Ice on the Rocks

Chapter 1: Three Cuts of Snow

It had been a while that I had been "home", it made me sad to leave Alfred while he was sick but that was something I could not fight. He told me to leave and not worry and that I should visit him soon. We lived together for six years and I made myself very clear onto my feelings, but he never gave me a direct answer. I guess this meant it was time to move on.

As I stand in the front of Ivan's door I was scared to see who would open it. When Ivan heard that Alfred was getting seriously ill he asked me to come back, which was surprising to me. I left Ivan right when everything had fallen apart for him, when he needed me the most, but I had run away with Alfred instead. All this make me being here very awkward.

As the door started to open I clenched onto my suitcase…

"Ah! Toris there you are…" she seemed happy to see me

"Ukraine?" the most unexpected one to open the door

"But please come in"

Ukraine was always very heartwarming and welcome in, which made me question if she was really related to her eccentric siblings. As I walked in the door everything looked the same, the earthy colors in the walls and the pictures of sunflowers everywhere.

"Natalia, Toris is here" she called to her sister.

Hearing her name made my heart skipped a beat as I remember the countless time when I had tried to prove and declared my love for her. I raised my hand and wave, were she just ignored me and turned around to keep drinking her tea, a usual welcome coming from her. Ukraine signal me to follow her upstairs, were my old room was and also were Ivan was too, the waiting just made me more and more nervous.

"You know, he was happy to know you were coming back"

"Huh" I looked up in confusion

"He missed you a lot when you suddenly left running away with Alfred, he almost went into an all out war with him."

I just kept quiet while she told me these things, I didn't though he would actually miss me, he didn't really needed me at all and was fine with anyone who would become one with him.

We had gotten to Ivan's office/room; I still hadn't though of what I would say to him but Ukraine was already opening the door and pushing me in. I think she was happy that I was here since that would make her happy too.

"Ivan, Toris is home" she said while leaving the room, leaving us both alone.

He turned around in his chair and looked at me in surprise, which make me think that he didn't actually believe I was coming back.

"To-ris…"

I looked up to him trying not to make eye contact and noticing how he didn't have his usual coat on him, that was very unusual for him.

"Thanks for having me" I said nervous

He rapidly stood up and walked up to me, I had forgotten how tall he was, and give me a big hug in my surprise. He walked over and sat on the couch were I followed.

"You seem well" he said looking straight at me

"Yeah you to… the house seem to have stay the same"

"Well I'm not a man of change"

This was a very strong statement that made him and Alfred completely different. He liked things to stay the same as they had always had while Alfred wanted to be the hero and a role model that could change the world.

"Ivan…"

"Hmm?"

"I…I'm back"

I said looking at him which made him happy. He started to lean in closer which was unexpected but I didn't move back. Instead I close my eyes as he came closer. I could feel his breath getting closer to me and smell that familiar scent of alcohol that he always have.

End of Chapter 1