A/N: Thank you for the reviews! The bad guy is an OC. I give you permission to hate me. I'm so sorry.
EDIT: I feel stupid whenever I misuse your and you're... that is just... ughk! =,= nvm.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters

"I'm not against you and Matthew being together. Well, I also couldn't say I encourage it. That is, of course, assuming you'll actually do something, Braginski. For one, Matthew's safety is more important now. This is a one way ticket. The minute you wanted in, there's no going out whether you like it or not. But I do believe you're man enough to face this.—" Ivan listens intently as the albino man talks, a few shots of vodka here and there, "–More importantly, you hurt him – even once- I'll personally cut your balls off. Understood? I don't even know what Francis or Alfred would do." Gilbert was dead serious. Apparently, Ivan wasn't as tough as he thought he was.

o0o0o

Eduard was typing away on his keyboard: partly processing the codes and partly thinking of where was his friend. He knew hacking into his housemates' phone was a good safety measure even if Raivis and Toris found it a bit unsettling.

"How's it going, Ed?"

Raivis came from Latvia and has been living with the two for about a year now. He was shorter than average guy with wheat-coloured hair and deep blue eyes. Out of the three, he was the youngest but also the one with the sharpest tongue.

"Still working on it. I just need to pinpoint his exact location."

On the other hand, Eduard was born in Estonia but his parents' works had them moving from country to country. With this, he had learned to occupy himself with computers to keep him busy because being the new kid at least twice a year wouldn't let you keep a lot of friends. (And he didn't want any to begin with anyway.)

"Do you think this has anything to do with Ivan and the man?" Both knew that Toris has been keeping an eye out for Braginski. A man has been prowling around his house roughly after a boy came to live with him. The typing sound came to a halt and Eduard faced his younger companion.
"You and I both know the answer to that, Raivis."
"I know."
"This has got everything to do with Ivan and that kid, Matthew."

o0o0o

Ivan never thought he'd ever feel happy – this happy, at least. This wasn't the first time, he thinks, that he's been happy. He didn't live such a depressing life not to feel happy before. He was happy when he got the house. When Toris and he became friends, he was happy. When he got promoted, that was a happy moment too. Winning over clients made him happy. But this time was different. Being happy had never felt so, so… overwhelming. It was like a stream of good things wanted to burst out from his chest.

It was so astounding that he now concludes that he's never really felt happy until Matthew.

The said blond was fitfully curled on his side. After the make-out session hours ago, it took every cell of him to gather up enough will to stop himself in spite of Matthew's flustered and needy face.

"Not now, we have time ahead of us," he said before pressing his lips on Matthew's forehead. He smiled and got off the bed. "I'll leave you to take care of that." He pointed to the growing bulge just below the boy's waist. Embarrassed, Matthew quickly turned away from him and covered his face. "Or would you rather that I help?" He teased.

Of course, what Matthew did was hurry to his shower before his companion could pester him further. By that time, Ivan had also decided to get back his own room to take care of his own problems.

"You also don't seem to notice the effect you have on me."

A familiar tune rang throughout the house. With a heavy heart, Ivan carefully removed himself beside Matthew to answer a call from Gilbert.

"Yo, the stuff is ready."

"When will I get them?"

"I'm walking to your door right now."

Ivan has the most extreme, absurd, and frantic ideas that Gilbert should be thankful he only spoke of the least unusual one: track Matthew down wherever he goes; hence, the tiny tracking device they were now in possession of.

Four men sat opposite from each other on the back porch, examining the miniscule material they had gotten hold of thanks to Gilbert's connections. Ivan had tried calling his Lithuanian friend but only got hold of the brunet's housemates through the home phone. Toris had told him stories of Eduard's exploits and though he had only made small talks with the man on a few occasions, he trusts the people skills he got from his line of job.

Ivan, Gilbert, Raivis, and Eduard did not have the luxury to fully get acquainted with each other when they discussed Matthew's situation. As much as Ivan and Gilberts wanted to involve no one further, there was no other choice. Since they were Toris's friends and Toris was deeply trusted by Ivan, it was the safest option. They wouldn't sell them out. After all, their friend is also involved in this.

"So, you're telling me that there has been a man snooping around this area for the past months and you… YOU didn't even tell me?!" Though a little uncomfortable, Ivan hid his reactions even after Gilbert brought down fists on the table, creating a loud thud. The other two remained silent.

"Did you know that your damned silence could have caused us Matthew?"

"But he's safe here, now, da?"

Gilbert did his best not to pull his hair out. "Don't you get it?! This isn't a game, Braginski. Matthew isn't just yours to protect. To hell with your feelings! Matthew's safety comes first and nothing else!" The albino's voice rose higher and louder. "His safety! Not your pride or ego or whatever. You cannot jeopardize us!"

For the first time in his whole life, Ivan Braginski felt ashamed and stupid at the same time.

Gilbert shut his eyes in an attempt to calm himself. "What were you thinking?" Ivan kept his mouth shut.

"Uh, I think that you should know," Raivis started to talk, "Toris… well…" he trailed a bit before Eduard decided it'd be best for him to finish the statement. "Our friend has been gone for a while. He was going out to regularly check on both of you yesterday, but he never came back home. We still don't know exactly where he is because his phone was destroyed even before I could completely track him down."
"All of our phones have transmitters that Eduard modified himself." Raivis added.

"Have you contacted the police?" Gilbert asked alarmed.
"No. We didn't think it was such a good idea." Eduard answered.

While the conversation between the two men continued, remorseful thoughts ran through Ivan's head. Toris was missing and though it's not yet confirmed, he has a gut feeling that that man got him.

He never intended for this to happen – never wanted for his friend to be dragged in such a dangerous state. Toris was in trouble. His friend was out there somewhere because of him – because of his stupid decision.

But how was he supposed to know? Ivan Braginski, in all of his glory, was still just a man, after all.

"Well, I think I could pull a few people from the department to secretly scout the area for him. They wouldn't tell anyone else. I might loop in some men from our station. Francis said he'd come if 'twas really necessary. Right now, we should do what we can about Matthew's situation."

No one protested against Gilbert's resolution.

"You said we only have to find something to attach this too, right?" Gilbert was lazily inspecting the small device for the nth time.

"Yes, preferably nothing too eye-catching or something that Matthew already regularly wears." Raivis confirmed.

"Accessories like earrings, necklace, or rings would do." Eduard added.

"But Matthew doesn't usually wear those things." Gilbert said.

"Yes, in fact, the only thing he ever wears is his glasses and it isn't such a good option seeing they can easily be lost." Ivan thought long and hard before speaking. "But perhaps we could just ask him to wear a watch. Just a simple time piece is inconspicuous, don't you think?"

"I think it's a good idea." Gilbert affirmed.

Ivan remembers the unused watch in his dresser. His never seen Matthew with one so it was probably alright to assume he didn't have one. He briefly excused himself to retrieve the said watch.

What happened next caught them off guard.

Just as he was departing from his room, a loud crashing noise came from downstairs. Gilbert cursed loud enough to be heard by Ivan, disgruntled moans from Eduard and a Raivis. He clutched the silver in his hands and ran to where the boys were only to be met by smoke, most likely from a teargas.

"Gilbert!"

"Ivan! Get to Mattie!"

Bang! Bang!

The sound of bullets being fired was unpleasant. He could see nothing; only hear clattering and falling of various objects.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"ARGHHH—"

It was the sound Gilbert falling.

Everything happened so fast. He had turned around to run upstairs despite wanting to help his comrades. Ivan knew he had to keep Matthew safe. He knew, but there was nothing he could have done as he felt a piercing pain on his left shoulder.

Bang!

And then another one not far from the first.

He slumped against the bottom of the stairs feeling the intense burning on his left shoulder. He felt the blood soak through the fabric of his clothes.

The faint sound of someone walking to him made him attempt to stand only to fail. Then, he was faced by a masked man pointing a loaded gun to his head. By this time, the blood loss was making him dizzy: double vision and little black spots appearing. And all he could think of was that everything was screwed up. They screwed up. And Matthew… oh dear God, help Matthew.

The click as the gun was prepared for firing wasn't new to him. And as much as he wanted to fight, he can't.

"STOP!"

o0o0o

Francis Bonnefoy stared at the broken piece of ware on the floor of his apartment. On a regular day, he would fuss over the spilt expensive wine, but at that moment there was a gut feeling telling him something was off.

Like his good friend, he tended not to ignore his instincts. After all, he too was a detective.

His flight was in twelve hours. He would have gone there sooner if he was allowed. And right now, he wished he had just threatened the living hell out of his boss to allow him his leave.

o0o0o

Toris Laurinaitis felt his consciousness slip in and out. The man left him half dead somewhere in the woods and Toris couldn't find it in himself the will to stay put.

"Ve~! Ve~! Fratello! Fratello! A man! Ve~!"

"What the hell are you screaming abo—holy fuck! ANTONIO!"

o0o0o

Matthew was shaking. A gun was pointed at Ivan who was already bleeding a lot.

"I'll do whatever you want, but please, leave them alone."

The masked man looks at him and outstretches his arms, beckoning Matthew to come. There was no way out. Matthew could either let them die and fight or help them by going with this man. Heaven knows he's too good to risk anyone.

He descends the stairs slowly, hand pressed against the wall so he wouldn't lose his footing. Hesitantly, he places a hand over the man's.

"Matfey, nyet."

Matthew's knees felt weak as he heard Ivan plead. But he didn't have time to look back as the masked man pulled him away.

Outside, a white van with tinted windows was waiting. Matthew was harshly shoved inside, but he didn't say anything. He heard the engine start and felt as the vehicle sped away… away from the house, away from Ivan and Gilbert, away from safety.