Ivan did not wake until a few hours after the sun had already risen. He felt a little better than he had the previous day.

"How was your sleep?" Matthew asked and pulled away after Ivan woke up.

Ivan sat up slowly and leaned against the headboard. "Good." He says with a slight smile, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Only a few hours after sunrise I believe." Matthew sat up as well and gave his wings gentle flap before stretching them individually with a pleasant sigh.

"Ah, I see." The prince's stomach growled and he chuckled a bit. "Clearly it is time for breakfast." He states with a smile.

"I'll go get us something to eat then." Matthew climbed out of bed, pulled his wings back and put his shirt back on.

"Ah, Matvey?" Ivan asks tilting his head a bit. "If you do not mind, I would like to go out to the main dining area to eat. I do not like staying cooped up in a room for too long."

Matthew smiled. "I do not mind. Get your boots on and I'll take you downstairs."

Ivan swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked for his boots. Locating them, he leaned forward to grab them before immediately reaching out and bracing himself on the bedside table with one arm to keep himself from falling off the bed as he was hit with vertigo. He groaned and slowly pushed himself back into a sitting position, a hand going to cover his eyes while he waited for the sudden dizziness to go away. He hated how something as simple as bending over was enough to make him feel clammy and weak suddenly like that.

"Ivan, are you alright?" Concern rushed through the guardian as he rushed over to Ivan's side.

Ivan didn't respond at first, just taking deep, slow breaths. "I am… alright..." He says slowly, lowering his hand and wishing his pulse would go back to a slower speed.

Matthew knelt on the bed, wrapping his arms around Ivan's torso in a hug. "I am not so sure if taking you to the lounge is a good idea right now."

Ivan shuddered a bit, though he wasn't sure if the shudder was from the tingly sensation from the medicine he took yesterday, or the cold and clammy sensation he got as a result of his bending over; possibly a mix of the two. He leaned into Matthew's embrace and closed his eyes again, giving himself a minute or two to recover a bit more from the dizziness before responding. "I will be fine, Matvey." He finally says. "However I think it would be wiser for you to grab my boots for me… and for me to not bend over like that again until I have more blood in me."

"You are sure about this? I don't want anything happening to you." Matthew hung his head a little. He feared what would happen if he brought Ivan down to eat and someone or something would cause the man to pass out or worse.

Ivan nods. "I will be fine Matvey." He says with a soft smile, pulling back a little to look at the guardian. "Plus, nothing can happen to me if you are there, right?"

Matthew looked up and gave him a smile. He then reached for Ivan's boots and helped him get them on. "I'll do my best to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Ivan smiled back at him, letting him help put his boots on. "Yes, I know Matvey." Finished with the footwear, Matthew stood up with Ivan as the larger man leaned most of his weight on him and the guardian began to lead them out of the room.

As they made a slow descent down the stairs, Matthew decided to ask what Ivan wanted for breakfast. "We are in an inn after all, they will have stocked kitchen."

"Hmm, I do not know." Ivan says as they slowly make their way down the stairs. "Something warm."

"Do... you like eggs?"

"Mhmm." Ivan gives a short nod.

"We could get you something with eggs then." He gave an awkward smile.

Ivan nods. "Yes, that sounds good." He hums for a moment in thought. "You are not allowing me to have alcohol until I am better, but what about tea?"

"Hm, tea would be fine."

"Then I think I would like some tea to drink." Ivan smiles as they reached the bottom of the stairs finally. They were part way to the lounge before he seemed to realize something. "Ah! Wait, are you fine with me having eggs?" He asks. "After all, you…" He glanced at Matthew's back pointedly, not wanting to speak of the wings out loud so near the lounge.

Matthew gave a small laugh and helped him sit down at one of the tables. "It is perfectly fine. I just won't be having any. I don't know what it is, but I just feel... all grossed out about eating it or cooking it."

Ivan smiled a little. "Ah, alright then."

"Wait here and I'll go place our orders with the cook." Matthew smiled and happily skipped off. Ivan nodded, chuckling a little at Matthew's skipping. He let his gaze drift around the inn's lounge, looking at who and what was in the room.

"Well enough to be out of bed are you." Arthur said more than asked in his normal gruff tone. He had walked up from behind and then sat down across the table from him.

"Yes." Ivan says in an amused tone. "Have Alfred and Kumajiro caught up with us yet?"

"No sign of them yet." He sighs and ruffed his messy hair. "Did you get down here yourself or did Matthew drag your poor ass out of bed?"

Ivan snorted. "Matvey helped me."

"Ah, a strong lad isn't he?" He smirked and leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, very."

"It's too bad that he would rather work on a small farm. He would make a fine mage."

"Maybe." Ivan says with a shrug. "He would make a better healer, I think."

"Mages can be healers as well halfwit." He scowled at him. "He has a lot of potential to becoming a mage, maybe even greater than a healer."

Ivan shrugged a bit. "I think he would prefer to just heal than use magic in battle like you."

"Training in the art of magic does not mean you need to use it for battle." He defended himself. "And what would you know of Matthew's interests?"

Ivan looked at Arthur like he was being an idiot. "One does not travel with someone else for nearly three months straight without getting to know them Kirkland."

"I would have thought a prince wouldn't have bothered with getting to know a petty peasant that had tagged along for a hopeless journey." Arthur proceeded to lean forward against his entwined fingers, his elbows propped up onto the surface of the table.

Ivan chuckled. "Yes, well I'm certain Francis already told you Matvey was giving me lessons, correct? And then Francis taught us how to dance along with several other things such as wooing as well." He smiled at Kirkland. "Hard to do a few of those without being at least somewhat acquainted, hm?"

Arthur gave him a slight glare and grit his teeth together. "Yes. The devil did inform me on the matter."

Ivan chuckled at the glare and just smirked at him at him a bit. "Matvey, Kumajiro, and I also visited one of the hot springs in Solstice. It was very fun."

"Hot springs? When did you go to Solstice?"

"We had to detour to get to the castle Yao is at. The mountain pass was blocked by a rock slide and the other option was the Deadwood."

"But, you ended up going in there anyways..." Arthur replied bitterly.

"On the way to the castle after that one, yes. But before we got to Yao's we had to go through part of Solstice since the mountain path was blocked. After we got Matvey warmer clothes, we travelled to the hot springs." Ivan grinned just a bit. "It was very fun. It felt nice to take off all those layers and just enjoy the hot water."

The mage's face hardened with a mix of anger and disgust. "A shared bath? Surely you have more decency than that, unless I am mistaken."

Ivan just grinned more. "No, we shared a bath yesterday. At the hot springs we were just swimming around and relaxing."

Arthur snapped and stood as he slammed his hands down onto the surface of the table, earning the attention of others in the room. "You disgust me! You should be hanged for your actions!"

Ivan smiled. "Sit down and lower your voice Kirkland. You are attracting a lot of attention."

"Like I care! You stop these things right now; I do not need you corrupting someone I helped raise! Or so help me, I'll make you a eunuch!"

"Corrupting?" Ivan arched an eyebrow at Arthur, a bemused expression on his face. "Kirkland, I advise you get your facts straight before you threaten me. I have been doing nothing of the so, though I do not expect you to believe me. Go ask Matvey his view on such things, hm?"

Arthur didn't even get a chance to say another word before an apple was chucked wildly at his head. He released a pained grunt before whipping around in rage. "Who dares!? Speak, coward!"

Ivan snorted, looking amused that someone had decided to throw something at the loud mage. He let his eyes roam the room, looking to see who had done it.

"I do. Now, sit. Down." Matthew said with a glare from the other side of the room. He then picked up the tray of food for him and Ivan. Some of the others in the room gave a few stifled laughs before going back to their own business.

Ivan chuckled, grinning in amusement as Matthew comes over with their breakfast. "You have very good aim Matvey." He tells the guardian happily.

"I've had plenty of practice." He replied and set Ivan's platter of food in front of him. Then he sat next to the man, his eyes still fixed on Arthur.

Ivan chuckled softly. "Thank you for bringing the food Matvey."

"Why did you do that?" Arthur hissed.

"Ivan can not engage in any fights nor have his heartbeat elevate."

"My heartbeat is fine at the moment, though I appreciate your concern. I just shared something with Kirkland, which he misunderstood and got all worked up about."

Matthew finally broke eye contact and went to eating his egg-free breakfast. He felt a little embarrassed for throwing an apple at his friend's head, but he was just worried for Ivan. "I see..."

"Yes, he seems to think that I am corrupting you." Ivan says, also starting to eat his breakfast.

"Huh?" Matthew looked up with a puzzled look, then towards Arthur. "What would make you think that? I haven't changed and Ivan certainly hasn't done any wrong."

"Oh? Then what of these shared baths I hear of?" He asked with an annoyed look as Matthew blushed and looked up at Ivan in slight betrayal.

"Y-you told him?" He whispered, but it wasn't like it helped.

"I mentioned the hot springs first, which he called a shared bath. I corrected him by mentioning that the bath was yesterday." Ivan gave Matthew an apologetic look. "I apologize if that is something you did not want me to share Matvey. He came out and was insulting me so I purposefully mentioned something that I knew would upset him."

Matthew's face fell into his hands. Oh Ivan... For someone who is friends with an incubus.

"Well? Are you going to explain yourself Matthew?"

"I do not understand what there is to explain." Ivan says with a slightly confused look. "It is not as if we have committed sodomy. We simply shared the same waters for swimming and for washing ourselves."

Matthew tried not to make his pain become visible. Sodomy... Such a harsh and horrible word. It was like a rusted blade through his heart. Such a short-lived hope, not even a week before it withered and died like a tiny blossom. He had gotten his answer; Ivan would never see him more than a friend. Ivan would never bring himself to such a low level of decency; he was raised to be a King after all. Sodomy was a sin, a disgrace. The guardian should have known better, there were still many kingdoms that sentenced couples to death for such lewd acts, especially the nobles and royalty.

He should feel happy that Ivan saw him as such close and trusted friend, it wasn't if he had told him and got rejected, or worse, disowned. It was... just said out loud. Not directed at him, but it voiced Ivan's beliefs.

Matthew swallowed a heavy lump in his throat and bit back the tears, thankful that his face was still hidden in his hands. T-this is a good thing. Now I know and can find someone else. I shouldn't be crying or something silly like this. Ivan is a wonderful person. I could never ask for a better f-friend...

Arthur scowled, but didn't really seem to have much more to say on the matter. He turned to one of the workers of the tavern and called them over to order some food. "Barmaid, a word."

Ivan went back to eating his breakfast, watching Matthew for a few moments while he did so before speaking up. "Matvey, your breakfast will get cold if you do not eat it soon."

"O-oh right." He figured he had enough time to relax and began to eat again. And Arthur quietly waited for his food and tea.

Ivan smiled at him and resumed eating his own meal, sipping some of his tea afterwards. He looked back over at Matthew when he was about halfway done with his tea. "Matvey, do you have the medicine with you or is it up in the room?" He asks, tilting his head slightly. He wanted to see if maybe having it with something other than water would make it taste a little better.

"Ah, yes, why?" He looks up at Ivan with a slight tilt of his head.

"I am supposed to have it everyday, correct?" He held his cup of tea up a little. "I wanted to see if having it with my tea would taste better than having it with water."

"Ah, no. Only once, if you have it too many times without it being necessary it would only put your body in pain. That tingling you feel, it can get as bad as all your muscles knotting up for hours." It wasn't that the medicine wouldn't help the body along with a faster recovery; it was just that the body would become strained with the overdrive. The only time he would ever allow such a dose was if his patient was on the verge of death or needed to heal quickly for an important reason. If used wrong, it could be a form of torture.

"Ah, I see." Ivan says with a nod, going back to drinking the rest of his tea.

"Just keep me informed." He smiled and returned to his meal.

"I will." Ivan says, smiling back.

Matthew finished his meal not long after and moved to his cup of milk. It had be a long while since he had fresh milk. It was nice and he gave a satisfied sigh. Ivan set his empty cup down after another minute or two and sat back in his chair contently.

"Feels good to have a complete meal after all that, doesn't it?" The guardian smiled at his companion.

Ivan smiled back and nodded. "Yes, it does."

"They must have not fed you well in their dungeon." Arthur remarked. Matthew just sighed and didn't care what Arthur said at the moment. He was enjoying the feeling while it lasted.

"They fed us food from our own packs." Ivan says with a shrug before looking to Matthew. "What would you like to do today Matvey? I am feeling well enough that I do not think I will be sleeping the day away again like I have been."

"Hmm... Well it's not like we can practice anything."

"Well we could try, but I do not think it would end well." Ivan chuckled. "Maybe a walk outside or something instead?"

"A walk sounds nice." He stood up from the table and held out his hand for Ivan to take, whom took the offered hand with a smile, letting Matthew help him stand up. With one of Ivan's arms over his shoulders and one of Matthew's own around the others back, he began to walk towards the exit. Leaving the bitter mage to eat his breakfast alone. "Let me know if I'm walking too fast."

"I will Matvey." Ivan says smiling and letting Matthew slowly help him out of the inn.

"Good. Ah, that sun feels so nice." Matthew basked in the sun's warmth as he walked. The town wasn't very big, but it was lively and reminded him of his home with his birth parents. Well, the good memories anyway.

"It does." Ivan smiled. "It is also refreshing to be around people again after being in that forest, isn't it?"

"Yes, with the plants alive and not rotting, and no running for our lives."

Ivan chuckled softly. "Yes, and it is nice to be able to relax every once in a while." He says as they slowly walked around town together.

"It is and maybe we needed to take a little break from our travels."

"I agree." Ivan nods. "It also gives us time to practice the things Francis taught us, but we've been too busy to practice."

"Oh? Which things?"

"All of that wooing stuff he taught us before we learned to dance."

Matthew's face paled. Oh... no. He had forgotten that he had agreed to be Ivan's practice dummy for learning ways to flirt and get a woman's attention. "Right... We should find somewhere with no one in the area. We don't want anyone to misunderstand what we are doing… right?"

Ivan chuckled softly. "Yes. Judging on how Kirkland overreacted, I do not think it would be in our favor if anyone else here were to see it."

"Indeed..." He mumbled.

"Let us find somewhere to practice then, alright?"

Matthew nodded and halfheartedly looked around, not really trying to find a place. If anything, he hoped he wouldn't find anywhere to stop and do this. Though in the end, in a town this small, there just wasn't a private place to practice that didn't require actually leaving the town and walking farther than Ivan thought he could handle right now.

"How are you holding out?"

"Alright." Ivan says, pausing a moment. "…I think perhaps we should return to the inn now so I do not overexert myself though."

"Then we'll make our way back then." Matthew smiled up at Ivan, thinking that he had avoided the wooing practice.

)*(

Once Matthew brought Ivan back to their shared room, he set him down on the bed and walked to the window to let the sun in.

Ivan sat up against the headboard and removed his shoes slowly by pulling one leg up to pull off the shoe and toss it to the floor and then repeating that process with the other one as well. He then frowned softly at the covers that were just out of reach from his outstretched hand. He couldn't grab them without risking the earlier dizziness, but he was also cold and wanted the blankets.

Matthew turned and saw Ivan was having trouble. "Here, let me help you."

Ivan sat back. "Thank you Matvey."

After Ivan was tucked in he asked what they should do now. "Moving is something that will take time, but I don't just want to leave you here with nothing to do."

"Well since we could not find a place to practice outside, we could always practice in here?" Ivan looked at the guardian with a smile.

Matthew paled again, but he had no choice and had to go along with it. "Right... So where should I sit?"

"The bed is fine… unless you would prefer to sit on a chair instead?"

Matthew thought about it. A chair would be less personal or intimate. "I'll get a chair." And he did just that before sitting down next to the bed.

Ivan smiled at him as the guardian took a seat, thinking long and hard on what Francis had taught him months ago. Courting was all about complimenting and being chivalrous, and doing things that pleased the one you were courting. It required being much more open with your emotions and feelings for the one you were courting than Ivan was normally comfortable with showing. He was used to being reserved and closed off with his emotions, not open and vocalizing them.

Over the time they had travelled together, Ivan had gotten much better at showing and voicing such things; often surprising himself at how open he was with the guardian. He figured this was a good thing however, and that it would make practicing courting with Matthew much easier and as real as possible.

Francis had mentioned that courting was based mostly on how you felt towards the one you courted and that practicing with false emotions would not do him any good. Ivan took this to mean that when practicing with Matthew; he would need to be very open with what he thought of the guardian. It was not something he had really dwelled upon much while travelling, or at least, he had not thought about it much in depth. It was something he would have to focus on now definitely. Though lost in his thoughts as he was, he had not noticed that he had just been staring unseeingly at Matthew for several minutes while he considered how he wanted to start the practice session. The guardian was doing his best not to fidget under the other's gaze. But Matthew could not keep eye contact with the man for fear his true emotions would surface.

After a few more moments, Ivan seemed to realize he had been staring while lost in thought; cheeks flushing softly in embarrassment as his gaze lowered briefly. "I apologize for staring." He murmurs after a moment or two, looking back up at the guardian and giving him a soft, embarrassed smile, cheeks still faintly pink. "I was just considering how to start and got lost in thought." He explains, just now taking notice of how Matthew appeared.

That would not do at all… he did not want to make Matthew uncomfortable just so he could practice courting; even if the guardian had already agreed to let Ivan practice on him.

"No harm done Ivan. I am just a little nervous is all. I've... never been on the receiving end before." The young man managed to grace Ivan with a cheerful smile before fiddling with his fingers on his lap.

"It is alright, I understand." Ivan replies softly, choosing not to comment on what Matthew's choice of words insinuated. He was sure that the guardian had not meant them in that way and that it would probably only embarrass him if Ivan were to point it out. "Please let me know if I say or do something that you do not like or that makes you feel uncomfortable, alright Matvey? I do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable just so I can practice courting…"

Matthew gave a nod as he replied. "I will and I'm ready to begin when you are."

Ivan nods as well, hesitating a moment before reaching out on impulse and gently tucking Matthew's hair behind his ear. He let his hand brush up against the guardian's cheek as he did so, his hand lingering a few moments longer than necessary. There was a small intake of breath from the simple, but delicate touch. "You are very pretty Matvey," He says, giving him a soft smile. "Very beautiful."

Matthew's eyes were wide; like a moth dazed in the bright light of a burning candle. It barely took a moment before he could feel heat against his face. What should he do or say? What could he say?

Ivan's smile widened just slightly at Matthew's expression, his own expression softening further. "Very beautiful…" He repeats softly, his other hand lifting to tuck the rest of the guardian's hair behind his other ear. "Your hair is very soft, and such a pretty golden color." His fingers lingered in Matthew's hair for a few moments to feel the softness of it as he stroked it gently.

Matthew could feel the burn deeper as he found his voice and cast his eyes aside at the overwhelming feeling of being bashful. "Y-your words are too kind." After the soft babble, Matthew tried to focus on the fact that these were not likely Ivan's true words and that it was all practice for the sake of finding a wife. So after a subtle deep breath he added with a steady tone. "My prince." Though to Matthew it felt more embarrassing than to call Ivan by his first name.

Ivan blushed lightly at how possessive those words made Matthew sound of him, like he was just Matthew's prince and no one else's. "Does that make you my princess?" He asks softly, teasing him just a little. "Or my prince?"

They both knew that Matthew was playing the role of a potential bide; which if one thought about made him the 'princess'. But he still felt the role-playing was a tad too personal and out of place, even if Matthew was the only one feeling this way.

However, Matthew was determined to fulfill his promise. "N-neither, I am a… a princess, but not yours." He paused for a moment, calming himself as much as he could before looking up, if even for just a small moment. "Yet... at least. I was merely giving you respect, I did not mean to sound in such a way."

Ivan chuckles softly. "You do not need to be so formal with me. Just Ivan is fine to use." He says with a small smile. "Matvey, look at me please?" He requests softly as he gently brushed his knuckles up against Matthew's cheek again.

He did, but not because of Ivan's words. It was to move ever so slightly out of the touch. Matthew wasn't sure if it was the right time to speak so he held his tongue and looked at the man's face, not quite ready to meet his eyes.

Ivan took the hint and pulled his hand back, resting it in his own lap for the moment. "May I see your pretty eyes?" He tilted his head just slightly, a soft, questioning look on his face as he awaited a response.

"You may..." He knew what Ivan meant and if he waited too long, Ivan would ask questions. So he looked the man in the eye. Those beautiful violet orbs.

"Thank you Matvey." Ivan smiled; pleased Matthew finally was looking at him. "Your eyes are such a pretty color." He murmurs, a look of adoration on his face as he looked into Matthew's eyes. "Purple like mine… but prettier, like amethysts."

"As are yours, like a deep orchid flower." Matthew said back softly.

"I like yours better." He smiled a bit more at the guardian's words. "Your skin is very pretty too." Ivan felt a bit silly for saying it, but continued with his words. "It is a very nice color and I like how it is so…" He hesitated a moment, his expression dropping, searching for the right word. "…Flawless." He finally says with a smile, giving a slight nod.

"My skin is anything but flawless." Matthew said in a low tone.

"Why do you think that?" Ivan asks softly, tilting his head with a look that was both curious and also slightly confused.

"I have calluses, scars... markings... But that is not a bad thing, it's just not flawless." He gave a smile. With how things were now, it was a lot easier for him to focus on the task and not lose himself.

"Ah. Yes, you do. But compared to mine, your skin seems very flawless to me." He smiled softly. "And I like your markings; they are a part of you, like your wings are a part of you too."

"Don't compare your skin to mine, we are two different people. We should not feel bad because one looks different than another."

"Yes, I know. I do not feel bad." Ivan smiles a bit more. "I just like that your skin is not as blemished as mine is. It means you did not have to go through all that I have had to and I like that." He was not entirely sure that he was conveying what he wanted to properly, but he was having a bit of trouble coming up with the proper words to explain it with.

If I did not heal myself... my body would be as scarred as yours Ivan. Matthew frowned for a moment before he smiled as he looked into Ivan's eyes. "In the end... I like your skin as well. It adds to your body's attractiveness and gives it a nice feel." It was a second after that he realized than he may have gone too far and let it become personal. Matthew looked down at his hands in sudden embarrassment. What princess would say that on a first meeting?

Ivan blushed, unsure how to continue for a moment before reaching out and placing a hand on top of one of Matthew's lightly. "Thank you Matvey." He murmurs softly, eyes never leaving the guardian's face. "I also like this about you, how honest and open you are with me, I mean."

"Ah, it's...it's nothing." His eyes closed, but he lightly rubbed his thumb against Ivan's hand. It gave him some comfort before continuing. "But, there are times when I should keep my thoughts where they belong..."

"I suppose so." He squeezed Matthew's hand lightly. "I enjoy it when you are so open with me though. I also—" He hesitated a moment before glancing down at their hands quietly. "I also love how much you… trust me."

Matthew could feel his heart leap from just a small little word. It was wonderful... and painful at the same time. He swallowed a heavy lump before it felt like he could breathe again. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

"I said at the beginning that not many people trust me because of how I generally act. And I think it is fairly obvious by their words and actions just how little Kirkland and your brother trust me around you…" Ivan's voice was quiet, looking down at their hands as he spoke slowly. "But you… even if you were wary at first, you trusted me enough to want to travel with me, to let me help you in Solstice, and try to protect you while in the Deadwoods… also to let me see your wings… and to let me help you clean them." His cheeks were faintly rosy as he spoke. "You have just trusted me more than I think even my sisters ever have before… and I just really love that you trust me enough to allow me to do all of that, it is just really nice to have someone who trusts me so much."

Matthew took in everything that Ivan said, every word, and every sound. His eyes stung as tears welled up and slowly dripped onto Ivan's hands. Ivan was so kind, so kind it hurt to think of everything anyone ever put him through just because he was different. He was also strong and used that to fight and protect those he cared about, not because he was cruel or heartless like others believed him to be. How could those with eyes not clearly see the truth? Matthew wanted to bring Ivan joy and warmth as Ivan did to him. "I-... I feel the same." His voice was a little raspy from holding back his tears, but he didn't care, he just smiled.

Ivan started slightly when the tears hit the back of his hands, staring at the wetness for a long moment in confusion before looking up at Matthew. His confused expression morphed into a look that was both confused and concerned almost instantly upon seeing the tears on Matthew's face. "Matvey, why are you crying?" He asks softly, lifting one hand to gently brush away the tears.

"I'm-" The guardian hiccupped, still crying and smiling at the same time. "I'm just so happy, Ivan."

"Happy?" The prince echoes, looking even more confused. "I do not understand Matvey… if you are happy, then why are you crying?"

"H-have you not seen tears of joy?"

Ivan shook his head slowly, still looking rather confused as Matthew closed his eyes. "A mother cries at the sight of her newborn, a man coming home from a war to his family, a child that has not seen a good friend in many years, a preacher at the sight of a miracle, a lover who confesses their feelings... All these— all these are not tears of sorrow o-or of pain. They are of love and joy, for someone they care for so much."

"Oh…" Ivan looked back down at their hands quietly for a few moments. "Does- does that mean that you… cares for me a lot?" He questions tentatively.

"I do, you are a very special friend, Ivan."

"Special?" Ivan questions, looking up at Matthew with a surprised look.

"Yes."

Ivan smiled softly, looking back down at their hands. He lifted one and kissed the back of it softly like Francis had taught him to, making an attempt to continue the practice session they had started, despite how it had gotten so much more personal than Ivan had intended for it to get initially. The simple little kiss to Matthew's hand made the guardian's heart race and he felt faint from the surge of heat throughout his body.

"Thank you for telling me Matvey." He lowered Matthew's hand again, but still held onto it, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Ivan wondered why such words from Matthew made him so overwhelmingly happy, it was a feeling that he barely remembered from being little.

It was true that his sisters did still care for him, but they both got wary of him from time to time when he was in a temper and their form of caring was not exactly the same as it had been when he was little either.

So to have Matthew say he thought of him as so special a friend. And to see him so happy for some reason at what Ivan had said to the point that the guardian was crying. It made Ivan feel very happy and very…warm inside, not cold like he had been recently.

"You are very welcome." Matthew wanted to throw himself on Ivan and cover him in affection. It was a good thing he was already crying, it let him continue on in his heartbreak with ease.

Ivan watched Matthew for a few quiet moments before reaching up and gently brushing away the tears. "Shall we continue practicing?" He asks softly. "Or would you prefer to stop here for today?"

The guardian gave a nervous laugh. "I-it would give us something to do tomorrow and I've become a mess."

"Then we can continue this tomorrow or at some later date, alright Matvey?" His smile kind as he wiped the tears from Matthew's cheeks gently.

He gave a nod with a bright smile. "I think... I think now you're the only one I can comfortably cry in front of."

Ivan was not exactly sure how to respond to that so he just smiled at the guardian.

)*(

After breakfast the next day, Ivan asked Matthew if he wanted to continue the lessons then or wait until later in the day. Matthew felt a little nervous, but complied. "I would be happy to practice with you." He had gone over it in his head last night and figure out this could possibly be an opportunity if he looked at it right. What other time was he going to be able to act like this and not have Ivan think that Matthew wanted more than friends?

"Excellent." After Matthew had helped him up the stairs and into bed, Ivan tilted his head at Matthew. "Would you like to sit on the chair again or on the bed today?" He asks with a smile.

"Um... I guess I could sit on the bed with you. It... Would make it easier for you after all."

"Alright then Matvey." Ivan says, nodding with a smile and shifting slightly to make room for Matthew on the bed so the guardian would not need to climb over him.

While this was a little more work for Ivan, it lessened the chances of him making Matthew feel cornered by giving the guardian the side of the bed closest to the open space of the inn room instead of making him sit in-between Ivan and the wall.

Matthew sat on the bed next to Ivan, but also facing him. He wouldn't be needing the headboard to brace himself. "I am ready to begin."

Ivan nodded and paused a moment, considering how to start. "I did not get to finish complimenting you yesterday Matvey." He murmurs after a few moments with a small smile. "Would it be alright if I continued that?"

"Sure I don't see why not." He sat up a little straighter.

Ivan gave a little nod, hesitated for a brief moment before tilting his head slightly. "Would it be rude to ask to see your wings Matvey?" He asks in a curious tone.

Matthew blinked in surprise before he shook his head. He then began to pull up his shirt, wiggling out of the tight fabric before it finally came free. The guardian then closed his eyes and allowed his back to twist and pull as his wings slowly moved out.

"We need to make slits for your wings in your shirt sometime." Ivan comments softly with a small smile as he watched Matthew's wings slowly come into view, sunlight dancing across the great feather fan of gold.

"I know, but I can easily do it myself once I have the tools." The guardian gives his wings a small stretch before folding them as best he could sitting down. Even trimmed, they still drug across the floorboards.

"Ah, do not fold them away." Ivan protests softly with a small frown. "I wanted to see them fully if that is alright."

"... I don't mind." The wings spread them out like a curtain around the bed. "Better?"

"Yes, much better." Ivan smiled and nodded, looking at them, but making no move to touch them. "I was going to compliment them yesterday, but I did not get the chance to... and I like looking at them."

Matthew smiled. "I'm happy you do."

"They are very beautiful." Ivan says, smiling more. "They are same color as your hair, except for the pretty white streak there." Ivan had reached out without thinking to point it out by touching it. Matthew watched the whole thing, but he did not flinch nor pull his wings back from Ivan's approach. He almost felt like he welcomed the touch, for Ivan to run his hands through his feathers, to surround himself in a sea of soft gold.

Though Ivan caught himself before he could touch the wings and pulled his hand back, an embarrassed chuckle leaving his lips at the mistake he had almost made. "Ah, sorry."

Matthew hadn't noticed, but his wings were very slowly lowering down onto the bed. When Matthew finally came back from his thoughts of Ivan grasping his feathers, he matched Ivan's cheeks in color and smiled sweetly. "It is alright Ivan, I trust you."

"Is it… alright if I touch them?" Ivan asks after a moment or two in a way that could only be described as shy. "As long as I am not too gentle I mean." He knew how sensitive Matthew's wings were, but he liked how soft and pretty the feathers were and wanted to be able to touch them more than the few brief times he had.

Matthew couldn't believe his ears at first; did Ivan really want to? He blushed deeply before nodding and sliding a wing closer to Ivan so he did not have to move much. "Go ahead..."

Ivan blushed lightly as well, waiting for permission before reaching out and resting his hand firmly near the nook of the wing. "Is that alright…?" He questions, wanting to make sure he was not being too gentle or too rough before he moved his hand any.

Matthew visibly relaxed under the touch; it was a great surprise to himself. He didn't feel the need to run or anything, it just felt nice. It took him a moment to realize that Ivan had asked about his well being. "I am fine, you may continue."

Ivan smiled a bit and nodded. "Alright." He says, slowly moving his hand outwards along Matthew's wing, trying to keep the touch firm. "Soft." He murmurs, eyes widening slightly in surprise and awe of the texture of the wing. He knew they would be soft of course, but he hadn't expected them to be quite so soft and nice to touch.

Matthew blushed profusely and smiled at the look on Ivan's face. "Thank you... I-I work hard to keep them like this." The season was also making him groom more often to make himself presentable to a mate.

He smiled and pulled his hand back a little and lowering it before stroking further down on Matthew's wing, trying to keep the same firm pressure as earlier as he stroked the feathers. "You do a very good job." Ivan hums, voice still soft. "They feel like silk but… nicer somehow." Unsure how to accurately describe the feel of something so unique.

"Y-you flatter me Ivan." He looked up at Ivan timidly.

"No, I am just speaking the truth Matvey." Ivan continued to firmly stroke the feathers. "I like your wings a lot." He glanced up at Matthew as well. "They are very beautiful, very soft and well taken care of…" He trailed off for a moment; eyes returning to look at the wings and letting his hand run over the bone and muscle of the wing firmly. "They are also very strong and powerful; not just for show." He smiled a bit, glancing at the guardian again.

Matthew flushed deeply and looked away swiftly. "S-such a comment should not be a-addressed to me."

"Ah?" Ivan tilted his head, a softly concerned look on his face. "Why not?" He questions quietly. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Well no... Not exactly." Matthew said softly.

"What do you mean?" He asks just as softly, a confused look on his face.

"It's something that should be said to a female."

"What is…?"

Matthew laughed a little and looked up at the man. "The one about strong wings."

"Oh?" Ivan blinked and tilted his head curiously. "Why is that?"

"Well... It's- it's like telling a human female that she has large hips." He said awkwardly as his bashfulness came through and he twirled some hair between his fingers.

Ivan blinks in surprise for a few moments before blushing a bit and chuckling at the same time. "Oh! It is saying that they can have a lot of children then?"

Matthew opened and closed his mouth a few times before words came out. "Yes. It is the same as that."

"I apologize for saying what I did then." Ivan says with a soft chuckle. "I did not mean it in that way. I…" He blushed a bit and looked back down at Matthew's feathers. "I was actually thinking of one of the traits I am supposed to be looking for when choosing a wife."

"Ah, right! I'm sorry." Matthew laughed a little and ran a hand through his hair. "I broke out of my role as a princess."

"It is alright Matvey." Ivan chuckled softly, smiling a little and going back to stroking Matthew's soft feathers. "I had just been thinking how 'strong' is one of the traits I am supposed to look for, that is all."

"Eh? Really? Are having wide hips a trait that make a woman strong?" Matthew tilted his head. "I know that it helps with birthing a child and certainly makes it easier for the mother to make it through the whole thing."

Ivan chuckled softly. "Well, strong in that way yes. It makes it more likely to have heirs without the queen dying." A wry smile crossed the man's lips. "But also strong willed in general is what I meant. A strong queen is vital in a harsh place such as Solstice. She needs to be able to take charge and rule in her husband's place while he is away or even become sole ruler if he is to die in battle. She needs to be able to produce strong heirs and at the very least be able to tolerate the unforgiving weather there."

"I see. So getting a mate in Vernal isn't the best choice then?" Matthew hums in thought. "For handling the cold that is."

"Mmm, not really, but some people handle the cold better than others. And no one from the other countries are willing so it is not as if I have much of a choice in that matter, right?" He chuckled softly, continuing to stroke Matthew's feathers and sighing softly.

Matthew frowned and looked down at his hands. "That's true..."

Both went quiet for many long minutes, Ivan just silently running his fingers through Matthew's feathers and enjoying the feel of them while he got lost in thought. Matthew closed his eyes; focusing on Ivan's hands, it felt wonderful... he wouldn't deny that.

"You know…" Ivan starts softly after a while. "I remember yesterday, you said my words were too kind, but I disagree Matvey."

"Hmm...?" Matthew opened one eye slightly. "What do you mean Ivan?"

Ivan kept his gaze on Matthew's feathers as he ran his fingers through them. "I do not know if you remember or not, but when Francis was teaching me how to court, he said that practicing with fake emotions would do me no good. So rather than being too kind with my words… I have tried my best to be as truthful as possible with them instead."

"What...?" Matthew's eyes were both open now. "What are you saying Ivan?" He asked this, but feared the answer.

"I… am not entirely sure what I am saying." Ivan murmurs, his hands stilling on Matthew's wing, He blushed lightly, refusing to look up from his hands as he spoke slowly in a cautious and somewhat uncertain tone. "I… think I am saying that if you were a woman like I had originally thought you were… I think I would have chosen you quite some time ago… despite the differences in status." He blushed a bit more and lowered his head. "As it is now… I am unsure how to proceed with… anything."

Matthew only caught most of it before all he could hear was the pounding of blood in his ears. This was it, or most of it; he only needed a little more. It was a chance to show Ivan how he felt. To smother him in kisses, to hold each other in their arms. Do it. Tellhim. Say something now! He cried out in his mind, he wanted to let go; he wanted to be free from holding back. He did not wish to stay in this cage he had built any longer. I have to say it; he has to know...!

But as fast as the feeling came and how warm it felt, it went just as fast and became nothing but cold. Ivan… he does not want love. If I was as he said… then at most we could be friends. This... this isn't how I want to be. And besides— I'm male in the end; it's sodomy in his eyes. Having the full collection of Ivan's feelings, Matthew knew that there was nothing for them but friendship, even if he was female, but… He shouldn't feel bad. Ivan still trusted him and cared for him as a close friend.

"I-... Ivan." His voice soft, his eyes sadly half lidded. "I am... I do feel quite flattered that if I were a female I would be ideal. However our goal has not changed, everything is still as it is. We will keep looking for a female to be your queen." He moved a hand and gave Ivan's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Do not lose hope, we will find her and your kingdom with have its rightful king to bring them out from the cold and into the sun." Matthew smiled brightly; his heart was hurting, but he could-would no longer be looking at Ivan for a mate.

"That is why I said 'if'." Ivan gave a slight smile, glancing up at Matthew a little. "I have not lost hope Matvey… I just grow weary of this quest that I never wanted to go on in the first place." He paused a moment before adding. "Though I suppose I am glad I did. If I had not, I would not have met you."

Matthew smiled. "I agree, if it weren't for that fateful night or even you being forced to find your own mate. I would not have such a good friend."

Ivan's smile grew; lifting one hand to rest it on top of the one Matthew had placed on his shoulder. "Yes…" He was quiet for several long moments before speaking again. "Matvey… there is still half of Vernal for me to search through, but… if I do not find a wife, what do you propose I should do?"

"Well maybe... you could go back to the places you started and show them all that you have learned? They have not seen this side of you that has been hidden for so long." He smiled with confidence.

"I suppose I could do that in Autumnal…" Ivan agrees, nodding slowly.

Matthew nodded. "So more practice or are you good for today?"

"I think that is good for now." Ivan replies with a nod, though he did not move his hands from where they were, enjoying the feel of the feathers beneath his fingertips. Matthew smiled and nodded; he did not mind the others hands. He could hold his wings as much as he liked.

Quietly, Ivan just sat there and ran his fingers through the smooth feathers. He kept his hands away from the base of the wings, recalling how the wings were more sensitive closer to the base from when the lackey had been clipping Mathew's wings. Over all it was a pleasant way for both of them to end the moment.

)*(

Two days had passed, Matthew practiced with Ivan when the man wanted and Alfred and Kuma finally showed up. Apparently they had gotten into a fight on directions, which was why they were so late. In the end they could have gotten here at a more reasonable time if Al had just flown and left Kuma be.

Nonetheless. They were all together now and it made Matthew feel more at ease to have his partner by his side. Arthur informed Alfred that now, having helped Matthew and Ivan, they had to return to the castle. Alfred was not pleased at all about this, but after many long minutes of the two brothers talking about it, Alfred was finally comfortable enough to leave with Arthur.

"Are you three sure you want to journey that far back?" Arthur asked.

"We have to. Ivan needs to pick up some things from home since the vampires took everything and I could also use a trip home too." Matthew sighed.

"Yes." Ivan says with a nod. "I need to travel there. Though I do not intend to bring Matvey into Solstice with me. We do not have the proper gear to keep either of us warm there at the moment."

"I see." Arthur looked over at Kuma. "Is he going to be sufficient? For carrying both of you, I mean."

Kuma glared at the mage, but before he did anything, Matthew intervened. "Actually... I think it would be better for Ivan if he had a horse to ride. I don't want any unnecessary stress on his body. No matter how small."

"I understand. Would you like me to you buy you a mount Matthew? Or send one from the castle?" The mage asked.

"I have not ridden a horse in quite some time Matvey." Ivan says with a short laugh. "It would likely be easier to just continue using Kumajiro for both of us for the time being if he is alright with that."

Kuma made a few chirps and shook his head. "Kuma says that for a little it would be fine... But to carry both of us the whole way would not be fair." Matthew gave an awkward smile as he translated.

"Ah, true. A horse will be fine for me then." He says with a smile.

"Um... one from the castle should do. How long do think it will take for you send one here Arthur?"

"I can send it as early as tonight, after all. I am not taking as many with me, it's just Alfred and I." He cast a warning look to Francis.

Francis laughed softly. "I did not intend on returning with you anyway Arthur."

"Good. And stay out of my room!"

"Of course, of course. There are more than enough people around here to keep me occupied." He says with a grin.

"You disgust me." He spat on the ground before walking towards Al. "We're leaving. Now."

"But-"

"I said NOW Alfred or you're flying back." He snapped and pulled out his spell book.

"Such harsh words Arthur." Francis says with a dramatic sigh. Ivan just chuckled in amusement at how easily Francis was getting on Arthur's nerves.

Matthew rolled his eyes and bid his brother farewell one last time before Al turned into smoke along with Arthur. "You and Ivan are both childish..."

Francis and Ivan both laughed at Matthew's words.

"No, we both just enjoy getting on Arthur's nerves."

"Yes, it is so easy to get him all worked up over nothing."

"... You're both still children." Matthew pouted and crossed his arms.