Hello! We are Cat and Bee from RusCanWonderland on Tumblr.

Disclaimers, Notes & Warnings:

We do not own Hetalia or any characters within.

Warnings: Gore, prostitution, murder,

Notes: This is heavily based off of Gangs of New York, so that's pretty much what this AU is known as between us.

Ivan was woken by a loud bell, jerking up in his shirt and racing to his window. There was a glow of fire and pillar of smoke. The officer cursed and pulled on his pants, suspenders slapping against his thighs as he didn't bother to tuck his shirt, grabbing his hammer as he raced into the street, people screaming as they raced in one direction or another, the officer fighting against the crowd. He found the slim blonde racing towards the building and grabbed his thin arm.

"What do you think you're doing?!" It wasn't unusual for thieves to raid burning houses for valuables, but he didn't expect the smaller male to be so stupid.

Matthew nearly screeched as he was suddenly pulled to a stop, his curls wild as he whipped his head to peer up at Ivan's face, his arm instantly pulling back as hard as he could. "Ivan! Ivan please let me go. My brother…my brother can't get out…!"

Tears streamed down his smudged cheeks as he wrenched free of the officer's hold and pushed past thieves and firemen attempting to hurry and find the closest hydrant. Unhinging the door to their little home, Matthew covered his face to stifle the little coughs as he moved through the smoke.

"Alfred…just..just hold on, I'll get you out," he assured the other blonde who instantly began a string of shaky protests to just be left and for Matthew to get to safety. Matthew ignored his fussing as he pulled at one of the bricks in the wall closest to the ground and reached inside the dark hole, his fingers grasping a tiny burlap bag that he shoved into the top of his outfit.

He immediately went to his brother's side to gather him close, but no matter how strong he thought himself to be, his thin frame would never be able to hold his brother all the way to safety.

"Damnit Mattie….get..get the hell out of here," Alfred fussed as Matthew pressed the ends of a blanket to his nose and mouth to stifle his coughs.

"I'm not leaving you…"

There was an explosion of brick from near the door and Ivan slammed his hammer into the wall and shoving his way through. "Get out!" The man ordered, grabbing hold of the blanket that covered Alfred and wrapping it around him tightly before he hoisted the young man over his shoulder, turning to glare at Matthew. "Go, get out! I'll be right behind you!" There was a threatening groan from the ceiling and the heat was becoming unbearable as Ivan forced Matthew through the door, following with Alfred over his shoulders, the younger male clutching at his shirt as they moved. Eventually they were out in the street and Ivan raced over to a patch of grass nearby, laying down the blonde that had been over his shoulder. "You're alright?" He asked and the boy nodded, groping for Matthew's hand as Ivan stood. "Stay here." The man ordered, grabbing his hammer beneath the head and racing over as the building continued to burn and the fire brigade did little to stop the growing of the fire.

Matthew immediately began to fuss over his brother, his hands stained in soot and ash as he brushed them through Alfred's hair, assuring him that he was alright. He pressed a kiss to Alfred's forehead, his arms shaking as he gathered his brother into his arms and peered in the direction Ivan had ran in. "If he goes back inside he's going to get himself killed…."

Ivan groaned and hoisted his hammer in both hands, swinging it down to break through doors finding empty rooms until he found a woman screaming in the back. He managed to haul her over his shoulder carrying the woman from the building despite the burns that were accumulating on his arms and hands. He stepped into the street and placed the woman on her feet just as the building collapsed, coughing and wiping at his eyes as he sat on the grass on the other side of the street.

His eyes burned and his hands hurt, his hammer falling beside him as the man laid back on the ground and just breathed, aching and hot for a less than pleasurable reason.

Gently placing Alfred onto the grass, Matthew murmured a quiet promise to be right back as he stood and hurried to get some water the firemen were giving out and then to Ivan's side. He shook his head as he reached down to tear off the ends of his uniform skirts, dipping the shreds into the water before gently dabbing at his face.

"You're a foolish man, officer, if I may say so," he told him, careful to swipe all the dirt and grime from the edges of his burns. "You could've died…and for what? A couple of criminals and peasants?" Matthew sighed, shifting onto his knees and gently drawing Ivan's head into his lap.

"C'mon…you need to drink something. You probably have smoke in your lungs."

Ivan coughed and swallowed the offered water, his hand coming up to grasp Matthew's wrist before he fell back and gasped, eyes prying themselves open now that the adrenaline was gone. "You're alright? Everyone's alright?"

"We're as alright as we're going to be,"Matthew murmured softly, his hand smoothing gently through Ivan's hair. "You're terribly brave…your mother should've disciplined you for that." He gave him a tiny smile as he gently set to work cleaning what he could of Ivan's injuries. "Some more officers should be coming to take you to an infirmary, but maybe this will help you feel better. You…you saved Alfred…and that..that means more to me than I can ever express to you."

Ivan smiled and opened his eyes to the blonde. "Ivan." He murmured. "My name is Ivan."

Matthew smiled, his dirty fingers reaching to brush at a soot stain on Ivan's cheek like the man had done for him a few days before. "Thank you, Ivan…I'm…," he bit his lip, glancing up at an older woman that lived upstairs from he and Alfred, her body bent by Alfred's side as she fussed a fireman to give him water, too. "…I'm Matthew."

Ivan smiled at that, nodding against the blonde's lap. "Matvey… It's a pleasure to meet you, My Bludget."

The woman that had been fussing over Alfred was interrupted by an officer asking the boy if he could walk to the infirmary, Ivan grunted and rolled over, standing shakily before he straightened to his full height. "That won't be necessary." He walked over and knelt beside Alfred, smiling over his shoulder at Matthew. "He and his brother will be staying with me until their home is rebuilt."

"No…Iva-..Officer, I can't..," Matthew shook his head as he stood, hurrying behind Ivan and going to stand between the man and his brother. "I can't risk staying with you….and…I can't pay for Alfred. Please…it's very kind of you but we'll find something." Matthew licked his lips, reality and worry sinking into his being upon realizing that indeed their home was gone. He couldn't have Alfred on the streets…he'd never make it longer than a few weeks if that. He wondered briefly if Francis could perhaps speak to Gilbert…work his charms on him anything..they were his boys after all. The Butcher could find them a safe place to sleep…or at least he should have if he claimed to be so caring of all those that resided in the Five Points. Between Matthew and Francis, the amount of items stolen and favors and crimes they had committed in favor of Gilbert and his protection was staggering. A room to keep a sick boy should be nothing. But Matthew wasn't stupid.

No one got anything from the Butcher for nothing.

Biting his lip, Matthew peered up at Ivan's face. "Please…if you…if perhaps…you had space on your floor…for Alfred? Just until I can find something else…I'll come to feed him and take care of him…h-he's sick…and-" Matthew's throat was clenching as the weight of it all suddenly hit him in the chest. He wasn't prepared for this…never thought of it ever happening to them. This was the last thing he had expected and just the thought that Matthew could do nothing…It ached.

"I can set both of you up for as long as you need." Ivan smiled down at the blonde. "Grandmamma Dunlock downstairs could use someone to take care of, she keeps complaining about being unoccupied."

—

It took a bit, but eventually Ivan had managed to get a second mattress on the floor for Alfred, the blonde wrapped in blankets that Ivan tucked against his frame, the downstairs neighbor, a frail old woman with large green eyes, fussing over the two boys and preparing hot tea and whatever else she could.

Ivan had left to gather more fresh water from the nearby pump and Alfred turned to his brother. "He's much more handsome than I thought he would be."

"Alfred…please," Matthew muttered softly, his hands tucked in his lap as he peered quietly at the floor. He had been still and silent since the entire ordeal had begun…moving into Ivan's home, invading the man..a police man's space. If Gilbert were to find out…

The Butcher would accuse them, Matthew, of ratting him out…of working with the enemy and who knows what he would do to the generous man that had taken it upon himself to save their lives.

"…you know I can't stay. If Gilbert or Antonio..even Papa..if they were to see me here, they'd set this entire place on fire….they'd kill him and you..and everyone else in here." He took a little breath before he moved his fingers through Alfred's hair, gentle and soothing.

"If you're hidden here, it'll be alright. And I'll go see what I can do…I'll find us a new home..a better one, you'll see," Matthew smiled, or at least tried to as he pat gently at the covers over Alfred's chest.

Alfred nodded, already starting to drift off again as he spoke, mumbling softly, "He has very pretty eyes… I can see why you blush around him."

Flushing a little, Matthew smoothed his hand on the covers one last time before bending to kiss his brother's forehead. "Be good, Alfred," he told the sleeping blonde as he stood, dirty fingers reaching to smooth at his own disheveled hair. Sighing, he left the room, quietly hoping he could slip out undetected by the officer who would most likely attempt to keep him there.

Matthew wanted to stay. It was warm and clean, and Ivan was there. He could speak to him more…learn about him, things that Matthew hated that he wanted to do. But Alfred came first and he had to get the other blonde medicine soon and that required money. He touched the little burlap still hidden against his chest as he stepped outside and onto the dirty street, eyes glancing about for Ivan returning from the water pump.

"Matthew!" Francis was racing down an alley, grabbing his son and pulling the blonde to his chest. "Oh, thank god, where is your brother?" The older male pulled back, worry painting his face as he stared down at the blonde. "Is he… Did he make it out?" The older male had obviously been running, as out of breath as he was, his eyes wide and terrified and his hands shaking.

"Papa…Papa, everything's okay," he told him, hugging tightly to his father and hating how thin he felt through his lightweight clothes. "Alfred made it just fine…he's okay," he murmured, relishing in the feel of the hug until Francis pulled back and Matthew was nodding to attempt to soothe his worries. "I was…just on my way to tell you."

"Where is he?" Francis asked worriedly. "I… I need to see him." The blonde's voice cracked and he held tight to his son.

"He's…," Matthew bit his lip as he pulled back to peer up at Francis' face. "Papa…he's..he's with a nice man..and an old woman..they're taking care of him until I can find somewhere else for us to live." He was terrified to tell him just where Alfred was. He never expected Francis to want to actually see him.

"Matthew, you tell me where he is, I need to see him." Francis stated firmly, giving his son a light shake.

Wincing, Matthew stepped back to give distance between them. "…he's with Ivan…Officer Braginski." His eyes slipped down to the dirty alley beneath their feet as he fiddled with his fingers, lips parting to take a deep breath. "He saved us…from the fire, Papa. I told him no…that I would come to you and Gilbert for help but…but he insisted. He's warm and comfortable…and a nice woman is doting on him like a king." Matthew chanced a glance up at Francis' face, worried and fearful of his reaction. "…it's just until I can get him some place else. He's comfortable and safe and I couldn't…I couldn't damn him to the streets, Papa."

Francis' face went through a range of emotion, fear and worry being the most prominent before he nodded and peered past Matthew, catching sight of Ivan stepping into the building. "I'll go slip in." The man whispered, turning to Matthew. "Stay here." He ordered gently, cupping Matthew's face and kissing his cheeks. "I'll be right back."

Matthew nodded as he watched Francis disappear into the building Ivan had just went into. With a withering sigh he leaned against the brick wall, fingers digging into his collar to finger the chains of necklaces he kept hidden at all times, a nervous habit that used to be able to calm his nerves.

"Shacking in the pig's sty?" Gilbert's voice filtered over and the albino slid out of the darkness, his thumbs hooked into his belt as he stood before the younger male, red eyes bright with anger and something else. "What did you tell him?"

Stiffening, Matthew glared at the other male, his hands lowering as he balled them into fists. "I told him nothing. Do I look like I want to die?" He hissed, his body shrinking back a little no matter how tough he pretended to be.

"Really?" Gilbert's fingers pinched at the chin of the blonde, tilting the pale face to look up at him before he glanced at the entrance of the alley before turning his eyes back at the blonde. "Well, you know what I think? I think you're trying to get out of my fold by hiding behind the pig."

Matthew resisted the urge to spit in the Butcher's face, eyes cold and harsh as he could get them. "You don't know anything, Gilbert. It's for my brother…he's taking care of Alfred," he bit, head jerking to get out of his hold.

"Hm? And what are you giving in return?" Gilbert slid his hand over the bodice of the blonde's disguise, grabbing a handful of skirts and lifting until his hand, chilled and thin, pressed to the warm outer thigh of the blonde, fingers grasping and digging in. "And what are you going to give me to keep me from gutting you right here right now?"

"I've given you everything I've ever had," he spat, his body shifting harshly to get away from his hold. "…It's for Alfred, Gilbert. Please…I can't give him anymore than somewhere nice to be until he's gone…, and you've already taken my father from him…," he growled eyes boring into the Butcher's face. "Ivan has asked for nothing…and I don't intend to give."

"Well, then, I intend to take." Gilbert growled, grabbing thin wrists and slamming the blonde into the wall and joining them in one hand before he fitted his hips between Matthew's hips. "Or I'll bash your head in right here right now."

Hissing and arching his back, Matthew bit his lip as he grit his jaw to keep from protesting. "Leave Alfred alone…and you can have what you damn well want," he finally murmured, quiet defeat evident in his voice.

Gilbert smirked and leaned forward, nipping at the blonde's pale throat. "Of course… You have my word." The older male thrust up against Matthew's hips before he reached down with his free hand to spread thighs further and fit himself nicely into the young thief.

It was all Matthew could do to remain as silent as he could, to not protest and stay still not to make it worse. The brick dug into his shoulder blades awkwardly and Matthew bit his lip to keep from whimpering until Gilbert finally pulled away and was through with him.

"Hmm… Much tighter than your Papa." Gilbert gave Matthew's hair a small tug before he smirked and pulled away. "I'd better not hear about you telling anything you shouldn't to the pig."

"You have my word," Matthew mumbled, smearing a hand over his neck as he readjusted the skirts that Gilbert had ruffled. He attempted to straighten, at least into a lean as he spotted Francis heading back towards him. His throat clenched and his instincts to seek safety and comfort in his father's arms was easily shoved aside. "…did you see him…?"

Francis nodded, pulling his son into a hug, giving Gilbert a quick glance before he peered down at Matthew. "You will be good, oui?" The man whispered, kissing Matthew's forehead. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"Of course, Papa," Matthew assured him, a little smile on his mouth as he avoided looking at Gilbert and refused to move until they were gone.

"My Bludget?" Ivan called, catching sight of the blonde and stepping forward. "Are you alright?"

Drawing in a breath, Matthew swept his fingertips underneath his eyes before he straightened off of the wall and tilted his head to smile at the officer. "Of course…," he breathed, sauntering towards him and holding his arms over his waist. "I hope my Papa didn't give you too much trouble."

"It's the least I could do for him." Ivan smiled slightly sadly. "Come on inside."

"I don't…have to," Matthew began, knowing he should leave for as long as he could…make it seem like he didn't have a connection to the officer. Truly, there wasn't one, but Matthew couldn't help that even though he tried to decline, he slowly moved towards him.

Ivan blinked at a wet sound and stared down, frowning at the soaked skirts, reaching out and lifting the fabric slowly, staring at blood trailing down Matthew's leg. "You're hurt!" The man released the fabric and turned to look at Matthew's blue eyes. "Come here, come here." The man placed one hand beneath back, the other hooking under knees, and lifted Matthew into his arms. "What in Christ's name are you thinking…" The man pulled Matthew to his chest, beginning to walk up the alley and into his rooms. "Grandmamma? Please get me some wine? And a rag?"

Matthew hissed at being moved, his hands struggling lightly against Ivan's shoulders. "You need to mind your own business, officer," he protested softly, eyes lowering away from the man's face. He was embarrassed and frustrated and he couldn't understand why he just couldn't let himself be taken care of. Being protected came with prices, and Matthew didn't have anything to pay. "It's not…it's not as bad as you're thinking, alright?"

Ivan laid Matthew on the bed, uncaring of the blood that would get on his sheets before he lifted Matthew's skirts and paused as the older woman handed him his requested supplies. "Thank you." He told her as she left, closing the door behind her before the man tilted his eyes to Matthew. "Can I at least clean you up? Whatever it is… it could get infected."

"I can…I can clean it myself," he breathed, sitting up, his eyes tilting away from Ivan's face. He just….he couldn't look at him. Ivan was so kind..so selfless. And for what? Was it just a ploy to gain his own sort of safety from the nasty people of the Points?

Ivan frowned slightly before he spoke. "If I leave you to clean it yourself… You promise you'll actually do it?"

"And how would you ever know the difference?" Matthew cooed slightly, sitting up and hiding a wince as he did so. "Are you going to check…?" He gave him a coy smile, his hand shifting to drag his skirts sideways to reveal the expanse of blood on his inner knee.

"No. I'd trust you." The older male raised an eyebrow. "Unless you wanted me to do a taste test for the wine?" His eyes were the brightest unnatural violet intense and focused solely on Matthew's own. "I'm not going to do anything inappropriate to you, My Bludget."

"You'd be the first," he smiled, reaching to gently pat Ivan's knee. "…you need to stop worrying so much….I'd hate to see something ever happen to you." Matthew smiled at Ivan for a moment, eyes raking over the officer's facial features. Kind and handsome…he needed to get himself a wife and have a family…anything to get his mind off of the streets and the Points. "Have all the wine you want…I can't exactly dress my wounds with it."

"But you can clean with it." The man murmured. "Not exactly like I have cleaning alcohol here." The older male lifted his hand further up the skirts carefully. "I'll have you cleaned one way or another."

Hissing softly, Matthew touched his knees together, eyes locked on Ivan's face as he shook his head. "Please…," he started as he shifted back with a little mewl. "I can do it."

"Will you?" Ivan asked, his hand moving further up to grasp at a thin thigh. "I'm not leaving unless you promise to clean it."

"I promise!" he nearly sobbed, his hand reaching to grasp ahold of Ivan's bicep. "I will, damnit…" he murmured, eyes begging for Ivan not to push this any further.

Ivan removed his hand and handed over the wine, standing and walking to the door, back to the room as he leaned against the frame. "Clean yourself, I won't look, but I'll listen."

"You're awfully persistent, did you know that?" he argued softly, his body slowly spurring into life as he stood and began to undo his top and skirts. It took a little bit of effort, the ache in his lower back made more prominent as he attempted not to make too much noise.

Ivan listened to the skirts fall, eyes firmly kept ahead despite the need to look at the blonde. He listened to the wine slosh, a few drops landing on the wooden floor, the hiss of Matthew's breath through his teeth as he cleaned himself and then the ruffle of skirts being replaced.

"There's a shirt in the dresser, you can use that to sleep in." Ivan called, eyes not flicking over his shoulder but lowering to the floor for a few minutes as he listened.

"I can?" Matthew asked, soft and almost watery before he slowly made his way to the dresser, not even waiting for an answer. He pulled the article of clothing on, his fingers flexing and curling into the soft fabric of the shirt, before he reached up to smooth at his curls. "You…you can turn around now."

Ivan turned and stood in the doorway, his arms resting against the frame before he nodded to the bed. "You can sleep there tonight." He walked to the chair beside Alfred's bed, settling into it and leaning back. "I'll sleep here."

"No,…that's too much," Matthew protested, shaking his head as he held up his hands. "I can rest with Alfred…" He met Ivan's gaze, pleading and just a little fed up with how kind and self sacrificing he was being.

"Either you sleep on the bed or I'll sleep on the bed with you and pin you there." The man stated without joking in his tone. "One of the other."

Licking his lips, Matthew sighed, before gesturing for Ivan to get on the bed. "….sleep beside me. No…pinning required," he mumbled, not entirely comfortable with Ivan that close after meeting with Gilbert, but knowing in his heart that Ivan would do nothing to him that Matthew didn't want. And even then Ivan wouldn't budge.

Ivan laid down on the bed, holding out his arm for Matthew to lay down on, not moving until the blonde was in his arms and he could gently tuck the blonde within his arms. "Goodnight, My Bludget." The man murmured, one arm on the bed as a pillow, the other around the blonde's slim waist.