A/N: And the second chapter. Oh, and also, I forgot to mention this in the first chapter, but a special thanks to Wrath-Chu, my Ivan, who got me into this pairing. 8D ILY MER! I'm glad I decided to rp China. xD And of course, reviews shall make this author update faster ;D

Disclaimer: This is in no way trying to be historically accurate, nor does this fic represent the real thoughts of the people of either China or Russia, including their leaders, past and present. However, do keep in mind that this fic is trying to keep close to historical events as much as possible, but some moments may be altered to more suitably fit to the purpose of this fic. Oh, and as much as I wish to, Hetalia nor the wonderful personifications of China and Russia do not belong to me.

Sunflower

1956: Falling Apart

"Ivan, aru…" Yao began quietly, his voice fading in the grave air that was currently surrounding both of them. "…We can't continue on pretending that everything is alright, aru. Things… things aren't going so well, aru…"

He said it. He said what the both of them had been avoiding to mention, what both of them had been running away from. Their empires were splitting apart, from the inside, and both of them were powerless to stop it.

And things really were not going well between their two empires. In fact, one might say that they have found a loophole in the uncharacteristically strong bond between the Soviet Union and China. A change in Ivan's boss caused it all; this new boss of his openly denounced his former boss' policies, which caused anger and anxiety on China's boss' part. The result? Undeniable tension between the soon-to-be-former-comrades, if things don't turn out for the best.

The hurricane has struck, and there was no stopping its passing.

"…I know that, comrade…" Ivan replied just as quietly, his voice completely serious, his demeanor completely mature, his aura completely business-like. There was no trace of the cheerful, childish Ivan. Business meant business after all, and he was going to try to get things back to the way they were.

He remembered the day their relationship strengthened, the times when he saw himself venturing out into Chinese territory more and more, enjoying the warmer climate and leaving the cold, harsh snow behind. Their bosses shared similar ideologies and dreams. They were both against Alfred, both resented the fact that he had (or rather, his boss had) decided to help Kiku, after all the destruction and chaos the Japanese had caused upon Asia. In other words, they shared one view, and similar interests.

Ivan's boss had insisted on assisting Yao's boss in both economic and diplomatic departments, in exchange that the Chinese recognize the Soviet Union as the final and ultimate authority of Communism. It seemed a fair trade: The Soviet Union would help prop up their economy, they recognize that they are under the Soviet Union. In fact, it seemed too much of an assistance just for the simple desire to be recognized as the main communist implementer. Therefore, their bosses agreed, and thus was the start of a close tie, a bond that would bring them closer to each other not only in business, but in personal feelings as well.

However, not very long after, conflict started to rise between them. Yao's boss was not satisfied with what the Soviet Union was giving them, and was offended that they were forced to repay what they had owed during the conflict with Yong Soo in a time where they most needed the money to launch a major economic project.

That, and the sudden change in Ivan's boss.

This is the so-called 'loophole' in their relationship. Ivan's new boss, unfortunately, clashed ever so frequently with China's boss. It was clear that they had different interests, and different goals.

They didn't have much time. It was obvious that the days they will ever be together, the days that Ivan was allowed to casually drop by Yao's house for business and personal talks, was numbered.

"…You know, Yao-kun…" Ivan suddenly spoke up, his quiet voice seemingly booming through the silence that had surpassed both of them, bringing them both back to the harsh, undesirable reality. "It was… it was really difficult to come here today, you know…"

So it has started. There was no running away, now. Yao had tried to convince himself so many nights that this was just a passing moment, and that eventually their bosses would be in agreement once again. He had tried to convince himself that the conflicts that were taking place between them was just part of a cycle, and once they were out of that cycle everything would be alright again. Yes, he had spent sleepless nights, laying in bed, hazel orbs focusing on a point in the ceiling, trying to convince himself. But it seems this blow rendered all those sleepless nights useless.

"…Then why did you come here, aru?" Yao didn't mean for it to sound accusing, or anything bad really, but somehow coming out from his own mouth, it just did. He sounded cold, and maybe he was getting icy, but this whole thing was frustrating him, too. "You could have spared yourself the trouble, aru. You know we don't need to meet everyday, aru."

Ivan couldn't help but flinch a bit as he noticed and felt the coldness in Yao's tone, his heart breaking inside, though he kept his childish smile intact as a cover-up. "I wanted to see you, Yao-kun." He replied honestly, hoping that would trigger… something, he didn't know what, but just hoping it would strike something in the older nation.

Yao tilted his head to the side, partly to cover-up his flushed face, and partly to keep his composure. "…And why would you want to see me, aru? We don't have business matters to talk about yet… or anymore, aru."

Well, crap. How the hell was Ivan supposed to answer that question? He had succeeded all this years from keeping what he had felt from the other man… or at least he so thought. He had managed to keep his emotions intact, managed to stop his mind from thinking how long Yao's eyelashes were whenever they peered together at the world map, and even managed to tear his eyes away from parts of Yao's body that he wasn't supposed to be looking at. But… how the hell was he supposed to answer that question?

"Uhm… just because, Yao-kun." Ivan tried pathetically, hoping the other would buy it. Because seriously, he couldn't rack his mind fast enough to come up with something even half-convincing.

Yao raised an eyebrow, peering at Ivan curiously. "Because what, aru?"

Part of Yao was hoping that Ivan would admit something, or even hint at something, through pursuing this topic further. He wanted to know if Ivan wasn't lying, six years ago, when he said he thought of him as nothing but a business partner and comrade. He wanted to know whether he truly hasn't developed feelings, or whether he truly still thought of him that way. He was going to push this until he is satisfied that he truly knows what Ivan's thoughts and feelings are.

That, however, was not good on Ivan's part. He knew the other wouldn't be convinced with such an answer; because, seriously, how many people out there would say "just because" when asked why they wanted to see them? And to someone who's supposedly just a business partner, too?

"I… I don't know, Yao-kun…" Ivan said finally. His brain refused to work at the most crucial of times; usually, he could just scare off people with his aura, or his uncharacteristically cruel smile, but this was Wang Yao. This was China. Sure, the other man seemed to display fear and apprehension of him at times, too, but somehow he didn't have the heart to use this "scare tactic" against the older Chinese.

Yao was truly amused. He decided to focus his whole attention to the Russian now as he leaned against the table, resting his chin on his hand, his hazel gaze directed straight at Ivan. "You 'don't know', aru? But surely, there must be a reason, aru."

Ivan was getting frustrated. Not only at himself, but at Yao as well. Why must he insist on asking? Does he want the truth out? Both of them know he can't say why he was really here. "I just wanted to, da? That's all there is to it." He replied in a firm tone, signifying the discussion was closed. Yao couldn't help but pout that he can't pursue this any further.

"If you say so, aru…" Again, silence reigned over them, consuming them both. They were so near each other, yet so far, and both of them realized that. They looked at each other, seemingly cheerful violet meeting burdened brown, each seeing in the other's eyes what both of them wanted to get out, to just say outright, and yet they couldn't.

Wouldn't.

Mustn't.

"Yao-kun…"

"Ivan, aru…"

They spoke each other's name at the exact same time, with the exact same intention: to shatter the silence somehow. Each blinked at the other, surprised.

"What is it, Yao-kun?"

"No, you go first aru…"

Here are the two superpowers, the two communist giants, the two powerful enemies of the democratic world, acting shy in each other's presence as if they were on their first date.

Each of them silently hoped the other had something to say, because what they really wanted to convey cannot ever be let out in the light. However, both fell into silence again, Yao looking down at his hands, Ivan staring at a spider building its web on a corner of the ceiling.

Silence. It did not seem to be a bad word, yet to the both of them, it is a powerful force holding them back from each other. It was also their only refuge, a state in which they could plan their next move, their next words, and their next actions.

However… it is also the very thing that could very well exist between them forever.

Their bosses were getting pissed at each other, to the point that Ivan's boss continually disallows him from seeing the Chinese communist. Today, Ivan had to sneak out in the wee hours of the morning just so he can get to Chinese territory without being spotted. True enough, when he reached China's house in an ungodly hour, he had waited outside until the sun rose and heard movement from inside the house before he had knocked. It was cold and damp, and he was freezing, but he managed to keep his composure before he knocked on the hard wood. Yao didn't need to know just how much he had to go through just to get here today, because if he did, he was certain that he was going to get questions that would be impossible to answer.

"Yao-kun…" Ivan finally spoke up, though in a voice only barely loud enough to be heard, after what seemed like an eternity. "If… If our bosses ever decided that we should split up… You will still allow me to see you, da…?" No, his voice was lacking its usual threatening tone in that sentence. It had a tone of… a gentle question, almost hoping, silently praying that Yao would answer in the affirmative.

"…Th-that's not for me to decide, aru…" Yao answered in a voice that was pained, wishing that they weren't in this difficult situation and could just be free. Free to say what they wanted to say, free to convey what they wanted to convey, free to feel what they wanted to feel. Yao was torn between his dedication and loyalty to his boss and people, and his love for… for Ivan, his communist partner, confidante, ally, and comrade.

"But Yao-kun! You can't disallow me to ever see you!" Ivan raised his voice a tad, his tone now alarmed, frantic, as if time was chasing him on horseback. Yao was, on the other hand, blinking at Ivan, confused. So… So was it really true that Ivan did think of him more than just as a business partner?

However, even if that was really true, it could never be. Whatever his boss orders him to do, he must, even if that means sacrificing his personal comfort and happiness. It would bring him much joy to be able to continue seeing Ivan despite this conflict, but… if the time should come that even that simple happiness, too, must be taken away from him because of the will of his boss, then let it happen.

"That's… You know I can't control that, aru… We have to… We have to follow our bosses' orders, aru…" Yao bit his lower lip, cocking his head to the side, unable to look at the other anymore lest his longing should grow greater. However, he was soon snapped back to attention as he felt a bigger, heavier body cling to him, pulling him close, enveloping him in a warmth he thought he would never experience. Yes, Ivan Braginski, who supposedly only thought of him as a business partner, was hugging him. Screw the holding back; he couldn't take it anymore.

"…If I can't continue to see you, Yao-kun…" Ivan let the words trail off, letting the silence speak for him. He continued to hold the other close, burying his face in the other's head, the smell of the smaller man's shampoo permeating his nose for the first time. Yao seemingly melted under the warmth of the embrace; not hugging him back, not pushing him away, but allowing himself to be wrapped in the other's love, this simple gesture telling him everything that he needed to know and erasing any past doubts he might have had.

"I know, aru…" Yao replied simply, a solemn smile spread across his delicate features. "I know, aru…"

They continued in that position for a few more moments, both of them unwilling to pull from the embrace, this physical contact they have long wanted to establish. However, nothing lasts forever, and Ivan pulled away reluctantly, slowly, savoring every second he was holding the Chinese.

"Yao-kun…" Ivan started, words jumbled in his mind, wanting to say everything that he really felt, yet finding no proper words to express it. Yao put a gentle finger across the Russian's lips, smiling so tenderly that his heart broke at the thought of not seeing that face again should the relationships between their bosses become worse.

"You don't need to say anything, aru. I know, aru…" Yao moved over to Ivan, laying his head gently on the other's chest, hearing the gentle heartbeat that was beating inside. "I've… I've felt the same way, aru."

Ivan was not surprised. He too, knew. Both of them knew what the other really felt, but because they were the symbols of their empires, a representation of their people, they were afraid to verbalize it. But now, there is no need for verbalization. There never really was any need for verbalization. Action is all that is needed.

Ivan carefully reached for the smaller man's chin, tilting his head upwards to face him. He waited for any signs of reluctance or pulling away from Yao, before bringing their faces closer. Yao's eyes almost automatically fluttered to a close, until Ivan closed the distance between them. It didn't matter now if someone was watching them. What mattered is that they were together, and (god help them) will continue to be together.

Pulling away slowly, Ivan carefully opened his eyes as he gazed into Yao's hazel ones, obscured by long lashes. He leaned his forehead onto his, and caressed the other's cheek with much love, absolutely not believing that he just kissed his comrade, ally, confidante, business partner… and hopefully secret lover.

However, the chime of the clock brought them both back to harsh reality. Two o'clock. Ivan had to go. Seemingly like Cinderella, Ivan's timed happiness was over. He was at the front door in a flash, knowing that it was a race against time before the spell ran out, before his boss was back in.

Waving goodbye to Ivan with a melancholic air as he ran back to his own territory, Yao was about to go back inside and mope when he heard a deep 'ahem' from behind him. Turning sharply, he gasped lightly and bowed. It was his boss.

Shit.

"…There was no reason for that man to be here, Yao. What was the meeting about?" His boss asked in a serious tone, eyeing him suspiciously. Yao flinched, but answered.

"He was just coming for a visit, aru." Yao replied simply, directly, starkly, not offering any more explanation. His boss, however, was not satisfied, but did not pry for any more details. Only command.

"From now on, he is only allowed on this territory when I have told you in advance that he is coming. Do you hear me, Wang Yao?" With that, he turned on his back sharply, his commanding, intimidating air reaching the depths of Yao's soul. He could do nothing but follow.

"Yes, sir, aru…"

OooooooooooooO

"…Ivan Braginski. Where have you been?" His boss' loud voice echoed throughout the house as Ivan entered the front door. He quickly stood to attention as he put back his cheerful smile on.

"I've been to Chinese territory. It is wise if I kept our diplomatic relations strong, da? There might come a time when China will be useful to us." Ivan was always ready with his answers, after all. He will not let anyone, anything, deter him from going back to that place of solace, where the only person that was encouraging him to go on, to face this conflict, resided.

"…China is no longer useful to us." His boss admitted, no tone of remorse or contemplation in his voice. It was said, just like that. No explanations offered.

"But there will come a time when he will be, da? It's wise to not take our chances by making him an enemy. He is, after all, our most valuable communist ally, da?"

"…No. I've found other relations. From now on, you will only be going to Chinese territory specifically when I command you to, and you will never go there on your own will. Do you understand?"

Yes, Ivan understood every single word, but that doesn't mean he would follow it. Nodding slowly, his right fist clenching behind his back, he maintained his composure and childish smile, though his aura grew considerably darker. "Da."

He would find a way. He always does, after all.

No one could deter a person in love.