Ex's to Lovers

Chapter 21

In Which Alfred Shows Up On Ivan's Doorstep, Looking for His Ex

In the end, Alfred wasn't able to think of any suitable prank to payback the amount of long-lasting frustration the glitter brought (even after Arthur made him vaccum his school bag, his school booked, and pretty much the whole house, glitter was still everywhere), and had settled for two middle annoyance pranks instead. The first was signing Ivan up for a subscription where they delivered a magazine full of hot, beefy guys in speedos to his house every month, which was sure to both embarrass and annoy Ivan - especially if his sister saw it first, as Alfred hoped. Sure, he'd had to spend some money on it, but it was worth it.

The second prank was a lot more subtle, but it was sure to bug Ivan for months, and relatively easy to enact. A few months ago, this prank would have been impossible for Alfred to do, because it required something very hard to get: access to Ivan's house when Ivan wasn't there. But recently, for better or for worse, Alfred discovered he had gained a new ally, though he still didn't know why, and he'd finally figured he could use her to his advantage.

That's why Alfred was standing on Ivan's doorstep at a time he knew Ivan was out with his friends, rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants as he tried to work up the courage to knock. But the plan was time sensitive, so regardless of how scared he was, he did knock, in three strong bangs. The door opened, and the town's most terrifying occupant opened the door.

"What- Alfred?"

Natalya opened the door with a snarl, then stopped in confusion when she saw Alfred. Alfred tried his best at a smile, but his nerves twisted it something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Hey," he greeted, shoving his shaking hands into his pockets to hide them, "is Ivan home?"

Natalya stared at him fiercely and he quickly looked away, just in case she could smell guilt. Finally, she responded, tersely.

"Nyet. He's gone out."

Of course, Alfred had known this was the case from the start, and had expected this answer and already had his act prepared. Alfred faked a regretful face, trying his best to look sad.

"Oh..."

He tried to look like he really didn't want to leave, which was surprisingly easy, seeing as he really did need to get into Ivan's house to finally get his revenge. He sneaked a glance at Natalya, and she looked colder than ice, and he flinched, but he wasn't about to back down now. 

".. Well, d'ya know when he'll be back?" 

Natalya's expression shifted, but unfortunately for Alfred, reading the atmosphere never was his specialty, and he didn't know if her new expression was a good sign or not. Natalya shook her head. 

Alfred nodded, then for a moment they both just stood in awkward silence on the doorstep, and Alfred was just about to break out his most pitiful "I'll just wait on the step, then." when Natalya spoke, finally offering the golden goose that Alfred would be waiting for 

"Why don't you come inside and wait, he won't be long."

"Could I?"

Alfred brightened. He'd been expecting it to be harder to talk his way in, and and answered a little too fast, but Natalya didn't seem to notice, just moving aside to let Alfred in. Then, offering even more than what Alfred had hoped for, she pointed him up the stairs.

"Why don't you wait in his room? First door on the left."

Her sharp tone implied that it wasn't so much a request, as an order, but for once Alfred didn't mind, happily accepting her demand and heading up the stairs, and evil smirk attempting to take over his face.