Two Can Keep A Secret

Chapter 12: The Protective One

"Pa, who the fuck is that?"

-

Alfred wrenches his hand away from Ivan as if he'd been burned, quickly standing in front of him in a measly attempt to block him from view.

A wary smile graces his face, waving to his child currently standing in his doorway.

"Heyyy, Texas. It's been a while. How have you been?"

He glances back at Ivan, motioning with a tilt of his head to 'get the fuck out of the room before he dies' with a panicked look.

Ivan glances at Texas curiously, but, upon noting his murderous glare, prefers to live another day and scurries off to the kitchen.

'Hopefully he'll stay there if he wants to keep those pretty eyes of his.'

Alfred muses with a grimace. Texas always had a thing about going for the eyes, and never grew out of it (to Alfred's dismay).

"You didn't answer my question, Pa. Who, the hell, is he?"

Texas strides into the room, slamming the door behind him. He crosses his arms over his chest, his glare softening as he looks at his father.

He'd always been the protective one, ever since the civil war his protective instincts just seemed to have doubled.

Alfred always complains about it, saying how 'IM the parent!' and 'im supposed to be protective of you, not the other way around!'

"Look, it's just another nation friend I have over, alright? Nothing more, nothing less."

Alfred sighs, staring back at Texas. His eyes harden with suspicion, evident in his tone as he asks,

"Aight. What's his name then?"

Silence.

Very, very awkward silence.

Alfred whistles, rocking on his heels while looking away from Texas's pointed stare. He smiles hesitantly as he raises an eyebrow, a clear 'well?'

"..Russia."

"WHAT!?"

Texas's mouth drops open in disbelief as he's stunned into silence. Alfred puts his head in his hands in defeat, before taking a deep breath and saying,

"Look, I didn't want you guys to find out this way-"

"Find out what Pa? That the one nation, who, and let me remind ya, YOU WENT TO WAR WITH, IS JUST CASUALLY CHILLING IN YOUR HOUSE, LIKE NOTHING HAPPEND?!"

Texas seethes, face red in anger. Alfred winces, a guilty look crossing his face. He responds with,

"Ivan and I have sorted things out, we're working on it alright?"

"IVAN?!"

Texas walks to the couch, before collapsing onto it in shock. He sits there, and starts to laugh. Hysterically, and in disbelief.

It seems like forever, but he eventually turns to his father, still shocked but expecting answers. Alfred feels conflicted, but he knows he deserves honesty.

"Listen, Texas. I may have problems with Russia. We still have tensions, and our governments still hate eachother. But not Ivan."

Alfred walks over and sits beside Texas as he speaks, pulling him into a side hug. Texas relaxes into it, laying his head on Alfred shoulder.

They stay like that for a while, waiting until they both come down from their emotional high. Alfred takes the time to observe his son, and just how much he's grown.

'Hes nearly as tall as me at this stage'

Hes startled out of his thoughts when Texas speaks.

"So that's how you're doing it huh?"

Texas sighs. Alfred nods, tightening his hold. He can hear Ivan in the kitchen, likely exploring the cupboards and it's items hidden inside.

"Can't say I believe it'll help anything, but as long as you're happy."

Texas relents, groaning as Alfred ruffles his hair. He escapes his half hug, turning to him with a raised eyebrow and asking,

"...How did this.. friendship.. of y'all's, even come about, Pa? Last meeting I remember you hated eachothers guts!"

"Haha, funny story.."

-

Ivan pauses in his scouting as he hears loud shouting coming from the other room. Normally, he would've gone and checked if Alfred was alright, but something in that child's eyes told him he'd stay out of it if he valued his life.

In the meantime, he'd been searching through Alfred's kitchen and observing the many, many pictures on the walls. Fondly, Ivan recalls how excited Alfred was with the invention of the camera.

He'd immediately been invited over, and together they'd taken a picture with one another.

'I wonder where that picture is now?'

Ivan ponders, sliding his gloves hand over the marble. Alfred and his child, Texas if he recalls correctly from memory, seemed to have quietened down now, and with a quick glance to the clock reveals about an hour has passed.

He freezes as the door to the kitchen creaks open. Slowly, he turns around to see Texas standing menacingly in the doorway.

"So."

Ivan gulps.

"You gonna explain your intentions with my Pa?"

And shivers.

"Or do I have to carve it out of ya?"

Ivan is so fucked.

-

Heyoo! Lmao I actually loved writing this one. Just wanted to say, GlissBunBun666, I absolutely love your comments, they've left me cackling each time I see a new one pop up. Actually, just thanks to those in general who've commented. I read each one (though there's not many) and it means a lot to me. Anyways, I need sleep, so Goeiemorê, middag, aand of nag!