Ivan was still in bed when Natalya had begun preparing his breakfast. Of course, he didn't know she was there. He never did expect her, she had this way of showing up as if she had no business of being anywhere else. Rushing about the kitchen preparing his favorites, placing a table setting; in the other room Ivan was stirring. "what are these sounds I am hearing?" he thought to himself. Surely it must be big sister at her bread as usual. Wrapping his scarf around his neck over his pajamas, he steps out of his room and yawned. "hello dorogoy," a voice that he'd not expected came from right below his nose. "ah, B- Belarus, I didn't expect y-", "Belarus? Ivan you know better than that, if we are to be married you must call me by name, now sit." She ushered him toward the table and poured him some vodka. "You and that stupid scarf. Could you just not wear it for once? Katya isn't even here. Eat eat eat, come on now – we must get you ready for your day. Oh, Ivan – I lost my keys, could I stay here tonight?" He shook his head with disbelief and agreed to let her stay with him until she found her keys. With a nod, she brought to him the rest of his meal.
As uneasy as Natalya made him feel, he did love her cooking – this reminded him of the days when they were younger during which Yekaterina would go off early to buy flour, and it was just the two younger siblings by themselves for the early part of the day. Ivan wasn't big on cooking, after all – so whatever his sisters could make for him he was grateful for. As he ate he could feel her eyes watching his lips move, his eyes darting from place to place on his plate. "Bela-.. Nat, I don't like when you do that." Her expression unmoving, she replied "Do what, Ivan? I just want you to be happy, i-" "never mind, this is delicious by the way." Natalya blushed and turned away, clearing the counters of clutter "I'm glad you like it" she said, smiling. She could never let him see her smile. He tends to use weaknesses to his advantage, there was no way she could let him see what the simplest things he says do to her.
Leaning back on his chair, Ivan stretched – Natalya couldn't help but to watch him throw his head back, seeing his chest move under his shirt. Still with a dish in her hand, and her body facing opposite of him, her head turned to watch – she lost co-ordination and dropped the dish, smashing it into the sink. "Proklitye!" she exclaimed. Ivan stood suddenly, and reached around her from behind, taking the glass from her hands carefully and placing it aside. She could feel his heartbeat on her back. Closing her eyes, she leaned into him. "Ivan, I am so sorry for breaking your dish – please forgive me." "It's nothing, Nat – really." There was a knock at the door, following which it opened revealing Yekaterina with a basket. "Hello, Deti! Oh, Ivan do you wear that scarf always?" she walked toward him, kissing his cheek – and then kissing Natalya's immediately after. "I brought pastries, I hope you're hungry!" Natalya aggressively replied, "no he is not, I made him breakfast and he's just finished. Maybe another time, it was nice seeing you." Used to her sister's aggression and reproach, She set the basket down before her brother and started chatting with him about the prices in the market. Feeling terribly annoyed and neglected, Natalya went to the other room and made a phone call. Soon after, putting on gloves and a scarf – Natalya walks through her brother's kitchen, not looking at him, nor Katye on her way out. "I wonder where Nat is off to" Ivan thought to himself. But he went back to his conversation with Yekaterina and thought nothing more until later that night.
It became later and later. Ivan was perched on the side of his bed waiting to hear the door open at the front of the house. Surely Natalya would be back soon, she did say she was staying with him tonight. He decides to rest his eyes for just a moment. Hours later he awoke with a start to the sound of giggling, and soon after the door closing. He looked at the clock, 2:16am, what on earth was Natalya doing out so late? His curiosity rose him off his bed and toward the kitchen where he found his little sister smiling down at her hands as she took off her gloves. "Natalya where have you been?" Ivan demanded. "I was just out, is that okay with you?" she replied in an aggressive tone. He didn't seem to be biting. "I was out with a friend, a dear friend really." She said. "okay well the guest bed is made." She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Ivan don't you want to know who I was with?" He ignored her and sleepily walked to his bedroom door. "Goodnight Belarus." Natalya's face went red, "Alfred always calls me Natalya." Ivan paused with the doorknob in his hand. He slowly turned to her. "Goodnight Belarus." Natalya put the kettle on and stared at her brother's door for a while. A short while later she grabs two mugs from the cupboard and goes to his door. She knocks once and opens the door to see Ivan removing his shirt. It seems he hadn't heard her until she let out a short gasp. Quickly turning, he says "Hello again, sister. What would you like?" she takes a step in and picks up his scarf off the floor, handing it to him. "Come have coffee with me, brother. Ive not seen you all day." he agrees, taking his scarf from her hands and following her to the kitchen. She poured coffee and sat down, shivering. "Are you cold, Belarus?" he said. She nodded slightly, as he stood and wrapped his scarf around her.
This simple act made her blush, she breathed in the smell of her big brother, the love of her life. He was still shirtless, of course. He never did get very cold. When the shock of being enveloped in her brother's beloved scarf dissipated, she decided to try to intrigue him with her whereabouts again. Ivan was deep in thought, sipping his coffee and staring off behind her. "Ivan, I was at the most beautiful cafe tonight." "is that so?" yes, Alfred bought me this strange coffee drink, it tasted like raspberries – how wonderful." He stopped mid-sip and looked her in the eye. "Alfred? You mean that America pest? You were with him? Why were you with him until this hour?" She could see that she'd finally gotten to him, what a treat this was. "I guess you could say we're seeing each other. I saw him tonight, after all." Ivan stood and poured his coffee in the sink. "That's nice, Belarus. I'm very tired, though.. I must go to bed." he smiled and started toward his room. Natalya jolted to him, standing in front of his door. "Alfred ALWAYS calls me Natalya." she said even more intensely than before. "goodnight." he replied. Natalya's heart sank, she looked down and slowly raised herself up to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "goodnight Ivan.." she whispered and walked to the guest room.
Just before she got to the bedroom door, she heard Ivan's door close several feet behind her. Assuming he'd gone in, she sighed and reached for her doorknob. As she grasped it, she was startled by sudden heat on her back, and breath on her neck.. Ivan had come for her. He reached his arms around her from behind and began kissing her neck. Letting out a moan and turning her head to look at him, his head raises too and kisses her forehead. "I'll always call you Natalya if you'd like" he whispered in her ear. Absolutely speechless, Natalya turned around and reached her hands up, pulling his face to hers and kissed him deeply. He then leaned against her, holding her against the wall, towering over her. She could feel his heartbeat, his weight pressed against her – she was in a state of euphoria, and utter disbelief. Why now? Had she finally made him jealous enough to want her? "Ivan, why." she breathed. "America can't have you." he replied, taking her hand and guiding her to his bedroom. "you've forgotten who you want. Allow me to remind you who you belong to." he said, as he pulled off her dress to reveal a lace slip. Her hand explored his back, as he began kissing her neck, slowly kissing his way down her chest. She was in a state of euphoria, any forcefulness that had previously come naturally to her slipped away, seemingly transferred into Ivan. He lifted her up and carried her to his room, setting her down - still completely awestruck - gently onto his bed.
To be continued.