Ivan's eyes widened hugely, and he stood quickly, followed by Matthew. He didn't know much French, but he had heard France say this phrase to England during world meetings enough times to know what it meant.
He couldn't possibly mean it, though Matthew's eyes told him otherwise as they stared up at him with hopeful nervousness. How could he possibly love him after all he had done, hadn't he heard about it all? He must have what with the way countries gossip; it was nearly impossible that he hadn't. The things he had done to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, how he had hurt them… he must have heard about it all, maybe he meant something else. Or maybe he had misheard him.
"E-excuse me?" Matthew had little trouble saying it again, though his face was far redder than before…
"I love you Ivan. I-I love you…so~ much." He looked down, heavy emphasis on how much he loved Ivan.
Ivan stared for a moment longer, there was no mistaking the meaning of the words now. 'Why' was still a question…but did it really matter? No, —he decided—it did not. He smiled slightly, amazed at the feeling, he had never imagined that anyone besides overly zealous Belarus would ever say those words to him.
Matthew sat silently, worrying, as the silence grew longer. Did he not feel the same? Was it a mistake? But then a hand caressed his cheek gently, he looked hopefully up, and suddenly he found his lips occupied with Ivan's as he stole a long, slow kiss from Matthew. Who blinked twice in surprise, and let his eyes flutter gently closed.
He leaned into it as Ivan's arms snaked around his waist and cinched him in as close as he could get. Finally they were forced to pull apart, breathing heavily.
"Thank you for telling me. я люблю тебя слишком, мое сердце."
Matthew gasped; he had heard this enough to know what it meant as well, just as Ivan had known the words he had said. His body was warm as he wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck pulling him down into another long kiss. Suddenly aware of everywhere their bare skin was touching, of how Ivan's lips tasted lightly of alcohol as if he had taken a shot an hour or two ago, just slightly sweet.
"Mmn…" Matthew moaned, loosing control as the kiss deepened. He parted his lips willingly when Ivan's tongue stroked gently at his lips, asking for entry.
"M-Mr. Russia? ...Have you been drinking?" the widening of pale blue eyes and the gasp of shock and horror as he grasped thin trembling wrists. "Please…no…"
Ivan pulled away abruptly, and Matthew stared questioningly at him. His face growing concerned at the blank expression in Ivan's eyes.
"Ivan?"
"P-please, no, Mr. Russia! Please!" The plea was ignored as he dragged the boy down the hall, through the door at the end off the hall. The clinking of metal as he shackled him to the wall roughly.
Matthew placed a hand gently on the side of Ivan's face; looking deep into his eyes, concern plain.
"I-Ivan? Are you alright?"
The blood dripped on the floor, pure red and yet the lash rose and fell on the limp forms shredded shoulders, to weak to make a sound anymore. He took a long gulp from a bottle, stopping the merciless movement of his arm to do so. He eyed the boy's naked form then the bottle, and grinned happily, pouring the remainder of the contents over the tattered flesh.
Their back arched throwing back waves of blond hair, as they let out an agonized shriek, the alcohol burning deeply into their wounds.
"Ivan? Ivan!" one of Ivan's hands came up at the touch on his cheek, grasping Matthew's wrist, hard. Matthew flinched slightly, hissing as Ivan's fingers dug into his flesh.
He pressed the bloodied boy down, bending him over a table, holding his hands behind his back with one hand. The boys choked sobs could be heard clearly as he forced himself insi-
Matthew pressed his lips firmly against Ivan's "je t'aime, you imbecile, now wake up damn it!" Ivan's eyes cleared and he blinked, his expression darkening dangerously as he released Matthew's already bruising wrist. He pushed Matthew out of the shower, snatching a bathrobe off of a hook and thrusting it into Matthew's arms forcefully.
"Get out of my house. Get your brother and go, don't run, just…go." Matthew started to protest, hurt by the sudden gruffness.
"GO!" Ivan snarled, giving Matthew a shove towards the door. Matthew flinched, his heart giving a stab at the ferocity in the words, but he obeyed. There must be good reason for this… he did not run; instead he walked away, slipping the robe over his shoulders as he went. What had he done wrong? He should not have told him how he felt. But it was too late to take it back now, and yet he was glad. Matthew did not want to take it back, even if it hurt him and scarred him, he would not regret it.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Ugh…I hate writing violence… Unless of course it has something to do with the plot…sadly this chapters cruelty was needed…sigh… in case people didn't get it the boy from the flashbacks was Lithuania, little Liet.
I did enjoy this chapter quite a bit, strangely enough. It is turning out to be a longer story than I had anticipated… and more fluffy in a weird depressing way… T.T…
How are you all liking it so far? ^,^"
Translation notes:
я люблю тебя слишком, мое сердце. —I love you too, my heart. (Awww… isn't that sweet?)
Je t'aime—I love you (duh.)
Please review! They are helpful!
-Sai