[Posted: September 16, 2019]


With a sigh, he turned his head more, aimlessly looking around
the room. His eyes landed on a calendar that hung from the wall.
The date read December 30th. His eyes widened.


I am so sorry this took forever to get up. I got distracted with commissions and other things I was writing and I kind of hit a wall with this story. Hopefully I'll be back writing this again.

Anyway, here's some smut and some fluff.

CONTENT WARNING(S): ROMANCE. FLUFF. EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT. ANGST.


3 weeks later...

Waking up to the feeling of warm limbs tangled with his own was a feeling that Ivan would never get tired of. With Gilbert cuddled against him still sleeping soundly, arm strewn across Ivan's stomach, and his legs twisted and curled with his, Ivan was sure that this was what heaven must be like — surrounded with love and happiness.

Glancing outside he saw snow coming down from the bright grey sky that hid the mid-morning sun. It was nearly the new year already, six weeks had passed since the night he met Gilbert but it felt like he had been there for a lifetime. The memory of his old room back in Colossus and the winters he survived there was barely even a thought to him anymore. All he felt was warmth and love.

With a sigh, he turned his head more, aimlessly looking around the room. His eyes landed on a calendar that hung from the wall. The date read December 30th. His eyes widened.

"Today is..." he mumbled out loud. Below his chin, he heard a soft grunt and felt Gilbert's naked body shift against his own.

"Mm, Ivan?" Gilbert spoke groggily and lifted his head.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" he asked. Gilbert yawned and shrugged. Then he smiled, climbed up a few inches, and kissed Ivan's lips sweetly.

"Morning," he greeted with a cute, sleepy grin. Ivan returned the smile and gave him a kiss of his own.

"It's cold this morning," Ivan commented, even though Gilbert's skin was keeping him warm as the man nuzzled against the other's body.

"Winter's in full swing now. New Years is tomorrow night. Can't believe another year has gone by." Gilbert spoke almost with a tone of melancholy as he rested his head on Ivan's chest. Ivan grunted softly and wrapped one arm around Gilbert's waist.

"This is the first time in a long time that I've been happy on this day," he said. Gilbert tilted his head up to him.

"Today? What's today?" Gilbert asked. It then occurred to Ivan that he never told him.

"Oh... Well, um, today is my birthday." Gilbert suddenly pushed himself up, standing on his hands and knees over Ivan with a stupefied expression his face.

"Why am I'm just finding this out now?" he asked with an eyebrow raised as if scolding him for withholding the information. Ivan lowered his head a bit, turning his head away shamefully.

"It just never came up. You never asked. You've never told me when your birthday is," Ivan pointed out. Gilbert sighed and sat cross-legged beside him, which nearly distracted Ivan with his nudity, but he was worried that Gilbert as legitimately upset.

"Well jeez, I wish I knew. I would have planned something, or bought you a present." Ivan's hand grasped Gilbert's own.

"All I need is you," he said. Gilbert turned a bit pink but pouted regardless.

"Still would have liked to know, so I could do something special for you..." he grumbled and then laid his naked body down on top of Ivan's, smiling almost mischievously as he saw a faint blush color his cheeks. "At least let me make you a nice lunch, I'll bring it to you in bed." Ivan knew by the expression on Gilbert's face that saying 'no' wasn't an option; he couldn't truly find a reason to deny the offer either.

"Alright, but don't go overboard," he spoke from experience and Gilbert almost looked offended.

"When have I ever?" Gilbert feigned innocence and Ivan raised a brow.

"You can be a bit dramatic sometimes," Ivan told him with a crooked grin. He liked Gilbert's drama, and hoped him saying so wouldn't bother him. Gilbert pouted at him but then got out of bed, and for a moment Ivan let his more primal side win and scanned his beautiful skin and body. Soon he was mostly covered, had pulled on his pajama pants and wrapped a robe around his torso before he turned back to Ivan.

"Stay here and get comfortable, I'll be back soon," he said and kissed the other's lips quickly before turning on his heels and leaving. Little by little, Ivan was getting more used to being alone. During the weeks they'd been together, they didn't spend every second with each other. Gilbert sometimes went out with his brother, Gilbert took his baths without Ivan as well, although that was mostly because if they took their baths together every night, a bad habit would form and Gilbert would likely be sore every day. Still, the solitude he felt when Gilbert was gone had started as one of dread and fear, but now he felt just a bit more comfortable by himself.

A half-hour, maybe a bit longer, passed before Gilbert came back wielding a tray of venison, fruits, and bread. As he strolled in, he had the proudest grin on his face and marched over to Ivan's side. He placed the tray over his lap and then hopped up onto the bed beside Ivan.

"Got all your favorites here," Gilbert said as he organized the utensils and plates. He brought enough food for himself as well. He wrapped his fingers around the handle of a pitcher he'd brought in. "Don't tell Lud, but I stole some wine from the cellar." Ivan raised his brows.

"You? Stealing?" he chuckled. "How naughty of you." He watched Gilbert pour the red liquid from the pitcher into a cup.

"We usually save it for special occasions, but since I didn't have time to go pick up more beer from town, I decided to dip into this."

"He won't be mad?" Ivan asked. Gilbert finished pouring his own and set the pitcher down.

"He might. I don't know. He'll get over it either way." Gilbert shrugged it off and lifted his cup. "To you," he toasted. "How old are you now?" Ivan raised his glass as well.

"Twenty-five," he answered and Gilbert smiled, and both drank a few gulps of wine. "Wow, this is good..." Ivan glanced into his cup.

"It was our parents' favorite drink. What they had at their wedding," Gilbert told him. Ivan turned his gaze to him and noticed a sudden melancholy expression; he noticed it in his voice earlier as well.

"Are you sure it's okay to drink it?" Ivan asked.

"I only took a little, and there are more bottles. We have them ordered from across the ocean like our parents did." Ivan smiled as Gilbert spoke.

"Well, it's delicious." They both took another drink before beginning their meal. Gilbert picked a few of the fruits from the tray and chewed on them.

"Mine is coming up too," he said and got Ivan's attention. The blond gave him a questioning look. "My birthday, I mean. It's January eighteenth. You said something about me not telling you, so."

Ivan smiled happily. "I'll be sure to remember." He put a grape in his mouth. "You're older than me, aren't you?" Ivan asked and Gilbert grinned smugly.

"I am!" he exclaimed like he was proud of it. "I'll be 27 soon."

Ivan chuckled behind his hand.

"You really don't act older. I still have trouble believing that you're the older brother even," he giggled.

Gilbert flattened his eyes and pouted.

"Ludwig's always been...mature, one for rules and following them. I just still have my youthful vigor, that's all." Ivan smiled softly, then leaned over to plant a sweet kiss on Gilbert's cheek.

"You certainly do, Rabbit."

Gilbert blushed at the nickname.

"Rabbit?" he inquired.

"I think it suits you. Besides, your mother used to call you that as well, right?" Gilbert nodded.

"Yeah, she did." Gilbert lowered his cup and watched Ivan with curious eyes as he tried to read him. "Your parents," he started and Ivan lifted his head suddenly in surprise. "Sorry, I don't want to pry..."

"No, it's fine, you can ask," Ivan said. Gilbert felt like he shouldn't but he was curious.

"You said you're an orphan. How long were you on the streets?" he asked. Ivan took a deep drink and then held the cup in both hands.

"I was young. Maybe...five or six. Up until Master found me."

"And that was..."

"Twenty-two, I think." Ivan seemed to be struggling to remember it all properly. He told Gilbert the main things about his past, but even he had trouble recalling it sometimes.

"How did you become an orphan?" the question slipped out and Gilbert immediately felt bad for asking.

"My parents died in a fire. That's all I remember."

Gilbert stared at him with a sympathetic, sad look.

"Ivan," he called out to him gently and placed a hand on his. Ivan looked up at him, searching for something but even he didn't know what. "What was this master's name?" Ivan recoiled back a bit.

"W-We weren't allowed to call him by any other name..."

"He's not your master anymore; no one is. And I want to know the name of the bastard." Gilbert could tell that Ivan was hesitating out of fear and saw it in his body language, but Ivan saw the determined anger in Gilbert's eyes.

"He, um... His name is Theodore. Theodore Reever." Gilbert saw how the name lingered in Ivan's body, but Gilbert repeated the name under his breath like he was embedding it into his mind.

"Sounds like a douchebag," Gilbert grumbled and stabbed a grape with his fork. He shoved it into his mouth and chewed it. After a moment he noticed Ivan glancing down at his untouched food. "Hey, um... I'm sorry for bringing this up. I shouldn't be making you feel bad on your birthday," he said.

Ivan shook his head.

"You're fine. It's just a sore spot." Ivan sighed softly and took another drink. Gilbert scooted closer to him, picked up a strawberry that had the leaves cut off, and pressed it to Ivan's lips.

"We'll celebrate today in whatever way you want," Gilbert told him. Ivan opened his mouth and let himself be fed the fruit. "We'll stay in bed all day and enjoy each other, or we can go back to the springs and relax. Whatever you want."

Ivan seemed to think for a moment as he chewed, going over his options in his mind.

"Both of those sound wonderful. What do you want to do?" Ivan asked and Gilbert avoided eye-contact, hiding behind his cup as he sipped his wine.

"Whatever you want," he answered. Ivan rolled his eyes a bit.

"You should know by now...right?" Ivan asked him as he gently rubbed at his neck. His voice was shy and soft, and Gilbert watched him carefully. "I like making you happy, so..."

"But today's your day, I should be doing everything for you and make you feel like the prince for once," Gilbert said.

Ivan's purple eyes widened a bit.

"A prince? I make you feel like a prince?" he asked with surprise, to which Gilbert blushed and averted his eyes once again.

"Well...sort of." Gilbert looked so shy. "The way you treat me in bed..." he trailed off. Ivan perked up and smiled.

"It's funny though. Most of what we've done hasn't even been in bed." He saw Gilbert blush and he chuckled. "In the bath, at the springs... What have we done here?" he asked and pat the blanket beside him.

Gilbert shifted and thought.

"We made out here..." he said. Ivan made a little 'ah' noise in recognition.

"That's right..." Ivan blushed and with one finger scratched his cheek. "I...wouldn't mind doing that again." Gilbert smiled and chuckled.

"Finish your meal before you beg for dessert."

"Was I begging?" Ivan asked, eyes blinking curiously.

"No. But I wouldn't mind it." Gilbert popped a grape into his mouth and chewed it, glancing away as he tried to appear cool and aloof. Ivan saw through it to his embarrassment but played along.

"Please? Gilbert? After I eat, will you kiss me like you did before? I want to feel you and touch you and make you—" Gilbert suddenly threw his hands up and made a distressed squeaky noise, his face bright red.

"Okay! Never mind! That's too embarrassing! Just...Just do what you want, okay? Today's your day so I'll do whatever you want." Gilbert was looking away from him in that shy way of his. Ivan glanced at the platter of food and then pulled the bowl of fruit away.

"How about we save these? I want to feed them to you, or use them for other things..." Gilbert leaned back a bit in surprise but he felt his groin coil with arousal.

"It's not even noon yet and you're already like this..."

"Can you blame me when we're talking about what we've done?" Ivan smiled. "Oh! I just remembered! I first touched you on this bed. You were so cute and told me what felt good and—"

"Okay! Stop talking about it! It's embarrassing!" Gilbert crossed his arms and looked away from him. Ivan smiled softly.

"I love when you do that. When you tell me what's good for you." Gilbert slowly turned back to him. He could hear how sincere Ivan was, and that he wasn't just teasing him.

"Sorry... It's just weird to hear these things, I guess..." Gilbert told him.

"I know, but I want you to hear it. You should know how I feel about you." Gilbert crawled closer to Ivan and leaned on his shoulder.

"You told me you loved me that day. I remember."

"I do too," Ivan turned his head down and kissed into Gilbert's hair. "I remember everything about that day. How you looked and sounded, how you tasted." Gilbert groaned in his arms. "Sorry, I'll stop."

"No, you don't have to," Gilbert said and leaned heavily against the other. "Just...give me something if you're going to talk about it so much."

Ivan smiled widely and wrapped his arms around Gilbert.

"Naughty." Ivan nuzzled his head. "Anything in particular you want?"

Gilbert wasn't picky and just wanted anything, except today was Ivan's day.

"Anything that makes you feel good too." Ivan suddenly pushed Gilbert down and stared into his eyes, but Gilbert chuckled. "Careful of the food." Ivan glanced over to the platter.

"Thanks for reminding me," he said and moved the platter off the bed, then turned his attention back to Gilbert. He moved his body on top of his, connected their hips, and began to gently circle them.

"No foreplay?" Gilbert asked as he chuckled a bit breathlessly.

"This is foreplay, Gilbert." That made Gilbert blush. There was a snarky remark in there somewhere but Ivan's hips made him forget what it was. "Most everything we've done is foreplay. Still sex, but...not what you're thinking." Gilbert turned his head away and a small moan escaped his lips. Ivan leaned his head down and found a spot of flesh where Gilbert's robe was parted and began to kiss slowly along his collarbone. A more enthusiastic moan came from Gilbert and he held onto Ivan's arms. Fingers danced up to Ivan's neck and played with his hair before going up to rub his furry ears.

"Gilbert..." Ivan growled lowly.

"I know you like your ears touched," Gilbert coed and pinched just hard enough to make Ivan groan hotly. "So, Mr. Big Bad Wolf, can I give you a gift on your birthday?" Ivan poked his head up to look at Gilbert, who was flushed pink and smiling at him while still rubbing his ears.

"What did you have in mind?" he asked with some anticipation in his voice. Gilbert pushed him and shifted until he was on top of Ivan. Slowly he slid his body down to Ivan's groin.

"Returning the favor." Since there was nothing between Gilbert and Ivan's groin, it was easy to touch him. He gently he wrapped his fingers around Ivan's cock, heard the man suck in a breath, and began to slowly stroke him. Hearing Ivan breathe out and moan softly made Gilbert feel good and he sat up to look at him. "You're so beautiful when you're like this, Ivan."

"Don't say things like that when you're doing that..."

"Ooh?" Gilbert cooed and grinned. "You do it all the time though."

Ivan let out a small whimper and clenched the blanket in his fingers as Gilbert began to stroke him. His tail thumped against the bed and his ears flipped back.

There was no time wasted. Gilbert licked him and sucked on his skin and soon his spit covered him and made it slick. Ivan was already losing his mind and he couldn't believe that Gilbert was on his knees and bent over and sucking him like he was., butt in the air, robe crumpled up around his waist. It was such a cute display the delicate way he held him, how those soft pink lips grazed over the most sensitive part of him.

As Gilbert licked from base to tip, a knock at the door startled Ivan with a small yelp. Gilbert, however, lazily slipped his lips off of Ivan's cock and looked rather annoyed.

"Yeah?" Gilbert called out, and then immediately began to lick Ivan again. For a brief moment, Ivan was terrified that the door was going to open, but instead, he heard a voice.

"I'm taking a bath, do you need to use the washroom?" Ludwig spoke through the door.

Gilbert sucked the tip of Ivan's cock with a tight suck and made him moan, which he stifled with his hand. Gilbert lifted his head, a finger pressed vertically to his wet lips to remind him to keep quiet. There was a sly grin behind the finger that made Ivan blush.

"No, we're fine," Gilbert spoke loud enough for Ludwig to hear and then squeezed Ivan. Gilbert listened as Ludwig went into the washroom, and once he heard the door shut, he put his lips back to Ivan's cock.

"Gilbert, please..." Ivan mumbled. "He'll hear..."

Gilbert lifted his head and smiled.

"If he hasn't heard us yet, he won't." He squeezed Ivan again. "Unless you scream out."

Ivan reached down and grabbed Gilbert's chin and made him look at him, taking a bit of initiative.

"Keep acting like this and you'll be the one screaming," he told him. Usually Gilbert would blush and get shy, but instead, he just grinned as his cheeks pinkened.

"Haa, I love you..." Gilbert said and sighed. Ivan was stunned that his words didn't affect him more and he realized that Gilbert was really into what he was doing. He leaned back against the bed with a soft grunt.

"You're such an imp..."

"And whose fault is that?" Gilbert kissed Ivan's cock. "There's never been anyone but you."

Ivan wanted to retort but he couldn't find it in himself once Gilbert began to kiss along his shaft again. Thin fingers gripped him and slipped along his skin so gently that it made Ivan shiver, and then they'd squeeze tightly as he shifted his lips to the other side of his erection. He began to wonder how Gilbert was so good at it, even though he was sure that anything Gilbert did to him would be wonderful.

His words from just moments ago repeated in Ivan's head, words that blamed him for Gilbert's naughty behavior. It fully occurred to him then that Gilbert was mimicking what he'd done to him in the past. That realization made Ivan blush more than he already was.

Gilbert slipped one hand up and splayed his fingers wide on Ivan's abs as he took the first inch or so of his length into his mouth. Ivan moaned and ran his fingers through Gilbert's white hair — a sign that he appreciated what Gilbert was doing. Gilbert let out a little moan of happiness and sucked tight when Ivan tugged his hair slightly. He tasted pre-cum and pulled back to lick his lips, but within seconds he went back down and continued to suck and lick.

Another minute or so and Ivan's body began to tense, shake and he panted repeatedly, his tail thumped hard against the bed as it did previously and Gilbert found it adorable. The hand on Ivan's stomach continued to feel his muscle, and it twitched as he sucked. Ivan suddenly gasped and pushed on Gilbert's head. Gilbert grunted but let Ivan move him off.

"Wait, Gilbert..." Ivan panted and looked embarrassed. "You don't have to push yourself..."

Gilbert grabbed Ivan's wrist and pulled it away, but then looked into his eyes. Gilbert could tell that Ivan was just about to orgasm based on how his muscles were contracting, so it must have been torture to stop.

"Do you not want me to?" Gilbert asked. "If you don't I'll do it some other way, but..."

Ivan's brows furrowed.

"No, I do, but..."

"Then it's fine. We both want it so let me do it."

Ivan couldn't argue with him; he knew that Gilbert just wanted to make sure that he was okay with whatever they did, which made him feel special and protected, but he didn't want Gilbert to feel like he had to do anything.

Gilbert kissed along Ivan's shaft to the base, pressed his cheek to the organ, and then languidly licked up. Ivan shuddered and twitched repeatedly and his body couldn't withstand Gilbert's sweet kisses. From nearing orgasming before, he was right at the edge and so sensitive. The sudden ejaculation surprised Gilbert as some splattered onto his cheek. When Ivan looked down at him, Gilbert had the most adorable smile on his face. Even though it was embarrassing to see Gilbert with specks of his semen on his face, there was such a sweetness to it that made Ivan's heart throb.

"Come here," Ivan beckoned him with a soft smile and tugged Gilbert up. As he moved up, Ivan wiped at his face with the edge of the blanket, then gripped around his nape to pull him into a deep passionate kiss. Ivan's tongue pushed in and swirled around Gilbert's and made the man moan softly. Ivan pulled back after a moment.

"I can taste myself," he spoke and smacked his lips a few times. Gilbert laughed.

"You couldn't even let me finish you off in my mouth," he said and Ivan covered his face in embarrassment.

"It's because you're too good at it. I couldn't help it..."

Gilbert laughed and kissed Ivan's chest a few times; he could taste the sweat on his skin.

"The taste isn't much different from mine, hm?"

Ivan suddenly cupped Gilbert's jaw and gently rubbed his pink lips that were still plump and moist from his actions.

"You're much better. The sweetest." Gilbert knew it was a lie but it was a lie he appreciated. "Should I do things to you now?"

"No, no. Today is all about you, remember? Whatever you want," Gilbert told him.

Ivan suddenly flipped them so that he was on top of Gilbert.

"And if I want to? You couldn't refuse, right? You said whatever I want."

"But—"

Ivan rocked his hips against Gilbert's and silenced him.

"I want to make you feel good because I love you," he said and kissed Gilbert's cheek before he kissed his ear. He nibbled at the outer shell and felt Gilbert shiver and whine quietly. "But also because it makes me feel good too..."

Gilbert let out another whine as Ivan continued to lick his ear and bite at it. He turned his head when Ivan moved down to his neck and jaw.

"Getting off on me feeling good... Pervert," Gilbert panted out and gripped Ivan's shoulders.

"Pervert?" Ivan asked with a chuckle as he pulled back. "Calling me that after what you just did, how hypocritical."

"I like it," Gilbert admitted and wrapped his arms around Ivan's shoulders more. "Makes me feel special and it gets me hot."

"I know, I can feel it." Ivan kissed his neck and dragged his fangs across his skin. "I have an idea."

Ivan moved off of Gilbert but held his arm to guide him to sit on his abdomen again. With a glance down, Ivan could see how aroused Gilbert was. He reached over, pushed some of the robe out of the way, and wrapped his fingers around Gilbert's erect cock. The man gasped as a shock of pleasure went through him. Gilbert rocked forward a bit and Ivan smiled softly.

"Move up here," Ivan told him and patted his chest. Suddenly Gilbert felt a little shy but he scooted his body up to Ivan's chest. Ivan leaned forward and poked his tongue teasingly to the tip of his cock. Gilbert jolted in response and that made Ivan grin. "Closer," Ivan instructed again.

Gilbert felt that nervousness again and only moved forward a little. Ivan chuckled at his shyness, slipped his hands behind Gilbert's butt and pulled him up to his chest. Gilbert looked so cute above him, squirming as Ivan slid his hands around to his front. The weight on Ivan's chest made it slightly harder to breathe but it didn't bother him at all, in fact, he liked it. Slowly Ivan held Gilbert's cock and stroked it towards his face. Being so close now, Ivan could smell him so strongly as he easily kissed and licked him, all while he watched and felt Gilbert shift against him.

"Ivan... This is..." Gilbert mumbled in embarrassment, hand to his mouth as he bit at his fingertip and nail in a way that Ivan would consider sexy and cute. He watched as Ivan continued to lazily lick at him and felt his body pulse with heat. There was something so sweetly sexual about Ivan's actions and it made Gilbert felt so loved and intensely desired while feeling sexy and lewd.

Morning sex was a great thing.

After a minute or two of Ivan's kisses and little sucks, Gilbert eventually curled his body over since he couldn't keep upright anymore. Ivan glanced up and saw how hot Gilbert looked; his face was so red and his brow was furrowed in pleasure and he looked so embarrassed, with his robe cascading down his sides and hanging loosely on his shoulders. Somehow this act made Gilbert more aroused and shy than usual. It made Ivan swell with pride, but also he wondered why this particular thing got Gilbert so worked up. Was it the position? Sitting on Ivan's chest? How early it was? How Ivan could look up and clearly see his sexually exhausted and aroused face? He wasn't sure.

Gilbert eventually pressed the top of his head into the headboard. He panted out and gasped for air since he'd forgotten to breathe properly — Ivan just took his breath away so easily. Ivan rubbed up pale thighs and lifted them a bit, Gilbert gasped as Ivan took his length into his mouth. Gilbert's fingers gripped the headboard as Ivan held the back of his thighs, his body twisted a bit and he pressed his face into his forearms as he moaned, stilling hanging off the headboard as support. Ivan's body had him locked above him, his legs strained from holding himself up even with Ivan's help, and he fought the urge to just collapse onto Ivan's chest. Ivan would have grinned if his mouth wasn't occupied; he was so proud of how he could make Gilbert go weak.

A minute longer and Ivan felt Gilbert's legs squeeze around him and his body shook. Looking up, he could see that Gilbert was biting his lip and looked very close to orgasm. The hand on his butt slipped back more and a finger prodded at Gilbert's entrance. It was still a bit new for Gilbert but he welcomed the touch with a little gasp and rocked against it with a moan. Ivan sucked hard and was surprised when Gilbert suddenly orgasmed. Ivan swallowed some of him, but Gilbert lifted his hips and suspended him above Ivan, now limp and sweaty. Ivan could still see Gilbert's thighs shaking and he rubbed at them gently.

"Lay down and rest, you look exhausted."

Gilbert grumbled and flopped down beside Ivan, his head down near his hips so he could look up at him. He poked at Ivan's leg and then traced circles there.

"One day I'll make you exhausted."

Ivan turned on his side and rubbed up Gilbert's leg to his butt.

"You already have, don't worry about it."

Gilbert grumbled more and laid flat on his stomach. At first, Ivan thought it was cute, but following the curve of Gilbert's back and looking at his butt made him hungry again, even through his clothing.

"I could do this to you all day..." Ivan said and crawled over top of Gilbert. Gilbert turned over and looked up and saw that glimmer in Ivan's eyes and knew he meant what he said. Just as Ivan leaned down to kiss him, he heard the bathroom door open and Ivan looked at the door.

After a few seconds of silence, they heard footsteps moving away from the door. Then, Gilbert giggled. He tried to hold it in, but then broke out laughing and curled onto his side.

"What? What's so funny?" Ivan questioned with furrowed brows.

Gilbert fought back his laughter and covered his mouth.

"Nothing, you just looked so scared!"

Ivan pouted and leaned down. His hand pushed Gilbert's chin up and to the side, revealing his neck, and pulled his robe down to see more of his body. Without speaking, he bit down on Gilbert's skin where he'd left a mark before and began to suck the area.

Gilbert's legs curled up to Ivan's sides and he tightened his arms around him as he whined happily. Ivan licked the area and then pulled back and licked his lips.

"At this rate, the mark will never heal," Gilbert said and rubbed Ivan's fluffy ears.

"Good. I don't want it to."

Gilbert laughed and then let his arms fall to the bed beside his head.

"So what now? Want to go out somewhere?" he asked.

Ivan sat back a bit and though.

"I don't know, I don't remember what it was like even having a birthday."

"Well, like I said, anything you want, I'll try to make it happen."

Ivan crawled up next to Gilbert and held one of his hands.

"I think I'd like to just spend time with you. I don't need anything else."

Gilbert blushed softly and rolled his eyes.

"I'm trying to make this day special, y'know..."

Ivan smiled.

"It's already been special. I woke up next to the man I love, got to see him be all sexy for me, and now I get to hold him." Ivan pulled Gilbert to his chest and buried his nose in his hair. "This is special enough for me, Gilbie."

"Fine," Gilbert caved finally and sighed. "But tomorrow is New Year's Eve, so we'll have fun then too."

Ivan smiled.

"Sounds good, I look forward to it."

Gilbert cuddled against Ivan for several minutes before he moved back a little.

"So, should we get out of bed?"

"I suppose. I would like to go for a walk if you're feeling up to it?"

Gilbert sat up.

"Yeah, we can do that." He leaned over Ivan and kissed his lips. "Come on, let's get up."

.

The next day Gilbert was awake before Ivan and was in the kitchen packing things into a picnic basket. Ludwig was beside him and wrapping meats and cheeses for a trip, and when Ivan walked in still sleepy, he just watched for a minute before Ludwig noticed him.

"Good morning," Ludwig greeted him and Gilbert looked up and smiled upon seeing him.

"Hey Ivan! We're packing a snack box for tonight!"

Ivan loved the excited and happy grin on Gilbert's face but he was confused.

"Tonight?"

"It's New Years, remember?" Gilbert reminded him and saw the recognition in his face then.

"Oh right, I forgot. Are we going somewhere?"

Gilbert nodded enthusiastically.

"There's a hill not too far from here where you can see over a lot of the forest, it's beautiful."

Ivan smiled.

"Sounds nice." He looked over the counter cluttered with food. "Can I help with anything?"

Gilbert glanced to Ludwig and the two shared a look.

"Uh, yeah," Ludwig started and moved over a bit, forcing Gilbert to scoot over as well. "You can help wrap and bag this meat for storage."

Ivan walked up beside him and Ludwig began to show him how to properly do it. Gilbert continued to chop vegetables but he couldn't help but smile at how wholesome it was. He could tell that Ivan still felt a little awkward around Ludwig for whatever reason. It was amusing to wonder if he was just nervous because they didn't know each other very well or if it was because he's doing dirty things to his brother. Both ideas made Gilbert grin and he had to turn to the sink to wash the produce before anyone saw him.

After everyone finished their jobs, the rest of the day went on without any issues. Ludwig went outside to chop firewood. Gilbert cleaned the house since he had the best sense of cleanliness out of all of them, while Ivan helped both of them wherever he could. He was strong so he carried the wood that Ludwig chopped to the house, and inside he helped Gilbert move furniture, or lift him to a place he couldn't reach to clean.

Once night came, they all dressed in warm winter clothes and headed out. Ludwig brought some firewood with them and carried a lantern, while Ivan carried the basket, and Gilbert held onto a bottle of his parents' wine. Gilbert walked next to Ivan and slipped his hand into his and squeezed then smiled once Ivan looked at him.

Guided by Ludwig's light, they followed the path up a hill and eventually came out on top where it overlooked the forest. In the distance, they could see the soft glow of the city lights of Miriam. They all began to set out a spot, Ludwig built a small fire while Ivan helped Gilbert set out some food.

Then, in the distance, there was a loud bang that startled Ivan. He stood up straight and his ears went flat and his tail went stiff behind him. Gibert noticed his movement but then saw the look of fear in his eyes and body. Ivan took a few steps back and his lip trembled.

"Ivan?" Gilbert asked with worry as he stood up.

Ivan repeatedly shook his head as he backed up, and within seconds he shifted to his wolf form and took off running back towards the house.

"Ivan!" Gilbert shouted and took off running after him.

Ivan didn't know the woods as well as Gilbert so he caught up to him quickly and cut him off. Gilbert jumped towards him and wrapped his arms around his thick neck, and yelled for him to stop. They tumbled to the ground to a stop and Ivan whimpered and struggled to get up but Gilbert clung to him tightly.

"Calm down, you're fine! What's going on with you?" Gilbert asked and started to pet him with the hope that it would calm him down. For a few seconds, Ivan squeezed his eyes shut and the wolf shifted as he tried to get free, but after a few minutes, he relaxed and slowly changed back into being human.

"Jeez. I told you not to run off like that anymore," Gilbert scolded him softly.

"I'm sorry..."

Gilbert sighed and moved between Ivan's legs to get closer and then cupped his cheek. Ivan leaned into it desperately to feel the warmth of Gilbert's hand.

"What happened? Why did you run?"

"That noise..." Ivan mumbled.

"Noise?"

At that moment another bang echoed in the forest and Ivan flinched and squeezed his eyes shut. Gilbert realized then what it was, as the forest lit up a bit.

"Ivan, those are fireworks," he told him and cupped his other cheek as well. "Look at me."

Ivan slowly blinked his eyes open and another bang went off. He flinched again but noticed that the sky behind Gilbert had lit up a little. Gilbert could see the light shining in Ivan's eyes and he smiled.

"People set fireworks off for New Years, it's a way to celebrate."

Ivan shifted a bit and held onto Gilbert's waist as he looked up at the sky.

"It sounded like the guns..."

Gilbert turned to him worriedly.

"The guns Master had and—"

Gilbert suddenly kissed him and slipped his tongue into Ivan's mouth, tilted his head, and sunk into him. Ivan went wide-eyed but quickly melted into the kiss as if all his problems melted away with it, and couldn't think of anything but the warmth he felt from Gilbert's lips. After a moment Gilbert pulled away and held Ivan's face again.

"Don't think about that bastard anymore. You're safe with me, alright?"

Ivan had that stunned expression again, then his face softened and he smiled against Gilbert's hand.

"Yeah, okay. I'm sorry."

"Good. Now let's get you back. You're naked and sitting in snow. Your ass must be freezing."

Ivan gave a crooked grin and stood up with Gilbert. Gilbert took his long coat off and wrapped it around Ivan's body as best he could.

"Well, it's not the best, but it should stop you from flashing Ludwig. Come on." he took Ivan's hand and led him back to their little camp.

As they walked, more fireworks went off above them, higher and higher and painted the sky with various streams of shimmering color before they fizzled out into the darkness. Although it made him flinch, he had to admit, it was pretty.

As they neared the camp, Gilbert shouted a warning.

"Ivan's naked so don't look!" Gilbert grinned when he felt Ivan tug on his hand in shock. It was adorable how startled he got by his words.

"O...kay..." Ludwig replied in confusion and kept his back turned. It took him a moment to understand why Ivan was naked but he remembered how his clothes were left behind when he transformed.

Gilbert helped Ivan back into his clothes, let Ludwig know it was safe, and then went back to setting everything up. While they were gone, Ludwig had gotten the fire started, so the top of the hill was glowing with a soft light that warmed the area and melted the snow nearby. Ivan stuck near Gilbert for comfort because even though he knew what the sound was, he still couldn't help but twitch just slightly whenever he heard the sound. Gilbert noticed it and made sure to smile at him and touch his arm occasionally to let him know he was safe.

More fireworks started to shoot off and exploded bright and high up. They all stood up tall to watch the colors in the sky, and Ivan finally seemed to calm down enough to enjoy it. Gilbert felt Ivan's hand slip into his and squeeze, so he looked over to check on him, only to see that Ivan was smiling at him. Gilbert smiled back, relieved that Ivan felt better now, and then looked to the sky again.

Ivan, however, continued to watch Gilbert. The fireworks above lit his hair and skin with faint colors and made his eyes sparkle; he was absolutely gorgeous. Gilbert looked so happy and in awe of the fireworks, and just watching him made Ivan's heart swell with happiness. He loved Gilbert more than anything in the world and on a cold night like that when the energy and air around them felt nothing less than magical, he realized even more how special Gilbert was to him; how much he was completely and hopelessly in love with him. He wanted to give the man everything he had, to make sure he never felt scared or lonely ever again, and hold and protect him until he took his last breath.

More fireworks went off and lit the sky and forest around them, echoing through the naked trees and pines. A new year was presented before them, and they both could only wonder what it had in store for them.


Thanks for reading!
Remember to leave a comment if you enjoyed! Thank you! 💕

I love writing fireworks scenes. It's like another version of the Oh moment a character has when they realize they're in love. It's like the level above that where they just think about how beautiful the other person is.

Author's notes/thoughts:
-Gilbert's getting pretty risky isn't he.
-I have never written the, "Person B sits on person A's chest while Person A sucks Person B off," position. That was an interesting position that was inspired by some art that I can't link because links don't work on this useless site.
-Wholesome family outings are nice aren't they?
-It's a new year! I wonder what it'll have in store for our couple!