A Game of Chess

Moscow, Russia

December 14th 1949

4:00 PM

"This meeting will be taking a 45 minute break, please head to the common area to get refreshments." Ivan concluded, waiting for everyone else to move before doing so himself. No one spoke as they got up, hurriedly leaving for the door. Ivan didn't mind the silence. If anything, he actually preferred it. People were always so noisy anyways..

He glanced at the note Alfred had passed him once again, a smile growing on his face. 'He must've been so hurried to write this letter, look at how messy the smile is..' He held it tightly to his heart, hearing the rumbling sounds of his heart pumping through his ribs. These types of thoughts were as innocent to him as it got. They were so unnatural to him, he only did what his heart told him to do. Pressing it to his chest was the closest it could get his heart, it felt so right to him. He beamed, and placed it back into his pocket after his emotions cooled down.

Since nobody paid much attention to him, he only focused his attention onto Alfred who was placing some of his papers back into an orderly stack. He smiled at the sight of him, feeling that vivid, warm sensation flow through his soul again. It truly has been such a long time since he's seen him, yet he hadn't changed a bit. His eyes were as bright as a cloudless sky in the summer, that youthful budding charisma radiating off of him. He almost had to hold himself back from placing his head over his, the people in the meeting room just wouldn't budge.

His arm extended outwards, moving to tap his shoulder, happiness flowing through his mind. However, Alfred didn't seem to notice the gesture, also moving towards the door in a hurry along with the other people. For a moment, Ivan stood there in confusion, his arm still in the air. What happened to talking to each other? Perhaps, he meant by going there separately as to not draw attention to them? He exhaled softly, trying his best to let go of his frustration. That also worked, and was a smart move to make since he was the centre of everyone's attention now, but he couldn't help but feel unease. He wanted to greet him, every second was being wasted here if not with him. Ivan walked along calmly, keeping his prim cut smile on his face.

And for Alfred? Going to the meeting spot wasn't really his top priority at the moment. In fact, he had forgotten about it completely. During the two long hours he had spent in that meeting room, his worry for Toris had only increased. His skin was as pale as snow, his eyes were a grey hazy color, his mouth was opened like a dead fish. The entire time he sat there, it looked like he was exhausted, tired of being there. Alfred knew this feeling well, but also knew how to hide it. But never to this extent. He looked around the crowd, twisting his neck like an owl. There were just too many damn people, he couldn't see where they were. As much as he wanted to talk to Ivan, he knew that could be held back for a day or two. His time here in Russia was short, and even shorter with Toris.

Finally, through the crowd of bustling people, he saw the trio sitting on the bench of both of the members he had talked to before comforting Toris. He clenched his teeth and made his way through the crowd, only getting more and more antsy. Ivan kept a keen eye on Alfred, and where he was headed. His smile faltered a bit and his eyes thinned. Simultaneously, they weaved through the crowd, heading towards the benches where Toris sat there looking like his soul had left him.

"Hey!" Alfred yelled loudly, waving his hand from above the crowd. "Dude, over here!"

Toris looked up, startled, and spotted the American jumping up and down from the people like an excited puppy. Alfred locked eyes with him and smiled broadly, waiting for a smile back. But the smile never came. Toris didn't look happy or glad to see him. The moment he saw him, his face dropped, The expression of fear drawn all over his expression. The others held that same expression as well, looking around in a panicked state. Alfred's joyful attitude started to fade as soon as he saw Toris's face. He felt some uncertainty holding him back, a bit of his mind warning him from approaching his friend. 'Was it because he never talked to him? That wasn't his fault, Ivan said he was always unavailable!' That face made him frown a little but nevertheless, he still kept his head high up and pushed through the crowd. Maybe he just woke up on the wrong side of bed?