan out that day too and they had gone out to eat at a Russian restaurant Alfred had been two about twice in his life. Ivan surprisingly had a good sense of humor and could pull funny jokes seemingly out of thin air.

On the day of the concert, which was luckily held outside on such a nice night, Alfred and Kiku were double checking on the stage lights that littered the platform. They were everywhere and Alfred sometimes marveled at how much electricity there actually was at the tips of their fingertips. They had a whole bunch of amplifiers, speakers and almost literally a ton of lights of all colors that would move in any direction. They also had, for the first time, large screens that displayed them up on each side of the stage, a camera crew elevated up from the crowd in the back to film them. All of that and the city was still able to turn its lights on and off no problem.

Matthew ended up having to take his anxiety pills again, this being the first time they had performed live where they'd be broadcasted without the magical power of newscast editing. Alfred was so excited but also a bit down knowing that Ivan would have to leave tomorrow. Probably even after the concert. But he kept up his gusto, just for his fans.

"Hey, how are you guys?" Alfred asked enthusiastically into the microphone, the crowd answering with even more energy. Grinning, Alfred started introducing Ivan to those who didn't know the bass player. Francis pat the body of his guitar twice before giving Matthew a thumbs up and a large grin, not forgetting to throw in a wink. The Canadian blushed and smiled back, giving his own thumbs up to the French teen.

Once the cheering died down, Francis waited a few seconds before starting All the Small Things by Blink-182, Matthew starting at the same time which was mastered at rehearsal. Alfred bounced to the beat, grasping the microphone and singing into it. When they got to the chorus, Alfred glanced over at Francis and Matthew once more, amused at how they had lapsed into their own worlds.

When that song ended, they briefly allowed the crowd to cheer before starting Your Guardian Angel, Francis's movements much calmer. When they had first decided to play that song, Alfred had asked if Francis had an acoustic guitar and the other laughed at him, stating how he could alter the sound to make it sound like whatever he wanted it to sound like. Alfred slightly knew about that with the wa-wa pedal, but that was basically it. He had sheepishly chuckled and itched at the back of his head, a tad embarrassed.

Kiku was on the keyboard, it being set to 'cello' so that it emitted the sound of a cello. Technology these days. Arthur was his backup singer once more, Francis also in there but only as the repeater, the one that repeated whatever Alfred had just sung, just more quietly and in a slightly lower key. Alfred had concluded that he enjoyed listening to the Brit sing. Arthur would play the second guitar that came in two thirds into the song.

When they started Roundabout, Alfred listened to Francis in the intro, which was rather calm. But that wasn't the case when Ivan jumped in with his 'bass guitar of epicness', a grin on his face as his finger flew over the frets and pressed harshly down only to fly back up and go to a different fret. He was way beyond impressive. Kiku had to hastily change the settings which he had all saved to one file fortunately so it wouldn't take up more than two seconds to change sound effects.

"All right guys, we've got a pretty sick treat for you guys," Alfred announced as Francis, Ivan, Arthur and Matthew all grabbed a microphone, Kiku staying at his seat by the piano, flexing his fingers. Francis grinned and greeted the crowd with an enthusiastic bonjour, a few girls screeching in excitement at hearing him speak his native tongue. Alfred would never understand them.

When they started, Alfred, Arthur and Francis together, the whole crowd went ballistic. When they repeated the first line, Matthew jumped in, pressing his lips to the microphone and wrapping a hand around it. Alfred was still amused how the drum player actually sounded like a drum set. Matthew was bouncing along to his beat, a few hand motions being thrown out here and there as Ivan's voice dropped about two octaves lower than his normal one. Alfred would never get how that was possible.

The song ended and the crowd approved. Alfred waved at them and thanked them for coming, reminding them of the Fourth of July concert that would also be broadcasted live and were it was located. They went over to a few tables where they'd be autographing whatever was handed them, also doing a meet & greet.

As expected, people flocked around mostly he, Arthur and Francis, but the number of fans Matthew had managed to attract because of his beat boxing was impressive. He was almost as famous as Francis was now. The Canadian looked shocked to be receiving so much attention too, being used to being over shadowed by his American half-brother.

But no matter what, Alfred always received the most attention, most of the people going to him. Those who didn't go to him first eventually migrated over to where he was seated.

The pen he was holding had almost run out of ink and his hand was cramped by the time they were done. Alfred happily stood up and stretched his arms high above his head. The six of them eventually joined each other on stage, Matthew and Francis talking to one another happily, Kiku and Arthur talking about whatever and Alfred and Ivan talking about where Ivan was going.

"I've been recommended by Gilbert a lot. Off to play with different band next week," Ivan answered as he flicked the amplifier off before unplugging the bass guitar.

"So you gonna text me if you got the time?" Alfred asked hopefully as he placed the microphones into a cardboard box, wrapping up the cords neatly after that.

"Yah, I'll even tell you good joke when I have one," Ivan smiled, zipping the guitar case up and slinging it around his shoulder. Alfred grinned and placed the cords into their own boxes. He remembered how Arthur had scolded him about being careless with cords, telling him how it was important to take good care of stuff like that. He had taken Arthur's advice and was now a careful packer when it came to expensive equipment. "I'll see you around," Ivan ruffled Alfred's hair like a parent would to a child before kissing him on the nose.

Grinning wide enough to show his pearly whites, yet a blush still managing to dust his cheeks, Alfred pushed his glasses farther up his nose before returning the favor almost shyly on the Russian's lips. Ivan smiled in a sweet way, ruffled his hair again and turned to leave.

Francis returned to packing up his guitar after witnessing Alfred and Ivan's exchange once Ivan had turned and descended the steps that lead off of the stage. "I didn't know Alfred had a thing for guys like Ivan," he remarked.

"Me either," Matthew sighed. They were waiting for Alfred to help him pack his drum set onto his truck. "He told me the day Ivan arrived, but I'm not so sure it's the right thing," he shrugged his shoulders and stuffed his drum sticks into his pocket before helping Francis out with unplugging the amplifier. Though, he forgot the most important thing: turn it off before unplugging the guitar. When he pulled it out, it made a horribly loud 'POP!' noise and worst of all, right in Francis's ear. The other yelped and covered it with both hands. Matthew's head was slightly buzzing from the loud noise and he turned the volume down before turning the amplifier of with a shy 'sorry'.

"Ah…it is no problem mon amour, just please remember to unplug it beforehand," Francis groaned before slinging his guitar over his shoulder, his ear ringing from the loud noise. The noise had caught everyone's attention, but nobody said anything about it.

Alfred had gone off to get his truck and drive it over to the stage. Arthur was helping Kiku carry the piano to the tuck, throwing it into the truck bed before grabbing the stand, folding it and carefully placing it next to the electronic instrument. Francis placed his cased guitar and Arthur's cased guitar on top of one another in the corner to reduce the chance of them sliding around and damaging anything. Alfred and Francis helped Matthew load his drum set into the truck bed as well before Alfred got into his truck, promising to be a safe driver and driving off. Francis and Matthew got in Matthew's car since Matthew would be driving Francis home and Kiku and Arthur getting into Kiku's car.

"Good beat boxing mon ami."

"Merci."

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Lol, there's Russia x America/Ivan x Alfred. I think there'll be a little more which means YES IVAN'S COMING BACK. Lol, le gasp! Ivan isn't scary? No he's not :) I do like scary Ivan, but I like not scary Ivan better :D This isn't proof read either guys, so brace yourselves for whatever mistake you manage to catch. Please review, I love to hear you feedback and peace out my friends :D