Chapter 14: Stolen
Word Count: 8,142
Two chapters posted. Go read 13 if you haven't.
Alfred jolted where he lay, his muscles were still tense, almost remembering the feeling of the cold, a heavy weight all across his body, but he would be buried in snow right? Wait... it was actually pretty warm and he was facing up. Blinking his eyes open, he was glad that his glasses were still on. He was looking up at a ceiling. But he'd been in the middle of no where. What if his government found him, or even any of the nations? They were surely on alert now. Shit, no! He couldn't be caught, not until he found Ivan! Blankets were holding him back, smothering him. He instantly started struggling with them, trying not to tear them, no he wanted them, he was still cold. He was starting to get out when he heard, "Alfredka?" Alfred froze and looked over to the side to see Ivan grinning at him with such a happy toothy grin.
Staring with his mouth agape Alfred couldn't even believe what he was seeing. Here Ivan was, who he had been so frantically searching for and the other was smiling with the most cheerful look Alfred had ever seen on the others face. Sitting up despite his body's stiffs muscles protest, he was fully healed, but he had probably been laying in the same position for much too long. The blanket that had been much too tightly wrapped around him fell off easily and he cursed himself for his blind struggling a moment ago. Ivan ran up to him before flinging his arms around Alfred, burying his face in Alfred's chest. Letting out a breath at the tackle Alfred laughed and wrapped his arms back around the other, nuzzling into his head. "Man, I'm so glad to see you! I've been looking for you! But what happened to you?"
Ivan looked up at him, giving him a funny look. "Ah, shit right. I forgot..." Alfred smiled but leaned forward and caught the others lips in a kiss, he had missed the other so much and here he was, safe. That was all that mattered. Ivan yelped, drawing back with a deep blush. Alfred frowned, especially when Ivan stepped out of his arms, but Alfred let him, though feeling a bit hurt at the small rejection. The smaller nation looked at Alfred, still blushing and said something. Alfred blinked, he didn't recognize the language. "Ivan... I can't understand you..." Ivan frowned and spoke again. Alfred stiffened when he heard some things that were familiar, he didn't know it, but something about it was familiar enough about it. "Russian... but how did you..."
"You are one of the nations, yes?" Alfred blinked, looking up at the heavily accented voice, definitely Russian. Well, at least he wasn't back in America... hopefully. The man didn't look like any Russian humans in the government that he recognized.
Looking back at Ivan's flushed face Alfred smiled, that was why he pulled back! Ivan had this weird thing against public shows of affection. That was okay, it was okay. Ivan seemed to realize his face was heated and pulled his scarf up to his nose, looking away before Alfred met the other mans eyes. Why were Russian's so fucking big? "Yeah, I am. Who are you? Some sort of government official?"
"No." The man shook his head, smiling a bit like the idea amused him.
Alfred narrowed his eyes. "Mafia?"
"Correct." The man sat down, a very respectable distance away, probably to show he meant no harm. Then again, only an idiot would challenge an immortal. "American?"
"Yeah. You know I've kind of been looking for Russia here."
"I have noticed. Your... actions have been noted."
By the tone Alfred could tell it wasn't in a good way either. Alfred shrugged. "So what, did you teach him Russian?"
"He knew some when he came here. Enough so that I could communicate that we meant no harm. Mostly he spoke something different, but that faded quickly. What are your wants towards him?"
"You're the one who kidnapped him! I know I'm not the best to help Russia of all people, but he's still one of my own kind and your men taking him was a threat."
"This is all big miscommunication. When I found out my men had found him I fixed things."
"And what exactly were your men going to do to him?" Alfred's eyes darkened at the thought and his smile falling at the very thought.
The man seemed to pick up that it was wise not to answer that question, even if it would annoy Alfred, it was probably better then the truth. "We have been hospitable, I have spoken to Russia before couple times. He has understood miscommunication, we help him to make up for it."
"Help him?" Alfred snorted, "Yeah, like I'm going to buy that."
The man raised an eyebrow, and Alfred could almost feel the aura of 'I don't have to humor you' coming off the man, but it died soon. He had probably seen the kiss and picked up that something intimate was going on between them, and that did give Alfred weight with Ivan, and in turn the man. Not that Alfred wanted anything to do with him after this. "When he asked, we got you."
Alfred blinked, looking over at Ivan, who seemed bored and was looking at Alfred with unconcealed want. The blond smiled as Ivan jumped and looked away instantly, the cute staring distracted him for a moment, but only a moment. Ivan had asked for the Mafia to find him? Probably wanting them to be back. Alfred felt his heart swell in joy at the thought. They had both been looking for each other in their own ways it seemed. For them to find him in the snow... even if they questioned the people who had put him there... Russia looked the same in the snow, it would have taken a long time and a lot of man power to pull something like that off. The effort was not lost on Alfred. He looked back at the man. "Well, in that case I won't kill you." Alfred smiled, he could. The other could probably pull a gun and it wouldn't make a difference, not unless the other caught him off guard. "However, considering I think I know what your men were going to do to him I am going to hold you responsible for that."
"You destroyed one building of mine and a good, high member. You are in our dept."
Alfred hummed, standing up and stretching, he was actually impressed that the other didn't move at the movement. Relaxing with a sigh he smiled at the man. "Alright, how about this." Alfred reached into his pocket. This time the Mafia head did tense visibly, but Alfred just pulled out his wallet, shifting through it before pulling out a card. "Now." Putting his wallet back, he held the card between his fingers so the other could see it. "This credit card is in my name. I'll give you the pin. It's pretty much like unlimited cash. Of course, I'm going to cut it off in ah... let's say a week. Only thing I want to do is walk out of here with Russia. That's it. I'm not going to do anything to him so you don't have to worry about your country," if the other even cared, but Alfred wouldn't question that loyalty, he didn't know the other that well. "and I will never bug you guys again if you don't do anything like this again."
The man seemed suspicious, but Alfred just smiled, "You are not suspicious I just take it and ignore your demands?"
"Well, I figure your smarter then that. Sure you found me in the snow and pulled me out. But I would have pushed myself out before the day was done. So I think you know, you don't try and cross us." Alfred smiled a bit. "You've pushed yourself close already."
"I did nothing."
"Like I said, I'm going to hold you responsible for whatever could have happened. But, if you take the card, we'll call it even."
There was silence in the room for several minutes before the man paused. "How do I know that card or the pin will work?"
"I don't lie often, so I'll say this once: The pin will work." The man nodded in agreement. "Great!" Alfred put the card down on the table he had been sleeping on - no wonder he was sore as he repeated the pin, knowing the other would be able to memorize it at least long enough to put it down. "Ivan, come on." The other perked up a bit at his name from Alfred, walking up to the other. Alfred smiled, entwining their fingers, loving the large blush that spread across his face, he was just so cute! Alfred pulled him out of the room, they could have their reunion later. Alfred didn't bother looking back. He still had some rubles on him and he wanted a couple more days with Ivan at least, after all this.
Ivan couldn't help the blush that didn't seem to leave, Alfred was still holding his hand and leading him around. Why did the other have to display their relationship so openly? It was embarrassing, what did others think? Would they hurt Alfred for it? Ivan smiled, Alfred. He tightened his fingers around the others. He had his blond back, and the other wasn't hurt! Ivan had gone into a fit of worry when Alfred came in looking so dead, frozen cold. He had wanted to cry. Instead he went to pray in the room he had been given. It wasn't church, but he didn't know if there was a church in this demonic world or not and he had not bothered asking.
To his relief Alfred was not dead forever and he had woken up looking so lively! Alfred talked to somebody in a small room before pulling him back out into the cold air again. Ivan had picked up without any words from Alfred that this was a time to be quiet. He nearly stumbled a couple times keeping up with the other in the very long jacket - he knew it was too big on him, but he loved it! It held his journal and other things, there were so many pockets he could use, and it was very nice fabric that was warm. Soon Alfred was opening a door and they were inside a nice warm room, door closing behind them.
Alfred turned to him instantly and hugged Ivan instantly, head burying in his shoulder. Ivan startled but calmed and smiled happily, wrapping his arms around Alfred's neck, sighing in content as he breathed in the others scent and was surrounded by the strong warm embrace. He could feel Alfred himself relax into his grip and couldn't help but smile a bit, running his hand through soft blond hair. "I missed you too Alfred." Ivan heard Alfred mutter some nonsense into his shoulder before his lips moved to brush against Ivan's throat, making him groan out instantly, weakening in the others grip, but he pressed further into the other. "Yes... please."
Ivan laid on Alfred's stomach, fingering the small little scar above the others heart, near his shoulder. Alfred was doing something on a little demon thing. It was aggravating that Alfred was paying attention to it more then Ivan, but he smiled despite the thought, resting his head back onto the warm chest, listening to the heartbeat and breathing of the other. He was still pretty sore from their sex, even after a small nap, but he still felt very happy with how things were. "You are very adorable. Especially when you get excited over showing me new things." Ivan looked over at the blond. They had figured out that, for some reason they couldn't understand each other anymore. Alfred glanced at him, but looked at the screen. Ivan followed his gaze to see the man who he would apparently meet when he was older on the screen, he had gotten him Alfred back and Ivan was glad that it was somebody nice. He seemed to be unhappy, a deep scowl on his face.
Alfred chuckled at something, turning off the 'television' and leaned forward so that they kissed again. The blond pulled back first, muttering something. "I have run out of things to say to you while you do not know what I am saying something... why do you not speak right?" The blond just sighed, but gave a smile before rolling over. Ivan fell to his side before squirming around a bit before laying on his stomach, putting his head on his arms with a smile, it faded as Alfred started getting up. Ivan shot out and wrapped his arms around Alfred's waist. "No! You cannot go, I cannot lose you again." Even if it had been such a short time, Ivan had been so sad and lost without the blond. He was becoming very attached to Alfred, but he didn't feel any worry that the other would hurt him. They were married in this time after all. He felt hands grip his wrists and start to pull him away.
He hated how much stronger Alfred was compared to him sometimes. Panicking, he wrapped his arms around the other and refused to let go of Alfred willingly. "Ivan, Ivan no!"
"Yes!" Ivan said, he still remembered some English.
Alfred sighed heavily, seeming to give up and just fall face first into the bed. Ivan got his arms and feet out from being crushed, making a happy sound as he laid down comfortably across the others back, though he missed the blankets that had been over him. Making a happy sound at the other submitting he nuzzled into Alfred's shoulder blade. "Ivan, I've got to go and get food for us."
"Food?" Ivan asked, hearing his stomach growl, he looked around a bit before looking at Alfred, trying to remember the question before, "Where?"
"I have to go and get it." Ivan stared blankly at Alfred, tilting his head as the other stopped talking. The language barrier was still something new they were trying to work past. Alfred pointed towards the door.
Ivan's eyes went wide and he shook his head, gripping onto Alfred. "Nyet!" Ah... what was the word, what was the word? "Mine." Yes, he was sure that meant for Alfred to stay with him.
"Ivan, get off me!"
Yes, the language barrier was a problem. Ivan just smiled and wrapped his arms around Alfred's neck, leaning into him to emphasize that Alfred was not going to leave the bed any time soon. Alfred got up on all fours. Ivan let out a small sound, and moved so he wouldn't fall off. Alfred once again fell onto the bed. Alfred picked up something that Ivan recognized as a phone, it was one plugged into the wall like his older self had. Alfred pressed a couple buttons before turning under Ivan and putting the phone to his ear and mouth. Ivan blinked at the other as it was answered. "Hello?"
Ivan blinked down at Alfred, at least this person he could talk to. "Ah... I think I want to ask about food." There was a long pause, probably because Ivan sounded uncertain himself what he was doing.
"I am sorry, we do not offer room service."
What was that exactly? Room service... did they mean food? It sounded like something different. "Well... alright. Goodbye." Ivan hung up the phone. Alfred looked up at him hopefully. Ivan shook his head. "No food." Alfred's smile turned to a pout quickly and he sighed, putting his hand on Ivan's hips and moving him off of him. Ivan was about to protest as he was pushed onto the bed, but watched as Alfred turned and leaned over the bed, looking through the drawer for something. Well... the other wasn't getting out of bed, and it was actually nice to look at the other like this, he didn't get to see Alfred's bare back and ass very often, usually just the front. It was actually very nice. He wondered what it would feel like if he did the same things to Alfred that the other nation did to him. It probably felt very good, considering the others reactions.
The blond made a small noise of triumph, interrupting such thoughts as the taller pulled back and sat up with a strange book, handing it to Ivan. After a blank stare Alfred elaborated a bit, flipping the pages and saying, "Food." Oh... so this book would have information about food? Or maybe make it magically appear? That seemed how things happened in this world anyway. Ivan looked through the pages, he didn't understand this book, but eventually he found lots of pages that had 'food' in the name, though he didn't recognize any of the names. Pointing to one at random, Alfred was able to get the magical device to work.
The person on the other end was kind and patient with him, which he was thankful for since he had no idea what most the food was. But he finally got some food, then he read off what Alfred had written down when they asked for his address, he just assumed what Alfred passed him was it. After handing the phone back Ivan sighed, having the language everybody around him spoke was not as helpful as he thought it would be. Without Alfred explaining things he could feel a headache coming on from doing something as simple as telling another to get food. That seemed like something that should not have taken as long as it did.
Laying back down on Alfred's chest, Ivan pouted a bit, he wished he could talk to the other, he missed their conversations. It had been a long last few days, and it was apparent it had been for Alfred. The other had rings under his eyes that showed he hadn't truly slept, perhaps since Ivan left. It touched him that the other would be so upset that they were separated he would lose sleep. Smiling as he looked at Alfred, leaning forward and kissed the others cheek. The wide smile that split Alfred's face filled him with a certain kind of warmth and he rested his chin back down on the others chest, smiling at him. It seemed like he would never be cold again, in the others arms, inside or out. It was a nice feeling.
Alfred leaned forward and kissed his lips firmly, but the kiss didn't last long, the taller pulling away. Ivan chuckled and leaned forward to place a couple kiss along Alfred's neck before he felt the arms around him tighten. Ivan wanted to keep going, maybe even have sex again, but he pulled back and smiled at Alfred, chuckling at the other's lips being pursed together.
The blond leaned forward, probably for another kiss, but Ivan put his hand to the others mouth, getting a confused look from bright blue eyes. Ivan moved his hand to press his thumb carefully under Alfred's eye, "You tired."
Alfred blinked and smiled with a chuckle, only tightening his grip around Ivan, drawling him in closer and pressing a kiss to him. Ivan leaned into the kiss, closing his eyes and just enjoying the feeling of Alfred's body against his. However, when it became clear that Alfred wasn't listening to him - Ivan was sure he had told Alfred that he should sleep, and he was positive he hadn't said anything about about having sex again. He didn't even know the word for sex in English so he knew that he hadn't said it. The warm blond wrapped his arms around Ivan. Pulling his lips away to catch his breath a moment, he narrowed his eyes when Alfred leaned forward, probably going to start sucking on his neck.
Ivan smacked Alfred on top of his head, earning a strange yelping sound from the blond, but the other pulled back slightly with a pout, "I don't wanna sleep!" Alfred said, though he couldn't understand, Ivan could guess what he was saying.
Ivan sat up, huffing and pointing to the bed they were on. "Sleep!" Alfred continued looking at him with pursed lips, shaking his head in the negative before getting a smirk as he reached forward again. Ivan considered giving in, after all, sex with Alfred had become very nice, the first time it had hurt a lot and he had trouble walking, but now it was nowhere near that painful. No, it had become quiet pleasant and he wouldn't mind doing it again.
The problem was he knew Alfred needed sleep, he had been yawning ever since Ivan had woken him up - on accident of course. But his husband was obviously avoiding sleep like it was some harsh disease, perhaps this was normal, though when he had slept next to Alfred before it seemed that the other slept for a long time normally. Alfred wrapped his arms around Ivan, pulling him back. Squirming a bit, Ivan sighed heavily, grabbing Alfred's wrists and pulling them off, but brought between their chests, kissing one of the knuckles, "I really wish you would listen to me. You need to sleep." He said gently, smiling up at the confused expression, he knew that Alfred would be trying to figure out what he said.
Still holding the others wrists, Ivan pressed a rough kiss to Alfred's lips, who returned it quiet quickly. Ivan felt Alfred's hands rotate a bit in his grasp, but refused to let go; he was glad that Alfred didn't pull them away, for he was sure that the other could if he had wanted to. It was hard to hold them anyway with one hand, so it was a nice feeling, knowing Alfred wasn't pulling away because Ivan didn't want him to.
However after a couple seconds when Alfred felt fabric around his wrists he seemed to catch on and pulled back from the kiss, then starting to pull his hands away. Ivan rolled on top of the other to use hi weight to stop Alfred from moving so much, though he did disconnect their lips. "Ivan, damn it, no."
"Yes." Ivan said, tightening the scarf around Alfred's wrists. Alfred pouted at him before looking at the scarf. Ivan moved his hand to Ivan's chin and made Alfred look at him. "Nice." Ivan growled before touching the scarf and repeating the word, "Nice." If Alfred tore his scarf he would be very angry.
Alfred just sighed heavily and slumped into the bed in defeat, which made Ivan smile and reach his hand up to pet Alfred's hair. "Sleep." Ivan told him.
"You just love tying me up, don't you?" Alfred muttered. Ivan tilted his head, but he didn't even try understanding the words he didn't understand... Oh wait, love! He knew what that meant!
Ivan grinned and hugged the other, nuzzling into the warm chest, "Yes. I love Alfred!"
"That's not... Wait, you love me?"
"Yes!" Finally, phrases he could understand!
Alfred's conjoined hands rested on Ivan's neck, which made him startle, but the fabric of the scarf separating skin thankfully dulled the arising factor quiet a bit. He smiled and looked up at Alfred when he felt fingers rubbing his scalp, probably unable to properly run fingers through his hair, but... It was nice. His beautiful blond smiled down at him softly, leaning forward a bit awkwardly to place a single quick kiss on Ivan's forehead before falling back to lay on the bed completely. Ivan chuckled at the silly but endearing act. "I don't know if you understood that correctly. But I think... I'm actually feeling the same."
Ivan tilted his head, not understanding the somewhat forlorn expression on the others face. He would give anything to know more English then he did, or anything. Scooting up close to Alfred, the other's arms still wrapped around him, Ivan kissed the others cheek and wrapped his arms around Alfred's neck. "Sleep." He muttered again, a bit quieter as he closed his own eyes. He wasn't too tired, but another nap while laying on Alfred like this couldn't hurt and it was just so comfortable.
A loud sound startled him awake, making him nearly jump but something warm was keeping him close. Ivan quickly remembered falling asleep on top of Alfred. The blond grumbled angrily, rolling to his side and taking Ivan with him. Ivan squirmed a bit to try and get comfortable again, Alfred didn't bother even opening his eyes. A second loud knock sounded, making Ivan realize somebody was outside their door.
"O-One moment!" Ivan called. He couldn't imagine what would happen if anybody saw them like this. That would indeed be terrible. Squirming his way out of Alfred's grip despite the fact it tightened to hold him in place, Ivan sat up. He quickly tugged the scarf off of Alfred's wrists and back around his neck where it belonged before getting off the bed. He winced slightly at the feeling, but it wasn't nearly as bad as that first time.
Pulling on his coat and deciding to forgo pants anyway, he quickly buttoned it up, looking over at Alfred who was now laying on his stomach, arms stretched out as if enjoying their new freedom. Smiling, Ivan walked over and pulled the blankets up to cover Alfred's entire body, only leaving some of the blond hair sticking out. Another knock sounded. "I am coming." Ivan said, walking over to the door and opening it. An unfamiliar person stood outside with a couple small bags made of paper. Ivan blinked at them, "Yes?"
"Oh... wow. Hi, did you order some delivery?" The human looked him up and down, but Ivan couldn't blame him, the coat he was wearing was quiet large on him, it probably looked funny. But he liked it.
Delivery? Oh! "Food? Yes, I used the demon to get some. You have it then?"
The male human gave him a strange look, "Um... Yeah, here you go." He held out the bags and Ivan took them happily. There were quite a few, but he remembered how much Alfred usually ate so he had made sure to order a lot. Ivan was about to close the door when the man said, "That will be two thousand rubles." ((2,000 rubles is about 63.96 US dollars))
Ivan's first question would have been what a rubles was, but then he realized that the other must have been asking for money. "Oh yes... Just a moment." Ivan muttered, walking over and putting the bags down on the nice table that was in the room. Thinking a moment he went to Alfred's trousers and searched through the pockets. He was sure that Alfred had taken things out of his pocket that got them food. He brightened when he pulled some of what he recognized out. He hoped he had enough In his hand. Two thousand sounded like a lot, and for food? Well at least he knew that him and Alfred were rich in the future.
Standing back up and going to the door quickly, he handed what he hoped was money over. The human counted it out and even gave him some back, which made him glad he had enough honestly, though a little stupid for not knowing that he had extra. Well, he still had a lot to learn. "Thank you." Ivan smiled, closing the door once he'd gotten the money back.
Walking to the pants on the floor, he pushed the rest into Alfred's pockets. Standing up, he looked over to the other who was still sound asleep. Chuckling lightly and reflecting how hard it must have been to wake Alfred up when he was so tired.
Walking to the table Ivan scrunched his nose up at the smell, not really feeling hungry in the least. Hm, he had been hungry earlier. Shrugging that off, Ivan decided to wait a little for his body to wake up to see if he'd be hungry then. Unwrapping his scarf, he walked to the bathing room. He used the strange looking chamber pot before placing his coat and scarf on the floor before stepping into the 'shower'. While he was staying with the humans the last few days they had been kind enough to show what things to turn for different reactions.
It was interesting really. It reminded him somewhat of any animal, you pet them or told them a certain command and they would react accourdingly. It was nice to learn that not all the demons just had one master they listened to. Turning on the water, Ivan smiled and sat down, plugging it up and waiting for it to fill with warm water completely. It was nice to have bathes so easily and all the time! Not even any royals he knew had taken baths in such a short time span then he had in the last couple days. But he enjoyed taking advantage of this new world's luxuries. It also helped because he didn't know how he would feel if he had to walk around with... Well... Ivan blushed a bit at the reminder as he shifted. He couldn't imagine getting that cleaned out if not for a decent bath. There had to be some easier way to do it though. He'd have to ask Alfred once they could understand each other again.
Once the bath was full, Ivan leaned forward to turn off the water and leaned back again, sighing at just how warm it was. He remembered being scared and confused, and while he was still confused about some things, he found that there were quite a few pleasant things in the world. Alfred aside of course, since he had always been a very pleasant thing in this time.
The food coming without need to hunt in the snow, places much warmer with new plants, and warm water and light at the simple command of it. Yes, this world had some good things in it after all.
Finishing with bathing after the water started turning cool, he unplugged the drain, drying off and dressing before going back to the main room. The smell of food was not nearly as overwhelming as he remembered. Glancing over at the table, he actually saw that there was no more food left. Tilting his head, he looked over at the bed to see the lump of covers in the quickly growing darkness.
Did Alfred eat with his hands still tied together? A stab of guilt surfaced in him at the thought. He had just wanted Alfred to hold still and stay in bed so he could go and bathe... and so the other didn't run off. But he did not mean for it to hinder the other from eating.
Well, Alfred had not seemed to have too much trouble since it was all gone in such a short amount of time. Ivan thought about the fact he hadn't had anything, but thinking about eating anything, even his favorite food made him feel slightly nauseous. Perhaps he was becoming sick? That could not bode well.
Climbing into the bed, he noticed that the scarf he used to tie Alfred's hands together was folded neatly on the table next to the bed. Huffing slightly and wondering how Alfred had gotten out, Ivan leaned over carefully, trying not to wake Alfred up who was breathing deeply. The other muttered and turned his head when Ivan leaned over him, but quickly fell back into what seemed like a deep sleep.
Pulling the scarf off the table, he sat back and wrapped the scarf around his neck where it belonged before laying down in the bed himself, closing his eyes. It had been a long day, even with the nap he had taken earlier, he was ready to sleep until morning.
Unfortunately, he did not sleep through the night. A sharp, abrupt pain roused him from his peaceful sleep. He expected some sort of attack and struck out, though his air moved through air until it came down on somebody who was resting beside him. He knew that was Alfred, but did not pay that thought much mind as he flailed until he fell off the bed itself.
Alfred sat up, grabbing his glasses and pushing them on before sitting up quickly and looking around. A sharp cry of pain brought his attention to the opposite side of the bed. "Ivan!" It seemed that the moment something was fixed, something else was threatening Ivan.
Scrambling out of the bed and from under the blankets, he made his way to the floor, careful not to land on Ivan. There was nobody else around as far as Alfred could see, but Ivan was curled up around himself, letting out another pained sound. Something was obviously wrong. Alfred sat Ivan up a bit, "Ivan, what is it? Are you hurt?"
"Yes!" Ivan snapped before crying out again and struggling in Alfred's hold. He didn't let go of the smaller though.
"Where? Ivan, Where is the pain?" The only reason Alfred could think that something was happening so suddenly was something to do with the others nation. The country would feel it usually before anybody else really knew about it.
"All..." Ivan managed to think up the word after a little.
"All... you mean everywhere?" Ivan just hissed and tried kicking out. The kick to the stomach was quite unpleasant despite Ivan's current lack of strength. There was no way a country could hurt everywhere, unless their capital was destroyed. And well... they were in the capital currently, Alfred was pretty sure he would have noticed if the buildings around them were suddenly to the ground. He looked around him just to be sure, yeah, the hotel was still there.
Well then, that wasn't it, but Ivan did know what "where" meant, so he could have pointed, but he had said all, which was not everything, but it was pretty damn close. Wait... Younger Ivan was around five foot three, and older Ivan was nearly six foot. Ivan did sign something that made him represent Russia as it was today, and so of course he'd have to grow... actually that explained the sudden change of language and why he still remembered some english.
Ivan would have to grow though... and a lot. Countries didn't just age slowly either. Alfred remembered when he grew several feet in a few minutes. It had been the most painful thing he had experienced to this day, in all honestly. It usually didn't happen that fast but no more than a week. It was still always painful. Especially since most were not used to their immortal bodies suddenly changing.
There was no helping it, no pain killers, drugs or any sort of anything that could get the pain to vanish. It was just something that had to happen. Ivan would be alright, in a few hours to a week of hot, burning pain of growing he would be okay.
Alfred paused, watching as Ivan seemed to get a minute of reprieve, which sometimes did happen, he was already in tears though, and rightfully so. Nations growing didn't happen too often, but no torture could compare to it. Ivan did grow up to be a large nation... but not now. His people were not stereotypically this tall, not his actual people in whatever stone age year it was.
Ivan was going to have to go back to his own time eventually. As much as Alfred knew he was trying to keep this Ivan here permanently before that... He always knew that the other would have to go back to his timeline. Time was serious business after all and it would always need to be corrected. There was no point in Ivan going through this sort of pain. Not now. Hell, it could be another several hundred years before he would have to.
Releasing Ivan, he tried to ignore the others cries and shouts, hoping that the people around them in the hotel rooms did not come banging on their door or calling the police. Rushing around, Alfred got dressed into his clothes and reached for the phone, dialing a number he knew well, not even thinking about what time it might be, just praying to every god his people believed in that there would be an answer.
"Hello?"
"Yes! Arite! Um okay, so this is not a time to say that you were right."
"... Is that Russia in the background? What the hell are you doing to him?!"
"Hey! I didn't do that! He's growing cause his bodies trying to represent this time period."
"What? Damn it Alfred I told you something like this would happen! I told you but you didn't bother listening, always have to do your own thing-"
"Yeah, yeah, can we skip the speech? Look, I need to send him back to his own time okay! You were right, lecture me later."
A heavy sigh resided from Arthur's end, "Yes, I suppose you're right. How quickly is it going?"
"Well in the last two minutes he hasn't grown any at all... so um... that's a good sign."
"Just get him over here. You can manage that, right?"
"Yeah... I'll try and get there soon. You're in England?"
"Yes... well... I'll try catching a plane to the closest Russian city I can get to from here, but you find a way to get there!"
"Got it... so that'd be um... What city?"
"Oh for- You know what? Just met me in London. So much for trying to help you out with the distance. You should learn your geography better!"
"Got it! See you soon Artie!" Alfred said quickly, hanging up the phone and ignoring the lecture. He had to find an airplane to steal with a writhing Ivan to carry with him. He just wished there was some other way he could think of to help the other that could be quicker.
It wasn't easy, finding a plane that had been fueled up to steal, especially since he had to get through some barbed wire fences and security, but he wasn't a nation for nothing. It was carrying Ivan while doing this that was difficult. Alfred had to gag the other, just to stop from gathering too much attention. Ivan seemed to understand little, and it wasn't like Alfred could explain.
He doubted any English teachers had taught him 'we're going to steal an airplane to get you back to your own time'. Ivan wouldn't even know what an airplane was, other language or not. But the other did seem to get they were sneaking around, so he just gripped onto Alfred painfully instead of flailing around to attract attention.
But he did finally find a plane that would make the journey. And after knocking both the pilots out and leaving them outside, Alfred left Ivan in one of the seats close to the cockpit and took off before any of the other Russians could really get it together that they needed to stop him.
It wasn't that hard really. It was the flight to England that was difficult, he couldn't leave the controls by themselves, and obviously he didn't have a co-polite.
Besides flying being the fastest way to make things alright, there wasn't much comfort. It annoyed him that he couldn't keep Ivan longer, but... letting him go back was better than this.
Alfred picked Ivan up carefully, the other was out of it, clearly in one of those short segments where the pain died down. He hadn't seemed to grow any, just a small amount in the last several hours if anything. Still, the feeling of picking Ivan up and the other being so limp with exhaustion and pain still showing across his face was enough to steal Alfred's decision to do this.
He had landed the plane in an airport, and there were going to be English soldiers or at least guards outside soon since the plane wasn't suppose to land there. At least they hadn't shot it down. That would just make things so much worse. All the governments in the word were probably looking for him after he gave his own boss and the Russians the slip. It wouldn't do for him to die in a plane crash now and then haul his dead body off before he could wake up and take Ivan back to Russia.
When did things get so complicated?
Opening the door, Alfred held onto Ivan tightly before jumping. The last airport he had had the pleasantries of stairs, but he had purposely landed as far from the airport as possible to give himself time to get out before people started shooting at him. He stumbled when he hit the ground, but he had fallen at much greater heights. While it stung and made him want to drop to his knees, it didn't damage him.
So, of course, he ran, not even bothering to stop to get into a car. England wasn't big, not compared to his country. Even with Ivan in his arms, it would be a short trip to Arthur's house, and it made staying away from cops easier, once he got going.
It was little less than ten minutes from the London airport to Englands. He came to a halt when he reached the door, kicking at the door since Ivan was still in them, who was now crying, though just whimpering every once in awhile. Seemed like his voice was hoarse. The door didn't open fast enough for his liking, so he just kicked it down before walking inside.
"You bloody wanker! How many times have I told you not to kick the door down! You could have waited ten fucking seconds!" Arthur shouted.
"Arthur, great man, ah, you're going to help right? I'll totally pay for the door and stuff... I'm just kind of in a hurry."
"Yes, I saw your entrance on the Television. You know, when I said if you could get here, I meant if you could get here without attraction so much attention!"
"Again, can we just do the lecture later?"
"Yes, yes, alright." Arthur muttered, looking down at Ivan with a sigh, turning and walking away, clearly expecting Alfred to follow, which he did, "Though this would have all been easier if you had just listened to your boss. Technically I'm suppose to call up my boss if I know you're here! You're lucky you're related to me! Though I wouldn't be surprised if they came asking me after that landing."
"I couldn't just leave! Ivan was kidnapped, I couldn't go off to America and wait until his government figured it out! It's corrupted anyway."
Arthur huffed, opening the door to the basement and descending into it. Alfred recognized it as a place that Arthur was always doing weird stuff. "You always think it's corrupted." Arthur turned to look at him once they were downstairs. "Now, set him in the middle of the pentagram."
Alfred hesitated, looking at the strange circle that looked like it was drawn in blood. "Um okay... you're not going to turn him into a pig or anything, are you?"
"Of course not! I'm trying to help! Whether you choose to believe it or not, the world does need Russia!"
"I know that!" Alfred pouted at the accusation, moving and kneeling down at the circle, looking around it, "Seems like something out of a Supernatural episode or something."
"Just hurry up you idiot! And don't smear the circle either."
Alfred placed a kiss on Ivan's slightly damp forehead a couple seconds before putting him down carefully onto the basement floor, pulling his arm back before Ivan grabbed onto his wrist desperately, looking up at Alfred. Seemed he knew Alfred was going. "No..."
"Yeah." Alfred smiled, placing his hand on the pale one trying to hold him there, "But don't worry, we'll see each other again!" Hopefully, for all he knew, this Ivan was from a different parallel universe all together.
"No... please... Mine."
Alfred smiled a bit, even if Arthur was there, it was still... sweet, in a Russia possessive sort of way of course, but still. "Yeah." He whispered, taking the others hand off of him, feeling bad considering at this point Ivan would be too weak to do anything to stop him.
Standing up, he walked over to Arthur, "Okay, but if you do turn him into a pig, I might have to hurt you, y'know, hero's duty to protect and all."
"That isn't helpful!" Arthur yelled before seeming to calm down a bit, huffing, "Just... go upstairs, I need complete concentration. And don't come down either! If anything interrupts the spell then he might just become a pig!"
"Alright, alright. Fine. I'll be quiet." Alfred sighed, walking up the stairs, suddenly feeling exhausted again.
"Good. And try to get cleaned up!"
Alfred waved the comment off, he was a bit sweaty, he hadn't had a shower for a while. Sitting on the couch, he looked out the window where the sun was newly in the sky. He knew he should have hopped into the bath with Ivan to get cleaned up. Ivan... Alfred hoped he would be okay, that he would get back okay.
Hm... guess that meant the old Ivan would come back... right? But... what if he was dead? It was possible. That would kind of suck. Then Russia wouldn't have a representative. And what if he did come back? Would they just go back to being well... what they were before (whatever exactly that was). Alfred didn't know if he could do that... well he could, but it would probably hurt for a bit, after everything.
The worry kept him awake longer than was probably healthy. He ate most of the food in Arthurs house in his worry as well, especially after noon pasted and it was once more becoming evening. He didn't hear Ivan screaming, and when he pressed his ear to the door leading to the basement, sometimes he could hear muttering from Arthur, so he hoped everything was working. He didn't know much about 'magic' anyway.
Around five a knock came from the front door, but Alfred hardly heard it, sitting on the couch with his chin resting on his entangled fingers, glaring at the wall opposite him in his brooding and knee moving up and down with nervous energy that he was too tired to really release anyway.
A second knock came from the obviously impatient person, which drew Alfred more out of his thoughts of everything that could go wrong once Ivan was back to his normal self. But he still didn't call out. He had no patience to deal with anybody at the moment.
Then, however, the broken door was pushed open, perhaps on accident by the person knocking too hard. Looking over, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. "Ow. Fuck." He muttered, moving his hand to his shoulder as he looked out of the door, he saw uniforms that started blurring together. Figures that they would find him. Something was sticking out of his shoulder too, which was strange for a bullet to do.
But wait... if they interrupted Arthur something bad would happen. Standing up, he thought of warning Arthur, but the plan was confused and dulled like his vision suddenly was. Then he fell to the ground, unconsciousness suddenly taking him.
I split the chapter because it was long... but even after the split it was still really long...
Hope you all enjoyed the climax!
