Ivan had become accustomed to his now normal banter with the American. The constant fighting and bickering, the tension because they could not act out violently, it all brought him so much amusement. It distracted him from his darker thoughts.

The absence of it was awful, the loss of the vibrant cocky smile on Alfred's face left him empty inside. The boy ignored him, and he found himself alone once more. No one spoke to him, only Alfred, and now Alfred had stopped. All he had were his thoughts, and his thoughts usually scared him. They consisted of memories best forgotten, worries over relations left abroad and the violent urges he wished to contain.

He realized he needed Alfred back before his mind deteriorated into insanity.

Sadly, Ivan wasn't the best at understanding others inner turmoil. His childhood had lacked close relationships with other people, leaving him at a loss of what to do in delicate situations such as this. Logically, he thought he would need to understand why Alfred was sad. Better yet, if it was his fault that the bubbly American was now depressed. The question was how to find such valuable information?

Then, Ivan remembered Alfred had a brother. The fact had momentarily escaped his mind, the boy's name was Matthew correct? Though Alfred seemed to only refer to him as 'Mattie', which sounded like 'Matvey' the Russian equivalent. Maybe Matvey would know what was wrong with his brother? Yes, he should ask him. So, Ivan waited impatiently for the next day to arrive in order to interrogate the young teen.

He went to the school early, waiting for the Bonnefoy brother's arrival. Ten minutes passed as the students slowly arrived, filling the halls when finally he spotted the blond twins. It seemed Alfred was still in his bad mood, though he was forcing a horribly fake smile on his face that no one would ever fall for. Something clenched in Ivan's chest and he waited for the pair to separate.

Matthew squeezed Alfred's shoulder reassuringly before going down another hall. Ivan was about to make his move when that obnoxious albino came running toward his target. How annoying. Ivan's head tilted in confusion as the pair shared a kiss before continuing down the hall side by side, Gilbert starting a one sided conversation. He thought they were friends...We're they in a relationship? Hmmm... He'd have to ask Alfred when he fixed things.

The bell was going to ring soon and he was running out of time. He needed to talk to the blond now, so that he would be able to fix things before he and Alfred had a class together. His patience was wavering and his violet eyes darkened. The albino didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. Very well, he'd have to act now.

In a swift movement the Russian advanced toward them, grasping Matthew's arm and with surprising speed dragged him away without a word. Matthew's eyes widened as he was wrenched away from Gilbert's side and soon flung into a dark empty classroom. He was too shocked to scream or thrash from the grip, it had happened so fast. Now he was trying to regain his balance with the help of a desk, he had almost fallen after being thrown into the room.

Gilbert blinked rapidly as Matthew left his side in a blur. The hell just happened? He twisted his head around in search of his cute boyfriend when he heard a door close, almost slammed shut. His eyes fell upon the only door closed. Quickly, he pushed through the crowd and into the mostly vacant hallway. He reached the door and turned the knob, finding it locked. He heard scuffling inside and a loud noise soon muffled. With mounting dread he peered through the tiny window on the door and gasped.

Ivan had his hand covering the thrashing blond's mouth who was trying to scream for help. Matthew had no idea what was going on but for all he knew the teen was trying to hurt him or rape him. He had just locked him inside a dark empty room and was trying to keep him from speaking. This was not right, and he was getting very frightened and he wished Gilbert were here or Alfred.

"Stop!" Ivan finally ordered, patience completely spent as he sent the thrashing boy a harsh icy glare. Matthew stilled, though he couldn't stop the tremor of fear as his blue violet eyes met the cold purple ones of his captor. His mouth was still covered and he debated on whether to bite it or not. Sure he had known Ivan for a bit now, but he couldn't trust the boys erratic behavior nor his violent tendency.

"I am not going to hurt you. I only have a question about Alfred." Ivan clarified. Matthew blinked and his body relaxed visibly. It was always his brother wasn't it? He was so troublesome. When he felt the boy comply, Ivan released his grip and stepped away. "Now tell him to stop making so much noise."

Threat on his life lifted, Matthew finally realized that Gilbert (or atleast he assumed it was him) was trying to break the door while screaming. He blushed, nodded quickly to Ivan before scurrying to the door. He unlocked it, almost having the albino crash into him. After assuring him that everything was awesome he forced the other to leave so he could speak privately with the Russian.

"Why is Alfred sad?" Ivan questioned when the door was closed again. Matthew sighed, so that was what this was all about.

"He's just mad about his grade."

"So it is my fault."

"No. He's just sensitive over the subject." Matthew stated, it wasn't Ivan's fault that he had gotten a better grade.

"Sensitive?"

Matthew felt uncomfortable revealing such personal information about his brother to his enemy (or at least that's what Alfred insisted on referring to him as). "Its not my place to say Ivan. In this case, he worked hard and still lost to you. So he's just angry and disappointed. He'll be ok in a few days" Hopefully at least. His brother did seem more hurt than usual.

"I see..." Ivan murmured, so Alfred would feel better if his grade was higher than his own? Maybe he could fix that...

The bell rang before he could ask anything else and Matthew rushed away, hating being late to class no matter what. Ivan was so far happy with his progress, he now knew what the problem was and therefore could make out possible solutions. The most obvious one being to get his grade lowered. It seemed simple enough.

Ivan ate his lunch quickly, sitting alone on the schools roof. Apparently, no one was allowed to be up here but no one bothered to stop him. He preferred eating up here anyway. It was quiet and peaceful, unlike the crowded cafeteria. The cool breeze made his scarf flutter slightly and he thought of his dear elder sister, alone somewhere in Russia. He missed her and Natalia so much. They were all he had ever known...

He cleared his thoughts quickly, focusing on the matter at hand. Solving the issue of Alfred's current mood, so that they could return to arguing and therefore continue until they consummated their relationship. It was the American way from what he could deduce, and though it seemed odd he accepted it. Alfred did seem quite patriotic so then he would respond more positively if it were done through the customs of his people.

Finishing his last bite, he stood up and walked over to the door. Descending down the stairs before entering the empty hallway, he looked up at the clock and saw he still had time before class started. Perfect. With his normal creepy smile in place, he proceeded toward the familiar classroom he shared with his dear American, U.S History.

He opened the door and saw the teacher siting at her desk, writing a few notes down. She looked up as he entered and smiled at him.

"Hello Ivan. You're early today." She greeted.

"Da, I came to ask you to lower my grade" He decided to be blunt.

"What?"

"My grade from the previous test. The one I received a 95 on? I need it lowered to at least below a 90 preferably lower." He clarified. Why was the teacher still looking at him confused? Had he misused an English term? He thought he was making his point quite clear.

"I...I don't understand" She murmured, brows furrowed as she looked at him.

His violet eyes twitched and he forced his smile wider. Patience, he told himself. There was obviously some miscomunication that needed to be explained. No reason to hurt the women, no matter what the urges building up said.

"I said, I need my grade lowered." He reiterated and still she stared at him. Perhaps a knock on the head would help her inferior mind? No, he must control the urges.

"But why?" She asked, still horribly confused.

"The reason is of little importance. Will you do it?" Or will I have to force you? He shook the thought away, his fists clenching at his sides. He took in a slow calming breath, he could not hurt the women.

"Grade's cannot be lowered... Unless of course you cheated or something..." She answered, still trying to understand the strange request.

"Ah. Then I cheated."

"You cheated? On who?"

"...Alfred" He answered after a moment. This was so very troublesome. Bashing her head in was starting to seem like a better alternative.

"But you scored higher than him...And you're answers are different..."

"I guessed a few. But I cheated. Now lower my grade." The bell rang and he cursed mentally. This was suppose to be quick and easy.

"Cheating gives you an automatic zero. Is Alfred putting you up to this? I know you two don't get along."

"Nyet he is not. I merely wish for you to lower my score." How many times did he have to explain this? His patience was wearing very thin and he bet the teacher's blood would be such a pretty color against the dark wood of her desk...

Students were filing into the room now and among them he recognized the dismal American he was trying so very hard to appease. Unfortunately, the teacher spotted him also.

"Alfred? Come here please." She ordered and Alfred looked up, grimacing at the sight of the taller student before walking up to the desk.

"Yeah?"

"Are you harassing Ivan into lying about cheating so that you could receive a higher grade?" She asked, almost accused. Alfred stared at her in confusion trying to reign his sudden anger. Everyone kept accusing him of things, was he that disappointing? Did anyone believe in him anymore?

"...What?"

"It has nothing do to with him. Lower the grade." Ivan said tensely, maybe he could get away with only breaking a few of her ribs...

"Lower your grade? Why the hell would you ask her to do that?" Alfred asked, turning his dull blue eyes toward the Russian. That didn't make any sense. Or maybe he was just too stupid to figure it out.

"You are mad because I received a higher grade than me, da? I am correcting the issue." Ivan responded easily.

"You're doing it...for me?" Alfred questioned, his cheeks starting to color. "Why?"

"Because I prefer you vibrant and argumentative."

Alfred pursed his lips in thought and looked away. "Don't. Don't change your grade. That's stupid." he mumbled, not meeting the others eyes and going back to his seat. Ivan blinked and the teacher wasn't sure what to make of the whole ordeal. Ivan left her desk, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite the intimidating character.

Ivan sat down in his own chair and wondered if he had messed up again. Alfred wasn't frowning at least... He seemed to be thinking, his rosy red lips pursed adorably. It made him want to kiss those lips. Really, he needed to correct their current relations quickly so that he could advance their companionship into something more personal.

The Russian went through his head for something else to tell the blond. Something that would finally end this ordeal. Matvey had said that Alfred was sensitive about his grades, though he refused to elaborate. If he had had more time he probably would have been able to coerce more information from him.

Sensitive? Was he embarrassed by them? Maybe disappointed? From what he could tell Alfred didn't usually receive high grades. Did it make him question his own intelligence?

What had he told him that had first set off the American? He had been trying to instigate an argument... He had said something along the lines of his inferior intellect. Perhaps if he assured Alfred that he was smarter than he felt he was? Surely complimenting him wouldn't hurt, if anything it could only advance their relationship forward. Yes that's what he would say.

Of course, he had to wait until the class was over. It was one of the only ways he still felt connected to his lost sister, her pleas for him to do well in school still ingrained in his fragile mind. So, like a good student he took careful notes and tried to keep his mind in English mode, it was so very easy to switch back to Russian.

The bell finally rang and he needed to act quickly. He followed the rest of the class outside the classroom and before Alfred could walk away grasped his arm. Alfred, startled, turned back to him with a questioning look in his glazed pensive eyes.

"Alfred, even though I received a higher grade then you on the test, I still believe you to be a very smart person." There. Now lets see how he would react.

At first Alfred stared at him with wide eyes, and his whole face soon turned into a bright red. He pulled at his arm, tugging it free and taking a step back.

"The hell!" He snapped, trying to cover his embarrassed blush with anger. "You're the one always calling me an idiot!" He accused. Ivan blinked, surely that was true but he couldn't admit that or he would get no where.

"Well, you refer to me as a communist but we both know that isn't true." He countered leaving the other without any responses.

"I...I have to go!" Alfred said quickly, his only excuse to escape the awkward situation. He rushed away from the Russian and hurried toward his next class. What was the commie's problem?

But worst of all, he was smiling. He couldn't believe he was actually happy because of the stupid comment!

...Still, someone actually believed he was more than Airhead-Alfred, believed he actually did have a brain and could use it. And it was his enemy no less! He knew Mattie had been telling him this all along but it meant way more coming from Ivan than from his younger twin brother.

When he reached the door of his next class he had a full on grin displayed on his face, one he couldn't suppress. Ivan thought he was smart. Ivan thought he was smart.

For the first time he didn't care that his grades weren't the best, didn't care that Dad was always disappointed about them. In fact, he couldn't give a shit because someone could overlook that fact. Someone could actually see that he was smart, and it made him happier than he ever thought it possibly could.

Maybe Ivan wasn't that bad... Maybe he wasn't a freak... Maybe he just needed a friend to argue and talk to... Maybe he needed Alfred to be that friend.

And Alfred was suddenly ok with that.

"Hey Mattie! What up!" Alfred called happily as he spotted his brother on his way to their bus. The younger turned around and stared at his now perky brother. Had something happened? Or had he merely imagined the last three days of Alfred's dark mood? Surely this wasn't the same brother from this morning?

"Alfred?"

"That's my name." Alfred answered, coming up to his brothers side and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "How was my little brother's day?"

"I'm only younger by a minute, Al." Matthew responded with a raised eyebrow. He didn't want to ask about his sudden mood change, fearing it would bring his brother back down into the dark depths of depression. He'd tell him soon enough; Alfred was horrible at keeping secrets.

Al laughed and gave his brother a friendly noogie, enjoying the shouts for him to stop. He released him finally and Matthew glared at him before combing his hair back into place. "Jeez Al. Why do you have to be so annoying?" He asked dryly as Alfred continued to snicker. Why did he want the regular Al back? At least depressed Alfred didn't bother him incessantly.

"Aww you're so mean to me Mattie."

"I wasn't the one physically harassing my brother"

"You're so sensitive."

"And you're stu- annoying" Matthew quickly corrected and Alfred laughed again. Good thing he caught himself, he didn't want Al to go back down that road.

"But you still love me~" The American reminded with a grin, stepping onto the bus. Matthew rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically, as if that fact was the scourge of his very existence. It didn't really matter what had perked up his brother's mood, at least Alfred was happy again. That was the important thing.

Alfred happily sat down in his seat with his brother, feeling the previous days no longer weighing down on his shoulders. All because of Ivan. It was so weird! Maybe he should do something nice to him? But what...

His mind turned back to the promise he made a while ago. The one about fixing the others precious scarf... That could work, it would make him like his hero! He grinned and knew what his goal was for tomorrow. Easy enough.

The bus ride seemed faster than usual as his mind raced with heroic antics of presenting a newly mended scarf to Ivan and having him cry in happiness, claiming he was awesome and the savior of this world. Yep, that would totally happen. He just needed to make sure his Dad would do it, then he'd have to get the scarf from the commie.

The pair climbed off the bus and hurried back to their home, Alfred almost skipping there. Matthew was greatly amused and wondered if Ivan was the cause of his brother's good mood. If he was, then he was eternally great full and it was worth being scared shit-less because of the morning's antics.

The pair entered the empty house and Alfred imediately turned on the TV, seaching for something entertaining while procrastinating on his homework. Matthew rolled his eyes, having done most of his own during his study. Alfred should actually try and do that instead of playing paper football with Gilbert or the trashcan.

"When is Dad coming home?" Alfred asked impatiently, giving up on the TV and leaving it on Mythbusters. Sure it was 'educational' but he liked watching shit blow up. Especially that one time with the cement truck, fucking awesome.

"Same as always, in like a half hour or more. Why?" Matthew responded, glancing at a lewd text he had received from "The Awesome Tamer of Your Heart". (Gilbert apparently stole his phone today without him noticing). He rolled his eyes and typed back a tame response.

"I need to ask him something. Old man's probably at some crafts store buying yarn.." He grumbled and Matthew snickered knowing that could actually be a possibility. Their father was so odd...

The pair watched the television on and off, not bothering to change the channel when the show switched to Cash Cab. Soon they got pretty into it with Alfred shouting out answers while Matthew cried out his own. Matthew usually one and would rub it in his face and Alfred would snap at him and they'd fall silent for the next question. The two were competitive like that.

It was during a Red Light Challenge, with them yelling out the five neutral countries in WWII, that their father came home. Arthur was quite perplexed at all the yelling in the household as he put down his sewing supplies.

"I'm home." He called out and was surprisd to hear a thumping noise as if someone fell off the couch. Then, Alfred appeared before him, rubbing his lower back with a wince of pain portrayed on his face.

"Dad, you're a tailor right?" Alfred started and received a sigh along with a bored tone.

"Yes, Alfred. I'm a tailor. Have you just realized you're father's profession of 10 years?"

"8 years, mon amour." A french accented voice correted, nearly making the two blonds jump out of their skins.

"Bloody hell Francis! Why are you here?" Arthur snapped trying to pull away from the sudden embrace he was enveloped in. Stupid frog.

"I closed the bakery early." Francis answered, nuzzling into his husband's neck before pulling away. "Bonjour Alfred. You seem happy again? I'm glad. Now where's mon petit Matthieu?" The frenchman called, drifting away toward the family room.

"Where were we? Oh yes you were questioning my profession."

"I wasn't questioning anything! I was just trying to talk to you. God, you're so difficult!" Alfred huffed.

"Difficult? I remember you used to hang on my every word. How adorable you were at night when you asked me to tell you just one more story." Alfred reddened slightly and crossed his arms, pouting in denial.

"I was six! And back then pirates were cool."

"What do you mean back then? Pirates are still 'cool'."

"Nah, ninjas are way awesomer. Kiku told me all about them."

"Ninjas? A pirate could beat a ninja easily." Arthur stated firmly.

"No. A ninja would!"

"Pirate"

"Ninja"

"Pirate"

"Ninja"

"Francis!" Arthur yelled and waited for Francis to pop his annoying head into the room.

"Oui?"

"Who would win in a fight. A pirate or a ninja?" Arthur asked and dared the other to disagree with him. Francis put on a thoughful frown, placing a finger on his chin as if contemplating the most important question in the world.

"Ninja" He answered. He saw Arthur glare at him with such intense fury that he decided to hurriedly add, "But Pirates are sexier. Especially you, Captain Kirkland. I've been such a naughty cabin boy haven't I?" He cooed. It didn't seem to help his husband's temper so he quickly escaped away.|

"See?" Alfred snapped, grinning triumphantly. Papa could be awesome sometimes, instead of the embarassing pervert he usually was.

"His opinion doesn't count. He's french." Arthur countered. "Matthew!"

The younger teen sighed as he came into the room the current feud was being housed in. He really didn't want to get into the middle of this stupidity. "Yes?"

"Pirate or ninja. And remember who will be paying for your college." Arthur reminded darkly.

"Hey! You can't do that! Mattie, remember I'm your twin so you have to back me up or you'll go to hell!"

Matthew frowned at both of them. Really his father was such child sometimes.

"Come on Mattie! Pirate or ninja?"

"Mountie." He answered seriously.

"Mountie? Those are the dorky guys in red in that place above us right? Our soon to be 51st state?" Alfred questioned.

Matthew bristled at the comment in indignation. "It's Canada! And no it's not going to be the 51st state! And the Canadian Mounted police is not dorky."
"Whatever. You're opinion is now invalid. I win" Alfred declared, heroes always win in the end.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter. What were you going to ask me?"

Alfred blinked before he recalled the whole point to this conversation. How had he gotten so side tracked? "Oh yeah, could you mend a scarf for me tomorrow?"

"Of course. But, you don't normally wear scarves."

"No, it belongs to...uh... a friend..." Alfred answered. Refering to Ivan as a afraid, creepy.

"Oh. That's fine then." Arthur answered easily enough.

"Thanks!" Awesome, phase one was over. Now all he had to do was get the scarf from Ivan tomorrow.

I do not own Mythbuster nor Cash Cab and for that matter Hetalia.

And this chapter comes to you early because I've been sick and bored and when I'm sick and bored I write.
So Alfred is happy once more! Yeah! And Ivan saved the day! Yay!
And you spoiled readers got your chapter up two days early.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!
I actually basically finished the next chapter. It was going to be a part of this one but it got WAY too long so I split it. So yeah, I just need to edit it and then it'll be published. Most likely on Sunday because we're going on mini vacation this weekend and I doubt my parents will let me buy internet so I could post a chapter to a yaoi story...hehe...
Of course if the hotel has free internet...Then it'll be up tomorrow!
So next chapter lets just say Ivan doesn't want to part with his scarf and Alfred going to have a hard time convincing him.
Anyway, review my darlings! Review to all your hearts content so my ego can soar to new heights!

I love you all, and you know how you should return the love? By giving me 200 reviews! Mhuahahahah
Don't worry you don't have to, I'll still update this story because I love it. But reviews are nice and encouraging. ^.^
Til the next update in a day or two...~

And Arthur looks totally smexy in a pirate outfit, and Francis is totally a naughty cabin boy who disrespects the captain and needs to be put back in his place...
*nosebleeds*
Or maybe that's just my own perverted fantasies? *is shot*