American Sunflowers

Sunshine After a Rough Day

Alfred was never much of a complainer when it came to his job. He loved it, it was the people he worked with that were his problem. To Alfred, it was as if everything they did and every word they spoke had the intention of ruining his day. He was just about to get out of that hell, too, when the manager's voice— one he had come to hate— made its way to his ears.

"Alfie, you don't mind closin' for me, do ya?"

Yes, he did mind, actually.

And, of course, the man had made his way out of the shop before he even had a chance to tell him of his after-work plans. He groaned when he was suddenly left in the store all alone, and tried desperately to get the store all closed up before the flower shop next door closed as well.

He wanted to get his boyfriend a sunflower and a note to go with it, it was their anniversary. Ivan had told him that he didn't like huge celebrations, so Alfred was going for something small and meaningful. He had a feeling that plan was going to go out the window after this, though, because the flower shop didn't open for another two days after this and now he had to close.

Now, Alfred was never the most careful man, but that didn't justify the accident that happened next with his already below-average day. Whilst putting up three boxes at once, his hand slipped and he cut his palm on the edge of the shelf. He cursed and held his palm, angry tears welling in his eyes. He kicked the wall, only for the unstable boxes to fall on him from the impact. He cursed and flailed to get them back on. Luckily for him, the boxes were full of light things, and the only thing that was hurt was his pride.

Soon he had managed to get everything put up, and turned off the lights, then rushed out and towards the flower place, panting. He rushed inside, feeling lucky as hell that they weren't closed yet. He smiled brightly when he saw the sunflowers, buying one and a note to go with it. At least this was going well. He grinned as he wrote the note carefully, though his handwriting wasn't the greatest anyways, and Ivan accepted that.

"For being just stubborn enough to stick with me, and patient enough to love me. You're out of this world, babe. Happy Anniversary.

Love, Alfred."

Yeah, it had taken him all day to come up with that. Ivan would probably know it, too. He'd like it no matter what. Alfred sighed and tried to let the stress from today all out with a single breath, thanking the woman at the counter and heading out to his car.

He got in and put the flower carefully in the passenger's seat, the note tied delicately to it with white ribbon. He drove off to his house, and it was just his luck today, as he nearly got into a wreck due to a dumbass at a stop sign. Apparently, this guy didn't know how to read. He scowled and flipped him off as he drove by, rolling his eyes when he got the same thing in return.

He took another deep breath, unable to help how stressed he still was. Sure, he'd gotten the flower, but he was supposed to be home and loving on Ivan right now! He pulled into the driveway and grabbed the flower, holding it behind his back as he headed inside. He put on a smile for Ivan, knowing that his smile was one of his favorite things to see.

"Ivan?" He called into their apartment.

"Kitchen!" He heard his boyfriend call back, and he couldn't help the smile that bloomed on his face at the mere sound of Ivan's voice. How was a voice that gorgeous? He sighed happily and headed into the kitchen, sunflower still hidden behind his back.

"Hey, babe. What are you making?" He asked, noting that Ivan had something going in a pot and a beautiful, happy smile on his face. Ugh, it was times like these that he really felt like he was the luckiest man alive. Ivan was perfect in every way, it was almost sickening. And he loved it.

"Borscht! Natalia taught me the recipe a while ago." Ivan said, a peaceful smile on his face as he looked up to his boyfriend. "Why are you home so late?" He asked, then paused. A concerned frown made its way onto his cheeks and he stepped closer. "They didn't make you close again, did they?" He asked, and Alfred nodded.

"It's fine, though. I still made it to the flower shop on time." Alfred said with a grin, and Ivan looked suspicious for a moment before handing Ivan the flower, Ivan blinking in surprise then smiling sweetly at him.

"You are too sweet, Fredka..." Ivan said, starting to read the note. He smiled brightly and pulled Alfred into a tight hug, burying his face in Alfred's soft hair.

"That wasn't too cheesy, was it?" Alfred asked nervously, hugging his boyfriend back. This was all he had wanted all day.

"That was unbearably cheesy. But I love it." Ivan said softly, leaning down to press a kiss to the American's lips that he more than gladly returned, threading his fingers through Ivan's hair. This was so worth it.

After a little while longer of sweet kisses and hugs and sickeningly sweet things like that, Alfred pulled away and just stared into Ivan's eyes like a lovesick puppy, and Ivan's eyes held the same look. It was really amazing to some people that they'd been together for three years now and still had that same lovey-dovey honeymoon phase going on, but they both thought it was the most natural thing in the world. He sighed dreamily, then chuckled.

"Babe, I think you should check on the borscht..." Alfred said, grinning slightly and taking the flower from him. "I'll find somewhere to put this." He said.

Ivan's eyes went wide and he rushed back to tend to the dish, Alfred laughing softly and shaking his head, then humming and finding a vase to put the sunflower in and setting it on the table. There, now it could be with them while they ate and Ivan would be reminded of how awesome and heroic his boyfriend was. Even if the tallish flower looked a little awkward on their relatively small dining room table. It was poetic, in a way.

"The borscht is done!" Ivan called out happily, making them both bowls and handing Alfred his, Alfred stealing a kiss before sitting down, leaving them both grinning all over again. Alfred waited for Ivan to sit down before he started eating, idly nudging the Russian's foot under the table and starting up a playful little game of footsie.

Alfred finished his bowl quickly and went for seconds, Ivan finishing his own and deciding to just admire his boyfriend. It was peaceful. As usual around this time, their neighbors upstairs had started to play their Elvis softly. In the quiet of their home, Alfred and Ivan enjoyed the gentle lyrics of an old song, just basking in each other's presence.

Wise men say

only fools rush in

But I can't help

Falling in love with you.