Author Commentary; Not really sure what I'm doing, so this is mostly just a 'winging it' kind of chapter.

Note; Now with a shiny new title!

Title; Getting Along

Characters; America, Russia

Pairs; Beginnings of RusAme

Rating; T

Warnings; some yaoi

Disclaimer; I don't own Hetalia.

After the first time, Alfred found himself at the bar more and more, sitting next to Ivan and having a drink. Perhaps it was the cozy atmosphere of the bar, or the alcohol floating in his bloodstream, but Alfred found Ivan easier to talk to at the bar. Ivan in turn seemed to enjoy Alfred's company more when they sat together. They even began to become friendly with each other.

"So Alfred, do you enjoy sports?" Ivan asked, turning his recently emptied glass over in his hands.

Alfred sipped his beer, "I suppose. I played football, American football, in high school, but as I got older, I got more and more into the art crowd." Alfred winced at the memory of his 'hipster' years, "And what about you big guy? You play any sports?"

"Hockey." Ivan answered simply, "It's quite popular in Russia. I was very good."

Alfred raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? How come you didn't get into it then? I'm sure they could have used a big guy like you. You'd be a good offence."

Ivan's eyes darkened a little, "It was . . . not in the future my family picked out for me." he said. He ordered another glass of vodka, "Did you play hockey at all? You seem to know about it."

Alfred chuckled, "Yeah, I played a little in the winter time, mostly casually. My brother is the one who loves hockey. He was always a small little guy though, so he had trouble playing with the other guys his age."

Ivan leaned in a little, interested, "Oh? I know you have a brother, but I never hear you speak of him. Why is that?" he asked.

It was Alfred's turn to glance away with dark eyes, "He . . . disappeared over a year ago. Just packed up and left one day, not a word to anyone. We've barely heard from him since." he said, sucking back some more beer, "We actually started getting postcards from him a little while ago. From Germany no less. Dad and Papa nearly went bankrupt five times trying to look for him. Papa had almost given up by the time they started coming, but I don't think Dad ever would have given up on him until he died." Alfred said, getting a far off look in his eyes as he thought about past few years spent scraping the bottom of the barrel so he could contribute to PI's, trackers, or whoever his father's were paying to search for their little boy.

Ivan watched Alfred for a moment, seeming to pick his words carefully, "I am very sorry for your hardship." he said after a moment.

Alfred shrugged, but looked at Ivan and said, "Thank you."

They sat there in silence for a moment before Ivan decided to change the subject, "Dad and Papa? Pardon me, but I believe the English words for мамаand отц are Mother and Father, or 'Mom' and 'Dad'. You used two words to describe a Father."

Alfred sighed and fished out his wallet, "That's because I have two father's. My brother and I are adopted." he said, flipping open his wallet and showing Ivan a picture of his family from a few years ago, "My father's are a same sex couple."

Ivan squinted at the blurry, faded picture. He seemed to comprehend what Alfred was telling him, "You were raised by a homosexual couple." he said, handing the picture back to Alfred.

"Yeah." Alfred said, looking at the photo fondly. In it, he was in the front with his arm around Matthew's shoulders, grinning widely at the camera, while Matthew smiled politely. Francis and Arthur were behind the boys, Francis with his arm around Arthur's waist, hand settled on his hip, smiling lovingly down at his shorter husband. Arthur was blushing, with the little pout/frown on his face, but you could see, even thought the picture was blurry and faded, the love and affection Arthur had for the Frenchman. Alfred smiled and slipped the photo back into his wallet.

"I thought homosexual couples weren't allowed to get married or adopt in the United States." Ivan said after Alfred had put his wallet away.

"They aren't in most States." Alfred said. Before Ivan could ask which State Alfred had lived in, he answered, "We lived in Canada."

Ivan blinked, "Oh, I did not know that." he said, thinking about the times he'd called Alfred an American.

Alfred chuckled, "If it makes you feel any better, I was born in the US." he said, following Ivan's train of thought.

Ivan scowled, but Alfred could see the flush on his cheeks, "Не будь так полны себя, вы станете слишком толстый, чтобы вписаться в свои штаны. [Don't be so full of yourself, you will become too fat to fit into your pants.]"

Alfred glared, "I hate it when you do that. I know you're insulting me, but I can't make a good come back because I have no idea what you're actually saying."

Ivan chuckled, "Perhaps you should learn Russian, then you will be able to make a 'come back' at me."

Alfred rolled his eyes, "I barely speak French, and my Papa is French, so that probably won't happen."

Ivan laughed and tossed back his glass. He stood up and pulled on his coat, "Well, I must go before I become too inebriated to drive. As always, it was a pleasure talking to you Alfred/ I will see you at work tomorrow."

"Not for long." Alfred said with a little grin, "If all goes well that is."

Ivan raised and inquisitive brow, "Oh? And why is that?"

Alfred slurped the rest of his beer, "I'm getting into my acting a little more. I don't think it'll be long before I'm doing it full time." he said, leaning back and grinning at the tall Russian, "The directors and producers have been talking about me, and word has been getting out that I'm a choice cut of meat." he said with a wink.

Either it was the dim lighting or the alcohol in Ivan's system, but for a moment he looking like he was blushing, "I see. I hope we will still manage to see each other even if that does come to pass."

Alfred chuckled and gave a dismissive wave of his hand, "We still have this bar. And I know where you live, so yeah, we can still hang out."

Ivan gave a big smile, a genuine smile, not like his teasing grin or his creepy 'I will murder you in your sleep and eat your face' smile, but a genuine, happy smile, showing pearly white teeth. Alfred felt his heart flutter for some reason.

"I will like that." Ivan said. He zipped up his coat and patted Alfred's shoulder, "до свидания Alfred. [Good bye]"

Alfred listened to Ivan's heavy steps as he walked to the door, then the creak and bang of the door as he left the bar. Alfred scooped up his beer and went to take a drink, but found it completely empty.

Author Commentary; Well, this pretty much wrote itself. If only all my writing was as easy as this.