Two Can Keep A Secret

Chapter 28: A Night Out (1)

"I'm taking you on a date!"

-

Ivan chuckles, amused by Alfred's enthusiasm. Though, he raises an eyebrow as he asks a question,

"Fredka, you do realise I do not have anything fancy to wear?"

Alfred thinks this over, giving a shrug. He sits up properly, edging off of Ivan to give him room on the couch.

"Eh, no big deal. Just go in whatevers comfortable!"

Ivan deadpans.

"You don't have anything either, do you?"

"..."

"Yeah."

Ivan sighs and cant help but smirk.

"Guess we'll have to go shopping, then."

Alfred's eyes widen, and he slowly starts to back away. Ivan notices this, and quickly grabs his wrist. Alfred increases his struggles, and they both begin a game of tug-of-war.

"No."

"Da.

"No."

"Da."

-

"I can't believe you dragged me into this."

Alfred grumbles under his breath, arms crossed over his chest. Ivan just hums, browsing through the suit options with a critical eye.

"Here."

Alfred startles as a suit is dropped in his hands, scrambling for purchase. Ivan gives him one last glance, smiling at his dumbfounded look. Alfred huffs, but smiles back.

"Try it on, Fredka. Tell me what you think."

Alfred raises an eyebrow, but heads into the changing room nonetheless. Slipping the suit on in the mirror, he can't help but admire himself.

Sleek, yet not too out there. It's a dark navy, with a white undershirt and black tie. Turning sideways, his face practically splits in half. He's gonna have fun teasing Ivan tonight.

-

Ivan glances at his mirror image, happy with what he sees. A light purple suit, similar in style to that of Alfred's.

'Speaking of Alfred...'

He wonders what the suit looks like on him. Ivan carefully folds his suit up, placing it back into the plastic. He exits the changing room, stopping in surprise. It seems Alfred made it out before him.

"Fredka? Was everything alright? Did it fit fine?"

Alfred just gives him a sly smirk in response, which, sets off alarm bells at the back of his mind. Of course, Ivan is a freak, so this just sends a blush spreading across his face.

Ivan clears his throat,trying to seem unbothered by the feelings that smirk sent him spiralling into.

"We should.. head to the checkout. Hand it over?"

Ivan sticks his arm out. Alfred eyes it, confused. Ivan stares at him.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I thought I was paying."

"No?"

"Well why not!?"

Alfred states, annoyance clear in his tone of voice. His eyes narrow, glaring at Ivan. Ivan sighs, but replies softly,

"Think of it as a thank you, for all you've done."

Alfred seems startled, as his mouth hangs open. Slowly, he looks off to the side, lips turning down.

"That... I'm sorry for overreacting, Vanya. I'm not exactly used to people that aren't my brother doing things for me out of the goodness in their heart."

Alfred apologises, wincing. He's not exactly used to apologising either. Especially not to Ivan, of all people.

Ivan accepts the apology with a nod, taking the suit out of Alfred's hand. They head to the checkout together, and Alfred cautiously links their arms together. Ivan glances over, slightly surprised. Alfred just looks at him with a small smile.

Ivan returns that smile tenfold.

-

"You ready, Vanya?"

Ivan glances up from where he'd been tying his laces, quickly checking the time. He curses in Russian under his breath, before standing and walking to the bedside table.

He hesitates, but snatches a small, crocheted sunflower he'd made. It was one of his projects, originally part of a bouquet. He forgot how it even ended up in his luggage, let alone how it was still intact.

He draws in a deep breath, calling back out to Alfred,

"In a minute, Fredka."

"Okie dokie. I'll be waiting for you in the living room!"

Ivan can hear Alfreds retreating footsteps, and he waits until he's out of reach. Checking himself one last time in the mirror, flattening his hair, moving his scarf, he decides he's ready.

The door to the guest bedroom creaks open, and he starts down the hallway to where Alfred is waiting.

"Fredka?"

Alfred's back is turned to him. Of course, once he hears him, he turns to face Ivan and 'oh.'

"You're beautiful..."

Everything about him is. That golden hair, shining in the light. Those baby blues, focused purely on him. His Rosey cheeks, with the blush slowly spreading. His tan skin, contrasting Ivan's pale tone.

He doesn't realise he's said it out loud until Alfred chuckles, face red from embarrassment. Ivan blanches.

"I-i-"

"It's fine, Vanya. For the record, I think you're very handsome too!"

Alfred smiles, eyes softening. Ivans face reddens in response, a Rosey blush adorning his pale cheeks. Regardless, he steps forward, gesturing for Alfred to hold his hands out.

Alfred gives him a questioning look, but shrugs and does as he says. Ivan places the crocheted flower down, curling Alfred's hands around it.

Alfred glances down, surprised and touched once he gets a good look at it. He grins, placing it on the side of his hair with a small pin.

"Thanks, Ivan. Really completes the look!"

'It sure does, my Sunflower.'

Ivan thought. Alfred grabs Ivan's hand and starts to drag him to the door, excited beyond belief.

Ivan sighs fondly, and follows him through the door.

-

Heyoo. Splitting this into two chapters, as I'm very tired rn. School starts soon, and then all hell is gonna break loose. Fear not, my upload schedule will remain every second day. Anyways, hope you enjoyed. Goeiemorê, middag, aand of nag.