Alaska's Burning Love

A Hetalia Love Story

Part Two

Always

"Ivan I have been at this for hours! I don't want to speak Russian any more, I sound so mean." I pouted leaning my face on my hand as I stared at Ivan who was sitting across from me. As I stared into those big purple eyes of his and as mad as I was a smile crawled across. Every time I looked into those eyes minded me of that day so many years ago when I though I was gaining a big brother. Little did I know that one day he would be so much more to me, not that he knew of course.

"Fine my Lyubof I guess that is enough for today. Would you like to go get some lunch, on me?" Ivan said tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear and I blushed, I loved how he called me love in Russian. I clapped my hands excitedly, it was a very rare occasion that we ever went out to eat any more. Ever since he learned that I was actually amazing cook he was always begging for me to cook him the meals. I didn't really mind since I rather enjoyed cooking but it was nice to go out with him too.

"That sounds wonderful Ivan! It has been so long since we have gone out to eat I cant wait. Just let me go change and then we can go. Be back in a few." I called to him as I ran out the door and up the stairs. As I opened the doors to my room a wave of cold air hit me and I let out a small shiver. I loved the cold and Ivan made sure that my room was always a bit chilly. I loved how caring he was for me.

As I walked across my room I stripped out of my clothes and stood in my underwear looking through my closet. I hit the button rotated my clothes until finally I found my favorite dress. I slipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror, as always I loved the effect the one shoulder blue satin had of looking great with my hair and how the slit up the side showed off my flawless legs. Overall I though I looked good, and that was something I usually didn't think.

After quickly putting my hair up with a bow I rushed back down the stairs where, as always, Ivan was waiting for me. I slowed my pace a little as I reached the bottom half of the stairs enjoy staring at the man who had taken me under his wing so long ago wondering how I had been so lucky to have him with me. As I finally reached the end of the stairs and was standing next to him I blushed suddenly thinking I didn't look quite as good as I had originally thought. "My, my Sky you look so amazing in that. Not that you don't look lovely in everything." he said in the thick accented voice he only used when we were alone.

I let out a girlish giggle and pulled on his hand saying "You can compliment me in the car Ivan, I am starving!" He nodded politely as he helped me into my coat. As we stepped outside into the chilly air I shivered and pulled my jacket close to me. I may like the cold but you couldn't help wonder if there could be to much of a good thing.

"Are you cold Sky?" Ivan asked with a hint of concern in his voice. As he did he put his arm around me in an attempt to block out the wind but I shook him off. As much as I loved the sudden jolt of electricity that shot through my veins whenever we touched I was not going to have him think that something like little cold weather bothered me. I saw a twinge of hurt in his eyes but as soon as it had come it was gone as he opened the car door for me.

As he drove through the mostly deserted street I stared out the windows watching the snowflakes drop down one by one. Ivan had once told me that every one was unique in its own way and I still mesmerized me to think that with all these tiny flakes not a single one was the same. I rolled down my window allowing a cold breeze to go through the car as I help out my hand allowing the small cold flakes to fall on my hand one by one. I stared at them trying hard to find any difference at all and sighed in frustration when I couldn't.

Ivan looked at me from the corner of his eye as I rolled the window back up, silently asking what I was upset about. "You told me that snowflakes are all different yet they all seem the same. How can you be sure that they are not all just a copy of each other?" I asked eagerly awaiting for an answer as always. It seemed no matter what my question he always had an answer and I loved that about him.

He chuckled a little as he pulled into the parking lot of our favorite restaurant. I pouted wondering what was so funny about my question. "Don't get so upset Lyubof, its just that your question is so innocent. Anyway just because you cant see the difference does not mean it is not there. It is the same with people, they judge you from looking at you expecting something, just like you and your snowflakes, but on the inside people are more then what they appear." he said as a sad shadow fell over his eyes. I patted his hands comfortingly knowing that he was probably thinking about the other countries. He had told me they think he is a horrible person but I just couldn't see why, the Ivan I know wouldn't hurt a fly.

He squeezed my hand gently before finally letting go and getting out of the car. As we took out favorite booth and ordered our food we sat in silence just staring at one another. As his round all seeing purple orbs met my own brown ones I couldn't help but turn away and blush. So much had changed since the day when he promised to stay with me. Yet one thing was always the same, Ivan was always by my side.

As I sipped on my tea I savored that thought until finally he broke the silence by asking "Sky I have been true to my word and staid by your side, do you ever still feel alone even when I am not at the house with you?" I stared at him in shock, how could he even believe such a thing! Ever since that day he found me I had never once felt lonely.

"Of course not Ivan! Even if you are not right there with me I know you will always come back to me. You have never let me down before Ivan and I do hope you never will because … I am happy with you. And I … I don't ever want you to leave me." I said as a blush rose to my cheeks and I couldn't pull away from those unique purple eyes I had fallen for. I small smile started to creep across his face as he placed a hand lightly on my cheek, tracing my jawline with his thumb.

"Sky, Alaska, my Lyubof you know that I would love to spend all of my time with you. I have not left this place for a very long time now not that I am complaining but I am afraid I do have to return home soon." he spoke softly not wanting to upset me but my face dropped as he said this.

I felt hot tears starting to gather at the corner of my eyes but before they could come rushing out he said "No, no my Lyubof do not cry I will not be gone for long! But you must understand that I must go and take care of some very delicate matters, I would take you with me but I am afraid that at the moment that is not entirely possible. I know you don't like being alone Sky but can you please just try to understand?"

I sniffed and dabbed at my eyes with a napkin. I didn't want him to leave me and yet at the same time I actually understood what he had to do. A couple years ago this situation would have gone completely different but ever since Ivan had started to let me actually run most of my home I have grown more sympathetic with his issues with his own home. He looked at me waiting for an answer and after a deep breath said "I understand Ivan but you promise you will come back to me?"

He took both of my hands in his and kissed them gently sending a pleasurable chill up my spine. "I will always come back for you my Lyubof. Always." he said with such care in his voice I almost could have believed that he was just torn up about this as I was. My throat closed up on me and I just couldn't find the words to say, luckily I was saved the trouble of trying to talk when our food arrived. Ivan held up his glass of wine towards me in a silent toast and we ate our lunch in a heart aching silence.

I stood at the airport staring up at Ivan using all my strength not to start to cry. He ran his fingers through my hair and I placed my hand on his as it stopped on my cheek. Neither of said a word but just stood there staring into each others eyes. It was like we were in a personal war with the loser being the one to pull away first. As much as I didn't want to lose I pulled away and reached into my pocket for the small gift I had gotten him.

It was a piece of cloth, just a small one I had found in the sewing room, yet I had worked hard in the past two weeks to turn the plain white cotton into a brilliant work of art. In the middle was a little girl on the rocks with a ship in the distance, then that picture was surrounded by lots of snowflakes and pine trees, then around the boarder was Ivan's favorite sunflowers. I handed it to him timidly and said "I know it is nothing that special but I made it myself. Its so that no matter where you go in your home you will remember me."

He took it in his hands delicately as if he was afraid he was going to broke it. He stared at it with wide eyes and ran his fingers along the intricate embroidery before finally pulling me into a tight hug and saying "I don't know how I could ever forget you my dear Lyubof." I gripped onto his jacket not wanting to ever let him go.

I finally let go and smiled at him sadly. I brushed his hair out of his eyes and said softly "We will have time for this later but right now you have to leave. Your home needs you Ivan, make me proud." He nodded and with just a single look back he loaded onto the plane and in just a few minutes he was gone for the first time in my life. I always thought this moment would be so hard but I was alright because I knew my Ivan would come back for me.