Another Impulsive Thought

"Getting along vith Eduard?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Surprising. I zink he vould be too uptight for you."

Toris laughed. "He is a bit... weird. But not a bad person. Just strange."

Ivan begged to differ. Eduard was a bit more than 'just strange', but if Toris was getting along with him, the Russian really could not complain. It was a bit more than a shock to realize that he had been living in the same town as Toris' brothers (though now just brother, considering how fast Raivis ran off), but if it helped keep Toris around, then Ivan was fine with it.

Because if Ivan knew anything, Feliks certainly would not. He strained his mind to figure out what it was that Toris could possibly like about the cross dressing person who was even more weird than Eduard. Still, the two of them seemed to get along. Ivan still was not certain if he approved.

Toris was happy though and Ivan was too. Plus, it was funny to watch Toris and Matthew struggle to be polite to each other. Around each other they were really alike.

"Less strange zan Alfred. Vhy do you like him so much?" Ivan whined as he stroked Anastasia. The cat clung to his scarf tighter and glared up at him before going back to sleep.

"He's funny," Toris seemed to be trying to keep from smiling, but Ivan could tell. He could tell and it annoyed him. "Plus, it can't be a bad idea to be on the good side of the only doctor in town." Ivan winced, but Toris did not seem to notice. "Considering how... well... How would you describe Hearth?"

"Insane," Ivan agreed with a curt nod.

"Exactly. Strange place for a medical prodigy to end up."

This was not the type of conversation Ivan wanted to end up with. Stupid Alfred and his medical whatever. It did not make sense, that such an idiot could be smart at anything. "Vell, I vould say zis is strange place for psychologist showing up."

"Actually... I decided against that one," Toris informed him.

"Vhat? Vhy?" Toris had been so adamant in his psych major. Ivan remembered lecture after lecture about the best ways to help people.

"I read a statistic that said that psychologists were at high risk of suicide."

"Ah."

They had ruined another conversation between them again. Toris looked apologetic, but Ivan could not look him in the eye.

"Sorry, Ivan."

"Sorry for vhat?" Ivan asked gloomily, hand a bit rougher on Anastasia. She bit his glove, but gave up when she remembered that never worked.

"Oh. My. God. Ivan, what did I, like, say about bringing that monster into the house?" Feliks exclaimed, eyes pointedly on the cat.

"I'm holding her," Ivan protested, holding Anastasia up to his chest to prove his point.

"Feliks! The tape measure's in here!" Feliciano called from the other room. Feliks frowned at Ivan. Ivan frowned back, before Toris gave him a pointed look. He turned his frown into a pleading expression.

"Come on, Feliks. She's not doing anything wrong," Toris said. Feliks sniffed.

"She better not," Feliks retorted. Toris simply looked back at Feliks and Feliks immediately gave in, throwing his hands in the air. "Only for you, Toris."

"Thanks Feliks!" Toris called after as Feliks closed the door. They both stayed quiet for a few moments.

"'Only for you, Toris'," Ivan repeated. Toris snickered.

"Don't, Ivan... that's not nice."

"You have girl for boyfriend," Ivan pointed out.

Toris' smile hesitated. "What?"

The thought hit Ivan like a really heavy object, falling on something which is bipedal. "Oh. Nozing."

So they were not going out. Ivan was not bothered by it as much as he might have thought he would have been. Wait, that was a lie. Feliks was good for Toris. Toris was too pessimistic, Feliks was the opposite, plain as day. Feliks might order him around and Toris might do it, but only in things which did not mean much. Feliks was really what Toris needed.

He would have to set them up.

It was for Toris' own good.


Notes:

Ivan named the cat Anastasia. I actually have a one-shot planned for 'Hearth' that will centre a bit on what first happened when he got her, but until then you just get this.

When Toris and Ivan dated in college, Toris was going to become a psychologist. You can see where after their break up becoming an author was the next logical step.

Ivan is weird, but do not question me. He can look out for the best interests of his friend, despite suddenly being a hypocrite within the same chapter. That is Hearth for you.

And I should warn you all I am getting lost in my notes. I think I planned a little too much for this story. If I go for too long without mentioning someone or some aspect I mentioned earlier, please mention it.