Author's Notes: Just a heads-up, there's some language and a slur in this chapter. Hetalia is still owned by Hima-Sensei
A Tale of Two Idiots: Chapter Two
As usual, Ivan was trading thinly veiled threats and insults with Alfred, the obnoxious freshman who sat at the table in front of him and waiting for Toris to arrive.
Frankly, Ivan was unsure who irritated him more, this too-smart-for-his-own-good, arrogant, grade-skipping twerp or that little weasel Feliks.
The strange and rage-inducing thing about Feliks was that it didn't matter how many things Ivan was better at than him, Feliks somehow managed to always come out smelling like a rose.
Ivan had gotten straight A's since kindergarten or whenever they started actually giving you grades. Ivan designed a perfect bottle rocket in eighth grade science class while Feliks' was decorated with rainbows and pink unicorns and didn't even get up in the air. Ivan won the spelling bee in sixth grade. All the teachers liked Ivan and said he was so smart and he'd grow up to be a nuclear physicist someday and wouldn't Putin just be burned when he found out that a Russian kid was helping the U.S. achieve superiority?
But even though Feliks had the IQ of a bowl of mashed potatoes, he had what Ivan really wanted. He had friends. Ivan was reminded of the fact that he was pathetically alone every time he overheard other kids talking about their weekend plans with their friends or when teachers assigned group work and no one motioned for him to come join them.
That all changed the day Toris transferred into Ivan's first period Honors Chemistry class.
When the teacher told everybody to get into groups, Ivan felt the familiar dread. Nobody would ever ask him to partner up and he would just end up doing the experiments all by himself.
He began setting up the equipment and was so wrapped up in self-pity that when he felt a tap on his shoulder, he jumped so badly he banged his knee on the underside of the table.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! Did you hurt your knee?" Ivan whipped around and saw the most beautiful boy standing there with concern in his eyes.
Swallowing the pained curses that were coming up, he said hurriedly, "Ah, nyet- I mean, no, no! I'm fine. Um, what did you need?"
The mystery boy gave him a shy, hopeful smile. "Well, I saw that you didn't have a partner and I'm new so I don't have any friends here- Ah, jeez, what am I saying, of course I don't have any-" he paused and coughed, then cleared his throat. "Sorry for rambling." The shy smile became apologetic. "My name is Toris, may I work with you today?"
Soon, Toris and Ivan became permanent partners and friends. They shared two other classes and while Ivan didn't always like the people Toris was friends with, like the detestable Feliks and Alfred, he really liked Toris.
Just like the day they met, Toris jostled Ivan from his musings with a gentle tap, this time on his forearm, a much more intimate place, Ivan noted with glee.
Ivan smiled his real smile at Toris, not the icy, creepy one he'd just fired at Alfred and greeted him.
Toris responded and took his seat next to Ivan. They shot the breeze until the teacher came grumbling in and told them to shut up and do book work. Toris gave Ivan a dismayed smile and they set to work.
Somewhere in the middle of the class period, Ivan noticed some movement near Toris out of the corner of his eye, but ignored it and continued working until Toris whispered his name.
"Ivan, look at this." He carefully unfolded a paper airplane and allowed him to read the missive.
Toris, Moneybags caught his dad banging his secretary in the pool last night so he's throwing a party on the old man's tab. You in? –Ned
After reading the note, Ivan felt thoroughly confused. "Who is Moneybags?"
"I think he means Eduard. His father is the head of a law firm."
"Oh."
"So, do you want to go? I've never been to a high school party. It could be fun!"
The doubt must have been all over Ivan's face because Toris poked him playfully. "Aw, come on, Ivan. Don't make me go by myself!"
Though he could already feel the awkward oozing into his very being, Toris seemed excited so Ivan conceded.
Toris's cheeks dimpled with pleasure and he turned toward the Dutch exchange student who'd sent the note.
Ned glanced back at them and Toris nodded enthusiastically. When Ned gave him a thumbs up, Toris pointed to Ivan as if asking to bring him along. Ned snorted and shrugged as if to say, I don't give a shit who you bring.
Toris and Ivan faced forward again and Toris patted Ivan's back. Ivan was so giddy from his friend's effervescent smile that he patted his back too, not caring how silly this must have looked and the fact that some cretin behind them muttered, "Fucking fags."
"Thank you for coming with me. I know you're shy, but I won't leave you alone there. Oh and, Ivan?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for coming over last night. That was very thoughtful of you to check on me. I really appreciated your visit. You're a wonderful friend."
In response, Ivan giggled as he sometimes did when he got nervous but Toris just smiled and went back to work.
This was an opportunity Ivan had never dreamed would present itself. Alone, well together at a party anyway, with his beloved friend he could finally confess his feelings. Last night, he'd chickened out at the last minute and had to quickly change the subject to distract Toris.
Fate had been unusually kind in giving him a second chance and he vowed he would not screw this up. Toris was going to be his and Feliks, well, who really cared about the little snot anyhow?
Looks like things are going Ivan's way. I wonder how he'll celebrate this new victory? Find out in the next chapter!
