Chapter 2
Of Angst and Incest
Ivan almost cried the next morning, when he awoke to find Yao next to him and not Alfred. He crawled out of bed the next morning, but Yao did not stir. He got dressed and put his coat on silently, so not to wake the sleeping China, and left. He paused, however, when he closed the door, and glanced over at the door to the room where Alfred was now sleeping in. He quietly opened it, and glared in hurt anger. Alfred was sleeping in Matthew's arms. They looked content. He closed it again, sighing lightly.
He shouldn't be jealous; after all, this was his fault.
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Alfred was not present at breakfast, which was strange, considering how he had not had lunch nor dinner the day before. Matthew was, though, and Toris did not mention the position he had found the two North American brothers in when he went to wake them. While they had been asleep and not doing anything, it still worried Toris. But he would say nothing. He did not want Ivan to be too upset, and by the way Ivan was glaring at his breakfast, he was already very upset.
Breakfast was eaten in almost complete silence, which was unusual. Normally Alfred started up a conversation, and everyone else would start to talk as well.
But no one dared speak in the tense atmosphere.
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The house the members of the USSR lived in was huge. It took almost all of them to keep it clean, even if they all started right after breakfast.
Alfred did not work inside the house, instead working in the equally huge garden that many of the vegetables in their meals came from. He also made sure that the flowers and trees on the property were healthy.
That was why Ivan was only mildly surprised to see Alfred outside. Ivan knew that he should be doing work, but something kept him from looking away from the American. Maybe it was longing. Maybe it was guilt.
Alfred was down on his hands and knees, weeding. The spring sun was beating down on him and, even from the second floor, Ivan could tell he was hot. Alfred's white shirt had been discarded at the side of the garden, and it looked like he was getting sunburned.
Ivan raised a hand to place it on the glass.
'Alfred.'
Matthew came out at one point with a glass of water for his brother. Alfred smiled at his brother, and said something – probably some form of thank you – and sat next to the garden with his brother and took a break.
Ivan glared down at the two and how happy Alfred looked.
'Did he even really care at all?'
He turned from the window and sat back down at his desk. He pulled an unopened bottle of vodka from a drawer and took a swig. He then began to bury himself in his work. There was still much to do.
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Alfred was very grateful when Matthew came outside with water. It was something to distract him from the wild thoughts raging in his head.
"Thank you," he stated, deciding that then would be a good time for a break and sitting down next to his brother.
"You're welcome. How are you doing?"
"Fine. I'm almost done with the first quarter of the garden."
"Wow," Matthew said, looking over the very large garden, "You've been working hard."
"Well, I try. At least I'm not cooped up all day like you guys."
"Working inside isn't all that bad. Toris helps us, even if it's just his job to cook the meals. Speaking of which, why didn't you go to breakfast?"
Alfred's smile dropped off his face instantly.
"Not hungry."
"You're lying. You didn't have lunch or dinner yesterday either. You can't just not eat."
"I'll eat between meals then."
"You'll have to go eventually!"
"I don't want to see Ivan, is that such a crime?!"
They were silent for a moment, before Matthew said,
"You can't avoid him forever, Alfred."
Alfred sighed, and planted a quick kiss on Matthew's forehead.
"I know. But I'm not ready to see him yet, okay?"
Matthew nodded and stood up, stating,
"I need to get back to work. See you later, Alfred."
"Bye."
Matthew returned inside, leaving Alfred alone once again with his thoughts.
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Alfred was, once again, gone at both lunch and dinner. In fact, no one even saw him after dinner. Most assumed that he was held up in his room, but Matthew, going to check up on him, could find him nowhere.
Matthew sighed at the empty room, and closed the door. He turned around and let out a small gasp to find himself in very close proximity with Ivan. He was surprised to smell vodka on Ivan's breath; Ivan hadn't drunk the stuff in a very long time.
"I-Ivan! What do you want?"
"Do you know where Alfred is?"
Matthew shook his head.
"No, I was just looking for him, but I can't find him anywhere," Matthew replied truthfully, "Why?"
"I need to talk to him."
Matthew nodded.
"I bet. Well, I better go help Toris with the dishes," Matthew said, excusing himself.
Matthew was lucky that the kitchen was next to the hallway leading to the front door, because he heard it open.
He gave Toris a quick apology and rushed out to see Alfred, returning home from wherever he had vanished to.
Alfred gave Matthew a strange smile and stumbled over to him.
"Matthew, I'm home!" Alfred slurred, the smell of alcohol thick on his breath.
Matthew scrunched his nose at the smell, but helped his brother up the stairs and to his bedroom.
After making sure that Alfred was safely in bed, he went to leave, but Alfred caught his wrist.
"Don't leave me alone," he whispered, an almost tone of fear to his voice. Matthew nodded and laid down next to his brother. Alfred scooted up so that he would be face to face with his brother.
"Thank you," he whispered again, before leaning in and kissing his brother on the lips, just as the door opened.
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Author's note: (Don't worry, this is not going to end up being an AmericaxCanada)
*gasp* And who walked in on this incestuous display?
*giggle* Defiantly not someone good.
