Ivan had grown accustomed to letting himself into England's office when he returned home, so when he found that Arthur was not there he was pleasantly surprised.

Arthur was a workaholic, even when it was their turn to reside in England he seemed steadfastly dedicated to locking himself away with papers and books.

Still he always cleared one day a week to just spent time with Ivan, to take him sightseeing or to just spend the day in his arms.

No matter how much his boss screamed Ivan had come to realise that his little Brit could be just as stubborn, bullish and unmoving. No one messed with the sanctity of 'Ivan day', no one. Even France had given up calling because Arthur would have none of it and frequently just turned off his phone.

Thankfully Arthur's house was significantly smaller than his own so it hadn't taken him long to find the man, clutching one of the few things that hadn't been destroyed by the fire.

"Ah you are here Arthur."

Reflexively the book in Arthur's hands had snapped closed. Curious, Ivan had always wanted to ask about it but he'd never found the right time. Even all these years later England was an intensely private man, though he shared his home and body freely Ivan knew there were some things that he would never find out. It was something he accepted, just like England's refusal to do anything but lock himself in the bathroom every 4th of July. It was all part of their marriage, the give and the take.

So he was a little shocked when a little shyly Arthur offered him the book, cheeks pink with the start of a flush.

"Here.."

Letting himself be guided to the couch Ivan sat down, Arthur climbing up to wrap legs either side of his backside before he pulled the warm, heavy body back onto his chest. Sometimes Ivan would chide him but laying on England with strong arms folding around him was a comfortable and secure position. Even if he was nervous he'd one day squash the smaller man.

Reaching around him Arthur opened the book from the back, the very first page holding a photograph of them on their wedding day.

Ivan had worn a white suit and was blushing, almost crying as they had stepped out of the registry office. Arthur was in black, his spine erect as though he'd just command a platoon to march into battle. Still there was a shy little smile on his lips, emerald eyes turned towards the Russian.

"That was a while ago now."

Tones were steady and warm, fingers sliding into platinum strands as Ivan carefully turned the pages of the precious book.

The further back he went the more awkward the pictures were. England looked angry half of the time, though Ivan was sure it was only because he was flustered. Interspersed between the photos were tickets to the ballet, invitations, little reminders of the things they had done.

And then he reached pages that were no longer about him but instead were photos of Alfred. Usually of him caught unaware, sometimes blurry due to the speed of his movement but always taken with care.

Below him he felt Arthur stiffen but he did not stop him as photographs became older, sepia and finally trailed out into drawings, sketches.

Fingertips twitched, the simple silver wedding ring Arthur wore glinting in the sunlight as Ivan reached drawings of a younger Matthew, always holding a concerned expression. A warm breath blew by his neck as he felt the weight of Arthur's jaw rest on his shoulder. Reverently he continued turning. For pages there was barely anything and then Alfred burst through again, young, healthy and semi clad.

Ivan despite himself blushed, some of the things Arthur had drawn gave voice to the darker desires he had for his then colony.. And even though it was centuries ago he felt a little jealous of how the Englishman had obviously felt towards America, how deeply he had craved him. It was like he was able to see directly into Arthur's past feelings.

For a second they both froze as Ivan felt an unsteady breath against his back but determined to accept this gift he turned on until he found sketches of America and Canada as children. A warm smile touched his features.

"They were so cute.."

A weak laugh and a nuzzle against his ear.

"Yes, they were very sweet back then."

Even further back there were less neat doodles of Francis, though the penmanship was a little more sloppy and youthful.

When he reached the front of the book there was just a scribble that he half recognised as England's brothers.

For long moments they sat in silence before Ivan closed the book gently.

"Thank you.. for sharing that with me.."

A wobbly smile went unseen until the Russian rolled over and grasped Arthur's jaw gently, leaning in for a sensual kiss.

"Arthur if you want sexy pictures of me then we will do, da?"

For a moment he managed to look scandalised before heat fluttered in his belly.. imagining his husband sprawled out suggestively wearing nothing other than the band around his ring finger. Really the book was quite bereft of images like that.. so finally he replied.

"Da."