"Matvey, wake up," A gentle knock came to Matthew bedroom door. The blonde stirred but did not wake. "Matvey, I am going to enter. I do hope you are decent," Ivan turned the door handle and cracked open the door to Matthew's bedroom, pushing the door open slightly and peeking inside. He saw the blonde curled up in bed. A small smile tugged at his lips and he slipped into the room, the doors latch connecting with a click. He leaned against the door for a minute, simply watching Matthew sleep.
He continued to do so for a few minutes before he moved over to sit on the edge of the bed beside Matthew, pulled the blankets back over the blondes shoulders and continued to watch him sleep. He brushed silky blonde locks away from the younger mans face; brushed the pads of his fingers over a soft cheek. Matthew stirred again in his sleep but did not wake.
"Such a fool," Ivan murmured softly as he shifted closer, moving his fingers to Matthew jaw, to his lips, before leaning down to capture them in a soft kiss. It only lasted for a second or two before Matthew let out a soft whine and attempted to turn over onto his other side. "Matvey, wake up please," Ivan asked again. He wound his hand into Matthew's hair and gave a light tug, causing Matthew to groan and move away. "Wake up Matthew," Matthew groaned again, eyes fluttering behind their lids before he slowly opened them, blinking up at Ivan. "Good evening, nemnogo podsolnechnogo,"
"Good evening Ivan," Matthew murmured, voice thick from sleep. "Is it time for dinner already?"
"Da," Ivan murmured. "But I am much rather seeing you here," His words were mixing up as he leaned over the blonde, trailing his hand down from Matthew's hair to his cheek, to his neck and down along the boys bare clavicle. "You are so pretty Matvey," He ran his fingers downward; underneath the collar of Matthew's light sleep shirt.
"I-Ivan.." Matthew whimpered softly as the mans other hand slipped beneath the hem of his shirt, tickling Matthew's sides as his fingers crept. "S-stop," He let out a sharp gasp as Ivan's fingers ghosted over his nipples. "Nnn!"
"Do you really vant me to stop?" Matthew shuddered at his words and actions. Ivan ran the pad of his thumb over the bump on Matthew chest, enjoying the younger man squirm. "I thought not,"
"I-Ivan!" Matthew gasped out. "I-if someone c-catches us—,"
"Alright, alright," Ivan backed up off Matthew and allowed the blonde to sit up properly. He then reached out and rubbed his thumb along Matthew cheek. "So are cute when you are flustered," Matthew batted his hands away. "Come. Dinner has been ready for a while now,"
"O-okay. Let me get dressed first," Ivan nodded.
"Something pretty, please?" Matthew nodded before motioning to his closets.
"You can pick if you want. I do not have many dresses though," Ivan flashed him a smile and made his way to Matthew's closet. "They are at the back," He added after a minute of Ivan rummaging through his shirts. The ash-blond man went back further into Matthew's closet to where the boys gowns were. He took the time to pull each one out and look it over, scrutinize each before returning it. He stopped once he came across a green-blue satin dress. The bottom was a forest green while the coat was blue with white, almost in a flower design. It had lace on the ends of the sleeves, down the middle and around the collar. He turned to Matthew.
"Da. This. You vear this," Matthew gave it a quick glance.
"I cannot wear that Ivan. It won't fit me. It was something from my younger days,"
"Prove it to me Matvey," Matthew sputtered.
"N-no! I cannot! It is not proper—," Ivan pouted and the protest died on Matthew's lips. "Give me the dress and get out. I will call you when I am done dressing. But I am not leaving this room with this on," Ivan broke out in a grin.
"Da! Da! Call to me vhen you are done," Ivan quickly left him in the closet by himself and went to sit on the bed. Matthew closed the door and changed as quickly as he could in the closet—there was plenty of room to do so. He fumbled with the buttons, to get the different pieces of the dress opened so he could slide into them. He opened the coat and undershirt before slipping out of his bed clothes. He slipped the undershirt on first, then the crisp white blouse; it was tight on his shoulders and around his chest. If he had been a girl, he would have been bursting out of the shirt. He tugged at the sleeves; the lace was just as itchy as he remembered it to be. But this was what Ivan wanted to see so he would do it for him this once. He picked up the dress itself, and wiggled into it. It was flush to his hips and only fell down to just above his knees. The heat rose to his cheeks. Showing something like this to Ivan was highly inappropriate, and yet, he continued to dress. He pulled the coat over and began to fasten it up, growling softly to himself as the lace that ran down got in the way. "Are you almost ready Matvey?" He heard Ivan call from the room. Matthew ignored him in favour of finishing the buttons on the coat and brushing down his front. It had been so long since he had worn this. He let out the breath he was holding and exited the closet.
"This is very inappropriate I-Ivan," He muttered as he stood in front of the older man, holding one arm with his hand behind his back. Ivan licked his lips.
"Come closer," As soon as he was close enough, Ivan's hands grabbed for him, pulling him by his hips, circling his arms around his waist. "Matvey, so beautiful," He muttered against Matthew stomach. "You look like school girl," Matthew squeaked as Ivan's hands came around and groped his backside and he tried to pull away.
"I-Ivan!" Matthew snapped, flustered. Ivan chuckled softly and released him.
"You tease me too much Matvey. I am only man after all. How do you expect me to keep myself in check all the time?"
"I'm going to change!" Matthew said, frowning at him. He turned on his heel and moved back to the closet to change. Ivan stood quickly and followed; herding him against the shelves of the closet.
"Matvey," He growled out softly, wrapping his arms around Matthew's waist. He pressed his face into the junction of Matthew's neck and pressed small, wet kisses there. "I love you Matvey. Please. Marry me,"
"I-Ivan..I...I don't know...I..."
"Please, Matvey... I do not know vhat I vould do vithout you," He said in a low voice against Matthew ear.
"We will discuss it over dinner, okay?" Matthew sighed softly, placing his hands atop Ivan's. "Let me change into something more suited for dinner," He turned around in Ivan's arms. "Okay?" Ivan nodded.
"Da. I vill vait," He released Matthew. "I vill vait outside your door," And with that he turned and left the room.
Matthew struggled to remove the dress he was in before going back and seeing what else he could wear to dinner. He picked though his outfits, humming and hawing over which one to wear. In the end he chose a black and beige dress. It fit him like a glove, accentuate what small curves his body had. The bodice was black for the most part, with white pearl buttons down the front and a lacy collar. The dress on the other hand was mostly beige with the edges covered in black. In the back there was a dress a rather large flourish of a bow. He made sure everything was perfect before moving to his vanity and running the brush though his locks for a moment. Once he was happy with it he left his room to see Ivan fiddling with his pocket watch.
"Matvey. You look stunning," He told the blonde as he held out his arm for Matthew to take. Matthew took it gladly and let himself be led downstairs. He looked to his right, up at Ivan, just noticing his change of clothing. He was dressed in a finely tailored black suit; something his father would approve of.
"You look quiet handsome yourself,"
"Would you like to go for a walk around the grounds after dinner?" He asked. Matthew nodded.
"That would be lovely. I—Oh. I best ask Father first," He ended, muttering the last part. Ivan looked at the base of the stairs to see Arthur standing there, arms crossed over his chest.
"And just where have you been?" He asked in a low voice.
"I-I was sleeping Father,"
"And you?" Arthur nodded towards Ivan.
"I finished dinner so I vent to vake Matvey up,"
"Speak English!"
"I said I went to wake Matthew up after I was finished cooking dinner for him," Ivan growled out, forcing the proper sounds. "Sorry. It takes much concentration for me to form proper pronunciation," He added after a moment.
"We it does not take over a half hour to wake someone up!" Matthew flushed, embarrassed.
"Vell...Matvey did not wake right away and needed to dress so I vait for him outside his room. He took a long time to dress," Arthur sent him a pointed glare. "Sorry," Ivan muttered. The older blonde turned his attention to his son.
"I trust that nothing happened while you were...dressing," Matthew quickly shook his head.
"Nothing of the sort. The only thing I allowed was a brief kiss," The frown did not leave Arthur's face.
"Fine,"
"Umm, Father. After dinner. Ivan has invited me for a walk of the grounds. Would that be okay?"
"I do not want you out after dark,"
"Do not worry, I will have him back by dusk. Well...Just after dusk. I wish to view the stars with him if that is alright,"
"Not particularly but it would seem Matthew would like to or so it seems," Matthew let go of Ivan to awkwardly hug his father.
"Thank you Father!" He stepped back and returned to wrap his arms around Ivan's. "If you would excuse us Father," He gave a slight bow.
"Of course," Arthur locked eyes with Ivan before the pair passed the older blonde.
"So what have you made for me tonight?" Matthew asked as Ivan held the door open to the dining room. Matthew released his arm again and slipped by him as he entered into the room. "Oh, Ivan. This is so very romantic of you," The table was set for two; at least at one end—the table was rather large but one end had been set for two, a few candles lit for ambiance. There was a bucket of ice off to the side with a bottle wine chilling in it. The lanterns had not been lit, so the only light in the room was coming from the candles on the table which emitted a soft glow. Ivan led him to the table, pulled out his chair and then after the blonde sat down, pushed his chair closer to the table. "T-thank you,"
"If you would excuse me Matvey, I will be back in a moment," Matthew nodded and placed his hand in his lap and waited quietly. Ivan left the room quickly, slipping into the kitchen to get his first course. One of the maids (Elizabeth) was standing at the washing basin washing some of the dirty dishes.
"You. Maid. Vhat is your name?" Ivan asked. The girl frowned for a moment before turning to Ivan and plastering on a smile.
"Elizabeth sir,"
"Such a pretty name for a pretty girl," Elizabeth blushed softly. "Vould you do me a favour? I have some soup to carry out but I do not think I can do it vithout spilling it all over everything. Vould you mind doing it for me?" Elizabeth nodded.
"Of course sir. I can bring everything out if you'd like. It is part of my duties,"
"You vould'nt mind? I do not vish to put any more stress on you..." Elizabeth shook her head.
"It is no worry Sire. You go back with young Matthew," She smiled sweetly at him. Ivan gave her a bow.
"Thank you," He murmured before returning back to the dining room. Matthew glanced over at him.
"Your maid. Elizabeth vill be bring things out. I am clumsy," He chuckled. Elizabeth came out after a few minutes carrying a tray. Carefully, Elizabeth set a steaming bowl of soup in front of Matthew, then Ivan. She then poured both of them a glass of wine before clutching the tray to her chest, bowing, then leaving them alone. Matthew picked up his wine glass "I make this from home. Is Borscht. I hope you like," Matthew smiled at him shyly and picked up his soup spoon before dipping it into the bowl and tasting the red soup.
"So it is call Borsh?" Matthew asked
"Borscht," Ivan repeated. "It is vegetable soup made with beets. Very popular in homeland," The both returned to their soup and were silent for a few minutes.
"It's very good," Matthew said. Ivan looked up from his bowl and beamed at him.
"Da, da! I am glad. I was not sure. Many western countries do not like it. But I thought, Matvey is cultured so he would like it. Vould you like more wine?" Ivan asked, as he finished his glass. Matthew nodded, sipping his own. Ivan refilled both glasses. "Now, onto next? I made Pelmeni. It is...stuffed pasta. That would be the best way to discribe. Very tasty," Ivan turned to get up but as he did Elizabeth entered with the next coarse. She placed the shallow bowl of the dumplings in a broth before each of them. "Enjoy Matvey, I hope you like them. It is a little different from what I normally make since I didn't have everything avalible but is good just the same," Matthew smiled at him and stabbed one of the dumplings before bringing the fork to his mouth and taking a bite.
"Oh god," Matthew moaned softly.
"Vhat? Vhat is wrong? Is it bad?" Matthew shook his head.
"Ivan, this is terrific! What is in it?" Matthew asked before taking another bite.
"Beef...chicken and some vegetables and spices,"
"Ivan, this is to die for! You'll have to teach me how to make it one of these days!" Ivan smiled and they both returned to their meals. It wasn't long before they were both finished their bowls and Ivan sat back in his chair.
"Matvey, you are so exquisite...so alluring. How can you be so?" He murmured quietly. Heat rose to Matthew's cheeks as he blushed. Ivan reached out and brushed his knuckles against Matthew's cheek breifly before pulling his hand away. Elizabeth came out a few minutes later and cleared their dishes away then returned with a tray of tea and some sort of cake it looked like. "Thank you Elizabeth," Ivan murmured. The maid smiled softly and bowed before leaving. Matthew reached for the teapot to pour some tea but Ivan batted his hands away and poured the tea himself into both of their teacups. "This is a simple butter cake. I know your Papa is very good with sweets and cakes so it is nothing compaired to his but I hope you like," Matthew picked up his dessert fork and and cut a peice of the cake before bring it to his mouth.
"I think you are wrong," Matthew said quietly after he finished another few bites of the cake. "It's nice and has a nice lemon taste. It is very tasty," A grin spread across Ivan's face.
"Matvey spoils me with his words," Matthew waved him off before finishing his tea and cake and pushing the dishes away from him. Ivan quickly finished his as well before jumping to his feet. "Vould you like to go for valk now?" He asked. Matthew nodded, taking his hand.
"Of course,"