this is what we talk about [alfred side] - 2/2
anonymous
May 13 2009, 19:42:35 UTC
This is What We Talk About [Alfred side]
"I didn't come prepared for this," Alfred admits. "Guess it'll have to be vodka for me, too."
"I cannot have that," Ivan says. "Fine vodka is wasted on you." His coat falls open as he reaches into the inner pocket, and Alfred tenses to stop a shudder rippling through him. Even wrapped in his coat, it's apparent Ivan has been losing weight since the Wall came down; they can all see it, and of course there are rumors from those who have been closer to him-but seeing it in the flesh, or almost in the bone, really…
The halted shudder has balled up at the base of Alfred's throat, and he swallows it down as Ivan looks up at him. With a more obvious smile now, Ivan pushes a second flask across the table. Alfred uncaps it: Jack Daniels. Nice.
They raise the flasks in silent toast. The smooth burn of the first swallow coats Alfred's throat pleasantly. He's just settling back in his chair when Ivan subtly but unmistakably draws his coat closer about himself. Without all the other bodies in here, the temperature of the room has cooled. He gets up and, finding the thermostat by the light switch, turns it up a few degrees.
When he turns, his hip bumps the edge of the table hard, causing Ivan's flask to wobble on the table before he steadies it. He takes a step before realizing the pocket of his bomber jacket is snagged on a chair arm; his movement pulls the pocket wider and his wallet falls out, opening with the impact of landing on the floor. Alfred unsuccessfully fights a hot flush. Even though he's had this bulk for a while, he still sometimes judges spaces by the size he used to be, and winds up crashing into things.
Fortunately, Ivan seems to have missed the embarrassing display of blushing when he bent down to retrieve the wallet. Or maybe he did catch it; there's a strange look on Ivan's face as he straightens. Strange even for Ivan.
"Thanks." Alfred focuses on the wallet as Ivan hands it to him-and forgets all about the strange look. He smiles back at the Big Three, him and Arthur and Ivan, as they smile up at him out of the aging photo.
They drink in silence for a while. The theme song of the movie he watched last night is still stuck in his head, and he begins to hum it between sips. If it bothers Ivan, he doesn't say so, although he does open a window. Alfred decides to keep humming, anyhow.
He stops when Ivan says, "I know you identify yourself with Superman, Alfred. But I do not think you are correct in that."
"Christ, Ivan." And just when Alfred was starting to feel calm. "Do you really think you need to tell me that?"
Ivan opens his mouth, but closes it again without speaking. Alfred looks for that smile, and finds it there just at the edges of Ivan's mouth. You really shouldn't look away from that smile, Alfred knows, ever.
He lets his eyes close anyhow, just a blink as he tilts back his head to swallow down the last of the whisky.
Ivan shakes his head when Alfred leans forward to return the flask. "It is nothing. Keep it."
"Well, if you're sure…" Alfred shrugs and pockets the flask. He stands to go. "Tomorrow, then?"
"Tomorrow," Ivan agrees.
Alfred pauses at the door, but he knows Ivan won't be walking with him and so he doesn't look back as he goes.
This was so amazing I love it! The thing about Alfred getting used to the change about himself, it was a very interesting concept. America just grew into himself but has to deal with another growth-spurt. He'll be a gompy teenager forever XD
You don't even know how excited I am for Ivan's Side :)
Author!anon is everso happy you like this so far, OP! I confess that I'm looking forward to writing Ivan's side, and really hope I don't let you down. ♥
Re: this is what we talk about [alfred side] - 2/2
anonymous
May 14 2009, 14:57:52 UTC
Amazing!! Your style is really great, I love everything about this. Can't wait for the next part. And thanks to the OP for requesting this beautiful thing.
Re: this is what we talk about [alfred side] - 2/2
anonymous
May 14 2009, 16:32:32 UTC
Author!anon joins you in thanking OP most sincerely! And also thanks you for reading. Hopefully Ivan's side (which I'm working on now) will be just as enjoyable.
Re: this is what we talk about [alfred side] - 2/2
anonymous
May 14 2009, 15:09:48 UTC
I love the idea of the city-tans! It's ingenious, author!anon! Much better than a human boss, really. And you captured the feelings so well, too. Could we have UST and/or smut..? XD
Re: this is what we talk about [alfred side] - 2/2
anonymous
May 14 2009, 16:31:00 UTC
Thank you, Anon! The idea for City-tans came when I was doing research, looking for a specific incident or meeting to center on. I didn't find one and decided to leave that open--but I noticed that nearly all of the journalists and political analysts referred to "Washington" and "Moscow" rather than the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. or Russia (depending on the time frame). And thus an idea was born. :)
Could we have UST and/or smut..?
I don't want to falsely raise your expectations, so I should say that I didn't envision them with that sort of relationship for this. But this is one of my favorite pairings, so you never know what the future might hold in other stories?
"I didn't come prepared for this," Alfred admits. "Guess it'll have to be vodka for me, too."
"I cannot have that," Ivan says. "Fine vodka is wasted on you." His coat falls open as he reaches into the inner pocket, and Alfred tenses to stop a shudder rippling through him. Even wrapped in his coat, it's apparent Ivan has been losing weight since the Wall came down; they can all see it, and of course there are rumors from those who have been closer to him-but seeing it in the flesh, or almost in the bone, really…
The halted shudder has balled up at the base of Alfred's throat, and he swallows it down as Ivan looks up at him. With a more obvious smile now, Ivan pushes a second flask across the table. Alfred uncaps it: Jack Daniels. Nice.
They raise the flasks in silent toast. The smooth burn of the first swallow coats Alfred's throat pleasantly. He's just settling back in his chair when Ivan subtly but unmistakably draws his coat closer about himself. Without all the other bodies in here, the temperature of the room has cooled. He gets up and, finding the thermostat by the light switch, turns it up a few degrees.
When he turns, his hip bumps the edge of the table hard, causing Ivan's flask to wobble on the table before he steadies it. He takes a step before realizing the pocket of his bomber jacket is snagged on a chair arm; his movement pulls the pocket wider and his wallet falls out, opening with the impact of landing on the floor. Alfred unsuccessfully fights a hot flush. Even though he's had this bulk for a while, he still sometimes judges spaces by the size he used to be, and winds up crashing into things.
Fortunately, Ivan seems to have missed the embarrassing display of blushing when he bent down to retrieve the wallet. Or maybe he did catch it; there's a strange look on Ivan's face as he straightens. Strange even for Ivan.
"Thanks." Alfred focuses on the wallet as Ivan hands it to him-and forgets all about the strange look. He smiles back at the Big Three, him and Arthur and Ivan, as they smile up at him out of the aging photo.
They drink in silence for a while. The theme song of the movie he watched last night is still stuck in his head, and he begins to hum it between sips. If it bothers Ivan, he doesn't say so, although he does open a window. Alfred decides to keep humming, anyhow.
He stops when Ivan says, "I know you identify yourself with Superman, Alfred. But I do not think you are correct in that."
"Christ, Ivan." And just when Alfred was starting to feel calm. "Do you really think you need to tell me that?"
Ivan opens his mouth, but closes it again without speaking. Alfred looks for that smile, and finds it there just at the edges of Ivan's mouth. You really shouldn't look away from that smile, Alfred knows, ever.
He lets his eyes close anyhow, just a blink as he tilts back his head to swallow down the last of the whisky.
Ivan shakes his head when Alfred leans forward to return the flask. "It is nothing. Keep it."
"Well, if you're sure…" Alfred shrugs and pockets the flask. He stands to go. "Tomorrow, then?"
"Tomorrow," Ivan agrees.
Alfred pauses at the door, but he knows Ivan won't be walking with him and so he doesn't look back as he goes.
[end Alfred side; coming soon: Ivan side]
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reCaptcha: comedy oafs
...uh, that's not quite what i had in mind, captcha...
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reCaptcha: division battled
...even captcha is intrigued by their dynamic, it seems.
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This was so amazing I love it! The thing about Alfred getting used to the change about himself, it was a very interesting concept. America just grew into himself but has to deal with another growth-spurt. He'll be a gompy teenager forever XD
You don't even know how excited I am for Ivan's Side :)
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Can't wait for more!
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Could we have UST and/or smut..? XD
Reply
Could we have UST and/or smut..?
I don't want to falsely raise your expectations, so I should say that I didn't envision them with that sort of relationship for this. But this is one of my favorite pairings, so you never know what the future might hold in other stories?
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