Chapter 26

Arthur watched as most of the guests filtered out before Ivan sat on his throne and looked for him, waving him over. "I promised these to you." He smiled as he handed Arthur a box. He could smell the sickly sweet smell from outside the box and grinned as he tore them open, curling up on Ivan's lap as he started nibbling on the end of one, sucking the juice out.

"They're almost too sweet, but they're so good..." Arthur sighed, content as he curled up happily in Ivan's arms, resting his head on the warm shoulder beneath. His box was on his knees, which were currently under Ivan's arm, tossed over the side of the throne. He watched as Ivan chuckled, running a hand softly over the back of his hair, content in the action.

"I'm glad you like them. I said I got them for you, but we always keep some around, so if you would like, you can always have some, alright?" Ivan watched a happy expression as he pampered the man sitting on his lap.

Arthur nodded, and let out a soft sigh, letting the flavor of the chocolate wash over him.

Twenty minutes later, half of the chocolates gone, he stood up and said he'd be right back. Ten minutes later, he wasn't. "He's probably smashed." Sasha pointed out and Ivan groaned.

"Probably running through the halls in nothing but a SILK RED TANK TOP AND TINY LACE PANTIES!" Nikolai yelled at Sasha, who burst into laughter.

"You forgot the cat ears!"

"Don't even want to know..." Lovino stared. "But we should find the bastard."

"Indeed!" Francis laughed as he took off down a hallway. Ivan sighed, but couldn't hide a smile. If this would be the normal antics, finding a possibly naked Arthur running drunk and loose in the castle, he could easily deal.

He stood and stretched, turning. "I'll go search as well." He spoke as the others in the group all headed out, except Natalia and Nikolai, who both informed the group they could search alone, they were heading to bed. Ivan checked his room first, but didn't find him there.

They searched the whole castle, not finding him anywhere. "Feliciano, you can look for people, right?"

"Ah, Si. Let me pull it up." He smiled as he opened a small book he had in his pocket and opened it to the right page, patting the circle to open it beneath himself. He opened the display and looked it over. "This can't be right."

"What's it say?" Ivan asked and Feliciano turned the image to an angle so they could see better.

"It says he's on the roof, on the south west tower." He frowned and Ivan nodded, running.

He may have been a soldier and strategist in the school, but by no means did that mean he couldn't use magic. He wrote a circle on his hand and patted it to the wall at his bedroom window, It created a staircase on the outside of the building and he ran up, finding the others behind him. He looked up on the tower, finding Arthur standing, staring off at the horizon. "How did you get up there?" Ivan called, but Arthur didn't respond. He turned to look at everyone else as he clapped his hand to the wall again, creating a spiral staircase that lead up. He carefully walked it, feeling the strain from keeping both staircases open. As he reached the top he was surprised to find Arthur as somber as he was. "What are you doing up here?"

"My home was that way, wasn't it?" Arthur asked, not moving a muscle. "I can feel it. It's like it's calling to me, telling me to come home."

"Do you want to go back?" Ivan asked and Arthur turned to him, shaking his head.

"I hated that place, honestly. It was a bloody fright. I love you, and I love it here, so I don't know why I have this feeling. It's... unsettling to say the least." He spoke as he looked over Ivan. "Maybe tonight you could help me forget it?" He asked, holding out his hand and Ivan took it, a smile on his face.

"Of course." He smiled as he brought him down the staircases. As they went through the next one, Antonio was charged with making sure no one was left behind. After they were sure everyone made it back into the castle Ivan told them that with Arthur's state, it was best for them to go to bed. Everyone nodded and left, a 'Goodnight!' or 'Gute Nacht.' on their lip as they left.

"So," Ivan asked, walking up to Arthur, who smiled as he laid back on the bed. "What did you have in mind?" Arthur reached down, undoing the buttons on his jacket and slid id off before starting on his tie. Ivan started quickly on his own and quickly stripped himself down, already feeling his body pulse from want. He slid the clothes off of the bed as Arthur scooted further up the bed, leaving the clothes abandoned before Ivan crawled over them. As his hands moved up, sliding over warm skin, Arthur smiled, letting his eyes softly close and the feeling of fingers comfort him. Ivan started kissing over his skin, starting at the closest wrist and just worked his way up, one arm, then the other. Then his neck, and he started his way down. As warm lips wrapped around him, Arthur noticed the sound of the cork and relaxed as Ivan started working on preparing him, opening him up, but it left him feeling hollow. Every time the fingers slid away, even though he didn't pull them out completely, he felt empty. He glanced down, seeing Ivan's mouth on him, his eyes watching to see Arthur's response and as their eyes locked, Arthur felt himself grow bright red. Ivan, seeing Arthur start to panic with embarrassment moved his fingers up, pressing against his prostrate and chuckled as Arthur's head snapped back, a gasp greeting his ears telling him he'd properly distracted him for a moment as his fingers worked him further open.

"I don't know how much more I can take..." Arthur panted out and Ivan grinned as he pressed his lips as far down as he could and sucked hard, swallowing before humming. He watched as Arthur's whole body tightened, his hands shaking in their grasp of the duvet. He was so close his lips formed words his lungs couldn't push out, and it turned Ivan on even more. He poured a bit more of the oil over his hand and coated himself just as Arthur released, the muscles squeezing his fingers as the boy's body shook beneath him. Ivan smirked as he lifted his head and swallowed, surprising Arthur, who stared before a soft haze came over him and Ivan could only smile.

Somehow, right after getting off, he was already ready again. He'd barely started going down and one hand sliding over him let Ivan know he was already hard. Ivan kissed up his body til he reached his face. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Arthur nearly whispered as his arms snaked over the man on top of him, holding him close as Ivan carefully pushed himself in. He took a second after to just try and remember to breathe, as Arthur seemed to be wrapped tighter around him than the last time. He looked down to see his head tossed back, his eyes softly closed, lost in sensation, his lips puckered and Ivan leaned down, pressing his lips to the other. Hands greedily moved up Arthur's body, touching, grasping before reaching his cheeks and cradled his face. Ivan's hips rocked against his will, gently pushing and pulling, causing the one beneath him to gasp and moan softly. As his cheeks were covered his eyes fluttered open and he watched, seeing the adoration of the man above him.

Somehow it was a shock to him. It wasn't a simple happy look, or a delicate smile like he normally gave him. Arthur looked over desperately affectionate eyes, the corner of his mouth tilted in worry. Arthur felt his heart pound as he looked him over. His hands softly came down, pressing over Ivan's cheeks, his thumbs running over the soft skin at the corners of his eyes. "Why do you look at me like this?" Arthur softly whispered, feeling like his breath had been stolen right from his chest.

"I worry I'm tainting you. So innocent, so precious..." Ivan leaned down, bringing their lips together as he started rocking his hips a little harder. Arthur felt tears come to his eyes as soft words of adoration were whispered into his ear. Arthur wrapped himself in Ivan. His words, his arms, he craved this feeling to never end. He felt his chest shake before Ivan stilled and leaned up, looking him over. Soft fingers brushed away tears. "Why are you crying?" Ivan asked, more worried than he'd been before.

"You make me feel like so much more than I am. I was never wanted, I was never needed by the people I lived with for so long, and you, a king, so much more important, and you need me. YOU want me!" Arthur held Ivan close as he cried. "You are my world now. I may not be your slave any longer, but everything of me is still yours! All of me feels like I was made just for you."

"You're wrong." Ivan pressed his lips back to Arthur's as he started moving again, causing a shiver of pleasure to wash over him. "Somehow, as I made you my slave, you made me yours." Ivan smiled before giving another kiss.

Somehow the soft, tender care they'd been showing each other shifted to passion and Ivan started thrusting hard, causing Arthur to start moaning, the sound only spurring him on more. Arthur watched the expressions that crossed Ivan's face. He still held that adoration in his eyes, and somehow it made him so much more sensitive. Every touch, every kiss, every push felt explosive.

His whole body tensed, his muscles clamping down as he came, Ivan following immediately after. It was a few minutes til either of them were able to move or respond, feeling completely worn down from the events of the day, but Ivan softly lifted Arthur in his arms, carefully carrying him to the shower. Arthur, feeling his whole body too weak to respond just rested in his arms as he was cleaned and dried before being taken back to the bed. Ivan stared at the splatters across the top of the duvet and frowned, raising an eyebrow. He shifted Arthur to one arm, with much effort, and ripped it away before pulling back the blanket. He carefully climbed onto the bed and laid down, not for a moment letting Arthur's skin leave his own as he curled up around him and they both drifted off into sleep.

The next morning left Arthur with an odd feeling. He kept sensing the direction his homeland was in. It started to really worry Ivan, and with some comments from the City Council, it was arranged for Ivan and his group to head to the land of Ire, though somehow he'd managed to keep it a secret from Arthur.

"I'd like to stay behind." Natalia spoke softly to Ivan as they packed clothing for the journey. "I know Nikolai will be replacing you while you're gone, and I think it would be appropriate to have one recognized member of the Assassin's squad at his side." She spoke, her face dead serious and Ivan frowned.

"You're still too new to be left alone. We still need to get to know you better." Ivan watched as her head dropped.

"Yes, your majesty." She bowed low as she turned to walk away, but Ivan sighed and called her back, asking her to stay for a moment.

"Why do you wish to stay behind? Do you not like sea travel?" He asked and she frowned, shaking her head.

"It's not that, your highness." She spoke, missing the cringe that passed his face every time she spoke so formally to him. "I just feel it's better to spread out a little."

"You have a thing for Nikolai, don't you?" He asked, watching as Natalia looked up with wide eyes, the look of shock on her normally stoic face caused him to burst into giggles. She fought for words of denial, but they seemed to fall short as she struggled and Ivan held up his hand.

"Is this the situation?" Ivan asked with a calm but happy expression.

"Y-yes..."

"Then you may stay. I'll let him know what's happening before we leave."

"I'm still curious where we're going." Arthur spoke up and Ivan smiled, hugging him close.

"I told you, it's a mission to make amends. That's all you need to know for now." He smiled as he softly patted Arthur's back.

It was nearly midday when they loaded up onto the ships. Three in total, but Arthur noticed one seemed to only hold supplies and a bare amount of workers.

As they set sail, Arthur smiled, looking over the side of the ship, Gilbert, Antonio and Francis at his sides. "Somehow, being on a ship like this seems nostalgic." Antonio grinned.

"Oui, I noticed it as well." Francis grinned as Arthur sighed.

"I've been on this ship before." He whispered and the others looked at him with a raised brow. "This is the same ship Ivan brought me to Russia in." He glanced over to Antonio, who frowned.

"How long ago was that?"

"The day before Boot Camp started." He sighed and the other three stared at him in shock. "What?"

"The way you and Ivan are, I honestly thought you'd been together for a while before Camp. This is all really new to you, isn't it?"

"In seven weeks I went from being an ostracized librarian, to a slave, to the lover of a king. Best seven weeks of my life." he smiled brightly, making the others grin and pat him on the back.

"You've also claimed one of the few knight-ships in the kingdom. You really raised up quickly." Francis smiled as Arthur nodded happily. Gilbert watched the sun reflect off of the water and sighed.

"I was a pirate for a little bit." He admitted, making the rest stare at him in surprise. "We had a hard time making money, and for a kid, it was either become a thief or pirate, or learn to gamble. They had a magician on the ship that said he would fix my eyes. I was very poor in sight when I was a child. Not like Arthur, but it was hard. In agreeance for passage as well as the gift of my sight, I worked on the ship for a month. Ludwig helped out a little, but he was only around two at the time. He doesn't remember it." he smiled.

"Mon dieu, your lives keep getting more and more interesting the more I learn!" Francis grinned. "I've fallen in love with an ex-pirate! How exciting!" Francis chuckled while Gilbert looked up with a grin.

"I'm also a natural born doctor. I was born into the Teutonic Order of the Saint Maria. It was our goal to establish hospitals all over the world." Gilbert smiled. "I was one of the best for my age, even if everyone I healed refused to admit it was me that had assisted them." He smiled.

"I'd never be ashamed to admit you healed me." Arthur patted his back softly and Gilbert nodded in appreciation.

"It's weird, si?" Antonio looked over, seeing everyone else glance towards him. "We're a collection of cast outs, and we ended out banding into one of the strongest groups of fighters in Russia. None of us are even Russian, but somehow, we still managed." He smiled and Arthur shook his head.

"Natalia and Vladimir are."

"Nu." Vladimir's voice came from behind. They turned, watching as he came up to lean against the banister with them. "My mother, as well as my father's family a generation back, are Romanian. I'm only a quarter Russian, if that." He smiled.

"It's the 'Da' that mislead me." Arthur smiled as Vladimir laughed.

"It's fine. The languages have some similarities. My sister, Elizabeta, she completely took after her mother. She may be a quarter Russian and Romanian, but she's half Hungarian. She grew up there. Her mother left our father right after she was born, but she fell ill. She traveled to the house about ten years ago. I was still small at the time, so I didn't understand, but she reached the house, delivered her to us, to her father who she'd never met, then died before we could react." He looked over the water. "It's weird, she's my older sister, but somehow I've become so overprotective of her. I risked being kicked from the competition to make sure she would be safe." He smiled happily. "I'm happy things turned out so well."

"Us too. Your little invisibility trick saved our arses a few times now." Arthur grinned, causing a light laugh to come through the group.

"Bruder." Ludwig's voice was heard and Gilbert turned, watching as his brother looked uncomfortably over the group. "Can you help with seasickness?"

"Who's seasick?" Gilbert stood as Antonio turned as well.

"Feli und Lovi aren't doing so well." He stood tall, and Arthur realized he was nervous. It surprised him to find someone so tall and serious even able to make that face.

The whole group made their way over, finding Alfred and Yao patting their backs, trying to comfort the men on their knees, their heads leaning against the railings.

"They've been puking their guts out." Alfred spoke as the others came closer.

"I'm used to small boats. The larger ones donna agree with me." Feliciano nearly whispered as Gilbert walked over, getting down on one knee before him and placed his hands over the boy's ears. A white light accompanied Gil's chanting as Feliciano seemed to shake horribly in his arms for a moment.

"Oh, that's helping." Feliciano smiled, closing his eyes as Antonio placed his hands over Lovino's ears, working the same spell.

Unlike Feliciano who shivered then seemed to be fine, Lovino shook horribly and threw up again over the side of the ship. He collapsed to the ground, surprising the rest as his body started to convulse and Gilbert rushed over, placing his hands over his ears, working harder to counteract what Antonio had done.

"You were supposed to raise the pressure, not drop it." Gilbert mumbled. "It helps keep the liquid from sloshing around as much. You lowered the pressure too much and it caused more pressure to start in his brain." Gil looked up, seeing Antonio staring in horror, his hands on Lovino's chest, tears in his eyes. "He'll be fine, Ja? It's a simple, easy to correct mistake." Gil continued correcting the problem, realizing Antonio was too shocked to hear him.

Lovino opened his eyes and sat up, his head spinning from the changes in pressure. "Whatta happened?"

"You fell and hit your head on the banister. You're fine." Gil grinned, patting Antonio on the back, who glanced over, seeing Gilbert wink at him. Antonio lifted the other, with some effort, but carried him on his back below deck to the quarters for them.

"Why'd you lie to him?" Feliciano asked and Gilbert grinned.

"There's no reason for Lovi to be mad at him over a simple mistake. He had tried to help, and that should be the important part, Ja?"

"Si. Grazie." Feliciano smiled before standing. His legs still felt a little wobbly, but he felt much better. "You fixed me well!" He grinned and Gilbert stood with a nod.

"Zhis is me, Gilbert Bielshmidt, A member of the Teutonic order of the Maria!" He grinned as Ludwig patted him on the shoulder.

"Danke."

"Kein problem, bruder." He grinned before turning and walking to the front of the ship.

"Can I ask you a question?" Arthur asked and Gilbert looked down with a smile.

"Sure! Vhat do joo wanna know?"

"Two things, actually, can you teach me more about being a doctor? You seem to have a lot more knowledge than what they taught at school."

"Ja, I'm a stickler for education, I've been reading about it in my free time since I was a child. I'd be happy to help, but I don't know how much I can really teach you." Gilbert admitted. Arthur may be a novice to magic, but he learned quickly and once he understood the spells he had no problems winding them together to create something more grand.

"Also, I noticed you eight are in the same groups with the four rooms this time. Why is that?"

Gilbert blushed at this one. "Well, with me and Lovino each having a bruder in another couple, and considering I'm a lot less... worried about Antonio or Lovino being near if things get started..."

"Ah, understood." Arthur blushed as he looked away. So Gilbert didn't have a big problem with Lovino and Antonio seeing him and Francis together. The same would go the other way around, then. "Can I ask something... a little more personal?" He asked, now horribly curious. Gil gave a short nod, wondering why Arthur was turning red. "Do you ever... as a group..."

"Ah. Hehe..." He turned away, raising his hand to the back of his head, his cheeks tinting pink. "Ja, either as a group, or just at the same time. Sometimes it adds a little more interest, Ja?" He watched as Arthur nodded, still bright red.

"Thanks for answering and not... calling me 'too innocent' or something." He sighed.

"As Antonio said when we first met, we all start somewhere, Ja? Don't worry so much about it. It doesn't matter what we think, but what you do." Gilbert patted him on the back and Arthur smiled, nodding in agreeance.