Two Can Keep A Secret

Chapter 38: An Epilogue

"Never scare me like that again!"

Alfred chuckles.

"I promise, Vanya."

-

Alfred groans, slapping half heartedly at his blaring alarm clock. God, why does he ever get up so early in the morning?

"Good morning, Sunflower."

Alfred turns his head, finding Ivan with his back turned to him. Alfred grunts as he sits up, mindful of his chest. It had been a week, full of resting and changing bandages and tearful hugs from his kids. He had to talk down so many attempted murders it's a miracle no one ended up dead. The state house was now bustling with noise for the first time in years, and Alfred's heart almost burst with joy.

"Morning to you too, Darling."

He can hear Ivan's breath stutter at the nickname, and he snickers. He's quickly cut off when a scarf is thrown at him while a red faced Ivan curses at him in Russian. Alfred just continues to laugh.

"Pa! Ruski! It's breakfast time, come on down!"

"We'll be there in a few minutes!"

Alfred calls out to his son. In the week he'd been resting, somehow, someway, his children had warmed up to his lover. Alfred thinks it had something to do with them coexisting in the same house, while Ivan just shakes his head with a slightly smug look. Alfred prefers not to go down that rabbit hole.

Alfred stretches his arms above his head, moaning in relief once he feels the cracks. He goes slightly light headed, stumbling. Thankfully, he's caught by Ivan's strong, calloused hands.

"Falling asleep already, Alfred?"

Alfred smirked, leaning his head back on Ivans chest contently.

"Maaaaybe. You're just so comfortable..."

Alfred fake swoons, placing a hand on his head as he sinks further back. Ivan chuckles, wrapping his arms around him.

Ivan places a soft kiss on Alfred's shoulder, Alfred laughing as he turns his head and pecks him on the cheek in retaliation. They both giggle, beaming as the room gradually warms.

They stand together inside the slowly lightening room, watching the rising sun through an open window.

Alfred felt as if this was an end to something.

No, not an end.

Perhaps, a new beginning.

One where they don't have to fear the other. To hate the other.

Where they are finally free..

To love.

...

"Hey Vanya?"

"Yes, Fredka?"

"I have so much paperwork to do."

Ivan snorts.

"That's an understatement. The pile on your desk is taller than both of us combined."

A sigh.

"God damn it."

-

There are many things within the world that humans do net yet know about.

Scientifically? I suppose they do.

Magically? Pff, they wish.

Nation wise?

Well.

That's up to them if they choose to look deeper.

To see them.

To know them.

But what do I know? I'm just a human, after all.

Yet Ivan and Alfred aren't.

And their story?

Hah.

You've come so far, and only now you question it?

Don't you see?

They've grown. Oh, how they've grown.

They learned to trust again.

They learned to love again.

And they couldn't have done it,

Without you.

Yes, you.

You've followed their journey from the beginning.

Laughed at them.

Grew angry with them.

Cursed them.

And so much more.

You saw them.

You know them.

And for that,

I thank you.

I hope you've enjoyed this little book of mine.

Goeiemorê, middag, aand of nag my Dear Reader.

-

End.

-

...or is it?