Alfred and Arthur were at the grocery store when they ran into Ivan. Alfred inched his way behind his papa.

"Hello, there lad," Arthur said, looking done at the kid. "Where are your parents?"

"They are, uh, getting some, um, ice cream," Ivan said.

Alfred saw something different about him. It was hidden by the very long scarf that Ivan wore. Alfred was staring so long that Arthur had to cover his eyes. "It's not polite to stare."

"I have to go," Ivan whispered, turning around and picking up the basket that he dropped. "Bye-bye."

Alfred watched him go and thought that he saw his shoulders tremble a little. Why are you lying? he thought.

Ivan dragged the grocery bags into the apartment, huffing a little with the strain.

"Where the hell is the food?"

Ivan froze from shock. The big man was back from where ever he was last night. The big man was angry again.

Ivan silently pulled the bags to the doorway of the kitchen. The big man was standing in the middle of the room. There was lady in the kitchen chair. The air was stale and smoky from the stick in the lady's mouth. "Didn't you say that you had a son?"

"The kid is not mine," the big man said.

"Good. Can we throw him out into the streets?"

"That could solve all of my problems," the big man said, turning around. "You! Where have you been?"

"I-i-i went to g-g-get groceries," Ivan said, the bags of food being dragged when he pulled on the handle.

"Good, now pack your shit!"

"But-"

"What did I say?"

Ivan kept quiet and went to pack the little belongings that he had. He even took the picture of his pretty mommy. Leaving the tiny room, hugging the ratty old teddy bear that his mommy gave him before she left, he stood in front of the big man.

"Ew, why did you keep him?"

"I promised his mother but I realize now that I don't care about her so he could just live on the streets."

"Aw, you took my idea," the lady said, smiling through the smoke that the stick created.

Ivan stood there, his big violet eyes tearing up.

"Mommy! What's wrong?"

"Ivan, sweetie, mommy loves you."

"Mommy."

"Get out!" The big man took Ivan's teddy bear and threw it out the window. "And don't think about coming back to this place."

Ivan ran down the stairs. When he got outside, a bunch of birds were crowding around his teddy bear.

"No!" Ivan ran towards the group of birds, shooing them away. They wouldn't leave and started to peck at Ivan's little head.

A rock came flying threw the air and hit one of birds that was pecking his eyes. "Leave him alone, you stupid birds."

The birds started to scatter when more rocks started to fly at them. Ivan opened his swollen eyes to stare at two blurry figures, one tall and one small. A blend of blue and green washed together. He felt someone pick him up and start to walk down the street.

"...get the bear...to the hospital..." Little snippets reached Ivan's mind until it was completely dark to think.

Alfred flipped through the book he had in his lap, the colorful pictures getting him confused. He had to stay in the waiting room while his papa checked on Ivan. He remembered how he pestered about seeing the comic book store located in the bad part of town.

*"Papa, please," Alfred said, folding his hands under his chin and sticking out his lower lip for good measure.

"Alright, Al."

Alfred jumped up and down, running towards the car. As they headed for the comic book store, Alfred saw a teddy bear being thrown out the window.

"Papa! Look!"

Arthur turned his head just in time to see Ivan running out the building, a book bag on his back stuffed with clothes. He was heading for the flock of city birds. Arthur pulled over and got out of the car, Alfred following.

The birds started to attack and Alfred picked up a rock and hurled it at the birds. The birds started to scatter when he threw more rocks. Arthur had to hold onto his arms or else he was going to hurt Ivan even more.*

"Al, come on," Arthur said, coming out of the room. "There is someone I want you to meet."

Alfred got up and ran into the room. He was met with hopeful violet eyes.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," Ivan repeated, a slow smile coming onto his face.

THIRTEEN YEARS LATER

"Ivan, can you please come down here for a minute?" Mrs. Robinson called out.

"Coming!"

From down the hall on the second floor emerged a tall teenager with violet eyes and pale blonde hair. He wore a scarf that was a little too big on him.

Ivan grew into his size very well and he could defend himself better than when he was five. When he go to the bottom steps, he was tackled to the ground by a ray of sunshine. Ivan looked up and saw blue eyes happily shining behind small, wire framed glasses.

"Hey, Ivan," Alfred said.

"Hello, Alfred."

"Bloody hell, Al," Arthur said, leaning against the wall near the door. "Let the poor lad breath for two seconds."

Alfred got up and bounced in place.

"Are you sure that you are 18 years old and not still 5?" Ivan asked, standing up and wiping his hands down the front of his jacket.

Alfred stopped bouncing and walked up to Arthur. "Pops, he's being mean, again."

"Act your age, Al."

Mrs. Robinson took hold of Ivan's arms and dragged him to the living room. "You have all your things packed? Everything is set? Are you sure you want to go? Did you get your teddy bear clean?"

Ivan smiled softly at Mrs. Robinson. She has been so good to him after leaving his father. But because of his childhood, Ivan can tell why she was fussing. His mental state has not been well. He has to be taken care of and he gets startled easily but with Alfred and Arthur there, he's been doing a lot better.

"Yes, Mrs. Robinson. Everything is fine and I am sure that I want to go." Ivan pulled her hands off of him, very gently. "Don't worry. I'm going to be just fine."

Arthur and Alfred had Ivan's bags in their hands. Ivan's teddy bear was secure under Arthur's arm.

"I know, it's just that, the kids will miss you," Mrs. Robinson said, hugging Ivan around the waist.

"I know."

Ivan stepped away from the woman who let him into her home. Without this person, he will never be able to get on with his life. "Thank you for taking care of me all these years."

"You're welcome."

"Ivan! Come on!" Alfred said, smiling happily. "We're going to be late."

"Late for what?" Ivan asked, stepping closer to the blonde duo.

"Al!" Arthur said.

Ivan tilted his head slightly to the left.

"Nothing!" Alfred said, going outside to wait in the car.

"Arthur?"

"You'll see later trust me," Arthur said, taking the bag on the floor and turned to Mrs. Robinson. "Thank you for taking care of him. It was great that you did that for me."

"Oh, Arthur," Mrs. Robinson said. "You flatter me."

Arthur smiled and turned to leave the house. Ivan turned back to her and hugged her, trying not to cry from the happiness he feels.

Ivan held on to his seat belt for dear life. He didn't want to go where ever they are taking him. Arthur, also, needs to slow down before he kills them. Alfred seemed unfazed by this; he was dancing in his seat to the music playing on the radio.

"Where are we going?" Ivan asked, trying to keep his voice normal.

"My family invite us to their place upstate," Arthur said. "We are staying there for a few days then we will go back and get you all set up in your new room."

Ivan felt his heart beat faster, Meeting the family? Are they insane? I am not ready to meet their family yet! Ivan felt a panicky feeling enter his body. I don't wanna go and meet their family.

It was going got be a long time before Ivan can feel like he can breath.

A/N: A new chappy! Isn't it exciting? Not my best work for this chapter but please review and there will be more! Bye-bye!