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3:39am May 17 2014
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Alfred fell forward to cling to the Russian in return, hoping to soothe his worries by being closer to him. Panic and fear were not emotions that fit with the violet-eyed Russian he was now essentially cuddling in the aftermath of what sounded like a terrible, horrid nightmare.
Alfred shook his head, his fingers curling within Ivan's pajamas as he hugged him that much tighter, that much closer. "No, no you're not a monster. You could never be a monster," he said quietly, his voice strained as he held back the urge to sit there and cry more, whether it be out of relief that Ivan was indeed alright or out of grief for what the poor guy had had to witness within the confines of his own mind. "It was all just a dream, Vanya. It was a dream. You're here with me in Kansas and you're not a monster, you're a soft, warm teddy bear who likes fluffy kittens and fuzzy moths and butterflies. You're Ivan, Vanya, and you're my friend and you're the /least/ threatening person I've ever met," he rambled, nuzzling his face into the other's shoulder. "You're my friend and you laughed with me and...and..." He shook his head, so desperate to soothe Ivan's worries that he was at a loss for words.
"You're not a monster. You'll never be a monster," he finally said, quieter but no less desperate. "You're not."
((Aww precious babies))
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3:52am May 17 2014
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Sniffling, Ivan felt immensely grateful for the comforting arms that had enfolded him, and the words of reassurance that he was being given. The haze of fear and horror that had clouded his mind was beginning to slip away, and he could feel Alfred holding him tight - as though to protect him from the spectre that had lurked within his nightmare. Far from being uncomfortable, the fingers curled into his pyjamas provided a sense of grounding, of security. He could feel this, it was real. "S-spasiba." He croaked, trying to keep from sobbing. His voice was a little distorted from the use to which it had recently been put, but he was able to form intelligible words, which was good. "I - I am so thankful. If you b-believe that I am n-not a monster, then it m-must be true." He continued hoarsely, deriving much comfort from the feeling of Alfred nuzzling his shoulder. "Y-you would not lie to me - y-you are the sunshine. So-solnyshka, I feel safe like this. Ahh, but I am a-afraid to go back to sleep."
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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4:03am May 17 2014
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Alfred's next words were automatic as he pulled back just enough to look up into Ivan's eyes, bright blue meeting lavender. Then he remembered himself and wiped away the tears that remained on his own face before giving his Russian friend a soft smile. "I'll stay with you, Kotenok," he said quietly, not even realizing that he'd used a word that Ivan had yet to actually teach him and that he definitely hadn't had time to look up. It was like a switch had been flipped in a part of Alfred's mind that hadn't been used in a long time, a memory long since buried. "You won't be alone, and I can even bring Penny in here if you want," he continued, moving to he could gently wipe away the traces of tears remaining on the other's cheeks.
The he looked over he shoulder at the TV, gauging its size for a moment before he looked back up at the larger, older male that he was still so very close to. "We can watch TV too if that would help."
Idly, searching to further comfort Ivan, his hand moved to gently comb through his soft, platinum hair. "I'll be right here for as long as you need me to be, okay? I won't let you be alone and afraid."
((These two are so darn cute))
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4:19am May 17 2014
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(Ahh, so much cute! They really are such sweeties~))
Ivan gazed into the azure eyes that met his own, feeling a connection to Alfred that made it easier to slow his breathing back towards something normal, and ease his racing heart. It felt natural to hear that voice, speaking those words, and he was in no state to question how Alfred had come to know that word. It was enough that he had spoken it. Being called 'kitten' in his own tongue, by someone whose words he instinctively drew into him - well, it made him calmer, less stressed. "I am s-so glad." He breathed gratefully, sighing. "D-don't go for Penny, just s-stay here with me, pazhaloosta." He continued, relaxing into Alfred's ministrations as he felt the American's hand brushing through his hair. It was soothing, being tended to in this way. "I d-don't mind if we do or don't w-watch something, just so long as you're w-with me. Th-that is enough."
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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4:32am May 17 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Alfred nodded and moved so he could properly sit on the bed with Ivan, moving so that they were still pressed together. "Alright," he said gently, taking hold of one of Ivan's hands so he could gently rub the back of it with his thumb, another gesture meant to be soothing. "I'll stay here for as long as you need me, Kotenok." His own voice had finally grown softer and gentler, less panicked and intense. "You don't have to worry any more tonight, okay?" He gave the other a smile, wanting more than anything to completely ease all of his worries caused by his nightmares.
Everything was okay. There was no reason it wouldn't be. Everything was, and would remain, alright. |
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4:43am May 17 2014
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"Mmhmm... Da, I trust you." Ivan mumbled, feeling protected and reassured. The warmth and weight of Alfred's form against his, and the rubbing of his hand, and the soft sound of his friend's voice near to him - these lulled him into a feeling of safety and peace. The fright that had gone before was melting away so much that he could barely feel it. He was nestled snugly next to Alfred, who had come for him - which meant quite a lot to Ivan - and he was still very weary. For a while, he simply lay there, relaxing as he felt his friend's thumb moving across the back of his hand, and listening to the reassuring sound of the American's breathing. His eyelids gradually seemed to grow heavier, and his thoughts felt progressively more sluggish, until eventually he drifted once more into slumber. This time, however, no haunting visions crept in to disturb him. Not with Alfred there.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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4:54am May 17 2014
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Alfred remained awake for a while longer than Ivan, watching to be sure that he wouldn't suffer from another nightmare before he began to ally himself to fall asleep as well, his and Ivan's hands remaining gently clasped together as they lay pressed against one another for the sake of feeling safe and secure. They were together and nothing was coming after them and nothing was going to yank them apart, not now. This allowed the American to rest easy, no more hazy visions of faces from a past that didn't feel like it belonged to him plaguing his dreams with cries of anguish and anger.
Even when the chirping of the birds drove him awake the next morning he didn't stir beyond opening his eyes and glancing over at Ivan, content to see he still looked peaceful. He smiled a bit before he simply decided to close his eyes once more, ready to wait as long as needed for the Russian to wake up, seeing as it had it much rougher than he had the previous night. He deserved to be able to rest peacefully, so...Alfred let him, able to keep himself still just for that alone.
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5:05am May 17 2014
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Ivan wasn't sure what time it was when he began to become aware again, but he could see the light of morning through his eyelids, and he eased them open blearily to regard the room. He could still feel Alfred beside him, something that bubbled gladness and gratitude into his inside. He really stayed with me the whole night... I do not think I have ever had a better friend. He thought, smiling. His eyes felt as though there was residue from crying clinging to his lashes, but it didn't bother him too much. The sun had come out and brightened the world, and he was not alone. He gave Alfred's hand a gentle squeeze, finding the contact soothing in the wake of the night he'd had. Unless his friend was a particularly light sleeper, that probably wouldn't wake him, he thought. He wasn't yet aware that he had not been the first to awaken.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:10am May 17 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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"Hm?"
Alfred opened his eyes to look over at Ivan again, only taking a moment before he was smiling at him. "Oh hey, you're awake. Did you sleep okay, after...well, everything?" he asked, gently returning the light squeeze to his hand before he shifted to get into a more comfortable position, grunting quietly as a couple of joints popped, having gone a bit stiff from him staying in a decently upright position the entire night after joining Ivan.
"If you're feeling up to it we can go get breakfast started," he added, offering his friend a warm smile. "Or we can sit here longer, whichever you prefer." |
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5:21am May 17 2014
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As Alfred shifted, Ivan rubbed his eyes with his free hand and smiled back at his friend, feeling his squeeze returned and finding that sensation gratifying. "Da, I feel a lot better now~" He answered, shifting his own position to match Alfred's. Whatever he might have said next, however, was interrupted by a rather insistent gurgling from his midsection. "Ah, heheheh, does that answer your question?" He chuckled softly, "This is very nice~ I would happily stay like this for a bit. My stomach, though, ahh, it does not want to be waiting." He hoped that his gut had not ruined the moment, but he doubted that Alfred would think that he was being ungrateful. "It means a lot to me that you stayed - not that I doubted you - but you came, and you did not leave... Nobody but family has done that for me before. Thank you, Solnyshka."
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:44am May 17 2014 (last edited on 5:45am May 17 2014)
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Alfred giggled softly, moving so he could get up and stretch, his ex pression softening in regards to Ivan thanking him. "What are heroes for?" he asked with a wide grin, striking a heroic pose in his Captain America pajamas in an attempt to lighten the mood further. "By the way...was I calling you 'kitten' last night? I don't remember ever learning the word from you or...well, even from the internet," he said, looking confused. "Anyways, yes! Breakfast! I'm sure Penny's ready too," he said cheerily as he trotted to the door to pull it open, laughing when he found his cat waiting outside. "Yeah she's definitely ready, I'd say, " he said as he leaned down to heft her up into his arms, nuzzling her soft fur. "Oh! After breakfast if you want we can totally go track down that sunflower field if you want," he said, looking back at Ivan with a wide smile. "I don't know how warm it'll be since it's still decently early right now but it'll definitely warm up while we're there!"
((Ah he's trying so hard to make Ivan smile and laugh and be happy<33))
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6:00am May 17 2014 (last edited on 6:02am May 17 2014)
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Ivan giggled helplessly when Alfred struck a pose, finding it somewhat hilarious - the pyjamas only making it funnier. "Ahaha... ahaha *snrk* ahahaha! Ohh, that is funny~" He laughed, before realising what else his friend had said to him. "Hmm? Ah, that is right, you did call me kitten... I liked that, it - err - it made me feel that I was being looked after, even though I was scared. I wonder where you heard it?" He mused, retrieving his scarf from under his pillow, where he had stashed it the night before. Winding it around his neck, he followed Alfred out into the hallway, smiling as he caught sight of Penny waiting for them. "I am looking forward to the French toast you mentioned~" He agreed, reaching across to stroke Penny. Then, when his friend mentioned sunflowers, his ex
pression lit up as though someone had thrown him a surprise party. "Da, that sounds wonderful~ You are so good to me~" Even if Alfred could not be a super-powered crime fighter like Captain America, he was already hero enough in Ivan's eyes.
((Ivan's noticed, and it's working. ~:3))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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6:15am May 17 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Alfred trotted along to the kitchen, setting down Penny by her food bowl as he moved to pour some of her food into it. He stroked a hand along her back before he stood up and grinned, starting off by, of course, washing his hands. No need to accidentally get cat hair in the food if it could be avoided, after all. "Alright!" he said happily, moving to the fridge to start getting what he needed out of it, already back to being more bouncy and happy now that he was properly awake and had cheering Ivan up as well. Then he glanced back to start to say something, only to notice how bright the Russian's ex pression had gotten. He laughed softly and went back to what he was doing.
"God you're adorable," he said quietly, smiling to himself. "I can definitely see why the word 'kitten' came to mind, but not why it was in Russian." Then he shrugged a bit and set the eggs out on the counter, looking back at Ivan curiously. "What do you want to drink? We have apple juice, orange juice, your cream soda, cola, your vodka..." Then he glanced at the sink. "Water," he added, straightening up to wait for Ivan's answer. "I think I have some kind of tea somewhere too. Have you ever had sweet iced tea?" He leaned against his refrigerator door, tilting his head curiously. "Because I can totally make some of that too. It may take a little bit but it's really good, I promise."
Then he smiled a bit. All he needed now was an apple pie and Ivan will have essentially experienced America, huh?
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6:31am May 17 2014
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Ivan also washed his hands, feeling that it would be a little pointless if no cat hair got into the food during preparations, but he accidentally added it himself when he started eating it. It was good to see Alfred bouncing around and apparently having fun with... simply being Alfred. That was actually a fairly good reason to be happy, Ivan reflected, chuckling. Was his friend about to speak to him? The hungry Russian glanced over to see what Alfred had to say, only to turn slightly pink when his answer arrived. "I am? Ahh, so are you, bouncy-puppy-Alfya~" He replied, guessing that it would be okay to respond in kind in this case, seeing as Alfred had said it first. Was he really adorable? "I had not thought of myself as like a kitten before you told me so, but I suppose that it fits quite well. I must be the biggest kitten in the world~" Then, when his friend began listing drinks, he stopped a moment to ponder his options. "Hmm, I do not really feel like drinking apple juice, and I think it might be too early in the day to be dipping into alcohol... I had not considered having a fizzy drink at breakfast, either. Ahh, I would have said orange juice, but you have made me curious - I have not tried sweet iced tea. May I have some of that, please?"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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6:41am May 17 2014
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Alfred giggled again at Ivan's response to him calling adorable, not having been aware that he could hear him when he'd said it. "The biggest and the sweetest," Alfred chimed as he *censored* the door to the refrigerator and started looking through the cabinets to try to find where he'd put the teabags. He was fairly certain he had a few of them left since he didn't make himself tea too often.
And when he discovered the teabags he paused, staring at where they were.
"How in the hell did I get them up there?" he asked, puzzled, as they sat out of his reach on a top shelf. He looked over at Ivan sheepishly. "Ah, um. Do you think you could reach them for me? I may have tossed them up there after making the tea one day but knowing me it was likely be overshooting a lower shelf and not bothering to try to climb backup to get them," he said with a sheepish laugh.
((So Belarus and Ukraine actually sound really good when they sing together but it doesn't stop the song's basis from being slightly creepy
-listening to Carrots and Sticks-))
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6:54am May 17 2014
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Alfred's words from before might have been quiet, but Ivan had been near enough to overhear them, and had not realised that his friend had been talking to himself. "Ahh, that is nice of you to say~" He responded, resisting the urge to retreat into his scarf. Alfred had told him yesterday that he didn't have to get embarrassed, so he was going to try to avoid doing that when he could. Then, when his friend hit upon where the tea bags had actually been hiding, he wandered nearer to the shelf in question. "Hmm? Da, I can reach that for you." He answered, glad to be able to do something to help. Extending his arm in the relevant direction, Ivan felt about until his fingers found the ob
ject of his search. It was near the back of the shelf, so he had to carefully bring the box forward little by little with his fingertips before he could grasp it properly, but he managed to retrieve the tea. "Here you go~" He smiled, handing it over.
((Yeah, you're right... I wonder what's with that brother complex, anyway. There are plenty of other cute nations.))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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7:04am May 17 2014
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Alfred smiled when Ivan was able to get the tea bags down, grinning. "Alright! I'll go ahead and get the tea started since it takes a bit longer than making breakfast will," he said, setting the box on the counter as he knelt down to pull out his pitcher, getting out the sugar and such to get the tea started steeping, setting it aside as he pulled out the rest of what he'd need for breakfast, humming happily. "Oh!" He grinned over at Ivan, motioning for him to come over. "Here' we'll making breakfast together! I can show you how to do the french toast and while you do that I can get start on the bacon and stuff!" he said happily.
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7:57am May 17 2014
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((Sorry for the wait, I was eating.))
"It takes that long? How interesting." Ivan responded, bemused. He hadn't realised that the tea would take longer to produce than the meal itself. Then again, it was possible that French toast was quick and simple to prepare. "Certainly~" He added, moving closer when Alfred asked him to do so. The humming was quite nice, though it wasn't any tune that Ivan recognised, but it was only in the back of his mind that he wondered about it. Peering over Alfred's shoulder, the cuddly Russian prepared to be enlightened on the subject of how to make the type of breakfast in question.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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8:18am May 17 2014
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Alfred cracked a couple eggs and moved to whip them up, getting cinnamon and sugar together on a separate plate. Then he moved to cut on the stovetop, spraying his cookery so it wouldn't stick before he pulled out a piece of bred to soak it in the egg goop, flipping it into the cinnamon and sugar to coat it and then putting it onto the cooking surface to start cooking, looking up at Ivan with a grin. "Easy, huh?" he chirped rather happily before he moved to quickly go mess with the tea, gently pushing it further aside. "All of this is pretty quick so it shouldn't take long before we can eat and you get to try sweet iced tea!" he said, grinning at his kitchen companion before he turned to the fridge to get out the bacon, getting out a pan in which to begin frying it, as well as moving back to dig out a jar that he was going to use to put the bacon grease in. "I can use the bacon grease for like, biscuits and gravy one morning," he added, grinning. "Having someone in here cooking with me might even drive me to do it more often!"
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8:31am May 17 2014 (last edited on 8:31am May 17 2014)
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Ivan carefully watched as Alfred went through the steps, observing each technique in turn. "Ahh, I see - so that is how it is done." He murmured, "It does look easy." It also looked as though the end product would be quite tasty, he reflected, his appetite whetted. Knowing that it would be ready soon helped, as Ivan's stomach occasionally pitched in with an impatient grumbling, which he hoped was more amusing than annoying. "It is kind of funny, that we will be having tea and French toast together, da? After all, when you think of tea, the first place to come to mind is England, but we are also having food that comes from that country's long-time rival~" He pointed out, chuckling slightly. For some reason, he found the idea of these associations rather funny. "Biscuits? Ahh, do you mean the pastry things from England, scones, or the flat hard things? The differences in dialect sometimes confuse me in this language." Confusion aside, it would be fun to cook more with Alfred, he thought, smiling.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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