Ivan's flight had been canceled, due to unstable conditions in moscow, so he was forced to stay in America for a little while longer.

"Hey, Ivan!" an overly cheery voice called across the street. He turned to find Alfred running over to him, his cowlick bouncing with every step.

When he reached him, they fell into step together, shoulders brushing lightly on the busy sidewalk. It was winter, so their jackets didn't look too out of place. Alfred kept up the bouncy, happy act while they walked, but Ivan knew it was fake. It almost always was.

"What are you still doing here?" Alfred hissed out of the side of his mouth, "I thought your plane left an hour ago." Ivan laughed softly.

"So, you like me so much that you track my schedule?" He asked mockingly.

"You're not special. I memorized everyone's flight schedule. I do that every time, to make sure nothing is off, or something," he shot back, fixing that icy, calculating gaze on him once again. Other countries may have been scared by it, but Ivan just felt a thrill. He loved fear, especially since he didn't feel it hardly ever, anymore.

"I saw what you've been working on, and it's rather impressive." He chanced a sideways glance down at the other, and, once again, their gazes met, and you could feel the electricity slice through the air. Alfred looked forward again, breaking the spell that seemed to set itself over them.

Alfred didn't want Ivan to know that he detested what he had done, even though he knew it had been necessary to the war efforts. The casualty count had been upsetting, and Alfred locked himself in his office for hours, mourning the loss, even if they weren't his people.

However, he didn't wait long to respond. "It is one of the greatest advancements in scientific and military history," he said, repeating exactly what his boss, Harry Truman, had told him while explaining the results of the test. "Since you can't get home, you can stay at my place, if you want. It'll be easier to not be noticed, and easier to explain to the others, if they find out you're still here." Alfred was taught by his people to be hospitable, even to your enemies.

Ivan pondered this for a moment while they walked. He didn't much want to stay in America at all, but this would be a good opportunity to get information and American secrets. "Da, I will stay with you. But, don't take this as some kind of surrender or a chance to capture me. I don't go anywhere unarmed."

They kept walking in silence, until Alfred hailed a cab, which took them to his apartment in the city.

~*~*~*~

Its longer, yay! The game of chess will begin soon, sorry to keep you all waiting

the rest should be about this length

tell me what you think! dont be shy or sugarcoat it or anything, just honest opinions

toodaloo~!