I apologize for posting part of this early in ch 19, the proper chapter is in its place now.

The day passed on for the rest of the house, it'd be dark in a few hours. Matt was getting restless. Al still hadn't come back and all attempts to comfort Ro had failed. She'd spent the last hour in her room, refusing to unlock the door.

Maybe he should just go looking..

He ad to. He couldn't sit anymore. Matt rushed out, scanning for his brother.

Al finally responded to the contact. *Hi Ma'ie!*

*Where are you?! I've been looking for ages!*

*Uuuuuuh a tree..?*

*...*

*Hey why couldn' da chickies come wiff me huh? Is a bew-de-fuls day! Right misser fishie?* He sounded drunk.. Whether it was from alcohol or just exhaustion had yet to be seen..

Irritation started to radiate from Matt, the heat and his own tiredness making him increasingly short tempered. *Get your ass home, now.*

*...no..*

*I will drag you if I have to.*

*I can't..*

*Why?*

*Cause..*

*Alfred.*

*No!*

Matt just huffed, tracking down his tree. It took a good while, though there was hardly a sign of him until he saw a small spot of white. Wait small? Matt frowned and started climbing, surprisingly nimble for a bear.

What he found was a nearly two and a half foot tall eagle swaying dangerously on it's perch. A fish clutched tight in it's right claw.

Matt nearly fell out of the tree in shock. *Alfred?!*

He had done a full morph. And because of his already low energy he was exhausted and stuck.

*You idiot,* Matt sighed tiredly, coaxing him to perch on his shoulder. *You need home and rest now.*

*No! I don' wanna go home!* His struggled feebly. *She don' like me.. Vanya won' like me either...*

*They can put up with it. Besides, it might help your brood.*

But everyone hates Eagle.. Hates him.. Bear, Iain, Ro.. He spent the day wild attempting to get away from the pain for a while.

Bear hated him, true, but Iain and Ro were more scared than anything... Not that that was much better... It took a lot to scare the Scotsman...

Al tried to get back to his branch. Matt wasn't having it. He tucked the bird under one arm and climbed back down the tree. Al whines kicking his legs feebly. One still held the fish he caught for the chicks while the other was just clenched shut. In the end he hid his head in Matt's side.

It wasn't like Matt enjoyed doing this to him, he just wanted him at home where he'd be safe and he could watch him... The chicks needed Al... He hid the whole way back, as if he couldn't be seen if he did. Matt spared him a lot of questions by taking him straight to the brood and explaining quietly to Ivan. He got settled in snuggling with his chicks, Al barely got through feeding them before dozing off.

Ivan watched over them while Matt went to his room and just collapsed on the bed, too hot.

Francis walked in. "Mattheiu?"

He looked up groggily. "Oui Papa...?"

"Are you alright?"

He nodded softly, sitting up just to pitch forwards.

Francis frowns catching him. All this stress had overheated him... He was hot to touch. The fact Al was sick too probably wasn't helping.. "Come on, let's get you in the tub."

Matt just moaned softly, brain like a fried egg right now. Francis coaxed him up, half carrying him to the bath.

"Papa.." Matt dragged his feet, hunting groggily. "Where's Gilbert...?"

"I think he's downstairs."

"I want Gillie..."

"Let's get you in the bath then I'll go get him alright?"

He whined softly but didn't fight.

Francis fills up the tub and helps him undress, easing him in. Matt eased in with a sigh, the chill so much needed against his flushed skin. Francis washed him down for a few minutes before deciding he could leave for the albino.

By the time Gil got up there, Matt was half asleep, hovering between reality and dreams. He sat on the toilet gripping the blondes hand.

Matt clung tight, addled brain cooling slowly. "Gillie..."

"You called?" Gil grins.

He smiled weakly. "I love you..."

Gil chuckles kissing his head. "Worked yourself up didn't you?"

He sighed, smile dying. "Ro's depressed, there's a small zoo running around downstairs and now Al's gone and gotten himself stuck as a bird...!"

"It'll work out. With me around how could it not?" Gil chuckles a bit.

"Everything was picking up... Then it just plummeted... I dunno what to do..."

"I'd say take a nap. You need it."

"But... So many things still-"

"Ah! You can't do anything if you end up bedridden now can you? Just relax for a while and then come back to it."

Matt grumbled slightly but couldn't argue the reasoning behind it. Gil grins softly petting his hair. Matt pouted some but leaned into his touch. Gil let him soak for a bit before helping him out and into pjs. Matt snuggled up to him, ready for that nap.

It grew dark outside after a while. Francis debating on waking the twins for dinner. Of course he wasnt entirely sure about that bird Matthieu brought in.

Matt might have forgotten to mention Al...

He turned to Arthur asking his opinion.

"The bird is harmless enough," Arthur shrugged, not bothering look properly.

The fact that the signature white head was hidden made it hard to identify.. "Should we wake them up?"

"Probably... If only to make sure no one knocks the nest..."

"You get them, I'll set up."

Arthur nodded and set to. Al hadn't moved since he fell asleep, but then again they didn't know it was him either. Arthur just carefully took the nest upstairs. If you paid attention you could see his feathers puff tensely, otherwise he didn't so much as twitch.

Not that Arthur saw. He just put the nest down before his own young demanded his attention, stamping through the hall again.

Al sighs mentally. The household was slowly bubbling back towards chaos...

God he needed to stretch.. But he couldn't be sure it was safe too. The clamour drifted away from his room, the door shut. He was alone.

Al peeked out looking around. He got up stretching the cricks out of his neck and wings before slumping again. He still felt horribly sick.

He really should just let Matt help him, tell him how to help... It would save all this struggling and messing about...

That would help with the chicks yeah but not his attitude. He just wanted to go and hide, find a nice cliff and take the six of them to roost for a while. But that couldn't happen unless someone moved them or the chicks could fly...

Ugh.. It was hopeless.. Matt would never let him leave now. And the last thing he wanted was for the others to know what happened.. He was stuck, sulking in a nest on a bed... Either way all he could do was wait for Matt..

One search for the Canadian would find him fast asleep, getting some much needed rest. Al sighs settling in again.

A few hours passed and things settled down a bit, but no one had bothered him or wondered where he'd gone... Probably assumed he went for a walk.

*...Matt..?*

He received an incoherent mumble, Matt still resting.

Al whines softly fluttering over to the desk and looking out the window. The sky was starting to darken, twilight flittering over the trees. He wanted out.. Get away from judging minds.. Shame the window was shut...

A knock sounded on the door, a muffled voice calling his name.

Crap..

It opened slowly, soft brown eyes peering into the room, scruffy red hair sticking up at odd angles. It was Ro... "Al..? I... I wanted to apologize for earli-" she broke off, seeing him by the window.

And this is exactly why he didn't want to come home..

She just froze, staring at him.

He ducked his head taking a step back. She flinched, grip on the door tightening. She looked close to either tears or screaming... Probably both.

Eagle was so tired of that look.. If he had the physical ability to cry right now he could.

A door opened down the hall, Matt's consciousness brightening as he woke up again. Al trembles softly.

*Al..? Are you alright?* Matt picked up his twin's distressed near instantly.

*I told you I didn't want to come back..*

*What happened?* he started getting up in the other room. Ro was still frozen in the doorway, looking very sick.

Why..? Just the slightest hint of gold and this was their reaction.. This exactly why he never wanted anyone to know in the first place.. Not everyone freaked out... Matt understood fully. Arthur and Francis, though a little shocked, had accepted it rather well. Iain only became wary after being attacked, so no one could blame him...

Alfred's problem was the fact he was practically walking around with a loaded gun...

But that wasn't true.. Eagle was as happy go lucky as he normally was. A hell of a lot more cheerful than Bear seemed.. On a normal day the worst he would do was beg for fish or be hypnotized by his own keys. But being attacked like he had been hurt deep.. But practically no one knew that. Because Al kept it secret, they only ever saw Eagle when he snapped and lashed out... He stepped back again looking away.

Matt came up to the door, taking in the scene. He gently guided Ro away, calling Gil out to take her. *You alright?*

*Why does it have to hurt so much..*

*It's hard for people to handle what they don't understand,* Matt slipped in, closing the door before coming to Al. *I know we agreed to keep them a secret, but it might be safer for everyone if we just explained Eagle and Bear to them...*

Al crawled into his lap needing a hug. Matt complied without comment, just wrapping the bird securely in his arms.

It was a while before he calmed down again.

*Can you shift back yet, or do you need help?* Matt asked gently, still stroking feathers.

*I'm too weak.. Feel sick..*

*Then let's help you feel better first,* Matt picked him up, carrying him back to the nest. *Anything you need, just tell me.*

*Water?*

*Anything to eat just yet?*

*I guess I should..*

*Just rest, I'll sort it.*

Al settled in snuggling his chicks. Matt slipped off to fetch him a meal.

He felt kinda shameful for making himself so vulnerable. But it was his own fault he supposed..

Matt soon returned with a water bowl and a plate of assorted meats. Al took his fill and fed the chicks as well.

Matt waited patiently. *Better?*

*Yeah..*

*What do you want me to tell Ro...?*

*..Take me with you.. We can tell everyone..*

Matt held out his arm and let Al climb on without a word. He kept as light a grip as he could and still keep balance. They walked out of the room and downstairs.

*Hold on if you need to,* Matt offered him a confident smile. *I'm used to Kuma biting me, after all.*

Al gripped a little tighter. He didn't even flinch. It took a little while to gather the house but they soon had everyone in the kitchen. Al kept his gaze to the floor, still weary.

"What's this about?" Arthur frowned levelly

*Go ahead..*

"I need to talk with you all... You deserve an explanation about mine and Al's spirit animals and what they mean for us..." he set into explaining everything.

Al couldn't help him except giving reminders. He couldn't speak anything other than bird at the moment.

"Right now, Al is trapped in his full shift," Matt lifted the bird, eyes set on Ro. "Too much stress can make our spirits take over... Just like in the airbase... Just as when Bear snapped at you, Arthur... They are their own powers but we can guide them..."

*Artie's and France's don't seem strong enough to think on their own though. Or are they just not old enough yet do you think?*

It was Bear that answered him. *Because we were born together. We are one and the same. Their's were grafted onto them long after their minds were set in stone. The powers are there, but they can't get a strong enough link to form personas.*

*Oh..* he was surprised the Furball bothered to answer.

*Don't compare me to a Halfling, Featherbrain.*
Matt sighed tiredly at his own spirit's unruly nature.

Well that was more like him..

"My point is... This is what we are..." Matt just sounded tired by now, kind of hollow for sharing something so personal. "By this point, you just have to deal with that... If you can't, I guess it was nice to know you, because we won't change. We can't."

Al hugged him mentally, wishing he had proper arms.

The others in the room just sat silent. Matt couldn't tell if they were processing or judging... He tensed, waiting for an answer.

"So.. This other you.. Does he like me?" Gil grins.

*The white one is arrogant and foolhardy - in need of a good smack.*
"Um... Kind of," Matt laughed nervously. "For a polar bear, he's sort of grizzly..."

Al laughs, or tried to, as Gil shrugs and comes to kiss Matt. Matt melted into the kiss, needing the reassurance.

Francis turned to Arthur. "Did you know about any of this?"

He shook his head gently. "I had an idea, but..."

"Alright just checking. It seems like I'm always the last one to know these things, just because I don't have magic dosen't mean I don't like to be informed.."

Arthur took his hand and squeezed comfortingly. "I'm just as surpised as you this time..."

Francis smiles and glanced back over to them. Ivan and Ro had yet to speak.

Ivan had just sat, seemingly unpeturbed by the news. He had let it all sink in and waited for Gil to step back from Matt before going to offer his arm to Al. Al blinked up at him and shuffled over.

Ivan smiled warmly, pecking his feather head. "You are still my Fredka, feathers or not."

If he could smile he would. But he did make a sound similar to purring as he was swept with relief. Ivan snuggled him gently, stroking his glossy brown feathers.

Francis glanced to Ro. She hadn't moved, troubled gaze fixed on her lap, hands gripping her skirt as tight as they could. She was wound like a spring and trembling with the effort of holding it in.

Francis walks over. "Ro..?"

She flinched, shirking under his gaze.

"Are you alright..?"

She just shrank further, whining softly. He frowns worriedly.

It was hard to tell what exactly she was feeling, but the emotions were strong... Al ducked his head nervously. Ivan placed a hand on his wing protectively.

Francis sat next to her touching her shoulder. She took a sharp breath.
Matt frowned, quietly suggesting they step out for a moment. Ivan walked out with Al.

Arthur stayed, perching on the coffee table. "Care to explain?"

Gil sighs. "I don't think she likes birds.. Matt came and had me get her when she walked in on Al earlier.."

"Still... This is Alfred, what's he going to do?"

Gil shrugs.

Ro just sat there, coiled with tension. Arthur frowned, reaching for her hand. "Ro... Whatever it is, you can tell us..."
She yanked her hand back sharply, as if his touch burnt her.

Francis frowns softly.

Hurt flashed across Arthur's face for a moment then it was gone.

"Please talk to us..?"

"He's an eagle..." she whispered bitterly, hatred filling her voice.

That didn't bode well..

She stood suddenly, brushing passed them as she tried to leave the room.

"Ro.."

Arthur grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.
She spun on her heel, lashing out blindly. A loud crack split the room as she slapped Arthur across the face. He let go in shock. Ro just glared at them all, trembling with fear and fury.

The others stood there stunned. Since when did she even have that in her?!
When no one moved, she turned and fled upstairs, locking herself in her room.

Francis sighs going and hugging Arthur. Arthur folded into him, cheek stinging. It was already red and starting to bruise... Francis rubs his back gently.