Notes: Sorry again for the long, long break. I moved and couldn't find anything for the first month. Then I got sick. One thing after another. Just crazy. But things are back on track again. Let's finish the story.

I have not given up on this! We are almost 80% finished and I will complete this story.

Confrontation

Alfred woke, hand shooting out by instinct to grab the Call-Nurse button dangling from the steel railing of the bed. The room was dark, the only light came between the white curtains that hid the cityscape and the open doorway that led into the hallway. He could hear Bruno, the male nurse, tapping at his computer in the Nurse's Station.

Alfred's thumb hovered over the button that would summon burly Bruno here, the man who forced Alfred to swallow foul-tasting medicine and was none-too-kind with injections.

In this moment Bruno was better than alone.

Something wasn't right.

Alfred breathed in deeply and exhaled, trying to calm down. He pushed off his elbows, using his weakened muscles to sit up.

See? No one there. He told himself.

Matthew and his fathers were home. No one was hiding in the thick shadows, no one that Alfred could see.

He reached over to the bedside table, wincing in pain as he used his right arm, the one hooked to the IV bag via a needle, and fumbled around until he found his glasses. He briefly looked away to put them on, and when he did Alfred was no longer alone.

A tall, shadowy figure loomed in the doorway, one dressed in an overcoat and thick scarf.

Alfred swallowed hard, heart pumping hard.

"I-Ivan?" he breathed, feeling petrified with fear.

Fear wasn't in his nature. He was the Hero! Yet his body would not move.

Ivan hovered in the doorway, holding a faucet-pipe with the curved end pointed at the floor. Alfred's eyes widened, noticing the dark liquid dripping from the end of the pipe to pool on the tiled floor by Ivan's shoe.

Blood.

Alfred jammed his thumb into the Call-Nurse button and opened his mouth to shout to Bruno, but suddenly Ivan was over him, muffling his cry with one hand while the other raised the pipe overhead. Alfred fought, clawing at Ivan's coat sleeves, gazed glued to the pipe.

"No escape," said a hollowed voice that sounded nothing like Ivan's.

Then the pipe crashed down between Alfred's eyes, caving in his skull and splattering his blood and brains across the bed and wall.

"No!" Alfred cried as he woke, flailing in his hospital bed.

He trembled, still gripped in that nightmare. Slowly he calmed, reminding himself it was only a bad dream. One he had been repeating since waking from his coma three days ago. Every night he dreamed Ivan came to his hospital room and bludgeoned him to death with a faucet pipe.

Why?

He pushed the button to raise his bed to sitting, then reached over for his paper cup of water and downed it. The water was room temperature, but still refreshing. Alfred would have given his right arm for a cola, or better yet a hamburger.

The only thing that changed in the dream was what Ivan said. Last night it had been, "Tick-Tock, Mr. Jones," and the night before had been, "The mouse ran up the clock." None of them sounded like things Ivan would say, at least the Ivan that Alfred knew.

Was he scared subconsciously that Ivan would hurt him when they broke up? And they would break up. Alfred was sure of that. He just needed the coward to show up.

Alfred set the cup down, not wanting to think about Ivan. That bastard had caused him nothing but problems. He hated him. He really did. So why did he feel so sad at the thought of breaking up?

He's creepy and evil, Alfred told himself.

Damn his heroic nature and need to save people, even the villains. This was why Superman never killed Lex Luthor.

He wished Matthew could visit more, but his brother had been working double-shifts since Alfred's coma. His brother had mentioned "help" being hired, but would not say who and blushed at the mention of this "help" which made Alfred more suspicious.

Alfred needed to get out of here. No one would tell him what was going on. They all "forgot" their phones and the TV only had Disney and Kids' channels.

"You shouldn't overwhelm yourself", they said.

They were hiding something. Worst of all, Alfred had missed Christmas in his coma, the greatest of all holidays after Independence Day. It would be New Year's soon.

And where was Ivan? Off stalking someone else?

Alfred frowned at the thought.

He glanced at the door that was halfway closed unlike in the dream. Listening for signs of Bruno, Alfred carefully pulled back his blanket and placed his bare feet on the cold tiles. The nurses hated him attempting to do sit-ups or muscle exercises. They said he would hurt himself, but Alfred needed to get back to his old self. He needed a physical trainer to monitor him, which was ridiculous!

Alfred knew his body better. He knew his limits.

He had to recover, then find Ivan and kick his sorry ass.

He paused, glancing at the shelf above his bed, one full of "Get-Well" soon cards, stuffed animals and flowers. There was a pot of tulips there now, one that hadn't been there yesterday. It had a fancy silk bow tied to the front.

Who left that?

He studied the shadows, sure he was alone. So why didn't he feel alone?

"You fell out of bed again?" Tino said, barging into the room without so much as a knock.

"Good morning," Alfred said, pausing his tetris game. He adjusted his head bandage which had slipped forward again.

Tino scowled, or "pouted". His soft face could not look stern, just like Tino could looked more cuddly than intimidating. The giant Moomin shopping bag he gripped with the tail of Alfred's stuffed whale from home did not help.

"You!" Tino said, plopping the bag on Alfred's bedside. "Listen to the nurses. You just woke from a coma and survived a head injury that almost killed you! Stop being stubborn. What were you thinking?"

"He wasn't," a soft, familiar voice said.

"Mattie?" Alfred glanced around. "You came."

"Here, Al," Matthew said, stepping out from behind Tino to stand by the bed. "You just noticed I was here?"

"Man, you are a Hide'N'Seek master," Alfred said. "We could never play that game because you always won."

Matthew did not look amused. He crossed his arms. From the opening in his red and white Maple jacket peeked his Pancake Factory uniform.

"Did you get off work or something? It's morning," Alfred asked.

"No, I'm going to work at lunch."

"Today?" Alfred said in shock, then asked, "What is today?"

Matthew groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose, before answering, "Thursday, Al."

"Don't you have school?"

"How hard did you hit your head? It's winter holidays, remember?" Matthew said.

"I can't believe I missed Christmas." Alfred set down his game boy, flopping back in the bed. "No Christmas pancakes. No McDonald's Christmas special."

"There is no… never mind. How are you feeling?" Matthew asked.

"Ready to be overwhelmed," Alfred said. "What happened while I was out? I know you're holding back."

Tino and Matthew shared a worried glance. Then Tino leaned forward, fiddling with the railing. "Let's talk to the doctor's tomorrow morning and see what he says first."

"Would stop babying me," Alfred grumbled. "By the way, Mattie. How is the 'help' at work?"

"Oh… um…" Matthew went bright red and looked away. "Very good."

"Anyone I know?"

"Well… um… the boss hired him."

"Is it that Iceland guy?" But Matthew wouldn't blush over him.

"Look at all we brought. We got your favorite comics," Matthew said quickly, grabbing the Moomin bag and pulling stuff out to hold up. "Your Whale."

"I am not a kid." Alfred took his Whale quickly, giving him a hug. "But he helps wit bad dreams."

"Did you have another nightmare?" Tino asked with concern.

"No," Alfred lied. Matthew quirked an eyebrow. "All right, but different. A… um… hamburger ate me. It was horrible. Worst dream ever. Speaking of hamburgers, what does a hero gotta do to get one?"

"Recover!" they said in unison, glancing in surprise at their perfect timing.

"I'd do that if if the nurses let me do my squats."

Matthew rolled his eyes. "Your muscles are weakened. It's amazing your still in good enough shape to stand."

"You'll hurt yourself pushing things."

Alfred tried not to roll his eyes as he got a double-scolding from Matthew and Tino. Those two could be such nags. They never appreciated Alfred's heroics. A ticker-tape parade would have been a better reaction.

"You should listen to your family," a third voice called from the doorway. Matthew and Tino glanced behind and then stepped apart, revealing Ivan standing in the doorway. "After all, family knows best."

Ivan stood in an overcoat and scarf. Blood spots dotted his front and forehead. A large drying splatter glistened in a patch of his pale-blond hair above his right ear. A dead smile stretched his lips from end to end. In his right hand he held a faucet-pipe that dripped blood and human goo onto the floor. His cold, violet eyes promised murder.

"Al? Al?" Alfred jumped when Matthew touched his shoulder, gaze jumping to his very worried-looking brother. "Are you okay?"

Alfred realized his whole body had tensed up and he was crushing Whale to his chest. His gaze went back to the doorway to see that it was not Ivan, but Eduard standing in the doorway. Eduard stood in the exact same pose as Ivan had in the dream, leaning on his cane. He had a soft smile that looked friendly, but never touched his eyes. He was dressed in a crisp, dark blue suit and wine-red necktie. He held a paper bag in his other hand with a satin bow stuck to the front.

With a hard swallow, Alfred forced his body to relax.

No escape. Tick-tock, Mr. Jones. The mouse ran up the clock.

"Should I get the nurse?" Tino asked.

"I-I'm fine," Alfred said, forcing on a grin. He felt dizzy. Did he just hallucinate? Why did he see Eduard as Ivan?

"Did I come at a bad time?" Eduard asked.

"No, it's fine. Al's still recovering though," Tino said. "Please come in."

Alfred rubbed at his forearms, trying to make the goosebumps go away. What was wrong with him? It was just Eduard. Why did he feel like his nightmare had just entered his room?

"Eduard's been so kind and let me leave work a lot to see you. He's asked all the time how you were doing?" Tino said.

"I also went through a trauma when I was Alfred's age," Eduard said, tapping his cane on the floor for emphasis. "I lost the ability to run, among other things."

Eduard's pleasant smile grew as he stood by Alfred's bedside, and Alfred watched him warily. He could not help it. His Spiderman sense's were screaming at him, 'danger'.

Stop being dumb, body. Alfred scolded himself. This was perfectly-pleasant Eduard who meant no harm.

Alfred flinched when Eduard held out the paper bag and said, "Surprise! We made cookies!"

"No!" Alfred blurted out. His face warmed and he asked, "We?"

"Me and Tino," Eduard said. "I let him use the company kitchen."

"It was so sweet. I loved baking again in a proper, working oven," Tino said.

"It might not be hamburgers, but your Sweet Tooth will love them," Matthew added.

"Can I eat them?"

"Well," Tino said, "We haven't asked the doctor, but a few won't hurt."

Alfred swallowed hard, taking the bag. They smelled good. He opened the bag to see dozens of cookies inside — chocolate chip, white chocolate, and macadamia.

"What do we say, Al?"

"Thank you," Alfred said, closing the bag. "I'll eat them later."

"Wow… my brother turning down cookies." Matthew reached around and placed a palm on Alfred's forehead. "You must be hurt."

"Stop that," Alfred said, pushed Matthew's hand away. "I'm right as rain, I tell ya. I'm just not hungry right now."

"Did you… see anything when you almost died?" Eduard asked, leaning forward in interest.

"Like what? A tunnel of light?"

"Why are you asking about that?" Matthew said, glancing at Eduard.

"I… had a dream," Alfred said. They all stared at him in interest. He had been meaning to tell Matthew and Tino about it, yet now he found he could not. Each day he forgot a little more.

"About what?" Tino asked.

About mom, Alfred wanted to say.

"About London, Gatwick airport."

"The airport? You dreamed about an airport," Matthew said.

"Yeah, it was a silly dream," Alfred said.

"My grandmother believed," Eduard began, "that people who have a near-death experience sometimes bring something back with them."

Matthew chuckled. "Like what? The Sixth Sense?"

"I don't want to see ghosts!" Alfred gasped, grabbed Matthew forearm. "I'd die. Please say I'm not psychic."

"You're not psychic," Matthew said, trying to pry Alfred's fingers off. "It was a joke."

"But maybe I am psychic. I watched those movies!"

"This wasn't a good topic, let's switch to something more pleasant," Tino said with a nervous laugh.

"You're right. I shouldn't have brought it up," Eduard said. "I'm a bit fascinated with those stories about near-death experiences. I let my curiosity overcome my judgement."

"Oh God, what if I see the future now? Do you think I got superpowers?" Alfred said. "What if I see a future without hamburgers? That'd be worse a zombie apocalypse."

"That's ridiculous."

"Or a future without pancakes and maple syrups."

"Stop scaring me, Al," Matthew said.

"Enough," Tino said. "Let's enjoy the cookies and talk about happy things."

Eduard pushed up his glasses as he said, "You're absolutely right. However, I need head back to the office. I'll leave you to catch up."

"On winter vacation?"

"I like work," Eduard said, giving Alfred a look-over before turning to leave. "I dropped by to greet you. I'm glad you're doing better. I wish you a speedy recovery."

"Thank you," Alfred said.

Tino followed Eduard out with a "I'll be right back."

Alfred listened to the tap of the cane as they went further and further down the hall. And that unpleasant feeling faded, like a dark energy had left the room.

"He seems nice," Matthew said. "Dad has never been happier."

"How are we affording this?" Alfred asked, waving at the hospital room. "How much medical debt is this?"

"Don't worry, Al. It's all been taken care of," Matthew said.

"By who?" Alfred asked. "By Ivan? That bastard abandoned me."

"I'm not supposed to talk about this," Matthew said.

"Why not? What is the big secret?"

Matthew bit his lip. "Can you just trust us? We tell you everything when you're ready."

"I'm ready now."

Alfred's eyes narrowed. "I want to know now."

"Stop being impatient."

"I hate secrets."

"Then why didn't you tell me you were being bullied?" Matthew asked. "Why did you keep that secret?"

"Ah, you found out."

"It's been hell, Al. Hell. Two weeks of not-knowing," Matthew said. "So you can deal with a few more days of being not knowing. It won't kill you."

Matthew's face reddened with rage and his lower puffed up. They stared at each other.

"Please," Matthew said, softening.

"Fiiine," Alfred grumbled. "I don't understand the big deal, but fiiiiiiine. But at least tell me who our boss hired."

Matthew went bright red, then shrank back, twiddling his thumbs. "Now… don't get upset, but…"

Alfred did not like where this was going.

At some point around 1 am, Alfred woke to a dark figure looming over him, shaking him by the shoulders as they said, "Sunflower. Sunflower."

Ivan! It's the nightmare!

Alfred opened his mouth to scream, but a gloved hand clamped over it.

"Shh… don't be afraid," Ivan said in a low voice, glancing over his shoulder at the door.

Alfred thrashed and grabbed for the Call-Nurse button, but Ivan used his free hand to pin Alfred's wrist down.

"Calm down," Ivan warned.

Alfred panicked, biting at Ivan's palm and trying to push him off. Ivan was going to bludgeon him to death!

"I won't hurt you," Ivan said. "I wanted to come sooner, but my mother's guards have kept me away. I escaped tonight."

Alfred stilled, breathing through his nose as he studied this shadowy Ivan. This one had no pipe, and he sounded… concerned. Was this the real Ivan?

No escape. Tick-tock, Mr. Jones.

"I will let go. Don't cry out. Do you promise?"

Alfred nodded and Ivan released him.

"You son of a bitch," Alfred said, pushing himself up to sitting. "I should kick your ass. You left me for dead to a mob!"

"It was a mistake."

"A mistake?" Alfred laughed bitterly. "Dating you was a mistake. Trusting you was a mistake."

"I… am sorry."

Alfred gaped. He had to be dreaming. Ivan did not apologize. This could not be real.

"And I thought I had the head injury."

There were sounds coming from down the hall. Sounds off footsteps.

"We don't have long," Ivan said grimly. "Because of the scandal I'm not legally allowed to see you right now."

"What are you talking about?"

Legally allowed?

"But I had to see you. I can't let you go," Ivan said. "I will right this."

Then he hugged Alfred, and Alfred didn't resist. For all his anger, he kept remembering that dream of the two of them in the airport. He remembered Ivan abandoning him. He remembered kissing Ivan. He remembered everything. A confusion of emotions muddled his judgement.

What did he want?

And he knew the answer. He wanted this moment in Ivan's arms to last forever, despite everything.

"You're really here," Alfred said, returning the hug. Bitter tears stung his eyes. "You came back."

Then they took Ivan away.

Alfred was an idiot, Eduard concluded.

Eduard felt sick as he listened to their interaction through the listening device he had planted in the tulip pot he had placed in Alfred's room. He had been excited to realize Ivan had sneaked into Alfred's room.

He had eagerly hoped for Alfred to shatter Ivan's blackened heart like the monster deserved. And what did he get, 'You're really here'.

Sickening.

He wishes Alfred had died. That would have been better.

He leaned back in his leather chair, remembering when the rock he threw hit Alfred in the back of the head. Eduard had been there, whipping up the mob. He had been in disguise with a wig and prosthetics, but he had been there with a couple other plants.

He had arranged everything. A chant here and there could whip a mob. People were so easily manipulated by peer pressure. Sheep ready to burn the "witch". And Alfred had been that witch.

Eduard had only meant to have Alfred beaten up, but then he nearly died. Even better.

The sight of Ivan kneeled over an unconscious and bleeding Alfred had been glorious.

Now Ivan's family was embroiled in scandal, as was the whole school because someone recorded everything that happened and posted it online. Someone leaked to the media about a rich kids' school where violent bullying was an accepted fact. Of course, all the upper class families were working to have it shut down.

But Eduard wouldn't let that happen. This time they would pay for their elitist sins.

But it wasn't enough. Eduard needed more. He needed to carve his name into Ivan's skull. Or maybe beat it in with Ivan's faucet pipe. The one the man had carried around like a club when he red-carded others.

Soon. Everything would happen soon.

Eduard had the right; he was the victim in all this.

This was justice.

Notes:

Sorry for the long break! Don't worry this isn't turning into a horror story.

The next update is about Matthew and what happened to him during Al's two week coma. I think you'll enjoy it a lot.

Since this story is long I may have to fix the timeline at some point. Things are a little skewed in the dates since this was written with an outline more than a chapter by chapter synopsis.

The timeline may be off for this story, but I'll fix that later. When I finish I'll need to go back and fix certain plot mistakes or things that got changed in later chapters. Feel free to point stuff out if you notice so I can work it out later.

Best wishes on a happy 2018 everyone ~