Sven knew he was going to die soon. He was sick and there was no cure. It was just a matter of time, so he decided to take Rodio his only biology child on one last walk through the nearby woods.
He told Rodio stories, while the boy eagerly listened. After some time, they sit together on a big log. They fall into a comfortable silence, watching the snowflakes dance in the wind. That's when Sven knew it was his time. He stood up and went a few steps forward. Rodio, confused by his father's action also stood up and waits for an explanation from his father. ,,You're going to be a great man when you grow up," Sven suddenly said. The boy grew even more confused by the words and asked: ,,What do you mean, father?"
With a small smile Sven turned to face his son. In that moment, everything seemed to go in slow motion as Rodio watched in horror how his father began to disintegrate into dust. The shock was overwhelming, and he could do nothing but stand there, paralyzed, as his eyes fixed on the spot where his father had stood merely seconds ago.
It took an hour before Bella and Alex found their older brother still standing there. ,,Rodio?" they called, their voices filled with concern. The addressed boy doesn't even blink. Doesn't move. He just kept staring at one spot. His siblings followed his stare and found their father's Ushanka laying in a pile of dust. Alex now understood what happened and made it his mission to get both of his siblings home. He went over to Rodio and gently placed his hand on Rodio's back and guided him slowly to walk with him. He called out for Bella, who picked up the Ushanka and followed them.
When they got home Ulla opened the door and was shocked to see Alex guiding Rodio and Bella having their father's hat in her hand. She took over for Alex and moved Rodio to the living room where she sat him on the couch. She got him a blanked and sat herself next to him. ,,Rodio, what happened?" she asked worried. No answer. No movement. Instead, Alex came over and whispered to her so that their siblings couldn't hear: ,,I think Ata(father) died and that… that Rodio saw it." Ulla's eyes wide she looked over at Rodio who still hasn't moved or spoken. She and Alex got their siblings and told them to go to their room because Rodio isn't feeling well and needs some rest. Alex stayed up stairs to keep his sibling company and to make sure they stayed upstairs.
Ulla stayed with her brother to make sure he was as ok as possible.
A few hours later there was a knock on the door. Ulla went to the door and opened it. There were standing Alfred, Brian and Fleur. ,,We heard about your père(father), our condolences," Fleur said. Ulla looked at them a bit confused about why they were there. ,,I thought you hated батько(father)," she said. ,,Hate is a strong world, but it's true we didn't really like him the last few years," Brian explained. ,,But we still were friends once and we wanted to make sure you and your brothers and sisters are ok," Alfred clarified. Ulla still looked at them a bit warry but let them in. ,,They don't know yet," Ulla said referring to her sibling who didn't know about their father's faith and walking into the living room to her older brother. The adults understood and followed her. ,,What happened to him?" Fleur asked concerned. Ulla lowered her head a bit ,,He saw it." She answered in a sad tone. The adult's eyes wide. ,,What? Why? How?" Brian asked shocked. ,,батько took him for a walk. They took very long to come back, so I send Alex and Bella to search for them. When they came back Rodio was like this and Bella held батько's Ushanka," Ulla told them. A few tears escape her eyes. ,,Aww, you poor thing," Fleur said walking over to her and hugging her. Ulla gladly accepted the embrace and started quietly crying into the woman's shoulder. Alfred sat himself next to Rodio's other side and Brian went upstairs to let the other kids know of their presents.
When Ulla stopped crying, Fleur suggested to her to get some rest. ,,What about Rodio?" she asked not wanting to leave her brother. ,,Don't worry I will take care of him, ok?" Alfred told her. A yawn left Ulla and she agreed. She went to her room and laid down.
,,I will make some food," Fleur informed. Alfred nodded and gave his attention to the young Rodion. ,,Hey buddy I know this is hard, but you will get through this. You are a strong young man," Alfred said: ,,it's going to be alright, ok?" No response. ,,Ok…. Is it okay if I just talk for a while with you?" No response. ,,Ok." He started talking to him about random stuff. People, nature, space just everything to maybe get some reaction.
Half an hour later Fleur came back into the living room with two bowls of soup. ,,Any luck?" Fleur asked. Alfred shook his head. Fleur nodded sadly and went back into the kitchen to set up the food in the dining room for the others.
Alfred began eating a bit and then offered Rodio with the other spoon some as well. The kid made no move to take it, so Alfred put it back. This repeated a for a while. Alfred eating, offering a bit to Rodio, who didn't take it and repeat.
Alfred held it for a bit longer this time. He almost put the spoon back into the full bowl when Rodio moved forwards a centimetre. It wasn't much but it was more than he moved the last few hours. Alfred kept holding the spoon in front of him and after some time Rodio finally took it. ,,Good job buddy. I'm so proud." Alfred told him scoping another spoon of soup. The boy again slowly took it. This went on and he became faster and faster. When half the bowl was empty Rodio began eating by himself. Alfred watched him and then took his own soup. They ate their soups in comfortable silence.
After they finished their soup, Alfred looked at Rodio and asked, "Feeling a little better now?" Rodio turned to him, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, and he broke down. The emotions that he had built up overwhelmed him, and he began to cry. Alfred immediately wrapped his arms around the young boy. He whispers comforting words into his ears and gently stroke the young Russian's hair.
Fleur and Brian, having taken care of the other children, went to the living room and shared concerned glances with Alfred. The crying child in the American's arms slowly began to calm down. The physical and emotional exhaustion finally catching up with him and he fell asleep. Alfred kept brushing his hair, not wanting to leave Rodio alone.
The adults sat down, trying to figure out how to navigate this situation. Fleur sat next to Alfred on the couch, while Brian took a seat in an armchair nearby. ,,How are the other?" Alfred asked quietly. ,,We put them to bed," Fleur answered. Alfred just nodded as a response.
For the rest of the evening, they sat there occasionally having some small talk but mostly staying in comfortable silence to not wake the boy in Alfred's arms.