Moonlight Reminiscence

Chapter 3

Ivan wrapped his arms around Gilbert and leant in closer, relishing this rare and loving moment. A sense of deep peace and calm enjoyment warmed his heart. Soon, his hand touched the back of Gilbert's head. Tall, strong fingers caressed the somewhat messy silver hair in an unhurried motion.

The former knight observed the Russian's movements carefully, mainly because he was so curious about these newfound actions that the other was presenting. When Gilbert felt the other's hand move, it was as if everything was slowing down.

"Gilbert..." Ivan's whisper was quiet, but unwavering. He could feel the cold of the night nibbling him as he pulled away just a little. Even though it wasn't his intention to break away so soon, a part of him needed to stare into that igneous gaze that made his heart flutter.

Gilbert felt his voice completely leave him when Ivan said his name so quietly against him. He shuddered a little, on the inside, and gripped the other's sides more, not entirely knowing what he was feeling right now. But, he felt...warmth. It was nice, it was comforting, and he felt happy, but scared as well. He was trying to make sense of the situation, but then, at the same time, did he want to? In that moment, his mind was cloudy and any slight fear he had, was gone.

He stared up at the Russian and then up towards the moon, soon returning to the other's eyes. He blinked a couple times and enjoyed the feeling of someone's touch. It seemed better that it was Ivan's hand in his hair and it made Gilbert smile.

Suddenly finding his voice again, the Prussian male began to speak. His voice was even and determined now, putting meaning into his small talk. "Ivan, I don't understand...but this is nice. For not having a heart...I really feel like I have one again." He smiled a little and gazed into the man's deep lavender eyes and happily melted in them, just a little.

"I'm certain that you have always had a heart." Ivan answered with solid certitude. "You are not a stranger to me. I know you, Gilbert. I've known you for ages. And I could never imagine you with a void, cold chest."

Gilbert listened to Ivan's words, but didn't fully agree with him. He knew there was no heat inside his chest. He knew it had been gone for a long time. As Ivan finished, the fellow personification began to speak, quietly. "Ah, danke Ivan, but...I really don't have a heart. Still I couldn't ever let myself become a monster because I care about my brother Ludwig. But I-" His voice left him as he noticed Ivan's clear eyes. The Prussian couldn't help but start to tear up a little. He felt so safe with Ivan right now that he didn't even try holding his tears back as much as he would.

But what really startled him was when their lips met each other...

Ivan bent closer once more and kissed Gilbert for the very first time...He poured all the feelings he harboured for this man into that meaningful touch...Gilbert let a couple tears fall as he kissed the other back and melted a bit into the kiss.

After a few moments, they pulled away from each other and the albino stared into the Russian's eyes and then pressed his forehead against the other's. "Thank you..." He gently pressed their lips together again, and then nervously pulled away, not knowing if he should have done that, but it felt nice. That's all he had currently cared about.

"Gilbert, you don't need to thank me..." Ivan whispered, lifting one hand to hold the cheek of the fellow personification softly.

The Prussian nodded and let his head lean slightly into Ivan's hand. "But if it wasn't for you...I wouldn't feel this way..." He finished, allowing a couple more tears run over the dried ones. He let out a few meaningful short chuckles as Ivan's lips covered his face, kissing his cheeks, forehead and eyelids.

After the kisses, the Russian began to speak, "I often caught myself wondering if we could ever be happy together...I could hardly think of anyone else, Gilbert. Each time I saw you, I remembered the royal couple. And I couldn't help but question myself: Could we ever be as happy as them, despite all the difficulties and all the obstacles?"

As Ivan was talking, Gilbert let his arms move up and wrap around the man's neck, no longer really worrying after their first kisses. He was cold too, so being closer to Ivan felt nice. He finally smiled again after the Russian finished talking and nodded slowly. "I can understand it too. It always made me happy that they could find such happiness in each other...I want to be that happy..." His smile left him again as he buried his face -which was quickly turning red- into Ivan's left side of his chest. After a few moments of silence between the two, Gilbert spoke up, uncovering his mouth.

"I'm glad I ran into you, Ivan...I don't regret what I've said or done, and I don't regret hearing what you said or what you did. I think...right now is the happiest moment that I've felt in a very long time."

A/N: Thank you all for reading the third chapter. I will try to upload the next one as soon as I can.

itschinatown, I'm glad you enjoy the writing style. Lucrecia84, it's a joy to hear from you again. Well, the story advances as the characters open up little by little to each other, while also dealing with personal thoughts. If you were looking forward to some confession, I hope this chapter was satisfactory to you, hehe ^^
The idea to mention the historical figures occurred when fellow author & I decided to seek info on the peaceful relations between these two countries. I needed some interesting, realistic source to see how it was going to work in the story...I admit that before we started writing this plot, I wasn't much aware of the kinder interactions between Russia and Prussia during said era. But like you, I also think that the two characters began to develop their relationship throughout that period and had memories from it... :)