Chapter 18: Kyanós

Alfred was already regretting inviting the demon over. Or, not entirely. But for ninety-nine percent, yeah.

His friends had scattered as soon as they got inside, and now he was stuck with the Russian following his every step. Wherever he went, Ivan went too. To the punch table (non-alcoholic, and Alfred could only just stop the ashen blond from spiking it with vodka), to the photographer (he refused to have his photo taken with the demon, so lamely ended up on his lonesome), and he could barely keep Braginsky from following him into the bathroom. Now, they were both standing against the wall, watching the others dance. Alfred sighed.

"You do not want to dance?" Ivan asked him, eyebrows perked up.

"With whom? I don't have a date, and all my friends are gone. I can't just dance on my own dude!"

"You could dance with me," the demon proposed, eyes sparkling with something (hope?).

"Nah. That'd be really gay."

Ivan tilted his head to the side like he always did, as if trying to make himself look more innocent than he really was (and he would've succeeded had Alfred not known the son of a bitch as well as he did).

"Why? It does not have to be. If you can dance with your other friends, then why not with me?"

Alfred snorted. "Dude, Ruski, do you even know how to dance?"

The other shrugged. "No, not really. But you can teach me, da?"

A vision popped up of Ivan doing the jitterbug, and suddenly Alfred couldn't resist temptation.

"Okay, but any toe-stepping, touching or wrong looks sent our way, and we're leaving. Got it?"

Ivan shrugged and giggled, following the smaller teen onto the dancefloor. He carefully held his powers under control, not wanting anyone to slip (although it would definitely be funny to suddenly see all dancers slide to the ground). Alfred stopped and turned, standing directly in front of him. He closed his eyes, listening intently to the song currently being played, letting the rhythm seep in and the music overtake his soul. As the vampire began moving along with the music, Ivan just stared. Alfred opened his eyes again, swaying his hips, nodding his head and tapping his feet on the ground.

"You just gotta move, dudeski. Ain't that hard. You just, follow the rhythm, you know? You feelin' it yet?"

Ivan looked left and right, seeing all students move just like Alfred.

"I do not feel it."

The sunny blond frowned and took a step closer, never ceasing in his movements (which grew more energetic as time went by).

"It's really not that hard. Just, try moving your hips to begin with. Think you can do that for me?"

Ivan awkwardly jerked his hips to the side, stopping after a few seconds. He buried his nose in his scarf, eyes shooting sideways.

"I think I am not fit for dancing after all. I shall get more punch, da?"

"I'm not done with ya yet!" Alfred protested. Now that he'd seen how bad the other was at dancing, his initial fear of being laughed at was replaced by the instinctive need to help, to fix things.

"Seriously, you just gotta relax! You're too tense, you'll never be able to dance well like that! Too much stress is bad for the heart, you know."

"Relax," Ivan laughed, but it sounded more sarcastic than joyful.

"Yeah. Just try it. Ain't no one being a grump when Alfred F. Jones is around!"

Ivan's eyes shot to him, shock visible on his face.

"What did you just say?"

"Huh? Why?"

"…Never mind. Just a… déjà vu."

Alfred wanted to ask more about the matter, but then Ivan began dancing. Well, if you could call it that. It was more a stiff hopping up and down, his arms held rigidly by his sides and his legs swaying as if he were drunk. Alfred couldn't help but laugh.

"No, no, no! You're doing it all wrong! Here, let me show you!"

And without giving it any thought, Alfred placed his hands on the demon's hips. Ivan stiffened further under his touch, but the American wasn't paying attention to that. He slowly began dancing again, trying to make the other follow his movements and participate. His hero-side would not be satisfied until he'd seen Ivan dance. Properly dance. After a few moments, Ivan seemed to finally get into it, as his movements became smoother and he finally used his feet.

"You see? Feels good, doesn't it?"

Ivan quietly nodded, eyes fixated upon their feet so as not to step on the other's toes. His arms were still dangling by his sides, and Alfred automatically placed them upon his shoulders. Ivan looked at him wide-eyed for a second time, but Alfred was still too focussed on the dance itself. Good thing he'd fed tonight, so that Ivan's cold couldn't hold them back.

"My aunt and uncle tried teaching me how to waltz once. Thought it was necessary for my education, or something. I don't know if I still remember…"

He tried, but failed to find the right rhythm.

"Oh well. There goes that part of my education. Sorry uncle Sam, sorry auntie Liberty."

"You are a terrific dancer," a voice ghosted over his cheek, suddenly much too close.

Alfred looked up, and only then realized he was still holding the demon by the hips, the other's hands upon his shoulders, and that they were standing way, waaay to close to stay within his comfort zone. Still, before pulling away, he couldn't help but stare at the other. There was something of genuine delight in the Russian's eyes, an emotion he had never associated with him before. Something that made him look shy, young.

(And unmistakeably handsome.)

Alfred quickly let go when Ivan looked him in the eye, realizing his mistake. It was strange, really. Ivan wanted to be friends with him, and all of a sudden, he seemed nicer, easier to hang out with. Was he putting in an extra effort, or did Alfred just feel that way because he had tasted the other? Wait a minute, was Ivan trying to brainwash him by feeding him his blood?!

Those thoughts were interrupted by a sudden loud cackle in the microphone.

"Hello fellow students of Crack High! Are you all sick of this boring music too?" an obnoxiously loud voice with distinct German accent roared. "Have no fear, because The Outcasts are here for your entertainment!"

And with that the werewolf took his place behind his drums, the other three members of the band getting on stage as well. A few students applauded, the others just waiting curiously to see what they had in store. Alfred used the silence to quickly distance himself from the Russian, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible.

"Ready? Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier!"

The moment the first note filled the air, Alfred knew they were good. No, not good. Awesome.

Gilbert quickly set up a fast and tricky beat, immediately followed by the clever guitar work of Antonio and Arthur. The music was energetic, but not upbeat. There was a hidden tone, something sending a chill down your spine. The music was almost literally alive.

Emma walked to the front, legs held by ragged stockings and both her lipstick and nail polish a pitch black colour. She brought the microphone to her mouth and began to sing.

Come to the forest, come to the forest, come to the forest with me tonight
Follow the sounds, follow the light of the full moon shining oh so bright
And hidden there you will find…
A wolf, snow white wolf, creature of the night!

Gilbert gave a loud howl, drawing some cheers and whistles from the crowd. By now, everyone was dancing again, stomping on the ground and letting their bodies swing to and fro, fro and to. The music was magical, dug up your primal instincts, set your feet ablaze.

"Woohoo!" Alfred shouted, letting his feet do whatever they wanted to as he banged his head to a particularly good guitar solo by Arthur.

"Way to go Iggy!"

He laughed joyfully when the mage responded by showing him his middle finger, him having heard the nickname even over all the noise.

Alfred then looked to the side, ready to grin at the demon as he was certain he too would be dancing by now. However, he found the space next to him empty.

"Braginsky?" he called, swirling around to try and locate the other. He caught sight of snowy blond hair heading towards the exit of the gymnasium where the prom was going on, and blessed the other for being so freakishly tall. He waved at Arthur to show him he was leaving, and pushed his way through the crowds to get closer to the demon. By the time he reached him, they were already outside.

"Hey, big guy! Where are you going? Didn't you think Iggy and the others were good?"

The Russian turned around to look at him, smiling apologetically. Yet there was something tense about his stance, something off in the way he hunched up his shoulders.

"Ah, izvinite. It was just a bit… crowded, da?"

Alfred casually closed the remaining distance between them.

"So you're bad with crowds huh? Is that why you don't like joining gym class and stuff? What, the excitement too much for ya?"

"Something like that."

Ivan still looked completely uncomfortable for some reason. He was all fidgety, and his pupils were tiny in fluorescent lavender irises.

"Wait, you're not getting sick or anything right? Does this have something to do with you forgetting to eat?"

Ivan stilled, looking him dead in the eye.

"…I am impressed, dorogoy. I did not think you would figure that out on your own."

Alfred crossed his arms, glaring at the other.

"What, you think I'm stupid?"

"Nyet. I just think that I have been letting my guard down around you."

"But that's a good thing, right?" Alfred insisted, leaning forward. "You're supposed to feel relaxed when you're with friends."

Supposed. Yes, that was definitely the right terminology here, since Alfred still didn't feel entirely at ease around the senior monster.

"Are you?" the other whispered, and Alfred knew it was a legitimate question. As if Ivan really had no idea how to behave around friends.

"Well duh. Being friends means trusting each other. Telling each other your secrets. And having a whole lotta fun too, of course."

Ivan's bony fingers crawled up to his scarf, restlessly stroking the fabric. Again, Alfred noticed the tiny lines running across the digits, callused pads were his hands should have been soft.

"Don't you want someone to trust? Someone you don't have to lie to, and who isn't afraid of you? Isn't that exactly why you chose me?"

Any other night, Ivan would have punished him for invading his personal space, for being so stubborn and persistent and pushy. Would have laughed at him for making such stupid assumptions, mocking and teasing until Alfred finally got mad again. But tonight, Ivan really seemed out of it.

The demon closed his eyes and breathed in.

"I will… try."

Alfred couldn't help but grin at that small victory.

"See? Not so bad, right? I agreed to be your friend, the least you can do in return is tell me something about yourself."

"I already let you drink my blood," Ivan replied, finally snapping out of that odd trance.

"Yeah, but I'm teaching you about normal stuff!"

"I am also helping you with your homework."

"And I'm- Uh…"

Ivan grinned widely. "I win! This means I can ask one more thing of you, da?"

"Like what?" the vampire asked, suddenly suspicious.

"I ask of you to stop asking so many questions. I… I promise I will tell you. About myself. When the moment is right."

Alfred wanted to protest, but Ivan placed a finger over his mouth.

"I promise, da? A demon's word."

And as sudden as he'd showed up at the carnival, he disappeared again. All Alfred had to do was blink, and suddenly the other was gone, swept away by shadows and cold, going God knows where.

"You'd better keep your word," Alfred whispered, balling his hands into fists.

xoxox

Dark brown eyes closely followed the retreating form of the vampire. Again, he felt that strange sense of discomfort, like a foreboding. As if he knew something bad was going to happen if Alfred were to keep hanging out with Ivan. Just thinking about it made the blood rise to his head…

"You look awfully glum."

The Japanese looked up to see Elizabeta standing next to him. She smiled sweetly at him before taking a sip of punch.

"Konichiwa, Elizabeta-san."

"Oh please Kiku, I keep telling you to call me Lizzy or Eliza! Everyone does."

"Gomen…. I will… try."

Elizabeta let her gaze wander up to the stage for a moment, admiring the skilful instrumental work. Not many people knew it, but Gilbert and she were actually childhood friends. They had a long history together of teasing and competing with the other. But when it came down to it, they would always be there for each other.

"Ah, should you not be with your date?" Kiku asked, as he remembered hearing that Elizabeta had asked Roderich to the prom (and no, not the other way around).

She shrugged.

"He's on the toilet right now. And for some reason he didn't really want me coming in after him."

What was a well-known fact, was that for the biggest part of her youth, Elizabeta had thought herself to be one of the guys. Even now she still had trouble adapting to the life of a girl sometimes.

"So, what's eating you? You have not told me yet."

"Nothing."

She playfully nudged his shoulder, to which the kitsune awkwardly flinched.

"Come on, you can tell me. I'll lend you some more doujinshi if you do."

Kiku flushed, but then he thought of something. He knew that the girl was a clairvoyant, meaning she sometimes got visions. If the strange feeling in his gut was anything to go by, he might as well ask her.

"Ah, Elizabeta-san?"

"Lizzy."

"…Lizzy? Can I ask a favour of you?"

The Hungarian smiled down at him and nodded.

"Have you had any visions of Alfred-kun lately?"

Surprise fell over her.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Alarmed, Kiku's head snapped back to stare at her.

"What did you see?"

Elizabeta put a finger to her lips, thinking.

"Well… You probably shouldn't think much of it, since it's very vague, but… I've seen that image a couple of times now. Always the same. It's Alfred standing in the snow, and there is a child standing next to him. I can never see much of the child, only that he's very small and he's crying."

The wicca grinned. "Maybe Alfie's thinking about adopting or something?"

Kiku hummed softly, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown. He did not like the sound of that at all.

"But hey, don't worry about it Kiku! Not all my visions come true, and maybe it's a good sign? Maybe it's just showing that Alfred's becoming more responsible or something? Anyway, I see that Roddy is back, so I have to go. Cheer up, will you? And I'll drop by next week to give you some new doujinshi!"

The Japanese waved her goodbye, smiling gently, but worry consuming his thoughts.

xoxox

It was that dream again. Alfred recognized the hallway, recognized the screaming and banging and blood on the walls. Again, he walked past the doors without giving them a second thought, ignoring the whispers in a foreign language.

That one door at the end of the hallway. It was important, and Alfred knew it. There was something behind it he had to see, something he had to get to. Or someone.

He reached out for the doorknob, and closed his hand around it. Locked. Of course it was locked.

He could hear a sound coming from the other side. Like a whimper, a pained moaning.

"Hello? Who's there?"

The noise immediately stopped as soon as he spoke up, and the entire hallway went eerily quiet. Alfred banged on the door, but it wouldn't give away.

"Who are you? Answer me!"

He didn't mean to raise his voice, but it happened anyway. The being on the other side of the door sniffed.

"Go away… Leave me alone…"

"Hello?"

Alfred pressed his ear against the door, and tried fondling the doorknob again.

"You don't want to know what is behind that door," a silky voice called, and when Alfred turned around to look at the owner, the room changed again.

No forest this time. No quiet moonlit night sky, or mist covering the damp earth. Tonight, his brain had chosen for a more pleasant setting. A beach.

Alfred found himself lying in a beach chair, and was startled to see his pale skin complexion replaced by a healthy tan.

"Better, no?"

He looked to his left, and saw a cat resting in the chair next to his. A black cat with black eyes and a grin too wide to be real. Alfred immediately recognized him as Bor, despite him being a feline instead of a raven. Those eyes were unmistakeably his.

"You watched Alice in Wonderland or something?" Alfred asked, the random question slipping out of him before he could stop himself.

Bor's smile deflated.

"What?"

Alfred scratched his head.

"Yeah, I just thought that you kinda reminded me of the Cheshire cat. But it's not a big deal."

The cat narrowed his eyes, studying him with both puzzlement and anger. His thick tail flicked, claws stretching.

"You are indeed a very strange boy. He did not lie when he thought that."

"He? Are you gonna play mind games again? Because I don't feel like doing that."

Bor casually licked his paw and dragged it over his ear.

"It is your own fault, you know? I distinctly remember telling you not to trust the white one. And yet, here we are."

"How am I supposed to know who this white one is if you're not telling me?" Alfred hissed, feeling the indignity swelling up within his chest.

"Fool. Stupid, foolish boy. You know very well who he is. You are with him almost every day."

Alfred's eyes widened when he saw a flash of scorching amethyst, snowy blond hair, and a scarf flying on the cold northern winds.

"Ivan? What the heck does he have to do with you? And if you're just a part of my imagination, then why should I even have to ask?"

Bor purred, rolling onto his back.

"Ah, perhaps not as stupid as I thought. But tell me, Alfred. Why do you think I would warn you? Was it not you who thought he cannot be trusted?"

"Yeah, but that was before… And I still don't fully trust him, but I guess… I've given him a chance, or something? You know, everybody deserves a chance to prove themselves and all that jazz."

"And what do you know about him?" the cat asked, grin growing so wide it would have split a normal being's face in two.

"Well, just as much as you! Or that's what I would have said, but apparently you know more than me? Which means you're not a pigment of my imagination after all."

Bor laughed, a breathless thing that sent chills down your spine.

"Very good, I am impressed! Figured that one out all on your own, have you?"

"Then what are you? An intruder?"

Bor shook his head, tail curling in delight.

"No. Not an intruder. You are the one who let me in."

"…Huh? When on earth did I ever do that?"

"Does not matter. Just know that I only have the best intentions, boy. I care about your health. And being acquainted with a demon like Ivan-" (He said it in a weird way, pronouncing the name as Eevahn instead of Eyevan, as Alfred had done the entire time.) "-is not good for you."

A bell rung in his mind. Alfred frowned as soon as the cat finished speaking. If there was one thing he did not like, it was others telling him what to do. It immediately made him try to defend himself.

"Well, as a matter of fact he is! Alice and her gang don't bother me anymore, and his blood gives me amazing powers!"

His mouth snapped shut as soon as he realized he was actually defending the Russian. What the hell was wrong with him?!

Bor hissed. "Fine. Be that way. But do not say I didn't warn you, Alfred. Don't come crawling back here if he ends up hurting you, or worse."

Worse?

"Can I ask you something?" Alfred said through gritted teeth.

"What?" Bor replied, raising an eyebrow (which looked incredibly weird on a cat.)

"If you're not part of my imagination, then what are you exactly? A demon? …A ghost?"

Bor grinned one final time as the beach began to dissolve.

"I am many things, silly boy. But I'll give you one piece of advice. If you do choose to trust me-"

Alfred felt his eyes slip shut.

"I am your enemies' worst nightmare."

xoxox

Tip of the day
Song: Kiss with a Fist - Florence and the Machine
Story: Chocolate Milk - Ahmerst (America wishes on airplanes that he and Russia can be friends. Has a cute ending, and Ahmerst really knows how to write RusAme.)

Words:

Kyanós: Blue (Greek)
Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier: One, two, three, four
Gomen= abbreviation of gomenasai (I'm sorry)