Hi everyone !
I'm not even late this week ! Yay me :D I hope you'll like this chapter, I know I had fun writing and translating it.
Unsurprisingly, the news of Alfred's return spread like wildfire amongst the nations. The fact that said return would happen on the next week-long world meetings only added to the spice, even if most nations didn't know yet if they should feel relieved or worried.
On the first day, everyone was amazingly on time, with the exception of America himself. Alfred had sent a text to France, who was the one hosting the meetings this time, to inform him that he would be a few minutes late. When Francis announced it without bothering to conceal his smirk, everyone translated it like America's will to make an entrance.
Germany frowned in disapproval, but reluctantly accepted to delay the beginning of the presentation by five minutes.
Four minutes and forty-three seconds later, Ludwig's patience was about to run about, and he started asking for order so they could get on with the day's agenda. Of course, it was when a - very relative - silence had finally settled in the room that they heard footsteps in the corridor.
All nations turned their head toward the door, eager to see the one person still missing.
America entered the room, and jaws started dropping. Inconsciously, most had expected Alfred's stereotypical appearance, with his usual bomber jacket, a burger in one hand and a milkshake in the other one, and a face that screamed I'm not listening to you and I'm stupid. Instead, they were looking at a blond young man, confident and smiling, wearing black slacks and a matching blazer over a white shirt with the top two buttons open.
On anybody else, it would have looked overdressed, but Alfred managed to pull it off and make it look perfectly balanced between stylish and casual. The young nation walked straight to his desk, looking ready to focus on whatever subject Germany had planned to bring on the table.
"Sorry for the delay" Alfred smiled without looking sorry at all. "My phone was still on DC time."
"Of course it was" Francis shot back sarcastically, but there was more humour than spite in his reply. His son sent him a wink, while Canada hid a chuckle and Arthur rolled his eyes with a knowing smirk. With both his and Francis' genes, there was no way Alfred wouldn't go for the dramatic entrance.
Granted, with the less than shiny months he had had lately, all three of them had agreed to let him have this little pleasure. And it was pretty amusing to see everyone else looking like a bunch of goldfish. Arthur noticed silently how many single nations from all around the world were all but undressing his son with their eyes, and made a mental note to keep an eye on each of them. If they had waited until now to realise his son was attractive, they didn't deserve him.
Not that anyone was actually worthy of any of his children, but that was beside the point.
Ludwig recovered sooner than anyone else, his surprise at America's evolution lasting for a grant total of four seconds. The German nation coughed a bit to get everyone's attention back on him, and started his presentation. With any luck, Alfred's attitude had improved alongside his fashion style.
-o-oOo-o-
Two hours later, they made a first break and Ludwig was very satisfied. America had definitely changed for the better during his absence. His interventions had all been polite, smart and interesting, even if he was still using too much humour than Germany would normally appreciate.
Alfred's new leader also seemed to be smarter, and clearly more in favour of sustainable development and other long-term policies.
When the American walked out with his brother and his brother's boyfriend to get a coffee, a solid half of the nations in the room followed his silhouette.
Hungary was the first one to verbalize it. "Holy mother of yaoi, when did Alfred become so hot !?" Elizabeta exclaimed.
"No idea" Brazil grinned widely, "but I'm definitely not complaining."
"Same here" Thailand added on the same tone, and swirled her hair on her finger. "Wish I had known sooner his baggy jeans were hiding such an ass."
"Can we mention the way his new style make his eyes and hair pop as well ?" Mexico intervened. "Because damn, this combo is just lethal."
A few single nations nodded in approval, males and females alike, and it was proof enough that America's evolution had most assuredly not gone unnoticed. The conversation continued on the same subject, and everyone was too busy gushing over the new gossip material to notice how the door banged.
-o-oOo-o-
Ivan splashed some water on his face in a vain hope to calm his fury. He had left the meeting room in a hurry, all too aware that one more minute of this infuriating show would have meant the imminent and painful death of every nation involved.
Russia tried to pull himself together. He had no business feeling any jealousy or possessivity toward Alfred, who was single and free to court - or let himself be courted - by anyone he wanted. Ivan tried to tell himself that he could have handled the courting, if it was sincere. But this, this disgusting and pathetic swooning of brainless idiots who only realised now that America was the most fascinating being in the room... that was more than Ivan could bear. And he was being generous here. Most of those dumbasses were only focused on his looks, already forgetting the brilliant ideas and accurate corrections he had made during the first two hours. None of them was actually seeing Alfred behind this new style.
Ivan glanced at his reflexion in the mirror, and cringed. He looked ready to go on a killing spree. That wouldn't do. He had a reputation to maintain, even when a blond, young nation had played him brilliantly for the second time in less than a century. Oh, the Russian hadn't missed that quick glance in his direction when Alfred had walked through the door. A flash of blue in his direction, just a silver of attention zeroing on him for less than a second.
A gesture that could mean anything and everything, but sure as hell wasn't a accident.
Russia leant against the nearest door, and looked at the depressively white ceiling of the bathroom, his thoughts running uselessly in his head.
During the Cold War, he had been ready to bet America was not realising how much sexual tension was involved, even if the blond was actively displaying obvious signs of his interest. When Ivan had seduced the young nation in another appearance, he had been absolutely sure he hold Alfred's heart and trust in the palm of his hand.
And now... now, Alfred had turned the tables, and he was the one callig the shots. Every look, every gesture, every word could be interpreted as petty revenge, or as a sign that the American was not over him. It was subtle, it was remarkable, it was infuriating and fascinating at the same time, but it was definite proof that Alfred was the most amazing person Ivan had ever loved.
Russia's breath caught suddenly. He had aknowledged his feelings weeks ago, and yet, admitting his love for Alfred still surprised him every time the word came to his mind. Just like every previous time, Ivan reached under his scarf to fetch the necklace Alfred had offered to Anya, and opened it to look at the pictures. A bittersweet smile appeared on his lips.
To think that he had taken the habit of wearing it constantly to have a reminder of his victory. Karma did come collect her debt in the end, and Ivan had been powerless to prevent it.
The tall nation kept looking at the pictures for a few more seconds, then snapped it close again and put it back under his scarf, safely hidden from anyone else's view. Ivan closed his eyes for a second, exhaled deeply, then opened them again and glanced at his reflection once more.
His usual smile was back, and his expression was no longer murderous. Time to go back, then.
-o-oOo-o-
Unaware of Russia's turmoil, Alfred was enjoying a coffee with his twin and Prussia. The albino was still shell-shocked at his almost brother-in-law transformation.
"Seriously, man, you outdone yourself on that one" Gilbert admitted one more time. "You look awesome. Not my level of awesomeness, but pretty close."
"Come on, Gil" Alfred retorted with a playful grin, "we both know I'm the most awesome here !"
"Keep dreaming, yankie ! Right Birdie ?" Prussia laughed, and asked his boyfriend for support.
Canada looked at Alfred and Gilbert, then decided to carefully remain neutral. "I couldn't possibly choose between my twin brother and the love of my life" Matthew answered both truthfully and adorably. The other two raised an eyebrow, then pondered about it for a few seconds.
But when they looked at each other and a dangerous, similar gleam flashed in their eyes, Matthew realised his mistake and tried to stop a disaster before it could occur.
"Stop that immediately, both of you ! Al, you promised dad you'd be serious on the first day, and Gil, papa and Antonio promised me you wouldn't pull any prank today ! Whatever stupid contest you're thinking of, forget it" Canada threatened them.
Alfred chuckled, and Prussia laughed before kissing his boyfriend on the cheek. "As you wish, Sunny. Sorry Alfred, looks like we have to wait until tomorrow" the albino grinned.
"It's fine" America winked. "So, what pranks did I miss ? You found something better than the wool balls ?"
"That one was great, admit it" Gilbert laughed again. "But we pulled off some good things while you weren't here" he said, then started telling America about what he had missed during the last months, and Matthew sighed in relief.
Crisis avoided.
Canada hugged his polar bear a little tighter, and let his brother and boyfriend chat happily all the way back to the meeting room. He made sure to make a note of every nation whose hungry gaze followed his twin until he was seated. Well, at least Alfred shouldn't have any problem finding someone to date... or more likely, to fuck. Not that he actually seemed interested in any kind of relationship at the moment, which was more than understandable. On top of having emotionally been through a lot, Alfred was in the middle of a huge political and social transition.
Matthew was mentally reviewing what he knew about his brother's potential suitors, when Ivan came into his field of vision. The Canadian nation dismissed him as first, since Russia was the same as always - big coat, long scarf, fake innocent smile and looking slightly bored - but he frowned suddenly and came back to watching him.
There was something off about his former friend, something Matthew couldn't pinpoint exactly but wasn't right. His instincts were telling him that Ivan's attitude was not his usual one. Canada took his seat, and under the pretense of cuddling with Kuma, took the time to carefully observe Ivan. It took him almost a minute, but when Matthew found out, he had to lower his head to make sure no one saw how his eyes widen.
Ivan's elbows were on his desk, and he had joined his hands under his chin, hiding most of them under his scarf. But his knuckles where white, far too white even for his carnation. The Russian was clenching them strong enough to get bruises if he didn't stop soon. Matthew had only witnessed such a hidden fury a handful of times since he had become friends with the tall nation, and the results had never been pretty.
However, there was nothing - at least as far as Canada's knowledge went - that could currently push Ivan to that point. Matthew's lavender eyes narrowed slightly, and he decided he'd have to check what was going on with his former friend soon. He would not have Ivan go ballistic and ruin his twin's life one more time.