❅❄❅ When the Snow Falls ❅❄❅
Ivan's worries were as distant as his friendship with Toris that year. Toris has his friends, and Ivan had his. Maks's friends instantly took him in. They were much different from him, but soon he was meeting up with them after school and being invited out every weekend. His parents and sisters were happy he was going out; their concerns were fading.
When October came around, Ivan spent Halloween dressed head to his shoes in black with Maks and Mathias Køhler while wrapping a stranger's home with a whole bag of toilet paper. He lived over at Maks's house during Thanksgiving break and got down at least a pint of tequila a night.
(10:04) From Ivan:
Nat wants to dance
(10:04) To Ivan:
Aww, dance with her
(10:06) From Ivan:
Can't
(10:07) To Ivan:
Come on Ivan, dance with your sister!
(10:09) From Ivan:
She's 12 and dances much better
(10:10) From Ivan:
I look like a goof dancing
"Dude, Matthew," Alfred tapped on the kitchen table in the direction of his younger brother, who had his nose in his phone. "I've never seen you use that thing this much, what's up?" Matthew looked up from the message on his screen.
"Just talking to a friend, that's all," Matthew slightly glanced and grinned down at the screen.
(10:10) To Ivan:
I'm sure she doesn't think so
"Oh that's nice," Alfred smiled at him. "Doing anything today?"
"Nope," Matthew set his phone down. "Why?"
"I'm supposed to meet up with some friends today and show the new guy around," Alfred scratched the back of his head. "His name is Kiku, he's not too bad. I didn't think you'd be left home alone, so if you want to come…" Matthew's face promptly lit up.
"Oh, of course!" Matthew answered. "When?"
"I told Kiku I'll be picking him up a little before noon, so get ready."
"Okay!" Matthew looked back down at his phone.
(10:11) From Ivan:
She does. She just told me herself.
(10:12) To Ivan:
That's funny, thought you would learn a thing or two from all the dancing shows you watch
(10:15) From Ivan:
You can watch someone draw for hours and not pick up any skill.
(10:16) To Ivan:
That's true.
He attended eight parties during December; half being hosted by someone he's never spoken to. The parties were filled with many older students, so Ivan was a complete foreigner. He would see some again, and eventually become friends and be invited to even more events. He woke up half naked with his shirt around his neck and his pants nowhere to be found the morning of Christmas Eve, about a mile away from where he was the night before. He stole a wooden chair from one house during New Year's, which ended up sitting in Maks's garage until they sooner or later threw it out.
Alfred was a terrible driver; Matthew wouldn't be surprised if, based on Kiku's reaction, he wasn't warned beforehand. Poor Kiku Honda didn't talk as much as telling both of them hello for the whole ride whereas Alfred chatted away while swerving and causing both Kiku and Matthew to panic for what felt like an hour on the road. When they finally reached a parking space at the plaza, Kiku crawled out of the car and sat on the curb for a good minute.
Matthew kneeled down in front of him. "I'm really sorry,"
Kiku beamed up at Matthew. "It's fine, I just hope we aren't driving back in the dark." Matthew patted his shoulder.
"Come on guys, we're late!" Alfred interrupted.
"Not really," Kiku pulled up his jacket sleeve and looked at his watch. "We're pretty early,"
Alfred pointed towards the fountain. "But Ludwig and Feliciano are already here,"
"They're just really, really early then," Kiku got up and brushed his pants off.
"Alright, whatever, let's just go already,"
As the three approached the two at the fountain, Alfred let out a sound of disgust. "Hey!" Matthew winced from the intensity in his brother's voice. "You two are in public!"
"We were only holding hands, chill out," Ludwig barked back. He glanced over to Matthew. "Who is…?"
"Oh this is Matthew, my younger brother. He didn't want to stay home alone so I brought him." Matthew peeked out from behind his brother. Technically, he was invited, but he wasn't going to rain of Alfred's 'I did a good deed' parade. He was nice enough to ask him to come along.
"Hi," Matthew warmly greeted him.
"Hello Matthew!" Feliciano greeted him as Ludwig helped him up and hugged him. Matthew smiled; he's seen them both around school but never noticed that they were officially a couple.
"So where to first?" Alfred asked, making a gagging sound at the couple. Matthew frowned, wishing his brother would have some decency.
"Wait," Kiku said, everyone else looked at him, confused.
"Wait on what?" Feliciano asked.
"Hey Arthur, over here," Kiku called, Matthew looked up to see his oldest brother walking towards them.
"Shit, Kiku, you invited Arthur? Why? How?!" Alfred grabbed Kiku's shoulders and shook him.
"I have art with him," Kiku explained. "He let me borrow a pencil, so I invited him."
"Shit shit shit shit," Alfred grumbled.
"Alfred, what's the big deal?" Matthew asked, grabbing his brother's arm.
"Hello Kiku, friends, Matthew, Alfred, I didn't know you were going to be here," Arthur noted.
"I didn't know you were going to be here either," Alfred responded.
"He invited me, we have art together,"
"Yeah," Alfred said, rolling his eyes.
"Let's go check out Main Street first," Feliciano interrupted.
"I was going to suggest that," Matthew replied.
"Awesome! Let's go!" Everyone followed after Feliciano headed towards the front gate of Main Street. Matthew took out his phone, which had been vibrating in his pocket for the past several minutes.
(11:34) From Ivan:
Sorry, forgot to reply. With Francis.
(11:37) From Ivan:
He keeps singing. Where is the off button
(11:42) From Ivan:
We just drove past Antonio and Lovino. Francis honked. A lot.
(11:43) From Ivan:
I think Lovino is still angry.
In January, he recalls making out with a stranger one night but he wouldn't be able to recall a name. Though, he does remember the night he got in a fight with a friend of Emil Bondevik's friend's cousin or something like that.
February, March, April and May were all about the same; drinking, picking fights, waking up with unfamiliar bruises and bite marks. There wasn't another night of sleeping with the closet light on that year.
Matthew loved Main Street; in their average town, it provided a nice spot to hang out and shop at the many stores that filled up every space possible. During the summer months, it's completely crowded, but very quiet when fall and winter comes around. He's only been twice with Francis for shopping and several times with his family for dinner.
He followed the group of loudly-chatting friends into an old antique store. When he spotted a basket of bows on a shelf, he instantly got an idea. He picked up a small, purple one and pined it on the middle of his head. Looking in the mirror, he laughed to himself before he took a quick picture.
(11:49) To Ivan:
(Picture attachment)
Who can be mad at this, though?
Matthew caught up to Arthur. "Hey, Arthur," his brother turned around and smiled at him.
"Nice bow," he frilled up Matthew's hair.
"All you need is a monocle and mustache!" Alfred laughed, causing the two to turn their attention to the others. Feliciano, wearing a tall top hat, responded to him by laughing. Arthur picked up a princess crown and put it on Alfred. Turning around to a mirror, he frowned. "I'm not a princess," he whined.
Matthew spotted a royal crown; he picked it up and showed it to Arthur. "Look what I found!" Arthur leaned down so Matthew can set it on his head.
"You all look so stupid," Ludwig laughed. Feliciano snuck up from behind and put a fluffy pink winter hat on him.
"And now you do, too," Feliciano giggled, hugging his boyfriend.
"Hey guys, look over there," Kiku called and pointed. Everyone looked towards where Kiku's finger was pointing when a man took a picture of them. "Thank you," the man nodded and handed the camera to Kiku.
"Woah, woah," Alfred exclaimed. "Please warn us better next time!"
"What does the picture look like, anyway?" Matthew asked. Kiku looked down at the camera and opened up the file. On the left side, there was Feliciano smiling, holding onto Ludwig, who had a confused look on his face. Next to them was Kiku, posing for the picture. On the other side were Arthur and Alfred with shocked expression, not expecting the picture, and Matthew smiling and halfway hidden behind Arthur.
"Not too bad," Feliciano chirped.
"I like it," Matthew uttered.
"I look ridiculous," Arthur sighed. Kiku put the camera down.
"I meant to warn you guys, but I forgot,"
"It's okay," Ludwig replied, taking off the hat. "Let's take some more." Playing around with more hats, masks and scarves, they took more pictures. The shop owner stopped them after about 10 minutes of playing around and asked them to leave. The group stood outside the shop subsequently.
"You know, this reminds me of the time when Lovino got us blacklisted from a supermarket before," Feliciano exclaimed. "He attacked someone for taking the last frozen lasagna."
"Alfred once got us kicked out of shop on the boardwalk," Arthur laughed.
"That was a long time ago!" Alfred complained.
"That was last month," Matthew giggled, Alfred covered up the boy's mouth.
"Shh." After Alfred's hand withdrew, Matthew suddenly remembered he hadn't checked his phone in a while.
(11:52) From Ivan:
(Picture attachment)
We can't.
Matthew downloaded the picture and opened it; it was a picture of Francis and Ivan, smiling kindly at the camera. Saving it, Matthew typed out a quick reply.
(12:16) To Ivan:
:)
High School came very, very fast. On the first day of his freshmen year, Ivan said goodbye to his friends and left to find his first class. He searched through numerous halls, looking up and back down at the confusing map of the building.
"Hey! Hey!" Ivan turned his head as a stranger approached him. "I need map, please?" He looked bewildered at the other as he spoke very loudly. He looked older than him, but he was much shorter. He had long brown hair that was tied back and handsome brown eyes.
"Oh, sure," Ivan forced a frown. Way to be even later, he thought. The man snatched the paper and looked at it, turning it clockwise and back, squinting his dark eyes at it.
"Room 204?" he questioned, pointing at a square.
"I can't help you, I'm lost, too." Ivan responded, taking back the map. The other bounced in place, impatiently. "But I think I passed it,"
"Ass!"
Matthew instantaneously dashed over to the lollipops after being led into a candy store afterwards. He grabbed a plastic bag and began stuffing it with one of every flavor. Can I afford this? Matthew thought and stopped before he glanced at his bag of colorful candies. I could probably ask Arthur or Alfred to lend me some cash if I can't. He picked up a large yellow swirled lollipop and gave it a good look. So perfect, he thought. He almost didn't notice the sudden pressure on his foot until his cheek brushed up against some fabric.
"Ah, ouch!" he groaned as the man next to him quickly moved his foot off of Matthew's.
"I'm so sorry, sir, I-" he stopped as Matthew looked up at him. "Matthew?"
"Ivan?" Ivan smiled at him. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Francis." Francis appeared out from behind Ivan and waved.
"What happened to the bow, Matthew? It was cute." Francis asked.
"I put it back."
"Is your foot okay?" Ivan questioned, sounding concerned.
"Yeah, it's fine."
"I'll carry you around if it isn't," Francis joked.
"That won't be necessary," Matthew laughed. "I'm okay."
"I can at least buy your candy for you," Ivan offered.
"Why?"
"I stepped on your foot…"
"You don't have to," the voices sounding behind him told him everyone was already checking out.
"Oh, your brother is here," Francis pointed out, looking over at the crowd.
"Both of them are," Francis and Ivan stayed with Matthew as went to his brothers. "Hey guys, look what I found!" He told Arthur and Alfred, holding up his large lollipop.
Arthur and Alfred took one look at Matthew, then Francis, then back at Matthew, once at Ivan and onto Francis again, almost in synchronized motions.
"We came in here for candy, not that!" Arthur pointed to Francis.
"Woah woah," Francis put his hands up defensively. "Ivan isn't that bad,"
"Da, I even offered to pay for Matvey's candy after stepping on his foot," Ivan added, Matthew beamed shyly.
"Psst, whatever," he grumbled at Francis.
"I found a lemon lollipop," Matthew interrupted, holding up a large, yellow lollipop. Feliciano looked closely at it. He was used to Arthur's aggressive attitude towards Francis, but he still wasn't pleased about it.
"That looks pretty!" Arthur told him, losing the angry tone of his voice and looking closely at it.
"Who are those guys?" Kiku asked, turning heads.
"Oh, I'm Francis Bonnefoy." Francis smiled.
"I'm Ivan, nice to meet you," Ivan replied.
"I'm Kiku," he greeted.
"Oh you must be new, there's this amazing restaurant you must try!" Francis exclaimed. "Here, let me pay for your stuff, too!" He took the lollipop out of Matthew's hands and put his arm around Kiku.
After paying, they left the candy store. Francis was going on and on about the restaurants and food to Kiku while they walked when he lifted up the camera he was holding and snapped a picture of him.
"Woah," he looked stunned for a minute, Ivan looked at the camera from over his shoulder. "Let me see that," Kiku handed him the camera. He gave it a good look.
"Very nice," Francis started taking pictures of Kiku, then of himself and Ivan, who gave the camera curious looks. Matthew joined them for a few shots.
"Hey, hey," Alfred calls, posing on the fountain. "Take a picture of me like this!" Francis laughed and took a few shots. Ivan ran over and posed like he was about to push Alfred in. Frowning, Alfred sprinted up behind him and did the same; only he looked like he was sincerely trying to push Ivan into the fountain.
After a few shots, Francis began teasing Feliciano and Ludwig about getting pictures of them. While Ludwig seemed shy, Feliciano played along. Matthew smiled at the couple.
"You two are so cute," Matthew told them when Feliciano gave his boyfriend another kiss.
"And kinda gross," Alfred complained. "Yuck!"
"Oh shut up, haven't you ever been in love?" Francis teased at him, making a kissy face. Alfred made a face at him.
"Oh, quiet," Arthur interfered. "You're so annoying,"
"Arthur, Arthur," Francis put his arm around him, grinning widely. "Why don't you just make me?" Everyone went silent, except Ivan, who silently muttered "Oohhh…" Alfred walked over and hit Francis in the arm. Francis barely flinched at the hit, laughing a little bit.
"Or I can," Alfred said, frustrated. Francis let go of Arthur and planted a kiss on Alfred's forehead. Alfred's face flushed and instantly went silent.
"Okay, who's hungry?" Francis asked, walking away from Alfred and approaching Matthew and Ivan.
"Oh, I am," Matthew replied. Francis patted his friend's head gently. After gathering the rest of the group, they headed over to the restaurant.
At lunch, Ivan sat down by Maks and Lukas.
"I was so lost this morning, I ended up like, fifteen minutes late for English," Ivan told them.
"Did nobody mention it was in a separate building?" Maks asked.
"Nope," he responded. "And the only person that was available to ask was lost, too, and he didn't speak English well."
"Oh, Yao Wang?" Lukas looked up from his tray.
"Is that his name?" Mathias sat down in front of the three.
"Who are we talking about?" Mathias cut in.
"Yao Wang, you know, that guy that's been here for a year now and still doesn't speak English?"
"Oh him, well he speaks enough, he'll be here for one last year before going back to China."
"Foreign-exchange student?" Ivan questioned.
"Yeah," Lukas answered. Ivan thought about earlier that day, when he took Yao to find the room. The guy attempted to speak to him, but nothing went through correctly. When they did find the room a few minutes later, Yao had jumped and twirled into the room. He's pretty interesting, Ivan thought to himself.
"Ivan, you know Arthur's staring right at us?" Matthew took a couple of more glimpses towards the direction of his brothers and back to Ivan. The other was sitting close enough for their arms to be touching. The breeze from the lake and the cold, fall air sent chills through Matthew.
The day was packed with shopping, karaoke, building sand castles, and even a museum trip. Alfred just had to bring up the idea of going out onto the lake. Matthew yawned and wiped his sleepy eyes. He was ready to go home and rest.
Matthew, Francis, and Ivan all shared a boat. While Francis sat by himself, Ivan and Matthew sat by each other and chatted. Arthur and Alfred sat on a separate boat, though that didn't stop Arthur from keeping an eye on his brother.
"I wasn't going to do anything," Ivan replied.
"There you see her…" Francis sung as he watched them from the other side of the boat. "Sitting there across the way!"
"Oh Francis, no," Matthew covered his face with his hands.
"I was just reminded of that little mermaid scene, come on now!" Francis laughed. "She don't got a lot to say, but there's something about her!" He continued to sing.
Ivan leaned over to Matthew. "And you don't know why, but you're dying to try"
"Oh no, not you, too!" Matthew responded, not looking up from his hands.
"You wanna kiss the girl!" Ivan and Francis both sang on the top of their lungs.
"No!"
"Hey Matthew," Francis stepped over to them.
"What is it? Another song?" Matthew asked, sarcastically.
"No, I wanted to ask you if you knew something."
"What's this something?"
"It's a secret."
"Really? I probably don't."
"Of course not, you would have already taken action if you did."
Matthew put his hands down. "Huh?"
"There's something about Ivan that you should know."
"There… Is?" Both Ivan and Matthew asked.
"Yeah," Francis grabbed Ivan's shirt before he can get away. "He's ticklish!" Francis began tickling him. Ivan laughed vocally and tried pushing him away. Matthew joined in, happy that he was no longer the only ticklish person around.
"Hey! Hey!" Arthur yelled. Matthew looked at him as he began yelling at them. Neither of them knew what he was saying.
"What about his broth?" Francis asked, squinting at Matthew's brother.
"I thought he said pot head," Ivan whispered.
"Hush! I can't hear him," Alfred stood up and grabbed him. They both fell backwards back into the boat. "Oh, maybe it wasn't important."
After docking the boat, the three made their way back onto the land. Arthur got off his boat and grabbed onto Matthew's arm.
"French nonsense," Arthur scoffed under his breath.
"What?" Matthew questioned.
"Nothing," Matthew turned around and waved goodbye at Ivan and Francis. Alfred approached them. "Matthew, are you ready to leave?" he asked.
"I guess," Alfred took his arm from Arthur and walked to their bags.
"You know, you could invite that one over if you like," Matthew looked up from his bag of candy to his grinning brother.
"Huh?"
"Kiku's staying the night so I thought you might want Ivan over," he told him. "If you want," Matthew was both confused and happy Alfred mentioned that idea. "We can run by his house to pick up his stuff if we have to,"
Matthew didn't stop and question why he offered. "Okay, I'll go ask." He scampered over to Ivan, who was kneeled down in front of things with his phone in his hand.
"Hey Matthew," he looked up and greeted him.
"Hey Ivan," Matthew chirped. "Are you interested in coming over?"
Ivan looked up at him, giving him probably the same happy but confused look that Matthew had given to Alfred. "Can I?"
"Yeah, we can go by your house and get clothes if you need to,"
"Okay, sounds great, let me go tell Francis he doesn't need to bring me home then," Ivan sprang up and hugged Matthew quickly before running off to Francis. As he watched Ivan leave, he couldn't help but wonder why Alfred had offered. He had always been a good brother, most of the time at least, but Matthew knew he might be up to something. He let go of the thoughts when Ivan came back over to him.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Ready," Ivan replied.
"I'm not so sure if you are," Matthew smiled. "Alfred's a bad driver."
Every morning, Ivan would see Yao wondering the hallways or through the library. He had gym class with him, but he spent most of his time talking to Leon and Emil. Ivan found him more fascinating than he initially thought, and somewhat infatuating.
It took a week for Yao Wang to be the only thing on his mind.
Punch me in the arm, please. I really wanted to have this up earlier but I hated this chapter. I hated writing this chapter for Sweet, Sweet Feliciano, too. But hey, it's over now. Will be back with the romance and angst very soon, I promise.
Have a good day, friends!