Alfred offers theother man a bright smile in response "Not a prob, dude! I'm glad you like it!" There's a faint pause before a curious gaze locks with Ivan. ".. So, I'm going to be really lame, m'kay? Just so you know."

"Lame...? What do you mean by lame?" Russia was obviously confused as to what was about to happen.

"Will you tell me what you were writing? Cause, to be honest, it's kinda sorta been killing me slowly." The american bats his eyes in what seems to be an attempt at winning him over. "Puh-lease?"

Ivan simply laughed. "Ways to get everyone to be happy... but it wasn't panning out too well..."

He seems pleased at getting an answer. "Oh! That kinda stuff's easy! Something easy to do is to get 'em all gifts they like! Or, have a party.. or... give everyone chocolate or something.. "

"No, I mean to be happy forever... not temporary..." he sighed and put his head down on the bar. "But it's impossible to do"

Alfred follows the other's suit, laying his head down to keep their eyes level. "Forever, huh..?" He hums softly "... That would be slightly harder, I think."

"Exactly why I had so much frustration..." he sighed heavily. "See?"

His words come out slowly, sounding thoughtful. "I think... that.. you can't really make other people happy. No matter how long. You can try your best to, of course. But, all in all, it's their decision whether or not they are.." The blonde closes his eyes, a small frown in place. "We all gotta find our own happiness, ya know? And then we hafta try to help others find theirs too. Maybe that's what you can do."

Ivan was silent for a while. "Alfred... When did you get so smart...? Not to sound mean... just... How could I not have thought about that....?"

Alfred opens his eyes again and he laughs, the thoughtful tone pushed back behind a far more playful one. "I'm always smart, dude. People just forget that a lot because I don't like being serious all the time. 'sides, I rock at emotions and stuff. I'ma boss!" He beams at the Russian "But hey, it helped, right? I'm glad~!"

"You did indeed help me Alfred..." He smiled and sat back up. "Thank you so much...." He passed the soda back to America and ordered one for himself.

The American puffs up noticably at the news, practically bursting in pleasure. "It's what I'm here for, dude!! " He straightens up to take a chug of his soda. "Aha~! Have I gotten you addicted to my delicious drinks?"

"Just a little bit..." He laughed softly an took a sip of the soda when he got it. "It doesn't start a fire in my throat."

"Ha~ Of course not! It's for tasting yummy. Not for getting you anything but sugar high." He taking his own sip at the soda, grinning at the other "So Vodka burns something feirce, huh? It's been ages since I've had any."

"It burns always. No matter how much you drink it." He shrugged and drank more soda/

The blonde hums curiously "That sounds like absolute torrrtuureee." He splays his arms out on the bar counter "Hoorrriiiiiiible."

He shrugged "It's what I need a lot of the time though. It works out perfectly for me..." He sighed at the bitter truth

He stops the dramatics to look at Ivan, a flash of the seriousness back. "Yeah? Why's that, dude?"

"The pain... on occasion... it feels good..." He said before he could stop himself.

He stays quiet for a moment, absorbing what the other man said. "....Yeah?" He pauses, taking off his glasses and tucking them away "If it doesn't sound too weird, could you try and explain?"

"The pain of the burn makes me feel better most of the time..." He shrugged. "It's whatever"

"Hm.... So it's your coping method." Alfred leans up and ruffles silver hair "I see."

"Yeah... my rather painful coping method..." He trailed off and drank more soda.

He hums and kisses at his cheek lightly "If that's what you hafta do, I won't knock it... That being said, no promises I won't be trying to find you a different one."