A/N: Hey guys, this is a Pentatonix Kavi AU story... I hope you enjoy it.

Avi slammed his palm against the steering wheel of his truck and grit his teeth. His hands were trembling in anger and disgust. Avi was hurting. He felt betrayed. His father had only been... gone... for barely three weeks, and already Ingrid was trying to sell off his father's home. His home. The home his dear mother and father had chosen before they were even married, to raise their future family. The home he was raised in... where all the best memories of his childhood and his family were based.

Twenty seven years. For twenty seven years, he had spent Christmas at home, with his... his father. Avi swallowed loudly and felt his eyes brim with tears for the umpteenth time over the course of the last few weeks. He still found it hard to believe that his dad was dead. It had been just the two of them for so long, after his mum passed when he was a boy of only twelve years. He wasn't ready to be alone. He wasn't ready to lose his dad... he was all Avi had and now his old man was gone too and he was completely alone.

Avi angrily swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand to wipe away the tears that had managed to escape. He blinked back more angry tears and tried to focus on the road. The snow storm was getting worse and he was in the middle of nowhere, at least an hour out of town and a couple hours more to the next one. Avi could barely see the road at all, the swirling white snow seemed to be getting thicker, and the wind was picking up. Avi cursed the bad weather, cursed the weather man for being right for once, and cursed Ingrid... for she was the reason he was out in the damn blizzard at all! If she hadn't proved him right and finally showed her true nature, Avi would be curled up in front of the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa and recalling happier times when his dad was still with him.

Instead of being warm and safe and... and home... he was foolishly attempting to drive through a blizzard, at night, with no real destination and no idea what he was going to do. He had no backup plan. His father was his backup. He had always been there for Avi, he had his back no matter what... but now he was gone. He was truly alone. The realisation was too much for the young man to handle, he needed help. He needed his best friend.

Pulling his Chevy over to the side of the road, without going over the bank, Avi pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled. Almost ten seconds went by and the young man was beginning to give up hope, when a celestial voice came over the speaker and warmed Avi's heart.

"Hey bro, what's going on? Are you okay?"

Avi felt more hot tears run down his cheeks and into his beard. He wished Kevin was with him. His brother gave the best hugs, and somehow always knew when Avi was in need of one.

"Avi?"

"H-Hey Kev," he managed to stammer in reply. He knew Kevin would know he was upset. It's like he had a sixth sense or something.

"Oh no. What happened? Did Catherine find you? Where are you? Do you need me to come and get you? Talk to me, bro."

Avi loved Kevin. His best friend had really helped him get through a truly shit month. First he found his girlfriend of nine months cheating on him with a fellow teacher, then a few days later he received the call that his father had passed on, and now everything with his father's widow and wanting to sell the house...

Avi let loose a few quiet sobs, before gathering himself together enough to speak.

"No. Catherine d-didn't do anything, not since I left anyway. Being back in town... around Christmas... and without my dad being here is just... it's hard man..."

"I know Avi, I understand. You just have to work through these hard times and express your emotions, don't try to hold everything in. You know you can always talk to me. I'm here for you bro. You're not alone, Avriel. You're never alone."

Kevin understood him better than almost anyone he had ever met. He knew exactly what Avi needed to hear, and he knew Kev meant every word. Avi wrapped his arms around his chest in a self-hug and a small smile formed on his bearded face. Kevin was there for him. He wasn't alone.

"Thanks Kev. Really, thank you."

"Any time bro. Now, are you going to be alright? I can leave tonight if you need me there... just say the word."

Avi felt much calmer. Kevin had managed to ground him again and stopped his anxiety from becoming too overwhelming. He knew that Kev had his back and he would be fine. Everything would turn out fine... eventually.

"Nah, man. I'm good now. Thanks though, I really appreciate it bro," Avi replied with a small grin.

"Glad to hear it. So, are you still planning to spend Christmas at home? I know you aren't too fond of spending time with Ingrid."

Avi huffed, still unable to comprehend the nerve of that woman.

"You know she's planning to sell the house?"

"What? You're kidding?" Kevin replied, his voice raising in incredulity.

"Nope," Avi said, shaking his head, still unable to believe it himself.

"But why?"

"I dunno, man. She mentioned something about moving to Oakland to live with her daughter and her four kids. You know the one my dad used to say was always trying to get money out of them?"

"Yeah I remember. You know you are always welcome to spend Christmas with me and my family? My parents love you and are always asking about you..."

Avi grinned. Kevin's family was so kind to him. They always made him feel welcome and loved, and never a burden.

"Thanks bro, you know I love your family, but I really feel like I need to be home right now."

"Yeah I understand. Just remember, I'm always here for you bro. Look after yourself, okay? Now go commune with nature and hug some trees for me."

"Yes mom," Avi chuckled in reply. Kevin's laugh echoed through the tiny phone speaker.

"Alright, Av. Take care and call me tomorrow."

"Night Kev." Avi ended the call with a smile on his face. He was okay.

A shiver ran down Avi's spine as the wind howled outside the truck, and the snow swirled around. He rubbed his cold hands together in an attempt to warm them, before placing them in front of the air vents in the dash. The heater was already set to maximum, and it was still chilly inside the truck. Avi knew he had to turn around and head back to town, even if he stayed in a motel for the night. He didn't really have a choice, because he would freeze if he tried to sleep in the truck. Yeah, a motel sounded good. He really didn't have the energy to deal with Ingrid and her bullshit. He was so tired and drained emotionally, he just wanted to collapse into a nice warm bed and sleep.

Avi pulled back out onto the road and drove slowly and carefully, barely able to see more than a car length ahead of him on the unlit country road.

---

Kirstie flicked on the tiny light bulb inside the oven and cracked the door open a couple inches, peeking through the gap at her soon to be dinner and inhaling the glorious scent of macaroni cheese. The young woman quickly closed the door and flicked off the light, not wanting to let too much heat escape.

Kirstie turned around to face the kitchen window, thankful that she was warm and cosy inside her little cottage and not stuck out in the snow storm that was raging outside. She counted herself lucky that she had been able to rent such a beautiful little cottage, and at a good price at that. She had grown up in the suburbs, and lived in the city for a time, but she was really embracing being so far out of town and the felling of freedom that it provided. Her nearest neighbours were miles away and town was a good forty minute drive, not great when it meant commuting to work each day, but the benefits far outweighed the downsides.

Kirstie glanced at her reflection in the glass window pane and smiled. She had recently gotten her hair cut to just below her shoulders and dyed blonde with lots of highlights and she adored it! She had gotten so many compliments on her hair over the past days that she was feeling really good about herself and her self-esteem was at an all-time high. She loved her job, her colleges, the town and her cottage. Life was good. Now if only she could find a nice, sweet guy to share it with.

I appreciate any feedback, so please leave comments. Thanks for reading.