Chapter 310 - WARNING BL ALI MINI THEATER Side Story Alistair X Ivan [For Fujoshis Only]

Ritz…

Torches burst into life one after another as footsteps echoed down the dark corridor. The fiery light illuminated one hooded figure as he passed, casting upon him like impeccably programmed spotlights, following his progress along the hallway.

But the shadows frolicking on the coarse, stone walls fell upon his face, hiding it further under the darkness of his cloak, and his urgent strides left nothing but the golden glint of the intricate trimmings on his velvet cape. When at last the man reached the heavy door at the end of the passage, he unceremoniously wrenched it open, making it groan loudly in protest.

"Ritz, you beckoned?"

Ivan of Kres' booming voice echoed in the room, as his fingers pulled back his cloak to reveal his crimson head atop his handsome face. It had been a couple of days since they had last seen each other, and he had thought that the King of Heaven had totally succumbed to depression.

Alistair of Ritz had sent his only child, Alencica off to be with her beloved, Kresnik, a week ago. The star-crossed lovers had finally reached the end of their millennia-long journey to end the cycle of the curse. With the help of Perun, Stribog, and her friends, the two were finally together again and would be like that in all of eternity.

However, Alencica and Kresnik chose to remain in the other world. Alistair could only bless them and wish for their happiness, even if it meant that they had to part again. Ivan knew that even if he smiled and assured his daughter that he would be fine, Alistair would wallow in sadness now that he returned.

"Yes. I was wondering if you'd be a clown and cheer me up in time for the New Year," Alistair answered with a voice that echoed the hollowness in his heart.

The Ritz King stood by the window, overlooking the courtyard where the citizens were occupied with the hustle and bustle of the New Year celebrations.

A nostalgic smile crossed Ivan's handsome face as his jade eyes zeroed in on the other's delicate back, remembering the years back when a younger Alistair said the same thing. It was before Alinea was born, and Alistair thought that his birth here on Ged was meaningless.

*But it was never meaningless – at least to Ivan of Kres.*

Since he was young, Ivan had always been grateful to Alistair's presence. Having everything given to him since his birth, as the crown prince of Kres, and now its emperor, Ivan had always abhorred the monotony of his existence. But Alistair's arrival changed that.

Meeting Alistair at school years ago, Ivan had experienced the fast beating of his heart for the first time, and it had always been like that since. That beautiful face that could rival even female demigods, the soft, longish, silver tresses that framed his petite face and seemed to caress his delicate neck and nape – he had lost count how many times he had to resist the urge to touch them.

This was the reason he opted to stay away and run around doing quests than remain in Kres to rule it quietly as other kings did in their respective kingdoms. It was the only way for him to temporarily rid of Alistair's effect in his system. However…

"You… What do you think I am? I'm an Emperor like you, you know. Why do I always have to come running to entertain you whenever you're bored?" Ivan grumbled as he crossed the room to step next to the Ritz King's side.

His complaints, as expected made his friend let out a soft laugh. For Alistair who rarely showed emotions on his pretty face, this laughter was a rare feat that no one but himself could witness. At times like this, although he had some grievances and frustrations over feelings he could not express towards the other, Ivan felt special.

Even if he didn't want to admit it out loud, this was the reason why he always came running when he called. He simply wanted to see him, and aside from his daughter and brother, Perun or Alistair would only smile at him.

*Only him… *

Ivan knew that some of his overflowing emotions would show on his face from time to time. This moment was one of those, and he was glad that the other couldn't see his face – or so he thought.

"Stop complaining. You like coming to see me anyway," Alistair countered confidently as he side-eyed him with his knowing pair of amethyst orbs and a smirk, alarming Ivan.

*He knew! Alistair knew about his feelings!*

Memories of years passed came rushing to Ivan, a memory of another boy who stole a kiss from Alistair, thinking that he was a girl and got pummeled so hard he was barely identifiable afterwards. It was how he found out Alistair's Returner to Ancestry status. Alistair abhorred those who didn't treat him as a man and showed them no mercy.

Guilt and fear enveloped Ivan's heart that he looked away. He couldn't meet his eyes any longer, much less say a rebuttal to deny his feelings.

He didn't care about getting beat up, but he didn't want to be hated by him – anything but that.

He hadn't realized that his hands had balled into fists on his sides as he waited for Alistair's verdict. He wondered if he'd get banished from Ritz for all eternity after tonight. He didn't even refute Alistair's words when he had the chance. If he did, they could at least pretend that it never happened and remained friends.

Silence hung between them, and it stretched on with him getting more anxious as seconds passed.

"Oh… Isn't that…"

Ivan turned to see Alistair looking down at the courtyard with a surprised expression, his amethyst eyes suspiciously filling with moisture, and the Flame Emperor's body relaxed, realizing that there was not a hint of hostility towards him coming from the Ritz King. Even after guessing his real feelings, Alistair chose not to expose him, and he felt sad but grateful at the same time.

"Did you plan this?" Alistair asked as he looked up at him.

The Ritz King was tall – as tall as Stribog, but Ivan was a giant, that still towered six inches over him.

"Yeah. I just came from the other side to invite them over," Ivan said as he looked at where Alistair was looking.

It was Alinea with Kresnik. Ivan had the couple come over for the New Year celebrations, his surprise gift to Alistair. Later, Stribog would come with his wife as well.

"I see," Alistair murmured as he suddenly leaned his head against Ivan's shoulder, shocking the latter.

"W-What a-are you d-doing Ritz?" Ivan stuttered, his senses going haywire with Alistair leaning against him like this.

"Me? Resting my head?" Alistair countered innocently and Ivan couldn't do anything but palm his face, making the King of Heaven grin mischievously at him. "With you giving me surprise gifts like this, aren't we like an old married couple already?" he added with a laugh, making Ivan as red as his hair.

"Y-you…"

Ivan now knew from which parent did Alinea inherit her mischief.

"Happy New Year Kres…"