Work Text:
Ivan is self-conscious about many things. His body temperature is one of them.
He’s taken to flexing and curling his fingers almost obsessively when he neglects to wear gloves, just in case he has to shake hands with someone. The increased blood flow helps a little. The vodka helps, too, minutely. The alcohol sends blood rushing to his extremities and it’s okay if his core temperature drops a little, he’s used to being cold, and it’s not like anyone is going to reach under his clothes and feel his stomach or something.
Ah, well, most people won’t. Things became more complicated once he and Cody stumbled awkwardly into boyfriend status.
Cody is always so, so warm, almost feverish, and it’s so nice. Ivan likes to stuff his hands under his shirt to warm up, or press his face against his burning neck. But if he’s not expecting it Cody will jump and shiver and Ivan feels bad, feels self-conscious, and pulls back. Of course he would notice the cold more. Ivan tries to keep his hands to himself and he angrily curls his fingers in and out every free moment he gets.
It’s hard, though, because Cody is so warm.
(He’ll notice, eventually, that maybe he needn’t have worried so much. Cody is hot like Ivan is cold, and some day he’ll understand that those shivers are pleasure and those sighs are relief, and that Cody isn’t just being affectionate or flirty when he guides Ivan’s hands to his body.)