Chapter 28

Made A Fool of (part 2)

(I took out a LOT of stuff that was repetitive and the chapter became super... tiny. Sorry. Guess I shouldn't have broken it up after all. First time that's happened. Enjoy anyway!)

There was much to do, but first he had to get his Alfred to safety. He smoothed the boy's hair with his thumb, brushing out the last of Winter's frost. Keeping a brisk pace, he hugged the boy closer like he were a log that Ivan was clinging to in a raging sea. The boy's face was luminescent in the moonlight and so handsome.

This is all their fault, he thought, squeezing the cold metal of his pipe, a shiver of Winter's power flowed into his arms washing away his weariness. Just a little longer, he told himself. Alfred stirred, but did not wake.

The vile nobility had put his Sunflower up to this. Odorless, colorless, and tasteless, they had really outdone themselves with their choice of sleeping potion. A rare concoction indeed that could make even an Eternal, such as Winter, doze. But what they hadn't realized was it only took a whiff for Winter to detect it.

While Winter was clearly not the target, the very suspicion that he was, was the reason he had allowed Ivan such free reign of his power tonight. Normally any personal use of Winter's power came with a price.

When the boy had turned away, Ivan had dumped out his vodka from that laced shot into a rag in his pocket and pretended to swallow. The boy had fallen for it. After that it had just been a matter of marking the boy and convincing him Ivan had drunk it. Though he knew how to play dead well, the boy's kissing and poking had tested Ivan a lot, especially his member.

Following his mark on the boy, he had discovered the passage and used Winter's magic to open it. Some sound had escaped before Winter's power could muffle it, but he was spared discovery thanks to, of all things, a rat.

It was during that conversation when he heard the way they spoke to his Sunflower that he realized the true victim in all this was none other than his Alfred. The vile words of Prince Matthew had sickened him the most.

Who was that man to speak to anyone that way? That creature had thrown another in his place like a coward. Ivan scowled at the thought. Subjugation was for the nobility only.

Like snakes they had found away to put a peasant in their place. Ivan was only so grateful he had caught onto some of it and been gentle on the boy for his first time. However, he had still forced himself on the wrong person.

If he had not lost his temper at the Prussian scum touching his pet like that, he would have crept back up and waited until Alfred was alone to capture him and then waited for the real Matthew to come to him in the West Wing. The real game would have begun then.

Never mind that now, he thought. One thing was certain: none of them would get away with making a fool of Ivan.

For now he, with the exception of these two nations, would continue biding his time, waiting for the day when he destroyed the nobility. That class of worms that hoarded all the power and wealth. Ivan would only keep his own power so that he could enforce a fairer world order. One where people were governed by total equality. Equality of suffering, of reward. It would be gorgeous.

All but his pure Alfred would live under it. The boy he would always shelter from this filthy world. Yes, he thought, gazing in adoration at his Sunflower, you I will protect forever.

Lost in his thoughts, he never heard the footsteps charging at him. Even if he had been listening, he still wouldn't have heard them. The boy was like a ghost. Only a rush of air behind his back gave him any warning.

He turned around, a hand yanked down his scarf, dragging him into a fist that sent him sprawling backwards several feet, sliding across the floor. His jaw flared with pain.

Ivan tasted iron in his mouth and two of his bottom front teeth were loose, but he hardly noticed. His eyes fixed on Alfred who he had dropped and now lay a the feet of the Canadian Lord like a prize.

The Prince's long coat was shimmering an ivory-color in the moonlight and his face held a determined fury. A strange vibe like nothing Ivan had ever felt before was emanating from the boy. A power.

Gripping his pipe, Ivan rose to his feet, towering higher than the weakling Prince, blood spilling over his chin as he grinned. Murder in his eyes.

"You...," he gurgled through the blood. Before he had only wanted to maim the Prince, now he wanted to kill him in the most excruciating way possible, "...are dead."

"Maple," Matthew replied, drawing his silvery sword. Ivan blinked. What did he say? He wondered, no matter. He raised his pipe. Violet met violet.

(END OF CHAPTER 28. Matthew has made a stand, but will he survive against Ivan? And what of this strange power bubbling out of the normally shy and meek Matthew? Things turn shocking in Chapter 29: The Power Within)

(Wow, this chapter was originally much longer but after I looked over it, I realized how repetitive it was and hacked it down. After I finished editing it, it became rather tiny... so oops. *bows in apology*)

Q & A:

Why didn't Matthew just stab him with the sword instead of punching him?

We'll get to that later, my lovelies. There's a reason.

How can Ivan and Alfred still be possible after all this?

Wait and see. ;)

So is Matthew like Superman or something?

Hell no. He's going super saiyan... j/k :P As for what's going on, it was lightly hinted at way back. It has mostly to do with the bond between the twins, but I won't spoil it. *lips are sealed*

Quiz:

Why are you updating so much?

a) No life

b) Enjoys writing this story

c) It's winter

And the answer is...

c! Well I don't know what counts as having "a life", I think I do fairly well. I work, I hang with my friends, and I have my multiple hobbies.

And while I do enjoy writing this a lot, I have to say the biggest thing driving me to write has gotta be the icy winds outside.

Me; *opens door. Swirls in snow and icy winds. Shuts door* Oh hell no!

*Goes back and huddles by heater, furiously writing*

Friends' text : Hey where have you been? Let's hang out!

My reply: Nah, I can't. I'm hibernating. Text me again in the Spring.

Friends' text: But...but!

Me: HIIIIBEEEERRRRNAATTING!

And thus you now know my main motivation. I hate winter! Stupid General Winter! *shakes fist*