I do not own Hetalia okay? I am so glad to see you guys like this story so I am working a little harder on it than some of my others. Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
Francis sighed as he looked around the house with a smile. So Mathieu is getting everything back together. I know he can do it. But his Papa can grease the wheels so he does get that job. But Ivan does have a point. He would feel terrible if I forced Gilbert to hire him. Arthur turned to Francis slightly annoyed and looked at him. "So who was that Frog?" Arthur said as he placed some headache medicine in his hand and took a drink.
"Oh it was Ivan, Lapin" Francis smiled.
"Ivan?" Arthur asked as Francis nodded.
"Oui." Francis nodded. "Apparently Mathieu is applying for a job where Gilbert is the manager."
"Well now. Did he know that before he went in?" Arthur asked.
"Nope." Francis said, "Well at least it sounded like he didn't know from what Ivan said. This may work in my little maple leaf's favor. You remember how much Gilbert liked the boys."
"Yes, but he's also a different person at work. I have never seen anyone more efficient at anything, expect perhaps his brother. Ludwig is quite the prick. At least Gilbert has a sense of humor and is good to go to the pub with now and again." Arthur said as he flipped through the channels on the television. "Nothing on..."
"Well since you are still on holiday then maybe we can do something..." Francis said with a laugh. "hohohohoon"
"Not now, I'm still recovering from your suggestion last night. I think Alfred may think I blew him off earlier..."
"Oh?" Francis asked. "What did he want?"
"Mentioned that he was thinking about adopting, him and Ivan was." Arthur said. "I had too much of a headache to discuss it more and just told him to talk to Ivan. He said that he just mentioned it once to him so far and he didn't seem too opposed but not enthusiastic either."
"Well you weren't at first either." Francis said. "Quite apprehensive of the idea."
Arthur lay back on the couch staring at the ceiling. He recalled that time nearly 25 years earlier. Things seemed so much different then, the tattoo that only Francis knew about on his butt much less faded and saggy, careers just started, house just bought together, amazing the realtor as they had bickered during the tour about which rooms were which and who would be better for decorating. Heck he remembered closing day when Francis made fun of him for humming along with Wheezer's "Buddy Holly" saying he looked just like him without the glasses. So he turned and called Francis Mary Tyler Moore. So their first day in their new house started with an argument. But that is when the idea of adopting came into their mind. Arthur thought they were too young, too immature, they weren't ready, careers just not stable enough. Which to this Francis said was the exact reason to think of it. After arguments and discussions that led to arguments, that Christmas was the first with Alfred and Matthew, their newly adopted sons. Thinking on then and then to the present day, Arthur muttered something to himself. "I wonder if my tattoo looks fine..."
"It's getting blurred with age." Francis said sitting next to Arthur. "Maybe you could get it touched up" Arthur rolled his eyes. "I am the only one seeing it anyway, at least on purpose. Don't feel like you're doing it for anyone other than moi"
"Why did I marry you?" Arthur asked placing his face in his palm.
"Because you love me so." Francis teased.
Meanwhile, Natalya looked over her textbook with intense scrutiny. It was the accounting class she had. Knowing she had wanted an MBA and to move up the business world after being told in high school she had the cutthroat attitude that would be perfect for the world of business than a violent path she was headed on. Which when she made this decision it relieved Katyusha because she knew that both Ivan and Natalya would keep out of trouble. Ivan had gotten in trouble for going after people who made fun of his sisters and while Katyusha kept it to herself when it happened, Natalya had been sent home from school for fighting and when she explained what happened, no matter what damage Natalya had done, Ivan would add his own and he'd get in trouble. This was her final year before she could head onto the MBA courses and then get in the door to making leading decisions and maneuvers and deals for companies. She also had wanted to see if she couldn't parlay it into working in Russia or at least frequent the country when she did get to work. She hardly remembered any of it and wanted to connect back. It was at this when Toris sat down beside her. "What do you want?" She said as she intensely stared at the chapter on the regulations for stock accounting.
Toris smiled nervously. Both had come back to the dorm early and while classes weren't to begin until the following week, the cafeteria and library and many other student facilities were open for those who stayed on campus or were coming back early from the break. "Ummmmmm" He began not wanting to disturb Natalya but at the same time knowing how she was when it came to studying. She was intense during the midterms but while finals weren't for a few more weeks, she was determined almost focused entirely on it. "I really enjoyed this holiday at your brother's house."
"It was certainly was surprising, I have to agree." She highlighted a key phrase in the textbook not looking up at Toris. "I thought that Alfred's brother didn't have the balls to produce a child."
"That's a little harsh, don't you think?" Toris asked as Natalya glared at him. She did not like her brother-in-laws and thought her siblings deserved much better than they had. Much better. Like famous singers, actors and politicians, rich businessmen, even if it was realistically never going to happen. She only like Matthew marginally better than Alfred because Matthew wouldn't say anything to her, but Alfred would cuss her out if Ivan was not around. Which would lead Ivan to knowing what happened between the two and he'd be mad at both of them.
"Possibly." Natalya said as she capped the highlighter. "But big sister and big brother could do so much better."
"Possibly." Toris replied. "I had just gotten off the phone with my parents back in Lithuania."
"So, how are they doing?" Natalya asked gruffly, but Toris could tell she was genuinely interested.
"Well they are doing pretty well." Toris began. "I told them about you and they said they would get me two tickets to Lithuania for the Christmas break. They said you sounded like a good hard working woman and wanted to meet you." Natalya looked at him blankly. "That is if you want to. If not, I can tell them you have a commitment with your family and they will more than understand."
Natalya closed her textbook and looked at Toris who was smiling and sweating nervously. She paused and placed her highlighter to her lips. I did already do a holiday visit to the family for Thanksgiving and I know how Alfred reacted to me. I know it might upset big brother but at the same time I could say that it is just to keep down fighting between me and his husband...She did look over at Toris's nervous face. Lithuania wasn't exactly Russia, but it was close and she would like to see the area they were born, so they could easily make a trip into Russia if they wanted. It was 11 hours from Vilnius, where Toris was from to Moscow, so depending on how long they were there, a weekend trip wouldn't be hard to do. "How long would we be there?"
"My parents wanted to make it worth the cost, so they would get us a flight leaving on the 19th of December and come back after the New Year." Toris said as he looked at Natalya.
"Sounds fair. As long as sometime we do take a few days to go to Moscow." Natalya smiled as she placed her textbook in her bag.
"I guess we can, I mean it is a long drive." Toris said.
"I'm used to long drives to visit a vacation destination. I grew up here. Most of this country's states are the size of European countries." Natalya stated. "We came over here when I was little. I do not remember much of the land I was born in. I have never been back. I would love to see it." she said calmly.
"Sounds fun! I'll tell my parents!" Toris said as he pulled Natalya in close, much to her surprise and hugged her and kissed her cheek. What have I gotten myself into? Natalya thought as she saw Toris run back to his dorm room.
Coming back from the grocery store, Alfred opened the door and Matthew followed back in. "Honey I'm home!" Alfred yelled after he saw Ivan's car in the driveway, always loving the kitschy attitude that that had.
"I'm in here dorogoy" Ivan said from the kitchen as Alfred entered with Matthew behind him starting to put away some of the groceries. Ivan smiled and looked at Matthew, "So how did the interview go?"
"Seemed to go okay. It was a friend of Papa's who was the manager." Matthew said.
"Well that must play in your favor..." Ivan said pleasantly as he thought to himself, And I put a little birdie into your papa's head to talk him into giving you that job.
"Maybe." Matthew said as he pulled a glass down from the cupboard and poured himself a glass of water. "He did seem to like me and said my resume was good. Was looking to do a total shake up of the staff at the station to make things more interesting for younger viewers."
"Don't tell me he's going to be one of those 'How do you do fellow kids' types?" Alfred said as he opened a can of coke.
"Seemed to have more sense than that. He did seem rather mad his brother got a job on the cable circuit. And not because of competition but because of his brotherly feelings." Matthew explained. " Said I had a good face and trustworthy voice and may put me in the running for the replacement for his brother Ludwig." With this Katyusha squealed, causing Alfred and Ivan to wince in the pitch but then smiled at her with that joy.
"Oh my dearest Matvey being the local news anchor. I would be the luckiest wife ever." Katyusha said kissing him on the cheek, causing Matthew to blush. Alfred and Ivan looked away sniggering, kind of embarrassed but kind of happy for them.
"It's just the local news." Alfred said quietly to Ivan rolling his eyes.
"Just let her have this. Sure, he will not likely get the top job there but I have a good feeling that if Gilbert likes Matthew enough he will get it." Ivan smiled.
"Mattie never said which friend of Papa's he was interviewed by..."Alfred said turning to Ivan with his eyebrow raised in curiosity. "You don't watch that channel's news too much so not like you would have heard the station manager's name there?"
Ivan looked around, seeing that Alfred sensed something was up. Alfred tapped his foot, causing Ivan to sigh. "I saw the name he texted Katyusha."
"So the only thing you did was spy on your sister's phone?" Alfred said.
Damn! Fredka can read me like a book on this issue! Ivan thought as he noticed Alfred's face. "I saw the name, then knowing he was friends with Francis and called him into talking Gilbert into offering the job."
Alfred sighed and took Ivan into a corner. "Well, we just won't tell Matt about that. I'd wreck his self confidence to think that his brother-in-law begged his papa to beg his friend for a job."
Ivan looked down in shame. "I am sorry Fredka. I wanted to help him and Katyusha..."
"No, not mad at you for that at all. It's great you want to help him. I would have done something to help him too, maybe more direct than that but yeah, points for wanting to help him." Alfred said, looking into Ivan's eyes with a smile. "Just, don't tell him."
"What if your papa tells him?" Ivan asked.
"Say he's blaming it on you to cover up his idea and that you were just telling him how he was doing." Alfred smiled. "That's not a total lie. But only if it comes out."
"Deal." Ivan said as he walked out of the kitchen taking Alfred's hand with him. With his sister's thoughts on the matter in mind and the fact Alfred had mentioned the idea before, he figured it would be a good idea to actually discuss his idea a little more. "So," Ivan began.
"So what big guy?" Alfred asked looking at him.
"Well, you did mention the adopting idea earlier a few days ago..." Ivan blushed looking away. This was something he knew would be a big step for them and would take a lot of patience stress and work. As big and imposing as he looked, he was rather kind hearted deep down and didn't know just what to do about the idea of having a family of their own. The idea of merely being an uncle was intimidating to him. But then there was the fact he wasn't the kid's parent, just a family member who could spoil him when the parents would not.
"Yeah about that..." Alfred said, suddenly becoming nervous now that he and Ivan were seriously sitting down talking about it, it kind of seemed like a bad idea or something they should wait on. "Maybe we could wait till Katy has the baby, see how good we do with a kid we can give back because I don't know how to handle all that baby stuff..."
"Well speaking of Katyusha, she did mention that there were orphanages in Russia that were full of kids who need a good home..." Ivan said as Alfred looked away. "Look we do not need to have this discussion now..."
"Well I kind of do want to open it up." Alfred gulped. "I mean I tried to call my dad to ask how it was he and Papa came to the brilliant idea of adopting Mattie and I, but I think Papa talked him into something with a late night and a lot of wine again so he couldn't talk much, all he said was to talk to you."
"I do remember when I called Francis, I heard your dad say 'sot off wanker' in the background." Ivan said. "All I am certain of right now is-" At this a techno song from the early 2000s started to play on Ivan's phone. "-Natalya is calling."
"Is that 'Around the World by ATC'? That song that was huge in like 2000?" Alfred asked, remember hearing it on the radio as a kid.
"Yeah. Natalya did a dance routine to it when she was in first grade for the talent show. That's why I picked that for her ringtone." Ivan explained as he answered it "She was big on bands like that, Britney Spears, those types at that age." Alfred's mouth dropped. "Privyet Natalya," Ivan stood up and headed into the corner to talk to his younger sister.
I cannot imagine that freaking witch as a 6 year old girl dancing to that song. Just what the hell? How did that become that? Alfred thought as he looked over the back of the couch at Ivan who was talking with Natalya on the phone. "Really?" He heard Ivan say.
"Da big brother. I will be visiting Lithuania with Toris over the holidays and we will be leaving out when the semester ends in about two weeks. We will not be back until the New Year. So unfortunately I will have to miss sharing Christmas with you. Oh and Toris says hello to you and Alfred and thanks you for your hospitality despite not knowing that he was coming. He would not give me confirmation until it was so late." Natalya said.
"Well we will certainly miss you." Ivan said earnestly.
"Well I must study some more. Finals are soon and I wish to do well. I just thought I should inform you of this arrangement." Natalya said.
"Well study hard." Ivan said.
"I will. Goodnight big brother."
"Goodnight Natalya." Ivan said hanging up and heading over to where Alfred was. "Well, Natalya won't be joining us for Christmas. She's going to Lithuania with her new boyfriend."
Yes! My Christmas came very early this year! Alfred thought as he put on a sympathetic face for Ivan, "What a shame. Well I think Toris is a good enough guy. Seems kind of scared of her actually. But if he makes her happy, then I guess that is enough."
"I guess you are correct Fredka." Ivan sighed. "I will miss her on that holiday."
"Isn't Epiphany like January 7th? If she can sneak away from school then then we could have a good ol fashioned Russian Christmas then." Alfred suggested. Shit! Did you just offer that? Well it will make Vanya happy but damn...Way to screw yourself Braginsky-Jones...
"That is right Fredka!" Ivan said as he hugged Alfred close and kissed him. "I can't believe I forgot about that. And we'd have Matthew and Katyusha over too! You're so smart."
"Yeah that I am..."Alfred said rolling his eyes.
"And it is that reason I think you'd be a good dad." Ivan smiled kissing him on the forehead.
"Don't put yourself down. You're good with your family," Alfred said Even if I want to throttle your sister.
"So are you. If I had parents like yours, I would have gone insane."
"How do you know I'm not?" Alfred teased. I must certainly be if I suggested the Epiphany thing...
"I know you too well." Ivan winked as he kissed him. "I love you."
"Love you too big guy." Alfred said.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. ATC was a Russian band and in 2000 their song "Around the World" that la la la la song and figured it would be something fun for a kid Natalya to have in her closet. Now will anyone use that against her when she acts like a jerk to others? Certainly would be embarrassing if you have a front like hers. Anyway, remember to read, well you just did, and to review. Ciao for now,
otherrealmwriter
aka
Realm