Alfred laughed loudly and took another sip of vodka. Ivan seemed to have so much, but they were just almost finished with the original bottle. He was smiling and beaming for the first time in months. It should have felt good, but by now he didn't know what he was feeling.

The lights were blurred and everything seemed warm. Alfred had shed his jacket a while ago along with his boots. They had taken a place on the floor by his chair in a heap. He was sitting in a plain white t-shirt and his jeans. From what he saw, Ivan was still wearing his scarf and heavy coat. How was it possible to just sit there and practically burn to death?

"Why don't ya take that thing off?" Alfred asked from his sprawled position on his chair. He pushed his hair from his face.

"I can't, Mr. America. That would be impossible." Ivan had managed to take the bottle from the other man and took a sip. He smiled to himself. Alfred wasn't so great with his liquor. Maybe he would finally open up to Ivan. That would be ideal. Ivan set the bottle on the coffee table in front of him and sat back into the couch. Thoughts poured into his head from all angles. Maybe tonight he could tell Alfred how much he meant to him.

"Hey! Ya big lug, were ya even listenin'?" Alfred spoke rather harshly, a frown dulling his usually bright features. The flickering of the fire only illuminated his frown, making it all the more prevalent. Alfred made a swipe for the bottle, lifting himself slightly for the edge to get it. He missed.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" Ivan leaned forward to move the bottle from Alfred's reach. The man had obviously had too much.

"I was sayin' that fer a while there, I was so afraid that you were gonna kill me out of now where!" Alfred started laughing again. "Crazy huh?" Alfred's face lit up with his drunken laugh. He slapped his knee and faced the ceiling as he laughed obnoxiously. Ivan was less than amused.

"Yeah…" Ivan chuckled sarcastically and looked away. If anything, he should be the one paranoid about the clueless Alfred accidently pushing some button that released missiles because it was a freaking beautiful button that reminded him of candy. When Ivan next looked at Alfred, the young man was sitting next to him, tugging at his scarf.

"This is just… So soft…" Alfred said as he wrapped himself in the flowing scarf that wasn't wrapped around its owner's neck. Ivan smiled.

"I see why you wear it all the time, but it's so hot in here…" Alfred hand had wandered to the clasp of Ivan's jacket. He fumbled for a while until he got them undone. "Don'tit feelbetter?" Alfred asked, his words slurring together the more he drank the alcohol.

Ivan could feel his heart beat faster and faster. He nodded. The coat did get hot sometimes. Alfred's hand lingered on Ivan's heart. Now, only a shirt separated their skin from touching. Alfred's eyes widened.

"Your heart's beatin' so fast." Alfred looked at Ivan, their gazes locking. Ivan held the other man's hand against his heart for a moment longer, his eyes closed.

"Da."

Alfred blinked. He wrapped his arms around Ivan and placed his ear on the larger man's heart. He closed eyes as he listened to the steady thump that was starting to slow to a normal pace. He smiled gently when he felt a large hand take it's place on his back.

Another hand took his chin, lifting his face up. Alfred was startled for a second as Ivan's lips made contact with his. It was a gentle caress that made his skin tingle. Alfred grabbed the front of the Russian's shirt. The fabric bunched under his fingers. Ivan's hand on his back pushed them closer together as the kiss intensified.

Ivan broke the kiss off, leaving Alfred gasping. He enveloped the other man in a hug. Alfred laid still.

"What just happened?" Alfred asked softly. He pushed himself off of Ivan and supported his head with a hand. He was lightheaded. He touched his still tingling lips, then looked at Ivan. Ivan just smiled at him lovingly.

"This." Ivan hesitated slightly before kissing Alfred again, this time exploring the other's mouth with his tongue. Alfred pushed him away again.

"D-dude!" Alfred shook his head as if it could make the blush on his face disappear. Ivan had moved closer to Alfred and was playing with his soft golden hair. Alfred stroked the end of the scarf that had found its way into his lap. He glanced from the corner of his eye at Ivan who was watching him calmly.

"You liked it, da?" Ivan said in the smaller man's ear. Alfred nodded. His own heart seemed to be beating faster. He placed a hand to it.

"Maybe I should go ta sleep." He stretched and barely had time to relax when strong arms had scooped him up. He flailed his arms once his feet left the safety of the ground.

"Hey! Put me down!"

"No. I'm taking you to bed." Ivan smiled. Despite carrying the extra weight, Ivan carried Alfred steadily up the stairs. Alfred had slowly relaxed and was nearly asleep when Ivan pushed open his own bedroom door. Unlike Alfred's room, Ivan's room was larger with a larger bed and more heavily draped windows.

Ivan laid Alfred on one side of the bed and pulled the covers over his sleeping figure. Alfred seemed to be so peaceful in his sleeping state. Ivan leaned down to gently kiss the American's forehead. He slipped in next to Alfred, keeping a respectable distance. He laid his head on his pillow and smiled, his eyes half closed.

"Good night, Alfred."

A/N: I meant for this to be a long chapter, but it didn't turn out that way. I scrapped a whole section that would have ended it 400 words earlier, so I tried. I promise I'll make a huge chapter! Well, I hope you American's filled out your brackets. If you win, I'll give you a virtual doughnut or cookie. Whatever you want. I honestly don't care much about the brackets, but it's fun to put down random teams! Everyone else can just be cool. Have a great (enter time until next chapter here)!