sitting at home contemplating a weird dream he had where he got petted a lot. Yao wasn't in it though, and he really misses his little_

lover. D:

tip toes silently from behind and pounces on Ivan. "Pryvitannie, Brat." pets his hair. "How are you today?"

makes a strangled sounding noise. "P-pryvet, Natalia," he stammers, fighting the urge to run screaming like a child because that would be_

unmanly. At least she hadn't proposed marriage or attempted any kidnappings yet.

wraps an arm around him, rubs her cheek against his. "It's such a warm day today. I thought you would like a refreshing beverage."

manages a small smile. "Thank you. Do you want to come inside so we can sit and enjoy it?"

"Oh sweet, adorable brat, I thought you would never ask." kisses his cheek.

reminds himself how to breathe as he escorts her inside. In... out... in... out... I am not going to die... In... out...

hugs his arm, following him. "I have some lemonade, it's nice and cold."

smiles weakly. "That sounds good." he leads her into the living room and offers her a seat, and then goes into the kitchen t get a couple_

of glasses.

doesn't sit down, but follows him instead. "You weren't about to sneak out the back door, were you?"

shakes his head quickly "No! Of course not, that would be mean, da?" Grabs a couple glasses and goes back to the living room. He'd never_

tell her, but the thought had crossed his mind.

follows him back to the living room, then takes a bottle of lemonade out of the bag she brought with her. "It's still nice and cold."

takes it from her and pours them both a glass with slightly shaky hands. "It is! It's very kind of Natalia to bring it to me."

"I know how hot it has been, and you must be miserable. Just thinking about you being miserable for any reason brings me close to tears."

tries to smile reassuringly, but that's a hard thing to do when you're scared out of your mind. "Don't worry, Natalia, I've been fine. I'll_

enjoy your gift though, and it will definitely cool me down." Knows he'll regret saying this, but has no choice.

holds her glass, looks at him. "Are you going to drink it?"

really doesn't want to, but has no choice here either. Nods and takes a small sip of his drink. "It's good. Natalia makes good lemonade."

"Dziakuj Brat! But you hardly drank any, take a bigger drink, it will refresh you."

smile weakly. "Natalia should drink some too! After all, she has come a long way and deserves to be refreshed too." He takes another small_

drink.

"Oh, I will ... but I want to make sure you are refreshed too." takes a small sip of the lemonade.

a bit better now that she's drank some and takes another sip. "I am very refreshed. Natalia's lemonade is so good that I want to take my_

time and enjoy it."

"Really? My lemonade made you feel better?" looks at him with adoring eyes.

nods weakly, unable to say no to this for fear of his well-being. "Da. I'm happy you brought me some."

"Really? I made you happy? I could bring you some every day!"

flails internally. "Nyet, I couldn't make Natalia do this every day! Besides, what if I drank to much and I got too used to the_

refreshingness?

"

blinks, tilts her head. "But what's wrong with that?" scoots closer to him. "It would be an honor to refresh you daily. Are you going to_

drink some more?"

drinks more immediately, scooting away as subtly as he can. "if I got too used to how wonderful Natalia's lemonade is, it won't be a_

special treat! And that would be sad."

scoots closer. "Then I will have to make you something different for a special treat. I don't mind at all."

scoots further away, despairing at the rapidly decreasing space on his couch. "I like *rare* treats from Natalia, though, that makes them_

so much more special." ;~;

"But when they are rare treats, I can't spend as much time with you. I want to be with you all the time Ivan."

could cry. He very well might. He has no good response to that.