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Alfred kept chattering excitedly, as Ivan laced the rest of Alfred’s boot tightly. He gave it a last tug and helped Alfred up.
Bundled snuggly, they headed to the Great Pond, Ivan carrying their skates.
Alfred couldn’t help but cling to Ivan’s side, shivering in the biting wind. His fur coat helped but his face was still exposed to the chilly air.
Even though he suggested they’d walk, he already regretted it. He wanted to see the sights but ‘wow this cold is something else.’ he thought as his teeth chattered.
Ivan was prepared to use the troika, however, “Anything for my malysh” he’d said, acquiescing to his request with a kiss.
Cursing himself for his harebrained idea, Alfred swallowed his discomfort and smiled brightly at Ivan who looked down at him in mild amusement.
His face was buried in the wool of Ivan’s coat, ‘How is he expecting to see anything,’ Ivan wondered, bemused.
Alfred looked up and smiled his beautiful smile. ‘I suppose he’s alright,’ Ivan wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
“We’re almost there kotyonok.”
The palace grounds shifted to a more woodsy scene, and view of the great pond and its surrounding waters flooded their sight as they drew closer.
Alfred gaped, “Wow- and you said this is recent?! It looks like it’s always been here!” He darted forward, cold forgotten.
“My Catherine had all this made,” he said proudly. “There was no natural body of water here, this was meticulously planned and brought to life to Catherine’s specifications.”
He quieted and Alfred felt a shift in his mood.
He ran back to Ivan and saw his wistful smile.
Reaching up to embrace him, Alfred pulled him down for a hug. He gently ran his fingers though his silver strands.
“She was an amazing woman, she knew I was destined for more than being a colony. Super perceptive. I really liked what I knew of her. I truly cackled when she formed the Armed Neutrality. That was so cool, like, yeah, try and seize my goods now England!
And,
she led me to you.”
Alfred kissed his hair.
Ivan pulled back and smiled warmly, “Yes. She did. Thank you, Solnyshko. You reminded me of her laughter- those bright peals that could be heard through these halls. But, don’t worry Fedya, I still like your laughter best.” He nuzzled his forehead. Ivan let his arms drop after a quick squeeze. “Come, let’s skate! The wind has died a bit, it’s perfect timing.”
He reached for Alfred’s hand, gave a squeeze and led him forward.
————
On the ice, Alfred skated backwards, just out of reach of Ivan. They both knew Ivan was one of the most skilled skaters in all of Russia and could run circles around him. But right now he was enjoying the sight of his kotyonok evading his grasp with giddy laughter. Columns of crystallized breath followed them around the ice, their joy quickly turning into soft clouds.
They stayed outside making circles, figure 8s, jumps and leaps until Alfred started to sneeze. Ivan skidded to a stop, came towards Alfred, extended his arm and bowed. “May I have the pleasure of your last dance?”
Eyes alight with mischief, Alfred pursed his lips and tapped against them. “Hmm, I don’t know, I’m in pretty high demand, come back in a few minutes to see if no one else asks.”
Ivan rolled his eyes and chuckled. He huffed,
“I see. Well, I think I’ll find another handsome man to bother, apologies for disturbing you.”
He turned to skate away but found himself flat on the ground.
“There’s no one more handsome than me, how dare you.”
Alfred straddled his chest, and smirked. “Your cutie patootie is here. Look, a space opened up, cmon big man, let’s dance.”
He leaned down to press their chilled lips together, his warm tongue softly running across Ivan’s lips. Ivan hummed, and Alfred remembered he was still lying on solid ice.
He quickly climbed off and helped pull him up.
They shook the frost off their coats, and glided a bit before joining together. They fell into position for a waltz, and Alfred let Ivan guide him to the sounds of a silent symphony.
The sun melted into the horizon as they skimmed over the ice. The sound of their blades sliding across the frozen pond was the only sound as they continued skating as one. Ivan’s arms holding him close kept him from feeling most of the chill, but he had stopped feeling his feet hours ago.
With a reluctant sigh, he squeezed his Vanya and whispered “Um, I can’t feel my toes anymore…” and let out a sheepish chuckle. He leaned on Ivan, bashful for admitting weakness.
Ivan sighed too and hugged him tighter. “Apologies moy solnyshko. I got carried away, let’s go inside.”
Disappointed to have broken the spell, he quickly forgot- he was hoisted into Ivan’s arms. Ivan placed a quick peck on Alfred’s frozen lips. He snuggled into his neck as he was carried back to the edge.
Ivan set him down gently, and they unlaced their skates to slip back into boots.
He found himself on his back again- Ivan had lifted him through the air once more. “Let me carry you as apology, and as a treat for me. You are so warm Solnyshko, keep me warm too, yes?”
Ivan didn’t let him down and walked all the way back with a protesting Alfred in his arms. He gave in and instead wrapped trembling arms around Ivan’s neck.
It was a long and cold walk back to the palace. Alfred could barely feel it; his heart was burning.
He hugged Ivan tighter, and wished Ivan could feel the heat too.