The last words spoken by Lovino Vargas were "Tino."
Alfred kept rolling the name over and over in his mind. The police and media were in an absolute frenzy; Alfred, meanwhile, was usually at home, working and watching television. Mainly working, actually. And drinking.
Down line Alfred drifted, nodding and smiling at people he recognized. If one thing was true, the Vargas family sure could throw together a tasteful funeral. Alfred made a face and grabbed at a passing tray of champagne. Closer and closer he inched toward the casket.
"Pick a god and pray."
Alfred started, nearly dropping his drink. "Senator Braginski," Alfred greeted, flicking his hand to rid it of the spilled alcohol. "What a surprise! I was beginning to miss our cryptic, creepy chats."
Ivan stood by his side, his dark suit highlighted with a happy yellow flower. "My mother used to tell me that. Pick a god. I wonder if Vargas used to pray."
The younger Vargas' wailing finally reached Alfred's ears. "Fucked if I know," Alfred said lowly, taking a step closer, "But did you hear? Woke up in the middle of the night screaming 'Tino,' then died. Jesus—You finishing that?" Alfred swiped Ivan's drink.
Ivan hummed, standing on the tip of his toes to see over the rest of the line.
"What a terrible day for a funeral. Christmas Eve," Alfred sighed, staring down into his fancy crystal cup.
"What would you have been doing otherwise?" Ivan asked, tilting his head. "You have disappeared from the public eye. I understanding—I understand they missed you at the ice rink this year." Ivan broke off a moment to greet a congressman from Utah. "Afraid of the assassin?"
"Everyone's afraid of the assassin," Alfred breathed, taking a long sip. "No, I'm just close to finishing the proposal. It—Feliciano!"
The younger Vargas gave Alfred a wavering smile, which crumbled in a moment. "Alfred, thank you so much for coming!" He pulled the senator into a hug, burying his face into Alfred's shoulder. "I know you guys g—got along well—"
Alfred comforted Feliciano, glaring as Ivan smiled serenely from his spot in line. "Hey, hey, it's okay! At least you got to see him before—before he passed. Even if…"
Even if Lovino had staggered into a gas station, bleeding and half dead. Even if Feliciano had flown across the country to see his brother, hold his hand, be with him—to only have him scream that one stupid name. Even if your older brother stole your fiancé.
"At least he's in a better place, right?" Alfred finally tried. He shouldn't have worn his contacts; Feliciano's crying and his poor vision made Alfred want to down back a bottle of aspirin to relieve his headache. "Hey, now, come on, Feliciano. It's—"
"Everyone's been saying it's okay," Feliciano pulled away, shaking his head.
Ivan chose this time to intervene. "Mr. Vargas, your brother was a good man…"
Alfred finally escaped, wanting very much to punch a wall. Instead, he flitted around the hall, talking with the other mourners. It was painful in the hall; everyone desperately wanted to talk about the events leading up to Lovino's death. However, no one knew how many cameras were hidden in potted plants and under chairs.
To the bar Alfred went, ordering two drinks. He sipped on his own, talking to the Senator to his left. Nothing much was said—How are the kids, don't have any, you?—but at least it kept Alfred's mind focused on something other than Feliciano's crying.
Ivan joined him a few minutes later, taking the second drink. Alfred purposely ignored him, carrying on the conversation with the other Senator until he left. Ivan ordered another two drinks, raising his eyebrows slightly as Alfred turned to him. They sat in stubborn silence.
"Never knew you were in to pity sex," Alfred finally muttered, shooting Ivan a smile before picking up the other drink.
"Are you jealous, Alfred?" Ivan asked under his breath, waving at a lobbyist.
"Wait…" Alfred turned slightly in his seat. "Did you get Feliciano to stop crying?"
Ivan ducked his head and smiled. "I blessed Lovino's spirit with an ancient Russian prayer."
Another stubborn silence. Alfred squinted at his fellow senator.
Ivan leaned closer, small smile as present as always. "My mother also told me this. She says to me, 'If you ever be needing a prayer for some American, just say the Russian alphabet three times.' May Vargas rest in peace."
Alfred blew bubbles into his drink, nearly splattering his tuxedo with whiskey. He laughed, half snorting and choking. Ivan slapped Alfred on the back a couple of times as Alfred recovered. It took a good few minutes.
"It's all in what you believe, Mr. Jones," Ivan finished, "And Feliciano was greatly comforted by the ABCs."
"Good lord, I don't think I've seen you try to get into anyone's pants this hard since you stole every single of my girlfriends in college," Alfred shook his head, gaze on fixed on the far wall, but grin plastered on his face.
"Well, pity sex is my thing."
"Are you saying you pity them because they dated—" Alfred shook his finger at Ivan, clicking his tongue. "Easy, easy, there, tiger. You go off—another whiskey, please—sprouting that sort of nonsense then we can't be friends."
Ivan gave a noncommittal hum, watching as Alfred continued to drink. There was another lull. Feliciano started back up with his sobbing in the background, making everybody in the vicinity hunch their shoulders and scuttle away. Alfred's mirth slipped away; he switched his attention back to his alcohol.
"But tell, this bill you are working so hard on," Ivan leaned against the bar, head resting his on hand, full attention on Alfred.
Alfred squinted at Ivan. He let out a frustrated growl and removed his contacts, blinking and focusing on Ivan. "Can't tell you that."
"Mm, you can. You won't. Very well," he went to stand.
Alfred groaned and waved his hand, motioning for Ivan to remain seated. "I'm calling it 'George Washington's Bill.'"
Ivan sat straight, eyes narrowing. "You are going after the parties?"
Alfred wiggled the fingers on his hands. "Well, we all know I ran as independent. Look, I'm getting out of here before I get totally wasted. Have to mail presents to the nieces and nephews, work," Alfred waved his hand in the way of a rest of an explanation.
Alfred stood, putting a tip down for the barman.
"Wait."
Ivan reached out and caught Alfred's wrist, releasing it just as fast. He ran a hand over his face, something he had picked up from Alfred. That was strange. Alfred paused, rubbing his wrist and hovering near Ivan. Eventually, the other man's smile returned.
"Nothing, never mind. Merry Christmas, Alfred."
Senators: Representatives from states. Two from each state.
Lobbyist: Someone who caters for a company's needs in the government. For instance, oil and plastic lobbyists.
Democrats and Republicans: The two party system in which America organizes its government. Democrats fall on the left side of the political scale, Republicans right. Democrats want a larger government, Republicans a smaller one.
Independent: One who runs for office and does not affiliate with either party.
Reference to George Washington: After resigning from presidency, Washington advised America to do three things. One of these was to avoid a two party system. The US promptly ignored this and his other two suggestions.