Anti-OTP: Ivan/Alyosha

[returntheticket]

Ivan is in the library--not reading, although he has a book in his hands, but sitting in the padded window seat and peering out the panels of the window. He is struck by the way the light bends through the beveled edges of the panes, making rainbows along the lines of lead; when he turns his head just slightly, the window breaks new light into a

Comments

[tinylittleonion]

Alyosha is looking through an old prayer book, with frayed, yellow pages and the cross printed on the cover; his lips move, as he reads, and his fingers trace the letters of each line, lingering on let us lift up our hearts (answering, we lift them up unto the Lord). When he closes the book and moves to reach for another, he catches sight of Ivan by the window -- he doesn't know why, but for a moment he only watches him, hand braced on the shelf, book held to his chest.

[returntheticket]

At length, Ivan will turn away from the window; perhaps he means to go back to his book, but instead he catches sight of Alyosha, and calls softly into the space between them, "Hello."

[tinylittleonion]

His cheeks begin to flush, as though he has been caught at something -- but of course that's absurd. He's only looking at his brother. "Hello. If I'd known you were there, I would've come to speak to you earlier ... or sit beside you, if you were too absorbed to speak."

[returntheticket]

"No, it would please me to have your company. Come and sit." He shifts, making room on the window seat for Alyosha; his expression is a little closed again, but despite that he is smiling.