a/n; lame and late chapter is both lame and late ): rusame moving too quickly at end, beware.
hetalia, ofc, is not mine. never will be.
As a faint breeze wafted into the room, Alfred groaned, his body shifting to the closest source of heat and upon feeling solid source of body heat, his arms snaked their ways toward it. His eyes were still shut, and his hair mussed up, his internal clock telling him it was no earlier than 10 in the morning. His head buried itself into the crook of what was probably someone's neck. Alfred heard a light chuckle unconsciously in his sweet slumber, and his eyes only shot open upon feeling dexterous fingers circle his waistband. If Ivan even got so much of a thought of making Alfred submit this early in the morning, he was far was right!
"Don't you dare, I-!" Alfred snapped, stopping short as he came face to face with his current beau. The Joker gave him a lecherous smirk, and pressed his lips on the crown of Alfred's head. Clearly he hadn't heard his lover's almost slip-of-the-tongue. The Spadian quickly berated himself for thinking of the person he could never have again, and pinched his arm to make sure he was fully awake.
Alfred pushed his body up; unpleased he had decided to go bare above the waist before settling in his bed last night. Gilbert licked his lips and murmured in Alfred's ear.
"You're so beautiful this morning, liebe. Did you know I was coming back?"
Alfred mustered a small smile, and then let his body collapse back onto the soft plush of his bed. "Why are you here, Gil?" he asked, head turned to face the Joker. "I could have sworn you were visiting your brother." Alfred sucked in his cheeks, mentally slapping himself for sounding like a whiner. Despite knowing who he really wanted to belong to, Francis had been very forward that if Alfred was going to end ties with the Joker, it was not going to be a simple task. Alfred had assumed he would be given enough time to warm back up with his favoured courter and avoid the Joker for a few more days. But he was stupid to think that even that would be something easy to do.
"Missed you," Gilbert murmured, turning on his back to lay beside Alfred. He crossed his hands over his chest and turned to him. "You look a bit confused- what's up?"
Alfred pulled the covers up, his face turning red because even if Gilbert had seen him bare before, it just didn't feel as comforting today. He mussed up Gilbert's hair to play it cool, and then sighed, not really sure where to begin. He could have started with how Francis wanted Alfred to go into military to slowly retake his land, how Alfred needed to make up his mind about stupid live decisions, how Alfred really hated the Queen of Clubs, how-
"You know my cousin Mattie? Agh, the boy's so screwed. He's planning on abdicating his line to succession. I've been trying to help with all the logistics, but I really don't know what to do. I've always been living under Royal funds et cetera, you know? Of course you know; your own grandfather was a fricking Emperor at one time.
I want to think that Francis could still pull some strings for him to at least reside in the palace while Mattie slowly makes a name for himself and earns something to hold himself up? He's really ambitious about this."
Alfred took a large intake of air, slapping a hand onto his head. So much for what to tell him about. Just make Matthew's problems your problems, eh Alfred?
"Oh! Yeah, yeah, Frannie's little boy- Man, you don't see some kids in a few years, and they shoot up like a rocket. He looks a lot like you, did you know? How does that even work...?" Gilbert asked, scratching his chin. He shot Alfred a look downwards. "You two are cousins, right?"
"Uh, not even by blood- we were born in two different Suits, Gilbert. Francis and my Dad got way back, so it's like 'cousin' used informally. Like calling Francis uncle. Anyway, absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I've just been thinking a lot, lately. No need to worry- not at all!" Alfred added hastily. He gave Gilbert a small smile, and then leaped out of the bed. "Time to get up- people to see, people to talk to, busy, busy, busy!"
The Joker cocked his eyebrow, but nodded, agreeing. "Er, I guess you'll be a bit too busy to accompany me to brunch then...?"
Alfred scrunched up his face, unpleased in the position this put him in. He truly didn't want to make it obvious he was hoping to avoid his current beau at the moment, but the way Gilbert's face sagged a bit in disappointment didn't really help. The Spadian scratched his head, and then grabbed his glasses from the bedside table.
"Uh...Francis wanted to talk to me about something...I think around lunch...BUT! We can have dinner! Yeah, yeah, I think I'll be okay for dinner! Hopefully. ALMOST SURE- I love you?" Alfred said, flashing Gilbert a convincing smile. When the Joker nodded, Alfred stuck out two thumbs up, and all but bolted to the washroom to freshen up.
The Monarchy of Clubs was scheduled to return to their kingdom in time for the holidays, and eventually the King's birthday in about a week's time. Ivan buckled the last of his suitcases of then set it down on the foot of his guestroom bed. The servants of the particular wing would swing by soon enough to collect the suitcases that would be loaded onto a separate carriage and sent back to the home Kingdom earlier. The monarch glanced at the mirror on the wall, readjusted his scarf and then found himself taking a seat on the bed. No one was looking for him, the morning was calm and peaceful, and his betrothed was basically off his shoulders now.
Ivan never realized just how quickly time was passing by for him. In a matter of weeks, he was going to be turn the big 3-0, and it seemed that for anyone but himself, that was supposed to be a big milestone. He had become what his father wanted- a strong King, and done what his mother had hoped for him at a young age- to make sure the two Princesses of Clubs remained safe. He had fought in wars, and made his Suit powerful. Despite the loveless-ness of it all, there would finally be a Queen to fill the vacant spot in the lone throne halls of the Clubs Palace. Surely the Jack would have to be given some strict guidelines, but in the end all Ivan wanted was for his kingdom to be deemed feared and complete.
Ivan fidgeted with his scarf, contemplating where that left him. He should say goodbye to the King of Diamonds would accommodating him for the past few days, and surely invite them, begrudging as it was, to the wedding (if Elizabeta hadn't already). His birthday was probably going to be spent alone- never one to make it a bank holiday, or anything. It sounded alright- the next few weeks of Winter. Sure, it would be different, but some things were better that way...
A knock on his door interrupted his slow and rather sad thoughts. Ivan grunted, and grabbed the suitcases, wary that Francis's servant-men were actually pretty punctual. The King of Clubs pulled the door open, only to see not men dressed in standard issue uniforms, but a blue-eyed boy in pressed regalia and spectacles.
"Oh, uh...were you planning to leave already? It's so early, I thought-" Alfred gasped, his eyes going left and right to read Ivan's face before the man could answer. When Ivan set his luggage down, Alfred sucked in his cheeks, his face turning down to avoid the blush of embarrassment being seen.
"Uh, nyet. I thought you were men here to pick up my luggage..."
Alfred's head jerked back up. "Oh! Oh, I saw them- no, they'll probably be a while. You know the Jack with the constant stick up his butt? He's making them carry his piano."
"Am I allowed to ask why you've arrived in my room?"
"Hey, friends don't question when friends don't want to be around their boyfriends. As a friend, you're supposed to offer me some alcohol and food."
"You don't take vodka well, if I remember."
Alfred gave Ivan a pointed look. He shrugged off his overcoat and threw it haphazardly on the ground. Not one for caring what people thought, alike the manchild that he was, Alfred jumped and landed on his back on Ivan's formerly-made bed. The King of Clubs sighed, and set his luggage beside the door after closing it. "I..I was not expecting you to be here this morning. As an ambassador, shouldn't you constantly be meeting and talking with people?"
"Let's be honest, Ivan- can Francis really make me do things against my will? No."
"You are in his kingdom."
"Details," Alfred waved, trying his best Francis-impersonation. "No..like I said, uh, Gilbert cut his visit with Ludwig early...so he's back." The younger man pretended not to notice the that his words caused the King of Clubs to twitch ever so slightly. "...And like I said...I kind of didn't want to see him..."
"Did he hurt you?" Ivan growled, clearly not impressed with the possibilities of what Gilbert might have done to make Alfred distance himself away his boyfriend. "Alfred, never be afraid to tell me if that gremlin has done you any harm. Screw his title, I will throttle him-"
"Ivan!" Alfred interjected, his voice light and hearty. "No, no, Gilbert's fine. He was on my bedside and everything like the gentleman he can be."
Ivan still kind of wanted to throttle the Joker.
"I just..I just didn't feel like talking to him. Does that happen? Do you ever have moments where you just don't want to talk to people you're supposed to love?"
I've only ever loved one person, you idiot, Ivan thought to himself.
"Not the right person, to ask, Alfred."
"Oh, okay. I could talk to Francis."
"Alright."
Despite the fact he was a King, Ivan did have his socially awkward moments, when his words seemed to break any conversation short. Alfred stuck out a finger, and the way his mouth was opened to shape a small 'o', it looked as it he wanted to say something, but ended up thinking before, and crossing it out as a bad idea. Eventually, the blond slumped in his posture and then 'hmmped'.
"You wish to stay here any longer...? I could ask for some food to brought here for you." Ivan offered.
"To be honest, it just felt like I needed to come here. Like we needed to do stuff..." Alfred admitted. "I won't lie and say I haven't been worried, especially not with the ways things sort of fizzled between us..."
"And you've found me, Alfred- perhaps a lunch does not seem like such a bad idea, hmm?"
"Ha, I actually turned down Gilbert's brunch request to walk over here. Sure- what's the harm in sharing a meal with a friend? You're still technically Frannie's guest- I dare you to go wild."
"I wonder if I were to go wild, if I wouldn't have left yet."
Alfred's face dropped ever so slightly. He blinked and clucked his tongue. "Oh, right, oh jeez, I keep forgetting you're headed back soon. When you leaving?"
"As soon as the carriage to Clubs returns, of course. I have important matters at home, you would presume, seeing as I am a King of a Suit." Ivan answered coolly. "I do not wish to overstay my welcome."
Reality of it was flashed in Alfred's eyes, and it was noticed by the older man in the room.
"You should come back for the holidays, though, Ivan! Matthew says they're upping the banquet," Alfred laughed hesitantly. Ivan wasn't completely dense, and part of his insides did a somersault of hope.
"Ah, Francis has not invited me this year- I will not go hunting for an invite. Perhaps it is going to be more a family thing this year, hm? I hope you enjoy yourself however- first holiday feast at the Palace for a while, hm?" The King of Clubs shrugged it off as nothing- to be honest, he didn't even think about the large scale Diamonds feasts around the Solstice holidays. He changed the topic briefly. "Say, would you still like some food? I can probably get some delivered."
Alfred nodded lamely.
Ivan smirked, really cautious as he approached the question. "Ah, but as you know, after the Solstice holidays, it's erm, (cough), actually my birthday. I extend the invitation if you wish to visit Clubs." He asked slowly, his demeanor turning slightly cold as he added, "And please extend my invite to Gilbert."
The way Alfred didn't seem drawn to the idea of the latter addition made Ivan smile.
