A Game of Chess

Chapter 24: Confused

Naples, Italy

November 12, 1950

4:39 PM

He's always wanted to take a vacation to Italy, but he never imagined that this was going to be how he was taking it. Alfred took a glance around the plane lot as he stepped down the jet, feeling the pressuring heat hit him as soon as he touched the sunlight. 'Damn.. I knew it was hot, but isn't it still fall season?' He thought to himself exhaustingly, fanning his face with a folded up brochure that a stewardess gave him. Seagulls cawed overhead, circling in the bright blue colored sky above. Soft white clouds drifted softly, making the scene he was standing in look like an artistic rendition of paradise. He took a deep breath, the salty air of the ocean reaching him. Damn it's been a while since he's been to a beach.

"Ve~ Over here Alfred-o!" A voice yelled in the distance, one of two figures waving his hand ecstatically in the air to get his attention.

"Idiota, he can see us. We're the only ones here!" The other figure reminded his brother, which comment was immediately brushed off.

Alfred smiled at the two, watching the light auburn haired one jog up to him and smother him with a large hug, almost knocking him down. Before he could get a word out, the Italian started to talk.

"How was the trip? Was the food-a good?" He asked excitedly, his brother walking mildly behind him.

"Why are you so excited?" Lovino asked annoyedly, glaring at the two. He really looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here.

"Don't treat a guest like that Lovi!" Feliciano whined, before turning back to the American with a determined look on his face. "Come on! We'll-a show you our place!"

Laughing loudly, Alfred followed the two brothers, well then again he was also being dragged with a shocking amount of force by the more cheerful twin. "Thanks for letting me come on such short notice!" He said, placing a hand on the back of his neck. He did sorta feel bad for not giving them a heads up before coming here. But it was also the only time available.

---------------(1 week before)---------------

Leningrad, Russia

November 9, 1950

5:23 PM

The snow gathered on the windowsill was particularly interesting that day. Alfred sipped his glass of water, looking off into the distant mountains rather than focusing on the conference room. Then again, it wasn't like he had to since the meeting was practically over. But he had to stay and wait for the General to come back from his restroom break.

He rolled his head onto the chair, letting out a sigh. Because the meeting was over, there weren't a lot of people who wanted to stick around for no reason. The only people who were left here were those who were still packing up, him, those who were on their way out, and Ivan. Of course it wasn't unusual since he was the host afterall, but even after that night, it was still awkward.

Then again, Ivan hadn't tried approaching him once this entire week, let alone talk to him. Somehow, he would find others to do that for him. The American huffed to himself, finding it somewhat ridiculous. He wasn't upset by it, rather quite the opposite, but why was he the one being avoided? If anything, he should be avoiding him. "Ahh.." He sighed to himself annoyedly. 'Ivan is just weird.' It saved him the trouble of interacting with him anyways. He continued to say to himself, spotting the general walking out of the restroom door.

Quickly, he perked out of his chair and stood straight, keeping his chin up. He couldn't afford to mess this up.

It took a moment for the old man to finally notice the young man still standing at his chair. He squinted his eyes, unable to see why he looked so stiff. "At ease soldier." He croaked out jokingly, grabbing his suitcase. He turned up his watch, then glanced back at the person in front of him with a confused frown on his face. "Didn't I tell you to leave without me?"