Chapter 7: Young and Old
Word Count: 4,654
Sort and late, but stuff happens and some things are explained, hope you enjoy~
Ivan was glad when he got out of his 'lessons' which were all about history mostly, which he was still wondering why. It wasn't like it was important, sure technically for him the history was the future, more reason for him to ignore it.
He had gotten word that Alfred had agreed to teach him English and would be coming soon, however long 'soon' was. Alfred had been on the other side of the world...which made him wonder how he got to Russia while still being unconscious. He knew he hadn't slept for months across the sea, for surely it would take at least that if not a year, he wasn't really sure what the measurement on the map were, though he kind of used England to give him an idea since the small island country hadn't grown or shrunk. That map was big. Maybe there were super fast demons like car and could get them places quickly.
Toris was sleeping and it was actually pretty dark outside but he didn't really feel tired at the moment as he looked around the large house. There were a lot of rooms, but of course he had to go looking around while it was dark and harder to see things. He should have asked Toris for something to light a candle with.
Finding a new door that was near the back of the first story of the house, he opened it curiously to see stairs leading down into pitch blackness. No point in going down there then if there wasn't a light. Then a light flickered on. He blinked, he hadn't moved at all from standing and holding the door open...so why did the light turn on? Maybe the demons sensed his thoughts. He started walking down, leaving the door open behind him. It got colder until his bare feet hit the very cold and solid ground. He looked around a bit, there was a little light hanging from the ceiling that had cobwebs strung over it and some dead insects stuck in the old webs. Looking down there were boxes everywhere, starting against the wall and coming closer to the center of the room, but there were none in the middle, probably so one could reach the light if they wished, the only form of warmth one could find in this place.
Strange how it was so cold...but was he under the ground? That would also mean under the snow...but that could help preserve some warmth if done right. Ivan breathed out and watched as his breath rose into the air and slowly disappeared.
Giving one last look around, he decided that he needed his shoes at least and maybe a blanket so he could come back and explore this place. He turned around and nearly let out a sound of shock to see a very familiar person behind him. The visit couldn't be anything good considering the last encounter, but how did they find him? Backing up slightly, Ivan put some distance between them and made it so that he could at least guard his back slightly with the boxes, even if it was too late for that considering the other had been standing behind him. Ivan was almost afraid to do that small movement, he didn't know what may set off an attack, the other was more unpredictable now than before.
"Winter...what are you doing here?" Ivan asked nervously, he knew of course, but that still didn't mean he could hope that the other was just coming for a friendly visit, that did happen sometimes...okay more like rarely...well, okay so it was almost never, but it still happened. Winter looked him up and down for a moment.
"What is your name?" Did the other not recognize him?
"Ivan." He said, not feeling much point in that, Winter could know everything about him if he wanted with or without the country's willingness.
"You grew smaller." Ivan nodded a bit, maybe that meant that Winter wasn't here for him. That meant he still had to deal with Winter later in life, well some things really didn't change did they?
"Kind of." Winter looked at him for a moment again as if thinking before nodding slightly.
"You are Russia."
"Kind of." No, not really, but like hell he was going to argue with Winter, a powerful entity probably even in this time period. Hopefully it wouldn't make him attack because he declared Ivan to be Russia and therefore he would have to take the older version's punishment. He wouldn't be very pleased with that outcome. However, instead Winter faded from sight. Ivan blinked, not very reassured by the sudden disappearance of the entity. After a couple of minutes however, he shivered, walking back upstairs.
Toris had prepared some breakfast, Russia hadn't been awake this morning, or he hadn't seen the...younger. Who was absolutely adorable at the smaller age, and almost innocent seeming. But Toris knew better, while more innocent then the Russia he knew, the other wasn't exactly as pure as fresh snow. He knew what time period about it was, around the time of the Huns, maybe late in the rule or after it, but either way, it was best not to get even on this Russia's bad side. Not in this day and age when he wasn't as powerful as he once was.
Toris stared at the prepared breakfast, wondering if he dared wake Ivan up, who wasn't really an early riser. Well...he would just call and if that didn't get Ivan down then the other was fast asleep and it would be best to put the food away and call Poland and the other two Baltics, who were all worried when he got the summons from Russia's boss. Going towards the stairs leading up he called a little uncertainly, "Ah, Mr. Russia, I made you some breakfast." He did hear some movements, though not from upstairs. Figuring that Ivan was already awake and maybe exploring more of the place, he assumed that he was safe from any anger that Ivan may or may not possess at the young age. He didn't want to test it either way.
Walking back into the kitchen, and getting the food before going into the dining room and setting the dish there. He heard Ivan walking up and looked back at the other, only to stare, "Um...Mr. Russia, what are you wearing?" Ivan smiled at the question, as if Toris was silly as the younger went past the brunette, clothed in old clothes that fit him perfectly, they seemed worn, but in relatively good condition.
"I found all these boxes in the um, floor below us. They had all sorts of stuff in them, from different times, and I found these." Ivan said, smiling happily as he reached for the food. So this older Russia hadn't forgotten about him, and even kept things from his time. It made him happy that he wasn't completely forgotten even this far into the future. And finally he had some clothes that fit him! He was so happy for that.
"Oh...well they are very outdated. People will notice the difference." Ivan put the food in his mouth, pondering that. He hadn't even seen many of his own people, just his boss and teachers, who would understand his strange clothes. And it took so long for clothes to be fitted, and he already felt like he had enough on his plate then trying to understand the weird fashions.
"I like them." He said instead, simply. Toris nodded, deciding not to question it, "So what are these meetings about that I heard about? The one I went to, right?"
"Oh, well it is to talk about the world affairs and resolve problems together." Toris said, though it wasn't very successful in the least.
"I see." Ivan said, that sounded nice, so many people together trying to solve things. It seemed to good to be true in fact, two people could hardly agree with each other let alone all the nations, "And I was at the meeting, but you weren't?"
"N-no, at the world meeting I'll go there, but you went to a meeting that only a few went to. You, America, France, England, Japan, Germany, Italy, and somebody else...I can't remember who."
"Yao?" Ivan asked.
"No, I don't think so." Toris said thoughtfully. Ivan hummed, chewing on the food.
"Alright, and I left early?"
"Yes, though not too much, I think it ended today..." Toris said, though he really wasn't to positive. Ivan smiled happily, nodding.
"Thank you Toris." It was still a little strange to say the others human name, but Toris didn't seem to notice as he nodded and, taking that as a dismissal, going out of the room, "Oh, I do not have to learn more today do I?" Toris shuffled a bit.
"Well i-if you don't want to, I am sure that we could arrange something." Ivan shook his head.
"I was just wondering is all. But I would like to stay home today." And look through more of the boxes, he liked looking at all the stuff, and it didn't tell him much if anything about the future of the world like the lessons did. Toris nodded in understanding, Ivan must have been having a rough time with adjusting and wanted a break, "Tell me if anybody wants me." Ivan said, leaving the empty plate. He was kind of still hungry, strange, his stomach wasn't all that big yet, oh well, he'd think on it later. He hoped that his boss wouldn't come and ask after him and would be busy today, they usually were.
Walking back down the stairs he pulled out a book he had found in his box, most of it seemed to be burned away, he had just picked it up with Lithuania called, but now he would examine it. It was old and the writing was worn, but it was his handwriting and language on the first page he opened too, with a date at the top. Squinting a bit he made it out. It wasn't the day he had left...it was later, same year and everything though. Interesting. He remember he got a journal like this earlier as a gift, it was sad to see half the pages burned, he wondered what had happened to it.
He carefully flipped the pages, simply glancing at them to see the amount of damage at the moment before he reached the last one that...it was newer and unburned. He read it, it was in his language again, and he didn't have to squint to read it.
My Younger self,
It was a letter from his older self, then he knew this would happen? So he would be returned to the past then!
I am sorry for trying to burn this. I am sure you will find it. I can't tell you anything about what happens to us in the future, but I know you've thought of that. You have probably already assumed that you get back to your own time period, and that is all I will confirm to. I found this old diary recently, I had forgotten about it. I am sorry for burning it a little only because I remember how I loved this book when I first got it and when I first writing about out adventure in the future. Still the future, I haven't gotten there yet. Though I have seen televisions and cars and a number of other things. But sorry again, I just was a little angry. I am almost positive that the future is different from what I would have experienced if I had not gone into the future then back to my time. Something has changed, I am sure, so try to be careful and avoid those history classes as much as possible. Still, I hope this letter finds its way into your hands, if indeed you ever come to the future. If so, try not to read through the diary too far ahead, though all the endings are cut off so it won't be too harmful if you do. I couldn't bring myself to dispose of it properly.
Ivan Braginski,
The Soviet Union.
PS. If by any chances your experiences are the same as mine were, be careful.
Ivan blinked, re-reading it. He had tried burning it? And the last note, be careful of what? What was a television? He was Russia, so why sign as the Soviet Union? Did the future really change by his coming and going and in some strange world between his and this one, was time different and he never became Russia? He wouldn't notice the difference, but how would that change his and Alfred's relationship. Be careful.
Shaking his head, he felt more lost than ever before. And here he had kind of been hoping his older self would clarify things. So much for that. He turned the book back to the front page and looked at it, the ends were burned off, and his elder self said that it would be alright if he was curious because of it. But he wouldn't read too far ahead, no, he shouldn't read at all. Staring down at it he sighed, it was getting cold again. He grabbed a fuzzy hat that he had found and pulled it on his head, it was a bit big, but it worked. Alright, he would read and once he got to a part he didn't know, he would stop. He skimmed the first five pages, about him meeting Alfred and all he saw and experienced, them sleeping together in the demon, though that wasn't very detailed of course, ah, here, after his history lesson! Okay, so maybe he had skipped to the part he didn't know about, but it was fine!
Let's see, Toris giving him some food and being a pleasant servant, unlike the present, and his finding his future selves note.
Not too long after reading the note, I decided to look through the book, to um...follow it and make sure the future didn't change. Ivan smiled, yes, that was what he was doing!
"Ivan, there's somebody here to see you!" Ivan snapped his head up hopefully, maybe Alfred was already here! Standing up he went up the stairs, reading as he followed Toris to the door.
Toris called, telling me that somebody had come to see me. I was so excited to see Alfred again, I took the book with me and read it on the way to the door. I regret not finishing the entry.
Ivan froze as he read the next couple of words the same time a voice said, "Brother."
It wasn't Alfred. It was my much bigger older sister. And she chased me and I ended up cornered and- The rest of the entry was burned. He stared into the eyes so much like his own. She smiled at him, but it scared him more than anything as she took a step closer. He closed the book before turning and running. Why didn't he finish reading the entry first? Stupid stupid stupid! She didn't look like she had calmed down at all!
"Big brother, come back so we can get married, married, married, married." Natalia said, running after him. He ran into one of the rooms, closing the door and- where was the lock? The door handle was different from what he was used to! Panicking he leaned against the door with all his strength, hoping that would help. He heard the doorknob turn and then the door was pushing at him, "Come out big brother, why are you hiding from me? If we are married we will forever be one."
"Nyet!" Ivan yelled, trying to push harder at the door to keep it closed, he was failing. Why was his younger sister stronger than him? Wait...because of all the new weapons and demons, he didn't have any of that, he was still stuck with horses and swords that had blades. Of course he would be at a disadvantage!
"Yes, then we shall never be apart or lonely and our souls forever bound, wouldn't that be nice brother?" Ivan shook his head widely, putting the book down on a surface nearby so he wouldn't relinquish his hold. Having two hands didn't help as much as he had hoped. The door was giving. Before too much longer, Natalia had enough space and she slipped inside. Ivan instantly backed away, looking everywhere for somewhere to escape. He didn't want to fight his sister at all, so running was the best idea. There was nothing, he was cornered! He looked back up at his sister, backing up until he hit a wall.
"W-we cannot get married though Sister, it is impossible. I-I love you just not-"
"Then there is no reason for us not to be together brother!" She still didn't get it! Alfred had been right when he said that people found him more attractive, proof before him, but his own sister? Future Ivan hadn't looked ugly enough for such a dramatic change, right? England and his dark magic, always causing problems. Natalia stepped towards him, drawing his attention back on the matter at hand. He shook his head widely, "Yes, anybody who defies us will parish painfully! And once you and I are married we can have many children. I already have a wedding dress picked out brother and everything ready, so you don't have to worry about preparing anything either." She said, getting closer. He sank to the ground, hoping that would make moving him or getting closer more difficult.
"I c-cannot marry you Sister." She knelled down across from him so they were eye level. Maybe he could make a leap for it over her and run out the door.
"It is alright, I know that you are afraid of commitment and that is why you have avoided me for so long, but we can work through this together!" Ivan shook his head again.
"N-no it's just...it's just..." 'You're my sister' apparently didn't work. Should he tell her? His older self hadn't, but then again...she leaned towards him, intentions obviously not the purest, he crossed his arms over his face, "I'm already married!" Silence. He prayed she was gone, he was shaking slightly, he hadn't noticed until this stillness. After a moment he risked a peek towards Natalia, he wished he hadn't. She looked like a volcano blowing up with as much fury crossing her face.
"Do not speak such lies brother!"
"I-it's true, I didn't tell you because it is another man and such things are awkward to explain." Ivan said, trying to scoot away without notice.
"No, that cannot be. How are you married, you do not remember anything, you said yourself, and you have never been married!"
"I didn't tell you!" Ivan said, shaking his head, "I wasn't married in my time, but I am now."
"How?" Natalia snarled, "How do you know they do not trick you?" Ivan looked away, blushing. Not exactly the conversation he had imagined having with his sister.
"He..." Ivan paused a moment, but he felt his sister impatiently waiting, so he muttered, "He bed me and he knew me..." If she looked like a volcano before there was no describing this new look. One of cold, cruel murder. Maybe he shouldn't have told her. After all, his older self must have had a lot of reason for not telling his close family, because they would love him whether or not he married a man.
"Who?" He never knew so much hate could be spilled into one word, he shook his head.
"You cannot harm him!"
"I will do much more than that for taking you! Is it Toris?" She was already standing to probably go and kill said brunette. Part of Ivan kind of wanted that to happen, but no, in this time period they were friends, so he should protect him.
"No, not him." He said, insulted. Natalia glared daggers down at him.
"I will gladly kill every other nation in the world if it means finding...him. Or humans."
"N-no, don't do that, that will declare war and you will get hurt!" His sister couldn't die like that
"I know you care for me brother, so just tell me." Ivan swallowed, either way he would be attacked.
"Alfred." He finally said, looking down, this time feeling guilty about involving the blond. Natalia let out a sound of anger and almost disbelief, but she was out of the room quickly, "Sorry, Alfred." He muttered, but his sister really couldn't declare war like that. He should have found another way to escape. Really, he was really looking forward to having a...husband(?). He'd never really been in any romantic relationship, and none where he was an equal. That's what happened when countries married, they were usually equal. It had sounded nice when Yao had explained it and Alfred seemed so nice that he was jealous his older self had the blond and he didn't.
Sighing in a bit of relief that Natalia was gone, he stood up. Should he follow, he wouldn't be much of a fight against his sister if the last few days had proved anything, but he didn't want them fighting. What a mess he had made. He glared at the journal, "This is all your fault." He was so reading one entry ahead from now on. Maybe he should read to figure out what to do next. He knelt down beside it, flipping it open to the next page.
I've noticed that Alfred-
He stopped, too far, he knew it wouldn't help with his decision making. Why did half the pages need to be burned? He picked it up and went towards Toris who was looking out the open door, "Toris?" The brunette jumped and closed the door, looking towards Ivan.
"Yes, what is it Mr. Russia?"
"I want to speak with Alfred right away, is there any way I can do that?" Toris nodded.
"Of course." He said, "You can use my phone if you like." Pulling out said phone and handing it to Ivan, who just stared at it in bewilderment as how to use it, "Right, sorry." Toris muttered, opening it and pressing America's number and calling, he held it out to Ivan, "Put this end near your ear and this one by your mouth." Ivan did as instructed, holding it awkwardly.
There was a sound of...something before, "Hey Liet, good timing, I was just about to turn off my phone."
"Alfred?" Ivan asked hopefully, recognizing the voice.
"Ivan? Hey, what's up?"
"This is so amazing, it's like your here...though you sound a little funny."
"That's the phones, they do that." Alfred laughed. Ivan smiled and walked away from Toris, "Anyway, I heard that you were looking for an English teacher, manipulated your boss or something?" Ivan shuffled.
"Maybe."
"Of course, you manipulator. Anyway, I'm actually at the airport now, pretty late, but I should be there by...um, tomorrow maybe?" Ivan brightened, he didn't know what an airport was, but that didn't matter, he wanted to spend as much time as was possible with Alfred before he had to return to his own time. Who wouldn't if they knew it was their future husband? And if they were still together that boded that they really loved each other a lot, so of course he wanted to know everything!
"Okay!" Ivan said, "Oh but, there's something else I wanted to tell you about..." Ivan said as he sat down in his room on his bed, "Natalia was here just now."
"Shit, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright...but I kind of told her that you and I were married."
". . ."
"I am sorry, it is just she was scaring me and getting really close and there wasn't anywhere to run and she's stronger than me in this world and-"
"It's alright dude, if it saved you from her going psycho then no harm done!" Ivan sighed, glad Alfred wasn't mad.
"Yeah, but now she's going after you to kill you. Sorry. She said that she'd kill all the other nations until everybody else was dead...so um..."
"You did the right thing! You're so heroic!" Alfred said, sounding proud, Ivan smiled at that.
"Alright, but you have to be careful."
"Gottcha, I'll be over there by the time she gets here, I'll just give my boss the head's up. Thanks for the warning Ivan." Ivan nodded happily, "Oh, I got to go, I'll see you soon though. Then I can protect you like the awesome hero I am." Ivan shook his head in amusement.
"Alright, see you soon." Ivan said. He heard a click on the other end and after a couple seconds a loud, annoying sound. He pulled away from it and got up to go give it back to Toris. Well at least Alfred wasn't mad.
Alfred chuckled, pocketing his phone. Married? What a weird imagination Ivan had. Oh well, he had done it to save people and Ivan was safe from the wrath that was Natalia, so he didn't mind being the one in danger, he could handle anything! He boarded the plane and sat down, looking outside the night window. Who knew that when Russia was little he was heroic? Was he like that now? ...nah. Shaking his head, he pulled his book bag out and pulled out headphones and IPod, plugging in and zoning out.
