As fast as the hippogriff was, he could not clear the castle grounds in time to break Matthew's fall. The guardian landed, bouncing slightly from the force of the fall, a horrible sounding snap coming from his bones when he first hit the ground. He dreaded knowing what was making that agonizing noise. The guardian gave a painful howl, gasping for breath as Kuma leaped over him to protect him from fire, receiving five arrows to his back. Matthew needed only a moment to gather himself and reach up, grabbing hold of the beast's fur around his neck. With a strong pull and a quick twist from Kuma, Matthew was on his back and they were riding off.
Ivan staggered to his feet as he watched Kumajiro ride back with Matthew. The prince swayed once on his feet however, and would have fallen again had Francis not taken a few steps over to offer the man some support. Ivan didn't seem pleased with accepting Francis' help, but he did not protest much as he was struggling to stay standing, keep his eyes on Matthew and Kumajiro, and breathe properly all at the same time. His heart was pounding in his chest and it wasn't doing him any good, but he would not relax even a little until he knew that Matthew's wounds were not fatal.
Kuma came to a lumbering halt before Arthur rushed to the animal's side. "Matthew! Are you sound? Such a fall and escaping the vampire's castle, you have surly cheated the reaper twice today."
"I-I'm fine…" He said softly, his eyes closed as he laid still on Kumajiro's back. "Just— exhausted, a-a little rest and I'll be fine. H-how does Ivan fair?"
"Better than you I should think." Ivan pants, forcing his legs to move him over to the two. He leaned up against Kumajiro when he reached him. He was looking at the boy in concern even though he himself was obviously not faring as well as he would like. "What happened back there? I thought you were right behind us until we heard the scream."
"The king- he grabbed me." Matthew opened his eyes a little to look at Ivan.
Ivan's eyes widened in alarm. "Did he harm you?" Ivan asks, looking Matthew over, his eyes landing on the bruising around the guardian's neck. "What did he do?"
"He... broke my wing and choked me." He whispered. He wanted to sit up, but it felt like his abdomen was expanding beyond its limits.
"And you just fell from quite a height." Francis adds with a concerned frown.
Ivan frowns as well and moves a little to the side. "Kumajiro, can you kneel down so I may get on as well?" He asks, not wanting to use more energy to get up there with Matthew than he had to.
Kuma did as asked and knelt. Arthur then asked Matthew. "Would you like a hand in sitting upright?"
The young man gave a weak nod. "J-just be careful of my wings..."
"Of course." So with that, once Kuma was lying on the ground, Arthur helped Matthew sit upright on the beast's back, while Ivan climbed onto Kumajiro's back behind Matthew, panting a bit with just the effort of doing that much. He gave himself a moment to recover before focusing on Matthew, inspecting his injuries and addressing his first worry.
"Matvey, do you feel any extra pain from the arrows, like you did when the king stabbed you?" He asks as evenly as possible, worried that similar magic or poison would be on the tips of the arrows embedded into Matthew's flesh.
"No... It just feels like arrows."
"Good." Ivan gave a sigh of relief, inspecting the arrows and how deep they were. "Would you prefer leaving these in until we are somewhere safe?"
"Yes, j-just leave them for now. T-the guards will be on us soon." Matthew panted out. "U-up Kumajiro, I'm sorry. Hang in there, we're almost free."
"All right." Ivan says with a nod. "Kirkland, figure out what's taking his brother so long. We need to leave." He orders Arthur roughly before turning his attention back to Matthew. "Matvey, may I feel for broken bones? I am worried you have broken a few ribs, your breathing is not coming to you as easily as it should be."
"N-not now... and Alfred's acting like a halfwit. H-he will catch up when he has cooled his head..." Ivan frowned at Matthew's refusal.
"If what Matthew says is true, then we just need to focus on getting you two out." Arthur then pulled out his spell book and quickly muttered verses off by heart, casting a cloud of mist over them and then throwing his hand up to open the main iron gate. "Francis, Kumajiro, let us move with haste."
Francis nodded. "Yes, let us go then."
"Let us get out of this wretched place." Ivan grumbles.
It did not take them long for them reach the end of the town and make it back into the woods. "We only have so long before the sun sets and the vampires find us so no stopping." Arthur informs the small band.
"Agreed." Francis and Ivan both nod.
"Kirkland, if you have anything to ease their pain please use it on them." Ivan requests, nodding towards Kuma and Matthew. "The added burden of carrying us both can not be easy on him either at this point. So if you have anything at all to help them out, please do so."
"I would... But he is a hippogriff and in such he won't let me."
"If you use it on Matthew it should work, I think... if it is to relieve the pain. Since Kumajiro is feeling what Matthew is." Ivan pants.
"Very well." He began to chant his spell as they continued moving. Once it was cast, Matthew's breathing suddenly eased up and he was able to move a little more comfortably.
"Is that… a bit better Matvey?" Ivan asks, relieved that his breathing sounded a lot more normal now.
"Yes, much. How are you fairing?" He turned his head to look back at the prince.
"…Not nearly… as well as I-I... could be." Ivan admits, struggling to breathe properly and force his heartbeat into a safe speed.
Matthew frowned and let one hand go and reached out behind him, gently grabbing Ivan's hand and pulling it forward to rest on his chest. "Here, hang on and rest against me. It will help you relax." He said softly so no one else would hear.
If Ivan had felt better, he probably would have protested. As it was, he simply nodded and leaned forward, resting his forehead up against an uninjured portion of Matthew's back and wrapping his other arm loosely around the guardian's waist. He left the hand Matthew had taken pressed up against the other's chest. Ivan closed his eyes and just focused on his breathing and Matthew's heartbeat, slowly working to calm his own rapid heartbeat.
Matthew did his best to hide the blush that rapidly grew upon his cheeks. Ivan's arm around his waist sent an odd sensation running through his nerves. But he did and said nothing; he knew that Ivan's heart needed to relax to keep him from passing out or worse, having a heart attack.
After many long minutes, Ivan got his breathing and heartbeat mostly under control. The heartbeat was a little faster than normal and his breathing was still a little haggard, but it was much better than it has been. Ivan however, remained where he was with his forehead pressed against Matthew's back, just resting there with his eyes closed. He was just exhausted, though he wouldn't admit it aloud with Arthur or the others within earshot.
Francis just watched the two out of the corner of his eye, absolutely determined not to interfere with them one way or another. Matthew's face was still a little flushed. Arthur was a little confused and opened his mouth to ask if Matthew was doing all right, thinking that Ivan had just passed out from his own wounds.
Ivan spoke before Arthur could, though he hadn't moved from where he was at all. "Matvey, what happened in the castle?" He asks quietly. "I do not understand how escaping from a window ten feet up turned into jumping from such a height that you did."
"Well you see, when Alfred came to save me. I got carried into the throne room by the king; it was there that the two started to fight and how I got my burns. From there I escaped, but the guards were already in the halls so I ran... And, you know the rest."
Ivan frowned. "The king burned you…?" He asks, sounding a bit confused.
"...No..." He said quietly.
Ivan was quiet for a few moments in confusion. "Your brother burned you?" He asks in disbelief.
"I-I am sure he didn't intend to. It was an accident... H-he just wanted to stop the dead king." Matthew replied, trying to justify his brother's actions.
"Yes, but he should have been helping you escape." Ivan says with a sigh. "Not burning you, and then leaving you to find your own way out." His tone of voice held an edge of disapproval.
"He was fighting the dead king, I had no choice but to escape on my own."
"No!" Ivan's instant reply was sharp and scolding; it was the tone of voice he used when reprimanding any of his troops, except it was much quieter than that. At such close range and in the silence of this place, it still sounded like a shout even if it hadn't been very loud. Ivan stopped for a few moments to get his tone of voice under control. When he spoke again the harsh tone of voice was gone, an apologetic one replacing it. "I apologize for speaking to you like that Matvey."
Matthew had flinched, then gave a small smile and held Ivan's hand a little firmer. "There is no need, I understand."
"Still, I should not have raised my voice at you so I apologize." He says, not liking how he'd made Matthew flinch. "I am just annoyed by your brother's choices and apparent lack of self-discipline." He paused for a moment, considering how that would probably sound insulting to Matthew. "...That is not to say he does not have any sense of discipline; being a knight I am sure he has some sense of it. However, his primary objective should have been rescuing, not fighting. He may have had to fight the dead king to free you from the king's hold, yes. But, once the dead king no longer had a hold of you, your brother's focus should have been on getting you out safely." Ivan frowned a bit. "When rescuing someone, a knight should be focused on protecting the one they are rescuing from harm and getting them safely to their destination. Not leaving them to their own devices and allowing them to get so injured because the knight was more focused on killing than on rescuing."
Matthew had to be honest with himself, it was a little silly that Ivan was so worried about what he said about Al would make him upset... It was sweet, in an odd way. "I know that— I know Alfred knows that. And once Alfred makes a decision he sticks to it. What had happened back there, I just don't understand it... Maybe it was because the king was too powerful and he had no choice but to continue fighting? I do not know the reason; all I know is that something was not right with him. Like something had changed." Matthew said dejectedly; he was deeply concerned for his brother.
Arthur took this as a moment to add something to the conversation, before Ivan could interrupt him again. "Changed how?"
The young man's gaze fell upon the head mage, his eyes darkened with sadness. "It was like… I didn't exist anymore. That I was wiped from the pages of time and Alfred had never known me as his brother."
The arm around Matthew's waist tightened its hold on him gently as Ivan silently and subtly offered the guardian what comfort he could. Matthew's gaze was quickly averted away from the older man. Ivan was being comforting, but it was making him feel all tingly and his heart skip beats. It was not that he didn't know what it was; it was because he feared it. Matthew was still in the middle of his season and didn't wish to scare off Ivan or bring further harm to himself.
Arthur's eyes widened in surprise and looked away, back towards the castle in the far off distance. His expression then became curious, but still holding his regular hard stare. "It can't be..."
Ivan lifted his head at Arthur's words. "What is it?" He asks, giving the mage a questioning look.
"Well I can't be certain until I speak to Alfred myself, but— I think I might know what happened."
"Oh. Well you can speak with him when he catches up to us. For now, let us keep moving."
Kuma snorted and gave his head a shake, annoyed by someone.
Ivan frowned softly. "Arthur, do you have anything to give me more energy?" He asks, looking at the mage. "Or give me more blood." He adds as an afterthought. "Either would work. Just something to give me enough energy to walk. Even if we are tired, we need to keep moving. I am not so injured that I can not walk and it will be less weight for Kumajiro to have to carry."
The second Ivan finished, the hippogriff's wings came up. Matthew gave a startled gasp as he was nearly squished between the great wings. Kumajiro turned his head around, hissing angrily at the prince. Ivan started in surprise at the hiss; then the animal reared and began to gallop off. Ivan held onto Matthew and Kumajiro both to keep either of them from falling off.
"K-Kumajiro!" Matthew cried out.
"What in the king's name!? Slow down you great beast! Francis—!" Arthur grabbed his hand and pulled out his book once more. With a fast spell of words, he and Francis floated off the ground and launched forward.
Francis gave a startled laugh, holding onto Arthur's hand tightly. "I believe that Ivan has just insulted Kumajiro without meaning to."
Ivan's eyes were wide in surprise and confusion. He hadn't meant any of what he'd said as an insult but apparently it had been taken as one anyway. Kuma kept on running even after Arthur had caught up with them. But the hippogriff barely cast the two a glace. His breath was getting heavy from the speed he was keeping, though didn't show any sign of slowing down.
"Care to explain why it is your partner is suddenly running like the wind!?" Arthur shouted at Matthew.
"That would be my fault Kirkland!" Ivan shouts back before focusing on the hippogriff. "Kumajiro! I apologize if I have insulted you! I had not meant for my words to be an insult!"
The bird's head turned slightly to look back at Ivan, but he kept running. Much to Matthew's dislike, it was hard to hold on for two people and riding this hard bareback may not turn out good for those used to a saddle.
"Kumajiro, please slow down!" Ivan calls over the rushing wind. "For Matvey's sake if nothing else! He is injured and I do not think this speed is treating him very kindly!"
Kumajiro turned his head again and gave Ivan a dirty glare, but his eyes fell on Matthew looking him over quickly. He brought his head back forward, making what looked to be a sudden stop at first, but gave two strong bucks, forcing Ivan up against Matthew's back and pushing the guardian closer to his neck. Ivan's eyes widened in surprise as he slid forward. Matthew grabbed hold of it fast; he knew this was just the beginning of what was to come, Ivan was quick to grab on as well. He was pressed up fairly close to Matthew though he was trying to make sure he didn't press up against any of the guardian's wounds too much.
With that, Kuma took off with greater speed than before, the wind whistling by their ears. Arthur was left in the dust for the time being. Ivan held on tightly to Kumajiro, his arms on either side of Matthew were pressed close to him to make sure Matthew would not fall off. Ivan lowered his head and rested it up against Matthew's back, his breathing labored. While the speed they were going at would get them closer to getting out of the forest sooner, the adrenaline rush from it was making his heart beat far too fast and he was having a hard time breathing properly.
Matthew knew that Kuma would most likely force himself to keep running until they stood on the outside of the forest. So Matthew saw that there was only one thing he could do and that was to get Ivan to relax and trust the hippogriff. He looked over his good shoulder. "Ivan."
"..Yes…Mat-vey…?" Ivan pants after a moment or two, not lifting his head to look at the boy.
"Rest your head on my shoulder, it can't be comfortable to arch yourself like that." Ivan gave a nod and did as Matthew had said, lifting his head up enough to rest it up on Matthew's shoulder instead of his back. Matthew smiled and did his best not to let his blush go to his cheeks once more. He let go with one hand and as best he could, gently ran his fingers across the man's temple. "You need to trust Kumajiro, Ivan. He is not doing this without a reason." Matthew said to only Ivan.
Ivan closed his eyes and turned his head so he was facing Matthew instead of away from him like he had been a moment ago. "Alright…" He pants, giving a slight nod and trying to relax himself a little. ""But... This is rather… hard on my heart..."
"I know." The guardian replies with a frown, continuing the gentle touch. "But Kuma's not going to stop until we're out of the forest..."
Ivan nods again. "I can hold out for- for that long..." He pressed his face closer to Matthew's neck, enjoying the gentle caress and letting the guardian's presence soothe him while he focused on breathing and slowing his heart rate down as much as he could under the circumstances.
Matthew smiled softly and trailed his fingers further into the man's locks. "Good. But just focus on relaxing, nothing else."
"Alright." He kept his eyes closed and focused on the feeling of Matthew's fingers in his hair and on how close they were, letting Matthew relax him simply by being there. Slowly but surely, his heart rate slowed to a more tolerable speed. His breathing evened out as well as he took deep, slow breaths.
After about half an hour, Kuma began to slow. It turned out that the forest on this side of the dead king's kingdom was not as vast. Another hour and they would be out, the exit could be seen up in the distance.
Ivan was nearly back to a normal heart rate. It was still a bit fast, but that was to be expected. "Are we nearly there?" He asks, not wanting to lift his head to see just yet.
"Yes, yes we are... but continue to rest." Matthew replied softly, his fingers never ceasing.
"Alright." Ivan nodded slightly. "Is everyone with us now or are we still missing your brother?"
"He has yet to show." Matthew said sadly, his hand slowing for a moment.
"He will show." Ivan whispers reassuringly, even if he wasn't so sure of it himself. "If he doesn't, I am sure Francis and Arthur would go back for him. They currently have the luxury of being well enough to do that. We, on the other hand, do not have that."
"That is true. But I also believe my brother escaped."
"Then he will meet up with us at one point or another."
"Yes." His tone was more cheerful than before.
Ivan smiled softly. "Then let us just focus on resting and getting out of this place, yes?"
"Yes." The guardian laughed softly.
Ivan chuckled and nuzzled the boy gently, he was a bit surprised at how… cute he found it that Matthew had used Ivan's native language unexpectedly like that, but he kept the thought to himself.
Matthew made a small noise, like being tickled and trying not to laugh as he curled into the nuzzle, but otherwise made no other sound. Ivan chuckled and nuzzled him again. "Matvey is ticklish?" He asks cheerfully.
"Y-yes—" Matthew did the same as before, a smile forcing its way across his lips. Arthur gave them an odd look, but said nothing. He couldn't understand what was going on with them anyways.
Ivan chuckles some more, a soft smile on his face. "If we were both feeling better I would probably continue tickling you Matvey." He says in a playful tone before pulling back a little so he wasn't tickling him anymore. "But since you are so injured and still have those arrows in you, I will stop. I do not want to accidentally hurt you more than you already are."
"I-It's alright, I don't feel any pain at the moment anyway..." The boy mumbled.
"But you will eventually." The prince murmurs back, shifting to rest his chin on Matthew's shoulder, leaning his head up against the other's so he could watch where they were going without using too much energy yet. "There will be time for fun and games later once we are fully healed."
"You are right about that." Matthew replied timidly, he was too tired to focus on the path ahead.
)*(
About an hour later, they finally got out of that accursed forest. A relieved sigh left Ivan's lips and he smiled a little. Francis too gave a sigh of relief, a tired smile appearing on his face as Arthur's spell ended and they were set back down on their feet. "Finally we are out of that god-forsaken place."
Kuma slowed to a stop, his body trembling with every harsh pant. Matthew lightly patted his neck as the beast lowered his head. "Easy... We're going to dismount now." His voice was very soft; the spell had almost worn off now so his breathing was painful again.
Ivan let go of Kumajiro and carefully sat up all the way. "Matvey, let one of us help you down, alright?" He says as he scoots back a bit and carefully eases himself down off of Kumajiro. He waited to see if his legs would support him before slowly letting go of the hippogriff, swaying a little but not falling over. "Arthur, help Matvey down please. I would help him myself, but I do not think I have enough energy to do so right now."
Arthur was quick to help the boy down, but Matthew yelped in pain as the mage supported the young man around his ribs. "Careful!" Ivan scolds Arthur.
"Sorry, I didn't—"
"I-I know, it's fine- just set me down." And the other did. Once both were off, Kuma started trotting around. Wanting to slow his heart rate, but not put any more strain on his body.
Ivan lowered himself to the ground as carefully as possible. Which is to say, not carefully at all considering he more or less just let himself fall down onto his rear. He grunted a bit as he hit the ground, righting himself before turning his attention to Matthew. "Matvey, we should take care of your injuries before we rest."
Matthew gave a little nod.
"Alfred! You bloody idiot, you had us worrying!" Arthur shouted as he took sight of the brother guardian flying in.
Ivan turned his head to look up at the guardian flying in before turning back to Matthew with a smile. "I said he would catch up with us eventually, didn't I?"
Matthew returned the smile and gave a sigh of relief. Alfred ignored the mage and once he landed, he ran to Matthew's side. "M-Matthew! I'm so sorry! I swear I did not mean to set you on fire. I heard you; but-but I couldn't bring myself to listen. It felt like my chest was going to burst- I—!"
"I knew it!" Arthur interrupted, though with a big grin, completely inappropriate at this moment.
Francis and Ivan both started in surprise at Arthur's shout. "What did you know Arthur?" Francis asks, arching an eyebrow. Ivan just looked up at Alfred with a soft frown.
"Alfred just had his first task of a guardian."
"What the hell do you mean?" Alfred stood up angrily.
"Calm yourself, it's something that makes you who you are as guardian."
"So not caring that I attacked my brother with fire makes me a guardian!"
"No! Shut your mouth and listen. There is a reason why your kind are called guardians, Alfred. A guardian will go throughout their lives and either protect a person or as you did with the vampire king, slay them."
"How did you-?" The guardian looked over the mage in shock, he hadn't told anyone he had slain the cursed king.
"You are here now are you not? Both Matthew and I know that you value your brother's life over some evildoer. What you felt when you looked into that king's eyes was not abnormal, you were compelled Alfred. It is something that falls over a guardian when they find that certain person and they will stop at nothing to make sure that task is carried out. That would be the reason you fought the king without a second thought to your younger brother's well-being." Arthur explained carefully and Alfred was overwhelmed with all this information, but it made sense. Everything that happened, everything he felt, it was like it clicked in his head. Matthew just watched Arthur with sad eyes... Compelled?
"Ah, I see." Francis says with a nod.
Ivan's frown went away as Arthur explained this. He was silent for a moment before speaking up. "While that is fascinating and all…" He turned to look at Alfred. "I don't mean to be rude, but kindly get your ass over here and use some of your energy to heal your brother. He jumped out of a window on the third floor and I'm fairly certain he broke a few ribs among other things. He does not have any healing energy to spare."
"I'm getting to that!" Al snapped at Ivan.
"Don't snap at me." He growls in irritation, scowling at Alfred. He bit back a rude remark, keeping to himself as he knew it would only upset Matthew.
The gold winged guardian took a quick look over Matthew's wounds and started with Matthew's ribs so he could breathe easier. Once Matthew was breathing easy, Alfred locked eyes with him. "The arrows are next, you ready?"
Matthew swallowed and gave a shaky nod as Alfred gripped the one in his shoulder and got ready to tear it out. With a swift pull, he tore the arrow out. Matthew gave a sharp cry of pain and curled in on himself. He then bit his lip to try and keep himself from breaking down. Kuma hissed, but did not do anything to stop the brother.
Ivan reached out and gently stroked his fingers through Matthew's hair. "Do not bite your lip Matvey." He scolds gently, though it was only out of concern for the boy. "You are only hurting yourself by doing that."
Alfred swatted the man's hand away before moving behind Matthew. "Last one. Ready?" But he didn't give Matthew time to reply this time and yanked out the last arrow. Making the youngest cry out once more, the boy taking deep breaths to try and keep himself from tearing up.
Ivan scowled at Alfred before returning his attention to Matthew and softening his expression. He reached out and ran his fingers through Matthew's hair again soothingly. "Shh, it is all right Matvey. You are okay. Both of them are out now." He says in a soft soothing tone.
Francis curiously watched how Ivan seemed to have decided to ignore the fact that the others were there as he focused solely on comforting Matthew. Alfred growled at Ivan; who ignored him, Alfred then carefully grabbed the damaged feathered appendage. "Matt, I'm going to fix your broken wing now—"
"No! I-it's fine, I can do it later." Matthew whimpered in fear.
"Matthew... It needs to be done." Alfred said sternly.
"Matvey, it needs to be fixed now before it heals improperly." Ivan agrees in a gentle, soothing tone. His hand lowered, stroking Matthew's cheek to get the boy's attention. "You will be alright Matvey, I am right here." He says, his voice lowering to a whisper, the words meant for Matthew only. "Bite down on my thumb if you do not wish to scream." He adds, offering said finger to Matthew. "That way you will not injure yourself by biting down on your lip."
Matthew looked up at Ivan in great surprise, but his eyes were beginning to tear up. He could put up with the arrows, though his wings were a different story. He wasn't sure about it, he didn't want to hurt Ivan, but it seemed Alfred once again left no room for discussion and placed a foot on the boy's back, pulling hard on his siblings wing. One snap. Matthew screamed in pain before biting down on Ivan's thumb. Two more snaps and Matthew was forcing back tears.
Arthur was even cringing at the sight before he had to look away. He doubted that plugging his ears would help any.
Ivan did not mind the pain too much. His other hand came up to gently stroke Matthew's cheek to soothe him. "It is all right to cry if it hurts Matvey." He whispers gently, offering Matthew what comfort he could. Matthew whimpered and softly shook his head as Alfred set his bones in place, it was all he could do.
"I am almost done, I just have to heal the bones." Alfred glared at Ivan's closeness. Ivan ignored Alfred entirely, just stroking Matthew's cheek gently and whispering to him soothingly.
After Alfred finished healing Matthew's wings he let him go. "There, do you need me to heal your burns Matthew?" He asked gently.
"N-no.. I am fine." Matthew huffed out after releasing Ivan's thumb. He was still in a lot of pain, but feeling much better.
"Your shoulder?" Matthew shook his head.
Ivan pulled his hands back, wiping the spit and blood off on his clothing. "Matvey, you should eat something and then get some rest." He says with a soft smile.
Matthew smiled weakly back. "If... I eat now... I think I might... throw up."
"Alright, just get some rest then." He says with a nod, ruffling Matthew's hair gently before turning to speak to Kumajiro. "Do you want help getting those arrows out of your back or will you get them out just fine on your own?"
Kuma titled his head and looked at the arrows, he then began to pull them out on his own. Matthew's eyes grew heavy and began to fall forward. His question answered, Ivan turned his attention back to Matthew. He kept Matthew from falling forward and gently helped him lay down whatever way Matthew wanted to lay right now, that would cause him the least amount of pain later.
"Alright, Arthur, tell me something. Why are you letting the frost prince still hang around my brother?" Alfred spoke to the mage, but his eyes were fixed on Ivan.
"Matthew offered to travel with me to help me find a wife over two months ago." Ivan spoke to Alfred, deciding to explain it right away instead of beating around the bush. "I did not learn of his wings until about two weeks before we entered the forest. Before then, the silly boy was hiding it from me to the point where he nearly froze overnight by sleeping with his shirt off while we were outside in Solstice." Ivan frowned a bit more.
Alfred just blinked at him before turning to Arthur. "So... is Matthew compelled as well to help the frost prince find a woman?"
"Compelled or not, I am not entirely certain I should allow him to continue to travel with me despite how pleasant his company is." Ivan says with an unchanged expression. "That whole situation," He looked at the forest pointedly for a moment before looking back at them. "Was essentially my fault. I opened my mouth one too many times and we were attacked by the vampires in the castle. All payment, be it with flesh or blood, came from me and Matthew's blood and flesh was off limits." Ivan sighed and looked to Matthew for a few moments before looking back at them. "I have more or less been doing my damndest to ensure they did not harm him. And while I do enjoy his company while travelling tremendously, I am highly aware that I am only endangering his life by allowing him to travel with me."
"You are letting him go then?" Al asked and Arthur looked a tad confused at this; he thought Ivan was going to put up more of a stand.
"I will allow him to do as he wishes." Ivan says calmly. "If he wishes to return home with you, he will return home with you. If he wishes to continue travelling with me, I will allow him to do so." He paused for a moment in thought. "Though if he does choose to continue on with me, I think I shall train him better in the ways of fighting using swords." He says, thinking aloud. "He has decent handling and is not too bad all things considered, but he would not have been much use with a sword against someone nearer to my skill level."
Francis arched an eyebrow at him. "I am surprised you hadn't forced the lessons on him already."
Ivan snorted softly. "I pressed the subject several times in the first few weeks of travelling together, but he was too stubborn and I decided to just let the subject drop and did not press it any further."
"I don't think that you will be able to teach him more than he already knows... unless it's magic training." Arthur added calmly.
"Ah, well if he knows it already, he just needs more practice then." Ivan says with a slight nod. "I'm afraid I don't know much about magic training though. I have some ice magic, but that is it as far as I'm aware. Magic is your forte, not mine."
Arthur shrugged. "His wind magic is very powerful, but getting him to fight will be difficult. After all Matthew is the other half."
Ivan chuckled. "Yes, I am well aware he prefers healing injuries and not causing them." He swayed a bit where he sat, his eyelids drooping, and a look of exhaustion on his face.
"Ivan I think you should rest now." Francis says, speaking up. "We are all safe now and we should all rest up actually." Ivan nodded his agreement and lay down beside Matthew and soon he too was asleep. His body desperately needed the rest after all that had happened.
Alfred huffed and went to rest on the other side of Matthew, but Kuma beat him to it. He frowned in annoyance; it was like the beast had done it on purpose. Francis went to sleep as well, exhausted from being up all day. There were some hours of daylight left, but they all found a spot to rest in the grass.
)*(
Sometime during the night, Matthew woke up and moved in closer to Ivan. His body pressed against the other as he wrapped his wing and arm around him. "Stay warm..." He whispered softly. Ivan shifted towards the warmth in his sleep, pressing closer to Matthew.
"Good, but come a little closer." The guardian whispered with a smile and slipped his arm under the other man's head carefully, helping to guide Ivan to rest against him. Then he wrapped that same arm further around his upper back as his other slipped further around his mid section.
Once he saw that Ivan was going to be fully covered and able to share his warmth, Matthew paused for a moment before gently nuzzling Ivan's cheek, remembering what it felt like when Ivan had nuzzled him. He then blushed a little before freezing in thought for a while. This may be... the last chance to try this... He then hesitantly and carefully placed a gentle peck on the prince's temple. It was so small and Ivan wasn't even awake to respond, but that tiny act felt so wonderful. The best feeling he had ever felt in his whole life. But sadly, it was also the last.
Ivan nuzzled into the warmth in his sleep, shifting a little to wrap his arms around Matthew and pull him closer, content to rest within the boy's warm embrace. Matthew gave a weak smile before closing his eyes to fall asleep once more as they began to sting from tears.