When America woke up the next morning, he couldn't remember where he was. He remembered going out in the woods, the wind taking his sleeping bag away, almost dying in the freak blizzard…

"About time you woke up, sleepyhead."

Oh, right! He was at Russia's place. The brunette sat up and stretched, reaching his arms up. "'Morning, Russia," he said as he let out a yawn. "What time is it?"

"Almost noon."

"Noon?" He jumped so quickly, he fell to the floor. It was then Alfred noticed he was moved to the couch before he landed back on the floor just now. "When did I move over here?"

Ivan, who was sitting in a chair next to the couch, raised his hand while smiling as always. "I'm responsible for that one. You looked very uncomfortable on the floor, so I put you on the couch. You seemed happier there."

Just then, America remembered the dream he had that night. He was stuck in another blizzard just like yesterday, only worse. He couldn't even see two inches in front of his nose. Suddenly, he felt someone holding him, almost like a baby. That explains why it felt so real that he was being carried since Russia actually did carry him.

But the next part was the weirdest. He suddenly felt himself being sat on Russia's couch, like he was in reality, but then Ivan kissed his forehead. It was… Strange. Yet, all Alfred did in the dream was smile and blush. Before he knew it, the dream ended with Russia singing him the song from before.

That reminded him… "Hey, Russia. What was the name of the song you were singing last night? In the other room?" The brunette felt a little stupid for asking, but he was curious now.

"Hm? Oh, the lullaby." He sat the book he was reading on the table beside him and leaned back in the chair. "It's a Russian lullaby called Маленький ВолкСерый, or The Little Grey Wolf Will Come."

America pulled himself back up onto the couch and lay back on the arm. "Sounds cool. What's it about?"

Russia thought for a moment. He wasn't exactly sure how to explain it. "Well… I guess you could say it's a lot like your Rock-a-by Baby in America. Just listen." He cleared his throat before the words, now in English, spilled from his lips.

"Baby, baby, rock a by

By the edge you mustn't lie

Or the little grey wolf will come

And will nip you on the tum

Drag you off into the wood

Underneath the willow root."

When Ivan finished his song, all Alfred could do was sit and stare in amazement and shock. Shock because, well, it was worse than Rock-a-by Baby. And amazement because of his voice. He's never heard Ivan sing before, and he swore that an angel was sitting before him.

Whoa, hold up. Did America just call Russia an angel? And the dream… Was that a sign of… No, it can't be, can it?

"Alfred?"

For reasons unknown to him, America's heart skipped a beat when Russia said his name, his real name. He blinked a few times before he snapped out of his trance. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine… I'm gonna go outside for a minute…"

Russia nodded, but something the hero saw in his eyes made him look a little hurt.

Great, now he was looking at his eyes! He needed fresh air and fast. He grabbed the coat he borrowed last night and went out, finding that the warm, fuzzy coat was too long for Alfred, but not too long to make him stumble all over the place.

Once he was outside, the brunette snuggled deep into the coat. It was still freezing out! How the hell did he survive out here? Couldn't even go out and get fresh air without freezing his berries off! Thank goodness this coat was really thick. Maybe that's how he gets through the winters.

With his nose buried in the fabric of this jacket, all the male could smell was Russia, and he smelled magnificent! It was a very sweet smell, almost like that of the Sbiten from last night, but better. Alfred was still wondering why the hell was so interested in these features of the other, but he stopped thinking about it for now. He just stuck his nose in the cloth and took a good whiff of it, sighing afterwards. He felt like a stalker a little bit.

Soon, he heard the sound of snow being stepped on behind on. Ivan had come to stand beside him, looking out at the warming sun. "Summer will be coming soon to Russia," he sighed, his breath, a visible white puff.

The American looked to the taller being. "What? This place looks like the middle of winter!" He laughed a little, looking back to the snowy ground.

Ivan let out a breath of a laugh, glancing to the brunette. "Not even close. Winter here is much worse. Be happy Britain sent you out in the late spring."

"Britain! Aw, crap." He suddenly remembered the bet. "I'm not gonna have any ice cream for a whole month! This sucks!" He began to pout in the large coat.

The other laughed and shook his head as he rested his hand on America's shoulder. "I'll supply you with ice cream, da? You just have to meet one condition of mine."

"Sure!" He responded quickly. Al would do anything for ice cream! "What do I have to do?"

Ivan looked ahead of them again, slowly stepping a few steps forward. It was as if he was reconsidering the deal. What kind of condition made you reconsider?

"Tell me," he finally spoke, smoothly and clearly. "What are your thoughts on me?"

America froze up. His thoughts on… On Russia? How the hell did he…? The blue-eyed male prayed to god he didn't talk in his sleep, which made him wonder what he did say if he did sleeptalk. "Dude… I-I don't know how to answer th-that-"

"Yes, you do, Silly." He turned and smiled sweetly. "You just don't want to tell me." Russia approached the other and rested a hand on his head. "Please… Tell me. I'm curious."

The younger male looked down, hiding his blush. He was right. He did know, but didn't want to admit it. Actually, he wasn't exactly sure how he felt towards Russia… Just that he liked him… A lot. And that's all he knew.

When he got no response, Ivan moved his hand down to Alfred's chin and gently pulled his face up to look at him, making the brunette blush even more. "Close your eyes, look deep into that heart of yours, and tell me what you see."

He wasn't sure if he could do that now. His eyes were glued to Ivan's. They were such a beautiful shade of violet. Enough to hold a sparkle in his eye and make anyone that fell under his spell drown in them. They looked as if they were searching America's own oceans of blue for something, anything to reveal his true feelings and thoughts.

Suddenly, his legs gave out, making his world begin to fall toward the ground. But before he hit the cold fluff, a pair of arms caught him, bringing him back up to stand.

"Alfred? Are you alright?" the Russian asked as he let the younger lean against him.

Just like the last time, Alfred's heart skipped a beat when he heard his name from Ivan. From him, it almost sounded like a song. A lovely, soothing song.

"Ivan," he breathed, watching his breath turn white, then invisible again as he tried the name for the first time, "I had this dream… Where you set me on the couch like you did last night… But… I dreamt you kissed my head, a-and I liked it… Now that I think about it, though… I-I-I'm starting to wish you kissed m-my-"

"Your lips?" That was it. That's exactly what the brunette wanted now.

He looked up at the blond, his eyes begging, pleading for just one try. He had never been kissed, and ever since he was twelve, wanted to know how it felt.

As an answer to his silent plead, Russia closed his eyes and ever so lightly pressed his lips against Alfred's. He was so careful, it was almost as if he was handling fine china, and if he pressed to hard, the male would break. But then again, their lips molded together so perfectly, Ivan had an urge to push a little closer.

All America could do, though, was stand there in shock, wonder, and a mix of hundreds of other emotions. His eyes were wide open, staring at the face of the other. He looked so peaceful and at ease. He wanted to feel that way, too, so the brunette closed his eyes as well. The feeling was so much for him, however, his legs became weak once more and he had to lean against Russia again, deepening the kiss himself. Alfred wrapped his arms around Russia's neck to hold himself up better

Ivan chuckled against those soft, warm lips and pulled back slightly with a smirk. "So, is that how Alfred feels?"

The other nodded sheepishly, looking away again.

"Then Alfred shall meet another condition of mine."

All this, just for ice cream behind Arthur's back? The brunette wasn't sure how much more he could take.

Slowly, the older male tilted his head to kiss just below Alfred's ear and whisper quietly.

"Alfred shall become one with Ivan forever."