Hot and Cold

Your Fault ; part II

"So. What's this all about, Braginsky?" Abel said in a calm yet sharp-as-a-dagger tone. He turned to look at the other with a prominent glare, arms crossed. The two were behind the school building, and Abel didn't like the way that this situation was escalating.

"Don't play dumb, deVries. You know perfectly well what this is about. I want you to stay away from Madeline - she's mine." Ivan replied, also still glaring at Abel like he was back in the cafeteria. His reply only caused the Dutch teenager to chortle. "Certainly not. I love her and I also know how to treat her properly." He said, which, if possible, caused Ivan's rage to grow and reach its point. He let out a growl and swung a powerful punch at the other - for a big guy, he sure could be quick. Abel had been expecting this however, and ducked, swinging a leg out to sweep Ivan's from put underneath him. The Russian stumbled back and hit the ground with a sharp exhale of breath, but just as quickly got to his feet and advanced back to Abel, hands curled into fists.

Abel frowned at his quick recovery and assumed a fighting stance, ready for multiple things he expected from Ivan. The Russian assumed one as well, but it looked more offensive than defensive. He didn't care, he couldn't -- wouldn't let this Dutch asshole have his sunflower. Again he advanced on the other, this time he kept punching. Abel tried blocking and catching his fists, but failed an ended up receiving multiple blows to his face and gut. He stumbled back, nose bleeding and crooked - possibly broken - and blood starting to trickle down his chin from a split on his lip.

Abel scowled heavily, using the advantage of Ivan wiping his blood from his hands on his pants to surge forward and attack with quick, precise strikes with his clenched fists to the Russian's face and ribs. When he was finished, Ivan's pale face looked nearly just as bad as his. Blood was pouring from his nose, although it didn't seem broken like Abel's did.

Violet eyes livid with anger, Ivan pulled out something that briefly glinted silver in the sunlight peeking through the thick clouds covering the sky. He flicked it open to reveal a long switchblade, then gripped it tightly in his hands, ready to advance on the other again. Abel's eyes widened, but quickly sank back into a glare. This was starting to get to the point where it was too far. He got back into his defensive stance, wary of the blade. Ivan grinned slightly, taking a few steps before lunging at the other teen with a tackle, which knocked him off his feet and roughly to the ground. The impact knocked the air from his lungs and as he struggled to catch his breath, Ivan's shadow loomed over him. Moments later, the bigger male swept a leg over either side and dropped to his knees so that Abel was now pinned. For the first time during the fight, he looked scared. He struggled to free himself, but his efforts were in vain. Ivan grabbed both of his arms and leaned forward, his scowl shifting into a creepy grin. Abel glared, his struggling not ceasing.

The silver glint of the blade flashed again as it slowly made its way to his face. Ivan traced the point of it across his neck lightly with a dark but almost childish laugh, seemingly unsure of where to start. A familiar scream met his ears seconds later. This caused his hand to jerk from where it was, just above Abel's right eye. The sudden movement made an incision where the blade was hovering seconds ago. Abel gritted his teeth at the sudden sharp pain, faintly wondering who had screamed. "Maddie.. you were told to stay inside." Ivan spoke a moment later to a terrified looking Madeline standing behind them. She was at loss for words. "Madeline, go.." Abel said in a rough voice, pausing to cough into the grass beside his face.

"Ivan, stop.. please, stop.." Madeline whimpered, stepping closer very slowly and timidly. Almost immediately at her words, the ashen haired male jumped up from Abel. He dropped the knife with the other'a blood staining the edge, tears starting to prick at his eyes. He started a bit liked he was coming to realization to what he had done. "I.. he.. " Ivan choked out before going on. "I'm sorry." Madeline looked over to him, expression showing hints of anger now. "What would even make the thought of this okay? You could've killed him! I'm not going to fall for your damn tricks again!" The normally shy and quiet Canadian girl cried out in an anguished tone. "I didn't have the heart to say it before, but never in any lifetime could I love you. You're a monster." Her voice broke at the end -- deep inside her, she knew those words would never be true, but something had to be said to make him back off. Tears had started making their way down her cheeks, and the same was happening to Ivan. Just as Francis's expression from years ago had burned into her mind, Madeline didn't think that she'd ever forget the most utterly heartbroken look on the Russian's slightly bloodied and bruised face. Seconds later however, it was diminished by a look of smoldering rage.

".. Fine. If that's how you feel, then so be it." He muttered, wiping under his nose with his sleeve and stalking past Madeline without so much as another glance at her, slamming the door behind him as he went back inside. She sniffled, turning back to Abel who was laying on his back in the grass, and hurried over, kneeling beside him. "Abel.. are you okay.. ?" She murmured, stifling a bought of sobs as she dabbed at the cut over his eye with her sleeve. The vertical incision looked like it would probably scar, something he would have to live with.

"Maddie.. I told you to stay inside.." Abel mumbled through clenched teeth as he pulled himself up into a sitting position. "But thank you.. A lot. Ivan probably would've taken it too far." He said, looking away. "I.. I know.. I'm so sorry, Abel.." She whispered, and after a moments hesitation leaned in to hug him tightly. Abel winced, now feeling the bruises given to him by Ivan since his adrenaline had worn off minutes ago, but of course hugged her back. "It's fine, I'm good now." He said into her shoulder. "Not by a long shot.. let's get you cleaned up." Madeline said quietly, helping him up. Instead of taking him back inside the building however, she headed back to her house, thinking it would only stir up more trouble if they ran into Ivan again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Madeline looked down at her intertwined fingers, not wanting to make eye contact with the Russian in a straight jacket sitting across from her. He didn't feel the same way though. "Look at me, sunflower. Look at me and say those words to my face again." Ivan said, carefully eyeing her. When she didn't, he spoke in a slightly more commanding tone. "Do it."

"I.. no, I can't. I won't." She said firmly, but looked up to meet his intense gaze. "I'm.. Sorry. I truly am. I didn't mean the things I said, I swear." Maddie choked out, not being able to help herself as she leaned forward to wrap her arms around him tightly. "If you don't want to forgive me, I understand and that's fine.." She mumbled into his shoulder. Ivan's eyes widened a bit and softened at her embrace. "Of course I forgive you, sunflower. I'm also sorry and ashamed of what I did to both you and.. Abel." He replied softly, unusual for him. Madeline pulled back from the hug with a small smile, wiping away an astray tear of hers. Ivan pulled his arms free of the straightjacket sleeves she'd untied during the embrace with a smile as well. "Thank you. Now I can do this!~" He stood and scooped Madeline up, holding her close as he spun around a few times with a happy grin. She laughed for what felt like the first time in a long while. Just then, she heard the door to the room open and looked over quickly. The man who had brought Ivan in was standing there in the doorway, mouth slightly open. Ivan blinked and quickly set Madeline down.

"Should I um.. call security?" He said, looking unsure of what to do. "No, no. Ivan.. he's a childhood friend if mine. It just took us a bit to get.. ah.. reacquainted. I'll keep working with him, if that's alright, sir." Madeline replied with a sweet smile. The man nodded and looked to Ivan. "Good. I hope this improves his behavior. Come along, Braginsky." He said, nodding gratefully to Madeline and gesturing for Ivan. "Thank you ever so much, Miss Williams." He added as he left, Ivan turning to wave goodbye.