Chapter 8

Kiku hurried into his house looking for his parents. He was convinced that Yao had been kidnapped by the man living up in that mansion.

"Hahaoya! Chichi!" he called into the house. His mother came downstairs.

"What is it, Kiku? Is something wrong?" she asked, walking over. Kiku's father walked in too, hearing his son's urgency. Kiku nodded to his mother.

"Yao has been kidnapped!" he replied. His mother's eyes widened.

"What? What makes you think that?" she demanded.

Kiku quickly explained about Yao going up to the mansion and meeting someone there and claiming they were friends. He relayed what Gilbert had said about the man who lived up there as well. His father's collected composure was quickly coming undone as he listened.

His mother looked shocked.

"Aiya! I'll call the police," she said, hurrying into the living room to get her phone.

Kiku, his parents, the police, Gilbert, Arthur, and Alfred hurried up the hill to the mansion. It was surprisingly easy to convince the police that Yao was in danger once the mansion was mentioned. It seemed as though the whole town was weary of the young man who lived there.

Once the door was in sight, the lead officer turned and stopped them.

"You will need to stay here," he ordered in a stern voice. Gilbert frowned.

"Why? We can help," he demanded. Alfred nodded emphatically.

"You can't leave the hero outta this!" he insisted. The policeman narrowed his gaze at the two teens.

"If this is indeed a kidnapping, you will just get in the way. I'm sure you remember Mr. Braginsky's time at your school," he replied, sending the other officers out to surround the mansion. Gilbert's eyes narrowed.

"Fine. The awesome me doesn't need to be insulted. Alfred, Arthur, let's go," he said, walking down the path. Alfred looked surprised.

"What? But we were gonna help!" he complained, dragging Arthur along behind him. Arthur yanked his hand from Alfred's grasp and followed them.

"I've told you not to pull me, Alfred," he grumbled. Alfred shrugged.

"You were being a slow poke," he said. Gilbert stopped and looked back towards the mansion. He grinned when he noticed the police weren't paying attention.

"Come on, we'll sneak in through the back or something," Gilbert told the two, sneaking back along the tree line towards the mansion. Alfred punched the air.

"Sweet! I knew we were gonna be heroes," he cheered. Arthur rolled his eyes at the blonde and quickly followed Gilbert. He was not going to miss this for the world.

Gilbert led the two blondes around the back of the mansion. He spotted a door and tried it. The door opened easily and he smirked, sneaking inside.

"Alright, now we just need to find the freak," Gilbert said. Alfred looked around with wide eyes.

"This place is huge, dude. How're we gonna find them?" he asked. Gilbert sighed.

"We're just going to have to look everywhere. Keep a listen for any sounds that could be them," he replied. Arthur nodded and looked around. The sound of the police knocking at the door echoed through the empty house.

"Ivan Braginsky! Police! Open the door!" came the lead officer's voice.

Ivan was startled awake by the sound of loud knocking and shouting from downstairs. He frowned and sat up, being careful not to wake Yao. Ivan got up and walked over to his window. He pushed aside the curtain slightly and peered outside.

"The police?" Ivan muttered in confusion. Yao groaned in his sleep, feeling the heat leave him and his eyes fluttered open.

"Mmm, Ivan? What's wrong?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. Ivan looked back at Yao over his shoulder.

"The police are here. I do not know why though," he replied. Yao sat up with a slight grimace.

"Why would the police be here?" he wondered aloud, attempting to stand on weak knees and join Ivan at the window.

"Ivan Braginsky open the door! You have 30 seconds before we use force!" the lead officer shouted. Yao's eyes widened as he looked out the window.

"That's my family with them!"

Ivan's eyes widened.

"What? Why? I haven't done anything," he said, stepping back from the window. Ivan turned and gathered their clothes. "You should get dressed, in case they come in."

Ivan set Yao's clothes on the bed before starting to get dressed. Yao nodded and dressed quickly. He was pretty sure Kiku had said something to their parents and it would sort itself out as a misunderstanding once they explained.

"10 seconds!" the officer warned.

Ivan went back to the window and peered out.

"Why can't they just leave?" he asked. Ivan didn't know what to do. He didn't want to go down and talk to the police, it's not like they would believe he hadn't done anything; but he didn't want them invading his house either.

Yao finished buttoning his tang and pushed Ivan out the bedroom door.

"Just see what they want," he replied, feeling a little panicked. Ivan stopped Yao from pushing him and shook his head.

"No! I do not want to! They won't listen to me and they'll arrest me," he replied, standing firm and gripping nervously at his scarf. Yao stopped pushing on Ivan and hung his head. He had forgotten about Ivan's past.

"Duìbùqǐ. I'll go with you. I won't let them arrest you," he promised, stepping out of the room and reaching out for Ivan's hand.

"This is your last chance, Braginsky! Open the door now!"

Ivan shook his head frantically.

"No, they'll arrest me and take you away!" he replied. An idea came to Ivan and he turned to Yao. "They will be coming in. But I can fight them off! I have pipe downstairs in kitchen."

Ivan grabbed Yao's hand and began sprinting down the hallway towards the stairs. Yao's eyes widened.

"A pipe?! Ivan no!" he cried. Was Ivan really thinking about fighting the police?!

Ivan ignored Yao's protests and hurried down the stairs. He pulled Yao down the hall and into the kitchen. Ivan dropped Yao's hand and walked over to the pantry. He searched through it for a moment before pulling out a metal water pipe.

"Here it is! I had it in case of emergency," Ivan said. There was a loud thump against the front door as the police crashed against the door, trying to force it open. Yao jumped at the sound and looked back at Ivan.

"Are you sure you should do this, Ivan?" he asked, worried. Ivan looked unsure.

"I do not have choice," he replied quietly. The door to the kitchen swung open and Ivan was shocked to see Gilbert, Alfred, and Arthur standing in the doorway.

"Found you!" Gilbert exclaimed, smirking victoriously. Yao stepped up next to Ivan.

"Gilbert?! What are you doing here?" he asked, getting a very uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach as he looked at the three hard expressions. Gilbert's smirk widened.

"Rescuing you, of course," he replied.

"Yeah! We're heroes!" Alfred agreed. Ivan moved to stand in front of Yao.

"Go away!" he demanded, holding the pipe defensively. Yao clutched the back of Ivan's coat tightly.

"I do not need rescuing. Now leave!" he insisted, expression hardening. Arthur stood there looking between Ivan and Yao. His frown deepened. Gilbert shrugged.

"That's just the…what's it called, Stockholm Syndrome? Stockholm Syndrome talking. Clearly the freak his bullied you into staying," he replied. Ivan shook his head.

"No! That is lie!" he insisted. Ivan hated Gilbert. He was always making fun of him or telling the others he was evil. Ivan felt his hands begin to shake in anger. "Kolkolkolkolkolkolkolkol!"

Yao's eyes widened at the sound and he jumped in front of Ivan, glaring at the three.

"You need to leave now! I do not have Stockholm Syndrome and Ivan did not bully me into staying! Get out!" The front door suddenly burst open and the police officers rushed inside the house, guns drawn. Gilbert frowned.

"It doesn't matter what you say. He'll be thrown in jail anyway. Or shot," he said, reaching out to grab Yao's wrist. Ivan felt pain shoot through his neck but he ignored it in favor of swinging the pipe down on Gilbert's wrist. Gilbert howled in pain and jumped back, clutching his wrist.

"Gil!" Alfred exclaimed. Ivan advanced on the three.

"Do NOT touch my Yao!" he snarled, holding his pipe at the ready. The police rushed into the kitchen and pointed their guns at Ivan. Yao instantly held his arms out in an effort to block their shot.

"Don't shoot!" he cried. The lead officer looked at Yao and motioned with his gun.

"Son, step aside. You are safe now," he said, attempting to coax Yao away. Yao shook his head and held his ground.

"I will not move. I was never in any danger!"

Gilbert turned to the officers.

"Ivan attacked us! He broke my wrist! Yao is clearly in danger," he said. Ivan gave a gasp of pain and sunk to his knees, dropping the pipe to grab at his neck. It burned too much and he couldn't handle it any more.

"It's true! I saw it!" Alfred piped up. Yao quickly knelt down with Ivan. He pulled back the scarf and saw a reddish-orange light was coming from his scar. Yao quickly picked up the pipe and stood in a defensive stance - ready to swing it at anyone who came close.

"I was in no danger! You were trying to take me away! I am here of my own free will!" he shouted, losing his patience. The lead officer lowered his gun slightly.

"Calm down, kid. Put the pipe down and let's talk this out, alright?" he tried reasoning with the furious brunette. Yao shook his head and tightened his grip on the pipe.

"No! If I put it down, you'll take me away and shoot Ivan!"

Gilbert frowned.

"What the hell is with his neck? Is he suicidal or something? Officer, isn't that even more reason to arrest him? He's clearly unstable," he said. Ivan shook his head, but he couldn't do much else due to the pain.

Yao growled.

"He didn't do it to himself, Báichī! His father tried to cut his throat!" he shouted, glare intensifying. The officers exchanged glances to each other. Gilbert wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"I don't believe you. He was probably lying," he said. Ivan reached out and grabbed Yao's free hand. He felt a bit calmer, and the pain lessened slightly. Yao gripped Ivan's hand tightly and continued to glare at Gilbert. The police re-positioned their guns.

"We aren't here to hurt either of you so just put the pipe down, kid," the lead officer ordered. Yao shook his head, tightening his grip on Ivan's hand.

"I'm the only thing standing between you and Ivan. If you want him you have to go through me."

"Yao. Stop this foolishness immediately."

Yao's step-father and mother stepped into the room, his mother in tears.

"Yao, baby, listen to them," she pleaded. Yao's stance wavered slightly but he stayed put. Ivan felt the pain lessen again. Gilbert frowned.

"Arthur, can't you do anything?" he demanded. Arthur nodded and began to quietly chant a dark spell. Once he had finished reciting the spell, he pointed to Ivan, leading the spell to its target, and smirked.

Ivan let out a scream and fully collapsed to the floor. The pain had drastically increased and he curled in on himself.

"Nice," Gilbert whispered to Arthur with a grin. Yao looked over his shoulder and dropped the pipe, wrapping his arms around Ivan and holding him close.

"Ivan! What's wrong?!" he cried. The officers closed in and pulled Yao away and pulled Ivan up off the floor, handcuffing him. Yao screamed and cried and kicked as he was pulled away.

"No! Let me go! Ivan!"

Ivan couldn't even put up a struggle.

"Yao…"

Tears rushed down Yao's cheeks as he was held back by his step-father.

"Let him go! He didn't do anything wrong! I love him!"

Arthur's eyes widened and his head snapped up to look at Yao. No! If that was true, it would ruin everything!

Ivan's eyes snapped open and he lifted his head to look at Yao. Yao loved him? Ivan gasped when a strange tingling began around his neck. There was a brief flash of light and the pain was gone. Ivan blinked. The pain was gone.

"Yao!" he shouted, struggling against the police officer. Ivan managed to dislodge the officer's hands and ran towards Yao.

"What the hell!?" Gilbert and Alfred exclaimed. Arthur quickly began reciting the dark spell more furiously, glare intensifying at the lack of reaction. Yao's father pushed him into his mother's arms and stood protectively in front of them, arms raised and ready to strike the Russian.

"Stay back!" he warned. Yao's eyes widened and he reached out to Ivan.

"Ivan! NO!"

A shot echoed through the house and everything fell silent. Ivan's eyes widened.

"…Yao…" he gasped, falling face first onto the ground.

Yao was in shock for a moment before he pushed his mother off him and ran up to Ivan. He knelt down and linked his arms under the Russian's, pulling him into his lap.

"...Ivan? Ivan... wake up…" Yao's voice cracked as he cupped Ivan's cheek gently. "Ivan..." he leaned their foreheads together and cried.

Ivan groaned. His back hurt. Ivan could sense a light and slowly opened his eyes. He regretted it and quickly closed them again. The light in whatever room he was in was far too bright. Ivan wondered where he was. He was sure he'd been shot, so, maybe he was dead.

Someone gasped next to him and he heard them hurry over.

"Ivan?" came the familiar voice. Ivan cautiously opened his eyes again. As they adjusted to the light he saw Yao.

"Y…Yao?" he rasped. Ivan wondered if he really was dead and this was some sort of paradise. Yao had been taken from him, so, that had to be it. Yao nodded and cupped Ivan's cheek, tears starting to pool behind his eyes.

"Yes. It's me, Ivan."

Ivan frowned slightly.

"Yao, do not cry. Why are you crying?" he asked, sluggishly raising his hand to rest on his arm. Yao chuckled slightly, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"I thought I had lost you... You were shot," he explained, rubbing his thumb across Ivan's cheek. Ivan blinked.

"Then I am not dead?" he asked, leaning a bit into Yao's hand. Yao shook his head with a smile.

"No. You've been in the hospital."

Yao leaned in and rested his forehead against Ivan's, another tear dropping onto the Russian's cheek. Ivan smiled at the show of affection.

"Oh. So then you saying you loved me is real too?" he inquired, reaching up to stroke Yao's hair. Yao pulled back slightly and nodded, a red blush heavy on his cheeks.

"Shì de, it was real," he replied. Ivan grinned brightly.

"I am so happy. I love you too," he said, taking hold of Yao's hand. Yao interlaced their fingers and leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on Ivan's lips. Ivan sighed happily; then something occurred to him.

"Yao…am I going to jail?" Ivan asked worriedly. Yao laughed and shook his head.

"No. I talked to the police and you are innocent," he said, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed and gripping Ivan's hand tightly. Ivan's eyes widened.

"Really? I am so relieved. I do not want to be away from you," he replied with a small smile. Yao's smile widened and he clenched Ivan's hand a few times.

"I wouldn't stop insisting what really happened. I wouldn't let them take you away from me," he replied, lying down and curling up next to Ivan in the bed. Ivan wrapped an arm around him as best as he could.

"Then you will stay with me forever?" he asked hopefully. Yao placed a hand over Ivan's heart and smiled.

"Yes, moya lyubov'," he replied.

~The End~