Matthew sat by Francis's bed, his head hung low and his body trembling as he held the sleeping man's hand. With his alpha unconscious, instinct forced his body into a near panic against any threat that would harm the nest. He knew full well that the Chenitza would protect them, but the drive was too powerful. Despite his best efforts, he nearly attacked Kiku twice and full out lunged at an alpha that almost dropped Alfred when they carried him in.

'Alfred…' Matthew's heart sank, but he quickly shook his head. He couldn't dwell on it. Not yet. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. No one was allowed to visit Alfred in the tiny hut nearby. Even Arthur was forced to guard the entrance outside and ensure no one disturbed Kiku. They had no choice but to trust the shaman and wait it out.

Matthew nodded his head to no one. Kiku knew what he was doing. He had already saved Francis and helped the other alphas. He will have Alfred up and healthy in no time. Plus, Alfred is too stubborn to die. Sure, he had a few cuts from battle, burns from the fire…wheezing breaths like he couldn't breathe…his body motionless, not stirring at all to his calls…like he was…

Matthew growled. 'Stop it! Don't think like that. He'll be fine. They both will.'

He looked down at his mate's sleeping form and brushed through the golden locks. They trailed gently down and played with the ends.

"You'll be just fine…right?"

Only calm breaths answered him, the rhythm even and steady. It was peaceful, but Matthew hated it. It sounded selfish, but he wanted him to wake up. Tell him another cheesy pickup line, flash his smile that was a touch arrogant but genuinely sincere.

But now Francis was trapped in sleep and Alfred struggled for life out of sight. Matthew was alone…

He bit his bottom lip in a vain attempt to stop it from shaking and laid his head down upon the edge of the bed, burying his face among the furs.

"Please…wake up soon."

Matthew opened his eyes slowly to darkness and shifted numbly back into the conscious world. He must have fallen asleep. He yawned half-hearted, still resting on the bed and content to lie there a bit longer. Kiku must have come stopped by, for all the fires were out save for a small flame near the center and a fur was draped across shoulders to keep him warm. He adjusted the fur cover and smiled. He will have to thank him later.

He looked around a bit, but then quickly put his head right back down. It was still dark out. For a moment, Matthew wondered how Alfred was doing. He didn't know how long it had been, but more than likely, he would be turned away at the door again. He grunted, annoyed. Guess he'll have to wait until morning.

He sighed and shifted his stiff shoulders, trying to fall back asleep. After a while, he breathed content, moments away from sleep as Francis's pheromones calmed his senses and a hand gently stroked his hair. Wait…

Matthew sat up slowly and looked over, still groggy from sleep. "…Francis?"

"Good morning, my love." He chuckled weakly. "Sleep well?"

Time came to a halt as Matthew looked at a smiling Francis. He had played this moment out a thousand times in his head, envisioning what he would do once he woke up. Say something sweet or sarcastic. Hit him a few times for scaring him so bad. But now that it had actually happened, with Francis really awake, his mind went blank and his body did the one thing that remained constant in every scenario.

He hugged Francis and cried in relief.

Late the next day, sky blue eyes opened and Alfred's mind rejoined a body that was already moving and the pain was excruciating.

His hands clawed weakly at the bed beneath him, his chest heaved with heavy breaths that never seemed to grab enough air, and his back constantly rocked, shifting weight off one burn only to place more on another. He opened his mouth, but only wheezing breaths came out with tones so soft, he himself could barely hear them.

But he wouldn't shut up. His voice rasped like dried leaves in the wind with no volume whatsoever, but he kept trying anyway, wisps of forceful air calling for Arthur.

Arthur grabbed his hand. "Alfred, stop. I'm right here." He stroked Alfred's hair, calming the frantic omega as best he could. "Damn git. You don't have a voice, but you're still insufferably loud."

Alfred stared at him, surprise clear in his eyes. He mouthed the words rather than speak them aloud.

"You're…alive."

The alpha growled. "Right surprise that. And what are you going on about?"

Alfred laughed, or tried to. He gripped the hand tighter. "You're alive."

Alpha frustration finally spilled over. "You nearly killed us both. You attack me, drain my energy, and then chase a madman into the center of a wildfire! What were you-?"

Arthur stopped mid-sentence to a hacking cough and tears mixed with pain and relief.

He looked awful. He sounded awful. At first, Arthur had planned to give Alfred a piece of his mind as soon as he was conscious. He had started to, the alpha getting the better of him, but it died within seconds. It was silenced with watery blue eyes, erratic breaths, and small jerky movements that constantly searched for any position to lessen the fire still burning on his skin.

Two words. That's all it took. Alfred looked at him, caught his breath, and said it.

"I'm sorry."

Arthur growled weakly as he rested his cheek against the hand.

"Moron…"

Alfred smiled and closed his eyes, finding more comfort in that word than his mate had probably intended. He struggled against the pain, but it seemed to subside now that Arthur was here and alright. He closed his eyes, starting to relax when a timid voice shot them back open.

"Arthur? How is Alfred?"

Alfred whipped his head to the side and his brain practically fizzed out from the overwhelming realization. Sky blue eyes stared, looking the man up and down as if the image was some cruel trick and he was too stupid to realize it. It was impossible. The elder had killed him. There's no way…

"Alfred! You're awake!"

Arthur was sent tumbling backwards almost immediately. Pelts flew in all directions, fleeing the desperate charge as Alfred clumsily toppled over Arthur to reach Matthew. His legs buckled as soon as they touched the ground, but Matthew's arms held him up and Arthur's body cushioned the rest.

For the second time, the floodgates opened and Alfred cried in a fit of relief. Arthur roared half-hearted complaints and Matthew struggled to get him back in bed, but Alfred wouldn't let up. His brother is alive, and there was no way he was letting him go again. Slender arms calmly wrapped around him, matching the emotion in a quiet display, and helped him stay standing. A firm, but loving hand pet his head like he was a child and the voice threw sarcastic comments that held no bite to them. And a bit further off, a laugh that held a touch of superiority echoed from the recovering alpha as he limped closer to welcome his ridiculously stupid brother-in-law home.

Alfred had nearly lost them. He had abandoned one, almost destroyed another, and constantly guarded against the last, but for some reason, life gave them all back to him, safe and sound. He didn't deserve this chance. Not in the slightest. But they had survived and forgiven him.

The burns, the pain, and the scars didn't matter to him. His family, by blood and bond, was alive and they still loved him.

Alfred felt like the luckiest man alive.

.~.~Two Months Later~.~.

"Bloody git. We're going to be late!"

Arthur and Katun trudged through the lowlands, searching for Alfred…again. His recovery was still ongoing, but as soon as he could move, he refused to hold still. Matthew had warned them this would happen, but everyone had ignored him. They should have listened. It got so bad that Kiku kicked him out of the shaman's hut into Arthur's den early.

Not that it mattered because he was never bloody there! It didn't matter that he was dressed entirely in bandages. He was wrestling with Matthew, pestering Francis, hanging out with Kiku, playing with the dogs, exploring the lowlands, tinkering with something or other, and doing everything and anything that didn't involve resting or recovering. Apparently it was all in the name of freedom, but Arthur knew better. Alfred more or less just enjoyed having Arthur hunt him down, like their own personal game of hide-and-seek.

It was actually quite endearing in the most annoying way possible. And now they were running late. Wonderful.

Arthur sniffed the air and caught the familiar scent. With a nod of his head, Katun trotted off and Arthur kept walking ahead and looking around as if still lost. Suddenly, he darted around the tree, spotting the now wide-eyed, bandage-covered omega stumbling out of his hiding spot.

"Found you!"

Alfred took off, laughing and running right into Katun, who cut him off and jumped playfully at the retreating prey. Alfred barked back, meeting the challenge and shoving the giant dog in a mock wrestling match. Probably not a good idea to take on a dog that weighed more than he did, but he can take him! Right?

Alfred was overpowered immediately. He quickly fell to the ground in a flurry of giant dog kisses. Alfred laughed, trying to block and failing miserably. "Alright, alright. You got me." He struggled to his feet, patting Katun's side and petting the dog happily.

Arthur smiled, but he forced it down for a scowl and came over.

Alfred wasn't fazed in the slightest. He flashed a cheeky grin. "What up, grumpy?"

Arthur smacked him upside the head.

"Ow, what was that for?"

"You idiot. We'll be late for the ceremony."

Alfred donned a stupid face. "…ceremony?"

"The bonding ceremony! Remember?"

"…no?"

Arthur clocked him on the head again.

Alfred nursed the wound and laughed the pain away. "Damn Arthur, I was joking." He pointed to the sky. "It's not even midday yet. We've got plenty of time."

"Oh, and I suppose we just show up at the last minute then? You're not even dressed!"

"But it's too hot…"

"Get on Katun. We're going home."

Alfred grumbled a bit and slinked over the dog. "Damn alpha…"

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Despite the whining, Alfred and Arthur both were happy to see the other. On the way back, Arthur kept sneaking glances at the tiny bulge in Alfred's stomach. He smiled secretly to himself and promised to go easier on his mate. Well, at least for the next few months anyway.

At the clan's center stood a crowd of people, both foreign and familiar. The new omegas from the highland meeting gathered together nervously while their alphas either mingled with one another or, in Francis's case, cooed over their mate while he fretted over his appearance for the umpteenth time.

Arthur hurried Alfred to the den to get ready while Matthew was messing with his clothes, unsure really what to do with all the furs on his midsection.

"You're sure they're worn like this?"

"Of course! I made it myself."

Matthew looked down, poking the soft center and invariably touching the protruding skin beneath. "I feel weird…and hot."

"Ah, come here." Francis came up behind Matthew and began massaging his shoulders. His left arm was useless in a fight, but that didn't make his touch any less effective.

He smiled as Matthew practically melted under his fingers. "Just a bit longer. You will walk up, blind the others with your beauty, have your face painted and then we are done. It is not so bad, no?"

"Then I can take this off?"

"Yes."

Matthew breathed a sigh. "Good. No offense, but the sooner I get out of this, the better."

"Oh, do not worry." Francis leaned in for a whisper as his hand sunk lower along his back. "I will have you naked the second we finish."

The omega spun around in surprise. "W-wait. I didn't mean…"

"Oh?" Francis chuckled as he pulled Matthew's body gently against his, their faces inches apart. "You do not want to celebrate our new home together?"

Matthew looked down at his shoes, the blush growing across his cheeks. "…I thought we did already."

Francis cupped Matthew's face, drawing their lips closer. In a low voice, he whispered, "One more time wouldn't hurt."

Arthur cleared his throat behind them.

Matthew quickly turned away, red from head to toe and his hands fiddling with his pants. Francis gave him an annoyed look. "Oh…it's you."

Arthur rolled his eyes. Technically, they were in-laws now, but that didn't make their interactions any less pleasant. "Shut it. And just what do you think you're doing?"

Francis smiled like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Helping Mattieu relax."

"By making out in public?"

"Eh…Details." Arthur deadpanned at him, but Francis merely shrugged and continued in a mocking tone. "Ah, such a prude. Poor Alfred, I feel sorry for him."

At that, Matthew quickly interjected before Arthur could attack Francis. "W-where is Alfred anyway? Did you find him?"

Arthur turned to Matthew and nodded, more than happy to speak with a much more pleasant in-law. They talked for a while, mostly just killing the little time that remained before the ceremony started. Normally, the event was much more personal, but considering the unusually large influx of new members, Kiku suggested a group ceremony that brought the whole clan together.

Arthur stole a glance towards the clan fire where the young apprentice and elder shaman made the final preparations. Kiku's council during the Haudenois incident and the months following turned out a lot better than many had hoped. When the forest fire had finally died, the Chenitza were outraged at the damage to the land and the Haudenois furious at their elder burned alive in the fire. Each blamed the other and demanded blood, but Kiku stopped them. He told the story how one alpha hurt two omegas, who in turn hurt six alphas, which then led to an elder burned alive and the land scorched. They had to stop it, let the circle of retribution end with them before it destroyed them just as it nearly destroyed the land.

They heard his words and listened. Neither side was happy with it, but both agreed enough blood had been spilt and left the matter behind them. The only thing that changed between them was the promise of trade, but that was it. No execution, no war, just peace. Kiku was well on his way to becoming a true shaman and both peoples respected him for it.

And now here they were, everything back to normal as if it was any other year save for a few new faces, one of which marked the embodiment of Arthur's frustration and happiness. In fact, said-embodiment was now running up with his clothes draped on him haphazardly and just barely making it in time.

Arthur grabbed at the furs and quickly fixed him up while Matthew messed with the feathered adornments in his hair. "Alfred, honestly, do you not know how to dress yourself?"

Alfred fidgeted in his clothes. "But they feel weird…"

Matthew gave an amused smile. "Right? I can't get comfortable."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at them while smacking Alfred's hands away. "Well, get used to it. You are Chenitza now and as such, I will not have you running around half-naked."

Alfred groaned in defeat and then looked down at himself. "Ugh…fine. I guess every now and then is ok."

Arthur was about to argue when he caught sight of the bandage upon Alfred's neck. He narrowed his eyes and bit back the growl in his throat. That mark will always be there, the constant reminder of a rival alpha trying to steal his mate. But in the end, he won. The same mark will constantly be surrounded and outnumbered by bites and kisses from him, lost among them and eventually forgotten entirely. With a smirk, he adjusted the furs over the bandage and slapped the spot.

"Ow! Dude, what?"

"Lost forever." Arthur flashed an evil smile. "Yes, that will do nicely."

Before Alfred could ask, the elder shaman began. Each turned and listened to him as he began, chanting to the guardians to see the new omegas and accept them as kin. As Kiku stood in front of the fire, each came up one by one and had their faces painted and their spirits accepted into the soul of the Chenitza people.

All the while, the head alpha bellowed their acceptance with practiced authority and certainty. "By fate or by choice, each has come to join the Chenitza and today, they will be accepted as clan by name and kin in spirit."

Alfred stood nervously between his mate and twin, doing all he could not to look into the red flames. Matthew noticed immediately and nudged his shoulder. Alfred looked up and Matthew smiled, communicating his support and reassurance as best he could.

But soon it was Matthew's turn. As he walked ahead, he looked back nervous to his twin and then to Francis. The first shot a confident grin and the second winked with a smirk as if telling a dirty joke. Matthew smiled back, getting the real message loud and clear, and walked up to Kiku, still nervous but now just a bit more confident.

Alfred, however, was a shaking mess. He could barely fake a smile for his twin, but he fought through his fear and managed somehow. When Matthew's turn was up, he took a breath and walked towards the young shaman and the roaring fire. As the images tricked through his head, he grit his teeth and kept going, refusing to let the memory get the better of him. But as the heat fell gently forward, the smell of burning wood and smoke trickle to the forefront of his mind, Alfred's pace slowed and then finally stopped. He swallowed thickly and looked down to his feet. His pride wouldn't let him retreat, but his fear wouldn't let him advance. As the past enveloped his reality, Alfred found himself paralyzed at that spot and literally unable to take the next step forward.

A hand grabbed his and Alfred looked up into a convicted emerald gaze. Alive, determined, and certain. Arthur's expression held a serious frown with an air of annoyance, but the scent was nothing but concern and loving comfort. The difference in his stance and smell were like night and day and so much like Arthur that Alfred smiled unknowingly. He drank in his mate's show of strength and comfort, reigniting the courage he had felt a few steps before.

Green orbs narrowed and shifted forward. "Well, come on then." He tugged Alfred's hand and he followed, but he still shook with fear even with his alpha standing beside him.

"Alfred…" Arthur took a deep breath and let his head fall. In a rare show of kindness, the stance softened and he squeezed Alfred's hand, turning the omega's focus away from the fire. "…focus on me. I've got you and I won't give you up."

Arthur and Alfred walked the last few step together, never letting go even as they reached the end. The omegas watched in baffled curiosity, but the Chenitza observed with a knowing respect. This was the omega that survived the fire serpent's bite and the alpha who braved the same to bring him back alive. This act was not normal, but no one was about to stop them. As far as they were concerned, the odd pair could do whatever they wanted.

Kiku greeted them with a respectful nod, though Alfred was too distracted to really notice. He painted the lines upon his face. "Alfred of the Chenitza." He finished with a small tap under Alfred's chin, making the giant omega's sky blues glance up into the shaman's warm gaze. "Welcome home."

When all the omegas were painted and blessed, all Chenitza came together, hands grasping another's shoulder until the center became just one large network that connected the whole of the clan. The head alpha's voice rang out above them, booming to the heavens of their new family with a certainty that could never be disputed. Couples smiled warmly towards each other, happy to officially be united, but none quite as much as the four at its center.

Months ago, none of them would have predicted that it would end up like this. In a day, Alfred and Matthew turned from loved to scorned. Not long after, they dragged Arthur and Francis from an instinctual routine to a fight not their own. Fate tore their lives apart, chance brought them together, instinct helped them fall in love, but to make that love last? To stay by their side even when times got tough? That was their choice. In the end, they chose to fight for one another and in turn, forged a bond that would remain for the rest of their lives.

They didn't need a fancy bracelet or a Bonding Ceremony to tell them of their love. They had earned this happiness months ago and shared its treasures in many different forms. It came from clasped hands that refused to let go, a caring gaze that watched over the other, and a will to stand together through thick and thin.

As they lifted their heads to the heavens and howled with the clan, Francis with Matthew and Arthur with Alfred, they sang to the skies above their oath to each other and declared to the world what the two couples had always known all along.

.

.~.~ FIN ~.~.

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A/N: And that it is! I am sorry it took so long, but I hope it was worth the wait. Thank you very much for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.