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The morning started sweet, quite literally. Alfred had woken before Ivan and, in his usual burst of energy, leaned in to press a warm kiss against Ivan’s lips. The Russian groaned, shifting under the covers, but couldn’t hold back the small smile creeping onto his face.
“Mmm… what was that for?” Ivan murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
Alfred grinned, hovering above him. “Dunno. Just felt like it. You looked too peaceful—had to ruin it.”
Ivan chuckled, opening his violet eyes to meet Alfred’s bright blue ones. “Then I shall return the favor later.”
After a few more moments of warmth in the bed, Ivan reluctantly rolled out from under the warm blankets. He was heading out for groceries, and Alfred, ever the homebody in chilly weather, opted to stay behind. Wrapped in a cocoon of blankets, he nursed a steaming cup of tea as Ivan pulled on his coat.
“Be safe, big guy,” Alfred called, yawning into his cup.
“I am always safe,” Ivan replied with a smirk. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Alfred’s forehead before stepping out into the cold.
—
The streets were busy with couples. Holding hands, sharing scarves, stealing kisses—everywhere Ivan looked, there was love on display. Normally, he didn’t mind, but today, for some reason, it made his chest ache in a strange way.
Maybe it was because he wasn’t used to feeling lonely. Alfred was always there, always talking, always warm, always… his.
Lost in thought, Ivan nearly tripped over something small and round. With a startled grunt, he stumbled, catching himself just in time. Looking down, he found himself face-to-face with a rather plump squirrel, its tiny paws clutching a nut as it gnawed away, utterly unbothered by nearly being crushed.
Ivan stared at the squirrel. The squirrel stared back.
Something about the tiny creature, bundled up in its own fur and stuffing its face so contentedly, made Ivan’s thoughts drift back home—to Alfred, buried under blankets, sipping tea, his cheeks a little fuller than before, soft and warm.
His heart clenched.
Before he knew it, he was rushing back home, groceries in hand, thoughts of warm embraces filling his mind.
—
The moment he stepped inside, Ivan didn’t even bother putting the groceries away. He all but dropped the bags, marched over to where Alfred was still lounging, and wrapped his arms around him in a firm, all-encompassing hug.
Alfred made a muffled noise of surprise. “What—? Dude, what’s up?”
Ivan squeezed tighter, burying his face into Alfred’s shoulder.
“I missed you,” he admitted.
Alfred snorted. “You were gone for, like, twenty minutes.”
Ivan huffed, pulling back just enough to cup Alfred’s cheeks in his hands. He let his thumbs stroke over the soft skin, taking in Alfred’s face, his warmth, the way his eyes sparkled even in confusion.
“You are my favorite squirrel,” Ivan murmured.
Alfred blinked. “Huh?”
Ivan just kissed him.