Ivan/Relationships

## Anya

Ivan and Anya meet for the first time in Direct Action (II) when he saves her from an android attack. At first, he suspects Anya is an enemy disguised as a human up until the point where Ivan notices blood on her scratched hands. This chapter also marks the first appearance of him calling her "Freckles", the nickname he refers to her as for the whole of Season 1. Their exchange is interrupted by the arrival of a human squad led by Alexei, Anya’s brother.

In Reunion, Ivan is the only person who openly expresses his objection to Irina and Alexei’s behavior towards Anya. He tries to ease the tension and calm Irina down. When Alexei raises his gun to shoot Anya, Ivan tries to stop him.

Later in This is Reality, Ivan is the first person Anya sees after she wakes up from her nightmare. He stays outside her cell, shocked that she has woken up. However, he recovers quickly and hands her a piece of cloth while asking if she is alright. He reveals to her that he was the one who carried her body to the human base after she was shot by Alexei. He reassures her she is safe and tries to calm her down. Their conversation is, again, interrupted by Alexei who comes to Anya’s cell. During the siblings' conversation, Ivan silently listens to them talk while occasionally exchanging looks with Alexei.

In The Outsider, Alexei reveals that he was the one who pulled the trigger to verify Anya’s identity. As soon as he shares this information, Ivan checks on Anya, looking at her through the cell’s bars.

Upon Alexei’s departure, Ivan and Anya are left alone. Ignorance is Bliss opens with Ivan tinkering with a device while he tries to start a conversation with Anya. He studies her reaction and discovers she is still crying. Puzzled, he changes the tone of his speech and attempts to explain the reasons for Alexei’s behavior. When Anya shares a glimpse of her memories with Ivan, he stays grounded and continues stating facts regarding Alexei and the harsh reality Anya has found herself in. However, she changes the topic and to Ivan’s surprise and asks him why he tried to stop her brother. It is revealed that Ivan noticed Anya is a human since androids cannot bleed red. Throughout their whole conversation, he provides information on the new war-ridden world. He emphasizes that she should leave her past behind and focus on the present. Anya, however, does not respond to his advice and simply asks a hypothetical question - what if Alexei deems her dangerous? Ivan stands up and comes closer to her cell, leaning over the bars. He states the situation will turn interesting because she is “quite the survivor”. His statement leaves Anya confused, but she cannot finish her sentence. Irina arrives to take Anya to Alexei.

During Survivor, Ivan stands up for Anya when Alexei tries to assign her to a mission against Omega. Anya’s visible discomfort does not go unnoticed by Ivan who suggests they should reconsider Alexei’s plan since blood tests are not reliable enough to confirm Anya’s immortality. However, the young man’s suggestion meets with Alexei’s disapproval.

Equivalent Exchange [II] features a short scene during which Ivan and Anya look out for each other and keep one another safe from danger. First, Ivan shoots down an android chasing Anya. Then, after noticing Watchers closing in on Ivan’s hiding spot, Anya tries to attract his attention to warn him about enemies.

Due to the mission failure Anya gets separated from the human group and she reunites with Ivan a few episodes later in Lucky once, Lucky twice. Ivan finds her running through the streets and catches her arm to stop her. Anya starts panicking and struggles to set herself free from his grip. She only calms down after Ivan puts his hand over her mouth and lets her see his face through his helmet. He waits until her panic dies down and asks her about injuries. Seeing Anya tremble, Ivan decides they should leave but Anya surprises him with a sudden confession. She says she shot Omega and raises her hand to throw the gun she is holding away. She is stopped by Ivan who explains to her how important a working weapon is and how it can save one’s life (as it did in Anya’s case). They move on to the human base. Ivan leads the way staying on high alert all the time in case of danger approaching them. He also secures Anya while she makes her way down the ladder once they reach the hideout. This is when they both continue their talk during which Ivan asks Anya how she managed to run away from Omega. She explains that she shot him and Ivan seems to be impressed. He calls her badass while pointing out that he never managed to take the Grey Wolf down. Once their conversation switches to Alexei and Ivan taking over the command in his stead, the redhead plays it off playfully stating that he is a much hotter option for a commander.

Episode 24 (Confrontation) starts where the previous one left off - showing a confrontation between Anya and Irina. This episode Ivan interferes and tries to defend Anya saying that she is not the one to be blamed for Alexei’s failed mission plan. After Irina shakes his hand off of her arm, Ivan remains silent until Anya stands up to the woman. He orders Irina to stand down and takes Anya’s side which surprises the blonde. When they leave Irina behind, Ivan jokingly approves of Anya’s shooting towards Irina as a means of self-defense. His comment prompts a smile on Anya’s face.

Anya and Ivan’s so far supportive bond runs into an obstacle in Mind Over Matter. In this episode Ivan comes to Anya’s room to ask her if she is coming to dinner. They go together to the canteen and on their way there Anya notices Ivan looking at her. She quickly looks away and they continue walking in silence. On the corridor they run into people living at the human base who greet the redhead. Ivan notes that Anya acts surprised whenever someone notices her existence which leads them both to having a short conversation. It shifts quickly to a different topic when Ivan asks Anya about her day at the clinic. Before they enter the canteen they run into Luka who stares at his soulmate timer. It is revealed that Ivan does not have a soulmate and does not want one which surprises Anya. The tension starts to build up once Anya decides to prolong the conversation by asking Ivan for his reasons. In redhead’s opinion soulmates are equal to being tied up by a rope which is a view Anya does not agree with. She denies such a statement and tries to present her point of view. In response Ivan bitterly comments on the universe and its unfair judgement which lead to the outbreak of war. His words cause an outburst from Anya’s side and eventually to both of them having an argument. Ivan leaves her and Luka at the table and exits the canteen.

They meet again in the next chapter (Green) when Ivan comes to Everly’s office with his younger  brother - Misha - who recognizes Anya and tells her excitedly that he heard all about her from Ivan. The older brother walks in the office while Misha’s in the middle of telling the stories he heard about Eastern Stronghold’s trees. Ivan sets his gaze on Anya but she averts her eyes, frowning. It does not seem to be the reaction he expects but he quickly shifts his attention to Misha, reminding him to give Anya some space. The younger brother looks disappointed so Anya continues with the topic and states that she has seen trees before. Ivan observes them with his arms crossed when Misha asks his brother if they could take Anya and go see the trees together. The older man changes the topic by urging the boy to take the insulin prepared by doctor Everly. When Ivan leaves the office, Anya follows him asking him about his little brother’s condition. She does not manage to finish the question because Ivan cut her off in mid-sentence. During this short interaction Ivan stands with his back turned towards her, not even sparing her a glance. Anya mutters an apology but is interrupted by a loud thud.

The plot moves on in Underneath where Anya is shown taking care of soldiers injured during the ongoing androids’ attack. Luka is helping her with treating the wounds and while they both officially reunite after 25 years, Ivan makes his loud entrance, stumbling on a steel medical table. He keeps his hand close to his injury and asks for help.

Anya takes care of Ivan’s wound in episode 30 (Perspective). While she is suturing his wound he notices part of her timer’s numbers. However, he shifts his attention to her when she asks about him fighting against Omega. Their conversation continues as they talk about android attacks and their objectives. Ivan mentions an ongoing plan to install shields around the city but the sounds of the attack interrupts their conversation. Ivan seeing Anya’s worried face reassures her she is not the reason for people dying. Then, he apologizes for his behavior that led to an argument. Hearing his apology, Anya asks him about his motives for being kind to her. He explains that he can imagine how scary it must be from her perspective and assures her that people will eventually warm up to her. Anya does not respond and instead focuses on Ivan's scars. He says in a joking manner that she can ask about the burns but she refuses stating that such a story can only be shared when he feels comfortable enough to tell her. Ivan is shocked but he quickly recovers laughing. His attempt at throwing a casual and flirty comment is met with a raised eyebrow and the conversation is suddenly interrupted when Ivan notices the attacks have stopped.