Chapter 9: Failed Attempts

Word Count: 5,452

Ivan looked up when the door opened and shut with Alfred's entrance. Once more Ivan was tied with his arms behind his back by the rope for the night and Alfred stood to go and sleep by the door as it was becoming normal to do. Not that it mattered, it turned out that the blond was more easily awakened than previously thought. "Alfred... you can stay on the bed... if you would like." Alfred clearly hesitated. On a normal day Alfred probably would shake his head and go sleep by the door. But Alfred would be more socially deprived then Ivan if only because he was sure the blond had never been alone his entire life with Matthew there. He would be feeling the affects more than Ivan himself was.

Giving a quiet nod, Alfred laid down next to him on the bed cautiously, facing Ivan. The taller gave a soft sigh, closing his eyes. With his arms behind his back he probably wasn't much of a threat. He turned over to face away from the blond and waited.

He had to wait what he would estimate was around an hour before he dared to start moving. He curled his legs up to his chest, trying to make as little sound as possible in his slow movement, straining his ears to try and listen to Alfred's breathing to make sure the other wasn't stirring.

Swallowing thickly, Ivan moved his arms slowly and carefully past his legs and pulled them over from under his feet before he straightened his legs, glad to have his hands in front of him.

Pausing a moment, he tried to listen once more but there was no sound or hint that Alfred was stirred by his movements. It was dark, but he could see a bit and that meant it would be easier to pull the knot off, especially now that he had his teeth to assist in the task. It still took much too long for his comfort to get out of the bound.

Once it was off of him, Ivan rubbed his wrists slowly before turning over to face Alfred. The blond stirred a bit at the moment, but it was clear he was still half asleep. Ivan knew there was no way he was getting off the bed without the other noticing and he didn't want to leave Alfred since the blond would just go off and start murdering people again. Or perhaps disappear. Neither option was acceptable.

Ivan pondered if he should wait for the blond to fall back asleep, but that was a fifty-fifty chance in and of itself and even if Alfred did it would provide the same results. Alfred being half asleep was just as good, his reflexes would be significantly slowed.

Moving quickly Ivan pulled the length of rope over Alfred's head and around the neck. The blond tensed instantly but it didn't take long for Ivan to switch the rope lengths in his hands and then pull hard. A choked sound came out of Alfred, hands moving to grab at the length of rope around his neck, but Ivan kept it tight so the other couldn't even get a finger in, not that he would be able to pull it off with such bad leverage.

Alfred stopped his blind struggle a second later and Ivan felt pain erupt in his rib cage as Alfred forced his elbow back over and over without pause. Growling in pain, he refused to give in to it, only pulling on the rope a bit further. The panicked struggling was back and Ivan listened to the strained gasps that provided no air the young adrenaline filled body under him needed.

Suddenly however, the rope went slack. Ivan wasn't given much of a chance to think before he was struck in the face, just to the side of his right eye, but thankfully not hitting his actual eye. He still saw black a moment, but he felt the body next to his move before another blow hit him, this one hit his cheek, this time on the left side.

His vision cleared and he grabbed the curled fist before it could hit him again. Alfred was on top of him, straddling his waist, one hand now captured, but in the other Ivan saw a glint of metal. A knife, that hand would be much more dangerous. And of course, it came towards him. Ivan let go of Alfred's fist, grabbing the dangerous wrist and using his other hand to try and wrestle the knife out of Alfred's hand through the clenched fist.

They struggled over who would win the knife. When it became clear that Ivan was soon about to get it Alfred hit Ivan across the chin, making him lose his hold. Ivan was sure that in that slip up he would die. Instead the blond seemed to think it was better to throw the sharp object across the room. Ivan looked towards where it fell, but a knee jerking up into his gut made him remind himself that he would have to still fight Alfred in order to reach it, so it would do him no good now.

Grabbing the wrist that tried to land another punch, Ivan threw one of his own, punching the other in the forehead. Sadly it didn't just knock the other out, though that would have been helpful. Alfred swung with his left hand, catching Ivan right under his jaw and he was glad that his jaw had been closed so his teeth were just jammed together painfully instead of his tongue being bitten.

Ivan grabbed that one as well, pushing both into the bed with his weight so the other couldn't squirm them out of Ivan's grip. Alfred once again kneed him in the gut once again. Growling at the sudden pain, Ivan shifted away, straddling Alfred's waist so that the other couldn't kick them. There was a pause in the fight, both just panting from their fight. Ivan could see where bruises would probably come to form, red marks across Alfred's face but mostly around his neck from the rope. Ivan knew if he moved Alfred would be able to attack him instantly, for the moment he had Alfred pinned, but he knew they couldn't stay like this forever.

Alfred obviously knew this too considering he wasn't trying to push up, muscles still coiled to strike when given his window. Alfred would figure a way out of the hold eventually, Ivan was sure. Perhaps if he let go and launched himself towards the knife... but no, Alfred would be on him in a moment and the knife would do just as much good as it did before. He had more chance of just making a run for it... but then how could he bring Alfred in? He had to play this carefully.

The blond under him squirmed a bit, obviously getting impatient. That could work for or against him. Alfred might exhaust himself if he struggled around because he was restless or he could get impatient and throw Ivan off. He didn't doubt that the blond could do it. Ivan froze when he noticed something, glaring down searingly at Alfred. "Really?"

"Hey!" Alfred snapped angrily before a smirk slipped over his face. "You knew I was a masochist. What do you think would happen?"

Growling, Ivan tightened his grip against Alfred's wrists. "I will hit you for this."

"Go ahead, I'm not stopping you." Alfred twisted his hands as much as he could in the grip as if asking Ivan to do it.

"I know better." Ivan snarled. The blond was actually trying to bait him. "You are disgusting."

Alfred's smirk turned into a frown and his eyes narrowed up at Ivan. "Don't be like that just cause you're upset. It's a natural body function."

"Being turned on by pain is not natural. Either by feeling it or making another feel it."

"Ah, is this what that's about? I don't get a boner when I off somebody, no need to be jealous babe."

"I am so close to just killing you myself."

"I noticed." Alfred rolled his head a bit, wincing slightly. "Gonna be sore for weeks."

"Because that is the most of your concerns."

"At the moment? Yeah. And by the way, there are more masochists in the world, more then there are sadists. Guess I just got lucky." Alfred smirked up at Ivan.

"I do not enjoy giving pain."

"You certainly enjoyed when I was screaming for you." Ivan punched Alfred before he even thought about the action. He felt a grip on his shoulder and felt the weight under him begin to shift. All thought seemed to be faded as he tightened his hand into Alfred's hair in what he hoped was painful before smashing their lips together. Alfred froze up below him. Ivan's thoughts caught up with him and he rationalized that that was what he had wanted to do to get that exact reaction out of Alfred, to throw the blond off and gain the advantage.

A hand was behind his head, pushing them together more fully, Alfred's teeth crashing against his own in a brutal, fevered kiss. Ivan couldn't help but get caught up in it just so that he was not lost to the intensity of it. He gripped Alfred's wrist, shoving it back into the bed, pulling away from the kiss just barely so that he could bite into Alfred's lips. The cry and hips rolling up into him sent a shiver down his spine. He felt a deep repulsion somewhere, telling him that he shouldn't be enjoying anything about Alfred. But the fast building pleasure overrode that thought until it was almost not there, an unheard whisper.

Ivan pulled at Alfred's hair, tightening his grip and biting harder. Alfred let out a moan and Ivan used his other hand to dig into Alfred's side. Releasing the others lips, Ivan growled a bit before shoving Alfred against the bed, unfortunately Alfred kept his arms wrapped around his neck, keeping him close so he could just leave the other there and walk out the door. Ivan released Alfred's hair, bringing it down to claw into the others skin around his hip. The blond reconnected their lips. It tasted of blood and it was just as painful and messy as the first time. Ivan tried to remind himself that he had only kissed Alfred so that the other wouldn't shift their positions again in their fight. Alfred wrapped his legs around Ivan's waist, suddenly grinding his hips up into Ivan. Releasing a groan it quickly turned into a growl and he slid his nails along Alfred's hips down the his jeans. The blond arched up, head dropping back and releasing a loud, needy sound. Ivan didn't hesitate to bite down on the side of Alfred's neck, on one of the dark bruises his fingers had formed earlier. Alfred let out a sound close to a scream, but not quiet there, not yet anyway.

Yanking the others jeans off, Ivan bit into Alfred's neck again, in the same spot, drawing blood. He moved away from the inflicted injury then, spitting out the blood that was in his mouth, hitching Alfred's hips up and shoving two of his fingers inside. Alfred let out a shout then, hands digging into Ivan's coat, panting heavily and even moving his hips back against the pain. It would be uncomfortable, but Ivan didn't want lube, he just didn't want the other to be comfortable, even if he knew Alfred was enjoying it, he just didn't want the other to have comfort. After stretching the other well enough so it wouldn't be that painful for himself, Ivan ignored the relatively quiet sound Alfred made when he pulled them out. He moved his other hand to dig his blunt nails into Alfred's lower back, the other squirming as much as he could pressed between a bed and Ivan. Ignoring Alfred for the moment, Ivan undid his pants, pushing them down far enough that they wouldn't be a hindrance before pulling Alfred's hips up again, this time towards him as well. The blond seemed to come out of whatever cloud he was on for a little, enough to look at Ivan with almost some clarity. Before Ivan slammed into him. Alfred screamed, legs around Ivan tightening and shaking under the pain and pleasure. Ivan had to pause himself just at how dry it was without any lube, it was uncomfortable, like he knew it would be. Growling and digging his nails once more into Alfred's skin, he reconnected his lips with Alfred's injured ones forcefully, starting to move inside the other. He didn't bother starting out slow, not even for himself, making sure not to hit Alfred's prostate during the process either.

He released Alfred's lips after a bit, panting too hard and just focusing on release. Despite the situation, Alfred still came before him, screaming for him as he had before.

Ivan blinked his eyes open, trying to rid them of the grogginess that clouded them. Something smelled good, and he heard the sound of somebody eating nearby. Memories of the night before came back as he rolled over onto his back to see Alfred sitting with a plate balanced on his leg, eating the food off of it. He was fully dressed and if the wet hair was anything to go by, recently showered. The t-shirt showed the dark bruise around Alfred's throat where Ivan had tried to strangle him.

Blue eyes met his, seeming to notice Ivan was up. Alfred smiled, not something Ivan was suspecting, before looking back to his food, "Morning, your food's on the end table over there." Ivan glared towards where Alfred had indicated to see that there was indeed some food sitting there. "I'm sort of surprised that I woke up before you this morning, probably a good thing. I'm going to have to tie you up much better. Didn't honestly think that you'd try and kill me, what with the whole noble-" Alfred jumped slightly at the loud shattering sound.

There was a moment of still silence, the only movement was Ivan moving to sit up a bit more. After a few seconds Alfred took another slow bite, eyes focused on the taller before it seemed clear neither of them was going to attack. Alfred swallowed his bite, "You're not getting anymore breakfast. And you owe me a new plate."

"Shut up." Ivan growled, curling his lip over his teeth, "Get out."

Alfred's own eyes narrowed and he grabbed his plate, slowly putting it carefully on the floor before facing Ivan completely. "You what me to get out? You tried to fucking strangle me Braginski." The last name was spat out like something vile, as if the blond had any sort of right to act like that. "You fucked me. You started it, and you sure as hell didn't stop either. You have no right brushing your self-loathing off on me. None."

"Do not dare say that you had nothing to do with last night you lying whore."

A singer twitch in Alfred's eye was about the only true sign that showed he was angry, though his smile took on a dangerous turn. "Oh no, I didn't stop you. But I didn't bait you into it, honestly with how you are I would never tried to get you back as a sexual partner. You just act so high and mighty, so in the right, I would never think you'd want to sleep with me after learning how many people I killed. But I guess I was wrong."

"Shut up." Ivan growled again.

"That's it though, isn't it? You're pissed off at yourself instead of me. But it's so much easier to paint somebody else as the monster, rather then yourself, huh? It must be killing you, knowing that you willingly touched me and enjoyed every fucking second despite the fact that you know what I've done."

"I should kill you right now."

"Get in line." Alfred growled, before it slowly turned into a smirk, "It's surprising how well you slept last night though. Didn't even wake when the police came."

"Police?" Ivan questioned, narrowing his eyes at Alfred, wondering. Why the other changed the topic for this, and more importantly, where was it leading? Did somebody find out about Alfred being a murderer?

"Yeah, apparently somebody called in the screaming." Alfred waved his hand to brush it off, "They came in, asked me some questions, and left."

"You are lying." Ivan stated, the other was probably just trying to piss him off again. Alfred raised an eyebrow in an 'oh really' sort of look. "They would have woken me up and questioned me as well."

"I just told them we were having kinky sex and apologized for being loud. They didn't need to question you, I was the one looking like somebody tried attacking me, and if I said that's not what happened, what can they do about it?"

"You are evil and malicious and I am going to see the end of you."

Alfred nodded, "Of course you will. But in the mean time, you'll eat your food, not throw it against the wall." He said, standing up and grabbing his own plate. Of course his movements had a certain stiffness to them. Of course, as much as Alfred may have enjoyed pain, he would still be much weaker the following morning. Ivan shifted slowly, Alfred's eyes snapped towards him. Hesitating, he decided that he could take the other on while he was weakened and in pain, he moved to the edge of the bed, about to stand when Alfred reached behind him and pulled out a gun, pointing it straight at Ivan's head. Ivan stopped moving then, the blond wasn't within reaching distance so he couldn't grab the gun before the other was able to shoot it, especially when he cocked it. "Nothing personal," Alfred said, "But I've been through a lot not to get caught, and I'm not letting you out either. Oh and, if you come up with the brilliant idea to scream and make a racket that will make the neighbors call the cops again, I will drug you and make sure they get the same story. Maybe I'll even keep you drugged if you misbehave too much. I've done it before, and you'll do good to remember it."

There was nothing he needed to say really, given the situation, Ivan believed the other would shoot him if he became too much an inconvenience to hide from the world, or maybe even if he pissed Alfred off enough. The blond had killed others, and he had to remind himself of that, though with the current situation it wasn't hard. Alfred seemed to be waiting for an answer though so he nodded his understanding and a too bright smile spread across the others face, "Good. Now, you be a good boy to not get shot and no more attacking me, and I can be really nice. You already know that." Alfred said, walking in a decent circle around Ivan, always keeping out of range before he made it to the door, opening it and stepping out before closing it behind him. Ivan waited a moment, staring at the door before he sighed heavily, running his hands through his hair. He hadn't known the other had a gun somewhere in the house. The other wasn't a gun type, but that didn't mean when the situation called for it that Alfred wouldn't use it.

Running his hands through his hair he thought about what he had done the night before. He knew he found Alfred attractive, but the other had killed others, been able to thoughtlessly rip them apart in such a bloody, brutal way. Ivan closed his eyes, feeling sick with himself; almost as much as he was with Alfred.

Ivan laid in bed, staring at the wall where a window should have been. He reached up, knocking on it, but it wasn't any weaker than the rest of the walls surrounding him. Sighing, he dropped his hand again, he had already checked it. Too bad the bed was just a mattress, and not one with springs either. There was a light of course, which was the only other material he could think of that would help him escape, but even with his height, he would need something a decent size to stand on, and the bed didn't cut it. There wasn't a light switch inside the room either, it was probably on the other side of the door. He knew the chances of breaking to door down were unlikely, he had heard Alfred move something on the other side of the door. Something heavy. Speaking of, he heard the scraping of the heavy object against what was either a laminated or wooden surface. Wood could mean any room in the house, but laminated meant it was probably the kitchen. Of course he had seen the surrounding area and apartment. It just made him feel better somehow making observations.

The door opened enough for Alfred to step through and he closed it before walking over and putting a plate on the end table, glaring at Ivan after, "You going to throw this one too?"

"I am not currently planning on it." Ivan said coldly, moving towards the food, Alfred backed away. Of course, he knew that he was injured and in a weakened state. Considering how his hand went behind his back, he had the gun and he wasn't shy about having Ivan know about it either. Ivan paused then, thinking a moment before standing up. Alfred gave him a funny look, but pulled the gun out anyway, taking another step back and pointing the barrel at Ivan's head. It was steady too. The other might have been a slasher, but it seemed he knew perfectly well how to handle a gun. Ivan thought about what he was doing, but he'd thought on it long enough. He took another step forward.

Alfred rose an eyebrow, taking one back to keep Ivan out of reach of grabbing the gun, "I will shoot you, if you're questioning that-"

"No, I know you will." Alfred had killed complete strangers with no reason beside for the pleasure of it. Ivan may have been the only one to give him an actual reason. Ivan had learned that every human had the ability to kill. But it took a special somebody to be able to hunt their fellow kinds like animals. He had no doubt in his mind that Alfred would shoot him, perhaps not to kill. Not quickly anyway, that wasn't the others style. Perhaps in the stomach so he would be in pain for what could be up to several hours.

Taking a breath, Ivan took another step forward. Alfred didn't fire, taking a step back himeself, "Okay, I'll bite, what're you trying to pull?"

"Nothing, just to get you to pull the trigger."

"I told you I would."

"That is not what I mean." Ivan said, taking another step. Alfred took one back, glaring as his back hit the wall. Ivan smiled, the other would have to know.

"You telling me that you're suicidal?" Alfred questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I suppose you could call it that. I simply no longer wish to stay trapped in here, knowing what you have done."

"This is because we slept together, isn't it?" Alfred grumbled. Ivan nodded, he knew that he would end up doing it again, even if he didn't particularly care for the thought. He took another step forward, and Alfred finally pulled the hammer of the gun back. "Bit extreme of a reaction. Just back off." Alfred growled. Perhaps Alfred knew why he was really doing this, and that was why he was hesitating, but no, it didn't seem like the other knew. Perhaps he came to the same conclusion as Ivan, that seemed much more likely. Ivan hesitated, taking a deep breath before doing just the opposite of what the other said, taking another step forward. He knew that Alfred would shoot then, even with the risk, having Ivan attack him would ruin everything just the same, perhaps even more so.

That was why he paused when Alfred didn't end up pulling the trigger, there was hesitation. "Ivan, damn it, I mean it!" Then why hadn't he pulled the trigger yet? Ivan narrowed his eyes, trying to figure this one out as he took another step closer. He would be able to reach the other and the gun next step. But Alfred still didn't pull the tigger, he looked annoyed and worried, but he didn't pull it. It was then that Ivan realized Alfred might believe himself to love Ivan. In that moment of realization, Ivan actually felt true terror. That was not good, it meant that Alfred would have an obsession with him, and with a killer that was the last thing anybody would want.

Swallowing more, he took a step forward, and Alfred still didn't pull the trigger. Ivan reached out, grabbing the barrel of it, Alfred frowned and after a moment Ivan tugged at it gently, seeing the others finger wasn't directly over the trigger, and Alfred hesitated before letting it go, seeing as it was obvious to both of them that Alfred wasn't going to shoot him. Ivan pulled the gun, stepping away from Alfred so he couldn't change his mind and try taking it back. Ivan hadn't expected this turn of events, but he would use how things turned to his advantage, seeing as he had the upper hand now. Alfred looked more than a bit upset, "I don't care if you have that Ivan, I'm not going to just let you leave."

"I think you do not have a choice anymore."

"Don't be stupid." Alfred said, walking around Ivan in a big circle to stand in front of the door, "There is always a choice. Now, you either shoot me, or we fight again and see how that turns out, but I'm not letting you leave." Ivan thought on that. No, Alfred wouldn't let him leave, especially with him being obsessed. Alfred wouldn't stop after this, he'd keep coming and Ivan didn't know for sure if he would be the type to go after him, but Ivan didn't want to find out when Alfred came after him again, even if the other was in jail, Ivan would still be wondering, waiting until Alfred died. That didn't even include how he would get past Alfred, sure he could fight him, but there was no real guarantee he would win and get out of here, especially if Alfred was carrying any other - probably less lethal - surprises on his person.

Ivan pointed the gun at Alfred, "Last chance Alfred. Move."

"Not gonna happen." Ivan believed him. He didn't have to pull the hammer back either. Ivan took a breath, aiming the gun at Alfred's heart and putting his finger over the trigger, pulling.

The gun made a small click. Alfred crossed his arms, "That was mean." Ivan cussed, looking at it, he had noticed it was light, but it was a lighter hand gun then he was used to using so he hadn't thought of it that much. He pulled the chamber open, looking into it, it was completely empty.

He looked up to glare at Alfred, who just shrugged, smiling, "You're real fun to mess with sometimes."

No wonder Alfred had let the gun go so easily, it was useless except as a makeshift club. Well, not completely useless then, but it would do nothing long range. "It was empty this whole time?"

"Uh-huh, I expected you to make a grab for it at some point, but that whole suicide approach kind of threw me off. You were honestly trying to get me to shoot you, weren't you?"

"Considering you are one to not kill quickly, as most serial killers, I figured you would not kill me instantly, but you would at least shoot me. The noise wouldn't be something you could cover up, and the police would be here before I bled out."

"Oh! So you weren't really trying to commit suicide... Well, that was a good theory. I let you have to gun to see if you would try killing me if given the opportunity. Not that I blame you, if some whack job kept me locked in a room and let me have a gun, I'd shoot them too if it meant getting out. But ah... I'll be needing it back."

"No." Ivan said, tightening his grip on it. It could not only work as a weapon, but perhaps something to damage key points in the wall. Even if he was a couple stories up, people would be able to look in at the very least. It was sturdy enough to get the job done, as long as he did it right.

"Well, while I won't use a gun, this'll work just fine." Alfred pulled out a small knife. Big and sharp enough to cause injury, but small so Ivan would have to cut up his hand to grab it. Seemed they were both learning. "So, if you're thinking you have the advantage here, think again."

"You are hurt."

"Oh babe, I've taken care of people even the day after we slept together, it doesn't stop me from doing damage."

"They were not trained government officials."

Alfred smiled, slow and challenging, "Touché. Let's see if that makes a difference then." As expected, Alfred moved first.

Ivan was sore when he woke up, as could be expected. He groaned, rolling over in the dark and laying on the side that seemed to hurt less. He was covered in little cuts and quite a few bruises. His only consolation that he had landed a blow for everyone Alfred had landed before the blond had managed to jab a needle into him that made him sluggish until he faded into unconsciousness. He already knew Alfred had taken the gun, he didn't hear any breathing beside his own either, so Alfred wasn't in the room. Ivan licked his lips, his mouth felt dry, like somebody had forced cotton into it.

He didn't hear any movement throughout the house, but he didn't think for a second that the blond had actually left the house. It would be too much to hope for. Ivan sighed heavily, standing up. It was disorienting and made parts of him ache, but he walked towards the door, banging on the surface. After a moment he heard a muffled, "What?"

What was he doing? It was something. He realized the drugs were in his system, making his mind slowed and groggy more than sleep usually caused. "I need to... Go to the bathroom." Yes, that was it. His voice sounded quiet to him, like a whisper but he heard a low groan that showed Alfred had heard him. There was silence for awhile before there was the scraping sound again and the door opened. Ivan went towards the bathroom like he normally did, too slowed to even think about attacking Alfred, though the blond looked tired himself, like he had just woken up himself. Once he had washed his hands he just stumbled out of the bathroom, using a hand on the wall to keep himself from falling or tripping over his own two feet. Whatever Alfred had used, it was certainly the good stuff. He managed to make it back into the room and moved onto the bed, laying down on it and falling into a drugged sleep almost instantly.