Chapter 11 is here! Yay! Okay so, let's do a quick rundown of last chapter: After finding their way out of the lost/dark woods Ivan has realized that Alfred makes him happy, and is the only friend he's had since the wolf. Because of this Ivan has let Alfred into his house – a metaphor for his heart – and now Alfred is staying there. As he tells Alfred about his house – heart/past – he realizes that Alfred truly makes him happy in ways no one has ever done before, not even his friend the wolf. After he entrusts Alfred with his most precious and valued possession, his name, he tells Al the truth behind his one and only friend, the wolf. Since she was such an immense part of Ivan's life she really was like a part of him, and the last part of him Alfred hadn't known about him. And of course Al accepts that his first and only friend is a wolf, who he thought he saw hundreds of years later to go run into a forest that he knew nothing about! He's Al!

Okay that wasn't as quick as I thought… Any way here chapter eleven! Guess who figured out they're in love?

Also I'm sorry for taking a million years to get this out!

Disclaimers time: I don't own Hetalia! This story isn't true in any way, shape, or form! This is not a political statement or accusation of any kind! I have no gripes against Russia, anyone from Russia, or anyone who may be associated with Russia! This is not meant to be offensive or intended to insult anyone! If I have offended anyone then I extremely sorry! No characters are based on any people, living or otherwise, and any similarities are completely coincidental!

Thank you and happy reading.

Pure Violet Is Killing Me

Chapter 11

Life and Death, Dreams and Nightmares

…

Grey snow fell while weeping angels sung. A lone wolf howled at a waned and fading moon as a sole child sat alone in an empty and dying field.

"What's wrong?" A voice said appearing out of the thin and fogged air, "Why are you out here all alone?" The voice asked the boy, seeing the sight before him in concern.

The boy was sitting alone and crying, holding his legs close to his chest. His head faced the ground, his silver hair covering his face in a dark shadow. Silently tears dripped from his face, falling from his eyes down his face and dropping from his chin to the ground, unnoticed and silenced. Surrounding him were grey and dead sunflowers. As far as the eye could see atop his the little hill he resided on, he could everything around him wilt and suffer. There wasn't a single star in the dark, black night sky. The moon had waned; her energy spent from shining her pale and gentle light on the boy for so very, very long. Protecting him and warming his lost heart, this beacon of light shown on the boy. Crying and alone.

"I am dying." The boy spoke, hugging his legs tighter to his chest. "No one loves me."

"No one loves you?" The voice asked. "Why?"

"Because there is no one left to love me." The boy did not look back to where the voice was coming from. This voice was nothing but a lie, a ruse to punish him from all his wrong doings. No one would love him. How could they when he had let them all die? He wasn't strong enough to save them. How could anyone forgive him? All hope was lost. He knew that for a very long time.

No one had ever loved him and no one ever will.

"…I will love you."

It was then when he heard those words, spoken never truer, he remembered.

He wasn't in an empty and dead field, alone and helpless. He was surrounded by incredible, bright, and alive sunflowers. The sky which lurked above him wasn't dark and endless. The moon shone as bright as the day, lighting his world and all the beautiful and fantastic things that awaited him. This overwhelming wind, which swept through this once bleak and dead field, brought it to life as it blew across Ivan's face, wiping away his tears. The sky was so bright and so clear. Thousands of sunflowers swayed and in the moon's encasing light. They sang songs of such joy, such of which Ivan had never heard before. In front of him stood Alfred, his eyes the color of the sky, so calm and kind, only a few feet away. His smile shown like the gentle light of the moon on a starry night. Hope was never lost, anything was possible. Even to find happiness in the depths of despair.

He wasn't alone.

Alfred was right in front of him. His hand extended. His smile as gentle as the moon and as bright as the day. He looked into Alfred's eyes and could see everything. His heart, his soul, his thoughts, his love.

He reached out and took Alfred's hand, embracing him and holding him tight against himself.

"Whenever I see you," Ivan said holding Alfred close to his chest, "My world lights up. I'm able to hope when hope is impossible."

He could feel Alfred's heart beat against his chest. He could feel Alfred's smile on his shoulder. And he felt that feeling in his heart that danced and swirled and leaped with joy whenever Alfred was by his side.

"You reached out to me, gave me your hand, and saved me. You make me feel so happy, so at ease… so loved. You gave me your love. You gave me your hope. I was able to forgive myself, to love myself, and to allow myself to be happy. You are the only person who has ever made me feel like this. You saved me, Alfred. Thank you. Thank you so much." Ivan said, tears falling from his face and onto the top of Alfred's head.

Ivan could feel the cold wetness of his tears on his face as the wind blew away the streaks of sorrow since past. Somehow this familiar feeling of crying silently was not the heavy and painful burden it once was. No. These were tears of joy, of happiness, of liberation and love. These were the tears of everything Ivan had fought for. These were the tears that Alfred had freed from him.

"Thank you."

Ivan looked to Alfred and stared into his eyes. They were so beautiful, like the bright endless blue sky, they overflowed with hope, with joy, and with love. "Alfred… I love you."

And with that he kissed him. Ivan took Alfred's cheek in his hand, tilted his head up to face his, and brought their lips together. It was beautiful. The moment they connected everything had been carried away. With each movement a shock of pleasure was sent up and down Ivan's spine. He could feel every movement Alfred made, every place he touched. Alfred brought his hands up across Ivan's chest and neck. Each scar that had pained Ivan was healed by Alfred's soft and kind fingers. All of the pain that had plagued his for hundreds of years was washed away by the feeling of Alfred encasing his whole being. Leaning in to get more of Alfred's touch, Ivan kissed him harder. Stroking Alfred's back with his worn and tired hands Ivan felt them too being healed. His heart was light in his chest, and his mind clear and bright. As they stood there, holding each other in their arms, feeling their lips meld together caressing every inch of one another's body, Ivan felt at complete peace.

Finally he was at peace. Finally he was able to love and be loved. Yes. It was all because of Alfred, that incredible, funny, accepting, kind, loving, happy, smart, stupid, childish, inspiring, perfect person. He wanted to stay like this forever, Alfred held tightly against his heart, kissing him, always by his side, and staring into his beautiful eyes Ivan had fallen in love with. He was being incased in a white light. The happiness that bloomed from his the very center of his heart echoed through his entire body, becoming encased in the light of love. What started as a soft pale light has become that of the bright and shinning moon.

The light was so bright. The air was so clear. So bright and so clear, it rang in his head, "I love you."

And then he opened his eyes.

The air was cool and crisp. The sun's light filtered through the window and into the library. He slowly turned his head to his side and saw Alfred. "I've fallen in love with him… haven't I?"

…

Alfred was still asleep, huddled up on the couch. The fire had died out and the bricks of the fireplace were covered in a light layer of soot. The sun's light was shimmering though the windows onto Alfred's still figure. Ivan watched as Alfred's chest rose and sunk as he slumbered away. They had both fallen asleep after hours of talking, simply passing out due to exhaustion. Alfred's glasses were still on, lying askew and half falling off his face, hanging on by one ear and the brim of his nose. His hair was disheveled and he snored like a bear.

"He looks so cute..." Ivan thought. Not a moment later did Alfred's nose twitch, knocking off his glasses unceremoniously. Ivan chuckled, even in his sleep Alfred was an idiot.

He looked out the window, taking in a deep breath. He hadn't felt this tranquil in a long time. After everything that had happened, after everything Alfred had done, Ivan felt so relieved. He felt renewed, like nothing could go wrong. However life is a cruel mistress.

The phone began to ring. It rarely rang. But when it did, it meant only one thing: 'His Purity', the man responsible for the death of his people, of the 'Pure Violet Russian' plan, his leader. This was a call from the devil himself.

"It's him!" Ivan looked to the phone, his eyes wide with fear. It lay just next to Alfred, who was still sound asleep. "Oh God no!"

He looked to the man who saved him and the man who was killing him. How could he have forgotten? His life was far from saved. He still had a war to fight. He had to face this. This was his life. This was his disease. He looked to Alfred and then to the phone. Alfred was here… if Alfred was there next to him, he could do it. Alfred saved him. Alfred was strong for him. Now it was time for him to be strong.

He picked up the phone, "Yes, 'Your Purity'? …I- no of course 'Your Purity'. What?! Sir that's impossible! No, of course not! Yes. Yes. I will… Good bye." The short conversation ended, leaving Ivan speechless.

Alfred grunted, rubbing his eyes as he woke up. "Ivan? What's up?" He asked groggily, slowly Alfred woke up. But his eyes snapped open when he saw Ivan turn around with a look of horror on his face. Instantly he stood up. "Ivan what's wrong?!"

"Alfred…" When he saw Ivan's face, his beautiful, tear soaked face Alfred felt something pang in his heart. It hurt, more than any gun shot, more than any pain Alfred had ever felt. It hurt more than when his country was being torn apart from civil war, his face down in the mud, a part of himself manifesting and killing him. It hurt so much, but so differently.

Ivan clutched Alfred's shoulders. "Alfred, I'm scared… It's him. I-I can't face him as myself. I can't face him as Ivan… I-I don't want to die."

Ivan was shaking. He looked so scared, so vulnerable. Again. Like how he was in the forest, like when he saw his scars on his neck, when he was burdened with the death of his people at the restaurant. "I have to save him. I may not understand these feelings in my heart. But I do know that those are the eyes of a great man. And I have to save them."

"Ivan…" Alfred said, taking hold of Ivan and bringing him into his arms.

"But, I want to be Ivan!" Ivan gasped, "I want to be who I am! The person I want to be, not the person I had to hide behind! I don't want to kill again!"

Alfred held Ivan close to his chest. Determined and committed Alfred said to him, "You won't." He was going to save Ivan, even if it killed him. "I promise. You won't."

Ivan was clinging to his one and only friend, the one person in this world who understood him, the one person who loved him for who he was. Finally he had become himself and was loved for it. But now he had to come back to the hell he lived alone for so long. Ivan was so scared shivering in Alfred's arms.

"But how?" Ivan asked looking up into Alfred's eyes. "I have to kill them! If a civil war breaks out millions will die! Not just my people, yours too! If word gets out that my government is doing this then the entire world will become a battle field! I can't let that happen! I can't have that blood on my hands! I can't take anymore…"

Alfred was livid.

He was so angry, so furious that anyone did this to Ivan. That he had to go through his life alone and face these hardships he didn't deserve. That he was terrified just to be himself. How dare they hurt him? How dare they hurt this innocent, beautiful, incredible person?

"Okay. You know what Ivan?" Gently Alfred took Ivan's face in his hands. He placed his forehead against Ivan's. He looked intently into Ivan's eyes and said with every ounce of determination in his body he promised, "This is what we're gonna do. We're going to make a plan. We're going to keep everyone safe and alive. No one else is going to die. And we're going to win this. I don't care if it kills me. I promise you, I will protect you even if it costs me my life."

With all his heart Alfred promised this. Just like how the sky stood tall and braving watching over delicate and beautiful lavender that danced on the Earth, cerulean eyes looked into violet and promised them that they were protected. No matter how many of millions of miles that parted them, the blue sky would never let the lavenders be harmed. No matter the raging storms, the deadly plagues, or the burden of loneliness, the sky watched over them protecting them. This was his promise.

And Ivan saw it. He saw every emotion and every ounce of determination Alfred wanted to convey. This was the man he loved. This was the man he entrusted his life with. This is the man he fell in love with. And in that moment, when he could feel Alfred's breath on his, promising him everything he could, Ivan knew that everything was going to be okay.

He smiled.

…

The air in the royal office was stagnant and foreboding. The black heavy curtains covered the windows and blocked out the sun. 'His Purity', one of his many names, was sitting behind his gold and marble desk. His face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot. His nails had been bitten short. His lips were red and puffy from biting on them. His middle finger tapped nervously against the desk in front of him as his eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other. When the door opened his head shot up, his eyes wide and his pupils dilated.

"'Your Perfection.' You wished to see me?"

"Russia?" 'His Perfection' gasped when he saw Ivan walk through the door. "Y-yes, I called for you. Sit down."

Ivan sat down on the chair opposite of the 'King', stealing a quick breath while 'His Majesty' situated himself back down behind his desk. Ivan was shocked at the state of the room. The last time he saw it, it was beautifully decorated with the finest furnishings made from gold and silver, silk and antiques passed down for generations sitting in glass cases which preserved their beauty. But now it looked like an insane asylum. Regal and prized possessions that were hundreds of years old had been thrown to the floor and torn apart. Matryoshka dolls had been disassembled and scattered across the room. The shades were drawn and the lamp shades lay broken and ripped next to their stands. The walls were dark and he could barely see. All the lights had been violently broken, except for one which illuminated the desk that 'His Perfection' sat behind. Sprawled across the table were documents and papers with scribblings in red and black ink which read, 'IMPORTANT!', 'KILL!', '429', 'ME ME ME!', 'DIE!', 'ABOLISH', 'BOMB!', '736'and other scribblings that Ivan couldn't distinguish.

Hesitantly Ivan said, "You said it was urgent, 'My Lord'?" Cautiously looking around the room in confusion. The room was silent, the scattered remnants of his country surrounding him in the dark hollows of what was once the heart of his country.

"Yes…" He said shakingly, "I-it's the rebels. They're planning an attack, I know it!" He slammed his fist down on the desk with force that could break a wall, growling and papers flying to the ground.

Ivan's stomach felt like lead. If this monster thought that the people were starting a civil war, he would come down even harder on them. More lives would be suppressed. More people would die. He had to stop him! "But 'Your Majesty'," He argued, "All of the rebels have eradicated! There is no one to oppose your 'righteous' rule. All of the 'impure' ones have been dealt with." With the fact that he had to say these words that he knew in his heart were lies, and the state that his 'leader' had come to, Ivan was horrified.

"Here look!" He pointed to a map of a city, "The city that I had purified, in the warehouse district scouters have spotted signs of life! It must be a secret rebel group!" The 'King' stood from his chair and began to pace, "They're growing larger, braver, more persistent! They are becoming stronger, too strong! They're filthy disgusting lives had been burned to the ground, by my hands! And now they're building underground railroads, creating secret codes! They're mocking me! Trying to trick me! But I won't let them! I'll kill them all! I'll drop another bomb, then they'll be dead! Then I'll be safe!" His 'Greatness' was hunched over, clawing at his arms as he held himself securely, laughing like a mad man.

"Your 'Highness' please!" Ivan tried to calm his 'King'. Something must have happened… something during the two days he was with Alfred in the woods. Why was his 'President' acting like this? Could a rebel group have gotten past him, and risen up? Has a new one formed? Have his people finally been pushed over the edge?! No! He had to get control of this! He had to stop his 'King' before he did anything drastic!

Back and forth 'His Lordship' paced, biting his nails and mumbling incoherently. "Please, this is no matter you should be dealing with." Ivan begged, "This is but a small dent in your master plan, if even that–"

Spinning around 'His Perfection' suddenly grabbed Ivan's coat and wrenched him down to his eye level, as his upper lip twitching bitterly as he growled in resentment,"Do not underestimate the power of the people, Russia."

Ivan's eyes went wide. As he stared into the eyes of insanity he said with fear and apprehension, "...Sir?"

"A mother would move a mountain to save her baby." He hissed in disgust, "When people are pushed to it, they can make bread out of crumbs, gold out of dirt if need be! And they will rise up…" He shook his head in fear. Ivan could see it in his eyes, the absolute powerlessness that consumed him. "They could easily take out an entire army! No! I must keep them under my control!" He screamed.

Ivan's hands were shaking. What was he going to do? His leader was breaking down. Paranoia and insanity had infested his mind. Who knows what was going through that twisted and blacked soul. Ivan was scared. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to run. He wanted to die. He couldn't do this. Not again. Not alone…

"I will protect you, even if it costs me my life."

That was right. He wasn't alone. He had Alfred. And with him, he was strong.

Ivan stood, his back straight, his shoulders broad, and his head held up with courage. "Your 'Lordship'." He said his voice echoing like thunder, "This is no matter to concern yourself with. I will personally deal with this matter and eliminate any remaining revolutionaries."

"B-but Russia!" His 'Purity' cried desperately reaching out to grab Ivan's arm. "You can't leave me alone! You have to stay here, and protect me!" His 'Perfection' grabbed Ivan's arm, stopping him from exiting through the door.

Ivan looked to his 'Ruler', pathetically begging for his life while the millions of innocent people he murdered haunted his sick mind. Forcefully Ivan shoved his 'Master' off his arm, sending him to the ground.

"No." His voice like a King reclaiming his country, loud, stern, and vicious. "I will forge my own path."

And with that Ivan finally left the shadows of his past, his heart leading him to the future he always dreamed of.

…

Alfred jumped off the couch when he heard the door open and saw Ivan's face. "Ivan!" He exclaimed with relief, "You're okay!" He leaped into Ivan's body, hugging him with all his heart.

"Yes, I'm okay." Ivan said patting Alfred's back. It felt so good in his arms…

"So what happened?" Alfred asked stepping back.

Ivan shut his eyes, and turned his head away. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Why? What happened?" Alfred asked with concern.

"It is my 'leader'. He suspects a rebel group forming in an abandoned refugee city, which was burnt to the ground not long ago."

"…" Alfred was quiet, his face hidden in regret. A rebel group? Again? How was Ivan going to handle this? How was this going to affect him? Was he going to be able to kill them? How much was this going to hurt him? Ivan had just been healed, and now this? These thoughts plagued Alfred's mind.

"Alfred." He said calling Alfred's attention, "I'm not going to kill them."

"I've decided." Ivan's head was held high and his voice was filled with pride. Alfred's head shot up. He saw Ivan's face, it looked so different. It wasn't sad, or defeated. It was happy. It was covered in joy. He was beaming. And his eyes, oh his eyes, they were beautiful. Those bright, vibrant violet eyes sparkled. "This is it. We're going to end this war! I have regained myself. Now it is time to regain my country!"

Alfred was so happy. To see Ivan like this, happy, hopeful, and fighting with a smile on his face, it was inspiring. "Okay!" Alfred shouted. "You know what we're going to do Ivan? We're going to go to that city, we're going to find the rebels, and we're going to save them! That's right! No one is going to die! We're going to save them! We're going to keep them hidden – keeping them here in your attic, digging an underground city, or hiding them in the woods, I don't care what it takes! We're going to save them and take down your government!"

Ivan's face, which was already so bright, beamed with happiness, "That's fucking right! You and me, Alfred! If we're together then we can do this!"

"Hang on a sec!" Alfred ran the back of the room with excitement, rummaging through his backpack. He found what he was looking for and ran back to Ivan. "And we're going to do it with these puppies!" Alfred held up what looked like two black head-to-toe jump suits.

"What are those?" Ivan asked.

"My 'Invisibility Suits'!" Alfred said grinning.

Ivan raised an eyebrown in question, "You brought two?"

"What if one tore?" Alfred said shrugging his shoulders.

Ivan couldn't help but laugh.

"By the way, how do these work? I know you said it was a secret but since I'm going to wear one I would like to know…" Ivan said inspecting the clothes closely.

Slyly rubbing his nose Alfred grinned, "Well," He said feigning humility, "I won't go into too much detail but here's how it goes: the 'Invisibility Suit' has millions of miniature cameras that takes hundreds pictures a second from all angles. In a fracture of a second it then displays the photos on the outside of the fabric. It's kind of like a mirror, only backwards. Here see?" Alfred cloaked himself in the 'Invisibility Suit'. "You can see the couch behind me right?"

Ivan squinted his eyes. Something was off, "Yes but it looks, strange almost like I'm looking through a window…"

"Well, since the technology isn't perfect, you're going to be able to see me – not well, but you can tell were I'm standing." He said poking his head out from under the suit, "Most of the trick relies on the other person not knowing you're there, but since you already know about me and the suit you'll be able to spot the minute details and distinguish where I am. I look almost blurry don't I? Similar to having your glasses off."

"But, I don't wear glasses..."

"Oh, yeah… Well whatever, you get the point!" Alfred said throwing his arms up in the air, tossing Ivan an 'Invisibility Suit'. "You're going to want to stay low, and small. That'll be our best bet." Alfred through on his backpack and holstered his gun. "You ready?" He said turning around to face Ivan.

"Alfred," Ivan said with a heavy heart. He didn't know why he was asking this, but the words just came out. "Is everything going to be okay?"

Alfred took Ivan's hand. He looked deeply into Ivan's eyes and said, "I will protect you, even if it costs me my life."

…

Alfred was shocked at the state of the city.

"So do you think there really is a rebel group here?" Alfred asked, looking at the burnt remains of a once beautiful town.

Ivan shook his head, "I honestly don't know. 'My King' has been getting more and more frantic lately, accusing people of betrayal, of deceiving, and of heresy when there has been no crime to convict." He said with sadness, "He's ordered me to find and eliminate a forming rebel group. But there are no rebels left! For years I've been secretly extinguishing the flames of civil war…" Ivan went quiet. His head facing the ground, his eyes dark and draped with regret he uttered, "Extinguishing the flames of life."

"Hey," Alfred said taking Ivan's face in his hands and looking into his eyes, "Don't talk like that. No one is going to die, okay? We're going to stick with the plan. We're going to watch each other's backs. And we're going to be okay." Alfred's gaze was steady and protective. He promised he was going to save Ivan, and that's exactly what he intended to do. "This war will be over soon… I can feel it."

With Alfred's reassuring gaze Ivan nodded his head, "Thank you Alfred. Let's go."

They were alone on the outskirts of town, their invisibility suits not yet activated. The whistling wind swept through this town, blowing the small blades of grass that had survived the burning flames of 'purity'. The charred remains of homes large and small were scattered across the blackened pavement and barren roads. Stone and brick buildings were the only things standing, torn in half and covered in dust and soot. They hadn't seen another person since they left Moscow. The city was completely deserted. But, they couldn't give up. They had to search every inch of this city until they found the survivors.

They decided to climb the largest structure they could find to look over the city, surveying more land and preserving precious energy in the process. They found an old church, now nothing more than ruble and broken glass. The chapel and benches had been crushed under the bricks and stones. The stain glass windows, which were tinted from time, had been destroyed, now laying on the ground broken and shattered. The only thing still intact from the once beautiful church was the bell tower that was standing at a slant, just steep enough for Ivan and Alfred to climb without falling to the ground below. As they ascended, the sun shining on their backs and the wind blowing across their face, they looked onto the city.

Everything had been destroyed.

Homes, shops, buildings, memories, and lives all ended far too soon. An aching pain jolted through Ivan's heart. To see one of his most beautiful city's dead like this was a terrible reminder of the war that was still raging ever onward. However, this time Ivan had hope. He looked to his right, where Alfred stood looking over the city as if it was still alive. His gaze was protective, and caring, he looked to this land of nothingness like it was the most precious land in the world. He had Alfred. He had hope.

Out of the corner of his eye Ivan saw something. Growing at the bottom of a hill that separated a deep forest from the ex-city, a few solitary flowers bloomed. Sunflowers, small and young, only barely standing on their own, were sprouting from the broken and cracked pavement roads. Their leafs and petals small, yet bursting with color. Their head filled with the future had slumped over from the heavy weight. They were weak, but so, so strong.

"Sunflowers…" Ivan gazed at them from the top of the old and broken church. "So strong, so sturdy, so tenacious. They represent me perfectly. A proud and firmly rooted stem, with a blooming head so big and beautiful it reaches for the sun. They can survive almost anything. And almost impossible to replant. Once they have chosen the path they take, they will stubbornly stay there only moving to face the sun." Ivan turned to face Alfred.

"There is my sun."

"Come on," Alfred said tilting his head to his side. "We should check the north side of town."

Ivan nodded his head and they moved on. Silently they ventured forward to the north side of town which, surprisingly, was less damaged compared to the obliteration in the south. However, more importantly, there were signs of life. They found foot prints in the dust and dirt, a warm bed in a building that was almost unaltered. But the footprints were scarce. And there were only two buildings standing.

Alfred looked to Ivan out of the corner of his eye, "What now? It looks like there are people here… What do you think we should do?"

With a steady moment of thought Ivan replied, "We stick to the plan. What we'll do exactly depends on the situation. So we need to find them before we decide anything. Until then we keep going."

Alfred took a deep breath, "We should get to a high place. From the foot prints it looks like whoever is living here is staying in a close proximity to this building. So we should be able to find them fairly easily..." Alfred looked to Ivan with doubt and concern, "But what I don't understand is why anyone is staying here at all. There aren't any resources here. There's no food, no water. And I can tell from the footprints that there must only be a few people living here. The only two buildings that are still standing are empty and void of life. What are they doing here? How are they surviving? Why are they here?"

"To live."

Alfred looked to see Ivan's face. What he saw was not what he expected. Every time the death of Ivan's people was uncovered and the door of his heart was opened Ivan looked as if he was dying. As if the sadness, regret, fear, and hatred was tearing him apart. Like the light from a candle slowly flickering away at the end of its wick, the very soul from his eyes would swirl and mix and blur into a cycle of lonely suffering.

No, not this time. This time Alfred saw a changed man.

Instead of despair and misery, his eyes shined with hope and love. Ivan was smiling, facing the sky with pride. He looked into the never ending sky not with fear, but with hope and courage. His face, his smile, beamed. Alfred could feel the determination and joy that was bursting from his heart. This was it. This was the time he was going to win. Ivan had taken back his life. Ivan regained himself, his ability to love, and control of his own life. He had forgiven himself. He loved himself. And he had fallen in love with the most amazing person he had ever met in life. Ivan knew that nothing could stop him. As he stood with pride in his shoulders, courage in his spine, joy in his smile, love in his eyes, and hope in his heart Ivan was able to smile.

And then he was laughing

"Ivan?" Alfred asked with shock.

Ivan turned to Alfred. Tears swelling up in his eyes and happiest smile Alfred had ever seen, Ivan said, "I have finally found what has always been missing. I found my light."

I found you.

Ivan looked happy. "Turn on your suit." He said smiling so brightly, "We're going to save them."

Alfred felt like he was about to burst into tears from the overwhelming feeling of pride. Ivan was finally living. "Right!" Alfred said with such happiness.

Together they activated their suits, becoming unseeable, and headed into the building. It was dark and the only light that streamed into the place was from the broken windows filled with cob webs, but Alfred couldn't help but smile. They check every floor, moving upward by the dark and unlighted stairs. Every floor had been checked, and no rebels were found. As they ascended, climbing up the stairs, they reached the top of the building.

When Ivan stepped out from the dark stairway the sun's blaring light struck his vision. Reacting to the flash of bright light Ivan shielded his eyes, slowly lowering his hand as his eyes adjusted. They were on the roof of the building, it was flat and clear. The air and concrete were clean.

"Come on Alfred, it looks clear…" He whispered.

Alfred poked his head out. "Ivan, wait!" Alfred quietly exclaimed, "There's a girl over there!" Ivan scanned the roof top and spotted the silhouette of a young girl collapsed on the ground.

"Is… is that Anya?!" Ivan cried out when he saw Anya's silvery white hair. "What is she doing here?

Pulling Ivan's attention away from Anya's still body, Alfred whispered rapidly, "Ivan look! There are two people on the other building!"

"What? Where?"

Alfred pointed to a building about a quarter of a mile away. "They're on the roof! Up there!"

Ivan looked to the crumbling building which seemed so far away, and to the men who seemed so out of place. As he looked closer and his eyes adjusted, as the seconds flew by so achingly slow and wind whispered in his ear, he noticed something. On the building, which seemed so far away, the two men, who seemed so out of place, were holding something of great importance. The black things, which Ivan could barely see, slung around their chests were guns. And the patch that was sewn above their hearts was the symbol of the 'Pure Violet' army. Goggles blinded their eyes, a mask covered their face, and mufflers deafened their ears.

"They're snipers!" Ivan screamed. The horror in his voice struck Alfred like a bullet.

Alfred's gaze flew from the gunmen to Anya, his eyes widening when he saw her bare wrist.

"Wait. Why doesn't she have her tag?!"

Run.

"What?!" Ivan's head instantly snapped to Anya.

Hurry.

"Oh God…" He screamed, "They're going to kill her!"

The soldiers lined up their shot.

"I'll protect her!" Alfred screamed, sprinting to Anya's side.

Please.

"Alfred don't!"

Alfred stood in front of Anya. "I will protect you, even if it costs me my life."

"NO!"

There was a deafening bang. The last thing Alfred remembered was the feeling of someone pushing him out of the way. He hit the ground, looking up instinctively. And that was when he saw it.

"IVAN NO!"

Ivan had been shot.

To be continued...

I'm so sorry it took me so long to get this out! Argh! Stupid college and writers' block getting in my way! So I recently learned that sunflowers can grow in radioactive soil, because they suck up all the radioactive… stuff! And I thought that was totally badass so I had to include them again! Also, I am a gardener and sunflowers actually are very difficult to replant! Most people can't do it. But the trick is to get the roots in the ground quickly and then water it like crazy! Anyhow, this chapter turned out a lot different than what I thought, and intended, it to be… But, whatever I'm happy with it! Except for that rushed ass scene when Ivan talks to Al about the invisibility suits… Also I had to go back and re-read some older chapters for details and what not, and I realized that at the beginning of every chapter I apologized for being late! I suck at deadlines…

Also, I'll be changing my username to OtsukiOkami. Because fuck it.

And holy shit when is anything going to go right!? Not soon, that's when! Ivan's dying bitches!

But on a serious note, I do know that I have readers in Russia. And I'm aware of the anti-gay laws that are going on. Now I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but what I do want to say that I am extremely proud and inspired by all the brave and outstanding people who are standing up to these laws. I believe in a country's people, not the government, not the army, and not hate. I believe in love hope, and acceptance. So, I applaud you, those who brave in the face of fear and oppression. And I console those who are being hurt simply because of who they are. But please know that someone on the other side of the world is rooting for you. And I hope that soon the world will become a better place and we will all come to love each other. Our day will come. It's just a matter of time. Stay brave, stay strong, and always believe in love.

Thank you for reading.