Alfred fidgeted in his seat, the heat from his laptop burning his lap. This seat was way to uncomfortable to be legal. He sighed, drawing his legs in once more to make room for a couple with luggage to walk by him briskly. He hated airports.

He'd woken up three days ago feeling refreshed and focused. He was going to do some research today. He was going to be productive today. In fact, that was the reason he was sitting here, at the entrance to the airport.

He'd set himself up with his laptop in the hotel room, still in his pajamas. But, he'd felt like he was doing nothing. He showered, dressed himself and tried again. Yet, he still felt like a failure. So, he drove to the airport, his original ludicrous plan coming to mind. There, he felt he was doing something. He had little idea why. But he went with it.

Which is how he found himself sitting in the uncomfortable airport seats for the next three days in a row.

He'd discovered a lot from his internet searches as well as simply talking to people who sat beside him. The airport was a great place to meet a lot of different people with a lot of different back stories and advice.

Alfred loved talking to and meeting new people. He'd always been a social person and it was never a problem to turn to his side and begin a conversation with the stranger sitting beside him. He'd met a few other Russians, all who'd had much better experiences than his boyfriend, thankfully. They'd tried to help him locate the orphanage on a map with the few details he'd gathered but none of them could really offer much. Still, it had been interesting to talk to the random people of the world.

Most importantly, he'd even met a few actual therapists who'd given him their cards and everything. Alfred has already decided that Ivan needed professional, therapeutic help. The only question was who to trust.

One had stood out in his mind. Some Swedish guy with piercing blue eyes who didn't talk much. It was amazing. For some reason when he was sitting next to the guy he ended up opening up about a lot of the things that had been bothering him. The stoic face had never changed, and he hadn't said a thing. Well, he had spoken as he got up to leave in his very thick accent, "F'r yo'r fr'end." And had handed him his card.

He could feel it now in his pocket. A simple card with an unpronounceable long name and a phone number. He would call it later.

The man might just be able to help Ivan.

Which is why he was currently fidgeting in his seat with a too hot computer wondering why he was still hanging around here instead of returning home with the good news. He should go home. He'd done what he'd come out to do. He'd accomplished his goal. He had a new, much better, plan to help Ivan. He should go home now.

But he didn't.

He couldn't.

He didn't know why, but something compelled him to stay in that cheap ugly motel. To sit in that overcrowded airport. To chat with the interesting strangers.

He got his answer on the third day. The day a young pretty girl with long pale blond hair succeeded in grabbing his (and airport security for thaat matter airport security's) attention under the divine mission of finding her big brother.

Alfred sat alone in the airport, sipping an over priced iced tea and nibbling on a muffin he'd bought nearby. He was playing around on the internet, minding his own business when high pitched screeching caught his attention.

He looked up, seeing a distressed trio in the middle of the airport, the culprits causing the scene. They were three blonde girls, but only one, the one with the longest hair was screaming. The other two seemed to be trying to calm he down but to no avail. Should he intervene? He could see airport security eyeing them as well...Alfred chewed at his lip a moment before springing from his seat and hurrying over.

What kind of hero would he be if he didn't even offer his aid to the poor ladies?

The situation became clearer the closer he came. The long haired girl was screaming something in a language he couldn't understand. The tallest girl, with short pale blond hair and the hugest rack he'd ever seen in his life, was sobbing into her hands. Seriously, they were huge. And they bounced a little when she sobbed. They couldn't be real! Could they...

He cleared his head with a quick shake to look at the third girl with short vibrant blond hair. She seemed to be annoyed more than anything, halfheartedly trying to calm down the other two. She also seemed to be looking around for someone in particular.

Alfred approached them.

"What's wrong? Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked charmingly with one of his famous smiles. The three girls turned to him, though he didn't think Booberella understood him from her confused face.

"Like, we're fine! We're just waitin' for someone." The vibrant girl brushed off, flipping her hair a little as she spoke. Alfred blinked, something was off...Wait a minute...

"Holy shit you're a dude!" He cried out, causing the once vibrant girl now vibrant guy to redden in anger.

"You rude little-!" He yelled out, bringing his hand back to slap him across the face. Luckily though Booberella stopped him quickly.

The long haired girl stepped in at that moment, gripping onto his shirt tightly. He almost thought she would rip right through the fabric. She then proceeded to speak hurried-whatever-it-was-she-was-speaking at him.

"Uh..." He pronounced lamely, trying to push the girl off him gently. It didn't work, she only held on tighter. "I don't speak...whatever...Do you speak English?"

The girl paused, glaring at him fiercely as she collected her thoughts. "Brother. Where is big brother?" She said it angrily, as if demanding the information she was certain he would possess.

Alfred blinked, not really knowing how to deal with this situation. "Uh...I don't know...? Um...What does he look like?" How was he suppose to know who her brother was with so little information? Ok, he was pretty sure he understood the situation now.

Screechy, Booberella and She-Man were looking for their brother who'd been separated in the confusion of the airport. They didn't seem to be the best at English so he could assume Big Brother wasn't that great either. So, to be the hero, he deduced, all he had to do was find Big Brother for them. No problem!

"He is tall! And handsome!" Screechy described easily...which didn't help at all. He looked over to She-Man for some help since he seemed to be the one who spoke the best English. He hadn't been paying attention at all. Great. Just great. Maybe he shouldn't have come over to help...Airport security was still watching them warily.

"Uh? Mister...Little help?" Alfred asked, because he didn't think the guy would approve of his code name of She-Man. He still did not know any of the names of the trio, but, personally, his nicknames were probably ten times better anyway. The blond man turned around boredly.

"Feliks. My name is Feliks. Now don't listen to her. We're not looking for her bro. He isn't even like here. We're looking for Liet."

Alfred was even more confused then before. So...maybe his analysis of the situation was wrong. "OK...Who's Liet? What does he look like?"

The blond man rolled his eyes, as if Alfred's questions were the dumbest he'd ever heard. It was like he assumed everyone knew about this 'Liet' guy. What an asshole. "He's like our friend. He's tall. And handsome."

Alfred inwardly groaned. These people...How could they not describe someone? It was easy! He wanted to hit his head against the wall. How was he suppose to help if he didn't know what to look for?

He must have looked that way because a soft hand touched his arm. He looked up to see Booberella's fragile face smiling sweetly at him. The face seemed oddly familiar...It made him relax and smile back.

"He is..." She spoke with a thick accent, hesitant. She frowned, nibbling at her lip as she tried to reformulate her thoughts. She took a step back pointing at her hair, "B-brown?" She was unsure of her word choice but Alfred's eager nod made her a bit less nervous. Finally some actual useful information!

She moved her hand to around her shoulder. "Long h-hair?" Alfred nodded again, beginning to grin. Finally, they were getting somewhere!

But at that moment, the nice girl was torn away from him by the youngest, Screechy. He blinked in surprise as the girl glared at him. "No! Big brother! Big brother first!"

He tried to take a step back but the girl clung tight. "Uh..." This was getting kind of weird, and awkward and just a little bit frightening.

"Natalia...Natalia!" Booberella tried to calm tugging at her other arm. The rest of the words were in another language.

Natalia.

Natalia.

There was something important about the name Natalia...But what?

"Katyusha, can't you like calm your sister ever?" Feliks sighed, rolling his eyes and continuing to look around. He said it in English, regardless of the fact the woman barely understood the language.

Katyusha.

Natalia.

Katyusha.

Natalia.

He knew these names. He knew them. Why was he blanking? Why couldn't he place them?

"Ivan! I want Ivan! Big brother!" Natalia screeched at him and everything fell into place.

His blue eyes widened and he froze in utter shock. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!"

The two girls quieted, looking at him curiously. "You're...You're Katyusha and Natalia...Oh my God...Oh my God!" And suddenly, he laughed and laughed. At that point the pair were staring at him oddly. But he could care less because it was them! And then he hugged them tightly which wasn't the best idea because Katyusha screamed and Natalia kicked him in the groin but whatever. He was ecstatic! Even as he writhed on the floor with Natalia shouting what he assumed to be Russia curses aimed at him and airport security taking a few steps closer in their direction.

"N-no! Wait please." He finally managed to get out, looking up at the two girls and Feliks. "I-I know Ivan! I know Ivan Braginsky!"

And the world quieted in that moment.

Arthur was at his wits end with worry. It had been three days without a word from Alfred. What if something had happened? What if he was hurt? What if..What if..

He couldn't bear to finish that question. And it wasn't just him. Ivan hadn't spoken since the first day. He just sat there in his own little world occasionally mumbling Russian.

Matthew was angry, and didn't want to speak to any of them. Especially Ivan for some reason. In fact his feelings to their house guest were erratic at best. One moment he was terrified of the boy, the next his face would soften to show pity. Arthur couldn't make sense of it.

And Francis...Francis was as much a mess as he was.

He was jittery, and jumpy and quick to anger. He didn't cook. They'd had takeout the past few nights. He'd caught him trying to buy a pack of cigarettes earlier which had lead to another huge argument between the two.

Their relationship was strained as it was, they didn't need anymore arguments. Arthur had barely even spoken with his husband the last three days other than to ask if he'd found Alfred or to argue with him. It was all just beginning to be too much.

They barely slept in the same bed. Both were at the very edge of their respective side. And the bed was just for sleeping at the moment. He could feel them drifting further and further apart when all he wanted to do was cling to him for support.

Arthur sighed, rubbing at his tired eyes. He would call the police. He would call the police as soon as Francis and Matthew got home. And only if they came home by themselves.

"Ivan?" The two girls shouted out, springing forward quickly. Natalia gripped him tightly once more, desperately. Alfred laughed again, feeling giddy. He was so happy. Like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He'd done it. He'd actually done it. He'd found them. Everything was falling into place.

Everything would work out.

"Come on! I'll take you guys to him! He's staying at my house!" Or at least he was before. He wasn't sure if he was still there but it be easy to find him. That wasn't important. He just had to make sure the sisters didn't leave his sight. He would never forgive himself if he lost them now.

Speaking of the two, they were ecstatic, nodding eagerly and pushing him to the airport door. They all seemed to be giddy. Well, except for She-Man or Feliks or whatever. His face was contorted into display of distress.

"W-Wait! We need to find Liet! We can't just leave him here." Feliks spoke hurriedly, looking around wildly for the elusive brunette. He had no idea what was taking the man so long.

"No! Big brother now!" Natalia snapped, pushing the American teen harder to the door.

"You can wait here for your friend." Alfred said helpfully, disentangling himself in order to retrieve his stuff. Moments later he had Natalia clinging to him once more and Katyusha beside him. She was wiping away tears of happiness. She seemed to cry a lot. But, he couldn't really blame her. God, this was the sister his Ivan loved so dearly. The one who'd raised him, protected him. God he was just so happy he'd found them!

"I'm not leaving them like alone with some stranger! Who are you anyway?" The blond man snapped, hurrying toward them. Seriously, like what ever happened to stranger danger? Duh.

"Oh! Sorry. I'm Alfred! Alfred F. Bonnefoy!" He introduced, grinning wildly. Feliks huffed, not seeming very impressed but followed the others anyway. There seemed to be no stopping the sisters... Liet wasn't going to be too happy about this. He pulled his cell out deciding to text Liet about the sudden change of plans. 'Like, we're catching a ride w/ some dude. C u soon.'

With that he found himself in the front seat of the guy's car, the two ladies in the back. And in moments they were out on the open road. He stared out at the streets of the United States of America, bored.

Natalia bounced in her seat, her thirteen year old body aching to get to wherever they were going and see her dear brother again. She'd missed him terribly in their months apart. She needed her Big Brother by her side. She loved him so. It had been so lonely in the orphanage without him.

Katyusha was much more calm in her seat as she looked out the window in wonder. She'd made it to America by some divine miracle and she would finally see her little brother once more. Soon they would be together, their little family would be reunited once more. It had been too long, four years too long.

Toris stood in the airport, alone and frazzled. He'd lost them. He had no idea how they'd been separated at baggage. Now he found himself alone, with four huge suitcases (three of them pink, filled with Feliks' things) and only his two hands to lug it all. Worst, Katyusha and Natalia knew nothing of America and Feliks wasn't the best guide.

He groaned, rubbing his temples and pulling his cell out just as it vibrated. Good. A text from Feliks, probably telling him where they were.

Like, we're catching a ride w/ some dude. C u soon

Toris' eye twitched. This couldn't be happening. Feliks did not just get into the car of some random stranger. What if they were being kidnapped? What if...

He shook himself, quickly typing up his own response. Who? Where are you going?

The response came a few seconds later, We're going to like his place.

Toris was losing his patience, worry mounting within him. Give me an address.

But Feliks didn't respond after that and the brunette was left to hyperventilate in the airport by himself.

Matthew drove around, frazzled and frustrated. His mind had not settled down since that phone call. Ivan had killed people. It was so...so absurd, so foreign, so unreal. How could he be going to the same school as a murderer? Be in some of the same classes? Have dinner with him? Have his brother date him?

And worse. His brother had known. He'd willingly dated a murderer.

It just didn't make sense. Not one lick of sense. And even knowing this, he continued to live under the same roof as the murderer. Was he as crazy as his brother in that respect?

It was just...It was so normal. Ivan had become a part of their household with his frequent visits. And even if he wasn't there Alfred was bound to be talking about him in one way or another. He'd come to like Ivan, even though he was a bit on the odd side. His brother was happy with him and his brother's happiness was his own happiness.

But now. Now was different. Ivan had killed people. And he was still living in his home. Worse he couldn't tell his parents about it. And he couldn't exactly confront Ivan about it. What if he was killed? What if Ivan hurt him because he knew? And if he acted any different it would inspire suspicion amongst his parents and he'd be forced to tell.

He didn't think his parents could deal with anymore stress before breaking apart.

No, he would focus on finding Alfred. And once they had him back he'd get him to confess it all to Dad and Papa. And if he still refused then he'd have to tell them himself. Promise or no promise they needed to know. Ivan needed help.

For now he just needed to wait. Wait until his brother returned or phoned once more.

He let out a heavy sigh, turning left at the next light and keeping his eyes peeled for any sight of his runaway brother. When he came home, after making sure he was alright, he was going to beat his ass with his hockey stick. That was for sure.

He jumped when his cell rang. He grappled for it quickly, hope blossoming in his chest that it was Alfred on the other line. "Hello?"

"Matt! Jeez, I've been trying to get a hold of you for days!"

Matthew groaned, "Gil, I can't talk. I need to keep the line open."

"But we haven't spoken in forever! Come on! I'm more important than whatever you're out there doing!"

Matthew was frustrated, tired, and just done. Done with everyone and everything. "Gil. Al's missing and my twin's safety is more important than you being bored. Bye." And he hung up.

Only after he'd done so did he feel the beginnings of guilt weigh down in his stomach. Gilbert had nothing to do with any of this. He shouldn't have been so short. He didn't know what was happening. But he was stressed, he just needed to be left alone.

He pressed his forehead against the steering wheel during the red light, groaning. He was a horrible boyfriend. He should call back and apologize. But what if Al called while he was talking to Gil? He needed the line open. He could always text Gilbert, but that would mean pulling over which would force him to lose valuable time in his search (Matthew absolutely refused to text while driving. Having his father almost die in a car accident made him quite sensitive about those sorts of things).

His phone rang again and he grabbed it, flipping it open, "Gil, I'm sorry. I'm just really stressed right now and I-"

"I'm not your boyfriend Mattie." Came the reply, followed by a loud obnoxious laugh. Matthew blinked several times, shocked. He froze until a car horn blared and he remembered himself. He drove through the green light, pulling over as quickly as possible. And all the while he spoke hurriedly, "Alfred? Alfred oh my God! Where have you been? You need to come home! Do you have any idea-"

"I'm on my way home, stop worrying." He assured, his voice carefree and distracted. It annoyed the hell out of the younger twin.

"What do you mean stop worrying? Have you any idea what we've-"
"Look, chew me out when I get home. I just wanted to warn you guys. Oh, and I'm bringing a surprise. Is you-know-who still at our place?"

Matthew gritted his teeth at his brother's nonchalance after disappearing for so long. He blinked at his last question, "Who? You mean Ivan?"

"Shh, not so loud! She'll have another freakout if she hears you." He said it almost to himself and Matthew had no idea what the sentence actually meant. "So, is he still home?"

"Yeah...He's still there...Why?" Matthew asked though he really didn't care. He'd much rather be interrogating his idiot of a brother who put him through so much worry and-

"Awesome! You'll see. Got to go. Bye!"

And just like that, Alfred had hung up. Matthew brought his fist down on the dashboard in frustration. He was going to interrogate his idiot of a brother the minute he got home. After hugging him of course. Because even though he was absolutely furious, he was still extremely relieved that finally, finally his brother was coming home.

Silence reigned in the once vibrant household. Arthur sat on his arm chair, working on a customer's order. He sewed halfheartedly, his mind elsewhere as his needle pierced the fabric mechanically. His cell phone rested on the table beside him, at a ready distance in case his husband or his son called with good news.

Curled up on the couch nearby was Ivan. He was reading one of his school books, his mind also in the clouds. He'd buried most of his face in his scarf so that only his eyes were actually, clearly visible. He'd been rereading the same sentence for the past half hour. All he could think of was Alfred. If he hated him, if he was safe, if he knew how much he missed him.

Sometimes he would be consumed with anger when he would remember the entire ordeal in detail. Sometimes he would simply lie on the guest bed and bury his head in the pillow wishing for everything to just go away. But, usually that would only cause his father's eyes to peer back at him in the darkness.

Ivan found himself living two nightmares at once. And it was wearing him down considerably.

Worst of all, there was no one to turn to. Matvey had been cold to him as of late, barely even sparing a word to him. Not that he could blame him, he had tried to kill his father. He deserved the treatment. Alfred's French father, similarly, kept his distance, glaring at him ever so often.

The only person who did actually acknowledge him was, surprisingly, Alfred's English father. And it didn't make any sense to him. He could see, clearly see, the bruises he'd left on the man's neck and yet there was no anger left in Arthur toward's him. There was only sadness and concern for his lost son. And also regret.

Regret. It seemed to consume the British man wherever he went, weighing him down with every step. It was as if the regret forced him to act cordial with Ivan. He would find him when Ivan was having one of his angry fits and snap him out of it with harsh, yet almost fatherly words. When he found him in his own little world in the corner he would occasionally approach him but say nothing.

It was odd and Ivan didn't quite understand it. But it was the closest fatherly relationship he'd ever experienced and so he did not question it. Nor did he pursue to enhance it or anything. He had no idea how he was suppose to act with him so instead of ruining it by accident he merely did nothing.

The door bell rang.

Arthur grumbled, putting his sewing aside in order to get up. "Damn frog...always forgetting his keys..." He muttered under his breath before leaving the family room and padding toward the front door. Ivan barely reacted, merely flipping to the next page of his book.

Arthur unlocked the door with a click and opened it up. He was met with a ghost.

At first he had no idea how to react. He simply stared. He stared at the young boy with the dirty blond hair and rebellious cow lick. The young boy with the bright blue eyes and shining smile. The young boy who was taller than he was now. The young boy he once held in his arms so easily. The young boy who had run away from him not once, but twice.

Arthur stared into the young boy's eyes in utter disbelief.

The young boy, for his part, was looking at him with a nervous grin as he fidgeted on the front step. "Uh, hey Dad! I'm home..."

And Arthur finally did react. He sprang forward and wrapped him in the strongest hug he'd ever given, absolutely clinging to his lost son. "Alfred. Alfred, oh god Alfred. You're home. You're here. Oh God, my little Alfred's finally home."

And Arthur cried while hugging his son and didn't give a damn if anyone saw because his little baby boy was home.

I KNOW I'M A BAD AUTHOR OTL

IM SO SO SO SO SO SORRY

Anyway, enough about me. THANK YOU SO MUCH, KIND READERS FOR YOUR REVIEWS. They really do make my day, especially during these hard times. Hopefully things will get better, i know second semester will be easier. HOPEFULLY THIS STORY WILL BE FINISHED BY THEN. I'm foreseeing maybe three chapters left. Yep. We're that close!

Anyways, I hate this chapter. But i hate everything right now so i guess its ok. IT'S SO SHORT I'M A FAILURE /sobs

HOPEFULLY I CAN UPDATE MORE REGULARLY SOON. No promises. Life is hard right now.

BUT I WILL NEVER NEVER ABANDON THIS STORY. So don't worry your pretty little heads about it. See you soon my lovelies~

EDIT: I felt it was too short so I added a little extra at the end. :T
Enjoy~