A Game of Chess

Moscow, Russia

December 14th 1949

4:21 PM

Ivan shut the door softly, the sound of the voices in the common room muffling out. The lights weren't turned on, it would be bad if someone caught them here alone. The room was barely lit, a strange ominous feeling swirling around the empty loft. All that Alfred could feel standing in that cold dim room was the rage inside him that kept his body warm. He couldn't pinpoint where that rage was meant for. Was he angry at Toris for hiding his injuries, or was he angry at himself for not finding out any sooner? His eyes thinned, eyebrows furrowing as his breath paused. Or was he mad at the fact Ivan kept him in the dark? The sound of the wind whooshed harshly against the lone window of the room, snow collecting onto the ledge. He turnt to it, as the noise of Ivan locking the doors jingled in the background. All he could see when he looked from it was a mysterious endless blanket of white, fading into a dark grey over the mountain tops, signs of a bad snowstorm drifting towards them. How much has Ivan been hiding him?

"Ahah." Ivan giggled quietly. He walked up from behind the American, wrapping his arms around his waist. "How have you been my dear." He bumbled happily, resting his head on top of his.

Alfred shook, startled from his touch. "Oh. I've been doing okay." He muttered. Gently, he removed his hands off of him, causing the other to frown. "Are we not going to talk about what just happened?". He walked forward a bit more, turned, and sat himself on top of the long wooden table. Glaring at Ivan, he folded his arms in defiance, facing away from the window. His eyes glowed a bitter cyan, illuminating from his face. He didn't seem like he was in the mood to mess around.

Thunder rumbled from behind them, large circular clouds rolling towards them from behind the glass window. The faint light of lightning brightened up the room, fading as soon as it came. Ivan shifted his stance, seeing the amount of ferocity hiding behind Alfred's eyes. He knew that he couldn't escape this one with small talk and whispering to him sweet little nothings. Alfred was going to fall so easily, he just had to give him a push. 'Very well' he thought to himself. 'Two can play at that game.'

"There is no need to worry, he will be. I assure you." Ivan smiled, taking a step closer to him.

"He obviously wasn't, what the hell was on his fu-" Alfred yelled, only pausing a bit after realizing he was about to cuss. He sighed and continued calmly. "I mean, his back." Ivan glared at him, the thought of him being yelled at was unthinkable. "And that yellow stuff.. What was that yellow stuff that you threw at him?"

Ivan's menacing look disappeared as soon as he mentioned the vial containing the yellow liquid. He smiled coyly, looking off to the side and chuckled. "I don't know if I should tell you, it was going to be an anniversary present."

Alfred looked up at him, questioningly. "Anniversary?" That was going to be in about three months, what takes three months in advance to plan?

A giggle escaped the Russian's mouth. "I suppose there's no use hiding now."

The eyebrows on Alfred's head furrowed in uneasiness. "Hiding what?"

Ivan took a step closer, placing his hands onto Alfred's elbows, his shaggy white hair covering his glowing purple eyes. A smile tugged at his lips, sadistically unraveling in front of him like a banner. "I found a way where we can finally be together." He whispered, holding the smaller nation in his arms tightly.

A struck of confusement hit Alfred's face. There was something about that twisted grin on his face that didn't feel right, it didn't look as innocent as it would usually. The way he looked down at him in joy, excitedly waiting for his expression to mirror his. 'Something isn't right.' He pushed the Russian back a bit, meeting his eye. In a worried tone, he said "What do you mean by that?"