Madeline stopped at the doormat in front of her door, Ivan following close behind. She fished the key out from her hoodie pocket and unlocked the deadbolt. The knob's lock didn't work, as she'd first learned upon moving here, and had never bothered to get it fixed. She stepped into her warm apartment, shrugging her red hoodie off and hanging it over the back of the loveseat. Ivan took his backpack that was filled with his belongings and set it down gently next to the loveseat, then slipped his long, beige, military style overcoat off, draping it over the back of the sofa next to Maddie's hoodie. He also kicked his boots off and set them next to the door, next to Madeline's worn out red Converse. "Really, thank you so much for letting me stay." He said, looking to her with a smile, which she returned moments later. "It's no problem, Ivan. The problem for the moment is going to be sleeping arrangements.. you're too big for the couch, so you can sleep in my bed?" She said, looking from the small couch to Ivan's tall and robust frame. He frowned. "Da, that would work, but I don't want you to have to sleep on the couch," The Russian said in reply to her idea. It made him feel guilty. "We could both -- ah, nevermind." He started, then abruptly thought of the last time he shared a bed with her. She seemed to get the drift and looked uncomfortably to the ceiling. "Well.. I mean.." Maddie sighed quietly, rubbing the back of her neck. He had been doing really well in his therapy sessions, never making another move on her farther than his friendly, warm hugs, which she couldn't deny enjoying. "If you can keep your hands to yourself, I wouldn't really have a problem with it.." She said carefully, her hand going from her neck to her shorts pocket. At this, Ivan's pale face reddened a bit. "D-da, of course." He muttered sheepishly, tugging his scarf off and carefully laying it on top of his jacket. "Well.. yeah.. I'm gonna go throw some pajamas on. You just.. wait out here. I'll be back in a minute." Maddie said, heading to the room and shutting the door behind her.
Digging through her dresser, Madeline pulled out her Canadian-flag print tank top and plaid pajama bottoms and quickly changed into them, tossing her clothes she'd worn today into a basket in the corner of the room. She brushed out her long, wavy, wheat-colored hair and did a quick single braid, tying it secure with a rubber band. It was always easier to manage in the morning if she put it back. "Who's the guy that smells like vodka?" Kuma asked from his nest of a blanket and pillow in the corner. "Huh?" Maddie started, not seeing Kuma there at first, but then smiled. "That's Ivan. I don't think you would remember him very well." She replied, taking her hemp and bead bracelets off, only to wonder if she would wear a longsleeve shirt instead after glancing at her arms. Nearly up to her elbow were pale and horizontal scars, faded with time. Worry got the best of her and she ended up swtiching the Canadian flag print tank top to a black longsleeve, then exited her room to go back to the living room. Ivan was sitting on the couch, laid back and staring at the cieling with an unreadable expression. He blinked, looking over with a smile once she walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you alright?" Maddie asked, wondering if there was anything the matter. "Nyet. Just tired." He replied, running his fingers through his ashen colored hair with a long sigh. He'd changed into his pajamas as well, a gray and blue striped t-shirt with black sweatpants, this being apparent as he stood up from the couch.
"I'm pretty beat, too." She said, stifling a yawn as she gestured for Ivan to go into the bedroom if he wanted to sleep. He did so, pulling back the comforter of Madeline's neatly made bed and getting in, making himself comfortable. Maddie went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of juice, leaning against the counter while sipping at it occasionally until it was gone. She then set the cup down with a slight sigh, heading back into her bedroom. Ivan looked as if he was already asleep, so she pulled back the covers on her side and crawled in next to him, making sure to keep a bit of a distance.
Madeline started to doze off when Ivan slid his arms around her smaller frame and pulled her closer to himself. She tensed, staring straight ahead with her lips pressed into a thin line. "Sorry.. I'm used to sleeping alone.." He mumbled into the crook of her neck. Madeline relaxed slowly, her head leaning against his tough chest covered by the soft material of his shirt. This seemed to make him happy and he smiled a bit in the dark, hugging his sunflower closer and drifting off as the clutches of sleep pulled them into their abyss of dreams, nightmares, and nothingness.
------------------------------------------------------------
Authors note;; Sorry that it's so short! I just wanted a little bit of cuteness, but I didn't know where else to go with this chapter. :'3
As always, I love you guys and thank you for reading! <3
YOU ARE READING
Hot and Cold
RandomMadeline and Ivan were each others first friends. Their friendship continues to grow and blossom, until one day, Madeline discovers that her best friend is in love with her. However, along the way, she also finds out that he is not the only one in l...
