Walking from the small store, Ludwig shivered as the fridgid air hit his face and neck with unforgiving vigor. Ivan on the other hand was comfortable and covered in black fur. The sun was in it's setting hours of the day. It's orange light spread across the darkening land's day. Ivan looked down over to his German friend and smiled, this being his favorite time of day.

"Would you like to go somewhere else Ludwig?" Ivan spoke suddenly, not wishing to know the old woman's story or conversation that was Ludwig's to keep. His pace kept the same, even long stride that was his alone.

"Why not go get a drink...?" Ludwig replied slowly, his stomach still felt a little jumbled and the German was seeking some way to get it to feel better.

"Sounds like a fun time, da?" Ivan smiled just above the thick scarf he always wore. His cheeks beginning to flush from the cold, his prominent nose already a darker pink. "I have always wanted to try German vodka."

"I would suggest the beer." Ludwig offered, not to sure of the vodka himself. He had never had a taste for the alcoholic drink, nor it's burning.

"Well we'll have to see." Ivan stated as he reached around the other's back to lay his hand on his shoulder, his large gloved hand gained a firm grip on Ludwig as he did so. "You look cold." Was all he said as they continued to walk down the street.

Ludwig tensed up at the sudden contact. His heart rate raised as the contact consisted and his face flushed a light pink, this time certainly not from the cold as his face began to feel warm. His stride slowed slightly as he forgot the other's longer gate.

"So tell me, where will we be going?" Ivan continued the small talk as if the contact was nothing unusual. His broad form held high as ever, seeming to tower over the German man beside him. The soft pink of his face was still visible from Ludwig's perspective. He felt small and inferior to the other, but warm.

"Um, take a left then a right and there will be a nice bar on our right." Ludwig's shivering had gone down, but his muscles did not relax. He felt tense and the ever so present butterflies welled up in his stomach, they almost were becoming welcome when the German was in Ivan's ample, warm presence. As he walked with the other, his thoughts wondered, almost missing Ivan's response.

As the pair walked into the bar, the noise of people laughing, glasses clinking against one another and music filled the air. Ivan gently slipped his arm from the other's shoulder as he slipped off his coat. The warmth of the place hit their faces and the noise created a great contrast from the fridgid calm of the outside. On their left was the bar that stretched across the leftmost wall of the large bar. The other parts held wooden tables and booths against the walls. People were having a nice time as the smell of alcohol wafted through the air. The bar held some people while the booths and tables held the majority of the joyful couples and groups. Taking the liberty, Ludwig sat down at the bar, next to an empty seat for Ivan to sit next to him. The atmosphere was cordial and welcoming.

Ludwig called the bar tender and ordered himself a beer and Ivan a shot of vodka. The bar tender was a hefty looking young man, his jaw was square and his stature stocky. His brown hair had a soft wave as it laid across his forehead. He handed them their drinks and Ludwig took a long drink from the large cup in front of him. Ivan laughed lightly as he took the shot.

"Ludwig, could you please get me a bottle? One shot is far to little." Ivan's soft face rounded even more with his smile broadening.

"O-oh ja, of course I can." He answered. Ludwig chuckled lightly, trying to not feel so embarrassed although his cheeks told otherwise of his inner feelings. Ordering the bottle, he looked over at Ivan, noticing his all to smallness was about him again. It made Ivan look almost innocent and ignorant of his stature. His broadness felt outof place in his hunched over shoulders. Ludwig tried to shrug it off as just the way he sat. But the feelings in the back of his mind were hard to ignore.

"Spacibo, Ludwig." Ivan thanked. He took the bottle that had been placed in front of him and drank a fair amount of it's contents. His face already beginning to flush slightly from the alcohol. His large hand held the bottle firmly as he let the drink settle for a little. "I must say, this isn't as strong as mine." A small laugh fell from his lips as his sentence concluded. His warm eyes trained on his German host.

"Well I'm sorry..?" Ludwig had a hard time trying to find a way to respond. He felt foolish but couldn't let his guest feel unwelcome. "Would you like to try the beer?" He let a small smile slip onto his face as he offered his drink to the other.

Ivan paused, uncertain of whether or not he should accept the offer. "Uh, sure why not? Would you like to try mine?" His smile persisted, as he handed the other his drink and taking Ludwig's. Not really making it a choice for him. Ivan took a small sip of the golden liquid and pursed his lips. The taste wasn't what he was expecting but not bad. Ludwig on the other hand had a hard time swallowing the clear, burning, liquid from Ivan's choice of drink.

"I can't say that was what I was expecting." Ludwig struggled to talk. It was far more strong than he would have ever hoped. "My throat burns." He stated quickly, taking his drink from Ivan and taking a long drink from the rim. His face was flushed and he coughed slightly.

Ivan on the other hand laughed lightly at the other's misfortune. "Your's wasn't so bad, but i'll stick with my vodka." He chided, his eye's crinkled at the edges as he laughed a little more, taking a drink from the bottle. Drinking far more than his German counterpart.

The two sat and laughed as they talked. The sun behind them as the later hours of the day came to full swing. By the time Ludwig had finished his second beer and Ivan at half a bottle on his second. They decided to call it a night. As Ivan stood, Ludwig noticed his broadness had returned. His ampleness and intimidation returned full on as he put on his jacket to make their way out. Although he had consumed over an entire bottle of vodka, he didn't so much as stumble when he walked. Having built up a high tolerance for alcohol. Ludwig was thoroughly impressed.

As they walked, Ivan's cheeks stayed a beacon of warmth in the cold, dark air around them. The lights on the street lit as the sun had come and gone. Ivan seemed unphased by the eerie feeling of the dark around them, meanwhile Ludwig didn't feel so comfortable. He secretly wished for Ivan's warm presence to be closer, more there. His breather came out in long, drawn out puffs. It hung in the air behind them as they walked, his face getting increasingly less warm as the cold around them pulled the warmth from his skin. Ivan seemed comfortable and not the least bit cold. Although, looks can be deceiving, as he had found out that night with Ivan. Unconsciously, Ludwig slowly made his way closer and closer next to Ivan. His warmth being very real and very nice. The pools of light did nothing to help the feeling of frost beginning to dwell in the night. He began to shiver.

Ivan, taking notice of his smaller friend's predicament, he slipped off his coat quietly, placing it on the other's shoulders. "You looked cold." Just like he had done before, he gave no further insight to his thoughts, feelings or intentions with the small, but comforting gesture. His hands slipped effortlessly into his pockets in an attempt to keep them warm and his arms drew closer to his frame. Ivan was getting cold.

"Ivan, you don't need to give me your coat, i'll be fine." Ludwig insisted. His face red from both his blush and the cold. Although he enjoyed the warmth it held, he couldn't allow Ivan to be cold. "I can tell you're cold." He stated matter of factually. His voice held every hint of stubbornness and was determined to get Ivan to put his coat back on.

"You only have jacket, I have a turtleneck and a scarf I will be fine." Ivan, unfortunately, was just as stubborn. A small smile hinted at his lips as he straightened his back even more. "Plus we will be at your house soon, da?" His voice was heavily laced with his accent. He wasn't going to allow Ludwig the satisfaction of winning, and they both could tell.

"Fine.." Ludwig resided. He wasn't going to fight Ivan about an issue he didn't mind. He drew the coat tighter around him as he berried his nose in the plush fabric.

"Oh and may I ask, could I stay at your place tonight? It is awfully late,don't you think?" Ivan chided softly, his soft features and warmth made it hard to turn him down.

"I guess there is no harm in it..."