Requested by Homicidalzombabe

Soulmate AU when your feel warm around your soulmate and when you come in contact with your soulmate

Narrator's POV

"Ivan, tell me, do you know what a true summer is?"  A 13-year old Iruka asked.  Little Ivan tilted his head.

"Da, that is when the snow melts and pretty things called flowers grow."  Ivan answered.  Iruka giggled before placing her younger sibling on her lap.

"Da, that is what regular summer is, but not 'true summer'."  She said.  Ivan looked at her curiously.  "True summer is when no matter where you are, you get a warm feeling, you never feel afraid, and you feel very safe."

"Do you think I could experience a 'true summer'?"  Ivan asked.  Iruka smiled and nodded, placing a kiss on Ivan's forehead.

"Of course you will Ivan... Of course you will..."

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Ivan opened his eyes, placing a hand on his forehead.

'That memory again...'  He thought to himself with a sigh.  He put his arm down and glanced at the ornate clock.

'3:29 am... Still as early as ever...'  He thought, sitting up on his king-sized bed.

It had been 20 years since his sister had told him that, right before she abandoned her kingdom, her friends, her family, Ivan.  Leaving Ivan to become the king as Iruka fled, claiming to have found her 'true summer'.

'Summer?  A 'true summer', da?  Ha!  There is no such thing as that, especially here in this winter kingdom.'  Ivan thought to himself, walking over to the window, looking out onto his snow and ice covered kingdom.  'The ice has been here for longer than I have been alive.'

Ivan sighed and turned away from the window, walking back to his bed to lie down, and simply wait for the sun to rise, servants with it to come and tell him to do work for this fruitless land.

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"Y-your majesty,"  Toris said, making Ivan glance up from his paperwork.  "Y-you have a-a l-letter."

"From who?"  Ivan asked, not in a particular mood to be bothered.  Toris trembled slightly.

"F-from King F-Francis."  Toris said, making Ivan hold back a growl.  He was not a fan of that particular flamboyant king, nor of the kingdom which was always warm and in bloom, a stark contrast from his ice cold kingdom.

"Read it,"  Ivan said, not wanting to himself.  Toris gave a weak nod and opened the letter.

"You are cordially invited to attend a party in honor of Prince Alfred's 18th birthday and declaration of him being the heir to the throne."  Toris read, making Ivan hold up a hand to stop him, Ivan mentally groaning.

"Send a minister or ambassador."  Ivan said.  Toris glanced down at the letter before giving a nervous cough.

"I-I'm a-afraid y-you c-can't."  Toris said, making Ivan stare at him with a murderous aura.  "T-The l-letter s-says r-rulers m-must a-attend a-and c-can't s-send a-anyone i-in t-their p-p-place."  Toris stuttered, handing the letter to Ivan.  Ivan looked it over and groaned further.

"Fine, tell them that I will come."   Ivan said, knowing that he was powerless to do anything against that kingdom's wishes due to them supplying Ivan's kingdom with much needed food.

"Y-yes your m-majesty."  Toris said with a bow before hurrying out of the room.

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'Just as I expected; flamboyant and noisy,'  Ivan thought to himself as he sipped the alcoholic drink they served, the best one they had.

'Doesn't even compare to Vodka,'  Ivan thought as he saw rich people and fellow royals partying, especially King Francis and his son Alfred.  Ivan sighed, heading towards the balcony, trying his best to avoid people trying to introduce daughters or sisters or any female who just wanted status as the wife of a king.  He also sought to avoid Prince Alfred and his friends, whom he could tell were planning something they thought would be funny.

'Finally, a bit of peace,'  Ivan thought to himself as he let out a sigh, looking at the vast lands.  'They are so-'

"O-Oh, excuse me,"  A soft voice said, interrupting Ivan's train of thought.  Ivan turned to try and tell the person to go away when he was immediately struck by a warm feeling.

The person before him had wavy blond hair, with a curl bouncing in front of his face, looking as if it was made of spun gold.  He had soft violet eyes and wore elegant clothing, nothing flamboyant like the people of this and other lands, but still excellent.

"I-I thought t-there was n-no one h-here,"  The other stuttered softly.  Ivan nodded.

"Da, there isn't."  Ivan said.  "If you want, you may stay, if you are trying to escape from that place."  Ivan said, motioning back to the party.  The other smiled and nodded, joining Ivan by the rails of the balcony.

"T-Thank you, I'm Matthew,"  Matthew said.

"Ivan,"  Ivan replied back, allowing for the two to go into a comfortable silence.  Neither interested in breaking it till a scared look came onto Matthew's face.

"W-wait, you said y-your name w-was Ivan, a-as in King Ivan?"  Matthew asked.  Ivan nodded.

"Da, but no need to be scared of me, especially if you are not going to be like a flamboyant attention-seeking peacock."  Ivan said.  Matthew laughed softly, making Ivan's chest feel strange, as though his heart was fluttering.

"So w-what are you d-doing here at t-this party?"  Matthew asked softly.  "Y-you don't seem t-to like any o-of it at all."  Ivan let out a sigh.

"I was forced because this kingdom provides mine with more food than any other,"  Ivan said.  "If I don't, then my kingdom's people will starve."  Matthew gave him a shocked look.

"Starve?"  He said softly.  Ivan nodded, gazing sadly, yet bitterly at the vast lush lands surrounding them.

"Da, it is when you don't get enough food and die.  It hurts a lot."  Ivan said, remembering his early childhood when Francis was being a careless king, neglecting his duties to chase skirts, making it so that little food came into Ivan's country.  So many people went hungry, even Ivan, who gave his food to his younger sister.  However, Ivan managed to survive, whereas others were not as lucky.

"I... I'm s-so sorry."  Matthew said softly, understanding Ivan's pain.  Ivan turned to Matthew.

"It is not your fault."  Ivan said.  "That is what happens when kings become reckless."  Ivan said, motioning inside where both saw Francis and Alfred drinking to their hearts' content.  Both stayed silent, Ivan lost in thought till he felt something he hadn't felt in a while; a hug.

Matthew hugged Ivan, making Ivan feel warm and safe, like all the worries of another great hunger had been erased from his mind.  He hugged back.

'This is so nice... so warm ...'  Ivan thought to himself as he hugged Matthew back.

"Like a true summer..."  Ivan whispered quietly to himself.  Matthew looked up at him.

"You too?"  He asked.  Ivan was surprised that Matthew knew what he was talking about but nodded, a small smile on his face.  Matthew smiled back and hugged tighter, snuggling into Ivan's warmth.

"Matvey,"  Ivan said.  "Let's move away from here."  Matthew blushed lightly and nodded.

"L-let's go t-to a private r-room."  He said.  Ivan nodded.  Matthew pointed at a grand set of doors.  "I-I'll meet you o-over there."  Ivan nodded, watching as Matthew left first before slowly following behind, grabbing a drink and standing by the wall till he saw the doors open slightly and close, signalling that Matthew had gone through.

In a painfully slow pace, Ivan made his way over, trying to avoid people.  Just as he was about to get there, he felt a slap on the back, nearly making him drop his glass.

"King Ivan,"  Prince Alfred said, pronouncing Ivan's name wrong.  "You headin' to bed dude?"  Ivan nodded.

"Da, I am tired."  Ivan said, sounding the part.  Alfred frowned for just a second before grabbing Ivan's wrist.

"But ya can't leave till after the main event."  Alfred said, dragging Ivan off.  Ivan raised an eyebrow.

"What is the main event?"  Ivan asked.  Alfred grinned and led him to a stage where Francis was waiting.  Francis called for silence before motioning Alfred forward.  Alfred whispered to Ivan to stay.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered 'ere today to celebrate my son Alfred's 18th birthday, and zhe announcing of 'im as my heir."  Francis said, getting claps and cheers from people in the room.  Ivan respectively clapped but did little else.

"And now,"  Francis said.  "Prince Alfred would like to say something."  With that, Francis stepped aside and allowed Alfred to speak.  Alfred came forward.

"Thank you all for coming, it's been one heck of a party."  Alfred said.  "But I got an even bigger announcement to make."  The crowd started murmuring, wondering what Alfred could be talking about.  In the corner of Ivan's eyes, he saw Matthew come back through the door, looking confusedly at Ivan.  Ivan gave him a subtle shrug, signalling he wasn't sure either.

"So, I assume everyone here knows what a 'true summer' is, right?"  Alfred asked.  Practically everyone in the nodded their head.  "Well, I just had my 'true summer moment'."  Alfred said getting gasps as Ivan felt a cold feeling of dread grow in his stomach.

"And, the person is here right now,"  Alfred said, confirming Ivan's worst fear as Alfred turned to him.  "And it's King Ivan."  The whole room went silent, Ivan's mouth was open slightly.

"So I hope to see you all at our wed-"

"Нет [no],"  Ivan said.  Alfred turned to him, eyebrow raised.

"What did you-"

"Нет, Нет, Нет,"  Ivan repeated louder, shocking Alfred as Ivan felt anger coursing through him.  "You are not my 'true summer', I've already felt it with someone else and I have no interest in leaving them for someone whom I have no such feeling with."  Ivan said, anger rising, his accent getting thicker.

"King Ivan,"  Francis said, coming forward.  "Come, you must admit zhe marriage to Alfred would be-"

"Нет, I refuse,"  Ivan replied stubbornly.  "Now I've had enough of this nonsense, I am leaving."  Ivan said, moving away from the stage, only to be stopped by Alfred.

"Whoa!  Come on now, you're gonna marry me!"  Alfred said, acting like a brat.  Ivan growled and shoved him away.

"I am not interested.  You are not my 'true summer', that is final."  Ivan said.  Alfred was about to say something when he looked behind Ivan.  Ivan turned and saw Matthew running towards him, stopping in front of Ivan before hugging him.  Ivan immediately hugged back.

"I... I won't let you marry Ivan!"  Matthew squeaked, without stuttering.  Francis stepped forward, wearing a look of shock.

"Matthieu, what are you doing 'ere?  You should be in bed."  Francis said, making Ivan realize that Matthew was that forgotten twin of this kingdom, the one who was said to be bedridden most of his life.

"No!"  Matthew squeaked.  "I-I won't let you take away my 'true summer'!"  He yelled, making everyone gasp.

"What?!"  Alfred and Francis yelled in unison.  Ivan smiled and picked Matthew up bridal style.

"Da, I do not want to marry anyone who is not Matvey,"  Ivan declared, making Matthew smile as he wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck.

"Man, if I'd known that, then I wouldn't have gone through with this prank."  Alfred said, making everyone turn to him, many eyes narrowing.

"Zhis was a prank?"  Francis asked, his tone disapproving.  Alfred scratched the back of his neck as Ivan put Matthew down beside Francis, a murderous aura surrounding him.

"I wanted to completely humiliate some ruler and since King Ivan's kingdom is super dependent on ours for food that he really can't go against us, I thought he'd be perfect."  Alfred said before rambling on, not noticing as Ivan took a cane from an older royal and walked up behind Alfred.

"You deserve to be punished, da?"  Ivan said, his murderous aura surrounding him completely, making him look terrifying.  Before Alfred could answer, Ivan brought the cane down on Alfred's head, making some ladies in the audience squeak with fear.  Alfred fell to the ground, knocked out with a big bump, making Ivan sufficiently satisfied as he returned the undamaged cane to the other royal.

"Well, normally I am against such 'arsh punishment, but 'e deserved zhat."  Francis said, as a lot of people in the crowd nodded, murmuring their agreement.

"He took his joke too far."  Ivan said rejoining Matthew, hugging him from behind and planting a gentle kiss on Matthew's cheek, making Matthew smile shyly as he blushed.

"On a 'appier note, I 'ope you two will 'ave your wedding soon."  Francis said, clapping his hands.  Ivan chuckled.

"H-How about a s-simple wedding?"  Matthew asked.

"With sunflowers."  Ivan said.

"And p-pancakes."  Matthew said.  Francis whined a bit, wanting to have a flamboyant wedding.

"If zhat is what you two want."  He said with a sigh.  The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Da!"  They both said together.

'Sister... you were right... I did get a 'true summer', my 'true summer'.'  Ivan thought to himself as he hugged Matthew closer, no longer feeling constantly cold, but instead filled with warmth.

~Fin~