When America came home, there were many things he never would think to expect, and this was definitely high up on the list. What he expected to do was relax for a bit, play some video games as he pretended to do important politic stuff then go stuff his face with leftovers. Instead, he was somewhat shocked -only somewhat since the other man was known to do things like that- to see Ivan sitting at his table with a grin on his face. "Hey Ivan... Uh, what are you doin' here?" Alfred asked slowly, trying not to get too excited about the giant present behind him.
Smiling, Ivan simply gestured with his right hand to the large present sitting on the table behind him and turned around so he could watch as America would open it. It was almost his birthday, after all. He always made such a big deal about it, you would think he would expect presents a few days ahead.
Alfred's face broke out into a smile as he crowed. "I knew it! Ahah!" Once he was close enough to see what it was wrapped with though, his excitement multiplied tenfold. "You fucking didn't! A giant box of cheese burgers for my birthday, and a few days early? I knew there was a reason I dealt with your freakishness." Before he started to open the box hurriedly, America had seen that it was wrapped in McDonald's cheese burger wrappings. Obviously using his detective skills he could tell just what was going to be in it.
His face still lit up with excitement, it fell slightly, before picking up again. "Good try, but you can't fool me that easily." Getting the next box out, he opened it as well, only now to have a frown on his face. "This isn't funny any more." Was he going to have to open all the boxes before he got to his hamburgers? Or was there only one and Russia was just getting his kicks from this? He was always really strange, throughout their relationship America had many times to learn that fact.
Still not saying anything, Russia once again gestured to continue. Alfred was always so cute, it was no wonder Ivan had chosen him to be his boyfriend.
.oOo.
"Hey freak, are you listening to my heroic plan to destroy the Axis?" America said through a mouthful of food as he noticed said 'freak' staring off into space. "'Cause if you're not, then you better forget about being my backup!"
"Sorry. Please continue." Ivan said, watching the American gorge himself on hamburgers. He had invited him to lunch after a meeting, saying he would pay. Once he had mentioned food, Alfred had been out the door.
Snorting, America just took another bite of his burger and a large sip of his drink before continuing. "Like I was saying, I know that Japan totally has a hidden war hanger filled with robots that take over people's minds to make them become evil, so if we all were to wear helmets made of awesome American materials then we wouldn't be in danger! Totally awesome, am I right?"
Nodding, Russia took his napkin and reached across the table, wiping some ketchup from the side of Alfred's mouth. "Yes, that sounds like a good plan." He said absentmindedly, putting the napkin down but not throwing it away. He would most likely need it again.
Raising and eyebrow at the other nation, Alfred just said. "That wasn't cool y'know. Maybe we should just use you as bait for his mind numbing robots so he thinks he got us." What was the creep thinking, doing that! That was something America would make fun of England for doing when he was young, and he definitely didn't need the help!
Shrugging, Ivan continued idly listening to America canter on about this and that, mostly just watching his mouth move. If not for the food constantly rolling inside it, it would be a nice show. As usual, Russia didn't talk much, but he never did.
"So yeah, you will be the one we leave tied to a stake so that all the dragons Germany sends will eat you, and then the rest of us will be fine." Alfred finished, slamming his fist on the table. At first he had thought it strange that Russia had been inviting him out for dinners and lunches with the occasional awesome American movie, but he never thought too much about it. After all, it was all free, so why would he complain?
"Hm, good choice. There is a lot of me to eat." He agreed, not even really knowing what he was agreeing to. He moved closer to the charismatic blond, so that they were almost touching. "So I can hear you better." He explained.
Not thinking about it, America just smiled. "Good idea! That means that their spies can't hear us!" He continued to explain his other abstract ideas, inhaling the rest of the burgers. It was a bit unnerving to have him so close, but Alfred didn't want to think about just how close the other's violet eyes were.
Tilting his head to the side, Ivan looked at America's eyes, twinkling in the light. They were always so full of hope. "If we huddled like they do in your American Football, they wouldn't be able to read our lips."
"Stop stealing all the good ideas." Nevertheless, Alfred just leaned in closer to Russia. "As I was saying about the plan to surround their troops with Saran wrap..." Sure it was a bit awkward to be so close but he wouldn't want the spies being able to foil his heroic plans.
"Where will we get the Saran wrap?" Ivan asked, their shoulders touching. Suddenly there was a loud screeching sound and he looked up to see Hungary running towards them.
"Are you two out on another date? You two look soooo cute together!" She was hopping up and down on the balls of her feet.
His mouth full of food after taking a bite of his hamburger, Alfred almost choked as he asked incredulously. "What the hell are you talking about?!?" Looking beside him at Ivan, he was just smiling placidly at him and Elizaveta. What was that about?
Putting his arm around Alfred's shoulder, Russia grinned up at the girl. "Da, we are going steady now, so he has no reason to talk to you." He never liked how she hung around, always watching and listening.
"Since when?! Why wasn't I informed?!" Trying to hit he arm off, it just made Russia's fingers dig harder into his shoulder. Hungary on the other hand seemed even happier that they were fighting if it was possible.
"What, trying to get out of buying me an anniversary gift by saying you don't remember when our first date was?" Ivan gave a small laugh, handing him another hamburger. "Here you go, eat up."
"I'm not going to eat it if that means we're going out!" Pushing the food away, he just stared at it longingly for a bit. Wait, was the reason Russia always bought him food and the like because they were 'going out'? It made sense in a sickeningly annoying way. Damn! And he thought that Ivan was doing it to help the economy! Cause with the amount he could eat it would help his country get out of the depression, a burger at a time!
"Do you want me to feed it to you?" Ivan asked, Hungary completely forgotten. He picked up the burger, lifting it to Alfred's mouth like a plane. Once, when they were all drunk, England had let slip that this was how he used to get America to eat his peas.
Leaning away from the food as much as he really wanted to eat it, America tried to duck but Ivan held him fast. "How dare you bribe me with such perfection?!" Alfred exclaimed before grabbing the burger and all but moaning as he ate it. They were some much better when he hasn't had one for a few minutes.
Smirking, Russia stayed by his side for the rest of the minute it took him to devour the food. Elizavetta had left, saying she would 'Leave you two love birds alone' which suited Ivan just fine. He got even closer still, almost on his lap, as he fed the greasy food to him.
"So what d'ya mean, we're going out?" Alfred asked him, not noticing that he was practically on top of him. Honestly, he could care less if they were 'dating' as long as it meant they would do nothing sexual while he bought America food.
"Did you not notice? Why else would I bring you flowers, take you out for meals, and show you movies?" Russia asked, believing it was obvious. "I decided we should date, so now we are dating. Simple, really."
America stared at Ivan for a few seconds before shrugging. It didn't seem like he was planning on raping him, so why not? It was free food. "Sure. Just don't try any funny business. Plus if anyone asks, we just have a bromance going on, 'kay?" As long as he didn't find Russia molesting him at night, he didn't find any reason to say no.
.oOo.
Ivan watched as America paused before taking the third box out. He wondered what he had been thinking about, but just stayed seated, hands clasped in his lap. Since he had wrapped the first box in burger wrappers, he was probably thinking about when they had first gotten together, because of the amount of burgers he had bought him.
Still not letting his excitement burn out, Alfred wad determined that the next box would have the hamburgers in them. Then the next. Then the next. When he was on the sixth box that was already getting significantly small, he finally showed his displeasure. "Where are the burgers?" Alfred whined, looking over at Russia's happy grin.
Blinking, Ivan didn't say anything. He watched him continue taking out the boxes, one by one. Soon he should get to the next one he had wrapped especially for him, and... yes, the one he just took out, that was covered in green and red paper.
"Christmas paper? Is this like some sort of 'Christmas in July' gag or something? You're fucked up." Still, he couldn't help but smile back at his lover as he remembered the first time they shared Christmas together. All in all it was a funny thing to remember, but at the time it was a sore spot for him.
.oOo.
Laughing as he saw the younger nation step off the plane, Russia went to greet him. "What are you wearing? You will freeze!" Ivan said, taking off his coat and wrapping it around Alfred's shivering body. He had on a light tshirt and shorts! It was winter in Russia! Sure, they weren't in Siberia, but it was still cold.
His teeth chattering, Alfred tried to push the jacket off himself only to have it wrapped around him tighter by the giant Russian. "I'll b-be fine. It's j-j-just a l-little b-b-bit c-cold." How was he supposed to know that it was cold in Russia!
"Why would you wear this to Russia when you even complain about the southern parts of Canada?" Ivan was a little cold without his coat, but he was obviously much warmer than his lover. He had been happy when he had agreed to visit him for Christmas.
Glaring up at Ivan, America just mumbled. "It's n-not my fault if I di-didn't know h-how c-c-cold Russia is! I th-thought it was c-close to C-Cuba since you t-two are friends." It only made sense! After all, whenever Russia would come to his country, he would always wear his coat and scarf, so he just assumed that he was from somewhere that was a lot warmer than there.
Shaking his head, Russia led the smaller nation inside where he could warm up. Most buildings here had at least one fireplace, so they went over to one to sit in front of for a while. Ivan smiled. "This is just like a romantic American movie, da?"
"How would I know, I don't watch them. I only watch the epic action ones with the heroes and explosions and awesome stuff. And horrors, they're pretty bitchin' too." It wasn't his fault that he didn't know where everyone else was. All he knew was where all his states were, that Matthew's land was above him and Mexico was below, along with where Arthur was. The last was only because his country made him laugh because it looked so droopy and depressed.
"Well, sitting in front of a fireplace, while you're wearing my coat, is very romantic. It is a good thing we are a couple, or else people might get the wrong idea." He let one of his arms fall around Alfred's shoulder, pulling him closer.
Frowning, Alfred said. "'t's not like anyone would know it's your coat. Let's get outta here before I change my mind about staying here. Russia's freaking cold." Still he didn't move from the embrace. After the incident a few months ago with them 'getting together', he had gotten used to Ivan being all touchy-feely to a point.
Nodding, Ivan stood up, his arm still around his better half. Soon they would be in his house, all alone. He had 'suggested' that the rest of the house hold take a much needed vacation. To Siberia. They all agreed to go eventually.
As they walked out to what he assumed to be Ivan's car, America started to feel more awkward about wearing the other man's coat. It was quite large on him and weighed down his frame with fabric. Alfred thought that he was buff and strong, but the coat made him feel like a child again. "How far to your house?" Alfred asked as he got into the vehicle.
"Not far. About twenty minutes." Ivan got in the drivers seat, letting go of America. He started driving down the bumpy roads, watching as Alfred was jostled around. They obviously had mostly nice, paved roads in America.
Finally feeling as if he wasn't going to turn into a popsicle, America just continued to huddle inside the jacket. It was quite comfortable so he could see why Ivan wore it all the time, but wouldn't it get too warm? Especially when in warm places, then it would be a nightmare. Though it still felt homey, and the fact that it smelt like Russia didn't fail to get Alfred's attention.
Soon they were at his house, getting out of the car. "There should be a fireplace going, so it should be warm." He said, taking Alfred's hand and leading him up the front steps. There was no one around, so America shouldn't mind.
Holding the jacket closer so that his hand came out of the long sleeve, Alfred allowed them to hold hands. There was no harm in letting him do something like that when no one was around. "It better be, I swear my balls are going to shrivel up inside me."
"Perhaps I should have a look at them. Just to make sure they are alright." Russia said with a straight face, unlocking the large door and opening it up. "Here is my home. I hope you like it."
Just as he was about to make a snarky comment, America stopped with his mouth wide open. "This is your house? It's a freaking mansion!"
"Isn't your house big also? We are nations, so usually money isn't a problem, unless they are really poor. Also, I built this house myself." Ivan said, walking in after him. The grand tour would take a long time, so he hoped he wouldn't ask.
"Well it's big, but not like this. And you freaking made it?!" Looking around at the things inside, it was even more incredulous. "Are you like some sort of ox or something?"
Giving a laugh, Ivan took off his boots and hung up his coat after Alfred took it off. "Remember, I have lived far longer than you. I have had much time for things like this." It used to be what he did when no one was around. So he worked on it a lot, considering he was almost always alone.
"So.... You're saying that one day I'll have a crap load of stuff like this?" He asked with a wry grin. "But seriously, this is pretty sweet." Even thought the house was warm, Alfred couldn't help but wish he kept the coat on. It was comforting in a strange, kinda sappy way.
"If you build a house, then yes you might have one this large some day." Ivan said, taking him to one of his living rooms. There, he had a tall tree he had cut down just for the occasion. However, it only had homemade ornaments. A few paper snowflakes, a few strings of berries and popcorn.
Looking over the tree, Alfred snorted. "You call those decorations? Hell, if you would have said something, I could have brought all of mine!" He had awesome ones, like the little things with bells that would play Christmas carols and a whole bunch of other amazing things.
"It is not what is on the tree that matters, but what is under it, isn't that correct? Go have a look." He said, pointing to the box under the tree. He had never celebrated Christmas with anyone else before, except when he was growing up with his sisters.
His eyebrows jumping into his hair in excitement, Alfred all but scrambled to the tree. He never thought that Russia would get him anything, but hell if he complained about it! "Fucking yes! For not celebrating as much, you sure know how to do so in style!"
Ivan waited as America ripped open the box, and smiled when he pulled out what was inside. "Do you like it?" He asked, looking at the tan cowboy hat that Alfred was now holding. "I bet you were wondering why I measured your head."
"Honestly, I thought you were feeding information to the enemies so they could make a thing to suck out my brains, but this is way fucking better!" Putting it on, Alfred laughed loudly. "God, I haven't worn one of these since I was like thirteen or fourteen. Arthur used to hate it!" It was well crafted, and fit his head perfectly while letting Nantucket get some air.
"I wouldn't do that. And I really don't think Germany would waste his resources." Because surely the brain sucking device would go hungry. Russia sat on the floor, happy that they were doing this together after having Christmas alone for so long.
Looking over at Ivan who looked to be just as ecstatic as he was, America stared at him for a couple seconds before jumping up. "I forgot something!" Running out to the main entry where his stuff was, he dug out a lumpy package from it and ran back to where Russia was waiting. "I was gonna give this to you on Christmas, but since you gave me one early, I figured you could open yours tonight..." Rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, he sat down beside him and purposely kept from looking up at Ivan. "It's not much..."
Feeling a strange, unfamiliar warm feeling in his chest, Ivan looked at the package. It was horribly wrapped, but it was obvious Alfred had tried. He started carefully opening it, one piece of tape at a time so he wouldn't ruin the paper. He noticed America kept glancing at him. "You keep looking at me. Do I have something on my face?"
"Uh, no... I just wanna, y'know, make sure you like it. 'T's all." It was awkward enough that it was no where as nice as what Ivan gave him, but he had to goad and poke and prod at Arthur for him to teach him how to make one.
Once the gift was open, America could almost feel the joy radiating off the other nation, but he couldn't help but explain himself. God, when did he become so much like his bro? "Well, I figured cause you always wear the same scarf, you didn't have any others so yeah... I made one. It's pretty crappy though huh? I wouldn't blame you if you never wore it. There's no way you'd see me in that. Nuh-uh, no way."
Holding the warm scarf, Ivan brought it to his face, breathing in the nice smell. Quickly, he took off the scarf his sister had made for him and replaced it with this one. Both would always have a special spot in his life. "I love it."