Hi everyone !
I just got back from my trip, but I had the chapter ready beforehand so there you go. Also, it was the last time I changed the day, starting next week we'll be back on Satuday updates.
Thanks for your review CaptainShort19, I'm sorry I couldn't answer properly sooner. As you guessed, it's not the end of shenanigans ;)
Half an hour later, and despite a few more spells to get a refill in ammunitions, there was not a single water bomb available in the room.
However, there was water about everywhere else, especially on the floor and on the nations. Most of them walked out of their makeshift shelters, laughing and smiling. Francis spoke quickly when he noticed a very frowning Arthur coming his way.
"Don't worry, we prepared dry clothes and towels for everyone !"
"It's in the room next door" Antonio added just as quickly when it was clear that Lovino had a similar expression on his features.
Behind his best friends, Gilbert started cackling when he saw their other half looking ready to tear them a new one.
"Gilbert Beilshmidt..." someone said from behind him, and the albino found a way to become whiter than his natural complexion.
"Erm... Birdie ?" he tried as soothingly and as apologisingly as he could while he turned back.
Prussia immediately took a couple of steps back when he noticed the very, very upset look on his adorable boyfriend's face. Gilbert wondered what he could have done to annoy his angel of a lover so much for about two seconds. Then, he noticed how wet Kumajiro was, and how the polar bear was drenching his partner in water.
"I'm sorry !" Gilbert apologised right away. "I swear I was only shooting at you, not at Kuma, and-"
"Because on top of that, you were the one shooting at me ?" Matthew cut him.
"Well, erm, it's actually a funny story, you see, I was... erm..." Prussia stuttered uneasily, then saw how everyone was looking at them like it was the most hilarious scene of the day. That was not good for his awesome reputation. However, he didn't manage to come up with an explanation in time.
Matthew started to smile, not his usual, happy smile, but his dangerous one. His hockey smile. "So" Canada said sweetly, "you chose to go up against me in an event that qualifies as a sport or a physical game."
"Scheiße..." the albino whispered. "Birdie, come on, I-I wasn't actually going up against you" he tried to negociate, to no avail.
"You sent multiple projectiles in my direction, and touching me was a synonysm of victory. It definitely qualifies."
Gilbert looked around him in the hope of help, but only found his best friends' grins. He sighed in defeat, then glared at France.
"One of these days" Prussia threatened, "I'm going to curse you for making your son so cunning, you know that ?"
"Sure you will" Francis replied without looking nervous in the least. "I, for one, am very proud of him. Tell me, mon trésor" he added for Matthew, "what kind of deal do you have together ?"
"Thanks dad" Matthew smiled at the compliment. "Since he initiated it, he owns me double the time as a training partner for my hockey practice."
"So, if I do the maths correctly..." Francis started, and let his son finish with a predatory smirk.
"He owns me one hour on the rink, and I'm allowed to ask it as soon as tonight. Which I do."
In one swift movement, almost all nations in the room grimaced. After what Matthew had inflicted on Ivan a few months before, other videos of the Canadian nation had started to circulate among them. A good dozen of them showed him on an ice rink, playing hockey and looking absolutely murderous. An old video of Alfred and him in a one-on-one challenge, where despite his strength, America had had to concede the victory to his brother, had particularly marked every mind.
Even Arthur and Lovino forgot about their own annoyment for a minute. The punishment was harsh, and no one seemed surprised when the couple exited the room with Gilbert begging for forgiveness.
Silence fell on the meeting room, until Spain broke it with a chuckle. "Damn, hermano, your son is something else."
"I know" Francis beamed. "I'm so proud of him ! I taught him very soon how powerful words were. Then he perfectionned his cunning side with Arthur."
"Frog..." England said threateningly.
"Oui mon lapin ?" France said in a charming voice. "You're not going to deny the influence you had on our children's education, are you ?"
Arthur found himself tricked by the question, and muttered something unintelligible about sly French people and how he had merely ensured that his sons would know the basics of elaborating a strategy.
Alfred heard part of it, and chuckled discreetly. Then, he noticed how some people in the room started shivering, and came closer.
"Do you need help to bring the towels and clothes ?" he asked his father.
"That would be nice, mon chéri" Francis smiled.
"Good, then we can go together. In the meantime" he added while looking at everyone, "maybe you could start making some private booths or something ? Unless no one cares about being seen in their underwear, of course."
Everyone collectively took a cynical expression, and Ludwig took it upon himself to sum it up with words. "As considerate as your intention is, I think it is quite unnecessary. But just in case of" Germany added when he noticed a few blushing faces, "we can pile up a couple of desks there for those who don't feel okay with it."
"Copy that" Alfred winked, and followed his French father out of the room.
Father and son came back a few minutes later. A couple of desks had been piled up against a wall to create two makeshift booths. Alfred and the BTT started giving everyone a towel and a change of clothes, but once everyone had what they need, there was an instant of awkward silence during which no one wanted to be the first to undress.
Francis smirked, then winked at his husband and started to unbutton his shirt. Alfred rolled his eyes, and directly pushed his own shirt up his head, quickly following with the grey tank top he wore underneath.
"I thought everyone was okay with changing in front of the others ?" America teased ironically.
"More than okay" Miguel assured him, and a dozen nations nodded in approval, their eyes riveted to Alfred's body.
The American nation pretended not to notice the multiple gazes on his chest and back while he was drying his upper body with the towel. He had started working out more during the past months, and he knew it showed. Alfred kept his face perfectly innocent, then used his hand to ruffle his hair and get rid of the water. Droplets fell on his chest, following the lines of his pecs and abs, right down to the v-line disappearing in his pants.
More nations suddenly felt like it was getting hotter in the room, and when Alfred started undoing his belt, most of them came back to their senses and started undressing as well to avoid being caught staring too openly. Not that they actually stopped ogling the very attractive man, but at least it would be a bit less obvious.
A few moments later, all nations were in their underwear and trying to get as much water out of them as they could. One of the perks of being young for decades, centuries, or millenia, was that they were used to the human body. Most of them had had occasions to see each other naked or in a swimsuit already, so changing in front of their colleagues wasn't such a big deal.
Alfred was almost done with his towel when he noticed Russia. The tall nation was sitting in a corner, fully dressed, and looking as bored as it was humanly possible to be. The American nation concealed the beginning of a playful grin, then picked a towel in the remaining pile and walked in his ex-nemesis direction.
"Looks like you didn't get one, big guy" Alfred said, and tilted his head with a smile.
Ivan observed him for a second, then shrugged dismissively. "My coat is waterproof."
"Might be so" the blond admitted, "but your scarf isn't and it's drenched. You should take it off if you want to avoid a cold."
"I don't get sick that easily" Ivan retorted in a clipped voice.
"So I've been told" Alfred replied with the hint of a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Suit yourself, man." Then he put the towel on the nearest desk, and turned ahead to go back to his own new set of clothes.
Ivan gritted his teeth, and his nails digged into his palms to prevent him from doing anything stupid. Namely, stand up, catch up with Alfred, and kiss him senseless in front of absolutely everyone until it was clear that all his suitors were to back the fuck off. The American had worked out since their break-up. The dark blue boxer he was currently wearing was doing wonder on his light tan, and showed off his ass in all the right ways.
Even with his eyes glued on Alfred as he walked away, Ivan couldn't not notice how he wasn't alone in doing so. He counted at least twenty nations who were not even bothering with discretion, and a dozen of men and women alike who managed to bend over or show off their bras when America walked past them.
When the Russian felt blood run on his hands, he cursed inwardly and made a bee line toward the door. It was either getting out of the room now, or letting everyone stay in mortal danger. Every nation on his way stepped away in terror, and it took Ivan less than six seconds to be in the corridor. He walked until he was a bit further, then stopped. The tall nation inhaled deeply, and put his forehead on the nearest wall. It was cold and solid, and it helped him calm a tiny bit.
"Ivan ?"
Russia turned around, a murderous look in the eye. He did not wanted to be disturbed now. Matthew's eyes widened, and he put a hand on Prussia's arm in warning.
"Gil, go back inside. I'll come in a minute" the young nation said. Gilbert took one look at Ivan, and left without a word. The albino knew firsthand how dangerous Russia could be, and trusted his boyfriend to take care of himself in those situations.
Once inside of the meeting room, Gilbert let his best friends taunt him for a minute, then frowned and asked his question.
"What the hell happened with Ivan, by the way ?"
"Ivan ? Why the hell are you talking about him ?" Antonio said, looking puzzled.
"Birdie and I ran into him outside" Prussia explained. "The look on his face... It's a miracle that no died yet."
Francis seemed shocked at the idea, then tried to remember what had happened during the previous minutes. "That's weird... no one even talked to him. I mean" he admitted, "Alfred did, but he just brought him a towel and I'm positive their exchange didn't even last a minute."
Gilbert looked just as confused as his friends, then turned his head to search for Alfred. He found him chatting with Taiwan, maybe five desks further. Well, he talked, and she was trying to keep her eyes on his face, which made Prussia snort. The albino thought about it for a second, then dropped the issue. He was not going to put himself in the landmine that was Alfred and Ivan's relationship.
-o-oOo-o-
Matthew waited until his boyfriend closed the door behind him. Then, he walked closer to Ivan, but made sure to stay at a reasonable distance. Knowing the Russian, he would talk eventually, once he would feel in control again. Much to Canada's surprise, it only took him a couple of minutes.
"You were right" Ivan simply stated, and Matthew understood at once what his friend meant with that.
The Canadian nation took another step forward. "I take it my brother was a bit too demonstrative in his drying process ?" he asked carefully.
Ivan chuckled, amused despite himself by the phrasing. "That's a nice way to put it."
Matthew arched an eyebrow, and relaxed when he saw the Russian being back in full control of himself. Ivan looked like an absolute wreck, yet he seemed to be able to not give in to his usual killing spree. The Canadian carefully avoided remarking on it, but wondered inwardly if his friend's infatuation had something to do with it.
Beside him, Ivan sighed and sat against the wall. Matthew imitated him, to keep a comfortable mood.
"I don't think I've been this worked-up since the end of the Cold War" Russia whispered.
"That was a different game for both of you" Matthew said gently.
"Different game, same outcome" Ivan shrugged in self-derision. "Actually, worst outcome" he added after a few seconds.
"What do you mean ? Beside the obvious" Matthew corrected himself.
"You heard him this morning. He's not going to stop" the Russian muttered somberly, and the young nation replayed quickly what his brother had said so far. When he understood, his eyes widened.
"You seriously think my brother is willing to go as far as fucking one of them to make you miserable ?" he asked in complete disbelief.
"If there's one thing I know about Alfred, it's that he won't back down once he wants something" Ivan stated darkly. "Of course, there's also the possibility that he genuinely likes one of them, and acts on it."
Matthew felt his own heart break a little. Ivan's distress was so obvious, his pain so raw and brutal, he couldn't believe he was the only one to actually see how miserable the Russian was. The uncertainty was driving his friend mad with hope and jealousy, just enough to make him suffer, and too much to convince him he should give up.
Canada's hand was on Ivan's shoulder in a silent support in a second.
"Alfred leaves tomorrow. Things should be easier for you after that" he said in an attempt to cheer his friend up a bit. "I will speak to him tonight."
Ivan looked at him, apparently taken aback by his declaration. "Thank you."
"I can't guarantee he'll talk to me or anything, though" Matthew apologised, because knowing how stubborn his twin could be, that was not a promise he was sure to be in capacity to keep.
"Thank you for helping, in spite of what I've done" Ivan corrected with a small smile.
"Oh" the Canadian nation understood, and hid behind his polar bear in embarrassment. "You're welcome. We're friends, after all."
They exchanged a surprised, yet happy look, and nodded to each other. Matthew's friendship seemed to be the last push Ivan needed to completely calm down, and they stood up.
"I'm going to leave now. I think we're done for this morning, and I'd rather avoid running into Alfred again."
"I understand" Matthew answered. "I'll join the others inside. See you later."
They parted on those words, and Matthew sighed in a mix of worry and relief. He was happy to have his friend back, but it put him in a mess of a situation. Still, he had a feeling he had to try, for both Ivan and Alfred's sake.
As soon as he walked through the door, Gilbert was on him with a towel and a set of clothes.
"Birdie ! You alright ?" his boyfriend asked in concern.
"Huh ? Of course I'm alright, why wouldn't I ?" Matthew tilted his head in confusion, and Prussia relaxed completely.
"You spent nearly fifteen minutes with Russia in psychopath mode ! I was ready to launch a rescue party !"
Matthew chuckled, and pushed gently his boyfriend on the side. "Ivan never attacked me. If anything, I kicked his ass. He's the one you should have been worried for" he added with a wink. Canada put his polar bear on a desk and started drying himself, missing the enamoured gaze of Gilbert. "By the way" the young nation added, "I reschedule our hockey training. It'll be tomorrow evening instead of today."
The albino nation looked like Christmas had come earlier, and engulfed his boyfriend in a bear hug. "Oh thank you Birdie ! Thank you thank you thank you !"
"I didn't say I canceled it !" Matthew reminded him in a laugh.
Gilbert let go of him, and winked knowingly. "Well, a lot of things can happen in twenty-four hours. Maybe I can convince you to be more... merciful."
Matthew blushed immediately, and turned away to mutter something about unfair practices. He then used the excuse to walk away and find his twin. Alfred had already changed, and was now wearing blue jeans and a tight black shirt. He was chatting with Taiwan, and Matthew knew he could interrupt them without his brother being upset about it. He was visibly bored by the conversation anyway.
"Hey, Al' ! Can I talk to you for a minute ?" he asked with his best I'm sorry expression for the young woman.
"Of course bro" Alfred smiled brightly, then turned and winked at her. "See you around, Mei !"
The lovely Asian nation smiled at America, and waved at him when the twins walked away. However, she let her displeasure show on her face a tad to soon, and both brothers got the time to notice how disappointed she was at the fact that her chat had been interrupted. Still, she sent a triumphant, and somewhat smug, look at Lucia, who glared at her.
"Thanks for the rescue, Matt" Alfred chuckled quietly.
"Actually, I really wanted to talk to you, but you're welcome nonetheless" Matthew grinned. "Think we can have a North American Brothers evening tonight ? Before you abandon your poor, lonely, sad twin again" he added in a melodramatic voice.
Alfred laughed, and agreed immediately. "My room, pizza, six thirty ?"
"Al, you read my mind" Matthew chuckled. "See you there, then ?"
"See you there, but I'm not ordering Hawaian pizza, no matter how much you're willing to pay !"
Both brothers started bickering about food, and ended up laughing while helping everyone to put the desks and chairs back in place. Once they were all out for lunch, Matthew started planning. So far, so good. Now, he just had to hope he was still able to see through his twin's various masks and get him to talk.