"Come on Al!"
"For the bazillionth time Mattie, no!"
"Why not? Give me one reason!"
"What in the name of the Queen is going on?"
I turned furiously to see Arthur standing in the doorway of Alfred's dorm dressed in a crisp black suit and a red silk tie. "For some ungodly reason, he thinks that Ivan shouldn't join us for Christmas this year!" I cried as jabbing an accusing finger in Alfred's direction who was stretched out on the floor furiously punching the buttons on his game controller. He hit pause and slammed his controller down and yelled, "I don't see what you can't grasp here Mattie. You may enjoy chewing on his face, but I don't like looking at it and I'm pretty damn sure that's what you two lovebirds are going to be up to!" My cheeks flamed furiously and I opened my mouth to retort, but Iggy interjected.
"Will you two quit squabbeling about this like children!" He snapped irritably. "I honestly don't give a damn if he comes or not! Matthew, if you really want Ivan to join us, then go on ahead and invite him and stop this nonsense before I go insane!" Alfred and I glanced at each other after Iggy finished his rant and after a few moments of silence, Alfred grumbled in defeat and turned to his TV. Happiness and excitment filled me up to the brim and I leapt onto my brother, wrapping my arms around him tightly. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I babbled as smiling so wide it felt like it would split my face in half.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Alfred scoffed and prying me off of him. "But I do have one condition. Please keep the wishy washy, sappy, 'I love you', crap to a minimum when I am in the room. I might throw up." I rolled my eyes and messed up his hair gently. "Right back at you and Iggy though," I laughed as standing back up, smirking at their flushed faces. Arthur cleared his throat awkwardly and pushed the power button on Alfred's game system with the toe of his shoe which was followed with a little girl scream. "DUDE!" America shouted. "Dude! Do you have any idea of how long it took me to get pass thay zombie hoarde?" Iggy rolled his emerald eyes as Alfred blubbered on and on. "Oh spare me the drama and just get dressed already."
I chuckled and waved goodbye to them when I realized that Ivan would be returning soon from his job. When I closed the door behind me, I saw a giant form at the end of the hallway slinking toward me. I waved at it and all I got in response was a grunt. Frowning slightly, I approached it and the figure was soon proved to be Ivan stumbling down the hall looking half asleep. I fell into step with him amd we walked in a comfortable silence to our dorm. When we reached it, Ivan fumbled clumsily with the keys and I soon had to help him with the lock.
The moment the door opened, Ivan immediately began to strip off his security gaurd uniform and toss it aside onto the floor which I picked back up and threw into the dirty clothes basket. He groaned as he collasped onto his bed and buried his face into his pillow. I could sense that he was very tired and frustrated by how his shoulders were slumped slightly and how his lips were pressed into a thin line on his face. I sat down on the bed next to him and began to gently massage his shoukders and hum the lullaby.
I felt the stress leave his shoulders under my fingertips as I finished the soft song and hugged him awkwardly from behind. We sat in silence for a bit longer before Ivan shifted over onto his back to look at me and muttered, "I hate people." I smirked and grabbed his enormous hand and laced my spindly thin fingers between his manly thick ones. He smiled back at me and squeezed my hand slightly and kissed my knuckles. We stared at each other for a while, diving into another warm and fuzzy silence while occasionally exchanging sweet and innoncent kisses.
I finally broke the silence thay built between us, finally rememberung about Christmas. "How would like to join me and my family for Christmas?" I asked as laying back into his chest, for we were both sitting up now. The giant Russian before me seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering, "Da, I would like to join you guys for Christmas. My sisters will understand...well Katyusha will, I'm not so sure about Natalia." I cringed slightly, remembering my first encounter with her about a week after the big revelation. Ivan and I had returned from a hard day at class and when we opened the door, Ivan was instantly attacked by a pretty girl about sixteen years old, demanding Ivan to marry her in a tone that would rival the girl's in The Exorcist. Then she saw me and threatened me with a knife before Ivan calmed her down (as much as she would with him around) and forced her off the campus. Not exactly a very favorable memory.
"Yeah, I really hope that she doesn't find out where I live though or else I might wake up to find my throat slit."
"That would not be good..."
"Uh, Ivan," I began in a bit of an awkward tone. "Cuba had invited us to a dorm party upstairs so maybe-"
"Nyet."
"But-"
"I'll answer you in Spanish."
"You remembered!"
"Da, get ready for this...no."
I looked at him in false incomprehension. "Oh wow! I didn't even know what you just said! Did Antonio teach you?" I said sarcastically as rolling my eyes. "Seriously, no. I'm too tired right now," He said firmly. "Oh come on! We haven't done anything fun in forever," I whined as shaking our clasped hands indignantly. Ivan pried his hand out of my grip and gently spun me around to face him. I had move out from his arms and sit on my heels to properly look at him. "That is not true! Remember? We made out in that one-"
"That's not what I meant!" I cried as burying my blushing face into his scarf. There was a stirring from my bunk above us as Kuma clambered down and stumbled onto Ivan's bed with us. He yawned widely and curled up in Ivan's lap before passing back out. I smirked and scratched Kuma's little round ears before sitting back on my heels. I looked up at my beloved Russian teddy bear with pleading eyes that I knew he couldn't resist and pushed my bottom lip out into a miserable pout. "Pwease?" I asked in a sweet whisper.
Ivan's eyebrow twitched and looked like he was having a heated debate inside his head. Soon enough later, he sighed in defeat and hauled himself out of bed. Ha! Victory! He is no match to my pouty face! I launched myself up and into his arms while kissing him full on the mouth. "Thank you! Thank you!" I cried excitedly as dancing toward the small dresser to pull out some nicer clothes than my worn red sweatshirt and ratty jeans. Ivan rolled his eyes and grumbled something under his breath as I shoved some of his clothes into his arms.
While he was in the bathroom changing, I changed into a light blue sweatshirt with Pikachu posing on the front and exchanged my tattered jeans for a black pair. I was lacing up my electric blue hightop converse when Ivan emerged from the bathroom wearing a black Russian rock band T-shirt that stretched slightly across his chest and darkwash jeans hung at his narrow hips. He fixed his scarf around his neck and stomped on his boots. We left the dorm when I finished combing my hair.
Cuba's dorm was at the topmost floor of the boy's dormitory and was at the end of the hallway on the left next to another door that led up onto the roof if you followed the steps up behind it. I was out of breath and about to kill myself by the time we reached the final flight of steps. You could hear the music pounding from the end of the hall in which we presently stood and it grew louder as we approached Cuba's dorm. Ivan pounded loudly on the door and after a few moments of wait, Cuba himself answered it.
He was dressed in his tacky flowery shirts and cargo shorts with a necklace of fake flowers placed around his neck. He held the door open for us with one hand and in the other he clutched a suspicious red cup. "Hey, Birdie and Mr. Jackass! About time you decided to show up!" We turned to see Gilbert dancing up toward us, clad in an "I am Awesome!" T-shirt and tattered low riding jeans. Ivan glared at him with obvious derision, but I ignored it and greeted Prussia.
"You should totally try this beer flavored ice cream Cuba made, Birdie!" I was about to politely decline, but my albino friend had already shoved the plastic bowl of ice cream into my hands. I glanced quizzically up at tge Russian beside me, be he was already busy glaring challengingly at Gil. I shrugged and took a small spoonful. It tasted worst than England's ass-flavored scones. It had a "lovely" blend of vomit and piss flavors and it made me want to gag. But of course, I just HAD to be polite and choke the rest down. After the sixth spoonful, it didn't bother as much and soon enough later I didn't give a damn. After I finished the bowl of ice cream, I was instantly dazzeled by the flashing strobe lights and the pulsating tempo of the music that spun around me.
I felt myself stumble and fall against someone who worriedly grumbled soemthing. I forced my head to tilt back and look up to see who it was. It was Ivan, six or seven of him. I chuckled slightly and hiccupped. "There'shh like-hic!-eight of you!" I slurred in a slap-happy stoner tone. I cackled at his adorable confused expression. "Matvey! Snap out of it!" He cried as shaking me, making my brain rattle slightly in my head. "You're not drunk Birdie! Alcohol can't freeze last time I checked!" Prussia shouted somewhere behind me. I stopped my drunken laughter and realized that I felt completely fine. It must've been the lights that made me go all slap happy, I thought as my cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
"Sorry," I whispered as pressing into Ivan's side. "Eh, it's okay," Gil said cooly with the wave of his deathly pale hand. His ruby gaze then glanced toward Ivan who had a possesive arm wrapped around me. "I bet I can drink more beer than you," He boasted with a concieted smirk on his face. Red-violet eyes rolled in their sockets. "What make you believe that?" Ivan growled as glowering down on Prussia. "You know, how about we test it out then! First one to puke loses," Prussia challenged as jabbing a finger in Ivan's face.
"Oh please," He scoffed. "I drink about four or five bottles of vodka a day without getting smashed. I think I can handle your stupid beer."
"I'll take that as a challenge accepted."
The two walked toward the keg and I couldn't help but follow since I had nothing else really to do. We sat there for about two or three hours simply talking while they both slammed on the beers. When Prussia got too drunk to talk to properly, I sat there and watched longingly at the other people slowdancing in the "dance floor". The floor was littered with empty bowls and cups and it took a whole bunch of self control to not freak and start cleaning it all up. The strobe lights were replaced with cheap battery powered lanterns that gave the room a soft and romantic glow. I listened to all of the slow love songs being played and couldn't help but sigh. I really wanted to drag Ivan out there and dance the night away but I didn't want to be rude and interupt this competition. It probably won't last much longer since Gil is starting to yodell and sing incoherently.
I ignore them and listened to the words of love being sung by some music group I've never heard of. I was so lost in the music that I didn't realize Ivan angerly standing up from his chair. I was snapped out of my fluffy reverie when Ivan started cursing rather loudly at the drunken Prussian across the table. Before I could do anything, Ivan launched himself across the table and threw Gilbert into the wall. He drew back his arm to give Gil a knuckle sandwich, but i was already on my feet and gripping his bicep, stopping him. "Enough!" I cried as pulling with all my strength to keep Ivan from hurting my friend.
His head snapped around toward me and I recoiled suddenly when I saw the look in his eye. Those red-violet eyes held nothing but anger and bloodlust. They seemed to have belonged to some rabid animal rather than a person like Russia. The look in his eyes was brief however, for they flickered back to the usual wide childlike innocence. He snarled some Russian vulgarities and left the dorm with the door slamming behind him. No one really noticed or cared cause either they were too drunk or busy with other things I would rather not wish to describe. I knelt down by Prussia and roughly dragged him back up into his chair. "What the hell did you say to royally piss him off," I snapped through gritted teeth. All I got in response was some kind of off key German drinking song.
I gave up on asking him anything else for he was too drunk at the moment and walked out in pursuit of Ivan. As I closed the door behind me, I noticed that the door to the stairwell leading up to the roof was hanging open and I hesitantly followed them up.
I soon came to another door that was too ajar and I shoved my hands into the front pocket of my hoodie for it was a bit cold. As I stepped out, I was taken aback about how high up I was. You could see all the way to the other side of the city from here. I was shaken from my awe by a bitter wind that chased all the warmth out from my body. My teeth chattered as I turned my to see Ivan hunched over precariously on the side of the roof with his legs dangling over the edge.
Cautiously, I slowly approached him and sat down beside him, gulping as I looked down into the traffic a long way down below from our perch. Ivan didn't seem bothered by cold even though he was only wearing a simple T-shirt. He was looking down at his hands as if he were in shame and his scarf flapped a bit sadly as the wind blew by. We sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the wind howl like an injured animal around us and the traffic below.
Ivan didn't look at me when he spoke finally. "You know how I said that I didn't remember most of my childhood?" I nodded, recalling him saying that about a month before. "Well, lately I've been having nightmares. Terrible nightmares so bad that I wake up in a cold sweat sometimes. The worst part about these is that they are actually memories..." He trailed off and curled his hands into fists. He slowly looked up at me with such sad eyes that it almost broke my heart.
"You don't have to tell me," I whispered as wrapping my arms around his middle. He sighed in what sounded like relief and gathered me up in those strong arms that will never let me go. I buried my face into his scarf, breathing in his wintery scent and listened to his steady heartbeat that pounded like a bass drum in my ears. He slowly began to rock us back and forth gently and drew small circles into my back. "I love you Matvey, you are my only friend and the most beautiful person I've ever known," He murmured in such a gentle voice it almost wasn't his.
That was the nicest and most romantic thing that anyone had said to me, ever. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I fisted up the fabric of his shirt in my hands. "I love you too Ivan," I choked s wiping furiously at my eyes, feeling incredibly stupid and corny for crying. Ivan's hand slowly brought itself up to my face and wiped the single tear away. I smiled slightly and gently pressed my lips against his.
The kiss wasn't a hungry, lustful, seeking kiss, but a simple, loving carress. We pulled away from each other a few blissful moments later and looked around us to see fat flakes of snow falling gently. I laughed and kissed Ivan again. I have never been so happy in my entire life nor have I been this much head over heels for someone. I truly love Ivan, more than anything else in the world.
Ivan's Head
He can still hear his sister's scream as that thing defiled them. He could taste the blood of innocent lives on his tongue as he stood on his throne of lost souls. He could smell the stench of death, fear and hopelessness. But, these did not last long for Matthew would always pull him away from the darkness.
Matthew meant a whole lot more to hin than anything else in the entire universe. He loved his maple-sweet scent, his soft blonde curls, and those wide, innocent indigo eyes that always glowed with warmth and kindness. Sometimes the demons in his head took over and whispered to him to do terrible and humiliating things to him. They filled him with torturous lust and raging anger toward him, but Ivan fought back ferociously.
He would never let those dark creatures touch his perfect angel.
Never.
A/N: Okay, I apologize for the ridiculously long wait. See, I kinda got into huge trouble and got banned from the internet. Kinda. But as you can see the story continues! :D Yay! I apologize also if there is any spelling mistakes or grammer issues and if the chapter is kinda meh. Also the end of the story is near my friends :( I am not for certain when I will get the next chapter up but hopefully soon :) Peace!
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