"Yo Nat, what's up?" Alfred asked as he leaned over her head from the top of the couch. Natalya dropped a tv remote in a frustrated huff and looked up at him. "Well I was trying to find something to watch but there's jackshit."
With a grin he jumped over the back of the couch and landed right next to her with a heavy thump. "Easy, I'll find you something awesome!"
Quickly he started flipping through all the channels and streaming services for shows, finding all sorts of things to watch. Admittedly about half of them were Disney movies but they were movies nonetheless.
Just as he was gonna pick Pocahontas to watch for the millionth time, he saw a movie that gave him an idea. "Hey have you ever watched Jackass?"
Natalya gave him an incredulous snigger and crossed her arms. "Jackass? You seriously expect me to believe that's a movie?"
"Yes. There's three movies, also a show," Alfred pointed out. "Basically it's just a bunch of dudes being dumb and gross and getting themselves hurt in dumb and gross ways. It's funny though."
She took a few moments to consider this. "I mean, I do enjoy seeing idiots getting hurt... so yes I think this is a suitable film."
"Cool, we can binge the whole series it'll be sweet!" Alfred said with a thumbs up. After getting the show ready he sped away to make some popcorn, but when he found she didn't have any he sprinted out of the house and into the city as fast as he could.
Much later Alfred was sitting with an empty bowl of popcorn on his lap, while Natalya leaned against his arm and watched as Steve-O was flung in the poop cocktail supreme.
That caused Alfred to let out a laugh that made his shoulders bob up and down, by extension bouncing Natalya's head a bit. She scowled up at him, but just seeing that dorky face he makes when he laughs destroyed any ounce of anger she held for him.
Wanting to feel more comfortable she tried laying against the side of his body rather than his arm, but she couldn't do anything with it in the way.
Seeing he wasn't about to make a move she grabbed his arm and forcefully threw it up in the air, then dove into his side as the arm fell on top of her.
Alfred turned and looked down at her in bewilderment. She stared at the tv emotionlessly, acting like she didn't just force his arm around her so she could snuggle into him.
He wasn't about to complain, however, and let her stay there why rubbing his thumb on her shoulder. When he wasn't looking at her she grinned in satisfaction. This was working out wonderfully.
"We should do this more often," she said suddenly, making Alfred look down at her. "Yeah, totally that sounds awesome! How about tomorrow?"
"Sorry but I can't, I have some more stupid protest stuff with my government," she apologized. "Though maybe the night after that?"
"Sounds like a plan," he smiled as he gave her a thumbs up. Liking that plan they traded a large and a small smile and turned their attention back to the tv, where they would remain huddled together for the remainder of the movies.
Just as Natalya was beginning to doze off and close her eyes, Alfred nudged her to get her attention. She nearly opened her eyes, but then got a split second idea to pretend to be asleep, just to see what he would do.
"Hey, Nat. You up?" He wondered while nudging and poking her more. When she remained still he gave a quiet sigh and then a small laugh. "Why are you always falling asleep on me? Surely I'm not that comfy."
Grabbing the remote he turned off the tv. "Well at least you made it through the movies. Now come on, let's get you to bed."
Gently he pushed her off of him and laid her down onto the couch, only to scoop her up and hold her bridal style as he began walking to the bedroom.
"Jeez you're light, I really need to get you to try a hamburger sometime," he said as he opened her bedroom door and led her to her bed, setting her down on it and moving a pillow under her head.
Hearing him walk away she cracked one eye open, finding him across the room digging in her dresser for a nightgown for her to wear.
Getting one he thought would be comfortable he slowly started turning around, so Natalya closed her eye again as he walked back over to her.
Putting his hand on her shoulder he shook her slightly. "Nat get up. You have to get ready for bed."
Finally she opened her eyes and looked at him, rubbing them to sell the fact she was sleepy. Technically she already was, but there was a big difference between normally tired and having already been asleep tired.
Leaving the room she leisurely got herself ready for bed, then acted groggy once more as she reentered the room and bumped into Alfred before rolling into bed.
Behind her she could hear Alfred laugh quietly as he followed, making sure her bed was neat and she was properly tucked in. "Goodnight Natalya," he spoke to her softly. She made a little mumble noise in response, which he took as a goodnight back.
She expected him to leave then, but when she didn't hear him walking away she remained still. About fifteen minutes passed in silence without him leaving, and she was about to fall asleep for real, until he finally made a noise.
It was a long, slow sigh, not like his previous humored ones though, this one sounded sad. Moving closer to the sleeping girl he sat in a squat and looked at her face solemnly.
"Dammit Amelia, what the hell am I getting myself into?" He whispered in reverence. Natalya's ear perked up at that name, both jealousy and curiosity rising within her.
Next she held back a flinch as she felt one of his fingers brush against the side of her head, getting her hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear.
The hand stayed in that spot for a while, then in the most shockingly unexpected move he shakily brought the hand over and gently placed it on her cheek.
Natalya's face went red as he held the side of it, remaining silent as he was deep in his thoughts.
After some more time he started rubbing her cheek and thumbing her hair. "How do I tell her my feelings? It's Belarus, she'll probably break my arm if I do," he said with a warm laugh. "But I guess that's part of her charm isn't it?"
'Wait, is he..?' She thought, hope swelling in her chest. There was no way, right? But any uncertainty was shattered as he leaned up and pressed a kiss to her forehead, just as she had done to his cheek not that long ago.
It felt like her lungs had completely collapsed. He just kissed her! Oh my fucking God he just kissed her!!!
Everything in her body was telling her to get up, tackle him, and kiss him all over, but a tiny shred of rationality was telling her it wasn't the right time. He only kissed her on the forehead, forcing herself on him to make out was not the way to seal the deal.
Waiting until he finally left the room, she opened her eyes and covered her mouth as she tried to keep herself from flipping out.
Now she definitely needs to have another movie night with him. Yes, that's when she would finally make her move, of course if he doesn't do it first.
Two days later it was movie night once again, and this time Natalya insisted on picking out the movie. She had the perfect plan: she would pick out a horror movie, wait until he was firmly latched onto him, then start making her move from there.
And not any of those dumb cheesy horror movies Alfred watches, she was gonna choose something worthy of the scary Belarusian.
Next step was getting something to wear. Should she dress up for him? Or would that be too much for a movie?
Looking in the mirror she held up a few pairs of clothes to try out, eventually landing on a beautiful dark blue satin nightgown with a white lacy part that wrapped around her chest.
Was she going to wear a bra? Absolutely not! She was planning on getting a boyfriend tonight, and maybe even get laid. So if she had to woo him with some scandalous bending forward or pressing her bosom into him then so be it.
Adjusting herself in the mirror to make sure she was as sexy as possible, she skipped away to the living room to join the man of the hour.
Hearing her walking toward him Alfred turned his head, observing as she skipped over and fell onto the couch with quite some more jiggle than usual.
He took a half second look down from her face, her loose nightgown and her forward-leaning figure giving him a good angle of her cleavage and down into her clothing.
Shooting his eyes back up he gave a nervous grin. "S-So uh, ready to watch some movies?" He asked, trying to make his blatant ogling a little less obvious.
"Da, I'm sure it will be fun," she spoke with a mischievous smirk. 'It's fun enough seeing him try his hardest not to admire my body. Maybe I should tease him a little bit.'
"I know just the movie to watch," she announced as she stood up and leaned forward for the remote on the coffee table, bending over an exaggerated amount and sticking her ass in his direction.
Taking a peek behind her she found him looking away and scratching his temple. She certainly didn't like that, though maybe that's the signal not to be so bold now. She'll space out her erotic acts until he's more comfortable, then that's when she'll strike and claim him as hers.
Sitting back on the couch she found the horror movie and began playing it, giggling at how quick Alfred switched from shy to tense.
In only the first few seconds it showed a scene of an empty city, void of any ounce of life. No humans, no pets, not even any birds, it was completely dead.
Then as the shots changed little bits of information began to fill in of what happened. There were tattered pieces of clothes, an empty dog collar with speckles of blood and fur on it, dents and scratches in cars and trucks, and damaged buildings all over the place.
'Ok so it's aliens, or uncovered cave monsters, oh wait or Armageddon. Shit what is it?' Alfred wondered while tapping a finger to his chin.
This is exactly what Natalya was hoping for. If it's a horror movie where the monster isn't shown then that leaves it all up to the imagination, and it's a well known fact that nothing will ever be as scary as what the human mind can create.
Now all she had to do was wait, which didn't take long as when the actual plot rolled in and people began getting mutilated left and right, Alfred was reduced to a quivering mess.
As a group of people along with the main character walked through a dark hallway, Alfred felt all the air leave his body while he started leaning forward in suspense. He was amping himself for the obvious jumpscare where the monster is finally revealed, but it never came. It was just ambience, with the occasional sounds of something scurrying around in the shadows.
"Just something happen!" He yelled as he dug into his knees. On cue the main character shined a flashlight into a room, finding a pile of thousands of rotting bodies completely covering the floor. Next a screech echoed throughout the building, alerting the group as they turned and began sprinting as fast as they could back to the exit, more screeches and loud stomping advancing toward them.
"Go go go go go, oh my God just run!" Alfred shrieked, bouncing off his seat a little as his anxiety was at an all time high. As they ran to and jumped into the car the monster at last showed it's disturbing form, slashing through some of the stragglers of the group and lunging at the car, narrowly missing as the driver floored it away from the building.
Seeing the creature made Alfred scream loudly, only growing louder as the creature started chasing after the car, somehow keeping up despite the car easily going one hundred.
"I can't watch!" He yelled while peeking through his fingers. Eventually the creature caught the back of the car, swiping the wheels and sending it rolling over multiple times.
That was about enough as Alfred could handle, as when the group tried running away on foot he completely abandoned watching to hide behind Natalya.
His arms were wrapped firmly around her, one of them unknowingly pushing up on the underside of her breasts. 'Perfect,' she thought with a pleasured smile.
"Is the hero safe?!" He implored her to tell while pressing his face into her back. Obviously it was a given that as the main character they probably wouldn't die until near the end, if at all. "Da, they're fine. You really are a baby you know that?"
"I'm not, it's just scary," he muttered. She rolled her eyes but let him hug her, placing her own arm over his to give him comfort. At hearing more screeches and sounds of people being killed he gripped to her harder, his body acting against his brain which was pleading with him to stop embarrassing himself.
When the movie ended Alfred finally got some semblance of his thoughts, realizing just how badly he made himself look like a wuss. Usually he wouldn't really care about something like that, but with Natalya here and him liking her he really didn't want to make a fool of himself. Of course now that was out of the window.
Slowly he raised himself up from behind her back and let out an exhale. "Sorry. I don't know why I always turn into a bitch when I watch horror movies."
Gripping to the arm wrapped around her harder, Natalya turned her head slightly at him. "It's fine, da? As I believe you said before the entire point of horror movies are to get scared."
"I know, it's just I... well I get too scared. And then I scream and panic and latch onto the closest thi-" he paused, finally feeling where his arms were.
A strange, soft yet firm weight rested on top of them, bringing out his curiosity as he pushed up against it a few times, making it bounce somewhat.
Natalya jumped within his grip, a massive grin spreading on her face as she sat stiff. After a few seconds of bouncing the strange mass he turned pure white once he understood what he was touching, then nearly rolled off the couch as he launched away from her.
His whole face had become the darkest shade of red Natalya had ever seen. "Oh my God I'm so fucking sorry! U-Um I uhhh shit I-" he struggled to say, his brain completely shutting off as Natalya stared with a deep pink, yet ever-blank face. Why hasn't she stabbed him yet?!
As he continued to try his best to apologize, Natalya turned to the tv and grabbed the remote. "Want to watch something else? It doesn't have to be a horror movie."
He was floored at her lack of care, doing something like that to her, let alone anyone should result in a punch, slap, or anything really.
Cautiously he sat upright again and got a little closer, fully on guard for any sneak attacks she might pull out. "Um... yeah sure."
Happy with that answer she gave him a tilt of her head, then quickly put on a different movie. It was some sappy romcom, but it would serve well to get him in the mood.
Giving him a few minutes to stop overreacting she crept over inch by inch until she was by his side, then just like last time she slithered herself under his arm and snuggled into his side.
Alfred grew alarmed that she was still going near him. Why?! He basically just violated her. Before he could try to get away she finished the procedure of wrapping her arms around him, effectively locking him in place.
He refused to move anymore after that, simply hovering his hands over her. Maybe she just didn't notice what he was touching, but that doesn't mean he has a pass to act like nothing happened either. There's no way he can touch her like this.
With the arm removed from her body she turned her head to give a small scowl. "Can you just relax and put your arms down? Your jittering is getting on my nerves, I may have to stab you."
Facing down her stony face, he had a sudden sense to oblige her command, but stopped himself halfway. "U-Umm but I... well, you know," he stammered while pointing at her chest and turning his head away.
"Don't be such a coward. It was an accident anyway was it not?" She asked while setting her hands onto her hips.
"Yeah but I-" he stopped as Natalya's face darkened. The two stared at each other for a bit until she grumbled and threw herself back into his side in defeat. "Just forget it then."
Seeing her with her arms crossed and staring at the screen in dejection left a gnawing feeling of guilt in his heart. All she wanted was someone to hold her while she relaxed.
A noise brought his attention to the tv, which was playing out a scene of a man and woman sitting next to each other in a movie theater. The man discreetly looked over at his date and every so often moved his right arm a little, moving up and up behind the back of her chair until finally placing it over her shoulders.
At the contact the woman flickered her eyes over to him for a split second, a large smile splaying out on her face as she allowed the arm to stay.
Turning away his attention from the movie to look back at Natalya, he could see the poison in her eyes as she stared on with immense hatred toward the couple's display.
He nervously bit the inside of his cheek as he tried to think of what to do. While it felt very wrong of him to do so, he understood that Natalya wasn't too put off by him and in fact wanted his arm on her, so maybe it would be alright.
So just like the movie he started to sneak his arm around to her, but as he got close he hesitated. No, he can't do it, she probably doesn't even want him to anymore. She'll probably just get pissed then this whole situation will get even worse.
Now his hand was shaking intensely, torn between moving back or proceeding forward. With his brain currently in gridlock he relied on his heart to decide, which immediately took the boldest route by reaching out to her, putting his arm on her shoulder, and holding her to his side tightly.
Goosebumps traveled all over her body in shocked excitement, her jealous anger over the movie vanishing as all she could focus on was the overwhelmingly warm hand wrapped around her exposed arm.
Peering at him from his shoulder he was completely unblinking as he kept himself laser-focused on the movie, while also doing his best to restrain the tremors rocking his body.
She could easily feel them, but that didn't stop her from getting comfortable and pushing into his side forcefully. It was strange how demanding she was for this, but it did weirdly help in warming him up to it.
He was still far too nervous to talk, but there was something relieving to think about with him being with the girl he loves and all.
Of course he still couldn't deny how odd it all was, he was now starting to wonder if he was progressing things too far. He's put his arm around her plenty of times but something about this time feels different, like it's more intimate somehow.
"I love you Mary, I don't want to go but I have a duty to serve this country," the man on the tv said sternly, bringing Alfred's attention to it once more.
"Will you can't!" Mary pleaded while holding him in a tight hug, her final desperate attempt to make him stay. "They say this war is even worse than The Great War, you'll be killed!"
Alfred and Natalya both raised their eyebrows. This was supposed to be a rom com how did it become a war movie?
Will smiled somberly and rubbed Mary's back. "I'll be fine. I'll only be gone for a bit," he reassured, but she knew neither knew when this war would end.
Raising her head she looked into her boyfriend's eyes with tears in her own. "Promise me you'll come back. If things get too dangerous just run and come back to me, okay?"
Will knew that's not how war works, he can't just go AWOL without facing serious consequences. But then again it's not like he can just sit here and crush his girlfriend's hopes and dreams.
"Yeah. I will. . . And just remember that no matter what happens, we'll always be together. Nothing will ever keep us apart: no person, government, not even all the warring countries in the world can stop that. Understand?" He asked as he placed his hands on the sides of her face so they were focused on each other.
She nodded as more tears fell and soaked his hands. He smiled fondly and lifted her head slightly to give her a passionate kiss. The two stayed in the bittersweet moment for a long while, then finally broke it off as he was forced to leave.
After that sad moment Alfred once again observed the girl he was holding. 'No country could keep them apart?' Those humans don't know the half of it, the nations he knows physically can stop him. He may be the strongest but the whole world against him would be a battle he's not sure he could win.
And then there's Russia. He alone is a nuisance enough to deal with, but now he has that little boyfriend of his he can call on to make Alfred's life just that much worse.
The thought of them taking Natalya from him disturbed him greatly, so much so that he unknowingly gripped to Natalya's arm harder, which obviously got her attention.
Without looking at him she could sense that he was distressed about something, but before she could ask about it his grip relaxed and held her softly again.
As more time went on Alfred continued to grow accustomed to holding her, eventually warming up enough to remove his hand from the spot it's been securely fixed to this whole time.
Steadily he began to trail his hand down her arm, checking every so often to take note of any changes in behavior. When he wouldn't see one he would start again, moving all the way to her elbow before breaking off and tenderly holding her by the waist.
No longer held back by his nerves, Alfred was enjoying this immensely, making another bold move by pulling her lower half to him. To his amazement she wasn't offended by this either, in fact she was actually giving him a coy smile. She's liked it!
In an instant the living room had increased by multiple degrees, the weight of all that's happened in the past months crashing into them at once.
They faced each other one last time, letting out short, warm breaths as they examined each other's rosy faces.
"N-Nat?" Alfred said, his voice cracking a little due to his racing heart nearly ripping through his chest.
She could barely contain the urge to pounce on him, he needs to say what she hopes he's saying fast.
"You know you're... really special to me," he continued. Natalya lowered one of her hands and held the outside of the hand Alfred had placed on her waist. "Da."
She felt his hand twitch as she grabbed it, but he made no move to remove it. "I'm totally happy to have you as my best friend, but I..." he began as he lowered his head bashfully.
"Alfred," she replied calmly, while placing her other hand on his thigh right where he was facing. He shot his head up to face her, but almost choked as he found that she had moved much closer than before.
"You're not just my best friend, but my only friend. You saw something in me that no one, not even I myself saw. You actually gave me a chance, after all I've said and done to you you still care about me, and unlike that catshit bastard you weren't a creep about it."
Letting go of Alfred's hand she shifted her body so she was directly facing him. "You saw that I was alone and hurting, and for some stupid reason I still don't fully understand you decided to help me. I can see that you are hurting too, you know."
Hearing that last part Alfred held his breath. He wasn't expecting her to be able to catch on to anything like that. As far as he knew he was doing pretty well to stay upbeat around her. Before he could start to worry about that Natalya started to talk again.
"It's not easy for people like us to make friends, so that's why..." she trailed off as in a swift motion she raised a leg and swung over to plant herself down on his lap, digging her knees into the couch on either side of his legs and putting her arms on the back of the couch at the sides of his head.
"Nat what are you doing?!" Alfred yelped as he tried to press himself into the couch to gain some distance.
She ignored him as she repeated herself. "With no one wanting to be our friends we need to take it upon ourselves to always be together, to support and care for each other when none of those other bastards will."
Trying and failing to regain his composure he darted his eyes around to keep from looking at her, meanwhile his face turned a probably unhealthy shade of crimson. "I-I-I have plenty of friends, I don't-" he was interrupted as Natalya pressed her index finger to his lips.
"Shhh," she requested coolly, sending a strange calming sensation throughout his body. She left the finger there until she was sure he wouldn't make anymore excuses, then slid it down to his chin where she could tip his head up.
"We don't need them, they'll just try to tear us down and keep us apart," she stated as she started leaning down, pressing her soft chest into his and making him shudder. She smirked at that and kept on pressing harder, until their bodies were fully locked together.
The heat between them escalated quickly, twisting knots all in their insides. All feelings they held for one another were completely pouring out of them, their brains growing clouded as carnal desires began to take over.
Alfred's hands wandered unknowing of where to place them, first grabbing Natalya's back, then the sides of her waist, until finally settling on holding her by the thighs. All she's done is sit on him and yet he's fully lost all sense of thought.
"All we need... is... each other," she breathed against his lips while tilting her head to begin closing the distance. Powerless to do anything to stop her he parted his lips and waited.
"As long as we're together... we'll never be alone again," she said, and Alfred found himself agreeing. Now her lips were mere millimeters away from his, her soft breath and that sweet talking melting his brain even more.
"No one can hurt us anymore. Unlike so many others I will never abandon you, I'll keep you safe from harm." Wrapping her arms around his neck she paused in her advance to look at him in the eyes, finding that he was entirely willing to let this continue.
"I want to stay here with you forever Alfred. I don't give a shit if my brother or whoever else dislikes it. You're mine." Saying that made her entire body quiver in immense joy. Yes, he was hers, he was finally hers.
With a satisfied grin she shrugged her shoulders in a way that moved the straps of her nightgown, loosening it just enough to allow Alfred to see more of the breasts currently pressed against his chest. In only a few more moments he would fully submit to her, then she can finally have the love and attention she's chased after for so long.
On impulse he glanced down at her chest, but realizing her face was right in front of his he forced his eyes back up. He gave an apologetic frown but she just made a low giggle in response.
"We could become one. Being immortal we can be the perfect companions. I know you're afraid, you're worried something will cause you to be lonely one more, but I promise that will never happen."
Holding the sides of his face she kissed him affectionately on the nose, then pulled back with a comforting grin as she felt his burning face warming up her hands. He looked like the most innocent boy on the entire planet right now.
"Nat," he muttered, his surprise quickly fading into a much stronger, deeper feeling as he gripped her thighs harder. Letting out a soft breath she moved her hands to his shoulders and put her forehead against the crook of his neck, wanting to enjoy this tender moment before she escalated it any further with the kiss.
"I can do what not even Amelia could, I can be better... for you," she whispered to him, her premature victory letting her jealousy foolishly leak out for just a moment. After a few seconds it dawned on her what she said, causing her to make an audible gasp and sit up straight to face him.
Alfred seemed to catch on at the same time she did, An insistent sense to be wary taking over as alarms sounded off in his head.
"What did you... how do you know that name?" He asked as he scrambled out from under her and got to his feet.
Thinking desperately for a way to salvage this she suddenly remembered when Alfred was in her bedroom two days ago. Turning to him she nervously answered. "Last movie night when I was falling asleep I overheard you saying her name. Before you... kissed me."
Alfred blushed for a second and his distrust crumbled temporarily. "I thought you were asleep but I guess that... wait no," he refuted as he shook his head. "You... how do you know she was my girlfriend, how do you know she's dead?" He interrogated, growing more skeptical of her.
She stumbled over her words, unable to think of a good lie before he was able to piece it together, his eyes bulging out in terror. "The journal."
Hearing him say that Natalya winced and slid further back on the couch. 'He knows. Fuck he knows!'
Staring at the floor he let this information sink in, darkness swirling around him in a mix of fear, anger, and mistrust. Shooting his head back up he stood intimidatingly with cold loathing eyes, a twitching snarl tugging at his lips.
"You read my journal!" He roared, his anger spiking up to heights that haven't been seen since the end of Vietnam. Her heart ached seeing him this furious toward her.
"W-What fucking journal? Alfred quit being an idiot I just assumed she's dead because no nations are called Amelia. Why would you kiss me anyway if you were seeing this Amelia girl?"
He wanted to believe that, but he could tell that wasn't it. "Don't lie to me Natalya. How much did you read?"
"Seriously Alfred I do- "HOW MUCH?!" He interrupted with a deafening scream. He doesn't want to yell at her, but the feelings of betrayal are too much to handle right now.
With him giving her a fiery glare she knew she couldn't convince him that she was innocent, so she just lowered her head and replied, "all of it."
Putting a hand to his head Alfred rubbed aggressively at his twitching eye. "All of it. Fucking all of it."
Rubbing harder he brought his other hand up to his head, pacing back and forth while tugging hard at his hair. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck...! I'm fucking ruined! Everyone's gonna find out, then they'll make fun of me, a-and then... grrr I mean what the hell Natalya?! That is my personal stuff!"
She couldn't look him in the eyes, she didn't want to see how much he hated her, and that pissed him off to no end. The least she can do is face him directly and own up to her mistake.
Seeing she wasn't going to speak he rolled his eyes and continued. "I gave you one instruction. Don't go in the storage room. Was that so hard? I mean for fuck's sake just in order to get there you had to have gotten through the locked door, found your way upstairs, discovered the chest buried in the corner as well as it's secret compartment, then finally by some fucking way you found my key. After all of that effort you seriously didn't consider once that what you were doing was bad? Pff, what am I talking about? Of course you didn't."
"What?" Natalya asked while raising her head, feeling her heart break a little. One look at her face and Alfred had to turn away. He didn't mean that, he's just... really hurt.
"Why did you even do it? You went through all of that trouble, intruded on my entire life, for what? Dammit I should've known something more was up when you figured out about my mother!"
Tired of pacing Alfred slumped into a chair opposite of her and put his head back in his hands, covering it while trying to soothe the headache that was coming on.
"I was just curious," Natalya at last responded, gaining his attention as he leaned back in his chair with a dead expression. "You were chasing me with water balloons and I figured an already locked room wouldn't raise suspicion that I was there. I only found the chest by accident when I was exploring, and the key I... I stole from your jacket."
Alfred's frown deepened a little bit, fighting against his heart to keep the blame on her. She did something really bad but he's also the reason she was even there in the first place. But then again who's to say she wasn't already planning on going in there and just used the situation as the opportune moment to do so?
The two stayed quiet for a long time. Natalya just wanted this to be over so she could go over and be with him again, but Alfred was too deep in his thoughts. Now he was rethinking everything that's happened in the past two and a half months. How much of her kindness toward him was out of her own heart, and how much of it was because of that damned book?
Native America, Davie, Dixie, Amelia... they've all brought tragedy to his life in one way or another. They're all points of weakness, things that the nations could use to hurt him, and now one of them knows about it. Not even Canada knows about Davie or Dixie, so what will happen if this information leaks out? What is Natalya's goal in learning this?
Nervously Alfred tapped his foot, gripping hard to the arms of the chair as he stared down the girl across from him. Something deep inside him was dying just looking at her this way, begging to just let this go and get on with their lives. Sadly this part of him was too small to overcome the pain and abhorrence that currently burned inside him.
"So is this why you've been so nice to me? Is this all just you pitying me because you learned that I'm not some dumb kid with a perfect life like everyone seems to think? Well guess what? I don't need your help or fake kindness, I've been more than fine without it."
"Nyet! Alfred that's not true, I don't pity you I empathize with you. I didn't use the book as some crutch in our friendship, merely to understand you better."
Crossing his arms he leaned back a little more and tapped his foot faster. "And why should I believe you? You've been keeping this hidden this whole time, what else are you hiding?"
"Nothing I swear. If you would just listen to me I-" but she was cut off as Alfred stood up and loomed over her with a dark look.
"You know what I think? I think this is all a big ploy. You're not over Russia, you've never been, I'm just being used as a means to an end. If you make it look like there's something between us it'll be sure to upset him, then he'll have no choice but to keep you close, is that right? Or... or maybe you're prying into my personal life for information, information that you'll tie up in a nice little bow and give to your brother as some sort of present so he'll like you more."
"I would never do that to you!" Natalya yelled as she shot up to her feet. She was beginning to grow more upset. How could he accuse her of such things, his supposed best friend and what she was hoping, the one he loved? "I already made up with big brother. This isn't the Cold War anymore, I have no want nor reason to tell anyone anything I've learned about you."
Taking a step forward she placed a hand on the side of his face, combating his distrustful eyes with her warm ones. "I won't tell anyone I promise, this is our secret."
Alfred's chest felt cold, he wanted to believe her, he wanted to let this all go and return to their attempted kiss, but he just couldn't. He can't afford to open himself up again, he cannot be vulnerable.
Turning his head to the side he closed his eyes, stopping the stinging in his eyes. "I. . . I can't. I'm sorry I need to leave."
Natalya was frozen in place, her mouth hung open as Alfred brushed passed and headed for one of the doors, looking to retrieve the suitcases she borrowed from him.
Before he could leave two arms wrapped around his back, locking him in place. Burying her face in his back she squeezed him hard, shaking her head in denial. "Don't leave, please."
Shaking his own head he refused to look at her, the guilt eating him away from the inside. "I have to. Now let me go."
She refused, a strange, wild anger starting to consume her. "Nyet!" She yelled, throwing him back into the room. Crashing onto his back he let out a grunt, but before he could get up she moved forward and lowered down onto him, sticking a knife to his neck.
"You are not leaving! I've worked too hard for you to just cast me away like everyone else!" She shrieked, her eyes vibrating with derangement. It actually made Alfred a little scared.
"I have been waiting, and waiting, for so goddamn long! I was patient, I was polite, I tolerated that little disrespectful micronation of yours, I let you scream and shout like a little girl and latch onto me during horror movies, I even saved your life multiple times! I've had enough of taking things slow, you are coming with me and we are getting married right now!"
Her obsession, it's been so long he completely forgot about it. But for her to hide it, to lie in wait for months letting it pile up in silence? For someone as bold as her it's unnatural, it's like a predator evolved to hunt a certain way suddenly deciding to switch it up. It goes against everything they are, and that makes it far more horrifying.
But on the other hand, she wants to get married? This is all very intense but... well at least now he knows where her feelings lie. That made him blush a little, until he forced it back down. No, it could still be a trick. This is Belarus, she'll do and say nearly anything to get what she wants.
'I knew she would get clingy, I warned ya, I fuckin' warned ya!' Dixie shouted angrily, obviously hurting as well, but Alfred was too focused on what Natalya said to notice him.
"How can you expect me to answer that after what you did?" He asked firmly, ignoring the strong flight or flight response wanting him to get out of her grasp.
Her enraged glare fell as she raised herself up, sitting on his stomach while staring down with a bleak stare. "So you're saying... nyet?"
A small part of him was terrified to know what she'd do if he answered, but he eventually sucked it up and gave a short nod. "Y-Yeah, I say no."
Tilting her head down a shadow from her silvery bangs casted over her eyes, giving them a terrifying purple glow that worked in tandem with her maniacal laugh.
"You're really too cruel Alfie. Now enough of that, let's become one," she said, not bothering to mask the maliciousness behind the demand.
Alfred frowned in annoyance. She's not listening to him. "No. Natalya I don't want to... become one. Look can we just not? I don't want to talk about this anymore."
Curling one hand around the knife handle and the other into his shirt, she clenched her jaw and said through her teeth, "you have to, we are meant for each other."
His brain couldn't make sorts of how to feel. She's threatening him but also confessing her love, making him disturbed yet blushing at the same time. Knowing it was wrong he tried to wiggle out again while stating, "no we aren't, now get off me!"
Grabbing him by the collar she lifted him up and pressed the knife to his neck again, her fragile sanity cracking even more.
"We will become one whether you like it or not, I will drag you to our wedding tied to a fucking chair if I have to! You. Are not. Leaving me!!!"
"You're fucking crazy!" Alfred finally shouted, his own anger making him blurt that out before his brain recognized how sensitive of a topic that was.
In a fit of rage Natalya threw his head back down, slamming it off the ground and making his vision go blurry. As he tried to get his vision corrected he could see her moving her arms up, in a way that seemed like she was about to bring down a knife.
Moving his head to the side he avoided her stabbing the knife into the floor next to him, but as he was distracted staring at the knife she grabbed him by the hands and pinned them under hers.
"Natalya what the fuck?!" He yelled once his vision came back, only for that outburst to be beaten down by her disapproving frown. "You are mine forever. I can't possibly let you leave."
She was getting so insanely possessive, and yet... glancing down Alfred noticed the position they were in. A girl pinning him down, interlocking their fingers and hovering over him, drop dead gorgeous in her loose nightgown while demanding they be together. He couldn't keep his eyes on her without more dirty thoughts emerging.
Dammit no, what was he thinking?! This isn't the time for that! Closing his eyes he used his strength to push her off, nearly getting out completely before she was on him again latching to his waist. "Dammit nyet!" She said as she struggled in holding him.
The two wrestled on the ground for a great while, tiring each other out until they could barely move anymore. In one last push Alfred used his superior strength to break from her grip, but at the sacrifice of Natalya pulling his jacket off.
Turning around he slowly walked over and grabbed one of his jacket's sleeves, beginning a tug of war match. "Let... go," he urged, yanking the jacket. Natalya wrapped her arms and legs around the rest of it and glared back at him. "Not... until you... m-marry me!"
Tugging on the sleeve harder he began dragging her across the floor, but on hearing something tear he immediately let go causing him to fall back and land on his butt.
Staring across the floor at her he watched as she curled up with the rest of the jacket, poking the top half of her face out to scowl at him.
Giving himself a moment to breathe he continued to stare at her, eventually getting up to his feet once again.
Collecting his thoughts he bit his lip hard, becoming outraged with this whole situation. "God dammit Natalya we were completely fine before, why did you do this?! I thought we were doing good, I thought. . ."
Pausing in his rant he stared off blankly trying to formulate his next words, his face turning red as only thing came to mind.
"Look I like you, ok?! Maybe even love you, but now, after what you did? I don't even know what to feel anymore! Maybe that was my mistake, thinking something could work, because now I don't even know what's a trick, what's your obsession, and what's actually real!"
Natalya slowly lowered the jacket from her face, gawking at him as he finally confirmed his own feelings. After the tirade was over he was huffing and puffing, his face entirely red in anger, embarrassment, and sadness all in one.
Turning around he walked back over to the door, giving one last glance to tell her, "I'm gonna go grab those suitcases. By the time I come back you better give up that jacket, as you're obviously aware it's really important to me."
"Alfred wait!" She called out, but he was already gone. Now alone in the room she felt entirely hollow, her obsession beginning to fade allowing her to understand how bad she messed up.
Clinging to the jacket in her hands she played back what happened over and over, her feelings of self loathing as well as her anger toward the argument in general growing to dangerous levels.
Without thinking she threw the bomber jacket to the ground, then grabbed her knife and began stabbing it into the clothing repeatedly, hacking and slashing until it was in tatters.
Once it was over she had tears pricking at her eyes, accepting that her entire world had just crumbled before her eyes. This isn't like Russia, she can't just cut her losses and try again tomorrow, she's learned her lesson, she knows it's over.
Looking back down at the jacket she became horrified, she didn't even know what she was doing, it was just blind rage she didn't mean it.
Scared of what Alfred would do once he found out she grabbed the large star patch on the jacket and ripped it off, then as quick as she could she got up and ran out of the house. Not even bothering to change out of her nightgown she ran all the way to the nearest bus stop, hopping on the first bus that would take her to Russia.
Canada sat peacefully on his couch, scrolling through the numerous channels as he tried to find something to watch while he ate his breakfast.
It was a beautiful and quiet morning in Canada... well honestly quiet was all the time for Canada but it was a good morning nonetheless.
Just as he found a show he was suddenly interrupted by his door opening. He wasn't expecting any guests, and especially not any that could just walk through his door unannounced.
Setting his breakfast down he walked through the house to the kitchen door, not even bothering to sneak seeing as his invisibility would work on any intruders. As he entered the kitchen, however, he was surprised to find his twin staring right back at him.
"Oh, hey Al I wasn't expecting you," he said happily, relieved it wasn't some stranger in his house.
"Sup dude, didn't mean to barge in. I figured it was fine since, you know, we're brothers," Alfred joked with a shrug.
"I mean... I guess? Uhhh where have you been anyway? It feels like you haven't visited in forever, eh," Canada pointed out, making Alfred let out a short laugh. "I guess I haven't, huh? After the world meetings I stayed in Belarus, you know I can't deny a protest for democracy."
"That you can't," Canada agreed with a laugh of his own, though on the inside he was a little unsettled. Observing his brother he could see a few things were off, his smile was a little strained, his laugh slightly cut short, his voice not its normally boisterous self, and even the way he carried himself seemed drained.
They are small details admittedly but enough to make a brother worry. On the other hand his brother had just arrived so it's probably better for Canada to not to press him on it for now.
Shaking off his worry he grinned wider at Alfred. "Well as long as you're here do you want to do anything? I'm having breakfast right now but we can find something to do after."
Giving a polite smile Alfred refused. "Would love to bro, but right now I've got some dumb work stuff, you know how it is."
"Oh, trust me I do know. I guess I'll leave you to it then, good luck," Canada said as he started walking back over to his plate of breakfast. "Thanks, I'll definitely need it," Alfred responded with a laugh as he walked into a different section of the house, coming up to his own personal room.
Entering the room he slowly closed the door and locked it, the. Strolled over and sat on his bed with a tired huff. Now alone he let out the tense breath he was holding, slouching forward as he let his smile fall.
For a while he sat there emotionless, trapped in his own head as he listened to the steady ticking of a clock. Then ever so slowly his hands rose and covered his eyes, staying locked in place as he curled forward and let out all the emotions he's been bottling up, finally allowing the torrent of tears to fall.