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thetwelvecaesars · 7 years ago

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top 10 pairings?

I am assuming you want Roman History Pairings, yes? (I have a lot of other fandoms too) but since this is a Roman blog, I will give you the following list. Take in mind too, that I wouldn’t ship most of these outside of their time era or historical context. And I don’t know if I can order them or not. I think I will just order them randomly and tell you WHY I ship/love or love/hate them.

Augustus/Livia - I love them because they are so sweet together. I just love that Livia wove Augustus clothing and the two of them wrote letters to one another. I know it’s not a perfect marriage, but it’s pretty close, in my mind. I think Augustus and Livia are a good example and are the Darcy/Elizabeth of History. We all want to find our Livia or Augustus and I know that the person you are looking for exists. Also, I don’t think that Livia killed Augustus. I like what one historian, Antony Everitt suggested- he thought that maybe Livia killed Augustus not because she hated him, but because he was getting old. A kind of sweet mercy killing out of love and that’s the only reason I will ever except. I love these two much, because they were a power couple who respected and loved one another beyond words.

Gaius Caesar/Drusilla Caesar - Somehow, these two always appear on my pairing lists. I reason I like these two is because of how they seemed to genuinely love one another. Both of them were horrible people (yes, I said both) and yet, Gaius in all of the sources I have read, never threatened to kill Drusilla or seemed to want to directly harm her in anyway. He didn’t toss her aside like Agrippina or Livilla. Also, he left HER the whole empire when he fell ill and he fell apart emotionally when she died. Not much is said about Drusilla in the history books, but I think she was possibly a twisted person, given that it their relationship lasted so long. Because Gaius was Gaius and I bet he would have killed her she pushed him too far, but he didn’t. Which means they must have worked things out and understood one another’s feelings well enough for the relationship to be that strong for so long. I know modern historians are in doubt in happened, but I don’t see any reasonable argument to why not. Both of them were clearly messed up and yet, I think they DID love one another. In my head, they are and had the potential to be a twisted power couple.

Gaius Caesar/Caesonia - I know. The one above is my OTP, but I just love how confused Gaius was when it came to Caesonia. I just picture him completely stumped to WHY he likes this woman, but decides to figure it out later. I also love Caesonia as well, because let’s face it. Her husband was not a good person and he loved Drusilla more than her. It must have been hard and I said in a previous post about this paring, She married Gaius Caesar of what seemed to be her own will. She has to be an interesting person. Also, Gaius seemed to care about her in a really twisted way. In my head, I feel Caesonia was his voice of reason and they threatened to kill one anther daily, but deep down they cared for one another.

Gaius Caesar/Marcus A. Lepidus - I kinda love these two more than I want to admit. I think Gaius cared a little about him as Marcus didn’t die until he was part of a conspiracy. I also love how Marcus was wanted by Gaius, Drusilla AND Agrippina the Younger. I just imagine all three of them fighting it out while Marcus looks on with a smirk and hits on Livilla who is sitting quietly in the corner. In my head, Marcus was Gaius’ arm candy that was very well-treated.

Agrippina the Younger/Claudius - I think Agrippina needs a lot more respect and love. I think that she’s a smart person who never did anything worse than any of the emperors. Climbing your way to power is something that has always been done, but why women are more slandered for this than men is down-right sexist. Anyhow, back to the pairing. I think Claudius and Agrippina are a sweet couple. I just imagine Claudius taking care of her after returning from exile. I think Claudius had a kind heart deep down and Agrippina seemed to have cared about her country. If Roman culture had let Agrippina fully rule, I doubt she would have been slandered. I bet she would have been a ruler as impressive as Claudius or even her father, Germanicus. Anyhow, I think Claudius would have been kind-hearted and supported her and she would she loved him dearly in return.

Domitian/Julia Flavia - The Hades and Persephone gone wrong and what inspired the Phantom of the Opera (Not.) But these two are really interesting. Abusive, but interesting. (Like I said, none of these parings aside from Augustus/Livia are good examples or are fit for modern use.) But back to Domitian and Julia Flavia. I love these too so much, it’s sometimes painful. Because they COULD have been a great couple! I ranted about this before, but if Domitian had said: “Yes, Titus, I will marry your daughter,” when he FIRST asked, I feel like these two could have built a meaningful relationship. It’s clear to me that older Domitian was NEVER going to be a good or stable person, but I feel like Flavia would have grown up to be kind. I don’t know why, but I think she was a good person as of all the women in Roman history, all of the roman historians paint her as victim, rather than blaming her for what happened. She’s the one Roman woman left unslandered. Now, if Flavia was a nice person and Domitian had been married to her earlier, she might have made him a little better. I know that one should never TRY to change someone, but Flavia might have been a slightly good influence on him. If I remember right, Flavia DID keep Domitian from executing someone once. Anyhow, this pairing just makes me sad sometimes, because the potential and the tragedy.

Titus Flavius Sabinus III/Julia Flavia - Her second-cousin, if I remember right. But I love these two, because of the historical tragedy of this romance. I honestly feel really bad for Sabinus, because he must have loved her deeply. I can’t imagine what he went through when Domitian changed his mind (again) and decided to take Julia. I just… I feel so bad for Sabinus. T_T

Otho/Nero - Because it’s fun and I see no reason why not! I kinda think of these two as evil masterminds that have WAY too much fun. And in my head, Otho fought Galba for the purple, because he wanted to avenge the one he loved. Yeah, I know, sappy, but I don’t care. I also find it interesting these two had the same manner of death.

Nero loves Agrippina - But clearly not the other way around. I ship this one-sided-made-to-sink-boat because it’s actually in the history books and it’s just too much fun to make Oedipus jokes at Nero’s expense. I can’t believe the senate’s only reason against this pairing was not wanting Agrippina to have more power. That is 100% a bad reason. How about instead, “it’s gross and you shouldn’t sleep with your mom, Nero.”? I would have written that instead if I was a senator. And by the way, I feel really bad for Agrippina.

Otho/Vitellius - Because all of those threats and hate letters are just love letters in disguise, right? I am kind ashamed of this shipping, but I kinda love how much they hated one another and can’t help myself.

Thanks so much for the ask, Anon! I am rather ashamed of my ship list as it’s almost 2018, but it’s history. Anyhow, I had a lot of fun spazzing out about all of them! I love questions like these and those reading, please send me more!!

TTC

#Anonymous #Ancient Rome #OTPs #Agrippina the Younger #Augustus #Livia #Gaius Caesar #Domitian #Julia Flavia

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hipsofsteel · 7 years ago

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Summary: Natalia doesn't remember her birth family, and has spent years looking for them. When she collapses on Alfred F. Jones's doorstep, three states away from her own home, he decides to help her find the family she has been missing all these years.

Relationship(s): AmeBela (America/Belarus), RusCan (Russia/Canada)

Status: Complete work. (December 27th, 2015)

#my fic #aph america #aph belarus #aph russia #aph canada #aph ukraine #amebel #amebela #belame #ruscan #canrus #otp: ill be the hades to your persephone

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

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Summary: No one had ever seen him. He knew he was a nation, but no matter how hard he tried, their eyes were unable to find him. Until Russia saw him. Russia could see him!

Main Relationship: RusCan (Russia/Canada)

Status: Complete work. (January 31st, 2016)

#my fic #ruscan #aph russia #aph canada #otp: ill be the hades to your persephone #this is actually my most viewed and most popular fic on AO3 so there is that #aph #matthew williams #ivan braginsky #a fic every thousand posts #(for now at least)

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

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Find Out For Yourself

A RusCan fic written during FemSlash February 2015 (FrUk and eventual AmeBel as well)

Prompt: Person A goes by an alias, to the annoyance of B. The only way B will learn A’s name is to “find that out for yourself.”

Anya Braginsky has been using an underground social site for years to speak to other members of the LGBTQ community. Her best friend is a user named MapleBabe, who was her first friend online. Two years after their first online meeting, they both agree to go to Hetalia University, and MapleBabe challenges Anya to discover who she really is. While trying to figure out the mystery, Anya meets Madeline Bonnefoy, a fellow member of the school's women hockey team, and develops a close friendship, all while still trying to discover and meet MapleBabe. She might be a bit closer than she thinks.

PS This work features Trans Girl America

[Chapter Masterpost Here]

Chapter Five: Hope

When I got to the Bonnefoy-Kirkland house, I opened the door to find Sofia standing in the living room.

“Anya!��

“Sofia! What are you doing here?”

“Natalia called and wanted some company, so here I am! You’re just in time for dinner. I made something we could all agree on.”

We ate the meal, and despite my internal worries, I was able to relax a little. Sofia and Natalia laughed with each other and even I had to chuckle a few times.

Finally, we sent Natalia to bed, because she had school tomorrow.

“Hey, you have school too!”

“It’s college. I have a little more naptime than you do. Now go on!”

She complied, and then Sofia and I spoke alone.

“How’s it been going?”

“Okay. The stress has been reduced now that Natalia’s living here instead of at home.”

“Yeah, I think we can both agree that was good for all of us.”

We sipped at tea.

“Sofia?”

“Yeah?”

“What happened that night?”

She paused, and then spoke.

“You and Nat were asleep upstairs when he came in. I’d been watching TV. I didn’t have school tomorrow. At first I didn’t think anything off it. Told him mom and dad weren’t home, and he should come back later.”

“He said he wanted to talk to me, and he offered me a drink. I’d watched him take a sip earlier, so I figured it was fine. But there’s a big difference between a sip and the whole glass he poured for me.”

“Next thing I knew, I was trying to push him away, but I couldn’t. Didn’t even use a condom. He just said that I was his now, and that I should just live with that fact.”

“Woke up the next morning to mom and dad over me. Dad said he’d sign the parental consent for marriage, but I told him I wouldn’t marry the guy. He said if I wouldn’t marry him, I couldn’t live there anymore. He gave me a week to decide.”

“In the end, as you know, I got thrown out. That man tried to rape me again in the street about two months later, but I stabbed him and… I ran. And except to talk to you and Nat, I never looked back.”

I sat in the silence before asking. “Did he die?”

“No, but it was enough. He never came after me again. After that, I found some shelters, and met Elizabeta and Roderich. And as you know, I’ve been living with them as well as Ludwig and Feliciano for a while now.”

She stood. “I should probably go home now.”

I nodded, and then we walked out to her car together.

“Hey, Sofia?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m a lesbian.”

She paused, and then smiled. “I’m glad that you felt you could tell me. I love you, Anya, in every aspect that is you.”

My sister left and I went back inside.

Natalia had came down the steps. I knew she hadn’t been asleep.

“Hey, let’s go sleep.”

“Okay.”

After three weeks at the hospital/psych ward, Amelia came home.

I sat and watched her. She looked kinda stunned, and also worried.

Then, in a move that surprised me most of all, Natalia went over and began to talk to Amelia. They talked back and forth, and soon you couldn’t even pull them apart from each other, they were too engrossed in their conversation.

I went into the kitchen. Arthur was talking to Francis in a whisper, and Francis was either listening or correcting him depending on what was needed.

“Where’s Maddie?”

Francis looked up and smiled. “She’s out back under the maple tree.”

I headed out into the backyard and went over to her. She was sitting at the base of the tree, writing in a notebook.

“Hey.”

“How’s everything inside?”

“Nat and Amelia are getting along pretty well. Your dads are in the kitchen cooking… well, Francis is cooking, and Arthur is standing nearby.”

“Good. We don’t need a repeat of the last time he cooked.”

I sat next to her. “How is it inside your head?”

“I’m fine. Told Arthur I was a lesbian yesterday. He had an internal freak out, and then hugged me, so I guess it’s cool.”

I nodded, and then leaned over, nestling my head into Maddie’s shoulder.

I felt her pause, and then she turned. “Hey, Anya?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

I didn’t respond for a moment, and then I looked up at her. “Madeline, I love you too.”

She smiled a little, in that small quiet way of hers. She set her notebook down and then looking at me, whispered. “I think an apology is long overdue.”

“You don’t need to apologize…” I started, but she put a finger to my lips, and then tilted my head up. I meet her gaze, a deep violet as compared to my light lavender.

She leaned in, and then, only inches from my face, spoke. “May I?”

I nodded.

We kissed under that maple tree, our hearts young, happy, and finally able to rest.

Epilogue

“Natalia, remember to breath!” Amelia shouted as she ran down the hall after Natalia.

I laughed a little. They’d finally decided Natalia needed to be moved to the delivery room, and now Amelia had to rush to keep up.

Maddie came back with a cup of coffee. “Sofia’s on her way, and dad and papa are headed back as well.”

I nodded.

“Oh, and I’m sure papa took the liberty of calling Antonio and Gilbert.”

“Let the parade of insanity begin.”

Amelia and Natalia ended up getting married in the end. Kiku was still Amelia’s best friend, however. And now Natalia was about to give Maddie and me a niece or nephew.

Francis burst into the room in a colored blur. “Where are they? Did we miss it?!”

“They just took her in for delivery, papa. Calm down.”

Arthur came in behind him, panting a little. “Can you restrain him for five minutes? Or else I’m going to be the one in the hospital bed.”

I leaned back in my chair, reading a book. On my hand a gold ring glinted with a dark purple stone. Maddie’s wedding ring was silver with a paler purple stone.

“Maddie, when am I going to get grandchildren from you?”

Madeline picked up a magazine. “When you convince Anya to get pregnant.”

“Not today, Francis.” I responded before he could beg me. “I don’t think flying into space is all that great for pregnant ladies.”

I was supposed to go up in two months to the ISS. Maddie and I had agreed it was an opportunity I shouldn’t miss. But we’d already decided something that would make Francis incredibly happy. When I got back, Maddie and I were going to start looking around for donors.

And the baby was going to be Maddie’s. I might give birth to it, but I wasn’t wanting to pass on the alcoholic genes that were incredibly strong in my family.

Finally Amelia came running in. She was beautiful in her right body now. “It’s a boy!”

Francis stood up grinning, as did Arthur. Maddie smiled, and I grinned.

Half an hour later, we crowded around Natalia’s bed as she looked at the little bassinet. Amelia grinned, the proud father/mother of this child.

“So what’s his name?” Francis asked.

“For now, his name is Nicholas Andrew Jones.” Amelia said, grinning. When she’d changed her name to Amelia, she’d also changed her last name to Jones. Apparently it had been her mother’s maiden name. Arthur didn’t seem too upset by it. Apparently Amelia had always wanted to do it, even when she was still little.

Natalia smiled. “Little Nick.”

“Should we dress him up in red for Christmas?” I asked jokingly.

A sudden shout from outside heralded the arrival of Antonio and Lovino. Lovino rushed into the room. He scowled as he shoved his way through the onlookers, and then cooed. “He’s so fucking cute.”

Well, coming from Lovino, that was a coo.

Antonio joked with Francis about something, and I noticed the glint of metal on Antonio’s hand. Finally…

For the next hour, people arrived to simply look at this new addition. Amelia proudly grinned and Natalia seemed happier than she had been in a long time. Gilbert came in with a lot of awesomes to be said, and then invited the new dad-mom out for a drink. Amelia politely told him that if he ever called her that again, she’d rip his throat out, and then accepted, although at a later date than that night.

Sofia arrived last, and then she pulled something out from a package.

“I left the name section blank. I only put his birthday. One day, when he’s older, he can tell me what his name is and I’ll add it on.”

It was a huge quilt, for when he was older, with animals and plants and more. Natalia smiled. “Once he’s big enough, he’ll sleep with this every night.”

We all looked down at the tiny blue bundle fast asleep, and I felt something well up inside me. Something that I’d never been sure I’d be able to feel around a child.

I whispered it under my breath, and Maddie looked at me. “Huh?”

“You’re blessed, Nicky. You’ve got a family who will let you be whatever you want to be, whether that be boy or girl, gay or straight, we’ll love you just the same.”

Maddie smiled and took my hand. “Let’s go, the room is getting crowded.”

We said goodbye, and before I left, I looked down at Nicholas one last time.

It was a big feeling, with only one name.

Hope.

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

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Find Out For Yourself

A RusCan fic written during FemSlash February 2015 (FrUk and eventual AmeBel as well)

Prompt: Person A goes by an alias, to the annoyance of B. The only way B will learn A’s name is to “find that out for yourself.”

PS This work features Trans Girl America

[Chapter Masterpost Here]

Chapter Two: Anger

The next day was hockey practice. I didn’t really talk for the whole time.

Coach Baudin came up to me. “Are you sick, Braginsky? You look pretty tired today.”

“I’m fine, I just…” I started to say, but then I started coughing. And not a quiet little cough. No, it was a cough that could make mountains shake.

“Alright, this isn’t an option. Go back to your dorm and get some rest. That’s my order.”

“Yes, Coach.”

I skated back over to the locker rooms right as Maddie was coming out.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I replied, and then went past her without another glance.

MapleBabe is online.

MapleBabe: Hey, did you figure it out?

AnyaBee: Go away.

MapleBabe: Why?

AnyaBee: Because I’m fucking pissed at you, and punching myself for not realizing it earlier.

MapleBabe: What did I do?

AnyaBee: What haven’t you done? Lied to my face, pretended to care.

MapleBabe: What in motherfucking hell are you talking about?

AnyaBee: Your name is Madeline (MADDIE) Bonnefoy. MB isn’t MapleBabe, it’s your initials. You pretended to be a stranger, when I knew you the whole time. You pretended that you were watching the hockey game, when in fact you were out on the ice. You invited me over to your house, and THEN PRETENDED TO BE JEALOUS. YOU LISTENED TO ME SPILL MY HEART OUT, AND SAID NOTHING. YOU’RE THE FIRST PERSON I EVER CAME OUT TO IN REAL LIFE, AND IT WAS ALL JUST A SHAM.

MapleBabe: Anya, that’s not true.

AnyaBee: Really? Oh really? Your name’s not Maddie then, huh? I should have known. Little brother, only one actual parent. What threw me off was the fact that you said YOU WERE UNABLE TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND, OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT YOU TOLD ME.

MapleBabe: That is true.

AnyaBee: You have two dads. They would understand.

MapleBabe: Two dads is a lot different than two moms.

AnyaBee: Sure.

MapleBabe: Anya Braginsky, you listen to me right now! My papa told me that he prays that I’m going to be straight. My dad yelled at Alfred for wearing one of my dresses once. Two gay dads do not mean they want lesbian daughters or transgender sons!

MapleBabe: Anya, you think you know how it feels, and you do, but let me tell you why Al’s been so quiet. Because he’s afraid. Because SHE’S afraid. My GAY parents wouldn’t be happy if I was a lesbian, but they’d live. However, if AMELIA KIRKLAND told them the truth, she’d be out on the street in five seconds.

MapleBabe: You don’t know me, Anya. I thought you’d understand. Guess I was wrong.

AnyaBee: Maddie, I...

AnyaBee: Maddie, I’m sorry.

MapleBabe has disconnected.

The next few days were spent in silence at hockey practice. I tried to apologize, but there was nothing I could do.

Valentine’s Day came and went. Maddie said nothing, just marched off after practice while blasting Beyonce’s All The Single Ladies.

I didn’t know what to do.

Finally, I monitored her MapleBabe profile, and looked at her recent friend additions. Eventually, I found a likely candidate.

Freedom Jones has accepted your friend request.

Freedom Jones is online.

Freedom Jones: Hey, you’re Anya, aren’t you?

AnyaBee: Yeah. Alfred?

Freedom Jones: Yep.

AnyaBee: Maddie said you prefer Amelia.

Freedom Jones: Only online. Too dangerous to be Amelia at home.

AnyaBee: I’m sorry about that.

Freedom Jones: Hey, did you piss Maddie off or something? She’s been acting weird lately.

AnyaBee: I said some really stupid things. I thought she’d been just messing around with me when I found out you had two dads. She rightfully turned around and yelled right back at me.

Freedom Jones: I know how you feel. It’s so strangely hypocritical. Two gay men who don’t like lesbians and hate transgender people.

AnyaBee: I knew gender can be a problem in all homes, but I thought your dads would at least be more accepting of sexualities.

Freedom Jones: Nope, but I have a boyfriend. He understands who I am, and he’s cool with it either way. Guess that’s the benefit of dating a bisexual.

AnyaBee: That’s good. At least you have someone.

Freedom Jones: You know, until I came out to Maddie, she only had you to talk to. Don’t give up on her yet. She’s just hurt.

AnyaBee: Okay.

Freedom Jones: Take care of yourself, Anya.

AnyaBee: You too, Amelia.

Freedom Jones has disconnected.

“Maddie?” I spoke quietly.

“What?” She turned, and her voice had a bite to it.

“I’m sorry. I really am. I just wish you’d told me, hinted at it. Something.”

“Yeah, well it’s too late to take it back.” She replied, and then turned her attention back to her phone. She was standing at the bus stop. She made a run to the grocery store every Friday morning if we were in town.

“Look, I talked to Amelia…”

“What?! Anya, you have no right to…”

“I sent a friend request, she started the chat. The only question I asked was me confirming it was her.”

Maddie still seemed angry.

“I’m sorry that I’m a douchebag instead of a friend.”

Maddie still didn’t speak.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. See ya.”

MapleBabe is online.

MapleBabe: Why were you talking to Anya?

Freedom Jones: Why aren’t YOU talking TO Anya?

MapleBabe: That’s none of your business.

Freedom Jones: Same here.

MapleBabe: Amelia, you know it’s dangerous to let people know who you are on these sites.

Freedom Jones: Yeah, but at least I’m not treating my friends like shit.

MapleBabe: What do you mean by that?

Freedom Jones: Anya might have said some stupid things, but you haven’t exactly been treating her nicely. For two years you hid, and then, while you knew exactly who she was, you forced her to play a guessing game. No wonder she feels betrayed. You watched her every move and never admitted it to her.

MapleBabe: I was playing it safe.

Freedom Jones: The time for playing it ‘safe’ is over, Maddie. For all of us.

MapleBabe: What do you mean by that?

Freedom Jones has disconnected.

My cell started ringing at one in the morning.

“Fuck.” I groaned, trying to grab it before Odeta woke up, but I missed and just knocked it onto the floor..

“I hate you.” She muttered under her breath.

“I’ll make it up to you in the morning.” I said, grabbing the phone and clicking ACCEPT. I stood and walked into the bathroom. “Who’s this?”

“Anya, it’s Maddie.”

“Why are you calling me right now?!”

“It’s an emergency. Amelia’s disappeared, and she left a letter for my parents.”

I paused. “Did they kick her out?!”

“No, she just ran. Dad’s out trying to find her, and papa’s at home, but they’re both upset and I have no clue where she’d be going.”

I nodded. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the bus depot, asking incoming drivers if they’ve seen her, well, him. They wouldn’t believe me if I said her.”

“I’ll be out in a bit. I’ll call you if I find anything.”

“It’s raining. Be careful.”

I hung up the phone, and turned on my lamp. “What’s going on?” Odeta asked as I pulled out a set of clothes.

“Friend’s younger sibling ran away. She asked me to help.”

“Need me to tell Baudin if she comes looking?”

“Yeah.I’ll pay you back with free food or something when I return.”

Odeta made a hand motion that said Okay now turn off the lights. I pulled on my heavy trench coat, thick warm hat, and my favorite scarf. Combat boots, leather gloves, knife in pocket (always present in case of emergencies), and once I grabbed my flashlight and car keys, I was ready to go.

After three hours, I was beginning to lose hope.

Maddie called every ten minutes or so, hoping. But I’d found nothing.

“Maddie, she might already be out of town…”

“She wouldn’t. She’s smart, she’d stay in the area so I could help her!”

“Okay, whatever you say.”

At about six, the sun began to lighten the eastern sky. I started to turn around to pick up Maddie, until I thought of something.

I entered a Wi-Fi cafe, and after buying a coffee, pulled out my phone.

I went to Freedom Jones’s profile. The site was a social network, and I knew about some codes.

I read the bio Amelia had written.

hEY fellOw internet beings. the Name is freedom, freedom jones. i’m a transgenDer girl just trying to live her life free from her father’s tyranny! all people welcome here, long as you Aren’t creeps_K, i’ll talk to you in the chatrooms.

That hadn’t been the bio she’d had earlier. It had all the same info, but it had been written for someone else.

Someone who knew a certain code.

HONDA_K

I went to the profile. Bisexual boy. This was it. She knew either Maddie or I would get the message.

I sent a request, and it was answered in minutes.

HONDA_K has accepted your friend request.

HONDA_K: Hey Anya, it’s Amelia. I’m just using Kiku’s profile right now.

AnyaBee: Everyone’s out looking for you. Maddie’s at the bus depot, your dad’s wandering the streets, and your papa’s at home waiting for you to come back.

HONDA_K: I don’t want to go back until I know what they think about me.

AnyaBee: Can I at least tell them I’ve contacted you and that you’re safe.

HONDA_K: Yeah, as long as you don’t tell Maddie how to get a hold of me. I don’t want to talk to her at the moment.

AnyaBee: Then you’d better decode your bio quick, and unfriend Kiku if you’re friends.

HONDA_K: No, I use a separate profile to talk to him, and he’s the only one I talk to on that profile.

AnyaBee: Smart girl.

HONDA_K has disconnected.

HONDA_K is online.

HONDA_K: Bio decoded. Thanks for letting me hide for now, Anya.

AnyaBee: Yeah, I just hope your sister doesn’t flay me. I’m gonna de-friend you now just to cover your tracks.

HONDA_K: Thanks.

AnyaBee: Take care.

HONDA_K: Will do.

AnyaBee has disconnected.

AnyaBee is no longer your friend.

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

Text

Find Out For Yourself

A RusCan fic written during FemSlash February 2015 (FrUk and eventual AmeBel as well)

Prompt: Person A goes by an alias, to the annoyance of B. The only way B will learn A’s name is to “find that out for yourself.”

PS This work features Trans Girl America

[Chapter Masterpost Here]

Chapter Four: Pain

Natalia didn’t seem comfortable. “This house is huge and I don’t know these people.”

“It’ll be okay. They won’t hurt you, and it’s not like the crime bosses swing through here.”

“How do you know that?” She stated, her hands sitting right above where her knives were hidden.

“Okay, they’re definitely not going to attack you because they are gay. Francis is a bit of a flirt, but he is gayer than gay. Also, they have their own daughter, so they’ll respect your privacy. Just consider the difference between this house and home.”

Natalia sighed. “Fine, let’s go in.”

We entered the house to find Maddie talking to Arthur. Given his red face, I knew they’d been fighting. She turned and smiled. “Ah, Natalia. Good to meet you!”

Natalia nodded, a little taken aback. Maddie was all smiles and sunshine however. “You can stay in my room while you’re here, since I’ll be going back to school tomorrow. I think papa and I saved some of my old clothes in the attic, and they might fit you.”

The bubble parade dragged my sister upstairs. I sighed in relief, until Arthur turned to me.

“Get out.”

“What?”

“I’ll shelter your sister because Maddie asked, but I don’t want you in this house. Get out.”

“Angleterre, that’s no way to treat a guest.” Francis said, sweeping into the room in an explosion of color. That seemed to anger the Englishman more. “You’re welcome to stay for dinner, Anya.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t want to impose.”

Francis cast a glare at Arthur, and then turned to me. “If you cannot stay for dinner, then I will take you out for dinner. Maddie prepared something for Natalia, but there is a nice little cafe a few streets over that I think you would enjoy…” He said this all while pulling a coat on. “And since you and Maddie have been such good friends, we owe it to you.”

Arthur started to move to the door.

“Angleterre, I thought you told me that you needed to finish the quilt you were making tonight. Why don’t you stay here and do that?”

Before he could object, Francis had grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door.

When we arrived at the cafe, we were greeted by an angry young man.

“Oh, it’s you.” He said, sounding less than thrilled.

“Lovino! How is the business going?”

“Fine, you bastard.”

The place was practically empty, and a slightly older man came out of the kitchens. “Francis! Who’s the young woman with you? Don’t tell me I have to report you to Arthur.”

“I only have the purest intentions for this fine young woman, Antonio. May I have the booth in the back?”

“Only if you answer a question.” Lovino responded, and then turned to me. “What’s the name, beautiful and intimidating?”

I glared at him.

“Okay, fine, try to flirt with a pretty girl and…” Lovino started to say, but the other man unsubtlety kicked him in the shin. This was followed by a volley of curses and a lot of shouting as Francis and I escorted ourselves to the back table.

After placing our orders with Antonio, Francis spoke to me. “Anya, I know that I’ve said a few things that perhaps don’t make me seem like a great parent, but I want to try and get better.”

I paused, and then spoke. “What exactly are you saying?”

“I am a little less rigid in my views than Arthur. I want Al- Amelia back home. I want to support her as much as I can. I want her to know that no matter what, we’ll always be her family.”

“You have to be more sensitive about these things, and listen to her when she talks about it.”

“Yes, I know. I have a lot to learn, for both my daughters. Maddie told me that she was a lesbian yesterday. It’s… well, it’s a lot to take in.”

I nodded.

“Are you and Maddie involved?”

“No, we’re friends, but we aren’t dating.”

He nodded, and then spoke. “If you can talk to Amelia someway, tell her that I love her and want her home, okay? And also tell her that I will fully support her in any argument against Arthur.”

I nodded.

We ate our meals with a constant stream of chatter. Antonio and Francis had been friends for a long time, and despite the flirting, I quickly realized Lovino was in love with Antonio.

As Francis and I finally departed, I asked him. “What’s between Lovino and Antonio?”

“They’ve been friends for years. Lovino’s been trying to drop hints to Antonio this whole time, but he’s been painfully oblivious. Antonio’s the only person in this whole town that doesn’t realize Lovino’s in love with him.”

“That must be a pain in the ass.”

“Oh, it is. Arthur was the same way. You could drop all the hints you wanted, but unless you say it to them directly, they won’t ever figure it out.”

We went back to the house. Francis invited me in.

Natalia came over and spoke. “Hey, thanks for bringing me here.”

She had visibly relaxed somewhat, and was even wearing a new set of clothes, although they were slightly musty.

I nodded. “I have to go back to the dorms now. Are you going to be okay here?”

“Yeah.”

AnyaBee is online

AnyaBee: Hey, I have some news.

LifeNLiberty: Is it the type that makes me leap up and down with joy?

AnyaBee: Francis took me out to dinner tonight and told me that he loves you no matter what. He even referred to you with female pronouns, though once he slipped up and called you Al. But overall, he did pretty well.

LifeNLiberty: What about my biological dad?

AnyaBee: Francis said he’d help you in all the fights you have with him.

LifeNLiberty: That’s not enough.

AnyaBee: Amelia, I don’t want to pressure you, but you’ve been gone for two weeks now. Don’t you think it’s time to come home?

LifeNLiberty: No. I want my dad to love me. Francis might have helped raised me, but he’s not family the same way that dad is. Until dad is at least going to try and accept me, I’m not going home.

AnyaBee: Okay. Stay safe, alright?

LifeNLiberty: Will do. Good night.

Natalia called me every day. Sofia started to visit her at the Bonnefoy-Kirkland house. My parents decided it was good riddance and just dropped all of Natalia’s stuff off in the middle of the night.

I continued at school. It was April now, and spring term was coming to a close. Hockey season was over, and I was able to focus on my studies.

Maddie and I were laying on the floor with textbooks in front of us. I was quizzing myself on my astronomy, she was practicing her explanations of the carbon cycle in nature. Odeta was off in one of her finals already. I didn’t understand how she was able to keep going.

Suddenly my computer beeped. I sighed and went over to see what it wanted.

HONDA_K has sent you a message.

HONDA_K asks: Anya, you need to get over to Mercy Hospital right now. Amelia’s in the emergency room, and it looks pretty bad. Please respond ASAP.

I froze and then typed a reply back.

AnyaBee: Maddie with me. Will be there ASAP.

I turned and slammed my books shut. “Study time is over. We have to go.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Amelia’s in the hospital.”

We arrived as fast as we could. A young man approached us. I guessed he was Honda.

“Maddie, Anya?”

I nodded. “Are you Honda?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s going on?”

“Maddie, met Amelia’s boyfriend. She’s been living with him since the end of February.”

Maddie paused, and then growled at me. “You’ve been in touch with her the whole time, haven’t you?”

I didn’t answer with the proper response. “Look, we have more pressing things to think about right now. What happened?”

Honda sat down in the nearest chair. “We were standing at the bus stop, and she was crying. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she was just tired. I went over to get her a cup of coffee when suddenly she sprinted out into the middle of the street. A car just slammed into her…”

His voice faded out, and then he shook with sobs held inside.

Maddie looked terrified. I paused, and then spoke. “Should I call your dads?”

She nodded, sitting down next to Honda.

I called the house and got Arthur. “Hello?”

“Hello Arthur, it’s Anya…”

“I don’t want to talk to you right now, Anya.”

“Arthur, it’s important.”

He hung up. That pissed me off. I tried Francis’s cell, but it was turned off, because I just got a pre-recorded This number is not available at this time message.

I finally called another cell number, the newest addition to my contacts.

After a few attempts, I was answered. “Anya, I’m at school, this had better be good. My new teachers already don’t like me a lot.”

“Look, I need you to call Arthur and tell him his kid is in the hospital. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen and Francis has his phone turned off. Just tell him that we’re at Mercy Hospital’s ER, and he needs to get here now.”

There was a pause, and then she spoke. “Will do.”

Half an hour later, a stressed Englishman entered the ER. He saw us and came right over. “What’s going on?”

“Amelia tried to kill herself.” I stated.

“You mean Alfred.”

Madeline stood up. “No, we mean Amelia.”

He glared at me, even though he was speaking to Maddie. “Alfred is your brother. He is not a girl, nor was he named Amelia.”

Honda hadn’t said anything yet. I think he was trying to disappear. After all, the angry Englishman didn’t know Honda had been hiding Amelia since February.

I grabbed Arthur’s arm and pulled him up. He was shorter than I was, and the movement startled him. I stared at him. “Listen to me right now, Arthur Kirkland.”

He tried to pull free, but I didn’t let go. Finally he stopped. “What do you want?”

“I want you to understand something very important. You said that if Alfred became Amelia, he’d be throwing his life away, and end up dead in a ditch. What you don’t understand is how he’ll get there. If there’s no one to love him, no one to talk to, he will be dead. Amelia told me something while she was gone. She doesn’t care how much Maddie, Francis, her boyfriends, and her other friends try to help her. The person whose love she wants most is yours. You’re her biological father, the man who raised her. You say that no son of yours will throw their lives away for some stupid dream, but what you don’t see is who destroyed them in the first place.”

“What are you implying?”

“If you decide you don’t want to be part of Amelia’s life because she’s not what you want, then maybe you’re the reason she’ll be dead in a ditch. She said she was tired. What was she tired of, I wonder, except I don’t have to. She was tired of not having your love, and that’s why she stepped out onto that street. That’s why she let herself be hit by that car. She was exhausted, and you were the reason.”

Maddie stared at me.

“If you don’t want to accept Amelia, then I don’t think you’re going to ever have a daughter or a son. If you continue to hate her, then I suspect that she will never come home. Maybe it’ll be because she’s dead, but I think she’s stronger than that. I think it’ll be because she knew the only way she could survive was to avoid you for the rest of her life.”

He stared at me as well now. I dropped his arm.

“If you won’t love your child, then they don’t need you as a parent.” I stated.

A nurse came out. “Honda?” He stood. “She’s out of surgery now. Is this his- I mean, her family?”

“Yeah.”

Arthur turned towards Honda, looking confused.

“She’s in the ICU. You can go back and see her, although she’s asleep.”

They guided us to the ICU, and Honda and Maddie went in. But I stopped and blocked Arthur from entering.

“What are you doing?"

“Asking you to make a choice.”

“Right now?”

I nodded. “If you don’t want to accept Amelia as who she is, then you are going to turn around and leave.”

“You can’t do this. I’m her father! I mean, his father!”

I looked at him for a long time. He seemed to turn cherry red.

“Arthur, tell me, is that your son whom you’re going to force to be miserable every day the rest of his life, or is that the daughter you’ve lovingly raised?”

He paused, and then leaned against the wall, visibly shaking.

“I just don’t want something to happen. I raised him since he was born, loved him, cooked for him, sang him to sleep. I want him to be safe.”

“Then let Alfred go, and welcome Amelia into your heart.”

At that moment, Francis came down the hall. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know anything until Natalia called me!”

Arthur turned and pulled the Frenchman into the hug, and began to cry. Francis looked at me, his eyes growing wide with worry. I mouthed She’s fine to him, and he relaxed a little.

Finally Arthur spoke. “I’ve been a horrible father.”

“Angleterre…”

“She needed me, but I couldn’t do it. God fucking damn it, it’s all my fault, isn’t it?”

Francis started cooing and calming Arthur, guiding him over to a bench and sitting him down. I paused, and then headed into the ICU.

Kiku sat in the chair, staring, and Maddie stood nearby, looking at her sister.

There were still some incredibly obvious masculine features, such as the darkening of her facial hair, but Amelia’s hair was longer. Down to her shoulders in a bob-style, with big loose curls.

There was a cut across the side of her face, and she was bandaged on nearly every inch of her body. Her glasses, cracked, had been set off to the side.

Maddie turned to face me. “How is he?”

“Your papa arrived, and he’s not doing all that great, but I think we’ve had a breakthrough.”

She nodded, and then looked at her watch. “You know, Nat’s at the house right now.”

“I’ll go out and stay with her if you want.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

We both exited the ICU. Maddie went over to her dads. She took Arthur’s hands, and he looked up at her.

“Wanna go see how Amelia’s doing dad?”

He paused, and then nodded. “Let’s go see her.”

I smiled a little. That slight change gave me the smallest hope for a victory, more than I had had for a while.

2 notes · View notes

hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

Text

Find Out For Yourself

A RusCan fic written during FemSlash February 2015 (FrUk and eventual AmeBel as well)

Prompt: Person A goes by an alias, to the annoyance of B. The only way B will learn A’s name is to “find that out for yourself.”

PS This work features Trans Girl America

[Chapter Masterpost Here]

Chapter One: Mystery

There’s always those ‘shady’ sites on the web. People assume that if you’re on them, you’re a bad kid or a pervert.

There’s one site though, that I love. It’s a chatroom site designed to bring in the closet kids to a safe place. There’s escape buttons on every page, and you can find support from people going through the same problems as you.

So, I guess that’s why I’ve been using this profile to meet people for the last two years.

My actual name is Anya Braginsky, though my online friends call me AnyaBee. I’ve known that I’m a lesbian from the time I realized some women like other women more than men.

I’ve never actually dated a girl. The town I’m living in is far too narrow-minded for that.

Next week though, I leave for college.

My laptop dings, and I pick it up.

MapleBabe is online.

Ah. My best friend.

AnyaBee: Hey, how’s it going tonight?

MapleBabe: Am I allowed to murder my little brother?

AnyaBee: What did he do this time?

MapleBabe: He decided it was cool to draw penises all over my sketchbook cover.

AnyaBee: What is he, twelve?!

MapleBabe: I know. I have to go burn the front cover now and purify my sketchbook. I was so fuckin pissed.

AnyaBee: So, ready for college?

MapleBabe: Yep. I guess we’ll finally see each other at some point, since we’re both going to Hetalia University.

AnyaBee: It would help if you told me your name. You know mine already.

MapleBabe: Well, you’ll just have to find that out for yourself, Anya.

We’ve been talking to each other nearly the whole time I’ve been on this website. Part of the reason why I haven’t actually dated anyone is because I want to meet Maple first. She’s sweet and funny, and rarely swears, unless her brother’s an idiot. However, she’s also a pro at online security. No real name, just that same phrase. You’ll just have to find that out for yourself. Drives me crazy in both bad and good ways.

We talk for a while longer, until the message MapleBabe has escaped appears on my screen. That’s the nice thing about this site. It informs you if they just disconnected or hit the escape button. Makes it easier to figure out if you want to keep messaging someone.

I lean back, sighing. I hope I’ll be able to meet up with Maple eventually.

Hetalia University is a small private school. It’s got a huge expanse of private property to it’s name, and the campus is a gorgeous green in the middle of a big city.

Really, it was the only option I even considered when I was looking at schools. Big city instead of small town, amazing science program, and a huge GSA.

And I got a dorm with one of my best childhood friends, Odeta Laurintinas.

“Oh wow. This room is just for two people?” She stated when we entered. There was a oven and stove, a decent sized fridge and mini-freezer, and two awesome comfy beds, along with a shower-tub.

“Basically a giant badass hotel room without the TV.” I said after examining the room.

She nodded, and we settled in for the night.

I was here at Hetalia on scholarship, for which I had no shame. I was here as a player on their women’s hockey team. They were one of the few schools to offer it.

So the next day I went to meet my coach and some of my teammates.

I was a tall woman, and I almost always ended up playing offensive, which I didn’t mind. Some of the older girls greeted me with smiles.

Coach Baudin grinned. “It’s good to see you again, Anya. You’re one of two new players to join us this year.”

I nodded. “It’s good to be here.”

At that moment, another player came out onto the ice. “Coach Baudin, I’m sorry I’m late.”

The coach turned, as did I. A small blond woman was skating out towards us. “Ah, good to see you Maddie. Girls, this is Madeline Bonnefoy, our other new edition to the team. She’ll be playing defense.”

She smiled. I was a little curious. I was the tallest of the girls, but most of them were either fairly tall or pretty broad. Madeline was a whisp. How’d she even get on the team?

I soon found out.

It was a usual test to put the new kids on opposite teams and see how well they did with the team and against each other.

Almost every time I got to the goal, Maddie was there, trying to steal the puck from me. Needless to say, we were fairly bruised by the end, especially when I slammed into her at one point and we both went down.

AnyaBee is online

AnyaBee: Well, I hurt in places I didn’t even know existed.

MapleBabe: What happened?

AnyaBee: Hockey practice was extremely brutal. I went up against the other new player. Nice girl, kinda small for a defense player, but she was super good.

MapleBabe: We small people have to establish we can kick the tall people’s asses sometimes, or else they forget to respect us.

AnyaBee: I know, but ouch at the same time...

MapleBabe: Well, how goes the search for my true name?

AnyaBee: I’ve literally been here two days, don’t get angry at me yet.

MapleBabe: I’m not angry, just curious.

AnyaBee: I’ve got a class early tomorrow morning, so I’m gonna sign off now.

MapleBabe: Okay. Good night.

AnyaBee: Good night.

I leaned back into my bed, glad for Advil. Odeta was watching Chopped as a study break. She was surrounded by medical textbooks.

“What’s the weirdest item in the current basket?”

“Fruit loops.”

“Mm, remind me to get some of those for breakfast sometime.”

“K.”

MapleBabe: Whatcha have for breakfast this morning?

AnyaBee: Fruit loops in my dorm room.

MapleBabe: Shame. Twas pancake day in the cafeteria. They actually make awesome pancakes. I was expecting something from the microwave.

AnyaBee: Given how much we’re paying them, they’d better not fed us microwave pancakes if we decide to buy food.

MapleBabe: It’s pancake day every Tuesday.

AnyaBee: I’m receiving the hint, my dear. However, trying to find out who you are is not going to be narrowed down much when we are surrounded by other people.

MapleBabe: But not all of them will be eating pancakes.

AnyaBee: Wow, that makes it so much easier…

AnyaBee: Do you know that there were exactly sixty-seven girls eating pancakes this morning in the cafeteria?

MapleBabe: Sixty-eight if we count you.

AnyaBee: Har har har how do you know I didn’t smuggle in some oatmeal?

MapleBabe: That’s easy. I saw you.

AnyaBee: ...

AnyaBee: you’re kinda mean, you know that?

MapleBabe: Well, that’s not very nice.

Maple and I talked nearly every day, though not very long after hockey practice, because I was usually ready to pass out.

In hockey however, I struck up a friendship with Maddie. She was gorgeous, and loved the sport. I learned she’d been raised by two dads. Her papa had gotten married to another man when she was about five.

“And that’s how I got a younger sibling. No actual relation, just by marriage. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love them.”

“I’ve got two sisters. One older, one younger. Their names are Sofia and Natalia.”

“Oi, Bonnefoy, Braginsky, get over here.”

“Yes Coach!” We both shouted and then skated over.

MapleBabe: So, have you come to any conclusions on my identity yet?

AnyaBee: No.

MapleBabe: We’ve been in school two months. I’m at pancake day every day, eating pancakes.

AnyaBee: Yeah, I’ve narrowed that list down to about fourteen girls you could be.

MapleBabe: I saw you had eggs this morning.

AnyaBee: I’m not as loyal to pancakes as you must be.

MapleBabe: Only because they are delicious and one can cover them in syrup and also it’s not just flapjacks. There are crepes, potato pancakes, all sorts of flat, delicious food you can make in a pan.

AnyaBee: Like hamburgers.

MapleBabe: Now you just sound like my brother…

Winter break came, and with it, dread.

I didn’t want to go home to see my family. If it was just my sisters, I would be fine, but my parents were not people I wanted to be around.

When I told Maddie about my dread, she nodded. “I just might have a solution.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. My papa loves having people over for Christmas. Dad’s not particularly social, but if papa insists, he’ll be fine. So, why don’t you come over to my house for Christmas?”

I paused. “Maddie, what religion are you?”

“Well, it’s weird. Papa is Catholic, dad’s Church of England, and both Alfred and I are protestant.”

“I’m Eastern Orthodox. I don’t actually celebrate Christmas on December 25th. I celebrate Epiphany on January 6th.”

Maddie paused. “Well, then there will just have to be a second celebration for Epiphany at my house.”

MapleBabe: So how’s it going?

AnyaBee: I’m fairly happy. I don’t have to go home for Christmas.

MapleBabe: Really? Where are you going?

AnyaBee: To Maddie’s house. She’s the other freshman hockey player, in case you don’t remember.

MapleBabe: Oh no, my Anya’s going to another girl’s house! How dreadful! I must speak to this Maddie and tell her you’re off-limits!

AnyaBee: Are you trying to write a jealousy sub-plot into my friendship?

MapleBabe: No, I’m being a sarcastic butt.

AnyaBee: I was also being sarcastic.

MapleBabe: Love you.

AnyaBee: Love you too.

Maddie’s house was a strange culture clash in a way.

I met her papa Francis. He was borned and raised in France, and seemed to be a flirtatious man, though Maddie told me despite the demeanor, he was only in love with her dad.

Arthur Kirkland was a stiff-backed, permanently on edge Englishman. He and Francis were always having little arguments, but you could tell there wasn’t any real venom in their voices. It was more like their way of teasing each other.

Maddie’s brother was a sophomore in high school. Alfred Kirkland spent most of his time in his room, ignoring us.

“He’s been acting weird lately. Don’t worry, it’s not you.”

I spent most of my time in Maddie’s room, and there I finally confided to her.

“I’m a lesbian.”

She looked at me, and then nodded. “Okay.”

She was the first person I’d ever actually said the words to, and soon I found myself spilling out everything. How I figured it out, joining the website, meeting MapleBabe, how I knew she was a student at Hetalia, but I still wasn’t sure who. How I thought I loved her, but I was beginning to feel like maybe she was just toying with me.

“I mean, I know she’s just worried about her life being compromised, but I just wish I knew who she was. It would make it hurt less when she tells me how good I’m doing in hockey, or how she knew what I had for breakfast on Pancake Tuesday.”

Maddie nodded. “That sounds pretty rough, Anya. I’m sorry.”

“The worst thing is just not knowing.”

She nodded, and then took my hand. “It’ll be okay. You’ll figure it out eventually.”

MapleBabe: How are you, y dear?

AnyaBee: Good.

MapleBabe: Happy Epiphany.

AnyaBee: Thanks.

AnyaBee: BTW, you left the M off my.

MapleBabe: M

AnyaBee: Wow, such fix.

MapleBabe: Wow, such grammer you has.

MapleBabe: We’re a back at the old Hetalia University.

AnyaBee: Yep.

MapleBabe: Random question, have you ever just said Hetalia over and over again.

AnyaBee: No…

MapleBabe: It’s really fun. Try it.

AnyaBee: No thanks.

MapleBabe: Fine. HETALIA HETALIA HETALIA HETALIA HETALIA HETALIA HETALIA HETALI-

MapleBabe: -A

AnyaBee has disconnected

MapleBabe: Fine, spoilsport.

Christmas had been good. Maddie’s whole family respected my religion, and Francis even offered to drive me to the nearest Eastern Orthodox Church, which I accepted.

After I came back from services, Maddie handed my a little box. “I thought you might like this when I saw it.”

I lifted the lid off the box, and inside, made of colored glass, was a sunflower.

“You had the image taped in your locker of a big Mammoth Russian sunflower, and I thought you might…”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Maddie.”

She smiled, and I nearly said something, but then stopped myself.

“Oh, and we made something special for you for dinner.”

I raised an eyebrow, and Maddie guided me into the kitchen-dining room. Francis had just finished setting the table. He turned and smiled. “I looked up some recipes online. I hope that nothing seems like I was stereotyping your heritage.”

Breads, fish, soups, and more. It seemed like an attempt at a nice Russian meal with a French twist.

“Thank you, Francis. I…” I wanted to cry, in a way. “It’s…”

“You don’t have to say anymore, Anya.” He smiled at me. “I’m just glad that you’re having a good time.”

MapleBabe: Do you miss your parents a lot?

AnyaBee: No. I miss my sisters. Sofia moved out, and she’s living with other people, but it’s too close to feel like I can visit. And poor Natalia’s got another two years before she can leave.

MapleBabe: I’m sorry.

AnyaBee: What about you?

MapleBabe: I had a really nice Christmas at home, though my brother decided to hide nearly the whole time. I wasn’t sure if I was glad or mad about it. I mean, I haven’t really got to see him since I left in the fall.

AnyaBee: Well, he’ll come to realize how awesome you are eventually.

MapleBabe: Oh god, you sound like one of my uncles. He never stops saying awesome.

MapleBee: It’s probably the first world he learned. Just like “Awesome blah blah awesome awesome awesome ME!”

AnyaBee: I will try to avoid accidentally impersonating your uncle in the future.

MapleBabe: Ow...

AnyaBee: What happened?

MapleBabe: Roommate threw her DD bra in my face. She just finished her laundry.

AnyaBee: At least it’s clean…?

MapleBabe: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

MapleBabe: And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end. We are the champions. We are the champions. No time for losers...

AnyaBee: Are you going to keep typing Queen lyrics?

MapleBabe: Shut up.

MapleBabe: And yes.

MapleBabe: 'Cause we are the champions...

MapleBabe: OF THE WORLD!!!

AnyaBee: I see you have heard the hockey results.

MapleBabe: My dear, I was there cheering you on.

AnyaBee: I’m glad you were able to come today.

MapleBabe: Yep. Though to be honest, I kinda think we need to change the spelling of hockey.

AnyaBee: ...Why?...

MapleBabe: Just think about it. Hock-i

MapleBee: Except without the dash.

MapleBabe: It’s Tuesday, oh glorious pancake TuEsday!

AnyaBee: I’ve narrowed it down to eight.

MapleBabe: It’s February 7th. You’ve got a few more days until the day of love. Which coincidentally, is the next Pancake day.

AnyaBee: Whee, thanks for reminding me.

MapleBabe: Yee of so little faith. I’ve been giving you clues since January.

AnyaBee: What are you talking about?

MapleBabe: I knew that by keeping this game going so long, you were gonna need some help. Go back to our chats since New Year’s, and use your code-breaking skills to find my hints.

AnyaBee: Alright. I’ll play along for now.

I groaned, and Odeta looked over. “You okay?”

“Supposedly I’ve been missing the coded message this girl has been sending me.”

Odeta paused. “Remember when we used to pass coded notes back and forth?”

“Yeah.”

“She’ll have probably used something that hid in plain sight. Otherwise it would have been too obvious.”

“Very helpful.”

Odeta shrugged, and returned to her textbook.

Two days later, I sat in the library, thinking.

Maddie came up. “Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, just that Maple told me she’s been sending me coded messages since January.”

“A code? That’s kinda cool. Alfred and I used to send each other coded messages.”

“What type of code did you use?”

“Oh, I’d purposely misspell a word, and the missing letter or capitalized one was one of the letters in the word. Then I put them in order to spell the word.”

I paused. “That’s a weird code.”

“But it worked. Papa and dad never figured it out.”

Maddie’s phone suddenly started ringing. “Oh, I’ve got to take this. I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, same.”

I waited until Maddie had left, and then I tried her code. Maple was almost always a proud member of the grammar and spelling police. Misspells or weird spellings would be obvious.

MapleBabe: So, any luck today?

AnyaBee: Maie.

MapleBabe: No.

AnyaBee: The M left off of my, the hetali-A, the suggestion to spell hockey hock-i, and TuEsday.

MapleBabe: So close. You are so close!

AnyaBee: But not right?

MapleBabe: No, not right.

I might have just slammed my head into a brick wall. I paused before typing again.

AnyaBee: Where are the missing letters?

MapleBabe: MA-IE

AnyaBee has disconnected.

I found the date window in which I was looking at, and re-read every entry.

No misspells or strange grammar.

“Where are you, Maple?”

I scrolled through it again when I found the comment about her uncle. I stopped to laugh, until I realized that she’d capitalized ME

MAMEIE wasn’t a name though, unless Maple’s parents had an unusually cruel sense of humor.

I started to scroll down again, and then stopped.

MapleBabe: Roommate threw her DD bra in my face. She just finished her laundry.

DD…

I wrote it down, wondering, doubting.

But the name in front of me was one I knew.

MADDIE

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

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Summary: 'Tis Christmas, the season of joy in the household of one Kyle Baines and Alfred Bonnefoy-Kirkland. As the joyous day draws nearer, Alfred learns that sometimes, the greatest Christmas miracles come in rather unexpected ways.

Main Relationship: AmeTralia (America/Australia)

Background Relationships: FrUk, RusCan, ScotWales (with Fem Scotland), TurKraine, and LietBel.

Status: Complete work.

I know that I’m posting this fairly late, but I thought it would bring some joy to the AmeTralia tag and a few others. Hope your holidays treated you well, and I hope that if you read this fic, you enjoy it.

PS. This work features trans male America, agender New Zealand, and genderqueer Hutt River.

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hipsofsteel · 8 years ago

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Find Out For Yourself

A RusCan fic written during FemSlash February 2015 (FrUk and eventual AmeBel as well)

Prompt: Person A goes by an alias, to the annoyance of B. The only way B will learn A’s name is to “find that out for yourself.”

PS This work features Trans Girl America

[Chapter Masterpost Here]

Chapter Three: Fear

I should have just swallowed a grenade.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, TO STOP LOOKING?” Maddie shouted when I called her.

“She contacted me. She won’t come home until she knows how your parents are acting. She told me she’s at a safe place with a friend.”

“And why did she call you when she could have called me?!”

“She didn’t call me, used a profile on the site, and then she deleted it! I have no way of contacting her again!”

Well, that was a lie. Kiku’s profile had two friends on it, and one of them was definitely not Amelia, because last time I checked, Amelia was not Chinese. But I had to help her out.

“I’m gonna call my dad. And don’t think you’re getting off the hook. Go to my house and you’re going to be the one explaining this to my dads.”

I did not look forward to that at all. I could see Arthur ripping out my throat in extremely vivid details. I sighed and drove to the house.

Francis came running out. “Anya, Maddie said you were helping her? Any luck?”

I shook my head. “Maddie’s going to be coming back here soon, Mr. Bonnefoy. Let’s get inside and wait.”

When the wet angry Englishman and I will snap your neck after you explain this hockey player entered the house, I once again regretted not swallowing a grenade.

I began by taking a deep breath, and then spoke. “Alfred contacted me.”

Dead silence. Air could have been cut with a butter knife.

“He said that he was in a safe location, and wasn’t going to come home until he knew it was safe to come home.”

Arthur stood. “What is that supposed to mean?! Are you implying we’re abusive?!!”

“No, that was simply what he said.”

Francis looked up, and I could tell he was deeply hurt. “Why wouldn’t Alfred think it was safe to be here?”

I paused, and looked at Maddie. “Should I explain?” I asked, trying to imply my desperate wish not to out Alfred.

She paused, and then shook her head. “I need to go grab something.” She stood and went upstairs.

We all sat at the table, Francis ready to burst into tears, Arthur practically breathing fire, and me silently contemplating my death.

Maddie returned and handed something over to her parents. “He told me to keep it hidden.” A cardboard box. They opened it, and hundreds of papers spilled out. I saw a lot of articles.

Transgender Protestors Not Accepted…

Costs of Gender Reassignment…

How to Act Like A Woman Before Reassignment…

Switch Your Gender! See yourself as you really are!

At the bottom sat a small stack of drawings.

It started with self portraits, obviously a very male Alfred, but slowly it morphed, until we were staring at a drawing of a young woman with an obvious cowlick, bright blue eyes tucked behind glasses, a WWII bomber jacket, and shoulder length hair.

Francis turned it over, and there it was written clearly.

Won’t it be fun to be Amelia? Yes it will, because she’s the real me! I’ll finally be free as Amelia, and then I can go to protests, be a spokeswoman, and maybe even be a hero for all genders! Three cheers for AMELIA FREEDOM JONES!!!

They sat in shock. I looked at Maddie, hoping for some guidance, but she seemed as lost as I was.

Finally Arthur leaned into the wall. “Shit…” Then he turned and punched the wall. “GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!”

“Dad…” Maddie started.

“Don’t dad me! My son is going to throw his life away for some stupid dream, wreck his body, and probably end his life in some ditch somewhere doing drugs! No, that is not going to happen!”

I stood. “Mr. Kirkland, I disagree.”

“You aren’t part of this family, Anya Braginsky.”

“No, but I want to ask you a question. When did you first realize you were gay?”

He turned, and snarled. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

Francis stood. “It was a different time, dear. One couldn’t tell their family or friends about these things.”

I shook my head. “You say it’s a different time, but it’s not. You couldn’t tell your parents about your friends, or your lovers. You’d never say it to them. You spend years hiding it, pretending to be someone you’re not. You have kids, try to start families, when in fact, you’re just miserable. What’s changed? Nothing. Amelia is Amelia. She’s the same child that she was the day she was born. Perhaps you’ve just been thinking of her the wrong way.”

Arthur started towards me. “You act like you know things, but you don’t!”

“Alright, let me tell this one to you. My sister was kicked out of the house when she was seventeen because she wasn’t a virgin. Didn’t matter to my parents that it was rape, she was gone. And they still invited the rapist over for dinner afterwards, because my sister had been ‘lying about it all’. I went out and bought a crowbar and throwing knives. My little sister learned to aim to kill, and I learned how to crack skulls open. I still haven’t even told my parents that I’m a lesbian, because I’m afraid they’ll beat my little sister! You say times have changed, but they haven’t!”

I didn’t realize I was crying until my shouting was done. Maddie was crying too. I’d told her about all of it when I just knew her as a girl named MapleBabe.

Arthur looked deflated, Francis concerned.

I turned and spoke. “I’m going to head back to the campus now. I’ll tell you when Amelia reaches out again.”

Maddie followed me, and when I reached the door, she spoke. “Anya, I’m sorry about earlier on the phone, I’m just…”

“Don’t fret, I know you just want her home and safe.”

She nodded, and then plucked at her sleeve. It was a nervous habit she’d told be about before. I paused, waiting.

“Take care, AnyaBee.”

“Stay safe, MapleBabe.”

LifeNLiberty is online.

LifeNLiberty: How did it go?

AnyaBee: I should have just eaten some explosives.

LifeNLiberty: That bad, huh?

AnyaBee: I don’t know about Francis. He seemed shocked, and worried, but part of that could just be because of your dad, and also the fact that they still don’t know where you are.

LifeNLiberty: In the city still, but it’s a big place, and they can’t search every inch.

AnyaBee: Your dad kept saying ‘son’. He’s gonna be the worst of the two.

LifeNLiberty: Gee, couldn’t see that one coming.

AnyaBee: Maddie’s been trying to work on them, but I don’t think it’s going that well.

LifeNLiberty: How’s she holding up?

AnyaBee: She wants you back home. And she was also going to destroy me for not telling her how to find you.

LifeNLiberty: Yeah, that’s my big sister all right.

LifeNLiberty: But how are you doing?

AnyaBee: I’m okay.

LifeNLiberty: You don’t seem okay.

AnyaBee: I said some very personal stuff in front of your dads and then I kinda ended up sitting in my car and sobbing so I feel like I’ve been run over with a truck.

LifeNLiberty: May I ask what it was about?

AnyaBee: My family life and my sisters.

LifeNLiberty: Are your parents assholes too?

AnyaBee: Assholes is too nice of a word for them. They ruined my older sister’s whole life, and my little sister is still living with them. I don’t even know if she’s safe.

LifeNLiberty: I’m sorry.

AnyaBee: It’s okay. She’ll get away from them soon enough.

LifeNLiberty: I gotta go. Honda’s parents are calling us down to dinner. He says hello, by the way.

AnyaBee: Hello back, and also goodbye.

On Sunday night I was just leaving a bad movie with Odeta (we did it once a month so she could have something else to talk about) when I got a phone call.

I picked it up, not recognizing the number. “Hello?”

“Anya, it’s me.”

I knew that voice. “Natalia?”

“I need you to come and get me as soon as you can. Sofia won’t pick up her phone.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m at a payphone next to the old bus stop. I’ve barricaded myself inside. Someone was in the house, Anya! Mom and dad are gone, but someone was in the house, and they were in my room!”

I nodded, and took a deep breath. “I’ll be right there, okay. You have your knives, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Stay calm. I’ll be there soon.”

The phone clicked and I turned to Odeta. “Slight change in plans. We’ve got to head out to the old neighborhood.”

Natalia practically ran out of the phone booth to come embrace me. She was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, not her usual clothes. And her hair was wet too.

“Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

Odeta drove us back to the campus while Natalia clung to me and told me everything. “I was in the shower, the door was locked, but I heard it rattle. I snuck over to the door, but it wasn’t mom or dad. I heard footsteps moving down the hall, and the screeching noise of my door opening. I’d left the water on, so I dried off, grabbed what I could find in the laundry basket, and climbed out the window. I saw the lights on in my room, and I ran away so fast.”

I stroked her hair, and eventually we reached the campus. “Do you want to stay in our room tonight?”

She nodded.

The next morning I was woken up by a thundering knock.

“Oi, Braginsky!”

I ran to the door and opened it. “Yes Coach Baudin?”

She looked pissed. “I don’t mean to pry, dear, but you know our campus takes matters of dorm rooms remaining segregated very seriously, correct?”

“Yes. That’s why girl’s dorms are over here, boys dorms are one the other side of campus, and unsexed dorms are carefully policed.”

Baudin nodded. “I got a report from the night monitor that three people entered this room last night, and I want to know right now who you brought in. And don’t deny it.”

At that moment Natalia came out of the bathroom. “Anya, you’re out of soap… um, hello?”

“Coach Baudin, this is my younger sister Natalia.”

Coach Baudin paused for a moment, looking my sister up and down. She was still wearing sweatpants from last night, and looked secretly terrified. The coach finally spoke. “You’re Anya’s sister, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Which number was she on her old hockey team?”

“She was number 4, on the girl’s varsity team. The team name was the Red Sickle, and Anya was awesome.”

Apparently only my sister would know this, because Baudin visibly relaxed. “Alright. Anya, may I speak with you outside for a moment?”

I stepped out, shutting the door behind me. “Yes?”

“Why is she here?”

“Someone broke into the house last night. She came right here.”

“She should have called the police.”

I wanted to laugh. Instead I shook my head. “Where we live, it isn’t an option. The police wouldn’t even bother to drive down the street, much less come inside. And besides, my parents would have just accused her of stirring up trouble when they got home.”

The coach sighed. “I’m not going to report you today, but she cannot stay here. I’ll give you until tomorrow, and then if she’s still here, it’s been reported.”

I nodded. “Thanks coach.”

“Don’t make me regret putting my ass on the line, alright?”

MapleBabe: Coach seemed pissed off today, didn’t she?

AnyaBee: I’m in trouble.

MapleBabe: What happened?

AnyaBee: My little sis spent last night in my dorm room. Someone broke into the house. Mom and dad are on a trip, and she had nowhere else to go. And if she’s not somewhere else by tomorrow, Baudin’s gonna report me.

MapleBabe: Is she okay?

AnyaBee: Yeah, but I don’t know where she’s gonna go. She can’t go back home, it’s too risky.

MapleBabe: I have an idea.

AnyaBee: What is it?

MapleBabe: Come over to my house. Nat can stay here.

AnyaBee: You really think your dads will be cool with that?

MapleBabe: They’d better be, or else I’ll make them.

AnyaBee: Guess it’s worth a shot.

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hipsofsteel · 9 years ago

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Pomegranate Seeds

A RusCan Hades and Persephone AU

Ivan, King of the Underworld, has chosen his bride in the young god Matthieu, and taken him by force into the land of the dead. Matthieu wishes only to return to his beloved papa, Francis, who is desperately searching to find his son.

Author’s Note

In case you are not as well-versed in Greek Mythology, or my context clues are hard to understand, here is a list of which APH character is which deity (because I confused myself a lot while writing this).

Hades: Russia Persephone: Canada Demeter: France Helios: Spain Zeus: England Hecate: Prussia Hermes: America Apollos: Italy Poseidon: Japan Nyo Romano: Artemis Athena: Germany Human names used in place of Nation names.

Translations will be in the final notes.

The universe is divided into three realms, each ruled over by one of three gods, who consider themselves brothers.

The king is the lord of the skies and heavens. He rules over all the gods and demands proper rituals and sacrifices be given to him by both mortals and immortals. I knew this king as ‘father’ and loved him dearly, though he rarely looked at me. Yet, I knew he loved me and cared for me deeply.

Although there are other names the humans use for him, I always thought of him as Arthur, the name he used among the other gods.

Then there is the king of the oceans, an eternally strong force that demands respect. He was of smaller stature than my father, but to not respect him would be a huge mistake. His hair was as black as his temper, and his dark eyes easily hid his true intentions.

The name we gods used for him was Kiku, a name he had chosen, and many feared him.

Then there was the final realm, ruled by the third and final king. The king of the dead and the underworld. Many mortals viewed him as a demon, a harsh and hated ruler. But we immortals knew him better than that. He was a neutral force in the world, neither fighting for or supporting a war unless he truly believed in the cause.

He was the tallest of the kings, and spoke the least. When he did speak, he was immensely wise and respected.

The mortals called him Hades.

We immortals called him Ivan.

* * *

My mother, as you mortals might refer to the god who birthed me, was the god of agriculture. He brought forth crops and fruits from the land, and he bore an eternal patience for my father, who rarely returned his affections. More often than not, papa’s love was met with cold silence or bitter screaming.

Papa raised me by himself, and I learned the magicks he knew, bringing forth flowers from the earth the same way he made the fruits of the olive trees or the grains of wheat.

Francis, my papa.

I was his son, his precious child. I knew he cared for me, though sometimes I felt a little stifled by all the attention he gave me. I believe he wished that Arthur had married him, or at least given him more children, for I was all he had.

Papa truly loved my father.

I don’t know if my father ever truly loved anyone, whether they were male or female, mortal or immortal.

I only knew that I enjoyed spending time with my half brothers and sisters. Alfred was always challenging me to foot races, although that was unfair. He was the god of messengers, and it was well known he was the swiftest god in existence. Feliciano would always sing with me, and Lovina, when she was not off hunting, would not curse at me quite as often as she did the rest of our family.

I was the god of spring. My magicks were simple, not grand, and I was considered pure like freshly fallen snow. I was a young god, of no great power or strength, or any special talent, and I rarely strayed from papa’s shadow.

The mortals would often say that I was invisible before the events of that day, the day where my life story truly began.

My name among my fellow immortals is Matthieu, although it can also be spelled Matthew.

The mortals, however, call me by another name.

They called me by the name Persephone.

* * *

Ivan rarely found himself granted a private audience with his brother unless there was war.

Yet here he stood, the chambers empty, save for him and Arthur. He felt it simply a miracle that Arthur had allowed him to enter.

“Ivan, it is rare for you to come here. Is something wrong?” Arthur asked, after sending some minor goddess (probably his latest fling) scurrying from the room.

“Nyet, brother. I only wish to ask permission for something, and request your aide in helping me achieve my goals.” Ivan said, and then dipped his head in respect. It was humiliating for him, but at least Arthur would understand that Ivan was serious.

Arthur looked at Ivan, bemused. “You wish for a simple favor, yet request a private audience? Well, speak, brother, I am listening.”

Ivan took a deep breath and then spoke. “Recently, I visited the mortal world under my Helm of Darkness. As the sun rose, I saw a god more beautiful than any I had ever seen before. The moment I saw this young god, I knew he was the one I wished to marry.”

Arthur grinned. “So you wish to marry?”

Ivan nodded, a small smile coming to his own face. “Da, I do.”

“Then speak the name, my brother, and I will bless the marriage, if the lad is not already taken by another.”

Ivan closed his eyes as he spoke the name which tasted like honey.

“Matthieu, your son by Francis. He is the lad.”

Arthur only had to pause for a moment before nodding. “I bless your union, brother. But Francis will not part with the child easily.” The look on Arthur’s face expressed mild frustration with the god. Ivan knew that the past between those two was long and complicated.

“I understand that, which is why I request your help.”

The king of the gods nodded. “Then tell me your plan, brother.”

* * *

I ran through the fields, laughing as my friend chased me.

“Kuma, I bet you won’t be able to catch me.” I yelled, willing the flowers in the fields to tangle my companion’s legs.

The bear spirit snarled at the flowers that obeyed my will. “Stop that!” He yelled, something he rarely did, as speaking exhausted him.

Papa was off blessing some nearby fields. I had requested a small amount of time alone with Kuma and the local nymphs and dryads, and my wish had been granted.

Eventually Kuma tore free and then landed on me, knocking me to the ground, and then licking my face. “Hungry.” He muttered, and I collapsed into a fit of giggles, picking him up and carrying him over to the nearby stream.

A naiad offered Kuma a few fish, and I summoned a small wild flower tuber. I had some ambrosia with me, but I found the tuber refreshing and enjoyable.

After a short break, I stood to stretch, and spotted a narcissus flower unlike any I had ever seen before. I walked over to investigate the flower, curious.

It was a beautiful plant, with petals the color of blood, and a center that was bright gold. I barely gave it a moment’s thought, beginning to dig around the flower. I would take it home and learn how it had been made, so I could make more like it.

Kuma trotted up to my side, and when he saw what I was doing, he turned his attentions to his claws, cleaning them carefully. He may accompany me often, but he was a spirit whose heart lay in the mountains and snow, not the fields and meadows.

The flower was difficult to dig out. I had assumed the bulb would only be a foot underground at the deepest, but it was much deeper than that. Soon, I was incredibly tired.

“Kuma, will you help me dig?”

The bear spirit looked up only for a moment before returning his attention to his claws. I sighed, and soon unearthed the top of the bulb, which was huge.

I wrapped my hands around it and began to pull, hoping to tear it free from the earth. The effort was exhausting, especially in the baking hot sun, and Kuma being a useless pile of flesh with claws nearby.

Finally, I felt the plant give way, and as I fell backwards, I sighed. Finally. I was ready to pass out, and could have eaten a whole plate of ambrosia by myself.

Suddenly Kumajirou growled, and I sat up, looking around. He rushed over to me, snarling at the unseen danger that must be nearby.

“Kuma, what is it?” I asked, frightened. I wondered if I should shout for papa. He would come running if he knew I was in distress, and Kuma had never given me false warning before.

That was when I felt the earth shaking under my body, and I watched in horror as the ground began to split right from where I had just dug out the flower.

I began to shout, but before I could make myself heard, the loud neighing and screeching of four black horses covered my shout as they pulled a chariot out of the earth. A cloaked figure stood behind the reins, and he turned to stare at me. I couldn’t see his face, and in my terror, I couldn’t stand to run away from the very presence of fear in front of me.

He reached towards me, and Kumajirou lunged for the man. The man raised a weapon, a spear, and swung it, catching Kuma in the midsection, and throwing him to the side. Kuma was injured from the blow given the sudden red discoloration of his fur. The man raised his weapon to delivered a fatal strike.

“Please don’t hurt him!” I begged, running to the chariot. My friend could not die!

In a moment, I realized my mistake, for the cloaked figure turned, and grabbing hold of my arm, pulled me into the chariot with him, and then took the reins, shouting a command to his horses.

“PAPA!” I screamed in terror, as the horses suddenly turned, running back into the chasm from which they had come. I tried to pull free of my attacker, but his grip was like iron. I turned my head up towards the sky, to cry out to my father and beg for help, but all I saw was the last sliver of blue sky disappearing.

I was beneath the earth, trapped in the embrace of a dark immortal, and I was alone.

* * *

Francis had been knocked to the ground by the shaking of the earth, and then quickly stood, fear flooding his heart. He began to run. “Matthieu! Matthieu!”

When he heard the terrified scream, he ran faster, fear filling his heart. “Mon fils!” He called, the panic becoming more obvious.

He crested the hill the had separated him from the meadow in which he had left his young son to play in, and saw nothing.

“Matthieu!”

Then he saw a small white shape attempting to stand, and he ran to it, finding the bear spirit that always accompanied his son, but Kuma was alone and bleeding.

“Kumajirou, where is Matthieu?”

Kuma opened his mouth, trying to speak, but he couldn’t. He was injured greatly. Francis could tell.

He dropped something into Francis’s lap, and then managed to whisper one word.

“Danger…”

With that, the spirit collapsed. He would not die, but for now, he was greatly weakened, and it would be some time before he would wake, and the likelihood he would be able to clearly recall the events that had just transpired was slim.

Francis looked down and stared. There was a flower bulb, huge, with a single, battered narcissus growing from it.

“Oh, mon enfant, where are you?”

* * *

The chariot finally stopped and I looked around, disoriented and confused. I turned towards my attacker. “Where am I?”

“You are in my kingdom. Do not worry, you are safe here.”

I watched the man release his horses, and they ran off towards a distant field. Except now, in the darkness of the earth, I saw the true nature of the black horses.

They were skeletons.

I watched as the man carefully reached for the helm over his head, and when he removed it, the cloak of darkness which surrounded him disappeared.

He looked at me with those pale violet eyes, and somewhat wavy silver hair. His skin, pale as ice, was a stark contrast to the dark around us.

I was in the realm of the underworld, and my attacker was the king.

* * *

Francis searched for days, calling out for his missing son, stopping all immortals and mortals he came across, asking if they had seen a lost child.

As the weeks passed without an answer, Francis began to lose hope. He watched the crops wither and die. He tried to help the families he passed, but his depression was overwhelming. It was the grief of a parent at the loss of their child, and none could stop it.

Finally, Francis swallowed his pride. He had not been granted private audience to Arthur for many years, but he prayed that upon hearing of the loss of their child, Arthur would allow Francis to speak.

He flew to the holy mountain and sought an audience with Arthur, and for once, they granted his wish.

But before he could speak, Arthur approached him with anger burning bright in his eyes.

“Did you not promise to keep grain in the field and fruit in the orchard?”

“Arthur, please…”

“What about the flowers of the earth? The gentle winds and rains?”

“Arthur…”

“You are destroying the earth, Francis!”

“Then help me find Matthieu!”

Arthur stopped for a moment. “You are doing this because of Matthew?”

Francis nodded, and then tried another approach, gently speaking as he had long ago. “Please, my lord. Matthieu is my only child, and he is an innocent soul. Even if his attacker has taken him by force and deflowered him, his heart is pure and unadulterated. He is our son. Surely you can help me find our child. Please, Arthur, it is all I ask of you.”

Arthur suddenly turned, facing away from Francis. “I cannot help you.”

“Arthur…”

“Leave this hall! You are not welcome here until the earth has been restored!”

And with that, Francis was thrown from the hall by a heavenly wind.

* * *

“Are you not hungry, moy podsolnechnika?” Ivan asked, watching as Matthieu refused yet another plate of food offered to him.

“No.”

Ivan sighed. In the three months Matthieu had been here, he had yet to eat, and only drank the water that flowed in from the mortal world to mix with the River Styx.

“You really ought to eat something, koroleva. It is not good for you to waste away down here.”

“I don’t belong down here. I belong up in the world with my papa.”

Ivan sighed. Matthieu had said this nearly every time they had spoken the past few months. He had no desire to argue, and instead stood turned to leave, as he always did when the conversation changed direction.

“Why did you even take me?” He suddenly heard Matthieu ask.

He turned his head back towards Matthew, surprised by the question. It had been the first time Matthieu had asked him why.

“Because you are beautiful, wise, and stronger than you think, and when I first saw you, I knew in an instant that I loved you.”

There was a long pause, and then suddenly Matthieu stood. “You… you love me…?”

“Da, Matvey. I love you, and I want you to be my queen. Moya koroleva.”

Matthieu turned and fled from the room, a torrent of emotions obviously stirring up within him.

Ivan turned to one of the silent ghost maidens next to him, and spoke. “Accompany him and watch over him. Make sure he does not come to any harm.”

The woman nodded and then hurried off to do his bidding.

* * *

After months of despair, Francis was approached by another god.

He stood and attempted to make himself presentable, but gave up the lost cause when it became clear he was just making things worse.

“Gilbert, how are you?” He said, once

The god spoke quieter than he had several centuries earlier. His realm had once been all the magicks of the earth, but now it had been slimmed down to only the magicks of the wild, untameable and unuseable by all except him.

“Francis, I didn’t come here to comfort you. I was told to stay quiet, but my conscious will no longer allow it. I know a little bit about what has happened to Birdie.”

Francis felt the breath catch in his throat, and then he instantly summoned up a pair of chairs. “Please, Gilbert, sit and tell me what happened to my son, or at least what you know of it.”

The minor god sat and began to speak.

* * *

Love.

Love!

I stumbled away from the room, confused and disoriented. Ivan loved me?

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. There were emotions and words rolling through my head that I wasn’t even sure I wanted to name, much less voice.

Love...

I sat down under a tree in the gardens and looked around. Despite the darkness of Ivan's realm, I had only been shown kindness since my arrival, by his subjects and him. And he called me by so many terms of endearment.

A shadow passed over me, and I turned to see one of the maiden spirits he sent to watch over me. I paused for a moment, thinking, and then made a request of the spirit.

"Sofia, please ask Ivan to come and speak to me here, if he can."

She paused, and then with a swift nod, she turned and disappeared.

Minutes later, he came and sat down next to me, calm and composed.

"Ivan, was what you said... was it true?"

Ivan blinked, and then took my hands, his surrounding mine. "Matthieu, look into my eyes and listen."

I did as he asked, and his hands, I noted, were warm.

"You are beautiful, like a ray of pure light. Your eyes see only beauty in the earth, and that is a trait that no god or goddess I have ever met has carried, besides you. Tell me, what do you think of my realm? It is dark, cold, and lonely, is it not?"

I wanted to disagree, for papa had told me that the world had been divided fairly, and all the brothers had been happy with their lot. But after all this time, I realized that the only other soul here I could truly call decent company was Ivan.

"I agree, but it is also strong."

Ivan shook his head sadly. "Yes, strong. I own the metals forged within, the gems and riches. The spirits of the dead do my bidding. But there is no light here, or company. I have never been welcomed at the holy mountain, for even my brothers fear me except in times of war, when they wish to use my power. To see you here fills a hole within me. You're bringing light to my realm of eternal darkness, and company to my lonely soul.”

I finally spoke. "I miss the sky, Ivan. I want to go back to papa." Then I cast my gaze downwards, afraid that he might be angry.

He took one of his hands and cupped it under my chin, lifting up my head so I could meet his gaze. His eyes weren't fierce at all, and his look seemed to express pity.

"I know, Matvey. I am sorry for how things turned out."

And then he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close and whispering words of comfort when I began to shake with sobs.

* * *

Taken...

Francis paced, worried for his son.

Gilbert spoke softly. "There might be one who could give us more information."

"Gilbert, do you think that something bigger might be going on? Few have helped me or listened to my cries."

Gilbert was clearly uncomfortable, and then spoke, changing the subject, Francis noted.. "Francis, we should go and find Antonio. If anyone would know what has happened to Birdie, it would be him."

Antonio, the god of the sun.

Francis nodded and then Gilbert offered Francis his hand. Gilbert could easily find the sun god, and his wild magicks would get them there quicker than Francis’s.

Francis took his hand, and they departed.

* * *

Antonio was not surprised by the arrival of the pair of gods. "Francis, Gilbert, it is good to see you both again."

Long ago, they had been the best of friends, when Gilbert was still a powerful god, and when Antonio had not been just the sun itself, but also the god who guided it across the skies.

Francis looked at the sun god, and then carefully spoke. "Antonio, please, did you see what happened to my son?"

Antonio looked uncomfortable, but he was an honest soul, and nodded. “Yes, I saw it all.”

“Please tell me what has happened to my child!”

Antonio sighed as though in pain, and then spoke, though the voice he used was a strange one. Light magick was closely tied to memory magick, and while Antonio did not have the gift of prophecy like Feliciano, he could recall events of the past with perfect clarity.

"There was a flower, a narcissus. It was enchanted to draw the eyes of your child. He labored for many minutes to remove it from the earth, using all of the strength he could muster."

"When he pulled it from the earth, a chasm opened to the underworld, and a chariot emerged from the depths. It was Ivan who drove it, and he gathered your child into his arms and returned to his own lands."

"However, you have no rights to demand the return of Matthieu, for the marriage rites were already performed before that chariot emerged from the earth. He is Ivan's bride, and nothing can be done to break their marriage."

Francis gasped, and Gilbert blinked in surprise.

Antonio breathed, and then his voice returned to normal. "It is a good match, Francis. Matthieu will rule alongside Ivan as a queen. It is a high honor."

"NO! I will not let my child be kept in the darkest caverns of the earth! Matthieu must be returned to me, for his heart is pure!" There was a long pause, and Francis wiped his tears away quickly. "He is my only child, and I can't lose him."

"There is only one god who could force Ivan to release his hold on Matthieu, and he is the one who blessed their marriage." Gilbert stated, looking concerned.

Antonio nodded, and Francis took a deep breath, and looked to his companions.

"I will bring a plague of drought upon the earth, until Arthur has no choice but to give into my demands. You will help me with this."

They nodded, though Antonio seemed to still believe that it was a suitable match.

After the next morning, no rains fell onto the earth.

* * *

The days began to fall into a comfortable rhythm. Ivan showed me his realm, and I sat beside him when he spoke to his subjects. I watched him judge those who wished a better place within the lands of the underworld, and after a few days, he allowed me to pass some of my own judgements.

And when he admitted to me that my father had already wed us, I simply nodded, a little surprised, but I didn't even have the slightest thought against it.

I had begun to care for Ivan with a great love, and although I missed the sight of the sky, I realized that I lived here now. As Ivan said, I was his koroleva, his queen.

I only prayed that one day I would see papa again.

Even though he still offered me feasts every evening, however, I still refused his offer of food. I just had no appetite. But he would simply nod and then eat his own meal.

* * *

The earth withered and dried, and soon the mortals stopped praying for food, only water.

Arthur summoned moist winds, Kiku created storms and pushed them inland, but no water ever reached the ground.

Francis's wrath was great, and with the help of Gilbert and Antonio's magicks, none could beat him.

The very soils of the earth listened to the wild magicks of Gilbert, and repelled all water that touched them.

The light of Antonio and the heat it provided dried the clouds and winds.

And wells dried, and trees could no longer reach their aqua firs under the ground.

So Arthur called Alfred to him.

"Go and find Francis. Bring him here, and say nothing. I must speak to him alone."

And so Alfred departed and began to search.

When he found Francis, the god came with him and soon stood in Arthur's court.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" All the gods asked.

Francis simply spoke his demand.

"Return Matthieu to me, and all will be restored."

* * *

"Ivan?"

I watched him work, he was still unaware that I was standing behind them. His eyes skimmed through the stacks of papers on his desk, tending to the affairs of his lands.

"Ivan, it's me."

This time he looked up, and a small smile suddenly graced his features. "Matvey, have you come to help me?"

I shook my head. "No, I came because..." I went to say the word, but felt myself turn scarlet. "I came because I wanted to say... that I think I'm… ready..."

Ivan stood, and then walked over to me. His eyes met mine, a simple question asked within them.

I nodded, and then he wrapped his arms around me, lifting me gently. I let him carry me to his chambers, and lay me down in his bed.

He was as gentle with me as one might be with a fragile rose, as though afraid to accidentally knock petal off.

But this rose had hidden thorns, and I knew those thorns would help me rule in this realm alongside my husband.

When we were both satisfied, he stroked my hair until I fell asleep in his embrace.

* * *

When I awoke the next morning, I knew two things.

One was that for the first time in the year since Ivan had taken me, I was hungry. My stomach growled as though it were attempting to imitate Kumajirou's roar.

Secondly, I knew there was an outsider in my realm, for there was a sensation of brightness that did not belong here.

Ivan was gone, but he had laid out a set of clothes for me. I dressed, and then headed to the throne room.

Ivan sat in his seat, staring at the young god in front of him. I instantly recognized the boy.

"Alfred? What are you doing here?" I asked as I approached the throne.

He grinned and then spoke. "Arthur bid me to come and fetch you home, to the world above. Despite your marriage, this is not the land you belong in."

I turned to Ivan, and then I realized how dark his face was. He was angry, but he remained quiet for the moment and bid his time.

Alfred looked to me and then spoke again. "Matthew, this isn't a request. Arthur has decreed that you will return to the world above."

I looked down at my garments, a dress of a heavy black material with a golden belt that made me not only look regal, but as though I was surrounded by darkness. I turned and went to Ivan, and quickly took his hands. "Ivan, is this... is it true?"

He nodded. "Yes, my love. It is true. Go and pack, I will join you later."

Then before I could speak, he snatched up his helm of darkness and disappeared into the shadows.

* * *

I packed my clothes and sighed.

Two of the silent maidens, Sofia and Natalia, stood nearby, looking sad.

I turned and embraced the figures. They might be ghosts, but there was still a vague solidness to them, and they had helped me through many hard times.

"I will miss you both."

"And they will miss you as well."

I turned and watched Ivan step out of the shadows. He stepped forward and embraced me. I cried into his shoulders.

"I'm going to miss you, Ivan."

"And I will miss you, moy podsolnechnika. I will come and see you soon."

"I..." I began to speak, to return the sentiment, when my stomach suddenly growled loudly. I turned bright red, and Ivan chuckled, pulling something from his pocket.

"I knew you were hungry, so I brought you some fruit."

He offered me a pomegranate, and I nodded, appreciating the gift, and once past the thick rind, I devoured it, Ivan sitting next to me, stroking my hair and kissing my forehead.

My curls were long and thick, as they had been the day he brought me here, and I appreciated the hands running through them. One curl waywardly refused to stop sticking out from the side of my head, and Ivan continued to brush it down, until finally, we could delay the inevitable no longer.

I lifted my bag and Ivan accompanied me back to the throne room where Alfred still waited to take me home to my papa.

Despite my hopes, I knew that papa would never let me return, nor let Ivan come anywhere near me ever again. I may be married, but Ivan would never hold me tight to him again.

He kissed me on the lips, and then whispered quietly into my ear. "Don't worry, Matvey. I will see you again. Do not fret."

I hugged him tightly, wanting to believe him, but doubting that would be the case.

And then I turned, and Alfred took my hand. "Hold on tight, Mattie!"

* * *

Francis paced the floor of Arthur's throne room, waiting and watching for Alfred to return. If he came back without Matthieu, Ivan would be declaring war against Arthur, and there was no way Ivan would risk that.

Suddenly there was the noise of air whistling, and all the gods lifted up their heads to watch.

Alfred landed in the center of the room, and there, clutching his arm, was Matthieu.

"MON FILS!"

Matthieu turned to Francis and then a broad smile crossed his face. "PAPA!"

They embraced, and Francis began to speak in gentle French, cooing and comforting Matthieu.

The pair clung to each other until Arthur approached. Francis tightened his grip on Matthieu. "Stay away from him."

"I'm sorry, Francis, but I must make sure Matthew is still pure of soul. If he is not as pure now as he was when he left, he must return to Ivan."

"Ivan may has taken him by force! Will you force Matthieu to return to the realm of darkness because of that?!"

"If he was taken by force, that will not taint his soul. Now Matthew, come over here."

Matthieu looked around, and then nodded, and whispered quietly. "Don't worry, papa."

He walked over to Arthur, and Arthur took his hand.

Let me see your soul, my child.

* * *

I had never felt so exposed as I did when my father stared into my soul, and then suddenly he pulled away, staring at me in surprise.

I threw my hands up to hide my face, and suddenly there was shouting throughout the entire throne room. I turned, afraid for a moment, until I saw the cause of the commotion.

There, in a heavy black cloak, a helm on his head, and fierce violet eyes, stood Ivan.

In a moment, many gods stood to fight him. Finally, Arthur's booming voice carried through the throne room. "You are not welcome here, brother!"

Ivan chuckled. "Oh, truly? Then let me inquire of you this. How pure is the soul of my wife?"

Papa instantly pulled me back into his arms. "He is pure! You will not have him!"

Except Arthur had suddenly fallen silent. There was a long pause, and all turned to Arthur.

He suddenly dropped his head. "He has been tainted."

Papa shook his head, and held me closer. "No! You're lying!"

"You don't believe me? Then look at Matvey's lips, Francis." Ivan said, and suddenly I was confused. Why were my lips so important?

Papa turned and then stepped back in horror. "Matthieu, your lips are red..."

I blinked, confused, until I felt a hand on my shoulder. Ivan stood next to me, and then pulled a pomegranate out of his cloak. "The deal is done, Francis. He has eaten the food of the realm of the dead. It is his true home now. None who eat the fruit of my land can return to the world above."

I realized with fear but also with a strange hope that I could return to the underworld with Ivan.

But I would never see papa again. Or the blue sky.

I pushed away from Ivan, and I knew the hurt and betrayal clearly showed in my eyes. “Ivan…”

Suddenly papa snarled and shouted. "The earth will burn, and your crops will wither! I will kill so many men, women, and children that the underworld will be flooded by souls! You may steal my son, Ivan, but my revenge upon you will never end!"

Many other gods stood up at that, some siding with Ivan, some with my papa. I stood there in horror and shock at the battle that was about to begin in the courtroom.

Suddenly I felt an arm grab mine, and turned to see Alfred. He put a finger to his lips, and then flew me across the room, depositing me next to father.

Arthur, upon seeing me, used his own magicks. The sky filled with lightning and thunder, and the smell of ozone filled the throne room. The arguments fell silent under the gaze of my father’s wrath.

“Francis, your son is a god of the underworld now. There is little that can be done.”

Papa began to march angrily towards father. “If you think that I will let you take away my son, then you’d better think again, because…”

“I’m not done, Francis.” My father said, interrupting papa’s rant. Papa stopped, taking several deep breaths, and I could see his whole body shaking with fear and rage.

“However, I must remind my brother that while eating the fruit of the underworld does mean that Matthew must live in the underworld some of the time, he is a god, and therefore, he may spend part of the year in the upper world as well. With this arrangement, Matthew will live with each of you during the course of a year.”

Papa started to object, but Ludwig suddenly set a hand on papa’s shoulder, shaking his head. Ludwig was the god of war and strategy. Despite not liking it, papa knew it would be unwise to dismiss his advice. His objections fell silent.

Ivan carefully stepped forward and took my hand. “I knew this was how it would turn out, moya koroleva. I request your company for seven months of the year as decided by the moon.”

In his voice, there was a more silent request. Forgive me for tricking you.

Thirteen moon cycles in a year, seven of which I would spend with my husband, six with my papa.

I nodded. “I will see you in six cycles of the moon, mon amour.”

Ivan smiled, a quick, sweet smile that I doubted many had ever seen, and then stepped back. He donned his helm of darkness, and then turning, disappeared into his own shadow.

Papa ran forward, crying tears of relief into my hair, and I took a moment to gaze upon the earth.

I took my papa’s hand and then spoke softly. “Let’s go bring life back to the earth, shall we?”

Papa said nothing, only smiling, wiping a tear away, and then following me. We brought rain to the crops, fruits to the fields, and flowers to the meadows.

As I stood at the meadow, I turned to see a large white shape running towards me.

“Kumajirou! You’re alive!”

He slammed into me, and after my face was thoroughly licked, he sat on my chest and whined. “Hungry!”

My stomach growled as well, and I nodded. “Yes, hungry indeed.”

And then I smiled and laughed at the brilliant blue sky above me.

* * *

Several years later…

Ivan was not having a good day. Humans needed to stop inventing ingenious new ways to kill themselves. Explosives! What would they do next?! He was getting a headache from the amount of paperwork piling up on his desk, and there were at least four cases that had been turned over to him for final judgement.

“My lord…” A voice spoke in his ear, and he turned to see Sofia hovering nearby. He was the only one who could hear her speak.

“Leave me, Sofia. I’m not in a good mood.” He said, quickly dismissing her.

“But my lord…”

“Leave!”

Minutes later Natalia arrived and she didn’t even try to be polite. Grabbing his sleeve, and pulling, she yelled. “Lord Ivan, you must come now!”

He was looking at another death due to war, and was not in the mood. “Leave me!”

“Oh? But I just got here.”

Ivan turned. That voice was one he knew well.

Matthieu stood in the doorway, already dressed in the black and gold he preferred in Ivan’s realm, and in his hand he held a red pomegranate.

Ivan instantly dropped his paperwork and then, whisper-quiet, he spoke. “It’s already time again?”

“Oui, mon amour.”

Ivan felt himself breath deeply, and then he ran forward and took Matthieu into his arms. “I have missed you, moy podsolnechnika.”

“And I you.” Matthieu said, returning the embrace.

Translations:

French Mon fils- My son Mon enfant- My child Mon amour- My love

Russian Nyet- No Da- Yes moy podsolnechnika- my sunflower moya koroleva- my queen

#my fic #hetalia #anime for ts #otp: ill be the hades to your persephone #hades and persephone au #aph france #aph england #aph prussia #aph spain #bad touch trio #aph canada #matthew williams #aph russia #ivan braginsky #ivan braginski #ruscan #canrus #some crossdressing #the best thing i have ever written

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hipsofsteel · 9 years ago

Text

Sunflowers On Christmas

A RusCan Drabble

Matthew Williams runs a little flower shop near a train station. Every day, a tall silver haired man walks by and admires the sunflowers. For months, Matthew has made sure to always have a bouquet out for him to see, even while the seasons turn from autumn to winter, hoping that one day he will have the courage to invite the man in.

Matthew Williams loved his little floral shop. He didn’t care that it was built between a dance studio which always had the music on way too loud, and a tobacco shop, which meant that the side room he used as his office always smelled of smoke. To him, this was a tiny piece of paradise. He had enough customers to keep himself afloat, and he also spent a fair amount of his time in silence in the back room, arranging new bouquets.

His dog Kuma always laid down right at the counter and barked just as the 3:40 train went past. Kuma looked like a polar bear, with long white fur, and he was gentle to everyone who ever came in. A few times, young mothers had panicked when the large dog walked over to their children, but Kuma would just lay down and wouldn’t protest anything. He sometimes even took the smallest children for rides on his back.

Matthew always made sure that he had a bouquet of sunflowers in the window within two minutes of Kuma’s bark, because without fail, at 3:44, a tall man with silver hair walked by and stopped for a minute to admire the sunflowers.

Matthew had first noticed him about four months ago on a hot August day. He remembered it well. He’d had the door propped open due to the heat, and only had his most heat tolerant plants on display, while the others were in the back, the only room he could keep cool with the air conditioning. He’d had a large bouquet of sunflowers in his window, from his own home garden, in fact. The man had stopped at the window to examine the flowers for quite a while, and honestly Matthew thought he was going to come in and buy them. Instead, he’d smiled and walked away, as though he had found his own little piece of paradise.

When Matthew had had to remove the bouquet later in the week, the man had walked by and stopped, but that day his face fell and he kept on walking.

From then on, Matthew had made sure there was always a bouquet of sunflowers in his window.

Winter was here, though, and Matthew was beginning to worry. Soon there wouldn’t be anymore sunflowers for him to order without going bankrupt.

And he still hadn’t worked up his courage to ask the man to go on a date with him.

Kuma ran into Matthew’s tiny apartment and instantly curled up on his dog bed, and was asleep within minutes.

Matthew had eaten a sandwich in the shop for dinner. It was nearly Christmas, and he’d kept the shop open late in order to make sure everyone who had ordered flowers picked them up. He sighed as he headed over to his medicine cabinet and pulled out his pills.

He took a large dose of anti-anxiety medicine everyday, but sometimes it couldn’t keep the stress and headaches away. He took his Tylenol and then headed to his bedroom.

As he washed his face, he looked up at himself in the mirror. He had huge bags under his eyes, and a frown that he thought might be there permanently now. He sighed. How much longer could he keep going before he collapsed? His father had been out of the picture for years, his mother was dead, and his half-brother was a complete and total opposite of him, and he could barely stand to be in the same room with him for more than fifteen minutes. Alfred meant well, but he was easily distracted, and Matthew guessed he must be the most uninteresting thing ever placed in front of Al.

He collapsed into his bed, and soon felt sleep steal him away from the world.

Christmas Eve came, and Matthew’s window display was filled with poinsettias and Christmas cacti. He’d hung a banner which proclaimed “Happy Holidays!” in his window.

The only thing which might distract the passerby’s eyes from the usual Christmas plants was the large bouquet of sunflowers in the window.

It was fairly late in the day, about six in the evening, and snow was beginning to fall. Yesterday’s thin layer of snow had turned grey or brown over the day, and Matthew reveled at the white layer he’d be able to walk home in.

He was just finishing up some paperwork at the counter when the bell rang. He turned and saw the silver-haired man in his shop.

“Excuse me, but how much are the sunflowers?”

Matthew was stunned for a moment, but then he smiled. “Free.”

The man seemed taken aback. “No, I can’t take them for free.”

Matthew walked out from behind the counter and over to the window display, picking up the vase. “You’ve stopped to admire them every day, and it’s Christmas Eve. They have your name on them, and the only price I’m selling them at is free.”

The man looked at him as he held out the vase, an eyebrow raised.

Matthew felt his confidence fading, until the man reached out and very gingerly took the vase full of flowers. “Thank you, Matthew.” He said, and he meant it. Matthew was startled that he knew his name for a moment, but quickly remembered the name-tag on his shirt.

Matthew watched the man fade into the distance as the snow fell, and it wasn’t until he was locking the door ten minutes later that he realized he’d forgotten to ask the man his name.

Three days after Christmas, Kuma barked right as the 3:40 train went by, headed towards the station.

Matthew smiled and headed into the back. He’d put together the bouquet earlier today, and he knew that today was the day. He’d ask out the silver-haired man with a bouquet of the biggest, most colorful sunflowers he could get.

He lifted the vase and had just stepped back into the main part of the shop when he saw two young men standing there. “Hello! How may I help you today?” He asked as he headed over towards the window. “A bouquet, or seasonal plants?”

Suddenly he felt the knife at his back. “We’re not looking for any trouble, just some cash.”

Matthew had frozen in place. His heart rate had picked up, and suddenly he heard a growl from his office space. Kuma had been put in there.

“Now drop the flowers and walk over to the little safe you have under your front counter. We want all the money you have.”

He couldn’t move.

The young man shoved him and the sunflowers went flying, and crashed onto the floor. Glass went everywhere, as did water and flowers. “Move!”

Matthew went over to the counter, and hands shaking, first opened the cash register, and then knelt down to open the safe. The thieves were crouching next to him, and he wondered if he’d get to live through this robbery.

Suddenly the shop bell rang. One of the thieves whispered. “Stand up, and act natural.”

He stood up, adjusting the glasses on his face, and saw the silver haired man. At first he was smiling, until he saw the bouquet on the floor. Then his eyes darted down towards the space Kuma was always in, unless there was people in the shop. His eyes connected with Matthew’s, and Matthew knew that the man understood something was wrong.

“Can I help y-you, sir?” He managed to get out before the thieves wondered why he wasn’t doing anything.

“Yes, I ordered a bouquet earlier this week. Some of the flowers are out of season, but you assured me that you could get them over the phone.”

“Ah, y-yes, you’re the order. I just finished the bouquet a few min-minutes ago. It’s in the back. I’ll jus-just go and get it…”

He felt the knife move away from his back and he was able to step away from the counter and headed towards the back door.

“Oh, and Matthew?”

Matthew turned.

“I’d like another bouquet while you’re in there. Surprise me, and take all the time you need.”

Matthew stared for a moment, but then he saw the glint of metal at the man’s waist. A badge! He was an officer of some sort, and next to it Matthew saw a holster that was not empty. He got the message and hurried into the back room as fast as he could, and quickly grabbed his arrangement table and shoved it into the door to try and prevent it from being opened. He should have put locks in the inner doors, like Al had told him too.

His whole body was tense, and at that very moment he heard shouting, followed by shattering glass and a gunshot.

Then a familiar voice. “Matthew? Matthew?”

He moved the table and rushed out, and the taller man pulled him close. “It’s okay, they’re gone, and I got their license plates. One of them shattered the glass in the door, but all the money is still here.”

Matthew clung to him and began to cry, and the man guided him over to a chair he kept by the window for reading when the shop was empty. The man sat him down, and then went over to the office door and opened it.

Kuma ran straight to Matthew and began to lick his face in a worried way. Matthew pulled him close, crying into his fur, while the silver-haired man called someone on his cell phone.

“Hello. This is Officer Braginsky. I’m calling to report an attempted armed robbery near 7th Street Station, at Northern Flowers. Please send an officer and ambulance as soon as you can.”

He hung up his phone and turned back to Matthew. Matthew turned and looked at him. “I don’t need an ambulance.”

“You’re in shock, and if you don’t mind, I’d rather have the paramedics give you a look before we decide whether or not you need an ambulance.”

Matthew dug his hands deep into Kuma’s fur as he nodded.

“I’ll stay right here, okay?”

Matthew looked at the man, who had knelt down to talk to him. Suddenly Matthew laughed. The man raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything.

“I’ve been meaning to ask your name since I first saw you, and this is the first time I’ve been able to ask!” He said, laughing still, and feeling the awkwardness of the moment slip away.

The man smiled. “I’m Ivan Braginsky.”

“Matthew Williams.” Matthew said. “And this is my dog Kuma.”

Kuma lifted up his head at his name and then gave Matthew another lick across the face, before laying back down on Matthew’s lap.

Ivan stayed next to him until the ambulance and police officer arrived. The paramedics looked him over, and besides elevated heartbeat, which was unsurprising given the day he’d had and his stress levels, they decided he was fine to stay and talk to the officer now, though they did give him a bright orange shock blanket. He wondered how long before it became half white, and was answered within thirty seconds when Kuma came up and managed to shed infinite white hairs on the lower half of the blanket.

He walked over to Ivan, who had plugged the license number into the other officer’s computer, and soon a ping rose from the computer.

“Registered to a woman named Evelyn Smith. The thieves were two young men. I suspect a son and friend, myself. I didn’t get the tire like I’d hoped, but I did put a slug in the car’s back bumper.”

The other officer turned and looked at Matthew. "Were you able to get a good look at your assailants?”

“Yes. I’d recognize them again if I saw them.”

The officer nodded, and then spoke. “I suggest you call a family member or a taxi to take you home, Mr. Williams, and I’ll call you as soon as we have a lead or a report for you to file with your insurance.”

Matthew was about to give the man his number until he saw the business card in his hands. “Thank you.”

The officer drove away, and Matthew was glad that nearly every shop on the street was closed today. He stumbled back inside to clean up the place, and Ivan followed him.

They swept the broken glass in silence, and Matthew called his insurance, which promised to send out an agent the next morning at eight. He moved the flowers into the back room and turned on the heat so they would survive, and then put everything in his office in the back as well. It was pretty crowded by the time he was done.

He was trying to figure out what to do about the door when Ivan came out of the office and put his phone back in his pocket. “I have a friend who works as a bouncer. He’ll come by and watch the place overnight so you can go home and rest.”

Matthew nodded. “How much will I need to pay him?”

“The price is free.”

He looked up at Ivan. “I can’t…”

“He owes me a favor, and I told him what it was. One night of guarding a flower shop that got broken into. He’ll do it for no charge. Don’t worry.”

About fifteen minutes later an albino man entered the shop. “Hey Ivan.”

Ivan nodded. “Hello, Gilbert. It’s an easy job for the night, and you can leave when Matthew arrives in the morning.”

The albino, who was a bit bigger than Matthew, but very slim in comparison to Ivan, looked at him. Matthew began to speak. “Thank you for…”

“Hey, it’s fine, no thanks needed. Just tell me there’s a place I can sit where the wind isn’t blowing up my ass every three seconds.”

Matthew blushed a little, and then opened the door to his office. “It’s not very warm, even when the door’s closed, but…”

“It’s better than nothing. Don’t worry, I’m used to the cold, and well-prepared for it. It’s the wind that I can’t stand.”

With Gilbert in place, Matthew was able to breath easy, and locked the shop door with paper now stapled in place of glass to try and deter any other robbers and to keep some of the wind out of the shop.

Matthew walked out onto the street and Ivan spoke. “Are you going to drive home?”

“I don’t have a car. I walk to my house.”

Ivan shook his head. “Follow me. I’ll take you and Kuma home.”

Kuma stayed close to Matthew’s side as they walked into the 7th Street Station Car Garage, Ivan drove an older Ford truck, and Matthew didn’t feel worried for a moment as he and Kuma loaded up into the cab of the truck.

Ivan drove him home, a fifteen minute walk, a three minute drive. He got out of the car, and was about to say goodbye, but stopped.

“Uh, Ivan?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to come in?”

Ivan paused for a moment, and then nodded. “Yes, Matthew. I’d like that very much.”

The new year came with arrests, a new front door in the shop, as well as locks on the inner rooms.

But it also came with something else.

Matthew no longer put out huge bouquets of sunflowers, but instead a single one in a tall elegant vase.

Every afternoon, at 3:44, the door to the shop opened as Ivan came in. Ivan worked at the local school during the day, and at five he’d go to the station and work in Drug Enforcement for a few hours, but he always stopped and spent about forty-five minutes with Matthew in the shop. It reassured both of them.

And on February 14th, as Matthew’s shop was filled with crowds of boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, single people and a myriad of others, Ivan took the night off to help Matthew.

At one point, Matthew had to run into the back room to grab a bouquet while Ivan was trying to find a specific order. Ivan looked up and spoke. “Matthew?”

“Yes?” He asked, standing next to Ivan, looking for an unclaimed bouquet.

Ivan suddenly pulled him close and gave him a kiss on the head, before turning away, embarrassed.

Matthew paused, and then laughed, and grabbed Ivan’s collar, and pulled him down just a little bit, and gave him a real kiss.

Ivan blinked, a little shocked.

“And despite my wish, that’s all I have time for right now, because I’m running a shop and this is the busiest time of the year.” Matthew said, and then gave Ivan a quick peck on the cheek before running back out with a bouquet and a grin on his face.

Everything was going the way he had hoped.

It really was.

#my fic #hetalia #anime for ts #otp: ill be the hades to your persephone #aph canada #matthew williams #aph russia #ivan braginsky #ivan braginski #flower shop au #ruscan #canrus #christmas #gift for a friend #aph kumajirou #kumajirou

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