Little Note:
Okay, so Denmark and Russia are a crack pairing, I know this, however I really do like them as a pairing, for so many reasons. If you are wondering how it works, well Russia and Denmark as countries have been friends for a long time, so in the real world there is a historical connection there.
Plus I also think that they play off each other very well, especially since Denmark has the childlike curiosity, cheery demeanour and just overall positive attitude without all the arrogance and insecurity, which Russia needs. And for Denmark, Russia offers the need to have affection, protection and love, passion etc. that Denmark wants. So they balance out quite well and they are very sweet together.
So I am guessing those of you who subbed to this story may have wondered what happened. Yes, I kind of fell off the face of the world for a while. A LOT of personal problems happened, and for the past 2 years(?) I have been very, very ill. So I am very sorry to you all, but sadly the story was the last thing of my mind. But I am on the mend and now I will be posting. I am sorry, again. Hope you will all still read.
Chapter Four:
Sunlight danced through the gap between the curtains. Such haste had overcome them last night, closing the curtains had not been much of a priority.
The room of the road side inn that was their resting place for now and last night was hardly fit for a King, but it was comfortable, the bed being soft and reasonably free of bugs. A bonus really considering their activities of the night.
Ivan only had to close his eyes to get flashes of last night, how the lamps had cast a bright orange glow, illuminating their flesh as they had moved together, and hot breath coming out in pants of sweet ecstasy.
Ivan held every time they met as a precious memory, and just as wonderful as their nights together was the simple pleasure of merely watching his bed partner sleep. It was often a source of amusement to him of just how deeply Matthias could sleep. Ivan knew if he gave his lover the chance he would sleep the morning away.
Maybe it was due to how Matthias spent most of his time running around after everyone, serving the King of Spades and all of the members of the council, it was probably for this reason it was not uncommon that on these weekends Matthias would simply sleep the morn away. He would sleep and Ivan would do his best to sleep alongside him, but he normally could not outlast Matthias and he would wake.
This just meant Ivan got to watch Matthias sleep, and Matthias truly looked so peaceful when sleeping, all worries of his numerous duties erased, all cares and concerns lost in slumber. It was so nice to see him so relaxed, no worry lines or so tired.
Ivan toyed with some of Matthias' hair, thinking on it. After all this time, Matthias had served Spades and it was no wonder he was so tired. It made Ivan feel guilty that he would have to wake him soon so they could leave, especially when it felt like they had only had mere moments with one another. And yet, all Ivan wanted to do was to spend eternity with Matthias, lying here beside him.
But it was not meant to be. Ivan had a Kingdom to run, a Queen to return to, and children also. Matthias had his own responsibilities to go back to, a young King and a Kingdom on the hunt for a Queen. As much as they would pray for more time together, there was always something.
"You know, your fingers are always so cold." Matthias' voice came, murmured as his azure eyes slowly opened, a wry smile growing as he gazed upon Ivan.
Ivan simply chuckled in response. "I am sorry my love, curse of being a winter spirit." He apologised, voice laced with his thick Club's accent.
"I don't mind, it is rather nice actually." Matthias assured Ivan, really meaning what he was saying and partly not wanting his love to feel bad about it. He shifted a little in the bed, stretching himself before sitting up. "Mmm what hour are we on?" Matthias inquired as rubbed the back of his neck sleepily, really wishing he could stay in bed, but he was aware that it was not an option.
"I am unsure." Ivan replied. "I believe that the sun has been up for a good few hours though, its warmth can be felt."
This was met with a hum of reply from Matthias, he knew that Ivan wished to get moving, even if it would be so much nicer to have more time. These little trysts they had, nights alone together were sadly always short lived. Of course, there were times where Matthias was sent on duty to the Kingdom of Clubs. When such an important event arose that he had to go, he and Ivan would spend every night together until it was time for Matthias to leave once more. However, it hadn't been since the death of Alfred's father that Matthias had been permitted to visit Clubs.
This just left them to meet once a month at an inn for a night or two. It wasn't ideal, not by a long shot. Ivan had to keep this on the down low due to being married, and Matthias couldn't be shown given favour to one particular Kingdom over another, that and the long standing rivalry between Clubs and Spades would only serve to make things more awkward if their relationship was to be known.
"Guess we should start getting ready to leave." Matthias finally broke the silence, though the sorrow in his voice was barely masked.
"Leaving is always as hard for me as it is for you." It wasn't much comfort, and Ivan knew this, but he wanted to get his opinion out, let Matthias know he wasn't the only one who was pining.
"I know," came Matthias' reply. "Sometimes I just wish we didn't have so many responsibilities." Matthias took hold of one of Ivan's hands now and laced his fingers with his lover's, still smiling, but it was a sad smile.
"Pity you gave a solemn vow to serve and protect the Realm of Spades for all eternity then." It was a slight joke, Ivan making a vain attempt to make light of the situation to break the tension that seemed to be settling over them.
"Sometimes even Ancient Ones can regret the things we say and what promises we make, and at the time my vows I had not thought to find love." It felt foolish to say such a thing, one such as him, a Dragon, willing to put everything aside for love. But Matthias had not planned it, and he had been unaware love would come in the form of Ivan. He had also underestimated its power and the hold it would have on him. Strong enough for him to desire forsaking his vows.
"It is folly however, Alfred is so young and needs much guidance. He still believes he can find true love, a foolish boy hoping to find a lamb in a den of wolves, for that is all the court is." Matthias knew it sounded vaguely bitter, but his frustrations with the back stabbing nature of the court never failed to rise up when he was faced with such matters such as finding a Queen or who to arrange alliances with.
Ivan chuckled to this, sitting himself up. He leaned in and placed a kiss to one of the mottled bite marks from last night which blazed on Matthias' shoulder. "You are probably right, seldom will a King marry their true love," he placed another kiss to Matthias' shoulder. "However, I never thought I would see the day where you, my beautiful ray of sunshine, would be so cynical." It was another jest, but none the less one that caused Matthias to playfully shove Ivan away from him and back laying down on the bed.
Matthias laughed a little, moving also so he was looming over his lover. "I am not all that cynical, you even agreed with me." He protested.
Though not soon after he had spoken, any further words were silenced with a yelp as he was grabbed by Ivan and rolled under his lover. This now just left Matthias staring up into Ivan's violet eyes, a bit of a blush growing on his cheeks.
"You really are being cynical my love, and I am afraid there is only one cure." Ivan told Matthias, leaning in and placing a kiss to his love's lips. Matthias had wanted to protest further and make a little bit of a fuss, but he was silenced by the kiss, which he was quick to return. It was short lived though, since Ivan moved away so he could start kissing down.
Matthias now just relaxed back, not about to stop what his lover was doing. "I really wasn't meaning to be cynical, it was just more…well I guess I am just frustrated that Alfred decided to reject all options for a Queen, save one."
Ivan just remained kissing down Matthias' neck and then over his shoulder, but all the same he did reply. "And who was it that turned such a stubborn Prince's gaze?" He asked in between kisses.
Matthias sighed. "A Lythari from Albion named Arthur, of the Kirkland line." Even though he had sighed, he was very much enjoying the kisses that Ivan was trailing down over him.
Ivan nibbled a little over Matthias' pectoral muscles, causing Matthias' breath to catch in his throat. "I see." Ivan replied in a whisper against Matthias' skin.
Matthias' blush darkened, but he found himself continuing, even if Ivan had given him no cause to. "They were banished, but I do believe Alfred intends to lift it, especially since they have a child of age, their youngest Arthur, who is only a few years older than the King, and he can bear children. A rare gift which is highly valued these days, and he just so happens to be the only one whom Alfred has decided he liked the look of." Matthias told Ivan, though he was pretty sure his love was barely listening.
Ivan glanced up with a bit of an amused look on his face. "Interesting. But now time for talk is done, because I do believe that this is far more interesting."
What Ivan decided to do next was an action that just left Matthias moaning quite happily.
Parting was always such sweet sorrow.
Matthias and Ivan had left the inn together after breaking their fast on quail eggs, fish and thick rolls of white bread with butter, washing it all down with sweet warm honeyed mead, a common drink for they were so close to the border of Clubs.
Together they rode, side by side on horseback, down the dirt road which would eventually lead them to the King's Road and it would be there they would part ways until the time was right for them to see one another once more.
Ivan was seated on top of a huge, sturdily built destrier. The war horse was impressively strong looking, thick set and high spirited, the poster image for the horses of Clubs. Ivan held the beast with a firm hand as he and Matthias trotted along.
However, out of the pair, it was Matthias' horse which was the most impressive, for the creature that bore Matthias on its back was known throughout Wonderland as a Dragon Horse. With a coat of silver-blue and a mane and tail of flickering blue flame the creature was truly a sight to behold.
Dragon Horses were so named for the fact they had been a breed designed by the Ancient Ones themselves. Natural war horses, Dragon Horses had once been widely spread across Wonderland, galloping along the ground or up in the skies high over the clouds leaving trails of flame behind them.
These days, sadly, the only tame herd left was in Hearts, numbers low and mainly kept to make sure their numbers would not dwindle to nothing. It was said though small pockets of wild herds still galloped free and untouched in the frozen plains of Clubs.
But, as far as anyone knew, these days Matthias was the only one who still rode one of the creatures, it was his right after all and the Dragon Horse had faithfully been at his side even before the Great War. Matthias' horse was named Fahdon, which meant Friend in the tongue of his Kin, normally the Ancient Ones did not name their horses, but after all Matthias had been through with the Dragon Horse by his side, he could view the creature as nothing less.
Ivan's destrier seemed to be serious as he trotted down the road, but Matthias' horse was just lazily clopping alongside, eager to get into the air. Matthias was content with the pace though, it meant that as they rode, they could still talk. They were trying their best to have a meaningful conversation, Matthias asking how things were in Clubs, Ivan telling Matthias what one of his children had been up to recently. It wasn't completely meaningful, just chit-chat really, but it made Matthias feel a little better, especially considering that the end of this road was the end of the line until next time.
It made it all the more bitter, however, when they did eventually come to the end of the road and all that lay before them was the King's Road. They both pulled their horses to a halt, sitting there and staring in the directions they would have to go, both feeling their hearts become very heavy.
Neither dared to look at the other, not wanting to admit how this would hurt. But it was Ivan who broke the silence between them, speaking to Matthias as he gazed down toward the North.
"I will write." Came his assurance to Matthias. "As often as I can, and we will arrange to meet again." It was a heartfelt promise, one he would keep, come hell or high water.
Matthias tore his gaze from the South road and focused on Ivan. "I know you will and I look forward to each letter."
This got Ivan to look at him, giving Matthias chance to give his love one of his usual happy smiles.
"And if the King does marry, you will be invited to the wedding, so that is a bonus." Matthias continued, just wanting to keep up the ideal of hope.
This sentiment was enough to make Ivan smile, Matthias never gave up hope. Even after living so long and having seen so much. Matthias had once said to him that there was always hope for what lay in the future for it was yet still unwritten.
Ivan nodded in response to this. "Da, I will be invited, he would not wish the offense." Though he could sense that it was drawing to a close, they both needed to leave. In this knowledge, Ivan moved his horse closer to Matthias', placing a hand on Matthias' reins.
"I will miss you." Ivan told him, straight to the point.
Matthias smiled, cheerful, but the sadness was there, hiding behind it. Ivan could see it in Matthias' azure eyes. "I will miss you too." Matthias replied.
The kiss good bye was sweet, passionate and laced with the promise they would see one another again soon.
Ivan had a Kingdom, a Queen and a family to return to. Matthias had his own duties, loyalty to Spades to greet him when he returned.
Both separated, one heading south, the other north.