I'm such a loser when it comes to Cold War RusAme. Just to search up new fanfics about them, and this brought me to your work. "History is on our Side" And I have just finished reading the latest chapter, if you don't mind reading this about me talking about my favourite chapters so far.
In chapter 17, I was really happy when that scene played out, which might be weird considering they almost died from freezing. But I love it when the storyline goes like that. I kept wondering what they’d do next. Or maybe I just really enjoy when both of them are suffering and vulnerable together. I'm really just weird because I find comfort in this.
Though, it brings sadness to me that Ivan is scared(?) ( I think I interpreted this wrong ) when Alfred experienced hypothermia and might die. . It stirred up a lot of feelings in me, because Ivan had known the feeling of dying in winter so many times he couldn’t feel it anymore. But it was strange and uncomfortable for him when it was Alfred.
It also felt intimate and romantic, or in between, I don't know how to say it since english isn't my mother tongue. But I think comforting is the word I want to say when Ivan held America to warm him. I don't know. I might be confusing death, pain, and act of survival with intimate and romantic, that's just how I saw it as a reader. I really might misunderstood everything here... Sighh...
This chapter also seems to show how Russia is actually possessive over America.
"I promise you, Alfred, that I will kill them and tear the wedding ring from their cold finger."
Though I am not surprised, since in the beginning he's been like that. From the line of "He may not like America, but someone had killed his."
And America's date back then, everything screams jealousy and possessiveness to me since the beginning.
I've gone off topic, but didn't the notes at the end of ch 17 sound like Ivan proposed to him? It made me chuckle a little.
I also loved Chapter 18, where it was mostly just the two of them exploring, sightseeing, and admiring the architecture. I’d love to read a fanfic with that same atmosphere. You described the 1950s so well, the falling snow, the color of the sky, and the two of them looking at the stars and Russian architecture like nothing was happening. It was quite lovely.
But ahh... Risking yourselves to be seen by the civilians of your own enemy, letting them know your presence just to prevent their flag from falling to the ground and the man from being punished.
I have said so much nonsense about these two chapters (please forgive me for talking too much), but I really love your work. It brings me so much joy and interest when I read them, I adore your writing style and how you write the characters personality, which I like to study sometimes. It brings depth in it and it fascinates me.
This got too long, and I actually want to talk more about chapter 19 next time because sincerely, these are my favourites. But I fear I need to restrain myself from talking too much, I know the author does not really need to know this, but I wanted to share it.
If you read all this to the end, I appreciate your patience in me blabbering. ( Please ignore my mistakes, I kind of used a translator. )
Please rest and don't rush everything, the reader can surely wait and waiting also makes it worth it. This fic is really special to me and beautifully made.
Thank you for bringing me to the bright of Hetalia fanfics.
From another Rusame fan and a reader of your works.
I am sorry for taking so long to reply! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this out—I appreciate it!
I don’t think you interpreted the hypothermia scene in Chapter 17 wrong at all! It was a romantic moment for Ivan and Alfred. For nations, it is easy to confuse and conflate pain, survival, death, and love, and for them, maybe there is no meaningful difference. Ivan knows the pain of freezing to death and doesn’t want that for Alfred. You understood perfectly.
They are both possessive over each other!! This trait of theirs will never go away.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights please feel free to write more in the future! 💙
