First Steps [Ivan and Matthew]

Subject: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 2:10 pm

Matt coughed, rolling over restlessly in his cot. Ugh. He did not like this place very much. His condition hadn't improved as much as he would have liked, even in care of a doctor. He wasn't as frail as before, meaning, his constant nausea had shrunk, but he still felt (and looked) ill. He was in a late stage of diagnosis. And as much as Matthew tried to deny it, he wondered if it was too late for him. If he'd die, or worse, be stuck in a hospital for the remained of his life. Or a caring home. He wasn't even an adult yet!

The boy rocked back, placing two hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling through his spectacles. He had spent the past few hours dwelling on this, a bad habit of his. If it was how things would be, then he couldn't change that. He could however, fuss and make it worse. So he tried to relax back, but found it difficult.

What if he went to visit Aimee, if she hadn't already darted from her IV again? She wasn't as smart, as to leave her room with cuts and a leaky bag of nutrients. Matt was wired to blood, something he could waste, but he had an idea if he needed to escape. Something he'd keep to himself and perhaps save for a special occasion. Meaning, if he was scared or being forced something that he didn't want, he'd make a break for it.

And if he were to do that, he'd need to be able to walk at least. He'd practice now. Groaning as he pushed himself up, the blond struggled the small action. In fact, he was tired and tempted to lay back down. Oh no. Matthew Williams was stubborn. Biting his chapped lip, he grabbed the chrome rail and swung his feet over the edge. He paused, recollecting himself and battling the nausea back.

Slowly, the boy slid forward, weight now pressed onto his legs. He gripped the bar tight, his pale hands white with the iron grip that he had. Gritting his teeth, he took one wavering step alongside the bed.

And...

Nearly fell. Nealy. He was still on two feet, but most of his weight was supported by his arms as he panted. This was ridiculous! He was running laps before being taken here! Now he couldn't even walk?! Matt's defiance rose as he battled his illness. He took a step. Then another. Then an- a jerk stopped him. He looked down, to his arm where the IV cord was pulled tight. The needle, jarred from its original location, stung, but it was nothing that the boy couldn't handle. He turned, arms still secure on the bed as he gingerly walked back. Sitting back down, Matt smiled.

From just walking down the length of his bed, he was exhausted. Sweat lingered around his blond hairline as he gently panted. It was pathetic, but Matt was proud that he was able to walk, at least a little bit. However, when Matt felt eyes on him, he snapped his violet gaze up, terrified of a doctor catching him in the act.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:16 pm

Ivan trotted down the corridor, enjoying the noise his crutch made on the floors. This was his seventh-or-something escape from his own room, and each time something interesting seemed to happen. Except that one time where he was nearly barrelled over by this group of doctors pulling a guy on a cart-thing. That hurt, because he was nearly shoved into the world.

He turned a corner into a brightly coloured ward for children, slowing down to take it all in. After a few moments, a boy staggered out. Ivan blinked and walked up, right behind the boy. After staring at him for a few minutes with interest, he propped his crutch on the side quietly - putting all his weight on his good leg - and wrapped his arms around the boy.

"Careful," He murmured, "You may fall and hurt that pretty face." Ok, he wasn't sure where that came from... Still, he felt a bit like a hypocrite. After all, now that he didn't have his crutch, he could fall over in a second, just like the last three times he'd tried walking without his crutch... Still. This boy looked ill (What with the hospital clothes and all...) and Ivan felt a need to protect him. Which was strange, of course, because he was the type of person to beat people to the ground and use them as a door mat...

But Ivan didn't want to do that! So he just held the boy carefully.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:51 pm

Matt was going to sit down, or at least, he had planned to before someone gripped him around the waist. Matt's first reaction, as pitiful as it was, was to struggle. And so he did. But whomever had grabbed him was strong. Much stronger than he. Matt was indeed, weaker than any normal kid his age, but still. He slowly stopped his struggles, mainly due to his own exhaustion. The tiny walk along the bed tired him. Jerking around in vain against a stronger person drained Matthew energy like opening the end to a balloon.

"Careful, you may fall and hurt your pretty face."

Matt froze, violet-blue eyes wide behind his spectacles. W...what did he just say? His accent was thick and masculine, Russian man from the sounds of it, but Matt heard exactly what he said. It was more so, the meaning behind it. Was... was this a doctor? A doctor worried for Matt's safety in some... culturally different way? Matt tried to remain calm. Maybe he meant something different by that. The boy swallowed, emotions tucked under control.

"Th...thanks..." he stuttered quietly in regards to being... held. Well, he wasn't sure if he would have fallen, but he could have. So saying thank you seemed appropriate. But still, he felt uncomfortable with someone gripping him from behind, even if they were a doctor. "C...could you set me down... bed..." he mumbled through his teeth, adjusting the glasses on his nose.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:28 pm

Take the boy back to his room? Ivan nodded and picked the boy up bridal style, glancing down at him. Even prettier from in front, with pink lips and pretty eyes that sparkle so magically... Ivan shook his thoughts out of his head. He started walking back into the room, leaving his crutch behind; because after all, he can't take it with him. After about four steps of limping, Ivan stopped, panting hard. The stress and strain he was putting on his broken leg and ribs was so painful! But Ivan was determined to continue, so he dragged himself along.

Finally he got to a bed, putting the boy down before sitting on the end and panting. Oh great, and his crutch was still out there. "What... Hahhh... What were you... heehhh... do... Doing out of bed if you can't walk, anyway?" He panted out, clutching at his chest. That really stung... Ivan flopped backwards, loving the (not exactly) softness of the bed.

He mentally patted himself on the back. Mission accomplished! Now he just needed to lie here and... throb. Ow.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:08 pm

[Just a note... Matt never left his room. He took a few steps beside his bed ^ ^U ]

Before Matt knew it, he was carried like a girl by this man, easily flipped sideways in his arms. Matt's face went red, a sharp contrast to his chronic pale skin. The action was a sudden shift in Mattie's environment, and thus, ensued nausea. Severe nausea. Matt clenched his teeth together, hard as he swallowed the sickness back to stare at his doctor. Was this the one Kiku was talking...about....

This was no doctor.

The Russian man had soft white hair, sweeping across the cotton white bandages that enveloped his head. His eyes were a lavender violet, much lighter than his own. A scarf, even though the climate was hot in Florida, was wrapped around his neck, concealing his chin and lower face. Matt blinked behind his glasses, alarmed. This. Was. No. Doctor.

Matt had to hold himself back from jerking out of this man's grip. Matt was scared. Why was he being carried? Touched? Complimented?! The boy stared with wide eyes as this man escorted him back to his 'prison', also known as his hospital bed. This was not a common occurrence in Canada, or America for that matter. The boy tensed, squeezing his small frame even smaller.

But he did notice the heavy limp in the man's stride. Wha.. Why was he carrying him if he was so injured! Matt's eyes sprung open in alarm as he was finally put down. To be honest, he didn't mind this bed anymore. That was, until this man flopped down beside him. Red colored the edges of Matt's cheeks, but the spooked nausea kept most of the color from lighting up his ashen skin. Matt shifted back slightly, pushing his glasses up on his nose with his index and middle fingers. "Um..."

Matt creased his brow, trying his best to be as assertive as he could. "I... I uh... I could ask you the same thing..." he replied, clamping his teeth down on his lip. That didn't come out as... challenging as he wanted, but still.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:49 pm

((Curses... Fine, doorway'll work... D: ))

Ivan scowled at the boy's words. How annoying, not getting a real answer. He was being concerned over this person, and that person was just being arrogant. But Ivan couldn't get mad at him, he was... Well, too nice and pretty and stuff to get mad at him. What was the boy's name, anyway? Ivan slowly sat up, feeling slightly better and more in breath. That was a good question, so Ivan plucked up the courage to ask.

"What's your name? My name is Ivan," He clarified, nodding and holding out his hand for a chance to touch the other's small, delicate one. Perhaps the boy's name will be just as beautiful and gentle and kind as his face was. And maybe the boy will like Ivan and be his friend. Or maybe he won't? Ivan's breath hitched and he watched the boy, waiting for some sort of reply.

"Also..." He continued, "I'm sort of stranded here until I retrieve my crutch... And that's going to be sort of hard because I can't really get up at the moment, my ankle hurts so bad... As do my ribs... And my, oooh... My head hurts so bad..." He rubbed it, squeezing his eyes shut. "Plus, you aren't going anywhere, not after that display--" He cut himself off, acctually taking a look at the boy. "Are you ok? You look like you're about to be sick..."

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:15 pm

Matt's eyes went wide as the Russian glared at him. The boy pressed back, intimidated by the man's overall annoyance. Matt let out his breath as the glare dissipated. The man soon sat up. Matthew subtly moved backwards. His heart rate skyrocketed. Not for feelings, but for stress. He had to breathe slower. Force calmness upon himself. The man imposed a new question upon the Canadian. A name and an inquiry of his. Matt blinked.

The man held his hand out, a gesture of greeting and meeting another. Matt hesitated, but slowly allowed his hand to drop into the other's. It was warm in comparison to Matt's cold touch. After a firm shake, Matthew reclaimed his hand and tentatively opened his mouth. "M..Matthew."

The man then spoke of his woos and woes. Matt blinked out of sympathy. Something awful must have happened to the man to do so much injury. Matt didn't mind that the man would be staying in his room for a while, but what if he grew tired of Matt's presense? Matt's meek and quiet personality usually got on other people's nerves. Matt didn't want this man to be trapped here...

But he asked on Matt's condition. It was too complicated to explain. The boy shook his head in denial as he said, "I'm fine." Matt lied. But it was the only lie that he could occasionally pull off. He felt sick from the motion. But a new thought popped into the Canadian's head. And due to his uncanny stubbornness, he would accomplish his said task.

Matt moved too quick for the Russian to keep up. The boy, so slow and tentative, sprung from the bed and latched onto the nearest thing, barely keeping his weight up. He breathed, holding back vomit as he struggled to the door. The IV cord proved to be this long before. He saw the crutch, propped up by the door. Furrowing his brow, he stubbled clumsily, supporting his weight against the wall until he reached it. Grasping the walking device firmly in his hands, the boy turned. His face, defining the shade of white, was strained beyond his knowledge. He struggled to hobble back to the bed, faltering on his last step as he crashed onto the sheets. The crutch clunked on the floor, Matt not having the strength to hold onto it. Heck, he didn't have the strength to roll onto his back. So he laid with his ashen face against the ashen sheets, willing himself to stay conscious. Dear god, if his condition was that bad, he'd never be able to dash from this hospital.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:29 pm

Matthew... Ivan was right, it was a gorgeous name, and when Matthew shook his hand, Ivan was reluctant to let go. It felt soft as petals and was so small, swamped in Ivan's massive Russian palm. Still, he felt the hand pull away and sagged, dissapointed.

When answered, however, he wasn't sure if he believed the boy when he said that he was fine, because he certainly didn't look fine, at least... Still, Ivan was amased when Matthew stood up and dragged himself forcefully to the door, all because he wanted to get Ivan's crutch. Oh, how sweet of him! Ivan felt like he was over the moon, until he saw Matthew's ashen face. As he dropped onto the bed, Ivan winced. He claimed his crutch and murmured a soft "Thanks..." before scooping the boy up in his arms, cuddling.

"You say you're alright, but you don't look it," He whispered, cuddling Matthew gently. "You need something like water... Where's the nurse around here? And please don't strain yourself for me, I'm unimportant... At least, not in comparison to you..." Ivan shut his eyes, feeling so bad for Matthew, poor Matthew, who was ill with something or other. Ivan hoped it wasn't terminal... He placed a hand on Matthew's head, calmly rubbing it in what he hoped was a soothing gesture.

After a few moments like this, he paused, wincing. The hand on Matthew's head flew to his own and he whined. "Eh... Not this again..."

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:37 pm

Matt's mind felt foggy as hands rested on him, lifting him somewhere. Was it a nurse? A doctor? He didn't know. He fought back drowsiness, as the his head slowly cleared. Like sediments settling in murky waters, he came closer to awareness. Something shifted against the boy. Matthew's senses shot off the charts. Cracking an eye open warily, he saw that Ivan had picked him up and was coddling him like a child. Matt closed his eyes as he silently tried to catch his breath.

Ivan's tone was hushed and gentle, but Matt's skin prickled with unease. He was not used to such contact. The closest Matt had to this was hugs from his mom. And that was not in her lap like he was in Ivan's. As well, Matt had never had a significant other. A partner. A girlfriend, boyfriend, anything. He had never been in a relationship. He had never been held like this. And frankly, he didn't like it. It was too rushed. Too fast. He met Ivan what, two minutes ago? And, in that time, he had been... er... 'handled' in ways that he hadn't experienced in his 17 years of life.

But at this point, the boy was too exhausted to say anything. To top that, he didn't know what to say or how to say it. He would go along with this until he was... too uncomfortable. He was so nauseous right now that he really didn't want to do anything but wait for it to pass. Matt remained silent as Ivan suggested water or something. As well as compliment, or self insult. Matt wasn't sure. He just, at this point, wanted help. Over the context of his hospital stay, he hadn't really improved. He felt just as sick as before, and if walking drained him this much, Matt feared the next downward step. Kiku told him his chances weren't strong. Matt shuttered in his cold sweat.

A hand gently swept over the top of Matt's head, wisping away the tangled curls from his damp forehead. Matt opened his eyes once more. Ivan was petting him. Matt quickly disconnected his eyes, sliding them away from the man. At least Ivan cared...

But then it stopped and Matt felt a shutter of pain slip through Ivan. The boy glanced up to see a face, scrunched up in pain. Matt felt worried. Though he really didn't know Ivan well and the man made Matt feel awkward, he didn't like seeing him in pain. Matthew didn't like seeing anyone in pain. The boy, with great effort, raised his hand up gently to place it on Ivan's forehead. His fingers, cold from the poor circulation, gently rested on Ivan's warm face. Matt didn't know what he meant by doing such a thing, but he figured that his hands were like ice, which might relieve the ache of Ivan's head.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Sun Dec 19, 2010 8:27 pm

Cold fingers on his forehead made Ivan flinch slightly. He looked down at Matthew, who he was sure was in distress earlier. "Ng... rest, da?" He asked, a wave of dizziness washing over him and caused him to nearly throw up. But he clamped a hand over his mouth and held it all down until the feeling had gone. His breathing became more laboured and black spots prickled his eyes. He knew what it all meant, it meant that his "Head trauma" was causing to have another "attack". That's all that he was told by his doctor, Dr Kiku, but didn't know what it meant...

Ivan fainted, letting go of Matthew and flopping backwards, head dangerously close to the edge. His breathing slowly calmed and his head stopped spinning. After a few minutes, he came to, groaning and rubbing his head. What un unpleasant experience. He sat up slowly and scrunched his eyes shut, rubbing them.

"Wh... Where am I? Oh right, a hospital..." He remembered, nodding. "But... Where is big sister? She was there, in the van! ...Oh... Right, I'm not being treated by her..." It was all slowly coming back to him. He turned his head slowly, his eyes half lidded being still half dazed, and spotted Matthew.

"I... Matthew. You, you're Matthew! I... Remember you for some reason..." He scratched his head. "Hm... And you're ill... You should lie down, da? I will... Think about why I am here... And what I did to get here... Or are they the same thing? Hm..." Ivan scratched his head, obviously with a lot of things to think about.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:26 pm

Matt watched as Ivan's eyes shrank and his hand moved from Matt's head to his mouth. Matt went still. Oh mon Dieu, he was going to get puked on! Matt snapped both eyes shut, not wanted to see whatever was fated to be upchucked on him, but cracked an eye open after a long moment. Ivan had paled and begun to look extremely ill. Matt struggled to sit up, out of Ivan's clutches.

"I...Ivan, are you ok?" Matt asked quietly, staring at him with large violet tinted eyes. The man didn't respond, and soon, he toppled backwards and nearly rolled off of the bed. "Ivan!" Matt exclaimed, but his voice still remained at a low volume. He panicked, not knowing what to do! He had never been in this sort of situation before! He was always the one that fainted! "Nurse! Help!" Matt called, but no response immediately answered. Perhaps it was because Matt was not loud enough. Matt began to tremble. Help... help... help...

Until he saw Ivan twitch. The boy, near tears, looked back to see the man slowly coming to. Matt pulled his glasses off and wiped his eyes. He hadn't cried, but the overbearing stress made his eyes sting. Yeah... eyes sting. He watched uselessly as Ivan returned to consciousness, loudly at that.

Matt opened his mouth to answer Ivan's first question, but the Russian answered it himself seconds after. Oh, he was confused. He was speaking his thoughts in order to organize them. Big sister? The van? What had happened to the man? Matt didn't want to ask, but suddenly his injuries seemed to pop out more. Bandages around his head, broken leg, crutch, ribs... Something to do with numerous people and a van. Car accident?

Ivan gazed dully at Matt, making the boy shrink back slightly. Ivan paused, but easily remembered Matt's full name. The blond boy blinked, unsure of what to do here. And then, Ivan had the guts to tell him to lie down because he was 'ill'. And that, was Matt's breaking point.

"Excuse me?" Matt said, a little edge in his normally passive voice. "You nearly vomited and then you just passed out and your now telling me to lie down?" Matt's voice held warning, a fire that was normally tame but could suddenly bite back at any time. "I don't think so. You lie down." Matt said, brow creasing with his words as his unusual anger bubbled from an unknown source.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:35 pm

Ivan flinched. Was he being told off by this boy? Ivan huffed, annoyed. He did not need to lie down! It was obviously Matthew who was in need of rest, not him! Ivan pouted, rather childishly. "All people do is tell me to Lie down or Get some rest! But I don't want to! Because it's boring lying down all the time! BUT-" He cut himself off with a half yell, having come up with an idea. "However! If we were to compromise... I'd be happy to. How about we both lie down? I mean, sure, the bed is not that wide... But you could lie on my chest... No, not my chest. My stomach? Mm. Or, just cuddle up to me, I'm sure we'll fit. But if I'm sick enough to need to lie down, so are you." Ivan grabbed Matthew's hand and gave a gentle tug. "I don't really mind where you lie, just be weary of my ribs?"

He gave a yawn just then and cursed his body for not being able to resist sleep for longer periods of time, stretching and lying back. "You know, this isn't my bed, it isn't even my ward. Hell, it isn't even on the same floor as my ward. That's going to puzzle the doctors or nurses, whichever ones visit this place most frequently..." He chuckled, coaxing Matthew into a horisontal position. "You know, when I was younger, big sister Kateryna would always sleep by my side... Then she left. Completely left me for no reason at all, while I was sleeping. But I still loved her, so I grew enough to survive in the outside world and went looking for her. It was completely by chance that I was hit by a vehicle hard enough to send me to the hospital in which she works... I wish I could see her, but I never know where she is!"

He glanced at Matthew's face. His small, cutely shaped face, framed with strawberry blond locks of hair which bounced with his movement. And a strange strand of hair that sat in the center and danged in front of his face, swaying hypnotically with each movement. It half entranced Ivan, half bugged him. He reached out a hand and flicked it. "It's funny how your hair is so neat on your head, until you get to this one little curl and it's sticking out wildly..." He chuckled, his eyelids drooping slightly, tired.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:20 am

Matt’s bubbling anger soon vanished, as quickly as it came. The stiffness vanished and Matt found himself at a loss for words. In fact, he felt like he needed to apologize. Ivan turned the conversation back on him, redirecting the word lingo to make it sound bad for Ivan to rest. Mattie even flinched back as Ivan’s voice broke, reaching a new level of loud.

Wait.

Both lie down?

They’d never… fit…. Oh Dieu. L…Lie on him?! Matt’s face went red. Matt put up his hands shyly, as if to erect a wall between the two but Ivan only proceeded in grabbing Matthew’s ‘offered’ hand. Matt’s cheeks burned as Ivan tugged him towards him. The Canadian was involuntarily pulled alongside the man as he laid back down.

Matt was tugged beside the man, which wasn’t so bad. Well, it could have been worse. He could have been on him. And for once, Matt was thankful for his slender frame and build. He was on his side, pressed against the bar. Ivan was much larger than he, but with Matt off to the side, the bed held enough space. However, the two males were still in contact with one another. Matt stayed sitting up to avoid any more awkward moments.

Ivan continued in conversation, stating how far away his original dorm was and how doctors might find this surprising. Oh, this would do more than simply perplex a passing nurse. Matt’s face sparked red with embarrassment of just thinking about what could happen. Ivan tugged again on Matt’s hand, gently tugging him down so he laid down, his shoulder brushing against Ivan’s. The tension was gradually released as Ivan retold old stories of his sister. At least he had good memories of her. Matt couldn’t say that he had many with his younger brother.

Ivan then proceeded to stare at Matt’s stray curl. Matt shifted uneasily. Ivan’s hand moved forward and actually flicked his ahoge. Matt instantly squirmed, face deepening in his scarlet hue. “D-Don’t touch it!!” he stammered quickly, tripping over his tongue as he wanted to pull back, but was against iron bars.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:09 pm

Ivan felt satisfaction wash over him as Matthew lay down next to him (Even if he didn't want to, and Ivan could tell that he didn't want to. He could read people's moods alright). Still, Matthew's reaction came as a bit of a surprise when Ivan touched his curl

"Don't touch it? Why ever not?" Ivan looped the curl round his finger. "It's rather out of place, da? After all, the rest of your hair is neat and this is not? Puzzling." He gave it a little tug before wetting the pads of his thumb and forefinger and began to rub the curl between them, trying to flatten it out. It wasn't working! He scowled, rubbing harder.

(( I couldn't think of much to put here. Huh. I'll try harder next time. ))

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:27 am

Matt would have darted away if he could. But pressed against a rock and a hard place, ignoring the fact that any sort of jerk made spells of nausea immobilize him, he wasn't exactly in the right mind to leap up and get away. And he wanted to, ever so badly. Ivan didn't stop at just flicking the surly extension on Matt's head. No, he developed some fascination and felt the need to touch it again.

"B-Bec-" Ivan looped the curl round his fingers and Matt cut himself off as his breath hitched in his throat. Red exploded onto his pale face as Ivan spoke. However, Matt didn't listen. He was distracted and trying to clear the scattered thoughts that clouded his mind. This was the reason that Matt wanted to cut said curl off. It was... er.. sensitive. He did not know why, but it was.

The blond tried to ignore the Russian as he continued to fiddle with his ahoge. Matt's jaw was clamped shut as he forced his eyes closed. It would pass, it would pass, it would pass. Ivan would grow bored eventually and leave it alone. This moment wasn't coming soon though, as Ivan wet his fingers and ran them along the hair. Matt jerked, but with no where to go, he was held in place. Ivan did not grow bored. He tried to continue with his actions.

Matt's movement was lightning quick, despite his feeble appearance. The backbone, seemingly nonexistent, was being exposed. Matt hand was gripped around Ivan's wrist, knuckles white with tension. The soft violet eyes had hardened behind his spectacles, his passive nature gone. His grip, for a small boy, was unusually strong as he pried Ivan's hand back from his hair.

"I said, do not touch it." Each word was punctuated with warning, only emphasized by the assertive change in approach. Red still decorated his cheeks, but the contrasting emotion lessoned the heat. Matt was still uncomfortable, as he always was when forced to take the situation by the horns, but he could not stand that...that... touching any longer.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:06 pm

(( Manada! \o/ ))

Ivan watched the boy's face contort in surprise, and stared when he acctually pulled Ivan's hand away, forcibly and uncomfortably. He gaped at Matthew, and a small flush fell across his cheeks for some bizzare reason... Matthew'd become powerful, like bravery sprung out of nowhere in bucket-loads. It made Ivan feel, rather than angry as he had expected, but... What? Happy? No... That didn't sound right, it was very out of place. Abashed perhaps? ...He'd probably end up looking for the right word in his Russian-to-English dictionary later.

Pulling his arm away, he pouted at the man. "Matvey has a strong grip," He mumbled. It was too hard pronouncing 'Matthew' because the sounds didn't come naturally to him. In the excitement, Ivan'd nearly forgotten about the curl... He wouldn't touch it for now. However, if that was how Matthew became when he did, then Ivan would have to touch it more often and see Matthew get angry again. But later.

For now, Ivan stretched out, wincing a little and rubbing his bruised chest. "Perhaps resting is not the easiest thing in the world. I have been resting for a while, it gets boring." He folded his arms and paused. He remembered that, but for some reason... He didn't remember it. Or... He hadn't earlier. Mystery. "So, can we do something different?"

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:34 pm

Surprisingly, Matt had little trouble peeling Ivan's hand from his. Perhaps it was the hockey years that he had under his belt, though it had been a while since he played. Matt's movement was without thought. He didn't think when he forcibly and painfully pulled Ivan's fingers from his hair. It just sort of happened. Just like the unexpected assertion in his tone. He didn't think. He just did. But now that he had this second wind, he pulled Ivan's hand and pushed it to his chest before releasing it.

In reality, Matt should have been fearful for taking such an action. Ivan was a scary man when he was angered, even slightly roused. Matt should have feared losing his hand for such an act. But he wasn't. He knew his limits, but he felt the need to be inflexible. He had to be assertive. He couldn't let Ivan see any weakness in his action. Matt's eyes blazed as he pushed himself into a sitting position after Ivan commented on Matt's hidden strength.

He didn't stop there. Matt slid to the end of the bed and turned, facing Ivan with his legs where his chest had been moments ago. Matt was forcing a space between them so Ivan couldn't try the same thing again. Battling back sickness and waves of fainting urges, Matt propped himself up with his arms, jaw clenched as he did so. He felt incredibly sick and not in the mood for being violated.

Matt watched as Ivan offered to do something else. Matt didn't know what he had in mind, but if it involved hair then he was definitely out. In all honesty, Matt just wanted to sleep now. The motion, the call for strength drained him. Or left him with a sick feeling and a need for medication. Matt didn't respond, but he gently laid himself back to prevent falling. He just felt...so sick. So nauseous... he couldn't keep his eyes open. His eyelids slipped shut as the boy slipped out of consciousness.

Subject: Re: First Steps [Ivan and Matthew] Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:34 pm

It wasn't pulling Ivan's hands away which hurt. In fact, the boy was pretty weak, just stronger than he should be in his current condition. No, that didn't hurt. But what did was when his hands were pushed violently against his broken ribs, which made him flinch with pain. But... He didn't want to retaliate... Really. It was strange; if anyone else pulled that stunt, he would have crushed their wrists beneath his mighty fist. But not this boy. He seemed... Fragile, and delicate. And Ivan felt a strong urge to protect him.

Instead, he just took some calming breaths to urge the pain away, and watch as Matthew switched positions, shoving his feet up in Ivan's face. Not that he minded too much; they were nice feet which didn't have the smell of being trapped in shoes all day. And they were petite, almost like a girl's. In fact, a lot of Matthew looked like a girl- Especially the hair. Ivan surveyed the boy, and he looked rather like he was about to be ill. That was not good. At all. He nibbled his lip when the boy shut his eyes and flopped, resembling a rag doll quite a bit.

Ivan felt bad. He knew he did something wrong. That curl had affected him in a strange way. Ivan felt the urge to touch it again, but resisted, not wanting a repeat of what had just happened, especially with the boy's current state in mind. Ivan sat up and looked around for something to do. First, he spotted a jug of water, and poured a glass for Matthew.

Next... Oh. There wasn't much to do here. So instead, he picked Matthew up and laid him down where his head would be elevated slightly by pillows. Ivan'd fast run out of anything to do, and instead chose to gently stroke the boy's hand, aware of his broken leg sticking out awkwardly. Ah... Drowsy. He felt a little drowsy. And his head hurt, his head hurt a lot! Curse this... What was it called? He couldn't remember... So he decided to call it 'Head-Bump'. It was a fair enough name; after all, that's what caused it. His head bump was really pounding, and Ivan let out a rare whine of discomfort. He only made that sort of noise when he was truly in pain, or when no one was around and he was free to do so. But he didn't stop stroking Matthew's small and soft hand, not once.

(( Take your time replying, dear. <3 Also; It's not really consistant, is it? *Shrug* ouo ))