After Arthur and Alfred left, Francis stuck around to speak with Ivan in private. The prince gave the incubus a suspicious look before agreeing and asking Matthew to help him back up the stairs to their room. He figured it would be a long conversation and quite frankly, he'd rather sit than stand.
Sure enough, it was a long conversation. Ivan and Francis spoke and argued in Solstice, much to Matthew's displeasure, for a little over an hour before Francis was done. The incubus then bid Matthew goodbye and informed him that he'd be checking up on them in a month or so.
After Francis had finally left, Ivan asked Matthew if he'd help him back down the stairs so he could go and speak with Kuma.
"Or I could open the window." The guardian offered, not liking that Ivan was going up and down the stairs so much.
"Tired of helping me up and down the stairs?" Ivan teases with a small smile.
"No." Matthew frowned in irritation. "I just don't want to push your heart too much in a single day."
Ivan chuckled. "Yes, I know. I was teasing Matvey. Opening the window is alright."
Matthew rolled his eyes a little and made his way to the window. "You shouldn't tease me too much..." Though he said that with more than one meaning. He then opened the window and whistled to call over his partner.
"I won't." Ivan smiled in amusement a little and looked over at the window.
The young man then glanced back at the prince as the hippogriff came beneath the window. "Need any help with coming over?"
"Help up would be nice." Ivan replies with a nod as Matthew returns to the man's side and offers himself as a crutch once more, leading them both to the window side. Kuma just gave a small tilt of his head up at the pair, unsure of what was really going on anymore.
"I... need to apologize for what I said back in the forest as we were leaving it." Ivan says after a moment of thought, wanting to phrase this properly. The hippogriff takes a seat on the ground, his head straightened and ears forward in attention, but he lowered his eyes at Ivan with some sort of disapproval or mistrust.
"I... did not mean to make it seem as if I did not trust you." Ivan says a few moments after Kumajiro had given him that look. "I had been attempting to be considerate and mindful of all that had happened and how that would affect your energy. I did not want you to overexert yourself."
Kuma gives a huff and rolls his eyes as he stood up to leave, like this was something he hadn't heard before. Matthew called his attention back to the two of them with a sharp, annoyed whistle.
"I apologize. I— am not very good at apologies." Not ones where I'm not lying through my teeth anyway. Ivan gave a sigh and played with the ends of his scarf a bit, though kept his gaze on the hippogriff. "I... am aware that I am stubborn in the way that I tend to ignore pain from injuries I gain in situations like that and... well, as I'm sure you both saw, I tend to overexert myself even if I shouldn't or don't necessarily need to." He says slowly, trying to explain. "I am also quite stubborn in general, and so are you. I apologize for... assuming you would do the same as I would just because our personalities are somewhat similar."
This time Kumajiro's reply was a snort and a shake of his neck feathers. Matthew scowled at this. "Just because he was in the wrong then, doesn't mean you can be a prude. Let Ivan finish." He scolds.
"I... do not have much more to say really." Ivan says in response to that, turning to look at Matthew for a moment. "I am not very good at sincere apologies." He turned to look back at Kumajiro again. "I suppose the only other thing would be I apologize for, in an admittedly odd and... probably incorrect way, trying to relate to you." He paused a second and then added. "Obviously I am even worse at relating with others than I am at sincerely apologizing."
Matthew gave a gentle sigh; they were both horrible at this. "What he is trying to say is, that even though you can not speak to him, Ivan will do his best to understand you and trust you to tell him when you need aid in the future. Because that is what friends do." And Ivan nodded in agreement.
"Now, it's your turn to say you're sorry Kuma." When the bird squawked, as if to ask what for, Matthew supplied readily with a firm look. "For practically giving him a heart attack if you've forgotten already, you could have killed him before I had a chance to help! You're lucky it didn't."
"Ah, he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to." Ivan says before Matthew could say any more. "I did offend him and well, it was my fault I was in that state of health anyway."
"No it wasn't. Those two points aren't even on the same ground, don't try and make it so." Matthew turned his scolding to Ivan, while Kuma took it as a prime moment to quickly slip away. Though not fast enough before Matthew took notice. "And where do you think you're going!? Get back here, you haven't apologized yet!"
"CAW!" Kuma cried as he made a run for it.
"That doesn't count and you know it! Kumajiro!"
Ivan gave a slight smile of amusement; these two were really something. "It is alright Matvey."
)*(
Even with the horse, it took them about a month to reach Matthew's home and half a month or so in addition to that for Kumajiro and Ivan to reach the sea. By this point, Ivan was more or less fully healed and able to walk on his own and keep himself warm again.
It took them another week or two before they were nearing his private castle, at which point Ivan chose to walk the rest of the way on his own, leaving Kuma to a new playing ground to explore and make trouble in. To his surprise, he found his younger sister residing there. He greeted her upon entering the castle, but made her stay out of his room while he changed into warmer clothes. He allowed her back in afterwards while he packed the things he would need to bring back with him.
"Are you really leaving again so soon Brother?"
Ivan sighed a bit. "Yes, Natalya. You know I have things to attend to."
"But you just got back."
"How have you been?" He asks instead.
She frowned a little at the topic change before replying. "I have been well."
"Anything new?"
"Well..." She seemed to contemplate this for a minute or two. Ivan was fine with the silence and just continued packing until she spoke again. "I did meet someone rather... interesting the other day."
"Oh? Who did you meet?"
"A man."
"Who?"
"His name is Grigori."
Ivan paused a moment before continuing to pack. "I don't believe I've met him. What's he like?"
"He's not you, however he is more competent than most men I've met." She says after a few moments of thought.
Ivan chuckled. "Oh? Are you going to give him a chance then?"
"...Perhaps."
Ivan couldn't help but smile a bit at that. "I'm glad you are givingsomeone other than me a chance Natalya."
They continued small talk while he packed. After he was done packing, he asked his sister if she would like to dance with him once before he left. He knew she loved to dance, and loved dancing with him even more so.
Natalya perked up at his offer and accepted it. While they danced, he asked her to continue to keep an eye on his castle while he was away. She agreed and once she had grown tired of dancing, Ivan bid her goodbye with a kiss to the cheek. He then shouldered his pack and fastened his sword in its sheath to his waist.
)*(
Matthew felt so alone while they were away. He found he'd wander around the house or the farm without realizing where he was going. Some of the villagers were happy to have him back, but even the village children didn't bring him much for company. Though, cute as they were, it made his heart feel even more distant.
His instincts still longed for a mate; someone to nest with, now that his body deemed itself ready. And he did try to mate with a female while Kuma was away and couldn't nag him about it. But as much as he tried, if the female so much as touched his shoulder, he shuddered with discomfort and would excuse himself. He pushed himself too far one night and nearly exposed his wings without wanting to. At this point he gave up on the whole thing and tried to keep himself surrounded by children as often as he could; a distant feeling was better than a lonesome one.
Alfred, when he did visit, found that his brother was changed in a way. The elder brother felt horrible to leave him all alone in their little home while he returned to the castle. Alfred soon figured out that his brother was in his first rounds of his mating seasons, but was worried that he couldn't be comfortable with it until he was bonded.
Himself still un-bonded, Alfred understood the feeling and the first few "seasons" could be unbearable and unpredictable until their body found a comfortable rhythm. "It will get better in time," Alfred wanted to tell him, but he felt it would just make things awkward. The brothers weren't much for talking about those kind of personal things and were grateful when the other didn't pry.
In about a month, the need to mate was washed from Matthew's body for the time being and he waited for the day that his friends would come home.
)*(
Ivan and Kumajiro returned to Matthew's home late in the afternoon. Ivan dismounted with a pack full of things on his back and a sword hanging from his waist. His hair was much shorter as well, having taken the time to cut it while he was away. Kuma shook himself before stretching and walking off to find his favorite place to lay in the shade for a while. It was too hot out with his new feathers from the winter journey and would be a while before they shed.
On approaching the front door, Ivan he found it unlocked and invited himself inside, Matthew wouldn't mind. Would he? He thought to himself, shrugging the bag from his shoulder and placing sword in the room he had woken up in so many months ago. It kind of brought an amused grin to his lips from the memories. He then exited the house, shutting the door behind him as he went looking around the immediate area to see if perhaps Matthew was nearby, since he didn't appear to be in the house.
"Matvey?" Ivan called for the young guardian a few times, briefly searching a small part of the area to no avail. He about to give up, return to the house to get out of the sun, and just wait for Matthew to return home instead.
"Ivan!"
Ivan turned at his name being called and found an airborne guardian coming right at him in a pounce, feathers spread out like rays of light. Ivan laughed, his arms wrapping around Matthew's waist as they both fell to the ground. The prince grunted a bit on impact to the earth before laughing some more. Matthew arms were around the man's neck in a tight hug, covering the pair in a storm of feathers. "Hello Matvey. I am back." Ivan says with a chuckle.
"I-I thought you weren't going to come back." Matthew whimpered and held him tight, his tears falling onto Ivan's scarf. Which was completely killing the happy reunion as the guardian's words and tears made Ivan's heart ache.
"I apologize for taking so long." Ivan says softly, lifting a hand to gently run his fingers through Matthew's hair in a soothing manner, a few crumbs of dirt dusting off in the process, Matthew must have been tending to his small field at his arrival, his clothing showing more evidence of this. "Did you really miss me that much?"
The guardian nodded as he sniffled. "I did, I missed you so much. I felt so lonely..."
As he sat up, Ivan pulled Matthew close and rested the guardian's head on his shoulder as he stroked his hair soothingly as the younger dropped his arms to hold onto Ivan's torso. "Shh, shh. It is alright Matvey." His other arm was still wrapped firmly around Matthew's waist as he spoke in a soft soothing tone. "Do not feel lonely. I am here now. I am not going anywhere anytime soon."
Matthew took many shaky breaths before he was breathing calmly. "I'm sorry... about that." He mumbled. "I just—"
"It is quite alright Matvey." The prince says with a soft smile, turning his head to give Matthew a kiss on the cheek. It made the guardian jolt, wings spiraling up as the youth pushed his hands against the man's chest, with eyes staring wide in fear and shock. Not really the proper reaction to a simple peck to the cheek.
The guardian gaped like a fish for a moment before his voice was found. "I-Ivan...? W-what are you doing...?"
Ivan blinked in surprise, looking a bit startled and confused at such an intense reaction before he realized his mistake. "Ah, sorry." He says with a soft laugh, cheeks flushing slightly as he gave the guardian a soft smile. "That is how we greet friends we have not seen in a while in Solstice. I forgot it is not the same in Vernal."
Matthew relaxed almost right away, though was unsure if he was disappointed or not. "O-oh."
"I apologize, I was just glad to see you again and forgot the difference in customs." Ivan hoped he hadn't startled the guardian too badly. "I will try to remember not to do it again."
"It's fine, I'm just happy to see you again." Matthew smiled.
"Yes, as am I." Ivan smiled back. "I missed you as well while we were away."
Matthew's frown came back a little as he began to return his wings within him. "This is going to be hard once this is... all over."
Ivan lowered his hand and loosened his hold on the guardian. "Ah… I suppose so."
"You'll... you'll send me an invitation to your wedding, won't you?" Matthew asked with a sorrowful, but hopeful look.
Ivan blinked in surprise at the question before giving a soft laugh and ruffling the guardian's hair fondly. "Yes, of course. You will get the first one."
"Truly?" His eyes became bright with cheer.
Ivan smiled. "Truly."
"Thank you." They both hugged again, but softer this time.
"It is no problem. It is the least I can do for someone who has helped me so much already."
"I'll make sure to bring you the best wedding gift ever."
"I am sure you will Matvey. However, speaking of gifts… let us go back to the house. I brought you some sweets that I think you will like."
"S-sweets!?" Matthew pulled back, his eyes wide with wonder. "You brought me sweets?"
Ivan grinned at Matthew's expression. "I did."
"Will you eat them with me?" With that he hopped off so Ivan could stand and lazily brush the dirt from his clothes.
"If you would like for me to."
"I would and- oh Kuma! Is he alright?" Matthew suddenly felt ashamed for forgetting about his partner as Ivan laughed at him.
"Yes, he is alright. I think he is currently laying in the shade somewhere."
"Oh. Then he's near the barn, well I'll let him rest and bring him a few to try himself later. Are your things already at the house?"
"Yes. I set them down inside before I went looking for you."
"Back to the house then." Matthew then began to return to his home, not caring about the garden work he had yet not finished.
Ivan was glad to be out of the sun once inside, he enjoyed the warmth, but today was just too much for him right now. He went to his pack and pulled out a bag of some of the sweets he had brought. He set out a few brightly colored treats on the kitchen table and offered them to Matthew.
"Amazing... they are more colorful than I thought." Matthew just held one treat in hand gently flipping it over like it was made of glass.
"Churchkhela is the most colorful of the treats I have brought." Ivan says with a chuckle. "It is nuts dipped in sweet grape juice that has been thickened with flour to make it chewy." He smiles. "It takes quite a while to make but the outcome is most delicious."
Matthew was hesitant and took a small bite. He was a bit surprised that he had to pull quite a bit before it came free. He then began to chew; it felt weird, as it did not lose its shape quickly. But the taste, the taste was wonderful, so much so he hummed happily with his eyes closed.
"What do you think Matvey?" Ivan asked as he took a bite of his own piece and chewed on it.
"I love it." Matthew purred and took a larger bite of the candy.
"I am glad." Ivan says with a chuckle, happily munching on his own. He had not had any in quite a while and he quite enjoyed having the treat after so long. And while Matthew took his time to savor his treat, it was not long before the piece was gone. "Would you like some more?" Ivan asks, offering the bag to Matthew. "Or would you like to try some of the other treats I brought with me instead?"
"Hmm, hard choice... Ah, what else do you got?"
"There is honey bread, which is made from rye flour mixed with honey and berry juice. I also have smokva, which is bits of apples, figs, and plums that have been cooked in honey. And then I have just a jar of jam for you as well." He says with a smile.
Matthew tried each of them and loved them, but his favorite was still the first candy. "You are spoiling me rotten Ivan." He squealed with joy as he nibbled on one of the smokva.
Ivan laughed softly, a pleased smile on his face. "I am glad you like them all. I should bring you some more when you run out… along with the recipes so you can make them yourself if you want to." He added the last part, completely forgetting that such treats may require items that could be rather pricey to purchase for those who were not of noble blood.
"That would be wonderful Ivan, thank you." The guardian's smile brightened, though it also brought a feeling of warmth and fuzziness inside Ivan.
"You are very welcome Matvey." Ivan says, smiling back happily.
)*(
Later that night after dinner Ivan looked over at Matthew. "Matvey, would you like to dance tonight? We have not practiced in quite a while after all."
"Mmm, I'd like that very much." Matthew smiled as he rested his chin in his hand.
Everything about the dancing that night was wonderful: the spins, the dips, and the lunges. The dancing was divine; but not without its stumbles and misunderstandings, leaving them both stifling their laughter, with plenty of playful teasing back and forth. Ivan was almost surprised to find how much he had missed being able to dance with Matthew. It was like paradise and they did not want this feeling to end. But they did eventually tire.
Ivan had a satisfied smile on his face. "That was fun. We should practice again sometime later, yes?"
Matthew gave childish giggle and firm pat on the shoulder. "Yes, but first we should bathe before bed, hm?"
"Yes." Ivan chuckled, somewhat wondering why he found it so endearing when Matthew used Ivan's native tongue, even if it was just the one word. "We should."
)*(
"You can use my bed Ivan, it'll be nice after all your travelling." Matthew offered as he finished drying his hair.
"Ah? But then where will you sleep Matvey?"
"In the loft like before, I didn't really know when you would be back so Alfred's bed is still stored away."
Ivan frowned a bit at this, not wanting to make Matthew sleep up in the loft just so he could have the bed. He turned and looked at the bed for a moment before looking back at Matthew and tilting his head curiously. "How about we share it instead?"
Matthew froze for a moment. "Are... you sure? Won't you overheat?"
Ivan paused for a moment to consider this before replying. "Yes, I am sure. I do not think I will overheat."
With that Matthew slowly made his way over to the bed and took a seat. This won't be a big deal; we've shared a bed many times before. Though... why did it feel so different now? Maybe because it was his own bed he was sharing.
Ivan got the last of his things ready for bed before getting into it and moving over to make space for Matthew. After some consideration he had removed his shirt so he would not overheat, but had left his scarf on as always.
Matthew, still bare-chested, drew out his wings, and then moved in close to Ivan so he did not fall off the bed. "Good night Ivan... rest well."
Ivan draped an arm over Matthew loosely so the guardian wouldn't roll of the bed while they slept. "Good night Matvey. Sweet dreams." He smiled a bit.
Matthew's wing twitched from the contact but remained as it was. "Sweet dreams to you too." And with that they both closed their eyes for the best night of sleep either of them had gotten in months.