Gilbert awoke with a splitting headache, with a groan escaping his lips he squeezed his eyes shut as he slowly stood. He rested his hand against the wall for support and slightly shook his head before once again opening his eyes.

He allowed his vision to adjust for a bit before he moved, trying to recollect his thoughts he paced around the room gritting his teeth in frustration but was abruptly stopped when the tip of his shoe bumped into something smooth, he looked down to see what it was that he hit and gasped at the object. There was Matthew's air tank lying on the ground with the clear tubes strewn on the ground.

His heart dropped and his blood went cold, he remembered everything almost instantly giving him another headache. He remembered Matthew's cry for help and Ivan's boots thudding against the hollow ground, he gritted his teeth and pushed himself off the wall stumbling to the nightstand where he grabbed his car keys and jogged to the front door, he cursed under his breath and unlocked his car with frantic movements.

He wasn't going to have it, he wasn't going to allow anyone touch his lover without being beaten to a pulp. He hopped into the drivers seat and slammed the door shut slamming the keys into the ignition and started the car instantly stomping onto the gas pedal. As he drove he fished his pocket for his phone and pulled it out, being cautious of the traffic he dialed Ivan's number and angrily awaited as the other line dialed as it buzzed.

"Hello this is Ivan-" Gilbert instantly shouted into the phone. "Where the fuck are you!?" his blood boiled. "-not home or turned off my phone please leave a message after the beep." the anger in Gilbert only grew as the annoying beep rang through his ear. "God dammit!" he cursed and fought the urge to throw his phone out the window, he thought and pondered racking his brain for anything to help him find his lover.

He tried multiple times to call Ivan but he just wouldn't pick up, Gilbert was so stressed and had to pull over, he tugged at his hair taking fistfuls of it and screamed. He punched the dashboard of the car and leaned against the seat. "Matthew wherever you are just please stay strong...stay strong for me birdie." Hot angry tears filled his eyes, he felt useless, sure he could've called the police but would they even find him? If so how long would it take? Was he even still alive?

Gilbert quickly shook his head not wanting to even think about the death of... His eyes went wide and his heart once again stopped. He looked through his phone and searched through the many contacts in his phone until he finally found the number he was looking for and held in his anger as the number dialed. He held the phone against his ear with a shaking hand. "Gil! I'm so glad you called." the person held an annoying tone in voice.

He growled. "Where the hell is Ivan?" he asked in a dangerous tone. "Who cares? He's gone and now you and I can be together!" Elizabeta giggled. "I don't want to be with you! Where is Ivan!?" he once again yelled, his throat was getting raw from all the screaming. Elizabeta sighed. "Sorry but that's information that I can't give you." Gilbert groaned and looked out the window where traffic was going by slowly. "What do you want from me?" he asked in a low mutter.

There was a gasp. "Finally you asked!" Elizabeta giggled. "I want you silly, I want to be with you." Gilbert cringed at her desperate request. "If you agree..." she trailed off. "I'll tell you where Ivan is." Gilbert felt his heart hammer against his chest, and then he smiled a bitter smile. He just wanted Matthew to be okay. "Alright...I agree." He stated in a hard tone. "Okay! I'll send the address right...now!" his phone buzzed as he received the address. "Right! I'm headed there now thought so...first one there wins!" Elizabeta exclaimed and then abruptly ended the call.

Gilbert's eyes widened with bewilderment and he hurriedly started the car and drove off as he read the address from his phone. "Thank God it's close!" he nearly grinned, but fear still ran through his veins, he stomped on the gas pedal and didn't even bother to look for incoming cars. His mind was set on finding his lover, his heart raced and his adrenaline rose.

It was only hours that he was away from his lover, and he was already a mess, he was unstable and angry. He needed Matthew to calm him, and in return he would calm Matthew down if he needed it. And now he felt like he needed to find Matthew now at that exact moment, he somehow knew that his lover was already distressed and possibly panicking. He thought and pondered thinking of multiple ways on how he would beat Ivan for kidnapping his lover, but that wasn't important at the moment he needed to focus on getting to his lover and he was not going to fail no matter what.

His muscles ached with tension, they were strained and tight, Gilbert couldn't calm down. His breathing became labored and his chest tight with a sudden wave of panic, he thought only of what bad could happen that he made himself worry over Matthew, he knew how frail Matthew was, but he also knew how strong he was too, but he just couldn't find any good solution to get him out of this situation.

He was the reason Matthew was involved in the mess he made, and he was going to be the reason he would be okay and unharmed. Gilbert was going to make sure that his Matthew was away from any harm, but what would he do with Elizabeta? He couldn't just simply leave her he knew that now, she had went way over board just so she would be able to be with him. She was absolutely crazy.

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Ivan was quick to act, not caring for the voice on the other side of the door he jumped from his seat beside Matthew and took a hold of his thin wrist. Matthew stumbled after Ivan as he practically dragged him to one of the rooms, he could feel Ivan trembling as he walked. "I-Ivan what's wrong?" He asked anxiously, he got silence as an answer.

Ivan hurriedly walked into the nearly empty room and rushed to the walk in closet, he dragged Matthew into the closet and kept the lights shut off. "Please stay as quiet as you can." Ivan demanded in a pleading tone, and without giving Matthew any time to answer he shut the door closed and rushed out the room turning off the lights as well and shutting the door quick but quietly, he stayed frozen in place for a while standing with his back pressed against the closed door behind him.

He took a shaky breath and placed his hand over his heart he could feel his pulse on the palm of his hand, he muttered to himself a few calming words but was interrupted when the knocking returned with much more force spreading fear through his veins. He flinched and shook with fear, he knew the power Elizabeta held, and he knew that if he didn't do as she said or betrayed her the consequences would be dire.

With very little courage gathered he forced himself to take a step forward, his legs felt heavy it was as if he were walking through quicksand. He then remembered Matthew, the boy he hid in his closet, the boy who saw kindness in him even after he kidnapped him, the boy who was sick yet he worried for others. Ivan wanted to protect that boy now realizing finally why Gilbert really loved him differently than others.

With a sudden surge of bravery and courage Ivan was able to walk properly with his head held up high, well sort of, and his heart beating against his ribs. He was going to break ties with Elizabeta no matter what, he did not want to hurt people any longer, he wanted to see his sister's, and he swore he would.

Matthew on the other hand was beginning to panic, he had a major fear of the dark, and a greater fear of being alone. And now with both of those fears combined together it was an utter nightmare to him, he frantically looked around but his eyes could not catch even a single sliver of light anywhere. His heart hammered against his chest rapidly, he moved around and ran into the walls, it felt as if they were closing up on him.

He fell to his knees, his breathing quickened almost matching the beat of his heart. He crawled and felt the walls around him trying desperately to look for the door knob or light switch, without any luck he curled into a tight ball and tried to focus on his breathing, he squeezed his eyes shut and counted in between his wheezing. When he opened his eyes again though he found darkness, he felt trapped.

He could feel the small tight room around him begin to spin, he was able to control his breathing a bit but his heart was still going out of control. He felt numb, the fear in him had consumed him and he was beginning to lose himself, realizing what was happening he quickly dug his nails in his arm and let out a small shriek. He knew he needed to be strong for Gilbert, he couldn't give up now. He couldn't lose consciousness now, because he knew that if he were to pass out now his breathing would slow down, and without any support to help him he would...

A sudden crash had startled him, he jumped and scooted to the far corner of the pitch black room. He sat upright and hugged his knees close to his chest, he could hear someone stumbling and wondered if Elizabeta had arrived and hurt Ivan, Matthew felt his heart drop as he remembered the bandages on his neck. Had Elizabeta done that to him? Was that why Ivan looked so frightened up to the point where he trembled?

There was a sudden shout, the voice was too low to belong to a woman, but if it wasn't her then who was it? Feeling fear overcome him again he could feel himself trembling, and everything suddenly went quiet. He prayed for Ivan to be okay, his thoughts had brought him to the worst thing that would happen and he was engulfed with fear and anxiety.

He heard quick and frantic footsteps followed by more shouting, he couldn't make out what the person was saying. He stayed frozen in his place in the far corner and shut his eyes as he listened as the door belonging to the room across from the one he was hiding in was slammed open. There was a loud curse and then the sound of furniture being thrown, Matthew felt himself begin to drift off once again and so once again he had to force himself to stay alert. He whimpered at the sharp pain he caused to himself and bit his lip to quiet himself.

The door to the room he was hidden in was now thrown open, Matthew yelped quietly and pressed himself even more into the corner wanting desperately to make himself disappear. His breathing worsened and he had to clamp his mouth shut with his hand, he closed his eyes shut despite it being pitch black and hoped for the person to go away. The closet door was thrown open, Matthew jumped as it hit the wall making a huge sound followed by the sound of cracking, there was a sudden gasp and the footsteps came toward him. He held himself tighter, and the footsteps came to a stop right in front of him. Then there was complete silence.

He could hear the person in front of him breathing shakily, he didn't dare open his eyes. A hand suddenly grabbed his hand, a yelp escaped his lips and he flinched from the sudden touch. His eyes flew open and he quickly lifted his gaze, tears filled his eyes as soon as he recognized the person in front of him.

Gilbert glumly smiled down at his lover in tears and quickly brought him into his arms, Matthew whimpered and buried his face in the crook of Gilbert's neck. Gilbert held him tightly gritting his teeth as he felt him trembling and his breathing uneven and quick, he carried Matthew in his arms and soothingly rubbed his back as he trudged out the dark closet. He was going to take his lover somewhere safe, and this time he was not going to leave his side.

Matthew rested his head against Gilbert's shoulder, his breathing slowed to his normal pace along with his heart beat. As Gilbert walked toward the door that led to the parking lot though Matthew's heart dropped when he caught sight of Ivan curled up on the ground clutching his stomach in pain, he coughed and wheezed for breath. Matthew struggled against Gilbert's grasp. "S-stop!" he demanded anxiously.

Gilbert quickly looked at Matthew who was trying to get out of his arms. "Matthew what are you doing? What's wrong?" he asked worriedly, Matthew ignored his questions and scrambled out of his arms and rushed to Ivan's side, he fell to his knees and grasped onto his arm. "Gilbert please help. We can't leave him." He stated in a desperate whimper. "But he was the one who took you! He deserved it!" Gilbert exclaimed. "Just please help, she's going to hurt him!" the desperation and fear in Matthew's voice made Gilbert flinch.

Ivan showed no signs of getting up, his stomach ached due to how hard Gilbert had kicked him and the breath was completely knocked out of him. With a sudden change of heart and instant guilt filling his chest Gilbert quickly rushed to help Matthew and grabbed onto one of Ivan's arms. "It's okay birdie I got it." He reassured and ever so carefully helped Ivan up to his feet surprised by his weight. His sweater slipped off his seemingly frail shoulders, he was deathly pale, and he was also trembling.

Matthew was by Gilbert's side in an instant. "Gilbert we can't just leave him here." He stated. "N-no, I'll be okay. I'll stall her and give you time to leave from here." Ivan s voice was soft and weak. "But Ivan she'll hurt you, that's why you're afraid. Because she was the one who did that to you." Matthew pointed at the bandages around his neck, Ivan looked down and sighed. "She won't hurt me, I can and will be stronger." Strength shone in his eyes. He looked at Matthew and smiled. "You made me believe that." Ivan's words made Matthew's heart swell.

Ivan then looked at Gilbert and gave him an apologetic look, Gilbert instantly understood what he was trying to say. Both of them knew Matthew was not going to leave anyone behind, giving Ivan a quick apology he set him down on the couch and scooped Matthew into his arms. Matthew yelped and barely had time to protest before Gilbert began running, the last thing Matthew saw was Ivan's smiling face as the door closed shut and his blood went cold.

He knew something bad was going to happen, and he felt like it was his fault, he failed to protect Ivan from harm. He even failed at thanking him, tears filled his eyes and slid from his cheeks and dripping from his chin soaking Gilbert's shirt. As Gilbert ran he couldn't help but feel guilty as he felt Matthew's tears drop on his shoulder, he bit his lip and hugged Matthew tight causing Matthew to bury his face in his shirt soaking it with tears.

Matthew gave a silent thank to Ivan, his vision blurred as he swayed rhythmicly to Gilbert's pace. He drowned himself in despair and drifted off, his eyes sliding shut as exhaustion consumed him and his breathing slowed...

Gilbert called out to him. His voice sounding miles away.