IVAN & FEDYOR- HEARTRENDER HUSBANDS
Reaching out he pats the piglet’s small belly and it gave a oink. When asked about his home it takes him a moment as he tries to recall memories from being a young boy before the Little Palace. “I remember that my home was a small village. There were houses around us so I know I did not grow up on a farm or anything. I remember my mother or at least who I assume my mother having long black hair that I loved to hide my face in when she would hug me. I remember the day I was tested and being taken away and brought here. I was so scared I spent the whole trip crying and the first night I was here I stayed curled up on my bed in my room crying and trying to hide. I soon met other children and opened up once I realized how to use my powers.” Taking a moment he to run through the memories once more. “You were there. You told me that I would be ok and that there would be sweet pastries the next morning and that Genya would bring them to us. I remember following you around from that point on like a shadow.” Fedyor watches as the piglet wanders off. “Do you remember your family? What was life like before you came here?”
Fedyor wipes his hands clean on the back of his kefta as his arm wraps around Ivan who is leaning against him. A small chick makes its way over to them and he uses his free hand to pour some of the seed out on the ground for it to peck at the food. He watches it with a smile for a moment before turning his head to kiss the temple of the older man. “So you see a future for us, together? I know I like the idea of us being old together and getting warm in out chairs near a fireplace on a small farm somewhere away from everyone else. I know how you like to be left alone to read. I used to watch you read while in the banya.” he chuckles as he recalls memories of seeing Ivan with a book while the others soaked in the warm spring. “Do you think before the grand feast we can soak in a nice warm bath together? I have always wanted to do that with you. I have always wanted to soak with you naked in the banya.”
When his arm is looped Ivan leans into his now husband making sure not to add too much of his weight as they walk back out into the town. “I have always wanted to take your surname” his cheeks flush a crimson as they make their way though the people and towards were they can get some hot chocolates and pastries. It was something himself and Fedyor did often, he probably should have suggested more but it’s what he hoped they both enjoyed doing. “I like that idea, then if the Darkling makes us separate I have a piece of you with me” he raises his free arm pointing a finger at his chest we’re his heart is. “I will have it stitched here”. They walk arm in arm, until they reach one of the vendors, Ivan asks for two hot chocolates and orders some pastries, whatever Fedyor would like, once they have all they need he walks with the other towards the river. “You are my husband, it doesn’t feel real” his voice soft. He takes a seat on one of the benches beside the river Fedyor at his side, he makes sure his knee is pressing to Fedyor’s as he takes a sip from his hot chocolate. “What do we do Fedyor, about Alina?. We can’t….I can’t…let him use her”
They walk in a familiar comfort. “Well no it is officially yours. How doe it feel to finally feel to have one after so many years?” He nods his head when Ivan shows him where he would put his piece of the ribbon, he did not want to think about being separated from him on their wedding day. “They will be our good luck charms.” Once they get to the vendors and get their drinks and they get the pastries. Fedyor is happy they have fresh baked sweet rolls and lemon cakes. With both now having their hands full they both walk to the river and sit at the bench. He thinks on what Ivan says. It really did not feel real. It felt like they would wake up at any minute and it would all be yanked away from them. “I know. I think it is because we have wanted it for so long and we felt like it was never going to happen that we convinced ourselves it was not going to. But it did.” he says as he turns to the other with a grin before he takes a sip of his drink. He hears how the words come from the older man and his heart breaks. Ivan had never sounded so scared to him in his whole life. “Ivan, what is going on? That whole truth. I want to help but I cannot with only half truths and information. It is only you and I here right now so you can be open with me.” Sitting the pastries down on the bech he reaches his hand out to squeeze the other’s knee to reassure him that he was there. “Talk to me. I know it can be hard.”




















