Ex's to Lovers

Chapter 34

In Which Ivan "Breaks Up" With His Ex

Alfred never made it to Ivan's house. Instead, he got bowled over on the sidewalk by an unusual Ivan with both hands over his ears a bright red face, muttering a constant refrain of "I cannot hear anything, I cannot hear anything!".  Ivan had his eyes squeezed closed, which is probably why he ran into Alfred. Alfred was so disturbed by the sight that he forgot to get out of Ivan's path. So, the two collided, and Alfred went down under Ivan, and Ivan's hands left his ears to catch himself.

Alfred blinked, looking up at Ivan who was suddenly straddling him on the sidewalk. Ivan blinked, looking down at Alfred suddenly trapped beneath him. Then Ivan went through an interesting series of colours,  Turing pale, then green, then red again. Alfred, as always, remained oblivious to the mood, and noted the situated in a rather deadpan tone.

"This is the first time I've been tackled by you."

Alfred had, however, been tripped, punched, pulled by the collar and once whipped with a wet towel twisted into a whip by Ivan before, so Alfred was not too surprised by the situation. Alfred would just get him back for it later. Ivan, on the other hand, reacted bizzarely, at least in Alfred's opinion. He pushed himself off Alfred in a rush, still red, and then blurted an apology - Something Ivan wasn't fond of giving to the likes of Alfred- and then ran for it.

Alfred had to make a split second choice: look out for his brother or investigate Ivan. Normally, It wouldn't even be a question, but Katyusha would be there all weekend, and Alfred had never seen Ivan like that before. Besides, Alfred like he owed Ivan somehow for the last time. So Alfred put foes before Bros and went after his rival.

It was a small town, and Ivan was large guy that was hard to miss, even if he curled up behind a bush at the park. Alfred leaned over the bush and looked curiously down at Ivan.

"Dude, what's up with you?"

Ivan flinched at his tone, and gave him a resentful glare when he located Alfred.

"This is all your fault!"

Ivan spat, which Alfred took offense to, despite not knowing what he was being blamed for.

"Is not!" Alfred argued. "It's probably your fault - but just to be sure, what are we talking about?" 

Ivan buried his head in his arms, pouting like a child. Alfred wasn't known for his patience, and prompted an answer by nudging Ivan in the ribs several times with his foot. Finally, Ivan caught Alfred's foot with and squeezed it warningly.

"Stop that."

Alfred had no idea what was going on, but he did notice that Ivan wasn't wearing his usual aggravating smile, and looked quite flustered, which Alfred took a sort of delight in.

"Hey," Alfred teased, freeing his foot and poking Ivan instead, "I bet I'm the only one to see you looking so messed up. That's gotta be embarrassing, huh? So are you gonna tell me, or?"

Ivan did not share Alfred's delight if having seen a usually hidden side of Ivan revealed, and snapped back in irritation. 

"Do not poke me or I will break your finger. "

Alfred wasn't listening, and therefore was unaffected. He pulled out his phone threateningly.

"Hey, I'm going to take a picture and send it to Gil if you don't tell me!"

Alfred never could tell if Ivan actually didn't like Gilbert, or if it was just Gilbert who didn't like Ivan, but he was sure that regardless, Ivan wouldn't want Gilbert with an embarrassing photo- though, of course, Alfred wasnt really going to do what he threatened. Ivan sulked harder, and made the confession bitterly.

"My big sister is..." Ivan fished for a word, ".. bugging me because of you."

Alfred was unimpressed.

"That's all? My brothers haven't stopped harassing me since they heard the rumour." 

Ivan wasn't in the mood to be agreeable, and wasn't feeling too amiable towards his "Ex" and he grumbled his next words. 

"I want to end this relationship."