"Are you really going to let him eat off your plate like that?" Gilbert said with a sigh as he watched Ludwig and his new friend. "It's not awesome little brother."

The taller man looked up before handing the two year old German Shepard beside him another small clump of rice. "She's eating mine not yours so for the last time shut up." As he said it he tossed the dog that he had named Gabi another scrap. We had found the young dog a day or two before and instantly the blonde man's heart melted for the brown dog.

Gilbert sighed as he turned back to his own meal, "Fine but if Gabi goes for my food-"

"You'll give her some too." Ludwig finished handing the dog what was left on his plate before scratching behind her left ear lovingly.

I stopped listening after that as I let my mind wander. We'd arrive at the border the next day and I couldn't help but be both excited and sad. "What's on your mind my friend?" Antonio asked me as he finished his own dinner. "Scared?"

"Not really Dude." I answered as I picked at my meal. I hadn't been hungry for the past few days and at the time I thought it was just my nerves getting the best of me. "More nervous than anything." I said as I finally gave up on eating and laid my meal down for Gabi to eat.

Abel picked it up before the dog could reach it, "Nope you eat." He said as he handed me back the meal. I looked down at the simple meal of rice and beans as he continued. "Just eat the rice than or beans but eat something."

"I'm not hungry." I said as I played with my fork. It was strange since normally I would have eaten my meal before trying to steal Gilbert's. I was always joking when I did it and handed back whatever I stole…with only one or two bites taken out of it. But now I just wanted it out of my hands. "Kiku you still hungry?" I asked as I turned to the smaller man with hopes that he'd take it from me.

He shook his head, "No I'm not." He said simply, "Are you perhaps sick?"

At that point Gilbert was watching me. I hadn't agreed to be his mate but since our talk in the woods he treated me like I was his Omega. So it didn't surprise me when he reached over and felt my head. It was cold to the touch and it wasn't long before he let out a sigh, "You are warm."

"No you're just cold." I remarked as I took a bite and forced it down. As it hit the bottom of my stomach I could feel it wanting to return back up. I cupped my hand over my mouth as I quickly stood the food in my lap forgotten and thrown to the side as I rushed towards a couple of bushes. I heaved and gagged before feeling a soft hand on my back.

He patted my back softly, "It's okay Sparrow…" Gilbert cooed softly as he helped me back to my spot and sat me down slowly. "Just sit tight." I could hear the concern in his voice as Gabi walked up and licked my face. She must have been thanking me for letting her have my dinner since right after she went to work eating what was left.

Abel kneeled down and took my chin and stared at my eyes before gingerly feeling my forehead as Gil had just done. "Al, you are really warm. Does your stomach feel like its on fire?"

I didn't like how he said it and something about it made me wonder what they thought I might have. "No…why?" I managed wishing that they'd just drop it and move on but I knew it wasn't going to happen. "Look I'm fine." I managed a smile as I tried to stand up only to be sat down again. I could tell they cared but sometimes I felt like a child around them. "Damn it I'm not ten let me stand up."

Ludwig offered his hand and I let him pull me up, "Better?"

"Yeah actually it is." I answered back looking them over, "And I want to make it to the border tomorrow."

They all turned to Gilbert who thought it over and nodded, "Okay we make it over the border than you-"

"Then I'm finding my uncle." I finished as I stood tall. Sure they were Alphas but I didn't feel like they would attack me for standing my ground. It was really the only thing on my mind and nothing was going to stop me and as long as I didn't blink first I was sure they'd agree. I didn't sense it but I really should have, there was a sudden change as all but Gilbert turned and walked away.

He slowly walked up to me never once taking his eyes off of mine as he spoke just inches from my face, "You know there's a difference between standing your ground when a few Alphas are being dicks and being a complete asshole to a group of guys who actually care about you. Guess which one you're being right now."

I stared back at him for a moment and while a part of me wanted to be defiant and tell him that I never asked them too…I blinked, "Why?" I asked instead.

Gil sighed as he patted my head, "Because we do, we all lost things Alfred but that doesn't mean we have to be complete asses about it. We care…I care about you, Sparrow." Again he touched my cheek with the palm of his hand and slowly I reached up and laid mine over his.

"I know…" I said softly. I knew what I was supposed to do but I was nervous. It was then that he placed his lips on mine and squeezed my hand. When I didn't back away it was all the answer he needed. So after what felt like an hour passed he broke our kiss and I cleared my throat, "I still want to make it over the border."

"We will."

"Tomorrow?"

"Al, we're doing this legally and they won't let you across if you're sick."

"Then we can sneak across." I answered knowing that they might have had a point. If we snuck across what was to stop them from sending us back? Our nation was in turmoil and lawless but it didn't mean anything to the border patrol if they caught us. "Fine but I'm not sick."

He chuckled as he shook his head, "Stubborn aren't you Sparrow."

I shrugged slightly, "Well I could say the same about you really." It wasn't long after did I have to admit I was getting sick, since about midnight I staggered into the bushes again and didn't leave until the first light of morning.

"Anything left?" Abel asked as he unzipped his jeans and peed on a nearby tree.

"There was nothing there to begin with." I said as I sat back feeling exhausted as the sweat dripped down my face. I wiped it with the bottom of my shirt as I leaned back into the cool earth as Gabi walked over and licked my face. "No Gabi go away." I cried out as Ludwig whistled for her.

"Leave him along Gabi." He said once the dog was by his side again. "Gil I think we should make camp for a few days instead."

Gilbert nodded as he looked around in deep thought. "I was thinking the same thing and honestly we should start thinking about if they don't let us across at all." It was whispered but I still heard every word. "For all we know they closed the border. It's not awesome but honestly it's what I would do."

"Something permanent than?" Kiku asked as he looked towards an old farmhouse twenty or so miles from where we were. "I think we should find a building and make camp."

"Think it's deserted?"

Kiku nodded never taking his eyes off the small group of buildings, "But we should check just to make sure."

"Yeah." Ludwig picked up his bag, "We'll be back." With a short whistle to Gabi the three were off.

I sighed, it wasn't fair. We were so close it ate at my heart that we just stopped short. I wouldn't stand for it but as I tried to stand I felt as if my head was going to burst so for the moment I was stuck. And while today I feel guilty about it, my only satisfaction was that Gilbert might also get sick from sharing our first kiss. It was spiteful and childish but as I closed my eyes it was the only thing still keeping me going.