N/A : I inserted two bonus scenes that weren't in the original story, I hope you'll like them.
At lunch, Ivan and Alfred unsurprisingly ended up sharing a table alone. Everyone else silently agreed to let them be, with the exception of Hungary who had a mischievous gleam in her eyes, a camera in hand, and a devilish grin on her face. Austria half-heartedly tried to talk his beloved wife out of her plans, to no avail.
The only other nations to look at the new couple with an emotion that wasn't fear or worryness were Canada, France and England. The first one had a fond smile, the second was sighing dramatically at the sight of his second son finding love, and the third was muttering threats and thinking out loud about a way to circumvent the agreement he had with Alfred.
None of it seemed to bother either of the interested parties.
"I'd say it went well" Alfred smiled once they were seated.
Ivan hummed, then tsked. "You should have let me catch Mexico when he ran away."
"Come on, Vanya" the American rolled his eyes. "You scared him half to death. I'm pretty sure he's going to ask his drug cartels for protection at that point."
"Hmm. Maybe I should make a couple of calls, then" Ivan smiled innocently, but the dark aura surrounding him proved how serious he actually was.
Alfred perked an eyebrow, then smirked. "Jealous much ?" he teased
The older nation looked at his boyfriend in ironic disbelief. "You heard him. He's still thinking you consider him as a potential suitor. I simply want to make sure he respects your choice."
The American nation chuckled, somehow pleased with the implied message. None of them would ever fully submit to the other, nor take the other's affection for granted. Communication, balance and respect for each other's strenghts and weaknesses would be key in their relationship, something Ivan and Alfred knew they would not find in anyone else.
They ate in companionable silence for a while, then the youngest talked again.
"So, can you still turn into a woman ?" Alfred asked out of the blue.
Ivan looked at the young nation in surprise, clearly not expecting the question.
"No" the Russian answered. "I cancelled it after New Year's Eve. Why do you ask ?"
"Just curious" Alfred shrugged, but his composed attitude was a bit too composed to not raise Ivan's suspicion. "I've been wondering how you did it in the first place, this kind of thing. Figured I might as well ask."
Ivan put his fork back on his plate, and observed the young nation carefully. "I kind of threatened Romania into creating the spell. I needed someone skilled enough to success, but who wouldn't tell anyone about it" the Russian replied slowly, and watched how Alfred nodded in comprehension. Then, Ivan understood what was going on in his boyfriend's mind, and chuckled. "Why, were you hoping to see this side of me again ?" he asked sweetly.
The sudden pink hue on Alfred's cheeks was the only answer Russia needed, and when the young nation started to protest vehemently, they both knew it was too late to be convincing.
-o-oOo-o-
A few days later, Alfred was enjoying a peaceful evening in his New York appartment when his doorbell rang. It was a bit surprising, since the rare persons who knew of this place either had a key or would text him before coming, but he didn't pay it any mind. It could just as well be one of his neighbours needing something, after all.
However, the sight that greeted him when he opened the door was a much more terrifying one.
"Belar- Natalya ?"
"Were you expecting someone else ?" the young woman asked sweetly.
"No, but wait, how do you even know this addr-"
"Not the point" Belarus said, and walked in. "Close the door. I think you and I need to have a little chat."
Alfred gulped, but did as the dangerous Eastern nation required. She still hadn't stabbed him, which should be a good sign. Theoretically. It didn't take them a minute to be both seated in his living room in a deafening silence.
"So..." Alfred started at some point. "Why are you here ?"
"You're dating my brother" Natalya stated matter-of-factly, her hands crossed on her chest and her expression giving nothing away.
"Yes ?" the American nation answered.
"You've hurt him in the past. A lot" she continued, unbothered with his answer. "And he hurt you. Why are you dating him ?"
Alfred was incredibly tempted to answer how their relationship was none of her business, but the imperious demand in her eyes convinced him to answer. He knew Ivan and him would have to face her disapproval at some point. The blond nation met her gaze with one of his own.
"As you've said, Ivan and I have already been through the worse because of each other" Alfred said seriously. "Despite that, I want him and he wants me. We both wish to overcome the shit and make it work. End of story. And just so you know, I won't dump him."
"Not even if I threaten to make your life hell as long as you'll let my brother believe you love him ?" she countered with a cruel grin.
Alfred grimaced. That was not a world he was looking forward to, especially since Natalya would no doubt make good on this kind of threat.
"Not gonna lie, I'd rather avoid that" he admitted in a bitter chuckle. "But I won't break up with Ivan just because you don't approve of me."
"And what will you do when your politicians disagree ? If a war forces you to choose between him and your people ?" Belarus easily countered. "Who will you betray then ?"
The American nation sighed, then pinched his nose. "Those are hypothetical situations, but fine, I'll play along. If it comes to that, then I suppose we'll make sure to let the other know that our personal feelings and our duties to our people are two different aspects of who we are. As long as we keep that in mind, it'll be okay. I know Ivan understands that" Alfred added with nothing short of absolute certainty.
Natalya looked at him intently, and for half a second, a strange emotion flashed in her dark blue eyes. Then, she chuckled, and the strangest thing Alfred ever got to witness happened.
Ivan's little sister smiled.
Not cruelly, not threateningly, not madly, not even dangerously. Just a kind, soft smile. She looked like a completely different person, all dark aura gone and replaced by a gentle expression. Her features were relaxed and showing genuine happyness.
America felt like he had entered the twilight zone, and didn't dare moving a finger.
"Take care of my brother, Alfred" Natalya asked softly, then stood up and left.
The American nation only blinked while the young woman walked out of his appartment. It wasn't until the door closed behind her that Alfred found his voice again.
"What the fuck."
-o-oOo-o-
Matthew was humming happily in his kitchen, thinking about what to make for dinner for Gilbert and himself, when said nation came in. The albino was holding Matthew's ringing cellphone in his hand.
"The psychopath's calling, Birdie !"
"Gil" Matthew sighed, "I told you to stop calling Ivan a ps-"
"It's his sister !" Prussia protested. "I'm allowed !"
Matthew frowned at the information, and quickly picked up the phone. It wasn't exactly normal for Ivan's younger sister to call him, and the rare times she did, it meant bad things either were about to happen or had already happened.
"Hello ?" Canada greeted cautiously, and was greeted with sobs, which immediately alarmed him. "Natalya ? Are you alright ? What's going on ?"
"I... I did it, Matve" a broken voice sobbed. "I-I told him to take care of Vanya. Matve, they t-truly lo-love each other. I don't have to... to pretend anymore."
The words were not extremely clear, but when Matthew eventually understood them, he nearly dropped the phone in shock. In front of him, Gilbert looked worried, and the young nation quickly forced a smile and raised a hand to show things were okay.
"It's great, Nat" Matthew answered gently after a few seconds to take in the astoundishing news. "I'm happy for you. Do you want to come at my place for a few days ? I have blankets and every movie available. And pancakes."
"Tha-that would be great" the Eastern nation sniffed. "Thank you so much."
"Of course, Nat" Canada replied warmly. "See you in a few."
Matthew barely got the time to hang up before Gilbert looked at him like he had lost his mind.
"Birdie, tell me you did not just invite Belarus to stay over" he pleaded.
"I did" Canada said, and started to gather what he needed for chocolate chips pancakes. "She officially accepted Alfred as her brother-in-law and it's taking a toll on her, so of course I offered my help."
"SHE WHAT !?" Gilbert yelled.
Matthew chuckled, and pecked his boyfriend on the cheek. "You don't have to stay if you don't feel up to it. But to be honest, I don't know if you're ready to meet a genuinely sweet and nice Natalya" he added mischievously.
As Gilbert looked close to fainting, Canada smiled to himself. It was nice to finally see all his friends and family getting the happy end they deserved.
Maybe he could even convince everyone to celebrate New Year's Eve together, this year.
If you've made it to the end, thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. Please consider leaving your thoughts behind, and take care of yourself :)