Alfred swallowed heavily, wondering what he had just got himself into. He sat up nervously, Ivan's eyes never wavering from their gaze on his own blue orbs. The American moved his fingers to his scarf, ready to unwrap it when a gloved hand stopped him.

"I wish to have it remain." Ivan reiterated, his hand holding the others wrist away, gently though. He did not want to hurt the blond accidentally and scare him off.

"I know. But I can't take my shirt off with it on." Alfred snapped, trying to cover up his embarrassment with anger. His father always did it, he might as well try it out.

Ivan hesitated before releasing his wrist, giving a small nod.

Alfred quickly unwrapped the scarf from his neck before tugging his shirt off impatiently. He might as well just get it over with. He froze when gloved hands ran along his now bare sides. He shivered, blushing even more if it were possible before sending a glare at his boyfriend.

"Hey! What do you think you're doin'?" Alfred growled, gritting his teeth as the taller teen continued his ministrations. It did not feel good. At all.

"Admiring your beauty." Ivan replied easily, running his hands along the smooth, lightly tanned skin. The way the others body trembled slightly at his feathery touches made him smirk even more.

Alfred tried to bat the hands away but they were insistent. At one point he thought he had won as the hands finally left him. It was short lived though, because they only departed in order to retrieve the discarded scarf and wrap it back around his neck. Once their mission was complete, they returned to their task of sending shivers down Alfred's spine.

"Iva-" He tried to complain in his best whiny voice, only to be cut off by Russian lips. Ivan really knew how to shut him up because soon he found himself wrapping his arms around the taller teen's neck, deepening the kiss. He gasped into the kiss when those gloved fingers returned to running against his chest, leaving small tremors in their wake.

He pulled away when he felt those hands venture lower, tugging at his jeans. "I kn-know! I'll take them off, just move off me a little so I can—Hey!" Alfred yelped in surprise as Ivan pushed him down forcing him to lie down on his back. He looked up at the paler teen, confused.

"Do not worry дорогой, I will take them off for you." (dear) Ivan said helpfully, letting out a light giggle at the flushed face before him. Oh he loved this gift very much.

"I c-can do it myse-ah!" Alfred clenched his eyes shut, as well as his fists, when Ivan brushed against his crotch. His fingers lingered there teasingly. Ivan put more pressure than really necessary as he tugged the button out of his boyfriend's blue jeans and zipped the zipper down. He tugged the jeans down, past his knees before returning to the others boxers.

Alfred hissed when those hands began to massage him just through that thin piece of fabric. Shit, he was hard. This wasn't fair! This wasn't suppose to happen! He was just suppose strip and put his clothes back on. There wasn't suppose to be any sort of touching! Oh God, why did it feel so fucking good?

Ivan's smirk only grew, much like the hot member only a thin layer of fabric away. He slipped the boxers off with little ceremony, overcome with a need to see Alfred. All of him. To touch him.

Alfred squirmed, drawing his legs up instinctively. He felt so damn vulnerable. And embarrassed. His boyfriend was just staring at well, him. Sure, Alfred loved attention, but not this kind! This was so not cool. How did this escalate so quickly? Why—oh God Ivan better touch him again!

Ivan, oblivious to the American's inner monologue, had wrapped his hand around the other. He reveled in the sudden moan Alfred made. Oh he loved that sound. He wanted to hear more of it. Knowing the blond made that sound only because of him, and his fleeting touches, made it all the better. It felt so very good.

"Ah, Ivan." Alfred groaned out as the pale teen began to pump his length. His own arm moved up to cover his face. Fuck, he was so embarrassed. Ivan was giving him a handjob and all he could think about was that wet dream all that time ago. He was hot and it felt so damn good. Except, for one fact, "Ngh T-take your glove off."

Ivan stiffened, looking up at the flushed face before him. He could only see slivers of the others brilliant blue eyes, his eyelids covering most of the beautiful orbs. He looked down at his gloved hands hesitantly, before returning his gaze to the lightly panting teen.

He let go of the member quickly, ignoring the little whine that emanated from the blond the second he did so, and slipped the glove off with his teeth. He couldn't get blood on it in this situation. He was perfectly fine. He could do this. Everything would be just fine.

It was worth it to here that beautiful groan when he wrapped his hands around Alfred's cock once more. The way he arched his back ever so slightly and how his arm fell from its place, no longer shielding his flushed face. He pumped faster, basking in the sound of the American's pants, groans and moans. It was music to his ears.

Alfred was having a hard time staying in control. It just felt too damn good, especially those violet staring at him, watching him the entire time. Studying him, almost. It was so...so erotic in its own way. He twisted in the sheets, feeling himself getting oh so very close. And then Ivan kissed him, never slowing the rhythm he'd set up with his hand. Alfred's arms shot up to grip pale blond hair desperately, kissing him back. Ivan responded by pulling away only an inch, there noses still brushing and swiping the sensitive tip of his member with his thumb. And it was just too much.

Alfred came with a cry, falling back down on the bed in a tired panting heap. Ivan blinked, lifting his hand to see it covered in the others essence. If he recalled correctly, most people tasted it... He bent his head down, giving it a tentatively lick before grimacing. Maybe it would taste better later. For now, he rubbed the semen onto the sheets before shifting his gaze back on his slowly recovering boyfriend.

"I-Ivan, why'd you do that!" Alfred whined as he sat up, still trying to regain his breath. His heart was still beating erratically and he could feel just how flushed his face was.

"You did not like it?" Ivan asked with a knowing smirk, tilted his head slightly.

"No, I did—. I mean. I—Oh who gives a shit." Alfred sighed, tugging Ivan down so the he could cuddle with him. What could he say, he was a cuddler! Ivan stiffened at the sudden motion before reciprocating the embrace.

Alfred was extremely tempted to fall asleep right there, pressed against his boyfriend's warm body. As his eyes closed, they caught sight of the sunflower painting hanging in Ivan's room. Hmm, Ivan sure liked sunflowers. He painted them all the time in Art class... He wondered why.

"Ivan?" He asked, his eyes closed tiredly, "What up with the sunflowers?"

"I like them. They are bright and lively, filled with hope as they look up to the sun. I am sure they are a lovely sight in person." Ivan answered easily, tucking the American's head underneath his chin to bring him closer.

"...You've never seen one?" Alfred asked, incredulously, pulling away slightly. But they were like everywhere! They had like a whole field of them only a few miles away!

"Nyet, not in person." The Russian tried to pull him back into his embrace, missing the warmth. Unfortunately, Alfred pulled away completely, pulling up his boxers and pants before searching for his shirt. "What are you doing?"

"Dressing. Come on. I still owe you a gift." Alfred replied curtly, slipping his shirt on and re-wrapping his scarf around his neck. He hoped his hair wasn't too messy...

"I thought that was my gift?" Ivan asked confused, standing up obediently and slipping his glove on once more. He didn't want to have another breakdown, especially now.

"Yeah, that was your birthday gift. Now I have to give you a Christmas one. Let's go!"

Matthew smiled up at the Italian as he let him into the home. Alfred had gone off to see Ivan so he decided he could drop by at Gilbert's house and make sure he was ok. He hadn't spoken to him since Christmas and it was beginning to wear him down. He missed his albino lover.

"I wasn't expecting you today, Mattie!" Feliciano greeted, closing the door. "Ludwig's at work but Gillie is up in his room."

"Mr. Bielshmidt went back to work already?" Matthew said, surprised. Dad and Papa always took a week off after Christmas to spend time with them. It was tradition.

"I know! He always goes straight back to work the day after Christmas! He never takes a day off. He needs to stop being so business minded." Feli sighed, "He needs to have more fun! Ah, but you don't need to listen to me complaining. Go see Gillie, he'll be so happy that you're here!" Feliciano blabbered on, ushering the teenager up the stairs with a nice warm smile.

Matthew let out a quiet laugh before climbing up the stairs to the familiar room. He knocked on it softly, opening the door.

"I don't want any pasta, Feli-Matt! What are you doing here?" Gilbert asked, his face lighting up. He stood up from where he had been kneeling on the floor, running over to greet his boyfriend with a hug and a kiss. Matthew laughed, returning the favor before his eyes spotted the large chest in front of him.

"So, what's that?" He asked, pointing to it. He'd been in Gilbert's room many many times, and he'd never seen the large trunk at any of those times.

"Huh? Oh...It's a chest I found in the attic. It's full of stuff from before I was born." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Oh." Matthew flicked his eyes from the offending piece of furniture back to his boyfriend, concern swimming in the violet blue gaze.

"Yeah..." Gilbert didn't meet his gaze, instead, focusing on the floor. "You know West, he's so meticulous he kept everything all organized. He kept everything practically... It's weird." He continued to blabber, watching nervously as Matthew took a few steps closer.

"Can...Can I look?" The taller teen asked, politely. Gilbert faltered, darting his reddish eyes at the chest and then back at his boyfriend. He could never say no to the cute violet eyed boy.

"Yeah..I guess." He answered, coming over and kneeling down. Matthew sat down beside him, leaning over to look into the large trunk. It was filled with books, albums and letters. Most of them were yellowing with age. He took out a book, blowing off the dust.

"What's this?" He asked, turning the small notebook over in his hands curiously.

Gilbert looked over, "Oh. That's one of West's journals. He records everything. His aren't as awesome as mine, though." He added with a grin. Matthew rolled his eyes, looking over at one of his boyfriend's shelves which housed his extensive library of diaries. The other loved to chronicle his adventures in the books. Matthew flipped through one once and never did so again.

"So that's where you get it from," He mumbled, flipping through the pages. He felt a little odd, going through someone elses (especially stern Mr. Bielshmidt's) personal journal. Though, it seemed to read as mechanically as a manual. Very different from Gilbert's fantastical and exaggerated writing.

Still, he couldn't help it when he did start reading it, catching a name he didn't recognize."Who's Heidi?" He asked, pointing at the place it was found on the page.

Gilbert looked over again, "That's my mom..." He replied awkwardly, his hands fidgeting inside the worn out chest.

"Oh." Matthew closed the journal, feeling more than a little rude for inquiring so much. Still, he really did want to know. "..So she just left?" He really didn't understand what had happened. How could she just leave? And never visit, or send a letter or anything?

"She and West had been fallin' apart for a while... She wasn't suppose to get pregnant with me. They were thinking of getting a divorce when it happened. West promised her if she had the baby she could leave and have nothing to do with us." The Prussian shrugged, focusing on the trunk and not what he was saying. It didn't bother him. It didn't bother him.

"Gil, you know you don't have to keep looking at this stuff." Matthew mumbled. It was clearly evident how much this was hurting his albino. He hated seeing him so down. He wasn't even using the word awesome to obnoxious levels. He'd maybe only used it once in the entire conversation.

"Yeah I do. I want to know. I need to know." Gilbert snapped back, fiddling with the papers. Matthew wouldn't understand it. He wanted to know why, why she'd left, why she never even sent him a message, why she wanted to get rid of him so bad that she would try and get a fucking abortion without telling West about it.

What kind of person does that to someone? Tells there husband she's pregnant only to fucking go to an abortion clinic a weak or to later without telling him. Leaving him to find out when the stupid lady at the desk called the house to state the appointment was going to have to be later. Forcing him to fucking speed to the address to argue with her in the very parking lot to come back home. And then agreeing she could leave him the minute she had the fucking baby she was so desperate to get rid off. What the fuck was wrong with this world when that was fucking ok? If that lady hadn't called...Fuck he wouldn't even be here right now to—His head shot up when a hand covered his own. He'd started shaking. Shit, his eyes were prickling. Awesome people didn't fucking cry. He blinked them back quickly.

"Let's go get ice cream." Matthew said softly.

"Matt, can't you see I'm doing this?" Gilbert snapped back, returning his gaze to the stupid chest because he just couldn't look into those violet blue eyes. He just couldn't.

"And you need a break." Matthew continued, undeterred. He stood up, tugging the Prussian up with him. "Let's go out. We haven't gone out in forever." Matthew put on a playful smile, "And you always said that you were an awesome boyfriend. I feel neglected and lonely." He sighed sadly, his eyes big and sorrowful. It pulled at the Prussian's already sensitive heart strings.

"Of course I'm an awesome boyfriend! Come on, I'm gonna buy you the biggest strawberry ice cream cone!" Gilbert assured, grabbing his hand and running down the steps. Matthew laughed lightly, letting himself be dragged. This was the Gilbert he loved. He was determined to keep him.

Ivan looked out the car window, puzzled. He'd been pushed into the American's vehicle with little ceremony and with little to no explanation of their current destination. Alfred kept insisting it was a surprise and that saying where they were going would ruin the gift.

Ivan never really cared much for surprises.

Still, he went along with Alfred because the other seemed very excited about this place. And Ivan did love to see Alfred happy and excited.

It wasn't very far, in reality. Perhaps 10 minutes, 15 at the most from Ivan's current residence. Though, it didn't seem like they had arrived anywhere. Alfred had gone the opposite way of the city, and there was barely anything here. Still, the blond parked his car and got out, motioning for his boyfriend to do the same.

"Alfred where are we?" Ivan asked, unamused. There was nothing here. It seemed to be farmland of sorts, he could see a barn a little ways ahead but that was about it.

"You'll see in a minute!" Alfred snapped, but with a grin plastered to his face so he couldn't have been angry. In fact, he was bouncing on his feet in childish excitement. He was so very adorable at times. Alfred untied his own scarf, much to Ivan's disappointment and edged toward him.

"What are you planning?" Ivan asked skeptically, with a raised brow. This did not bode well for him, he was sure of it.

"I want to blindfold you! It has to be a surprise!" Alfred insisted, holding out the scarf with a mischievous grin. Ivan took a step back, holding out his hands.

"Nyet, Alfred. I much prefer to keep my vision." Sometimes the nightmares plagued him when he was awake. Sometimes he'd close his eyes only to find those horrifyingly hollow ones staring back at him. Reminding him. He would never be able to forget, to move on, to liv—

"Don't ruin it! Come on." Alfred whined, trying hard not to laugh.

"I said no." Ivan remained adamant, frowning at the other.

But, it seemed Alfred was no longer listening as he advanced forward quickly. Ivan, though, realized this and quickly side stepped him. However, Alfred was being quite persistent and the Russian found himself running away from a laughing American in moments.

Ivan wasn't really paying attention as to where his feet were taking them, just as long as they kept him away from his hysterical boyfriend. Alfred was finding way too much fun in their current predicament. He certainly wasn't enjoying having to run away from the laughing baffon. (It especially didn't help that Ivan was wearing a heavy coat and wasn't much for sports while Alfred, never mind his horrid diet, was one of the schools leading athletes.) Still, he was keeping a good distance from the other. And then he hit a fence.

He looked up alarmed, seeing a barren field. Wilting stalks still littered the area but the snow must have killed most of the plant or crop that grew there. He leaned against the fence, out of breath and with no where else to go. Unless he hoped it, but he didn't want to get way from Alfred that much.

He tensed when a hand touched his shoulder. He whirled around and immediately relaxed at the sight of Alfred, still laughing and all smiles. The scarf was once more around his neck instead of in his hands. "Are you not going to blindfold me?" Ivan asked, still panting lightly.

Alfred wiped a tear from his eye, he'd been laughing that hard. "Why would I do that? We're already here." Alfred smiled, and Ivan tilted his head. He still didn't understand what 'here' was. Alfred smile grew softer, and he tugged Ivan's arm slightly so he would turn to the left. And then he saw it.

Beside him was a barn—this whole area seemed to be a farm of sorts—and on the side of it was painted a mural like painting.

It was an endless golden field of sunflowers bordered by the clearest of blue skys. Painted delicately with fine brush strokes and a brilliant pallet. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"I wish it was summer." Alfred mumbled in the silence, standing beside him. "Then you could see them for real! All in the field." He continued, playing with the hem of his shirt.

"Field?" Ivan reiterated, his eyes never leaving the painting. Not until he could memorize every detail in his mind would he look away.

"Yeah, the one over there. It's all sunflowers. Dad and Papa took us a few times when we were little..." He smiled warmly at the memory. Of summer days, where Papa would buy from the farmer's market while he, Mattie and Dad would wander around the sunflower field.

Ivan turned his head toward Alfred, and felt his heart quicken. Alfred looked...he looked so-so красивый, he couldn't even express it in English. His hair blew slightly in the light breeze and his eyes shined behind his clear glasses. His smile was soft, happy and loving. The sun shone its light on him in such a way as to make him glow.

Ivan had been wrong. Alfred was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Seeing him like that, looking at him with shining blue eyes and a natural smile he felt himself blurt out three simple words. Not as horrible as the other one's he had uttered that night after dinner, no. But equally as potent if taken the wrong way. Staring into those sapphire pools his words tumbled out,

"I love you."

Alfred tensed and stared at him, slowly beginning to blush again. The American hadn't expected that. No, not at all. Maybe before, with what the Russian was doing to him in the bed. But not here, out of the blue.

"I am sorry." Ivan quickly covered, turning away slightly and looking up at the mural. His one pale cheeks seemed to redden slightly at the lack of reaction. All the sites he'd read had told him that confessing too early could scare your partner away. He had ruined it, hadn't he? But they were so close now! He'd touched him! Surely he could salvage the situation somehow.

"Why are you sorry?" Alfred asked, getting Ivan's attention once more. "I...Maybe...Love you too." Alfred mumbled sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck. "B-But! I don't know...I've never loved anyone before. And we haven't been dating that long." He quickly covered.

Ivan blinked, "I have read the symptoms of love. I have them all." he replied, "My heart beats faster, I am happier around you, I want to spend all of my time with you..." He began to list, counting off his fingers mechanically one by one.

Alfred had gotten redder and redder as Ivan spoke,until finally he had to make it stop. He moved forward, kissing the Russian who immediately stopped listing and kissed right back.

"If you do not believe this is love...Then I will just convince you that you are, in fact, in love with me." Ivan decided, squeezing the American boy tighter in his arms.

Alfred let out a soft laugh, feeling more relaxed then he'd been in a while. He didn't reply, verbally at least, and just kissed his boyfriend again. He knew it wouldn't be very hard to convince him anyway.

"I can't leave right now...I...He's fine, don't worry...I can't...Pl-please don't cry..." The brunette spoke into the phone in quiet hurried Russian, "It's going to be alright. I'll talk to them, ok? Everything's going to work out just fine. I'm sure...They'll let her go!...You don't have to worry about that, I want to help you!...Shh, please stop crying...I-I'll come over as soon as I can, I promise...The money should arrive soon. Hang in there, alright?" Toris hung up, hanging his head. He ran his fingers through his hair, leaning his elbows on the counter.

Everything would be fine, he repeated to himself, she was staying at his friend's house now. She'd be safe there. He was sending money to get the other one. Then he'd get them over here. It would be ok.

He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder, seeing his younger brother, Eduard. He gave him a reassuring smile before following him back to the dinner table.

Everything would be fine.

BTW красивый=beautiful in Russian.

OH MY GOD FF HATES ME. IT WOULDN'T FORMAT. IM GOING TO CRY. JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT.

Ok. Sorry, it was hell to get this chapter uploaded. Lets leave it at that. Anyway~

OTL This is shorter than I thought it would be. Its also fluffy. Actually its smexy, then angsty, then fluffy...then vague... X)

I love this story so much~

Anyways, next chapter I'm pretty sure we're having a little time skip...I still have to figure out how I'm doing the next chapter. Orz I'm a failure.

I'll see all next Sunday~

Oh, and out of curiosity, anybody going to Otakon? Because I am~

Remember to review, my pretties~ (HOLY SHIT ALMOST A 1000 HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE)