Alright very long chap today, couldn't find a place to cut. ^^'

"Do you think teddy will be safe in the car?" she asked softly when the store came into view.

"Yeah he'd be fine."

She hummed softly before nodding. "He can guard the car."

Al smiles and they head inside.

"What do we need to buy here?" Ro bounced eagerly.

"Meat and fish for sure.. Bread, milk, and other stuff."

"How we gonna carry it all?!"

"In the basket."

"Oh yeah," she giggled. "Silly me! I guess I haven't really been out much since I got bigger!"

Al grabs a basket and they head off. Ro insisted on picking up all the things they needed, wanting to be as helpful as possible. Al had picked out the meat though, he wanted to be sure it was a good cut for all the birds and bears.

Soon enough, they had nearly everything they needed. And some things they didn't, like snack cakes and ice cream.. Ro skipped over to the shelf, looking for their last item. Kuma wanted tuna, but only ate a specific tin brand.

While she was looking, two teenagers walked passed, flipping her skirt. Ro panicked, turning red and the duo laughed spitefully.

Al tripped them as they walked past him.

They stumble into each other, yelping in surprise before turning to glare at Al "You got a problem buddy?"

"No but apparently you do, have you always had bad balance?" he looked curious.

They glare him down for a long moment before spitting on the floor and walking off. Al sighs, some kids were worse than others..

Ro came back with the tuna, trying not to let them upset her. "I-I found it..."

Al puts it in the cart and hugs her. She hugged back tight, taking a moment to steady herself. He rubs her back gently.

She never quite got over the incident with Nate, just before they stopped him... Strangers trying to touch her, even innocently, had her on edge.

"It's alright, come on let's get home and eat some of that ice cream."

She smiled softly, holding his hand until they got back to the car again. They loaded up and headed home.

Molly and Ivan helped them cart everything in before Molly shooed them away so she could put it in the cupboards. Al was beginning to feel banned from his own kitchen... When was the last time he'd even used it himself...? Though he had been laid up for a while..

Well, this was his house. If he wanted to go into his own kitchen, he damn well could! Molly didn't even live in this continent!

He sighs curling up on the couch with his nest. Ivan sat on the floor by his head, letting their cubs tumble curiously over his legs. Al smiles softly playing with his hair. Ivan hummed warmly, giggling whenever he tickled his neck.

It was nice to have a quiet moment like this.. Just five minutes where something wasn't going wrong.

Though Matt would be leaving soon.. Al supposed his cubs would have to go with him.. They were smaller... Would they manage the cold okay? He frowns softly watching them.

They were lively enough, and eager to go. But would the ice be too cold? Al leans closer to Ivan hugging him. The Russian snuggled in, kissing his cheek.

He couldn't help but worry.. About them and about any possible future ones..

"They'll be okay," Ivan whispered, reading the look in his eyes.

Al smiles softly kissing him. Ivan kissed back warmly, humming with contentment. Al smiles nuzzling into his scarf.

Ivan turned, wrapping him in a warm hug. "I love you."

"I love you.."

He leaned in for another kiss but stopped just as a voice intruded on their moment. "Um... Al?"

He glanced up.

Ro stood by the door, new bear hugged to her chest and Alice in Wonderland clutched in her hand Al sits up waving her over as he sat on the floor next to Ivan. She hurried over, careful of the cubs as she sat next to Al. "I got lonely..."

Al wraps an arm around her while gripping Ivan's hand with the other. Ivan squeezed softly while Ro snuggled in.

"So you were at the Cheshire Cat right?"

She nodded softly, opening her book again. "He kept talking funny... I got confused. I don't know what he means."

"It's supposed to be confusing. He talks in riddles that have no real answer." Al chuckles.

"But... He must mean something," she frowned softly. "Even if it's silly, it's gotta mean something...!"

"You'd be better off asking Artie about it, that book just seemed like a bunch of jumbles to me."

"Maybe later..." she didn't want to get up just yet. "How can someone be more them now than they were before but still not quite themselves..."

"Ya got me." He shrugs, Al never was much of a philosopher.

She pouted, burying her face in her bear. "Silly cat..."

They settled together snuggling for a bit. Al turning the TV to the news out of habit.

Ro sighed. This was the boring channel where only bad things happened... He would change it soon enough anyway. She cuddled into him, closing her eyes as she waited for it to pass.

Ivan straightened slightly, attentive. Al glanced up.

The news reader sat in her chair, grim-faced. "... the recent protests in Russia have started developing into all out riots. Officials say..."

He frowns turning to Ivan. Ivan's eyes shone with an odd mix of horror and relief.

Al grips his hand. "If you need to go.."

"I should be with them..." he muttered, kissing Al's knuckles gently.

Al smiles sadly hugging him with a kiss.

"Will you be okay without me?" he asked softly.

"I'll be fine, go on they need you."

Ivan pecked his lips once more before heading upstairs to gather his things. Al watched him leave and pulled the nest closer, if this kept up it'd just be him, Ro and the chicks soon.

Ro sat and just watched him. She must have thought the same thing because she quietly asked "Would you be sad if it was...?"

"Nah, it's just when we all get together like this it feels kind of empty when everyone leaves ya know?"

"Okay..." part of her still had a feeling she wasn't who he'd chose if he got a choice.

Al hugs her close, it wasn't that he preferred them over her, he just loved everyone's company in general. She still struggled to see that, even though she loved them all like they loved each other.

Al changed the channel and they just snuggle for a bit.

Arthur found them there a while later, smiling softly. "You two okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine.."

"Good.," he came and sat in the chair by them. "Were you still planning to send Ro to school in September?"

"I might.. We still got a lot to catch up on though."

Ro huddled into him uncertainly. "I don't wanna..."

He frowns softly.

So did Arthur. "Why not? You were so eager a little while ago..."

"Those boys we met at the store..." she whispered. "W-what if I have to go to school with someone like that...? Y-you won't be there, I..."

Al frowns hugging her. "More than likely someone will catch them and get on to them for it, teachers take these things seriously."

"I'm scared..." she clung to him.

"It's ok to be scared.."

"Why can't I just stay here... Y-you can teach me..."

Al sighs softly. He wasn't always going to be free to help, he was lucky the work from the last few months had been rather light..

"Ro, poppet," Arthur shifted to the floor, taking her hands gently. "As nations, we get very busy, you know this..."

"B-but..."

"Honey, there's no way... Besides, we want you to make friends and have fun. We forced you into our world, we need to teach you how to use it and school is the best way."

Al rubs her shoulder gently. "Please?"

She sniffled softly, desperately just wanting to cling and cry until they gave in but she knew they wouldn't. "I-I have to, don't I..."

"Just give it a try, you might like it."

"If they're mean, I'm coming home..."

"Alright.."

She snuffed dejectedly before folding into him. Arthur sat back with a sad frown. Al rubs her back gently.

"The next issue," Arthur continued after she'd had a moment to calm down. "Where did you plan to enroll her? No doubt she'd be happier living with you, but England really does have the best overall education system... She'd be well supported and protected by my healthcare, should anything go wrong..."

"Um.. I never thought about that.."

"Well, you've been somewhat distracted," Arthur smiled softly, picking up Koda before he could run off. "I considered it last night. Ro, would you be happy to come live with me for a while?"

Al turns to her unsure. Ro just huddled into Al, clinging desperately.

"It's up to you.."

"I don't know..."

He rubs her back softly.

"Think about it," Arthur kissed her brow gently. "I promise you'll be safe no matter what."

Al smiles at him and snuggles back down. Ro curled into Al, promising Arthur she'd think about it.

She trusted Arthur, but being so far away from Al had her panicking. He was her ultimate safety blanket. They sat for a while cuddling.

The rest of the day passed with little in the ways of excitement, lazy summer dragging along. Al had kept the cubs close in that time, unsure if he'd ever see them afterwards.

Honestly, the duo seemed a little lost without Ivan, but the snuggled into him without hesitation. It made him feel bad that he hadn't been more involved now..

He had had the chicks though, so it wasn't like he'd just been sat idle. Still.. He just sat with them close by petting the soft fur.

Ro had dozed off on his shoulder so he was stuck on the floor for a while anyway. Everyone else was dotted around the house, tending their young. At least it was fairly calm for the moment.

The cubs were starting to get hungry though. That is, is if the nips on his fingers was anything to go by.. Either that or they were teething, who could tell?

He sighs shifting Ro, he was starting to get sore anyway. She whined, trying to cling to him.

Great.. Ro could get pretty damn annoying whenever she hit her clingy moods... It was like having a baby. Not like he already had seven others wanting attention as well..

Y'know, maybe sending her off with Arthur wasn't such a bad idea... Maybe she'd learn how to live through all of a day without bursting into tears or clinging to someone...

The problem was convincing her to go.

...he could always make her... He was her legal guardian. Until she was eighteen, she had to do what he said...

That would probably end badly though..

Arthur could probably handle it... Better to ask him though...

For now he needed an escape route. If he could just maneuver her onto the couch...

He shifted again attempting it. She whined but didn't fight it, hugging teddy tighter instead. Al sighs getting up and stretching, then goes off for the cubs dinner.

Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten either since lunch.. Actually he didn't eat lunch.. All he had today was a cup of coffee.. Better grab something quick before Molly found out... She could be more persistent than Matt sometimes..

The kitchen was empty for a change, this section of his house finally open to him again. He grins at that moving off to make something for himself along with the bottles.

At least Molly knew where everything in his kitchen went. Speaking of the Irishwoman, where did she go? Al glanced around curiously as he worked.

Arthur's rabbits kept hopping by the window... Maybe they were outside?

He fixed himself up some pizza rolls and bottles for the cubs before heading back. Ro still lay where he put her, but her eyes were open. She'd curled up, deep in thought.

He sits down next to her, "You alright?"

Ro shrugged softly, hugging teddy tighter. He offered her some of the rolls, cheese of course. She took one, chewing slowly. Al ate one himself and went about setting up the bottles.

"I have to go," Ro said quietly. "Don't I...?"

"Ro.. I know it's scary, and it's not that I don't want you here, but I honestly think it will help you.. I promise I'll come over as often as I can."

"But you're always busy..." she already sounded resigned to her fate. "You barely had time now..."

"I know.. But I do get breaks here and there, and I promise I'll visit when I can."

"What if I need you before then...?"

"Then call me. Tell you what. I'll get you your own phone even."

"Promise you'll answer no matter what...?"

"Yes."

Ro sighed, sitting up to hug him. "Okay..."

Al held her tight smiling warmly. The cubs whined impatiently by their feet, trying to get the bottles on the table. Al chuckles picking them up into his lap.

Ro smiled softly. "Can I feed one?"

"That would help, thanks."

She picked up Koda - Kenai was just a little too big for her dainty hands. They sat feeding the bears, taking bites off their own plate on occasion.

Ro seemed to be brightening a little but not much. It was a start at least.

It was weighing heavily on her now that she had to go to England and leave Al behind...

He hadn't been truly alone in the house since before the first encounter with Nate, there was always the hours at work or on planes but Ro had always been waiting when he got home.. It was going to feel so empty without her there...

Hopefully it won't end in anxiety attacks either.. He's grown too used to company the last two years..

Then there was Ro herself. She'd never been away from Al and Nate had made her wary of strangers. The last thing she needed was to have her own panic attack on the first day of school... She'd never live it down...

This would be tough for both of them.. But they needed it too. They needed to move on...

Once the cubs were fed, Ro sat on the floor and played with them for a while. Al takes their plate back to the kitchen and fed the chicks as well.

With the young sated and Ro subdued once again, they were left to sit idly. Well it would be dinner here in a while..

"Alfie!" Molly suddenly appeared out on nowhere, pouncing over the couch on him.

"Ack!"

Ro yelped in shock too but Molly just laughed boisterously. "Relax! Honestly, thought you'd have heard me clonking down the stairs."

"What's with the hyper?"

"I had a nap," she shrugged. "Felt woozy before but now I'm on top of the shop unstoppable!"

Al frowns, "Woozy?"

"Yeah," she sat on the coffee table and picked up a chick. "Arthur said it was likely mild heatstroke, since I don't do weather very well."

"Oh.." That had to mean Matt would be leaving soon.. The polar bear cubs had been inside and inactive for a few days... It really was too hot... It was time for them to go... His hands fidgeted nervously.

Molly noticed, frowning softly. "What's up honeybee?"

"Matt'll leave soon.."

"Taking his cubs somewhere the poor things won't melt?"

"Yeah.. But he'll have to take mine too.."

"Teddy bear boot camp," she pouted sympathetically. "Will you get to see them while they grow?"

"I don't know.. Matt has to teach them how to handle the wild.."

"Doesn't mean they're not your babies," she pouted "So long as you don't coddle them or anything they should be fine."

He smiles softly.

"Have a chat with Mata, see what he's happy with."

He nods pulling a brown fluff into his lap. The cub snuggled in instantly, getting comfy. Al sat petting him.

Ro fidgeted slightly, glancing between the others.

He glanced up, "You ok?"

She shrugged softly. "I think so? Just... Out of sorts, I guess..."

Al hums softly.

"I don't like change," she whispered, staring at the floor.

Al frowns softly, hugging her. She had so much taken away..

For her, it felt like she was being forced out of her own home now by moving to England. She was still tempted to try and take her room.

"It's just for a little while.. You'll be back by summer.."

"It's summer now... Next summer's like a whole year away..."

He just holds her close. She just leaned into him, sighing tiredly. He gave a sad smile to Molly.

Molly just shifted forward, taking her hands. "Would it be any easier for you if I stayed with you? I know I'm not quite Al, but we're friends, right?"

"What do you think?"

"I guess so..." Ro shrugged. She was going regardless, what was the point?

Al rubs her back softly.

"When do I have to go?"

"I'm not sure.."

"The school year in England starts at the beginning of September," Molly hummed. "It's nearly August, so not for a couple weeks. Still, we need to sort you out a uniform and books, transport there and home again..."

So soon..? Al's own anxiety bubbled a little like that. Ro hugged him, almost seeming to sense smiles softly.

"It's gonna be okay," she muttered.

"Oh, one other thing," Molly added softly. "Since Ro isn't really a human name, you need to get used to being called Rosie. It's the name that's on all of your documents and it's the one we give the school..."

"M-my name..." Ro froze at that. "I-I have to change that too...?"

"No not really, just tell everybody you like to be called Ro and they'll think it's a nickname. They wouldn't mind."

"Exactly," Molly smiled quickly. "You just have to remember that teachers are going to call you Rosie, is all."

Al smiles brightly. Ro still sat unsure, feeling like she was being turned into someone else slowly...

He felt bad for that, he wished there was something she could regain of herself.. First her home and family, then her wings and race... Now it was her home and identity... It just felt wrong... She wanted to scream and rebel against it... But she couldn't.. She couldn't bring her anger above a simmer.

Maybe he could ask someone, there had to be something they could do... At this stage though, it might be more helping her find herself than getting her old self back... Too much had happened to her for her to stay the same...

But maybe it could help center her again, even though everything kept changing it'd still give her something to hold onto.. That was all she needed. To know just who she was again.

He'd ask them about it when Ro wasn't around, he didn't want to get her hopes up. The last thing she could withstand right now was an emotional blow like that.

For now though, she seemed to be at peace with everything, if not rather morose.

"So what do we want for dinner?" Do we even want dinner? He added in his head..

"Y'know, it's pretty damn hot today," Molly smirked. "Why don't we just eat ice cream?"

He chuckles, they could manage that at least. Even Ro smiled.

"Come on, let's just grab a tub and a spoon!"

Al let's go and watches them head off to the kitchen. The girls came back giggling, carrying four tubs and spoons between them. Al smiles softly scooting over. Ro handed him a spoon while Molly pulled the tubs open. They sit digging in.

"Ah! Brain freeze!"

Al laughs at that. Ro blushed brightly but her smile grew. Al grins.

"Shut up," she nudged him playfully.

It just made him chuckle more, he was happy she was upbeat again. Molly just had a naturally warm light around her; it was hard not to be bright around her. They continue with 'dinner' much happier now.

Arthur came in at one point, scolding them and saying ice cream wasn't a meal. He came back and filled a bowl nonetheless...

Al didn't feel like eating real food at the moment anyway.

When their tummies were full, they flopped back with a satisfied sigh. They sat on the couch snuggling together. Ro ended up squished between them, stuck in Molly's cheer'em up campaign. At least it was working.

Ro was smiling again, bad mood starting to shift a little. The same went for Al.