"Your brother skates?" Ivan asked, perking up automatically. It had been far too long since he did anything with his passion for skating and he hadn't been on skates in almost a year now. He dropped his gaze back to his food after a second. "Kateryna is feeling out being an independent woman and does wish to see me now. Last time I invited her, she declined." He understood this though. It was good for her and she was becoming someone so worth being proud over.

"Not for figure skating though. For ice hockey. He plays professionally." Alfred said. "It's not my favorite sport, but I always make sure to watch his games." He was silent for a moment. "Why'd she decline? I get wanting to be independent. But that doesn't mean you should refuse to see your family."

"Ah...hockey. It is very manly, yes? I don't see why you would dislike it." It certainly seemed more in line with Alfred's tastes as far as Ivan could figure. But the misconception that figure skating was somehow feminine always baffled him. It required far more athleticism that most things. Ivan poked at his salad some more before deciding he wasn't all that hungry. "Maybe because she has not been alone long. Needs space..." He couldn't speak for Kateryna though and had not attempted to call in months.

"Sure it's manly. Most sports are. I just prefer baseball. " Alfred said. That was the sport he was better than Matthew at. It was also one his brother refused to play with him. You accidentally break someone's nose one time and suddenly the game is off-limits. His brother's been hurt more than that playing hockey. "You could still spend time together and have space at the same time. It's not like your asking her to move in with you."

"Baseball?" Ivan said with a hint of surprise. "Ah..." In reality, he didn't want to say he didn't see the point in that sport, but he never much watched it, so many he just didn't know. He left his answer at that and shook his head. "Maybe so, but that is her decision. I respect whatever my sister wishes." He shuddered at the thought of either of his sisters moving in with him. That was far too much estrogen for his liking.

Alfred narrowed his eyes slightly at Ivan's tone. He could tell just by that that the Russian wasn't a big fan of baseball. He felt like the tone was mocking him in some way. "It's an American pastime." he said in the sports defense. "You should still at the very least call her. Not often. Just to be able to catch up on each other's lives."

Ivan had nothing to say about American pastimes. It seemed that since he preferred skating to baseball, he wasn't all that American. He could live with that. "Perhaps later..." he sighed, though his tone made it clear he wanted to drop the conversation. Maybe Ivan would do what Alfred said, but not now since he was awful pushy about something that wasn't his business.

Alfred could tell that Ivan didn't want to talk about it anymore. Though he still didn't understand his reasoning for avoiding her. The conversation made him miss Matthew and he made a mental note to call him later. He focused on finishing his food. "Do you want anything else to eat?" he asked, noticing the other hadn't finished his salad.

Ivan stared down at his salad. He picked at it again, managing another two small bites before he put his fork down again. "No, I think I am quite not hungry now. I'd rather just go shopping so I can eat at home as usual." Since they were out, he might as well get his groceries now.

Alfred nodded and called for the check. He pulled his credit card and payed for their meal, giving the waitress another smile. She smiled back and took care of the check, scanning the card and returning it. "You two have a wonderful day." she told them before walking off. Alfred stood and stretched.

"So. What store do you want to go to?" he asked, wondering if there was a specific one Ivan liked to shop at.

Ivan said nothing when Alfred paid and headed outside, ever on the alert when away from his home and in the open. "I usually get my produce at the farmer's market, but it's on the other side of town." He wasn't all out of fresh food. "Let's just go to the nearest store," he said as he stuck near Alfred all the way to the car.

"Alrighty." Alfred said, leading the way to the car. He unlocked the door and got in. "You don't have to be so tense you know. I'm here to protect you." he told him, starting the car and driving off once the Russian was in. He wasn't sure which store was the closest to them at the moment, so he just went to the one he was familiar with. It was located about halfway from the diner and his own home.

"I'm not...tense," Ivan complained in a weak voice. He clearly was, but he still didn't know how much he trusted Alfred to protect him. "Just a habit." That was the truth and even if he wanted to, he couldn't turn off his paranoia like a switch. When they reached the store, he did try though. He purposely forced himself not to check around the cars with his eyes, looking for a flash of white-blonde hair. "Let's just get this over with."

"Alrighty. What all do you need to get?" Alfred asked as he parked. He figured while they were here, he could get some snacks and food he'd wanted to eat. He could tell Ivan was tense, but wasn't sure how to reassure him. He knew if Natalia showed up, he'd be able to handle her. If not in a fight, then the gun loaded with tranquilizer would.

Ivan grabbed a handheld basket instead of a cart and headed through the aisles. "Just a few things. If you want something, feel free to." He went through the store, picking up a few things as he went, mostly the essentials along with tea and some coffee. It didn't take him long and he did his shopping in silence, not caring if Alfred followed him or not. When done, he paid and headed back into the sunshine.

Alfred nodded, grabbing his own basket. He went around gathering some things he wanted, not even noticing at first when he lost sight of Ivan. It was only when he was about to check out that he noticed the Russian had disappeared. He went through the store, looking for him. When he couldn't find him, he figured he'd already paid and headed out. He paid himself and went to look outside.

The sunshine really was too bright. Ivan shielded his eyes and for a second, just stood in the parking lot, trying to get used to it. He glanced back over his shoulder and realized he stood alone. "Alfred?" Oh drat, he got so pulled into his usual shopping routine that he forgot he wasn't alone as usual. Just as he was about to go back and look for the other, a chill went over him. He looked out over the parking lot, eyes narrowed even as he saw nothing out of place. The feeling lasted for only a second, before it passed and by then, he saw Alfred leaving the store.

Alfred immediately noticed Ivan, quickly moving over to him. "So. Get everything you needed?" he asked, unlocking his car and putting his bags in the trunk. "Is there anyplace you want to go while we're out and about?" He personally didn't like just staying home all day. But if that was what Ivan preferred, then that's what he'd have to do.

Ivan jumped a bit at Alfred's voice, seemingly so loud in the parking lot. Or was it just him that felt like it went silent for a bit? He shook himself and put his own groceries in the car before getting in himself. "Yes, I did and I think this is fine. I've definitely had more than enough of the outdoors." He still couldn't shake the feeling of earlier, but he didn't mention it because he couldn't tell if there was really something there or just his own paranoia.

"Alright. Back to the house then." Alfred said. His tone showed his displeasure at the idea. But he drove off in that direction anyway. It didn't take them long to reach the house. He parked and unlocked the doors before getting out. He grabbed his groceries out of the back and grabbed Ivan's as well since he was already there.

Ivan frowned at Alfred's displeasure, but it wasn't like he cared. He did what he wanted before Alfred entered his life and he would continue to do so after. He saw no reason to change anything. Once inside, he took the groceries from Alfred and set about putting them away. After all, he had a particular way he liked things. He decided to deal with Alfred's as well and set them all aside, what could go in a cabinet, going in there. "I've put your things here so they will not get confused with mine," he explained.

"That's fine." Alfred told him. It didn't matter to him where the food went as long as he could find it what he wanted it later. He pulled out his phone while he was leaving the room. He dialed Matthew's brother and was happy when the other answered. Even when Mattie told him he wouldn't be able to talk long. That was fine. They chatted for the time available. While doing so, Alfred checked his security feed, making sure nothing happened while they were gone.

Since Alfred walked off, clearly having better things to do, Ivan sighed and went back to his office and sat down in front of the computer. It was only late afternoon, so he decided to work for the rest of the day. Working from home meant he had to spend most of his time in front of the computer, but the pay was good. Before too long though, he got distracted by watching videos from old skating competitions. It really had been too long since he skated.

Once Alfred finished talking to Matthew, he did some work off his own. But he was quickly distracted by video games. He decided he wanted to play an online game. He connected his account and was pleased to see a few friends on. They connected to the game and played, the American happily chatting with the friends he barely got to see.

When it became late, Ivan made a quick dinner enough for two and ate his portion before telling Alfred that he left some food out if he wished to eat or not. He purposely avoided eating with him though and decided to retire early for bed. His head was still in a muddle and he couldn't work. In his sleep, he dreamed of skating, something he had no dreamed of in a long time.