Characters (c) Hidekaz Himaruya
Fanfic (c) Diaspro, it is a translation from Russian
*Russian oven - besides its use for domestic heating, in winter people may sleep on top of the oven to keep warm. It is also used for cooking, for example, to bake pancakes or pies.
Cold winter sun glimmered through the window, casting a spot of light on the floor. Though there was a heater, the room grew a bit colder during the night. A sleepy Yao poked out his foot from under the blanket. It was chilly. With a funny frown he got his foot back into warmth and laid his head on somebody's chest. Somebody's… chest. He woke up at once. China looked up and wasn't surprised to see Russia's relaxed face, sound asleep. Russia's hand was on China's lower back, holding him tightly. Looking more closely at those yearningly familiar features, China bit his lip. Why is he so beautiful? This unpredictable, sometimes terrifying man. He fought so many wars, so many times he was tortured, he saw so many horrible things – and yet so damn good-looking. It's some strange logic, if any at all.
I wanna stay in bed just a little bit, while he's still sleeping, thought Yao and laid his head on Ivan's broad chest again. Just a little bit, and he didn't notice he dozed off. Later, China woke up past noon. He was alone and the bed wasn't so warm now. Frost on the windowpane shimmered in beautiful patterns. On the floor, a spot of light had moved closer to the wall.
"Eh?"
"Woke up, you sleepyhead? Good morning," called Russia from a doorway. He entered the room and put a tray on a little table. On the tray there were two mugs of hot tea. Rubbing his neck Russia sat down on the bed.
"Oh, my shoulder hurts."
"Um, your shoulder?" China made an amazed expression, getting up rather unwillingly and putting on his clothes.
"Yep, I just haven't slept like this for so long," noted Russia vaguely. China felt somewhat piqued, had he not woken up earlier he wouldn't have known they slept that night in each other's arms.
"What are the plans for today?" asked Yao simply. A warm mug which he took from the tray was really enjoyable.
"How about ice-skating? And discussing some issues we talked about last night?" smiled Ivan.
"Ok, I have my skates with me."
Still, how come they fell asleep together? China frowned and sipped some tea from the mug. Last night Ivan was going to sleep on the Russian oven, offering Yao his own bedroom. China politely declined, saying that as a guest he wouldn't cause any trouble. Belarus noted there was a guest room. It was in the northern wing of the house though, so it could be cold there at night. "I am sure it's not so bad aru. I will be ok there," China tried to insist. Patience had never been Russia's strongest trait, he just lifted China in his arms and took him to the room upstairs.
"Vanya, I told you a guest room is all right for me aru!"
"And I said I don't want you to get ill!"
"Then I'll sleep on the floor!"
"Enough of that. I'm trying to make you comfortable, please don't refuse," said Russia firmly and shut the door. "I'll stay here until you sleep."
"This is violation of my privacy aru!"
"For your own good."
China clenched his fists, his hands shaking with anger and offence. He stood up from the big bed – Russia had thrown him on it rather offhandedly.
"Fine! As you wish!" China ripped off his clothes and put on silken pyjamas. Then he got under the blanket and turned away, facing the wall.
"Good night, Yao."
"Night," muttered China, trying to calm down his racing heart. Now, he was even sorry for being obstinate. Really, he shouldn't have lost his temper even if he worried about his lov-
"Vanya."
"Why aren't you sleeping yet?"
"Come here aru," China stood up and watched Russia's dark figure walking up to him.
"What is it?"
Without a word, China reached out for the rim of Russia's sweater.
"What are you doing?"
"Undressing you, can't you see aru?" China's cheeks turned slightly pink as he took Russia's sweater off.
"Why?"
"So you could get in bed aru."
"I don't-"
"It's okay. We'll sleep in one bed. Sorry about the earlier."
Smiling gently, Russia changed his clothes.
"Here's the borderline aru. It separates us!" China drew a line in the air between them and turned away to the wall.
"Yao… It's the only thing that separates us."
*
"The only thing that separates us aru," murmured China, putting on the second sweater.
"What did you say?" asked Russia, wrapping his scarf around his neck. China looked up.
"No, it's nothing aru," reassured he quickly.
"So where will we skate?"
"There's a shallow lake nearby. Now it's frozen to the bottom. Wanna come along with us, Natasha?" asked Ivan as he was about to go out of the house.
"Thanks for invitation, but I can't. Lot of things to do."
"I see. Let's go, shall we?"
China mumbled yes, fighting with the zippers on his boots. It was hard to put them on because of wool socks. When he looked up he saw a shiny hatchet. Belarus was holding it, looming over him. Suddenly the zippers gave in.
"Brother, fetch a Christmas tree, will you?" Belarus gave the hatchet to Russia. Ivan nodded, took a rope for the tree and kissed Natalya on the forehead. She shot a winning smile at Yao, who grinded his teeth, and closed the door behind China and Russia.
It was sunny and frosty outside. The snow was sparkling in the sun, creaking under their feet. The air was so icy that it was hard to breathe. Russia strode towards the fir-tree forest.
"Is the lake far from here aru?"
"About 20 minutes walk," answered Russia, turning to China. Yao looked very cute in Natalya's short fur coat. Russia smiled. "We won't be cold – it's not windy."
China nodded, though Russia couldn't see it. Making his way through the huge amounts of snow Yao followed Ivan into the forest.
*
Blades of the skates glittered, leaving deep marks and scattered icy powder on the frozen surface of the lake. Shadows were strange in winter dusk, but the forest didn't seem scary as China felt Russia's big warm hand holding his one. Squeaking of the gliding skates mingled Russia's steady breath. No other sounds disturbed the silence of the lake.
"Please, move your legs apart," asked Russia as he was going to do another figure skating element. With a blush, China obeyed, feeling Russia's hand on his lower back. But it was China himself, who had suggested that they skate a couple of circles together. All because of Russia's brilliant skills, which China admired immensely. He watched Ivan's graceful flexible movements, mesmerized. Also, Ivan always hummed some tune when skating. But as they began skating together, he kept silent, just telling Yao now and then how to do the next element.
A beautiful fir-tree, packed and wrapped, was lying on the shore of the lake. It was big, with long boughs, just fine as a Siberian fir-tree could be.
"I bet the Olympic gold will be yours," panted China.
"Thanks for the compliment," grinned Russia. "Would you like to go back?"
"Yes, just one more circle aru."
He should open up and trust. Let the Russian take his hand and lead. China's heart was almost jumping out his chest – so exited and tired he was. China nearly fell in Russia's arms but the cold air brought him back to his senses. It could be a perfect excuse to forget about all odds between them, so China heaved a sigh. This moment he heard Russia singing softly some familiar song. A song from the times of scarlet clothes and the ruthless boss.
"As summer passes, here is cold again-"
China wrapped his arms around Russia's neck, understanding everything.
"And the ground, clad in snow, 's waiting for the sun-"
China bent down Russia's face to his. It was not physical but rather mental effort to do it. He pressed his lips against Russia's ones, parted in surprise. He didn't care they were skating towards the middle of the lake, he just felt their hot breath mingle and Ivan's strong arms hug his shoulders.
I don't need it! Do you hear me? I don't need the world where we're strangers…
The original fanfic is there www(dot)diary(dot)ru/~Hetalia/p58055314(dot)htm
T/N: about the Olympics – the fic was written long before Vancouver xD