Alfred, as The Hero, thinks he can fix everything up. With enough time and patience, everything can be better.
He has restored many things, his own people and land, others’ people and land. He also created many great things. We don’t talk about the destruction he has also made too.
He’s the hero, and he can definitely fix those who are said to be broken beyond repair too. That’s what he thought when other nations warned him of the man from the Far East, said he had a creepy aura and an equally creepy face. Yet he falls in love with those gem-like violet eyes and that innocent childlike smile.
How can he not when said man also helps him when he’s in trouble, when others want him to be ruined and he is standing alone and Ivan always comes to his side when he’s tending his people’s wound and with a foreign accent he gives hope to Alfred. How can he not when said man, though much older than him, seems like a hopeful child who always looks at the brighter future?
Even when his own ex-caretaker disapproves, he does not regret kissing that dainty hand after he places a promise ring on Ivan’s finger. He does not regret when he sees that face, still has baby fat, looks away to hide the rising blush. Alfred does not regret.
Even when the whole world pits them against each other, Alfred is loyal to his love, because there is no other man like Ivan.
Those gem-like violet eyes and innocent smile hide a brain that does not know its own power. Ivan says alarming things as if the weather is nice outside, and Alfred sometimes can never predict how Ivan will react to his words. Not that he will lash out, no, an angry Ivan is something Alfred can handle. But an upset Ivan who will shut himself up, speak no words and avoid Alfred at all cost? His Ivan is a walking landmine; take the wrong step and you’ll suffer the consequences.
Alfred is unpredictable, but he doesn’t like it when others are unpredictable too.
What Alfred does regret is that night, on their bed, seeing that face in absolute distraught, and Ivan throwing the ring to the floor before walking out of his home.
What he regrets, is helping another nation fix their country back on its feet. He regrets smiling at them and regrets seeing their smile. He regrets staring at their eyes and never immediately breaks eye contact. He regrets loving another when he already has his own love at home. He regrets giving them advice that they take to heart, encouraging them to lead their people to a better future.
Alfred regrets seeing those violet eyes so dark and lifeless and Ivan doesn’t want to look at his own sky blue eyes, as he holds his new love and the new couple stride to their own seat.
Alfred has fixed many things, but sometimes he imagines scenarios when he just stops being The Hero.
Perhaps this one, he can't fix.