Chapter 9: The Ghost in the Dark

(Are you afraid of the dark?)

No one had ever touched Ivan so, not willingly at least. Warm hands ran through his hair, then down massaging the base of his neck, his pet licked his ear, whispering, "Lovely scars."

Ivan grabbed Matthew and pushed him back, staring into those eyes. Is it a trick of the light or do his eyes seem very blue? The lights too dim... His sunflower blinked as Ivan asked in a voice more desperate than he intended, "What did you say?"

"I said your scars are lovely. Battle scars, right? Wish I had a few," They were both naked by this point. Their attempt to get one more blanket had resulted in a trail of clothes leading from the bed to the fireside.

"You're lying," Ivan stated. When Ivan had first seen the Canadian naked, he had been envious of his scarless body and had wondered, How was that possible? The more he had explored, the more he was sure there were none. It sickened him his imperfect body, each scar a reminder of his revolting childhood, yet here was his lover, saying such crap. "They are disgusting."

"Are ya kidding me?" Matthew laughed. "Scars are hot and yours are great! Each has an awesome story, right?" he said, bending down to kiss one on Ivan's shoulder, but Ivan wouldn't let him. He kept his pet's eyes on his, holding his chin.

"Do you mean that?" His heart began to thud. Hope creeping in.

"Wouldn't have said it if I didn't," his sunflower grinned, his voice still slurred from the vodka. As he studied him, he found no lie in those eyes. They were half-lidded and hazy, but they met him and meant it.

Ivan grabbed him in a tight hug, squeezing with all his might, his sunflower struggled against it. Someone had said the words he always wanted to hear. The marks he thought made him a shameful freak were beautiful to another. That made something in his heart shift a little, become lighter.

I must have him forever, he thought, already drawing plans for how he would convince the Canadian Prince to merge his kingdom with Russia's. It would take time. But his sunflower would see things his way.

His pet began beating his fist against Ivan's back, rasping, "Ai...air!"

"Oh, sorry," Ivan said, releasing him. Matthew gasped, taking in a breathe.

His pet opened his mouth to talk, but Ivan wouldn't let him. He didn't want to hear his words. He wanted to taste him and savor those delicious flavors. His fingers played through his sunflower's wheat-colored hair, soft and silky.

Maybe it was the vodka, but his sunflower's body was radiating heat like never before. He pulled back, smirking at his pet's fogged up glasses and drew their lips together again, his tongue delving deep into that moist cavern. Ivan was losing himself in these sensations. His heart was melting. Feelings were pouring in that were either long-forgotten or never known.

What is happening to me? He wondered. Suddenly, his sunflower pushed him down onto the carpet, the back of Ivan's head facing the fireplace. A warm hand wrapped around his length and he moaned, no longer caring if he was the dominant one. Letting the pleasure swallow him, he basked in sunflower's heat, wanting to stay in it forever.

.oOo.

Alfred could hardly remember himself. The vodka, the pleasure, and Ivan's touch had sent his senses far away. Now he was swimming in a cool lake on a baking summer day. His body was sweaty and on fire. The only thing that cooled it was the pale Russian beneath him. He groaned, needing more.

He traced his fingers down his snowflake's scars, licking them, drawing deep-throated sounds from his Ivan's chest as he went lower, finally coming to Ivan's engorged member. Alfred stared at it, licking his lips, pondering how to go about this.

"Suck it," Ivan urged, panting. "Your punishment, da."

Those violet eyes fixed on him, waiting eagerly for him to take it, but Alfred had a problem. He was baffled how. Never in his life had he learned how to give head. Sure there were those two times his snowflake had done it to him, but he hadn't been taking notes. Hell if he could remember.

"Now," Ivan commanded. Alfred didn't like being bossed around, but he had already decided to attempt this. Can't be that hard, he shrugged, kissing the top, then down the sides, he licked the stalk from base to tip. It tasted salty, but brought more scents and tastes such as ice, lemongrass, something tangy, and more. Ivan shuddered and Alfred opened his mouth, slowly taking it in. When he got halfway down, he stopped. It was too big.

Those eyes looked at him longingly. Alfred loosened his jaw, trying to relax his throat, and pushed down harder - Ivan hissed, wincing in pain.

Alfred removed himself, disappointed at his failure as he wiped off a trail of saliva and pre-cum from his chin. He frowned, facing the bed.

"Something wrong my pet?" Ivan asked. Alfred noticed Ivan massaging his member out of the corner of his eye. Wasn't my fault, he grumbled.

"I," he began, frustration in his voice, "I don't know how..." He couldn't finish this. His already warm body was now boiling and he felt dizzier than before.

"How to suck my dick?"

Alfred colored. Did he have to be so blunt?

Ivan kissed his back, whispering, "Don't be like that pet. It was your first try, da? Just remember, no teeth. No biting, da?"

"Can't help it. You're..," he cut himself off too embarrassed and annoyed to admit it. "Can't do it."

"Let me pleasure you," Ivan said, trying to tug Alfred down onto the pillows and blankets so he could clamber onto him. "You love it, da?"

"No!" Alfred said fiercely, rounding on Ivan with a predatory look in his eyes. "I'll get this right or my name isn't Al-" Shit! No more drinking for you! Just spill it all why don't you? "All Loving Matthew."

"All... what?"

"You heard me!" Alfred said, grinning inside at his genius cover-up skills. Wanting to distract the Russian, he buried his face in Ivan's blonde forest of pubic hair, taking in his manhood. Round two!

.oOo.

Ivan clucked his teeth in annoyance. He wanted the sizzling mood from earlier, but his stubborn pet was being hard-headed about this. Though Ivan had to admit, his advice to his sunflower was showing, and it was better than the second and disastrous third attempt that had made even the Russian frightened for his manhood.

"Relax your jaw. No- agh!" He sucked in a sharp breath as teeth clamped too tightly on his prostrate. He didn't want to show it, but he really was worried about his sunflower biting down accidentally.

His pet had begged for one more attempt. Ivan had sat back and allowed it, swearing that after this he would hump into his pet like there was no tomorrow. Revenge for the nibble.

Fortunately for his pet, something happened. His pet took in all off Ivan, moving himself up and down. Ivan's hips twitched and bucked forward toward the wet friction. Encouraged, Matthew went faster, making Ivan's world spin. "Ah!" he cried, new images and scents flooding his mind. Birds chirping, butterflies fluttering, and the pound of hooves over grass. So many, so different.

His back arched into his darling's hungry mouth. His pet was good. Too good. Ivan's belly knotted with desire, his cock throbbing so hard. Close, he thought, scrambling for Russian lullabies, but he was on the brink.

"Enough!" he yelled, grabbing his Sunflower's hair. His pet glanced up with hurt eyes and he realized why. So cute, Ivan thought, reassuring him, "No, it was good."

"Uh-huh," His Matthew said, gazing at the floor, clearly not believing him. He giggled at his pet's adorable pout. "So then why did you stop me?"

"Because," Ivan said, falling onto his back, "I want you to ride me."

"How about you ride me?"

Ivan's face froze. His body went rigid at the suggestion. Never had he allowed anyone to enter him and never would he. Dark memories bubbled into his mind and he shoved them away, not wanting to see. To remember his blood-stained past. Still the visions filled him with hate, with blood lust. He wanted to hurt, to strangle.

"Snowflake?" His pet asked nervously. He snapped out of it, seeing the fear in those eyes. Something in his eyes had alarmed his precious lover and his pet said, "I-I'll ride you."

Ivan gripped his pet's member, stroking. His darling's eyes fluttered, but before Ivan could pull his lover onto himself, his pet's eyes flew open and he stood up, saying, "Wait!"

Ivan frowned. He did not like waiting, but his pet was already stumbling toward the bed. Ivan propped himself up on his elbows, wondering, What is he... then realized. His sunflower pulled that clear bottle of lubricant out from under the bed.

"We need this!" His Matthew declared, holding it high and taking the topper off, he ran toward Ivan.

"My co-," Ivan tried to warn, but it was too late. The boy stumbled over Ivan's coat, or more specifically the pipe hidden in an inner pocket of his coat, and fell forward, a big splat of lube slopping onto Ivan's face and shoulder.

Time stopped, at least in Ivan's mind. There was his pet, clutching the bottle, frozen in his crouch, gaping at Ivan. There was Ivan, stunned, feeling a cold liquid ooze off his front locks and drip toward his lap.

The boy, not being the wisest of souls, broke the silence first, giggling, then cracking up. He beat at the floor, laughing, "Your face! You should see your face!" The Russian was not amused.

His face went into a wide, childish smile and in a chilly voice that stopped Matthew cold, he said, "Pet, come here." He crooked a finger and bade his rascal Prince forward. Matthew sucked in a breath.

"It was an accident," Matthew said, standing up. "Look, it was this damn pipe," he was only lightly kicking at it, but Russian was on his feet charging at him so fast, the Prince never registered he was coming until he shoved Matthew onto the floor. Somehow his pet didn't drop the lube, but kept it stoppered with his middle finger.

"Hey man," Matthew started, but Ivan overrode him, screaming, "Do not ever touching my fucking pipe!" His mind was blank with rage and his words held murderous intent.

He regretted them instantly as those violet-blue eyes stared up at him very soberly and full of hate. The kind of hate everyone else glared at him with. His pet replied slowly, emphasizing each word, "I will not touch your fucking pipe."

.oOo.

"Pet, do not be upset," Ivan stated, massaging Alfred's back, trying to coax Alfred, but Alfred wasn't having it. He was now very sober and starting to feel hungover. All he could see in his mind was that shove and the Russian lording over him, screaming at him about that creepy ass pipe. He went too far, Alfred grumbled.

Alfred was too mad to note the irony of the feared Russian Prince pleading, in his own way, with a peasant. "Mood killer," he muttered, not looking back. Now that he was over most of the vodka-haze, he was still also trying to come to terms with how flirty he had acted toward the Russian. Was I really that horny? He wondered, swearing he'd never touch Vodka again.

"Comrade, this is silly!" Ivan said. "I demand you forgive me and we fuck at once!"

"Demand away. Doesn't mean it will happen," Alfred replied as the Russian inch toward him. Alfred inched away. Two could play at that game. Suddenly, the Russian hooked an arm around Alfred's waist and yanked him against his cool body. Alfred didn't fight, knowing it was futile, but cross his arms, ignoring the hardness against his back.

"Make-up sex is needed," Ivan said, grabbing Alfred's shoulder and pushing him onto his back. Alfred fixed him with a glare.

"You can force me. You have before," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But that doesn't mean I'll forgive you. That's not how it works."

"Why are you so angry about one little shove, sunflower? It was an accident."

Alfred held himself up on his elbows, saying, "Accident? Little shove? What a rosy image you paint of yourself. It ain't about the shove or the shouting. It's about the lack of respect. You say you care for me, then you throw me around like a rag doll when all you had to do was say something."

Ivan giggled. "Respect?" he all but spat. "Respect? Care? When did I ever say such things to you? You're nothing but a toy!"

Alfred expression became darker and Ivan's face became regretful. Regret on this guy? Must be a trick of the light.

But Ivan spoke again, much softer this time, "I do not know why I say or do such things. Sometimes I am not myself. I reacted without thinking. Can you not understand me, pet? Are you not taking this too far?"

"Am I?" Alfred asked. Ivan moved, sitting on Alfred's waist. Alfred winced a little at the heavy Russian on top of him, but the glare-off continued, neither blinking.

To his shock, the Russian looked away first, saying, "Can we go back to the earlier mood if I apologize?" Ivan's expression was not one of defeat, but of exhaustion. He looked so tired and that moved Alfred more than anything.

That he, Alfred, a lowly wildman from the US, had gotten the great Russian Lord to even offer an apology at all was not something that went entirely over his head. This was quite a victory. Realizing this, he nodded his acceptance. He would forgive the Russian this time. "I suppose I was a bit dramatic."

Ivan relaxed, a more natural smile returning as he stroke Alfred's cheek, saying, "I am sorry for shoving you and saying such harsh things. That pipe like my scarf is very important to me. I treasure them, but I treasure you to. Maybe more. Become one with me, my sunflower."

Alfred went rigid. What the hell was that? Was that an apology or a twisted attempt at love confession? The latter was very bad. The Russian wasn't supposed to fall for him. They were supposed to finish this and go their separate ways. Why does the idea of never seeing Ivan make my heart twitch a little? He wondered, but pushed the thought away.

The most important matter was what he had done. His mind was spinning with his worries until the Russian rolled onto his back, dragging Alfred on top of him. Alfred's face was pulled forward and the Russian softly kissed his lips, then his throat, licking his adam's apple, before whispering huskily, "Rive me."

All other thoughts were blown away as Ivan's cool hand settled on Alfred's member, stroking it. His mouth went agape in joy. Alfred saw how Ivan's cock was throbbing, begging for him to mount. Leaning over the Russian, who peppered his throat with more kisses, he grabbed the lube container and poured out a gob. He smiled at the little bit that was still in Ivan's hair.

Lathering Ivan's stalk, which brought more growls and pleasured cries, Alfred leaned back and prepared himself. Positioning himself above his snowflake, he eased himself down. Ivan's fingers clenched against the blanket, his own expression intoxicated with the sensation of Alfred. Alfred enjoyed the power and the feel.

Before he was halfway down, Ivan was thumbing the top of Alfred's member and moving up and down on it faster. Alfred moaned, nearing his own climax. He pumped up and down on the Russian, faster and faster, his whole body tightening in anticipation.

"Snowflake!" he cried out.

.oOo.

For the first time in his life, a truly dangerous thought had entered Ivan's mind: All I need is my sunflower and nothing else. The moment he thought it, a sharp icy pain stabbed at his heart. General Winter was not happy, but for the first time, he shut the presence out of his mind. His body was singing like never before and he didn't want it to stop.

All he could see was the lust in his pet's eyes, mirroring his own. All he could feel was the slickness and tightness of his sunflower's entrance around his head as his pet slid up and down on Ivan's cock. It was delicious. His ears were filled with his pet's cries of ecstasy mixed with his own. If Ivan could a moment to keep forever in his heart to relive over and over, it would be this.

The Prince's muscles flexed and moved as he rocked in time to the Russian's thrusts. Ivan's erection jutted proudly into Matthew's heat, pre-cum and lube smeared all over his pet's thighs and hole.

This was heaven, but the Russian was tired of his pet being in charge. As much as he wanted to regain it and tweak his pet's cowlick until he mewled like a proper pet, any break in Ivan's concentration would make him cum. It was taking all his will power to keep from going wild. He wanted this to last. In fact, he didn't want it ever to end.

Alas, the Canadian picked up the pace, slamming down harder and harder on Ivan's dick. It had somehow become an unspoken challenge between the two. Who would cum first?

His sunflower had youth, but Ivan had experience and his lover's cock. He went faster on it, their eyes locked onto each other, heady with lust.

His darling was good, but Ivan won. Matthew's whole lower body tensed and he cried out, coming in Ivan's hand, a little spurted onto Ivan's stomach. The sudden tightening of his lover's entrance sent the Russian over the edge and moments later, he squirted inside his love, bucking into him, he rode out the last of his seed.

His darling collapsed on top of him, going limp. They both lay their, panting, trying to catch their breathes. Finally his darling slid down beside him, Ivan slipping out of him, he kept an arm draped over Ivan's torso and fell asleep.

Not wanting his love to damage his glasses, Ivan slipped them off and put them aside. Then he rolled onto his back and stared at the wooden ceiling, listening to the fire crackle, he bathed in this happiness. As his eyes drifted shut, he felt iciness needling his skin. Someone, and he knew who, was trying to get into him, but he ignored it for now. General Winter can wait, he thought, his eyes drifting shut.

.oOo.

The child was cold and huddled in the snow. His face was buried in his knees where he sobbed with his back against a snow-laden tree. He whispered something too low to be heard above the howling winds. Snowflakes were tangled in his silvery-hair. He had been out here for a while.

A cold voice on the wind, called his name, "Vanya...Vanya...come to me."

The boy looked up, violet eyes filled with hate.

Alfred woke with a start, confused where he was at first. It took his mind a moment to remember why he was not on the bed, but the floor. He felt around for his glasses. Everything around him was a blur. All he could see were the dull orange embers glowing in the fireplace.

To his distaste, Ivan's seed had dried on his thighs. He would need to wash later.

Speaking of snowflake, where is he? He wondered just as his hands contacted his glasses. A floorboard creaked behind him and he froze. A chill that made gooseflesh sprout up across his skin rolled over him.

Someone, no something, was near. A very wrong presence. An evil, cold and merciless, that no fire could touch. Alfred's breathe came out in ragged puffs as dread oozed through him, clenching around his heart, paralyzing him. He knew exactly what this was. His worst fear.

A ghost! A goddam ghost is in the room! Whatever anyone else said, ghosts were real to Alfred and damn scary. Moving slowly, he slipped his glasses on. Itt took all his will power to do that little action.

Ivan's grin came into focus. He towered over him, naked as before, clutching the steel pipe. But something was different. Ivan's amethyst eyes were as empty as his innocent smile.

"Ivan?" Alfred whispered.

In a flash, the Russian dropped to his knees, slamming the pipe horizontally at Alfred's throat. Alfred's quick reactions and unusual strength were all that saved his windpipe from being crushed. His palms caught the pipe, pushing up, but the Russian was bearing down with all his weight and he had the advantage.

The cold steel was numbing his hands, sapping their strength.

"S-stop it!" Alfred wheezed as the pipe pressed into his throat, choking off his air. Ivan's eyes were dead like a fish eyes, not seeing Alfred at all.

Alfred had been a fool to believe Ivan anything less than a monster.

(End of chapter 9 Uh-oh. What has Ivan done and how will Alfred respond? Next time, Chapter 10: Apology Not Accepted

Lucky for you readers, Chapter 10 is almost completely written so should be up in a day or two. It's a good thing this story is already worked out in my head. A lot is added as I write but the backbone of the story, beginning - middle- end are already settled. I of course don't own Hetalia or any of the characters. This is a fanfiction only work.

As I said, because it's mostly figured out, I haven't hit writer's block yet *knock on wood* so I can keep a fairly good rate going. With the expanding chapters and all, this might be a 25-30 chapter story. Believe it or not there are a lot more things that have only been hinted at and not revealed.