I... Forgot so much of what we did in the RP. It's been too long. _ This is why you write things down!
Anyway, I hope that you guys who are following me are happy to know that YES I am going to try my darnedest to finish this Fan Fiction. :]
Now sit back, relax, and enjoy.
It had been three days. Ivan was tending to the horses, and for the past two when Ivan saw Alfred, he ducked his head and avoided eye contact, only saying, "Morning Mister Jones," to him and saying the minimum.
Sasha and Jackie woke him up that morning. "Why is Mister Jones coming to see you so often now?" Sasha asked, her dark brown eyes wide with curiosity.
Ivan gave her a smile and a pat on the head. "Because me and Mister Jones are friends."
"He never gone become another slave's friend," Jackie pointed out. "Ain't no-one here that really against him, but ain't no-one close to him either."
Sasha buried herself under Ivan's arm. "Is it because you ain't a color like us, daddy? But… Why yous avoiding him?"
Ivan hesitated. The last few times he denied something the kids had went around asking everyone about why Ivan refused to hang his clothes outside like the others, and a rumor went around that Ivan didn't wear underpants, or that he only had one pair so no-one was allowed to see. He didn't want rumors like that again.
Alfred was the rumor's underpants.
"Mister Jones and I… Had fight and I feel bad, so do not speak to him over-familiarly anymore."
Jackie and Sasha didn't get it from that. "But he keeps a comin' 'round, so maybe he feels bad too." She pointed out.
Ivan shook his head. "This is grown up problem. Is not meant to be understood." He murmured. He then looked at the two, and reached down, patting their heads. "I have to tend to horses. Will you two go and see if Big Mama needs help?" He asked.
The two kids hesitantly headed away.
Ivan brushed Tanya and spoke gently to the horse. He started to speak in his native language, telling the horse that he wished that he did not do what he had done that night, and wondered what had happened to Smith after that. They had not seen him since that night.
"Ivan."
He jumped when he heard his voice, but didn't turn around. "Yes, Mister Jones?" He asked.
He wasn't even that far behind him. "Turn around and look at me Ivan." When he didn't, Alfred's voice went lower. "Turn around and look at me. I need to speak to you."
Ivan frowned. He slowly turned around and looked down at the smaller man.
"Yes, Mister Jones?" He asked again.
Alfred looked from one side, then the other. He decided this place would be as good as any. "About that night. I-I wanted to say…" The man was red faced, and he seemed to be at a loss for words. "W-we, what we did—"
"I am sorry for what I have done." Ivan said simply, looking away from him in shame.
"No!" Alfred yipped. He coughed. "No, I mean, not that, but yes that."
Ivan stared at Alfred then, confused.
Alfred breathed in, then out, and looked directly into Ivan's eyes. "I liked it. I like it a lot."
The large man shifted uncomfortably. "Is there something about this?" He asked.
Alfred nodded. "I want to do that again, but not with someone walking in on us-!" He took a step forward, and Ivan took a step back into the horse. The master paused. "I want you to kiss me, right now." He demanded.
Ivan shook his head. "No, cannot do that." He retorted.
"Why not? You did it before." Alfred huffed.
Ivan shook his head. "It was different—"
"SO?" Alfred demanded.
Ivan looked at Alfred after mulling back and forth. "Is wrong! Is very wrong! You, you are man." He strained.
Alfred shook his head. "So what?"
"You are man, and I am man." He stated. "Man is supposed to only do kisses with women." Ivan felt himself burning with shame. "If not enough, might not like it, but you are married, Mister Jones." Ivan told him harshly. "You have wife, even if not happy—"
Alfred's eyes flared. "Yes, I'm not happy!" He took another step forward. Ivan was pressed against Tanya's flank. The horse didn't try to move. "I'm stuck in a marriage I hate, and not only that, but my friend, my only comrade is now avoiding me." He spat on the ground. "Right now, I need you Ivan. I need you." He hesitated. When Ivan didn't speak, Alfred went on. "Not even as a—" He tried to find the right word.
"Lover?" Ivan offered.
Alfred nodded. "Yeah. Not like that… I just need you to help me." He muttered.
Ivan breathed in shakily. "I-I…" He tried to speak, but even in his native tongue he could not find the words.
"But it would make me happy if you'd let me try it again."
Ivan lifted his head, and he met Alfred's eyes. They were quivering, but he was staring right at Ivan and biting his lip.
When Ivan didn't respond, he said "Think about what I've said Ivan." He turned around and headed out.
"Mister Jones?" Ivan spoke.
Alfred paused, not turning back around. "What is it?"
"Do you know what has happened to Mr. Smith?"
"…No I do not." He said, and left.
In two days, the farm was bustling with the time of harvest. Tonight, the crops would all be brought in and set up for storage or canning, even some would go to the slaves for a job well done. Every year they would gather all of the goods that they were allowed to keep from the harvest to make a large feast, celebrating the end of the year's work.
Francis had arrived at the plantation, greeted by Amelia in her better clothes and her hair let down and brushed. It was tousled by the gentle wind. "Well, if it isn't my southern belle?" He said, greeting her happily. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Amelia hummed. "Things are well, but as you see my husband is still working out in the fields."
Francis tuted. "Now, that iz not a way for a man to treat his wife, leaving her alone like this."
Amelia shook her head. "I would rather have a hard working man than a soft one that sits on his rear end all day wondering what to do with his money." He said with a calm smile.
Francis raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I see." He mused.
Amelia led him up the stairs and into the house. "So, have you made your decision yet?" She inquired.
Francis smiled and put a finger to his lips. "Ah, should that not be something for your husband and myself to discuss?" He asked.
"Well, if you do already have the answer, then you should be able to tell me. It is my place as well." She coolly remarked.
Francis merely nodded. "I see what you mean. However," He looked at her straight in the eyes and sat down on the great arm chair, "I would prefer to discuss this man to man." He said with a smile.
Amelia frowned.
"A proper woman should know better than to deal with money matters." He said simply.
"And yet a proper woman knows how to spot money. Do you know why that is?" She asked, calling for Nadeen to make some tea to serve their guest.
Francis hummed. "To indulge their every whim." He said confidently. "Many women do not know the value of the dollar here."
Amelia rolled her eyes. "You have that right. However, if a woman is introduced into money matters then are they less likely to abuse it once received?"
Francis shrugged. "I suppose."
Amelia hummed. "Then you should be able to speak to me of money matters." She sat down on the couch.
Francis shook his head. "Ah, but you should also know that the head of estate should be the one to handle this, no matter how powerful the woman behind him is. Or how competent." He was smiling towards Amelia. He liked her. She was different. "If you were a man and the head of this estate, the one whom I had made the deal with in the first place, I would sit you down and tell you everything. However, this is not the case." Francis moved over to the couch. "Instead, I get to enjoy my time with a fine, beautiful lady." He took her hand and kissed it again, looking up into her eyes with a little bit of a twinkle.
She took her hand away and scooted a little bit away. "I thank you for the compliment." She said simply.
Francis raised his eyebrows. "Ah, but why do you move away?"
Amelia smiled. "You are a flirt, and I am married. If my husband were to come in, you would be in much trouble."
Francis moved closer. "But 'e does not treat you well. 'Ere you are, all alone when you knew I was coming." He put a hand on her leg. "What sort of husband would leave his wife alone like zat?"
Amelia looked at him directly in the eyes. "Take your hand off, Mr. Bonnefoy." She warned.
Francis sighed. "It is a simple touch."
"It is unwelcomed." She stated.
Francis pouted. "But is just an innocent—"
"Innocent is not the word. If you do not promptly remove it, I will."
Francis scoffed, and then Amelia had taken his hand, and twisted it behind his back, holding his shoulder with his other hand.
"Now, tell me, why is what you are doing wrong?" She demanded.
"I-I do not go! Please! Madam! Let go of me!" He pleaded.
"Wrong answer." She pulled harder, twisting. Francis gave a yelp. "Tell me, why are you being punished?" She demanded.
Francis groaned. It was getting too painful! Never had he been in a pure strength match with anyone, much less a woman! It was always pistols or rapiers. He never knew a woman had any power! "I-it is because you 'ave a husband!" He cried.
"Good." She didn't loosen her grip. "And what will you not do anymore?" She asked.
"I-I will not touch the madam, or look down on her." He practically collapsed onto the floor when she finally let go.
He picked himself up and ran.
Amelia got up and huffed. What a man he was! Nadeen was standing just outside the door. Amelia looked at her, and the thin slave smiled. "You did very well, Mrs. Jones."
Amelia sighed, and smiled. "Yes. I think I did." She walked over. "Thank you Nadeen." Amelia took a cup of tea from the tray Nadeen was carrying, and took a sip to calm down a bit before Alfred came back home, and to break the bad news to him.
Alfred had just reached the bottom of the steps up to his house as Mr. Bonnefoy barreled into him. "Wha-what?" Alfred caught the Frenchman by the wrist. "Hey! Where are you going?"
The Frenchman squealed like a piglet. He rounded to look Alfred right in the eye, and tried to regain his composure. "Y-you. Your wife." He breathed in and out. "She is insane!" His voice became a squeak at the end. "Now please release me!" He demanded, only able to pull his arm out of Alfred's grip because the American let him. Off Francis went into his carriage and was being taken down the road.
Alfred stood there in momentary shock. Then he felt a bubbling anger. He stomped up the stairs. "AMELIA!" He barked.
His wife was mildly startled by his sudden appearance. "Welcome home Al—"
"Why was Mr. Bonnefoy running out of our house?" He demanded.
"Because he was not being polite." Amelia huffed, crossing her arms defensively.
"It doesn't matter if he's not being polite or not! Amelia, that was our security blanket that you just sent running. Don't you know what this means?" Alfred groaned.
Amelia was starting to feel indignant. "That you should have been here and acting as the owner and director of this plantation instead of out in the fields directing all of them slaves!" She barked back.
"NO. THAT THERE IS NO CHANCE OF US GETTING THE MONEY NOW."
"SO YOU WOULD RATHER I LET ANOTHER MAN COME INTO THIS HOUSE AND DO AS HE PLEASE?"
"If that's what it takes!" He hissed.
Amelia then slapped him.
There was a moment of silence.
Alfred slowly reached up his hand to his face and felt his cheek.
"Get out." Amelia growled.
Alfred blinked. He looked at hard headed Amelia. Without another word between the two, Alfred left. He couldn't take it, and Amelia knew it.
Once Alfred left, Amelia started shaking, and cursing Alfred with all of her breaths. Calling him a damned man, an unfeeling one, and wishing to call him a bastard but had too much respect for his dead mama for that kind of talk.
Nadeen knew to stand out of the way when Amelia was in her rage. All she had to do was keep away the breakable objects because Amelia would not pay attention to where she was going.
Alfred had been banished outside. He had no hope for getting that money now. No business from Francis meant that they just had to make sure that they prayed and got good rain and kept everyone healthy. "That's gonna be difficult." He murmured. If he and Ivan hadn't shared that kiss a few days ago he'd go straight to his friend.
Instead he just got up and headed for the fields. He decided to act as a driver for the last day, but it seems the slaves were working hard enough without Alfred's coaxing. It didn't take long for him to become bored and go off to sit somewhere with a sigh.
"Iz Mister Jones feeling okay?" He heard a whisper from behind.
"I dunno. You go up and talk to him." Another voice came.
Alfred breathed in and out. "Don't I know those two voices?" He wondered aloud. There was silence. "Are they the 'Raccoons' that everyone has been talking about?" He looked behind him. There, two black kids were freaking out. They rushed around, and one managed to duck herself into the bushes. "AHA! Raccoons!" Alfred pointed at them.
That was met with Jackie's stuck out tongue. "We ain't no raccoons!" He said with a puffed out chest.
"Yeah we ain't!" A little fist came out of the bushes to shake itself towards Alfred.
Alfred laughed a bit. "Well, I guess raccoons can't speak human." He mused. "Come on over here." He motioned. He knew the kids from when they were born on the estate, but he never really paid attention to them until Ivan had come into the picture. They were always around the big man, somewhere.
Jackie was hesitating. He hurried over and spoke to Sasha. The two hesitantly came up to Alfred, and the master motioned them to come to him. "You two are Sasha and Jackie, right?"
The girl blinked. "You know our names?" She asked, astonished.
Alfred nodded. "Yep. Knew you before, but Ivan's always talking about you two." He caught the two kids' attention. "How you sneak into his place, and jump," Alfred straightened his back, making claws with his hands towards them, "out at him! How you two are always competing with each other." He laughed.
Sasha, even though first to hide, swaggered up. "Papa says it's not good for girls to run against boys! What does you think Mister Jones?"
Alfred couldn't help but smile at the determination in her eyes. "Well, you dad might be right, but…" He looked at Jackie, then leaned close and whispered into Sasha's ear: "Girls should make boys work to be better."
Sasha huffed, a bit confused but satisfied with that answer.
Jackie puffed. "Ain't a girl got nothin' on a boy!" He huffed.
Alfred chuckled as the two started to fight. Though as soon as it got to hair pulling Alfred had to step in and break it up. Sasha was a little ball of fury!
After a few more minutes of just staying around Alfred and saying whatever came on their minds, the two started to wiggle. "It's starting soon!" Jackie's eyes were lit up.
Alfred blinked. "What's starting?" He asked.
"The party!" Sasha twirled. "There's gonna be food and music and lots of dancin'!" She giggled. "Is our kinda party." Sasha crossed her arms.
"Yeah, not like one of those fancy ones you get up here at the house." Jackie agreed.
"Is that so…" Alfred mused. He had wondered what the celebration the slaves did a few times a year was like. He would have loved to go once or twice, but his dad told him not to. Even if the slaves respected him, he was still worried about Alfred becoming lost.
Sasha had come closer without Alfred noticing. "…Are you sad Mister Jones?"
Alfred blinked. He then gave a big grin and jumped up. "I'm never sad! There is nothing in this world that can get me sad!" He shot forward a fist, hand on his hip. The pose made him feel powerful.
The two children stopped, a little surprised but Jackie jumped beside him and did the same pose. "Ain't nothin' in this world that will get us down!"
Alfred grinned. He was sad, but he decided he liked these kids. He scooped up Jackie. "Nope! Cause you're a man's man!" He whipped Jackie up over his shoulder so the little slave boy was hanging upside down, and laughing as the blood rushed to his head. "Isn't that right?" He laughed.
"Yes sir Mister Jones!" The little boy waved his dangling arms.
Sasha huffed, running up to him. "Me next!" She demanded.
Alfred scooped her up in his other arm, and put her on his shoulder. "Ahh!" She giggled. "You're as strong as papa!" The little girl said with a giggle.
Alfred laughed. "As strong as—"
"Me?" A low voice came. Alfred hadn't noticed when Ivan had gotten there. Alfred jumped, but the large man merely smiled. "Ahh, so you are my rival in strength, Mister Jones?" He asked with a small amount of familiarity.
Alfred put down the kids, feeling a bit of tension, but shooting right back, "Don't brush me off, Ivan. I think I can take you." He smirked, standing tall.
The two locked eyes for a couple of seconds, but it was broken as the two kids rushed to Ivan. "Is everything ready?" Jackie asked. "All the food?"
Ivan smiled. "Mmmm, yes. All food is ready for you to go and stuff bellies." He leaned over and poked Jackie's stomach.
Alfred watched the happy little family and couldn't help but feel this pang as he watched them. It was sadness. Yeah, he didn't want kids with Amelia, but that didn't mean he didn't ever want them… He put his arms behind his head as the three spoke, and started to head off. He didn't realize that he was staring after them until Ivan had looked back for the third time.
He didn't expect Ivan to come back, and even less say, "Come and join us."
"…Huh?"
Ivan smiled and nodded. "Come to festival."
Alfred stared at Ivan a little bewildered. "But it's the slaves' thing, not mine." He put his hands up. "It's not my place to—"
Ivan leaned closer, fingers threaded behind his own back. "Is children's idea." He tilted his head. "Says you are little down at moment."
Alfred looked past the big man over towards the two kids. They seemed to be looking at him expectantly. "It's going to be awkward…" He murmured.
"Hm?"
Alfred looked up to see Ivan making one of the sweetest, most innocent faces he could ever see that was not on a child. He felt his heart skip a beat, and nodded, looking Ivan directly in the eyes. "Okay! Let's go!"
Ivan took Alfred to the children, and together the four of them headed to the festival.
The festival was only just starting, but there was music, singing, and the smell of delicious food in the air.
They cheered and called when Ivan came with the kids. However the energy seemed to drop once they saw Alfred come. Whispers were heard around the party for a few tense minutes before Ivan had brought over two lovely black ladies. He smiled at Alfred and handed him the more beautiful of the two. She was lean with hollow cheek bones, and a confident smile. She was also very forward, Al noticed when she grabbed his hand and pulled him to dance.
Soon he was dancing and clapping his hands along with his partner. He didn't notice that all around him people were joining in again. When he looked around he saw Ivan dancing with the other one he had brought over, a bigger and older woman who was more than a little happy to be there with Ivan.
Alfred grinned. It looked like he had someone who liked him here. He didn't know why it made him sad and happy at the same time, but he couldn't stay in that thought for very long as his partner took his hands and took all of his attention.
Alfred danced with four other women, including the one Ivan had danced with, and Ivan had taken Sasha to dance with the others, and Jackie once he protested enough that Ivan was giving Sasha so much more attention than himself.
And then there was Lazy Tom. The old man was one of the liveliest there! All of the women wanted to dance with him, and each one giggled and laughed at his clumsy yet sweet flirting. All except for Big Mama. Lazy Tom kept making eyes at her, and the same could be said back, even if Big Mama had tutted and told the old flirt, "You ain't going to be using no tricks on me like you do those other women."
But Lazy Tom took it all in stride. "But none are as beautiful as you are Angie. I cross my heart, ain't no woman as breath takin' as you."
Big Mama told him to shoo, and flirt with the younger girls, because he was not getting any younger.
Alfred couldn't help but laugh to himself. They were cute. He kind of wished that he could have someone to do that with. His eyes settled on Ivan, who had the large woman again near him, and was dancing with Jackie as Ivan had Sasha. Alfred felt annoyance at Ivan and the large woman, but tried to ignore it and continue on enjoying the party.
Amelia was sitting at the dining room table. The next moment she was up pacing.
"Mrs. Jones," Nadeen spoke. "It will be fine."
"It won't be fine!" She huffed. "I might as well have ruined what chance we had to get a steady life! Al's so angry he hasn't even tried to come back."
Nadeen left for a while to make Amelia some tea. "Just sit down Mrs. Jones. He should be back soon."
The lady stared at the cups.
"I made some cookies a little earlier."
Amelia sat down. She liked Nadeen's baking. Amelia sat and sipped the tea as Nadeen went to go get the cookies from the kitchen. She really messed up, didn't she? Amelia's agitated state was just growing worse the longer she sat there, doing nothing.
It didn't take long before she made up her mind. She stood up and headed towards the door to outside.
Nadeen came just in time to catch her. "Mrs. Jones! Where are you going?"
"Out! I'm going to go convince Francis to give us another chance!" The lady stopped, looking back, and eyed the cookies.
"I don't think that's a good idea Mrs."
Amelia scooted over. "It'll be fine. I can just use my charm on him—"
Nadeen moved the cookies away when Amelia reached for one. "Not this late at night! You're still a lady, and not just someone from off the street—"
Amelia looked at Nadeen right in the eyes. "I have to do this. Otherwise things might become even more of a problem." They held each other's gaze for a while. Amelia held out her hand, and Naden hesitated but put two cookies in the palm of her hand.
The lady left. Since no-one was around to be her chauffeur, she went and took a horse from the stable, then left.
After the festivities, Ivan had two droopy eyed kids. Alfred accompanied him to drop off the Raccoons back in their sleeping quarters. Ivan had asked Big Mama if she was feeling up to it to make sure they didn't sneak out. He would be back in an hour or so.
The old woman made no promises as her eyes were half way shut too. Ivan thanked her anyway, giving her a kiss on the cheek and headed out with Alfred to walk.
"Mmmm! That was great!" Alfred stretched out his arms.
Ivan smiled. "Maybe you can come again next time." He offered.
Alfred rolled his eyes. "Dunno if Amelia would let me. If she saw me this time, she'd probably have my hide! She can get pretty jealous." He laughed, though fondness was in his voice, there was something else.
Ivan watched the plantation owner for a while. Alfred was spouting off nonsense a little faster than Ivan could follow. He wanted to ask Alfred what had happened, but couldn't find the right words so he stayed quiet and let Alfred prattle on about the party, and all the food.
"And next time, I'll send some food your way. Give it to them as a thanks!" He grinned at Ivan.
Ivan felt a bit of a flush, but nodded. "Of course, mister Jones."
"Alfred." He said. "Call me Alfred."
Ivan hesitated. "But none of other slaves call you that." He pointed out. If he were to call the master by his name, then he might have a few more problems…
Alfred rolled his eyes. "Fine. Then you'll call me Mister Jones when we're around people, but here," He gestured between them, "You'll call me Alfred."
"Here?" Ivan said, confused.
Alfred nodded. "Yeah, when it's just you and me." He grinned. "Okay?"
Ivan hesitated but then slowly nodded.
"Good." Alfred seemed satisfied. He had gotten closer, and looked up into Ivan's broad face. He then wiggled. There wasn't a better way to describe it.
Ivan smiled. He reached over and patted the man's head. Alfred giggled, and grabbed Ivan's wrist. "Stop that!"
Ivan shook his head, bringing over his other big hand and patting Alfred with that one.
Alfred wound up laughing and trying to keep both of Ivan's hands off of his head.
In the end Alfred won with both of Ivan's wrists in his hands. Ivan pouted. "Those are mine."
"They're also mine." Alfred said, half reminding him, half playful. "And I want to do this!" He yanked Ivan forward, lifting one arm up and the next thing Ivan knew he was turned around, arms crossed over his chest, and his back to Alfred's front. He blinked a couple times to get his bearings, and Alfred then spun him back out from the hold. "What? Never done that before?" He asked with a laugh.
Ivan pouted. "Never." He said, though he couldn't stay angry with the little man. Instead of holding Ivan's wrists, he was now holding his hands. Ivan rubbed Alfred's hands in his.
Alfred was silent. Ivan could tell he was watching him.
"Have you… Thought about what I asked?" Were the words that finally came out of his mouth.
Ivan hesitated. "I have been busy."
Alfred gasped. "Wait a second, you already got someone, don't you?" Alfred huffed. "You're sneaky, got a girl under your spell!"
Ivan was startled. "No!" He squeaked. "No, do not have!"
Alfred huffed. "What about that big one you spent half the night with?" He demanded.
Ivan blinked. "Her?" He asked. "Merely good friend who helps wrangle Raccoons when Big Mama is not well."
"That's not what it looked like!" Alfred spat.
Ivan was startled. Why was he so angry? He had done nothing to make him angry, right? Except… "Jealous?" He asked bluntly.
Alfred turned scarlet.
Ivan's mouth hung open just staring at the man. Well, it made sense but—"You are jealous because I have lady friend?" He raised his eyebrows.
"No!" Alfred protested. "I don't get jealous!" He crossed his arms.
Ivan rolled his eyes. He then shook his head while smiling. "You do. I have seen it several times, Alfred."
Alfred puffed up his chest. "NO! Being jealous is too—too—"
Ivan laughed as the flustered Alfred was trying to figure out why being jealous was beneath him.
Alfred pouted, and then grabbed Ivan's hands. "It's too ridiculous!"
"And you are a ridiculous man." Ivan teased.
"Shut up." Alfred demanded, and stood on his tip toes, pulling Ivan down a bit to kiss him on the lips.
Ivan twined their fingers together and kissed the smaller man in the darkness, feeling the heat from Alfred's burning cheeks.
'We are going to hell,' Ivan thought, but that was the last negative thought he gave to it.