Chapter 10: Day out

Word Count: 5,214

Sorry that this took like forever to get out. And it's only 5K Should have been more, but I decided to leave it there. Hope you all enjoy and I apologize again for the delay. I work 6 out of 7 days of the week so it's slow going.

Also, Neko does not know what Red Square looks like or what Russian clothing stores look like. Please forgive her if you do know and she is wrong.

"It tastes better then you probably think." Alfred encouraged. Ivan looked up at the blond before looking back down to the challenge in front of him. It would probably make Alfred very pleased if he tried...but it didn't look very tasty at all. Adjusting his grip around the base, which was a tan or light brown sort of color. Alfred didn't say anything to rush him, then again with him watching closer then a hawk watched a rabbit, he really didn't need to say anything. Looking at the white...substance that Ivan really didn't know what to call it or how to describe it. That there was the major problem, it did not look like something humans were generally suppose to eat. Dripping from the tip, it was clear that it was not going to wait up for him either.

Taking a breath, he decided to just try it, hoping that it wasn't as distasteful as he assumed. Closing his eyes, he gave it a small lick right across the tip, where it was dripping. He was surprised at how sweet it was, putting his mouth around it to get more in before pulling back, letting the thick creamy stuff sit in his mouth a moment before swallowing. Ivan grinned up at Alfred, "It tastes really good!" The taller chuckled, ruffling his hair and seemed amused by the response, taking a bite of his own 'ice cream' that he had started a while ago when they had first bought them from the stand. His was almost gone.

Taking another lick/bite out of his own 'food' - though Ivan doubted it could be called that - he continued looking around the streets of what Alfred had informed him was the Red Square, a popular tourist attraction...whatever that was. It was busy, there were so many people that he could barely count them and they all seemed to be doing something. Things for sale here and there that occasionally Ivan pulled Alfred towards to look at things, and vise versa. It was somewhat endearing the way Alfred would get really excited over something. Then again, Ivan found himself very fascinated with things that were being sold and what was there.

Alfred said he didn't have much Russian currency though, since he had to go to a bank to exchange the money. But he had been kind enough to show Ivan his current currency. It was a lot different from the silver coins he was used to. The paper-like currency was the strangest. At least the coins were more familiar to him, but he supposed that he would have to trust Alfred with all the currency. Hopefully the blond wasn't one to spend too much. Ivan munched on the base of the ice cream, the weird brown...thing that didn't taste as sweet as the white stuff, but it was still a bit sweet.

Putting the small bit of food left into his mouth, Ivan chewed on the slightly crunchy base. A couple of people walking by stopped and said something, seeming directed at him, smiling a bit. He smiled back at them and Alfred waved before they smiled a bit more and continued walking, "What did they say?" Ivan asked curiously.

"I have no idea." Alfred answered happily, seeming undeterred by that fact, "Um...maybe we should try to find clothes somewhere else."

"But it seems nice here." Ivan smiled.

"We can come back after you get some clothes though."

"Promise?" Ivan questioned, looking up at Alfred, who nodded.

"Yep cross my heart and hope to die."

"What?"

"Oh it's...it's like giving you my word." Ivan nodded, thinking it a strange way to do so, but didn't question it any further as he followed Alfred, who seemed a bit lost, but with all the people it was easy to get lost in here. It actually took a long time finding their way out of the Red Square and then after that it seemed to take even longer for a 'clothing store' which Ivan was pretty sure Alfred meant they were looking for a tailor, but he didn't bother correcting the other.

When Alfred finally let out a small shout of victory, drawing the attention of some around them, they walked into a store. Ivan was fascinated by the set up really, there were some people there as well that were looking through clothes that hung from metal rods that were put together and attached to the floor it looked like. There was quite a lot of different clothes, Alfred lead him over to one side of the store.

Ivan watched the blond curiously as he seemed to look through some things, "What are you doing?"

"Trying to find some things that are your size." Alfred replied, since he didn't really know what size Ivan was, not now or even before. Then again, it wasn't helping that it was in Russian. Giving up and just pulling a couple of jeans from different stacks. Grabbing a few shirts as well, he looked at Ivan, who had a sort of confused look on his face.

"But...don't we get them tailored?"

"Oh right, no, a new system came in a few hundred years ago, during the industrial age, see now clothes have um...five sizes for shirts and several for jeans, so that everybody can just pick the size they fit into best and buy it easily at any clothing store...does that makes sense?" Alfred was actually proud of how much he knew about it, then again it had happened when he was alive and about.

"I guess." Ivan said, still unsure of it.

"Anyway, I think one of these will fit, here I'm sure we can try them on somewhere..." Alfred trailed off, looking around before walking up to somebody, "Um, excuse me, do you speak English?" They stared at him blankly, looking confused, "Worth a try...um, we want to try these on?" Alfred said, holding the clothes in his arms out. She tilted her head and pointed at the checkout. He shook his head, grabbing one of the shirts and holding it up to himself. She looked confused a moment later before she smiled, nodding and waving her hand for them to follow her. Alfred sighed in relief and followed.

Ivan wasn't far behind, somewhat curious about the exchange, but remained quiet as they were led somewhere near the back of the store that had little...closets? That's the best he could describe them as. She opened one of them for them, "Okay, Here you go Ivan, try these clothes on and see if any of them fit okay? And when one does, put it aside from the others so we know." Ivan hesitated a moment before nodding, grabbing the clothes that Alfred held out to him and starting inside the small room.

The worker smiled, giving a small wave to Alfred as she started walking away. Alfred would have tried saying thank you in Russian, but he doubted he could say that, was it spasibo? He thought so...or maybe that meant please. Eh, stupid Russia not teaching him Russian. It wasn't like he could figure it out himself, everything that came out of their mouths always sounded like something to do with fancy pasta to him.

Ivan blinked at the mirror that was inside of the room, he couldn't help but question the point of having such a big mirror inside the wall. Perhaps to see what the clothes looked like better. Shrugging it off, he started taking off the clothes he was familiar with. He kind of doubted he would find anything he liked as much as he liked those, but it was a new world and the style of clothes had obviously changed dramatically. Picking up one of the articles of clothes that Alfred had handed him, he could tell they were trousers. But what caught his attention was a small thing in the front below the button. He stared at the strange thing that he apparently missed when he had worn Alfred's jeans.

Grabbing the small silver implement, Ivan pulled at it. There was a small and strange noise that came from it, and the two sides of the pants on either side came together with a line of shiny teeth closed up down the center. He would have to ask Alfred about that later. In the mean time, he shook his head at being so distracted from the task at hand and started pulling them on as Alfred had requested.

After he had found the ones that fit the best, Ivan pulled them off and pushed them aside before redressing back into his normal clothes. Opening the door, he looked around a bit, only carrying the shirt and trousers that fit him, not really sure what to do with the others. However he didn't see Alfred standing outside the small are with the closets. Well that's strange, Ivan could have sworn he left the blond right here. He must have wondered off. Walking out into the main area of the store, he looked around, still not seeing Alfred.

Where had he gone? After looking around in the store, he concluded that the blond was nowhere to be found. A familiar feeling of abandonment set in. But...maybe the other had decided to try on some clothes himself? Or he had just missed Alfred while walking around. Ivan nodded, he was just overreacting, the blond would be here somewhere, he wouldn't have just left right? His teeth worried at his bottom lip as he tried to think of a logical explanation for why the other had left that didn't include getting away from him.

When he felt a hand land on his shoulder he jumped in surprise, calming in a second when thinking it was probably Alfred, which was relieving. Then he realized that that was definitely not Alfred's hand. He looked behind him nervously to see Natalia. Of all the bad luck and curses in the world! He back up slightly, only running into some clothes, "N-Natalia, w-what are you doing here?" He asked nervously. Last he knew she was on her way to Alfred's country.

"I was worried about you brother...I did not expect America to be with you though."

"I-I..." What could he say that would make it so she didn't try hurting the other?

"Do you really think that you are married to him brother? That is not possible. I thought of this on my way to go and kill him for touching you. But I realized you think that you are married to him."

"I-I..." He wished his brain could think of something else to say, maybe some sort of protest or something to defend Alfred, but it seemed like he was just too nervous around her. Still, he swallowed and took a moment to breath, she obviously expecting a response. "Th-that is because it is true."

"No brother, America has always hated you."

Ivan shook his head in denial, "No, that is not true." Alfred had not done anything that had showed that he hated him, or even disliked...except when he avoided him, but that was just a misunderstanding.

"He is using you dear brother, I saw him abandoned you just now while you were busy." Ivan shook his head again in denial, Alfred wouldn't just leave, not after everything, "Brother, I am wanting what is well for you. America has never loved you, nor have you two been married. He does not even know your language in this time. And he knows nothing of you. Besides, you two have a very unstable relationship."

"N-No...I...he..." Ivan didn't know what to say, somehow it made sense...and yet in a lot of ways it didn't also. Natalia knelt down, putting her hand on his cheek.

"But I love you brother, and would never lie to you, so let us marry now and have many beautiful children." Ivan shook his head, trying to get the hand off his cheek and walking out of her grip, eying her nervously, however once she got that strange glint in her eyes, he turned and bolted towards the outside, ignoring the looks that the workers were giving them as his sister no doubt chased him.

As soon as he got out the doors, he looked behind him to see how close she was, he could see her through the door that was swinging shut, but then ran into something. Stumbling back a bit, he looked up at who he had run into, about to spout a hurried apology before bolting, but saw Alfred, who looked somewhat confused, "Ivan? What's the matter?" Alfred questioned, but a moment later Ivan heard the door fly open and they both looked over to see Natalia standing there.

"Belarus, what the hell? Can't you just fucking calm down for like a second?" Alfred growled, hand resting on Ivan's shoulder and moving to stand in between the two. The female country looked ready to murder the superpower.

"I will not calm down! You have taken advantage of my brother and spilled lies of marriage in his head!" Marriage? Oh right, Ivan had said that he had told his sister that they were married so that she wouldn't like rape him or something, which she probably would. Right...well if he denied it Belarus would probably think him even more a lying asshole, not to mention he wasn't really sure what would happen if she did believe him, maybe that would make Ivan more vulnerable to her attacks? He wasn't really sure, but he would go out on a limb and trust the younger's logic for now. Hopefully it wouldn't end with him being full of knives.

"Right that...Well I wasn't lying."

"Please." Belarus snorted, "Drop your lies, he won't believe them!"

"What are you talking about? I'm telling this to you, not him. He doesn't know English."

"That does not make you less guilty."

"Dude, you don't have to believe me. Ivan wanted to keep it a secret before mostly because he didn't want to see you get hurt, but seeing as he can't understand what I'm saying, I can tell you to back the fuck off." Okay, those facial expressions were totally worth it. Alfred smirked, it fit what he was saying and he couldn't help it, he loved being this harmlessly mischievous sometimes.

"Stop your lying you worthless pig!" She growled, pulling out her knives.

"Wow hey, you know I can take you and beat your ass into the ground, so why not avoid the scene?" Humans didn't really get it when they saw two people with super-human strength trying to kill each other. It caused a lot of panic and was usually looked down upon within their own kind and bosses. Belarus glared heatedly for several long seconds and Alfred wondered if she was going to attack anyway. But then she put her knives back...from wherever they came from, seriously where the hell did she put those? Was it like some sort of thing with their family, that they had some sort of magically mythical powers that only they possessed that made it so they could put weapons into a black hole that they could reach in and out of and it would only hide their weapons and be activated by them?

Because Alfred had once stolen Ivan's coat and had searched for that pipe. And what did he find? Not a pipe, just vodka and the others wallet and things like that. But then Ivan had come in, taken the jacket back angrily and somehow pulled the trademark pipe from somewhere in that jacket and proceeded to fight Alfred to the death. And Now he suspected that Belarus had that same ability, which meant it was genetic. So they were superh-villains. Still, if Alfred was somehow able to combine that DNA into his own, he would gain this ability and it would be awesome. Then he could shove it into Ivan's face what he had faced through the years! Oh wait, Belarus had said something...damn, it was probably important, but she was leaving so that was that. He turned to look at Ivan who was hiding completely behind him from Belarus' view, probably good considering that he was such a come-and-defile me sort of thing going on. Which was weird because before this whole situation, the other had always seemed to have a do-anything-I-don't-like-and-I-will-murder-you-in-the-cold-frozen-pits-of-hell-AKA-Russia. Or maybe that was just the looked he had usually given Alfred. No matter, still he wondered if they were somehow related.

"What did you say?" Ivan asked, looking up at him almost in awe, then again he was awesome.

"Huh? Oh, I just told her that we were married."

"And she left you alone?"

"Well it took some convincing, but yeah, she left." Ivan frowned slightly, looking towards where his sister had faded away into. He hadn't really understood the conversation, but he was very worried. Natalia wasn't one to give up and call it quits, she was very determined a lot of the time. And considering how determined she acted about - Ivan shuddered - having children together and marrying he didn't think she would give up that easily. Which meant she was planning for something for when they let down their guard. He would have to be careful in the near future. But in the mean time they were safe, so he didn't have to worry about it yet.

Instead his thoughts instantly refocused on what Belarus had said. Obviously she didn't know what she was talking about...but still, "Alfred, why did you leave me alone?" Ivan asked, looking at the blond. Alfred felt instantly guilty, hugging the other. Ivan made a small yelp, blushing at such physical contact, especially in an open and public place like it was. He was tempted to push the other away, but he closed his eyes and hid his face in Alfred's chest, hoping that nobody would notice him but at the same time feeling like he needed physical contact after the slight abandonment moment.

"I'm sorry Ivan, you were taking a little and I thought you would take a lot longer...so I got distracted, I just went to the store across the street. I didn't think that your sister would be following us or show up and try anything. I'll be more careful, okay?" Alfred didn't know what he had been thinking, all the countries seemed pretty determined to get Ivan before, what made him think that would change? Darn his impatience and short attention span! It was those traits fault for this!

Ivan didn't say anything, deciding not to say how he had actually been more worried that Alfred had up and left him. While he did have problems with people leaving him, he couldn't just say that, the other would probably think he was being stupid or worrying to much or something along those lines really. Most just laughed and left him even when he begged them not to go...even any pets that he had gotten had left in the end. Pushing such depressing thoughts aside, he pressed his nose further into Alfred's shirt, absorbing the smell of the other that he was starting to get more and more used to, at least enough to recognize out of other things. Alfred was his husband, he wasn't going to leave him. Unless he wasn't his husband. Ivan internally winced at the doubt that was already starting to grow.

"Come on!" Alfred said, pulling away, but still holding his wrist, he excitedly lead the way, "I'll show you what I got! But we got to go back home...um, we'll get some clothes real quick too I guess, but I can't wait to show you what I got!" Alfred grinned a huge smile that showed all his teeth, the blond seeming to be full of light. Ivan smiled and followed the excited blond. At least for the moment, he would enjoy Alfred's company and not think about it.

Ivan laid on the floor, blankets around him and he was in 'normal' clothes. Alfred was on the phone, but Ivan couldn't even bother looking up to try and see who he was talking to as he stared in absolute fascination at what was before him. After a moment Alfred sat next to him, apparently off the phone and chuckled, ruffling his hair. Ivan batted blindly and the hand, not moving his eyes away.

"Your eyes will freeze like that and your brain will melt." Alfred said, his voice easily giving away that he wasn't happy with something.

"Will it really?" Ivan questioned, still unable to tear his eyes away from the colorful moving objects on the once black and strange mirror even with the information.

"No. That's just something parents tell children to get them to stop." Alfred chuckled, looking at the cartoon, a Russian cartoon movie he had bought from the store across the clothing one that Ivan had been in. Cartoons were easier to understand when one didn't know the language and he thought it was time to show Ivan the joys of television. He actually was interested himself, he hadn't seen the movie before - obviously, it was Russian after all and their trading was limited. He laid down next to Ivan, moving under the blankets as well and pushing a pillow under him where he could prop his elbows up without them digging too painfully into the floor.

He had moved the couch, chairs and coffee table in the living room and grabbed all the blankets and pillows he could find in a childish whim to make a large bed of blankets and pillows on the floor, and no matter what Toris may have thought of it, it was comfortable and worth the effort it took to get all the blankets and pillows required.

It pretty much filled up the entire living room, and had taken all the blankets and pillows that Ivan had possessed, but it was awesome how the bed of fluffiness was everywhere, no matter where he rolled he would be comfortable enough to fall asleep without waking up to some sort of back or neck problems.

"Do you know what they are saying?" Ivan questioned, partly wanting to know the dialogue he was missing, even if he could get the story line. Alfred had tried to explain why there were painted people moving around on the screen right before his eyes, but the blond hadn't made much sense, so Ivan chalked it up to more magic. Still, this one was fascinating, telling a great tale in not words or even writing, but moving pictures. The idea was amazing. However, the other part of him was wanting to know the answer to the accusation his sister had made about Alfred. Why couldn't he speak his future self's language.

"No idea." Alfred said, watching with just as much interest as the little hero tried to get away from the evil wizard guy.

"Alfred...why can you not speak my language?"

"Huh? But I am right now see?"

"No I mean..." Ivan looked over at Alfred who was laying close to him and watching the 'movie'. "Why can't you speak...Russia."

"Oh Russian? Well I once asked you...like older you to teach me Russian, but he taught me this language instead. Which came in handy, so I guess that wasn't for nothing." Of course! That made perfect sense, why hadn't he thought of that before? His future self had know this was going to happen so he had made sure that Alfred learned his language before Russian. Man, his future self was smart. Ivan smiled, feeling relieved by the answer, he leaned into Alfred's arm, resting there as he looked back at the television.

Alfred smiled down at the other at the nuzzling and wrapped his arm around the other, bringing him close and kissing his forehead before turning his own attention towards the movie.

Much later, when the movie had ended about three times over and Alfred had fallen asleep, Ivan finally let it stop, thankful that Alfred had indulged him in showing how to work the magic at least enough to watch more of it. It was nice watching. Pulling away from the embrace of the other, he went upstairs and got his journal before returning to press his back into the blond's side. As if on que, Alfred turned over and wrapped an arm around his waist, nuzzling his nose into his scarf, which made Ivan feel kind of weird about, but it stopped after awhile.

Smiling he opened the book, skimming that days entry seeing as he already knew what had happened, there was no point. He looked at the dark sky outside of the window before nodding in approval and deciding it was alright to read tomorrows entry since he probably wouldn't have time to the next day if today was any indication.

Hello again,

I felt like putting some sort of greeting. So the next day - after I had confirmed that what my sister had said was completely false - I woke up and Alfred wasn't there. Of course I was terribly upset, I had even been thinking about asking him about who he had been talking to on the...thing...I do not know how to spell it but you know what I mean, the little demon that is used to talk to people in different places. I hadn't asked him the night before of course because I was distracted by the moving picture show. I do enjoy that, and there will be more where those came from I can guarantee you that, just ask Alfred when you want another. Anyway, after the little incident in the store I was not pleased that Alfred had once again run off somewhere, the other seemed to have an unhealthy habit of going that, really look into getting something to tie him to you because this won't be the last-

Of course, it was burned off from there. Ivan sighed and closed the book, putting it in the much too big jacket that he had grown fond of since he had first put it on. It was a bit warm, especially with Alfred cuddling into his back, but he didn't mind that in the slightest. Closing his eyes, Ivan couldn't help but wonder why he went on for so long about seemingly less important things. What he wanted to know was if he found Alfred in the morning. Well probably, if it wasn't going to be the last time. That was an upsetting thought, he did not want a repeat of the store incident that had happened today. Pushing aside the worried and some annoyance that his future self didn't even say what was really going to happen tomorrow, he fell into dreams.

Ivan walked down a seemingly endless hallway, but he knew that if he kept going he would find an end to it. So he did, though he felt like he was looking for something. After hours that went by in only a second, Ivan stopped walking when he saw a door in the wall of the dark hallway. Grinning, he felt happiness, this was what he was looking for all along! He had found it already, what luck! He reached for the door handle but stopped when he felt a presence watching him. It didn't feel dangerous so he looked over curiously, "You're...is this a dream?"

"Of course." Older him said, smiling down at him, he certainly was tall. He crouched down so that they were at eye level and Ivan turned to face the other happily. He understood that this wasn't really his older self, just a dream version that his mind had come up with, but that was okay it was nice anyway, "Are you sure you wish to open that door."

Ivan hesitated, looking behind him at it before looking back at the large country in front of him, "Why wouldn't I? It is what I was looking for right?"

"Yes, and I understand why. But you cannot just open a door to get what you want."

"I know, you can't have anything in life without working for it."

His older self smiled proudly, "That's right."

"So it won't open then? Is that what you are saying?" Ivan tilted his head.

"It will open. But do you wish to open it?" Ivan paused for a moment, thinking about it, "It is what you are wanting...but the effects may be more then you think."

Playing with the tail end of his scarf, Ivan looked up at himself making up his mind as he nodded, "Then of course, if it's what I want, I'll open it."

The other him smiled a bit, almost sadly, "Then open it."

Ivan nodded, turning towards the door, only to find a blank wall. But he had a feeling that he had opened the door when he had agreed to it. Looking back to ask his older self, he was in a new location, the previous scene all but completely forgotten. He was in a nice open field, the sun burning down on the warm grass. He sighed, looking up at Alfred who was now there. He smiled and rested his head against the others chest.

He could get used to this.

Ivan felt himself waking up from the dream he was having. Which was upsetting, because it really was a nice dream, though now he couldn't exactly remember what it was, that didn't seem to matter as much as it did that he knew that it had been good. Well, he would could look forward to the day with Alfred, and maybe ask about that call he had gotten, he was more curious now then he had been last night. Opening his eyes and remembering the entry in his journal. He sat up, looking around, and sure enough Alfred was nowhere to be seen.

He sighed, trying to shake off the disappointed feeling that surfaced. He had know that Alfred wouldn't be there when he woke up, but he guessed part of him still hoped that was true...still expected it. It was going to be a long day, he could tell. Standing up, he went out of the living room to search for his blond.

100 Reviews: more then that actually. But what should I do to celebrate it? Input would be nice since I want to celebrate it, but don't know what to do. This is the first story I've written to get 100+ before it was finished.

Hope you enjoyed and if you see any spelling problems please let me know!