The Sound of Silence (RusCan)

Chapter 9: Affection

Chapter 9: Affection

Ivan watched the movie intently, soon however, he found it hard to pay attention. To him, Matthew was much more interesting than the movie. He kept getting that feeling. He wanted to know what it was, he wanted to ask but was afraid to. It was something inside him, his heart sped up anytime he started thinking about Matthew.

Matthew was really starting to like the other. He thought Ivan was attractive, and very sweet (at least to him)
He wondered how Ivan felt about him. Ivan had to like him some right? There would be no other reason for him to have noticed him otherwise.
"Why did you write me the note?" Matthew asked.
"I said in the note. I wanted to tell you how special you are. How great of a future you have. I also wanted you to help me make friends." Ivan shrugged.
"But why me? I never did anything special."
"Нет. Do you remember 1867?"
"You mean the year I became a country?"
"Да? But do you remember me?"
Matthew thought about it.

Flashback
Little Matthew ran through the snow, away from Arthur. He trotted around aimlessly, looking around at the land around him. He soon found himself to be lost. "Arthur? Anybody?"
The tiny young nation sat down in the snow. He sat there for what felt like forever to a kid. He felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Are you lost?" The mysterious person asked him.
Matthew never seen anybody like this man, he'd never heard an accent like this one.
He nodded looking up at his face. His hair was a dirty blonde similar to Matthew's. He had eyes the same colour of Matthew's.
"You must be cold, here." The man handed young Matthew a violet scarf, it was so large it fit Matthew like a blanket. "Merci sir." He stood up. "I have gotten lost." He looked around.
"Let's find where you came from." The man said. This man was big and scary to him, but he was young and trusted the advice of anyone older. He walked with the man until he heard Arthur's voice call him.
"That must be your guardian. You should go young one."
Matthew nodded, "I'm coming England!" Matthew started running on Iggy's direction, he turned around waving bye.
The man waved back, fading into the snowy landscape.
End flashback

"The violet scarf!" Matthew's eyes went wide.
"Hm?"
"The violet scarf! You were the mysterious man who gave it to me, weren't you?"
Ivan nodded.
Matthew giggled, "one second." He jumped off the couch and ran to get his suitcase. He brought it in and opened it up.
Ivan watched curiously.
Matthew pulled out a very old and worn piece of violet fabric.
"It got a bit beat up over the years." He giggled, showing it to Ivan.
"You kept it?" Ivan asked.
"It was special to me. It was one of the first things I got as a new nation." He giggled.
"You know I cas fix the tears and holes." Ivan said.
"You can?" Matthew asked.
"I like to knit in my spare time." Ivan admitted.
Matthew nodded.
Ivan reached for the fabric, Matthew let him have it.
He got out his knitting supplies and got to work. Matthew watched, intrigued.
Soon enough the scarf looked good as new.

"It's beautiful!" Matthew smiled.
"Thank you." Ivan smiled back.
"You're really talented Ivan. I never would've thought you could knit!"
"Not many would. I would've never thought you were so powerful on the ice." Ivan smirked.
"Wait, you remember that?"
"Да I do. You gave me the what-for little one." Ivan chuckled.
"Now you'll never live that down now that you brought it up."
"Darn," Ivan chuckled. 

Matthew gazed at him. He seemed so happy now. He wanted Ivan to look happy all the time. He liked this side of him, maybe even more than liked. He wondered if Ivan would ever feel the same. Now that he thought about it, what if he didn't understand what love was?
"Hey Ivan, have you ever been in love?"
Ivan was a bit surprised by the question. The answer was no. He'd never fell in love with anybody. He never knew the feeling. Sure he loved his family. But he'd never had a lover.
"Нет..."
"Me neither.." Matthew shrugged.

Love. LOVE! That was the feeling! Ivan understood now. The way his heart fluttered when he talked to Matthew. It was love, or at least the beginnings of love. Now he understood.
He understood why he thought Matthew so interesting. He understood why Matthew was so cute to him.

He looked at Matthew who's gaze had returned to the TV screen. He hadn't realized it, but his arm had somehow found its way around Matthew's shoulder.
He was about to pull away and apologize but the younger seemed content. Matthew didn't seem to mind it.
Ivan scooted closer to him.
Matthew found the sudden show of affection odd coming from Ivan. But he was comfortable this way. Matthew also knew that Ivan hated being touched, so Ivan doing this was a rare and special occurrence. It meant that he trusted Matthew enough to be this close to him.
He wanted to make sure to make Ivan aware that he was comfortable. He rested his head back on Ivan's shoulder, huddling close to his side.

Ivan smiled, he held Matthew gently to his side. Ivan relaxed resting his head on top of Matthew's.

"I like this," Matthew smiled.
"Me too," Ivan looked down at him.

Matthew looked back at him, moving his face close to his.
Ivan looked into his eyes curiously.
Matthew blushed, his heart raced. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Ivan's.

Ivan was surprised. A light crimson spread across his cheeks, but he didn't pull away. Was this what he wanted? Yes it was. He wanted a companion. Somebody to be by his side and he would be by their side.
He kissed Matthew back gently.

Neither of them tried to deepen the kiss, not yet. Not now. They simply enjoyed the connection of their lips. They enjoyed the warmth of one another's bodies.

Matthew pulled away gently, cuddling up to Ivan. Ivan held onto him, closing his eyes.

Matthew closed his eyes, he was tired, today was a lot to take in. Ivan leaned back, laying down on the couch with Matthew.
Matthew turned over, wrapping his arms around Ivan, cuddling close to him. Ivan gently rubbed his lover's back as Matthew fell asleep. He held him tight, keeping him warm.
Eventually Ivan joined Matthew in the realm of sleep.
_______________________
Translations:
Merci~Thank You (French)
Да~Yes (Russian)
Нет~No (Russian)

Another note from Squano:
I wrote this chapter on my phone so I apologize for any weird typos, I'll try to fix them when I get home but rn I'm at an Easter party.
Happy Easter for those who celebrate!