The doctor finished his own plate quickly but took the time to clean up most of their dishes before joining Alfred upstairs, ideas flitting around excitedly for all it could be.
Once he opened the bedroom door, however, he was stunned to find Alfred presented in such a way. Ivan covered his mouth as his eyes widened and nausea hit him full force as his memories burst forth and made themselves un-ignorable. "I'm sorry" he mumbled as he slid down the wall, eyes tightly closed and body curling protectively around itself making the large, broad man look childlike and vulnerable.
Alfred heard the broken words and ripped off his blindfold. "Vanya?" He freed himself of everything and ran to his love. "Baby? What's wrong?!" he rubbed the lowered head, worried that the dinner may have made him sick. He ran downstairs and got a cup of water, running back to Ivan's side "Here drink this…I'll get a bath going for you…I must have undercooked the meal…" he held out the water for Ivan.
Ivan shook his head slowly, unwilling to speak of the chaotic mess running through his head, his arms tightened around himself "I just…I…need a moment…" he choked out weakly.
Alfred nodded, backing up "…I'll ah…clean up the kitchen…" He pulled his boxers on and walked downstairs, cleaning up the pans that had been soaking, his eyes sad until he met Arthur's. He glared before he dropped back to the sink, washing scrubbing silently.
The ashen blond tried to calm himself with slow and steady breaths, his body trembling slightly as he tried to bring himself back together.
It took a while, though he noticed it was shorter than the last time he was hit in such a way and he credited that to Alfred but he finally stood and went to search out Alfred. He found the sunny blond taking care of the dishes he had left to soak "I'm sorry" he said softly, wanting to pull the younger man into a hug but unsure of how it would be received.
Alfred stopped cleaning the dishes and turned around, small smile on his face. "…I had forgotten…you had seen the video…" he whispered, eyes down on the floor. "I'm very stupid at times…I'm the one that is sorry…"
"It is not you…it…I…" Ivan hesitated before sighing "it…is time you know…" he trailed off and took Alfred's hand, leading him back to the bedroom so that Ivan could relax as much as possible as he recounted the story. Ivan laid out, bringing Alfred to him and using him as a kind of safety blanket "…" he was quiet, hesitant and unsure of where to start.
Alfred laid down on him, gently rubbed his head "…Take your time…" he whispered, calming him.
Ivan took a few steadying breaths and tightened his grip slightly "…When I was a child my sisters and I… We were sold off to pay a debt and…we were…used…passed off between the group that ruled our small town and…I…spent most of the time blindfolded and tied down… Just waiting for the next person…" His hands tightened around Alfred and his eyes shut but he knew he needed to get everything over with at once "I was starving and dehydrated, unable to even scream…but I was able to hear their screams…my sisters…were chosen more…until the screams stopped suddenly…" Ivan's voice cracked and broke into an unsteady whisper. He had to take a few long minutes to steady himself again, taking comfort in Alfred's presence and the steady, constant rhythm of the gentle fingers carding through his hair. "That is my last memory of them and later the building was found and the men caught…but by then…my sisters were…unrecognizable…"
Alfred's heart hurt for Ivan. He hugged him close. "I'm so, so sorry my love…I won't do that again…I'm so sorry…" He kissed his head gently, rubbing it slowly.
"I appreciate the effort" Ivan tried to smile "maybe next time no blindfold and gag?" he said more softly "but thank you for understanding" he gave Alfred a gentle kiss.
Alfred felt so fucking dumb. He nodded, rubbing Ivan's head slowly. "…You must be tired…" He whispered, rubbing his head softly "…Why don't we just head to bed early? It's been a long day…" he pulled the covers over them, hand rubbing his love's head. He was too ashamed to have sex or really anything other than sleep. The blindfold, when doing it willingly, either got him beat or rejected…and now it had scared Ivan. He sighed, petting Ivan's head "…Good night Vanya…"
"I'm sorry" Ivan said softly, feeling the tension from Alfred beating himself up about the surprise "we can try again another time…a little further down the road…"
Alfred nodded, rubbing his head "…Don't be sorry…I'm here to take care of you…" He kissed his head, snuggling him "…One day we will try…just way down the road…"
"Thank you" Ivan smiled slightly, still guilty about stopping the surprise but he was thankful that Alfred was trying to understand.
Alfred snuggled Ivan, rubbing his head until he went to sleep. He had a dream that he was there…when Ivan was tied down. He woke with a jump in the morning and looked down at Ivan, sighing "Just a dream…" He sighed again as he stood to go and shower. He had to be at work earlier than Ivan today so he was walking to work. He showered and changed. He kissed Ivan's head and wrote him a note. "…I love you, I hope you have a good day and know that I miss you… Don't worry about last night…I shouldn't have taken it so personally. Talk tonight. Love you…" He laid the note by the bed and walked to work, harassed by Francis before he even made it down the street. The Frenchman pushed the blond down and Alfred got road burn on his cheek, little dots of blood lined his face, steadily growing. He growled and went to fight him but remembered what Ivan said. He spit at the man and ran to work. He got a big bandage and put it on his cheek before getting to work. He stayed alone and worked with the dogs, the one he had picked out staying close to him and stole cheek kisses all day.
Ivan slept for a bit longer, waking with the alarm on his bedside table and searching half-blind for Alfred. He found nothing but cold sheets and listened for a moment for any sounds, sighing softly when he found none before getting out of bed to make breakfast. As he had thought, Alfred was nowhere to be found, he sighed again and started on a small breakfast, hoping that Alfred had gotten something to eat.
The Russian finished up with his quiet breakfast and cleaned up before returning to the bedroom to get dressed where he finally saw the little note Alfred had left. Ivan smiled a bit as he read it though he still carried some lingering guilt despite his lover's reassurance. He finished getting ready and headed out to work hoping he would finish up sooner than usual so that he could pick up Alfred and the pup and bring them home.
Alfred went through his day cleaning and picking up after the dogs, feeling a bit better when it was time to come home. He got his dog, Zeus, to get on leash. He led him outside, sitting down on the side of the street with the large animal. He would wait and see if Ivan came to get him, he knew work was a lot and if he didn't that would be ok. He and Zeus would walk home. He adjusted the bandage on his face, petting the animal.
The doctor eventually finished up his shift and was on his way to the shelter hoping that Alfred had waited so that Ivan could pay for the dog and make up for being late the previous day.
He smiled when he saw Alfred waiting and parked next to the building "Ready to bring him home?" he asked as he exited and gave the large dog a gentle rub on his head.
Alfred smiled up at Ivan "They gave me him for free…I have the paper work and everything… This is Zeus…Zeus this is Ivan…" He smiled, relaxing as the dog stood and wagged his tail at Ivan.
"That is great, let's bring him home" Ivan offered his hand and helped Alfred up "and we can go back out and get things for the both of you."
Alfred nodded, standing. He helped the dog into the car before getting in the front seat. He leaned over and kissed Ivan's cheek "Missed you today…"
Ivan joined their lips "I missed you too" he brushed the edge of the band-aid with his fingertips "was this caused by one of the animals?" he asked as he started the car back up and started on the trip home.
"…Francis actually…" he looked out the window. "…This morning on the way to work…he pushed me down…"
The doctor's grip tightened on the steering wheel "I will drive you from now on and we will see about getting a restraining order on him as well."
Alfred nodded, leaning against the window "…That's a lot for you though…you have to get up early then…" he looked at his lover.
"I don't mind, especially if it means that you will not get hurt" Ivan gave him a little smile "and it will let me spend a little time with you in the mornings."
Alfred smiled, taking his hand "Thank you baby. Sounds good…hmm what do you want for dinner tonight?"
Ivan squeezed his hand lightly and laced their fingers together "I want to make you dinner so what do you want to eat?"
"…AHH well…why don't you cook me something new that you like to cook…" he giggled, kissing the back of his hand.
The ash blond chuckled "I will give it some thought and see what I can come up with."
"…Good…I'll be lazy on the couch snuggling with Ivan Jr…" he giggled, kissing his cheek.
"Ivan junior…?" he trailed off with a chuckle as it clicked "is that his new name?"
"…Something like that…" he relaxed in his seat "…had a dream we were married last night…" he blushed.
"Would you like a wedding or just something for us?" he asked with a smile and a small blush, keeping their 'I dos' in the shower in mind.
"…If you wouldn't mind…something small… Just me and you…maybe a few friends off yours…" he laughed more at the thought.
"I want to, I just was not sure it you wanted to go for a full wedding. We can start planning now or wait until after court and Arthur have been dealt with."
"…Good idea my love… Can we go on a honeymoon? I didn't get to before…" he looked so excited.
"Of course, I would insist. It would not be a proper wedding without ending with a honeymoon. Start thinking of places you want to go" Ivan gave Alfred's hand a lingering kiss.
Alfred thought "…What about…Rome…maybe the beach…"
"Wherever and whatever you want to do but you still have time to think it over" Ivan reassured as they pulled into the driveway and let the new little addition to their family inside. "Let's go get him some necessities and we can get you a phone and some clothes while we are out."
Alfred nodded, smiling. He took his hand as they walked to the car. "…We can go to goodwill…" he blushed "I've already spent a lot of your money…"
Ivan shook his head "There is no one else to spend it on and it gives me a chance to spoil you" he brought Alfred closer and joined with lips before they got into the car and were on their way to the inner city.
"…Well…alright…" he blushed, looking out the window "…wow…this place is bigger than it looks from that window in my cell…"
"We can take a road trip sometime as well, show you how things have changed since you have been hidden away" Ivan took Alfred's hand in a loose, comfortable hold.
"…Hmm…that sounds great baby…" he smiled. "Can we go to the beach?!" he leaned over, looking at Ivan "…please!"
Ivan laughed "I see a trend, alright. This weekend you need to see if you have to go in and if we are both free I will take you to the nearby shore, though it may be too cold to swim."
Alfred's smiled widened, eyes following. "Really?!" he leaned over and kissed all over Ivan's cheeks "Baby, oh man! That sounds so great! I hope we both are off!"
"Careful" he said through breathy laughs "I'm still driving and I'd like to get us to the store in one piece" he teased.
Alfred smiled, blushing "…Sorry…I just…am so excited. I never ever thought I would be this happy…"
"I plan on spending the rest of my life proving that wrong" he looked away for just long enough to give Alfred a gentle kiss before righting his gaze again.
Alfred giggled, leaning back in his chair "…This is great… Where are we going to first?"
"Let's get what we need for Zeus first, you can get by with my clothes but he needs food, a bed, and some toys" Ivan answered.
"…Alrighty! Sounds perfect baby!" he smiled, relaxing more.
Ivan pulled up on a large pet needs building that would cater to their needs. He parked and they headed inside to start the search for what their new dog needed.
Alfred held Ivan's hand tightly, walking through the store "…Zeus is going to be spoiled…this is a nice store baby…"
"I'm glad you like it, pick out whatever you want for him and we can always come back for more if we need to" Ivan gave Alfred's hand a little affectionate squeeze as they walked through the aisles of toys.
Alfred smiled, grabbing some toys off the shelf. He took two and then put them in their basket "…Hmm…you choose too!"
Ivan looked around with an indulgent smile and settled on a little plush panda and a couple of bones for him to chew on and set them with the rest of the items in the basket and they went to look for large beds and bags of food.
"…I bet we will get one for him…and he will sleep in our bed…" he giggled, looking up at Ivan.
The Russian chuckled "Well, it will give him a place to relax if we are using the bed" he smirked.
Alfred smirked "…Which I hope we are tonight…" He licked his lips "…I have found…that I have a daddy kink with you…" he leaned against Ivan.
"Oh? How did you find that out?" Ivan asked, wrapping his arm around his future husband uncaring about the setting they were in.
"…Well, I had a dream about it…" he wrapped his arms around his neck, locking eyes with the man "…hmm…you took to the name very well…"
Ivan stepped closer with a smirk, lining their bodies up after a quick look around to make sure they were alone "We will have to test that tonight…maybe reenact your dream…"
"…Hmm…can you please me Daddy?" he licked his lips, rolling his hips against Ivan's "…oh…Daddy do I want you…"
"You know I can but I will prove it again tonight…" he squeezed Alfred's ass "let's finish shopping so I can take you home."
"…Hmm dirty boy…" he bit his lip backing up, leading Ivan down the aisle.
Ivan nodded as he was led to the food "And I am all yours" he answered, grabbing a large bag off of the shelf and tossing it into the cart.
Alfred smiled, rubbing his back slowly "…Hmm good…" he gripped his butt and kissed his covered shoulder. "Hmm…" he walked away from Ivan, heading towards checkout.
He jumped a bit, not expecting his ass to be squeezed, he laughed softly and followed Alfred to the register, grabbing a couple dishes along the way. Everything was soon rung up and paid for and they were tossing everything into the car "The mall has a good selection of clothing stores and we can get you a phone there too."
Alfred packed the car and got in "Baby…you don't have…to buy me anything…" he took his hand.
"I want to and as much as I love you in my clothes, you need clothes that fit you properly" he chuckled as he started the car and they were on their way to the next area.
Alfred giggled "I'm naked a lot more at home but at work that would be great…"
"Exactly, I can't have you teasing the workers and customers" he teased lightly.
"…Well…what would you do?" he licked his lips.
"I would have to make sure that they know you are mine" Ivan smirked, catching on to the tone immediately.
Alfred smirked "How would you?" he licked his lips.
"The only way I know they would understand, by showing them…" he trailed off as they pulled up and parking.
Alfred smirked "Show me tonight tiger how you would show them" he got out, shaking his hips.
Ivan smirked and stepped up to pinch his ass before taking his hand innocently and walking into the large building filled with stores.
Alfred smirked, walking with him "…Ah this store looks nice" he pulled Ivan in, looking at the jeans and pants.
"Remember, pick whatever you like, help me spoil you" Ivan smiled down at his lover.
"…How about this?" he smiled, showing the grey shirts and black pants.
Ivan nodded "Try it on" he showed him to the dressing room and settled in a chair by the mirror.
Alfred walked out "…How do I look?" he turned and blushed, loving the attention being doted on him.
The Russian smiled at the light blush despite the innocent situation "You look wonderful and it fits very well."
"…I love how they feel…if I could get a different color in these shirts and black jeans then I'll be perfect…" he kissed his cheek.
"Let's keep looking then, I will hold onto them" Ivan returned the kiss before leaning back against the chair to wait.
Alfred walked back in and came out with a button up on, wearing black skinny jeans. He smiled, turning around "How does this look?"
"I'm jealous of the people who will get to see you in those" the violet gaze locked onto the tightly fitted jeans and how they hugged Alfred's ass.
Alfred smirked and turned around, shaking his butt at Ivan "Hmm…we should go dancing baby…"
Ivan slapped it lightly with a little smirk "This weekend; there's a nice club at the beach I can take you to."
"…Hmm dirty boy…that sounds lovely…" he bit his lip and walked back into the dressing room. He grabbed the clothes he wanted and came out to Ivan "Alright, I'm done…"
"Are you sure you don't want to grab more, there are only a couple pairs of things" Ivan glanced at the little bundle in Alfred's arms before meeting his eyes again. He was expecting Alfred to get an entire wardrobe considering the man had arrived with nothing but the scrubs he had been wearing.
Alfred blushed "…I…this is already a lot of money…" he whispered, holding the clothes tightly.
Ivan smiled "I told you not to worry about the money, get what you want, I will handle the rest."
Alfred was so red. It took him a good hour before he came back with an arm full of clothes and a couple pairs of shoes. "…How is this?" he blushed more.
The doctor grinned "Much better" he took the large mound and draped it over his arm as they headed to the counter to check out "do you know what kind of phone you would like?" he asked, his body blocking the climbing total.
Alfred shook his head, wanting to see but Ivan hid the price well "…Anything…I'm not picky…"
"Would you like to check out the store next door while I wait here?" he asked "I can meet you in there and we can see if any of the models interest you."
Alfred knew that Ivan didn't want him to see the price. He nodded and kissed his cheek. "…Alright" he left the store, looking at the phones next door. He rubbed his cheek with the band aid, avoiding people's confused looks.
Ivan relaxed as Alfred left and leaned against the counter as he waited for the rest of the items to be rung up, the final total reaching well over two hundred. Ivan passed over his card and settled it with a quick swipe. He grabbed the bags and went out to locate his love, finding him pondering the large amount of phone's available "Has anything caught your eye?"
Alfred jumped and chuckled "You scared me…ah…" he pointed at a flip phone. "This one is fine…" he smiled up at Ivan.
He chuckled softly at the startled jump but he still noticed Alfred's choice of words "But is it the one you want?" he asked.
"Yeah baby this is fine!" he wrapped his arms around his neck, smiling. "…Lets just get it and head home…I'm ready to go home…" Alfred didn't do well around a lot of people. Honestly the looks and whispers were driving him mad. This always happened. With Arthur's careless beatings, the bruises usually showed and yet he was always dragged out into the public eye like a toy.
Ivan glanced around, finally noticing the odd looks and not-so-subtle whispers causing Alfred's anxiety. He nodded understandingly "We can order whatever you want online, let's go home."
Alfred nodded, taking a few bags from Ivan so he could hold his hand. "…Yeah…" he pulled Ivan out of the store and down the parking lot, only slowing when they got to the car. He threw the bags in the back and got in, a shaking hand gripping the front of his shirt as he panted softly.
He took Alfred's free hand once he was in his seat "Are you alright?" he asked, familiar with the anxiety threaded through Alfred's tense body though each person varied.
Alfred panted, gripping Ivan's hand. "…I'm…still not…ok in large crowds…" he looked at Ivan, sighing "…I'm sorry… Just…" he held his chest tighter.
"I'm sorry, I would not have insisted if I had known" Ivan said softly, sympathetically as he kissed the tight knuckles lightly.
"…I was fine…until the phone store…can't…be away from you…too much in those places…" he climbed into Ivan's lap, pressing his face into his neck. He wanted to hide here. He used to hide under the sink from his father when he heard the first hiss and pop of beer opening. With Arthur it only worsened, fewer places to hide even his curled up form, but Ivan was a comfort. A warm protector when he needed it.
Ivan wrapped his arms around him and rubbed his back "I will not do it again" he whispered into the tanned shoulder. He should have known better than to leave someone who had been away from the public for several years alone in a crowded area.
Alfred rubbed his neck slowly, hiding in the other side of his neck. "…It's ok… Just…need to start getting used to it…" he kissed his neck softly, calming his pounding heart.
"Little steps then, alright? And I will be right there just in case" Ivan loosened his grip and the rubbing slowed though it still encompassed Alfred's back.
Alfred rubbed his neck slowly "…Can we go home?" he sighed, moving over to his side. "…Oh…I made cookies for our favorite neighbors… I was planning to take them over and mess with them…but I don't feel like it anymore…"
Ivan smiled and shook his head slightly "The cookies can wait, how does a hot bath sound?" he asked.
Alfred smiled "With you? Yes please…"
"I would love to join you" Ivan turned the packed car on and within minutes they were back on the main road back home.
Alfred breathed, relaxing "…Hmm… Thank you…" he was excited to relax, his heart slowing down.
They drove in a relaxed silence with their hands joined until they arrived back home. Ivan unpacked the car, Alfred got the door, and they were greeted by the large puppy.
Alfred grinned "Zeus!" he hugged the dog, loving on him. "…Oh my friend I missed you…" he snuggled the big dog as the dog snuggled back wagging his tail furiously fast.
Ivan chuckled and set the clothing bags down to set up the food and water dishes in the kitchen before he forgot. He returned to the playful duo and knelt down to give Zeus a vigorous rub of his own.
Alfred smiled "He is just like you…very protective of me…like you…" he giggled, kissing his lover's cheek "…but he likes you…"
He looked up at Alfred "He will fit in great here as long as he is willing to protect you and understands that I want the same" he smiled at the dog.
Zeus licked Ivan before snuggling Alfred "…He likes you…" he chuckled "…why don't we head to our bath now?"
"That sounds wonderful" Ivan headed upstairs with Alfred and to the bathroom, starting the water as they striped. The bulky man settled into the shallow water first, leaning against the back of the large tub and holding his arms open for Alfred to settle against him.
Alfred stripped and took off his band aid. He threw it away and got in slowly. He sat down on Ivan's lap, kissing his neck "…Hmm hi…"
Ivan smiled against the newly bared shoulder "Hi" he mimicked playfully. He leaned back a bit to get a good look at the bruising scrape and gave the very edge of it a gentle kiss before joining their lips.
Alfred gasped at the sudden kiss. He shifted and turned more, kissing him slowly and deeply. His hands on his face before sliding back to his hair.
Ivan loved these slow, loving kisses that might be nothing more than a press of lips but held so much emotion that it felt like a dream but none of his dreams were ever this sweet.
Alfred smiled, slowly kissing him. He enjoyed the moment, running his fingers through his hair. His body moved closer, taking in his lover's warmth.
"I love you" Ivan whispered against Alfred's lips. He joined them again with a gentle nibble of his lower lip.
Alfred let out a shaky breath as his bottom lip was nibbled on. "…I love you… My darling…" he gently pulled his hair, kissing him deeply. His tongue slowly pushing into his mouth.
Ivan leaned forward and shut off the water before it overflowed but the action deepened the kiss further. He smirked as well as he could as he played with the strong pink muscle.
Alfred moaned as the deepening. He gripped his hair and pulled them closer, biting his lip. He turned his head and pushed his tongue back in, hips twitching.
He broke away from the extended kiss for breath, hands wrapped around his hips "Would you rather rest after the long day?" he asked, unsure if he was pushing too hard considering the stress Alfred had been under.
"…I want you…" he whispered, kissing his lips gently "…I want you to make me…yours…"
Ivan smiled "You already are. You are mine as much as I am yours" he brushed their noses together.
"…Make it official…" he smiled "…make love to me…and mark me…"
"I would love to if you are up for it" Ivan nuzzled his neck, kissing it gently and leaving a light mark.
Alfred nodded "Please…" he smiled, laying his head back so Ivan could get at his neck better.
Hope you enjoyed it! If anything caught your interest I'd love to hear about it in a comment or message!
~Poison