The Sweeter Side of Red [Alfred]

[Ivan Braginsky]

School dragged each day, though there was always something to make it feel worthwhile -- even if it had to be personally sought. One student who didn't ever bother with complaining about classes made his way through with a positive aura, soaking in any and all rumors to make something optimistic out of them. Ivan carried optimism with him about any matter, which undoubtedly went noticed by others who saw him. He passed numerous faces through all the school hallways; faces he recognized and would see again at a later date, others he didn't often remember, and most of which were incapable of making him feel all giddy and fluttery on the inside. After all, none were quite like the face of a boisterous American boy he would always hope to see.

Now that the month of February was creeping along, it was only suitable that there was a high feeling of love and affection in the air as well. Some embraced it just as others shunned it, while Ivan was often prone to feeling envy toward those who shared it. At least he had begun to find a way around that, even if he still wished he could have the confirmed relationship that some others had already. Of course, that was enough to set his determination off -- he should have no trouble getting himself what-- well, who he wants.

He knew a lot of things about Alfred already, one of those being where his locker was. And how to get into it. He made sure the blond was not in sight when he made his way down the hallway at this hour, since any other witnesses didn't matter quite as much. A soft hum went with him, drowned out by the sound of other voices and generic sounds of passing students and nearby classrooms. Ivan stopped just in front of the absent American's locker, handling the lock to craftily get it opened. He looked down at the heart-shaped piece of paper he had in his hand, wondering whether he should leave it inside or if he should just have taped it to the front of the locker... well, he wouldn't want anyone rudely taking it down, so hiding it would be best. The paper was thick like crafting paper, fittingly red and with a small chocolate taped on its surface. He left it anonymous, even making sure to write Alfred rather than Fredka so as to not make himself obvious. Compliments were written here and there in his possibly recognizable handwriting, but he didn't worry about that part.

He placed the card down somewhere it would be noticed, slammed the locker shut and bounded away as if that had been his regular business. His face glowed just as it had before this plan went underway, though now he was going to keep himself lurking around a corner to see if Alfred would ever come by and see it. By the time hallway passing time was over, surely he would have to get into his locker at some point.

[because valentine's day and because u need to feel better]

[Deleted]

Valentine's Day.

It was the coveted holiday anticipated by everyone -- whether you were single or you weren't. Those who were happily in a relationship were already set, they didn't have anything to worry about. As for those who were still crushing/hoping/waiting, Valentine's Day was pretty much the perfect opportunity to admit feelings.

Or, in Alfred's case, attempt to not so subtly tell a friend he liked him more than that. Meaning, he was about to go shove a gigantic fifty dollar teddy bear in Ivan's locker.

Alfred hoped it'd be worth it. Fifty dollars drained right from his wallet... Seriously, he wasn't made of money! But he hadn't thought a card would've done the trick, and after his many, many, many attempts of trying to do something creative from the heart, Alfred had just given up and went to the nearest super store. He had just ignored all the stares at the incessant amount of red glitter in his hair. It'd been a total pain in the ass to wash it out too; he had been stuck in the shower for at least an hour.

But he digressed! Today was the day he would finally admit he had been feeling a little something for his Russian classmate for a while. Alfred grinned, whistling as he walked down the hallway to his own locker. It was perfect timing.

The main problem/concern was how he could get away with hiding such a huge teddy bear and not be questioned. The best strategy he had thought of was putting it in a large bag, but then that looked even more suspicious... Regardless, it seemed to work, and he fended off any questioning or amused looks. He just had to make sure Ivan himself didn't see it, so he hid it in his locker.

As soon as the bell rang, he shot off like one of his favorite rockets and practically sprinted to wrangle open the door and grabbed the bag as fast as possible so nobody would see. Excited due to the adrenaline of rushing and attempting to be stealthy, Alfred nearly bounced on the familiar route to Ivan's locker -- and upon seeing that the taller teen wasn't present, he fiddled with the lock. He had seen Ivan open it enough times to have memorized the numbers (well, after very carefully observing him open it a few times to be absolutely sure).

Removing the bear from the bag with care, he gently placed it in the locker on top of the stack of Ivan's textbooks. In his paws there was a note on red construction paper, "For: Ivan | From: Guess Who :D" appropriately written on it.

Alfred took only a moment to admire his handiwork before slamming the locker shut. He glanced around for any sign of Ivan, but thankfully he didn't see any, and decided it would be best to return back to his own locker to drop off and pick up what he needed now, since he obviously hadn't had time before -- as well as shove the bag in before anybody asked where its contents went.

He hummed happily as he made his way through the halls. When he was back at his locker, he opened it with practiced ease and tossed in his math textbook without really looking. Hmm, next class... English. Alfred grabbed the right textbook from the stack and shut his locker before heading towards the classroom.

Just as luck would have it, he finally spotted Ivan's familiar, large figure. He ran up to him, beaming.

"Hey, big guy! Happy Valentine's Day!" Alfred grinned, looking at him with mischief in his blue eyes, and he tried to appear as innocent as possible. "Got any special plans for today?"

Hopefully, his answer would be a no.

SPOILER: Click to show

Notes: Sorry for taking so long!! ;; and thank you so much for starting this, I needed it. You're a big sweetheart!! <33

[Ivan Braginsky]

While standing and waiting at that very spot, it had come to Ivan's attention that he hadn't yet visited his locker for materials. He had been too caught up in his haste to get to Alfred's locker before its rightful owner had the chance to. It slipped his mind, but he didn't seem to fret about it now - since he usually carried his bag around anyway, he figured he had enough supplies already to suffice. If there was a book he was missing, he could pester the kid sitting beside him to share with him.

Time was shortening until the next class, and a trip to his own locker might make him late now. He spotted down the other end of the hall that Alfred was beginning to approach, visible and radiant among the other students. Most of them were beginning to depart and disperse to their own classes, meaning that Ivan would have less bodies to shield him - but Alfred's turning toward his locker instead told him that he hadn't been noticed. Good, now all that was left was managing the hopeful and suspenseful butterflies that danced in the Russian's stomach. If only he were close enough to see around the door of the locker. It was hard to tell where Alfred's hands were reaching. 

Still confident enough that this would all follow through, Ivan recoiled from around that corner to focus ahead of him. The classroom was in clear view, its door cast open in a wide yawn. He was curious already as to how everyone else in there was handling Valentine's Day, though his thoughts were already well consumed by what had just happened - he didn't expect that he'd receive gifts from anyone else (as per usual, save for the sisters), but it felt rather satisfying to have given one out. 

He adjusted the bag strap that hugged his shoulder, and that's when he heard a voice stick out among all the others. His shoulders jolted to express his surprise, which he could only hope hadn't gone noticed. Had he just been wished a happy holiday from the person he'd want to hear above all? And what kind of teasing title was big guy..? Relaxing immediately, albeit with a faint trickle of pink over his face, Ivan's steps halted. He turned his head to set curious eyes on the joyful American, already unable to wipe his own smile away - and unable to help sneaking a glance down to the man's hands. He didn't seem to be holding anything other than books. 

"No," Ivan replied in a steady breath, feeling slight worry seep into his curiosity. "I mean, I will enjoy it~ Bot propably I will not be goink anywhere special with anyone." There was a brief pause before he continued on, aware that they were both headed to the same place. "You look happy." And that is lovely. "You are doink somthink today?"