Disclaimer: Hetalia's not mine.

Ivan glanced through the peephole and froze. What was he doing there? He plastered a smile back on and tugged the door open. "Al! What a surprise."

"Hi!" Alfred promptly flung himself at Ivan, hugging him tight. "I thought I'd surprise you. I'm glad it worked!"

"Well, yes, I wasn't expecting you." Poor Alfred probably wondered why he was never invited over, why he had only been to Ivan's house the day they met. But there was just too much Ivan would have to hide... "Um, please, come in. Wait right here, I need to do something."

Ivan didn't wait for an answer. He hurried to where Eduard was counting a recently acquired case of money.

Eduard glanced up in surprise. "Boss?"

Ivan forced his flustered expression back into his usual neutral. "Eduard. We have a guest. Who absolutely must not find out what I do."

Eduard raised an eyebrow. "You're entertaining company who aren't supposed to know we're ma-"

"Yes. Let everyone else know. And try and hide evidence..."

A slow smile spread across Eduard's face. "Is it your mysterious boyfriend?"

Ivan scowled. "What makes you think I even have a-"

"We know you."

"Just do what I say. And don't mention anything about a boyfriend! Especially not to..."

Eduard shuddered. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Ivan nodded, and returned to the entrance, where Alfred was... where had he found the pipe? Ivan never left that laying around by the door! "Al!"

"Why in the world do you have a faucet?" Alfred laughed, tapping it against his palm. "How old. Look how rusty it is!"

Ivan grimaced. "Yes, rust! It is rusty. Please put it down, it is very old."

"You keep odd antiques." Alfred set it aside.

"Indeed." Ivan took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. If he was careful, and didn't overreact to anything, they should get through this. "Come in and sit down. Would you like a drink?"

"Nah, I'm good. Thanks."

Ivan led the way into the sitting room, keeping an eye out for anything that needed a quick hiding. To his relief, no weapons or satchels of cash had been left laying around (the latter of which he could more easily lie his way out of, at least). Alfred made himself comfortable, looking around with an intrigued expression.

"You seem kinda freaked out," Alfred said. "Did I show up at a bad time?"

"No no," Ivan said, sitting down across from him. "Just surprised. I have a lot of other people over, but I usually do."

"Well good." Alfred smiled. "I wouldn't want to think about you in this bigass place all alone."

Ivan returned his smile. "Are you sure you aren't thirsty?"

Alfred laughed. "If you are, go get something. I wouldn't mind."

Ivan stood back up and headed for the kitchen, picking a stray gun up as discretely as he could on the way.

God, what a place. Alfred gazed around in wonder at all the tiny little wealthy details that Ivan probably didn't even notice. He settled back in the leather chair—leather! Insanely soft leather—and waited for Ivan to return. What all people did he have visiting, anyway? Ivan never spoke much of any friends of his, just his sisters, only one of whom lived in the country.

As if on cue, a few heads poked into the doorway, watching Alfred curiously. A couple were young men, maybe a few years older than himself, and the other was a boy. Alfred waved politely at them, and they stepped in.

"Hello." He smiled. "I'm Alfred Jones. Are you friends of Ivan's?"

They exchanged a look. "That's right," the one with longish brown hair said. "We're friends of his. I'm Toris, this is Eduard, and the kid there is Raivis."

Alfred nodded politely at them, thinking that one of the names rang a bell. He grinned when it hit him. "Oh, Toris! I remember you."

"You do?" he said with a friendly smile. "I don't think I-"

"You were the pepperoni and mushroom! It's because of you I met Ivan!" He pounced on Toris to hug him.

"Ah... y-yes?" Toris awkwardly patted Alfred on the back. "You were... the pizza deliverer?"

"That's right!"

"I never did get that pizza..."

"I ate it," Ivan said from another doorway.

Alfred grinned over at him. Ivan was leaning against the arched doorway, watching them with an unreadable expression. "The whole thing?"

"Toris was called away right before you showed up. I didn't want it to go to waste, and I was hungry."

"I'd wondered about that," Toris said. "Well, it's very nice to meet you, Mr. Jones."

"Al's fine!"

"Of course, Mr. Jones."

"Are you really banging the boss?" the youngest, Raivis, piped up. Alfred gaped at him—how old was he?—and both Eduard and Toris hissed at him to shut up.

"I believe you all have things to do," Ivan said with a pained look.

"But we should do something some time," Alfred added, smiling at Toris and Eduard.

"That would be nice," Eduard said, nodding. Ivan herded the trio out before Alfred was able to make any plans with them, though.

"Boss?" He poked Ivan in the ribs. "Isn't that cute."

"Kids," Ivan said with a shrug. "The things he calls me..."

"Can-"

"No," Ivan said quickly. "You may not. If I hear 'boss' from you, you will get a big love bite where everybody will see it and snicker."

Alfred pouted. "How'd you know that's what I was going to ask?"

"I know you."

"Maybe I was going to ask for a kiss."

"Were you?"

Alfred looked away with a sheepish smile.

"Ah, Al..." Ivan took his hand. His smile almost seemed sad. "You cannot lie to me, can you..."

"Of course not!"

Alfred didn't get to find out what Ivan was going to say next, for a girl walked in just then. Alfred wondered just how many people, exactly, Ivan had staying with him. She had long hair and was dressed almost like an old fashioned maid, and...

"Hey!" Alfred stared at her. "I remember you!" What a weird coincidence! "Are you feeling better?"

The girl just stared at Alfred, jaw hanging open. Seeing him again must have surprised her, too! Then she turned and bolted out of the room.

"Well that was weird..." Alfred scratched his head, taken aback by her flight. Was he scary now? "I was just trying to be nice. But what are the odds?"

A hand fell heavily on his shoulder, and Alfred winced. "Ivan?"

"You have seen her before?" There was something... off about Ivan's voice.

"Oh, yeah! It's the weirdest coincidence!" He briefly described the time he had seen her crying at Matthew's school.

"I see." Ivan cleared his throat. "I should go talk with her. Please wait here, all right?"

"Oh." Alfred shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Make sure she's feeling better!"

Ivan smiled, still looking... off. "Oh, I will. Wait here." He stormed off, and Alfred had the strangest feeling that he should be worrying about the girl.

Ivan flung the door to Natalia's room open, pleased to see that she had indeed taken refuge there. If 'pleased' could be used in his current state, which was similar to the rage he had felt when he had thought Francis was forcing Alfred to kiss him. But instead of hot fury fueling his rage, it was icy terror. "Natalia!"

She looked up at him like he was a car barreling down on her in the road. It wasn't often that their roles were reversed, but now she was the one quivering in fear. "B-brother!"

"Why were you waiting for Alfred?" Ivan stepped closer, backing Natalia into the corner.

"I wasn't going to hurt him!" she said quickly. A lie. "I only wanted to meet him, brother!"

"Oh?" Ivan wrapped a hand around her slender, pale throat. Not squeezing, just resting there. "People usually walk up to those they want to meet, and say hello." He narrowed his eyes at his trembling sister. "And do you think I have only just met you? You have cried nothing but crocodile tears since you were five."

"B-broth-"

"Stay away from him." Ivan squeezed, just a little, and her eyes widened. "I mean it. You will not harm him. Anything you do to him, will be done to you in return."

"You would kill me?" Natalia whispered.

His stomach lurched. Of course he had known that was her intent, but... He squeezed some more. "Who said anything about killing, hm?"

Natalia whimpered.

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes."

"Good." Ivan released her and stepped back, staring coldly while she sank to the floor.

"Brother..." Natalia reached up to rub her throat. He hadn't thought he had squeezed so hard. "I... I'm family!"

"I know," Ivan said. "If you weren't, you would be dead already." He turned and swept out the door, slamming it behind him. He waited until he had turned a few corners before he paused, sinking to his knees in the middle of the hallway.

So close... she had come so close! If Matthew hadn't shown up when he did, and Alfred went to her... he would be dead. Oh god, Alfred had almost been killed. Ivan thought he might be sick.

And he was in danger still. Ivan had to keep Alfred away... Oh, she would disregard the threat if she was properly enraged. Natalia probably didn't know the extent of their relationship; if she were to find out...

Ivan had to keep Alfred away. He stood, trying to regain his composure again before returning to the sitting room. He waited until he was certain all traces of fury and terror were gone, smiling pleasantly as he walked in. "Al."

"Hey!" Alfred bounced back to his feet, having been lounging on the leather chair. "How is she?"

Ivan hesitated. He just wasn't in the mood for more elaborate lies. In this case, something a little closer to the truth might be more effective... Not the entire truth, but close. "Not good. Please, Alfred, you cannot come here anymore. Unless I say it's okay."

Alfred's face metamorphosed from pleased to distressed. "What'd I do?"

"Nothing." Ivan tugged his lover close. "You have done nothing. It is her. She hates you."

"She what?" Alfred pulled back, eyes wide. "Why? Because I didn't talk to her that day?"

Ivan shook his head. "She hated you before then. I have mentioned her to you before. She is my younger sister Natalia."

"Your sister!" Alfred's eyes somehow grew wider. "The clingy one?"

"That is the one. She is weird and obsessed with me. She hates you because you are my lover. She would hate any lover."

"So what was she doing-"

"Something not pleasant." Ivan took a deep breath. "I don't know what, exactly. Maybe have you beat up." Which was true enough. Though she would have done it herself, until Alfred stopped moving...

"That cute little girl?" Alfred frowned. "You think she had some thugs there to jump me?"

"It is entirely possible. She can be a little unstable at times, especially when it involves me."

"Man..." Alfred rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess it's a good thing Mattie showed up to distract me when he did, huh?"

He had no idea how good of a thing. "Yes."

Alfred made a face. "Man," he said again. "So is she all into... like, incest?" He made a worse face when Ivan nodded. "She does know you like dudes, right?"

"She does not consider that important."

"Well, all right. I won't stop by unannounced anymore."

"Thank you." Ivan pulled him into another hug. "And if you ever even think you see her again..."

"I'll stay away."

"Good." Ivan sighed, wondering if it would be better if he stayed or left the house. Probably left, it wasn't like Natalia was the type to take it out on innocent targets, living or inanimate, if left alone. "Come on. I'll take you someplace nice. Do you want to go dancing?"

Alfred nodded. "We can swing by my place and grab my fake leather pants and-"

"Real dancing, love."

Matthew dropped the stack of books onto the counter with a groan, placing his student ID on top. "These classes are murder this quarter."

The cashier gave him an understanding smile, ringing the books up. Matthew watched, stomach falling as the price rose. He peeked into his wallet, groaning again. He wouldn't be able to buy lunch! He was a couple dollars short of the total and dug into his change, pulling out what random coins he could.

"Oh!" The cashier looked at his ID again. "I thought you seemed familiar."

Matthew sighed. Probably because I've been in here five thousand times, he thought. A cashier couldn't be expected to remember every customer, but really. He watched, growing a little confused as she typed something into the computer. Nodding to herself, she handed the money back.

"What's the problem?"

"No problem! You just don't owe us anything." She smiled. "Didn't you know?"

"Uh..."

"It's all taken care of." She printed out a receipt and handed it over. "Would you like a bag?"

"Uh, sure." Matthew picked his ID up and stared at it. It was definitely his. How could she have made a mistake?

What in the world?