Chapter 16: Finally

Word Count: 2,359

Shortest chapter ever in this story! This is the last chapter though. Hope you guys enjoy~

Ivan sighed aloud, breaking the silence that surrounded him. He looked at the page before him, elbow moving to rest on the table and hand coming up to rest under his chin. He gave a small yawn and shook his head only slightly, blinking the blurriness of sleep out of his eyes. He had yet to sleep and the sun streaming through the windows showed it was another day. It wasn't the burned book in front of him that kept him up, or the disappointed look Alfred got when rejecting the idea of being lovers. Hardly. Alfred had left weeks ago and for the better. The sudden pile of paperwork was what had kept him up on this particular night. Just paperwork. He turned the page in the book, trying to decipher the story he knew by heart now. But it was just one side of the story, and while Alfred's tale had matched the book's, there were still too many questions for Ivan to answer. The one that bugged him most was why exactly Alfred had looked so very hurt and let down. He had guessed it a trick at first, but it wasn't, there was sincerity about his actions as far as Ivan could tell. Still, had Alfred really gotten so attached to his younger self? Perhaps. Snorting at the ridiculous notion, Ivan closed the book and with another light yawn decided it was time for some sleep.

Standing, he went out of his office, deciding that he could continue the paperwork later, after he had gotten some sleep so he could think clearly. Letting out another long yawn, he reached his hand up to cover his mouth, rubbing his eyes once that was done. Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. Ivan stopped and turned his head to stare at it. What were the chances of somebody knocking when he was passing right by it? He didn't really feel like answering it, and he wouldn't even be considering it if it wasn't for the fact he was already beside it. He hesitated, looking back up towards the stars, pondering, but he must have taken too long thinking because another set of knocks sounded. Sighing out, he turned towards the door, figuring that he might as well go see what they wanted. Ivan opened the door, blinking in surprise when he saw Alfred standing in front of him, who looked him up and down almost in surprise himself. "You look like shit."

He had to admit, if he didn't even sense Alfred entering his country to begin with, let alone any time between then and now, he must have been more tired then he thought, "What do you want, America?"

"You won't believe I was just in the neighborhood, huh?" Ivan gave him a look that must have spoken volumes, even to the oblivious blond. Alfred cleared his throat. "I wanted to talk."

"About what?"

"I want to go on a date with you."

"I've already said no to this, what in your mind made you think I would have a different answer?"

"Well why did you say no?"

"I told you, passion is a dangerous thing that could become hatred once again."

"We've already been enemies, don't you think we've learned from that? Don't you think we can be lovers without hate?" Alfred asked, looking passionate, that was no good. Once the younger got passionate, not much could convince him otherwise.

"You clearly have more faith in this make-believe relationship then I do. My answer is still the same, and it will not change. Goodbye America." Ivan said curtly before closing the door swiftly, it banged shut due to that, but he could care less. Alfred didn't knock on the door again, and Ivan left the door to go to his room and sleep.

Unfortunately, he started seeing Alfred more and more after that, the fool always asking the same question, though at least coming up with different arguments, obviously very earnest to make things work out the way he wanted, which was just typical of the younger blond. Ivan knew at one point in his life he would have given anything to have Alfred so doggedly pursue him as a lover. That time was long since gone however, he was older and wiser now to not just fall for whoever came along. And now the persisting was just aggravating.

Ivan sat at his desk currently, going through paperwork. He couldn't go out anymore without running into Alfred, and he always had plenty to do. Suddenly the doorbell rang. Ivan paused in his writing before he shook his head. It was nothing, it was just Alfred, he could ignore it. After a while it rang again. What if it wasn't Alfred? What if it was his boss? No, his boss probably would have called him. Ivan searched his pockets, pulling out his phone to check it only to see it was dead. Perfect.

Giving a heavy sigh into the empty room, Ivan tossed the phone down and walked to the front door. Sadly he didn't have a peep hole, the house was old and he'd never been stalked by anybody but Natalia before, so there hadn't been a need for one before now. Opening the front door he sighed out once again when he saw Alfred standing there. "No, I will not date you."

"Oh come on! Why not!" It sounded like Alfred was just as exasperated as Ivan himself felt. Not that Ivan felt a whole lot of sympathy towards the other.

"I have gone over this many, many times." Ivan growled, annoyance showing.

"Yeah and it's a crappy reasoning! There's got to be something else!"

"What will it take to make you go away? Do I have to bribe you?"

"No." Alfred snapped, looking insulted. "My feelings can't be paid off with money!"

"What feelings! We have known each other for hundreds of years and you have never showed any interest in me before now!"

"What? I wouldn't have slept with you if I hadn't felt anything, you jackass!"

"Sleeping with my younger self does not count. I do not know why you think it does, but it does not! Anything that happened during that time does not matter! It has been hundreds of hears and just because I fell for you when I was younger does not mean that I will be doing so currently, when, I remind you, I have much better perspective!"

Alfred watched him for a moment, first with narrowed eyes but then they softened, a certain light coming to them, "So that's it."

"What?"

"You think I'm wanting to date you because I was with your younger self."

"Yes, of course. That is obviously true."

"No it's not! Your younger self might have interested me, but I get you're different now! That's why I'm wanting to date you! To get to know you, you idiot!"

"I'm the idiot? That is the pot calling the kettle black... Or whatever that saying is. If you were not comparing me to my younger self then why did you bring up us sleeping together?"

"I meant Alaska you douchebag!" Ivan glared at the insult, but said nothing, "What, no more arguments?" Ivan stayed silent, not wishing to admit the other was right and he had run out of valid arguments. Alfred gave a heavy and exasperated sigh, like he was the only one getting sick of this. Well, if the blond only knew how to take rejection, none of this would have happened. "Look, I'm just asking for a date, that's it! Will that really kill you?"

"Kill me? No. Will I be miserable? Yes."

"God, you are just stubborn!"

"And you aren't?"

"I'm not the one with the problem!"

"You will no take no as an answer."

"And you won't even consider it!" Alfred snapped. Ivan went silent, just watching Alfred's angry expression. After a moment of silence Alfred threw up his hands, "Fine, fine, you know what? I give up! I'll leave you alone!"

"Good, it's about time." Alfred looked beyond pissed, but surprisingly enough he turned on his heel and walked away. Ivan watched until he was out of sight before closing the door slowly. Ivan stared at the wood for a while, turning and sitting down with his back to the door, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, chin resting on his knees. Really, what was he doing? Alfred had always caused a stir of emotions in him, but he thought that was over now, that he had changed, grown and learned better. Now what? He felt lost and hurt and confused, which didn't make any sense. Why should he feel hurt when he hadn't wanted to be with the blond, not like that. Why not? He found himself pondering such a question. Because it would hurt when Alfred left him. He just wants to toy with me. He never wanted me. Ivan felt his eyes burn nastily, and he hung his head. No tears came of course, but it felt like they should. Why was he so hurt? None of the world wanted him, so why should he take it personally that Alfred didn't either? Why was he so persistent then? Ivan shook his head. No, he just wants to mess with me. Stop thinking about this. Despite his thoughts, he couldn't help but think on it.

The next G8 meeting came around and it was the usual uneventful thing, everybody was terrified of Ivan doing something to them, but he didn't seem to notice. So the meeting progressed like it usually did, and ended without anything being resolved. Ivan sighed when it was over and stood up, packing up his stuff and leaving beside some other people, who seemed to fall back as he walked past. Again, he paid this no mind as he walked towards the elevator. He was however a bit surprised when America came inside the elevator and stood next to him. Other countries had made it to the elevator as well, but when Ivan asked they just said, "No, we'll catch the next one down." He assumed they just didn't want to be stuck in an elevator with two superpowers and let the doors close. There was silence for maybe two seconds.

"Why aren't you mad at them?" Alfred asked, Ivan turned his head to see Alfred's eyes furrowed and a frown on his face.

"Pardon? Mad at them? Why should I be?"

"Well they wanted to pretty much rape you, I'd be pissed if I were you."

"Really? Huh, how strange. Well, they didn't, did they?"

"Well no, but they would have!"

"How do you know?" Ivan questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Cause they were talking about it and making plans to do so!"

"Talking about it and doing it are two different things. They did not do it, I am not angry."

"They would have if I-" Alfred paused, about to say 'if I hadn't save you' but it died on his lips, what did it matter? if Ivan seemingly didn't care, "Ah, forget it." Alfred huffed, glaring at the elevator doors now. Ivan waited a moment before letting out a sigh.

They sat in silence for only a moment longer until Ivan finally decided to say something. "America, I wanted to ask you something, this seems a good time as any."

"What then?"

"If you would go on a date with me." Alfred's head whirled around and stared at him.

"What? But you-" Alfred paused then his eyes narrowed, "Seriously? After all I did to try and... Are you messing with me?" Ivan shook his head in the negative. Huh, it seemed Alfred had been hurt by his rejection. So that would make the other bitter, and because of this conclusion Ivan expected something similar to what came out of Alfred's mouth next, "And if I say no?"

Ivan looked away, already taking that as the answer, "Then that is your choice."

Alfred glared at him awhile longer before letting out a angry sigh and rubbing the back of his head, glare slowly dying, "Can't believe I'm doing this, but we can't just keep up with saying no to each other, so yes." He snorted, giving a smile, "One of us has to be mature enough, right?"

"I hardly call you mature." Ivan felt his own smile twitch a bit at his taunt.

Alfred stuck his tongue out, "So hey, does that mean we're in a sexual relationship? I mean not that I just want the sex, but you were going on about no passion or whatever, so I just want to check." Ivan buried half of his face in his scarf at the thought. That was right, if things went well he could have sex with Alfred again.

"Da, though I would prefer you use the word romantic."

"Hey did you just..." Alfred trailed off. Ivan looked over to give a curious look, "Did you just hide behind your scarf? Oh my god, you're blushing, you kept up that habit? I totally never noticed before."

Ivan tisked, facing forward again, "I do not blush."

"Sure big guy." Alfred snickered like a school girl. Ivan rolled his eyes and walked out of the elevator.

"I am going to regret this decision, I just know it."

"Ah don't be like that, this'll be great." Alfred said, optimistic as ever as he followed after Ivan, and once he reached the taller, entwined their hands together, Ivan blinked and looked down at the blond, who seemed truly happy. Ivan couldn't help but smile, truly. Yes, this seemed to be the right decision, and despite himself he felt excited for the future.