Two Can Keep A Secret

Chapter 14: The Nickname

'Dear god, what have I gotten myself into?'

-

Once their tense shovel talk had finally commenced, they made their way back to the living room where Alfred waited.

Ivan entered and stood a good few feet away from Texas, but close enough to Alfred. He looks up with a smile from the TV, but then noticed Ivans paler than normal face.

"What did you say to him, Son?"

Alfred deadpanned, turning to Texas with a raised eyebrow. Texas gives a feral grin, saying,

"We just had a good ol' chat, nothing much."

Both of Alfred's eyebrows now raised, he looks over to Ivan. Seeing how he avoids eye contact, he sighs, then pins Texas with an annoyed glare.

"You can't just go around threatening my friends, Texas. I'm more than capable of doing that myself."

Texas scoffs in disbelief, mumbling under his breath. Seeing as he's distracted, Ivan hesitantly walks over and sits next to Alfred on the couch. Better close to him than away where Alfred can't intervene should Texas decide to act on his threats.

Ivan shudders.

'I don't know where these children got their glares from, not even Natalya has made me fear such threats from a look.'

He pauses.

'Somewhat.'

He's snapped back into the present when Alfred gets up from the couch, leading Texas to the door. They're chatting happily, Alfred seeming to be glowing. Ivan gives a small smile, eyes softening as he looks at father and son interact.

Texas laughs as Alfred ruffles his hair, bringing him into a bear hug. Texas opens his eyes to glare at Ivan over Alfred's shoulder, mouthing 'Watch your back.'

What little colour he had regained was quickly lost, and Ivan can only watch helplessly as Texas exits with an accomplished smirk.

The door closed without much fanfare, Alfred sighing in exhaustion. Turning to Ivan, he asks,

"You sure you're alright? I know Texas can be a bit.. much, but I promise it's only because he gets overprotective at times."

Alfred walks back to the couch, sitting next to Ivan and leaning back into the cushion. Ivan seems to unfreeze, his expression now showing emotion, though his hands have a minute shake to them.

"I assure you Fredka, it will take more than a few threats to make me back down."

Alfred chuckles humourously, the moonlight dancing on his skin. Ivan gives a small smile, laughing along with him.

"In all seriousness though, you might have to stick close to me when other states come around. Especially if you start calling me nicknames."

Ivan grimaces. Alfred just continued to laugh at him. He sighs, slumping onto the pillows.

"Are they really all that bad?"

Ivan turns his head to Alfred, face half squished in the comfortable fabric. Alfred just chuckles nervously, turning his face away.

Ivan sighs.

"They are, aren't they?"

Alfred turns back, rising to his kids defence with only a slight (verrry little) hint of hesitation,

"Not all of them! Sure, some might be out for your blood, but others might only glare at you for a bit and you'll be on your way!"

Alfred says triumphantly, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. Unsurprisingly, this does little to ease his nerves.

Ivan groans, before looking at the clock, noting the late hour. Alfred just nods as he turns his head back to him, gesturing with a hand to 'follow him'.

They get up off the couch, Alfred leading Ivan to a spare bedroom down the hall. The door swings open, revealing a cozily decorated space with a twin sized bed and sky coloured walls.

As Ivan walks in and observed his surroundings with interest, Alfred leans on the doorway with crossed arms, watching him with a content smile.

"There should be some clothing in the drawers that'll fit you, might be a size small though. I'll do washing tomorrow morning, that way you can get your original clothes back before you leave."

Alfred says softly, chuckling as Ivan flops onto the bed childishly.

"Thank you, Alfred. For everything."

Ivan calls out as Alfred turns to leave the room. Alfred pauses, then says,

"No problem, Ivan. See you in the morning?"

"Da."

Alfred nods goodnight, closing the door behind him. Ivan sighs, switching on the lamp on the bedside table. He gets up, searching through the cupboard for pajamas and, ironically, finding one with little flowers on them.

Amused, he slips them on and walks back to the bed. As he lies there, trying to fall asleep, he can't help but think of how happy he'd been lately.

'Alfred always had that affect on me.'

He thought, giddy. And unlike all the nights before, Ivan fell quickly to the grasp of sleep, dreaming of fields of sunflowers and a bright blue sky.

-

Heyooo! Yes, I'm sorry, it's that time. Time to leave you all on a cliffhanger for 4 days!! I'm sooo sorry, but I promise to do well in my exams for you all! Luckily we get a day off Wednesday for voting day, so extra study time thankfully. Not like this country can be run tino the ground anymore than it actually is, but oh well. Anyways, I hope you've enjoyed, (thanks again for 1k+ reads btw) and Goeiemorê, middag, aand of nag!