Forever and Always

16

"Uh... what?" Alfred mumbled. He felt like he was made of jelly, or paralyzed from the neck down. It was a somewhat shaky feeling, like he was deep in the water and getting crushed by the pressure.

"Hey, baby," Ivan smiled, petting his cheek. He checked the time once more- it had only been forty-five minutes since he fell asleep. Alfred looked up at him sluggishly, gaining some form of strength in his arms and reaching up to wrap them around his neck.

He yawned, and pulled himself up, nuzzling into his chest. His mind was blank, like everything had been removed. He felt a sense of pain deep in himself, but it was hardly a sliver.

"Are you okay?" Ivan asked, petting his hair.

"Huh?" his voice was merely a whisper, and Ivan gave him a water bottle. He sat up, and was able to open it, so he took it as a good sign, kissing him on the temple.

"I have a gift for you," he smiled, and Alfred tilted his head. Ivan walked over to the door connected to the nursery, walking in. He knew that Alfred was probably confused- he had that far off look in his eyes that he only had when he couldn't remember what exactly was going on.

He picked up the larger girl, walking back into the room. He was able to hide her with his arm, to keep it a surprise.

Alfred tilted his head, giving him a confused look. He could tell there was something in his arms, but he didn't know what it was.

"She says hello," Ivan smiled, moving his arms to show her to him.

His eyes widened and his mouth opened. Two clawed hands reached out to take her, gingerly resting her against his chest.

"She's so tiny," he whispered, petting the small amount of hair on her head, running his hand through the wisps of fur across her shoulders.

"Akilina," he stated, "she's the personification of..."

"Moskva. (Moscow.)"

"Da," Alfred laughed a little, "she's small for such a big city."

Ivan smirked, walking over to him, "I have another gift for you."

Alfred smiled, his body language only of sweetness. He kissed the top of Akilina's head, and looked up to Ivan to find him gone. He walked back with another baby in his arms, even smaller than the other.

"Klemintina," Ivan smiled, handing him the baby.

"St. Petersburg," Alfred said. Her green eyes were soft and wispy, and she looked like she was about to cry. Alfred kissed her forehead and fluffed the bit of brown hair on her head up, and she closed her eyes in comfort.

With one in each arm he looked content, but still Ivan stood by, wanting nothing more than to protect them. He sat down on the bed, and Alfred kissed his cheek.

"I don't know how long it's been since I've showered," he mumbled, "or eaten for that matter."

"I'll get you something," Ivan said, jumping up and out of the room. Alfred giggled, and Klemintina started to shake and whine. He was confused for a second- until, of course, he realized she wanted to eat.

And now he felt awkward. There wasn't anyone else in the room, but still, it was strange to him. He wasn't exactly wearing anything anyways, besides the blanket thrown over his waist, so that wasn't any problem, it was just... everything else.

Akilina, like clockwork, also started to whine, and he looked down at both of them before closing his eyes and pushing them up more.

There are not many sensations weirder than whatever the hell that feeling was. He was two-thousand years old, there wasn't much you could surprise him with, and yet, still, that was surprising. He spent much of that trying not cringe.