Chapter 4
Alfred listened to the gentle patter of the rain against the window as he cradled his sleeping brother. He was supposed to keep Mattie safe. He was supposed make everything alright. He was supposed to take care of him and all he'd done so far was none of that! He was supposed to be the hero damn it! How could he be the hero if he couldn't even keep his own brother safe. Mattie whimpered in his sleep, the pain reliever having finally knocked him out. Alfred held him tighter and wept quietly into his hair.
"I'm sorry Mattie! I'm so sorry! I couldn't keep you safe. I couldn't even keep you from getting hurt! And now," he hiccupped, "and now we can't go back home. We can't see our friends on the res. We can't hunt or play in those forests again. We won't even get the chance to hear Arthur and Francis bicker over how coffee was better than tea! It's my fault Mattie. I'm so sorry." Silent sobs wrecked his body as he began to fall apart. A gentle knock at the door had him looking up. Ivan stood in the now open doorway, an apologetic smile on his face.
"I'm sorry to intrude. I just wanted to check on the two of you," Ivan said.
"We're fine," Alfred chocked out. He meant to sound intimidating but even he knew that was unlikely.
"I see, well I've brought you some things from the infirmary. Ah! I've also brought you some dinner," he exclaimed as he began unpacking the large basket he had carried with him. Alfred watched him warily as he sat a large casserole dish and two bowls on the coffee table in the room.
"Do you need anymore water," he asked the cougar who was still watching him warily.
"…No."
"Good, I'll bring a fresh pitcher later just in case. Are your wounds doing okay," he asked further baffling the young cougar.
"Uh yeah I got Mattie all patched up. His foot wasn't as bad as it look, thank god," Alfred smiled at his sleeping twin. A weigh on the bed took his attention away and he was shocked to see Ivan sitting so close, staring at him. Slowly he reached a hand towards the cougar's cheek. Alfred's grip on Matthew tightened and he bared his fangs and snarled at the bear. Ivan did not stop his advance, his eyes calm and his hand steady. Alfred turned away unnerved by the russian's cool demeanor, ears pinned back and fearful of this stranger's hand. A gentle brush of his cheek and Alfred turned back towards the bear.
"I'm happy to hear that, but I also meant your wounds," he said as he brushed over a scrap on Alfred's cheek. The cougar winced but didn't move any further.
"Let me clean it," Ivan said softly, trying not to scare the already terrified cat.
"It's fi-," Alfred had begun to say but Ivan interrupted him.
"You're sitting in my bed, bleeding and broken and holding your brother like he's the only thing keeping you grounded right now. You were kidnapped, beaten, and shipped overseas to be sold as pets. My sisters and I just told you, you wont be able to return to your homes or families and you expect me to believe you are fine," Ivan asked with a frightening calm. Alfred gulped. He hoped Ivan hadn't heard that.
"I am," his voice trembled as he whispered.
"Please don't expect me to believe that when your face is still wet with tear tracks." Alfred looked away, shame burning across his cheeks, "Please, let me tend to your wounds as you have tended to your brother's," Ivan asked. A single nod was all he needed before he began unpacking the medical supplies. He cleaned and dressed the cougar's wounds, apologizing for the antiseptic's sting, and bandaged his battered body. Ivan finished rather quickly and served a bowl of the piping hot food to Alfred. Slices of veal were smothered in mushrooms, onions, and cheese, it smelled delicious.
"It's veal orlov, my mother used to make it for my sisters and myself when we were little. I don't cook as well as Katusha, and Natalia can't be trusted to make something edible, but I hope you like it," Ivan told the cougar gently. Alfred looked at the bear of a man sitting before him and accepted the food with a tentative bite. His eyes widened in surprise. It tasted even better than it's aroma had led him to believe! Spices, both familiar and unfamiliar, swirled across his tongue. He relished the flavor of the hearty veal and enriching cheeses and licked his lips chasing after the flavor the carmalized onions and mushrooms left. He closed his eyes and sighed, feeling such a feeling of warmth inside him he was sure he was feeling the remnants of one of the memories Ivan had of his mother. He felt so warm, so safe, and Ivan could see he was becoming more and more relaxed. Ivan slowly removed himself from the bed and to the door only then did he speak breaking Alfred from his reverie.
"We'll check in on you two later. If you need anything don't hesitate to call." Alfred nodded in understanding watching the bear go. He was mildly surprised that he felt much more at ease now but attributed it to his first good meal in a long time. Checking on Matthew one last time he curled around his twin and fell into a much needed rest. He dreamt of Ivan and his sisters as children and a fair haired women who looked upon them adoringly.
When next Alfred woke it was early morning and he felt a warm tongue licking soothing swipes behind his ear. He began to purr loudly but kept his eyes shut attempting to hold on to the happiness of the dream. Someone chuckled.
"I'm happy to see you're finally getting some sleep," Alfred could hear the smile in the owner's voice. But that voice sounded familiar. Violet eyes in a smiling face came to mind and Alfred's eyes shot open. Mattie! He tried to get up but found that sleep had hardened his injured muscles causing him great pain. Concern replaced the smile that was on Matthew's face as he settled Alfred's head back on the pillow he'd been resting on.
"Easy Al. You're injured too. You need to rest," Matthew told him.
"But-," he started but was cut off.
"No butts. I bet you spent the whole time watching over me while I slept and didn't bother taking care of yourself," Matthew argued. The blush that spread across his brother's cheeks proved that he had guessed right. Matthew smiled, his brother was always taking care of him, but from the amount of pain Alfred was obviously in he knew it was his turn to take care of Alfred. Matthew brushed his thumb across the bandage covering Alfred's cheek.
"Knowing you, you probably didn't take time to tend to yourself while I was unconscious. So who do I have to thank for patching you up," Matthew asked his brother. Again Alfred blushed. Matthew knew that Alfred was not one to accept help from others so whoever it was who had helped him deserved Matthew's immense gratitude. Matthew was patient through his brother's embarrassed silence having learned long ago that Alfred would tell him when he was ready. In the meantime he'd just return to licking soothing swipes behind Alfred's tuffy ear.
"It was Ivan," Alfred mumbled several minutes later. Matthew slowed his licks. Alfred was far less likely to let a stranger touch him or Matthew than he was to accept a strangers help.
"You let him get that close," Matthew asked carefully, "You don't usually let people do that."
"He had food and medicine. I figured since I can't hunt for you right now at least you wouldn't go hungry," Alfred shrugged as best as he could but winced from the pain. Matthew smiled. He had smelled the food when he woke up and it didn't take a genius to figure out where the food in the bowl on the side of the bed had gone. When he could walk on his own again he would make sure he thanked the larger animus for taking care of his stubborn brother.
"Have you eaten yet," Alfred asked, "I know I ate without you but I didn't want to wake you up," Alfred admitted apologetically. Matthew nodded. He would have told his twin not to feel bad about eating without him but he knew it wouldn't change anything. Alfred always felt bad when he put his needs before his brother's.
"Mmhmm I ate when I woke up. Thanks for letting me sleep. I'm feeling better too, I think those pain killers are working," Matthew knew that would put Alfred at ease.
"I'm glad you're feeling better," Alfred replied. A large yawn soon followed causing Matthew to smile, for a second he looked like he did when they were cubs getting ready for bed.
"It's thanks to your great care Al. Go ahead and get some rest, I can watch over you," Matthew replied. Alfred nodded and thanked his brother, falling asleep almost immediately. After a few moments Alfred was snoring softly. Matthew looked up at the doorway and mouthed a 'Thank you,' as Ivan's face peeked into the room. The Russian man smiled at the calmer twin, placed a pitcher of fresh water on the coffee table in the room and left just as quietly as he had come in. Maybe getting to know these cougar twins wouldn't be so hard after all. He smiled to himself as he returned to the bedroom he was sleeping in until the twins were well enough to move to rooms of their own.
Arthors Note:
Hey everyone, Sacred here. Sorry this update took a ridiculously long time. I stopped writing for a while. But a few things as a heads up: this story is more than likely going to be changed to omegaverse and the writing will be improved upon to give better quality. Please bear with me since I am only human and I make mistakes myself.
