A Storm of Sunflowers

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and emails! They make my workday go by in a flash! You guys are awesome! ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am not making any money off of this story. It is for pure enjoyment.


Chapter 7


By the next morning, everyone was recovering from the victory party the night before. Everyone had ended up back in the house at some point or another. Feliks was the hardest to find since he passed out further behind in the race then the others. Most of the group managed to make it back inside themselves or had to carry their lover/partner.

Francis was nursing a hung-over Arthur who was hiding under the sheets from the bright sunrays. Between bits of throwing up and dry heaving he would curse Francis for taking him that party and letting him drink. Francis just wanted him to loosen up more and maybe they could have gotten closer. Lovemaking was a great way to get closer to someone and alcohol usually smoothed the process of getting one into bed. But he didn’t expect to be playing babysitter all night and Arthur was more of an angry drunk then a fun one. So now Francis would have to lay his pieces out again and try for a new tactic.

“Drink more water.” Francis offered a cup to Arthur who came out from under the sheets and took it, gulping it down.

“I’m never drinking again! What the hell kind of wine was that?! I only had two mugs of it!” Francis hid a playful smile and Arthur didn’t seem to remember that it was Francis who kept filling his mug. He did get drunk quickly so he probably lost track of how many mugs he actually had. Oh well, what Arthur doesn’t know can’t hurt him! He would just keep that little secret to himself.

“Just sleep it off today. I have to pack a picnic lunch for Ivan and Yao and then I have to start dinner preparations. I always lock my room so you’ll be safe in here for the day.”

“Damn straight I’m sleeping! I’m not getting out of his bed! Not now, not ever!” He covered his head again and Francis laughed.

“You will.” He said a kissed the top of Arthur’s blanketed head. “I’ll be seeing you later.”

“Fuck off! How can you be so damn chipper after all that drinking while I lie here dying?” Arthur grumbled out the question.

“I’m a very frequent drinker and wine is my drink of choice. It’s like water to me.” Arthur just mumbled something again.

“Don’t you have work to do you damn drunk?” Francis rolled his eyes with a chuckle and left the room.


In Feliks room, Yao was standing on tailor stool in front of a three-way wall mirror and admiring his new silk robe. He had just bought it yesterday on his shopping trip but it was a bit long so Feliks was going to hem it for him. Feliciano was in there with them, sitting on one of the sewing tables. Yao refused to let Alfred come with him.

“I know Ivan’s having sex with him.” Yao said with a sneer as he put his hands on his hips. His movement shuffled the bottom where Feliks was pinning.

“Like, hold the frick still so I can do this.” He talked out of the side of his mouth since some pins were on the other side.

“I mean, what does he have that I don’t? He’s taller, big deal! And my gold eyes are just as rare and unique as his blue eyes! And I’m not an uneducated dog who was probably raised in a barn! And he’s half blind on top of it!” He looked down at Feliks. “Did you know he tripped over my shoes at LEAST a dozen times since he’s been here?”

“I like, don’t think it’s possible for me to care ANY less! Now hold still!” Feliks answered as he pinned another spot. “Your fucking traditional dress clothes are hard to work with!”

“Feli! Help me out here!” Feliciano just smiled nervously.

“W-well…he just has a lot to learn. He really is very friendly when you get to know him. B-but how can you be sure Lord Ivan is sleeping with him?”

“I got it out of Toris in three questions. And it’s not like I wouldn’t figure it out! Why else would he hire a peasant to be my groom when he could hire one with a good name and family, someone like you. But no, he goes and hires some farm hand with a pretty face and batty eyelashes! He belongs in a whorehouse!”

“STOP MOVING!” Feliks raised his voice as he tried to straighten out the hem for the fourth time. Yao bent at the waist and narrowed his eyes at Feliks.

“Well you’re not going fast enough! AH!” Yao cried out as one of Feliks pins ‘accidentally’ poked his ankle.

“Oops. I’m like, such a butter finger.” He gave a lopsided, pin filled smile at Yao and shrugged his shoulders.

“You did it on purpose!”

“Well if you, like, weren’t moving so much, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“Stop it you two!” Feliciano cried from the table, becoming nervous at all the tension. “Lord Yao, you have to get ready for your picnic soon so you should let Feliks finish your pinning.”

“Hmph. Ivan has some quick work to finish up before we go so I have time.” Yao knew he was right so he stood still and crossed his arms, thinking about that Alfred and growling to himself. Feliciano quickly changed the subject.

“So Ludwig is taking me and Alfred out to the market today! We all just got paid and I think it would be nice to show him around a bit.”

“Pfft. Do whatever you want. And I thought that money was suppose to go to his stupid farm?” Feliciano had to think of something quick to cover up the fact that Ivan gave Alfred extra money.

“Ve~ he is just taking a bit for himself and sending the rest to his family.”

“He’s selfish then.” Yao said with another ‘hmph’ and Feliciano wished he could defend Alfred’s character but knew he shouldn’t. It would only hurt Alfred more. “Well you three have fun on your outing today. I will be having a quiet, peaceful picnic with my husband. I hope his work doesn’t take him too long.”

Ivan whistled as he twirled a heavy ring of keys on his finger and he descended some damp stone steps. He crushed a centipede on the wall with his fist, not being very fond or caring about bugs. He nearly stepped on a dead rat, which he kicked down the stairs before someone else slipped on it. Probably him. He finally reached the bottom on the stairs and unlocked the large wooden door. He shoved it a bit with his shoulder to get it to open.

He was greeted to the sounds of moaning and screaming from somewhere in the dark room. This was his dungeon for prisoners of war and unruly gang members. Recently, after the war had begun, violence from gangs started popping up all over the city. They disturbed merchant productions and prevented supplies from getting to the battlefields. They would sell the supplies to other gangs or even to the opposing armies.

Ivan was told by one of the guards that they had caught a gang member making some kind of deal with a man from the other kingdom. They had caught him and brought the man here where Ivan was more than pleased to see him. He walked up to one of his executioners who had a man strapped down to a table, hissing in pain.

“Is this the man?” Ivan asked.

“Yeah, this is him. He still won’t say who he was making a deal with or what group he’s with.” Ivan raised an impressed eyebrow as he looked down at the man’s bleeding hand that was already missing a thumb and pinky finger.

“Two fingers in and he still won’t talk?” Ivan asked and the executioner shook his head. “Hm, tough nut to crack.” Ivan tore at the man’s shirt to reveal a symbol on his chest, linking him to a specific gang. Ivan smirked.

“That looks familiar.” Said the executioner.

“We caught ourselves a big one here. His group was the one who stole all those weapons from the armory at the palace that time at the beginning of the war. They also raped all those nuns in the nunnery and burned it down. Not only that,” He took the large knife from the executioner’s hand and walked around the table so he was standing over the man’s head. He rests his elbows lazily on the table as he slowly swung the knife’s tip above the man’s face like a small pendulum. The man’s eyes followed it nervously. “But his gang also led that raid on Lady Yao’s house and robbed from their treasury. My wife was almost butchered in that raid, did you know that?” He smiled down at the man who just lay there, squeezing his lips tight.

“He was one of them?”

“Who can say? Whether he was or not doesn’t make a difference. It was HIS gang who organized it and he must suffer for it. Now, if he will just tell us whom he was making a deal with and what it was about, we can let him go with maybe three limbs in tact. If he still refuses to talk then I’ll have to do something more.”

“You, sir? Are you sure you don’t want me to do it?” He kept the knife swinging at a slow, steady pace.

“Nah, I would like to do it. Besides, it was my wife he endangered and I can’t let that go unpunished. Murdering innocent people who have nothing to do with the cruelties of the world is a despicable thing to do.” He let the knife drop as it bounced off the man’s cheek, leaving a slight puncture wound. The man hissed in pain but still said nothing. “Last chance to talk. Don’t make me angry…worse things can happen when I’m angry.” The man still didn’t speak but just trembled on the table. “Very well then.”

Ivan went to one of the hangers and took down a slightly bloodied smock. He put it on backwards so no blood would get on his nice outfit for his picnic with Yao. Try explaining that over teacakes and fruits. He slipped on some black gloves as well before grabbing a rusty pair of heavy pliers. He walked back over to the gang member who was eyeing the pliers fearfully.

“Last chance.” He gave his final warning but the man clenched his eyes shut and turned his head. “Hold his mouth open.”

The executioner did as he was told and had to hold the man’s struggling head still with his muscle. Sometimes you had to fight evil with evil. Ivan knew two wrongs don’t make a right, but three rights make a left and he chose to go left. One buy one, he started plucking out the man’s teeth, tossing them to the floor while he choked and screamed through the blood.

“Know any other nice spot for a picnic besides Crystal Water Park?” He asked the executioner as he continued twisting and tugging in the man’s mouth. “We tend to go there a lot.”

“I heard Sayen Gardens is pretty nice this time of year. It’s the one by that fancy restaurant called ‘Rainbow- Something’. I can’t remember the name.” Ivan yanked out another tooth.

“I know which place you’re talking about. I accept your idea, thank you.” He smiled as he ripped out another.

“No problem.”

“STWOP!” The man shouted out, spitting blood all over his face and the table. “Stop…I’ll talk!” Ivan lowered the blooded pair of pliers and rest them on the table.

“I’m listening.” The man was choking on blood and shaking with pain as he tried to speak.

“I…I was…making a deal…with th-the R-Red Hawk gang…of the…the opposing kingdom!”

“Keep going. What was the deal?”

“R-Robbing…another…me-medical supply wagon…”

“Medical wagon? Oh, so our poor wounded soldiers can die without that medical help so they can’t continue to oppose the other king? Is that it?” The man nodded. “And what were you planning to do with all that medical stuff, hm?”

“S-Sell it..to the…the other side…”

“And where is this raid suppose to happen?”

“O-On th-the main…main road…out of the city! At night!”

“And where is your gang’s hideout?” The man closed his mouth, unwilling to say. But once Ivan picked up those pliers again he spilled.

“At the o-old rundown tavern! In th-the wi-wine celler!” Ivan smiled and had the executioner remove his bloodied gloves and smock for him.

“I’m satisfied with his words. Cut out his tongue and put it in a pouch with those rotten things he calls ‘teeth’ and send them to their headquarters. Let them know that something is stirring and that they should be wary of anyone walking with a torch.”

He smiled happily as he replayed all the information in his head. He would have to send his elite soldiers to do the burning since Gilbert and Ludwig would both refuse. Should the raid happen before the burning then one of them can stop it and arrest the gang members. He has quite a bit of paperwork to do tonight after the picnic but it made him smile with glee. And the gang hunts won’t stop here! Just wait until he gets his city wiped clean of gangs and strengthens the safe traveling of army supply wagons. The king would honor him more and grant him more title and power above all the other lords.

“Should I kill him?” The executioner asked and it broke his train of thought.

“Ah. Please do. He deserves it.”

Ivan waved at the struggling man on the table as he left the dungeon and closed the door behind him. He stuffed the keys into his pocket and went back up the steps, blinking his eyes at the strain of the sunlight on them. He checked himself over to make sure no blood or grime was on his nice white embroidered tunic top and brown pants. Ivan walked around the manor to the front courtyard and saw Yao coming out with two guarded escorts. Ivan smiled and waited at the bottom of the steps to greet him.

“Good morning, my love. You look beautiful today! Is that one of your new outfits?” Yao smiled as he leapt into Ivan’s arms, nearly knocking him backwards onto the ground.

“You came! I thought you were going to get lost in work again!” Ivan chuckled and put Yao down, wrapping his arms around him.

“I do have more work to do but spending time with you is just as important. The work can wait.” He smiled and kissed him before rubbing their noses together and making Yao almost squeal with joy. “Shall we be going, love?” He slipped his arm under Yao’s rump and lifted him off of the ground effortlessly. Yao laughed happily.

“You should warn me when you suddenly scoop me up like that!”

“I like to surprise you. And I enjoy holding you close like this! You’re like a cute little bunny rabbit that is meant to be cuddled and stroked.” He said as he carried him over to the carriage. Yao held on to his neck the whole way, squeezing it tight and rubbing his cheek against Ivan’s hair.

Once they arrived at the new park, Ivan let Yao pick the spot to have the picnic. A few guards stayed on watch some feet away so they could have privacy. Yao picked a shady spot under a cherry tree and Ivan carefully spread the blanket out. Yao sat down first with the basket and proceeded to start taking everything out. Ivan joined him on the blanket and watched as his wife set everything out just right. Ivan immediately went for the teacakes, taking a bite out of the sugary square. He held it out to Yao who giggled and took a bite of the other end.

“Francis outdid himself with these!” Yao said as he licked his lips. “He must be in love with someone again.”

“That man has had more lovers than I have had bottles of vodka.” Yao raised a humorous eyebrow.

“Can you really compare the two?” Ivan chuckled.

“Alright, maybe I do drink more vodka than all his lovers put together.” He took the water flask and poured them some fresh lemonade. “It’s not to hot today.” Yao shielded his eyes with his hand as he looked up into the sky.

“You’re right, it is a beautiful day.” For some reason, the color of the sky made Alfred’s face pop up behind Yao’s eyes. He looked over at Ivan who was staring up at the sky in a dreamlike state. Was he having the same vision as he was? Was he matching the sky with Alfred’s eyes? Yao had to know.

“Ivan, can I ask you something?” Ivan looked at him and smiled, nodding.

“You can ask me anything, little rabbit.” Yao picked up a grape from the plate and ate it before asking.

“Are you sharing your bed with Alfred?” Ivan’s brows went up in surprise at the question. Yao had never asked him openly about his affairs like this.

“What would make you ask such a thing, Yao?”

“Don’t play dumb with me…I know you see other men behind my back from time to time. You didn’t just hire Alfred to show good faith to the common people. And I can say that Alfred is a very attractive male and I know he turns your head. Feliciano said that he was working with us to send money back to his family’s farm?” Ivan popped another teacake into his mouth.

“Yes. But Yao…remember what you said the first time we met before our wedding?” Yao shook his head. “You said that our marriage was a business arrangement and nothing more than that. And you also said that like most, if not all, arranged marriages you learn to put up with the other. Those words stuck with me and I understood them.”

“But Ivan…” Yao lowered his eyes again and sighed as he did remember saying those words to Ivan. Ivan suddenly took his hand in his and squeezed gently.

“Yao…it’s no lie that you and I care for each other. I do not treat you badly, I would always defend your honor and name, and I will always provide for you. Nothing will change that. But little bunny, you’re still very timid during lovemaking and I never feel like I’m pleasing you. I wonder if you think it feels like a chore to you because I know the whole act can make you very uncomfortable.” Yao already knew by now that Ivan picked up on the fact that sex wasn’t really a necessity for him. And he did find it unpleasant. He didn’t want to blame Ivan for it but he was still very confused over his feelings.

“I’ve gotten much better since the beginning of our marriage! I guess…well I was just raised strictly and you were raised…well…not.” Ivan smiled at that.

“I think you’re making yourself get jealous and angry over Alfred because you feel like you need to be. Don’t make more stress for yourself. It is still very early in our marriage and maybe one of us will change the other. Only time will tell, right?”

“Well…yeah I guess. I didn’t really want to get married in the first place. I was angry with my family for making me do it. They’ve been trying to sell me off to many nobles and high lords but no one picked me…except for you. And you were at the bottom of the list. I have to admit I was frightened by you and your track record for being very…violent.” Ivan chuckled.

“I would never be to you. But I remember when your family first approached me. Now I have more reason to be angry with them. Even though they knew my ‘track record’ they still wanted you to marry me without even considering your safety. Not that you have anything to ever worry about. I agreed to meet with you and I found you a very compatible and intelligent companion. A little high strung here and there, though.” Yao flashed him a glare but he couldn’t hide the smile that formed at the corners of his mouth.

“Well, now that I’m married to you those other nobles and lords who scoffed at me before make it their top priority to meet and greet me with their upmost courtesy.”

“That’s because you’re Lady Yao Braginski and that very name strikes fear in the hearts of those backstabbing spoiled nobles.” Ivan’s grin grew wide and his eyes seemed to be lost in a faraway stare. Yao waved his hand in front of Ivan’s face but couldn’t break the stare.

“I-Ivan?”

“Those foolish, corrupted, dishonorable little maggots. Infecting the world with their spinelessness notions of peace and justice. One day I will watch them destroy themselves with their corrupt power and I will be laughing from my spot on top of the kings palace as I descend into rule!” A cheery fell from the tree and bounced off his knee, bringing out of his trance. “Oo! A cherry!” He smiled gleefully and popped it right off the stem and into his mouth. “Very ripe! Would you like me to get you one?”

Yao just stared at him with wide eyes, trying to figure out what he had just witnessed. He knew it just had to be his imagination but he could have sworn he had saw Ivan’s angry aura. It must be all the sunlight. He had never heard Ivan go off into a rant like that but what scared him the most was how quickly he changed from scary to cheerful. It was as if he didn’t even know he was speaking.

“Something wrong, love?”

“N-No…nothing.” He eyed his husband warily as the picnic continued on.


Back at the manor, Feliciano and Alfred were waiting for the carriage to get hooked up so they could go on their shopping trip. Alfred looked around nervously for Gilbert’s arrival while Feliciano watched for Ludwig. Gilbert was going to bring the money to the farm so Ludwig could take them shopping. Alfred was reluctant to give the job to Gilbert but Ludwig assured him that even though his brother was odd and a bit of an obnoxious flake, he would get the job done.

They stayed dressed in their party clothes from the night before. Alfred had woken up with a slight headache but he has had worse before. He spotted Gilbert and Ludwig coming from the barracks, dressed in their soldier uniforms. Feliciano squealed and whispered to Alfred how much he loved Ludwig in uniform. Alfred just laughed at him and then his thoughts went back to last night.

He couldn’t remember much of the party after he had sang some kind of song with Gilbert. He did remember some running…and his backside ached again so he must have been with Ivan. He didn’t think anyone else would take the chance to sleep with him. But when you’re drunk, shit happens. Oh well, no point in thinking about it now. He was sending money to his family and he was going out shopping! It was going to be a good day.

“Good morning, Wiggy!” Feliciano smiled brightly and ran to him with his arms spread wide. Ludwig blushed a bit as Feliciano hugged him and nuzzled his chest, babbling on and on about all the fun they were going to have. Gilbert waltzed up to Alfred and reached his hand around to smack the man’s ass. Alfred yelped.

“Hey! Stop doing that!”

“Ha ha! I can’t help it! Your ass is just so pert and tight it is just BEGGING to be slapped! Would you rather be pinched?” He attempted to pinch him this time but Alfred stopped his hand.

“Hell no!” Alfred glared at him and Gilbert grinned.

“So where’s this money I’m suppose to bring?” Alfred reached into his pocket and pulled out the small sack of gold.

“This is it. You’re going to take the forest road called Locus Street on the other side of the city. Once you are out of the forest on the opposite side, ride over a field or two and my farm will come up. It’s the only farm out there really. Ask for Berwald, he’s in charge of the farm right now. And check on my brother, Matthew. Tell them all that I’m doing well.”

“You have a brother? Younger or older?”

“Younger.” Gilbert’s grin widened.

“Does he look like you?”

“Yes, but his hair is curlier than mine and his eyes are a different shade. Hey! Wait a minute! What are you getting at?” He eyed him suspiciously but Gilbert just met his temper with a laugh as he stuffed the pouch into his uniform pocket.

“I shouldn’t be long!” He slapped Alfred on the back. “I’ll be sure to safely deliver your coins and your message! Ta ta!” Alfred watched as Gilbert skipped merrily off into the stables to get a horse. Was this really a good idea? Could he trust Gilbert to follow through with the message and the money? Or would he take advantage of his innocent little brother who was probably sick in bed. “HEY! GILBERT!” He wanted to run after him but the quick man was already riding out on a horse and didn’t hear him calling. Alfred watched with slumped shoulders as Gilbert rode off through the gates and into the city.

“Don’t worry, he’ll get the job done.” Ludwig said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Alfred looked at him and nodded but still skeptical about Gilbert’s ability to be reliable.

“Come on you two! We have to get going!” Feliciano called from the wagon, waving cheerfully at them. Alfred gave another look back where Gilbert’s retreating form had been before walking with Ludwig to the wagon.


His thoughts and worries about Gilbert flew from his mind as he stepped out of the wagon and into the city’s market street. Unlike the one he was used to, this one was a hundred times cleaner and the merchants were selling superior items, like fabrics, clothes, jewelry and weapons. Alfred looked up, down, and all around at the decorative store signs and the items displayed in windows. There was so much he didn’t even know what to buy or where to start for that matter! Should he buy shoes? Clothes? The possibilities were endless! His eyes had started to hurt from all the squinting he had to do to see the signs and he stopped to rub them.

“Are you alright, Alfred?” Feliciano asked.

“Yeah, it’s just my eyes. I have a real hard time seeing things clearly.”

“Do you have glasses?” Ludwig asked and Alfred shook his head.

“I don’t know what those are.” Feliciano and Ludwig looked at each other before looking back at Alfred.

“Lets take you the eye doctor. There are special…things…that you can wear on your eyes to help you to see.” Feliciano said and Alfred’s eyes widened with curiosity and excitement.

“Y-You mean, I don’t have to see everything blurry? This doctor can fix my eyes?”

“Um… well he’ll give you something to help you see. You wear it on your face. They’re…well, just come with us and we’ll show you.” Ludwig said and Feliciano held both their hands as they strolled down the street, looking for an eye glasse store.

Ludwig spotted one and led both men inside. The shop was very small with only a handful of the spectacles on display. Alfred looked at them all curiously, wondering how they worked. He tapped one frame and felt the glass ‘ting’ back in response. This glass things here would actually help him see? It didn’t make sense. It was just glass.

“Hello there, may I help you?” Asked a man who was wearing a pair of the glasses. Ludwig spoke for them.

“Yes. Our friend here can’t see very well and we figured you could help.”

“Ah yes, of course! Let me get my sample frames out.” He reached under his oak desk to pull out a latched box. He unlocked the latch and opened the lid, revealing about ten different pair of lenses. Alfred looked them over.

“Why do those have hooks on the back and these don’t?”

“Those hook around your ears to keep the glasses from falling off. These are just sample glasses to see which one is best for you. Lets try this one.” The man held up the pair of lenses to Alfred’s eyes but he closed them quickly.

“Gah! That’s worse!”

“Okay, lets try a smaller one.” He held up another lens and Alfred blinked.

“It looks better, but still blurry.”

“Try this one.” Alfred took it from the man and held the lenses up to his face.

He gasped as he began to see everything clearly. It was in an instant! Just like magic! He ran around the whole store, looking at everything and studying all its detail. He even ran to the large window and looked up and down the streets, attempting to read all the signs. Alfred squealed in pure delight as he took them from his eyes to kiss the lenses.

“I love it! I can see! I can’t believe how much clearer everything is now! I feel like I was missing out on half of the world!” The doctor laughed and took the sample lenses from him.

“Let me get you a real pair then.” The doctor went to one of the display shelves and took the right pair. He helped Alfred hook them behind his ears and straightened them out on his face. “How does that feel?” Alfred smiled blissfully and was hardly able to contain his excitement.

“Perfect! It’s perfect! The first thing I’m going to do is go cloud watching, yeah! Then I’m going to look at all the words in books! Then I’ll go look at all kinds of paintings! Yeah!” He was ready to walk out the door when the doctor’s voice stopped him.

“Sir, you have to pay for them.”

“Oh…oh right.” Alfred turned back into the store and took out his pouch. “How much?”

“Three thousand gold.” Alfred’s world froze as he heard the amount of money process in his head. Even Ludwig and Feliciano made some kind of ‘tsking’ noise at the steep price.

“B-But I..I don’t have that much.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, sir. But with this war I have to make my money somewhere and these glasses take a lot of time and money to make. The recourses are hard to get. Just keep saving up your money, young man. One day you’ll buy them.” The man took the glasses off of Alfred’s face and put them back on display.

Alfred watched as his once perfect world, which he only had for a few seconds, was suddenly taken away from him. Everything returned to it’s blurry, faded look and all that excitement that coursed through his body just leaked down by his feet, pouring out into the cracks of the wooden floor. He felt the tears stinging at his eyes as he looked upon the magnificent device that let him see the world. Feliciano took his hand in both of his.

“Come on, Alfred. Lets get going…there is still a lot for you to see- eh…there’s so much to do!” Alfred nodded sadly and they left the store. He looked at the pouch of money in his hand and squeezed it tight.

“I’m not spending this money today. I’m going to start saving up so I can buy those glasses! I swear I will!” He vowed to himself and stuffed the coins back in his pocket.

“But Alfred…Lord Ivan wanted you to buy something nice for yourself.”

“I’ll just have to explain to him why I want to save the extra money he gives me…I’m sure he’ll understand.” Feliciano looked at Ludwig with concern and then hugged him tight. Ludwig wrapped an arm around his lover’s skinny waist.

“Do you want to leave then?” Ludwig asked but Alfred shook his head.

“No! We’re staying! I want to see the sights of the city anyway!” He stormed off into the crowded streets and all the other two could do was follow him.


After they had gotten back and eaten their dinner, Alfred managed to get himself dismissed early from Yao’s tending so he could see Ivan. It took him a while to find Ivan’s office but the man wasn’t in there. He asked a passing servant who said that Lord Ivan was in his chambers. Alfred let the servant lead him to the chambers and the closer he got the more anxious he felt. The servant left him standing in front of the double wooden doors, each with a heavy wolf headed knocker. Alfred gulped and rapped the iron on the wood three times.

“Enter.” Came a muffled voice and Alfred tried to pull the door open but it didn’t budge. He frowned and tried pushing it instead and he managed to open it. Alfred peeked his head inside and looked left to right, spotting Ivan sitting by a roaring fireplace. Alfred noticed that there were no windows at all but many tall candle stands and high torches. The room was very gold and Alfred had to wrap his arms around himself to keep warm.

“Um…L-Lord Ivan?” Ivan looked over at him from his spot in a red fluffy chair and smiled.

“Why if it isn’t my Little Rose, Alfred. Come in, please. Shut the door while you’re over there?” Alfred did so and walked over to Ivan, staring at the fireplace.

“This room is so cold…I never thought I’d see someone with a hot fire during the summer!” Alfred said and couldn’t help but warm his hands by it. Ivan crossed his legs and smiled at him. “How was your picnic with Lady Yao?”

“It went well. I haven’t had much private time with him recently since the war began. But tell me about your day. What did you think of the city? What did you buy?” Alfred twitched at the last bit.

“T-That is what I’ve come to talk to you about…I didn’t buy anything today at the market.” Ivan frowned in disapproval at Alfred’s words.

“Why not? It was yours to spend.”

“I know, but I went to this eye glasse store! The man had glasses that help me to see everything clearly! I really, really want them but they are too expensive so I have to start saving up. That’s why I want to save whatever extra money you give me to put towards those glasses.” He said with full-hearted honesty as he pleaded with Ivan. “Please don’t be angry with me. I just want to be able to see things clearly like a normal person. I can’t even see you clearly from the spot I’m at.”

“So you want to save money to buy some glasses for yourself?” Alfred nodded. “Hmm…you know, normally that would bother me immensely but when it’s coming from you…it’s alright.” He smiled. “Tell me, how much are these glasses?”

“Three thousand gold.” Alfred said and Ivan gave a little whistle.

“Little Rose, you will be working for me for a LOOOOONG time to earn that kind of extra money to add up to three thousand.”

“I know, but I will work REALLY hard to earn it.” Alfred desperately wanted those glasses. Nothing has made him happy like looking through a pair of new eyes and experiencing the world. All his life he had wished to see things like other people did and he didn’t want to loose his chance. Even if it means lowering himself more to Ivan. “I promise.”

He knelt down in front of Ivan and looked up at him from the floor. Ivan took his chin in his thumb and forefinger, tilting Alfred’s head to get a better view of his eyes and face. Ivan stroked his thumb over Alfred’s bottom lip and smirked when the young man kissed it lovingly. Ivan felt himself purr at Alfred’s new behavior and wanted to see more of it. If Alfred was this willing to please him then he could take it to the next level.

“Mmmm…as inviting as you are in the firelight, I promised to sleep with my wife tonight. However, I do have something in mind for you tomorrow night. I was going to start your schooling but this would be more fun for you. Expect to spend all day tomorrow with Feliks and Francis. That’s all I’ll tell you.”

Alfred felt relieved at the fact that he didn’t have to do anything with him tonight but some part of him was disappointed at the same time. And what did he have planned for tomorrow night? Why was he seeing Feliks and Francis? Francis was a pervert and Feliks made very…’interesting’ clothing. The way Ivan was looking at him right now was more than enough for that familiar tingling in his underbelly again. The mystery of tomorrow night started to excite him rather than scare him. He couldn’t understand his body and its reactions to this man before him. The man had laid fierce claim to him and branded him as his own without his concent. Granted, that was the only time Alfred had seen him so barbaric and rough but who’s to say it won’t happen again. There was that tingling in his underbelly again! What the hell was wrong with him?

“Very well, sir. I look forward to our night together tomorrow.” Alfred stood up from his spot on the floor and Ivan caught his wrist in his larger hand.

“The only clue I will give you about tomorrow night is that it has to do with what you were wearing in your hair last night.” Alfred had to think for a minute about what Feliciano had put in his hair and he remembered it was a tiny peacock feather.

“The peacock feather comb?”

“Yes. It accented your eyes perfectly and peacocks are the most beautiful of birds. They are the ones that stand out in a barnyard full of ordinary chickens. It is a treasure for any collector of fine and beautiful things to have as his own.” Alfred blushed at that and let Ivan’s arm wrap around his waist to pull him closer.

“A-and what does…Francis and Feliks have to do with the peacock comb?” Ivan just chuckled and let him go.

“Run off to bed, love. I have some last minute things I have to do.” He stood up and looked down at Alfred who had to tilt his head a bit to meet his eyes. “I bid you restful sleep.” He stroked Alfred’s cheek and kissed his forehead. “You’re still so thin and lithe…I can’t wait until you get more meat on your bones.” He pat his backside. “Run along now.”

“T-Thank you, sir.” Alfred bid him goodnight as well before hurrying out of the room, eager to get into his bed and ponder what in the world Ivan was planning for tomorrow. He was both fearful and excited but he still couldn’t tell which one was more prominent. What were all these surprises that awaited him tomorrow morning?

And one more surprise would come without a warning at all as a man rode wildly onto the forest road, holding a small bundle between himself and the horse’s neck. He held his arms straight so that the wrapped bundle would not topple to the ground. It was a very precious bundle and one that this man was more than thrilled to get.

“I couldn’t be more awesome even if I tried! I’ve got myself my own little Alfred!” The wrapped figure in the bundle of blankets seemed to whimper and give a little sneeze. “Don’t worry, little Alfred! I will take good care of you and bring you to your older brother in record time!” Gilbert laughed exultantly at his stroke of good luck as he continued on the night road.


End Chapter 7