Surviving Winter
Chapter 14
Christmas
Author's Stuff: Frolicky Christmas chapter! Actually, quite a bit from here on is quite frolicky...I'm reworking this story bit at a time as I finish it.
It was Christmas morning all too soon.
"CHRISTMAS!" Feliciano shouted. "COLI! COLICOLI! WAKE UP, It's CHRISTMAS!" The high pitched, excited voice was accompanied by rapid knocking on her bedroom door.
Columbia groaned into her pillow, tired but feeling a smile tug at her lips.
"He is so noisy!" Ivan grumbled next to her, snaking an arm around her middle and pulling her close.
"We should probably humor him. It is a special day after all." She placed a hand over his. "I'm a little excited about today myself."
"I do not see the big deal."
"Oh, well now I have to get up." She pushed the covers off of them, making Ivan shiver. The fire burned low.
"I want to sleep more." He said.
"Fine, don't have fun." She checked the clock on her nightstand. It was barely eight-thirty. "Oh, Francis will be here soon to make breakfast with Feli..."
"He will?!" And suddenly Ivan was up, digging through his suitcase for some clean clothes. "You did not say people will be coming over so early!"
"Didn't I?" She moved to her own closet to change. It was cold today. She pulled on a warm undershirt and a thick, red turtleneck. "Ugh, I need leg warmers or something. Jeans do not cut it."
"That's okay. I can keep you warm." Ivan grinned, pulling on his own thick cream sweater.
"COLI! Where are you?!" Feli shouted.
"Coming, coming! We're getting dressed!"
"Vee? Should I get dressed?"
Columbia was a split second from opening the door before she froze mid-stride. "Yes Feli, that would be appreciated!" The mans habit of running around half-naked, even when it was colder, was only slightly disturbing at this point, but still.
"Okay, be right back!"
After she listened to him pad off she opened the door, herself and Ivan making their way downstairs to the living room. The tree was drowned in gifts that she had set under it last night. Boxes large and small, most of them she recognized as the ones she bought, and a couple others she didn't. Huh.
"I'm so excited for today!" Feli called, running downstairs. He was also dressed warmly. "Francis will come over and then we'll all have breakfast and then there's presents and Christmas movies and - "
"Feli!" Columbia cried out, almost laughing. "Calm down!" She couldn't help the infectious smiling though.
"But I don't want to calm down..." He whined. The strange curl on top of his head fell oddly. It was the weirdest thing, both him and Lovino and that curl. It seemed to react to their moods weirdly.
"For now, why don't we just bring in some firewood. We're going to need it today."
"Si, all right!"
"Ivan, can you make some cocoa?"
"Chocolate for breakfast?" He asked, bewildered.
Columbia shrugged. "It's Christmas!" By the time they had gotten the fire in the living room stoked and enough wood brought in for the day, Francis had arrived with his friends. This included Alfred, Arthur, Matthew, and Kiku. Alfred was dressed up as Santa for the occasion.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The loud blonde cried out with a large, bellowing laugh.
"Oui, alo! Good morning, Merry Christmas to you!" Francis had an arm wrapped around Matthew, who giggled lightly. Did he go anywhere without that stuffed bear?
"Merry Christmas..." Kiku muttered carefully.
Arthur didn't say much. He looked nervous.
"Well don't just stand there to turn into people popsicles, get inside!" Columbia shouted, ushering them in. Alfred was carrying a huge sack of present.
"Hey, Columbia where's your tree? Santa's gotta put all the presents down!"
"Your enthusiasm knows no bounds, Alfred. By the window in the living room." She replied.
"All right! I hope you- HOLY COW! Some other Santa's been here already!"
The only one who wasn't surprised was Arthur. Columbia just waved them off though. "Francis, didn't you say you wanted to make breakfast?"
"O-oui, Columbia. Feliciano, we are working together, non?"
"Si!"
Kiku helped arrange the presents as the kitchen became busy with loud noises. Columbia and Ivan dragged out the folding table and chairs, and before long Yao Wang showed up, closely followed by Feliciano's family.
"Oh man, Lovino, I didn't think we'd be the last to arrive." Antonio said, frowning.
"The Beilschmidts are not here yet." Ivan offered.
"Those potato bastards can stick to themselves for all I care."
"L-Lovi...stop being mean and come help us cook..." Feliciano called.
By the time the Germans had arrived the living room floor was almost covered. Presents had to be stacked to allow room for people to relax.
"Mein Gott..." Ludwig just carefully placed his addition to the piles.
"Oh, YES! Zis is AVESOME! Which one iz mine?! Huh? It's the big one, ja?! KESESE -"
"Gilbert, calm down before I take yours back!" Columbia shouted.
"Saucy bitch! You vouldn't to zat on Christmas, vould you?!"
"We could just fight over it. Or you could come have some hot chocolate with the rest of us."
"Cocoa? You hafe cocao zis early?"
It went without saying the breakfast was loud. And exciteable.
Matthew seemed absolutely enthralled that they were having pancakes. He went as far as to compliment the syrup, although he had to approach Columbia directly to tell her so.
"It's the real stuff, not that fake stuff that you usually find I can't believe you found some, it's so good-!" Hearing the soft voice ramble was definitely an interesting experience.
"That was delicious, guys." Alfred said happily, patting his stomach. "Santa is happy!"
"I've never had such wonderful pancakes. Though the syrup really helped!" Matthew's tiny voice barely reached across the table, but Francis emphasized the point.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed it, mon amour! I would love to cook for you every day if I wasn't so busy."
"It's fine!"
"Hey, I sink it's time ve got started on the gifts, ja?"
"Bruder, can't you excercise any patience?"
"Hell no! It's zat time of year! Patience doesn't exist for ze AVESOME ME! Kesesese!"
"I GET TO BE SANTA! I dressed up for it and everything, so I GET TO DO IT!" Alfred shouted, already standing up to run into the living room.
"You greedy git, why not give someone a chance at least!" Arthur scolded.
"All so excited!" Ivan said, almost laughing. "At this rate you might tear each other apart!"
"Oh let him do it, he did dress for the part." Columbia said on a laugh. She stood as well. "Welp, guess we're all worked up now. Let's go open em up!"
"YAY!" Feliciano jumped up, moving about as fast as Alfred had...which was pretty fast.
A loveseat had been added to the living room since the last gathering, so between the heater, the couch, a recliner, the tree and the multitude of presents the room was pretty crowded. Nobody seemed to mind though as Alfred began picking through gifts. Kiku seemed to be acting as 'Santa's helper', as 'Santa' would read off the gift and hand it off to be passed out. "So this is for Feliciano -" Passed it off. "Arthur - " Passed it off. This went on until the large boxes in the back remained. "Um...these are pretty heavy." Alfred said, trying to lift the box.
"Just leave them there, then. Who are they for?"
"Um...one's for you, Columbia...one for...'The Beilschmidts'...oh, yeah I bet I can bring this one to you, Lovino." He grabbed a slightly smaller box and carried it over to the Italian with a slight thud.
"Geez..." Lovino stared at the large box, trying to comprehend what's inside.
"What the hell are you all waiting for? Dig in!" Alfred shouted.
"Shouldn't we go in a circle? I mean none of us are kids or anything. So we could wait." Arthur asked.
"...But there's so many of us!" Alfred said. "We can just thank every one afterwards! It works that way too, right?"
"I agree with ze dumb blonde!" Gilbert yelled.
"HEY!" Alfred shouted back.
"No no, I think Arthur has a point. All at once or one at a time, taking turns?" Antonio said.
"All at once..." Several voices agreed.
"So who goes first?" Alfred whined.
"I say Columbia, since it's her party." Yao spoke.
"Eh. Let someone else go first. Antonio, maybe? Or maybe we could do little groups. Like Feli, Antonio, and Lovi go..." Columbia said.
"Eh, I don't really care to go first...Lovino?"
"I don't care." The Italian huffed.
"All right then, Lovi, go ahead." Antonio encouraged, already picking at his first gift.
"Fine..." He grabbed his first box. "From the tomato bastard." He growled, ripping open the gift.
"Aw, hold it up for me, Lovi!" Antonio said happily, gripping the slender mans shoulders.
"Bastard...getting me something like this -" It was a tomoato print apron, which earned several high pitched laughs from the room.
"I thought you'd be cute in it, Lovi."
"Bastardo -! Columbia, this big one had better be worth that embarrassment!" He ripped at the huge box, letting the wrapping fall and grabbing a small knife from his pocket. The box was plain and taped, and he sliced the tape easily, opening the box. "Mio Dio, that's a-lotta cookware!" He shuffled through smaller boxes that were neatly stacked inside the large one, finding a cookbook between two of them. "A thousand and one pasta recipes - this is all specialty cookware for pasta!"
"VEEE?!" Feliciano looked like he was going to have a heart attack. "REALLY?!"
"Lookit! There's a steamer pot! And extra long wooden spoons! And glass jars filled with pasta! Holy connoli!"
Antonio opened a watch from Lovino, a painting from Feliciano, and a steamer mop from Columbia.
"Veee...hey, Coli, you weren't supposed to get me anything." Feli asked, holding up the thin present from his roommate.
She shrugged. "Just open it."
"Vee...paintbrushes! Ooh...nice ones." He looked them over. "Very nice ones." He received a whole box of new canvas's from his brother and Antonio.
"Beilschmidt's next?" Yao offered, waving his arm in a circle around the room.
"YES! Vhy not?!" Gilbert jumped up, heading straight for the box that was too heavy to move. "Vest, zis is for bos of us!"
"Ja? All right, I'm comink." Between the two of them they easily managed to slide the present into the middle of the room, Gilbert tearing into the wrapping like...well, like a kid at Christmas.
"BEER!" He cried excitedly, going into a loud fit of his strange laugh.
"Mein Gott, it's a brewer!" Ludwig spun to Columbia. "Seriously?!"
She just shrugged.
"Avesome, a new avesome cage for Gilibird!" Gilbert was as loud as anything. "Und a box of new diaries! That should help keep me busy for un while."
"Do you both have pets?" Yao asked asked Luwig revealed a package of dog collars.
"Ja, Gilbert has a bird and I hafe dogs."
"Weird household..." Yao muttered.
"Hey Vest, should I get zis one or you? It's from Feli."
"I don't care. Go ahead."
"Yes! I bet it's a paint - " He froze, the framed work of art half-opened.
The mood in the room shifted. Gilbert was being quiet and solemn-looking. Which was saying something.
"Vhat?" Ludwig asked. "Vhat is it?"
Gilbert didn't say anything. Instead, he handed the gift to his brother, promptly thudding over to Feli and picking the light Italian up into a lung-crushing hug.
"GAH! Gilbert, I can't breathe -!" Feli cried.
"Vell neiser can I so deal vis it!"
"Dude, what is it? I can't take the mystery, man!" Alfred shouted.
"Oh, shut up, you!" Gilbert bit, refusing to let go of the gasping Italian.
"G-Gilbert, per favore..."
"Quiet, baby!" Gilbert shouted. There was suddenly a loud stream of Italian from Lovino, harsh German between Gilbert and Ludwig, and Spanish from Antonio.
"Holy geez, what a Christmas!" Columbia shouted over the noise. Eh, let them bicker a little. It wasn't like they were gonna hurt each other. "Well...they're done. Whose next?"
"MEMEME!" Alfred shot his hand up.
"You are really immature..." Arthur noted.
"Aw, open your stuff with me then!"
"I...all right..."
They both tore into their first gifts, from Francis. "Cool! A new movie! Oh hey there's a game in here from Matthew too..."
"British tea...thank you, Francis." Arthur picked up his next present. "Columbia, you didn't need t - "
"HOLY COW!" Alfred's shout drew everyone's attention as he fingered the hardback book. "This is awesome! Holy- DUDE! Columbia, this is SO COOL!"
Columbia tried to hide her reaction. He would really go gaga over his next one... "Don't sweat it." She said.
Arthur quietly stared at the expensive brand name skinny jeans and punk accessories that sat neatly in a clothing box. "...Thank you." He muttered, inspecting the jewelry closely.
"NO FUCKING WAY." Alfred certainly got overexcited about his presents.
Columbia watched with interest. Arthur was fidgeting, he had stopped unwrapping and was picking at some tape without any intention of tearing it off. His face was flushing deeper by the second.
"Holy Shit! Kiku, look at this!" Alfred shoved the large box set of DVD's into his friends face.
Kiku wasn't all that surprised. "Yes, it's a rovery gift."
"Who got this again?!" He scrambled to check the wrapping, searching for the name. Arthur flinched. Columbia slapped her palm to her face. Seriously Alfred?
"Arthur what the hell?!" Alfred said breathlessly, turning to face the now all too bright red Briton.
He fidgeted. "I...well, knew you liked that stuff...so...it just...seemed right at the time."
"DUDE! This is! AGH!" Alfred screamed, forcing a hug on his stunned co worker.
"Buh - Alfred -" The other stuttered. He looked dizzy. "I - you're - "
Alfred pushed back. "Dude, what's wrong? You're hearts thumping so hard I could feel it through my suit - " He poked his friends chest, who shrank back, stunned.
"I LOVE YOU, YOU GIT!" Arthur screamed, standing.
Silence suddenly overcame the entire room, all eyes on the British man.
"Oh...Oh God." He mumbled stupidly.
"You - you what?!" The honey blonde was clearly dumbstruck. "Wait...seriously? Seriously?!"
"Oh, bullocks..." Arthur's voice was too high and shaky.
"And I think this calls for some booze!" Columbia stated, standing.
"Is that your answer to everything?" Ivan asked.
"It works, doesn't it?"
"...Da, it kind of does. ...Hypocrite."
"Er..." Alfred tried to form words in his slack mouth. "Um...listen. Why don't we talk about it later, huh?"
"Eh?!"
"I mean...I'm not...I'm not gonna say 'no'. But I want to talk about it first...later." He started blushing.
Arthur sank to his knees. "This...you're not joking are you? If you're joking I swear to God-!"
"...Nah, I wouldn't joke. Just...shove it for now and enjoy yourself all right?" He was avoiding eye contact, flushing slightly. "Open this." He shoved one last package into the others hands.
Arthur just stared, completely incredulous and feeling entirely embarrassed. At the same time, he suddenly felt relief and a sense of happiness. "All right. Fine. Sure. Later then." He ripped at the paper. "...This is my favorite band." The thick stack of CD's were taped together carefully.
"I know." Alfred said, still a little flushed.
"Matthieu, mon amour, your brother is quite the smooth talker, yes?"
"When he's not being an idiot, he can be, yes."
"Booze. For whoever wants it." Columbia stated, not even bothering to ask Arthur as she shoved a small glass into his hand. He drank the amber liquid a little too fast, draining the half filled glass without a hitch.
"Thirsty?" Columbia teased.
"Yes. Better now, thank you."
"Kiku? You want to go next?"
"Ah - sank you, but I...I would like to open when Yao does."
"What?! Why me, aru?" Yao yelped in surprise.
Kiku just blinked. "Why not?"
"...Fine, aru...come over here."
Kiku gathered his few gifts in his hands, sitting down on the floor next to Yao who was sitting in the recliner. "Well, here I go." Kiku said quietly.
Columbia couldn't help finding the Japanese accent kind of funny, in a good way.
They were the quietest present openers ever. Kiku opened his games and books with individual thanks-you's to Columbia, Arthur, and Matthew. Yao did the same with the new sawblade and gift voucher for raw materials at a wood supply store. "Hold on! Kiku, you didn't have to get me anything, aru!" He shouted, picking up his last little box.
"...Prease don't think much of it."
He tore the paper curiously. "...Japanese candies, aru..."
"I know you prefer the Chinese ones, but I thought that maybe you would like try something."
"...Thank you, Kiku, aru."
"It is all right."
"Columbia, I would not dare make you go last in your own house! Go ahead, dear!" Francis called from his seat, but she just shook her head. "Nah, I'll go last with Ivan. You and Matthew dig in."
"She did say it was okay." Matthew muttered meekly. He had been fidgeting uncomfrotably. Maybe he shared some of his brothers enthusiasm and was just better at keeping it in check.
"Very well, very well, mon ami."
Ivan leaned over to talk quietly to Columbia. "Look how excited Matthew is! And Francis acts more like Kiku and Yao..."
"Observing, are we?" Columbia faced her boyfriend. He had been quiet, looking over the room carefully the whole time.
"I...many different ways people act." He said, nodding. "Is very interesting."
"C-Columbia..." Matthew's tiny voice trembled. "This wouldn't happen to be the same brand that we had this morning for breakfast?"
She looked up. He had opened his entire case of maple syrup. "Yup. One in the same."
"Mon Dieu-!" He hugged the case. "Happyhappyhappy..."
"Mon amour is so cute! Ah, Matthieu, what a gorgeous coat you've found! I love it!"
"I-it was nothing..." He opened a small case of movies from his brother, then looked around in confusion. "Did...did you get me anything?"
"Oh, that's right I forgot." He leaned in on the smaller boy. "Your present comes la-ter~!" The French sang.
Matthew went bright red. "DUDE, not in - God, that's my brother man!" Alfred whined, shoving his glasses away to rub his eyes.
"Ohoho, but you have your own lover now, oui? You two will make the cutest couple. Ah, gourmet ingrediants! Thank you, Columbia -!"
"You are MESSED UP!" Alfred retorted, both he and Arthur turning red.
Arthur tugged at his collar. "Columbia may I have another drink, please?"
"Careful, you'll be drunk before noon." She said, pouring more rum into his glass from earlier.
"If I'm lucky..." He mumbled, tipping back the glass.
"Hey, Columbia don't get him drunk! He's a mess when he gets like that..." Alfred said.
"Oh bloody - I can make my own decisions!"
"Yeah well when I'm the one carrying your ass home!"
Arthur just drank. "Let Columbia and Ivan open their gifts."
"All righty! Here we go." Columbia said, opening a box she was holding in her lap. It was heavy, and it made her curious. What was more curious is that Kiku, Alfred, Arthur, Francis, AND Matthew had all signed it. There was a second tall, rectangular present that was signed the same way.
"Wait...it's...a video game system?" She stared at it, turning the box over to check the labels.
"Yeah, a Playstation! You said you had nothing to do in the house over the winter so we thought it would be a good thing for you to have!" Alfred said happily.
"Gosh guys. Thanks. Then I guess these would be games for it?" She ripped off the paper of the tall present. Yup, games. At least ten, she guessed. A little card was on top. "What's this?"
"A three month renting pass to my store." Kiku said. "It is just a rittle something to say thank-you for having me over for these wonderful gatherings."
"Cool, thanks." She glanced towards Ivan, who had all of three presents in his lap, and had just stared at them unevenly. "You okay?"
"Da...er, I'm not sure I expected to get anything other than from you."
"Well, open one. Sheesh. Who are they from?"
"...This one's from Feliciano." He ripped at the paper carefully, pushing it up evenly to uncover the painting as neatly as possible. It was a field of beautifully painted sunflowers.
"Ooh, that's a good one." She said encouragingly.
Ivan was staring at the painting. It was almost like he was frozen for a moment.
"Ivan?"
"...I love Sunflowers..." He mumbled, flushing slightly. "It's pretty."
"Well don't tell me, thank him." She said, pointing to the auburn-topped Italian.
"Ah -!" He was fretting. "Th-thank you, Feliciano."
"It was nothing. I wasn't sure about the subject..." The auburn haired Italian fidgeted. She had the feeling that maybe he was embarrassed about only giving out paintings.
"...Is good. Very good." He placed it carefully aside and opened a bottle of vodka from Arthur. "But I didn't get you anything?"
"It's fine. It's not that much anyway."
Alfred stared at Arthur. "Dude, you got Ivan a gift?" He barely whispered it.
"...Columbia, did you make this?"
"Yes." She grinned. Ivan stood to hold up the large, dark brown coat. It was lined with a warm, fuzzy material akin to fur. Fancy buttons went down the side.
"You...you made that?!" Yao stared, shocked.
"Very impressive..." Kiku commented.
"It's not that great. There's actually a few mistakes I'm not happy with..."
"I think it's perfect! Thank you." Ivan said, giving her a kiss.
"Your welcome, dear." She stood, and moved to inspect the big box behind the tree. "Yao, what have you done?"
"Open it and see, aru!"
There was no issue complying with that. A plain box was underneath the wrapping, and Lovino let her borrow his knife to slice the taping on it. Inside, several pieces of highly polished dark wood were waiting to be pulled out. "Wait, what is it?"
"I will put it together, aru!" Yao said happily. "Will only take a little while. Keep opening, aru."
"Yao this is too big- "
"Do not worry about it, aru."
"Fine." She gave in, opening a lovely painting of her farm on a summer day, and a set of new dishes from the Beilschmidts and Feliciano's family. "There was alot of banding together for me, huh?" She glanced at Ivan, who was twiddling his fingers nervously.
"We didn't know what to get you!" Feliciano explained. "So we all pooled some money and got something big and nice!"
The dishes were gorgeous, and assortment of dark purple and lavenders alongside whites. She realized she probably only had half a set of actual matching plates in her kitchen as it was. "Thanks guys. It's really nice."
"Don't mention it. I vant to try the brewer!" Gilbert had been drooling over the closed box the entire time.
Columbia leaned in to whisper to Feli. "What was your painting to them?"
He smiled slightly. "It was of Hartwin."
She smiled back. "Feli..." Her last present was all that was left. The small cardboard box looked worn as she pulled the flaps up. "Stacking dolls?" She asked curiously, fingering the delicate wood.
"M-Matryoshka." Ivan said. "It's a hobby of mine..." He was turning sheepish.
"It's hand painted!" Feli exclaimed, eyeing the present curiously.
"You made these?" Columbia asked Ivan.
He blushed more. "It was nothing! Little hobby, that is all. Why you always make me feel so nervous about such little things?"
"Because it's cute..." She placed the dolls carefully down. It was intricately painted and carved smoothly. She couldn't wait to open it up, but didn't want to lose any of the pieces in the messy floor. Moving the box, she realized there was something else in the bottom. A piece of molded styrofoam covered a little music box, a beautifully dressed figure skater topping the porcelain box. "Pretty...I'm usually not one for knick knacks but..." She tilted the lid, a tune she definitely did not recognize, but lovely all the same, filled the room. She frowned. It was slow, and pretty, but something was weird. "It sounds sad." She decided.
"I think so too." Antonio hummed.
"You do not like it?" Ivan asked. He looked absolutely crestfallen.
"I love it." She reassured him, and moved to plant a short, sweet kiss on his lips.
"C-Columbia..." He flushed.
"OH, LOOK AT THEM! They are so cute, non?! What a sweet couple, magnifique!" Francis was practically shaking his tense boyfriend in excitement.
"There's something wrong with you!" Alfred and Arthur shouted in unison. Something told her they said that often about Francis.
Paper was thrown away. Yao was quickly assembling what she realized was a beautiful tall and thin bookshelf. "Ooh!" Columbia stated. That can go in the hallway-!" Ludwig helped carry it in place.
Alfred busied himself with setting up the new game system. "It also works as a DVD player! And you can play those blu-ray things on it too!"
"Seriously?" Columbia asked, blinking in surprise. "In one machine?"
"Yep!"
"Huh."
They turned on a couple of feel-good Christmas movies, there was no shortage of them on television. Right as they started their second movie, Katyusha had finally arrived, with presents in tow for Columbia and Ivan. Between the two, her alcohol cabinet would be wonderfully stocked.
The atmosphere was settling nicely, people chatted and talked and just enjoying the Holiday spirit. The long absence of Arthur and Alfred didn't go unnoticed though, and Francis kept waiting for a chance to spring them with some mistletoe. Alfred graciously told the Frenchie to 'fuck off'.
Ivan was finding the movies humorous for some reason. He enjoyed picking apart the side characters and kept wondering what they were doing off-screen.
"Little man seemed so scared of angry woman." He laughed. "What is he so worried about? If it came to a fight he would definitely win..."
"It always comes down to watching 'who would win a fight' with you, Ivan. Why is that?" Columbia asked, curious about his odd commentary on movies.
"It is interesting. It is also fun to guess who will take pieces of what when fight is over. Sometimes it's a person on the sidelines who makes off with best deal." He explained happily.
"He is right, non?" Francis said. "Though I do not see how it pertains to this particular piece. Such a strange thought, Ivan."
"Didn't ve all just agree to be strange togeser?" Gilbert asked, shrugging.
"It's been mentioned, aru."
A very, very loud pounding on the door interrupted any and all thoughts. "...Who the hell?" Columbia asked, looking around. Everyone was here...she stood to answer, and was about two feet away when a loud, edgy voice made it's way through the door.
"BIG BROTHER, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Ivan jumped, bolting from his seat and shouting in a harsh whisper. "I'mnothereI'mnothereI'mnothere!" He turned a corner by grabbing the wall for support and spinning up the stairs, leaving many, many confused faces.
"What the hell?!" Alfred shouted. The living room erupted into a stream of confusion.
"Big brother, let me in!" The pounding grew louder. "I want to be with you! It's been too long, BROTHER!"
Columbia shrank back. Of all the things to ruin the day. "Guys I dunno what to do!" She said harshly.
"Well what the hell does she want? Who is she?!" Arthur asked. Katyusha was the only one not freaking out.
"BROTHER!" The shouting grew desperate, and Columbia heard a strange, creepy, scratching sound. "I will get to you! Even if I have to dig through wood I will get to you-! Damn locked door! Damn handle!"
Next to her, Arthur shuddered. "What in God's name-?!"
"Columbia, go find brother." Katyusha finally interjected. "I will try to reason with her."
"Oh yeah great, reason with the psychotic, stalker sibling!"
Katyusha gave her a stern look, and she rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll go with him." She trudged up the stairs, and the creaking of the front door was heard only when she was out of sight. She felt guilty about leaving the massive confusion behind.
"Natalia!" She heard Katyusha greet. She looked around her bedroom, he wasn't in here. Sighing, she crossed the room and knocked on the master bathroom door.
"Ivan." She whispered. "It's Columbia." She heard movement, and the door swung open and she was pulled inside in the blink of an eye. The door was closed and re-locked, Ivan holding her middle in a death grip with one arm, his water pipe in the other hand.
"So sorry. I should have grabbed you with me. Where is she?" He whispered.
A little annoyed at the situation, Columbia just huffed. "Katyusha is talking to her."
"Huh?! But that never works!"
As if on cue, the sound of stomping feet approached them. The bedroom door was opened with a slam. "Brother, I can hear you! What are you doing with this 'Columbia'?! You should only have eyes for me-!" The pounding continued on the bathroom door, and Ivan shrank back, gripping Columbia tighter and holding his pipe out.
"Ivan stand up to her!" Columbia shouted. "You've gotta be twice her size, at least-!"
He shook his head. "No, I can't hit my sister. It's the one thing-!"
"BROTHER!" A crunching noise drew their attention, and the silver tip of a knife appeared through the bathroom door.
If Columbia felt any fear, it was long gone. Now she was just angry. She forced herself out of Ivan's grasp, slipping through his fingers and storming to the door to fly it open. "You did NOT just ruin my door!" She shouted, surprising the long-haired beauty before her. Columbia hated to admit it, but Natalia was, by all means, naturally gorgeous.
"Out of my way." Natalia said plainly, and she pointed the long butcher knife straight at her.
"Gosh, you are scary, aren't you?" Columbia started. "Put the knife down!"
"I'll cut you!" She threatened, deftly swinging the blade in front of her. Columbia pretended not to look impressed. The girl knew how to handle that thing.
"I'm sure you will, but I'm also sure that I'll live." Where did that cocky attitude of hers come from, she wondered. She didn't exactly want to be stabbed today, but she couldn't say she was actually afraid for her life at the moment. "Just put the damn thing down!"
"Hussy!" Natalia shouted, and her skirts flew as a booted foot landed squarely into Columbia's stomach.
Columbia groaned, but grabbed the other girls ankle and knocked her off balance, making her tumble to the ground. Another kick landed on Columbia's side, but she tried to ignore it.
"Stop, stop!" Ivan shouted, rushing to get between them. "Don't hurt each other!" He seemed downright panicked, his violet eyes moving rapidly between the two women.
"She it taking you away from me!" Natalia shouted.
"Hey, I didn't force him to do anything he didn't want to!" Columbia retorted.
"I'll strangle you!"
She scoffed. "You can try!"
It happened in seconds. Natalia pounced, her hands reaching for Columbia's throat, who was ready for that action and coiled her legs up to shove her away with a powerful kick. Both feet hit her square in the chest, and Columbia remembered doing the same thing to Ivan once. Natalia fell back, gasping, the wind knocked from her. The clinging of something alarmed Columbia to danger, and the long-haired female up and lunging again, a blade aimed right for her side.
"NATALIA!" Ivan screamed, and both women froze, staring at the distressed face. Columbia was pulled into a rough grasp, his shaking form squeezing her tightly.
"Do NOT touch her!" He bit out, glaring down his younger sibling. She couldn't see though, he had his hand tightly clamped around the back of her head which was buried into his chest. She tried to turn a little, earning a sliver of sight through the material of his sweater.
"Brother! You do not need her!" Natalia had stopped, the knife clattering to the floor. "I just want your love!"
"You had it!" Ivan retorted. "I do not understand what you want from me, I have given my answer before. You are too forceful, Natalia."
"...I want my brother..." She murmured.
"AND I WANT MY SISTER BACK!" Ivan shouted, and it only took Columbia a second to realize that he was crying.
Columbia watched as the platinum blonde straightened, her face slowly turning into a placid, emotionless stone. Ivan's grip on her tightened, which she had thought was impossible until that point, and they stood frozen as the female spun and left.
Ivan was stunned, he stared blankly as she simply walked out of the room and the resounding slam of the front door being closed told him she had left. Just like that. "Heavens to Betsy..." He murmured, staring at thin air in disbelief.
"Ivan-" Columbia reached up to wipe his cheeks carefully. "It's fine. You can stop now..."
He exhaled, carefully, and hugged her more. "Are you hurt?"
"Ne..." She smiled, brushing her lips against his cheek.
"Ivan?" Katyusha was peering into the doorway. A glance upwards and they realized she wasn't the only one. Several saucer-wide eyes were staring into the room, some shocked, some dumbfounded.
"We are fine, sister." Ivan said, standing quickly and helping Columbia up. "I apologize on my sister's behalf. I...I did not mean for her to know I was here."
"Dude, your sister is insane!" Alfred shouted wildly. "Are you all right?!"
Ivan was taken aback by the question. "Er...da, I am fine...Columbia is the one that fought her off..." He glanced down to the girl he was gripping tightly.
Feliciano and Antonio were the ones who ran to her in a fretful worry, Columbia trying her best to reassure that she was, in fact, completely all right.
"Is there something you would like to talk about?" Arthur asked, approaching Ivan cautiously.
"Hm? Me?" The tall Russian pointed himself dumbly. "You are asking me?"
"Y-yes. It just seems you have a bit of family trouble...if you need someone to talk to, I'd be happy to hear you out." The Briton was looking a little sheepish, his hands were stuffed in his pockets and he half-mumbled some of his words.
Ivan was blank. "Uhm...are you..." He paused, not sure what to think. Columbia was the only person that generally confronted him about problems. The flustering man in front of him was not exactly a stranger, he surmised.
"Just thank him, Ivan." Columbia leaned over, half-whispering.
"Th-thank you." He said carefully. "Um...I'm not sure what all I'd be willing to talk about..."
"It's fine. Whatever is fine. Consider the offer open. I mean it's like we're friends or...not...I mean we could be." He half-grumbled. "But I wouldn't be a gentlemen if I at least didn't offer."
Ivan just tilted his head in annoyance. "Are you trying to be nice or no? Is very confusing!"
"I-! Yes dammit!"
"Just say so then! Goodness." He hoped all people wouldn't be as confusing as Arthur.
"Okay, there are just a few too many people in my room..." Columbia shouted, grimacing. There were about a million questions on everyone's mind, none of them appropriate. "Let's all just go back downstairs and try to settle down, huh?"
A wave of agreement rippled the air, and before she knew it she was settling back into her couch, leaning into Ivan comfortably.
"So dude, you want to tell us what all that was about?" Alfred asked. He stood in front of them, hands on his hips and an innocently curious expression on his face.
"Alfred, you can be so rude-!" Arthur scolded.
"I-it's fine." Ivan stated calmly, waving his hand in front of him a little. "Is delicate situation- "
"I've never seen you run so fast!" Yao exclaimed. "Your sister is that scary, aru..."
"D-da, she is...enthusiastic..."
"Has she alvays been like zat? Kesese...it's hard for me to beliefe such a girl."
"W-well - " Ivan was starting to look dejected, if not a little overwhelmed. Columbia almost interjected, but he stopped her. "Natalia has been...obsessive about me since we were young. I am not sure why she chooses to act in such a way. She wants to...marry me."
"VHAT?! But - you are siblings, ja?"
Ivan swept across the half-mortified expressions staring back at him. "...Columbia, you are right. I think it is strange."
She sighed heavily. "I told you it was. Anyway, I think that whatever it is you two have should be between you two."
"Vee...but Coli, she attacked you, didn't she?" Feli looked over at his friend worriedly.
"Obviously, I can handle myself." Ivan's hand squeezed her shoulder though, and his faced was drawn into a worried daze. "Ivan?"
"I will confront Natalia. It is about time she understood - for sure this time -that she cannot have what she desires of me. And ne, she has not 'always' been so. At least..." He pondered the words, trying to remember exactly how his younger sibling had acted in their youth. "It does not matter. Either way, I do wish for her to stop."
"Ivan, are you sure?" Katyusha asked gently.
"Da, Katyusha, pora ona uznala YA ser'yezno."
"YA ne khochu lyubogo iz vas bol'no..."
"On ne pridet k tomu, chto."
"Um - wait -" Columbia tried to pick up the sentences, only managed hear a few choice words.
"Do not worry about it." Ivan said soothingly. He kissed her forehead repeatedly. "All will be fine."
"...If you say so..." She agreed reluctantly.
"If you need any help we're here for you man!" Alfred said happily, giving a thumbs-up.
"Eh?" Ivan stared at him.
"You might need it, aru."
"I said it before, we are here...I feel like we're all friends now. I mean it. All of us." Arthur mentioned.
"I guess zat is true." Gilbert grumbled.
"Ja. I agree."
"I am thinking..." Ivan continued. "That I enjoy everyone's company here. Spasibo. I truly appreciate it."
And like that, they were laughing together again. Columbia did not miss that Ivan had gripped her a little more tightly.
Feliciano was offering up more movies and entertaining guests, which was good. Columbia was suddenly lost in the comfort of Ivan's arms and kisses, oblivious to the chatter and noises in the room. They weren't bothered much, which she was grateful for. For some reason, it felt like she was suddenly in her own little bubble with the tall man. She looked up at him, his kisses that ruffled her hair were causing an old, familiar feeling to rise in her chest. It was getting to be around lunchtime, but all the food was left out to be picked at over the course of the day, Francis and Lovino deciding to experiment at her permission for dinner.
Ivan decided he had wanted to help a little. Deciding she would have to push her emotions to the side for now, she mingled with her friends throughout the day, happy to have such warm faces. Ivan had wandered off a bit, chatting pleasantly with Alfred and Arthur, which almost surprised her.
"Having fun?" She asked him, and he had faced her with a bright smile.
"Da! Everyone is being so nice. I like this." He wrapped her into a tight hug. "Thank you." He said plainly. "This is something I've always wanted."
No one brought up the unfortunate Natalia incident again, and after dinner was set out and devoured, people began thanking her for the day and leaving.
"New Year's at my place?" Alfred offered with a smile.
"That sounds like fun!"
The chatter continued through the good-bye's, until all who was left was Ivan, Lovino, and Antonio.
"You two staying the night?" Columbia asked, glancing at the Spaniard and Feli's brother.
"Si, most likely mi amigo." Antonio said.
Columbia nodded. "Fine. See you in the morning...Ivan, could you come with me? Please?"
The Russian gave her a confused look as they walked away, her tugging him towards her bedroom, shutting the door behind them. "Is something wrong?" He asked, confused.
"No. I just want to kiss you."
He blushed. "A-all right..."
She collapsed on the bed, waiting for him to follow. He came to her slowly, and she grew annoyed. "Come here." She asked, reaching her hands out to his face.
"So aggressive. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just...this is normal, okay?" She had tried to ignore the increased swelling in her chest over the course of the day, but it was suddenly becoming close to unbearable. She needed something.
"...Okay." He reluctantly agreed, and leaned down to connect their lips.
She kissed back greedily, hungry for his taste. Her fingers tangled into his hair as she desperately tugged him closer, almost forcing him to collapse on top of her.
Their kissing became so intense it became hard to breathe. Finally, Ivan place a hand on her chest, pushing them apart with a gasp. "Columba, you're being weird!" His face was flushed, the deep shade of red a stark contrast to his normally pale face.
"How so?" She breathed. She grabbed his wrist that was supporting him, tipping his balance so he flipped onto his back and she moved to straddle him in a single movement. His shocked face stared up at her with wide, curious eyes. "God, you're handsome." She said, realizing she was feeling desire for the man before her. She fought to control herself. There was no way it was the right time to just jump in bed with him.
"Columbia. I am not familiar with this." He muttered, his chin dipping low.
"I know." She kissed his face tenderly. "Just let me kiss you." Physically she was far more advanced than he was, she knew. Especially with how flinchy he could be.
"...All right..." His voice was small, barely a whisper. She leaned on him, kissing his cheeks, his nose, his forehead. He flinched and squirmed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging tightly and kissing the spot right under his ear lobe.
"Ah-!" He yelped, and she nibbled on the shell of his ear. "Columbia, that makes me feel strange!" He was turning deeper shades of red, and she grinned darkly.
"It's okay. Do you not like it?"
He was beginning to pant. "I...I am not sure."
She frowned, stopping herself and leaning up. "Sorry." She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. "Might be a little fast."
"...Do you like having that done to you?" He asked curiously.
"I - " It was her turn to blush deeply. "I suppose."
"You did these things with your fiancee?" The words were solemn, and she flinched.
"Yeah...I'm no maiden, Ivan. I...I thought I was with the man of my life." She sighed heavily. "Such a mistake, thinking back on it..."
He moved, sitting up and drawing her into his lap. "You could not know better. Do you...want me to do things to you?"
Columbia stared at him, her eyes going wide and excitement filling her. Yes. Yes that's what she wanted. But no, she didn't want it on a whim. It was subtle, but his curious expression and hesitancy to speak told her he wasn't entirely comfortable with this situation.
"It's not something we need to force." She forced a smile. "It's been a long day. We should sleep."
"...Da." Was all he managed to mutter, and they swiftly changed into pajamas, Columbia going to the bathroom and swearing at the slash in her door. They settled into the comforters, exhausted. Columbia turned to face the edge of her side of the bed, sighing. Ivan laid to face his own side, silently waiting for Columbia to fall asleep. He was patient. When her breathing evened, he slowly turned to face the back of her head. Extending his fingers, he brushed the thin strands of her hair curiously. He scooted closer, gently wrapping an arm around he midriff. She was warm. He leaned in closer to kiss the back of her head, his arm squeezing a little tighter. She hummed in her sleep.
"What is so fascinating..." He mumbled to himself, brushing the back of her exposed ear with his fingers. He stared at the bare skin of her neck, licking his lips slightly. Leaning in just a bit more, he hovered above the area, carefully placing his lips on the smooth, soft skin.
She shuddered under the kiss, a pleasant smile gracing her face. He stared, fascinated by the reaction. He felt the flush return to his cheeks. A strange, unfamiliar feeling made his chest feel tight. Alongside it was a small stab of fear. He had to force himself to think of breathing. This would not be an easy obstacle.