AN: WARNING-Ivan is coming back to make some trouble. But this will NOT be a RusAme ending. I am USUK/UKUS all the way. Just so you know. Don't despair!
Chun-Yan is Fem!China
Chapter Nine: Things Fall Apart
While Arthur had been getting the third degree and eventually cracking with Denise, Alfred had been enduring something similar with his father. Joseph had been handing Alfred untangled lights and passing them up to where Alfred was perched on a ladder in the snow. The metal was cold and the ladder kept swaying from the wind and being on uneven ground, but they were managing.
"That Arthur sure is a different fellow," Joseph said casually to his son.
"What?" Alfred looked down to where his dad was standing next to him in the snow. "Like, you think he's weird? He's not weird, he's British."
"I picked up on that," Joseph said drily. "What I meant was, that he is different from all the other guys that you've brought home in the past. He's nice."
"Some of my other boyfriends have been nice," Alfred pouted.
"They were all trying to change you," his father said sternly. "You don't need that. When the relationship is right, you don't need to pretend you're someone that you aren't."
Alfred looped a strand of lights around one of the lower hanging branches, but he ducked his head a little in embarrassment. "I know," he said. "I just kind of found out that most guys don't like who I am."
"They're just after you for the good Jones' genes," his father joked. "I remember those days."
"Ew, dad," Alfred laughed.
"I'm just saying that Arthur doesn't seem like that. You're acting like yourself again and it's good to see." His father went quiet for a moment. "How did you two meet?"
"You know how we met," Alfred climbed down off of the ladder and his boots crunched in the fresh snow.
"I know what you told us," Joseph said. "I'd really like the real story. So," he looked directly at his son. "Was it a service? An agency or something?"
"You mean did we meet online and are embarrassed about it?" Alfred pretended confusion.
"You know what I'm asking. Look," his father sighed. "There's no shame in it. Your Uncle Robbie did the same thing for my wedding. He paid for a professional girl to come with him to the wedding. We all knew, but no one would say anything. This time, I'm going to say something."
"You think I hired a fake boyfriend?" Alfred's voice went up a notch.
"I have my suspicions," Joseph said. "You're stories don't quite add up and you seemed very nervous around each other when you first arrived. That's changed though. You're natural and comfortable now. It's the way I'd want to see you in a relationship, to be honest. You can tell me."
Alfred sighed and closed his eyes for a second. He knew that it was time to come clean. Apparently his family wasn't as easy to fool as he had thought. "It was Natalia's idea," he finally said. His father nodded and listened while Alfred recounted the whole story. He didn't leave anything out. When Alfred was finished, his father nodded and said, "Well I hope you decide to ask this boy out for real. He's good for you, and I like him."
"Really?" Alfred asked. "You think that would be a good idea?"
"I think it would be a great idea," Joseph said honestly. "I haven't seen you this happy in years. You're not pretending to be someone that you aren't and Arthur seems to like you just the way you are. That kind of love doesn't come along all the time."
"You don't think I'm pathetic for hiring him?" Alfred's voice was small.
His father laughed. "Not at all. In fact, before I met your mother, I hired a girl from another school who was friends with my cousin to be my date for Prom. I've been there too son. The Jones' good looks sometimes don't work and you have to think outside the box."
"Thanks dad," Alfred said gratefully. They leant in toward each other and slapped one another on the back in a little show of affection. His father suggested that they go in for some hot chocolate and Alfred grabbed the ladder and trudged through the snow behind his dad. He was pleasantly surprised about how his family was reacting to the fact that he had tried to fool them. Now all he had to do was tell his mom.
"I told your mother," Arthur said once they were alone in their room, getting ready for dinner out that evening.
Alfred spun around and looked at him with surprise. "What?"
"I couldn't help it," Arthur looked stricken. "She wheedled it out of me! She knew anyway," he said, hanging his head.
"Was she mad?" Alfred worried.
"No," Arthur assured him. "She was happy for us. I told her that we're trying to make a real go of it and then she talked about grandkids again."
"Of course she did," Alfred sighed. He still laughed a little thinking about his mom and her persistent tactics. "Well, that's it then, everybody knows."
"What? Really?" Arthur looked at him.
"Yup," Alfred said resignedly. "My dad got it out of me today. And Mattie caught us yesterday. Gil's known since we walked in the door our first night. So, that's everyone. Our secret is out."
"And the world didn't end," Arthur said to him. "So that's a good thing." He paused and stepped closer to Alfred. "You're not mad at me."
"I don't think I could ever be mad at you," Alfred said truthfully. "I just don't see that happening."
They pulled their arms around each other's waist and shared a sweet, soft kiss before they broke apart and went back to getting ready for the evening. It was almost a relief that they didn't have to pretend any longer. This was going to be a wonderful holiday and they were going to spend it with each other. Neither man could think of anything better than that.
Since Alfred and Matthew's parents didn't live very far from Main Street, the four of them decided to walk to the restaurant that evening instead of risking the drive on the icy streets. As Gilbert pointed out, that way, they could all drink. The walk through the neighborhood was peaceful. Gilbert and Matthew took the lead, slipping and sliding along the icy sidewalks in front. They were laughing with each other and both Arthur and Alfred hoped that one day they would be that happy with each other.
Alfred's gloved hand was grasping Arthur's and they picked their way slowly behind the other two. Occasionally Arthur would slide a bit and grab onto Alfred's arm to steady himself. Alfred liked it when that happened, because it made him feel as though he was Arthur's hero. They all exclaimed over the decorations of the other houses as they walked past. Some were tasteful and others were over the top. They liked them all. It was festive and cheerful.
Main Street was bustling when they turned the corner and emerged onto the street. People in large winter coats were winding along the sidewalks, shopping, laughing, talking and eating chestnuts from bags that the vendor in the square was selling. When they reached the popular little trendy restaurant, it was packed. Matthew went inside to tell the hostess that they had a reservation and then joined the others back on the sidewalk. There wasn't room inside to stand. He announced that they would be seated within ten minutes or so.
They passed the time making small talk and wondering what everyone would be receiving on Christmas morning. Tomorrow was the twenty-forth and as the holiday was rapidly approaching, their excitement was as well. Alfred boasted that he had picked up amazing gifts this year and both Gilbert and Matthew rolled their eyes and laughed at him.
Soon enough, the young hostess poked her head out into the cold and announced that their table was ready. They all gratefully followed her into the warmth of the building. Weaving in and out of tables, they made their way to their seats, all the while, Alfred wouldn't let go of Arthur's hand. He even pulled out Arthur's chair for him, which made the Englishman blush profusely.
While they perused the menu, they kept up their chatter, talking of the holidays and of Matthew and Gilbert's upcoming nuptials. Gilbert exclaimed aloud when he read that there was schnitzel on the menu and promptly closed his, setting it on the table, his mind made up. The rest of them kept looking and as far as they were all concerned, everything looked delicious. They ordered drinks and appetizers and the evening was on its way.
They toasted and laughed and drank a lot of wine. When their main courses finally arrived, they all dug in with gusto. They had only taken a few bites each when a shadow fell over their table, standing to Alfred's left. He paused, his food halfway to his mouth and looked up. He was glad he wasn't chewing because what he saw made his lips fall open in surprise.
"Ivan," he choked out. "What are you doing here?"
His ex-boyfriend loomed over their table, taking in the three people sitting with Alfred. From behind the hulking Russian, a beautiful young Chinese woman stood wearing a black shift dress and watching them. "You always talked about your hometown, so Chun-Yan and I came up for the weekend to see it," Ivan indicated the lady behind him with a wave of his large hand.
"You're just here, coincidentally?" Gilbert spoke up, his eyes narrowed.
"This is Ivan?" Arthur leaned forward and whispered to Alfred.
"I don't believe we've met," Ivan turned his gaze to Arthur and the Englishman felt unsettled.
"I'm Arthur," he said. He didn't want to tell this man his last name. Something about the large Russian made him uneasy.
"You must be Alfred's rebound," Ivan said coldly. "Good luck with him, he's impossible to train."
"I don't intend on training him," Arthur finally found his anger. "He's not a dog."
Alfred was strangely quiet throughout everything. His eyes were fixed on the beautiful woman at Ivan's side. Finally, he gathered his courage. "Ivan, who is she?"
Ivan turned and smiled at the lady with him and then looked back at Alfred. "My girlfriend."
Alfred's eyes were wide. "But, you're gay," he said softly. His face was a mask of confusion.
"I never specified," Ivan said. "Besides, I can't very well move to Moscow with a man, can I?"
"You're taking her to Moscow with you?" Alfred sounded broken and hurt.
"Of course," Ivan said easily. "We've known each other for many years and we…reconnected when I was finished with you."
Alfred slumped in his chair and Arthur reached out for his boyfriend's hand. He was about to say something scathing when Gilbert stood up to his full height. He was shorter than Ivan, for sure, but there was something menacing in the German man's bright red eyes. "You need to leave. Now." Gilbert spat.
The two men eyed each other for a moment before Ivan turned back to Alfred with a smile on his face. "It was good to see you Alfred," he said. Then he reached for the lady's hand and the two of them walked away, exiting the restaurant.
Alfred pushed his steak away from him and sat back in his chair. He was shaking and trying not to cry. Gilbert slowly sat back down in his chair and looked at Matthew whose sole attention was on his brother. "Al," he said. "What can we do?"
"Nothing," Alfred whispered. "I'm not hungry anymore."
Arthur paled. He knew from his few weeks with the American that Alfred had a substantial appetite. If he wasn't eating, something was seriously wrong. Arthur squeezed Alfred's hand but the other man's fingers remained limp in his grasp.
The rest of the meal was subdued and quiet and Alfred didn't eat or drink anything else. When they finally left, he looked as though he wanted nothing more than to be left alone. Arthur hated seeing that look on the usually happy man's face. It broke his heart.
