A/N: Alright people, I think I've been enough of a tease. I think it's time for some romantic development, don't you? *Cracks knuckles* Here's to not knowing what the hell I'm doing! *Jumps off cliff*
*Ivan'sP.O.V*
Eventually they ended up in a shopping district. Ivan was walking a bit behind Alfred and his sister, and he watched them point at something in a shop window. They had been out for hours by this point, and it had gotten dark enough that the lights along the streets had turned on, bathing the city in an artificial orange. The stores around them lit up in multiple different colors, flashing and blinking to grab their attention as they passed. As they walked past some of the different stores and bars, Ivan could hear music, chatter, and the smell of fresh food wafting into the street through the open doors. The air had a slight sharpness as the temperature had plummeted, and Ivan had to tighten his scarf around his neck as a sudden the wind blew his hair back.
Ivan had a smile on his face as he watched Alfred laugh at something his sister said to him. Ivan couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun. Usually around this time of year, he would be stuck in last minute meetings and conferences, or would be spending most of his time alone in his home. But this year, he was walking around the streets of New York, spending time with people. Granted, it was a little strange, seeing as he was spending time with someone he hadn't even liked just over a week ago, and with his sister who usually avoided him due to political reasons. But even so, it was so different and so much livelier than what he was used to, and his heart was almost bursting with happiness. For the first time in decades, he felt a small part of his heart that had frozen start to thaw out.
Lost in his own thoughts, he almost missed Alfred waving at him. "Hey, Ivan! Me and your sis want to check out this book store real quick. You want to join us?" Alfred asked, giving Ivan a warm smile. It was amazing, Ivan thought as he stared at the shorter nation. Even in the darkness, Alfred's smile seemed to blind him. It really was captivating.
"Do you bleach your teeth?" Ivan suddenly asked, and Alfred gave him a bewildered look. Ukraine sighed, shaking her head and giving Ivan a look that said, 'really?' Rolling her eyes, she patted Alfred on the shoulder and walked into the book store.
"I am going ahead." She said, and with that she disappeared into the store. Alfred nodded, then turned back to look at Ivan with a raised eyebrow.
"Why do you ask?" Alfred asked carefully, as though he were expecting a nasty remark.
"Your smile." Ivan said, gesturing to Alfred's face. "It is always so bright. I have been wondering."
Alfred stared at him for a moment as though he couldn't quite believe what he was asking. Then with a snort he covered his mouth as he started laughing. "Out of all the things you want to know about me, that's what you want to know?" He asked, relaxing a little as he shook his head in amusement. "Really?"
"Yes?" Ivan said, rubbing his back of his head. He suddenly felt embarrassed as he realized what he said might be a little weird. "Ah, I did not mean to be rude." He added as Alfred continued to laugh.
"No, it's fine! I've just never been asked that before." Alfred explained as he lowered his hand and beamed up at Ivan. "No, I've never bleached my teeth. For some reason, I've always had really good teeth that are, as England puts it, "brighter than the fucking sun." I have no freaking idea why, but there you are. I think it has to do with how my citizens take dental care so seriously. I'm honestly surprised that more people don't bleach their teeth though."
"It is not seen as important in other places." Ivan said with a shrug.
"I see. Well, thanks for asking I guess." Alfred said with a chuckle, turning to walk into the store. Just before he entered the store he paused, and then turned to face Ivan again with a grin. "You know, you have a really nice smile too. And not that weird creepy one you wear when you're scaring the shit out of people, the one you were showing just a minute ago. I like it!"
Ivan felt his cheeks heat up a little as he stared at Alfred in disbelief. "You do?" Ivan asked, suddenly feeling a little self conscious, but Alfred just nodded.
"Yeah. Anyways, get in here! I still need to shop for presents, and someone still needs to tell me what they want!" Alfred said, giving Ivan a pointed look, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the store with him. "Now come on slowpoke, your sister is waiting for us!"
Too stunned by what Alfred had said, Ivan allowed himself to be pulled into the book store. They walked around the store for a few minutes, Alfred humming along to a Christmas song playing through the speakers. Ivan found himself hiding his face in his scarf, unable to stop himself from smiling. He wasn't used to complements. When they reached the cooking section, Alfred paused.
"I wonder what kind of cook book Arthur would like." Alfred hummed, looking over the selection of books with a slight frown. He turned to Ivan. "What do you think?"
"I suggested the tea time books." Ivan said, pointing at the upper shelf of books. "He has a lower chance of burning down his house that way."
"Hmm, good point." Alfred said, reaching up to grab a book. That was, he tried to reach for a book, but his hand couldn't quite reach the top shelf where the tea time books were. Even when he stood on tip toes, he was just a tad too short to touch the books. Ivan watched in amusement as Alfred tried in vain to reach them for a few minutes, until finally with a sigh, Alfred turned to Ivan.
"Ivan?"
"Yes?"
"I'm not short, am I?"
"To me, everyone is small." Ivan pointed out. "But no, I would not call you short."
"I thought not. Then why, pray tell, are these fucking shelves so tall?" He asked, pouting up at Ivan. Smirking, Ivan reached up and easily grabbed the book Alfred had been struggling to grab. He then held it above his own head, slightly out of Alfred's reach.
"Who knows?" Ivan teased, dangling the book above Alfred's head, which just caused Alfred to pout harder. "Maybe they do not want short people to read?"
"Come on man, that's not cool." Alfred said with a huff, holding out his hand for the book.
"Hmm, maybe I will give it to you if you give me a hug." Ivan said with a smile.
"Ah, I see we've moved from holding people hostage for hugs to holding objects hostage." Alfred said in amusement. "Well done, you're improving."
"I try." Ivan quipped back. "Now, what will it be? Hug and a book, or nothing?"
"You play dirty, you know that?" Alfred asked, putting his hands on his hips. "I'm going to find a way to make you pay for this, you realize that right?"
"Oh, I am sure you will." Ivan said, waving the book back and forwards above Alfred's head.
Sighing, Alfred opened his arms, and Ivan gave him a big hug, a giant smile growing on his face.
"So, I take it I'm going to be your go to guy for hugs now?" Alfred asked in amusement, snagging the book from Ivan's hands a minute later when Ivan finally let him go. "You know you can just ask for a hug, right? You don't need to bribe me."
"I was not aware I was allowed." Ivan said, still smiling from the hug.
"Sure. What can I say? Your hugs are growing on me. I think I have hug Stockholm syndrome. Is that even possible?" Alfred wondered out loud as he flipped through the book in his hands. "Whatever. Just stop dangling things over my head."
"I will make no promises." Ivan said in amusement, ruffling Alfred's hair. "You are so fun to tease."
"I'm going to tattle to Ukraine that you're bullying me." Alfred warned.
"I am so scared." Ivan said with a laugh.
"Sure you are." Alfred said with shake of his head as he paused on a page that caught his attention. "Ah-ha, here we are. Lemon recipes. Arthur's told me yesterday that he's been having trouble finding a cook book that has a lot of lemon recipes. Especially lemon cookies. Do you think this one looks simple enough?" He asked, holding the page up to Ivan, who scanned the page.
"I think so." Ivan said, and Alfred grinned. "Great! I guess that knocks the Italian brothers, England, and Finland off the list. Who else did I need to shop for besides you again?"
"Germany." Ivan said, and Alfred let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank god, I can just order him some beer or something. He's pretty easy to please." Alfred said, snapping the book shut.
"You do not have to get me anything." Ivan said with a small frown.
"No! I'm getting you something!" Alfred said, pointing an irritated finger the taller nation. "We just made up! We're friends now! No excuses! Tell me what you like!"
"I do not know." Ivan insisted. "I do not usually expect many gifts around this time of year. And besides, the gifts are usually from my sisters, and they usually have a special meaning behind them. I do not like getting just any kind of gift at Christmas. The gift would need to have some kind of importance behind it."
Alfred's face fell. "Oh, I see. That could be…complicated due to our history…" Alfred said, suddenly looking worried.
Ivan couldn't help but feel bad for killing the mood. "Ah, and I have not even asked you what you want for Christmas." Ivan pointed out quickly. "If you insist on getting me a gift, I would have to know what you want."
"Me?" Alfred asked in surprise. "Oh, um, I have no idea."
Ivan gave Alfred a blank look. "What do you mean you have no idea?"
"I mean, I usually don't think about receiving presents. I'm usually the one giving them away." Alfred said with a shrug. "Hell, usually every Christmas people just bring me a shit ton of food. I have no idea why, maybe because they know I like food?" Alfred wondered out loud. "It's actually really awesome, but every year someone gets me a fruit cake. I think it's a yearly joke from the others at this point. Just one cake, buts it's always on the top of the pile every year. I think each nation takes a turn bringing it. Anyways, as long as it's not food I'm happy. I already end up donating most of it to charity anyways because there's no way I can eat it all at once."
"I see…" Ivan said, raising an eyebrow at Alfred's words.
"Hey, I know!" Alfred said excitedly, suddenly perking up. "Why don't you come to the Christmas party? That can be your gift to me! I mean, you've never been to one right?"
"My gift to you…would to be to join you at your own Christmas party?" Ivan asked in disbelief. "This seems a little one sided."
"Please?" Alfred begged. "Come on, you'd be like a breath of fresh air there, trust me! God, you have no idea how boring it can be seeing the same things every year! Everyone brings fancy gifts, and drinks, and drives there in their stupid fancy cars, and tries to outdo each other! I have no idea how, but somehow my own fucking party turned into this fancy stuffy event! It can be so passive aggressive as well. Please come? You can scare the shit out of everyone! It would be hilarious! Hell, I'll even order Vodka for you so you won't get bored! Please?!"
Ivan thought for a moment, and Alfred tugged on Ivan's coat. "So much Vodka." He promised. "As much as you want! My government doesn't stop me buying Alcohol for my Christmas party due to having guests. I can literally make you a Vodka fountain if you want! Please just come!"
"Well, I suppose if there will be Vodka…" Ivan said with a sigh, caving in.
"Woo!" Alfred cheered, throwing his hands up. "I want you to go after France first!"
"I would have done that regardless of you asking or not." Ivan said in amusement. "So when is this party?"
"On Christmas Eve." Alfred said happily. "Most people leave for their country straight after the party to have Christmas at their place, or depending on where I hold the party, they have their celebrations where the party is held. I had the party in Hawaii a couple of years back. Everyone really liked that one!"
"Ah, you and your warm places. I prefer a white Christmas. It's more traditional." Ivan said with a snort. "And where are you holding it this year?"
"Oh, I'm holding it in the UN building." Alfred said with a grin. "Security is top notch there, and there's plenty of room to hold everyone. That, and it was literally the only place I could get last minute. The president had to pull some strings, but I was able to get it booked in. At least he footed the bill this time as an apology. I actually was going to hold it in Hollywood, but you know, this rooming thing happened." Alfred said with a shrug.
"I see." Ivan said. Just then, Ukraine walked around the corner with a big smile on her face holding a stack of fiction books. "Oh, are you talking about the Christmas party America?"
"Yeah, Ivan agreed to come with me this year!" Alfred said with a grin.
"Really!?" She asked excitably, turning to beam at Ivan. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun with you here this year! Imagine you, me, and Natalia together! Of course, by that time I'm sure she'll have calmed down. She may glare at you more than usual though America." Ukraine said, shooting Alfred an apologetic look. Alfred just shrugged back.
"Eh, I'm used to it." Alfred said with a grimace. "Just, ah… don't let her bring a knife please. I kind of like my body not full of holes."
"We can make no promises. She can be very crafty." Ivan said gravely, and then he smiled and clapped his hands together. "Now, are we ready to leave?"
*Later,Alfred'sP.O.V*
Alfred yawned as he pulled into the Hotel parking lot, and the other two weren't too far behind him. Ivan and Ukraine had been sitting in the back seat together so they could talk more before Ukraine flew home the next morning. Ukraine was dozing on top of all her shopping, and Ivan seemed to be spacing out, which Alfred had figured out meant he was about to pass out. When he parked the car, Ivan blinked and looked around.
"Oh, are we at the hotel?" He asked with a large yawn.
"Yup." Alfred said.
"Oh, I am sorry. Did I doze off?" Ukraine asked sleepily, stirring awake from the jerk of the car stopping.
"Afraid so." Alfred said apologetically. "Seems we've reached the end of the line folks. Do you need some help bringing in your shopping?" Alfred offered.
"I will help her." Ivan said, but Ukraine, who had become much more alert, shook her head.
"No offence Vanya, but I think I will let America help me. I want to talk to him before I leave. Plus, you look like you are about to fall asleep." She said with a laugh, leaning over and giving her brother a hug, which he happily returned.
"Oh dear, that doesn't sound good for me!" Alfred joked. "Ivan, if I'm not back in ten, you're in charge of telling my brother I was murdered."
"I will carry out my duty diligently and with honor, comrade." Ivan said sarcastically, saluting Alfred.
"Good to know." Alfred chuckled as he got out of the car.
"I will see you at the party Vanya! Until then, увидимся!" Ukraine said with a final wave, and with that, they walked to the hotel, Alfred carrying her things up to her room. As they reached her room and Alfred put down the bags, she took a deep breath, and turned to Alfred with a serious look.
"America." She said. "I want to say that I am happy that you and my brother are getting along better. And I want to thank you."
"Thank me?" Alfred asked in confusion. "But I didn't do anything."
"You may not be able to tell, but you have helped my brother. He seems happier than when I last saw him. It helps that you said that you were friends. I do not think you know how much it means to him that you said that to him. Just… do not hurt him again." She warned, bringing herself up to her full height. "And I am not talking about Russia."
"Again?" Alfred asked with a frown.
"Once. You met him outside of Russia once before. I am sure you remember. It was the first time you called each other by your human names. He told me about it." Ukraine said apologetically.
"Oh, yeah…" Alfred said with a grimace, and with a sigh he closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I remember. It's kind of hard not to when you're about to blow each other off the surface of the planet, along with every other person on the earth. Don't worry, I don't think things are going to get that far again. Especially as Alfred and Ivan."
"Just… do not hurt his heart. That is all I ask." She said hesitantly. "I do not want to see his heart broken again for no reason, whether it is due to love or friendship."
"I don't know if I can promise anything as America." Alfred admitted guiltily, shooting her an apologetic look. "I mean, we still are countries you know. There may come a day when we will have to fight each other again. Friendships are kind of hard to keep when you have to bash each other's faces in."
"Well, until then at least. Promise me that until that day comes, you will at least try not to hurt him." Ukraine asked, and Alfred gave her a small smile.
"As Alfred, I think I can promise that." He said, holding his hand out to her, which she took with a small smile.
"Thank you." She said, looking a lot less worried than before. "Well, until the party Alfred." She said, and with a final shake of his hand, she went into her room and shut the door, leaving Alfred alone in the hallway with his thoughts.
When he got back to the car, Ivan was now in the front seat, dozing away. When Alfred opened the driver side door, he woke up.
"How did it go?" Ivan asked, and Alfred shrugged his shoulders as he got into the car. "Nothing much to say really. She thanked me, had some words with me, and I was on my way."
"So it was a mild shovel talk?" Ivan asked in amusement. "How lucky you are. I seem to have had all of the worst talks."
"Yeah? Just wait till Belarus gets her hands on me. Then we can compare stories." Alfred laughed.
"Hmm, I guess you have a point." Ivan admitted as Alfred started the car. "Now, I think it is time that we head home. I do not know about you, but it is almost midnight, and I think I am ready for bed."
"I think I can agree to that."
*SomewhereinBelarus*
Belarus sat next to the window, a smile slowly growing on her face as she listened to the voice on the other side of the phone. So they had finally found where that damned America lived.
"Thank you for the update." She said. "Yes, I will be sending you your payment soon. Thank you. Yes. Goodbye." And with that she hung up the call.
So, she thought with a smirk, throwing the phone down onto the cushion she was sitting on, that was another step in the right direction. Now all she had to do was wait for her sister to come home. Of course, now that she thought about it, she could just wait until the Christmas party to make her move. But it may be too late if she waited that long, and there would be too many witnesses. No… she had to wait for her sister to come home. Her sister had obviously gone to meet with her older brother. She always was one to worry; she wouldn't have gone anywhere else but to go check on him. Of course, that also meant that she had news on her older brother, and that American…
No, she thought with a smile, she could wait.
*TheNextDay*
"Uhhh…" Alfred groaned from the kitchen table. His head was in his arms, and he was trying to block out the weak rays of light from the sunrise shining through the curtains, and was nursing a cup of coffee. It was around 6:30am, and he had just woken up a few minutes ago, dragging himself out of his nice warm bed and into the chilly kitchen, where to his amazement he had found Ivan reading the news and eating his breakfast already. "Why did I agree to go in so early? Why did we stay up so late? This is torture. Why the hell were you awake so early?" Alfred asked grumpily, lifting his head and squinting at Ivan, who just shrugged.
"I do not need much sleep." He explained.
"Teach me…" Alfred said weakly, dropping his head back into his arms.
"I cannot. I have always been like this." Ivan said, and Alfred let out another whine. "You really are not a morning person, are you?" Ivan asked with a small smile, taking another bite of his cornflakes.
"The sun is evil."
"I see." Ivan said, gently patting Alfred on the head. "Well, I suppose it is the Hero's duty to suffer for the greater good." Hearing his name, Hero's ears perked up from where he was napping on the counter and he looked at Ivan.
"Not you Hero." Alfred grumbled, reaching out and petting Hero, who purred at the attention.
"What time were we supposed to meet with Mrs. Carol?" Ivan asked, looking back down at the newspaper.
"Around 7:30." Alfred said, trying and failing to hold in a large yawn. Rubbing his eyes, he got up and started to make himself a bowl of cereal. "I can't believe that woman does this every day. It's insane!"
"It is really not that hard." Ivan said in amusement. "I am sure if you did not rely on caffeine, you would not feel so bad in the morning. You could cut back."
"You may take my drink from my cold, dead, coffee loving hands." Alfred scoffed, quickly pulling his coffee out of the older nations reach with a warning look. "I wouldn't recommend it though. I've gone to war over less."
"I am sure you have." Ivan said with a small smile, eyeing the coffee cup with a thoughtful look.
"I don't know what you're planning, but don't." Alfred warned, narrowing his eyes.
"I was not planning anything." Ivan said innocently, putting his paper up again.
"Why don't I believe you?" Alfred scoffed, sitting back down with his bowl. "By the way, Mattie said he's going to drop by sometime. I don't know if he means today or tomorrow, but just giving you a heads up."
"Why is he still here?" Ivan asked. "The meeting ended days ago."
"If my brother wants to spend time with me, who the hell am I to question it?" Alfred said with a shrug. "Plus, it's not unusual for nations to hang around and tour after a meeting. You know that."
"Yes, but usually they only stay around for a few days afterwards." Ivan said with a small frown. "It seems odd that there are a large number of them hanging around this time."
"You know, I bet this has something to do with the rumor of us dating. They're probably just trying to be nosy." Alfred said with a shrug.
"This does not bother you?" Ivan asked, interested with Alfred's response.
"Bother me? No, of course not!" Alfred said with a cold smirk. "Why, the longer they stay here, the more money they bring in! They can stay for as long as they like as far as I'm concerned."
"You are fun when you talk like that." Ivan said with a chuckle. "It is always a shock to here you say things like that. Does anyone else get to see the ruthless businessman you are, or do you just let me see that?"
"Who knows?" Alfred said with a glint in his eyes, taking a bite of his toast with a smile. "Let's hurry up okay? We don't want to keep Mrs. Carol waiting."
A/N: So it begins! 0w0 So, let's check the notes so far. We are currently still working on starting Japan and France's redemptions arcs, England has begun his, Canada has finally caught on to what's happening, the others are placing even more bets, China is on the hunt, Ivan and Alfred are finally comfortable around each other, Ukraine has given us all type 2 diabetes from how sweet she is, and Belarus is slowly but surely getting to her goal, whatever that is. Good, then we're right on schedule.
*Looks up from paper with a frown.* (Wait, how many timeshave I updated this month? Three times? Four times? I'm way ahead of schedule? I could be done by Christmas at this rate? Nah, that can't be right.It took me a year and a half to get to this point. What do you mean the only reason it took that long was because I dropped off the map for a bunch of months?!)
Welp, looks like staying home and having literally nothing to do all day has done wonders for my upload schedule. Who knew? Don't get your hopes up though, this is really weird for me.