For a story that was supposed to be a one shot, it's doing really well. I'm sick right now so I might as well take this chance to update.

Matthew sighed to himself, "Jesus," he stuck a blunt between his teeth to light it, "I must be crazy, yelling at some star in the sky. I probably didn't see anything… great now I'm acting like Alfred…"

He remembered back like less than a year ago when Alfred was so convinced he met an alien named Tony. He even made an alien scouters club, which was soon dissolved due to lack of members and the science fiction club (aka Star Trek and Star Wars Fans Anonymous) filed a complaint.

Matthew paused as the flame hit the rolled up paper, "Alfred…"

He put out the lighter and enjoyed the tingling sensation of high getting him. Alfred and Yao were conspiring against Ivan and even got Gilbert in on it. On top of that he got Lizzy's head all screwed up, Roderich was slammed against some lockers, and, above all, Gilbert was seriously hurt.

"Not very heroic at all," he inhailed.

Breathing out he noticed a tall boy sneaking through the trees. His joint fell from his mouth. No way, that can't be Ivan… It is Ivan. The Canadian kid stumbled onto his feet and ran after the Russian. He slipped on a patch of ice as he was crossing the road and scuffed up the palms of his hand.

"Ivan!"

The boy stopped and stared at Matthew. He looked like a deer caught in headlights. Matthew managed to get up and make his way to his friend. Ivan looked like he was about to make a run for it, but decided against it so he could check on Matthew's hands. They were scuffed and probably stung so Ivan gave Matthew some snow to hold to tide him over until they found a CVS or Walgreens. They started walking.

"Running away?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why not, you know?"

"Are you really okay running on your own, Ivan?"

"I've been running my whole life Matthew. Now I'm just running from here."

"It's lonely, running by yourself."

"It's okay, I've been alone most of my life. It sounds really stupid but running away is probably the only real decision I've ever made and honestly I couldn't be more pleased with myself."

They stopped and sat in the roots of a mighty oak, it's branches covered in God's dandruff… I mean snow. They just sat there. Ivan reached into his bag and gave Matthew an Oreo from the box Felix gave him.

"Thanks."

"You look like you need one."

They each had a cookie in hand and simultaneously took the top cookie off and moved the craked half to their mouths where they started to lick the cream off. They noticed each other and gradually began to quicken their licking. Finally it was all out war, who could get the cream off first? Would it be cowardly to simply use your teeth? Yes, this is a man's fight, and men use only tongue… no homo. Matthew was victorious, he was the master and Ivan hanged his head in shame.

"How are your hands doing?"

"Fine. Hey Ivan? I was thinking, if you don't mind, would you like a partner to run away with?"

"What?"

"You can't live life alone, even if it is easier. Let me come too. Besides, I have a car, we can cover more ground if we leave together."

"Yeah but why would you want to run away?"

"Why not?"

"That's not fair."

"Neither is life kid, let's run away together."

Matthew leant in, his eyes were kinda sexy peeking through his hair and glasses. Ivan still refused to let Matthew run with him. Matthew sighed.

"You leave me no choice, why don't I just call the cops now and give our location?"

"You wouldn't!"

"Just let me come with you."

"Why do you want to come along so badly?"

"Jesus, you are dense. Obviously it's because I like being with you Ivan. And what's really left here if the only interesting person decides to leave? Come on Ivan, let's go be crazy together."

"You like being with me?"

"Yeah, so let's go on a fun run with the cops in heavy pursuit."

Ivan gave it some thought, "Alright, you can come."

Matthew felt like one of those girls who got to go into the "no girls allowed" tree houses the local six year old boys all seemed to have. Ivan stood up, hiding his face in his big white scarf.

"Matthew?"

"What's up big guy?"

"I- I ummm… I like being with you too. You're…. A REALLY COOL GUY! Sorry, I didn't mean to scream that last part."

Matthew's nose turned red along with the rest of his face as he stood up. Those words made him happier than he thought they would. He sighed with relief and started to laugh.

"Hey!? Why are you laughing!?"

"Haha, it's just, haha, I wanted you to like me so much and now you do! Haha!"

Ivan was very happy now. If he was going to run away he was glad Matthew was going with him. Matthew seemed to understand him in some strange way Ivan couldn't even understand himself. And then Matthew sneezed. Ivan realized that his friend's attire was rather thin and maybe he was catching a cold. Without thinking he removed his scarf and wrapped it around the smaller boy to try and warm him.

"Uhhh sorry, I don't want you to get sick."

Matthew reached out and grabbed Ivan by his shirt collar and pulled him in to go for a kiss but stopped. His mouth twitched, why couldn't he pull Ivan any closer? The boy was too surprised to resist. It was Matt's own body that was betraying him in this instant. Matthew let go and exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Ivan only stared wide eyed at what could have happened.

"We'll go back to my house and I'll grab everything we need and I'll meet you at the end of the block with the van okay?"

Ivan nodded. He looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting dark and the sun was starting to set. They made haste to Matthew's home. Ivan stayed behind in a bush. Matthew snuck into his own house and made his way up the stairs to his room where he started rummaging through his things, trying to find his camping bag. He reached behind his bedpost where he pulled out a shit ton of weed. Was it to sell or use? Probably both. Then he reached under his mattress where he pulled out two pistols. Why does he have those and under his bed of all places!? He shoved his things into the bag and froze when he heard the door open behind him.

"You seem to be in a bit of a hurry," said Alfred, the other side of the coin that was the two of them.

"Booty call," Matthew replied as calmly as possible.

"You're always lying Matthew, but you're not very good at it."

"Well, I fooled you this long."

"Where are you going," the older of the twins asked.

"You already know so quit asking such tedious questions," replied Matthew.

"You're running away with Ivan aren't you?"

"What gave it away," he darkly and quite sarcastically replied.

"If it wasn't the bag then it was the scarf."

They stared at each other, studied each other. Suddenly they heard the front door open. Their dad was home. Their dad, chief of city police, was home. Matthew froze in terror, Alfred remained the same.

Ivan was so afraid, he had no idea Matthew's dad was chief of city police. He wondered if Matthew would manage to even get out of the house? Is it too dangerous to wait just a little while longer? It was a mistake to wait because what happened next scared Ivan out of his wits.

"…Big Brother?"

He looked over at his shoulder at his greatest fear: little sister Natalia had found him hiding.

….. across town and maybe a little earlier…

Ludwig was on a little stage while Kiku sat watching him. They were at Kiku's father's Karaoke Bar and Ramen Shop. Ludwig had been so stressed as of late Kiku figured the best way to help his friend would be to humiliate him in private.

"WE SAY GOODBYE IN THE POURING RAIN AND I BREAK DOWN AS YOU WALK AWAY! STAY! STAY! CUZ ALL MY LIFE I FELT THIS WAY BUT I COULD NEVER FIND THE WORDS TO SAY! STAY! STAY!"

The muscley German boy screamed into the microphone. It was indeed humiliating, Especially going after Kiku, the Karaoke master. Legend tells of a boy who went to the arcade with a backpack full of tokens and played Dance Dance Revolution from opening to closing until he was a dance dance master. Imagine doing karaoke with a dance dance master… who was Asian. Continue on to find that the Asian's dad is owner to a karaoke bar and ramen shop. Now, feel the shame welling inside you and you'll feel like Ludwig. His song finally ended and he took a seat, chugging his Canada Dry (the preferred non-alcoholic beverage of young girls who like to pretend they're drunk).

"I'm so pissed off," he scolded his drink.

Kiku simply held up the song book, "Would you like me to chose another song for you?"

"No! Another song won't help! That god damn Ivan! That god damn Gilbert getting his ass kicked! I swear when I see that Russian bastard I'll kill him with my bare hands! I'll punch him in the throat and then rip out his throat…. WITH MY TEETH!"

"I have to say you're angry side get's more and more attractive as I get to know you."

"Now isn't the time for jokes Kiku. Ivan sent my brother to the hospital! That alone is enough to make me want to gas him."

"That, and he's in love with Feli."

Ludwig twitched at his friend's words. Kiku, however, was extremely calm and laughing internally at the world around him; this small world of teenagers making things so much bigger than they actually are. Kiku sipped at his Ramune Original. Ludwig leant over and rested his face in his hands to try and his rage.

"Yeah, that alone should have made me want to kill him. I did want to kill him. But then he started to act so differently. I thought that maybe it would be okay like this, that maybe Ivan had changed. He couldn't have Feli, no way in hell, but since he changed then it would be okay for them to be friends. But he didn't change, that was my mistake. That sneaky bastard! He tricked me!"

"You make it sound like Feli is your property."

"He's not my property, he's my lover."

"Does he know that?"

Ludwig paused for a moment. Now that he really thought about it, had he really ever expressed any form of affection toward the Italian? His feelings always seemed so obvious to him but could it be true that Feli had no idea of Ludwig's true feelings? Does it matter? Feli likes him enough. Ludwig would be just fine if things never changed.

"But things will have to change Ludwig."

"You can read minds!?"

Kiku ignored the sexy man smex in front of him, "Cinderella's carriage turned back into a pumpkin. Ariel turned back into a mermaid. Your dream will come to an end soon enough as well."

"You make it sound like I'm completely delusional or asleep or something?"

"The whole world is asleep, Ludwig. Practically everyone you meet is asleep. But the few people who are awake experience constant and total amazement."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you had better wake up and tell Feli how you feel before someone else does and experiences happiness beyond your imagination."

"Wake up?"

"Ivan! Ludwig, Ivan is an actual threat to your invented romance with Feli."

Ludwig fell silent again. There was a huge silence. Finally the german boy managed to mutter,

"Kiku… since when did you get a sense of humor?"

Kiku threw the songbook at his companion's face, "Don't be stupid. You know, as well as I do, that Ivan is a legitimate threat. Feli may very well be realizing his true feelings and those two could hit it off."

Ludwig jumped from his seat and completely ignored the throbbing of his head and heart.

"Then I have to confess to him! Right now!"

"Don't be in such a rush, we still have another hour before we have to leave."

"I'm sorry Kiku, but Feli and I have to hook up right now!"

"Doesn't he get a say in this!?"

"Nope!"

With that the Arian sex god left the building at incredible speed. Kiku sighed and found a smile creep onto his face.

"Things are getting… so interesting," he leaned back in his seat and laughed a little bit, "Who will it be Feliciano? And what will Yao do next, I wonder? Not to mention dear Alfred. The hunter has become the hunted and their world has become a game in which only I know the rules."

Kiku stopped in the middle of his anime monologue and picked up the microphone. He looked back at the door where Ludwig had just left. He whispered to himself the lyrics.

"Cuz all my life I felt this way but I could never find the words to say… Stay… Stay…"

LOVE TRIANGLES!

Hands are a motif in this story, if you haven't already noticed. Hands are used mostly because I have this deep obsession with fingers and people with nice hands because my hands are not very beautiful. But hands also interest me because they can build and destroy and that's kind of what this story is about: Everyone can have a second chance and build a better world around them if they try. The fingers on each hand also represent different things. The thumb is good and bad. The pointer is from provocation. The ring finger can represent marriage. The pinky represents a promise. And, my favorite, the middle finger represents "FXCK YOU!" But yeah, I just wanted to make hands obvious because I think hands are cool. They also represent how you're feeling by shaking or the temperature or the color. Hands guys, hands.

Now use those hands of yours to write a REVIEW! XD