AN: Heyy! Wait, don't leave! Lol, anyways I'm very excited to start a new story, but here are some things I have to go over first (feel free to skip them and move on to the story, but I recommend you to read the points ^J^).

-I know this concept has been done over and over again, but I reallyyy wanted to write my own version of China and Russia's history, especially the three main arcs (When both were under Mongolian rule, the fall of imperial China, and the dissolution of Soviet Union). And that brings me to my next point... Please do not take this story for historical facts. It's not. I did some research and know the basics, but this will not be historically accurate.

-I'll be using their human names in the story because it's just easier for me to write. Also China's sentences will not end with "aru" because it makes me laugh every time I hear China say that and also because it's a Japanese stereotype of Chinese accent. Additionally, China and Russia may seem different from their cannon selves in the anime because I want to add more depth to their characters.

-Since I'll be using their human names, I had to pick a name for Mongolia. His human name is Ganbaatar, and it means "steel hero". I read many fanfictions where Mongolia was portrayed as China's abuser, plaything, etc. where they had a sexual relationship, but I wanted to move away from all of that. He respects Yao to a point, and whether he admires Yao for his warrior prowess, wants to be seen as an equal to him, or has a crush on him, I'll leave you, the reader, to decide. Btw in my mind, he's also a pretty boy (not as pretty as Yao of course) since Hetalia is full of pretty boys! :D

-I do not own Hetalia (obviously and sadly).

-Fun fact: there's a Sherlock reference hidden in this chapter, can you spot it? ;))

The Mongolian man drummed his fingers impatiently against the arm of the oak chair, creating the sound of horses running. If Yao closed his eyes, he could almost imagine a herd of stallions galloping through the vast fields with a rising horizon. Flowing manes that unfurled and whipped as the wind called it, feet that pounded the ground, gallantly trampling over the lush ground beneath. If he tried hard enough, he could almost hear them stepping among the rocks and drinking from the shallow pools accumulated from rain water.

"Damn it China, where is that brat?!" Almost.

Calmingly, Yao brought the porcelain teacup to his lips and sipped the freshly brewed tea slowly. It burned the tip of his tongue and aroused his annoyance just as much as the man sitting in front of him.

"And why would I know where he is?" Yao blew on the tea attempting to cool it.

"Cause he's freaking infatuated with you!" Oh how he wished that the stupid barbarian would learn how to speak instead of shout. If he didn't have anything intelligent to say, he would rather have him keep his pig mouth shut. "Tell me, what did you do? Seduce him?"

Clang. The sound of the teacup clashing against the hardwood vibrated throughout the room, silencing Ganbaatar and served as a grim reminder to the lines he mustn't cross. "I don't need to seduce him; I don't have to do anything except show him the smallest ounce of kindness. After all, compared to how you treat him, I'm practically a saint."

"So you say," Ganbaatar smirked smugly, twirling his finger around his long braid.

What would he do if he chopped off that braid. Would he kill him? Yao smiled at that idea. "What are you implying?"

"I'm saying that you are more fond of that imbecile than you let on."

Yao narrowed his eyes and retrieved his cup from the table. "I don't care about Muscovy," Yao said.

"Oh you meant Vanya?" His eyes glinting as he repeated what Yao had occasionally called the small nation.

"Look," Yao gulped down the tea expecting to seek comfort from the taste, however all he perceived was bitterness. "I don't know what you think you heard, and frankly I don't care. But if I have to choose between you or him, then yes, he is more bearable."

"No need to get all defensive, it doesn't make you weaker if you tried to be a little human."

"Human?" And just when he thought that Mongolia couldn't get any more intolerable. "We're not humans; we'll never be humans. They die and we live, so why should I lower myself to the chains of mortality?" Yao snapped harshly.

"I didn't mean to…" Ganbaatar lowered his eyes. He might be a brute, but he knew how much Yao hated to be reminded of the things they could never have.

"Enough of this talk," Yao rubbed his temples smoothing away the aching pain. "Well didn't you come to me because of Muscovy? What happened?"

At the sound of the smaller nation's name, Ganbaatar fumed up. And Yao could have sworn he saw steam coming out of his ears.

"That brat had done it this time! He was supposed to be cleaning my room, but what did I see when I came back?! HE DREW PICTURES OVER MY TRADE AGREEMENTS! PICTURES!"

The palace shook from the outburst. Maids scurried away in fright and guards outside shivered at the incoming fires of fury. But to Yao, he was but an angry kitty, a Schrodinger's cat stuck in its box.

"Pictures of what?" Yao bit his tongue attempting to stiffen his laughter.

Pictures of you. "It doesn't matter! Anyway I tried to discipline him but he ran away, and now I can't find him! Wait, are you laughing?!" The Mongolian's facial muscles twitched.

"No, of course not. I would never laugh at you," he answered sweetly and batted his eyelashes for the additional effect. Ganbaatar hissed at the sarcastic remark. "Ha, that boy is smarter than he looks. Good for him, who knows what you might do to him in this condition?"

"Are you suggesting that you're hiding him?" Ganbaatar narrowed his eyes menacingly.

Yao scoffed, "No."

He knew he was not, and would never be, as manipulative or calculating as Yao was. However he was no fool. No matter how much Yao denied of harboring affection for that child, he knew that Yao cared for him. He could see it in his eyes. Those haunting eyes that lusted after power and destruction; sparks of fire that threatened to annihilate nations if given the chance. Those golden hues were the envy of any rising sun, and when he was with that kid, they radiated warmth that had the potential to melt the coldest of winters. Although both Yao and Ivan were his prisoners, he felt like he was the one truly caged.

"You can't keep protecting him forever."

"Even though I genuinely don't know where he is, I'll do what I can to shield him from you." Yao challenged.

"China, you shouldn't be so attached to… this boy," he softened his voice. "He's nothing but trouble. I've seen what he did to the farm animals…"

"Since when do you care about farm animals?" Yao laughed.

"Listen, I may not be a prophet but I can tell if that boy ever grows up to be a full nation, he's going to be ruthless. He might even be the end of you."

"You don't know him."

"And you do, Yao?"

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK MY NAME! I will not have you stain it!" Yao roared and slammed his fist down onto the table. "You don't have the right to say anything! You're the one who murdered millions of my people! Everywhere you went fertile land was laid desolate; the living became dead, and their skin and bone crumbled to dust! I can feel them even now, for as long as I live they demand retribution."

Ganbaatar, stunned at the outburst, sat there afraid to move or even make a sound. Dread was an invisible demon perched heavily on his shoulders and only he could hear the sharpening of its knife. Or perhaps it was the noise of Yao's agitated breathing.

That was the breaking point of his patience, and he was blinded by the rage that felt bitter yet surprisingly satisfying. However, Yao reprimanded himself for losing his composure over some uncivilized savage. "Fine, I'll do what you wanted. I'll go find Ivan if that means I can get away from you."

With that, Yao stood up and walked past Ganbaatar not looking at him once.

"If you don't find him before dawn, I'll flay both of you alive," he called out after him in an attempt to reassert his authority. But the quivering of his voice betrayed the fear he was trying to mask.

"I'll pray for your success," Yao said calmly after regaining his cold façade.

Ganbaatar listened to the sound of his steps until it faded to mere echoes of the things he wanted to say, but never did.

Where could that child have gone to? Yao thought annoyingly. He had already searched his own room, the kitchen, the servant quarters, and even storages. Ivan had a gift for miraculously finding him in any time of the day at any place he could imagine himself being in, yet Yao had no idea where to look for the boy. This possibly being the result of him never having to worry about finding him since Ivan was always banging on his door or had already sneaked in to his room and positioned himself as the king of the chamber. Several guards bowed to him as he made his way through the palace, but he paid them no attention as concern began flooding his mind.

As much as he hated to admit it, he cared about Ivan. The nights where he begged him to let him sleep in his room, Yao had heard Ivan sometimes crying in his sleep. Crying about missing his sisters, crying about the pain that was deeply engraved on his body, and so Yao would pull him tighter into his embrace, wishing there was anything he could do to make the heartache go away. Of course Ivan knew nothing of this, as the when the mornings came he was greeted by Yao scowling at him and telling him to get out.

Without him noticing it, he had wondered to the only garden of the palace. It was a sorry excuse for a garden as Yao squinted to see the barren land under the incandescent glare of the sun.

The plain laid out unapologetically in front of him. It was but an expanse of grass and wild meadow flowers. Uncared for, and freely grown under nature's command, the garden was untamed as the nation it belonged to. In the middle of the field stood a great oak tree and from there he heard the whimpering of a child.

Yao mentally slapped himself for not thinking of the most obvious place for a boy to hide. Alas stupidity was a contagious disease.

"Ivan you can stop hiding now, Mongolia is not here," Yao walked under the tree and looked up at the child perched on one of the branches.

Ivan winced at the voice but once he realized it came from none other than his beloved Yao, he peered down and brightened at the familiar face.

"Yao!" Ivan squealed delightfully, waving to him and losing his balance in the process.

"Whoa, be careful!" Yao's heart stopped as he watched the child almost plunging down the tree. Luckily, Ivan grabbed onto the branch before falling over through the leaves.

"Aha I'm okay," he smiled innocently displaying no signs of fright, yet Yao could see his hands trembling as they clenched to the tree for dear life.

"Well come down now," Yao said.

"I can't," Ivan nervously replied.

"Why?"

"I don't know how, I'm stuck here." Even though he was still smiling, droplets of tears were forming below his eyes. "Help me, Yao."

"Get down this instant. I don't have all day." Yao crossed his arms. How could he climb that high in the first place if he didn't know how to get down?

"But I can't!" Ivan's smile was now replaced by a frown and he felt himself breaking down after the rollercoaster of emotions he had been through today. After narrowly escaping Ganbaatar's wrath, he hid himself on a tree. However as soon as he looked down he knew there was no way for him to get down. So he prayed and prayed for an angel to come get him, and just when he thought his prayer had been answered, Yao seemed angry at him.

Watching him on the verge of crying, Yao sighed and knew that kid would be the death of him one day.

"Okay, if you can't get down here by yourself then jump."

"Huh?" Ivan stared bafflingly at him.

"Jump, I'll catch you." Yao grinned and extended out his arms.

"B-but I'm scared," Ivan whined.

"Aiyahh why are you scared? I said I'll catch you didn't I?" With arms still reaching outward, Yao motioned for him to jump.

"I'm sc-scared of falling," Ivan stubbornly insisted. "Why can't you jump up here and bring me down!"

"Because you have to learn to be strong," Yao answered sternly. "Didn't you say you wanted to be the largest nation in the world? If you can't even jump down a tree, forget about that pipe dream."

Ivan pouted, and felt himself to be unfairly treated. Truth to be told, he didn't want to be the largest nation in the world, he only said that to get the attention of the older man.

Ivan shivered as he was being dragged down through the hall. Ever since his land was conquered by the Mongols, he was taken away from his sisters and held prison in a small room with no windows. It was a dark and unforgiving place; there was nothing in the tiny room but his own heart beat and rancid breath. Days and months passed before he was let out, and that was only to properly meet the Mongolian empire itself, Ganbaatar.

He could hear the sound of his chains scraping the floor as he made his way down the grand banquet hall. There he met the tyrant who held the leash to his imprisonment. Ivan whimpered in fright as the man slowly descended down the steps from his throne. He was slim but muscular, with predatory eyes of a hawk. He wore a long braid and was adored in layers of fur, tunic, and silk.

"This brat is Muscovy?" Ivan trembled as the man's intimidating voice landed upon his ears.

Luckily the man did not seem interested in him and merely told the guards to place him wherever they deemed appropriate. As the feast was about to start and little Ivan was seated at the corner, the door barged open and a man more intimidating than Ganbaatar walked in.

He was intimidating; but not in the way that the Mongolian was. His presence commanded attention, and he walked as if he was the only one in the room. Even from far away, Ivan could tell that his face was finely crafted. He had fine painted brows and lashes so thick it could be illegal. And then his eyes-they were deep and catastrophic, a vivid amber that closely resembled gold. He had distinct cheekbones and a strong jaw, and his fair skin made him devilishly handsome. He was dressed differently from the others, wearing a white garment that flowed like waterfall, and his beautiful long hair was an entity of its own; it freely danced in the wind, silently and elusively.

Yet it was not his appearance that made Ivan gawked in admiration, it was the way he held himself. So sure of himself, and mighty as someone who watched empires rise and fall.

But no matter how intensely Ivan stared at him, he never looked in his direction. Not even once.

The mysterious man took his seat next to Ganbaatar and the banquet began. But the whole time Ivan was just staring at him, praying for him to look at him even if it was just for a second.

"Hey China, remember the new territory I conquered?" Ganbaatar asked Yao in an attempt to start a conversation. However he gave no reaction as he continued to pour tea for himself. Annoyed at Yao's lack of reply, he called out to Ivan, "Muscovy, come here!"

Shyly, Ivan watched his feet took steps across the glossy tiles.

"Um, I-I'm Ivan," he stuttered softly as he stood in front of the two men. To his disappointment, even though he was standing directly in front of Yao, he appeared utterly bored out of his mind and his eyes were staring in the distance past Ivan.

"I…I'm going to be the largest nation in the world one day!" Ivan blurted out before he could process what he actually said.

Suddenly all eyes were on him and it became so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Then the whole court bursted into laughter. Ganbaatar looked like he wanted to kill him, but Ivan didn't care because for the first time that man finally looked at him.

He seemed puzzled at first, but then ever so slightly the corners of his mouth moved upward. Whether it was out of condescending amusement or genuine kindness, the moment Yao smiled Ivan knew his fate had been decided. Even if the world around him started collapsing, his heart would not get crushed as long as he was looking at him.

"Yao Yao you're so mean! I'll die if I jump down!" Ivan began to cry.

"It's not the fall that kills you, it's the landing," Yao corrected him. "You won't die because I'm here to catch you."

"Nyet!"

"Ivan, I'm going to count to three. If you don't jump down by three, then I'm going to leave you and bring Mongolia here."

"What?! Yao!"

"One."

"Wait, I'm not ready!"

"Two."

"I can't!"

"Three."

Ivan bit down on his lips firmly, closed his eyes and let go of the branch. For a moment, he was suspended in air, limbs flailing, and mouth agape. Like a newborn bird, he was flying down, head first, toward the inevitable crush. But instead of the hard ground, he was laying in soft fabrics and two strong arms wrapped tightly around him.

Yao had underestimated the impact of Ivan flying into his arms. He was heavier than he looked, and as soon as he landed in his arms, Yao lost his balance and fell backward towards the ground. Sure, not a single hair was harmed on Ivan, but Yao felt perhaps if might have been better if he had just climbed up the tree and brought him down.

"I told you I'd catch you," Yao said.

Ivan buried his head in Yao's robes and purred against the warm chest. His fingers curled into the fabric, not clasping it tightly, but just to reassure himself that Yao was truly there with him.

"Um, can you get up now?" Even if Ivan was only a child, he was already to his waist and having him lying on top of him was beginning to take a toll on Yao's, in no way muscular, frame.

"Nyet, I like this position," Ivan nuzzled happily against him.

"So you like being on top of me, huh?" Yao couldn't help but tease him, even though the child had no idea what he was actually referring to.

"Da!"

Ivan's innocence made Yao scold himself for the indecent thoughts he was having. For crying out loud, he's like a father-figure to him! But somehow that thought made him feel even worse. Briefly, he wondered what Ivan would be like when he grew up. What would he look like? Would he still retain his childlike smile? Would he still follow him around like a baby duckling?

He might even be the end of you. An unpleasant thought entered his mind, but he quickly disregarded that idea. That Mongolian knows nothing.

"Vanya, let's go," Yao nudged Ivan slightly. "Ganbaatar said he'll skin both of us alive if we don't return by sundown."

"Don't worry I'll protect you," Ivan rose up his head and stared earnestly into Yao's eyes.

"Ha, you mean you'll hide behind me again." Yao pinched his chubby cheeks and laughed as the child grumbled dejectedly.

They lay on the ground surrounded by wildly grown grass. Rough and shaggy like uncombed hair, the grass waved and rustled in the breeze. Yao held Ivan close, one hand playing with his soft platinum hair, and the other enclosed around his back.

"Yao, I meant what I said," Ivan's voice broke through the peaceful silence.

"What?"

"I'll be there to catch you when you fall too." There was an unwavering certainty in his words that both amused Yao and brought unease.

"Silly boy, I won't fall," he spoke softly.

"Everyone falls," Ivan said it as if it was a matter-of-fact. "But don't worry Yao, I'll catch you."

For the first time since they met Yao had no idea what Ivan was thinking of, and as he glanced down at the boy rested on top of him, his face was hidden by Yao's own clothes. He guessed it didn't matter what he meant because right now as he closed his eyes he could envision the horses galloping freely across fields of powdery snow.

AN: This is an one-shot divided into three chapters, next chapter will be full of angst! Be prepared!

You have no idea how much I value reviews, so please leave one if you can. I really would like to know what you think of the story.

Thank you for reading! Hugs and Kisses ^J^