Looking For Alaska

Chapter Ten

All three of them stood at the door, each holding a suitcase. The wind whistled outside and for a moment, they all recognised a unanimous agreement that none of them particularly wanted to leave. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon.

"I will see you tomorrow, Da?" Ivan spoke first, kneeling down to be level with the Alaskan, "You be good for your uncle."

"I will," Andrew promised.

"And you'll remember to practice what I taught you?"

"I will."

"You can talk to strangers in Canada... Just be careful, okay?"

"Alright."

"I think he gets it," Alfred interrupted, earning a glare from Ivan.

"I'll be fine," Andrew insisted, "You're gonna be late if you don't go."

"Da. Alright," Ivan pulled him forward and placed a kiss on his forehead before standing. Him and Alfred locked eyes and he had a sudden urge to do the same to the American, but brushed the desire aside.

"Don't get yourself killed," Ivan told him, "I expect you to be on time Wednesday afternoon."

"I'm always on time!" Alfred squawked.

"Except when there is a kitten stuck in a tree or a girl scout selling cookies, Da?" Ivan teased.

"Shhh!" Alfred glared, "Come on, Andrew. Mattie is waiting for us." Alfred ushered him out of the door and Ivan followed suit. They each went to their own respective cars. Andrew jumped into the passenger's side, but before Alfred could follow suit, Ivan stopped him, finally giving in; kissing him, softly, on the forehead.

"Be careful," Ivan warned in Russian before he turned and got into his car. He was already down the road and Alfred stared after him, confusion painting his face. He was startled back into reality when the car horn sounded behind him and Andrew stared back in amusement at his upstart.

"What was that for?" Alfred grumbled, sliding into the driver's seat and putting the keys into the ignition.

"You were staring," Andrew answered, pulling his seatbelt on.

"I was not staring!"

"You were."

"Was not!"

"Were too."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Alfred," Matthew sighed, looking away from the American as he fussed over the young state, "Your boss is going to mad that you're late."

"Yeah, I know, but-" Alfred shot him puppy dog eyes.

"No. Those don't work on me," Matthew rejected, ushering Andrew inside as soon as Alfred was distracted, "He'll be fine. Go away."

"But what if he gets sick or hurt or-" Alfred objected.

"I'll call you if his condition changes," Matthew promised, beginning to shut the door.

"Maybe I should stay a bit longer..." Alfred attempted.

"No. Go to work," Matthew commanded.

"I could call my boss-" Alfred reasoned.

"Later, Mom!" Andrew called from inside the house.

"Later, Andre-" The door clicked softly in his face and Alfred sighed. He knew his brother was right, but... It still was so unsettling to leave Andrew. Even if it was with his wimpy twin brother who wouldn't hurt a fly. He grumbled to himself, but finally turned and headed back to the car.

"Mon Dieu," Matthew brushed his hair back, seeing the American finally return to his car, "Alfred is really in over his head."

"So," Andrew spoke up, startling Matthew, "What exactly is there to do around here."

"You can go play video games," Matthew suggested.

"That sounds boring," Andrew replied, "Can I go exploring?"

"Have you eaten breakfast?" Matthew questioned, to which Andrew shook his head, "How about you do that first and then you can go explore."

"Okay," Andrew agreed, following him to the kitchen.

"Are pancakes alright?" Matthew asked, "I can make something else if you want."

"Pancakes are okay," Andrew nodded. His eyes came across a shelf of picture frames and he stopped to look at them as Matthew made him breakfast. He was eventually called in and a plate of food sat waiting for him.

"You've got a lot of pictures," he mentioned, accepting the syrup when it was passed to him, "Who were all those people?"

"Just some of the other countries and some of my prime ministers," Matthew answered, "I'm sure you saw Alfred in a few of them."

"There wasn't any of Dad, though," Andrew noted, "I checked."

"Well, to be honest," Matthew admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, "I don't really know him all that well. Ivan was always just sort of Alfred's friend - or rival, more recently. To me, he was sort of just like a silent neighbour who you never really met because he doesn't come out of his house. The most we've ever really spoken is when he accidentally sat on me that one time."

"How'd that happen?" Andrew questioned.

"Let's just say people forget about me, sometimes," Matthew chuckled, "But that's not that important. You done with breakfast?"

"Does Mom forget about you?" Andrew wondered, letting him take the empty plate.

"No. Alfred usually remembers. He just gets caught up in situations, sometimes," Matthew replied, "Actually, most of the family remembers me, usually. Well, everyone except Arthur, but I never really got to know him well, so I guess it's justified."

"Doesn't anyone else remember you?" Andrew questioned, "I mean besides family."

"Well... Yeah, there is a couple," Matthew smiled to himself, "But that's a topic for another time. You were gonna go exploring, right?"

"If you don't mind," Andrew nodded.

"Go. Have fun," Matthew waved him away, "Be back in time for lunch.