Hi everyone !
Just so you know, I woke up at four this morning with absolutely nothing done for his chapter and approximately a thousand things to get done before tonight. So, yeah, I managed to translate this chapter, but I'm sleep-deprived and there's a fifty-fifty chance that my brain fried during the process.
But hey, it's here ! No delay this week ! Yay ! *goes back to her chores* See you next week everyone, and take care of yourself in the meantime :)
Ivan waited for a couple of minutes after Belarus left, just to be on the safe side. Then, he sat in front of Alfred, and looked at his former nemesis in silence. The younger nation wasn't saying anything either. In the end, the Russian spoke first.
"You must be completely out of your mind to ask my sister for help."
"After everything I've done tonight, that's what you want to focus on to prove my insanity ?" Alfred shot back ironically.
"While I'll grant you that terminating your entire upper class in a rather spectacular blast was unexpected, I still think including Natalya in your plan is the craziest thing you've done tonight" Ivan answered with a knowing smirk.
Alfred shrugged, but didn't answer. The silence stretched until it became a tad awkward.
"What are you doing here ?" America finally sighed.
"You mean, beside saving your ass ?" Ivan retorted and rised an eybrow.
"Not like I needed rescue" Alfred said, and all but destroyed the ropes with sheer strenght. "It'd take more than that to restrain me."
"Show-off" Ivan chuckled.
"You didn't answer me" Alfred reminded him, and brushed the remnants of rope off of his clothes.
"I'm aware."
America discarded the wig, then the lenses, and put a pair of glasses out of one of his pockets. Once he felt like himself again, he looked right into Ivan's eyes.
"Let's make it simple. Either you answer, or you get the fuck out of here. My day's been long enough as it is." His voice wasn't even challenging, merely warning.
Ivan stayed still, and answered just as calmly. "We both have questions."
Alfred looked at him for a second, seemingly to assess his determination, and gave in. "Fine. But make it short. And I start. What are you doing here ?"
"I had a hunch that you were up to something big, and potentially dangerous. I came to your pretty event just in time to see you going all fourth of July and getting shot. Then I followed you."
"That's half an explanation at best" Alfred protested.
"Your question wasn't fully honest either" Ivan retorted just as easily. "My turn. I'd like to know why you opted for such an extreme... solution."
America's face closed off immediately, and he clenched his fists.
"I had no other choice" he told through gritted teeth, and glared at the nearest wall.
"You always have a choice" Ivan reminded him.
"You don't understand. Trump was leading my people in a destructive spiral. I couldn't let him continue like that for four years, maybe more. I just couldn't. They would have destroyed too many things to get it fixed."
Ivan gave him an appraising look. "I have to admit, I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you to go that far."
Alfred's eyes were ice cold. He did not regret his act, nor did he intended to apologise. He had planned it for months precisely to ensure that his country would have a safe way out after the initial shock. The last politicians alive with a decent chance to run for office were the most respectable and human of the lot.
Even lost in his thoughts, Alfred could feel Ivan's gaze on him, and waited for him to speak what was on his mind. The Russian did so, and faster than what Alfred had expected.
"You remind me of... well, me. Right after the revolution. There's the same harshness in your eyes."
"Am I suppose to take it as a compliment or an insult ?" Alfred raised an eyebrow.
"Your call" Ivan grinned. "A word of advice, though, you should be extra careful for the upcoming months. Humans can be surprising, and you don't want to go from one extreme to the other. I recommand a smooth transition" he added with a chuckle.
"Are you actually trying to give me advice on how to run my country after a revolution ?" the American asked in amused disbelief.
"I might be" Ivan chuckled again, then grew serious. "You got me really worried here, idiot" he whispered.
"How sweet."
"I'm serious" Ivan frowned, displeased with the obvious mockery in Alfred's reaction.
"You literally found a way to use magic on yourself to trick me into falling for you before breaking my heart in the most humiliating and painful way possible. Excuse me if I express some reserve about the sincerity of your current concern for me."
Ivan grimaced for a second. It was a fair point, but not a pleasant reminder. And the cold hardness in Alfred's voice disturbed him more than the words themselves.
"In my defense" Ivan replied, "I didn't think you would fall for it. Not so quickly, at least."
Alfred looked at him with utter disbelief written all over his face. "You mean to tell me" he said slowly, "that you didn't think I would fall for a character you built for the sole purpose of being the most amazing person I could ever meet ? Dude, what were you expecting, exactly ?"
"I don't know" Ivan shrugged honestly. "Less immediate trust, probably."
"Yeah, right, as if !" Alfred practically shouted. "Of course, God forbid someone could actually like me for me without an ulterior motive for once in my fucking life !"
Ivan stayed silent, and tilted his head on the side. Alfred wasn't done with his rant, and the Russian was not about to interrupt him.
"Shit, of course you wouldn't understand that ! Everyone's too afraid of you to try that bullshit ! No one would even dare to insult you or treat you like a child in public ! You're not the one everybody ignores to play on their phone ! While I'm... I'm..."
America was definitely yelling at the end, and his eyes shone with tears he was fighting hard not to let go. The young nation's hand raised to cover his face, and his voice broke.
"I'm just the obnoxious brat who ruins the world" Alfred said much more softly, almost in a sob.
"You're not" Ivan replied, his own voice sharp and absolute. Yet, Alfred shook his head, still hidden behind his hand.
"I am" he countered. "Ain't I ? That's how you see me. That's how everyone sees me."
"Please refrain to speak for me. That's not my opinion of you."
Alfred snorted. "Says the guy who made his opinion of me crystal clear on New Year's Eve."
Ivan sighed. Apparently, Alfred had taken this breakup more at heart than the Russian had anticipated. Time to clear a few things up, then. "What I said that night, was only to make you feel miserable."
"Well, congratulations, it worked" Alfred chuckled bitterly.
"It doesn't mean I actually think it" Ivan continued, ignoring America's sarcastic intervention.
Behind his hand, Alfred started to think. There was something more than just indifference in the Russian's voice. It sounded like he actually wanted to comfort the younger nation. Alfred kept his eyes hidden, knowing a calculating glint might give him away. As long as he didn't know for sure, he was going to act carefully.
"So what am I supposed to believe, now ?" the American asked quietly.
"At the very least" Ivan answered cautiously, "that what I said on New Year's Eve was not my honest opinion of you."
"Oh really ?" Alfred retorted, letting go of his hand to snort derisively. "And you waited until tonight to tell me that ? You should have started with that, no need to embarass yourself with fake concern."
"What are you implying, exactly ?" the Russian said, in a more somber voice.
Anger suddenly started to burn in the blue eyes of the young nation. His outside demeanor was still calm, but his eyes show a cold rage that almost made Ivan shudder. Almost.
"I am not implying. I see, I analyse, and I draw my conclusions. For the past two weeks, you've been acting more and more kind during our exchanges. And tonight, wonderful coincidence, you arrive just in time to save me from your charming sister."
In Alfred's mind, words were just as strong as weapons if you knew how to use them. His little speech should have given Ivan just enough clues for him to understand what America was implying. It took the Russian several minutes, but Alfred could pinpoint the exact moment when his eyes widened in comprehension.
"You think I'm trying to seduce you again, without a disguise this time."
"Got it in one" Alfred nodded. "See, when I first saw you, I genuinely wondered why you were here. Which, obviously, led me to wonder how you could make me feel more pain and shame than you already did. It didn't take me long to connect the dots."
"You didn't even consider the possibility of me being honestly worried about your well-being ?" Ivan's tone was light, but Alfred noticed the tension in his shoulders. The Russian was more guarded than he wanted to let appear. Well, time to go all out.
"I did. But it would require a valid reason, and I couldn't find any. Unless..."
"Unless ?" Ivan repeated carefully.
"Well, I do have another theory, you see. But it's based on a particularly cruel twist of fate."
The Russian tensed suddenly, and his body language shifted ever so slightly. Apparently, he was starting to feel unsure of his own emotions, and Alfred repressed a predatory smile.
Instead, the American put on what Matthew had called his "Anya face". A happy, blissfully fond smile grew on his face, and for a couple of seconds, his eyes radiated with adoration and fondness.
Ivan looked taken aback for a second, then hope and affection took over on his face, just long enough for Alfred to notice it before the American went back to a knowing smirk and a cold look.
"My, look at that" Alfred whispered. "Looks like fate did have other plans for us, didn't it ?"
"What plans are you talking about ?" Ivan asked, and his voice was not nearly as controlled as it had been a few seconds prior.
The younger nation only smiled, and got up. It only took him a couple of steps to find himself right before Ivan's chair. Alfred bended a little, just enough to bring their faces close. Very close. Alfred's fingers brushed over Ivan's hand in a featherlike touch, and his lips stopped at an inch of the Russian's. One movement, and they would be kissing each other.
Ivan forced himself to remain still. He had to stay expressionless, and not take advantage of this unexpected, attractive opportunity. No, not attractive. Definitely not attractive. It was not as if he actually wished to kiss Alfred's soft lips. Not at all.
Except that he did. Memories kept coming in his mind. Memories of touches, of kisses chast and passionate alike, of sweet nothings murmured during and after sex, of blissful happiness.
Ivan finally understood what he had so carefully avoided until then when his control finally slipped.
He was the one to make the final move to bring their lips together in a searing kiss. He relinquished all pretense for a single moment of lust and love.
Alfred pulled out not even two seconds later, and his smirk told Ivan all the Russian needed to know.
He was screwed.
Talk about a cruel twist of fate indeed. Ivan closed his eyes a bit longer than necessary, just to give himself the time to realise the full extent of his mistake. He had stupidly blinded himself in this adventure, and was about to pay the price. The older nation had put so much effort to seduce Alfred, he hadn't realised the trap was closing on the both of them.
And now that Ivan finally saw it for what it was, it was too late.
When he opened his eyes again, Alfred was savouring his triumph in silence.
"I can almost feel how you hate what's coming now" the younger nation whispered.
Ivan inhaled deeply. Well, there was no pretending anymore, so he might as well take the situation with dignity. "I already feel quite humiliated that you understood it before I did."
"Do you want me to act all compassionate about it ?"
"I think you can save it. So, what are you going to do ?" the Russian asked. No point in beating around the bush, not now.
"Scared ?" Alfred smiled, but the amusement didn't reach his eyes.
"Not really" Ivan shrugged, trying to look casual and failing. "But any hint about the way you are going to get back at me for what I did to you would be greatly appreciated."
Alfred pondered sat back, and pondered briefly about the current situation. He had not expected the Russian to basically aknowledge his feelings and his defeat so easily. Well, not easily per se. Until the last minute, the American had had doubts about his theory concerning Ivan's feelings for him.
There was still a small possibility that the older one was faking it, though. It was highly unlikely, but not entirely impossible. Ivan was capable to put up an act that would put Hollywood's greatest to shame, should he set his mind to it. The few plans Alfred had prepared danced in front of his mind.
The American hadn't thought he would need one so soon, though, and had trouble deciding what to do exactly. He needed a strategy that would see him on top, whether Ivan's feelings were sincere or faked. Thankfully, he had had an idea that could fit the bill. It took him a couple of minutes to perfect it, and he was ready.
"Don't worry" he said gently. "I'm not going to do anything to you."
"You don't actually expect me to believe this, do you ?" Ivan replied derisively.
"Well, I'll admit it's a bit more sutble than that" Alfred grinned.
"Care to share ?"
"But of course" Alfred answered sweetly, and pushed himself further on his chair to make himself comfortable. "I am not going to do anything to you" he repeated. "More specifically, I will not tell you anything about my own feelings."
Ivan's lilac eyes shone briefly with hope, and he understood. Oh, that was well played. Very well played indeed. A master stroke, worthy of Alfred's sharp mind.
"You already know I genuinely fell in love with Anya" the American explained further. "But the fact remains that you put a lot of yourself into that character, as you so kindly confirmed it for me during those past months. I won't humiliate you, no one will ever know what was said tonight. But I will forever let you wonder about the possibility that I return your feelings... or not."
Ivan closed his eyes briefly again. He was given a sliver of hope, just enough to make him want to believe in it. When he opened them again, it was to bow slightly. A show of respect, from one adversary to another.
"A plan worthy of you" the Russian simply aknowledged.
"Thank you" Alfred nodded, just as solemnly. "My family should be here anytime soon. I have a couple of excuses ready on the off-chance they see you, but you might not want to stay long enough for them to start asking question."
"I see you had everything planned out" Ivan said, and calmly walked toward the door.
Alfred merely shrugged, and the older nation didn't push the matter.
When he opened the door, Ivan noticed three blond silhouettes about half a mile away. His money was on Alfred's close relatives. Just when he was about to jump back to Moscow, Alfred appeared in the doorway, an ironic smirk on his lips.
"By the way, I finished your cookies. They were really good."
Ivan tensed, and clenched his fists. Game, set, and match. Alfred knew exactly what he was doing by finishing their discussion with this.
The Russian nation turned around, and disappeared without a word.